Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Day 25. How to handle disappointment.  People will disappoint you the most!  I guess everyone knows that.  The thing about being disappointed is the heart ache you feel. Is it our own fault for believing in someone to do something we know may be impossible for them?  Or do we set our high standards on someone else and when they fail we feel hurt?  No one is perfect and we shouldn't hold failure against someone.  We ourselves fail at many things.  We should be supportive and provide this person with encouragement.  Even when they disappoint us continuously.

What's on my mind.  True happiness.  True happiness doesn't come from things or people.  True happiness comes from within.  We have the power to bring ourselves down and to uplift.  It's amazing how many people think the more money or things they have the happier they will be.  Money and things could make life easier, however, happiness comes from within.  Think about it this way, we can throw out something and that same thing can be someone else's treasure.  This occurs because it's how we view the treasure.  So, in the same token that treasure that used to bring you happiness doesn't anymore.  True happiness is aspired by being heathy in all areas of your life.  That means living out your dreams and having the job or career you want, surrounding yourself with positive people to have a strong support group, working hard to maintain emotional, mental, and spiritual stability.  No one can make me smile as wonderful as God can.  The challenge today is to pick out an area of your life that needs work.  If it's your career, work on your resume, think about what you really want to do that can fuel inner happiness.  If it's your emotional/mental state go see a counselor.  I think counseling is good for everyone.  If you want to work on your relationship with God, visit a church or seek out a spiritual advisor that can help.  Life is to short to spend it unhappy.  God gives us the freedoms to decide how we want to live.  In the pursuit of changing this upside down world we have to work on changing the people in it....starting with ourselves.  Can the world be upside down if we are right side up? Right now are you living like you feel in your soul you should?  Today I will leave you with inspirational quotes.

“Before you can improve your life and find a measure of happiness, you must learn to do one thing every day out of pure love.”
 Harold Klemp

“Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence”
 Aristotle

True happiness comes from within, loving who you are, what you do, and aspiring to be even better.
Keisha

Monday, September 29, 2014

Day 24. Do we have compassion?  Compassion is the emotion that one feels in response to the suffering of others that motivates a desire to help.  I would like to think that we have compassion for one another, but sometime it doesn't seem so when working as a whole.  I notice that during a tragedy we seem to pull together as one.  It's a shame that sometimes it takes something horrible for us to come together as one.  I think that being judgmental inhibits our ability to be compassionate.  Jesus said he who is without sin let him cast the first stone, John 8:7.  Judging another person is wrong, especially when anyone can make a mistake.

What's on my mind.  Persistence!  I had someone tell me that if she didn't get a certain thing to happen she would just give up.  Self-defeating.  In life we are bound to fail.  Imagine all the brilliant people that if they had given up our world would have suffered.  Nelson Mandela said "a winner is a dreamer who never gives up."  Mahatma Gandhi quoted, “Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength.”  The key to continuing to pursue a dream is persistence.  Life will make you want to quit, but we must continue on this journey to change this upside down world.  Their are still many things undiscovered in this world that we can tap into.  Still so much to do to build compassion and end being judgmental.  The way we do this is through being persistent.  The challenge today is for everyone to continue pursuing something you once started and left behind.  That could be an art project, a book, a movie, working on improving a relationship.  Whatever it is in your life that at one time you dreamed of doing....do it.  Don't just do it, be persistent about pursuing your dream.  Today I will leave you with a cute video on persistence.

cute for many reasons

Keisha

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Day 23.  I'm sorry, I climbed into bed at 2AM thinking, "dang I feel like I am forgetting something."  Sure enough I forgot to blog yesterday.  Not that anyone missed it?  This weekend I spent time with family.  It is so important to have family.  Even though they can be dramatic and problematic at times, I wouldn't trade them for the world.  No one is guaranteed tomorrow and we were given the family we have by God, so they were made for us.  We should spend time with them putting petty things aside and enjoying them while we still can!

What's on my mind....the power of God.  I really do not have the words to accurately describe his love.  I guess if you imagine having a child and finding out that your child's blood can save the world, but only through death, and sacrificing your child so everyone else can be saved....that's how much his love is for us.  I went to visit a new church today.  It was so wonderful seeing how people can love one another from country to continent through God.  Maybe one day I will write about my own personal relationship with God.  I am trying hard and working everyday to be more Christ like.  It's so hard in this evil world we live in, because I am a sinner.  Today, on my way back home after church a car cut me off.  I could feel the devil trying to convince me to make a bad decision.  It took everything in me to pray that he isn't a jerk to anyone else today.  When you start making the right choices the devil will put up barricades trying to stop you, especially when you've been doing evil for a while.  He wants you to himself.  He will lie, cheat, and try to convince you that doing good is never worth it.....doing good is so worth it.  Giving in and up to God is one decision in my life that I am happy I made.  It's still so so hard everyday, but this battle is worth the fight.  I challenge everyone to fight evil and do good.  In changing this upside down world we have to focus on changing ourselves so we can then help others in their battle. Today I will leave you with a verse.

◄ 1 Peter 3:17 ►
For it is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

Keisha

Friday, September 26, 2014

Day 22. Time to celebrate...it's the weekend oh yea!!! I look forward to the weekend so much.  I think the hustle of the week wears me down.  Weekends are for taking care of your needs or self care.  Especially when we work so hard to change this upside down world we need to stop every now and then and make sure we have ourself together to continue on our journey.  If we are unable to complete our task, because we aren't healthy how can we be successful in our goals.

What's on my mind.  I know I write about this all the time, but the truth is that if we want the world to change we have to look inside ourselves first.  We have to fix the things within us that we know will not benefit us or anyone.  I believe the brain is very powerful and what you feed it will determine how you behave.  If you focus on positive things then you will be more positive.  If you are always negative then that will shower on everyone around you.

