APOOO » Motivational Monday

The First Family Portray

APOOO — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 02:23:48 +0000

What a beautiful family!

President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and their daughters, Sasha and Malia, sit for a family portrait in the Green Room of the White House, Sept. 1, 2009. (Official White House Photo)

Photo by Annie Leibovitz/Released by White House Photo Office

This official White House photograph is being made available only for publication by news organizations and/or for personal use printing by the subject(s) of the photograph. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, promotions that in any way suggests approval or endorsement of the President, the First Family, or the White House.

The First Family Portray is a post from: APOOO

I Look to You by Whitney Houston

APOOO — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 21:24:22 +0000

She’s Back…Whitney Houston that is. Snagged a copy of I Look to You from her latest album and posted the link below:

I Look to You by Whitney Houston*

*Arggh the link no longer works…Sony copyright infringement…they don’t want the song posted on You Tube before the album is released in September.

Well…have you heard the song on the radio? If so, share your thoughts. Keep it or sweep it? Are you feeling it?

While she doesn’t quite sound like the Whitney of yesterday to me…I still like it because it appears that she’s acknowledging God as the author and finisher of her life…she’s calling on a higher being…and lawd knows most of need someone we can look to ‘after all our strength is gone’…we need someone ‘we can look to.’

I Look to You by Whitney Houston is a post from: APOOO

Skating Babies–Evian Commercial

APOOO — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:09:58 +0000

Have you seen the Evian Roller Babies? Are they cute or what…made my day when I saw them promoted on The Today Show this morning.

Skating Babies–Evian Commercial is a post from: APOOO

I Trust You by James Fortune & FIYA

APOOO — Sun, 24 May 2009 22:16:54 +0000

I Trust You by James Fortune & FIYA Great video to start off a new week.

I Trust You by James Fortune & FIYA is a post from: APOOO

Susan Boyle HOLD YOUR HEAD HIGH

APOOO — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 19:37:53 +0000

Who is Susan Boyle? She’s the singer–who was mocked and shown skepticism–on Britain’s Got Talent. That is until she opened her mouth and wowwed and awed many in the audience and now many of us in the world. Her appearances were very misleading and what many judged her by. Especially since she’s not Hollyweird’s standard of what a singer should look like. Pierce and Simon (yes from American Idol) were visibly surprised when this 47 year-old, never been kissed, never been married, unemployed Brit opened her mouth and belted out one of the most rememberable and remarkable versions of I Dreamed a Dream from Les Miserables.

BRAVO Ms. Boyle! You reminded all of us that it’s never to late to pursue our dreams and we should never give up! Many blessings to you on your musical endeavors and I hope you don’t change a thing about YOU! It’s your quirkiness that won many of us over.

For those who don’t know who Susan Boyle is CLICK HERE to view her performance.

Susan Boyle HOLD YOUR HEAD HIGH is a post from: APOOO

25 TIPS FOR A BETTER LIFE

APOOO — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 05:06:36 +0000

25 TIPS FOR A BETTER LIFE

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.

3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, ‘My purpose is to __________ today.’

4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

7. Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

9. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.

10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

11. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

12. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

13. Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.

14. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: ’In five years, will this matter?’

17. Forgive everyone for everything.

18. What other people think of you is none of your business.

19. GOD heals EVERYTHING, in HIS time.

20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

21. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.

24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

25. Don’t take it personal or sweat the small stuff…and it’s all small stuff.

SOURCE: Unknown

25 TIPS FOR A BETTER LIFE is a post from: APOOO

The Day that Black History Met American History

APOOO — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 12:22:52 +0000

The Day that Black History Met American History

(My inaugural poem)

by K. Kimbrough*

On a cold January day

12:05 to be exact

There was a meeting

Where a seated old Abe looked down

And a tall standing Washington cast his shadow

Before a mall

and its historic waters

The meeting

Of the Fore Runner

And the After Thought

The fullness of the contents of our past

The rattles of the sparse few

The chill in the air carrying the sound

Of anticipation

As the shoulders of traditions

Meet the shoulders of hope

As the legs of Thomas Jefferson

Move toward the legs of Nat Turner

As the arms of the Daughters of the Revolution

Embrace the neck of Sojourner Truth

A meeting never considered by our country’s fore father

And never expected by those who built it

A meeting many tried to

halt

with chains, dogs, and nooses

A meeting Dreamed

in the same mall

among its historic waters

Can you see the millions there to witness?

Can you see the hand of oppression extend to that of the oppressed?

The historic pull of equality of thoughts, heritage, and ideals

Not better but different

Shared bible and sentiment

A grip suspended in time

Every two eyes see and witness

Red of the Blood

Blue of the waters

And the White—for the people?

No more

Now

for peace and unity

Can you see this meeting?

One

so many thought

“Never in my lifetime”

And now so many will

Never Know

of a time when it was never

Yes!

At 12:05

A great meeting took place

On the platform where many stood

On the backs of many who are buried

And in the lives

Of those who will live to tell the story

So help me GOD!

