Food for thought!

It is very important to generate a good attitude, a good heart, as much as possible. From this, happiness in both the short term and the long term for both yourself and others will come.

~Dali Lama

I recite this everyday. (I have it printed out and displayed right on top of my desk at work) I stay focused on the tasks at hand, as I actually try to manifest a better and better attitude about my day. Hopefully this helped someone, I know it helps me!

Working it out!

Today is the start of my new workout regimen. I am hoping to make this regimen as easy to adhere to as possible. Having three kids, limited funds, and trying to workout is a difficult, but not impossible task. I read something profound that Michelle Obama said in an Essence article, she was stating how important it is for us ladies to stop and take care of ourselves. Working out is going to be my little treat. Hopefully I can be of encouragement to someone else in a similar boat.

Working out is not only for loosing weight, but more importantly it's for relieving stress, feeling good, and maintaining good eating habits. I'll check back in to tell you how day one went.

I Got the Job!!!

I got it!!! Yay! Starting Monday, I am so excited! Someday I will tell you about how this all came about. Because I was not even looking for a job. Gonna go out to celebrate. Talk later.

XOXO

Job Hunt

OK, so I have been unemployed, by choice, for the past 5 months. Now, its time to get back to work. I must admit my job hunt has been pretty lax, as I am not too inspired to start back working as an accountant, for obvious reasons. I'm good at it, but just because you are good at something doesn't mean you should be doing it for a living, right?

Anywho, I had an interview just yesterday that I thought went pretty well, the owner of the company even stated she wanted to call me back for a second interview. My phone on the other hand hasn't rang once all day. I really like the company, it was pretty laid back when it comes to accounting firms and the hours were great for my kids. It seems like its everything that I prayed for, but only time will tell if it is for me. I am so used to getting hired rather quickly so maybe that's why I am so anxious. It's only been one day!

Hopefully everyone is having a lovely week. And those of us who are job hunting hopefully we will land a job soon.

XOXO

My gift is love.

The highest frequency of them all is Love. My husband asked me yesterday did I think there was such a thing as unconditional love. I answered that love by definition could not have a condition placed on it so the term unconditional love was a redundant expression. Many of us, don't know the true definition of love. We can only define love by what it is not.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

And God is Love.

As we can see, love is not a romantic event. Love is an every moment experience. So I leave you with this thing that has been on my heart. May we all learn to love, and may we all be loved.

Prayer 3/6/2011

Dear Lord God of the Universe, May Love be my guide and peace be the expression of my heart. May all doubt, worry, and fear be eradicated. May I gain strength and endurance from my experiences today. May I remember that all you have created house your spirit, may I treat each and every one of your vessels with respect. Amen

Explore the Beauty Within

On my spiritual voyage I have learned something about what is beautiful in life and what is not. One of the most beautiful things we can possess is love. Love is immeasurable, and somewhat undefinable, because it is not a feeling, emotion, or act. It mostly resembles respect, patience, and humbleness. Whereas, some of the most ugliest things we can possess are fear, envy, deceit, and greed. These things make us loose focus on our life's mission.



Most of the time we focus on our outer appearance, trying to find the perfect outfit, accessories, and makeup. Instead of dealing with the real issues in our lives that cause us insecurity. While being aesthetically pleasing has its place in this physical realm, it should not define who we are as a human beings.



When I was growing up, beauty and looks were center stage for my family. Unfortunately for me, because I was a late bloomer. I was always insecure, whether it was my height, my weight, or my body shape. Hearing so often how you didn't measure up to people's ideas of what is beautiful is detrimental to your self-esteem. Now, age 30, I am just learning how to love my long and lean physique, my plump nose, and my small breasts. (It also helps that my husband loves it ha ha). We learn to hurt each other with our words when it comes to looks, because we are all insecure.

Here are some things I have tried to help me deal with my own insecurities:

1. Fall in love with yourself. Take yourself out on a date. Whether it be to dinner, movie, or just to a bookstore to read a book.

2. Compliment yourself often. What is your greatest physical feature? Play it up, look in the mirror and acknowledge it. Be grateful. God gave each of us something beautiful!

3. Make yourself a new persona, a fictional character in your mind that exhibits all the characteristics you would like to have. Fantasize about this new persona, and practice becoming them.

4. Spend a few minutes each day being quiet, listen and enjoy. Meditation has remarkable benefits one of them being giving us a sense of peace.

5. Learn to admire others' beauty as their own and appreciate them for the aspect of God they are.

6. Tell yourself everyday that there is no one like you and you were crafted by the Master Craftsman, so that makes you pretty awesome!

7. Realize that you are spirit. Okay, I know this one may seem a little weird, but with daily meditation this fact becomes evident. You are much more than this physical body, so with that, learn to explore it and create with it!

May we all learn to love the beautiful and varied masks we wear and the temple we dwell in. May we all learn to love each other as we love ourselves, for then can the world truly become a better place.

Where have I been, how have I been?

Last year was a whirlwind for me, from health issues, to marital problems, to raising kids. Yes, 2010 was a real doozy. At times I felt like I was going to loose my mind, but other times I felt like someone else was existing through me. God was definitely trying to tell me something, and I did not want to hear it. Life is tough when you are stubborn. If you believe in the spiritual world, like I do, (meaning believe that we can and do interact with God on a daily basis) then you know what I mean about being bull-headed when it comes to listening to God. I guess the main thing that I wanted to let you know, whoever reads this, is that life can be good or life can be not so good, it's really up to us to make it up as we go along while seeking guidance from the one who is greater than us all.

I leave you with this wonderful birthday cake ice-cream, a great comforter , good listener, and my best friend during my darkest hours, lol.....

My Account Hacked

Hello all,

If you receive any strange comments from me, just know that my account has been hacked. I am working on getting things rectified. Thanks
XOXO

Afrikaisi

I want to win this beautiful ring!

Go here to check it out.....

http://ooheyelikeit.blogspot.com/2010/08/up-for-grabs.html

Night Out! by Afrikaisi featuring Gucci sunglasses

Strapless shell silk top
$186 - net-a-porter.com
More Willow blouses »

Stella mccartney jackets BROWN
1,048 GBP - matchesfashion.com
More Stella McCartney jackets »

3.1 PHILLIP LIM 5447 PESCA POLYESTER/COTTON -
314 GBP - farfetch.com
More 3.1 Phillip Lim pants »

Halston Penn suede sandals
$373 - theoutnet.com
More Halston sandals »

Serpent brass bracelet
$615 - net-a-porter.com
More Roberto Cavalli bracelets »

Vintage Chanel 1980's Gold Tone Quilted Signature Interlocking 'CC'...
$592 - asos.com
More Susan Caplan Vintage earrings »

Susan caplan vintage jewellery GOLD
850 GBP - matchesfashion.com
More Susan Caplan Vintage necklaces »

Gucci 3099 Truffle > Gucci Sunglasses > 3099 CMG > UK
159 GBP - sunglasses-shop.co.uk
More Gucci sunglasses »

A New Me....

Yes, I think it is definitely time for a change....stay tuned I have a few posts to upload. Talk to you later....Muah!!!!

Contest Time: In Her Stilettos

Diya @ In Her Stilettos has been gracious enough to have two contests. In order for a chance to win a cool shirt like the one above click on the link below. Good luck!

http://diyainherstilettos.blogspot.com/2010/04/giveaway-eighteenth-t-shirt.html

In Her Stilettos Contest....

Hey guys want to win some pretty jewelry, Diya has a contest going on where you could possibly win some great stuff. Just click on the link: http://diyainherstilettos.blogspot.com/2010/04/my-first-giveaway.html#comment-form

Good luck!

Geaux Saints!

Sorry had to do it, repping for my State of Louisiana! Who dat!

Battle Won!

OK, so lately I have given up, sugar, cheese, eggs, and other milk based products from my diet. I was already a vegetarian, but I wasn't eating as healthy as I should. I took my diet as a license to eat whatever I wanted. And I haven't told my mom and sisters, because they already think I am insane for not eating meat.

That being said, yesterday I spent the day at my mom's house. We were going to watch Twilight together (yes, i know, this was not my choice). Mom looks over at me and says, "do you want to get some hot glazed doughnuts". Oh my God if you knew me and how much I loved hot doughnuts, then you would understand the significance of my response. "Can we get a more healthy alternative." My mom looks at me with disdain and goes, "well there's nothing wrong with eating like this occasionally." I could tell I offended her. "It is for me, because once I get started I cannot seem to stop," I told her. She nodded, "oh yes you are right, if you cant stop then you shouldn't have any." Yep, always try to make it seem as if there is something off with you and most people won't think you are being stuck up!

When the doughnuts arrived, the smell was intoxicating. Oh how I wanted to taste the delightful sugary lumps. I smiled as I sat there in the room watching others eat them, happy for their enjoyment, but elated that I didn't loose my battle, this time!

What's Left?

It amazes me how we all want to leave this huge mark on the world. We never stop to think, what mark the world is suppose to leave on us. What have we learned? Who have we loved? What did we see? We at times feel like we need to do something spectacular before our time here is cut short. We can literally see this huge clock ticking our time away. Then depression sets in, because we feel like we will never get there and we will probably be this utter waste of energy.

I think about my children, my husband, and my life and I know I have missed out on some wonderful memories and opportunities because I have let that all fall behind me, chasing something that never existed for me - "A Master Plan". The plan that tells you everything you are supposed to do when you get here, who you will meet,what you will do, where you will go. The plan that got messed up when your life got in the way!

It is my experience that life is supposed to be lived for your sake and that any mark you leave on the world should include your peace, love, and happiness - I know its pretty cliche, but cliches are real too.

My Best -
Afrikaisi

African Autumn

This tea is heaven! It's a blend of Redbush from Africa, Cranberry and Oranges. Just the aroma alone will get you.

A New Mom's Best Friend

Ladies, the Brazilian Waist Cincher is the stuff! I got this after I had my daughter in 2007, it actually took three inches off my waist! I had my son this past December and I was feeling like I still looked 4 months pregnant, then I remembered that I had this tucked away in my drawer. Yep, I am going to use it again! Yes, it is uncomfortable to wear, but I, like most women don't care about pain when it comes to looking good.

I will let you guys see the results from day one. Just let me find my camera, lol.

Until next time,

Afrikaisi

The Baby Whisperer

Ok, so I have been reading everything baby related for the past couple of months. My newest read is Secrets of the Baby Whisperer by Tracy Hogg with Melinda Blau. This has got to be one the best baby books that I have read so far! Not only have I been referring back to this book on a regular, it is a very easy and quick read for mothers of new babies. In the book, Hogg uses her numerous years working with infants to show parents how to communicate with their babies. As a new mother again, I can't tell you how difficult it was with my first child to identify what was ailing him when he cried, while my daughter who was more of an Angel type, (Hogg explains this in the book) was an easier baby to care for.

The best thing about the book is the numerous charts and illustrations she gives you. The chart I refer back to most often translates the newborn's body language. I am so impressed with her common sense approach. Hogg's E.A.S.Y. program helps the baby adjust to life outside of the womb, while helping parents become more aware of their new baby. The E.A.S.Y. programs places the newborn on a loose structured schedule. I know, how can a structured schedule be loose? Believe me it can be - read the book!