FAMILY MATTERS YA'LL!

Today I had the pleasure of working out with my family and to be honest, it reminded me of exactly why I get up and grind hard every day. See, I’m a single mom of three. I am raising two beautiful teenagers and an outspoken eight year old who can drive me bananas some days. Couple that with the fact that my love life is nearly stagnant, it’s enough to drive me batty and not appreciate the beautiful blessings that god gave me so long ago.

See, most of us take advantage of the fact that we have family.......we have family ya’ll! So as I hit the YMCA with my clan and I watch my little guy running on the treadmill trying to keep up with mom, it only makes me wonder, Why did I not think to do this before?

Perhaps it’s because I work 10 hour days and by the time I get home I just want to pass out? You know, I honestly think the American way of life is designed to keep families apart, I mean honestly, if mom’s at work and so is dad and they’re both emotionally unavailable, where does that leave the kids?

So to all my parents out there, I leave you with a tidbit to reflect upon.... the next time you get a chance, spend some quality time with the kiddos, no matter how old they are. Believe me, the older they get, the more they need you, so find some creative ways to share the best of you with them, even if it's taking funny pictures before you go to church! (hope ya'll liked the pic)..... it’s worth it and good for the Soul, you know! So read and enjoy the following quotes because I looked them up just for you and always REMEMBER...... what’s good for the SOUL is SMART!

Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family.
-- Anthony Brandt

You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them.
-- Desmond Tutu

Your family and your love must be cultivated like a garden. Time, effort, and imagination must be summoned constantly to keep any relationship flourishing and growing.
-- Jim Rohn

Sending you Hugs and Love,

Niurka

Eliminate Hate and Experience the Abundance You Will Create!

Ever wonder why from time to time we will see or experience a reappearance of the things we dislike in our lives? Sometimes it seems like the more we say we dislike something or hate something or someone, it or they wll make it’s make into our thinking and life experience time and time again? Well, if what The Secret book says is true, then, it seems like the more we say or think we hate something, the more it will manifest in our lives in the ways that we least expect them. Here’s an excerpt we can mull over further......

The law of attraction cannot change anything in your life that you hate, because hate prevents the change from coming. Since the law is giving us exactly what we are putting out, when you hate something, the law must continue to give you more of what you hate. You will not be able to move away from it. Love is the only way.

If you focus completely on the things you love, you are on your way to a beautiful life.

Rhonda Byrne

Author of The Secret

Ironically, most people thought Martin Luther King was crazy for promoting non-violence and love for one another as a means to achieve world peace, equality and brotherly love. See, the circumstances folks faced in the 30’s ,40’s and 50’s were pretty dire and inhumane, for the most part. Participants n the Civil Rights Era had every reason to hate their oppressors, but rather than focus on hate, they focused on exercising Agape Love, a different frame of thinking where love for one another is the central focus. It was Martin’s deep love for humanity that allowed a movement of such magnitude to take shape and create the massive political, social and economic changes that came about in that era.

See, when we apply this concept of approaching all things with love in our hearts, the changes we’d like to experience in our lives can be attained that much quicker. When we approach problems and obstacles with love anything is possible. So remember this tidbit the next time you’re experiencing a dilemma whether it be in a personal or professional relationship or situation....the more love we have in our hearts, the easier it will be to find solutions because were coming to the table with a positive attitude understanding that all change has one of two outcomes...either positive or negative.

So why not approach everything with a positive attitude and a premise of love first. Love yourself enough to experience the amazing way in which obstacles and dilemmas you thought would never have a resolution will gradually dissipate and resolve themselves......experience the power of love and positivity today folks! Your heart will thank you for it! If nothing else, it’s good for the Soul folks! And as I always say, What’s good for the SOUL is SMART!

Sending you Hugs and Love,

Niurka

Ask For Others and See the Abundance Increase In Your Life!

Today I have the pleasure of sharing a daily quote from Rhonda Byrne, the infamous author of The Secret. She sent a really inspiring text regarding how together we can achieve more and truly get what we want for ourselves and others. Now, I know most folks have a hard time praying and asking the divine force to lead and guide them through adversities and obstacles to achieve great success, but ironically, Rhonda brings an interesting and useful concept to light, I share it with you in the following excerpt, just a little something to do if you’d like to increase the abundance and blessings in your life, she says.........

What is the most powerful thing you can add to the process of creating what you want? Ask for others, as you ask for yourself. An easy way to do this is to ask for ALL, which of course, includes you. Ask for a good life for all, peace for all, abundance for all, health for all, love for all, and happiness for all.

