Last Thursday one of my high school classmate died suddenly of a massive heart attack. He was a joy to know. I had not really talked to him since high school. I used to hear about him all the time. He played professional basketball overseas and in the states for a while and then settled in Atlanta. He always had a smile on his face, and while he was always great on the court he was not arrogant. He was the sweetest, most humble person. It hit me hard. I was actually on my way to bible study
Tears started flowing, and I thought why am I so emotional. I had not talked to him since high school although we were Facebook friends. It was a combination of things. One he was one of my best friend’s, cousin and I know it would cause her and her family pain. Two he was only 45. I thought about his kids who no longer have an earthly father. It made me sense my mortality. It made me miss my Dad. It made me think of my Mom who has passed and had a birthday last week.. It made me think about my September. September can be challenging for me. Both my parents’ birthdays, and life just had been challenging in some unexpected ways.
Well the tears flowed, and I prayed and my spirit lighted. So many things happen in life that we don’t understand. That we don’t have control over. It does not make the pain any better, but that is the way ilife is. I always try to remember that though the darkest days the verse Romans 8:28 “ And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.”
People often ask why I live my life the way I do. I enjoy my life. I take the good with the bad and make the most of it. While things are not perfect. I try to find the good in every situation. I admit this is not always easy. I live my life for the moment. I love to travel to new interesting places. I love to meet new people. I love my active lifestyle. I love myself. I am never bored. I was thinking if I died today would I have any regrets. I say no. I have lived, I have loved and lost. Through the ups and down of life I have learned life’s lessons. The lessons have made me the women I am today. People who have and or presently in my life for a reason, season or a lifetime have added something and I cherish each moment. So, I ask you all to live life with no regrets. Life may knock you down. Yes, we all fall. The key is to get back up. Another key is to love hard, and long, with no fear—perfect love cast out fear.
RIP dear classmate. I know you are at rest in heaven. I just pray for all who mourn your loss.
My morning devotion by Rick Warren- it blessed me so I figured I would share.
I few weeks ago I wrote a blog post ” Good Things Come to Those Who Wait” Well the last point in my post was
Something big is in the making, I have to dedicate a whole blog to this one. Stay tuned.
Well, I was so excited about something that was going on in my life. I was just waiting for it to come to fruition. Things did not progress as expected, but delay is not denial. I will have it in the end, but it may not be how, in the package I thought and the time I thought. I must always remember than no matter how confused I maybe, how things may look I must remember– Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose”
Be Blessed, and stay tune– because something big is in the making. It will be better than I can ask think or imagine
I am writing this love letter or like letter to someone special. At the end will reveal who.. so keep reading
The year was 1998 and you were about to go to medical school. It was quite a life changing experience. You were starting a new life. You decided to try a new look, no one knew what you looked like before so it was perfect timing. You had the balls to tell someone you were into them. Something you always had problems with before. Things didn’t work out but you took a risk, and no harm as you were leaving. Had that person been interested you may not have Dr. in front of you name now. I fell for you then, and it has grown over the years.
You did the thing and now you are a real MD. The road was rough with many sleepless nights, many prayers, and some tears. ” Lord I did hear this from you, if so why is this so hard.” You learned to use the pain to grow and glow. Many days when you felt like shedding tears you would find the smallest things to be thankful for.
Well without giving too many details—I love you Ouida Brown. Yes, I love myself.
When I was a child, adolescent, I didn’t love myself enough which resulted in some poor choices especially with dating.. There was a many tearful night. I was a perfectionist and never was good enough for myself. I had to grow and learn to love myself. If I don’t love myself how do I expect another person to love me.
My preacher sermon this past Sunday was titled “My Story- Rejection” yesterday One of the most poignant statement was I had to grieve my expectations. No human can live us to your expectations. Everyone experiences some form of rejection. Learn and move on, with no hostility. Be open with love, hope, and FAITH. So love yourself, keep moving, forgive, and be open. Life and love will find you.
Sermon from this past Sunday (check out from time 1:09 to 1:42) if you don’t have to view whole think. Check it out it
Life is interesting to say the least. Sometimes life takes an unexpected turn of events. There are a series of forks in the road. It is during this times, that one must make difficult decisions. Well, sometimes the same decision will present itself in a different ways. I think these are tests, that maybe we failed before, but life has a way of presenting them again so one can pass the test. My Pastor John Hannah mentions” Pass the Test” in one of his sermons.
