Regina's Family Seasons

The Near Journal - Book Review

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie R. Seaman) — Sun, 16 Sep 2018 03:56:00 +0000

This review is DEFINITELY overdue…. Like a month overdue. I really and truly apologize to the author Jacob Vandenbark, but I have been trying to get my life together! I started a new job and it has been ABSOLUTELY HECTIC. I haven’t had much time for reading, let alone blogging!

But anyway, before I forget, I have to tell you all that I received an advanced, complimentary copy of “The Near Journal” for review purposes. The following review is my opinion and not coerced or compensated in any way.

So, about the author…

Jacob Vandenbark:
Jacob started this journal because he needed it himself. He'd always struggled to have a consistent daily quiet time, and when he used prewritten/themed devotional books he always felt that all he was doing was reading and answering some questions - and was still neglecting prayer, memorization, and growth. So he set out to build himself something that would help him have an excellent daily quiet time - without telling him what to read, study, or learn.
Draw Near Co. and the Near Journal were inspired by James 4:8 - "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you."
God is there, always waiting to help us - but sometimes we have to take the first step. That is what Jacob always had the most trouble with, taking that step and putting himself in a position to draw near to God. The Near Journal was developed to make it easier for people to draw near to God so he will draw near to them.
Jacob is passionate about getting this tool into the hands of people who need it. For every 4 Near Journals that sell, he donates 1 to a youth group for free. So, when he sells 20 journals he ships a box of 5 out to a youth group; 100% free of charge.
You can add your youth group to the list to receive free Near Journals at https://drawnear.co/pages/submit-a-youth-group

So, on to my review…

I LOVE journals! Journals help me focus my reading, THINKING, LEARNING, PRAYING, MEDITATING, etc. I have always been a fan of journals. And this one is no exception! First of all, I love the founding scripture, “James 4:8 - "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you." The only way to draw closer to the Father is to know more about HIM! What better way to know more about Him than to focus and spend more time with Him. And that is what this journal helps you to do.

The journal’s main sections are

FIVE ANCHORS OF SUCCESS

PERSONAL GROWTH

VERSE MEMORIZATION

THOUGHTS AND REFLECTION PROMPTS

The journal provides the reader with foundational scriptures to focus on. The journal has PLENTY of pages for you to write your thoughts, feelings, and anything else. I LOVED the fact that the journal contained Thought and Reflection prompts and sections. This section of the book gives the reader sections to write down your thoughts and feelings, sections to write down prayers for your self and for others and it also gives you a section to write down what you are thankful and grateful for. So the book does a great job of helping the reader to focus and spend quality time thinking about and analyzing areas of their life. I also ABSOLUTELY LOVE the fact that he is giving journals to youth groups! I have seen youth groups, youth pastors, youth organizations preach AT youth, and the youth ignore them. I think this is a way for the youth to internalize and individualize what they read and feel about God's word. It will give them a chance to evaluate the word for themselves and see how HIS WORD is working in their lives! KUDOS!!!

There were two major things that I did NOT like about the journal.

#1 – One of the major focus’ of the journal was scripture memorization. I understand the concept of repeating something enough, committing it to memory so you know it and can recite it. However, I have learned over the years that just because someone can memorize, recite backward and forwards, and know EVERY word of scripture DOES NOT necessarily mean that they live or even believe the scripture. Anyone can memorize some words. That doesn’t mean that you really understand it or even care about it. But I do understand what the author is going for with committing the word to memory.

#2 – I ABSOLUTELY HATE the fact that my advanced complimentary copy was a digital copy! A true journal is something that you carry with you, you flip open and jot things down in as the Spirit reveals things to you. As you think of questions you jot them down for further exploration later. It just is NOT the same on a digital copy on a computer, tablet, or phone.

All in all, I would give this journal a solid 8 out of 10! I thoroughly enjoyed using this journal, and with my life in its current state of flux, the journal did and still is helping me focus on God's love and favor. THANK YOU JACOB VANDENBARK!! I needed this right now!

To learn more about The Near Journal and Draw Near Co., visit the web site or follow on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

ENJOY YOUR JOURNEY!
Regina

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Sacred Rest - Book Review

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie R. Seaman) — Sat, 16 Jun 2018 00:43:00 +0000

*In accordance with FTC Regulations, I am disclosing that I received a complimentary advance copy of the book Sacred Rest by Saundra Dalton-Smith, MD in return for my honest and unbiased review.*

I am not generally a huge fan of non-fiction “self-help” or “motivational” type books. A lot of those type of books tell you what the author did in their lives and how it worked for them. Since everyone is different, I think it is illogical to expect what worked for you to work for everyone. So, as a rule, I tend to ignore those types of books. Sacred Rest is not too much different in that aspect. I think the saving grace for Sacred Rest was the Personal Rest Deficit Assessment Tool included in the book. I love personality, self-assessments, and quizzes so that was interesting to me.

Author, speaker, and board-certified internal medicine physician, Saundra Dalton-Smith, MD, has written a book which describes and examines what she determines are the seven types of rest. Sacred Rest claims that those seven types of rest are physical, mental, emotional, social, sensory, creative, and spiritual rest. I believe the target audience for this book may be younger to mid-aged individuals. Those who do not have a firm grasp of what makes them the people they are. Or People who are struggling with some form of burnout (be it from work, toxic-relationships, home life, etc.). Or people who are very close to burnout.

A lot of the things in this book, I at some point have experienced or been through something similar. The road to self-discovery can be a very daunting but enlightening journey. I believe this book may help many who are new to this journey or have gotten stuck and need help in focusing on the peace and joy of “Resting”.

The book is broken down into three parts. Part 1 is “Why Rest?” Where the author endeavors to explain what the different aspects of rest are and how burnout is the direct outcome of not having rest. Part 2 is “The Gifts of Rest” which focuses on why you need rest. Part 3 of the book is “The Promises of Rest” which is basically what the author has spent the first 200 pages building up to. This is the part of the book that tells you how to obtain the rest you need in order to succeed. This portion of the book includes a 30-day Rest Challenge as well as a Rest Deficit Assessment Tool.

I found the first part of the book to be mostly boring and a lot of preamble. I think the first part of the book endeavored to establish similarities with the reader. Trying to establish a common ground and basis for the book. A large majority of the stories and experiences in this book are a montage of experiences from the friends, clients, and co-workers of the doctor.

I found the book to be wordy and it rambled on like a professor giving a speech. I kept saying to myself, PLEASE, just get to the point! I had to refrain from just skipping large parts and skimming to find something that interested me. There were parts of the book I just simply did not agree with. Such as on Page 92, where the author endeavors to outline some warnings that might indicate you suffer from sensory rest deficit. The author writes,

“Here are some signs you might be suffering from a sensory rest deficit:• You have a sensitivity or an adverse reaction to loud sounds.• You experience blurry vision and/or eye pressure, fatigue, or strain.• You believe natural foods don’t have any flavor and crave processed foods.• You dislike being hugged or touched by others.• You are desensitized to aromas others seem to smell easily.• You are unable to enjoy periodic sensory-rich experiences like concerts or fireworks."

I just did not agree with most of this. I believe they are blanket statements which generalize and assumes that everyone is the same. For example, Introverts don’t like to be hugged or touched and it has nothing to do with sensory rest deficit. Eye pressure, fatigue or strain could be an actual medical issue and have nothing to do with sensory rest deficit. I think as a medical doctor downplaying those symptoms was reckless and dangerous.

There were other parts of the book that I just could not connect with because it did not mirror current life experiences of mine.

Maybe if the book had been titled “The Struggles of Juggling Marriage, Career, and Parenthood” then the readers will have a better idea of what to expect in the book.

Sacred Rest is the type of book that struggling mothers or people who have trouble setting personal, professional, and social boundaries could perhaps learn from. I think this book will be an encourager and a life preserver for those who are struggling with getting their life in order.

On a 5 star scale, I would give this book 2 stars. The book was okay, but just not for me. maybe when I was in my 20's or 30's This would have been useful to me. But I have come through and beyond these issues already. I may recommend the book to someone who I think fits in the demographic that I think the book was targeting.

To learn more about Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith go to her Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Pinterest page!

You can order your copy of Sacred Rest from Amazon, ChristianBook, Barnes and Noble,

Only Being Me,
Regina😎

Please visit my other spots: http://www.facebook.com/jregina.seaman

Your Child Is An Adult, Now What?

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie R. Seaman) — Fri, 18 May 2018 22:22:00 +0000

As a mother of five, I have struggled at times to parent them the way I thought it should be done. Children do not come with instruction manuals, so it is very much trial and error. You can listen to other people giving you advice, you can do what your mother or grandmother did, you can read “How To” books, watch webinars, listen to parenting podcasts, you can even do what you see on television and in the movies. Nevertheless, how do you KNOW what is right? And not just right, but right for YOU and YOUR children. There is no scientific or mathematical formula to follow. You have to do what you think is best. Through common sense (I am learning that all sense isn’t common) and prayer, you are virtually hoping for and praying for the best outcome! It is actually like you are rolling the dice and hoping that you don’t crap out.

While my children were young my parenting and discipline style was pretty much, one size fits all. What went for one child, went for all of them. (Of Course, in hindsight ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL!) That is until the last child. By the time I had my fifth child, I was tired and was way more lax and casual as a parent. I was still disciplining, but not as strict as with the previous four children. My four older children would even comment on how the things the youngest got away with, they could NEVER have gotten away with. Hell, I was tired by then! Raising five children is no small feat. And doing it as a single mom was even harder. I was so glad when they ALL became adults!

