I'm a giver; not a taker...

"Then Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave of their wealth, but she, out of her poverty, put in everything--all that she had to live in" -NIV Mark 12:41-44

Moving to Houston changed me forever. Immediately I understood what Southern Hospitality was, outside of what I learned from my immediate family's hospitable ways, and was given plenty of opportunities to show hospitality to others. During a hurricane I was housed by a then stranger's family; the young lady is now one of my closest friends. I housed a then acquaintance, who is now one of my close friends as well. FRANKLY, the only reason I was able to move to Houston was because of a close friend's hospitality. She probably gets tired of me thanking her! (lol...I LOVE YOU) The point of it all, is that the cycle of giving is a blessing!

I often inquire of myself, "Why do you give continuously, knowing that it may not be given in return?" The reality is that I enjoy being friendly and sweet. This is not to say that I don't have a malicious side; that "Darlene" is a doozy! But I quickly learned that the tighter I hold onto things, the harder they are to maintain. Everything I give with an open heart comes back to me tenfold. I'm still learning, but as I get better, my heart gets lighter! I've become grateful, not necessarily for the ability to give, but for the joyful heart I've developed as a result of giving.

Peace & Blessings,

Nina B.

Randomness...

At one point in time I meditated every morning! Woke up at 5am, went jogging to catch the sunrise and then came home to read my bible and meditate. I'm a Christian, Jesus is my Lord and savior, but meditating helped me go to another level within my religion and within myself. I've been feeling off balance lately, took a Chakra test and you can see my results to the left. I'm pretty centered, but I talk too much, can easily feel nervous and I can be attached/overemotional. Well well well... ain't that about nothing! "Talking too much" I've dealt with all my life! The nervous issue does a JOB on my stomach, it twists and turns like nobody's business lol! I must say, however, that when I meditated I was the most calm thing walking! Rent could be late?! CALM! Paying for three flat tires in a month on top of rent?! CALM! Hurricane in Houston!? CALM! Death in the family!? CALM! Fall out with the boo?! **major shruggage** lol It was like nothing could get to me. Needless to say, I'll be setting my alarm clock at 5am starting next week! It's all about balance! More set-aside time for prayer and meditation does wonders for the soul!

*SN*

• Don't knock the open crown, third eye, heart and navel though! I'm assertive, sensual, intuitive and compassionate! True, True, True aaaaannnnd True!
• I'm sitting here wondering what life would have been like if I kept my fro lol...
  

Dear Mr. Tooth Fairy...

Last night I had a dream that my teeth were falling out. Nothing abnormal about that for me, at one point I was having them often, but this one was different. Normally when my teeth are falling out in dream land it's from something violent, like falling down the stairs. After I fall, my teeth shatter and I wake up. The End! Fin! But not last night...

This dream was different in that throughout the dream I was fully aware of my teeth falling out. I would run my tongue across them in expectancy because they were so loose and bloody. All the while, I was going through my dream doing normal true-to-life activities. Shopping with my family, meeting up with friends and being quite the social butterfly.

Did my teeth ever fall out you ask? Yes, they did... I went to the bathroom while shopping and saw them fall out then slide around in the porcelain sink. I didn't wake up immediately; on the contrary, I continued to dream and new teeth grew back brighter than ever!!!! Ta-daaaa!!! It's like Houdini came and decided that this time, this one particular time, my experience would be pleasant. I would have been excited if they grew back diamond studded! I'm beaminnggggg snitchessss! lol <-----sarcasm!

At any rate, I always thought teeth falling out in dreams was tied to vanity until someone told me it meant I was holding back a secret. Well, if the latter is the case, I know exactly what it's about. To prevent myself from having this dream again, I'm going to type a letter for someone and instead of sending it to them, I'll send it to myself! BOOM! Problem solved! I'm keeping this secret; I refuse to let it spread like a virus, so hopefully reading my thoughts will end this stupid thought process! Wish me luck!

Peace...

Nina B.

A hustler... of sorts!

"I'm a hustler. My hustle is trying to figure out the best ways to do what I like without having to do much else." ~Mos Def

So, today I marched on a path I'd been tip-toeing on for years! Did I say years?! I pride myself on providing loved ones, and even strangers, with positive reinforcement. I believe, however, that it's about time I push myself to be my best. Let's see what happens!

Morning Bell...

Middle of the night, well at least for an early-to-bed and early-to-rise person like me, and I can't sleep. As cliche as this sounds, I want to tell you in my best Kanye West voice, "these dreams be keeping me up at night". I won't expose my heart, because out of it flows my spring of life, but know that I have written it on a tablet and made it plain. Another scripture on my brain is, "without vision the people perish". I apologize to anyone that thinks I'm speaking in code; because I am, kinda like Nina-isms as a few of my friends call it. My personality tends to be very random, but when I set my heart and mind like a flint to something, my tunnel vision is impeccable! The ooooonnlllyyy issue I have with being in this mode is that my stomach switches to it as well. When my emotions heighten, one could easily be led to believe my stomach is trying out for the olympics: long jump, high jump, sprints, long distance, hurdles and shot put. At any rate, as I lay in my dark room, no light except for the glow from the windows emitted by the street lights and the bright light of my blackberry, I am thankful for a vision. I am also thankful, in advance, that God will fulfill it. Ohhhhh you thought I lay awake in nervousness? *chuckle*

COMS: 531 (Listening)

Me: I'm taking a listening course next semester.
I think I am hard of hearing
Janelle: #thingswecanallagreeon

Yes, I am truly taking a listening course as an elective for my last semester. I generally do what I want and disregard what anyone is saying because I assume they either don't know what they're talking about or they would do better if they knew better. This is very hazardous to my relationships (professional, friendships, platonic, etc.) I'm excited about this! So the course description is as follows:

Examines the styles of listening in communication and applies them in the different contexts of the communication process. Develops sensitivity and effective listening skills in human interaction.

"Develops sensitivity and effective listening skills in human interaction" sounds like I'm an alien life form that's never had human interaction! *sigh* lol wish me luck!

Peace...

Nina B.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

"Wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving." -Kahlil Gibran