LIVING WITH PURPOSE

                                                                         

                                                                              
                                                                       

      My apologies!  It has been way too long since I have posted anything at all.  However, my absence was just setting up my present in becoming the Editor-in-Chief of the Youngstown Sophisticate Magazine!  The Youngstown Sophisticate magazine is a diverse magazine publication honoring all of the gifted and talented entrepreneurs and individuals who gave their tireless efforts for the betterment of the city of Youngstown, Ohio and it's surrounding areas.

      Like most human beings,  I've had some ups and downs along this journey. I've encountered some good days and bad days. I've had some wonderful wins and some life-altering losses.   I just believe we are to keep on trucking along life's highway no matter what! Although at times it is easier said than done,  I perceive that every morning we open our eyes and take a breath to a brand new day,  we are to be thankful and filled with great purpose.

      I've had one purpose instilled inside of me since I was a child.  That purpose was to write!  The word purpose simply means the reason for which something is done or created, or for which something exist. One's purpose should be filled with intention and objectives.  My intention, objective and reasoning behind becoming a writer was so  I could continue to touch and enhance the lives of others through the experience and expressions of words.  Since childhood, my life's intention and objective had writing all over it.  The first thing I wrote as a child was published in the local newspaper.  The next thing I wrote as a child was the focus of a very important public gathering.

      I am simply saying that no matter who you are, you must intentionally live with purpose.  You must intentionally wake up everyday through adversity and know your purpose is bigger than just yourself.  You have other people's lives to touch.  You have other individuals to guide and to create for. You have other people who depend on you to help them also live with purpose.  No matter what you have encountered, you must muster-up strength to get out of  bed and to get focused.  What is the alternative?  You either live with purpose or suffocate with regret.  Stay intentional friends! Stay purposed! Peace and Blessings Always!





   
   

ADVICE I CAN GIVE A LITTLE GIRL

                                                                              

                                                                               

                    As each of us muse over our lives, wouldn't it be liberating to go back and give invaluable advice to your much younger self? Today, I have several tips of encouragement to my seven year-old self and beyond. 

TIP 1-When that elementary school bully comes up to you constantly and says, “Look at your hands.  I am glad I’m lighter than you”,  but God made both of us the same shade of beautiful brown, you must understand that her home life is dysfunctional.  She had no other outlet.  Put no weight on it.  We are all wonderfully unique.

TIP 2-Ladies don’t fight!  That one and only scuffle you had in high school will teach you no man is ever worth physically fighting over for three reasons: 1) Black eyes don’t heal fast.   2) He’s a 17 year-old boy.  There will be 50 more girls in line probably to fight.  3) You should never have to engage in mortal combat for love!

TIP 3- You need a more realistic goal than trying to become a Radio City Music Hall Rockette! Always have a plan B, C, D, E, F, and G.

TIP 4-No matter how hopeless a situation may seem, you will always believe your hope is in God through Christ Jesus!

TIP 5-Never settle in any relationship.  When you end up in a committed relationship remember they are ALWAYS getting the better end of the deal!

                    Basically, we wish we could all go back and teach ourselves life lessons that we learn along the way.  However, learning from the past to never repeat any of our mistakes is the best lesson we can take from life’s journey.  Love you all.  Peace and Blessings Until Next Time!

Love,

Danica

 our lives, wouldn'our lives

THE STELLA EFFECT

                                                                         

                          If you are a woman, than you have only read or viewed the movie, “How Stella Got Her Groove Back”, no less than four million times.  However, I have actually, like so many other women, came across a moment of needing to get “my groove back” much like “Stella”.  

               Sometimes after suffering a loss, you often began to look for affirmation and happiness in other  individuals.  However, you are soon to realize that true happiness is not found in the affirmations of someone else but it is always found within yourself.  Was getting my “groove” back a nice distraction from the harsh realities of life?  Of course!(smile).  However,  like any other vice or drug of choice, the search for happiness presents only a temporary interference until you realize the core of your problem is still there!

