Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler...

Being on the MS Gulf Coast since
2000, I have adopted this Mardi Gras fever. I am not going to parades and
baring my boobies, but I do enjoy the festive atmosphere...and the
music.

Today is FAT TUESDAY---the day to do what you wanna...




Because at midnight, it's Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent season.



Mardi Gras is about music, parades, picnics, floats and excitement. It's one big holiday in this area!



Everyone is wearing purple, green, and gold, and adorned with long
beads caught from the beautiful floats. You'll see a lot of crazy
costumes, kids everywhere, and both locals and visitors having a great
time.  People sit on the ground, throw balls, play music, eat great food
and watch the crowds walk by between parades.  During Mardi Gras, all
of the businesses and roads are practically shut down.  People walk
everywhere and meet new friends. 



So today, let the good times roll!!! Eat, drink, and be merry...

 

The No. 2 Speech

Mary Jane Speech

Click Mary Jane Speech to see the speech.

"You know I had this great little sisterhood speech all prepared, but I seem to have left it in my purse at the table. I don’t want to talk about sisterhood, today.

I know there’s a lot of professional women here, but I want to speak to the younger girls. You guys signed up for this mentorship program because you want to be successful. You want to be your mentors! You know everybody tells you: 'Do your best so you can be number one!-But there’s another position...

You know I’ve found that being number two (glances over at Avery) gives you all the glory of being at the top without all the pressures of the number one spot. See, the job of any great number two is to figure what the number one is missing, what they refused to see and what they are doing wrong.

So, you know take your time, learn, be patient, get better. You will get to where you’re supposed to be if you do the work. Because remember, if you don’t somebody else will. I’m Mary Jane Paul and thank you for listening."

— Mary Jane Paul

I am not sure if you watch Being Mary Jane on BET or not. It really is an interesting show. I think a lot of women of color can relate to the lead character, Mary Jane, on some level. She is professionally successful, educated, single, childless, family drama, lackluster love life. You name it and Mary Jane is probably dealing with it. At any rate...

On the show, MJ learns that her love interest, that fine Andre Daniels, is married. Granted, she learns this after the fact but still, he's married. She then takes it upon herself to tell his wife, Avery. Of course, this revelation gives us much of the conflict for this season. 

Last night, MJ and Avery had a modest showdown at a business luncheon. I must say that Avery started it but MJ finished it. MJ handled it as classy as she could. Yet, I wonder if  'the speech' was really the advice we want women to have. The image that being No. 2 has its privileges and if parlayed correctly, can eventually lead to the No. 1 role. 

Although Mary Jane delivers this speech to a group of females who are oblivious to its ulterior motive, female viewer of the show knew good and doggone well what MJ meant. Is that really what we want women to think about choosing to be the 'second choice?' Sit back and be patient? Watch and learn for the No. 1's mistakes? I admire MJ's justification for keeping Andre in her life. She has to tell herself something to rest her nerves at night. No woman deserves to be anyone's second choice. Love yourself enough to walk away if he can't make you first.

This has certainly been the television year of the SIDE CHICK. They got role models now. First, Olivia Pope. And now, Mary Jane Paul. Ladies, you are the zenith of God's universe. You shouldn't be anyone's side anything. You were meant to be BY HIS SIDE, not something he keeps there.

I'm SA Brown and thanks for reading...
 

The Woman of His Dreams

God will take you as far as you want to go; as fast as you want to go. To be that woman of His dreams, that woman after God's own heart, is up to you.

Proverbs 4:23 says, "Keep your heart will all diligence, for out of it springs the issues of life." 

You decide what you will and will not do; whether you'll grow or not grow. You also decide the rate at which you'll grow. Will it be hit or miss? Will it be measles rate: a sudden rash here and there? You have to believe you can be a woman of His dreams? With God's grace and in His strength, you can. 

Let His will be done...

To Love or To Be Loved....

Interesting answer the grandfather gives, wouldn't you say?

As humans, we are made in God's image. God is love; therefore, we are love. Humans are made to love. The issue is when you aren't loved back. At least, you are not loved the way you want to be loved. Most people love the best way they know how. Frustration and disappointment set in when their version of loving you does not match your version. We have to learn to accept people as they are.

People will disappoint you; love them anyway. Because for you, as a human, you need to love and to be loved. Just like a bird needs that left and right wing...

Hear My Call

I know some would consider this to be an emotionally draining song. I think of it as a prayer---a petition asking God to help. Today I am asking...

Here I am again asking questions; Waiting to be moved.
I am so unsure of my perception. What I thought I knew, I don't seem to.
Where is the turn so I can get back to what I believe in?
Back to the old me...


I am such a fool. How did I get here?
Played by all the rules; then they changed
I am but a child to Your vision.
Standing in the cold and the rain; Lost here in the dark.
I can't see my foot to take a step. What is happening?
Oh, this hurts so bad. I can hardly breathe.
I just want to leave so...

God please hear my call.
I am afraid for me.  Love has burned me raw,
Love has turned me cold; I need Your healing.
Please, please, please, please, please, please