Author: Bianca A. McCormick-Johnson

In short, I'm a work of ART (Aptitude, Responsibility, & Talent). My goal is to Attract, Retain, and Teach an audience between the ages of 14 to about 50 and beyond the disciplines of life. I've been blessed with the gift of giving knowledge and creating peace within the souls of many who are starving for spiritual satisfaction. I'm no prophet, but I do believe that I am one of God's chosen spiritual leaders and sources of information on how to walk a straight path down a crooked road.

Everyone Has an Addiction

An addiction is not limited to substance abuse. It can be a healthy habit with negative consequences. Some people are addicted to helping people. My mom is one them. She’ll go the extra mile to the extent of exhaustion. That’s when it becomes a detriment.

What’s your drug? Everyone has one, be it eating, sleeping, exercising, shopping, or sex, you’re addicted to something.

No hobby or activity should compromise your health. Let me give you a few examples.

Eating

This one is most obvious. Therefore, I will not elaborate too much. Studies have shown the negative effects of eating too much of the wrong foods and not eating enough of the right foods.

Without research and statistics, your body has shown signs. Don’t ignore them. When your symptoms become conditions, you’ve gone into overdose.

Sleeping

You can’t solve your problems by sleeping. You must face them. If you’re sleeping too much, you’re trying to escape reality.

There’s nothing wrong with taking a long nap after getting bad news. Sometimes it helps to recharge your mind and settle your emotions. But when it becomes your lifestyle, it’s an illness.

You can’t say you’re productive if you’re sleeping all the time or too late every day. Your inventory isn’t going to move itself. You must sell it. Your credit will not repair or rebuild itself. You must work on it. And a job may not come to you. You have to search for one!

Exercising

Some people lose their minds when they can’t make it to that gym. While this might be a healthy addiction, it’s still an addiction. Exercising exudes a kind of peace that can calm the mind, body, and soul. But too much of it can divert your attention from other important matters. While you’re too focused on your body goals, you may be neglecting people you care about, projects you’re supposed to be working on, and etc. You need balance to maintain that banging body.

Shopping

This was once an addiction of mine. I made any excuse to do it. Being a tall girl, shopping can be more painful than joyful, but that surely didn’t stop me. Presently, I have more clothes, shoes, and handbags than closet space.

Sex

Believe it or not, some people are addicted to sex and just can’t get enough. A woman of this category might be called a “nymphomaniac” or “nympho” for short. A male of this nature could be called “satyromaniac”, which is derived from the condition called “satyriasis”. I won’t get into the many names or classifications of one with this addiction, but it could be the reason why you’re not enough🤷🏽‍♀️. O-k, I think I should move on from this subject. I suddenly hear silent justifications for cheating. Let me get out of your thoughts and on to the next paragraph🏃🏽‍♀️.

I know I haven’t covered them all, but I believe these are the most common, next to substance abuse. Any behavior you cannot control can become an addiction. Thus, it is important to address the behavior by working towards a remedy for change.

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

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The Poor is Rich with Ideas

Do you have an idea that you are afraid to execute? What exactly is stopping you? Have you buried it before even trying? Let’s talk about this doubt and fear you have. Or perhaps, the number of excuses you keep coming up with.

So what you’re poor or broke. You’re not the only one. As you can see, most people in this world have no pity for the poor. Know why? Because most of the world is poor. They have problems of their own. The good news is you don’t have to stay in that condition because being poor is a mentality, not a reality.

An idea is an Intelligently Decorated Epiphany Ascending. It goes through stages of development just like any great invention. First, it starts in the mind (conception). Next, it is nurtured with time and effort (planning). Then, it is executed with an effective plan (implementation). Finally, it is properly monitored and maintained (monitoring & controlling). But, it is also easily destroyed with doubt and fear triggered by negative thoughts, which can come from you or others (attrition).

Everyone was born with a gift and talent. I mean everyone. You just don’t realize what you have because you are too busy looking at what someone else has. You’re creating TikTok videos in your spare time. That’s media talent! You’re posting delicious looking gourmet meals prepared by you. That’s culinary talent! You’re posting makeup and hair tutorials you’ve learned by practice or just from watching videos. That’s beauty talent! You loving taking pictures at gatherings. That’s photography talent! Your ability to discover or recognize talent is a talent!

The idea of making a TikTok video showcased your videography skills. The idea of making a meal showcased your cooking skills. The idea of creating a tutorial showcased your beauty talent and gift of teaching. The idea of taking those pictures at the family reunion captured memories and revealed your photography skills. Now you need to research ways to make money from it, if that’s your passion.

Of course, ideas go beyond visual arts, cooking, and doing makeup and hair. I used those examples because many people do them for fun without realizing they are talents. Media classes can help turn your hobby into a career in marketing, advertising, and the like. Culinary school can help you become a certified chef. Cosmetology school can help you become a licensed beautician and business owner. You can become a licensed photographer, though you don’t need one in most places. You’ve already got the skill. All you need is professional, high-level equipment to get started.

If you’re serious about cultivating your idea, then you should start your research now. Talk to people who have successfully executed their plan, and surround yourself with positive energy. You don’t have to quit your day job. You just need to quit making excuses. But if your idea starts producing enough to replace your job, then you’ve scored big!

You don’t have to turn every hobby into an income. That can take the fun out of some activities. However, if money is an issue, you can use some of them to discover your niche and generate an extra income.

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

Photo: Flickr. Idea by Angela_G

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Stop Living Vicariously Through Your Children

Children are the biggest blessing one could ask for. There’s nothing more beautiful than having a child in your own image. It’s a bonus when they actually look like you. But must they live in your shadow with smoother edges?

You’re lucky if your child wants to be like you. But children should be allowed to have their own identity, and you should encourage that. If by chance they do follow in your footsteps, don’t ruin the experience by curating their lifestyle to fit your taste. Their life is no art show. It’s their life.

You can’t use them as a time machine to go back and do things differently or more fashionably. Continue to work on yourself, for that is the best example you can give them. They’ll appreciate that more than you trying to make their moves fit your groove.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting your kids to look as good as you or better. Be smarter than you. Do more than you did. See things you didn’t. Go places you’ve never been. But when your heartfelt desires start putting too much pressure on them, you need to give them some time and space to think about what they want for their own lives.

Some men will go as far as signing their sons up for football when he might be better at baseball. It’s okay to keep them active, but let them choose their own sport.

Some women may encourage their daughters to join the dance team when she’d rather join the band. Does it matter which uniform she chooses as long as she’s involved in some extracurricular activity?

If you missed out on something your heart desired as a child, that does not make it okay to pursue or live it through your child. If she chooses to keep it simple for prom, then let her. If he chooses to go to prom alone, then let him. These are not acts of disobedience. They’re called choices.

Now don’t get me wrong, there are limits to choices. If you can afford to put your child in an excellent private school, but she prefers public school, that’s too bad. She shouldn’t have a choice, unless she can present valid reasons through research and other fact findings to defend her choice. Most kids won’t do that, by the way. Nevertheless, you must still be in agreement. Education is important. Her desire to wear street clothes, name brand, and exotic hair and nails to look cool is irrelevant.

If he doesn’t want to represent your alma mater, it should be okay as long as he is pursuing a good education and living his dream. If he chooses Alabama State Crimson Tide over the LSU Tigers, at least he’s still playing football.

Don’t kill their dreams with your agenda. Instead, celebrate their individuality and support their choices. You can find “me” in the word “dream”, but there are no alphabets that can form “you”.

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

Photo: Flickr. Beauty Queen by Dancerdawg2luv

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