2009 - Year of Reminders

This year has seen its share of blessings, no doubt. But more glaring has been the unfortunate events that have riddled it, especially the deaths in Hollywood. Not only have they been many in number, but many have had absurd circumstances surrounding them, to where they've come from left field, totally. The latest was the news of Brittany Murphy's death from cardiac arrest. At 32. Wow.

A celebrity dying is not necessarily about a greater loss than when someone non-famous dies. However, it is on a larger scale because it is blared from figurative megaphones and we have no choice but to know about it. More importantly though, deaths are a reminder of our own mortality. Anytime death happens, it is one less breath being taken on this Earth. It's a reminder of the fragility of life. It's life's equalizer and a chance for us to access where we are in our lives.

For me, it is my reminder that I need to be living the best life I can.
It is my reminder that I need to be fulfilling the purpose that God created me for.
It is my reminder to use my gifts freely, acknowledging them humbly but thanking Him for them daily.
It is my reminder that while I AM here, I'm leaving a legacy that positively and concretely.
It is my reminder to love those that are close to me.

I wish perfect peace to all those who saw Spring but didn't make it to see Fall or Winter.

2009 has seen the end of so much. I pray that 2010 signals a new beginning with more positivity. I hope it's the rainbow after the storm.

So all of this is to say Life is short. Live well. Count your blessings. Have Love. Give Love. Learn. Laugh. Be GREAT. I hope I am.

Behind the Hiatus

I am a blogaholic. This I admit. But last week, I made the announcement that I was going to take the rest of December off blogging (at Awesomely Luvvie) at my MAIN eHome. I've not taken a full break off AweLuv in over a year and a half. Even the weeks I didn't write, I got guest bloggers to fill the space.

I'm not taking the break from blogging because I ran out of things to write. Quite the contrary. My head is filled with so much lately that I wished I could get a Pensieve in REAL life to empty my thoughts.

"When chaos reigns within, REFLECT, REPENT, REBOOT. Order shall return."

The main reason behind my hiatus is to get myself in order. Not only have I had things on my plate that are overwhelming me, but I've felt a bit OFF lately in terms of my own center. Kind of out of balance. I've been on the edge and quicker to react to things. Quicker to anger, irritation and hurt feelings. It's so unlike me too, because I can be the Queen of "Shake it off." This may or may not play a part in this. I'm like a volcano when it comes to emotions. I usually keep them all bottled in. But when they erupt, they spew everywhere and it becomes a mess.

So I decided to take one thing off my plate in the time being. That being AweLuvvie. I'll still blog here though. It may be the space for Emo Luvvie to live while I get myself together. Don't mind me.

World AIDS Day 2009

Today is World AIDS Day, an annual commemoration of the impact of HIV/AIDS around the globe. This is the 21st anniversary of WAD, so the day has come into its own, as full-grown. However, HIV/AIDS was discovered in 1981. Since then, it's claimed the lives of over 25 million people globally.

* Over 33 million people are infected with HIV/AIDS


*  67% of the people living with HIV/AIDS are in Sub-Saharan Africa


* Young people account for half of new HIV infections

The number of people living with HIV has risen from around 8 million in 1990 to 33 million today, and is still growing. - UNAIDS

This year's WAD theme is "stigma and discrimination." Almost 3 decades into the HIV epidemic, there is still stigma surrounding it. It's important for us to kill the stigma that's associated with HIV/AIDS in order to move forward in fighting it. We have to learn to speak candidly about the issues surrounding it so we can find the solutions.

HIV is the most deadly disease in the world that isn't contagious, malaria OR cancer. I hold The Red Pump Project so close to my heart, and pour myself into that work as a result of this. I feel like I've found my purpose, and the reason I was put forth here. Educating folks about the disease and its impact.

My hope for those infected with HIV is that they live well with it, leading prosperous lives in spite of the disease. My hope for those who aren't HIV-positive is that they remain without it. I truly want for this disease to stop it's spread.

HIV is nature's oxymoron. Sex is supposed to bring forth life, but now, it can potentially destroy it. Let's ALL stay safe. Know your status. Get tested. Drop the stigma.

I will continue to Rock the Red Pump (TM) in honor of the impact HIV/AIDS has around the globe.

P.S. To those in Chicago... I'm having an event tomorrow, Dec. 2nd, called "Say RED... Cocktails and Conversations." Come join me and a bunch of other awesome folks for an evening of sushi, cocktails, good convo and good times as we discuss HIV/AIDS. Bellas, Rock your Red Pumps. Fellas, Rock your Red Ties! More information is HERE.