Pet Peeve #3 Bad Parents
Category: Encouragement
Pet Peeve #2 – Mind Your Manners!
Life Lesson From A Six Year Old
My daughter and I were discussing politics with my granddaughter. My granddaughter wouldn’t listen to us telling her she wasn’t old enough to vote. My daughter kept messing with her until my granddaughter calmly said TCOB.
We immediately asked, “What is TCOB?” She said, “Take Care of Your Own Business.” We laughed! I asked her, “Where did you learn that?” She said, “From my teacher at school. That’s what we say when somebody is in our business.” I said, “When you say TCOB, what does the person do?” She said, “They get out of your business.”
What an awesome life lesson for a six-year-old! She’s already learning to mind her own business, while keeping people out of her business. She’s being taught how to positively communicate what could be considered negative feedback to some.
Taking Care of Your Own Business requires focus and determination. If I’m taking care of my business, I don’t have time to focus on your business.
The next time someone tries to be in your business just tell them
Stories of Love and Weight *Book Review*
This is a great book in assisting in understanding the struggles with weight. It was refreshing to read that others struggle with weight too. I saw myself in some of the stories and was glad the author decided to develop this book. This book lays the foundation for having an open discussion about weight. So many times some people believe some are overweight because they eat too much. However, there are other physical and mental struggles that lead to obesity.
You can purchase the book Here
I received this book for free in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
Do You Wanna Be Happy?
When I found this meme, it resonated with the core of my being. We live in a world where some people place their happiness in the hands of others. Why would a person choose to allow someone else to have that much power over them? I want to make sure I understand: How the person feels or treats you controls your happiness?! I refuse to allow anyone that much power over me!
We watch movies, videos and TV; and believe that another’s love makes us happy. We buy into the false reality we see in the media and believe statements like:
I can’t live without you.
I can’t breathe without you.
You complete me.
As long as I have you, I’m happy.
Guess who’s responsible for your happiness? You are! It’s selfish of you to make me or anyone else responsible for your happiness. I’m trying to handle my happiness. Do you want to know why you are responsible for your happiness? Because you’re accountable for your actions and inactions.
It’s easy to make someone else responsible because then you are able to play the “blame game.” It’s always someone else’s fault. No, it’s your fault! You own your happiness. If you’re not happy, it’s time for self-reflection. It’s time to ask yourself some difficult questions and be man or woman enough to acknowledge what’s hindering your happiness.
Here’s my Happiness Plan:
1. Self-reflection: Time to determine why happiness eludes me.
2. A Plan: What am I going to do to be happy? Write it down. Create a vision board.
3. Make it happen: Put your plan in action.
Let me know how my plan works for you. I can’t wait to read your happiness reports!
*I am not the creator of the above memes and was unable to locate the creators to provide proper acknowledgement*
Where’s Our Support?
Black women know what it means to struggle. We struggle with the various roles we play in our lives and the lives of others. We struggle with that S for Superwoman that has been placed on our chests. A lot of times we place that S on our chests, and then there are times others place that S on our chests. Even after we successfully navigate through each day for ourselves and our families, I’m still amazed at those who treat us like we are second class citizens.
Well, second class citizens is a stretch. We are treated like we don’t have any rights. It saddens me that we feel the harsh sting of this treatment from our own Black men. I’m used to other races treating us inferior, but to be treated inferior by Black men upsets me.
You ask me why does this upset me? I’ll tell you why. Black women have always been supportive of Black men. We work and take care of our homes when Black men can’t or won’t take care of our homes. We take care of our Black children when Black men can’t or won’t take care of our children. We are the ones that give you that second, third and fourth chance, when you mess up. So, where’s our support?
Oh, you may say we have supported Black women. Have you? As a majority have Black men supported us? Oh, you will use us for what we have to offer, but where’s our support?
Where’s the support when we are being killed by the police? Where’s the marching and the public outcry by Black men? Where’s the support when another Black man hits us? Why do you turn your head and say it’s not your problem, or say that’s what she gets? Where’s the support when we are being sexually degraded in music lyrics or made fun of about our looks? Where’s the support when we are being called bitches and thots?
When are Black men going to speak up as a majority and say you will respect Black women?! You will not place your hands on a Black woman! I will not be a part of a conversation that degrades Black women.
Oh we struggle, but one area we don’t struggle with is supporting Black men. Where’s our support?
Rules To Live By
I thank God I’ve survived so far and made most decisions using common sense. Common sense is priceless.
I just want to help others that may need need assistance navigating this journey called life. These rules are not listed in any order of importance because they are all important. Here’s some rules to live by:
Don’t burn bridges – 9 times out of 10 you’re going to need that person again.
Listen to your elders – you’ll have less headaches, heartaches and stress.
Practice good work ethics.
Don’t quit a job before you have the next job.
You are responsible for your own happiness. Don’t buy into this romance movie happiness that includes statements like “you complete me.”
Don’t have sex with folks that just look good. Are they responsible? If a child results, will you have to put out an APB for them to help with the child? Would you want this woman to be the mother of your child? Do you want this person in your life for the rest of your life?
Don’t have sex in every relationship. Is there a rule you have to have sex? Everybody ain’t worthy – ijs.
Surround yourself with folks that encourage and support you.
Learn how to be a real friend. Once you learn the real meaning, you may find out the folks you’ve been saying are on your squad are not on your squad.
Have a personal relationship with God. Give Him some of your time. He’s worthy.
*photo created by Samuel Zeller
Negative Nellies
Negative Nellies
We all know them, and may even consider some of them our friends. We have some in our families, on our jobs and we encounter these type of people in our daily lives – Negative Nellies! Negative Nellies seem to embody negativity. No matter what you say positive, they will counter with something negative.
I had a conversation with my niece yesterday, and she was excited about applying for a job in a different career field. This particular position offers more money and will require working some hours she has not previously worked. She shared her excitement with two of her friends, and her friends had only negative comments to share. The friends didn’t share anything positive or even attempt to encourage her in her quest for a different career path. She contacted me and I encouraged her.
If we are not careful Negative Nellies can drain all of our positivity, and cause us to question our choices. Eventually, we could become a member of the Negative Nelly group. What can we do to rid ourselves of Negative Nellies?
- Confront negativity – be willing to have a constructive conversation with the Negative Nellies in your life that will hopefully lead to a positive change in their negative talk.
- Use affirmations and positive quotes to assist in maintaining your positivity.
- Be willing to make the difficult decision to remove Negative Nellies from your circle.
Are you ready to remove the Negative Nellies from your life? It won’t be easy, but I believe you can do it!
It Takes Work!
Letting Go
As we end 2014, let’s vow to leave some stuff that didn’t add anything positive to our lives in 2014. We should be tired of allowing people, circumstances and things to hinder our progress. We have to make ourselves a priority and not depend on others to make us a priority. Nobody will care about you the way you do.
Aren’t you tired of blaming others for your circumstance or situation? Don’t you want to make lasting changes that impact you forever? It’s time to just let it go. Whatever “it” may be, it’s time to say no more! Refuse to accept mediocrity and decide to operate with a spirit of excellence in every area of your life. Refuse to live a substandard existence – let it go!
Let go everything that has hindered your growth. Take back the power you have freely given to negative people, past situations and circumstances in your life. Sexual, emotional and mental abuse don’t have any power over you anymore! Financial problems and unemployment have to go!! Health and weight issues – power be gone!!
This post isn’t about making a New Year’s resolution. This post is about closing out 2014 with the determination to not allow what or who hindered you in 2014 to be a factor in 2015. Tell me, what’s the nonfactors you’re leaving in 2014.
naturalprofessor 