Life

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

images (31)

     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

STRENGTH BEFORE PATIENCE IS IMPOSSIBLE

~ Nikki's Cookies

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 A considerable amount of time taken to cleanse and adjust my brains’ pallet, that of which induces my heart for the birth of another of “Nikkis’Cookies”.

    Strength before patience is impossible.  We first need the proper preparations and training.  Wisdom inspired words snipped from a popular song… “we have to get back to the family, we have to teach each other, especially if we think we know a thing or two!”…(Maze).  Everyone knows something about something, and everyone can be taught something about something.  Knowledge is truly powerful.  Think about the strength that it can bring you.  Think of the strength that it can bring a family united by it.  It’s our most unique key that unlocks pieces of our heart and soul.  The most powerful tool we possess though, is love.  It is knowledge and strength in itself!

     Contemplate the power of knowledge in its intirety.  In the beginning there was TRUTH.  And from the truth, stemmed the curiosity of KNOWLEDGE.  Imagine newborns and toddlers, which naturally learn from their parents.  And with that, they are nurtured and cared for to become self-sufficient little people, (or individuals).  Now back to knowledge which is gained through teachings and being trained.  Think of grade school and compare the two similarities.  Now upon graduation, you are prepared technically, to fend for yourself. (Fortunately for us, there’s tons more to be learned!!!)  Last but not least, there’s WISDOM that stems from the STRENGTH of the knowledge that is in you, that was gained.  Quite powerful, if I do say so myself!  See, the more knowledge you gain, the more power you obtain.  Not to mislead you with the common perception of “power”, which can be clouded by an individuals status or title.  I’m not using it to define your current status, nor the title(s) you hold to your name or brand.  I choose to use it as a platform, defined by the inconclusive number of lives you touch.  You never really can tally them all, because only GOD knows the amount of lives you are destined to change or impact!

     Take into consideration higher learning.  Why do you think that its such a lucrative business?!  We use education to enhance our natural abilities and to move ahead.  This has been a part of our very existence since the beginning of time.  To share the truths of what we know with others.  Whether it be spiritual guidance, domestic guidance, higher education, or simply, leadership at home or generally living life!  We have all been shaped by knowledge of some kind, somewhere.  Think of all the knowledge you’ve gained and were able to convert into power.  Think of your family and how you affect each of them, or the role you play in their lives.  Think of your successes as well as your failures. (Could you have used more training and/or preparation?)  No ONE is perfect, so your lists should consist of both!  Mine does!!!  Think of knowledge that has been passed down from generation to generation.  Think of all the students currently enrolled in grade school, trade school, home school, community college, or universities.  They are all in for common factors….EDUCATION.

     You can Never know enough, and you can Never know it all!  But, you Can continue learning and gaining power.  The TRUTH behind your knowledge can in fact allow the wisdom you’ve gained to become a power source in someone’s life.  This principle leads me back to why “strength before patience is impossible”.  It takes patience to teach and be taught…but it first requires to be taught to gain your strength by knowledge and wisdom to have power!

#STRENGTHANDPOWER

*(BONUS COOKIE:  You can never know the extent of your platform if you don’t embrace the power you possess as an individual….so use it.)