Don't Have a Skinny Goat Mentality

I'm sure most of you have heard the phrase, "you get back what you put out." When you hear that phrase, you may think back to when your mom told you to treat people the way you want to be treated. Guess what? Mom was right! However, you can get back so much more if you are putting out positive energy. We treat other people right because as a human being that's what we're supposed to do and in return, we get it back tenfolds. I use this example because everyone is able to relate to it. But, continuing to put out positive energy into the universe can bring you a lifetime of prosperity, abundance and happiness. The universe can be translated in many ways. Some refer to it as just that, the universe, others consider it the holy ghost or the holy spirit, while others just consider God. If you continue to think negative and pronounce negativity over your life, then guess what? You're going to continue to have negative experiences. So, I challenge everyone today to stop walking around with a "skinny goat mentality." Stop hanging around toxic people (because remember, misery loves company), stop declaring you'll never prosper or you'll never be able to afford the finer things in life. And by all means, do not think that where ever you are in your life today is where you are supposed to be. In other words, do not accept complacency. Declare everything you want out of life... be it a high paying career, a big house on a lake, a spouse and 2.5 children, perfect health, to lose that extra ten pounds or that BMW you've been eyeing for years.

Here are some helpful hints to help you achieve what you want and to keep you on the right path:

1. Journal-- think of all the things you want to accomplish or what you want out of life and write it down. It always helps to refer back to it later as a reminder. Once you've done that, write down how you plan to achieve it. (Let's face it, you have to work for what you want in life).

2. Affirmations-- Look at yourself in the mirror every morning and tell yourself "today is going to be a wonderful day", tell yourself "you are a wonderful person and that you deserve all the good things that are coming your way". Eventually, you will believe this because guess what? It's the truth!

3. Manifestations-- Think of the career you want, the house you want to live in, the car you want to drive, the trip you want to take or whatever it is you want. Then, close your eyes and visualize yourself in the experience.

4. ONLY surround yourself with positive people... people who want the same things in life as you do, people who have the same goals and interests as you do.

5. Wake up happy and excited about what this day is going to bring. Be excited about your life and only expect great things will come your way.

HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!

Proud Mama!

No, I'm not a mother, yet. But I am a proud godmother of this beautiful 16-year old who just recently entered the world of modeling. I just received this picture of her via cell phone and I just had to share how proud I am of her. Not only is she pretty, she's also a straight "A" student and a fierce point guard for her high school basketball team and a GREAT kid. I'm totally gushing as I'm writing this, can't you tell?

Beauty and Brains

As you can tell from my last post, I'm on this whole "go for what you want" kick. Not a bad kick to be on, don't you agree? Well, thanks to another one of my favorite blog sites, it was brought to my attention that Amy DuBois Barnett, former editor-in-chief of Teen People, just released her new book, Get Yours! The Girlfriends' Guide to Having Everything You Ever Dreamed of and More. It's a guide to inspire you to overcome your fears and to not only pursue your goals, but to achieve them. I first became familiar with Barnett when she was the EIC of Honey Magazine. I enjoyed reading her editor's letter to the readers section and just from reading her words, she seemed so down-to-earth and genuine. It was almost like she was speaking directly to me. There was always a picture to accompany her passage in which she always looked so classy and stylish. Then, I learned that the beautiful and successful woman also has a beautiful mind to boot. Barnett received her B.A. from Brown University and an MFA from Columbia University. She also worked on Wall Street before starting her career in the field of journalism. I also just learned that her mother, Marguerite Ross Barnett, was the first black woman president of my soon-to-be alma mater, the University of Houston. Talk about your six degrees of separation. As someone who is definitely "going for hers" and knows that I can truly have it all, I think Barnett's life experiences and success is a trustworthy model to follow. So run out to your local Barnes & Noble or log onto Amazon and buy the book!

Live Your Dream!

I just began reading The Women of Brewster Place and I came across the poem by Langston Hughes, ...A Dream Deferred, which is also at the beginning of the play, A Raisin in the Sun. At the moment I read it, it resonated something in me and it made me realize that I have just began to truly live my dream. I'm a prime example that it is never too late to go after what you want in life. Though I won't divulge my true age, I can tell you that I am a young, thirty-something woman. I've held just about every job you can possibly imagine and yet, I never felt fulfilled. I decided two years ago to go back to school to complete my degree in journalism and I'm proud to say I'll be graduating in December. I say this with the most sincerity, if I can do it, anybody can. I won't pretend it was easy, because the last few months have been pretty difficult going to school full time. However, I have a strong support system and loving parents who want to see me succeed. I challenge everyone who reads this post to step out on faith and go after your dreams because we only live once and we might as well live it doing something we love and that makes us feel good. Whether it's backpacking around the world, climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro or writing your memoirs, make a decision today to "Make it Happen!"

What Happens to a Dream Deferred?

Does it dry up

like a raisin in the sun?

Or fester like a sore--

And then run?

Does it stink like rotten meat?

