RastaMermaid's Blog

With all that's happening around my city St.Louis,it easy to give Thanks for being alive.

God is good,with all the devastation and damge done to the airport and north county,it's mindblowing that downtown was untouched.

The tornado made a turn over to Illinois,never heading downtown.

With all the damage to the airport,I wonder what damage could have come upon our beloved Gateway Arch,The Old Court House,and the New Busch Stadium.

What is even more amazing is that no one died.

Isn't God good,the airport was closed down subdivisions without power or water.

Millions and millions dollars of damage,but no deaths.

Simply Amazing!

Live it Feriously!
You can't live life holding something back,you have to give it your all.

You have to live all out,putting in all you have.

In life you aren't given a Do-Over button to hit and repeat.

We only get this chance once,you're not allowed to ride again.

Sometimes life becomes difficult,unbelievably tough at times but you have to keep it moving.

People develop strong characters through adversity.Overcoming obstacles and negativity makes you stronger,wiser and smarter.It also proves you can oversome,any problem that comes your way and be a better,stronger person for it.




Live Everyday To The Fullest!
Everyday of your life is a chance to take action,take charge of your destiny and make something great happen.

It maybe the first step of many or the final task of a lifelong dream.

The achievement is yours regardless,you've accomplished what you set out to do.You can look back on that and pat yourself on the back!

Kudos To You!

You made a promise to yourself,you kept it, were dedicated,persistant and you didn't give up!

That's quite an accomplishment!

It speaks volumes of your character!

In all you do,your true character shines through!

We are all different people on different paths to different goals. The key is finding what you're passionate about.

What brings you joy and happiness?

What can you do to manifest this more in your life?

We all have a area in life that we love,something you would do for free,something that fulfills our inner being.

It may be something simple as going to a living assisted facility and giving a helping hand,reading the newspaper to a group of seniors and answering their questions.

Volunteer for storyfelling time at your local library and read to the kids and watch their eyes widen with excitement.

Incorporate afew of these small examples in your life and you'll start to see how really blessed and highly favored you are.

Live Your Life Your Way
You have a God given right to enjoy life.

Of course there will be difficult days,difficult people and difficult situations.

You have to learn what is and isn't important to you,what you're willing to work for and what it is you need,want and desire.

Once you have figured that out,everything else should fall into place.

You stop sweating the small stuff that has nothing to do with your happiness or well being.

Sorry to say some of the small stuff will be people.

I have this philosphy I've lived by for years and it has helped me immensely and I'm sure it can do the same for you.

If something doesn't bring positivity,joy,wisdom and happiness to me I don't need it or them in my life.

This is a very big lesson,it'll be an ahhh,haaa moment for many.

We all have them in our lifes, toxic,negative people.

We seem to feel that we are obligated to friends and associates to be nice, common and courteous.

You only owe that to people who return it and respect you.

Don't get caught up in how long you've known a person or that you just can't believe they would do such a thing or say such a thing.

If something transpires and you're surprised at an action.

Shake it off and keep moving on with your happiness.

Why?

That's what they're trying to mess with!

Some people can't stand to see others happy,successful,being loved or any of the good stuff we all want for ourselves and others if you're a truehearted and loving being.

These people will try to bring you drama in whatever avenue they can.

I have had to sever quite a few so-called friendships.

I saw the signs for awhile but sometimes you hope/think it's not what it is...jealousy,envy and hate!

It's really sad to think that some people are jealous of others happiness,but what's really sad is that this person is just watching and waiting for you to fail or for your relationship to go sour for them to feel some joy in your pain.

These people are the biggest hypocrites so watch them closely.

You know them and once you identify the characteristics you'll know also.

Here's afew...

Always having something to say about things you do in a negative way.

Example: Why you need to buy that? You always spending money.

Always have something to say negative about peoples actions but doing the action themselves.

Example: Why do these scandalous women sleep with other people's husbands or men?

All the while they're emailing and prank calling the wives and girlfriends of the man/men they're sleeping with.

I could go on and on but these are just afew I have experienced first hand.

I've had so-called friends go after a man of mine,an ex of mine and try to take a few friends of mine.

Luckily I know where I stand because it all comes to light everything you try to do in the dark.

My life isn't suppose to filled with such negative,toxic,ugly things.

My life is all about living positivity,loving my life and my family,and growing in spirit,in God and in life.

If your friends aren't of the same mindset,it'll come to light.

And you'll see what it is so-called friends are really after.

Being it your man,your friends,or them just thinking they can do you better than you can.

Hate to say it but everyone that claims to be a friend isn't,but you can't go through life contantly looking upside people's head trying to figure them out.

Let the chips fall where they may and it'll all come to light.

Then address the situation accordingly.

That being said life is easier once the clutter is cleared.

