Travel and Lifestyle Blog
If you are like me, you value having a community of loving, wise, honest, and supportive people. As we navigate through life, our sense of community may change and evolve. Career placements and other life events can influence how we define and redefine community. I have meaningful friendships that were formed throughout various stages of… Continue reading Five Reasons Community is Important
Minimalism can be applied in various areas of our lives. Most people associate minimalism with having fewer material things. Foundationally, minimalism is a frame of mind. Setting healthy boundaries is a form of minimalism. It allows us to be free from chains and compromising our overall well-being. In order to set healthy boundaries effectively, we… Continue reading Set Healthy Boundaries
Family outings are fun and memorable but the associated expenses add up quickly. One way I save on our family outings is by purchasing annual memberships to local attractions. We have memberships to various attractions within metro Atlanta. The memberships' annual prices pay for themselves in two to three visits in most cases. Photo by… Continue reading How to Save on Family Outings
Merchants love to reward their loyal customers. You can count on receiving special promotions and gifts on your birth month from retailers. January is my birth month and I usually enjoy a ton of freebies all month long. From complimentary desserts at local restaurants or even complimentary meals altogether to free gadgets and services. Some… Continue reading How to Save Money During Your Birth Month
The holiday season brings symbolism of cheer and fellowship. For some, it is a tough time filled with sorrow, loneliness, and grief. My hope is that we give each other more compassion, grace, and love. Love is the reason for the season. May God's agape love warm your and your loved ones' hearts this season… Continue reading The Reason for the Season
It is common practice to measure ourselves against some of our peers, influencers, and leaders. It is unhealthy to constantly measure ourselves against other people. Theodore Roosevelt's proverb is powerful. Comparison is the thief of joy. It can be fruitless and we are left unhappy when we compare ourselves as a means to self-fulfillment. Comparison… Continue reading Comparison is the Thief of Joy | How to Lessen the Occurrences
I love the fall season! Georgia is absolutely stunning in the fall. Seeing the leaves change into their green, brown, and orange hues is breathtaking. Autumn starts the holiday season of the last quarter. Many of us enter robotic mode while planning dinner parties, annual family gatherings, and the like. The pandemic has slowed us… Continue reading Fall into Minimalism
It is great to have a nighttime routine. It can influence your sleep quality. Some people have routines that differ on weekdays than on weekends. Whatever works well for you is meaningful. The pandemic has awarded us more time for sleep and other activities. 10 Ways to Polish Your Nighttime Routine Pray/MeditateDrink some teaTry aromatherapyPlay… Continue reading 10 Ways to Polish Your Nighttime Routine
Great leadership qualities include the ability to influence others, show empathy, communicate effectively, delegate tasks, scout talent, among many others. There are also various types of leaders. Understanding what type of leader you are will forecast the amount of success you can achieve in the leadership role. One leadership style that can coexist with and… Continue reading The 11 Pillars of Servant Leadership
When asked how I view motherhood, I often reply that I feel it is the closest analogy to understanding how God loves me. Our beautiful toddler son, Judah, is an incredible child. He is jovial, smart and independent. Motherhood has brought me a great deal of joy, education and lifelong memories thus far. A few… Continue reading Motherhood is Alluring
Citing affirmations is a powerful way to manifest abundance in every area of our lives. Affirmations are insightful, empowering, and fruitful among other things. I enjoy saying my affirmations in the morning and throughout the day. It serves as a way to boost myself and set a productive tone for the day. Affirmations can be… Continue reading Twelve Powerful Daily Affirmations
As we close in on year 2020, we can all agree that we feel we either have had a lot of or not enough time. Time is a non-renewable resource. Many of us have realized that we need to maximize our time. Worldwide lock downs and curfews, unemployment, among many other disruptions have given us… Continue reading How to Maximize Your Time
