May 2016 – Page 2 – Life Lessons

Let Children Be Children

Nowadays, children are growing up too fast. I come from an era where kids acted as kids, not adults. Whatever happened to ponytails and short nails? Roller skating and play dating? I can remember being childish as a kid, but it was okay because I was only acting my age. Me and my neighborhood friends played dodge ball, double dutch, hopscotch, red light green light, cool cans, red roses, jacks, and hand games, to name a few. Some of you may or may not be familiar with a few of those games, but I had so much fun playing them. We reserved video games and television watching for bad weather days. Being made to stay inside used to be a punishment. Now it is a privilege because kids, boys in particular, like to play Xbox and Playstation all day. Boys used to get together to go run around outside or play ball, but I don’t see too much of that anymore. Now they get together just to play the game. Girls used to get together to jump rope or play some other outdoor sport, but now they get together to play in makeup or hair extensions. Some just stay inside on their mobile devices on social media, while others are texting or sexting.

How do we get our kids to be kids again?

We are going to have to limit the time they spend on those wonderful electronics devices the Japanese and Chinese invented to program our children. Before they existed, there was no such thing as childhood obesity. American children are getting fat because they are eating the wrong foods and not exercising. You can’t do both. You just can’t. Girls need to spend less time thinking about where their next bundles are going to come from and more time hitting the books. I’ve never seen so many bundles and bad makeup combinations in my 36 years of living. They’ve got their whole lives to be grown, so I don’t understand why they are trying to fast forward to adulthood. Parents, teach your children about the stress that comes from the weight of responsibility as an adult. Maybe, they wouldn’t be so anxious to get there. Mothers, with daughters in particular, just because you wear makeup and long nails doesn’t mean she should. Thirteen is not the new sixteen, and sixteen is not the new 21. Give them room to grow, and make them take things slow.

And remember…
“Make sense of what you do, and make every cent count.”

What are your thoughts? I’d love to hear them.

Submit topics suggestions using the “Contact Me” page.

Photo: Flickr. Free by AfroDad CC

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My Vows to You

As I take this leap of faith,
I think of the time we spent,
From the moment you crossed my path,
I knew you were heaven sent.

You stole a piece of my heart,
But I’m not pressing charges,
Crime of passion gets a pass,
For the one who fought the hardest.

I’m bent when we are apart,
But I’m broken when you are near,
Your game is a work of art,
And your love brings me to tears.

As complicated as it seems,
I’m walking the aisle of my dreams,
Choosing you was an easy decision,
But finding you was the hardest thing.

If there’s a fire, our love will put it out,
A flood, our realness will cause a drought,
A tsunami, our faith will calm the tides,
A tornado, our commitment will face the eye.

If marriage is a disaster,
I’m glad that I’m insured,
You protect me with your love,
I couldn’t ask for much more.

At this very hour,
You become my flower,
Your last name becomes mine,
And your possessions become ours.

Your needs become my needs,
Your desires I aspire,
Your problems become my problems,
Given to one who sits higher.

I give my hand in this marriage,
My plan to surpass average,
My heart to keep us bonded,
My soul to keep us grounded,
My sight to see our future,
My word and no excuses,
My fruit and all its juices,
My body and all its uses.

We’re on our way to marital bliss,
Upon the altar awaits a kiss,
Sacred vows will be exchanged,
And I will own your last name.

Detoxify Your Circle

Just as your body needs cleansing, so does your circle. There may be some people in your circle of friendship poisoning your spirit without you even realizing it, especially if you talk to or hang around that person often. Like food, the harmful effects are usually not noticed right away. However, over time, you may find yourself quoting some of the same things that person says, displaying some of the same behaviors, and possibly making some of the same decisions or basing your decisions about certain things off of what he or she has said. As long as the effects are healthy, so is the friendship. But if you pick up on some bad habits from being around that person, then you should remove he or she from your circle. If your whole circle is toxic, then you should remove yourself.

How do I detoxify my circle?

There is no easy way of doing this without creating bitter feelings. That person may not even realize he or she has a negative effect on you. Most people only know how to be themselves. You can’t expect people to change when they are not even aware of their actions. Some people are aware and just don’t care. Regardless, toxins are not good for the body and life itself. Whether you just stop talking to them all together or verbally express your feelings, that person will probably never look at you the same. You will soon be known as fake, stuck up, conceited, or any other name that fits. Of course, the better outcome would be from telling that person, but how many of us can achieve that without some type of conflict? How can you tell someone you just don’t want to be friends anymore? An ignorant or nasty acting person would not take that well. A rebellious or confrontational person would not receive that very well either. If so, there probably wouldn’t be a need to fall back from that person. Nevertheless, you have to do what you have to do. They’ll eventually get it. The two of you can be cordial and respectful to each other without being friends. Try it!

If you really want your friendships to work, try communicating with each other and being more understanding. Realize that a person’s goals might create some distance between the two of you. Ask yourself if you would befriend a person like yourself. If you claim to be a Christian or spiritual person, ask yourself if you are a living example. If no one else wants to be friends with you, or if your friends or slowly but surely falling like leaves, ask yourself whether or not you’ve been a good friend to them. When they try to tell you about your behavior, do you even listen? While they are spending time trying to get ahead, how are you spending yours? Are you motivated by their actions, or are you secretly hating on them? Don’t get mad because they quit you without giving a two weeks notice. Stop making excuses and elevate yourself. You never know, you might become qualified to be called a friend again.

And remember…
“Make sense of what you do, and make every cent count.”

What are your thoughts? I’d love to hear them.

Submit topics suggestions using the “Contact Me” page.

Photo. Your Tango

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