Healthy Tid-bits To Pay Attention To

The new Heart & Soul Magazine (December edition) has some valuable health articles that I thought were worth sharing.  I advise you to cop the magzine for a full read of all of the articles, but I'll share a few of the health tips that I learned below. Remember, I have not confirmed any of the information below with sources other than the magzine. I'm just sharing.

• Too little sleep might lead to Diabetes! According to a study done at the University of Chicago, volunteers who sleep too little had higher levels of blood sugar and were less sensitive to blood  sugar lowering insulin. Researchers think that unhealthy lifestyles and reduce sleep places people at higher risk of being overweight and developing diabetes!
• African Americans and Latino's are most likely to be hospitalized from life threatening complications from H1N1!! Because African Americans and Latino's are believed to have higher rates of chronic illnesses like asthma and diabetes, it's harder to fight off the virus. I can attest to this. My son was hospitalized in November with H1N1 and the virus triggered complications with sickle cell, which left us hospitalized for 5  days!
• Fall in Love and reduce stress! Studies have linked better health to happy marriages. Therapist, Sally R. Connolly believes that happy couples suffer less depression and have lower stress levels because they don't have to carry burdens alone. Having someone to support during difficult times and share celebrations with helps to support a health mind and body!
• More than 50,000 Americans suffer from winter-related back injuries. Simple tasks such as hanging holiday decorations, shoveling snow and icy spills can cause serious problems to your back. Taking simple precautions such as shoveling snow during the afternoon instead of the morning, lifting small shovefulls of snow, taking frequent breaks and avoid excessive twisting can help prevent painful injuries.

Okay folks, that's all for now. For full reviews of these articles, be sure to pick up your copy of the December issue of Heart & Soul Magazine!!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all! I hope that you all are enjoying time with the special people in your lives. Take time to enjoy one another and show gratitude for your many blessings.

Thanks to those that contributed to the "Gloves For Guys" initiative. It was a success and I'm sure the men at the Emergency Winter Shelter are grateful for the donations. Thanks to all who donated money, gloves and hats. I delivered at total of  58 pairs of gloves, 39 hats, 20 pairs of socks, 3 pairs of thermal under pants, and 2 packs of t-shirts. As you can see, the initiative began with the idea to donate gloves, yet we were able to donate other items that are definitely needed for the winter. You all made this last-minute initiative possible. You are truly a blessing. Thank you!

I haven't posted in over a week. I've been extremely busy. Work has been work. I've just been taking it for what it is; work for someone else! I've realized that I ultimately control my career. Whom I work for is my choice. So now that I realize that, everything else is up to me! End of that story.

 My message for today is for everyone to make an effort to connect with the people around you. We are so consumed with ourselves and our own lives that we don't take time to connect with someone else. For example, take a minute to call a friend that you haven't heard from in a while. That phone call may be very encouraging to your friend. He or she may be going through a tough time and needed to hear from someone positive. Also, be sure to compliment someone EVERYDAY! Compliments go a long way! Don't just comliment a thing that a person has. Compliment the work of someone or the manner in which someone handled a situation! Compliments prove that you are paying attention to someone and that you recognize a strength or something positive about a person. Many times people just need to hear a good word. Let's be the ones to share them! Have a good day folks.

Be Patient!

Yesterday, I mentioned my fondness for motivator, Ralph Marston and a quote that he shared on Twitter (see yesterday's post). Just recently, he shared this quote "Patience with yourself, with your work and with others is a sure sign that you know you're on the right track."  This quote was right on time for me. I have had a VERY challenging day at work and I know things will become more challenging. Something amazing happened as I left work though. As I walked to my car in tears, (no, I didn't get fired) I felt a number of different emotions; anger, disappointment, frustration and relief. Yes, relief! You see, although I know things will become more complex at work, I also know that my life is turning a new page. Something magnificent is about to happen! I am in the process of tapping into the genius within me. For so long, women have been trained to believe that we are capable of achieving a limited amount of success, but I KNOW that we are capable beyond what we can see or imagine. All we have to do is believe in ourselves and be patient. Being patient doesn't mean that we will sit back and wait for something to happen for us. It simply means that we will continue to work hard and be patient with those who can't yet see our genius and just know that in time, we will be within arms reach of attaining our goals. Thank you Mr. Marston for this awesome reminder! I needed this. Good night!

Ledisi Y'all

So, I'm watching the Monique show tonight and Ledisi performs. I've heard of the Grammy Nominee prior to watching her performance tonight, but I must admit that I have not paid attention to her music. I can't even recall her performance during the Chaka Khan tribute on the Soul Train Music Awarsd. :(  Might you say, "I've slept on Ledisi?" I think so. She sang her heart out tonight. I truly enjoyed her performance. She sang a song titled "Higher Than This"! Wheeeew chile is all I can say! Beautiful song. I will definitley be looking for her new CD, "Turn Me Loose" in Target tomorrow.

If you have not heard "Higher Than This",check it here: 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=09E4nExa380!

The Power In Your Passion!

I usually post quotes by a gentleman by the name of Ralph Marston. I love him! He has a great site full of encouraging words and advice at http://www.thedailymotivator.com/ You can follow him on twitter @ralphmarston.

I posted the following quote of Mr. Marston's today in the section of my blog called "Words of Wisdom."

"There's a reason why you love the things you love. That passion can bring incredible power to your efforts. Use it!"

I absolutely love this quote. I have read it over and over today. (Thinking about posting it somewhere in my home.) The message of this quote rings very loud because I believe that I am very close to walking in my purpose. There are just certain things that bring me joy and excitement. I am finding that I truly enjoy helping people. I love it!!! The joy and warmth that I feel from helping others gives me adrenaline to do more and that is exactly what I will do.

I hope that others can understand the message in this quote and begin to identify with those things that you love. So, what do you love to do? Whatever it is, do it and use the power in it to your advantage...as long as it is something positive!

Welcome to Monday

Happy Monday,

Welcome to a new week. Please remember that things aren't always as bad as they seem, but they are as bad as we make them. Let's make it a good week. Fabmom rolling out! :0)

Emotional Spending

Do you constantly spend money that you don't have?

Are your spending habits directly connected to your emotions (ex. do you shop when you're angry, sad, giddy,  etc?)

Do you shop to protect a certain image that you want to uphold or to impress others?

Do you use shopping as a stress reliever?

