"No" Does not Mean Never

Good Morning!! Hope everyone is enjoying Hump Day! It's almost the end of the week! Today I just want to encourage everyone to stay encouraged and don't be afraid of being told "No". When pursuing your dreams you are going to knock on tons of doors. Some doors are going to say "no," in fact, MOST doors will say "no." It's not the issue of being told "no," but how you react to that "no." It is easy to just turn away and give up, but the key to being told "no" is the instant motivation that is instilled within you. You have to keep pushing forward and take that "no" as a stepping stone to get closer to pursuing your dreams. A "no" is just something that you should get used to hearing and not feel offended by it, because when pursuing dreams you will probably hear "no" more than "yes." The drive that a "no" instills in you is priceless. Nothing should make you want to work harder than being told "no." You should continue to push forward and keep knocking on doors. I have been told "no" numerous times, but it has not stopped me from going after what I love to do. The more persistent and driven that you are, the more likely you are to get to a "yes." And believe me, due to my persistence I have come across some "yes's"! People look for that in a person and it shows great character. So, I encourage you all to keep knocking because although one door may not open, God will open another!

Keeping the Dream Alive

Good Morning everyone!! I hope you're enjoying your morning thus far! I had something like an epiphany yesterday when thinking about my website "Keeping the Dream Alive." It originated from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Speech, "I Have a Dream." I have just been inspired by him time after time again even in his absence. His legacy has given me passion and inspiration to pursue the betterment of our people and community through raising up the new generation. As I was sitting in prayer service yesterday God was speaking to me and "Keeping the Dream Alive" came to me and it became a whole new meaning. Through this process of me pursing my dream of becoming a successful youth activist, I have realized that I was not only living through MLK's dream, but also my dream as well. I have been keeping it alive through my consistency and devotion to pursing it. It is an ongoing process that takes time, dedication and hard work. It was a means of confirmation for me to continue to work hard and strive for the best through this journey. Even though I am so close, It is still only the beginning. There is so much that I not only want to do for the youth, but I WILL do for them. Today, I just want to encourage you all to keep your dreams alive, bc the dream is so real! Just continue to keep God first, stay focused and work hard! Dreams do come to life!!

Without God we are NOTHING

Good Morning! Sorry to have neglected yall over the weekend but I've been working for God with my prayer team's "Feeding The Community!" Itwas such a great experience to give back once God has blessed you! Today I want to talk about the 2011 BET Awards from last night. I was just so amazed that the only person to acknowledge God while receiving a reward was Steve Harvey! He really took a stand last night and proclaimed to EVERYONE where his help comes from and knew it was all God! He even stated, "Without God I am Nothing!" That's major and so true. We need to acknowledge God for everything bc it is HE who gives us life, health, strength and our TALENTS to share with the world. Some celebs need a reality check and need to know that if it wasn't for God's grace and mercy they would not be where they are! I feel that everyone should have given him honor and praise last night while in the eyes of the world. The word says, "Who ever denies me before men, I also will deny before my father who is in heaven." Matthew 10:33. I just feel that God is often left out in the hands of success. Once a person has "made it" they often forget who got them there. Yes, you may have had a great team along the way but it was God who put that team of people together and worked through the many talents to make that team possible. My message overall today is to say that anything you do in life keep God first always and never put him to the side! With God we are everything and can do anything! Without Him we are NOTHING!

If What You See is All You See, You Will Miss So much more

Good Morning yall! I hope yall are enjoying your day thus far! I thank God for another day and all his many blessings! Sometimes in life we find ourselves looking and only seeing what is visible. There is so much more to life than what we see with our own perspectives. Things are not always what they look like or what they feel like. Your perspective will be different of that of someone else's. Changing your perspective is necessary a lot of the time. Sometimes we have to change our mind frames in order to change our perspectives on the things we see. If you think negativity, then you will see negativity. If you think positivity, then you will see positivity. So no matter what your situation may be at this point in your life, look at that situation and speak words of life to it, words of encouragment and watch just how fast it will get better! The people and or things that you surround yourself with are other factors of your perspectives. If you hang around negative people, more than likely something within you will percieve yourself as negative as well. Also, your surroundings become filled with negativity. Surround yourself with people that are of good character and positive. As the old saying goes, "You are the company that you keep." Influence plays a huge role on our lives. Positive influence will ecourage you to do positive things. So, today learn to change your perspectives because if all you see is what you see, then you will miss so much more!

Recap: From Hip Hop to Positivity

Good afternoon yall! I hope all is well! It's officially summer and I'm definitely feeling it lol! Today I just want to do a recap on yesterday's blog! I feel that Hip Hop music has so much influence on the lives of our youth today. Kids would much rather pick up their ipod over their school books or bible for that matter. Music has always had an impact on the ways in which we think and act. I feel that SOME, not all of today's music has had a negative impact on the lives of our youth. Whatever you feed your mind is what you are going to act on eventually. Hearing your favorite rappers and singers talking about drugs, fast money, and sex make those things sound "cool" in the minds of our youth. It's sad when the motivation of our youth comes from the negativity to today's music. I thought why not change some of those negative connotations into positive connotations. Music will always be around and we cannot control what kinds are being produced, but we can change those connotations around for positivity.

From Hip Hop to Positivity

Hey yall! I hope yall are feeling blessed and having great days! I just finished working out and decided to leave yall a post! Enjoy the rest of your day!

