Author: Roshonda B

My name is Roshonda Blackmon and I have been known in life as “the encourager” God gave me that gift before I even realized what it was or what it truly meant, the only thing I knew is that a vast amount of people liked to come to me for advice and once that advice was received, I never heard from them anymore until they wanted more advice. That gifting soon became my ministry. I’ve been through quite a bit of challenges in life from dealing with suicide, low self-image which resulted in low self-esteem, to the difficulties of growing up in a one parent household and the list goes on and on. But God in all his Mercy and Grace blessed me to overcome those obstacles and situations and gave me a “second” chance by allowing me to live through all that darkness in order to help spread an encouraging light to others. In a world of uncertainty and negatism’s I want to encourage you to LIVE. Yes, Life does get hard sometimes, But if we keep looking up at the SON; we gain strength, we become empowered and we grow in the process with God’s help; for it doesn’t matter where you are in your life at this moment in time; God is able and will meet you within that dark place and change your life from Dark to Light, I’m not only a witness to this; but JustsumInspiration to show you, That you too can make it.

Poem: I Am Thankful

Published on November 16, 2017November 10, 2017 by Roshonda B2 Comments

When I read this poem, it really stirred something in me and also made me realize the many “small” things in which we miss to give thanks for daily and the people who make giving thanks worthwhile. The bible says “In Everything, Give Thanks!” (1 Thess 5:18). No matter what situation or circumstance we may face, while it may be hard to do given the situation; We should be thankful for all things GREAT and small.

I AM THANKFUL

Author Unknown

I am thankful for the wife who says it’s hot dogs tonight because she is home with me and not with someone else.

For the husband who is on the sofa who is being a couch potato because he is home with me and not out at the bars.

For the teenager who is complaining about doing dishes, because that he or she is at home, not on the streets.

For the taxes that I pay, because it means that I’m employed.

For the mess to clean after a party, because it means that I’ve been surrounded by friends.

For the clothes that fit a little too snug, because it means I have enough to eat.

For my shadow that watches me work, because it means I am in the sunshine.

For a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing, because it means I have a home.

For all the complaining I hear about the government, because it means that we have freedom of speech.

For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot, because it means I am able to walk and that I have been blessed with transportation.

For my huge heating bill, because it means I am warm.

For the lady behind me in church that sings off key, because it means that I can hear.

For the pile of laundry and ironing, because it means I have clothes to wear.

For weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day, because it means I have been capable of working hard.

For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours, because it means that I am alive.

Finally, for too much email, because it means I have friends who are thinking of me.

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While there are lots of negative things we can complain about; the news displays those things everyday – there are even more wonderful things to be THANKFUL about!, as the poem above so graciously reminds us of all those “small” things everyday.

Wishing you and your family a very blessed and safe Thanksgiving!!

Roshonda N. Blackmon – Creator of A Blog, A Magazine. It’s JustsumInspiration, Author, Speaker & Encourager

Let’s Live Well, Laugh Loud, Inspire Often & Love Hard!

Monthly Series: An Attitude of Gratitude – Challenge #4

Published on November 15, 2017November 9, 2017 by Roshonda BLeave a comment

Happy Hump Day! so, today is the second week/4th day of our Monthly series – Attitude of Gratitude. Just in case you missed the November Vibes post, Every Monday and Wednesday for the month of November, I will be posting questions in regards to being grateful. I will answer these questions myself but my hope is that you will answer them too and leave those answers in the comment section.

Some questions may have us digging a little deeper within ourselves to answer them, but in the end – my hope is that you will feel more empowered and begin to see yourself and even your life differently and not just for the month of November – but for every month of the year. You can choose to start a journal if you want but this challenge as you may say, is not just about us writing things out and leaving it in a little book to store it away and go back to it when we’re reflecting on our life but the challenge is to show it!! so as an extra bonus after every question regarding yourself will be a question in which will relate to the world around you, it’ll be called “Our End of the Day Question” – you don’t have to write about it here, but it’ll be something that you’ll just ask yourself everyday at the end of your day. While writing out what we’re “grateful” for is half the battle, showing gratitude for and towards others is the KEY!

