Becoming a Better me - Day 3

Rise and shine! I'm feeling beyond bless on today! The joy I feel is something sure of amazing! Today is day 3 of the #BecomingaBettermechallenge and today was another missed day at the gym but of course there was no missed workout. I repeated day 2 exercises as well day 2 breakfast. It is Friday and in my house that is family fun day! So I will be getting my little ones out today and enjoying this beautiful day that God has given us. My transparency moment today is dedicated to my baby boy aka Prince Nasir who was born with a heart condition called SVT (Super-ventricular Tachycardia). Nasir had to stay in the hospital after he was born for almost 3 weeks and placed on two different heart medications..... to be continued

Can you say bless? My family and I are too excited because God has been so great to us! Let today be a lesson in knowing that as long as you keep your faith and put in the work the results of your great works will show. On today I repeated Day 2 workouts as well as breakfast  which was 60 jumping jacks, 50 squats with 10 pound dumbbells, 30 second wall sit squat, 1 minute of Russian twists, 50 crunches, 60 second plank, 60 left leg lifts, 60 right leg lifts, 25 reverse left leg lifts and 25 reverse right leg lifts. What I did differently today was implement this "Flat Tummy Water" into my daily regimen as well as a waist trainer. I actually heard about it from an Instagram post and decided to try it. It consist of 6 cups of filtered water, 1 lemon, 1/3 cup of mint leaves, 1 tbsp. of grated ginger and 1 cucumber slice. You have to allow the mixture to set overnight before drinking it. The benefits of "Flat Tummy Water" is that it helps reduces cravings, it hydrates the body, helps clean the digestive tract and prevents bloating. There are some negative side effects as well but nothing serious but still do your own research and as with anything including working out, make sure you consult with your Doctor first. My prayer for today has been completed and the scripture I will be reading is 1 Peter Chapter 1 NIV. Now if you haven't already get Day 3 of #BecomingaBettermechallenge out the way and make sure to pray and read your daily scripture! Until next time remember #yougotthis #dontgiveup #stayfocus

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Becoming a Better me - Day 2

Reality is I'm not always able to make it to the gym but everyday like clock work I'm up at 5 a.m.
One may say but I have children and they sometimes get in the way. Well I know the feeling all too well. In fact, while my 5 month old was sleeping, my two year old decided to wake up earlier than expected...whelp there goes my workout and much needed me time. Seriously, you can't be kidding me! It should never be that easy to give up. You have a goal right? You want that Teyana Taylor and Beyoncé body right? You want that Michael B. Jordan body right? Well...maybe that's just my way of thinking. Every person body goal may be different and that is fine, for some it may just be a getting healthy goal. After conversing with myself, I decided to just allow my two year old to joined me. As I did my crunches he sat on top of my stomach #weightresistance. When I did my jumping jacks he did his too, I kept him moving which will eventually get him tired lol. I say this all to say, that regardless of the circumstance, don't make excuses!

Today is Day 2 of the #BecomingaBettermeChallenge and I did my daily workout which included 60 jumping jacks, 50 squats with 10 pound dumbbells, 30 second wall sit squat, 1 minute of Russian twists, 50 crunches, 60 second plank, 60 left leg lifts, 60 right leg lifts, 25 reverse left leg lifts and 25 reverse right leg lifts. I did my prayer for today but I'm sure I will be praying again. I also read scriptures today from 2 Kings Chapter 8 NIV. No particular order just asked God to lead me. My transparency moment is that sometimes in life, things don't always go as you plan them to and that can be frustrating. The good in things not going as planned is that you learn to find solutions, therefore you gain perseverance. #stayfocus #don'tgiveup #yougotthis #BecomingaBetterme

Becoming a Better Me - Day 1

Almost 30 and the body I once had is slowly but surely resurfacing! Well everything except my breast lol! Them bad boys once was perky but now they as flat as a pancake thanks to breastfeeding! What's good for the baby is not always good for you. No but seriously, can't say it has been an easy journey this whole "exercising" thing because what I once loved I pushed away and "exercising" became a thing of my past. Besides, after two children bouncing back becomes a little harder. I often asked myself what I was thinking having two children back to back. Poor body didn't have any time to recoup. Then again, guess it's best that I got having children out the way, so that now when I get my body back on fleek, I won't have to worry about a do over lol!

March 29th, 3 months postpartum is when I begin this workout journey. One step closer to becoming a better me and the time away from the house isn't too bad neither. The picture on the top left represents day one of my journey and the other two are from today. Can you say progress? Still have further to go but being a mom of two, a toddler and 5 month old as well as a Playwright/Writer with a freshly new entertainment business, I must say I'm doing pretty darn good! What are your goals? Are you trying to get yourself together both mentally and physically? If so follow me and stay tune as I take you on my own personal journey to Becoming a Better me! Matter of fact, join me! Lets do 30 days of workout, mixed with 30 days of transparency, 30 days of scriptures and 30 days of prayer! Now claim it in advance that You my Friend are becoming better! #BecomingaBetterme #day1

Analyzing Strategies Used in an Advocacy Post

In writing my “Technology is taking Over” piece I decided that speaking truthfully as to why I felt the way I did would be the best approach. I wanted to incorporate some of my own personal experiences so that my readers could see things from my perspective, while also taking a step back to reflect on their own lives and how technology may or may not consume them.



