Music Matters

During this special season, many people are playing the music of the holiday. However, as far back as I can remember, music has always been a very important part of my life. My parents played music in our home all the time. They would also take me to concerts and musicals. I was a member of the choir in my school and at my church. In elementary school I learned to play the flute. Even today, I enjoy different types of music. And music can affect my mood. During this Christmas season when I hear Nat King Cole singing "The Christmas Song" on the radio, it brings back fond memories from my childhood.  And I'll admit, I have followed that same pattern with my children. I began playing music to them while they were in the womb. I have exposed them to all types of music; from Mozart to MJ. And I'm not doing it because of tradition, but because of the benefits music can bring. A study from St. John's University and Iona College says that music aids in memory development and retrieval as early as three months of age. So if you start playing music to your infant today, it could have a positive effect on their motor skills and creative thinking in the future! There is some type of music for everyone to enjoy. Find your melody and add music to your child's life year-round.

Fill In The Blank

Have you ever said, "One day, I'm going to...Fill In The Blank? It may be writing a book; getting your college degree; running a marathon. I have. Even at my age I still have hopes and dreams.  And people of any age should have a Fill In The Blank idea. You don't have to be a teenager or in your early 20's to make plans for your future. And no matter your age, time isn't standing still. In fact, most days, it seems time is going by very fast! Even though we all have the same 24 hours in a day, some people use their time wisely, while others seem to waste every minute.

What is your Fill In The Blank? Do you want to learn a new language; travel to an exotic destination, lose ten pounds? Yea, me too!

Start planning! The clock is ticking! It's never too late to complete your Fill In The Blank!

Never Too Late To Dream

"I'm too old...No one in my family...It's too late for me to try..." Fill in the blank. We've heard these messages before. Too often we can find hope in others, but give up on ourselves too quickly. How many times have we let fear stop us from pursing our dreams? Unfortunately women tend to do this more often then men. So we must learn to shut down the negative words we hear from others and especially the negative words we hear in our head. Release the lies and know our truth: Women are Wise, Women are Wonderful and Women are Worthy! Find positive affirmations and post them around the house and in your work cubicle, surround yourself with uplifting people; friends and family who support your vision and take time to pray about the future; planning what you want to achieve in your life. And when no one else will support you, you must encourage yourself. Joshua 1:9 (Living Bible) says, "Yes, be bold and strong! Banish fear and doubt! For remember, the Lord your God is with you wherever you go". It's never too late to dream!

What is Your Legacy?

If your parents are still alive, you are so blessed! Sadly my parents passed away several years ago: Mom in 2005 and Daddy in 2009. I miss them every day; yet, they still live on through me, my siblings, their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. My parents left special memories for our family.

Ephesians 6:1-2 reads, "Children,obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right. Honor your father and your mother..." Although my parents may not be with me physically, I still want to honor their legacy every day by:

1. Living a life that will make them and God proud.

2. Keeping my word as my bond.

3. Giving service to the family, the church and the community.

We have a responsibility to leave an endearing and enduring legacy for the next generation. How will you honor yours?

A Little Motherly Advice- Finale

Thanks for returning to see how the story ends! Enjoy reading the conclusion of my blog - A Little Motherly Advice in EMPOWERMENT Magazine at the following link:

https://issuu.com/1stchurchempowerment/docs/empowerment_-_summer_2023_1bb9a6fb929531?fr=xKAE9_zU1NQ

A Little Motherly Advice - Part 1

 If you were asked to describe a “typical” Mother what would she look like? Is she Claire Huxtable from The Cosby Show; a busy working Mom who manages her career, husband and children with ease? Or maybe a single Mom like Nikki in The Parkers TV show, who is still looking for her Boo. What about one of those TV Moms from the 1950’s who did all of her housework wearing pearls and high heels? Hopefully the one thing we can agree on is there really isn’t a typical Mom.

When I became a first-time Mom more than 20 years ago, I was overjoyed yet overwhelmed. Motherhood has been a true eye-opening experience. And I still need help even today. Although my role as Mom has gone through many seasons, there have been 5 constant principles I depend on. I call them the 5 P’s of Parenting. Here are a few suggestions that could help you through your parenting journey.

Come back next week for Part 2 of "A Little Motherly Advice"! See you then💗

Chillin' in the Summertime

Summertime seems to be when many families spend quality time together. Although we may live in the same home, there always seems to be something that gets in the way of hanging out; late meetings, school homework, planning projects in our community.

So let's take the time to enjoy the summer together! Disconnect from the world and reconnect as a family. Here are a few suggestions:

• Find a shady spot in the park or your backyard to read to your baby or preschooler. Even older children will enjoy reading out loud. No matter the age, children will love hearing your voice as you share a special book, make up a funny story or tell them about your summertime adventures when you were their age.
• Save on the electric bill and turn off the TV. Instead of watching your children play video games, dust off some board games  and teach them how to play checkers or get out the UNO cards. 
• Leave the hot kitchen and have dinner under the stars. Enjoy roasting hot dogs and making s'mores on the fire pit. Cool off with some popsicles.

