The Meaning Behind My II Sense

I've had several people ask me about how I came up with the blog name My II Sense. Here's the answer:

It's probably obvious but My II Sense is a play on the phrase "my 2 cents".

I chose to use the Roman numeral II instead of "2" or "two" because it reminds me of two people connected; it's almost like they are hugging. Since the blog deals primarily with relationships I thought this to be a fitting analogy and use of the symbol.

The SENSE part of My II Sense is a reference to our desire to make sense of our daily lives. My purpose is to make that search easier and enjoyable.

The tagline "It's ALL Relative" was selected because regardless of whether I discuss personal relationships, business relationships or financial relationships it's all the same, all connected and therefore all related.

While I do my best to post the best advice, information and resources possible, at the end of the day it's still only my opinion of what's discussed. YOU must take what's given and draw your own conclusions.

And there you have it! I hope this little description helps everyone understand the meaning behind the blog just a tad bit better. If not, comment or send an email to Ask@MyIISense.com with your question and I'll be happy to reply.

Have a PERFECT day!

Michael

My II Sense

Friday Features: Fresh Aire Networking

Each week we showcase a business or individual that cares just as much as about creating better communities as they do about creating wealth for themselves. If you or someone you know would like to be featured send an email to Ask@MyIISense.com with Friday Features Request in the Subject Line. In the body of the email provide the following:

Name | Business Name | Location | Contact # |Primary Business Email Address | Your Background/Why You Started Your Business | Product/Service Offering | How are you/will you be of service to the community | Limit to 300 Words

Your business MUST possess a community outreach component or plans for such a component. Anything that serves as a means of uplifting the community is acceptable.

This Week's Feature: Kevan Ware/Fresh Aire Networking (Tuesday's from 7-10pm @ The Shrine)

There are a lot of networking events out there, a LOT. But Fresh Aire Networking, brainchild of the enigmatic Kevan Ware, somehow manages to standout. First of all, there's actual networking going on. People mingle OUTSIDE of their current circle to inquire of others about their businesses. This is a key factor for me determining if I want to attend the event again. If I'm only going to meet the same people every time I come out, where's the value?

Secondly, Fresh Aire offers some great ear candy (at least during the event this past Tuesday) such as Chicago's own voluptuous songstress Tarrey Torae
who mesmerized the crowd with her soulful voice and captivating beauty. I also spotted Teefa of Power 92 fame and my homie Discopoet Khari B. this past Tuesday showing their support for this fabulous event.

Finally, the venue chosen for this event, The Shrine (Located at 2109 S. Wabash Chicago, IL 60616) was great! The courteous door staff, attentive bar staff and of course the layout were all amazing. The music was a bit loud – for me – for networking purposes but the DJ was point.

Bottom line: if you are looking for a great networking event where you WILL make some quality connections to grow your business then it's a must that you attend Fresh Aire Networking. Join their Facebook Fan Page to stay up to date on this event and be sure to visit Kevan's page as well. See you Tuesday – Happy Networking people!

Have a PERFECT day!

Michael

My II Sense

Diet and Exercise – Who Knew?

Some of you that read MIIS know that my body is prone to suffer lower back pain/spasms (I say my body because I lay no claim to illness. I'm abundantly blessed with Divine health. Sometimes this body forgets and I need to remind it…moving on…). Because I'm not one for taking pain meds I'm always on the lookout for better ways to lessen or completely alleviate the pain all together.

Well I'm reading one of my favorite blogs – Dr Matt's Nutrition News – and he's discussing how you can help the body heal itself of joint inflammation (the source of my body's back pain) with simple changes in diet and increased exercise. At first I'm like whatever but then I think about and realize that there's some truth to his claim.

When I was working for RTA the first few days were torture because I had become used to just loafing around the apartment and hadn't been exercising much. To get to the job I had to walk about 4 blocks and then walk up/down the stairs taking the train to work. If this seems like nothing imagine the feeling of someone digging into your spine with a hot poker or knife and you will understand why this was a challenge for me.

