Lord, we come to you with our heads and hands raised high. We speak to you through shouted and silenced voices. We come to you lifting prayers, our spirits, souls, our being, our emotions, our strains, ours stresses, our weakness, and ourselves. I asked that you continue to look down on us and guide us. We ask that you lift us up. We ask that you take us from all condemnations. We ask that you make things better and right. We ask that you provide a covenant to the world as a whole that will manifest belief, holiness, and belief. Lord, if we have not needed you before in our lives, we need you now. We need you to make things right. We need you to change our mindsets. We need you to give us the strength, the power, and the grace to move forward in life with success and without a doubt. Lord, we know that you said that you will be the one that makes all things better as long as we believe. You said that you will never leave us nor forsake us. You said that if thy be you your will and if thy be your glory. We come to you stretched to capacity right now, showing you that we believe. We ask that you dominate our lives and leads us wholeheartedly and whole-spiritedly. We lift up our hands and heads in prayers so that you can continue to send down your blessings and ensure that the world we live in, your manifestation, and your creation serves as a pedestal, your will, and commands so that all things will be alright. In Jesus’ name, we All pray. AMEN!
This year it took me a while to get into the Christmas spirit and I am not sure if I am totally there yet. I only recently erected my Christmas tree-days laters decorated it. For some reason, I have been in a funk, though I have been watching Christmas/Holiday movies to help lift my spirits before Thanksgiving. Christmas is supposed to be a time of happiness. A time for gift-giving. A time for love and togetherness. I am happy and content. I have given even though I said I wasn’t going to this year but went overboard. I donated. I enjoy spending time with those I am close to. However, this year these situations come with risks. When I finally decided to put some decorations up, tree mostly there were no decorations left in stores. I was shocked. Did stores purchase limited supplies this year suspecting that everyone was going to have my frame of mind? Seems not. Most people had decorated the insides and outsides of their home and finished their Christmas shopping before I even got my mind wrapped around the fact that Christmas is coming and there is nothing that no one or nothing can do about it, not even a pandemic. So, if I wanted to be part of this thing, I had better get to get moving. Like, all else this year, online ordering really came through for me, with order bare minimum essentials. #AmazonPrime. There is still much I need to do for this holiday but have decided that I am not going to give it 100% this year, maybe just the dinner and the eating and drinking of eggnog and baileys.
For the most part, I’d rather be on a much-needed vacation, but that is not going to happen anytime soon. at least not until sometime in 2022. In the meantime, staycation it is. I don’t mind, as I have a plethora of school work that needs to be done. Housechores and laundry are endless. Trips to the supermarket, which I need to tackle today. Not sure if it’s going to get done and may just order through AmazonFresh for next-day delivery. In the interim, I will make do with what I have and be happy. I will continue to laze around when the opportunity presents itself and watch some holiday favorite movies. Exercise in the mornings to get rid of the COVID weight-gain. Yeah, I feel a bit lumpy and chunky. Have you ever asked the question, why is it so hard to get the weight off and easy as heck to put on? Actually, I’d prefer it in reverse. But that’s me having wishful thinking.
Speaking of weight-gain, I get the majority of the world’s population New Year’s/Post-COVID resolution will be to get a gym membership and lose a few pounds. I should become a personal training just for the first three months because usually, that is how long it lasts before some people just throw in the towel. Just kidding. I am going to renew my gym membership once all of this is said and done as the gym adds a layer of motivation than does working out at home. However, at least at home, you have the option to watch what you want on television. Use Youtube videos to help you challenge yourself. Hey, you can even watch a Christmas movie during the holiday season while you stretch, jump and bounce around, or try to keep your balance on one foot or during a handstand. For the most part, it watching CNN when I first get up and then onto holiday features to help lighten the mood and to keep holiday spirits up.
