Attitude dictates the outcome of any situation.”

We have all read and heard about Colin Kaepernick, the former NFL quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers and his decision to kneel for the pledge of allegiance during football games. Kaepernick’s decision to kneel for the flag is to bring awareness to police brutality and social injustices towards black people. If you haven’t heard of Colin Kaepernick then you must be living in a box far away. Anyway, the latest Kaepernick news is,the Nike “Just Do It” commercial that’s sponsoring Kaepernick in their ad. There were people burning their Nike gear and boycotting the company because “how dare Nike sponsor such a person that’s so frickin disrespect to our American flag.” 

Nike response to the people burning their already purchased Nike gear and planning to boycott their company was ho hum. In fact, Nike’s sales increased by 31% since the release of the Kaepernick ad.

My point is, that no matter what you are going through in life, your attitude dictates the outcome whether it’s positive or negative. In Nike’s case, there has been a little bit of a backlash, but not enough to hurt their sales agenda. I’m sure Nike strategically analyzed how a “polarizing person” could affect their sales before deciding to sponsor Kaepernick and the release of the ad. Nike was well aware of how many “patriot” people deem Kaepernick as a disrespectful, unappreciated rich thug that should leave America if he doesn’t want to stand for the red, white, and blue flag.  Little do these ignorant people know that Kaepernick being 50% melanated(so-called black), means that he’s already in his home country, America. The so-called Black Americans are the REAL first Americans. But that’s another history lesson for another day.  I digress.

People will come at you from many different angles on the daily. Life isn’t unfair, it’s the people in this world that makes life unfair, and at times, you are going to come in contact with bitter people. You will also have days where everything seems to go wrong. You want to lash out and curse the first person that even looks at you side ways, but let’s not go there. It will only add more fuel to the already burning fire inside of you. Instead of lashing out negatively, let’s find another alternative to put out the fire. A strategy that I recommend and often use is water. I know what you’re thinking, water? Yeah, it takes water to put out blazing fires, so why not use water to keep you from igniting? Whenever you feel like giving in to a bad attitude, change your attitude and take a minute to remove yourself from the situation, and drink some water to cool off. If you drink the purified or alkaline water, it gives your body what it needs to increase your serotonin levels that causes you to react in different situations. Serotonin is found in the stomach and intestines of the body. It regulates the mood swings that your body sends to your brain. Water decreases the stomach acid and helps the body keep a normal PH level. To keep the body functioning at its most optimum level, drink more water in stressful situation to stay calm and level headed.  Water increases the serotonin to make you happier and calmer.

I’m no doctor, but drinking water when I’m angry has helped me a lot when I want to choke the daylights out of people. I’m serious, but not serious.(hehe).  If your boss is getting on your last damn nerve then go drink some water. Your attitude is everything, so why not feed it with the proper natural nutrition to help you succeed in your everyday encounters?

How you interact or react to a situation is the result(s) that you will 9 times out of 10 receive in return, and your attitude will determine the outcome.

Peace, love, and positive vibes all day and everyday.

 

 

If you play fantasy football then you would like to know that the players that are in your starting line-up each week are the best choice. Many of you will turn to the NFL Network and listen to Fantasy Live with Michael Fabiano to see who he predict is a good player to star or sit for the week. The problem is, he takes the obvious starts and sits each week, but don’t go beyond it. The experts are afraid to take the difficult starts and sits.

If you suck at football then I’m your girl. I win fantasy football EVERY year. I’ve been playing since 2011. I’m currently playing in five leagues this season.

Anyway, what about the difficult starts and sits? I’m here to help you with the players that the experts don’t want to touch. Keep in mind that this is my best analysis and won’t be an ironclad definitive answer. Please don’t come at me each week to lament on how you lost your fantasy match by listening to me or reading my blog. You are responsible for setting YOUR lineup and each decision that you make is on you.

I will only cover the skill positions and defense Each Week.

My Starts and Sits for Week 2 (2018)

QB Starts

Jared Goff  vs ARI

Goff is playing at home and playing against the Cardinals defense that was run all over by the Washington Redskins in WEEK 1. Start Goff with confidence. I predict 25+ fantasy points.

Case Keenum vs Oak

The Broncos defense kicks it up a notch at Mile High Stadium. The Raiders will start the season at 0-2 after Sunday. Which they should. Who trades the best defensive player of the decade? Don’t answer that. I have raiders fan reading this blog. I expect Keenum to use his undrafted RB, Philip Lindsay, and rookie, Royce Freeman; they both will have 10+fantasy points. Keenum throws for 300+yards and 3 TDs.

DeShaun Watson vs Ten

Watson had a horrific WEEK 1, but I expect him to bounce back in WEEK 3. He didn’t have many reps during pre-season and coming off his ACL tear last season, fantasy owners are going to reap the benefits of his arm and running abilities by WEEK 3. Watson is a good start this week because he has owned the Titans. QB, Marcus Mariota is ailing and so is his star, WR, Corey Davis. I expect Tennesse ‘s defense to be on the field a lot due to the inability to sustain drives by the Titans. Watson will have a good week. I’m predicting over 25 fantasy points.

Tyrod(Tu-rod) Taylor vs NO

His mama named him Tyrod pronounced Tu-rod. We won’t see the same numbers that Ryan Fitzpatrick put up against the Saints last week, but Tyrod will eat and he will eat good. Cleveland will upset the New Orleans Saints, and the Saints will go down 0-2. Many picked the Saints to win the Superbowl, but not this season, son. They won’t even make the playoffs. Start Tyrod with confidence or go pick him up off the waiver wire.

QB Sits for WEEK 2

Russell Wilson vs Chicago

Blake Bortles vs NE

Derek Carr vs DEN

Sam Bradford vs LA

RBs Starts

Melvin Gordon vs Buff

The Baltimore Ravens entire offense/defense had a field day against Nate Peterman and the Buffalo Bills. It was embarrassing to see on the field. I expect the same results from Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler(Flex). Start them with confidence this week!

Carlos Hyde vs NO

Hyde looked great in the preseason and he looked good in game 1 against the Steelers. Carlos will get 12-15 fantasy points this week. He’s good as an RB2 or Flex position.

Lamar Miller vs Ten

Miller almost had 100 yards last week, only 2 yards shy of the mark. The entire offense of the Texans was lethargic. The Patriots are the best team in the league when it comes to adjustments. Bill Belchick planned well for his former student coach, Bill O-Brien last week. I expect the Texans to win big in Tennessee. Miller will get 100 yards and a score. Book it!

Matt Breida vs DET

Breida is going against a defense that was the laughing stock on Monday night. The Jets were either that good or Detriot’s defense was that bad. The 49ers are looking to redeem themselves and will bounce back against the Lions. Give Breida more touches and receptions and you will see what he can do. I expect 85 yards rushing, 25 receiving, and 1 TD.

RB Sits for WEEK 2

Any of the Detriot Lions RBs vs San Fran

Joe Williams vs MINN

Peyton Barber vs PHILLY

Kareem Hunt vs PIT

 

WRs Starts

Quincy Enunwa vs Miami

Believe the hype that’s surrounding Quincy. The guy can run short and long routes with great speed. He has great hands and is very physical. If you got him off the waiver wire, I wouldn’t be surprised to see your team in the playoffs.

Pierre Garcon vs DET

Marquise Goodwin is out with a thigh bruise, which makes Pierre Garcon and TE, George Kittle to receive his targets. Garcon will have 100+ yards and a score.

Cooper Kupp vs ARZ

Patrick Peterson will probably shadow Robert Woods and leave Kupp to run crossing and deep routes on a weak Cardinals defense. Start Kupp with confidence.

Stefon Diggs vs Green Bay

There are too many weapons on the Vikings offense to cover, and the guy that can run all routes on the route tree will eat well at Lambeau Field.

WRs Sits for WEEK 2

Robert Woods vs ARZ

Devante Adams vs MINN

Chris Hogan vs JAX

Corey Davis vs HOU

 

TEs Starts

Jared Cook vs DEN

Denver is known for their hard nose defense, but they have not been able to cover TEs. Cook had a monster game last week against one of the top-rated defenses(Rams). You will hear Jared Cooks’ name announced a lot in this game.

Jimmy Graham vs MINN

I know what you are thinking, but this is Minnesota. George Kittle had 90 yards against Minnesota and should have been a possible score, too. Rodgers is expected to play and this is a rivalry.  Fire Jimmy up with confidence and look for him in the endzone.

Evan Engram vs DAL

Dallas could never cover the TE position. I hate to talk about my team like this, but it’s the truth. Start Evan Engram with confidence. Stats: 85 yards, 2 TDs.

