Be Blind, F.R.OG

Wow…hello friends, family, readers…
I know..it’s been a while. July 2011 to exact.
As some of you know it was a really hectic year for me with a lot of ups and downs, getting involved in/with different projects and losing my job but getting an even better one, not even one month later.

It was also a pretty unfortunately un-inspiring writing time for me, but God is good and today while on my way to work i was truly and deeply inspired.

While on my way to work today, I took the Subway and on the Subway came a blind lady with a seeing eye dog. I asked her if she would like to sit down, to which she replied no thank you. I let her know that the bar was right beside her and if she would like to hold on to it, to ensure she does not fall when the Subway lurches I would help direct her hand, again to which she replied no thank you she was okay, and would be getting off at the next stop.

I said okay and went about my business. It turned out we were both getting off at the same stop and I got off the Subway with her. She used the word Subway to her dog and I watched in amazement as her dog promptly, and safely led her up the escalator and watched in even more amazement was how she wholeheartedly seemed to have her faith, trust and peace in her dog and trusting her dog to get her to where she needed to go safely.

As I was following up the escalator, it hit me that as a Christian I should be so blind in my spiritual journey with Christ, that I am solely, fully, and blindly trusting in him to guide and direct my path. If this blind lady could place her full trust in her seeing eye dog, how much more me my God who is the creator of all things, who goes before me, is behind me, and walks beside me.

God opened my spiritual eyes and right then and there I said a prayer asking him to make me blind in my spiritual life that I may see him as my ultimate guide, strength and eyes wherever I go. That I would learn to put my complete and utter trust in him, no matter what.

I hope this blog post touches you, as much as it touched me to get the relevation.
Be encouraged and walk blindly in faith, in love and in God.

Living soulfully, beautifully and naturally
Eve Past-Exotic

Baby, Your a Star~ So Go Ahead and Twinkle!

So many beautiful, individuals doing positive things in their lives. Every day I see them…beautiful people all around me. Some already successful, others working towards success, and some just living…Some of you are mothers, fathers, besties, leaders, colleagues, entrepreneurs, friends, confidantes, authors, mentors, teachers, authors, entertainers, bloggers, etc…the list is too long to go on and on…but every single one of you are stepping into or have stepped into your greatness.

Sometimes… I feel like I do not measure up, my situations may have me feeling like I am not fit to get into the ring with the rest of the world…and then…I wake up  and I have to check myself and tell the devil that he’s a liar and to get thee behind me!

Then I get up, say a quick prayer thanking God for where I’m at and for where he’s going to take me, and do a Holy Ghost stomp on the devil and the negativity, doubtfulness, fear and jealousy he has creeping into my thoughts!

I am who I am, not who they, he or she is. Just like YOU should be only who YOU are! My worth is not measured in the successes of others, but in who I am as a person and what I am doing in my own life. Not just for myself but to help my community grow.

Baby, I”m a star…So I’mma go ahead and twinkle

No stars are exactly alike, so neither will you be exactly like anyone else. Don’t let anyone try to change you, because your glow is hot like fyah, and no one has the right to dim or snuff that out.

The earth is your night time sky, so in everything that you do -In your thoughts, your actions, your words – shine brightly!

Baby YOUR A STAR~…So go ahead and twinkle…brightly, uniquely and beautifully like the star you know you are!

 

Living soulfully, naturally and beautifully…

Eve Past-Exotic

Get in or get out! My elevator is going up, up, up – waaay up!

Just yesterday, I had the pleasure of helping a good friend out at her Tea Party, specifically Tea Party 3 where we discussed sex, relationships and intimacy. It was a good event with positive people and intelligent and non-judgmental discussion. MaxLogic, WhatBlackMenWant, ThisIsYourConscious and Africulture Magazine were all in the building! HOOLAAY!

Trust me, you WILL NOT want to miss the next one! I promise you that!

Now, as interesting and edutaining the topics were, a discussion that really hit home for me was during our break sessions with myself, Ms. Tea, a nice fellow from Grenada and a nice lady with a beautiful Indian outfit I was secretly coveting…

Anyways…the discussion was about what heppens when your moving up in life and the rest of your friends are lagging behind. You know, when there no longer on the same page and/or level as you? What do you do? Do you kick them to the curb, hold their hand, or give them bus fare and tell them to meet you at the top?

First things first. It’s important to remember that some people are in your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. Figuring out why each person is in your life and what position and/or role they play is very important and will save you a whole lot of heartache, confusion and grief when you realize that you are both slowly drifting away from each other.

