Black History Month 2021: HistoryMaker Bishop Arthur M Brazier

Is it 2021? Or 2020 won? Today was the last day of Black History Month. Normally, there are many events filled with culture, education, and interaction. However, coronavirus is ravaging most black and brown communities. For the few events that happened, they were virtual remixes of recorded memories. Normally, our church would host documentaries with panel discussions. Often, these gatherings are usually followed by food, fun, and fellowship.  Today, there was a 10 minute clip of Black Women In History. I must admit, I was taken aback that there was no mention of our Pastor Emeritus or any of our church's rich history. My prayer is to record the stories before the generations pass away.  Have you ever had to deal with the loss of your religious leader? The very though of the Sainted Bishop Arthur M Brazier makes me smile. I'm not sure that there are enough words to describe the gratitude I have for the man I dubbed my Spiritual grandfather. Today's post serves as a reminder of how blessed we were because of him. So many people in Chicago are familiar with him and his story. Every where I go, I meet people who smile and share their Bishop story. People recall how he founded the N.O.W., and assisted with planning the urban landscape around the church. Bishop fought to stop infringement of university expansion on limited real estate. Bishop Brazier was one of a few pastors who welcomed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr to Chicago. Bishop worked with street gangs, politicians, and others to negotiate peace in the area, When I was planning my move to Chicago,  I asked my Pastor about which church to attend.  His response was that he heard about this big church and their Pastor who's famous. I literally came with bright eyes and big dreams. Bishop Brazier took this naive suburban college grad and grew her into the sophisticated Christian lady that you see today. The power of his preaching. The warmth of his spirit coming across the pulpit. The awesomeness of his passion and compassion for his congregation. The respect and reverence he earned for his years of civil rights activism frpm the likes of Rev. Jesse Jackson and President Barack Obama. The grace. The mercy. The favor. Bishop Brazier was a History Maker. An honorable and prudent man who was at the helm of the "Miracle on 63rd Street". I'm glad to have been a parishioner and I live a blessed life because of him. Bishop showed us the true meaning of living our best life in Jesus. Thank you!!! Has anyone influenced your spiritual journey? Please feel free to leave your well wishes, memories, and comments.  Thank you for stopping by.  Stay safe, warm, and healthy. Take Care and God Bless!!!

Still Waters Run Deep♒♒♒♒♒

So we are near the end of Love Month. Black History Month,  Black Love Day, Valentine's Day and President's Day all fall within these 28 days. COVID-19 has turned the tide from Winter Wonderland celebrations to virtual distant gatherings. I love winter, but 2021 has brought the entire country too much snow. People need to feel connected,  especially around their birthday. Now I love all Prince fans. They are awesome, and we are the Purple Family. I am very fortunate to have family and friends who love and support the ventures that I do. But have you ever felt like there's a gap? A missing link? Some wiggle room in your tightly knit fabric?  I was looking for new material and stumbled into my tribe. Aquarius...and my name is Monica. I will look at horoscopes every once in a while, but I believe in Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  Often, religion is at odds with astrology and philosophy. But there is something to be said about when you entered into this world. I have found comfort and joy with like minded individuals who celebrate at the same time you do. I've met so many "birthday twins" who based our bond on our shared born day. We've laughed, questioned, and analyze the world through our frosty distant yet observant views. I've never met an Aquarian that I didn't like, and we remain strong to thi day. When I saw this chart, I looked at how my inner circle matched up. Blew my mind how accurate it is.  If you're looking for love, get you an Aquarius.  Do you need a ride or die friend who'll stay to the end? Get you an Aquarius.  Are you trying to live drama free? Get you an Aquarius. Is truth and loyalty a top priority? Get you an Aquarius. I promise you,  you won't regret it. I'll be posting more Aquarius themed materials as every astrological sign needs water🌊🌊🌊 Have you ever felt an immediate connection with someone? What drew you to them? How do you feel about your tribe? Who is in your circle? Please share your comments below.  Thanks for stopping by. Stay safe,  warm and healthy. Take Care and God Bless!!!

