Tunes to the Soul..

This past week has been filled with smiles and music.  MUSIC has reminded me, Life Is GOOD, everything isn't worth a fight,thought of, appreciated and above all the most beautiful girl in the world #Prince ( I'm sure you are too)..

When you least expect it, the right song will speak to you, make you cry, make you dance and invoke feelings that you forgot existed.

Sometimes, music will shed light on situations and help you look at it from a different perspective.

This week, music has allowed me to revisit friendships and give old things a new try. ~ Beyonce'
" Let's Start Over"..

Different genres of music speaks to the different parts of Cheneka.

Gospel, keeps me grounded in God.
CCM, helps me to worship God freely, unrestrained, on my terms
RB, speaks to the black girl who loves LOVE but HATE it at the same time
Old School ( New Edition, Bobby Brown etc...) speaks to the Northern girl in me..
Rap, speaks to the around the way girl I Am ( sometimes...) popping gum, sitting on the stoop, big hoop earrings at least 2 pair, Fendi carrying Cheneka.
Love Ballards, make me feel close to the one I Love& secretly crush on.

I LOVE MUSIC....

A while back, I was engaged in a conversation with my 13 year old daughter and 14 year old neice. They expressed that the music I like is old and their new age music is where it's at.. Gosh, only if they knew about Salt & Pepper, Karen White, Johnny Gill, The Boyz, Heavy D, Wu Tang Clan, Method Man, Lost Boyz, Heather Headley..just to name a few.

Yes, music change with the times but good classic music new ever goes away.

This weekend, turn on your favorite Pandora stations and mix it up. Feel the words, connect with the words, appreciate them and dance, sway or cry. Just promise to ~ Remember the Music " Empire"..

Signed,
Cheneka Sings

☔️☔️ Prince....

I've always known who Prince was. I listened to his music, always loved his hair, followed the story when he became the symbol. I even remember when he performed on GMA and they introduced him as the artist formerly known as Prince. I thought to myself, what ever! He's still the same ole Prince. 

I remember being at Essence Festival two years ago and how the Mercedez Dome was purple the entire weekend. He gave an amazing show. I won't say I was a super fan but I enjoyed his music. His talent was amazing.. 

As music lovers are still trying to cope with his death; after viewing Purple Rain LASTNIGHT, I have a renewed appreciation for who he is as the Artist and as a person. 

 

I believe I'm a people person. I like to read them and understand. I believe part of my calling in this life is to help others and to just be loving and understanding. 

As I watched the movie LASTNIGHT, it was in those moments I understood why people spoke so highly of him. Although I'm not 100% sure if it were a true story or not, certain scenes I felt were parts of his life. 

A person can't fully understand someone or something until they've lived and spent the night. Although his character witnessed and lived thru a lot of abuse, it shaped who he was. Many times we live inside shells because we've been hurt, neglected and taken advantage of. 

When we live in abuse, we become a reflection of abuse( to a certain degree). Although I was not to fond of the abuse, I understood it. He mirrored what he saw in his home. His music spoke of his pain and I'm sure it became an outlet

 for him. 

It's ashamed that when we transition from this life, people began to share their innermost remories of us.. I don't have as much as some but watching the movie I felt a closeness to Prince. I understood him. I sang along, Tapped my foot and felt like I was reliving the 80s. .. After listening to Purple Rain LASTNIGHT and truly understanding the words, that's my fave.. Lol 

" I never wanted to be your weekend lover

I only wanted to be some kind of friend
Baby, I could never steal you from another
It's such a shame our friendship had to end"

My Lovies, allow your memories of Prince to forever live. Not just him but anyone you've lost along the way. Memories will forever keep us close to our loved ones. Let's not allow for their death to be the reason we miss them. If they are alive call them, go see them. Let them know you're thinking of them and you love them.. And you might even say, " I would die for YOU"... 

Rest well Prince. Your style, presence and voice was definitely one of a kind.. 

Signed, 

Simply Cheneka ~~~~ 

How could you just leave me standing?
Alone in a world that's so cold? 

Maybe I'm just too demanding

Maybe I'm just like my father too bold

Maybe you're just like my mother
She's never satisfied 
Why do we scream at each other
This is what it sounds like
When doves cry 💜

Divine Connections~

...~When you stop basing your connections on who should be here and appreciate who is here, there you'll find your Strength~ CTH

I've been on my journey for quite sometime now. I've come to the realization, God will lessen the load if I tap into what it is HE would have me to do. I've tried to alter my life and just when I thought it was working, God reminded me what I've prayed( and still pray) what He's promised, what He's shown me and what he'll do once I let HIM be God.. The funny thing is, it's not that hard to let him lead, to bad it's taken me this long to realize it. 

For the last 2 weeks, God has been talking to me the same way I'm typing this blog. I'm no longer trying to talk my way out of it, I'm listening through it. And in the process, amazing people are guiding me along the way. 

I've always believed that family will never let you down, they'll be there indefinitely. I've had to learn a lesson or 2 about that. And in the process, I've made some divine connections, that I'll carry with me forever. I have only 1 biological mother( Mama I love you) but as of late, great women who are old enough to MA have reassured me that they support me and have the interest of me AND my children at heart. 

Friends also come a dime a dozen but oh when they turn family and they pray for you, cover you, cry with you, get you together and still love you?! That's nothing but divine. 

And JESUS!!! Whew!! If we take our eyes of religion and focus on him, He's everywhere and visible in all things!! Today I'm choosing to allow these divine connections to Bless my Life, I'm choosing to let God be God and I'm choosing to keep sifting through until my treasure is visible.. Yes, I am the treasure but there's a hidden treasure growing inside of me and you too. 

My Lovies, I challenge you to stand still and see the Glory!! It's there. Allow God's grace to carry you, trust  what he's shown you IS coming to past... This Time!! 

Signed, 

Simply Cheneka ~I'm no Saint but a Sinner who's alive because of Mercy & Grace!! 

Everyday Happy.. Just because...

My 5days of Happy Challenge has been a blessing to my life. Every single day I woke up with a grateful heart. I prayed and promised not to let anyone or anything disturb my happy place. 

It's been amazing to appreciate every minute of the day knowing the next isn't promised. I've accomplished so many things this week all because I decided I just want to be happy and accomplished. Now that I know and understand I control my happy, it has given me the confidence to speak into every area of my life that I need to change. 

There are so many things on the horizon for 2016 and they all include my Happy... 

What's your happy? What did the challenge do for you on this week? 

I know for sure I've looked at every area of my life through happy lens on this week. Don't get me wrong, everyday won't be peachy and some days may seem harder than others but I'm determined to see the happy. I'm no longer have  interest in being around Debbie Downers, I refuse to let your miserable life dictate my happy life. 

Today my Lovies, push yourself to continue seeing the happy in each and everyday. Thank God for your OWN life. Thank him for all he's doing and all he's going to do. You have the power within to achieve all that you've set out to accomplish. I dare you to do it with a smile 2, I certainly plan too!! 

Signed, 

Forever Happy!!! 

I just Got to be Free....

And today it hit me... I've started the journey of freeing myself from what people think of me, what they've dumped on me, how they've mistreated me and how they didn't value me.. Keyword ME... I'm taking back what belongs to me. I belong to ME.. 

It's such an unexplainable feeling to let go of other people's garbage. As my journey intensifies, I'm finding that it's easy just to let it go.. IF it's not going to help me, why be bothered? If it's not going to enlighten me, why waste time giving it attention? And if it's not paying a bill, then you know the rest... HA!! 

I won't lie and say I've never held a grudge because I have. I will say, as I'm praying more, embracing Patience and truly coming to grips with letting people go: I'm freeing ME!! 

It takes more out of us to be mad. Once that negative energy is in your space it's hard to welcome Peace again.. As I embrace my new space, I urge each of you to truly start the process of letting go.. 

Trust me, once you start you'll ask yourself what took you so long? Today I embrace free.. 

" I just got to be Free, Free, Freeeeeeee"... 

Signed, 

She's free 

Bright Light....

I remember being at a point in life where I was over everything... Failed relationships, failed friendships, family issues, job related issues.. I was absolutely over it ALL. If you were on the outside looking it, it seemed quite together.. 

Crumbled... 

However, there was this little bitty light in me that would not go out. I found the strength to keep pushing. I found the strength to pick up those crumbled pieces, figure out how and where they fit and try it again. 

When there's a force bigger than you living on the inside, there's no way you can give up. It's easy to wallow in hurt and sadness. But the real test comes when you're able to shine Bright through it all. 

Today my loves, I challenge you to live a life where your positive light speaks for you. Allow your light to speak when you walk into a room full of doubters. Allow your light to be someone else's sunshine. Allow your light to shine and give others hope. We're only as bright on the outside as the light we carry within... Today, I will shine. I will attract what I put out: Love & Positive vibes.. 

