Discovering Your Purpose

Peace Family,

I’m writing to you today to talk a bit about purpose. There is a lot being said about purpose through social media, religious teachings, and in some of our workplaces. I'm sure we all know what purpose is so I will spare you by not posting some long definition here 😊. We are acting on purpose when we get up and start getting dressed in the morning, stop by the grocery store, or walk in the gym. We have something to gain from doing each of these things. 

I started thinking about my purpose this morning or, what I believe is my purpose, and if I’m really walking in and living it. I’ve always wanted to be a writer and educator largely because I’ve always loved to read. I’ve read full collections of books from various authors over the years. I’ve worked for the newspaper at every school that I’ve ever attended. I've written essays, syllabi, and published in books alongside classmates and friends. However, and this is a big HOWEVER, as I’ve grown older and gotten to know myself better, I find that my interests lean more toward health and nutrition...

Of course I can combine my passion for writing with nutrition, but I’m beginning to wonder if I would be happier with a career based solely in the health/nutrition/fitness field. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not abandoning all the work I’ve put into my writing/teaching career thus far. I haven’t even made a dent in the student loan yet lol! But, in my prayer time, I’ve been asking for clarity and peace as to what the most high would like me to do. The path to discovering ones purpose is different for us all, but I made a decision a good while ago that if God doesn’t want me to do something, then I don’t want any part of it. So, I’m leaning on and trusting in the lord to give me direction and clarity on this as with everything else in my life. I know from experience that he will give me the clarity and peace that I need to take the next step on the path he has for me. I pray the same peace and clarity for you all on your individual paths as well. I'll be sure to keep you all posted as I work to uncover God's purpose for me. 

Please leave a comment below and share your purpose. How did you discover your purpose and how are you using it in your everyday life? Until next time, I wish you all good health and prosperity. Feel free to share this post with family and friends.

Love and Light,

Cee <3

Book Review: Rev Run & Justine Simmons "Take Back Your Family"

Peace Family,

Happy Black History Month!!

In celebration of Black History Month I am posting book reviews over on my YouTube channel TheHeartfeltHoney. I have a playlist of videos that I have done thus far including Hill Harper's "The Conversation" and Tyrese's "How to Get Out of Your Own Way." The most recent review is Rev Run and Justine Simmons' "Take Back Your Family" which is both a personal memoir on how they have managed their blended family and advice for rejuvenating a broken family structure. This is a very inspirational and positive book. I encourage you all to check out the video below and, if you like it, share it with family and friends. I'll talk to you in the next post. Feel free to leave comments and questions below.

Peace and Light,

Cee <3

 

Birth Control Story

Peace Family,

I'm back with another post and this one is my birth control story. Check out the video below and, if you enjoy it, feel free to share with family and friends. My hope is that this story helps someone else who may be suffering with ovarian cysts or having difficulty with using birth control. If you have any comments or questions, leave them below.

Love and Light,

Cee<3

 

Faves! Hair, Body, Books

Peace Family,

Seeing that we are at the half way point in this year, I thought it fitting to do an update on my favorite things thus far. This video is filled with skin care, hair care, body care, and mental care (just books) lol. I hope you enjoy it. Feel free to share with friends and fam. Until the next post, peace and light.

Cee <3

 

Really Forever 21!?

See...I wasn't going to say anything but then I got another email with the subject line,

and another email...

and another email!!

What is up with these subject lines? Here is where I see a problem- The people who coin these phrases never profit from their use. However, massive companies like Forever 21 use these lines in their marketing materials and reap the benefits. I'm posting this because I believe it is not fair. I'm posting this because, if the people who coined these phrases came into the offices at Forever 21 and asked for a job paying them a "hunnid" dollars an hour, I am more than sure they would be asked to leave or escorted out of the building. Anyway, that is my 2 cents. Please feel free to share yours. As always, peace and light.

Cee<3

"Dont worry it's easy!"...Yea Right!

Peace Family,

I know I haven't posted here in a while and, after graduating this past May, it was my full intention to get back to blogging on a regular basis. However, life gets in the way and after a serious issue with sewage backing into my home (read more about that here) and my house catching fire which you can look forward to a future post on, I just tapped out. Don't get me wrong, I'm not seriously depressed or anything but I have good and bad days...