The Object of Attachment, Devotion, or Admiration

Apparently, love is a many splendored thing. Merriam-Webster Dictionary has two separate entries for love as a noun and a verb. Additionally, there are nine subsets of variations of the noun and three subsets as a verb. As a chronically single woman, it blew my mind that there are so many viewpoints of love. Surveys conducted drew plenty of attention but no honest insight. Even my favorite song has some "controversy". Some listeners suggest that Bob Marley is asking "Could you be love?" Instead. Another hit song asks "Is it love" that he's feeling. Bob Marley was a conscientious man with a complex understanding of life. But this variant prompted more research (Again, researching love. Pray for me🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽) Could you be love? Is it possible that you're the answer to someone's prayers? Are you the missing piece to their life's puzzle? Can someone develop a strong affection to you-- quirks, flaws and all? MIND BLOWN🤯🤯🤯 There's still hope! This dream could become a reality! Everything in life happens for a reason. Often, people say that it makes sense once you've found the one. Love, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. So hold on to your dreams, ideals, and standards. But be open to the lessons the universe is trying to teach you. I think this series of blogs brought some meaty issues to the forefront. Continue to do the work, and seek professional help if needed. So what is your take on love? Have  d love and lost? Or never found love at all? Please share your comments below.  Thanks for stopping by.  Stay safe,  warm and healthy.  Take Care and God Bless !!!

Could you be loved and be loved?

So I'm still abuzz about the singles summit from Monday. As I'm listening to the presenters, my mind was stuck on this popular Bob Marley song. I love music (in my OJays voice), and Marley popularized reggae music worldwide. Many interpretations have been made of this song ranging from oppression, poverty, hospitality,  political strife, cultural pride, and historical references. My focus is on the love. Simply, if you love me I will love you back...if you let me. Some say Bob was posing this question for people to answer. It is a call for self inspection and introspection.  The panelists harped on a particular point- can you be an accent to your lover's life. Can you allow your lover to fulfill their life's purpose, encourage their relationship with God, and embrace the growth of love between you two. The prophetess added that you should give your best to one relationship.  If you are entertaining multiple partners, be upfront with all parties involved so they can decide their level of participation. Are you full enough of God's love to be ready to share yourself with a significant other? Again, questions spawned by this powerful song. Bob had many loves and many children, but he also witnessed many things in his short life. Others have surmised that he was telling people to stand tall. Continue to love yourself in spite of what people, societal norms, or authority figures tell you. As I continue my research on love (Researching love? Pray for me 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽), I've run into more questions than answers. The bottom line is if you allow yourself to love you will be loved back. Have you given yourself permission to love? Or have you locked down your feelings and emotions? Can you immerse yourself in the depth, breadth, and width of love? Can you grasp the concept of love? Or is it a foreign notion to you? Are you having as much trouble as I am answering these questions? Let's continue this conversation and unpack this together.  Share your comments below. Thanks for stopping by. Stay safe,  warm and healthy.  Take Care and God Bless!!!

Could you be loved?

Sistas, how y'all feel? Brothas, y'all alright? When I started blogging about how it's time to live, it was based off a marriage summit. Well tonight was the singles summit. Pure fire🔥🔥🔥 from each of the presenters who unpacked so many gems from the audience questions 💎💎💎  My heart is so full as the panelists are in various stages of singleness (even married)  I truly enjoyed the advice they gave freely for those who can admit loving being single and loving being single in their relationships. One speaker laid it out plainly... there is a hierarchy in life:

🎯 GOD

🎯 SELF

🎯SIGNIFICANT OTHER

it is in this order that true love is found. Singles have the opportunity to truly work on their relationship with God without distraction. We are free to seek His face in any and everything we do. When we are full of His grace and His mercy, we are then free to work on loving ourselves. ***NEWS FLASH*** We must love ourselves before we can love someone else. If you need therapy to uncover your barriers to self love, do it unashamedly.  If pastoral care will give you the guidance you need to love you better, then seek that.  If you're doing the work and you're pressing your way toward the goal of self love, then press on. The male presenter even went as far to say to share with your woman the truth of your journey so she can understand where you are and where you're headed. He also stated that the incompletion of this work is one factor that leads to people grabbing pieces of folks to fill a need that is forever empty. He even commented on 50 year old men who still have girlfriends dues to the gaps in their love character💣💥💣💥💣💥 This topic is so meaty that I'll take my time to post it all. Let's start with the question as asked... could you be loved? Have you worked on your relationship with God? Have you worked on the relationship with you? Do you have standards? Boundaries? Barriers? Please share your comments below. Thanks for stopping by.  Stay safe,  warm and healthy.  Take Care and God Bless!!!

Its time for you to live spiritually

So what did your Pastor preach about this Sunday? As I was getting ready to go to my own church,  I tuned in to Bishop TD Jake's. His scripture came from Philippians 2:5-11, and he titled the sermon "BRANDED! ". I won't review the entire sermon (see it for yourself on YouTube). I will say that he addressed those who felt lost, broken, and given up on. He also addressed the survival skills that Texans were forced to use when the historic power failure rearing its ugly head at this moment in time. It was so motivating to see that this type of preaching to the "empty" pews wouldn't be daunting to real pastors or deter 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 are chosen from the beginning of time, you recognize the power of your prayer and the power of your praise. Your flaws are your character and makes you uniquely you.  Be thankful and grateful for everything you've gone through. God will bless you just to bring His will and His plans to fruition in your life. Unfortunately,  some churches have sold themselves and their parishioners to the hatred that has torn us apart,  its breaks your heart.  To see Bishop and other pastors 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 church or spiritual activities? Has your voice been heard? Does anyone know what you believe in? Do you know what you believe?Take the leap. Stand for something. Use your power. Share your experiences by commenting below. Thank you for stopping by. Stay safe, warm and healthy. Take Care and God Bless!!!

Its time for you to live in the moment

How do you deal with your stresses? Are you worried about what's going to happen? Or do you dread the day your past catches up to you? People are robbed of living in joy by fretting over things they can't  control. Even worse, they imagine the worst case scenarios which replaying in their minds. How many times did you anticipate the worst and nothing happened (Y2K anyone?). We are wired to survey the environment. Survival of the fittest is an unconscious reaction to self preservation. But most of us don't live in the wild but we still have those innate skills. We have to learn how to live in the moment. Be present. Be an active participant in our lives. Be engaged when we're with others. Try to find the good side of current events. You may experience some tough times as well. That moment of dissatisfaction can lead to a multitude of regrets. Don't stay 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? He will work it out in your favor......if you trust him. I believe His word and I will stand on His promises. It took a while for me to learn this lesson. Luckily, I'm still here to share this with you. I hope you can feel this peace someday soon. How do you feel traveling through this thing called life?  Are you any closer to living the purple life? Share your comments below and let me know how you are faring in this pandemic.  Thanks for stopping by. Stay  safe,  warm and healthy. Take Care and God Bless!!!!

It's time for you to live guilt free

Have you ever been guilted into doing something? I mean begged, pleaded, demanded, browbeaten and watered with tears to do something that you KNEW you wanted no part of? Why do we keep allowing this to happen? 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 let people push our buttons? Others who are close to us (who should have said no as well) know the emotional triggers to bend our will into theirs. They bite off more than they can chew then pass the leftovers to us. But we accept begrudgingly and commiserate the entire time. Sometimes it works, but usually it's a recipe for burnout and disaster.   Well, the pandemic has turned the world upside down. Self care has become a priority, and sheltering in place has eliminated most physical contact. Life is too short to give yourself to irrelevant causes. Transitioning side hustles into multiple streams of income takes time, energy and planning. I've got other things to do with my limited after work hours. 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.  Stay safe, warm and healthy. Take Care and God Bless!!!

