A lot of people don't know that Let's Go Crazy was originally Prince's version of a Christian song before he switched the lyrics.

Every year, as long as I can remember-on my birthday or a little after or before, my daddy would sit me down and ask me to sum up the year of my life. As I got older, it ANNOYED me because I never wanted to answer. Especially, in my teen years. I think that is why I never had a child. lol

Even before he asks me now, I sum up my year. I reflect on my positives and my failures. My heartaches and my Happiness. I can honestly admit that for the first time in my life-I am taking each day as the gift God has given to me to breathe breath.

I also think that I am maturing. (gasp!) Things that stressed me out before, I kind of shrug off and just give it to God. Before I turn it over to Him, I ask Him how can I do better, or what could I have done, or how should this be handled. To TEACH ME.

When I think about the people whom I have come across in this thing called Life, I chuckle at my choices. The things that I held dear and near to me and how a lot of the times they just went away for whatever reason. I realize my growth in these experiences.

Most of all, I observe other people. I am really good at reading past the exterior. (Except when it comes to those that I hold dear to my heart) As I grow older I see more and more sadness in people. We hold onto the things that aren't tangible or fulfilling in our spirits.

If we learned to let the b.s. go, then our lives will become more fulfilling. If we stop living in a private world of deception and envy-maybe those things that we hope to attain will draw near to us.

It sounds so simple-yet we fight against it every single day. We numb ourselves through drugs, alcohol, music, friends, lovers, family, associates and everything that takes us away from whom we really are inside.

I have also learned to filter what I allow people to say to me or about me. Now when my Hataz hate-I just pray for them. Obviously they need prayer because I am on their mind! lol Of all of the things that they could concentrate on in this world, ie: Darfur, China, the upcoming elections, world hunger, high assed gas and food, cures for diseases-they choose me! lol I say let them have fun.

Life is wayyy to short to be worrying about insignificant things. I can't see how folks waste their time worrying about other peoples lives. lol

Happiness and contentment begins within FIRST. You cannot draw positive to your life if you are living negatively. The two can't reside in the same life.

So now when my daddy asks me about my year, I just tell him that I am not the same person I was a year ago and hopefully I will be even better during my new year.

I look in my own eyes and I am starting to see life in them. Yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy