we all have super powers... for reals

The other day on Facebook, someone that I barely know messaged me asking where they could hear my music.  I am in the process of copyrighting my original music (not to mention the ongoing saga that is life: dishes, family time, honey time, self time, home school, dinner, play time... I know you get the drift...) and in the midst of singing and speaking gigs that come to me by word of mouth, it just hadn't occurred to me to put myself out there like that until BAM!  Someone that I didn't know was a'asking.  So, I got my Google on and figured out how to tack some musical goodness onto my Facebook page, which got me to thinking how easy it is to hide our light under a bush for whatever reason.  Whatever the reason--whether it is intentional (you know, playing small to try and make others feel better about themselves), false humility (aka low self esteem) or whatever else that's been pulled from the bag of tricks-- it is wrong.  Wrong.  We are supposed to let our light shine and share our giftedness as a beacon of light, love and encouragement.  *Please note that shine is not synonymous with narcissism.*  It's more of a I shine, You shine, We all shine sort of thing.  That we share our love and passion (whatever it may be!) with others and then listen closely for theirs.  

Thank you, Laura & Tony

There is tremendous freedom in knowing and honoring ourselves and each other. It is a life long discovery, an evolutionary process of course, but as I look back over my life, I realize this: I repeatedly find myself using truth and the power of my voice.  Shushed repeatedly throughout school (Kindergarten to college, no lie!) and even at home, I realize now that this voicebox is my gift to the world.  My money maker.  Effortless and as easy as breathing because it is who I am.  And hate it or love it, I ain't going no where.  Neither are you.  See, we all have a special something to contribute to this mixing pot.  So I really want you to think about what you have to offer.  What consistent threads remain throughout the test of time in your life? Focus on the good (not the bad!) and herein you will find the secret, the truth, really, of who you were born to be.  I change and positively impact the world with the power of my voice by singing, writing and speaking authentic truth.  

That's my super power.  What's yours?

how to be productive

credit

Don't let this happen to you today.  

Put your big girl panties or your big boy undies on and go get cha work done!  Turn off the cell phone (gasp!), turn it on silent for a little while or put it on lockdown in a cookie jar. Do whatever works!  You'll be surprised at just how much time there is in an hour minus the incessant use of technology.  


If you have reading to do, take it to the great outdoors and get some au naturale Vitamin D while you're at it.  If you're stuck inside, open a window.  No window?  Take your lunch break in the great outdoors.  If you must work with music in the background, make sure it's  music that pumps you up to be productive, but doesn't pump you up enough to abandon all work and start a dance party.  
The point today is this: our time is a precious commodity.  One that is finite and non-renewable.  If you are working 9-5, cleaning up after kiddos, running errands like you're on a reconnaissance mission or just soaking up the sun, please realize that today is a truly unique gift and it's meant to be cherished, embraced and experienced fully.  Whatever you are doing today... do it well, with all of your might and DO NOT let the internet (or any other technology for that matter) knock you on your backside.  Do not let life happen to you.  You happen to your life!    Flip the switch and punch your to-do list in the face by actually getting stuff done today.  


♥ Sharita


p.s. Congratulations to giveaway winner, Stephanie Victoria!!! Random.org chose you and Paper Hug Factory will contact you shortly! 

I ain't lookin like no slapper

I just had to share this interview because it was doubly refreshing to hear true wisdom and common sense coming from such a young and undeniably talented lady.  Generally speaking, I found her comments to be authentic, encouraging and inspiring.  I am sharing this in the hope that something she says is beneficial to you too.  Personally speaking (as a singer who also has no desire to crawl across a stage buck-naked or pseudo-buck-naked), I am grateful for her courage and boldness because (whether she realizes it or not) she is pioneering.   

"Exploiting yourself sexually is not a good look." <----- THAT is my favorite thing she said.  

Usually, it's Adele's vocals that dominate conversation about the British singer. But the 23-year-old's physique became Topic A when Karl Lagerfeld told Metro newspaper: "She is a little too fat." The comment sparked outrage and an apology from Lagerfeld.  "With high-profile critics like this, how does Adele herself feel about her figure? When Anderson Cooper recently interviewed the star for a "60 Minutes" profile, Adele said she rarely thinks about her body image and feels no pressure to be a "skinny-mini" or wear revealing, hyper-sexual clothing.  "Even if I did have, you know, a 'Sports Illustrated' body, I'd still wear elegant clothes," she said. "I ain't lookin' like no 'slapper' (slang for a promiscuous woman)."   -excerpt from CBS NEWS  

THIS: I ain't looking like no slapper...

has become my favourite* phrase.  