It's time for you to live flawed and all

"Cocaine is a hell of a drug" 80' icon Rick James uttered these words during a comedy vignette shortly before he passed. So many artists die at a young age due to their addictions. Whether its sex or food or drugs or alcohol, we are losing generations of people to their vices. I literally had an experience with vitually watching a musician unravel on a live feed. This person was smoking, drinking, cussing and being rude to the audience. This person also presented some of the most brilliant musical pieces ever made. As I watched this spectacle, I felt compassion for the pain that would drive such a display. Often, performers go to rehab or other institutions due to exhaustion.  Your average earthy citizens can't take these extended periods of time for self care. Most of us carry our hurts and traumas buried in our feelings. Some issues are buried so deep that only God knows how to get there. We as human beings are flawed. We are imperfect. We are always seeking our true selves.This week our Faithful Mornings prayer group has been exploring the concept of being flawed. Our flaws create our character. Our flaws reveal our vulnerabilities. Our flaws humanize us. Most of all, God loves us flawed and all. He can take the shredded shell of our person and use us to His glory. I am so happy to be covered in God's grace, mercy and favor. I live freely and authentically knowing I am grounded and anchored in Him. I take every conscious moment to celebrate God's love and light in my life. How about you? How do you celebrate your flaws? Please share your comments below. Stay safe, warm and healthy. Take Care and God Bless!!!

It's time for you to live authentically

What's the matter with your life? Is the poverty bringing you down? Is the mailman jerking you 'round? Did he put your million dollar check In someone else's box? The musical genius of Prince will live forever. As a fan, I'm in several social media groups that pay homage to His Royal Badness. Unfortunately,  one of the groups was infiltrated by several impersonators. Very scary looking, muscle bound men with flair. When the Purple Family got finished  with them, they started trolling. Prince even squared off imitators as he said " anyone who plays me is playing themselves", The whole mess could have been avoided if they came in as fans rather than scavengers of attention. Then it hit me💥💥💥 Who do we pretend to be? What is the public persona vs the at home individual? Do you code switch? Do you change your voice based on who you're speaking to? How many filters do you use on your photos? How recent are your profile pics? Let's face it. There are roles we play everyday, but how close is that to the real you? Interviewers always ask this question of character actors. There is always the search for truth and knowledge.  Often, people suffer from Imposter Syndrome when stretching beyond the norm. Criminals always look over their shoulder to see when they'll get caught. So why stress? Why worry? Why not try being your authentic self? The world needs more individuals, not herds or clusters. Prince was an individual who can never be duplicated. So just do you. Nobody can be you but you.  So be the best you that you can be. Are you ready to live authentically? Can you be in the moment with yourself?  Does living your truth excite you? Or frighten you? Share your comments below.  Thanks for stopping by.  Stay safe, warm, and healthy.. Take Care and God Bless!!!

It's time for you to live

Are you ready to try something new? Are you looking for a shift in your circumstances? Do you want to elevate to the next level of life? I no longer do resolutions,... I make action plans (btw how are those resolutions going?) I kept hearing on my favorite gospel station about a two-part relationship summit they were sponsoring. Last night, they hosted the marriage portion of the summit with Christian ministers and relationship experts. As a chronically single person, I could not relate to the concepts they were sharing. I literally felt like everyone was catching the gems dropped while while I watched on the sidelines. The gentlemen harped on one point that hinted to their younger days. These men stated that they were so focused on being a good father that they never learned to be a good husband. 💣💥💣💥💣💥 This revelation blew me away. These men came from different backgrounds with absentee or emasculated fathers so they had no role model to follow. It was their sheer determination that they were going to be better men than what they saw. Then it hit me 🤯💥🤯💥🤯💥 We can determine the trajectory of our lives. God formed us in His image. He made sure to place no more on us than we can bear. God have us the ambition, drive, and the capacity to achieve His goals in our lives. We have a purpose. We have a reason for living. God has a reason why He woke us up today. He sent Jesus to atone for our sins, and sent the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide us. So what are we waiting for? What's holding us back? For me, it's the crossover from the comfort zone of my analytical skills to the boundless, limitless, and long neglected potential of my creative skills. I'm working on that, and I'm looking forward to next week's singles summit. So how about you? What's preventing you from being your best? What limits have you imposed on yourself? Is your inner circle helping or hurting your efforts? Are you having difficulty answering these questions? Well, this may appear to sidetrack your life's journey.  However, working on this may clear the path you're on. Let's discuss. Please share your comments below. Thanks for stopping by. Stay tuned for updates coming next week. Until then, stay safe, warm, and healthy. Take Care and God Bless!!!