Organize your life and remove the clutter,whatever it maybe.

It's truly cleansing!!

As Always...Blessings To All!!

Owning the life you live and lovin it!

This is crucial to the very fiber of your being.

Some people wish they had better lives,wish they made more money,better family,better friends,etc.

Instead of dwelling on what we don't have,we should embrace what we do.

There is nothing wrong with wanting more,to constantly build on to what you already have.

With this mindset you'll see yourself achieving what it is you want sooner than you think and from there go even a step futher and dream alittle bigger.

Own what you are,what you want what the goal is.

Once you've achieved it don't stop.

Whatever area in your life you feel needs improvement apply this strategy.

While already loving your life you will always want to improve,upgrade!

That's called progress and there's nothing wrong with that!




To Thyself Be True!

This is critical also.

No one knows YOU better than YOU!

You don't owe anyone an explanation on how YOU live your life.

Aslong as you have respect of life,and mankind in general.

Respect for life...meaning you know there is a higher being that is responsible for your being here,responsible for you to breathe air in your lungs and rise everyday.

Mankind in general..meaning respecting all that is living from the creator.People,animals,trees,rivers,lak es,parks etc.

It's A New Year!

2011 is a new year full of wonderful possibilities and oppurtunities for you to explore.

Whatever made you mad,sad or even angry,leave it behind in 2010!

Do not carry this with you into the new year.

Whatever kept you from focusing on you,drop it!

Whatever friends only brought you drama and negativity,drop them!

Misery loves company,don't be it's friend.

If the company you keep isn't uplifting and enlightening to your being you really don't need it.

Some people you hang around may bring you down,yes down to their level of unhappiness.

It's sad but true,some people are not happy for others,some people are not capable of wishing good wishes and good fortune to others.

These people are downers and have no place in your life.

You know the downers that come in contact with you:

Never anything kind to say of others

Always bringing negative gossip about people,places or anything you deem as important to you.

Wanting you to feel negatively about things they feel negatively about

Bringing you into their drama,that has nothing to do with you.

Don't get caught up!

As a matter of fact cut it out,and the people that bring it!






Being Your Own BFF!
We all need to learn to be our own Best Friend Forever.

You are the only one that's gonna be there in the end,just you.

So it's time to do you,make you happy,make you smile,make you feel good about you.

No one can do this for you,you must attain this for yourself.

Yes,only you can make you truly happy.

Only you know what makes you happy.

So look deep inside and ask the tough questions.

What do I want for me in 2011?

How will I make myself happy and content in the coming year?

What can I do to make my life easier for me?

After you have gotten a pretty good ideal of what you want,it's time to ask the same questions of the company you keep.

I'm not going to tell you whom to be friends with,I'm not going to tell you because you and Sally Sue aren't speaking right now to cut her off.

I'm going to offer to look at the friendship objectively and closely.

Maybe you and Sally Sue have just hit a rough patch,don't agree eye to eye on some issues. That's not a reason to cut her off.

Now if Sally Sue has crossed some boundaries that are really important to you,that's a different story.

This is a little tricky,sometimes we feel so violated by friends that we no longer want anything to do with them.

Trust has been broken,that's a very difficult thing to recover from.

Once trust is broken it's one of the things you may never get back.

Even if you want to,your mind will constantly replay the things this person did,and this will put you in a ugly space.

Sometimes you have to forgive and keep it moving!

Yes,you deal with your conscience on your terms.

Maybe when your paths cross again,God would have removed all ill feelings from you towards the person.

But again that doesn't mean you're gonna pick up where you left off.

It simply means you've put the past behind you and moved on....just not with them in your life!

I'm going to give you an excercise that if you can master will be very benefical to you through out your life.

First,know what your priorities are,kids,family,spouse,career,home,frie nds,etc.

Place them in the order of importance.

Now anything negative that comes at you,ask yourself "Does this have any bearing on anything on my list?"

If it doesn't ,then it doesn't matter.

Please believe this will be the beginning and soon you will see and feel the clutter being eliminated from your life.

Now if it does matter,analyze the situation,address it as you see fit,and keep it moving.

Sometimes you need to make a list also of your friends,yes!

With this list write down how this person has been a friend,what exactly have they done to achieve friend status.

Is this friend productive or counter productive?

Does this friend have your back or just riding on your coat tails?

Would you want this friend in your family?

You may also have your own standards of what a friend is,so put your friends down on paper and evaluate which friends or truly friends and which ones need to be cut-off?

You can use this excercise in all aspects of your life to eliminate clutter,stress,ill-feelings and people.

Just adapt the principles to whatever needs to be adjusted and take charge of your life!!

It takes more muscles to frown than to smile,so why overwork yourself!


