Gotta believe.

Happy Wednesday! I missed ya. It's a beautiful day in the city today! The sun is bright and so far the humidity low. :-)

How's your week going?

I have to say coming off of a really lovely weekend helps to jumpstart a pretty good week! I got to spend the day at the beach on Saturday, which is always heavenly to me. :-) Sunday was even better spending it with my aunts, uncles, cousins and my grandma. It was even more special because my grandma, who suffered a stroke last year, said "I love you" and "ok." We were all so happy about that. It was so nice to be with family sharing laughter and love. It's so rare that we get to do this--except for Christmas or Thanksgiving. It is extra~special when we gather together just for the sake of bonding and enjoying each other's company. I am grateful for those times. I am grateful for family. :-)

McPherson grandgirls & aunt Sandra w/Liam

So, my question of the day...do you believe what you really, really, really desire eventually manifest in your life? I do. It's so amazing, but seriously, in the last two weeks some little things that I've been wanting have been realized. Certain things that I may have normally taken for granted have been happening. Ranging from free tickets to fantastic shows, to free bus fare, to delightful surprises from loved ones, to stronger bonds with certain family members, and the list goes on. Now, these instances may seem small or unimportant, but I'm believing that if I really believe on a larger scale, my "bigger" dreams will soon start manifesting as well. There's no longer any failure in my mind, it's all about living, doing, and learning. This mindset encourages me to do more and be much less fearful. :-) It's like a weight of doubt has been lifted off my shoulders. Yes!!!!

“Desire Ask Believe Receive"~Stella Terrill Mann

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth;

and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.~ Matthew7:7-8 

Our life is a manifestation, and we can very well make that manifestation beautiful and meaningful and have a good influence. ~Thich Nhat Hanh

Please share with me your thoughts. :-)

Sending cool breezes and sunshine your way. Tag you're it!

It is the greatest love of all! :-)

Happy, wonderful Friday!! Thank God. I've been anxious for Friday this week. So grateful to be feeling mighty fine on this lovely day. Ahhhhhhh, what a week. It was long and challenging, but still with sprinkles of fun and sweet surprises. :-)

 I was listening to my Ipod, as I do every morning during my 22-minute walk to the train, and an old song came on. The Greatest Love of All (Whitney's version). Now, usually I skip over this song. I mean I still remember, as a child, singing this song over and over. At every recital or special occasion for children that song seemed to pop up, so I'd had my fill by the time I reached adulthood. :-) However, yesterday I just let it play. Listening to this song that I've heard at least 100 times, was different. I could NOW relate to what she was so beautifully singing. It brought tears to my eyes. Those very, very close to me, know I struggled with "self-consciousness/self-esteem" (meaning lack of it) as a child, teen, young adult. I actually began a serious journey to "kick the habit" of self-sabotage and constantly saying negative things about myself after graduating college. It tooks years of prayer, work, doing things, etc. to finally gain something I know God gave me at conception, but somehow along the way I lost it, and that's self-love.

So, when I heard those words (that I've pasted below) my heart felt full and it made me sing. It's like one of my testimonies in life. :-) I'm ever so grateful for this love I've found. I know for sure when I love myself, trust myself, and believe in myself, I have SO much more to give. Yes!
Life is good. Life is real, real good. This (mantra) has been singing in my mind all week. :-)

Because the greatest love of all 

Is happening to me

I found the greatest love of all 

Inside of me

The greatest love of all 

Is easy to achieve

Learning to love yourself

It is the greatest love of all 

Sending love your way. Tag you're it!

These are a few of my favorite things! :-)

Happy Wednesday! The sun is glowing through my window and I'm feeling pretty delightful. Life is good. Life is hmmmm, hmmmm good. Sending you a big hug right now! :-)

Beautiful roses my BBP surprised me with yesterday. :-)

So, I enjoy shopping and exploring and discovering new things. Here are a few of my favorite things this summer. They make me smile!

**I LIVE in my silver Fitflops this summer. They are the
best thing ever for a walking maniac aka me. I walk everywhere up here. They have men's designs too!

