Using Birthdays to Help Celebrate Life

Earlier this summer, I turned the BIG four O. In honor of my birthday, I decided to celebrate my life over 40 days. Each day I did something that always wanted to do similar to a bucket list or do things that I have stopped doing for whatever reason. Some of the things I had on the list were:
• Massage
• Mani/Pedi
• Spa Day
• Ziplining

• Skydiving
• Picnic
• Bike riding
• Rock Climbing
• Painting
• Game Night
• Dancing – Pole dancing, bellydancing
• Museums
• Book Club meeting
• Photo shoot
• Meals with friends


Many people loved my idea and created their own versions of it. One of my friends put a twist with it. She is in the midst of celebrating her 40th. Instead of doing or going somewhere, she is having 40 days of “life improvements” activities or actions. Here are her first few days:

Day #1 Pray for friendships to be healed and restored. Why? Simple "We all we got"
Day #2 Do something nice for a co-worker that you don't normally have a relationship with. Why? Simple "Random Kindness"
Day # 3 Tonight, I simply ask that you get adequate rest. In other words go to sleep tonight. Turn off the television, get off face book, turn off twitter, get off the phone and etc. Why? Simple " Your body will Thank you"
Day # 4 Today, I simply ask that we celebrate "LOVE".
Day # 5 Today, I simply ask that we refrain from engaging in "gossip".

I so love what she is doing that I am celebrating right along with her!

What is important to me is just making sure I am living life and not just existing! What are you doing to enjoy your life?

Celebrating Sportsmanship and Country Pride through the Olympics

                It’s time again! It’s time to celebrate the Olympics and all the great feelings that come with it. The Opening Ceremonies are the official start to the Olympic Games. This year’s Opening Ceremonies were held last night in London, England. Watching the delegates/athletes walk out with their flags brought me a sense of pride.  

                               

                While watching the Opening Ceremonies, several people were committing on Facebook and Twitter about their excitement and anticipation of their home country performing well in particular events. Many people talked about rooting for a particular underdog team.  One particular friend even encouraged other parents to expose their children to less popular sports in the United States. For instance, she plans to expose her children to badminton, lacrosse, and table tennis.

                There are 204 countries being represented. Some countries have as little as two people competing with their country’s hopes of gold riding on them. The United States have over 500 athletes representing us. I am looking forward to cheering our teams on gold and celebrating their victories.

                How do you celebrate the Olympics?

Day 27 – My Favorite Place

I have been thinking hard about my favorite place. I was thinking of the exotic places I have visited or even local places I have visited. But if I am brutally honest, my favorite place in on my couch! It is sooooo comfortable. I fall asleep on it many of nights and never get up to go to my bed. I have had deep conversations with friends and love ones. It is definitely my companion when its time to watch tv or curl up with a good book!

I guess I need to get a life if I want to say some other place other than my couch is my favorite place.

ABC Challenge

I found this get to know you post on Bayoucreole's blog.  I love when I come across one I can finish quickly!  

A: Age: 40

B. Bed size:Queen

C. Chore you dislike:  Cleaning bathrooms

D. Dogs:  I am allergic but my son has a god dog name Juicy. We do keep him from time to time in emergencies. 

E. Essential start to your day: Breakfast and a bottle of water. 

F. Favorite colors: Red, Purple, Orange. Vibrant colors. Bright girl needs bright colors. 

G. Gold or silver: Silver.

H. Height: 5"1'. I have never had a problem with my height but sometimes others think I should. I love my height unless I am looking for slacks. 

I. Instruments you play(ed): Trombone in high school.

J. Job title: Teacher

K. Kids: Cedric (I do not think I have ever mentioned him by name on here. Hmmm.....)

L. Live: Atlanta

M. Mom’s name:  Denise

N. Nicknames: Don't have one

O. Overnight hospital stays: Maternity stay.

P. Pet peeves:Liars, especially if I directly asked you a question.

Q. Quote from a movie: "You is kind. You is smart. You is important" The Help

R. Righty or lefty: Both

S. Siblings: Tenia, Tierra, Terrance, and Tiauna

T. Time you wake up: 6:30

U. Underwear: I own them! HA! 

V. Vegetables you don’t like:Tomatoes 

W. What makes you run late: Waiting on other people.

X. X-rays you’ve had: Ankle. I twisted my ankle stepping off of an elevator. Wrist - unexplained pain 

Y. Yummy food you make: Cheesecake

Z. Zoo animal you like: Monkeys. They are fun to watch 

Man, you all know more about me than my "friends" on Facebook or my followers on Twitter. 

Have a great weekend!!

National Junk Day

Do you know what today is? Hmmm…I am waiting. You give up? Today is July 21^st and it is the National Junk Food Day. Who knew? I came across it today as I was surfing the net.  Now, my research did not tell me the origin or when it was first celebrated. However, I am not going to argue anyone that it is NOT a real holiday.

               

For those of you who may feel a little guilty about all the holidays we have, why don’t you just combine the other days with it. July 23^rd is National Hot Dog Day and July in National Ice Cream Month. So treat yourself and your love ones. Pull out the grill and set up an ice cream/sundae station. Get it all in at one time!

