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Showing posts from October, 2016

Be an Inspiration to the Children

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I want to do something inspirational for my children. -Harvey Weinstein The other day I was thinking about my children and how much I wanted them to be well balanced, adjusted human beings who not only take from this world (which is an inevitability of living in it) but also give back to it. After watching the Ted Talk,  How to raise successful kids -- without over-parenting by Julie Lythcott-Haims , I thought about how I can do that without being this stressed out crazy person.  My children are everything to me. Like most parents, I would literally give my life for them without batting an eye or any hesitation what so ever. But let me be perfectly clear, the little suckers drive me nuts. They are easily my biggest stressors because I allow certain situations to get to me. I am working on that. I want so much for them. In reality though, I have to change my thinking, for my sake and theirs actually. I am working on living a life that inspires them instead of always instructing

24: Legacy to Debut in February 2017

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24: Legacy A military hero who returns to the U.S. with a whole lot trouble following him back. With nowhere else to turn, the man asks CTU to help him save his life while also stopping one of the largest-scale terror attacks on American soil. 24: Legacy is scheduled to debut in February after the Super Bowl, which is all the more reason for me to stay my behind at home to watch. The trailer for 24: Legacy has given me 24-Kiether-Sutherland flash backs and I am all for it. Starring Corey Hawkins, Dan Bucatinsky, Anna Diop, Jimmy Smits (what's up with The Get Down though), and Miranda Otto, 24: Legacy looks to be as thrilling and action packed as its predecessor. I do appreciate that it is a brother who will be counting down the clock, but let's be honest, in this current climate, an African American male running around wielding a gun wouldn't make it 24 minutes let alone 24 hours. But I can play along with Fox on this; better 24: Legacy than Empire. Check out the

How to raise successful kids -- without over-parenting | Julie Lythcott-Haims

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I am a Ted Talk fiend. I look for topics of interest to me and watch and learn and take notes and get inspired. My latest find is  How to raise successful kids -- without over-parenting  by author, Julie Lythcott-Haims. The Ted Talk is funny and delightful. Most importantly, it reminds me not to be so hard on my children and myself. Like Haims says, I have over-parenting tentendcies and get frustrated when it seems that they are going in the wrong direction. My take away is that I have to let go a little and let the kids live a little and stress will melt away from all of our lives. Take some time to listen, it is worth it.

Four Tips to get Back to Sleep

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Ever have those moments when you wake up in the middle of the night and your mind is going a mile a minute, but all you really want to do is get some sleep? I do not get them as often as I used to but it does still happen to me. Then I am up worrying about why I am not sleeping- such a vicious cycle. Here are a few things that I have done to get back to sleep. Read a book, but not one that I am really into because I will stay up all night finishing it. I have recently increased my nonfiction reading and some of the books, though the knowledge gained is invaluable, are dull and take some focused intention to get through. I start to read one of them and I am soon dozing off to dreamland. write in my journal especially if I have a lot on my mind. It helps to get those thoughts out of your head and onto paper. If it is personal, shred it in the morning. Write it down and let it go for the night.  meditate. Ideally, your not supposed to fall asleep while meditating but it is a reall

Reboot your Fitness

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Fitness Reboot When you start trying to work out again and your body, confused about it, is like NO. Working out is a wonderful, beautiful thing. The benefits to our body and mind are phenomenal. Oh, but the effort it requires is mountainous especially when it is not or hasn't been a part of your life. I am trying to get back into it thus the look of exhaustion on my face. It is not easy until it becomes habitual and you don't stop. So here I go again because it is important. Exercise is a great stress reliever and helps to keep the mind sharp. Let's release some stress, balance ourselves out and get moving! The below I got from Pinterest and I really like. It is usually a good one to ease me back into things.

Be Active in Life

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Mankind is made great or little by its own will. -Friedrich Schiller We are made great or little by our own will. How bad do you want it? How hard do you want to work for it? Most importantly, how will we give back to the world in order to contribute to its greatness? Life, existence is all about balance. From balancing a chemical equation to keeping the body at equilibrium in order to maintain health, we rely on balance at every possible turn. Our will to do good has to drive us to take action. It is so much easier to settle and fall into the negative side of things. We feed ourselves on lazy moments and wire our minds to think that it is okay. Meanwhile,  we short change ourselves and the world by not fully engaging in our gifts or passion. We have been given all the tools we need to make an impact. Let us take the time to invest in ourselves and figure out how to use those tools to ignite our passion so that we may be great and make the world better. In this action we can

Hidden Figures Trailer

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Hidden Figures Happy early birthday to me. I am planning to take myself to see this movie for several reasons. I am so excited to see some Black girl magic in science and math. It is exciting to learn something new about the contribution these women made to such a historic event in a time when it was hard to be a successful human being while being seen as less than ... wait, it's still like that. Nevertheless, I have taken the time to educate myself before the movie that way I can enjoy the entertainment of the film. Starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe, Kirsten Dunst and Kevin Costner, the cast leads are definitely a collection of well rounded actors with enough personality to light up any screen. I can have a long discussion based off the trailer alone. I cannot wait to see this.

