We've Got to Do Better

Most of us seem to be taking our financial advice from those around us who aren't doing much better than we are. Those who would have us in debt and slaves to credit for status' sake, so that we can say, "Look at my house, my car and ALL of my stuff (even though my mortgage is upside down and I have no equity, my car is a depreciating asset and the fact that I still owe on the loan means it's not really an asset at all, and my 'stuff' is just sitting and not benefiting anyone)."  These same folks are working all of their adult lives but leaving no legacy to their future generations - nothing more than some trinkets and maybe some life insurance (if it's not eaten up by the debts that are left behind). Backwards thinking, and definitely not the future that our ancestors sacrificed and worked so hard to build for us. When and where did we get led astray?

Going forward, let us purpose to educate ourselves financially and try sitting at the feet of the true "have's", so that we can learn how to make money work for us - not the other way around - by creating and sustaining generational wealth for our children and grandchildren, which will enable us to be a greater benefit to our communities as well. Just a not so random thought, manifested from what I see and experience in my own environment on a daily basis. In the words of Dr. Tiffany Monroe, "You've got to choose a side."  I'm choosing to change my mindset - for my future generations - in order to break the cycle of financial ignorance and the "go figure it out yourself" mentality, and purposing to live in financial freedom.  Have you chosen your side?

Here We Go...

Recently, and on several occasions, I've been "challenged" on who I am, what I believe and what I have to say.  I don't claim to be perfect, I'm not always right, but that doesn't mean that I'm always wrong.  

I'm a follower of Jesus Christ and the mother of three amazing children.  Never in my life will I feel guilty about or apologize for either of these facts - they are what make me the woman that I am - nor will I even attempt to make anyone feel better about themselves by degrading myself or downplaying my truth.

God is my foundation, my strength, my help, and Jesus is the lover of my soul. Whatever He calls me to do, I willingly do. My children are gifts from God, whom I can't imagine living my life without. We love each other unconditionally, and support each other unceasingly.  It is more than an obligation, it is an honor to be their Momma.

The fact that I am raising my children by myself as a solo mom, and that I'm not complaining about or apologizing for my life's choices, seems to confuse some and inspire others.  The fact that I'm a saint, saved by God's grace - who occasionally sins - and that scripture instructs me to share my testimony and God's word with others, seems to offend some and uplift others.

I have no control over anyone else's ego or reaction to me, they may see something in me that they don't see in themselves. That realization can either be hurtful or helpful, depending on the person.  All I will say is this: I am God's creation, uniquely and purposely made in His image and likeness - nothing and no one on this earth can make or break me as long as I remain in God's will for my life - to that end, you can love me or leave me alone.

Truth IS! Slogan Tees, and then some!

Truth IS! Slogan Tees

My sister brought to my attention that some folk who read my blog may not realize when they see a pic of a tee-shirt along with my post, that it is an actual shirt that is available for sale in my online store - Truth IS! Slogan Tees.  So when I've posted a picture, you can simply click on the hyperlink right below it to take you directly to my online shop.

There are only a few products posted so far in the online store, but please believe that there is much more to come! I originally only started creating the tees so that I could put my slogans out there, plus - I think they're cute. :)  But now I have found a use for the sale of these shirts, and am so thankful for divine inspiration!

I am in the process of establishing a non-profit organization, called His Abundant Storehouse (H.A.S.), which is purposed to assist single and solo mothers with offsetting their childcare, medical and food expenses. The need is definitely there, and I have experienced it myself at different times during my own journey through solo motherhood.  I believe that we are all given our life's experiences in order to be able to empathize with and ultimately be of service to others. At the same time, those of us who are in need of assistance of any kind, need to understand and acknowledge that there is nothing wrong with needing and asking for help. In this aspect of my life's journey, the lessons have been learned (more times than I care to remember), but nonetheless learned.

For some of us - especially single/solo moms - the act of giving to others or lending a helping hand, is so much of who we are, that we become uncomfortable or uneasy when, we in turn, are the ones who need help. Hear me when I say - whomever I am speaking to - and understand that this "discomfort" or "dis-ease" is nothing but a spirit of pride.  We are reminded by Proverbs 16:18 that "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."  If you haven't already done so, please learn the lesson before you put yourself in a position of  unnecessary struggle - I say this to you with love...

