Let Today Be The First Day..... You are grateful!

This is my mom, "The Breast Cancer Survivor" going on 16yrs... To think "They" said she wouldn't make it to see the year after they diagnosed her.... #But God!!

I told you all I would be featuring her story of triumph and I am pleased to say today is the day! These are her words and who better to tell their story than the one who has gone through it all. I encourage you to tell a friend, share this story, or even remember those that we have lost and that are battling this disease known as Breast Cancer. I proudly introduce my mother Wanda Pace Myers to you all...

Hello, my name is Wanda Pace Myers; in May of 1996 I was instructed by my doctor to get a mammogram because I had reached that great age of 40. Matter of fact I was half way to 41.  When I got the mammogram I was called by my doctor to come in and see him.  When I went in he wanted to do a biopsy on the lump he had seen on the film of my left breast.After doing the biopsy it was determined that I only had calcification's probably resulting from milk drying in my milk ducts from giving birth to my children.

In September of that same year, 1996, I was taking a shower and as always checking out my body as best as I could.  Never thinking I would feel anything.  I looked down as I got into the shower and saw what I thought was bruising.  I touched it and felt pain and a lump.  My first thought was that it can’t be cancer because “they” say cancer isn’t painful, it doesn’t cause bruising and you can’t see the lump only a difference in the feel.  My cancer went against all of those textbook symptoms.  That’s why it pays for you to know your body and if it doesn’t feel right to you don’t stop until you get the answer that satisfies you.

I don’t allow myself to even think of what might have happened if I wasn’t as persistent as I was with finding out what I thought was the truth about this thing that had invaded my body. I got out of the shower and went in to show my husband and said “do you think this is cancer?”  No, it could be anything. Don’t worry about it were the words he used to reassure me.  I didn’t want to, but it remained in the back of my mind. 

I called the doctor that had handled the first procedure, but he was out of town.  I then called my medical doctor and he told me, just as I couldn’t feel and tell anything, he couldn’t feel and tell anything but he would order a mammogram for me. I got the mammogram and was told by him that nothing showed up and it was probably just something from clogged ducts or something similar.  I accepted that and continued to feel each day.

When the surgeon got back in town, I called him and he called in a prescription for antibiotics and told me to take those and by the time I finished taking them if it was infection, it would have cleared up by then. It didn’t, so I kept worrying him and he finally had me come into the office to have a needle biopsy.  He felt that it wouldn’t be anything, but we were going to be safe and put my mind at ease.  He called me the next day and asked me to come into the office.  My question to him was “is it cancer?”  He said I don’t think so it could just be abnormal cells.

I went in for the procedure.  He removed the tissue and the lymph nodes that surrounded it.  He had it tested while I was still in recovery and was waiting at my bedside when I woke up to tell me the news.  It was news he said neither of us wanted to hear, that it was in fact cancer.  He told me my options and I, having already made my peace with what I wanted to do, decided to have a radical mastectomy of my right breast.

I had to go through seven months of chemotherapy and extensive checkups as the months went on.  Why all of this to tell my story that could have been told in a few lines?  Well we all have a history and this cancer had a history with my body before it was discovered and dealt with.  What the cancer didn’t expect was to have a relationship with a person as stubborn as I am and someone that had other things going for them in their lives as well as having the desire to continue to live and raise my children by the grace of God.

I had and still have a lot of things going for me and I never will forget any of them:

1.      I was an still am a Christian and I believed and still believe in a higher power and

  went to Him in prayer (I still am a praying woman).                         

2.      I had great doctors that had my best interest in mind.

3.      I had and continue to have a great husband that supported me in whatever decision

   I made and didn’t marry me for the parts on my body.

4.      I had and continue to have a great family that stood by me through it all.

5.      I had and still have all my friends that were there every step of the way.

With all of this and my belief and faith in God, I can say today that I am a 16 year breast cancer survivor.

You need to keep a positive attitude, get rid of all the negative people in your life and keep those true friends around that when they ask “how you are doing” or” how your day is going” they stop and take the time to really listen to you and don’t have to say a word, just be there for you no matter the day or the hour. Now, my cancer happened 16 years ago and I am still here.  Can you imagine the advances they have made in medicine and treatment of this disease as well as coming closer to a cure for this and other types of cancers? Find out whatever it is you need to know about this disease and what you can do on your end to make sure you are a survivor. I believe deep in my heart that as we think and feel, it has a place in the outcome of whatever we are going through.  I never thought I wouldn’t survive this disease.

