Cause The Times; sadly not the people; They Are a Changin

I’m going to give you a backwards domino effect of how we can improve as a whole. THESE ARE MY OWN PERSONAL OPINIONS, for all you sensitive folks.

The only way we can advance as a race, the human race, is by being a better society. The only way we can be a better society is by reaching out and helping our fellow man to advance in any way they can. The only way to help someone else advance is by knowing first what you are capable of doing. The only way of knowing what you are capable of doing is by first knowing yourself. The only way of knowing yourself is to face who you really are, and I do mean who you really are, at this stage in your life and doing whatever it is that you can to improve it.

I find that a lot of people are so quick to talk about how this can be better and how that can be better, and yet these same people have quite a few faults that they are just not willing to come to terms with. Now we all have faults, yes, we all have our little annoying habits that we probably all see as just endearing qualities that every human being on earth possesses that will probably get on someone else’s nerves at some point. But there are things about each and every one of us that we know deep down need improving. We know there are some things about ourselves that nobody else knows that we have either been harboring for years or we have been repeating the same mistakes for years or that we are trying to hide and have been successful at doing so for years. And sadly enough the bottom line is it does not matter how long you have gotten way with being that kind of person, with going through your life knowing that you need to change something, this society will not get any further if YOU can’t get any further.

These people that have done the most started out just as normal and regular as you and I. I can only imagine where we would be as a whole if people like Albert Einstein, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Junior, Michael Jordan, Barack Obama, the guy who invented the stop light, the person that invented the comb, or the Wright brothers, had all thought that they don’t really have any significant impact to make on this world. You may not be the next great inventor or the next world leader, but then again you have no idea who you are or who you were meant to be if you’re very content with just being who you are right now, with all your little horrible faults and bad habits that you are unwilling to change. I’m not talking about nail-biting or fidgeting in your chair or twirling your hair on your finger. I’m talking about things like procrastination; knowing that you need to be to work on time or trying to be an entrepreneur but never actually getting up and doing what you need to do to get it done, not being productive at all. I’m talking about things like carrying around what happened to you in your childhood or your teenage years or in your early 20s or two weeks ago on the job; having that uncanny ability of never letting things go so that you carry it around with you all the time, and you either the kind of person that stays angry or stays depressed. When we cannot face the very things about us that hold us back because we are afraid, then the entire society doesn’t go anywhere because you are depriving the world of a truly, possibly incredibly gifted, human being.

I know there are a lot of people out there who will not agree with me on this, but it is my belief that Paula Deen benefited a great deal from saying what she said. I’m not saying that it was a good thing what she said, but I am saying that if she had not said what she said she probably would have continued to go on believing that that type of thinking was okay. But because it was exposed and the repercussions also may have affected her children’s careers and not just hers, she realized that this was a part of herself that needed to change. You can sit around all day and say, just like she did, that this bad habit or horrible thing is not who I am. But that’s exactly what I’m trying to say to you today, that is most definitely a part of who you are and that is the part that needs to change. Some of us have had the benefit, if you want to call it that, of having God and the world expose our bad habits so that we have no choice but to change them. And there are some, if not all of us, who have had the luxury to still hide some of the bigger things that hold us back. I understand, believe me I do, that it hurts like, literally, peeling off your own skin. But the more unhealthy layers of your character that you are willing to peel off and get rid of the further you will get in life. And the further you get, the further I get, the further we all get. But I have to say it does not surprise me that we as a country here in America are moving in the wrong direction. I see too many people neglecting to peel away the unwanted parts of their character in favor of drowning themselves in capitalism, commercialism, and greed; all in the forms of fame, fortune, money, status, notoriety, and self-preservation (I’ve got my cares about you). As always (the only things that should stay the same), stay in Faith, stay Blessed and stay Happified.

ta ta for now
S

My Mama Told Me, You Betta Shop Around

This won’t take long today. As usual I have a little something to get off my chest. While I do a lot of creative things that act as my bread and butter, I also work a part-time job that supplements my income. Now exactly where I work is of no concern, you'll all probably figure it out in just a moment. But the things I've heard and the problems I've come across while doing this job are absolutely dumbfounding to me. If you are buying or signing up for anything such as satellite TV, mobile phone or home phone service, or internet service, why would you sign on the dotted line without reading the contract first? What makes people believe that the offer they saw on TV is the best offer they could ever get? Need an example, ok.

 *Sign up now for our phone service and get this (insert favorite phone brand here) for free and pay only $45 a month.

*Get (insert favorite TV service here) and pay 35% less than (other TV service).

 AFTER you get it you realize that said mobile phone service requires a certain two year plan with ridiculous termination fees, only certain phones are available with this offer, plus you have to sign up for this, that, and the other as well. NOT ONLY THAT, but you find out that the competitors TV service is normally $115 a month. 35% off that means a bill of somewhere around $71-$75; without taxes. And then people like me get the fun job of having to hear people like that call in and complain. "I was never told blah blah blah', 'Why is my bill so high', I should be let out of my contract because I was misinformed', and the annoying and most pathetic one, ' I feel unhappy so what are you going to do for me as a customer, what will you give me"? Now you want something because you feel you deserve it for not doing your job. All because no one took time to read the fine print, ask in depth questions to more than just one person, and most importantly, LOOK FOR THE BEST OFFER. 

 People if you want to stay out of debt, afford the things you want and skip the headaches,  you've got to get past the introductory prices and new customer offers and look at what it’s going to cost you down the road. And never look at just one company or speak to just one person at that company. For instance, when I was looking for a mobile phone the first thing I did was look at coverage. Where I live, most carriers were eliminated. Of the ones that were left, I spent almost a month comparing. That included me calling the store and asking them about the plans and prices. I made sure to ask them what this will cost me after the one year. Then I called that company's sales department and asked them the same things. THEN I called their regular customer service and asked them. A lot of times I got three different answers, so naturally they were eliminated. I went with prepaid in the end because I could up or downgrade at any time I felt like, I paid one flat fee with no surprises on a bill every month, and everything is unlimited (with great coverage). Do I have the hottest phone, No. Do you, Probably. Does you bill go up and down monthly and are there sometimes hidden charges, More than likely. Do I have that issue, NOT! When it comes to my satellite, was I told one thing during sign up and then shocked by my bill later (even 12 months later after I was no longer a new customer), again NOT!! I went beyond the introductory low price and calculated all my bills using the regular price, plus tax, plus overages, plus ppv, and equipment. Needless to say I always paid less than what I budgeted for. When you have to start calling these places and complaining and arguing about something you could have fixed; a look at your bill, research online and from existing customers, asking the hard questions; you just give away your power and you're left at the mercy of someone who can only do so much within company policy and that includes managers. And threating to cancel; WHATEVER; you don't want to pay the termination fee so stop lying. Not to mention you'd have to go through this all over again at your new company because it's a sure thing you didn't learn the first time.

Let's face it, these companies advertise new phones like they advertise cars, a new one every second. And the mobile carries and satellite companies and so on, they love that consumer need; that need to have "it" now, and have "it" be better than someone else's. And some of you out there will always fall into that trap if you can’t do your homework. It's worth it in the end to do what is necessary to get the best for your wallet and your family; not what's best for your image. As always shoppers, stay in Faith, stay Blessed, and stay Happified.