John Wick: Chapter 2 Trailer

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John Wick 2 Trailer! Yas!!! I accidentally watched John Wick when it came out a couple of years ago. It was on a rare (extremely rare) date and since I am a forever Neo- I mean Keanu Reeves fan, I agreed to watch it. John Wick was gory with a pretty simple, been-there-done-that plot. Knuckle head, supposedly adult ticks off the wrong guy, on the wrong day and causes John Wick to be out for revenge, killing everyone that gets in his way. I enjoyed every bit of it. So, when the trailer for John Wick: Chapter 2 came out, I was already planning to see it. In my mind, I will actually get to the movies but in reality, if it is rated R, I probably won't make it unless by some miracle, I land another date by 2017. Do not let the annoying voice over of the new trailer deter you from checking out it. Looks like there will still be quite a bit of unnecessary killing with bigger guns and a lot more people. Add Morpheus - I mean Laurence Fishburne (has he been in hiding or is it just me?)

Live Lite with Music

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Music seeps down into the crevices of my sometimes hollowed soul and simply frees me This morning I chose classical tunes to focus, relax and balance me out. The mind sometimes runs wild with thoughts and lists and to-dos undone that it can cause one to feel overwhelmed or frozen with indecision. Music cuts through that by allowing us to get lost in the melody, memory, and/or enjoyment of the simplicity of listening. Listen and focus on your breath or focus on nothing at all. That is the beauty of music. It allows the mind free reign. For that small time, indulge in relaxing your being. Fall into the sound waves that vibrate in your heart's soul. The positive effect music has in our lives is understated. It can influence mind-state and motivate us to reach for the stars. Independent Zen Bach - Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major BWV1007

Stranger Things

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Stranger Things on Netflix. Why has it taken me so long to get on this? I am currently on episode six. Two more to go and the kids and I are loving it. So happy to see my love of science fiction has been taken on my them. Stranger Things has a good dose of creepy, scary monsters, secret organizations, clueless parents and people, and fearless kids. My favorite is Dustin, the voice of reason in a cute chubby little body. If you are like myself and have not watched it yet, take the time to get your Stranger Things binge on.

Be Worthy.

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Know that you are worthy of your existence.  I wrote this a few years back but it still resonates today. Self Esteem  

Stay Ahead with Clarity

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Clarity Be sure murky waters will loom all around you still the mind, stay focused on the vision Carity on what we want out of life and who we are can get us through the toughest times. It is like keeping an eye on the finish line at the end of a competitive race. Seeing that goal pushes a person forward even though she is exhausted and needs rest. Medidate on that positive vision until it becomes an inseparable part of your mind, an integral who you are. When we have that clear picture we can build on it and gain strength from it. Sometimes when life is getting a little crazy and things seem to be out of control, we need to step away and focus on the things that are really important to us. Focus on the people that matter, on what makes living worthwhile. Look ahead to a better future. Clarity offers the peace of self confidence, the comfort of familiarity, the choice to move towards the bigger, brighter picture.

South Florida Artist LaVie's Queen

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LaVie releases Queen. This is another island vibin', chilling, body swaying joint. I feel like I need to be beach side with a drink in my hand. Close your eyes and imagine for about 15 seconds with me that we are partying beach side. I love the message. Ladies, ask for what you want. If you feel you are worthy of more then do not accept less. If you are at a place where you want different things, regardless of what was going on in your past, then expect those things and know that you are special enough to deserve them. I am not only talking about in relationships either. In life, friendships, work, where ever. Be a Queen. Visit her page for details  http://www.lavie-music.com/

Haitian Artist Saskya Sky's Debut

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Saskya Sky, independent artist, releases Debut , her new album with a Caribbean vibe, that sure to not only leave you dancing but feeling moved. Check out the video to her first single below. Download this album. Definitely worth the 4.99. My Haitian folks, support this artist.

Ava DuVernay’s Netflix film ’13th’

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Ava DuVernay’s Netflix film ’13th’ shows how mass incarceration is a form of modern day slavery. The documentary is definitely worth the watch. It is moving and powerful and thought provoking. However, with the political climate as it presently is, it inspired a feelings of disappointment, despair and downright anger. Hands Up, my latest cinquain, best describes how I felt at the end of it. Hands up Shackled in darkness my intelligence is mocked Speak not, breathe not, live not- Be a shadow It breeds disappointment in our fellow human beings. At the same time, I think I should not be so disappointed because people were once enslave, children used as gator bait, people were experimented on and thought of as subhuman because of the different color of their skin. Have we not grown in compassion and empathy? It definitely feels like we have not because greed and selfishness seem to rule the way of the world. I am disappointed in those that only stand by to lend blame, point

Kevin Hart's What Now

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Kevin Hart has a new stand up coming out! I am excited about it even if I don't know if I will get to see it. But if you like Kevin and you want a good laugh check it out. The trailers below look hilarious. Remember laughter is medicine and a great stress reliever. Get your mind off and laugh. Movie comes out October 14. Love the clip with Halle Berry and Don Cheadle too!

Shonda Rhimes' Year of Saying Yes to Everything

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Shonda Rhimes is responsible for four television programs, 70 hours of televsion, 350 million dollars. She is a titan. Her brain is global. Rhimes tells us this in her Ted Talk to demonstrate how much work she actually does. In reality, it demonstrates how much stress she is under. The difference is that she loves it. She poetically tells the audience how much she loves working and how it gives her life- until it doesn't.  This is where the year of yes comes in. Her pull away from the love of all that she does is really her breaking down under the stress. It may have been a run-away stress train, stress unchecked. Whatever it was, she got to the point when she was burnt out. Burn out can happen to any of us, no matter who we are, what we are doing, how much we love it. Rhimes' Ted Talk is about her getting her mojo back (thank goodness her audience did not notice that it was gone). Shonda Rhimes delivery at first seems stoic, even a little stand offish but as she goes o