Eric Ebron vs WAS

I know Jack Doyle is the preferred TE in the Colts offense, but Ebron is the most talented. Ebron will eat again this week because he’s a hungry dog. Give the man the ball and watch him work.

Jonuu Smith vs HOU

No Delanie Walker for the season and Houston gave up 2 scores to TE, Gronk last week. Smith won’t be as productive as Gronk but he will eat at the table.

TEs Sits for WEEK 2

Austin Hooper vs CAR

Jack Doyle vs WAS

Kyle Rudolph vs Green Bay

 

Defense Starts and Sits for Week 2

Defense Starts

San Diego Chargers vs Buff

Chicago Bears vs SEA

San Francisco vs DET

Los Angeles Rams vs ARZ

 

Defense Sits for week 2

Pittsburgh Steelers vs KC

Detriot Lions vs San Fran

Kansas City vs PIT

Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers

 

Good luck to all fantasy players! Catch me each week with the difficult starts and sits.

Peace, love, and positive vibes all day and everyday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

“You can’t save things that are dead, you can only bury them.”~Tammy Campbell Brooks

Are you tired of friends and family calling your phone with their problems? The only time they decide to call is when they have bad news to share. It doesn’t matter to them that You have your own problems, life, kids, and husband(wife), but they will continue to screw up their life, but call you to correct their wrongs. You have given them countless hours of advice, but it goes in one ear and out the other. You are freaking tired of their sh*t!

I’m advising you right now to stop communicating with these type of people that continuously drain all your positive energy. It doesn’t matter if it’s a parent, grown child, significant other, or otherwise. If these people consistently drain, drain, drain your energy and take, take, take, and they have been this way for years; not to mention, that these are GROWN FOLKS. Let them gooooooooooo.

The people that I speak of are NOT trying to save themselves and 10 times out of 10, they put themselves in the situation.

I was watching a video on how a guy was trying to save his parents from drug abuse. I sympathize with the guy trying to help his parents, but in all honesty, he must let the parents go and take care of his own family and well being. An unfit parent or a grown person is going to do what they want to do and there is nothing you can do or say to stop them.

You love your loved ones and friends, but you got to let them grown folks go and do their own damage control. You can’t control or change them. Let me repeat, you can’t control  nor change them. A person won’t change until they are ready. Many times they have to hit rock bottom, and they determine their rock bottom, not you.

Stop accepting these people’s phone calls and go on with your life. Love them from a distance. You will save your sanity and become more content without them in your life. Don’t feel that you are abandoning or neglecting them, you are saving you. And there’s nothing wrong with saving you(your mental and financial well being).  If something was to happen to you for trying to save them, they would keep moving along with their destructive life. You will be sh*t out of luck.

They are grown folks and you are not responsible for GROWN FOLKS. Let grown folks do what they want to do and when the sh*t hits the fan, let them deal with it.

Let them GROWN FOLKS goooooo….

Peace, love, and positive vibes all day and everyday.

 

“Failure is not the end of the world but giving up is.” ~Tammy Campbell Brooks

 

Have you ever had a conversation with someone and their entire mindset is self doubt? The pessimism is written all over their face and the verbiage that they speak wreaks, “I can’t do this or this is too difficult or this is too much. The unfortunate thing is that they are probably right, and it’s not because they can’t do all the things that they say they can’t do, it’s because they have already told their conscious and subconscious that they couldn’t. The self-defeat is in full effect and they can’t get out of their own way.

Get out of your own way! Yeah, I put an exclamation point at the end of that sentence because it irks me to the fifth power to hear someone proclaim what they can’t do without even trying. You are your own protagonist and you are in full control of your life. Sure, there are some things that we can’t control and shouldn’t be held accountable. We need to hold ourselves accountable for things that we can control, and the things that we can control is speaking self-doubt and self-defeat into existence.  If you are doing it, then you need to stop like yesterday and adopt a new mindset. A new optimistic mindset of, “I’m going to do it and if I fail, I will try again.”

I’m a computer programmer and each day I have to think like a computer by writing computer code. There are difficult days, but I always tell myself, “You are going to get it. It may not be today, but you will figure it out.” And guess what? It never fails, I figure it out! The reason I’m able to do what I do is because I have programmed myself into thinking positive, like a professional, like a competitor, and that will to succeed fire will forever burn inside of me. Don’t get me wrong, the mindset doesn’t come overnight and it should be learned and practiced on the daily. In other words, you need a daily mindset reality check. It’s okay to check yourself. I do it alllllll the time, and at times very harshly. But that’s what works best for me. You may want to be handled with kid gloves. My point is, to do whatever you have to do to destroy your self-defeat attitude by adopting the fear of failure mentality, but overstand that failure is not the end of the world, but giving up is.