So, let’s do both – reflecting and showing….(by the way, the passage above will be in every challenge post to start off, however; a new question will be at the bottom of each post).

What is one of the best gifts you’ve ever received. (My response)

Over the years, I’ve received quite a few gifts – some were from absolute strangers while others were from loved ones but I’ll talk today about a gift I received very recently; back in August I started sitting for an elderly woman, she was 91yrs old – I absolutely love older (seasoned..lol) people. The wisdom, the knowledge and just listening to them talk about the old days and who they used to be, where they worked and how they lived their life is always and has always been fascinating to me. Her name was Ms. Naomi and I looked forward to going over and spending time with her. Ms. Naomi was so full of life and was one of the sweetest people I’ve meet in a long time. However, unfortunately she passed away last month and my heart shattered, she lived a good life and I was so happy that she was able to be around good family when she departed and not in some rest home. The gift I received was a pair of purple diamond earrings that her daughter gave to me, in which were Ms. Naomi’s favorite color and her favorite pair of earrings – “I knew mom would’ve wanted you to have these,” her daughter said as she gave me the little box. I felt so honored and blessed to get such a gift, it’s one that I will always cherish and remember Ms. Naomi by forever.

Rest In Sweet Peace Ms. Naomi – I Love You!!

– What’s the Best Gift you’ve every received; Comment Below –

Your End of the Day Question:

Did you talk to someone you love today? If so, who & how did it make you feel.

Roshonda N. Blackmon – Creator of A Blog, A Magazine. It’s JustsumInspiration, Author, Speaker & Encourager

Let’s Live Well, Laugh Loud, Inspire Often & Love Hard!

EnSpired: Hairdresser Spends Well Over 8 hours on Depressed Teens Hair

Published on November 14, 2017November 14, 2017 by Roshonda B4 Comments

picture above and below courtesy of Daily Mail UK

This month as we talk about having an Attitude of Gratitude, there’s a 16yr old teenager who’s ever grateful for the time and patience a hairdresser took in taking care of her distressed locks. 20yr old student hairdresser Kayley Olsson of Waterloo, Iowa must have seen many clients and completed many hair transformations but none of them could compare to the client in which she was about to see on a Tuesday morning.

Probably thinking her day was going to be a breeze; it quickly turned into a tornado when a depressed 16yr old young lady (name withheld) sat in her chair to get her hair done, the teen’s hair was so matted and damaged – Kayley had to clear her schedule for the next day and a half.

According to media site Daily Mail UK the teen whom had been battling depression, was so depressed she couldn’t even brush her own hair and came to the salon to intentionally ask for her hair to be cut off. But Olsson wouldn’t have it and decided to spend the hours needed (13 to be exact) to fix the teens hair whom also had picture day coming up at her school.

‘It honestly broke my heart and we tried everything we could to keep this child’s hair for her! At the end of the day I want this to be a lesson to people.‘ Kayley Olsson

After spending a full 8 hours one day and 5 hours the next day – Kayley was able to turn the teens stressed tresses into a Cinderella story that had a very happy ending. So happy until it even surprised the teen, whom stated:

“I will actually smile for my schools pictures today, you made me feel like me again“.’

The picture above is the before and below is the after transformation!

Kayley, touched by the incident in regards to the teen – shared her story on her Facebook page in hopes that the situation would raise eyebrows about mental illness and how it affects our children, at the end of the day – Olsson just wanted to make the teen feel special again, stating:

A CHILD should NEVER feel so worthless to not even want to brush their hair. After being here 8 hours yesterday and 5 hours today we finally made this beautiful girl smile and feel like she IS worth something!

Since posting the occurrence, Kayley has been praised by many for her tremendous sacrifice and work, the post has been viewed over 1.9K times and has also been shared by millions. Way to Go Kayley! What a great way to show and spread gratitude ~

Roshonda N. Blackmon – Creator of A Blog, A Magazine. It’s JustsumInspiration, Author, Speaker & Encourager

Let’s Live Well, Laugh Loud, Inspire Often & Love Hard!

