#HealthyRelationships

Yeah...yeah...yeah...I know, its been a long time but I am still here, still learning, still growing, still trying

I think that is the most important part...still trying...

At any rate, I had such a splendid weekend that I felt moved to write (inspired if you will...)

Something is really happening, God is really moving(as always)...

This past weekend I can honestly say, I maintained nothing but good vibrations all around me, from beginning to end. 

Every interaction left me feeling...healthy :)

I was so commited to the maintaining the positivity, that I refused to give any airtime to anything that may have remotely seemed like the contrary, and you know what I realized?

I dont have to make apologies for my happiness. 

This shit is hard

So I know it has literally been years; but your girl is still here...holding on...barely.

 And with it being the month of January, I am participating in a fasting season with my church...at least I am consistent when it comes to that...sigh...

You know, the more I stop and check in with myself the more I realize that being a grown ass adult is some hard shit.

That's all I feel like saying right now...so..blah blah fitting pieces and all that shit.

I think I am going to push the reset button.

7 days into 2016 and I am struggling with my fasting and my exercising.  No one and I mean NO ONE prepared me for being the mother to a teenager.

Not placing any blame at all, but I can honestly say that since my daughter has started high school, I have gained 20 lbs:(  So my challenge going forward will be getting back to my fit self.

I look back fondly on my two a day workouts and my prepared breakfast lunches and dinners that I would have, I remember thinking how I had it all together..that is a laugh because at this very moment I am a complete and total disorganized wreck of a woman!

So I have decided that my New Year will begin next week..my goals are to have a clean house, a refrigerator full of food and a clean office, car..you get the picture.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!..

Listen, how can I fit the pieces together if they are all over the place???

Be well...even in your chaos.

The Same but different...

As the new year approached I promised myself I would not  purchase a new journal and begin entries that I will not be able to complete for whatever reason.

So here I am on my blog...again...do the same thing I do every year around this time,  but seeing things a little differently....

Having said that  I do intend for 2016 to be a year of me going back to the things that made me feel comfortable with who I am and the way that I am...the past few years have been full of "interesting" twists and turns and trying to navigate those years while remaining authentically me proved to be somewhat difficult..yet..here I am:)

The truth is that I am not any less of who I " used to be"..the truth is that  Life is all up in my way, and it is a daily challenge attempting to stay ahead of it all....

I am the same person I have always been...the same but different..and that's ok!

By Gods Grace I am still here...still in the ring...still with a lot of fight in me..still on my journey to Fit the Pieces Together...stay tuned...and be well.

This all of this....

This should be interesting...



It has been a LOOOOOONNNNGGGG time since I sat down and took the time to write...granted, I have had many things to write about since my last visit to the Blog-o-sphere, but for some reason this topic has been really, really, really tugging at my brain( and heart);

when that happens, the only way to get it out is to, well, get it out, so here goes....

I grew up with a mom that was not that great...at all...

Now, I know how most blogs nowadays will begin by saying something to grab your attention, and then they end up being some sort of ironic/feel-good  blog that actually played on the wording of the title.

Sorry folks, this is not that type of party.

My mom...hmmm, how do I explain it....as I look back, trying desperately to find somethings that she constantly did as I was growing up that would make me smile...those things really are non existent.  I honestly cannot think of the times she and I just laughed uncontrollably, just because, or the times she and I would just hang out, just because...or the time she would spend talking with me and listening to me ramble on incessantly about some nonsensical pre-teen thing...just because....

Here are my memories of growing up with my mom:
My mom was very serious about her work and her education
My mom thought (and told me frequently) I was an ungrateful brat
My mom read a lot of books
My mom liked to shop(for herself)
My mom had really cool friends

The long and the short of it is that my mom was very driven and she worked hard; we had a beautiful home (with a pool).  We did travel a lot(military). And there was always a member of the family or a friend that was there to help her with the ungrateful brat(that would be me).

I realized the nurturing that I needed from her was not there, the "I love you's" were not given out frequently. She was there, to provide and she took that role very seriously, but that's about it.

