Extend grace.

Extend grace.

Folks could use it.

Extend grace.

Folks need it.

Extend grace.

Folk don’t deserve it.

Extend grace.

Folk may not reciprocate.

Extend grace.

Folk may not acknowledge it.

Extend grace.

Folk may dismiss it.

Extend grace.

Folk may waste it.

Extend grace.

Rinse.

Repeat.

asking for A Friend,

Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: Folk need grace. We lobe because love is called for. Period. Love without transaction. Just love. Extend someone some grace. Starting with you!

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

Recovery: It’s okay to feel how you feel.β€οΈβ€πŸ©Ήβ™₯️

It’s storming again.

It’s supposed to storm, with high winds, tomorrow.

I don’t know how I am supposed to feel about that.

I don’t know how I am supposed to feel about anything.

I’m trying to be honest AND encouraging. Right now, I don’t know if I am doing both. I hope you read these words and find some kind of comfort somewhere.

Yea, things suck right now. Yet, everything WILL be alright. Between now and then…*shrug*.

In the meantime, it’s okay to feel however you feel.

in my feels and that’s okay,

Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: How is your heart, beloveds? Be sure to be good to yourself. Asking for A Friend.β€οΈβ€πŸ©Ήβ™₯️

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

Emptied: It’s okay to cry.

I cried.

Why?

I finally got the courage to face the refrigerator. I ended up throwing out TWO full bags of spoiled expensive meat, cheese, veggies etc. It takes time to build up meat in the freezer.

I had taken time, and money, to build up my reserves.

Lugging all that food out…smh…*sigh*.

I did NOT intend to cry.

I did not mean to cry.

Just sat, defeated, on my stoop, looking at the wreckage formerly known as my yard, and burst into tears.

It looks and feel like I am living in the middle of an abandoned construction/tree farm!…*sniff*

Trying to make lemonade from these lemons, I made a deliver order.

The delivery order came.

The driver left.

The driver left without delivering 90 percent of my order!

I called the store.

The store apologized. Said she would gather my missing items and have another driver deliver them tonight. She said she would call me ‘in thirty minutes’.

An hour and a half later, I called the store back.

The store had NO idea what I was talking about.

Store said they could redeliver at SEVEN O’CLOCK TOMORROW MORNING!!!!!!!!!

What did I do?

I washed the dishes.

I meal prepped with what food I had left.

I turned up my praise music.

Loud!

Wearing headphones, of course.

Tossed in some chicken strips and Ore Ida coins(two of the five items that were delivered from 28!!!!!!!!!!)

Now, I am waiting for chicken strips and Ore Ida Golden Coins to get done.

Hmm…um, Father, please don’t say ANOTHER tornado coming in a few hours. Speaking of that, we are supposed to get some bad storming tomorrow. A friend texted me to be sure to charge my phone and be prepared in case the lights go out. Again. Wow.

Be encouraged, beloveds.

Keep on washing dishes.

Keep on playing uplifting music.

Keep on doing meal prep.

Keep on living your life.

No matter what happens.

I am learning this the hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhaaaaarrrrrrrrrd way.

I no longer ask why or what’s going on.

I am learning just to ask for grace for the day and to keep it moving.

Geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeez!!!!!

Know, beloveds, that it IS okay to cry when you experience a loss. If I hear one more person try to dismiss my struggles, now, because ‘you are alive so be thankful’, I am going to scream.

Yes, I am thankful to be alive. It is ALSO true that I tornado tore up my town, my yard and scared me within an inch of my life. My insides are STILL tore up about hearing a freight train outside my front door. Geeeeeeeeeez, God. Cut a sista some slack!

asking for a friend,

Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: I’m quite proud of me. I’m astonished, truly, about the grace and comfort of God. It really is surpassing understanding. In the past, I would have been flipping out. And, I mean flipping out.

What changed me?

Well, CHOOSING to trust God. I mean REALLY trust Him. With ME. See, beloveds, I had all the faith in the world for you, for others. For me, though, I had hidden doubt that God actually and truly did love ME.

Why?

Because, all my life I have been told to shut up because I was too loud. too happy, too joyful. Too this, that and ALL those other things. Folks wondered, and wonder still, ‘does it really take all that?!”

It does.

I’m passionate. What in the fresh hell is wrong with being passionate?

I’m loud. WHY the world, beloveds, can’t I be loud?! I have never been given the answer to this.

I’m ugly, as far as the world says. To me, I think I am quite beautiful. I have an amazing heart. I care for folk. I tell super dumb jokes that makes me and others laugh.

I am fat from comfort eating. More of me to love until I get the weight off.

I’m black. So what? Black is a beautiful color as are all the other races out there including my white bros and sis.

I’m financially strapped. So? I STILL use my funds to bless others and encourage as many folks as I can.

I’m a bible thumper/Holy Roller. So what?! I love me some Him.

I am many things. I may not be everyone’s cup of tea but some think I am the bomb.com.

I have digressed for a reason. I am needing ALL to know:

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

Live your lives, beloveds. No matter what.

Cry, when needed.

Laugh, always.

So, my chicken strips are calling me. Who wants some?

living anywho,

Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

One step.

One step.

One step.

Real talk: Get out of bed, Cassandra!

I did NOT want to get out of bed.

I got out of bed.

I did NOT want to start the process of setting up some counseling sessions to help deal with trauma regarding the tornado.

I started the process.

I did NOT want to reach out and let fam/friends know I am struggling.

I let fam/friends know.

I have been snappish.

I have apologized to said fam/friends.

Even though I can’t yet work, I am working on my dreams as best as I can.