If you answered yes to at least two of these questions, you may be an emotional spender. Read Valorie Barton's article on how to put an end to your emotional spending. I found these tips interesting, especially since I could use some help with my spending habits. I can definitely relate to some of the comments. Check it out.
http://blogs.essence.com/lifecoah911/2009/11/fine-fabulous-and-broke-to-your-emotional-spending.html

Gloves For Guys

Gloves For Guys

Hello Fabulous readers. I need your help! I am on quest to donate GLOVES to the homeless men in Charlotte, NC. While volunteering at the Emergecy Winter Shelter here in Charlotte, I noticed that the men have coats; yet only a few of them have gloves to keep their hands warm. It's really cold this winter and it's our job as a community to help one another however we can. With the holidays in full effect and Christmas being just 13 days away, I thought it would be great to donate gloves to the men for Christmas!

If you are interested in donating gloves or monetary donations to help purchase gloves, please email me immediately at omarble@gmail.com. or send me a message on twitter to @fabmomclt.

Donations are due by Saturday, December 19th!

 Any and all donations will be accepted! Gloves may be new or used!!

Thanks to everyone in advance for opening their hearts. Please remember that the face of the homeless is not only those people asking for money on our streets to buy beer and wine. Many of the men that arrive at the shelter each night are working individuals that can not afford housing. Everyone deserves a little help!

Thank GOD It's Friday-Seriously

I am seriously thanking GOD for this Friday. I've had a stressful week at work and I am ready to spend time with family this weekend.

I truly believe that when you are approaching new heights in your life, the devil works really hard to intrude. I have never in almost 20 years of working had the urge to walk off of a job like I had this week. The main reason I didn't is because I need the insurance for my son. But the most profound thing that stuck out in my mind was a message from my Pastor, Bishop Kevin L. Long. This past week in church he reminded us that temptation will come in many forms, but the greatest tempation is the urge to quit! The urge to quit is even greater than the urge to smoke, to do drugs or even drink alcohol. God knows I don't quit easily. I'm glad I paid attention Sunday because I could have been an unemployed sister today! Despite my many gripes about corporate america, I will not allow the devil to shift my focus. I will push forward and work hard until it is my time to branch off, which won't be long. I encourage you all to do the same. Keep your mind focused on your goals. Just know that where you are is temporary. At least I know it is for me. Create affirmations of who you are, the goals that you are aiming to reach and the fabulous person that you are becoming. Repeat those everyday and soon enough, you'll reach that goal! Good luck!! Fabulous mom signing off!

Give Thanks For Healthy Children

If you are in a position to GIVE, please consider giving to the St. Jude's Children Hospital. There are many children out there who could benefit from the research afforded by your gift. As many of you know, my son has sickle cell anemia so I urge people to help support  research for sickle cell and other chronic illnesses.  For more information click on the link. http://www.stjude.org/

Remember: "Give thanks for the healthy children in your life and give to those who are not!"

Healthy/Natural Facials

Looking for a good facial? Try an EGG! Yes, an egg!! An egg mask is a useful skin care regimen and it's inexspensive. You probably already have the ingredients at home. Eggs provide protein and vitamin and minerals to nourish the skin. Egg whites are an excellent form of exfoliation and they help tighten the skin. This is very good for those of us with oily skin because it tightens the pores of the skin, which reduces acne and pimples. If you typically have dry skin, then it's best to use the egg yolk because it rehydrates the skin.

I have recently tried the Egg and Honey facial. I have oily skin so I used the egg white. It did tighten my skin and it felt really good the next morning. I guess I would have to use it more often to see if it helps decrease  acne and pimples. I've only tried it once, but I'll be sure to give you guys an update pretty soon.  Here's the recipe so you can try it yourself. Be sure to let me know what you think?

What you Need:

• 1 egg white for oily skin or 1 egg yolk for dry skin
• 1 Teaspoon of Hone

Directions:

• Mix the egg and honey together until you reach a smooth paste.
• Simply apply to your face (can use a cotton ball or face towel).
• Leave on for 20 minutes allowing the mask to dry
• Rinse off with warm water

If you try the egg facial, be sure to share your experience by submitting comments. You can find other recipes for egg mask at http://www.healthy-skincare.com/egg-mask.html

Longer, Healthier Hair

While roaming around on the internet, I came across a cool blog (http://www.crownnglory.blogspot.com/) by a college student sharing her personal experience on her journey to longer, healthier hair. In her post, she speaks of a vitamin regimen called the Bargello Hair Vitamin Regimen. According to her, this regimen has help her achieve longer, healthier hair in just a few short months. Anyone interested in trying the Bargello Regimen? Check out the ingredients below. For more information, check out Crown and Glory's blog as shown above.

Daily Consumption of the following vitamins


-5mg of Biotin
-A woman's multivitamin
-Calcium
-GNC's Ultra Nourishair
-1000 mg of MSM
-Silica
-Flaxseed Oil Capsule

Once In A While
-protein drinks [a banana, 2 cups of milk, and a tbsp of peanut butter]

Think and Grow Rich Update #1

Hello Fabmoms!

So I told you a few days ago that I started reading the book "Think And Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill. I promised to provide some useful tips that I find interesting. Well, I'm only on page 16 and the book is starting to get interesting and encouraging. Below are a few tips that you may find interesting and very useful:

• One of the most common causes of failure is when one give up on their goal because of a temporary defeat. Don't give up. We must keep at it!
• One sound idea is all a person needs to achieve success! One idea!! Just act on it!
• When riches come, they come quickly and in great abundance. Riches; not only in financial terms, but also in the state of mind.
• One of the main weaknesses of man is their familiarity with the word "impossible." Get rid of it!!! Don't focus on what WON'T or CAN'T work.
• Success comes to those who become Success Conscious. Failure comes to those who allow themselves to become Failure Conscious. (Like I told you in my post on the book "The Secret", be careful of what you're thinking about!)

Okay, so that's it for now, but I'll be sure to share more tips as I read along, but I encourage you all to check the book out for yourselves.

What's most important to you?

Job with good salary that you hate or job that you love with low salary? I ask this question because so many people stay at a stressful job for the salary and benefits; while the happiest people are those that perform a job that they really enjoy.

I prefer to be happy. Which do you prefer?

World AIDS Day

Today is "World AIDS Day". Two million people die from AIDS every year. It is the fourth leading cause of death in the world and disproportionately affect women (usaid.gov). Please take a moment to reflect on the people who have lost their lives to this disease. Please also reflect on the lives of people who are still living with the disease. When making charitable donations, please support any AIDS awareness charity that you can.

World AIDS Day 2009 Events

Tuesday, December 1 - 12:00 PM

Reading of Names

Polk Park corner of Trade and Tryon St, Charlotte

The public is invited to attend and participate by remembering persons they have known that died of this disease. RAIN will be joined by other local ASOs (AIDS Service Organizations) such as House of Mercy and Rosedale ID Clinic that day.

