Let What We Know Come To Us

We are already connected to what we need. You don't have to chase after it. -Dr. Wayne Dyer

During my midday, I ran across this YouTube video, Change Your Thoughts and Change Your Life, Part 1 and it really spoke to me about how to stay humble and let what we know come to us instead of caring so much about being noticed. 









The speaker is Dr. Wayne Dyer and he is a well-known author and speaker, who in this video, speaks about how celebrities and people in general are always in the media, on magazines, or are looking for some type of notoriety. 


We hear all the time in the industry of entertainment how important it is to build your fan base. Most of us are building our fans through twitter followers, Klout scores, Facebook Fans, and other sites, to get that exposure that we think we need to be successful. However, Dr. Wayne Dyer speaks about how important it is for us to visualize the "what we expect" and let it manifest into our lives because if we "let what we know come to us", then we will be in the right place to receive it. 

JGood - Journey CZ Dangle Earrings, priced at $26 - Only $11

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Remembering on Memorial Day 2012

Wow, this day is very special to me because it's Memorial Day 2012, the day that we remember the fallen soldiers who sacrificed themselves for this country. 


I'm grateful to be an Army Veteran and still here to give of service to the greater good. I entered the Army as one woman and left with the spirits of soldiers in times past and present. I was a Morse Interceptor (98H) and learned so much about being a leader and how to support the team. I traveled to South Korea and experienced a different culture for the first time, which opened my eyes to how we are so similar and want good for our people.


On this Memorial Day, it is a time for sharing with family and friends, but take a moment to remember those military forces in Iraq, Afghanistan, Persian Gulf, WWI and WWII, and other wars, of times past that have provided us with the safety we have today. 


We don't have to see fighting in the streets every single day. There are no bombings through the streets everyday and massive deaths around every corner. We are fortunate and that's due to the protection our military men and women provide. 


I'm fortunate to have served in the United States Army and fortunate to be among them in spirit who continue to serve, with my undying support.

Jennifer Ouellette Designer Headbands Giveaway (WW) ***Prizes For 4 Winners***

Wearing headbands is timeless. It can accessorize women in all occasions. It makes women's crowning glory more blooming! And this is what Jennifer Ouellette proudly offers not just for ladies but also for men. Jennifer Ouellette is a premier hair dress designer in New York City.

Jennifer Ouellette Designer Headbands Giveaway (WW) ***Prizes For 4 Winners***

What makes Jennifer Ouellette’s designs so special?

Jennifer’s sense of design began during childhood days spent in her mother’s vintage clothing store in St. Louis, Missouri. She graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia, majoring in Textile and Apparel Management & Costume Design. She continues to combine her passion for vintage fashion with her modern New York City style. Using her needle and thread as an artist uses pencil and paint, she applies her manual sewing techniques to her millinery sculptures with loving detail.

In 1999, she was granted a US patent for the development of a unique headband design and construction, which greatly increases comfort and value. Her sustainable approach to her design proves she is a recycling artist. “I get creative when I start to clean my studio, reinventing our scraps is my expertise. I am content when we have zero waste.”

Jennifer Ouellette’s work has been included in fashion’s best periodicals around the world and her loyal customers demand more than shallow trends to compliment their style. Her designs are full of vitality and innovation, with inspirations from history, science and nature.

Jennifer Ouellette do not just sell hair dresses and accessories for profit, their utmost aim is happiness. They provide guaranteed satisfaction to their customers.

This is one of their most favorite designs.

 

An enchanting beauty that even your little girl could not resist wearing.

The Giveaway FadandGlamor.com and Jennifer Ouellette and a group of amazing bloggers including yours truly, Selena Thinking Out Loud With Purpose, are giving away 9 headbands to 4 lucky followers! A total estimated value of more than $400.