Be yourself! It's important tho to appreciate the person you are.  No one will appreciate you as much as you appreciate yourself.  Good and bad, work on what you know you need to, but celebrate who you are.  The challenge is simple, spend time with people who appreciate who you are and support you while praying for those who don't.  Enjoy your weekend with positivity and love.  I will leave you with a verse.

James 5:13
Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

Keisha

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Day 21.  Are you unhappy with your life?  I forgot, but was reminded today that someone always has it better than me and worse then me.  Today I am very peaceful knowing that things could be worse and in this moment they aren't.  If you are unhappy with your current situation pick one thing at a time and attack it with a vengeance.....make good choices, because every choice has a consequence!

What's on my mind.  How impressionable young minds are.  I am speaking about teens mostly.  They believe everything they read on the internet.  They are easily convinced by minimum evidence and lack of common sense.  They like to follow the crowd, because that's easier then standing out and being teased.  They can get brainwashed through the media.  Especially, music that has a negative message can hugely effect their emotional and behavioral state.  We really should work on controlling what's in the media.  Most important, we need to pay attention to what our teens are doing, what they are watching, reading, and who they are associating with.  I really think this is important.  The children will be the ones we pass the torch to who will make the decisions for our world in the future.  We need to teach them well, so they can model our values, of integrity, spirituality, humanism, courage, and perseverance. My challenge is to guide a young mind in a positive direction.  Uplift and support them even when they seem like aliens or try to look like aliens. Don't judge them so they have someone who they can openly turn to in a time of need.  Never take advantage of them, because it can change them forever.  Being a positive source can also change them forever for the best.  Today, do you know where your teen is or what emotional state they are in?  I will leave you with that very important thought.

Keisha

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Day 20.  A smart man makes a mistake and learns from it and a wise man sees the mistake the smart man made and doesn't make that mistake at all.  This came from a young man today who at one time lots of people probably counted out as a loss.  My favorite stories in life are of those when people were counted out.  Counted out as failures, counted out as a threat to society, counted out as a loser.  Those same people who Defy the odds, who were at one time a statistic proved to everyone the old saying, "never judge a book by its cover."  Yes, people can and do change!

What's on my mind.  Sweating the small stuff.  Spending to much time on things that seem insignificant and petty.  Their are so many things in this life that people can focus on.  I for one get distracted by things that really are not important.  I then get caught up in issues that will not get me where I need to be.  It's easy for someone to rain negativity.  It's also easy for someone to pour happiness.  I challenge people to be the source of happiness.  An easy way to be the source of happiness is to smile at someone and ask them how they are doing, and not just to be nice, but because you genuinely care.  The most challenging part would be to offer happiness to someone you dislike or usually don't get along with.  Be the source of happiness.  Don't get caught up in insignificant things.  Today I will leave you with an inspirational quote.

Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be.
Abraham Lincoln

Keisha    



Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Day 19.  I allowed someone today to change my mood.  It was really amazing when I noticed that this had happened.  I'm really trying to be more mindful of these things.  I was cheerful and upbeat.  Actually, I had been in the spirit and feeling wonderful.  That kind of wonderful that makes you sing out loud.  And in one moment someone said something negative to me over the phone and an unhappy switch flipped.  The crazy thing is that I probably took it more negative then what he was actually meaning it to be.  That's how life is....one minute you are smiling and things are going well, you are feeling good and in an instant things can change.  So, today I was wondering why we really care what other people think about us?  Our society has us so paranoid.  We are plagued by so much negativity that it filtrates throughout our daily living.  We really have to hold tight to our beliefs or life can eat you alive.  It's so important to not allow negative people to disturb your happy, because they will every chance they get.

What's on my mind.  How hard it is to let go of negativity.  How hard it is to let go of something you know is not good for you. How that one thing or few things tempt you.  It could be a person who you know is bad for you.  It could be drugs or a lifestyle.  Letting it go could be one of the most difficult things you ever tackle in your entire life.  The first step is realizing what is bad for you.  I challenge you today to examine your life and figure out what that is?  If you know what it is the challenge is to come up with three ways you can avoid whatever it is.  Today I will leave you with the Serenity Prayer.

Serenity Prayer
Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971)

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.


Keisha

Monday, September 22, 2014

Day 18.  I was talking to a very intelligent and wise woman about the choices we make in life.  We were discussing the fact that at any moment we could die.  I know it sounds morbid, however, with this known fact are we really living each day like it is our last?  Do we take advantage of all the things this world has to offer?  Are we really living or are we just existing?  The biggest unexplainable anomaly is we work hard in hopes of enjoying the booty when we feel our labor is complete.  For some that may never happen.  And in the event that it doesn't would you regret not doing what your heart's desire is?  It could be singing, writing, being a comedian, acting, being a teacher, whatever the case may be.  Right now in this moment are you doing what brings you happiness?  Do you have the courage to walk out on faith and fulfill your souls desire?

What's on my mind.  The education system.  I just heard today that if someone is on social security and has student loans they will take that social security check?  This is outrageous!  The majority of people who go to college will have to take loans.  The problem is the job usually doesn't pay enough to help pay off the student loans and provide the individual with a comfortable standard of living.  So, it's like a bookie (the government) you owe that money and they will make your life miserable until it's paid!  Why should someone be penalized for wanting to better themselves.  Same with government assistance.  It should be used as a stepping stone for those who want more.  So, why if you decided to work assistance is cut.  You don't even get a 90 day keep your assistance while you are on your new job probationary period.  It should be the more you work the more help you receive.  Middle class should get food stamps.  A single working mother or father who ask for assistance should get it!  Our upside down world makes it too easy for people to not be motivated.  Why would you be motivated to work if you can stay home and get food stamps, public housing, and free childcare.  All that has got to be worth more then $7.25 an hour.  A minimum wage that is nearly impossible for anyone, but a single teen living at home to work with....really?  Life happens....I knew a lady who was an at home mom right out of high school and her husband worked.  He started messing with drugs and she ended up alone with no job experience and a child.  She needed the system as a stepping stone.  She was treated like the worst person in the world, because she needed help.  We live in a society that looks down on those looking up for a hand to help pull them out of the whole.  It's really sad and disgusting.  Like I always say, the person you are looking down on may one day be looking down at you and hopefully they have heart (you didn't have) to reach for your hand.  That same woman I was referring to went to college and earned her masters degree.  The challenge today is to think with your heart and soul not with logic and datum.  Changing your perception about those less fortunate may give you a desire to reach out your hand.  Today I will leave you with a verse I woke up to this morning.

