Doing the same things over and over expecting different results is insanity. The only way to get different results is to change what we do. The process of change begins in our minds. Our thoughts help shape and create our circumstances in life. Living life abundantly is a continuous process of training and transforming our minds to achieve optimal living.

My name is Marenda. I started this blog with the intentions of expressing my thoughts, provoking thought, bridging gaps, and sparking conversation. The agenda is to entertain, educate, and empower. The goal is to inspire, encourage, and uplift. The mission is to Live Life Abundantly and to share the lifestyle with as many people as possible.

Archive: Attitude of Gratitude

My Mother

I grew up with lots of Love, nurturing, support, and encouragement.

My mother has always taken pride in being a mother. Her maternal instincts are on point. My mother didn’t have it easy raising me or my sister, but she certainly made it seem easy.

My mother stepped up to the motherhood plate and a lot of the time she carried the fatherhood plate too.

You know that saying “when life throws you lemons make lemonade?”

My mom can turn lemons into the best lemonade you’ve ever had in your life!

My mother definitely got that parenting thing down to a science.

We never wanted for anything, we never got into any trouble, we did well in school, and neither of us ever gave my mother any problems.

When you have a mother like mine, every day is Mother’s Day.

My mother has a smile that lights up any room.

My mother is patient.

My mother is kind.

My mother is understanding.

My mother is compassionate.

My mother listens.

My mother does not judge.

My mother cooks our favorite foods and still makes us home made soup when we get sick. My mother loves and accepts me for who I am. My mother is a giver and a helper by nature. I have seen my mother graciously provide food, shelter, love, support, and encouragement to others on numerous occasions throughout my entire life. I admire my mother and the example that she has set. I’ve learned so much from my mother over the years and at 33 I’m still learning.

Thus far, one of the most valuable lessons my mother has taught me is:

The ABC’s

A ll things work to the greater good

B e Yourself

C hoose your friends wisely

D on’t worry

E verything happens for a reason

F orgive and don’t hold grudges

G ive graciously

H appiness is priceless

I nvest quality time

J ust do your best

K eep God 1st

L ove unconditionally

M ake time for fun

N ever give up

O bserve your surroundings

P atience is a virtue

Q uality over quantity

R espect is earned

S ay what you mean and mean what you say

T reat people the way you want to be treated.

U nderstanding (having the right understanding is important)

V alues

W hat is done in the dark, always comes to light.

X oxo (lots of hugs and kisses)

Y ou reap what you sow.

Z eal for life equals living life abundantly

~Marilyn~

I Love you mom.

I am thankful and proud to have such a phenomenal woman as my mother.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Blogging It Forward

Blog It ForwardTag I’m it, a fellow blogger has tagged my blog as one of her favorites. Now it’s my turn to share a list of ten of my favorite blogs. This is not an easy task. I read a ton of blogs and have many favorites…but some how I narrowed it down and I am Blogging it Forward. In no particular order here are ten of my favorite blogs that I think you’ll enjoy too.

  1. AllyWork
  2. DreamandHustle
  3. FieldNegro
  4. OffendedBlogger
  5. YouBettaRecognize
  6. BloggingMixing
  7. InspiredByAction
  8. Racialicious
  9. TheOldBlackChurch
  10. BlackHandSide

Be sure to check out all 10 of these blogs, it took me two days to finalize this list :)

Popularity: 7% [?]

Thankful

Sometimes ambitions, goals, hopes, and plans get in the way of us being content with what we have and thankful for our many blessings. Thanksgiving is one of those traditions in which we often get caught up in the processes and rituals of observing the holiday… its not just about eating turkey, watching football games, and going shopping the next day.

thanks·giv·ing:

1. the act of giving thanks; grateful acknowledgment of benefits or favors, esp. to God.
2. an expression of thanks, esp. to God.
3. a public celebration in acknowledgment of divine favor or kindness.
4. a day set apart for giving thanks to God.

Thanksgiving should be every day. When I look at (more…)

Popularity: 2% [?]

Thankful for Paths Crossed

Each year I become even more mindful of the fact that people really do come into our lives for a reason, season, or lifetime.

humankindIn evaluating my own relationships its very clear who my reasons, seasons, and lifetimes are and vice versa. As we approach Thanksgiving and like everyone else I suppose… I am deeply introspecting, reflecting, and meditating on everything and everyone that I am thankful for. God is Good! I’m very thankful to have crossed paths with such remarkable people throughout my life and I look forward to crossing paths with many more.

A Reason, a Season, or a Lifetime

People come into your life for a reason, a season, or
a lifetime. When you figure out which one it is, you
will know what to do for each person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON . . . It is
usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have
come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you
with guidance and support, to aid you physically,
emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a
godsend, and they are! They are there for the reason
you need them to be.

Then, without any wrong doing on your part, or at an
inconvenient time, this person will say or do something
to bring the relationship to an end.

Sometimes they die.
Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.

What we must realize is that our need has been met, our
desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you
sent up has been answered. And now it is time to move on.

When people come into your life for a SEASON . . .
Because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount
of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; things
you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional
foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the
person, and put what you have learned to use in all
other relationships and areas of your life. It is said
that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Author Unknown

Popularity: 4% [?]

Remembering Veterans!

In Honor of Veterans and military personnel currently serving with a special shout out to my uncle Willie :

veteransday.jpg

They Did Their Share

 

On Veteran’s Day we honor
Soldiers who protect our nation.
For their service as our warriors,
They deserve our admiration.

 

Some of them were drafted;
Some were volunteers;
For some it was just yesterday;
For some it’s been many years; (more…)

Popularity: 2% [?]

Totally Fabulous Award!

I am so excited and proud to announce that Living Life Abundantly a.k.a. Marenda.Biz was recently honored with the Totally Fabulous Award by Annita at FootPrints.

Thanks Annita, of the millions of blogs you could have chosen…thank you for thinking of, considering, and choosing mine :) This means a lot!

totallyfabulous.jpg

The award was started by Christy of ChristysCoffeebreak and Ann of ANicePlaceintheSun to recognize “bloggers who are fun, cool, and of course Totally Fabulous!

Recipients of the award pass it on to 5 Totally Fabulous Bloggers.

Today I bestow this honor upon the following 5 in no particular order:

1. InspiredbyAction

2. PJMommy

3. SuburbQueen

4. AngryBlackWoman

5. 40sSingleness

to·tal·ly: wholly; entirely; completely.

fab·u·lous: almost impossible to believe; incredible.

I encourage you to visit all 5 to really appreciate why I chose them. Enjoy!

Popularity: 3% [?]

Power of Schmooze Award

Schmooze AwardLiving Life Abundantly was selected to receive its first web recognition, the Power of Schmooze Award! The award was created by Mike at Ordinary Folk and Danielle at Pink Reviews. The purpose of the award is “to recognize those people that are exceptionally adept at creating relationships with other bloggers by making an effort to be part of a conversation, as opposed to monologue.”

Schmoozing:
To converse casually, especially in order to gain an advantage or make a social connection. —Dictionary.com

Note: The Power of Schmooze award is only given by others who have received it, and passed it on. (more…)

Popularity: 2% [?]


Domains and Webhosting

Do you have your own world-wide-web yet?

The Overnight Cash System

Recent Readers. These are the cool people that read this blog!Recent Readers

RecentComments

Discussions

LINKLOVE

My Birthday 2008My Birthday 2008My Birthday 2008My Birthday 2008My Birthday 2008My Birthday 2008My Birthday 2008My Birthday 2008My Birthday 2008