D-WORDSLAYER

Keeping the past locked away in the past. The temptation to look back and wish is easy, especially when only good memories are at the front of your mind. Remember the past is 'what was' and the present is 'what is .' The future will be whatever you want it to be. Keep moving forward. I wrote the above recently and shared via Facebook. It was triggered when a friend of mine shared her thoughts on a matter and someone I knew for a long time was mentioned. When I hear his name my heart still beats fast, but a hurt and sad feeling soon follows. Not all relationships are good. Not all relationships are worth saving. If someone cannot love you for who you are, don't try to be who they want. You can only be the best you, and anything else is a poor imitation of the beauty you are. Love happens when we are young and we can become idealistic when it does not mature as we wish. In fact, sometimes we forget the flaws and focus on the dreams. Dreams are exactly as we...

Thankful for Lemonade Seems like I know a lot of sick/ ill folks. Sometimes life throws us lots of lemons, and after making lemonade, you get tired. This is the reality of prolonged illness or disability. I've found its a lot easier to smile and laugh in the face of challenges and pain. It does get better because out tolerance is heightened with our effort to improve our state of being. As I think about the funny stuff I've seen, and the way I feel looking at others smile, I realize the only difference in happiness is choice. We can gripe about a lot of stuff... and everyone can outdo each other in the 'woe is trouble' department. However, I've been doing a silent challenge this year, and maybe you can try it. The Challenge Look in the mirror and laugh at yourself. Be self- depreciating about your crooked teeth, or squinty eyes, or big butt! I have all sometimes. But find a way to laugh at you. Lighten up. There are a lot of folks out ...

Marriage is treated as a concept from the past. Its become a watered down version to commitment to many with divorce preparations as part of the wedding plan. My son is getting married and I am damn proud. I'm as pleased as punch that he has 'stepped up' and decided to make that forever after commitment. I'm even more pleased that he is deeply in love with his wife to be and ready to make it work forever after. At this point, I'm taking as much kudos and 'back-slapping' for raising my son right. Hell yes! He is a great son and an even better man. He has developed a strong back bone and excellent work ethic when it comes to taking care of his family. He is humble and sincere in his dedication to us all, and God sure blessed me when I decided to have him. I have no regrets, and would have him the same way, in the same circumstances, because he is who he is because of all we have been through. My heart is a bit sad though because now someone else w...

‘Homeless to Harvard’ is the 2003 Movie - ‘ Liz Murray’ story which inspires me when I need a reminder that my life is good. We need a reminder sometimes, because even your rock bottom can be bested by another. What matters most can sometimes be hidden behind survival mode. On other occasions the action of surviving is the trigger which explodes, fueling our passions. Our dreams can breathe life at these times. There is nothing quite as powerful as climbing a hill when you leave nothing behind. The same can be said for climbing when you know you have everything to return to. The things which act as catalysts to success are different for everyone. Here are (3)from my past I remember fondly; 1. The ‘adrenalin rush’. We were not rich, but my mother always found a way to ensure we survived. She was a teacher and published an anthology of poems ‘My Fist Fifty’ when I was twelve years old. I thought she was a star for doing so, and greatly admired her ambitious drive. I’m not su...

It’s Father’s day once more, and I wonder about the man whose DNA is woven in my life. Last year, I shared my thoughts on being a DAD v Father, from my own life experiences. This year as I think about him, I hope he is okay wherever he is. My father died on 13th June, 2013 of throat cancer My birthday is 14th June, and his was 15th June. He died as he lived, secretly not wanting any of his children (all daughters) scattered around the world to know. He died with his wife of thirty years (not my mom) and their daughter (my sister by his seed) close to him. He died afraid, trying to keep his secrets yet knowing they would all come out. He was a man, who was influenced by material things, status and the façade of ‘living a good life.’ Growing up I loved the man I thought my father was It is difficult for a child of five years old to understand divorce and life, when it changes from a happy place to anger. My earliest memory of my father is of shouting and a fight ...

Unity not fear! " To allow extremists to take over our feelings and lives is to give them power. The behavior of the USA President does that. Extremists and people like that want to rule through terror. As a world people we are sad, devestated and inconsolably sorry for those who lost love ones. To be judged by someone who is afraid of terrorists, is not good, however to give their fear power is foolhardy." (quote from Dwordslayer 4/6/2017) I cried as I read and watched Ariana Grande's performance benefit for the victims of the  horrific bombing at her concert recently. As I lay on my bed, my thoughts flew to the families experiencing loss, and felt loss for them. Hate brews hate. Hate brews war. Leaders who are autocratic and dictatorial, who push the boundaries of fear and division should never be made acceptable by allowing their rule. I feel this strongly. These haters are few , yet they are encouraged by their power and twisted religious beliefs of Isl...