Sponsored by: RAIN (Regional AIDS Interfaith Network)

Thursday, December 3 - 6:00 PM

World AIDS Day Program: Universal Access and Human Rights

New Covenant Bibleway Church 1321 Capps Hill Mine Rd, Charlotte

Saturday, December 5 - 1:00 PM

Respect Yourself, Protect Yourself: A World AIDS Day Forum

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church 1900 The Plaza, Charlotte

Discover the real life stories of HIV positive youth. One of the most important things you can do is to find out the facts about HIV.

Sponsored by: Planned Parenthood & Time Out Youth

Listen To Your Children

I have learned a valueable lesson over the past few days. What I've learned is that one way or another, we will hear our children when they speak. It's best that we listen early on rather than later. My son shared some shocking information with me yesterday that he had been trying to tell me for a while. If I had listened to him earlier, the news wouldn't have been so shocking and things may be a little differnt now. I have a pretty good relationship with my son so I was surprised at the information that he shared with me. I thank GOD that yesterday, he grabbed me by the hand and said "LISTEN!" I hear you now son and I plan to do a better job at hearing and listening! If your child is trying to talk to you, please listen with both eyes and ears before it's too late.

Well, Thanksgiving is over and I'm good and full. I hope you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving. I've spent a lot of time with my family these past few days and have enjoyed every moment with them. I have the next few days off work and I plan to do nothing, but relax!!

Someone recently suggested that I read a book titled "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill. I found the PDF file for the book online, so I decided to look through that before actually purchasing the book. Has anyone read the book? If so, what are your thoughts on the book? For those that have never heard of the book, it's supposed to be a persoanl development book that offers 13 principles that are useful for achieving success. We'll see. I'll be sure to share important tips found in the book.

Do you have any suggestions of good books that could benefit other readers? If so, please share them!!

Thankful

As I sit in my car during my lunch break, I'm relecting on the things that I am most thankful for.

Good health
Loving children
Employment
Loving family and friends
Lessons learned from obstacles

Despite the challenges of single parenting and a stressful job, I appreciate and love my life right now. I feel,blessed, beautiful, capable, powerful and inspired. I thank GOD for the space I'm in right now. I am because he is!

Married, But Separated-Is It Okay To Date?

So, I'm playing around on the internet tonight and I stumble across an article of a girl asking for advice regarding dating a married man.  This man is her best friend and ex-boy friend whom she feels has some kind of feelings for her. For some reason, he and his wife live in two different states (the writer doesn't indicate that there are problems in the marriage or that there is a divorce in process). Of course most responses advised the girl to stay away. Yet there is one response that was a little different. Check it out:

"well it depends...why is he 400 miles away from his wife? are they separated? if they are separated then it should be obvious to anyone that it is ok..as long as they are going through the processes of divorce. otherwise I can see how it could be morally wrong."

Reading this question has sparked some questions in my mind about how people feel about dating married men. My question is "would you knowingly date a married, but separated man and why/why not?"  How about a man that is not married, but has a girlfriend? Is either situation better than the other?

The Gift of Giving-Update

Looking for a place to donate clothes or household items? Thanks to fabmomclt reader, Jack for sharing additional information on where you can donate items for the homeless. Jack responded to an article that I posted back in October titled "The Gift of Giving." Please see his comment below regarding "The Free Store."

"Yet another place is the Free Store, 516 E 15th St. The primary clients are the homeless and those just getting into homes. Shoes, thermal underwear (it is COLD without a house!), other clothing, furniture, small appliances ... if it was ever of value to anyone, then someone will have a need for it. Open Sat 10-5, Mon, Tue, Thur & alternate Wed 9-2. 704-287-7550"

Cool Beauty/Fashion Finds

My son is not feeling well today, so we're spending some time in the hospital. What else to do, but surf the internet while he's resting? I've found some cool websites and inexpensive beauty items, so I thought I would share them. Hey, I'm sharing information and getting some good ideas for myself! Hope you enjoy!

The Cause Shoppe-Check out this cool philanthropic shopping site. See a quick blurb below from their website. It will be up and running soon, so be sure to stay tuned....

The Cause Shoppe will be providing shoppers with a single location to find the best products and services benefiting great causes. At the same time, retailers will be provided with a fresh, professional approach to promoting their philanthropic products." http://www.thecauseshoppe.com/

Lavish Giving- Great Holiday shopping with purpose - Designate any charity at checkout to receive 10% of yr purchase value! Check it out http://bit.ly/405Oa3.

E.L.F. beauty products at Target- I told you a few weeks ago that these products would soon be available at Target....well they're here. I copped a lip gloss set similar to the one below. Mine has three tubes of the Hypershine Gloss. Only cost me three bucks. I don't like the smell of the glosses, but hey I can't go wrong for only $3. If I don't end up liking them, I'm sure my daughter will!!

O.P.I. Nail Lacquer- OPI's Breathe Life Nail Lacquer (a fresh-air, silvery blue) was created to help the Lung Cancer Foundation of America in its efforts to raise funds for early detection, diagnosis, and a cure. A portion of the proceeds go to the Lung Cancer Foundation. This is a really pretty color. Check it out:

Volunteer Opportunties in Charlotte, N.C.

I know many people are looking for volunteer opportunities in Charlotte, but just don't know how to get involved. I've posted some websites below that you can contact for more information. Be sure to share this information with friends and family. We all have potential to give back. And parents, please also get your children involved. Volunteering will help build character. Parents, please also remember that volunteering requirements commitment. Be honest about how much time you and/or your child commit before you accept an assignment. Remember, you can also volunteer at your child's school.....or any school!!!Good Luck!!

Volunteer Matching Opportunities in Charlotte and Rockhill, S.C.
www.volunteermatch.org/bymsa/m1520/c/opp1.html

Click here to search for local opportunities. Local.com
http://www.local.com/results.aspx?keyword=volunteering&location=charlotte+nc&cid=2265&gid=US_-_Explicit&gclid=COrRr92Al54CFYdd5Qod3iPYog

Team Helping Hands
Please send email to teamhelpinghands@aol.com

Hands On Charlotte
www.handsoncharlotte.org/

Do Something-click here to find opportunities in your area
http://www.dosomething.org/volunteer

Girl Talk Foundation
http://www.girltalkfoundationinc.com/

Parenting-You Be The Judge

Earlier this week, I initiated a discussion on facebook about single parenting and my views on court ordered child support. Basically, I think court ordered child support is for lames. I understand that there are some really good fathers out here (my dad is one of them). I also understand that there are unfortunate circumstances where court ordered child support is best for all, but there are too many mothers  struggling to raise their children alone and in my humblest opinion, men should be more than willing to provide for their children without being forced to do so. Anyway, during this discussion, one of my childhood friends (a male) made a reference to the roles of parents. In short, he said "Mothers are teachers. Father's are providers."