.....so I guess the question is; why now am I spilling this,
am I hurt?
Yes.
Am I bitter?
Hell yes!

...but that's what therapy is for lol!

I am bearing my soul about this particular piece of me, because it all hit me like a ton of bricks recently....right after my daughter and I were being super silly, and laughing so hard in the kitchen, I think I peed my pants a little(sorry tmi???).

.....there is a huge difference between how I was raised and how I am raising my daughter...

I too am a single mother, I too have dreams and aspirations, I too am driven and would love to have all kind of plaques on the wall; but for some odd reason I would rather be there every day to pick my kiddo up from school, I would rather take my child to see her favorite boy band perform every time they come to town; and while I have great friends and family, I would rather be the face she sees when she wakes up and has to go off to school.

I guess in the grand scheme of things, I am an ugrateful brat; because my mom's drive did give me a nice looking childhood....but at what cost?

I don't have a billion letters behind my name
I am not that accomplished
I am very ordinary

BUT

I laugh with my daughter and not only tell her I love her, I tell her I LIKE her every chance I get.

Don't get me wrong, my child ANNOYS me to no end at times...ugh...but I try my best to remember that she is a child and she is going to do things that children do, it is up to me to not take the easy way out;
not to yell character assassinations at her, not to beat my chest in prehistoric fashion(speaking figuratively) and say "Because I am your mother", or treat her as if all she is there for is to do my bidding and carry out my orders as I sit on high...

 It is up to me to speak to her, listen, and above all, respect her.

So I guess I should send a shout out to my not so great mom, because she has really made me the mom I am today; and though this parenthood journey is always an uphill battle....I stay on my quest to fit the pieces together.

Be Well, I am...now:)

I have to admit I was a little scared at first, but the Black Eyed Pea Patties were great. Thanks Danielle for spening Championship Sunday with us. Claude

It has been several days since my last post....7 days to be exact...I had a marvelous long weekend (Happy Birthday Martin Luther *the* King)  I had neighborhood kiddos filling my house with laughter and chaos the entire weekend.....and I couldn't have been happier:)

I was also able to whip up some really good eats in the kitchen, and I bought my first package of tofu!  I haven't quite figured out what to do with it just yet, but you can best believe, once I get the hang of it I will be letting er'body know.

There were a couple of things that I made this weekend that made me feel I should change my name to "The VEGAN VIXEN"...what do you think???

I finally took the time to put the awesome blender that I got for Christmas to good use...I was a smoothie making fool lol!  I even had my niece sipping on an all natural fruit smoothie :)  She loved it of course...

I made veggie sausage patties which believe it or not, are delish!  I made a great breakfast, complete with fruit smoothie, a veggie sausage patty on top of a  pepper jack veggie slice (soy based cheese), on a toasted whole wheat bagel; with a little dijon mustard to top it off :).  I love good food, and I am not fooling when I say this was really good :)

I also learned the deliciousness of a baked sweet potato, and enjoyed that with a nice salad for lunch one day...

But the meal that I am most proud of is my Black Eyed Pea Patties :)  My lil' sis came over and helped me prepare this tasty treat...now before you go turning your nose up let me say...they were delish!  So delish in fact that my sister took some home and even my kiddo was gobbling them down...  I made the patties and put them on top of brussell sprouts that I sauteed with garlic onions and mushrooms....so very good....

I have been having so much fun finding new and inventive ways to enjoy my fast.  And with each morning and evening devotional, I feel like I am digging "further in" and "deeper down" into the word the Lord has for me.

Yesterday when I was doing my scripture reading my response was "ouch" and the only thing I could say was I hear you Lord, I hear you..... I rejoice  because I know that as I continue on this journey to "fit the pieces together"  HE is with me, guiding me, every step of the way...

Be Well
xoxo

Yum Yum Dim Sum and being nice counts...

 Honestly, it must be the lack of caffeine during this time of fasting, or maybe I am just slow on the upload these days...but I totally forgot that I am able to enjoy all of the delicious Asian cuisine that I love soooo much even while fasting! (I am sure all of my Waggies feel the same).

