Wow, that's your hair!

True Story....

So I'm at the beauty supply store looking for a hair product.  The asian guy asks if i'm going to use the product i'm looking for on my weave and i reply, no it's for my hair.  He then says wow, that's your hair it looks like weave!  I politely smile and say, "Yes, most people don't know it but black women do have hair.  He's speechless.  I can't help but keep smiling.  The lady standing beside us looks at me and gives me a wink.  This moment, classic!

~I'm not sure why so many people think that black women don't have hair or where they get the belief that you have to be mixed to have pretty or "good" hair.  I mean it's so elementary!  Hair is hair, all hair is good, maybe you like someone else's hair texture a little better but that doesn't lessen their hair quality.  I look forward to the day when people accept hair in all textures, and accept the fact that yes, black women wear weaves (but so do women of other ethnic groups) and yes, just like other women have hair that can grow, so do black women! 

~~Be sure to check out my Youtube channel CooCoo4Natural~~

CooCoo4Natural YouTube Page 

Pics are posted!  Thanks for taking time to check it out!

Hair, Hair, Hair-IT'S SUCH A BIG ISSUE!  lol

~Dee

    

Share the Vision - the Gift - the Love

I grew up with the most talented people in the world. I believe that and that belief is reconfirmed when I see everyone’s gift in action. Whether it is styling, comedy, dance, acting, singing, managing, or whatever, in my eyes the Alumni of this organization prosper.  As I was watching the current ensemble perform, for the first time I saw the “children at the window” which is a vision one of the founders saw before creating the company.  I always thought that the “children at the window” were specific people, but now realize that it is a vast number of faces alive and being born that are predestined to be a part of an anointed establishment.

The biggest revelation was where I would be if Freddie Hendricks didn’t answer the call to a vision and share that vision with us. What vision has God been asking you to manifest? But more importantly, who are the unknown faces waiting on you to believe and have faith in a dream placed in your heart by God.

I think sometimes people feel that when they sing, dance, or perform a talent the glory and the praise is going or should go to them. In actuality the talent you generate saves lives, uplifts people, and gives hope and so it fulfills a mission even greater than your mind can perceive. All things give glory to God. Even the negative in time will work in brining glory to God.  

The first chapter of the book a Purpose Drive Life is entitled It’s not about you. I read that book almost six years ago and I’m just now getting it. Beliefs such as - My talent, my business, my company, my my my my….I run this…if it wasn’t for me….respect me..I can do it by myself, all stem from the EGO. The behavior of the EGO is that of a child that hasn’t learned how to share. 

Remember show and tell and how great it was when everyone shared their special gift of the day with classmates. Or maybe the kid on the playground who had a big bag of candy and unselfishly shared it with everyone and by doing that made others happy. 

You are the kid on the play ground. Your mom the higher power gave you a gift aka a big bag of candy and placed it in your lunch box.  You know that your mom loves you and you have access to unlimited amounts of candy if you asked. There are others on the playground we call life that need your gift for nourishment or just to feel a part of something great.

Will you share your gift, the dream placed in your heart by a higher power in the name of love - with us?

~ Chi Ife

The Vision - The Gift

The Unexpected

Life is filled with moments you'd never expect.  Today I was watching a video and one of the girls singing in this group was originally a part of another group. I couldn't help but wonder how unexpected it may have been for her to leave her original group and be presented with an opportunity to partner up with a different group.  I guess seeing this made me think about my own journey of things I never expected.  Lately I've been approached with some great opportunities from unexpected places.  What's odd is that most of the people I thought would extend an opportunity, friendship or partnership haven't.  But people I barely know are coming forth with joint venture ideas, business opportunities, or just unexpected blessings.

Sometimes the places we're most familiar with are those we expect to receive the greatest opportunities from.  A lot of times we condition ourselves to believe we should stay there because of an expectation; we tend to cling to those places (or people) hoping that what we expected from them will produce itself.  Have you ever considered that maybe those places are a part of your life temporarily so that you can improve in some way and move on once you have?  There is something to be learned from every relationship, whether that relationship is business or personal or both.  There's also something to be learned from an experience whether it was expected or unexpected.  Embracing the unexpected with open arms versus immediately closing yourself off can make a world of difference. 

