6 Things That Make Me Happy

 Thursday, March 5th, 2009

I was tagged by J.  No one tagged me for the 25 things most people don’t know about me so I’m kind of giddy about this one (big cheesy grin)…

Rules

Link to the person who tagged you. Post six things that make you happy along with these rules. Then tag six others (letting them know, of course) Let the person who tagged you know when your entry is complete.

My 6 things

1. Despite having feet in my neck, back, face, groin & everywhere else I love waking up w/ my DDs (Divine Daughters for you first time readers) all piled in my bed after Friday/Saturday late night movie watching.
2. 2-4 hour baths in whirlpool tub w/ the water as hot as I can stand it, while listening to whatever moves me at the moment followed by air drying as I get the best sleep I’ve ever had. (I’m w/ J on that elusive sleep thing)
3. The sound of children’s laughter, particularly mine after we realize we’re not that different at all.  (I.e. – came home from work last night & DU says “You know your daughter doesn’t eat [cherry] tomatos? Um… yeah, neither do I… I mean I’ll eat fried green tomatos & a red slice on a Whopper but that’s about it.  Oh, so that’s where she gets it from… I asked her what tomatos are good for, do you know what she said? Ketchup”  At this point, me & 2/3 DDs burst into laughter… uncle glares at us in disbelief.
4. Honest Appreciation.  It’s kind of sad that my friends/family see more good in me then I do… but I love it when they tell me… “Girl,  You are so talented.  If you don’t start writing/singing/painting/designing/(insert whatever into the blank here) again soon I’m going to put my size 10 in your azz … or better yet, I’m going to throw an event and put you on BLAST!.
5. Sneaking in the DD’s room to steal kisses while they sleep followed by sitting on my patio, staring at the night sky, sometimes lost in multiple thoughts- others without a care in the world.
6. Cherry Coke & Frito-Lay Sunflower Seeds

I tag (It’s sad when you realize you really don’t know six people and your searching your SM “friends” to choose them):

• Katrina
• Nicole
• Eleesha
• Marguerita
• Scott
• Donald

YOU Make My Day!

Oftentimes it is the small things that keep me from tearing out my hair, throwing things and otherwise exhibiting my need for whatever antidepressant or ADD or ADHD pill they are pumping now.  I tell you, it feels good to smile… usually my general countenance is stone faced and somber save the lazy-eye that gives way to the fact that not all the lights are on (actually in most cases too many lights are on – I get so caught up in the what I have to does, what I haven’t dones, and what could have been done better that 1/2 the time my body is on autopilot). 

Lately, I find myself smiling a whole lot more than usual… despite the state of the economy or bassakwards politiks in the state where Ive taken up residence.  Inspite of sibling rivalry between my girls, cases of “the nobodys”, cleaning up dog puke when I should be sleeping, two new transmissions in two weeks, flu bugs, asthma attacks and anything that can/will/has gone wrong … some how I am still smiling. Big at that.. Cheshire Cat..Sh!t eating grin (Who came up with that?!?)

It is because I have learned to operate from a standpoint of appreciation and thankfulness at all times…. even moreso it is because of YOU and people like you.  You, the tech-savvy marketer who shares the latest trend. You the wordsmith/foodie/parent/motivational speaker/provoker of inspiring conversation. It’s my Twits, my Tweeps, my peeps, my FB friends from high school or choir or wherever, my Myspace models, photographers, graphic designers… former coworkers… the stranger walking down the street. It is you. 

There are myriad quotes that talk about the power of a smile… or the power of laughter. (Leave it to me to find the oddest things funny)… It is the  tow truck guy who stepped out of the truck beaming and told me I was the only person he’s ever seen look happy to be broken down.  It is the people who use my backyard as a shortcut and at least take the the time to speak. It is the little old lady that brings me candles and other knick-knacks she “picked up just for” me… it is the blanket she brought me not knowing that mine had a big hole in it & the new one matches my lamps perfectly… it was her call to tell me that she believes in guardian angels and I am hers when I feel the same about her.  It is the lady on the bus who told me I was her inspiration when I felt like and thought I looked like poohpooh on a stick.  It is the inlaws, exlaws and the law (muh to the D E A is my mother & she don’t play) who admonish me when my parenting skills are lacking, encourage me when the children try to outsmart me  (and they do).  It is the babies and the elderly who remind me what it is like to be close the Creator. It is the courage, wisdom  and mistakes of the generations before me.  It is the vendors, the coworkers, the mailman… everyone is special to this world and therefore special to me. Forgive me for not calling your names one by one for there are so many. 

“You Brought the Sunshine!”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCZWxVkGOVU

 Namaste!

