Growth Spurts

Have you noticed the subtle changes in your body? Your mind? Your heart? Do you feel like you've gained a lot but the scale hasn't moved? Are you wearing the weight of the world on your shoulders? These things happen as we get older. Much like babies, we go through growth spurts. When we change our routine,  we're learning new skills. We form new habits and we focus on maintaining the newness without breaking the old. Sometimes it feels like your head will explode. Sometimes you feel like you'll burst. Things may get tough, but you get tougher. Bodybuilders say that you must work and then rest to allow your muscles to expand and increase strength.  Everything you've been through has brought you to this point in your journey.  What are you going to do? Keep growing? Keep pushing? Keep it moving? Or keep silent and let the world go by? Join me as we make our way along the path to our best life.  The purple life.  Share your comments below. Thanks for stopping by.  Take Care and God Bless!!!

Happy 60th Birthday Michael Jackson

Happy Heavenly Birthday to the King of Pop. Today has been a day of reflection.  With the unfortunate deaths of Aretha Franklin and Senator John McCain, the news has been racked with death and destruction.  Often, music is the language that unites the world. No other artist has achieved the accolades like Michael Jackson.  His legions of fans have paid tribute on the Diamond Celebration. His music is still dominating the airwaves, and he is still one of the highest grossing  posthumous artists.  I am a loyal Prince fan, but there's no denying who wears the crown.  His popularity has been consistent despite the controversy surrounding his life and legal trials. There's no one who compares to his style, showmanship, or talents.  He was a humanitarian,  social activist, and an influencer who supported causes that were grave at that time.  It will be a long time before anyone can come close to filling his shoes.  So let's celebrate this moment as we pay our respects to the one and only King. How has Michael's music changed your purple life for the better? What impact did he make? How have you made that change after looking in that mirror? Please leave your comments below.  Thanks for stopping by.  Take Care and God Bless!!!

It's a wrap!!!

Have you ever been "drafted"? I mean dragged into something that you KNEW you wanted no part of? Why do we keep doing this to ourselves? Wouldn't the world be a better place if we just said no? Imagine being free to be with no hang ups or setbacks. No cares. No responsibilities.  Just living our lives the way we want. Think about this....why do we get drafted? By others who should have said no in the beginning as well. They bite off more than they can chew then pass the leftovers to you(and me too). But we accept begrudgingly and commiserate the entire time. Sometimes it works, but usually it's a recipe for burnout and disaster.   Well, I've just put everyone on notice. I'M NOT TAKING IT ANYMORE!!!!! Life is too short, and I've got other things to do. And you do too. How many times have you put your dreams on the backburner to help someone else achieve theirs? Do you like propping others up? Do you want your time in the spotlight? Do you want to shake the chains that are binding you? Join me on this journey as we make better choices to lead our best lives. The purple life. Let me know what you think.  Share your comments below.  Thanks for stopping by.  Take Care and God Bless!!!

Retrain your brain

OMG!!! Just spent the entire day in a training class. As a salesperson, we go through the same classes every year.  But this class was different.  The instructor was a woman who had no shortage of tragic examples to share. The gentleman who taught last year was very sterile who only gave us "the facts". She gave us empathy,  emotion, and energy.  She took our minds to virtual reality using the "paint a picture " method. It took me to a whole new level and broadened my perspective. Truly, I can do it because she did it. That's the purpose of teaching what you know to enhance performance.  You must be "other centered" to help people elevate their own work to expand to the next level. Who has influenced you? Was it a stranger? Or was it someone you knew? Who have YOU influenced? Have they ever told you? Or did you notice your effect in their lives? This is my goal. My dream. My ambition. I want to inspire you by sharing my journey to living my best life. The purple life.  Let's connect with each other as we press for the mark of the high calling. Share your comments below.  Thanks for stopping by. Take Care and God Bless!!!

Greener Pastures

Chicago in the summertime is a beautiful city. Often, I venture out to the lakefront or one of the many parks that are free. What I notice is how green the grass is always. It seems to stay consistent and appears to be lush in many gardens.  But I know a secret that I won't share here about some of the fertilization used. What I can say is that appearance isn't everything.  People generally look at others lawns, homes, cars, clothes, etc and make these judgements. They long for the greener pastures that they see. However, they wouldn't want to do the work involved to maintain the greenery.  I see the landscape crews working tirelessly to keep these parks for our enjoyment.  I see my neighbors constantly cleaning and clearing to maintain their lot. They know how oblivious I am as my lawn care is left to the professionals.  I've taken a completely different approach to my life in particular and living in general. I'm going to work smarter to pursue my goals and dreams. I've nurtured so many others that I know it's now my time. My turn to accomplish great things. My turn to impact the world. My turn to do what I love and not just pay bills. Are you feeling the same? Do you want a better life? How have you moved forward on your path? Life is a journey that should be traveled together.  Let's support each other as we reach our goals of living the best life. The purple life. Leave your comments below.  Thanks for stopping by.  Take Care and God Bless!!!

