Hello my luvs!

-I really want to start posting more often..w. life & all of its craziness, whew! I can hardly get a second to breath much less write, write, write! But I was born for this challenge & I'm ready! Expect to see more of me! I've been motivated recently by one of my besties who got some inspiration to start her own blog...thought I should show mine a little more appreciation! Like I said she wants to start one, but is on the hunt for someone who can give her a good customized blog(before u say it, i DID tell her to just start w. a generic blogger theme LOL)...she's an african-american writer like me..southern gal just moved to a big city (Chi town) & hasn't quite focused a theme for her blog, but she knows she wants something nice-looking! Anyhoo, if you guys have any recommendations for ppl who make great blog layouts lemme knw! The person who did mine is on customized hiatus right now :(

P.S. U can now subscribe to 'A Hidden Jewell' that way you can get me instantly...sometimes when u least expect it! :-)

My Life As Jewell

...Ten ways I'm taking control! I've just been feeling really blessed lately and enjoying life to the fullest. Even when negative thoughts & doubts try to creep in I put on my mental diva glasses...because they help me to focus. Focus on my strengths. Focus on my accomplishments. Focus on my goals. Besides feeling down & stuck is SO not 2010. So here's what I do to stay on a good path for me where I'm in control....

*I TAKE CARE OF MYSELF
-I know it's always much easier to be in a positive set of mind when I'm eating well, doing my yoga, and getting plenty of sleep (see my 'sleep when I die' post...I definitely learned my lesson about the importance of getting my beauty sleep!)

*I PRACTICE GRATITUDE
-The hard things in life don't really seem so bad when you just breathe & take a second to thank God, thank yourself, thank your mother,teachers, mentors,etc for the things that are right in your life. I always take time everyday to appreciate what is RIGHT b/c I know that makes a huge difference when everything may suddenly feel WRONG.

*I TRY TO NOT ASSUME
-We always know where that leads and call it cliche but, YES, it does make an ass out of you, me, and anyone else involved. The root of assumptions often stem from fear. Fear of not being accepted. Fear of rejection. Fear of jealousy or envy or whatever. Bottom line..I'm learning to speak up and ask on things I'm unsure of. Otherwise I'm just wasting my time worrying about things I may never know.

*I AVOID ABSOLUTES
-You know what I'm talking about...things like "I'm ALWAYS broke" or "he NEVER calls me". Or when people make it their business to say "you're ALWAYS late" (when they walked into work 15min after you did)....those are called absolutes. It's speaking in ways that never help the situation and I'm learning to program myself to not say 'always' or 'never' when I know it's going to make my life seem worse than it is. No one, including myself, is incapable of delivering on anything...I can do anything I set my mind to..which is why I'm programming it to stay away from negative absolutes.

*I ELIMINATE THE NEGATIVE
-Anything negative, ANYTHING, from the inside of your spirit to the outside of your outfit is a surefire self-esteem breaker. One author called them 'ANTs':Automatic Negative Thoughts and you HAVE to squash them like they were little pests under your stilleto shoe. I only attach to and follow positive people, places, and things.

*I GET PHYSICAL
-And I don't mean JUST by working out. Exercise, especially my fave yoga, is great but even the simple things help. Kissing, hugging, love-making all have great benefits. Even spending some QT w. family, friends, a new puppy, a pet fish, the list goes on & on is all apart of being physical and is always an INSTANT pick-me-up.


*I GET OUT MORE
-I'm writing this blog post @ the bookstore right now. YES, I could be doing it in my bed, but it's something about some fresh air that just puts me in the right frame of mind. Don't think cabin fever is some harmful .ish?...just watch Jack Nicholson in 'The Shining' and bet you'll change your mind. Increasing social activity decreases lonliness. Being around healthy, happy people and their postivity will automatically make you more postive...and more in control of YOU.

*I VOLUNTEER!
-I always smile when I think about volunteering...it's one of life's simple, most fulfilling pleasures that I've come to experience. I volunteer at my city's food bank and I recently signed up w. HOPE Worldwide to mentor a 4th grader afterschool once a week...and it just makes you feel all warm & smiley on the inside! Volunteering my time is what works for me, but also giving away money & resources, just because, is great. The more good things you put into the world, the more good things you'll get back...GUARANTEED.

*I TAKE A BREAK
-I didn't blog for a while...or twitter...or facebook...I took some weeks off. And I know that's okay, because sometimes I just NEED a break in my pattern. I took some time for me & did things that are completely different, from what I would normally ever do. (One of those included planning a trip to Jamaica...I'm SO excited!)Sometimes it's hard to do, but it's very necessary to unplug for a little, so that I don't get overloaded & blow a fuse, lol. Listening to music, taking a mini-vacay, taking a MAJOR vacay always helps to stay positive and keeps your normal routine productive.

*I PRAY
-I can do all things through Him who strengthens me (Phil 4:13) I know that I'm always strong in my Lord and when I feel like I have no might I communicate with Him and He gives me wings like I am an eagle...like I can do anything in any lane of life I choose.



....and even after doing all 10 of these things everyday if I'm still left unable to gain control of something I know it's truly meant for me to give to God and move on!


Are these some of the visions that you see when focusing with your own diva glasses? What other ways do you use to stay on track & in control of you? :)