March is Women’s History Month, and to celebrate our resilience, grace, strength, and stories, I thought I would do a feature on one of our Chicagoan sheroes.
Her name is Dr. Margaret Taylor Burroughs. Dr. Margaret Taylor Burroughs was a prominent African American artist, educator, and cultural historian, best known for her contributions to the Chicago arts scene and her advocacy for African American history and culture.
To learn about Dr. Burroughs, check out the feature on my YouTube channel.
And let me know what you think about Dr. Burroughs’ legacy?
As I am walking my dog, I notice the frosted morning dew and am reminded of the scripture that God will renew my strength. In this season, I need strength and this reminder daily.
Psalms 110:3b NLT … and your strength will be renewed each day like the morning dew.
Food is definitely our love language over here. I love cooking, sometimes trying new foods, and visiting our favorite restaurants with family and friends.
Moreover, cooking and baking is another way to be creative, have fun, and also relieve stress.
Here are pictures of some meals I’ve cooked and some foods from our fave restaurants or new restaurants we have visited. I have even tried my hand at meal prepping. Now, my presentation isn’t my best when it comes to meal preparation and display, but the food is good.
I always like the waffle makers at hotels, and so I bought myself a waffle maker. Here is a breakfast I made before.I made a Jerk chicken meal. Lol, I always remember to take pictures after I bite into my roll.I made Shrimp and Grits. Simple meal to cook and delicious. I love smooth and creamy grits so heavy cream is a good addition to this. Salmon, green beans, and smashed potatoes. We love salmon. And lol, I forgot to take the pic before I bit into the roll. When I learned how to make a cheesecake, it was game over!!!! So, delicious!!!!Same with Baked Macaroni and Cheese. This has become one of my signature dishes to make to add to the sides for the holidays.My aunt taught me how to make this Peach Dump Cake. It is so delicious, and I rather have this than Peach Cobbler, although somewhat similar. I am known for my alfredo! It is also one of my favorite foods. Once someone taught me how to make the alfredo sauce, I never went back to using the jar.I made Birria tacos recently for the first time, and my family loved them. I loved them too!!!! Fruits and desserts! I love fruit. I love smoothies and banana pudding. I love making banana pudding for our family functions.
This next section is foods and baked goods from others or restaurants we visited, one of which was recently for my mom’s birthday.
Happy Lamb Hot Pot offers a great experience and great food!Pierre’s Bakery have awesome cakes. I usually buy the store featured cakes and then have them customized.Went to my job’s holiday event, and I definitely won’t forget these Pineapple Habanero wings. They were delicious!This awesome and delicious Men In Black Cake was right on theme for the youngin’s birthday party years ago. Made by my fabulous friend, Keyron’s Custom Cakes!
If you liked this post, please give a like! Also, tell me what your favorite food or favorite restaurant is.
It’s okay if you don’t like to plan out your day, your goals, or your next move. And you don’t have to meticulously plan every detail of your life.
But here me out. Do take time to add planning and organizing to a part of your life’s journey.
“For every minute spent organizing, an hour is earned” – Benjamin Franklin
According to Cornerstone Dynamics, in the last 20 years, working time has increased by 15 percent, and leisure time has decreased by 33 percent (Karina Keith, Time Management Stats That May Surprise You).
According to Forbes.com, fifty-two percent of planners reported having time for social life, and 44 percent had enough time for themselves (Bryan Robinson, Ph.D., New Study Shows Career Benefits In Planning Versus Procrastinating To Reduce Stress).
So, if work time has increased, and life gets much more complex as we get older, why not set aside a few minutes a day or several minutes a week to plan your time, your goals and tasks to prioritize and organize.
For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 NLT
I have always been a planner, a to-do lister. It helps me to declutter mentally, maintain productivity, and stay goal-oriented.
Whether you are using a paper/physical planner or a digital planner, there are many benefits to using one as it is one of many tools to aid you through this journey of life.
Then the Lord said to me, “Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others. Habakkuk 2:2 NLT
Benefits of Using A Planner:
Using a planner can help you get organized.
Using one can increase productivity.
Can build your motivation in accomplishing your goals.
Planning and organizing can help decrease stress.
Strengthen your self-discipline.
Help you manage your time.
Improves your focus.
Reduces anxiety and prioritizes well-being.
Sort through the chaos of a busy schedule.
Makes it easier to remember tasks.
What other benefits does using a planner bring?
