Today's date...

is significant for me not for memories' sake but because of what it looks like and reminds me of.

5-07 = 507 as in the address where my mother grew up and so much of my family's history took place.  I'm slighty obsessed fascinated with the past and history, especially as it pertains to my blood line.  Anywho as I ponder the happenings in 507 on 5-07, the beginnings of a book/screenplay are unfolding in my head.  In the mean time, Happy 5-07!!  Happy Today!!

A week ago today I was on The Today Show, again.  Life is funny, God is Sovereign...For the last week I have been doing a lot of thinking about my legacy.

What will I leave behind?  What positive change will I effect outside of me and mine.  Being on the show was a major milestone for me for many reasons but for none more than the fact that I am a fairly private person so being on TV and sharing parts of my life are so contradictory to who I am, at least who I've been.  Even still, it was right and I know it was God-ordained.

It was an awesome experience filled with great exchanges with people working in their purpose and seemingly happy in their careers.  It was truly inspiring.  The best thing about being on the show was seeing myself through new eyes and knowing that I was inspiring people to live healthier lives.  And that, I know, is part of my purpose.  God show me the way and give me the means to get to it!!

If today is all I have...

I better make it count!

Step 1: Make a little noise. 

One of my goals for the year was to "do the most".  At some times and in certain areas I have been better than in others, but alas, it is well. Still, there is more to do.

There is so much to say and so much to do, but this right here, beginning, or rather, resuming a blog is a step in the right direction.  So in honor of the day that happens to be today, a clip from one of my favorite episodes of one of my favorite shows. 

Happy Cinco de Mayo!! Enjoy!

It's a new year...

But most importantly, it's a new day.  A few years ago I stopped making New Year's resolutions because I just found that they weren't helpful to me.  Building up all that energy to do this or do that in the new year just to be back to where you started by Valentine's Day is a waste of time, energy & hope.  With that in mind I started going back to the gym in November, because it was time.  Why wait for a magical date, time, place or situation to do what you know needs to be done regardless.  So yeah, it's a new year, but it's also a new day with new mercies & opportunities today, tomorrow, Independence Day, New Year's Eve and/or whenever you decide to seize it.

I'm writing this from home, as I try to honor a request to come here and get rid of all my old stuff .  Not an unreasonable request but SO HARD for some reason.  I realize that in the past I have held on to things & people because the the past is certain, and my future has almost always been completely unpredictable & uncertain.  My sister drove it home last week when she said "you don't live here anymore, why are you keeping all this stuff" or something to that effect.  At the time, I took it for face value, but now it is taking on an even deeper meaning.  I physically don't live here anymore, but I also mentally & emotionally don't live here anymore: in these things that I hold on to, the relationships that no longer feed me and to the person I was when all of this was relevant to my life.  How can I expect to grow into the person that I aspire to be, the woman God made me, if I hold on to what belonged to the old me.  So with that in mind, I'm going back into the trenches.

Good night!

Birthdays

should be times of celebration but also reflection.  Two days ago I turned 27.  I don't know why but when I was young, I thought When I'm 27, I will be old.  I'm not sure why my young mind zeroed in on that particular age or year, but I think it was the reason for the lack of excitement leading up to my birthday this year, and the indifference on the actual day until I celebrated with friends.

For the better part of four years, I have been in a love affair with New York City and its constituents.  I have moved there and returned, not once but twice.  Even though I moved back 2.5 years ago, the fire never went out, and I found myself there sometimes twice in one month.  "Way too much!"  But I digress.  My infatuation with the city has all but prevented me from settling down in the one I'm in.  Making new friends, finding a church, being open to love, pursuing my dreams, etc. 

But it is a new year, 27, a new month, August, and a new day, and I choose to leave all of that behind me and put a period on the sentence of the New York could-have-beens.  Right now NYC is not my reality, and that's not to say that it won't ever be, because I believe that my destiny is there.  But until I return, I will be here, in this city, in this time, present in the present that is now.

I like lists so here's my to-do before I turn 30:

1. Create a beautiful & peaceful home that welcomes and comforts me and all who enter it.
2. Move towards having a career that I love that doesn't feel like work.
3. Write a book
4. Make peace with my body & myself
5. A healthy romantic relationship
6. Visits to South America, Africa, Asia & Australia
7. Published articles in the the magazines that read

Off the top of my head...

The more detailed list with steps to accomplish these goals is on my to-do list for this week.  But for now I'm just happy to be alive, everything else is icing in that already delicious cake.

Toodles!

The Birthday

For the first time in my life, I am not excited, not even a little bit, for my birthday, and this concerns me.

It's been too long...

Right now, I'm better than I've been a while.  After a couple days of vacation and some reunions with loved ones, I feel like I'm headed in the right direction.  I have a plan, I know what I want, and I'm moving towards it, knowing that God has my back and is leading me and guiding me every step of the way.

"I am very happy to be here."

Idk what will become of a current distraction, but I'm happy to have it right now.  As I bask in it's glow, it's inspiring me to be a better me. 

Smiles & Hugs!