Welcome!!! I have decided to take a journey deep into my inner self to discover a deeper sense of peace and maybe even to get some of life's most puzzling questions answered. Feel free to join me on this journey and leave your thoughts...

Showing posts with label Love and Relationships. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Love and Relationships. Show all posts

Friday, June 8, 2012

Jilted Love


Jilted Love

A poem. 

I am a jilted lover
and a slave to my emotions.










Emotions, swirling around
like a never-ending storm cycle, 
engulf me.  

Me, afraid to move.
They keep swirling. 

I am a prisoner of my emotions,
afraid to feel,
some days, trapped
in a silent secluded cave.  

Afraid to be.
Me.
Afraid to love effortlessly
and abundantly.
Shamed. 
Lowered eyes.


My emotions whisper, “Deal with it.”
And it hurts,
as all hope fades away and dies.


Then,












Acceptance.

Monday, January 2, 2012

Ladies, You Choose

Tonight I want to talk about meeting “The One.” 



Ladies, it's time to take our power back.

 Holding On.

Don’t hold on to relationships thinking that no one else will come along, ever. I know that people are tempted to stay in situations that they’ve invested in. It’s almost like buying a house… maybe the more money you spent on it, the harder you will work to remain in it… or maybe the more expensive the wedding, the more years you’ve dated, in other words…the more you invest, the more committed you are to making a positive outcome, no matter what. You’re committed to being together not because the person is all that great but because of the time, money, energy, effort you’ve invested in a life with the person.

If you are not happy and you’re fully committed (married w/papers to prove it), yes there is room for trying, depending on how bad the situation is.

But guess what? If you’ve never committed to the person…then the easier it is for you to walk away… Not only is it easier, but it’s probably best. Sure all couples have problems but if you are miserable together, what is the point of holding on? Before your health starts to suffer, and you lose more than you will gain…why not just leave and start anew with someone else or even just be alone for a while?



Letting It Go.

In the past I stayed with someone and put up with stuff I should have let go…but I was convinced that I would never find anyone else like him. And you know what? Maybe I was right. I still haven’t found anyone with some of his best qualities, but I am so happy that I don’t have to put up with his bad qualities. And I keep hope alive that I will find someone who made me as happy as he made me on his best days. I know that all the good was not worth all the bad.

I take responsibility for my own destiny and having the choice of who I want in my life and how I want them there. Who do I want to let into the most intimate spaces of my mind, my bed, and my heart? I gotta make sure that he’s the right person for the job. I gotta make sure he’s committed to making it work.


Ladies, let’s take our power back.



Am I going to play Russian Roulette or the slot machine today?

I have to talk about a few deal breakers for me. Domestic abuse is a deal-breaker. Physical or sexual violence, verbal abuse, and emotional abuse are things that I WILL stay FAR away from!

In the beginning there was…

My #1 Pet Peeve is when a guy does not accept "NO!" for an answer.

I don’t understand why guys throw a tantrum when I reject their advances. If you can’t take “no” for an answer and you don’t even know me, then that is a sign that I need to run, not walk, in the other direction.

Another scenario is a guy throwing a tantrum when I’ve asked him to leave me alone. I might say to him, “There is no place for me in your world. I don’t belong there and I’ve tried for months. We’ve talked about it. This is not for me.”

For once in my life I’d like to hear in response, “Ok, I respect that. I respect your wishes. I care about you and would like for you to be in my life but I want to make sure that you truly want to be here. I want you to feel comfortable.”

I like Drake’s song “Take Care” when he says, “Call me when the baggage just ain’t as heavy.” He didn’t hit her over the head and say, “You’ve got baggage! Stop being a b***h! You need to drop that s**t and just give me what I want!” No, he was a lot nicer than that!

Not respecting my “No”, means that you don’t respect me. Period. Respect. R-E-S-P-E-C-T What does it look like? What does it feel like? Especially when I’m sure I gave you the “Let me be clear, NO.” There was nothing soft and playful about that.



Catch Him and Keep Him?

Once I actually bought and paid for this dating-help program by a man named Christian Carter called “Catch Him and Keep Him.” The focus of this program is on attraction and how women can use attraction to get their man to make a long-lasting commitment. According to Mr. Carter, in order to create long-lasting attraction and commitment you have to get Him attracted to you on a level deeper than just physical, because basically he can get that anywhere (or at least multiple places). So what exactly is it that Mr. Carter says will make Him commit to you for the long haul? Basically it is a deep sense of attraction, engagement, and emotional connection (a concept which men struggle with) that stems beyond anything you can conceive, buy, etc.

