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Showing posts from March, 2021

Mindful Moment: You Decide

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  You Decide  Image by  Alain Audet  from  Pixabay   “It always comes down to one simple thing, the decision to keep going until you have reached your goal.” - Jen Sincero The choices you make to get through life may look different from day-to-day. Ultimately, you have the power within you to change the course of your life. You have to not only realize that but also accept it, and then make a regular decision to access it. Regular can mean from moment to moment. However many times you need to keep yourself motivated and encouraged.  “You get to choose between achieving success and giving up.” - Jen Sincero

Suicide Squad 2 Trailer

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The Suicide Squad slated to be released on August 6, 2021. The cast lineup includes Margot Robbie, reprising her role as Harley Quinn as well as Joel Kinnaman, Jai Cortney, and Viola Davis who are all making a return for round 2. Newcomers include John Cena, Peet Davidon, Storm Reid, Michael Rooker, and Idris Elba to name a few.  Looking at the cast, I am pretty excited, but watching the trailer, I am underwhelmed. I cannot say that I hated it in the least, but it did not grab me and have me in anticipation. Check out the trailer in my reaction video. 

I Care a Lot Review

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  I Care a Lot  I Care a Lot is currently streaming on Netflix and stars Rosamund Pike, Eiza Gonzelez, Peter Dinklage, and Dianne Wiest as Marla Grayson, Fran, Roman Lunyov, and Jennifer Peterson respectively. It is about a ruthless woman, Marla Grayson, who takes advantage of the elderly by getting assigned as their court-appointed guardian and then basically steals all their money. It is quite the elaborate scheme in which she has a doctor sign off on a patient’s incompetence and dumps then into nursing facilities that are in on it. Was this a good movie? Yes. Did I like it? Absolutely not. It is not my type of movie. If I have to give it an unbiased rating it would be a solid B+. The acting was on point. The casting was amazing. The set gave a perfect contrast again the dark content of the film. It was colorful, beautiful,  and light and airy as if attempting to make the viewer forget that we are watching something very sinister play out. The pacing was well done also....

Mindful Moment Intro

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You Are a Badass Every Day

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  You Are a Badass Every Day: How to Keep Your Motivation Strong, Your Vibe High and Your quest for Transformation Unstoppable by Jen Sincero.  Jen Sincero is a motivational speaker, success coach, and bestselling author. You are a Badass Everyday is one of her Badass installments. I took some time to read this book because I myself needed the motivation and pick me up. Also, it was a quick read and reinforced my belief that yea, I am a badass.  As I have always kept it honest with you all, I am a work in progress and am glad you are along for the journey with me. With that in mind, I look for books that will help me and give me the inspiration and motivation to kick my badass in gear. The title attracted me enough that I was hopeful. Again, I don’t believe there are new concepts out there to get us to success. I am not a fan of reinventing the wheel. I love looking for information from different sources because the next person can say something different that resonates w...

Do Something Different

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Do something different. Shake your life up a bit. Our brains are funny little 3 pound masses that can take us for a loop and we are still learning so much about it. As much as I enjoy having a routine in my life because it gives me the illusion of having control, variety is also key for cognitive health. Soomi Lee, PhD, assistant professor in the USF College of Behavior and Community Sciences reports "findings suggest that active and engaged lifestyles with diverse and regular activities are essential for our cognitive health." I am not a regular baker but I wanted to do something different. I have not baked in quite some time and I probably won't even eat all the cake but it was a fun and different activity to do. So even if you do not do something drastic. Shaking things up even a little bit can help change the trajectory of your thought, attitude and day.  Article Source:  Variety and consistency are essential to keep the mind health My related Tiktok below @wandatob...

Zach Snyder’s Justice League Review

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Zack Snyder’s Justice League (ZSJL) starring Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Ray Fisher, Ezra Miller, and Henry Cavill is a darker, more intense take on the 2017 Justice League. I watched this movie with my daughter and we were both like, how is this the same movie .  Many scenes were the same but not really. The look was the same but not really. Snyder’s look and feel felt like it was giving me what it was supposed to give in 2017 but was missing all along. Watching Snyder’s compared to the one Joss Whedon was supposed to come in and save, legit left me feeling like Whedon was an agent who was sent in to destroy DC so Marvel can continue to flourish. His mission was to be subtle about it so the 2017 version was not completely terrible.  I did a reaction video to it because I could not contain my excitement. That is how much my daughter and I enjoyed it. We kept on comparing it to the 2017 version and although there were some scenes in Justice League 2017 that we both appreciated, we ...

Root for yourself

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We  Don't root for ourselves enough. Most people spend a lot of time in their heads, talking negatively to themselves. We need to spend more time hyping ourselves up. When those negative thoughts sneak in we need to banish them immediately. When we think of all the ways that we can't do something or all the reasons why we are not worthy of something we need to stop those thoughts in their tracks. We need to flip them upside down and turned them into motivating thoughts, positive affirming thoughts.  I always come up with excuses as to why I can not get things done. These excuses are mostly based on procrastination. I am a work in progress with flipping my own thoughts. I have to tell myself that I get things done. I am calculated and cunning with my time. Sometimes, we have to stop and also remind ourselves of the things that we have accomplished. Remind ourselves that we wake up every day and push. That in itself is worth a little self-promotion.  So go ahead and root fo...

Won't You Live Tonight!

