Growth Game… 100 and Strong!

OMG, I don’t know who you are anymore! That was what my roommate said after I hung up on her for asking me to do her a favor. This was not a simple and quick request. The favor would take hours on my only off day when I clearly told her that morning it was an ME day. Hair, nails, a little r&r, etc. Oh, so you don’t know me anymore?

 

She like most people are familiar with the conservative yet opinionated Lydia. The gal who kept things ‘PC’ and as ‘PG’ as possible. Ms. “Sure I can handle that.” Sure, why wouldn’t I do that favor for you? What I want to do can wait! I Live, Love and Shared in a warm and fuzzy way, even when deep down inside it didn’t make ‘me‘ feel warm and fuzzy. Don’t get me wrong the old me was not all bad. I had loyal friends and associates, great clients, some devout readers, and a nice social media tribe. But like most things in life… It’s been a long time coming and a change has come!

 

Allow me to reintroduce myself!!!

 

Who I am today is not who I was a year ago! So, reintroductions are in order!  I refuse to be stagnant in life nor do I wish to be a creature of habit. I introduce you to a woman focused on growth. Mentally, spiritually, emotionally and financially. I am humble but proud, complicated and complex without apology. My loyalty remains unwavering. The only difference is now, I expect the same. My stubborn and blunt words can sometimes be hard to handle. The bushes I once would beat around have all been diminished to dust. The woman who piled as much as possible on her plate and made it a point to consume it all now knows when to say …WHEN! I learned how to stand again after conditioning myself to stay bent over.

 

Please… Accept My Apology!!!

 

There are family members, friends, and associates who I let down and threw aside. Overly anxious to eagerly help those who were undeserving of my kindness and loyalty. I chose to starve… waiting to eat from a tree that I was promised would bear fruit. Even when I was surrounded by a bountiful harvest. Yet, I had the nerve to ask the gods why I remain hungry. Blindness and lack of wisdom on my part! So, I seek their forgiveness for the mistakes I have made and hope they have mercy due to my courage to admit them.

 

I happily introduce you to…

 

The version of myself that I kept incarcerated for so many years. She… who will say what is truly on her mind and not apologize for being me and living in “My Truth”.  The woman who knows she is entitled to voice her opinion. I’m bold and it’s ok! I can color outside the lines of society if I choose. A piece of advice! You should not throw stones if you live in a glass house! So, judge me if you must! I will do as I will if it brings harm to none! I take the ability to live life without interference! Even if that means tattooing myself to my heart’s content, stretching ears, piercings my body until there is nowhere else to make another hole. Not wanting to correct my beautifully crooked smile and accepting my hourglass shape. embracing the fact that I love my locs and whatever color I choose to dye them this month. My witchy ways are mine and I live by the rede. Daring not to walk in unison with everyone else does not make me less of a professional or any less of a person. It makes me unique and special! Watch me rejoice in finally being able to stand up and tell you… NO! Regardless of what you say and how it makes you feel because my feelings matter more. I laugh!!! I had to learn this the hard way my friends but the difference between me and some is the fact that I learned it! Yaaay Me!!! When was the last time you took inventory of your life? Are you who you want to be? If you could change anything about yourself what would it be?

 

#FridayFeeling!!!✍✍🎶🎶✍✍

I have been held hostage in ‘Slackerdom’!!! It’s a little kingdom that has kept me from writing as much as I usually would for Two Drops of Ink and for my personal blog. The inhabitants of Slackerdom usually visit me when I get caught up in work. They convince me that work is more important than pursuing my passion. What’s funny is I do what I love for a living. #Amwriting and doing #socialmediamangement daily but work is work. Returning home to the creative realm on a daily basis is an almost impossible trip. I fall prey to the #impossible forgetting that #I’mpossible!!! Half written compositions are evidence of my attempted voyage but I am unsuccessful in reaching my destination. I get lost along the way!!! Practice what you preach, Chica!!! Is what my creative side screams from the recesses of my being. The workaholic puts her in chains and throws her in a #Heart Shaped Box.