For God so loved the world.....

Happy Valentine's Day 💘💘💘 As a chronically single woman,I never really gave a care about this day. I always used to sing "Love Stinks" like a long lost chorus member. However, 2020 made things different. So many lives lost. So many jobs lost. So much hatred. People are literally grasping for some semblance of positivity and normalcy. I've got some good news! Over 2000 years ago, the Word of God gave us the blueprint to guide us through the day. In John 3:16. It says "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" God knew us before the world began He saved the best for last in creating mankind, and He put everything in motion for our good. No matter what we do. No matter how bad we fail, GOD LOVES US❤❤❤ He cares for us and about us. He has provided for our needs, and covered us against the coronavirus.  I've never felt so blessed to be in God's plan. The love of God is freely given as Jesus paid the price for it all. We are heirs to the throne,  There is no greater love in this world than God's love for us. When your foundation is sure, you can soar faster and farther than you can ever imagine. He will never leave you or forsake you. He wants the best for you, and grant His grace and His mercy in all you do. You will have this relationship for the rest of your life. What do you plan to do? Are you aware of how God has moved in your life? Did you feel His love today? Please comment below.  Thanks for stopping by.  Take Care and God Bless!!!

Happy Black Love Day

I love learning. I love researching. I love social media as a way to share knowledge. Today was real special as I learned about a new holiday. Not Sidepiece Saturday. Not Entanglement Day. Not Galentine's Day. Not Valentine's Eve. February 13th is Black Love Day. This holiday was created in 1993 by Ayo Handy-Kendi, the founder of the nonprofit African-American Holiday Association (AAHA) {did you know there was such an organization? Me neither}. Actually, Black Love Day is the third nationally commemorated African-American holiday. It is a day of atonement, reconciliation and celebration. There are five principles to practice all day and are as follows:

1. Love for the Creator

2. Love for Self

3. Love for Family

4. Love for the Community

5. Love for the Black Race

With everything that has happened during the pandemic,  it was refreshing to find a day dedicated to light, love, and positivity. Whether chronically single like myself, or in a situationship, everyone can spread and share the love. As you proceed along life's journey, take the time to enjoy the view. Notice your surroundings and be present in the moment. If you want to get things done, do it alone. But if you want to enjoy the journey, gather your loved ones and go. If no one else tells you this today, know that I love you. How have you celebrated this love weekend? Please share your comments below.  Thanks for stopping by.  Stay safe, warm and healthy. Take Care and God Bless!!!

Forged From The Love Of Liberty

IT'S CARNAVAL!!!!! Today would have been the beginning of this world renown celebration in Trinidad and Tobago. However, the 2021 event was cancelled due to coronavirus. When I owned my travel business, I was able to visit as an extended birthday celebration. After enduring 2020, I am so ready to go back. Usually, my vacation days are used by now. I actually  carried 40 hours over, and must use them by March 31st. Like everyone else, I thought this pandemic would be over but its getting worse. The rebellion is growing during the second wave of this disease. However, the rest of the world has navigated their policies around the virus and remain open to everyone...but US citizens. When I look over my past trips, the wanderlust begins. Seeing snapshots of happy memories motivates me to return there. Pictures of these people playing mas make me want to explore new adventures. What about you? What have you dreamed of doing during the pandemic? Have you travelled? If so, where? If not, what are you planning to do when it's safe? How do you escape the everyday routine? Looking at my photos transported me back to happier times in my life. Acting with youth and reckless abandon, just enjoying life. Then, it hit me. I enjoy traveling as a brief respite from life. I make my own rules, and go my merry way. No one knows me, so no one cares about what I'm doing. I can truly go for the best life, my purple life. Then, it hit me again. Why can't everyday be like that? What choices can I make now to ensure the best for my future self? I've embarked on the next part of my journey by interrupting patterns that failed previously. I've had the vision for a while now.  I'm just writing it down to make it plain. It's funny how God uses the simple things to confuse the wise. But its always better when He guides your footsteps. I've taken the scenic route long enough. I look forward to where He's taking me on my journey.  Where has He taken you on yours? Are you ready to go to your next level? Please leave your comments below. Thank you for stopping by. Take Care and God Bless!!!

