What If.....

Hello Everyone,

We often ask what if  and ponder if things have turned out differently. How would you react you woke up and your life was different. If you are poor, then you might fantasize being rich, and in your mind you would be happy. That's because it is not your life, and as humans we want the best for ourselves in this jungle of a world.

Look at it this way:

What if your life stays the same, what would you you do? would you be happy? Instead of thinking how I want my life to be sometimes, I think of how I would NOT want it to be, which motivates me to do better instead of daydreaming all the time.

Most times we want success to live a flashy life:

I am not the flashy sort of girl, not only because I can't afford the lifestyle but how some people with the life act, especially if they didnt have it before. Many say they are humble and justify the reasons by talking about quality and quantity or how hard they worked for it. But helping others always seem secondary.

I can't lie, I think of myself before I think of others majority of the time, but always feel guilty afterwards. We work to better ourselves, but seem to forget others in the process and just throw the extra change in the donation bucket. We also feel as though we must let the world know that we've helped someone,sometimes  for likeability, especially as a public figure.

Be level headed

Its great to have dreams, ambition, drive and determination. But what if your life never changes, and your dreams get washed down the drain. Would you feel good? content? and try to live with it? or would you sink in a deep, dark hole feeling hopeless and desperate for change. While you work on your dreams remember to always be thoughtful of others and to be content. Personally, I believe it keeps your grounded. How you react to small things can be a test to guide you when the bigger disappointments surface. Its those who persevere and  don't get too caught up in the whims and fancy have the wealth: economically and in mind and body.

Don't worry, be happy. Live in the moment, work hard and stop concerning yourself about what if this  happens or nothing changes. Live in the now, not way up in the clouds where you might get lost.

I think if you just look at life in a positive way, positive things will happen.

Jake Owen

Never say these things

1. I'm ugly

Too often we look in the mirror and judge ourselves harshly. I remember when I started getting acne and thought I would die. When I look back I laugh. I still have acne, and moaning and hating myself did not make them go away. Its time to start holding your head high and smile! How would you have lived? crying? Don't weep as those who have no hope.

2. I am a failure

I was taught that whatever we say to ourselves, we will become just that. I understand when you try sooo hard and it does not work at first, but it is always at the point of giving up that it works out. Instead of saying its not going to work, think of where you want to be, not where you are. Think of what you don't want. Works for me!

3. Why her/him and not me

We see results and judge others based on their success which is natural especially if we don't know the person. We get jealous to see others with material luxuries and awards and drown ourselves in sorrow. What we don't think about is the sleepless nights, rejections and the pain a person sometimes endure to gain achievements.

4. You're not good enough

I remember when Selena Gomez was told that she would never make it, and look at her now. Power is an interesting thing. Those above think they are doing others a favour by stifling their dreams, but we ought to be careful as we don't know if that might be the last thing we say to the persons, some are sensitive than others and need the extra push.

5.Why do you like that?!
Why would they use/possess if they didn't like it?  We say it about people's clothes, car and their lifestyle. It is not okay, ask a different way or keep it to yourself.

6. Are you stupid?!

well teach!

The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

1 Day Juice Fast: My experience

I was feeling sluggish and didn't have much of an appetite for a few days, so I researched the possible reasons for my forehead acne and why I was feeling so clogged up. Most of the websites stated that it could be my digestive system. I decided to give my system a break for a day from pollutants, fatty tissues and tissues that build up the body.

It is recommend that you consult with a physician before you try a juice fast and to gradually ease into the diet. I did this by drinking light soups and consumed enough water/ fluids the days before. Also it would be best to do this while at home

8 oz (1 glass) Green juice: 

Cucumber

Ginger

Carrot

Water

Upon rising: Drink a glass of warm/hot lemon water (I did not do this, but it is HIGHLY recommended)

6:00 am- workout

8:00- Breakfast

I felt energetic and my usual self after having my first glass of juice.

12:00 pm- Lunch

At about 11 am I felt tired and moody, and a bit weak, nothing alarming. After lunch I could only rest because I  had no motivation or energy to do anything.

2:00- Mid-Afternoon snack

Around this time I was full on weak. Its a good thing is that I had no headaches or stomach cramps, neither was I hungry, just that my energy was low.

6:00 pm- Dinner

About 4 pm I wanted to give up because my mother was cooking and the scent was driving me CRAZY. But I persevered since I love challenging myself and knew how beneficial this would be for my body.

7:00 - Ginger tea

It is recommended to have something warm to soothe the stomach before you retire. However, you can do this throughout the day in between the three square meals. Remember to drink water also, it prevents headaches.

I drank the same mixture throughout the day, simply because I did not want anything too thick, especially since it has been so hot at my home. I would recommend that you switch it up, especially if the variety is available in your local supermarkets.I also did my workout before starting the day because I knew that I would not feel strong during the fast, as I have done this type of detox before.

Update (Friday, May 8 2015)

I woke up feeling weak and hungry, but light on my feet. I didnt feel so clogged up any more. 

