Live to find hope…

Hope you don’t mind my sharing.

For I believe this is a place of caring. .

I come to you on this life’s journey. .

For today, I feel wounded and afraid. .

Feeling the loss of pain of my once nerdy.

Decease loved one who once made. .

My life so very worth living. .

Yet this life today has me feeling so overwhelmed. .

That I find myself reliving. .

A fight of life that does make it compelling. .

To ensnare me in a will to live life and excel. Thou daily when I walk this life it feels like hell.

And so once more I walk on this journey of life. .

So, filled and consumed with pain, sorrow and strife. .

That now it is affecting all my tomorrows. .

And so, I come and ask you? .

How does one get through such sorrow? .

To be present for a new day on the tomorrow? .

When one has lost all ray of hope. .

And there is no one to toss out a lifeline or a rope. .

To help one find a new sky blue. .

That’s full of hope? .

For alas I don’t have a clue. .

To live to find hope. .

Do you? .

2021 New Year’s Resolution Ideas!

The year of 2020 has finally come to an end. Now with that said and out the way. It’s time! Time to reflect! Time to set new goals. Time to plan out the steps to achieve them, in 2021! Yes, it’s New Year Resolution Time!

Here’s a list of some top 50 New Year Resolution Ideas. See if there are any that are right for you.

If you ate to much over the holidays like me. Then I know the first on my list is probably one you have been thinking of.

1. Get in shape.

2. Start off each morning with a stretch

3. Drink plenty of water each day

4. Be consistent with meals

5. Stop procrastinating

6. Meet New People

7. Connect with New People, check out Zoom

8. Become more active – exercise every other day or walk each day.

9. Reduce stress

10. Be more polite

11. Stop gossiping

12. Give one compliment a day

13. Start a jar, each day write down something you are grateful for & put in the jar.

14. Get a check-up and make it an annual habit.

15. Say ten-positive affirmation to yourself each day for 21 days

16. Do a random act of kindness

17. Take time to appreciate your accomplishments

18. Learn to be happier

19. Don’t sweat the small stuff

20. Try something new

21. Take a chance

22. Watch less TV

23. Meditate or learn to be quiet with self

24. Read more

25. First my eleventh novel

26. Start a journal

27. Spend thirty minutes a day cleaning. Closets, rooms etc.

28. Develop a skin care routine

29. Make it a priority to get quality sleep

30. Get rid of one bad habit

31. Set a monthly budget

32. Balance your checkbook

33. Save money each month to reward self with one indulgent item

34. Make time for self-care

35. Get in touch with your creative side

36. Embrace spontaneity

37. Start making a to-do list

38. Once a month take a 24-hour break from social media

39. Take a one-month break from spending money

40. Keep a notepad next to your bed to write down your dreams & ideas

41. Practice a do it now rule

42. Become more active in your community/government

43. One hour before bedtime do not use your cell phone

44. Give yourself positive self-talk.

45. Clean out your car

46. Clear away clutter in your home

47. Be kind on social media

48. Don’t hold grudges

49. Resolve to forgive someone who has wronged you.

50. Resolve to get in touch with an old friend, teacher, or family member. As long as you feel it’s safe to do so. Resolve to only let the positive into your life.

These are just a few. I am sure that there are many others. Today is a new day. One that you have never lived before. Just as 2021 is a New Year, one we have never lived before. I’m looking forward to it. I hope that you are too.

Good luck in 2021. This New Year holds much hope and promise for a better tomorrow. May 2021 be filled with all good things, for you and yours, this country and the world we live in.

Peace my friend!

Read #Free on Smashwords! Book II Lovers, Players Seducer - The Revenge!

Revenge! Lovers, Players & The Seducer -Book II: Last time, in J. A. Jackson’s steamy, romantic thriller Lovers, Players and The Seducer, the storm came…and went.

Back then, Nicholas La Cour played a very dangerous game of cat and mouse; one in which he involved his childhood friends, Kienan Egan and Quinn Rolandis. Even worse, he put his own sister, Lacey La Cour, right in the middle of that storm.

