Piece of Mind

Hello everyone! I was a great mood yesterday and the devil tried to destroy it by manifesting himself through someone in my house. I immediately recognized it and shut him down. I hope he gets use to it. I’m all about working on my and what’s best for me and my kids. So whoever isn’t ready for this big change that is about to take place, whoever can’t handle it, will get left behind.

I’m also going to be letting go of a lot of people and things. If you turn out to be one of them, don’t be offended. I’m going through another growth process and some people can’t go with me. I’m  sure our paths will cross again in the future, even if it’s just briefly.

I hope everyone has a great day!

Day 27 of my 31 days of resetting my life challenge

Today we were to start a side hustle. I’ve done this a long time ago but I did take some time today to revamp my side hustle and tweak some areas of them. I have more than one I’m almost finished with my 31 days, what shall I blog about after I finish. LOL. I’m sure I’ll come up with something.

My life is so crazy and full of events I’ll come up with something. Have a great evening!

Day 27 of 31 days to resetting my life

I know I’m super behind on blogging and keep you all up-to-date on my progress.

Over the past several days we’ve had to: Map out our ideal day, Create a bucket list, Revive our love life, Get rid of things we don’t need, Get rid of toxic people, Plan our reset project, Find a community to support our goals, Make a new friend, Stop complaining for 24 hours, and make a list of 100 things that make us happy! I’ve done pretty well with all of these, I’m still working on several of them, such as my bucket list, my list of 100, getting rid of things and toxic people, etc.

I only have 4 days left of my challenge and I’m looking forward to putting all these things into place in my everyday life. I’m also looking forward to getting my kids started on this in January, and doing it again myself in the Spring. I promise once I finish my bucket list and my 100 things that make me happy, I will share with you all.

Have a great week!

Day 16 of 31 days resetting my life challenge

Today we had to redesign our day. Yesterday we had to write down what we did each hour of our day. Yesterday was a bit of a challenge because hardly anything I did yesterday was what I do on a normal day. I was already planning on making some changes with how I spend the time I have in my day.

Today gave me a opportunity to start making the kind of day I want. I definitely want to dedicate more time for prayer, working on my businesses, and some exercise. It’s hard for me to do these things with the crazy schedule of my children, and on top of that I’m currently looking for a job so I’m sure my ideal day will change once I find a job.

Basketball season for the kids start in a few weeks which will tie up my time from about 5pm-9pm. I have son that plays and my daughter plays as well. So I plan to either stay up or a little later or get up an hour earlier than what I do now. I also plan to get more rest. Right now I average about 4 or 5 hours of sleep per night. I want to get between 6-7 and hopefully a full 8. I want to invest in an ipad or some sort of netbook that I can use at sporting events when I’m able to.

The time is going to be a challenge for me, always has, but I have made a conscious effort to limit my time of social networking, and use it mainly for business purpose. Of course, I do have to remain in contact with those on my social networking sites so they will continue to stay in contact with me and see what I have going on, etc.

So everything I do has a method to the madness!

~Daphne

Day 15 of my 31 days to resetting my life challenge

Hey everyone, doing a little catching up with my updates today.

Day 13 we had to write a create our life letter. I chose not to share mine with the world until I’m finished with some of my personal development and until I have made some major changes that I need to make. But I promise I will share eventually. I will say this, It help me put things into perspective.

Day 14 was a catch up day and a day of reflection.

Today is Day 15, it’s November 1st, and I’ve decided to do a 10 day fast. I have NEVER fasted before so this is definitely going to be a challenge for me. I pray all the time but fasting…that’s going to be hard. So in the process of doing it I’m teaching myself how to do it as well. Should be interesting along with difficult. I’m weaning myself from FB for the next 5 days and then giving it up totally for the last 5 days of my fast. I will still be blogging and tweeting (scarcely). I participated in Girlfriends Pray today for the first time. It was the first tweet I saw on my TL this morning, and since I’m making all these major life changes I figured I’d give it a try. I’m so glad I did and I’ll definitely be participating more. Especially while I’m on this 10 day fast.

