Freelancing or Not?

So, this summer things did not exactly go the way I wanted them to...But I know one thing. When things go unplanned, sometimes it's a better result. Now, by August i will be Mocha Broka files - eating on ramen noodles and waiting for birthday gifts to roll in. Though I didn't get a chance to go back to the Youth group, I am happy I have had 1 month to relax, be lazy, and be on my own schedule. This has forced me to relax a lot more, hang with family, and have time for friends which I normally don't. I have been writing more freelance articles - I'm now on Associated Content, and will post that link where I get paid for articles. I'm a virtual assistant for two clients and it's hectic but workable. I hate email more than ever since I have to be online all day most days - not chatting but posting articles, reviewing books, and let's not talk about my eyes...I do have glasses and will need new ones by the time school rolls back in. I got a check from a poem that got published this month. I won't talk about what I ain't making. I will say that at least I feel that I'm doing my purpose. I am about to sip on some strawberry boons and repack my bag for tommorrow I"m going to enjoy a concert at Ravinia - Patti Labelle...with friends and my Mom.

I've been dealing with the low side of Self-Employed life - it ain't easy but I am hanging in there. I'm grateful for my parterships...and collaborations. I know at the end of the day I am doing what God designed for me to do. I am on the path he wants me to travel. And he continues to blesses me in ways that makes me know I"m where I need to be.

Freelancing has been very interesting. Writing harder than ever. Submissions all over the place. I'm toying with the possibility of rolling myself out as an artist. I have the voice. I know who to get to work on my material. Just haven't gotten my feet wet yet...I'll keep you posted on that.

If you get a chance, please go to the American Idol site and vote for my tracks My Temple and Misinterpretations - Station 111 and 112. My temple is currently at #5 and Misinterpretations at #30 out of 50 tracks. I added my favorite spoken word poem, Lowercase, which is now featured in "Songs of Hope".

I wish you a beautiful day and weekend. Stay cool.

Until then.....keep it going.

- Mocha Sistah

A semi-hair journey

(April 2006)

Hair Chronicles

At some point I will be posting a whole pic gallery but this one is a July pic, from a few days ago...

Enjoy!

Mocha S.

Hair Chronicles Part IV

Hey allll....I'm just checking in. It's been a while since I posted about this subject. I love my hair. I had changed lock-tians.. because I had missed one appointment with the last stylist. I got a new stylist this week. I been maintaining my hair on my own. Basically using water, and my hair oils. Using my silk hair wrap. It's growing longer, and with my new stylist it will be much better. It doesn't matter that I used to have a ponytail....but i like the way my hair is growing. And it's been pretty much a work in progress, just like me. I will be posting some pictures soon.

Well, the real part of me doesn't want to tell the truth...but I'm gonna. When I went in to the first sistah, she didn't do much with my hair. I didn't know too much...until I got the 2nd sister who stated, my hair was not started right and that my parts were "messed up" and that my hair wasn't parted right. When I found out that I was a little disappointed the first young lady did not tell me - the truth and was just taking my money. I felt kind of stupid, but I guess it's a learning experience. The 2nd person to work my hair did the following:

Took each lock and retwisted it from the scalp, palming it.
Used some cream (lock cream) on each strand of my hair
Used pens at the end to secure it so each strand would be worked on individually.

Results - my hair looks like some of the folks I see passing. I thought because my hair is curly that it was taking longer with my previous stylist, but she did not do much but twirl my hair, not palm it as much as my new stylist. My new stylist did not use the hair dryer...either.

I like the way my hair looks. I'm not mad at the first person. I guess what I'm tryna say is that do your research when you go through this process. Talk with friends that might have dreadlocks and ask them what is involved. Know that it takes time for your hair to form and that the locks you see on tv on some stars are the "fake ones" that do not take that much time to grow over time like your own hair. Know that every one's hair is different. IN my hair I have hair in the back that is locking quicker. The hair in the front is more curly and has different textures.

Maintaining it is easy...so take that water, use it on your hair. Massage your scalp. Use your lock gel. Use your hair incense. Take care of your hair basically. I've taken more care of my hair now than ever.

I'm pretty satisfied. I got a stylist from a referral from a friend. I saw the client she works on and his hair is beautiful. So that was a good sign, plus she does house calls and came right to my home and she was very cool, kindhearted, and besides that she ran late, we had good results. I will be staying with her...because she's good. And cheap.

I spend under $100 every other month to maintain my hair. It aint' bad.

Anyway, take it light and we'll be in touch. Again, pictures will be on the way.

-- Mocha Sistah

Defining Success For You

I always equated success with thousands of dollars, a Benz, and a fat bank account. But as I got along in life, I redefined my measure of success because it's not always about the materialistic things in life. There are things in my life that are much wealthier than a big bank account, and physical things I cannot take when I leave this earth.

Eleven months ago when I ventured into the Self-Employed lifestyle, I had no real goals. I was going along with what God gave to me. I was stripped from a nine-to-five job where I was very stressed out, and not feeling that I used my gifts fully. I was taken from a very secure situation to a more flexible lifestyle as an Educator and Freelance Writer. When I worked a regular job, I did not pay all my bills on time, yes, this is true. I was living beyond my means...and I was trying to play constant catch up with bills. When I started my new life, I got all my bills straightened out, and to this date, all my bills are pretty much being paid up. I haven't had any problems with anything. I just had to redefine my life in according to what matters.

