mind

Hot Sauce In My Bag

by Danielle N. Hall

6/9/2017

If you’ve been coherent and have had the ability to hear any time since the Super Bowl last year, chances are you’ve heard one of Beyoncé’s most catchy tunes: Formation. In said song, she makes a reference to what an unknowing listener may think is a condiment. “I got hot sauce in my bag, swag.” Let me make this very clear for the ones who may be unaware: she wasn’t talking about staying ready to douse Texas Pete, Frank’s Red Hot, Tabasco®, or Cholula on a nice, fried piece of catfish. I can show you better than I can tell you: here’s the “hot sauce” Bey was talking about she stays ready with.


Apparently, she wanted to let the people know to not be fooled by the fame and fortune…she’s still “country”, yet fierce and she’s not here for the foolishness. She wanted to let you know that you can get it.

I, too, have “hot sauce in my bag” and a message for the people. 


You can get THIS “hot sauce“, too! I recently had to make a pit stop at one of my favorite artillery shops to get one of my most useful weapons: “hot sauce” is what they call it. 

When I tell you that the past 6 weeks have been quite an exhausting adventure, please believe me! From my father’s next to death experience, to the Mr’s requirement of 3 procedures under anesthesia in a 10 day span, to the eldest child being faced with potentially repeating 12th grade, to the middle child being provoked and engaging in physical altercations, to dealing with vertigo…this has been a season to remember. It had been wearing me out and I knew exactly where I needed to go and what I needed to get. 

Turning Natural© is an establishment on a mission to create healthier lives by way of education opportunities and the products they offer. The line of juices includes my favs: Bromelionaire (pineapple, apple, and ginger), Beta Bomb (carrots, apple, oranges, ginger, and a hint of lemon), and 50 Shades of Green (chlorophyll, mint, pineapple, apple, and coconut water). There’s both a variety of smoothie options that don’t include any dairy products and a selection of vegan edibles that are tasty…the black bean burger is outstanding! 

All of that is great, but let me tell you about this hot sauce that’s in my bag: it’s a liquid vitamin blend of vitamins A-K.  Vitamins A-K are essential to keeping the body healthy and the mind alert. Lack of these vitamins can lead to fatigue, impaired vision, weak teeth and bones, and even serious illness. When we are constantly on the go and are constantly pouring out, we can get drained and fail to give our body what it needs for proper functioning. When it feels like life has been getting the best of me and has been wearing my body and mind out, I almost always think of stopping by my artillery shop aka Turning Natural© and loading up on weapons. “Hot Sauce” is one. It is served in a syringe, is refrigerated, and looks like the Cholula brand hot sauce you see atop many restaurant tables.

Your artillery shop might not be Turning Natural©. You may not identify “Hot Sauce” as your choice weapon like both Beyoncé and I have. My question is: what IS in your bag?

For more information on Turning Natural© visit http://www.turningnatural.com

Hello From The Other Side

by Danielle N. Hall

7/26/2016

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably window shopped at least once or twice in your life. I’ve seen some display items that were appealing, and others not so much. I must say that I may have even unfairly estimated how good a store was based on what I could see from the outside. 

The truth is, this type of bias is also applicable to our perspectives when it comes to people. When we are outsiders looking in, what we can view is limited.


You can observe a person’s behavior, but you can not fully perceive who they are based on that limited view. It’s when you are granted access to what’s inside that you can better estimate or deduce…even then, the perception may be skewed based on your personal experiences. Here’s a light example: if you were to look through my living room window and see that there are multiple video game consoles, you might deduce that playing video games is a regular activity of choice for our household. However, it is rare that we all engage in that activity. 

How about this for a better example: today after dropping my sons off at cadet camp on my way to work, I observed what appeared to be a conflict between mother and son. I only briefly heard part of the exchange, but I would soon find out that she was requesting him to remove his earring and give it to her. I was getting ready to pull off, but from my rear view mirror I saw her pretty much chasing him. I parked and got out of the car to try to peacefully intervene. When I approached them, I began speaking to the young man and his mom. He said “No one will ever listen to me.” I told him that I was willing to hear what he had to say, but I also helped him understand the importance of being respectful. She then mentioned that she was going to go sign him in. While his mom was inside I continued to communicate with him. He expressed that she had previously permitted him to wear the earring so it was upsetting that she changed her position on today. She returned to where we were and perhaps the corporal asked about the young man and he then came outside. We all talked and then the corporal stepped away with the young man. It was at this time that the mom disclosed to me that he was adopted. She said she had him since he was 9 days old. She mentioned that he lacks for nothing and that the family had just returned from a nice vacation. She said that he just likes to have his way and he just doesn’t like when she tells him what to do. I mentioned to her that it may be possible that he has resentment towards his birth mother that manifests in defiance towards her. I’m an outsider looking in, so I really can’t say…but I took that moment to enlighten her that there may be something deep rooted within that she can’t see from the outside. I asked if it was ok for me to pray with him, she agreed and I did. Before I left, he walked over to her and hugged her. Those doggone allergies started getting the best of me 😊. I told her I would be praying for them both and I did just that when I got back in my car.

