Janelle Nicole

18 Months Later......

2012-07-01T01:07:00.000-04:00

I had no idea this would take this long.

Can someone tell me exactly when I am going to figure ME out? ")

I'm getting closer. I can feel it. I am more patient now than ever.

I am slowly but surely taking the necessary steps to understand who I am and where I am headed.

I have a secret. "I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me."

And not necessarily one at a time. I am not passionate about any one thing. I have a multitude of interests. My talents vary. I can be useful in several areas.

I am sorting out my strengths right now. I am outlining every business opportunity I have ever dreamed about. I am "networking" YIKES! I am connecting with people who have a need.

So. I'm getting there. And I'm feeling better.
Chat Soon.

Transformation...Please bear with me...

2012-01-16T02:18:00.002-05:00

Hi Everyone

This post has been in draft form since May 2011. I have gone back to it several times to try and finish it, but never could get the words out just right. It started based on a statement Oprah Winfrey made (which appears below) on one of her last shows of her final season. Anyone who really knows me knows I am an Oprah fan. :) It touched me because it is filled with truth regarding true transformation. I am seeking a transformation of sorts..... For real this year... so its time to get this out in the open..... here goes nothing...

This post came to fruition because I have struggled for some time now trying to determine who it is that I really am. I have been determined to discover who I am as a daughter, friend, family member, co worker, worshiper, teammate, future mother and wife and mostly who I am to God. In my daily interactions, I have met all kinds of people, and been in various life situations. For those of you who really know me, you know that I can typically "blend" in. I can relate to different types of people, give people the benefit of the doubt, rarely have confrontations or arguments and have generally been able to develop meaningful friendships and relationships. I feel however, that for a long time, I have only been living an ordinary life. I have only scratched the surface on who I am really meant to be to all of you and most importantly feel as if I have a long way to go in figuring out my purpose.

What do I mean by this? I have just done what I am supposed to do. I have gotten to a certain point in life, by doing the "right" thing as it relates to my education, career, extracurricular and family life. In each of those areas though, something happens that stops me from going in deeper. Many of you probably know that I have pretty decent ideas, start things and sometimes, don't complete them. I am always seeking to learn more, grow, make better decisions and truly fulfill expectations, but soon after making a commitment to something, that THING happens. The SCARY part. Doubt enters in the equation. I sometimes question my ability to bring my ideas to life. I question my intention. Am I really doing this thing because it is something I enjoy? Some times, I am able to move past this but many times, here is where it stops. I guess it is a bowing out or giving up of sorts. I usually can make up a justifiable reason in my head as to why it is OK to do this.

Why has this happened? Well, I am not totally sure. Part of me believes that I am truly content with a comfortable life. I have my health, my home, my car, my job, loving friends and family, etc. This should be enough right? Why rock the boat really? Why dig deeper? Why ruffle feathers? Why take myself out of my comfort zone? (my uncomfortable comfort zone). I say above that "part of me believes that", but really all of me believes that. Ultimately, I am not sure I am a real risk taker. I am afraid of messing up and losing everything.

Have I done anything to change? I have explored many different aspects of changing my life. Career, Location, Health, Relationships. I am a stuck right now. Same career (even though I desire to change), same location (I really do love Florida though), same health (I could do much better), same relationship status (the "one" hasn't found me yet). I have sought help from family, friends and even acquaintances through casual conversations and more serious ones. I have been careful about what I am sharing and who I am sharing it with. But to those I have opened up to, what I have discovered is that everyone gives advice based upon their own experience, and everyones experience is different. So typically I get a good conversation with a good person, but never really get the "answer" I need. I have sought out a closer relationship with God. This has involved prayer calls, church, bible study, daily devotionals, music and just all around talking to God whenever I possibly can. Still though, I feel disconnected. I haven't been able to connect the way I imagine I am supposed to. I gave up worrying and trying to control every situation a long time ago. I lean on my faith. I know that God hasn't forgotten me. I still though am seeking that everlasting connection. This leads me to the statement Oprah made that stuck with me. It reads as follows:

"If you get nothing else, understand this. It all boils down to one thing. It is your relationship to the source. That to which we call God or don't call God or don't even know is God, is all that matters. When you surrender and stop resisting and stop trying to change that which you cannot change but be in the moment, be fully open to the blessings you have already received and those that are yet to come to you and stand in that space of gratitude and honor and claim that for yourself. Look at where you are and how far you have come and what you have gotten and what you have accomplished and who you are. When you can claim that and see that, the literal vibration of your life will change. The vibration of your life will change."