Last night, I went to my all time FAVORITE little Thai spot.  I have been going there for the entire 10 years that I have lived in my lovely little city.

It is family owned, and I always take the time to chat  with the owner. I told him I was fasting and let him know what I could and could not eat and he (bless his heart) prepared me two of my favorite dishes (Pad Thai and Pad Kee Mow),  all veggies, all natural!  And thanks to his kind gesture, I am able to enjoy my lunch guilt free:)

Call me what you want, but being nice really counts, and it was evident in the fact that this precious little old man took the time out to prepare my meals.  I am now looking for the opportunity to "pay it forward".

When you ask God to move in your life and you ask Him to get rid of the toxic people; and put good people in their place, HE does just that, even in the most inconspicuous of ways.....

If you are ever in the area, be sure to go to Thai Pepper.....they take good care of you :)

Well, I am off to continue on this journey to fit the pieces together...but first, I am getting another bowl of Pad kee mow :)

Be Well
xoxo

Quiet is good...

So here I am, munching on my cabbage stew(which the lovely and talented Miss Isis helped prepare), not even a full week into my fast and I have noticed that I am in a very quiet state of mind.

Everyone keeps asking if something is wrong...quite the contrary, something is right......

Sigh....it's difficult to explain.

While I will be the first to admit I am moody as all get out (hey according to my astrological sign, that's cool).
I am not in a bad mood.  I am just in a "I don't want to be bothered"...but not in a bad way; does that make sense?

For instance, this morning when I got to work I sat straight down and started working, I didn't even have my typical morning BS time with co-workers.  Maybe I am quieting my world in order to hear from HIM.

...whoa, that is deep :)

At any rate, yoga last night was a beast, but a very enjoyable workout during this time of fasting.  Tonight I am going to go to spin class, we will see how this works.  I am a bit nervous because my calorie intake has my energy level a bit low.

Outside of that it is all systems go as I fast for Greater Expectations in 2012.(shout out to Pastor Bryan Carter and Concord Church Dallas)

In previous years, when I fasted, I had a very specific list of what I was fasting for, but I can say that this time around I am just fasting for guidance along my journey as I continue fitting the pieces together......

Be Well
xoxo

The journey doesn't end...

I just looked at the last blog entry that I made only to find that the last time was February 2011...A little more than a year ago and the only thing that I can say is that so much has happened,

SO MUCH!!!

On the surface things may look the same. I mean Isis and I are still doing our "thang". But so much has taken place, on the inside...

2011 started out as a very tough year, emotionally; but one thing that I have found is that things must be broken in order to be put back together; you know what I mean???

On the inside of 2011, I had to let some things go, some people go, some habits go, some people go, some ways go...did I say some people go?

The tail end of 2011 was smooth sailing, I had a lot of clarity, and learned a lot of lessons.

The few things that I let go pale in comparison to all that I have gained....

And almost a year later I am back here, fasting for 28days looking for more growth and development. I am excited to learn the lessons that God has for me in 2012.

One thing is for certain; no matter what year it is, or how long I have been away from my blog, the journey to fit the pieces together never stops :)

Be Well

Sometimes you just have to stop and cry and say thank you!

So here is the story....

Yesterday, I had to go to a class to better myself, and further my professional development.

I got lost; as I normally do....really that is part of my charm, I can't find my way out of my own back yard half of the time; but I digress....

I was driving through a "less desirable" part of town,

then it hit me...

As I was driving my NEW SWEET RIDE, it hit me

GIRL, GOD HAS REALLY KEPT YOU AND SUSTAINED YOU by any and all means....

My Heavenly Father has really, really blessed me and shown me favor!!!

Here I am, a single mother of an incredible child that knows, loves and fears the Lord already at the tender age of 9.

I am driving a new car that I got.... on my own.

I am heading to a training to better myself in job that I have...I am gainfully employeed...

I pay my own bills(albeit sometimes late, but hey.....)

