I'm Back!!

I'm BAAAACCCCCKKKK, hope you all haven't forgotten about me!

I've been gone for almost a year and sooo many great things have happened! I'm back, refreshed, ENGAGED, planning a wedding, organizing my life on a higher level, beasting at improving my finances, steadily helping others, and learning, learning, and learning!

I decided to jump back into this and release all these million thoughts I have these days with all that's going on. Since we've been engaged, I have such a new look on relationships and marriage, and my organization skills have definitely gotten better as a result. My fiancé and I have been enrolled in wonderful and spiritual couples' classes at church since the start of 2012 and let me just tell you that we have definitely grown even closer to God and each other, while learning a lot from other couples and each other. I will definitely dive into several topics that have sparked from our classes.

I won't make the broken promise that I will be posting every day or even every week, but I will be at least posting something every month, whether it's just about me, music, the wedding, relationships, or whatever else comes to mind. So I hope you will check me out here and there when you get a chance.

Glad to be back,
Solar 40

Time, Who Are You

Time, Who Are You?

Time, you are always somewhere
Whether it's behind or ahead of me
I can always tell when you have passed
Things are either complete or waiting on me

Time, you wait on no one
You always have your own agenda
You proceed as you please with or without caution
So many people check for you all day
But you never check for them

Time, do you ever change your pace
You are measured several different ways
However, you're always equal in some form or fashion
A lot takes place while you are on the clock
Some things are never completed, but that doesn't slow you down

Time, do you have feelings
People are always strapped for you
Are you ever strapped for anything
Despite it all, you're always in the same mood

Time, I've figured you out
You will never wait on us
You will never change your pace
You will never be affected by actions
You will just continue to do what you do best and that's go by


Until my next theme,
- SOLAR 40

What's In Your Temple?



The past year or so I've been more conscious of what I put into my temple, my body. I've been eating less salty and sugary sweets each day and consuming more fruit and taking my vitamins. What are you putting in your body?

I've always heard "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" and this can definitely be true. If you don't take vitamins, remember to get your vitamins from other sources such as fruits and vegetables. I take Fish Oil pills for a healthier heart and also Biotin for healthy hair, nails, and skin. In addition to this, I eat oranges and apples on a regular. I want to be healthy for myself and my family. I have a love for chocolate, chips, and soda, but I try to eat those in moderation. I may eat dark chocolate daily BUT I only eat one small piece. I'm still working to cut down on my chip intake since they are so salty, but I've definitely made progress over the years. Last year I gave up chips for a while to help decrease my intake and it worked well. While you need your fruits and vegetables, don't forget to fill your temple with our lovely friend, H20! Like milk, it does your body good!! Soda sure taste great, but I know it's not the best for me, so I definitely drink at least 3-4 bottles of water each day at least 5 days a week.

Let's cut down on the diseases and health issues by taking care of ourselves and eating right as much as you can. You get out what you put into your body. Remember that the next time you realize you are sick pretty often and don't have enough energy. That means you are not providing yourself with the right contents to make your immune system fight off germs and give you energy.

For more great information on what you can do to get more vitamins in your system, check out some of the sites below and also my LockBody segment.

• Juicing for Health
• Vitamins
• Vegetables and Fruits

Healthy Eating Everyone!!

"When it comes to eating right and exercising, there is no "I'll start tomorrow." Tomorrow is disease." ~Terri Guillemets
Until my next vitamin drop,
-SOLAR 40

Discover Your Purpose

I had the pleasure of hearing a great sermon at church yesterday: "Discover your purpose instead of trying to make God bless you with your plan"

I just had to share this and it definitely was motivation for me. Anyone or anything that is not in your life to assist or aid with your purpose, needs to be removed! We all have a purpose and you have to step out to find it, instead of continuously asking God for blessings around a plan that you made for yourself. He already knows his plan for you but you have to discover this and make it happen. Have faith in yourself and seek that purpose.

So, I encourage you today to look within yourself and examine all associations whethers it's a friend, family  member, job, etc. If they all don't link together somehow to help with your life's purpose, you need to make some disconnections ASAP. Use your talents to glorify his name. Romans explains it a little better than I can:

"Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully" (Romans 12:4-8)


Know when to connect and when to disconnect!

