Ohhh Friday

There was a time when midnight, 12am Friday my weekend was planned based off what was available in my bank account. And don't let it be a week where over-time was earned and deposited or the Union won a settlement for my department. 

What a difference a new environment, atmosphere and position in life can bring. I was working for the City of Boston and anyone who works or has previously worked a City/ State or Government job; you know the benefits and pay are quite well. 

Today, I'm no longer prompted to call and check my direct deposit because I now work for myself. The rewards are daily and it's not ALL monetarily based. I've obtained a true since of Peace with what I do. I no longer have to weigh the options of working overtime or spending time with my family. The best part is, I'm MY own BOSS!! Yes, I'm a Boss!! 

Today, cash does NOT rule everything around you. Yes we need it to survive but killing ourselves to have it and you're not appreciating it is a waste of Your time and Your energy.

Let today, this FRIDAY be your best Friday yet!! Money is good but it can cause us to do crazy things when we don't have enough. Save for a rainy day but in the meantime, after home is taken care of take care of yourself just a little and that my friend is a reward you deserve.... 

Oh Friday..... What will you bring me today?!!

Signed,

imHappy

imFree

money does NOT rule ME 

If only for a Moment...

This morning I woke up feeling just like a " bag of money". What it truly means I'll never know ( I have lame girl tendacies), however I woke up feeling great. Prayed and started my morning. Washed my face, brushed my teeth and got my daughter up for school. 

Proceeded with the morning and because she was running late and I was feeling good, I dropped her off at school. I smiled at the other cars driving thru the drop- off line and wondered if they were feeling like " a bag of money" like me.  Lol

I arrived back home and continued feeling happy until.....

I started checking on my sister girls and they had so many things going on with them. My heart began to sank and some revealed they were in their feelings, 2 felt discouraged and one dealing with serious family issues. Ahhhhhhh, the woes of life. And it never stops. There's 24 hours in a day and if you're anything like me, you go thru the day attending to everyone else's needs and not your own. 

My challenge for you is simple: if only for a moment find a reason that fills you with laughter, joy, happiness and smiles. Take a few moments and make them yours. Heck, think about that " bag of money" and how you would spend it... 

.... Tithes, shoes, new vehicle, vacation, a house, yup you get it!! Just to name a few. 

Don't worry about tomorrow, for it is not here. Use today and focus on what can be done to bring YOU happiness. 

I'm sure there's a rap or phrase that goes with a " bag of money" but in the meantime, if only for a moment I'm going to live like I got it!!

Signed, 

Cheer Up, put a Smile on your face!! 

Stop being greedy

Yesterday was clean the fish tank day. We're horrible. The little tank goes months on end without us cleaning it out. Once it gets to like 1/2 empty, I'll just add fresh water and solution. Don't judge us, we named the fish Lucky. Lucky to be alive, lucky to be fed just plain lucky. 

My morning was slow, so I took a few minutes and cleaned out Lucky's tank. It was nice and sparkly. Afterwards, I even fed Lucky because I honestly didn't know the last time he'd been fed. 

As I prepared dinner, I happen to look up and son poured half the container of fish food into the tank. Ughhhhhh and anyone who has goldfish you know they will just continue to eat. 

Within a matter of 20 mins, the water was blurred and lil Lucky was still eating. And it hit me. Lucky has human characteristics. No matter what, if you feed a Person something they like, they will continue to come back. Feed a person garbage ( ie, gossip) they keep coming back. Feed a person knowledge they will debate it. 

Today, I challenge each of you to remove the clutter and garbage. Quit over eating on the things that are not going to edify your brain and your soul. Take a moment or two and love on your life and the good that's added too it. 

Remove things of the past than have hurt you and made you feel unwanted, less than or not enough.

Over eat on your success and not the failures. Over eat on things that are healthy. When you leave room for garbage, before you know it there's tons waiting to be thrown out... Take a moment and throw it out before it stinks!

Signed,

iEat

iGrow

iLearn

IMoveForward 

Just for Today

A few years ago, a Sistergirl back home was undergoing hand surgery. Ahhh, hand surgery. If know one else understood I did. I've endured more hand surgeries than a little bit. 

I knew exactly what she was feeling. The fear, anxiety, the uncertainty and the end result of a nasty permanent scar. 

I promised her, "Love Muffin"( my name for her) I'll be praying for you. Because I was already in Atlanta; physically I could not be there but I knew my prayers could. That morning I texted her a prayer and Love & Peace will surround you today where the words I sent to her.

Today, I share those same words with each of you. We are responsible for declaring these things in our lives. We give no room to anything to take them away. We are responsible for our Peace, we are responsible for who we Love. We must work at keeping all negative Love from flowing in our lives. 

Peace is just what it is, Peace. And if it ever feels compromised we must fix it by all means. When you take authority over these areas, it's in that moment you are in full control. 

Today, I will allow love and Peace to not only surround me but flow from the core being of who and what I am. 

Signed,

iWin

imPeace

iLove

WHAT?!!!! Ohh, ok!!