ta ta for now

S

Not All Dreams Are Created Equally..but reach for them anyway

Welcome to the New Year! Nobody say it, I already know I'm tardy to the party with that statement. The truth is I've been a little busy the better part of this year. I have so many things in the works I can’t even list them all here. But have no fear; I did learn not to bite off more than I can chew. I also learned that busy does not necessarily mean productive. So I'm concentrating my efforts on things that really matter to me, not things that just bring in money or things that might make other people's opinion of me actually matter. This is what brings me to my post today. I, like so many out there, used to be a victim of the "Opinion Factor". Everything I did was based solely on what the outcome would make me look like. Would everyone think I was beautiful, would I look successful, will they talk about me if I say or start doing this or that? Then through many trials and tribulations I learned to just do what made me feel not only happy, but alive. That may have taken some years, but it was worth it. But even after I got over that hurdle, I had to jump a bigger one. I had to stop measuring my goals up against others.
Maybe some of us were created to be pioneers in their field or champions of industry. And maybe some of were created to be heroes of the common man. Meaning, some of us are meant to be successful on our own level. We don't have to be surgeons, we can be nurses and EMT's; they save lives as well you know. Some women will go on to be leaders in business; building companies, creating jobs, and driving the work force. Then there are some women who just want to be housewives. If you think there is something wrong with being a housewife, ask the many politicians and athletes and businessmen-whose mothers stayed at home and cooked and cleaned and taught them how to treat women-if they think what their mothers did for them mattered or not. Some of us raise spirits and money and hope. And some of us raise tomorrow's presidents. Don't not ever (that's right I said that) not reach for a goal because the world told you it’s not grand enough. We live in a society that tells us we must have more and bigger. We are told that we all have this large hole in ourselves and only some huge materialistic thing can fill it. LIE!! If your only goal in life is to eat a ham samich (that's right I said that too) and watch a movie when you get off work from the job you hate, whatever. BUT, your heart will let you know if you want something more out of life or not. Ignore the yearning in you if you want, it's your life. I can only give you fair warning, turning a blind eye and a deaf ear to the passions and dreams of your soul will lead to a VERY depressing life. That's why you can’t be afraid to reach for every wonderful, crazy beautiful, ridiculous thing that your heart desires. 
So, ok, start with the samich. And listen to the voice that says tomorrow you volunteer at a food bank making samiches for others. Then keep listening when it tells you to get that culinary degree and become head chef at a 5 star restaurant; or start a mom and pop diner; or open your own food truck, who knows. HOWEVER far that voice in your spirit takes you (around the corner, around the world), follow it to the sweet end.  As always my fellow dreamers stay in faith, stay blessed, and stay happified.

ta ta for now,

S

I'll Trash Your Faith and You Trash Mine....point blank

So I guess most of you out there know by now that the Atheists have erected their own monument to a non-belief in GOD recently, right next to a monument of the Ten Commandments. People from both sides; Christian and atheist; even took to standing on the others monument in protest. Standing on them!! At first I asked, "What is this world coming to"? Then I answered myself, "An end." An end to humanity, respect, love and honor. I knew a few atheists when I was in college and we got along swimmingly. Why? Because they did not trash, make fun of, or belittle my belief in Jesus Christ. I did not condemn or damn then to an eternal hell for not believing in HIM. Nowadays it seems like the only way to show how strongly you believe in something is to trash what someone else believes. Examples: movies about a gay Jesus, so-called- Christians protesting the funerals of fallen soldiers, one spiritual faith dogging another faith.

There is no more room apparently for us to live as one.

YES I would love to see more and more people give their lives to Christ because HE is pure love. But I'm not going to ostracize and hate you because you don’t. I accept the fact that we are just different. Will that stop me from worshiping Jesus? NO. Will that stop me from asking someone if they'd like to come to church with me? NO. Because I still want you to know JESUS and I still love you even if you decline to come to church. We are all connected. We are all fingers on ONE hand. If one of the fingers is broken then the hand won’t work right. It’s not our job to say "too bad about the pinky finger but we’re the thumb so it’s not our problem." Or "if you did what we did then you would be better". We are different for a reason. And the less we recognize that, the more we will be divided as a nation and the easier we will fall. I can’t be you and you can’t be me, and there will never be a you without me. So try to stay blessed, stay in faith (whatever yours might be) and stay happified.

ta ta for now,

S

Running Blind....hard, but very doable

First let me say that the title is metaphorical and not literal. I encourage no one to actually run or move in any way with your eyes closed. That had to be said cause yall know how some people are.

Now that I got the warning out of the way, let me ask you about walking with GOD. Relax, this is not a sermon just a convo. For those of you who have decided to let Him be the head of your life, did you have certain expectations? Did you believe that things would automatically turn around? Did you believe that the world would step out of your way and you would float on top of it all? I did. And even after several years, I was still thinking like that. It took I don’t know how long to actually figure out my walk with Him. I realized that there would be dark days and sleepless tearful nights with Him. WHAAAT!? Not with "HIM" no way!! Yes way. GOD let us know in His word that we would have trials and tribulations, and those who could endure until the end would see His glory. He wasn’t just talking about The Rapture; He was referring to all areas of life.

