Rattler and Tiger Throwback

So I don't remember the exact date I published this. I wrote this in the middle of the 2014 football season. I wrote it as sneak peak before the launch of my blog. Didn't even have an estimated time for the blog launch lol. You can still see the growth in my writing in this piece compared to Check Mate and Spring Cleaning. I pray you enjoy. 

Victim Mentality: Part 1

For a final paper for one of my classes I had to write about Ben Carson's theory on victim mentality. I felt so vulnerable writing this. I'll share this in parts because even though the semester is over this piece is still incomplete. Take a look...

I believe I have a victim mentality. While reading this paper a reader can see the presence of the victim mentality.

I'm just not as motivated as I used to be. I over think and become overwhelmed. I don't ask for help until it's too late. But when I express my issues I'm told to suck it up and stop making excuses. When I am motivated if I get rejected after so many times I give up. Rejection doesn't motivate me it puts more fear in me. It causes me to doubt myself. I can list numerous writing opportunities I passed because of fear. There are assignments I missed in class because of my fear of red markings. I had such high hopes for myself entering Florida A&M University. Now as I get ready to walk across the stage I am disappointed in myself. As much as it seems I have accomplished, I let fear dictate my life at FAMU.

Lions, Idol, and Crowns...OH MY!!!

It's been almost a year since I told y'all the reason for this blog. Here's a refresher.

January 30, 2015

 

Lions, Idol, and Crowns...OH MY!!!

So in my bio I mentioned God told me to start this blog over a year ago. Why the wait?? Let’s take a look back into summer 2013.

I was an editorial intern at The Gadsden County Times in Quincy, Florida. Just completed my sophomore year at FAMU. Devin Taylor and Brandon Hepburn were both drafted by the Detroit Lions and Candice Glover won American Idol.

What does that have to do with me? Well, Devin and Candice are classmates and we all graduated from Beaufort High School in Beaufort, SC. And Brandon graduated from FAMU. His wife was actually my life group leader for Every Nation Campus Ministries lol.

Where does that leave me? Just a girl trying to support other people.

Release the Dancing Machine: Isac Gaitan

Everyone meet Isac. He's like a little itty bitty brother to me. Haha he's a young adult. Recently, Isac has choreographed a dance routine and asked me to promote his video on my Instagram page. I wanted to do more than just post on IG. People will always need a reference without scrolling through weeks of videos and photographs. So I eagerly asked if we could collab his video with my blog. Thankfully he replied, "Of course!"

A Detour is Not a Dead End

Happy New Year!!! Yes I know it's not the first but it's my first entry of 2016. We usually spend a few days or even weeks in December and January collectively reflecting over the year. It's a time when people make new goals or resolutions. During reflection, we're happy about the goals we accomplished over the year. You may have a goal or two or maybe fifty leven (yes fifty leven lol) that were not accomplished in 2015. Shoot you probably don't have goals completed from 2013. Well you know what?

A detour is not a dead end.

Remember everything works together for the good of those who love the Lord. This doesn't mean everything will be good but everything will work for your good. I want to share a few examples from Genesis. Please bear with me.

Ishmael and Isaac - Even though Abraham and Sarah took matters into their own hands, God's word still proved to be true with the birth of Isaac. God was even able to use the descendants of Ishmael to fulfill another purpose.  Ishmael married a woman from Egypt and was lacking nothing. Now don't go purposely creating Ishmael situations in your life. We don't want to take advantage of God's forgiveness.

Jacob, Leah and Rachael - Not your ideal story. Although when I would watch Love & Hip-Hop (NY and ATL) I would refer to the love triangles as JLR situations. I'm not encouraging being a sidechick or waiting on a married man but we know the JLR story. Despite the detour of her husband marrying her sister first and not being able to bear a son for sometime, Rachael gave birth to Joseph. With the sister wives competition the 12 Tribes of Israel came into place.

A Letter to My FAMU Self

Hey y'all I've been doing lots of reflecting lately. From time to time I'll be sharing these thoughts and revelations from God. In the meantime please read "A Letter to My FAMU Self."

I wrote it my junior year at the request of my classmate Gladys. It's purpose was to reflect over the past few years of college and give advice to the freshman me. As I prepare for graduation that's quickly approaching I reflect over this letter. My counselor suggested I write a letter to myself as a reminder of what actions work when I become overwhelmed. My original letter still helps but I'll write another one. This is a great activity.  It's a great way to keep faith and stay encouraged.

P.S. Check out Gladys' website Get Livted (IG: getlivted)

A Letter to My FAMU Self

     Congratulations you made it to FAMU. You’ve been waiting your entire life to attend this prestigious university. Making the Dean’s list is no issue for you. But I also can tell that there is something in you. You have so much potential inside of you. Now it’s time to let it out.
      Girl have confidence in yourself. Do not doubt yourself. Make decisions for yourself. College is about finding out who you are. You can and you will break the mold. You are going through a metamorphosis.
     Sweetheart why are you sitting in the room? Get out and network. You need to make a lasting impression. You may know them but honey do they know you? Remember the first impression is a lasting impression. So take pride in your appearance. No wrinkles, face beat, and hair laid. So spend the extra time ironing clothes. You have beautiful skin so make-up isn’t needed all the time. But it’s okay for you to dabble. And please do something about your hair. Pay someone to do it or learn how to do it yourself. Barter if you have to. The cameras are always lurking. Every day is photo op. It’s time to stock up on your business casual. You want to look the part.
     Continue to grow spiritually. You can still be a Christian and have fun in college. God brought you this far do not drop him when you get to college. This is the time when you can fully experience him by yourself. The responsibility of going to church is all on you now. Mommy and Daddy aren’t here to wake you up for church. You’ll have fun. Trust me.

Check Mate

So some young ladies and myself have been reading a chapter a day of Jeremiah. Honestly, I missed a few days. But any who yesterday we read Chapter 7 and everyone shared their thoughts. I want to focus on one of my points.

When God told Jeremiah in verse 16 He wouldn't listen to him if he asked God to help the people of Judah, it showed me some people just have to touch the stove and maybe lose their hand or something to know it's hot. No matter how much begging, telling and pleading you do to and for them they just have to get burned.

When I made that point a young lady said, "YES!! Right!! I"m learning things that aren't in my control I can't worry about or it may not be in 'my control'!! So I simply step back and watch GOD."

I replied, "Step back and watch God while I'm eating popcorn, sipping tea, and hollering check mate."

 

I became ecstatic saying "OMG life in the spiritual realm is like a chess game!!! We make a move then Satan makes a move. Then we start "checking" each other. But because we're with God we get to say "Check Mate. Game Over." God has the final say."