The Four Agreements was written to serve as a practical guide for personal freedom. Author Don Miguel Ruiz shares the reasons why we are deprived of joy and unnecessary struggles and offers solutions to live by. Based on ancient Toltec wisdom, The Four Agreements is a transformative code of conduct that can bring us freedom,… Continue reading Inspiration from The Four Agreements
So much can be said about our likes and dislikes. We all have pet peeves. Pet peeves are annoyances, specific to an individual, that causes vexation. Sharing one's pet peeves can either be beneficial or vulnerably draining. Some people may seek to know what bothers you just to use those nuisances against you. Either way,… Continue reading My Pet Peeves
It is safe to say that most of us have picked up a new hobby or two during this pandemic. My husband and I have dabbled into gardening. We have a fruit, herb, and vegetable garden in our backyard. We are also preparing to plant some perennials, a few annuals, and a pygmy palm tree… Continue reading Five Ways to Delve into a New Hobby
I have been fortunate to be able to travel to various parts of the world. Traveling awakens many dormant areas in our imagination. It is liberating. It aids in self discovery. It is necessary. To date, I have uncovered 11 countries. Some of them, multiple times. I have been to Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, Africa, The… Continue reading Highlights of a World Traveler
Have you ever wondered how it feels to love like God? I sure have. I think the closest I can come to experiencing that type of love is the love I have for my baby. One positive thing this pandemic has done is given us more time. We have more time to think. Time to… Continue reading Agape Love: The Greatest Type of Love
There is constant debate over whether intellectual quotient (IQ) is more important than emotional quotient (EQ). They serve different purposes. They can be seen as skills you either have or you don't. In truth, both categories of intelligence can be nurtured. Someone's intellectual quotient measures their ability to perform well on standardized tests according to… Continue reading Intellectual Quotient Versus Emotional Quotient
It is important that we become strong and whole individuals for various reasons. It is also paramount that we have a healthy grip on our sense of self-concept before we settle down with a mate. Doing so aids us in putting our best foot forward. Seven Things To Do Before Settling Down Travel Traveling is… Continue reading Seven Things To Do Before Settling Down
We can all agree that 2020 has been tumultuous so far. The coronavirus pandemic is impacting almost every area of our lives. The unemployment rate in the United States is at an all-time high. Black lives matter. We have a unique figure as Commander in Chief. Ultimately, we all need therapy. This year is a… Continue reading 2020: A Year of Cancelled Plans
Many recent high school graduates find themselves at a crossroad while deciding on their future academic journey. A gap year, also known as a sabbatical year, is one that is taken before or after college/university where students explore numerous developmental activities. Commonly, students travel nationally and/or internationally to heighten their intercultural knowledge. They learn several… Continue reading Benefits of Taking a Gap Year in a Pandemic
My dear friend makes a sacrificial decision to care for the ill each shift. Her grit, compassion, and passion for her vocation inspires me and others for sure. Not to mention, she beat breast cancer like a soldier. Kedly Desliens is a travel Intensive Care nurse currently contracted in San Jose, CA. I decided it… Continue reading Conversations with a Front Line Nurse
When most people recollect home economics class, they remember building a birdhouse or parenting a lifelike baby that cried and wet their diaper. Although home economics is no longer a widely offered course, it is an important field of study. Mainstream public school curriculum, especially in the western hemisphere, lack the inclusion of pertinent life… Continue reading The Seven Key Areas of Home Economics
It can be difficult to imagine that we can set goals during these tough times but it is possible. Our world is changing. Drastically. With all of the novel political and professional changes, restrictions, new routines, and procedures, we have to forecast that some of those changes will be permanent. Even after things restore, whenever… Continue reading Setting Goals During a Pandemic
Experiencing a pandemic as life-threatening as the coronavirus can give anyone severe anxiety. So much is unknown. How much longer will we have to deal with this? How many more deaths will there be? What will result from long periods of isolation/social distancing? Anxiety in these times is completely normal. There are many manners we… Continue reading Ways to Cope with the COVID-19 Pandemic
