Posted on by Kristina Knowles

I hate the hate against my Race…

the Human Race.

I recently put this title on my Facebook page. I got a few likes but no one questioned what I meant which was fascinating to me for so many reasons. First, because I am Bi-Racial, so which race was I referring to and secondly because in today’s climate people will speak out and ask but this time everyone kept quiet, did the comment go over everyone’s head or maybe because no one cared. All suitable reasons to me but I remained curious.

So let’s get back to that title, I don’t like hate. I really don’t like even typing the word hate, either. However, I have lived over 40 years on this great big beautiful planet called Earth to know better. I know that no matter who you are, how big or small, how tall or short, how beautiful or not so beautiful society says you are, how the color on your skin shows up; everyone has dealt with hate. Yes, it’s true, I have seen it with my own eyes day in and day out.

Some of you would like to think that one religion, creed, sex, color, ethnic group has it worse over the other but you are wrong. You are too blind to believe the truth because it’s easier for you to hide behind the negative agenda instead of embracing the truth, we all have felt hate in some form or another. I would think that this type of revelation would open the doors of happiness and love, instead of more hate, more violence. But again, that would be too easy and we must do things the hard way and continue to divide us all into groups. Instead of agreeing that we all have been hurt or hated against and it had nothing to do with race. Yes, I wrote it, nothing to do with RACE!!!

There is no denying that by living primarily with my beautiful Caucasian, Irish Mother, you might think I would hear some negative comments about me or my brother, no. Instead I heard the opposite, all compliments and praise. Maybe you might think I must have heard some racially motivated comments while spending weekends with my handsome African American, Native American Father, right!? No, wrong again, I felt safe, never afraid of who I was or what I looked like.

Don’t get me wrong, I saw something awful. I saw hate, in forms that had nothing to do with religion, creed, sex, color, ethnic group or racism but pure ignorance. I have straight friends and gay friends, I have friends who would be considered obese and friends who get teased that they have anorexia, I have friends who are too tall for being a woman and friends who are too short for being a man. I have friends that have been told they talk “black” and friends that “talk white”. I have friends that have hair that’s too curly or too straight, too long or too short. I have friends that feel too smart and friends who don’t feel smart enough, I have friends who have been called Nerdy, Jock, Princess, Goody-Goody, the list goes on and on and on. Does this resonate with any of you? We have been labeling people for decades without any of these labels having to do with race, just hate.

I am just asking you the next time you want to classify something as racism you might want to call it what it really is…hate. I have heard conversations of groups of women put other women down…hate. I have heard family members tease and make fun of other family members, that is not kind or loving but…hate. I have sat at a dinner table to listen to men put another colleague down, again hate. I have witnessed children bully other children, again not because of the color of their skin but pure…hate.

Don’t you get it, the world wants us to be at odds with each other, to create this divide against one another to promote hate and not love. Why? Because Satan would like nothing more than to have you let him move into your home and kick God out. God is love, God doesn’t ask us to hate but to love. And we are raising a society of people who don’t or can’t love themselves, self-hate is rampant. We need to lift each other up, stop the hate and start to love ourselves. I will close with racism does exist but more often than not, it’s truly just hate.

Don’t hate someone because they are different, love them because they are.

 

Posted on by Kristina Knowles

Please heed my warning…


Cherish every moment you have at this very minute with your children. Learn and don’t repeat the bad times, get out as much as you can from those horrible moments. Talk up and encourage the loving, nice times and reminisce often on the good things. Do this so you know how to be truly grateful and know when to celebrate your accomplishments and learn from your mistakes.

Never take your children for granted. Looking back with no regrets at the life you decided to have with your child or children is more rewarding than any job, any promotion or amount of money this world can give you.

Not too long ago my Son graduated from Kindergarten, then High School and just recently I went to Lackland Air Force Base to watch him graduate from Basic Military Training. Just so you know, there is nothing BASIC about BMT, in fact, it broke him and built him back up. My Son is not the Son I said good-bye to months before he entered his agreement to The United States Air Force. I am beyond proud of him and his recent accomplishments. And just because he is different, it’s a good different.

