Win, Lose or Draw... Keep Living!

Happy Tuesday! I hope your week is starting off really well, and I hope you're staying cool in this warm weather. We've got some catching up to do. Let's talk about life from an athletic point of view. The Warriors. The Avalanche. Special Olympics. The mentality. The dexterity. The audacity. Not saying that I'm an athlete, but just saying that we put too much stress on the athletes. We showcase athletic abilities and create role models in our society. But the second that they show vulnerability, we turn and attack our "fallen heroes". The latest example is Ms. Serena Williams. This dominant tennis champion had decided to play in Wimbledon 2022. Unfortunately, she lost in the 1st round after taking a yearlong break from tennis. Now, I applaud her for doing this. I applaud her for using her platform to showcase something that we rarely hear athletes talk about. Often times, athletes are expected to be superhuman. They are above everything else and they never get hurt. And when they do get hurt, they just bounce back immediately. In the blink of an eye. With the swooshable wand or wealthy doctor. That thought is furthest from the truth. If anything, you're seeing more athletes coming out now, especially after they retire, with all of their different issues. With all of their different health conditions. With all of their flaws. They really don't live up to the image that the media created when they were popular and can truly unveil themselves. I applaud Ms Williams because she decided- at the top of her game- to go for it. You win some. You lose some. But you learn either way. She put a year long pause on everything to focus on her own self care. Her graceful exit was the best message she could send. She gave her all and she kept it moving. Serena Williams represents more than the life of a sports star. She chose the life of an elite athlete, and I'm glad to see that her supporters are surrounding her. I'm glad to see that her endorsements have remained the same. I'm glad to see that she's actually picking up new endorsements while still competing. Our health is an important item that we need to work on in this country. I was shocked this week to find out that the WNBA has failed again. Britney Griner is in a Russian jail STILL! Is it because she's a young lady and these are political men committed to the Cold War? I'm not sure. That's a debate for another day. But on this bright day, I hope that you are taking care of yourself. I hope that you are setting the example you want to see. Take the time to really seek and search and find your mental health. Keep your physical dexterity in order. Make sure that your spirituality is addressed this week and this weekend. I really applaud this effort Serena, Coco and Britney are showing. I applaud the spotlight that other athletes are shining on this topic. I am standing with them. Standing for them. Standing behind them. Standing beside then. It's so totally and thoroughly important to protect your rights in this crazy mixed up world that we are living in. But let me hear your thoughts. How are your mentally? How is your day going? Are you protecting yourself today? Or have you exposed yourself to something that you don't need exposure to? Did you win? Or did you learn? Share your comments below. Thank you for reading this article and supporting this blog space. Please stay safe, healthy, and cool. Take Care and God Bless!!!

Hot Fun In The Summertime

Happy Friday Everyone!!! Its the freaking weekend kicking off the summertime vibes. So many events going on outside. Parades, festivals, concerts, exhibits, picnics and sporting events are on the rise. Love is in the air as connections are being made. Everyone is searching for fun activities to engage in. Having fun is a universal language. The goal is to make memories that are filled with love and happiness. Often, music is involved... and so is dancing. You move across genres to enhance the mood of all involved. I must admit, I'm a disco queen. I love all club music and in particular house music. The bass moves you, the beat grooves you. And you just move. Fast or slow. Partnered up, grouping out, or going solo. There no judgement there as we're at the mercy of the DJ who keeps the party going. Summertime in Chicago brings about many neighborhood celebrations and themed settings. Watching old clips of the dance party held in Downtown Chicago truly gave me pause. They were old and young people there. From ghostly pale to dark chocolate, everyone was dancing to the same grooves. People were dancing, recording, taking selfies, all kinds of things on one accord. For the brief moments we had forgotten about the pandemic, vaccines, masks, boosters and social distancing. No matter your race, creed, or color, folks focused on music. It looked like pure fun and great excitement. I revel in the fact that the warm weather brings out the best in humans being humane to each other. Someday we will be free to be kind to each other.  Love one another. Live our lives to the fullest. Until then, let's focus on getting together and loving each other. Are you happy with the way your life is going? Do you need to change now? Join in as we walk this journey to see the best things in life. The purple life. Please  share your comments below. Thank you for reading this article and supporting this blogspace. Stay  safe and stay healthy. Take Care and God Bless!!!

