A brief conversation with a homeless guy

As I was sitting at the train station the other day I was talking to this homeless guy. I felt intrigued to write upon his particular short story, because in his case his homelessness was his free will choosing. He asked me if I was homeless and as I replied "yes" he quickly said "i dont believe that, you wouldn't strike me as homeless, look at you that isnt the look of a homeless woman". My locs were neatly groomed, and I was dressed professionally. Anyone from the outside looking in wouldn't guess that I was homeless upon first guess. My question to you is "Why would I want to "look" homeless when I dont have to?" That's like dumbing myself down to fit a label. He started going on about how he "could" be at the shelters out here for men but he doesnt prefer to be there. His reasonings were the curfew, & not being able to be out and about in the streets as he pleases. This man I talked to is the homeless guy who bums cigarettes through conversation, sleeps wherever, goes wherever, begs for money and does it all with a broken foot. I was amazed and somewhat curious as to what happened in his life that led him to this particular state of homelessness. A lot of these homeless men and women like to beg for money and they make that their living. A friend of mines told me how he talked to a guy outside of the same train station and the guy was telling him how he made $75 dollars one day on that corner just begging for money. I couldnt do anything but shake my head, these particular people that choose their state of homelessness are comfortable in their circumstances. Which proves that when you get too comfortable you dont move forward in life.You stay in the same place doing the same things instead of venturing out and trying to make things better. A perfect example of one of the characters in the "WHO MOVED MY CHEESE" book and article I wrote about. I personally believe that this man allowed "LIFE" to get the best of him instead of being the one to get the best out of "life". He checked out a long time ago. I said a silent prayer for him as I walked into the station. Maybe one day he will regain the courage to get back in the game of life. If not I only hope he's safe and well.

I'm RISING..

I'm rising...
Above the negative thoughts & words of the critics who don't matter. For they were the ones who minded my struggle.
I'm rising..
Out of a bottomless pit the devil thought he trapped me in
Day in & day out im rising through it all. I'm sowing my blood, sweat, & unheard cries into the foundation of life i have planned out for my family.
There isn't room for weakness when my future gentlemen are my strength. Looking into their big brown eyes gives me that extra push I need each day.
I'm rising..
On the way to be where I want to be
I'm rising..
Out of unemployment
Out of HOMELESSNESS
Out of FEAR
I'm rising..
Out of pain
Out of instability
I'm rising
I'm rising
I'm RISING!

Moving the CHEESE..

Who moved my cheese is a story talking about change, the effects of staying in your own comfort zone and not stepping out of the box. Four different characters traveling in the same direction with the same goal in mind...CHEESE! Their different personalities and outlook on their view of things is what makes and/or breaks them in this story. Hem, Haw, Sniff, & Scurry are the four characters in the story. Sniff and Scurry finds and goes after the cheese; they move wherever the change moves. Hem is stubborn and doesn't want to leave his comfort zone, he thought that the disappearing cheese would return. Hem woke up each day to return and find no cheese, it was INSANITY. Haw at one point was thinking like Hem, he didn't want to move forward because of he was afraid. Eventually Haw came to his senses and was able to laugh at himself, his actions, and his fear. Once he did that he began to move forward. Haw still didnt find another fully loaded cheese station but he did find enough to get by until he reached it. Once Haw finally reached that loaded cheese station he found Sniff and Scurry there awaiting his arrival to enjoy the cheese with them. There have been times where i was in a Hem mindset but i snap back into reality and get back into my Sniff and Scurry mode. I'm very determined and when it comes to my success and happiness i get what i need by any means necessary. ACSS has many different Sniff's, Scurry's, Hem's, & Haw's. ACSS is the Sniff in our life, we just have to be willing to be the Scurry to go after what we want.

For those of you who have never heard of this story i strongly suggest you take a peek into that book. It really gave me a whole new outlook on change. The author is Spencer Johnson M.D. the title of the book is "WHO MOVED MY CHEESE" I guarantee that this book will change your whole train of thought. If you don't get anything out of it then know that  the reason is because it's the HEM in you.

My journey through ACSS has been a great one, i've learned so much and it's making me a better me within. I'm blessed to have been able to go through this journey with all of the instructors and other people affiliated with the program. Thank you ACSS and thank you MR. FORD for giving me this book to read and helping aid in my new transformation.

Homeless State Of Mind

When you think of the word "homeless" what comes to mind? Now picture what you think it looks like, how would you describe it? Most think homeless means sleeping on benches, living under bridges, and standing on corners with signs begging for money. That in fact is a stereotype, not everyone who is homeless sleeps on benches and begs for money. A person could be staying with a friend or relative, living in a shelter or transitional housing, or sleeping in a car. There are many stages of homelessness. People you may see out and about may look like they have it all together, when in all reality they could be homeless. Not all homeless people look "homeless" some wear suits, scrubs, uniforms, etc. Homeless doesn't discriminate against race, age, gender, or religion. I can honestly say that i've never slept under a bridge, but as a child my siblings and I were homeless for a long period of time. Bouncing back and forth from family member to family member. Shelter to shelter, and even sleeping in the car. As a child i never knew that the way we lived was considered "chronically homeless" i just thought we moved a lot. Not knowing when you're gonna have your next meal or shower, or where you will sleep at night can really take a toll on a person.There are certain needs humans must have met and it all falls under "Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs". The first set of needs is "Physical Needs" (oxygen, water, food, elimination, rest) Second is "Safety & Security Needs" (shelter,clothing, protection from harm, stability) These first two needs are the main ones that everyday people struggle to meet and is the main keypoint behind homelessness. You could have shelter, but not protection from harm, stability, rest, and water in which you'd have to make the decision to either stay and try to maintain the circumstances or try to pull  an option out of the sky. I encourage you to really know your facts when it comes to this sensitive matter. Those on the outside looking in hasn't a clue to what it really feels like to be homeless regardless of the stage in homeless they are in. I plan to give you an inside look into the everyday life of a single mother who is homeless. I was very undecided as to whether i would publish this blog about myself and what im dealing with. I'm a woman of God and i have no shame in the circumstances that he's lead me to. God has a purpose for me, and the reason why he hasnt changed my situation is because he's too busy changing me. I encourage any further comments and opinions any of my viewers may have. I want to spread the word and knowledge about this serious and troubling matter. You have now entered "homelessNbeyond"