I’ve watched some of the videos and to sum it up, it seems that most important are, 1.) Emotional connection, 2.) Interpersonal relationship strength, and 3.) The feeling of just knowing something is “there.” If these are strong, my friend, your man will know that you are “the one” and will be more than happy to make a long-lasting commitment to you.

What have I learned from the Catch Him and Keep Him program? The 1st and final lesson I learned from all this: Attraction principles apply to men as well as women. So when “it” comes along, you’ll know. Therefore, I don’t care how big of a shortage of men there are, I will wait on one who I share a deep, long-lasting attraction with. Women, you have your list, and you have your rules, but when you’re deeply attracted to someone, you’re willing to break all the rules because you believe that there is a silver lining on the other side! (Guys, this does not mean that I want you to test me by trying to get me to break all the rules.)

Now, how you choose to express your heart’s desire is a different story…and that can be the confusing part for couples to figure out. But then, it’s all in the language…the communication, verbal and non verbal. (Five Love Languages) Many try to imitate this connection, but it honestly is not something that is contrived. If it’s real, you know it. If it’s not real, then you’ll know you’re just pretending.

I think it’s very important for both men and women to find, “the one.” For women this is a lot harder because many times we settle, worried about our biological clock, scared that we’re running out of time, concerned that we may never find anyone as suitable as the one standing before us. We say to ourselves, “Maybe my standards are too high. Maybe I’m chasing a dream that I will never find.”

And so we settle with the 1st one who says he’s willing to commit. Sometimes we settle with the one who only seems like he’s ready to commit with the hope that one day he’ll grow up and be the one we truly need. We hope and we pray that maybe we can change him or inspire him to love us more and to love being with us more. We say, “Wouldn’t we make a great family? Couldn’t we be together forever?” Yes. But what about having an attraction that is lasting, deep, and that goes both ways? I might look into his eyes and see a friend, a good friend, someone who is irreplaceable in my heart and mind, my best friend, even. But does that mean that the two of us need to get together? Just because his sex parts fit mine?

When friends and family ask, “Do you love him?” I might say, “Of course I do. He’s my best friend, but he’s not the one.”



Ladies let’s take our power back.


Loneliness = WTFever?

What is it about feeling that you need somebody, have to have somebody, need someone to complete you? Why submit to an overwhelming sense of loneliness and desire that causes you to date the wrong people, trust the wrong people, throw all caution to the wind and just say, forget it?! Like playing a slot machine at the casino, all you want to do is throw your hands up in the air and hope for the best.


A Desperate Woman’s Prayer

“God please favor me. I have a list and I’ve checked it twice. I’ve been carerful and I’m cautious but I’m still alone and soooo unhappy. God, I just need an escape, some relief. Even if I can’t really trust this person, what the heck? I just need someone right now. So I will settle and I will hope and I will pray that God, you will send me the relief I so desire: the feeling that there is someone out there for me who I can trust, who I can confide in, who I can make love to, who I can share my life with, who understands me, who accepts me, who makes me feel whole, who entertains me, who holds me and comforts me (even if it is through the telephone), and who spends quality time with me. I just pray that you give me this temporary relief Lord, to help me put my feet on the ground and to steady me during life’s storms, because Lord knows I so need this relief. I think He can be trusted but I’m not sure. God, help me. Help him to love me and cherish me the way you would. And if all else fails, and he is not the one, please send someone else for me to play with, to keep me busy, and to keep my mind occupied, to protect me and keep me safe from the evil that is loneliness. And maybe, just maybe, one day He will claim me as His own and I won’t look like a loser to my friends. Maybe we can start a family and I can have the children of my own which I’ve always desired. Maybe, just maybe, this could work out. Or maybe it won’t. But I feel powerless to do without, so I have to make this decision even if it doesn’t work out. I have to make it work, God.”


And there you have it… You enter into a relationship that is more than likely doomed to fail because you’ve thrown away your standards and committed to settling out of pure desperation.


A Miserable Woman’s Prayer

“Oh my God, what did I do? I just want to be free… Free from this madness. I just want it to be over. This game is not fun anymore. It’s too much. Now I feel like a prisoner in a cave and everywhere I go, there it is. There he is. Here we are. I’m trapped.”


Ladies, let’s take back our power.



Male Privelege: Who’s winning?

I can tell you that I understand your pain because I’ve been through it. Therefore my sympathies for you are endless and abundant.

Growing up, many days I wished that I could be a boy… It seemed like love and life were so much easier for them. They had power and privilege (which of course they argue they don’t have). When men chose they chose. When men are done, they’re done. But for women, things are different because it would seem that we actually need them more than they need us, so we invest in them more than they invest in us.