Nothing is promised in this life,not even life itself. I feel (but who am I) that you have an obligation to make everyday enjoyable and accountable.Basically,you are incharge of your happiness and what are you doing about it!!

It's time to hold yourself accountable for whatever it is in your life that you are unhappy with and change it.No one can make the proper adjustments or tweaks if they haven't identified exactly what it is they want to obtain.

Once this in accomplished you're on your way to really living.

Laugh as often as you can it's healthy and downright fun. I'm not saying to blantantly break out and start laughing,but if something is funny laugh don't be so pinned up or so reserve that you can't enjoy a good joke or prank without thinking about it first.


Ahhhhhhhhh LOVE!!!

Loves the ticket,Love comes in many shapes,forms and relationships.You have many facets of love ranging from family to marital and beyond.

We all love many people many different ways.We're loved by many different people many different ways.Love in avenue or capacity I feel is a wonderfully good thing.

Love has many ingredients respect,trust,understanding,admiration and unconditional to name afew.

The biggest part of love is forgiveness.Yes,forgiveness will always come into to play when you truly love or care for someone.

Some people can not get past being hurt or disrespectful actions.Families have broken apart because of infidelity and ill trangressions.Some actions can be very hard pills to swallow and can sever the strongest of bonds.Eventually the wounds will heal but the bond will never return to what it was even in family situations.

Love and trust are terrible things to go awry.

Respect,love and trust are very hard to regain once lost,it's a privilege!

September is the Live,Laugh,Love month with StraightUp HookUps!

It's All About The HookUps!

HookUps for a better life!!

Hello My Braveheart Sisters

I'm writing this to show how strong bounds of sisterly love can be.

I've been having a difficult time with my MS,trying to be a strong person I downplay my pain alot. But yesterday I took a very bad fall. Cut's and bruises all over me,but I downplayed it to my mother and my son.Thinking I'm being strong but all the while suffering.

Got my son off to school,and back in bed.My knees are sore and I'm in pain.

The phone rings wakes me up and it's my BFF/my son's godmother.She'll be arriving today for a couple of days.

I know she feels me this is the second time in my life that I had mad medical problems and she's just showed up for me.No questions as to what's wrong or what did I do to cause she just comes.

I love her so,I'm crying as I type this because it's a wonderful feeling to know that no matter what you have a friend like that.

A true friend that's your friend not for any other reason but the fact they love and want the best for you!!!

A true friend!!!

There is quite afew things you can learn from the life you have already lived.

You know now what works for you and what doesn't.You know what it is you want out of life and know you have to work for it.

You mature and grow you'll gain new friends and experiences but you also drop some excess baggage and friends.

Believe me that isn't a bad thing to drop friends especially if their only added baggage in a already full life.

You can not be everything to everyone,just be the best you for you.

That being said,grow up,move on and live well.Yes,do you!!

Make you happy,care for your family,enjoy all that life has instore for you.

Don't allow anyone or anything to disturb your peace,or steal your joy.

Many will try but if you know yourself well,you can keep them at bay by ignoring them and knowing that's exactly what they want,to disturb your peace,yes steal your joy.

Ever wonder why some people are not happy for others?

Ever wonder why some people are jealous of others and always speak bad of other?

It's simple,they are not happy and do not want anyone else to be happy.

Anyone that fits that mold in your life needs to not only be dropped,but drop kicked out of your life!

Let the chips fall where they may but behind you,as you walk into a brigther future!

Don't let your past hinder your future.

The past is the past for a reason,so leave it behind!

Ras

I have heard it before,but just could not comprehend.

I have felt it,but pushed it away because it's too painful.

In Karrin Steffans Life After episode on TVone she stated she never received love from her mother,that her mother never really liked her.

It's a horrible feeling to have to recognize that the woman that brought you in the world,doesn't really care for you,or that you are not her favorite and she treats the other children and other people with more respect and concern than you.

Maybe it wouldn't be so bad,but now it's affecting the grandchildren.

The grandchildren of her favorite are treating better than the other grandchildren. And it's obvious.

You tell your child that it's not like that,and the child points out many things that prove their point.

It's a very hard knock to take and not very nice.

What do you do?

How do you handle this?

Braveheart sisters help me out!

You must know your worth and that you are worthy of all the good fortune,happiness and love that God has just for you.

You must know that you are the creator of your destiny,you can accomplish whatever it is you chose.

God's given you the tools to do marvelous things but mostly everything you need to enjoy a fruitful positive life.

This is a dramatic revelation if you can receive and achieve it.

You are a precious gem created by God to shine your brilliance and radiate your spirit for all to see how good God is.

He's working with you,through you and inside of you,keeping you focused on knowing that .....
All things are possible through Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

When you know this you will start to understand your worth,your purpose in this life.

Once you know,go for it all out!!

