Category: Blogs

  • Writer’s Block…obstacle: Self

                       “Fear must not be a greater champion of your dreams than you are.” ~A. MichelleConfident

    I have a tendency to put things off, not necessarily a procrastinator but “I will do it later; “I need to be in the mood,” type of person. My writing desk has everything on it and in it for “my to do later.”  Does any of it include writing? Nooo.  Magazines I promised to read, recipes I will try later, bills and more envelopes of bills, books I need to read, encouragement cards I received paperclip w/their envelopes because I self-promised to write the sender a thank you, later….. yet, I only send a text. Smh/smiling.

    This morning I clean off that desk, I organize, I shred, I empty; I actually trash the unnecessary! I keep the unread Cosmo magazines, lol. Although my sex life is null and void my want to have it is not negated, in addition I think I have forgotten how. (Laughing) Yet, “38 Hot Sex Tricks,” and “Crazy Hot Sex Moves He’ll think about all year long” these article titles caught my eye…there was something about exercise moves for a flat belly.  But let’s be realistic my opportunities of achieving a flat belly are pretty much over. My goal list includes lose back fat and find a sex life (with a monogamous, sane male, within my age range, employed, self-motivated, intelligent, etc.)!  Keeping Cosmo could possibly be a plus, one just never knows.

    Once cleaned and organized, I count how many writing idea books, writing journals I have accumulated. There are six and one completed stage play. I sit back and look at my work.  I should feel proud but I feel a sense of shamefulness. I’ve let myself down…that sweet, innocent, naïve 16 year old girl who was so full of letting her writing lead her, make her, empower her and encourage others is very disappointed in Self. I pause, taking moments to remember her and I begin to smile. I remember Her! Through it all, the momentous, the painful, the good, the bad, the ugly, because of/ in spite of Life…..twenty-nine years later and I can still remember her.

    During moments in our lives we tend to take the backseat on our talents, our gifts. Dating, marriage, children, family becomes our focus. Do to my own fear, I truly held the belief that my ex-husband should have the chance to become stabilized in his career, his wants first. Once he/she is gone, then the focus becomes the children—we want better for them; once again we compromise—push for that non-fulfilling job for stability and financial reasons.  Overcoming is a requirement of life, yet if not adequately carried out it can begin the shift of forgetting Self. Our worlds can be turned upside down when we want more for another than we do for ourselves.

    We are in charge of Self— no one, no want, no sacrifice should cost you Self. So I will continue to do more for me, much more than regretting. Remember, acknowledge, smile and move forward to grasp ahold to what you already know. God just doesn’t dilly out uniqueness for you to shut it down. 🙂

    You are amazing!

    ~A. Michelle

    P.S. I still haven’t read the Cosmopolitan articles. I will do it later. 🙂

  • Love on Top!

    If you limit your choices only to what seems possible or reasonable,
    you disconnect yourself from what you truly want,
    and all that is left is a compromise. –Robert Fritz
    2014-11-09 19.13.18
    It is easy to fall into the resolve of not dating, to be alone. The choices are very limited due to a person’s perception of you and what they too want for their life. If you remove all the circumstantial propaganda and be truly honest; finding love or waiting for love to find you takes greater skills than internet dating, one night stands, club “hoping” (not a typo), Facebooking,  other social media quickies, friends with benefits and blind dates.
     
    The difficulty in the remaining alone phase is that you can be easily deterred. Your ability to see more of your wish list rather an actual reality happens quite a lot. I haven’t ever been so independent that I don’t want a man nor so needy that I lose my own identity in trying to get one. I think you have to develop an even balance of wanting and waiting. (That comes with time.)
     
    I have this amazing son, the youngest one, my Brutus. He has the sweetest going-to- be- an- awesome-Man characteristic of any child I know. His father walked out before Brutus was 12 months old, before potty training, before learning to tie his shoe. Brutus has two older brothers, Damien and Darius. They have moved out of the home and are doing well.  So there hasn’t been a man around for him to watch, to observe. Before you get all mushy and what not, read.
    Sunday, our pastor called all to the altar for a unity prayer. Pastor stated, “Bring your pocketbooks.” The whole Church chuckled. The same hand I am holding Bru’s hand with holds my pocketbook. As we are praying he grabs it and whispers, “I’ll hold this for you.”
     
    After Church, we are shopping and the rain begins to pour heavily as we are leaving. We dash it and Brutus runs to open my car door first before getting in the back seat. I wanted so much to pick him up and squeeze him so tight. He just melts my heart. Oh and it so what I need…to be appreciated, to be shown chivalry. His genuine acts of love combat the inopportune thoughts of settling, the doubts of not being enough, and the wonder of being too much.
     
    I have no idea why, how, nor who he gets this from but I am in absolute awe of how God works. Brutus is eight years old. I don’t know what I have done to be blessed with my little fella. When Damien and Darius were younger they did not do these things for me. Yet, I didn’t miss it nor did I realize I was missing something.
     
    As a mother of three sons and one daughter, a grad student, a fulltime employee, a volunteer, a friend, a sister and now new blogger; Life can be quite cumbersome, unexpected, challenging, unyielding, amazing….. Most days I am left wondering why and what for. One more tidbit: when I am worried, lost in thought, cooking, being a mom he will give me a kiss, a hug without prompting. Asleep, way in the wee hours of the night  when he refuses to sleep alone my Brutus still slides his hand across my belly and holds me just so. I smile, peacefully.
     
    I know everyone doesn’t have a Brutus but you are blessed…..just take the time to find it and you work from there.  Faith it the right way, your way. No pressure.
     
    You are amazing; Continue!  
     
    ~A. Michelle
     
                                                           Proven throughout time without reprove…..Love gives. ~A. Michelle
  • When I write….

    A. Michelle

    So, I am doing this….blogging! I am ecstatic, leery, scared, apprehensive, protective and very sensitive when it comes to sharing, yes even with writing.

    We can pick and choose the amount of “stuff” we want to reveal to others. Yet, I think writing reveals more than surface, more than black and white….. depending on the reader–what you receive is what makes you;  the reader, the writer unique.

    So bread my butter, like my posts, comment, encourage me to do more. I only ask that you read and enjoy. As well as smile, chuckle, laugh, agree, disagree (without hurting my feelings.) be generous, love and be loving.

    My blogs are my experiences, my take on what is happening in my life. At times my special moments will have you laughing out loud or reflecting with a “Wow.” (I hope so.)

    I love to write— writing since my teens. I didn’t really want to blog, it seemed like a great undertaking with all that I have to do.  I asked my oldest his opinion of creating a personal website versus blogging to share my short stories. I know he was shaking his head as he text, “That is blogging Ma. You should do it.” He is 25 years old. My Damien, my genius.

    My Autumn states, “I think writing will free you.” She is 11 years old. Pretty smart kid.

    I have two other little people who call me Ma, Darius, 22 years old and Brutus, 8. They each make my world what it is at this moment….extraordinary!

    I appreciate you Trish Jones, Paulette, Trena B! and my sister Keyna for pushing me, laughing with me and encouraging me to reveal my “Me” to the world. Kisses!

    You are amazing,

    A. Michelle!