That being said, I have been inspired to contribute all of the proceeds from sales at Truth IS! Slogan Tees towards funding of His Abundant Storehouse.  I pray that this is well received by all who would wish nothing but positive energy and thoughts to what I am working to accomplish, and that H.A.S. is as bountiful a blessing as I have already envisioned it to be!

SuperNatural Woman

Truth IS! Slogan Tees

I've fought it for so long, some days refusing to even put it on.

But now I wear it with pride, because my perception of it - my TRUTH - is now crystal and clear.

You see, the "S" on my chest is not a curse, for I am highly favored and blessed.

This "S", that God chose for me, is meant to Sustain my faith, to Serve others and to Survive this life.

Not my opinion, but simply because God Said So!

Believe me - I've tried to let it go, but I can't and it won't let me be.

I know what it is to want to stop the world from spinning, and disappear for a time, in order to just...BREATHE.

So now, I humbly choose to Surrender to Him, Sacrifice for others, and Separate myself from the natural and ordinary.  The "S" on my chest makes my existence Supernatural and extraordinary!

This is a dedication to all of my ladies, who go above and beyond - my Sisters, raising their babies to be better than, working those 12+ hour days, finishing those college degrees, becoming entreprenuers and striving to be their genuine selves - all while trusting in God, who put the "S" on their chests, to finish the good work in them that HE began.

FAITH

"You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.  Trust in the Lord forever, for in Yahweh, the Lord, is everlasting strength." ~ Isaiah 26:3-4

Truth Is! Tees - "faith"

Faith is the blind love a child has for his parents.  When he is hungry, he knows that Daddy will be there.  When he is hurt, he knows that Mommy will be there.  When he just needs a hug, he knows you are there - simply by faith and not always by sight.


Our love for, and trust in God should be just that simple.  When you are hungry, He is there.  When you are hurting, He is there.  When you just need a hug, or a sense that whatever your situation looks like, it will be all right - you should have faith, and know that you know that you know - God is there to provide for your every need.


If you believe in God, then you know Love.  God IS Love!  And true love is the foundation of the trust which builds your faith.


I pray that your faith in God is ever-increasing, so that you may always trust and know that whatever you need will be provided, and that whatever you desire will be given unto you if it is God's Will - because He said so!


Amen...

Stutter

I stutter. Most folk don't realize it, since normally, I'm very thoughtful about the words that I speak so that I don't trip all over my words.  I also spell my words out mentally as I speak them, which helps me to keep the stutter to a minimum.  BUT, on those rare occasions, when I'm upset or speaking passionately about something, I do stutter.


There will soon come a time when I have to speak in public regularly, so I will likely be joining a Toastmasters group to help me with that.  Until then, do not expect to hear me reading any of my writings publicly.  The last time I shared a few poems with a group of folk was a few years ago when I was pregnant with Lailah Symone.  My poetry is very intimate and special to me, and I was soooo nervous, that I became very emotional during my reading.  I'll just blame it on the hormones....


Since I stutter, it gets difficult for me to express myself clearly when it matters most, so I write letters.  Oh, yes - your girl can compose a letter like no other!  So if you happen to be one of the lucky few to receive one from me - previously or in the future - just know that you've either severely pissed me off, or my love for you is such that I have to put pen to paper and let you know the real. 


If you've ever wondered, now you know :)

NO FOOLASSNESS

Truth IS! Slogan Tees

FOOLASSNESS - one of my favorite terms, and so apropos these days.  Let's break it down: first, the free dictionary's definition of FOOL is "one who is deficient in judgment, sense, or understanding".  Next, the definition of ASS is "a vain, self-important, silly, or aggressively stupid person".  Lastly, the suffix -NESS means the state of, or condition of being something, foolassness = the state of being being a fool ass.


That's all well and good, but for me, foolassness is defined simply as bullshit attitudes and behaviors that people choose to engage in when they feel they have a right to pass judgment on others.  When they take other peoples actions and life choices personally (even though those people likely have no thought of them).  Even when they decide to create unnecessary and chaotic situations in order to hurt others. So, it can be applied to many different scenarios.  


In short, if you've heard me use this term, then you are well aware that I have absolutely no tolerance for foolassness. Thus, I have coined the phrase "NO FOOLASSNESS".  You can love it or leave it alone.


*This writing is actually much nicer than the original version I had in mind, but an easy morning and much needed nap with my girls and my pup have allowed for this friendly revision.  Feel free to contact me if you need further explanation. :)