I Got You 'COVERED!'

Happy Motivational Monday, Love!

It's January 23 and this month is about to roll on out of here!

I thought it was time to introduce my 'word' of the year. At the beginning of 2022, I began a tradition of letting God lead me to a word that I would lean on or would sort of be my 'anthem' for the entire year. Last year, that word was 'Prepared!' This year, its 'Covered!' Last year, I stepped back into the classroom for the first time in 6 years! I taught 5th grade Writing. It was extremely difficult to teach my students during a pandemic. They had already been through so much with 2 or 3 teacher changes prior to my arrival. We had a blast! I was met with so much resistance at the beginning of 2022 but after awhile, my kiddos opened up to me. There were lots of discipline problems and they had a very difficult time trusting and opening up to me at our initial meeting. BUT God!!! I asked God to lead me and I prayed for him to cover my students. And he did just that! I was 'prepared' last year and this year, I am asking him to 'Cover' me while I embark on the journey of writing a memoir! At times, I am terrified. There is a new level of vulnerability and honesty that I have to have and there is so much that I want to highlight and talk about in my life. God and I are taking it one day at a time. I know that my testimony will change lives! 

I am leaning on the scripture, 'Isaiah 41:10'.. Fear not, for I am with you! I will strengthen you, I will help you. I will hold you up with my righteous hand!

My hope for sharing this with you is to let you know that, it is okay to be unsure of the unknown. We all have doubts at one point or another. But the objective, through God's love and protection, is not to stay doubtful! If at first you don't succeed, dust yourself off and try again! (Shout out to, Aaliyah!) I have had the idea of writing a memoir about my life for at least 10 years, and finally began writing in 2021! It is NEVER too late to go after your dream and change the trajectory of your life. You are not too much of anything. NOT too old, NOT too inexperienced, NOT too anything! It just takes faith and daily action! God has got you 'COVERED' love!

Time Stamp: 4:30AM 

Monday #041

The Soundtrack To My Life!

30 of my favorite songs that have helped me to transition from season to season in my life! I believe that everyone should have a soundtrack to their lives. Music is so healing! It has been my favorite way to cope with difficulties in my life. If you could choose 30, what would you choose?

Here are mine!

30. 8 Ball & MJG-'You Don't Want Drama'

29. Amerie-'Nothing Like Loving You'

28. Kelis-'Get Along With You'

27. Nas-'Summer On Smash'

26. Alex Isley-'Into Orbit'

25. Ryan Leslie-'Never Break Down'

24. Fabolous-'Breathe'

23. Coldplay-'O'

22. Hi-Tek-'Music for Life'

21. Brandy-'Focus'

20. Frank Ocean-'Swim Good'

19. Smashing Pumpkins-'1979'

18. Lupe Fiasco-'The Show Goes On'

17. Jeezy-'I'm Back'

16. Mazzy Star-'Fade Into You'

15. Beyonce-'Disappear'

14. Rihanna-'Yeah, I Said It'

13. Anita Baker-'Caught Up In The Rapture'

12. ASAP Ferg-'Dreams, Fairytales and Fantasies'

11. Yebba-'Louie Bag'

10. Smokie Norful-'I Need You Now'

09. Eric Bellinger + Kiki Sheard-'Counting My Blessings'

08. New Edition-'Can You Stand The Rain'

07. Forever Jones-'He Wants It All'

06. Smokie Norful-'Healing In His Tears'

05. Beyonce-'I Miss You'

04. Beyonce-'Me, Myself and I'

03. Amerie-'Swag Back'

02. Alex Isley-'Gone'

01. Coldplay-'Sparks'

Bonus #2: Fred Hammond-'He LIVES Remix'

Bonus #1: Michael Jackson-'Leave Me Alone'

The Tea 'Without' The Sugar! The ART of Growing Up.

WELCOME to my blog, 'Knetris, The Word Nerd!!'

