praying for japan

hi blog family!

I hope school is going well!

pray for Japan and all the other Countries/places that had catastrophic events. You must always meditate harder for others than yourself- it takes your mind off of your problems when you help others!!! Remember when it comes to catastrophy's, drugs and life--their is no discrimination so we must ALL come togeather for the sake of this earth.

Hold Japan in the light (pray) (meditate)- whatever your preference but think of those in need today, and worry about you another time. 

Please pray for any kids left in the orphanages there, pray that those who make it are resilant, and hold on until rescue comes. 

Man thinks he is smarter than God or the Universe- it can never be and we will see many more things happen that NO ONE has control over! The lesson will be for ALL of us to come togeather, or destroy one another!

Remember the earth will always be here, we are the ones that will vanish or change form if man does not stop thinking he is creator...We all have divine purpose, what is yours, what legacy do you want to leave if you died today?? think, meditate and take action-today!

if you have food, shelter & health - you should be praising the universe/God for letting you rise one more day without incident. 

You can show you are grateful by helping others- that can be with a smile, deed, check or prayer! xo

Tanya

politics-what can you do

Hi blog family!
I hope your report cards showed great grades or great progress. I hope you are getting the tutor you need or staying at lunch at the resource center. I hope that you are able to talk with your counselor about any issues you are having in school.
It is your world-you have the right to get the help you need!!
Remember you can always google ANYTHING you don't know the answer to-i am sure it will lead you to an answer or mighty close!!

I read that Egypt has a victory- all the young people that got togeather and caused such a rukus that president Mubarak resigned- after 29 years-3 decades of ruling!!!
This man would not let the people have their say, he put many people in jail during his reign.

I am glad he is kicked out because he imprisioned a family friend for speaking his mind and now thanks to the youth movement, he is going back home to Eygpt-after years of living in exhile!!! HOORAY for youth that standup and take action!!!!
 can you imagine the power of the people-when they get togeather for a cause-to vote for whom they want and not a rigged election?? You should take notes and remember that YOU do make a difference and TOGEATHER- we can all make a change!! You should know this is why you should vote when you are 18..start researching now..google or talk to a political science teacher to start a club on awareness-(just be careful that the teacher is not ignorant -you will know if sound one sided..not giving all the facts from both sides....

I don't want you to get crazy over politics but i do want you to know what is happening, here and in other countrys-why? Because and informed person is able to make wiser decisions!!! 

Don't sleep on ANYONE-including a politician- always do your homework- google what you need to know and IF you can find someone close to that topic- interview them on a friendly note to get an opinion from someone who was there or is doing "that"... (maybe you have a friend at school who has family in that country? talk to them lightly, who what when where and why?? always ask about your friends culture if it is different than yours-this is how you learn!!)

We need you to be thinking of our future and how to make it better.
 I suggest you go to college to be a juge, lawyer, president, doctor, some field where YOU will call all the shots!! 
If you happen to end up in a job like most of us---still use your voice to make change but whatever you do- don't become a complainer like most of us "this aint fare- that's not right etc.."these are usually people who never vote and say "it aint gonna matter if I vote"- how crazy is that!

 My foster mother, along with Doctor King, Malcom X, and many others, gave their lives SO that YOU could VOTE and say what you wanted...without being lynched-and now we repay our ancestors by NOT voting--that makes no sense!!

Get involved and wake up, you are being put to sleep with many other problems, (that don't have to be) gangs, violence on each other, "weed" aka cronic", babies, lazyness-----


WAKEUP YOUNGINS!!!!! ITS YOUR TIME TO SHINE!!!
The founder of the 80's group CHIC-NILE ROGERS CREATED A SAYING: STAND FOR SOMETHING OR FALL FOR ANYTHING!! It applys to anything!!!
 get up get out and do something IF its that bad, if not, live your life and deal with what you get when you don't speak up- leftovers...

Your voice is powerful and the media plays a part (all those dumb shows that make YOU think its ok to be drunk 24/7, all the shows that make YOU think its ok to have a baby at 15....
all those shows that make YOU think a big but and no clothes is ok to get what you want- WAKE UP!! start using the brain you were given, read more, talk less and please stop watching TV-until you understand you and your purpose!
You are loved and needed by this universe-get going, we are counting on you!!!
xo Tanya

Giving back, making money and not thinking you are entitled

Hi blog family! I hope your thanks- give- ing was good!

