POEM: It's About You

What do you want for yourself
Do you want to be last
or the very best
are you contented
with the minimal
or can you take it
to the next level
what may depress you
should be your inspiration
because you'll only get
elation
when you have truly
surpassed those
difficult challenges
until you know
what it means to persevere
you'll never appreciate
the joy what hard work can give
so do something
for yourself
get off the lazy shelf
and renew your mind
and refresh your thinking
evoke a new awakening
and do something
for yourself

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The Five Adjectives I Like for Me

There are several adjectives I would like people to use to describe me. Of course, this means that I have to interact and communicate with them in some way.

1. Consistent.
If I act strange, let me be consistent at it. I am just 'me'. I am consistently hardworking, driven and straight-up.

2. Humorous
I do love a good joke and I try to throw my little joke once in a while too. However, preferably not at anyone's expense.

3. Straight-up
I'm getting better at that every day. If I am not going to do something, I am not. I don't bend easily and I stand firm on my opinion/thoughts. Of course, this standing firm is after I have carefully weighed the situation. I'm not one of the those persons who just jump and say no.

4. Helpful
I try to be but to a point. People like to use you when they know you can do things and I can't stand lazy people - refer to point #3.

5. Honest
I try to be but there are times when something may be omitted.

I want to have good qualities like everyone else and I aspire to do the best. I encourage you to do the same.

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Email, Social Media and Those Games

Google upgraded its mail and I am trying to get accustomed to it. I like the little pop-up for composing mail. I find it harder to locate the chat feature but that's not so bad because chatting can be distracting. I'm one of those people who have turned off my Facebook chat. I hardly open my Hotmail and I also turned off the Yahoo chat.

I'm sorry but I'm just not into that anymore - it's way too distracting. Imagine those people with all the apps, BBs, bleeps and blips all at one time?! I'm still pulling it simple. I love my social media but I can't be joining everyone other thing. And don't get me started on the games that are tied into social sites.

I started off with Farmville - yes, I did. Then I just got fed up! I like my MSN games because there are no stipulations for me to invite anyone to play and I get my badges if I want to try to get them. There's no pressure and no need to involve anyone else.

Everything is so linked today. When I post on my blog, there are people in my circle who will get the notification. Then I post to Facebook and then on Twitter. I love the idea of this. This is technology at its best linking us all together.

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Miss Teen Diva 2012 Encourages All to Break the Cycle of Child Abuse

Miss Teen Diva 2012 Encourages All to Break the Cycle of Child Abuse
Photo Credit: Camille Merry

Inspiration is a 'boss'

Inspiration is a 'boss'. Now I'm saying that in VI dialect. I mean that it's impressive and it has influence - which it actually does. I just really have to smile when I see the movement of people these days. I took part in a concert the other night and one of the performers shared a quote about people who tend to distract others who are actually doing something. I liked it of course.

Many times I have had to get over myself and accept what is going on. You can't be positive and negative. You can be cold and hot and for sure, you can't serve two masters. We all just need to real with ourselves and see what we can do and what we can contribute.

What change can you effect? If you are in an organization, will they say it is better because you were there? Can you inspire someone? I have been trying to inspire someone and I have never been able to really fully get through. I have to make a stronger effort. Talent is something we cannot let fall in our loved ones, friends or neighbors.

I am so blessed - even if I am a jack of some trades and still master none. I am happy in the skin I'm in. Inspiration is a 'boss' once it's all the way positive!

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The Real Ribbon - My Journey....Credit Cards, No Car etc....

I have learned the hard way in some cases but I have also learned to fix problems before they get out of hand. When I first ventured into the thought of home ownership, I talked to an architect about going forward. His bill alone was almost the half the cost of the property. I did not want to empty my savings at the time so I went into a local bank and told them I wanted the loan for the amount. They declined me and said I didn't have enough job history.