We have to account for all our time today, hour by hour. At least it came at a time where I am trying to be more conscious about how I am spending mine, and I’m sure it will help me get focused on these projects I need to be getting organized. I am a huge procrastinator at times and I’m really trying to get out of that. I spend way too much time doing things for other people and not focusing and/or working on my stuff.

Well I hope everyone has a great Tuesday! Until tomorrow have a wonderful day!

Diva

Day 12 of 31 days to resetting my life challenge

Day 12 assignment is to write a letter to your Lizard Brain. Your Lizard Brain is resistance. For example: fear, procrastination, and making excuses are just a few. “The lizard brain is what stops you in your tracks and keeps you from moving forward.”

Here’s my letter to my Lizard Brain:

Dear Lizard Brain,

It’s me! I’m really enjoying this life changing challenge taking place within me right now. And I just wanted to let you know that I’m not going to let you get in the way of this. Procrastination and letting myself get distracted has been your way of interfering with my self development, my growth, and my success. Those days are over. I’ve always known you were there just wasn’t what to call you or what your forms were. Now that I do know- I know how to handle you. Once I know how to do that…you are in trouble. So, I know you will always be here, but you need to know that you will remain uneffective and have no purpose in my life any longer.

Sincerely,

Daphne

Day 10 of my 31 days to resetting my life challenge

Yesterday was a little difficult for me. I woke up feeling like I didn’t want to be here. Sometimes bad times will do that to you. But I have some great people in my circle who are encouraging, and just there when I need to talk. It’s funny because most people aren’t use to seeing me break, I’m always the strong one, encouraging and helping people, and for the past few months, it just hasn’t been that way.

Well today we had to pick one thing and do it from our life cycle. There are so many things I want to change about my life right now, that picking one place to start was quite difficult. I mean…7 areas to change things and I have at least 5 in each area. LOL Really? Just one? LOL So I decided to start with something that wasn’t too difficult, would benefit me in other areas, and I could start within in the next few months. I’ve decided to go back to school. I have been thinking about it for awhile now, and I was even going to change my field, but the more I’ve been doing this challenge the more I’m finding out about myself…So I am going back to school sometime in 2012 and I’m going to take classes that will enhance the areas I’m already experienced in. No sense in learning something new, and I may not like it, I might as well expand on what I already know and enjoy doing!

Sometimes the things we want to do aren’t always the things we are called to do.

31 Days to resetting my life challenge- Day 9

Well Day 9 was yesterday, and let’s say I got to DREAM a little bit. The assignment was to create a life map. It literally took me all day to complete my map but it was well worth it. It helped me realize even more things and realign my life structure.

I’m realizing that you are never too old to change your life around. Mine began 9 days ago. I’m so glad I came across this challenge and I’m only 10 days into it.

With the life map we had to take 7 areas of our life, and write down the things we wanted in those areas. For example: Education mine was to at least go back to school and finish up my Associate’s. I really want some type of degree. I’m very experienced in a lot of areas but I have been feeling extremely incomplete lately and I really believe it has something to do with not having some type of degree. I did realize that instead of going back to school for something totally different, I’m going to go back in an area that I’m already experienced in and get a degree. Might as well continue to use the skills I already have for what I already enjoy doing. I may go back for something totally different, and not like it at all and then I’ll feel like I wasted even more time.

Day 10 we had to choose one thing from our life map and make the first step in reaching that goal. I have so many…but I’m going to start with back to school, so I’m going to do some research today and make steps to get back in school in 2012.

Live your DREAMS

Day 8 of my 31 days to resetting my life challenge

Hello everyone. I first want to thank those of you who are following my journey. I really appreciate the support. I’m really enjoying this challenge. It’s really helping me to realize some things about myself and dig deep. If you would like to take the challenge please visit Happy Black Woman and get started!

Day 7 was a rest and catch up day. I can’t believe I made the whole week. I sometimes have a bad habit of becoming distracted when I’m doing things…especially for myself. So for me to make this a priority that I’m doing my challenges daily, is very important to me.

Day 8 we had to write down all the things that we are grateful for. We were suppose to carry our notebooks around with us all day and whenever we thought of something we were grateful for we were suppose to write it down.