I foolishly thought I was done! Yes! They are grown and I am done with this crap…Not!

Though there may be a shift, parenting NEVER stops. As long as they live, they will always be your children and you will always be their parent. Now, as a mother of five grown young adults, I have to consciously shift and change my philosophy and my parenting methods. At a certain age, what you are doing with your children becomes less parenting and more mentoring. I am no longer training up a child or inspiring and molding a teenager. I am not instructing an adolescent. That time has come and gone. I am now mentoring adults. As they have changed, I have changed. As they have grown, I have grown. It is no longer about mama bear protecting her bear cubs. It has now become more of tactfully sharing ideas, hints, and tips. I realized that I had to change my way of thinking and my approach. Three of my adult children have children of their own. This is tricky. I had to remember that those are not my children and to back up and let their parents BE parents. I had to remember how mad I got when ANYBODY, even my mother and father, tried to tell me what to do with my children. I had to back up and pray that I instilled in them the right foundation so that they could parent their own children in a nurturing, effective, and productive way.

Before you do anything, change must first happen in your mind. You must make a conscious decision to approach your child or children as adults. You can no longer demand or tell them what they can or cannot do. I think too often as parents we do not grow, we do not shift, we do not change. As a result, we have young adults who we are enabling, young adults who we are smothering, young adults who we are damaging, and young adults who are yearning to be set free from the tyranny that is our claustrophobic parenting.

When we, as parents, do not shift or change, WE become the enemy. We become the oppressor. We become the enabler. We are the ones holding that child back. A parent afraid to let go holds them captive. YES, I said AFRAID. We as parents are afraid to accept the grown-up version of what we raised and cultivated. We are afraid that without their need of us, we lack viability or purpose. We spend so much of our time as Johnny, Susan and Mary’s parent that once they grow up, we don’t know what to do with ourselves. We try to hold on, hence holding them captive, until they are forced to rebel and push us away. We must know when and how to let go. We have to be so secure in what we taught them that we can safely back off and let them flourish. Your conversations with them should change. I am still very much needed in their lives but I had to let go in order for them to grab on. Instead of telling them what to do and how to live, I have become more of a sounding board to bounce ideas off of. I let them talk and I listen. I offer small tips and advice when asked and even then I temper what I say and how I say it. I now get phone calls about adult life things. I get calls like My meatloaf was dry, what should I put in it? Or, I have two job offers which one do you think I should take? Or, I am thinking about trading in my car and upgrading, can you help me work out my budget? Or, I’m going to Vegas for the weekend can you watch your grandson…… well, let’s just pump the brakes on that last question!

Our children still need us but in a different capacity. They no longer need a mother to kiss their boo-boos, fight their battles for them, and champion their causes for them. They need a Friend, an Advisor, a Trainer, a Mentor and a Confidant. They are no longer children; they are adults dealing with real adult issues. We can no longer treat them as our babies. They have grown and so should we. This is a new aspect of life. It will not always be easy. There will definitely be times when you want to jump in and correct what you think is wrong but please restrain yourself! I am learning DAILY that it is not about me. I am learning to adapt to my babies being grown-ups. I must admit it is fun and interesting and sometimes frustrating and there is NEVER a dull moment with this bunch but I am living, learning, and loving it!

LEARNING, LIVING, and LOVING!
Regina

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The Commonality Of Martin Luther King Jr and Meena Harris

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie R. Seaman) — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 22:40:00 +0000

The 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr's death was on April 4th. This date also happened to be the birthday of Maya Angelou. Now, of course, Ms. Angelou died in 2014, and April 4, 2018, would have been her 90th birthday. EVERY YEAR on the anniversary of Dr. King's death everyone gets ultra black and starts posting various MLK quotes. A lot of these same people do not think about an MLK quote at any other time of the year but on the anniversary of his death everyone is all of a sudden "WOKE" and a "Conscious Black Person". So along with the plethora of MLK quotes that I saw ALL OVER the internet on Wednesday I also started seeing a lot of women wearing "Phenomenal Woman" T-Shirts. I thought to myself "Okay, these are awesome"! Yes, someone had the idea to commemorate what would be the 90th birthday of Maya Angelou by wearing the Phenomenal Woman T-Shirt AND the sale of each shirt benefits organizations that champion rights for women. And YAAAASSSSSSSSS I AM HERE FOR IT!

I sooooo want a T-Shirt! I saw pictures on the internet of some phenomenal women wearing the Phenomenal Woman t-shirt, such as Issa Rae, Niecy Nash, Traci Ellis Ross, and Viola Davis, to name a few. If anybody wants to GIFT me a t-shirt, I will take that in a 2XL, Please and Thank You!

A woman named Meena Harris who is the creator of the t-shirt is GASP!... a WHITE WOMAN! Meena Harris is also the Commissioner at San Francisco Commission on the Status of Women. So some black people are really so dumb that they think NO WHITE PEOPLE can help with a black cause!
But let me say this and let me be very clear IF YOU THINK THAT DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR WOULD HATE ON THIS WOMAN FOR THE WORK SHE IS DOING, YOU DO NOT KNOW THE CHARACTER OF THE MAN!

So disturbing is some of the comments I read on the internet Wednesday and Thursday. These disturbing comments were mostly made by those "WOKE" African-American people who are so black that you can't even see them.
Some people out there think that we, and when I say "we" I mean Black people, should not be celebrating or commemorating Maya Angelou's birthday or CHAMPIONING WOMEN'S RIGHTS on this day, but should only be commemorating Dr. King's death. Various comments were saying things like, "Divide and Conquer" or "how dare someone wear a Maya Angelou shirt on the day of Dr. King's death" or "Why are you wearing a white woman's shirt on Dr. Kings death anniversary". So let me get this straight.... We as black people can only celebrate ONE THING AT A TIME! We are not smart enough, or savvy enough, or sophisticated enough to post MLK quotes AND champion women's rights AND commemorate Maya Angelou by wearing a t-shirt at the same time.
Martin Luther King Jr stood for the rights and equality of ALL Humans and Meena Harris is championing rights for ALL Women. It should not matter if she is white, black, green, or yellow.
Some black folks need to get their minds together. Some of y'all are TOO WOKE, you definitely need a nap because your brain is suffering from lack of oxygen. I swear those super intelligent, woke, black folks get on my damn nerves!

When bought from THIS website, the Phenomenal Woman t-shirt benefits seven deserving organizations. The funny thing about this entire thing is that the t-shirts came out MONTHS ago. They were initially for the equal rights of women and were being worn back in the spring and summer of 2017. But some phenomenal women thought it was fitting to wear them on what would have been the 90th birthday of the author of the poem "Phenomenal Woman", Maya Angelou!

If you never read the entire Maya Angelou poem "Phenomenal Woman" then bless yourself below...

Phenomenal Woman

BY MAYA ANGELOU

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.

I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size

But when I start to tell them,

They think I’m telling lies.

I say,

It’s in the reach of my arms,

The span of my hips,

The stride of my step,

The curl of my lips.

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

I walk into a room

Just as cool as you please,

And to a man,

The fellows stand or

Fall down on their knees.

Then they swarm around me,

A hive of honey bees.

I say,

It’s the fire in my eyes,

And the flash of my teeth,

The swing in my waist,

And the joy in my feet.

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Men themselves have wondered

What they see in me.

They try so much

But they can’t touch

My inner mystery.

When I try to show them,

They say they still can’t see.

I say,

It’s in the arch of my back,

The sun of my smile,

The ride of my breasts,

The grace of my style.

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Now you understand

Just why my head’s not bowed.

I don’t shout or jump about

Or have to talk real loud.

When you see me passing,

It ought to make you proud.

I say,

It’s in the click of my heels,

The bend of my hair,

the palm of my hand,

The need for my care.

’Cause I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Maya Angelou, “Phenomenal Woman” from And Still I Rise. Copyright © 1978 by Maya Angelou. Used by permission of Random House, an imprint and division of Penguin Random House LLC. All rights reserved.

Peace & Love

Regina
Please visit my other spots:
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The Body Tsunami

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie R. Seaman) — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 19:56:00 +0000

Those of you who visit the blog often….. Or visit at all, should know that I recently had a health scare which resulted in a surgery. A hysterectomy to be exact. So I am recovered from the fibroid tumor they removed but I am now and will forever have to live with the after-effects. I had a full hysterectomy and the doctor said when you get a FULL HYSTERECTOMY your body and hormones are thrown into FULL MENOPAUSE. My doctor did warn me that life would change a little after the surgery. And I thought I was prepared and could handle anything. I mean, really I just came through a life-changing ordeal, the after effects can’t be that bad………….

So, by FULL MENOPAUSE, I did not realize that meant full-blown winter and summer inside my body! I mean, seriously, my body is in the midst of some weird climate change thing. I have GLOBAL WARMING inside of me and it is NOT pretty. I literally am freezing one minute and burning the next. I have heard women talk about having hot flashes or personal summers as some call it. But uh, what I am experiencing is more than a hot FLASH. This is a freaking HOT TSUNAMI! I am not exaggerating.

The definition of Tsunami is a long high sea wave caused by an earthquake, submarine landslide, or other disturbance. An arrival or occurrence of something in overwhelming quantities or amounts.