I shared this experience to encourage you to not make concrete assumptions from the outsider’s position. That isn’t always a great vantage point. If you’re in a home and you look OUT of a window, chances are you would see more than if you were on the outside peering IN. Be open minded.

I leave you with this final thought:

“The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to comprehend.” – Robertson Davies

Dirty Little Secrets & The Little White Lie

by Danielle N. Hall

4/26/16

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I can’t believe what “he” did to me
It’s truly a crying shame
Who is this “he” you might be asking
Well, there are too many to name

“He” touched me when I was little
In places that were meant for my spouse
I was nervous AND I was afraid
Yet I remained as quiet as a mouse

“He” asked me “Are you ready?”
Inside, I had screamed “NO!”
I wanted to run, but was paralyzed by fear
And I could not manage to go

“He” didn’t have a knife
Nor did “he” hold a gun to my head
“He” stood there ready to conquer
But used manipulation instead

“He” whispered in my minor ears
And said “If it’s all night, it’s all right!”
The next day we entered a secluded place that was void of both safety and light

“He” kissed me and then “he” asked
“Do you want me to put it in?”
I was very confused, yet I refused
However, the next day “he” tried again

Now, this time I didn’t refuse
And decided “Ok. We’ll try.”
Once again I’d been manipulated
But now by another guy

When it was over, I thought to myself
“Ok. I made it through.”
Later I thought: “What in the world have I done? What did I get myself into?”

I actually thought “he” loved me
How silly was I and what was I thinking?
I was in too deep, and in a deep sleep…
Was intoxicated, yet I wasn’t drinking

Exposed to so much before it was time, but convinced I had things under control
To myself I had lied. I was broken inside, but on the outside I appeared to be whole.

My smile is now real and there’s a difference in how I feel.
What I’ve shared is a piece of my “THEN”
My history had me bound and holding my head down, but NOW I’ve gotten my smile again

That monster called “he”, may have stolen something from me…something that wasn’t for the taking
But God’s restored the years and dried those inner tears
Inside my heart is no longer breaking

I’m daily renewed with a new point of view
I’m still here to tell my story
Those bad things that happened will work for my good and, somehow, God will get the glory

I could be bitter, I could be depressed
As a matter of fact that was the old me
I’ve gotten my joy back and a new hold on life
I thank God I’m totally free!!!

The secret is out…no more shame or doubt. From now on I vow to be bold.
I will hold my head high…in spite of the fact…
This is one of the hardest true stories I’ve ever told.

If Only for One Night

by Danielle N. Hall

4/20/16

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Some of you may be familiar with the following lyrics:

“Let me hold you tight…if only for one night

Let me keep you near, to ease away your fear

It would be so nice…if only for one night”

These lyrics, so smoothly sung by the late and great “Luther”, were presented as an offer that could hardly be refused. While the lyrics are comforting, the truth is, I don’t have access to Luther nor was he even talking to me…lol

I’m convinced that most everyone has someone, or something, that they have a yearning for. Night after night, for years, I tossed and turned and turned and tossed…missing and wanting this one thing: REST.

I had grown accustomed to only getting a combination of a very few hours of broken sleep daily. I was a functioning insomniac!!!  In an effort to be transparent, I have to acknowledge that suppressed memories, worry, stress, being consumed with others’ issues, a bit of fear, and burnout had caused to me to have many nights void of rest. Over time, it began affecting my health in many ways…some symptoms were lightheadedness, intermittent blurred vision, memory challenges, weight gain, fatigue, headaches, and irritability. I would still function, but my mind and body screamed: “IF ONLY FOR ONE NIGHT!!!”

Then it finally happened…I made a decision to release that which was keeping me from getting what my mind and body craved. Make no mistake about this…deciding is just the beginning of the process.  We then have to actually do the work. I found a few new comforting lines:

“I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8

I began to rehearse these words and then they finally took root and THEN my “one night” became numerous nights. What I’ve come to learn is that we often suffer for an unnecessary lengthy period of time because we have a tendency to depend on finite things, but God in all of His infinite wisdom has provided what we need in His word.

What’s been keeping you up at night? Is it stressing about finances, worrying about a loved one, fear of what’s gonna happen, or holding on to memories of traumatic experiences? I encourage you to “let Him hold you tight…if only for one night. Let Him keep you near to ease away your fear. It would be so nice…if only for one night.” I’ve learned to rest in His arms and on His word. Here are some that may help you:

Psalm 94:19 (AMP) When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your comforts delight me.

Isaiah 26:3-4 (AMP) You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast that is, committed and focused on You—[in both inclination and character], because he trusts and takes refuge in You with hope and confident expectation. Trust confidently in the Lord forever He is your fortress, your shield, your banner, for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages].

Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV) Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and My burden is light.

REST…and may your one night become many!