Unlocked Thoughts

Hello, dear readers. I apologize for my absence these past months. I hope you can forgive me. I've been struggling with my unmedicated ADHD (inattentive). So that looks like forgetfulness and extra stuff. I wanted to talk about the advancing technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence. We must be careful as the day draws near. This goes hand-in-hand with social media. Many apostates are gaining more tools at their disposal from Satan. We must be cautious not to argue with them and not fall for pages that claim to be JW friendly, and vet certain social media communities. I use social media often and have seen some warning signs that the society has brought to our attention a while ago. It is no surprise to us that comments on platforms, such as Facebook, X, Instagram, etc, have apostates on them. When we come across such information, do we give it attention or scroll past it?  I don't know if you recall a video that the society released where a brother was questioning a matter...

 Ever since becoming a baptized witness of Jehovah, putting on the new personality has been something I struggled with for the past 15 years. I was baptized on December 11, 2010. We live in this world where even for someone who doesn't serve Jehovah God has a hard time starting new habits. Satan puts so many obstacles in the way that we may catch ourselves falling or failing to do so. However, we have great examples of the faithful men of old, such as Peter. We know that he personally struggled to make the necessary changes, but he never gave up. In fact, it is one of his most admirable qualities, as even Jehovah had penned in His Word, the Bible. So don't feel disheartened when you slip back into old habits. We are admonished in Galatians 6:9,  NWT , "So let us not give up in doing what is fine, for in due time we will reap if we do not tire out." What I like about that verse is that it doesn't say 'stop trying' or 'if you find yourself slipping back ...

  The memories I have sometimes come back to me from time to time, especially ones centering around my deceased mother. As a young child, I have been dealing with mental health issues such as attention deficit disorder also known as ADHD (Inattentive). We spent a lot of time getting medications adjusted and check-ups. My mother would play squares with me. It was a paper game where we made a grid of dots and you start by making a line between the two dots and each takes a turn making lines to come to a square then you write your initial in the square to take it. One point. Of course that was when I was old enough to understand the game. Some doctor's offices would have toys for children of ages 3-7 years old. It was a great time and after my appointment I would get a lollipop as a treat sometimes I would get stickers for being brave when I had to get a vaccine. These memories I hold dear. I never complained about having to go to the doctor's office all the time. I wasn't on...

I'm learning to trust the process of life lately. I have been working on my physical health while trying to balance that priority with serving Jehovah first. It has been difficult, too. I have made a couple of new friends in my local congregation. I have lost 6 lbs, and I plan to keep going. I have been doing water aerobics and swimming with the new friends I have made. We went to a new pool while our pool was getting worked on, drained, and cleaned. I recently injured my left knee and need to see an orthopedic about it. Hopefully, after an MRI and some physical therapy, I can return to the pool soon. I went to the Emergency Room, but they only gave me an X-ray and found that I had some arthritis in my left knee. Oh great. 37 years old and I'm already falling apart. However, I have had a couple of knee injuries, so that is not surprising. We also threw a surprise party for my sister in-law for her 30 years of full-time service. It was a big secret, and we did a good job getting...

I used to think that friendship surrounded by special events would last a long time. Like my friends, I made when I was engaged or even after I got married. However, those friendships came with a choice or a purpose. Not everyone who comes into your life stays; in fact, sometimes people just plant flowers in your life and leave. Of course, there are weed-like friends too. I am in no place to judge. I just wish to hold on to friendships that meant a lot to me.  I lost plenty of friendships over the years, and it wasn't because I didn't value them, but because we grew apart. There may be other reasons that are out of your hands, such as rumors. I know I've thought we've all been the target of such hurtful things. I remember all the friendships I had, even the ones as kid. I always struggled to make friends because of my introversion and weirdness. I wasn't normal, and that made others leery of being my friends. I was a free-spirited person and nerdy.  Looking back now...

  I haven't written on this blog for 6 years, yikes! I'm not sure who still reads, but I hope to reconnect with you all. The pandemic was something, wasn't it? Let's recap. The losses I have faced. I lost my dear grandparents (one to COVID-19 and my grandmother to cardiac arrest). I also lost my uncle Brian to COVID-19. It was a difficult time for my entire family, but Jehovah got us through it. Because our lives are on the brink of imperfection, I have been diagnosed with Manic Depression and type 2 Diabetes. My husband lost his older brother, Charles, leaving his wife Karen a widow. So much has happened, but we are still serving Jehovah faithfully, knowing that soon death will be gone and that there will be a resurrection of the righteous and unrighteous. (Rev 21:3,4;Acts 24:15) I packed on a lot of pounds during the pandemic, but lost nearly 100lbs and am still trying to lose more weight. I go swimming at the recreational center near my home with a dear sister from m...