Every day I realize life is one big world that's full of the unexpected- unexpected people, business, relationships, events. Even writing about unexpected things in this blog tonight was unexpected.  In the past I've had a tendency to shy away from things that were unexpected because they were exactly that- unexpected and unforeseen. Finally, I'm learning to not always ride the waves of my expectations but to be ok if suddenly the wind changes directions and what I expected to happen is totally out the window.  Why?  Because in some cases once you let go of the expectations you had, you end up with results that are completely unexpected, and much better than any expectation you would have ever imagined.

Embracing it all,

~Dee

Finding your safe place

Finding your safe place

Do you know where your safe place is? You know the place where you feel extremely comfortable and at peace. It can be a real place or a place that existed in one point in time. It can be a place in your house or outdoors. For me it was a cavern that is filled with running water and precious stones. I imagine myself resting in the cool dampness and listening to the running water, inhaling the fresh air that has been purified from passing through the rocks. I can rest peacefully there without interruption and I feel myself becoming younger just by doing so. I can tap into this safe place wherever I am. It is what I think about when I’m meditating.  Finding ways to deal with stress is essential. In my profession I deal with several eccentric personalities and work long hours, but it can work for anyone. So do you know your safe place? Close your eyes and imagine that you are in the most peaceful place on earth. What does it look like, smell like, or feel like. Take 20 minutes to discover this place. Now before you forget, write it down because its yours. Whenever you need a stress reliever then take some time and go there. 

~ Chi    

Love Notes!

Love Notes!

Ok sometimes..... ok a lot of times I have moments when I just completely doubt myself and I totally forget all of the  inspirational "pick me ups" that I’ve read or heard.  It is like when you go to church and you are excited after a really good sermon and then an hour later someone asks you what you learned in church and you’re like "um...um.. uh…it was great! You just had to be there.” That’s how quickly we forget an awesome word or the fact that there is never anything to worry about because if you believe that God wants the best for you then no problem deserves your heartache.

I find that I have to take notes during church so that I can refer back to a great message in order to reenergize my spirit. I also create love notes  to myself  that have positive sayings on them. I put them on my fridge or in a book that I'm reading so that I remain focused. It is very easy to get caught up in the worldly desires and begin to believe all the hype. That is why it is extremely important to stay in the word and surround yourself with believers who are positively influencing your life.

Thank God for health. That is so important. Whether you are fat or skinny, too tall, or too short, your health can be taken from you.  Just call yourself beautiful everyday no matter what. It is really ok if you gain 2 or 5 lbs. Go to the gym and work it off. No big whoop!  I guess what I am saying is that you should not stress over anything.

So leave yourself love notes not to stress out. Create little reminders that you can place in a visible area that will make you remember how God has blessed you and how he will continue to bless you. Be creative and make a bracelet or something that you can wear. However you do it, make sure that you remind yourself that life is great, you are blessed, and no situation is too great for God to change.

Love,

~ Chi

I Can't Do It

I've never been a runner, well, let me rephrase and say I've never liked running or jogging for sport.  Whenever I'd run there was something in my mind that always told me "Girl you are tired and you need to stop."  So that's what I'd do.  Stop.  Each time my mind told me I was tired, even if I could physically continue, my mind would always win and I would stop.  Well a little over a year ago I participated in a bootcamp.  This guy was crazy-we were running up hills, crawling down hills, doing abs and arm circuits all the while running nonstop.  Lol.  The first day you would've thought I'd never ran a day in my life.  I mean I would run for maybe 2 minutes, stop, start walking, start running again for maybe 2 minutes, stop, and start walking.  It was a mess!  However, the drive in me to push thru this battle I've always had with running kicked in and there I was the next Saturday, finding myself attending a 2nd bootcamp, and a 3rd and so on.