Proverbs‬ ‭19‬:‭20-21‬
Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life. You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail.

Keisha

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Day 17. Is human life priceless?  Sometime it seems that socioeconomic status like race determines how valuable a life is worth.  How can someone in good conscious not value life and want health care for people who can't afford it?  It doesn't make sense to me.  All life is precious!  People who commit crimes get better dentist care then a working single mother with children?  Why shouldn't it all be equal?

What's on my mind.  How different people would be to each other if everyone was the same race and everyone made the same amount of money.  I guess vain people would find something else to separate themselves from the "unworthy."  The funny thing is that we are all the same human race. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said it best when he suggested that people be judged by the content of their character and not by the color of their skin and may I add how much money they have.  I have learned in my life that when you judge someone, or belittle someone, based off of their life circumstances, the way life changes you could be in the same spot.  Think of all the brilliant people who have shaped our world for the better.  They all come from different backgrounds, different cultures, different socioeconomic status.  They were all someone's child, someone's brother, someone's sister, someone's father or mother.  Everyone is priceless.  Today I challenge you to stand up for the weak, lend a hand to the less fortunate.  Give a gift to someone in need and that gift could be a smiling face instead of a judgmental one or that of an understanding heart.  Today I will leave you with a verse and a video

1 Samuel 16:7
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

To be first you must be last.....

Keisha

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Day 16. It's a beautiful day in my part of the world. I enjoyed the nice breeze kissing my face.  The clean air that I am so grateful to take into my lungs. The bright sun shinning down on me with warmth.  I am appreciative of the little things today.  I really want to discuss spirituality.  I understand and appreciate people's individuality.  Every one believes and feels different about everything.  This is why our world is so special.  We are the ones however, who take special things and transform them into unappreciative things.  Funny, as I finish this writing today the breeze has turned harsh and cold.  The sun has disappeared and that gray, dark, cloud covers the ski pouring thunderstorm rain down.  Things change, life changes in a blink of an eye.

What's on my mind.  Today is God.  I have this friend who sends me frequent videos on scientific evidence of the assertion that God doesn't exist.  He spends so much time on researching this that I wonder if he's questioning his own belief.  I don't need to research for more understanding.  Like I always hear...when you know you just know!!!  Their have been many times in my life were God has spoken to me and like Jonas I didn't listen.  Not fortunate like Jonas I wasn't put back on the right path, but forged my own and that never brought me to my true happiness.  When I listen to His calling the outcome is usually better for me.  I say usually, because like a child we don't always want to do what we need to do.  When things are good I pray, when things are bad I pray, when I feel lonely I pray, when I feel sad I pray, when I feel grateful I pray. Their isn't a good or bad way to pray.  Speaking to God for me is like talking to my Father. I do it with love in my heart, happiness in my spirit and hope in my mind.  If praying to God gives me hope why not?  For those who don't believe do you teach your children about the tooth fairy or Santa Clause?  Do you give them that hope?  That's a bad analogy, because God and his ways are so magnified that our small brains still can't comprehend the numerous miracles that occur every day.  By no means am I perfect.  I have to work on my spiritual growth daily like any relationship.  I am a sinner.  Nothing worth having in this world is easy.  To make this upside down world better we have to start with ourselves first.  Today my challenge is for you to pray.  If you already pray make sure you pray for those who haven't found God yet.  Prayer is powerful. Today let's use this gift that is special.  Today I will leave you with inspiration from the Bible.

Matthew 7:7-12
Ask, Seek, Knock
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.  9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Luke 18:1-8
Parables on Prayer
18 Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, 2 saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man. 3 There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me legal protection from my opponent.’ 4 For a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge *said; 7 now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? 8 I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”

Keisha

Friday, September 19, 2014


Day 15. One of the worst feelings in the world is when a loved one is hurting and you can't do anything about it.  I really don't want to say you can't do anything about it, because what I really mean is that you can't take their pain away.  You can always give support, understanding, and find comfort in knowing that you are there for them.  Being a friend is vital to any relationship.  When I say "being a friend" I mean behaving for someone like a good friend would in a time of need.  Everyone needs a good friend when life happens and knocks someone off balance.  Sometimes it's difficult to be a good friend when you have your own difficulties.  It's really hard when you are deep into a situation and can't see the sheep from the wolves.  The people who care about you tell you about the wolves, but that fog in your brain keeps your vision blurry.  We all learn from these situations and everyone will go through it at least once in a lifetime. The main point is to do the best you can in the situation you are dealt and always be a good friend to someone else.

What's on my mind.  High speed chases.  It seems like life is full of high speed chases.  Like time is racing by and everyone is trying to catch up and chase the next thing.  That next thing could be a new job, a better car, a boyfriend or girlfriend, a new house, different friends, new opportunities.  I guess it just feels like their is always something to go after.  Hopefully, after all that speed and chasing we make time for ourselves.  Like finding time to slow down and enjoy the little things.  Going out and doing something you love.  Finding time to enjoy your hobbies.  If you keep bending a branch it will break, same goes for us.  As the weekend approaches I am going to try not to think of what I have to do next week, or what bills I have to pay, but I'm going to focus on spending time unwinding and allowing my body the relaxation it needs.  A happy spirit lives a long life.  A friend and coworker passed away not too long ago.  I was thinking how he is gone and life keeps moving without him.  One day life will keep moving without me or you.  So, the challenge today is to take the negative moments in life and used them as experiences thus changing them into positives.  Keep moving forwards, because life doesn't stop or slow down for our issues. Today I will leave you with a few verses.