Or crust and sugar over

like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags

like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

--Langston Hughes

Search for Chicago woman could come to an end

The search for a 28-year old pharmaceutical rep who has been missing for more than a week could soon come to an end. An uncle of Nailah Franklin says a body identified in a wooded area in Calumet, Il, a suburban neighborhood of Chicago, could be the body of the missing woman according to police. Franklin was reported missing when she failed to show up for work on September 19. The body of the woman has not been positively identified.

The Struggle for the Jena 6 Continues

The lone, black teenager jailed for the beating of a white classmate was released today on $45,000 bail. Seventeen-year old Mychal Bell was facing 15 years in prison for aggravated second-degree battery but prosecutor Reed Walters has decided to lower the sentence. Instead, Bell could be held until his 21st birthday if he is found guilty in a juvenile court. I'm still perplexed as to why none of the white students, who hung nooses on the "all-white students' tree," are not facing any criminal charges because the last time I checked, the hanging of nooses is a hate crime. I would also like to know why black Americans (as well as other minorities) have to continue to fight for equal rights and justice, yet our commander-in-chief continues to send our young men off to fight a senseless war in Iraq for their democracy. Not once have I heard George W. Bush address this heinous act in Jena. Honestly, I am not one to scream racism, but I find myself agreeing more and more with Kanye West's comment made in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina. After two years, the people of New Orleans are still unable to return home because they have no home to return to, but he continues to try to rebuild Iraq... It's "1964" all over again in Jena, La., but Bush has decided to ignore that, as well. Am I the only one who feels like this?

(Photo courtesy of AP press. from l to r: Rev. Al Sharpton, Mychal Bell, Pastor T.D. Jakes)

In Theaters September 28th

Hey everyone! I just thought I'd plug The Kingdom starring Jamie Foxx opening Friday. In route to my boot camp class this morning, I listened to him on the Tom Joyner Show talking about the movie. He says working on the movie was intense and that it was a learning experience for him. The movie was filmed primarily in Phoenix, but he said parts were filmed in Dubai and Abu Ghraib. Jamie was so taken by the people in the Middle East that he suggested "everyone go out and get a passport and visit somebody else's country." He also stated that there are a lot of misconceptions about the Middle East and it's people. So, grab your favorite movie buddy and check out the movie. He promised the movie will not disappoint.

Black Americans are thinking for themselves...

I gasp a heavy sigh as I'm writing this. Unless you've been hiding out with Osama in a cave somewhere, I'm sure you've read or heard about Bill O'Reilly's latest idiotic gaffe. Apparently, FOX's favorite far-right winger had dinner with Al Sharpton at Harlem's iconic Sylvia's restaurant earlier this week. If you've never visited Harlem, Sylvia's is a popular soul food restaurant on Lenox Avenue (probably the most well-known soul food restaurant in the country) and has been there since 1962. Bill was so impressed with his Sylvia's experience that he decided to share it with his syndicated talk show audience. I'm not sure what black people Bill has been hanging around or maybe his only image of black America is from watching old Tarzan movies, or maybe he's watched Boyz n the Hood too many times... but he just couldn't fathom that dining at a black-owned restaurant patronized by predominantly black folks is like dining at any other restaurant in New York. "I mean, it was exactly the same, even though it's run by blacks, primarily black patronship," O'Reilly said. IMAGINE THAT? Can someone please tell him that the correct term is patronage not patronship? God only knows what his expectations were; for all we know he was probably wishing he would have donned a bullet-proof vest. He later told FOX news contributor Juan Williams, "There wasn't one person in Sylvia's screaming: MF-er, I want more tea." My guess is that he thinks Barack Obama is the only articulate black person walking around in America. He continued saying, "...they were ordering and having fun. And there wasn't any kind of craziness at all." WOW! But, just when you think he couldn't say anything else stupid, he commented, "I think black Americans are starting to think more and more for themselves. They're getting away from the Sharptons and the Jacksons and the people trying to lead them into a race-based culture. They're just trying to figure it out. 'Look, I can make it. If I work hard and get educated, I can make it.'' News flash Bill, this is 2007 not 1807. Perhaps someone can give him a crash course in "The Advancement of Black People 101." Any takers?

Good information worth sharing

I just had to get the word out about this sensational product I stumbled upon while reading a post from one of my new fave blogs, Style Ammo. According to her post, she was at an African Arts Festival in Brooklyn searching for skin products and noticed a 40'ish woman with beautiful, baby-smooth skin. When she asked the woman what she used on her skin, she was directed to Oshun face and body scrub. According to my fellow blogger, she swears she had "incredibly clear skin" after using it for only one week. So you know I immediately clicked on the website to find it, right! I have been struggling with severe acne for the last six months, and for a 30-something-year old woman, that just isn't sexy. Needless to say I ordered the product immediately because I'm tired of walking around looking like a spotted leopard. Having to wear make-up just to go to the grocery store is getting old. So, now I'm waiting impatiently for my god-send of a product to arrive. I promise to deliver a testimony as soon as I see results.

The Sexiest Bachelor, Ever?

