Te-Erika's Blog: I Wish There Was A God

I used to be a Christian, but I'm not anymore. I still have Christian friends who pray for me and fast for me and I admire them a lot because I do wish I had something like that to believe in. I wish I had the faith that someone, somewhere cared about me and was intervening in my life on my behalf. It's a good belief to have but I don't believe that anymore.

I believe that whatever happens to me is my own fault. I believe that my goals are my desires and if they happen to be completed, it's because I made it happen. I don't believe that I am favored and that there is a plan for my life. I believe that I made up my own plan and if I am consistent it will come true.

But it doesn't really matter whether or not my plans come true anymore since nothing really matters. I know, I seem depressed, right? I'm not. I just see beyond the veil of life. I see that the roles we play in life are insignificant. Awards are insignificant. Titles are insignificant. Clothes. Fame. Love. None of it matter in the end.

In the end, all we have is ourselves. We die alone. Maybe we make one wish that we never got to see happen or maybe it doesn't matter.

I think about death a lot. I know it's coming. I don't know when but it decreases the intensity of life. Since I know that nothing is permanent, every bit of emotion that could become heightened, simply doesn't because I know that this circumstance that causes it is finite.

This too, shall pass.

And so shall we.

I guess I just, tonight maybe, I was wishing that somehow things could be different and there could be a god that was a champion for Te-Erika and could want me to experience all the things I've missed out on so far in life that I long for. This would be great because then I wouldn't have to work so hard and I could rest at some point. I really need some rest.

I could believe that, but these days I am inclined to walk by sight and so far I've seen that I am all alone in this life. There is absolutely no one that cares for me more than they care for anyone else and I'm okay with that yet tonight I'm wondering if this is why I view the concept of god in the same way.

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Jamaica's First Female Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller Sworn In Today

By Te-Erika Patterson


Today the new Prime Minister of Jamaica was sworn in as the 50th anniversary of Jamaica's independence is being celebrated. During the ceremony, the clear blue skies over Jamaica as well as a crowd of thousands welcomed Mrs. Portia Simpson Miller, Jamaica's first female prime minister.

In the December 29th parliamentary election The People's National Party's (PNP) overwhelming 42-21 vote favored Prime Minister Simpson Miller who had been removed from office in September 2007.

"In our political history, it is a rare opportunity to be given a second chance to lead," the newly elected Prime Minister said during her swearing in ceremony, broadcast live through UStream. "This is a sobering experience, however, I have been strengthened by the experience having already gone through the first phase of the journey. However, I have emerged like the steel."

"After being tested and tempered, I stand before you today, a better person, prepared to be of service to my country and people," Prime Minister Simpson Miller promised.

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Your World News Report - January 5, 2012

Israeli Women in Tel Aviv Fight Segregation

For years, Israeli women have been pressured into moving to the rear of public buses serving strictly religious Jews. Now, in confrontations reminiscent of the era of Rosa Parks, women are pushing back.

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The Decline of the American Empire?

Economic forecasts predict a decline of the "American Era". What will happen if the world's super power finally meets its demise?

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President Obama Appoints Consumer Chief

Richard Cordray was appointed the director of a new consumer protection agency amidst backlash from republicans.

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Euro On Steady Decline

The Euro has dropped to its lowest value as trust in Europe's banks continue to falter.

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5 Things "Everyone" Does That You Should Never Do

My Savvy Sisters don't follow the crowd. In fact, we've noticed that if the majority of people are doing it, it is probably not a good thing to do. Let's make out of the box decisions to get out of the box results.

To get a head start on learning how NOT following the crowd will improve your life, here are 5 Things Everyone Does That You Should Never Do.

1. Falling in love for the sake of love

This isn't a Shakespearean play, and even then we all know what happened to the playwright's most infamous romantic couple; they died for love. My Savvy Sisters need to understand that romance in a relationship is secondary to the ability to work together as a team. It is the team effort of your relationship that matters more than the butterflies you feel when you see him. If you want to feel butterflies all the time, visit an amusement park and ride a roller coaster. If you want a healthy, long lasting relationship take stock of how he treats you when you need help and how well you coordinate getting errands done or planning trips. A relationship is a business deal, in fact it is the most important business deal you will ever make because if it happens to lead to marriage you will need an army of lawyers to get you out of it.

Don't fall in love for the sake of love. You'll end up in the homeless shelter, holding hands, smoking crack. If he can not help improve what you are already doing in life then he is not the one. If he can't help you grow, leave him alone. You are not supposed to take care of a man simply because you love him. You are confusing love with desperation. You don't have to be desperate. You can sleep with him and have him as a toy, but reserve your devotion and emotions for someone who can contribute to your success.

