Fun Friday – 5 things to say if you’re caught sleeping at your desk

Photo Credit: Human Resources Online

Have you ever had a day where you felt really tired at work? I haven’t fallen asleep at my desk at work, but I have done it at home. While sitting at my laptop working on a project, my eyelids became heavy.

I thought I could slip in a 15-minute power nap. Part way through my nap, I heard a clicking sound. I later discovered it was my son, and he had taken a photo of me with MY phone.

Well, if you happen to fall asleep at your desk, here are some things to say if you’re caught sleeping at your desk.

1.      “Did you ever notice sound coming out of these keyboards when you put your ear down real close?”

2.      “This is one of the seven habits of highly effective people.”

3.      “This is in exchange for the six hours I spent last night dreaming about work.”

4.      “Boy, that cold medicine I took last night just won’t wear off.”

5.      “… and I especially thank you for my excellent boss, Amen.”

What would you add to the list?

Wordless Wednesday - Women's History Month - Celebrating Women Comedians

YouTube Video Credit: comediansandspeakers

Small Fire Christian Comedian

YouTube Video Credit: Nikita B on Gospel Comedy Live

Motivational Monday – Women’s History Month – Mahalia Jackson

Do you remember the movie Imitation of Life? It was a tear-jerker movie. Near the end, Mahalia Jackson belts out the song Trouble of the World, as the camera pans the crowded room of solemn faces. As we near the end of Women’s History Month, I want to share a snippet of history on Mahalia Jackson.

YouTube Video Credit: Everybody Deserves Music

Before we dive into Ms. Jackson’s history, here are a couple of facts about Women’s History Month. Women’s History Month began as Women’s History Week on March 7, 1982. In 1987 Congress passed a public law designating the month of March as Women’s History Month.

As I was listening to the radio Sunday morning a song came on with Mahalia Jackson singing and an upbeat rhythm in the background. The host gave a peek into Mahalia background, this struck a spark and led me to seek more information.

Born in New Orleans, Mahalia Jackson began singing at the age of four years. She moved to Chicago when she was 16 years old. While there, she began touring with the Johnson Brothers, Chicago’s first professional gospel group. Mahalia Jackson, the Queen of Gospel, was the first gospel singer to perform at Carnegie Hall.

In addition to singing, Mahalia Jackson was a Civil Right Activist. She sang at the March on Washington at the request of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Read more of Mahalia Jackson’s story by clicking here.

Mahalia Jackson’s story lets us know that dreams do come true. Women make a difference, whether it’s in your family, your church or your community, you have a voice. What legacy will you create? 

Fun Friday – A matter of interpretation or misinterpretation

photo credit: Shutterfly

Today's post is one from the archives of a few years ago, yet is still hold relevance today. 

Have you ever experienced a situation where something you did or said was misinterpreted? An item on my grocery list was the target of misinterpretation the other day.

I stopped by the grocery store on the way home from work, once inside the store I realized that I didn’t have my shopping list. Using my semi-sharp memory, I grabbed items that I could recall from the list.

Before leaving the grocery store I called my teen son at home and asked him to read the list to me. He rattled off items, “Milk, cereal, apples, Ritz…”

“I don’t remember Ritz being on the list, you’re just add stuff,” I told him.

“I’m just telling you what I saw on the list,” he said adamantly.

I grabbed a few more items, including a box of Ritz crackers. Although I didn’t believe the crackers were on the list, I got them anyway because I like to snack on them.

After arriving home, my curiosity got the best of me, I had to check out the grocery list. The list was still in its spot, written on a magnetic pad posted on the refrigerator door. The items were – milk, cereal, apples and GRITS not RITZ.

Somebody had not taken their time to write clearly or to read slowly. Either way I was without grits. It was no big loss, I simply created a new list. However, next time I will make a list to remind me to take the list when I leave the house for the day.

What experience have you had with something being misinterpreted?

