I choose

*Lesson learned this week*

Everybody won't be happy with the decisions that you make. Some will even be so bold to tell you that, you're wrong & it's going to come back and bite you in the butt. And you'll regret it for the rest of your life. Here's my take on that. If you do something that you think is the best thing for you. I mean, you've prayed on it. You feel peace in your spirit about it. Stick to your guns & stand by the choices that you have made. Yes, sometimes these decisions hurt other people. It's an unfortunate side effect. Regardless of what others may TRY to say to you, it doesn't (in Monique's book) make you a terrible person because you've decided to look out for yourself first (whether that's mentally, physically, spiritually, or emotionally) You have to take care of yourself before you can take care of others.

Will the reactions of others cause you to doubt yourself? Absolutely. It's normal to wonder, "did i do the right thing?" "Maybe I could've handled that differently" "So & so is probably right".....But remember....if you aren't being malicious and you genuinely think that you're doing what's best for you....What else can you really do? You have no control over how people will interpret & react to certain situations. All you can concern yourself with is that, I wasn't being mean spirited, and I thought that I was doing the best thing for ME at the time.

Don't get me wrong, sometimes we do honestly make messed up choices. We may not realize it at the time because we're torn between doing what WE think is right, listening to the counsel of others, & also trying to discern the voice of God. That's a lot going on at a crucial time & error is inevitable. If it turns out that you made a wrong choice then guess what....suck it up. Life goes on. Learn from the situation, do your best not to repeat it, & just go from there. We're all going to make mistakes in life, but I read somewhere, that the only mistake we could actually EVER make, is not learning & applying the lessons and continually making the SAME "mistake" over & over. Everything else should just be looked at as....a learning experience. (I used to hate that when my mom said it to me as a teen but she was right)

ALSO don't be confused...putting yourself first doesn't automatically mean to just be selfish and all about ME ME ME (or YOU YOU YOU). Sometimes compromise is necessary. As is flexibility, compassion. & general selflessness. But if you find that 8.6 times out of 10, you're giving SO much that you have nothing left for YOU....then it's time to make some changes.

I feel like I could have been so much more effective in sharing my point if I could use a specific current life example, but I don't know if I have any WATCHERS out there who may be offended at this present time, so guess that'll have to come down the line after emotions have died down. ;)

Be easy y'all♥

True blue & tight like glue :)

I loved this! Thought I'd share. Makes me reflect on a lot of friendships in my own life!

"The 10 best things about having girlfriends"

The term "frenemy" is an official word in the Merriam-Webster dictionary, which raises the question: Why do women insist on having fake friends? On the contrary, all of the catty behavior, gossipy chats, and the exhausting task of pretending to like someone you really loathe actually tends to make us appreciate the few real girlfriends we have even more.

In honor of Women's History Month, we've reflected on what's makes us just love our girlfriends - our real ones. Here are 10 reasons why we'll ride or die for our Keisha, Kelly, Kimmy or Pam.

1. First, they're loyal as hell. Let someone say something sideways about you, and that said someone is getting tossed. Your girls have your back every step of the way.

2. And yes, while they'll always have your back, they will also encourage you to do better when you need to. They don't stand for your mediocrity and push you to be your best self. If you're headed toward that familiar exit 1B (ahem... ex-boo), they'll gently - or not so gently - remind you why you got in the car in the first place.

3. Your friends make you laugh like no one else - the falling-on-the-floor, about-to-pee-on-yourself kind of laughter. Your inside jokes run deep and somehow that joke from 10th grade is still hilarious. They crack you up when you need it the most, like those days when your boss decides to body roll on your last nerve.

4. Your friends are spiritually grounded and ready to council you out of your deepest despair. They know the Word, and will encourage you to push beyond what's comfortable in order to do what's necessary. And if they're not spiritual, they're at least optimistic!

5. They have a huge sense of possibility and remind you to try for the unimaginable. They encourage your dreams and hustle. They remember your first car-washing business that sixth grade summer, and use that memory to fuel your current business venture. Their faith in your abilities is inspiring, and they'll quickly remind you of the strength you forgot you had.

6. You can always be yourself around your friends. They'll love you in your headscarf along with your corny jokes, or perhaps moody attitude. Your friends hold judgment and, instead, go for seconds on the love.

7. They understand the different seasons of life, and how they necessitate different actions. It's okay if you don't talk every week like you used to. With some of your friends, you can go two months without talking and pick up where you left off, never missing a beat.

8. Your friends are the ultimate brain trust. Not sure how to get that promotion? Need to network your way into a new opportunity? You think he's cheating, but you're not sure? Your friends can help. Because of their unique experiences and subsequent wisdom, your friends have an abundance of life lessons they're ready to share. They give good advice and truly have your best interest at heart.

9. They're some of the baddest women you know! Whether as a teacher, lawyer, head chef or organizational executive, your friends are doing it! They encourage your individual path to success and celebrate your collective badassness as a group.

10. Simply put, they love you. Not your made-up, deodorant-wearing, fresh-from-the-hair-salon self, but your first-thing-in-the-morning-without-your-face-washed self. They appreciate you in your true skin and are thankful for the gift God's given them by adding you and all of your quirks to their lives. They are your friends.
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