When you ask for others, it comes back to you, so the law of attraction is always working and has it ALL covered.

Rhonda Byrne

Author of The Secret

I know this concept is so simple, it’s hard to think that something as simple as asking for health, wealth, peace and abundance for all, could actually work. But think of this, if you and all of your loved ones were consistently asking for good things for all of you, that directed energy gets transformed to generate the type of positive energy that can transform a person indefinitely. Dont get me wrong here, good things don’t come overnight, but directed, focused prayer and positive attitude are key and essential in getting what you want....so, next time you sit down to talk to that almighty being (our creator), pray for everyone around you and in your life, ask others to do the same, and you’ll see and feel the difference in your life gradually.

As you begin to pray for good things for everyone around you and not just yourself, you’ll see how the law of attraction will bring more people and create more situations for you to manifest what you want to be, do and have....if not for anything else, you’ll feel better after having experienced asking for things for everyone and not you alone.....I urge you to try it and experience the difference you’ll feel when you send positive, loving thoughts out to others, as well as yourself, it cant hurt to try. Besides, spending a little time asking for good things and building up hope is good for the SOUL folks, and as I always say, what’s good for the SOUL is SMART!

Sending you hugs and love,

Niurka

Smart Tips for 2010

Hello folks,

In light of everything that has taken place in the last few days, I thought I'd post some really great advice I received via email a few days ago. Below you will find all that you need for 2010...it is a guidebook to keep things in perspective and live a little better in the new year....enjoy!

HANDBOOK 2010

Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did in 2009 .
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

10a. Excersise, excersise, excersise whatever it is. Get that heart going! Come dance with me!

Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy
in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past.
That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the
curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...

Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change..
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come..
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Know Thyself

40. Read more about your history both here and in Africa

41. Get inspiration to be strong and perservering from your Ancestors that you love and admire

42. Teach Black history to family first, and to the world

43. Acquire books, videos, DVDs, Tapes on African History, Ancient African History, African History of the Diaspora

44. Plan on visiting your motherland before you leave this Earth

Economic Development

45. Join together with the best plan for Cooperative Economics, check out, Marie's plan "Elegant Living"

46. Save your money and pool your money, stop spending it on foolishness

47. Less is more!

48. Stop being selfish, live together and save money for a common goal, like immigrants

49. Buy Black, Buy Black, Buy Black as much as you possibly can

50. Start your own business

…We do not have the luxury as African Americans to engage in esoteric thought that avoids the concept of hard work. Stop romanticizing African thought and philosophy and do something! Get some money and build a school. Open a business. Build stores that sell merchandise that we need. Design fashions that make us look good. …….Let’s build houses, factories, museums, institutions,. ….This is real power!

By Na’im Akbar “Light from Ancient Afica, p.24

Sending you hugs and love,

Niurka

REFLECTING ON OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN HAITI

As many of you are probably aware, Haiti suffered a major catastrophe 3 days ago that has left the entire island in shambles. There has been a lot of dialogue regarding why this happened, online. As I read the commentaries, I am both proud and elated that our President has stepped up and made other world leaders do the same. What has troubled me are the perspectives that continue to pop up from leftists radicals claiming that somehow Haitians brought this natural disaster on themselves? I was in transit yesterday and a West Indian woman with a thick accent went as far as to say that she hates Haitians and wished they were all swallowed up by the quacke! Makes you wonder why folks dislike a people whose only vice is that they never allowed themselves to be enslaved...by ANYONE. Because this is such a loaded topic, I leave you with this little bit a of food for thought..........

There is not a single instance in history where hate has brought joy to human beings. Hate destroys those who hold it in their minds and bodies. If humanity released all hate, fear, and resentment, then no dictator could ever rise, and we would have peace on earth.

Peace on earth can occur only through peace within each of us.

-Rhonda Byrne

Author of The Secret

I send this mesage to all of the crazy radicals that somehow seem to think that the Haitian people deserve what they’ve just endured.....and will continue to face. I reiterate, NOYONE deserves to lose everything in the violent manner in which so many Haitian people have over the last few days. Noyone deserves to live in agony, not knowing if their loved ones are alive. Again, I commend the actions of President Obama and other world leaders who are finally stepping up to the plate to aid a country that has been in dire need for more than a few decades. There is absolutely no real, creditable reason why this country has not received the foreign aid it’s needed to build infrastructure and stimulate economic growth, empowerment and stabilization and we all know that the world an no longer turn it's back on this country.