I understand his point, but I choose not to assign roles to parenting. In my humblest opinion, each parent is equally responsible for all needs of the child. Additionally, there are just some things that boys will learn best from their dads as well as things that girls will learn best from their mothers. So basically, both parents should be nurturers and providers.
I want to hear from you. What is your view on co-parenting? How can we as co-parents work  together in the best interest of our children?

Note: I would like for this to be a positive discussion. It is not my intention to place blame or to discredit others for their efforts as parents. I actually plan to gather some data about "co-parenting" and how to improve the relationships between the mother and the father. Your comments are most welcome.

Hope For The Homeless Awareness Walk This Weekend!

5TH ANNUAL HOPE FOR THE HOMELESS AWARENESS WALK

Saturday, November, 21, 2009

In front of Crisis Ministry-500 Spratt Street, Charlotte, NC 28206

From 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Come out for a day of family activities, entertainment, information, and support those who are homeless in our community. Join the hundreds of people who Speak With Their Feet and raise awareness of the growing issue of homelessness in our great city.

Check in and registration begins at 9:30 AM. The Walk begins at 10:30 AM. Hot soup will be served at 11:30 AM, and activities are ongoing until 1:00.

Adults $10.00
Children 13 and Up $10.00
Children 12 and Under No Charge
No pets, please.

This information was obtained from the A Way Home's website. Please access the site for additional details. http://www.awayhome.org/

Learning To Embrace ME!

One of the biggest issues that we deal with as women is learning to love ourselves. As children, most of us learned that longer hair, slimmer figures and lighter skin is the epitome of "beauty". As an African American teenager, I often dealt with the criticism of having a dark complexion.  People (including close family members) used it as an insult against me. Then as I got older, I would often be tagged as "the cute dark skinned" girl.....as if dark skinned girls can't be cute. I could go on and on about the "dark skin" issue within the African American culture, but I'd rather not, I'd be here all day.

My point here is that as women, we must learn to love and embrace every part of our being. We are all beautiful, yet unique. There are no standards of beauty for beauty comes in different sizes, shapes and complexions. This is also what we must teach our young daughters.  Let's not based our worth and love of self on what is depicted as beautiful by the media. I know it's easy to say, but really, we must begin to really love who we are. Let's start today by naming five things that we love or will learn to love about ourselves. Not only things about our body, but who we are as a whole. Okay, here are five things that I love about me:

1. My dark complexion
2. The fullness of my lips
3. The shape of my legs
4. My giving spirit
5. My ability to learn and share what I've learned

Okay, so it took me a while to embrace the first two (dark skin and big lips), but I can honestly say that I learned to love them! They make me who I am!

Now, share five things that you've learned or is learning to love about YOU!! You never know, you may inspire someone today! :0)

Fall Wish List

Two items on my Wish List for the fall are a pair of grey suade pumps like the ones below. These are Seven For All Mankind, but I'm not looking to pay the big bucks for these. :0) I should have grabbed the ones I saw on sale in Banana Republic this summer! Could kick myself for not getting them.  I'm also in love with the various styles of thigh high boots that are killing right now. I like the ones below on Eva Marcille. Gotta stay on watch for these. I really want them in black though!! Okay Fab moms, what fashionable items are on your fall Wish List?

Happy Friday!

Hello and Happy, Happy Friday! Just checking in to encourage everyone to enjoy their day and to end their work week on a positive note! Be encouraged and as much as you can, encourage someone else! Eliminate negativity from your life. Remember how easily our kids learn from us. We should be modeling positive behavior so that they will do the same. We are our children's most influential teachers! Lastly do something nice for someone today and don't expect anything in return! It truly is for YOU and NOT them! Smooches.....

Walking In Our Father's Favor

Below is a poem that I thought you all may enjoy. It was written by a co-worker. Please read and enjoy.

Walking In Our Father’s Favor

Let’s gather together Sisters

And have our sister talk

Instead of sitting and listening

Let’s take a spiritual walk

While walking on this journey

Begin to release the things on your mind

Make sure to take Jesus with you

And victory you shall find

When life gets really hectic
And you’re heavy laden with your test
Go to God’s green pastures
There you will find rest

When you start to run on empty
And you know that you’re not able
There is a pleasure in knowing
That you can go to God’s Devine table

After dining at his table
Tell others of our Father’s glory
About his goodness and his mercy
Because only you can tell your story

Tell them what you tasted
How God’s love you now savor
That as a woman of Christ
You’re now walking in your Father’s favor

Pearlie Gilliam (11/10/09)

My Water Update!
I need encouragement. I'm not doing well at drinking the eight glasses each day. Help!!

How To Stay Fabulous for Less $$$

As women, we put a lot of money and time into our looks. In many cases, we spend more than we can afford to. Some of us even go into debt trying to keep up with the "Joneses." Listen up ladies, we don't have to spend out of control to look good. One of my favorite past times is thrift shopping. Trust me, I've found some fabulous designer items in consignment and thrifts stores (Michael Kors, Banana Republic, Ann Klein, Ralph Lauren, etc..) In these economic times, it is smart to save as much as we can in order to prepare for unforseen hardships, but whose to say we can't still be FABULOUS on a dime? I found some really cool tips and websites in the new issue of People Style Watch magazine to help us keep our style game on point. Check below:

• 
  
  Swap Clothes Online-Check out http://www.swapstyle.com/! (You can also google other sites.)
  
  
  
• 
  
  Get more out of your beauty products by mixing a spritz of your favorite perfume to a unscented drug store lotion. You can also dilute your shampoo with water in a 1:1 ratio. This prolongs the shelf life of the shampoo.
  
  
  
• 
  
  Check out the following websites for Online Fashion and Beauty Deals
  
  
  
• 
  
  http://www.alloy.com/ for items under $100
  
  
  
• 
  
  http://www.shop4sparkles.com/ for expensive looking handbags
  
  
  
• 
  
  http://www.shopthelook.net/ for fun jewlery under $20
  
  
  
• 
  
  http://www.eyeslipsface.com/ for makeup items for $1 (I've actually purchased from here. It really is this cheap!!!)
  
  
  
• 
  
  http://www.mybeautyberry.com-weekly/ updates on drugstore lines to high end lines
  
  
  
• 
  
  http://www.iheartthat.com/ Go here to check out celebrity fashion inspirations
  
  
  
• 
  
  http://www.weardrobe.com/- Check out this site for pictures of real girls from around the country who have posted pictures of themselves in everday fashions that you can afford. Go here for ideas of how to spice up your wardrobe.
  
  
  
• 
  
  http://www.whowhatever.com/- Find out how to put together an outfit.
  
