While I was a visit to New York this weekend that passed, I saw the movie Lottery Ticket. I keep thinking, what would I do if I won the lottery or had a million/billion dollars in my possession? This is what I would do:
(1) I would quit my job (working for others) and start my own business.
(2) I would tell my parents they will never have work a day in their lives anymore and build my mom her dream home.
(3) I would start a charity for Breast and Colon cancer as a tribute to my late grandma and uncle.
(4) I would so give back to my community in New York and build a community center for kids to have a place to go to for anything they need or want.
(5) I would travel the world and learn how to cook the dishes from all the different countries I visited.
(6) I would build myself my own music studio.
(7) I would buy me a house in the Caribbean, so I can have a place to go to when I over stressed and over work.
Now, I would love to know, what you would do if you won the lottery or had a million/billion dollars right at tip of your fingers?
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
The Shack
Many people will tell you, I love to read books. Some of my friends and I have started up a book club were we read at least 5 novels in a year. One day my mom said to me, "You have to read this book one of my friend's put me onto." She was very excited and there was just this fire in her eyes like fireworks went off just by saying this book name. I thought to myself maybe I should really read this book and then she said it was a book about a man meeting God in a shack. At first I was turned off because I thought to myself, "God doesn't just come and meet anyone," and also I have questioned many things about why God has let things happen to me in my life. Then my mom came home one day and told me she bought me a novel, "The Shack" by William Paul Young. So, no excuses and I had to read it.
Before reading this novel, I had pre-assumptions about God and I love to rebel against someone with so many rules. I started reading the book and I could hardly put it down. I learned so much things about God, my faith and relationship has become so much deeper. Here are a few things I learned:
(A) I'm 28 and I have never been married. Many people look at me as an old-maid, but I'm just hesitant about marriage because I'm always seeing the worst of marriages and 54% of marriages end in divorces. This is what God says about marriage, "Marriage is not an institution. It's a relationship. I don't create institutions; that's an occupation for those who want to play God."(pg. 181) When I saw this, my mouth dropped. People have made me feel as though, marriage was this grand club that only a few people get invited to, that's if someone loves you enough to put a ring on it. My view on marriage has turned from a woman who vowed to never get married to a woman who wants to get married whenever the right man shows up.
(B) I don't like people who say they are "Religious", and God doesn't like them either. "So, no I'm not too big on religion, and not very fond of politics and economics either. Put simply, these terrors are tools that many people prop up illusions of security and control. People are afraid of uncertainty, afraid of the future. These institutions, these structures and ideologies, are all a vain effort to create some sense of certainty and security where there isn't any. It's false! Systems cannot provide you security, only I can." (pgs. 181-182) Now, I did a double take when reading this passage. It was like all the Christian teachings I was taught just went out the door.
(C) Now this passage will shock you: "Why do you think we came up with the Ten Commandments? Actually, we wanted you to give up trying to be righteous on your own. It was a mirror to reveal just how filthy your face gets when you live independently. But can you clean your face with the same mirror that shows how dirty you are? There is no mercy or grace in rules, not even for one mistake. That's why Jesus fulfilled all of it for you-so that it no longer has jurisdiction over you. And the Law that once contained impossible demands-'Thou shall not...'--actually becomes a promise we fulfill in you."(pg. 204) When I read this, it just felt like a whole weight was taken off my shoulders. I no longer feel so bad when I don't always share my sin to someone or when I don't go to church every day of the week. My faith and bond with God has become much deeper at this moment.
(D) This is what God had to say about life: "It's simple, Mack. It's all about relationships and simply sharing life. My church is all about people, and life is all about relationships. You can't build it. It's my job...."(pg. 180) I couldn't believe life is this simple. We always seem to complicate things and make them harder than what they seem.
I finally was able to understand God by reading this book. It has touched and changed my life in a great way. I learned who I am as a person and if it is good enough for God, I know it is good for anyone. The one thing that I was trying to find and thought I could never obtain, I feel so complete. No more hole in my life. I hope you will eventually read this novel and I pray that it touches and change your life in the best way. Thanks!
Before reading this novel, I had pre-assumptions about God and I love to rebel against someone with so many rules. I started reading the book and I could hardly put it down. I learned so much things about God, my faith and relationship has become so much deeper. Here are a few things I learned:
(A) I'm 28 and I have never been married. Many people look at me as an old-maid, but I'm just hesitant about marriage because I'm always seeing the worst of marriages and 54% of marriages end in divorces. This is what God says about marriage, "Marriage is not an institution. It's a relationship. I don't create institutions; that's an occupation for those who want to play God."(pg. 181) When I saw this, my mouth dropped. People have made me feel as though, marriage was this grand club that only a few people get invited to, that's if someone loves you enough to put a ring on it. My view on marriage has turned from a woman who vowed to never get married to a woman who wants to get married whenever the right man shows up.
