My Mother’s Day

As I lay here looking at you while you sleep on my heart , I’m in awe of you! You have been my biggest challenge and my biggest accomplishment in the same breath. Your intermittent smiles and morning cuddles make everything in life so much more worth it. It makes whatever chaos outside of us in this very moment seem so small. You make me smile without even trying. You are literally my heart outside of my body – I never understood that until you came into my life. A complete familiar stranger to me…

I know nothing about you and EVERYTHING about you at the same time. You are ME! Carrying you inside my tummy was some of the best days I had. I promised myself to live in that moment and I did. Every kick. Every picture. Every moment meant so much to me. Every prayer. Every stretch mark. Every pain. Every scar is a reminder of the battle I fought and WON to get you here closer to me. And now meeting you outside my womb while my body heals is beyond amazing. I would do it all over again if it meant laying here in this very moment with you in my arms. it makes it all worth it!

Thank you my Reign for making me a mother … more importantly, YOUR MOMMY! This title is the greatest title I’ve ever had. Even with the credentials behind my name and Mrs in front of it, Mommy is the best one! You are changing me … I feel it. And even though I know I’m going to miss my old self, I’m ready to embrace this new me that you have helped to emerge. I think of you all the time. I want to give you the love you deserve, the protection you need. I want to be perfect for you although I know that is impossible. I just want to give you the world in hopes you’ll settle for my whole heart instead.

Thank you Reign ! I love you over the greatest REIGN-BOW and back. Happy Mother’s Day to us baby girl

Advertisement

Dear 16 … From 32

Dear 16 year old self,

There is a whole world waiting for you … don’t be afraid to go get it! Travel the world any opportunity you get. Put your best in everything you do and smile when you’ve accomplished. Take time to breath it in!

Hard times WILL come however better times are always ahead. Don’t stress about things you can not change but focus on those you are in control of. Don’t be too hard on yourself, you are still learning and mistakes have the power to be a great teacher of life lessons. That reminds me, Life goes by so fast (believe me!) and YOUR time is something you can’t ever get back. Understand just how valuable the use of time is-Don’t waste it! Today will never be repeated, but you do have tomorrow! You won’t always be this young, embrace it! . There’s more days of being an adult then there are being young. Don’t rush it! Adulting is not forgiving!

There’s a time that will come that you will fall in love. It’s ok! Live in that moment, Love is meant to be beautiful! There will also be a time you will hurt, learn to forgive and NEVER allow your feelings to take you out of character. Every action comes with a reaction. YOU are meant to be a Queen , NEVER remove your crown!NEVER let anything stop you from your dreams. If it’s love, it will be patient. It will always support and have your best interest in mind. Never settle for less no matter how handsome the reward may look. Again, remember You are a QUEEN! Any man would be lucky just to gaze in your eyes. With that being said baby girl, every person is not meant to take your treasure. Be choicey in who you allow in and don’t be afraid to let those that don’t ADD to you OUT!! Your sex is sacred. Your body is a temple! Your love is irreplaceable.

Be good to those around you. Treat people as you would want to be treated. Don’t be the reason for a person’s hurt tears! Always aim to be good! Hold dear to your values, never waiver even in the face of adversity. Be strong. Dare to Be different. Know your value! Allow others to see your AUTHENTIC self and fall in love with who GOD made you to be, not a copy. You are the prototype!

Hold your friends close and your family closer. Never miss an opportunity to spend time with the ones you love for we never know our last breath. Don’t get so caught up in life that you forget the circle of people God gifted to you. Laugh! Laugh as much as you can. There will be days you want to cry, its ok to not be OK. But after those tears dry, LAUGH uncontrollably  for it is good for the soul.

Always always listen to yourself and trust you know yourself better than anyone else. Additionally, listen to older adults at times, remember they may have been through the path already.

Most importantly, put GOD first! Don’t leave your faith behind even when things are going good. Your faith is valuable and apart of who and what you are! Make this world yours babygirl, Don’t be afraid to experience it! Be proud of yourself, you will do fine!

Sincerely ,

Your 32-year old self

#KeepKarmalized

Are you nice to yourself?

