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Beware of Coupling Season! Are you a Victim?

Published on February 8, 2018February 7, 2018 by Roshonda B7 Comments

picture above courtesy of bing

If you don’t know what coupling season is, then let me ask you a question – Do those sappy movies for Christmas such as “A Husband for Christmas”, ” A Kiss for Christmas,” “Getting Married for Christmas” make you sad or angry? Do you find yourself feeling utterly alone and disappointment with your “single” status when other specific holidays roll around, such as Thanksgiving, your birthday and let’s not forget the one day in which everyone shows love – V-DAY! also known as Valentines Day!

If a month or a week before these holidays hit surface; you find yourself feeling like you want or need to be booed up with someone special or these holidays put you in a somber mood, because either your friends are booed up or married and there you are all alone with no one under your arms to even chat with…PLEASE DON’T LET IT!

Coupling season as I call it, is the desire to only want to be with someone when a special holiday or event rolls around and with such movies named above playing for Christmas and the millions of candy and balloons displayed for V-Day – it’s like the world is sending us a signal saying “We’re terrible people for being alone or not paired up with someone special for these very sporadic and short seasons” all those images can make us uneasy with being single and satisfied and put us in a place of being destitute and desperate and because we really desire someone to fulfill this ONE DAY event, we break down our walls and begin to settle for anything – including the guy or woman we “purposely” let go because they didn’t have any goals or anything to bring to the table. Coupling season can suddenly make their previous conversations begin to sound good and the guard you put up towards their behavior is justified by “Well, maybe they didn’t really mean it that way.” WRONG!!

They did mean it that way and NO!, they’re still not the “perfect” person you so desire them to be in a relationship either…..so…..WAKE UP!

I can’t tell you how many times, I’ve fell victim to the coupling season, I mean I would get downright depressed; in which would lead me on a desperate search through my phone contacts for “past” relationships that I purposely cut off, only because I didn’t want to be alone. And NO, I was not about to send myself flowers, chocolates nor balloons on V-Day…..Really,???? Like for some reason, that gesture always made me feel weird. And yes, I do know some people that have actually done it and still do it…..smh….

Listen, if you’re not booed up, then just because Valentines Day is days away, doesn’t mean that you have to lower your standards just to get hooked up for one day. Girl Please and Boy Bye! Why settle for one day; the one thing you have to realize is this:

It’s only one Day – Not a Lifetime!

Valentines Day comes once a year, do you really want to get depressed over that? Yes, I know it may seem sad to go in the store and see all the balloons, bears, cards and boxes of chocolate or the men and women in there whom are shopping for “special loved ones” a.k.a boos that is, but don’t let that get to you. It’s a Day, Not a Lifetime and if I can really be honest?, half of those people are going to go back to being who they truly are the following day. If you really want to know what love is, just look in the mirror at yourself. True Love starts with you – the candy, balloons, bears and chocolates is not a necessity and do not guarantee love.

Know who you are and stick to your guns

As stated above, when those holidays would hit – I would run to the nearest person I axed just so I wouldn’t be alone. In doing that, I soon realized that there was a disconnection in me that I still hadn’t worked out yet because if I had, I would’ve been content and complete with not having anyone on V-Day or any other holiday! Don’t allow a simple holiday knock you off course for waiting for what you really want. Trust me, your time and energy is valuable – don’t exhaust it on something or someone that isn’t worth it, stick to your guns.

Society fills our egos, hearts and heads up with what should happen at a particular time in our lives and if we hadn’t done that BIG thing by a certain age or if we don’t have someone special by the holidays, especially valentines day – then there’s something majorly wrong with you. But I’m here to tell you, there’s nothing wrong with you; you are absolutely fine and no, you’re not the only one celebrating V-Day alone – open your eyes and look around you, there are plenty of people whom are doing it and wilding it out with just a party of one.