If this was my friend I would have that ‘chat’ with them, that “hey..this is where I am trying to go in life, and I want to see you with me. Whats been going on, we both used to want want the same/similar things in life and what to do big things, but I noticed lately that your not making movements like you used to. Whats going on? How can I help you to reach your goals, and get you back into the groove of things?” chat. If your friend understands your ambition and your need to grow financially, mentally, and spiritually and your need to not be stagnant, they will appreciate the movements your making in your life as well as this chat you just felt the need to have with them.

They will a) start to help themselves and make movements in their life or b) talk to you and allow you to help them or c) they will tell you thanks but no thanks and possibly go into a an explanation of how your upward spiral of success has tainted the friendship, made you cocky, etc. etc and may even go so far as to tell you to go dance in the middle of the street. blindfolded…

Now if out of the a, b, and c, they choose to go with c? Well then throw up the deuces and allow them to be. There is nothing you can do about them, but let them do them and you continue to do you.

Life is like an elevator….
It’s going up or down and you either get in and ride it up or down…or you don’t get in and stay where you are …stagnant. The only reason why my elevator should stop is for an emergency, and your lack of ambition does not constitute an emergency in my life. If anything it should cause you to emerge and see that your lack of ambition is stunting your growth, and causing our friendship to become non-existent.

The elevator door is open, get in or get out. Because whether or not you like it, it’s going up with or without you! I’m riding mine up, up up – and my elevator has no ceiling, so the sky is the limit.

…And just so you know because I’m not a total bitch and because you are/were my friend, I’ll be praying that you get on the next elevator and i will eventually see you at the top!

Thanks for the inspiration to the little circle at the Tea Party 3, and Ms. Tea herself, and for everyone who is on their hustle, and riding their elevator to the top.

 

Living soulfully, naturally and beautifully

Eve Past-Exotic

Don’t take on jobs your not billing for…unless YOU choose to

“To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else, means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.” -e.e. cummings

I am all for doing freebies occasionally, lending a helping hand, volunteering my time or my services and doing pro-bono work every once in awhile…But that does not include your negative opinions of me and me wasting my time reflecting on why they matter.

So from this day forward I’ve started to add ‘caring about your negative opinions of me’ to the list of gal-extraordinaire services offered, and if you can’t afford me then you need not feel threatened, upset or put upon by the fact that I do.not.care.

Since money talks…let’s talk money.

If I have to make your negative, thoughts and opinions about me my personal business- well then, I’m going to charge $250/ hour for my time.  . Plus I’m going to be billing you for expenses incurred while thinking and caring about how you feel about me.  And since I’m giving your thoughts my time I’ll need you to reimburse me for any meals bought during that time, as well as any travel.  So now, lets do the math.

Let’s say you told me that you think that I’m too loud, too opinionated and too much. You hate my blog and think that it is wack…(for the sake of argument if you please)

Fair enough – your entitled to your opinion. So now if I must care and change my blog according to what you said we are now going to go into business. We must sign a contract and then I’m going to start thinking, fretting and worrying over your comments for an entire day, actually make that an entire work day so 8 hours. That means I’m going to bill you $250 x 8, plus I’m going to be taking the TTC to get to where I need to go since I live downtown so $6 for the ride there and back, plus 3 square meals a day at let’s say $10/meal, and that’s being generous since I do like to eat well. So… that mean’s $30 for my 3 square meals for the day. Lastly not to mention ‘opportunity costs’ which my friend Adrian Worrell so graciously pointed out to me. Thanks for that reminder Adrian! So let’s say the time on your insignificant comments had me give up a job in which i could have billed $5000 for, that means I’m going to also bill you the $5000 for a total of $7, 036.  Whoy! Adrian, thank God for you…lol I almost missed out on $5000. Good lookin out.

Do the math – If I allow myself to agree to take on your problems about me and make them my personal business I’d be a closer to being rich than I am, because for one day’s work alone I would be sending you an invoice for $7, 036.  Now imagine your opinion had me thinking for a straight month!

The point I’m trying to make here is that you should never let the problems and negative opinions people have about you affect you and the movements you choose to make. Especially if the way you are is not hurting others in any way shape or form.  God Is the only one who has a right to judge you and you are your own worst and best enemy, you do not need anyone else waiting in line to have a turn.