Historically, we needed Him to be a provider and to provide for us and our children. Now we are more independent and we just need Him to start a family with us so we can have children, so that we can attain the coveted two-parent household. But oftentimes, he is not willing to commit and he just wants to 1.) Play games until the end of time. 2.) Tell lies. 3.) Make excuses. 4.) Deceive you into believing what is not the truth, that his bad behavior is all your fault and that there must be something wrong with you. So, the baggage you carry with you are remnants of the mind games that were played and the things that were said and done.

Protect your mind. Protect your heart. From the very beginning! Before you’ve invested too much!

If someone says something that makes you uncomfortable then leave. In general, if you feel uncomfortable, then leave. You have that right. Too many people will tell you to stay. They will say that you’re a better person if you can work through the conflict. But those people are not there in your shoes and are not destined to spend countless intimate hours with that other person. They don’t know everything about your relationship and you can never really explain it to them because it happened in real time.

So go if you need to go. Disconnect if you need to. No one has the right to tell you that you don’t deserve to think for yourself, that you don’t deserve to make your own choices, because in the end when you suffer the abuse, the humiliation, the low self-esteem and when you are the one left trying to pick up the pieces, probably all your advice-givers will have to say is, “Honey, you need to move on. He doesn’t want you anymore.”

You might ask in response, “You mean he’s not going to verbally and emotionally abuse me anymore? So why did I do this? Why did I stay? Why did I invest?” And they will say, “Because you loved him.” Your reply will be, “But you told me that as long as he showed that he wanted me, I should stay. You said I should stay and give him whatever he wants even if it hurts. But now he says he’s done, after all the children, after all the years, and he doesn’t want anything to do with me anymore! After all that I’ve invested!” Your friend or family member then can only say, “I’m sorry honey. You have to move on.”

And it’s just that simple. He chose.

So now what will you do when your friends say these things? “You shouldn’t want to be lonely.” “You shouldn’t want to be alone all the time.” “You’re not looking at the wrong you’ve done.” “You don’t always have the nicest attitude.”

From the very beginning ladies, if you don’t want him, you don’t need him. And when you turn around and walk in the other direction you can say that neither the past nor the future matter in this situation because it’s over. “I choose.” Ladies, always remember, “To thine self be true.” - Shakespeare

You choose!


 
Relationship Blogs
 
 
 
 

Friday, December 16, 2011

Drake, Doing The Right Thing

And the award for "Most Sensitive Rapper" goes to...

Last night before bed I was listening to meditation music when another song kept popping into my head. I could faintly hear a girl singing it...so then I said, "Scratch this meditation. Let me hum this song so maybe I can figure out where I've heard it before." Then I remembered! Oh, that was one of the new songs off of Drake's "Take Care" album! So I went to listen to "Doing It Wrong" by Drake. (The voice I was hearing in my head was actually a cover by HotTottie on Youtube.)





[Verse 1]
When a good thing goes bad it's not the end of the world
It's just the end of a world that you had with one girl
And she's the reason it happened, but she's overreacting
And it's all because she don't want things to change

[Hook]
So cry if you need to, but I can't stay to watch you
That's the wrong thing to do
Touch if you need to, but I can't stay to hold you
That's the wrong thing to do
Talk if you need to, but I can't stay to hear you
That's the wrong thing to do
Cause you'll say you love me, and I'll end up lying
And say I love you, too

But I need someone different
You know it, oh ho, you know it
Oh ho, you know it, we both know it
I need someone different
You know it, oh ho, you know it
Oh ho, you know it, we both know it
Something's been missing
You know it, oh ho, she knows it
Oh ho, I know it, we all know it
I need someone different
(Oh ho, oh ho)

[Verse 2]
We live in a generation of not being in love, and not being together
But we sure make it feel like we're together
Because we're scared to see each other with somebody else

[Hook]

[Outro - Stevie Wonder Harmonica]


Drake - Take Care Medley


What did this mean? Why was my mind pulling me to that song I happened to have heard only twice before...
1.) Well, obviously it sounds good.
2.) I have to say that I admire Drake for this one because he's doing the right thing by showing that he has a conscience. I just applaud him for that.
3.) Honesty, morality...wow, he's winning so many awards for just that one song! It is huge!

Now as for the rest of the album...hmm, well I dunno. But overall I love the Drake (((sound))) and especially his willingness to be vulnerable through his music. And really, his singing is awesome!