So how did and how do I handle making difficult decision in my life. Especially those that are emotionally charged. At first, I tend to overreact. I have learned to be quiet and analyze the situation before I act. I have not alway done that in the past, and it made the situation worse. I usually talk to my small circle of friends — best friend, my ride-or die girls, my person, and my adopted auntie. They give me prospective and often times can see the big picture. I make sure to pray. I keep it 100% with God. Tell him the situation, although it is not like he already knows. I tell God what I want, and what I think that I need. I ask they he bypass that and give me what he knows I need. Father does know best. I then try my best, to let it go. Meaning I don’t stress about it. I then go with peace. The answer is usually the one that gives me peace and tanqulity. The blessings of the Lord maketh rich and added no sorrow –Proverbs 10:22
I am not saving that everything is awesome and great with my difficult decisions, but I have peace, and there always is confirmation that God got me and all things will work out for my good.
31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
So lately things I have been waiting for have being coming to fruition. Will give you a few things I have been waiting for and how God has showed out
Well, at work I was having a major challenge initiated by an administrator. I prayed about it, stayed calm and went to his boss, and it all worked for my good. I had to wait, but I got what I prayed for which benefited me. Most of all it benefited my patients.
My book, my mini baby is finally published, available for purchase. It was a two year journey and praise God. I am a best seller author. I pray that my story motivates, inspires, helps others on their journey. wwwouilife.ouilove.com
My temple (my body) is slowing transforming. I have been trying to loss 5 to 10 pounds since beginning of the year. Well, since I have been doing my pseudo-Tri training, seeing a nutritionist, actually eating to fuel my workouts I have lost weight.
My goal was to get out of debt- credit card. When I decided to branch out on my own, I had to use my card to cover some business expenses. Also had to borrow some money from a friend- thank God for my ride or die girl. Well, I set a goal and in spite of some challenges I met my goal and it took a year and a half.
My old car (Sussy) died a slow death. It took me about six weeks before I got my new car. I wanted a used, stick shift, with all wheel drive, that had less than 100,000 miles. Well, I got what I wanted. Every time I get in it and drive, I smile because I love it. It is so me, and I get such a deal. The wait made it so much sweeter.
Well the last marathon I ran was in 2014. In 2015 I had a stress fracture, 2016 I was recovering from a foot procedure. This year I had a knee injury, but praise God my pain is gone, and I am running pain free.
Something big is in the making, I have to dedicate a whole blog to this one. Stay tuned.
Anyone who really knows me, know that I believe in celebrating life. I try to live my life to the fullest. Tomorrow is not promised, so everyday is a gift from God. After my mother died I became depressed. I had to seek counseling. It was the worse time of my life. I wrote about it in my book “Running Is Cheaper Than Therapy: A Journey Back to Wholeness” www.ouilifeouilove.com Anyway after I got back to being me, and went through the death of my father I realized that the best way to honor my parents is to live my life. I try to take the good with the bad, and make the most of each moment. My life is far from perfect, but I find something to smile and be happy about every day.
This year for my birthday trip I went to Martha’s Vineyard for an African American film festival. It was something to do and it was during the perfect time — the week of my birthday. It was awesome. I saw an advance screening of Marshall.
It is a great film please support it when it comes out in October. I love Chadwick Boseman. I saw an advance screen on Insecure. I did not know that Issa Rae created and produced the show. I saw small independent films. Film students have to pay a fortune to make a their films, a face that I learned. The reason that I was moved was the stories. The short film about Black Love to air on OWN soon, was one of my favorites. I am a hopefully romantic if you did not know. The short film See you Yesterday which was about Black Lives was another favorite of mine. The short film Forever which was about interfacial love and hate crimes moved me. It made me mad, but it had a strong message at the end. I was entertained. I was moved, and I was motivated. Another great work was The Defiant One to air on HBO motivated me to continue to follow my dreams. Take Me Home about health and food deserts in Atlanta really touched my heart as my goal as a health professional, author is to motivate and inspire others.
Although I think the best part of my trip was my bike ride exploring the island. I hate it rained my last day, because I would have had a two day bike ride. The beauty, the water, seeing all the people was a special trip highlight. Will share a few pictures from my trip, and my mini photo-shoot. The celebration continues I party all month.
