Learning Yourself

I have not blogged in a really long time just due to being busy and being involved with the organizations I am apart of. A lot of it has to deal with the greatest robber of all time...PROCRASTINATION!!! I said to myself this year that instead of making resolutions I will just live life in the moment and not let my laziness, self doubt or procrastination get in the way. Blogging would be one of the things I get back in to. I know at 11:49pm I should be in bed but I needed to share my experience today. I know that if I don't do it now chances are I never will.

My sister Niccole who has a huge heart usually gets the title of "Mean Girl" because she is the sterner of the two of us. We were both raised with great values and were raised in the church but neither one of stand for MESS. Just to explain the difference between us, if someone were to make a tasteless comment I might side eye them  (-_-) and ignore but my sister's reaction is to "mean mug" and possibly confront them. Now if she decides to not say anything to the person, her face and silence will read "I'm am so over you!" My sister and I are night and day at times and do posses different talents and qualities but there is one quality I thought that I had that she needed more of. This is PATIENCE. Honestly I always thought that I had more of this than most people.

A few months ago before church a older sister approached us and asked us to sign up to volunteer with the children's ministry. My sister immediately said yes and took an application and I on the other hand said "I'm sorry ma'am but I am really not good with children". She looked at me and said "that is quite alright, God will use you anyway! I will see you out front after church." and handed me a form to fill out. I didn't want to be rude so I took the form and figured church is so packed I might not run into her on the way out.  My sister on the other hand looked very excited and was happy to work with the kids. After the sermon touched me I figured alright no harm in filling out the form chances are they wont call me. Needless to say two weeks ago, one of minister's found us in church and told us our first Sunday to teach would be today.

This morning when I woke up all I could say was OOOOOHHH the DEVIL was working on me. I wanted to call and cancel and sleep in. I know it sounds horrible but my body did not want to move. Finally I fought through that and got ready but then I complained about the drive, traffic and the fact that everyone else was running late when were on time! Now anyone that knows me can attest that I am not the most punctual individual so for me to be mad at someone else being late is hilarious. So finally once we were settled in our class room and the children had arrived we were looking at 25 children between the ages of four and five. Some were cute, curious, quiet, sweet, and eager while others were loud, crying, screaming, and just BAD! I wore a smile on my face while thinking to myself "Lord why oh why did I do this I can not handle this!". As the day progressed I had a good time with the children but it was rough. God bless those who teach the world's children!!!

I realized at the end of today that while watching my sister that maybe she had more patience than I and maybe while I still did posses that quality, I gave myself too much credit. I also learned that in order for God to use me I had to humble myself and check my attitude at the door. I will say that I was exhausted at the end of four hours running behind these children but I felt fulfilled because no matter how much I wanted to give up I was obedient. You never know how God is going to use!

OK I am going to bed. Self reflection (check) and my first blog of the year (check)!!!!
Good Bye PROCRASTINATION...Hello sleepy and cranky at work tomorrow :-)

This is the truth!

Nisha Knows Best (@Nishaknowsbest) has shared a Tweet with you: "ihatequotes: Sometimes, no matter how much faith u have, u lose people. But u never forget them, & it's those memories that give u the strength to go on." --http://twitter.com/ihatequotes/status/144385927844868096

Love, Peace and Nappiness!

Does anyone remember the 90's Hip Hop Group Lost Boyz? I do! The title of the second album from the native Queens NY group was the inspiration for my first blog post. Not because I love the group or am a huge fan of hip-hop but because the lyrics and time of the song remind me of the simplicity that my life has at the moment.  Now I will admit that even though I try to keep my life drama free, minor complexities bombard my life from time to time. As I blog today some of the main stressors in America are finances, the unemployment rate and health care. These stressors tend to make us worry and contemplate every single decision we make down to our next meal. Looking closer into the African-American community, females are constantly judged and compared to women of other races from head to toe. As a black woman living in a superficial society I have found that life itself revolves around OUR HAIR!

I have said goodbye to the creamy crack (perms and relaxers) and just celebrated my one-year anniversary perm free. Next month will mark the anniversary of my big chop (trimming of all the processed hair). I tried to go natural once before but was not educated on how to treat our hair or what products to use while in its natural state.  Our mothers’ response to nappy hair was a hot comb and pressing grease so all I knew was how to comb and style straight silky hair. This time around was different because of the support from all of the natural hair care blogger like Curly Nikki and K is for Kinky that have educated black women on our hair types and products for them.  I also was at a different point of my life. I was never afraid of change but I like anyone women wanted to always look her best. Once I realized that I am fabulous and that my hair did not make me, I gained the courage to transition. I will admit that the life of a NATURALISTA is not for the shallow or faint at heart. There are tons of growing pains between deciding how to style it to what will people think of me.

I thank God for being blessed with a positive self-image and support from my family and friends.  I don’t need them to justify my decision but it’s so nice to have them on my side. I am enjoying the low maintenance and the absence of fear when it comes to rain and what it can do to my hair. Right now my hair is cut into a cute Fro-Hawk that calls attention to my own sense of style. If you are in the Tampa FL area check out Nancy at Mimies House Of Beauty (www.mimieshouseofbeauty.com) for Avant Garde beauty options, She rocks!!!  In post to come I will also do product reviews for what does and does not work in my hair. My blog is not about hair or products but one of the many things I have a certain level of understanding about.

I thank you for reading the thoughts of this Opinionista

Nisha Knows Best!