The Universal Language Of Love

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 dance. 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 !!!!!

Love Thy Neighbor As Thyself

So how was your Wednesday? The second day of the second impeachment trial is dominating the headlines. Lawmakers who endured the Chaos at the Capitol are now squabbling over what to do. Our country is more divided now than ever before, Families have been torn apart over political lines, Business entities are fighting for what little market share is left in this COVID-19 economy. With Sunday being Valentine's Day, how do we love each other? We can't agree on traveling during this pandemic. What can we do as a society to combat this? Well the answer was given thousands of years ago. The Bible states in Matthew 22:39 "And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." But you may say" my neighbor is a jerk. A bully .A pompous blowhard. Irritating. Unprofessional. Nasty. Dirty. Filthy. Or just plain crazy. How are you supposed to deal with that? The same way you'd want to be treated if you were having that moment or needing some grace. We all need some understanding sometimes, especially during our down times, If you have no compassion for your neighbor, then respect yourself. Maintain your integrity and take the higher road, The Civil Rights Movement gained traction with its nonviolent stance. Once broadcast, the brutality of racism and segregation exposed the need for change, Similarly, the murder of George Floyd was captured on mobile phones and shared on social media, This senseless murder, coupled with years of black people killed unjustifiably, gave legitimacy to universal protests and the Black Lives Matter organization. Both in business and your personal life, you must balance diversity with culpability on order to move ahead. No one wants to be abandoned and left behind. However, no one wants to be taken advantage of either. Working from home has driven this principle further into my psyche, and I strive to treat others as I treat myself. Recently, I discovered that I have a new neighbor. The prior occupant was confrontational over foolish things, This new neighbor is a wonderful young Christian man who preaches online. God has a way of working things out when you trust His timing. How have you used this principle in your life? Can you share the love? Can you show compassion? Please leave your comments below. Thanks for stopping by. Take Care and God Bless!!!

Love Yourself Better

Valentine's Day 2021 is coming up on Sunday. The country is caught up with impeachment trials, stimulus packages, stock market volatility and polar vortexes. Not very romantic or loving, is it? During the pandemic, many articles have been written about self-care. While you want to ensure good health practices, how do you love on you? How do you show you appreciation? Do you struggle with the concept of self love? Societal norms frown upon self love as narcissistic and egotistical.  For some reason, we value putting ourselves last to promote others or raise children. Black women often get the raw deal of single parenthood with bad attitudes and anger issues. But then, we're expected to lend our diverse genius to right the world's wrongs. Often, people give and give and give without replenishing the energies released. It's important to genuinely love yourself. Singles need to learn this concept before bringing others into a committed relationship. Married couples have to build the partnership on the foundation of their individuality. The biblical ideal is for a man to cleave unto his wife...and the two become one. Can everyone maintain this standard? Or is that too much pressure? We can only improve myself after living life. We bump. We bruise. We learn. We grow. If I'm better today than I was yesterday,  then I've accomplished something.  So what is your love language? How full is your self love tank? Can we accept and talk about this part of the journey? Let's chat. This will take several posts to unravel. Share your comments below.  Thanks for stopping by.  Take Care and God Bless!!!

