Don't Settle Here...

As I was reading my devotion this morning, I came across this scripture:


Genesis 11:31..."Terah took his son Abram,...and together they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to Canaan.  But, when they came to Hanan, they settled there.


Besides the fact that I could hardly pronounce any of these names, I did realize something about this...these 2 men set out on a journey to a place of promise, but while on their journey to one place, they arrived at a location that was just before their destination of promise and settled.  I thought about how many people start the year with so many goals and resolutions and along their journey throughout the year they find a place of comfort and settle.  Just missing the destination of promise.


I want to encourage you to, not allow fatigue, despair, discouragement, sickness, failure, etc.....to keep you from your destination of Promise!  You have a goal! You have a Vision!  You have a plan!  Don't quit until you see it come to pass!  Don't settle here!  During your journey this year, you may come to a place that feels safe and everything may appear to be OK.  Push through average!  Push past your comfort zone and continue toward your Canaan!  Your Promise!  Don't Settle Here! 

This year, I'm ready to exchange what is in MY hands for what is in GOD'S Hands!  No more settling!  No more just being content in my present circumstances! I'm Pressing and Pushing towards my Promise!  I love what Martin Luther King said  "I Have a Dream".  But, I'm also glad that I am going to allow that dream to come to pass THIS Year, because with God' help, I'm gonna make it happen.  Don't depend on others to fulfill your destiny.  Don't just DREAM, Go Get it for YOURSELF!  Don't depend on someone else to come along and make you happy and fulfill your heart's desires.  "...but WITH GOD, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE, to him that believes".  I'm not only putting my Faith to work, but I'm going to work, to accomplish the goals and dreams God has given me for this year!


You can do this!  DON'T SETTLE HERE!  This is my motto for the year!

I DID IT!!!

ust a note to say I finally finished my New Year's Resolution from the beginning of this year!  Last October I started on a journey to complete my Master's Personal Training Certification.  When I first signed on for such a fete, I had no idea the depth of information I was about to take on.  When I received all of the curriculum in the mail, the box weighed over 25 lb.s of over 11 books, dvd's, cd's and examination material to be completed a year from the date of delivery.  I began the journey with complete focus and vigor to accomplish every test.  However, about 2 test in I was beginning to feel the weight of it all.  As I started into the final exam, it appeared that I would never finish.  I almost gave up!  It entailed so much and stretched me beyond anything I could have ever imagined.  I blamed my age for not being able to comprehend the literature and kept telling myself that I couldn't do it.

 Finally, after laying the test aside for about 2 months, I woke myself up and dusted off the negativity I was allowing to swallow me up and decided the year had not ended and I could still finish what I started.  After all the fussin' and cussin'...lol...I DID IT!  I finished!  AFter 4 finals I actually achieved my goal.  Test 3 was sent back to me because I had scored an 84 and you must have at least a 90 percent out of 100 to pass each test.  So I corrected some of my mistakes sent it back in and passed it.  Then when the final came around I just knew they would send that one back, but they didn't and today I got my Certification in the mail!

I know this isn't a big deal to a lot of people.  But for a girl that only knew Church stuff, Ministry and Singing to dive into the world of Nutrition and fitness and stretch her self to learn something so out of her box at the age of 44...Let me just toot my horn for a minute...TOOT TOOT...LOl!  I know that may be silly but I thank GOD for not allowing me to give up and being there to remind me in my spirit that I could do it!

Let this little testimony encourage some of you that are thinking about going after a goal you've been wanting for yourself but think it's too late....take it from me...

IT'S NEVER TOO LATE!!!  YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH ALL YOUR HEART'S DESIRES AND DREAMS!!!  Let this be your year to go after something you want! You deserve to be happy and feel accomplishment! 

Remember, this SEason, Christmas, Christ's birth...Jesus, came that you might have life and have that life MORE ABUNDANTLY!!!

Merry Christmas! 

Not a BEST Friend...but a MOTHER!

The Word of God says to, "bring up a child in the way they should go...".  