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I have a feel-good playlist and I add songs to it that will uplift my spirits and my thoughts. It is a confidence-boosting playlist.  Chloe X Halle's ROYL track from their Ungodly Hour album is just the type of song that belongs to that playlist. This is added to my go-to song when I need a kick in the butt. Sometimes we cannot help but to get in a funk of self-doubt. However, we are made in wonder and greatness. We have the breath of creation flowing through us. We have pure power coursing through every single cell in our bodies. Sometimes we have to be reminded of that and be reminded to let go of the worry that holds us back. Sometimes we have to be reminded to enjoy the glorious moments that we have.  Sing along and get your vibrations high. ROYL Lyrics Won't you live tonight? (For the rest of your life) Could be paradise (never know 'til you try) Running out of time (baby, get up and try) (Baby) Won't you live tonight? (For the rest of your life) Could be paradise ...

Talon of God Book Review

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  Talon of God Talon of God written by Ray Norman and Wesley Snipes was released a few years ago and I have been so off my reading game that it went under my radar. I finally had the opportunity to read it and I have to say it was an enjoyable read.  Right off the start, I was drawn in. The book follows Lauryn a new doctor who comes across a drug that’s tearing the city of Chicago apart. Little does Lauryn know, her destiny is to work with Talon Hunter, a warrior of God, to save not only the city but all of humankind. Lauryn who although raised by a preacher is not a believer and has to overcome the aversion to things of a spiritual nature to face the literal demons that are working to take Chicago over.  The novel was well done. The storylines flowed into one another intertwining the medical, criminal, and spiritual worlds together to not only move the story along but also keep the reader interested from different perspectives. I found Lauryn to be slightly annoying at t...

Love By Accident Review

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  Love By Accident Love By Accident takes place in a small town with very simple, loving people. It focuses on a young woman named Daphne, played by Getenesh Berhe, traveling with her godmother, Fran, to spread her husband’s ashes before she dies herself. Fran has terminal cancer. Daphne on the other hand does not drive due to childhood trauma. Their car ends up breaking down in this quaint little town and of course, the town mechanic, Mathew, played by Henderson Wade, comes to the rescue.  This is a Harlequin romance on UPtv. It was available for free on Amazon Prime but I think they have since made it available via subscription. I enjoyed this movie. It is a clean, wholesome love story with a positive message. The people of the town are a little quirky which makes it all the more endearing. It was nice to see a majority black cast just living their lives without any overt stereotypes. Mathew and his father did provide some additional drama as they attempted to work through s...

I am Superwoman

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I don't need you to lower the bar for me. I know I'm Superwoman. I know I'm strong. I know I've got this cause I've had it all along. I'm phenomenal and I'm enough. - Kelly Clarkson, Broken and Beautiful  Not only should you engage in smiling to help with stress but also believe that you are phenomenal and you are enough. No matter what we are going through, we have the strength to change the tide.  @wandatobyrn ##StressWellTip Smiling reduces stress. Smile with me 🧘🏾‍♀️ ##smiletherapy ##AffrimationFriday I am enough! ♬ original sound - Glitterandlazers

Laura Mvula finds Safe Passage

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Never imagined I would ever be free from your story. Staring in the face of it. I finally see I am everything I need. - Safe Page, Laura Mvula Laura Mvula's songs always move me. This new release is no different. I have been listening to it on repeat. I like to think of all the hard situations in life that I have overcome to get to where I am today. When I think of safe passage, I think of those people in my life who have provided me with a safe space to express myself or a shoulder to cry on or an ear to vent to, or just their presence.  There are times when you have to be your own safe passage from your own story, and it may take a few trips to realize that you can break free. It may not be easy but we are capable of overcoming and thriving. You are everything that you need and you can exemplify that by not giving up on yourself. Check out her video on Youtube

Coming 2 America Movie Review

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Coming 2 America takes place 30 years after the first installment. Mostly set in fictitious Zamunda, Coming 2 America revisits Akeem, now a family man settled into a comfortable Kingdom life, trying to rise out of his father’s shadow. Consequently, Akeem and his trusted confidant, Semi, played by Arsenio Hall, must once again traverse the continent to Queens, only this time they are in search of Akeem’s heir, a son.  As an avid fan of the first installment, I was beyond nervous to watch this one. I did not want it to ruin or taint the legacy of the first one. Of course, I was not expecting it to be better but I did not want it to be awful. After watching the second installment, I am happy to say that it did not ruin the legacy for me at all. If anything it was a nice stroll down memory lane with a few interesting detours and pit stops.  The storytelling was simple and entertaining. Seeing the old cast was nostalgic and brought a smile to my face a few times. I enjoyed the page...

Youtube: They Ready, Malcolm & Marie, Resilient Hearts

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 Check out my Review Vlog for They Ready and Malcolm & Marie Part 1 Malcolm & Marie part 2, Resilient Hearts

Outside the Wire Review

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  Outside the Wire  Outside the Wire stars Anthony Mackie and Damson Idris as Captain Leo and Lt. Thomas Harp respectively. Set in the future, Outside the Wire, follows Lt Thomas Harp as he deals with the consequences of his choices while in the military. At one point, he unwittingly finds himself under the command of Captain Leo and it all goes downhill from there.  Conceptually, Outside the Wire is a cross between Training Day and iRobot, sorta kinda. If you are looking for a decent action movie that is pretty easy to follow this one is for you. I actually enjoyed this movie. The pacing was well done. I did not find myself, at any point, wanting it to end or get to the point. I thought the action sequences were diversified and entertaining. The acting was on point. Mackie, Idris, and Beecham did a great job. There were some parts with the minor characters that could have been better but it was short-lived and did not ruin the movie or even the moment. If you suspend all...