There are a few myths behind defining people with alpha personalities. One serious myth about having an alpha personality is that the person has to be outlandish. People with alpha personalities typically are congenial and down to earth. After all, they do not have to try to be alphas. They are simply made that way.… Continue reading Traits of an Alpha Male/Female
When it comes to organization, there is a saying that goes: Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up. -A.A. Milne Personally, I am at my best when things and my life in general are organized. It helps me concentrate, plan and… Continue reading How to be More Organized
Date nights are refreshing and necessary! I love going on double dates as well! We always have a great time together with lots of intense laughs. One recent double date was to Wild Animal Safari in Pine Mountain, GA. We found it on Groupon. It is a drive-thru safari with over 75 animal species on… Continue reading Date Ideas From A to Z
The Bay Area in California became our home post my husband receiving an employment offer from a reputable company. What a career-defining opportunity! In preparation for the move, I did some intensive research and browsed Pinterest to learn more about what I should expect from living in the most expensive area in the nation. I… Continue reading Minimalism in Silicon Valley
For a nation as powerful as the United States, it is absurd that there is no federal law that guarantees paid maternity leave. The United States leaves the option to offer parental leave in the hands of employers. The Family Medical Leave Act provides some assistance but it is a rather ungenerous law. The FMLA… Continue reading The Sad Truth About Maternity Leave in America
I often wonder how interesting it is to see animals breed, co-exist, and die as they were created to experience. It is also inspiring to see how, from their genetic makeup, they are completely equipped to survive in their natural habitat and withstand certain weather conditions. It is intriguing how even their coat protects them… Continue reading Five Ways to Tap into Your Toolbox
I completed my undergraduate studies online at Ashford University. I thank God for guiding me through that rewarding journey. I majored in English and also majored in Political Science and Government. The most memorable aspect of my asynchronous learning experience was being able to make the world my classroom. During those four years, I completed… Continue reading Highlights of My Academic Journey
Feng shui, a minimalistic decorating technique, is a Chinese geomancy. Essentially, it exercises architecture as it relates to harmonious ties between humanity, the earth, and the firmament. Feng shui is also known as qi, pronounced chi. Implementing Feng shui in any space involves being intentional of item placement, their symbolism, and associated color patterns. Feng means… Continue reading The Art of Feng Shui and Minimalism
Motivational messages enlighten, teach, and help one create new affirmations. I enjoy listening to motivational messages. I create various playlists on Youtube and I download podcasts of inspirational thoughts. I consider myself to be pretty self-motivated but I welcome and can always use a pick me up. We all can. Photo by Ylanite Koppens on… Continue reading The Power of Motivational Messages
There are plenty of ways to make extra money these days. This social-media-centric world presents ample opportunity for people to boost their income with minimal physical labor. Whether you want to make extra money to pay off debt, save for future purchases, or just to beef up your bank account, there are opportunities galore. Traditional… Continue reading Ten Creative Ways to Make Extra Money
Indulging in products from various parts of the globe is what I enjoy most about shopping at the farmer's market. My go-to items include plantains, whole pineapples, fresh buffalo wings, whole red snapper, and mangoes. In metro-Atlanta, the Dekalb Farmer's Market doubles as a tourist attraction and one of the largest indoor farmer's markets in Georgia.… Continue reading Ten Benefits of Shopping at a Farmer’s Market
I ventured out to Houston, Texas for a few days to explore the Lone Star state. The trip was booked only two days in advance because a few other destinations were considered as well. I analyzed CheapTickets to compare prices among airlines and saw that Spirit Airlines had the most competitive pricing for that destination.… Continue reading Howdy, Houston!