I’ve been going through some really trying times since June of this year, and in writing down the things I’m grateful for, I must admit…this part of the challenge was extremely difficult because I honestly couldn’t find many things that I am grateful for at the current moment. But I can say the things I am grateful for are important to me and in anyone else’s life. I’m currently grateful for my children, my dad, my health, my sanity, God waking me up every morning, good friends, and having a roof over my head.

Today is Day 9 of the challenge and it’s going to be interesting. We have to create a life map.

I hope you will join me in this challenge and continue to support me in mine.

~Daphne S. Ali

Day 6 of 31 days to reset your life challenge

Day 4, 5, and 6 was a three part process to writing your own personal mission statement. This definitely took me some time because I’ve always been one to try and ignore my mission in life and make it what I thought I wanted it to be.

Day 4 we had to list all of your values and then pick the 10 most important.

Day 5 we had to envision our values in action. We started by rating our 10 top values on a scale of 1-10 on how we felt we were acting out that particular value in our life. Then for each value we had to list out at least three actions that we are currently take or that we should be taking in order to honor and fulfill that value in our lives.

Day 6 we had to write our own personal mission statement. Mine is below… I’m sure by the time I finish these 31 days it will change…

I value my family, beliefs, creativity, achievement, image, social change, and children. I appreciate good music, good food, traveling, fine art, and fashion. I especially value honesty and loyalty. Before I die I want to have a positive impact on not only my own children but other children as well. I want to continue to be a role model and inspiration for children and women. As a writer, motivator, and big sister, I will use my life experiences, talents, skills, and knowledge to introduce others to their abilities. In my journey I will not neglect those people and things that are most valuable to me.

Day 3 of the 31 days to reset your life challenge

We were asked to write a love letter to ourselves. I can’t tell you how much fun this was for me to write and I’m going to do it more often. I won’t share this letter until it’s time to have it emailed to myself in 30 days.

I really would like to suggest that anyone who is looking to really find yourself you take this challenge. Once I’m finished, I’m going to do it with my children as well.

31 Days to reset my life Challenge- Day 2

Day 2 we were asked to take a life assessment…we are to tell what we like and what we dislike about different areas of our lives.

Here are mine:

Lifestyle: I like my comfortable way of living. I don’t try to live beyond my means and I have taught my kids to do the same. I dislike the fact that I’m not where I intended to be at 38 years old. My life is nothing like I planned it to be at 18. But for that matter, whose is?

Work: I am currently unemployed and have been for 4 years. I am actively seeking to get back into the workforce at the present moment while continuing to build my businesses so hopefully one day I won’t have to work for anyone else for the rest of my days. What I dislike about working is not being home when my children get home from school.

Education: I graduated high school and have some college and went back in my 20’s to a school for Business Management at a Business College. I dislike that I’ve never gotten my degree. Something I plan to change soon.

Finances: As of today 10/21/11 I don’t like anything about my finances. I’m going through a really hard time right now financially so I have nothing good to say!

Health: As far as I know I don’t have any health problems. I dislike my current weight and would like to lose about 40 pounds and tone up.

Family: My kids are my world. They are understanding, supportive, and right there for their mom. Dislikes: I wish some of my family members were closer and I wish a few other things were different when it comes to my family life.

Relationships: I like my ability to communicate with friends, spouse, etc. What I dislike is non-communication.

So these are my likes and dislikes! Hopefully by the end of these 31 days a lot of these things will be different.

Day 1 of my 31 days to reset my life challenge

I think this challenge came across my path at the perfect moment. I have been refocusing, decluttering, and going through some extremely difficult times in my personal life. My bestie posted this link in on her wall last week and I started following Happy Black Woman. As I was navigating through the website I came across the 31 days to reset your life challenge. It’s a free virtual personal development exercise. I have since asked a few of my friends to participate as well.

So here it is: Day one we were asked to choose a notebook and why, I choose a notebook I already  had because I’m having some rough times financially and I’m learning to only purchase what is necessary right now. The notebook has stripes with several different colors and a base color of chocolate. I try to live my life in color and brown is one of my favorite colors. I choose this notebook because of the colors and because it was FREE.

My mantra: Trust Yourself. Think for Yourself. Act for Yourself. Speak for Yourself. Be Yourself. Imitation is Suicide! – Marva Collins

My song: is Diva by Beyonce

This is my theme song!