  
  

Water Update

Yesterday, I told you guys that I would try to drink at least 8 glasses of water each day this week. Well....unfortunately, I only drank about 5 glasses.....But I'm working hard and I'll shoot for 8 glasses today!! Wish me luck...Hey, at least I'm honest! :0)

Happy Happy Monday!!

Happy Monday and welcome to a new week! I am blessed and I praise GOD for another day! I hope everyone has a productive Monday and a very successful week. Remember to set your goals and work very hard to meet them. This week, I MUST drink more water. I have done poorly in keeping hydrated as well as making my kids stay hydrated. It just dawned on me today that this could be why my scalp has been so flaky and itchy, my skin seems to be blotchy and my energy level is in the pits. I'm sure it's because I haven't drank enough water. So......my goal this week is to drink at least eight glasses of water each day. Wish me luck! I encourage you to do the same.  I'll be sure to post how I'm doing each day.
Also, I visited a cool website that gave some tips on hydration. I've listed some tips below, but you can access the website to get more information. It's a really cool site. check it out. http://www.wateraid.org/

• Start the day with a cup of hot water with a good squeeze of fresh lemon. It boots the digestive system.
• Drink water instead of caffeine or alcohol. They both cause the body to lose water. 
• Keep water with you at all times, especially when you're on the go.
• Drink a glass of water before and during each meal
• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. They contribute to your water intake.
• Have a glass of cold water when you start to feel hungry. People often confuse mild feelings of thirst with mild hunger.
• Water is the ultimate beauty product; dehydrated skin looks older than it is. Drink lots to keep your skin looking younger and more vibrant.
• Water can help with dieting. Drinking water often curbs the appetite and it is calorie free.

Do you have any tips on how to stay hydrated? Share them in comments.

Randoms

Singer Monica is gracing the cover of the November issue of Upscale Magazine. Please check out the hot photo shots taken by celecbrity photographer; D. Blanks. During the interview Monica speaks briefly about her relationship with Keisha Cole. The focus of the article is particularly on her ability to maintain who she is in the entertainment business and staying true to what she truly believes in (God, family and friends.) Check it out.

Be on the look out for new Holiday Make Up Samplers/Kits. I saw that MAC has already put theirs out this weekend. I briefly looked at the lipgloss and eye shadow kits. Sephora has a few out as well. I saw a few of them in the new People Style Watch. Be sure to check them out as well.

Reflections

I love to read "self help" books; although I never read the entire book. For the most part, I skim through the book and highlight important items and make notes on things that are relevant to my life at the moment. It seems as if no matter how old the book is, you can return some years down the road and the information is still relevant. Take for example, a quote that I found in Russell Simmons' 2007 book, "Do YOU, 12 Laws To Access the Power in You To Achieve Happiness and Success".

"If you wait for "someday," you're going to be waiting for a very long time. But once you start TODAY, you'll find that success is much closer than you even imagined. If fact, the day you start, you're already a step closer. -Russell Simmons

I just happened to open the book and these words had been highlighted (by me of course). I love it because this is exactly how I feel about my life at the present. I'm glad that I pulled the book back out because now I'm inspired to continue reading and reflecting.

 Looking for this book? This is what the cover looks like:

Domestic Violence is NOT Cool

After months of speculating and waiting to hear Rihanna's recount of the altercation between her and ex-boyfriend, Chris Brown, the public has finally heard her story. Rihanna sat down with Diane Sawyer and shared her story with the world in a 20/20 interview. The internet is flooded with articles about the interview as well as segments of the actual video. The interview has also become a trending topic on Twitter. Many believe that Rihanna has not disclosed the full details of the altercation. Some believe that she may have been equally abusive to Chris. In my opinion, it doesn't matter who abused who or how much of the altercation is disclosed to the public. The real issue is that while we're finding interest in Rihanna and Crhis' situation, there are people right around the corner from us, or perhaps in our own households being victimized everday. Domestic Violence is a serious issue that requires more attention.
Did you know:

•  One in four women experience domestic violence. Imagine that you take your daughter and three of her classmates out for ice cream. One of these little girls (perhaps, it's your daughter) will become a victim of domestic violence at some point in their life? Scary huh?
• Domestic Violence occurs against men, women and children. Children who witness domestic violence usually grow up comitting violence on others.
• Women of all races are equally vulnerable to violence by an intimate partner
• 3 out of 4 Americans know someone who is or has been victimized by a spouse or partner within the last year
• More than three women and one man are murdered by a spouse or intimate partner in the U.S. EVERYDAY!

This information was obtained from the Domestic Violence Resource Center's website. Click this link for more information. http://www.dvrc-or.org/domestic/violence/resources/C61/#dom

If you know someone who is or has suffered from domestic violence, you can help them by accessing the sites or calling the numbers below:

         Natl Domestic Violence Hotline-1-800-799-7233 TTY: 1-800-787-3224

• Alliance for Chidren and Families - http://www.alliance1.org/
• Institute on Domestic Violence in the African American Community http://www.dvinstitute.org/
• National Latino Alliance for the elimination of Domestic Violence http://www.dvalianza.org/
• You have the power....Know how to use it. inc. http://www.yhtp.org/
• Promote Truth. org http://www.promotetruth.org/

Living With Sickle Cell

14 years ago on this date, I gave birth to a handsome baby boy! Happy 14th birthday to my warm and loving son, Cori! As I celebrate Cori's birthday, I also celebrate his life! You see, Cori is one of the 70,000 Americans living with Sickle Cell Disease. Many people misunderstand the effects as well as the severity of this disease. In fact, there is still so much that I don't even understand.

What Is Sickle Cell?
To put it simply, Sickle Cell is an inherited disorder that affects the red blood cells. Key word here is inherited! Yes, just as we inherit traits such as hair and eye color from our parents, we also inherit sickle cell traits. The most common symptom of Sickle Cell Disease is the pain episodes, however, there are many other symptoms.

The Truth

• To clear up a few misconceptions about the disease, it is not a "Black" disease. According to the American Heart, Lunch and Blood Institute, Sickle Cell affects people from all over the world and many ethnicities.
• People living with the trait  are not widely known to experience the severe pain episodes. For the most part, people living with the trait,(like me) have no symptoms at all. In fact, many people with the trait, may not even be aware that they carry the trait, which is why it is important for EVERYONE to be tested for the trait prior to having children.
• Sickle Cell does not cause death. Like other disorders or diseases, it is possible for Sickle Cell to attack our main body organs, which could then lead to death. So, people may die from complications that sickle cell causes to the organs just as cancer or diabetes, etc.

Cori lives a very normal life. There are no obvious physical identifiers of the disease, so he doesn't "look" like he has a disorder. He can do most activities as his peers, except that he gets tired easy and he has to take precautions with activities such as swimming. He attends normal school and is expected to make good grades just as any other child. Most importantly, I don't make him feel different.

I am grateful to have such a loving young man in my life. I am most grateful that sickle cell does not define my son. He does not use it as a crutch. I give all praises to GOD for blessing me with this child! Happy Birthday Cori!

If you would like to know more about sickle cell disease, you can check out these sites or reach out to your local Sickle Cell Assocation.

http://www.sicklecelldisease.org/about_scd/index.phtml
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/sicklecell/default.htm
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Sca/SCA_WhoIsAtRisk.html

When The Divorce Is Over....

Hello fabulous people!

So I'm hanging out on Twitter last night and there's a few folks who had some "words of choice" for Tameka Foster Raymond (ex-wife of superstar Usher Raymond) regarding her decision to keep her married last name.

I don't understand why there's a big deal about her keeping the name. After all, it's HER name and it doesn't change the fact that they were married and had children together. If she wasn't Tameka Raymond, would people even care? Note: Just to keep things clear, the comments came from a few of her followers. There were no comments on Twitter that suggests that she was asked to relinquish her last name. (Just thought I'd share that.)

So now I want to know, when a woman divorces, should she return to using her maiden name or should she keep her married name? Is there a politically correct answer to this question? Well..... I searched the internet to see what others think. Check out some of the responses I found:

• "Most women who get divorced change their names back anyway; who would want to keep the name of someone they aren't married to anymore?"
• "I did. It gave me back my own Identity."
• "Think it over 1oo times, You will then be using a different surname as your kids, which will cause confusion & lits of questions for your kids."
• "If she has only been married for 1-3 years, the answer is yes. Over 4 years married, the answer is no. The woman should not change to her maiden name for these reasons:
  
  If she has earned less than her husband, his retirement checks will be more than hers. If he dies before her, she can claim his portion of social security benefits-even though they are divorced. If she changes her last name, she will have to prove (and this will take a long time) that she was married to him and she is entitled to his social security benefits."

You know after I think about it, there could be some benefits in keeping the last name of a well known R and B Superstar. Excuse my language, but hell, if my last name was "Raymond", I wouldn't change either. I would use that s@#(  to advance my career further. Don't Judge Me!

How Do You Define Yourself?

Let's have some fun!!

Think of a few positive adjectives or characteristics that define you. Find a creative way to display these words so that they serve as a positive reinforcement. Post them in a place where you will view them frequently such as a vision board, at your workspace or on a refrigerator.

I took a stab at it; now it's your turn! In the words of P. Diddy, "Let's Go People!!"

FLY
AMBITIOUS
BELIEVER OF GOD
UPLIFTING
LOVING
OBEDIENT
UNIQUE
SECURE

Be sure to share yours in comments!!

Stay Happy

Work is stressful! Regardless of your career field, there will always be challenges, demands and deadlines. I refuse to loose my joy over work, so today I am creating a "Top Ten" list of things to do to keep my joy today!!

1. Praise God for my blessings. I could be without work!
2. Focus on my purpose for working (my children)
3.Surround myself with like-minded, positive people
4.Don't get involved with the dirt (complainers, gossipers, etc..)
5.Give my best and stay on task to prevent additional stress!!
6. Smile and be pleasant to those arround me
7. Help where I can and enocourage others to do the same
8. Eat heatlhy so that I can keep a clear mind
9. Don't stress! I know that there are far worst things that could be happening in my life. This is a breeze!! Believe it!!
10. Rejoice and prepare for my day off on FRIDAY!!!!!

Make your own "Top Ten" list and stick to it. See if it makes you happy. Enjoy your day!!

The Power of Forgiveness

For nearly six years, I held onto ill feelings about close family member. I've refused to have any contact (at all) with this person. I wouldn't speak nor look at them. I wouldn't even allow them to interact with my children. Because I was hurt, I intended to hurt them by removing them from my life completely. What I didn't realize all these years is that the person I hurt the most was ME!! By harboring those feelings; I became angry, resentful and bitter (sounds like a Tasha Mack story, huh?). As a result, I also adopted poor habits (fear and lack of trust) that would eventually cause more harm than I could've imagined. Fast forward six years and several bouts of anxiety and panic attacks, I finally realized that in order to become the person that God intended for me to be, I needed to make some changes in my life; starting with forgiveness. So, I did the unthinkable and called this person. The moment I dialed the number, a weight was lifted from my body...my spirit. I knew that I had taken the right steps. I honestly believe that my life has taken a positive turn ever since. What I have learned is that forgiveness is not for the other person. Forgive is for YOU! For some reason, we seem to think being mad at a person, will make us feel better, when in fact, it actually hurts us. Unforgivness complicates our walk with God. When we learn to forgive, we're following God's instructions. Remember what the bible says: If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins ( Matthew 6:14)

Have you ever struggled to forgive someone? How did you find your way to forgiveness. Share your story in comments

For more information on learning to forgive, check out the links below:
http://www.joycemeyer.org/

http://www.ineedmotivation.com/blog/2009/03/what-are-the-benefits-of-forgiveness/ (click here to learn of physical benefits associated with forgiving.)

Solange Leaving Interscope?

Is Solange going independent? Ms. Sol Angel posted the following message on twitter about 10 minutes ago. 

" Although it's been a wonderful journey & experience at Interscope Records, after truly recognizing what's important to ME as an artist......I decided it was time for me to continue my path on a more independent platform. I thank Ron and Jimmy for believing in me as an artist and supporting my journey...and have nothing but respect for the Interscope family. I'm excited about continuing to dive in, experiment and creating music and art with no boundaries, fears or expectations. Gonna be fun folks."

Solange received a ton of support from her followers saying they would  continue follow her music where ever it is released. I happy to be a fan of "Sol Angel and the Hadley Street Dreams" so I'll definitely continue to support. Gone head Solo!!

"Sick of It" remix-Michelle Williams

Michelle Williams just released the remix to her song "Sick of It" on Twitter. She said it was a gift to her fans and supporters. Check it out here and let me know what you think!!

zSHARE - SickOfIt Remix.mp3

Happy, Happy Friday!

Good morning FABULOUS people!!

Just checking in to wish everyone a Happy Friday!! I don't have a specific topic or agenda today; mainly because I've been up all night trying to find different templates and formats. Hopefully, I'll  soon find one that suits my personality and my purpose for being here. So don't be surprised if you see a different format when you return TOMORROW!! :) That brings me to another topic. I'm trying to build my audience here, so if you enjoy the concept that I'm bringing (empowerment, uplifting, networking, positiveness, etc.) and have ideas of things you would like to see, please feel free to share your thoughts in comments or email them to me at omarble.gmail.com. Also, please share the site with your friends, coworkers and family!!


