Spanish

I have a rule. If the person who enters the room doesn't speak the same language as those in the room. You change language. I feel like it's common courtesy. However, I was just told that when in his native country no one cares if people speak English, but when in America everyone says you have to speak English. I replied that it's different between friends, classmates, co-workers. However, this young man did not think so. I felt highly insulted, like I did not matter. So I told him to do whatever he wants. I'm not going to try to force others to abide by my rules. I just think it's nice to know that people care about you and want you to be able to join the conversation if possible. I guess not everyone feels that way. I know I'm a very open and friendly person, and I know everyone is not like that, I just thought the people I would call friends would understand. So if you speak another language include your friends and those around you. It may make someone feel better about themselves.

I Will Survive

"At first, I was afraid. I was petrified kept thinking I could ever live without you by my side. But then I spent so many nights thinking how you did me wrong and I grew strong. And I learned how to get along."

This lyric inspires me and exemplifies what went through me these last couple of days. I was so stressed thinking I couldn't get through all the things that I needed to do. I always wanted to do something else like watch television or read a book or crochet. However, something came over me. I thought about all the things that I had to do and broke them down into days. It seems that all my huge problems were easily solved if I took one piece at a time. Just like when you're a child. You're parents don't just sit a huge steak in front of you and say eat. No, they cut it up into little pieces, little manageable, edible pieces. I think that happens to us sometimes, we try to take on big projects and think we have to wrestle this huge bear when it's really just a little lamb that needs taking care of. So when stressed or feeling overwhelmed break it down and take a look at what little pieces you can get done to make the task a little easier to handle.

Keep it Cool

When it comes to dating, I am no expert. However, I think what some girls lack is a relaxed mindset about it. Don't go crazy over a guy just because he just happens to look your way. If you find a man attractive go up to him and introduce yourself and get to know the man. He's not gonna bite, hopefully. I have come to find that the more you know about a person, the more the imaginary person you envisioned in your head goes away and the real person becomes apparent. Then you are truly able to tell whether you'd like to embark on a wild adventure called a relationship/courtship, whatever you wanna call it. This has helped me so much. I have prevented making rush decisions, stalker walks around buildings and adding strangers on facebook. It's like when you're on a diet and you have a craving for something. Wait a week and see if you still want that thing you were craving. Sometimes it does last, and you may run into the person again. Just keep the conversation light, don't plan any weddings. Plan to do group activities so you can see how he interacts with others. See if you have common interests. And if you don't find your soulmate in this guy, hey, you may just have a new friend who also has friends who may be your "soul mate". I actually don't believe in soulmates. I think there may be several people out there who could your match, it just depends on what you want. We're very complex creatures with different puzzle pieces that make us whole. And one person can't fit with each of those pieces, you might have someone who fits well with one or two and to me that's good enough, as long as they inspire you and make you wanna be a better person. I will not settle for just okay, I want extraordinary. I wanna make magic with my potential partner, not just between us, but with others around us. I want to make a difference and inspire change.

Joy Stealers

I was walking home today from my mother's house and I saw a young lady that I once knew in Daycare/After school program. She was one of those little girls that everyone wanted to be around because she was just so darn cute. Well all little girls are cute, but some are cuter than others and those are the ones everyone wants to be around. I think it has to do with their smile. When they smile, their whole face lights up, especially the eyes. Well I saw this girl today. When she was younger her eyes would shine so bright when she smiled. However, I saw her pushing a stroller today. All light and life sucked right out of her eyes. She lost color, if that's even possible. She looked exhausted. Not to say that being a mother is bad or wrong, but when you're young and your whole life ahead of you, it's not the best situation to be in. Sadly, this happens to many of the girls that I once knew when I was younger. An even sadder note is that the guys who I grew up with are the ones standing on the street corner doing who knows what. And these guys are the ones who prey on girls who have that light in their eyes. They tell them what they want to hear, get what they want and sometimes that leads to a baby. And when things get tough, they usually leave. I know I'm making a lot of generalizations, I just feel like girls should have the freedom to walk down the street and not have to be hit on. Yes, it may be flattering, but some girls get use to it and expect it. Their joy depends on it. It depends on a man and his compliments. And I think that is wrong. Girls today need to know that their joy does not come from compliments from a man or the looks men give as she walks buy. Your joy should not depend on whether someone has access to whats between your legs. A man should be attracted to what's in your head and in your heart. So many young girls in my neighborhood don't go to college, don't leave Harlem or even their mother's apartment. I think it's about time that girls realize that they should not relinquish power to men, because as surely as the sun sets and flowers fad, as man will surely let you down and steal your joy if you let him.

Quote from Kelci

A good friend of mine posted a wonderful quote on her facebook and I thought I should share it. "If you don't nurture my soul, then you are not allowed to touch my flesh. Point. Blank. Period." I thought this was extremely insightful. This is exactly how I felt after I broke up with my boyfriend almost a year ago. We were advancing physically in our relationship and not spiritually. I took a good look in the mirror and asked myself how did I get here? I am a God loving girl, how can I date someone who doesn't love God just as much as I do or more. It was just counter intuitive. Not that I don't have non-Christian friends, but if I'm going to share my life and body with someone they will need to know Jesus as their Lord and savior. And the same goes for any woman I know. Don't change yourself completely because of a man/boy. If after dating for a couple of months and you look in the mirror and don't recognize or like the person you see in the mirror, get out of that relationship. Run and don't look back. You are too awesome and too valuable to be wasting your time trying to change someone. If they don't see or recognize it then you can't help them and it's a hopeless case. So stand firm in your beliefs and know what you want or even a small idea of what you want in a partner and future. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Don't forget that.