So, enjoy being you and being content and satisfied with who you are. I can’t tell you when your “prince or princess” will appear but I will tell you this – good things always come when you least expect it too. Enjoy life, don’t rush or put unnecessary people in places that they don’t belong. You got this all by yourself, I do it all the time and I can’t tell you how happy I am about it. I realize my worth and I also realize the price my worth cost, in which can’t be bought for just one night. Grab your worth by the horns and stick to it – even through coupling season.

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

Don’t have time to read?, You can listen to this post via Sound cloud below: just press the orange button to play!

Jalen Bailey is Baking Cookies & Taking Orders for V-Day!

Published on February 6, 2018February 6, 2018 by Roshonda BLeave a comment

Picture above courtesy of bing

About a year ago, I wrote a story about a phenomenal then 8yr old young man by the name of Jalen Bailey whom was cooking up pies and cookies in his kitchen, and these weren’t just any ordinary cookies and pies for the local bake sale at school or church but had become a lifestyle job for Jalen, whom was destined to make his passion into a profit that would help both he and his mom. Jalen Bailey was using his gift of “baking” to its fullest potential. I wanted to re-share this story to shed even more light on Jalen and his skills and to inform you of how you can get your very own order from Jalen’s bakery. Now that Valentine’s Day or V-Day as I like to call it is fastly approaching, you too can get your hands on some of Jalen’s delectable sweets for either yourself or that special someone in your life. Jalen’s bakery has been doing so great, it caught the eye of Rachel Ray, YESSSSS! the number one chief herself asked Jalen to be a guest on her show. You can read all about Jalen and his reason for baking below as well as watch his appearance on Rachel Ray. I’ll have links below so you follow Jalen’s Bakery Journey and while you’re at it – you can get your yummy order in as well!!

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“I said I wanted to be a millionaire. I thought that wasn’t possible but now I think it is.” Jalen Bailey

Those are the words of 8-year-old Jalen Bailey who started in a baking company called “Jalen’s Bakery” right out of his mom’s small kitchen. Seeing how tiny their kitchen and house was, Jalen decided to put his gift to work by baking and selling cookies –not to get new toys, but to buy his mom a house.

According to HUFF POST, Jalen doesn’t use a cook book, but bakes all of those yummy goods from scratch! This includes his specialty peanut butter cookies, banana nut muffins and vanilla cake in a jar. Just the thought of all of those goodies are making me hungry. The prices for the treats range anywhere from $5 to $15 dollars. He and his mom will even deliver them too you (but only if you’re local).

Jalen’s mom, Sharhonda Mahan, who is a single mother, is his biggest supporter and a business-owner herself. So for Jalen starting his own business didn’t come as much of a surprise to her. According to Sharhonda, Jalen has been receiving many requests for orders and has also baked for his first event in which a vendor offered to purchase a bigger stove for him to keep baking more and more tasty goods.

“He’s very excited. It seems like the more orders he gets, the more excited he gets and the more serious he gets about his business.”

Seeing how passionate and driven her son has been for the past two years about baking and the many requests which floor their door, Sharhonda recently started a GOFUNDME page so that Jalen can start shipping to customers nationwide. The goal is $10,000 for Jalen to own a house, raise funding for college, give back to the community and learn the life of being a young entrepreneur. While this seems like a tall order for an 8-year-old; with Jalen’s drive, his mom’s support and their now booming business, I believe he will be able to complete everything on his list and more.

To keep up with Jalen and find out what he’s cooking up next, you can follow him on one of the social media sites below:

Follow Jalen on his Instagram page entitled jalensblog here

You can place your order for V-Day on his website here

Get daily motivation, and see his latest recipes on FB here

The goal of 10K was met, the link to the GoFundMe page above is new and was created so Jalen can help and give back to the community, his goal 2 months ago was to raise enough money to be able to giveaway 200 coats and socks to kids in need. But please visit the page as there are other philanthropy goals that Jalen is doing. What an Inspiration, Way to Go Jalen!!!

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

Review: My Monday Movie Favorite Is….

