When you pick a flower, it is no longer connected to the soil and therefore begins to slowly wither away and eventually...

it DIES.

“If you love a flower, don’t pick it up.

Because if you pick it up it dies and it ceases to be what you love.

So if you love a flower, let it be.

Love is not about possession.

Love is about appreciation" 

-Osho

OK...Every living atom eventually dies, but if you pluck a flower prematurely, it dies faster.

The disconnection from the natural source of nourishment dehydrates it and expedites the fading of its beauty. No replacement of habitat or supplement of sustenance can revitalize the flower to its natural composition...it just won't ever be the same!

This was the contemplation in my mind after I was told by a man: "I want you all to myself". (LOL) Now despite what his real intentions were, I was immediately flabbergasted/ disgusted because this sounded like a plea for selfish possession to remove me from my world of beauty and try to alter me to fit his needs...unsolicited submission--ugh, I totally ran with the comment!  A lifted upper lip and a walk in the opposite direction later, my mind dissipated to the metaphor about the flower being separated from its thriving habitat...

It is human nature to seek beautiful possessions.As visually inclined creatures, we like to have nice clothes, nice cars, beautiful plants in our homes, attractive partners etc. No one ever wakes up and says "I want an ugly mate" or let me get the ugliest car on the lot. There has to be some element of beauty for us to make a selection, whether it be appearance or an attribute, we naturally crave beauty around us similar to the flower. 

There is nothing wrong with the desire for aesthetic satisfaction. What scares me is when value is lost under the selfish possession of one who cannot reciprocate the natural nourishment for that flower. For example, relationships. Everyone has an innate "shine". There is something about you that makes you, "You". When you meet a person who is self-indulged and all about themselves, or egotistical--only has you to help them, that innate "shine" fades and becomes a source for their satisfaction only. Similarly, when we pluck flowers from a garden and place it in a vase of water inside the house, we do it for our visual pleasure not realizing the detriment caused to the flower as it lacks the natural source of photosynthesis. Therefore relationships should embrace the individual "shine" of each partner where it is at and one should not find it as a reason to change one another or "pluck them from the source of their beauty".

“The most painful thing is losing yourself in the process of loving someone too much, and forgetting that you are special too.”

--Ernest Hemingway

In essence, if you love something, let it "GROW". Let it bloom in its natural realm, let its beauty radiate...let it be.

-ImJessSayin

Peace be Still...

In my existence, I've experienced grief, pain, betrayal, deceit, loss etc! But, nothing quite compares to the element of peace that I have been able to cling to that transcends over "those troubled waters"...

Truth is, "life is gonna happen". It is an inevitable reality that things WILL happen in our lives that we have no control over. Natural disasters, crime, illness, or economic distress are just some of the in- explainable occurrences that can arise . Although these unforeseen events come our way, we have control over our reaction and how we choose to deal with it...Perspective is Everything.

As I have matured, accepting the unexplainable has become easier. I am able to inhale, exhale, accept things as they are and move on! Worry is not an option anymore.

In contrast however, the immature mindset dwells on circumstances. It ponders on the why me? Why now? It dampens perception and reacts to emotional triggers. It does not search for options to make things better. These very attributes contribute to negativity and blocks the possibility for peace & growth (the beautiful things in life).

I think of it like this: no matter what happens in the day, the sun will ALWAYS rise, so don't trouble yourself with worrying or looking for something to fight about--"choose your battles". Nothing is too hard or impossible to overcome. Metaphorical waves of life may come crashing, but the water always calms.

I'm reminded of  this lesson of peace from the parable when Jesus calms the storm. Jesus and his disciples set forth to go over to the other side of a lake, so they got into a boat and set out (Luke 8:22). As they sailed, Jesus fell asleep and the torment of the sea threatened the ship. The disciples were frightened as the winds blew hard and the boat was swamped. In fear and worry, the disciples went to Jesus and said "we're going to drown" Jesus woke up and calmed the wind and raging waters, and then all was calm...(just like that!) He turned and looked at everyone and asked his disciples, "where is your faith". Haha! Jesus was a "G".

