Thursday, April 21, 2011

Letter to Love

Love please have a seat we seriously need to talk. No I'm sorry this can't wait. I've been trying to figure this thing out for a while now and I know you've felt like something just wasn't right. The truth is I love you but I know that ain't right. No please sit back down I have to finish this. I'm sure this isn't what you want to hear right now but it must be said. You've been great to me for a very long time and for that I am appreciative to you. You saved my heart when I was just about to turn cold to the idea of love. You spoke one word and forever changed my life. I've gotten so much better since I've experienced you and I love that about you. Each day I wanted to be a better person so I could be deserving of your love. There were some rough times but what's a little pain when you are experiencing love. See love there has been this war going on inside me that honestly I'm tired of fighting. Tired of going to battle everyday against a world that can be so mean. I took on this fight because I believed in what was happening. I also believed in what I was feeling. I know it probably seems like I'm rambling but I'm just trying to make sense of this. On the outside looking in love we appear to be so perfect. Me with my big heart and compassionate personality. You with your open mind and beauty. Kind of a perfect fit. At least that's what I told myself when I first felt you. Let me tell you love this has been great. Discovering a part of me that I thought had went away. Creating memories that I'm certain will last forever. We both know it hasn't always been sunshine because we did experience rain. Like the time I began to doubt you could ever exist. Or the time when I thought I wasn't good enough to deserve you. What I didn't know was that rain is necessary for sunshine and sunshine is necessary for rain. Like that day when I almost gave up and I looked out the window after the rain and saw a sunshine painting a rainbow in the sky. You taught me so much love and no amount of money, things or words could ever repay you. I know this is hard to hear but it's even harder to say. We've been good together but I think we should part ways. Your purpose has been served and my faith has been restored. I know, it hurts me too but I'm sure if you look at the bigger picture you'd understand what we must do. I'll always love you and I know you will too. So don't think of this as a heartbreak, think of it as a release. A release that is necessary to help us both grow. You have others to go out and help you can't be mine forever. Someone else is feeling like the old me and you have to help. Let them know that love is a great experience and can teach them a lot. If they don't believe you keep trying until they figure it out. Don't let them give up, like you didn't let me. Go and change someones history. I am forever grateful but I can no longer be selfish. Love, I love but you need to go love someone else. Don't worry about me, you have prepared me for such a time as this. My life isn't over it's only just begun. Thank you my friend it has been so much fun. Go out and help someone see what they have on the inside. Of course I won't forget about you. I'll always remember you besides my heart wouldn't let me, so stop worrying now. You've done what was required and I'm prepared for what life's journey may send my way. My head is held high and my heart is open. I'll see you in passing someday. No words need to be spoken. Go now and don't look back because the person you might save, might just be for me. Goodbye love

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Kind words

They say kind words turns away wrath. Let me just say this.

You have to be true to who you are no matter what. So many people will try to make you into something or someone they want to see. God made you the way you are for a reason. Trust Him because He is pretty good at His job.

Much Love
T.I.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

One very happy fan

So let me first start off by saying I am still floored by this. I have been a fan of this lady for quite some time and an even bigger fan of the WNBA (15th season kicks off June 3rd). There are not many moments in life where you will be able to say "how cool is or how cool was that" and really mean it. I know I'm beating around the bush a little bit.

Oh let me give props to social media because it has given me an opportunity to do some things that I honestly never imagined being possible (get ya minds out the gutter people). Okay here it is....

Oh wait I forgot to tell you this part. So WNBA star Cheryl Ford aka The Lip gloss Diva aka Ms Double Double aka Ms Watch Me Work took time out of her busy overseas basketball grind to answer some questions from a very persistent and dedicated fan (yes ME). Now mind you I had no idea how she would respond when I asked her about doing this. All I knew was I had to give it a shot. When she agreed I almost hit the floor. Yeah some of you might think this isn't a big deal and she is just a regular person (which she truly is). Matter fact let me just say, C. Ford gets 2 thumbs up from me because she is humble, dedicated, beautiful, spiritual, kind, caring, hard working and BEAST on the basketball court. TeamFord all day respect it! For those that don't know C. Ford has been away from the WNBA for a little while but 2011 season SHE'S BACK!

So with the help of some other TeamFord members I complied a list of questions to ask her. It is the hope that this won't end here and I will have other exclusive things to share with you all. Okay in no particular order here is the Q&A with Cheryl Ford

Q: What is your most memorable basketball moment up until this point? And why does it stand out for you?
A: my most memorable moment was winning the WNBA championship in 2003. and it stands out to me cause i had both parents in attendance to watch me win it.

Q: If not basketball what would The Diva be doing?

A: Coaching or owning my own clothing/shoe store

Q: Favorite place to eat and/or favorite meal to eat?

A: First my mom/granny kitchen, Benihanna and Chow Baby

Q: What are you looking forward to this upcoming 2011 season? Any thoughts on where you want to end up?

A: Definitely want to stay on the east coast and what I'm looking forward to is number one just staying healthy and just coming in a doing whatever it takes for me to help the team to the championship

Q: Who is the toughest player you have had to guard? And what was it about them?

A: Lisa Leslie and just her knowledge of the game and her great skills

Q: Tell us what is the biggest misconception of you? How do you deal with that?

A: That I'm not as good as media makes me out to be. but i just continue to pray and do what has gotten me to this point. Stats don't lie.