(B) I don't like people who say they are "Religious", and God doesn't like them either. "So, no I'm not too big on religion, and not very fond of politics and economics either. Put simply, these terrors are tools that many people prop up illusions of security and control. People are afraid of uncertainty, afraid of the future. These institutions, these structures and ideologies, are all a vain effort to create some sense of certainty and security where there isn't any. It's false! Systems cannot provide you security, only I can." (pgs. 181-182) Now, I did a double take when reading this passage. It was like all the Christian teachings I was taught just went out the door.
(C) Now this passage will shock you: "Why do you think we came up with the Ten Commandments? Actually, we wanted you to give up trying to be righteous on your own. It was a mirror to reveal just how filthy your face gets when you live independently. But can you clean your face with the same mirror that shows how dirty you are? There is no mercy or grace in rules, not even for one mistake. That's why Jesus fulfilled all of it for you-so that it no longer has jurisdiction over you. And the Law that once contained impossible demands-'Thou shall not...'--actually becomes a promise we fulfill in you."(pg. 204) When I read this, it just felt like a whole weight was taken off my shoulders. I no longer feel so bad when I don't always share my sin to someone or when I don't go to church every day of the week. My faith and bond with God has become much deeper at this moment.
(D) This is what God had to say about life: "It's simple, Mack. It's all about relationships and simply sharing life. My church is all about people, and life is all about relationships. You can't build it. It's my job...."(pg. 180) I couldn't believe life is this simple. We always seem to complicate things and make them harder than what they seem.
I finally was able to understand God by reading this book. It has touched and changed my life in a great way. I learned who I am as a person and if it is good enough for God, I know it is good for anyone. The one thing that I was trying to find and thought I could never obtain, I feel so complete. No more hole in my life. I hope you will eventually read this novel and I pray that it touches and change your life in the best way. Thanks!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
I'm Back!
So, I have been away from writing on the cyber world for a while now. I was taking some time out to live and actually come up with some great topics for you. I have been traveling this summer, working, and enjoying my family and friends. I wanted to talk you about this movie I saw called "Eat, Pray, Love." I really enjoyed this movie and I took away somethings from this movie I would like to share with everyone.
(1) I find myself wanting to go find myself by traveling the world, but do I have to really do that? I can find myself right here where I live. I just need to stay true to myself and learn how to stop and appreciate life as it comes. God didn't put me here to be depressed, angry, have low self-esteem, or frustrated my whole life. Besides, the last time I said I wanted to find myself, I almost landed on the floor. Just make sure you have the money to pay for your travels yourself because telling a black mother you want to find yourself, you just might end up being splattered on the floor....lol...=).
(2) I need to learn that everything is not for me. Just because I want something or someone doesn't mean I can obtain it. People come in and out of your life for a reason. Some people stay in your life forever. No matter what, we all learn the same lessons just at different times in our lives.
(3) I am my worst enemy. I need to stop telling myself negative things. When negative things or sayings keep being kicked in your head constantly, you start to think about it. God made me perfect just the way I am. I need not to be in a rush to have what I think I should have at the moment, no instant gratification. I need to let things gradually happen. I need to stop worrying what I look like to others because I should know who I am and what I stand for. Life is too short to listen to every little thing someone else has to say about you.
(4) Lastly, I need to learn how to forgive other and forgive myself. We love to harbor things people do wrong to us. We need to learn how to forgive them not to only help them heal, but it is mainly for us to heal. But we never forget. We also need to learn how to forgive ourselves. We are so hard on ourselves we can't even appreciate life. We get scared and think people think the worst of us when they stare.
No matter what, I'm going to live life like I have never lived it before. I hope you take that chance too.
(1) I find myself wanting to go find myself by traveling the world, but do I have to really do that? I can find myself right here where I live. I just need to stay true to myself and learn how to stop and appreciate life as it comes. God didn't put me here to be depressed, angry, have low self-esteem, or frustrated my whole life. Besides, the last time I said I wanted to find myself, I almost landed on the floor. Just make sure you have the money to pay for your travels yourself because telling a black mother you want to find yourself, you just might end up being splattered on the floor....lol...=).
(2) I need to learn that everything is not for me. Just because I want something or someone doesn't mean I can obtain it. People come in and out of your life for a reason. Some people stay in your life forever. No matter what, we all learn the same lessons just at different times in our lives.
(3) I am my worst enemy. I need to stop telling myself negative things. When negative things or sayings keep being kicked in your head constantly, you start to think about it. God made me perfect just the way I am. I need not to be in a rush to have what I think I should have at the moment, no instant gratification. I need to let things gradually happen. I need to stop worrying what I look like to others because I should know who I am and what I stand for. Life is too short to listen to every little thing someone else has to say about you.
