DON'T WORRY BE HAPPY!!!

                                                                         

                                                                   


I am embarking on the journey of a lifetime.  Book tours, interviews, poetry workshops and readings has been my weekly itinerary.    I am so very excited for this time in my life.  I just want to encourage others also to follow your dreams in 2013.  Surround yourself with only positive, inspiring individuals who support you and your endeavors. Help others to then reach their dreams and goals after you have accomplished yours.  Pass the blessings on.  Although more than anything else for 2013,  more than anything at all, just be happy! Be happy for others, be happy for yourself as well.  There are so many things in this world to get us down everyday however Philippians 4:8 explains how to overcome this.  It simply says:

Philippians 4:8

King James Version (KJV)

⁸ Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

SIMPLY BE HAPPY!!!
Peace and Blessings until next time!!
Love Always Danica

MARDI GRAS MADNESS

A short history on Mardi Gras is as follows:   Rome converted to Christianity. The Churches founders then came to the conclusion to continue to instill certain aspects of Roman traditions. This time of celebration before leading up to the Lenten season, which Christians adhere as one of the most Holiest times of the year was filled with revelry and fun.  

Well as for me, I was so excited to partake in my first Mardi Gras Ball.  After fifty dollar tickets and a thirty-four dollar dress from Overstock.com, as well as a seventeen dollar pair of shoes to go along with the twelve dollar hair and five dollar necklace set I was so pumped! (I know.... I'm a cheap date!)

I had a wonderful time. Truly this ball was all it was cracked up to be.  Everyone should experience a Mardi Gras ball.  I did the "wobble" until I could not "wobble" anymore! All of the women attendees were beautifully decked out in gowns and evening dresses.  All of the male attendees were handsomely dressed.  

However, the one thing I loved about the entire experience, was the diversity.  White, Black, Indian, Asian.  It was such a beautiful sight. Goes to show that embracing each other in fun and love is very much possible! Well since I am recuperating from last night, this is a short blog!!! I will make it up to you soon!!!Peace and Blessings!!!

                                                                           

My Gift: Always A Blessing Never A Curse

Using a non-didactic, narrative anecdotal, hyperbole style with multiple characterizations for my protagonist and antagonist is how best to describe my first book of short stories entitled, “The Yellow Legacies”.  Now if you did not understand my first sentence, you are probably not a writer and that’s okay too! (You’re cute so you will always have a job!)

However, I’ll explain everything and then some.  The word non-didactic means not informative.  The phrase narrative anecdotal means a narrated piece of work with a short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.  The word hyperbole means giving the character exaggerated traits.  The word characterization is giving the reader a background on your character. The word protagonist is the main character of the story.  The word antagonist is the person who goes against the system in one’s story. So when I wrote "The Yellow Legacies" while researching different writing styles these are the ones I chose.  I was also able to characterize individuals and add traits. However, on some characters I took away traits. I also made-up some backgrounds and made-up all dialogue..  Because these were characters loosely based on individuals, I had that option as a first-time creative writer. Now that we have cleared that up, we can further engage.

As a child I always wanted to become a writer.  The first poem I ever wrote was published in the local Vindicator Mini Page.  This was our local newspaper in Youngstown, OH.  The second poem I ever wrote was highly regarded by my teacher and I was asked to read it at an annual Dr Martin Luther King Jr. day luncheon.  Those two instances help set the stage for me to embrace my gifts and talents as a writer.  Unfortunately, life happens and often your God-given gifts and talents are thrust to the back of your life’s shelves!

Fast forward my life to 2006 when I sat at my computer and wrote the “The Yellow Legacies”. It took a little under one year to write and seven years to publish.  All situations are real, however, all dialogue is made-up.  All situations can be verified and some are even by public record.  I came up with the idea of writing my novel of short stories after watching the play “Martin and Malcolm”. It is a play about what happened when they met for that one and only time.  No other entity was ever allowed in the room.  So they were the only one’s who will know the real conversation.  The writer and director decided to make-up all the dialogue because nobody ever knew what was really said.  I found this fact fascinating.  

I was so excited after it was done I decided to share it with my family.  With the one copy I had on hand, I passed it around.  They were very entertained.  Some even complimented me and said I had a talent for writing. One family member even said, "You all must admit out of all the stories my character seems the most interesting" as we all laughed and agreed.  Now, fast forward to January 2013 when I became an official published author. Most family are now upset.  I am so disappointed and confused. It saddens me that my gift upset people.  I am doing writing workshops for teenagers and holding self-esteem and poetry workshops to help young women who are hurting. This is also setting the stage for my “Purple Legacies Foundation” which helps young women to write and share their gifts and talents. "The Purple Legacies", is also my second book’s title going to print in 90 days.