Get out of bed, beloveds. Even when you don’t feel like it. Especially when you are tired and the last thing you want to do is get out of bed.

I am sitting at my work desk working on my dream(s). Use your circumstances to imporve your circumstances.

If you find yourself with spare time, for whatever reason, USE that time. Don’t just sit and lament and carry on about what happened. Life happened. Get up, beloveds, at happen TO life. You have thangs to do. As do I.

doing thangs,

Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note:

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

Note: There are times when you just don’t want to do anything. At those times, you are just going to have to break out some ‘so what’ and get on with life.

Moving forward: The Mirror Has Two Faces.

I’m watching ‘The Mirror Has Two Faces’ starring Barbara Streisand.πŸ₯°

I love that movie!

A tale of a woman’s quest and ultimate journey of SELF love. Fantastic.

How sad that most people don’t love themselves. Most don’t know HOW to love themselves. How terribly sad.

I spend so much time in this blog in hopes of filling folk with so much love they can’t help but learn to love themselves and others.

Ah, beloveds, you are soooooooooooooo worth loving!

Look in the mirror and love the priceless soul looking back at you!

loving me some you,

Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: β€οΈβ€πŸ©Ήβ™₯️

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

I need a miracle.

I need a miracle.

Friday is the last day they are paying for us not able to work because of the tornado event.

We have to find alternate place to work from home that is not a hotel.

I am here alone.

The approved states do not include anyone I know.

I can’t afford a ham sandwich right now or funds to move across the street.

Thoughts, God?

Asking for me now,

Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note:

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

I am.

I am.

I am:

More than a writer.

More than what I give.

More than what I know.

And, so, beloveds, are you.

I am.

I am:

Enough.

More than enough.

More than a conqueror.

And, so, beloveds, are you.

I am.

I am:

Me.

Unique.

Uniquely me.

And, so, beloveds, are you.

I am.

I am!

And, so, beloveds, are you.

Ah.

Aha!

πŸ₯°

being me,

Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: You are amazing! You are infinitely loved! You are fearfully and wonderfully made(the Bible says). You are incredible! You are!πŸ₯°β€οΈβ€πŸ©Ήβ™₯️

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

Day 4: Alone with my thoughts: Dear God why?!😳

Alone.

With MY thoughts??!!

Dear God!

Why?!!!

Don’t You know I have an ENDLESS supply of random dumbness?!!!

Who shall rescue me from ME!?

Geeeeeeez.

Hmmm…

*Cassandra scrounges around in her random dumbness bag and sees all types of goodies she can get into*

thinking randomly dumb things whilst waiting for the lights to come on,

Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: Day who cares…*pout*. Hang in there, beloveds. Make sure to laugh today. No need in pouting over whatever you are pouting and fretting over. Someone have a cup of coffee for me. Asking for a friend.

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

β€οΈβ€πŸ©ΉπŸ˜₯

β€οΈβ€πŸ©ΉπŸ˜₯

Nuff said.

Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: *sigh*. I tried to call a counselor we can access via work…*sigh*. I have to finish setting up account ONLINE before I can make an appointment. Just got notice Hotspot speed being turned down. Can barely view anything while waiting for internet. 😭

I’m NOT okay, beloveds. I have turned into a fine actor as I let fam and friends know ‘It’s not THAT bad’ so they won’t feel too bad for me.

Am listening to Leona LewisΒ  ‘Footsteps In The Sand and crying. Not sure why the tears. The lights are on but still feels the same as when the lights went off.

God, what do IΒ  DO with ME, now? Asking for a friend.

Br encouraged, beloveds. Keep reaching out if you need a friend or support. Relationships take tending and outreach. Practice with me if need be.

Yesterday, I was watching a 25 year old who did a YouTube video where she shared she was lonely and never had a friend. I hurt for her and all those who are feeling alone and unloved. I love you, beloveds, if that means anything. β€οΈβ€πŸ©Ήβ™₯️

Things are NOT hopeless. The way is just hard. That’s okay. We are just making diamonds in our shoes as we walk up Joy Mountain. Keep going.


One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

Day 5: God, can I be honest with You?

Me: Can I be honest with You?

God: I wish you would.

Me: I don’t want to hurt Your Feelings or want you to think I am not thankful.

God: What troubles you?

Me: You.

God: Me? Whatever for?

Me: 50 percent of folks have power. I look out my window and see lights on. Yet, here I sit, in the dark. Still. I wonder why I never seem to be in Your 50 percent who has lights, who have families to sit with, who have dreams fulfilled. Why, God, do I ALWAYS seem to be of the 50 percent who has to ‘make the best of it’ while others enjoy light and dreams.πŸ₯Ί

God: Fair question(s). Would it help to ask you to trust Me?

Me: Not really.

God: Trust me.

Me: K. Shall I tell You a ridiculous story, filled with food of course, as we wait for the lights to come on.

God: Yes, please! Make it super silly. May I ask YOU a question, beloved?

Me: Sure.

God: Of the 50 percent with lights on, beloved, how many do you imagine have stopped by for a story, a hug, a quiet conversation with Me?πŸ₯Ί

Me: Ah, God. I sowwy. Perhaps, the lights have ALWAYS been on for me so You are able to trust me in and with the darkness.

God: Ah.

Me: Aha!β€οΈβ€πŸ©Ήβ™₯️πŸ₯°. I love You. No matter where. No matter what. No matter why.

God: K.β€οΈβ€πŸ©Ήβ™₯️πŸ₯°

loved,

Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: Life rarely is fair. Yet, it’s worth living. Be encouraged. Your turn SHALL come. In the meantime, tell a story during your darkness. Asking for A Friend.

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!