I was deflated and annoyed. I had my credit card and I took a cash advance. I was always savvy with credit cards and I knew I could do a balance transfer when the time was right and I got a good interest rate. I was able to make the transfer after but I still had to knock down that bill. Having worked in banks, as a teller and in the loans department, I realized how important it is to be credit card savvy. In addition to the charge for the house plans, I had charged other items. I worked my hardest to clear those outstanding balances in a reasonable time. I then closed my credit cards. I made a decision that if I cannot afford something, then I don't need it.

Plus, I have more responsibilities now so I can't be racking up big balances. I have to be wise. I have to meet my priorities first. I don't have much furniture and no full closets but I don't really care. I know that even though it continues to be a struggle, I need to meet my monthly commitments. I don't have a car either and that was a tough decision at the time. While, I am not happy about being able to move when I want, I just can't afford it right now.

I am plain and real. I don't see why more people are not realistic on this level. I am a thrift store shopper. I think if I hadn't made these 'radical' choices, I would not be where I am today.

Life is about our choices. Sometimes we make bad ones but we have to get over it and move forward with our lives. So be real with yourself. If you are in over your head, sell the junk, sell the house you can't pay for and get credit counselling.

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Came....Seen....Conquered....

This week has been interesting. I have accomplished a lot, seen new things and have learned a lot too. I got to see how people crack under pressure and how they deal with new situations and challenges. It's good that many of us can say that "we've came, we've seen and we've conquered". Some got there, they saw but definitely did not conquer. There are others who just came but were totally oblivious to the situation. I have been 'asea' like that in the past and depending on the topic, I can get like that too.

I have learned from the best. I have seen the meanest and I have seen the nicest. I want to take a little from each and move myself to the next level. I have to keep my head on and keep focused and I encourage you to do the same. Don't be easily defeated or discouraged. Life was never meant to be smooth so we should not expect less.

I have some little projects that I am brainstorming and some that are being put into action. I like to step out and do. What's your talent? Use it wisely!

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Belle Vue Methodist Congregation hosts Gospel Variety Concert on Saturday, April 20, 2013

The Belle Vue Methodist Congregation is hosting a Gospel Variety Concert on Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 6:00pm on the Joyce Samuel Primary School Grounds in Belle Vue under the theme “Building Community Togetherness”. This Gospel Variety Concert will feature singers, musicians and dramatists who hail from the villages between Hope Hill and Fahie Hill. Please come out and support this event.

POEM: Obstacle Course

Don't fear if these days you feel weaker

or if debt has you held down - 

deeper and deeper

do you have a loved one

who has strayed from the flock

don't know if he's far away

or around the block

what about the tensions

you face on your job

you know ...those days

that you cry and sob

Are you just feeling depressed

like your life is an empty nest

Is it about that true love of your life

who took your heart and cut it with a knife

Do you feel like you're the next hot topic

and when people describe you - 

it's sometimes graphic

Well I know someone

who can solve these problems

and give you joy

and help you erase them

When you feel like you are at your lowest

that you're tossed in the storm

and lost in the tempest

there is hope for you to make it through

so you'll get strength and feel renewed

gain confidence and forget the nonsense

because in these times of war and turbulence

you need your armor and your full strength

So don't give up

and never give in

You are on an obstacle course to win

Put your faith and trust

in God Almighty

and do your best to live uprightly

seek good counsel and be your brother's keeper

cause in turn Jesus will be your keeper

He is a friend anytime you need him

He loves every man and forgives their sins

so yes you still can conquer the odds

just put your faith and trust in God

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Written with Fire - Today's Blog Post

We continue to play around with each other when we need to be serious. There are a lot of things that are not going right. We don't stand up when we need to and we don't fight for each other. When I say this, I mean when we see things going wrong, we don't pull up each other.

I cannot deal with mediocrity and while we can't complain for everything that goes wrong, how long must we stay quiet and watch the foolishness continue. If people are in an organization and they cannot be corrected, then something is wrong. When I say corrected, I mean that they are not fulfilling their roles the way that they should. How long will we continue to accept the nonsense because we don't want to offend.

