Shine Dim Lights!

Too many of us have gifts to share, yet we don't share them out of fear, shyness, and doubts. We "Dim" our lights so that they don't shine enough for others to see.... Stepping out of our norm is hard because what if we aren't accepted?
But..... What if we were? What if we turned up our lights Bright and lots of people Loved it?! We shared our unique gifts with those we feel could benefit most and continued to live out the rest of our lives confidently, shining bright, and inspiring all who crossed our paths...
It's Time To Turn Up Our Lights, The World Needs It.

God Bless, Nikki :)

Growing My African American Hair....AGAIN!

A little over a year ago I reached my goal of thick, mid-back relaxed hair. I was sooooooo HAPPY and after receiving numerous compliments from family and strangers I was even more convinced that I had done something Great! Growing relaxed African American Hair is a challenge. My hair type of fine 4a hair tends to be dry and breaks easily. Moisturizing weekly, trimming away split ends, avoiding all heat, and wearing protective styles got me to my goal but it was not without a few set-backs and even tears! I remember a time where I over-did-it with some protein products and BAM, it was breakage city. It took over a year for me to get to my goal but it was well worth the wait.
Fast forward to today, after moving into my first home, getting married, going on a honeymoon, working hard for a promotion at work, and flat out being LAZY, I noticed that I am far from where I started 4 years ago. I blame myself for getting "too comfortable" with having long hair. Forgetting to wrap it when I laid down, not deep conditioning for weeks, throwing it in a messy bun for days without moisturizing... and on top of all that, I had the nerve to flat iron my hair 3 weekends in a row! Today I thoroughly examined my hair and noticed split ends everywhere. My once thick, mid-back hair is now a thinner, uneven bra-strap length. I haven't gotten a relaxer in 8 months so my hair is very fragile and breaks easily due to the two different textures which adds fuel to the fire.
Well, I say all this to further "reality check" myself and to get back on the right track once and for all. I want my long, healthy, beautiful, black hair back! I know its going to take time, but I am fully prepared and I plan to blog along the way.... Below is my goal pic, which a pic of my hair a couple years ago.

SO HERE'S TO HAPPY HAIR GROWING!!! Feel free to follow my journey :)

She's Beautiful Beacause.......

It's not the things that change day by day; Her makeup, outfit, hair, and the way it sways... but its deeper. A thing that will only get away if she lets it. It's in her heart, her actions, and her strength. That thing that shines through her eyes and her smile....Thats why she I Am Beautiful.

Kisses,
Luv Nikki :)

Sweet Memories

My favorite things in the world. Just the mere thought of them can increase my heart rate and paint a smile on my face. I'm instantly warm and all I can think behind the sweet visions is that I've lived a wonderful life full of laughs, learning experiences, and friends that have all left a piece of themselves with me. I've always been in Love with Life and when I think back on all that's happened, it's clear as to why....
God Bless :)
Love, Nikki

Missing Out...

Missing out on all the sweet uplifting comments, the euphoric feeling after writing the last word, cleansing my mind and feeling free. Missing out on all those little quiet smiles and clever, heart felt thoughts. Missing out on new followers and reading the beautiful words of others.... Missing out on Blogging.

I gotta get back guys, I can't continue to let being "busy" get in the way of my Creativity, my Expression, or me simply being ME :).

~Nikki

FORTUNE COOKIE :)

It told me to EXPRESS MYSELF, AND DO SOMETHING CREATIVE. I smiled, and ran to that familiar place in front of my laptop, vague reflection behind the glare, as I stare at these little words creating something Beautiful. My blessing is my writing, my mind, my hand with a pen in it..... My creativity is.... and will always be, my ability to pour my heart out with words...silent, beautiful, words.

This is me Expressing Myself. Thanks little cookie :)

~Nikki

Inside Us All ♥

One evening an old Cherokee Indian told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, ‘My son, the battle is between two ‘wolves’ inside us all.One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.
The other is good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.’
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: ‘Which wolf wins?’
The old Cherokee simply replied, ‘The one you feed.’

I read this today and felt instantly connected to it. It's true for us all, so make a daily choice and feed the good wolf until the other starves and dies.

Luv, Nikki ♥

I'm Different Now ♥

Whenever any passionate writer like myself goes on an extended or intermittent hiatus it's usually because there is a significant change going on in their life causing them to have writer's block. Some of my changes were quite obvious, but most were not. When I first started blogging many years ago I was Completely Different. My outlook on life, my maturity level, my opinions...my everything. Over the years I've matured from a girl to a Woman ♥ in every since of the word. Sometimes I even confuse myself because I react to situations and people much differently. In the past I had less tact and even felt arrogant at times, but now those traits are comical to me, and I've been humbled enough through life's lessons to have more compassion and empathy. This blog is a reflection of a young woman that was constantly renewing herself. My positive uplifting words were for me just as much as they were for you. I've gone through ups and downs in life and I've reached a point Today actually, where I realized I am simply DIFFERENT. I'm still and will always be a work in progress, but I've definitely reached a new beautiful phase in life. Going forward I will always stay true to myself and my point of view will remain genuine.
Every Story has an end, but in life every ending is just a new Beginning ♥

God Bless :) Luv Nikki

Blogger iPhone App

Just testing it out :) blogging from my phone would be great considering its now blocked on my work computer! No HTML I see which sucks, but it'll work :)

Your NEVER too OLD to have FUN! My Birthday Post♥

So I made it to the precious age of 29 on January 3, 2012. It was an amazing birthday with lots of love and little surprises. My hubby even surprised me with a Hello Kitty pinata filled with my favorite Lindt chocolates since I told him earlier in the week that I always wanted one. I was determined to stick to my "Forever Young" theme on my special day and I plan to do so every Birthday.

If it's one thing I've learned about AGING over the years, it's the simple FACT that your only as old as you feel. I've accomplished a lot in life and it's all happening so fast! I plan to live every moment to the fullest and I simply REFUSE to ever feel old.

At 29 I feel wise, beautiful, and free and I hope you do as well no matter what age you are or what stage your at in your life. Simply Live, Love, Laugh and remain young at heart, it doesn't get much better than that :)