Category Archives: Brooke’s Thoughts

Moms are Special

Brooke's Thoughts

For the Moms

Moms, thank you for your unseen sacrifices and your sleepless nights. Thank you for your undying desire to protect your child at all times, even from the bugs you don’t like! Moms thank you for pushing to your goals to create positive examples and then pushing even harder after that goal is reached. Moms thank you for swallowing your pride. Moms thank you for holding your tongue for your baby’s sake. Moms thank you for sacrificing your life to make sure the lives of your children are fulfilled. Moms thank you for remaining sane in insane moments. Moms thank you for not dwelling on not receiving accolades for every moment of the day you sacrifice yourself for someone else. Moms thank you for putting yourselves on the back burner socially, mentally, and sometimes physically, because your child is more important. Moms thank you for your continuous efforts unnoticed and unseen and sometimes taken for granted. Moms thank you for being strong when the word tries to tear you down.

Moms you are super, you are amazing, you wear a special magical cape daily! Rock your cape this weekend and always as you multitask millions of items and still make the job look easy! Moms hope you all enjoy your weekend and stay mighty!!!

Happy Mother’s Day!

 

Another fallen child…

Brooke's Thoughts

 

My friends and family are from many races and I love each one of them. The Black Lives Matter movement is important for my sons. Yes, I agree that all lives matter. In the current state of our country all lives are not devalued, only black lives. Growing up my mom taught my brother and I how to deal with police. Does this same lesson happen in every household? We were told to sit up straight, don’t raise your voice, don’t ask too many questions , if you are being mistreated we can deal with it in court. This lesson is taught in almost every home of color to hope that our children come home at night. Now as a mother I have to teach my sons the same. The last eight years, there have been too many shootings of African American men by police. Technology has made things that have always happened, more visual. At the same time the number has increased.
Yes, our community is upset that our men are being murdered. However, our biggest issue doesn’t lie in whether they are guilty or not, it is how people with skin of color are treated during stops. Why aren’t they being arrested? In many of these situations police weren’t in any altercation. The recent bombing suspects in NY/NJ area had an actual shoot out with the police and were arrested alive. Why are black men being killed instead of arrested? There wasn’t any ‘imminent danger’ in most of these situations, although claimed.
It’s not only enraging, it’s sad and scary, we have no where to run, no where to hide. So yes protest needs to happen, Peaceful protest. Voting needs to happen. People we must vote! Yes I agree there is way more to the political game than voting, however, it is the first step. If we don’t take that first step, we don’t have any other steps to take. In Election 2008 we showed our strength. Let’s show it again! Vote out all who are not about change!
Protesters stay peaceful don’t let the few in the crowd cloud the message. Don’t let anyone change the protest from peaceful to violent. The message must be clear!
For our brothers in blue, be the one that speaks up, change the atmosphere in the police departments. Apparently in the police departments and in quite a number of American households, black people are guilty just because of the color of our skin. In addition, jail is not a harsh enough sentence. Is this the behavior your condoning?
To all people we must come together and unite for peace in our country.

The Cycle

Brooke's Thoughts, ,

We tend to set a criteria of what we desire and then we subconsciously look for just that. We steer ourselves in the direction to obtain those qualities. We find them on our own, they are not good enough, or not at least what we expected. We become saddened by our choice not satisfying our hearts desire. When we follow the path to our goal and become so focused on that goal. The blessing tends to find you, it comes in the most unassuming package. It delights us with that thing that we have been in search of. Human nature kicks in, we want to wallow in delight, instead of continuing to focus on the end goal. Don’t get stuck in the celebration.  We have to remember to keep our eyes on our goal and enjoy the moments along the way. Celebrate the blessing however remain focused. This is only a step in the right direction and not the end point. I want to encourage you as I encourage myself, celebrate the blessing and then use that celebration to continue to propel yourself forward. Much lock in your aspirations.

The Taste

Brooke's Thoughts, ,

The taste!

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You never know what you’re missing until you have had another taste. I’ve been so lost and I got the taste. I found it! It taste like sweet poison. A compliment, a joke, a simple hey, can rejuvenate a human more than most even know. Someone showing you love when no one other than your children truly have in so long.  Someone to put a smile on your face. Time alone is great, however it comes with huge sacrifices. The lack of human validation and consistent human love, builds character and strength.  As hard as it is to let someone into your space, your energy, your time, when you receive that energy it is hard to deny it. It is an ego booster which does boost us mentally, spiritually.

Poison, how does it taste? No the taste is not always poison, but it can become poison. It can distract you, because now you crave another taste. The quick fix wasn’t enough. That is what is great about celibacy once you have reduced the craving it is no longer a thought. Just don’t allow yourself to get a taste before it is time. That taste changes your thinking it reroutes your subconscious. Ladies, I know many of us who are single and 30+ very often crave a  taste. However, is that taste worth it, from the wrong person? What will you sacrifice if the taste is not right?

