The Nguzo Saba # 6 & 7 Kuumba Creativity & Imani Faith

So I totally missed yesterday but no need to fret because there is still today and two in one is better than none!!

Kuumba (Creativity)
To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.

Imani (Faith)
To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

December 31, 2009 was a great day as 5 churches celebrated the new year, it couldn't have represented both of these principles better. We celebrated a collective effort working together to bring forth Gods glory even in the midst of several denominations we all set out to have one common goal, community. As we end the celebration we remember all seven principles that represent one thing which is helping each other advance. Also we remember that with out faith nothing can be done for faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

I believe this will be an amazing blessed year for my finances and spiritual growth. As I have stated many many times that when I changed my habits financially everything around me also changed. I can not thank God enough for what he has done for me, restoring my faith and allowing me to return to him as a child of God. My prayer for everyone in this new year is that we will become better people than the year before, we will reach out to those in need, and teach one another the things we have learned be it out accomplishments and failures.

I now know what its like to live full in the Christ and there is NO WAY I am turning back!! Let 2010 be a beautiful one for all of my family friends and bloggers who share one common goal, educating each other and loving one another.

Happy New Year!!

The Nguzo Saba #5 Nia - Purpose

I must say today was an exhausting one, but I have made a commitment and even if its late the celebration continues!! This principle comes amazingly on time as I spent half my day reflecting on one of the particular dreams I have, to become a mother. I can't exactly remember when it hit me that I REALLY wanted to be a mom, but when it did it hit me hard and I have been going strong ever since. I think being a mom is the most beautiful calling God can have on a woman's life. Was it intended to be that way? I have no idea, all I know is that I pray I get to experience such a blessing times 4.

We all have a purpose in life, be it to help others, to create some of the most amazing creations of all time, or to be a beacon of light in only a few peoples life. What ever your purpose is, remember it has a meaning. I talk a LOT about finances and things but ultimately I want to be able to have children that will be true testimonies of their mommies accomplishments, I want to leave them a legacy not debt.

So as I keep this post extremely short (because I'z tired) I encourage those who have yet to discover their purpose, to do so as soon as you can. When you realize What God has called you to do, its an amazing feeling and one worth sharing with those around you....

The Nguzo Saba #4 Ujamaa - Cooperative Economics

The fourth Kwanzaa principle, Ujamaa, honors the value of cooperative economics. The definition of cooperative economics is "local people cooperating with each other to provide for the essentials of living." The essentials of living include food, clothes, housing, education, and entertainment.

I loved this particular principle because it has much to do with building businesses which I am all for! If anybody knows me I am always on a "new" venture of some sort, charge it to the libra in me. A few years back I obtained my real estate license and in the next 2 years will have earned a license to do hair as well. Why all this you ask? Well because those are two things I enjoy and eventually want to do both as full time employment and after reading this principle, it also helps my community!

Now from what I hear around town, our economy isn't the best for finding regular employment but why does it have to end there? I think it has never been a better time to start your own business, more importantly doing something that you love, which might actually fall under one of the categories of the Ujamaa principle. Even better than all this is those of you who are currently working a full time job, who don't have any additional sources of income if that one was to go flat. I never thought of my ventures as potential fall backs until I started this blog and now I realize the importance of it.

This day isn't just about building and maintaining businesses but its about creating a business doing something you love, ultimately leading to wealth and a much more joyous life. People talk a LOT about starting businesses with loans, but I am here to tell you that YOU DON'T NEED IT. Michigan has a program called no worker left behind to help you get training in certain fields for free. There are a tone of start up companies that cost little to no money, all you need is a laptop and a decent internet connection.


I honestly believe that once you start doing smart things with money, doors open up that you never thought would, I have experienced that first hand. So lets work together, build businesses and serve each other while building wealth I know it can be done so lets get it!

The Nguzo Saba #2 Kujichagulia - Self Determination

Self Determination : refers to independence and control over one’s life. It is an ordering of one’s desires and determination to purposefully control one’s destiny. ...

Now based on this definition one might argue that "WE" don't have control over anything God does. While I do believe God is ultimately in control, he also give us control as well. I don't recall God telling me what to wear this morning, what to eat, or what to buy at the after Christmas sales. People who say God is in control are using him as an excuse not to take responsibility over things that THEY should already be doing.

As I read the news each day it looks more as though the government is in control. With the new health care bill in place, the control over businesses, religion and who knows what else its a wonder why we as people wouldn't want to be responsible for anything at all. I have been independant for most of my adult life and more recently began to realize my calling or my "purpose" in life. I would be devastated if someone told me that my dreams can't come true because "THEY" suddenly had control over my life instead of me.

When I look back over the last 5 years over my life I realized debt had control of me. My dreams where put into a little tiny box never to be opened. I felt I was nothing, had no desire to be anything more than what I was. Since I have been paying off debt I started to see many more dreams that I could actually attain. Like being a stay at home mom working from home, being able to have 4 kids (God willing) instead of one or 2, completing college with no debt, traveling the world and the list goes on.

It is a desire of mine to make sure people see beyond their 4 walls, but in order to do that you must be willing to change your current state of mind. Money certainly doesn't mean everything to me, but if I am to be a good stewart I must make plans for it and my future.

So today I challenge people to be determined to do something different. If there aren't any jobs create one, if you have been putting off children because of debt.. DON'T if you want to go to college debt free, start applying for scholarships and dedicate a summer to just that. What ever it is make sure you realize your dreams and follow through. We all have stumbling blocks at some point in time but its how we handle the block that gets us through. You do have control, you do have the power that God gives you to be what ever you want to be in life. Once you believe that.... you have already won!

Celebrate Kwanzaa Divine & Debt Free Style

Kwanzaa is a unique African American celebration with focus on the traditional African values of family, community responsibility, commerce, and self-improvement. It is a time of reaffirming African-American people, their ancestors and culture. Kwanzaa, means "first fruits of the harvest" in the African language. Since its founding in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa has come to be observed by more than18 million people worldwide.

Instead of bringing in the new year with the usual resolutions, we are going to be affirming The Nguzo Saba • (The Seven Principles) and using each day to practice a Kwanzaa principle while relating to financial growth. Divine and Debt Free always promotes growth, action, responsibility and discipline and Kwanzaa represents all of these actions and much more. Kwanzaa runs from December 26th to January 1st. There are 7 Principles which we are going to focus on:

Umoja (Unity)

Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)

Ujim (Collective Work and Responsibility)

Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)

Nia (Purpose)

Kuumba (Creativity)

Imani (Faith)

Again starting December 26th (Tomorrow) We are going to use each principle to explore how we can incorporate these values into our every day journey with debt and financial matters. This is my first time doing this and I hope it is something I can continue each year. I pray everyone has had a wonderful holiday and I look forward to sharing Kwanzaa Divine & Debt Free Style with all of you!!