THE PRIZES:

1st Winner – 3 headbands ($150 value)

2nd Winner – 2 headbands($100 value)

3rd Winner – 2 headbands ($100 value)

4th Winner – 2 headbands ($80 value)

This giveaway is open WORLDWIDE (free shipping) and will end on June 10, 2012 at 11:59 PM EST. No purchase or sign up required to enter. The winners will be emailed and has 24 hours only to respond, otherwise, another winner/s will be drawn. So, make sure you always check the email address that you’ve submitted in this giveaway. Kindly submit your entries on the Rafflecopter form below. Good Luck and Stay Beautiful!

What's in a Name?

Photo by JosephHart

This morning while browsing through my Facebook News Feed, I noticed one of my friends had posted some info on the meaning of their name. This had me reflecting on what's in a name? 








Personally, I believe that it is very important to name your children, dogs, cats, car, or whatever you hold dear, with the right names.


Believe it or not our names do create an energy of who we are. It can bring out the more sensual, responsible, creative, outgoing, and brilliant parts of ourselves or the not so good, negativity. Sometimes, mom and dad gets it right and sometimes they miss the mark. I have read about people disliking their names so much that they changed it in their adult life. In Hollywood, to attract more popularity or buzz, celebrities have opted to change their names. Have you thought about changing your name lately?


This even happened in the Bible. According to, NAME CHANGES IN THE BIBLE by Thomas F. McDaniel, Professor Emeritus:

Gen.17:15, the name Sarai was changed to Sarah, with the promise,“she will become nations; kings of people shall come from her. 

Gen. 35:10, the change from Jacob ("heel" or "deceit") to Israel ("to prevail" or "to become great in number") was, in fact, a statement of promise: "So his name was called Israel. And God said to him, 'I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall come from you, and kings shall spring from you."

So...What does your name mean? What's in a name? Do you see qualities that your name represent, hidden in your personality or how you carry yourself?


I found my name at this source and here's what I got: What Does My Name Mean

What does the name “Selena” mean? A name is much more than just a name!
S is for sensational, you know how to make a splash! 

E is for enjoy, your life can be fun! 

L is for luxury, the luxury of your smile. 

E is for expressive, not one to hold within. 

N is for nice, need I say more? 

A is for advantage, for you are blessed with many 

The name “Selena” is of Spanish origin and it means “Moon”. It’s a name commonly given to girls. 

According to the 1997 U.S. Social Security Administration data, the name “Selena” is not a popular baby girl’s name in Utah. Imagine that, only 18 babies in Utah have the same name as you in 1997. Across the entire United States a total of 1,968 babies also bear the same first name during the same year. The highest recorded use of the name “Selena” was in 1995 with a total of 3,812 babies. (That’s a lot of baby Selena)

OMG! It's tough being a popular person isn’t it? Since 1910, your name was recorded 38,096 times in American baby names history.Your name in reverse order is “Aneles”. A random rearrangement of the letters in your name (anagram) will give ‘Elsane’. (How do you pronounce that?) 

Source: What Does My Name Mean

Cook'n Recipe Organizer 20th Birthday Giveaway (US)

Cook'n Recipe Organizer is Celebrating their 20th Birthday!

(STARTS: May 27, 12:01AM/EST - JUNE 6, 11:59PM/EST)

 To celebrate they are giving away over $385 in prizes to 

*3 WINNERS*!

PRIZES INCLUDE:

Prize #1-Valued at $130!

(Cook'n Software and $50 Walmart Gift Card)

Prize #2-Valued at $130

(Cook'n Software, Cook'n Binder, and Recipe Cards)

Prize # 3-Valued at $125!

(Cook'n Software, Old fashioned popcorn maker, and latest edition of Cook'n Magazine!)

Cook'n, Give Oh Giveaway, Raking in the Savings, Mamal Diane, Capri's Coupons, and yours truly Selena Thinking Out Loud With Purpose, have teamed up with some other great bloggers to share this awesome giveaway with you! 

What exactly is Cook'n?

Cook'n is the #1 selling recipe organizer software with over 3 million copies sold! 