~~So, I must visit Borders bookstore about 3 times a week. I love browsing. I came upon the most adorable postcards this summer. I love sending cards and postcards just to say hi. These are so me. Maybe this is my British~creative twin. lol. You have to check out the website it will make you smile for sure! :-)

www.juicylucydesigns.com

**I am always on the search for the best lotion ever. I love pure, good & mega moisturizing lotions. Found one! It's by a line called Collective Wellbeing. The one I'm using this summer is the IIIipe Nut/Jojoba Dry Skin Relief. Ahhhhhh, perfecto! I found it in Whole Foods. But you can order it online of course.
http://www.collectivewellbeing.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage1&product_id=29&category_id=12&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=26

**You already know I got to see Mary Poppins on Broadway. Love, loved, loved it. So I had to include that on my favorite things list. :-)

http://disney.go.com/theatre/marypoppins/#/home/

**Muscadine wine. Yum! I bought this on the road to Savannah at a gas station called El Cheapo. It's really good. Trust me. I had to try this wine because I used to pick muscadines as a child. :-) They have a lovely website. Check it out. http://www.meinhardtvineyards.com/Pages/Our%20Wines.htm

I like the Hopeulikit Red!

~~~I gain inspiration and new perspective from wise sayings/quotes. My two favorites that I discovered this summer:

To be upset over what you don't have is to waste what you do have. -Ken S. Keyes, Jr. Handbook to Higher Consciousness

The only joy in the world is to begin.~Cesare Pavese

Sending laughter your way. Tag you're it!

Shedding

Happy Tuesday! It's still summertime and the sun is still shining. Yay! Time waits for nothing, the days are swiftly passing, my hope is to do my best to live each one to it's fullest. :-)

 As I grow older, I'm so grateful all the "stuff" I've experienced, the good, the bad, and the fantastic have made me wiser. I'm learning that on this journey there are different seasons. There are stages where you have to shed that which no longer enhances your life or promotes your growth. I believe with growth brings usefulness and I am here to be of use.

At first thought of this life detox, I began to feel a tinge of sadness, because to shed means to let go of what once felt wonderful, but now is just working anymore. To shed means to shake off all that is stagnant, so it won't hold you back. It may be tough, but it's essential. I know for sure everything comes in it's time. There comes a time when you have to clean out your closet~ and I mean figuratively and literally. Have you ever cleaned out your closet, got rid of clothes that don't fit anymore or items that you can't even believe you once thought were fab? I have. Every time, I clean out my closet, I feel like a weight has been lifted. I feel a little lighter, a little freer. Best, of all my arms (my heart) become open (again) to receive new blessings. :-)

 I know for sure life is about evolving. It's about change. Without it you are simply existing. I know for sure I don't want to just breathe and take up space. I want to live. In my living, I must shed all that brings me down. I can no longer make excuses for anything that's in my life that has no purpose or any positivity. And it's OK. I don't have to feel guilty when I have a life detox. After all, I'm responsible for attaining my highest high and living my best life. This is all a part of the process. :-) And it's worth the work.

Sending you the courage to revamp and recharge your life. Tag you're it!

Celebrate Mondays! :-)

Happy Monday!!!! If you are reading this right now that means you made it. It's a new, bright, sunshiney day and that's something to be so thankful for. :-)

I had a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious kind of weekend! There was a heatwave taking over most of the country, but it didn't stop me from spending ALL day at Central Park for Summerstage. I must have gotten there around 1pm and left at 7pm. I got to see Raphael Saadiq, formerly of Tony, Toni, Tone, perform. And wow was it a performance. What a voice, what style, what coolness! It brought back so many memories of my teenage years and college years when he sang "It Never Rains in Southern California," and "Lay Your Head on My Pillowwwwwwwwwww," and "Ask of You." He has such an awesome catalog of music. I appreciate his talent. He is an artist that sings and plays and writes. Totally dig him! The DJ in between sets played some fun songs too!

