Today is a NEW day......

The dictionary describes fasting as the following:
verb (used without object)

1. to abstain from all food.

2. to eat only sparingly or of certain kinds of food, esp. as a religious observance.

–verb (used with object)

3. to cause to abstain entirely from or limit food; put on a fast: to fast a patient for a day before surgery.

–noun

4. an abstinence from food, or a limiting of one's food, esp. when voluntary and as a religious observance; fasting.

5. a day or period of fasting.

On Sunday, I began a 21 day fast for medical, spiritual and personal reasons.

Over the past few months, depression as began to rear it's ugly head again, but this time I am taking control. I have begun to realize that in order to survive and win over this monster that is trying to control me, I must abstain from certain aspects of my life...thus the fast.

I really don't have a full understanding of it, but I am reading and learning more every day. What I do know is that in order to be successful in my journey, I must give up the negativity in my life and concentrate on the positives. I cannot do this with an unclean mind, spirit or body.

In the Bible, Daniel abstained from certain foods and drink which he thought was unclean. Read Daniel 1:8-14. I have read the verses and decided that the Daniel fast is the one for me. It has a meaning and a purpose that I can relate to.

Why me folks? Why do this now?? I had my last day of boot camp on Friday. Within 6 weeks of completing this 2nd bootcamp class, I lost a total of 6 ounces..lol... that's right 6 ounces. I am laughing with you. I realized that this session I wasn't focused, I wasn't determined. Why me folks? Because I just didn't care. There has been so much going on within the past two months, I basically wanted to just crawl into my bed and never leave. I have got to find a better way....thus fasting. I want to have a clearer mind to focus on my daily goals, I want to be energized about life again. I want to be joyous in going to work and being around my friends and family.

My challenge to you today is to step out on faith. Find something that you want to do, something that you have procrastinated about long enough, something that gives you joy, and take a 21 day fast on your journey to accomplish your goal. It doesn't have to be a fast of giving up food and drink, but give up something. Whether it be emailing, texting...which takes away from really connecting to friends and family; always on the go, which takes away from having a quiet moment to yourself; or just negative people or things, which take away from your sanity and a right to be happy!!!

What will your 21 day fast be???

Why me folks? Why not!!!

Smoochies

Happy Marriage???

Good Morning,

This blog is dedicated to my friend Sharon. Each morning we speak via email, text or telephone just to say hello and catch up on the events of the day/night before. She inspires me all the time. She is going to get me fired if she doesn't stop sending me emails that make me laugh out loud and telephone conversations that have me crying with laughter.

We love to pose mind blowing, make you think questions to each other on a daily basis. This morning she asked if I knew of any "happy marriages"?? She has asked this question more than once to me. Like always, I ask her to define "happy marriage". Of course we all know this term could have several different definitions. Her definition today was a marriage where people were happy to just be with each other. Happy to touch, talk, and enjoy the company of their mate. Not just in it because they are in it. She heard someone say they had been married for over 25 years, and she posed the question that she had never seen this person touch his wife in public. No hand on the shoulder, no hug or even a loving look her way. I stated that he said they had been married for over 25 years, not they have been "happily married" for 25 years. There is a BIG difference.

I myself have never been married nor have I been asked. I have been in two long term committed relationships that didn't end in marriage. Today I look back at those relationships and realize that at the time I was happy, they weren't. That's when I asked why me folks??? Why didn't the relationships work for me, and did for another woman. (Both men are married now, happy?? don't know). Why was I not the one that ended up as the wife??? I have learned that as time goes by, marriage, happy or not, isn't for everyone. It was their time and not mine.

I love the idea of marriage and all that it encompasses. I love the idea that someone believes that they want to spend the rest of their life as your mate. They see a future with you and love what the future holds for the both of you.

In marriage, you make it what you want and need it to be. The first 10 years of my life, I grew up in a household with two parents that didn't fight or argue in front of me. My mom did what moms do and my dad did what dads did (in my youthful mind). I defined their marriage as happy. I was provided a loving and nurturing environment, getting 3 meals a day, clothes clean, watching tv, playing outside, etc..... so I was happy therefore I thought my parents were happy. As of today, I haven't been told anything different.

Soooooo....my why me folks question today is: If you are married, are you happily married? Do you want to be happily married or just married??? If you are not married, how high is being happy on your list???

Thanks Sharon for today's message.

Why me folks? Why not??

Smoochies

Do You Remember????

Tomorrow is Columbus Day. When I was in elementary school, I learned about Columbus and how he "discovered" America. There were certain facts we had to know, especially the date. In 1492, he sailed the ocean blue, was the phrase I was taught to recall the year of his "discovery".