Today, I’m working on social media for my love… Two Drops of Ink. I have been separated from my love!!! Funny to say that when I have Live, Love, Share but Two Drops of Ink is a relationship I can’t explain. A forbidden affair that I can’t get enough of.  Live, Love, Share is a love that I take for granted but don’t want to let go. I need Live, Love, Share!!! It’s me stripped bare, truly naked, transparent with all inhibitions out the window. My readers see me and ALL my flaws. Liberation feels good!!! Allows my light to shine brighter!!!

This, my friend, is my #FridayFeeling. An attempt to Live, Love, Share! Hey, enjoy the song by Santan “Put Your Lights On” that I felt was fitting. At least in my head!!! The lyrics are poetic truth!!!

 

Featured Image: John Hain via Pixabay.com

 

 

The Delusion of Love.

He descended from the  Arabian horse with pride and regality. Although, he stood among many who gathered to win the hand of the queen he stood alone. For her maidens whispered and blushed at the very sight of him. The rainbow of great knights brought a smile to her eyes as she stared out of the throne room window. They waited in anticipation to cross the bridge and enter her castle. They would drink and be merry before presenting themselves before the beautiful queen.

The moment finally came, the noble knight bowed down at the feet of the Queen and presented her with a single white rose. “This rose is magical and is a representation of my promise of love and adoration until we leave this world and ascend into the heavens. I vow to love you even  then.”  Words so sweet, she thought his lips dripped with honey.The queen’s trusted advisor permitted the knight to come forward. He took the queen’s hand kissed her palm and placed the rose within it.

Many came after him presenting gifts and declaring unending love. None touched the heart of the queen as the Irish knight. Dressed in all black made from the finest fabric money could buy. His skin as smooth as milk, set on fire by the bright redness of his full beard and hair. He warmed her heart and butterflies waltzed within. She was drunk with an infatuation for the knight.

The sun set many days welcoming the rising moon, yet the magical rose remained as new. He haunted her day and night! Finally, the time came, she made her decision, and the Irish knight would take the throne beside her. Her decision was against the advice of her trusted advisor, but the queen thought she must follow her heart.

Everyone in the kingdom was invited to celebrate the queen’s wedding; from the lowest of peasants to the noblest. She was a picture of beauty. The white lace gown traced her full curves; her copper skin peeked through the lace dress and veil. Onlookers stirred with excitement at her breathtaking beauty as she gracefully sauntered down the aisle to meet her future king. In her hand she carried the unaged single white rose he presented with the night he met her.

Happier than she had ever been, the queen would never forget the day she married the newly crowned king. Although, the queen’s advisor informed the queen that her days of happiness would not last until her end of time. Spiritual advisors advised the queen that her eyes were deceptive; she would bring great pain to herself, the reigning king and people of the land. Her heart was not the source of her decision. The spiritual advisors were beheaded! How dare anyone question the actions of her majesty!

Days evolved into weeks, months and then years. The queen again was sole ruler over the kingdom without the consult of the king; he was a mere footstool of the queen. She despised the man she’d come to know. The king loved the Queen even more than he did when he first met her acquaintance but his love was unrequited. Their marital bed was no longer; the once magical rose had long met its demise. The queen often wished she has never met her king. Regretful she never took the advice of her late advisor. Misery, dissolved his heart sending him to an early grave.

Happiness and love are feelings! Our eyes will deceive us when they are used to depict our emotions.

“A Prelude to Love.”

The beautiful woman swiftly whipped in between a car and a truck parked in front of the corner store. She could hear the loud laughter and conversation of the guys gathered outside over Ciara’s Body Party playing on her Bose system.  Yvonne freshened her lipstick and checked her hair in the rearview mirror. All in one motion she opened the door to her jeep swung her legs around and hopped out. Her blue leather 4-inch heels hit the ground with a click. She adjusted the white cotton mid thigh skirt that revealed the secret of her full hips and bum. She flipped up the collar on the jean jacket she wore over the v- neck white fitted shirt showing her flat tummy and breast that begged to be let free.

