Change.

Creature of habit.  That’s how I would describe myself and my routines.  I always find what works, and I do the same thing in the same way for as long as it works.  Problem with that is change is a constant in life and I should become better at embracing it so that I can continue to excel and learn something new.  Sounds good?  Yea I didn’t think so either! It’s not so much that I don’t like change or the transition, I don’t like the dummy period; that time when a change has taken over and you don’t know jack about what’s happening, how to deal with it or live with it.  

Once I conquer that period I’m sure I can become a great agent of change.

With all that being said (whew) I had to change my hair care/upkeep regimen.  I fell prey to the myth that shampoo and conditioner that I’ve used for years were fighting against my hair and my hair in retaliation, developed a tolerance to it, and that was the cause of all my hair problems. Not true, what is true, is my regimen had to change for my hair care products based on other things, like my excess exposure to elements, my scalp conditioning and dehydration, and some needed dietary changes.  So, I had to enter the dummy period, which made me nervous about …. Dun-Dun-DUUUUN!!!! change.

You all wouldn’t believe how long I’ve been researching; reading review articles, product labels, and watching videos on hair products, causes of ailments, foods!  (if you knew me, you wouldn’t be surprised at all).  But hey, now because I have studied and looked closer at me and my situation, I’m armed with my info and I’ve made an informed decision/investment and change didn’t hurt at all.  

“A lot of people resist transition and therefore never allow themselves to enjoy who they are, embrace the change, no matter what it is; once you do, you can learn about the new world you’re in and take advantage of it.” -Nikki Giovanni

I say whatever it takes to get you to a higher level, do it. Do it afraid.  Just do it. 

I changed those hair care products by the way, and because I did, more and more changes came up for me and I went along with what is to become my new regimen.    You ever had those times in life?  Drop me a line or two in the comments below, and let's all become bosses in the process of starting something new.

Life.

Life.  Let's talk about it. This remarkable thing that wields us into motion.  So much force and control at times, then again so loving and gentle.  If given a chance, it teaches us to grab hold of it and run with it, instead of chasing it, take care of it instead of abusing it because we only get one.  We only get one.  We only get one.  

Life pushes us into existence.  It takes us from a structural cell to a vital and functional being.  It stimulates, gives us the ability to reproduce, to transcend, to release, and to evolve. All of that.

Life has been referred to as being the shortest thing we'll ever have.  “Life is short” is what people say when, motivation is needed to live more fully, or when death strikes, but I feel, life is the longest thing you’ll ever have.  Think about it. What do you have that’s longer?

But what if life was something else?  

Like backwards? 

What Tina? 

Don't freak out, ride with me for a minute.

One day while reading, (avid reader of all things good) I stumbled across Urban Dictionary.  On their site, a writer that only went by “J” posted on August 13, 2004 the following about life: 

“The most unfair thing about life is the way it ends. I mean, life is tough. It takes up a lot of your time. What do you get at the end of it? A death! What's that, a bonus?!? I think the life cycle is all backwards. You should die first, get it out of the way. The you go live in an old age home. You get kicked out for being too healthy, go collect your pension, then, when you start work, you get a gold watch on your first day. You work forty years until you're young enough to enjoy your retirement. You drink alcohol, you party, and you get ready for High School. You go to primary school, you become a kid, you play, you have no responsibilities, you become a little boy(girl), you go back, you spend your last 9 months floating with luxuries like central heating, spa, room service on tap, then you finish off as an orgasm!!  Uff.. Now that’s what life should be!!”

Well then. Now think on that. What if life was lived in reverse?  J! whoever you are!  You might be on to something!  At least you gave me a good ole belly chuckle.  

Wednesday's Words of the Week

Hey Peeps, It's Queen She Known as Me here with some Wednesday Words of the Week. 

Hyperbole

hy·per·bo·le

noun

exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

Synonyms: exaggeration, overstatement, magnification, amplification  

Hypnosis

hyp·no·sis

noun

the induction of a state of consciousness in which a person apparently loses the power of voluntary action and is highly responsive to suggestion or direction.

