I absolutely love this song and wish MAGIC for everyone, everyday….AMEN.

In light of current events both personally and on the greater global stage, I find it increasingly difficult for me to approach my everyday existence in a positive manner. The onslaught of national and international news that is almost always negative can really affect my outlook on life. As such, I have been in pursuit of a new perception of the tumultuous happenings across our globe . Quite recently I found a solution. Instead of seeing things as catastrophic, I choose to see that we are changing and growing. Like breaking in brand new shoes, the process can be painful and harsh.

We, world citizens, can no longer walk through life with blinders thinking everything is working in our governing systems. We are being forced to see the resulting perversion of our founding ideals in favor of corporations and religious fundamentalists who ultimately do not consider the needs of populations as important as their agendas. We are being forced to deal with the hoarding of wealth, religious intolerance, institutional limitations on individual freedoms based on gender and sexual orientation.  There is a systematic breakdown requiring us to re-examine who we are as humans and which is taking millions prisoner with poverty and ignorance.

I know it is hard to be grateful for this devastatingly difficult period, but I am overjoyed. Not necessarily for the difficulties we are facing personally and as a global community, rather for the opportunity to grow and evolve. Many people’s fundamental beliefs surrounding wealth and freedom have been shaken. We have gotten to a point in our evolution where we are better able to contemplate not just ourselves but others. We have yet again, another opportunity to define who we are through our governments. What makes this time around so interesting and intense is technology. It has allowed us to see first hand and in real time the plights, failures and success of other nations. We learn second hand what the consequences are of specific decisions. The global classroom is in and we are being forced to learn in trimesters rather than semesters. While many desperately cling to ideals from a long gone era, many still are rising from their slumber. And that is a good thing.

Once you are exposed to a new truth it is impossible to return to the limiting belief you had before. You know too much. The number of different protests around the world and the myriad of different causes illustrate an awakening and a willingness to stand for us. Peacefully at times and with forces others.

I can’t wait to see the result of current non-linear thinking in terms of: government power, gender and sexual orientation civil rights, religious tolerance,  and living standards for “the average person.” Who said 2012 wasn’t going to be a transformational year?

I am so impressed with the energy and persistence I have witnessed in New York City recently. This is what I am talking about! This is the America I romanticize about in my head. A place where people are empowered to speak their minds.

While there have been a ton of videos showing police brutally beating protestors and spraying pepper spray on large and small groups, I have also witnessed a sense of community and growth. The fact that this protest began without clear goals is amazing. Major media outlets did their best to ignore the protest with many national television programs not mentioning it until day 17 of the protest. Today the White House was asked about the President’s awareness of Occupy Wall St. and if he was concerned for the protesters or the protest! But what has me really impressed is the first official statement from Occupy Wall Street. Not so much because it encompasses everything I believe in, rather because it was created during a protest, discussed and and voted on by participating demonstrators. The synergy that is enveloping this process of dissent is amazing wonderful and I feel privileged to be a witness.

As a single mother sometimes I find myself depleted. I give so much of myself and while being a mother is it’s own reward, sometimes I could stand little more reciprocity. interactions with friends are usually super affirming but I have little time for friends and the T.V. is never a replacement for rewarding interaction. So I have been thinking of simple inexpensive and meaningful ways to replenish myself.

One way I can give myself the attention I need with very little effort is a special Gratitude Journal where I least at least 7 aspects about myself that I really enjoy. I do not list things I have purchased, rather accomplishments that benefited ME and natural things about my body and/or personality. I don’t always get a chance to do this but when I really feel depleted, I give myself five straight days of this exercise and usually will notice a boost in me feeling even better. Does anybody else have any quick self-esteem boosts they would like to share?

I found this video and was floored by Ms.Kitt’s analysis of relationships and love.

I admire her wisdom and find her unabashed candor amazing.

When I grow up, I want to be as WISE and beautiful as Eartha Kitt.

The folks over at Shabby Apple do a wonderful job of keeping women dressed fantastically. They offer beautiful and comfortable dresses for women of almost every size, style advice and a fit guide. I really liked the “Shop By Body Type” section. I answered three questions and I was accurately presented with my body type and given a host of great dresses that would flatter my shape. Their latest collection, The Silk Road, is fabulous and contains my favorite dress. Which brings me around to my whole point of this post. GIVEAWAY!

Yes, I am hosting a dress giveaway for Shabby Apple. Here are the SEVEN options, one winner gets to choose from. Yes, you get choices!

Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 Option 4 Option 5 Option 6 Option 7

Three Ways to Enter:

1) Leave me a comment telling me which dress you would like for yourself, wife, girlfriend, momma, sister,  auntie, etc.

2) Follow Shabby Apple on Twitter (leave a comment saying you did so)

3) Tweet  about this giveaway  (leave a comment saying you did so and you can Tweet once a day!)

i.e.  Adiaha.com DRESS giveaway, 7 options from ShabbyApple Enter for yourself, your momma, wife, sista, lover, friend……..http://bit.ly/au5fl5

Good Luck! The winner will be randomly chosen October 20, 2010, by the corresponding comment number using RANDOM.org. The chosen item will be shipped from Shabby Apple directly and the contest is open to US residents only.

Iyanla Vanzant is like a mother to me. Through her writings and public speakings, she builds me up and I feel stronger. She is my hero for so many different reasons. Mostly because she seems so self-made and fearless. On my healing journey, she factors in big time. I thought that is she resonates with me she may resonate with you all too. Peace.

I have been really enjoying this young woman’s voice. Ari has really captured my imagination. Angels walk on the earth and we all have different jobs. I feel empowered to continue my work when I hear Ari, doing hers.

In Love by arilourdes Thankful 4 by arilourdes (goddess child) Smile by arilourdes

A Beautiful Playtex Over the Shoulder Boulder Holder

Playtex is sponsoring a bra makeover and while most times I am too lazy to enter these contest where you have to blog first, I know I need a bra makeover. Without any further ado, please enjoy my entry detailing my bra fit problems to win a bra makeover from Playtex. DON’T LAUGH!

I am a nursing mother and my bras don’t fit any more. They are all stretched out and I spill out. I have the dreaded little spillage thing at the top pf my bra quite often. When I was younger I used to laugh at women and girls who had that and now, I am that woman.My breast bounce and spill all day long and I am often times adjusting them in public. I t seems that the girls have a mind of their own and just do whatever, whenever. I really don’t like the way they look lately.

I have always had a love hate relationship with my bras. I love my breast to look great in them but actually hate having to buy them. Each brand fits differently and then you must figure out which styles look good on you too! I hate underwire bras, but they do make your girls hang better so I tolerate them. I absolutely hate when the wire decides to come through the material.The process of finding sexy looking bras they fit well and don’t hurt is exhausting and overwhelming. The thought of going to into a department store to look at the many different styles colors and  bras floors me. I prefer to have skin colored bras for every day use (I like a little color for those intimate encounters with my man) but it is so hard to find just the right bra that also comes in my skin tone too.

I would love to have a bra makeover by Playtex. I’d love to be happy with my girls and the over the shoulder boulder holder that keeps them in line. If I could look like the model in the pic in my new Playtex bra then that would be INCREDIBLE! Thanks or your consideration!

DISCLOSURE: By posting this information, I am entered into a contest to win a free bra from Playtex. I did not receive any compensation for this post and thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.