Y.O.L.O. Re-Defined

One can hear it on college campuses nationwide, see it on thousands of facebook statuses and boldly #hashtagged all throughout the birdy world. Yes. Twitter. (Sometimes I think that cute little bird is singing some ugly messages, but I'll reserve that for a later post).

Pop culture star Drake created the 'hip' acronym Y.O.L.O, but its concept is way before his time, much less my own.

"Live every day like it's your last" originally written by who knows but recognized by just about everyone who reaches the developmental level to understand that really, life in this world is SHORT.

This is my only problem with society’s definition of YOLO: Much of contemporary society has excepted the definition as 'since we do only have one life to live, be as selfish or reckless as you can'.

Don't get your panties in a bunch. Allow me to keep it authentic without getting you hype.

Yes, I agree that part of life is about self-discovery and that some of us really needed to get lost in order to be found. I completely advocate having clean fun and I think that laughing is an essential part of living, almost to the point of breathing. The true issue lies in how the term is being interpreted...accepted...and now embraced.

People are behaving utterly selfish, reckless and egotistical because....they only live once. Some have accepted the business suit as a free pass and go to lose morals they were raised with at home. Some have given their precious bodies freely to the social media world...only that 'bad' once right? I can go on and on.

I am not here to judge or condemn, but I do hope to inspire people to begin thinking of this acronym differently. When one passes from this world they leave a mark. They leave a memory. They may leave a legacy.

Don't allow yourself to live this short life only centered around yourself. Help another. Reach out. Live your dreams without having to backstab anyone. Smile. Laugh. Cry. Thank GOD!

Since you do only live in this world ONCE, WHAT YOU GONNA DO ABOUT IT?



Just imagine being the only one in this only once world
#LetsKeepItAuthentic

  IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO FORGIVE AND CHANGE. LIKE...NOW.

Mayweather Vision

Before I go in, this message is not an analysis to Floyd Mayweather's entire character, but a particular characteristic he embodies that's commendable.

May 1, 2010 the undefeated Floyd Mayweather was scheduled to go against "Sugar" Shane Mosley. This fight was said to be one of the most anticipated fights in history. "Boxing purists had called for the fight for over ten years," an ESPN article released a week prior said.

Before the infamous fight took place there was a short video clip of Mayweather's coach and friends talking about his preparation methods before a big fight. Of course, they all spoke about the athleticism that must take place prior to these extremely physical events.

What stood out the most was when they said that MAYWEATHER  NEVER WATCHES HIS OPPONENTS BEFORE HAND. LIKE NEVER.

Mayweather went on to saying that watching them could cause doubt or insecurities (in looser terms). He simply would just over train and not mind who or how the opponent was, regardless of who was in his ear talking about "you've got to watch him!"

This concept hasn't left my mind since that day. Too many of us are concerned with what the other is doing, letting ourselves become weighed down by doubt because we don't quite measure up to what we think  we're already supposed to be like.

Was that too much to catch? STOP looking to your left or your right! Be encouraged because NO ONE is like YOU. Whatever dreams you may have, commit to the process of making them come true no matter who is in your view. Don't let anyone or anything deter you. NO ONE can compete with you BUT your own self doubts!

Close your eyes and ears to the doubts, the judgement, the hate, AND GO! Mayweather Vision. And if by chance what you do requires you to be attentive to what others are doing, then show them PURE LOVE. Show them love because they're pushing and believing too! They're not quite like you and you're not quite like them. REJOICE!!!

The Dove Self-Esteem Fund

  No Words Needed

Speak LIFE!!!!

What does that mean?

When we are in the moment, possibly negative circumstances, many of us have a tendency to complain.

This complaining is called speaking DEATH upon your situation. I don't mean to sound like the utter drama queen, but maybe I do need to collect my crown on this topic because the power of words needs to be stressed.

When we speak negatively we send out a message to the enemy and God. We tell the enemy he's in control and we tell God that when we can't clearly see the future because of the clouds, that we don't have faith.