With that being said, its been on my heart to talk about "ease." I was watching one of my favorite documentaries Fat Sick & Nearly Dead and there was a reoccurring theme amongst the people who were completely against trying the juice cleanse. Many people complained that it was just too "hard." Some folks even said that they had no willpower and would just cave in. Well, that got me to thinking about the benefits of doing something "hard."

From a personal standpoint, all the things that were the hardest for me to do in life ended up being the most beneficial. Obtaining a bachelors degree, eating healthy, getting out of credit card debt, buying a house, getting a masters degree, all these things required a lot of work. Often times I felt like quitting but I hung in there and the rewards have been tremendous! But, if we never push ourselves past what makes us uncomfortable, how will we ever really know our strength?

Let's think about some of the "easy" things we encounter in life. Fast food is quick and easy to buy but, if eaten on a daily basis, it can lead to many health issues because of the way the food is prepared and the lack of nutritious ingredients. What about sex? Sure you can have sex with that guy or girl who everybody knows can "put it down" but what are the consequences? That person is "easy" to get in the sack but how healthy is it to have sex with someone who so easily has sex with so many people? It's easy to get off work and lay on the couch but it takes some effort to get into the habit of doing some form of physical exercise on a day to day basis. However, once that habit is formed, it get's easier and the body becomes much healthier as a result of it.

So what is my point? Sometimes doing something "hard" can get us closer to the life we dream of and make us healthier along the way. “The Race is not given to the swift, but to those who endure to the end.”

Share you thoughts and opinions below. If you liked this post, please share with family and friends.

Peace and Light,

Cee<3

Shorty Got Her Own...Liquid Sewage to Clean

Peace Family,

I write this post following what I have decided was the worst day of my adult life. My sister, who I purchased my first home with, agrees. Her and I spent the later part of yesterday cleaning raw sewage out of our basement. That's right. We had a wet vacuum that we used to suck up all matter and evil and dump. And, after doing that to the best of our ability, we cleaned the basement as best we could.

There are certain things in life that a person never wants to do. You have your list. I have mine. I never even thought to include cleaning raw sewage but now it is at the top of my list. Please don't get me wrong. I am not "knocking" anybody's line of work. I am simply stating that I am not cut out for cleaning sewage and after doing so, I'll never be the same. I'll never smell the same, breath the same, or even think the same. It was a traumatic experience. To all my "single ladies" out there with your "own house" and your "own car" I applaud you because behind all the glamour of "having your own" there is a lot of SHIT!!!

Cee <3

 

Are you afraid to fail?

Peace Family,

"Are you afraid to fail?"

This is a question I have been pondering over for the past few days. I'm personally closing out a part of my journey and entering into a new one. I'm down to 3 possible options which I am decidedly giving myself the time to ponder, pray, and get clear about. All three options scare me which lets me know they are good options. After all, easy things do not challenge and develop parts of us that need development. We are meant to learn and grow and stretch into the people God put us here to be.

I really feel this issue of fear has been popping up in everything that I read, listen to, or experience from a you tube video to an email. I believe this is because God wants me to work on it. And, not just work on it but push past it. I'm feeling like I'm ready to kick the wall down and do whatever is necessary to do the things I've always dreamed of as long as I can still feel right with God.

What is fear?

F-false
E-evidence
A-appearing
R-real

Fear is a lie. Feel the emotion and push past it.

Love and Light Family,

Cee<3

Hair Update

Peace Family,

I recently posted an update on my hair care regimen on YouTube. Check out the link below and feel free to share.

Cee<3

 

Devon Franklin's Testimony

Peace Family,

I had to come and share. I have been listening to this off and on for the past two days and it is so powerful. Please take a listen and share with whomever you please.

Cee<3

 

Skin Care Update

Peace Family,

I recently did an update video on my skin care regimen on YouTube. Check it out below and feel free to share with your family and friends.

Peace and light,

Cee<3

 

Life/Work: Striking a Balance

“Work life balance” is quite the popular topic these days. There seems to be an abundance of information circulating about time management, budgeting, and health but when it is time to actually implement these tips many of us are lost. Too often, after a long work day, we go home and crash. Between preparing dinner and getting ready for the next day, our “life” can get pushed to the back burner. The point of this post is to encourage us all to bring that “life” portion a bit closer to focus. Below are a few tips to help you organize your responsibilities in a way that will leave room for fun, creativity, and spontaneity.

