Families Belong Together

Today was a day of protest. Hundreds of thousands marched across the country protesting family separations at the border. Today was a bond of the human race. Its incredible to me how anyone felt this policy would have a positive result. This alone is sickening.  What's worse is that children are MISSING!!! There are over 2,000 children who have been LOST....possibly given to human trafficking. The outrage has gone across party lines and has politicians scrambling for a cover up. The sad reality is that it may take years before this fiasco is resolved. I'm glad the American people have had enough. We are the laughingstock of the international community and our values as a country have fallen into the abyss. I implore you to mark the date November 8, 2018. We the people will have another chance to right the wrongs this country is going through. We are definitely on a journey to return to the best life. The purple life.  Let's continue this journey together as we continue to strive for the mark. Thanks for sharing and stopping by.  Take Care and God Bless.

#Enough

Deja Vu......how horrible you are. Reading about today's shooting in Annapolis brought back bad memories.  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 this recurring headline. Chicago is in the spotlight for the reckless abandon of the value of life. For a lone gunman to come through and shoot people out of an enraged Harris the bottom of deplorable. Our children are not safe at school or on their way to school. Our country hasn't always been this way. Where is the blood lost 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???!!! Preposterous!!! I am thankful that there has risen a generation that says #enough. 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. A voice came over the intercom asking us to shelter in place. Cell phones bust with news reports from outside our building. S.W.A.T Teams in the lobby...guns and rifles drawn.  Police and news helicopters hovering overhead.  I never want to go through that again, and my heart goes out to those families affected. I can only imagine the depth of emotions that everyone must have right now. I know we can do more. I'm just waiting for others to join me. Are you ready? I am. Join me on this journey as we aspire to live the best life. The Purple Life.  Thanks for stopping by.  Take Care and God Bless!!!

Gotta Have House Music

Love is a universal language.  And so is dancing. 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. Watching a clip 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...but all on one accord. For the brief moments we had forgotten about race, creed, or color and focused on music. It looked like pure fun and great excitement. I revel in the fact that someday we will be free to be kind to each other.  Love one another. Live our lives to the fullest. Are you happy with the way your life is going? Do you need to change now? Join me as we walk this journey to see the best things in life. The purple life. Thank you for sharing.  Take Care and God Bless !!!!!

Our lives hang in the balance

Have you ever had one of those days? I mean lose-your-head-if-not-attached says? Well this one was by far the worst one. Left my things at home, got on wrong train, and can't blame anyone but me. God protects babies and fools.....you know the rest. But what are we doing to each other? I mean killings in Chicago are on the rise. Political unrest is sweeping the country. Social justice is elusive to most but swift to expose racism,  sexism, and classism.  This  self righteousness is reaching a frenzied pitch. Each side pointing fingers at the other. Our conversations are very guarded and sometimes filled with hatred. There's even been talk of a civil war. We can't afford to go back that far. We can afford to move forward carrying this bitterness and vitriol. We as a nation must come to the table and talk to each other. Contemplate and negotiate.  Our lives hang in the balance and we need to secure our futures. I don't believe I'm living the best life now. I feel safe in saying that you aren't either. So let's join forces and create our narrative and purpose. We only want to live the good life. The purple life. Thank you for sharing your journey with me. Take Care and God Bless!!!

This is America???!!!

I've had all I can stand, I cant stand no more. I am fed up with the unfortunate policies of the current administration. Our country is being pilfered by a "billionaire " xenophobic monster who doesn't care about anything but himself. The American People have been silent for too long. There's only one thing they understand and that's power. Money cant buy everything,  and some money is better than none at all. However,  these robberbarons have sunk to a new low. Creating and enforcing policies to escape the law and due process is exactly the steps taken in Nazi Germany. Separating children 3their mothers is frightening,  but oddly American. Since the slave trade, trail of tears, and internment camps , Americans have become more aware of the racial divide that no one is trying to repair. The world is watching and they are not pleased. God is watching and His will shall come to pass.   How will this ugly episode be viewed by history? Probably as one of the darkest moments in the country.  Please let you light shine. Let your voices be heard . #RememberInNovember
Definitely stand in your truth and live your power. You matter. Your thoughts matters.
Too many lives are at stake to sit on the side and let this continue. As we all strive to live the best life, we must never forget our most vulnerable.  Let's finish this chapter and proceed to the rest of our collective lives. The purple life . Thank you for stopping by.  Take Care and God Bless !!!

