A NEW BEGINNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today I embarked on a new journey, leaving behind my area of expertise of Human Resources to claim a position as an Administrative Officer, in a bureau located within my present agency. If you know me than you know making that change was no easy decision; I’ve been through so much these past few months, the hospitalization of my grandmother, the diagnosis of my own anxiety disorder, losing both an aunt and a cousin; going thru the changes and betrayals at work as well as moving out of my apt. I don’t say any of that to garner any sympathy; I say that to simply state “BUT GOD!” I’ve woke up many a mornings wondering if I was going to make it through, everything I was going thru was on my mind and I still had to show up, do my job, deal with the BS, and even attempt to do well in school- all with a smile, even if it was a lie. I realize now that god took me through all that to test my faith, to see if I really was about his business, and with this amazing blessing I received, I believe I passed. I realize that these struggles may be continuous as if you don’t struggle you don’t appreciate the good times; but I hold on to my faith. Hold on to my peace, and realize that even in my moments of temporary distress, I have God to pick me up and carry me when I no longer have the strength to carry myself. I don’t take on these loads alone, I give them to god, and put my best foot forward.


Now that my sermon is done LOL, let me tell you about my day.  


i was the 1st person to arrive LOL

 My day went AMAZING, no crazy walk-ins, no attitudes/dirty looks & hating from co-workers, no 50 millions emails, no phone call after phone call. I LOVED IT!!!! I'm in a great location, I’ve worked in the area before, I know my team already from previous experiences and I feel so valued, respected, and cared for even on my 1^st day. I know that this may not be as perfect as it seems right now, but I’m happy to see this much so far. I realize that my life is changing, and while I may feel fearful at times, I’m very happy that God’s hand is really gripping me, taking me out of my comfort zones and really working in my life. I don’t want to be who I used to be, I wanna be whomever he wants me to be so that I may live right in his eyes and be able to give him the glory.



view outside my window



REPOST: "'Stayover relationships' redefine young adult commitment"

This article really hit home for me....take a look

By Kimberly Hayes Taylor

TODAY.com contributor

updated 7/29/2011 10:58:10 AM ET 2011-07-29T14:58:10

If you’re concerned about wasting money because you and your mate spend almost every night together but maintain your own separate homes, don’t sweat it. You’re simply engaging in America’s “stayover relationship” trend.

University of Missouri researcher Tyler Jamison says she noticed that most of her college friends were “shacking up,” but had not formally moved in together. Instead, they spent three or more nights together a week and still kept their own places. She conducted a research study among college students and found that committed couples in their 20s are redefining dating and breaking social norms with this new relationship model.
Her study of committed couples who engage in the stayover lifestyle is published in the current issue of the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships.
“This seems to be a pretty stable and convenient middle ground between casual dating and more formal commitments like living together and getting married,” says Jamison, a University of Missouri doctoral candidate and researcher in the department of human development and family studies in Columbia, Mo.
“It’s a comfortable thing people are doing when they are not totally sure they want to end up in a permanent situation with a person or don’t want to end up living together and having to find another place to live if they are break or decide who gets the dog."
Jamison believes stayover relationships represent a general trend that young people want to delay permanent relationships because they want to finish their education and pursue other goals. She’s expanding her research to examine unmarried parents, and suspects that people of all ages enjoy stayover relationships.
“Stayover is something they can do that doesn’t have a lot of consequences, but it has a lot of benefits,” she says.
Until a year ago, Michael Bless Jr., of Auburn Hills, Mich., enjoyed the benefits of a four-year stayover relationship. He liked the option of staying over or staying at home.
“Sometimes, you want your own space, and the next room may not be far enough,” says the 30-year-old engineering student at Oakland Community College. “I can love you and be with you almost every night, but there are times when I want to be alone.”
The couple parted ways when his former girlfriend graduated from the University of Detroit and took an accounting job in Miami. Wanting to fulfill his own goals, Bless says, “When she left, my commitment left.”
That's not surprising, says Aaron Turpeau, a licensed professional counselor and relationship expert in Atlanta. America’s obsession with independence is driving these stayover relationships, he explains.
“We don’t want anyone hindering us from doing our thing,” he says. “You hear people say it all the time: ‘You do you, and I’ll do me.’ Unfortunately, this obsession with independence leads to unhealthy human relationships.”
The consequence is people continue living on the fence, never committing one way or the other, says Turpeau, author of "The Harmonious Way: A Success Guide Guide to Selecting a Compatible Mate."
“We don’t value what we don’t need, and we don’t love what we don’t value,” he says. “I can say I want a relationship, but I don’t need a relationship. I want a man, but I don’t need a man. So we play house; we play marriage and as soon as we get tired, we go back to our own places.”
Nevertheless, Jamison is not convinced of any long-term consequences of stayover relationships.
“Without data, it’s hard to make a statement about it,” she says. “I doubt it has major implications for later commitments or marriages.”