Some of the awesome features include: (hint: click the link to see the feature in action)

"Capture" recipes from the internet- My favorite feature!
Calculate the nutrition of the recipe-Helps you live a healthy lifestyle!
Enter your family's favorite recipes easily- There is an quick fill in feature!
Print your own cookbook- This would make a great gift!
Generate grocery list by aisle- An organized shopping list and cost of meal estimate!
MORE great features here-There are so many cool things this software can do, it really is amazing!

How to Enter

After seeing all these cool features you want a copy of Cook'n, don't ya? You can buy it HERE or try to win it via my blog first! This giveaway is for US only, 18+.

To enter, answer the following question on the rafflecopter form below. "What is your favorite feature of Cook'n? Easy as pie, right? GREAT!

Of course you will have plenty of extra entries to submit to! For this giveaway each participating blogger is listed individually. Choose to like the ones that might interest you and submit those entries. Or better yet, like them all, get every possible entry in for the great prizes; then if in a weeks time you feel your news feed is too clogged, just adjust the notifications. You can hide the posts from your news feed by clicking on the little gadget (star like button) and then adjust accordingly. It is easy to do and better than un-liking a page. Remember you can fill out as many or as few extra entries as you want on the Rafflecopter form! The winners will be emailed and have 24 hours to respond. 

GOOD LUCK!

Disclaimer: I did not receive any monetary compensation for sharing this giveaway. I just like to share great giveaways!  The comments made above are honest opinions generated by Cj from Give oh Giveaway. 

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Jewel Mint - Personalize your Jewelry Collection

Jewel Mint Personalize your Jewelry Collection and gives you the Celebrity Experience.

Signup with Facebook or on the Simple Form, to see the great jewelry and take the Style Quiz. You might be surprised what styles it shows you!



Open Worldwide.
Jewel Mint Special Ends: September 11, 2012

Always Someone Worse Off

Throughout my week, I find myself watching YouTube videos and noticing all of the unbelievable stories from all over the world.

At times, I don't know why I'm drawn to a particular video or topic but I was so tuned in to the story about a little girl named Marlie. Marlie had an incurable growth, which started on her face at just 4 years old. She is from Haiti and her parents had no understanding of what it was and why it was happening. The medical attention in Haiti was not enough to help her.

Eventually, her parents reached out to two Haitian, American-based nurses for help and that's when they were able to get her connected with Dr. Jesus in America.

She has undergone multiple surgeries and is beginning to start her life again but watching the story really touched me. This story not only touched me but gave me a reminder as to how blessed I am. It also taught me that what I have to go through each day is nothing because there is always someone worse off.

Personally, I can remember when I was a little girl, just graduating the 6th grade. My summer didn't turn out the way I thought it would because I had to deal with all of my hair falling out and scalp being so infected. This was the weirdest condition that came out of nowhere. That summer I felt alone and separated from the outside world, wondering if I would be okay to go back to school the next school year.

My parents didn't know what was going on with me so I could feel, when watching Marlie's story, how her parents must've felt to see their daughter's face transforming like that. I could also relate to the rejection she felt when people looked at her in a strange way because she was different. I experienced that same thing when I had to go outside to get air to my scalp, hoping that prayer and continual home remedies would start my hair growing back. I understand how cancer patients feel when they have lost all of their hair. 


I remember my father telling me that if my hair didn't begin to grow back and the infection in my scalp did not leave, he would have to take me to the hospital.  However, there is definitely something greater than ourselves that watches over us. 

I believe Marlie's story was a reminder to me of what I went through as a child and how blessed and grateful I should be to still be alive and healthy today. I will never know what visited my body that summer, but I survived my medical mystery and claim it as a proven miracle.


Although stories such as Marlie's are hard to swallow, I do believe that without stories like hers and the miracles that come from them, we would be lost within ourselves. We would be distanced from our hopes, dreams and prayers for a second chance.

There's Always Someone Worse Off. -Selena

Now I LOVE Brussel Sprouts!