So one day while running at bootcamp once again my mind told me to stop.  I began to slow down, but then I told my mind no and I just ran faster.  It was unbelievable-like I'd said abracadabra and created a twin who jumped from behind a tree to finish for me!  And I ran until I got to the next post.  I completed the circuit and when it was time to start running, I just took off!  I realized that if I ran faster, I could just get it over with.  I also didn't allow my mind to tell me to stop because I was telling myself go, go, keep going!...and guess what....I made it to the next post without stopping!  And there I was, doing something I'd always told myself I couldn't do...run without stopping every other minute.  Now, over a year later, you most likely won't find me at bootcamp on Saturdays, and no, running still isn't one of the things I love to do most.  But if you asked me to go to a bootcamp or participate in leading one or even if you just asked me to go jogging, there's not a hater in the back of my mind telling me to say no because I won't be able to finish.  Why am I now able to say I can vs. I can't?  It's because I simply told myself that I could instead of telling myself that I couldn't.  Yes, as simple as that.

I share this experience for those who may have an area where they automatically think to themselves "I can't do it-nope, not me."  When those "can't" moments pop-up, tell yourself Yes, I Can.  And maybe it won't happen like it always does in the movies where all of a sudden BAM it's immediately conquered!  It may actually take a little time to fully complete what you've always believed you can't do.  Regardless of how much time it may take, once you believe you can do it, You'll Do It.

All things are possible, to him who believes! [ Mark 9:23 (Amplified) ]

~DeAndrea

Book Club Selection #2

Once again it's that time of year that seems to have snuck upon us too quickly.  We are a month away from 2011!  How will your 2011 look?  In retrospect how was your 2010?  Did you accomplish all you set out to do, did you laugh a little more, meet new people, build stronger bonds and do all you set out to do?  When the last day of December rolls around, will you look forward to 2011 with high hopes and expectations or will you look back towards 2010 with regrets, wishing you'd had more time? 

This book selection was a fairly difficult decision to make.  After considering books ranging from business, fashion, sequels, and a little bee, the final decision stemmed from looking forward towards 2011 and living it to the fullest.  We wanted the selection to be inspirational yet motivating enough to inspire action.  Our desire is that after reading this book as a group, sharing our thoughts, ideas, concerns, aspirations and everything in-between, that we all are ready to eagerly lace up our walking boots and enthusiastically launch our lives forward in 2011.  We present EAT, PRAY, LOVE by Elizabeth Gilbert as the 2nd book club selection for Virtue~Us.  Stay turned for more details and be sure to look out for the upcoming evite.  Also if you know anyone who would like to be added to our evite list, shoot us an email.  We're excited to be reading with you soon!  

-Virtue~Us

First Steps

There's something endearing and vaguely familiar about seeing toddlers attempt to take their first steps. For them walking seems such an awkward, scary, and difficult task. Seeing them struggle to remain standing or fall each time they try to walk is very cute and makes you smile as the tiny ones attempt to walk on their own. The other day I thought about first steps. I attempted to imagine what it must have been like as a child to take my own first steps and back then learn how to do what comes so naturally to me now.

When you make a decision to do something you've never done before and you commit yourself to accomplishing it, you have to begin with a step, a first step. Whether you're deciding to start a business, lose weight, choose a new career, go to school, reinvent yourself, find a new network of friends and business partners you must take that first step, regardless of what it is you're planning to do. So often it's the first step that is so intimidating and seemingly insurmountable. But in order to get to the end result, you must take it. And just like a toddler learning to walk for the first time, you must be willing to recommit yourself and get back up each time you fall on your face. You must choose to get back up. You must choose to take another step when you fall down, but you'll never have a chance to fall if you don't take that first step. And yes I know some might say well I don't want to fall, I plan on just getting it right the first time. For those people I say great, wish you much luck and hope you land in the category of being one of the few who are able to do it on the first take. For all the others (myself included), there has to be great pride taken in being able to fall with the first step but still have the tenacity and determination to take the second step, and the third, and the fourth and so on. You see, so many look at failure as the worst thing that could possibly happen, yet, it's what you learn from the fall that determines whether it was a failure. To fall and never learn from it is a failure. To fall, learn from it, and get back up to take another step is what I term a success story.