I also enjoyed seeing/hearing an artist by the name of Aloe Blacc perform. He sang a soulful, blues-version of "Billie Jean." Nice. He also sang a song called "I Need a Dollar." I like. :-) I'm always open to new music, artists.

“Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul.”~ Unknown

So, let's talk gratefulness. Here's what I'm celebrating today:

**I woke up! I can see, feel, touch, smell, think, walk, talk, laugh. That's a blessing!

 

**Appreciating the lovely evening my gal pal, Sharyn and I shared with my uncle Dane yesterday. Good food, inspiring conversation, and just a feeling of love. God bless my uncle! He is so easy to talk to, so positive, so real, and just the type of person who makes you feel special. I'm so grateful to have him in my life. 

Me and Uncle Dane.

**My throat no longer has the terrible itch. YAY!!!! PTL! And my voice is about 95% back to normal. Even though the hoarse voice was sounding kinda sexy. lololol or maybe scary to little kiddies.

**My tan! Love being semi-bronze. :-)

**My $4 shades by way of a very kind street vendor in NYC. Yes, NYC has some really nice folks out there!

**Sundresses.

**Lemonade....That cool, refreshing drink. (remember Eddie Murphy said that in either Raw or Delirious?)

**Everyone's love~ especially my mom's, my siblings, and my BBP (right now). 

**Coupons from Borders! Ready for a new book today. :-)

**Peace of mind. That beautiful feeling of knowing that all is well no matter what. And feeling, being, and expressing gratefulness in the midst of the waves. There is always something to be thankful for.

Your turn!

Sending love your way. Tag you're it!!! Have a wonderfully productive, joyful, good week. 

 

is the

Joy

Happy Thursday! Feeling fab even though I slept barely 4.5 hours. :-) It's been a blessed week! I can't help but wish you smiles today.

 If you woke up today, that is something to celebrate. If you can walk, talk, think, breathe on your own, that is something to celebrate. If you have a safe place to sleep every night, a way to pay your bills, clean clothes to put on your back this morning, that is something to celebrate. If you have at least one person in this world to love and that loves you back--whether it be your mom, dad, sister, brother, child, mate or best pal, you are blessed and highly favored. Celebrate that!

 Today is a blessing and so was yesterday. I have to share with you what an awesome night I had. Remember Mary Poppins? Yes, Mary Poppins, the movie you probably watched as a kid? I got to see it on Broadway last night with a great, longtime friend and also made a new friend.(Thanks again, friends!) Ok, I liked the movie as a kid. I enjoyed singing, "just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, medicine go downnnn, medicine go down." And everyone knows I how I love the word supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. I am probably the only adult in the world who actually puts this word to use. lol. So last night seeing these songs performed so beautifully was grand! I didn't think I was going to be blown away by this play but I was. What an fantastic production! The singers had terrific voices, the set design was gorgeous, the special affects were perfect.

Not only was it something delightful to watch, but also Mary Poppins has such a beautiful message. First of all, Mary Poppins is a self-confident woman who sees the bright side of life and lives it. :-) I so dig her! lol. Also, the message of many of the song is very positive. I left feeling so joyful! I wish I could take every child in my life to see this play. There are some good lessons within this jewel of a musical for everyone, seriously.

Anything can happen if you let it 

Sometimes things are difficult but you can bet it 

Doesn't have to be so 

Changes can be made 

You can move a mountain if you use a larger spade 

Stretch your mind beyond fantastic 

Dreams are made of strong elastic 

 Some of my favorite lyrics from Mary Poppins. :-)

Sending enthusiasm your way. Tag you're it!

Really

Ahhh, it's the end of the work day. Wow. What a day! I'm drained. The good part is just two more days till the weekend! It's been a good week, just still a bit exhausted from the last few weeks.

So how has your week been so far?

Lots of things have got me thinking or saying Really?! Some in a good, loving, happy, delightful way, and some not. :-) Here goes:

*Uh, Mel Gibson....I know you've heard of his crazed (taped) arguments with his girlfriend. Is he having a breakdown?  In the latest released phone convo, Mel is cursing his ex out for getting into the jacuzzi before having sex with him. Of course his words are way more vulgar than I will ever use on my blog. :-) I mean really. I think the best thing for him to do right now is go to another land, maybe buy an island and start all over. Meditate. Make new friends. Get away from here. Plus nobody is ever gonna want to be associated with him or even be seen with the man. What a shame, he's actually a talented actor. Oh well. He has tons of moula. So he's good to go....work on his mental state and pray. :-) Really.

*Raining. Big, lite sprinkles. As the sun still shines through the clouds. I like that. Really.

*Forced, fake thank-yous. Patronizing. I really do not like that. If what you're giving is not from the heart, please keep it. That really irks me. :-/

*I was listening to a James Brown song today, I think it was Get Up and Get Involved and he screamed like 10 times. My cheeks wore sore from laughing. That really made me smile. Music rocks! James was one of a kind for sure!

*Water is the best. Really. :-)

*Kids tickle me. Two weeks ago I was at my mom's house in the kitchen about to take a tablespoon of castor oil, and I really do not like the taste or smell of this stuff. Anyhoo, my 4 year-old nephew is looking at me as I act crazy -- as I pumped myself up to swallow it. I swallow and immediately suck on a lemon and yell to my boyfriend 'oh gosh, yuck, help me.' And my innocent, darling of a nephew says to my bf--"hey help her!" It was REALLY adorable on so many levels. lol :-) (you probably had to be there to get the full effect of the moment.)

 

I went to yet another FREE summer concert on last Sunday. Listened to a few African bands and finally in the last hour The Roots and Talib Kweli graced the stage. I really felt like I was at a Brooklyn, 2010 version of Woodstock. It was hot, humid and fun. I'm a new fan of the Roots. There's really nothing like real musicians. :-)

                      Photo taken by my aunt Suzanne

*Whole Foods at Union Square is always crowded. Really.

*Wendy Williams is really hilarious. & Humble about having her show. I really like that.

*I'm really enjoying blogging.

And I really appreciate you reading and sharing. Thank you!!!!

Sending my heartfelt appreciation your way. Tag you're it!

 

Imagine that...

Happy Tuesday! I am so grateful to be feeling much better!!! I'm almost 100% back to myself. Yay! Thanks for your healing thoughts. :-)

I have a couple things on my mind that I would really appreciate hearing your thoughts on. Ok, it seems the topic of the last week for me has been men and whether they are ever faithful or not. Such an old topic, I know. But, when I recently heard about married men having many women and their wives or committed partners being OK with it, I was dumbfounded. Yes, I know since the beginning of time people have been cheating. Yes, I know some may argue that we, humans, may not have even be made to be in monogomous relationships. However, when I hear from a married man (by way of my boyfriend :)) that his successful, young, beautiful wife accepts that he has TWO other women on the side, and that, in fact, it's the norm in the ATL for men to have more than one woman b/c of the low man to woman ratio--there just isn't enough men to go round down there., I think that ain't right.... Many women are like it's all good, at least I have a man. I was like w-h-a-t!!!! I mean the first thing I thought was why would any smart, talented, beautiful, CONFIDENT woman share a man. I mean if it's that bad--move, there are 50 other states to choose from, not to mention an entire world to explore.

I realize though, that what may be missing with these women is honest to goodness self-love. And I am not letting the men off the hook. But I have to focus on my gender right now. I will always remember what my Bible School teacher told my class when I was a teenager, he said women have the power. Meaning women dictate how a man will treat her. We have the power to command respect. If we accept certain things, we will receive them. Aren't we worth more than being one of his "girls/women/chicks?"

Sure, I've heard stories of older women, married for 20 years or more, who've accepted their husbands infidelity. They take it as just a man being a man. It is what it is. However, I just can not believe that every single man cheats or will cheat eventually. I understand that marriage is real work, can be challenging, takes a lot of effort, but isn't it also a beautiful union. Isn't marriage sacred? Isn't the point of marriage to committ to this (one) person and share your life together, your dreams, your fears...To grow, to enjoy life together, face problems together--a team. A union. A bond. How on earth could anyone have a union with a 3rd or 4th or 5th person in the picture? Why accept it? We are worth so much more.