Listen to my music playlist: "Best of Drake"

Monday, November 7, 2011

Black Dating and Marriage Videos

All you need is a cup of hot cocoa, your pajamas, and maybe headphones... Then you can sit back and enjoy all of the drama, madness, humor, and warm fuzzies of my youtube playlist, "Black Marriage and Dating Videos." <--To watch on Youtube click here.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Is The Devil Hijacking Black Youth Culture? Part II

This is a follow-up to my previous blog about the negative, downhill moral journey of black youth culture. I have to admit that I got a little flack for the last article. People said I was being judgemental and that I thought I was perfect... So how bout this one? I know and believe that black culture is (or can be) so much more than just a combination of risky sexual behavior, drug-use, illegal drug activity, etc. And it is my personal opinion that this type of lifestyle should not be glorified! Children as well as adults see their heroes engaged in this type of activity and they seek to imitate it. Then it becomes almost normal or expected to continue the pattern.



My focus for this article is pop sensation Rihanna, and her new video, "We Found Love." I can relate to Rihanna and I admire her creativity but I still believe that the image she puts forth as a young black woman is irresponsible.

I do love her and most of her work, tho!

This video was brought to my attention by "The Grio" on Facebook.

The Grio's Chris Witherspoon published this article--> 15 most telling moments in Rihanna's 'We Found Love'





Rihanna's "We Found Love"




Here are my thoughts on the video as well as the article.

Risk-taking behavior at it's highest!

1.) The slot machine symbolizes risk taking. As does her other video, "Russian Roulette." So does behavior like jumping on tables in public places, doing lots of drugs(and also the way that they do them, like smoking 4 joints, or whatever that was, at 1 time) and last but not least, remaining in an abusive relationship.



2.) In the scene where she was passed out, Chris Witherspoon interpreted that the man was trying to "comfort her in a drunken stupor." To me he looked worried. Also, there were ambulance lights flashing in-between that scene.

3.) In the end she was balled up into a corner because she realized that she needed to change her life but it was hard...also she was detoxing. She's detoxing from the relationship, which itself was like a drug--> like she said, "wanting the good without the bad."

4.) I don't think people realize the reality of how much drug use/abuse can contribute to poor decision making! If I was high on drugs all the time, I might fall in love with a tree!

5.) She's sick and she knows it...And she's only 23yrs old. Wow...

In the song "Rehab" off her 2nd album, she says, "I gotta check into rehab cause baby you're my disease." (Yeah, the video with Justin Timberlake as her love interest.)
Well, this is her 6th album, so it seems like she's been dealing with these issues for at least the length of her entire music career!

6.) I applaud her for her creativity! However, I think a lot of kids will watch and think it's just cool to get high and f**k...

Skorpion Show Review


Click here for more info on Rihanna and Chris Brown.


When I Became A Man (Spoken Word)







On another note (and completely off topic I guess), the "We Found Love" video reminds me of Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream." Although, "We Found Love" reaches a little deeper and kind of looks more like a nightmare than a dream! A drug-induced one!

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Trust Issues



If I could find a man I trust...





I would crawl to him

through the desert



on my hands and knees!










But if he asks me

to put a perm in my hair,






I will shake my head

and say, "Negro, please!"









I'm happy to be naturally nappy! :-)

Monday, June 20, 2011

Male Privelege Part 1 - Date Rape

Male privelege is life without the fear of being raped... also, not having to take into account the importance of personal safety for females. Basic personal safety training can help females recognize warning signs and set healthy boundaries, thereby preventing date rape, druken rape, and domestic abuse...or at least awareness of steps to take when any of these has occured or is about to occur. Our #1 priority should always be to self, keeping ourselves safe is very important.


The following is information from http://www.duhaime.org/CrimeandSafety/LawArticle-53/Date-Rape.aspx

Some studies suggest that up to one in every four women are victimized by some form of sexual assault in their lifetimes.

In an emergency, the human brain is like a filing cabinet and it can quickly recall information once learned. The purpose of this article is to give you a "rape" file so that if you ever need it, you'll have some information to respond with.

Girls must be assertive and say "no" when they mean "no." Girls are often raised to treasure other people's feelings and that means not hurting them. Sadly, this also leads some girls to stay quiet even if they are in danger. Assertiveness is different from rudeness (which is aggressive). Being assertive simply means saying directly and clearly what you mean.

A simple "no" can resolve most unwanted touches. You could say:
"Stop, please. I'm not enjoying this."
"Get your hands off me."
"I don't want to have sex."
"I said "no" and I mean "no"."
Another difficulty is that many girls feel they should be in a relationship, mostly because of peer pressure or because of strong messages left by teen television shows. "Having a boyfriend is cool!" This might even keep them in an abusive relationship. Just remember: being single is great too!