2. Playing the lottery

Our parents played the lottery in hopes of striking it rich and never having to work again. My Savvy Sisters don't have to do that since we are learning the importance of entrepreneurship and we are creating our own diverse stream of income. For My Savvy Sisters who missed the memo, playing the lottery is for people who lack the skills to grow their income in more creative ways.

It is a waste of money. You can use that money to invest in a class or online course so that you can learn a skill that will help you to earn a profit outside of a job.

3. Taking Psych Drugs

Just because some man in a white coat told you that you were bipolar doesn't mean that you have to become hooked on whatever prescription he decides to write for you. Wake up! Mental illness is a fantasy created by a group of people who sat in a room and decided what is normal and what is not. Just because your mental disposition does not fit into what others deem 'appropriate' does not mean that you are sick and in need of medicine.

Just because it is cool to mention drug habits like Prozac and Xanax doesn't mean you have to wave your flag and drink the kool-aid too. There is nothing cool about being dependent on an outside source for your peace of mind. Your peace of mind can be achieved without drugs. You can find a proper place for your personality without having to alter it chemically to fit in. If you are diligent, you can turn your difference into an asset for your life. Get off of the psych drugs and find others who are managing their anxiety and human emotional swings in a natural way. You don't need their quick fix. It's really only a numbing agent. There is a place in this world for the real you, you just have to find it.

4. Planning to retire from someone else's company

Sure, there are some women who dream of making it big in a corner office of some fancy corporation. This fantasy does not appeal to My Savvy Sisters. We won't devote our lives to making someone else wealthy because it doesn't make sense. We are the creators of the world's workforce, we don't stagnate in it.

5. Complaining to people who can't do anything about it

Most people call it venting when they share the frustration of their lives with others. Some do it out of desperation, hoping that if they talk about it enough someone will offer a solution. Others do it simply because it gives them the attention they crave to pain themselves as victims.

My Savvy Sisters aren't interested in being victims. We don't even mention our difficulties unless the person we are speaking to can resolve them. Anything outside of this tactic is actually called BRAGGING. When you complain to someone who can't do anything about your problem you are actually bragging about the problem. My Savvy Sisters have better things to brag about. We brag about our awesome families, our blossoming careers and our beautiful smiles, we don't use petty drama to entertain others.

For My Savvy Sisters: What are some other things that most people do, that you never do?

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Te-Erika's Blog: My Wish For Health Insurance

My new year's wishes included health insurance.

Yeah, that's horrible. It is the one thing that I have been lacking for the past 5 years. It's partially my fault. If I could stomach working in a corporate environment than I could have insurance but my happiness comes from the service industry. Working as a waitress doesn't allow you to afford health insurance. I daydream about going to the doctor and getting a check up. I have to go to Planned Parenthood when I have problems 'down there' and I have to go to the emergency room if I have any other problems with my health. I signed up for the free healthcare but when you make an appointment its usually 4 to 5 months out.

I can't blame the government, although it would be easy to do that. I have to blame myself. Until about 4 weeks ago I had a 'pack a day' smoking habit that cost me more than $200 a month. If I can pay $200 a month for cigarettes then I can afford to save for a doctors visit.

In fact since I stopped smoking I managed to save $300 and I went to the dentist yesterday to have a tooth pulled that has been aching for more than 2 months. I tried everything to reduce the pain of that toothache. I took aspirin. I rinsed with Listerine. I used concentrated mouthwash. I bit down on tea bags. I bought clove oil and placed drops on my tooth. Everything helped with the pain but it wasn't until I had to go to the ER and they gave me antibiotics that the pain began to subside, not completely but it felt better after a few days.

After Jack Jr., one of my customers at Denny's saw me in agony with my toothache during work, he gave me a $25 off gift certificate to TLC Dental in Dania. I went over there and they took such good care of me. It was as though the doctor and his assistant actually cared about me. I've never had such a good experience at the dentist before. I hope I can go back again to get the rest of my dental work done.

Even though I struggle I know that I am on my way to a successful life because I put in the work necessary. Its a different kind of work. Its not the same as the work most people do to keep their jobs. It's the work of an entrepreneur.

It's amazing how we prioritize our lives and then blame others for the results. I blame no one for my financial situation or any struggle I am in. My life result is my fault. I take full responsibility. And when I win, it's my fault too.

I'm getting my mind right. I am preparing to win.

Feels so good.

Te-Erika

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Ten Things To Do If You Want to Have a Baby in 2012

1. Find out exactly what your health insurance covers. Will your insurance cover all or part of the medical costs of a fertility assessment (for both partners), fertility treatment (if you need it), pregnancy, delivery and infant health care? Talk to the benefit expert at work, call your insurance carrier and/or read your policy. If your coverage is not adequate, try to get additional coverage before you need it. (Visit Financial Programs & Pricing for specific information about infertility treatment and health coverage.)
2. Explore your options for taking time off for medical appointments before the baby arrives and for parental leave after delivery. If you are married or have a partner, check out leave options for both of you. Some couples take serial leave -- first one and then the other -- to provide care for an infant. Look at everything available to you: medical leave, parental leave, vacation time, unpaid leave, etc., to make a plan. You might find that skipping a few days of vacation before you conceive will allow you to spend more time with your new baby later.
3. Get a physical. If you have been trying to get pregnant but haven't succeeded yet, both potential parents should consider getting a fertility assessment. Men and women are equally likely to suffer infertility. According to the National Survey of Family Growth approximately 6.1 million women and their partners in the U.S. are affected by infertility, i.e., 10% of the total reproductive-age population.
4. Improve your overall health. Consider your Body Mass Index (BMI). Being in good shape and good health will improve your likelihood of having a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. Obese women may have difficulty conceiving and they are at risk for weight-related complications during pregnancy, including high blood pressure and diabetes. Underweight women may have irregular cycles or stop ovulating all together. Your weight does not have to be perfect. Sometimes just a 5% or 10% weight reduction (or increase if you are underweight) makes a significant difference when trying to conceive. If you smoke, quit before you become pregnant. Smoking during pregnancy is linked to miscarriage and to low birth weight for babies.
5. Consider your space. Do you have space in your current home for a nursery? Will a crib, changing table and all of the other equipment babies need crowd your current abode? Should you consider rearranging your space to make room for baby? Or should you move?
6. Stop taking birth control pills at least two months before you want to become pregnant. Since birth control pills affect your hormones, quit taking the pills to allow your body time to readjust. You can switch to another form of birth control until you are ready to try for a pregnancy.
7. Take folic acid pills. Folic acid helps to prevent neural defects in developing babies, even in the very early stages of pregnancy. Start taking the pills as soon as you decide it is time to become pregnant -- don't wait for a positive pregnancy test. (Prenatal vitamins contain folic acid.)
8. When you are ready to get pregnant, make sure you are having sex at the "right time of the month." The greatest chance for pregnancy is when intercourse occurs one to two days prior to ovulation and the day of ovulation. Additionally, optimal semen quality is obtained after 2-3 days without ejaculation. Therefore, it is generally recommended to have intercourse every 2-3 days after your menstrual period has stopped. Other more precise methods include tracking the changes in cervical mucous (increased production of slippery clear mucous is associated with ovulation) and use of over the counter urinary LH-detection kits which can more precisely predict the actual day of ovulation.
9. Talk to your doctor about any medications, vitamins or herbal supplements you take. Many medications (including some used to treat depression, high blood pressure and other common conditions) and over the counter supplements can be harmful to a developing fetus. Find out now if you need to change your medication or supplement regimen.
10. Get expert diagnosis and treatment if you have difficulty conceiving. If you are a woman under 35 and have been trying to get pregnant for over a year or you are over 35 and have been trying to get pregnant for six months, consult a fertility specialist who can diagnose and treat you. 85% to 90% of infertility cases can be successfully treated. Reproductive endocrinologists are ob-gyns with specialized training in diagnosing and treatment infertility. After reviewing your medical history, test results and physical exam, a reproductive endocrinologist like the experts at the Genetics & IVF Institute can recommend a course of treatment to help you have the baby you want in 2012.

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Te-Erika's Playground: Introductions

So here we go again.

I am re introducing myself to those who do not yet know me. For many who have been following my personal blog- Share My World- you have followed my life adventures for the past 8 years. This new spot won't be much different although I must warn you that I am NOT your typical personal development coach; I have issues too and I am not afraid to write about them. I have weaknesses too and I am not afraid to explore them. I have big dreams too and I am not afraid to lose everything in the pursuit of them.

If you knew who I was before, you would better appreciate the woman I am now. I used to be so negative, weak minded and sad but now I am quite the opposite. No, I'm not Ms Happy Go Lucky everyday but for the most part I am indifferent about things so the sob filled posts my other blog used to hold don't happen often.