3 John 1:2
Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.

1 Peter 5:7-9
Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.


Keisha

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Day 14. Yesterday I was angry.  Today the person whom I was angry with apologized for how they
handled the situation with me. I also apologized for my part in the electricity spark.  I was more hurt then anything.  That's the thing with anger.....is the initial feeling most of the time isn't anger it's embarrassment, hurt, disappointment and other feelings that turn into anger.  Anyway, I had a pretty good day.  Very excited about tomorrow being the last work day of my week.  Smiles all around brings everyone joy!

What's on my mind....setting goals.  I used to set goals and knock them down one by one.  For maybe the past few years I've lost focus and haven't really set many goals for myself.  I was kind of just going with the flow of life.  That could be dangerous.  Just going with the flow of life had me in places with people and situations that I really didn't want to be in.  The first step was realizing where and what I wanted to do with myself.  Once I narrowed down where I wanted to be in life, and what I wanted, things started falling into place.  I really believe that anything you dream of and you work hard for can come to fruition.  So, today I am focused on setting goals and dreaming big.  I challenge you today to set at least three goals you would like to accomplish within the next year.  I challenge you to knock them down one by one.  This is certainly a step forward in the process of changing this upside down world one step at a time.  Today I will leave you with inspirational quotes.

A goal is a dream with a deadline. -Napoleon Hill

You’ll fail at a 100% of the goals you don’t set. -Mark Victor Hansen

An individual without a goal is like a person white water rafting without paddles allowing the current to just carry them is dangerous. -Keisha

Keisha

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Day 13. And what a 13th day it was.  I got so angry at someone today that I could feel the rage inside me building.  It's such an unpleasant feeling.  It took everything I had not to lash out.  The tension we had between us was so electric meaning if someone had stood between us I feel like they would have been electrocuted.  Even now when I write this I have such an angry feeling towards this person.  It's really difficult in life when you don't want to be around someone and you have to be.  It takes a lot of self control to get the job you came to do done without having this person effect the work you have to perform.  It's like trying to change your life and having the devil come mess up what you have going.  You have to pick up your feelings, maintain your composure, and continue on with purpose.  It's not an easy thing to do.  I always feel like when things are going well the devil doesn't like it and will battle you until you give up.  Servants of God you can't give up!  He will be at every door, every corner, under every thing you lift trying to destroy you and what you have created.  The poor weak souls give in, the weak and slightly stable souls get lost, but the strong souls, fight with every fiber, every muscle, every bone, and the spirit always wins in the end...and the battle starts over......

What's on my mind?  The people who we care about the most have the potential to hurt us the most, because they know our weaknesses.  They know what buttons are the wrong ones or (to get you fired up) the right ones to push. Some people have a rough patch and unload their trash on you. It's really difficult to not allow these things to get to your heart.  Understanding is key.  Keeping in mind that maybe they are going through something.  Don't do to them what they do to you.  Don't do to anyone what they do to you. Try not to allow them to bring you down.  I truly believe in everything happening for a reason.  Sometimes in life we go through rough times, because they make us stronger.  Some of us should be the strongest people in the world!  However, when you go through these things and come out a campion then you have the wisdom to help someone else who is currently going through something similar.  The challenge today in changing this upside down world is to help someone going through what you went through.  Give them sound advise and support.  Be a shoulder for them to lean on.  I believe this also brings strength to your soul.  Today I will leave you with an educational video.

Anger Management

Keisha

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Day 12.  Today I have been on an emotional roller coaster.  I was tired this morning and didn't want to get out of bed...well, that's every morning.  But in the afternoon I was up and down.  The mind is a powerful and serious tool.  I was in a decent mood until I started thinking about negative things and feeling sorry for myself.  It's amazing how self talk can bring you down and lift you up. Being able to speak positive to yourself has to be a learned trait.  I say this because we are our own worst enemies.  No one can talk to me as negative as I can talk to myself.  In this quest of changing this upside down world I continue today to work on staying positive.  I am also being mindful that allowing the negative in can effect my mood and in turn effect someone else's mood who I come into contact with.

What's on my mind today.......LOVE.  Such a profound emotion that when practiced can be liberating and devastating.  It's amazing to me how people are attracted to each other.  Why some people are more attracted to others and vise versa.  I'm sure their are lots of studies that can explain this ideology.  I just think it's amazing how we as people connect with each other.  I really think the first part is finding a common interest.  However, once you are in love it can be amazing.  Being in love makes people do amazing things.  When someone is in love they can climb the highest mountain and brave the coldest storms. Why should this surprise anyone when God basically said of all the greatest feelings love is on top.  I can't image anyone not having experienced this wonderful feeling.  Love comes in different forms, so I would think it impossible not to have embarked on it sometime in ones life.  I think if people love more, then their is less time for loves' arch nemesis "hate."  I challenge you today to be more open minded and love more.  Sometime in life we hold our love back like only a few people deserve it.  It should be the opposite, we should hold back hate and love more, because everyone should be exposed to our light.  Today I will leave you with a verse.