Love these lyrics from Secret Garden by Barry White:

"If you think I am gonna be good to you. If you think I like what you do

Sho' you right!"

If you have time, pause the music on my blog and click the link below. I love this song by Rashaan Patterson, Treat You Like A Queen. It's true. :-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71mwQm-FUzM

I still believe in monogamous relationships. In fact, I can think of at least 4 people, I know personally, with healthy, loving, fun, joyful marriages. When I'm around them, spending time with them at their home or elsewhere, I can feel their love, their energy. It's real. It takes work, effort, but they are in sync with one another -- living and growing and having a great life together. It is not impossible. It takes major communication and being on the same page AND compatibility for a relationship to work and thrive. Women (nor men) don't have to accept less.

My cousin Danielle and her hubby. :-)

I've been on a journey for a while now to liking and loving myself. I used to self-sabatoge by constantly saying negative things about myself, not forgiving myself for mistakes or bad choices, really abusing myself (unbeknowst to me at the time). However, I woke up. Thank God. I started to realize that I MUST love myself. If I am here not liking myself, how on earth can I ever expect anyone else to do so? I am so grateful I see my worth now. I like myself even when I mess up. And I absolutely love myself no matter what. It's not just words, it's actions. The wonderful thing is that loving myself makes it SO much easier to love others. ahhhhhh. It's like breathing fresh air! :-)

I hope that every woman is living the life that truly makes her happy. Maybe I'm naive, maybe some women can be happy sharing a man. However, my heart and mind tell me that probably isn't the case. You can have what you deeply, truly desire. Put that energy out there and it will come back to you. Love yourself, be kind to yourself, and always accept what a Queen deserves. :-)

p.s. speaking of marriage--Martin Lawrence, Carrie Underwood and Carmelo Anthony got married this past weekend. May they all have happy, healthy, relationships till death do them part. :-)

So what are your thoughts? Hablame.

Sending good love your way. Tag, you're it! 

Helluva week!

Happy Friday! We made it! Honestly, my days are off. I felt like it was Friday 3 days ago. :-) What a week this has been. Good, fun, crazy, and hot to say the least.

 “It isn’t the big pleasures that count the most; it’s making a great deal out of the little ones.”—Jean Webster

Yesterday, I had one of "those" days. Have you ever felt like satan (or whatever you call that thing that is trying to runaway with your joy) is really trying to demolish you??? lol Well that is how I felt yesterday. First, I've been suffering with a cold since last Tuesday. I thought by last Saturday I'd be all well again. Nope. The good thing is, the chills went away by Wednesday, but not the cough and the nightly agony. I don't wish this itchy, uncomfortable cough on anyone. It's the kind of cough that forces itself on you. You get that tickle/itch in your throat and the ONLY way to achieve some type of relief is to cough like your are losing it. I've coughed so much that my ribs, back and abs are actually sore right now. I've tried everything. The two things that I think are giving me some relief are pure honey--a swallow of it a couple times a day. And Vicks. Now, this sounds simple, except that I absolutely detest honey. It makes me wanna gag. As a child, my mom disguised Castor oil by putting honey in it, so now I associate the smell of honey with that. Dear Lord, help me. LOL. However, I gotta take some more spoonfuls today. Second, I went in the subway at 53rd and Lex at 6:45ish yesterday and felt like my lungs were closing. It was an oven down there. I waited about 7 minutes then had to leave and get air. I walked to 42 St. to catch the train there. I can see how someone might die in this heat, especially underground. Whoa! :-/... And there's more, but enough with the blah stuff. The beat goes on for sure! :-)

Ok, despite all of that...There have been bucketloads of goodness in the last week. I figure with all the coughing, I've been getting an ab workout. (lol) I have lost my appetite. I've eaten, but not nearly as much as usual, so I've lost a couple pounds. Today, I'm having a wheatgrass shot for sure! Must get some nutrients in my system.
I've traveled to Savannah, spent the day with my mom and one of my nephews, and walked the sandy beaches of Tybee Island and St. Simon Island in Georgia with my number one sugarplum. I enjoyed every second of it.

