Getting Free

My friend suggested a great read that i've been reaping some real benefits from already.  Its called The  Confident Woman by Joyce Meyer. I am not finished yet, but the lessons have been marinating in my spirit for the past week or so, and I'm really happy for this type of divine intervention, thanks LH!
One thing I want to share with you about the book is a saying that is my new mantra "If God brought me to it, then he'll bring me through it!" There are moments of anxiety and being uncomfortable, but God has given us a way out! Its through our trust and belief in His word and also His involvement on all levels of our lives.  I love it, because its so easy to forget this if you let the world consume you.  Confidence is very close by, it is in our view and knowledge of God our father and friend.

So again    IF GOD BROUGHT YOU TO IT, HE WILL BRING YOU THROUGH IT!
Lets trust his purpose and plan in all things.

Living Freely one step at a time
AGfreed

BRRRRRR

Winter is officially here.

Where I live, it is  CoL.D. as my dad used to say.  I hate it! I am always waiting till the last second to get my thermal gloves and have to make more time to scrape all the frost from the windshield, and I have to get a hat that actually works!  I haven't owned a real puffer coat since my  days in Chi-town, but I just ordered one, because I want to live free from frigidity!!!!! I wanna be able to go out and walk about and not be bound to the home front! you know?

THe air is dry outside, inside, my face is getting dry, had to buy a new moisturizer! And don't even let me get started on my hair! It is feeling like this

LOL!

So I am not playing, I got the Shea moisture on hand, and what I'm preferring to do is to shampoo and really just do a deep treatment and my usual.   I'll keep you posted to see if it works out better.  I haven't been doing protective styling really so, but it may be a necessity if I have to do this often.  

Alright! 

Love you all,

Freely living.

anxiety

I don't know about anyone else, but I deal with a significant amount of anxiety from time to time. And sometimes I really wish I wouldn't have to deal with this.  What helps me and what has helped in the past is
1) God- faith, knowing that God is with me no matter what happens and is keeping me company through  my episodes of anxiety
2) Nature- I find peace and happiness in nature, beautiful scenic places that are close by, this helps me get centered really easily and forget the pestering things that are getting my nervous or anxious in the first place
3) Music- especially classical or worship music
4) Getting away from whatever the problem
5) Affirming thoughts like " I can handle this, God is with me, no weapon formed against me shall prosper, no body really cares, this is not that serious."
It doesn't always work, like right now.  I'm nervous about some upcoming ventures, and I am working on preparing myself so I will feel more and more confident, but in the meantime, I feel like its a Goliath, mammoth task.  God is able. and I am able.
Does anyone have any other tips?

Living Freely

Shea -moisture deep treatment masque review....

Hello everyone,

Thanks for the love! Welcome welcome to my blog!
OK so last night I decided to try the shea-moisture deep treatment masque not as a deep treatment but as a styling cream for my twistout.
I did not wash the hair, I just wet it in sections applied the masque then did my normal seal with tea tree oil and eco styler gel to finish it all off. Sat under dryer for 30 min.
Review
THIS IS A NEGATIVE. I didn't like it as a styler, it left my hair with a wierd film, and when I applied it I didn't feel like it had a lot of slip. I might try it for what it was meant for, but I heard it could double--not for me! lol IT wasn't horrible... but it wasn't great either. I'll let you know what I thought of it as a moisture masque.
PICS

dont laugh, the back was a little suspect today.   

Up next: My hairstory. 

jazz as african american classical music

Been reading up on different black musicians and composers, and came upon this quote
"Jazz is African American Classical Music, created from the hearts, lives and souls of black folks in America," states Rev., Dr. Myers

This was interesting to me because i've been thinking about how we as black musicians can go forth in being creative artists.  I thought about mainstream music: R&B, Rock and Roll, Hip Hop, Rap, Pop music, etc. then I thought about classical music and also jazz.

So lots of American music draws from jazz music, and even R&B and these other pop musics also draw from this  art music.

Looking at Dawson's Negro Folk Symphony and Still's Afro symphony, I've heard the influence of jazz and spirituals.  Some of it sounds very much like how Gershwin treated his music influenced by black music.  To be honest, it is cool, but some times it can be corny. I don't know... maybe I just don't have the revelation yet. It just doesn't sounds very original, I guess.  NOw Summerland, by Still does speak to my soul, and it doesn't sound trite.  Its just beautiful.



I have to say my mind is changing! Maybe it has to do with being married to a jazz musician in combination with reading Woodson's Miseducation. I am convinced that there is real revolutionary purpose out there for black musicians and composers.

Shea moisture review!!!!! OH la la! Soo soft!

Hey everyone,
I've been loving this product line from  Shea Moisture. I got it at Target for $10 and is totally natural! The one I am loving is Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie and the Hair Milk.
After washing and doing an Aphogee 2 minute Keratin conditioning treatment. I separated my hair into four big sections and then  double strand twisted the back in big twists and did four big flat twists in the front.  I also used some tea trea oil to seal ( I usually use olive oil) and then put Eco Styler Clear gel to set it.  Last step was to sit under the dryer for an hour and then voila!  Soft, defined beautiful curls!!!!!  I got four days out of this!

Next I'll be trying out their Deep treatment masque and their hold and shine moisture spray

Love,
Anoa

cultivating new passions and interests

Hey everyone, long time no see!
Its been a busy couple of months. Lots of soul searching and asking God for some hint as towhat my passions are. Some times on the job, I don't always feel fulfilled, and even with recent interests, like orchestral conducting, I still feel like there is more joy out there, more fulfillment.
In the past couple of weeks, I've noticed I have an interest in something that keeps showing up and has been in my head for some time. That is HEALTHY HAIR!  When I say it, I dont feel like its what I should be passionate about, I should have something more lofty right? But I love talking about the health of a person's hair, and products and techniques to use to produce great results. People often comment on my hair when its natural, asking what I've done to it, even when its straight, they ask how did I get it to grow so long, etc. And I'm never bothered by these questions, it brings me happiness to help others get to a healthy hair place and to a place where they can treasure their natural hair.
So I think I'm gonna look into that more. There is a voice in my head that says its beneath me, because of my focused on education upbringing, but if I love hair, then I love hair. Can't help that.

I've been cultivating my interest in music for some time now, and believe I'm getting a glimpse now into something else I need to search out. God willing I'll find myself in a place of peace and freedom as a result. Bye for now!

Love ,
a woman in pursuit of passion