I am ready for the literal vibration of my life to change. I desire to be extraordinary and live a life I am proud of. I want to look back knowing I made a difference and made strong good decisions that changed my life for the better. I want change and progression. I want to be a risk taker. I intend to get outside of my comfort zone. My life will be different. Change will come. I know I must get connected to MY SOURCE in order to do this.

Love you all. Keep me in your prayers.

My Natural Journey.........

2011-12-27T02:27:00.001-05:00

My hairstylist was on vacation the entire month of December, so it has been the perfect time to experiment with my natural hair. Here is where I was back in April of this year. http://janelle-nicole.blogspot.com/2011/04/natural-to-be-or-not-to-be-help.html

For those of you who care, check out the past 6 weeks...

Flat Ironing done by stylist!

Thinking I am cute! :)

Florida Humidity... SMH

Florida Humidity after a little taming

Fresh Flat Iron by Stylist

Clearly I was chillin! LOL

Rod Set with Flexi Rods by stylist. My Last Visit Before She Left.

By Day 5

By Day 10. This style was holding on for dear life, but my hair was drying out and felt like it was about to seriously tangle.

After taking a poll on facebook of what products I should buy here is my First wash at home. I used Miss Jessies products for washing.

I finger coiled with Miss Jessies Meringue and coconut oil. Only took me about an hour!

Day 1 after Finger Coils. I split one time using coconut oil and Miss Jessies Curly Buttercreme!

Day 2 - splitting again and used Miss Jessie's Curly Buttercreme and coconut oil.

Headed out day 2 at night. The right side had flattened some so I had to use rods to retwist some pieces.

See - The hair at the crown of my head doesn't take to the products like the rest.

This night is where I started to realize my left side is different than my right side and that the top is different too! SMH

Day 6 of coils! Very Cute but I have to pin up the sides because my sides get totally squooshed even though I pin up and sleep with a satin cap.

My very first twist out. I washed with Miss Jessie's and combed the conditioner through, let my hair towel dry for about 10 minutes, then applied coconut oil and twisted with Miss Jessies Curly Buttercreme. I used a technique where you two strand twist but add a new piece of hair on every twist.

Day 1 - took out the twist out and applied a little coconut oil. Clearly the right and left sides look completely different even though they are the same length! I cannot figure out what is going on. Also, my twist outs look nothing like all the girls on the you tube videos.... Hmmmmm got to figure this out. Is it a product issue? My hair drys as if its permed on one side. SMH

Day 2 - I flat twisted at night so it didn't get too ruined out flat. Just have to figure out my right side edges! Didn't use any product while taking out.

Here is a sample of the chunky flat twists.

Day 3 take out! used coconut oil to moisturize!

Clearly the right side is TRIPPING

Ok - So my mom gave me a deep oil condition treatment with Carols Daughter Khoret Amen Smoothie. I sat with a cap for an hour then rinsed and washed with Miss Jessies. I then applied Cantu Shea Butter Leave in Conditioner. I then applied coconut oil and did a standard two strand twist out.

Here is the day 1 take out. Its pretty cute, but now I am just thoroughly over the right side hair. Cant wait till my stylist gets back next week, because I will have her cute OUT this last bit of perm! Its killing me!

I didn't even take it out for day 2 since I have been lounging around the house ALL DAY LONG! :) We will see what happens tomorrow... All I know is I need to do SOMETHING prior to the new year! The Finger Coils may just have to work!

I have so many more styles I want to try as well as products. I will keep you posted!! :)

My First Love...

2011-11-14T22:41:00.000-05:00

Reading....

As a child, I remember loving to read and loving being read too. I can recall reading every Baby-Sitters Club book in the series and then progressing to books to like Flowers in the Attic soon after... (How did that happen?)