Today and moving forward, let’s adopt a brand new philosophy of, “Get out of your own damn way.”

Turn the self-defeat into self-increase. 

Can I get an Amen?

Peace, love, and positive vibes all day and everyday.

 

It’s going down on November 01, 2018. The release of my 3rd book, “Tar Baby.” Is a fictional read for young adults.

The authors of “The Ghetto Blues” are back and we are dedicating this book to all the beautiful melanin poppin young girls that were(are) constantly teased and ridiculed because of their Creator’s given hue. We are turning the negative tone about skin complexions around and setting the dialog for strong, confident, fierce, beautiful, and respectful girls and young women.

Tar Baby is a two-part series and will be available on Amazon, Kobo, Google Play, and from the authors(Tammy and Tahirah Brooks).

Here’s a description (down below) of  “Tar Baby” and it is available for pre-sale on Amazon. Click the link for more information or to pre-order.

Tianna Thompson is an adolescence trying to find her way in a world where her skin complexion is the center of attention.
She’s ridiculed by classmates and even her own family because of her dark chocolate skin.
The name calling starts in elementary school and gets worse in high school.

Tasha is Tianna’s bestfriend and has had her back since elementary school fighting against the bullies. Tianna and Tasha have a lot in common such as, they both are known as Tar Babies.

Tasha has an older brother, Jackson that’s secretly in love with Tianna. But Jackson isn’t the only guy that wants Tianna. Her male friend, Jamal who is on his way to the NBA will stop at nothing to convince Tianna that he’s the man for her present and future.

Tianna loves both Jackson and Jamal, but she loves one as a friend and the other as a lover.
Will Tasha end her twelve-year friendship with Tianna if she finds that her bestfriend is in love with her brother?
Will Tianna chose between her heart or friendship?

 

Unapologetic Poetic is dedicated to my sister, Terrie Campbell Thornton. It’s her 46th birthday. 

Unapologetic Poetic is a short read composed of fifteen poems and seventeen quotes.

I wrote a lot of these poems about eighteen years ago. The poems pertained to my life at the time, but not all of them.  I treasured these poems, because they were written from my heart and have been locked away. I decided to share them with you on a special day like today, August 6th, my sister’s birthday. Unapologetic Poetic is dedicated to her.

Unapologetic Poetic is available on Amazon, Kobo, SmashWords, and Google Play.

My husband’s birthday was Saturday and I wrote this poem for him in 2014.

I Really Didn’t Want to Dance

 

 

 

 

The light is always at the end of the journey, only if there’s a light at the starting point. ~Tammy Campbell brooks

Before I get into the meat and potato of this blog, I want you to be warned that the promise I made a few Monday’s ago, will take place today. I just want to share a few words of working towards what you are passionate about.

My daughter and I are passionate about promoting my first debut novel, so we go every Saturday and put in the leg work of promoting the book. On Saturday, we frequented the Barnes and Nobles Bookstore and The Dead Tree Bookstore that carries the book on their bookshelves for sale.

I never would have thought writing and promoting a book would be so challenging. The good news is that with each challenge there are experiences and lessons  learned on what works and what doesn’t work.

At the end of the day, ‘try’ to do what you are passionate about. I know finances are limited and many of us are stuck in these dead end jobs, but that’s temporarily okay, because at least your heart and desire are on a different pathway. Continue doing what you are doing, but don’t let it be the end to all means. Work each day for what you really want out of life.

Do what you are passionate for and you will never go hungry. ~Tammy Campbell Brooks

 

I promised you the Shiggy Challenge video and here it is…(I took the opportunity to promote “The Ghetto Blues” in the process). Yes, I’m always thinking like an entrepreneur because I am one.

 

 

 

 

You are only a victim when you have no choice; otherwise, you are an enabler. ~Tammy Campbell Brooks

The man that you love has been creeping with another woman and you just found out. The truth of the matter is, that you have known for quite some time, but didn’t want to rock the boat or be alone, so you tried to ignore it hoping that it will go away.

It never does go away, but don’t worry, you did what over 50% of women have done when they find out their man was cheating behind their back. They stayed and pretended like it wasn’t happening, even though their intuition screamed it each time he walked in and out the front door. Each time his cell-phone beeped with a text message or phone rung.