               The time and energy that we put into  “getting our groove back”  to get us through a lonely or rough patch or two could be better spent on self-enhancement.  Go on a retreat, read a book, or even meditate on the fullness of Jesus! Take some time to learn what you want and need out of your future relationships.  Take some time to even discover your gifts and talents. I discovered I am a writing diva machine! Learn to love and embrace the person you are during a relationship hiatus.

                          I’m only relaying advice to you from my past experiences to save you well spent time and energy.  Looking to others for my completeness was well misguided.  I should have been looking toward myself and God all the while.  Today, I am so much stronger and wiser.  Living and learning to do better every single day is definitely what I am “grooving” to now! Peace and Blessings!

Love You Much

Danica

SURRENDERING ALL

           
                                                                                  

           My eldest son is quiet and reserved while my youngest son is a pistol.  He has his own ideas, plans and agendas he desires to accomplish.  Every now and then, we clash because his ideas plans and agenda are contrary to mine at times. Having two different agendas can create tension and confusion.  I recently came to the conclusion that God often feels the same way when we concoct our own program without his consent.

Recently viewing a movie called, “Surrendered-The Jay Harding Story”, all of the consequences of moving forward with his own agenda and not God’s came into play.   He was a very angry husband and father, frustrated with life and the pressures of it all. His family constantly tried to enlighten him with the idea they could care less about material things but instead desired his time and attention. Jay Harding’s failures soon overtook his professional and private life in many negative ways.  Jay and his wife separated. Their daughter had a tragic, horrific fall from the staircase.  Jay also defaulted on a loan and lost his business.   Everything in this man’s life went awry until he humbled  himself and prayed to God promising that he would surrender all.

Many of us can relate to having our own personal trials and tribulations. We should all let this story become a cautionary tale that we often need to surrender it all unto God.  This premise of letting go of our own agenda’s becomes much easier when we realize that everything we have is His to begin with anyway. Nothing have we gained by our own knowledge, strength, success or wisdom.  

In 2015 leave nothing on the table when it comes to God.  Receive everything that God has for you. He loves us so much that we will never comprehend it.  God wants to give us everything He has but only if we surrender it all unto him. Go get it!

 Peace and Blessings Loves!

UNMASKED: SALUTING VIOLA DAVIS

I love Viola Davis.  Several times in my life, people have commented on how I reminded them of her.  I usually get compared to Viola Davis or Michelle Obama. I am flattered either way!  My point is unfortunately with my schedule, I missed several episodes of her breakthrough show, “How To Get Away With Murder.” However, I did get a chance to view the very end of the most important, life-altering episode that will help to assist all minority women with embracing their natural beauty from this point forward.

While winding down from a busy day one evening, the only thing I desired to do was to zone-out on television.  Flopping down on my couch, I immediately reached for the remote and started flipping through the channels.  I stopped scanning the channels when I noticed Viola Davis’s character sitting in front of a mirror removing her wig and wiping off her lipstick as well as her eye-shadow.  When all was said and done, she was sitting in front of the mirror in her natural bare essence, while I was sitting on my couch in my natural utter amazement!

This moment of transparency spoke to my spirit within for several reasons.  I endured mental and emotional abuse for many years from my past relationship. Anything I tried to accomplish was never good enough.  I was told I had to act like or be someone else.  It was often stated by this individual, I was not allowed to cut my hair, wear certain clothing or even wear certain make-up. I even had a curfew while attending family functions!  All of these rules helped to bound up my spirit and took a toll on my soul.  As the individual on the receiving end of emotional and psychological abuse, you do all these things because you think you will keep peace.  However, you soon learn that when other people thrust their insecurities on you in the form of abuse, there is no peace to be kept. Therefore when Viola Davis bared all and presented her natural image to millions, she truly became my icon.

