Parenting: What Kind Are You?

When I think of the type of parent I am and the one I strive to be everyday, I think that I have come pretty close to being a good mother. I try to listen to my kids concerning their interests, their thoughts and feelings about whatever is going on in their lives. Our house is 75% dictatorship and 25% democracy. I give them the chance to explain what happened or speak their peace on certain subjects or if they feel like explaining will make a difference in their punishment. But, at the end of every conversation I am the Judge, Juror, and Executioner. So if you gonna get beat down, then it's coming! Now when I say beat down, I mean a whipping and not one with my fist, my hands, or objects I find lying around that's abuse. I also believe in telling my children how beautiful, handsome, how smart they are, and that they can be anything in life they want to be. You must give your kids positive encouragement and let them know you love them. If you don't, then they will seek the attention somewhere else and before you know it they are in gangs, on drugs, being abused by some man or pregnant or drop out of school. And then your asking yourself what happened? Parents stop treating your eldest child like their the live in babysitter or it's their job to keep up will all their siblings. Hell they didn't lay down and have any damn kids, your ass did. So realize and recognize that they are kids too! And although it's okay for them to help out with their younger siblings from time to time, it's still your job to get up off your butt and watch your kids, all of them. Also, stop calling your kids stupid, dumb, or saying that you don't like them or you can't wait for them to leave.Your only tearing them down and making them feel like their worthless, no one wants them, or they can't do anything right. Stop treating one child better than the other one and acting like you love them less. These acts and sayings will all lead to insecure, troubled, bitter, angry, attention starved adults. Treat your kids they you want to be treated or the way you wish your parent or parents treated you. Remember that one day they may have to take care of you and payback can be brutal.Love and be thankful for your kids everyday good and bad. Randomly Yours, Raven Storm

Time:Never Enough Of It!

How many times have we been rushed or pulled in multiple directions, only to realize that we can't do it all and there is just not enough time in the day to do all that we need or want to do. I mean we sign up for this, we are asked to do that, then we are volunteered to do something else, and before you know it you have no time for yourself or for life's little treasures or stolen moments. Today was one of those days, for me. We are hosting our Family Reunion here and I always post a new blog everyday, and today because there was not enough time I missed my posting and I was so upset. But, I had to realize what was truly important and spending time with family seemed just a little more important to me. So this time I will make two post to makeup for the one I missed yesterday! I just want to remind everyone to balance their time wisely and make sure that whoever or whatever your spending time on is well worth it, because once it's gone you can't get that time back. I say this to say that life is too short and "faith without works is dead". You have to spend time with your family, your friends and know that you only get once chance to really let them know how much they mean to you and to show them that your time is available to them and for them as well!

Getting Organized!

Often we tend to get cluttered and backlog in both our professional and personal lives. We have to get ourselves together mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Once we start to get those things in order, we can start to remove that clutter in our closets, in our hearts, our minds, and in our work. It's always hard at first to begin to remove the old in order to make room for the new, but in order to grow and be blessed one must get rid of that dead weight, the stress, and the burdens from the past. If we are to enjoy the fruits of our labor or our love, we have to remove the clutter and wash ourselves clean and start anew. Some may say it's hard to start over and others may say it's so easy, but in reality if you want to move on and truly begin anew and have all that he has in store for, then you will let go and let "God". Randomly Yours, Raven Storm.

Rainy Days!

Rainy Days are the best! You can lounge around, sleep in late, eat junk food or health food which ever is your choice! But it's something about rainy days that makes you daydream, think about what's really bothering you or some of the things that you really need to catch up on. I love the rain because it makes me feel clean all over, as if the day has set aside a time just for me to ponder life's little treasures. Every now and again we should all be thankful for the rainy days, which allows us to slow down, smell the roses, take time to enjoy the companies of friends and family and just go at a normal pace, if even for just a moment. So, while we love our life and routines and the everyday meetings, classes, homework, parties, and hustling we all can you use a rainy day here or there just to be reminded that their are other things more important like living life. In the long one rainy days are here to make us be thankful for those moments that we are allowed to steal for ourselves. So, hey live a little and it's okay to slow down sometimes. Randomly Yours, Raven Storm!

Struggling: Borrowing from Peter to Pay Paul!

How many times have we been in the process of getting caught up on bills, only to find out that we are now still behind. We never have enough money to cover gas, electric, cable, food, insurance, car note and medical bills. So we borrow from Peter to pay Paul by doing so, we put $50 on the gas, $100 on the electric, $85 on the cable and half on everything else. So we in turn are borrowing from one bill to pay another or from one credit card to the next. When you borrow from people to pay someone else back and you know you have no intention on paying any of them back, then you are no longer borrowing from Peter to pay Paul. You are now stealing from your friends and family members. So with that being said, don't borrow if you know you can't pay it back, or they tell you not to worry about or just ask can you have the money. In the long run, you will better off for it and you will keep your lenders in tack and your relationships will survive those moments of struggle. Just know that times are hard for everyone and we all have periods where we borrow from Peter to pay Paul, just realize that at some point we have to budget, get a second job and get up off our butts and take care of our lives and our households. And know that borrowing is only a temporary fix, not a permanent solution. Randomly Yours, Raven Storm

Education: Is It The Marriage for You?

Education now days requires a 4 to 8 year commitment and for some of us that is way to long to start making money, or moving out of mom's and dad's place. Their are some careers that take less time than that, such as being a court reporter,phlebotomy, nursing assistant, and their are a whole list of Continuing Education Classes that allow you to make $15-$25 and hour just to start.You have to figure out what works best for you and maybe going into the Military is the ticket. I truly think you should do what makes you happy and what you are truly passionate about. My mother said to me that she learned to like and enjoy her job and it pays the bills, but she does her passion on the side. I said to her why can't I do what I love and my passion everyday? I have no desire to learn to love or like a job, then that means that I am just existing and I want to do more than exist. I realize that I need to start making money soon and now that I know what I want to do, no one can steal my thunder or my joy and I am ready for all that God has in store for me. I truly believe that you must have some type of Education,Job Training,Military Experience in order to make it in this world. And for those of us who are able to make it in Acting,Modeling,Sports you have been blessed with natural talent. So next time think about the Marriage of Education? Is it for you? Are you doing it for your family? Or is it what you truly want? I say do what makes you happiest with yourself at the end of the day and love what you do from the start! Randomly Yours, Raven Storm

Betrayal!

In the Dictionary betrayal means: to not be loyal to a person or do something to hurt him or her.
How many times have you or someone you've known betrayed a friend, a loved one, a co-worker or your partner? When that person found out how did it make you feel inside? Did you feel relieved that the betrayal was finally out or did you feel that now the relationship was over and now what do you do? The betrayer either feels bad or they don't, but for the person that has been betrayed it is pure hell. You feel alone, confused, as if somehow it was your fault. Your turned inside out. It feels like complete darkness, because they knew and their friends and family knew what was going on but you were the last to know. It makes you not want to trust, to love or be loved again and then you start to question your own judgement, your own sanity and whether or not your worthy anymore! That's no way to feel, but once you've been betrayed, it's hard to come back from that and even more important it's hard to give of yourself, your love, your time, your trust, and your heart. Do you forgive that person or do you hold on to it? But, there is light at the end of the betrayal tunnel. Surround yourself with true friends, honest co-worker's, positive and loving family member's, and take it nice and slow when you decide to give of yourself, your heart, your trust and your time again. Whether it's with the same person or with someone new. Start out by saying that God has my best interest at heart and he will lead the perfect person to me and put the right people in my corner. Just let go and let God! Randomly Yours, Raven Storm

Forgiveness!

This is a word that is hard for a lot of people. Forgiveness is a two way street and often we tend to get off that road, and turn onto the road of blame. No one wants to forget the past hurts, the broken promises, the missed anniversaries, the time apart, or the arguments and of course the fights. But forgiving a person frees you from what they did or said and allows you to move forward with your life and the blessings God has in store for you. When we refuse to forgive or let go, we have given the power to whoever it was that hurt us and keeps you stuck in that moment. It's easier said than done, but once you forgive a person it makes you feel so much lighter inside and your heart is no longer heavy. You feel this amazing peace and joy within yourself and your now able to sing a new song and begin to live life again. So next time you get on that road of blame, try really hard to get back to the road of forgiveness. You'll live longer and be happier for it! Randomly Yours, Raven Storm...

Love~

Learning Our Values Everyday= Love. In this crazy world we live in it's sometimes easy to forget the values that we were raised with or how to treat others and how to love ourselves. Day by day we go through our routine of running errands, football, soccer, and baseball practices, dance classes, working out, going to church, hanging with friends and family. But, what happens when we forget to love each other faults and all everyday in every way. What about telling one another that we love them and showing them through our actions that we support and stand by them in the good times and bad times. Staying true to the values of loving thy neighbor, honoring and obeying our spouses, treating one another with kindness and seeing the good in all no matter what. It's sometimes hard to follow the values of "Love", but the lesson in love is so rewarding and the end result is truly amazing. So take the time really to be thankful for all that the Lord has blessed you with and tell someone or show them how much you truly love them. Randomly yours, Raven Storm!