Signed, 

I shine Bright like a Diamond!! #believeThat 

I Came 2 Win

Life is full of so many obstacles. This year alone( and it's only June 15th), I've taken quite a few blows but I've always found the strength to keep going. On most days, where it would've been easy to wallow in my pity, I would hear my son's voice or my daughter would text me and instantly I was reminded why I have to keep going. 

Saturday evening, a sister friend invited a few of us to the ColorFest 5k. Although we arrived later than expected, we were still able to get in FREE and participate.  I must admit, this has been one of the best "Me Time" breaks in a while. I can honestly say, I've truly enjoyed doing what I want, eating what I want( I haven't gone to the supermarket since the kids left) and sleeping in late. 

Saturday night was a reminder that, I may not have everything I want but what I need is always provided in abundance.  As I watched the people around me and jumped up and down to the " What's up what's up", it hit me: Life is good. If I continue to press, stay Optimistic, support others and go after my dreams, one day I'll have it ALL. 

Love, Peace and Happiness surround me daily but I have to chose to allow them to manifest in my life. 

Today lovely people, accept what you cannot change and choose to Live your life happy and in color. 

So what it didn't work, so what you had to cry, so what you have a Buick instead of a Benz. You're here and ALIVE. 

I've Come to Win and losing will never ever be an option.. I challenge you, 2 Live!! 

Signed, 

Ms. Sunshine 

Sometimes you have to STEAL....

I love my family but sometimes, I Love being under this dryer so much more... There's no1 laying next to me taking all the covers, no snoring and Peace of mind. Don't front, Yall know you like stolen quiet moments to yourself. Where nothing even matters. 

My time at the salon is priceless. I get to kick up my feet, read a few magazines and actually check my emails ( and not feel bad). My time at the salon is reFreshing and it gives me energy for the weekend. Granted I have to drive a couple of extra miles out of the way but it's stolen me moments. And how about this, it gives me time to blog. 

Yeah, I know this is probably a pointless, meaningless blog today...

But hunni chile, these stolen moments gave me absolute life today!!

Signed,

Hey you, Enjoy this Saturday!! 

Just Can't Win them ALL....

 It seems, the more people we try to please the more people who become offended. I would love to just one day wake up and not have to hear and nagging. But, that's asking to much I suppose!

 In a perfect world( cricketts..........) people would understand the importance of living a life they are proud of. At the young age of 33, I'm learning I have 2 people that mean more to me than anyone ELSE in the world. They are Chelia Ne'Dawn and Matthew Ashton. The way they view me as 1st, their MOM and 2nd, as a Woman carries more weight than what anyone else says or thinks( I do have 5 people that mean just as much but they already know they matter) of me. We just cannot please everyone.  My goal is to make my CHILDREN happy, to make my CHILDREN smile, to go above and beyond for them. The heck with adults. I mean, after a certain age shouldn't we ALL be responsible for our own happiness and care less about what and how the next person is living and maintaining?

 We tend to put to much concern in the next person's life. So what if they don't agree with you, so what if they don't talk to you. It doesn't mean they don't like you( a lesson that should've been learned in grammar school, some failed the course miserably) it just means they are their own person with their own way of thinking and operating. If we all walked around and spoke the same, thought the same and lived the same, it would be a boring world with no originality.

I have 6 siblings. I grew up in the same house with 3 of the 6. I can honestly attest that although they are boys, we all are totally different. Which at times baffled me because we were in the same house with the same mother dealing with the same issues. However, we viewed them differently and had our OWN individual take on life itself.


Trust me, there will be days where no matter how much you talk, show forth with your actions and be helpful, someone will not like it and to some it just won't be enough. I say, throw in the flag on that situation and take the high road and walk away.... It doesn't mean you're giving up. It just means you LOVE yourself alot more than to keep going through the same drama just on a different day.

I'm not living my life as a race. I'm enjoying each day I'm allowed( Thank You JESUS) to wake up and breathe. I'm enjoying each day I'm allowed to be with or speak to family and friends. I'm enjoying laughing, running, smiling, shopping, living and above all making a difference. So, just in case you missed the memo, I'm NOT living a life to please everyone. As long as my GOD and children are pleased I've completed the task set before me...

 ~Just Can't Win them ALL but for the ones I can, Thank U for being you and allowing me to be ME~