Matthew 5:43-45

Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Keisha

Monday, September 15, 2014

Day 11. It's Monday again.  I am so drained.  I guess I had to much relaxation over the weekend.  I have so many things I would like to talk about, but I really don't want to get into religion, politics, or race right now.  Those are my topics that I don't discuss with people I don't know.  That always comes out bad, so I'm going to hold off discussing those things for right now.  I've mentioned before how time seems to fly by.  It's almost fall and I really didn't get to enjoy summer like I really wanted to.  Fall is my favorite time of year.  I love when the tress turn colors and the leaves fall off.  It's like art in motion to me.  The only thing I don't like about fall is that winter is right next door.  People who live in warmer climates are so lucky.  Although, they seem to pay for it through the cost of living in those areas.  I always wonder why my ancestors/family moved to the town I live in.  Not that I couldn't move, I just kind of feel stuck here, because most of my family is here.  I always hear people say take a leap of faith.  To me that means jump into the unknown with hopes and faith that things will turn out okay.  Do we do that in life a lot or not enough?

What's on my mind today....I was talking to a past client and the light bulb finally went on for him.  He called me out of the blue to tell me everything that I used to tell him he now sees.  Things that I had been telling him for months and maybe even a few years finally set in.  I tell everyone that if you want to change the perception that people have of you then change your behaviors.  If you don't want to be considered a liar then stop lying.  If you don't want to be considered a thief then stop stealing.  Some people don't realize that if you change your behaviors it can change the way people see you.  We also discussed how drugs give you a sense of a false reality.  Being under the influence of a drug, and doing it often will make you believe things about people, about yourself that aren't true.  Until your body gets clean and your mind gets clear from the fog you may not be able to see it, or see things clearly.  For me being healthy means being spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically sound.  I call it "SEMP" sound, because it's simple.  That means taking care of yourself spiritually by meditating, yoga, the Bible, and/or Church.  Taking care of your emotional well being by thinking positive and/or surrounding yourself with positive people.  Being mentally stable could mean seeing a counselor or talking to a trusted friend.  Venting about issues and dealing with life by having good coping skills are important.  And lastly, but not least doing what is necessary physically like eating healthy and working out keeps your body happy.  If you follow these things then you are "SEMP" sound.  Not taking care of these areas in life can cause all sorts of problems that can devastate your well being.  I challenge you today to make sure you are doing something in each of these areas to stay SEMP sound.  Try it for a day and the next day and the next day.  I promise you, you will feel like a different person.  Today, I will leave you with a verse.  For all the juveniles that I have ever spoken to, and who at times don't believe in themselves, anything is possible and for you I leave an inspirational song of the seemingly impossible becoming possible.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

The seemingly impossible becoming possible


Keisha

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Day 10...celebrate and be who you are.  I know in this quest we are working to change this upside down world by changing the things we do not like.  Even changing things we do not like about ourselves.  I hope their are lots of beautiful and wonderful things you like about yourself, celebrate those things and be yourself.  Smile at yourself in the mirror and tell yourself how smart, beautiful, and wonderful you are.  Oh, and while you are at it, tell someone else how smart, beautiful and wonderful they are.  This week I had moments of fear, and became discouraged in my thinking.  I believe this to be my own insecurities.  I quickly realized what I was doing and encouraged myself to not give up and keep going.  For me this requires a "pep talk." When life gets hard and things get busy or tedious I have a tendency of wanting to give up and give in.  This is from fear mostly.  I believe fear is the number one thing that keeps us from reaching our true potential.  If we allow fear to win we put ourselves at great risk of failure.  If we face fear and continue on then we are at a greater potential for success.  Life is short, so why not battle fear and the things we are afraid of?

What's on my mind is how hard it is to change.  I am an impatient person.  I am like our current trends wanting everything fast and in a hurry.  Change takes time and man now that I am actively working on being a better person I see a lot of my flaws.  I make epic mistakes and often.  If I worry about all my character defects I will get overwhelmed so I am taking this one step at a time.  One of my character defects is that I realized my need to lie when I feel it will hurt someone's feelings.  I don't like not being truthful, even if it will hurt someone's feelings.  I guess it's not what you say, but how you say it.  Today, I am so passionate about being truthful.  It's not easy!  What do you say to a new parent of an ugly baby?  "Awwww, he has so much hair, he looks like his father."  I didn't lie, I was being truthful!!!  My challenge today is for you to fight the fear of sparing ones' feelings and be truthful.  It's how you present the material that makes the difference.  It is true that truth will set you free.  Try it for an entire day!  Today I will leave you with a truthful video.

To Tell The Truth

Keisha

Saturday, September 13, 2014

It's day 9. I'm feeling wonderful today, because it's Saturday and I don't have to work, and I can just relax.  I can allow my brain some time to chill out....one of my very most favorite things to do in this world is laugh!  Yep, I love talking with someone and having a great laugh.  I was at work this week and I went to speak with a friend in another department.  She was telling me she was having one of those days when she didn't feel like being at work.  We all have those days!  She is one of the funniest people I know.  We started talking about things that I knew would get her worked up and laughing.  Before, I left her department she was almost in tears laughing.  She then thanked me for making her laugh, because that made her day.  We were laughing about raw chicken legs and this one you just had to be there to understand, so in the middle of the day I emailed a picture of a raw chicken leg and I knew she had to be at her desk cracking up!  Laughter can brighten the worst of days, so use it.  Laugh and make the heart happy, make someone else laugh and make the soul happy.

What's on my mind is this week I was sitting in a training thinking about how we are taught at a young age that being number one is the best.  That we should aspire to be number one and if we aren't then we have failed.  This is really a cruel teaching.  Think about it; little kids line up and fight over who's going to be first in line.  My kids are always fighting over who's going to get to the car first, so they can get the best seat which happens to be upfront.  At work people compete against each other to be the best. As humans we need each other, but everything is one big competition.  However,  no one can run a successful company by themselves.  Why don't we teach partnership and networking?  The funny thing is that this is were the break down is, because we are so busy competing we don't want to share information.  Because someone might get ahead of us with our own information.  We tend to care a lot in this upside down world about things that are petty.  Being the first and being the best can ruin relationships.  God even says that who is first must come last.  With the premise that being last you are watching out for others not just yourself.    The challenge today is not to compete with others, but compete with yourself.  Work hard for self improvement, not with the desire to be the best standing alone.  I don't know, but I imagine it would be a great feeling to climb the highest mountain and reach the top with your best friend then by yourself.  Some people climb that mountain and end up by themselves, because in the scheme of things they left everyone behind or worse stepped on people to get to the top faster.  I challenge you to not just be the best, but help someone else to be their best as well. I will leave you with a verse and a laugh!