The only thing I ever wanted to do was to encourage my young women who I mentored for years, that no matter what you go through in life, you can truly overcome any and everything. You can fulfill your dreams and become whatever you want no matter what obstacle you have in front of you.  My former clients email and call me all the time and inform me of how proud they are for my first book.   My gift has brought me a lot of joy knowing that I can help young women believe they can achieve.  As for my family all I can say is, “I’m sorry for the distress you say this has caused you.  I am not sorry for using my gift. I love you all and always will! Peace and Blessings to you and all your future endeavors always!”

With Love and Sincerity,
 Danica

FAITH NOT FEAR (conclusion- akaThank You God!)

     "There is nothing there," were the words that articulated out of the mouth of a wonderful doctor named Perrico at the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center.  After going through a second mammogram and ultra-sound, this was his findings. And with one utterance from the doctor, I knew life could really begin.  Besides my boys telling me they love me, these words were truly the sweetest thing I had ever heard.

      What a journey this has been. I am so overjoyed and full of gratitude. There are genuinely no words to describe the conclusion of this heart-wrenching, emotionally draining, positively life-altering journey I had been on recently during this time of my life. Possibly facing a situation that means you could perhaps be dealing with your own immortality makes your daily outlook on life a more meaningful experience. The way that I viewed life before is conceivably not the way I view life now.

     The most knowledgeable staff I had ever been around took great care of me from beginning to the end.  From Amy, the very caring and compassionate nurse to the most personable and knowledgeable and "easy on the eyes" (lol) Dr. Perrico, a very difficult experience was made easier by their caring nature.   Also meeting Jill Townshend the Breast Health Navigator who is very sincere about her work as well as Juli Dulay the manager of the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center who did a wonderful intake with me was an added bonus to this experience. Meeting James Schultis the president of the HMHP devleopment foundation (who raises funding and dontations)  to whom much of the gratitude is also owed.  With that being said, the icing on the the cake was meeting Dr. Rashid Abdu the visionary himself.  

     The beauty of the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center facility itself was second to none.   The calm color of brown and soft blue hues and the warming granite around the facility made the experience feel even more like a home setting instead of a hospital setting. 

      Although this was my positive diagnosis, soon after, very heavy on my heart was the many women who did not or will not receive the same positive report as myself.  Working at Hospice for many years, I have seen the very worst of these situations.  Never taking for granted these women who are diagnosed frequently with breast cancer and fight a war with their lives was someones beloved mother, wonderful sister, dedicated daughter and loyal friend .  I realized over those years working at Hospice, that God doesn't love the well anymore than he loved the sick. Breast cancer or any other illness was no respecter of person, dreams, color or socio-economic status. 

     Bearing all of these things in mind,  I now urge every woman to advocate for other women who suffers from breast cancer. I persuade all women to support each other in making other's conscious of educational awareness tips like those that Dr. Perrico discussed with me; monthly self-exams and routines yearly check-ups. Also do not be afraid to get a second opinion just like I had received.  

    The tears I cried on this journey is nothing compared to the depth of joy in knowing I was given another chance to get things right in my life.  My first novel will be published next month, my boys are happy and excited about their new adventure in life. No matter where this life will take us, most of all I can now say it is faith not fear that will ultimately sustain us all!  Peace and Blessings until next time.

FAITH NOT FEAR (continued)

 

     While working at HMHP St. Elizabeth Hospital Health facility over the last several years, many additional services were added to help enhance their network of health care options to assist the community in their needs.  One of those facilities however is playing even more of a vital role in my life as well as the community at large. The Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center was created to improving services to women in Youngstown, Oh and surrounding areas.

     Joanie Abdu was a head RN at the facility for many years. Being diagnosed with and succumbing to  breast cancer, her husband Dr. Rashid Abdu dedicated his life to eliminating many of the hurdles they endured while navigating through her breast cancer treatments. Struggles for a woman diagnosed with breast cancer like long waits, or even longer trips to an out of town facility can cause many delays in their treatment and waste precious time for much needed services.

     I can tell you by first-hand experience the shortened-time for patients to seek efficient care at the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center had been at least fourteen days earlier than a prior appointment made. Waiting has never been a desired tactic when your life is concerned.  However,  I called today and they made an appointment for me very soon. My first appointment at a different facility was on June 4th. It averages out to about two weeks difference versus another facilities appointment. Out of the many people we can thank for this along with HMHP,  Dr. Rashid Abdu is top of my list along with the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive  Breast Care Center's wonderful staff!