The mental image that plays in my head of this story is a group of  frightened men hollering and pacing in a crowded boat under a gray stormy sky and this one man (Jesus) in the cut, just sleeping...no worries! LOL

I absolutely love this story! It reminds me to be calm and remember who the master of the stormy seas is and who is the master of the torrential winds...therefore, no matter what the atmosphere is looking like, no matter what situations may occur, remember who my peace is, call on Him, and have faith of the unseen that things will get better.

[Peace is one of my most favored traits. I try to function by it in all I do and  I admire people who have peaceful dispositions.]




Here is a song to go with this all. Its one of my favorite. It has an old gospel sound to it, but the message is relevant:

James Cleveland "Peace be Still:

Verse 1
Master, the tempest is raging.
The billows are tossing high.
The sky is o'er shadowed with blackness,
no shelter or help is nigh.
Carest Thou not that we perish?
How canst Thou lie asleep,
when each moment so madly is threat-ning,
a grave in the angry deep?

Chorus
The winds and the waves
shall obey my will, peace be still.
Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea
or demons, or men, or whatever it be.
No water can swallow the ship where lies
the Master of ocean and earth and skies;
they shall sweetly obey my will,
peace be still, peace be still.
They all shall sweetly obey my will;
peace, peace be still.

 

Choice Vs. Destiny

Ponder this: Is your destiny preordained or the result of choices? And are these positions mutually exclusive?
From the spiritual perspective, destiny has already been ordained even before we were formed  (Jeremiah 1:5, "I knew you before you were formed").  In contrast, free will is just an elusive perception that human nature conceives when they think that  they are in charge of their own destiny. Therefore, the role of free will really is inessential, because  destiny and our choices are already written by the higher power. However, this thought presents  a new dimension because then this may suggest that the Almighty granted us free will as an  "illusion"... but free will is the very instrument he expected us to use to accept or reject his plan  of Redemption? Hmmm....!!! I’m just thinking though, there are unforeseen events that take course in our lives that I honestly can say are out of our control (i.e. infant that is stricken with fatal disease at birth) that is a matter of destiny ... but that does not negate the role of Free Will? Take the following into consideration: Is there a difference in your destiny if you choose to commit your life to the church [The Lord] versus a life of self-indulgence and debauchery?...Yes! Gathering this all together, our choices are pre-ordained reactions to events that lead to our destiny.  Therefore, yes, my destiny is pre-ordained, and although this is so, the choices I make are simply  indications or reflections of my destiny. My destiny has been en grained before I even knew it to  be so...as life goes on, my choices change through experience and maturity, however it does not  alter my destiny.

A twinkle in the eye, is JUST a twinkle in the eye

"A twinkle in the eye, is JUST a twinkle in the eye" 

Romantic relationships cannot sprout simply because two people "get along well" or " like the same music" LOL! There are a variety of aspects that must be satisfied, like: 

1. compatible spiritual values
2. similar intentions with the relationship, & 
3. physical attraction

Now that's just the beginning it goes deeper than that! Can you motivate me? Can I motivate you? Can you make me laugh? Can I entertain you? When times get hard, do you know how to pray for me? Can I pray for you? When times are good, do you know how to celebrate me and vice versa? Are you socially stable? Financially stable? Are you respected in the streets? Do you have un-dealt issues?


Can't be too quick to run into relationships these days, get set up for the okey doke...not me!

My floral obsession

...I LOVE flowers

Some of my favorite picks:

Top left: 24 Roses...simply beautiful

Top right: Asiatic lilies and exotic greenery

Bottom left: 12 Roses of purity

Bottom right: Bundle of purple mums, daisies, and roses

Top Left: Asiatic lilies as buds

Left middle: Asiatic lilies flourishing

Bottom Left: Single hyacinth and greenery

Right: Sunflower

All of these arrangements were hand-picked and arranged by me from the flower shop of course...I would love to have a garden with these flowers one day

Creative mind...Crafty Hands

I've always had a knack for crafts and decorating. When it came down to family parties or creative assignments in school, my natural inclination for these things was on high alert...I just HAD to dabble my hands in these things and have some kind of part in the decorating.

I LOVE flowers, tissue paper, adhesive letters, balloons, doilies, ribbons, pins... etc!