You can find the original article: HERE

The Definition of FEAR (WATCH THIS VIDEO)

F alse

E vidence

A ppearing

R eal

Happy Resurrection Sunday!

while many of us are on our way to services this morning/afternoon, take some time before you leave to go into your prayer closet and give God thanks for all that he's done for you. He's kept us, He's guiding us, and we should praise him no matter the circumstance.

No Other Love (The Poem)

I’m writing this from a place deep within my heart, hear my soul.

You see this pain I’ve been feeling somehow keeps resurfacing, I gotta let it go.

I’m aware of my decisions and the consequences they bring,

But I’m at a loss of why I keep trying, keep forgiving.

Reaching out to the arms of those whom tell me they care.

But it seems only when they need me, that’s when they’re really there.

Foolishly I accept this defeat, not knowing that something greater than me

Already raised my hand, and claimed the victory.

You see I’ve been used, abused, hurt, and left for dead.

Excuse me If I seem a little distant, it’s just I’m accustomed to the word “fail”

I’ve been accused of doing wrong, when innocence should’ve been the only things held above my head

The man I sought love, commitment and approval from, never seemed to give me what I asked for

And the lack-luster friendships with those “takers” and “fakers” left me wanting more

I look back at all the tears I shed, the nights I sat wondering, and finally I realized

There’s no other love I need to seek, other than God’s_ he’s why I’m still alive

The only man, who never led me down the road of deception, keeps me grounded

The only friend I have that won’t seek to play both sides of the field leaves me astounded

I’ve been so confused all this time, not knowing what I was looking for what right before my eyes

I cherish this new-found ability to let go and stay clear of those people who aren’t meant to be in my life

Since I only have one opportunity, I only have one option to do my best, to make it right

The devil’s stronghold is no longer on my back- I’m greater than I was the day before

Those friendships, relationships, and other “missed” opportunities lead to God opening his doors

For me, now I understand I’ve sought so much from the wrong people who aren’t worthy

They only sought personal gratification, and ultimately only hurt me

Again, I realize that nothing in this world is greater than the love God has given me

And it may be tough but with my family, and God by my side, I’ll defeat these enemies.

No Other Love (The Prelude)

So many times we as people (women especially) cling to another person or thing (a man) for security, love, admiration, etc. In actuality, everything that we search for in another is already in us through the power of the Holy Spirit. All God asks is that we accept Him and let Him fill that void that we may feel. There is NOBODY GREATER than Him. He will Never leave nor forsake us and that is a promise He has made to EVERYONE. You should definitely let her hear this song if you havent.

1Ginie

Freedom Friday- Emotional Therapy Edition- Michelle Mckinney Hammond

                                                        Author, motivational speaker
A successful advertising executive up to the mid-1990s, Michelle McKinney Hammond then invented a new career providing insights into how to be a single Christian woman in pursuit of a healthy, fulfilling life, with or without a husband. McKinney Hammond published her first book, What to Do until Love Finds You: Getting Ready for Mr. Right, in 1997 and has since authored some twenty self-help books and become a sought-after relationship expert.

Read more: Michelle McKinney Hammond Biography - West Indian And African Roots, Moved To Chicago, From Advertising Executive To Author, Became Relationship Expert - Selected works http://biography.jrank.org/pages/2649/McKinney-Hammond-Michelle.html#ixzz1IGmi2Zzr

Here's an except from one of her books "Single, Sassy, & Satisfied"

En Garde!

Guard your heart more than any treasure,

for it is the source of all life.

Proverbs 4:23 NEB

Build a fence around your heart

not a wall

allow others to see

but not readily touch

let them approach

and behold

to consider it's beauty

and decide if they can answer it's invitation....

should they walk away,

remember the value of the property

has not decreased....



Perfect Timing.....

Smooth it out....

Morning Inspiration- "Rain On Us"EARNEST PUGH

i first heard this song at a funeral of a loved one. in an already fragile emotional state, i was pushed over the edge when i heard this song; even as i write this, tears are streaming down my eyes; the place this song takes you to, is most definitely in the spirit of God. this morning when i woke up and turned on the radio this song was on, i NEEDED to be placed into the spirit this morning_ God's hand needed to touch me and it did.

i hope this song sings to your soul as it has mine.

Good Morning World....

el judas femenino- The Female Judas

Do you know the story of “Judas”?

