The Honeybee's Lifestyle

Tag: memphis blogger

  • Boys To Men

    Hello Honeybees,

    I had the pleasure of attending two events this past weekend that made me feel nostalgic and showed me that there is hope for the future.

    Saturday my cousin graduated from the University of Memphis with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. He will start graduate school in three weeks.  He will pursue a dual degree with a Masters in Political Science and a JD.

    Graduation Brunch
    Graduation Brunch
    The Graduate
    The Graduate

    I am so proud of him.

    He wants to work in Political Psychology.  Until him I had never heard of such a career.  I’m glad that he has chosen a field that is typically outside of the box. When I was growing up something like this would’ve been frowned upon. We were encouraged to major in something “safe”.  Something that guaranteed a “paycheck”.  Those days are long gone. I talk to my boys about their future careers all the time. I encourage them to do something that they think they will enjoy, not just something that is safe. Reach for YOUR star!

     

    On Sunday I attended the truck party for my godson. He is leaving for Lane College in a week.  The road to college hasn’t always been easy, but nothing worth having ever is. I’m so proud of the work that he has put in. This only shows his strength of character.  As he begins the next chapter of his life I pray for his success. His village is strong and ready to jump in when needed. 

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    Cole's Trunk Party
    The Village

    I have known both of these young men since the day they took their first breath. I have watched them grow, stumble, fall AND get back up.

    My hope is renewed that they will one day change the world.

    I’m honored that I have the pleasure of having a special view.

    Are you part of a young persons village? Why or why not?

    Belinda Bee pic

    Beewisdom- “Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.” – Booker T. Washington

  • Listen Dear Journal

    I started journaling in middle school and I have never stopped. 

    Journal Collection
    Journal Collection

    As a young woman it was my way of dealing with the death of my father.  My mother ALWAYS encouraged my love for reading and writing. Writing as in journaling.  Two of the many things that I try to pass down to my boys. 

    As I grew older I used journaling as a way to not only release but to also reflect.

    I look back at some of my journals, especially high school, and wonder “What was I thinking?” It’s funny how complaining about school, chores and boys was such a big deal.  In college it shifted to boys, choosing a major and partying. Later in life it was about serious relationships, marriage and kids.

     I use journaling as an adult to help me navigate this thing called life.  Journaling helped me get thru the death of my mother, my divorce and many other circumstances.  I try to start a new journal at the start of the New Year but if it’s been a trying year I’ll start when I run out of pages.

    Having a pretty journal makes me want to write. Whenever I’m in a store I always find myself in the journal section. If you ever want to give me a gift…. A journal is a can’t miss.

    Here is my current journal and yes it was a gift.

    My Current Journal

    Here are some journaling tips that you might find helpful.

    1. Write consistently.Think of journaling as a daily practice that you would incorporate into your routine as you would yoga or running. Aim to write in your journal each day for 20 minutes. The day-to-day expectation of creativity effectively confronts the thoughts and feelings that are keeping us up at night.
    2. Consider starting out each day journaling. A 2012 University of Toronto study published in the journal Emotion has shown that people are more optimistic in the morning. Writing first thing in the morning helps give you a fresh perspective and the chance to start the day off with a clear mind.
    3. Never self-edit.Write freely, without worrying about spelling or grammar, and without the burden of worrying about what others might think about the words you choose. This journal is for you, and you alone. It might take practice, as we are programmed throughout our lives to write for others, but once you get into the habit of writing freely, you will start to get a clearer picture of what your true feelings are and then be able to work through them.
    4. Record it all: the good, the bad, the ugly.It is important to list the happiest moments of your life as well as the lowest moments of your life. This helps give you perspective of the complete picture. In reviewing your journal, you will be able to step back and see the whole story of who you are and how you got to where you are: what defines you, and where you want to go. Further, self-analysis builds self-worth by validating the entirety of your world-view, including your goals and values.

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-gail-gross/benefits-journaling_b_5588478.html

    Do you journal?  Why or why not? Leave a comment below to let me know.

    Belinda Bee pic

    Beewisdom- “The nicest part is being able to write down all my thoughts and feelings; otherwise, I might suffocate- Anne Frank, from The Diary of a Young Girl: The Definitive Edition

  • The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

    Hello Honeybees,

    One of my favorite quotes has always been

    Paulo Coelho

    Oprah was the first person I ever heard say this, so I thought she created it. Imagine my surprise when I started reading The Alchemist by Paula Coelho.  One of the major themes of the book is my favorite quote. 

    How I missed this book in 1988 is beyond me…. Oh yeah now I remember. 

    I was a college student trying to find that delicate balance between education & partying.  If it wasn’t required class reading I wasn’t reading it. Did someone say party??

    Thank God I grew up and rediscovered my love for books.

    At the beginning of  2015 I saw that a lot of my Facebook friends were either reading or re-reading The Alchemist.  You know it’s a good book when people are re-reading it.  The final straw came when I read that Idris Elba was set to star in the movie version.  I HATE reading a book after the movie.  So I had to get to reading.

    The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

    This was the perfect book to help pull me away from my phone, laptop, television and social media.

    I’m so glad that I took the time to read The Alchemist.  Actually the timing couldn’t have been better. 

    See, I’m finally pursing MY Personal Legend. I finally know MY purpose and what I want to accomplish.  And guess what…..the universe IS conspiring to help me achieve it. 

    I know that as I pursue my Personal Legend there will come a time where I will need to re-read The Alchemist.  We all need a reboot from time to time.

    I suggest you put down the electronics and pick up The Alchemist and get to reading.

    I give The Alchemist 4 out of 5 Bee pic Bee pic Bee pic Bee pic

    What is your Personal Legend?  Leave a comment below and let me know what you think of The Alchemist.

    Belinda Bee pic

    Beewisdom – “There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.”   Paulo Coelho