Day 520 ~ Be Thankful Everyday!

November is definitely the official month of being thankful.

I don't know if you've noticed... but at the bottom of each of my November posts I have mentioned one thing that I am thankful for eachday.  It is something I have always done however thanks to social media I've been able to share it.

I started a few years ago with my status updates on facebook, and last year I made it a part of my blog... then at the end of April of this year I turned my gratitude updates or daily gratitude into my online daily journal.  Humble Gratitude

I have made it an everyday habit to be thankful... come rain or shine, good or bad mood... I must write something that I am grateful for... everyday.

I do have to add that the daily journaling idea came from Oprah ... a gratitude journal.  She states ...

'As more of your thoughts and words become positive, you'll start attracting more positive people and circumstances, Michael says. "Decide today that you are going to reduce negativity in your life by getting rid of the 'don'ts,' 'nots' and 'no's'—the negative people, the negative thoughts," he says. "Get in the habit of appreciating things."'

That's right... as more of your thoughts become positive you will notice a big difference in your life... If anything you will start looking at life in a positive way, attracting positive things into your life as well.

You might think that this is a bunch of mallarchy...  but I am here to testify to you that it is true!

Besides... it is by far more positive to look at things in a positive light as opposed to being grumpy, depressed and in a bad mood. YUCK!!  Who wants to be around someone like that?

So I say... take more time in your life to be thankful, you'll be amazed to the wonderful things in your life.

I am thankful for my friends who believe in me!

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...

I am second..

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life .  © 2012  U.S Copyright Laws apply.

Day 326 ~ Giving Back!

Last Sunday I shared with you all (you can catch up here if you'd like) the "rebirth" I have been experiencing at the hands of Oprah and her Lifeclasses.

I have been discovering new things about myself, life, love and death on so many different levels.  

After watching, and continued watching of the Lifeclasses, I have been inspired to work towards a new goal.  Giving back.

I talk so much about wanting to help other women, that now I am going to put my words to action.  I can't wait for someone to come to me, I have to go to them!

Tony Robbins

For the next year, I am committing to myself, with the assistance of my blog (which keeps me accountable -wink, wink,) to volunteer through my church to help others.  I have an appointment this week with my Pastor in hopes that he can guide me on my mission. 

Now, I do have to be 100% honest with full disclosure.  With that said, my goal is to get a "scholarship" to attend one of Tony Robbins' events, and doing volunteer work for one year (minimum) is a prerequisite.

Deepak Chopra

After I watch Tony Robbins I feel so, so inspired to do more with my life and I want to experience that first hand.  SO my goal is to be at one of his events next year.

These Lifeclasses have been life changing for me.  Being inspired by Tony isn't all... as I shared last week, I am also having "AHA" moments, left and right, with lessons and enlightening words from Deepak Chopra, Bishop T.D. Jakes, and Iyanla Vanzan.

From forgiving myself and others, to looking within myself to who I am as opposed to what I am (a daughter, sister, mom, wife, etc...), which is not easy.

Bishop TD Jakes stated, "You are more than what happened to you..."

Now that is deep!  And so very enlightening!!  That made my light bulb shine brighter than it has ever shined!

It is possible for you to get a grip on the thing that used to have a grip on you. And instead of it controlling you--you are now controlling it.  ~ Bishop T.D. Jakes

Iyanla Vanzant

Nothing is more important than reconnecting with your bliss. Nothing is as rich. Nothing is more real.

~Deepak Chopra 

It is not what we get. But who we become, what we contribute... that gives meaning to our lives.

~Tony Robbins

Your willingness to look at your darkness is what empowers you to change.  ~ Iyanla Vanzant

Blogging A to Z Challenge April 2012... Tomorrow ... "Z", the finale!

Blessings,

39 days to go...  

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Taking Back My Life ~ Making It My Own.  U.S Copyright laws apply.  © 2012

Day 314 ~ "O" is for ...

Wait for it... wait for it... Oprah!  At first, I thought I was all set-- I thought I had chosen the perfect words... Opportunity, Options and Optimism.  However, after having most of the day to think about where I was going to go with one or all of the words, I turned on Oprah's Lifeclass [for the millionth time] and BAM!  

"Oprah has those three words covered!"  I said to myself.

