double-unders/power-jumps 15 lbs lighter

It's me, check it out!!!

"Turn your wounds into wisdom." ~Oprah Winfrey

"While we stop to think, we often miss our opportunity." ~Publis Syrus

The 90's

"Never desert your own line of talent. Be what nature intended for you and you will succeed." Sydney Smith

"When you are unclear of who you are, you will shift with the wind." Pastor Mike

"In this world full of shortcuts, always remember to stay true to yourself, you’ll only get so far being a copy." kushandwizdom

"Feeling sorry for yourself and your present condition is not only a waste of energy but the worst habit you could possibly have." Dale Carnegie

9 Words Women Use…

1. Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.

2. Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before you start helping around the house.

3. Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.

4. Go ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Whatever it was you were planning to do — Don’t Do It.

5. Loud sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot (and of course you are) and she wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to #3 for the meaning of nothing.)

6. That’s okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a woman can make to a man. “That’s okay” means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

7. Thanks: A woman is thanking you. Do not question it. Do not faint. Just say “You’re welcome.” (I should add a clause here: This advice is true, unless she says “Thanks a lot,” which is pure sarcasm and she intends no thanks at all. DO NOT say “You’re welcome” — that will bring on a whatever.

8. Whatever: This is a woman’s way of saying “F**k you.”

9. Don’t worry about it; I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking, “What’s wrong?” For the woman’s response, refer to #3.

"Courage allows the successful woman to fail and learn powerful lessons form the failure so in the end, she didn’t fail at all." Maya Angelou

In the long run, open communication, conveying felt love, and building a spirit of cooperation are much more important than a child simply following directions. If parents focus on the these three things, a child will naturally be more cooperative and compliant. (via Conscious Parenting)

"The trick in life is not getting what you want but in wanting what you get after you get it." Warren Beaty

"When you lose, don’t lose the lesson."

"Be loved back to wholeness. Be loved back to your right mind."

the moment you realize other peoples thoughts don’t matter… Is when you will start becoming more comfortable with who you are and everything that makes you unique, every beautiful imperfection.

Conscious Parenting Tip #66: In the long run, open communication, conveying felt love, and building a spirit of cooperation are much more important than a child simply following directions. If parents focus on the these three things, a child will naturally be more cooperative and compliant.

"Love life, engage in it, give it all you’ve got. love it with a passion, becasue life truly does give back, many times over, what you put into it." Maya Angelou

"Sometimes you need to die, to learn the meaning of living" Written

"The greatest compliment that was paid me was when one asked me what i thought, and attended to my answer." Henry David Thoreau

"I love you because I can be myself when I’m with you."