This is exactly what my Mother did.  I must say, I am so glad that my Mother chose NOT to be my BEST Friend, but rather the BEST Mother a girl could have asked from God.  I'm thankful that my mom chose to be a role model in my life and show me the way I should go, rather than try to be my best friend and hang out with me and try to talk my language and run around with me and my friends.  


My Mom celebrates her Birthday tomorrow, December 16th and I just wanted her to know how blessed I have been to have a woman of God that I could truly admire and look up to and aspire to emulate in my life.  I know I'll never rise to her level of Godliness and talent as both Mother and Woman of God.  However, I strive daily to be a reflection of 1/10th of the lady she has been in my life.  


As a Mother myself, I know I have failed in many ways.  However, I pick myself up and try and try again to set an example that my kids will admire and respect the older they get.  


I encourage all Mothers to not give up on being a positive example to their kids.  No matter what you've done, where you've drifted to in life and maybe bad decisions you've made for your kids or family.  There is always a 2nd chance, or in my case a Millionth chance, to do right.  It's NEVER too late!  Don't think you can't make a difference. Your kids are waiting on you to be ALL THAT YOU CAN BE!  Start today in making a change for the better for you & your kids!


I always thought next to the Virgin Mary there was my Mom, because she was always so Godly.  But you know, I Love that about her!  She has caused me to challenge myself to be the BEST ME I can be, even if it's not on her level, I can still be a PHENOMENAL Woman and Mother to my kids.


I Love you, MOM!  Thank you for being YOU!  You've been the GREATEST example of the VIRTUOUS WOMAN!


HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Learning to say No

Why is it when we stand up for ourselves, some call this selfish?  One should have the right to draw a line in their personal life and say ENOUGH!  If you don't look out for you, who else will?  For most of us, we've been taught all our lives to believe in ourselves and trust our hearts and make decisions that are in our best interest.  However, when we do, the opposite happens.  We are perceived as being self-centered, not caring, and selfish.  

Time to stop walking on 'pins & needles', I say.  I'm already contemplating the New Year and what I desire to better myself.  One of the areas I need to cultivate is the area of saying, No, to some things.  We can be so tuned in to saying Yes to everyone we want to make a good impression on, that we neglect ourselves and our own personal beliefs and standards.

It's OK to set personal boundaries.  It's OK to say No sometimes.  Trust your intuition (spirit man), it's in you for a reason.  God didn't call you to save everyone!  He sent His only son, Jesus to die on the cross for that reason.  He called us, so that the World might be saved through our testimony and gentle journey on a daily basis with Him.  I'm learning more and more each day, that I am more effective for my family and friends, when I live my life as it would please the Lord and not man.  Sometimes, I catch myself saying Yes to many things I am not required to say Yes too.  I step back, look at my priorities, then organize them in a way that pleases the Father and not others.  In the end, we are responsible for us!  

Remember, you can't save everyone, but, you can save YOU!  By saving yourself, you help others.  As crazy as it might sound, it really is true.  Don't let others allow you to feel condemnation for not being readily available at their moments notice.  Listen for God's voice in your life, and he will direct your path.  You'll witness frustration, anxiety and anger begin to fall off your life as you shake those things loose that you've said Yes to for so long, that now you are saying No.  

No is not always a bad word.  It can actually save you years of frustration.  Just listen closely to the voice inside and you'll know when your NO fits!

Oh Give Thanks!

Thanksgiving is upon us!  I love this time of year.  It can be overwhelming if you don't take control.  Many people get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of making things happen for everyone else that they forget to take the time to breathe in all the little moments that occur all around us.  I've been guilty of this so many times.  I'm learning, with each new year, to take it all in...even the craziness...especially the craziness.  I do my share of hosting the families and baking and cooking until I have food dye in my fingernails and running mascara from all the onion cutting.  I wouldn't trade one stained nail or one tear shed for all of it!  I LOVE IT!!!