EXAMPLE: You have applied for a job with better pay and hours than the one you're at now. It has been three months and you have not heard a word about the position yet. Your bills are falling behind, your boss is useless and the coworkers are getting worse. Then you hear the position has been filled. GOD does not expect you to be happy with the results. He wants to know what you will do. Will you get angry and sad and cry for days and sulk for weeks and drag through the job until one day when..... Or will you get angry and sad and cry for a few days, grab the classifieds and read by candle light because the lights got turned off, eat only an apple and a free lunch at work because you're on a budget, and know that your day of victory is around the corner? Only one of those 2 solutions will get you to the next area of your life. GOD wants you to believe in Him and what He has already done and will do in your life. We won’t always see it, and it may take years (put your eyes back in your head, yes I said years), but the blessing will be worth it. Easy no; worth it YES.

Three years ago I moved from where I lived and took a job in a new city. 5 months later I had my own apartment. A year later I was unemployed, broke, lost my car, lost my apartment, and my little prepaid cell phone. COMPLETELY stripped! Two years later, I have a bigger roof over my head (who cares it’s not my own roof), a car to drive, and the best job I've had in years with money to spare. Did I cry and even cut myself in an attempt to alleviate some of the pain and emptiness? YOU BETCHA. Was it effective? Do I really have to tell you? Well when did my life turn around you ask? While I was hurting. NO not after, during. While I was going through, I just decided to pray for others who had more and less than me. While I was going through I made plans and smiled when I thought about where GOD was going to take me. I could not see my way in the darkness, but I trusted HIM more and more every day to guide me. While I was hurting and trying to trust HIM, HE was working it all out. And the rest is....you know. Don’t get it twisted, I STILL go through some rough times even now. But my walk with GOD has taught me, if I could always know the outcome; there would be no use in faith. So I run on and keep running blindly through life's toughest situations; falling and hitting walls. But I always rejoice when I get on the other side of it. And so will you. Go ahead and cry and hurt, that’s just fine. But keep in mind, your victory is coming, but your GOD is already here. From Sharee to Sheree, stay blessed, stay in faith and stay happified

ta ta for now,

S

Get Yours and Keep Getting.......a good way to end up with nothing

The last time I talked to you, I mentioned a little about relying on GOD to get you where you need to be; or something like that. But how many people have ever only truly followed GOD, prayed to GOD or thought about asking GOD for anything for the sole purpose of benefiting yourself? (MEEEEE!!) How many people have made a habit of it? (MEEEE!!) Now guess where that got meee, absolutely nowhere. My lovely lovely sisters and brothers (don’t worry, you don’t have to be black to be my sister or my brother) please take advice from someone who has been there and back again. I have been to a place where I had very little to nothing at all, just the kindness of others. And I vividly prayed to GOD to get me out of what I was in. I prayed for Him to turn my life around. I prayed to Him to get me to a point where I came out on top. Did you notice a pattern; "me, I, my"? I'm telling you I stayed right where I was. And in some cases the situation got even worse. I would have my head anointed, meditate, fall out in prayer and read Bible verse after verse. All in the hopes of getting something. To make a long story short, I eventually let it go and prayed for other people.

Some were better off than me and some had less than me, they didn’t even have the kind friend. But I did it anyway. Job in the Bible; pronounced with an "o" sound not an "ah" sound for those that don’t read the good book much; he was a faithful man and lost EVERYTHING. But he eventually prayed for his friends despite all that. I had not lost as much as he had but surely I could encourage someone, if not say a prayer for them sometime. What GOD taught me was this; He knows exactly where we are in our lives. You don’t have a job ("ah" this time), you're getting divorced, you're sick etc.... He knows all of that. And He will turn it all around if you believe He will. You believe that, good, now stop asking GOD to help only you and pray for those that need Him (hint: we all need Him). It does not matter if it’s an abusive family member, a hurting friend, a rich boss, or the people you have never seen who were hit by some tragedy. It’s totally ok as long as you; tricky part; SINCERLEY give of yourself to others. Do I still rely on the kindness of others, yes and thank GOD for them. Do I have nothing, I have more than enough. Where I came from and where I am is truly the work of GOD. I knew He'd get me there, so it wasn’t my job to be scared and worried, it was my job to trust Him and give out the love that I'm getting. Now I’m not fully there yet, but I thank Him that I’m on my way. I know it may hurt but He'll take care of you, so you just keep asking that He take care of others. Remeber to stay blessed, stay in faith and stay happified!