Anyway, as time passed, my interest in books waned and I started getting involved in a lot of other activities. Reading became a thing I did when I had to do it for school, etc. How could I have abandoned the one thing my grandmother told me to never stop doing?! :(

Well earlier this year, some 20 years later, I started to realize that I really missed this thing that I loved. Magazines and the Sunday newspaper just were not cutting it. Today, I realize I want my imagination back. I feel the urge to soak up tons of information and feed my brain. I want to stay up until 3am because I just can NOT put a great book down. I want to get wrapped up in a story to the point it feels real. I want to understand the world beyond my own two eyes and ears. I want to hear other opinions and expand my knowledge. I want to feel empowered, shocked and motivated. I want to get to the end of a book and hate that it is ending. I want to feel the sense of accomplishment that is felt when you discover something new and share what you have learned.

And so, it has begun...

I started out this year reading some self help material on prayer, relationships, finances and making your dreams come true.

"The Everyday Guide to Prayer" Andrew Murray Humble Creek
"Saving Your Financial Soul. Parable of the Paycheck" by Brian Edward Ayers
"Put your Dream to the Test" by John Maxwell
"In Search of the Proverbs 31 Man" by Michelle McKinney Hammond

Then I hit a bit of a road block. I just wasn't buying books. In August, two things happened. My friend Sonya invited me to the "Sojourner Book Club" meeting. She has attended for several years and I have heard heard talk about the fellowship on a number of occasions. The invite was right on time. I attended the first meeting of the year and enjoyed the company of some wonderful women until the wee hours of the evening. Next, I purchased and IPad, with IBooks. (greatest purchase ever). This enabled me to get going with my reading because I had a reading deadline and the books were easily accessible. We are a couple of months in and the reading has focused on black women in today's society and on motherhood.
Book List

"Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother" Amy Chua
"Black Women Redefined: Dispelling Myths and Discovering Fulfillment in the Age of Michelle Obama" Sophia Nelson

I have also picked up some recommended reading about what else, black women and relationships....

"Is Marriage for White People?" Ralph Richard Banks

All of my highlights and notes for this one say SMH. I will have to write a special blog post just for this topic. :)

Moving forward, I plan to tackle the Book Club suggestions, politics, black history and the black power movement, some fictional fun and of course some more self help.. (can never have too much right?) Here is my list for some short term future reading:

"Sister Citizen" Melissa V Harris-Perry
"Are You Living Together or Dying Together" Wanda Ross Padilla
"Decoded" Jay Z
"Get Out of Your Own Way" Tyrese
"Commanding Your Morning" Cindy Trimm
"Think and Grow Rich" Napolean Hill (which by the way, I have started at least 5 times)

All my avid readers, please feel free to give me some suggestions. I would love to hear about whats on your list.

Happy Reading.....

Natural... To Be or Not To Be. HELP!

2011-04-30T11:28:00.000-04:00

I had my first taste of "going natural" in 1998. I kept it for two years and went back to the creamy crack in 2000 because I was starting a new job and wasn't sure how it would be accepted in the corporate world. I wouldn't say that was a mistake, but after years of styles, (weaves, braids, color, short long), hair breaking, shedding, then growing again, paying for touch ups, treatments, etc - ENOUGH WAS ENOUGH. I saw many of my friends going natural over the past several years and almost ten years after abandoning my natural, I decided to stop perming my hair again. I still wear it straight at this point and am playing around with ideas on what my next steps are after it grows a little more and the perm is cut out. Now don't get me wrong. I will throw some "Human Hair" up in my hair in a heartbeat. :) To give my hair a rest and to "whip my hair back and forth" when i feel like it! Take a look at the stages of my hair over the last year or so as well as the natural styles that I like. Help me decide which will work on me!

May 2009 - Not Natural But Cutting all my Hair off after Breakage!

July / Aug 2009 - Short and Fly

Then I weaved it up till Dec 09

OK Last perm March 2010

Then I got some weave and some braids for the summer and this was Sept 2010.

October 2010 - This is when it got rough! Whew. and I was in Arizona SMH...

So I threw in some weave to get me to Jan 2011

March / April 2011 - - Feeling Good Hair is holding up! However, the humidity is coming out and it is TIME to workout!

Here are some of the Natural Styles I like. Let me know which ones you like!

New Year, New Me... Right? April 2011

2011-03-31T19:23:00.001-04:00

3 months ago, I wrote ALLLLLLLLLLLLL that and then some. Some of you may be wondering how I am doing! Many of you know, because I have drafted you to hold me accountable on some level or another.