Friends and family may think they have your best interest at heart when they share their opinions but at times, they may not and can give dogmatic, unsolicited advice. It is wise to make decisions based on your own research, values, and belief system than to simply follow someone else's advice. After all, you are… Continue reading How to Handle Receiving Unsolicited Advice
Does it bother you when someone has the hiccups but the person does nothing about it? It drives me insane. What about slurping sounds? Loud chewing? I must say I have a mild case of misophonia. Misophonia is denoted as a dislike of certain sounds. Misophonia is typically associated with sounds such as the bodily noises… Continue reading Misophonia
What's a better way to conquer one's fear of heights than to go tandem skydiving? I made that commitment a few summers ago and it was an exhilarating feat! I purchased a Groupon for a tandem skydiving experience at the Chattanooga Skydiving Company in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The deal even included a video. Tandem skydiving is done with… Continue reading Tandem Skydiving in Chattanooga, TN
Some pre-planning before traveling can make your trip go seamlessly. When planning for a trip, several weeks before, make a list of what you will need to travel with. Government Documentation/ID Ensure your personal documents (passport, visa, driver's license, etc) are in order. It is ideal to make photocopies of your passport, visa, personal ID, and… Continue reading How to Prepare for a Trip
I embarked on a week-long exploration in Morocco, Africa with a tour group. I purchased a steal, all-inclusive, Groupon deal. I typically schedule a few tours or excursions for my trips but this one was exceptional. It included a comprehensive itinerary for the entire trip which allowed us to uncover the beautiful country succinctly. DAY… Continue reading Majestic Morocco
Having great credit can be synonymous with having power. It is essential to maintain good credit to seize lucrative opportunities that may not be available otherwise. If your credit is poor, it is never too late to begin the journey to credit repair. Several years ago, my credit was below standard. It was primarily due… Continue reading Credit Repair 101
Emily Dickinson was a prolific and reserved writer. Her style of writing left the reader responsible to dissect the underlying meanings within her writing as her word choices included ambiguity, symbolism, and art. In "Through the Dark Sod" the reader learns of the historical background hidden in the work as the title alone leaves the… Continue reading Historical Criticism on “Through the Dark Sod” by Emily Dickinson
Here, I critique one of my favorite movies, The Notebook. The film The Notebook was directed by Nick Cassavetes in 2004. It is based on a novel with the same title by Nicholas Sparks. The Notebook is a romantic drama film. It is about the love story of a couple who come from polarized backgrounds. Movies… Continue reading Movie Critique: The Notebook
What is a Spiritual Retreat? A spiritual retreat is what one makes of it but it is designed to be an intentional time one spends connecting with God. A spiritual retreat can be executed near or far. Even in one’s home. Why Go on a Spiritual Retreat? God is omnipresent, right? Yes. God is. Going… Continue reading My Hawaiian Spiritual Retreat
Haiti has an undeserving reputation of being a destitute and unwelcoming country. The Haitian culture is rich. Rich of natural resources such as coffee and sugar. Rich of sculpted mountain ranges. Rich of beautiful and resilient people. To be rich is not just about its financial connotation. Richness is abundance. I am a Haitian-born immigrant. I was… Continue reading Haiti: The Unknown
Inspiration comes from many sources. Music. Film. People. Religion. Spirituality. Travel. Food. Inspiration leads to inventions, self-development, creation, and even meditation. My favorite quotes, poem excerpts, and biblical scriptures inspire me to live my best life while vibrating at the highest frequency. They also put things in perspective and serve as a reference mechanism for… Continue reading Quotes that Galvanize my Spirit
What Is Narcissism? A narcissist is someone who is deeply self-absorbed. Think of Narcissus in Greek mythology. When a mother is narcissistic, she is unable to nurture her child(ren). She is incapable of being empathetic, show compassion, care, and love. She has unreasonable expectations of receiving special treatment. She automatically expects requests she makes to… Continue reading Healed: Daughter of a Narcissistic Mother
Traveling in the new epoch is no longer considered a luxury. There are many ways to travel for cheap or even free. I have been fortunate enough to travel domestically and to various parts of the world. Traveling is a necessity. It broadens our horizon while exposing the mind, body, and spirit to novel adventures.… Continue reading How to Travel on a Budget
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