Serendipitous Musings

I have SO neglected this challenge! Things got so hectic with the end of the semester and whatnot! But - I refuse to quit! LOL! So, day 5 it is, like 20 days later! Day 5: Your Siblings Carleisha We'll start with the baby. My sis is now 17 years old and 18 years ago I asked for a sister and my mom gave me one! Thanks, mom! Talk about fulfilling a request! I love my sister dearly. My brother O'mar and my grandmother FREE GREASY My brother is locked up right now but he's doing well and we expect him home soon! <3 My brother and I are 4 years apart (making him 23 years old right now) I love my brother and can't wait for our family to be reunited. My oldest brother, Unie. I crapped on his arm as a baby. He will tell anyone who will listen. LOL! I love my big brother!  So, these are my siblings. They have a very special place in mi corazon! xo

Hello! I'm exhausted as all get out but Day 4 cannot be missed! I only have one parent who's been consistently in my life... So, that's my mother and I on mother's day, in our jammies. I heart her. She's my world and we are so much closer now than we've ever been. God is good. I love you, Mommy.

So, Day 3: My first love...I remember this like it was yesterday...I was 7 years old. I had never experienced anything like this in my life. The only word I can use to describe it is: rhapsody. That word has a dual meaning which fits this particular blog post well, you see, my first love was music . Mainly in the form of Mariah Carey .   You might not recognize her so let me introduce you. This is 1991 Mariah Carey. My first love. Hearing her sing back then was to know what music was. This birthed my love of music and my love of singing. (I can sing. Raise your hand if you knew that about me. Most people don't. LOL) As I grew up with Mariah Carey through the years it was amazing how each album told the story of my life. I can go back to a different point in time with every song. Every great relationship; break up; spiritual breakthrough, etc. can be traced in the deep lyrical content of her songs. I appreciated Mariah making me break out the dictionary at the age of 14 to find o...

Meaning behind my blog name... Serendipitous Musings Serendipitous - come upon or found by accident; fortuitous Musings - contemplation; reflection. In life it seems that almost by accident you find yourself aware of things you never were aware of before. Going through life you "accidentally" find out who you are, through mistakes and triumphs, tears and joy, and even loss. This blog documents those reflective moments I happen to come upon at any given moment.

Hi! My name is Aisha Antoinette Picott.  This pic was taken right after I got this shirt. I love this shirt. It sums me up pretty well. lol Also, in this pic I am sporting my new transitional hairstyle. I'm going natural (that's a whole different blog post lol). 10/2010  15 Interesting Facts: 1. I really like my middle name now and wasn't so fond of it in my earlier years. 2. I was a cheerleader. 3. As a cheerleader I dropped one of the girls I was holding up in the air (oops!). 4. I love the smell of gasoline. 5. I was a pregnant teen but not a teen mother (Pregnant at 19 yrs old and gave birth when I was 20 yrs old) 6. I've changed my major four times. 7. I've changed schools five times. 8. I am allergic to an unknown substance so I walk around with an EPI-PEN to inject myself if my throat closes again 9. I love small poison dart tree frogs 10. I've had my nose pierced three times and my navel pierced twice 11. I have two tattoos 12. I stoppe...

So, I have neglected you for a total of 3 months. I am sorry about this Blog...the semester started...things got busy. I mean, I thought of you. I even visited a time or two. (Your background is really pretty. I just like to look at you sometimes) I know, I know. This doesn't make up for my blatant negligence. So, after reading Ashley's blog, a very lovely and talented young lady (and you can find her blog here ), I was inspired to do this 30 Day Blog Challenge. I, like Ashley, have a hard time being consistent with things I plan to do (exercise, writing for my column which I kinda left you for, Blog, devotionals, etc), it would be nice to challenge myself to do something...consistently...for a change. I encourage you to do it to if you need a little motivation! Here it is: 30 Day Blog Challenge Day 1:Introduce, recent picture, 15 interesting facts. Day 2: Meaning behind your blog name. Day 3: Your first love. Day 4: Your parents. Day 5: Your siblings. Day 6: A pictu...

http://www.examiner.com/x-61333-NY-Christian-Living--Examiner

My love, take my breath away...