Worry is the number silent killer among humanity today. Would you be surprised to know that closest relationship guilty of causing such worry is your family members? Worry-hogs, that watch the news all the time or people who look up bad things to talk about on a regular basis. This is not to say these things should be discussed but at what cost? How unfortunate are the many who think this way is beneficial for health, life and prosperity. Really, it's detrimental! Worry can raise your blood pressure, make you gain weight through higher cortisol levels. Some people have had strokes and heart attacks because of incessant worrying. In fact, unlike those who just do their best to get throughout the day, there are few worry-bodies who like to see how much worry they can handle before they meet their early grave. I am not one of them. I never let life worries get me down. However, this is not to say that I'm perfect because I'm not. There are days when life's anxieties drag ...

My attempt to get back in writing poetry thanks to some online pals. 😊 Slice, chop, dice. Slice, cut, mince. Tear-ree-ayki. Par-ma-sean. Every dish made with tender loving care, and its matching aroma in the air. It starts with a sizzle and ends with a sear. Cooking up a bolognese, I learn a lot in life now I do as I please. Trimming, basting, and glaze. Sauteing, frying and deglaze. Ground pepper dust tickles my nose. All spices know no ends. But when I pick up my chef knife, I tell ya, boy do I feel free again! Like me again! The harvest of produce and its splendor, Every fluttering note of merlot, riesling and moscato, The way the honey caramelizes and how the sauce coats the back of the spoon. In these moments, the patience displayed is high quality than most of my daily interactions. I feel the comfort and the stillness of my heart. There is no traction. It's a stark comparison from its wounds and its battered parts. The satisfaction is the row...

All praise and glory belongs to Jehovah God, who makes it rain over the righteous and the unrighteous. Our wonderful God and creator. Lately we have been dealing with where to move and Jehovah God has blessed us with somewhere to lay our heads. It truly showed me what I need to work on and patience. I told myself this year I would rely on Jehovah God more. I would fully trust Him to provide for us. I want to move forward as a spiritual person and not so much as a physical person.

Comparison is the thief of Joy. When you compare yourself to others, you're not being completely impartial. In fact, you're only thinking of the fruits of their labor. When you walk in other's people shoes, you accept the joys but also their burdens. We envy those who take vacations, have children, are married or single, have free time, a good job, a house and other things that we ourselves do not have. Comparison also brings forth jealously and motivate us to acquire what the other person has, this can also steer us away from Jehovah. Satan uses the 'showy display' to keep us distracted from serving God and putting him first daily. Let us follow His advice found at Galatians 6:4 which says: "But let each one examine his own actions, and then he will have cause for rejoicing in regard to himself alone, and not in comparison with the other person."

Discouragement. You know that same old trick that Satan uses to get you to stop serving God. The tactic that makes you doubt the same group of people you were certain care about you. It is the same methods to clip a Christian’s wings when they are long and strong. Destructive and unexpected.  For me, I felt like I wasn’t capable of doing anything success while doing the work of the Lord. It didn’t help to compare but it also was discouraging when all you see are the successes of others. I gave it some thought and really took the time to dwell on it. We are fishers of men. Keyword: Fishing. Well, I have only gone fishing once in my life. Back in 1999, I attended 5th-grade summer camp. We had learned a lot of survival tips, however, I remember going fishing the most. It was a challenging concept to understand for an 11-year-old, mind you. First, you set up your fishing line and hook. Next, you had to get the best bait, the best worm and hook it so that it stayed. Excitement swell...

"Do not be mislead, bad association spoils useful habits. *or "corrupt good morals." - 1 Cor. 15:33 One of my husband's friends is getting disfellowshipped, though we are mutual friends via my husband, I still feel bad. I hope she gets a firm grip on the truth. I am also thankful for God's mercy towards me and he read my heart and discerned what was best for me. "No discipline at the time is joyous.." I remember the pain I caused the congregation, my family and friends. I behave selfishly and that is hard not to do in a world that is completely selfish as well. Her situation reminded me of myself and how I felt like I could do what my Aunt was doing. Her marriage after 40 years fell apart and she has been so unstable since then. Jehovah God is the only one who cares. Satan destroys everything and everyone. He will make your life seems like it's missing something and once you step out of Jehovah's boundaries the trap has sprung on you. He ap...

So lately, I have been thinking about the things, places and people I allow in my life. I decided to take an unapologetic stance. I wonder how God gives us free will and we can chose from right or wrong. We also pay the price that comes along with that choice regardless of what it consists of. If you eat poorly, your health suffers and if we take care of ourselves, we have better health than the former. So, why not take care of our mental health? By putting things, places and people in it so to help flourish and nourish. You can't be involved with people who bring you down and live with such a viewpoint. Sooner or later, their bad habits become your habits. Spiritually speaking, having bad association spoils useful habit even habit that we might have never thought could be useful. Spending time with people, visiting certain places and believe it or not certain things can lead us away from things, attitudes and dispositions that Jehovah hates and in turn cost us our relati...