I guess I should begin by saying, 'Happy New Year!' 2023 has officially arrived and I am SO excited! This is the 10th year that this blog has been on the scene. Myself and this platform have grown tremendously just in the past 2 years! It was actually deactivated from 2013 (which is when it was created) until 2020! I tested positive for COVID January of 2020 and after my healing I began writing again and have NEVER  looked back! God blessed me with the wonderful opportunity to write for 6 months as a Contributing Writer for SHEEN Magazine from October 2021-April 2022! Since then, I have been blessed to add to my resume an ongoing freelance writing position for Thought Catalog, Collective World, as well as DoingGoodTV! I am super happy with where my writing career is headed! I am so excited to announce that I have had the idea of writing a memoir about my life for the past 10 years and as of 2021, I AM WRITING IT!!!!! There are still lots of technical issues to work out, lots and lots of writing to be done but hopefully, I will be done before the end of 2023! As soon as more details become available, I will post them.

This week on my 'Motivational Monday' series, I would like to talk about growth! So, I used to have a very bad habit of driving to McDonald's and buying their sweet tea. It's $1.00 per cup. It's soo good! BUT not only does it leave the most horrible aftertaste but it is so bad for you. The sugar content is through the roof! I had a decision to make. I could continue putting the poison in my body, which was the tea that costed $1.00 OR I could find something else to drink. I started drinking more water. When I felt the urge to have something sweet, I started going to Panera Bread. Their sweet tea cost $3.50 but it was still tasty minus the aftertaste and all of the additional sugar. It cost more but in the long run, my body was healthier and I found that I didn't have to have it but only once or twice a month. Unlike McDonald's, I was going there EVERYDAY! Ugh!

The moral of my story is, we have to grow in life! Although we have choices, we will suffer tremendously if we choose to remain the same. I had to learn that even though the tea from McDonald's was delicious and cost less, it was ruining my health AND it was full of 'sugar!' The tea from Panera had less 'sugar' and allowed me to learn to not be addicted to comfort. That comfort zone is not home, it is a cage! It is amazing that today, I only want water! I made the choice to change my level of comfort and it has taken me to levels that I never thought I could reach so fast! It may be time for you to grow and step outside of your comfort zone! If that is you, I hope this post kickstarts your journey! Every 'Motivational Monday' I will be here helping you along the way!!

Have an amazing week, Love!

Mourning Sickness! Shedding The Old Version of Yourself For The New!

Personal growth means leaving your old self behind. In 2022, we refer to personal growth as 'leveling up!' In biblical terms, the new self is what God so desperately wants us to transform into. My own journey to my new self has been in the works for years. My parents have always encouraged my brothers, sisters and I to make mistakes, heal and grow in the areas that needed extra attention. It was not until I became an adult and started living on my own that I gained a sense of independence that would come with hardships and pain. In order to heal from the trauma that we all experience throughout life, we must find a way to acknowledge that it happened. We then have to take the necessary steps to work through, heal and be a light for the next person in pain. That is exactly what I want to do with my story and testimony. So many people are still hurting from things that happened to them years ago. Some people just cannot move past the pain. 

So, I would like to give you guys some tips on what I did to overcome the painful things I have been through in order to get to the new 'healed' version of myself! 

1. I pray without ceasing.

2. I seek out therapy.

3. I have had a consistent church home for about 6 years now.

4. I have walked into my calling.

5. I remain positive.

6. I speak life.

7. I take care of myself.

8. I eat a balanced diet.

9. I keep my mind fresh by reading and writing every single day.

10. I surround myself with people who love, cherish and want the absolute best for me.

11. I challenge myself.

12. I have as much FUN and LAUGH as much as I possibly can!

Is Decluttering Self Care?