Her presence changed the mood of the once boisterous group. Calm and hungry glares came over the small crowd as she stepped onto the sidewalk. Yvonne smirked and winked at the crowd as she passed and made her way into the store. As she crossed the threshold, she could hear the men attempt to determine who had dibs. Yvonne stood in the snack aisle trying to decide what appealed to her taste buds the most. Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, she watched his calculated approach. Leisurely, he walked towards Yvonne; his hands tucked in the front pocket of his white hoodie, his baggy Levi jeans fell just right over his Timberland boots. He continued his approached as he snatched a bag of chips off the rack not missing a step. Casually stalking his prey.

“Excuse me?” He said at a whisper standing close enough to brush arms with Yvonne.

“Yes,” Yvonne responded brushing the blonde and brown hair from her eyes. Yvonne stared intensely into his slightly slanted brown eyes. His fitted blue beanie met his thick red eyebrows and complimented his pale skin. The ivory perfection caused butterflies to metamorphize deep inside her belly and commence a game of tag.

“You have beautiful eyes lady!” Scott said extending his hand. He was mesmerized by her big brown doe eyes, her chocolate complexion and full lips. Scott stared at Yvonne as if an angel of perfection descended from heaven for him alone.

“My name is Scott. What’s your name?” He asked still holding her hand in his.

“Yvonne,” she responded blushingly. She looked down at her hand in his.

“I’m sorry” he blushed, allowing her fingers to slide from his grip.

“How can I get to know you?” Scott barely managed to get out.

Interrupted by the sound of R.E.M playing in her purse, she searched frantically before pulling out her cell phone.

“Can you excuse me for a second?” She asked putting the phone to her ear.

“I’ll be back,” he mimed in Yvonne’s direction after frantically checking his pockets.

Yvonne watched Scotts’ suave sway as he walked away throwing his medium sized bag of Lays potato chips on the counter and head out the door.

Uninterested in her current conversation. “Lemme call you back,” she said to the caller on the other end.

Quickly, Yvonne chose the almond joy she had been pondering over. She quickly made her way to the counter and paid for her items instructing the old man to add the Lays to her tab. She could hear the guys teasing Scott about her being “out of his league” and “too much woman for him.”

Yvonne grabbed her lipstick from her purse and scribbled her number across the front of the potato chip bag. Proud of her creativity she sashayed out to her jeep. Yvonne unlocked the door to her vehicle threw her items on the driver’s seat and made her way to Scott climbing down out of his own truck.

With a sly smile, she handed him the bag of Lays.

“You shouldn’t have done that! I seem to have misplaced my wallet.”

“It’s ok, you might want to pay close attention to that bag,” she said as she started to back away.

Scott glanced down at the bag then flipped it over. He noticed on the opposite side ten red numbers in the form of a phone number. Immediately he entered the number into his phone then held up the red trophy with the yellow background for his friends to admire. Yvonne sped away with a beep and a wave.

 

 

Stop Complaining! Do Something Positive!

“I must die. Must I then die lamenting? I must be put in chains. Must I then also lament? I must go into exile. Does any man then hinder me from going with smiles and cheerfulness and contentment?”

I was led to write this post because I’m so tired of hearing people complain so much lately. Over the last two years, the weeping and whining of American citizens have grown to unbearable heights. This has become very unacceptable for me! It seems no matter where you are the grocery store, mall, even the florist. Who can be mad while purchasing flowers? Why not channel all this bottled up discontent into making things better?

I love the scene in Batman: The Dark Knight when the Joker (Heath Ledger) said: “Why so serious?” I find myself wanting to ask people that question. Not because I live my life with my head buried in the ground but because there is no sense in complaining if you’re not going to do anything about it.  We may not have the ability to fix all of the issues in our country or the world and even our lives, but we can make steps to make things a little better. Instead, all I hear is worthless murmuring with no alternatives mentioned.

