soflynmythirties

We would like to Thank all of our avid readers for taking the time out to enjoy the movement of -soflynmythirties in 2008 and 2009.

This has been a challenging year for us all; but we also made it through.

Let the party begin; a new decade has approached us!

Happy New Year.

~And, don't forget the Black-Eyed Peas.  -sofly.

I feel I will begin life as a GROWN woman at 40. I’m not saying that I am not grown biologically but the emotion, psychological, spiritual and physical elements are coming together. Ten years ago, I was a bit hysterical about turning 30. I remember reading an article in a popular tabloid magazine entitled, “Sexy in your 50s, 40s and yes…even 30s!” I reacted “Say what?!?”

There was also those taunting statements of what happens when in your 30s:

- everything will go south; boobs, butt and stomach

-your hair will turn gray or start falling out or BOTH

-you better be married AND have birthed your 2-3 kids

-you better have had your 2-3 kids before 30 or they will be dumb

-crows feet is imminent (those are the wrinkles around the corners of your eyes)

What really helped to dispel these male chauvinistic ideas was meeting another woman at the age of 42 during my time in Philadelphia. She was married; her youngest child was 4; she was intelligent, and a beautiful dancer. But what was most important to me was that she was (and probably still is) beautiful on the inside and the outside. She had this self-confident attitude. And she still felt that she wascontinuing to learn and grow as a woman. She was pursuing a Master’s degree at that age. Guess what? She looked 10 years younger! Imagine that.

I also have met women in their 30s that don’t look their age. Within the last several years, I keep hearing “life for a woman begins at 40.” I really do not FEAR turning 40. I have to say that most women in their 30s, today, look so much better and younger than women in their 20s, even teenagers!

Celebrities who are in their 40s also help boost my confidence. I have realized there is a regional difference in the United States. In the South, when you say you are 38,single and no kids, it appears to be YOUR FAULT. In the East, there is an understanding and the question is “do you have a partner at least or are you dating?”

At 38, how do I feel? I am gaining more confidence in who I am than I did 2 years ago. Especially since I survived and removed myself from a miserable marriage. No, I haven’t given up on the institution of marriage, but I have to keep an open mind on relationships and realize people are individuals; not generalizations. Let me also add that marriage is a relationship that needs the work of both parties involved just like any other relationship, i.e. friendship, family, and business. (I’ll write another article on marriage and divorce later.)

Ladies, as you continue to reach 40, you will continue to change mentally and physically. In other words, change does not stop, even at 40. If you accept this truth, you will only become more relaxed in your attitude towards EVERYTHING.

By Tina Mullone

Special Article on Being Thirtysomething...

~soflynmythirties

Real music is back!  Epic Records released a statement that Sade's new CD Soldier of Love will debut in February 2010. This will be Sade's sixth studio album.

Those who are true fans of Sade know that they have been in high demand since the 80's. 

Dating back to 1984, Sade (the band) dropped the critically acclaimed Diamond Life. The album proved to be one of the best during the 80's and beyond. Tracks released on the album that everyone should have in their iPod "Smooth Operator", and "Your Love is King."  

The next album that stirred in to view was Promise, featuring the sensual single "The Sweetest Taboo." The band did not stop there, they continued their streak with the third studio album Stronger Than Pride, releasing the self-title single. Sade's success continued.

The fourth studio album by Sade was Love Deluxe; "No Ordinary Love", and "Cherish The Day", were bangers on all radio stations. Thereafter, the band released the album Remixed Deluxe. You know the story, they kept going, and in 1994 produced The Best of Sade. 

Moving in to the 21st century the group handled it up with the album Lovers Rock, and the live album Lovers Live. Get ready, set, go, rush to the music stores, Soldier of Love is on its way.

Soldier of Love is the much anticipated upcoming sixth studio album from British soul and R&B band Sade. It is their first new material since the 2000 multi-platinum Lovers Rock. The single "Soldier of Love", is a dramatic melody that causes you to think about universal love. The album is slated for release on February 8, 2010. 

The first single "Soldier of Love" premiered on December 8 at 7am EST on band's official website. 

Listen to the single Soldier of Love.

By A'Bena ~The Warrior

Cultural Editor @ sofly

Rapper Keith Murray recently returned to the United States after a trip to Mozambique in Africa, where the rapper was raising awareness about the plight of children with HIV/AIDS. Keith Murray took up the cause of HIV/AIDS awareness after losing his mother to the deadly disease when he was just 20-years-old. Three years later, he also lost his older sister to the disease. "Mytrip to Mozambique was a very emotional and inspirational experience,"Keith Murray told AllHipHop.com.

"This is my third trip to Africa but this journey was much different because of the cause. I wanted to help my kids to appreciate the simple things in life and to be generous toothers. We can be so ungrateful here in the states." The rapper hosted a number of concerts, in addition to making public appearances and engaging in charity work in the country's capital, Maputo.

According to statistics 16 percent of Mozambique's 20 million residents live with HIV/AIDS. Of that number, 510,000 are orphan children who suffer from the disease. "I met young kids with AIDS that don’t know their parents or their own names that smile and appreciate when you give them a hug and a hand shake," Murray continued.

"I was the first person with some type of notoriety to visit them and they said I may be the only person that would ever come see them again. It was a humbling experience and it changed my life. I no longer take the simple things in life for granted."

Now that he is stateside again the rapper is hard at work recording his 8th entitled solo album, in addition to promoting a new album TheUndergods with rapper Canibus.

By Grouchy Greg Watkins

Republished Courtesy of AllHipHop.com