Savannah is a quaint, pretty city. Lots of weeping willow trees. At least, I think they are weeping willows. Georgia, itself, is SUCH a green state. Green meaning trees everywhere. I spent a lot of time on the road driving (I mean being driven)  from Atlanta to Augusta to Savannah and passing hundreds of trees, trees, and more trees. :-) And watermelons.

It was really pleasant to be away from the big city. In a place where people take their time and enjoy the scenery. I adored the cottage we stayed in at the Savannah B&B. Perfect!

I will always find serenity in the ocean. Just looking at the waves flow to the shore is peace. It is one of the great joys of life. Seeing the sunlight dance on the sea--WOW. Makes my heart smile.

 I took this photo on St. Simon Island. :-)

Despite having a day of wanting to punch something~literally. I was still able to maintain my joy. I've learned that no one and nothing can take my joy. I may get flustered and bothered for a minute or even a couple of hours. However, I've learned to let it before the next day. Life is too short to hold on to anything that brings me down. It's just too much to be grateful for and too much to smile about.
So instead of writing ten things that make me wanna scream. I thought why not write ten things to do WHEN you wanna scream :-) Here goes:
* SCREAM. it helps. It's good to just let out a big yell sometimes. Release, relate, relax (remember Whitley from A different world saying this with her southern drawl, did I say it in the right order...Hmmm)--screaming achieves that goal. 

*VENT. yes, talk it out. Express your frustration to someone. Holding it in is not healthy. Vent. Let it out. Then let it go.

*Call a friend. That's goes hand in hand with venting. A friend listens. You need that in times like this. :-)

*Sip black tea. University College London  scientists found that black-tea drinkers had lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol after a stressful event than those who consumed other hot beverages. (per Oprah magazine, Sept. 2010 issue).

*Get some distance. When you're slammed with something really stressful, don't panic. Instead, pretend you've been asked to advise a friend or family member in need, and think through the problem systematically. (reference from Oprah magazine, Sept. 2010 issue.)

*Say what you mean. Don't beat around the bush, just saying without being offensive...if possible. :-)

*Stop and smell the roses...I mean lavender. It really calms.

*Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out. Conscious deep breathing is a healing tool for sure. Go for 10.

*Laugh. Find something to laugh about. Laughing always makes things better.

*Think of 3 things to be grateful about right now. Right in the midst of the "crapola." Being grateful helps put things into perspective.

Mom and my nephew, Simeon.

Me and BBP @ restaurant on River St. in Savannah.

What about you? How do you knockout joymonsters? Hablame. :-)

It's FRIDAY! Have a supercalfrajahlistexpea-al-la-dough-jus kind of weekend! Sending empowerment your way. Tag, you're it!

Get Excited!

Hi there! It's Thursday. AND it's July!!!! Wow time waits for nothing. I remember longing for summertime and now we are smack, dab in the middle of summer in the year 2010. Yay! :-)  It still sounds strange to even say the words 20-10. We are more than half way through with the year.

Today is a great day. This makes my 50th blog! Whoo hoo! It has been so much fun. Thanks so much for sharing with me.

I'm so excited about this month. So much to do, to see, to explore. I'm going to see my mom and my nephew on Saturday in Augusta. I am visiting Savannah for the 4th with my sweetie pie. I haven't been there in years! There is so much to be grateful for. I've been fighting this bummer cold all week, but it hasn't taken my joy. It just makes me even more happy when I am feeling totally healthy and 100%.

Here are a few things worth being excited about in life:
**Meeting new people (esp. interesting ones that make you smile)
**Sunshine, the beach, the ocean!

**A fantastic song on the radio like "Just Fine" by MJB..which I will get to sing tomorrow at the GMA Concert!!! Yippeee. (love this happy song below :-))
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVMnRN2TdVw
**A good man to stand by you and support you. :-)
**A good piece of cake! lol
**A baby's first steps/words/laugh

**Learning something new!
**Achieving a goal.
**A cool breeze.
**A new day to L-I-V-E.  G-I-V-E. B-E.

You're turn. Hablame!

Sending excitement your way. Tag you're it!