Brandelyn: Lyrical Contradiction

            For the last five days I have been on a break from the writing project I’ve been working on. So for the last five days I have been chillen and it’s been wonderful. This morning I woke up and felt like something was missing. I realized that even though I have been working on this project I have not really been writing, at least not my own stuff. Now that my third book is complete, I have an idea for the next one, but I haven’t REALLY started working on that. I haven’t been blogging, or journaling, or even reading good books and it hit me this morning that this is why I have been so on edge. Writing for me is my therapy, my escape. No matter what is going on, I know that I can sit down for hours at a time and slip into someone else’s world. I need that because sometimes my world is way too much to deal with. So today I am going to head over to the Bucks as my friend Peirce calls it and sit there until I start to feel better. I brought my laptop and my composition notebook with my ideas and I am going to get it cracking. I feel the tension leaving my shoulders just sitting here writing this blog so I know I need to take some me time and write. I think it is also time for a nice vacation. Nothing big, but somewhere where my cell phone has no reception and I have enough time and space to sort out my thoughts. That sounds lovely. Anyway, I just want to encourage you that if you are feeling a bit on edge, stressed out and need a break, find that thing that makes you happy and just take some time to do it. Whatever it is, take time to get away, free your mind and fly away. (Shout out to Ledisi). Only four more hours and then I’m off to the Bucks… I can’t wait!

Peace Y’all…

B

Posted by Brandelyn at 09:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

 

            One of my goals for this year is to work on my general attitude. I notice that I whine and complain a lot and I need to stop that. The bible says Let everything that has breath praise the Lord so I have been working very hard to be a praiser instead of a complainer. Since I have been checking myself, I have become keenly aware of how much complaining actually goes on around me. It’s kind of like when you are fasting, all of a sudden food is everywhere! LOL! So now that I am trying very hard not to do things the old way, I have become keenly aware of the attitudes around me. This morning there was a woman on the bus who sat in the very front seat, complaining and griping about everything. It was really a downer listening to her and I wondered if I had ever had that same type of affect on people. There is a woman at my job who never has anything kind to say about anyone and I notice that when I leave from talking to her I feel a little grumpy.

 

            I think that as human beings we have a responsibility to each other to at least care about each other. It is very easy to transfer negative energy back and forth by complaining, gossiping, being mean and overall unkind when we are around each other. It is one thing to talk about problems with the hopes of finding a solution, but when you just complain for the sake of hearing your own voice, that is a downer. This morning as I was doing my daily devotional it said to go outside, no matter what the weather was looking like and look for five things God created to be beautiful for us. I really like this idea because instead of focusing on whatever negative thoughts may be going through your head, it forces to focus on the positive and in turn praise God for the wonderful things He has done. Just the thought of that makes me feel better and makes me want to do something to feel good every morning. The key to happiness is really about our attitudes. If we constantly focus on the negative, we will become suffocated by it and then what? The fact that we even woke up this morning is something to get excited about. If your life is in shambles, you have another day to get it together. I am going to make an effort to change my attitude because life really is too short to walk around underneath a black cloud.

            So my declaration is that I am reclaiming my joy. There are a lot of truly negative people around me, but maybe I am supposed to be that ray of sunshine for them. Who knows? All I know is that I am going to do my best to focus on the good and remain positive. I have a lot of good friends, a crazy family, my church family and people who are doing positive things in the world. I have a lot to be thankful for instead of focusing in on what I don’t have. No mas! So I want to encourage anyone reading this to reclaim your joy. Take a minute while you are out somewhere and look for something positive to think about. Worrying, negativity and all things bitter causes wrinkles as my mom always says, so why let ugliness affect you. Dust off the haters and the negative and keep moving forward! Just breathe, thank God and reclaim your joy!

Peace Y’all

B

Posted by Brandelyn at 12:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

I realize… A reflection on 2007…

 

            I had no idea it had been so long since I posted a blog. I have been knee deep in the fairly new job working with the kids, waist deep in the new writing project and neck deep in my activities with the church that over a month has passed by…my bad.  Now that it is 2008, I have a moment to sit down and think about the woman I was shaped and molded into this past year.  Hindsight is always 20/20 and here are a few things that I realize.

 

I realize that I am not actually a very helpful person, instead I am a punctual person. One of my pet peeves in life is being late. If something is supposed to start at a certain time, or if I am supposed to be somewhere at a certain time, I like for things to go as planned. So when friends have functions that are supposed to start at 2 and I arrive at 2, I expect for things to be up and ready to go, or at least close. 9 times out of 10 that is not the case and me, being my usual punctual self usually finds myself in prime position to help get the show on the road. That is not to say I wouldn’t help anyway, but I will never actually know because functions never start on time…I’m just saying…

 

I realize that I am finally committed, dedicated and becoming successful at getting my life together. I have thus far lost 20 pounds and two dress sizes… I have managed to stay out of overdraft in both of my accounts for over 6 months now, I am focused and reaching toward my career goals… my house is generally clean…things are looking good.  Nana always says that the way things are in the beginning of the year is the way it will remain for the rest of the year…so far I think 2008 is going to be a good year…

 

I realize that my decision to be single in 07 was the best choice I could have made…I have finally flushed out all of my issues and feel confident that I can move forward with my life without all of the baggage. I feel lighter and I finally understand what it means to be a complete whole person. I understand now that whoever I wind up with will not complete me, but enhance everything that I already have going on. That is such a wonderful feeling!

 

I realize that I waste a lot of time. I am not making resolutions for 2008, but there are some things that I really want to start doing. For instance, I want to start cooking again. Have some dinner parties with the whole course thing happening and start experimenting. I want to pick up where I left off with my guitar lessons and I want to travel more this year. 2007 was a tough emotional year so in 08 I really want to laugh more and I mean that hard, make your stomach hurt laughter. In essence, I want to truly enjoy my life and live each day with my eyes open.

 

I realize that the power of friendship is something that no one can touch. I know that no matter what I have that friend in my life that will never judge (except when necessary, which is often if you know me at all! LOL), will always be there (except when she constantly screens me when I call!) and who will always understand me. Friends like her are a very rare and special thing and I am so truly truly blessed to have her in my life. Rose, 2008 is going down!

 

2007 taught me a million and one things, but I think the most important lesson I learned was that it is absolutely okay and even beneficial for me to be exactly who I am. There can be no more hiding behind my weight and my insecurities. My Rose came up with the phrase “Don’t Hate in 08” because 2007 has forced me to take a long hard look at myself and finally soak in some real true confidence… so I hope you are ready for this new year! The number 8 represents new beginnings, so I pray good health, prosperity, love, peace and loads of foolery for all of you in the new year!

 

 

The Legacy Truly Begins….

 

Peace Y’all

 Brandelyn

Posted by Brandelyn at 07:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)