Spring cleaning is a time where we go through our homes and clean from top to bottom. We get rid of the old and bring in the new new! But as I grow older, I find cleaning to be so therapeutic. Throughout my life, I have invested in many different forms of self care. I find that decluttering my spaces helps me to de-stress and improve my state of mind. I clean my surroundings every day. We live in an environment where just about everyone is stressed out about something. Life moves so much faster for all of us. At one point in time, not too long ago, I was SUPER messy. I did not take pride in the things that God gave me to take care of. At one of my old apartments in Virginia, I lived alone. I had so many bad habits! I would cook a meal for myself and not wash the dishes until the next day! Also, I would wash clothes, put them in the dryer and carry them from the dryer and plop them down on the floor. They would sit there for days. Such incredibly bad habits. Important pieces of mail and other significant documents were always lost and buried up under a pile of mess. There was some depression going on in my life during those times of neglect and poor self care. My self care habits have improved tremendously. I take excellent care of myself and my mental health now! My mental health is a priority now!

The Marie Kondo tidying method has become the blueprint for cleaning in today's society. Her minimalist style of getting rid of the clutter has taken a national platform. She has created a brand that everyone can relate to. Everyone knows what it is like to have too many of something. Although I have not really followed Marie Kondo until now, she inspires me to understand the correlation between my level of cleanliness and my mental health! They really go hand in hand. You cannot have one without the other. I remember watching a sermon from one of my favorite pastor's a few years ago when I was in the market for a new car. He said, '...why are you looking for a new car when you don't even take care of the one you have now!' That stuck with me! From then on, I began my cleanliness self care regimen. Cleaning your space can improve your concentration, attention, focus, happiness, lowers anxiety, and improves productivity!

How To 'Fall' In Love With Your Fall Wardrobe!

We gave the Summer some love and now it's Fall's turn!

Cool crisp air, pumpkin spice, apple cinnamon candles, Fall time changes, FOOTBALL AND soo much more to look forward to during this time of the year! We have endured the heat, summer vacation, back to school, AND numerous summer birthdays in my family. Fall arrives like the soft breeze that we never knew we needed. Fall also gives us all something very exciting to look forward to and that is Fall Fashion! Every year for fashion week, I follow Brooklyn based style icon and fashion influencer, Sai de Silva, watching her recount her experiences going to each show. She captures NYFW, Milan and Paris! Looking back at 2023 New York Fashion Week, I had my eye on things that would work as staple pieces in my closet. Here are 10 key pieces that every working woman should have in her wardrobe! They are all meant to be worn interchangeably and can all be dressed up or down. Since I moved to Nashville 2 years ago, some of these pieces were left in storage or got lost in translation and recently had to be replaced. So, without further ado, let's get into it!

1. A Blazer

A blazer can literally be worn with anything. I pair mine with jeans, slacks, joggers, shorts, skirts or a longer top with no bottoms at all. I have a black blazer and a deep pumpkin orange one that I wear in the Fall. I love a good blazer because it does a lot to complete a look! Their are oversized ones and ones that hug the shoulders just right. Blazers also transition well between seasons. They go from Fall to Winter with ease!

2. White Button Down Shirt

Again, a white button down shirt can complete any look. I like wearing mine with a pair of jeans or with a big oversized belt. A classic white button down works well with any color blazer too! I have a white, A-line button down that comes with an oversized red and white belt. I have only worn it once and that was to my parents' 50th wedding anniversary party. It was a hit for sure! Sexy and classy at the same time.

3. A Pair of Button-fly Boyfriend Jeans

Tis' the season for boyfriend jeans! They made their entrance several years ago and have been dressing women's curves ever since. I love a good pair of jeans. Boyfriend jeans are roomy, breathable and look good on every woman. I have hips and thighs and I was able to find a good pair at clothing store Maurice's last summer. They fit well but I have not worn them out yet. I guess I was waiting for a good dinner date to pull them out. They are also my first pair of button-fly jeans. They have the perfect amount of distressing and stretch. I like to wear mine with a good blazer, oversized white button up or hoodie, which is what I will be highlighting next!