Ten Ways To Survive The Summer Heat

Happy Thursday? Did you get a chance to cool off? This week was a scorcher!!! I mean several days of oppressive heat with no relief in sight. We've had bouts of sunshine and rain and triple digit temperatures. Much better than snow but still sweltering. So many of us are sick of being shutdown but following the safety protocols. Cabin fever has taken over with the rising mercury. People are planning backyard parties, water sports, vacations, graduations, and holiday gatherings. Everyone has an agenda even if cut short due to the weather. But how do you beat the heat? How cool, calm and collected are you? Well I've found 10 tips to help you survive the heatwave:

1. Stay hydrated.
2. ​Take a lukewarm shower.
3. Avoid tea and coffee.
4. ​Eat light meals.
5. Cool your toes.
6. Wear loose cotton clothes.
7. Change light bulbs.
8. Unplug your computer.
9. Make a cold compress.
10. Block the sun.

I am sweating it out as I type this to you. I am home in Cleveland watching the NBA Draft 2022. Touching base with family and friends has been completely worth it. The weather forecast over the next few days is above average. Its a process to adjust to the climate change and seasonal fluctuations. But I am learning and growing and enjoying myself along the way. I'm still recovering from my surgeries, but getting stronger each day with prayer and perseverance. Have you done anything so exhausting yet liberating at the same time? Did it making a lasting impact? Or a wonderful memory? Would you do it again? I'll just say that I'm a winter baby and snow is my friend. I'm thankful for the experience and the opportunity to do better. Join me on this journey towards living the best life. The purple life. Please share your comments below. Thank you for reading this article and supporting this blogspace. Stay  safe and stay healthy. Take Care and God Bless!!!

Blessing For Summer Solstice

Happy Tuesday everyone.  Did you stay cool today? Sunlight was maximized with the summer solstice. As we start the warmest season in the past few years, the possibilities are endless.  However, it meant more to me this year. Sheltering in place has created a desire to get out. Explore new places. Enjoy different things. The break in the weather was real and noticeable in Cleveland. We went from 60 degrees to 90 degrees TODAY!!! The warmth of the sun melted the aches and pains in my bones. I wasn't weary, I was energized. Looking around the hospital, I saw many people reclaiming their life, health and strength. I certainly understand the "snow birds" who seek the sunny destinations when it gets cold. People are seeking each other out to congregate and celebrate. Just this month, we've had Prince Day, Father's Day, Juneteenth and our church anniversary. People are bonding over their taste and style..... in an effort to push through this pandemic. Often, its the shared moments we treasure most. Why? Because that is the idea behind life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. But are you chasing happy? Or blessed beyond measure? Is it all created for a social media post? Or are you in a moment? Only you can answer this question. As for me, I enjoy living my best life no matter what city I'm in. I invite you to embrace this journey as we discover our best selves and our best life. The purple life. Please share your comments below. Thank you for reading this  article and supporting this blogspace.  Stay safe and stay healthy. Take Care and God Bless!!!

Juneteenth 2022: A Federal Holiday

Happy Monday everyone. How is your holiday going? Good? Bad? Floating and fleeting? Today is the recognized federal holiday for Juneteenth. We mark the day the last slaves were freed in Galveston Texas. We call into remembrance that the Emancipation Proclamation was signed January 1, 1863. These slaves didn't receive news of their freedom for two and a half years. Can you imagine that happening now? In this day and age of a 24 hour news reel? We get images of turmoil and strife within minutes on the World Wide Web. And we see rival factions debating politics while their constituents suffer. Unfortunately this is becoming "the norm". Conquerors seek profits over people and will destroy anything in their way. They hoard this wealth while the multitudes fight over the scraps. Group mentality fosters to make one feel superior over others to justify their ethical neglect and exploitive actions. Sadly, things appear to be worse and there is no hope left.....or so others would want you to think. What do you feel when you see these images? Can you empathize with those uninformed slaves? Do you have any compassion left? Or are you only looking out for you and yours? God blessed us with a moral compass to guide us through dark times. Our ancestors used these thoughts and prayers until freedom came. What will history say about us? Let's embrace the past and move forward. Faith without works is naught. And He covers all in his love, grace, and mercy. We want to maintain the high road and live our best life. The purple life.  Share this journey with me as reach the mark of the high calling. Thank you for reading this article and supporting this blogspace. Stay safe and stay healthy. Take Care and God Bless!!!