Windy City Carnival 2018

How many cultural experiences have you had outside of the USA? I have traveled the world and nothing excites me more than Carnaval. I've been to Rio once and Trinidad and Tobago twice. Each time has been pure joy and amazement.  Well, I am happy to say the tradition is in Chicago. On Saturday, 8.18.18, the revelers were marching with their country's pride and reputation on the line. This was a family affair with costumes and face painting for the young and young at heart. I love mingling with people from across the globe as we exchange pleasantries and share stories. The festivities were vibrant and the costumes were bold, bright, and colorful. I encourage you to explore. Go outside of your comfort zone.  Taste and see what life has to offer. You might find your true calling and purpose in life. You may even level up to your best life. The purple life. Thanks for stopping by.  Take Care and God Bless!!!

May the Queen of Soul rest in eternal peace

August 16, 2018 is a day that will live in infamy.  Our beloved Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin has passed. Although we were warned that her health was failing,  it was hard to fathom her not being with us anymore. She sang longer than my years on earth, and my life will never be the same. Aretha loved God and lived in the secular world. She shared her gift with us and lit the music scene on fire. Her hits and collaborations spanned all genres and garnered millions of fans. As a chubby black woman,  she was a role model for voluptuous women to hold their heads high.
Aretha had a spirit of a soldier and a fighter who was deep in the trenches of the Civil Rights Movement. The legacy and the accolades go on forever, but I couldn't let this day go by and not say anything. All hail the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin.  Thank you for giving us your presence and your gift of grace and distinction. May you rest in eternal peace. Leave your comments below,  and thank you for stopping by.  Take Care and God Bless!!!

Knots

Have you ever had that sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach? I mean that nawing ache or that tightly wound feeling? I get them all the time. Those little knots show up when I've pressured myself. Stressed myself out over things I rarely control. Mainly I worry about outcomes and their effects on me and my "brand". I try to make sure that if I give my word, I complete the task. Ever once in a while I bite off more than I can chew. Usually team efforts dwindle down to the dedicated few...and that's the stretch.  What do you do when your whole team is overwhelmed and your plans go awry? I am grateful to God because He always provides for His plan. There have been so many times that God had to step in and take over. Often the result is better than anything I previously planned. So much so, I often get drafted to do that much more. I'm going to start telling people to trust God and let Him handle it.  I'm not that special,  just unique and dedicated to Christ. Because of Him, I've been blessed to live my best life. The purple life.  The journey gets rough but we persist and survive.  What's your story? How has He pulled you through? What do you need Him to take over for you? Please share your comments below and let's support each other.  Thank you for stopping by.  Take Care and God Bless!!!

Switch up your routine

Are you caught up in a "routine "? Is your life "normal"? Do you wake up and get out to punch in and punch out? Do you commute the same route every day? Do you order the same thing from the same restaurants all the time? Have you ever ventured into something different? Or are you caught in the grips of a "routine "? I try my best to shake things up just to experience something new. And it hit me like a ton of bricks. Watching Instagram and a video popped up from one of my favorite bloggers. She was showing her facial routine WITH A TWIST!!! She was trying additional products to compliment her changing needs. I don't wear makeup but I was fascinated by how bold she was showing the entire world how she incorporated this change. Switched things up a bit. What have you done to enhance yourself? It doesn't have to be earth shaking. Just momentum shifting. Augment your routine to help maintain who you are and highlight your brand. A little pampering goes a long way in refreshing and rejuvenating your mind, body, and spirit. I have a summer and winter regimen but I'm also changing my lifestyle.  Let the creativity spawn your sense of purpose.  Stoke the fire that burns within. Go. Do. Be. Live your best life. The purple life.  Let me know how you are faring on your journey.  Share your comments below.  Thank you for stopping by.  Take Care and God Bless!!!

