#DearME: In Honour of International Women's Day

In honour of International Women's Day, I decided to join the YouTube Global #DearMe Initiative.


A letter to young Shanny

#DearMe,

I know you are at a stage where you are really confused and trying to find yourself. You will choose the unconventional path because you are too scared to disappoint yourself & your family...this decision will lead to you discovering who you really are.

You have a goal and you are going to stick to it. You are strong & proud & even though you long to be the pretty girl.... you will realize the value of being the smart girl.

You will have crushes on the most ridiculous boys but you won't dare to act on it. Which at the end of the day wasn't such a bad idea.

You will learn that you are a natural born leader with many bright ideas. Embrace them & take that spirit of service with you. It will define you as a person.

Opposition will come but you will take the high road.

You learn to love EVERYONE despite their colour, class, sexual orientation or religion. You will realize that you are a world citizen who in your mid-20's will suffer a bit of Wanderlust which you plan to spend your 30's curing.

Your biggest flaw will always be your temper....it will simmer but even as you embark on your 30's it will still linger ESPECIALLY when you take public transportation...lol

You will lose 3 of the most important people in your life & this will force you to grow up fast!

You will be lucky to still have your family & it will grow at a time when you least expected it.

You will fall in love with the most amazing boy ever, who unfortunately, will not know how much you love him because of your own self centred ways. You will also still love him many years after your relationship has ended & he will become a dear friend.

You will ALWAYS be a strong lioness who even without a lion, still has the strength to survive the concrete jungle of life.

You will be blessed beyond your own understanding & even though you won't figure it all out by 30 or have the Husband & Family you wanted at 25... you will still be happy & continue to trust God to provide your perfect match.

Finally & most importantly, you will learn that once you love yourself & others the way you love yourself, you will find that life's challenges won't seem so bad.

Keep Your Head up young lioness...

An older & hopefully wiser

The Challenge: 52 Weeks Of Positivity

New Year's resolutions are not my thing at all! I break them within the first hour of the New Year....hahahahaha.

This year I chose to alter my lifestyle...my outlook...my point of view. How? With a heart & mind of optimism and positivity. 

I looked back at a few poems I wrote almost ten years ago and I thought "What the heck was wrong with me!" It motivated me to look within and decide to make a change. One might say why does a twenty-nuff year old woman feel the need to change after reading something she wrote as a teenager...simple... Aspects of that confused teenager resurfaces especially in situations I cannot control  and for me that ain't ok.

I told someone I was attempting this feat and they told me it was impossible! That was the challenge I needed.... never tell a Lioness "she can't!"

Week One has passed and I give myself a 8/10! My job can be stressful but instead of crumbling under the pressure...I stood firm took a DEEP BREATH and continued working. I feel better...accomplished and ready for the other 51 weeks of 2013!

“Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive because your words become your behavior. Keep your behavior positive because your behavior becomes your habits. Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny.” 
― Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

“Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.” ― Marcus Aurelius

It's Beginning To Look Alot Like Christmas....

Call me the Grinch! Christmas is not my favourite time of the year. Why? Because I equate it with ALOT of UNNECESSARY spending! However, yesterday I was reminded of the true meaning and spirit of the season!

My club works with the Jamaica Autism Support Association once a month with their project "Activate Yourself." We spend the last Saturdays of the month (usually) spending quality time with young adults on the Autism Spectrum. This activity has changed my life for the better! It is wonderful spending time with these youths. They are frank, loving and kind.

So... yesterday JASA held a Christmas Party for all the kids and families aligned to the association. We assisted with decor and engaging our Activate Yourself friends.

Seeing the sheer joy on the kids faces and the love their families share, made me step back and forget the insanity of the world!!!!!! It reminded me of what Christmas represents...LOVE!

Love is the greatest gift we can give to each other this season so let's focus on giving more LOVE rather than vanity!



Peace Dolls