What is your reflection?

1 Tim. 4:12 says, "Be an example in believers of the word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity."

As I've gone through the many trials and triumphs of life, I always make a point to give credit where credit is due even if the person may have harmed me in some way? Why? Because there is a lesson learned in every experience and in spite of someone's perceived bad, they still possess some inherent good.

In spite of some extremely questionable parenting, my mother is an incredibly strong woman and has shown me how to be a strong, independent, and self-sufficient woman. Like her, I can do many things that most would consider 'manly' tasks, but for her; and now me, if it needs to be done, then just do it. She's endured much and continues to forge on through. While that part of her taught me some bad lessons of endurance, it's also shown me that one must find their way and never stop moving.

My father is another questionable character; however, he has a very strong work ethic and is punctual. These are two traits that I can say I like about him and that I have inherited.

There are others who've led by example whom have touched my life in immeasurable ways and to each of them I say thank you as you've molded me into the woman I am today.

Now to my overall point...

Since September, I've been mentoring my cousin who was in dire need of a life transformation. I've helped get her back on her spiritual path and we pray daily and share the word. I've shown her that there is a big difference in shedding your clothes and shedding your soul. She's learning that a quick temper isn't always the best way to handle a problem and that words can be like pointing a loaded gun at someone.

Through my lead/example, she's seeing there is so much more to life and love than what she'd been doing and settling for. Almost daily, she thanks me for taking the time to talk to her and with her; instead of about her as some of the family has done. No one took the time to see past the wall she'd erected to get to know the wounded little girl that lived on the other side. Given that I see so much of myself in her, it was easy to not be fooled by the smile and party girl ways she portrayed.

I walk with her as her cousin, friend, and mentor because everyone needs modeling. None of us are too young or old to learn and grow. We can not expect people to just know things. If we've come through the flames, it's in our best interest to raise up those who are following behind us. Each one; teach one, should not be a catch phrase.

The learning lesson for today is: A good example has more value than good advice.

We can all talk the talk, but are we walking the walk? Today, I challenge you to look within yourself and see if you're reflecting your true self. Look deep and see if you're an example someone should be following. I further challenge you to; if you're not already, find someone to mentor and bless them with the tools and resources they'll need to make it.

Have a blessed day.


It's all possible!

from 0 to 60

As I sat here feeling a little apathetic, uninspired, and a little out of it, I decided to clean out some files on my computer and as I did, I came across something that left room for pause and suddenly energized me back into the vibrant frame of mind I typically have. It's funny how when you're feeling un or under inspired, all it takes is a little nudge to put you back on track.

Hope you enjoy this...even though I do not recall how I got it or where it came from, so whomever the author is of this; I apologize for not being able to give due credit...

You can’t be where you won’t go.

Perseverance will be the vehicle to victory.

Having a dream is only half the equation. You must put your dream into action.

Writing is a craft that not only takes practice but plenty of patience.

Networking is the key in seeing your purpose come to fruition.

Stay hungry. There is always room for improvement.

Passion is a force that can bring about change if applied.

Purpose and passion are synonymous.

Discover and rediscover the hidden treasures of your heart.

Writing is a tool that can set any mood and entice the reader to travel with you,
regardless of content.

Printed words on paper should be as effective as if you were speaking at the podium to thousands.

Destiny desires that you mentor and support others in the area of passion you are pursuing, those above and below.


Love to live; live to love!

The birth of freedom

In going through our many changes and growth processes, we look back on things that helped us get where we are. Last night during my bout of insomnia, I reflected on mine and thought I'd share them with you.

• Checking emotional baggage at the door
• Being released from emotional bondage
• Opening myself to the known and unknown
• Taking that reluctant and trepidatious first step
• Tripping and staggering and knowing that even if I do fall, I can/will get back up
• Facing my fears
• Going against the grain
• Being confident in my conviction
• Being ready, willing, and able to embrace the things I want the most
• Being willing to change
• Accepting my flaws
• Being able to forgive and learning to forget
• Closing doors before opening others
• Knowing myself and liking who I am
• Conquering joys and not yielding to hurt and pain
• Living and loving in spite of
• Admittance instead of denial

Love!

Inspiring...

