Friday, April 27, 2012

I Interrupt the Normal Blogcast . . . It Isn't Enough

Lately my posts have been few and far between, not on purpose, per se. I mean it's purpose because I haven't posted, yet it's not like I didn't want to. I would love to post at least every other day, but most times I honestly run out of words. It seems like a fluke that me, the teacher and writer would run out of words but I do. Told by a great writer, Nikki Giovanni, there is no such thing as writer's block, just a lack of information, (got a chance to meet her in undergraduate--what an honor!) I must get informed. 


Admittedly I don't know enough. No matter the subject, I don't know enough. It is not my desire to know all; I just want to know enough.  Not enough quick information to hold a conversation and impress the crowd, but enough to actually feel informed and knowledgeable on the matter to share its content and glory. Sure I know some academic subject matter--but what I know is not enough. Enough to reproduce succession of change in those who I encounter repeatedly. 


By no means do I doubt my calling. I was created to do this teacher gig. In the depths of my being it rumbles to be feed and to be free. Though I believe tradition interpretations have limited some of my ability, this is the place for me. I classroom I will never leave. It fits me just right. 


Nor do I doubt my sustenance. I am well equipped for the ride. What is need has already been stored within me. Now is the time for it to merge itself and activate. It is my birthright to grow. I shall be remiss if I dare stop growing when someone willing shed blood for my life. The mere fact that I wake daily yes is a blessing but is not enough. Growth is required of me. Demanded of me. I have yet to reach the level of satisfactory existence and doubt if I ever. I cannot sleep on this post for I haven't acquired enough to simply just rest in the shade. There is room--though plenty have come, and gone, and accepted the call, yet there is enough room for more. 



Monday, April 23, 2012

It's All in the Conversation: What You Speakin'?

It has been almost two weeks since my last post and I definitely can "feel" it. When I drive I hear a voice that says, you need to write. Right before I fall asleep I hear it again. I can no longer put it aside: I must write. I yield.

I shared awhile back that some of my greatest ideas come from my pastor. I guess I kind of bootleg his sermons!! No I really don't but when he speaks his words create new ideas that I think everyone should hear. I'm a firm believer that everyone should have access to uplifting and building information. For so long we have been told what the problem was but never how to remedy it. Others are always quick to point out areas of our lives that need improvement, yet few can assist you in the fixing or yet alone point you in the right direction.

In my 20's I always wanted to be better and I honestly sought out ways to remedy ill situations most times to no avail. If only I knew then what I know now, well I did. The problem was I didn't know how to use the many tools that I have to better my life and even the lives of those around me. 

One of our greatest tools for a successful and fruitful life are the words we speak. Despite they nursery rhyme you repeated as a child, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me" words do cause harm. In fact we kill ourselves and others with our mouths daily. Our words are snares, trapping ourselves from capitalizing on our potential. When our words fail us, we out of anger web others with continual negativity. 

Our words were never meant to cause harm but were meant to bring fresh water to dry situations. For so long we have trained ourselves to disregard our words so we don't truly know who we are or who we can be. Our individual potential to succeed is monumental! And we must begin to speak our present and future to ourselves.  It all starts with the words you speak. We must begin to turn our negative speak into positive words of life. Yes it is that simple. Once we begin to speak in the affirmative, we begin to regain lost confidence and new task become easier to accomplish. 

And the same applies for those in our circle. Yes like minds associate. Remove yourself from the negative conversations at home, work, and play. It you want better surround yourself by better. We must learn to once again be men and women of our words.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

The Rules of Life

I know, I know. I been MIA for a minute...between packing and moving (moved in with moms until I leave in June) I didn't get much of anything done. And I have to do this only to do it again! But my NJ move won't be as strenuous. All I gotta move to NJ is a couple of suitcases of clothes. Buying all new when I get then and some stuff will be shipped to me. Anywho--let's get to the gettin--what you came here for!! This post was birthed out of a conversation with the bestie--yeah the one who ran into the closed screen door that she thought was opened!! (If you missed that one, read the last post--it's definitely worth it)


So many times we hoped & prayed a magic instruction booklet to guide us through our life journey. At 32 yrs. old I don't claim to know all the answers, but I do believe I have enough wisdom & experience to share. Though our situations may be packaged differently on the outside, many of us are dealing with the same issues at the core. So here are my top 50 rules, in no particular order, while navigating through this journey. 