Although I highly recommend using a planner, I must remind you a few things. Using a planner is not a quest for being perfect. Don’t forget to also allow spontaneity in your life. We should not idolize planning or plan without action or without seeking the Lord’s wisdom, will, and heart. With that said, remember the scripture below:
Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3 NLT
Without God, we can do nothing. Without God involved, our planning is futile. Commit your actions to the Lord. Submit to God, and depend on Him, and allow Him to lead you to success.
Lastly, planners can help you manage your time, prioritize tasks, and organize your short-term and long-term goals. In doing so, you increase your productivity as well as your personal time to relax, refuel, and reengage with loved ones.
The new edition of the CPR Planner is available!!!
The CPR planner helps you to continue your healing journey by exploring where in your life you need CPR (Calm, Peace, and a Refreshing). This planner has been updated with a new look and some new additions to help you continue staying on top of your daily, weekly, and monthly planning.
My new poem for a new year! Encouraging you and I to make the most of this year and to face one fear at a time.
Check out my new poem:
A Meeting
I stood here waiting for you I moved not one bit I endured cold nights Winter covered me with its blanket I sat here quiet amongst my kind Awaiting our meeting Awaiting our time
Through the valleys Amidst the fog Times of uncertainty And a land full of smog What hindered you from getting here? Your heart full of clog? What or who got in your way? Was it the years of heartbreak and disappointments Or you yesterday?
How about fear? I hear it can cause a delay Year after year But I waited for you patiently to arrive To thrive and not just strive You prayed and prayed There are times you fought And remained Steadfast, Stood on business even when in despair and drained You persevered and yearned Applied wisdom and learned But made it to me and now you froze Is it because you have to again believe And be reminded of past victories
Have you ever seen a mountain of such stature. Am I intimidating? Are you afraid of heights or the unknown? I welcome you here And I know someone who is not visible But has been ever present and will not leave you alone
To the mountaintop and to the other side I welcome you to recover all that has been lost Birth that which almost died Hold on to your faith no matter the cost Uncover blessings you have not seen Reach your full potential and fulfill your heart’s dream
And if you tell me to move with all of your heart And with His word Dont be surprised if I do what I heard Face me. You will overcome Don’t give up and retreat You have already overcome I will surrender to defeat As you stand victoriously.
The CPR planner is back but with new additions and a new look!!! Ready to come alongside your healing journey and day to day schedule.
What area(s) of your life do you need to revive? How can you resuscitate your dreams, your relationships, your career, your body, your mind, and more? May God breathe life into you and every area of your life. May He bring you to hope, redemption, restoration and peace. The CPR planner helps you to continue your healing journey by exploring where in your life you need CPR (Calm, Peace, and a Refreshing). This planner has been updated with a new look and some new additions to help you continue staying on top of your daily, weekly and monthly planning.
Side note: somehow I thought today was still New Year’s Day 😆. I was totally confused and perplexed about how most of yesterday went by so quick. I must have slept much longer than I thought. And on another note, after my teen told me what day it was and then taking a look at the time it finally registered. But I was totally unaware that it is four (at the time I released this) something in the morning. I thought… nevermind. Please forgive me and Lord, help me. 😆
Well, back to motivation and inspiration. We have arrived to a new year and we are all going to need such force and encouragement to propel us through another year. This year may require whole new strategies, stepping out of our comfort zones and standing on business, much more perseverance and a determination to preserve our peace and joy in a world full of chaos. With God, we can overcome and make it though 2025.
I’m rewatching one of my favorite shows, The Walking Dead, and indeed this particular scene from season 6, episode 9 is one of my favorite scenes. (Link to clip is at the end of this post.)
This scene is so epic! And if it was in words it would be words of empowerment, encouraging us to not give up. That we are more than conquerors! That we must fight and persevere through the storms of life.
Well, Rick’s team is fighting zombies in Alexandria but is also taking back their home, their morale, and fighting for their group, their family.
I encourage you to press on. Press on to heal. To grow. To do more than survive, thrive. To forgive. To set boundaries. To accomplish your goals. To live life to the fullest. To fight anxiety. To become a better steward over your time and finances. To develop healthy relationships. To move forward from toxicity and seasons that God is moving you on from. To build your future through prayer, hard work, God’s guidance and His wisdom. Fight. Don’t give up. Be encouraged. Allow your tribe to find you and fight together. Allow God to lead you and guide you through each day.
Tannika Nikeya 