Stand your ground

So many times we are looking for Mr/Mrs Right, and often times we end up with Mr/Mrs Wrong because we're in a hurry to just be with someone. We say to our inner self that we won't put up with certain things, yet we do just to be with someone. We say to our inner self that we won't allow him/her to treat me any other way than how I want to be treated, yet we do just to be with someone. We are so afraid of being alone that we never learn how to be with ourself. Take a minute to learn who you are and if you can stand yourself. When the time is right, stand your ground. I'm not talking about soft sands or rocky mountains of selfishness, greed, pride, or idealogies of perfection; stand your ground on respect, compromise, communication, standards, and trust. Stand on a solid foundation of who you are as a good woman/man who deserves to be treated like the Queen/King you are.

Silver Plated

Hopefully the term “Dime Piece” is fading out because what some consider a dime piece is only a silver plated penny. Males are so concerned about the size of women waist and hips that they are not interested in what is beneath the tight fittin’ jeans and skirts, weave and make-up. Females are so caught up in the cars, designer name tags, and money rolls men flash that they don’t care about who he is without all of that. Males and females alike don’t take a second look at someone who looks worn out after a hard day of work. They don’t take the time to get to know someone from the inside out. This is why so many relationships fail, and why people waste the most precious commodity, time. Time wasted by a silver plated penny looking for a dime.

Like ‘til you Love

It’s a wonderful thing when you find someone to love and have them love you back. It’s a blessing to like the way you love. We often get so caught up in love that we never learn to like the person, first. Most people are in love with the idea of being in love that they fail to understand what it means to like someone. To like someone means learning them. You like them in their good moments and in their bad. You like them not for who they are, but who they are not. And, when they display those things that you don’t like, you ask yourself if love can tolerate them.  Liking someone takes something beyond the physical and above the emotional, yet, still having nothing to do with the sexual; however, it embraces the mental part of that person. When the feeling of being in “love” fades and there is nothing left, not a tear, not an ounce of pain, just emptiness, then you’ve missed out on something special. When you find yourself being enemies, the “like” factor was never there.

Pruning Patience

People nowadays are so busy and in a rush to do/have something without taking a moment to breathe. We sometimes focus our attention on one aspect of our life that we fail to learn other things/people in our lives, including ourselves. We are in such a hurry to make things happen right then and there that we fail to sit down and observe. Just at that moment when you think you’re ready for a relationship or success, you realize that you didn’t have enough patience to be pruned for that relationship or a successful life. If you’ve been focusing on success, then you haven’t been pruned for a relationship. If you’ve been focusing on a relationship, then you haven’t been pruned to make it a successful.

A rose has to be pruned before it can be given as token or displayed for its blooming beauty. Pruning is a process; it doesn’t happen overnight, and it takes a lot of patience. But, when God is doing the pruning, He does it with preciseness in order that you may learn patience. Wait on God to cut away your thorns.

You're not ready

I hear so many people "claiming" that they are ready to settle down, find that right woman/man, and build a lasting relationship. I hear so many people say that there aren't any good/real men/women left to choose from. Sometimes I wonder when are these people looking for Mr/Mrs Right when they are still having one-night stands and casual relations. Some of these people overlook the good ones because of (a) physical flaw(s), or they don't have this or that. I've heard every excuse in the book such as he's not tall enough, she's not thin enough, he drives a garbage truck, she's so angry and bitter. Some people take being equally yoked out of context. And therefore, people are not ready to settle down and find Mr/Mrs right. It's much easier to continue doing what you've always done and use it as a crutch to avoid trying something different and someone who you would (normally) overlook. That good woman may not be a size six and that good man may not wear a suit and tie; however, when you're ready, you won't lower your standards, but you'll set expectations of mental equality and morality.

That Man!

Ladies when you find that man who takes you out on a first date, opens the door for you, waits until you are seated, tells you to order something other than a salad, and doesn't try to bed you immediately after, consider a second date. If that man, calls you the next day just to say hello, inquires about the previous date, and ask for another, consider going out again. If that man is willing to tell you about his God, his fears, joys, and the little baggage he comes with, listen to him. If that man shares his dreams, desires, and goals, encourage him. If that man doesn't wear a suit to work everyday, but gets off his ass everyday with no complaints to go and work, keep that man.

Second Impressions

In some cases, first impressions are everything; they can make you, or they can break you. Men and women try to make the best impression on their first date. He/she shows you the best side, and the best qualities. But, what happens when that effort to show your best side goes awry and spirals out of your control by circumstances and situations? Most would say that he/she won't get another chance. Some may find humor in it all. There are some who are more compassionate and understandable that "things" happen. I say, allow someone to woo you with a second impression because it may be the one time that makes you laugh down memory lane when he/she continues to impress you with the unexpected that made you fall in love.

Rich Soil

A woman is like a seed that needs to be planted in rich soil in order to grow, flourish and blossom. She is nourished by God. When she is held in the rich soil of a good man, her roots sprout deep within him to stay secure. His soil keeps her planted and protected from being plowed like weeds. As she blooms in and out of season, his soil loosens so that her roots go deeper in him just so that she continues to grow.

Dreams

It is natural to dream about a successful life, having nice things, being able to do this and that, but those are conscious dreams who most categorize as goals and wants. However, the dreams which come to us when our conscious mind should be at rest and peace leave us feeling guilty and confused, and sometimes they heed warnings to the things we’ve consciously done or were considering doing. For example, have you ever done someone wrong and never apologized? Have you lost a loved one years ago and think about them from time to time?  Has someone ever done you wrong and you have wanted to hurt them in the same manner? It’s crazy when you dream about your love one helping the one whom did you wrong, and you have an opportunity (in your dream) to do them wrong, but you don’t. Trying to remember all the details of the dream can be nerve wrecking, but trying to understand why and how it came to be is more baffling.

A Mothers' Sorrow

Every MOTHER wants the best for her child(ren). We don’t want to see our child(ren) hurt mentally, physically, or spiritually. We do everything in our power to keep them from physical harm, emotional trauma, and spiritual turmoil. We don’t want to see our daughters make the same mistakes as we did or our sons to be like the wrong men we chose to father our children. We want better for him/her. We want to see them blossom and prosper. We want them to learn the value of effort and the benefit of value. We want them to recognize the warning signs of life. But, there is only so much we can do. He/she must still experience hurt, sorrow, love, and disappointment. All we can do as mothers is support them; be it right, wrong, or indifferent.