8 Persuasion Tips to Make Anyone like You

Persuading others is critical to anyone’s success. And one of the most effective ways to persuade anyone is to make them like (and even love) us. That’s why ever since kindergarten, we would come up with a lot of different ways just to get accepted by other kids. Unfortunately, not all of us have the same success rate. As we grow older, the desire to fit in doesn’t fade away. For many people, getting liked by others is as important as the food they eat. Let me show you a few tips to making people like you:
Tip # 1: Keep On Smiling. One simple way to get people to like you is by smiling. People tend to shy away from those who seem unfriendly. For a stranger, a blank expression is almost as good as a “stay away from me” kind of signal. However, your smile should not be forced. When you smile but deep inside you have bad feelings towards someone, it would show in your body language and they can actually read it. What you could do is focus on the positive traits about that person and think about those qualities when you smile to them. That way, your positive thoughts would allow you to create a genuinely likeable smile.
Tip # 2: Be Sincere. Nobody wants to deal with fake people. If you can’t give a person a sincere comment, then don’t bother giving one at all. For example, don’t tell a person to “do his or her best” when you don’t really mean it. Believe me, if you’re not sincere, it’s going to show. These days, it’s easy to spot a fake a mile away. The way you smile, or the way you carry yourself, more or less tells other people whether you’re real or not.
Tip # 3: Be The Bearer Of Good News. Everybody wants to hear good news. One remarkable way to make people like you is by giving them positive news as often as possible. In time, you’ll be associated with good news and good luck. This kind of idea also works vice-versa. If you’re usually the bearer of bad news, then people will unconsciously see you as a dark cloud. You don’t want to be called, “Bad News Barry” or “Bad News Beth” behind your back, do you?
Tip # 4: Be a Positive Person. If you want to know how to make people like you, start by being a positive person. Nobody wants to be around sourpusses. Nobody wants to hang around a grumpy person. When things suddenly turn for the worse, try to find the silver lining. Always look at the brighter side. People can’t help but be attracted to those who aren’t drowning in angst.
Tip # 5: Make People Happy. Making people happy is the easiest route to getting someone to like you and getting that same person to listen to you. Need to pitch an idea in the boardroom? Making your office mates and your boss happy on a daily basis will almost ensure that your idea gets their thumbs up. Become a “happy pill.” Be pleasant company. You don’t have to get your boss coffee everyday to do that. If he needs a respite from work, don’t be the one to bring up problems. Instead, be someone who can improve his mood drastically. As simple as making people happy sounds, it’s not something you can achieve in a day (although for some lighter goals, a day is enough). If you really want to learn how to get someone to like you, you have to cultivate your relationship with that person over time.
Tip # 6: Use Proper Body Language. Making people know you’re interested in them is one key to getting liked. There are non-verbal cues you can use to indicate your interest. One of them would be maintaining eye contact. By keeping your eyes on the person talking, you are telling them that they have your complete attention. Another way to communicate effectively is by nodding your head at some of the points you agree with. I also recommend leaning a bit forward to show that you’re interested in the topic of conversation.
Tip # 7: Expose Yourself More. The more someone sees you or communicates with you, the more they will grow to like you. So get out there, show yourself, and make yourself heard… as often as you can! Even better if you can get physically close more often to the person you want to persuade. This principle does not apply only to humans. Unless it goes against their moral values or beliefs, you can get someone to like just about anything by repeatedly exposing that thing to them.
Tip # 8: Share Your Secrets. Share your emotions or feelings with others. Better yet, share your “secrets” if possible. People tend to trust you if you make them perceive that you’re sharing a secret with them. When you tell a secret, they tend to open up in response and drop their defenses. They will feel like you are treating them as close friends. They will also feel valued and important. And when you divulge something that is normally not being shared, they will feel special; hence, defenses are lowered and your likeability rate goes higher. Say something like, “I’d like to share a secret with you, but please don’t tell anyone.” or “I should have kept this for myself, but I’m going to tell you anyway because you’re a good friend.” They might even feel the need to return the favor and share their own secrets and confidential experiences with you. Hope you benefit from these persuasion tips to get people to like you. Practice often and you’ll soon be persuading and influencing people in no time. (via Ayesha Awate)

"What is it a woman would have to do to get a man to stay faithful? She’d have to be every woman." Halle Berry

"A mother understands what a child does not say." Jewish proverb

"So live that you wouldn’t be ashamed to sell the family parrot to the town gossip." Will Smith

"The race is not given to the swift or the strong but the one that endures to the end." ~Bible

"Both tears and sweat are salty, but they render a different result. Tears will get you sympathy; sweat will get you change." Jesse Jackson

"If you have the courage to begin, you have the courage to succeed."

"What you didn’t see with your eyes, don’t witness with your mouth." Jewish proverb

I’m allowed to say what I want, laugh how I want, do what I want, be who I want - this is my life. And if you don’t like it then there’s something wrong with yours, not mine. !

"Michael, if you can’t pass, you can’t play." Coach Dean Smith to Michael Jordan, freshman year, UNC

"You do not find what you do not seek." Proverb

"Presumption should never make us neglect that which appears easy to us, nor despair make us lose courage at the sight of difficulties." ~Benjamin Banneker

"Most people spend more time and energy going around problems then trying to solve them." ~Henry Ford

"When i say “I love you”, it’s not because I can’t have you. It has nothing to do with me. I love what you are, what you do, how you try. I’ve seen your kindness and your strength. I’ve seen the best and the worst of you. And i understand with perfect clarity exactly what you are…" ~Joss Whendon

"You are the only real obstacle in your path to a fulfilling life." Les Brown

"When you see value in your own voice, you don’t need anyone to tell you otherwise. Be content with who you are because there is value in your voice." Pastor Mike

"Not everyone is relevant to your purpose. Don’t spend energy making irrelevant people relevant."

"A lot of people stay in bad relationships due to their own insecurities and fear of letting go and starting over. Stop blocking your blessings holding on to a curse!" Portia Na’te

"I love you because you’re there for me when things go wrong."

"Think before You talk. Observe before You assume, and Never judge a Book by its cover."

"One of these days is none of these days." English proverb

"It is a good things for an educated man to read a book of quotations." Winston Churchhill

"Sometimes you have to let things go, so there’s room for better things to come in your life."