I can say without a doubt that I have definitely made a dent in my procrastination! I have just been praying every day for the FOCUS to be able to get all the things I want to be completed. I am trying not to rush and just taking everything day by day. SO Yes I have been praying, thinking, working, eating, learning, growing, reading, writing, studying and having fun. As for cooking, exercising, scrapbooking and knitting - NOT SO MUCH, lol. But the good thing is that there are 9 more months in 2011.

I had a couple of setbacks and a bout with anxiety last month, but after getting checked out and believing I was healed, I realized very quickly that I needed to push through all of that and continue taking steps forward: Here we go...

1. I still have my prayer call in the morning and still listen to Joyce Meyer on my way to work. These things have enriched my life in such a way that I cant even explain. I just feel a renewed spirit and am eager to see what each day holds for me. I have been taking action and I no longer feel "stuck".

2. I am still blogging and have even started a "Single Experience" Blog. Just Like That yall. :) I journal and write down my thoughts ALL THE TIME. My brain has been in fast forward mode since I started this journey and I want to get it all out on paper so that I am able to pray on my ideas, and act if necessary. Its super exciting.

3. I cook - once a week...... Still working on this. I do not love grocery shopping or cooking really. LOL. Just doesn't do anything for me. I love to eat remember. Ok I am getting off track. I promise, next time we talk, I will be better at this.

4. I still am participating in the Dr Oz 11 week challenge. It comes to an end this week. Although I didn't meet my full goal of losing 18 pounds during this time period, I did lose 13. YAY ME. I basically have cut out most sugar when possible. I'm drinking lots of water and limiting carbs to when I go out (which is too much). Now - I still have 25 pounds to go... The good thing is that the Program has been extended until August. For any of you you who are interested, the website is www.sharecare.com.

5. I completed the books that I started reading in January and also read a new book, Saving your Financial Soul (from Tania). Good Book, Great Message. Definitely put things back in perspective for me in terms of my debt control. I have passed the book on to my sister and brother in law and hope they get a lot out of it as well!

6. I have applied for several jobs out of state, and get this, I even had an interview! It helped me to get my feet wet. The job was more marketing than insurance and ultimately went to someone with more marketing experience, but I am still open to whatever else is out there for me... Will keep you all posted.

7. I have started to study for the LAST course in my ARM designation. UGH. I have been putting this off for two years. RIDICULOUS. This will be done by the next update.

8. I am just now starting some business plans, and it is a work in progress. The best part is that I'm researching and enjoying it immensely. My new laptop (yes my old one just was DONE) is gonna get a workout!

OK OK OK - I know - yall are probably bored to death! LOL. But hang in there with me. Something really good is gonna come out of this.

If you have any suggestions, I am OPEN to hearing them.

All of yall have my number... :)

Love Always
Janelle Nicole

Hello, My Name is Janelle and I'm Addicted

2011-03-21T10:30:00.001-04:00

TO

Email, Social Networking and Most of All.......

REALITY TV!!!!

and I wonder why I cannot find any time to do the things I REALLY YEARN TO DO WITH MY LIFE!!!!
Im writing this to put it out there. I need some help and am going to take some steps to get control of these areas in my life. Just to give you all an idea of how serious I am, I have too many email addresses (hotmail, yahoo, gmail, work, my own businesses), too many social networking accounts (facebook, twitter, linked in, myspace) and I watch WAY too much reality tv. Here is a list of shows I either watch currently or have watched in the past:

Amazing Race
America's Next Top Model
American Idol
Apprentice
Basketball Wives
Bethenny Getting Married
Brandy & Ray J
Celebrity Apprentice
Celebrity Rehab
Dancing with the Stars
House Husbands of Hollywood
Jersey Shore
Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane
Kourtney & Khloe take Miami
Ochocinco: The Ultimate Catch
Real Housewives of Atlanta, DC, Miami, NJ
Real World
Sober House
Survivor
The TO Show
The Ultimate Merger
Top Chef
Undercover Boss

I am now attempting to start to watch Secret Millionare and Bethenny Ever After and I havent even listed shows that dont even come on anymore! I mean really Janelle.... "GET A LIFE"

I cant help but to think I have to be learning something from this madness. I mean, I stare at the tv with my mouth open more often than not at the NERVE of these people. If anything, it helps me to thank God that I have common sense and would never ever act like they do or put myselves in the situations they are in. Other times though, I admire how some of these folks just say what they think without a care in the world. It seems like many of them have what they have because of how they act. Then I remember, this is TV. It's all an illusion. It is not really reality. AT ALL. It is entertainment, plain and simple.