I used to despise the image I saw in the mirror while I was experiencing that unhealthy relationship.  However, several years and many prayers later, God has healed my unseen wounds.  Believe me when I say, “To God be the glory for He has done great things!” Now I say in jest, if anyone ever states to me, “She thinks she is all that!” I will reply, “Yes. But it took me almost 40 years to believe that!” So I have made it my life’s mission to make sure the process of embracing who you are for our younger women does not take 40 years for them to realize how beautifully unique they are.  It’s utterly ridiculous to walk around for years so messed up on the inside just because of what someone else wants you to be. I desire our young women to embrace who they are from the inside out and believe they are “All That” even in their natural beauty TODAY! So thank you from the bottom of my heart for that moment of vulnerability Viola Davis because you are truly “ALL THAT AND THEN SOME”.

A DEATH AND FUNERAL WITHOUT THE SYMPATHY A.K.A. DIVORCE

Divorce. You would not want to wish this process on your worst enemy. This week I had a very interesting discussion with a couple of women about divorce. It was very liberating. So today I would like to take the time and encourage anyone who has been through a divorce to keep your head up.

Divorce can often be referred to as an emotional and spiritual death and funeral without the sympathy.  I agree with this statement whole-heartedly!  The loss that is ultimately suffered feels as great as any physical loss to the person who is going through!  But unfortunately, ONLY to the person who is actually going through it! The world is still spinning to everyone else while their world has stopped revolving.  

The insensitivity of some individuals can be almost too much to bare.  However, here are several tips to try to help someone who is going through a divorce to make their life a little brighter:

1).  Don’t say highly inappropriate things!-Either you can help an individual or hinder them.   Before you open your mouth make sure support and encouragement are the only thing flying out of it.  Culturally ignorant opinions and other nonsense will usually set someone back. (Oohhhh just wait until you read, “The Purple Legacies” and listen to the blissfully ignorant things I was told.)

2).  Offer your hand in friendship, love and support.-Simply offering to take them out of the house by getting them out of the regular everyday mode is key to the beginning of the healing process.

3).  Treat people how you  want to be treated. -No explanation needed on this one!  Simply a biblical principle!

4).  When in doubt, say nothing at all.-Remember silence is golden. In the book of Job, even his friends sat idle next to him for seven days without saying one word.  Just their support was enough!

Encouraging people  through the process of a divorce instead of discouraging them is beneficial to your well-being also. Keep in mind that in life we know where we have been but know not where we are going!  Peace And Blessings Until Next Time!

With Love,

Danica 

NO SHADE

Hard times came, never asked anybody for one penny
And neither expected someone to really ever offer me any
Battered and bruised by life spinning into a frenzy of frequent nose dives
Moved, finally, flying high, my goals my dreams now coming alive
Book out, invited  on radio, tv and workshops for young women like me fighting self-esteem
Excited, getting dressed to look nice for my first interview, and we hear the telephone ring

Listening to you do what you have always done best, always trying to tear my spirit down
But my beautiful friend says baby don't worry there's always a critic who wants to clown!
No support no "I know you worked  hard for your dreams" could I get just a little bit of validation
Again all shade, the usual nothin' positive, not bothered no longer, no one even said congratulation
That night was so bad,  up, nose bleeds on my clothes, you made me yield so many unnecesary tears
Then I pulled myself together thinking wait you havent' read anything I wrote in the last seven years

I know love and life threw me some curved ball situations and walking in my shoes seemed  extremely dire
But  in 2014 and beyond, my motto "Only surround yourself with people who are going to lift you up higher!"
See I learned to like, love, embrace the wonderful, gifted person I am inside while going through
That just  means no longer do I need your approval to love me, cause you really don't have to boo
Well thank you for your time, I wish you all well. love you much and never want to see any of us in life losing
I'm on a mission from God encourage others, no shade, step one foot in front and keep Danica moving!

Peace and Blessings

YOUR PERSONAL OPINION; CONSTRUCTIVE OR DESTRUCTIVE

Opinions are like ears . Everybody has them.  Unfortunately many people are unaware on how to utilize their personal opinion for good and not evil.  Giving your opinion in the proper way can be a welcomed insight to individuals who need it.  However, using your opinion in an abrasive, negative manner can alienate you as well as people from you.  Advice is only as good as the person giving it! Meaning before we can give advice, we should make sure we take our own advice into account.  Have you ever looked closely at the person who is always freely giving you their opinion on an issue in your life?  Usually their situation is in more disarray than yours.  Although somehow, they manage to have the answer to everything.