When that heat hits, Baaabaaayyyyyy it feels like a hot tsunami! It starts with my ears. Yes, my ears get super-hot and then the heat rushes my body. It is so hot that clothing on me feel like I am being smothered with a 99-degree heating blanket. When I strip down and stand in front of the fan or window (by the way there is construction going on across from my bedroom window, so I’m guessing the construction workers get an eye full…But anyway!) That air feels like heaven! But then five minutes later I am FREEZING. When I get cold it is like a bone-chilling, deep-set cold. A cold that I feel in my bones and makes my teeth chatter. There are times when I am sitting here and just start shivering. I often walk around the house fully clothed in a blanket and gloves or with a hoody on.

I have not had a decent night’s sleep since this surgery because all night long I either toss the blankets off because I am burning hot or I am gathering the blankets up around and over my head because I am freezing. Uggghhhhh, this is so FRUSTRATING! I can be freezing cold and put on socks, a sweater, and a head wrap to go to bed and an hour later, my blankets and clothes are on the floor and I am lying there in my underwear wondering if this is what hell feels like. I am drinking ice water all night during my hot intervals but of course, then I have to go to the bathroom all night.

Or I’m turning the heat off and on all night. My body feels schizophrenic. But even worse are the times when my body is HOT and COLD at the same time… What the hell is THAT about?????

Seriously, I don’t want to question God but ….. This is out of control!

Keep It Cool ... Or Not!

Regina

*For more information about Menopause go to* https://www.womenshealth.gov/menopause

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Finding Love in 2018!

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie R. Seaman) — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 22:31:00 +0000

I have never been real big on Valentine's day. I figure we tell (or SHOULD tell) the people we love how much they mean to us on a regular basis. On Valentine's Day the chocolate, and flower folks are making money, so whatever.

Now that Valentine’s Day is over, let me tell you this real quick story….

LOVE IS IN THE AIR! I started 2018 with the thought that I was not going to be single anymore. Yes, that means that I am going to start dating. I’m just torn between loneliness and convenience because I love having my bed and space to myself… I’m working on that. But I want someone to talk to… I know, a conundrum.

So now I have to figure out where the men are. I have waited around and no one is just gonna knock on your door like “Hey I’m here, God sent me”. So, where are they???

Yea, I don’t go to clubs or bars, but would you really want a guy you met in a bar … (been there, done that)
What about the church you say? Wellllllll, sometimes they the same ones from the club! Just Saying!👀
You can’t pick up a man at the gym. I heard that was douchy. Besides Y'all both all smelly & sweaty, not a good look.
I was hanging out at the grocery store to find dudes but people thought I was homeless and started throwing change at me.
Ladies, DO NOT believe those romantic movies, there are no fine men hanging out in museums or art galleries, and security tends to frown on you hanging out in there all day.
And I don’t know what the heck Cardi B is talking about because the only thing you get from the stripper pole is rug burn and a nasty rash…. And I found out that making Bloody moves was not at all what I thought it was… Don’t ask.

So as a final and last resort I did it…. Yep, I joined an online dating community!

It is free to join, and you have pictures just sent to you! EASY-PEEZY! YAAAAASSSSSSS, about to find a man in no time!

So I didn’t want to rush it, so I took my time, uploaded a picture, did some thinking when writing my bio and answering the questions about hobbies, likes, dislikes, etc. Pictures, messages, and flirts starting pouring in (flirts are the equivalent of Facebook pokes I guess. You know a "Hey Wassup").

I felt like Tiffany Haddish... SHE REAAAADDDYYYYY!

So I went to the messages and clicked on the first one and got a pop up that said, "To read this message upgrade your account"! SERIOUSLY!! Yea it was free to join... and that was it!

So I have 56 Messages, 236 views, 11 matches, and 24 flirts, all of which I can do nothing about unless I pay 29.96 plus tax per month! I was like... Nope, No, Uh uh, Nada, Not happening.

Tomorrow I’m going to buy a damn cat.

Regina

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Me, Blood, and The Alien Inside

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie R. Seaman) — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 23:02:00 +0000

I am super late on posting this, but I did tell someone that I would get the story out there….

This is a long post with some graphic pictures in it HOWEVER stick around and read the ENTIRE THING!

So you may or may not know that I was sick back in September 2017, spent a week in the hospital, and ended up having surgery. So this is that story...

Working is important. We have to work in order to make money in order to survive. Our health is also important and often times we ignore certain signs of things going on in our bodies because we are too busy working.

So a little background/details….

I had a job where I worked 2 hours in the early morning, went home and then came back and worked 5 hours in the afternoon/evening. Having to be at work at 6:30am meant being up at 5am. So I went in at 6:30am and worked until usually 8:30am went home, ate breakfast got back in the bed, woke up and went back to work at 1:30pm and stayed until 6:30pm (sometimes 7pm). This did not include the time I put in having to go to meetings or training, having to shop for supplies, having to go to the corporate office to pick up snacks, having to do paperwork, etc. When I got home in the evenings, I cooked and ate dinner and generally went to bed. Wake up and repeat! On Saturdays, I generally tried to stay in the bed and sleep! And on Sundays, I pretty much tried to mentally prepare for the upcoming week. So as you can see the cycle was basically, EAT, SLEEP, WORK, repeat.

When I started having aches and pains, I attributed it to, stress from a job I hated, or lack of sleep, or age, or just life. I took pain pills and continued on about my business. In the month of September, I started having really bad headaches, which I thought were stress related. I also started having bad pains in the abdominal/stomach/pelvis area. Now, this pain felt familiar and I assumed I knew what it was. Years ago, back in the early 2000’s, I had an episode with my gallbladder. I got with an herbalist, stopped eating beef, changed my diet, took some herbal supplements and eventually passed the small gallstones. Well the pain I was having in September felt similar to that and since I went through this before I already knew how to combat it.

However, the pains increased in frequency and intensity and one morning after my morning shift I went to the ER. At the ER I received an entire litany of tests. The doctor finally came to talk to me and was VERY CONCERNED. He had THAT FACE/THAT LOOK. The look that says there is no coming back from this. He starts out with, did you know you were anemic? I said yes, my previous doctor told me. He said okay, are you taking anything for it? I said well, no, not currently. I had some iron pills prescribed but I finished them all, and the former doctor never put me on more or discussed it again. (I do want to interject here that the former doctor and I had other issues so I ended up getting rid of her.). He says okay…. A few things are going on here. You are not having gallbladder issues. However, there is a mass on your uterus. You are also VERY ANEMIC. Your blood count is at a 5 and it should be at least at or above 9. I’m looking at him like he is crazy and I said okay, but go back to the mass… what is it? He said he couldn’t tell for sure but I needed to make an appointment with my regular doctor ASAP. He could not tell me if the mass was cancerous or benign, that could only be found out by cutting some of the mass and testing it. Do I even need to tell you that I was FREAKING OUT, but trying to stay cool for the family....

Okay, I go in to see my regular doctor, get blood work done, get a referral for an Ob/Gyn, to figure out this mass stuff, and go on home, trying to figure out what my next steps should be. That night (yes about 8 0clock THAT NIGHT) I get a call from my doctor’s office. Now mind you, in order to get this call at night time, the lab people had to think it was so urgent that they called the nurse in my doctor’s office AFTER HOURS who then called me! And the nurse tells me I need to get myself to emergency NOW! My blood work came back and it was now at a 4. Now mind you, I just got done cooking dinner and was ready to grub! So I’m like okay can I just come in tomorrow morning? She says, NO, with this low-level blood count you may not make it until the morning. **DON'T JUDGE ME, I WAS HUNGRY DAMMIT!**

So I already know I am about to be admitted, so I pack me a little overnight bag and hightail it on over to the ER. So, of course, I go through more tests and poking and prodding. They do admit me. So after EKGs, MRIs, CT Scans, the entire alphabet of tests, bottom line……

I had a Fibroid Tumor which had grown so large it was pressing on and displacing organs in the abdominal region (which is why I was feeling that pressure of the gallbladder) the tumor was pushing everything out of place.

This THING, this MASS has been sitting in there growing like an alien. Waiting to burst out and kill me. (Y'ALL SAW THAT MOVIE!).

Anyway, I digress...

I had been having heavy periods (menstrual cycles) for as long as I can remember, however in the past year or two they had gotten ridiculously heavy. I mean, I was wearing two overnight pads, bleeding through them both, blood running down my legs, having to change like every 20 minutes. This contributed to the low iron and low blood count because I was bleeding so much. And my cycle was lasting 2-3 weeks. This alien mass was taking over my body! The entire mass was 1710 grams which equal 3 pounds and 12 ounces. Now you may say to yourself, 3 pounds is not a lot HOWEVER when you think about a 4-pound bag of sugar, take out about a cup of that sugar and the rest of the bag is inside your abdominal area…. Yea that is a lot! And to top that off, I also had cysts on my ovaries and fallopian tubes. So ending result I needed a hysterectomy. However, due to my low blood count, they could not perform surgery and risk me bleeding out what little blood I did have.

So I had to endure a couple days of blood transfusions first. They gave me 5 bags of blood to get my blood levels up and I also had to get a bag of iron. I had to drink a bottle of laxative, to make sure I was empty for surgery. Do you understand the effects that a BOTTLE of laxative has??? So eventually all levels were at a comfortable level to operate. On 9/11/17 I had a full hysterectomy. Full hysterectomy means EVERYTHING OUT (EVERYTHING MUST GO SALE!!) uterus, ovaries, and tubes. But hell after 5 damn kids I don’t need that stuff anymore anyway! Thinking back, 9/11/17 could have been the day I died. The day the ALIEN killed me. but instead, God said NOT SO! So finally the alien was removed...