It has come to my immediate attention that the things that we hear and the things that we see have an impact on what we think. It has a greater effect on our minds than we may think. I was led to write this article because it has come up in various discussions with a few of my Christian friends. Is what we take in through our eyes and ears really important? If we know as Christians that we aren’t to entertain certain ideas or thoughts, why can’t we listen to certain music and watch certain programs and then just dismiss what isn’t righteous?  No. The fact is we can’t. Seeds are being planted by the enemy. The solution is to be very aware of what you take into your body. You wouldn’t knowingly put harmful chemicals in your body would you? So why would you knowingly put images or sounds into your body that would be harmful to your soul? Not everyone sees it this way. This is just my personal opinion. From life experience, I find that for myself it’s better to distance myself alto...

Angels Cry I shouldn't have walked away I would've stayed if I thought I could have Made everything okay But we just threw the blame back and forth We treated love like a sport The final blow hit so low I'm still on the ground I couldn't have prepared myself for this fall Shattered in pieces, curled on the floor Super natural love conquers all Remember we used to touch the sky And lighting don't strike the same place twice When you and I said goodbye I felt the angels cry True love's a gift but we let it drift in a storm Every night I feel the angels cry C'mon babe, can't our love be revived? Bring it back and we gon' make it right I'm on the edge, just tryin' to survive As the angels cry Limitless omnipresent Kind of love couldn't have guessed it Would just stop and disappear in a whirlwind Here I am walkin' on this narrow rope Wobbling But won't let go, waitin' for a glimpse of the sun's glow ...

1 Corinthians 9 - Passage�Lookup - New International Version - BibleGateway.com This is really blessing me this morning as I read it. It's entitled "The Rights of an Apostle" Paul is letting us know what he could be doing but what he chooses to do to win souls. He's so serious about his mission; his purpose. He is a great example to me. A verse really stood out to me: "No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." - 1 Corinthians 9:27 This empowers me and fortifies my sexual integrity. God is always on time. Let's beat our bodies and make them our slaves! I don't want to miss out on my prize! Do you?

Just come back to me. You are the reason behind my every heartbeat. Daily Haiku on Love by Tyler Knott Gregson

Don't sell yourself short. The world does enough of that for you. ~Aisha Antoinette

Over the past two weeks, I’ve been challenged to try and hear God’s voice clearer. A really good friend of mine is fasting and trying to do the same and I was inspired. If you’re a Christian you know there are peaks and valleys in our walks and I was in the proverbial valley. During this time, I had encountered numerous circumstances and scriptures on the topic of worldliness (of, relating to, or devoted to the temporal world not the spiritual one). I know at times I can get caught up (i.e. jamming to the new secular song by Usher, watching my favorite Desperate Housewives episode on Hulu or entertaining a conversation that is less than edifying) but as a seasoned Christian these things should have no affect on me, right? Wrong. We have to limit the amount of worldliness we allow into our lives and this should be an ongoing process. As a believer, I am given freedom! But not everything is beneficial for me (1 Corinthians 10:23). As a rule of thumb, I’ve chosen to follo...

I didn't mean it when I said I didn't love you so I should've held on tight, I never should've let you go I didn't know nothing, I was stupid, I was foolish I was lying to myself I could not fathom I would ever be without your love Never imagined I'd be sitting here beside myself 'Cause I didn't know you, 'cause I didn't know me But I thought I knew everything I never felt The feeling that I'm feeling now that I don't hear your voice Or have your touch and kiss your lips 'cause I don't have a choice Oh, what I wouldn't give to have you lying by my side Right here, 'cause baby When you left I lost a part of me It's still so hard to believe Come back baby, please 'Cause we belong together Who else am I gon' lean on when times get rough? Who's gonna talk to me on the phone till the sun comes up? Who's gonna take your place, there ain't nobody better Oh, baby baby, we belong together I can...