My favorite story of opinions gone wrong is seen in the book of Job in the Bible.  After Job lost everything in his life including his family, livestock, houses and health, his three friends felt it was their duty to consult with Job.  Their good intentions to mourn with him quickly turned into a free for all of unwarranted advice.  When I was a child I remember adults saying a phrase such as “The road to destruction is paved with good intentions!”   One thing I found very intriguing were Job’s friends staying with him for seven days and nights without saying a word.  It was the custom in those days not to speak until the person who was mourning spoke first.   However,  their advice was an array of an opinionated disaster when given.  They said such things as Job must have done something wrong to be in such a predicament.  They also went on to say Job deserved worse than what he was given!  WOW!!!  So I guess we all have people in our lives that will kick us when we are down!

However,  thank God for a friend like Elihu!  Elihu was the fourth friend and a young man full of wisdom and knowledge.  The reason he was filled with wisdom and knowledge is simply due to the fact he held his tongue.  He paid attention to what they were saying. Elihu also respected his elders and understood what God was doing.  He had better insight than Job and his friends because sometimes it is truly in the quietness of the conversation that we hear God clearly!  Elihu holding his tongue and listening gave Job a better insight.  Elihu already had a sense of what God was doing simply due to listening first and speaking last.  The story of Job ends by Job being totally restored and given more than what he had the first time.

As for myself,  I only give advice pertaining to the things I’ve been through.  Likewise,  in these times I only choose to take advice from non-angry and non-bitter individuals who use factually based information while giving me their opinion to make my most informed decisions.   Based on the story of Job,  I know that only 1 out of 5 people know  exactly what they are talking about when it comes to giving personal opinions.

Please continue to encourage each other instead of discouraging each other while utilizing our God-given wisdom so we ourselves much like Job will be blessed twice over beyond our wildest dreams!  Peace and Blessings until next time.

With Love,

Danica 

LIVING BY YOUR OWN “TERMS OF AGREEMENT" CONTRACT

In your everyday travels have you noticed recently, no matter what you either view online or purchase there is always a “Terms of Agreement” page to sign or check before proceeding.  This “Terms of Agreement” page is to notify the individual user or buyer of all the regulations in a contractual-obligation you will have to agree with in order to enjoy the benefits of a product.

As women, we are one of the most important “commodities” ever. I believe that we as individuals should have our very own “Terms of Agreement” clause when engaging in relationships with people in our everyday lives.  We should have regulations and standards for other individuals to deal with us on.  If one of these rules or “terms of agreements” are broken while in our presence, we should have no reservations dissolving any relationship with the person until our terms of agreement are met with zero compromises.

Today, basic individual respect for each other has wilted away in society. For women to maintain what we have left will take a personal “zero-tolerance” policy implemented in each individual consisting of her own values and morals.  What are your standards for dealing with individuals?  What are your term breakers?  What agreements are uncompromising to who you are and who you want to become as a woman?

 As for me I only have four basic terms and agreements;

1) Talk to me with respect. One disrespectful remark and all bets are off. First lesson learned in grade school is if you want respect you have to give it. We have all attended grade school at least!

2) Be positive.  Life is too short for negativity.  There is something positive in everyone. Find it!

3) Show love and receive love.  Tolerance and understanding is the basis of love.  The lack of love is what kills a person’s spirit.

4) No continual drama will be tolerated.  If I see that you love drama and can’t operate in anything else but drama itself…truly my term breaker!

As women, we have to remember that God did not put the word “WELCOME” on our foreheads. We were never to become a walking door mat. On the contrary, He stamped the word“WELCOME” in our hearts to love, nurture and heal those around us.   Peace and Blessings until next time!