Healing!

When is it okay to let go or say goodbye to someone or something? I mean when do we truly as people know in our hearts of hearts when it is time to end a relationship, friendship, another job, or to start another chapter in our lives. Is it when people tell us that we should move on, is it when you see your life passing you by, or does it just hit you all of a sudden one day when you look back in your yearbooks, or through pictures from college, past reunions, or through prayer from the good "Lord" above. I just know that when it hits you, you begin to wake up and you begin to clear that clutter out of your life called relationships and you take the steps to getting yourself back and healing yourself from the inside out and then it begins to manifest to the outside. Healing should be done on your terms and when your ready to really see yourself for the mistakes that you made and the roles that you played in your relationships be they personal or professional coming to an end or changing for the better or for the worse. Once your willing to accept that, then your truly ready to heal.

What is Security?

Security to some can be many different things. For some of us it's knowing that the bills are paid on time, rent is taken care of, our job is safe, we got that promotion, our marriage is doing well, the kids are adjusting and we are living the dream. For others it can mean no one finding out about their cheating spouse, terrible kids, bills being past due, medication were taking for health issues or depression or even the fact that we may lose our job at any moment. Security is a word that can mean a many of things, but to me it's means having someone that I can count on, a partner that is there through the good and bad times, having a job that I love and kids that aren't perfect and friends who can be loud at times, but who bring me joy. A family that I can turn to when times are rough and knowing that if I slip or fall my friends, family, and my partner are there for me and my kids to bring back to reality and to let me know that life has bumps and bruises, it's just how we handle those little bumps and bruises. So what is Security to you? I'm Raven Storm and these are my random thoughts! Life is love

Trying Something New!

Hello Everyone! How many times have you thought about trying something new? A new job, moving to a new city, buying a new car, dating someone out of your comfort zone, or becoming friends with a person no one likes, only to be told by family members or friends that you shouldn't do that or won't you be scared or feel alone. Stop letting fear, friends, and family keep you from doing what makes you happy and start living your life. Step out on faith and know that God has your back and he will guide you into some of the most wonderful adventures and take you to some of the most exotic places and allow you to meet the most interesting people around, only if you trust in him and believe in yourself. I have allowed fear and family to rule my life for so long, that I have no idea where to begin my adventure. But one thing I do know is that fear and family will no longer keep me from trying new things and meeting new faces or going to different places. As of today, I will start to live my life for me and as always let God be my guide and my support system. Cease the day and take charge of your life, your dreams and all your hearts desires. I'm Raven Storm and these are my random thoughts! Until next time "life is love"

Family!

Family can always surprise you at any given moment. They are there when you need them and sometimes you can't find them or count on them to be in your corner. But at the end of the day, they are your family. Whether they are ex-cons, liars, lawyers, doctors, teachers, preachers, laborers, etc, you are stuck with them. Now you can see that as a positive or a negative. I tend to take the high road and just be thankful that hey I have a family, there not perfect but their mine! In saying that my family reunion is approaching and on the 29th of July it will be here and I have all those characters I listed above in my family and then some. I always look forward to seeing my family members and I truly accept their special qualities, because that's what makes us all unique. Lord knows I have my own crosses to bear! I mean I have never stolen from anyone, cheated on, been arrested, did drugs other than the drinks I have every now and then. But I still have my crosses to bear. So next time you think about your family and how they may make you feel ashamed or upset or whatever, just be thankful that you have them at the end of the day. Because family can always surprise you! The cousin or aunt or uncle that was never there can show up just in time to save your ass when you least expect it. So embrace, love , share and be thankful for your screwed up family because every one's family is just as screwed as yours if not worse. These are the random thoughts of raven storm, til next time.

Why do People Cheat and Lie?

I have never understood, when a man or woman has a good person they choose to mess it up with lies and cheating. Do they not understand that the grass isn't always greener on the otherside. How about how it makes the other person feel when they find out about the indiscretion? He or she begins to feel as if they have done something wrong or it's some how their fault that their intended was a liar and a cheater. Where do you go from the cheating and the lying? How do put yourself back together again, after you've been broken? Some say therapy, some say church, guy bashing or girl bashing. I truly feel that you have to choose your own path and your way of healing. Sometimes just being alone with your thoughts and a bottle of wine works best and then again the feeling of family and friends can be very comforting too! I'm Raven Storm and these are my Random thoughts!!