Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to my mom!

She says I stole her dimples, but I believe she was given them so I could have them.

This song instantly made me think of this wonderful lady the first time I heard it.

Brian Wilson "So Proud"

Writing this blog or anything about my mom has always been difficult. What words are available to describe someone who means so much to you? What do you say about the person who knows every flaw about you but continues to love you unconditionally? What words do you say about the person who has and would sacrifice everything for your well-being?

When I look at my mom, I know that God really is all knowing. He molded her in a way that would mold me into this phenomenal person that I am. Okay, maybe not phenomenal. How about awesome, brilliant or handsome? He knew that she would be the person to teach and guide me through my life. I can honestly look back at my life and say that because of her, I have been blessed beyond measure. It is crazy to think that a person could love you as much as she loves me. I didn't know that so much love and compassion could exist in a person. However, she has proved time and time again that it does.

I thank you mother for everything you have instilled in me. I have often been asked what is something that has made me the person that I am today. It is something that my mom told me when I was younger. She said:

"Always look a man in his eyes."

Sounds simple, right? Well, I was extremely shy as a kid and this was something I was never comfortable with doing. However, once she said that and explained to me why it was so important, it became habit. It gave me confidence, personality and helped me to become a man.

I'll always remember our weekends devouring snacks, playing Connect 4 and Battleship and listening to music - probably the reason I am addicted to watching YouTube today. You taught me what it means to be a good person and to treat others with respect. You taught me what it means to believe in God, something that has carried me through each day. You taught me what it means to work hard at something and to always give your best. I remember you always saying "If you don't do so well but you know you did your best, that is all that matters to me." Because of that, I will always give me all.

Happy Mother's Day to one of the most phenomenal women that I know! I love you!

Quickie

So, I was in the car yesterday and Miguel "Quickie" came on the radio. I have to admit that I love this song. You do too. Don't judge me. I was listening to the song and started thinking about some of the things that could make a quickie challenging.  Give it a listen and keep reading.

1. Sneakers with straps

Now, the purpose of a quickie is to be..quick. Guys, think about how much time it takes to take your sneaks off even if they don't have straps and buckles. When you add all this extraness to the mix, you have a disaster in the making. By the time you get those straps undone and shoes off, the mood is gone or somebody needs to come use the bathroom. Of course, one could always keep his sneaks on and just...well, you know.

2. Belts.

This is perhaps the most common obstacle in the way of a successful quickie. Please don't have the audacity to have on one of those cloth belts that fasten between the loops. This has the potential to just ruin it all.

3. Button-fly jeans

These are those awkward jeans that have buttons instead of a zipper. Is it me or does it take forever to take these off and put on? I am going to start being like the old men and demanding jeans that only zip. As a matter of fact, just get some jogging pants!

What are some other clothing items that you can think of that can slow this whole moment down? Let me know!

Make it Work

As I was reading @imarebel116 blog and her latest posting Push, for some reason the words of Tim Gunn popped in my head. Every week on Project Runway we hear Gunn tell contestants who are creating a foolish design to "make it work." My foolish side has me believe it is "make it werk," but I will try to have some sort of sense.

Make it work.

On the receiving end, at that moment, it seems so discouraging. He basically just said "Chile, you just wasted my time. Please get this together." However, it also seems to have a slight sense of encouragement behind it. Even though it is foolish at the moment, those three words seem to convey that there is a sense of hope. He can see the vision and understands your goal, but it just needs some tweaking.

I must say that I am in a good place in my life right now. Don't get me wrong, there are many more things that I WANT (not need). However, I can live without them. I think mostly because, prior to this moment, I have had to make it work. Sometimes you just have to use what you got untill you get where you're going.

Make it work.

Too often I think people give up on their goals and dreams because it is taking too long to achieve. Too often we give up on love because it's just not going the way we want it to go. Too often we just give up.

Make it work.

Learn to fight untill the end. Even if you make it to the end and it aint perfect, at least YOU appreciate the final design.

There are many encouraging songs that I could have placed with this blog, but all the only song that was playing in my head was Ciara "Work". Sorry.

Again, make it work. As my best friend Ledisi says "Read it, write it, say it, believe it and do it." Even when it aint going your way, remember  your vision..remember your goal and why you started. Make it work.

"Take Time"

As I told you in my last post Maybe I'm the one to blame??, I absolutely love and adore the singer Ledisi. (Side note, I am going to see her in November with my brother @derrickthegent!) One of her older songs that I absolutely also love is Take Time. This live version of the song is absolutely amazing. Click on the link and check it out. (The video is not my own).

You got to take time to get away

Free your mind and fly away

Take time to get away

Free your mind and fly away 

Now that I am have started my classes, fulfilling Mission:Mind, Body .... & Heart, it seems like I never have enough time to do anything. I am either working on a paper, at my campus job or thinking about work that I should be doing. Are you in this situation? Doesn't it get a bit overwhelming at times?

I love this song because at one point Ledisi is saying you're rushing to get somewhere, but everything is going to be alright.

Sometimes you just need to take a minute and clear your mind. No matter how busy we are, we must find ways to relax. Without those breaks, we overwork our body and mind and end up with a Mariah Carey breakdown. I'm sorry but unless you have some MC money, you don't have time for these breakdowns.

For those of you who always have to have control, be free one day. Don't plan your day. Just wake up and see what happens. Sure, you may just end up lounging around the house all day drinking a bottle of wine and watching "Will & Grace" but it will feel great. Okay, maybe you don't watch "Will & Grace." Don't judge me.