Time is important, and you can never really get it back so choose how you spend it wisely. If you choose not to bill for your time, that’s fine – but make sure you spending it freely doing what you want to do, thinking about what you want to think about and if not make sure to send out that contract and that invoice!

If it’s not your business its not your business. So don’t take on someone else’s negative thoughts and/or opinions and make them your business.

And just to be clear – In BUSINESS, it is IMPORTANT to care about what other people think, and make that your business for the betterment of your business and keeping clients and getting new clients…however when it comes to your persona life, not so much.

So to everyone out there, I’m open to any thoughts, comments and concerns on how to make any of my entrepreneurial projects/businesses a success. But if your interested in hiring me to care about any negative thoughts, comments and concerns about my persona life, which also includes my blog 🙂 – fill out a contact form with your mailing address so I can send you a contract and a bill in the mail otherwise don’t be offended if I choose not take ‘that’ business as mine.

Don’t throw down the towel! P.U.S.H!!

Dedicated…to all my ladies who hustle, YOU all inspire me! To my fellow Sistars who are CEO’s, Owners, Founders, and Presidents, YOU inspire me!  To all my ladies taking the time to volunteer their skills and talents, and/or interning to learn new skills, YOU inspire me! To all my ladies who live, work and play fabulously – YOU inspire me!

DO.NOT.EVER.COVET what someone else has! Their business, their money, their relationships, their life. You never know how they got to where they got or why their where their at. You just might be surprised, that their story is one you would not even want written for your own life.

Nobody is perfect and therefore nobody’s life is perfect, although some people might believe there’s comes pretty close. Check yourself – There is a difference between being perfect and being perfect for you. Don’t get the two confused because at the end of the day,  like I said, nothing and no one is ever really perfect.

Success…

Success is measured not only by a person’s status in life, but also to me by the character of the person and how successful he or she has been in helping others. The highs, the lows, and the in-between -they will all come!  It’s a part of the life that we live. Sometimes the towel gets dirty, worn out and weighed down by blood sweat, and tears. Sometimes it’s okay to set it down, but never throw down your towel. Put it in the wash, throw in a bounty fresh sheet, say a prayer and voila it’s ready to go again. Looking and smelling so fresh and so clean. Don’t’ ever throw down your towel.

Remember… your towel is not meant to carry your burdens, and that’s why it needs a good wash and dry- and hey, it’s normal to feel the need to want to throw it down. But, remember, you serve a God who’s an ever lasting clean and you wont ever need to throw him down.

Whether time, money or energy, whether haters, nay-sayers and/or pessimists, whether pain, suffering or sorrow. Whether sickness or disease, poor credit or even bankruptcy – it’s okay…you got this! It takes money to make money, plant your seed, pray on it and it will grow. Haters, pessimist and nay-sayers never win; let them talk, they are the fuel for your flight. Time is not even yours, so dont worry about it. And remember you serve a God who can stop, pause, rewind or fast forward time. Energy, if your ever feeling down or like ur losing energy, get plugged into God, he is  the ultimate power source. He’s also a doctor, lawyer, preacher, teacher, banker, credit repairer and the list goes on…

So don’t throw in the towel!

If you need to wash it out, sweat it out, wash it out, then cry it out and wash it out and sweat it out…do what you gotta do! Its okay…life is hard, hustling legitimately is even harder, and for those who choose to remain non-complacent life is even hardest.  The person climbing to the top of the ladder is putting in a lot more work then the person chilling, sitting on the bottom step of the ladder.

You are not always going to get it right, and it isn’t always easy. Especially where business is concerned you gotta PUSH!

You are birthing a vision, greatness, your own company that you will put your blood, sweat and tears into. It will piss you off, it will make you laugh, it will cause you pain it will cause you joy. It may also cause you debt, migraines and possibly your health. But Don’t Throw down the towel…Do not put an abortion on your dreams and your future success. You’ve got to PUSH!

PRAY. UNTIL.SOMETHING.HAPPENS.

PUSH, PUSH, PUSH…AND EXHALE…PUSH, PUSH, PUSH, AND EXHALE…

Birth your vision ladies! Carry and nurture it for a while and make sure that it is what you really want to do, do your research and your development. Spend your energy, time and money to prepare.  Like the slogan for my biz says, “Business nutrients to give your business life” – take this seriously.  What nutrients are putting into your business to help it to grow?