Please offend me if I am doing wrong so I can wake up. I am not perfect and I know many of my flaws. I am working on them day by day. Please bear with me and bear me in prayer. However, while you bear with me, know that I am bearing with you too and we have to be each other's keeper. Be a seeker for greatness and someone who inspires others, not a criticizer who offers nothing positive.

Let's go man!

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Taking time to smile

Life can be up and down and some days you just need to laugh. It's good when you work in an office where you can get a smile during the day. It's awesome when you have some friend or family member who will call you just to give you a joke to make you laugh. We all need that. I can't go through the day without getting something to laugh at.

It's not everything that we will agree is funny but at least an attempt at it can help when you are feeling down. Of course, I do not encourage you to laugh at others' expense or at their situations. However, you can look for a short joke on the internet.

I enjoy looking for one or two liners to share via social media. If it can make another person laugh then at least I gave someone a smile. When you are in pain or feeling down, a little joke can really make your day.

So this is a one-liner I found:

Grandpa: "Go hide, your teacher is here because you skipped school today!"
Boy: "No you go hide. I told her you were dead!"

LOL!

My 'What's In' List

Instead of a pet peeve list, I'll share a 'What's In' list.

1. People who stand up against wrong
2. People who give constructive criticism
3. Products that make life easier
4. Good deals with no catch
5. People who do not litter
6. Animal owners who take care of their pets and livestock without having them being a bother to others
7. Parents who truly parent
8. Church people who try to be real with you
9. People who are quick thinkers
10. People who see a friend with a problem such as alcoholism and encourage them to change

Inspired by "Rethink Possible"

AT&T's motto when I wrote this post was "Rethink Possible" and I like it. As I look at my journey, I have met the impossible and in many cases I've walked away saying "I'm Possible". Some risks are scary but you have to take the step forward to be able to achieve your goal.

Set your plan in motion and remain determined to succeed. Obstacles are every where but walk over, creep under or walk around them. Be realistic and ask for help if you need it. Everyone needs help from time to time.

So today, "Rethink Possible" and see how far you can go.

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Some Days.....

I have the weirdest experiences sometimes. I can never explain them either. I have been through so much in this life. Sometimes, I get surprises and other times, I can see things coming. I even meet some strange people sometimes.

I may just happen to be the one to get the defective item or the bad product. However, I take it as it comes.I believe that God gives you tests to ready for bigger challenges. Even Jesus was tempted and tried so I try my best to be patient. Patience is hard for me but somehow I like farming. I watch my mangoes and can't wait for them to mature.

So I am continuing to work on me and hoping to be the best me! Pray for me please.

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Common's 2000 Album Like Water for Chocolate is Classic Hip Hop

Hip Hop artist Common released Like Water for Chocolate in 2000 with songs like "The Light," "Geto Heaven Part Two" and "The 6th Sense."

Common is known in the hip hop genre as a solid lyricist whose music is always fresh and brings a different flavor. Common's real name is Lonnie Rashid Lynn Jr. and he was born in Chicago in the 1970s. He released Like Water for Chocolate in 2000 and had hip hop fans mesmerized with songs like "The Light," "A Song for Assata," "Nag Champa (Afrodisiac for the World)" and "The Questions."

Common's Albums

Common's debut album was Can I Borrow a Dollar? in 1992 with the song "Take It EZ." Common's follow-up was Resurrection in 1994 with the song "I Used to Love H.E.R." One Day It'll All Make Sense was released in 1997 and Like Water for Chocolate in 2000. Common then released Electric Circus in 2002 with the hit song "Come Close" featuring Mary J Blige. The video for "Come Close" aired on BET and other music networks where Common's leading lady was hearing impaired and he would write signs to her expressing his love. 

Be was released in 2005 and then Finding Forever in 2002 which was executive produced by Kanye West. The Universal Mind Control album was released in 2008 with the title song "Universal Mind Control." A compilation, Go!: Common Classics, was released in 2010 with hit songs "The Light," "Come Close" and "Testify."