Wordless Wednesday - International Day of Happiness

YouTube Video Credit: iamOTHER

YouTube Video Credit: Kirk Franklin

Wishing you a day filled with happiness and smiles

Motivational Monday – You are a winner

Photo Credit: Host Accommodation

You did NOT win the lottery, nor do I have a scratch-off ticket for you. I can tell you this, you woke up this morning to a brand new day. A chance to start over. You are a winner because you are blessed and highly favored.

Is this the day you need to forgive someone, apologize to someone, or tell someone that you love them? Yesterday is gone, tomorrow is not promised, but today you can live in the here and now. How will you use this day?

My recommendation is to choose joy, choose happiness, and choose to live your life on purpose. This is just my recommendation. Take advantage of positive opportunities that come your way today. Believe that you are already a winner.

Whatever your mind believes, you can achieve.

Live today in your winning spirit.

Words of Wisdom – Women Empowering Women

Karron - Owner of HIS Designs LLC

International Women’s Day was celebrated a few days ago. Today we’ll keep the momentum going. Empowerment, self-worth, confidence, these were terms heard often during International Women’s Day. These are some of the same things promoted by entrepreneur, Karron Dodd.

Karron has a t-shirt line named Ruby Girl. Her website will tell you that Ruby Girl is “God’s Priceless Princess.” Ruby Girls are confident in who they are, they struggle but are also overcomers.

My first encounter with the Ruby Girl line was at a book signing where I notice Karron wearing her signature t-shirt. We struck up a conversation. The t-shirt is just one product under the umbrella of HIS Designs LLC.

The mission of HIS Designs is to “creatively bring Christ to the world.” Karron accomplishes this through her merchandise and warm spirit. Take a look around her website, you may find something for yourself or a gift for a friend. Click here.

Do you know any women who own small businesses? Give them a shout out.

Motivational Monday – A Praise Party

The complaint department is closed. Today, I’m having a party and you are invited. It’s a praise party. 

The requirements for this party are simple:

1.      No complaining about little things

2.      Give God the praise for all you have at this moment

3.      Dance and shout (optional)

The location of this party is your own home. The time of the party…when your feet hit the floor in the morning. Simply start by saying, “Thank you.”

We are already into the season of Lent. During this time some people give up something for 40 days, “mirroring the 40 days that Jesus was in the wilderness before beginning His ministry.” How about also adding something to your faith walk for forty days. However, the idea is that you will continue the process after 40 days.

Here’s my thought, maybe there are things you’ve said you wanted to begin doing more often. It could be reading your Bible more, starting a ministry, giving thanks more. Whatever your “thing” is, do something each day for the next 40 days to bring you closer to achieving it.

Plant your seeds now for something you want to see happen on a consistent base. Let’s get this party started. In the words of Gospel artist, Kirk Franklin, “Ain’t no party like a Holy Ghost party, ‘cause a Holy Ghost party don’t stop.”

YouTube Video: Kirk Franklin - Stomp Featuring Salt

Feel free to invite a friend to the party. Shut down the complaint department for a while. Go get your praise on.

Feel Good Friday - Celebrate International Women's Day

YouTube Video Credit: World Bank

Words of Wisdom - Inspirational Quotes on Life

YouTube Video Credit: Uploaded by I Love You

Motivational Monday – Attempt something BIG

photo credit: Bright Drops

As I was scrolling through my email messages the other day, an advertisement jumped out at me, it read “Attempt something BIG.” Is there something that God has called you to do, but you have been contemplating taking action?

You may have heard the saying as often as I have that “you have to step outside of your comfort zone in order to grow.” It may not be easy, but the results can be extraordinary. When you face a challenge remember, if it were easy, everyone would be doing it.

It’s your time to shine. Take a leap of faith and attempt something BIG. Believe in yourself and God’s plan for your life. When you leap, be ready to soar. I have friends who have started their own businesses, pursued higher education and purchased a new home. These things were their something BIG.

Stretch yourself. What is something that you have always wanted to do, but felt you weren’t ready to do it? Go for it now. Attempt something BIG.