What became a focus point for me was:

Family
Close Friends
Community/Volunteering
Assisting Artists

What's Wealth for me:
The way I treat my friends
The way I treat my family
Networking with people who I can help
and who can help me

A Successful day:
Did I treat people kindly
Did I have time for my family/friends
Did I have any valuable "me" time

Successful things in my life:
Inclusions in anthologies
Contributing Writing Highlights
Being able to share with youth
Positive comments from my musers
Praise reports from my friends who
were recently blessed
My peace of mind and spirit

I think it's important to plant seeds of positivity. If I walk this earth for years and never blessed a kind word or deed to another soul, all the book sales in the world means nothing. If I walk this earth for years and died tommorrow, if no one remembered a kind deed or word that I did, then all my living would be in vain. Success for me has more to do with my spirit and soul and what I've done in the world to be a positive loving human being.

What you choose to focus on - and being a success in life has to do with you. For me, it can be 2 books sold, or a new referral from a client. Or a conversation with a school that praised me on work I completed...

I'm wishing you well on your successful endeavors in life. Remember, it's what you do with your "dash" that counts. It's what you do on this earth NOW before you released from your earthly obligations...

Be successful always!
-- Mocha Sistah

Letting Go: Giving Back to Your Soul

Don't you wish you could be this little girl with no problems, just laying around and enjoying without any real burdens? Yes, you do...but you can't. Sometimes the load of life can be a bit much. And I know you have heard the statement, "Let Go and Let God." But it's a little more challenging than just saying that out loud and hoping for the best.

Whether it's you getting out of a relationship, dealing with a difficult situation, or getting a divorce, it's hard to let go of something that meant so much to you.

Ask yourself a few guiding questions:

1) What can I do to be positive about the situation?
2) Why am I so mad about this?
3) How did I contribute to the situation?
4) Can I forgive or forget?
5) Will it matter that the person says, "I'm Sorry"?
6) Why am I "stuck" on the rage/pain?
7) Is it hard to say good bye to the memories?
8) How can I honor myself and the other person?

Part of letting go sometimes is dealing with the death of something. The stages of grief are apart of letting go of the situation. IN addition to that it's also feeling rejected, or that you have failed. Nothing in life is perfect. Do one favor to your soul, try to ease the load. Yes, it's harsh sometimes when dealing with life issues and unexpected situations, but you have to eventually let go and give back to your soul.

Find the courage to do what you feel is right for you.

Suggested ways to deal with this:

1) Find a way to speak to the person
2) Write a letter
3) Phone call
4) One-on-One visit
5) Do not blame or accuse them
6) Be accountable for your actions/contributions to this situation
7) Write in your journal
8) Try to sort out feelings before you address them
9) Find a friend/person who'll be non-judgemental that can listen
objectively; it's not all about advice. You need a sounding board
10) Stay true to yourself
11) Accept the person as they are: it's possible they may not be able to
say I'm Sorry or even take accountability for their actions
12) Take the high road

Be blessed and post any other tips on the blog. Your soul will truly, truly
thank you for taking that "load" away.

- Mocha Sistah

Fourth of July Celebrations

Well...it's that time of the year again. Barbecues and celebrations. I spent part of my weekend in Saint Louis, Missouri with the family, enjoying the best in finest of southern cuisines. It was blazing between 90 degrees and 100! The kids were great. Family was in the house! Best dishes to die for: Roast Beef and Veggies, Fried Corn, Peach Cobbler, Seven Layer Salad. I also fell in love with Soy Milk - Vanilla...It was delicious and I don't even like Soy Milk. Go figure~

I got a lot of rest and relaxation, no internet for four days which might be a Mocha Sistah record.

I was talking with a family member who decided to keep family tradition by entering active duty. He's only 17, and I'll definitely be praying for his tradition from high school to active duty. He's in his last year of schooling in Kansas.

Mocha's July 4th Dinner:
Buffalo Wings
Potato Salad
Baked Beans
Spaghetti
Fried Corn
Fresh Pineapple

I decided to cook today and chill for the rest of this week.

July 4th FASHION DONT'S:
I saw some scary outfits yesterday as I rolled back into town - Fourth of July folks does not mean, SCARY FASHIONS. I love my sisters truly I do. But .....let's keep it simple. If you don't have the toned up thighs and stomachs, certain outfits should only be worn at home. For real... Got a stomach, hide it. Got flab, hide it. Doesn't matter what size you are, you can still be sexy without being TRASHY.

Keep it simple...
Keep it classy...

That's what Grandma told me.

Well, enough of me and my little update. I'll be eating in a minute or so.

Safety issues:
Drive...no drinking.
Fireworks...please be careful, read the instructions
and move those babies away from the sparklies.

Fourth of July Shoutouts: to those in Iraq and actively serving. Thanks for taking the bullets and serving and PROTECTING us all. Without you, we would be exposed, open and at risk. You may not hear it all the time, but we appreciate you. And prayer for those who've lost families in all American wars, the world wars, and current wars. God Bless you always.

Much love and spirit.

-- Mocha Sistah