SMART MONEY TIP: Donations to charitable organizations and relief organizations are tax deductions that reduce your tax liability, make a donation to relief fund today and do something good for your conscience and your tax status. Below is a list of organizations you can go to donate to HELP HAITI!

• Doctors without Borders – has already set up emergency relief clinics on the ground, give $$ (may need supplies later as well)
• Grassroots Online – partnering w/local social justice organizations to help distribute food, medical supplies, & other needs identified by Haitian social justice workers; asking for: Donate $$
• Haiti Emergency Relief Fund – has been inworking on social, political, and human rights issues in Haiti for 6 years, asking: Donate $$
• International Medical Core – currently deploying medical aid, asking for: donate $$
• Madre – works with community based Haitian women’s organizations, will be helping women in crisis, needs: water tablets, antibiotics, medical supplies, also distributing food & clean water asking for: donate $$ or supplies, call for more info
• Medical Teams International – sending teams to Haiti, 1st leaves tomorrow, asking for: donate $$ or medical supplies
• Mercy Corp – putting together aid packages, sending ppl to help soon give $$ or volunteer
• Operation Blessing – religious organization providing food, clean water, and basic medical supplies to Haiti, asking for : Donate $$
• Operation USA – mobilizing to send medical aid, asking for: donate $$
• Oxfam – you can donate over the phone @ 0300 200 1999, at any Oxfam shop, or online
• Partners in Health – has clinics in Haiti, asking for medical supplies: Temporary field hospital by us at UNDP needs supplies, pain meds, bandages.
• Quixote Center – long term grassroots organization working in US & Haiti, works w/ women’s groups & is sending earthquake aid
• Red Cross has already allotted funds to relief effort; you can give money via link or text “Haiti” to #90999 to give $10; NO volunteer opportunities @ this time
• Salvation army: asking for: donate $$
• Save the Children emergency team already in Haiti give $ or volunteer
• ShelterBox – has deployed a response team, needs donations
• UNICEF – emergency teams already in Haiti give $ or volunteer
• World Concern – offering food, clean water, blankets, and temp shelter to victims, asking for: Donate $$ (special link for Canadians so they don’t have to convert to dollars)
• World Food Programme – provides emergency meals and clean water, sking for: Donate $$
• World Vision – has existing Christian based children’s services in Haiti asking: donate $$, sponsor a child, pray for Haiti
• Yele - the site has crashed due to so much interest in helping out but you can still donate $5 by texting the word “yele” to #501501 (I believe the $ is going to the red cross)

Stay tuned later today for a video commentary my two sidekicks (Bob and Mike) put together in response to the plight in Haiti....sit back and listen, the teen perspective, albeit, crude and somewhat immature at times, is very real...... despite the evident verbal venting...they say some pretty insightful things......check it out!

As always, sending you hugs and love,

Niurka

Don't Fret....Yours is Coming Soon:-)

Welcome to SoulSmart, Folks!

Hola Everyone!

So I had this great idea about a year ago to publish my daily thoughts so that they may be shared with the world...the ultimate result being this lovely blog called SoulSmart. See everyday we experience things in our lives that leave some form of an impression on us, yet we are so busy dealing with the rat race we call life that were unable to reflect on our collective experience. We also all share the collective desire to be personally and finacially healthy. Similarly, we never take care of ourselves, so hopefully you'll enjoy my smatrpicks on books regarding wealth buliding and other personal health items that i'll post from time to time.

So I welcome you to SoulSmart...it is a place to read my thoughts regarding things that everyday people are thinking about but don't have the time to explore...if you're the type of person who likes to read things that are insightful and continually pique your interest, then you'll want to hit this blog regularly...TRUST ME! No entry will ever be quite the same as I am naturally uninhibited and will continue to deliver my thoughts as I see them. I do have my uber funny moments so I welcome you to come laugh, reflect and vent with me and my main sidekicks Bobbie and Mike LeBron, who will be guest blogging from time to time to give us a teen perspective and a whole lot of humor! My daily interactions with family and other crazy individuals or events that I deem necessary to talk about, will be daily tenets on this site. And hopefully you'll gain some insightful tools around dealing with life's toils and become more balanced personally and finacially literate as well:-)

So save yourself a trip to the therapist (smile) and come talk, read and listen here. TRUST ME, with all the crazy stuff we see and experience from day to day...you gotta have somewhere to figure things out..

Soulsmart can help you do that!

Hands down, it's good for the Soul....and remember my motto :

What's good for the Soul is Smart!

Sending You Much Love and Hugs,

Niurka :-)

Welcome to SoulSmart, Folks!

Check out smart money tips for 2010!