All tests done on the removed mass proved to be benign PRAISE HIM!!!

NO CANCER HERE!

But the point of this very long story is GO SEE A DOCTOR! DO NOT self-diagnose, DO NOT assume you know what the pain is. DO NOT think you can continue to put your health on a back burner. DO NOT work yourself to death. DO NOT put off until tomorrow what should be done now, because tomorrow may never come.

Take your vitamins.

See your doctor.

Change (or at least) monitor your diet.

To my earlier point what good is working if you are killing yourself?

Still Alive,
Regina

Please visit my other spots:
http://www.facebook.com/JrsConsulting
http://www.facebook.com/jregina.seaman

Out With The Old, In With The New... Happy 2018!

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie R. Seaman) — Mon, 01 Jan 2018 05:01:00 +0000

Well, Hello World!

It’s been some time since I have been on here. 2017 is about an hour from being over and I don’t know about you but for me, I am not sad to see it go. The latter half of 2017 literally kicked my butt. It feels as if the enemy was on a rampage and it feels as if he stomped through my life with cleats on.

But I’m still here. Some people did not make it this far but I am happy to say that my time here is not up yet. My assignment is not over. The enemy tried it but was unsuccessful in taking me out. The enemy truly comes to Steal, Kill, and Destroy. I have seen my children attacked by the enemy, my sister attacked by the enemy, my health being attacked. Job… Gone, Finances… Zero, Stress & Depression…Knocking at the door (Keep knocking, but you can’t get in…)

My sister was in the hospital...

My daughter was in the hospital...

I was in the hospital...

I was told, “How are you still walking around, you should be dead”. And yet, here I am still.

As 2017 hurtles toward an end, I find myself Unemployed, Single, Broke, and wondering, “What The hell is going on with my life”?

Life is not a meme, and I can’t just step into 2018 and say, YAAAASSSSSSS, Living my BEST Life!

I have some things to do, some things to change, some things to improve. But I have that chance because NO MATTER WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE OR FEELS LIKE I AM STILL BLESSED! I am not dead so I have the chance to continue on living, to continue trying, to continue experiencing life, making changes, making memories. Maybe one day I WILL get to that point when I can TRULY say I AM LIVING MY BEST LIFE!

But for now, as in a book, 2017 is the old chapter. It is time to put the last PERIOD on that chapter and TURN THE PAGE! 2018 is A NEW CHAPTER! As I walk into 2018, I walk into it BOLDLY, ready to face life and what is ahead.

To anyone reading this I say…

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

HAPPY NEW CHAPTER!

HAPPY 2018!

WE MADE IT!

Now GO FORTH & BE GREAT!

Regina

Please visit my other spots:
http://www.facebook.com/JrsConsulting
http://www.facebook.com/jregina.seaman
https://www.instagram.com/reginany2tx/

And STILL God's Got This!

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie R. Seaman) — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 20:02:00 +0000

MAN!!! What a Day, What a Week, What a Month! As this month draws to a quick end bare with me while I rant a little...

So on Saturday the 21st I had oral surgery, the actual process went well. HOWEVER, the healing process is NOT going the way I or the surgeon thought it would go. I am often tired, often nauseous, my equilibrium is slightly off, and I am experiencing various side effects from medication. I went back to the dentist on the 23, and they prescribed more meds. I go back on February 1st. This is just DAMN RIDICULOUS! I took last week off from work but have to go back to work on Monday (Tomorrow), but I have bad headaches, and I stay nauseous, and dizzy. Oh did I mention I work with kids?? This should be interesting... But the best part... this is all costing me close to 8Gs! Yep you read that correctly... close to $8000 of which my insurance covers about $1500! AND THEY NOT EVEN DONE! I currently have 2 loans out and a family member has a loan out to help me pay but I have to make payments on all three loans. SMDH....

In the midst of this I was thinking okay, I can deal with this, I'll get that income tax money and pay off at least one of these damn loans to get ahead. YESSSSS! That is a good plan! So I filed my taxes last week and found out that I DAMN IT OWE! Come On, Can I catch a break here! So I have 3 loans to payback and I now owe the damn government.

I got an interesting letter in the mail last week.... A house I owned in NY back in the early 2000s was taken from me before I moved to Texas and Wells Fargo said they were going to foreclose on it. Why did I get a letter last week saying that Wells Fargo sold that mortgage to another mortgage company and this company wants payment! Wait?? WHAT?? This is 20 damn 17! Seriously???

I also got a letter last week from my current apartment management office saying that my rent will increase by $50 starting in February... Okay BREATHE..... I can handle this.... Don't Flip Out!

I'm Tired, I'm Hungry (because you know I can only eat things like jello, yogurt, apple sauce, etc smdh), I'm Broke, I have a Headache, I'm Dizzy, and I'm Nauseous! But you know what I'm not?? I'm NOT GIVING UP! I know why people go crazy and start flipping out on folk, because MAN ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! I don't believe in luck (good or bad), and I don't believe in coincidence. I DO BELIEVE that God has a plan and the enemy has an attack plan to counter it. But I'm good because I know God Got This! HE can and HE will take this and turn it around for my good. I know that someone out there is worse off than me so I STILL call myself BLESSED in the midst of it all!
To make myself feel better I took my last $10 and bought my Buddha a Paw Patrol Spin Brush and some Paw Patrol toothpaste! That smile made all things better!

But Yep I'm standing on this word...

Romans 8:28King James Version (KJV)

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Let Go And Let God! I'm Good because God Got This!

Regina

Please visit my other spots: http://www.facebook.com/JrsConsulting http://www.facebook.com/jregina.seaman

So Trump Is President...Now What?

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie R. Seaman) — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 17:53:00 +0000

I am trying to figure out why people are acting like Trump is the worst President to ever sit in the White House (That is not yet a fact and remains to be seen!). There was an election and Trump won, period. So we move on with our lives. Every President has had lovers and haters, good policies and bad policies, people who liked what he was doing and people who did not like what he was doing, supporters and detractors. There have always been protests for and against things. THIS IS ALL NOTHING NEW!
What we need to do now is what we always do... Move On, Live Life, Do You!
You STILL have to get up and shower. You STILL have to go to work/school. You STILL have to pay bills and buy groceries. Life STILL moves on.
All the comparisons between Obama and Trump are as senseless and asinine as all the comparisons between Bush and Obama were.Those comparisons did nothing for the administration, nothing for you. They benefited NO ONE! All of you who are posting , tweeting, and chanting about wanting 4 more years of Obama... well guess what? IT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. OBAMA HAS LEFT THE BUILDING! You need to accept that fact and move on!
I personally DO NOT WANT to see 4 more years of the Obama family in the White House because I spent the LAST 8 YEARS fervently praying that some Radical, Racist, Crazy Ass nut job would not ASSASSINATE THE FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT!
Oh yes Obama broke down some barriers. he showed ALL children that hard work, education, passion, and hope can possibly get you to where you want to be. YOU CAN BE AND DO ANYTHING YOU PUT YOUR MIND TO... He ALSO showed what an EXTREMELY RACIST WORLD WE STILL LIVE IN! He may have been the MOST DISRESPECTED PRESIDENT of all time! I don't wish more of that blatant hatred and racism on him and his family. NO, LET THE OBAMAS MOVE ON. I say, Obama family GO WITH GOD AND DO YOU!
Obama OUT!

People YOU need to get out YOUR feelings and make the best of YOUR LIFE. Don't be lying in your casket while they are saying He/She sat on the computer and whined all the time. He/She was very adept with cyber bullying. He/She was very active on social media! NO, NO, NO! Let them say things like He/She lived an awesome life. He/She was very active in the Community/Church! He/She LOVED & LIVED an abundant life! He/She left behind an awesome legacy.
I'm not saying be oblivious to what is going on around you but what I am saying is DON'T LET WHAT IS GOING ON AROUND YOU DICTATE YOUR LIFE! YOU NEED TO LIVE! Live On Purpose! God Got This, He Has A Plan!

Thank you Obama family, Enjoy your lives!

Peace & Love!
Regina OUT!

Please visit my other spots: http://www.facebook.com/JrsConsulting http://www.facebook.com/jregina.seaman

I Can Smell Your Self Righteous Bullying... Get Over Yourself!

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie R. Seaman) — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 20:01:00 +0000

Guess Who's Baaacccckkkkk! Did y'all miss me??? Probably not cause I can hear the echo coming through my computer LMAO! It's all good though!

I only came back online because as usual BLACK FOLK ARE WORKING MY NERVE!!
Black people have NOT mastered UNITY but you know what they have mastered...SELF-RIGHTEOUS BULLYING in the name of all things Black! It always amazes me how black people can always vocally judge the actions, thoughts, lives, and hearts of other black people if it is not what they feel black people should be thinking and feeling.

So let me explain...