~TMM~

This is Tiye M. Reese’s personal blog. Any opinions expressed here are my own and do not represent those of my employer or its clients.

Ramblin’ HodgePodge

11/07/2008

I usually don’t start the conversation on topics such as religion, sexuality and politics but I will join them; forgive the rambles as I’ve had so much on my mind and so little time to clearly think/write it out.  So much has happened in the past week; my level of excitement and exhaustion are about neck & neck.

Milestones

OK…so my oldest daughter – who’s name means “gift” has been blessed & blessed me by turning a decade last week. When I hit my third decade I was so entrenched in regrets but to see her hit her first has me so full of joy. I’m still riding high off Halloween candy, cupcakes, birthday cake and a 2 day sleepover with about 10 little girls; but even more than that the realization that the promise we make to our children (and our parents made to us) that “you can be whatever you want – even President” is no longer empty. A precedent as been set and the door is open….for men, for women, for people of all ethnic backgrounds. So my little singer/dancer/cheerleader/doctor do your thing. Mommy loves you more than you can imagine… and the tears that have been leaking from my eyes for the past week are of love – joy- and hope.

Marketing

Though I can’t find the link, I think it was one of my favorite bloggers, Lisa Hoffmann who said grassroots marketing & PR work. One of the giveaways at the workshop I attended last month was a ticket to a networking event at a local salon/spa.  It was an evening of relaxation with free chair massages and food. Two very good reasons for me to leave the house. Also, I’ve been in the process of wooing the owner of the trio of spas as a client for a while so what better way to show my support. Plus it was great reason to spend some Q.T. with my sister.  We were greeted at the door by the owners, offered a drink and taken on a tour of the facilty (I toured it during the construction stages but the finished product was breathtaking). There were various rooms with opulent themes, an array of local artwork, private showers and more.  Soft live piano, sangria, red velvet cake, strawberries, pineapple, kiwi  & a facial analysis/cleansing helped us slip ease into tranquility.  We sat in the relaxation room, inhaling the essence of serenity, forgetting double-digit hours at work and multiple children to chase. We melted into the chairs we straddled as the technicians urged us to breathe inhale peace and exhale stress.  At the end of the session, we were told that our first appointment would be 20% off. I see why the owner gets several new clients every time this event is held. This was my sister’s first massage… but it won’t be her last.

Social networking works, when done right. This year’s presidential election is a reflection of that (among other things). Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, Mobile Messaging and more. I’d receive a video in my yahoomail, a tweet sending me to the link and various announcments accross the spectrum.  Our president elect reached out through a variety of media, both traditional and digital to spread a message of hope and ignite passion in a wide range of constituents; the boomers were energized, the youth mobilized and the masses realized that fear is not an option.  The funds raised by millions of donors is a testament to the success of social media and the outcome of the election is a bigger testament to the fact that apathy is dying, hope is reborn and unity is key to our future.

There’s so much more I want to say but lunch break is over… Ciao for now.

 

~TMM~

This is Tiye M. Reese’s personal blog. Any opinions expressed here are my own and do not represent those of my employer or its clients.

Branding and Literacy

10.21.2008

In September there was the monthly parents meeting at the Pre-K my 4-year-old attends.  The subject of the evening was literacy. We had a wonderful speaker (who’s name I wish I had written down). She took us through a bevy of exercises that reminded us of how we learned. Activities & Songs…

“If You’re Happy & You Know It” – Many of us heard it when were 4 or 5 but we still know the words. It taught us how to follow instructions, exercise and other interpersonal skills.

The discussion continued into things we could do to help our children become successful readers;

• Read to our children daily (10 minutes is all you need)
• Write down the things they tell you (let them see you do it)
• Encourage them to pick out the first letter of their first name in the free sales slicks that come in the mail
• Encourage them to write/draw shapes and letters

Even further, she discussed recognition:

• What color is an EXIT sign?
• What sign is a red octagon?
• What do the golden arches stand for?

Repeatedly, host would ask us similar questions and the first parent to respond would be given a book.  Who doesn’t know the golden arches? When my 4-year-old was two she would say “Look Mommy, McDonald’s!” Sometimes I’d stop by the grocery store before going home and she’d look at the bags and say “Did you get me cookies from Kroger?”  I remember the first time she said that, I marvelled “How do you know that says Kroger?”  Repetition and Recognition are key. It can be something simple as the coloration, the layout of the lettering (I know that ‘o-g’ anywhere) or the accompanying symbol.  Growing up, I knew the CBS eye, NBC peacock or the crisp block lettering of The Apollo Theater. 