It might be safe to say that I'm in love with this season's new "Bachelor." Brad Womack is a 34-year old self-made millionaire, but that's not what I find so attractive about him... although that doesn't hurt. Not only is he extremely handsome, he's a true southern guy from Austin, TX with down-home southern manners to match. He's also a hardworking, blue collar worker at heart. In the intro of tonight's show he said that he is ready to get down on one knee and propose to the woman of his dreams. Well, didn't he know all he had to do was come to Houston and find me? So far, some of these women, maybe even most of the women, appear to be a little too desparate. I'm also a little annoyed with the ONLY black woman on the show who introduced herself as "Miss Brown Shuga." Come on already! We get one black woman to represent us on the show and she says some ignorant garbage like that. Her real name is Rigina (sic) and she's an account representative from San Diego, so I know she's able to say something a little wittier than that. Anyway, why does ABC opt to put a black woman on the show when she's never given a rose? I don't know, maybe she's there strictly for the "experience." Well, I could go on and on about that, so I digress. Stay tuned for more The Bachelor updates. I can't wait to see which women are going to receive a rose.

It's a Girl for Salma Hayek!

The gorgeous, 41-year old, Mexican-born actress and executive producer of hit show Ugly Betty gave birth to a brand new baby girl Friday. Mommy and new baby, Valentina Paloma, are reported as healthy and doing well. This is the first child for Hayek and her businessman fiance, Francois-Henri Pinault.

On a side note, this gives me hope that it's not too late for me to find the man of my dreams and have the kids I've always wanted to have. OK, I'm not 40 yet, but time is steady ticking. I have much respect for 40 and over women who made the choice to have their children later in life and still have their careers and a loving mate. (Note to self: We can have it all!)

I guess 40 really is the new 30. Cheers!

Second NFL Major Injury This Season

The Texans are breathing a sigh of relief today after visiting injured defensive tackle Cedric Killings at Houston's Methodist Hospital. The 29-year old suffered a neck injury when he collided into the Colts' Roy Hall at Sunday's game.

During the second quarter, many fans looked on quietly as Killings lay on the field while being treated by team doctors, with many players, both Texans and Colts, kneeling in prayer. Though he was able to visually see his hands and fingers move, he told coach Gary Kubiak that he couldn't feel anything down low.

"Initially he made a couple of comments that he couldn't feel down low," said Kubiak in a statement to the Houston Chronicle. "As he lay there and talked to us, he did move everything."

Visiting teammates said Killings was "chilling, smiling, laughing and feeling fine."

Killings' injury was a little too familiar to the NFL just two weeks after Bills' tight end Kevin Everett suffered a major spinal cord injury.

Everett, who is now undergoing treatment at Houston's Memorial Hermann Hospital, is not yet walking but has gained minor movement in his arms and fingers.

The Texans, who made franchise history by winning two season-opener games in a row, lost to the Colts 24-30. Although not a victory on the field, they definitely have something to celebrate said Texans veteran defensive end N.D. Kalu in a statement to the Houston Chronicle.

"It feels like a victory right now — not a victory on the field, but a victory in life."

(Photo courtesy of the AP press)

New Fall TV Season

OK, I will admit I'm a self-proclaimed TV junkie and I am so psyched about this fall's new TV line up. Of course, favorites like Grey's Anatomy, Brothers & Sisters, Girlfriends (I hear Jill Marie Jones "Toni Childs" will make an appearance this season), ANTM and Dancing with the Stars will be back. But perhaps the most anticipated show debuting this season is the premiere of CBS's Cane. The Duques are an immigrant family from Cuba who went from rags to riches producing and selling sugar; hence the title, Cane. It's a show about family and betrayal, sort of like the Latin version of Dynasty; filled with drama, love, sex and dare I say it, incest. Jimmy Smits makes his come back portraying Alejandro Duque, the adopted son of the patriarch of the Duques. Here's the kicker... he's married to his adopted sister. Should be interesting. There's other familiar faces such as Hector Elizondo, Chicago Hope and Rita Moreno, West Side Story. Nonetheless, I look forward to watching a show with Latin flavor starring a lot of beautiful people... Jimmy Smits makes me drool! Cane premieres on CBS Tuesday, September 25 at 9pm central standard time. Unfortuately, I'll be in class from 7-10pm but thank goodness for podcasts. Happy viewing!

Welcome to my page!

Hello everyone! I'm someone who's more comfortable expressing myself on paper and like most people, I feel I have something to say. Some may agree, many may disagree, but hey that's the beauty of freedom of speech and freedom of the press, right? I'm a southern girl from Louisiana, now living in Texas, who's traveled all around the world and throughout the States. So far, I've lived my life to the fullest and I've had wonderful experiences but I'm not finished living, yet. I'm an aspiring writer who likes to write about any and everything with big dreams of becoming a best-selling novelist and a sought-after screenwriter. I enjoy reading, writing, good food, fine wine, listening to good music and looking at all things beautiful. I look forward to hearing what you have to say about my thoughts on paper and I hope you tell your friends about my page. Until next time, have a wonderful day!