You might not know this yet, but I'm a huge Michael Franks fan and I've been waiting for him to grace me with more and more of his music.  Here's the lead track, 'Now that the Summer's Here', from his upcoming cd , 'Time Together,' to be released on June 14th.  Enjoy!

Miami Heat or Dallas Mavericks?

The 2011 N.B.A. Finals present a battle of quantity vs. quality and an exposition on whether the entirety of a team’s talent is more effective divided among many or concentrated in a core.

Read more http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/sportingscene/2011/05/the-wing-is-king-why-the-heat-will-win.html#ixzz1Nx4Enrni

At age 74, will you look as good as Ernestine Shepherd, the oldest competitive female bodybuilder?

Okay ladies (and gentlemen)..No more excuses! Ernestine is 74 years old and she is ripped! She is a Dorothy Dandridge beauty, a knockout. Her makeup is perfect, lips painted candy red to match her workout clothes. She has thick, black eyelashes and wears her hair in a long, gray braid that swings down her superbly sculpted back.

See complete story here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/six-pack-abs-at-age-74-age-is-nothing-but-a-number-says-guinness-world-records-oldest-competitive-female-bodybuilder/2011/03/16/AG5lGvCH_story.html

Honoring and Remembering those who have served and sacrificed!

Brenda's "backyard beauty"

Another Beauty

yfrog Photo : http://yfrog.com/gy5b5ixj Shared by Bren411

As we celebrate Memorial Day, get some insight on the Forerunners of the Buffalo Soldiers and other Troops who served our country

The United States Colored Troops (USCT) were regiments of the United States Army during the American Civil War that were composed ofAfrican American ("colored") soldiers. By the end of the Civil War, the 175 regiments of the USCT constituted approximately one-tenth of the Union Army. The men of the USCT were the forerunners of the famous Buffalo Soldiers.
Article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Colored_Troops

Celebrating Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. Service Members who died while in the military service.^[1] First enacted by formerly enslaved African-Americans ^[2] to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War – it was extended after World War I to honor Americans who have died in all wars.

Memorial Day often marks the start of the summer vacation season, and Labor Day ends it.

Read entire article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_Day

YouTube - Elision Jazz @ 2011 Atlanta Jazz Fest

YouTube - Elision Jazz @ 2011 Atlanta Jazz Fest

The Most Important Race In History

So, the most important race in history is today (The Indianapolis 500) and my son assumed that I would know this. Hmmm...well, I am flattered that I'm still ranked pretty high on the Sports pedestal with him, but I think I blew it this morning.  As we  prepared for breakfast, he breezes into the kitchen, hugs me, smiles and asks, "Are you ready?"....and that's when the silent screech occurred..... I opened my mouth and out tumbled the words..."So, what position is Jeff Gordon starting in?" You guessed it......that's the same look he gave me....so, I missed it and possibly lost a few points in that category with him.....So, I'll enjoy the previews, the singing of the National Anthem and try to stay updated, and lastly....root for Danica Patrick.....You Go Girl! I will be enjoying some great Jazz today, so get out and enjoy another beautiful Sunday.
News for Indianapolis 500: http://www.sbnation.com/2011/5/29/2193606/2011-indianapolis-500-preview-drivers-starting-grid-schedule

Gil Scott-Heron, poet and musician has died

Gil Scott-Heron died Friday afternoon in New York, his book publisher reported. He was 62. The influential poet and musician is often credited with being one of the progenitors of hip-hop, and is best known for the spoken-word piece "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised."http://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2011/05/27/136731274/gil-scott-heron-poet-and-musician-has-died

It's Not too late to Begin Again

- Come on, admit it....those New Year's resolutions are long forgotten.....you went to the gym the first two weeks, you picked the milkshakes back up and you starting smoking again. When we find ourselves in situations where we fail to be all that God calls us to be, or all that we desire for ourselves, God offers us forgiveness. What if we were to tenderly show mercy and grace to ourselves and to each other each time we failed to live up to our resolutions of who we should be and what we should do? Ultimately, God calls us to live healthy and whole lives because this life is God's gift to us.
What other gift could one imagine giving God? They could think of giving nothing but the best. Should we not do the same? What if God's gift to us is this life and what if this life is the very gift we give back to God? What better gift could we give? And so we are called to live into our best selves because this is the gift God has given us, and because it is the gift we give back in return. We are God's gift to the world. What an epiphany — our lives are the gifts! The greatest gifts imaginable!

