Good communication is one of the key tools to a happy home. Communicating effectively helps to maintain peace, trust, and harmony in the home. The five tips here are pretty easy. They do take time and energy but with some effort you can master each one. [imagebrowser id=392] … [Read more...]
4 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Leave After an Argument
Arguments are a part of marriage. You can’t avoid all of them and really, you shouldn’t try to. Just because you argue doesn’t mean anything is wrong in your marriage. Siblings argue, friends argue, even co-workers argue. It’s natural because you are in close contact with another person. But sometimes an argument can be so intense with your spouse, that you may consider walking … [Read more...]
The Ugly Truth About Failing to Forgive
In recent years I have uncovered a great deal about who I am. Some of these discoveries came to light after getting married, while some reared their heads when I became a mom and when my own mom got sick. Life experiences, both good and bad, have a way of showing us who we really are—whether we like it or not. In managing the day-to-day struggles life offers us all, I have … [Read more...]
3 Critical Relationship Mistakes to Avoid in the New Year
Most people get excited about the New Year because it’s a chance to start fresh and do better. It’s the time to think about the changes you need to make in your relationships for you to accomplish your goals in the coming year. Personally, I know there are certain mistakes I have made in my past that have slowed me down in reaching my goals. Here are three to avoid if you’re … [Read more...]
4 Keys to Forgiving Repeat Offenders and Getting the Love You Deserve in 2015
Recently there has been a lot written about the power of forgiveness. However, little has been written on forgiving offenses that often change the course of one’s life. So what do you do when the person continues the offense or refuses to apologize for past wrongs that they have done? Their past or current actions may include: children who were sexually or emotional abused, … [Read more...]
Kwanzaa; Our Culture & Why We Celebrate it Every Year
For many years in my family we have celebrated Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa is an awesome kind of holiday that can be celebrated by people of any and all races, creeds and religions. It’s really a cultural celebration of heritage & African American people and community. This holiday was founded in 1965 by Dr. Maulana Karenga. It is a week long celebration that takes place beginning … [Read more...]
Have You Ever Experienced the “Grass is Greener” Effect in Reverse?
We’ve all experienced the “grass is greener” effect at some point in our lives. We peer through our skewed lenses and determine that someone else is experiencing something greater or better than we are. We have thoughts such as my boss has a better life than me because he makes more money. More guys are attracted to my friend because she is prettier and has better clothes. My … [Read more...]
Are Black Women the Solution to Preserving Intergenerational Wealth in African-American Community?
A few months back, I had the opportunity to view a film called “Black Heirlooms” which chronicles the financial and emotional impact that a lack of proper estate planning has had one African-American family’s legacy of love and community. Watching the short documentary was so moving that it inspired me to speak to my 74-year old mother about her affairs. Luckily, I learned … [Read more...]
BMWK 30 Days of Gratitude Challenge; Week 4 Expressing Gratitude for Others
Week 1: Self-Gratitude Week 2: Gratitude for my Spouse/Significant Other Week 3: Gratitude for my children/family Week 4: Gratitude for others Week 4: Expressing Gratitude for Others This time of year can be really hard for a lot of people. You never know what that smile, encouraging word or simple act of kindness can do for someone. I'm committed to being more … [Read more...]
My New Definition of Being Thankful on Thanksgiving has Nothing to do with Turkey.
Our family, in the eyes of most people, would appear to be going through a lot. Our youngest daughter has sickle cell and has been in and out of the hospital since she was 4 months old. She’s had three operations, 12 blood transfusions, and was once on a feeding tube because we were told it was too dangerous for her to eat, she was even coded once where 20 - 30 doctors flooded … [Read more...]
BMWK 30 Days of Gratitude Challenge Week 3: Children/Family
Week 1: Self-Gratitude Week 2: Gratitude for my Spouse/Significant Other Week 3: Gratitude for my children/family Week 4: Gratitude for others Week 3: Daily Gratitude (Children/Family) One thing I didn't hear a lot of growing up from my parents was "thank you". While I know now they have always been grateful for me, I didn't know it as a kid. So as much as possible, … [Read more...]
How to Heal from the Pain of Divorce and Learn to Love Again
2005 was the most painful year of my life. My daughter had just turned one when I found out that my husband—who I had been separated from for four months, with a faint hope of reconciliation—was about to have a baby by another woman. Words can't express how devastated I was at his admission of an affair during our marriage. I felt like I had fallen into a black hole and wasn't … [Read more...]
Blended Family Week: 10 Tips to Make Your Blended Family Work For You
Remember the Brady Bunch? When the show came on it played that much too familiar song that went something like... "Here's a story of a lovely lady... and a man named Brady ... and that's the way they ALL became the Brady Bunch... " In that perfect square with that perfect house and all six kids coming together in harmony. Every episode ended in a resolution to whatever … [Read more...]
Who Cares for the Caregiver? 3 Ways To Refresh When You Are a Caregiver
If you are like me, you may be faced with providing special care for a member of your family. It may be a child that needs special care, a spouse, or an aging parent that needs you now more than ever before. No matter who it is that you are caring for, you must take time to replenish. There has to be care for the caregiver. Refreshing of your body, mind, and spirit are needed … [Read more...]
10 Things You Should Know About Marriage
You may have received a lot of advice from different people regarding marriage, whether you are single, engaged or already married. I didn’t receive a lot of advice before I got married. But I have received some wise nuggets from a few family members over that last 17 years of my marriage. I will share what I was told and some things I had to learn on my own. Keep God in … [Read more...]