Real You-Real Love

Beneath the clothes, hair/makeup, behind the car and money, beyond the physical characteristics, and outside of the ego...who are you? Are you only what you want others to see? Are you truly who you betray to be? In the game of love, we show a different side to us. The side that we hope the other will be attracted to; the other side that attracts. After being "labeled" beautiful, wonderful, special, better than, awesome, and "the one"...the real you begins to surface. Everything that you displayed and gave in the beginning is fading behind the real you. What happens to the real love that formed before the real you came out?

Running on empty

In relationships we have every intention of giving it our all. When two people are reaching goals and trying to make a better life, it takes hard work and sacrifice; mentally, physically, and financially. But, when you have one person in the relationship doing all the work, it can become draining and at times too much to bear. One person can burn out quickly if they don't have the support of their mate. If at the end of your day, when you've given everything that is required for you to climb the ladder of success and prosperity, and can't come home to someone who can rejuvenate you or simply ask, "what can I do?", then why come home to an empty house that depletes the ounce of hope you may have left.

Those Curves....

More and more, plus size women are stepping out in confidence. They are loving every inch of their body, and appreciating the fashion industry for making them just as appealing in lingerie and evening gowns as a size six. Plus size women are doing their thing, and will continue to have more exposure and access into an industry that never considered plus size sexy and appealing. A plus size woman may not look like a Trophy wife on the outside, but her swagger and attitude makes her just as beautiful and sexy.

Resolutions

Instead of making a new year resolution that you've made before and never kept; do something different. Make a conscious decision to do a self-examination. Evalute your attitude and actions over the past year. Analyze your reasons for being why and who your are. Resolve conflicts within yourself, and with others. Let go of the past so that you can move forward into the new year. Pray more. And, more importantly, spend some quality time with yourself.

The day(s) after...

Now that all the presents are opened, the kids are up early playing, you're preparing breakfast, and some people are trying to get ready for church-when will your house quiet down? Or will it? You must admit that you have enjoyed your family (some of them at least), and you really hate to see everyone go (not everyone). However, on Monday, some people will return to work, and some will be standing in the customer service line to return those gifts that don't work, don't fit, and you can't use or give away! Whenever your house quiets down, and you get that moment to kick your feet up and let out one good heavy breath...just say, "Thank you!" 

Communication

We’ve become so accustomed to text messaging, abbreviating, and shortening our form of communication that it has spilled over into our daily form of communication to each other. Some people forget to “turn off” the slang, and turn on the proper English, grammar, and complete sentences.  We should be concerned about our children learning to speak and write properly. Keep this in mind; no one will ever know your social, economic, or educational background until you open your mouth to speak.

Domestic Violence goes both ways

When a woman leaves a marriage because of physical abuse, she is supported by friends, family, and support groups. But, when a man wants to leave a marriage for the same reason, he isn't likely to tell anyone why he really needs to leave. Could it be shame? Pride? Or, would people make a mockery of his situation because he won't raise his hand back to that woman. Are men more concerned as to what others will think of him? Women in domestic violence situations get sympathy. What do men get?

What happens next after the presents?

All the presents have been openend; everybody has enjoyed a hearty meal, and you've done your rounds to visit family and friends. It's been a festive day and the one thing that would make it even more exciting is if you had someone to go home to and cuddle up with on the couch in front of the TV. What do the single do on Christmas evening when no one is around? What do the single do when they don't feel like being around all the happy couples and people who only talk about their relationship and how wonderful things are between them?  

A lasting memory of Christmas

This Christmas I have so much to be grateful for because I'm here. I'm missing my loved ones who have gone home to glory, but I know they are not suffering or sad. As I think about my grandmother and grandfather, I think about the best Christmas they ever gave me when I was six years old. I remember getting my first Baby Alive doll, and she was my best friend. I remember that Christmas because my grandfather died shortly after in January. I'm not sad, though. I'm smiling as I remember him saying, "I wanted you to have everything your heart desired!" And today, I'm smiling again because God has given me the desires of my heart!

Praying for a mate

People are always praying to God to send them a mate. A man/woman to love them with all their heart and soul; to be honest and faithful....blah, blah, blah!! No one ever prays to God and say, "Lord, send me someone who is willing to put up with all the issues I have going on. Someone who understands that it will take me forever to trust them because I couldn't trust the last one. A person who understands that I'm not going to clean everyday, cook everyday, and have sex just because they want it. Lord, send me someone who can put up with my display of anger and loud talking, even when I get ignorant at times. Lord, please send me someone who doesn't mind me calling them every five minutes when they tell me they are on their way home; who understands that I'm not necessarily concernced with how their day went because all I think about is me! And Lord, if I'm not asking too much, please send someone who will worship the ground I walk on!"