ChristmasMovieMadness
Many of the movies that I watch I record from the Hallmark channel. I watched other networks such as Amazon Prime, Hulu, and LifeTime. Some of the Christmas movies that have captured my attention this year as follows:
Hello everyone, I hope all are doing well, and you are not letting the stressors of Christmas take over your mental being. We all know that this time of year is the most stressful year. However, this year in its entirety has been one big ball of anxiety, depression, uncertainty, and mental disarray. We went from ringing in the new year of 2019-2020 to a quarantine state shortly afterward. The year 2020 has challenged EVERYONE. The young, middle ages, the old, the sick and shut-in, the poor, the rich, the optimistic and pessimistic, the bipartisan, partisan, and nonpartisans. People worldwide, of all demographics, are looking at the next few days sideways, knowing that Christmas is not going to be the same, at least for most, as people violated the travel restrictions for Thanksgiving, you better your bottom dollar, the same is to occur for Christmas and New Year.
Christmas is only 20 days away. Hey, but who’s counting. I am not sure what this day would bring for me. Many children may not be impacted when it comes to getting things on their wish list, while others will be dramatic. We’re going to have all of the reindeers pulling Santa sleigh with masks on screaming, “I cannot breathe.” The Grinch is not going to be stealing presents, but ventilator machines. We will not leave cookies and milk for Santa, but a mask, hand sanitizer, and roll of toilet paper. You know, just in case. I mean, Santa has to abide by the social distancing and face mask-wearing rules just the same, and I am sure that even the North Pole has gone on lockdown, so essentials are needed.
Christmas Essentials
Santa Pictures
Will Christmas trees and pictures with Santa be essential this year in 2020. Will you get close to Santa this year? Will you let your children get close to Santa, let alone sit on his lap with the outbreak of the coronavirus. Some people have been waiting in long lines with their children eating to speak with mask-wearing Santas through plexiglass plate. This is only speaking to him and telling him what you want for Christmas, and not being afforded the opportunity to take a picture with him. Well, 6ft apart. That’s like taking two separate pictures and cropping or gluing them together. I tell you what, technology has become so advanced today that there is no need to make a trip to see Santa. Dress your children up in their Christmas costumes and throw Santa in the background or make Dad or Grandpa dress up as Santa this year.
Christmas Tree
This year Santa has a masked beard. We would assume that people’s Christmas’ would look like a Charlie Brown Christmas, but everything is almost sold out when you go to the store. I mean. How are they saying that the economy is bad? People are shopping, buying Christmas gifts, and being merry and bright. But that is just me assuming. I am not trying to look into anyone’s pocketbook or wallet. However, after a tumultuous year that we experienced, everyone deserves a Christmas present, or at least to celebrate it near and far. The same goes for the New Year. Just drinking a glass of grape or apple sparkling cider or champagne is good enough.
Christmas is a time where gift-giving is epic. People give gifts even when they cannot afford to. Some people max out their credit cards just to make a good impression when it comes to giving others gifts, putting themselves into deep debt, or placing themselves into a bigger economic hole. Christmas to me is about spending time with friends and family, but since we continue to experience a viral pandemic, that is not possible, well, at least for some. People will violate social distancing rules and put themselves and others at risk of contracting COVID. I would say that it’s something that I should not worry about, but I cannot. These may be some pool that I am around or may come into contact with, even given my limited circle.
I want to say that we should be enjoying life more than anything this year. Many people have not made it to see Christmas, and there will be additional beings who will not live to see the New Year. We must count our blessings and give thanks. This is a time where all of our dispositions should have shifted in a more positive direction. If not, so be it. I cannot worry about everyone in that aspect. I can only worry about myself. I can only stay positive and focused and not allow others’ negative energy to deter me. Give thanks. Give gifts, even if it’s a simple Merry Christmas, a handwritten note, or a Christmas card. I must say that appreciation is at the top of my Christmas list, and I wish for NO gifts this year. Just for everyone that I love and cherish to be happy in their own unique way.
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and to never take life for granted, as we do not know what lies on the other end of this pandemic. Life or Death.