With Love,

Danica

GOD’S PRETTY WOMAN (More Precious than Rubies)

                                                                             

My favorite story in the Bible is the story of the virtuous woman (Proverbs 31: 10-31).  This is a wonderful narrative account of how the ultimate woman should carry herself. The complete definition of what a woman is supposed to be lies within the words of this wonderful story. The main reason this story holds my heart and is my most desired story in the entire Bible is simply due to the fact of how the story begins in verse 10 with the sentences of, “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.”  Yes! That’s right ladies! At our best, we are more precious than rubies.  Even at our worst however, we are diamonds in the rough!

As you further engage yourself in this story, just the biblical resume of this woman’s description is overwhelmingly impressive.  She is described as a wife, mother entrepreneur, manager, vendor, fashion designer, philanthropist, and a mentor and beyond.  Basically, the virtuous woman’s life is a testament of her strength to maintain a constant overflow of blessing for her and her family as well as anyone else who encounters her very presence.

Unfortunately, this week on social media I witnessed a tremendous amount of women who have never read this story before or truly never understood it.  How do I know they probably never read the story before or really don’t understand their value is more precious than rubies?  Simply because of the way they viewed themselves as nothing but sexual objects. A display of unapologetic indecency for all to see was the agenda for most of these diamonds in the rough. If they have read this story and understand the wonderful meaning behind it, these diamonds would soon recognize that being a virtuous woman has nothing to do with outside beauty at all!  Becoming a virtuous woman starts from you desiring as a woman to build a lasting legacy that is based on more than outward appearances and greater than yourself.  Being God’s virtuous woman has everything to do with enhancing and blessing everything you touch for the greater good.  We as women are given the gift to leave things better than what we found them!

There was a simple reason why I did not tell the whole story of the virtuous woman verbatim.  I would like to implore my readers this day to read this life-changing story in Proverbs 31: 10-31.  I usually do not give homework, however, I challenge you to read this story.  I would love it if after reading this story it touches your life as it did mine so many years ago.  To make it even more relevant when you read it, I also challenge you to modernize it for your understanding.  Give it a personal touch!  When you read the word “she” as a woman insert your own name!  Feel free to post comments if you were enhanced in anyway by reading this wonderful story.

Wishing you peace and blessings for this week.  However as you go about your business this week ladies, keep in mind that favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised…………from my rubies to my diamonds!

With Love

Danica

LOVING THE NEXT MORE THAN THE EX

                                                                                      

Last night while on twitter talking about relationships, I replied to the prolific and wonderful Sophia Nelson’s tweets with a thought I was most recently enlightened to.  It is the unfortunate sentiments of some women after surviving a broken heart with the previous relationship to live by the motto of,” I will never love the next as hard as I love the ex!”  As for me, my motto is, “ I’m  going to love the next even greater than I ever loved the ex because I know and love myself now!”

After coming out of an abusive relationship and loving a person more than we loved ourselves, we know now what our limitations and boundaries consist of. We know now our capacity for loving but respecting ourselves in the process should not be viewed as a threat to the other individual. God did not create any of us to be a floor mat, but a loving and helpful compliment to one another.  We know we are worth more than gold and should be treated as such!  We know now that when someone keeps saying a relationship is fifty-fifty  it’s is a pure lie because this statement really means they only want to give fifty percent in the relationship .  A relationship is made up of each person giving one-hundred percent at all times! 

Basically, if we are not going to put our heart and soul into a relationship, it’s really not worth our time as well as the other individuals time and effort also.  Whether we are a woman or a man, we should all feel free to take a break in between relationships to re-evaluate where we are emotionally and psychologically before going into the next relationship.   Making the next person pay for the ignorance of the last is a pure sign that we are not ready to commit totally and continue on loves journey. 

Remember the race is not given to the swift but to the one that endures until the end.  Whether its life or love run this race with all of your might!

Peace and Blessings Until Next Time!

Love,

Danica

HOW NOT TO BECOME YOUR OWN CRITIC

                                                                     

                                                                   
Our negative critics are strategically placed before us  in life in everything we do.  Therefore the last thing they need is assistance by us when it comes to tearing ourselves down!  Critics are designed to kill our motivation.  They are designed to destroy our desire for life, therefore deterring us away from our destiny.