So, if our lives are a gift given by God and "re-gifted" by us to God, perhaps we can resolve to make these gifts the very best they can be: holy, healthy, hopeful, happy, whole, merciful, faithful, dedicated, loved and loving, forgiven and forgiving, comforted and comforting, given and received. Resolutions are broken all the time, but perhaps this time, we will choose instead to forgive and begin again.

This is your year, and it begins today. Live this gift to its fullest.

Remember, it's Not Too late to Begin Again.....whatever the beginning is for YOU:)!

So long, for now.....Thank You Oprah!

So, after 25 long years of inspiration, teaching and information, Oprah signs off the air.  I must admit, that she has introduced beginnings to my life that have literally saved my being....my absolute center, outside of my strong Faith.  She has introduced souls who have allowed me to come closer to my authentic self and to explore far deeper than I had the tools at the time to recognize and for that, I applaud Oprah.  She has allowed me to be conscious in my moments and to be literal in my gratitude.  I've opened books that I might not have ever known about, had it not been for her guests and their introductions of their work.  Today, Oprah, I salute you and Thank You for all that you have been to millions around the globe....for all that you brought into my life......May God continue to bless your efforts in your next endeavors on your life's journey.

Up to the minute blog reports on Oprah's last show

http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2011/05/25/oprah-winfreys-final-show-the-live-blog/

7 'healthy' foods that are making you fat

Splenda can make you want to overeat, and some high-fiber cereals are loaded with sugar http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/43142931/ns/today-today_health/

So......Enough Already

So, for those of (us) who didn't get 'caught-up' in the rapture.....LOL.....this is one of the most hilarious topics for me, because, what's most disturbing isn't the ridiculous prediction by this fanatical pastor, but the multitudes who are standing by his constant date changes......Okay people, yes, the world will end, as it ends each and every single day for hundreds of thousands of individuals, but nobody knows the date nor the hour. Your world ends when you cease to exist, so Quit selling your stuff and confessing and cheating and lying and stealing, because Tomorrow.....just might come for you, so .....uh.....Enough Already.

Atlanta Company Uses Hydroponics to Grow Food

Atlanta Company Uses Hydroponics to Grow Food

Keep self-talk on speed dial

There are days when you run into challenges and you actually feel that you simply can't accomplish the task.  Those are the days when you must muster up enough strength to be reminded of what the truth actually is.  You are setting out to engage in tasks which you were created for and you shouldn't allow doubt and naysayers to distract you on your journey.  Keep moving forward and remember what you're made of.  Don't forget about your strength, beauty, tenacity, etc., blah, blah, blah....(smile) --- If you don't have the confidence on perpetual 'lock-down', then take this quotation with you and memorize it and whenever it's needed, keep it on speed dial. Now get out there and Win, Win, Win!

"I am not afraid.....I was born to do this." - Joan of Arc

"New money is always trying to make it rain - old money is always preparing for a rainy day." Dr. Farrah Gray

I'll never go on my own; I'll never go alone; Only if God says Yes

Today I will honor all of my relations

Spiritually, we are all family.  We are mother, father, brother, sister and children of one another. As spiritual family, we are inseparable.  We all breathe the same air that is connected to the same Source; we are all connected to the same Source by the rhythm of breath.  Just like a family, we will have our differences, yet we can be different and still be a family.  Just like a family, we will have our rebels and outcasts, but we must still include them in the family circle.  Just as a family sits and eats together, we must make certain that there is enough for everyone.  Just as a family comes together and shares, we must stop holding back and taking away from the family.  Blood may be thicker than water, but it is the water of life that will keep us connected. As we learn to see each other through our spiritual eyes, the physical differences will cease to matter.

