Archive | September, 2012

Small Steppin’

27 Sep

Photo Source: i.behappy.me

We all have dreams,goals, and/or visions for our lives…right? However, why does it seem that only a small number of us actually take action to achieve them? We are so quick to call those people “lucky” or “gifted”.  Think about it…If we all have dreams and such for our lives, then wouldn’t that mean we were all gifted or implanted with something special?

I think of it like this: if I want my dreams to come into fruition,  I have to work hard. I also have to believe in myself and not care about what people think or say…and I really do feel this way!

Now, for those people who don’t have those feelings, I want you to know how important it is to dream BIG. We were all placed on this earth for something special. You might not know what it is yet, but take some time to discover what it is. Once you do, it is time to start making small steps to achieve your goals.

For example, let’s say you discovered a passion for cooking.  Now, you want to take your skills to another level with dreams of becoming a chef. Instead of thinking about becoming the chef, you should only focus on the small steps first. Take some cooking classes, start a food blog, find inspiration from professional chefs, etc.

Remember, it’s not about the destination, but the journey it takes to get there.  For me, there is nothing more exciting than a challenge.

When it comes to reaching the stars and beyond, it’s the setbacks and speed bumps that really advance you as a person. At the end of the day, we ALL have a purpose in this life. Make the small steps to achieve them. No one said that you get there fast and furiously. However, small adjustments can make for HUGE opportunities!

@therealgurl

Vocab. Let’s Build Together!

27 Sep

Today’s word is exhorting.

It’s a verb.

It means: to give urgent advice, recommendations, or warnings.

How can I use this word in real life?

The organization’s leader was exhorting the followers by having them listen to him and not the other workers.

I found this word while reading the classic, Autobiography of Malcolm X.

Definition was found on Dictionary.com
@therealgurl

Quote of The Week!

24 Sep

Photo Source: Google Images

 

Happy Monday!

Always remember, when you lend a negative opinion of others, it says more about you as a person then the one your spitting fire towards. Aim your energy wisely!

Have a great week!

@therealgurl

Be Beautiful!

20 Sep

 

 

I really LOVE this song! It was written and sung by the amazingly talented Vivian Green. The song was released in 2010, and I felt the the need to hear something beautiful. How did I know I was going to stumble upon this? I don’t know, but I remembered Vivian from her 2002 hit single “Emotional Rollercoaster”  and in 2005, “Gotta Go, Gotta Leave”.

Now that I think about it? Man, Vivian Green is super talented! I’ll be patiently waiting for her next project hopefully to be relaeased later this month!

Check out some more of Vivian Green’s music!

 

 

 

 

 

@therealgurl

*Video content courtesy of YouTube and it’s users!

The Exploitation of Broken Spirits

17 Sep

Photo Source: 1.bp.blogspot.com

Brace yourselves ladies and gents…I am utterly passionate about this discrepency. I’ll try my best not to use blasphemy on this post. However, the boiling of my blood may not give my tingling, angry fingers as I am feverishly typing this, the benefit of the doubt.

I’ve shamefully watched and cringed at reality television shows like Basketball Wives, Love and Hip Hop, Jersey Shore, and the hundreds of others that is majorly consuming  it’s viewers of all race, age group, and culture. We live in a society where we are incredibly distracted by foolishness. And I for one am tired of it!

I’ve decided to post this because it has been on my mind for quite some time now. After what I’ve saw tonight,  perpetuated exactly everything that I was concerned about. The question was this: do these talk show hosts, Televangelists, Public figures serving as life coaches really give a eff  about the broken, lost spirits that come to them in grief and pain. Time and time again, I quickly notice the lack of genuineness on these shows. I am not one to be B.S.’d! And I feel bad for those falling into the consumption of the ambiguous train wrecks that they love to watch.

Photo Source: urbanbellemag.com

That is actually what we like to see right? A train wreck? We like to see an angry, raging, fighting, crazed bitch on TV designate her fame to only be more of  a crazed, raging bitch. Then when she is faced with a tribulation of the energy that she has reciprocated on TV, gets faced with even more public ridicule, blame, and exploitation from those who claim can “fix” her.  It’s a cycle that I have noticed too many times. But instead of deleting the negative imagery from public consumption, what do we do? Sit down in front of the television and continually support the a-holes that produce this ish to prolong the cycle…[whoo, I am on level TEN irate!]

What irritates me the most about this mess is that the top dogs [Producers, Writers, Entrepreneurs, etc.] that put these shows together know and understand the power of the numbers because let’s be real…That what this is all about. I’m all for making that C.R.E.A.M., but how about starting with the honest, genuine, non-mind gaming individuals who can make true impact.

I’m not knocking the qualifications of the people that are willing to help restore and change lives. I find anyone who is truly passionate about that amazingly inspiring! I am just saying,  I know authenticity from B.S. …ALWAYS have, ALWAYS will!

Television will forever and a day be the world’s largest influential force. How else are we suppose to improve and grow if all we see is deterring us from it. You can tell us not to watch, change the channel, and such. But all this mess has been beyond a fad. It inevitably everywhere!  The people that are watching it are totally hooked. Therefore, the networks execs are LOVING every minute (and dollar bill made) of it!!