However, I am sitting here wondering where did all the time go. I mean, I read about this sort of thing and talked with my Mother about it but to actually go through it is different and a bit surreal. Real hard is more like it. The last 20 years flew by. He is a boy becoming a man at high speed. Not sure if he or I are ready for this but it’s happening whether we like it or not.

The good news is I planted seeds in him so long ago I was not worried or concerned. And I will continue to plant good seeds in him. We should, as a society, plant good seeds in all the children of this world those especially close to us.

So please remember, the amount of quality time we chose to spend with our children while they are small and impressionable is so very important. It’s the most important job we have to fulfill. Like God, He is always with us. Our children need to know that no matter what we will love them. Now that doesn’t mean we have to agree with their life choices but we must love them like God loves us…without conditions. Even when we sin, God loves us. Even on our worse day, God loves us.

Have an awesome day!

Posted on by Kristina Knowles

Pink ballet flats and a Scar…

I once heard that scars are a reminder that the past existed. Several years ago my wonderful birthday fell on Thanksgiving. As I looked at the pile of pink presents, I couldn’t wait to wear my new pink ballet flats my Mom bought me. And when I tried them on, I noticed the 4 inch scare on my foot that had become a distant memory. My son and I went on a camping trip to a friends cabin in Bluemont, Virginia one Memorial Day weekend. We didn’t know what to expect but the closer we got the sky was bigger and bluer, the mountains taller. It was just so gorgeous and peaceful. Our mornings started off with kayaking and taking in the sights. Our nights were relaxing and quiet. We were free from video games, emails, constant telephone calls and other distractions we’ve grown accustom too.

My son and I talked and laughed a lot, more so than normal. I was really glad we were able to take this trip together. On the morning of our departure, I was cleaning up after our meal and out of a bag of trash poked a piece of glass that ripped open the top of my foot as I walked by. I couldn’t believe my eyes, I think I went into a calm shock. My son rushed over, looked down at my foot and took over. He got a wet paper towel and tried to apply pressure in order to stop the bleeding. My son then picked me up, like I weighed nothing, and took me over to the truck. The owner of the cabin took us to the emergency clinic. Once I was seen by the Doctor, she told me that my son was asking about me and wanted to come to see me so he could cheer me up. I told her that he may come back, so he did and he started making me laugh. Seventeen stitches later we were back in our car headed home.

As I looked in the rear view mirror as we were leaving Virginia, I was smiling. Smiling ear to ear and so happy because I was so proud of my son. I needed to see my son in a different light, he showed me a side of him I never knew existed. The scar will be a positive reminder of our amazing weekend away to Bluemont, Virginia.

We should allow our children to know what it feels like to be responsible, take charge and be the greatness God put in each and every one of them.

Have an awesome day!

 

Posted on by Kristina Knowles

The overview of the Five F’s…

F…FRIENDS

Friends and family mean a lot to me. A good relationship is worth it’s weight in gold. I have friends from school, work, my neighborhood and friends of friends. We need to nurture our relationships with our friends and family. If you are in a relationship that is hurtful, you need to reevaluate why you are letting yourself be hurt. Or, if you are blessed with friends and family that love and respect you, pat yourself on the back. I will share advice on how to keep a good relationship going or how to leave a bad relationship behind.

F…FASHION

Fashion is so fun and can be intimidating for some. My life long love of fashion started first in my DNA then was encouraged by my Mother. My Grandma Leola had a love of making clothing and owned her own dress shop, my Mother started dressing me in fashion as soon as I left the hospital, I didn’t have a chance or choice. However, I love helping people look and feel their best, that can be so rewarding. So I am here to help and assist in any way I can…you’re welcome.