Here are some of my crafts:

In 2011, I had the honor of decorating my God-Daughters's Princess themed baby shower.

I constructed "diaper cakes" for the centerpieces using princess crowns as the toppers, ribbons, and other cute keepsakes.

The supplies:

The finished products

 The paper onesies were used as "Love Notes" to share words of encouragement to the Parents to be and to the baby.

I also had cd's made with adorable songs to celebrate the "Princess'" arrival. Each song title read into a full poem...it was super cute.

Games

For games, we played the traditional bottle drinking contest and the guess the belly size game.

The picture above was a game that we played called: "Guess who's that baby". I collected baby pictures of family members and the guests had to figure out who was who!

Another game that we played was "The diaper game". In this game, popular chocolate candies were smudged on diapers to emulate a dirty diaper. Participants had to guess the chocolate candy smudge on each diaper. It was nasty looking, but sure was fun seeing the guest dive nose first in the diapers.

Style Cap 09/20

Style Cap from 09/20/'13

-White Trimmed top -Denim skirt-Pink sparkly clutch-Pink sparkly heels

PurpleGlory

Just a pic....

Nice night on the town! #Poetry#Music#Wine#GoodLaughs#PurpleGlory#BangsSoLowYouCantSeeMyEyes

I'll paint all the world for you babe

I fell in love with this song on first listen! 

Big K.R.I.T uses an extended metaphor to "paint" the struggles of his failing relationship with a girl that he loves who seems to no longer understand him.

He paints a picture of the potential of their love "that's clear as day" with hope that she would come back home, but chick seems to be oblivious to his efforts

Awesome imagery and lyrics!

Read the lyrics below:

Oh, the sweet essence of being FREE!

Can you guess this music trivia: 

"Ohhh, I'd like to greet the sun each morning and walk amongst the stars at night, I'd like to know the sweet taste of honey in my life!"

The Commodores (Look at Lionel Richie at the top right corner!)

If you guessed "Zoom" By The Commodores, you guessed right! 

This song is ab-so-lute-ly liberating and soOo very beautiful to me. In addition to the exquisite musical composition and vocals, the lyrics carry me through a celestial space of self freedom and genuine happiness!

 Its an amazing feeling that celebrates liberty, acceptance of the past, self-realization, hope, growth, and the concept that "life goes on!" 
Lyrical reference: ("Well I've shared so many pains, and played so many games, but everyone finds the right way, somehow...someway...someday")

The song embraces liberation and freeing of the mind where "one can find the love that they have longed to see" and "people can be what they want to be!"

REAL and GOOD music "strokes your mental" and after listening to this song, I HAD to share my liking for the message in this song with some friends. Here are some enlightening realizations that they added about "Zooming" far away from mental entrapment to a place of being free:

"Freedom" and "liberation" must first be understood as conditions of mind and spirit not the physical.. so therefore, You could be captive in a physical prison and still be "free"... you could be captive in transient circumstances and yet be "free"...your job may inflict injustice on you and yet, you're "free".. friends and colleagues could denounce you but yet you're "free". I am FREE.

Our mind tends to conform to the norm because of what is commonplace which shackles oneself from possibility.  The realm of possibility is endless as long as you are comfortable with letting your mind and body be open to possibility.  Being free is a concept in which your mind knows no bounds to the extent of life.  I am FREE. 

...What an AMAZING feeling it is to be FREE! 

Press Play Below:

Football Season..."Who you With!?" (A girls point of view)

Growing up in a household full of girls, sports were really not the thing to watch. As children, we gravitated more towards shows on Disney channel and nickelodeon and as we grew older, family sitcoms, music videos, reality shows and movies became our main television interest. 

When big sporting events like the Superbowl or playoffs came around, it was very hard to connect to the camaraderie and celebrations because although I cheered when the ball made it through the hoop or over the goal post, I didn't quite understand the technicalities of the sport and couldn't truly appreciate a triple double, alley oop, or any good plays for that matter. I usually leaned towards the team that had the most appealing uniforms and team color, and admittedly  I fell into the bandwagon category a couple times. 

The other interesting thing that I realized was the unique passion that most males (and some women) have towards sports. Like, the devotion to watch football every Sunday, or how they can spit out team history at the drop of a dime. Its simply amazing to me how the majority of sports fanatics can converse almost instantaneously about anything sports related.

