Mellow Monday Throwback

Mondays are usually hard for me. The first day of the week and the last thing you want to do first thing Monday morning is get out of bed after a cozy night of sleep. So naturally at the end of it all a nice smooth throwback eases my tenseness from the day and settles my mind. So this particular day I reminisced of an old Christion Song...played it and relaxed to a hot bath and olive oil treatment.

Thoughts on Last nights program on Why Successful Black ladies can't find a man

 As I watched the program, I agreed a great deal with my man in my head Hill Harper, lol. He really made a lot of sense. And even though folks hate on Steve Harvey he was on point at times also. At the end of the day you need to be comfortable in your own skin, confident, and trust a higher power for your decisions. I'm not preaching, just spitting the facts. I don't consider myself to have a bio clock anymore. If I drop a few kids, great, if not, no biggie. It ain't my time now and I ain't ready anyhow. I am so excited about fulfilling my purpose I was created for that those worries fall by the waist side. I love that we had a chance to put that open communication out there to clear up some of the misconceptions between men and women. That was truly needed. If you missed last night click the second link below to watch.

Check out this hot article and program on Why we successful black ladies can't find a man
  Nightline Face-Off: Why Can't a Successful Black Woman Find a Man? Sparks, Sincerity, Sass Fill Atlanta Auditorium in Seventh 'Nightline Face-Off'
By Eric Johnson

http://abcnews.go.com/nightline/faceoff

Five Ways To Deal With Racism

Being positive, composed, and unaffected by others ignorance is most certainly easier said than done. Fear not. Try the following tips and practices to help ease the sting...

Racism is still alive and thriving today. It was certainly apparent in the past events surrounding the passing of the healthcare bill. Many people were shocked and disappointed. This is proof that racism is a way of life and will probably not disappear any time soon, if at all. Being positive, composed, and unaffected by others ignorance is most certainly easier said than done. Fear not. Try the following tips and practices to help ease the sting.

Remember to remain cool, calm, and collected.

Always be as cool as a cucumber. Showing your anger is showing that you are bothered and affected by a rude comment or inappropriate statement. Of course you are pissed off but never let that show. Learn how to remain calm and poised. Then follow the necessary procedures to make a report or type up a letter to send to the appropriate authorities. Do not shrug off the incident because it more than likely will occur again. Standing up for your respect and equality will help the next individual whether you realize it or not.

Remember your history, and educate yourself.

It is said that history remains one of our biggest teachers. We as a people have endured and experienced a great deal to enjoy the pleasures and everyday lifestyles we share in this country. Take the time to read up on the many stories of adversity our ancestors faced day to day. Acknowledge and reflect on the historic events and gain a sense of appreciation. Continue to further educate yourself on not just the overall history but also your family history. Learn about your own family member’s accomplishments. Discuss and share the information with your children.

Listen to others’ testimonies and experiences.

It is definitely inspiring and one can gain encouragement from hearing the triumphs of another. You are not the only individual who has experienced racism and you certainly will not be the last. Learn how others have dealt with racism and know you are not alone.

Vent. Share your experience with positive people.

Share your experience with trusted friends and family. Positive people have a way of helping you take a negative situation or experience and see it as an opportunity to make it become a positive event.

Channel your frustration.

Use energy and anger from the experience to create something such as poetry, a work of art, a song, or even start writing a book. Record your thoughts and focus your attention on something productive. There is a reason for every encounter we have in our lives, good and bad.

Click here for the original article on mahoganybutterfly.com

Poetry Friday

Love Song for Lucinda
Love Is a ripe plum Growing on a purple tree. Taste it once And the spell of its enchantment Will never let you be. Love Is a bright star Glowing in far Southern skies. Look too hard And its burning flame Will always hurt your eyes. Love Is a high mountain Stark in a windy sky. If you Would never lose your breath Do not climb too high. Langston Hughes

Notre Dame Has First Black Valedictorian - Topix

I love hearing great news and seeing our accomplishments in the media!
Notre Dame Has First Black Valedictorian - Topix

Happy Humpday all....Maya Angelou Quotes...Enjoy

Time to bring another must have quote from my favorite lady the beautiful Maya Angelou. When I first read these quotes in her book Wouldn't Take Nothing For My Journey Now, I was like, wow, these are definitely words to live by, and so I do.

"Women should be tough, tender, laugh as much as possible, and live long lives. The struggle for equality continues unabated, and the woman warrior who is armed with wit and courage will be among the first to celebrate victory"

"It seems easier to lie prone than to press against the law of gravity and raise the body onto its feet and persist in remaining vertical."