Today I had the opportunity to stay home and catch up on some script reading and basic writing. I looked in the refrigerator and noticed that I had bought a bag of brussel sprouts.

Now, after all of the bad experiences I've seen other kids going through on movies and television shows, where brussel sprouts were "the enemy", I never wanted to try them. However, all of this changed when I was given a taste of some brussel sprouts one of my senior clients prepared. She just placed them in a skillet with olive oil and allowed them to get tender and they were AMAZING!

So, today, I decided to try my hand at preparing my own batch and boy did I LOVE my brussel sprouts!

My Process:

1. I cleaned them really well.

2. Put them into a heated skillet with olive oil, garlic powder, a pinch of salt and some pepper over Medium Heat.

3. I let them cook a little with the olive oil before I put about a 1/4 cup of water in the pan and covered it to let them cook and steam.

4. I tested the brussel sprouts for tenderness and added another 1/4 cup of water and covered again.

After about 15 minutes or so, they were tender with a nice green color. The water should have evaporated and cooked away by this time. They are ready to eat!

My Lesson-Learned for Today: If it's LEGAL and SAFE, never be afraid to try something at least once. You can't say you don't like something if you have never tried it!

Endless Love

We all need to feel loved.
                                     Endless Love.

Photo by bschwehn

No matter where you are in the world and how much you enjoy your times alone in reflection, you still need love. It's what helps us thrive as humans on this Earth. To feel the love and support of family, friends, and colleagues, sets into motion the feeling of accomplishment. There is a form of passion that cannot be restrained and becomes contagious to others in its path.

When love is lost or broken, it cause us to lose balance. I have learned from some reading, a while ago, that love is an important component to us reaching our ultimate level of success or purpose. When love is working together with our money, family, and health, we are balanced and can withstand the tests we have to face each day.

Do you remember the time when someone told you, I LOVE YOU? How did it make you feel? Did you feel that you were on top of the world or on cloud-9? Did it encourage you to be a better person so that the love could continue to grow?

I bet so. 

On this Monday morning, as you wake up and drive yourself to work, that audition or morning meeting, remember that the love you bring with you is enough. You are love and in love. By living this way in your intimate relationship, in your friendships, and towards the strangers walking on the streets, you are attracting an abundance of love to you that will give you strength to perform at your best.

Sometimes it may be hard to allow yourself to receive love but remaining open to others will not only bless you with a gift, but allow for the other person to receive the gift that they were due in return.

Give love and Share in it,
-Selena

Victory Over Rejection

Photo by pdufour

In this business of "show business", rejection is experienced daily. I couldn't remain in this business working continuously on my acting career if I could not handle multiple rejections.

Sometimes they hurt and other times once I get over myself, I realize that it was best that a particular opportunity was not given to me. As I continue to grow and see more of what this industry offers, I begin to notice how things are working together. If I didn't experience rejection, then I wouldn't remain humble and excited about resetting for the next big opportunity. I would always think someone owes me something and we both know that in this life it doesn't work that way.

Rejection hurts, don't get me wrong. It can put you down for the count. However, it's what you do to reset your focus and purpose to continue in the race that makes all the difference. No, it's not easy, but the payoffs are huge when they arrive and the rejection shows how hungry you are to reach YOUR finish line or level of success.

So, today, if you have experienced some form of rejection in your career, in a relationship, or body, know that it's nothing but a test. It's a test to keep you humble and empowered to fight through it all for what you want and believe even when the going gets tough.

With Love and Peace To You,
-Selena

According to Dr. Charles Stanley many people live in bondage to feelings of rejection and don't even realize it. It causes us to believe lies about ourselves and project hurtful emotions on others. It also undermines our relationships with God. Dr. Stanley describes the nature of rejection and shares a number of characteristics of a person who feels rejected. In this book, learn from Charles Stanley, How To Let God Solve Your Problems.