4. Oversized Hoodie

I feel like it's so hard to find a really good oversized hoodie. I am a Brand Ambassador for a company called, Seek Jesus Co. Thank God for my discount because their hoodies can get pricey. They have a really good message and cause though! I have found that stores like Old Navy and The Gap have hoodies that are just as comfortable. A pair of boyfriend jeans and an oversized hoodie with some sneakers would make the perfect Fall outfit for a lunch date!

5. A Classic Jean Jacket

I found a good oversized jean jacket from Levis a few years ago. It is so cute. The BEST quality! I took it to my seamstress back in Virginia and she added studs to the pockets, along with letters on the back that spelled out P-E-A-C-E-M-A-K-E-R! It is currently in storage but it is practically vintage by now. A classic oversized jean jacket goes well with Everything in this post.

6. Vintage Leather Jacket

I have always been able to find dope leather jackets at thrift stores! The Goodwill specializes in old vintage leather. I bought a long, tan leather jacket there. I also have a rust colored one, as well as a black one that was also thrifted. Leather jackets have a way of  pulling a look together. 

7. Breathable Good Quality Flannel Shirt 

Again, I go to Old Navy or The Gap for my flannel shirts. Most recently, I found like 3 in one day at TJ Maxx. Really cute looks. A flannel shirt can be worn interchangeably with all of these Fall finds.

8. Leather High Waisted Skirt

I found THE cutest black faux leather high waisted skirt at TJ MAXX a few weeks ago. I have already worn it to church twice. I wore it with some black leather booties and a button down shirt. I am currently looking for some thigh high boots to wear with all of these items in this post. 

9. A Nude and/or Black Bodysuit

I LOVE a good bodysuit! They are slimming, sexy and necessary for every woman. I have 2 and I savor them both. They are affordable and go great with jeans, skirts and shorts. They just always pull a look together no matter what you are wearing on top of them. They also have a great way of shaping up the mid-section!

10. A Pair of Black or Brown Boots

Last but not least is a good pair of boots. I have a pair of black booties that have lasted for forever. I wear them to work, church, dinner and just about everywhere where I am walking a lot. Make sure they fit and are comfortable. Boots never go out of style. I even have had my eye on a sexy pair of thigh high boots as well! I am not telling you to break the bank but do make sure they are sturdy and can carry you from the Fall season into Winter.

Why Investing In Yourself Is The Best Thing You Could Ever Do!

'Believing and Investing in yourself is the best way to shift your thinking from a paradigm of excuses to one of solutions!'

If there is one thing I will bet on, it's myself!

Just being really transparent for a sec, but you can make great strides in your life when you are honest and real about things you need to change in order to go higher. As a result of being honest and real with myself, I have been rewarded with the gift of writing in my life. I absolutely love to write! It is more than a hobby. Storytelling is my calling! It's what I am good at and it's what I am most passionate about. I will write for free and if I never made a single dollar from it, my love for it will never change! THIS is where I want YOU to be in your life! Totally free to create and be YOUR biggest friend, cheerleader, asset and Brand Ambassador!

Just a few tips on how I got to this level in life, I made lots and lots of mistakes. Steve Harvey once said,

'You don't win by winning all of the time, you win by losing! The more you lose, the more you succeed.' 

The more you lose, the better problem solver you become. Massive success lies in solving problems. In order to keep losing, you have to keep practicing. Practice really does make perfect!

Tap into your individuality! NO one is You and that is Your Superpower! Your individual DNA is not shared by anyone on this planet. YOU are an original my love. 

Be willing to get uncomfortable to discover your gift! God has given everyone a gift! It is your job to figure out what that gift is and the clues lie within your journey in life!

Hold yourself Accountable and if you cannot, get around someone who can! Get and stay around individuals who are telling you the truth. I have family who I can trust to tell me when I'm falling off track. It is not always easy to hear the truth but it really will set you free. Connect with individuals who will love you enough to say what you need to hear and not what you want to hear!

'If your dreams don't scare you, they are too small.'