F…FAITH

Where do I start, I absolutely love God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit with all my heart, with all my soul. I don’t know where I would be without it but I do know I will be a Christian all the days of my life. I want to help people find and understand Jesus on their own with awesome examples of my own experience. My testimonies are special, real and my own. God will put us through a storm for a good reason and we must be grateful for it.

No judgement here, just my daily belief in God. I will share my opinions and concerns of being a believer. What makes us all so amazing, is our own personal relationship with God. I attend church on Sunday’s, I bless my meals, pray every day and try to navigate through the reality of life while raising a man-child. I am a grateful person and appreciate all my blessings. God has a plan for each and every one of us, I pray you are using your gifts.

F…FITNESS

I enjoy healthy living and eating. My amazing parents decided at the ripe old age of 4 years old I would be a member of the College Park Maryland Boys & Girls Club. I love organized sports and have been an Athlete ever since. I have had my unfortunate times with mistakes and blunders when it came to eating and working out. I want to help those who want help and coaching maybe even a cheerleader in eating clean and healthy along with exercise. I share my easy recipes and easy work tips on my YouTube Channel: Kristina Deignan. The hardest part of anything is change, especially when we are bombarded with ad after ad and television commercial about this food or food restaurant. I am here to help you navigate through the confusion.

F…FINANCE

Your relationship with money is so important. I learned early and I am still learning to be a better steward for me, my family and God. I like to help people save money on purchases and curve their spending. And I am looking for new ways to improve my own relationship with money as well. I want to help others see the warning signs and avoid some of the mistakes I have made my self. I want to help you, let’s do it together.
Well, there you have it. The Five F’s and what they mean to me and you. I am excited to officially start my journey to help, save, minister, free and love all of you. God bless and have a great day!
Posted on by Kristina Knowles

Seventeen years ago…

I severely sprained my ankle just before Christmas 2000. It was awful for so many reasons, but I realized that I would not be able to work out on a sprained ankle. It was a little over a year when my Doctor gave me the thumbs up to start exercising again. Unfortunately, in the process of healing I gained 30 pounds from not exercising and poor food choices. I got on the treadmill as soon as I returned home from my Doctors appointment.

In 12 weeks of hard work, I lost all the weight I had gained, thankfully. Something happened while I was in the process of working out. I wondered in amazement how did I let myself gain the 30 pounds just because I had a sprained ankle? I told myself I would never let that happen again. Then I injured my calf twice in 2006 and recently got a contusion to the elbow. I am optimistic with all my injuries because of my original mistake. I was disappointed with myself back in 2000 when I sprained my ankle, I didn’t research alternative ways to stay healthful or exercise and I should have. I have learned to walk instead of run, to lift weights for my upper body, to swim and eat healthy. I will no longer settle for dead ends that don’t help me, I’ll continue to research a better way when I am faced with a challenge.

God feels that exact same way about us, He wants us to rely on Him for all of our worries and concerns. God speaks to us in so many didn’t forms, we just need to be still and listen. I know God is with me every step of the way, He is with you too.

Have you ever thought that you didn’t have a way out of something challenging? Don’t fret or worry, there’s always a better solution to a problem. Listen for God’s instruction.

I hope you have a great day!

Posted on by Kristina Knowles

The $250 Million dollar Powerball…

Jackpot can make you dream like never before. The “What If” I win dream is a very powerful feeling when the jackpot is high. I really like thinking about all the wonderful things money has the power to afford me to do for others. It evokes grandiose dreams, charity donations and gifts to family and friends.  Lavish thoughts and splurges galore, all for a $1 ticket for a chance to win. Wouldn’t it be awesome if we didn’t have to wait for a lottery jackpot to dream big? Dreaming is free, we all are allowed to dream good intentions and happy thoughts about our friends and family, even complete strangers we would like to help.