Summer Madness

Summer solstice? Pagan rituals? The possibilities are endless.  However,  it meant more to me this year. The break in the weather was real and noticeable in Chicago. We went from 60 degrees to 80 degrees TODAY!!! The warmth of the sun melted the aches and pains in my bones. I wasn't weary, I was energized.  I certainly understand the "snow birds" who seek the sunny destinations when life gets cold. People seek each other out to congregate and celebrate. Just this month, we've had Prince Day, Father's Day, and our church anniversary.  People are bonding over their taste and style.....in an effort to get through this thing called life.  Often,  it the shared moments we treasure most. Why? Because that is the idea behind life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  But must you chase happy? 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. I invite you on this journey as we discover our best selves and our best life. The purple life.  Thanks for stopping by.  Take Care and God Bless!!!

Successful Rest

Is there any rest for the weary? I surely hope so. Today was an off day due to my series of doctors appointments. As I found myself running from place to place, I was calm and collected. I managed to get by and meet new people along the way.  I needed to unwind and unpack all the current events today. I needed to refresh an refocus on my goals, dreams, and desires.  Have you ever run out of gas? The key is to do something every day. Make your moves silently and let success be your microphone. Say what you mean, and mean what you say. Small successes will motivate you to stay the course. You can rest once everything is done. Striving for the prize of the high calling. Heading towards your best life. The purple life. Thank you for stopping by.  Take Care and God Bless!!!

It's Selfie Day

Selfie Day? I mean they create holidays for any reason. Not that I mind because I love taking pictures.  Usually I am being posed by whomever the photographer is in my family capturing a moment in time. Today's culture is so full of instant gratification that most can't wait for someone to take a photo. We must do it ourselves. I mean, if you want it done right....right? Or are you like me who takes several shots before selecting "the one". Do we really want to live our lives this way? Can we only rely on ourselves? Or can we delegate and trust it will work out? Often I find that it so much longer when you have no help. Easier to be overwhelmed.  Easier to burn out. We all want to be seen and appreciated for who we are. We all want the acknowledgment of our peers and loved ones. But are we isolating ourselves in the process? Can we be free to just be? Are we in the moment? Or fretting about the next. My advice to you is to keep living. Keep pushing. Keep thriving not just surviving. Keep pursuing your goals and dreams. Don't stop until you achieve it all or die trying.  Whatever you do, don't give up. Don't throw in the towel. You can make it if you try. Your life has a beginning and an ending,  but it's the middle that's most important. Let's continue our journey together.  Let's keep reaching for the best life. The purple life.  Thank you for stopping by.  Take Care and God Bless!!!

God is full of surprises

Have you ever felt "the move of the Spirit" at your church? I must admit that God is omnipresent so He's always there. Sometimes He shows up and shows out. The week before Father's Day we had Elder Eric Williams preaching our Second Service.  It was an experience to behold. He gave his greetings to the members and proceeded to his sermon. He talked about faith. He talked about living through some of our mistakes and trusting God in all things. Elder Williams spoke with a fire that took over the Sanctuary.  By the time all was said and done, we had prayed for one another. I felt the weight of the world fall off my shoulders and the peace of God in my heart. Has anything moved you so positively? Have you used that event to inspire others? If not, now is a great time to start. I invite you to look at this service for yourself on www.acog-chicago.com and let me know what you think. We're all on this journey together striving to be the best we can be. Thank you for stopping by. Take Care and God Bless!!!

Juneteenth

Is history repeating itself? Today is Juneteenth, 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 stopping by.  Take Care and God Bless.

Clean Slate

Happy Sunday!!! As I sit here and contemplate everything that happened this weekend, I am in awe. Benny Hinn came to Chicago for one of his Healing Services.  It had been YEARS since I'd seen him, but I felt compelled to go....both nights. I must admit you hear so many skeptics critics and naysayers that pull down the tenants of any ministry.  But I saw up close and personal how necessary these events are.  Every walk of humanity made it inside the host church.  People laughed cried hugged and prayed for each other. It was kumbaya all over the building.  Everyone was on one accord as we waited to hear what he had to say. Most poignant was the verse about putting off the old and becoming new. Benny Hinn remarked that this meant you were reclaimed by God and those sins were wiped away.  YOU HAVE A CLEAN SLATE!!! Don't let anyone try to drag you back to what you were. Let them know that person is dead and you've been redeemed by Jesus to Himself. Shake off the labels that we tend to pick up. Be your own best friend.  Rise up to the new you and strive to stay there. It's a process....a journey well worth taking. What steps have you made on your path? How is your journey going? Are you living your best life, the purple life? Reach out to me. Share your comments. Thank you for stopping by.  Take Care and God Bless!!!