When we learn to honor the differences and appreciate the mix, we're in harmony.

To Love and Be Loved

Most people wander through life not knowing what their purpose is or how to even identify their gifts.  Some will chase success, which they define by their bank accounts, what's in the driveway, the number of bedrooms in their homes, etc., but when we truly discover that our purpose on this journey is to love one another through whatever medium that might be....For you, it might be loving through your ability to teach or sing, dance, inspire, cook, clean, write....whatever that function/medium of extending love to another is......that is the rooted purpose for our learning on this journey.  Everyone is struggling with something and believe it or not....Love solves whatever the challenge might be.  Return to the place from whence we were all created......that is a place of LOVE. May we all Return to Love!  -BG

"You are here to love and be loved, and the soul in its native intelligence knows this. Accept the magnitude of your function, and your reignited spiritual intelligence will spark your body’s intelligence as well. As your mind remembers its natural function, the cells of your body will remember theirs. You will no longer be at the effect of your compulsion. You will become a master at living your life."  - Marianne Williamson

Live out your BE-ing - You ARE your dream!

Move in the direction that your heart/passion is calling you to. Keep moving - You'll be amazed at how the universe supports you with all of the needed resources. God doesn't call the 'equipped'...he equips the 'called.'

(If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours. - Henry David Thoreau)

Share

Sharing always makes you bigger than you are. Have you noticed generational sharing that creates a lasting legacy? What parts of your being are you sharing today? Who gets to remember something about you? What will live on about you? Do you have a gift or a talent that you can share with the world? Is there a story bottled up inside of you that you haven't penned just yet?
Are you proficient in a sport and you have time to volunteer with a youth group? Perhaps you're a great cook, but nobody gets to sample your goodies except your family.  Why not volunteer or donate to a homeless shelter.  The opportunities are endless.  How you can make YOU live on in someone else's life? Today is a great day to share what you have to offer, in order that someone else might be blessed by your journey.  Be Bigger than you are.......Share and Multiply your  being.......Today is great day to get started!

What's on your mind?

When we have guilt, self-criticism, and remorse or find ourselves dwelling on past issues, we are in psychological time. To see how much we get caught up in this practice, we must learn to slow down, breathe, and focus our awareness on the present moment. Noticing our thoughts, judgments, and evaluations allows us to see how firmly the past and future have a grip on us. It takes us away from the freedom to make choices and take action in and from the present. We begin to see how much we derive a sense of our "self" from the constant stream of thoughts that cross the window of our mind. Therefore, this process of forgiveness, if addressed with any real depth, takes us to the question of, "Who are we really?" Are we the body, the mind, our judgments, evaluations, and assessments? These essential questions help us focus on what is important in our lives and work.

"You derive your sense of self from the content and activity of your mind. Because you believe that you would cease to be if you stopped thinking." Eckhart Tolle

Freedom Riders.....watch tonight on PBS (check local listings)

The story behind a courageous band of civil rights activists called Freedom Riders who in 1961 challenged segregation in the American South.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/freedomriders/

Choice is a function of awareness

Our attitudes determine the quality of our perceptions. Since we think, feel, act, and process information based not on reality, but rather on our perception of reality, in a world of multiple realities, it is essential to examine our own attitudes or mind set. As we do this, we find we are always confronted with a choice to either react, based on our history, expectations, and past perceptions, or we can make a conscious decision to generate a response in the moment, based on our values and commitments. We must be present to our own thoughts, feelings, and sensations to make conscious choices.

