Obstacles...

I thought to myself the other day, "Wow, God must think highly of me." Why you may ask...well he's always setting me up. He always throws some obstacle in my path, giving me a new challenge to overcome but I take it with stride. I take it with stride because he thinks enough of me to make me stronger for the next thing. He thinks I can handle some things so he throws them my way. I have to appreciate a father like that.

Don't get me wrong I have my moments, that split second when I say "why me" and then I quickly jump out of that mind set. I start to think, "why not me?"....I am equipped with the tools and knowledge to overcome any situation that arises. That's what I am built for. Quitting is never an option, the only option is success. I thrive off of it. I am made better every time I said to myself that I can't and I do. I am made better every time someone said I couldn't and I did.

Sometimes people feel they are given the short end of the stick and to some people it may look like I've got it real easy but no one knows my struggles, where I've come from and how I got to where I am now. His challenges made me who I am today. I'm not built Ford tough, I'm built God tough. He sustains me and now in another couple of weeks I would have met another challenge and defeated it but it won't end there. Life is all about being better than yesterday and even greater tomorrow.

Dawn Richards- If I Could

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Role Models...

I get a call from my older sister about 2 days ago asking me if Rihanna and Chris Brown got back together. Now I'm a little thrown off by this because my sister could care less about what goes on in the entertainment world, she lives in a world of her own. I reply, "Yes, I believe they are back together" and I hear creams into the phone. I pull the phone away from my ear, look at it like it's a monster and then go on to ask my sister what her problem is. She says we need to call my niece, Talhia, who is 15.

Now at this point I'm a little thrown off and I ask her why. She says to me that Rihanna has just given my niece an inappropriate view of what happens when a man puts his hand on you. It is unacceptable and therefore she is setting a poor example to young girls around the world. I have a totally different viewpoint. Rihanna, Chris Brown, Puff Daddy, nor Denzel Washington will ever be the example for my children. Celebrities are not role models, I repeat, celebrities are not Role models. They are people who are fortunate enough to have became famous and be rich and be plunged into the limelight whether they like it or not and guess what not all of them are good people to begin with.

There are tons of women who get beat every single day, they dust themselves off and continue on with their lives with their abusive spouses. Those are their choices to make and we don't control those decisions, nor do we control the decisions celebrities make. Rihanna is no different from that abused women, what's wrong with her is that she doesn't have the self worth to realize that a man has absolutely no right to lay his hands on you. That is the lesson to be taught to young girls everyday, not just when a celebrity figure gets a beat down from her boyfriend. Young girls need to know that they are valued, loved and cherished and deserved to be treated accordingly. These celebrities are human. So again, I reiterate celebrities are not role models, please be the example for those young impressionable minds that are in your presence don't allow the media to taint there vision.

Interesting...

So my friend and I were having a conversation a couple of weeks ago and we were talking about a dress that I wanted to get. Of course women must be very meticulous when picking out clothing for a special event because our first goal is to make sure that what we have on is "original". Who wants to have the spotlight shared? We go to extremes to ensure that our ensemble is like no other. Going to little boutiques, special ordering dresses or even taking our shopping spree miles away from where we live.

My male friend brought up a very good point. He said "Who cares." As per him, if a man were to go to a gathering and another man had on the same shirt, tie or even the same outfit, it would be a compliment and the conversation would go like this "You've got good taste"...lol. A woman on the other hand would try to hide herself in a little corner, upset that the outfit that she tried so hard to put together, was sharing the spotlight with another.

I used to have a friend that would ask me before we were going out what I was wearing, only to go pick her up to look like the bopsie twins. It was annoying! We all know the saying, "we weren't born together" and I certainly don't want to have everyone thinking I'm in elementary school trying to match outfits. So how did I deal with this situation, I started lying to her. She eventually got the point. Woman are attention seekers, at least most women are and when that attention is being diverted especially because the outfit you are wearing is being outworn by someone else it can be a little disturbing...lol.

Def Poetry Jam- "Hit Like A Man"

This speaks for itself....

Wow..Couldn't Have Been Said Any Better!

The Making of Gibberish by Ryan Leslie

So some people didn't understand the concept of the whole song but I think when you watch what went into making the song you have a greater appreciation for it. Music is an art form, there are many colors that can be painted on the canvas and this is just another form of music, I think at its' best. If you have ever heard of "scat" singing used in many songs of Jazz musicians, this a modern day version. Hope you enjoy it better now :o)

Domestic Violence...

When we hear the stories about domestic violence, we often hear of a woman getting battered by her spouse, a male. This is not true for all stories though, there are men who are getting physically abused as well, whose stories go untold. Abuse is abuse whether it is towards a male or female. Men are just less likely to say something about it for fear of being ridiculed.

I have seen relationships in which the female was physically and emotionally abusive to her spouse. More emotionally than anything but she had her episodes of physical abuse as well. There are some men who were raised never to lay a hand on a woman and so they endure the abuse. Or they may even feel like there actions have left them in such a predicament that they deserve the abuse and just like some women they may be battling some self-esteem issues which lead them to believe they don't deserve any better.