Annular Solar Eclipse on May 20, 2012 in US

I am totally fascinated with all of the natural occurrences that happen to the Earth. Today, May 20, 2012, there will be a solar eclipse, where the moon will pass by the sun partially in some areas and more in others depending on where you are in the US. I find it interesting that we live on a planet, where activity is continuously happening all around us. We, as humans, have continuously adapted to these natural occurrences on Earth from when we go to sleep at night to when we wake up, to how we dress for its seasons, to how we eat and produce crops. Some groups are now planning visits to SPACE!
When these natural occurrences happen, I do often wonder if we ARE alone and how easily we accept what we see on planet Earth.

Here's a video I found by Science@NASA, explaining what you will be able to see later today. From where I am in California, I should begin to see movement between 5:30pm-6:30pm. I hear that you should not look at it through sun glasses because it can damage the eyes but there are special glasses for this type of watching. It's all pretty Amazing to me!

BirthdayFB - Send Happy Birthday Wall Posts

BirthdayFB.com is a Facebook APP that automatically posts birthday wishes on the walls of your Facebook friends.
You must be logged into Facebook!

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Chuck Brown - "GO-GO" - We Lost a Great One

When I was a kid, Chuck Brown was the man! On the East Side, especially in Washington, DC, "Go-Go" made me move and groove! Today we lost a great one when we lost Chuck Brown. Everytime I hear his music, it takes my memories back home to the East Side. If you were never fortunate enough to experience Chuck Brown's hits. Here are a few for you

RIP Chuck Brown.

Gyro Bowl Giveaway (WW)

Review and Giveaway brought to you by

SwankyMomsClub.com and Infomercials-TV.com

The Gyro Bowl is a must have for all moms! Think about how much money you have wasted on spilled cheerios and snacks! All of that could have been avoided if you had a Gyro Bowl! My little man is 2 years old and he goes to a daycare where the Director just spoils him rotten. A couple of months ago he came home toting this funky little bowl. This funky little bowl quickly became my new best friend! Let me just tell you a little bit about my household, I live in south Alabama with 3 children ages 7, 6 and 2 and I have a Rottweiler that weighs more than all of them combined. Well maybe not but it sure seems like he does. Anyway... most of the snacks that are spilled in my house are a result of a big Rottweiler who thinks he is a Chihuahua running by my toddler and slightly sideswiping him causing him to lose his balance.

I was absolutely amazed the first time our dog Harley sideswiped our little guy while he was holding the Gyro Bowl. Had he been holding any other bowl, there would have been cheerios spread from the living room to the kitchen but not with this bowl. You see, the Gyro Bowl's interior shifts around 360 degrees so while the little man is trying to regain his balance (or just falls to the ground in most cases) the interior of the bowl shifts keeping the contents inside. Thanks to Infomercials-TV.com I have a Gyro Bowl to giveaway! Be sure to check them out online so if you don't win this giveaway you can purchase your own Gyro Bowls at an amazing price! Also be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

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The Boiling Point

Water begins to reach its boiling point at 100 degrees Celsius, that is 212 degrees Fahrenheit. It begins to breakdown even more as it increases in temperature, losing its composure and ultimately entering into the process of evaporation.



Photo by kliverap



We are all like water. Every day, we face a different challenge or situation that calls for us to protect ourselves but sometimes it is necessary for us to reach our boiling point to manifest our change.

Some will quickly recover and others will be forced to break down and wither into themselves until they are able to withstand the heat again.

However, if we measured our lives, continuously, on the challenges that we must fight through or the situations that trip us up for a day, month, or even years, we would be no better than boiling water.

Our boiling points give us the "enough is enough" trigger to erase what is not working and transform ourselves into what will ultimately be for our good. If we are able to use this trigger as a positive, instead of negative, we would all see life through a different lens.

The Boiling Point.

Disney Mother's Day Tribute - Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day! What a great way to celebrate Mother's Day than with a Disney Mother's Day Tribute brought to you by the ScentedMarkers44 Channel.

My Cabbage and Potatoes Dish

Being a vegetarian, most people think I can't cook. Actually, I really enjoy cooking and find it a pleasure to eat something that I made for myself, just without meat products.