He's put this desire,joy and talent in your heart,tap into it. Nurture it,develop it,master it and watch it manifest into the wonderful gift God was just waiting for you to understand.

Know your worth,once you know what you're worth.

You'll never have to worry about being short changed ever again.

Respect!!!

We all look to get that hook up in today's society.

To me a hook up is anything that enhances you.

Anything that can help you with your life and daily living.

The biggest hook up I have received is ME!!!

Yes,ME!!

I have learned to love ME,respect ME,cherish ME,honor ME,spoil ME and be my own bestfriend!!!

If you can get to this mindset then you're on your way to a happier place.

You have to come to terms with yourself before you can fully love and appreciate anyone else.

And once you have gained that knowledge everything else will follow suit!

So learn you and become the best you that you can be.

StraightUp HookUp Yourself With Yourself!!!

Once you're enlightened you'll soar to new heights!!!!!

Photo by RastaMermaid


It's time to make a change!

A positive change is good for all.

Sometimes we become accustomed to the same ole,same ole.

Now please do not take this the wrong way.

There is nothing wrong with having a routine or a regimen that works for you. You might just need a refresher,a boost alittle NOS put in the mix.

Sometimes you many need to add different things. New experiences,new friends,new adventures.

Revamping,reshuffling,renovating,rearra nging and even upgrading on what already works for you, maybe just what you need to catch that second wind,to refresh your desires and take you to the next level.

Are you afraid to upgrade your life?

Don't you want to move up and beyond where you are now?

Go for it!!!

Don't be afraid to be the best you can be.

Your hopes and dreams that are in your heart are just a starting point to what you are capable of.

So tap into yourself and ask the real question!!!!

What are you waiting for?

Go out and do what God's put in your heart,mind and soul!

As Always Stay Blessed!!

In today's trying times,we often find ourselves at our wits end,in a maze of mass confusion.

If it's at all possible to speak with a healthcare it's often accompanied by a fee not usually a small one.

Check out this link!


http://www.askanally.com/


You'll have access to a licensed clinical psychologist
and for free. All from the privacy of your home.


Sharing Good Info!!!

Respect

There is this clip on the web of a very outspoken young girl getting upset her food wasn't ready at McDonald's and she was cussing up a storm. Yes,and to make it worst it was in front of the ladies 2 kids.

This did not stop this crazy girl from using more and more profanity,especially once she asked to not cuss in front of her kids. This child was ignorant to the 10th power,that was my lesson but I didn't know it.

Today I did the drive-thru thingy at Mickey Dee's but the driver of the car infront of me was a pure turd.
First she takes 10 minutes to order backing up the drive-thru.When sshe started there was 1 car behind me.By the time I moved up to place my order there was 8 cars behind me.

Here's the kicker once she paid for her order she moved maybe 6 inches and no further. The cashier looked at me,asked "Are you paying with a credit card?" Told her yes but because the woman would not pull up,I could not,she said blow your horn,told her I do not bother with ignorant people,I would not blow my horn. So she placed her head out of the drive-thru and asked the lady to move up.

The lady in the car went ballistic! Starting cussing out the cashier told her I'll move up when I good and @*#! ready! She really went in on this young cashier,brought her to tears.

When I was able to move forward completely to pay her,I told her afew things.I told her that not everyone is like the lady ahead of me,don't let her get under your skin.Don't take it personal and say alittle prayer for the lady maybe she's having a bad day.

As I was handing her my credit card her manager came in the booth and told her to return my card.

He proceeded to tell me that my order was complimentary.He went on to say that he appreciated the kinds words and encouragement to his worker.Said he wished more people were as nice as I.

Now of course I wasn't doing anything but my normal me.That being I know that if that ever were to arise to my son or nieces,God will put someone in there path just as he put me in the cashier's.

What did I learn today?

That when someone is going through a hard time right before your eyes,you should lend a helping hand,say a kind word or in the least make sure they are okay.

In a perfect world I wouldn't even need to post this,it would be a no-brainer!!!

Stay Blessed People!

Let's respect one another.

We all know that everyone doesn't see things the same way.

Different people will see things different ways.

A person's perception has a lot to do with their upbringing,what they have learned and seen,and alot has to do with personality in general.

But the truth is the truth no gray area in that.

You can put whatever spin or slant on any issue to make it go your way,or to make you seem righteous or correct.

That's where spin doctors come from,trying to spin the ugly truth into something not so ugly.

Some people try to spin things their way or in their favor.It may last for a minute but the truth always surfaces.Then comes another spin to spin that.

But the truth is what it is the truth.

Alot of people don't want to face the truth or own up to their actions.

You can agree to disagree on many things but the truth isn't one of them.

So don't get caught up in a whirliwnd and get disoriented.

Stand firm in your truth.

Truth always prevails!!!!