SBXLI: The Greatest Halftime Show Ever

So yesterday was "the big game". Commercial spots went for millions of dollars to capture the attention of millions of viewers. Many new companies jumped into the fray to launch their public identity. Many artists are backed by these businesses to provide entertainment before, during, and after the game. Reportedly, this year's halftime act, the Weeknd, spent $7 million of his own funds to produce the show. YIKES!!! Every survey to date has voted Prince's 2007 SB halftime performance as the best ever. The internet is undefeated, and they let the world know how horrible yesterday's offering was. More impressive are the stories that have come out after Prince's death.  The press conference before the game. The amount of practice. The staging and presentation. The rain and risk of electrocution. All phenomenal and all powered by real music. Live music. By the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Oscar, Grammy, and American Music Award Winner whose musical genius is still being revealed. I'm not one to argue, but of this thing I'm sure.- real music performances topped lists across the board. Lip synced performances fade into barely memorable experiences that were endured. What say ye? Did you watch? Do you even care? Are you glad it's over? Please share your comments below. Thank you for stopping by.  Stay safe, warm, and healthy. Take Care and God Bless!!!

Music Makes Me Vibrate Highly

2021 has come in like a lion. Picking up where 2020 dropped off, January brought highs and lows of historically epic proportions. February has blanketed half of the US under snow, with 6 more weeks of winter weather to come.  Many have given up their job search, and hopes of a stimulus bill fade slowly. I've joined several Aquarius groups, and many folks are saying that they don't feel like celebrating their birthdays (clutch the pearls... what a sneaky thing to do) My job deals with sales and Service, but today it felt like hand holding and babysitting. So many folks are in the depths of despair and they're grasping for straws of hope. I will drop gems of positivity and light to all, but I need to recharge sometimes. What's my secret? Where do I get my power from? JESUS!!! Jesus through scriptures. Jesus through morning prayers. Jesus through church community. Jesus through music. Music came down from heaven above to help praise and uplift God. Over time, music has evolved into what it is today. Music still has the capability to influence mood and relax the mind. Throughout my research, I've found many entertainers are Aquarius creatives who excel in their crafts. Even the Aquarius symbol♒♒♒ looks like the transfer of energy.  Let's lift each other up as we proceed through life. We are stronger together and we can do this. How does music affect you? Do you have a theme song? What songs bring back strong memories? Do you have a tune or lyric that motivates you?? Please share your comments below.  Thanks for stopping by.  Stay safe and stay healthy.  Take Care and God Bless 🎶🎶🎶

Music Makes Me Happy: 2021 Virtual Birthday Celebration

Aquarius....and  my name is Monica. My 53rd birthday happened yesterday, and there was 10 inches of snow on the ground. I am a believer that birthdays are your personal holiday as the day you entered this earth. The pandemic has changed the way we interact with each other. But love conquers all. Social distancing is a test and testimony to creativity. Music is my first love and source of inspiration. This weekend did not disappoint. Literally there was a 60 hour music marathon which blew my mind. More than that, Chicago's Chosen Few DJs sponsored several sets to dance to. DJ Jazzy Jeff had a birthday weekend event on the 22nd & 23rd, while DJ Spinna held his on the 29th & 30th. DJ Vince Adam's had an Aquarisn Birthday Bash and DJ DNice held a Coming 2 America themed set. Deon Cole won the weekend for me. His playlist contained many new releases anf black-ish star Anthony Anderson crashed Deon's IG Live. Mind blown. All throughout Deon's set, birthday wishes flowed like the finest champagne. Definitely a Chicago thing as we will celebrate no matter what the weather brings. The diversity of genres mixed with the appreciation of musicianship created a satisfying melting pot that soothed and satisfied this homesick Clevelander. Music is the universal language that evokes happiness and inclusion. There are so many ways to talk about music so I will extend this subject over several posts. For now, let's continue to celebrate each other along life's journey. How did yo celebrate during the pandemic? Share your thoughts below.  Thanks for stopping by.  Take Care and God Bless!!!