Revelations of 11/29

And sometimes this is the mood:

Forget the glass, fill my water bottle with wine.

Let me light my incense.

And spill my thoughts on paper.

Today I was forced to acknowledge my personal growth in the past months.
2017 has been a blessing.
I was blessed with several lessons that prompted the "boss" in me to rise up, shake that shyt off.
Chin up buttercup and make whatever "it" is, happen.

By force, I mean the Summertime Krystal would have responded entirely different towards today's events.

Before reacting, I removed myself from the atmosphere, went to Chipotle and  purchased my favorite... chips and guacamole.

Sat in my car and finished watching the K Shine and Hit Man Holla battle when I realized what was taking place. I wouldn't have responded like this a couple of months ago. 

I am Growing.

And I capitalize the G because I know it was only with the help of God.

It's not easy but if we're being honest nothing intentional truly is. Overall today was a good day but the wind down is imperative.

Thoro Gem Thursday: Crissy the Doll

I've been an avid follower of hers long before I met her. She has been a spring of inspiration to me and other women due to her self-love advocacies and the positivity that she spreads. Without further ado this week's Thoro Gem is Crystal Chanel otherwise known as Christy the Doll.


When I started following Crissy a few years ago on Instagram, she was famously known for her hash tag #unbotheredbellyandall. This movement encouraged all curvy girls to not just embrace their body types but also love themselves beyond public opinion. Her page and website radiates good vibes only so she's definitely one to follow.


She is a full-time mother, entrepreneur, Lifestyle and Beauty blogger, and Ambassador for all around Wellness. There's so much I can say about the growth I've witnessed in her while following her journey but that would just take away from her testimony.




Crissy the doll ,you are truly a Thoro Gem.



Instagram: crissythedoll
YouTube: Crystal Chanel
Website: www.crystalchanel.com

Thoro Gem Thursday: Giving thanks for my friends

" Friends are the family you choose" Jess C Scott



Just in time for Thanksgiving, this weeks Thoro Gems are some ladies I hold very close to my heart. I'm so thankful for them not just because they have proven themselves to really be priceless but they're all my sisters from God.

Carmella Carter. Mrs.Carter For Real! (little inside petty)

My great fraaaaaaan, little big sister and PIC in all things Holy and Ratchet. She gets me. We came friends at point in my life were I was going through a heavy depression and didn't even know it. My mood and perspective on life was dismal .Her friendship was like a place of refuge for me and we've only gotten closer. She holds no punches with me and that's one of the things I love most about her. I can count on her to always be 100%. I've witnessed her go through life altering situations, publicly and she never folded. Certified Real is this one.She just recently got engaged and I'm her maid of honor (OWWW OWWW). She's an author. Life Coach and Motivational Speaker. She also works at local high school as a Youth Development Specialist all on top of being a mother of 4. She's too dope!





Renee Taylor, RN. My Nee Nee

Special shout out my friend for graduating from nursing school this year and YOU BETTA NOT FORGET THE RN !! This girl is a gem in real life. No BS, I have never in my life met someone who was so selfless without being pretentious. She couldn't have picked a better career path because she's genuinely a caring person. She's the friend that will stop everything to come to where ever you are to make sure you're ok. The last one to leave to make sure you're not alone. The friend that hides money in your car for you to find later. The constant shoulder to cry on and ear that listens. She's the friend that values and celebrates you. My 30th birthday wouldn't have been so special if it wasn't for her and when I couldn't afford all  my books last semester, she gave me her voucher to pay for them. She's such a blessing and I just admire her as a woman.

Ashley ,BFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
As rapper Eve said " I consider her my blood and it don't come no thicker. NOBODY,except God knows me like her .We've been besties since freshman year of high school. I remember hearing someone say that if you and your friends don't argue its not a real friendship. I was like wheeeet! That's crazy and a lie because me and her never fight. As a matter of fact we rarely disagree but if we do, the respect and love is so real that any type of violation couldn't last long at all. She's been here for everything.She's really my sister for life and nothing comes between that. `99 and forever!

Denise. My beautiful Boricua
I met this beautiful soul a couple of years ago through a mutual friend at a poetry event that she put together and we clicked instantly. She's so down-to-earth and naturally caring that you cant help but to love her.She is one the most thorough people I've ever met. This is my friend that is a lady at all times but takes no mess. And I don't even understand how she would come across people that would give her mess because her heart is pure gold. She always handles her business and makes me see the bigger picture as far as how to handle myself and my affairs because she's always so classy. Less than 2 years ago she had a gorgeous baby girl and I've seen my friend blossom into this bomb woman with everyday that's goes past.

Cierra. My little baby that listens...kinda lol!
First of all, Cie Cie is like my baby sister. This girl is hilarious and all the way WTS! She always makes me feel better when I'm down and has my back 1000%. I wish I could share some of the things she's done but that goes against the code LOL. She's that friend that when she says she got you, she got you! No ifs, ands, or buts. I've seen her go far out of her way for people especially those she loves. Even though I wish there were some people she would spin already(ahem) you can always count on Cie. Even though she's younger than me her soul and mind is so mature and her spirit is so sweet. I love having her around.