You look in my eyes And I get emotional Inside I know it’s crazy but You still can touch my heart And after all this time You’d think that I Wouldn’t feel the same But time melts into nothing And nothing’s changed… I still believe, someday you and me Will find ourselves in love again I had a dream, someday you and me Will find ourselves in love again Each day of my life I’m filled with all the joy I could find You know that I Am not the desperate type If there’s one spark of hope left in my grasp I’ll hold it with both hands It’s worth the risk of burning To have a second chance I need you baby I still believe that we can be together If we believe that true love never has to end Then we must know that we will love again I still believe Someday you and me Just give me one more chance We will find ourselves in love again… *Mariah Carey*

As much as it doesn’t make sense. I want to abandon all of my common sense and just succumb to these feelings. Aisha Antoinette

How can you still give me butterflies? How can you still make my breath catch? How can I still be nervous, anxious, and apprehensive? How can I still love you? Aisha Antoinette

…how do you know if you’ve made the biggest mistake of your life? And what do you do if there is no way to correct it?

The deeper you go in God the more dependent you become of Him. Then it just aches to be centered in on anything else but Him. -Heavens Hart

A lot of people I knew or know are engaged or married. It was right there for me and it seemingly slipped from my hands…fell through my fingers…whatever happened I am no longer there anymore. But, instead of getting down on myself…or rather, continuing to remind myself that I’m almost 30 years old and getting no younger, I choose to live in hope and wait in faith. I choose, this day, to go forward and wait until God appoints the time. I will use this time to get to know Him better so that I will hear him clearly when He speaks to me. I will also use this time to DREAM! I already know who I’m going to ask to be apart of my wedding! :-) I hope they all say yes!! Now, moving on! In the meantime here’s a letter from our Heavenly Husband: My Eternal Bride, I want to reveal to a sacred secret to you, My beloved. Although I am your God, I am also your Eternal Husband. I will come soon to carry you over the threshold into eternity. My desire is to lift the veil from your eyes...

Romans 3:23-24 – for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. – Romans 3:23-24 There is a freedom when we realize that we all fall short and are in need of someone to help us. We can stop trying harder and realize that what we could not do, God already has done in Christ! We are more wicked than we want to admit, but we are more loved than we could ever dream! This is the good news to all of humanity.

The basics but a lot of people don’t get it. I wish more people did…sigh…

A happy life is just a string of happy moments. But most people don’t allow the happy moments, because they’re so busy trying to get a happy life. ~Abraham-Hicks

I wonder if you think of me Somewhere in the shadows of your mind Although our love could never be I find I think about you all the time Am I in your fantasies The way you always wander into mine? And are you longing endlessly Just like me deep inside? When the nights are dark and cold Do you think of me? And when you’re lying all alone Do you think of me? When you feel the touch of another love Do you think of me? Am I the one you’re dreaming of? Do you think of me? I picture you embracing me We drift away and leave the world behind But it’s only make-believe Love can be so unkind…

I love romance. I’m a sucker for it. I love it so much. It’s pathetic. ~Drew Barrymore

What does it mean when you dream that teeth fall out your mouth? It was more to it than that but that was the end…and it was HORRIFYING…Imagine holding 5 of your teeth in your hand! Smh… I woke up and immediately reached for the Psalms…so comforting… Psalm 23 A psalm of David. 1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

He was someone I had known for years. He had been a close family friend. He had many appealing qualities, but I had never really thought about him in a romantic way. It was true that he had a sensitive and tender side that I had seen on a few occasions. But he was also extremely passionate about truth, and I felt that sometimes he came across a little too strong on certain points. To be honest, he intimidated me. It also seemed that he was a little too involved with “church stuff.” When I thought of him, I was reminded of Sunday school lessons with flannel Bible story characters or gold offering plates, this was not exactly the atmosphere for true love! He was one of those people with a piercing gaze who can see straight into the depths of your soul. Because of this, I had gone out of my way to avoid him for the past few years. For some time now, my life had been a chaotic mess of compromise and confusion. I didn’t want him to see what I had become. If he found out what I had done, I...

