EUREKA!!!

Ladies and gentleman, we are in a full blown RECESSION! I know what your thinking...DUH!!! It's not as if I did not know...it's not as if I haven't been directly affected by the recession for months now! Still somehow that word...RECESSION...has just sunk in. It's not just me! I am not the only one going through this! It is everywhere! Millions of people are losing their jobs and their homes. Millions of educated people can't find a job to save their lives. We are all in the same boat! Here I was thinking "Why ME?!" As if the world was attacking me personally. As if I had done something to create this mess. But, it's not just me...its everyone! Knowing that it's not just me has freed my mind up to accept the possibility that I am not just some idiot that can't find a job. I am smart! I am capable! I am talented! AND I am DESERVING! It won't always be this way...and for that I am thankful!

A few days ago my Facebook status read, "Melanie doesn't understand why this is happening to her. What is the purpose! Why ME!!!" I was feeling sorry for myself after a particularly dreadful occurrence that I don't wish to relive (although it still needs to be handled). Friends of mine were quick to give me support and encouraging words. But what I was not prepared for was the outpouring of well wishes from people that I've never even met! Now I know that I am not the only person that has people on their friends list that they have never met! C'mon...don't lie! Most of them are Sisters in my sorority from other states that I have not had the pleasure of meeting yet. Other's are people that requested to be my friend who are friends of a friend. Still, other's are people that I have no other connection to outside of Facebook. So, I was somewhat shocked to find that I had two emails from virtual strangers who reached out to me in kindness. Two people whom I have never met, were willing to lend an ear and offer kind words of encouragement! It suddenly clicked...I am not alone in this!!!

Golden Nugget: Today I am sooo grateful for eureka moments and for friends...known and unknown!

Teabagging It!

Ok, ok get your mind's out of the gutter! I'm actually referring to the many benefits of tea! I felt this post was important considering that we are right in the middle of flu season and I know at least 3 people battling with it now. Not to mention I have had my share of stomach ailments lately and I am plain sick of it! Also, I don't like taking a lot of medications! Don't get me wrong...I do take them...I just think that we would all be healthier if we relied more on living healthy lives and natural remedies. (Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and would never discourage someone to ignore the advice of a health care professional). Having said that...there are alternatives that I myself have used and have found to be effective! And, you guessed it, one of those alternatives is tea!

So, as I have said, lately I have been suffering from stomach ailments ranging from gas to nausea! No fun! As for over the counter meds...I have tried them all! Gas X, Pepto Bismol, you name it! They worked for a while, but never lasted. Now, I have known for quite some time that ginger is effective for treating nausea so I tried ginger tea! Voila....nausea gone! And so was the gas! I've also been known to suck on peppermints to get rid of that icky stomach feeling...and guess what peppermint tea works just as well!

But this stuff doesn't just work on stomach problems...there are many different benefits of tea, many of which are great for the flu and the common cold. So, I implore you, do a little bit of research and discover for yourself the benefits of tea! At best, you'll find something that really works for you...and if not, hey it's tea! What harm can it do?!

Golden Nugget: Today I am thankful for natural remedies that work! Nature...who knew?!

I'm Back!

So it has been a few days since my last post. It's not that don't have anything to be grateful for....I just needed a break from the computer. But, I'm back! Golden Nugget: And I am grateful! I have great great GREAT friends! Really, they are the best friends you could possibly ask for! Always there for me and I love them! So, thanks you guys!

Out With The Old, In With The New!

So I have been itching for something new and exciting! Something different! So....I colored my hair! Ha! It's not dramatic by any stretch of the imagination, but its new to me...and I like it! And, I did it myself! It's color is affectionately called 'Chocolate'. Of course on me you can really see the red undertones, but its all good! I just needed a change. Only now I really need something to give me some shine! Any suggestions? I was thinking of trying an apple cider vinegar concoction that is supposed to really get rid of all the residue on your hair that makes it dull...but that would probably just strip the color out of my hair. So any suggestions for restoring shine to color treated hair? Anyone? Ok well, just let me know in the comments!

Golden Nugget: Today I'm thankful for newness!

Sniffing Roses!!!

Today was a day of putting in applications for jobs. I am a lot more optimistic today...I don't know why, but I am. Something is going to happen soon because something has to happen soon! Well, anyway I think tonight is gonna be a night of eating junk food and watching movies. Just cause I wanna!

Golden Nugget: Today I am thankful for renewed optimism!

Living in The Now

Hello all! I just returned home from my dad's house where I watched the Super Bowl! Ok, I'll admit I really don't know too much about the game...but it turned out to be pretty exciting! My favorite part, however, was watching Jennifer Hudson take the stage for the first time since the horrible tragedy that struck her family late last year. J Hud looked absolutely beautiful and she blew the National Anthem UP!!! If you missed it here it is:

Jennifer Hudson singing the National Anthem:



It was beautiful! Anyway, today was pretty good! I'm starting to read a new book called The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. I'm only about 5 pages in, but essentially the book is about awakening to a deeper spirituality by living in the present...really experiencing every moment as its happening. At least that's what it seems to be about so far. Anyway, I'll keep you updated!

Golden Nugget: Today I am thankful for special time spent with loved ones in the NOW!

No Shame in My Game!

Ok, so it is slightly after 2am and I didn't post yesterday (Jan. 31st). The weird thing is, I feel a little guilty about it. I don't know why...I have nothing to feel guilty for! I fell asleep! I'm allowed to fall asleep! Not only that, but this blog is for me! Its an avenue with which to get my feelings out and give thanks for all that I have and all that HE sees fit to bless me with. And this can hardly be cathartic for me if I go around putting these stringent rules on something that is supposed to be FOR me! I must realize that life is going to happen...It is not realistic to think that I will have the time to post EVERY day. Most days...probably. But I shouldn't feel guilty when I can't. So, I am officially letting myself off the hook that I put myself on.

So anyway, yesterday was an ok day. I went out to eat with one of my best friends and then I came home and fell asleep hard! I really wish that I had more energy. I know what I need to do. I need to get some exercise and start eating healthy. Still knowing better and doing better are two very different things. Lately though, I have been feeling REALLY lethargic. I don't know if I'm sick or if its just all in my head...but I don't feel like myself. I really want to feel like me again. This is one of the many things that I am praying about.

Golden Nugget: Yesterday (and today) I was (and am) thankful that I am able bodied and can do the things that I need to do...and I have faith that I will be provided the motivation to do them.