I loves me some Chrisette Michelle! However right now all over the Internet and social media black people are slamming her, discrediting her, disrespecting her, blacklisting her, etc. According to black America right now she is the biggest coon around! Why? Because she sang at Trump's inauguration. Some are saying she only did it for the check, they are saying she is a sell out, she's a coon, she's a clown, and she's the downfall of black people!... Really... Chrisette is the DOWN FALL of Black people?? HALF OF YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW HER OR HER MUSIC BECAUSE SHE IS NOT MAINSTREAM OR COMMERCIAL ENOUGH FOR YOU! They are praising Jennifer Holiday who refused to sing at the inauguration, but she said she backed out due to death threats. DAMN! DEATH THREATS??? Black folk are that mad, they are threatening to KILL people just for being around Trump? Come On y'all it's NOT that serious! We have had good and bad Presidents before and we will again. Hell half of y'all didn't even like Obama until he was leaving now y'all miss him? FOH!! But folk are calling Steve Harvey a coon and sellout as well for meeting with Trump! But what is there to gain by NOT meeting with Trump or NOT singing at the inauguration? You Black folk need to get out of your feelings and get your minds right! SOMEBODY has to be present, SOMEBODY has to attend, SOMEBODY has to show up! If you all say no than God will appoint SOMEONE ELSE!

Black people are ALWAYS so quick to jump on a black band wagon and bash other black people for not being black enough! Blacks are some of the biggest bullies around. Always so righteous! Always so black! Always ready to revoke somebody else black card (They took mine long ago cause I'm not BLACK ENOUGH! LMAO). Hey I'm not mad at at Chrisette for singing. If God laid it on your heart than damn what the world says, do it! GOD CAN, GOD HAS, GOD WILL USE ANYONE HE CHOOSES TO. So if NOT ONE BLACK person decided to show up at the table who would be there to represent??
You don't know that woman or her heart but you choose to stand on your Self-Righteous podium of blackness to judge her and her entire life/career? And y'all are actually PRAISING Spike Lee for denouncing her and her Blackness? Yo! Spike Lee don't speak for me and his interpretation of blackness and Brooklyn is NOT my interpretation! I have never been a Spike Lee fan because his views of black life did not match my views of black life.
Chrisette Michele SHOWED UP when others would not! But she was there with Travis Green

(a Black gospel artist) but y'all not slamming him... but wait do y'all even know who Travis Greene is? Probably not LOL! Get Enlightened!

So I will close with this.... Bullying is NOT OKAY! Let GOD use you no matter what ANYBODY has to say! Only God knows what the plan and end game is, all you have to do is SAY YES, BE PRESENT AND DO YOUR PART! I think Travis Greene and Chrisette Michelle represented God very well!

He's INTENTIONAL!

Praise Him!!

Oh and please remember ... You don't have to agree with me! Because I actually don't care if you do or not! It's good to be back! PEACE!

Regina! (STILL ME IN 2017)

Please visit my other spots: http://www.facebook.com/JrsConsulting http://www.facebook.com/jregina.seaman

Hello? Is Anyone Out There? Is This Thing On?

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie R. Seaman) — Sat, 30 Apr 2016 23:55:00 +0000

Hello World!

It has been a long while since I have visited you via this blog! I have NOT been doing anything Fancy, Fabulous, or Fantastic. Nope , I have just been doing the regular, everyday things that people generally do. You know WORK, WORK, WORK, WORK, WORK, WORK (said in my best Rihanna voice!)

I did however finally move into my own apartment back in February! (Yaaaayyyy!)

It may seem weird to you but this is the FIRST TIME I have lived TOTALLY ALONE! I mean no husband, no kids, no grandkids, no sister, no mother, JUST ME! It is a fabulous feeling. I don't have to worry about thinking about other people, such as making sure my music is not too loud, or making sure to buy the kind of food that everyone likes to eat, or making sure the babies or grand babies are not too loud, or making sure there is enough room/space for everyone. Living with others can be draining and tiring sometimes.

But one thing I DO NOT like about living alone is having to put things together myself! Uggghhhhh! I AM NOT that DIY type of chick. I bought a desk that came in what seemed to be a HUNDRED PIECES! But hey I got it together... FINALLY (and it took the ENTIRE weekend!).

Anyway, I am still decorating and buying little things here and there (when I am not drowning in rent and bills!). But all in all I am very pleased with myself! I love the peace and quiet of being alone. I LOVE being an Empty-Nester!

Oh, Hey, speaking of DIY. My daughter and I went to a junk/antique sale a few weekends ago and I found this cute little bench that I kind of liked. But being so anti-DIY I came back to look at it 2-3 times before I decided to buy it. It was a cute little piece but it needed a paint job and to be recovered. Did I already say that I DO NOT DO DIY STUFF??? So my daughter convinced me that she and her grandmother would do the project and it would not take long, so I finally gave in and bought the bench. the before and after pictures are below. SHOUT OUT TO THE DIY TWINS (that is what I call my mother and my daughter because they LOVE that stuff) they did an AWESOME JOB! I had to go with them to the fabric store (Ughhh, Shudder, Oh to shudder means to tremble convulsively, typically as a result of fear or revulsion.)
And I even helped a little (for like 2 minutes! LOL!).

BEFORE

AFTER

My 2 Minute Input!

So any way that is a quick update on my sooooooo exciting life! LOL! I am completely thankful, that God continues to bless me!
So... What have you guys been up to?

Peace & Love All
~Regina~

Please visit my other spot: http://www.facebook.com/jregina.seaman

Sunshine VoxBox! Yaaayyy!

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie R. Seaman) — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 18:56:00 +0000

I have spent the last couple of weeks testing and reviewing the treasures I received in my Sunshine VoxBox! For those of you who don't know I joined the Influenster Community and as a result I occasionally receive VoxBoxes of treasures to review and test and then give my honest opinion on. You too can join Influenster and receive your OWN FREE BOX of goodies! Click HERE!
So anyway since it is summer time I received this Sunshine VoxBox of goodies! The contents of my box were...

Vaseline® Intensive Care™ Aloe Soothe Spray Moisturizer

This product gives you smooth feeling skin but most importantly IT WILL NOT SPILL or MAKE A MESS IN YOUR BAG! Great product for Summer on the Go!

SinfulColors Professional Nail Color

Ooooo! I absolutely LOVE this color!! It has lasted a full week on my nails (that's good for me!)

Infusium 23 Moisture Replenisher Leave-in Smoothing Crème enhanced with Avocado and Olive Oil

I was already a fan of Infusium Conditioner, BUT NOW I am in LOVE with this Infusium Leave In Conditioner! It is thick enough that it does not run all down my face and neck But NOT so thick that it causes a nasty build up! The perfect balance for my natural hair!

Dickinson’s Original Witch Hazel Daily Refreshingly Clean Cleansing Cloths which also came with 3 coupons for $3.00 off (the product only retails at about $3.99!)

Witch Hazel has always been the best astringent/toner for my skin (despite the smell!) and now with Witch Hazel wipes I can conveniently carry them in my purse and use them whenever needed during this hot Texas Summer!

Blue Diamond Bold Sriracha flavored Almonds

I actually thought I would not like these, because I am not an Almond eater, and I am not a fan of spicy foods. HOWEVER, they were surprisingly enjoyable. The BOLD SRIRACHA flavor was actually pretty good! And my grandson liked them as well!

Those two little hands you see in the background belong to my 1 1/2 year-old grandson trying to swoop in and snatch some more almonds! he actually liked them!

And a coupon for a free bag of BarkThins Snacking Chocolates

I have not had the chance to taste these yet because the store I went to only had the pumpkin seed and the pretzel BarkThins (neither of which I want!) I am looking for the blueberry BarkThins, hopefully I can snag them in the next few days!

Well, There you have it! Awesome Summer Products! Go out and get yours today! all of these items are sold in various stores, such as Walmart, Walgreen, and Target!

**I of course received these products complimentary for testing purposes. All reviews and opinions are purely my own.**

Have an AWESOME DAY All!
Regina

Please visit my other spots:
http://www.facebook.com/JrsConsulting
http://www.facebook.com/jregina.seaman

Maslow's Hierarchy From A Godly Perspective

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie R. Seaman) — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 20:18:00 +0000

Almost all academics have either touched on or had in depth teaching on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. For any of you who have not had the pleasure, let me explain. Abraham Harold Maslow was an American psychologist who wrote a paper in 1943 titled "A Theory of Human Motivation". In this paper Maslow described his theory of human development, growth, and psychology. This theory is what is called Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. This theory is widely used and taught in academic studies of Leadership, Development, and Psychology to name a few.

Maslow’s Hierarchy is represented as a pyramid with five sections. The most basic needs being on the bottom and then moving on up to self-actualization which is at the peak of the pyramid.
The original hierarchy of needs five-stage model includes:
1. Biological and Physiological needs - air, food, drink, shelter, warmth, sex, sleep.
2. Safety needs - protection from elements, security, order, law, stability, freedom from fear.
3. Love and belongingness needs - friendship, intimacy, affection and love, - from work group, family, friends, and romantic relationships.
4. Esteem needs - achievement, mastery, independence, status, dominance, prestige, self-respect, and respect from others.
5. Self-Actualization needs - realizing personal potential, self-fulfillment, seeking personal growth and peak experiences.