Find ways for your family to chill this summer!

Respect the Water

Everyone needs water. We wash with it; cook with it. Some drink the recommended 8 glasses of water each day. And during the summer months, many of us are at the pool or on the beach splashing in it. Unfortunately the increase in summer water fun can turn tragic.  According to the Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC) more than 4000 accidental drownings happen each year. And sadly, drowning is the leading cause of death for children between the ages of 1-4 years.

So how can your family still enjoy the water parks and not become a statistic? Here are some tips from the American Red Cross:

• Make sure everyone in the family learns to swim well;
• Swim in a designated area supervised by lifeguards;
• Always swim with a buddy; and,
• Never leave a young child unattended near water.

As you enjoy family time this summer, have fun, stay safe and respect the water.

New Mom, Old Message

 I'm blessed to work with a program that helps new and expecting Moms prepare for life. Specifically, we share life skills that we hope will prepare them for the ups and downs of parenting. It takes me back to when I was a new Mom with "stars in my eyes". I had everything planned out; or so I thought. There is absolutely nothing wrong with making plans, however new parents have to realize the reality of life after baby; Baby is in charge! And nearly everything you do, is surrounded by the needs of your baby; your schedule, your budget, your activities are all lead by that little one.

However, no matter if it's present day of thinking back when I was a new Mom more than 20 years ago, the same old rules apply. Here are some suggestions:

*Ask for help:  Please don't try to be Super Mom and think you must know everything about parenting in the first week. Getting advice from a more seasoned parent you trust can make life a little easier.

*Be Flexible:  The baby won't stop crying because you have a ZOOM meeting or they may need a diaper change just as you are going out the door on the way to the baby sitter. Realize things will happen that are out of your control. 

*Create Self Care Time:  Even if it's a walk around the block, alone or sitting in a warm bubble bath at night, find ways to get some well deserved me time and be consistent with self-care. 

Build Your Village!

 

Mentoring Moments VLOG

 

Moms Need to Have Fun!

 

A Little Me Time (VLOG)

 

 

 

Women's History Month Feature: Ketanji Brown Jackson

So many times when we reflect on history, we always look way back to many years in the past.  However, there is history being made everyday.  March is Women's History Month so I'm sharing a portion of the history recently made by our first Black female Supreme Court Justice:  Ketanji Brown Jackson.

Jackson was born on September 14, 1970, in Washington, DC.  Her family would eventually move to Miami, Florida. In her senior year in high school she won the National Oratory title at the National Catholic Forensic League Championships in New Orleans.  Jackson was later quoted in her high school yearbook saying that she "(wanted) to go into law and eventually have a judicial appointment."  She graduated in 1988. Despite being told by her high school guidance counselor that she was not Harvard material, Jackson attended Harvard University for college and law school. Jackson's legal career included: Serving as District Judge for the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Vice Chair of the United States Sentencing Commission and was a member of the Harvard Board of Overseers. 

Jackson was also a clerk with US Supreme Court Associate Justice Stephen Breyer. How ironic that she would succeed Justice Breyer upon his retirement from the court on June 30, 2022.

Ketanji Brown Jackson is married to surgeon Patrick Graves Jackson, who she met at Harvard.  The couple have two daughters.

Following her Supreme Court confirmation Jackson said, "So as I take on this new role, I strongly believe that this is a moment in which all Americans can take great pride. We have come a long way toward perfecting our union.  In my family, it took just one generation to go from segregation to the Supreme Court of the United States. And it is an honor, the honor of a lifetime, for me to have this chance to join the Court, to promote the rule of law at the highest level, and to do my part to carry our shared project of democracy and equal justice under law forward, into the future." 

For more information on Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and other outstanding, encouraging women in history, I encourage you to get books at your local library.

Black History Moment

Although February is designated as the "official" Black History month, I believe Black History should be celebrated more than once a year. Black History IS American History and should be a continual part of our school's curriculum. 

This month I'm sharing a Black History Moment about a courageous woman who was really ahead of her time: Ida B. Wells.

Born into slavery in Holly Springs, Mississippi in 1862, Ida B. Wells fought against injustice through the written word. She was co-owner and writer for the Memphis-Free Speech & Headlight newspaper.  Wells reported on incidents of racial segregation and inequality. She won an international reputation for her fiery denunciation of discrimination, exploitation and brutality. Wells would eventually publish the first statistical study of lynching called Southern Horrors and The Red Record.

Throughout her life, Wells was active in Civil Rights, the Women's Suffrage Movement and the NAACP.  Ida B. Wells died of kidney disease in Chicago on March 25, 1931 at the age of 68.

In 2020, she was posthumously honored with a Pulitzer Prize special citation "For her outstanding and courageous reporting on the horrific and vicious violence against African Americans during the era of lynching."