Don't go back to oil and salt or anything artificial for 2 days after the fast. You may be tempted to eat the house down, but continue the cleansing process by consuming vegetable salads and drink more green juice. By the third day after your cleanse, you can eat healthy nuts, grains, starch and protein. Below is a sample of what I had. (I broke the rules, don't copy me.)

Breakfast

Fruit Bowl

Lunch

Brown Rice and Cabbage

Mid-Afternoon snack

Mango

Dinner

Brown Rice with Green leafy vegetables

80z Glass Carrot Juice

 Benefits of a 1 day cleanse

Visit superfoods for superhealth for detailed information 

http://www.superfoods-for-superhealth.com/day-juice-fast.html

**I am not a physician, I have done this before and reaped the benefits so I decided to share it. Please don't do it if you have any serious illnesses like Diabetes, consult your doctor first.

To keep the body in good health is a duty... otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.

Buddha

Favourite Books (top 4)

TGIF! thought I might share books I have fallen in love with and have read over and over again.



 Annie John
Author: Jamaica Kincaid

(Image courtesy of bookrags.com) 

I have mentioned this novel in more than one blog posts. My love affair with this novel began in 4th form (grade ten) and the interest has not died. It was a prescribed text for literature and as usual I read all my texts before school even resumed for the Autumn term. It tells the story of Annie John and her childhood in Antigua, her fall out with the mother, friendships and the trials and joys of being a teenager. Jamaica Kincaid explores the theme of growing up in such a relatable way that you can't help to stop reading  until you reach the last punctuation mark ( then start all over again.)


Crick Crack Monkey

Author: Merle Hodge

(Image courtesy of barnesandnoble.com)

Thanks to mama for loaning me this novel. Like Annie John it explores growing up. Readers experience a change of personality in the protagonist Cynthia. She goes from a bold, adventurous child to an isolated, sad teenager. This occurred when Cynthia was taken from her precious "Tantie" after receiving a scholarship to a prominent high school. She is taken by her Aunt Beatrice, an aspiring elite. Cynthia has a difficult time adjusting as she endures scorn and teasing from her cousins because of her poor and "uncultured" background.


The Humming Bird Tree

Author: Ian McDonald

(Image courtesy of Macmillan-caribbean.com)

                                       
Now I might seem bias choosing West Indian novels, but what can I do? I live in the West Indies after all. Another prescribed literature that also explores adolescence and friendship. Alan is a white Trinidadian who often explores the village with his poor Indian friends Jaillin (whom he claims to be in love with) and Kaiser, who are in fact illiterate and work for his parents. He narrates his experience as a privileged white boy among dirt poor Indians in a time of racial segregation. However,  Alan grows and becomes knowledgeable about his status versus theirs, and begins questioning the friendship.


 Hunger
Author: Lan Samantha Chang

(Image courtesy of Amazon.com)

A mother narrates the tale of two Asian immigrants who met and fell in love while living in New York. She speaks extensively of the tragic marriage, one daughter's rebellion, while the other keeps her loyalty to the home and her mother even after her mother's death. The novella reveals how the the father's love for the violin and his desperate attempts to live his dreams through his daughters cost them their happiness.

Bucket List (top ten)

If you don't know the term, a Bucket List includes all the goals you want to achieve before you die.We have dreams of visiting majestic places, to do something spontaneous or even try a new dish. I enjoy reading bucket lists, so here's a sneak peak of the great (and simple) things I hope to do someday :D

1. Write a novel

I posted in the Writer's Discussion Group on +Google+   that I am 16,300 words in my novel. My aim is 50,000 or 70,000. But the main concern is the content of the novel, and not how many words I can write. Congrats to those who are at 1.45 million. It's exhausting sometimes, but I love writing. I am not thinking about editing and the publication process just now. I have to write first!


2. Visit Paris

This might seem like a cliche wish, but I have read and heard that Paris is THE place for writers. I remember watching Midnight in Paris and felt a need to visit some of the historic sites and just get lost in the city, and write!


3. Get a closet Makeover and fill it with bohemian pieces

(mollymcgeeney/my style)

I am such a casual person, and I am always drawn to lightweight, effortless pieces. I love skinny jeans, loose pants and patterned tops. I would not call myself a bohemian/hippie. But I have always been interested in the culture and the fashion. Its so frustrating to be wearing clothes that I don't really like, but I don't have a wide range of choices in my country. Everything is so sheer or tight.



4. Live in an apartment in New York

This has always been a dream of mine, especially when I started writing. The atmosphere is full of driven people who are always on the go. I feel inspired when I observe people and  would love to lose myself in the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple.


5. Learn to bake

Now this may seem easy for some, but no matter how often or hard I try, I can never capture the art of baking. My products are either too hard, well they are always hard. My cookies are another story -_-


6. Go on a road trip

I live in the beautiful country of Jamaica, and as small as the country is, I have not even been around it once. I want to especially visit Negril and Portland. It would be great if I could take a trip with my family.

7. Meet a Caribbean Author

(Merle Hodge)

My favourite West Indian novels are Crick Crack Monkey and Annie John. You can read a review I wrote for Annie John HERE . I would love to sit with Jamaica Kincaid or Merle Hodge in a setting like that of the novel and talk endlessly about the writing process, their lives and anything about writing.