Published on January 29, 2018January 29, 2018 by Roshonda B2 Comments

photo above courtesy of bing

Have you ever questioned God?, I mean – I know that might be a silly question because to be honest; we all have questioned him at one point in time or the other. We question him when he sends us on a path that we’re unsure of, We question him when hard times hit us out of nowhere and We question him when our lives don’t seem to add up the the plans that we had for it – In times like that, we have so many questions and very little trust in a man that has a plan for everything – including tragedies.

In the movie “A Question of Faith” you’ll see three different families of whom’s life all come strategically together by crisis in which drives all their faith to the ultimate test. The movie in which stars, Richard T. Jones, Kim Fields, Jaci Valasquez, T.C. Stallings, C. Thomas Howell, Gregory Alan Williams and Renee O’Connor was produced by Angela White, film producer, talent and business affairs executive and founder of Silver Lining Entertainment. To her accreditation, White is the producer of several films including “The Sin Seer” starring Isaiah Washington, Lisa Arrindell & Salli Richardson (in which is now in my Netflix list of movies to watch), “My Favorite Five” which stars Rochelle Aytes, Brian White & DeRay Davis (this movie was hilarious and on point; single ladies will love this one – I sure did), “The Last Letter” and “The Comedy Underground Series.” In producing “A Question of Faith”- Angela White became the first African-American female to release a theatrical faith based film (Go Girl!!!)

‘A Question of Faith’ transcends time, race, gender, class and religious ideology. This is a film that can open one’s heart and make a person reevaluate some of their own personal life decisions. We want people to walk away knowing the word of God is there to comfort you and that having faith in what you can not see is okay, as God has your life covered, and the questions you may have are already answered.

Angela White, Producer of “A Question of Faith”

A Question of Faith, is a beautiful story of how God may not always answer our prayers in the way that we think he should and while we may have many, many questions in regards to the direction of our lives; if we can truly put our trust in him, he has plan and will never, ever let us down. It’s a film that will make you rejoice, think about your own life and cry in the process, knowing that God is not only a healer but a restorer of FAITH! I wasn’t able to make the screenings of this movie when it first came out in September, but I’m so glad, as now it’s at the redbox and available for everyone to see and trust me, you’ll definitely want to rent this one for movie night this week. Spoiler Alert!!! – you’re going to need a BUNCH of tissues!!! I cried and cried and even had to do a couple of rewinds, it was just that powerful and uplifting.

The movie also raises awareness about texting and driving and organ donation in which I thought were good causes and glad that the affects of each, can be recognized and put on display. I know you’ll get something out of this movie – if you’ve ever had questions about God’s plan for your life, this movie will sure give you the Faith you need to still believe. You can follow Angela White on Instagram – as I know for sure, she has many, many more things up her sleeve for 2018!!

For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans to prosper you, to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

So, grab your family, popcorn and your tissues and rent “A Question of Faith”

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

The Incredible, Strong, Bold & Beautiful Kristi Data

Published on January 25, 2018January 22, 2018 by Roshonda B3 Comments

photo above courtesy of Kristi Data Facebook

WHAT YOU SEE…Hair done, make up done, a big bright smile, beautiful background, bright eyes, and a look of happiness, excitement, and possibility.

WHAT YOU DON’T SEE…is the fear of disappointing others, lack of self belief, body image issues, people pleaser-itis (just made that word up), anxiety filled, and the constant fear of not looking a certain way which would lead to people not likingme. Sad isn’t it 😔!

I’ve really taken a look at both of those lists, and the biggest take aways from it all is, “How do I want to feel?”, “How do I want others to feel?”, and “What can I do, be, and give to help others?” Here are my answers… I want to feel love, joy, bliss, excitement, laughter, strong, healthy, and empowered! I want others to feel what’s most important to them!

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I was born Jan 25, 1973 in Middletown, NY which is about 60 miles NW of NYC. From a very young age I was very active and began playing organized sports probably around age 8 or 9. I loved everything about sports and playing on a team. That excitement and enthusiasm for sports lead me to start playing volleyball in 8th grade that I became very passionate about. It was a goal to earn an athletic scholarship, and with a lot of sacrifice and discipline I achieved my goal and earned a full ride to Clemson University.

