Sometimes, life just doesn’t go your way. The situation might not be detrimental to your life, but for most people, the first instinct might be to think a lot about it and try to understand what happened. However, in reality, if the issue is out of your control, it’s best to let it go and move on. That’s not easy, though, is it? While everyone could be telling you not to worry and that everything’s going to be alright, if you’re like me and live for structure, that can be a hard thing to deal with. What do you do when you just need to relax and let it be? I’ve been reading a book (which is coming out as a movie next month) called Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert and it deals a lot with just freeing your mind and accepting your life as it is. A line from the book best summarizes what I’m trying to say: “Try dropping it…sit quietly for now and cease your relentless participation. Watch what happens.” Letting your mind wander when the going gets tough can be hard, but what if regaining control means releasing your hold on the negative? Here are five steps to helping with that process:

1. Reorganizing your thoughts. It can be hard to see things the way they really are if your mind is focused on the “what ifs” and “should haves.” Letting go of the negative energy and focusing on what the upside of the situation is can really be a strong asset to your mind. Only you can take control of who you are, what you do, and what you think. So, keep your optimism up and shuck the negative, as focusing on something you can’t control just relinquishes your hold on life. Worrying doesn’t change a thing – so why not take control of your thoughts?

2. Staying on schedule. Getting back into your daily routine can help you regain some of the control you have lost. If you’ve been feeling like everything has been changing, keep yourself in check by going about life as normal. It might just give you the confidence you need to move forward!

3. Giving yourself a positive mantra. Maybe you have a favorite song that you find uplifting or there’s a quote that just gets to you. All you need sometimes is a positive reinforcement of the good things in your life to keep you going. A cliche line that I’ve heard thousands of times that never changes is “Life goes on.” Remembering that line or anything else that seems to ring true with you – it’s important to make sure you’re always keeping the faith.

Living Life Through Words: How Can Quotes Inspire You?

4. Surrounding yourself with positive influences. If there are some people who are not being understanding of what you’re going through, they’re not worth it! There are a ton of others who will listen or help you regain your hold on life. Life is too short to let others bring you down or keep the negative in your life. You’re never alone, so embrace who and what you have – it’s never too late to ask for help!

5. Being yourself. Never forget who you are and where you came from. If being in control of yourself has always been your mantra and stronghold, get yourself back to where you came from with the past four steps. It’s important to see yourself for who you are than to think that the one in control isn’t you. You’re always in control of your own destiny, so sister, keep it up!

Retaking control of your life can be a process, but it’s not hard if you have a positive attitude and strong people around you to help – keep the faith and never let yourself go! You only have one life, so don’t waste it worrying or keeping your feelings inside. Take control of what you have and ask for help if you need it. The first step may be the hardest, but also the most fulfilling – don’t ever give up and the power is yours!

How To Embrace Your Nervousness & Just Be Yourself

Former Ohio State defensive back Jack Tatum died of a heart attack on Tuesday, 10TV Sports reported. He was 61.

His death was confirmed by legendary Ohio State tackle John Hicks, a former teammate of Tatum.

Tatum played under coach Woody Hayes at Ohio State, where he was recruited as a running back.  He later switched to defense, where he played linebacker and defensive back.

He was a first-team All-Big Ten player in 1968, 1969 and 1970 and was a unanimous All-American in 1969-70.

In 1970, he was selected as the nation’s best defensive player and was among the top vote getters for the Heisman Trophy.

Nicknamed “The Assassin,” Tatum played professionally for the Oakland Raiders.

In his nine-year career, he was named to the Pro Bowl three times and was a member of the 1976 Super Bowl champion Raiders. He was inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1981 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004.

Perhaps the play he was recognized the most was a 1978 hit that paralyzed New England Patriots wide receiver Darryl Stingly.

Tatum retired from the NFL in 1980 and suffered diabetes-related issues the rest of his life.  He had all five toes on left foot amputated.  He later had his right leg amputated.

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel later instituted the “Jack Tatum Hit of the Week Award,” given to the Buckeye player who had the best defensive hit of the game.

“We have lost one of our greatest Buckeyes,” Tressel said in a statement that was issued Tuesday.  “When you think of Ohio State defense, the first name that comes to mind is Jack Tatum. His loss touches every era of Ohio State players and fans.”

Tatum served as a co-chair for the Central Ohio Diabetes Association.

He is survived by his wife and three children.