Q: In your Rookie Year(2003) was it hard to adjust to being the "go to" player and was that received well by your teammates?
A: I wasn't the "go to" player. I just knew my role and went out and tried to do it.

Q: Your the only player to receive Rookie of the Year and a WNBA championship in the same year. Does that still make you smile?

A: Definitely makes me smile truly a blessing

Q: What does a typical day off look like for Cheryl Ford?

A: Day off for me consist of running errands if i have any and just chilling. Maybe shopping.

Q: Where did the name DIVA come from?

A: Hmmm Im not quiet sure where diva came from. I think Mrs Monique Rice.

Q: What position are you most comfortable playing on the court? And how has your game changed since your LaTech days?

A: Most comfy with the 4 and the 5 position and I think just the knowledge of the game and I've developed some more moves down low.

Q: Which current or upcoming player do you see with a game similar to yours? And what advice would you offer her?

A: I would definitely have to say Tina Charles. I call her my "mini me" and just for her to develop a few more moves down low. Like she is a beast right now but she get a couple more moves she will be the best center in the game.

Q: What is the snack food you can't live without?
A: Fruit! I love love love fruit

Q: Which of the 3 championships was the sweetest?

A: The first one

Q: What did you miss most about being away from the league?

A: Nothing I actually enjoyed my summer off and needed the break.

Q: Three words that your friends would use to describe you?

A: spoiled, independent and a sweet heart

Q: Biggest celebrity crush (no ball players)?

A: Ha aww man. lol ok ok Idris Elba

Q: Out of the numerous reality shows that are out there, which one could you see yourself on and why?

A: Bad Girls Club. Ha it speaks for itself...

Q: What lesson do you feel you've learned through all the injuries and time away from the league?

A: God can take it all away in a blink of an eye...

Q: Hardest city to play in and why?

A: Never thought any city was hard for me to play in Iwas always up to play no matter what city I guess that's the competitive part in me. when I go to cities I'm about my business and that is winning games.

Q: What is the best piece of advice you have been given, that you would like to share with us?

A: When I step out on the bball court to give my all 100 percent cause you can't get it back when the game is over! So just leave it all out there. "What I've kept I've lost forever"

That was just a glimpse into the life of Cheryl Ford and trust me this is only the tip of the iceberg. I would like to say again, that I am truly grateful to Cheryl for taking the time to fulfill a fans request. If you are a twitter fanatic follow Cheryl @Southernchick35 and also if you are a TeamFord fan make sure your check out the TeamFord store and pick up your official TeamFord t-shirt at  http://343433.spreadshirt.com/

Friday, April 8, 2011

Distractions

Simple thought of the day.

Don't let nothing or no one distract you from what it is you need to be doing. Stay focused on what is in front of you not what is behind you.

T.I.

Saturday, April 2, 2011

I'm all in!

So I just returned from being surrounded by over 5000 teens and some adult leaders. Now most people might not think this is something blog worthy but just wait.

Those 5000+ teens where taking part in a 2 day Christian Conference entitled Dare 2 Share. Dare 2 Share is a non profit organization that is focused on helping equip teens to share the GOSPEL with their friends, families or strangers. Check out their website: http://www.dare2share.org/ Now is it making more sense why this is blog worthy? If not keep reading.

I have never been a space like this in my entire life. The very first day I was simply blown away by the number of people in the building, no scratch that. I was blown away by the number of young people in the building. I'm sure if some pop, hip hop, rock or r&b artist was giving a concert I could find 5000 young people in that building as well. But this was no concert! This was a real life Christian Conference where teens were praising and worshipping God and sharing the GOSPEL with their friends. During the worship service I seen these young people with their hands lifted high and glorying God without fear that they would be uncool. The energy in that building was amazing. You think this is blog worthy yet? If not keep reading.

As a youth leader for the House of Refuge's I Know I Can Youth Ministry, I was encouraged to believe that one day the young people that I work with will become the next youth leaders bringing the next generation to this type of event. As an adult ally with these young people it is important for me to practice what I am preaching. So often we find situations where adults tell young people one thing but yet don't exhibit those actions in their own lives or they do the complete opposite.  If you haven't figured it out yet, I am a Christian. Not just a Christian though. I am an unashamed Christian, which means I don't care who knows it. My heart was encouraged this weekend. There was a really cool thing that the folks at Dare 2 Share invited all the participants to do, and that was to write the names of 3 people with whom we wanted to share the GOSPEL with and that we wanted to pray that God touch their hearts. This was a simple thing but what took it to the next level was these young people had to now reach out to those 3 people over the weekend. How awesome was that! Right in the middle of the conference they got on their phones and talked, text, facebook or tweeted those people. With all the things that are happening in this world as it relates to the young folks, you had 5000+ teens on a Friday night and all day Saturday conference! I'm sure you can see where my need to blog about this came from. Well if not thanks for reading I guess.

It is not an easy thing to share our faith with others but the rewards of doing so can be so well worth it. Some of those young people shared awesome stories of how their phone calls went and which of their friends wanted to accept Christ in their life. Again this is truly blog worthy.

I don't pretend to be perfect but I do believe as a child of God I can make mistakes and have shortcomings yet I can still be forgiven of my sins. So they ended the conference by using this phrase "All In" meaning being all in for Christ.

Hi my name is Tonette and I am ALL IN FOR CHRIST!