Yin and Yang

The ancient Chinese Yin- Yang symbol represents the existence of opposing forces that interdependent. They work in perfect harmony; one cannot exist without the other. So, why dwell in the negative? In my opinion, doing something positive would be much more productive.  Bathing ourselves in the negativity in our home, workplace and the country does nothing to make life better. Balance out the negative by attempting to make changes and that which we cannot change substitute with an affirmative action. Of course, it will not bring an ed to that which we detest, but the good vibes that we release into the universe are pleasing to our spirit.

Spread positivity.

It would be great to hear a conversation that ended with a positive outlook. After lamenting about our current president, taxes, rights, and other issues end with what you can and will do to make a difference. Encourage others to make a difference as well. Put your selfishness aside for a moment to realize that we are all on the same sinking ship. We all have two choices, do what we can to help ourselves and others survive or give up and go down with the ship. I don’t know about you, but I have enough fight and positivity in me for the both of us. I challenge you to engage a stranger with a smile and talk about the beautiful the day.

 

 

 

 

An Eventful New Year

Hello, fellow bloggers! Hope the new year is treating you exceptionally well. For me, it is quite eventful. As some of you may have noticed, I’m in the process of re-branding my virtual assistant business. This process has been time-consuming but fun I must say. Most entrepreneurs would see it as stressful and a little painstaking. I look at it as an opportunity to build upon the foundation I have started and further my growth.

My decision to make modifications was influenced by client comments. When you work in close collaboration with people, they can give you insight into your business. If you’re open to it! In my case, their subtle suggestions made sense, so now I’m running with it. So as this month moves along, you will see my new business name The Militant Virtual Assistant. I’m excited about the change.

A Total Do Over!!!

Love is funny!!! As a young girl, I wanted to own a business, be married to my best friend minus the children. During my time in the military, I was going to be a lifer and married to a lifer as well. Children never fit into life’s equation for me. One of the reasons for the end of my first marriage was because he wanted a child. That was the minor issue, but the rest is a story to be told later. In the past, when I dated which was not often I stayed away from men with young children. Well, when Jim and I met I decided to try something different. In the beginning, it was okay, but things changed. His son started to have behavioral issues that were leading him down the wrong road. So, to make a long story short, we decided to end our engagement and continue as friends. Single again!!! I thought I would be sad and depressed but what’s weird is I feel like a load has been lifted off my shoulders. I can’t figure out why!!! What is also funny is that everywhere I go online I encounter singles ads and blog websites for 40 and overs. I almost feel like I’m being spied on. LOL!!! I visited a blog, and the blogger wrote as if single at forty is the end of the world. I got a good laugh that day. Life is what you make it! Saturday, I will be forty years young, and I feel as if I’m in my prime. Life has granted me a do over!

This year so far has kept me smiling and laughing. Definitely, good writing material as well. I hope life has been full of laughs and smiles for you as well.

 

🖼Picture of The Day🖼

David and Laurie fled at the bewitching hour, careful not to tip off family friends and those that had then under their radar. Unknown, they arrived in Venice and hurried to their hotel. David slid the mid- sized hotel under the bed for safe keeping as Laurie took in the view. “Will they find us here she asked staring out of the picturesque window.” David gave her a hug in response, he had no answer regarding their fate. The couple stood in silence and took in the breath- taking view.

Image courtesy of tpsdave on pixabay.com

How You Decided Your Blogs Name?

I have been trying to keep up with the 30 Day Blog Challenge posted on “Life With Grace and Beauty”. Although, with work other writing commitments it has been quite difficult. Today’s topic is… “How You Decided Your Blogs Name.”

 

The title Live, Love, Share came naturally and is a mantra I hold dear. Here is a little insight into what it means to me.

Live because life has not always been a picnic for me. It has had its ups and its downs, but through it all, I always seemed to be optimistic. I live life to the fullest and appreciate each day because even in your darkest hour there is a glimmer of light. I want to share that light and encourage others to live and enjoy every moment.

Love is who I am. I like to spread the joy that is in my heart. A smile, an encouraging word, hugs, or a corny joke to make someone laugh are all symbols of love to me. In this cruel world, we live in today you cannot spread too much love. We need more of it!!!