Praying is a form of dreaming our heart makes. I pray that with a clean heart we can focus on so much good on our world and the world at large. It starts with me and you, to pray big Godly prayers. We should make time every day to pray so we can get closer to our real happiness. I believe true happiness comes when we can help our neighbors, friends and family right now, don’t wait for the lottery to be a jackpot winner or giver. We are all winners at this very moment, no ticket needed. God is the jackpot giver, He knows exactly what you need and when you need it. So be intent on praying for God’s jackpot plan for your life and not your own, I promise it’s better than you could imagine for yourself.

I have been blessed with amazing friends and family that have helped me beyond belief, I am so grateful.

Have a great day!

Posted on by Kristina Knowles

Are you a victim of Identity Theft…?

We hear about cyber security and identity theft a lot lately. It’s scary to think that someone out there is willing to destroy you or to steal from you. It is sad, but it reminds me how we give permission for our own personal identity to be lost. I would love to see an ad that would remind us to protect our personal identity that God gave us when we were born. We can lose it when we start a new relationship, a new job, pregnancy, even a sibling can rob us of our own personal identity. And it’s because we let them take it away from us in the first place. I remember feeling a bit of an out of “Kristina” experience when I had my son. I am a huge advocate of being who God made you to be, I began to feel that slip away. I quickly realized it and got back to me. I felt it slip away again when I was divorced after 13 years of marriage. Be cognitive, be in the present and never forget you. The natural good of who we are is very special, never let anyone take that away from you. Protect it like you would eggs in a carton, a seat belt in a car, a helmet during a motorcycle ride or even a credit score. We are constantly protecting every thing but ourselves. Do you feel like you’ve lost your identity? I promise you can get it back!

I hope you have an awesome day!

Posted on by Kristina Knowles

What if you had 3 minutes…

To talk about your son or daughter?

Early one morning I was eating breakfast with my son when he was 15 years old. While listening to our favorite Christian radio station, 91.9 WTGS, they announced Joseph was the name for The Family Name game. My son and I instantly looked at each other with excitement. I called in, got through and waited patiently to talk about my son, Joseph. I could hardly wait, I was busting out of the seams. Joseph had to leave for his carpool but I gave him a kiss good-bye and continued to wait. The DJ’s finally took my call and asked me to talk about Joseph. I told them how proud I was of Joseph, he attends a christian high school (DeMatha Catholic High School) that he played sports (football and lacrosse) and volunteered for the homeless (S.O.M.E.). I was beaming through the phone, then I started to tear up. Why? As much as I love Joseph and how proud I am for him, I just want him to be a good man in the end. The DJ’s were so kind to listen, to be so kind to me. At the end of our phone call I was told we won the Chick Filet dinner out, so awesome.

I got to thinking, do our children or loved ones truly know what we would say if we had 2-3 minutes. And if in your heart you didn’t have anything special to say about your daughter or son, why not? I sometimes find myself at a store listening in shock to parents scream at their children, it breaks my heart. If our children don’t feel or see our love for them, how will they ever love themselves. Take time to be patient and love your child/children. You’ll be amazed with the results, I promise.

When Joseph got home from school he mentioned that he and everyone in the car heard what I said on the radio station. Joseph smiled at me and told me thank you and that he loved me, that is all I needed to hear.

Have an awesome day!

 

Posted on by Kristina Knowles

Love thy Neighbor…

As you love yourself. We have heard this over and over again, I can’t tell you how many times but it is a lot. Easy enough, right!?

Well, not really and not for a lot of us. First, we must raise up children who truly understand the definition of love by God. Then we must show these children by our
 example what is looks like when we truly loves ourselves to give it as a gift to others. God created love in all of us but we are so quick to abundantly love the world’s view of love and not His. 

I am not surprised that so many people find it so difficult to love themselves. Most can’t stop the self hatred that comes from comparing themselves to others, instead of being grateful for who God made them to be. We were all created in His image what better way to see ourselves, right!? 

Let’s all vow to God today that we are going to start to love ourselves today, even the ugly parts that we convinced ourselves exist. We will wipe away all the mean things that have been spoken over us by the enemy. And finally, let us appreciate ourselves where we are today and celebrate in anticipation of being better with every tomorrow.