Halloween!!

Check out the pumpkin I carved this year! Pretty good for a first timer huh?!?! Can you guess who I channeled for inspiration for this one???

I found a website that helps you zombie-fy yourself! How creepy!!

Fear = Figment of your imagination

Many times we put so much time and effort into worrying about the unknown that we forget to live for the right now. I know I have been guilty of this, especially this year. I can be in the middle of a great trip or vacay and I find myself wondering, "Lord, when will I be able to do this again." Then I immediately pump the breaks. -PAUSE- The nerve of me to trust God only in increments. If I am to trust and believe Him, I must do it always, not just when it's easy or convenient. I am directly slapping God in the face by thinking He won’t take care of me in the future like He has done in the past. That's when I realized that fear is often a figment of my imagination.

Funny thing is - the thing you fear the most is probably what you need to worry the least. Like if your man will propose or if you will get that job. Or if your friend is really mad at you, or if you will be able to catch that sale. Trust me, if that man knows what’s best, he will lock you down forever. If that job is for you, no one else will fit it. Your friend is probably so consumed with their own lives that they forgot that you pissed them off earlier that week. And that sale will be there. You just can't worry about the unknown; you will lose strength for what you do know and what you do have.

Often times we stress over the most menial things that we forget all that we currently have been given. It almost comes off as ungrateful. Yes you want a promotion. Yes you want your own house. Yes you want a new car. Yes you want to travel. Truth of the matter is that you have what you have and you must master that. God wants to see what you will do with what you’re given. This is not to say you shouldn't desire more, but that desire shouldn't overshadow all that God has already done

I think the best thing to do is to enjoy the every moment you are in because you will never see it again. The funny thing about life is that just as soon as things can turn for the worst, it can certainly turn for the best. It's all about the journey and trusting God from faith to faith. The rest will just have to take care of itself.

Not letting fear cloud my view....

~Mel

*This excerpt has been re-posted with permission of Mel of House of Flyness. To read this article in its entirety, and other fabulous motivational blogs, please visit www.houseofflyness.blogspot.com

Workout Against Breast Cancer

300lb linebackers sporting bright pink gloves and cleats in the NFL; it must be Breast Cancer Awareness month! I salute any person who contributes to making others aware of this prevalent terminal illness that strikes so many women. Mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, and friends – you would be hard pressed to find someone who has not known a women who has survived or died of cancer.

Breast cancer awareness month means much more than just being aware that the disease exists, and that we need to find a cure. It is also a time to remember the preventative measures that women can take to either decrease the likelihood of being diagnosed, or ways to detect symptoms early on when it is most treatable. Women over the age of 40, or women who have a family history of breast cancer should have mammograms every 1-2years (www.womanshealth.gov ). There’s debate over how frequent a woman should have mammograms. Natural medicine enthusiasts believe that the radiation from having a mammogram will do more harm than good over a long period of time. The best line of defense is a self-exam. ALL women should perform self-exams! Any abnormalities should be brought to the attention of your Doctor as soon as possible.

Regular exercise aids in weight and stress management, and also reduces your chances for medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. But it has also been scientifically proven for all women, regardless of family medical history, that regular exercise decreases a woman’s chances of being diagnosed with cancer! One hour of exercise a day, four days a week, can reduces a women’s likelihood of getting the disease by 22% (www.cancer.gov). Some would argue that it’s the healthy weight management that actually reduces the chances of getting cancer. But er ummm….if I get to be healthy and reduce my risk, I’ll take it! Even if a woman does have cancer, her likelihood of surviving decreases if she has lead a healthy lifestyle. A 2010 study found that in African American women, vigorous exercise reduces the risk of cancer by a whopping 64%! (www.eurekalert.org)

With so many benefits for working out as a means of combating cancer, it seems highly befitting that people “Walk for the cure” each year for finding a cure. So to that I say “Walk on women! Walk on!”…preferably, for 4 or more hours per week. And if you are black, do it with vigor!

For more information, please visit www.nbcam.org 

Mini-Vegas Vacay!

Mind, body, and soul. All three are important for achieving greatness. 

I have definitely been fine tuning my body - so no issues there. I find time for a quiet 30 minutes and meditation at least once a day, my soul is nourished. Which only leaves the mind. AY-YI-YI! I can't deny it, training, eating healthy, living in an envrironment with lots of personalities, and just day-to-day nuances can make life very stressful! It's hard to get your body to do what you want it to do when your mind is all over the place! Soooo, I went on a MUCH NEEDED mini-vacation to Las Vegas! Since it's only about a 5 hour drive, some friends and I decided to enjoy a weekend away poolside. VIP, Valet, and bottle service was the name of the game! We just so happened to choose the weekend of the Mayweather vs. Mosley fight at the MGM Grand. There were sooo many people! I even saw Ray-J! But by Sunday, the town had cleared out and the vibe was perfect! The trip was so relaxing; so no hangover moments this trip! Maybe next time...

 

xoxoxo