"You unlock your incredible potential when you rely on what can be instead of on what was. Live in your now." Anna McCoy

"I want to grow. I want to be better. you grow, we grow. We’re made to grow. you either evolve or you disappear." Tupac Shakur

"You don’t have to be great to get started but you have to get started to be great."

Creativity comes from lacking something or being broke. When you don’t have something and can’t find a way to get it, you either come up with your own, or make something completely new!

"Some people are afraid of the truth. They are afraid of hurting others or losing their love. They don’t realize that truth, spoken in love, is the only way to show real love." Edwin Cole

Sometimes the best solution is to let each other go. And see where that takes you both, together at the end, or apart forever. ~unknown

"Be a child again. flirt, Giggle, Dip your cookies in your milk. take a nap. say you’re sorry if you hurt someone. Chase a butterfly. Be a child again." Max Lucado

"He who lives without discipline dies without honor." Icelandic proverb

"Better to do something imperfectly than to do nothing flawlessly." Robert H. Schuler

"Welcome adversity, it’s a friend disguised as a foe. It’s gift is for you to show yourself you own strength to face it."

Me with my 1st set of locs a few years ago

"The dreams of your future have no room for the devastation of your past."

"When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself." Wayne Dyer

A vision without a plan is hallucination. ~Angela Bernard

Malcolm X quotes

"When you can’t remember why you’re hurt, that’s when you’re healed."

"Proper planning prevents poor performance."

"People will insult you in your worst moment of pain."

"Don’t tell me you’ve changed… show me you’ve changed."

"Sometimes you put walls up not to keep people out, but to see who cares enough to break them down."

"The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it." Oscar Wilde

I’m coming out… (This wasn’t my coming out but it prompted me to come out sooner)

 

I wrote a status on Facebook. It was written out of frustration of people always offering unrealistic solutions to real life problems. To protect privacy (though this was written on a public forum)I will omit all the names except mine. I will indicate the christians  as “Saved”, and my  frineds “Not Saved”. The only name you will see is mine, Bernadette. You may see people refer to me as: Bernie, Bern, B…. all those people are referring to me.

I do not need to provide any further commentary as the christians proved my point!

Bernadette:  Tired of people offering c god and prayer as solutions to real life problems…

Saved 1:???

Not Saved 1:  I agree it’s annoying when people impose their belief systems on another person, assuming theirs is the only path to inner peace.

Saved 2:  Well how could you be tired of the ONE who sustains us and provides solutions to real life problems….

Saved 1: Well to me…God and prayer are the solutions to MY problems…if u don’t believe that then that’s fine…I wouldn’t Impose my beliefs onto you but I wouldn’t knock your beliefs either! To each his own.

Saved 2: Truth, at the moment and time of the problem, we don’t want to hear or accept God and that prayer changes things, because we want it fixed right yesterday, however He still works all things together for our good. It’s not imposing, it’s called sharing and standing on what the Bible says and we agree with… ones’ choice not to accept and believe… however, this statement coming from one who states that they are a BELIEVER attracts my immediate attention….

Not Saved 1: uhm. But I do not think this is what Bernadette wants.

Saved 2:  Bernie can speak for herself and based on her belief and past comments I believe this was typed out of frustration, which happens in this race, but doesn’t change what we Believe and know works…. and if it is so, then her first works are calling her back home…..

Not Saved 2: The lord can’t fix everything sometimes you have to take your on action!!!

Bernadette:  Solutions to real life problems requires real life actions like hard work. I give myself credit for all the things I worked so hard to accomplish. My status would suggest that I sit back, do nothing and wait on my imaginary friend to come to my rescue… But this is just ME.

Bernadette:  Oh no… I’m not frustrated…. I have lived life and it took 32 years to realize how brainwashed I was.

Saved 1:  Its thru the Grace of God That u are able to do what u do mama…he gives u the strength to get yourself in action and accomplish everything that u do! But again that’s what I believe and u have the right to feel how u feel…

Saved 1:  Noone is saying Only God can fix everything…that would be ignorant…of course u have to get up and do for yourself but TO ME you wouldn’t be able to GET up every day and Conquer the struggles and Obstacles if God doesn’t allow u to get up every morning!!

Saved 2:  If you think, feel & believe that you have been brainwashed and if you think, feel & believe that you did everything by yourself, OK….. And with that I exit… simple because I refuse to engage in foolery…. Proverbs 26.4-5 speaks for itself and me…. Be well!

Bernadette:  Saved 2… I have lived on that side… And no, I’m not tryna impose on anyone… Just my own personal opinion.