As Weezy would say, stand “6 foot, 7 foot” with pride, drive, and motivation through this life with no hesitation. Be all you can be and let no one tell you differently. Work hard when people are watching, but as Ace Hood would say, “Hustle, hustle, hustle, hard” when no one is watching. You have nothing to prove to anybody in this life but God. Each and every day you wake up you have a purpose. People are going to hate, but wake up and shout them out as Diddy would say, “Hello, Good Morning” and continue to strive for better. Don’t trade hate for hate, just pray that you will be like Rhianna and “Turn all of the lights up” through your desire. You’ll be able to shine nice and bright so that they can see and possibly lighten their paths so they can find their way to where they are going in their lives. Some will see and some will continue to travel in darkness, but hey, as Lupe Fiasco would say, “The show goes on.” Helping those along the way will bless you abundantly and when you finally arrive you can look back and say as Chris Brown would say, “Look at me now.” Even when you make it you may think back as Nicki Minaj would say, “I did it on ‘em.” But the work is still undone. You must continue to work hard so you will be able to share that “Moment for life.” Now that you have made it, don’t forget about those who helped you along they way. First start with mama and ask her what she wants as Fab would say, a “Beamer, Benz, or Bently!” Then don’t forget where you came from! As Travis Porter would say, “Now bring it back” and give back to the community!

GIRLS

GROWING through the delicate times trying to find your place in this huge world. INSTILLING power and determination to be anything in this world. Even rule the world with the strong, unstoppable hands of being a girl. REALIZING that your worth is just as important as the worth of a man. Knowing that and pledging to carry yourself in that very manner each and every day. LIBERATING yourself from all the things that try and limit your expectations and soaring your wings as high as the sky. STEPPING through your journey of life with your head help high. Believing in yourself and achieving all of the advantages of being a young, beautiful girl!

Do Good and Be of Good Courage

Good Morning!! I hope you all have enjoyed your weekend! It's a rainy Monday morning and I am super tired, but I will NOT complain! Today I want to talk about when you're trying to do good and something always wants to stop you. When you're trying to do good, there will always be something or someone that will try and stop you. It would be so much easier to just give in and fall off, BUT I would much rather take the harder route and continue doing good and do it with courage. Always remember that anything that comes easy in life, is more than likely no good for you. Constantly work hard and never be fooled by taking short cuts. You're going to have some people that want to see you fail and do bad, those you just have to take with a grain of salt and shake them off. It is just a part of life that we must learn to embrace and be prepared for. You should keep your focus on the task at hand and not the ones to the left or to the right. They have no power over your future unless you give it to them. So, today I just encourage you all to do good and be of good courage and God will do the rest. Work hard when people are watching and work even harder when no one is watching! Your hard work will pay off!

Happy Father's Day!!

Happy Father's Day! I would like to take the time out to thank my mother for playing both roles of being the mother and the father! She has always been there and I don't really feel like I've honestly missed out on having a male figure to call "dad" when my mother was all of that and more. Having a father who is addicted to drugs and has a lot of mental issues has only made me into a stronger person. I don't dwell on the issue of his absence, but I do often pray for him. It has not affected my outcome for myself and I don't see it as an obstacle. So, no matter if you have an absent parent whether it be your mother or your father, it does not have to determine how your life will turn out! I have turned out to be a strong, black woman on the way to success and my background of not having father around has not had a negative impact on my life or my future. God said that he will be a father to the fatherless and a mother to the motherless and with him you can do anything in your life!

It's Never Too Late

Good Morning! I hope this blog finds you all well and blessed this morning! Over the last couple of days I have been taking my older cousin to school in order to get his GED.  He is 28 years old and he never graduated from High school.  During his years throughout school he was very intelligent and athletic.  Somewhere along the way he lost focus and began stirring down the wrong road.  He started hanging out with the wrong crowd of people and lost sight of his hopes and dreams.  It's a part of life and it happens to the best of us.  Now, he has 3 kids and he wants to do better by his kids and start by obtaining his GED.  At first he was a little apprehensive about going back to school since he is now 28.  He felt as if people were going to judge him and look down on him.  Truth is there are people older than him going to school as well trying to get their GED as well.  Everyone there is there for the exact same reason, so there was no need to feel discouraged. I have to commend him because he is doing so well and his teachers told him that he was very intelligent and has great potential, which I already knew that! So for anyone that has never graduated from High school or obtained their GED, It's never too late! Don't be discouraged and talk yourself out on bettering yourself.  Things are not always what they look like or what they feel like.  Sometimes in life we go through things that only make us stronger and give us the strength to better ourselves.  You have to first start by believing in yourself and giving your self a chance.  No matter how much time you may have wasted or have lost over the years, it's NEVER too late.  This applies to any other things that you may feel like it's too late.  Whatever it is, know that God is not constantly reminding you about it, if it was too late to do it!  Get up today and take back what your past has stolen from you!!

Hello!

Hi, I just wanted to take a moment and introduce myself.  My name is Shalee Forney and I am a young woman on a mission to change the world.  I have a strong passion for the youth of today bc they are the future of tomorrow.  I know this is my calling and I am very exciting for the things to come along the way of my journey. A lot of young people don't believe they have a chance in life due to their surroundings and or backgrounds, but that is not true at all! If young people are aware of their potential and know that there are people who believe in them, what amazing things they would do with their lives.  It is my job to make sure that there is HOPE instilled within them and they know that someone is advocating for their well being.  As stated earlier, this is just an introduction of who I am and what is to come.  I hope you all will have a blessed day, keep God first and work hard towards your dreams!