I hope you give faith a fighting chance… Dedicated to my child… =) Mommy loves you, Josh…

WOW! Is all I can say! I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and it was even better than the first one! Non-stop action; there wasn’t a dull moment in this film. I was not disappointed in the fashion either! Carrie’s shoes in the very beginning of the movie - gold-sequined Christian Louboutin pumps - gave my heart pause. I knew at that moment I was in for a treat! Although, some of Carrie’s choices are eccentric, she’s true to herself and no one can take the title of “Trendsetter” away from her. I truly enjoyed the storyline and rekindled love at the end. I’m a hopeless romantic what can I say? I enjoy happy endings! I enjoyed living vicariously through this foursome and it was nothing less than extravagant! And if you haven’t thought about relocating to Abu Dhabi and Dubai after this movie maybe this pic will help change your mind… A girl could get use to this…  I will be buying this when it comes out on DVD…a little fantasy to escape reality is needed every now and ...

Tonight is the night! My friends and I are ready for the adventure that is Carrie Bradshaw! Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha are the besties that make the journey so fun and worthwhile!  Of course, what I am SUPER excited about…what I’ve been dreaming of… the SHOES & CLOTHES! *faints* I’m ready to live vicariously through these ladies tonight and afterward have a cosmo (or two lol)! I will update this blog later with my thoughts on the movie! Have a blessed day!

I just had a GREAT reunion tonight with my God Mother whom I haven’t seen in years! We caught up over some great Italian food and wine. She also happens to be my 5th grade teacher and looked what she found! A painting I drew when I was 11 years old! Wow! I love this woman! She had it framed and everything. Momilla- you’re the best! <3

The Changed Man by Robert Phillips If you were to hear me imitating Pavarotti in the shower every morning, you would know how much you have changed my life. If you were to see me stride across the park waving to strangers, then you would know I am a changed man—like Scrooge awakened from his bad dreams feeling feather- light, angel-happy, laughing the father of along like of bright laughs— “It is not too late to change my life!” It is change. Me, who felt short-changed. Because of you I no longer hate my body. Because of you I buy new clothes. Because of you I’m a warrior of joy. Because of you and me. Drop by this Saturday morning and discover me fiercely pulling weeds gladly, dedicated as a born-again gardener. Drop by on Sunday—I’ll Turtlewax your sky-blue sports car, no sweat. I’ll greet enemies with a handshake, forgive debtors with a papal largesse. It’s all because of you. Because of you and me, I’ve become one changed man. *This poem is bea...

I love feeling this way...

How amazing is our God? That is, of course, a rhetorical question. We do not have the mental capacity to envision His greatness. I am so grateful for Him allowing me to wake up this morning. Recently, two people who were close to family and friends of mine passed away, within a week of each other. We are so mortal yet we have an immortal mindset. Not that we believe we will live forever but we really don’t think about death until it’s at our doorsteps. I’m not suggesting that we dwell on the fact that we could be gone at any moment. I just suggest we live life a little more purposeful. Be a blessing to someone. Make a mark, you’re mark, on this world. A small act of kindness, a smile, a hug, reaching out just to say “Hello, I was thinking of you,” can mean so much to a person. You never know what someone is going through. It’s so easy to harden your heart…this world can be so cold…but if you do - how can you experience all that life has to offer? Don’t close yourself off...

I’m multifaceted. I’m everything and nothing all at once. I’m a dreamer. A lover of people. A romantic. Forever the optimist; my glass is always half full. I’m a girl and a woman. A sister and a mother. A friend. A confidant. What I am is not so simple and just as easily, simplicity itself. I’m a student and a teacher. I’m a thinker and a learner. I desire nothing of this world. I’m Christian. I’m a believer. It’s hard to be a Christian. There are so many worldly temptations and the Devil is always frolicking around. Sometimes I get lost. I’m always led back to God though. His Spirit is in me and I cannot run from him. He always finds me. I love that He’s so persistent! If you don’t have a personal relationship with God you should get one. He’s greater than any lover, more faithful than all your friends, and always by your side NO MATTER WHAT! Is that unconditional love, or what? My favorite color is pink. My favorite flowers are lilies. I see so much beauty...