YESTERDAY, TODAY, TOMORROW

YESTERDAY, TODAY, TOMORROW

There are two days in every week about which we should not worry.
Two days which should be kept free from fear and apprehension.

One of these days is yesterday with its mistakes and cares,
Its faults and blunders, Its aches and pains.
Yesterday has passed forever beyond our control.
All the money in the world cannot bring back yesterday.
We cannot undo a single act we performed.
We cannot erase a single word we said. Yesterday is gone.

The other day we should not worry about is tomorrow.
With its possible adversities, Its burdens, 
Its large promise and poor performance.
Tomorrow is also beyond our immediate control.
Tomorrow's Sun will rise, either in splendor or behind a mask of clouds, 
but it will rise.
Until it does, we have no stake in tomorrow, for it is yet unborn.
This just leaves only one day . . . Today.
Any person can fight the battles of just one day.
It is only when you and I add the burdens of those two awful eternity's -
yesterday and tomorrow that we break down.
It is not the experience of today that drives people mad.
It is the remorse or bitterness for something which happened yesterday 
and the dread of what tomorrow may bring.

Let us therefore live but one day at a time.

~ Author Unknown ~
(Possible author Jennifer Kritsch)

Does Life begin at 40?

It has been almost 2 months since my BIG 40!!!  I did not post on my birthday. I approached turning 40 as this  glorified event, hoping that my life would magically change. Oh it has...I've have to make some big girl decisions and really face some of my fears.

What 40 now means to me... it means that I am still searching to find out who I am. It means, not being negative and learning to accept change.  It means, not using "can't", "hard", and "fear" as go to words in my everyday vocabulary.  It's about learning how to say "no" without guilt. It's about asking for help without feeling like a burden or a failure. It's about learning to let go and taking chances.  It's about seeing what is beyond your front door.  Turning 40 is about...ME!!!

Appreciating Everything

Appreciate those who have hurt you, because they strengthen your heart
Appreciate those who deceive you, because they improve your wisdom
Appreciate those who slander against you, because they improve your personality
Appreciate those who whip you because they arouse your will to fight
Appreciate those who abandon you, because they teach you independence
Appreciate those who make you stumble, because they strengthen your legs
Appreciate those who denounce you, because they remind you of your shortcomings
Appreciate those who give you strength

- Unknown

Life Begins At 40

I just filed for divorce. I'm divorcing my past, divorcing my pain, divorcing my doubt, and divorcing my setbacks. The judge gave me full custody of my destiny, full custody of my call, full custody of my life. Divorce yourself from your past so that your future can be released...

3days, 17hrs, 40mins, 10sec until my 40th Birthday!

Bump in the Road...And this too shall pass.

I missed my six month nappiversary post on June 20, 2011.  I hit a road block and I know that this too shall pass.  The roadblock wasn't about my hair...it was about life.  Sometimes, life gets in the way.  Just when you think you have it all under control...BAM! You hit a roadblock.  The worst thing that you can do when life happens is to panic.  I had to let go and let God... This hasn't always come easy for me.  I was always considered the "strong" one.  A "superwoman".  Well, it's not what it is all cracked up to be.  I have taken off the cape and relinquished my "strong, black, woman" title. 

As I have stated in previous posts, I am trying to find out who I am.  I will no longer allow others or labels to define me.  Boy, it has been a rocky road.  But it is a road that has to be traveled.  Some will come along and others will be left behind.  All I know is that I will keep the faith, and ask for help along the way.  Asking for help is not a bad or weak trait... a real "strong woman' that will ask for help.  As my four year old daughter said to me, "Mommy big girls can't always do everything by themselves, they sometime need to ask for help." Out of the mouth of babes often comes gems!

Kinky, Kurly, Naturally..Me, the blog and the experience

 Kinky, Kurly, Naturally..Me, the blog and the experience is not only about hair, it's also about the journey...mostly about the journey.  I am not a natural hair care guru or expert.  My blog is not like other 'natural hair' blogs.  As a matter of fact, I wouldn't even categorize it only as a natural hair care blog.  There are so many natural hair care blogs and websites that offer great advice and the sistas are so knowledgeable and dedicated.  These are the sites in which I refer to when I have questions and these are the sites that I  studied once I went natural.  These sistas are the hair care gurus and experts in my opinion. ( see my top natural hair sites).