If unpleasant things happen we must speak LIFE! We must learn to say

"okay things aren't looking so hot right now, but God, I trust that it's all a part of the process. What do I need to take away from this situation? What are you trying to strengthen within me? What are you trying to strip away from me?"

We must learn to thank God all the way through. Speak life and surround yourself with those who only speak life as well. In those seldom moments where it's hard to see the positive side, it's important that we have positive people to speak LIFE over us and pray for us as well.

With love,

Paloma 'gorgeousINSIDE' Duran

Proverbs 18:21

NKJV

“Death and

LIFE

are in the power of the tongue...”

Take A Minute

What other words are needed in this post? I guess I just wanted each of us to reflect. Reflecting is sometimes just silence and sitting still. But in this past year, many times I've reflected, there's an out pour of tears and 'thank yous' for my Father.

There was once these young men at church standing behind me. They were laughing. I felt kind of offended because my usually funny pastor was being quite serious at the time. They were laughing because there was this woman at the alter whaling and crying out to God in conviction.

When this happened it kind of made me think about all the people who have laughed at me for my choices to break away and start trying to live in accordance with the Word. Then I felt comforted again, because no can judge anyone if they haven't walked in their shoes.

Maybe one can better understand my love for Jesus now when they hear about His love for me then and now and about how He saved my life countless times. 

There's days I ask Him for nothing because I know in my heart He's done more than enough for me. So I just wanted to take this minute to remind you of all that He's done for you!!!

Spread Your Wings Butterfly

A butterfly will never crawl again. It might take a rest depending on the seasons, but its wings will not fall off unless pulled by an inanimate object.  Stay clear and do not fear what’s in front or behind. Just FLY as much as you can and never trip over a small ripple, they are only thrown in to amp up your momentum! 

If something or someone today tried to knock you off your path just praise God for them and keep flying. No one ever said the path would be easy, but there's no feeling greater than flying with purpose. Which way are you going today? You are not the 'caterpillar' you once were! All those legs before and all along you just needed two wings. Fly butterfly, FLY.  

High Heels & High Standards

THIS IS A PUBIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT.

I know it's nice to have a 'bad chick,' but at the end of the day men should be preparing for a GOOD WOMAN.

It's easy to fall for looks or 'swag' but a lot of these young women are lost, needing reinforcement for their looks but rarely working on their insides. 

Does she have 'high standards to match her high heels'? No wait, SURPASS them?

What's happened it that there are so many easy women that when a GOOD WOMAN comes around, men aren't properly prepared to know how to treat her. 

Proclaiming that she's crazy just because SHE HAS STANDARDS.

A GOOD WOMAN won't put up with the mess fellas, and a VAIN WOMAN won't be there for the long haul. 

A GOOD WOMAN has faith in more than her fashion sense. She will hold you down through thick and thin but will also tell you to 'tighten up'!

Why settle for a woman with minimal standards ? ? ?

(((Only because I care for my young men and women. I keep it authentic.))))))

"The Beautiful Struggle": Jessenia 'Muzik' Arias



Jessenia “Muzik” Arias is known within the adoptee community as “The Voice of The Adoptees.” Through her heart centered testimonies on her blog Which Way Is Home? featuring authentic feelings of what it is like to be an adoptee, she encourages thought and reflection within each of us.

What started out as a way for her to share her feelings, turned into a portal of hope for the adoptee community and beyond. She has become the child of many and the sister of more.

This is a woman who has endured more than most can fathom in her short life and has managed to turn it all into victory. She encourages all to PUSH, to pray and to not give up our dreams. She never gave up on hers. No matter the rejection, the abandonement, the abuse, the lies, the “no’s”; she did it. And this is only the beginning.

Muzik is “The Beautiful Struggle”.

But the thing is, so are you! You have the ability to push through any obstacle. It’s not easy, but succeeding never is. The struggle is beautiful because the struggle is yours but so are the triumphs. P.U.S.H.

Find out more about her journey HERE
Follow her on twitter @iamadoted HERE
Want a bracelet? Email her HERE