Children's Mental Health Matters

Happy Thursday Everyone. I am writing this article really shocked and scared for the future. A lot of stories have been released recently about our teens. Teen issues, whether it be cutting or burning or fighting or shootings at schools, our teenagers are going through a lot. Now, I don't have any children. I've talked to my god kids and my friends kids. However, I have never had the full time duty of dealing with a teenager. Our children are shooting, fighting, dying and taking their own lives. This is frightening to me. They've barely have had a chance to live, let alone to have accumulated enough in life to want to end it all. The story comes out in the aftermath. There was an issue, problem or something that was bothering the child to the point where they felt they couldn't overcome. Teen suicide rates are on the rise, and are the third leading cause of death among 15 to 24 year olds. What's worse, murder has moved into the number one slot. How can you tell that a teenager is actually going through a crisis? How can adults take the non verbal clues, and come up with a plan to help kids survive what they're going through? These children need coping skills. They need parental guidance. They need a support system to build them up to the point where they can make it to adulthood. There's so much life to live and love to give. Young people need to learn we're never bound by our circumstances- even while being so young. Growing into adulthood gives us the opportunity to make the changes that we want in life. Kids think the end of the world is what they're going through. And it's not. We want to make sure that we're taking care of our babies. I'm concerned about these young lives. I'm concerned about the generations that are coming up behind me. I will do my part to make sure that every life that I touch- young or old- is known to be appreciated and loved. I'm also making sure that if there's ever anything I can do to make someone's day better or brighter, I can do it.  I will always make sure that someone is living up to their full potential. I will certainly encourage anyone to get the help they need to resolve their issues.  Let's do at least that much because we all deserve to live our best life. The purple life. Please share your comments below. Thank you for reading this article, and supporting this blogspace. Stay safe and stay  healthy. Take Care and God Bless!!!

Rules Of Engagement

Its Hump Day. We're halfway through the week and I'm over it. Watching today's newscasts brought back bad memories.  Children dying in the crossfire. Drivers killed in carjackings. Innocent people dying from freak accidents. You go to school, work, (insert place here) going about you normal routine and then there's a shooting.  Our country is becoming numb to these recurring headlines. Chicago is constantly in the spotlight for the reckless abandon of the value of life. For a father to drown this three young children is heartbreaking. He the police on a chase then attempted suicide is the bottom of horrible. Our children are not safe at school or on their way to school. In the wake of Uvalde, the cries have come to arm teachers. Unfortunately, the state of Ohio has passed this ridiculous notion into law. Even worse, permits can be granted with as little as 24 hours of training. Teachers can't get proper salaries or supplies... how are they getting guns? And body armor? How would guns be stored in the classroom? How can we insure bullies or mentally disturbed students cannot access the artillery? Too many questions. Too many issues. If armed, shielded and trained law enforcement officers refused to perform their job duties, why push teachers into those duties? Our country hasn't always been this way. Where are these unproven theories coming from? Why does no one care about the carnage of these dead bodies? My question is why aren't there common sense gun laws? No other major country has these issues. We police the world but can't protect our citizens???!!! Really!!! I am thankful that there has risen a generation that says enough of this foolishness. People are tired of the lack of compassion and humanity. Our young people aren't posting about fluff topics. They are socially conscious citizens who are demanding that we do better. They are taking the world by storm demanding answers to these tough questions. I join them as I flashback to the shooting in Chicago 's Financial District a few years back. I never want to go through that again, and my heart goes out to those families victimized. I can only imagine the depth of emotions that everyone must have right now from Columbine to Sandy Hook to Uvalde. I know we can do more than sit by and watch. We can act, react and make the change. I'm just waiting for the country to pull together. Are you ready? I am. Join me on this journey as we aspire to live the best life. The Purple Life. Please share your comments below. Thank you for reading this article and supporting this blogspace. Stay safe and stay healthy. Take Care and God Bless!!!