Share is not about showing appreciation on social media. Unfortunately, that is the first thing that comes to mind for most people. Regarding my blog I share my love of writing, my views on different topics, my trials, and tribulations, things that make me happy and sad.

When it is all said and done, my blog is meant to be one that anyone can relate to. So far, I think I’m doing okay. I want to say “Thank You” to all who follow, like and comment on my blog.

🎆Versatile Blogger Award Nomination🎆

I was recently nominated by Mike Senczyszak of Solsbury Hill. Solsbury Hill is definitely a deserving recipient of the Versatile Blogger Award. I’m a fan of the “Photogenic Quote of the Week” and all Mike’s other eccentric musings. I do find my thrill on Solsbury Hill!!! LOL!!! I had to do it, I just couldn’t help myself!!! For those of you who caught on to my corny joke. But anyway…

I am deeply honored. This is my first award so you can imagine my level of excitement. This award fits my style of writing and blogging perfectly. When I started blogging I did not want to fall into a cookie cutter style. My intention is to write about the truths of life as well as entertain my readers. My blog is not only about my love of writing but also my need to Live, Love, Share. My versatility and transparency is what makes  my blog real.

Seven things about me:

1. I have driven a military ship (destroyer class).
2. I spent time in Russia.
3. A lover of corny jokes. As you can see above.
4. I love to cook. I just love to feed people, it warms my heart.
5. Working on a fictional novel.
6. I have a sock fetish. I love all types of cute and weird socks.
7. I love tattoos, I have two but I plan to get four more.

Now, this is where I get to nominate 15 other bloggers. There are 15 other bloggers that are deserving but I have limited it to my top picks.

Two Drops of Ink a literary blog dedicated to the art of writing.

Poetic Parfait  is a blog by Christy Birmingham a poet and author. If you are a lover of poetry her book Versions of The Self is a must read.

Shehanne Moore Smexy Historical Romance is a blog I frequent. She has written several books my favorite is The Viking and the Courtesan.

Michelle’s Mosaic is about Brokeness Made Beautiful and her writing is definitely beautiful. Michelle has a way with words.

Rick Amitin’s blog is very inspirational. Rick blogs about Thinking Positive and Feeling  Alive in the world we live in today. Rick is a speaker and the author of If Only I Had a Dad.

Getting to Know Chuck Jackson an interesting author and blogger. His first book One Month, 20 Days and A Wake Up is a memoir about his live as a PJ during the Vietnam Era.

These are my nominations for the Versatile Blogger Award. The rule is 15 but these are the blogs that I feel compelled to visit and promote daily. There are other bloggers that I frequently visit and share but due to time constraints I just shared my top six WordPress blogs. Congratulations to Mike and all the bloggers who were nominated with me. To those I have nominated today… Congrats!!!🍾🍾🍾 I hope this makes your day. 😊Happy blogging!!!😉

 

 

Mood of The Day😊

Today’s prompt for the 30 day blog challenge is “Mood of The Day”. I have been trying to keep up daily but with being so busy it has been quite difficult. Today, I have a little time to spare so I decided to participate.

My “Mood of The Day” is many moods wrapped up in one beautiful package called Lydia with a big beautiful bow.

I am happy because I have been blessed to live another beautiful day. Life is precious and to be treasured and grateful for. I’m happy to have gained two clients, one client employs me to do freelance writing (SEO articles), the second is a social media management client.

Excitement is a mood I am feeling because all of my hard work is paying off. Rebuilding and re-branding my virtual assistant business and making time to write my book. Everything is falling in place and it is cause for excitement. It’s great when you can watch all your plans and efforts come together.

Motivation is what will keep me on the road to successful business owner and published author. It’s the same motivation that burns in me at this very moment that will allow me to reach my goals and encourage others to do the same.

So all of these emotions are my mood of the day!!! Share!!! What are you feeling today?

Woman with laptop courtesy of ijmaki via pixabay.com

Happy emoticon created by 95C on pixabay.com

Brain, emotion, emoji by johnhain on pixabay.com