strongBy Briana Bookerv/strong I came to the realization that I am no longer 17 years old. My body is not as fast as it use to be. My body is not as slim as it use to be. But here I stand as the best woman I have ever been thus far. I guess it is true, looks are not everything. Although I am aging, I still want to keep up my health and appearance. I will never be someone that settles for letting myself go. I love myself. With that said, I would like to push myself to be better than my previous self by dedicating a few hours weekly to weight lifting. I am working on my core, which I notice is not as fit as it use to be. The love of my life ( or I would like to think he is the love of my life) thinks my new found curves are beautiful but I want the 17 year old me to travel with the wonderful woman I am becoming now. Who knows, I might just surpass the 17 year old me. I am up for the challenge. Stay tuned.
He Is Not Your Best Girlfriend. He Is Your Man.
By Briana Booker
In recent months, my thoughts on men have changed for the better. I have always been taught to be suspicious of every man. I have been told from men and women alike, that men “ain’t shit.” Although some men “ain’t shit” others, even with imperfections, are worth lowering the steel walls we, as women, build to protect ourselves.
Those steel walls can prevent us from finding a good man. I would know. I use to keep any intimate partner at a distance to keep “control” of the situation and protect my emotions.
Caring about someone can make you vulnerable if you have no idea where you stand with the person. You learn where you stand by communicating with your intimate partner.
Men and women communicate very differently from each other. The man in my life has taught me that we are different but also the same. Both are looking for the right one. We are also working on personal growth and our careers. Previously, that threaten me in relationships but to see this man grow as an individual is honestly beautiful to me. I want to look out for him. He goes out his way to protect me, even from myself.
An example of this was when I was mad at him not doing something when I wanted him to do it. He instantly asked me why I was mad. I honestly did not have a good reason to be mad besides not getting my way about something petty.
That is when I remembered a few weeks ago we promised each other we would not go to sleep angry at each other as an action to build the strength of our relationship. I was the one who requested this action be done in our relationship and here I was trying to make an argument over something petty.
This is when I realized my actions matter to someone beyond myself. It was a scary thought but at the same time I felt my soul smile. I kissed him good night and he opened the door. I thought once I got to my car he would have just forgotten about me and went back to what he was doing in his home. Instead I saw him watching me from the window at the front door. I texted him “Why are you looking out the window?” He replies back while still looking through the window: “Ha. Just Checking to see if you were ok since you didn’t move.” I told him I could take care of myself. Again, I was falling into old habits from bad relationships with my “I don’t need you” persona I mastered in unhealthy relationships.
But then I realize, he is not my past but my present. So I just smiled and he checked up on me when I got home as well. It felt good to not only be wanted but that I am cared for by someone who chose me.
I realized the best thing to do is live in the now. Do not linger in the past. And do not think too far in the future. If we are meant to be, then we will be. We just can not jump to conclusions and keep communicating, even if we fear the unknown.
I was bruised but I was never broken. He shows me it is still okay to bring out the best in me.
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The Black Women Spring
Looks like the black women spring has begun. It is about time we stop thinking we deserve less than other women. We are just as wonderful. Stop tolerating non-sense. -Briana Booker, Founder of Fromgirltogirl
For more lifestyle enrichment tips, news, community empowerment and advice, visit our website Fromgirltogirl.com !
Back On My Feet Chicago:Homeless Runners Going the Distance!
By Briana Booker
Determination and positivity are the keys to success in life. Six members of Back on My Feet Chicago will be using both to tackle a 26.2 mile Chicago Marathon and homelessness October 9th. 26.2 miles is no easy run, not even for an experienced runner.
Back On My Feet(BOMF: http://www.backonmyfeet.org/ )is a nonprofit organization that promotes self-sufficiency of the homeless by engaging them in running. The running is used as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem! Not only does Back on MY Feet(BOMF) build spiritual and physical confidence but the organization also provides unique educational and job training opportunities.
The Six members of Back on My Feet Chicago inspiring story will be told by StoryTellersForGood, in a short film! StoryTellersForGood,are passionate journalists and photographers who use their talents to inspire optimism and change! They tell and promote stories of people and organizations making a positive difference!
StorytellersForGood and SkatteredMoments.com, an organization that transforms simple photos into captivating and stylish works of arts, will be fundraising for the short film which will become an ongoing fundraising tool for Back on My Feet. These Six members of Back on My Feet Chicago will be changing lives for years to come to combat homelessness.
Here at Fromgirltogirl, the following Six Back on MY Feet Chicago runners remind us that we are all capable of doing extraordinary things, if we set our minds and hearts out to do it:
–Domingo Perez: A member for 10 months who has logged more than 600 miles. Domingo was recently hired at a non-profit agriculture business that provides paid transitional employment and job training.
–Issac Denson: A member for seven months who has logged a total of 369 miles. This past spring, Issac obtained his bachelor’s degree in Human Resources from Northwestern College. Issac is running the Marathon because he wants to:
“Show people that you can make a mistake in your life and still enjoy life doing the right thing!”
–Anthony Johnson:A member for 10 months and has logged over 600 miles, earning him the nickname “Running Man.” Anthony hopes to help other runners “Put a pep in their step,”and recently completed his certification as an unarmed security officer.
–Andy Allen: A member for six months who has logged over 250 miles. This month Andy is planning to start computer classes at Howard Area Resource Center. Andy is running the marathon to celebrate two years of sobriety.
–Wahid Rashad: A member for 10 months who has logged a total of 433 miles. Wahid is currently studying to renew his Mortgage Broker’s license and applying for full-time employment.
–Javier Rodriguez: A member for eight months who has logged a total of 172 miles. Javier obtained employment at a publishing warehouse where he was referred through Back on My Feet.
Please make a donation and put YOUR name on a story that will help raise funds for this amazing cause! Back On My Feet, Fromgirltogirl, StoryTellersForGood, and SkatteredMoments greatly appreciate all your supporter! With a donation of $25 or more, you will be listed as a “Supporter” in the film credits! With a $100 or more donation your name will appear as a “Producer.” It only takes a few seconds to invest in this positive storytelling movement! Help create positive change in the world one story at a time!
Storytellers for Good and Skattered Moments hope to raise funds by early October to travel to Chicago and catch up with the runners before and after the race. They will create the film and hand the invaluable fundraising tool over to Back on My Feet to share at events, on their website, YouTube and countless other social media channels online.
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