"Gossip and innocent Sistergirl chit chat are 2 different things, in life know the difference"

"Yes girl, I'm telling you"... That exact phrase can go so many ways and the messed up part about it is, when it means no harm but is made into something so deathly where you start hearing and seeing subliminal messages.

The heart does not lie. And if you're truly in-tuned with yourself, yours will tell you instantly when you have said or done something wrong. 

A few weeks backs, I repeated something to a close friend, that spiraled out of control. Did I mean harm by it? Of course not. But was it taken out of context? Absolutely YES. And I felt it instantly. But I never thought it would hurt as bad as it did. And let's not front, we've all been in situations where what we thought we were protecting or coming from a good place, went completely down hill. 

We live in an age where being in a "clique" or feeling accepted is the norm. I've met some great people on my journey. Some I know we're sent for me to learn a specific lesson and some were sent to help me become better in many areas of my life. 

I digress; when I started KISS there was a team. We were building KISS together from the ground up. We were both family oriented women and we both were ready to step out and make KISS work. However, life's changes would have our journey together to shift and that's ok. 

In all things, God knew the course that each of our lives would take and it's worked out for both of our good!! #noHardfeelings

Just like with Sistergirls and friends. Some are meant for the long haul and some just merely for a season. But what hurts the most about seasonal relationships is when they end prematurely because of misconstrued words. 

I remember growing up. I wanted so hard to be popular. I mean, I was a cheerleader and we all know cheerleaders are cute and popular. I had to learn the hard way by making my own bed hard that everyone will not like you and it's ok. Learn to love and accept yourself for who and what you are. 

Now that I'm an adult, I've learned rather than be in the middle go to the source. That's a hard lesson that many of us have not learned. 

My Pastor back home always said that if we think our brother or sister have an ought against us that we should immediately go to them and fix it. I always hear those words and when my heart tells me I'm wrong and I've hurt someone I'm big enough to 1) apologize and 2)explain myself when my words have been misunderstood. 

Today, I'm stronger because I have finally grasped that concept. It's definitely been a matter of growth and maturity for me. 

Even in my personal life; I've learned not to attack with my words but come from a peaceful and loving place. So if that means to step back from the situation until I have the right words I do just that. Who wants to feel disrespected and hurt in any relationship? Surely not I. 

Will we make mistakes with our words and actions? Absolutely because we're human and not 1 person is perfect. I mean, we all aim for perfection but it just doesn't happen. And let's not get caught fooling ourselves with the thought that we are. Because hunny, that fall is going to hurt more than you'll ever know. 

I make mistakes

I'm human

I Love

I Forgive

 

And the best part about making mistakes is that even when people want to hold grudges, not talk to you for clarity and send subliminal messages, God truly knows your heart. 

Today will be a good day. I will get passed this feeling that I have. Each day, there's a lesson to be learned. It's just a matter of seeing the material, understanding it and applying it to your life. 

I challenge each of you, be strong, be confident and stand by your Words. If you're hurt, talk it out. You never fully know a person'a intent until you talk to them.

Signed,

No Harm meant, ILY

Pottying 1 on 1

It's been Hell but we've made progress! Yes, Potty training boychild. 

There's been good days and bad. Some days where I feel he has it and some days where I've been tempted to get diapers and call it a day. I mean, I potty trained girlchild in less than 2 weeks but this lil joker; I've been drained. 

And the worst part has been the fact that I've successfully helped other parents but couldn't do it for my own child. 

I was talking to a former client and she said, " Neka you're making it comfortable for him by letting him have a pull op at night"... Ouch! I had to hear it I guess. So I finished out those last 4 pull ups and he has not wore one in going on 3 weeks. 

Wow! It's been that long. My heart smiles. I knew it was time, it was just a matter of reassuring him that he's a big boy and sometimes big boys make mistakes. He has not wet the bed since our transition. And while he has not mastered going "stinky", I'll take him saying, "Ahmee I potty", and we make a mad dash to the restroom. 

My little boychild is becoming a big boy. And I'm ok with letting go. It's such a different transition with my son than with my daughter. But as we grow together, I'm anticipating all that's in store. 

Parenting isn't the easiest but these small wins, I'll take them Any Day!!

Signed,

A Happy Mommy of a Big Boy 

Just tell the truth.....

Life is hard... 

What makes it harder is when we think we know it all and we don't. I know I make tons of mistakes. I make them daily but the cool thing is knowing, God knows my heart and when I fall and make mistakes( as I'm prone to do) He's going to catch me and forgive me. 

Although I try my hardest each day to be better than yesterday, I still make mistakes. You know why? I'm human.. Along with being human, sometimes I talk out of turn and sometimes I talk to much. We all do it. Ever heard the phrase, " the gift of gab"? ( raises hand) I have. 

Since on my Journey, I've come to find out so much about me. What I perceived myself to be while in my twenties has drastically changed now that I'm older. 

It was cool being popular, now I'm content with who and what God has placed in my life. 

Dear God,

Thank You for understanding,

Thank You for talking to me and correcting Me when I'm wrong... 

It's not what people say but ultimately what you say. God I'm listening and I thank you for loving me enough to correct ME... These are my truths, love me for who I am and who I aim to be... 

Signed,

Not Perfect But I'm trying!