Each day brings new lessons. And lessons are necessary for those of us seeking bigger and better in our lives. I have made a sincere commitment to myself to be all that I can be, and in doing so, I am always up for learning something new every single day. I am always seeking opportunities to broaden my horizon.
Don't ever think that you are too wise to learn something. And don't you dare think that children can't teach us something that we aren't already familiar with. Children seem to envision life totally different than adults. They don't take life too seriously and because of that, their little minds tend to always be available to learning. When I think about my grandchildren, I recognize that their little minds are extremely intelligent. Their explanation of certain things is comical, but it tells me that their little minds are always working and they are becoming themselves. I am totally in awe when my 6-year-old granddaughter sits down to hold a conversation with me and when I say something that she cannot clearly understand, she calmly says "can you repeat that?" Now I don't know about you, but when I hear a 6-year-old say "can you repeat that?", I immediately know that she's interested in learning about what it is that I have to say, and even during our very general conversation, she is learning and increasing her intellect. Just like when we all learned to walk as toddlers, we should learn that growth eventually dictates our successes.
Life's lessons are many! Be open-minded and be available to learn. We can all learn something from people that we come in conact with. Your successes depend on the encounters that you make on this road called life.
The KEY to growth and success is:
It would be a shame to live on this earth and not learn something.
Smooches . . .
Just like love is a very strong word, so too is friend. Some folk use the word friend so loosely and it amazes me that some people really have no clue as to what friendship entails. Friends who are true friends are those that walk into your life when everyone else walks out.
Does it mean that your friend will always agree with you? Absolutely not. But friends understand that just because we don't agree on everything, we love each other enough to respect the decisions that we make. Friends are those that you can tell things to and NEVER have to worry about hearing them again. Friends are those that will listen without all of the time responding. You know, sometimes folk do just want to be able to vent without always hearing your thoughts on certain issues.
Let's be honest, some of our friends really shouldn't hold that title. They seem to NEVER deposit into the friendship what it is that they withdraw. Take a keen look at those friends that you have on your team. If they need to be on the bench, by all means put them there. Friends that don't understand "friendship" will drain your energy and your spirit.
Me personally, I recognize that some of my "friends" don't deserve to be on the front row. They are more fitting on the sidewalk.
Do yourself a favor and check your friends.
Smooches . . .
The television is bombarded with so many reality shows nowadays but one that I ran across recently speaks to an all new level of trash. Without getting too deep, the jest of the show highlighted the lifestyle of millionaires and how they came from nothing to a lot of something. Now I have ALWAYS said that money cannot buy class and this show confirms what I've always spoke of from day one.
The profanity, the backstabbing, the gossiping, and the fighting is absolutely ridiculous! And I have been in the presence of several folk with money but they have never acted like I saw these people acting on television. My attendance at the finer black tie affairs, my time spent in the skybox of major sporting events, and my opportunities to mingle and network with folk on Palm Beach and on Rodeo Drive who have more money than I can dream of have been many but NEVER have I witnessed any of them act in a way that I saw those people on this show act. It's embarrassing, it speaks to their level of sophistication, and it demonstrates that not all people can handle the attention that money oftentimes brings.
Lastly, as I stated earlier, money CANNOT buy class. If you are rude prior to having an abundance of money, guess what? You will just be a rude person with money. Money can buy the finest luxury vehicles. I can pay for the nicest home in the best gated community. It can even pay for an excursion of a lifetime. But it cannot and will not buy class.
It's time to change. It's time to want to do better. It's time to demonstrate that we are more than what society thinks of us. It's not always about what we have, it's more about the impact that we leave on others. Class will open doors; the smell of trash outside of the door will keep the door closed forever.
Smooches . . .
It was written long before I knew how to write, that I would be a success. I would be a success at something, it was just not known exactly what I would be a success at. I have learned that I am successful because I am me.
Each and every day I work dilligently at being the best me that I can be. I've learned the art of networking and I market "Team Tammy" on a daily basis. I continuously seek opportunities to learn and am always concentrating on excellence.
I am successful because I am fully aware of other people's plight, their challenges, and their circumstances. I don't pass judgement for I am always looking for ways to assist people in hopes of elevating them and directing them to their next level of success. I have a listening ear and I have been blessed with a peaceful aura, therefore people tend to gravitate to me and share some of thier life's challenges with me. They sense a sincere level of comfort and are able to openly communicate with me.
