Another shooting another day in America

Another shooting another day in America.  I just heard about 2 teen girls shot after a basketball game in New Jersey. I cry for my generation. I cry for our nation. I cry for our daughters and sons' gone too soon.  At least once a week for the past couple of months I have heard of countless tragedies.  We live in a time where suicide is the norm, and killing, rather mass or singular frequent our schools and public places.  I weep knowing that I too will one day send my daughter to school and pray to God everyday that she comes home safely.    My heart not only cry's for these girls, who were gone to soon but for  Sandy Hook Elementary, Trayvon Martin, Amanda Todd, Manuel Loggin and all those lost on by the hands of others.
 

I am so flippin' tired of some of my people saying in reference to what happened at Sandy Hook, "If woulda' been a black man," or " Why didn't Obama shed tears for Trayvon." Yes it would be nice for those lost in the African American community/black America to get the same media coverage during tragic situations, however its' not about that.  A life lost is a life lost. I don't care about the politics of it all because they won't bring back those lost to senseless murders and suicide.   At some point we as African American's have move beyond and heal, intergrate as our ancestors fought for without loosing what makes us culturally unique. Don't let the smooth taste fool you, I know some will not accept me and racism still exist, but it it imperative that I as an African American mother of children with mixed heritage see beyond color.  Racism is just a white problem, it has many different faces including brown.

The Mayans' may have been incorrect about the date as the bible state in Matthew 24:36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." I'm not really for the fire and brimstone message type of girl, but with the amount of tragedy recently in the back of my mind I have to ask. Are we in the end times? however let me ask you something.  Fear, death, anger, in-humility, selfishness, arrogance, pride, greed, lust, lies, and deceit lurk around every corner.  Nations are divided, and the innocence of children is violated. I pray that God has mercy on our souls.

I would like to leave you with a FB Status that I posted a few weeks ago,

" I am tired of it. I am tired of the death and destruction going on in this world. I know the holidays are hard and depressing for many, but these senseless killings need to stop. Mental illness is plaguing our nation as people are giving up and often feeling hopeless. Depression turning to anger, anger to hatred, hatred to death....these are the times the bible talked about, it has and is still time to stay prayed up. Don't get me wrong life isn't all bad, not everybody is out to get you, but if you see someone falling into the shadows pray for your brother rather than condemning them. Life is rough, especially when you are living it alone so love somebody. Open the door for that grandmother struggling at the mall, if the cashier seems to have a chip on their shoulder, let it go. I am all for good customer service, but I am learning some times you just have to let it go. Put yourself in someone elses' shoes and live a life filled with compassion and empathy, you may just be saving lives, including your own. I am convinced that so many suicides and senseless murders could be avoided if we love on one another......" 

-Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks-Curlitude on Facebook, December 11, 2012

Peace and Love,
Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks 

5 life lesson's I've learning from DIY and crafting

1. Slow and steady will finish the race. We've heard the saying time and time again; and it applies to so many areas in our lives.  When it comes to crafting, I like the end result more than I like putting in the work. Often I find myself rushing to finish a project rather than slowing down, and enjoying the moment of creating.  When I don't take my time the project is usually messy and  ends up in the trash, wasting money and time.  How often do we rush to the finish line before starting the race? Causing us irreversible problems that could have been avoided if we just slowed down. 
2. Enjoy the moment.  This kind of goes along with number one.  You know the saying, "Stop and smell the roses." Well in crafting its more like, "spill a little glitter and color outside the lines from time to time, and laugh about it."  Mistakes will be made, your project may not always turn out like the tutorial, but the fact that you created it makes it special.  You may not be a crafter, but everyone should choose to live in the moment from time to time.  For goodness sake, seize the day and the opportunity to free yourself.  I promise you will feel a lot better.
3. Adapt.  It is inevitable that a few mistakes will be made when doing a DIY project or craft.  You won't always get it right, but when, "Life gives you lemons, make lemonade," or in this case cover it up with a little glitter, smile, and look at the beauty in what you have created.  In life there will be roadblocks, but there is always a detour that may just get you to your destination a little bit faster.
4. Enjoy your creation.  After God created the heaven's and the earth, on the seventh day, " God looked at what he had done. All of it was very good" Genesis 1:31. If we strive to be like Christ shouldn't we enjoy the spoils of our hands.  No, we should not be prideful or arrogant about our hard work, but we should see the beauty in it. 
5. Keep it simple.  My mind moves a mile a minute, and when I get inspired I dive right in. Sometimes my ideas are so elaborate it is hard for me to hone in on what I am trying to accomplish.  Watching Craft Wars, I noticed that some of the best crafters make a mistake of bedazzling after they finish an item, rather than letting the beauty of what they have created stand for itself.  The term "simple elegance" in my opinion should be embraced at all times.  Sometimes that extra piece of something takes your project from fab to drab, and it is hard to recover from it.  If we K.I.S.S.(Keep It Simple Silly) in life everyday we will surely be able to slow down, enjoy the moment, adapt, and enjoy what we have created.