Everyone got swept away in the torrent of greed, lust and ruthless ambition. All except two ratchet lovers…

Discover as one ratchet lover determined to put the past behind her, believes she’s found true love only to be catapulted into an intriguing world that threatens her life and may shatter her heart.

Another storm is coming, but will the two ratchet lovers survive it?

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Book II – Lovers Players Seducers – The Revenge!

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Sweet Pepper Cajun Cookbook - Christmas Menu - Cooking With Author J. A....

Cooking Thanksgiving Dinner! Need a Menu? Check out…

Looking for tasty, delicious Magnolia Table Southern Soulful recipes for your Thanksgiving Dinner? Check out… The Sweet Pepper Cajun! Tasty Soulful Food Cookbook!: Southern Family Recipes!

Healthy Relationships Are A Must!

The happiest relationship is not dominated by a single partner. Relationships are about sharing your life. If creating a loving and long-lasting relationship is one of your goals, you should always be honest and genuine.

The great writer Theodore Dreiser said. “I believe in the compelling power of love. I do not understand it. I believe it to be the most fragrant blossom of all this thorny existence.”

If you don’t want the “thorny existence of love,” one should always give serious thought to what they want in their relationship and to always make sure that they maintain their own self-esteem and confidence while in any relationship as well as the self-esteem and confidence of their partner.

List of things Not to Do in Your Relationships

Give or make hurtful comments

Play the assumption game

Bring up the past

Hold grudges

Snoop on their cell phone

Put other people, not in your relationship first

Giving solutions when the person is really looking for a listening ear

Being judgmental and thinking you are above others

Being defensive to criticism

Telling people what to do

Being aloof; Not being responsive

Thinking you know it all

Being a complainer or a nagger

Cheat Comparing them to others

Losing your sense of self

Taking shots at each other

These are just a few of the not to do things in any relationship. But perhaps the biggest one of them all is remembering to never play the part of being a critic.

Remember even though the critic may be right. The critic will never win. Why? Because the critic may think and believe what they are pointing out, the flaws, in their message of their victim, will find that their message cannot and will not win them any prize in love, because he or she who discerns the flaws of their partners reduces their chances of reaching the goal of being in a compatible relationship, as we journey on the road to finding happiness… etc.,…etc.,… Because the critic makes it hard to reach that point because they are always being too critical. You get the picture.

Still, was you are making your you are doing what is needed to make your relationship work, remember that No relationship can flourish on love alone.

In order for a relationship to survive and thrive, you need a partner who is willing to work at nurturing the relationship. In addition, your partner must be able to be trusted, and respected. As well as they must be attentive, kind, loyal, patience, a good communicator, have empathy, and understanding, and finally the ability to compromise.

Finally, don’t ever forget that self-love is never selfish, and perfection does not exist. We are all doing the best we can with what we know how. All our past loves lost, hurts felt, and betrayals received and or given, where learning tools to help us move forward and focus on the moment at hand.

For this life is a journey that we take one day and one step at a time, on the road to a healthy fulfilling relationship.

Change your thoughts and you can change your world!

Confidence comes from a Latin word fidere' which means "to trust." Confidence is the feeling or belief that one can depend on someone or something. Confidence is relied up on in most every situation we encounter in life. From our friendships, business ventures, love-life, to playing sports. Having confidence in yourself and others can determine the success we will have in everything we do.

People who are confident are magnets for success. Perhaps you have been around someone who had confidence in their personal worth. They had an aura around them that seemed to make good things happen for them.

The great writer Mark Twain said. “All you need in life is ignorance and confidence, and then success is sure.”

Anyone can have this feeling of confidence. Confidence can be self-taught. Once you have acquired it, you will find it to be the most beautiful possession that you own. Sabrina Carpenter said. “Confidence is the most beautiful thing you can possess.” Take the time to cloak yourself in confidence. Did you ever year of Norman Vincent Peale? He wrote a book called, “The Power of Positive Thinking.” He had a saying “Change your thoughts and you can change your world!”