When it is time, it is time! YOU will know…and maybe it will hit you unexpectedly, but it will be time and you will have no choice but to push, push, push, and push…birth that awesomeness! Take time to choose a name that’s important to your vision and what you want your brand to represent and write it on that certificate!  That business belongs to you; it’s your baby.

Congratulations…You have just conceived your hopes, your dreams, your vision…your business

It is in you!!  For my ladies who have pushed and pushed, and snatched the towel back up before letting it hit the ground. Keep on keeping on, I’m so proud of you!  Don’t throw down your towel! For my ladies who struggle a little bit, remember, if this is really what you want to do, and this is the vision you birthed, don’t give up. You don’t give up on your children – so don’t’ give up on your vision, your business, your future success.  Work with it, discipline it, love it, – spend even more time, energy, and money, add the best nutrients you can give it and watch it flourish and grow.

Remember,

You can always take the towel to laundry, but never throw it down! PUSH!!!!!! EXHALE!!! PUSH!!!! EXHALE!!!! PUSH!!!! AND PUSH!!!!!!

To my ladies living soulfully, beautifully and naturally

Evelyn Past Exotic

Rejecting the body, Rejecting the Rib

Hey Guys and Gals,

While walking to work today, the Lord hit me with something and told me to share! So..i’m sharing 🙂 and not apologizing for it!

Genesis 2:23
“And Adam said, This [is] now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” –  King James Version

In the beginning was the word and the word was God. Now in that same beginning, that same God created man and he created woman. He called man Adam and he called woman Eve. And Adam called Eve woman because she was taken out of man.

We as women are the rib, and each one of us other than belonging to the body of Christ, fits with a man. And each man has a rib, who is his bodies perfect match. Now, everytime we lay with someone that is NOT of God, not for us, and/or every time we become unequally yoked…

It’s like being of the world and having a surgery performed on you where you are having some sort of transplant. So imagine, you are not his rib but you are trying to fit ….

Think about it..what happens when a body does not take to a transplant, whether it be a heart or a lung, a kidney, or even something as small as a cornea?

For the purposes of this message lets look at a kidney transplant,

REGARDING A KIDNEY TRANSPLANT:
“In a first step, doctors make sure that the donor and recipient have blood types that are compatible. If the blood types are not compatible, immediate rejection of the kidney is likely to occur. Most transplant centers around the world will not perform a kidney transplant if the blood types are not compatible.  In a second step, doctors perform a test called a crossmatch test. that determines whether the recipient has immunity to the donor’s HLA antigens.” (http://www.paireddonationnetwork.org/SubPages.aspx?BodyArea=16)

WHAT IS A TRANSPLANT?:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            “Organ transplantation is the moving of an organ from one body to another, or from a donor site on the patient’s own body, for the purpose of replacing the recipient’s damaged or absent organ.”-(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organ_transplantation)

WHAT EXACTLY IS TRANSPLANT REJECTION?:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         “Transplant rejection occurs when a transplanted organ or tissue is not accepted by the body of the transplant recipient. This is explained by the concept that the immune system of the recipient attacks the transplanted organ or tissue. This is expected to happen, because the immune system’s purpose is to distinguish foreign material within the body and attempt to destroy it, just as it attempts to destroy infecting organisms such as bacteria and viruses. When possible, transplant rejection can be reduced through serotyping to determine the most appropriate donor-recipient match and through the use of immunosuppressant drugs.[1]” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transplant_rejection)

A little food for though~

My ladies – we are the rib and my men – you are the body and together you are the whole of God’s body. Remember 1+1+1 = 3 but really equals 1. His word in Ecclesiastes 4:12 states that, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”-NIV version

Therefore everytime we lay with someone that is NOT of God, not for us, and/or every time we become unequally yoked with us -our bodies and/or their bodies will reject it and that is what causes you pain, hurt, anger, bitterness, the list can go on. Because we are NOT matching matching the so-called donor, also known as the body or the rib. You’r body is a holy temple, it will most definitely be rejected. And dont get it twisted sometimes, it will take and it’s all good…but as soon as you start to put that rib or the body before the one who created every single part of your anatomy-physically, the one who lives in you spiritually…it will get rejected. Sometimes those things don’t happen til later but when they do the outcome is just as bad, and just as sad.

So before you decide to be in a relationship with someone, make sure that you are doing your own crossmatch test, but a biblical version, it will save you having to go through the surgery, and the heartache or pain that may ensue afterward – Make sure that your the rib to his body and vice versa, so that when your joining together is blessed by God you know that you are each others donors, you are his missing rib and he is your body and in the name of Jesus neither of you will be rejected. Make sure that you are his 1 and he is your plus 1 and together Christ is the one for both of you, 1+1+1 equaling one.

