Surround yourself with friends that talk TO you and not ABOUT you if they have a problem WITH you.

Never underestimate the power of your instincts. So many times, we make decisions despite that feeling of doubt and uncertainty that just gnaws at your "gut", only to find we should have gone with our instincts. Call it God, a sixth sense, a"feeling"; if you've asked for that "sign" to help you choose the right path, why are you driving right past it?

Y’all know how I’m built, but you don’t why.

People will either do what is right, or what suits them. The two concepts are often mutually exclusive. One is selfless, the other, typically, is self-serving.

Workout Regimen to build a tough skin: Warm up on the “I’m doing ME” treadmill. Build resistance on “You must be mistaking me for someone who cares about your opinion” elliptical. Get your heart rate up with a “The more you try to hurt me, the stronger I become” spin class. End with “If God is with me, nothing can stand against me” cool down. The stronger YOU are, the weaker THEY are.

Ladies, just accept it. Men & women are wired differently. They don't think like us or understand why we feel the way we do and are perplexed by a lot of what we say, and baffled by our actions. But they don't have to always "get you" to love you. What's important is that he's a good boyfriend, husband, father. If *that's* missing, the fact he won't watch "Real Housewives of ATL" with you is the least of your worries.

Where there is real love, understanding, and patience, hardship is temporary.

You may never understand why some people are innately malicious. That just means your brain does not compute depravity. That, is a good thing.

The older I get, the more I realize the importance of connectivity, not taking people for granted. Don't be so busy "doing you" that you lose sight of those who love and support you. They will be the ones you seek, the ones you need when those you "thought" had your back turn their's away. If you only reach out when you need something, one day you'll discover that lifeline was cut and is now unavailable. Appreciate the good people in your life when it counts, not when it's convenient.