Remembering the 'King of Pop'

May he rest in peace.

Soundtrack of my life

I've had this thought for quite some time, years actually; the thought that the music that I listen to really is an expression of how I am feeling. As artists write songs that are possibly indicative of events in their lives, I listen to music that have lyrics that really speak to me. I have often thought that for any given period of time in my life, I could probably compile a list of songs that are metaphoric of the soundtrack of my life.

Well, over the last year, I have been "Under Pressure" (Queen). From dealing with dynamics at work, buying a home (to which I am excited that now I am a homeowner), managing finances, and just living life. I had a long term relationship hurtfully come to an end. So, I've been patiently awaiting my time to feel free to "Exhale" (Whitney Houston). The tears came, and at one point, I just said, I need to "Let It Flow" (Toni Braxton) and let it go. I questioned how someone could be so "Heartless" (Kanye West). I even wanted to "Bust [the] Windows" (Jazmine Sullivan) out his car. I didn’t do it though. That's not me. I'm too much of a chicken anyway. Plus it really wasn't worth my car insurance increasing! But I felt Jazmine nonetheless.

I then needed to move into a more positive place, which meant, I needed to get to "The Heart of the Matter" (India Arie) and move to a place of forgiveness. There was no need to have all the hostility eating me up inside. Life is about more. So, I needed to go ahead and "Praise [God] in Advance" (Marvin Sapp) because HE was transitioning me to a new, elevated place in my life. As Marvin Sapp says, I started singing, clapping, dancing and people probably thought I was crazy, but I knew God would deliver me.

I finally realized that "A New Day Has Come" (Celine Dion). I now feel as though I'm "On the Ocean" (K'Jon) because I feel as though my ship is finally coming in.

My iPod is an eclectic mix of music. These experiences have made me wiser, more mature, more confident and more in tune with my intuitions. I thank God for each. So let's have a "Celebration" (Kool & The Gang). Come on! I can now turn 30 and begin a new chapter of my life with a new outlook and peace of mind to know that happiness is not an anomaly. It's an everyday possibility. Life's Grand! and is a happy place. Family, friends and companions are loved ones that have always been more fulfilling to me than anything money could ever buy.

I'm "Overjoyed" (Stevie Wonder) and the love just keeps coming! Thank you to the musical artists who capture the essence of the lives we live and the experiences we encounter.

What's your life's soundtrack? Sing your song!

Peace, Love and Sunshine! :)

Girl talk: When should we sever financial ties with family?

I was chatting with a friend the other day who was upset with her husband for suggesting that his brother come to stay with them for a while. It wasn’t a visit.

Her brother-in-law found it difficult to keep a steady job, often moved from home-to-home within the family and was released from his most recent job due to a ‘bad attitude’ (whatever that means).

Then she added that her husband has always put money aside from the household income to give to his brother (and other family members), and she has always disliked that.

So my friend – fed up with this ongoing helping hand that her husband has given to his family during the six years that they’ve been married - gave her husband an ultimatum. She told him that she was filing for divorce if he allowed his brother to move in with them.

Whoa!

Is she wrong for this ultimatum or is her husband wrong to ever let it get to this point? How much financial help should we offer family members outside of our primary home?