I’m back to address another safety issue, after my last blog on the massive Toyota recall and safety being compromised amongst its owners..this time I want to speak on all of the social networking sites out there, and as a person who works for a radio station, it’s such am important part of staying connect through our wonderful radio family. BUT it amazes and shocks me at the same time that there are people/persons who are so ready to take advantage and greatly abuse the initial purpose of wanting to stay connected to friends and family.

Case in point, it makes me sick to my stomach to hear the recent arrest of a young man who posed as a young girl on Facebook to lure other young men to actually post lewd pictures of themselves for his ‘disturbing’ pleasure. I know there are so many of us who use Facebook on an everyday basis- myself included, so Parents just how comfortable are you using this among other social networking sites, and especially knowing you children are regular visitors? Must there always be someone out there who has to spoil the fun and joy of staying in touch in this advanced age of technology!?….I’m just saying!!!

So many times people say they want a good person in their life and when it happens they’ll take advantage of  the situation. Working here I get a lot of letters, emails and phone calls from men and women saying the person they are with is great but…….. Personally I think people that ask for what they want and get it and are still not satisfied are selfish people and will never be satisfied. It’s like someone who says that has other issues about relationships they haven’t settled and if that’s the case why are you asking for something when you still have commitment issues? Selfishness comes to my mind. I’m not saying people need to settle but stop being so superficial and stop making up excuses for your short comings. I recently had a young lady email me that she loves the guy she is seeing and he’s everything she has asked for but she had issues with her dad not being around and she has had bad relationships. She’s scared he’ll leave her like her dad left her mom. What can you say to that?  How about this….stop asking for blessings that your not ready for. I’ve been in a situation like that and let me tell you it sucks. When you think you’ve found someone only to find out you’ve been wasting your time with them it really shows lack of respect for you and selfishness on their part. Unless the issue is resolved your relationship is heading nowhere. If you know you have issues about relationships……..stop getting into them! Remember you get out what you put in. If you want to be by yourself then do just that. If you want to lie to yourself that’s one thing but don’t do it to the people who care for ya.  Just my opinion but if you like drama continue to do what you’ve been doing. What do I know huh?

Although I’ve never owned a vehicle from Toyota, I along with the rest of the world were very familiar with (until now) Toyota’s impeccable reputation for safety. So the real question has now been asked, especially from Toyota owners…WHAT WENT SO WRONG? At the posting of this blog, Toyota’s president is expected to tell members of Congress(today) that he accepts “full responsibility” for the recall of more than 8.5 million vehicles. Akio Toyoda, who happens to be the grandson of the founder of the company will also offer his condolences over the deaths of four San Diego, California family members in a Toyota crash last August.

Yesterday, I watched CSPAN and heard testimony from a Tennesse couple, where the wife shared a horrific story of her car unaccountably surging to 100 miles per hour. Rhonda Smith said NOTHING she did would stop her Lexus, and that it went six miles before, ‘God intervened.’ She was one of the fortunate ones to live to tell the tale, but sadly it took over four years for anyone to initially believe her story, as she also shared that numerous warnings to Toyota went unanswered, and when they finally did respond, called both her and her husband ‘liars.’  I can only wonder did Toyota really put PROFIT BEFORE SAFETY, and many Toyota owners had to suffer those consequences.

In closing it’s not just this recall that has put drivers in jeopardy, as I observe in my daily travels behind the wheel, there continues to be way too many of us more focused on our cell phones than the others drivers around us, and I still can’t understand how anyone can text AND drive at the same time..and I’ve recently heard that even the State Highway Patrol has a hard time catching folk in the act. Well if Toyota doesn’t put safety first, let each of us as drivers put that as the first and foremost agenda in our everyday drive! Bless us all on these highways and by-ways to stay safe!

How do you handle situations when people take things too far? Whatever the case may be. At work…at home…when you just know someone is purposely trying you because they know that deep down you are a genuinely good person. Do you turn the other cheek, because you know that’s the Christian way? Do you lose your cool? Do you show that silent strength? Sometimes we find ourselves in those situations and my word to you is to hold on and don’t give up because just when you think that nice guys always finish last…they don’t. I’m just sayin’.

