A Better Year Ahead....and for you, too!

A Better Year Ahead!

To my wonderful dear friends. associates, colleagues and family: Reflections on New Years Week 2014

Oh what Spirit of Joy fills my heart, Oh thou Spirit of Peace, Love and Hope which allows your strains of calmness, comfort and solace to penetrate through the essence of my inner being and soul allowing the very essence of Gods love to flow through me and become my experience hoping it may be that of yours and theirs, too!

Let the light therefore shine to sing and pound to the beat of different drums.

What a year its been and what a ride as the year of 2013 got to the very core within me into looking at life from different angles to see what truly does matter, what truly does work and what I have to do in order to fulfill my life’s mission, its quest, if not, its assignment in life.

As year 2013 ends and announces the coming forth of New Year 2014, I do find myself reflecting more upon the events and circumstances with which has made its ugly head known not once, but a number of times throughout the year. The events that had occurred made it known without notice, and without much fanfare.

Twice this past year has the very essence of life and its transition into a new life beyond this sphere we call earth has looked right through me with its penetrating eye right down to the pit of my gut and soul as those of mine circles have lost both Marcia Boehm back in April and than Jack Calvin during this past Thanksgiving holiday.

During this year I had also lost my place of residence by being evicted due to the short sale of my former landlords very own residence which brought her down to wanting back her own place (my residence) making myself displaced in May causing me to sacrifice and give away most of my late parents belonging such as furnishings.

The event brought myself to move in with a so-called friend and then this past September 2013 she had done a complete 360 on me without being so warranted yet, causing me to become completely homeless at the time causing me to feel the very weight of my hearts soul with its burden bringing on another ‘dark night of the soul’ sort of speak and numbing myself from even beginning to feel its blessings in disguise due to my sadness and disappointment in people during year 2013.

The opportunities to practice patience were masked by my own fear, resentment, regret and lack of trust in some others. I learned quickly not to rely too much upon the very arm of flesh for a crutch to lean nor depend upon much from anyone.

However, I had failed greatly in looking, even practicing patience to even understand the very balm of its own Gideon being offered to me as though it was some olive branch of solace and comfort.

I have come to appreciate this pain of growth which I had undertaken. I have also come to appreciate life even more and became more grateful for even the ‘stranger’ that reached out to me even in my darkest of abyss, when the ones that have known me well had not remained on their camels riding right on by me leaving myself to die in some dessert per’se.

Because of this travel through this so called dessert I began to deeply appreciate life, in becoming more grateful for what I have, to honor and love what I have in those that are so close to me.

My emotions with that of my own spirituality had been refined through lengthening my stride through these trying challenges of time which caused stretching my very own rubber band even when the very own face I had to stare at would be that my very own in the mirror.

What I have provided myself because of its offerings had been that of the human touch, the very human feeling of the heart and its emotional face value. However in some measure no matter how large or small I have been learning how to find those pearls and gems in every single moment. It is the measuring stick of what is teaching me and what I have been gaining from.

I am learning to take in varied amounts of golden drops that speaks to me, that offers me droplets of new understanding and within my gaining and with all my getting…even that of sound wisdom.

If I am all that I think about, am I not all that I do think about and become? I ask myself:

Who am I NOW? What do I recognize and relate within the experience of the moment right NOW?

Where do I see myself going towards?

What of those of my own awareness and uniqueness with that of my own inadequateness and awkwardness?

Is there a way that I can contribute more in my life, and how can I make it as a Beautiful Token of Love and Appreciation for Others?

What special golden droplets of knowledge and learning from life can I grow and gain from?

So, some have asked what are my blessings and gifts.

These are they.

The very golden droplets of love and life are those of my Family and Friends in its blessings.

I am grateful for you as I am so appreciate that you have allowed me to share my own life with you and others.

Yes, even for a moment, or even that of a day or lifetime. They are what make the golden droplets of life itself.

I would hope that you and I make the new year of 2014 a positive and proactive Time for greater Changes.

For Forgiveness

A Year of Togetherness in Family & Friends and Loved Ones

A time for Renewal and Understanding

A Year for our greatest of all Golden Droplets…The very essence and Gift of Love for another and that of ourselves where Love, Joy, Hope and Charity –That is where Peace resides my dear loved ones, peace indeed.