Synonyms: mesmerism, hypnotism  

Integrity

in·teg·ri·ty

noun

the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.

 Synonyms: honesty, uprightness, probity, rectitude,  

Irony

i·ro·ny

noun

the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect.

Synonyms: sarcasm, dryness, causticity, sharpness  

What'cha Reading?

A Diva checking in on her online journal just to be nosy and to see what good reads are out there.

Diva's and Gents!  Happy Friday!  Queen She known as Me here and I want to know what'cha reading!

I think I told you, I'm an avid reader and I love all things readable; I mean I could read the label off the back of a small fry at McDonald's and feel like I've been enlightened.  Seriously.  I'm that kind of  reader.  

I wasn't always like this, in fact it was a struggle for my mom to get me to read.  I would write in journals all the time, but reading I only wanted to do when necessary.  Hindsight, this made absolutely no sense at all, but hey, I am who I am. Mom did the same with my baby sister as she did with me; took us the library, preached literacy, (and good handwriting) (another blog post) because she has always been a reader.  Don't know what happened with me, but my lil sister, well one word comes to mind when I think of her...INGENIOUS!  

Of all the literary genres, self- help materials are my least favorite, but I'm reading one now that's different from the "stand in front of the blackboard teaching" self help materials that I'm accustomed to, plus it's just plain ol hilarious.You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life  by Jen Sincero.   Having a great time thus far moving on through it.  

Drop me a line below in the comments and let me know what you're reading, or suggest a good read for this journaling Diva!  

What Happens When You Smile

Did you know your smile has health benefits?  Like magic? it does; even when you smile at the person who's rude to you, or when you smile at the grumpy person who doesn't like you and never smiles or speaks back.  You are helping yourself out while attempting to make someone else's day.  Or maybe you're just a nice person and your smile is the best accessory you have; if it is, you're awesome, and you're helping yourself as well by sharing that smile.

There's a blog called The Best Brain Possible with Debbie Hampton that talks about the proven benefits of a smile; how a simple smile can benefit your brain and your body.  Don't believe it?  check it out.  Let me know in the comments below what you think after reading this.  Are you going to keep smiling?  I am, and if I smile at you, smile back!

How A Simple Smile Benefits Your Brain and Body

Wednesday's Words of the Week!

Hey Ya’ll!  Queen She known as Me here with three Wednesday Words of the Week.  Things like Spring Break and unexpected life events have happened, as they are supposed to, and I’ve gotten a bit behind.  Like I stated earlier in the year, I’m gonna learn these words!  All 52 of em! So sit tight, hold on and take a look at my list of “learn em” words for this week.

Fortitude

for·ti·tude

noun

courage in pain or adversity.

synonyms: courage, bravery, strength of mind, strength of character

Gallivant

gal·li·vant

verb

go around from one place to another in the pursuit of pleasure or entertainment.

synonyms: flit, jaunt, run, roam, wonder, travel

Guise

guise

noun

an external form, appearance, or manner of presentation, typically concealing the true nature of something.

synonyms: likeness, external appearance

definitions from www.google.com

What I Love Doing on a Friday Night

"But I'm gonna [ you know the rest] cause it's Friday, you ain't got no job and you ain't got shit to do."-Smokey from Friday

Hey Diva's and Gents, it Queen She known as Me here and I want to let you know what I love doing on a Friday night.  Let me mention it's definitely not what Smokey had in mind for Craig in the movie Friday, but there are some things that I like and look forward to doing and they are:

1. If I have no plans, cook a Friday night meal; fish and hush puppies, love it.

2. Pop a cork on a bottle of wine. 

3. UBER out to my neighborhood Mexican restaurant-Huey Luey's Mexican Kitchen & Margarita Bar, no need to explain why I like to UBER here!

4. Bubble bath, and mini spa time.  Do a facial, pedicure, and some tub relaxation

5. Binge watch my favorite shows

These are just a few of my favs to do on Friday's, what's yours?  drop me some ideas down below, inspire me!