*From a friend who was moved to put pen to paper like many who write as a result of passion. She shared it with APOOO BookClub members and I was so moved that I felt compared to share it with you.

The Day that Black History Met American History is a post from: APOOO

A Few of My Favorite Things by Rambling Raven

APOOO — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:54:24 +0000

A Few of My Favorite Things

My absolute all time favorite holiday movie is The Sound of Music. I don’t think it is a Christmas movie in the traditional sense but NBC runs it every holiday season. And I watch it every year. On of my favorite songs from that musical is “My Favorite Things.” I am in desperate need of some holiday spirit this year, so I have been thinking of that musical and that song a lot lately. I have tried to take a little quiet time out from all the hustle and bustle of my busy days. I try to forget the status of the economy, the need for political reform here in Illinois and the overall mess the world is in today. For the past few days I have been sitting back, relaxing and thinking of my favorite things. These things put a smile on my face and what the heck; reliving them all is basically free but the warm cozy feelings they produce are priceless.

Here are a few of my favorite things:

The smell of a new born baby—wow is there anything sweeter. It is as if you are sniffing God’s grace itself.

The smell of fresh rain—so sweet and refreshing

That old picture of that boy in high school who I had a major crush on but was too afraid to do something about it—-Antwan, where are you now baby? LOL!

The little lick the family dog gave just to show how much he appreciated you. Rest in peace, King, you were a good dog and served us well.

Watching a few of my favorite movies: The Last Dragon (hahahaha, I remember my sister and I begging my mom to take us to see that one), Grease( don’t ask), Singing in the Rain, A Christmas Story, The Princess Bride, The Little Mermaid, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, and of course the Sound of Music.

Drinking Mimosas

Reading a really good mystery

Eating a nice big helping of homemade dressing with canned cranberry sauce on the side.

Snuggling under my warmest blankets on a cold Chicago night

Listening to my mother talk about “the good old days.”

Eating a turtle brownie (or two)

Cooking Christmas dinner with the women in my family

Having a really enlighten conversation with good friends

Checking in on the ladies of APOOO to engage in lively literary discussions

The color blue

Beating everyone at Trivia Pursuit

Watching Cartoons (for some reason they relax me—go figure)

That first kiss

Reliving the joys of my preteen and teen years by pulling out all those songs we jammed to back in the day: Shai/If I Fall In Love Again….Jodeci/Forever My Lady….Mariah Carey/Vision of Love (I still laugh at how we use to walk around school trying to hit that high note)…….Brownstone/Grapevine (those girls could sing),…..Mary J./Anything from the 411 CD…..Keith Sweat—the begging man himself……Janet Jackson/Janet could do no wrong back in the day!……Aaliyah/Age wasn’t nothing but a number…….Christopher Williams—didn’t matter what he sung, I just liked looking at him LOL!……Al B. Sure—Heheheheehehe—you had to love Al. There was just something about him. We use to debate about who was the cutest—him or Christopher. Yeah, we were silly with nothing better to do…….Bell Biv Devo- Do Me Baby (we use to think that we were really singing something naughty. My, how times have changed.)……And Jade, Envogue, SWV, TLC and Eternal, you ladies rocked! You helped to shape the soundtrack of my youth. And to this day your songs continue to bring back great memories every time I hear them. Your time in the spotlight ended too soon. WOW!! What happened to R&B music over the past decade?

The smell of freshly cut grass

Getting flowers, just because

Revisiting a few of my favorite things has already put me in a nice and cozy state of mind. Who said you needed material things to make you feel good.

DISCUSSION QUESTION

What are some of your favorite things? Share your list in the comments section.

A Few of My Favorite Things by Rambling Raven is a post from: APOOO

Are You Ready for the Kindness Cure?

APOOO — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:01:54 +0000

The Kindness Cure Campaign
How One Act of Kindness A Week on the Web
Can Transform Our World into a Happier Place

Are you depressed about the economy, gas prices, and the condition of the planet?

Are you tired of feeling anxious and worried all the time?

Do you feel like your life is not?

A few weeks ago I received an email from Nikki Leigh with the above copy promoting an upcoming virtual blog tour for the Kindness Cure campaign from C. J. Scarlet. I though what a GREAT IDEA and decided to jump on board. It was the impetus I needed to remind me, that’s it better to give than to receive it, and it’s always nice to help someone else. I mean all of us can probably think of someone in our lives who could use a helping hand.

Several folks came to mind that needed assistance and who would probably never ask, but would appreciate the offer. So, I’m jumping on board and I’m going to help one of my sorority sisters. She is only in her mid-50s but in the last year she’s had hip replacement surgery. TWICE. It’s been slow going for her and she can’t get around and be as active as she used to be. I haven’t been a good sister with staying in touch. Yes, I’m busy with a husband, teenage children, job, APOOO and whatever else I take on…but I can make time to help someone else. And even get my family involved in the process. We don’t live in a vacuum and sometimes we need to remember that the world doesn’t evolve around us. Sometimes we just need to pay it forward.

