New Blog Site

If you are subscribed to this blog I need your support on a new one.  I recently started a group blog comprised of 2 guys and 2 girls.  This is a mars vs venus type blog.  I will be shutting down this blog so please sneak over to http://www.ifiruled2011.wordpress.com/ to keep up with what I have to say. 

Promise you won't be disappointed.  There will also be opportunities for guest bloggers so if you are interested, inbox me at mahoganyexp@yahoo.com. 

I know it's not Poetic Fridays but since I haven't shared with you all in a while......

Crossroads

Feeling like my angel forgot how to fly

Yet the devil still sits on my shoulder

Whispering about the pot of gold at the ends of the rainbow

Never revealing the cost of that fortune is my soul



Behind me ; a past I’m trying hard to forget

To the left ; misery and hurt

On my right; missed opportunities and regret

Moving forward; path obstructed with uncertainty



Internal compass malfunctioned

Pointing south rather than due north

GPS claims I’ve reached my destination

But my journey wasn’t supposed to end in barren land



Two roads intersect

Dr.Jekyll meet Mr.Hyde

Regardless of the path I choose

I still end up on the losing side





Rose colored glasses blinding me

Indecision binding me

Loneliness sets in on expeditions forged alone



Crying out to God…..

What am I to do?

Where am I to go?

He said, Child, the only thing impeding your journey is………

you!



Revelations beget my Genesis

Adding the book of me

Knowing it was he who carried me

Forging a trail to become the storyteller of my own destiny

"If I Ruled the World" Blogger Opportunity

Greetings All,

I know it's been a minute.  I have been focusing on my writing group and completing our collection.  Oh yeah, by the way, it's all done.  You can purchase a copy of Soulful Expression by The Mahogany Experience Writing group at http://www.lulu.com/.

On to the purpose of this post today..........
I'm looking for 2 men to participate in a Venus v/s Mars type blog.  Got your attention?  See details below:


Blogsite title: If I Ruled the World
( Yes, we will be playing that Nas and Lauryn Hill joint in as the intro! lol)

Contributors: 2 Men and 2 Women

Mission: What we hope to accomplish is an open dialogue between men and women about relationships, sex, family, money, book reviews and the everyday issues that affect the African American communities with a lot of truth and a good amount of humor from both sides of the gender pool.

Expectations:
To start, each person is expected to contribute  2 blogs per week. One blog can be around anything you like, the other has to be in conjunction with a group member of the opposite sex to keep with the Venus v/s Mars theme. There is no censorship. Freedom of speech is exercised completely on this blog. Let’s just remain respectful and tactful. Feel free to post what you want, when you want.

Each person is expected to promote the blog using any available social media outlets or other connections. I will create a facebook and twitter account for the blogsite for further promotion. Each person will have access to the social media sites to post as you please.


What do you get out of this endeavor:
Opportunity for self expression and exposure to start. No compensation at this time but if you know me, you know I think big and with the right number of loyal followers and advertisement in the future, you never know what could happen.

If you  are interested in being a part of this opportunity or if you know of a man that may be interested, please have them email me at mahoganyexp@yahoo.com and copy johnniqueharris@yahoo.com.


Until next time,

Brighter Future

Cocked and Loaded for 2011

Over the last few days as I browsed several social networking sites as well as in general conversation, all I kept hearing was how people were so ready for 2010 to end because it was filled with heartache and pain. People were so looking forward to the start of a new year and all the hope it would bring.

Now being who I am, I started to wonder if these people realized that in 2011 there were still: 12 months, 365 days, 7 days a week and 24 hours in a day! I say that to say, what the hell is the difference between what you did or didn’t do last year and what you think will happen this year.
While I can sympathize with some of the things that might of happened to people throughout 2010, I hope they understand that 2011 won’t make them exempt from the same SHIT.

A new year doesn’t automatically mean a new attitude.
A new year doesn’t mean that whatever problems you faced today will not exist tomorrow.
A new year doesn’t mean that all the people you felt did you wrong in 2010 will apologize and kiss your behind for 2011.
A new year doesn’t mean that the 30 pounds you’ve been trying to lose for the past year will miraculously melt away at the stroke of midnight.

So much of life and the obstacles it tends to bring is about how we react to it.  I've learned that no matter how bad things may be, there are always lessons and blessings in each trail. I also know that although things may seem to come at us from all different directions, if we would just choose to be hopeful and optimistic about tomorrow, the battle doesn't last as long.

2010 was a good year for me, I’m just praying that 2011 and the years to come will be filled with more happy days than sad, more money saved than spent, and more love gained than lost.

So here’s my challenge: Stop looking forward to the end of a year to make changes for the new one. Every day that you are blessed to open your eyes is a new opportunity to make a change. Take the necessary steps each day to fulfill your dreams, live abundantly, and make a difference!

Not one to make New Year’s resolutions but I am one to set goals. I’ve already listed the things that I plan to accomplish in the coming year! Have you?

As for me, I'm cocked and loaded; determination and a will to secure a future for my son and myself are my ammunition.

Let’s Go~

Poetic Fridays: I'm Back

Ok, so time to resume the regularly scheduled program and get back to business.  This Friday I would like to share with you one of my favorite poems. 

Mother to Son by Langston Hughes


Well, son, I'll tell you:

Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.

It's had tacks in it,

And splinters,

And boards torn up,

And places with no carpet on the floor

Bare.

