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Showing posts from 2015

See You Later 2015

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!! New Years Eve is rapidly approaching. During my commute to and from work, I began to reflect on things that have occurred this year. I though about the decisions I made and did not make, life events, my relationships (children, family, friendships, significant other), my health, accomplishments, unaccomplished goals and my job. I also thought about what I loved as well as what  hated about this year. As I look back on 2015, I realize it was a roller-coaster. I went through a lot emotionally, mentally, spiritually, during the first nine months of 2015. Now that in think about it, it was as if I was pregnant. GOD was preparing me for the rebirth of myself. After giving birth, you are thrilled to see who has been growing and moving inside you, who has been keeping you up at night, who has been poking and probing you, basically who has been invading your space. Once you give birth you look forward to nurturing and molding that child into what God has c

Peace In The Valley

Two and a half months ago I was in the midst of a terrible storm. Everything that could go wrong did. I had to postpone receiving the right hand of fellowship, my relationship was ending, I was being accused of something that was not true which caused a lot of anger and frustration within me, as well as, tension in my home, I could not sleep and I could not focus. I was losing myself. One mild October Saturday, I decided to go to Shop Rite at Gateway Mall. When I entered I stopped to smell the flowers. For some reason doing this was calming to my spirit. I then proceeded to look at the plants. I browsed all that where there, but I kept going back to this one specific plant. The leaves were dark green, glossy and had white lilies. Before I finished my grocery shopping, I headed back towards the florist to purchase the plant. I had no idea which classification the flower belonged. I had no idea whats the name of the flower. It didn't matter as long as it was in my possession. I for

Learn From Your Mistakes

Under no circumstances is it ever easy to admit you have made a mistake. Nonetheless, it is a very important process when children and in some cases when adults are learning, developing and refining themselves. It is my responsibility to help and teach my children to learn from their mistakes. Now, I will admit my initial reaction is not always the best reaction. This is especially true when situations occur and I have forewarned them of the possible outcome. Once I have calmed down, I then proceed to give them advice that I hope they will remember as they travel along this beautiful journey called life. There will be times in life when you are going to fail at things. There will be times when you are going to make mistakes. That is okay. Failure is going to happen. Mistakes are going to happen. They are a part of life and should not be feared. There will be times when your failures or mistakes knock you down. That is also okay. Do not allow fear of failing or fear of mistakes

Starting The New School Year

It is hard to believe that it is that time of year again. Where did the time go. It seems like the 2014-2015 school year just ended. Naturally, some of you may be excited for your children to return to school and some are not. Regardless, of which category you fall in we cannot avoid the inevitable. As the first day of school approached, my girls experienced every emotion possible. They were excited about who their teachers were and if they would have classes with any of their friends. On the other hand, they despised the fact that Summer rapidly coming to an end. I felt the same way. The Summer went by so fast. I am the parent who was not ready for the school year to start. Unfortunately, the 2015-2016 school year has began and we have to get back into the swing of things. Tereya is a senior in high school and is she is already stressing out. Let me remind you, school has only been in session for three days. The one advantage is she does not have that many classes. However, she is

Many Days......

"People can live weeks without food, days without water, minutes without oxygen, but not a moment without hope".------Anonymous Many days she wished she could run away Right here, right now, she did not want to stay Many days she walked through life aimlessly As if she did not have things to do or places to be Many days she walked around talking, joking and laughing on the outside Yet she cried and often felt like she is died on the inside Many days she tried to overlook the thoughts that entered her mind These thoughts were usually harmful and rarely ever kind Many days she complained of voices in her head These voices tried to make her believe she would be better off dead Many days she struggled with the thought of suicide But couldn't imagine the pain she would cause her family once she died Many days she felts like her life was falling apart The only one she could turn to was God because he knew her heart Many days she did not know what to do,

No Weapon Formed Against Me

I believe and know for a fact that when you bless others, God will bless you. I thank God for CONTINUOUSLY blessing me. I am so grateful. It's troubling when someone assumes things about you. It's messed up when someone speaks ill of you. It is an un easy feeling when someone says somethings bad is going to happen, but I am not wishing anything bad upon you. To me, I believe secretly that is exactly what you are wishing. I just want to say, that I am God's child. I believe in God and he believes in me. He lives in me. I do not believe  I am not perfect, but God knows my heart. He knows I am trying my best and hardest to live for him. The Lord said, NO weapon formed against me shall prosper. And every tongue which rises against me in judgment shall be condemned. Nothing said, done or aimed against me will succeed.  #Godismysavior, #Godismydefender, #Godprotectsme.

Head & Shoulders Moisture Care Product Review

Disclaimer: I tested these Head & Shoulders Moisture Care products for free, but all opinions are my own.  I thought  Head and Shoulders products were for individuals who suffer with dandruff. Fortunately,  I do not have dandruff. Nonetheless, i t is difficult for me to find products that work for my hair. I have very thick coarse textured hair and I struggle with dry itchy scalp. So, I was ecstatic when I heard about the new Head and Shoulders Moisture Care Collection. I was even more ecstatic  to be one of many to be selected  by BzzAgent to use and review these products.  The Head and Shoulders Moisture Care line consisted of the 2-in-1 Dandruff Shampoo and Conditioner, Co-Wash and Scalp Soother.  The Head & Shoulders Moisture Care line was designed for individuals with textured hair.  The products active ingredient is  Pyrithione Zinc which is for fighting Dandruff.  It will  provide moisture,  fight against dandruff,  relieve dryness,  irritations  and

Begin Again

via Emmanuel Baptist Church Have you ever received a summons? Did you fail to respond to the summons? Are you tired of looking over your shoulders? Are you tired of wondering if today is the day?   Several New York City youth have you been issued a citation and their parents are not aware of it. Their children have not informed them and the agency who wrote the summons is not obligated to do so. Some children are scared to inform their parents because they are not sure how their parents will react. Some children think if they ignore the citation, it will go away. Often the parents do not find out until they receive a letter in the mail stating they failed to appear and a bench warrant has been issued for their arrest. Unfortunately, by this time the parent is upset and the fine has accumulated late fees.  What our children and these adults do not understand is this situation can cause a domino affect. What started out as a minor unanswered citation, may lead to a warrant which w

Soapbox Coconut Oil Shampoo & Conditioner #SudsySelfie Review

Disclaimer: I tested these Soapbox products for free, but all opinions are my own. For my first #voxbox, I received a full size sample of Soapbox Coconut Oil Shampoo & Conditioner from  Influenster . I was a little skeptical when I received it because I had never heard of this brand. I was excited to try these products because it said it would leave my hair moisturized. Everyone who knows me know I have extremely dry hair. I have tried so may different shampoos and conditioners and nothing seems to work. Nonetheless, I remained optimistic during this experiment.Soapbox hair care products contain Vitamins E and K, and Coconut Oil. These products do not contain any sulfates or parabens. These products  as well as other Soapbox products can be purchased at  Target  or via Soapbox website.  What I admired about this company/brand is their mission. For every bottle purchased, clean water, soap or vitamins will be donated to those in need all over the world.  On the back of each

The Struggle of Co-Parenting

via Womans' Divorce Dealing with an ex when you have children together can be extremely difficult.   Wouldn't it be nice if the noncustodial parent was able to put their personal feelings aside and focus on being a parent to the child (ren)?   Wouldn't it be nice if he/she did not include the child (ren) in adult situations and conversations? Wouldn't it be nice if he/she did not speak negatively about the custodial parent to the child (ren)?   Wouldn't it be nice if he/she communicated and coordinated outings and weekend visits with you instead of communicating via the child (ren)?  This would be great, unfortunately, that is not the case with many who are trying to co-parent, myself included. Co-parenting is not an easy task. One would hope co-parenting would be less stressful and somewhat easier especially if the child is older. Well that is not always true and it is never that easy. My daughter is ten years old and some days are easier than others. I

Couple Relationships

As I sit cuddled up on my bed, I decided to turn the TV on and flip through the multitude of Optimum channels. However, there was nothing on that I wanted to watch. As I continued to channel surf, I stopped at two of my favorite channels TVOne  which was showing Martin and Antenna TV They were showing WKRP In Cincinnati . I did not want to watch either, so I continued to scroll looking for The Jeffersons . Unfortunately, the show was not on so I turned off the television. With nothing to do, I laid in bed thinking about the sitcoms and the relationship they had with their spouse as well as with their friends. After comparing and contrasting the relationships, I noticed they all had friendships with other couples. Lucy and Ricky were friends with Ethel and Fred. Louis and George were friends with Tom and Helen. Alice and Ralph were friends with Trixie and Ed. Then I began comparing my relationship to those on the television shows. I realized that my significant other and I do not h

Happy Birthday Raising Brown Girls!!!!!