Happy Friday everyone!! I have to admit that I have been beyond busy the last two weeks. In transitioning to not only a new hospital but a new role in Nursing ( med/surg to critical care…YAYYY!! ), my schedule has been a little challenging. Nevertheless, I am so happy, eager and ready to learn all I need to know in order to be a great Nurse to my critical patients.

Ironically for the last 2.5 weeks, I have been pounded with the message of not being “too hard on yourself and loving yourself”. I am known for being too hard on myself in situations, not because I think less than highly of myself but because I strive for the best and always want to be #1. I am the first to admit, I can be competitive at times! When I don’t reach a certain goal or obtain a certain reward, I think of things I could have done better and beat myself up. The older I get, the more I see this as a flaw in myself.
So, in orientation 2 weeks ago, I had the pleasure of meeting the director of pastoral services at my new hospital that gave a great speech about being good to others as well as ourselves. He talked about how we have millions of thoughts daily and majority of them are negative thoughts against ourselves. He gave examples of how when we first wake up and look in the mirror we say to ourselves “Boy,do you look a mess”. Then it continues to “I look fat in this outfit” and “I’m running late, how could I have been so dumb to oversleep”. When you really think about all the things we say to ourselves, we can be unkind at times. Not intentionally but we are our worse critics. If someone states they have Never done any of this, I would probably be concerned.

He gave us an exercise to do where he held one participant’s arm out and started pushing down on his arm. Of course the person was strong and able to push back with ease. Then he told the person to repeat “I am weak,I am weak” 30 times in which the person did. After the negative repetition, he tried again to push his arm and crazy enough, he was unable to push back as strong as before. Such a simple exercise showed just how thoughtful I can be to others but how mean we can be to ourselves. Of course, we all have times where we praise ourselves internally and externally but for the most part on a daily basis we can constantly find things wrong with ourselves without even realizing it. YES, I am guilty of this! If perfect was possible, I would be in the running for it! He then talked about just doing simple things to others by saying “hello” when you pass a person or giving a smile to a person walking towards you. How many times have we avoided a look from a person by looking down on our cellphones in order to not speak. Lets all admit our guilt! You never know how a person could yearn for just a smile!
I internally thanked the presenter for sharing such great words and exercise and wanted to personally thank him however just as fast as he came in, he left before I could break out. I plan to look up his name in our company directory and send a anonymous “thank you” card soon!

With all that you have read, I have decided to do two things. One of these things is something I usually do but have not had the chance. I usually post positive messages in my bathroom for myself and place them on my mirror. Unfortunately, since I have moved into my place a couple months ago, I have failed to post anything. I will definitely do this, this weekend.
My FIRST challenge to you is …. POST something good and positive about yourself as we reminder. Whether on a refrigerator, in a closet, in your bathroom mirror, or somewhere secure like in a book or work bag. It could be anything from ” I am beautiful and loved by many” or “I am Awesome and beyond blessed!”. Whatever works for you, make it work!!

Second challenge , do something for yourself! Whether it is buying a new outfit, getting a manicure/pedicure combo ( my favorite), taking yourself out to dinner or something inexpensive like making a bubble bath and relaxing. As long as you schedule out a moment and do something for yourself in the next couple of days. No one can love you better than YOU!

Enjoy the challenge and I will post my own a long with another challenge I have coming soon. Remember to follow my Instagram for updates!
Instagram: @kindlykarmalized with hashtag #ItsALLaboutME

Peace!

Half way there… 10 Days Of Happiness!

Good early morning!! We are halfway finish with the ” 10 Days of Happiness” challenge. I can honestly say that pointing out things that makes me happy have given me a moment to take in a smile or two and a appreciation of all I have. It’s such a breath of fresh sir!! I’m thankful I decided to do this!!! I have a couple people just jumping on to the challenge. With that said, I will be going as long as it takes for everyone to finish. I have also been thinking about extending it to “30 days of happiness”. I truly needed this … I feel all of us need it! Every day will not be the greatest but we can always appreciate a moment of happiness!
Simplicity to say the least …

I hope everyone continues to take it in and help with this challenge. Some of my closest friends and sorority sisters have started and EACH time I see a post, I smile!! Thanks for the support and love people!! Let’s finish the challenge out strong!!

#keepkarmalized 🙂