Life is so precious, so anytime news of the death/passing of a dear friend or loved one, can still come as a shock, especially given that to some of us the person was still considered young. Case in point Tom Joyner announced the passing of a fellow radio/television personality…Bo Griffin, a Greenville, South Carolina native whose bubbly personality was enjoyed by listeners and viewers everywhere. I personally remember her appearances on the TV show ‘Extra’ and becoming a designer for women’s apparel. Just 51 years young, Bo succumbed to cancer, and the question of  ‘why so soon, why so young’  has entered the minds of the TJMS family. As we remember Bo, please remember that life is short and tomorrow is promised to NO ONE, so I want to encourage all of us to PLEASE take better care of ourselves, and don’t wait to the last minute to see a Doctor or Physician. And may we continue to be the soldiers in the fight against Cancer, Diabetes, Stroke, High Blood Pressure and other factors that took a dear friend like Bo Griffin, ‘just a little too soon.’

February 14th marks a special day for lovers everywhere, and as you fine folks celebrate the love of your mate and/or significant other let Valentine’s Day remind you that its more that just how many flowers, or how well in advance you book dinner reservations…they are nice ‘accessories’, but your true love from your heart, soul, and spirit can be the greatest gift(s) in itself! It should be a love that can stand the test to time and get you through even the toughest of days, and your TRUE valentine will understand and appreciate what your love represents. So to all Valentines, everywhere, although I can’t send you a bouquet of flowers or a box or candy…just know that MY love I send to you comes not just on Valentine’s Day…but everyday!… and yes I do LOVE YOU and please make sure you show YOURSELF some love….I’m just saying:)

What do you get when you put over 200 ladies (and yes there were fellas in the house as well) on center court during halftime of a professional basketball game….ZUMBA TO THE ONE HUNDRED POWER!! I had the wonderful pleasure of being a part of a 5-6 minute Zumba routine that entertained friends and family, and especially a HUGE sports crowd, Saturday, February 6th at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte. I have mentioned to many of you before about my participation in Zumba- the Latin style of aerobics that mixes great music with a great form of exercise that really doesn’t seem like it once it’s all said and done! Well after getting the invite to be a part of this once in a lifetime opportunity..I just couldn’t pass up! So to my entire Zumba family- and you know who you are..ladies and gentlemen..YOU ROCK AND PLEASE INVITE ME BACK SOON! And I lastly send the invite to YOU as you read this blog to join our Zumba family..we will welcome you with open arms and a workout you won’t soon forget:)

So much attention is put on holidays and gift giving I’m wondering when it’s just gonna become apart of our lives. For some of us it’s routine. I’m not a Scrooge and I do believe in giving and doing for the one you love but there are limits. Commercials on radio and TV make it seem that if your not spending you don’t care. Do you know how to love without buying gifts? Here’s some questions…Does all the things you do wrong go away when you buy that gift or box of candy? How much time does the gift give you before you have to buy another one? Is your love based on money, jewlery or gifts? Do they really love you because they spent X amount of dollars on you? Is the gift for you or is it for your self esteem? I can honestly say that when I give to my lady it comes from the heart and I do it all year. When it’s expected of you to buy and spend to me that’s when it’s not real. Valentines Day is truelly a kids and women’s holiday and should be welcomed and not expected. For the ladies only…..If your love only shows you he loves you with flowers and candy one  day a year you need to find another lover. If you except the 1 day of love you deserve everything you get and no need to complain. NO MAN should expect anything but a hug and a kiss for Valentines Day. If he is upset that you didn’t get him something…ask him who’s the woman and who’s the man.

Sometimes, we run into a situation, through no fault of our own, we are tried and tested. I’d like to think of these as situations to make us stronger, although we may not see it at the time. We’re often asking, “Why is this happening?” When these things arise, we often look for moral support….from friends, family, or wherever we can find it. One such source for me is Rev. Run, who is a GREAT motivator!! I get his “Daily Word” emails and follow him on Twitter. It seems that whatever I may be going through, he’s always there with a great motivational message to spur me on….and it’s always right on time. Whether it’s a daily scripture, encouraging words from friends, or prayer, these are the things that keep me motivated in what seem to be increasingly stressful days. What motivates you? How do YOU keep it moving?

Sending out the battle cry for ALL prayers going towards ENDING this now miserable winter weather. It was a beautiful site at the beginning of last weekend, given that we haven’t had a really good snow in several years. BUT when it starts happening on the regular…and a pattern seems to be developing here…remember the Friday/weekend going into the Christmas holiday of 2009? Last weekend of course and now this weekend only leaving Sunday, which for most of us is the last day of trying to get any type of rest before heading back to work(good luck on this by the way with this being the BIG GAME WEEKEND)..Alright everyone, let’s get into the prayer position(s) and pray this weather away…at least for another day!