Fortunately for me I had just begun a less meet, more veggies diet. That, combined with the increase in physical activity, helped with the pain. So much so that I was able to begin RUNNING up and down those stairs everyday!

With that being mentioned, if you suffer from inflammation of the joints, degenerative joint disease or arthritis ask your doctor about ways to change your diet and exercise regimen (or assistance with creating one) to see if that doesn't help improve your overall condition BEFORE requesting the latest "wonder drug".

Have a PERFECT day!

Michael

MIIS

Worth the Wait

"Let's wait awhile before it's too late

Let's wait awhile, our love will be great

Let's wait awhile before we go too far"

Chorus to Let's Wait Awhile by Janet Jackson

A few days ago, I'm sitting on my bed catching up on some reading, my youngest daughter Khadijah knocks on the door. She comes in and says she has a question for me; the brief but powerful exchange went like this:

"Daddy, can I ask you a personal question?" "Sure", I say.

"When did you lose your virginity?" My astonished response was, "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

With the excitement and wonder that only a child could muster she exclaims, "Yes I will!" Tell me!"

"Twenty", I say calmly to which she replied "Uh Uhn! – MOM!"

She runs out of the room to grab my wife to use against me as a human polygraph machine. She asks the question again; I give the same answer. My wife confirms the answer because 1. We've discussed such matters and 2. I can't seem to lie to her with a straight face. LOL

Khadijah then asks, "How come you waited so long?" "Why didn't I wait longer is the real question", I replied.

There are two things troubling about this scenario:

1. My child thought I would be dishonest with her about the loss of my virginity.
   
2. Today's generation is more concerned about losing their virginity quickly than waiting for marriage – or at least for a committed relationship.
   

After this little exchange I called everyone into the living room for a family discussion. We talked about their feelings on sex and when they thought it was okay to "give it away" and why they felt that way. Then we, the parents, talked about why it's important to wait. Then we discussed the pitfalls that you could face if you don't wait and of course, proper protection.

Have we had this discussion before? Yes. What was different about this time? We shared our experiences as parents with our kids. We let them know that if we could get a "do over" we would gladly accept it. We told them there is nothing glamorous about having sex too soon. We told them we wished we'd have waited longer before having sex. However, the most important difference was that they actually LISTENED this time.

This week's Meditate on this goes out to all the young adults and teens of the world and is actually the finally line in Janet's song: "I promise, I'll be worth the wait". Be worth the wait people.

Have a PERFECT day!

Michael

My II Sense

Friday Features: Writeous Media

Each week we showcase a business or individual that cares just as much as about creating better communities as they do about creating wealth for themselves. If you or someone you know would like to be featured send an email to Ask@MyIISense.com with Friday Features Request in the Subject Line. In the body of the email provide the following:

Name | Business Name | Location | Contact # |Primary Business Email Address | Your Background/Why You Started Your Business | Product/Service Offering | How are you/will you be of service to the community | Limit to 300 Words

Your business MUST possess a community outreach component or plans for such a component. Anything that serves as a means of uplifting the community is acceptable.

This Week's Feature: Sandria Washington of
Writeous Media

Dubbed "Chicago's Media Maven," Sandria Washington holds a Bachelor's degree in Advertising from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. A Chicago native, Sandria progressed from her days of writing her first short story with crayons at age six and winning elementary school spelling bees, to amassing an impressive career as a writer, editor, publicist, model, community activist and literacy advocate.

Sandria, whose name translates to "helper/protector of mankind", devotes a great deal of time to several community organizations like the Metropolitan Board of the Chicago Urban League and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. She wears many hats – editor, journalist, poet and model to name a few – and uses each of these outlets as a means of positively changing the world around her.

Her company, Writeous Media, initially began as a channel for telling compelling stories and touching the hearts of others utilizing all forms of media. Sandria mentions, "I recently ran into a situation where many things I'd written for online publications were removed or my name was not credited to my work." For this reason Writeous Media also serves as a way of having more control over her creative and writing products. "…I'm focusing on creating my own outlets", says Sandria.

