Happy Hump Day, STalkers! The title say Women, but Men are welcome to comment, too.

As I tossed and turned last night (Insomnia came a'callin'), I was thinking about Lt. Dad's Fireside Chats and wishing I had her eloquence. But I'm more comfortable behind a bar and my gift for words is suited to writing technical documentation. So....

Pull up a bar stool to Aniki's Coffee & Cocktails Cafe. Yes, I said cocktails. Don't look at me in that tone of voice. 1) it's 12 o'clock somwhere {okay, 12:30-ish}, b) it's nightime on the other side of the world, and iii) some folks work 3rd shift and this is their cocktail hour. A variety of coffee, tea, and juice is available.

I'm an advocate for trying to say things in a nicer, gentler way. For putting a positive spin on the negative. When Sally asks me if that dress makes her look fat, I don't say, "Hellz YEAH. Who is your dressmaker: Omar the Tentmaker?" Oy. How about, "It's not your best look. What about that paisley wrap dress or your leopard pantsuit? You look fabulous in both of them."

Over the years, I've said my share of crappy things and wished I could take back some of them. Not that I didn't mean what I said, but I could have been nicer and certainly didn't have to add that straw to the already-overburdened camel's back. Words have power. Sometimes that word power is a reflection on YOU and what kind of person you are. I don't want to be known as Evil Aniki (although tossing that dishwater on 'Ho was long overdue and felt pretty good...). I'd like people to think of me as someone who listens and is kind. And let's face it: it's crazy out there! Add the chaos of step life to that and you want to pull your hair out. But when the negativity gets piled on top, it can feel overwhelming.

All too often, we women tear each other down. I've never understood why that is. What's the competition?? I want to stand out for who I am and what I do on my own; not with backstabbing, brown-nosing, or destroying someone else. Aniki = an ongoing work in progress. Far from perfect, but always looking for ways to improve.

Please share something that speaks to you, moves you, uplifts you. Someone out there needs to read it.

Life Hacks  ~Ms Moem
Listen for the positve,
The voice that talks you down.
The one who tells you that they care;
That they like you around.
And when you're standing on the ledge,
They're waiting in the wings
Reminding you that life is full
Of hope and other things.

Be soft. Do not let the work make you hard. Do not let pain make you hate. Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness.  ~Kurt Vonnegut

Sometimes life knocks you on your ass... get up, get up, get up!!! Happiness is not the absence of problems, it's the ability to deal with them.  ~Steve Maraboli

Wishing you a beautiful day! <3