 I spent mine giving and then eating! 

 you must learn to give back BEFORE you celebrate turkey day and xmas... give food, gloves, old sneakers or clothes to the homelss. When you live in a group home You are less likely to have active parents to teach you about giving and how not to take advantage of something...

You need to see and feel why you should be thankful...not just for your life but quality of life, if you are reading this blog and in a group home--you are blessed to have a computer!! 

You can see and you have your brain or you would not be on this site!!

 The universe needs you to use your gifts and talent...you will find out what that is as you get older (some of you know) singing, dancing sports, writing, poetry, drawing etc...

On another note: I know usually after leaving foster care many will end up needing section 8 or DSS (welfare). You are still young to let this NOT be your destiny!

I want to challenge you. 

If your  family was on welfare before you went into care.....be working toward a goal to become independent of it- to never need it! (learn to save your $, have two jobs)...

I don't think welfare  will be here forever.

 If you age out of foster care and you need it--you should utilize it IF you NEED it and cannot find a job but know that you still need to keep looking and thinking of ways to get income so that you won't need it! Don't ever want something for free all the time--it is addictive and you will start to feel you are entitled..or derserve it! Welfare was sopose to be created for families who just lost a job or a mate or had a medical bill that put them in the poor house..it was to be used to "assist" a family on getting back on their feet not "permently aide them for the rest of their lives...You are never to young to learn what NOT to do!!

Often adults get caught in a traditional cycle-and teach their kids the same-(grandma was on public assistance,mom, so i will too or they pass thier section 8 apartment to the kids..)... 

there are times when fate happens...an accident that put you out of work, 

sudden death of spouse, 

family financial tragedy)..when you will have to go to get help with heat, (heap), food, or medical--that is ok, but if you are expecting it because you aged out of foster care....that is not the mentality you want. 

why? 

because if you think you "deserve" it "forever" then you will always be dependent on it-forever!

Start thinking of it as a temparary solution only and think of ways to get off....as you get older...

start making jewelry, 

teach your  language to college kids or foreigners,

 babysit...

clean houses/apts (all you need to start is cleaning supply's and references)

you know how to hussle if you grew up in foster care! and I don't mean selling illegal things...i mean hussle like "creative  new income" for yourself that is legit.

At your teenage years now. you could rake neighboors yard, walk dogs, clean up yards, you can always make legit money IF you do something or make something people NEED.. 

 Later as you get older, If you speak any language well, you can teach english...put an add up at a local college...if you make earrings, bring them to all the hair salons you know...craft fairs...you can always make money--IF you have something people need or want!!

 Use your brain power--people who grew up in foster care have extra--that's how we survived!! look at the show shark tank....these are people figuring out how to generate extra income or create a career for themselves--being their own boss. You can do it--anything you put your mind to it but you have to start thinking out of the box!! You are young, gifted and an asset to this earth, keep a good positive spirit and you will be blessed!

smile someone is watching you!!

xo Tanya

What does this holiday mean to you?

Hi blog family!

Today is a time to reflect on when the pilgrams tricked the Indians....lol...Just kidding... :) gotta have humor!!!

This is a time to reflect. 

I know we have been taught to celebrate but what are you celebrating? life? giving? love? the chance to help others? 

I believe every thanksgiving should start with early morning cooking, 

20 plates prepared and taken to an area you know homeless people would be today, 

and then.... 

come back home and have a feast of thanks!

--thanks that you were spared another year,

 thanks that you had food for you AND for others,

thanks that you have and give love to others,

 thanks that you can help others, 

this is what thanksgiving should be about, 

teaching our young to go out and help others first--

perhaps give away that coat you never wear, 

perhaps bring a scarf and old light worn pair of sneakers..

something to show the universe that you are thankful and a person of change.

If you give of yourself, it lessens your worrys AND the universe always rewards those that give by brining more peace and love into your life, Happy thanksgiving please reach out and help someone today...even invite someone with no family over, and then eat!!!

Tanya

assignment for you

Hi blog family!!

I hope school is good, new friends, chances, new life.. I hope you are being the King or Queen you are...(not dragging lol...):) jk...

Your only job today is to go out into the big bold beautiful world smiling and "feeling" good!

