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

Where Did 'Gorgeous Inside' Come From???

Actual sign

 

I always get asked “where did gorgeous inside come from?” Besides the obvious reason of its representation, I’ll tell you how it came about for me.

Like many of us, when I was an adolescent I was lost. I will say I was a bit beyond though. I did things I never was supposed to do at a young age and influenced others to do the same. Not something I am proud of but lessons I am grateful for.

In all of my craziness, and outlandish behavior, I never quite fit in. I was popular but still felt very alone. My friends would give me the side eye when I would want to talk intellectually and they wanted to talk about cute boys. It’s like God injected me with wisdom at birth because sometimes the things that would come out of my mouth even surprised me. I admit, I ‘dumbed myself down’ at times not to be quite an alien (because that’s what I felt like at the time).

So in accordance with my blog title, I can’t lie to yall: One day when I was fourteen, I was smoking weed with some kids in the neighborhood and walking around. On our journey we walked by this house which was for sale. It had a for sale sign and an “I’m gorgeous inside” sign. Where I grew up, at the time, the houses were rag-it-ty. So I guess the sign was the perfect cope out, or else no one would step foot into that house.

(Something like this)

The sign called out to me in my heightened stupor. I wanted to take it but I knew that it was wrong. Just as I touched it and looked up, there was a woman in a suit at the window smiling at me and nodding her head. As if she was saying “take it, it’s yours.” So I did, running like the cops were coming after me.

When I turned fifteen and started driving, that sign boldly sat in my back window. Anyone I grew up with can tell you that’s how they recognized my Honda. One day this man was honking at me at a light and as I’m ready to curse him out he smiled and said “it’s so nice to see that sign. There are too many people that just care about their outer and don’t worry about their inner.”

His words never left my heart. At that point I understood my calling a little bit more, although throughout the years, I still got lost along the way. I knew that I didn’t fully fit in for a reason. And the nights where I cried alone because someone called me naïve for being so forgiving or ‘too emotional’, God would tap me on my shoulder and say “You’re gorgeous inside. Don’t worry about them.”  

Gorgeous inside isn’t a pretty picture. It’s a calling. It’s those intangible moments only created by God. And it’s the overcoming of conflict within to walk on purpose and not for others. Gorgeous inside is truth embedded in substance. Gorgeous inside is not a flashy mob, but sometimes it’s just walking alone with God and truly listening to your heart.

Gorgeous inside means ‘I don’t care about your attire, whose flyer, or who can pay the highest bill’. Gorgeous inside is vulnerability and transparency at its finest, admitting that at times we come short but when we give our 100, God does the rest. Gorgeous inside is more blessed than a woman with a double D chest because gorgeous inside understands that it is our inner light and our outer deeds that truly make us beautiful!

I am gorgeous inside. Are you?

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.))))))