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

The Promise STILL stands..

Today my Lovies, remember whatever you've   been promised will come to pass.. 

Do you believe that the right music can change your mood and even your outlook on certain situations? This am as I drove my son to school "Better" by Hezekiah Walker played. While I drove my daughter to her doctor's appointment, it played again. After I dropped her to school, ole school Winans brothers and Anita Baker blessed me with, "Ain't no Need to Worry".. 

Just listening to those songs, my entire life was encouraged. 

The funny thing about Promises, they may not happen right when we want them or expect them. They will happen in perfect timing. As I reflected on some of the Promises promised to me, my heart smiled and I was reminded just as Rome wasn't built in a day, neither were promises made to happen in a day. 

Gosh, my soul is encouraged today. My pity has turned into a praise because my promises are enroute! 

I challenge you to reflect on your promises and remember the ground in which it was built on. It may seem a little shaky now but as you( we) become strengthened as will the ground!! I'm excited.. The Promises are on their way. Let's get ready!! 

Signed, 

Simply Cheneka

Music with Meaning....

There's nothing greater than seeing thousands of people getting together to enjoy great music. As my Dora and I arrived to the Amphitheater, we saw tons of people bringing in their coolers, lawn chairs and comfortably dressed to enjoy the Silk, 112 and Jagged Edge Concert. 

Im not big on outdoor concerts( although I do attend them) but this one was quite dope I must say. We arrived in our VIP area and instantly began to mingle ( I mean we ARE the founders of Women Who Network, that's what we do). We enjoyed a few glasses of nicely chilled wine, the pre-show( ok, here's my truth, the first act was Pastor Troy. While in the salon a few years back, my stylist was talking about Pastor Troy. I naively asked, "Where's his church".. She responded, " Neka, he's a rapper". We laughed for hours! Lol), a McDonald's contest and then the show began. 

The first group Silk, was not a fave growing up but a was able to Rock to a few of their songs.. 

My all time fave guy group( aside from New Edition, Jodeci, BBD &New Kids on the Block to name a few) 112 was the second act.. I was in absolute heaven. Hearing them live took me back to high school and my early 20s. Certain songs,( Peaches & Cream, Cupid, You Already Know, I can't Believe) I remembered exactly where I was and what was going on in my life. Music of the 90's had meaning. When you dated, it meant something. If you questioned your relationships and your boyfriend, the right song made it ok.. Gosh I love 112. The kicker though, I grew up listening to them but we're all the same age. Lol

Lastly was Jagged Edge. Another fave. My sister always reminded me how much my daughter's father looked like Brandon. My all time fave song will always be, " I Promise".. Their songs also remind me of certain events of my young adult life. 

Well Atlanta, thanks for a great night of music with some of the most vocally blessed men of the world.. A great night, not a dime spent ( thanks Sandy) and videos that will last as long as I have this iPhone 6.. 

My loves, I challenge you to play some good music and let it take you away.. I'm pulling out some of my 112 and Jagged Edge today and I'm going to dance and sing my life away!! 

Signed, 

Music is Life 

In My Heart...

I Love Music.. The beat, the words, the groove, I. Love. It!

I've been building my iTunes library/ playlist and when I tell you I can go from

0-100 in a matter of minutes just by what I'm listening to. I'm no Trap Queen but sometimes the best gets in me and I bust a move or 2!!! 

Somedays, I feel a little ratchet and I go to RedMan, JayZ, Biggie, Nas, Lost Boys( aka mainly Mr. Cheeks on Renee'), when I'm feeling Independent Beyonce( oh I perform her music regularly,  cause I have a Big EGO!!! Lol Nobody believes me when I say I can sing but I really can) and when I'm feeling sultry Jasmine Sullivan, independent artist Lara Bell, Celine Dion, Heather Hedley, Jill Scott,  Estelle, Jhene Aiko are just a few who get me thru. And when I want to feel ole Skool and play homage to all my West Indian people, Patra comes to mind bc I WAS " Queen of the Pack".... ( A whine session has commenced in front of my mirror).. 

And when I need to hear some of my fave guys  Avant, MusiqSoulChild, Usher, Carl Thomas,Raheen DeVaughan, John Legend, BJ the ChicagoKid and Common ( to name a few) all come to my rescue . And when I need to feel connected to my God, I find comfort in gospel music. 

