In honor of National Women’s and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, Co-founders of The Red Pump Project, Karyn and Luvvie, decided to present an event around several U.S. cities. The Red Pump Project is a nonprofit organization that raises awareness about the impact of HIV/AIDS on women and girls.
To commemorate this day, I attended Cupcakes and Condoms, hosted by the Atlanta ambassador, Skyy Banks. We spent our afternoon mingling, chatting about sexual health and, of course, eating cupcakes.
Sometimes it feels like we enjoy being unhappy. Something comforting about wallowing in self-pity. Woe is me. How much better and more fulfilling our lives would be if we focused more on the positive things happening in and around our lives. I came up with a list of ten things we can do to have a more positive outlook on life. Take heed.
Happy Monday.
While sifting through my 30+ unpublished blog posts, I came across one that I wrote it back in December of 2011. Not sure why I never hit publish. But after reading this post this morning, I just had to share this with you all. Enjoy.
12.29.11
I think I’ve always had in mind that nothing lasts forever. It’s kept me from taking things too personally and getting my feelings hurt. But I eventually did let my guard down and got hurt. But I reminded myself to learn from those experiences. Use them as teachers to guide me forward. To reflect and remember the good times. When you look at it that way, nothing really feels like a loss.
The danger in the relationships we form in life is in thinking that everything is permanent. We’ve all heard the saying, “the only constant thing is change.” Knowing this, I accept all that the universe brings my way in whatever form. I accept that absolutely NOTHING lasts forever. Not people, not marriages, not life. Everything is subject to change. And the quicker we acknowledge that, the easier it will be for us to accept the twists and turns in our lives. And the less hurt we will be by situations in life. Hopefully.
One of the truest quotes I’ve ever heard was concerning seasons. Every year, Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall come. Every year. And each year, each season is uniquely different. Do we ever question the seasons as to why they change? No. They have to. And so do we. Accept that. Sit with the “uncomfortableness” of it because it will make you feel awkward.
I remember one of the first times I attended a service at Destiny. I stayed after for one of the youth chats. We were split into groups with strangers. I don’t remember what we discussed but I remember telling a personal story. One of the girls, noticing my struggle, shared one of her own to comfort me. It touched me SO much, especially coming from a complete stranger. I never interacted with her after that day. I didn’t know her or anyone else in the group but I still felt a connection to her. I felt like that was my “moment” with her.
The moment we realize that life is fleeting, that nothing lasts forever and that we cannot control the future, is when we will start to savor each moment of life we’re given. Stop dwelling on what you don’t have control over.
I cannot waste another day not being happy with every single decision that I choose to make.
Take things one day at a time. Don’t promise me anything in the future. Promise me today. This very moment.
Nothing lasts forever. You live and then you die. That’s it. So live before you die.
People Come Into Your Life For A Reason, A Season Or A Lifetime
Unknown Author
When you figure out which one it is,
you will know what to do for each person.
When someone is in your life for a REASON. . .
It is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty,
to provide you with guidance and support,
to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually.
They may seem like a godsend, and they are!
They are there for the reason you need them to be.
Then, without any wrongdoing on your part,
or at an inconvenient time, this person will say
or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die.
Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met,
our desire fulfilled, their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered.
And now it is time to move on.
Then people come into your life for a SEASON….
Because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.
LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons
things you must build upon in order to have
a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person,
and put what you have learned to use in all
other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.
I was reading The Daily Love this morning and the topic was about love, of course. In the post entitled ‘Do You Know What Love Is?‘, they define love as “UNCONDITIONAL acceptance of what is”. They go on to say that “ if we can’t accept something as it is, it’s VERY difficult to change or transform it.” And transformation is essentially the goal. When you love yourself enough to accept your flaws, you love yourself enough to work on changing them. The love must be there.
The idea is to ACCEPT how you are with NO changes. This is the starting point of transformation.
This is the part of the post that I really like: application.
We are asked to complete a phrase mentioning one (or more) of our perceived flaws. What is the one thing that you will learn to accept about yourself today? I’ll start.
“Even though I _____________, I completely and totally love myself.”
• Even though I am an emotional wreck, I completely and totally love myself.
