Children Get Stressed Too!

Although I'm divorced and my son doesn't live with me, I stay in close contact. He is a teenager and of course he doesn't tell me everything at first. We are working on that. I know many of you can relate. Even when they are going through stressful periods in their life. Many times what happens is it begins to become evident in their school work and attitude of a "I just don't care" attitude. Sometimes to really get th open up is like pulling teeth. One thing I tell my son is, "No matter how mad you think I may get, just tell me what's going on. I would rather know and be upset, then to find out something happened that could have been prevented if only you would open up and talk to me." Parents don't ignore your children when they are down and out and don't be too hard on them before you get to the root cause of what's bothering them. Once you know everything, then if you need to come down hard on them do so. It will help save your future headaches.

The Package Deal

Any person you get involved with, of course, if your close with your family, has to be interviewed by everybody. I don't know if you've experienced this, but your parents and siblings will tell you the truth of how they feel about this person. I think that is very important and we should take heed to their opinions. Why? Who knows us better than our loved ones...and many times we can get so "CAUGHT UP" that we don't see all the warning signs, if there be any at all. So dating really becomes a package deal, especially if you decide you would like to settle down. The person you choose also gets your family whether they like it or not and vise versa.

For those who are single, my God Father has the perfect book, "How To Win The Dating Game".

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Did your child lie to you?

How do you respond when you know your child has lied to you? Do you immediately get upset and start yelling, accusing him/her of being dishonest? If, so, does it help the situation any? No. Why? Especially with teenagers, you want to keep the line of communication open, so they feel they can tell you anything. Well, they have their moments when they won't and so do you. We as parents don't tell the truth all the time, so we shouldn't fly off the handle when our children display the same action. Now, they must be taught a lesson. The first is, when you lie and they know you have, you must get that issue corrected and let them witness it. If not, they are going to do as you do, not as you say. Then, bring correction to them. I will confront my children, if it is necessary, but I rather let them convict themselves and come to me. This way, I know they've learned a valuable lesson. I also ask them,"What have you learned from this experience?" Then I just let it go, not holding it against them.

Family Reuinion

Keeping in touch with family is important. Finding your roots in the evolution of history awakens one to the awareness of where they belong. If you don't know where you've come from, how will you know where you are going? Many of our forefathers accomplished such a great deal in their lives, but a lot of history is lost. We must begin to dig deep and share our royal heritage with children and grandchildren. In the ancient days of old, the fathers sat with their sons to give them insight regarding the sacred principles of living a life of righteousness. I enjoyed my family's reunion in ATL...living and loving the discovery of my family's ROYAL HERITAGE.

The Perfect Family!

You will never find perfection in a family as far as the "fairytale" always peaches and cream. That's just unrealistic. The beauty of having a loving family is that the values and morals are sound. Unity is the strength...and strength gives power to endure trials, challenges or obstacles. Hey, that is the perfection--the love that flows from heart to heart. Looking out for one another, checking up on one another, encouraging one another and of course the priority..prayer it what works to keep family together. A family that prays together, stays together.

Love Is What It Does!

There's nothing like having parents that raise me and my siblings according to the principles of true love. I have 3 brothers and 2 sisters who I am even closer to now, although our parents have been deceased for over 11 years. Because of this, we are always a support system for each other. My youngest brother and his wife just had a new baby girl. What a beautiful, yet frightening experience for his wife who is Japanese and never held a baby before in her life. So because my brother wasn't able to take off the day after they returned home, I showed up at their doorstep that morning. Do you know she just got home from the hospital, I came to help her and she wanted to be of service to me, but this time I declined. So I cooked, cleaned and took care of the baby at times when she needed to rest. This is what we do as family--love is what it does.

A Check-Up from Someone Special!

Great afternoon Women Empowered By Love and friend, just and update on my 4th day of consecration. I had to experience an emotional release because I was defensive towards someone special. Of course, he checked me and that's what I needed. People in our lives are mirror reflections so we can make adjustments for the better. I'm perfect in the Most High God, but not in this realm of physicality. Let's keep it real. So, now I feel much better and I can have my green drink with mango because my body needs it not to feed my emotional crave for temporary fix/gratification. Maybe later as I slowing introduce foods back into my eating regimen, I may have some soup...keeping it light tonight.

Baby Brings Reunion!

This weekend was a memorial celebration of two people who were in love with each other back in the "40's" and as a result, six children were born. Of course it doesn't stop there. Now many years later, as we grew and had our families, grand and great grandchildren were added to the family legacy. This Memorial Day weekend was a special event for one of my brother's and his wife who are expecting their first child. Although, some of our siblings live in Virginia, we all came together along with our children to celebrate not just the new addition that will be here soon, but the reason we are able to come together, our parents. If it wasn't for them, their parents and even our ancestors, we wouldn't be here to give honor for our lives and the lives of our children/grandchildren.....and the legacy of love, honor and prosperity will live on throughout eternity.

Funeral Reunion

When family members live in different states/countries, coming together can be challenging. For the most part family reunions bring everyone together for a joyous occasion. Funeral reunions are just the same in a sense of bringing everyone together for a time of morning or celebration depending on the age and/or the reason the person has passed. I just experienced this with my family due to the passing of my cousin. I was able to see some family members I haven't seen in years as well as some new additions to our family.

Internal Bond vs. External Luxuries

A family foundation that exemplifies love, true morals and values are very important to teach our children as we are raising them. Quality moments invested with them mean more to them than all the gifts and other material possessions we buy. What happens if there is a financial challenge in the household and you aren't able to afford the luxuries as in times past. If you have built an intimate relationship with your children, it wouldn't matter much at all. What matters most is the love and closeness that they experience.