On any given day, I can go to a playlist and there's a bit of something to appease all the people. I'm definitely a people person and when I can unite with someone based off music it does something to my soul. Music is great. It makes you feel good, it can also make you sad, it makes you think but above all, if you let it, it can take you places where you've only dreamed of. 

Today my Lovies, I challenge you to turn on your favorite song and dance your life away. Let it carry you and fill you with JOY!! When nothing else matters, Music does.. Who are some of your fave artists? 

Signed, 

Music gives me Life... 

We attract what we ARE ... Truly

I cannot express it enough the importance of being true to you. Once you find out what works for you, there are no things that will God will keep from you. It's just a matter of 1st being TRUE to YOU.. We go to school, we earn degrees: We work jobs, we receive promotions: We write books, we gain the title "Author"..
And so on and so on...

Well, whatever happened to just being happy with being you? I was born Cheneka T. Hobbs.  And although I've shortened it and go by Neka, its still who I am.. Yes, I'm a business owner but I don't want to be known as just the owner of KISS. I want people to hear my name and automatically associate me with the good I've done. Yes, I'm co-founder of a wonderful Women's Organization( Women Who Network) but I want us to be known as the women who are constantly looking for ways to give back.

 On yesterday, I was able to support a photo shoot launching the line for Ms. Sonya of Lady University. I met Sonya at church during one service( dReam Center Atl produces business owners) and instantly we connected. It's true, when you think with thoughts of moving forward and becoming better, you truly attract people who think as such.

Sonya, is a young woman who like many of us, felt we were going no where fast. She went from job to job, still feeling there was a void in her life. She experienced an AHA moment and got her life. Sonya is a piano instructor here in Atlanta and she's founder of Lady University, where through daily affirmations, she reminds women to be a LADY and good wholesome GENTLEMAN will come to you.
SideNote: Want to see some beautiful natural curls, Sonya's tress is amazing :-)

Yesterday, during the shoot my daughter was Sonya's mentee. It was awesome watching how well everyone interacted. Not only was I present to support but I was also able to mingle with other moms and women on the move. We chatted about various topics, from parenthood too where we attend church, life stories to making lifelong connections.

I'm excited about Sonya's Journey and I'm glad we were able to connect...

The more I position myself to just be me, the more others will and embrace and receive the true ME...

There's only one you.. Others may try and succeed as just a carbon copy BUT only YOU know YOU~~

Signed,
Great is followed by GREATNESS~

Reliving the memories of Disney on Ice....

 Being an only girl, attending Disney On Ice was hit or miss. Yeah, I was the unluckiest little girl with no girls in my household( my sisters lived with my father and their mother). Occasionally, I'd get to go with my sisters or an Aunt who was taking her daughters.

Don't get me wrong, we attended the Ringling Bros Barnum & Bailey Circus regularly but for my Mom to actually say, "We're going to Disney on Ice" with my 3 rough brothers in tow was a No No!! lol

Once, I began my career as a City of Boston Youth Worker and the free tix started coming in, I could easily find at least 6 youth or more interested in going. I remember our very 1st experience where 4 boys went with us. It was their very 1st time leaving out of the hood of Jamaica Plain, Ma to experience Disney on Ice. I remember the looks and admiration upon their faces. At the end of the event, as we prepared to head back they said, "Neka if you get more tix please include us". Two of them were murdered before we could experience it again as a group( and before I relocated to Georgia).

Li&Disney on Ice 11'

While working with the youth, I became 1st time mommy to a little girl and my dreams of attending Disney on Ice became a reality. From the time she was 9months up until just last year, we attended EVERY Disney on Ice event. I still have her very 1st Disney on Ice admittance tix( I know, semi collector of things with meaning to ME)... No judgement please!!!

I'm excited about the upcoming Disney on Ice experience. I'm already making preparations with an evening sitter( most likely the Mr) for my son because this is the type of event I like to experience with just my daughter( I love my son and he's tons of fun, he just hasn't mastered sitting still. Yes, he's only 1). I'm ready to purchase a snow cone, a souvenir booklet and maybe something small for the boy, just because!

We LOVE Disney on Ice~~ Hurry October!!!!