RELATED ARTICLES:

LeBron James Buys House In Florida

Video: Entrepreneurial Spirit-Daymond John Of FUBU

It’s summer time and with that comes the young folks out and about doing their thing. I’m all for having fun and enjoying your summer  but what I’m not for is anyone participating in any behavior that devalues them or their growth. Not to mention could lead to violence.  Here are a few habits that I noticed that young people engage in and it intensifies when the summer time hits.These is a short list. Please feel free to add on and spread the advice. If you see young people engaging in this, feel free to tap them on the shoulder. Especially if the young ones are your kids.

Having your young child dressed like a thug

I hate to see toddlers and young boys walking around in the summer time with their pants sagging and no shirt on. Now, having your pants sag is a style that transcends cultures and age groups so I can let that one slide. But make your little boys put a shirt on.  I do not care how hot it is. There is no need for a 5 or 6 year old to be shirtless in front of his house. At this point you probably choose his clothing. He does not need to mimic the older boys in this fashion.  The truth is many of the older boys who do dress in this way are not the best role models to mimic.

6 Things You Should Know Before You Visit New Parents

Little Kids Should Be In The House

At a certain time of night, there is no need for your child to be outside hanging with you and your homies/girls. This type of erratic schedule is what limits children and prevents them from being able to maintain a regular schedule when they are older. Or prevents them from assimilating into a responsible member of society. They are unable to adjust to going to bed at a certain time and waking up in time to start their day because you never showed them how.

Willow Smith Stars In New Photo Shoot

The Corner

Get your teenagers away from the corners of streets late at night. I repeat please forbid your kids from hanging on the end of the block at all hours of the night. Why? This is the time and place where foolishness jumps off. Sometimes that foolishness leads to fighting or even gun violence. I lived on the corner of my block when I lived in Chicago and as soon as the summer time hit naturally people came out to enjoy the weather. With that warm weather came teenagers and young adults hanging on the corner, playing loud music from their cars, arguing, drinking, doing drugs etc… It would not be such an issue if they were not out so late into the night, keeping their neighbors up. Also, if they knew how to have a good time without becoming violent or hostile and some people do. Then there are those who like to let loose as soon as the moon comes out so does the foolishness.

For More LJ Knight Visit YeahSheSaidIt

Among more than 120,000 adults, those who sat more than six hours a day in their leisure time were significantly more likely to die in a 14-year period than those who sat less than three hours, according to Alpa Patel of the American Cancer Society in Atlanta, and colleagues.

The association was stronger in women than in men, the researchers reported online in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

SOURCE

Easy Surprising Ways To Rev Up Your Workout

6 Smart Moves To Trim Your Body & Sharpen Your Mind

10 Sexy One-Shoulder Dresses For Under $100

7 Feathered Earrings For Under $50

You know the saying “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend?” Well This limited edition statement mirror needs to be my bestie!! Designed to mimic the light scattering effect of cut diamonds, this mirror could become my favorite way to view my reflection.Measuring 110 cm in diameter, the Stellar Mirror by Jake Phipps is meant to make an impact. As the light changes throughout the day, the mirror’s luster and reflections change as well. This mirror is a constantly evolving piece of art that can bring luxury to any room. This mirror is almost as stunning as any small diamond.

FANTASY FRIDAY: A Good Night Sleep Could Cost $44,000

FANTASY FRIDAY: Samea Bib Necklace

The Cathedral Choir and Orchestra of Elim International Fellowship is holding a concert entitled “Protestants Cathedral of Brooklyn” in lieu of their 46th church anniversary celebration.

The concert will be held Sunday, July 25 at the Temple of Elim International Fellowship, 20 Madison Street (at the corner of Classon Avenue).

Under the direction of Frank A. Haye, a distinguished musician and choral director, the choir and orchestra will perform an array of gospel, classical, and contemporary praise and worship songs, featuring a slew of surprise Gospel artists. Admission is free.

For more information, call: 718-383-3000.

RELATED NEWS:

Gospel Artists Remember Walter Hawkins

Gospel News: P-Dub Gets Signed And Bigelow Talent Search

According to the Associated Press, this fall, CBS is replacing the soap opera As the World Turns with an hour-long daily talk show with six co-hosts — all women, all mothers.

Those hosting the as-yet untitled daytime show include Holly Robinson Peete (we love her!), Sharon Osbourne; Leah Remini of The King of Queens, Julie Chen (host of The Early Show and CBS’ Big Brother), Sara Gilbert of TV’s Roseanne fame, and Broadway actress Marissa Jaret Winokur.

CBS said today that the new show will take a moms’ view of entertainment and news stories. And it looks like it’ll be rivaling its fellow woman’s roundtable discussion show “The View.”

Holly Robinson Peete On John Mayer’s Racist Quote: “I Landed In A Good Part Of It”

Black Stars Shine On This Season Of “Celebrity Apprentice”