How do you know if your relationship is a good one? In a healthy relationship, your boyfriend will be a good listener and you will feel free to talk about your feelings with him. You will feel like his equal and not like his subordinate. You will laugh and have fun together and he will make you feel good about yourself. If you have a misunderstanding, he will want to work things out with you.

Signs of a bad relationship include jealousy or possessiveness, feeling bad about yourself, criticism or being picked on. In a bad relationship, your boyfriend often ignores or interrupts you. You don't trust your boyfriend and he may try to control you. He may even pressure you into staying in the relationship. He could be violent or frequently display anger. He may show contempt towards women such as calling them "bitches" or saying things like "they should stay at home." He may be nice to you when you're alone but a jerk when his friends are around. If he forces you to have sex, get out of the relationship (at the very least. You should also talk to the police about the assault). Other bad signs are a guy who drinks too much or who likes to get stoned on drugs.

Remember: you don't have to date anybody. There is no law that says that you have to date. It's your heart and body. Treasure it and protect it. Think about sex and what it means to you. Decide what your values are and how far you want to go before you get into a situation with your date. Listen to your feelings. If you just want to cuddle, say so! You have the right to say "no" to sexual contact. Any sexual contact without your permission is a crime.

Here are some final tips on avoiding date rape:

Avoid parties or groups where alcohol or drug use is excessive. Studies of date rape show that 75% of the date-rapists, and 55% of the victims, had been drinking or taking drugs before the rape occured.

Avoid people who make you feel uncomfortable.

If you're going to a party, establish a buddy system with a friend; watch out for each other.

When you're leaving, don't announce that you're walking alone. Try to walk home with a friend or in groups.

Don't give a whole bunch of information about yourself to a person you just met.

People can't read you mind: if someone's doing something to you that you're not comfortable with, say "no."

Always have some taxi money in your pockets in case you want to go home.

Never walk home through deserted areas like parkland or railroad tracks.

Do not hitchhike.

More info: http://www2.truman.edu/~aweitz/prevent_date_rape/

I originally published this to Myra Speaks on Facebook, February 11, 2011.

Monday, June 13, 2011

My Dating Profile


What I am looking for…

1. I am ultimately searching for a Life Partner. At age 28, I’m all for having fun, but I really hope to build a relationship with that special someone who I can settle down and start a family with. Yet even though I’m seeking that life partner, I prefer a partner who is patient and relaxed when it comes to dating. I do not want to move too fast or try to have too much too soon.

2. I need a partner who can be understanding, supportive, and sensitive of my feelings; someone who will be a support to me throughout life’s endeavors, trials, and tribulations.

3. I need a partner who can stimulate my mind, who is an intellectual/thinker. I am a lifelong learner and I would like to find someone who is the same.

4. I would like to meet men who are at least somewhat financially stable and emotionally centered, despite the fact that many people are experiencing hard times during our country’s economic crisis.

5. I am someone who believes in natural highs, holistic health/wellness, and having fun in moderation. I don’t smoke and I drink alcohol, rarely. I prefer to be around people who are like me in this sense.




6. I like my partner to be down-to-earth and realistic, yet I appreciate men who are positive thinkers as well, who know how to use positive language.

7. I have a strong sense of morals and values and I would like to find someone who shares my deep sense of morality.

8. I would like to find someone who knows how to maintain good boundaries and has respectful relationships with others.

9. My special someone should definitely have the same interests as I do. I think that people who believe in the same things, and people who like to do the same things, definitely have less to argue about.

10. I am interested in men who believe in equality between males and females. If we do go further in the relationship, I will know you are someone who will be an asset to our household, physically as well as financially.




My Interests…

1. Yoga
2. Church/Spirituality/Worship
3. World Issues
4. Health and Wellness
5. Outdoor Events/Parks/Lakes
6. Festivals/Museums/Attractions
7. Traditional Family Events
8. Movies
9. Theater/Dance
10. Dining



Important to know about me…

Something that prevents me from doing a lot with some people, are my allergies. Specifically, I am allergic to pet dander (all cats and all dogs).




My idea of a great first date…

Great first dates for me, last only about 2hrs and are during the daytime with very little or no drinking.

I believe the whole purpose of the first dates (at least the first 5 dates) is for us to spend a little bit of time getting to know each other in a one-to-one setting, and also giving ourselves the opportunity to enjoy each other without the pressure of feeling like we’re already in a relationship. So the date should be something that is mutually fun, inexpensive, and lasts only a couple of hours. I prefer to first get to know someone during daytime activities with very little or no drinking.

