Spend Time.. Not Money

I just don't understand why people feel like they don't have to spend quality time with their kids. Talk to them, play with them, teach them!!I mean there are too many people that feel like just cause your kid rocking the new J's, you are a good parent. I'm not saying dressing your kids nice is wrong necessarily but you have to teach them to not get hung up on material things. Because that doesn't determine the kind of person that they are. But what have you put INTO them though? Are you teaching them any morals and values? Or do you think it's cute that your 2 yr old knows all the words to the hottest song? But doesn't know her ABC's or how to count. Are you reading to them or sitting them in front of the TV all day? Are you teaching your daughters to respect themselves?  That she doesn't have to degrade herself or act like she's dumb for attention. Are you teaching your sons to respect women? That he shouldn't want to be the guy who has been with 100 different woman. Are you teaching them that education is important?  I have seen with my own eyes. Your child has on the best clothes, has the latest game, phone, Ipod, but they're acting up school, being disrespectful or worse not learning anything. 
You have to speak LIFE into your children. You have to show them LOVE everyday. Tell them they are great EVERYDAY! Not "You gone be just like your no good daddy" or "You so stupid, dumb, lazy, etc". I get so tired of hearing that. THERE IS POWER IN WORDS!! THERE IS POWER IN WORDS!! THERE IS POWER IN WORDS!! You should always want your children to be the BEST they cant be. You should always want your children to be BETTER than you. You have to teach them that there is nothing they can not achieve with hard work and determination. YOU are supposed to be their role model. Not Lil Wayne, Beyonce', Kim Kardashian, or LeBron James. Your children are supposed to say, "I want to be just like my Mom when I grow up" or "My Dad is the Greatest Man I know". People We Need To Step It Up.

Visit, But Don't Stay

    A while back, I was having a conversation with a friend and we were discussing breakups and heartbreak. He stated that when a relationships is over, there is no need to dwell in hurt feelings. To just get over it and move on. I initially disagreed. I think that when you are hurt or feeling some kind of way about someone, that it is okay to "be in those feelings". Healthy, even. Most times you feel the way you feel for a reason. I think that it is necessary to examine those feelings.
    After further discussion, I begin to see his side a little better. When a relationship is over, it's over. Sometimes dwelling in the "whys & why not" are counterproductive. It may lead you to start to question whether you made the right decision. That can drive you crazy. 
    I know. I did that very thing the FIRST time I broke up with my ex. He was still calling and talking about how sorry he was that he'd hurt me. I was lonely and missing him and crying everyday, so I figured that meant we needed to get back together. Right? We did and 4 months later he disappointed me a second time. The thing is I KNEW that giving him another chance was a HUGE mistake.  But I decided to ignore the truth and take a chance on a lie. Get your heart broke 2 times in the course of 6 months and it teaches you a lesson. A hard one, but a lesson, nonetheless. We have to stop second guessing ourselves. GOD gave us intuition for a reason. It's rarely wrong. 
    Though people make rash decisions all the time, most times the decision to end a relationship is one that has been in the works for a while.
It's over for a reason. Let It Be.

Shut Up!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7C9MpYs0T8


I was recently involved in a Male/Female P.O.V.(point of view) conversation and other than the subject matter, there was one other thing that stood out to me... The other women involved would not SHUT UP!! I find it hard to believe you can hear what someone else is saying if you are continuously running your mouth.
I love engaging in debates with men because I like hearing their P.O.V. Plus, one of the best ways to learn about men is to listen to them talk. Of course, the action word in that statement is LISTEN!!
Far too often, I've heard women complain about the fact that men don't listen to them or are unable to communicate well. My question, Are You Listening? Or, are you so intent on proving your point or saying your piece that you are constantly over talking your partner? No one is should have to yell over you or fight to be able to share their thought.
 It's already a general belief that men don't like to talk. But, I can't help but wonder if that's because they can't get a word in edgewise...
The lesson here...
You can't hear if you're are always talking so, SHUT UP!!! 

Take A Chance on Love

 I recently had a friend that I’ve known since I was a little girl inform me that he has always liked me but was scared to tell me. My response to him was “Why now?” He said he didn’t know why he never said anything before but the point was he was telling me now. Okay. I can get behind that. I mean better late than never right?

But this whole thing got me to thinking… this is not the first time I’ve had a “friend” tell me they had more than “friendly” feelings toward me. They’ve all had pretty much the same excuse as to why they’ve never said anything. It almost always boils down to they didn’t know how I would take it.

Each time though I was genuinely surprised to find out they had deep feelings for me, I was also upset at the missed opportunity and time lost. The reality is the best kind of relationship you can have is one that starts as a friendship. Is it risky…maybe. Is it worth it…definitely. I know that there is always the slight chance that if your friend isn’t open to being more, it may affect the friendship. As well if the two of you do take the chance and things don’t work out. But there is an even bigger chance that considering the two of you are friends and know so much about each other already, that you will be able to fully accept each other as you are. That acceptance could be the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

Love is full of risks. But so is life. You can live a life always playing by the rules or take a chance and possibly go on the most fulfilling and eventful ride of your life. Your choice.

Let Me Introduce Myself..

I am 28, single, and childless (kinda), much to my mother’s dismay. I am the middle child of three and the only girl. I LOVE to read. I want to one day be a published author (among many other things). I am a hopeless romantic that definitely believes in ‘happily ever after’. I believe in the good of people and giving everyone the benefit of the doubt at least once. 

I decided to start this blog because 1) I have been talking about doing it for a while. 2) A friend of mine has been on my case about doing it. 3) I had to stop being a ‘fraidy cat worried about whether anyone would like it or even if anyone would read it. I had to realize I wasn’t doing it for anyone else but for me. This is my outlet. If someone else enjoys it, that makes it that much better.

As of right now, this blog does not have any sort of formal structure or outline. It will not be just be a fashion, food, beauty, or lifestyle blog. I consider myself to be somewhat of an occasional fashionista and I’m always looking for a way to put my spin on the new trend. I love to cook and try out new recipes so I will share the trial and error, failures and successes of that. I like trying out new products and seeing if they do what the commercial or ad claims. And my life, though most times is not that eventful (in my opinion), it can be quite entertaining and those moments too, I will share.

 It is my intention for it to be a combination of all of that plus more. I also will discuss entertainment and current events. Occasionally I hope to have guest contributors when I want to offer a different point of view on a particular subject (i.e. men vs. women). I love to hear other people’s view on things and am always open to an educated debate or discussion.

Each week I will share my thoughts, feelings, experiences with you. I hope it makes you think, laugh, or even cry. I hope I can inspire, encourage, and amuse you.