HOTM – Page 3 – Thee Heart of The Matter

Trusting The Journey

Posted on February 2, 2020February 2, 2020 by Bree in HOTM

Have you ever had a burning desire in your heart? No matter how hard you tried to ignore it, the gut wrenching feeling wouldn’t leave.

I believe we all have.

I’ve been writing ever since I could remember. From writing daily in my journal at the tender age of 8, to writing short stories, haikus, and poems in middle school, to creating even more elaborate stories that would circulate through classrooms in high school and eventually landed on fan fiction websites, to journaling in high school and beyond, to keeping numerous blogs in my early 20s – writing is my solace. It’s the easiest way for me to communicate my feelings, when I can’t utter the words aloud. It’s my creative outlet.

This blogging journey hasn’t been easy to say the least. I was doing extremely well with being consistent during my recovery from my fifth and final open-heart surgery. It was the spring of 2015 when I launched my blog Thee Heart of The Matter. Back then I didn’t feel the exact pressures that I feel now. Though I was aware of having an audience, gaining followers, and maintaining engagement with my audience … it wasn’t my main concern. Continue reading “Trusting The Journey” →

HOTM Turns One!

Posted on March 11, 2016January 14, 2020 by Bree in HOTM

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I can’t believe how fast time has flown by! I created this blog a year ago in March. My first official post was published on March 4th, titled Weathering The Storms. During this season of my life, I was going through somewhat of a rough patch. At the time, I was recovering from my last open heart surgery, I was unemployed, finishing up my first year of Grad school, trying to have a social life, and dealing with the #TwentySomethin’Struggles of my non-existent dating/love life. All in all, I definitely had my high and low moments, but blogging became my outlet.

It was here that I could share what was on my mind.

Continue reading “HOTM Turns One!” →

HOTM & New Beginnings

Posted on January 5, 2016 by Bree in HOTM

Big things are going to happen this year for the blog. I’ll be coming up on my one-year anniversary of the blog in March and I can’t wait to see how it all transpires!

Be sure to follow the IG page for new post updates – theeheartofthematter (https://www.instagram.com/theeheartofthematter/)

My logo is complete and was designed by a friend of a friend lol (DeJuan Smith). He did an excellent job at capturing my vision and I will definitely work with him again in the future. For inquiries – shoot me an email if you’re interested at hotm.blog@gmail.com.

I have new series ideas one in particular Sistas2Queens which will focus on uplifting women and debunking societies sometimes negative views of us; I’ll continue to add on stories of my travels in my Send Me Back Saturday (SMBS) series, new poetry has been written and is in the process of being edited but will be published soon!

Disclaimer: Don’t be shy – please subscribe to the blog for updates on the new posts. Also, you can click the like, comment, and share button for all of my posts whether or not you are a WordPress blog owner. You just have to click the title of the post and read it there, and then you’ll be able to utilize those buttons. I’d greatly appreciate it 🙂

Blog Signature ❤

Blessed Beyond Compare

Posted on December 1, 2015December 2, 2015 by Bree in HOTM

I have so much to be thankful for this year. This time last year, on December 1, 2014 I was preparing for a life changing final fourth open heart surgery. The timing was only something that was orchestrated by God. I found out that something was a little off in terms of the lining of the valves in my heart back in May. Literally, a week before graduation my cardiologist wanted to investigate the matter. A week after returning from Vegas on a Memorial Day weekend trip with my girls, I was in the hospital preparing for a quick exploratory procedure to check out what was really going on inside my body. Not only were the walls narrowing, but the rhythm of my heartbeat was off (atrial flutter). I was a little bummed out, but used to it. Not afraid because this has been my life ever since I popped out the womb. I thought everything was going great and I’d never have to undergo another surgery. Little did I know, that wasn’t apart of the plan.

Continue reading “Blessed Beyond Compare” →

Funny How Time Flies, When You’re Having Fun?

Posted on November 2, 2015November 2, 2015 by Bree in HOTM

October had to be the busiest month I’ve had in a really long time! From my birthday, to other birthday celebrations, tons of projects and papers for school – I AM TYAD! I’m happy that November is here and I can finally catch my breath. I’ve been working on a couple of blog posts and poems that I can’t wait to share with you. On top of that, I have some announcements as well!