Now will I ever stop watching????? HELP!

Love Always
Janelle Nicole

Friends! How many of us have them?

2011-02-28T23:25:00.002-05:00

Friends! Ones you can depend on.

FRIENDS

For some reason, this chorus to the Whodini song "Friends" has been in my head for the last several weeks!

I can recall my father telling me that in life I will likely have very few "Friends". He said I will have many acquaintances but very few that I can truly call a friend. Although I think that this is true in most situations and I do have many acquaintances, I can say without a doubt that I am very blessed to be able to call several people in my life my friend.

I count them from so many places. They are my family, high school and college friends, sorors, co workers and several I was introduced to through hobbies like dance school and stepping!

I am truly thankful. Many of you have probably seen the email about different types of friends that has been passed around several times. For those of you who haven't, here you go:

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are! They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part, or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered. And now it is time to move on.

Then people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons: things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person, and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.

Every time I read this, I feel a sense of joy. I recognize how my friends have been there in good times in bad, how we have shared millions of laughs and some tears, how they have listened and given advice, how we relate and most importantly, how we have grown. At some point in our relationship, we may have spoken every day. We still may. Now we may talk just once every couple of weeks, months or even years. None of that changes the fact that we were at some point "friends" and always will be.

I read the following in the Proverbs 31 Ministries daily devotion recently and it prompted me to go ahead and finish this post:

"So many people today are looking for meaningful relationships, yet so few actually find them. We are becoming an increasingly private society, and it seems fewer people than ever have life-long intimate friendships. Still, the desire for this kind of relationship is not only sought after, but necessary.

If you're looking for a godly recipe for relationships, look no further. Mix together love, sacrifice, loyalty, and freedom and you can create an intimate friendship that lasts a lifetime." Micca Monda Campbell

I would start naming names at this point, but I KNOW I would forget someone. Just know that if you are reading this, I count you as my ace boon coon, my partner, my homey, my sister, my brother, my compadre, my amigo, my girl, my boy, my BFF, my friend - you get the point. lol. You made me laugh, I learned something from you, I value you, I love you!

Love Always
Janelle Nicole

Carnival... Here I come!

2011-02-01T20:56:00.001-05:00

Ok - so I am back from my 20 degree, 3000 calorie a day (no that's not a typo) SKI trip vacation where I celebrated my cousin Imani's 30th Birthday with her and our cousins. I am definitely going to share some of that experience with you because not only was it a great bonding experience but it has opened my eyes to ALL that a ski trip has to offer. I really can see myself vacationing there with friends, future hubby and family!

During the trip back to Florida, I couldn't help but to think about what my next major trip was going to be! I haven't been to Anguilla since I was in high school and this trip has been on my mind for some time now so it's about time I make it happen. Now I have only been to Anguilla during Carnival (first week of August), so it is only appropriate that I go back during Carnival. If you don't know about it, I'm gonna need you to find out...... lol. The MOST beautiful beaches, the MOST wonderful food, the MOST exciting boat rides, the MOST exhilarating concerts and Miss Anguilla contest, and of course j'ourvert morning, bands, the street jams and parades.

CARNIVAL YALL!!!!

BUT I have one issue, or maybe two :) .... I imagine myself dancing into the wee hours of the morning and wearing a little two piece street jam outfit. (YEAH I SAID IT). Um, at this size, I can't dance for long periods of time without something feeling like its gonna break and you will NOT catch me in a two piece. LOL - no way no how. So you may be asking, what am I gonna do about it? Well I mentioned briefly in my first post that I was changing my eating and exercising habits. Although I really did consume nearly 3000 calories a day during my ski trip, (I gave myself a pass while on vacation), I know I burned a good amount of calories while walking, snowtubing, ice skating and snowboarding. When I got home on Monday, I was NOT thinking about exercise but I remembered that I signed up for a ZUMBA class at a local dance studio. I teetered and tottered between cancelling but instead I put on my new moisture wicking gear I had brought for my ski trip and proceeded to go to CASA SALSA for the class.

All I can say is WHOAH. Aunt Kathy, Shakira and all the rest of yall who mentioned ZUMBA to me only told half TRUTHS. :) It is more than a fun workout. It is intense beyond belief! The instructor was what you call, "NO JOKE". Im glad you encouraged me to do it though!