Saved 1:  I can respect that…

Not Saved 3:  smh two hands working are more efficient than a thousand clasped in prayer. To the person who basically called Bernie a fool via bible verse I’m tired of condencescing fundies like yourself who mask insults within bible verses 

Saved 3:  Prayer changes things, this I know is true. Everyone is entitled to their own feelings and opinions. Bernadette believe what you wish but I AM PRAYING FOR YOU!

Bernadette:  Saved 3… Love ya much… I really don’t want prayer. Dont really need it… Don’t serve a purpose for me. It don’t change things for me… Never have, never will.

Not Saved 4:  Brainwash? But yes, we all were and still are. “Until the lion tells his side of the story, the tale of the hunt will always glorify the hunter “God is our father. And prayers are important to honor him and our ancestors. Some humans took religion and used and still use it as a mass population control. For all those making comments without knowing the truth, here are a few Elders that you should learn from: Dr.Ida B Wells, Dr Finch, Dr Henry Clark, Dr Ben, and Dr Frances Cress Welsing. And you should probably check this movie: Hidden Colors (by Tariq Nasheed) know your history. Educate yourself. Wake Up! One Love!

 Not saved 3:  I’m praying for you ” you sound crazy with all this talk but I’m gonna make you think I care with a blanket statement”

Not saved 4: Don’t let hate blind you. Prayers are important. It’s just that maybe not to a white Jesus. Not to the lies they told you. But there is a God. And he will always be there for you.Chechttp://www.historywiz.com/ife.htmk this link

Not Saved 3: does the god you pray to ever answer you as if you can hear them right beside you? How do you pray to a person you never met? If you are hearing voices…I think y’all need to get mentally evaluated

Saved 3: Bernadette you are obviously going through something and I do respect your feelings and opinions but because I do have love for you my sister, I am going to pray for you anyway. As far as I am concerned you are already blessed. Remember life’s tests are the reasons why we have testimonies. I believe we live to share our testimonies because of God’s grace and mercy. I am looking forward to hearing your testimony in the near future.

Bernadette:  Not saved 4, we are all gods… that’s our intuition. That’s what sustains us and keeps us going… or at least kept me going. I have lived the “god life” for 30 something years. have been abused in the worse way cause of it and almost committed suicide. This ain’t something that im talking blindly about. I have lived life and I have seen some things… is just now that I actually took some time to think about things. And when I begin to use reason and logic, my world changed. Children, in their innocent state question everything. As time goes on, you’re taught not to question anything… I’m not trying to change nobody opinion on anything and I’m not trying to disrespect anybody… Is my process :-)

Bernadette:  Thank you Not Saved 4… Sun worship is what I believe they called it.

Not Saved 3 do any of these people offering prayer have anything else to offer Bernie I wonder

Not saved 4: I know B. And U are doing amazingly great in the process you are.I know you will continue growing and growing. We are God’s children. We are brothers and sisters. And you are right we fail to treat each other’s as such. With love and respect. This society is full with egos and selfishness. But all I’m saying is don’t drop all in the same bag because 80% is doing the wrong things. Because there are lots of brothers and sisters trying to do the right things. Don’t let those that want the wrong things, because of their twist of religion and faith, take your faith away. God lives in you, because you are his daughter. And you are unique. And know that whatever you need to go through go through it. I’ll respect that cause we all go through our journeys. But as a friend I just want you to know that I love you and I will pray for you even if you don’t want it. But I will also do whatever I can to help you out .Prayers should always come along with actions .Much Love! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orisha      

Saved 4:  Bernie, I love you and am praying for you. To the not saved 3 chick, my Aunt Saved 2 was and is right in EVERYTHING she said. If you didn’t like it then keep it to yourself after all she was talking to Bernie not you. And she was encouraging Bernie, not attacking her. You don’t want to believe in the Lord, fine, but know this, you wouldn’t be alive today to say such things if the Lord hadn’t shown you mercy by waking you up this morning. You can type, yea He gave you the ability for that. You get up and go to work and make that money and take care of things/ppl, the Lord allowed you to be able to function to do all of these things and to have the knowledge to do so. So Renee go think on that and Bernie, again I love you and am praying for you because I refuse to believe you feel you’ve been brainwashed               

Not Saved 3:  she needs REAL friends who can offer more than prayers and false comfort so gtfohwtbs

Not saved 3: So marinate on that your “prayers” are useless if they are never heard

Saved 4: How abt you marinate on this, while the Lord is allowing you the breath of life to type such foolishness, he hears EVERYTHING you are saying, thinking, and he hears prayers. Just because He doesn’t answer them in the way you think he should, or when you think he should doesn’t mean he isn’t at work on your request. Some things he knows isn’t right for you even though you don’t know it so he keeps some things to protect you. So stop discouraging Bernie with your anti-prayer/christian mess. And keep ya cussing to yaself. A grown woman knows how to use her words to get her point across. There are enough words in the dictionary. Use them!

