There are so many daily obstacles, which can range from family to health, finances, relationships, kids, home, car and the list goes on, but not all conflict or losses are bad….Although they may seem bad at the time, if you allow them to teach and mold you they will. I remember when I was growing up I used to get embarrassed all the time. I know everybody has had their share of moments but until you’ve run home from some strange man because your momma called him a an uncircumcised maggot and spit in his face, you don’t know the half (and yes I think that’s hilarious now, come on now who would think to even say that outside of my mom and I LOL). I got my first job at 12 years old at a car wash vacuuming cars, and later at the mall where I caught the bus home at night and sometimes walked home in the dark alone. I can remember being embarrassed because I didn’t have a ride or when I could get a ride the car had three wheels, broke down in front of every popular person I knew, or was so loud you could hear it around the corner. One time I called the “Rolanda Show” complaining about my mother LOL and we actually went ON THE SHOW, which was aired OVER and OVER and  OVER again until it was FINALLY cancelled (I aint neva, eva been more happy to see somebody lose their job, Sorry Ro, we still cool). I mention all of these stressful situations to say, I learned a lesson from every last thing that has happened to me in my life. There are people who give up or use their experiences as crutches, instead of valuable lessons to succeed. Working at an early age taught me responsibility, while my college friends, were just learning how to interview I had already had multiple jobs and was able to go to college alone, thrive and Graduate. All those hoopties, taught me how to react in emergency situations and get where I need to go, I can also whip the mess out of a trailer. Going on the Rolanda Show gave me my first plane ride, first out of town trip, and also a bomb ass intro to a Def Jam Special one day LOL. Stop taking “Bad” experiences and circumstances and making them life, without gaining the message. Everytime you fell, you learn what NOT to do. Your circumstances do not determine who you have to be, your mind does. Let’s think and be positive. Let’s succeed, and turn those stressings into blessings. You had a bad relationship and got dogged, so what, next time read the signs, let that relationship teach you what you dont want and keep all gifts, dont give nothing back, it may teach to avoid future losers and now you can give that Nice Guy a try (Blessing). You lost your job, so what, maybe it was God’s way of telling you to open your own business or saving you from a scandal or prosecution from all the stuff you stole (Blessing). Your Dad wasn’t in your life, so what, maybe he was a man whore who would’ve influenced you to catch herpes at an early age, and smuggle drugs (Blessing). But honestly all jokes aside, start turning Stress into a productive energy, which could ultimately be your Blessing.  Until next time….T. Barb