Let go. Relax. Take time to enjoy life for what it is. You don't want January of 2012 to roll up on you and you have to look back and ask yourself, "Where did it go?"

Take thirty minutes out of your day to do NOTHING. Breathe a minute. Listen to music or read a book. You will find yourself feeling a lot better.

As AJ on 106 & Park use to say "Love - Live-Life." You only get one!

Maybe I'm the one to blame??

I absolutely love and adore the singer Ledisi. I'm scared to meet her because my only reaction would be to slap her for being so ignorant on this microphone. My favorite album of hers is Turn Me Loose, which holds one of my favorite tracks, Alone. (I do not claim rights to own this song or footage) Listen to the track and get into these lyrics.

You SAY that you still love

It's not in your actions, so what's the distraction?...

Please want you tell me the truth instead of always just leaving me alone...

Please tell me how did you and I become

Then change from WE to ME?

I see you changed and I'm the one to blame

'Cause I noticed everything and I never said a thing

So say what's on your mind, so we don't waste our time

Tryna hold on to loose ties

Please want you tell me the truth

Instead of always just leaving me here alone

In order not to make this to long, I won't post all the lyrics. Listen and adore it. For some reason my favorite line is "I see you changed and I'm the one to blame, cause I noticed everything and I never said a thing." Isn't that the truth most of the time? We sit idle watching this train wreck about to happen never saying what is on our mind. The way I interpret the song, she is telling her lover this past the point where she should have said something, but right before it all falls to pieces.

Imagine how different our situations would be if we spoke up for ourselves. Too often we expect our mate to know our every thought. If you ain't noticed by now, that don't work.

So moving forward in my quest to heal my heart, I vow to no longer sit quiet and wait on the train wreck to happen. If we ever want to see change, in any aspect of our life, we must first be that change. Take the time to talk...find out what the real issues are. Most of the time we will find that the issues are quite small.

I refuse to be the one to blame in the future. 

Almost DOESN'T Count

Little Miss Brandy definitely had a winner with her Never Say Never album. Each song on that c.d. was definitely a classic. As I embark on Mission: Mind, Body...& Heart, I have realized that the area of my heart needs the most work. For that reason, Almost Doesn't Count, seems to be a perfect song to help guide me in the right direction.

Almost made you love me...Almost made you happy...
But everybody knows almost doesn't count...
You can't get to heaven half off the ground...
I can't keep loving you one foot outside the door...
Can't keep on trying if you're looking for more that I can give you...

 

Props to the person who wrote that song, because these lyrics were speaking! 

How often have we found ourselves in situations where we continue fighting for someone who barely seems to be there? Some days they give you what you need and some days you're left wondering where that passion went. It's never an easy situation. The hardest part sometimes is coming to the realization that you have been giving your all when the other person has only been giving 10 percent. By the time you figure it out, you're tired and pissed off and ready to do something serious. But...once we realize it...it's a great feeling. Believe it or not, you have just gained power back over your life. Eventually, you find the courage to move on. No, it's not easy, but it is a step forward.

Maybe you will be sorry, maybe you will be cold

Maybe you will come back running from a cruel world...

Maybe I'll be here, Maybe I'll see you around

That's the way it goes

Almost doesn't count

Cheers to getting our hearts in order! No more accepting half-ass emotions and half-ass participation when we are giving our all.

"Love me or let me be..."

Mission: Mind, Body .... & Heart

Please allow me a moment to catch my breath. I am new to running and it is going to take a moment for me to get use to this! For some reason as I write this, Nicki Minaj "Moment 4 Life is playing in my head. Take a listen and finish reading.

MIND: They SAY that brains are more important than beauty. The jury of my court is still out on that debate and have yet to return. However, I do believe that mind is the most important muscle in the body. For that reason, I have enrolled myself in graduate school for this upcoming semester. Nothing enriches and works the brain better than education. Truth be told, I also believe that those who have more education have slightly better chances of attracting a more suitable mate. I would go into details about the mate I'm looking for...but that's another posting.

BODY: I started running a few weeks ago and it has been quite an interesting experience. Primarily because I have yet to purchase adequate running shoes and my running playlist needs some work. Would you be interested in purchasing me some shoes? Size 9.5, please. I started running for health reasons (high cholesterol) and also to get in shape. As the weeks have gone by, I have come to enjoy running. I have a small boost of energy, my skin is doing some wonderful things and it just feels great to be making steps to improve my health and body......and I'm trying to be fine by 2K12! I have found a 5 mile running event that I plan to participate in during November. I am really excited and looking forward to the challenge. I will be rewarding myself by attending the Watch The Throne concert with my frenemy @imarebel116.

HEART: This part of the mission I can't really say what I am doing to make it better. However, I am challenging myself to be open to more experiences. When I was younger (years & years ago) I had such high standards. Perhaps we all do at a certain age. As I have matured (on my grown man ish), I wouldn't say I have lowered my standards, but I have become more realistic.Challenging myself to be open to more experiences allows me to step out of the box that I was in and to see what else is out there. Like they say, if you do what you have always done, you will always get the same result. Honestly, that's not what they say but I forgot the exact words.

Mission: Mind, Body...& Heart is honestly about getting my life together. It won't be easy but I have to start somewhere. As the past month or so have gone by, I have realized a lot of things. It's funny how we are always realizing things. Guess that is a part of growing up. Take the time to look within yourself and see what is going on. What can you work on to improve your life? Not only will making some changes in your life make YOU happy and healthy, but it will also change the people around you. If it doesn't,perhaps you should check the people around you!


Be happy.

"It's time to get free..." - Lauryn Hill