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do"- (Ephesians 2:1)


Until my next share session,
-SOLAR 40

Get It Together!

Today I was reflecting on things that happened in my life last year, and smiling as I thought of all the great things I learned, which I am currently applying going forward. After doing so, I decided to go back and read this great post I had on my older blog last year. Some of you may remember it if you read my beginner blog. So I'll share and hopefully it will inspire or motivate someone to get organized in some form or fashion. In the Twitter world, we all "RT" Retweet, so in the Blog world, I'll make my first "RP" Repost! (haha)

Until my next RP,
-Solar 40

Is Your Life Organized?

Have you ever wondered why your life doesn't make sense all the time? I know I do. One thing I've realized as an avid reader, is that a book has chapters for the purpose of organization and flow. If the material is not presented in an organized manner, it makes no sense. The same applies to my life and yours. When things aren't in order, it makes no sense. Get it together, get organized.

If you often get feedback that what you say makes no sense, then maybe you're getting the indirect hint that you need to get it together. Get it together, get organized.

Chapters represent the stages in your life, whether it's educational, personal, spiritual, etc. Each chapter should be a direct representation of who you really are regardless of what others think. I think I figured this out several years ago as a child. Characterized as mean, too blunt, aggressive, etc, I still manage to take some risks and say and do what I please. This personal freedom and acceptance of who I am has eliminated a lot of pain, misery, and failure from my life. Now don't get it twisted, my life gets a little fuzzy here and there sometimes, but for the most part it eventually falls back on track in my desired path after a little editing and rewriting. Get it together, get organized.

My advice to myself and others is to figure out what each chapter should be like in your life and then determine what each chapter leads to. If it doesn't make sense to you when it's bound, do you really expect others to get it? Let's be real. Get it together, get organized.

Essence: 40 Fierce and Fabulous

Well, well, well... Essence has made such a wise decision by dedicating the 40th Anniversary, September issue to "40 Fierce and Fabulous Women Who Are Changing The World".  I am blessed to be a part of a generation where women have endless opportunities and rights to embrace the world and leave their ultimate mark in history. This was not always the case. Because of this, I always feel compelled to take advantages of every opportunity I have to make a difference and change the lives of someone else. Do you really know how far you can go in life if you don't take chances and face challenges? The obvious answer is NO! Whether you are a female or male reader, I encourage you to find at least one way to make an impact in the community before the end of September.                               

40 Fierce & Fabulous Rollcall

1. Ntozake Shange: Author
2. Vanessa L. Williams: Actress, Singer
3. Faith Ringgold: Visual Artist, Writer
4. Erica Campbell: Gospel Singer (Mary Mary)
5. Tina Campbell: Gospel Singer (Mary Mary)
6. Maya Angelou: Author, Poet, Activist, Actress, Dancer, Singer
7. Judith Jamison: Artistic Director, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
8. Michelle Obama: First Lady
9. Oprah Winfrey: Media Mogul, Philanthropist
10. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf: President of the Republic of Liberia
11. Serena Williams: Tennis Champion
12. Candace Parker: WNBA Forward
13. Iman: Supermodel
14. Naomi Campbell: Supermodel
15. Liya Kebede: Supermodel
16. Chanel Iman: Supermodel
17. Mary J. Blige: Singer, Actress
18. Beyonce: Singer, Actress, Designer
19. Queen Latifah: Actress, Singer, Spokesmodel, Producer
20. Mo'Nique: Actress, Comedienne, Talk Show Host
21. Viola Davis: Actress
22. Wendy Williams: Talk Show Host, Author
23. Laysha Ward: President of Community Relations and Target Foundation
24. Esi Eggleston Bracey: VP & General Manager, Global Cosmetics
25. Mellody Hobson: President of Ariel Investments
26. Dr. Ruth Simmons: President, Brown University
27. Beverly Daniel Tatum: President, Spelman College
28. Valerie Jarrett: Sr Advisor & Asst to President for Intergovernmental Relations & Public Engagement
29. Melody Barnes: Domestic Policy Advisor at White House
30. Lisa P. Jackson: Environmental Protection Agency administrator
31. Susan Rice: U.S. Ambasssador for the United Nations
32. Beverly Bond: DJ and founder, Black Girls Rock
33. Olufunmilayo Falusi Olopade: Medical Oncologist
34. Susan L. Taylor: Author, Motivational Speaker, Former Editor in chief of ESSENCE
35. Alicia Keys: Singer, Actress
36. Roslyn Brock: Chairman of the board, NAACP
37. Dr. Wafaa El-Sadr: Infectious Disease Specialist
38. Sheryl Lee Ralph: Actress, HIV Activist
39. Stephanie D. Wilson: NASA Astronaut
40. Cicely Tyson: Actress

Know your history. You can start by learning more about the women above and the impact they've made. Have any of these women made an impact on your life? What other women have impacted your life? Sister, Mother, Friends...please share

A Book of 40

"And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights"
-Genesis 7:12


At 26, I conquered my first 40 during Lent 2010. We all have weaknesses with some big, some small, but nonetheless challenges to each. My weakness was with soda and I knew I needed to let it go for personal reasons. Every day in the first week was a struggle, but as the days went by I grew stronger and realized that knowledge, personal power, and confidence is gained with sacrifice. February 15, 2010 is implanted forever in my mind as the day I made a small change that eventually changed a part of me. Giving up soda may seem silly to some, but this was really a challenge for me. After surviving the 40 days I vowed to keep the 40 day sacrifice going with a day break between each cycle.

March 28, 2010, the 40 day- cycle 2 began with a release of all food from Moe's. Anyone that knows me, knows that I love to eat there all the time. This is my true year of change and experience and I figured I would try to let go of things that I want but don't need. You may ask yourself what I gain from this, but it's very simple. I gain strength and money. Money because my savings are increased with the weekly contribution of money that was usually spent on Moes. $8.18 to be exact each week at minimum, which is $49.08 over a 6-week period. Still doesn't seem like much, well that's $425.36 in a year, IF I were too only get my usually order only ONCE a week, every week. Not much to you, but a lot to me when this amount is gaining interest and going towards a future goal/purchase. Cycle 2 is much easier that Cycle 1 I will admit. I attribute this to increased self-confidence that I can let go of anything I decide to.
I plan to keep the 40 day cycles going until Lent 2011 begins. Whew!! What a challenge this will be. I'm very eager to see what I let go of and gain within a year's time. So many thoughts and questions. Who will I be February 15, 2011? What habits will I no longer partake in? Will I be more spiritually, physically, mentally, and financially healthy? Only time will tell and answer those questions. I've decided to add a few twists to 40 day cycles, which you probably have figured out by now are all a part of "The Book of 40". With everything there must be a set criteria and guidelines as I have so eagerly listed below:

1. There will only be a one day break between 40 day cycles.
2. More than one 40 day cycle can take place at the same time.
3. If any day is missed in the consecutive 40 day cycle, the cycle must restart after a day break, which would technically be day 42 for that cycle.
4. 40 day cycles may be week based, allowing weekends to be skipped.
5. Before February 15, 2011, at least two cycles must be completed from Segment 1 and at least 1 from Segment 2 as listed below:Segment 1
   - Spiritual
   - Mental
   - Educational
   - Physical
   - Financial
   
   Segment 2
   - Economic Development
   - Educational Development
   - International Awareness and Development
   - Physical and Mental Health
   - Political Awareness and Involvement
6. All 40 day Cycle information must be documented and dated and the overall outcome must be listed.

You may wonder how and why I came up with 2 Segments. Well, the first group is what I think a person is contructed of and the second follows the Five Point Thrust for Delta Sigma Theta, which I am a proud member of. Check out my 40 Day Cycle Track for more information.


I can only grow as person and learn more about myself and outside factors as a result of The Book of 40. I look forward to the hard days and nights of struggle if they happen to appear in any cycle and I anticipate waking on the 40th day of each cycle to applaud myself for another accomplishment within myself.
"To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God."-Acts 1:3


-Solar 40
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