Now on the brighter side of things, I had heard that going through chemotherapy treatments for cancer you would lose weight and lose your hair.  Your hair would come back as if it was baby fine and curly. I’ve always believed that there is some good in everything, and I was looking forward to losing these extra pounds and having that beautiful head of hair that I only would have to wash and brush.  Not so, I didn’t lose any weight and I still have the hair I have to do more than wash and go. My doctor said I was the first patient he had treated that never lost the weight or the hair.  But I am thankful to God that in all of this I didn’t lose my life and most of all my faith and trust in Him.

Before the cancer, I loved sweet potatoes.  After the cancer I didn’t want to see another sweet potato.  My father had read somewhere that the ingredients in the sweet potato would help fight the cancer and every day I got home he had my sister at my house with sweet potatoes cooked in every way he knew how.  I had candied yams, sweet potato soufflé, potato pies, potato bread, mashed sweet potatoes, fried sweet potatoes, baked sweet potatoes, if he could dream it and cook it, I had it.  I love my dad, but I was so glad when he stopped sending all those sweet potatoes to me, by my sister.

What my mom would like to leave with you all is simply this: "Keep your head up; remain close to God, your family, and your true friends".

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Let Today Be The First Day You Fight Back...

Press Play & Put Your Dukes Up

Great Friday to you all readers!!!! I got up this morning with an urgency to get this post to you all. Sometimes when you feel like all odds are against you and all bets are off; remember the fight that's been lying dormant in you. Sometimes we have to activate the one thing in our life that won't and has never changed, The Word! What better way to fight the enemy, haters, this life that tries to take you out at times, the job and the people on it who look down at you because of your steady elevation, the people who won't see your change because they continue to try to keep you in your past! This list can go on and on.


John 10:10 says; The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. So what makes you think that it will just go away. When you've had about all you can take and you have either gone through enough or lost too much; you will begin to fight. The fight you will have will be for all of those words, actions, or things that were meant to kill you and your weapon will be with the word of life! The scripture goes on to say; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. We have to realize that nothing God gives us comes without a price nor a fight. I got up ready for battle this morning because I won't allow the enemy to take away what I have cried, fasted, and prayed for and better yet worked for! So, If you have come back in you like I think you do; I believe you will square up and prepare to take a stand. The word says in Psalm 119:105; Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. So people walk with assurance that it is well.

Today is Free For All Friday and as always I have a hot one for you all! In the words of Mali Music; " I am a bride yes, God can mold me; yes I'm saved and my body's holy, Yes I was guilty; but Christ died for me. Don't believe the lie y'all the devils' phony. He just mad cuz he cant hold me no mo' God opened doors he cant close tryin' take me out yeah he came close I gotta word now y'all and I'm throwin' bows." So with that being said; lace up, check your swag in the mirror, and pat yourself on the back because you lived to fight another day! In the end you Win! Stay focused and enjoy your weekend!



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Let Today Be The First Day You SMILE...

PRESS PLAY & READ

Hello!!! Once again I have been kept away from my most favorite people, my readers!!! Never fear; I'm here! I pray that you all have been enjoying life and all that it has to offer. Sometimes life can give you the one-two punch and try to knock you out, but you have to remember that it happens to the best of us. Some people don't know what it's like just to be happy and smile and some of us have gone through so much that smiling is a challenge within itself. I have a remedy for that! The best pick me up (for those who may be experiencing the holiday blues or just have been through so much that you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel)  is to start thinking how bad things could be, how your children's joy makes you happy, how the people you love always seem to be there for you, and if you can't find anything tangible; just remember that you opened your eyes this morning,  had the activity of your limbs, and got another chance to live! I won't hold you all long, but the holidays are here so enjoy your families and be safe. Today's Free For All Jam is an oldie but a goodie! Maybe by the time you finish reading this I will have brought back some fond memories and put a smile on that beautiful face. SMILE  it's contagious and besides it just makes you feel good!

Jaida @ The Father/Daughter Dance

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Let Today Be The First Day... Learning to accept who is for you

PRESS PLAY & READ

Hello all! I know! I've been away yet again, but please be sure that I was always thinking of you guys while I was busy at work. Thanksgiving is near and its time for family, friends, good food, and fellowship. I find myself reflecting a lot of times around this time of year, because people that were close to me or dear to me are either no longer with us or I have been separated from them for one reason or another. Lets just get to the meat of it. When you elevate or have life changes, people around you tend to change or they are not fit to go to that next level with you. I am learning to accept these things as blessings and count it all joy that I am no longer in the place that I used to be. I used to think that "FRIENDS" would be the ones that were the happiest for me, but sometimes you have to sit back and reevaluate that word. I heard a PJ Morton song that summed it up.

