Don't Be No (April) Fool!

April 1st...

My oh my has this year progressed.  March and my birthday have gone and Easter is now behind us and I are looking spring in the face.  I love this time of year...warmer days, wash and go's, and - my favorite - Maxi dresses! 

As always as the seasons change I reflect more and more on what really matters.  When I consider those things from my past that I held in high regard I realize now many are insignificant.  What I now see as important is this:  Love, Health, and being open to continually Learn are what I now focus my intentions on.  Serving and being good to yourself and others, enjoying life and not sweating the small stuff - THAT'S what is important!

It truly amazes me what I thought was important in my twenties and thirties has significantly changed in my 40's. It is really true that priorities and perspectives change as you get older. I can remember a time when I was young and needed a relaxer and I refused to go to the school once (or twice) because I needed a touch up and was having a bad hair day. Wow was I a FOOL...Oh to be young and dumb!!! Today...I don't think I will every return to relaxers. It continues to amaze what people connect to their self-esteem. I could go on but I will save that for part 2 of my "For Colored Girls..." series. 

But until then,

Love, Peace, and Hair Grease ;-)

Happy Birthday to ME!!!

This past weekend I celebrated the first anniversary of my 40s.  I can’t believe another year has passed!  It seems like we just got over Christmas and a quarter of the year is gone already.  Time surely flies the older you get…

I was sitting here thinking about my commitment to decrease negative thinking and I have realized that despite the ups and downs that I am currently experiencing, I am truly happy!  It occurred to me as I quietly celebrated my birthday while spending the day crocheting for a dear friend – Happiness is a decision.  Avoiding negativity has been a tough challenge and even when you are reframing your thoughts and actions others are constantly bringing their negative energy to you and if you are not careful they will take you out of your place of peace.  This has happened several times and let me tell you…the devil has been busy!  But nevertheless I am experiencing less stress and an old calm demeanor that I almost forgot I had.  I thank God for the wisdom that only time can give me.  

I can say that my pursuit of renewing my mind will continue far beyond this Lenten season.  I challenge everyone to try it.  It will change your life!!!

It's Fat Tuesday!!!

Okay so today is “Fat Tuesday” and the last day of Marti Gras.  Although I am not in New Orleans I am adopting this day as a day to eat as much and get as fat as I please for tomorrow is Ash Wednesday and the first day of Lent.

 

Lent…for years I have given up various things as a reminder of what Christ sacrificed for us.  Even the small discomfort of giving up something for 40 days doesn’t compare to HIS sacrifice but when I observe this holiday I feel more connected to God.  I am committing to give up a lot this year:  Negativity and Bad Foods…everything from sugary goodies to fried foods.  Fried foods and sweet tea are my weaknesses so this is really gonna be HARD but I know it will be good for me in the long run.  I plan to start off with a cleanse and go from there.

 

The negative thinking is going to be tough too.  I was listening to The Secret and apparently my way of thinking positive was flawed.  I am going to have to incorporate my cognitive behavioral techniques to retrain my thought patterns and adopt positive confessions and speaking it as if it already is.  Ever hear the term “say it til you see it” then you know what I’m talking about.  Here are the some of the scriptures I will be focusing on during the season of Lent:

 

 

Habakkuk 2:2-3 (NKJV)

The Just Live by Faith

Then the Lord answered me and said:  “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.   For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.  Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

 

Matthew 6:32-34 (NKJV)

For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

 

Matthew 7:7-8 (NKJV)

Keep Asking, Seeking, Knocking

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 

 

Mark 11:22-25 (NKJV)

So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.  For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.  Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.  And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 

 

 

But until then I am going to enjoy my favs as I prepare to go cold turkey in the morning.  I am shaking my head as I type.  Although I don’t think I will be hauling off and being negative all day (not my style LOL).  Until next time...

Welcome 2013!!!