 I work with two male co-workers that have fascinated me the most with this trait of overflowing sports knowledge. Now, considering that there are levels to sports fanaticism, on a scale from 1 to 5, these two are definitely a 10+...they are beyond a measuring scale! Not a day goes by, where they do not exchange some form of sports information. They go on for hours discussing the draft, fantasy football, football rivalries, Lebron vs Jordan, referee calls...you name it! EVERYDAY--its something new!

In lieu of the upcoming football season, I took it upon myself to learn the true essence of sports so that I can enjoy it truthfully. I challenged myself to do personal research on football teams in the NFL so that I can represent  a team this season. I composed a criteria method that measured teams based on aspects that I felt were important like 1. Color 2.Championship History 3. Mascot 4. Division and  5.Star Players                                                                                                                                

Each team was ranked from 1-5 based on the above criteria, with the first 3 aspects being the ultimate determining factors. The team with the most points would be the team that I follow for the season...fair enough? 

The calculations sort of went like this, for example:

San Francisco 49ers

Team Color: Red & Gold- 5pts because that's a nice color combination that I could possibly rock(you know red jersey & some khaki's)

Championship History: 5 time Superbowl5pts

champs, conference champs in 2012-

Mascot: Sourdough Sam-2pts (what in the world is a sourdough sam??? LOL)

TOTAL: 12/15

After much deliberation and applying that system to some of the most notable teams in the NFL, the following ranking order was produced: get ready, get ready...!!!

11. Seattle Sea Hawks- 7pts

10. Dolphins-                10pts

9.   Falcons-                  10pts

8.   Broncos-                 11pts

7.   Colts-                    12pts

6.   Patriots-                  12pts       

5.   49ers-                     12pts

4.   Bears-                     13 pts

3.   Saints-                     13pts                    

2.   Cowboys-               14pts

1. Giants-                   14 pts.

So...Why get married? Contract vs. Covenant

In a society that ornaments glamorous and expensive ceremonies followed by nasty divorces driven by selfish greed, what would motivate one to walk down the isle of "til death do us part"?

The question was posed at a lunch table discussion amongst co-workers in which the counter response would be to co-habitate with a significant other without the "piece of paper". Please note: the following is opinion based and simply my interpretation of the subject and supporting information.

I. What is marriage?

In the secular or worldly perspective, marriage is often viewed as a contract that is usually driven by self fulfillment, self interest, and self realization (the "what can you do for me perspective"). 

In contrast, the biblical perspective instructs that marriage is a holy covenant driven by ultimately fulfilling God's will (the "how can we steer each other to bring God glory perspective"). Both perspectives can share the traditional proposal/engagement stage, followed by the ceremony, financial bonds, and familial bonds.

II. Reasons to get married? (Biblical perspective)

1.      Obedience to God's will.                  

Genesis 2:24 "...Man will leave his father & mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh”                                                                                           

2.      To abstain from sexual Immorality.

I Corinthians 7:8 “Now to the unmarried and the widows, I say it is good for them to stay unmarried, but if they cannot control themselves they should marry for it is better to marry than to burn with passion”

3.      To have a committed help mate.

Genesis 2:18 “…It is not good for man to be alone, I will make a helper suitable for him”

4.      To make us more like Christ

Ephesians 5:1-2 “Therefore, be imitators of Christ and walk in love as Christ loved us.” Family life is the greatest example of God’s unfailing love. Within this realm one learns to love unconditionally as God does and how to forgive and be forgiven.

III. Reasons marriage is frowned upon in society

1.      Lose financial benefits/ ruin spouse’s credit (if bad)

2.   Commitment issues (Can’t be faithful)

3.    Marriage is just a piece of paper anyway

4. No example of a good lasting marriage to follow

IV. Extra thoughts

1.      People should not get married just because they have been together for a while

2.      People should not get married just because of age and status

3.      Two people getting married should share similar spiritual value

4.      Two people entering the marriage should be equally willing to share this bond

5.  People in the marriage should be willing to be exclusive to each other

6. Both parties should end/ release any soul ties or previous relationships