Happy Crafting. Peace and Love,

Najeema, I AM Curly Locks 

I had a conversation with someone a week ago, which caused me to do a bit of self evaluation. "Do the expectations that I set for my self, supersede the expectations that God has for me?"  This is definitely a tough spill to swallow, seeing as I often feel like I am completely failing at everything that I am trying to do.  I am a self proclaimed multitask-er, who never completes the task that I start often.  Might be the reason I have two blogs that I barely post on, and an online store consisting of three items.  I try to put my hands at everything, often without consulting God on the matter.  I dive in without thinking about how deep or shallow the water is.  God knows the plans, He sees the future, but I must obey.  I may not know where the path is going to lead me, but He is by my side and will guide me.  I can dive in as long as I have my Life vest preserving me, securing me.

When we make decisions without God we are committing self sabotage, neglecting the one truth that never leads you in the wrong direction.  Even if you get off the path, if you pray and seek him, He will make the way straight.  You can not be everything to all people, so just be who God created you to be.  The only true expectations that matter are found between a leather bond book stamped with gold.

Being refined.

Peace and Love,

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks

The Tragedy that is Art

Some of my favorite artist, rather they are musician's, painters, writers, est.  seem to have some point dealt with depression or mania.   Out of depths of despair and tragedy has blossomed the beauty of literature, song, and beautiful canvas.  This seems even more apparent when it comes to women artist.  Personally I have found that the majority of my though provoking work has come when I have been drained, depressed, felt hopeless, and seemed like I just couldn't pick myself up.   No I am not inferring that in order to express yourself artistically you have to walk around with a dark cloud everyday, but could it be that in your moment of vulnerability and weakness genius appears. 

The tragedy that is Art is not a new concept to me.  In fact it was the focus of a project that I completed in college called  "Silk Screen of Human Emotion."  It was a two part project that with both a written and visual art component.  Definitely my saving grace in a class that I would have failed and an assignment that I refer back to often.   Maybe women by nature, being emotional creatures, find it hard
detach our life experiences from the art that we create; Or, is the lack of detachment from life experiences something uniquely human?

I'm still evolving and artist in the making not yet arrived.

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks

Drive Thru mentality

So I haven't blogged in over a month, which is for numerous reasons. It's not like I don't have anything to talk about, my life  is kind of ordinary, though being a stay at home mother of two adds some spice from time to time, but I haven't felt like putting my hands on the keyboard or pen to paper.  To be honest I have been in sort of a depressed dormant state, which is my fault since I haven't picked up my bible in God know's how long and my prayer life could use a bit of a pick me up.   I'm only human, don't judge.  To be honest I over the past month I have been living, but not existing with God fully in my life.  I was seeking to do just enough, not fully doing what God has designed me to do as a mother, wife, daughter, and the multitude of other title I hold as a woman.

It's not that I don't pray, but I've been having a lot of quickies.  You know, those prayers that you try to get in just in the nick of time. "Lord bless my child, don't let any harm come to here," right after Elises' number came across the screen at church, only to find out that some other child tried to choke her. Or how about "protection Jesus," after finding out my husband nearly got in an accident due to another drivers foolishness.  I'm  not saying that these five second quickies are no good, but I do not believe that anyone including myself should have a drive by prayer life.

Christianity isn't like the fastfood lifestyle that us grotesque Americans frequent often.  It is not somethings that provides us just enough to get us by until we can make it the next meal, often null and void of any nutritional value, deep fried covered in grease, unhealthy to say the least.  Don't get me wrong I love Mickey D's and Burger King from time to time, but they are not everyday foods, nor staples.

My husband and I were having a conversation a couple of weeks ago about our "American way of life," is so backwards now.  As we sat reminiscing over the similarities and differences to our childhood, we realize how backwards we have become.  Back in the day (Yes, I do know it's not that long. I'm only 23.) McDonald's, Rally's, Burger King, Wendy's est. were treats, something that you begged for often, but only got every once in a while.  What was a once in a while treat for my husband and I, sometimes becomes a staple for my daughter Elise.  I hate to say it, but sometimes we can go a whole day without Elise having a home cooked meal.  It is sad, but it is truth.