 If you "feel" good good things will happen (so says the secret and me, i tried it)... how you feel determines how your day will go!

Please try feeling good today--no matter what obsticles come in your way--it works -your energy level rises and you feel like you won $1million dollars--and about to go get it---keep that feeling....

.have a great day!!

xo Tanya

what is your biggest fear after foster care?

hi blog family!
What will be your biggest fear after you leave foster care?  
NONE!
yes, because you are doing what you need to now to secure your future.
 Going to classes,
 getting a tutor if needed,
 staying away from knucklehead people,
 evil people, violent people,
you are only surrounding yourself with people who value you and help you become BETTER and enjoy life!
You are staying away from drugs and drinking because you know foster kids cannot afford-mentally or financially to "get high" - you know that you need all your brain cells to make good decisions and that ONE bad one-can change your life-forever..jail, rehab, gang, morgue..... 
I know you are saving money when you get your allowance-because you know in a few years when you leave--all those $5 you saved up for the last few years will turn into a couple of thousand--enough for you to give security money and one months rent or two months for a room!

You have no fears about being without a home--because you are planning and plotting your great future that will be full of adventure, fund, money, helping others and making things happen!!!
You are not waiting for anyone to "save" you because you know--you are the hero and the world is waiting for you to save it!!!
stay on your grind-stay focused and keep reading any self help books you find!!!
the world is yours--go get it!
 peace xo Tanya

surviving foster care and making it work for you is ready!!

ok the book is done-let all of your counselors know to hit the link above, I am working on a way for you to get it for free-be patient and know I wrote this just for you!! If you read it and obsorb (let it sink in)...you will learn something! xo Tanya

teachers can't teach or you need help?

Hi blog family!

just wanted to remind you: not all teachers can teach! 
Sometimes you may get a teacher (or a counselor) who is not really about change and may be scared of change- so they will not come across the right way to you- which means you may not do well in their class or with that counselor.
You should still always be respectful of these types of people-they are in a position of power (to give you an F or  with a councelor to not give you your allowance):( but :)
I can tell you what you can do if you get a bad communicator...(that means a bad teacher you don't understand or a counselor you don't get along with or they think wrong of you)-(without a reason..like u were acting up or acting out..)...
follow me...i know u can because you are the smartest thing on earth!!
if i say something to you 2 things happen: 1. you understand 2. you don't understand
when you are in a class with too many kids, not enough books, loud kids talking when the teacher is talking, teacher is soft spoken, teacher is reading from a book (instead of teaching you in a way YOU can learn (with pictures or examples)...MIS COMM UN I CATION!!! The #1 reason people are not understood or don't get a message being sent!
they don't understand how you learn or operate and YOU don't understand what they said or how to apply it to YOUR life!!! 

If you can get the teacher or counselor to see WHY you don't understand or agree with them--then you can start over.
 Let them know they are going too fast, they are being unfair, the information is too long or not clear--but let them know in a CAREfrontational - *that word was taken from my clinician professor- Dr. Harris Straytner:)
 (not accusing but concern):) no one wants to be told they are not doing a good job so find a way to say it that puts blame on both of you: " excuse me mr. x, I feel that every time you talk to me, it''s bad and you never tell me my good points, what can I do to get a kind word from you, change my behavior? am I too agressive/loud/....
If it is a teacher: excuse me mrs x. I do not understand what your teaching because you are going too fast or i cant visualize the formula to put it on paper, or i may need help, what should i do?

THe point is let them know what you need to understand-and sometimes  they may convince you to stay in the class-even if your failing--don't!!- ask someone to help you get out and start fresh..... ONLY if you know you are failing because your teacher if not effectivly teaching NOT because you have a learning disablity or your not trying.. (that would mean you need special education help-and that is good if you know early)..if you are not trying--try harder-get a tutor!!!
when dealing with difficult people-know that you are always in charge (by what you do), dont yell, be mean, act ignorant, stand tall, get help from a good counselor that can speak up for you.
 Most important: apply yourself--do all YOU can to get a lesson from a class or a person!!

 if you know you need help in a subject-get it now-don't wait until your in senior year and then cannot graduate because you let it go... switch class or get help as soon as you spot a problem and don't be ashamed-be in charge!

Remember: communication is everything when it comes to dealing with anyone for anything. hit me if you need me xo Tanya