 PJ Morton

He simply said this; "Friends I tell you how you know they're real, Friends through the hard times they still are there even through the bad times, Friends will love you all the time". My God! and I can back this up by giving you the scripture Proverbs 17:17  says; ¹⁷A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. The bitter side of that is that you have to evaluate those "FRIENDS" who are suspect. PJ goes on to tell us; "Check the motives and I hope you know this everybody doesn't really care. Some are there to get what they get from you, but they won't do anything for you"! This is the story of my life! I'm thankful that once I begin to transition and God begin to deal with me he showed me and is still showing me who is for me. There is nothing like having a strong support system, but they have to be on the same page as you and even though they can't yet see your vision; they believe in it as much as you do and most importantly they believe in you!

You may lose people you never could have imagined losing, but this is where you learn how to love people from a distance. Don't hold any ill will in your heart towards them because they don't get it! Everyone won't get it , but that's OK. Today's lesson was Mathematics (The name and the game of life) as PJ says. So I want to encourage you and say; Continue to move no matter what and know that it's a blessing sometimes that weights are dropped off of you. The higher you go in life in turn makes the circle of "FRIENDS" you have that much smaller. So, don't concern yourself with what "they" say about your blessings and how much you have changed. Change is good for anyone as long as it is a positive and productive one. But what I would leave with you is; Just as much as you want those "true" FRIENDS, you too much show yourself to be the same. Proverbs 18:24; A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

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This has got to stop...

PRESS PLAY & READ

Hello my friends!! Your favorite authors, author has been under the weather this week, but nevertheless God is a Healer! It is 4am in my town and that tells you my day has just begun. I have missed you all so much these past few days and I have missed out on so much, but my health is very important to me. So, while I have been green (not so well) I have had to do a self evaluation again! Yes, it happens at times and yes you have to go back and re-do everything you thought you had made a conscious effort to correct about you all over again. No sweat my pet (in my Steven Q. Erkel voice) this just shows your dedication to ensure that you are headed in the right direction to be the best you; that you can be. I always use my personal experiences for tools to possibly help someone else. So here goes!

I took a conversation between myself and a very close friend of mine that was in confidence and because I knew one of the parties, thought I was looking out for them, and shared some of that conversation. Yea I know some of you may be saying; "well doesn't seem hurtful to me" or " whats the big deal"? Well, I will tell you how that small thing could have ruined the trust that my friend had in me. I not only compromised our friendship, but I talked about someone whom I don't know and hadn't given a fair chance. I thought I was being a friend and looking out for my friend by telling them about the conversation I had, but in reality I did more damage than good. Now, this is where we see who is mature and mentally grown enough to make this right wrong. If you said; "well I would just apologize to my friend who shared the info with me", that's a start but that's just apart of mending your wrong.

I had to apologize to my friend who shared the information with me, then I had to apologize to the person to whom I spoke about and even if they don't accept your apology you have to do what's RIGHT! Put all egos aside, and remember that you too have had issues in your past, have lied, have done others wrong, and have wanted to be treated fairly and justly by others. I was convicted and that's just what God does to his children when we are in the wrong, but it is up to us to go back and make those things that were made wrong; right. I prayed about it and now my conscious is clear. I made a simple note to myself and that was; " I'm learning that shutting the hell up sometimes is just a good idea".

Many things could have happened due to me not being concerned about others feelings. I could have killed someone (spiritually), I could have stunted my growth as a believer, I could have damaged someone who has already probably had enough go on in their lives as it is. The list could go on and on. So, normally Fridays are dedicated to Fun, but whats more fun than knowing you made the right decision! The song for today should give you all the motivation you need! Whatever it is, it's not too late to get it right. Be mindful of what we say, there is so much power in your words!

Myself and Sharrod Hart (I Love My Readers)!!!

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I Got It...

Press Play & Read

Well, well, well!!! Tuesday is here and I am so happy this morning to update you all on today. I had the privilege to witness the awesome ministry of Kierra "KiKi" Sheard" on last night here in my hometown and it was nothing short of an experience! Remember that word because it is in that word that I have been seeking Gods face. When you are a leader you can't help what is inside of you and at times it gets trying because there is so much to be expected out of us. But, I found out last night during my worship that even we have to be refreshed and replenished to carry out our works.1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says: ¹⁹ Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; ²⁰ you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. I have to hold myself responsible for I am a vessel and weather I like it or not I am charged to be a better example to Gods people.