Mmm….

Brooke's Thoughts, Matters of the Heart, , , , ,

Love, respect and compromise.

Several conversations I’ve had recently prompted this post. Our culture attempts to follow biblical ways of relational pursuits in which a man should pursue a woman. However, it seems this is not what society follows. Many woman are sitting around waiting for a man to step up and approach a relationship by loving us when in reality we may have someone in love with us in close proximity. Trying to show us as we ignore them. As we all grow older, some men may decide maybe I should say something. Why does it take so long for this to happen? Why are more and more men insecure? How have we caused this? Why are we impatient with the process? This evening I watched a video that spoke on love and respect. Women desire to be loved while men desire to be respected. Whoa! I can see my single independent women saying. Respect what? Well, ladies how many women want a man they can’t respect?  I know I sure don’t and I want my sons to see me with someone I can respect. I didn’t remove that we need to be loved and a man should effectively show his woman love. Ladies we must effectively do the same. We have to respect that man in all lights, when he is up, when he is down, when we are happy or mad.  Man desires to be respected and as the leaders of our families and homes, they should.  I was also asked once why do I always have stalkers. Gentleman that just won’t leave me alone, no matter what. These guys are strictly friends and they have been friend zoned. However they find a tax question, they find a financial question, they find ways to send business my way. Why is that? I respected them, no matter how dirty or wrong they were in our past relationship. There was never a need for me to disrespect. One of my sayings, you have to let a man be a man. There are ways to shut people down with out being rude, disrespectful, or hurting feelings. Its just not necessary to me. I know that I tend to have more friends because I don’t believe in hurting even the meanest of folks feelings. Ladies ask, did you tell them about themselves? I reply, for what? People aren’t receptive to conflict. Once a voice raises, words tend to be blocked out. So why waste your breath and energy being in a huff? Is there a right way? Is there a wrong way? No not at all, there is your preference, your choice. If you choose to pursue relationships ladies great, you may truly find what is meant for you. If not, I don’t believe that you won’t find it either. I choose to be a friend and draw firm lines with people that do not have a chance. Do I need to be rude? No. Do I need to block you? No. How can you Love One Another by spreading hate and hurting feelings? I personally feel it is unnecessary and makes no gains, IMO. I may be slightly more annoyed, but life is annoying. We learn to compromise with life.  Why do we have such difficulty compromising in relationships?

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24 hrs…

Brooke's Thoughts

What matters now?

Today my first thoughts were this is only a part of the journey. You will and probably have heard me repeat over and over again, everything happens for a reason and it certainly does. When someone turns their back on you there is a reason. This reason doesn’t always necessarily have to do with you either. We are all struggling with things that the surface cannot see. Our friends and family only know of our struggles if we disclose the issue to them. 

I watched a movie last night that challenged you to do what you would do if you only had 90 minutes to live, Who would you call? Who would you want to spend your time with? So often we take life and time for granted we say that we have time to get back to that but do we? How do you know? You don’t?

This thought caused me to make a decision that too much time has been wasted chasing something or a person. There has to be small triumphs during the challenge. For instance when you play a video game you level up. It takes time to win the game but you have small successes by reaching the next level. Same thing with work as well. You move up from position to position. What do you do when you are not leveling up? Do you restrategize or reinvent your approach? Do we waste more time or move on? I personally, move on. I would tell that person that I loved them one last time, but I wouldn’t want a response. I would even probably block the response, honestly. Not saying that action is right, by far. When you think of not having much time left. What decisions change? Do you chase that person or thing for the last 24 hours or do you send love and move on? If that thing or person you are pursuing, is not gaining any ground, reinvent your approach, try again. If still no success remove it from your life. If something else pops up that must be done, focus on that and don’t let it go. Strive hard and don’t miss your level ups, this is your confirmation your on the right path.  If it is a relationship or friendship that needs to be fixed, try to mend it, however time is not guaranteed. Work on it, now!

YOLO…. that’s the saying right? You Only Live Once…

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What is your status?

Brooke's Thoughts

Many applications, forms, etc. have an area to enter you marital status.Single, married, divorced, widowed.  Single!!!…. tends to be an awesome thing to people tired of their relationship. Single!!!!.. can also be dreary to those who are tired of being single.  What about Single and Parenting?

There are many people men and women that fall into this category. They either make friends with others in the same boat as them or they often feel left out. How you became single and parenting, quite frankly, is no one’s business. People in this category could have landed here from many situations. I along with many others men and women are often judged wherever we are, work, school, church, etc. We date timidly, knowing we don’t want our children interacting with just anyone. We tend to work extra hard because we are avoiding judgement. Who is anyone to judge you or belittle you?