Therefore, the first step to building your confidence is to:

1. Think Positive – taking the time to think positive each day should be the first tool you put into your “self-improvement” confidence toolbox.

2. Find something that you like to do and do well and then do it over and over and over…

3. Kill negative thoughts – negative thoughts are what you have about yourself. Don’t let them take over your mind. When a negative thought appears learn to see it for what it is. Then use your self-talk to change the narrative. For example, if your negative thought tells you, you can’t do something. Tell yourself, “There is nothing you cannot do. There is nothing you cannot have. There is nothing you cannot be!”

4. Focus on your potential instead of your limitations.

5. Determine to learn the truth about yourself. You cannot defeat the enemy within, without knowing who he is. Get to know yourself. Start a journal about yourself.

6. Act positive.

7. Speak slowly. Persons in authority speak slowly. It might take practice but do it anyway. Did you know that Margaret Thatcher, (Once the Prime Minister of England) taught herself techniques to make herself sound more authoritative? If Margaret can do it, so can you.

8. Stand Tall – remember like Mother said, “Your posture counts. Stand straight!” Stand up and be admired. Stand tall. 9. Increase your competence.

10. Get prepared. Remember that old saying. “Proper planning prevents poor piss-arse performance.” Add being prepared to your self-confidence toolbox.

11. Be Generous – Be Kind - know that being kind to others, and generous with yourself and your time and what you have, is a tremendous way to improve your self-image.

12. Place fear of failure with a clear picture of yourself succeeding and happy.

13. See Your Positive Self-Image. See yourself as you want to be. Did you know that many people photoshop themselves as holding a winning check made payable by them, by the lottery? Yes, they photoshopped themselves over some else’s picture, and then placed that photo where they can see it each day.

14. Set a small goal and then achieve it.

15. Determine to live above neurotic guilt.

16. Cultivate people who help you grow.

17. Refuse to allow rejection to keep you for taking the initiative with people.

18. Dare to be a little eccentric.

To build your self-confidence be determined to break old habits, to build new positive ones; that develop make your self-confidence stronger. Self-confidence can bring you more happiness. And when you feel better about yourself you have more energy and are more motivated to achieve your goals.

Unabridged Andra: Blog Tour: Lovers, Players, Seducer: The Revenge

Unabridged Andra: Blog Tour: Lovers, Players, Seducer: The Revenge: Title: The Revenge Author: J.A. Jackson Series: Lovers, Players, & Seducers #2  Pages: 179 Format: Kindle Genre: Romance Source:  Goddes...

Fabulous and Brunette: Lovers, Players, Seducer – The Revenge: Book II by...

Fabulous and Brunette: Lovers, Players, Seducer – The Revenge: Book II by...: Hi, lovelies!  It gives me great pleasure today to host J. A. Jackson aka Jerreece A. Jackson and her new book, “ Lovers, Players, Seducer –...

Do You Have An Over Active Mind!

As a writer, some days, my lack of concentration is worst than a two-year old stuck on the word no. Other times, I know it’s just my monkey mind playing whimsical tricks with me that I must enjoy because I find myself restlessly repeating it over and over and over again, throughout the day. It’s like sitting at my desk and being fascinated by the way a pencil rolls to the edge and drops to the floor. Then like a crack addict stuck on it, I pick up the pencil and watch it roll again. Then when I finally get bored instead of starting my writing, I decide that now is the time to go outside and water my plants and see what is growing, but then I happen to look at the clock and it close to the time, the mail truck should be coming through to drop off the mail. So, then I walk to the front of the house to look out the window and down the street to see if I can see the mail truck coming. Or while I am watching and waiting for the mail truck, I start thinking about the bills I need to pay.

Get the picture?

What I have learned is that at that moment I am suffering from acute monkey mind. A mind so freewheelingly scattered it jumps from subject to subject. This feeling is so intensely fierce it controls my ability to focus or concentrate on my writing.