Reaching Out To Me

Happy Saturday!!! I hope your weekend is going well. I actually had a chance to hang out with an estranged friend. We have gone back and forth since we met, but we just can't leave each other alone. Usually I am giving good advice that he's not ready to hear or accept.  What's funnier is that when he tells people his problems, they offer different variations of the same advice.  Rather than admit he's wrong,  he'll stop speaking to you. Do you have anyone like this in your life? What makes these connections so hard to break? I must say, he can walk me back from "the ledge" with his candid conversation. Also, he's so very handy when things break down and need fixing. There's a balance of give and take that we share, and a history of experiences that we've been through. Not everyone in his life puts up with the drama or welcomes him back into their midst. What advice do you offer the person who has a gruff exterior and marshmallow interior? I bank on the truth. It's a hard pill to swallow but is always the best path. After all of the recent suicides in the news, there are so many more suffering in silence.  I always offer a listening ear with no judgement passed. My phone is almost always on,  and my heart is open to what you have to say. That's part of the journey to the best life, the purple life. Reach out to me. Let me know how your journey is going. Thank you for sharing. Take Care and God Bless!!!

Milestones

Have you ever accomplished a goal that you set for yourself? Obtained the dream house? Car? Marriage? How did that make you feel? How long did that feeling last? I  just got back from Paris as a celebration of my 50th birthday....in January.  I celebrate birthdays 24/7/365. I  always loved numbers and I relished fact that I got a year older. And then there are the milestones.  You know 7, 10, 13, 16, 18, 21, 25, then in multiples of 5. I truly honor these benchmarks or goals of getting older. I feel like this is the second half of my life. The urgency is there. I love my life, but I can do better. My musical idol Prince gave it all in his 58 years on this earth. My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ turned the world upside down in 33 years. I can only imagine how many of our heroes mark the use of their time. They maximize each moment and make it work for themselves. Are you doing the same? What is working for you? What are you working for? Is it your best? Or is it complicated? Living the purple life is striving to reach your goals, your dreams, your purpose, your happiness.  After receiving the news that another famous person committed suicide,  I vowed to activate my faith. Activate my plans. Activate my steps to move towards my goals. Join me in this journey as we explore our best lives. The purple life. La vie pourpre.  Au revoir.

Happy 60th Birthday Prince

It's Prince Day!!! 60 years ago, the love of my life was born. The world didn't know it yet, but this musical genius came into this thing called life and took it by the horns. Prince did things his way. Sometimes good and sometimes not so much, but every experience taught him at a young age to depend upon himself.  Thank God his talent was recognized early as he gave us his soul in song. It hard to imagine that his first single "Soft and Wet" was released forty years ago today. That's the song I fell in love with and loved him ever since. As an awkward  ten year old, I gravitated to his unmistakable falsetto and vibrant beats that reached out of the radio and grabbed my heart. The boldness of the music. His fresh take on classic songs. His inventive style,  sound, and swagger commanded attention and respect.  Prince drew fans from across the globe with his love of God and his musical talent. He gave us his all and every performance was one to remember. I had seen him several times in concert, but it always felt like a private show. Prince loved us through his music and we the fans will never forget him. His Royal Badness continues to reign after his death two years ago. He left us filled with his love and his catalogs and his vaults of treasured materials that will outlive us all. Prince was a champion for artistic rights and forward progression. He was also a  humanitarian and silent benefactor to many fellow artists and individuals alike. Prince moved in silence but his good deeds speak volumes. As does his life. As does his legacy.  It doesn't get much purpler than this. Are you living your best life? Your purple life? What will people say about you when you're gone? Will they remember the good? Or will you be a distant memory? I challenge you to change your narrative. There's still time to rewrite your story. Its certainly worth the effort to make the rest of your life the best of your life. The purple life. La vie pourpre.  Au revoir mon cherie.

D-Day

Remembering our heroes on this fateful day.  On June 6 1944, Allied forces stormed Normandy to turn the Nazi forces around. This was the beginning of the end for WWII. The true definition of D-Day is the day on which an important operation is to begin or a change to take effect. As I look at the news today and the world we live in, today is definitely a day of change.  Let's honor and care for our veterans by covering their expenses before, during,  and after they have given their lives to serve our country.  Let's respectfully interact with each other as we go through this thing called life. Went to Bible Study where the preacher asked a series of questions.  Do you witness to people? Or do you just invite them to church? Have you opened your mouth to talk about Jesus? Or do you expect us to do the work? BOOM!!! It hit me like a ton of bricks. People are so use to giving their tithes and passing the buck to the church to handle all societal obligations. We must do better!!! We can't dump our patriotism on our veterans and then turn our backs once the conflicts are over. We must be consistent in our lives and in theirs. I definitely have a whole new perspective on living my best life, my purple life. Join me on this journey as we continue to reach for better. Do better. Be better. Live better. La vie pourpre.  Au revoir.