When it comes to impacting change in her community Sandria states, "I am a messenger…as a media company and media practitioner I feel obligated to be a responsible [one]…I see my writing/journalism efforts as a form of service to the community, educating others about people, places and events that are positive". You can find out more about Sandria and Writeous Media by visiting her Writeous Media blog or on MySpace. Feel free to email her here.

Have a PERFECT day!

Michael

My II Sense

Gingerly Boost Your Energy – AND Sex Drive!

Most people know that you can use ginger to ease nausea or sooth an upset stomach but how many know of its ENERGIZING properties?!

I came across this discovery while looking for a smoothie recipe I could drink in the morning since I'm not big on eating breakfast (not to mention I'm slow on the go in morning so I need a natural pick me up). I found one called Jungle Juice which is a blend of several bananas, some orange other 100% fruit juice and ginger.

I expected the fruit and juices and thought that ginseng would be the main "stimulant" suggested to increase energy; instead ginger was listed. Of course, me being me, I had to investigate the reason why ginger was used…I found out a LOT!

Ginger root * has enjoyed much fanfare in Asian and other cultures as the go to remedy for colds, upset stomach (via the ginger ale), nausea and even menstrual cramps! Because it aids in digestion it allows the body to absorb more necessary nutrients thus increasing metabolism and giving you a boost of energy.

Far more interesting – and dare I say enjoyable [smile] – is the herbs' ability to increase circulation and blood flow. Fellow MIIS contributor Yanni mentions during her sessions that combining ginger with soda/pop or sparkling wine is a sure fire way to "get the juices flowing"! How about that?! And it's probably already in your cupboard. [smiles]

So the next time you feel sluggish or need a boost of a different kind [wink] skip the energy drinks and Viagra and grab yourself some ginger!

* NOTE: Like with anything too much ginger can have harmful side effects such as heartburn and belching. Allergic reactions like a rash may also occur. If you will be using ginger for the first time listen to your body and discontinue use if you experience any abnormal reactions.

Disclaimer:
The herbal and health information in this article is offered primarily for reference and personal enrichment. It is NOT intended to be a substitute for the advice of a licensed health-care practitioner. Since the actual use of herbs, therapies, etc. by others is beyond the author's control, NO expressed or implied guarantee as to their effects can be given, nor liability taken.

Have a PERFECT day!

Michael

MIIS

Meditate on This: I Am Homeless…Not Helpless

"We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty." - Mother Teresa of Calcutta

I was reading the Chicago Tribune and came across this article about several homeless teens that, against the odds and life's circumstances, not only completed high school (some with honors!) but are also preparing for their 1^st year in college!

I was touched on several levels. One, being a former homeless person myself, I know how difficult it is to focus on anything constructive let alone something so thought intensive as school. It's no small task finding courage to get out of bed (if you even have one), get dressed and deal with the trials and tribulations of daily work life; I'd imagine it's just as bad – or worse – for a high school student.

Second, how did the parents feel? Though the parents were portrayed as unsupportive we must remember that everyone deals with difficulty and challenging situations according to the level of emotional/spiritual intelligence they have in that moment. Am I condoning what they did? No. However, imagine what the outcome would have been if these same parents had access to parenting counseling or simply had been given positive examples of how to handle their child's "mistakes". Would things have been different?

Finally, I think about the reasons why each of them had to go through such hardships. I think about what they must have thought while tackling the challenges of being a homeless student and undoubtedly the subject of daily ridicule. How many times did they come close to giving up? I think about my own struggles during my three years of homelessness and those of my wife (she was homeless when we met).

I truly believe that those experiences sculpted us into better people. They exposed us to who our real friends were and taught us valuable lessons in compassion, humility and self worth. I'd bet my last dollar these students would admit the same.

So…to Nasia, Priscilla and Jeffery, I want to congratulate you on a job VERY well done and continued success to you as you persist in your efforts to rise above. You are all GREAT inspirations for our youth and adults alike.

Meditate on This: I will continue to press forward with the faith that my goals will be achieved in Divine time.

Have a PERFECT day!

Michael

My II Sense

(Tribune photo by Heather Charles / July 24, 2009)