A lot of people don't have the opportunity or shall I say the complete freedom to take a first step; or to focus on taking a step they have chosen to take. Their life may be filled with uncontrollable issues that they have no choice but to focus on at the present moment. For all those who do have the choice to make the first step in whichever direction you'd like....TAKE IT. What are some goals, dreams, to-do's you've been holding on to for years that you've yet to take the first step towards. Take the first step to recommit yourself on setting out and accomplishing them. And yes, just like the toddler who falls when trying to walk for the first time, it may seem awkward, scary and difficult. But imagine yourself (just as I imagined) trying to walk for the first time. I'll give you a second to think about that. It's nearly impossible! Starting a task is one of the hardest things to do, just remember if you continue taking those steps they will eventually began to seem natural to you. And although some may remember what it was like when you took those first steps, once you've accomplished what you've set out to do even you will have no choice but to actually see where your “steps” have guided you, and applaud yourself for the journey.

Life is a journey, don't be afraid to walk it out  

~Dee

Cool Water

There is a well inside

There is a well still inside of me. I know it. Crystal clear blue, refreshing, and ready to rejuvenate. My well is still alive.  There is a well inside of me. So beautiful and sweet. The water still lives. I know that one day it will be used to heal and nourish. It will be used to clean and quench.  It will be used to renew and restore the dried out hopes and dreams of the many. My well which felt like it had been finished, bubbles up from the core and replenishes itself. She hasn’t gone anywhere. She isn’t dirty. She isn’t used up. She hasn’t been wasted. She is healing. She is calm. She is anointed. She is love. She is unstoppable. This well inside me is a treasure not for the hands of the weak and especially the weak minded. She is the nectar of the gods. Hope for the hopeless and faith for the nonbelievers. There is a well inside of me and she is and will forever be protected because I know her worth now and I will never let just anybody drink her holy waters.

~Chi

Completely NAKED!!!

The table was surrounded with beautiful women.  Women whose hues of brown ranged from vanilla to chocolate, whose shapes were a mixture of curves which fell in various places, whose hair was a mixture of length, style and texture.  Although the setting was a local restaurant in East Point, GA on a Sunday afternoon surrounded by other people, these women were completely NAKED, revealing their innermost thoughts, fears, insecurities, accomplishments, dreams, self beliefs, and goals.  Being brought together with the concept of being a part of something as simple as a book club.  They all sat discussing the "issues-skin, hair, jobs, health, relationships, love, media, beauty", laughing, tapping into hidden emotions and experiences that made them aware that their commonalities far outweighed their differences.  Each of these women walked away revealing some part of themselves which had been covered and unknown by every other woman at the table.  They walked away with some type of information that could have easily caused the person sharing to become quite embarrassed in another setting.  Each of these women were open, honest, curious, and real while at that small table- a table filled with soul food, sandwiches, sweet potato pie, ice cream, drinks, water and coffee.  These women were the first to decide to become a part of a book club and take on the first challenge of being open about themselves and their beliefs.  After discussing the book NAKED: Black Women Bare All About Their Skin, Hair, Lips, and Other Parts, these women walked away empowered in some way, realizing that their circle had just gotten a little bigger with a group of outsiders, who within those couple of hours had become a part.  I must admit, it felt pretty good to walk away completely naked.

~Dee

*Stay tuned for more photos and for the announcement of our next book club event!*

*Also check out

AKMCCOY's BLOG @ http://www.soulatease.com  

Here's an excerpt of one her recent posts.  Hope you enjoy and be sure to follow her blog! 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

untitled

He has taken inventory of my heart, there is nothing there that He cannot heal, handle, or provide. I am no great mystery to the omniscient ONE. His grace is like a second skin, His joy, a garment of silk.......
akmccoy2010

40 Days Strong!

So it's here!  Finally Day 40 of our blogging has arrived!!!  As I write I can't help but smile.  What seemed to be a commitment that started out with great uncertainty in terms of being able to stick with it,  has now become such a natural routine.  Every day checking in.   Every day finding new ideas.  Every day discovering, or rediscovering something.  And yes, there have been days where I thought I had absolutely no thoughts or valid ideas but even then was able to move forward.  So here we are.  Not sure what the next leg of this journey will look like but we made it...We Made It....WE MADE IT!!!!!  And all I can do about that is :)

~Dee

Change has a cometh!

I have realized that my body can not consume American food and stay fit. I really have tobe on a strict diet in order to keep my girlish figure. I realized that today when the pudge on my back returned after two weeks of bad eating and one week out of the gym. I just have to get my mind right and my fridge right and my workouk right and I'll be back on. Its just funny how my body has changed up on me.