Maybe this was what I had been waiting on for the past two days. So, the fact that I am alone (single) is a good reason for me to continue to ask God to hide me and keep me, even when I don't want to be kept. Denying myself at times is a test within itself, but if I have to do that so that God gets the glory out of it; I will. Truly amazing how he loves us after we have turned our backs on him so many times before when it wasn't beneficial to us. I thrive to be honest about my walk and real. I am guilty of it at one point in my life or another. So, If I can leave any encouragement with you all on today; I will say that God is real and he is here waiting on our yes so he can take control and truly show us how much he loves us. Don't learn to be a circumstantial praiser; meaning you only praise God when things are going good in your life. "You see the depths of my heart and you love me the same" You are amazing God.

My Daughter Jaida & I

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It's Over Now...

Press Play & Read

I haven't been sleeping well for the past two days and normally when this happens I have to pay attention. For some reason God deals with me at weird times, but I know that everything he does; he does it in his own way. I've been so anxious about the blog that I actually for some reason have every topic I will discuss this week. This was something I never anticipated doing in my life, yet here I am and I couldn't be happier to share my experiences and good news. What I don't ever want to do is forget. We get so caught up in ourselves sometimes we forget that it was somebody bigger than you and I who has allowed us the ability to exist. We talk about the goodness of God, how He blesses us, and how we are thankful for everything He does for us; but do we truly take out the time to simply give God our best?

I'm inhaling deep breaths right now because I can be honest even if you won't and say that at times I know I don't. Wanting more of Him and wanting to experience a move unlike any other in my life is where I am now. So, I sit, I wait, and even if I don't hear a word I know that He hears me. I don't ask for riches or fame, but what I ask for is priceless and can't just be handed to me. How many of us take the initiative and take responsibility for ourselves and ask God what is it that we need to do. The answer is very few, because that would require us to step up and take ownership for our actions.

The best thing for us to do is be honest with ourselves. Yes, we make mistakes, yes we fall short; but admitting to it is what frees us and allows us to move forward. Our actions and decisions from that point on will dictate our growth. The encouragement I want to leave you all this morning is to never give up. You may not see the results of your praying or your works, but that does not mean He is not working it out. Delayed does not mean denied! Have a great Monday, do something different today, that will be the beginning of something new!

Charlene and I at book signing

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Wake up!!!!

You're getting it! Press Play & Read
(and don't forget the volume for the full effect)

It's Friday!! You thought I forgot about you guys huh? Yea right; how could I! I normally don't talk about much on Fridays and for those of you who are new to the site, I typically inspire with my passion; Music! I've been jamming to this song all day on yesterday and couldn't wait to share it with you guys. Hopefully by now some of you are pulling yourselves together to get into business mode, but there is nothing like a "pick me up" and who better to give it to you but me! I hope this song brings a smile to your face, joy to your heart, a snap to your fingers, and bop to your heads out there. Have a great one and remember to Smile! It's contagious.

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Things are not as they seem...

You know what to do! PRESS PLAY & READ

Well, is it Thursday already! I have been a busy mess this week (lol) and it all settles down once I sit down to update you all. Living is the best thing that any of us can do for ourselves, so I decided to talk about just that; life. I know some of us are not living the lives we expected for ourseleves, but don't let that stop you from giving it your best effort. I've learned that everything in my life that has taken place good or bad was not of my own doing; but of Gods. Sometimes we look at bad things in life and say; "that's nothing but the devil". Have you ever stopped to think if it was God looking out for you? For those that don't know the enemy can't do anything without Gods permission. You say how? Well I will tell you. Look at Job in the bible, he was one of Gods favorites and the devil wanted to make a point to God, so before he could do anything to Job he had to get permission from God. I said that to say this, you are more because of who you belong to. Our lives and our experiences are a testimony to others that no matter how hard things may get, God has the final say.

There may be someone who is feeling like; "why me", well I learned a valuable lesson about that very question when I asked it. If you were not equipt to deal with what life throws your way, you wouldn't go through it. My pastor said something to me that has truly stuck to me and I thank her (yes, I said her) for it. She told me the easiest thing to do is give up because it doesn't require you to do anything. But, the hardest thing to do is STAND when you feel like the floor is about to come from up under you, the walls are about to fall down around you, and everything around you seems like its crumbling. When the dust settles; and I've said this before look around and see who is still there. Everyone is not designed to go through and you have to careful that you don't get lost in your storm. Darkness may come, winds may blow, rain may fall, and even HELL (hail) may fall in your life; just know that He created it all so after the wreckage there is peace and that doesn't always come easy.