Make peace with parting of the past in a positive light and welcome in the future with sense of new awareness and wonder along with a sense of renewal and oneness amongst ourselves individually and together.

Lets us remember that yesterday or yesteryear is the past, tomorrow into the future with its bewilderment is yet a mystery and today’s here and now is the very present…and that is why it’s a ‘GIFT Onto Us!’

May life in 2014 find you healthy and sound amongst all things. May you be happy, fulfilled and prosperous. May it also render to you peace, joy, love and great measures of Hope in all things!

With love to one and all this new year of 2014,

~Jennifer Elisabeth

The Essence of the Nurturing Woman....from Purrr to Roar - Part I

The Essence of the Nurturing Women...from Purr to Roar - Part I

Part I of an ongoing article series on "The Essence of the Nurturing Woman and other feminine issues by:

Jennifer Elisabeth Mendez,
JENN Media Group 

January 7, 2013

Detroit, MI - Through the ages the very innate question has always arisen as to whether femininity the very essence of femininity with its beauty and nature is a learned behavior through life or just merely applied through practice.

I really do believe that men are from Mars and women are from Venus but not literally speaking. Our natures with regards to men and women do differ greatly albeit genetically speaking of course.  I really do believe that we think and process differently. Our respective responses are different from men and as women we find the need to push for that sense of security. With regards to the stock-yard notion of thought that women are more from the garden floral haven whereas men and their masculinity are considered the aggressive and strong oak trees of natures very own ground.

When I look at the landscape of womanhood I see where my mother’s own generation of girls and woman were different and women back in those days were not ashamed to express their femininity for fear of suppression and having been put in their respective place sort of speak from their respective boyfriends, husbands or even the boys clubs. But when it came to the employment field the boys club had awaken within the woman her ability to stand up and fight albeit that of her femininity or not.  

Through out this last number of years my own generation of women has been educated to suppress their femininity because it was not somewhere along its lines and that in some fashion it would prohibit women and their fight to crack the class ceiling and to move ahead within a corporate structure. It has been acknowledged somehow that someone the “pink” who thought as the “blue” would go up the ladder quickly and prettier then her counterpart did in "bluesville haven" if he were to think even like the “pink.”

The arched stereotypes portraying women as a weaken vessel because of what she’s got between her legs and what she has on her shoulders has been needing to go for centuries. 

As women I believe that we can and ought to benefit from embracing our femaleness, or womanhood, without regard to politics, dogma or fashion or even shame for being whom we are: WOMEN!  Of course there are the men out there that would raise an eye brow that a woman’s femininity should not be used like some toy in attracting men, but it’s the men themselves we forget that are attracted to the very essence of women. But in those essences it’s the woman as onto a man that can turn it off or on as quickly as one bats an eye lash. But naturally doing so it is the essence of the female, the very woman as it were by her mere and very natural beauty couple with her feminine nature will aggressively, yet submissively and subtly attract the men.

But the question I have is if men should be the one defining women’s own femininity? Should he be the one laying out the rules for women’s own engagements? Their fashion sense? Should men be the one setting boundaries for women?

I myself feel as even thought men should not set such parameters for women, nor should they define what femininity is and what the role of the woman is. They may set some 'shared' guidelines but to set such parameters I would say is nothing but foul play in my playbook. To me as it has always been is that being feminine is the opposite of being masculine because everything has its opposite and its no difference when it boils down to the games men and women play and whom we are.

To me however I feel that its just as natural for a woman being feminine as it is naturally for a man being masculine himself. Gender traits however amongst various cultures lie at its own continuum’s door. These traits are affected by men and women’s respective cultures where men and women share many traits and values which for the most part affect one another.

In some societies its been known for a woman to be critical of her success and in which she strives to be rewarded in her work while a man for example may not be as competitive, yet being very aggressive and who steers clear of expressing any such nurturing feelings or placing them to the side unless he can be appreciated for doing so.

In some cultures its apparent that the man is the aggressive and dominant male where he’s respected and honored for being so whereas the woman is more of the subservient one whose honored and respected as a norm for being the humble female. The differing views of gender are that a man desires the woman and the woman also round about desires the man and the two of them create babies together which is NOT the case for many couples. 

 
Shall we break down some of these inner linings between a woman and a man?