And while I am the first to admit that education isn't everything, I clearly realize that education can catulpult you to where you know that you need to be. Thus, I attribute much of my successes to my education. And I'm not only referring to my formal education, I am also speaking about informal education - those things that I learned about life 'along the way'. Those things that made me cry to the point where I learned a lesson from certain circumstances and I know that I never wanted to experience those things ever again.
Oftentimes I find myself thinking about my past and I go through a myriad of emotions. Sadness, anger, joy, frustration, and excitement have all been a part of my life. I'm no different from any other person. But how I dealt with those things has made all of the difference to me. I have been through some things and I am more than thankful for those things because they have transformed me into the Tammy that I am today.
Additionally, I had folk who prayed for me when I didn't have enough sense to pray for myself. I was covered by prayer before I learned of the importance of prayer. Now I know that it was those prayers for me that kept me on the right track when I wanted to do what I wanted to do.
So like I've said before, I am no different than anyone else. I am just me and I am the only me that I know to be. Take a moment to get to know who you are. Pinpoint your goals, your strengths and your weaknesses. Be true to yourself and begin to blossom into all that you know that you are. Believe in yourself and be the best you that you can be.
Each of us is special - pull out the best in you and shine, baby shine!
Smooches . . .
I was a young mother but I was a "real" mother. Having my first child at the age of 16, I was quickly thrust into mommy mode. I knew that I wanted to be the best example to my daughter than any other that she could have.
I completed my education, surrounded myself with positive people who pushed and encouraged me, and doors began to open for me because I was interested in more than what society said a teen mom was entitled to. I was determined and I was dedicated! I wanted what I deserved and no one was going to stop me.
Now please don't think that it was easy because it wasn't. I struggled like so many other young mothers, but I was committed to seeing better days. I wanted what I wanted and I was not going to let anyone deter me from those things. Having four daughters was no easy task. And having four daughters with four different personalities made things a bit more challenging but those were my children and I dealt with all of their personalities. They each liked their own things and I supported them in ther hobbies. I didn't miss a teacher conference, a school program, a PTA meeting, and any of their extra curricular activities. I stretched myself because they were "MY babies" and I was everything to them.
Now my children are grown ladies. Three of them have their own families, one is contiuing her education, and I am more than happy to be their mother. I am their friend, their counselor if they need one, their doctor/nurse if they need one, their professor, but most of all, I am their mother. The love that I have for them far exceeds any love that I have for anyone. Just like when they were young, their well-being still means everything to me and I love them more than any words can say.
They are my daughters but they will always be "MY" babies. I would have never known that I could love anyone as much as I love them. Children are indeed a blessing. Love on them each and everyday that you can. I am the mother of four of the most precious young ladies that I know.
Smooches . . .
I am not a mind reader and if I were, I would read the minds of individuals to see exactly what they are thinking. But because I am not a mind reader, I depend on individuals to communicate in an effort to ensure that we both understand each other.
I remember when I was in college, I was assigned to work in a cohort and if we were to be successful on our class project, it was a must that we communicate with each other. Everyone had to be on the same page. We had to be aware of each other's roles and tasks. We had to work together to achieve a common goal. And we did just that and we did it successfully. Our class project was amazing. We worked together and we shared information. We communicated and it was effective. We received an "A" on the assignment and we were all happy.
But why can't the "real" world be just that simple? Why can't co-workers communicate, work together, and get the job done? Why can't mates talk to each other about any and everything? And most importantly, why can't people agree to disagree? Everything doesn't always have to be an argument if we just consistently do something that we do anyway - TALK! Why are things the way that they are?
Take time out to talk with people and actively listen to what they have to say and then respect their thoughts. Oftentimes we find that a breakdown in communication is what led to dysfunction. Families are broken. Business relationships have ceased. Marriages and personal relationships have deterriorated. Just like when we go to the bank teller to make a withdrawal, we talk to the teller and tell her what we want and how we want our money, we should also be able to talk about what our wants and desires are in any and every situation.
Communication can make things flourish. Whatever the situation is, communicate about it and see what happens. Talk about it, then be about it!
Smooches . . .