As I seek to reclaim my family at the dinner table, we have a home cooked meal from scratch at least three times  a week, I realize that it is time for me to reclaim many other parts of my spiritual life which have become accustomed to a fast-food way of life.    As mom's it is my duty to be "keeper of my home," which God instructs in Titus 2:5. To be honest I never even looked at this scripture until it was referenced by one of my favorite bloggers Rhonda J. Smith in a article she wrote for EEW Magazine, Guard Their Ears and Eyes, Why you, the Parent, must be a Gatekeeper.  I haven't been doing my job well at all.  Not only have I not fully guarded my children, but I have lacked to cover them in prayer often.  In this article Rhonda J. Smith gives three key things that can help you, me, and other moms out there be effective "Gatekeepers." She says,

"For us to be effective guards of our homes, we must:Know the Word—The word of God tells us how to live. We have to know God’s standard so we
set God’s standard in our homes. “For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or
what fellowship can light have with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14). Answering these questions is a
good place to start making a distinction between righteous and unrighteous influences.Practice the Word—Fasting and prayer are essential so we gain spiritual insight to help us
navigate what we see and don’t see. There is always a war going on in the spiritual realm that we
cannot see, but God sees and directs our steps (2 Kings 6:15-17; Ephesians 6:12 and Proverbs 16:
9). This even includes God showing us how our children’s eyes and ears may have been violated
outside our home. God will reveal to us what we need to know so we can guard our gates
appropriately to defeat the enemy and protect our children.Select suitable substitutes—We may not have set biblical standards from the beginning but we
can choose biblical substitutes now. Check out Christian bookstores and websites for appropriate
music and movies. If you don’t know what artists to choose, check out EEW’s 10 Men Leading the Way issue and DaSouth.com for insight. Also, make sure you interact with families who have
biblical standards for their children and expose your children to groups and activities that support
your standards.

We only have one chance to raise our children. God has entrusted us as stewards of these precious
gifts and we must give an account for how we raised them (Luke 16:1-2, Romans 14:12, Hebrews 13:
17). This is our job. No school of choice or life of chance can do what only we were meant to do.
We are gatekeepers, called by God to guard our homes to keep them safe from unlawful intrusions,
abusers surely to rape our children of godly behavior (1 Corinthians 15:33). We can do this if we
seek to put the Kingdom first."
~Rhonda J. Smith, EEW Magazine, "Guarding Their Ears and Eyes:Why you, the Parent, Must be a gatekeeper."

This article helped to kick start the revolution that has been going on in my home.  Some days I am a better keeper than others, but I a rest knowing that I am a work in progress, and God is done with me yet.  Okay maybe I'm little ordinary, but I was created to do extraordinary things.

Peace and Love,

Najeema Iman
A maturing woman on a journey of rediscovery and recovery, I AM Curly Locks

Variety Blogger

Lately I have kind of had bloggers block, I guess that's what you can call it. I get inspired but the execution is terrible. I currently have 11 unfinished drafts on blogger, countless unfinished poems in my notebook, and so much  that is  unwritten to say going through my mind.  I think that I have lost some of my juice as a blogger.  I believe that once again I am getting so caught up in increasing my amount of followers, having the most enlightening tweets, and leaving my mark on the blogosphere that I have lost focus.  I know "I blog because I have to," but frankly sometimes I get so discouraged looking at the slow pace in which my blog is taking off.

I know I have the ability to write, but I am constantly comparing myself to others which is a downfall.  Being apart of community networks is good, but as a blogger I/we must realize that they do not define me, you, us.  I love God, family, my hair, motherhood, and the city that I was groomed in.  That is what I choose to blog about.  On my journey of rediscovery and recovery, each one of those things are apart of me.  I'm not just a Christian blogger, although that is at the center of most, if not all of my post. I can't just be a mommy blogger, although motherhood becomes me.  I can't just be a natural hair diva, I'm still going though the learning process.  I don't just do reviews, or pump my fist cause "I'm black and I'm proud."  I am a variety blogger, some weeks it's hair, the next my city, but I have to put it all out there cause' its me.

Maybe one day I will have a separate blog for each part of me, but for now...I have this one blog, which contains  my thoughts, connections, views, reviews, and events that surround my life.  If I blog for nothing else I blog for me....because I have to....

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks

In my Jewelry Box

In my jewelry box, among costume jewelry and grandma’s pearls, sits a silver shield.  It’s not my most ostentatious piece, no diamond, no pearls,  it’s not embellished in gold, but is the most precious of them all.  It has a faint whisper speaking volumes on friendship and love. It may be dulling a little, but it shines just as bright today as it did the first day that I saw it. 

When I first started dating my now husband he wore a shield around his neck that said, “ …Be courageous and strong, do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9, NIV This was his life scripture, a scripture that was applicable in his everyday life.  I found this to be one of the most admirable things about him.  It gave me insight into his character.  His one accessory was his devotion to God.  

Often when he had to leave me and drive two hours back home, and we knew that we wouldn’t see each other for awhile he would leave his shield with me.  He didn’t really need it because it was in his heart, but at times being so far away from a person that I was beginning to fall madly in love with, was hard so it helped me.

I haven’t found my own life scripture yet, though there are many that I am fond of, but every time I open my jewelry box I am reminded of my husband’s commitment first to God, to our love and friendship, and to our family.

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks

“I believe in Kingdom blogging.”