~Chi

Stage Names

Have you ever thought of changing your name?  Most artist have considered creating a stage name at least once in their career.  Well the other day I was thinking of a stage name that would suit me.  Years ago I did a show where we had to create our own character's name.  So, as I was thinking of what my stage name could be I thought of the character name I'd used before...but then I realized that part of that name was already taken by another artist (which just happens to be their real last name).  There are artist who choose to use their birth name, some create and take on a stage name, some use parts of their birth name instead of using the full name, and some fall somewhere in the middle.  In the end and beginning it's all gonna be about the name.  When an artist first hits the scene and if they're really hot the first thing we want to know is what's their name.  In the same way, when a group of people get together recollecting the best artist back in the day, it's the name that lives on.  All you have to do is say Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, The Five Heartbeats, Celine Deion, and you smile, because you remember the name that has so many great works attached to it.  

I take that back and forgive me for rambling, but as I write I'm clear that yes, the name matters, but it's the great collection of a person's work that matters most.  Work that has inspired, motivated, and empowered others in some way.  It's the greatness of the work that will always cause the masses to remember the name.  So while a name selection is important, make sure you perfect the craft, because the craft is what's gonna make the name last forever.  

~Dee  

Rumors

Rumors are the funniest things. I was watching Oprah recently and the episode was about a star on the Alley Mcbeal show who suffered from anorexia. I started thinking about how the rumors came out that the women on the show were anorexic and the actors denied it. Then today there was an ad about Ricky Martin confessing that he is gay on Oprah. Remember years ago when there were tons rumors that he was gay came out. I saw somewhere on TV that 75% of the rumors that you hear in Hollywood are true. I think that I am starting to believe that. Just think about all the Hollywood rumors you have heard. That is why it is not good to be closed minded or disregard things. You never know when the info you hear is true. The thing is that can you handle the truth. Becasue sometimes the truth needs to sit with you for a while until you can digest it. You hear it and then years later its ok to believe it. What are some things that you can not face the truth on?

~Chi

Ill Intentions

She waits.  An hour passes by.  She sits waiting.  Another hour of life gone.  She sits, continuing to wait, until finally she hears her name called.  Anxious, tired, afraid but ready to face whoever this stranger is that has invaded her body.  She's ill.  Not sure what is going on except the encounters she's having with fatigue, aches, and sporadic pains.  She's unsure of what doctors will say.  Unsure of how this stranger will continue to affect her body.  Unsure of a body she'd once been so sure of.  Her reality is that she has two choices.  She can choose to be sick, give in to the fatigue, stress and fear and allow her life to be controlled by this invasion.  She can choose to live despite being so rudely introduced to this unknown stranger and push everyday to keep moving forward.  She chooses.  She chooses.  She chooses.  Everyday.  She chooses.  

~Dee

R Kelly why???

As soon as I think I can't stand R Kelly, he creates a song that I fall in love with. I just wanted to share this video. Check it out.

When a woman loves a man.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_W0K_EkDoHk

Quotes: On Learning

Anyone who stops learning is old, whether this happens at twenty or eighty.  Anyone who keeps on learning not only remains young, but becomes constantly more valuable regardless of physical capacity.  <Harvery Ullman>
Losers live in the past. Winners learn from the past and enjoy working in the present toward the future.  <Denis Waitley>

No one lives long enough to learn everything they need to learn starting from scratch. To be successful, we absolutely, positively have to find people who have already paid the price to learn the things that we need to learn to achieve our goals.  <Brian Trac>

That is what learning is. You suddenly understand something you've understood all your life, but in a new way. <Doris Lessing>

All of the top achievers I know are life-long learners. Looking for new skills, insights, and ideas. If they're not learning, they're not growing... not moving toward excellence. <Denis Waitley>

*Continue to learn, to inspire, to become..[you fill it in]... *

~Dee

Enjoy!