Until we see each other again

Is there something or someone who is missing from your life? Did you choose that option or did life just "happen". I spent the past week with family and friends to reconnect and refresh myself.  I was so busy thinking about upcoming birthdays and other to-dos when my timeline flooded with negative news. A famous designer committed suicide.  A sports team uninvited to the White House. Our current administration has a person at the helm who does not know or care about what they are doing. All of this required fact checking as there is so much "fake news" swirling around us. My heart goes out to every family that is dealing with the loss of a loved one from their own hands. Oftentimes when famous people die, there's an investigation and their last 15 minutes of fame is used. However, there are so many voices silenced by the cares of this world....or lack thereof. I refuse to be quiet about this growing epidemic.  I want you to live and not die. I want you to flourish and not fail. Free confidential help is provided by the National Suicide Prevention Hotline
800.273.8255 or by visiting their website
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ and they're open 24/7/365. Know that I care about you and your wellbeing.  I want you to live the best life, the purple life, in all its glory. Don't leave this world without knowing Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. As I move along on this journey I want you to join me. Reach out to me with your questions and comments as we reach our goals together.  That's truly living the purple life. Even though I am back in the US, I'll still sign off in french. La vie pourpre.  Au revoir.

Diner en Blanc Paris 2018

Bonjour!!! I experienced the most magnificent event this year. Diner en Blanc celebrated 30 years of existence in Paris on June 3rd. This was my first time and it was a belated birthday gift from my sister. There were over 20,000 people all dressed in white for a soiree of epic proportions.  Everyone brings their own food, wine, table settings, and shares in the communal meal.  Costumes are optional, but highly encouraged. Many people travel annually for this event, and I got a chance to engage most of them. I took so many photos and people loved asking where I came in from. What makes Diner en Blanc so successful is the hospitality. I had the distinct pleasure of being with the Brooklyn table.  Today is our Table Leader's birthday and we celebrated her and our theme "Wakanda Forever". People came from across the park to view our setup, get their faces painted, share some wine, and inquire about our theme. There were bands, djs, and the Eiffel Tower in full display. Parisians were proud to show us their city, song, food, and history.  They put their pride on full display,  showing their best selves for the occasion.  I look forward to our evening in Chicago and across the USA.  Have you ever been so proud? Have you always shown your best? Join me along this journey to living the purple life.  La vie pourpre. Au revoir.

Joie de Vivre

Bonjour!!! Paris...in the springtime...on a Saturday.  Absolutely breathtaking.  I had the opportunity to slow down and take it all in. I thoroughly enjoyed my "birthday" meal as the chocolate croissant was diva approved and divinely crafted for me. I choose to celebrate my born day 24/7/365 with any and all family and friends.  We shopped, toured, and picked up our tables for tomorrow. We headed out for an event and made new friends with new memories that we'll share. Life is that good right now...just like I said it would be yesterday. Can you imagine speaking things into existence? I mean putting good thoughts in the universe and having them come back to you? That's the purple life mindset. Make it happen.  Choose to be better than you were yesterday. As you know better, do better. Be the best you that you can be. Authenticity is a rare find and is worth its weight in gold. People are drawn to the light within that shines around you. Are you free to share it? Or do you need to find it? Either way, it's the journey that counts. Join me as we discover the ways to increase the royal values of our purple life. La vie pourpre. Au revoir.

Viva La France

Bonjour!!! I greet you today from Paris, France.  I traveled from Chicago to Cleveland  to Iceland to France... thanks to WOW Air. This was a purple trip on a purple plane to explore the best that purple has to offer. Visited some family and friends along the way but meeting more travelers in the City of Lights.  I have dined sumptuously at many of the sidewalk cafes Paris is known for. What struck me the most was the pace that everyone was going.....SLOW!!! I mean people were moving leisurely, taking time to enjoy the moment.  All seats in the cafes face the sidewalks and the passersby.  Seats are placed to sit close to/ next to your guest. And you are served to allow for enjoyment and conversation.  I look at everyone's face and I see contentment. I can only imagine what Parisians are going through as it does not show. Can we as Americans say this at this time? At this point in history? Well I am going to start over TODAY!!! No better time than RIGHT NOW!!! Declare this with me...Today is the beginning of the best days of my life. Join me on this journey to living the Purple Life. La vie pourpre!!! Au revoir!!!