I immediately remembered a conversation I had last week with another mom at Calley's swimming lessons.  We hit it off!  We covered a lot "territory" in a 45 minute span, as we sat watching our daughters taking their swim class.  


We spoke of cooking, relationships, to Madea's Family Reunion.  (Which by the way, any woman in a bad relationship should watch this movie.  or any woman that is in a relationship or will be in the future!  lol!!)  The mom I was talking to was a beautiful African American woman.  She shared with me how she was brought up on the same principles that Madea shares with us in her movie.  Funny!!  

There is something about African American women.  They are tough, funny women, who (most) do not take crap from their men.  I am not talking about Niki Menage tough (crude and classless), I am talking about Queen Latifa (classy) tough.   As far as I am concerned, most African American women have chutzpa*!  Which I wish I had just a little more of.  wink, wink.

* A Hebrew word pronounced hutzpah, the 'c' is silent.  Chutzpah can be defined as guts, the ability to say or act in ways that may be negatively perceived and require a certain amount of bravery.

Then I said it.  "All I have to say is, Thank God for Oprah!"  As I proceeded to talk, I shared with her that Oprah has made a difference in our society.  Because of her, families today are able to speak openly about abuse, marriage, relationships, people's rights, etc. more so than ever before  Some subjects which were once found to be taboo to even speak of.  


Oprah has given us awareness, knowledge and a new sense of self.

I noticed that she was thinking... "What is this woman talking about?  Oprah has always been around."  Even so, I continued sharing without a skipping a step, with a funny look back acknowledging what she was obviously thinking, continuing with my story about  my first come across with Oprah.

It was the first time I had even heard of Oprah and there I sat pregnant, at my (then) in-laws in the mid-west;  being criticized by them for watching a show on postpartum depression [while pregnant, by a black woman no less].  Funny, I remember telling them that they were being ridiculous (in a respectful way), that I was educating myself and that "I" was in a good place.  (this was obviously years before all the crap started hitting the fan!)

This was back in 1986(Dec.).  It's now 2012.  and ... Wow!  It has been a little over 25 years and I continue to learn how to better myself and grow as a person thanks to the inspiring and motivating people and stories this woman.brings to our attention.  Currently I have been watching Oprah's lifeclass the Tour.  One word.  Amazing!

I looked at this mom that I happen to be talking to and said... "Wow. You more or less have grown up knowing of, and watching Oprah, haven't you?"  She actually laughed as she responded "yes".  

We both had a little "aha" moment there.  She realized that there was a different world before Oprah; and I realized that I had never thought that for some people Oprah has always been there for them.

As you become more clear about who you really are, you'll be better able to decide what is best for you - the first time around.~

I don't think of myself as a poor deprived ghetto girl who made good. I think of myself as somebody who from an early age knew I was responsible for myself, and I had to make good.~

Follow your instincts. That's where true wisdom manifests itself.~

 ~ Oprah Winfrey quotes ~

Blogging A to Z Challenge April 2012... What will "P" have for us tomorrow?

Blessings to all!!

51 days to go...  (This is starting to become bitter-sweet)

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Taking Back My Life ~ Making It My Own.  U.S Copyright laws apply.  ©

Day 269 ~ Words to Strengthen You

Food for thought... from Oprah's kitchen.  I came across some of Oprah's favorite quotes and felt compelled to share them with you.  They have left me heavy in thought, and have given me added inspiration; now I would like to pass them on to you.

"Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome." — Arthur Ashe, tennis champion

"I've always known that life is better when you share it. I now realize it gets even sweeter when you expand the circle." —Oprah

"Love is, above all else, the gift of oneself." —Jean Anouilh, playwright

"We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give." —Winston Churchill, British statesman

"Everyone has the power for greatness, not for fame, but greatness, because greatness is determined by service." —Martin Luther King Jr., civil rights leader and Nobel Peace Prize recipient

"Joy is prayer. Joy is strength. Joy is love. Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls." —Mother Teresa, Catholic nun and Nobel Peace Prize recipient

"Real beauty isn't about symmetry or weight or makeup; it's about looking life right in the face and seeing all its magnificence reflected in your own."  ~ Valerie Monroe, writer

Source: http://www.oprah.com/omagazine/Os-Words-That-Matter-Inspirational-Quotes

Blessings to all!!

96 days to go...

PS... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Image courtesy of Oprah.com