"Choices" in the "Silver Lining" (Celebrating My Day of Birth)

when i can't express

what i really feel

i practice feeling

what i can express

and none of it is equal

i know

but that's why mankind

alone among the animals

learn to cry.

--Nikki Giovanni "Choices"

It's that time of year again. My birthday! Dirty 30...+2!

A friend of mine reminded me that I hadn't posted my usual birthday blog(s) so I had to get on it ASAP.

This year has truly been an eye-opening year for me.

A year of growth. 

A year of mistakes.

A year of dreams becoming realities. 

A year of disappointment and heartbreak. 

A year of sweat-less victories. 

All of which would not have happened if I wasn't living life to the fullest. And life ain't worth living if GOD ain't the center of it all!

As I enter into a new year of life I am grateful and humble to be afforded another opportunity to continue living the best life I can.

The opportunity to make my parents proud.

The opportunity to learn from my mistakes.

The opportunity to see my dreams come to fruition.

The opportunity to heal from hurt and heartbreak.

The opportunity to glorify the One who moves mountains out of the way so I can be victorious.

Lots of people have asked me what I want for my birthday? Crazy thing is everything I want isn't even materialistic. However, I will share the list with you:

--More of GOD
--Wisdom and discernment
--To continue to see the world
--To always be able to see the silver lining
--Eternal happiness for me, my friends, and my family
--A successful run of my show (baby) L'Africain Saccharine Ballad (get your tickets here...shameless plug)
--To be able to help Ladybug be the best she can be
--The unnecessary police violence against our Black boys/men (and girls/women) to stop.

June 10th is the best day of the year. Gemini is the best sign in the Zodiac. I am attempting to be the best woman I can be.

This week literally goes down in history as the best week ever...my birthday, my kids musical performances, and Season 3 of Orange Is The New Black is back!

What more can a girl ask for?

So if I'm looking up don't mind me
But I can't be, (I just can't be) I can't be down no more
And if you don't know where to find me
I'm out looking
I'm looking for the silver lining
The silver lining, and I don't know where
But I'm hoping I'll find it
I'm looking for the silver lining
--Jazmine Sullivan "Silver Lining"