1.)    Let’s say you’re a person who likes to reserve your weekends for spending time with family and friends. Try setting aside 2 evenings a week for 2 hours to tackle all those things that you’ve been avoiding such as opening mail, applying for new jobs, checking emails, etc. The more we keep to these scheduled days, the easier and smaller the piles of mail and inbox messages will get. You may need more or less time depending on your level of activity. The point is that we stay on top of our business so that it doesn’t overwhelm us.

2.)    Another part of “life” that often gets neglected is our health. After a busy day on the job, most of us cannot be bothered to do another bit of work or in this case, workout. However, there are simple easy ways to get your exercise during the day. Walk your office building. If you work in a large building, walk the entire floor, take the steps up to the next floor, and repeat. Do as many floors as you can and before you know it you will reach the top floor! Don’t work in a large building? That’s ok. Take it to the streets. Take a fifteen minute walk around your job and back. These seemingly small tactics can make a big difference. More than just a physical work out, you will be giving yourself a mental break and chance to rejuvenate for the rest of your day.

3.)    Now this may be considered optional for some, but taking time to refresh, disconnect from social media and devices, and spending some time with your inner self, God, Allah, whatever you choose to refer the creator as, is also very important. If quiet and silent meditation is not for you, try listening to some encouraging meaningful music in the morning, reading a page from a daily devotional book, or listening to a podcast from your favorite online preacher or life coach. Whatever you do, take the time to feed your spirit a healthy dose of positivity. It will help build you up before you head out to face the world. This can also be done at night. Even five minutes is good. Trust me you won’t regret it.

Well, that’s all I had on my heart for today. If you enjoyed this post, please give it a thumbs up and share it with your family and friends.

Peace and light,

Cee<3

Changing Our Idea of Success

Peace Family,

Recently, in my assignments for classes, I came across the two videos below. One from Arianna Huffington of the well known Huffington Post and another from a Ted Talk by Shawn Achor. The overarching theme of both speeches is that we challenge our idea of success and how that will impact literally every other facet of our lives. These videos affected me in a very profound way because I am personally interested in, not so much how to be successful according to today's standards, but how to be fulfilled and at peace. Please take a listen to the videos below and feel free to share with your family and friends. Comment if you like.

Love and Light,

Cee<3

Ted Talk by Shawn Achor

Enlightenment: Jay Z

Peace Family,

I really enjoy listening to uplifting, positive, logical messages and the one below is definitely one of the best I've heard this week and it is from one of my favorite thinkers Mr. Jay Z. If you have read my blog or subscribed to my YouTube channel, then you know that I did a review of his book Decoded when it came out. I'll post the video for that below as well. Listen, enjoy, and pass on to a friend.

Love and Light,

Cee<3

 

I fell down the steps this morning...

Actually, it was my second time falling this week but that's another story. I got up this morning to fix my tea like I do every morning and fell down the steps. And it wasn't one of those fall get back up real quick falls. I fell and slid and kept on sliding and couldn't even get a hold on the rail to stop the fall. When I finally stop sliding, I started to laugh, and laugh, and laugh. In fact, I laughed so hard that I was drooling lol omg I can't believe I'm writing this..But anyway, why am I telling you this? I'm sharing for a few reasons 1)I have to tell somebody, who knows somebody, who could tell somebody else that I literally busted my A$$ twice in one week. 2)I never knew falling could be so hilarious. 3)If you see me limping around, you will know why. I hope this makes somebody laugh this morning. Remember: "We fall down, but we get up" lol I'm done. Y'all have a good one.

Peace and Light,

Cee<3
(Sleep deprived)

Double Standard: Nikki Minaj "Lookin A** N***as"

Disclaimer: I am and have not ever been a "Nikki Minaj fan."

Disclaimer 2: I have never promoted the use of the "N" word even though I know people who use the word freely. To each his/her own. No shade here.

