Giving Thanks

I can't believe it's Thanksgiving again. What a year it has been. I think I have learned so much about my character and what needs to happen in order for me to be the woman God created me to be.

I am thankful for many things this year. I am thankful for my wonderful family and awesome friends. I am thankful that God saw favor in me and that i have a place to live, food on my table, clothes on my back, and that I am not sick in the hospital. Above all, I am thankful for the many character building lessons God sent my way this year. I am thankful for the many ways in which I was challenged. I am learning to trust God and to lean on him for understanding in all that I want and all I do.

Thankful that this year God broke major chains in my life. I am no longer afraid of moving forward. I am getting better at expressing my true feelings. I am thankful for peace of mind and soul.

I guess what I am really try to say is that more than ever I am thankful for God and how awesome and mighty he has been in my life despite it all.

I am forever thankful that he Loves Me, He Loves Us, He Loves You... Happy Thanksgiving my loves.


-Santra D.

BLACK GIRLS ROCK

Black Girls Rock, seriously we do. Say it loud and proud, I am a Black Girl and I rock. When I reflect on the women that are a part of my life one word comes to mind: AMAZING! The other words that follow are beautiful, talented, intelligent, hardworking, tenacious, awe-inspiring all at the same time.

Moment of Truth! I must admit that I am not a fan of award shows, especially BET Award shows. But, Black Girl's Rock was a breath of fresh air. The women that were honored spoke to me on many levels. Allow me to share a few things that resonated with me.

JANELLE MONAE IS THE TRUTH!

She represents true beauty that will ultimately stand the test of time. She is beautiful both inside and out. Her acceptance speech had me in tears. She shared with the audience members that when she was first introduced to the music industry she was a maid. She used to clean houses. Janelle Monae, a maid? Her  mother was a proud janitor, her step-father who raised her like his very own worked at the post office and her father was a trash man. They all wore uniforms. She wears her uniform to honor them. Reminds me of the plight of my Haitian people and the hard work they put in to make sure that we have a chance to become a Janalle Monae or even better. Side Note: I choose to honor my heritage every single day that I wake up. I make it my business to negate every negative stereotype of Black Women. I show up to the table knowing that I must represent for Black Women everywhere. We are more than just pretty faces, we are fierce, we are a force to be reckoned with. 

She went further to add that wearing her uniform is a reminder that she has work to do, she has people to uplift, and have people to inspire. She stated that today she wears her uniform proudly as a Covergirl. Lastly, Advice from Janelle Monae to the young ladies ,"I want to be clear young girls, I didn’t have to change who I was to become a Covergirl, I didn’t have to become perfect because I’ve learned through my journey that perfection is the often the enemy of greatness. Embrace what makes you unique, even if it makes other uncomfortable."

Very hard concept to grasp, did she really just say to embrace what makes us unique? Doesn't she know that this society has made us into people who will do any and everything to look like, dress like, and act like the presumed status quo. I may have been guilty of this at some point in my life, but I've been over that phase for a while. Life is short. I can only be me and I urge all of my readers to do the same. BE YOU! Don't live for others, live for you. Someone's life may seem glamorous from the outside looking in but in reality it is the complete opposite. This reminds me of the febreeze commercial where they have people that are blindfolded enter into disgusting houses filled with trash that they have sprayed with febreeze deodorizer  The people actually believe they are in. Often times perception is not reality. 

Do yourself a favor, stop stalking people on Facebook  watching their every move, creating this perfect life that they are so-called living in your mind that is honestly a far cry from the truth.  I had to unsubscribe to a few people because I know I was being stalked (not literally, but literally). People who try too hard to be like me scare me. I'm dead serious ya'll. Facebook and other social media websites will make people infatuated with you and your life. It makes people envious. I don't believe men have this issue as much as women. Ladies, let embrace what's make us unique.... Do not and I repeat DO NOT COMPARE YOURSELF AND YOUR LIFE TO OTHERS. You will never ever measure up 100% and it will lead to your demise. I honestly believe that if you don't address your insecurities, your heart aches, and your vulnerabilities while you're still young you will spend a lifetime trying to make sense of them. 2012 has been quite a journey and the goal was to learn from past mistakes and I can say that I have. I am making strides to becoming a better woman. I am unique in many ways and I am learning to embrace every piece of me, flaws and all.

I am Santra D.

I am a Black Girl that Rocks ♥♥♥