Mark 9:35
Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all."

He had a bad day, but he's still smiling.

Keisha

Friday, September 12, 2014

Day 8. I was watching a popular television show on cable television and was flabbergasted to see what I would call soft porn.  The television show came on at 10 PM.  I could only imagine children's who's parents don't monitor what they are watching and how this could effect them emotionally/mentally.  The truth is that we have parents who don't monitor or don't care what their children are watching on television. It's really sad to think how they will develop emotionally/mentally with what is going on in society.  I believe it takes a village to raise a child.  It's really difficult for a person to raise children and if they are forced to do it alone it's even harder.

What's on my mind a lot lately is self perception.  How I see myself seems different sometime from how others see me.  In this quest to change our upside down world self perception and change should be first.  How can we change the world if our own morals and values are corrupt?  So, self examination is necessary.  Even when I look in the mirror I believe I see something different then what other people see.  It's like being at a scene of an accident and their are like 7 different accounts of what went on, because everyone's perception is different.  If your perception is closed and negative it doesn't benefit anyone, not even yourself.  Work on changing what you don't like about yourself one day at a time.  I challenge you today to truly look at yourself and change what you feel will benefit your life.  Each night reflect on the kind of person you would like to become and ask yourself are you moving in that direction?

Today. I will leave you with a quiet thought....think positive.

Keisha

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Day 7.....today is September 11.  The day we remember all those who lost their lives on 9/11/01.  We have all been through so much.  Last night President Obama announced that we are facing threats of  terrorism from within the Middle East and North Africa.  It's a sad day when our children can't go to school without the fear of being killed.  This isn't just from terrorism, but also from mentally disturbed people within our own country.  It's really sad that their are children and people in other parts of the world who are traumatized by war and violence.  As I write this I am at a park watching my children play without a care in the world.  Isn't that how it should be?  We are plagued by greed, anger, and the desire to control.  Imagine a world of peace were adults weren't afraid to walk in there own neighborhood, where their wasn't sexual assault, violence, trauma, or criminal activity.  I'm a dreamer, but if everyone took responsibility for themselves we could have this peaceful world.  I believe one person can cause chaos that leads to war.  I would think that the feeling of being treated unjustly would invoke one to act out.  Again, if we were just responsible for our own actions and behaviors.  If one person can cause chaos another can cause restoration.  If we continue on the path we are on our children will continue to live in a world that fosters the very things we try to protect them from.  In my quest of changing this upside down world I am going to be fair and treat others with respect, even when it's not returned.  I challenge you to do the same.  I challenge you for all those who lost their lives on 9/11, for our children's future and our world to be fair and just.  I challenge you in this difficult time to invoke restoration.  Please remember how our actions can effect another person.  Take responsibility and be accountable for your own actions, words, and behaviors.  I will leave you with a verse.

John 13:34-35 New International Version (NIV)

34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Day 6. I really thought this would be easy.  It's not as easy as I thought.  When I started this memoir/change this upside down world challenge I was fired up and motivated.  I was dreaming when I told myself I could do this for an entire year.  I'm not so sure anymore, and it's only been 6 days. Lol!!!

I started this thinking I would be open and honest, but truthfully I haven't really divulged many personal things about myself.  I knew from the beginning tho that this would be my biggest challenge. It is extremely hard for me to let people in.  Why is that?  Maybe, I'm afraid of how I will look or what people will think.  I'm not perfect and no one is, but I strive daily to be better then I was the day before.  Why do we care so much about what others think?  I've heard a lot of people say they don't care what others think, but I don't know if I believe that.  Their is always an exception to the rule, but deep inside, because we as humans need others, we have to care.  I guess their are different levels of caring that vary individually.  Some people care more then others.  I know that celebrities go through a lot of scrutiny.  I bet when negative things are said about them it has to hurt. I think we should implement a paparazzi free Sunday.  Anyway, I always wonder when someone goes on a reality television show and watch it later do they really absorb who they are and sometime are they disgusted or surprised?  Especially, when other people get to weigh in on their personality and behaviors.  I know that if I were to ever go on a reality show that I would really get to see myself and I am afraid of that outcome.  In the world according to Keisha people would be accepted for how they are: If a guy wants a pink mohawk and purple eye brows who am I to degrade or talk about him?  I wish we all did accept each other the good and bad.  The worse part is that everyone's opinion on what is good or what is bad are so different.  We all have the capacity to be nice, sweet, thoughtful, compassionate and understanding.  The issue is that we also have the capacity to be the opposite of those things.  I always tell people that everyone has a special gift or skill and that gift or skill can be used for positive or for negative.  Their is no doubt that when we do positive things we feel good, so why don't we strive to do this all the time?  Why aren't we understanding that sometime people have a hard day or are going through something, so we should over look the negative response we may get from that individual.  Sometime we are in a different mood and we think it's someone else who is the problem when it's really us.  So, why do we allow people to change our moods?  We can only change our mood if we allow the stimulus to effect us.  We shouldn't let this happen. I know easier said then done, but that's what this memoir is about.... Challenging ourselves to be different and to do different.