Zumba is a mix between salsa, merengue, flamenco, cha cha, reggaeton, samba, belly dancing, hip hop and tango. YES - all that! If you like to dance, this is the workout for you! When I was done, I was so excited. I had a ton of energy and all I could think was, "Im gonna be ready for CARNIVAL" YES!!!!!!

So I tell you all of this, because I am motivated. This is one of the ways I will work off these 30 extra pounds and 3 dress sizes!!! On the nights where there is no class or I just don't feel like heading out, I will make a pit stop of Discovery Health FitTV. They have a great program called Dance & Be Fit that infuses, latin dance, lower body and ab workouts. They even have a session called carnival (so far its my favorite). Now this show comes on at 6am. For those of you who will NOT be getting up, like me, you can DVR it. :)

If the stair stepper, treadmill and elliptical machine aren't doing it for you, I encourage you to try it. It's for everyone who loves to dance whether you are young, old, big, small, male and female!

Anyway, I will keep yall posted on when I can do the carnival hop to the ground (like my dad does....) for more than 10 seconds. :) Don't laugh at me...I'm serious!

And in June, yall can help me pick out my carnival outfit!!! :)

Until then, here are some links for those of you who are interested in any of the info I talked about!

Anguilla
http://www.anguilla-vacation.com/island

Discovery Health

http://health.discovery.com/ontv/ontv.html

FIT TV
http://health.discovery.com/tv-schedules/series.html?paid=56.16812.129622.39319.7

ZUMBA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zu1MAzQBZ0k&feature=related

CASA SALSA
http://casasalsaonline.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/CasaSalsa#p/u/19/_TLPT63zexo

I promise I will learn how to enter the actual videos on this page! VERY SOON!

Love Always
Janelle Nicole

New Year, New Me...No More Procrastinating!

2011-01-23T14:58:00.002-05:00

So here I am, 2 years later. I set up this blog thinking I was going to dive in 2 years ago. I never wrote a single word. I couldn't think of anything to "write" about. Well guess what, one of my goals this year is to STOP Procrastinating, so I'm just going to write about ME. Me praying, me thinking, me working, me exercising, me eating, me cooking, me learning, me growing, me reading, me writing, me dancing, me scrapbooking, me knitting, me saving money, me studying, me having fun, me traveling, me with family, me with friends, me with love interests, ME CHANGING! OK I realize that is a lot of me, but the only reason I am focusing so much on me is so that I can be a good me to all the people in my life and not in my life. I feel I have been a good daughter, sister, and friend, and cousin and coworker, but I am preparing myself to be a better daughter, sister, friend, cousin and co worker, a great wife and mother and a great human and disciple of God. I want to be the best me I can be with the people I love and respect. I'm listening to Joyce Meyer, Heart Test right now and she is speaking on how God will test us and test us until we pass the test. Otherwise you are held back. Makes a lot of sense to me. I am at the point where I refuse to feel self pity, I'm tired of being tired at where I am in life. Early in life, it is like I went fast forward with great things happening for me at lightning speed. I had a great childhood, teenage years and young adulthood. I was blessed with two parents, health, a great family. I never wanted for anything. I was educated and really had anything I ever wanted. (Clearly this was as a result of great parents and the prayers of my ancestors before me and not of my own actions). What better way to repay them and honor them and God than to "wake up" and do the things I am destined to do. I heard this morning from Joel Osteen that we all need to "Wear our blessings well!". Well dang! I mean exactly. I can remember "dumbing myself down" sometime shortly at the end of high school or beginning of college. I didn't want to show how much I knew (education) or discuss everything I had. After college this showed itself in the form of doing things that I didn't necessarily have to do. (more on that later) I participated in things that did not have to be part of my life. I was not wearing my blessings well. Now don't get me wrong. These "blessings" have kept me through these last ten years of my life but I was just floating. I haven't added anything. I have often discussed feeling "stagnant" with many of my friends and family members. The inability to "move" out of my current situation is the direct result of me not taking any "Action". I know it is ok to be content with a current situation but the key is to constantly be working and praying for the next steps at the same time. With that said, Ive decided to take action. Because this is new for me I know that some of those old demons have been trying to get back in and tell me to sit on the couch, watch, tv and do nothing. I know that "Greater is he that is in me, than he that is in the world". This is my confession of faith. I know that I can do this with Gods help. I know I can get back on track. I know I can be the "me" I'm supposed to be. Now for those of you out there who are actually reading about me, (lol), please help to keep me accountable for that list of things I said I needed to work on for me! I thank you in advance. So this is what I have done so far. Here goes.