With that being said, I am coming to her defense, in whatever small way, in regards to her recent song "Lookin A** N***as." In a time when I can turn on the radio in my car and hear Chris Brown and Lil Wayne's "Loyal" playing on three different radio stations at once, I cannot believe the backlash Nikki Minaj is receiving for this song and especially from women. Ok, I know two wrongs don't make a right. It is not ok for men to bash women or vice versa which is addressed in more detail in Hill Harper's "The Conversation" which I did a book review on a few years ago and you can check it out here. (Shameless self promotion.) However, in an industry that is very much still male dominated and continuously allows for the release of songs that berate women in a multitude of ways, why is everyone so upset about Nikki Minaj's song? I'm asking this question genuinely because I have not seen or heard as much criticism for songs released by men who say pretty much the same things about "some women." Nikki outlines exactly who she is talking about when she says "look at y'all b**** a** n***gas lying on your d**k a** n***as/ frontin like they got a plan when it's really boost mobile a** n***as/look at y'all lying a** n*** as talking bout it's paid off when its really financed niggas." So, to use a line that is most often dropped by men who don't understand why women get upset about certain rap songs "if this is not you, why are you mad?" I would be interested to read your comments or feedback. Feel free to share this post but in the meantime I'm leaving Nikki's video below for your listening/viewing pleasure.

Always love and light,

Cee<3

 

Black History Month: Iyanla Vanzant

Peace Family,

Today I want to shine a light on the beautiful, courageous, uplifting Iyanla Vanzant or as I like to refer to her, Aunti I :)

She has truly been like an Aunti to me over the years even though I have never met her lol. I had my first encounter with her books when my uncle and his then wife gave me a copy of "In the Meantime" as a gift when I was leaving for undergrad in August of 2004. I read the book without actually taking it in. But, after the whole circus of college, I began to settle into a more routine daily life and re-read the book and it struck me in a completely different way. Since then, I have read "The Spirit of a Man" which was actually written for Black men and I am currently reading her daily devotional book "Acts of Faith." If you follow me on instagram, @honeycee.BlogSpot.com, then you have seen many pages from the book. It is filled with little "tidbits" of joy, reflection, and peace. Check out some of Aunti I, mmm excuse me, Iyanla Vanzant's books and feel free to leave your comments below. Also, catch her on the OWN network doing her show "Iyanla Fix My Life." I love you all for reading. Feel free to share and I'll write you tomorrow!

Love and Light,

Cee<3

Black History Month: Richard Wright

Peace Family,

I know it has been quite a while since I posted here but I am challenging myself to post everyday for the month of February. Why? Well, there a few reasons: It's my sister's, my boyfriend's, and my birthday month woo hoo!! Hey Aquarius :) Also, it's Black History Month and as a African-American Literature minor I was exposed to some of the best writers of my culture. So, with all that being said lol, today's post is in celebration of Mr. Richard Wright.

As a high school junior, I read his more popular novels such as "Native Son" and "Black Boy." Both books opened my eyes to the plight of Black people in the United States during mid-20th century. I encourage you, if you have never read Richard Wright or haven't visited any of his literature in a while, to lose yourself in one of his novels or short stories. His writing is so vivid I guarantee you will find it hard to put down. Blessings to you all! Have a great day and I'll write you tomorrow :)

Love and Light,

Cee<3

Teedra Moses

Peace Family,

Y'all remember Teedra right? You know tracks like Be Your Girl and Complex Simplicity. Well, I saw this interview from BlackTree Tv with her and was just so happy to see her still thriving and blessing the world with her talent. She is an awesome song writer and has the ability to move people with words in a way that is aw inspiring. Check out the video below. I hope you enjoy and feel free to share :)

Love and Light,

Cee<3

 

I Live For Stuff Like This...

Hey Family,

I know I haven't posted in ages!! Truth be told, I just haven't had the time to. BUT, due to the fact that I am sick and not permitted to go to work, I have caught up on almost everything and started to indulge in my favorite past time which is YOU TUBE!!! So, I love stylelikeme. It's a channel on YouTube and I came across this video which is ugh!! no words. I just live for moments, videos, posts like this. Anything inspirational, motivational, or that just challenges conventions and encourages people to live a more authentic life is right up my ally. Please check out the video below and share with your friends, fam, whomever. Feel free to leave a comment. I'd love to read what you have to say. The semester is winding down both for the students I'm teaching and for myself so you will be getting more post from me. Promise :)

Cee<3