According to Maslow and his Hierarchy of Needs, one must achieve the basic needs in life, in order. BEFORE ultimately finding fulfillment, that fulfillment being self-actualization.
Now, I have no problem with Maslow’s theory or hierarchy of needs. In fact it is very interesting. HOWEVER, this is what I do have a problem with…
Nowhere in this pyramid of human needs is God mentioned or represented. That in and of itself is not a big problem because I understand that Maslow was a psychologist, a man of science and this entire hierarchy is from a purely SECULAR, ACADEMIC perspective. And I get that! What I DO NOT understand is how and why RELIGIOUS LEADERS take it upon themselves to teach/preach about Maslow’s Hierarchy (which is purely a secular view of human development and leadership) as if it were the GOSPEL! There is a HUGE DIFFERENCE between being a leader in corporate America and being a leader for GOD! Yes you can incorporate aspects of this hierarchy and teach it from a secular view but you should not take the things of the world and try to teach them as if they were uttered from God! When you teach from your pulpit, that one must go through these steps and stages in order to reach the pinnacle of human development which is SELF ACTUALIZATION you are in essence teaching the people that they can and will achieve their best life WITHOUT JESUS! If you are teaching your people this and not putting it in any kind of perspective with God’s word then YOU are setting your people up for failure! How can anyone achieve their BEST LIFE without JESUS? How can “Self-Actualization be achieved, maintained, and understood without JESUS?
Spiritual Leaders get yourselves into order with God’s word and let the people know that WITHOUT CHRIST THERE IS NO LIFE!

The Maslow Hierarchy of Needs should be taught this way using the word of GOD…
1. Biological and Physiological needs - air, food, drink, shelter, warmth, sex, sleep.
But God Says ... Philippians 4:19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 3 John 2: Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

2. Safety needs - protection from elements, security, order, law, stability, freedom from fear. But God Says ... 2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.

3. Love and belongingness needs - friendship, intimacy, affection and love, - from work group, family, friends, and romantic relationships. But God Says ... 1 John 4:7-9 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.

4. Esteem needs - achievement, mastery, independence, status, dominance, prestige, self-respect, and respect from others. But God Says ... Joshua 1:7-8 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

5. Self-Actualization needs - realizing personal potential, self-fulfillment, seeking personal growth and peak experiences. But God Says ... Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.

IN OTHER WORDS… If you cannot or will not tie it back to God’s word than why are you wasting my time with it? I don’t need to know how smart you are, or how educated you are, or what a great academic mind you are. I need to know what a great leader of God’s people you are. I have already had YEARS of academic pandering (Associates, Bachelors, and Masters, Thank You), so I don’t need that from my Spiritual Leaders. Don’t get me wrong, I know there are MANY AWESOME Teachers of God’s word. That is not what I’m talking about. I am talking about those academics who will try to take all the things of the world and try to teach it as if it is better than or equal to God and His word! As a Spiritual Leader I need you to instruct, lead, and build up my spirit man by teaching more about the things of Christ! You cannot continue to take the things of the world and TRY to apply Godly principles to it. You must take Godly principles and INFLUENCE the world with them!
Stop trying to tell me all about how corporate America teaches, trains, and makes leaders, I can go to the world for that… Instead tell me how JESUS trained, built up, and groomed Godly Leaders!

Remember... You Will ONLY Reach Self-Actualization By Knowing That It IS NOT About SELF! It Is, Was, and Will ALWAYS Be About Christ! And Without Christ How Can You EVER Be The Best YOU?!

Regina

Please visit my other spots:
http://www.facebook.com/JrsConsulting
http://www.facebook.com/jregina.seaman

Leaving A Legacy... One Worth Sharing

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie R. Seaman) — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 00:38:00 +0000

We need to be mindful that this generation and the generations to come are looking for US to leave a LEGACY. What does LEGACY mean to you?

According to Merriam Webster online dictionary Legacy is:

1: a gift by will especially of money or other personal property: bequest

2: something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past

According to Dictionary.com Legacy is:

1: a gift of property, especially personal property, as money, by will; a bequest.

2: anything handed down from the past, as from an ancestor or predecessor

So what legacy are you leaving for those coming after you? I am not in the place to leave a financial legacy however I have a wealth of knowledge that they can glean from. But what about those of you who think you have nothing??? What legacy are you going to leave for the generations coming after you? Now is the time to take stock of what you have to share. Your LEGACY is your GIFT to the future generations! Show them what you are/were working with! Believe it or not EVERYONE leaves a legacy (Good or Bad) it is up to you to make sure it is one WORTH SHARING!

I have a multitude of pictures that I will leave as a legacy to those coming after me. Now some of you may think that pictures have no value. Let me debunk that myth from you right now! For the past few years I have been doing a little bit of ancestry work for my maternal and paternal side of my family, trying to paint a picture of where I come from. Trying to go back as far as I can. Sadly, there are people I did not know who I unfortunately will never see pictures of because no one has pictures of some of these people (or they are not willing to share). I do not even have pictures of my father when he was a little boy. I have NO pictures of my paternal grandfather and have never seen anyone or any pictures from my father’s father side of the family. I know that pictures were not as easy to obtain back in those days as they are now. So I want to ensure that the generations coming after me know something of their history and can at least put a face with a name. So, yes Pictures are a legacy!

What about skills? Can you cook, sew, knit, crochet, paint, carve wood, gardening, or any other type of skill that you can teach someone and pass on? A legacy does not just have to be money. You can leave behind a skill that someone else will take and run with. Have you considered writing/typing some of your best recipes to pass on to the next generation? Or maybe paint a mural of the family tree? Or maybe make a quilt using scraps from various family members clothing.

The point is there are lots of things you can do to help the future generations but they will not know and learn if WE don’t initiate! If (God forbid) you died today, what will they remember about you? What will they say you taught them or shared with them? My grandfather made the BEST biscuits and my grandmother made the BEST cakes HOWEVER, NO ONE in the family can duplicate them. I think they were so busy living their daily lives that they never thought about sharing so their legacy could carry on. Man I miss those biscuits and cakes.... But I Digress...

Start today! Decide what it is you have to share with the next generation. Spend some time with the younger generation sharing that skill.

At some point in our lives we have to think about Leaving A Legacy... One Worth Sharing!
Regina

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Emotions Versus Wisdom

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie R. Seaman) — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 17:57:00 +0000

We, Humans are emotional! No one alive can say they have never been emotional about a person, an event, or a situation. Emotions are not bad but they cannot rule your life. Emotions have the ability to take us where common sense or wisdom cannot keep us. Most situations are escalated (for good or bad) when emotions are involved. We have seen emotions get out of hand and cause people to bring about destruction, mayhem, and death. Of course we have also seen emotions at the height of some of the best times in history, like births, graduations, etc.

I saw the movie “Inside Out” a while ago with my grand kids. And the movie was very good and had an awesome message. People often try to live a balanced, productive life by using one emotion, but as proved in the movie AND in real life, we in fact need ALL of our emotions. HOWEVER, we need to have a BALANCE. You cannot go through life running on only one emotion. If you are ALWAYS HAPPY and have no trials or no drama how do you grow. Mistakes and bad situations help us to learn and grow. So you need a balance of all your emotions. You need to understand that you cannot let one emotion run your life. You cannot be JOYFUL all the time, or SAD, FEARFUL, ANGRY, or DISGUSTED, all the time. YOU NEED BALANCE!

Part of that BALANCE is using WISDOM. Emotions WITHOUT Wisdom is a recipe for disaster. A lot of our problems are created because of the mishandling or misunderstanding of our feelings. We need to use wisdom to know when our emotions are getting out of control. WISDOM will keep you from emotional destruction. Proverbs 29:11 says “A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back”. Your feelings will cause you to blindly run with an emotion not considering where you end up, how you got there, OR WHO you injured in your wake. However, Wisdom will cause you to consider your feelings, the cause and effect of them, the root of the problem, and possible resolutions. In other words WISDOM WILL KEEP THOSE FEELINGS/EMOTIONS IN CHECK!!
As humans we transform our feelings and emotions into some sort of action. Wisdom will help us to make sure those actions are the CORRECT ACTIONS.

Be BLESSED & BALANCED Today!
Regina

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I AM Going To Be Me, Like It Or Not!

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie R. Seaman) — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 18:07:00 +0000

When you see me, what do you see? A Mother, a Grandmother, a Christian, a Trouble maker, a Divorcee’, a Black Woman? Society has become very adept at labeling people to fit into what they think is an acceptable label. After labeling you then people try to “correct” or “change” you. The only changing I need is from God! Not from YOU …Society, Family, Friends, Coworkers, Neighbors, etc. I am fine with being ME, UNAPOLOGETICALLY. Everybody will NOT fit into a mold, so PLEASE stop trying to mold me! Who appointed YOU to decide what is normal and acceptable? Who placed YOU in the position to judge me, what I do, what I watch, what I listen to, who I talk to, etc.

You do not know me and cannot figure me out so you label me weird, strange, different, or eclectic. But how about you just leave the labels out of it and just simply call me REGINA. I DO NOT like chocolate, I DO NOT like seafood, I DO NOT like nuts, I DO NOT like shopping, I DO NOT like small talk or chit chat, I DO NOT like making phone calls, and I’m NOT big on television. I CAN spend HOURS listening to music or reading a book. Does this make me abnormal? No, this makes me…ME!

I am an introvert with occasional extrovert tendencies. This does not mean I am anti-social, standoffish, stuck up, or awkward. I simply prefer the company of me!

I love God, I like wine, I love my natural hair but am not to caught up in maintenance of it. I am not much of a people person BUT I love deeply! I like classical, jazz, country, R&B music, I read fiction, paranormal thrillers, cozy mysteries, I live in Texas but STILL love my native New York, I rarely watch "black movies", I prefer action, fantasy, and mystery movies. I love Star Trek and hate Star Wars! If I post BIBLE scriptures on my social media pages EVERY DAY that's because I am encouraging MYSELF FIRST and if it encourages YOU as well, then glory to God!

I AM just being ME! It is unfortunate that YOU are having a problem with that… But that is actually YOUR problem, NOT mine.