How do we recognize this growing status? Its not going away it has always been around, it is just not hidden anymore. When dating its part of the fine print, “please be aware this man/woman has children that he/she is raising on there own.” Its a disclaimer. Many read the disclaimer when they are considering purchasing a product. Most are expecting negative connotations about this product when they review the disclaimer. Would we all like to be married? Maybe. Would we all like to raise our children with there father? Probably, dependent on the situation. Are we all looking for help? NO! How about a partner, someone to ask how your day was, someone to tell you its going to be okay. Someone to just love and support us.

Content w/ your Purpose

Brooke's Thoughts

Are you content with your purpose? I believe we all have an established reason for being on this earth. Your purpose, your main agenda, your destiny to fulfill. I ask this question because ‘I’m single and lonely’. Make sure you check out my other blog! Great plug! I was able to remove the feeling of loneliness by working in my purpose. Anytime I start to feel the blues I see who I can help or how I can help myself.  This does two things it takes time away from your mind to dwell on the uncontrollable parts of your life. Then it gives your mind satisfaction for accomplishment of the task. Remove the thoughts and change the focus!

What is your purpose?

You can’t work in your purpose if you don’t know what it is. So you need to go find out what it is. I discovered my purpose through prayer, meditation and being observant. I noticed a pattern in my life, each time I felt happy or excited about life I was helping others find and use their hidden potential. Now, that is what I do for a living. It took me a while to make the career change but each moment has been fulfilling since I have made a conscious effort to work it into my daily life.

How can you fulfill your purpose with what you currently have?

Helping for me is not all about giving cash or things. Time, Caring, Love, Support are some of the ways I find fulfillment in helping. My satisfaction comes when I receive the news that a conversation helped or a story put things in perspective. Or even when I can take a moment and help with a physical task. Find ways that you can fulfill your purpose with the things you have and currently have access to. If you don’t have access, who does? Do you know someone you can as to help? There will be times that you will need to refer the task to someone else, however you still helped.

The feeling after working in your purpose, is delightful. You will feel sometimes almost on cloud 9. You may have done or shown something, the person didn’t see has possible and it was. You may have made them realize it was possible and guided them through it. Both of these scenarios are just important as you may never know what s truly needed. Just to be a friend that someone can lean on in stressful times. Support is the most important thing in your time of singleness and as you give support you will also need support.

Purpose

Brooke's Thoughts

I’ve been on a journey of purpose the last couple of years. I’ve learned many things about my self along the way. I’m committed to helping people in all that I do. Yes, this includes business. The piece of my business I’m currently working on will help people open their own businesses. I feel like my purpose may be to enable the hidden talent people don’t see in there selves. How do I do that? Mmmm, speak life into people, it tends to be draining at times, however the rewards are amazing. Being able to see people grow in ways that they never believed or imagined could happened is priceless.

What is priceless to you? Can you make a living doing it? If so, do that thing as much as possible and find rewards in your days daily. Motivate daily with compassion.

No Crutches

Brooke's Thoughts

crutch

Have you ever had to use crutches? I bet you are on them right now and you may not even know.  I’ve been told that they are very difficult to use and are actually harder to walk with and complete things. Many would rather hobble around than use the crutches.  Now those who have been instructed to use crutches usually have broken their leg or damaged their leg in such a way that they shouldn’t or can’t walk on it. Crutch is the wooden object we use however, the word means a thing used for support or reassurance. What things do you use for support or reassurance? What are your crutches? Crutches are usually good they help you fulfill a need in your life. I coupon, crutch, helps me keep food cost down in my own. It’s absolutely awesome and I may be a little obsessed.

I’ve worked multiple jobs since I was 18. My motto was to maintain a regular stream of income and an irregular stream of income. The irregular stream is usually related to something I truly enjoy doing. That stream required more work, dedication, and consistency on my part. My continuous perseverance will one day push me to where I want to be. While networking I met someone who showed me a video about removing fear. The video spoke about removing fear from your life to move forward.  I put this video in to my regimen to remove fear from my life. Many times what is between us and where we are going is fear. That fear becomes a crutch, that rules your time and limits your resources and options. This crutch is satisfying a need, but also limiting you at the same time. I recently decided that I needed to stop and really focus on specific items.  I was nervous as I didn’t want to leave my sense of security for uncertainty.  As I prepared for the change I still feared elimination of the regular stream of income. Even with having two other streams I still fear irregularity. Whatever it is that you are considering eliminating sit down with someone, itemize the full true loss vs gain. This will help you make your decision along with prayer and meditation.

Kicking the crutch gave me such a sense of freedom the same way it feels when you actually are able to walk without crutches again. I tried to replace my crutch and realized what I was doing before I fell back into the same pattern. Jump out of the hamster ball today and dare to be different! I encourage you to kick your crutch! Kicking my crutch took a lot of planning and preparation