Who am I? I don't know yet.

I am a woman evolving. Right now I would say that I am a 32 year old mother of two young sons ages 9 and 11. They live with their Dad and have lived with them for the past 5 years and I don't feel sad about it. They are doing very well. My sons are the most awesome boys in the world. They teach me so much about life and love and they love me the most perfectly out of everyone I know.

I love to delve into my own personal issues and climb out of them, teaching you how to do so along the way. Transparency is my biggest strength and my biggest weakness. I usually write when I am feeling emotional. Since I don't have many friends, blogging is the way for me to dissect the feelings I am experiencing and objectify them so I can release detachment to them.

I am extremely smart in a diabolical type of way. I make strategic moves in everything that I do and even when it seems that I am losing, I am really just biding my time. My objective is not to always WIN but to be treated with respect. Winning isn't that important to me. I've won so many times in my life that I already know what it feels like and it's not as big of a rush as it once was.

What makes my heart jump these days is launching a new endeavor. Each time I have a new idea my blood rushes and I get that tingly "I'm in love" feeling. My ideas are becoming bigger and bolder as I become older and I go after the completion of these ideas as though the word 'No' doesn't exist. Even when I hear the word 'No' I feel sorry for the other person because they won't get to benefit from my great idea.

I figure this world is a playground and I'm all in to see what kind of fun I can have. So follow along with me as I share the details behind what it takes to run this website that inspires and helps women all around the world, go after my dreams and still try to balance my evolution. I don't know what I'm becoming but I'm sure it's something great. Even if it's not, oh well.

Man, I learned so much about desire and expectations last year. This year, I'm cool and calm, doing things I love, but not stressing that they produce big results. Anyway, I gotta go.

I'll update often. I always have lots to say and I'm a risk taker so it's a very colorful life I lead. I won't try to impress you or be your role model. Learn with me. Learn from me. Or just laugh at me.

You won't want to miss a post!

Te-Erika

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Vote To Honor 2012's My Savvy Sister of the Year

MySavvySisters.Com presents the 2012 My Savvy Sister of the Year Award

This award honors one of My Savvy Sisters who were featured as My Savvy Sister of the Week during the calendar year. The 5 nominees were chosen by a selected panel of women and the winner is selected by your vote.

As you peruse the profiles of past honored women, please keep in mind that My Savvy Sister of the Year should exemplify the following traits:

• Trail blazing - My Savvy Sister of the Year is a woman who is a leader and her voice leads others to new heights in their personal or professional lives.
• Expansive- My Savvy Sister of the Year is a woman who has multiplied her talents in various areas.
• The X Factor- My Savvy Sister of the Year has that unnameable personality trait that allows her to be admired instantly. Her charm and personality shines through all of her projects and she is adored without effort on her part.

The Nominees

Sikivu Hutchinson is the author of Moral Combat: Black Atheists, Gender Politics, and the Values Wars. She founded the Women’s Leadership Project (WLP), a South L.A.-based feminist mentoring and social justice advocacy program for high school girls of color. The WLP trains young women to advocate for gender justice in their school-communities around anti-violence, reproductive justice, media representation, undocumented student rights, college access and LGBTQ rights. Read more about Sikivu.

Sherry Russell is the author of Conquering The Mysteries and Lies of Grief. Sherry is a member of the National Crisis Management Premier Speakers Bureau and has dedicated her life's work to helping people make a smooth transition through life's challenges. She is also the force behind CatchAFallingLife.Com which empowers people through holistic healing after a loss. Read more about Sherry.

Heidi Durrow is the New York Times best-selling author of The Girl Who Fell From the Sky. She is also the author of the blog Light-skinned-ed Girl. Read more about Heidi.

Nancy Colasurdo is an independently contracted Life Coach. Today, Nancy celebrates not only being debt free but also stress free. She teaches the keys she used to triumph over life's inconsistencies on her FoxBusiness Column. Read more about Nancy.

Linda Dominique Grosvenor is the author of The Plural Thing: Spiritually Preparing for Your Soul Mate and offers daily relationship tips on her Facebook page that will inspire you to believe in and receive your perfect love. She is also the founder of the Love Better Camp, Inc. that was created to teach both men and women how to avoid counterfeits, love better and marry well. Read more about Linda.


Please take the time to VOTE for your favorite nominee. Voting ends January 11, 2012 at midnight.

VOTING IS NOW CLOSED

For My Savvy Sisters: Please leave a comment letting us know how being exposed to your favorite nominee has changed your life.

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