Children are wonderful little sponges so be careful what you put before them.  I admit though, I couldn’t help but laugh as we rode past a BP the other day. “I know what that says, Mommy!” Really? What?  “Gas Station!” What is amazing to me though is that this little girl who cried everyday the first three weeks of school when I dropped her off and responded “It is boring” when I asked her each evening how was her day at school now loves to go. Each day, I get a kiss and a hug before she bounds into the classroom. Last Thursday she was so upset that she did not have homework that she had the teacher make her some. Each day they write the capital and lowercase version of a letter and two associated words. About a month and a half later and my baby can read. She’s phonetically sounding out words. “rrre…eh…puh…rr..t-t… cuh…ah.arr.ddd… ruhport card – REPORT CARD!”  Friday she told me that the paper on the coffee table was her sister’s report card and I saw how far she’d grown from Kroger bags and stop signs.

Sure, she points out every Wendy’s and Chic-fil-A that we drive by… maybe soon she’ll be able to read the calorie content.

~TMM~

This is Tiye M. Reese’s personal blog. Any opinions expressed here are my own and do not represent those of my employer or its clients.

For tips on teaching your child to read, go to http://www.literacymatters.org/

Entrepreneurship Begins with a “D”

10.20.2008

A DREAM and A DEAL is what it takes.

A DREAM as in Vision. DEAL the noun, not the verb.

D.E.A.L

• Determination/Dedication: Begin with the end in mind. Maximize your time.
• Execution/Excellence: If it’s worth doing, its worth doing right.
• Attitude: The only thing you can change is your attitude. Be celebrated, not tolerated.
• Leverage: Use your talents, skills, education and resources to your advantage.

This weekend I attended the Female Success Factor hosted by Rolling Out Magazine. I had heard about it on the local gospel station on my way to work Friday morning and I signed up that afternoon.  Saturday morning, I was truly not one for getting out of bed but I managed to drag myself anyway. 

I signed up with the expectation of hearing something I didn’t know about branding and networking. When I arrived I was cold, tired and grumpy. It was a little after noon and I hadn’t eaten (Me + No food = witch) and before me on stage was some overexcited man talking about the one thing I didn’t want to hear.

“Why are we here!?”  “Money”  “Come on ladies you can do better than that! Why are we here?!” “MONEY!”

I didn’t say a word, I wasn’t there for money, I didn’t have any money. I didn’t want any money either. I simply wanted to learn how to turn my vision into a reality and a future for my family.  (Yes, I know that you need money to survive and have a future for your family  – I just want to do what I love; I guess that’s the problem with dreamers like me.)  The first speaker was Marcia Page, Account Supervisor from Moroch and Associates. Her bubbly presence and raw honesty woke me right up. The second speaker was Claire Jason of PZI Jeans, she gave “real talk” about the fundamental things that need to be done in order to follow your vision. In all, there were about ten speakers and the seminar was extremely motivational. (Not to mention the fact that I won a painting by Munson Steed.) In the end, my mind was on my money and I was feeling a whole let better than I was when I woke up.

M.O.N.E.Y

• Manifesting
• Opportunity
• Negotiating
• Evertything
• Yourself

Everything the ten ladies said boils down to twenty key points:

1. Be spiritually centered
2. Accept yourself
3. Have compassion for all humankind
4. Have passion for your vision
5. Know how to run your business (learn)
6. Never give up
7. Work hard
8. Keep your priorities straight
9. Give back to the community
10. Your word is your bond
11. Help others
12. Dream big
13. Be global
14. Be ever-ready
15. Get your finances in order
16. Take baby steps towards your vision, don’t be afraid to refine it as you learn
17. Get a support system, get to know people
18. Sometimes you have to do things alone
19. Take small purposeful consistent disciplined steps
20. Plan your work; work your plan

Other key points – Know your net worth. Stand up/Stand Out. Get a mentor and a champion. Develop a ‘mastermind’ group. Your network is your networth. It is not about game, its about knowledge exchange. Join social networks. Know the power of F.O.C.U.S.

• Future
• Opportunity
• Claiming
• Unseen
• Success

Never stop reading/learning. Suggested reading: Tony Dungy’s Quiet Strength: The Principles, Practices & Priorities of a Winning Life, Terrie Williams’ The Personal Touch: What You Really Need to Succeed in Today’s Fast Pace Business World, and a host of others. My personal favorite is C.A. Willing’s The Impersonal Life.

Lastly… change your self-speak. Utter positive affirmations: “I AM TRANSFORMED. I AM ALWAYS IN BLOOM. I AM THE PERFECT ME MADE BY THE PERFECT CREATOR”

I am truly thankful to the publication, the sponsors and the speakers. I returned home feeling inspired, uplifted and empowered.

~TMM~

This is Tiye M. Reese’s personal blog. Any opinions expressed here are my own and do not represent those of my employer or its clients.