So its Halloween weekend and I’m in the same situation I was in last year with my “relationship”. What a major case of Dejavu. This year instead of trying to dance my problems away, I’ll be taking it light. Although I feel my anti social behavior may be looked at as not moving on, I think it’s a great chance to reflect and meditate. Nothing is wrong with taking time for yourself to think about everything that has happened in your life. The club or “party” will always be there but my peace of mind will not. Sometimes it feels like the world will not slow down to give you chances to breath, but you have to give yourself that time. You have to say, “this day is my day” and do everything that you want to do. I think it is ok sometime to be a little selfish if it means your wellbeing. Life is short and should be enjoyed to the fullest. So enjoy it without any regrets.

~Chi

You Need to Grow Up!

Control.  Webster defines it as "to have power over."  So often we would like to control those we love and I'm sure at some point in life you've gotten a call about a family or close friend who found themselves in a bad situation once again and all you could do was shake your head and think "What are they thinking?!!!"  Sometimes those closest to us can  make really bad decisions.  At times these decisions can cause you to try to find ways to fix their mistake (no matter how recurring it may be) and help out, lead to  unwelcome stress, sleepless nights, and a lot of pain.  You may even want to shake them and yell "YOU NEED TO GROW UP!!!!"  Perhaps delivering this one statement is the best piece of advice and the only action you need to give them.  Perhaps this is the one truth they need to receive that will change their life-gaining the ability to grow up. 

Growing up for some is difficult, especially if that person is used to depending on loved ones to bail them out on every occassion.  An old saying I'll rephrase is, "if you don't teach a man to fish but just give him the food, he'll keep coming back looking for food."  It's true!  You have to teach people to grow up and and best way to teach someone who refuses to do it on their own is to release control.  To stop trying to keep everything under control and just let them live, learn, make a mistake, and learn how to correct the mistake on their own (especially if it's a mistake that continues to be a mistake each time the mistake is made).  There is something wrong with creating a clean-up habit whenever someone we love makes a mistake.  It only teaches them that no matter what they do it's ok, because so and so will be there to fix it and clean it up. 

My family was together this weekend and my great-aunt who is in her 80's saw a family member who have been finding themselves in trouble consistently for at least the last 5-6 years.  She saw them and said "Who is that?  I almost didn't recognize you."  She hugged them and then tells them they've gotten bigger... in her nice older person way (smile).  But then as they walked away she spoke wisdom- she said "That baby is growning up."  And they are.  THEY HAVE DECIDED, after years of having other people try to fix their mistakes, to GROW UP.  Something I realized as I was driving home tonight is you can't control someone and force them to grow up, they have to decide for themselves, gain control for themselves.  You can only guide them in their process, help them when they need you, but realize when it's time to force them out of their pupa state and allow them to transform into a beautiful butterfly by making the DECISION to grow up. 
So the next time you get that phone call be prepared, it may the shortest but most difficult phone call yet.

~Dee

To be or not to be a Christian?

A message for Christians

For those of you who attend church you know that when you are rededicating yourself to God or join a new church you have to make that long journey down to the front of the church.  That walk is your first right of passage into the Christian faith. Now after you attend your new membership classes and get your membership number you feel unstoppable. Then something happens. You are driving down the interstate and someone almost runs into you and your middle finger goes up. Maybe you engage in some entertaining conversation with a friend or coworker that turns into gossip and eventually you are giving a hearty laugh at someone else’s misfortune.  You could also have every finger and leg crossed and somehow just like at a baby shower you slip up and someone catches you off guard. What I’m saying is once the Holy Roller mist dissipates and you’re in a position that is contradictory to your belief system all of a sudden you are saying to yourself ,” To be or not to be…. a Christian?“.  

 Now sometimes the reason why we are asking that question to ourselves is because of fear, lack of trust, or sheer human nature.  I thought about this driving into work. It came from me worrying about a issue that I was thinking about and then a calm feeling came over me and said, “If you are a Christian and you trust God then he will provide for you.”  Trusting and believing in God is the hardest part of living a Christian lifestyle. I say this because if we really trusted and believed that God is going to take care of his and wants the best for us then some of us wouldn’t walk around with a scowl. I guess that is why Joel Olsteen is so happy. If you really believed that trouble doesn’t last always or that you will be blessed with a job, better finances, a child, a husband/wife then you wouldn’t get caught up in contradictory behavior. Christians believe and have faith.  It reminds me of the story when Jesus was on a boat during a bad storm and became disappointed with his disciples who were terrified. I mean the disciples knew Jesus and witnessed his miracles and still lacked faith so I know its really really hard for us. Jesus wants you to be strong and have faith in order to smile during a storm. That is what "real" Christians do.