Here’s a quick glimpse of the best month ever lol: All of the fun, shenanigans, and long nights studying for midterms, preparing for presentations and writing papers – OCTOBER in a flash.

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Vingt-Quatre

Posted on October 1, 2015October 1, 2015 by Bree in Home, HOTM

I laugh at this picture because it is SO me! My good friend Jackie aka Selena as my mom calls her tagged me in this post on IG. Her tag said “So You” and I’m thinking to myself like … What’s me? Lol I get on IG and instantly start laughing and smiling.

“A classy woman with a little bit of hood in her, and a lot of God!”

It gets no better than that! I’m more like a teeny bit of hood, but I can take it there when necessary. Don’t let my cute face fool you!

Continue reading “Vingt-Quatre” →

Year Deux

Posted on September 4, 2015September 4, 2015 by Bree in HOTM

My second year of grad school has begun. It sorta sucks to know that I have one more year to go in my program, but at the same time it’ll give me more time to get some things in order. The first year flew by soooo fast! Like it’s scary how fast it came and went. Now I’m ready to tackle this second year. I’ve learned a lot of lessons last year – from operating on God’s time (which sometimes is a struggle), friendships, hair care, guy issues – been through it all. Now that I think about it, I may have been learning the same lessons, just in different forms. My biggest goal for this year is to work on my craft and tap into expanding on my hobbies. I want to perfect my writing, compile my poems, launch a new layout for the site, and start my IG account for HOTM (in hopes of gaining a larger audience). Ultimately in the long run, with this degree and license I want to become my own boss! In this digital age of entrepreneurship there are plenty of tools to help point you in the right direction. I’m making moves but I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds! There’s no greater satisfaction than seeing your vision become a reality. I’m taking it step by step, and working on each goal simultaneously.

Continue reading “Year Deux” →

Archery Outpost

Posted on July 21, 2015September 3, 2015 by Bree in HOTM

Last week I went to this amazing indoor archery range, Archery Outpost with my friends Brittany, Rhonda and Dueal. My lovely friend Britt had been once before, and she told me that I had to go with her Thursday. As you all know, or hopefully remember, taking this course was also one of my things to do on my 101 to 1001 list. I couldn’t let this opportunity pass! We all piled up in the car and we were on our way.

Once we arrived, it was nothing like I had imagined, or expected. (I think that’s best in life – enjoying surprises!) The place looked very small from the outside, but once you stepped inside it was another world. There were bows and arrows aligned on the walls, and they even have their own shop where you can buy your own supplies. Not only can you come here for shooting practice, you can rent equipment, and lanes for the day. Since Britt and Rhonda already completed their beginner’s safety training class, they were able to freely shoot around for the day.

Continue reading “Archery Outpost” →

Oreo Truffles :)

Posted on June 28, 2015 by Bree in HOTM

My sister’s birthday was yesterday, and I decided to make some Oreo Truffles as a little gift to her. I always bake with my niece Khloe (not the box stuff either lol) – from scratch, we get down and dirty in the kitchen! Anyway, during my first session of summer school a classmate made these yummy little chocolatey morsels and I wanted to make some of my own. Surprisingly, the recipe is super easy and quick to make!

I used one of my favorite sites Chef In Training, my guilty pleasure outside of Pinterest. Continue reading “Oreo Truffles :)” →

101 in 1001

Posted on June 10, 2015February 23, 2016 by Bree in HOTM

There’s this little buzz going on in the blogging world called, 101 in 1001. Basically it’s a challenge where you come up with a list of 101 things you want to complete in 1001 days. Let me tell you, don’t freak out! This can easily be done with the right amount of discipline and keeping up with the list – you have about 2.75 years. You can complete anything you want! My list is broken down into seven categories: Personal, Professional/Academic, BlogLife, Invest, Family/Friends, Travel, and Fun.

I’m starting my list today and will update you when I’m halfway through. Continue reading “101 in 1001” →