Today and in the news around the world. A little boy named Ormun was struck in Syria during an air strike bomb. I saw this online and my heart melted in tears. I cried. He is only 5 years old, and him and his family are few survivors of the Syrian war. He was covered in dust and blood. I opted out to show his picture because I am neutral in politics and war, but his story and life has drastically changed my viewpoint on how mankind government is failing and how we need to be ever so loyal to Jehovah God. His Kingdom's, God's Kingdom is coming soon. Nevertheless, the event made me think of my childhood. When I mention that I am not saying I had experienced the same thing yet at least. I lived near an airbase in Michigan. It was so fun to attend the airshow (where planes flies in synchrony together, and swirl in the air). When I was a kid, we rush to the front door to see them flying above our heads. Now, it's 2016 and I could only think in my mind. Syrian kids and...

It's 2am. I have 3 days until I am laid off and at home like a sitting duck as far as secular work goes. I have so many things running through my mind right now and so much to do before the big days. Four years at a company that made me stressed, loved, hated and overweight from a sedentary lifestyle. I can only imagine where I begin from here, because as a fairly semi-positive person, I know this is not the end of my road.  Even though the human feeling of losing a job is very disturbing and a letdown. I have to realized that my prayers have been answer and I vow to Jehovah I will continue to serve him no matter what. I also wanted to increase my ministry which has been suffering heavily but this month that has changed.  We picked up a good habit and I am looking forward to help a sister auxiliary pioneer in July. I hope my health is good or fair enough to pull throughout the hot/humid weather in the Eastern US region. However those things, as exciting as they can be, s...

Some people are so selfish they only have themselves. The people they love die off and they never notice because they are so selfish. The family grow old and that person misses their moments of sunshine and wisdom because they are selfish. Don't be one of them. It's the little moments that no one looks and misses, the maturity of a person's life. If they would only open their eyes and give undivided attention to the people in theirs. That's when you really start living, that when you truly see and care. That is love, true love for family and friends. 

Well, today has been very draining and shocking to say the least. I just got word I'm going to be laid off from my job for 4 years. My life is upside down and all the pocket change has fell out. My husband has been supportive to me and I really thank him for that. For me, after hearing that news, I felt used and like the company I slaved for used me like toliet tissue and flushed me. There were four others who were let go of. "Your positions are no longer needed." Other phrases, such as "you're an employee for another 60 days". I was hot as a kettle and also the disrespect and sabotage from my last manager and VP. The struggle have been real and as this world gets uglier and messy like a toddler playing in ketchup in a high chair, I expected it. At the same time, I blamed myself for just taking the easy way out. I pick the phones because I needed less stress. My husband had been unemployed a full year since January 2015. My anxiety and mental he...

Always, smile! I went to Dick's Sporting Goods for the first time today. I just never had a reason to go and I am a Durham Sports fan. Go, Michigan! Well this guy messed up my email when I was applying to be a rewards membership card (frequent buyer).  I had a smile on my face because after taking 32 phone calls and listening to bankrupt mortgagors from 8am to 5pm. I grew patience and learn to smile through complications aka "the customer is right 'plaster edition' smile." Before I left the manager said I had a beautiful smile and that it made her want to smile. I was smiling because as I stated earlier today was a busy Friday. I had the time in the world. Lesson today: Patience may be hard to sustain, but by putting in the effort and having a great attitude, the situation you're dealing with is more manageable and you also think clearer. Prayer is what allow Jehovah to create a path and that path maybe narrow but with Him it is possible to...

In order to be a good person, you don't have to own a lot of material possessions, you don't have to wear the latest trends or say cool slang words. You don't need status in the world. You don't even need to own a cape. See, that's what the world labels as a good person, but good people aren't chosen by looks at all. Satan was the most beautiful angel before he was hurled down to the Earth. Being a good person is based on how you treat people, Christlike qualities, and the true person of the heart. Pray to Jehovah to search your heart through and with prayer and application you can be a better person too (Psalms 139:23, 24) 💯😉

My co-worker just told me about his daily hobby. It was the most humbling conversation we've had. He reads his Bible daily for 30 minutes. My eyes widen because I'm not good about reading daily. I have had times where I even miss the congregation reading. (Work in progress here.) He rises early in the morning and reads God's Word. Rather than use the opportunity to witness, I had to think to myself. Was Jehovah God telling me something or what?! Look at your spiritual health. Am I where I need to be? To be a good teacher, one must acquire knowledge himself. You have to acquire knowledge first. Even baptized already, where did my knowledge of the scriptures stand? Don't get outsmarted at the door friends?! "Make sure of the important things," (Philippians 1:9,10). We can give lip service about God's Kingdom making it sound sweet and attractive but does the proof and knowledge lie in our hearts? An avid reader can tell one who reads daily fro...