The person that leaves the church grounds and once they pull off the parking lot starts drinking and cursing is in the same boat with the Christian who cries many nights over dreams that they feel haven’t manifested. Next time when you are about to get into a grouchy mood because things just aren’t working out, remind yourself that you are indeed a Christian. If you do all that you can do in a situation, then God has your best interests and will bless you according to his plan. 

Smile

~Chi

So true....

I heard this today:

"UNLESS AND UNTIL YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE, YOU ARE VULNERABLE TO WHAT OTHER PEOPLE SAY" <Dr. Phil>

So true....The response: 

"BE SURE YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE, BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE TRIES TO DEFINE IT FOR YOU" <dtc>

Stay Blessed!

~Dee

A prayer of thanks.

Dear God,

I just wanted to thank you for all of the events that have transpired in my life over the last couple of years. I know I fussed and fought you all of the time, but I ask for your forgiveness because I just couldn’t see the bigger picture. I now know that you are growing me and the crisis that I experienced did just that. My eyes have never been so open, my heart has never been so thankful, and love has never been so strong. Every day I wake up I am thankful just to be alive and well. To know that I have the love and support of my family just reconfirms my blessings. I love myself and I can’t help but to be grateful.

Amen,

Chi

Peace of Mind

The date was July 21, 2001 when Lauryn Hill performed a taping of her second album for MTV Unplugged.  One of the songs from the album is "Peace of Mind."  Even though this song first aired in 2001, it still holds it's relevance.  Why?  1) Lyrically it says what we sometimes find hard to say and 2) It's naked, honest, and truthful.  People (young and old) everyday find themselves in some type of situation where they're fighting to keep control or regain control of their peace.  Trying to find a way to reconnect to God.  It's one of my favorites.  If you've never heard it before I suggest you take a listen and add this timeless piece of music to your collection. 

To Listen Click On Link Below:
Peace of Mind

~Dee

Frenemy

Frenemy!!!

I first heard the term Frenemy on a sitcom last year. A frenemy is a person who is an enemy, but is posing as a friend. Famous frenemy relationships are Paris and Nicole or my favorite Jesus and Judas. The person who roles with you, but is plotting your downfall. Let me break down exactly who a frenemy is because you may have several frenemies or worse you are a frenemy. In the black community we call them Haters and according to several online dictionaries, a frenemy is a friend who you feel is secretly competing with you. They can not really be excited for your success because they are coveting your belongings, man, talents, ideas, and everything else. They always find some cute way to cut you down or bash you behind your back. They completely bring you down and you can count on them to bring you down in the future. This description sounds just like the Stepmom blog I wrote earlier this week, but there are differences. See the Evil Stepmom type is a person in  a leadership position who mistreats you. A frenemy is a person who is on your same level, but who wants to be better than you or thinks they are. They make it their objective to negatively criticize you whenever the spirit moves them. When I sat back and combed through the people who have been my so called friends, I discovered that a few of the people who surrounded themselves around me where indeed frenemies. The older you get the fewer the list of true friends becomes, but you are blessed to have one true friend. Real friends can take your success and can support all of your endeavors. Real friends can share information with you and not fear you stealing their sunshine. Real friends will never abandon you no matter what is going on in your life or their life. There is a blessing in knowing who your real friends are, but there is an even greater blessing in knowing frenemies and being able to love them regardless.  Because you know what to expect from a frenemy it is hard to really be upset with them.  They will always act shady and criminal because that is the emotional maturity level that they are on. The best thing you can do is pray for them, love them, and correct them each time they step out of line. Now they are going to do everything in their power to kill that spirit of positivity  in you because ultimately they hate themselves, but you just keep loving them, blessing them, and speaking good things into their life. At the end of the day they will either get hip to the program and change or run away from you. Frenemies hate positivity like gremlins hate water. Stay positive and if they change or stop being your "friend" then you have won regardless. 

~Chi