Problems arise when we join in along with our critics and put ourselves down also.  Every now and then, we program ourselves to buy into the negative ideas about our dreams, goals or even appearances at times.  We have been told by our critics we can't complete this or that for many reasons.  We have been programmed to believe that we are not smart enough to accomplish certain dreams and aspirations.  We have even been told  we are too big or too small to wear our favorite clothes.  Hearing negative feedback all the time for most of our lives can damper the light within ourselves.

In 2013  the solution is very simple. When you are trying to accomplish something positive, do not engage in  listening to any negative feedback whatsoever.  Know that you are wonderful no matter what your critics say.  Be very aware that God has equipped you and will continue to equip you with all you need to accomplish great things for not just the benefit of yourself, but the benefit of others as well.   Be humble, but always have confidence in your abilities.

I believe every woman this year should buy a beautiful, long  flowing chiffon dress, wear it twice a month while in the mirror spinning around and telling herself that she is, "Gone with the wind fabulous!"  While some critics may have laughed at Kenya Moore for doing exactly this on RHOA, the self-confident spirit those sentiments were done in should be all of our motto's as women for this year!  God designed us all wonderful and unique.  Women should not be afraid to walk in the blessings that we are given.  As for me, I am still looking for a chiffon dress to spin around in. The confidence that it takes to feel comfortable in who you are with the gifts that have been bestowed upon you should be all of our goals for 2013.  Women should be embracing ourselves with all of our flaws and failures working from the inside out,  thus putting our critics to rest.

Well as for me, I am off to the races.  I have a chiffon dress to look for!  I feel a spin coming on. (Smile!)

Peace and blessings until next time.
With Love,
Danica

ATLANTA HERE WE COME

                                                                       



Moving can be exciting, but yet scary.   As for me I am taking the leap and finally making the move I always desired to make.  Atlanta here I come! I am very excited, extremely overjoyed and a little scared at the same time.  For some reason, my heart has always been in Atlanta.  I can't recall when I knew Atlanta is where I needed to live, however for many years something inside was always pulling me there! We visited Marietta for the very first time last spring. It was beautiful. My children fell in love with it as did I. When we traveled into the city of Atlanta itself, it was evident this was our destiny.   I believe the pure rich heritage and culture just speaks to your spirit.  The essence of the city literally fills your being.

Who cares if it took a full  year for us to make that move! Usually coming to terms with the destiny God has for you always takes a little longer because we as humans are always looking for confirmation.  How does confirmation come you ask? When the very last door closes where you are and other doors are opening up where you need to be this is simply your greatest confirmation.  Learning what we need and what is desired for us usually happens in God's time not ours!  Embrace what is new and exciting and designed to continue to thrust you into the purpose God has ordained for you within.

So with that being said,  I am now recruiting my readers to leave comments on what you love about Atlanta. Please tell me the best points of the city and surrounding area! I am looking for the best restaurants, schools and of course poetry slams!  Please let's show Atlanta some love!!!

Peace and Blessings Until Next Time

With Love

Danica 

Author and Poet Danica Michelle Hobbs on Conversations LIVE 02/27 by middayconversations | Blog Talk Radio

Author and Poet Danica Michelle Hobbs on Conversations LIVE 02/27 by middayconversations | Blog Talk Radio

VALIDATION OF PURPOSE

                                                                       



Purpose.  God designed it for everyone to have daily.  Each day we live we are to operate fully in it.  However, finding your purpose is something that many people struggle with especially for women.  Since we were given the gift to be natural nurturers, we can often lose ourselves in what others would like us to become.  We often masks who we are to please those we love the most.  If there is any chance of stepping out of the status quo to become fully operational in our purpose, it is at times met with indifference and strife. This often results in women retreating and never living in our purpose. However, we need only to be responsible to the one who purposed us.......God.