(4) Lastly, I need to learn how to forgive other and forgive myself. We love to harbor things people do wrong to us. We need to learn how to forgive them not to only help them heal, but it is mainly for us to heal. But we never forget. We also need to learn how to forgive ourselves. We are so hard on ourselves we can't even appreciate life. We get scared and think people think the worst of us when they stare.
No matter what, I'm going to live life like I have never lived it before. I hope you take that chance too.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
What is Beauty?
I have learned that Hollywood wants Angelina Jolie to play Cleopatra in the remake. Now, you the know the original Hollywood movie Elizabeth Taylor played Cleopatra. Well, either way, I'm mad that a Caucasian woman is playing an African woman. It's not right. Why can't the truth be told for once? What does Hollywood have to hide?
African-American woman have a hard enough time seeing nothing but Caucasian women all over the magazines, and now they want to play the most powerful woman and last Pharaoh in the world. So, only Caucasian women are the most beautiful women in the world? I think not! Look at Mrs. Obama. She is not only a beautiful woman, but a great mom and a powerful and successful lawyer.
They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But you know what is really funny. Some Caucasian women go and get tans, butt implants, breast enhancements, and collagen in their lips to look just like us, but they always talk about us and always hating on us. Everybody in the world copies everything African-Americans do like the fist bump, the way we dress, the way we talk, but never give us the credit.
Paul Mooney said that we as a generation are programmed to see and think certain things. Hollywood has prolonged the programming. To me, I like Angelina Jolie as an actress, but she shouldn't play this role. She has not confirmed that she would play the part. She should think twice about who she portrays. She should want to tell the truth and not use this film as politics in the Hollywood community.
It took the Academy 75 years to give an Oscar to an African-American actress. Its a shame and it will be a shame if a Caucasian woman plays an African woman. Cleopatra was the most powerful woman in the world one time and Hollywood feel that she should be a Causaian woman because she had that great power. Egypt in right smack in the middle of Africa. I'm tired of people thinking Egypt is separate from Africa. So, now the brainwashing of what and who is beautiful is never going to go away. This generation of African-American girls and the next will continue to have self-esteem issues.
So, is beauty really in the eyes of the beholder? What do you think? I would love to know.
African-American woman have a hard enough time seeing nothing but Caucasian women all over the magazines, and now they want to play the most powerful woman and last Pharaoh in the world. So, only Caucasian women are the most beautiful women in the world? I think not! Look at Mrs. Obama. She is not only a beautiful woman, but a great mom and a powerful and successful lawyer.
They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But you know what is really funny. Some Caucasian women go and get tans, butt implants, breast enhancements, and collagen in their lips to look just like us, but they always talk about us and always hating on us. Everybody in the world copies everything African-Americans do like the fist bump, the way we dress, the way we talk, but never give us the credit.
Paul Mooney said that we as a generation are programmed to see and think certain things. Hollywood has prolonged the programming. To me, I like Angelina Jolie as an actress, but she shouldn't play this role. She has not confirmed that she would play the part. She should think twice about who she portrays. She should want to tell the truth and not use this film as politics in the Hollywood community.
It took the Academy 75 years to give an Oscar to an African-American actress. Its a shame and it will be a shame if a Caucasian woman plays an African woman. Cleopatra was the most powerful woman in the world one time and Hollywood feel that she should be a Causaian woman because she had that great power. Egypt in right smack in the middle of Africa. I'm tired of people thinking Egypt is separate from Africa. So, now the brainwashing of what and who is beautiful is never going to go away. This generation of African-American girls and the next will continue to have self-esteem issues.
So, is beauty really in the eyes of the beholder? What do you think? I would love to know.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Improving
I haven't done a post in a while. I have been going through some changes. The first chnage, I have always vowed I will never get married. I have been through rough relationships and I was on the edge of being too tired to care and just giving up. So, now I want to get married when the time comes.
My relationship with God is getting stronger and I have become more wiser. I really could care less about what people think of me. I have been through hell and back and I don't give a damn if you say, "Look, at what she's wearing!" Or "I can't believe she said that!" Well, if you don't want to know truth, then that is your damn problem.
Everyone has their drama, either family or other stuff. For me, I learned when there is drama approaching me, I just walk away. I can't get into the he said/ she said game. No one wins and everyone ends up mad at the one random person who didn't even witness the drama. Also, if you are all about drama, just don't come around me. I have enough problems of my own.
Lastly, I work with kids and it has been a humbling experience. I haven't had a job and about two years and God has placed me in a place where I feel I'm not equip for. I don't have kids of my own yet, so I feel at times out of place. But I have learned real quick about some kids. If you let your kid do anything he/she wants to do, then when they get to school him/her is a hand full. You can't expect your kid's teacher to teach him/her the abc's and discipline at the same time. It all starts at home.