But you know what I ABSOLUTELY HATE? the people who feel the need to adjust me to make them feel better about themselves and their choices.

For example, you may have heard this conversation before…

Me: Oh I don’t like/Eat that.

Them: Have you ever had it?

Me: Yes, and I don’t like it.

Them: It probably was not cooked right.

Me: Uh I’m sure it was cooked properly, so and so is a good cook.

Them: Well you have not had or eaten mine. If you had mine you would like it.

Me: Rolls eyes!

Or how about this conversation…

Them: The Best Man Holiday movie was awesome! Right ?!

Me: Eh, haven’t seen it yet.

Them: WHATTT??? Girl why?

Me: Not really interested, I'll probably get around to it...Eventually.

Them: How could you not be interested? Taye Diggs, Morris Chestnut, Terrance Howard, and that other black guy, all that chocolatey goodness! We should support the works of our black actors…

Me: LOL! You mean Harold Perrineau and Uh, it was just not my type of movie. Not a fan of Taye Diggs, and Terrance Howard disgusts me. I watch movies that interest me, NOT ones that star black people just because they are black…

Them: ….. You not black!

Me: ROLLS EYES! & Shakes my head…

~Best Man Holiday~ (Still have not seen it...)

So rather than accept you and your preference they feel the need to try to change you and make it all about them. Because surely they are the authority on all that is right and you will surely bow to their greatness!

Well, Today I am here to tell you, BE YOU, and YOU UNAPOLOGETICALLY! Love the you that God created, God made you UNIQUELY YOU!

Be You, TODAY & EVERYDAY!!

Regina

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Heart Of A Warrior - Stephen Curry, NBA Champion

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie R. Seaman) — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 18:52:00 +0000

I am not a big basketball fan, so a blog post about basketball is pretty much very out of character for me. However I just wanted to point out a few things…

For those of you who do not know the NBA Finals was a match-up between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors. Most people had their money on the Cleveland Cavaliers to win because they … well because they have LeBron James. Also because Golden State Warriors has been a non-factor for decades. So it seemed like easy money! Throughout the NBA Finals, Golden State Warrior Stephen Curry (point guard and wicked 3-point shooter!) has been the talk of numerous debates.
These debates were not as you would assume solely focused on his basketball playing but on his parenting! Stephen Curry and his wife Ayesha have a young daughter named Riley. Riley is almost three years old, rambunctious, and adorable. But some have called her bad, wild, or undisciplined. The issue some people have with Riley???
Her dad, Steph Curry likes to bring her into the interview room with him after games and “they” think this is not a place for a child. During the interviews, being a child she clamors for attention, blurts out hilarious things that only a child can get away with and overall steals the show! Not being a big basketball fan I watched a few games JUST so I could see little miss Riley in the interviews! I much rather see Riley Curry on television stealing the thunder from her dad than see more reports of professional athletes being brought up on rape charges (Darren Sharper) or beating their wives senseless in elevators (Ray Rice), or the tons of professional athletes who are injured and can't play (but still making it to the bank to cash those checks)!

I like, respect, and appreciate Stephen Curry and the Curry family for a few reasons…
1- Unbothered by the media opinions Steph Curry takes his daughter into interviews giving her a firsthand view of daddy’s world. In my opinion this lets her know that she is just that important to him that he will let her share the spotlight with him! ADORABLE!
2- Regardless of the lime light Stephen Curry has kept God and family first. He publically talks about both his faith and his family. COMMENDABLE!
3- Stephen Curry is a TEAM PLAYER! Which is very rare in the NBA!
Curry spoke about his faith during a MVP speech by saying, "People should know who I represent and why I am who I am, and that's because of my Lord and Savior." He also said the reason that he pounds his chest and points up is that he has a "heart for God" and as a reminder that he plays for God.

Stephen Curry has a shoe deal and on his "Curry One" sneaker you can see “4:13” which Curry says is a reference to the bible verse Philippians 4:13, which states “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”.

In a profession where players receive copious and obscene amounts of money and a lot of the players are rude, egotistical, over-privileged, crybabies, Steph Curry, the 27 year-old, baby-faced assassin is a breath of fresh air! Stephen Curry knows, understands, and values the concept of TEAM WORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK! He knows that this is a TEAM sport and without his team, he cannot win. He is NOT trying to be the king and carry the entire team on his shoulders. He is being a team-player so that the ENTIRE TEAM advances!
This is what made the Golden State Warriors NBA Champions for the first time since 1975!

CONGRATS GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS you earned it!

Be A Champion!
Regina

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Jamberry Nail Wraps

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie R. Seaman) — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 18:41:00 +0000

I have a facebook friend named Sara, who has embarked upon a new entrepreneurial adventure. She has started a Jamberry Nail Wraps business. I got a sample wrap to try and I told Sara I would blog about it.
If you do not know what Jamberry Nail Wraps are go HERE. To learn more about Sara, her profile is HERE.

They are cute and come in an array of colors and styles. If you like painted nails you, will like these because it offers so many options. These nail wraps are not as messy as trying to paint your nails. No smeared or messy polish not sitting still forever waiting for nails to dry. No worries about chipping nail polish. So the wraps have a lot to offer.

There is a little bit of instruction needed to apply them (Check out the video below) but once you get the hang of it I think it is easy. The instruction required heating with a blow dryer (Since my hair is in a natural state I actually do not even own a hair dryer) so I skipped that part! But for a better application and seal I would suggest NOT skipping the blow dryer part LOL!!!

On the website there is a wrap called Butterfly Kisses which I think is so pretty! (I have my sights set on that one). Go by Sara’s site and look around. Buy something! You will be amazed at the many choices!

Check out this nail wrap video.

Regina

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Whew! Texas Rain 2015...

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie R. Seaman) — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 16:56:00 +0000

Well in case you have not seen the news lately, Texas has had almost 2 straight months of rain. There has been no rain fall like this in years according to news agents. For almost two months it was almost daily/nightly thunderstorms and tornadoes across northern Texas. There were many jokes and memes on Facebook about Noah swinging by to pick up folks or that the rain fall was actually God crying because of the shutdown of Texas Blue Bell ice cream factories, and other nonsense!

Of course in life rain is needed and significant. Rain waters things so that they can grow. You cannot grow anything without water. Key processes of growth is 1) Planting 2) Watering 3) Nurturing and 4) Light. So needless to say for things to grow that water/rain was very necessary. Rain also washes away things. It helps clean the air of pollutants as it falls. Rain provides water so that we do not die in drought. Rain also helps remove dead leaves from trees so that new ones can grow. Of course tornadoes, thunderstorms, and rainfall has caused some damage and flooding across Texas.

This infographic shows the estimated amounts of rainfall.

WHEW!!!!!! That is a LOT of rain! and that was just in May.

But... Without the rain the earth cannot bear fruit and without that fruit we would die. Of course the bible has much to say about rain. But two of my favorite verses about rain are:

Isaiah 45:8 “Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down righteousness; let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit; let the earth cause them both to sprout; I the Lord have created it.

AND

Deuteronomy 11:13-15 New King James Version (NKJV) 13 ‘And it shall be that if you earnestly obey My commandments which I command you today, to love the Lord your God and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul, 14 then I[a] will give you the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain, your new wine, and your oil. 15 And I will send grass in your fields for your livestock, that you may eat and be filled.’

So as you can see God places great emphasis on rain. In times of abundant rainfall it is always prudent to evaluate yourself and your surroundings.

What needs to be washed away?

What needs to grow?

What needs to be nourished?

What needs to be cleansed?

Even though the rain has finally stopped in Texas ... FOR NOW... I hope the rain has renewed you, or cleansed you, or helped you to grow!

Blessings,
Regina

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Why I Broke Up With Mother's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie R. Seaman) — Tue, 12 May 2015 17:21:00 +0000

Now that Mother’s day is over and safely behind us and hopefully the residue is gone, I can tell you why I broke up with Mother’s day. I know it is shocking and came as a surprise to me as well. Matter of fact I have not even broken the news to my children yet! It was not like an epiphany or a sudden realization, it just gradually dawned on me. I went on Facebook a few times on Mother’s day and of course you can imagine… The only thing in my news feed was Happy Mother’s Day, Happy Mother’s Day, Happy Mother’s Day, which in and of itself was not bad. It was just really tiring having to try to respond to all of that and sending private Happy Mother’s day messages, remembering who to send them to and who not to send them to.

Is it wrong to think that the woman who births you should receiver flowers, and dinners, and gifts, and phone calls, more than once a year? Why does society think it is okay to give a mother flowers only on Mother’s day? Random flowers are just as nice. In fact random gifts are nicer because they are unexpected. I would not mind flowers just because or a breakfast/dinner just for the heck of it. A phone call like Stevie Wonder said, “I just called to say I love you, I just called to say how much I care”. Why do you think it is okay to call your mother only if you want something? Or go visit just to have her cook for you, or sew for you, or do your laundry, etc. I’m not saying those things are wrong, but what I’m saying is that your relationship should not be about just what you get out of it. It should be a relationship of both parties giving and taking. The bible tells us to honor our mothers and fathers. I does not say honor them once a year.

