The Honeybee's Lifestyle

Category: LIFESTYLE

  • A Day Of Sisterhood

    Hello Honeybees,

    On Friday January 15th, 2016 I had the privilege of celebrating the 108th Founders’ day of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.  I use the word privilege because it is indeed a privilege to be a member of the FIRST black Greek letter sorority.  The day I became a member of AKA will always be one of the best days of my life.

    Legacy

    2016 was one of the best founders day ever for me.

    I started the celebration by wearing pink and green and pearls all week.  On Friday a coworker asked how much pink & green did I own?  It was so funny because I’m sure that the question has been asked of every AKA at some point.  My response was…when you see pink & green that you like & it works for you…..you buy it because you will always need it.

    On Friday I shared afternoon tea at the historic Peabody Hotel in downtown Memphis with a diverse group of sorority sisters (Sorors).  There were “seasoned” Sorors, Sorors celebrating their first founders day, Sorors that were new to Memphis, Sorors that were returning to Memphis. Sorors that were initiated   undergrad and Soros that were initiated in grad. Some of us were renewing friendships and some of us were meeting for the first time.  The beauty of it all was we each got to share WHY we became Alpha Kappa Alpha women.  The sharing brought tears and laughter.

    Pinky Peabody

    For some it started in elementary school with a teacher, for some it was their mothers legacy, others is was just a deep, deep feeling in their heart.  The one theme that was true for everyone was SISTERHOOD. You could feel the strength of our bond in the room. I will never forget that feeling.

    Friday night I attended a Mix & Mingle.  A room full of beautiful women enjoying our great sisterhood.

    IMG_1932 IMG_1943

    Sororities are not for everyone and everyone should not be in a sorority. I compare sororities to families. No family is perfect.  Not all family members are perfect. Think about your last family reunion.  There are family members that you don’t get along with BUT if someone attacks your family you put all that aside and fight together. As a family!!!

    That’s how I feel about my sorority sisters…… We help each other for we know there’s no other like our sisterhood.  As an only child I must say that having over 280,000 sisters is pretty awesome.

    Belinda Bee pic

    Are you in a Sorority?  If so let me know which one.

    Beewisdom-  “From the outside looking in, you can never understand it.  From the inside looking out you can never explain it.” ~ Unknown

  • DO BETTER

    Happy New Year Honeybees,

    As we start 2016 most of us are making New Year resolutions, creating new vision boards and setting new goals.  We are starting new savings plans, new gratitude journals and prayer list. We are hitting the gym and eating right!!

    Whew!!!  I’m tired already

    Don’t get me wrong there are a number of things I mentioned above that I am actively doing.

    Yes, I have a vision board.  I’ve had one for years

    Yes, I have a gratitude journal. I’ve had one for years

    Yes, I’m doing the weekly savings plan. This one is a first but hey, I’ve got to start somewhere

    Yes, I am setting goals.  I can’t just be wandering into 2016 all willy nilly.

    But what I will NOT do is let all of this stress me out.  There are too many other things that could do that… (I’m raising two brown teenage boys in a world that doesn’t seem to value their lives).  Just being honest!!

    My gratitude journal & vision board bring a calmness to my life, they give me direction.

    If any of these things are adding stress to your life then DON’T DO THEM.  If just the thought of creating a vision board makes your tired…..then that’s not the thing for you.  If the thought of going to the gym depresses you, find another way to drop those pounds.  I’ve been told something about… if you eat right that’s half the battle.

    HNY image

     

    Here’s a thought that one of my favorite pastors gave us Sunday at church…..Your goal, resolution or whatever you might want to call it for 2016 should be DO BETTER!!

    DO BETTER than last year, whatever that looks like to you.  You tried to save $1,000 last year but only made it to $500…well this year DO BETTER… anything over $500 is better than last year.  Didn’t lose not one pound last year, well here is your chance to DO BETTER, if you drop 1 pound this year you did better.

    Now don’t get lazy about the situation.  You get out what you put in!!

    So at the end of 2016 if you are not happy then DO BETTER and put in the work!!!

    BelindaBee pic

     

    What is your DO BETTER for 2016?

    Beewisdom- You Reap what you Sow!!!

  • Life’s A Beach

    Hello Honeybees,

    For the past 6 years I have spent the second weekend of October on Miramar beach in Destin, Fl.  For the past 6 years this has been my yearly time of relaxation and reflection.  This has been the time for me to recharge my battery.

    The Beach

    The trip for me started as a shopping trip. Silversands Premium Outlet Mall has it all and is in walking distance from our hotel.

    I must admit the first two years were all about shopping.  What girl doesn’t love a designer outlet?

    As my life circumstances changed so did my reason for going.  I now go to spend time with ME, MYSELF & I. And GOD!!

    We arrive in Florida Friday afternoon and we are free to do whatever makes us happy until Sunday noon when we head back to Memphis.  I have my weekend down to a science…. Food, Beach, Food, Rest

    Fl tree

    I cannot describe the impact that this trip has on my life.

    Being near the water, watching the sunrise, enjoying quiet time reading on the beach

    Beach Reading

    It’s the one time of the year when I’m not a mother, an employee or any other title……

    I am ME

    Sunday morning we have prayer on the beach.  This is the time where we give our troubles to God. We use a stone as a symbol of something that we want to let go of & toss it into the ocean.  We let it go & give it to God.  I’ve learned that if I truly give it to Him it’s gone.

    The Stone

    Last year the thing that I gave to God was gone by the time I made it back to Destin.

    This year I gave Him something new and I know that He will take care of it again.

    I’m already looking forward to next year.  I’m already looking forward to spending THAT quality time with God and being grateful for my blessings.

    Sunrise

    Belinda Bee pic

    How do you recharge? Do you prefer the beach or the mountains?

    Beewisdom – The beach is my happy place