I can’t tell you who to sleep with, who not to sleep with when or how to sleep with them..that’s between you and God, I would be a hypocrite if I said I don’t have my own demons to battle. Lord knows!
So thanks for letting me share!

Love you all and be encouraged

Living soulfully, naturally and beautifully,

Get Plugged In

Isaiah 40:31

“But they that wait upon the LORD
shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as EAGLES
they shall run, and not be weary;
and they shall walk, and not faint”

 

The past couple of months, I’ve been MIA on here because of projects that I”m working on in my life as well as, always being tired, sometimes unmotivated and always feeling like i’m going gong going…

I’m sure i’m not the only one. Toronto is a constantly moving fast paced city where you have got to run along to keep up or you will fall behind, and fall behind? Never that…

With everything else that goes on around you its so easy to forget that YOU were created by the greatest power source, and that’s GOD. He is the never ending, never changing, always constant, all-knowing, an all-powerful energy source and when you are feeling tired, burnt out, unmotivated or constantly going to the point of burn out, all you need to do is get plugged in.

Some of you reading this may not know Christ, and it is my heartfelt prayer that you will want to know him. But for those of you who do know Christ, I ask you – if our flesh will die, but our soul lives in what are we working so hard killing ourselves for?  Work 2 or 3 jobs so that you can enjoy more of the ‘finer’ things in life, not spending time with your children and other loved ones, being under-appreciated by colleagues. Take heart, ALL these things your working so hard for are NOTHING compared to what you will receive, compared to what your reward will be in Heaven. I’m just as guilty as this, and daily its a struggle to just remember all I need to do is look within myself and get plugged in.

Are you tired? Because lately, I have been T.I.R.ED! and forgetting…

“Matt 11:28: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” –biblegateway.com

When life seems to be going to fast for you your feeling too unmotivated to go along at your own pace get plugged in to whatever gives you hope, joy, peace and motivation.  For me it will always be the rock of ages, the alpha and the omega, he who is I AM. He will never cut you off, you don’t have to make usage payments, you don’t have to put up with annoying holds, poor customer service or inflation rates, or have to worry about saving energy, its limitless and its in you!! You don’t need to look any further than inside yourself.

“Matthew 5:14-16
14″You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” -biblegateway.com

Imagine, God’s word says that we our the light of the world! Now how powerful is that, and we are ALL plugged into one source and thats GOD.

And for those of you who are doubtful, that’s okay. I once was too. But just like me, after you have tried everything else then…try God and get plugged in.

“John 10:10: The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” -biblegateway.com

Rom. 8:11, “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who indwells you.”- biblegateway.com

And as i sign off I leave with one last verse and encourage you when your feeling drained, tired, unmotivated and overworked to look inside yourself and tap in to the energy source that is freely given.

” 1 Corinthians 3:21-23 (New International Version, ©2011)^21- So then, no more boasting about human leaders! All things are yours, ²² whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas^[a] or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, ²³ and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.” – biblegateway.com

Do not worry about what the rest of the world is doing, will be doing or what they have or will have. ALL…

Wait..wait..I dont think you read this properly…ALL (EVERY.SINGLE.THING) is Yours! So live a life that is satisfying, a life that is full of love and a life that is full of Christs light. Be energized!

Living soulfully, naturally, beautifully and always struggling but striving to live Godly 🙂

Eve Past Exotic

Words of Wisdeom from The Honourable Judge Judith Schiendlin

Okay, so its been a while…Like really! AWHILE! So for that I apologize.

Just to let all of you know what I’ve been doing these last few months, I have been working to put together a new Magazine for the African Canadian Community called Africulture Magazine, so make sure to look out for it. Get at me if you would like to get involved and help out or be a part in some way shape or form. Our launch will be on June 4th, 2011 and we will be having Flavour N’Abania come down and perform for the after-party/concert being hosted by Bless Entertainment.

Since right now I am still in the Creative IV lab getting work done, I haven’t had alot of time to sit down and really speak to you on my blog. So I thought I would do a quick one of all my favourite Judge Judy words of wisdom, and those of you who know me know that I LOVE JUDGE JUDY!