A Cool Call at 2:00AM & Last Minute Decision

It's great to have a wonderful relationship with your children, but hard to wean them from being"spoiled" for so many years. My daughter calls me 2:00AM, asks me if I'm sleep and then tells me she just put a tattoo of my name and a design on her foot. My first thought was, "Why on your foot"? Then I thought, just as she said, "Mom, following in your footsteps." Although sleepy, it made me feel wonderful.

My son decides he wants to go to the movies with his friend at the last minute. He's transitioning into a young man, but not able to drive as of yet. So, "mommy", as he calls me decides to stop working and take them. Of course, the 10:00 movie. This means I have to go pick them up about 12:30.

Family Reuinion

Whoever came up with the idea of Family reunions had to be one who really valued his family, from ancestors to future generations. Proper morals in every aspect of life should be taught and passed down to our children, their children, so on and so forth...and we receive the wisdom form our parents, grandparents, etc. It's all about learning and teaching----our original customs and principals that allows family to grow in love, health and wealth.

Celebrate Your Child's Growth

Just because your children age each year doesn't mean they mature in certain aspects of their lives. Being responsible doesn't come with a new year, but cycles of action they take to learn and apply to make themselves less dependent on you. It feels good to see my daughter finally getting it! The weaning process takes less years for some children and more for others. It depends on how you've raised them. As a child, I gave my daughter everything, she didn't have to ask. This hindered her growing into a responsible young lady because she continued to look to me for everything. So although it was hard for me, I had to just cut her off completely. And guess what? It worked. She has a great job and her own place without my help.

Have you ever gone out your way for someone to make their birthday special and they complained about what they didn't receive? This just happened to me recently. A family member had a list of what they desired and I bought what was at the top of his list. Not just one item on the list, but SEVEN! I worked extra to have even more of a financial surplus, so I wouldn't miss the money invested in these items.

I even took him out and had him pick what he wanted. After all that, I noticed that he seemed down. So, I asked what was wrong....and why did I ask that question. He began to complain about who didn't give him anything, so on and so forth, but never once did he acknowledge what I did for him. I even talked to him for over two hours to cheer him up, called him the next day to check on him and he still sounded down and out.

Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. After all I've done, It wasn't appreciated. He focused on what he didn't have, making my gifts seem worthless. I decided to stop calling him for a few days, because he didn't appreciate me nor what I did for him.

Love Is and Action!

After working throughout the night with about an hour and a half of rest, I had to assist my Pastor in our Holistic Health Clinic this morning at 9AM, not a normal clinic day. Afterwards I worked on the computer in my office until class at 11AM. The good thing about it, everything is in one place. The class was expected to be one hour, but was actually 2 1/2. At this point my eyes are burning because I need some sleep. Right after class everyone noticed that one of our classmates, who was from Brooklyn (1 hour 1/2 away) wasn't feeling well.

So we gave her some of our natural products from the clinic to help her feel better, but although the process wasn't immediate, she just wanted to get home as quickly as possible. She asked me to call a cab. Now this is from Bloomfield Twp. to Brooklyn which would cost at least $125.00. I just couldn't allow that to happen. I called a friend and we took her right to her doorstep. The blessing in it was we weren't looking for anything and she paid us more than she would have given a taxi driver. The point isn't in the money received, but in the action of love. We would have done it anyway.

Do something for someone not looking for anything in return.

Does Your Sick Loved One Make You Sick?

You can get go bogged down taking care of a loved one who is sick that you neglect your own needs. You make sure they have proper nutrition from food, yet you become malnutriton by skipping meals. You make sure they have the vitamins, supplements or "medicine" they need, yet you fail to provide your body with the necessary vitamins and minerals you need to help you handle the added responsibility. You make sure they have plenty of water and fluids, but you become dehydrated. Little do you know it, you become sick and are not aware, because your mind is so focused on someone else. Remember, the body can take but so much abuse until you are forced to take care of yourself when sickness knocks on your door.

Simply the Best!

The best husband, wife or companion in life is one who is your best friend; who sticks closer to you than family. One who will tell you the truth even though it hurts, but is still there to help you heal. He/she will never leave nor forsake you..there til the end.

Respect Individuality!

When you grow up with siblings, there are many personalities to deal with. People tend to become defensive towards their brothers and sisters for being who they are. I recently went through an experience where I was treated unfairly, but although disappointed it didn't last. Why? I realized that no one is like me, each one of my siblings is unique in their own way. Therefore, their personalities reflect their individuality. They respond differently to situations and understanding this, I don't get upset or defensive when one doesn't respond the way I think he/she should. At least not for long. I accept them for who they are and this makes living life with them so much easier. I believe this is why the six of us have maintained a close relationship til this day.

It's means a lot to celebrate a family members' birthday with them. What saddens me is when they are no longer near you for those precious moments to happen right before your eyes. To send a card and gift helps, but it's nothing like being present.

Cherish those who are near to you, because you will miss them if they happen to move away.

Asking for Forgiveness!

I've come to find out recently through finally open communication, that someone who I dated was really hurt by me. I had no idea until now. It wasn't that I cheated, but by failing to listen and understand what his needs were as an individual. I felt so bad because this is something he carried with him for many years. The only reason it came up is because I was on a mission to reach out to people who have played an important role in my life to make sure that I was of value to them.

And there, when I thought I was ok with everyone, the truth was presented before me. I asked for forgiveness with no hesitation. I'm not able to change the past, but the healing process began, and n0w we have a new found relationship.

So, what about you? Who have you hurt because you failed to have open communication and just listen?