I live in a nice, safe, neighborhood, complete with friendly neighbors and children playing; and I live there, not on the governments dime, but on my own merit

Now, do not get me wrong, I have my many meltdowns, wondering if the "struggle" is ever going to get a bit easier for a sistah :)

BUT

as I was driving in my new car, lost, in a "seedy" part of town, I was overcome with emotion...

I was humbled.

I was so very grateful.

I had to stop

 and cry

and say THANK YOU

Because although my journey to "fit the peices together" can be trying at times, in the grand scheme of things, it's really not bad at all.

Be well (I am)
xoxo

Be careful what you fast for, you just might get it....

Sooooo......

It has been a good 2 weeks at least since my last posting and boy oh boy!!!

So much has taken place that when I sit back and really think about it, I can only attribute it to the specific things that I fasted and prayed for at the beginning of the year.

The main thing that I truly desired was clarity...in everything, on all levels...

I mean, let's think about this for a minute; I am on a journey to "fit the pieces together"...

How can I do that if I am not really clear on what is going on???

How can I restore myself, and rebuild what has been torn down, if I do not know the real deal???

Regardless of what it is.

Well, I will say this without revealing too much.  It was clarity that I prayed for and it was truly clarity that I received. 

So many times we "say" we want the truth, but I will tell you this, the truth really does hurt.
Especially if you have been holding on to what you thought was the truth, for over a decade....I was knocked off of my feet for about 4 days, but when I came out on the other side....Let's just say, that is when things started moving in fast forward;  and here is the lesson that I learned:

When you ask God to move in your life, and HE thinks you are ready (not you); and He begins to move, the only thing you need to do is sit back and enjoy the ride.

....and so it is with me.  I have realized that He is leading me on this journey to "Fit the Pieces Together"

xoxo
Be Well

Day 12 Feeling Good Feeling Great!

12 days in and I have this amazing feeling of well being. 

I love love love fasting! 

It is so awesome when you have a clarity and a feeling that everything really is going to be okay.  When the fast first began I did have a "mini-meltdown".  But hey, I was having "Baby-Daddy" issues...that is par for the course. 

And with me being struck down for 5 friggin days with the crud that is floating around...Well I guess it is safe to say my 2011 Fasting period started off a little shaky (to say the least).  But through it all I have remained obedient and I have pushed past the feelings that I just gotta have a piece of fried chicken or I will die.  I mean seriously, the devil even almost had me convinced one day that I needed a hot dog!  a hot dog?????


At any rate, I am so proud to say that this week has been an epic success!!!

I have been spending my quiet morning time with God and I am doing my morning reading, I then get up out of the bed, get dressed and head to the gym (5am folks) where my love/hate relationship with the elliptical continues... And the best part of the whole thing is that I have awakened the "Glamour Girl" in me that has been hibernating for the past 2 years! 


I have been showing up to work every morning in a full face of make up and I have even brought my "sexy back" into my wardrobe.


I have experimented with a lot of different products and a lot of different looks over the past 2 years but I am taking it all "Back to Basics"...That's right, I am going back to the things that worked best for me and had me feeling really good about myself.


Anywho, I have rambled on enough today, time for me to continue on my journey to "fit the pieces together"...


Be Well
xoxo

Made it through the fast...now what???

Well well well, I fasted for 28 days asking God for clarity, waiting to see what this period of fasting will bring and I can say these things:


I have a feeling of well being that surpasses any that I have had in a long time.
I have mellowed out and I feel a lot more focused on my focus. 
I feel present, I tend to really get into my own head and play things out the way that I wished they were as opposed to how they really are. I think this was a coping mechanism. Well, by facing things as they are (good, bad, or indifferent) I am able to come to a resolution, acknowledge and move on...


Having said that...


Remember last year, after my 40 day fast when I was laid off from my job? After all of the fasting and praying I did for those 40 days; I will admit, the wind was knocked out of my sail and I really did have a slight mini-meltdown. After which I remembered Hebrews13:5-6.  With that I was able to pull myself together and keep it movin....