1. I did the master cleanse for 7 days to help cleanse me and prepare me for the changes I will be making in my life. It truly helped not only to cleanse me physically, but it helped me to focus that week on writing down exactly what I needed to do to become the person I am to be.

2. I have been praying over the phone each weekday morning at 6:30 am with my cousins Imani and Ayla. This has truly been a blessing. It enables me to start my day off praising God, thanking him and asking him to watch over me and my family. I have also been listening to the preachings of Joyce Meyer on my morning drive to work. Already I see the benefits in terms of my overall attitude and outlook each day.

3. I have started journaling and now blogging (yay). What I am realizing is that I have a lot of thoughts. Some of them may be just thoughts, but some of these may be the dreams that I have been asking God to show me. Instead of clogging up my brain I have to get my thoughts out. I really believe it will help me to organize, weed out and plan accordingly. Funny because I have always had a lot of thoughts, but they have always stayed in me tucked way back and sometimes forgotten. Or I shared them at the wrong time and they lost steam.

4. I have been cooking!! YAY. Now don't get me wrong, I love to EAT, not cook! But one day my friend Melanie was talking about how it was revealed to her that she needed to start cooking. Not to become a master chef but to prepare her to be a mother and wife. Just one small step. Now initially I have to say I rejected even the thought of that. Those who know me know I like to be cooked for! But it was made clear to me in my prayers over the last couple of weeks that it is something I need to learn to do for my health, to save money and last but not least, to be prepared to be a wife and a mother. Now secretly, deep down inside, I still want to be cooked for.... lol but we will cross that bridge when the time comes.

5. I have joined Dr Oz 11 week move it and lose it challenge. My mom and Aunt Kathy have also joined. The greatest part of the program for me is the calorie and exercise logging. It is really keeping me on track and enabling me to track the foods and calories that are going into my body. I have simply made a decision to eat better. I really don't want to cut out any kind of food, because I love it all, but what I have done is made a conscious decision to make better food choices. I am eating more veggies, more fruit and saving all the bread and meat and wine for the weekends :). I know its for the best.

6. I have exercised 3 times this week. Now it was not anything crazy, but it was more than I have been doing. I know I have it in me to do, but I really need to ask God to help me the most here in this area. I am trying to decide whether to take a yoga, pilates or dance class or even get a trainer, but I hate to spend more money when I still have a Ballys membership and a Ballys right down the street. OK - I'm a work in progress. I wont be too hard on myself.

7. I have read one and a half books. My goal is to read two books a month. As a child it was one of my absolute favorite things to do. and at some point I just stopped. I have no idea why. So far I have read "In search of the Proverbs 31 man" by Michelle McKinney Hammond (gift from Mel). I am now reading "Put your Dream to the test" by John Maxwell. (gift from Sonya). I went to dinner with Jeanne last night and she had the kindle. It was adorable. If I stick to my habit, I will invest in one in the summer time.

8. I have started to apply for new jobs in new areas. I love Florida and I like insurance. But it is just time to do something different. I think. I mean you never know. This process may end up with me right here, but in the meantime, my girl Tania helped me with setting up two new resumes (one for insurance and one for event planning) and I am just putting myself out there. I'm applying in NY, NJ, DC, VA and even Chicago (Ive just always wanted to be there...something about that city). So the choices right now are insurance (risk mgmt, operations, training, marketing), corporate event planning, commercial real estate, public relations or if someone wants to offer me a broadcasting job, I'll take it! :)

Ok so I have a lot more I want to do, (lots of entrepreneurship goals (business plan completion), creative goals (scrapbooking, knitting), finishing insurance ARM designation, and getting my debt under control) but GUESS WHAT, I'm giving myself a year to get everything started. It takes a month to make a new habit, so by Mid February I should be well on my way to being prepared to take the appropriate steps to be the person I am meant to be. For those of yall who have told me, dont try to do too much, and dont be too hard on myself, I AM LISTENING. Believe me, I dont want to overload myself, but it has been a long time coming and Im motivated. Yall know I work best when I have a lot to do. :)

Talk to yall soon.

Love Always
Janelle Nicole