I aimed to used all three appeals which included ethos, pathos and logos. Ethos require one to show credibility and my credibility was shown in my truth and when I revealed my personal experiences to my audience. Logos was given in my piece/post when I incorporated percentages found based on another person article on phone usage. Pathos was used in all that I wrote because I express why I felt so strongly about the use of technology interrupting our relationships among each other as well as family.



When it comes to writing an advocate posting or anything arguing against a certain topic, in my opinion logos will always be used the most. For me logos appeal works best primarily because it is easy to connect emotionally with an idea you have so much to say about. Logos also works for the readers because by breaking down your view points, it allows one to fully understand the message. In all, if one is choosing to advocate against any subject or matter, one must first state their reasons, break down their view points, give examples and make sure others can relate to what it is you are discussing.

Persuasive Bloggers

The "Science of Persuasion" exposed many truths about the ways many of us work when it comes to persuasion. The six keys mentioned in persuading readers were:

• Reciprocity
• Scarcity
• Authority
• Consistency
• Liking
• Consensus

These six keys can be used for sales, gaining readers, or whatever it is that you need because these keys influence one to "Say Yes". We can practically uses these six keys in our everyday life but when it comes to blogging, I feel that not all of these keys will work. The ones that I do feel are relevant to blogs is authority, consistency and liking.

• Authority is having knowledge about any given subject so that your readers are more willing to listen. If you are blogging about Love for example, what knowledge do you have for someone to listen to your expertise. Are you married? How long have you been married? These questions and the answers to them can show your readers rather or not you have authority on the subject you are writing about.
•  Consistency one must be consistent when blogging in order to gain a following, well if that is the aim of course. If you are blogging to reach a certain audience, to be heard or to share a message I will assume you will want others to respond to what you are writing, therefore consistency is key. Blogging only once or twice a month will not get you many followers.
• Liking in the "Science of Persuasion" states that people who are similar basically connect more. If you are showing your personality in what you write, you will more than likely gain a following of people who think like you and act like you.

Of all the three keys I have chosen, that I believe are important when it comes to blogging "liking" in my opinion is the most important. I'm not saying that one must like you in order to read your work but at the same time, rather you write positively or negatively, if you are using your true authentic voice and writing as you really speak, more people take a liking to that response and that in turns makes one want to read more of what you write. We can find ways to use all these keys when it comes to blogging but it ultimately up to the writer on how they wish to reach their audience but for me if one would like you, based on how you write and appeal to them and that to me is where the "liking" key comes into play.

Reading of "The Art of Influence"

Honesty, having a conscious, and being able to remove the mask are some of the subjects “The Art of Influence” discusses. Why are the above key ideas to be a good essayist? Do readers really care if what one writes is their honest truth? These are the questions I ask myself when writing and I’m sure many others ask themselves those same questions. I often place myself in the shoes of a reader and ask myself what it that I’m looking for when reading others work as well as my own. I must say I agree with much of what “The Art of Influence” discusses. I laughed as I read the line in the essay stating that “A contract between the writer and reader has been drawn up, the essayist must then make good on it by delivering or discovering as much honesty as possible.” A contract really? I always thought a contract had to written out and signed by both parties because when I think of contracts, I think in the legal form. However, apart of me understands his theory and I as well understand that what the statement is saying is primarily fact, that one must write honestly keeping the reader in mind. I believe that statement also is stating that when one fails to write honestly, they in turn lose their readers.

“We must remove the mask.”

“The spectacle of baring the naked soul is meant to awaken the sympathy of the reader.”

My conscious doesn’t allow me to anything but honest in my writing. Choosing not to be does not set right with me because I feel that people can sense when you are being honest or just saying whatever sounds good. My thoughts on the subject of being able to remove the mask in my opinion, means being able to open up to your readers. The way to open up is simply baring it all as the second quotes states. How do we bare it all when there may be something one is afraid for the public eye to take notice of? Just do it, is what I will say. We will always in one way or another worry about what revealing ourselves may mean to others. We will always be afraid of the unknown. We will always feel that allowing our readers to know who we really are, means we are allowing them to judge us. If that is the case the best way to get over all of those issues is to simply as stated above “Do It”. “There is one thing the essayist cannot do-he cannot indulge himself in deceit or in concealment.” Another quote in “The Art of Influence” states “The conscience of the personal essay arises from the author’s examination of his or her prejudices.” Until we put ourselves out there in an honest way we are basically showing that our own prejudices influences our capability of writing openly, where then is our credibility?