 "The last of man's freedoms is the freedom to choose his attitude under any given circumstance." - Viktor Frankle

The Key to Success

With your hands you make your success; with your hands you destroy success. --Yoruba proverb

     The key to success is not what you do, it is how you feel about what you are doing.  It is possible to take a simple idea and create a huge success.  We think people who accomplish this work hard or have others to support them.  We believe they are smarter, richer or in some way more endowed than we are.  What we cannot see and do not measure is people's attitudes about what they do.  Success begins with a positive attitude, which is the most valuable asset we may own.  The people at the top did not fall there.  They were willing to do whatever it took, taking the ups and the downs, asking for what they really wanted and staying focused until they got it.  Success is not bought or inherited.  It is a product of what we put out.  Success begins with a good feeling about where we are and a positive attitude about where we want to be.

My success is worth the effort of a positive mind and a genuine smile. Whatever you may find yourself tasked to do today or tomorrow, feel good about what you're doing.........Put love in all that you do, for it will translate to those who will be in receipt of the gift that you share.

Cradle of movement hosts MLB's Civil Rights game

ATLANTA (AP) — Major League Baseball is coming to the home of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. to pay tribute to those whose life's work embodies the spirit of the Civil Rights movement.....(see full story below)

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gR4hc1FrCOWqRUK4eopCYxRfEt9Q?docId=52e0b3f919f64415a227630b63244c52

Don't forget to laugh!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/11/21-reasons-may-21-not-end-of-world_n_860747.html#s277570&title=21_Our_Milk

Why waste your time worrying?

If your problem has a solution then...why worry about it? If your problem doesn’t have a solution then...why worry about it? - Chinese proverb

Spirit works on a full-time basis.

Life requires that we spend parts of our time doing certain things.  We work sometimes, go to school at times; we are children or parents and friends part-time.  The one area of life that cannot be addressed on a part-time basis is the spiritual life.  To be a part-time Christian, Buddhist, Muslim or anything else results in "a house divided against itself," which cannot stand.  The spiritual house is the mind and it requires constant care.  Spiritual conviction is the manner in which the house is run.  When you have a spiritual conviction, it will serve you in all situations, all day, every day, in every way.  The same spirit that guides your family life must also run your social life.  If you turn to spirit for financial guidance, you must also ask for professional guidance.  If you let spirit pick your friends, you must trust it to pick your mate.  Part-time spirituality creates inner turmoil, in-decision, confusion and stagnation.  Once we let spirit take over full time, we will find life is more enjoyable and peaceful than we ever thought possible.

I let go and let spirit guide me every day in every way.

Atlanta set for big Civil Rights Game this Weekend

A trio of African-American stars -- Ryan Howard, Jason Heyward and Jimmy Rollins -- will play in Sunday's Civil Rights Game to honor Jackie Robinson and other civil rights heroes.

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/civil_rights_game/y2011/index.jsp

Balance in life is needed!

Happy Tuesday! Most of us tend to feed only one area of our lives and allow other crucial aspects to suffer.  We must find ways to nurture and feed every aspect of our being, in order to be healthy and fulfilled.  We are more than just physical, so don't just concentrate on having a strong body. We also need to nurture the spiritual longings of our true essence. We must feed our intellect for mental strength and our emotional well being must be healthy, in order to feel hopeful, alive and confident about our lives in general.  Today is a good day to be conscious of each room in your house....visit every area of your being, so that you might journey in balance.

 Everyone is a house with four rooms, a physical, a mental, an emotional and a spiritual. Most of us tend to live in one room most of the time, but unless we go into every room, every day, even if only to keep it aired, we are not a complete person. - Indian Proverb

Sing your own song!

A bird does not sing because it has an answer; it sings because it has a song. - Chinese Proverb

Are you operating in your true purpose/natural abilities? Are you losing track of time when you're engaged in those activites? "Don't you think it's about time you stopped following someone else's script for your life and just revert back to your childhood.  Why don't you just lose the handrails and go back to the place where you were when you lost track of time while engaged in a particular activity.  Remember when nobody had to remind you to complete a task, finish rehearsing, etc., blah, blah, blah.....that's the zone you should return to. 