The Woman

Please watch this video first…

Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan- The Divine Value of the Woman

First let me begin with this: There is so much about my life that a lot of people don’t know. A lot of my views are from personal experiences and what I’ve gotten from things that have happened in my life over the years.

Though I’m not a Muslim and I don’t practice Islam, there is an abundant amount of information that is useful for both black women and men. It causes you to do your own research and question things that you have been taught about your culture.

Russell Simmons & GlobalGrind search for the next great Celebrity Video Correspondent. Do you have what it takes?

Russell Simmons & GlobalGrind search for the next great Celebrity Video Correspondent. Do you have what it takes?

Remembering

Ten years go today and remember it like It was yesterday. My youngest son had just started Pre-K and the teacher must have been about 8 years younger than me. She had been saying that my son was continuously disrupting her class and by this time I had to go in front of a panel which included  psychologist. They wanted to "label" my son, at 4 years old as a child with Anger Management.

Stimulating Conversation

I really am going to truly start making a better effort to blog more, personally and professionally. My life is so busy that I really have to start taking an hour or two out of my day, before I go to sleep to make it happen.

As you know I just celebrated my 38th birthday. The past two months have been nothing but valleys for me. But I know my blessings are coming behind the storm.

One of my birthday celebrations consisted of a stimulating evening of some of my female associates, friends, and business associates. We had wine, food, massages, conversation and some bonding.

The room consisted of women from different age groups, industries, marital statuses, some are single mothers, new mothers, etc. It was very refreshing to be in a room of women, who are different but alike in so many ways.

My New Year!!!

Today is my 38th birthday! Happy Birthday to me!

For the past few weeks I’ve been having more down days than up days, but I know that God isn’t going to put anything on me that I can’t handle, and everything happens for a reason. That’s my motto I live by.

I have been through so many things in my 38 years and I’m at a point that I’m not happy about everything that has happened, but I’m thankful, because those things have made me the woman, mom, daughter, and wife that I am today.

I’ve made a conscious decision that instead of celebrating New Years on Jan. 1, that my birthday will be my New Year’s celebration. I live from year to year from the date I was born so that will be my New Year.

I am creating a “bucket list” in the next few weeks. My friend and I were discussing it on our way back from our beach trip for her birthday this past Saturday. I’ve always called it my list of things I want to do before I die. But apparently there’s a movie call “The Bucket List” where you do all the things you want before you kick the bucket. Whatever it’s called, I’m going to create one. I will post it when it’s complete.

My bucket list will be done in one year intervals. I’m actually excited about my list and even more excited about putting it into action.

Self evaluation is going to be one of  my daily priorities. Everyday, I’m going to try my best to make sure I’m doing what makes me happy. If I’m happy those around me and in my circle will be happy.

Looking forward to my New Year! So Happy New Year to me!

~Daphne S. Ali- The Kismet Diva

Perception

I have been doing something a little different on FB and twitter than I have in the past. I’ve been stating my views on certain topics lately. Yesterday it was a little sisterly advice on relationships, this morning it’s been about “titles” and “perception”
I decided to make this post about the perception because I’ve been getting a lot of feedback on facebook on twitter.
Remember, these are my views on issues that may or may not effect me but since this is America and we have freedom of speech, I will use that.
I was watching the new series with my son, starring Raven Samone “State of Georgia”. This was my first time watching it.
I immediately noticed how much weight Raven Samone had lost, and also noticed that it looks like she had a breast reduction.
Being a plus size woman, I can’t help but wonder what message young girls who are fans of Raven Samone are getting from her weight loss. Is that little voice saying to them, it’s not okay to be plus size? You have to be skinny to be healthy or beautiful?

My life

This blog is going to be a little more up close and personal for me.

With everything that I do, I tend to not be able to vent, state my point of view, or elaborate on certain things that I would like to. So here is where I’ll do that.

I’ll share a lot of my daily events, thoughts and more.

But I’ll also recollect on things that happened to me throughout the years from time to time.

Some days will be beautiful, some topics will be ugly, and sometimes the cry will be pain and other times it will be joy!

Thank you and welcome to my Beautiful Ugly Cry!

~ Daphne