More Than Monday

I swear this stuff just comes to me and I immediately feel the need to share. Actually, it didn't JUST come to me. I spent a limited of time last night having a large conversation with an important person. We discussed regrets and woulda coulda shouldas. The sadness of the conversation reminded me to make every moment count.

Tonight at work I thought about how all the people who work "normal" shifts are probably dreading the sound of the alarm clock this morning. Well, don't. Thank God you're here amongst the living and the free. In appreciation don't only do enough to get by. Excel. Do MORE THAN you must this Monday. Afterwards, sit back and enjoy the return. Not only will the rewards come, but you will find joy in your accomplishments. Recognition and promotion will come. This Monday, do MORE THAN enough.

How Efficient is our Current Justice System?

Let me begin by saying yes, I do believe wrongs deserve to be punished. However, I am certain that there are more efficient, fair and cost effective ways than the methods currently in place. For example, I personally could care less about the number of years a drug dealer or suspected drug dealer is sentenced to. In my opinion, if people are dumb enough to use drugs than that's their perogative. I don't consider them victims but rather weak individuals. I'm an advocate and firm believer in survival of the fittest. My view differs in the case of the underaged but that is all. These days a murderer can walk free due to lack of evidence but someone can name another in a drug crime and cause that person to miss out on a quarter of his life, no evidence needed.

I also am against the prison system as a whole. The United States makes up about 4.5% of the world's population yet we house a quarter of the world's prison population. In my opinion prison is a breeding ground for violence and may cause a person to act on urges that are unnatural for him or her. My proposed solution is simple. Being that our country is currently in an undesirable situation, use convicted criminals to perform jobs that cost the citizens of this country. Persons who commit more serious crimes such as rape and murder should definitely suffer a worse fate but not at the expense of taxpayers. Lock them up somewhere that is completely funded by them.

Lastly, there has to be some form of primary prevention. There are too many young men and women who see a life of crime as their only option. We have got to find the time and gather the resources to mentor our youth. We should seek to rid the world of prisons as aggressively as we do cancer and diabetes because like these prisons are a disease.

Hurt People Hurt People

Have you ever gone through something, well let's face it, we've all been through something. But did you take the time to notice that usually doing your worst times rather than smile and/or do something to make yourself or someone else feel better your first instinct is to surround yourself in sadness. At times I've even found myself taking my anger out on someone else. That someone might be the offender or someone not involved at all.

Here's where I've decided to challenge myself. The next time an unfavorable situation comes my way, the next time I'm hurting, I resolve to medicate the hurt with joy and gladness. Because joy is an innate feeling controlled by me I will be joyful at all times rather than happy at the expense of others. I won't allow other people or things to determine my mood because then they control me. Lastly, I won't be a hurt person who hurts others. I will remember that you reap what you sow. Therefore, I will sow good things such as joy and gladness. My Momma named me Joy for a reason. It's time to exercise my birth right.

My Relaxerless Journey

In July of last year I decided to try the "natural" thing AGAIN having failed miserably about five years ago. So I let the best thing to happen to hair, Marcela basically give me a buzz cut. It wasn't really a buzz cut but it was short! Let me just say that this is a journey. Taking care of natural hair requires more studying than the courses I am currently taking. I've used a ton of products that worked well for others but failed miserably for me.

For example the Kinky Curly line and I did not vibe. I'm currently using a combination of two lines. So far, so good. I started with Sheamoisture shampoo, conditioner and Curling Smoothie. This combination gives my natural curl a good look but I was unhappy with how dry my hair felt. So, I added the Wen system to the mix and my hair definitely feels more moisturized. Soon, I plan to try some protective styles, two strand twists in particular. If you're joining me on this journey, I'd love to hear your stories.

Are you Living or Existing?

Wake up, get the girls ready, feed them, take Nia to school, come home, nap, feed Winter several times, pick Nia up, feed them both some more, get their baths, put them to bed. Add work three days a week and this is pretty much my life. I don't want to look back and think "Why didn't I take time to live?". I'm not talking about clubbing and wilding out but I am talking about vacations with and without my children. I would live adult conversation over dinner and wine. I had the most fun I've had in a while at the skating rink last week.

At first, I convinced myself that the answer to my problem was to find Mr. New New. Not the case Today I'm making a promise to myself. As hard as I work, I deserve to live. In 2012 that's exactly what I'm going to do. Merely existing is no longer an option. Once I've mastered this task and I'm happy by myself if Mr. New New does come, I'm sure we'll have staying power.