Hi everyone. Last week, I did a blog titled What are you up to on a Thursday? and this is the extension of it. Today is Thursday again so I want to finish what I started. I started off by asking myself various questions related to whether I don’t what I am doing as a human and in terms of life happenstances and engagements. I must say that I am not perfect, nor have I ever claimed to be. So, to thick this off I will continue to ask myself questions related to life and see where this goes. Here we go…
Do I know what I am doing when it comes to being part of society? Often times I find that society makes the rules up as we go. Something is always shifting dynamics and changing paradigms. There are several norms that we, as humans, must conform to but there have been numerous cases we people are noncompliant or nonconformists. For the most part, I know what I am doing and know how to behave, conduct myself, and treat others. Yes, there are times where you will be challenged, but is it a challenge. In most cases, persons that do not conform to societal norms are those that make the rules up as they go. They tend to be troublemakers, naysayers, and lawbreakers. In some cases, these are individuals who find themselves extremely discomfortable with who they are and feel as though they need to prove their work, be noticed, or single someone out just for their own benefit and even if it means hurting others. However, they know when to do it and when not to do it. Most engage in such behaviors when they are in cliques. I have noticed this with a lot of women, who are with their girls and will say or do something to another person because they feel as though their clique-sters got their back. Never in million years would they behave in such a disdained manner if they were alone. Heck no. But, overall, I know what I am doing.
Do I know what I am doing when it comes to being a customer? For the most part, a customer is touch and go. You can come and go when you pleased, so it does not take much to be a customer. However, there are often times where there are rude and irate customers, who take the good out of being a good customer overall. This is not me. I am a good customer, I think, to where I appreciate persons in the service industries a great deal. It does not take much to ask a person how their day is going or to compliment them on a new haircut, their outfit, or what have you. Just smiling and saying hello and thank you are nuggets of gratitude and appreciation, those of which can make a person’s day. We need to start saying please and thank you more often. No, these words are not overrated but underrated. There is some customer service representatives that are outright rude, and these are those that you have to ignore. Everyone experiences bad days, and I am a stickler for leaving your attitude at the door, but in various cases, you cannot, especially when it’s a life-changing or attention takeover situation. We don’t know their stories. Sometimes we have to just sweep things under the rug and let them fly and move on without day as a happy person because if we feed into their negativity then we have allowed that negative energy to transform to use which now makes us angry.
Do I know what I am doing when it comes to being a client? I have been a client to people in various industries. From getting my hair and nails done. Lashes, laser hair removal, doctor’s visits, dental cleanings, eye exams and optics, shoe repairs, dry cleaning, just to name a few. Now, you need an appointment for most of these client-based services of which there are some situations that I am always late to but have found myself getting better as of late. In most cases, I am on time, but when you are on time you still have to sit there and wait for an additional 15-30 or more before services are rendered, this is particularly true in medical facilities where appointments are needed, so why not be allowed to show up a few minutes late. I am loyal to my nail tech so she let me come and go as I am pleased, as I am all about letting her get her coins and just fit me in when she has extensive downtime, and I show up moments later after a text saying come in and if I am not available, we agree to a time and date of the next downtime. I hate going to the dentist, the eye doctor and I hate waiting at the physician’s office. I am a good client but there are often times I reschedule appoints, in some cases last minute. When the scheduled day comes around, some weeks to months later, much has changed in my life and on that day I may need to address other issues or concerns. again, I am a good client.
Do I know what I am doing when it comes to my personal well-being? Your personal well-being is contributed by a lot of factors, those internally and externally. External factors case has dramatic and positive effects on a person internally, thus causing a person’s happiness or sadness. Person well-being is about being satisfied with who you are, your accomplishments, who you associate or dissociate yourself with, and who you do not associate yourself with. Too often, we look to outside sources to determine our personal well-being and outlook on life and life satisfaction when it is right within us and never let. I have had those experiences where I have allowed others to determine my life satisfaction and how satisfied I was with myself based on their actions. It was only a short while ago that I have regained control over my personal well-being. I have developed an optimistic disposition, even in the midst of tumultuous circumstances. I tend to dislike myself when I find myself going down a negative path, which means something is going on within me. Something that I need to fix, personally. Your personal well-being is essentially your entire being. It has the capacity to make you happy or sad. You decide. I did.