Here’s another perk! This year is lands on a Saturday!!! Woo-hoo!!! Now go out and enjoy yourself. Eat all the junk you want. If anyone questions you, tell them it’s NATIONAL JUNK FOOD DAY! All healthy eating is suspended just for today!

You can make any day a celebration! I have and I have found others who have done the same. As we go through the year, I will share some of the other obscure holidays!  

HAPPY JUNK FOOD DAY!!!!!

Day 26 – My Fears

FEAR. We all heard it stands for False Evidence Appearing Real. I know fear and faith can't live in the same space. However, if we are real with one another, we all have fears. It is up to us if we overcome those fears.

I blogged about my fears last year in another challenge. I just reread what I post. My fears have not changed nor do I have any new fears. So its probably easier to post it here. I know a sign of laziness but it get me 1 post closer to finishing this challenge!

Celebrating Women of Excellence All Weekend Long!

Disclaimer: I am posting for STRUT the Magazine every Saturday. With the thought of killing two birds with one stone, I will post it here too. My weekly postings is on celebrating. 

When one think of celebrations, what comes to mind? Birthdays.  Parties. Holidays. Graduations. Weddings.  According to dictionary.com, celebrations are festivities engaged to celebrate something (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/celebration?s=t). It is great to celebrate on a grand scale. Just last weekend, we STRUTTED in grand fashion for the first Annual STRUT Experience in Atlanta. Every detail for the weekend had been addressed by STRUT Founder Dr. Darcova Triplett. Here’s a recap!

Mini me and me

Friday – The weekend started with a photo shoot for the ladies in our STRUT t-shirts. It was a wonderful experience to see old friends and finally put a face with so many names we have seen in our Facebook discussions. We had a great time with our individual and group shots. All the ladies look fabulous!

STRUTTING/POSING 

Keisha - The Extremist

Mama King surrounded by her talented Daughters 

Deltas STRUTTING/POSING

Posing with my LS Pasta

STRUT POSE

We left the photo shoot to release our hidden artistic abilities. Canvas by U created an original piece just for us! Of course it was a stiletto. Every woman tweaked it to her own personality and style. Here are some of the masterpieces.

On Saturday, the focus shifted to our health STRUT and celebrating everyday women being extraordinary by STRUTTING in their purpose. First thing in the morning Keisha led the women in a STRUTercise (Zumba with the STRUT twist). We know we can’t be all we are destined to be if our health is not in order. Later, the ladies inspired our younger ladies by supporting the teen poets at a book signing at Tiffany’s Popcorn.

The major event was Saturday evening. We celebrated women STRUTTING confidently in their purpose. Ladies from all walks of life was honored for their accomplishments in education, counseling, wellness, fashion, entrepreneurship, and overcoming life changing challenges. Shondia McFadden-Sabari brought tears to many eyes as she told her story of being a breast cancer survivor. I can’t put into words how I felt listening to her. It was very moving. She, like many of the women, was a breath of fresh air. She loves life! It is evident in her walk…STRUT, her family, her faith!  

The next recipient, Mama King, followed. Before she sat down, there definitely was not a dry eye in the house. I knew this woman was special when I first met her years ago! She is a giver, a nurturer, a teacher, a mother, a lover, a mother, a grandmother, a friend, a confidante, a wise woman of God.

All the ladies who were honored deposited a nugget in all of us. They directly or indirectly lit a fire, planted a seed, watered a planted seed, or provided a confirmation.

Gamma Zeta

Markisha presenting 

Darcova and Keisha showing those pearly whites

Her STRUT brought many to tears. So inspirational

CoCo!!!!

Presenting

Mika J - looking fly as always

Mama King - She had the entire room in tears

BBW - Big Beautiful Women

Sunday the ladies started the day worshipping the Lord for all He has done seen and unseen. We finished the weekend with Tea Time. The ladies converged on the Hailey Estate for tea, light refreshments and conversation. Kim Brannan was the guest speaker. She shared her walk with overcoming cancer twice. Both times the doctors gave her a limited time to live. But our God had a different plan! Kim infuses humor as she shared her journey which included having a positive attitude/outlook no matter what. Her faith, support system, and positive attitude pulled her through. Afterwards, others shared their own stories. There was plenty of advice, networking and true respect for each other. I can’t wait until next year’s events.

In closing, I am enclosing what Darcova’s niece said to her after the weekend. It sums up what it means to celebrate each other and what impact it has on those around us.

Out of the mouths’ of babes: “My niece said Auntie 'Trice, I like your friends! They are so smart and educated and funny and pretty. And they own businesses and have professional careers. And Auntie I didn't see nobody acting jealous or no lil cliques either. Everybody just seemed happy... happy with themselves and happy for each other. #This is why our STRUT is so important. Our young girls are watching our every move... every step we take and every step we don't take. They hear every word we speak... and every word we refuse to let slip from our lips. Her Sashay develops into My STRUT. #So Detrimental... So Much @ Stake. #You gotta STRUT because (whatever you do) you're being imitated.”

One last thing, what are you celebrating? Who are you celebrating? Why are you celebrating?

Enjoy your Saturday! I am celebrating different people for different reasons. HAVE A SUPER SATURDAY!!!