What's on my mind today is how fast time seems to be going.  It's as if we don't get enough sleep in a day.  It's as if we don't have enough hours in a day to complete things.  I feel like I spend most of my time at work, in my car, and only a very few precious minutes at home.  I love being home and relaxing.  I know plenty of people who are always on the go, but if you are a parent with children who are active you have no choice, but to be on the go.  It gets frustrating sometime, but in the end we all like to think its worth it, right?  I guess what I am getting at is when we leave this earth what type of person do we want to be remembered as?  With the limited time we have what kind of person are we that our children will model?  I am so not ready to leave this earth, but I'm also not wanting to be remembered how I am at this present day.  I work hard and have accomplished a lot, but I'm not completely satisfied yet.  I want to leave something for my children.  Mostly, I want them to be good Christian servants and I want to be a better person so they will be better people.  Which leads to our challenge.....I challenge you to be more understanding to different circumstances.  I challenge you not to allow anyone to alter your happy mood.  If someone cuts you off while driving pray for their safe journey.  If a coworker gets on your nerves, smile and pray for them to have busy work...lol.  Just don't allow anyone to steal your happy today.  I will leave you with a verse.

Proverbs 16:20
He that handles a matter wisely shall find good: and whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he.


Keisha

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Day 5. So, if you haven't figured it out I am a dreamer.  I am one that believes what you put out in the universe will happen.  I pray often for lots of things.  I also say thank you and ask forgiveness from God.  I am a dreamer meaning that I dream big.  I believe what you ask for (if it is the will of God) will be given to you.  I also believe that success is measured by effort.  The more effort you put into something the more successful you will become.  With that combination; dreaming big, trusting in God and hard work, how can you fail?  And even if you do fail persistence is key!  That just means I keep working towards the targeted goal until I am successful.  In a perfect  (not so upside down) world this would always turn out perfect.

What's on my mind.....we don't live in a perfect world and there are many people who will "dream kill."  I like to call them dream killers.  They tell you that your dream will never happen, that you are a dreamer and you don't live in reality.  They say that you are silly or crazy.  They say all these dream killing things that you start to question your own motive.  Usually, it's not just one dream killer telling you this, but maybe a few of them.  It can bring you down and make you feel intimidated if you allow it. Imagine back in the day when Robert Hooke asked his best friend to take a string and two cans and talk to him on one end.  His friend probably questioned his motives.  He may have even called him crazy.....and look at how the phone has evolved since then!  Now, you can call, talk, and see the other person on a telephone.  I give this example to say that there are many dream killers among us and instead of feeling defeated, excel.  Dream killers motivate me to do better.  They motivate me to want more, to be more, to be the better person.  I just smile at them and continue on my journey.  So, I appreciate dream killers, because they keep me on my toes.  I challenge you today in the quest of becoming a better person to get motivated by your dream killers.  Never give up on your dream.  I always say that I have a stadium and I may be my only fan, so I can't let myself down!!!!  If you are a dream killer (which we all are at one point or another) I challenge you to uplift someone with wild dreams and be supportive.  In life you never know what will happen.  Making fun of someone about their dream, may be the same dream that has come to fruition, and you are thanking them for later.  Today, I will leave you with a very inspirational video.

WEAR SUNSCREEN

Keisha

Monday, September 8, 2014

Day 4, Monday. I'm so tired.  Mondays are always hard for me to get back into the swing of things.  I tell people all the time that doing the right thing is harder then doing the wrong thing.  Like getting up every morning and going to work, paying bills, and being responsible seems so much harder then not doing what's right.  Sometimes, I come across people who think musicians and actors have it easy.  I can't remember yesterday let alone remember lines to a movie or 12-16 song lyrics on a CD.  Anything worth having is hard work.

What's on my mind today under the Monday fog is being appreciative.  I hear all the time that we never miss something until it's gone.  I spent today appreciating the little things:  Appreciating the yellow butterfly that flew in front of me, appreciating the smile on my children's face and how happy they seem, appreciating the quiet moment I had during a busy day, appreciating the food I had to nourish my body, appreciating my neighbor who smiled and said good morning, appreciating the wisdom I have to write, appreciating the ability to be mobile.  Today nothing was too small to be appreciated.  In a blink of any eye it could all evaporate.  I challenge you tomorrow to appreciate the air you have to breathe, and the family and friends you have that share their joy with you.  Because, we are not guaranteed the little pleasures that we don't even acknowledge as pleasures.  I will leave you with a verse today.

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Day 3. In my quest of becoming a better person I realized something significant today.... I realized that I spend a lot of time thinking about past mistakes.  Too much time thinking about things I've done wrong or times I've failed at something, and wondering if those things had never happened, if I had made a different choice would my life be different?  I really think I am a positive person, but carrying this weight is negative. I realized that when I start thinking of these things they make me sad.  I feel defeated like I am a loser.  The worse part is that some of my choices have effected other people. People I love and care about.  Your choices will most likely effect the people close to you, those who you really love.  I realized today that I beat myself up about these things.  I haven't forgiven myself.  The even harder part is that someone who my choices effect didn't forgive me either.  I can't change them.  I can only work on myself.  But it doesn't help when I'm beating myself up about it, and this person who is very close to me every now and again will also remind me of this mistake.  I love this person with all my heart, but I realize I can't continue to beat myself up about it nor can I allow them too either.  I decided that I would give them distance to work this out, so I can work myself out.  Sometime in life we have to separate ourselves from the situation or from the person to really work on what we know is important.  Especially in the pursuit of becoming a better person.  One of the hardest things in life is letting go.  I know I have to let go and let God.  I know I have to learn from my mistakes, because I will continue to make mistakes and often, hopefully not the same ones.  We are human and that means that no one is perfect, so mistakes are inevitable.  Einstein said a man who never failed, never tried anything new.  Today, I'm not going to focus on my past failures. I am going to push forward to making new mistakes and learning from them.  I'm not going to beat myself up about them and I am not going to allow anyone else to continue beating me up either.  As much as I love them I will have to let them go.....my happiness means bringing others happiness and vise versa.  If I can't be happy what help can I be?  My best friend once told me that God brings people in our lives, but we get to decide who stays, who goes, and what role they play.  I challenge you today to forgive yourself for past mistakes, failures, and faults:  But mostly I challenge you to forgive someone who has hurt you, forgive them for their mistakes also.  Life is short lets spend the rest of our time on this earth appreciating all the good things we've done.  Celebrating all the accomplishments we tend to over look. Let's spend time remembering all the good things and not focusing on the bad.  I will leave you with a song today.