Well, I am now convinced that after fasting God will hand you an unexpected blow as a test to see if you really are tuned in.  I feel like I am not only "tuned in" but I am in HD!

Well to that end...
I got socked in the stomach with my unexpected "after fast blow'"and I must admit, after a mini-meltdown, and a call to my very best friend on this earth (Shout out to BVV!!!) and a huge shoulder to cry on (Love you Dad!!!) I remembered Psalms 147:3, and while I was in my final savasana in yoga class i meditated on that scripture... With that I am able to pull myself together and....say it with me...

keep it movin :)

All in all my fasting time was awesome and I am really excited to see what is waiting ahead for me in 2011.  So far so good.... I can do this....I will not give up......I can and I will continue on my journey to "fit the pieces together"...


Oh and one more thing.....from now on you may refer to me as "Auntie Danielle"( I love you my beautiful niece!!!!)

Be Well
XOXO

17 Days in....

I am feeling so good it is insane! 

 It is so funny when you come across individuals that just really don't get it....

During my time of fasting I will be the first to admit that I have made a few slip ups...(The chocolate cookies and potato chips that I enjoyed with my sister, brother in law and daughter, just the other evening while enjoying a movie...for instance).

But no fish nor foul has touched these lips(since the  chicken wing incident the first week of fasting). 

But I guess what really bugs me are those people that literally WANT to see me weaken during this time. Especially after I have gotten past the hump and the by products of the fast REALLY start to kick in;  For no other reason than to be able to say "see I knew she was full of crap" ( I would curse but I am working on that too, during this time).


I tend to get a bit irritated at people that say to me, "When we go out to eat I am going to get a big ole' slab of ribs, while you eat your salad"  In my head, I respond by saying "good for you boss!  and that is why I look  like this and feel like this... and you look"...well...you fill in the blank.

Perhaps if those same individuals took a moment to read Daniel 1:12-15 they may not be so quick to try to knock a sistah down, and be more inclined to join and encourage her(#im just sayin tweet)...


Here's the deal for any and all that may not understand.....Fasting ,for me, is so much more than denying myself  a daggone slab of ribs, it is about getting closer to God, period. 

I do that by waking at a crazy early time every morning to spend time in the Word and pray, before I head out to for my morning workout.  If, during this time, I look 'healthier and better nourished' that is what I call an added bonus! 

In addition to that, I truly cannot imagine beginning a New Year any other way....To sum it all up..if you cannot encourage me while I am fasting...well then please please please gimme 50 feet while I am on this journey to "fit the pieces together".


Be well
xoxo

Chicken Breath (to get a chuckle from litte sis)

Day 8

I am alive!!!

Yayyy I made it through whatever the hell it was that had me literally on lock down for 5 friggin days!!!! 

I have come out on the other side a few pounds lighter (yippeee) cause I have absolutely no taste and little to no appetite... hey every cloud has a silver lining.  Due to me having the flu, remaining obedient in the food portion of the fast was really not an issue...


I will say that I have been trying to figure out what it was that I was really seeking during this fasting period (outside of my closer relationship with the Lord). 


I think this is going to be my year for clarity, I really do.


Last year was all about relationships and forgiveness and closing chapters in order to open other chapters.  And I think that by forgiving and letting go, I may be positioning myself to be in some long standing relationships maybe romantic, maybe platonic, but all in Gods time.

I take heart, and do not give up; because I know that HE is indeed with me on my journey to "fit the pieces together" and as each piece falls into place HE will help me navigate my way through to the other side.


Be Well  (I finally am)
xoxo

Saturday morning and I still can't breathe

Day 6


UGH.... So I am sitting here drinking my Breathe Easy tea, in hopes that maybe, just maybe, it will do the trick.


I have been sick as a proverbial dawg since Tuesday night and I am still struggling to shake this thing, whatever it is. 

Because I am fasting I was very hesitant on trying to take any type of meds so for the first couple of days I went the homeopathic route...the Traditional Medicinal cold combo tea, the camphor on my chest, I even considered taking a Bikram yoga class in hopes of sweating the toxins out.....