Dying of thirst

Have you ever been quenched? I mean truly moist and satiated? Or is there an imaginary hole that you must fill? When its over 90 degrees,  they tell you to stay hydrated. Keep cool at all costs. They even provide cooling centers in Chicago if you have nowhere to go. But what if you have a need that's overpowering? What if your desire is burning inside? What do you do? Well I had to step out of the discomfort zone. I just couldn't take it anymore. Rather than complain about the depth of my thirst, I found a way to sip the thing that I needed most. This blog is a step in the right direction. I'm in transition. Rather than the deep dive, I'm launching into the shallow end.  Slow and steady approach to all the changes I need to make in my life. I'm so analytical that the creative side has been seeping out. Well now is the time of release. And I know I'm not alone. How have you held back? How are you burning inside? Are you dying of thirst for your purpose? Or drowning in dreams unfulfilled? Either way, your release is coming. Leave a comment and let me know how you are handling it.  We must support each other on this journey.  Let's continue to reach for the mark of the high calling....living the best life. The purple life.  Thanks for stopping by.  Take Care and God Bless!!!

Let the cat out of the bag

Have you ever held a secret that was interesting? Were you sworn to take it to the grave? Or don't tell anyone? How long did you hold onto it? Well, I just released one about myself. I was playing myself small and it was subconsciously messing with me.  I'm very humble but I do have some accomplishments.  Well a week's worth of coffee and it compelled me to speak out about my volunteer work.  So often, we play down our greatness and become self deprecating.  However,  if we don't value ourselves, no one else will. Don't brag or boast. Just state the facts. Be proud of who you are and let your light shine while living your best life. Keep reaching for the mark of the high calling.  Fulfill your purpose.  And share your journey to living the purple life.  I'm certainly sharing mine. Thanks for stopping by.  Take Care and God Bless!!!

Step back

How do you deal with your impulses? Do you indulge? Let it fly/ride? Go off? Cut loose? Let them have it? Give them a piece if your mind? That moment of satisfaction can lead to a multitude of regrets. Don't be in your feelings.  Clear your head and think rationally. Take the time to evaluate the situation. Don't give up or give in. It does get better. Are you in God's way? Step back. He will work it out in your favor......if you trust him. I believe His word and I will stand on his promises. I hope you can feel how I felt traveling through this thing called life.  The purple life. Leave a message and let me know how you fare. Thanks for stopping by.  Take Care and God Bless!!!!

OVERCOMING DEFINING LIMITATIONS

So what did your Pastor preach about Sunday? Our scripture came from Mark 9: 14-29, and Dr. Brazier titled the sermon "Overcoming Defining Limitations ". I won't review the entire sermon (see it for yourself at www.acog-chicago.org). I will say that he addressed those pastors who met with the current occupant of the White House. He also addressed the systemic racism rearing its ugly head at this moment in time. It was so motivating to see that this type of politicking in the pews won't be tolerated by true Christians who live by the tenants of the Bible. Navigating the rough waters of life can't be done alone, aimlessly wandering.  You must be steady,  constant motion until you've finished the journey. When you see charlatans who have sold themselves and their parishioners,  its breaks your heart.  To see our Pastor take a stand on the side of justice,  truly uplifted my soul. Our church supports our Pastor,  and our actions will speak louder than our words. Time will tell.....and there will be a cloud of witnesses. I am ready to continue my activism on this community level as I hope to lead others to their best life. The purple life is to be modeled and exemplified.  Who's watching you? Who's life are you impacting? Have you participated in any civic activities? Has your voice been heard? Take the leap. Stand for something. Use your power. Let's share these experiences by commenting below. Thank you for stopping by.  Take Care and God Bless!!!

#IPROMISE

Finally!!!! Something positive is dominating the internet!!!! LeBron James has opened a joint venture public school called IPROMISE. The curriculum is STEM focused and provides 240 students a stimulating learning experience.  What I find exceptional is that there are support services for parents too. LeBron always talks about being a kid from Akron, and the struggle he went through.  He promised himself that if he made it, he would give back. And he has. Bigly. He's funded several companies, scholarships, and charitable organizations....and he's only 33 years old. As a born and raised Clevelander, I couldn't be more proud. We come from the same region with similar goals and dreams. He's fulfilling his.  I'm working on mine. What were your childhood dreams? What did you want to be when you grew up? Are you doing that now? Have you fulfilled the purpose of your life? Or are you stuck? As long as you have breath, you can reach your goals. Hold on to your dreams, and do the work to make them come to fruition. We are the change! We can make the difference! Are you ready to try and succeed? Or hide and fail? Or do nothing and die slowly inside? I choose to continue to press for the mark of my high calling. There's so much in store if we just believe.  Let's support each other in our journey. Leave a comment and let me know where you are in your path to success.  Thanks for stopping by.  Take Care and God Bless!!!