Photo credit: pamsclipart.com

A few years back I went to the Ortho-man (orthodontist) with two things on my mind: perfection and pearly whites. I sat in his chair and told him, “Make my smile perfect.” Six hours later, I was walking out the door with my braces feeling…horrible. My teeth were throbbing and aching badly, but I knew the two years would be over in a flash; I wasn’t going to regret my decision.

During the duration of having my braces, I made sure I took proper care of them. I brushed twice per day, flossed after [most] meals and kept my regular appointments with the Ortho-man. When I came out of the braces, two years later, my teeth were picture perfect. I continued with my regular routine but included whitening. I thought I was doing everything in my power to keep them healthy until a few months ago when I started to experience problems; my gums were swelling and bleeding often. I ignored the symptoms until I could no longer take it; I had to visit the dentist.

In her office I sat, nervous and afraid. When she delivered the news, it was a bittersweet moment—kind of like eating Sour Patch Kids®. I found out what was causing the bleeding, but now I had to correct it. Cosmetically, my teeth were Crest-strip white, but internally a mess; I had built up tartar in the pockets of my gums causing inflammation. With the x-rays to prove it, my neglectful ways of caring only about the outside caught up with me. Now, I would undergo deep cleansing beneath the gum line…ouch! Through the pain, though, I was able to gain a lesson.

Photo credit: vector-images.com

Often, we place too much emphasis on the outside and slowly the inner begins to suffer. We offer our picture perfect image to the world, but the reality is that we are bleeding internally. We are broken and hurt by life and the “symptoms” are evident—bad attitude, constant mood swings, insecurity and jealousy—but we are deny them. If we are to heal, we MUST not ignore our hurts and pains. I love what MLK said, “Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.” If we want to live a healthy life, we must pay attention to the internal and undergo a deep cleansing of our hearts. Inevitably, we need the love of God to heal us internally.

If you would like to learn how to live a healthy life, my new book The Truth about Ugly Women: I want beauty within, helps you get to the deeper rooted issues. Check it out: www.thetruthaboutuglywomen.com

Photo credit: weightymatters.ca

*I also thought this picture was SO cute so I decided to share.

Yeeeah, the first post of the New Year; 2012 is going to be epoch! Can’t you feel it?

This month I decided to dedicate every post to a pioneer who changed the world with just a dream. His birthday is January 15^th,and I thought, what better way to remember his legacy than to focus on his work ethic, passion and teachings applicable to our lives? I’m excited.

Photo credit: nobelprize.org

When I reflect on Martin Luther King, I don’t see a man who lived off of hopes and dreams, but a man who took intangible thoughts, put action behind them and never stopped believing; he fought hard. This month, as we embark into uncharted territory as pioneers of 2012, hold fast to our words and thoughts; do not allow them to fall to the wayside. When we create resolutions, fuel them with passion and consistently live them out until the end of the year. Dr. King did this without a doubt. He had a dream and ran with it. Did it get tough along the way? I’m 100% positive it did; however, he pushed through. Imagine this. What if he told himself, “I have a dream,” but stopped right there? Where would our country be? We too should adopt the beliefs of the late King and passionately pursue our resolutions.  

Personally, I created goals for my business this year. (Only a sneak peek.) Take a look:

Are you ready to passionately pursue your goals for the 2012 year?

Thank you everyone for stopping by my blog to review my posts in the 2011 year. I am SO excited about the upcoming year because I have a few tricks up my sleeve; I know we are going to have so much fun. I hope you will be apart of this journey once again in the 2012 season. Stay tuned because I’ve been in the kitchen brewing up some new concepts that are fresh and fierce. Don’t forget all the fun we had because in 2012 we are going to duplicate what was done here by 200% If you can’t remember, here is a list of everything accomplished this year.

1. I wrote, Don’t Tell Me What to Think
2. I incorporated a TRANSLATION LINK so that people from across the globe can view the posts
3. My first book was published, The Truth About Ugly Women: I want beauty within
4. My blog celebrated it’s SECOND BIRTHDAY on WordPress, December 27th
5. My  book went on sale 10/28/11
6. My brother had his first child, my FIRST NEPHEW Baby Joe aka Beanie Baby (although this isn’t my accomplishment per se lol)
7. Dream chasers was birthed (Stay tuned!!)

 

I really enjoy watching this movie. I have been watching it since I was a child, and there is no doubt in my mind that my children and their children’s children will come to know the infamous Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Even more, I know they will learn valuable life lessons through some of the scenes. Here’s what I’m talking about.

I think it’s amazing to see and parallel this particular scene and concept to our lives, especially as it pertains to our Christian walk.