Good food for thought, huh?

Gina Renay, a sista with a serious right hook

I had the pleasure of interviewing a very inspirational designer and businesswoman Gina Renay. I spoke with the lovely mom-preneur to discuss her life, goals, how she started her career and advice she can give to aspiring artists and business owners facing adversity in today’s tough economy.

Gina Renay is a knitwear designer, costume designer, crochet instructor/coach, motivational speaker, wardrobe stylist, and sales representative. She has been crocheting since childhood and is taking the art of crochet to a whole new level. She designs hats, skirts, scarves, dresses, handbags, earrings, ponchos, belts using her unique crocheting techniques. She also makes her own fabric with crochet.

MABU: As a mother, how do you manage your business and family?

Gina Renay: I have 3 daughters, 17, 15, and 13. My children are creative, self sustaining, believe in me and are in mom’s corner. We inspire each other. I use them as my muse. You got to have the clothes on people. I don’t push mannequins down the runway. I like to embody a person’s creative spirit. It can take a whole lifetime to live your life, all we have right now is this moment.

MABU: When did you first learn to crochet?

Gina Renay: At age 9. I used to dress and make his and her clothing for my Barbie dolls. I was self taught.

MABU: Wow you were just a child. So where did the idea to become a fashion designer using crochet techniques come from?

I never went to school for this. I was in school majoring in court stenography. I was asked to provide fashion designs to a college, and asked to participate in a fashion design scholarship. I was surprised to learn that I did not have to be a fashion design student at the school to participate.

MABU: That is a true blessing. It takes a special person to create the beautiful fashions you share with the world. What is your inspiration?

Gina Renay: If you got a dream, put it out there. I grew up in New York, in the projects. No one was doing anything like this. I had dreams of getting out and seeing the world. I used to go down to the village and Central Park and jest people watch. I knew there was a better life. I lived in Mississippi and became a Katrina evacuee. We lost everything. The day we left was the day before Katrina hit. We went to Georgia to visit family. I thought to myself, “you have a life”. When we got back the water came above my waist. We’re give new life everyday.

MABU: You teach others how to sew. How long have you been teaching your acquired skills to others?

Gina Renay: For two and a half years. I also used to have a TV show called the awesome crochet. I taught classes to black and white women. People said to me, “you don’t want to go to Mississippi, they hang black people”. I wasn’t brought up with that mentality. I helped to bring people together for a common reason, crocheting.

MABU: You stared adversity in the face and smiled pushing onward. Any advice you can give to aspiring entrepreneurs dealing with adversity during these tough economic times?

Gina Renay: I distract myself. I look back at my work, journal, review goals, meditate, pray, repeat words of truth, inspiring quotes. I don’t stay in one position, a position of defeat. Sometimes you have to be comfortable doing it alone. Give yourself to others. I volunteer to teach crochet twice a month as a part of the creative crochet club. You have to write the vision. You really have to get outside of yourself, and get encouragement. I look at my students as my creative children. There is your natural children and your creative children. You have to raise and nurture them. Does a good mother forget her children? Also be mindful that you never know who may be watching you. Three years ago I gave someone one of my business cards. This same woman approached me and stated “I recognize you and like what you’re doing”. She said she has been to my website several times and is aware of my crochet club. I was surprised.

MABU: What new projects are you working on?

Gina Renay: A television show, magazine, and video blog. I am working to open up my foundation to help others realize the gift of their hands. Helping others give gifts through creating a gift of hand legacy. I will continue teaching.

For additional information and to view more of Gina’s work visit her website at www.ginarenay.com.

Read the original article at www.mahoganybutterfly.com

April Is...

This month celebrates two things very important to moi. National Poetry Month and Alcohol Awareness Month. I love poetry more than just because it may sound pleasant to a nice jazz beat or funked out instrumental but mainly because its words. Period. Words used in abstract ways, words recited in abstract ways whether rhyming, singing, soulful, dark, energetic, inspiring or just simply put. This is the one type of expression that is used by the young and old and in between and can be seen anywhere and everywhere. Alcohol Awareness is equally important if not more so because too many folks lose their lives to drunk driving and too many folks tend to underestimate the dangers of driving while intoxicated. The holidays are often the key times when folks drive a bit too tipsy. So with my thoughts varying from one end of the field to across the other side my silent prayers are with those who lost loved ones either to drunk driving or alcoholism and to those overcoming alcoholism as well as the poets who grace the earth.

God Bless.