When my monkey mind is active, there is so much chaos happening inside my head that I can’t focus. Some folks may not like the term monkey mind or feel that is what they have. Another term for monkey mind is one that you probably already know, and that term is “the overactive mind.”

What I have learned to be the real reason behind an overactive mind/monkey mind is that it is being caused by stress. Yes, stress. A word we so often hear in today’s world but don’t think affects us, is the real reason for our overactive mind. However, there is hope. Because there are many great things to do to help with your lack of focus and believe it or not many of them start with the letter “M”.

Here are a few things you can do to calm an overactive mind.

1. Minimize multitasking. Start making a list of things you need to do and then prioritize that list. Be determine to first, “focus on and finish an item, before moving on to the next.”

2. Music – you can play music to calm your monkey mind. Perhaps you didn’t know that you can use music to harness energy to help with performance goals and to soothe the nervous system.

3. Massage – getting a massage at your local massage parlor, could be just what the doctor ordered. Healing touch has long been known as a great way to soothe the nervous system. Remember when anxiety resides in your body it can trigger your monkey mind.

4. Mirth- seek out something funny. Listening to something funny can also calm the monkey mind. Get in touch with comedy videos, you can find them on demand on your cable broadcast, or on YouTube or your XM radio stations.

5. Meditation — you may find getting started doing meditation to be challenging at first, slowing down your breathing and quieting the mind is one of the best ways to train the brain to be still and get calm.

6. Meaning – finding meaning in the daily challenges we face, can go a long way in developing the ability to calm the mind.

7. Movement – Do you like to dance? I know I do. Movement of the body can aid in releasing endorphins in the brain. Yes, it has been found by scientist that movement of the body through dance, exercise, and any physical activity can help relax the muscles and relieve tension.

There you have simple great steps to incorporate in your daily habits to have your calm your overactive monkey mind.

Remember you are a valuable member of society and you deserve to calm your monkey mind.

The Secret to Reaching Deep Relaxation during the Election & this Pandemic World!

Stress does more bad then good for “anybody’s body.

In today’s world we are stressed more than ever with our on-going fight with the Pandemic known as COVID-19 and with this year’s 2020 Election.

Stress causes your body to produce cortisol. Chronic high levels of this stress hormone can torpedo your immune system. And if stress hangs around long enough it can boost our risk for infection and slow the healing process in the body. So, what are we to do?

Well, first up we can lower our cortisol levels several ways. Using positive visualization along with deep relaxation and exercise.

First up. To lower cortisol levels start by exercising at least twenty minutes or more once a day or twice a day if you can handle more exercise time. Walking twenty minutes a day can go a long way to relax you and give you the exercise you need. Can’t go for a walk outside because of weather? Watch You-Tube 20-minute walking video on your cellphone or smart TV and follow alone. The walks are listed for levels ranging from beginners and to advance speed walking. Take you pick, but do so, after you consult with your family doctor.

Don’t like to walk? Well meditation might be your thing. Sit comfortably or lie down and close your eyes and mediate by focusing on relaxing your body from head to toe. You do this by focusing on any muscle in your body that is tense and commanding them to relax.

Even speeding twenty minutes visualizing positive thoughts can help you reduce your stress. Because during periods of deep relaxation our minds our highly suggestible and we can use this time to provide ourselves with highly desirable life outcomes. Did you know that research has shown that patients who visualize fast healing, healed faster after surgery? How do you do this?

Well it has been said that spending time each day seeing your body healed or seeing the desired result you like to have, will bring it into being. Taking as little as five minutes a day several times a day seeing what you want to happen, will make it happen.

This leads us to the Secret to reaching deep relaxation throughout your day. It has been said that if you focus on a positive time when you strongly felt love for a loved one and you received love in return… Well if you hold that “good positive memory” and treat it as a reality and you master this throughout your day you will be able to have deep healing relaxation all day. To make my point, I’ll leave you with this. Do you recall the “Harry Potter movie,” the one where Harry sees his mother and father in the mirror, and he goes to that mirror every day? Why because the mirror gives him a “deep state of happiness,” then if you did, you get the picture of why mastering your daily thought process can bring you a deep healing relaxation all day. Good luck to you on mastering your daily thoughts.