College was the most challenging 4 years of my life. I developed a pretty severe eating disorder that lasted past my college career. The number on the scale had become the meter to measure my self-worth and dictated what I ate and what I would keep down. After some scary moments of being hospitalized, I quickly realized the damaged that I was destroying myself. I went to some counseling, and eventually walked away from it. I was learning to let go of the control and to love myself.

I may have screwed up as a girlfriend and sometimes as a sister, a daughter or as a friend, because I don’t always say or do the “right things”. I have a smart mouth, I have secrets, I have scars because I have a history. Some people love me, some like me, and some people don’t. I have done good in my life. I have done bad in my life. I go without makeup, or shaving my legs sometimes. I don’t get dressed up half the time. I am random and I am silly. I will not pretend to be someone I am not. I am who I am, you can love me or not. But if I love you, I will do it with my whole heart, and I will make no apologies for the way I am. I AM ME!!! – Kristi Data

I have battled body image issues for quite some time. Yes, on the outside you would see someone who had it all together with her physical appearance, relationship, career, but was absolutely screaming on the inside for help. But that never let them see you sweat mentality was what I chose. And that’s when the Universe gave me an incredible gift about 7 years ago. It was this earth angel of a woman that I am now best friends with. We very quickly found a common passion of health, nutrition, and wanting to help others feel their best from the inside out.

Kristi Data5 — ***She needed A Hero, So that is what She Became – Dr. DelRae Marie Messer***

We had been through quite a few challenges in that time, and have grown and learned so many lessons. Some I am still learning. For the last 3 years I have been in the best shape of my life mentally, physically, and emotionally. I have consistently chosen to fuel my body with incredible nutrition, my mind with things that challenge me to grow personally, and surround myself with an incredibly energetic and loving tribe. One of my most recent goals that I achieved physically was a fitness competition. This competition was one of the most incredible experiences as it challenged me in every way possible. The biggest win was that I can now look at my body as a vessel that houses my soul. It’s a gift, and I want it to last for a very, very long time.

Kristi Data3 — ***How am I going to live TODAY in order to create the TOMORROW I’m committed too. Tony Robbins***

Kristi, thanks so much for the encouragement and inspiration you provide to women all over the world. The world needs more super women like you, women whom are not afraid to speak up, tell their truths – reveal their flaws and keep it all the way! You really are Incredible, Strong, Beautiful & BOLD!

If you would like to follow Kristi and I believe you should – You can find her on the following social sites below. If you would like to inquire more about her fitness routine/regimen with Isagenix. I have provided a link to that site as well, please reach out to Kristi as she has some amazing people whom have tried Isagenix and are in the best shape and health of their life! She can tell you more about It!

Facebook – Kristi Data

Instagram: Kristi Data (@kristidata)

Kristi’s Fitness Regimine: Isagenix

Hey, Ya’ll today is Kristi’s Birthday – Leave a comment below and give her a shoutout! I’ll let her reveal her age; just let me say – my jaw dropped when I found out!!! All I can say is that she looks absolutely A-Mazing.

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

Come Get to Know Me, As………

Published on January 24, 2018January 23, 2018 by Roshonda B1 Comment

Hey, do you follow me on Instagram – Twitter or Facebook – Do you follow me via the Blog? Do you really know who I am? Well tonight’s your lucky night! as I’ll be getting interviewed by Kristi Data, tomorrow’s guest blogger. You’ll get a chance to get to know me, why I created this blog and hopefully a whole lot more, you’ll also get a chance to meet Kristi Data in whom will be sharing her inspirational story on the blog tomorrow @ 1pm. You don’t want to miss her nor me tonight at 6:30pm on FB Live!

Come and check out who you’ve been following! If you would like to join me on FB Live @ 6:30pm – Just click here

FYI: This is my very first interview soooo….I’m really nervous. I’m asking for forgiveness in advance for any fumbles = )