As always, remember to enjoy life, surround yourself with positive people.  At every chance today, do something to help someone. Trust that it will make YOU a better person; not them. Finally,  Believe that the best is within you and can be unleashed at your will! You just have to be willing to UNLEASH!!!!

My Battle With Anxiety

June 15, 2009-"My mind is about to burst! Recently I've been experienceing some of the most bizarre thoughts and feelings. These feelings are different than my "usual" worries. For some reason, I can't seem to stop thinking about death. This fear consumes my mind to the point that I literally cannot focus on anything else. My entire being is plagued by fear. Seriously."

This is a real exerpt from my personal journal. Unfortunately, I am one of the 40 million adults in the United States that suffer from anxiety. I wrote this journal shortly before I came to accept the fact that the excessive worrying and fear had gone too far. Unfortunately, This realization came long after the headaches, the inability to sleep, the body aches and the acid reflux; all symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I was literally miserable. So why did it take so long for me to realize that I needed help? Shame!! I was too ashamed to admit that despite how "together" my friends and family thought I was, I was dealing with a problem that I couldn't fix myself.

Once I overcame the shame, I saught help via counseling. I remembered my pastor saying in church one sunday "we think we're crazy for seeking mental help, but we're crazy if we don't seek the help. This is what we pay insurance for." I knew that message was for ME. Seeking counseling initiated the start of a new life for me! My "friend" (as I like to refer to my counselor) has helped me put my life back into perspective. Surprisingly, I haven't learned anything in counseling that I honestly didn't already know. It was a matter of "accepting" the things that I can not change, understanding that GOD is ultimately in control and then trusting GOD to do HIS job! I am currently on my journey to a "worry-free" life. I'm taking steps that fear would not have premitted me to take before!

For more information on anxiety, visit the sites below. Please also feel free to share your stories of anxiety and how you were able to overcome it.

http://www.medicinenet.com/anxiety/page3.htm
www.anxietypanic.com/understanding.html
www.webmd.com/anxiety.../understanding-anxiety-basics

Rewind: NeNe & Michael Lohan’s War of Words

Rewind: NeNe & Michael Lohan’s War of Words

Can't believe I'm dedicating a post to NeNe Leaks, but y'all know how I'm always trying to diagnose someone's mental problems!! LOL Anyway, our "not-so-favorite" housewive/moose is at it again!! Why does NeNe Leaks seem to attract drama everywhere she goes? I'm not exactly sure what sparked this argument between her and Michael Lohan and I'm not saying that she was wrong for defending herself. I'm just saying that wherever she goes, she brings along that negative vibe. Could she have not been the bigger person here? There's a way to defend yourself without being so negative. What's with all the screams and threats? But then again, doesn't she always seem to be the victim no matter what the situation is? Maybe the problems surrounding her not knowing who her real father is affects her more than she realizes. We've all had hurful experiences in our lives, but somehow we must find ways to learn from those experiences and and leave them in the past. We can't allow them to live on inside of us. If we do, EVERY aspect of our lives will become tainted with dram and upsets. Get over it and move on!!

Are We Ready Yet?

Imagine that you were suddenly given a golden opportunity at the career of a life time; something that you’ve always dreamed of doing. Would you be prepared to accept it? Would you jump at the opportunity?

Often times, we dream, but don’t take action to make those dreams come true. Why is that? If we really want something, shouldn’t we work at it to the point that when the opportunity presents itself, we can jump right at it instead of making excuses as to why we can’t really pursue it? This reminds me of the R&B group “Brother”. Remember this family that had the reality show on BET about pursuing their music career? Can you recall how each time they were asked to sing, the lead singer would belch out “He’s my brother and I love ‘em like myseeeeelf” and the others would chime in!!! I mean it was instantly that they began singing. They didn’t think twice about sharing their talent. They were R-E-A-D-Y!! Shouldn’t we all be ready at all times?

Even if at this moment, we aren’t at a point to jump directly into our dream career, we should be so focused on it that we constantly think about it and are taking small steps towards preparing ourselves for that grand opportunity. Just imagine yourself in a career that fulfils you to the point where money is not the most important factor. How cool and rewarding would that be!!!!

Hey! What do you think about the new format? Share your opinion in comments? Is it too much pink?

Laugh A Little

For me, one of the most therapeutic methods of overcoming some of life’s most challenging moments is to laugh (even if it means laughing at myself). Those who know me know that I probably worry more than the average person; however, I can also find humor in almost any situation. Some people take life so serious that they forget to enjoy it! I don’t choose to live my life that way. I want to be happy. Plus laughing makes me feel better. Sometimes I have to find humor in stressful situations in order to overcome them. Even the bible says “a merry heart doeth good like a medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones (Proverbs 17:22.)”

Studies also show that there is healing power in humor. According to the website http://www.psychcentral.com, laughter reduces pain, strengthens the immune function and decreases stress. Laughter also has positive impacts on our intellectual and emotional health. It helps us to overcome fear (true for me), it triggers our creativity and enables us to take ourselves less seriously and just have a good ole time.

It’s also good to surround ourselves with people that have similar senses of humor and those who feed our spirits with laughter and positivity. Life is so much better when we can SMILE :0)

What's Your Vision?

Everyone has goals and visions of things that they want to accomplish in life. In order to achieve the things that we want, we must stay focused on our goals. Our goals are things that we should think about and work towards every day. One of the most effective ways to stay focused on our goals and aspirations is to create a vision board. A vision board is simply visual representation or collage of things that you want to achieve or become. The purpose of the vision board is to activate the law of attraction by constantly reminding you of your goals (I recently spoke about this during my blog about the book "the secret") or those things that you desire to have. Having your goals displayed front and center is a constant reminder. By thinking of them continuously, you will eventually bring them into your lives. My vision board definitely helped me remain focused in my last few weeks of school. Having this board front and center is a constant inspiration for me to keep progressing.

Vision boards are simple to make. Basically, all you do is cut out pictures of words, things or people that represent things that you want in your life and paste them on a board. All boards are different and are as creative as the owner wants them to be. It is important that you keep your board in a visible place where you will constantly look at it. On my board, I have pictures of Gabrielle Union, Selena Williams, Tarjai Hinson and Michelle Obama. These women represent strength to me and I know in order to achieve any goal, I must maintain focus, which requires strength to do so. I placed my board in a frame; however, many people simply create theirs on poster board. It serves the same purpose. I will soon be working on a board for my son and my cousin. Do you have a vision board? If so, how long have you had yours and where did you get the inspiration for your board?

Learn to Appreciate the Little Things

It's now day five of the hospital and I sooo miss my "pre-flu life". The saying is true that "we don't realize what we have until it's gone". Oh how I miss the bickering between my 13 and 9 year olds. I would trade that over the sound of a dysfunctional IV pump any day. Waking every morning at 5:30 to get the kids ready for school doesn't seem so bad after all. Although the nursing staff has been super supportive to my son and me, I now realize the richness of my normal life at home. Being away from my home and my daughter has really put things into perspective for me. Sometimes in life, we tend to focus on the things that aren't going so well (bills, work, school) instead of simply appreciating life as a whole. Those things are important, but also minor in comparison to good health and family. I encourage everyone to take a moment to enjoy and appreciate the things around you. Look for the simple things that you wouldn't otherwise appreciate unless they were taken away. The one thing that I am able to appreciate at this moment is the beauty of conversation with my son. Regardless of the conversation or how tired I may be, having a conversation with him today is a blessing and I will continue to treat it as such in the days ahead.

Be Careful of Your Thoughts

A few years ago, I read a powerful quote by Frederick Douglass that went something like this: "the things that you continuously focus on will eventually manifest themselves in your life." I've looked all over the internet for the exact wording, but couldn't find anything. I have it posted on my desk at work, so I'll share with you later. But my main point is to remind everyone to be careful about the type of things that we are thinking about. When I first read this quote, it moved me so I typed it up, put it in a frame and put it on my desk. From that day on, I tried to think positively about things going on at work and at home. What I didn't learn until about a year later is that this quote relates to the positive AND negative thoughts. Could I seriously be bringing negative things into my own life? Apparently so! According to the book "The Secret" we have a magnetic power emitted through our thoughts. We actually attract  those things that we think about the most!!It's called the law of attraction. I'm sure you're heard of it by now. So, if we're thinking positive thoughts, we will eventually see those things manifest in our lives. And unfortunately, if we continuously think negative thoughts (whether intentional or not), those things will manifest in our lives as well. Another point to mention: Also in the book, I learned that the only reason we don't have the things that we want in life is because WE FOCUS ON THE THINGS THAT WE DON'T WANT MORE THAN WE FOCUS ON THE THINGS THAT WE DO WANT! Again, I'm no guru at anything, but I do believe in the law of attraction. This is why I try to minimize the drama in my life. If you have people in your life that don't mean you well. Get rid of them. Change the way that you're thinking. If you're going through tough times, think about how great you will feel when things get better. Better yet, act as if they've already gotten better. Whatever you do, be careful of what you think about and your life will change for the better. Whatever we want to happen, focus on that. Don't focus on what we don't want.

For more information on the law of attraction, go pick up your copy of "The Secret". The author is Rhonda Byrne.

Must Be The Music!

Growing up in the 80's and 90's, music was as much of a necessity as was food. Okay, okay maybe not to that extent, but we have to admit that most of us grew up with some form music in the home and it definitely had it's place in our homes!!. For some, gospel was the remedy of choice. For others it was rhythm and blues. For my generation, it was old school hip hop. During times of sorrow as well as happiness, we turned to music. Something about the messages in the music had a way of bringing things to reality for us. It allowed us to play our lives out through the lyrics. Somehow the lyrics spoke directly to us and the situation that we were going through at that moment. Doug-E-Fresh's "La-di-da-di" got the party jumping, while Shirley Murdock's "As we Lay" made us think we were grown and "really" in love for the first time!!

Isn't it quite amazing how an artist can share their lives through song and have the whole world feeling their pain? Some artists have the ability to capture the hearts and sympathy of millions! Whitney had us all feeling like "Team Whitney" when she hit the charts with her comeback song "I Look To You". Queen MJB continues to share her life story with each album, and most recently Usher returned with what some are calling his divorce track "Papers." In the song, Usher sings about the personal issues between he and his soon to be ex-wife Tameka Foster Raymond. There's been alot of talk about the song on urban radio, Facebook and of course Twitter. Some are applauding the track, while others feel like it's TMI. Besides the fact that he seems to gloat about signing divorce papers, I am actually glad that Usher has at least returned to his R &B roots. Anything is better than the POP of a mess he made out of his last album. Much love to Tameka Foster Raymond and I hope this track doesn't lead to an ugly, public divorce, but I happen to like the song. What do you think? Is Usher using his personal life to sell records? Does he deserve the same appreciation as MJB when she first began dishing the dirt on her rocky relationship with K-Ci? I'm just saying....

Monique Show (my last comment about the show)-Since I was already awake, I watched Monique’s second show. Her guests included Tiny and Toya, Faizon Love and the two remaining members of B2K; Anyway, it was nothing special and if Monique doesn't invite more celebrities that we really want to see, her run will be shorter than Tiny and Toya and B2K put together!

Just Do It!!

Do you ever think, think and re-think and idea before finally giving up on the idea altogether?
Does fear of judgment from others play a role in your decision making?
Do you become overwhelmed or immobilized by fear of making bad decisions?

If you answered "YES" to any of these questions, you could be a victim of analysis paralysis (indecisiveness). To put it simply; you are a procrastinator!

For some people, the act of "doing" is quite simple. They "just do" whatever it is that must be done. For others, making a decision to do something is easier said than done. Excessive procrastination or indecisiveness can have a negative affect on personal and professional growth. So, why do we procrastinate? Life Strategist, Lorraine Cohen offer 7 reasons as to why we procrastinate:

• Fear of Success/Failure
• Desires or dreams aren't strong enough
• Not inspired by goals/dreams
• Loss of motivation
• Negative self talk and beliefs
• Overwhelmed with ideas
• Too many distractions-causes us to lose focus on our goals

While I'm no guru or life coach, I am a victim of procrastination. I can honestly say that "FEAR" itself has plagued my life in many ways. We must stop over-analysis and “just do it”. As women, we are creative, smart and wise beyond measures! We have so much to offer this world, but we allow opportunities to pass us by all too often simply because of fear. We can accomplish anything that we desire if we simply TAKE ACTION!

Take a moment to identify how procrastination and indecisiveness has crept into your lives. Don't worry; I'll wait (in my Katt Williams voice.) Okay, now commit to taking ONE action TODAY (not tomorrow or next week) that will lead you in the path of reaching a goal that you have yet to accomplish.

On the other hand if you have overcome procrastination. Please share how you did it in comments. Be a blessing or inspiration to others. After all that what this site is for!!

For help with overcoming procrastination, check the book "Live Without Procrastination. How to stop Postponing your Life" by M. Susan Roberts Ph D.


MONIQUE'S NEW SHOW
Monique debuted her night time talk show on BET last night! Did you see it? What did you think? Share your thoughts below.