  1. Seek truth at all cost. Even when it hurts the truth is necessary for growth & success.
  2. Be anxious for nothing for nothing quick is ever satisfying.
  3. Your parents were correct; two wrongs don't make a right. Fire plus fire equals more fire; you solve nothing when the two of you are burnt to a crisp.
  4.  Never stop dreaming of what could be even when you are working on making it a reality.
  5. Truly don't put off until tomorrow what you could be doing today.
  6. Don't confuse emotions with truth. Feelings lie.
  7. Take time during important decisions to make the right choice. If anyone is pressuring you to decide like they want you to, walk away. 
  8. Your light truly is not just for you alone. Someone is always watching your signal and following the path you have illuminated for them.
  9. Crack truly is WACK!
  10. What you like at 18 will change at 21. What you like at 21 will change at 25. 
  11. It's not how you fall; it's how you get back up.
  12. Humility is a low road but one well worth traveling.
  13. It is impossible to live this journey alone; everybody needs somebody. 
  14. Good friends refuse to lie to you just to spare your feelings.
  15. Reading is truly fundamental. Read a book as often as you can.
  16. That saying "All I really need to know I learned in kindergarten" is a lie! If you learned it you would know it and do it--ain't buying the hype.
  17. Laughter is a necessity to great health; take it daily.
  18. Don't be afraid to cry when you deem it necessary.
  19. Just because it's justifiable doesn't mean it's always right.
  20. Every lose is really a gain. 
  21. NEVER stop growing. When one ceases to grow he dies.
  22. Death doesn't mean life ends.
  23. Always expect the great.
  24. You are worthy of every great thing large and small. 
  25. Never willing relinquish your power of choice to anyone.
  26. Live with no regrets.
  27. No. You don't need anyone to complete you. 
  28. You can't change people; only God can.
  29. Everybody has at least one good quality you can praise him/her for.
  30. My language is no indication of my intelligence--don't assume you know anything by the way one speaks.
  31. Money doesn't mean happiness but it does make some things in life much easier when you have a lot of it.
  32. Don't believe the hype; always find out for yourself. 
  33. The mind is truly a terrible thing to waste. Get educated--something no one can ever take from you.
  34. Quality conversation is something to be treasured.
  35. Don't put your relationship business on ANY social media network--Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, Mobli, etc, 
  36. Shorts and/or dresses that are the same length of your underwear should be avoided at all cost. It ain't cute.
  37. Follow your gut. If something is telling you it's not right, it's not right.
  38. Know when to fight your battles. Some things are not worth the energy. Gracefully concede and be ready for the continuation of the war.
  39. Sometimes you can even baffle yourself...just give it a try. 
  40. Divorce fear; it has no place in your life. 
  41. Sometimes standing for what is right means standing alone. Don't fear one can put several to flight. 
  42. Be grateful for what you do have; somebody always has it worse.
  43. Dare to do something different.
  44. Give--time, talent, love, peace, a smile...doesn't always have to be money, but if you have that give it too.
  45.  Travel (outside of the US too) and have some fun!
  46. Complain less---don't nobody wanna hear it anyway.
  47. Being you ain't easy, but it's much more pleasing than trying to be somebody else.
  48. If your conversation leads to the problem shut up and be quiet.
  49. Changing you starts with changing the way you speak. Start training yourself to speak in the affirmative and watch your actions follow.
  50. Love is a action word. It requires you to do something. 
There it is! The list of all lists!!! Now go and make the world a better place! 

Monday, April 2, 2012

Ahhh Memories

In honor of April Fool's Day I thought I would lighten the load and share some of my more humorous moments. Yes I love laughter and do it quite often. Laughter is truly great medicine.   I love spending time with the fam and have those unexpected moments of laughter. It is these moments that I will miss so much when I move to Jersey, but I will always have these memories.



  • On a trip back home from visiting one of the besties the other bestie and I were making our way one. She pulls up to my aunt and uncle's house. I get and walk to the house and she follows about 2 mins later. I go in the house and leave the door open but the screen door closed. Maybe she was tired. Maybe she really didn't see the screen. Either way she walked right in the screen door!!! 
  • Kids say the darnest things, really they do. My aunt was rocking my little 2 year old cousin Kyra to sleep after some rowdy moments. My aunt says..."I don't know Monie," talking to her daughter Montoya ..."she said she and spells out tired." Kyra goes yeah I t.i.r.e.d" and spells out tired too!! 
  • Most days I am glad I live alone. This day especially. I decided this day I was gonna wear a dress to church. I'm a jeans and a nice shirt kinda of gal. I love my jeans. But it was a nice day, sunny, not to hot so a dress was in order. I put my cute light purple dress on and metallic wedges on and head down the steps, yeah that didn't work out too well. I don't know if I just tripped on my shoe or stepped on something. Whatever the case may be,  I tumbled down the stairs. It was like a stunt scene from the movies. I literally rolled down the stairs! Thank God for the front door. It was the only thing that stopped me from rolling further! Lesson of the day...put your heels on downstairs!
  • Speaking of falls. This one has nothing to do with the fam or me, but is equally funny. I had someone come and appraise my home. All was well until the lady was about to leave and tripped over her own shoes and fell down the two front steps. She fell out of her shoes...they were still on the steps and she was face down on the concrete. Her children happened to be waiting in the car. They jump out and run up to her. One looks at her and says, "Mom...what the heck did you do now???" I quickly got her some peroxide, tissue, antibiotic ointment and a band-aid. Don't worry I waited until I retold the story the next day to laugh!!
  • Maybe about a year before my brother passed away the whole family went bowling. Mom often planned these types of activities so we could spend quality time together. But you gotta know my mom. She is uncoordinated at times. She laced up her shoes, picks out a bowling ball and then heads to the lane. It's her turn. She walks up and throws the ball.....backwards....yeah it didn't make it down the lane. It landed behind also on somebody's table. Happened so fast we couldn't even yell watch out!
  • Somehow a bat got into my house. Have NO clue how but it did. So my brother is sleeping in my room and he wakes up and says he hears something flapping. I come upstairs and look around. I don't see anything. So I kick him my room and call him crazy. So he goes in the other bedroom and goes back to sleep. But before he goes to sleep he shuts the door and place towels at the bottom of the door with intentions of whatever was in my room was not coming in the spare room. Long story short it was in the room he was in!! I was knocking on the door and yelling Dee, it's a bat, it's a bat. Dude jumps out of his sleep runs down the stairs and out the door. I never laughed so hard. We all were afraid of this little bat. Had to call my uncle over who brought his neighbor with him to get the bat!
So those are just tiny slivers of my humorous times. In all things we must take a moment to laugh. Yes life has very serious moments, but we must take to the time laugh along the way. It makes the ride that much easier.