What we learn:

1. We mess up all the time. We do things that we are not supposed to do, but because the Lord’s grace and mercy, He loves us in spite of our wrongdoings. We cannot allow ourselves to be condemned. Don’t allow condemnation to overtake your life thinking, “How will God ever love me? I’m such a mess!” or “Let me get my life together BEFORE I serve Him because I’m going to mess up”–that’s what He’s here for, to love us back to health and get us together. Charlie should not have won the entire factory, but because his heart was to do what was right, he won that AND MORE.
2. Our faith will be tested. As Wonka used Slugworth to test the children, so does the trials that we go through. The Word of God says: For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow (NLT); because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance (NIV). As we saw with Charlie, he had to face greed, gluttony, pride, etc. in order to receive his blessing. It probably wasn’t the best feeling, coming from nothing, but he endured. We too have to go through the testing in order to get the inheritance. It may be a struggle, but so worth it! Just remember Job.

Even though we mess up, we have to know that we can be forgiven. Don’t allow the pervading thoughts to convince you that the Lord does not love you because He does. If you fall down, run right back to Him because He will be waiting.

Scriptures to Meditate On:

• 1 John 1:9– If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (NIV).
• James 1: 2-4—Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Designed by Brandon Owens 25/50 Graphic Designs

Make sure you buy your copy TODAY ;o)

Xlibris http://www2.xlibris.com/Bookstore/bookdisplay.aspx?bookid=104509

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Truth-About-Ugly-Women-Beauty/dp/1465365192/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1319834984&sr=8-1

Barnes and Nobles (hasn’t been released yet, but stay tuned)

HAPPY FRIDAY

Enjoy your weekend.

www.thetruthaboutuglywomen.com

photo: bridal-shower-games.com

When Tyler Perry’s hit movie, Why Did I Get Married?, burst onto the scene a few years ago, it had everyone (at least those I knew) indulging in introspection. “Why do people really get married? Or better yet, Why did I?” Back then I was uninterested in love and marriage, but now my interest is piqued. So, of course, I had to interview someone who was close to tying the knot for the Marriage Episodes. Here is what I uncovered.

            Engaged and ready to take on the world, I sat down and spoke with a soon-to-be married man.

“I want to be married, it’s something I’ve thought about for quite some time,” he said very confidently.

“How did you know you were ready for the next step?” I asked.

“Well, the path my life was headed, as far as career goes, I had to make some major decisions. I thought about it over and over again.”

Curiosity beckoned me to ask, “Did she give you an ultimatum? It sounds like you needed to go your way for your career and she had to go another if you didn’t make a decision.”

“No. It was a decision that I made based on love. Could I wake up without her being in my life? That question was difficult for me to even think about, so I chose the latter. I could not wake up without her being a part of my life, my journey. At that point, I knew I was ready to marry this woman.”

We shared much more throughout this interview, but I wanted to highlight the words that riveted my heart. It wasn’t exactly what he said, but how he said it that sold me. Literally, I could hear the passion that streamed from his voice. This twenty something year old was gushing with love and was not ashamed to declare his requited adoration for his fiancé. Soon, they will be married in one short month to begin their lives, or as he puts it, their journey.  

If you are married, Why did you get married? If you are engaged to be married or want to be married, Why do you desire to be married?

Next week you will learn of my reason, along with another young lady, on why we are waiting.

Additionally, as you read the episodes you will get a sneak peek as to some of the nuggets that surface in my new book, The Truth about Ugly Women, available for sale 11-11-11. Stop over and check out the website too!—www.thetruthaboutuglywomen.com .

Photo: kabircares.org

This month it was put on my heart to focus on marriage. Why? Because I have gone to beautiful ceremonies to witness great unions and slowly I have watched as they crumbled right before my very eyes. Also, as I am approaching the big 2-8, I have many in my ear asking, “When are you getting married?” “Why aren’t you married yet?”—it gets really annoying. However, I want to take this month to focus on what I’ve been learning and observing from others. As a 27 year old woman, in a courtship and loving God, I want to glean from those with wisdom, share the joy of others and also debunk some of the myths pertaining to love and marriage. Is it really all that it’s cracked up to be? I also want to incorporate other individuals (they will be anonymous) that share great wisdom and insight as to what marriage really means to them, why they got married, why they got divorced, or even how they made it last forever. From single men and women to men and women married for over 35 years, I hope you will join us, as we unwrap our heart’s beliefs and desires about love, marriage and the other stuff that comes along with it. Come back each week to partake in all that we have to share. Additionally, as you read the episodes you will get a sneak peek as to some of the nuggets that surface in my new book, The Truth about Ugly Women, available for sale 11-11-11. Stop over and check out the website too!—www.thetruthaboutuglywomen.com .