• Even though I drool when I’m extremely tired and make my pillow stink, I completely and totally love myself.
• Even though I care too much sometimes, I completely and totally love myself.
• Even though I can be very lazy, I completely and totally love myself.
• Even though I over think and over analyze everything, I completely and totally love myself.
• Even though I worry, I completely and totally love myself.
• Even though I have moments of insecurity, I completely and totally love myself.
• Even though I doubt, I completely and totally love myself.
• Even though I am irrational and bull-headed at times, I completely and totally love myself.
Whew!!!!!!
Now, it’s your turn. Be honest with yourself.
A week ago, my friend sent me an email that brought tears to my eyes. You don’t even realize that who you are affects people. I would implore you to be the best version of you that you can. People are watching.
Hello,
I feel like I haven’t seen or spoke to you in a long time. Anyway, things are progressing nicely with my Man! I hope all is going great for you.
So two things
1. I’ve had another epiphany………Inspiration comes when you are open to be inspired (one of the thoughts I’ve come up with).
2. I’ve been listening to different music and I like Sara Bareilles (sp), Adele and Christina Perri. Music makes me happy.
Just thought I would share. And if I never thanked you before, thank you for always listening to my rants and random thoughts. You’ve helped me on my journey to being and accepting me!
Thanks, friend.
I came across this series on the GOOD website and I am in LOVE. I love being inspired by the simple things in life that make people happy. The things that give us life, energy, excitement…those things are inspiring to me. In the What Do You Love video series, different people share their passions, inspirations and loves. Man, I wish I would’ve come up with this genius idea first.
Here’s one of my favorites:
What do you love? What inspires you?
I can across this photo challenge on Pinterest and I can’t wait to start it January 1st.
Challenge deets according to Positively Present’s blog:
There’s no real “challenge” to it; it’s mostly just a way to motivate you (and me!) to stay in the present and focus on things that we’re grateful for. There’s no reward, no punishment — just an opportunity to be more present.
I will only post the pictures on January 31st. Hopefully I’ll get my Iphone squared away by Friday so that I can use Instagram like the cool kids. Feel free to join at your leisure.
I’m not sure what moved me to write my Facebook status this morning but I’m glad I did because I wasn’t the only one feeling a certain way about the topic. I said:
“I’m almost embarrassed to be called a Christian because we are some of the WORST people on Earth. We claim to love God but DAILY we judge others, let our egos envelop us and have NO compassion towards the very people He commanded us to love. We’re immune to humanity and obsessed with doctrine. Sick of it. Yet we all want to go to Heaven. Who the hell do you think you’re gonna be up there with?”
I continued by saying:
I’m disgusted by it all! Like who do we think we are?! Christianity is not an elitist cult. I’m going to Heaven because of such and such but you’re going to Hell. NO ONE REALLY KNOWS! And if God can forgive one persons unforgivable sin, why would He not forgive another? And if that’s the case, why are we confusing ourselves with things that do not matter? We need to DIE to self DAILY!!! Reevaluate. Question. Seek understanding. Otherwise, I really don’t know what’s the point of life.
I’ve really come to understand who God is and it’s CRAZY. He is not mean. He is not a bully. He does not destruct. He allows bad things to happen because we live in a sinful world. He is patient. He is Love. He never gives up. Not like man. Sometimes I just want to shake people to wake up. What are you doing? When did God put the naughty and nice list in your hands? Must be nice. My BIGGEST revelation: even if God let the WORST IMAGINABLE THING to happen to me, my family or my friends, I want to be like Job and yet praise Him. For the first time in my life, I am at peace with God. Seriously. I let go of things I didn’t believe in and now I’m able to freely walk with Him.
My favorite female musician OF ALL TIME is India Arie. She makes music that literally brings me to tears, every time. It’s so pure and filled with truth, love and honesty. One of her latest songs reflects how I feel and think about…life, for lack of a better and fully encompassing word. It is about accepting others, accepting their walks in life. It reminded me of my Facebook status because we’re not filled with the right intentions inside. We’re not constantly working to reflect goodness. But we’re all the same. Not one greater than the other.