Two Ends of the Pen: #Excerpt: THE REVENGE by J.A. Jackson

Two Ends of the Pen: #Excerpt: THE REVENGE by J.A. Jackson: This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions . J. A. Jackson will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes and ...

The Fig is an Aphrodisiac!

 

From the time of the great Cleopatra, and through out ancient Greece the fig has been considered the symbol of love. Yet this sweet fruit has a complicated relationship with being known as an aphrodisiac.

Figs look sexy. Just cut one in half and take a look. It is even believed that the inside of a fig resembles the female sex organ. The many seeds in a fig represent fertility and their leaves are associated with modesty. (Think Adam and Eve, we’ll come back to that one later.)

In ancient Greece the Dionysian orgies used the fig as their offerings to Priapus, the phallic god of love (physical-sexual-love).

Ancient Chinese wedding feast had figs on their menu.

Fig leaves were said to be the leaves worn by Adam and Eve, just think about it, figs have historically been associated with sex and sin.

There you have it a short brief history of the fig as an aphrodisiac. Next time you have a chance try a nice ripe fig cut in half and drizzled with a touch of honey, and taste and discover a sensational aphrodisiac sensation.  Get it?  “Sin-sation.”

Apple is Natural Aphrodisiac

 

Just as honey was known in many cultures as an aphrodisiac. So too was the apple.  The apple was the fruit Eve used to temp Adam, in the Garden of Eden.

Yes, the Apple is perhaps the oldest known aphrodisiac and it has been likened unto the nectar of the Gods for this delicious fruit is rich in not only mythology and symbolism, but also in the fact that it is rich in vitamin c and other minerals.

Apples, like wine and chocolate, contain polyphenols and antioxidants that can stimulate blood flow to the genitalia, helping with arousal.

During the middle ages Europeans used the apple in “love magic” rituals. And it was said that if a woman slept with an apple under her arm or some other private part of her body, and then when she awaken, and she presented the apple to a man to eat, she would become the apple of his eye.

It has also  been said that foods that resemble male or female genitalia were believed to increase desire which brings us to the old ancient folk saying that said if you cut an apple from the top to the bottom  you will have revealed to you the temptation which Eve offered to Adam. I have never tried this experiment but the old  folk saying said that many an unsuspecting maidens, after doing this experiment,  must have blushed after they completed the experiment and realized after doing so that they were looking at the shape of their own vulva.  Picture that one for a moment.

Today modern researchers have done studies and found that eating one apple a day can improve the sex lives of women. The researches believe the reason for this may be due to the compound called “phloridzin” that is found in apples.  This compound is similar to the female sex hormone estradiol. Estradiol plays a large role in sexual arousal.

Well there you have it. Eve knew the benefits of eating an apple, old European folk lore knew the benefit of eating apples and now even modern scientific research has shown, eating apples can benefit your sex life. 

Next time you need a nature aphrodisiac? Grab an apple!

Spinach & Bacon Salad with Strawberry

 

Spinach & Bacon Salad with Strawberry

Ingredients

·                  1 cup olive oil

·                  1/3 cup cider vinegar

·                  1/4 cup sugar

·                  1 teaspoon celery seed

·                  1 teaspoon ground mustard

·                  1/2 teaspoon salt- optional* Slap Yo Mamma Cajun Seasoning

·                  SALAD:

·                  6 cups fresh baby spinach (about 6 ounces)

·                  2 medium peaches, sliced

·                  3 large hard-boiled large eggs, halved and sliced

·                  1/2-pound bacon strips, cooked and crumbled

·                  1 small red onion, halved and thinly sliced

·                  1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted

·                  Grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Place the first 6 ingredients in a blender: cover and process until blended. In a large bowl, combine spinach, peaches, eggs, bacon, onion and almonds. Serve with dressing and cheese.