On to the Next One!!!

In a few days, we shall usher in 2011! Yes to new beginnings!

I don't believe in resolutions. Too often we make poor resolutions and never stick to them.

Instead of resolutions, let's try making reassurances to ourselves and to our loved ones. Reassure yourself that IF you're not in the proper place in your life or frame of mind, that you will work on those improvements. Reassure those who you love and tell them that you do love them.

Tomorrow isn't promised to any of us. We all have stories of people passing who were of varying ages. No matter when our name is called, it is never the right time for those we love or the right time for us, as we did not accomplish this or that. If those we love know that we love them and cherish their existence in our lives, then they will be comforted when we leave the earth. If we follow our hearts more, we shall live without regret!

Reassure yourself and go forth to conquer all your dreams and aspirations. GO FOR IT! Do what you have always dreamed of doing! Complete that bucket list! Tell those closest to you that you love them and what they mean to you and your life. Never live in a world of regrets!

So, it's on to 2011! It's a new year and new opportunity for you to do so very much. On to the next one!

Leave the negative in the past! Leave the energy vampires there as well. Step into a new year with positivity and great desire! You will get what you want!

Your TIONS in order?

I heard some people recently tell me that they don't have this and that or don't require this or that in a mate, however, there are four simple TIONS that every person should come into a relationship with. For that matter, we should have our own personal TIONS lined up as a matter of self growth.

Your TIONS are: educaTION, occupaTION, transportaTION and habitaTION! It is just that simple!

Get yourself an education. No one can take your education from you! An education will also help you to promote yourself in your current position. Employers reward employees for obtaining a higher education.

Get yourself an occupation. Find something you love and go do it OR do the best in the position you have! Jobs are good, but careers are always better.

Get yourself some transportation. Everyone needs to be able to get where they are going on their own. No one wants to be a burden to their friends or in their relationship. Obtain a license, and get yourself some reliable transportation.

Get yourself your own place to lay your head. A small place of your own is always better than relying on others to provide a roof over your head. It does not have to be the Taj Mahal, but it will be yours.

Bringing these simple items into any mix will give a fresh start every situation.

So, do you have your TIONS in order? Does your mate?

Do not put a person out of your life for their lack of a TION here and there, but instead lift them up with encouragement and push them towards obtaining their own. In the end, you both will flourish and simple complaints, hassles and disagreements will not come into the mix.

Thanks for Giving

In this season of Thanksgiving we speak of thanks for those things which are material, but often do not recognize the smaller things for which we should be thankful.

Far too often you do so much for so many and never hear THANK YOU! You give and give and give far beyond your mental, physical and emotional means, and receive very little thanks in return. You are a special person and you deserve to at least be acknowledged for what you do for others. So, if no one has told you THANK YOU recently, then all me.....THANK YOU!!!

THANK YOU for being so open to giving from your heart.

THANK YOU for being the type of person that stands by your beliefs.

THANK YOU for allowing others to rest their weary selves on your shoulders, and you stand strong until they were ready to move.

THANK YOU for having such a big, open heart that more people flocked to you because they saw straight to your goodness.

THANK YOU for not allowing yourself to blame yourself for the shortcomings of others.

THANK YOU for not holding onto the hurt and pain.

THANK YOU FOR GIVING MORE OF YOURSELF THAN YOU EVER GOT IN RETURN!

I could go on, but you get the drift. STOP and take a minute to thank yourself for being the kind, generous and giving person that you are! You are exceptional. If no one else recognizes that fact, then I will for them and the others that didn't take a second to THANK YOU for being the wonderful person you are.

Don't lull in the selfishness of others, but swim in the knowledge that your reward shall come by way of others sooner than later.

Thanks for giving of your time, energy, heart, soul, effort and love. You shall have all your rewards soon enough!

Learn how to stay in your lane!

Beep! Beep! Get out my lane!!!

You don't actually hear people make that statement, but you hear the horn. Some people make that "learn your lane" statement, by way of their actions every day.

Learning how to stay in your lane goes for most things in life. In this instance, it refers to a relationship or a non-relationship relationship. We need to learn how to maintain the proper perspective on our position in life as well as in and out of relationships.

If you entered into a relationship and you both agreed that you both want to maintain a 'friendship with benefits' type of relationship, then you must hold that lane. If you entered into a relationship and you both agreed to be exclusive, then you must maintain that lane. On the flip side if your relationship is over, then you need to realize that you should have exited the highway long ago. No need to hold on. No chasing down a person who does not want you on the same street as them. Notice the word both is italicized. There's no such thing as a team of one, no matter how hard you try.

Learn your lane. Realize that a situation has come about for a specific reason. No need to want to maintain the fast lane, when you're stuck in traffic in the slow lane and no one wants to let you over. Signal as you may, if the person you're with has certain intentions about you, then they will hold you to that position no matter how much you protest.

Learn how to stay in your lane. There's NO coincidence that most highways have at least three lanes. The fast lane; you and your mate are on the same path and moving forward. The middle lane; you and your mate can take it or leave it and nothing has been fully established. The slow lane; you can exit or maybe one person in the relationship already has. In either case, you don't and won't make it to any of the other lanes alone.

Learn your lane or learn how to let go! I wrote the "Let it Go" piece a while back because it was necessary for me to learn how to leave the past in the past; learn my lane. We all need to learn how to maintain our self-respect when it comes to certain situations. No need to profess something is when it clearly isn't. No one looks crazy but YOU!

Learn how to stay in your lane. If you're unsure about your lane, then that's a conversation you and your mate need to have to make sure you're both traveling at the same speed or better, in the same vehicle and direction.

So, if you hear someone beeping, and you know you're in the proper lane, check your rear view and keep it moving. When you are sure about your position in life and your relationship, you will have a clearer mindset when it comes to everything around you.

Realize you can't get any where driving reverse on a highway built to go forward!

Examine your breakfast as a relationship!

Think about this: The chicken is involved but the pig is committed. You get it?

On your plate lay scrambled eggs and bacon. You have two items that will both satisfy your hunger, yet both come into it unequal.

Let's break it down. The chicken laid an egg and contributed to the meal; he was involved. It had input into the meal, however, nothing monumental was given. If needed, the chicken can be involved in other aspects of that meal (aka relationships) or others. Mere involvement in your relationship is good, however, it really doesn't satisfy you if the chicken (your mate) can't commit. Knowing that you're involved and not committed is half stepping.

The pig, however, gave its life for the meal. There was no half stepping with the pig. In order for you to receive your bacon, that pig had to die; he had to commit. Commitment to your relationship shows true knowledge of the heart and which direction you and your mate are going in. Without commitment, there can be no fully satisfying relationship (meal).

See when we are simply involved in a relationship, we often times have a take it or leave it mentality; your head won't commit. When we commit, however, we're all in. There's no turning back. We go for it because our heart is settled.

So, which are you....the chicken or the pig? Are you simply involved in your relationship or are you committed? Chew on it!