Examples:
1. Museum (self-paced walking tour)
2. Informal Lunch (Starbucks and surf the internet, Cici’s Pizza and afterwards play arcade games)
3. Small (not crowded) festival, water park, amusement park, or fair. (not crowded)


Bad ideas for a 1st date...
1. Movie Theater
2. Staying in (at either person’s home)
3. A Family Event/Tradition
4. Night Club/Bar




Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Discrimination Part 2: Rap Music and Skin Color Preference

Black people, lets wake up and stop destroying ourselves! Rappers and others in the Hip Hop music industry have historically been known for skin color bias in their music videos. Now, why is it that rappers think it is okay to specify skin color preference in their songs when they speak about females? "brown skin" "yellow bone" "red bone" ...and u know that they are talking about women who are lighter than a brown paper bag, yet u never hear them say, "My girl is so dark." As a matter of fact, black people know this is a putdown, not a compliment.

So now they have another excuse to disrespect both the light and dark-skinned females. They say that the light-skinned one thinks she's all that and the dark-skinned one has low self-esteem.

And then there was "Becky"...the one that b***p, b***ps... these men don't even respect themselves... If I had children they would never watch TV or listen to the radio! They would be so sheltered! We would be reading books. I would not ...want to teach my children hatred. I don't want them to learn it somewhere else either...especially hating themselves...my little dark-skinned girls watching BET, MTV, Disney, TV One, you name it, and feeling like they just don't measure up because they're too dark...sad and ridiculous...what I call black on black racism.

And major news networks wonder what's wrong with the state of black marriage! Ha! How can you really love someone else when you hate yourself? And black men wonder why black women get attitudes!

Stupidness and Ignorance are tearing our community apart!

Related articles:

Is the Devil Hijacking Black Youth Culture?

"The Light-Skinned vs. Dark-Skinned Battle: Who’s winning it?"

"Skin Color and Hair Texture: A Black Woman's Journey"

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Dating Questions for Self

What do you want?

I don’t understand when a man tells me that he can’t find a good woman. Being a woman myself, having been a woman all my life, and having close relationships with women, I think it’s safe for me to say that I know a little bit about women. There are so many beautiful and wonderful women out there who are looking for decent men. Ladies, do you really believe a man who says he can’t find a good woman.

The first question I ask him is, “Really? Well, what are you looking for? What do you feel has been missing?” I have learned to accept what men say at face value, but tell them, “Let me help you try to figure this out a little bit because relationships are a complex thing.” I get these answers: “Women are hoes.” “They cheat…my last one cheated on me.” Then I ask the question, “Did you cheat on her first?” What do you think their answer is? It’s always a “yes” followed by, “But I’m not perfect, I’m a man.”

I have gotten to the point where I am tired. Just tired of the whole dating scene. I too would like to find a decent relationship, but in a lot of ways I’ve given up hope as well. Many times I feel I just don’t have the energy or the will to deal with all the drama. One major problem is this: “Pick one.” If you want to be in a relationship with me you need to chose me and only me…if you’re choosing others, then I will do my own thing and choose others. Double standards don’t work for me!

Then there’s the trust game men like to play, “I want to know that you trust me from the moment I meet you because so many women don’t trust men and I need to know that you trust me in order for me to feel comfortable with you.” Well, sorry to break it to you, but when I first meet you, I don’t trust you! I believe that trust is earned. If you want to be trusted in a relationship, dating, etc. you must first know what you want and communicate this with all your being. You should consistently communicate it verbally with words, through body language, actions, and subconsciously.

Great question for you to ask yourself and others on a first date, “What are you looking for?” In other words, you're saying to the other person, "What do you want from me?" I have been in relationships where the person said one thing upon first meeting then a month later they were saying something different that changed up the whole game! Be consistent. Know what you want or your prospective partner will think you are fickle or even worse, “playing games.” If you say to your date, “Let’s just see what happens,” then you cannot blame that other person when things go awry, because you entered the situation unsure about what you wanted to get out of it.


Persuasion vs. Control

Learn the difference between persuasion and control. Ask yourself the question, “What type of persuasion techniques do I use to get what I want from others?” Look at your past behaviors and ask yourself, “At what point did my actions start to become manipulative?” This has to be one of the fastest ways to drive a relationship into the ground, control and manipulation. You can’t address these traits in others until you address them within yourself. Are your relationships based on control?

