#ImInspiredBy...

This past weekend I finally finished my vision board.  Mind you, I bought the poster board and supplies for this project back in January.  The original idea was to make a vision board for 2012 but since we are almost half way through this year, I made a vision board of the things I want to do by the end of the year and other things that inspire me.

While going through Ebony and Glamour magazines to find pictures to cut out, I found a picture of Maya Angelou and I immediately cut it out.  She had to go on my vision board.  The summer of 2008 included an exlusive summer reading list of Maya Angelou books.  Her autobiography impressed me.  The life she led was amazing and she is also why I have started writing again.  Now I know that my writing will probably never amount to what she has done but she inspires me to find a way to put some of my deepest feelings into words in a way that most people can relate to.  I am not sure if it will happen before the end of 2012 but I hope to meet and ask her advice for someone that is serious about writing and pick her brain about how she feels about the present state of women. 

Something else I am inspired by is fashion.  I cannot tell you what was on this past spring's fashion runway but I do love fashion.  Basically because this is the utmost way to show off your personality.  This is a way to introduce yourself to someone before ever opening your mouth.  And I cannot get enought of bright colors, belts, big earrings, and wedges.  I have seriously enjoyed putting together outfits that express who I am.  I like to think I am upbeat, unique, and out going.  I want my wardrobe to say the same thing. 

Last but most certainly not least, I am inspired by my spirituality.  Some of you may know that I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses.  This past April 15, 2012 I was baptized and it will not be a day that I will forget.  It was the day that disowned myself and said that I would live my life for Jehovah God.  It is not always easy but it is most certainly worth it.  My spiritual beliefs have inspired the rest of my life including who I date (1 Corthians 7:39), how I spend my money (Matthew 6:19-21), and who I choose as close associates (1Corthians 15:33).  I am greatful to have Jehovah guiding my life. 

If you have not, create a vision board.  It is relaxing and it reminds you about things that maybe you have forgotten about yourself

If you have not already follow me on Twitter @EbonyMarieRe

My vision board!!!

#ChrisBrownShowingOutAGAIN

Just in case you have not heard about the latest beef Chris Brown is involved in, let me give you the tea.  He has gotten himself into a brawl with Meek Mill and Drake, supposedly over a champagne bottle being sent to Drake’s table at a night club.  I cannot give specific details because there have been so many conflicting stories.  But at the end of the champagne bottle tossing, Chris Brown has a chunk of meat from his chin missing, a girl who was visiting our country has been hit with a bottle, and one of Chris’ body guards was laid up in a hospital bed bleeding everywhere.  Drake has made a statement claiming he was not involved in the beef. 

Regardless of what the true story is, I am really tired of these celebrities showing their behind.  There are people who do not know how they are going to pay their rent this month.  There are people who do not know where their next meal is going to come from; there are people who are jobless and unemployment is about to come to an end.  Then you got Chris Brown and Meek Mill throwing champagne bottles, probably the equivalent of my bi-weekly paycheck.  I have never understood why rich people are the pettiest people.  If I was a millionaire I would be somewhere chilling on a beach, not attacking people in the club with broken glass.  But I guess the old saying is true: Money cannot buy class.

And to the girl that got cut with a bottle here is some advice to you: Get you a good lawyer and get paid.  If Chris Brown and Meek Mil got money to throw around the club in shears of glass, they got money to pay you for your pain and suffering.  If it was me they would for not only pay for the stitches but the hairdo that got messed up, the outfit that was ruin because of champagne and blood, the embarrassment, my plane ticket back home to my country, and whatever else I could think of.  When I was done suing Chris Brown, he would have to rename his album Fame to Famine. 

Now do not get me wrong, I am a huge fan of Chris Brown.  I do believe that he is one of the talented performers of our generation, but every time you turn around he is in the middle of some beef.  Just a couple of weeks ago, him and Brian McKnight were going at it on Twitter.  The day Chris Brown learns that he does not have to respond to every negative thing that is thrown his way is the day his life will become a lot less stressful.  And by the way, where is his publicist, his spiritual advisor, his momma?! Like for real, I need someone to intercede quickly before Chris Brown ultimately ruins his career. 

Okay guys and gals, that is all the tea I got for you for right now.  If you haven’t already follow me on twitter, @EbonyMarieRe.

#DontBullySherriShepherd

I want to start this post off by saying I apologize about being away for so long.  And I want to thank you if you watched the first episode of Through EBONY Eyes on YouTube.  Because of technical difficulties we have not been able to put up another episode but will be posting another episode hopefully soon. 

With that said, on to the main point of this post.  Sherri Shepherd, co-host on The View, was bullied on Twitter.  After someone tweeted Ms. Sherri that she should be dragged in a back alley and raped, she tweeted that she would be pressing charges against this person.  She then talked about online bullying and taking a stand.  Even though some have expressed on Twitter that she is blowing it out of proportion, I support Ms. Sherri Shepherd for standing up against online bullying.

Bullying has certainly been taken to another level since bullies (cowards) have taken their antics to the web.  Growing up in the 90’s and early 2000’s, bullying took place at school on the playground.  Even though this was not right, at least the child was able to go home and escape it.  Now with Facebook and Twitter, children and teens continue to be bully long after the last school bell has rung.  We now frequently hear stories in the news about bullied victims committing suicide or victims taking vengeance into their own hand which at time results in homicie.  Some states have even taken steps to change the laws concerning on-line bullying.  But regardless of the laws, we must take a stand against online bullying and this is what Sherri Shepherd doing.

There is a saying that goes “You don’t believe fat meat is greasy.”  Well, Sherri is showing the grease.  By taking a stand and getting the law involved she is making an example out of this person that you cannot just tweet people whatever and not suffer consequences.  When it comes to posting statuses and tweets, people always think of freedom of speech.  But freedom of speech does not include making threats or repeatedly attacking any one person. 

If this person is charged I think it will make people think twice before threatening someone online.  In order to show that online bullying is a problem, we cannot just keep ignoring it.  Sherri, I salute you for taking this step.

Remember to follow me on Twitter, @EbonyMarieRe