This weekend I celebrated Columbus Day by doing absolutely nothing!!! I have been running for the past few weeks and decided that since I was off today from work, I would be off today from EVERYTHING!! My Monday 5:00 am boot camp class has been moved to Tuesday....thank you thank you.

Have you ever had that feeling?? The feeling of wanting to be just "off", and don't take advantage of it??? We constantly go, go, go, and when we do get a "day off", we always find something else to do. Why? Have we gotten soooo busy in our daily lives that we have forgotten how to just be off. I normally write my blog on Mondays, but decided that I am really gonna be off, so I am writing on Sunday night. I deserve a day to do absolutely nothing. Actually, I am cleaning my house from top to bottom on tomorrow :), but hey it needs it.

This week I received a picture of myself and my friend Shae from our friend Larry. It was a picture of us in middle school and high school. It was cute but really funny. We haven't been in school in years, but seeing those pictures bought back a flood of memories. I remembered the exact day at A. L. Corbett Middle School when I first met Shae. She looked like someone that didn't take any mess, and she still is not a mess taker...lol. We have been close every since. I am amazed at how me and my classmates have continued to stay in touch. I guess it's because we came from a small community where everyone knew you, and you shared basically the same values. I know several of my current friends that haven't spoken to or seen their classmates since they graduated high school and are wide mouthed when I tell them I speak with my classmates on a daily basis.

Ok my son has entered my room to watch the football game??? I put question marks because I don't watch football and there are 2 more tv's in the home. One is actually in his room...... Why is he in here??? I am reading this to him and he is giving me the tween look.....

Here's my why me folks question: Did you ever think when you graduated high school that you would be where you are today??? Whether good or bad, list an event in your former school days that stands out to you.

I want to take this time to thank all my classmates from Wagener Elementary (now Cyril B. Busbee Elementary), A. L. Corbett Middle School and Wagener-Salley High School. You are the people who made me who I am today. I thank you for your friendship and your love. You are the best. I will talk with you via telephone, email, Facebook and face to face real soon. Thanks Larry and Shae for the pictures and the memories. To those we have lost along the way...rest in eternal peace.

Why me folks? Why am I where I am today?? Why not!!!

Smoochies

What a weekend!!!

Today is another frantic Monday. I want to just crawl back into bed and remain there forever. Since I can't, let's get this day started.



My weekend was very eventful. Cool weather, great conversations and great sporting events. My son along with his best friend's teams won their football games.



Last weekend, I spoke briefly about what was going on with Bishop Eddie Long of New Birth Baptist Church in Lithonia, Georgia. If you haven't heard, "bing" him and you will definitely get caught up. Anywho, my pastor, Reverend William E. Flippin Sr., spoke briefly last week, but this week, had more to say and a lesson to teach. He spoke from Ephesians 5:15 and his topic was "Walk the walk and Talk the talk". It was so powerful. Bascially, he preached that if you are going to say something, mean what you say and back it up with your actions. How many of us do that on a daily basis??? Really??? Especially when it comes to dealing with people that are close to us. Rev. Flippin and Bishop Long are friends, and you can tell in his facial expressions and his sermon that he has been hurt by the allegations. Not only has he been hurt, but the media attention has hurt the reputation of black ministers and black churches. This is nothing new to the black churches, just been in the dark for so long. Enough about that....moving on.

I wrote on my Facebook page about the 18yr old Rutgers freshman that jumped to his death about his sexual encounter with another male was posted to the internet by his roommate and his friend. This week, there were several vigils in his honor. My heart goes out to his family, friends, and the entire campus of Rutgers University. My heart also goes out to the roommate and his friend. why?? because somewhere in their upbringing or their surroundings, something went terribly wrong and they need prayer. I have never understood why some people take pleasure in doing someone wrong or in someone's misery. It baffles my mind. It also shows me that we as a people have too much unused time on our hands. We have got to be more tolerant in the choices of others. We may not agree, nor understand, but is it really our business??? I say if it causes no hurt, harm or danger to myself or anyone else, let it be.

Last but not least, here's a why me folks question. I was suppose to ask a thought provoking question at the end of my weekly blogs, but forget. Oh well, here goes?

Why do I seem to attract men that truly believe they have it going on, when in actuality they don't? This is just in my opinion. I know what I want and relay this to the opposite sex. When they don't meet my standards, I politely move on. They on the other hand take offense. Why???? Just move on to someone else. It just wasn't for me. I was told in Atlanta there are 10 women for each man....move on to the other nine....please!!!! I would love to have your take on this, women and men

Why me folks??? Why not!!!!

Smoochies