 According to the New Testament, he was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus who betrayed him and led him into the hands of the chief priests for his murder. Speculation surrounds his reasons for doing so, but basically he was one of Jesus’s right hands, whom betrayed him. Knowing this when and if I refer to someone as “Judas” I don’t use the term lightly.

I’ve always been a person who’s been very explicit when picking and choosing “friends”, Im a very private person so to open up to someone, it takes ALOT; it seems all my life I’ve dealt with issues surrounding trust, loyalty, and genuine happiness when it comes to people I call my friend, I’ve found out that the problem lies within me, and I’m doing what I can to correct it. So, it’s with deep regret that I recognize my Judas, but I also feel it necessary to clear my conscience and express my misfortune; hopefully this will help someone else who might be dealing with a disloyal, untrustworthy, betraying “friend”.

You know what you’ve done, all you said, all the things you done/did. Your real funny!- smile in my face, talk BIG behind my back- yetinstill, you never once approach me directly. You send subliminal messages instead, you like that right??? Well here’s one for you.

IM PRAYING FOR YOU

whatever I could think of to get back at you, cannot compare to what life has in store for you. I’m praying that you wake up, and stop claiming the victim role in every situation. God needs to do work in you, stop being stubborn and let him do what he do man.

I don’t have to spread your business around, talk about what you told me in secret. I’M BIGGER THAN THAT. Instead, I use my mouth to speak faith and diligence in prayer- because I believe you truly are a miss-guided soul as we all are and are in need of divine intervention.

You might say I’m judging? I say I’m stating the facts.

You must’ve thought I was gonna vent and spread all your business out there, clearly you don’t know me.

The next time you encounter negativity and adversity. TAKE THE HIGH ROAD. Stooping to the level of ignorance and immaturity only allows that person a victory in their mind. Confuse them and allow nature to take it’s course.

You’ll be glad you did….

& So it goes without saying...Nothing stays the same forever…..

It’s so easy to fall in love for me, meeting the “right” person- experiencing that "fresh" love- it makes it that MUCH even harder to maintain that love overtime; in the famous words: when it’s good, it’s really good- feel like your high off the strongest weed- NOTHING or NOBODY can bring you down. As that "fresh" love loses its fragrance, you get “comfortable”, you get “used” to that person. Why does it always happen like that? Can’t I have the fairytale just awhile longer….

Daily Quote- 01.02.2011

A broken heart becomes a fearful heart. Afraid to love again, thinking that she'll be hurt again.

Mulah Truth

 

 

King James Bible
Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.

Music Interlude.."Always on my Mind (LIVE)"- Brandy

Absense Makes the Heart Grow Fonder...

As we embark on the holiday season, I can't help but be reminded of my Grandmother; Ms. Elizabeth Brown. As far as I know, she is still with us- but due to circumstances out of our control, will not speak to me or My Family. It hurts to know that the Woman responsibile for bringing one of my best friends into this world refuses to speak to her child- or her Grandchildren. I've reached out, I've prayed, I've sent cards, gifts, and just because notes- but she refuses to say anything to me- Noone understands what that does to me; i cannot go a day without thinking of her, if she's ok?- if she's taking care of herself?- is she financially stable?- but I realize, there's really nothing I can do about it besides pray. I pray that God speaks to her, and moves her back into our lives- Life is way too short to not speak with family- esp. over things that we don't have control over. I pray that no matter what happens- that she knows how much i love her, WE LOVE HER and miss her. i want her in our lives- i want her to meet her grandchildren, be at my wedding, see me walk across the stage- EVERYTHING!.

i dedicate this song to her
i love you Grandma

Music Interlude "Can We Try Again?" (Interlude) & "Try Again"- Raheem Devaughn

for some reason, this interlude and song has been stuck in my head all day.

Daily Quote- 12.09.2010

   Sometimes, staying away from people is the only protection you got for your heart. #ihatequotes

Music Interlude....*RE-EVALUATION MODE* Drake-Same Mistakes (Fall For Your Type)

Self Evaluation is one of the hardest things to do, especially when it comes to LOVE. I may not be certain of what it is i'd like to find in a mate, but i know FOR SURE, it isn't what i've dealt with in the past...

The Act of Giving Back....

My father brought home a child's name from a Salvation Army tree, that we adopted for X-Mas to buy what they needed.

here's our combined efforts:

Remember that this season is more about giving than receiving. there are alot of us whom are struggling, but we still have things; but there are others whom have nothing...please give back!

Daily Quote 12.07.2010

You say: "I feel all alone." God says: "I will never leave you or forsake you." #DamnItsTrue

Music Interlude....Someone to Love Me By Diddy- Dirty Money

don't judge me...but i really fuckz with this song.
Diddy-Dirty Money- Someone to Love Me