Kinky, Kurly, Naturally Me... is a platform for me to share my journey and to inspire others in their life's mission.  As I have stated before, going natural for me was not motivated by an epiphany to return to my natural roots or the need to cut off damage, over processed hair. My hair was pretty healthy.  I did it because I was at a crossroads. But subconsciously, I knew I was in need of a mental, physical and emotional change.  While is has been a great ride so far, by no means has it been easy.  As I cross off my  40 for 40 items, I still am mentally, emotionally and spiritually getting it together.  Sometimes things do fall apart, but that is part of the journey.  The biggest reward is becoming the person that I knew was within me all along...can't wait to meet her.



Photo Courtesy of PhotoMedia Diaries by Dani

http://www.photomediadiaries.com



The Awakening

Photo Courtesy of PhotoMedia Diaries by Dani

http://www.photomediadiaries.com/

The AwakeningSonny Carroll There comes a time in your life when you finally get it ... When in the midst of all your fears and insanity you stop dead in your tracks and somewhere the voice inside your head cries out "ENOUGH! Enough fighting and crying or struggling to hold on." And, like a child quieting down after a blind tantrum, your sobs begin to subside, you shudder once or twice, you blink back your tears and through a mantle of wet lashes you begin to look at the world from a new perspective. ..........This is your awakening.

I always try to post some inspirational pieces that coincides with my journey in hopes that whomever reads it can relate.  I share this because...I want to, I need to, I have to.

Don't be afraid to color outside of the lines!

Don't be afraid to color outside of the lines! Go with the flow and dance as if not no one were watching, sing as if no one were listening, and live everyday as if as if it were your last! 

Photo Courtesy of PhotoMedia Diaries by Dani

http://www.photomediadiaries.com/

During a photo shoot last weekend with some beautiful women, I learned a lot about myself.  Once again, I don't know who I am, but what I am. I am a mommy and have to get out of "mommy mode" when I am having "me time" with the girls!  It took me a while to get comfortable in front of the camera and comfortable with just being...naturally me!  It has been a  fantastic journey and a wonderful ride so far. I am growing, learning about myself and embracing my womanhood like I have never done before.  Thanks to so many supportive women by my side offering encouragement and giving me positive reinforcement.

I know the journey  will not always be as smooth as it has been.  Still a lot of growing pains and bumps in the road to come.  But, I have learned to now see the glass as half full and to not be afraid to color outside of the lines!

Photo Courtesy of PhotoMedia Diaries by Dani

http://www.photomediadiaries.com/

40 For 40

This year most of my friends, myself included, are turning 40.  I got this idea from one of my sista-friends, Shaunda.  For Shaunda's 40th birthday, she had a 40 for 40.  Starting on her birthday, Shaunda did 40 things for 40 days.  Something like a bucket list, but not as intense.

I  have decided to do the same thing but with a different twist.  However, I am doing a 40 before 40 and then a 40 after 40.  Huh?  Well, there are somethings that I want to do before I turn 40 that I have never done. These are little pleasurable items and accomplishments, such as walking across the Brooklyn Bridge.  I have lived in New York all of my life and have never, ever, walked across the Brooklyn Bridge.

 I, also, want to take a helicopter ride over NYC.  Tourist come to the NYC and take advantage of  our  atttractions and what this wonderful city has to offer.  New Yorkers take some of these attractions for granted.  It's the little things in life that count.  Another item on my list that is near and dear to my heart, is to go ice skating with my daughters.  They have gone ice skating, but I have never participated.  I was always the spectator.  You get the  idea...it's the little things that bring us personal pleasure, the shoulda, coulda, woulda's.

So... my 40 after 40 list is more goal orientated, such as finishing my Masters and starting my own business.  These are the goals that I have started and will finish in the next 5 years.  It's about making goals and accomplishing those goals.  It's about living life to the fullest and becoming a well rounded person. I am looking  at turning 40 as my new lease on life.   I'm a little bit older, a whole lot wiser and most definitely, sexier!!! Does this mean that I am officially a "grown-up?"  LOL!!!   Carpe Diem!

            Life Really Does Begin at 40!

My 4 month Nappiversary!!!

Four months ago, I went natural with no intention to make a statement.  In retrospect, I went natural because I was ready.  I have learned so much about myself.  I now view my hair as an accessory.  I can change it according to my mood.  My hair expresses who I am, and does not define who I am.  Wait...I repeat!  My hair expresses who I am, and does not define who I am.  It has taken me 39 years to realize this.

 As I enter my "life begins at 40" stage, I have made a consciencous effort to feed my mind, body and soul. I have made the conscienceous effort to develop new friendships and to nuture and support old ones. You see, me going natural isn't only about my hair.  It is about self-exploration, and transformation! It is about spiritual growth and empowerment!  It is about acceptance and making decisions...wise, consciencous decisions.  I had my ahh ha moment and realized... going natural is about ME!!!!!