After my rememdies did not produce the results I had hoped for I opted for the tried and true Alka Seltzer cold plus, my dad swears by it, and although I would never tell him, it actually does work.


All in all a pretty rough way to start the New Year, and the fast, but through it all I have remained obedient, save the bag of popcorn I did have last night. 

Really this time around it is not as hard as it was last year.  I will admit though, giving up my Social Media has proven to be a challenge but I have not wavered.  And I am finding that I am actually not really missing it as the time passes.


I am going to force myself to go work out, got to stay active. I did make myself get up and go to the gym on Thursday...epic fail, I could not even get in 5 minutes on the elliptical, I couldn't breathe.  But I did see my favorite couple there......This elderly couple that come in and work out together, they are so cute and the only thing that I can think when I see them is Genesis 2:18, and that means that sooner than later, and in Gods time, my "workout partner" will come....


Until that time I will continue this journey on my own to fit the pieces together..

Be well (cough cough sneeze sneeze)
xoxo

Ugh....

Day  one went well, despite the massive drama Isis and I had trying to blow up my stupid exercise ball,  all because Sampson, my beloved chi weenie hid the piece that went to the pump, (he is so friggin funny) I think he knew exactly what he was doing; and after Isis practically passed out trying to blow the ball up like a balloon, she finds the piece in his doggy pen...from now on he will be the regular victim of illegal search and seizures, since he is a clepto...


Any who I got my workout on to my new/used work out DVD (half price books rocks so hard), ate a fast friendly meal of cabbage and tomatoes in sauteed in olive oil...Erthang was all good...then it started, the night time cravings, so I did engage in some Sour cream and onion potato chips (prayed about it..I'm good),


But today I feel like crap


I did get up to do my 5am workout with no problem, but I do have an itch in my throat and right now my energy is non existent. I continue to repeat one of my affirmations "I have the energy I need to complete all of my tasks", that helps...


I will do my Budokon workout tonight but the goal is definitely to be in bed NLT 10.

yeah yeah yeah...journey to "fit the pieces together" and all that crap

blah blah blah
xoxo

Im BAAAACCCKKKKKK!!!!!

20-Leven has slipped up on a sistah and found me in a really good place!  I attribute that to the way that I began my journey through 2010...by fasting and praying.

And so, as I write I am here, with my Caffeine free tea at my side and my soothing music playing from Pandora (Whitney is singing "Saving all my love") ready to blog my 28 day fasting experience..(deep breath in)

But first I must rant (just a bit)...


Okay, so in addition to the food portion of my fasting experience I also like to fast from other things; now as we all know there is a certain "Book" that most of us are very tied to...Well yesterday during Church service at Concord (which by the way is DA BOMB!!!) Pastor Carter said, and I quote "maybe some of us should spend less time on Facebook and more time in HIS book....

Now, if you ever think that God does not speak I have proof.  I had been trying to figure out what else I needed to fast from and I received the answer while I was in the balcony at Concord Baptist Church.


So, me being the person that I am, I decide to alert my Facebook "friends" that I will be saying adios to facebook for 28 days,  I do however let them know that I will be blogging as I fast (just like I did last year)..
OMG!  You would have thought I said that I was Osama Bin Laden!  But the one comment that just really kept getting on my nerves was "isnt blogging the same thing as facebook?"  Uh...no!  (or maybe I am wrong...hm...Is blogging the same thing as Facebook?" ) At any rate, I will not be logging in to facebook or "the twitters" during this 28 day period.  It is amazing too, how many times I have picked up my phone with the intention of checking...sigh...down with cyber socializing lol!!!


.........anyway I am really expecting big things for me as I come out on the other side of this.  I have even written my affirmations, and meditations out to assist with my process,  the purpose is to really transform my thought processes positively.(more on that later), but I will tell you that, in addition to committing to my fasting and committing to getting up at 4:45 am Monday - Friday to work out, I am also committed to maintain my blog, I will also update the look and feel...This I vow!!!

so...here we go:

Day 1


Woke up on my own at 4:44am, literally one minute before my alarm went off, so I sat there and looked at my phone and waited until 4:45am to get up, I needed that minute.  I went to work out and saw the cutest thing ever, an elderly couple working out together. 