Beginning today, and for the next 52 weeks, I will call my soror at least once a week to check on her, see if she needs any errands taken care of, make sure she’s okay and offer my assistance on whatever she needs.

I think one of the greatest gifts we can give to another person is a helping hand. What about you?

If you’re interested in committing to a year of kindness or would like to spread the word regarding this great campaign, CLICK HERE for more details.

If you decide to participate, let me know. Hopefully, at least five individuals will decide to join this movement as a result of hearing about it from APOOO.

Are You Ready for the Kindness Cure? is a post from: APOOO

Obama Is Not Our Savior by Rambling Raven

APOOO — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:00:41 +0000

Obama Is Not Our Savior by Rambling Raven

I too cried a million tears on election night, how could I not. It was the first time I was emotionally invested in a candidate and an election. For nearly two years, I watched, wondered, hoped and even prayed that the man who I wanted to see as the leader of this country would be elected. I had the audacity to hope. I hoped like millions of others that I would see what so many said would never happen. I hoped that in this life time I would get to experience history as it unfolded.

There was something truly different about this new candidate. He didn’t march for civil rights or see first hand the vicious injustices that took place then. He was in many ways like myself. He was someone who grew up post-civil rights, and who reaped the benefits that so many spilled blood for. He, like I, appreciated and respected those who laid the ground work for the current freedoms so many of us take for granted. This new guy was appreciative of the past but understood that as a people we needed to move forward. We have to continue to make the dream a reality. So, on November 4, 2008 a baton was passed, from the man who dared to have a dream to the man who dared to live it. Yes, I cried a million tears that night.

I have shared in the joy and hope of so many who see the passing of the baton as a new beginning. In so many ways it is. However, I am starting to hear some things that make me believe that we are fooling ourselves. We are fooling ourselves into believing that one man is going to change the world overnight. It is true that we no longer can look at our sons and daughters and say to them that there are limitations to what they can accomplish. Yet, we must not forget to remind them that the road is still a littler harder and paved with a few more obstacles then others, and like before, they will have to work twice as hard to prove themselves. They cannot be led into a sense of false security that the world is now color-blind. No, it will take many more black firsts for that to even begin to take place.

I hear people say that for once we have someone who will cater to our needs. Again, the first black president isn’t just the president of black America, but of all Americans. Obama wasn’t voted into the White House on the African-American vote alone. It took many different groups of Americans coming together to make our dream into a reality. And the last I checked there weren’t officially two Americas. Although many times it has felt that blacks and whites existed in two different realities.

My fear is that too many of us are going to hold President Obama accountable for our personal well being. Too many are going to expect government to take responsibility for things that we should personally be held accountable for. Yes, government should help provide a quality education for us all, but whose responsibility is it to teach respect for education, and a need for it? As an educator, I witnessed too many children who have no desire to learn. I taught too many children who have no one at home who is responsible for making sure their homework is done. I have known too many households where parents are not interested enough in their children’s future to even walk a few blocks to pick up a report card or meet the teacher. I am not sure how Obama can instill a sense of personal responsibility in a parent towards the education, physical and emotional well-being of their own child.

I have heard from several people, that now that Obama is president, the black man will get more respect. And I always respond that it’s not the election of Obama who will garner respect for black men. It is black men who will have to take the reins and command respect by their actions. No one is going to respect a man just because we now have a president who resembles him in some way. That man will have to do things that are deemed respectable. That man will have to be someone who shows self-respect first. He will have to step up and be a man by getting an education, a respectable job, and being responsible to his children, family, friends and community.

The election of President Obama is just the tip of the iceberg. He certainly is someone to look to as an example of what many can aspire to be. However, the true role models have to come from the everyday people within the household, the people who are present and attainable on a daily basis for children. Those who I credit for me being me are my parents. My mother conducted herself like a lady no matter what socio-economic status some statistic said she belonged to. And, in turn, she taught her daughters to behave like ladies. My mother taught me how to conduct myself as a woman in the home and in public. She helped to foster in me the self-esteem she knew I was going to need to combat the evils that this world offered. It was through her that I learned that no matter what my skin tone or shape of my body, I was as beautiful and worthy as any blonde haired princess in a fairy-tale. It is because of my mother and my aunts that I learned that I didn’t need any man to validate my beauty and self-worth. And it was my father who gave me the love and protection that a father should give his daughter. He taught me that any man can make a child but a true man sticks around and raise it. It was my dad who helped me understand the virtues of hard work. I don’t understand how a president is going to instill any of that in a person.

The election of the country’s first black president is definitely something to be proud of. It is something to celebrate and give praise for. But we can not mistake that this moment in history will solve all the ills that face the black community. Too much of what is wrong in our community stems from the actions of those from within the community. No man can repair the soul. Give us pride, yes. But to truly begin to eradicate the ills that plague our community, every one of us will have to look in the mirror and take responsibility for his/her own actions. And eventually come to terms with what is in the heart and soul.

Obama Is Not Our Savior by Rambling Raven is a post from: APOOO

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