8. Go Vegan

   

( Essena Oneill)

I am currently a pescetarian, which  means my diet is primarily plant based, but I consume fish. I admire +Ela Gale ♡  and Essena Oneill on Youtube for their persistence and healthy lifestyle. I would love to go all natural and organic, but it can be a bit pricey.


9.  Do Yoga in Thailand

After doing the 90 minute Absolute yoga, I wanted badly to visit the Yoga camp in Thailand. Yoga has so many benefits for the mind and body. It helps to ease stress and gives you overall peace and stability. I do yoga for fitness and stress reasons, not the religious aspect.



10. And the big 1-0 is to  go on a mission. I used to present  the mission story at church and always felt a deep inclination to visit a country like Africa or Indonesia. It would be a joy to sit with children to read and play with them. How enriching would it be to immerse myself in a foreign culture.

**I would love to read some of your bucket lists, so please share them with me on my profile  +Renee J  or in the comments below :)


Most people have never learned that one of the main aims in life is to enjoy it.

Samuel Butler

Tone it down!

                                

TGIF!

If you visit my Instagram explore page, you might find your mouth hanging. Maybe you would think I am a pervert to follow people who post only sexual content. But no, most of these are based on popular pages. We are sexual beings so either we engage in sex or think about it. Or maybe not, if you are strong Christians who don't yield to temptation. But I feel as though its getting a bit overwhelming. From the sexy women on posters, billboards and Kendall Jenner who can't seem to stop playing peek-a-boo with her breasts in photo shoots. I find western culture a bit hilarious, because contrary to my West Indian upbringing, growing up seems to be who can dress the raunchiest and curse the most.

Some love their bodies, and justify their naked poses as appreciating themselves just the way they are. But if you are advertising a pair of jeans, where is the jeans? and why are you naked? If you are in a commercial for a burger, WHY are you naked? But lets go back  to my Instagram, I get a glimpse of the preferred sex toys, favourite positions and how freaky people can get, and I think TMI! I was a bit too nosey one Friday after I saw #eggplantfriday circulating on my twitter feed, and did my eyes widen. I'm not telling you to go look, but if ya nosey, have your way!

Celebrate your body, show your weight-loss progress. But I personally don't believe my body is for the world and I never want to be seen as a pornographic figure. But since you want likes, then cut your slit higher, put your ass up and your face down or post your va-jay-jay and penis and your notifications will blow up -_-

Love yourself and show off a little. But if you are only seeking attention, I am sure you have a talent or skill, so please stop exposing every inch of your body. I don't care about your sexual preferences, keep it in the bedroom or wherever your prefer. Follow Humans of NY and learn something different, be unique and post something that's worth attention. Women and Men are worth more than  their bodies. Enjoy this viral commercial (worth watching) on diversity and Inclusion ( sorry to disappoint, but it has no half naked men and women)

Show your naked face, not your naked body

This too shall pass

This post is inspired by President +Barack Obama  visit to my country. As I watched and listened to my country make preparations, I thought "How does one man feel about his success?" It was impressive to see the world's most powerful man speak with such comfort and ease. I marvelled at how he was looked at with such awe and started wondering about my own life and achievements.

It is easy to get down when you fail to achieve certain goals or you receive a terrible grade. I have been to the place where I start doubting my abilities. It gets intense when persons start making expectations, and you try to live up to them, to the point where you simply crash.

I try to read widely and expose myself to the world and all that it has to offer. I see dreams becoming reality and watch as mine seem to be going down the drain,  swallowed in a deep black hole filled with grime and my spiralling hope. There are many that I have read about who did not believe that they would overcome their trials, but they did! I watch +AprilJustinTV  on a daily, and her success story is an inspiration to never give up, even when others put you down.

My dream is to be an Author, to do something I love every single day of my life. But there are many potholes, burning tires and clown faces in the way, and you move pass those, and have good days.But once you turn the corner, more appear and sometimes they stay for awhile. But that too shall pass

I want you to close your eyes and remember a bad day, it could be yesterday, last month or a few years ago, then open your eyes and realize that it is the past. Those days are gone, those trials are over and everyday we wake up is a blessing for new possibilities. It is the time to re-invent yourself. I want to remind you that we live in a fractured creation and most of us will never see our names in bright lights, but even appreciation by one can change your outlook. You might never know if you have saved or will save someone's life with your positivity and hope in their abilities. But it may never happen if you stop trying.

This too shall pass: The sadness, pain, the rejections. You will wake up one day and be in a different place. You might even get to share your story with the world someday. As long as you keep going, even if your achievements seem snail-like, you will reach. Success does not occur overnight, so keep your dreams alive.

Buzzfeed shares a list of 20 brilliant Authors who did not give up, check it out!

http://www.buzzfeed.com/stmartinspress/20-brilliant-authors-whose-work-was-initially-reje-7rut#.fjnzyE37qj


I've failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed.

Michael Jordan