Don't you be looking like no slappa' either! OK?

XOXO ♥ Sharita

*for Adele and Brits everywhere ;D

lyrics and laundry

So I'm still rocking my sackcloth and ashes, but mostly for dramatic effect.  A girl can only thrash and wail so much and then it's like... Wait, is that a scratch on my arm?  Is that my stomach growling?  Lemme go get some Neosporin and a snack...

I found some cute shoes that work with the sackcloth, rinsed the ashes out of my hair and put on some chapstick because my lips were oh so dry.  I drank a big ol' mason jar of water too.  Turns out ashes are really drying to the skin and all.  I think I need to find a more moisturizing manner of mourning, especially during the winter.  If winter is still what this time of year is called anymore...  I don't know about your neck of the woods, but around here we've had weather ranging from 70-30 degrees... sunshine and shorts weather one day then a light dusting of snow the next.  Chile*, creation is groaning... makes me wonder if Mother Nature is rocking sackcloth too?  Girl, you can borrow my shoes anytime!!!

sassy sackcloth shoes

So, before I took my grief to the curb, I was jamming to the most amazing "January theme song"...  Wait, you have theme songs aka a soundtrack for life, too, right?  Since I hear and see life (mostly) in giggles and music, there is a theme song (or a laugh) for everything including the hard times.  Wailing on the curb, I heard the melancholy yet magnificent singing of Adele. Though I find her lyrics to be a tidge too depressing for everyday life, I heard her lovely voice singing "Rolling in the Deep" as the backdrop of my bereavement.  


Can't you just see me thrashing in sync with the drum beat and tearing at my sackcloth as she singing out the word "alllllllllllllllllllllll"?  ...Until I got hungry, of course.  


Well today I have on my sassy sackcloth shoes (click the link above if you want a pair!) and my January theme song is back on rotation and blasting loudly.  Have you ever heard "Just the Way You Are" by Bruno Mars?  Check it out below... I lurve it!  The melody, the lyrics... swoon-tastical.  Seriously, the words to this song speak to me on a deep, spiritual level.  Listen and lemme know what you think.  I'm jamming over here in my sassy shoes and sackcloth, but it's starting to get itchy, so I'd better go do some laundry.  Loveu!

  




* this is not the country in South America, but a southern pronunciation of the word child, which is used most often in conversation with a good friend. If what one is saying happens to be real good or extra-extra juicy, the word chile  is often preceded by the word honey.  

If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies...

Reveling in the joy of the Christmas season.  Love, peace and joy.  Surrounded by friends and family.  Nothing beats spending quality time with the ones you love.  Nothing.  As I look around our den... toys are everywhere, the Cosby Show just finished playing and the people I get to do life with literally bring me joy.  The holidays are a season of togetherness and rest.  A time to take into account what really matters and carry that awareness into the future.  Life is good and I am grateful.  Truly grateful.  


Here is another oldie but goodie post.  You might want to read this post first though... and be sure to check out a few of my favorite bloggers below.  




Now that you have a firm grasp on who you are at home and you've decided whether or not you like what you see, it's time to address your outlook towards change.  Whether or not you  need to make changes in your life right now, it is time to fully embrace the concept of change.  

Seasons change...

Relationships change...

You change...

I change... 

Claudia True's Art      

Change is an inevitable and constant catalyst throughout life.  So the question today is do you willingly embrace or willfully resist change?  Friends, I am learning to willingly embrace  it.  Once upon a time I viewed change as a bad thing; however, I now see that change is a positive, healthy and undeniably dynamic sign of growth.  I am reminded of this truth every time I see a butterfly.  

In the midst of change there are definitely uncomfortable moments and sometimes the process literally hurts; HOWEVER,  on the other side of change, the full beauty of the journey is on display as you are enveloped and forever transformed by the rich experience.  


My encouragement to you today is this: Do not underestimate an opportunity to experience positive change and transformation.  Change is synonymous with freedom. Just when the caterpillar thought it was all over, he became a butterfly.