My absolute favourite…“Beauty fades, but dumb is forever” – Judge Judy

“Have you ever heard of the KISS principle? Keep It Simple, Stupid?” – Judge Judy

– Sometimes it’s really that easy, don’t borrow trouble from other people, and don’t add more to your life than what you can handle, that is in the things you do and in the way you communicate.

“When you mess around with Jail-bait, you accept the consequences!” – Judge Judy

– Like I always say, I am NOT a ride or die chick. I do not want to ride with you into any foolishness. I was not born with you and I do not want to die with you or do time with you. I am not a purse, scarf, pair of earrings or any other jewelry so I am not interested in being anyone’s accessory to any foolishness!

“I’m here because I’m smart, not because I’m young and gorgeous…. although I am!” – Judge Judy

–Know your capable- ALWAYS! Value your intelligence, appreciate your beauty and know that you got to where you are because God gave you the brain power to do so!

“Two people can’t talk at the same time. When my mouth is moving, it means that you need to be quiet.” – Judge Judy

– Learn to listen, there is wisdom in not only learning how to effectively communicate, but also learning how to effectively close your mouth to listen to what others are also saying.

“Did you forget you were coming to coming to court today?” – Judge Judy

Dress appropriately for where you are going, and where you plan to go in life! And remember that first impressions count!

saying.

“It’s the most ridiculous thing I can think of for two people who do not have a contract, a legally binding contract between them, like a marriage certificate, to open up a joint bank account, that’s the dumbest thing! Listen out there youngsters!!” – Judge Judy

“I’ve got a message for all you single people out there, in the audience, so listen to me very carefully – Aside from no joint bank accounts, no joint credit cards, no joint visas until you’re married, take this home with you: NEVER cosign on anybody’s behalf for anything, and I mean NOT EVER!” – Judge Judy

You work hard for your money, so do not let someone else try and help you to mismanage it. Know absolutely certain what you are doing, and ALWAYS get it in writing…unless you care and/or love the person enough to not let it effect your relationship if you do not get it back.

“Never combine business with pleasure; that’s not good business. Got what I mean?” – Judge Judy

It’s never a good thing, unless of course your committed in marriage as well as in business, then you have more reason to make both situations work. It’s difficult but it’s not impossible. Be wise about it.

Living soulfully, naturally and beautifully…

Once again I apologize guys and thank you for your patience while i get some other things I’m doing off the ground 🙂

Lots of love,

 

Eve

WHAT WILL WE TELL OUR CHILDREN~

A very wise man, a Pan Africanist American writer, historian, professor, and a pioneer in the creation of Africana studies and professional institutions in academia starting in the late 1960s, Dr. Henry Clark once said,  “what will we tell our children? At what point do we sit down and not argue about t.v, at what time do we sit down and tell simple stories about our revolutionary heritage and get it across to our children, we have the longest revolutionary heritage of any people on the face of the earth. We have fought longer and harder, and against great odds than any people on the face of earth, why do our children not know this. Because if they knew this and they loved themselves, none of them would put poison in their veins, if they knew this they would know that a code of conduct is expected of them. They cannot afford to live selfishly, their conduct must reflect the best and a whole people and when someone tries to lead them in ways not of their liking, they should have enough sense of their own selves on this earth to say ‘we are not a people that engage in things of that nature’. We are not a people demean ourselves in that way, but for them to know this – they have to know what kind of society produced them.”

I could not have said these words better myself.  As we end January and move forward into February, a month chosen to represent our Black History let us remember those who fought the fight for us so that we can have freedom, or at least a semblance of it. Let us also remember that we come from a great race of people, that without their inventions we would not be able to do the things we appreciate daily, such as Otis Boykon who invented the electrical resistor we use in computers, radios, television sets and a variety of electrical devises, Lyda D. Newman who invented the hair brush, and last but definitely not least, George Washington Carver who invented peanut butter, adhesives, bleach, chili sauce, ink, instant coffee, linoleum, mayonnaise, paper, plastic, pavement, shaving cream, talcum powder and more.  So when your feeling doubtful and the world is making you feel like you ain’t shit – look down and remember that the pavement that you walk on, and the pavement that they walk on was invented by someone who went through their own struggles, then look up and remind yourself that you were made to be great, and are great because of the spirit of God that lives in you. I want to encourage my people to respect themselves and to respect their elders for paving the way so that we could sit at the back of the bus, go where we please, have equal pay, work the same jobs, attend higher education, and the list goes on…things may never be perfect, but remember that they are always better than yesterday.

