Seven Years Later

I have been blogging for seven years!!!!! 

January 7th will be my seven year anniversary on blogger. So much as changed in seven years. Some of the people that I have started with in the community are no longer here. The nature of the blogging landscape has changed. Mom bloggers are now mom entrepreneurs. I am so happy for this. 

I have grown tremendously over the seven years. One thing that stood out for me is that over the last seven years, is that blogging gave me a voice when I thought I had none.  This was the space I felt like I could be me and a community of strangers totally understood and accepted me. This was the place that helped me through my depression. This is the place that I dreamed and dared to create a new life.

If you are reading this blog now I want to take a second to thank you. Thank you for joining me on my journey. 

16 Things I learnt in 2016

One of my favourite YouTuber did a video post entitled '16 things I learnt in 2016'. This video inspired me to write this blog post. Here are  sixteen (16) things I learnt in 2016 that changed my year. Leave a comment below telling me some of the things you learnt in 2016.

1) Be Positive

I have learnt how powerful positive thinking can be. I always thought I was a pretty positive person; however 2016 taught me that I harboured a number of negative thoughts in my mind that held me back from achieving greatness.So, everyday I try my best to project the thoughts that I want to materialise in my life. It is a work in progress but my life has improved as a result of positive thinking.

2) Change is Good

I have said this countless times. I fear change. I like the certainty that comes from familiarity. However, in 2016 I changed jobs, friendships and relationships and now I understand that in order to grow and improve you have to make changes to your overall life.

3)Vision Boards are a Must

If you don't have a vision board what are you doing with your life? I created my vision board on Canva and used it as my computer background and within six months I started ticking off things from vision board. It does work and it makes you actively pursue your dreams and goals.

4) Leave Your Comfort Zone

Sometimes we are happy with just getting by. That has been me for a few years. I was hiding out in my comfort zone and i did not want to leave. Leaving your comfort zone is the walkway to achieving your dreams.

5) Experiences are Better than Stuff

Do you realize that we have got very good at collecting stuff and the more stuff we have the more trapped and depressed we are? However, experiences is what creates memories, facilitate growth and shapes our core selves. So, in 2016 i started going on road trips, exploring my city, taking small excursions and experiencing life.

6) Choose Your Inner Circle Wisely

I have always known this but in 2016 I really realized that the wrong friends and relationships can ruin your life.

7) All that Glitters is NOT Gold

I have learnt that not everyone, everything and every situation that appears to be great and prefect is actually that.

8) Don't Let Others Control YOUR Life

Yes!!!! I said It. This is so important. Often we allow others to control our major decisions, etc. It is key to remember that you have one life to live and you have to live it.

9) Planned Vacations are a Must

This allows you to gain more experiences.

10) Don't Allow Fear to Control Your Life

This quote says it all!!!

11) Dream Big

12) Go Get It

13) Be Your Authentic Self

14) Be Kind

15) Live

16) Love Life

Creating the Ultimate Girl Squad

Blogmas - Day 3

Squads are the new hit thing among the millennial. Being a child of the 90's I did not get the whole squad trend or maybe I could just be weird (LOL). Seriously though, I have analysed the concept and now I can see the merit in having a squad.

Now, let me break it down for you. A squad is a group of common friends that you have, that you hang out together at the same time. Now I think about it, I remember Carrie and the girls from Sex and the City. Those girls would be the ultimate 90’s girl squad.

With that in mind, girl squads can be great if you have the right type of squad. So, today I am going to lay the ground work of how to create the ultimate girl squad.

In creating my Ultimate Girl Squad I have painstakingly compiled five types of girls who would comprise the squad.


These girls are (but are limited to):

Xena Warrior Princess

At the top of the list, I have Xena Warrior Princess type of girl. This girl is a bad*ss. 

She is strong, fierce and downright brave. 

She is also the explorer who just gets up and goes.

Charlotte

Then, you have the cheerful cheerleader. She is the positive point of the group. She is also supportive and kind. Just think of Charlotte from Sex and the City.

The Planner Girl

You cannot forget your planner girl. She is systematic, organised and efficient. You aspire to be like her because she amazes you with her creativity. 

You are amazed at how on point she is and so you are motivated to get you sh*t together.

Posh Spice

Three words: prissy, pretty and posh. This is the lady of the group. Her hair, nails, clothes and speech is always on ‘fleek’.

                             

The Ride or Die Chick

This type of girl is LOYAL. Notice that the word loyal is in all caps. This is because this friend can be your vault. She is also the one that you can call at a moment’s notice and she will be there. She is the type of friend that will be there though the ups and downs.

                                                            

Please offer your own girls' squad suggestions. Also, tell me which one of these type of girls you are?

Finally, remember to share your thoughts in the comments and stop by tomorrow for another Blogmas post.

Three Tips to Staying Positive throughout the Day

Have you ever noticed that when you start your day on a positive note there is always something or someone who tries to suck your positive energy from you? I guess it is the nature of life. However, it is important to note that positive energy attracts positive energy. Therefore, as we countdown to Christmas and then the new year we have to allow good things to come into our lives. Additionally, I am learning that staying positive is an important practice that one needs to engage in on the road to happiness. 

Here are three tricks you can use to stay positive throughout the day:

Music

Did you know that music can influence your mood and attitude? With this in mind,  you can create playlists of your favourite feel-good songs that you can play throughout the day. I love YouTube and I am always using my laptop so I have created a number of playlists for my different moods and I find that often it takes just popping in my headphones to put a positive spin on my mood.

Free Playlist Makers

http://neverendingplaylist.com/

http://www.listube.com/

Meme Me

A few months I started to follow some positive thinking posters on the gram and can I tell you that they have worked wonders for my mindset. 

In the mornings while I scroll through my posts I see all the funny memes that crack me up along with the positive ones. 

I in turn share them and spread the positive vibes. This makes me feel great and I am also encouraging the group of people that I surround myself with to be positive by sharing with them. 

Walking Away

What?!! Walking away? 

Yes, I said it. Sometimes you have to walk away from a negative situation or person to maintain your positive mindset. 

Case in point, I woke up feeling like crap; so I decided to change my mood. I was off to a great start with positive memes and thoughts. I was thankful and expressed gratitude through prayer. 

I was off to work bright-eyed and bushy-tailed with my positive mindset. Then, wave after wave of negative people and situations came rolling in. 

On a side note, have you ever realized that the moment you choice to be positive it is the moment crap starts to rain on your parade. 

Anyways, I just started walking. I walked away and it worked. The long and short of it is that in all situations you need to preserve your peace, joy, happiness and positive mindset.  

Stop by tomorrow for another post in this journey. Also, please remember to live a comment and sign up posts to be emailed to you. 

Blogmas Begins......

Blogmas- Day  1

For the first time this year I will be doing Blogmas on Lioness Rebirth. Heeeeyyyy!!! 

Can you check out the Lioness Rebirth Blogmas poster? Can you say fierce?!!! I usually go girl and cute. However, I love it! Tell me what you think about it in the comments below.

What is blog? You might ask. Well, Blogmas is basically a bloggers way of counting down the days to Christmas by posting a new blog every day. 

Guys, this is going to be a serious challenge for me; nevertheless I am excited to share all of what I have planned for you. This Blogmas celebration is my way of giving the blog a new birth.  So, stop by everyday with a cup of tea or coffee and celebrate Blogmas with. I am so excited to take this journey with you. 

The Countdown Begins...........

How to Eat Healthy Fast Food this Summer

Summer is a time for fun, sun relaxation and eating anything we see without thinking about the consequences for our bodies. 

Am I the only one who does this?

If you are like me or if you want to eat healthier this summer these tips will help to eat healthier fast food this summer: 

 Control Your Portions

Do not order extra large combos or go to those all you can eat buffets and try to eat everything in sight. Instead, select the smaller sandwiches and meals that contain less fats.  

Eat More Jerked or Grilled Meats

You can have jerk chickens, grilled vegetables, or seafood; instead of deep fried chicken or chips. Remember the goal is to eat less fatty foods without punishing yourself.

Check to Make Sure the Dish is Actually Healthy

Remember, not because a dish proclaims that it is a healthier choice that does not meant it is actually healthier. Find out about the nutrition facts of that smoothie or salad that you are about to consume. For example, many fast food salads are a diet minefield, smothered in unhealthy dressing and fried toppings. 

Don’t be afraid to special order. 

Finally, many menu items can be made healthier with a few tweaks and substitutions. For example, you can ask to hold the sauce or dressing or serve it on the side. Or you can request a wheat bun for your hamburger or whole-grain bread for your sandwich.



resource site: www.helpguide.org