But all the time

I'se been a-climbin' on,

And reachin' landin's,

And turnin' corners,

And sometimes goin' in the dark

Where there ain't been no light.

So, boy, don't you turn back.

Don't you set down on the steps.

'Cause you finds it's kinder hard.

Don't you fall now—

For I'se still goin', honey,

I'se still climbin',

And life for me ain't been no crystal stair.

Question:
What does the poem say/mean to you? 

The Ultimate Ultimatum

The Ultimate Ultimatum




After having a conversation with a recently married friend, a not so happily married relative, and a recently single acquaintance, I decided to address that pesky ultimatum. Yeah, that one! The “marry me or else” ultimatum!!!!!

Now, I’m a big girl so I can admit that I may have hinted, subtly, and not so subtly stated my desire to be married in previous relationships but I don’t think I’ve ever taken it as far as to give “The Ultimate Ultimatum”. Yet, I know a few people that have and maybe it’s just me but it seems this one never ends well.

Fellas, you know what I’m talking about all too well don’t you? It’s that dreaded conversation that is had after your girl has thrown hint after hint at you about her want/need to get married. She’s attending the weddings of several friends and been the consummate bridesmaid which leaves her daydreaming about her walk down that aisle with you……the brother who isn’t ready for that commitment.

So you do the normal shuck and jive by telling her you love her ….she’s the one…. But you just aren’t ready for marriage yet. That’s followed by the litany of questions and accusations like:



Why?

You don’t wanna spend the rest of your life with me?

Is there somebody else?

What are you afraid of?

How much longer do you expect me to wait?



Oh, there are a host of other questions that could go along with this ultimatum but we’ll just stick to the short list.

Now, considering she has invested so much time and emotion into this relationship, chances are even if she tells you the consequences of not marring her, she will continue to wait in hopes that you will soon come around. Meanwhile, you know you are on borrowed time and you either want to be with this girl or you don’t.

Now, if you could care less about making her your wife then the outcome won’t matter much to you but if you are really feeling this woman and can’t imagine your life without her, you’ve got decisions to make. I suggest quickly because here’s what begins to happen when a woman senses no movement on your part.

Option 1:

She will settle into the lifetime girlfriend role but become bitter that you didn’t wife her.



Option 2:

She will nag you until one of the two of you can no longer take it and the relationship fails.



Option 3:

She will not say anything else to you about marriage. She will silently wait, build up her bank account, and leave you a Dear John letter that explains why she’s taken her stuff which leaves the home you once shared completely empty and moved on with her life.

Now, I won’t sit here and say that giving in and getting married when you aren’t ready just to keep the one you love will end in marital bliss because chances are, if he really isn’t ready, your marriage will likely end in disaster.

But, if you really love this woman and have every intention of spending the rest of your life with her, the waiting until you are emotionally and financially ready game could backfire on you. You may look up one day to find that she has literally or figuratively checked out of the relationship.

Choose wisely!

Question:

Ladies: Why is marriage so important to us when a relationship is fine just the way it is?



Fellas: What are the fears that keep you from making the ultimate commitment when you have already made up your mind that she’s the one?

Poetic Fridays

Seeing Red




Rage festers in my soul as flames dance in my eyes

My pulse quickens as my heart tries to escape my chest

My skin feels like molten lava and I swear my brain is about to erupt.



Fire and desire change to hate and disdain

I am blinded by the thought of what could have been

I need a bucket of ice to cool my temperament



Unable to function, I hide behind a mirrored reality

Clothed in self-consciousness it is hard for me to breathe

Forgetting the value of what used to be

Now just a hollowed shell

See what you do to me



All the blame on you I cannot place

I allowed myself and my wants to become commonplace

Playing the nurturer was second nature to me

Giving of myself unconditionally



Forgetting the rewards of reciprocity

Thinking that giving to you would somehow compensate me.

Yet I’m left empty, cold and alone.

Yearning for a place to call home.



Snap out of it my momma says, “Never let ‘em have your heart if he has yet to learn how to be a man”

By Brighter Future

Attention: No Stepfathers Needed

I frequent several blogs, urban sites, and discussion forums and one discussion that I constantly run into is men talking about how they will not date a woman with children.  Even if he has kids of his own!  What?!? Seriously!

This always gets me a bit heated because the automatic assumption is that a single black woman with kids is looking for a dude with an "S" on his chest that reads Superman/Stepdaddy rolled all into one. 

Now, I wouldn't dare try to persuade anyone to change thier requirements when it comes to what they look for in a mate but I would like to offer a little food for thought.....

Not every single woman is holding a flashlight looking in the darkest corners for a father for her children.  Despite what the media may portray, there are some healthy parental relationships where the parents may no longer be together but are both very active in their children's lives.  Hence, you can skip the replacement dad part of the application.

Even if the father is absent, most black women have accepted the fact that they are raising their children on their own and are only looking for a little affection from the opposite sex.  Not every woman is scoping your bank account and grooming you for father of the year.  Women have needs outside of what is required for their children. 

Ofcourse, I recognize that there are some women out here who are on a mad dash to find the "ultimate saviour" who will pay her bills, rub her feet, and fill the void of a father to her children but understand that isn't always the case.  Our options are limited as is so if you start counting every sister out because she has children, it may be you who comes up with a bumb deal.