     I will continue to document this journey I entitled, "Faith Not Fear" to help advocate for and provide information to any other women who must go on this journey. Having continued faith in God as well as those who God appoints to take care of their community is vital in this faith journey. I pray that if you ever wanted to support a cause, the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center located in Youngstown, Ohio is the best of it's kind. Peace and blessings until next time!!!

     To find out more about the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center, please see link below. http://www.hmpartners.org/joanieabdu_about.aspx

FAITH NOT FEAR

 

                                                                           

      I desired to be an advocate writing for women's issues.   For some reason life keeps thrusting me into a plethora of  interesting subjects to reflect on as an outlet to continually help other women.  My latest is being told today I have a mass in my right breast very passively by a doctor who after a little speech, of how I need a biopsy, never came back in the room.  " WOW!", I thought.  This cannot be happening after all that I had been through.

    

      Any woman who has ever been on this journey is very much in tune to how devastating this process can be.  A million thoughts can race through your mind.  First and foremost, women often think about their children.  After the initial shock and onset of tears and a quick ride on the "emotional roller coaster of your life" you come to a conclusion it's truly faith not fear that will take you through this journey.  I had a feeling of peace come over me today after my initial shock.  Not once, but twice or more did I receive a peace that surpassed all understanding.  A feeling that everything would be okay.  God's Holy Spirit took control and made everything clear that this too would be well. 

    The most simplistic definition of faith is a belief that is not based on proof.  Matthew 17:20 and Luke 17:6 both states if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can move mountains.  I know I have complete trust in God through Jesus to help me make it through whatever I have to learn on this journey. I just would like to inspire other woman to always trust and keep the faith no matter what you are told.  Having faith and not fear is the only way to make it through any struggle that life can drum up.

     I was going to keep this to myself and not disclose it because of  the stigma of women and breast cancer.  A big portion of our self-esteem as women is tied to our breast.  They are a big part of our sexuality. However, I was ordained to be transparent and  enhance women's lives.  That is exactly what I am going to do by sharing my story. I am going to document my path to help someone along the way.    As for treatment, I will have a biopsy done soon. Usually, these tumors are benign (non-cancerous).  See God is showing himself faithful to me already!!!

     As a writer, writer's-block can come upon any creative individual at any time.  This had been happening to me, quite often recently.  However, there is something called life which makes your creative flow,  undoubtedly the most surreal, inspirational experience ever. You see, since I was a child I always wanted to become a prolific writer.  I begged and pleaded with God to get me out of my 9-5 and let me become successful as a writer.  And he did!!! Be careful what you ask for because you just might get it!!!Peace and Blessings until next time.  

   

"KEEP IT MOVING"

     As I prepare to embark on the journey of my life with the release of my first book,  I just would like to encourage women especially, no matter what keep life moving.  Don't let anything or anyone stop you from accomplishing your goals and dreams.  

     Life can be so harsh and cruel. Most times we are so broken from our experiences that we just give up.  However, we always have to keep it moving.  Meaning we have to continue to move forward and not become stagnant in life for any reason.   

     My book is entitled, "The Yellow Legacies."  It is about my experiences growing up as a child and situations I witnessed in my family home.  The color of the house was yellow.   However,  I actually wrote this in 2006.  Because of life's circumstances my dreams and desires were put on the back burner. I was so broken I had lost all hope in becoming a published author.  However, emerging from my situation recently as a much stronger individual, I now see the solution to many of my life circumstances.  It is simply when you feel like you have no more strength to go on, you must just place one foot in front of the other.   You must at all cost never stop striving for yourself and your children.   

     My next book is called, "The Purple Legacies."  An 8 Year Journey Through Emotional Abuse and How to Overcome.   My book is called,  "The Purple Legacies" because my favorite color is purple.   You see, purple in ancient times represented the finest and highest quality of material.  Anything consisting of the color purple was so expensive to make, only Kings and Queens could afford it.  Therefore, it represented a sign of royalty.  Everything in my kitchen in those nine awful years of my life were purple. My microwave,  toaster,  dishes,  pots and pans and even curtains and rugs all were a decorative purple.  No matter what hell I was put through anywhere else in the house, when I walked into my kitchen I was reminded that regardless of the negative situation I was still royalty. I was still a queen although I was not being treated like one.  It was the only thing that truly kept me going at times.

     Ecclesiastes 9:11 states,  For the race is not given to the swift nor the battle to the strong, but the one who endures to the end.  Simply put, "Keep it Moving!"  Peace and Blessings until next time.