Here’s why:

On the business side of things, these people are definitely laughing and skipping their Lou’s all the way to the bank! I will NEVER in life knock a person’s hustle. But, I would say this. Be mindful of who your idolizing and watching on TV!

To the broken hearts, spirits, and lost souls that are deeply in pain: I feel for you. I am not the one to say I know what’s right for you and how you should change your life.  I only know one person that I can count on and He has never let me down.
In all, I just had to put my frustrations about this out there. I truly believe, that if I want change, I have to be that change I want to see. Ish just doesn’t change overnight! However, it is the small steps to take in order to achieve it. I don’t want to knock the hustle of each person that plays a role in the ‘reality, therapy T.V.’ warp. I just know that there is way more intelligence in these execs to present more realness to the screen.

On one last note…to all the reality T.V. viewers: If your a fan of this foolery…kudos to you.  Just remember that you cannot complain about it if you support it. That is like complaining about how much you hate being with your boyfriend/girlfriend only to stay commited to them…**SIGHS**

i’M OVER IT!

@therealgurl

Quote of The Week!

17 Sep

Photo Source: http://thumbpress.com

 There ALWAYS a way to reach the vision God has laid out for you. Even if you have to fight through it. Even you have to struggle through it. Even if you have to cry through it. In the end, you WILL get through it! But it all starts with you making a way!

Have a great week ya’ll 🙂

@therealgurl

Bagel Love!

13 Sep

       Lately, I’ve been having this homesick  feeling not being in New York. It is weird because although I was only born in NY, I feel a sense of belonging every time I go back to visit. Maybe it’s because of Fashion Week, or the fact that I wish will be moving there soon (Power of affirmation)! Yesterday, I was browsing through my blog faves and I felt as if my girl Emily of Cupcakes and Cashmere read my NYC “homesick” mind. She shared her stay in New York and also made these super yummy New York Style Bagels.

     Immediately, I thought to myself…WOW! I haven’t had a bagel from NYC in years (and I’ve visited many of times since then!). There is something about an NYC bagel that makes it special. The crispy outside and moist chewy inside…drools!

     I figured this would give me a taste of NY without leaving my house. So, I decided to give it a go with the recipe.It’s super easy to make! So call this ‘blogger jacking’, but hell, it’s so worth a try!

      I made plain bagels, but if your a “toppings” type of person, there are so many options! Here’s some pics of the fun I had in the kitchen:

For a flaky buttery taste, I brushed the top with butter as soon as they came out of the oven!

Shout out to Cupcakes and Cashmere for the inspiration!

Even BIGGER shout out to Sophisticated Gourmet for the recipe!

@therealgurl

Vocab. Let’s Build Together!

12 Sep

Today’s word is Natty.

Pronounced Nat-tee.
It’s an adjective (adj.)

It means neatly or trimly smart in dress or appearance .

How can you use this word in real life?

I was approached by a gentleman with a natty navy blue Blazer.

Word Source: Found in my handy dandy Oxford American Dictionary (circa 1978). Definition found there and on dictionary.com!

@therealgurl

Politics Can Advance Your Career? Hmmm…Should You Give An Ish?

10 Sep

     I read this article on Forbes (here!)  a few days ago, and I was taken aback of the information that was dispersed. Now I’m not going to disagree with the importance of understanding who and where you work for. As an employer, it is definitely vital that you get to the meat and crumbs of your company’s  history, CEO’s history, and the policies and procedures when it comes to ethics and moralistic values that they stand for.

     Now, After reading this article, I asked myself this question: Should I really give a ish about what political views my company has? It seems like the political views of others these days is becoming synonymous with the religious views of others. At the same time, I believe it is important to understand what going on in present day politics. In addition, what is going on with the government and the policies that are in progress plays a role in how we live.  At the end of the day, weather you despise it or not, politics is a belief that we as Americans have the freedom of choice for. Same thing goes for religion and among others.

     In the workplace, I do not think we should be so concerned about the way our company is ran politically. Yes, a Republican might run his/her [slight shade 😉 ] company differently than a Democrat. But who he/she is voting for doesn’t define whether the company we work for is great or not. In all, it’s simple: If you don’t like the company you work for…then uh, leave. However don’t based your dislike because your company one ups and top guns are down with a certain political party. Think of it as you not being down with the company you work for because the top guns are Christian but you may be a Buddhist.

THE MORAL OF THE THIS RANT:

Have your own opinion! Do not be so one sided. Pay attention to the facts, and what you believe benefits you and your families, generations, etc. Don’t end up going to work and getting into that Republican/Democratic stuff. Avoid that messy ish…especially at work.

@therealgurl

I Can’t Stop Loving This Song!

10 Sep

Photo Source: colinspencerdesign.com

No lie, The very first time I heard this track, it was from one my favorite motivational speakers Eric Thomas (ET The Hip Hop Preacher). I couldn’t help but immediately find out who sings this song! Upon doing some research, I found out that the Massachusetts group, Fame Or Juliet penned this track called Dreams of Reality.

There  is something about this track that speaks so many volumes to me. It’s uplifting, leaves a dose of inspiration. Most importantly, the musical production was amazing!  In all, I really hope I run into these guys in the near future…I see HUGE potential in them!

Check some more of their stuff here!

**All video content is courtesy of YouTube and it users!

@therealgurl