Depending on the respective predisposition of most of not all women they are then by a majority factor naturally known for being nurturers let alone most often than not are the nurturing ones to their respective litter of children and their aging and ailing parents. Women by far are more affectionate and display a levy of compassion that most men find difficulty in expressing for appearing less masculine and weaken to his or their male counterparts and colleagues in society.

When it boils down to the essence of love both women and men have differing views on how to express love and how love is both accepted and delivered. Form little babies to young growing children being held, rocked and loved by an adoring and affectionate mother and having a resounding understanding as to why grown men in many essences have a yearning to be held by the loving embrace of their respective wives, girlfriends, mothers and lovers or partners. Is it any wonder why?

Most if not all men by most standards strongly crave the very melting touch of a woman albeit as natural as it may be. And don’t think for one minute those women in and of them do not mind bestowing those warm touches. Men crave a nurturing personality in a woman that if the thoughts of marriage does ring at a proposed altar  than that would charm true in hopes that perhaps she might be a good nurturing mother, too.

Stay tune for more on my report on "The Nurturing Essence of Women.”

~Jennifer Elisabeth

Good By to Year 2012 and Hello to Year 2013! A Warm Welcoming.

Another year has flown right on by with the gusts of autumn having dissipated living most in the region where I reside the whirling winds and snow of winter’s scape. I have been reflecting this past week on year 2012 and the lessons I have learned from it. The ups and downs which had molded and shaped me into the woman I am today.

I have seen gains in 2012 but they were of the learning currency in my walk. Not the sort of flowing green currency I’m afraid, but I am breathing.

Towards the years end I had awaken to a realization of my own sense of vulnerability and wonder. I had begun to question a lot including those within my inner-circle and my friendships. I even began to question and ask myself if dating anyone again would be worth it, and would it be better to just remain single and be married to my work.

I know there is room for much improvement in my life a lot, and I have swallowed my pride enough to understand that I need to improve in certain areas to become a better person, a better woman and a good contributor to both my church community and society in general. And I have to take brash and bold steps in order to get there understanding and knowing all to well that nothing is never as easy nor do I expect it to be handed to me on a golden platter.

These last four months I had lost both my lover who was my best male friend along with a close female friend who also had betrayed me with him. Along with that issue I am also in the clutches of reorganizing my business and organization. There is never two ways about it when it comes to being betrayed and various friends show their true respective colors when you are down and out all the while reorganizing a business.

During these last few days it has brought me down to my knees figuratively speaking reflecting on my life and year 2012.

1.) Had I done all that I set sail out to do since January 1, 2012?
2.) Are there any areas I need to tend and pay better attention?
3.) Where were my growth and development focused on?
4.) Were there issues and situations I needed to turn my back on and walk away for the better? 

Here are my some of my goals/plans for year 2013 which are to:

1.)    Move south of the M-59 line marker where there is more traffic within the circles and doings of my own life.

2.)  Work becomes and remains a mainstay with a ruthless aggressive mindset. I want to ensure that work is enthroned as a ruling principle in my life. I want to live and breathe success at every turn albeit spiritually, financially and physically. The end goal is to become both self-reliant and self-sufficient. My emotional, social and mental mindset along with development shall continue its process.

3.)    I want to ensure that my book is ready for publication autumn of 2013. The book has got to be juicy this time and is not holding anything back.

4.)  To rid myself of the stinkin’ thinking that I have carried for the last four months.   

5.)    In a healthy way I NOW have to DROP 75 pounds since I gained a few these last four months due to the personal crisis I had to deal with. The weight has been hampering my life with concern, not productivity wise or the potential for further productivity.  

6.)    Live life in such a way and manner that it is to be who I am and not the image of others. To be able to afford material goods that is right in price frugally and will not break the bank. Purchase a nice car when it warrants it, not beforehand just for appearance nor image sake.

7.)    To further learn, grow and develop by attending workshops, training classes and seminars to sharpen the saw.

8.)    Concentrate on my business endeavors and passive income streams.

9.)    Eliminate or dampen my ego issues by being more humble and finding my inner spiritual voice.

10.) Engage with my inner voice and my convictions.

11.) Continue to develop my public speaking skills and abilities while enhancing my speaking abilities further by committing myself to my Toastmasters club and its programs.