I didn't write this, but thought it was more than worth sharing. We're nearing the end of one year and on the verge of another and it's at this time when we start making New Year's Resolutions; looking back in order to move forward; or are simply trying to get our lives right. The following piece is something I'm sure we can all use in our lives at one point or another.
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All the doubt in the world cannot stand up to one little positive action. Doubt has no power when you decide to act in spite of it, and doubt cannot stop you if you refuse its attention. It matters not who doubts you, or how much, or why. What matters is what you do. A thousand people, or a million, or a billion people, could say it cannot be done. Yet that does not in any way have to stop one person (you) from doing it.

Just because there are obstacles to overcome does not mean it cannot be done. When you focus not on the obstacles themselves, but rather on how you will get beyond them, it will be done, and you will be the one who does it.

Doubt exists entirely in the mind and when you put it out of your mind, it ceases to exist. Rather than struggling to fight doubt, or to conquer it, or to live with it, you can simply abandon it and it will evaporate into thin air.

Fill your mind with positive thoughts, fill your moments with positive, productive actions, and doubt will have no place in your life.

Stay focused, be diligent, and stay consistent.

DEFINED LIMITATION: An emotional restriction you place on your life that blocks your creativity.

3 emotional weapons used against you & limit you
1. Worry
2. Doubt
3. Uncertainty

Limitations aren't handed to you, they are self imposed:

Ø All restrictions are Self-Imposed and cause you to simply exist.

Ø Failure is not defeat. It's a test of our strength. It's an option that didn't work and can be used to strengthen you and allow you to learn a lesson. All failures are possibilities that didn't work which means there's another solution out there. Keep looking until you find it!

Ø Improving is taking a situation and finding another possibility

Everyone who enters your life is there to strengthen you or be strengthened by you (if you're prepared). If you're not prepared someone who is meant to be an asset to your life can enter or pass by and you won't even realize it because restrictions control what you see.

Where Do Limitations Come From:
1. Layers of fear
2. Internal battle that leave you confused and exhausted
3. Insecure about your talents
4. Unwillingness to face self (blaming others / making excuses)
5. Circle of similarity
7. Continue to play old tapes in your mind
8. No Game Plan
9. Self-Destructive Behaviors

The things we don't communicate create our exhaustion and confusion.
Growth is not positive if you're tired when you arrive there because you won't be able to see the lessons around you, and a lesson not learned must be repeated.

If you get knocked down when tested and you stay there, there's no confidence; but if you get up with passion, you have confidence

Most of what you have learned about you is what others have taught you to believe about you. Who wrote your script?

Without a Game Plan, you'll be confused and on the defensive. Must not just have a goal, you must have a game plan.

To Improve Your Life:
1. "Face what is"
2. Redesign what has been
3. Strengthen what makes you good. You can't see strength if you're focused on weaknesses or putting your self down.
4. Reach out to people who can make you better.
5. Keep reaching out to people who are further than you.

How to Let go of Natural Fear:
1. Stop Denying It & resisting that it exists. Admitting it takes it from the emotion to the mind.
2. Examine the Origin of the Fear (Ask self why are you afraid then address reason why you're afraid & refuse to continue giving into the fears & stay focused on positives that are happening.
3. Invest in your talents (when you don't feed your mind you feed confusion & old tapes that keep beating you down & causing sabotage. Keep personal inventory of your strengths.
4. Let go of your "can't s"

It's better to have Achievement Lists instead of To Do Lists because to do list is more about emotions and passive desires. Achieve list is about now as opposed to postponing.

You can't relive yesterday. You can revisit it and use it as a reference library in order to learn the lessons you're to learn.

It's Not Over Until You Win!

Empowering women

I came across this quote and wanted...no, needed to share it with my female readers. Actually, men can appreciate it too and share it with the women in their lives so they too can be empowered. Too often women are being referred to as hoes, bitches, dimes, or some other term that somehow demeans us and it's not cool. Our daughters, nieces, sisters; even mothers need to elevate themselves and the other women they encounter. I want you all to forward this quote to women you want to empower and to men who have women they too want to empower. Unfortunately, I don't know who said it, so please at least give it an "anon" when you forward it. K? Thanks!

"A wise girl knows her limits. But a great girl knows she has none"
--Anon

Stay blessed and have a great weekend.