Controlling Behavior in Relationships:
Calling/Texting Excessively
Checking In
Financial Dependence
(relationships should not be based on this)
Having your partner indebted to you
Lying/Dishonesty
Aggression (not to be confused w/anger)
Throwing Temper Tantrums
Verbal Insults
Yelling
Breaking Things
Getting Physical


Broaden Your Horizons

Finally the last set of questions that I will leave you with. Ask yourself, “Do I have unrealistic expectations for my prospective or current partner?” Ask yourself, “What exactly are realistic expectations?” You can ask your Facebook friends, your mom, dad, grandma, and people you’re not related to. Just get to know different types of people and find out what most consider to be realistic expectations for your prospective or current relationship. This process will teach you how to get to know others and also how to respect differing opinions.

I always find myself saying, “I’m sorry, you must have me confused with somebody else.” Respect differences. Respect opinions. Never tell your prospective partner who you think they should be, but allow them to be who they are. Listen. Actively listen. Ask questions. Don’t get angry about someone else’s beliefs, opinions, and attitudes. You are allowed to respectfully disagree. Agree to disagree and move on or move forward. It's your choice. But you cannot place the blame on someone else for not meeting your expectations, especially a whole gender of people.

Broaden your horizons. Date outside your race. Date within your race. Date outside your culture. Date within your culture. Try online dating, speed dating, a phone chat line…these will help you hone important dating skills (listening without seeing, written communication, setting up a dating profile, answering the hard questions). Determine who you would absolutely never be happy with then cast your net wide and search for any who you might be compatible with.

As for praying for God to send you that special someone... Well, faith without work is dead.

Links:

http://www.ehow.com/video_4981821_build-trust-relationship.html

http://www.ehow.com/video_4981821_build-trust-relationship.html

Monday, March 21, 2011

Finding A Husband: A Woman's Reputation

If I had to think about all the things life/society has taught me about finding a husband I would have to divide it into two categories, traditional and current. Traditional would be what my mother and grandmothers’ generation was taught:



5 traditional sayings for women looking to find a husband:

1. “Why would he buy the cow when he can get the milk for free?"

2. “Keep your legs closed!”

3. “Always be a lady.”

4. “Respect yourself.”

5. “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.”





Well in today’s society, still within the 3rd sexual revolution of the 20th century, all of that has gone straight to hell! Men are still getting used to women having more freedom and power in the workplace as well as the home…yet how we as women view ourselves, sexually, has changed a lot!





10 ways to find a husband in 2011:



The most recurring theme “A good woman knows her place and reverberates with all of her being that men are God.”


1. “Know your place!”
2. Dress and act more provocatively.
3. Get a reputation for yourself as easy, appeasing, “down for anything.”
4. Never be outspoken if it makes a man feel uncomfortable.
5. Let him cheat on you. Just ignore it and forgive him.
6. Act like you have no self-esteem so that you appear to be more needy.
7. Cheat on him at least once.
8. Remain open in the bedroom. After all, “What he can’t get at home, he will find elsewhere.”
9. Say yes when you really mean “No!”
10. Don’t be fake when you call yourself a “bad b**ch” because you will have to prove it!


I think we need to take a look at the messages young girls of today receive about love and marriage. Twenty years ago, you might hear someone say, “It is better to be a lady in the streets but a freak in the bed.” Today it seems that it is more attractive to be the "bad" girl publicly versus behind closed doors. Both women and men today raise the “bad b***h" up on a pedestal. Many of today’s men claim to want the "baddest b***h" sitting on their lap.



It would seem to be that today, of the married couples I know in their 30s and under, men flock to women who they know will cheat on them. The reason for this I’m not completely sure of, but maybe he feels success in taming her animalistic nature, or at least trying to. Or maybe it is that he has decided to keep the baddest b***h around for life, while he entertains himself elsewhere as well.



So my final question is this: Do I need to make a sex tape to find a husband in today’s society in order to make myself more wifey-like? If I just follow the traditional sayings, what type of husband can I expect to attract, if any?”

Monday, March 14, 2011

Saying Good-bye - Part 1



Saying good-bye is a part of life. Sometimes we choose it and other times we have no choice, the good-bye chooses us. People move away, go to jail, die, vow to never speak to you again, ask you not to contact them…all these things…and while the world keeps spinning on its axis as if nothing ever happened, you are shaken to the core. Every time I have to say good-bye to someone who I love deeply, I feel as if I am a different person…I am still me, however, different now without that person in my life.

It’s as if all of a sudden you’re standing still or wandering slowly down a busy street watching everyone and everything move in a fast blur, as if in a dream. You wonder where everyone is going, what everyone is doing, and for a moment you feel lost and forgotten because you’re moving too slowly. Faces and bodies are a blur as they leave you behind. You're standing there wondering what step to take next, which direction to go in, and what to do when you get to wherever it is that you’re supposed to be. Then you realize that maybe it’s just best to stop, sit, and wait until life makes sense again.


After a little while of pausing for reflection, you find yourself just going through the motions trying to look normal or to at least look like everyone else. You pretend to be the same. You try to blend in but you’re so far away…so lost. Living for you is like singing the “ABC” song; it sounds the same every time. You follow predictable cues and act accordingly, but you’re not there. Friends call you on the phone and you ignore them. You say to family and friends, “I’m tired,” or “I’m busy,” but you really want to say, “I can’t talk to you right now because I don’t care about what you’re talking about.” You just want to hear silence…or maybe the sounds of comforting rain, rush hour traffic, or soft music…anything that doesn’t require you to think. And you want to sleep a deep and peaceful rest so that maybe when you wake up you’ll care; you’ll be engaged and aware of life again. You will have moved on.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Movies To Watch With Your Fiance

Movies to watch when moving from a dating relationship to getting engaged! Watch each movie before getting engaged or in the beginning stages of your engagement.

I originally created this list back in November 2009 and emailed it to the guy I wanted to get engaged to... I told him he had to watch the entire list before we got married! He was psyched about the list, but we still didn't get engaged and we're not together today. :-( He wasn't ready to commit.

The guy I wanted to get engaged to was actually not an American citizen. He was born and raised in the city of Nairobi, which is the capital city of Kenya (a country in Eastern Africa). He moved to the United States in 2001, at the age of 20 (4yrs before I met him in 2005). So, this was my attempt at infusing a little more American culture and ideology into him.


Movies To Watch With Your Fiance

1. He’s Just Not That Into You – romantic comedy unlike other romantic comedies, about the world of dating and finding “the one.”

2. The Time Traveler’s Wife – romance/action film about an off/on relationship

3. Rachel Getting Married – drama about dysfunctional family preparing for oldest daughter’s wedding

4. Father of the Bride – lighthearted family comedy about a wedding

5. My Big Fat Greek Wedding – lighthearted comedy about a wedding between two people from different cultures

6. Kissing Jessica Stein – a romantic comedy about a straight woman who tries to have a long-term romantic relationship with a woman.

7. Miss Conception – comedy about a woman in a long-term relationship who tries to fufill her desperate need to have a child after she finds out that she only has 1 egg left

8. The Notebook – romance drama about a love that transcends boundaries/obstacles

9. Tyler Perry’s Daddy’s Little Girls – romantic comedy about a man learning how to become a father to his 3 children while falling in love with a woman who is learning how to allow herself to love a man

10. My Best Friend’s Girl – comedy about a woman and man discovering what they want out of romantic relationships

11. You’ve Got Mail – romantic comedy about two people at odds who unknowingly fall in love with each other over the internet

12. You, Me, and Dupree – comedy about a newlywed couple whose marriage suffers after an annoying friend moves in with them

http://www.flixster.com/movie-list/movies-to-watch-with-your-fiance

















  • He's Just Not That Into You











  • The Time Traveler's Wife











  • Rachel Getting Married











  • Father of the Bride











  • My Big Fat Greek Wedding











  • Kissing Jessica Stein











  • Miss Conception











  • The Notebook











  • Daddy's Little Girls











  • My Best Friend's Girl











  • You've Got Mail











  • You, Me and Dupree






Thursday, February 3, 2011


What is Love?



A poem by Myra Williams



Love is like a competition

a race to the finish line.

Who's right, who's wrong,

who's powerful, who's smarter,

who is more desirable?



Love is also like a dance,

two ppl learning

to step in tune

with each other

at a perfect distance,

following a familiar pattern.



Love is a game

only the players understand.



Love is not martyrdom.

No one can compete with Jesus!

Although, Mother Teresa's love

was almost Christ-like because,

she gave service to others

as a way of life.



1 Cor. 13:8 says, "Love never fails."

This is true.

True love never fails.

But romance and friendships,

relationships, often do.



How should I love someone

when it's best

for both of us

to be apart?

Though no longer in love,

that person still has my heart.



I can have love for someone

forever,

but the type of love

that never fails

is self preservation.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Together

Come, take my hand.

Be my life partner.

We will ride life's journey

together,

on this boat made out of love.



We'll make sense of it all

together.

You will be my

best friend, forever.



Pray that God's love

will guide us through

stormy times, past misery.

Hold on to me

though the winds of change

threaten us with uncertainty.



Be strong for me.

I will remain strong for you.

Stay here beside me,

holding on.