Respect yourself and respect others around you. Wear clothes that fit, keep your pants off the ground.  Say your sir’s and your ma’ams and remember your please and thank you’s…and in honor of Rosa Parks, sit at the front of the bus from time to time instead of always rushing to the back.  Complete your education; take care of your responsibilities, fill your mind with knowledge and ignorance will flee.  Remember that you he that lives in you is greater than he that lives in the world, and remember that you come from the most revolutionary heritage of any people on the face of this earth, get it together and celebrate black history month as if its every month and hold yourself with a higher code of conduct.

Living soulfully, naturally and beautifully

Eve Past-Exotic

Welcome 2011, I’m glad we finally got the chance to meet!

Ladies and Gents,

For me…2010 was a good year, 2011 will be an even better year!   In my previous post I said this Christmas was not like last Christmas, and neither will next Christmas be like this Christmas. The same follows with the year.
As we thank God for keeping us through 2010 and enter in 2011, I hope we are all looking back at 2010 and thinking about what we did wrong, what we did right, what needs to stay and what needs to go. Lets remember that Christmas is not about gifts, but as you enter into the new year I encourage you to gift yourself with gifts that will nurture you physically, mentally and spiritually. That being said, what gifts did you give to yourself this Christmas to help better yourself for 2011. Me personally?

*Physically – I am gifting myself with P90x and possibly a treadmill, better eating habits, more exercise, and more sleep
*Mentally – I am gifting myself, with the word No, I’ve learned that it Is okay to say no, I do not want to, I cannot, or I should not. No, no, no! Not taking things on I am not able to, or that are too much for me, and being open to learn more things, refusing NOT to be ignorant on matters that can be solved just from reading a book or engaging in an enlightened discussion, ONLY engaging with positive people and/or people who I can learn something from and not those who will stress me out, take from me or use me
*Spiritually – this was a no brainer for me, I am re-gifting to myself the gift of Jesus Christ, reminding myself how awesome the God I serve is and taking him into the New Year once again with me

Physically, Mentally, Spiritually – what are you gifting to yourself? What is your plan for 2011 to make life better for yourself?

Do not go into 2011, not appreciative of 2010, because in order for you to have reached 2011, this means you survived 2010 and that alone is a blessing. Claim your 2011 for yourself, and whatever resolutions you make do your best to keep. Believe that 2011 will be a better year for you, and already your starting it in the right way. Tomorrow will only get better for you once you are able to let go of today,
I know that some of the people reading this had a stressful 2010, feeling overworked and underpaid, or an abusive 2010 mentally and physically, while others may have lost a loved one, for others 2010 was joyous; a new addition to the family, a found friend, a great job, financial freedom, the list goes on. To each of you 2010 started different and it ended different, but whichever it was believe that 2011 will be a much better year. ‘What does not kill you can and will only make you stronger. Be thankful for every lesson learned so that in 2011 you wont make the same mistakes you made in 2010, so that in 2011 you will make better decisions.
Whatever breakthrough your looking for in 2011, go out and break through! You are not alone, in whatever you go through in life. Remember the footprints of God and remember what I talked about in my other post about tag teaming with him. Just reach out and touch.
So as you go into 2011 remember these 11 very important things, I’ve learned through my 1010 and I am taking with me into 2011 to start it off right and end it even better!

1. Do not let the world lie to you and tell you otherwise – NOTHING absolutely NOTHING is impossible with God

2. In all you go through and all you do, do it with GOD or do your best to not do it at all

3. KEEP THE FAITH ALWAYS, and P.U.S.H – Pray Until Something happens

4. If whatever path you take in 2011, Gods light does not light your path, do not go.

5. Know who your friends are, and remember your greatest friend is Jesus Christ – take time to know him and learn him.

6. Do not add excess waste to your life, elimate toxic people and toxic situations

7. It is okay, and necessary to say NO

8. Take care of more of you, so that you can help take care of others

9. Start your morning with a prayer and end your day with a
prayer

10. Last but not least, let your yes be yes and your no be no. Be someone who is truthful and can handle the truth so that people can show you who they really are, and therefore you will not be disappointed by what you hoped or thought they were

11. Do not settle for anything but the best for yourself – physically, mentally, spiritually – you are the daughters and sons of a King.

I am wishing everyone a blessed and prosperous Christmas. May everything that you touch, and do be blessed. 

 

Living soulfully, naturally and beautifully~

Eve Past-Exotic