 I recently came across an article in the Global Grind of a few women who were  disrespecting themselves at a recent annual, highly-publicized sporting event. It was stated these women disrespected themselves in many ways.  When I heard this story, my heart was so heavy.  Judging not these women's behavior, I just simply believe these women have not stepped into their purpose yet. I pray it will be revealed to them soon. Women who do not know their purpose can be dangerous to themselves more than anyone else.  However, women who have came into the knowledge of their purpose are dangerous (in a positive manner) to their families, communities and everyone around them!

One of my favorite biblical stories is that of the women at the well. Jesus and his disciples were traveling  and stopped in Samaria.  The disciples traveled on a half-mile further to buy food. However, Jesus stayed back at the well .  It was the hottest time of the day. Soon a Samaritan woman came by to gather water.  He then asked for her to draw him a drink from the well. Jesus gave her a run-down of her life's events.  He informed her how many husbands she had.  Jesus then continued on telling her that even the husband she is with now, is not her own!  He then informed her that if she follows him she could drink living water and never have to thirst again. After giving him a drink, she quickly ran off to tell others of her encounter with Jesus.  This women discovered her purpose.

Most of us women will have a "well experience". Usually for any of us to discover our purpose, especially as women,  it takes a life-altering situation. This is my story exactly. Like the woman at the well, we all need someone to speak life into us. They often reveal to us what we can be purposed to do. Unfortunately, the valley of our pain and hurt will help usher our purpose in faster than anything else. Truly, would most of us even listen any other way?

In 2013 the race is on! Finding your purpose whether it be to become a magnificent mother, or a dynamic daughter is first priority. So many people nowadays are counting on us to become what we need to become. I mean most women are almost perfect anyway,  we just need a little bit of tweaking here and there! (Smile)

Peace and Blessings!
With Love
Danica


                 

LIPS, HIPS AND FINGERTIPS

                                                                   

As I stand here today just a little bit concerned

About the only lesson by some of our young ladies learned

How to "drop it low" and "dip"

And only worry about their hips, lips and fingertips

Whatever happened to caring for a woman's complete mind, spirit and body as a whole

Unfortunately for a Coach and Prada bag some women have sold their souls

Women you are the intelligent and beautiful mothers and daughters of the earth

God ordained us to know our worth

Will the real women please take a stand

Grab a young girl by the hand, tell these young ladies

Over two-hundred dollar jeans please don't "trip"

Because your destiny is more than your hips, lips and fingertips

                                                                           

FORGIVE THEM (poem)

                                                                   



Forgive them for the times they made u cry
Or lied, or was never by your side
Forgive them for the times they ducked and dived
and conjured up many a sinful lies
Forgive them for promises made
That they would be the one you want to save
You from all the hurt and pain
This loves journey can be sometimes insane but
4 U forgive them
4 U forgive them
4 U forgive them
Then forget them 4 U!


The average person can learn invaluable life lessons everyday that is vital to their growth and development as a human being.  The most important lesson that any of us will learn be it man, woman or child is the act of forgiveness.  Forgiveness is definitely not designed  for the other person in the situation, but it was designed to bless you instead.   It helps to release all hurt, harm, resentment and anger.  For those qualities are much to burdensome for us to carry as human beings!  Please if you can forgive someone for the hurt or pain caused for a happening thirty years ago...do it...... TODAY!

Peace and Blessings Until Next Time
With Love
Danica

FROM THE INSIDE OUT

                                                                                   

Question. Could our outward so-called "image" become the one aspect of our lives holding us back, especially for younger women?  I pray it's not. However, in my travels, I became more aware that we may have unknowing raised a whole generation of beautiful  young girls and women whose central belief is completely based on outward appearances only. SHAME ON US! The most beautiful people I have ever met, had the most beautiful hearts and spirits first and foremost.

I recently viewed a group of young women whom had their hair all dolled-up. Even their faces were flawlessly made-up as they were barely balancing themselves walking in the latest pair of Jimmy Choo Shoes.   America's Next Top Model contestant's did not have anything on these young women!  Unfortunately, the words that proceeded out of these young ladies mouths and the behavior that ensued afterwards did not compliment them very well.