Think about it......No, seriously, I'm waiting....go to the place where it appears effortless. There is no struggle, you aren't extremely nervous......You're actually excited. You can't sleep at night and you can't wait to do it again and again and again. 

You came preprogrammed for specific tasks that you're simply really good at.  These are your natural gifts, talents and abilities, that you should be proud to share with the world.  We won't get to experience it, unless you unleash.....So, what are you waiting for?  It doesn't mean it's something grandiose that needs to be displayed on a stage, theatre or even in a book....but it's something that you should not miss out experiencing. 

Life is short, so ........Sing Your Own Song!

Happy Mother's Day!

May the blessing of the Divine
Be an especially bright benediction 
Upon mothers everywhere
On your blessed day - 
On Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day...Celebrate Your Mom Today!

This is cute and funny!

Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.

The world is a mysterious place full of troubles, obstacles, challenges, hard times, ghettos and those without, but we must also take time to think of the success stories that the world has produced as well. It is a little known fact that a lot of millionaires were not even college graduates, some not even high school graduates. Sam Walton grew up in middle class America and grew his chain of stores into a billion dollar chain, of what we now call Wal-Mart. Chris Gardner, a man with no home, no wife and a kid to take care of at the age of 26, is now a successful entrepreneur and motivational speaker, who had a movie made after his life story, named the Pursuit of Happyness. This world can be cold and cruel if you let it, but if you just look at every obstacle as a new challenge that you are more than able to overcome, your suffering will be minimal, and your rewards will be great!

It's a New Day to "Begin"

It's a new day and a great day.  This just might the day that you decide to go down that long list that you haven't scratched much from and start tackling what you can actually get done right now.  You don't need to continue waiting for "perfect conditions", because....newsflash: there are NO such conditions....just time, space and opportunity for you to press forward.
Today is a good day to simply Begin! Once you start, you'll be surpised at the momentum, the confidence and the resources that will start to appear to support your decision and your willingness to "Begin"......May you have a beautiful day starting something new and journeying to the finish with pride, joy and much appreciation.  It's a New Day to Begin!

Something to think about

A friend who is far away is sometimes much nearer than one who is at hand. Is not the mountain far more awe-inspiring and more clearly visible to one passing through the valley than to those who inhabit the mountain?  Kahlil Gibran

Daily Reminder

If indeed you must be candid, be candid beautifully. - Kahlil Gibran

Do the Hard Work

Don’t avoid the hard work. That’s where the greatest value is created.
Don’t be afraid of the difficult, complicated, challenging tasks. Once you get past the fear, you’re already past the most difficult aspect.
Relish the opportunity to do the hard work. For it is an opportunity to experience yourself being fully alive and effective.
Find real enjoyment and satisfaction in doing the difficult work. Get yourself hooked on how good it feels to make a meaningful positive difference.
It’s often assumed that hard work is best avoided. Yet when you avoid hard work, you cheat yourself out of the joy of accomplishment.
Seek out the hard work and you’ll find it’s not bad at all. Do the hard work, and transform each day, each moment and each effort into great value.
— Ralph Marston


Read more: http://greatday.com/motivate/110504.html#ixzz1LOhxfDgj

You Achieve

Every day, you are achieving something. With every moment, every action, every word, gesture, thought and feeling, you exert influence on your world.
Everything you do is an achievement of some kind. The question is, where are those achievements taking you?
Are your constant achievements bringing you closer to the life you ultimately desire to live, or are they holding you back? Are your achievements satisfying and fulfilling, or are they just getting you through the day and passing the time?
With your attitude, your focus and your actions, you can choose your achievements. And by choosing your achievements, you are choosing the kind of life you experience.
Because you are so skilled at achievement, you have a grand opportunity available to you right now. Let yourself dream, and know that your very own abilities can enable you to reach that dream if you choose.
You are constantly achieving, so point those achievements in a joyous and meaningful direction. You achieve, so use those achievements to make your life the very best it can be.
— Ralph Marston


Read more: http://greatday.com/#ixzz1LIk6Ia2F