Life for me continues as I am sure it does for you to move forward, to be better and march onward for a better year ahead. One must push their shoulder to the wheel sort of speak as I have felt for many years, but life and its highways  in and of itself is always under construction and at sundry times under Reconstruction.

Am I any exception I ask of myself?

I carry my own cross which the Lord of my life had placed upon me under my own free will and choosing. But I know as I walk forward that I will need to seek Him more. 

Thank you for reading and fond wishes for a blessed and prosperous 2013!

Be well my fellow readers and friends,

Jennifer Elisabeth (JET)

November 8, 2012 - Ohio is as Ohio does:

November 8, 2012 - Ohio is as Ohio does: 

For whatever its worth I felt the innate feeling & need to post this:

>> http://www.creators.com/liberal/connie-schultz/a-lesson-from-ohio.html <<

Just some things to think about as long as we are clear headed and open minded about where we are headed. Like the woman described in Connie Schultz's opinion article my own late father was also a 'factory rat' if it can be called that these days. 

He was a quality control and a materials handling engineer at one of the big three within the Detroit area and I for one was a proud daughter of mine father who had worked so hard to ensure that his wife and kids were provided for and that both the needs and wants of a household were dealt with. My father was by no means a muscled chisel man, nor was he some wealthy millionaire unlike some of mine uncles who were loaded with so much wealth in Cuba it could make some person's own head spin.

But he was a man of simple and humble means arriving from communist Cuba to provide my late mother and kids the freedom afforded no where else but here within the United States. I too had marveled at how my father worked hard but smart too at that plant. I marveled at how he functioned and moved around that plant with so much proficiency and it was because of pride either. It was because of earning that check that carried with is so many benefits at the time. 

Please take the time to read this article as you would another when possible with an open mindset. For nothing is ever accomplished, if seldom, with a closed mindset.

~Jennifer Mendez

The Day After - November 07, 2012

SOME THOUGHTS: THE DAY AFTER / NOVEMBER 07, 2012

My heavens....oh MY goodness gracious angels alive....

Isn't it so utterly ridiculous when various people base their friendships and relations on politics and religion? It's so sad when friends decide they can't be friends because their slant is different than the other persons or their style of worship is different? What gives? What be up with that as some of my friends have stated. I am one that am not going to hold onto some friends because they are upset or just plain are angry because my ways are not theirs.

Many years ago I had lost some friends because I had become a Mormon back than and the friends I had than just could not deal with that carton of milk so they just balked. I get it, I understand it. But, was I to appease them? Was I to make them comfortable because they could not deal with my so-called wanting to be "Extraordinary" instead of just having to be "Ordinary"?

But look, I am not on this green and blue marble called earth for some beauty contest nor am I here for some Miss. Congeniality Pageant either.

I am here to be 'BOLD' and make a different in the world albeit locally, regionally, nationally or globally and just to stand out even if it means going beyond comfort zones and jump out of some boxes to express 'BOLDNESS' even if it means to be 'PREMIUM' than so be it because my sails will adjust.

Look, I am not going to change all my colors for you so eloquently expressed by Whitney Houston to Kevin Costner's character role in The Bodyguard and neither would I expect anyone to change their colors for me. However, what I do expect however is an essence of civility and with harmony in getting along and understanding that we are all different,  but it does not mean you have to go your way and I go mine. 

So, am I do feel that everyone has to accept my varying opinions and views? HELL NO! With that in mind I do not need to accept their opinions and views that much neither, but I do wish to understand where they are coming from so I can understand him or her that much better. I would want for them to understand whey I am coming with an open mind and an open heart so that the main emphasis in not based on whose political slant is right or wrong but that the main course is the furthering and fostering in developing worthwhile friendships along the path ways of life even onto potential business associates and colleagues and the fostering and emergence of like-minded individualities. So, can we all just get along? :-)

~ Jennifer Mendez

November 06, 2012 - This evening brings back memories because I.....

This picture was actually taken in 2008
 at an Obama/Biden Campaign
 election night victory party. 

I had just remembered a short while ago how just four years ago this evening I went with a couple of friends to the after parties and victory dances to celebrate history in the making. The very same man that my late father had said back in 2004 would become elected in 2008 was elected the nations first Non-Anglo African-American president.