                 

Unsure: hmmmmm I will say too a degree certain things are common sense and it doesn’t make sense too throw every lil thing god that you already to do or too handle but life becomes easier when we put it in god hands….. sum times in life we feel like we deal with life issues not god so why shud I go to him when I have to put so much effort into life and choices and hard work…….. Believe it or not that’s the exact reason why we need god because of our choices

Unsure: but I do agree with mi Bernie to a degree on certain occasions

Bernadette:  Wow! I wouldn’t think that my own personal opinion and belief system would cause so much hostility. It ain’t necessary. I stand on my opinion and that’s that. It just proves my point how relentless Pete can be. I have not said one bad or foul thing about anyone in the status itself or my comments. Why am I being attacked for expressing my personal opinion??? I really dint need an answer but my point was made a by itself.         

Not saved 3: Smh like I gatdam said. If you can’t or don’t care to help Bernie keep your ineffective prayers to yourself u jesus loving reglitards don’t scare me. I’m out.

Saved 5: God is able to exceedingly and abundantly above all we could ask or think. He’s like a parent that gives you warnings through signs and gut feelings, not to do or indulge in most worldly pleasures. But we do anyhow and we get beat up we want him to work it out, and guess what? He always does! He loves you

Saved: 5 He will make your name calling enemies your footstool!

Saved 5:  Bernie I’d love to talk to ya I would love to hear more about your opinion. Inbox me your number.

Not Saved 1: instead of all this talk about prayers why don’t you go to her house with groceries she may need, or offer to babysit her sons so she can get a much needed break? Or why not stop by with some clothing her sons may be able to use?

                 

Not Saved 1: ‎Bernadette, just delete the comments you don’t agree with! That’s what I do. Post your religion on your OWN damn page!

Not Saved 5: Bernadette welcome to Buddhism : ) it’s all about what YOU do for YOURSELF. (Not praying to “anyone”, my Buddhism does NOT pray to a “buddha”, rather teaches you to create your own happiness) AND it’s a shame everyone assumes if u say something “non” God related that makes u a “bad person”. Hello!—— there are MANY religions. MINE IS good as yours. And the way people have been offering up “suggestions” have no longer worked for you. Been there myself!!!! Please let talk privately about some more……..

Bernadette:  ‎not saved 1, I didn’t write this status as a cry for help. I’m just tired of hearing that as solutions to problems. When you present a problem or situation, that’s the first thing that most people say. I didn’t write this out of frustration either. This is how I think…. I have been hearing this all my life and I never really seen it solves many issues.

Not  Saved 1:  I’ve been there too. Honestly, these people would do a lot better if they ACTED instead of just typing!    

Not Saved 1:  I know, but still. They are talking to you as if you are desperate. If they feel that you need that much help, then ACT!

 Saved 5: Pls inbox me your number

Bernadette: ‎not saved, this honestly does not have anything to do with another status I wrote. I guess in a way, it’s me “coming out” with my new belief.

Bernadette: … I am at work so I can’t speak now

Not saved 3: I’m saying all this prayer talk is bullshit and pacifier I agree with what not saved 1 said

"Rather fail with honor than succeed by fraud." Sophcles

"Never fear shadows. They simply mean there’s a light shining somewhere nearby." Ruth Renke

"Some people go through but it don’t humble their spirit and therefore critique others." Pastor Mike

"You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams"

"When you pretend the devil don’t exist or you ignore him… you give him confidence. Remember who you are and whose you are!"

"Don’t allow the negative responses of others to determine your value. Who are they to judge you anyway. People are not the experts of your worth

"If a man is always insisted on being serious and never allowed himself of fun and relaxation, he would go mad or become unstable without knowing it" Herodotus

"Never judge a man by the size of his dick, but rather by the strength of his spine that connects his brain to his ass." http://www.heartless-bitches.com/heartless/collected_quotes.shtml

"Most people who judge a book by it’s cover have difficulty reading!!" Ithaca Sunkissed Butts

"It is better to have an ENEMY who honestly says they hate you.. Than to have a FRIEND who’s putting you down SECRETLY.." Meera Teckwani

"Always being in a relationship weakens your independence…learn to do for self before you can try to do for others…" Malika Hope