Mark Schultz- He Will Carry Me.

Keisha

Saturday, September 6, 2014

This is day 2. I can't remember the last time I committed myself to doing anything.  I used to set goals and chase after them with a vengeance.  I'm not sure when that changed.  I guess when life tossed me around in a different direction then of my goal at some point I stopped fighting it and gave in to the path I kept ending up on.  If you've lived long enough you realize that life won't give you everything you want.  Their are so many disappointments.  You have to find pockets of happiness.

What's on my mind today has to do with why we have so much violence.  Does anyone else notice that our children are being raised in a highly violent era? From video games to movies to television.  The sad part is that we allow this to occur.  If we didn't buy those video games or purchase the television channels we wouldn't endorse this behavior.  I know people understand that continued exposure to violence will desensitize or cause a child to accept or be comfortable with violence.  This leads to aggressive behaviors.   That is scary in a time when young people are carrying guns and using them.  Part of my new initiative in writing these memoirs is the quest to change our upside down world.  If we don't nurture and teach our children the right things we automatically lose, because they will carry the torch when we can't anymore.  We have to be more aware and caring.  We can't be to busy to educate our children with love, compassion, understanding and support.  Or worse just ignore and allow these things that will negatively effect our world.  The challenge today is to show kindness  to a young person. Take a niece or nephew out to eat, buy a neighbor kid an ice cream, or simply tell your child how proud you are of them.  By showing them kindness we drown out the violence and increase the chance of them sharing that same kindness to someone else.

Proverbs 22:6 
Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.

Keisha

Friday, September 5, 2014

It is September 5, 2014, a Friday.  I decided with all the ratchet “reality television” that I would write something that is real reality. Not something that is scripted and edited to convey only what I want you to believe, but the truth about what really is going on.  I hope I can convey through my memoirs what the “real” average person is going through in this world right now.  It will be very difficult for me to allow someone into my world.  A world in which I have moments of embarrassments, failures, successes, heart ache, struggles, support, and for me God, which is where my hope and faith keep me a float.  It’s 2014 and so much has transpired in the last decade that makes this world seem like it’s falling into some sort of abyss.  And maybe it’s just that every generation feels that way.  Change brings about something that causes an emotional uprising and mental confusion for most people.  It takes anyone time to adjust.  In this world right now it seems that if you can’t adjust you just get lost.  Lost could mean different things.  It’s not even a month since the death of Robin Williams.  Something very tragic that has shocked and saddened this planet, and I could go on and on forever about many things that his death brings to mind.  One of which I will discuss now since it is fresh is the pain of depression.  Every human being, nope, every living creature on this earth has thecapacity to experience and has experienced depression.  I can say this with certainty, because my belief in God who made everything gives me this assurance.  Depression left unresolved is deadly.  For some people that feeling of their worst day ever lingers on into weeks, into months, into a year can devastate a life.  Do we as a uniformed people really care about the lives of others?  Or are we just concerned with ourselves (individually).  So much is going on in the world that our focus becomes on surviving, and survival for everyone is different.  For some survival means making more money, for some it means finding food, for some it means working harder.  I believe we get so caught up in suriving that we don’t have time for the really meaningful and important things; like checking on that neighbor we haven’t seen in weeks.  Or that friend who wasn’t feeling well lately, or that teacher we saw distraught and different.  It’s a sad way of living to focus on just what is right in front of you and not what is all around you.  Maybe, I am just speaking from a limited point of view, laugh out loud (lol) my own, and is this part of life?  Is this the way we really want things to be?  Are we more concerned with correct English then understanding what is trying to be communicated?  For me, what I just said, that feeling you have right now understanding what you know to be the truth, for me it’s God filling my heart to say this.  Some time the truth is hard to digest.  These are basically the same things that a friend brought my attention to from an inmate awaiting death row by the name of Ray Jasper.  If you haven’t heard what he has to say you gatta look it up.  The internet is a wonderful source of information that has changed our world, connected our cultures, and educates us outside of the proverbial classroom.  On my first day of this memoir I started off deep.  I guess that’s just who I am.  What I always hear “Living the dream,usually said in a sarcastic tone.  I believe that one person can change a world, and I also believe it takes a village to raise a child.  Today, I want to challenge the world to change, starting with you.  One root can give life to many branches.  AnyoneI’ve ever spoken to has the same belief that our world, our system of living is upside down and that change can be made to make things better.  If we all work together we can accomplish anything.  Our history proves this.  Everyday, I am going to challenge the world.  We have weight loss challenges all the time.  I wanted to put “all” in capital letters.  What about challenging our mental and emotional state by uniting as one and making this world a better place for our children, ourselves, and our futuregenerations?  How we cope with life is how we really survive.  If we don’t have the coping skills or the support we are doomed.  We need to be proactive instead of reactive which is our seemingly bad trend.  So, the challenge today is to work on something that would make you a better person.  Check on that friend who said they weren’t feeling well.  Work on being a nicer person.  Don’t worry about how that bill is going to get paid today, but lend some words ofinspiration to someone who lost a parent, or child, or any love one.  Help a neighbor pull weeds, go have coffee or tea with an old friend.  Talk to someone new you don’t know, help an old man or women across the street.  Give away today a piece of real humanity and show kindness or for Ray Jasper, for today show empathy…….

Keisha.