A Father's Answers

By: Mashaka Williams

In a society that is so driven by all that the fathers don’t do. Let’s talk about the ones that do and why they do.

I am lucky enough to have some male friends who make a point in being a part of their children’s life. In an attempt to not change his words I will simply post the questions and responses. Thank you for your honest answers. Just so you know these are his answers, not every male has the mother issues. In this case he does and yet he is there.

Hardest part of being a single dad? You can give me more than one example.

Initially it’s trying to explain to the kid(s) why they are no longer going to be living with both parents.

Dealing with the mother.
The finances (if you’re paying child support)
Getting involved in their emotional and academic development
Being in a serious relationship with someone other than their mother and making sure their needs remain 1^st and foremost.
Lastly not killing the mom (LMAO)!!!!!

What drives you to do this- lots of guys just say to hell with it? If you say my kids elaborate. I know your kids give me more.

My faith

Being raised by a single mother
Realizing it’s not their fault. I created them it’s my job to take care of them.
I enjoy them.

What would you tell someone that is about to be in your situations and just don’t want to deal with the fight? Give me an answer from however you want to interpret the question.

It’s what you make it like everything else in life. If you see it as an inconvenience then it will be. Make the most out of the limited time you have with them because the quality outweighs the quantity (though that is important also). If you can get along with the mother great but if not then become more involved with every aspect of their life school, extracurricular sports, and the days you don’t see them then call. A phone call goes a long way. 

Have a great day,

Shak

Slow Down and You'll See It

By: Mashaka Williams

 

I was reading an inspirational message the other day and came across the statement, “Slow down and you will see it.” I began to wonder what it was I would see, and then realized how important this message is.

The truth is it is something that most of us don’t want to see; because it may shed the light on things that we have spent so much time ignoring or hiding. However when we slow down we are forced to see what is happening as well as hear the thoughts that we stay busy to keep out.

The more I thought about the statement I realized that the reason we stay busy is to avoid dealing with the elephant that is in the room. We don’t want to talk about the hard topics, or deal with the complicated issues. We want to focus on our pretty created reality, but more importantly avoid that one part that is not so pretty.

My issue with us not slowing down is that the blessing that is meant for us is also being missed because we aren’t taking the time to hear what God is trying to tell us. Which means that the destination we are heading for, takes longer because we aren’t listening to our inner tour guide, and we are busying ourselves to avoid dealing with the obstacles that we have to get past in order to see that brighter side. Going around it does not change the fact that we still have to deal with it.

Let’s start slowing down and looking at the entire reality in order for us to get through those hard times and get back on the path of serenity. May today bring you much down time to deal with those small pesky obstacles, because the sun is so much brighter beyond them.

Have a great day,

Shak

The Positive Vibe

By: Mashaka Williams

Tulips make me smile.

With all of the things that’s happening in the world today it is so easy to fall victim to criticizing people and things. As a parent you want your children to grow up prepared for everything that can happen and we tend to forget to talk it out in a positive way.

I have been lucky enough to have an uncle who as long as I have been alive which is longer than I would like to admit has never said a harsh word about anyone or anything to me. He has been through so much over the past 3 to 4 years and with all that is still able to find a positive spin. If something goes completely wrong and none of us could find a good thing to say. He would say, “Okay guys let’s just do what we have to do as a family, don’t take that on now.”

He has been dealing with nerve damage that could have made him paralyzed. He is here today walking with nerve damage. And with all of the pain that he is in daily his saying is, “Feeling the pain is a good sign, it means that I am still working.” He gets up and makes breakfast, cooks dinner and lives life with such a brightness. Yes there are days when he has a hard time and would express it however he make a positive remark like “tomorrow will be better.”

I hope that as a parent I would be able to express myself as positive and heart-filled as he does with all of us whom he has helped raise. I am so thankful that I have such a strong base from the adults that has played a role in my life.

So today I would like to us my uncle’s words and say, “Everything will work out as it always does. Not too worry.”

Have a great day,

Shak

What about Makeup

By Mashaka Williams

Photo Credit: Estrella Fashion Report

Ladies, ladies, ladies !! this article is for you. I was given the opportunity to see an entirely different side of the makeup world. It was exciting and I have a ton of information for you, but I will have to give them to you in a few articles.

Let me just let everyone know that I, by no means am a makeup aficionado. With that being said, I went there with a mission to find out what we really need to have in our purse to keep our look fresh. I was given way more information than that.

The products were endless, so today I will talk about two of them that I am going to stand by. Lip Bar which has amazing colors and stands for so much that is amazing with it being organic. Just a huge fan and will certainly buy more products from them. When I put on that lipstick I felt like I was 20, which I am definitely not close to. I try to at least feel 30 on a daily basis. This is a must try product.


Photo Credit: Estrella Fashion Report

I am a new fan of Inglot foundation also. I am a black woman who is not light skinned or dark skin. I fall in that in between brown that to get the right color we have to blend two colors to get the right complexion match. Well they have my tone, woot woot. I am a very happy girl, and the best part is that it is a lightweight product so it is not heavy on my face. So I killed two birds with one stone. No heavy make up feeling and the perfect tone.

The entire experience was amazing. I was able to find out that all we need is a great lipstick, mascara, and a colored pencil to brighten up the inner part of our eyes to make us look renewed. Yup just 3 simple products and we can be looked at like a new woman. Just so you know I will be testing this out and letting you know if it is really true.
If you ever get a chance to try the above products that I have mentioned please do. I am certain you will be pleased.
Have a wonderful day,
Shak