The Honeybee's Lifestyle

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  • It’s 901 in the 901

    Hello Honeybees,

    It’s September 1st in Memphis or 901 Day!

    I love the city of Memphis.  I love the big city with the small town feel.  Everybody knows everybody.  Everybody is related to everybody.  We all have more cousins than we know what to do with. You know, those random people that show up to the family reunion that no one can really place.  We all have them….if you don’t then YOU might be that person.

    I love the neighborhood pride. I love that Orange Mound is a city within a city. I love that no one can tell me exactly where South Memphis starts and stops.  Believe me it changes depending on who you ask.

    I love the high school pride. I’m not even gonna get into who was or is the best. Nope, not touching that one with a ten foot pole.

    901 Day

    I love the food. Nope, I’m not a big barbque fan but there are so many other good eats to be had in Memphis.  Fried chicken and Fish, Peach Cobbler, Greens, you get the picture.

    I love the music. Blues, Jazz, Hip Hop, Rap, R&B…you name it we got it.

    I love the friendliness of the people. I love the “yes ma’am” , “no ma’am”.  Although I try to tell young people that it’s not necessary to address me as such, I respect the fact that they still try.

    I love that we have our own language…aint it mane.

    I love the there are so many outdoor spaces to exercise, IF you can stand the heat. I can’t wait to get back to Shelby Farms. I still have not tried the Greenline and shame on me for that.

    I love that there are so many volunteer opportunities and people actually volunteer. Memphis is such a giving city.  Put out the call and people will answer.

    There are so many places in Memphis that I have yet to see and so many things that I have to do. But I know that wherever I go and whatever I do, I will find a long lost cousin who is repping their hood.  They will offer me a plate and ask where I went to high school.  This will start a long conversation. One that I will enjoy having.

    I love my city!!!!

    How are you celebrating 901?

    BelindaBee pic

    Beewisdom- This is Memphis…We GRIND here!

     

  • Bridge Builder For A Day

    Hello Honeybees,

    This past weekend I had a chance to experience what it feels like to be a Bridge Builder. 

    What is a Bridge Builder?   Well I’m glad you asked.

    Bridge Builders is one of the many programs offered at Bridges.  Bridges is a nonprofit that brings together diverse youth from all backgrounds across the Greater Memphis area and transform them into confident and courageous leaders.

    Bridges Logo

    The Bridge Builder program allows students to attend a week-long summer conference followed by monthly events throughout the school year.  As a Bridge Builder, students are empowered to apply what they have learned to improve their neighborhoods, schools and communities.

    Group Pic

    My son has been a Bridge Builder for 5 years.  I had a vague understanding of what the summer conference was like. But the time spent at Bridges was eye opening. During his junior & senior year he spent a week away from home for each conference.  On Saturday I spent 3 hours doing only a fraction of what happens during conference. One of the best parts of the day was meeting and working with other parents.

    Mothers Pic

    We performed team building activities and after each activity we had a “debrief”.  The debrief was very telling. We explained what we did, what we learned and how can we take those lessons back to our community or work.  I can only imagine how teenagers express what they learned.  Our group leaders were super cool.  They just spent the summer working with young people & now they had to switch to adults. They handled it like the professionals that they are.

    The Maze

     

    Little Tea Pot

    This is me leading our group in “I’m A Little Tea Pot”.  I can’t believe that I actually remembered the song AND the moves.

    I REALLY wanted to climb the rock wall but unfortunately the rock wall was not one of our activities.  But Bridges does have open rock climbing days and they also have an outdoor wall.  So NO EXCUSES!!! 

    Rock Wall

    If you ever need a place for team building Bridges is the place.  If you have a student in grades 6-12 this is a great live changing opportunity for them.                                             For more information visit http://bridgesusa.org/

    Who wants to climb the rock wall with me?  Let me know?

    Belinda Bee pic

    Beewisdom- You must be the change you wish to see in the world-Mahatma Gandhi

  • Stay on YOUR Game

    Hello Honeybees,

    I have really enjoyed watching the Rio Olympics.  So much drama, so much happiness, so much teamwork, so much patriotism and for the US Olympic team so much GOLD. 28 as I right this post.  One thing that I have learned from watching all of the athletes is how focused they are. These athletes didn’t just wake up last week or last month and decide that they were going to compete in the Olympics, they have put in years of hard work and dedication. 

    Here is the lesson that I am taking away from these games.

    Stay focused on YOUR game.

    If I want to accomplish my goals I have to stay focused on ME.  I can’t worry about what the other person is doing.  When I start worrying about them that’s when I start losing focus. I’m only slowing down my progress. That’s wasted energy.

    Phelps

    You have to plan your work and work your plan. 

    Sometimes we get so competitive that we spend all our time trying to figure out what the other person is doing so that we can get a leg up.  But what we are missing is that the other person is focused on their own goals and moving forward.  They aren’t wasting their time or talent on you and your actions.  So now who is moving forward and who is standing still?

    The only person i compare myself to is myself.

    Stop looking back!

    Look forward!

    Move forward!

    Go for YOUR gold!

    Belinda Bee pic

    Beewisdom- “I’m not the next Usain Bolt or Michael Phelps, I’m the first Simone Biles.”