I Look to you. I sure look to my savior Jesus Christ when I feel the overwhelming hatred of the politics of the world and its negative impact on the people of the world. I sure feel for refugees / immigrants and displaced people, the homeless and those fighting to keep their families together and alive. When You Believe. Yes, I sure believe that we can be better people if we pause our busy lives and look closely at those we can bless with a miracle. Maybe it may seem hard if you think miracles can only come from God, but he has blessed your life with a heart which can be opened up if we allow it. Maybe Heaven sent an Angel called you - I need an angel When you figure out what you can do, keep it quiet. There is no need for the right hand to know what the left is doing. Just do it, without desiring accolades and enrichment. The joy of helping others and being an angel of love, hope, kindness, compassion and mercy. What could be greater, than being a b...

There is only one ‘F’ word we fear as business people The thing about life is we don’t ever know when we will succeed or when we will fail. Yes, I’ve said it. The most difficult F word we try to avoid as business people is Fail. Its considered a negative word and one which should be replaced by a few words or phrases, such as “ it was an interesting period”, “ we did the best we could based on the circumstances”, or maybe we can simply say, “it was the result of an unexpected challenge.” Well let me change the way we admit when defeat happens. I failed. I thought I had all my bases covered, thought the challenges would eventually be overcome. I failed to prepare for the possibility I would need an exit strategy sooner than expected, and one day I had a head on crash. Of course after the fact, there are many things I could have done better. At the time though, when the walls were closing in survival was not as important as not failing. That ‘F’ word happened but I gain...

I cannot save the world. I've been blogging for some time now, and its been an eye opener for me. Who we really are comes from the things we just don't want to change. I'm sorry, just can't stop trying to help others and myself be inspired to want more. Sometimes I can be a pain in the butt, and  can be brutally honest to others, but moreso to myself. This year has been on of those defining times where who I am and what I say matters to me. What I do is even more important. There are so many things to get off my chest, and maybe, instead of looking for the soft words I need to spill the beans. I am appalled that there are people in this world who support 'the pussy grabber' aka new USA president . I'm really tired of being the good girl and keeping quiet about the fact, someone tried to kill me by running me over with a car in November, 2014. Working on the forgiveness angle. I'm no longer angry, but where the hell is justice when there is n...

When love goes south! Well its Friday, and I'm still trying to figure out how to share my thoughts on some topics. Love is not very easy to write about, especially when you've had a lot of 'experience' in falling off the passion rollercoaster.  I've been reading a lot this year on almost every imaginable topic. However some stories scream , respond- respond.  So here is a link to a story I read and my 'well meaning, no bullshit' response! this is how you lose her  by "Emily s " "A beautiful romantic story of loving and losing. I’m not drinking the same Kool-Aid from many years ago. It’s quite possible the mixture has changed. For love to work it has to be a two way street with both parties going in the same direction. People change. As we get to know someone sometimes that love emotion cools and is different for one person. Here is some advice to girls like her; If a man loves you he will show you, by the way he responds to ...

Most entrepreneurs are not afraid to take risks! I started my first business at eighteen . There was a demand for a product which was always out of stock and decided to make my own. At the time I was not thinking about business plans or securing financing, and was clueless about manufacturing. Nevertheless, with boldness and more bravery than ever, I decided to ‘make some money’. Here is the story. Creativity, Innovation & Recycling Shoulder pads were the ‘in thing’. All garments especially ladies dresses, suits and shirts came with shoulder pads. I bought a ‘shoulder shaved pair of foam’ uncovered for $6 to $9 a pair. If it was covered it was upwards of $10. I liked to sew and design and made all my clothes. I was know by the owners and employees at most of the fabric stores because I was always looking for deals. My wages were small, but my desire for fashion was big! Everyday, I went to work for eight hours and returned home after collecting my newborn son fro...

Hello to all my followers I've got another update which I hope you will enjoy! Its a compilation published on Thrive Global via Medium to April 2017! "It is only at the point of death a man discovers the value of life as it flashes before his eyes!" There is a lot going on right now in my life. Even with an empty nest there can be many things taking place which are time consuming and mentally & emotionally draining. Life is an ongoing process which only stops when we cease to exist - die. When someone passes away and we feel the pressure of the finality of life, a wave of sadness creeps up. Sadness for all the times you did not meet and all the things you never said or shared. The introspection can be a weight itself, or it can free us of the urgency of  being busy with the unimportant things. A man who receives news that is about to die in a few days, weeks or months, understands the value of what he leaves behind, so he changes. It is at that moment w...