The day reality has finally sat in is the toughest and most grueling, and painful time. So what are you going to do? You are going to move on because you have no other choice. He doesn’t respect you. He doesn’t know your worth since you didn’t let him know your worth. You allowed him to diminish your value. The value of your self-esteem and self-worth. In order to regain your priceless value, you must start building what you have lost, You.

The first step to getting over a heartbreak is to cry it all out. Lock yourself in the room and scream until you can’t scream anymore, and acknowledge your pain the best way you know how for release. If you need a few days to get it all out then do so, but once you do, you will feel much better and are ready to start dating and loving a new person, and the new person is you.

I’ve never adhered to or agreed with the saying, “The best way to get over a man is to get under a new one.”  Really? What does that solve? You will be in the same situation you are in now practicing that type of strategy. This is temporary and masking the real pain. It’s like putting a bandaid on a bullet wound. I don’t advise it, so don’t do it.

The second thing that needs to be done after crying and releasing your heartache is, start dating yourself. Get to know you. Take yourself out on dates and treat yourself the way you want that next man to treat you. It’s called, reestablishing your self-worth. Learning the value of you. Healing from within and starting anew.

Find things that interest you that you never had time to do. The best thing you can do is keep yourself busy. Join a gym and shed the excess pounds that you have always wanted to get rid of but never had the time. Perfect the inner and outer you.

Reading and journaling are also effective when picking up the pieces after your man has gone astray. Keep in mind that his actions had nothing to do with you. You can only control you. You have no control over what he chose to do, but you do have control over what you allowed or how to react. He only did what you allowed him to do. Don’t buy into his manipulative ways making you feel as though his cheating ways is your fault. It’s not. It’s him and he needs to take accountability for his own actions.

When he tries to return after his relationship doesn’t work out, don’t you dare take him back. He is no longer trustworthy and the relationship is volatile. He will leave as soon as the next opportunity comes knocking at his door or another skirt catches his interest. The best thing that you could do is tell that boy, bye! And mean it.

So, what are you going to do now that he has cheated? You will live and learn to love the brand new you!

Once you truly fall back in love with you, there can’t be another person that could break the bond of love of yourself.  When the next man comes along, he will know and respect your worth.

Refuse to sell yourself short. Remind yourself that this heartache is tomorrow’s milestone and with each day that pass, it gets bigger and better.

You will be smiling again in no time. I promise.

Comment below and tell me how you got over your heartbreak.

 

 

Everyone has a story to tell, the tragedy is leaving it untold. ~Tammy Campbell Brooks

Whether you know it or not, you have a purpose in this world. From the day you take your first breath until the last breath, you’ve created a legacy. One that’s passed down from generation to generation. Your children are your legacy. What you are doing to make a difference in this temporary world, is your legacy. The way you live your life, is your legacy. Are you proud of your legacy?

My legacy is important to me and I want to leave a great one, and one that my children, Bobby and Tahirah could be proud of. I want to be my children and future grandchildren’s greatest role model. When I leave this earth, I want my children to say, “My mother was an extraordinary woman and my shero. She passed along a great legacy.”

Today I live for my legacy. I eat, sleep, and breathe my legacy.  I’m content with it and could look myself in the mirror and say that I’m proud. ~Tammy Campbell Brooks

What legacy will you leave? Today is the day to start thinking about it. Don’t wait because nothing is promised.

 

 

Authors of The Ghetto Blues, Tammy and Tahirah

You don’t have to be an amazing person to do amazing things. ~ Tammy Campbell Brooks

I promised you the Shiggy Challenge video for the Monday’s Rhythm & Blues, but I had to reschedule it because my daughter and I were out this weekend doing amazing things.

We were in Austin, Texas trying to get The Ghetto Blues in more bookstores and at the public libraries for easier access to readers. We are trying to reach all people to hopefully transform, inspire, and encourage them to never give up no matter what life throws at them. While we were there, we frequented The Book People and The Book Woman bookstores that are carrying the book and took pictures.

While I was out doing what I felt was amazing, I didn’t forget about the Shiggy Challenge, so I will definitely have the video ready by next Monday.

In the meantime, be amazing and do amazing things. Do things in what you consider amazing.

The Book Woman Bookstore (Austin, Texas)July 21, 2018

The Book People Bookstore (Austin, Texas)July 21, 2018