06.24.23
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Self-Control

I came across an old movie, one with Ben Matlock. Lol, I mean Andy Griffith. But I am sure some Gen Z’s may not know Andy Griffith or even his Ben Matlock character from his Matlock TV series. In this movie I was watching, Andy Griffith plays John Wallace, who is some well-known land owner in his town. John Wallace has to definitely be a narcissist. And at the end of the movie is when I realize just how much he is one. In the end, Wallace tries to compare himself to the man who takes him down for his murderous crime as well as expresses himself as a man of power.

But it is the sheriff’s (played by Johnny Cash) response that stuck out to me. “How powerful is the man who can’t control themselves,” Sheriff Lamar states.

Now I suspect that Wallace would not care about self control when he loves power and is a narcissist but developing discipline and self-control is so necessary and beneficial in every area of our lives.

Self-control, according to Google, is the ability to control oneself, in particular one’s emotions and desires or the expression of them in one’s behavior, especially in difficult situations.

Self-control comes in handy when you need ammo to fight temptation. When you need to regulate your emotions. When you need to accomplish a goal. When you need to push through a hard season. When you want to get even.

Don’t underestimate the power of having self control and discipline. The quality of your life depends on it. Don’t aim for perfection but do aim to build self-control. Let us heal, grow, take care of ourselves and build our discipline and self-control. Let us trust God and lean on God for the grace to do so.

Oh, my apologies, the movie is called Murder in Coweta County.

Let’s Take This One Day At A Time Planner available at Amazon!

05.06.23
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Physical Health Is Just As Important

I was in so much pain this week that my health was at the forefront of my mind again.

I am keen on building and maintaining my mental health and my spiritual health. But my physical health is just as important and it is my mission to have a healthy spirit, mind and body.

I have also learned through experience of feeling gaslit and frustrated when going to the doctor that at the end of the day I have to spearhead my own health journey. No one cares for me better than me. And no one cares for me better than me than God so I have to learn to also lean into His love and wisdom to take care of the body He gave me.

Years ago, I was in the audience of an up and coming live talk show and learned about the importance of daily stretching from the guest doctor. So, I started stretching but I have been more intentional in my daily stretching and recently started back with light exercises too, especially the ones I learned in physical therapy. I am also researching about how to treat inflammation.

I am taking my vitamins more as well as sea moss and elderberry gummies. After listening to Tabitha Brown on Instagram talk about Tumeric with Black pepper helps with sciatica, and with further research, I bought me some. I love my fruits and vegetables but I am now incorporating more healthier snacks to my diet. I just bought sea salt seaweed chips but I like the seasoned pretzels more. 😩

I am going to increase my drinking of water and decrease dairy in my diet. One other thing I love to do that helps with both the physical and mental is walking. I have also been trying to clear my sinuses. I asked my doctor what should I do or take to aid me in fighting my allergy symptoms that plague me so much. And lastly, I am working on getting more sleep and reducing the stress in my life. Stress can definitely have an effect on your body.

Special thanks to Shalamaar, who prayed for me this week.

What are your physical healthy goals? What changes will you be making to achieve them?

It is going to take a bit more time to get used to these lol.
I add this to my smoothie.
03.28.23
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Huh? Raising Relatives pt 2

Parenting (whether you are biological, foster, adoptive, legal guardian, or relative) has its challenges and ups and downs. And sometimes  non-traditional parents like foster, adoptive, relative/caregiving face a lot of judgments, backhanded compliments, curious questions, and criticism they don’t need. They don’t need to be asked questions that produce shame or offense and have no impact on the child’s well-being.

I am raising my nephew, and this week, I got offended, not the first time, but this time by a professional we had to see. Although he is not my son, he is still my child. I have raised him since a toddler, and I love him dearly, like my own. So, the professional asks me if her medical assistant addresses me as mom or aunt. I said, “mom.” I work in the education field, and when a student comes in to work with their female parent, I assume mom. That is just natural. I often learn after that the guardian/parent may be specifically a grandparent or foster mom raising the student. And, sometimes, I still call the female parent mom unless I hear the student or parent say otherwise. It really wouldn’t concern me what the specific title is of the parent or guardian is. It’s none of my business, as long as the student is safe, the person is actually on the school records as the parent/guardian or approved by the parent to temporarily advocate, and the student is on track academically and postsecondary-wise or getting the help to be on track.

Anyway, I was suggested by the professional who we were there to see to let her medical assistant know I am the aunt. My response was backed by confusion as to why it was necessary. However, my response was that I let people know that I am the aunt. The professional knew I was the aunt as it had been indicated. In fact, I have clarified with many people that he is my nephew.

Do I have to wear a sign that says “I am his aunt,” especially if paperwork states who I am and people close to us as well as other important people know that I am the aunt?

I have never forced my nephew to call me mom and in fact he is always auntie this and auntie that. Nor am I trying to replace his mom who is my sister and I also love dearly.  I may not be a biological parent or traditional one but I am a parent. And my mom did mention to me it is how you present yourself. I have not always been as confident as a parent or advocate as I should be. And so I as embarked on my healing journey, I too embarked on building my confidence and voice as a parent. I have to be the best advocate for my child who just so happens to be my nephew.