But, this evening of November 06, 2012 I shall be staying put and off the streets to soak in whatever outcomes occurs this evening as they read the tallies pouring in. I will savor in tonight's moment just so two years from now I will become more involved in the political process and than again in four years even more participative so when there will not be a thing anyone can do and say to discourage or detour me.

Tonight is America's voice, tonight is her peoples breath from coast to coast voting their conscious in the selection process of a presidential candidate albeit a re-election of the current President or election of the 45th President of this United States of America. Tonight as it ought to be is: AMERICA and her finest moment!

~Jennifer Elisabeth Mendez

NOT YOUR EVERYDAY DISHES IN THE SINK........

November 05, 2012 -

I am not here to do my laundry nor wash or wash the dishes in my sink with anyone, and I really do not have to post this...for it’s of a more personal nature and perhaps I should have just email my friends when I am able to do so and within its timing would just be the right thing to do after all. But to those very close to me both near and afar while never-minding "the rest of you" whom are just as connected to me whom I know nothing personally nor hardly anything at all whatsoever, just bare this in mind:

A lot has been personally occurring within my own life lately from downturns to some bitter health hiccups sort to speak of even on down to some issues business-wise, however I will be alright and I understand all too well that “when one door closes, another door opens,” isn't that right?

I have to remember the teachings of the late Dr. Stephen R. Covey as he taught "First Things First."

Allow me to brief you up to date:

Last year at about this time my late spouse had taken a turn for the worse and ended up in the hospital where she had taken her very last breaths of her life's sojourn (it's what I consider her turn on earth and cancer had taken her). It had been a time where it wrenched me so much to the very core in which those events along with another one to follow had plummeted me right into a deep and darken depression with levels of despair and loneliness that no matter whom was present or even near me would not be to avail much in helping me at the time.

When she passed away...a huge chunk of my heart was laid to rest with her right along besides her. It had taken me nearly almost a year to get out of that cellar and crawl back from a deep well to where I am standing of off my knees onto my feet thanks to some well meaning and deserving friends (and they know whom they are) along with that of my godmother along with loving cousins I have been able to dig right out of this hole where I now feel better and life is renewed, and gradually becoming more rewarding to me.

It is something about the big picture that I know so deeply in the depth of my soul and belly which deals not only with this life nor its existence, but, whether that of another.

So, in order to "push my shoulder to the wheel" and move onward with the very business of my everyday life I had to just let my precious 'MJ' go to her rest beyond what I consider along with so many like onto myself of a similar leaning persuasion of faith as that very thin veil; (ever seen the television show entitled: The Ghost Whisperer; staring actress Jennifer Love-Hewitt? Yeah, something like that in some ways) known as the other side.

However, I had not for one reason or another wanted to let her go and did not even want to release her. I wanted to hold that power to hold her soul and spirit here near me and, I wanted to play that power. I was being so selfish and my understanding of what I have known so deeply even prior to her passing had become so clouded.

I knew eventually I had to do just that for which I have done prior to MJ’s passing for both that of my late mother and father in their respective transitions from their sojourns in this life, and believe me, there is not a day that would not go by where I just did not hurt so painfully that it wrenched me so deeply that it burned as if a flaming sword had pierced my heart and soul.

MJ had indeed been my best friend and my very soul mate on this earth and for the most part still is even in death. While in our relationship some others just could not leave well-enough alone in which they just went ahead to interfere (the monster-in-law and her tribe) and would always get their very wet noses right into our personal affairs of life and relationship when they needed not to be there in the very first place. 

Why they just could not mind their own affairs which would have been the proper thing to do. After all they just never understood what "the whole picture" is as both MJ and I have understood. Not even members of our church quite got that picture; but that is not my concerned regarding them.

What I understand now and do grasp is that I just have to change my ways in many areas of my life and walk with my Creator now, and for that I am very grateful. I have come to an understanding that even a social media portal such as Facebook itself is not the end of all things and it’s not the main arena of interest in my life.

I have friends, family, other loved ones and a company that needs my sincere dire attention with laser zoned in focus. However this shall be the last of what I state publicly in various forums such as these, for I feel that my life and sojourn in many ways is a private affair and it shall go of radar when time sees fit from portals such as Facebook and any other such portals; and it shall be conducted under a time fitting that of my own pleasure and choosing. 

I just have a need to feel safe.

Thank you for your time along with your sincere reading and understanding.

~Jennifer