Do I know what I am doing when it comes to gift-giving? I must say that a lot of times I find myself overdoing it when it comes to gift-giving especially around holidays and birthdays. I mean, I get people the gifts that I would want for myself. Who wants something that is going to break after its first use or has gone out of style before you even decide to wear it. Not I said the Cat. Some of the perfect gifts are quality appliances, mmmm cashmere sweaters, and scarves, leather gloves. I mean what woman could not use a new pair of UGG boots or slippers. Every woman loves a nice piece of jewelry, e.g., high-quality costume pieces, or fine (diamond preferably). Most men love something sports-related, i.e., a sports car, but since everyone cannot afford that, maybe a nice steak dinner if they eat meat, sweaters, gloves, sports tickets once entertainment and sports attentions open back up. Maybe tickets to a concert for two. Ok, back to the ladies, shoes glorious, shoes. I mean what women can say that they have enough shoes. Not I said the Cat again. A nice handbag. Dudes/Ladies, we are not talking about the recyclable bags that you get for your groceries, were are talking prime and cream-of-the-crop, handbags. It (OR THEY) do not have to be anything overly expensive, just quality. We all cannot afford a Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Gucci, Balen-ci-a-ga, Dior, Chanel, Valentino, Prada, Tom Ford, or YSL, just to name a few. However, we do want something fashion-forward and the strap is not going to break when we make an attempt to strike you with it… hahaha, just kidding. Fella, do not get a woman anything that relates to domestic chores, just saying, especially not an apron until it’s laced and comes with matching panties. Merry Christmas to you.
Do I know what I am doing when it comes to cooking/eating? For the most part, I know what I am doing in the kitchen. I can cook some delicious meals and love experimenting. I love eating foods that are flavorful and not spicy. I love cooking for the holidays even though it is exhausting and takes about 48 hours to prep and cook an entire meal. I mean the slicing, chopping, seasoning, washing, washing, and rewashing. Maybe a last-minute trip to the supermarket because you ran out of an ingredient or forgot to get it on your initial trip. I am not a foodie, but I love tasteful meals when I do eat. I like eating what I want to eat when I want. I don’t have a set schedule of when I eat. I eat when I feel like it or remember (uh, that is my stomach growling). For the most part, I do and I don’t know what I am doing when it comes to eating, but I definitely know what I am doing when it comes to eating. always the good
Do I know what I am doing when it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and exercising? Uh, who can say inconsistency? ME! I am so inconsistent when it comes to exercising. Some people exercise daily, some every other day and a few times a week. For me, it all depends on how I feel when I wake up in the morning. I will not wake up at 4am or 5am, not even 6am or 7am just to get a workout in. I like to exercise, after a cup of morning brew, coffee. I usually resort to a YouTube video that is motivating and that will keep my attention from beginning to end. I have not gained the 15 COVID pounds but I definitely feel a few pounds heavier. I got on the scale and saw that I had gained 3 pounds, I was pissed. Maybe I should just stop eating for a few days or a week and just go on a liquid diet. Does that help? I did a fast a couple of years ago, the Beyonce lemonade diet, for 10 days and dropped 10 lbs. I felt and look amazing and I was able to fit into my size 2 jeans again. The only thing about that is when you started eating again the pounds instantly come back, IN 10 DAYS!!!
For the most part, I tend to live a healthy lifestyle. Is drinking champagne (Veuve Clicquot is my fav) included in living a healthy lifestyle? In fact, can you drink champagne while exercising? I mean I have been to a Gin and Spin class before. Isn’t that the same thing? Is Gin and Spin considered a form of drinking and driving? Inquiring minds wanna know. Probably so, if someone falls off their bike. HaHaHa. Is dreaming that you were exercising considering part of a weight loss regime or vignette? What if I woke up in a sweat? It must have worked, correct. I have comprehension that exercise is a form to alleviate stress, depression, anxiety, bipolar symptoms, and other psychological and cognitive dysfunctions. exercising makes you feel good about yourself. It makes you happy because it releases endorphins into your body. So, for the most part, I tend to know what I am doing when it comes to exercising. I just don’t do it as often as I should. I have decided to renew my gym membership after this pandemic is over, as it was more motivating for me to exercise outside of home. I just don’t like the fact that when you go to the gym, most muscular men frequently stare at themselves in the mirror, while some women wear some of the most skimpiest and most revealing outfits. I’m how comfortable is it to exercise with a string or your pant up your… DID I SAY THAT???
Anywho, this is my Thursday continuation session. Maybe, I will see you next Thursday to continue this “Do I know what I am doing” spill. I think so. See you next Thursday. Recommendations of what I should ask myself is welcomed. Maybe I will start off by asking myself…
Do you know what you are doing when it comes to blogging…. Yep, that it, stay tuned…
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Au'Pearce 