These are a few of my favorite blogs...


1.  5things.us 
My good friend, Holly's blog about raising girls in today's world.  Topics include healthy relationships, identity, mean girls, media, boys and real stories of moms and teens.  Every blog is a good read.  Her most recent blog about their stocking tradition is my fav.  

2.  Music Nerd Musings
Another good friend's blog.  She talks music, music, music and her posts make me laugh, smile or reminisce every time.  Her current series is entitled December Soul, which makes the musician in me swoon. 



Christmas love and holiday hugs from me to you!!! XOXO
  

home sweet home

It's so good to be home.  Back in my calming, enlightening and rejuvenating comfort zone.

While I thoroughly enjoyed being back East around family and friends, home just has a special vibe that cannot be replicated.  So I am soaking up the pleasure of mi casa today.  Piddling around (country term which means doing nothing), thinking about doing laundry, resting, unpacking very slowly, and putting up Christmas decorations while Star Wars-The Phantom Menace plays in the background. I really like the fight scene with Qui Gon Jinn, Obi Wan Kenobi and Darth Maul.  Makes me wish I had a light saber.  I can see myself flipping, using the force and working my light saber like Obi Wan!  I want a cool Star Wars name too.  Something royal like Princess Leia...  Princess Shar!  Can you come help me wind my hair in two big circles on either side of my head, please? I found some Star Wars Random Name Generators, but their ideas were not as good as Princess Shar LOL!

In continued random news, I discovered my first gray hair. I found two, actually and I'm really excited about em!!!  You know, the whole wiser-better-stronger thing!

Have you heard about 25 Days of Free Holiday Music from Amazon.com??? Starting December 1st, every day through Christmas, Amazon unveils a new holiday song and you can download it for free!  Click here to check it out.  

Here are a few savory, sweet and hilarious spots from my travels:

Getting my hair cut (6 inches!) and flat ironed:




and then remembering why I rarely ever get my hair flat ironed:




Watching the little ones romp in the very place I romped as a child...  FUN times!


Dunkin' Donut Munchkins (chocolate and blueberry only) :)





Chicken Biscuits from Bojangles.  Bless your heart if you've never had one.  

Visiting with my great Aunt Lucy who is almost 104 years old and sharp as ever!

Eating @Chow Time in Memphis... giggles about the shenanigans between me and my mom

Cheering for my cousin, yelling at the ref and laughing hysterically @high school BB game

Great conversation with my Uncle John

The awesomeness that is Brooke, my sister-in-love

Getting to see my brother perform (singer/songwriter extraordinaire)

The sun shining brightly the day after we buried my brother Josh  

Attending a World Aids Day Awareness Event

The most darling turquoise shoes confiscated from the closet of my mother

Zaxby's vanilla milkshake

Remembering to give thanks each day

Riding home with my husband... that is when I realized that Dorothy had it right.  

Home: there's no place like it.  



Hugs, Love and Happy Holidays to you and yours!!!

groove is in the heart

A few days ago, I realized just how much I enjoy dancing.  I've always LOVED music and can cut a rug with the best of 'em. Truly. I am a dancing dancing dancing... (boomboomboom) dancing machine.  From competitive cheer routines (READY... OK! *clap*) and parties galore to my kitchen or living room floor, I am not afraid to drop it like it's hot.  I have even contemplated dropping it in church, but (thankfully) I rethought that.  Somehow gyrating and church just don't seem to mix... unless of course you're gyrating for Jesus, right?  LOL... kinda... Email me if you're interested in joining my new church dance group! I know I'm not the only one... right? 

*crickets*

OK... well, the other day while watching Thomas the Train with the lil' man of the house, I got up to grab a drink.  While singing along with the theme music, I found myself in the kitchen with one hand in the air snapping and waving while I'm grooving and working it to Thomas the Train theme music.  ("They're 2, they're 4, they're 6 , they're 8 shunting trucks and hauling freight...")  Yeah... I was breaking it down something fierce.  If you do not know this fabulous song and would like to get your dance on, crank your speakers and click here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8actQ7Adw0                                                                          

Club dancing to Thomas the Train... never woulda guess it in a million years, but oh well, I guess it doesn't take much if you love to shake ya groove thang. What about you?  Love to dance?  Got a favorite song or two or three?