No matter what, I believe these young women are our unlearned beloved daughters.  They just simply are the product of what society have made them to become.  They were taught that outward appearances is more important than values and character. Their mixed-up morals is the sum of what society has inundated a culture with because of unrealistic images of women. These young women are truly our issue to correct and nurture.   

Solutions to this problem can be very simple. I believe we can actively take a young woman under each of our wings and nurture her. We can help build up her self-esteem and tell her that she is worth more than the jeans or shoes she flaunts.  If we let them know that beauty truly exudes itself from within, everything else will fall into place. We should simply tell these young women that anything we want to buy as a consumer is always quality vs the quantity. Meaning what's on the outside should just be an addition to the major component of the inside. This is the main reason you never see a beautifully decorated birthday cake served on a trash can top! Bon Appetit anyone? Oh yeah, who wants some?  No one! My point exactly!

Peace and Blessings Until Next Time
With Love
Danica

TAKE THE "S" OFF MY CHEST

                                                                               

Ladies in 2013, please disregard "Superwoman Syndrome" as a thing of the past.   As for me when it comes to "Superwoman Syndrome" I am retired with benefits.  The benefits of knowing as a woman we do not have to do everything perfectly, just what is most important and what is most fulfilling for ourselves and families. Making reference to my 2009 post Superwoman vs Virtuous Woman, I just would like to re-iterate once again,  "ladies feel free to take the "S" off of your chest."  Simply meaning in 2013, know the difference between fulfilling the tasks that you have to do, compared to the tasks that you want to do. We as women recognize that we must leave room for the small insignificant moments in life.  Fully appreciating the small everyday things that we can often take for granted while trying to be Superwoman.

Have you notice we live in a world of every convenience possible. Yet and still, we are now more busy than ever before.  The lesson learned in this is the more we strive to become everything blue-printed for us to become as women, the more we sacrifice something else all the more important.  I am just saying that we as women are more than enough!   Continuously running from one task to another just to live up to this mythical image that completing everything on our daily "to-do list" as part of our womanhood is a complete lie. Simply completing what you do best is good enough!  Recruit help for all the other minute tasks.  Never be too proud to ask for assistance.

For example, yesterday I had to cook a full course meal, work, clean, wash an entire week's worth of dirty clothes and take care of a recovering flu-sick child while trying to update my blog.  As I looked around at this impending day of constant running, I became easily overwhelmed.  While closing my eyes to take several deep breaths, only then did it all become clear to me. I soon threatened my sixteen year old to clean-up, while  recruiting my "honey-do" to fry the tilapia we were having for dinner, while I simply concentrated on the sides.  With the spare time, I took care of the flu-ridden ten year old and finally started to update my blog for the week. Your whole entire family can be recruited to help with everyday tasks.

"Superwoman Syndrome" is fully alive and well in our society.  However, to keep your everyday sanity, always feel free to take the "S" off of your chest to be ever present for yourself as well as your loved ones. Until next time.  Peace and Blessings!

With Love
Danica

                                                                           

WHEN HE TOLD ME.....................

                                                                         

                                                                           

                                    

WHEN HE TOLD ME  “YOU ARE PERFECT DON’T CHANGE A  SINGLE THING”

BEING HUMBLED NOT TO LET IT GO TO MY HEAD,

I REMEMBERED IN  ALL THE TOO DISTANT PAST,

THOSE LOVELY WORDS WOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN SAID.

WHEN HE TOLD ME,  “ PLEASE,  JUST  STAY THE  SAME WAY YOU ARE”

 I CAUTIOUSLY SMILED ,  SIGHED AND  LOOKED THE OTHER  WAY,

REPLAYING SCENES  OF LOVE  GONE WRONG,

SAYING TO MYSELF THIS MAN HAS NOTHING BETTER TO SAY.

ALL OF A SUDDEN,  RECALLING  GRANDMA’S LESSONS LEARNED  

TO  ALWAYS  BE MINDFUL  AS A LADY AND  LIVE ON A HIGH HILL

SHE OFTEN INSTRUCTED US WISELY

WHAT ONE PERSON WON’T DO, ANOTHER  SURELY WILL!

-Danica