It has been one year since the birth of my blog. When I first started blogging I think I was psoting a few times a month. However, life happened and I have was not posting as often as I should or would have liked to. As a new blogger, it is difficult to attract readers. I was not expecting instant success over night, but I was not expecting this dry spell either. As a result of this and other things going on in my life I became neglectful. I did not give my baby the love, affection and attention it deserved. I will not lie it is a constant struggle as I am pulled in all different directions by everyone in my life. Nonetheless, I know I will get better. Things will get better. Until then, I will continue to write potential post on my phone and hopefully I will be able to move them out of the "draft" folder and into the "published"folder. In the meantime, lets take a look at my very first post. http://www.myliferaisingbrowngirlsnyc.com/2014/03/hello-first-i-would-

My Saturday Morning Rant

I woke up this morning at 4:57AM. Believe me it was not on purpose. As a result of this, I am tired, cranky and annoyed. This is not a good combination. I'm surrounded by all sorts of noise. For example, loud horns, loud trains loud music, loud people, and inconsiderate neighbors who allow their children to go to make noise all day and all night. They go to bed extremely late, get up extremely early to dragging or dropping things on and across the floor. I cannot stand noise and it makes my ears hurt. Talking to the parents is useless. It seems as though they cannot control them. I expect children to play and make noise. Nonetheless, after a certain time all horse play should cease. I have a ten year old who likes to dance, flip and bounce around. However, she is not allowed to do any activity of those activities during the week after 7:30pm (except Friday), before noon during the weekend, after 9:30 on Saturday or after 8 on Sunday. Between 9:00 and 9:30, Sunday-Thursday, she i

Mindfulness March:Walking With A Purpose

On Saturday, October 18, 2014 the Bedford Stuyvesant Collegiate Charter School along with La Cima Elementary Charter School collaborated to host their first Mindfulness March. Each scholar and their family member(s) who agreed to participate in the event had to contribute a healthy snack and create a poster that stated why you were marching. During this event my daughter and I along with several other scholars and members of their family participated in several activities including meditation, a silent march around the perimeter of the school carrying the posters we created. We also participated in  reading, reciting and interpreting positive quotes. At the beginning of the event the host asked, "Does anyone know what mindfulness means? Does anyone know what it means to be mindful? How can it help you in your life?" As you read this post you may be asking yourself the same questions.  Mindfulness or being mindful is being aware of our surroundings, thoughts and feelings

To My First Born (Late Post)

Rae, you have no idea how much you mean to me As you grow into what you are destined to be You came from within; from just beneath my heart it's there you'll always be though your own life will now start You're growing so no longer my little girl with misty eyes I send you out into this cold and heartless world I know sometimes to you I seem cruel and unfair, But one day you will see, It was all because I care. The next few years will quickly go by There will be laughter, happiness, sorrow and even a few tears to cry. As you begin your growth to young adulthood, there is something you should know, you’ll always be my source of pride, no matter where you go. You must stand up tall and proud, within you feel no fear, for all you dreams and goals, sit before you very near. With god's love in your heart and the world by its tail, you’ll always be my winner, and victory will prevail. There are times when I  am crazy and even

Unfinished Business

It is day four of the new year and I am excited for whats to come---the known and the unknown. Unfortunately, I have some unfinished business from 2014. On a daily basis, I take the train to and from work. Living in New York City I often see, hear or read something that will inspire the next topic for my blog.   Yesterday, I was going through my draft folder and I have so many unfinished topics. Has this ever happened to you? My immediate reaction was to delete them. However, after reading each prospective posting I decided not to delete them. I want to finish what I started. I have a lot going on in my life at this moment, but with a lot of work and dedication I know I can do it. Mentally Preparing Myself Do you have any unfinished business from 2014?

Happy New Year!!!!

My Brown Girls and I would like to wish you a year that is filled with good health, happiness and abundance of joy.  We pray that all of your hopes and dreams come true.