Well, thanks for letting me say my piece. Let me know how you are improving. I would love to know.
My relationship with God is getting stronger and I have become more wiser. I really could care less about what people think of me. I have been through hell and back and I don't give a damn if you say, "Look, at what she's wearing!" Or "I can't believe she said that!" Well, if you don't want to know truth, then that is your damn problem.
Everyone has their drama, either family or other stuff. For me, I learned when there is drama approaching me, I just walk away. I can't get into the he said/ she said game. No one wins and everyone ends up mad at the one random person who didn't even witness the drama. Also, if you are all about drama, just don't come around me. I have enough problems of my own.
Lastly, I work with kids and it has been a humbling experience. I haven't had a job and about two years and God has placed me in a place where I feel I'm not equip for. I don't have kids of my own yet, so I feel at times out of place. But I have learned real quick about some kids. If you let your kid do anything he/she wants to do, then when they get to school him/her is a hand full. You can't expect your kid's teacher to teach him/her the abc's and discipline at the same time. It all starts at home.
Well, thanks for letting me say my piece. Let me know how you are improving. I would love to know.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Dancing Movie
Last night when I went to the movies, I saw the previews for Step Up in 3D. I'm so happy for another dance movie, but I'm also annoyed about the movie, too. The main characters are all white actors that can dance. Now, I have no problem with people showing their talents and getting accolades, but how come Hollywood does not hire black actors who can dance? I'm so tired of seeing other races of people get the awards for their talents, while African-Americans are behind the scenes showing them how to bring their talents out. We can be the choreographers and the back up dancers, but we can't be the main characters? What is wrong with this picture.
It seems as though things have not changed. Yes, there are movies like Stompin' the Yard, You Got Served, and Electric Boogalo, but there should be more. It takes me back to the Bojangles and the Nicholas Brothers days. Mr. Bojangles was a great tap dancer, but was unable to be a main character in movies because he was an African-American. It was also a way for African-American not to get any type of power in Hollywood. The Nicholas Brothers were better dancers than Fred Astaire, but Mr. Astaire has had more accolades and is more famous than them.
I'm hoping that Hollywood will change soon. Or maybe they will not. What do you think?
It seems as though things have not changed. Yes, there are movies like Stompin' the Yard, You Got Served, and Electric Boogalo, but there should be more. It takes me back to the Bojangles and the Nicholas Brothers days. Mr. Bojangles was a great tap dancer, but was unable to be a main character in movies because he was an African-American. It was also a way for African-American not to get any type of power in Hollywood. The Nicholas Brothers were better dancers than Fred Astaire, but Mr. Astaire has had more accolades and is more famous than them.
I'm hoping that Hollywood will change soon. Or maybe they will not. What do you think?
Monday, May 17, 2010
In the News
This world is getting crazier and crazier. Arizona's governor, Jan Brewer, has put into effect for law enforcement to "make a reasonable attempt" to stop anyone who they feel are "reasonable suspicion." This is the states way to crack down on illegal immigrants. Ummmm......how dumb does this and the governor sound? First off, this law is so illegal. Secondly, this governor just gave law enforcement to legally racial profile. This is going to be a catastrophe! If there weren't so many people of color being accidentally killed by police officers now, well there are going to be millions. They are trying to kill us off.
Now, I feel as though if you come from another country and you don't have any papers saying you can stay here, I think you need to leave the country, too. On the other hand, the government needs to find another way of cracking down on illegal immigrants. I also feel that if you come from another country, I think you need to adapt to the country you live in.
Also in the news, are the 8 yrs old dancing to Beyonce's Single Ladies. Now many people feel the girls were dressed inappropriately and they shouldn't have been gyrating they way they were doing. But I'm looking at it from a dancer's point of view and I think that they did a great job. Many of the dance moves they did, some dancers can't even do. They are very advanced and great dancers at a very young age. I too felt that they should have worn something different. It was a hip-hop dance competition and sometimes dancers wear less because of how hot(temperature wise) you can get and to show how the body looks when you are dancing the moves.
What do you think?
Now, I feel as though if you come from another country and you don't have any papers saying you can stay here, I think you need to leave the country, too. On the other hand, the government needs to find another way of cracking down on illegal immigrants. I also feel that if you come from another country, I think you need to adapt to the country you live in.
Also in the news, are the 8 yrs old dancing to Beyonce's Single Ladies. Now many people feel the girls were dressed inappropriately and they shouldn't have been gyrating they way they were doing. But I'm looking at it from a dancer's point of view and I think that they did a great job. Many of the dance moves they did, some dancers can't even do. They are very advanced and great dancers at a very young age. I too felt that they should have worn something different. It was a hip-hop dance competition and sometimes dancers wear less because of how hot(temperature wise) you can get and to show how the body looks when you are dancing the moves.
What do you think?
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