Some times, people can make it hard for you to be yourself. At all times, I can always be Krystal with these ladies.Every one of them has not only showed me friendship but teaches me how to be a friend whether she knows it or not. They talked me off the ledge, helped me get myself together, encouraged me, rescued me, prayed for me, fasted for me, checked me,cried with me, etc. They've sewed into my spirit and my dreams and inspire me to be a better woman in every area of my life. They never crossed me, pulled any snake-ish moves or made me feel like I was insignificant. I know they all truly care about me. I've had a lot of people show themselves untrustworthy even some family so I'm thankful that God gave them to me. I hope my sisters are lifers.


Mel, Nee, Ashley, Denise and Cie, you beautiful gyals are truly thoro gems!

XO,
Krystal



Thoro Gem Thursday: Maxine Waters

I'm starting a new segment on the blog called Thoro Gem Thursdays. Every Thursday I'll be featuring women you may have heard of and others you haven't. The goal is to shine the spotlight on women that radiant good vibes and positive change all around them. Whether it's through art,politics,speaking,teaching or preaching. I simply want to show love to my sisters in soul.

In theme of realigning and rearranging; Reclaiming is very befitting. This weeks Thoro Gem is none other than Congresswoman Maxine Waters. Mrs.Waters is the U.S Representative for California's 43rd congressional district. While Mrs.Waters has been serving in congress since 1990, she has just recently became "super lit" for her famous phrase "Reclaiming my time". Auntie Maxine, as she's affectionately known, coined this phrase during a hearing of the House Financial Servicing Committee,when the congresswoman felt as though the other speaker was beating around the bush with bulls**t.

"Reclaiming my time, reclaiming my time, reclaiming my time". In other words, Mrs.Waters let it be known that while on my watch, you'll respect my time. How many of us need to starting reclaiming some time in our own lives? Of course, in the literally sense we can't really "reclaim" our time HOWEVER,we can definitely put a stop to what or who is wasting our time and starting each minute new.

Congresswoman Waters,  you truly are a thoro gem!

Felicity an original poem by Krystal Schley

It’s like we live in our own dream world


Where love isn’t about appearance or labels


It’s the electric connection


Like worn batteries and jumper cables


We let the sparks fly brave and rebellious


We’re not guilty of loving wrong but freely


We’re not scared to walk hand in hand by day


And dance under the silver moon at night


I remember when you said you heard the stars got jealous every time I smiled because the competition was too fierce


Cheesy but still I sopped that shit up like fondue and been smiling ever since


You make me choose patience


I forfeit selfishness to become a servant to you


Happily and with ease because your wellness makes me whole


And love does that you know?


Brings things full circle


Like the moon


Like the sun


Like the table we’re seated at


Still sitting pretty after all was said and done


We’ve had our cake


Ate it and washed it down with lemonade garnished with the mint leave we grew in our dirt


We made the sour sweeter than sugar cane


No need to un-do the details of those days


We lived and we learned


Learned how to love beyond the strain and how to dress for the storm to prevent sick days


I know that I am covered with you


And I have never felt more sane


You massage out the insecurities knotted in my frame


And cherish my flaws like gold


You love me like a ritual; especially different


Vintage but forever fresh


Yet with enough wisdom to not worship me


You reserve such reverence for God


Such humility


I wish I could wrap up and sell what you’ve given me


To anyone one bad day away from closing the book before the ending


We get so hung up on the chapters that we start the despise the biography


Even on the tough days, “Us” is my favorite story


And any shift I just call a plot twist on this grand odyssey of love

Realigning and Rearranging : Never left but I'm Back!!!

If you've been following my blog since 2012 then I'm sure you've noticed a big difference. I'm in the process of cleaning and have removed all of my blogs with the exception of one. "Destroy and Rebuild" felt like too harsh of a term to use but I'm definitely realigning and rearranging.


I love to write.  I'm convinced that ink is in my bloodstream so creating a blog was a no brainer. I honestly don't know any other way to express myself other than creating especially through the written word however like all things should do, I'm growing and in that growth, changing. I'm in the editing stages of publishing my first book( yaaaay!!) but even before that I've written countless poems, 3 stage plays, blogs upon blogs and essays that no one will ever see. While my heart is still solid on my convictions and beliefs I've found it important to write from a place of relevancy according to my present path and my future. I'm still working on the overall look of my page but I'm comfortable with all changes happening within me and the blog. Of course I didn't total disregard my older works but after reading, thinking, re-reading, and debating, I settled on the conclusion that although my prior posts represented who I was in the moment it's not the best representation of who I am now.


Simply put, same content with a different mindset. I am budding! Please allow me the space and opportunity to flourish. I sooooo appreciate the support, clicks, and comments in the past and absolutely going forward. Please keep it coming.