Why be The Butterfly Messenger?
Since a little girl, butterflies have always intrigued me. Such majestic and flowing insects that have four life cycles. Amazing. I used to run and catch butterflies, grab them by the wings. Not realizing the damage, I caused, my passion for this beautiful creature continues today. Now, I sit and watch them float by, say prayers and hope one lands near me. Quite honestly, most do. I really love butterflies, and if God chooses me to grace His earth again…I hope to return as millions of colorful butterflies of hope, good news and happiness to eyes of beholders.
As a budding blogger, I wanted to share the many cycles of life that have shaped my life, touched my heart, uplifted my spirits and saved my soul. My mission is to inspire, educate and motivate. I share a wealth of knowledge and experiences to help those struggling, contemplating minds reach beyond the stars to find hope and prosperity.
I love God and His Son Christ Jesus. I love family, I love me, and I love you.
For three decades I was a public servant working in disadvantaged communities. Twenty of those years, I performed as the founder/executive director of Sweet Vine. Staff and I served 200+ kids a day. August 2017, I decided to retire and unleash the real ME. I am proud of my accomplishments and wish to share my insight and experiences with you.
My blog menu feature themes that are dear to me and showcases my many talents. For decades I bottled up these talents while serving as a public servant. Now I am ready to SHINE.
Upcoming plans – Viewers will see videos of me showcasing my talents. I look forward to sharing it ALL with you. From cooking, dancing, exercising, storytelling, reading poetry, my children books (first book to be published April 2019) and teaching…I want you to see the real me.
Cooking My Way – These are dishes I created. I love to cook, be creative and watch folk enjoy my style of cooking. I learned from the best, my mom and dad. I like cooking with fresh ingredients, healthy and pleasing to the eyes and yummy. Creating my own recipes helped me become healthier, med-free and lose 157.1 pounds. I thank Weight Watchers for teaching me how to naturally change poor habits and evolve into The Butterfly Messenger with my new lifestyle. I’m just loving it!
Education is Key – I am a teacher, doctoral student, aunt-mama and aunt-grandmama. Education is my passion. I love to educate folk, share thought and write. I find it rewarding to work in low income areas and make a difference. The photos are Sweet Vine kids learning and enjoying themselves being themselves without labels.
Embracing Me – Captures my weight loss journey from 7 years ago until present. I want viewers to see how the value of WILL POWER works if you first believe. I feel great, not bad for a 57-year-old single. I feel sexy, beautiful, confident, energetic and more in love with myself than ever. I also want to thank Shaq Gym (now 24Hour Fitness) & Weight Watchers for supporting me, teaching me skills that will last a lifetime.
Love Has No Color – These writings are thoughts of love in different ways composed by me. Whether you’re in love, love your neighbor, love yourself, or non-bias love, I feel love is love. EVERY LIFE DESERVES TO BE LOVED. I choose this theme because I am many ethnic groups, not 50% of any race, according to Ancestry DNA, the highest of any race I am is Nigerian at 26%. I am Congo, Ghana, Russian, Irish, European, Native, and a host of others. But I enjoy learning from all cultures because I feel a connection through genuine love of wanting to learn from whence, I came.
Poetic Conversations – When the mood hits me, Maya Angelou and James Baldwin comes out my mind. I really enjoy writing poetry, but the mood must hit me. Sometimes it flows, and most times, it does not. That’s why I sleep with writing pads on both sides of my bed. You never know when God will give you WORD. Just be ready to receive.
The Butterfly Messenger – All kinds of titles were bouncing around in my head. When God blessed me with this one, I floated with it. I received scores of calls, likes and post via Facebook how it stood out, so uniquely. TONNETTE COLLIER.
Wrapping Beauties – Hair wrapping, a Nigerian friend taught the trades and tricks decades ago. I love it, especially on those bad hair days or too much gray days (LOL). The colorfulness, material and styles keep heads turning and I just SMILE knowing my beauty pleased another’s eye.