Lifestyle

Passionate

~ Nikki's Cookies ~ 3 Comments

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Be you, with no apologies, and love it!  There’s absolutely no need to seek permission from anyone else.  You have the answers key.  Whatever it is that tickles your fancy when doing it… do it!  Whatever it is that you strive in your heart to be… be!  Don’t allow tangible distractions to strangle your purpose in life.  Most of us, if not all, have an habitual routine.  Whether it be daily, weekly, etc.  We may get a sense of pride, comfort, or confidence when we participate in these routines.  Even when they consist of mandatory routines, in which we are liable to perform.images (43)

Sometimes we go to extreme measures to ensure that our duties are met, or ignored even.  We tend to justify our choices, usually by weighing the pro’s and con’s, or just the bare necessity of the matter.  It’s so super easy to become entangled in a bunch of crap!  Excuse my choice word.  I’m just exhausted of efforts to sugar-coat the real issues.  I believe that the most stressed and unhappy people are the people with overwhelming agendas.  Not any agenda, but the agendas that exclude passionate entry’s.  The people whose time is consumed by what they think they should do, versus what they want to do.  While it is known that some things are mandatory, most things in your life aren’t!  Please know that!  All of us are filled with things that we are passionate about.  We need to take advantage of the fact that we are of an abundant universe, in which we are free to live out our passions.  Each of us, in our very birthright have the same opportunity to follow our own individual passion.  How we carry it to new levels of greatness, is provided the efforts of which we’re willing to work for.  We should have a routine that involves the very things that make you happy, proud, excited even.  Most importantly, the things that you are most passionate towards.images (45)

The things you do with the most joy and comfort in your heart, and with the least of worries or care.  The very things you do well or best, with the least amount of effort.  The things that you don’t mind preparing for early mornings, nor staying up way late for.  Things that are truly you.  Without overly thought proceedings of others influence.  Just being you, and good at it!!

#DOIN’MEBEIN’ME

GIMME WHAT I WANT, NOW!!!

~ Nikki's Cookies

Angry little girl with beautiful hairstyle

     Sometimes we want what we want and that’s the bottom line.  No negotiating and no waiting.  It reminds me of when my son was a toddler.  I loved him to pieces! ( Stilldo )  When he didn’t get his way he would totally throw a hissy fit.  Whether it be an extra dramatic crying session or a pout faced frown, which usually was followed by an act of stubborn rebellion.images (39)

     Though with a child, we tend to bend and fold to accommodate and/or make them comfortable.  At least to an extent. As parents, we think we always know what’s best for our little people.  But in retrospect, we could actually be conscientiously be preparing our children for a world of let downs, disappointments, and possible failure; (it’s real out there).  Thank GOD that we can always recover from stressful let downs of the world as we continue to learn and grow, while living!  A mindful dose of respect will indeed carry us a long way.  We may not always understand the things we choose to respect, but know that it’s always for our better good.images (42)

     This very lesson I know all too well.  I also was once that unruly toddler that had to have its way.  I carried that sense of entitlement over into my adulthood.  Not cute at all!  I used to think that the world and every thing in it revolved around precious, little ole’ me.  Boy was I in for a rude awakening (over time, of course).  I naturally assumed that my blessed upbringing would automatically carryover into my adulthood.  Don’t get me wrong, I am extremely grateful for the way I was raised.  I couldn’t be more proud of my foundation that my family established for my siblings and I.  Yet, I have had my share of disappointments, and setbacks too.  images (41)

     There was a time when I thought the world and the people in it were at my disposal.  I just knew that they were to bend and fold at my every desire, and if they refused, they were dismissed and replaced.  If you think my mindset was irrational or far-fetched, you should’ve seen me in full-fledged action!  (LOL!)  I had to come to grips with a lot.  Some of it was painful, and some it was well overdue.  But I survived and made it through because I’m still here.  Learning and still growing!  My work is never done.  I choose to strive to become a better, new and improved version of myself everyday.  Everyday I learn something new, everyday I challenge myself to get better, do better, be better.  I can never reach my best me, if I don’t get up each day and try and do better than the day before.  No matter how many mistakes, I still have an opportunity to improve with the next try.2D24C1CD00000578-0-image-m-20_1444153318937

     So in the meantime, I’ve learned and have chosen to respect people, culture, beliefs, time, money, personalities, work, rules, structure, higher power, and everything else that this world and spiritual realms has to offer.  Even if I don’t understand them all!  I know that  it is a vital part of who I am and how I choose to live my life.  It plays a part in the decisions I make and how I view myself, and view people.  It helps me to see the areas in which I have overcome, and the areas in which I still need to grow.  The very things that I expect of others are the things I should first expect of myself.  This process has allowed me to live in peace, patience, love, respect, understanding and honor.  And the behavior of anything contrary has been disabled by choice, wisdom and growth.

#KNOWBETTERDOBETTER

PRIVATE PERHAPS?!

~ Nikki's Cookies

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     Is privacy overrated?  Does it change meanings between family, and the rest of the world?  Do we “really” believe that it exists?  These are all questions I’ve asked myself at one point or another, in my life.  Only to realize DUAL answers…in my opinion.

     I consider myself to be somewhere in the middle of acutely knowledgable and just a hair over fairly knowledgable of computer technology.  Believe me, there is plenty that I need to be schooled on!  I’m sure that I can safely add that, the average tech user is well versed and/or familiar with their security features.  Just when we think we are taking proper precautions to ensure protection on our devices, “privacy” is never really 100% guaranteed.  We are left to trust that the virus, malware, and identity protective software are doing their jobs, right?  Yet, we have knowledge of major security breaches, leaks, glitches and hacks all over the world.images (32)

     We’ve integrated computer technologies in our homes and vehicles as well, and have successfully had some of the same issues.  I guess we are just naturally trained to protect.  It began with animals and mankind alike.  Protect the young.  Protect the innocent.  Shield the vulnerable.  It’s programmed into our beings.  Some days I sit in bed and wonder, with all that it is that we try an protect….the good..the bad..the ugly; what are the “true” purposes behind them?  Are we using them as scapegoats for different behaviors?download (5)

     I for one, am a mother to a teenager.  I find myself checking his phone, his backpack and his devices.  I talk with him about everything to gain insight on his mind, and when he’s not with me, I communicate via texts (multiple times until he returns home).  Maybe a little over-protective, but I love him!  So what can you expect.  I lock my house for protection.  I lock my car for protection.  I lock my smart devices for protection and I keep tabs on my teen for protection.  With all this being said, my reasons are pretty legit and with relatable validity.  I have me and my families best interest at heart.  This leads me back to my original question, which is…”Does privacy really exist?  I have no “one” answer.  More like a two-part philosophy.  I believe that privacy is an accessible tool that we use in attempt to protect.  Only we know the reasons for what and why we choose to.  And on the other hand, privacy doesn’t really exist.  It consist of just a mere mindset, of which we are willing (or not willing) to be exposed.images (33)

     We try to protect or hide things that we don’t want others to have knowledge of.  Again, only we know the reasonings behind why we do so.  In the truths behind my own reasonings, I had to be reminded of a very relevant factor.  Our Higher Power (GOD) sits high and looks low!  We can try as we may, but can never hide nor shield anything from Him!!!  I now live free from trying to keep every aspect of my life secure.  Knowing that the true protection was never really secured from my efforts alone.  What I can’t see or know…. He does.  And the guidance that I give my teenager now, are the same words I try to live by too…..”The very things you do or say when you think you’re in private, should be comfortable enough for you to do or say in public also!!!!

#LIVEANDLEARN