In my 20’s for me Mother’s day was a regular day because my children were young so I was still cooking my own dinners, baking my own cake, etc. During my marriage I was pretty much still a single parent even though I was married. In my 30’s I divorced and I adopted the “I am Mother and Father” ideology. My kids were older so I got the pictures, poems, and homemade gifts. All of which I loved! In my 40’s my children were older and they bought flowers and made dinners, and took me out to eat. I finally came to realize that I am in fact NOT mother and father, I am Mother. I cannot take away the tremendous task of helping to create an awesome person by fertilizing an egg from the father. God used a certain man and a certain woman to combine with that specific DNA to create miracles. Not everyone is chosen for that task, who am I to take that away and claim that position? So I am happy to be what God created me to be, the mother! Now, just about in my 50’s I came to another way of thinking. Many are not mothers. Some cannot be a mother for biological reasons. Some may not have been physically, mentally, or spiritually equipped to be a mother. Some for whatever reason may have lost a child, SIDS, sickness, courts, violence, kidnapping, etc. For whatever reason they had a child taken from them. On the other hand many have lost a mother, or are estranged from their mother. So on this day of flowers and gifts has anyone stopped to think of how they may feel. I have a friend from childhood who lost a child. I cannot even begin to imagine how she feels and what she must go through every mother’s day. And I never really even thought about it until recently. On a day filled with love and flowers, her son is no longer around to bring her flowers, or take her out to dinner, or call her and say “Happy Mother’s Day”.

I can’t imagine the alienation or sadness that might come from being excluded from special services or presentations or a simple flower because your child or your mother died. Seems cruel to me. But then again this is only MY thoughts on the subject. Of course the world will continue on doing whatever they want to do. So carry on, do you!

I think Mother's Day is an over commercialized opportunity for corporations to make money (florists, card companies, jewelry companies, etc.) much like the big corporate rip off that is valentine's day, but that's another story! If you are interested you may want to read the origins of Mother’s Day HERE and HERE. I found it interesting (and a testament to how a good idea can turn out being a bad mistake!).

This is not a criticism or condemnation on anyone else, on what you may do or don't do, feel or don't feel. Do you just as I'm going to do me!

As always this is my opinion and my thoughts and why I Broke Up With Mother’s Day!

Now to tell my kids…

Regina

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Prove it!

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie R. Seaman) — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 18:34:00 +0000

You are innocent until proven guilty … or so they say. In order to PROVE anything you need solid evidence. There has to be proof of what is said. Just the WORDS of others or just your WORDS are not enough to prove anything.

According to Dictionary.com

Proof means:

1. Evidence sufficient to establish a thing as true, or to produce belief in its truth.

2. Anything serving as such evidence: What proof do you have?

3. The act of testing or making trial of anything; test; trial: to put a thing to the proof.

4. The establishment of the truth of anything; demonstration.

The key words here are EVIDENCE and DEMONSTRATION.

So if you were ACCUSED OF BEING A CHRISTIAN … What PROOF, EVIDENCE, or DEMONSTRATION in and of your life would there be?

How could anyone PROVE that you are who and what you say you are?

Don't tell me SHOW ME!

Think About It!
Regina

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Out Of Darkness Into HIS Marvelous Light

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie R. Seaman) — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 21:13:00 +0000

King James Version 1 Peter 2:9 says, “But Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light”.

Amplified Version 1 Peter 2:9 says, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation God’s own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light”.

This verse seems very clear. We are a chosen generation. If you ask who chose us I would tell you that we are chosen by God Himself. The verse also says that we are a royal priesthood. So if we are chosen by God Himself, it would also make sense that God has anointed us a royal priesthood. God has set us aside as His own holy nation, His peculiar people. Peculiar means that we are strange, or odd, or unusual, but it also means that we are unfamiliar or unexpected. Peculiar also means that we belong exclusively to God. This should tell us that as Christians we should NOT be the regular, normal, expected type of people. We are set aside to be, different, unexpected. The amplified version emphasizes that we are purchased (obviously by the blood of Jesus), we are special. But more importantly the amplified version tells us that not only are we to show wonderful deeds but we are to DISPLAY the virtues and perfections of Him (God) who called us out of the darkness (dark places) and into His marvelous light.

When you stop and think about your present situations are you looking at them the way God sees them? Or are you looking at them through the darkened lens of the world. God makes it clear that we are called out of darkness and into HIS marvelous light. So when we look at our situations we should be looking at them through the light (through the light of redemption, the light of miracles, the light of new life, the light of daily grace and mercies, etc.) not through the darkened lens of this world. We should be seeing things the way God sees them and not the way the world tells us to see them. Seeing things the way God sees them can often be hard when the pressures of the world are weighing you down and you can only see the darkness of your surroundings and situations.

However, no matter what the situation may look like, God always has a plan. Jesus died that we may have life and life more abundantly. That means that no matter what it looks like, feels like, or appears to be ANY and ALL situations must be seen through the light of Christ in order to display God’s virtues and God’s perfection. It is not only a matter of having faith but also a matter of having EXPECTATION. We simply need to EXPECT God to shine light on our situations so that His perfections can be seen!

I recently moved. My former apartment, due to building and window placement was always dark. Surrounding buildings and blackout screens blocked the majority of the sunlight. This absence of sunlight over time proved to darken my mood and unwittingly effect my interactions with others (yes, even with God). However once I moved into the new place, which has an abundance of windows and direct sunlight, things started to look and feel differently. It is like having a new outlook on life. Did you know that the lack of sunlight can result in chemical changes in the brain that can lead to depression and feelings of hopelessness?

When faced with tough issues and situations get yourself into the sunlight which will help you see the SONlight.

You will be surprised how much better things look in the SONlight!

In Love & Light!
Regina

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Racism, Sexism, Yes This Is America!

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie R. Seaman) — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 23:18:00 +0000

I often hear people say, "I'm NOT into politics" and every time I hear that I think or say "Then you better be into JESUS"! This world that we know and sometimes love is spiraling out of control. Times are crucial and PRAYER is REQUIRED, Prayer is NOT OPTIONAL!

You support what you believe in. If you believe in freedom and justice, than that is what you will support. Prayers REQUIRED! Our world is full of problems and Isms. Yes, I said Isms, like RACISM, SEXISM, FEMINISM, etc. I remember when I was young, we were taught a song and it was so cute and so simple and so inspirational. It was a song of unity, hope, and togetherness in our country.

This land is your land, this land is my land
From California, to the New York Island
From the redwood forest, to the gulf stream waters
This land was made for you and me

As I was walking a ribbon of highway
I saw above me an endless skyway
I saw below me a golden valley
This land was made for you and me

HOWEVER, a rarely sung, forgotten verse of this song is perhaps MORE INDICATIVE of the current climate of our beloved America. And they are ...

"In the shadow of the steeple I saw my people,
By the relief office I seen my people
As they stood there hungry,
I stood there asking
Is this land made for you and me?"

The writer of this song, Woody Guthrie, never meant this song to be a political statement, or a statement of unity and patriotism. He wrote the song as a parody or a critical response to Irving Berlin's song "God Bless America". Woody Guthrie penned this song in 1940 and this forgotten verse is STILL relevant today, 75 years later. This is CLEARLY an America that has a multitude of problems.
Whether you are a political activist, a community activist, a church activist, or any sort of activist, it is clear that America is in dire need of help. So I hope you answer the clarion call and get involved at some level. If you do not do your part (even if your part is simply PRAYING for those in leadership positions), then you become part of the problem. If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. We can no longer just stick our heads in the sand and act like everything is fine. Action IS Required!

DON'T BE PART OF THE PROBLEM! DO YOUR PART! BECOME PART OF THE SOLUTION!

Peace and Love All,
Regina

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Empty Nest Coming Soon!

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie R. Seaman) — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 19:42:00 +0000

Ever have that sense that something is over? That you have reached the end of a thing, time, moment, relationship, or era? I am feeling that way now. Since moving to Texas my children and I have lived together. Not all of them, all at the same time but during our 6 years here in Texas a number of my children at one time or another have lived with me or me with them. I know that some parents get fearful, tearful, or dread the kids leaving. They fear the EMPTY NEST! But alas, I obviously am NOT that parent!

By March the last of the chickens will be flying the coop! I think I may finally be an empty-nester. I know that some parents dread this moment and get all emotional and weepy...
BUT ME.... I am excited about FINALLY being alone. I have many idiosyncrasies. I like things in their place and in a certain way. I like cleanliness and order. I also like peace and quiet ... which I must say is extremely hard to find with 5 children, 3 grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and various friends of the aforementioned! I look forward to coming home to a quiet clean house, not stepping on or over clothes, toys, or anything else that should not be on the floor! I look forward to not having anyone else in my face or space! I look forward to coming home, lighting a few candles, turning on some music and dancing around naked if I want to (Don't Judge Me)!

Don't get me wrong, I am sure there will be moments when the quiet is a bit too quiet. Moments when I get lonely, or moments when I long to hear the voices of my loved ones... HOWEVER I have not gotten there yet! LOL! Right now I am excited to be on my own. And now that I think about it, this will be the first time I am living totally and completely ALONE! WOOHOO!!! I was a young parent (had my first child at 19) so I lived with my mom for a while and by the time I got my first place I had 2 small children and a husband. Since that time My children, husband, sister, cousins, various friends in need, etc have been with me. There were times when I lived with my mother,times when my sister lived with me, and other comings and goings. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE my children and grandchildren to forever and back, But I crave alone time! This will be the first time that I will be TOTALLY and COMPLETELY ALONE! Yozaaa! This should be fun!... I anticipate an increase in wine sales!

I'm pretty sure if I get too lonely one of my daughters will gladly drop a grandson off to me ...LOL! They are ~~selfish~~ selfless that way!!

Cheers to all my fellow empty-nesters!!
Regina

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