Like Water for Chocolate is a Great Hip Hop Album

Like Water for Chocolate has sixteen hip hop tracks on it and some do have explicit lyrics. This album features artists like Jill Scott and Bilal in "Funky for You," Mc Lyte (http://www.officialmclyte.com/) in "A Film Called (Pimp)," Rahzel in "Cold Blooded," Mos Def in "The Questions", D'Angelo and Cee-lo. All of the songs on this album have lyrical input from Common who is listed as Lonnie Lynn. Common's father, Lynn Sr., also orates on this album in "Pops Rap III…All My Children."

• Common's Version of "Geto Heaven Part Two": Common's "Geto Heaven Part Two" contains a sample from The Family Stand's "Ghetto Heaven" which was written by group members Peter Lord, V. Jeffrey Smith and Sandra St. Victor. D'Angelo sings the hook and portions of the original "Ghetto Heaven" in this song where Common raps about life in the 'ghetto.' Common emphatically raps "A thug is a lost man in disguise" and "Find heaven in yourself and God" in the lyrics of this powerful song.
• Common's Love is "The Light": "The Light" has an infectious instrumental that Common raps with a poetic flow. It was produced by the Soulquarian's. He starts off "I never knew a love, love, a love like this / gotta be something for me to write this." This song can considered one of the best hip hop love songs. "It's important we communicate / tune the fate of this union to the right pitch" begins the second verse. The music video has Erykah Badu as the leading lady and begins with the glare of light shining from a spinning record and the image a red lava lamp.
• "A Song for Assata": Another heavy poetic song by Common is "A Song for Assata" featuring Cee-lo (http://www.ceelogreen.com/). This song brings to mind strong images of the Civil Rights Movement. "They said she robbed places that didn't exist" and "I wonder what would have happened if that would have been me / all of this just so that we could be free" are minute portions of the strong lyrics. This is the longest track on the CD and features strings played by Larry Gold. It ends of with a woman's voice speaking "Freedom…You asking me about freedom… I know a whole lot more about what freedom isn't than what it is…."
• Common Hits Hard in "The 6th Sense": "The 6th Sense" is another of Common's songs that features Bilal's voice in the background vocals. DJ Premier produced this song and implemented the scratches and cuts. "The 6th Sense" begins "the revolution will not be televised / the revolution is here." While the song contains elements of Mobb Deep's "Allustrious," the first line comes from Gil Scott Heron's poem "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised." "If the revolution had a movie / I'd be theme music" and "I just wanna innovate and stimulate minds / travel the world and penetrate the times" are some of the lyrics of "The 6th Sense."

Common's release of Like Water for Chocolate in 2000 brought hip hop a fresh new voice and style. With the tendency of hip hop artists of that time to lend their voice to materialism and sexual perversion, Common stood out with his tight and distinct poetic lyrics. Like Water for Chocolate featured other fearless and innovative artists like D'Angelo, Jill Scott, Bilal and Cee-lo who always bring a fresh message in their music. Songs like "The Light" and "The 6th Sense" will entertain and inspire generations of future hip hop fans. 

The Factors that Play Out in Our Lives

It's usually a lot on my mind, but I try to take on things step by step....day by the day. I see a lot of funny things going on and people are chatting. I take each day in stride and work accordingly. There's a lot that needs to be accomplished but just a few persons are willing to do the work. Changes will happen whether we like it or not. Unfortunately, it's more often than likely that we won't like it.

I've notices certain things and I will adjust myself as well. I have to make the difference in my life. I have to know what works for me. The game of life is about the risks we take. I have to be adventurous and seek to better my life. This is something that we all need to do. Several factors play out in life - our good deeds, who we know and of course karma. Whether you believe in fate or faith, you still have to pay your cards right. I don't worry about changing the what I have done in the past. Somehow God has pulled it all together for me and I thank him for the blessings and the challenges because every challenge is a blessing in disguise.

So today, do not be frustrated or turned off with your situation. Seek our ways to make it better. Be mindful of the people around you and seek to be among those who will encourage you. Write your goals and find ways to pursue them. Do what you have to - that's positive - to chart the path you need to be on to improve your future.

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