The only thing that I could think is I want someone to grow old with. 

That's right folks I am putting it out there and making it real. 

I could envision Memaw and Papa going to bed at 7:00pm the night before and waking up at 4:00am getting dressed to go work out and I felt a tug at my little heart strings, which is a good thing because it means I have one lol!


Anywho, when I got home I made my special morning drink and began my day, for breakfast, mixed fresh fruit and almonds, for lunch, a homemade mega salad. Tonight I WILL work out and my goal is to go without the television... and of course, I will continue on my journey to "fit the pieces together"...stay tuned...

Be Well
xoxo

"Strength in numbers"...The random ramblings of a chic like me...

1) I have little to no tolerance for individuals that continue to bitch and moan about their particular situation yet make no moves to change...granted I do understand that everyone may not be as self centered or impulsive as I am (see, when I say I Am Over it, please believe I am) and some changes do take time, but I mean come on!  Make a move already geesh!!!!

2) I may have a few sociopath tendencies( check the DSM on this one)...I sometimes call it "superpowers" some people may call it manipulation...at any rate, I am finding that by really paying very little attention to what someone is saying while zeroing in on their behavior, I can learn a lot about that individual and in turn, get clarity on things I may have had questions about, ore even get the results out of them that I desire...Fear not, I use my powers for good not evil...sometimes.

3) My daughter is ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS on a whole different level....Okay, now I know that she is mine but she has this look and demeanor about her that literally stops people in their tracks....even me.  Yesterday she was in a program and she marched in with the other children and she literally took my breath away, there she was, towering above children her same age with this flawless rich dark complexion, thick jet black hair and eyelashes that I could see from my seat in the back of the room...just beautiful!!!  I could go on and on about my Icy pop!

4) I am getting better dealing with myself and others...Do not get me wrong, people still get on my effen nerves at times, but somewhere within me, I am learning to leave it where it is at. Here is the thing, I have some individuals and situations that will always...always  be a source of angst for me because I have to deal with them ( I call those my triggers)  but as for the superficial stuff that has been renting space in my head and my life, I have been passing out eviction notices...I am "chunking up the deuces" to residual bullshit.

5) I really do love myself...at least more than I used to :)  This part of my journey is never ending.  That is another blog...

6) I am really enjoying life and what it is bringing me....Each day is a new adventure, and instead of being apprehensive, I am welcoming the unknown, because lets face it, the unknown is always the next second away...

7) I continue on my journey to fit the pieces together...even though I know the puzzle will never be complete.

Be Well
xoxo

Getting over the hump...

"We do not realize that those who genuinely wish us well want us to be happy and are prepared to accompany us on that journey"
-Paulo Coehlo

So here is the deal...

I have given a lot of lip service to some great ideas without any follow through....

I own that

I realized that I am one of those individuals that thrives on positive reinforcement...

I own that too

When my big ideas are not met with enthusiasm or i when they are immediately met with negativity, I buy into that mindset and become discouraged...

Yep, still owning...

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I was sharing some thoughts with a dear friend of mine today; and, after  patiently listening to my rant about relationships(romantic, platonic, familial) with individuals that really are not on "Team Dani" he offered this,

 "you must not be afraid to cut your losses"

As I navigate through, I am learning when you begin to "be about it", and put action to your words...

everyone is not going to be excited to see you actually doing what you have been talking about for so long....

Why?

Because they do not truly understand you

or support you....

in some cases they may not even like you (if you really want to know the truth).

I have entertained the superficial and given too much attention to things that do not add any value to my quality of life;

I have allowed myself to get caught up in the daily minutia and have made several detours on my journey....

Today I learned that those road blocks that force me to make detours must be moved  out of the way,

so that I may continue on my journey to fit the pieces together...

Be Well
xoxo