“The Art of Influence” applies to ability as a writer because all of what was stated appealed to me. The messages appeal to me because the writer being described is the type of writer I aim to be. When I write I write for understanding and write so that others reading can see me and get to know through my writing. I try to connect with my readers so that they can take into perspective the message I’m aiming to get across. Reading “The Art of Influence” was a great way of allowing me to understand why being honest is best and universally should be our whole life’s way of thinking.

Brieft on My Pursuit of Music Memoir

　
Deciding to do a memoir about pursuing music as a career is a subject very dear to me. I often battled with myself on a consistent basis on rather or not it is best to follow what you love versus what is deemed to be stability. If I told you how many times I was shun away from friends and family in reference to my career choice, you wouldn’t believe me. No one agreed with me making the decision to pursue being a music entertainer rather than finishing my degree in Nursing. Any career in the field of art is considered to be “like hitting lottery” it rarely happens if you’re looking to reach heights such as gain in fame and fortune. For a while I truly believed in what everyone told me and instead of making being an artist my sole priority I placed it on the back burner.

　



I attended college full time majoring in Nursing and for some was headed in the right direction, however, I was unhappy. I needed to do what made me happy and I needed to stop worrying about what others thought of the decisions I make. What I’m aiming to express and the point I’m trying to get across, is that you cannot worry how others will view you. You’re goal in life should never be to accommodate others perspective about you. You only get one shot at what we call life and the moment you decided to be what others want you to be is when you fail. I want you all to learn from my memoir that I’m planning to write in reference to “My Pursuit of Music” that you should always follow your heart. I want you to witness my journey in following my heart through my eyes and my experiences. I want you to learn of my struggles and learn of my accomplishments. I want you to understand how I dealt with adversity and still continued to push forward with my pursuit in music.

　



What you won’t learn is everything about my life because in this memoir it is not necessary. You also don’t need to know about any jobs I’ve held and let go during my journey because it has no reflection on why I chose music. The most important things you will learn is the ups and down of the industry because it’s important in knowing why some of my family and friends disagreed with my decision but for the overall, you will experience my love for music, my inspirations and my journey to excel no matter what. I hope you can take from this reading and embed in your thought processes for whatever you truly desire to do this one scripture “You can do all things through Christ which strengthens you.”

Short Memoirs of my Life

My Pursuit of Music
I’ve always enjoyed music. Rather it be writing it, singing it or performing it. As a child I begin to know just how much music meant to me, when I would hear a song on the radio and make up my own version. Beyond that I started singing in my church choir when I was seven years old and now you can’t get me to shut my mouth. Throughout my school years I participated in various things that involved music. I remember this one particular music teacher I had in High School who was beyond hard on me. In fact I can honestly say I feared her. She would make me practice so much until whatever song I was singing was perfected. When I think back on it now I’ve learned that practice makes perfect. I learned that by her being hard on me when it came to my craft, it only meant she wanted me to be great in what I enjoyed doing. She instill in me the ability to work hard for something I love and never settle for just being ok.



　

Changing my Major
Often we are face with making major decisions in regards to living life and figuring out what we want out of it. For so long I believe I did what everyone else wanted me to do, instead of following my own mind. When I graduated high school I decided that when I went to college I would major in nursing. After almost two years of being enrolled at OU I had to leave due to financial reasons. I took two years off school to get money together to pay off what I owe and ended up going to a community college where I continued my major in nursing. While I was working towards my degree in nursing I was also working at a hospital. Though I enjoyed helping people and caring for them I knew nursing was no longer for me. My friends and family told me I had come to far to have a sudden change in career and that being a nurse would bring in good money for me. Well long story short I decided to do what was best for me and change my major to what I enjoyed. Although it would be like I wasted time and money and would be practically starting over, I was happy in my decision. What I learned from this experience is that in life you have to follow your heart and trust in instinct, knowing that if it is meant for you money will come but in all things keep faith.



　

Getting Married
Love is the essence of all things beautiful in my eyes. It was always a focus point in my life, even as a young girl. I always dreamed of having my prince charming sweep me off my feet, just as it showed in the movies. I found out at an early age that romance does not always go as you have plan. Then I met my now husband and he showed me different. I learned the ups and downs of what real love detailed. I learned how to put God first in our relationship because without him, it doesn’t work. The day I said, I do changed my life for the better. I was now spiritually connected to my better half and it felt great. We pray together, we enjoy life together and we make the best of things. I also learned being wife how to talk things out instead of being stubborn, which was always an issue for me. I learned how to be a team and I’m sure I will learn more.



　

Restoring My Relationship with my Father

As a child my father was absent from my life. I don’t have many memories of him being present and even thinking about doesn’t set right with me. Birthdays, holidays, big events in my life, he wasn’t there. However, when I graduated high school he was came to see me walk across the stage and it was one of the happiest days of my life. It was also confusing for me because I had so many questions. My heart was heavy because I felt he had missed out on so much in my life. After the graduation things went back to normal but then I decided to be the bigger person and reach out to my father so that we could build a relationship. Now years later we have the best relationship and we are making up for lost time. I learned from this situation that sometimes you have to step up and be the bigger person and not prideful, even when you are not the one wrong.