Happy Happy New Year!!!  I am so excited to what God has for me in this new year.  I have so much that I want to do and I have written all of my goals down along with an action plan as to how to pursue them!  Of course the makeover self challenge is in full effect.  I have started at the top and working my way down!  I am continually working toward renewing my mind and watching what I think about myself, situations, and others.  If you are reading this and you never thought of doing a mindset makeover I strongly suggest you do!  You are what you THINK and you have what you SAY!!!  For my mindset makeover I am being vigilant in catching when I have negative thoughts and shifting that thought into positive statements to speak life into my LIFE and the life of others. 

Continuing with the head to toe makeover theme, I have officially made over my hair routine and established a new regimen to follow to grow and nurture my hair.  As a recovering PJ (product junky) I had to really look at the necessity of all of the products that I was buying and decided that I really only need the basics and my hair is thanking me for it! 

Of course I have other plans in the making but I will save the details for later.  Stay tuned!!!

Just checking in!

Yes it has been a while and a lot has happened since my last post. I have relocated once again, changed jobs, changed relationships, started TWO businesses and made a whole lotta missteps in the mix! Even with everything going on I am still pushing and pressing toward a new improved me. The first part of my makeover is an internal one. Working in changing how I think and what I speak. I have been practicing watching my words for a while now but just recently began the process of watching my thoughts. It is so true that you can have what you say and you are what you think! I purpose to guard my thoughts and my tongue so that I always say things with purpose. I will be a success and have that Midas touch: EVERYTHING I TOUCH TURNS TO GOLD!!! Pray for me as I pray for you friends. Please and love! KikiS.

Lifestyle Makeover Self Challenge!

I posted a video on the YT a couple of weeks ago about my pursuit of being healthy called Weight Loss Self Challenge (08-08-2012). I have been doing my research and I have decided to take it to another level and make a total lifestyle makeover...on the inside and the outside. Starting with the way I think and what I put in my body, my appearance, my career and finances, and even my associations and who I allow in my space. I am doing a total overhaul!

For a while now I have had some things on my heart that I want to to do but I have not acted on them.  Its now time for me to GO GET IT! 

Oh I have been working on life all along (it's called living) but I really haven't pursued my desired with my all. So for the last month or so I have been praying and searching and researching and planning. I have been reading and watching videos and educating myself in preparation of this monumental task that I am working on.

Self-work is hard work! It takes something that I struggle with - DISCIPLINE! I know this is not going to happen overnight so I am making plans and setting goals to accomplish this makeover. Each month I will be posting updates on my progress in the different areas that I am focusing on for that moment.

I've Got a Feeling!

What's up peeps!  I'm chillin myself.  Relaxing at the end of a productive and not complaining one bit!  I have that feeling again...you know that feeling that you get when you know something is about to happen?  I've got a feeling that some things are going to change very soon.  FOR THE GOOD, BETTER, and FOR THE BEST!!! 

When you decide to let go and let GOD handle it - when you REALLY let go - you will find a peace.  You won't be able to explain it, people won't understand, and when you let go many will think you are crazy!  If you feel yourself under pressure and think there is no way out, ask yourself these:  Why don't I just let it go?  Why am I holding onto something that is bringing me so much stress?  What's the BEST that can happen if I do let go?  Then go on and pursue that BEST!  Many people find themselfs in that area of STUCK and they don't see a way around it but I am here to tell you:  LET IT GO!  I got a feeling that that someone reading this wants to!  I got a feeling that you need to!  And...I got a feeling that if you do you will have more joy and purpose than you ever thought possible. 

That's why I did!  You see since I turned 40 and think I'm grown now LOL!  It feels good to finally FEEL grown and to be able to make decisions without the guilt or anxiety of actually caring what other's think about what I do with my life.  I make decisions that please me and seek those things that make me happy. I decided that I will let no one or anything try to suck the joy from my life!  I am in hot pursuit of my dreams and trying to get my HUSTLE and FLOW on! :-)

Hustle and Flow with me!!!
TTFN