The Eleventh Hour

     So many of us quit when life get hard. It's as if we've  been sold this fairy-tale from birth, that teaches us that if we have to take a risk, or struggle, or fight, it's better to simply give up.

     I've seen talented men sit on their gifts because they are too afraid to fail again. I've seen phenomenal woman stop just shy of their goal simply because an outside distraction, obstacle, or issue  made the last few steps seem impossible to take. If the greatest tragedy of life, is to die never having reached your full potential, how then, is it that so many of us fall victim to this tragedy simply because "shit got real"? Life is real, and sometimes, life is just hard.

I have learned this; Anyone can take the next step forward when it is sunny outside. It takes a courageous spirit to take the next step in complete darkness. 

 Where there is courage, there is strength.

 Where there is strength, there is resilience, 

and where those attributes meet, there, lies success.

 No man or woman ever became great any other way.

    So when you are facing your darkest moments, remember that it is merely your opportunity to be amazing. To respond with courage. Don't miss it. Keep going. 💚

Can't cook. Don't wanna. Probably ain't gonna.

     

     Whenever I tell someone (especially someone of the male persuasion) that I really don't cook, I always get a blank stare. It's as if my having a vagina and being a good cook ought to go hand in hand! I often wonder why no one ever asked my father or my brother if they knew how to make a meal...While there are obvious sexist tones to such a question, I want to explore a deeper issue: Why does society need so badly for each of us to fit in to a box?

     Now, please hear me out. I agree that some roles have to be set in families and partnerships. What I disagree with, is the fact that so many people feel the need to dictate those rules for others. EVERY family is different and every situation unique. Round' here, we rarely turn on a stove. We prefer our food (mostly plant based) raw. Unless, of course, bacon is involved. We loooove the hell out of bacon, but I digress. The point is, my children are happy and healthy. They  receive a balanced diet, and have had absolutely no complaints about the way I feed them. (unless I try to actually cook).

     I have tried. A really long try. 3 full years of trying, and I am no better now than the first day I caught the stove on fire. (Yes, that actually happened). Not only am I a bad cook, I absolutely HATE it. I get no pleasure from the act or the results, and in my personal opinion, that's good enough reason to stop. I'm not going to spend the rest of my days striving to cook like my mom. That's just not what I'm good at. 

     I admire a women who can whip up a gourmet meal that her family swoons over, I really do, but the simple truth is: Not every woman is a mini Paula Deen. That doesn't mean that I am any less awesome. 

     I can't make a casserole, but I'm the best cuddler this side of the Mason-Dixon line. I have no idea what goes into a sweet potato pie, but I make a mean PB and J. 

My spaghetti is always sticky, 

my fried chicken; always raw , 

my roasts are undercooked,

and to be perfectly honest with you,

I can barely boil eggs, and guess what?

That's ok.

      I'm convinced that what I lack in kitchen-prowess, I make up for in laughs, hugs, dancing in circles, Sam Cooke records and Love. I'll take that over a grease fire, any day. 💚

     

Less being angry, more being great.

     Clearly, we all know a few people who we'd like to introduce to a wood chipper. It nearly goes without saying, but the whole reason for this post is tell you that the aforementioned bloodshed isn't necessary. Neither is gossip, or unkindness, or anything else that gives idiots,  power in your life. I have a much better solution: Cut Them Loose! Easy, right? It really is. 😊

Do WHATEVER you want.

     

     I have often thought, even in my own life, that the greatest tragedy, is living in fear of what other people think. It one of those human conditions that nearly everyone has experienced and yet, in reality, it simply makes no sense. Why on earth do we shirk our own responsibilities, neglect ourselves, and set aside our own happiness for something as trivial and insignificant as. "What everyone  ELSE might think"?

      WHAT ABOUT YOU? What about what YOU think, what makes YOU happy , and what gives your life purpose? Listen: the world doesn't need another "yes man". The world need people brave enough to be different. Society could do with a few less angry people who have been stiffled by social "norms" and could do WITH a few more people who love themselves enough to have love for the rest of humanity. We need more doers and lovers; less gossipers. We need more resilience and fortitude; less convention and acquiescence. Whatever you do in LOVE is all good. If it makes your soul happy, if it's what you want, if you can't find any reason not to (other than what other people think), do it. 💚

    

    

I'm a thief.

     Yep. You read that right. I admit my sin, but I have absolutely no intention of repenting. I mean, I'm sorry, but not sorry enough to stop. I've stolen from countless friends and family members for years and years. It always starts the same. A trip to the bathroom, an open medicine cabinet, a shower curtain pulled back juuuuust enough...and I'm yanked into a world of scandalous debauchhery. 

     I really have no control! It isn't my fault. I have an addiction not just to the stealing, but to the SINGLE article in question. What could be so alluring, so sensual, so tempting? I'm ashamed to say that for at least the past ten years, I've been taking hair conditioner from any poor soul who dared leave it for me to find. (Insert sincere emotionally dejected face here). 

     I'm sorry if you've been a victim of my thievery. You probably wondered why you're Vidal Sassoon bottle felt lighter than you'd remembered. You may have question the last time you'd purchased your beloved Cantu Shea butter or Ms. Jessie's butter cream. You might have even found yourself questioning how your brand new bottle of Last Call hair Rescue magically opened itself after you brought it home. I'm not saying it was me. I'm just saying that my hair sucks up moisture like Karrine Steffans.  It is what it is. I try to only take just enough but as you probably know, I have enough hair for 4 people. 

     I'd like to repay you the cost of the pilfaged goods but you should also know that that's never going to happen and that the odds are greater that I'll steal your precious hair creme again if given the chance. Maybe you thought this letter was going to be one of redemption, repentance or restitution. I'm afraid it isn't. I just thought it was unfair to keep you thinking that you were insane. Hide your conditioner. You're welcome.