On this Sunday afternoon, I decided to prepare myself a Cabbage and Potato dish. It is so simple to prepare and the way I season it, all by taste, with no meat products, it knocks your socks off. Even my cats came over for a sniff!

Ingredients:

• 1 head of Cabbage
• 5 small potatoes
• 4 tbsp butter or margarine
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Pepper
• Red Cayenne Pepper (optional)
• Creole Seasoning (optional)

Procedures:

1. Boil potatoes in a separate pot until ALMOST cooked, then drain water and sit aside.

2. Chop the cabbage in large bite-sized pieces in 2 inches of water, measured from the bottom-up of the pot.

3. The cabbage will make its own water and you want the cabbage to cook until it is tender to your liking. I like my cabbage to still keep its color. You may then remove some of the water if it's too much. I like to still see the juices through the cabbage.

4. Combine the potatoes with the cabbage and then add your seasonings to taste, garlic powder, salt and pepper. I like my cabbage and potatoes to have a kick to it so I like the Creole seasoning and a little red cayenne pepper.

5. Lastly, add the butter or margarine. Make sure that you use good butter or good margarine because it will add a lot more flavor to the seasonings you've put in already.

6. Let it stand for 5-10 minutes off the heat and then serve.

Yield: 4-5 servings, depending on the size of your cabbage and the amount of potatoes and broth you've decided to keep from the cabbage.

AmericanFamily.com Free Cupcake eBook

With Mother's Day approaching fast, maybe you are trying to decide on the best dessert option to prepare with your meal.

Well, how about making it a little more special with cupcake-portion sized goodness for mom!

AmericanFamily.com is giving away a Free Cupcake eBook, filled with cupcake ideas for this special Mother's Day and many more special gatherings to come!

GET YOUR eBOOK

When It's All You Know - The CIRCO and Ponce Family

Photo by danjaeger

Most of us are the product of who raised us. We either were influenced to be who we are, today, by the roots laid for us during our childhood or the total opposite.

I recently watched an Independent Lens documentary called, CIRCO (Circus), in which the Ponce family only knows the circus life.


They travel through Mexico and other parts to entertain. This had been a tradition for years past for them. Some of the little children have committed spirits for the CIRCO and see it as being who they are until death. This also leads to some of the children forfeiting an education to learn to read and write.

When it's all you know, how can anyone fault their passion and commitment to it?


I do think about many children today and how they have no one to be their role models other than the people who they are raised by, good or bad.


As one gets old enough to see beyond the conditions they once could not control, one wonders if they would want to leave behind the old and enter a world of the unknown with a potential for a better existence or purpose.


Looking back from my childhood to now, I see what was and desire to be more for myself and others. However, being better comes with a price, sacrifice, and hardwork that sometimes goes unthanked, but my "was" is all that I knew and now I work for a better future.


What do you think of the Ponce family story and their Circo life?

Learn more about the Ponce Family and their CIRCO on PBS.org and when it airs at: http://video.pbs.org/video/2208192665/ or watch preview below.

Watch Meet the Ponce Family Circus! on PBS. See more from Independent Lens.

Alone Time

Photo by sundstrom

I enjoy my alone time. Recently, I have felt within myself that something is working on me and preparing me for something greater than I could ever imagine. However, that "something" is lost to me. I have no idea what it could be but I am honestly curious to know.


I truly believe every man and woman should take some time to be alone to themselves. The alone time could be a walk in the park, time to read and relax or to pray. 

Your family, friends and hang-out buddies will probably think that you are going crazy, under the weather, moody and withdrawn but sometimes it's just necessary to keep you in sane's lane...lol...YES, ME TWO!

24 Hour Fitness Free 7 Day Pass

Offer Expires: October 29, 2012

24 Hour Fitness is giving you seven (7) days FREE to use any of their facilities.

CLICK HERE to print your pass and use to begin your healthy new journey.