I feel whether it's a female or male abuse is not warranted towards either party. No one has the right to lay hands on you as a form of punishment (except your parents of course). Abuse is just a way of the abuser to gain control of what they feel they have no control over. Unfortunately, the abuser doesn't change. Whatever underlying issues that are causing them to be an abuser must be dealt with in order to rectify the situation, so flowers and cards and beautiful gifts will not change the situation. Whether male or female, the only option is to leave, that person doesn't respect nor love you if they are hurting you.

Trouble in Paradise?

Seems ReRe and Chris have fallen off of cloud nine, but than again they were never on cloud nine together since they were not "dating"...allegedly. Now there are different stories being through around but supposedly it came to fisticuffs between the two in a vehicle. ReRe was thrown out of said vehicle and a bystander called the POPO..lol...allegedly. Now I don't how true all of this is but my boy Chris does not look like a woman beater, but than you just never know. Either way the two canceled there Grammy performances and Chris turned himself in and was let out on 50,000 dollars bail. Hmph...I'm saddened by all of this, is there any such thing as a perfect relationship?

Ryan Leslie- Gibberish

I don't know what it is I love about this song even though you can't understand the words the feel of it puts me in this totally different place. I imaginge a dark night club, had a little to drink and you're dancing with this gorgeous guy/girl and you don't hear the words because you're so entwined in the moment, he/she is holding you tight and you just don't want it to end. I love it.

Guess Whose Back!

Important update: My President is Black! Another historical moment, which we were all given the opportunity to witness. I'm so excited about the "Barack" movement. The world is watching, waiting and listening. There is a vibration of things to come, there is a unity amongst us that hasn't touched this country in a long time. The time for change has come people, you're either on the bandwagon or getting trampled by it. Its' a time for sacrifices great and small. Its about all of us doing our part.

I know it's been a while since I have actually written a blog, posting youtube videos is easier to do when life is a little hectic. There some things I think are important to repeat because sometimes we forget their importance. "God is Good," through the toughest days and darkest nights, he prevails. Believe in his awesome power and there is no task too big for him to accomplish. All you have to do is believe in his power to change things, believe in his power to give you the tools to make things right when they are wrong and believe in the strength that he has given you to overcome any obstacle. That is why he is the great "I AM."

Women's FYI: I have found that the best praise is self praise. Love what you see in the mirror flaws and all. Appreciate every curve, there or lacking. He created you in his likeness and true beauty shines from within. There is nothing more beautiful than a kind, compassionate, soul. It radiates like the sun on a summer day. Be the best you, that you can be because before you can love anyone else, you must love that which will be the beacon for love.

Guy's FYI: There is nothing more sexy than a man who is sure of himself. Confidence is infectious. Be proud of who you are and stand for something. It's not enough to roll with the punches. Be respected for being different.

The Office- Greatest Moments

Keisha Chante- Next Aaliyah?

This is Keisha Chante a Canadian born R&B singer who is set to play Aaliyah in a movie of her life. So far she's got the look down and by the looks of the video dancing won't be an issue for her. I was and still am an Aaliyah fan so I hope she does my girl some justice. Check out Keisha Chante's video "Been Gone" below.

Puffy Interviewing Barack Obama 2004...

Check out this video from four years ago...God always has a plan and purpose for you...

The First Dance

I've decided that I am not lowering my standards any longer and if he doesn't look at me like THAT, than he's not even worth it. Real Love at its' best!

My President is Black.... Young Jeezy

Dear Mr. President

What would you say to President Obama...

Why Am I the Middleman?

Ever been used as the transporter for information. Everything that needs to be said to another individual must be passed through you and you must relay the message. In my family I am the middleman, the relayer (if that's a word) of information. Usually it comes from my mother to one of my sisters or brother. I guess being the last child in the house afforded me this job description but I hate it especially when the information causes a long conversation which I really don't want to be a part of.

So what do I do to steer clear of these long convo's? I don't relay the message...lol. Unless it is something of great importance the message stays with me, the relayer, until my mother has a conversation with my sisters or brother and brings up said topic. My mother will ask why I didn't tell them and I'll say because I forgot...I am a busy woman. I have then, just avoided being part of something I didn't want to be part of.

Being the middleman has its' up and downs. I am always connected to my brother and sisters. We have a very close relationship but then I also get caught in the middle when their is a disagreement and I surely am not choosing sides. I'll just play my position...the middleman I guess?

A Laugh A Day Keeps the Doctor Away...

I've made a new discovery today and that is ..that I'm not funny...lol. My best friend is one of the funniest people I know and it doesn't matter what she says its' her delivery that just puts the icing on the cake. I had the pleasure of meeting one of my good friends aunts today and she was hysterical. I mean, tears rolling down my cheeks funny. Sometimes I wish I had those kind of wits about me.

That is an awesome ability...to make people smile. You can't get enough of being around a certain person when they can make life so light and airy. You forget about all the troubles of the world. I remember being young and laughing until my stomach hurt...do you remember that? Laughing until your cheeks told you to stop. I don't laugh like that as often anymore. I guess the world gets more serious with age, things don't pull strings like they use to before.

I would try knock-knock jokes but I think I'm too old for that. I think my calling is to be a great listener, I don't know about the funny part. I'll leave funny to individuals who can succeed at making people laugh, I'll just give someone a lending ear to the joke they want to tell :o)

Biggie's Daughter Chyna Raps...