ta ta for now,
S

How To Pray, Worship and Have Faith.....don't judge the title and read on

My introductory post was just to get things started. But this will be considered my first OFFICIAL post. I just know that the title threw some of out there for loop. But as I said, calm down and just keep reading. For all of you out there who are trying to find your way or you already have a relationship with GOD or you stumbled across this blog by accident; whatever; this one is for you. So many out there are; for some reason or another; struggling with the idea of finding yourself and finding out what your purpose is. Maybe you’re tired of where you are presently in your life and you know you need a change, or maybe you want to bring out more of whatever is already on the inside of you. I know some are desperate to find out their purpose because they’re afraid of running out of time. You see in my circle of spirituality, it is a highly regarded belief that these are the last days of man (even though some of us choose to see it as the beginning of GOD’s greatness). But whatever your reason, you all have the same issue, WHERE TO START LOOKING. The answer to that is probably not one you want to hear. But simply put, you start on the inside. To find out what you were meant for, you HAVE to know who you REALLY are, and not be afraid of that person. It takes realizing that you really are the talented artist and not the doctor the family thought you should be; or you really are not the refined and dignified person everybody sees but the lazy slob that curses like a sailor and beats the kids; or you really are a giving and loving Christian, Catholic, Rabbi or whatever who’s addicted to porn and sex toys. But don’t try to come to terms with that “person” all on your own. For that journey you need to turn to GOD. Now you can use whatever form of spirituality is comfortable to you, but I’m a Christian (one that does not like to bite her tongue) so I spread the Word of GOD. God didn’t put us here to go through things by ourselves. So if you don’t have the right people to lean on, lean on HIM first. Never been down on your knees (to pray I mean), never stopped by a church but simply passed by them, not into the “GOD”-thing but want to give it a try, don’t know what the word pray means? That’s ok because GOD does not make Himself far away from you. He’s like the VERY VERY VERY best friend you never had and is waiting to just…I kid you not….talk to you. None of that “thou art thine greatesteth” or “mine heart pleadeth in like thine holiest”. Seriously!? You’re doing all that and GOD is waiting for you to just get to the point. All you gotta have is just a convo.

(ex. “I am so new at this but, hi how are you…or, It’s been a while Lord, but I still praise you. I need to talk…or like me “Good morning and blah blah; So let me tell you about blah blah; THANK YOU for blah blah; I love You, Goodnite).

Be sincere and honest. Ask Him to fix what aint work’n (some of that Georgia came out of me just then), increase your common sense and strength, and take you through this wild ride called life. Then, and this won’t be too fun but it is effective…HOLD ON AND DON’T LET GO. When they find coal, how do they get to the diamond? If you’re the diamond you know exactly how they do it and it don’t feel good. A successful you does not come without change, and change does not come without sacrifice. But if you’d rather stay an ugly lump of coal and never shine like the diamond you are, then complain about how hard change is and quit because what you’re going through is too tough. Sometimes I get to preach’n, but I don’t want the ones that come after me to go through what I went through. And if you’re already there, then I want to lend an encouraging word. Why? Cause it’s nice to know somebody; even if you don’t know them; cares enough to help. I got a mess load of stuff I gotta do, but I will return. So stay blessed, stay in faith and stay happified (that’s a word in my world so don’t question me

ta ta for now,

S

 

 

 

..."Let There Be Light"...., thank GOD cause it was sooooo dark in here

Not really a blog type person. So why so I have a blog, you ask? Uh, cause I can! There is to be no questioning of my motives on my blog. And number two, it's much easier and funner (yes that's a word on my blog) than facebook. I can do a lot more in a blog and show some great pics and rearrange them how I want. Oh the power! Moving on. It's like midnite here, and I'm sleepy. So this first post wont be long at all. I gotta get up in about 7 hours but it takes me around 3 hours just to fall asleep. Why you ask? Have you forgotten my rule about questions already?!! I created this in the hopes that somebody out there will learn something. Obviously that wont be today, but you'll understand soon. My eyes feel like bricks and I'm yawn'n so...

ta ta for now,
S