Knowing who you are and what you possess is part of the battle. Owning what you possess and walking in that takes you further than you or anyone else could ever imagine. Be the blessing that you already are. Friday is on the way and boy do I have a surprise for you guys! Until then allow God time to just be God in your life!

                                                 My stylist Melanie Dunbar & Myself

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What if I'm the problem...

Hello my good friends! I pray that all of your weekends have been exciting. This is a new week, a start, and Monday is a new day! But, I wanted to touch on something that most of us won't admit and some of us are blind to. In our day to day struggles of trying to obtain what we consider happiness and being content with our lives and ourselves, at times we get lost in the midst of it all. Ever had times when it seemed as if everyone was against you and no one saw things your way? Have you ever been so hurt that you could only find the fault in others and not recognize that you may have been the problem all along. Well, to make you feel a little better and not feel as if you are the only one; I was that person once upon a time in my life. Do you see this face!

Yes me! I had the worst attitude and took all of my anger and frustrations that I had from another who had done me wrong and lashed out and hurt a lot of people in  my life.The saying goes; "The truth hurts" and what can be any truer than finding out things about yourself that you don't even like. I was miserable and because of that I didn't care about how  made others feel in the process. It took me being faced with having to look at myself and notice that i was doing more damage than good in my life. I found myself by myself and this was at a very young age. I hated what was done to me so everyone looked like "that person". So, how do we get back to a good place? The first thing in getting things that have gone a rye in your life back right is admitting that there is a problem. Now keep in mind yes there will be those who don't want to see you happy and as we call them "haters", but it won't be them in all cases. So, I had to recognize that I was my own worst enemy! It was like a knife in my stomach, but I had to face the facts. I had to reevaluate things and deal with ME! Since then I was able to move past so much and become a more happier person inside and out. If I could encourage anyone that is reading this and you don't know where to turn, ask God to fix it and even if he has to hide you while you are under construction; then so be it. God is love and if you love God allow him the time to get you to a better place. Continue to shine in the darkest places. You are loved, you are needed, and you do MATTER! Be blessed by being a blessing.

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What are you going to be remembered for...

In my quest to make a difference, I realized that what we produce and the people we surround ourselves with matter. Sometimes we won't always have the right formula for success, but as my Bishop says; "How do you spell Success"? What may work for me may not work for you and so on and so forth. A lot of things that make the most impact have been tested and tried and initially failed. I have to always remind myself that where I am going is so much better than where I've been. So, even in deciding to be great and do what others wouldn't do you have to always remember to Live and own your happiness. What's the sense in doing the unthinkable if you're not going to wrap yourself in joy and stand on peace.


My motivation is ME and the experiences I've gone through in my life. You have to believe in you and for those that are with you in the process they have to be equip to go the distance. I stress all of the time about non believers and dream killers, but if you have those people around it only leaves you room to second guess yourself and your dreams. Fight for what it is that is important to you, never lose faith, never forget it could have been the other way, and always be thankful for those that helped you along the way. Everything we release in the atmosphere and everything we do matters, so; What will you be remembered for?

Me and my aunt Sandra at book signing

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It's HUMP Day!!!

Good morning! I've had a great week so far. Sunday was very inspirational as well as trying. A classmate of mine passed away; a mother, a daughter, a sister,  a friend, a joy to have ever met. Angela Suttles will be missed. Went to service with expectancy and God showed up unlike no other. something about when you are at your lowest, how God comes in and reminds you of the treasure you are. I'm thankful today just for the opportunity at getting another day to wake up and kiss my daughter and tell her "I love you". Sometimes we take for granted that in a second, an instance everything can change. Monday was my birthday and as I celebrated life my heart went out to those children who lost their mother, that mother who lost her daughter, and those siblings who lost their sister. I realize death is inevitable, but the process of healing from it has its struggles and setbacks. Don't ever get so comfortable with life that you forget to be thankful for what it is God has given you; even the little things. I'm constantly growing and with that I have a better understanding of the way my life should be. I recently dealt with losing a relationship that I held dear to my heart and I couldn't for the life of me understand why. After praying and seeking direction and insight about it all I found that we lose things in life sometimes for the good of us and where we are headed. Loss either breaks you or strengthens you. Remember who you are and don't lose sight of Him even in your storms. Live, Life, Love, and Laugh.... There is a time and a season for everything. It's Wednesday people, continue to chase pavements. Smile it gets better from here!

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