Monthly Series: An Attitude of Gratitude – Challenge #3

Published on November 13, 2017November 9, 2017 by Roshonda BLeave a comment

Happy Monday! so, today is the second week/3rd day of our Monthly series – Attitude of Gratitude. Just in case you missed the November Vibes post, Every Monday and Wednesday for the month of November, I will be posting questions in regards to being grateful. I will answer these questions myself but my hope is that you will answer them too and leave those answers in the comment section.

So, let’s do both – reflecting and showing….(by the way, the passage above will be in every challenge post to start off, however; a new question will be at the bottom of each post).

What painful experience has helped you grow. (My response)

I’ve had quite a few painful experiences that has helped me grow, some painful experiences (such as relationships) were painful for the moment but after the pain eased up, I found myself treading back down that same hurtful path only to get hurt again, except this time around – it was a little worse. But I have to say that this year I learned a lot from my past relationships whether they were friends or past exes. I learned that the past is the past and when things have past on – it’s best to leave it there. There’s a reason they call the past the past because it’s something that’ll always be entitled “once was.” The past has absolutely nothing to do with your future and if you keep toiling with the past and it’s issues then you’ll never experience the future, which always offer us something fresh & new! I might have messed over my 30’s with being in the wrong places, with the wrong people and put on more hurts, habits and hang-ups than I should, but as this year comes to a close I’m determined to hang out with people whom “truly” have my best interest at heart. #NoMorePainfulExperiences – at least none that I can control or help.

– What pain experience(s) has helped you grow; Comment Below –

Your End of the Day Question:

Did you put a smile on someone’s face today? If so, who?

Roshonda N. Blackmon – Creator of A Blog, A Magazine. It’s JustsumInspiration, Author, Speaker & Encourager

Let’s Live Well, Laugh Loud, Inspire Often & Love Hard!

Becoming A Thankful Person

Published on November 9, 2017November 4, 2017 by Roshonda B7 Comments

photo credit above courtesy of bing

Have you ever met someone that no matter how good something was, they always found a reason to complain about it? Life has many ups and downs, curve balls, left hand swings, but just because life may have decided to put you in a bad situation, doesn’t mean that there aren’t little glimmers of light that shine through in which we should give thanks for.

There are countless situations in which we can find reasons to complain about such as our jobs, but there are many people whom can’t seem to catch a break in finding the good in it. We complain about the cars we drive, but there’s someone out there who has to walk or take public transit everywhere they go.

We complain about our kids, but there are people out there who would love to have one, but can’t. While there are many things we can complain about, there are also many things we should and can be thankful about as well.

Listed below are a couple of tips to help you become a little more thankful on any given day, no matter what situation or circumstance life has left on our doorstep.

Becoming A Thankful Person – Every..Single..Day

You should always be thankful for the life, health, and strength that you have and are given each day. This may be a minute thing, but when you look around at the people who aren’t so fortunate to have those things, it can make your day and your heart of gratitude that much more special. Every day above ground is truly a miracle; a miracle that everyone doesn’t have.

Being Thankful for Everything “YOU” Have

It’s easy to look at someone else’s situation and think that they have it so much better than us; we covet what they have thinking its better.

In reality, we’re all outsiders looking into someone else’s window. What we don’t see is how they too are struggling just like us, it might be a different struggle but we’re all in the same boat. While you’re looking into someone else’s window wishing for what they have, someone is looking through your window wishing they had what you got.

Being Thankful for Our Relationships

We should be thankful for our friendships as well as be grateful for our moms, dads, sisters and brothers no matter how close or distant you may be from them.

Family and friends are so important. Most times we don’t realize how blessed we are to have a family or loved ones in our corner until it’s too late and there are many people who wish that can have such relationships.

Being Thankful for Both small & BIG Things

We should give thanks in everything, even the small things. We should always be thankful, from the smallest things such as being able to eat what you want to the bigger things like receiving a promotion or getting the job of your dreams.

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Every day is a gift, and it’s a gift that should be cherished no matter the outcome, circumstance or situation that life may bring. Giving thanks is not meant for a particular day or season. Instead, it’s a lifestyle that we should aim to have every day of the year.

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT