Nothing replaces human interaction

Please do not allow technology to replace human interaction, what goes in must come out! We must monitor what goes into our children's mind, or we can't totally blame them for what comes out. Think about it, you don't plant an apple seed and expect to pick strawberries. Keep SMILE (ing)

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SMILE Kidz

http://smilebox.com/playBlog/4e6a45304f44637a4d513d3d0d0a



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The DREAM Continues 40 years Later

Would Martin Luther King Jr... be Proud !
April 4, 1968 Dr. King was assasinated while fulfilling his Dream. He knew the danger , but also knew he could not live with himself if he did not follow his passion, purpose.
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I have FAITH in our youth today! We must help them tap into THIER inner SMILE because we were all put here for a purpose and the sooner we work it, the better off EVERYONE will be, we will SMILE and Be Happy! ... We must work our SMILE in our own Unique way using our God Given Talent, we must latch on to POSITIVE Role Models... and GIVE BACK, Our gift is not to keep for ourselves... We MUST share and leave this place Better than we found it. Always remember "The world would NOT be the same without YOU!" That is a FACT, and you are Not a mistake, You are here for a purpose .... so get busy.
Ask your self this ONE Question: "What is it I LOVE doing so much , I would do it even if I DID NOT get paid?" That is your Gift and your purpose. Perfect it and share it every chance you get. It is your personal SMILE
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We are making history this voting year. Three Senators running for President, The Oldest, A Woman, and a African American!
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It is time for a change and we must Educate ourselves and Vote for the best person to run the country. Register To Vote if you will be 18 a month before the November Election! Young people will elect the next President! It is time for a Change! Yes Martin Luther King Jr. Would be Proud!




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It is RUDE to Whisper in Public

Have you heard this before???
Well the NEW Whispering is "Text Messaging" I have seen so many people texting while with someone else, during church, business meetings, driving you name it... ignoring everyone else around them. No one says anything because it is todays "Norm"
If you sit there and take it, then you are silently approving it... Think about it... speak up.
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I say it is todays "Whispering" I do not think anyone is more important than the person you are with, and if you MUST text excuse yourself or ask permission (include the other person) Maybe I am just old fashion (I love it) ... I just think we have gone a bit too far with technology using it to replace "Personal" Contact.

Keep SMILEing and connect with someone today... make a personal phone call, hand write a personal note, compliment a stranger, take a sack lunch to your child's school today... be creative. It is Worth it. Share your SMILE.


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It is RUDE to Whisper in Public

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Don't Whisper in public

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Year of Prosperity and New Beginnings!

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Welcome to 2008! And we have so much more to do. As we reflect on 2007 and all that we have accomplished it should make you SMILE! You made it. "... Today is a gift, that is why they call it "The Present" African Proverb.
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This year My SMILE Pick is Victor Wright a John Muir Alumni, Class of 1979, an inspiring young man encouraging our youth to work their purpose and get an education. He needs a new VAN, still riding around in a 1984 VAN //please visit his website: http://taylordark.com/wright.html

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As we continue to interact with our youth, we should take them with us (shadow) so they can see what the REAL world is like, not just to Disney Land, shopping and school... but to different places we do not want to go but have to, paying bills, etc expose them to lives of the less fortunate... feed the homeless , also take them to an Opera, Ballet , I strongly encourage taking in an Exchange Student exposing your children to another culture without the expense of taking the entire family out of the Country. It is very rewarding.
<>If your child will become 18 by the next Main Election, have them register to vote and walk them through the process, discuss politics and learn together .
<> I believe a lot of people do not talk about certain issues, because they feel they might not have the answers (that is OK) , because intelligence is NOT knowing ALL the answers, but knowing where to find them... Remember always you have to meet the NINE (9) basic needs before you can expect a child to succeed: Sustenance, Protection, Empathy, Community, Trust, Celebration (Work, Rest, Play) , Love (Agape), Autonomy and Purpose!
<> Once we accomplish this, the violence will decrease, our children will be healthier mentally and physically and test scores will improve because each child will KNOW their purpose, it is NO SECRET that Everyone is here to SMILE, they are now paying people to help you smile and SMILE... we are getting so caught up in material things we are forgetting the TRUE THING... Life and Being happy working our Purpose. Do what you truly LOVE and the money will come.
Relax, Reflect and Move ahead to a New Beginning in 2008! This is the year of Prosperity
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Thanks for SMILEing

Use Technology Wisely... Relax/Reflect/ReConnect

My Theme for 2008 (gift giving and otherwise) ReConnect, and RELAX/Reflect ... Choose JOY
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Use Technology Wisely, do not allow it to replace PERSONAL Contact (Reconnect) . Technology should free up your time so you can spend more physical (face to face) contact with your Loved ones (Community/Village) . Our young people are starving for Dicipline and Love... they need social personal contact (not just text message and Avatar ) so they know what Positive relationships feel like (Trust), the media is so fake, and our youth is trying to live up to a Virtual Image that has been retouched digitally or by surgery. This is not healthy. As I have mentioned before (Maslov and Marshal Rosenberg) There are NINE (9) Basic needs of ALL Humans
>Sustenance= Food and Shelter// Protection// Empathy// Community// Trust//Celebration (Rest/Work/Play)//Love (Agape)//Autonomy (Choices) // Purpose (1 & 9) We were ALL born for a Purpose!
>Make Sure all of your needs are met, then WORK YOUR PURPOSE! ...
Choose JOY! DAILY... remember you have a "Choice" Autonomy....
I guess you want to know HOW
H= Honest about Where you are
O Open Minded... Get out of your comfort Zone...
W Willing to Change... Correct what is not working.
Getting Started:
RECONNECT/Reflect with a SMILE
Go thru Old pictures send them to the people as you pray for them with a handwritten Note... , Invite a friend or Elderly to Lunch or cook for them, Send Flowers or Gift just because... Every day is a Holiday and a Gift that is why they call it "The Present"
RELAX : Spoil yourself, Spa, Movies, Check into a Hotel and Just read and sleep... have someone clean up after you and use ROOM Service, the Spa the Gym etc... you paid for it and deserve it.
SHARE your SMILE with Everyone, remember "A person's life should be BETTER because they met you" Mother Theresa
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"I am because we are, because we are, I am"

"I am because we are , because we are , I am " Happy Kwanzaa
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Be Proud Of YOUR Heritage!
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Kwanzaa (Established 1966) In August 1965, a riot erupted in Watts, a predominantly African-American Community in Los Angeles, California. People in the community were angry about the crumbling houses, low paying jobs, and racism they faced day after day. On August 11, 1965, the anger came to a boining point. ... the riot lasted for FOUR DAYS when it was over a change begun! ... Maualana Karenga was finishing his last year of graduate school and the rest is history...
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Kwanzaa Begins in 1966 (over 40 years)
Kwanzaa: Started by Maulana Karenga 1966 Cutural holiday based on the ancient customs of Africa He added an "a" to the Swahili word for first, kwanza, to creat the name for the holiday It is Non Heroic, Non Religious and is Not celebrated in Africa. Kwanzaa is an ORIGINAL African-American holiday, Kwanzaa is a time when African-Americans join together to honor the traditions of their ancestors. Planning for the year to come and working on ways to make themselves a better people and their community better a better community are important parts of the holiday, Kwanzaa is a celebration of the past, the present, and the future...
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December 26-January 1 Every Year
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Swahili Non Tribal African language spoken in East Africa:
Phrases that are a part of the Celebration
Hibari Gani "What's the news?" (Daily Greeting)
"Harambee!" Let's pull it together (One for each day)
Nguzo Saba "Seven Principles"
Dec 26, Umoja= Unity , 27/Kujichagulia= Self Determination, 28/ Ujima Collective Work and Responsibility, 29/Ujamaa= Cooperative Economics, 30/Nia= Purpose, 31/ (My Anniversary) Kuumba= Creativity, January 1 (Open Gifts) Imani = Faith
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"I am because we are , because we are , I am "
Information from: The Seven Days of Kwanzaa, how to celebrate them
by Angela Shelf Medearis
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I also use: My first Kwanzaa Book
by Deborah M Newton Chocolate. Illustrated by Cal Massey
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I buy Kwanzaa and Heritage Stamps and set up my Kwanzaa Corner every year... eventually in our family, there will be a big celebration, but most importantly the principles of kwazaa should be practiced EVERY DAY ! Our youth should be praised!
Ancestors should be recognize and the Quote repeated daily:
"I am because we are , because we are , I am "
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Buy Educational gifts: Books, puzzles, cultural outfits, read about an African American that you DO NOT know about each month, make a family heritage album, interview your parents and grandparents and make a DVD to send to family and friends.... Cook your favorite TRADITIONAL Food

Try this EASY and Quick:

Senegalese Cookies (Cinq centimes or 5 cent cookies - Dakar in Senegal)

Package of Sugar Cookies (or the Frozen ones you Bake... I prefer this way)

Chunky Peanut Butter

Chopped Peanuts

Bake the Sugar Cookies, let cool spread with peanut butter and sprinkle with chopped peanuts (UMMMMMMMMMMMM)

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North African Orange Salad (Four people)

2 Large Oranges (peeled and sliced thin)

2 cups of Lettuce (shredded)

1 Large (White) Onion (peeled and sliced thin)

8 Greek Olives (Pitted and sliced)

2 tablespoons of Olive Oil

2 tablespoons lemon Juice

1/8 tsp salt

1/8 tsp pepper

Mix Lettuce, onions and Olives together

Arrange the ORANGE SLICES ON TOP

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Mix Oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper together ... pour over salad and refrigerate

(google kwanzaa for more information and customize the celebration, for your family!) Harambee!

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