Take the time to renew old traditions and start new ones with those you love.  Don't get stuck in the rut or humdrum of  this just being another year.  Make this one different!  Make a difference!  Start with yourself!  


I'm so thankful for it all!!!  YES, even the bad stuff!  If I hadn't experienced the pain of rejection, I wouldn't know the warm feeling of acceptance.  If I hadn't felt the pain of loss, I wouldn't know what it feels like to live in abundance.  If I hadn't let go of things that were holding me back, I wouldn't be able to rejoice in the new and fresh things that are propelling me towards my Destiny!


It is the sum ingredients of the GUMBO that I call my Life!  A little bit of everything.  I've experienced it all, but I'm thankful that NONE of it has taken me out!  I'm still standing!  I'm stronger than ever!  I'm happier than I've ever been and more excited about my future than I could ever put into words!  I could have given up many times, but I practiced the Words of David...'I encouraged myself in the Lord!'.


Encourage yourself this Holiday!  Don't let the Scrooge Spirit come and steal the Spirit of God that resides on the inside of  youl!  Give Thanks! We all have something to be thankful for.  Your situation is no worse than someone else's, so plant your feet, hold your head up high, put a smile on your face and GIVE THANKS!  This year is almost over and a New Year awaits with even greater opportunities and a fresh start.  The way you go into something new, rests on the attitude of the way you left the former.


Oh, Give Thanks!

I'm Living in a NEW ERA!

The alarm went off this morning at  7 a.m., I rolled out of bed threw on my warm-up and tennis shoes.  I grabbed my IPod, earphones and I was out the door.  As I began my walk, I stared to go down the list of 'to do's' for the day/week.  "So what's the date?"  Ok, today is the 8th of November.  I have to do this by the 10th, that by the 15th and then I've got this on the 20th...I was laying out everything, in my head, that needed to be done.  Then it hit me...the 8th...there's something significant about this date, but what is it?  I kept coming back to it, the 8th, the 8th, the 8th...then it hit me!  Today marks the 5 year mark of my divorce.  WOW!  I couldn't believe it!  Not that I couldn't believe it had already been 5 years, but rather that I had forgotten and had to stir up my memory bank to remember why this date was significant.


For me, this is a miracle!  A major accomplishment!  For so long, I dredged my body, mind & soul through the mud and crud of that terrible season of my life...divorce.  I thought I'd never forget anything that happened.  Slowly, but surely, day by day, as I got further away from that season, I forgot.  I let go of one more thing.  I released one more pain, one more hurt, one more bad memory.  It's amazing what time can do.  My Dad told me all along, 'Let time be your best friend'.  I hated it when he told me that, but he was right!  Time had been my friend.  Five years...WOW!


I have found numbers to be symbolic in my life.  I don't live my life according to them, but they have significance to me and meaning at times.  I don't think it's ironic that my divorce was finalized on the 8th, five years ago.  Five is the number of completion and Eight is the number of NEW BEGINNINGS!  I am celebrating today complete wholeness!  I can honestly say, God has healed me from my past!  I'm not bitter, I'm not angry, I don't hate anyone...I'm healed!  I'm so glad, that I didn't rush out and marry the first person to come into my life after my divorce, and I'm so glad I didn't settle for what was in my life at that time.  I've waited and allowed TIME to be my friend.  Oh, I haven't done everything right, and I've made many mistakes along the way, but, I never let those mistakes define me or defeat me.  I always picked myself back up and start over.


I have a wonderful relationship with an amazing man now!  I couldn't have this peaceful and trusting relationship if I hadn't gone through all the JUNK I had to go through, alone.  I needed those years to get rid of the baggage I carried.  Now, I'm in a NEW ERA!  Not a new season.  You see, seasons come & go, but an era, now that's longer!  This ERA of my life will catapult me into my ultimate DESTINY!


Don't let life push you to rushing into something that isn't meant to be.  TIME!  Let TIME be your friend.  Know how to be comfortable with being alone.  Know how to make your own decisions.  Know what your personal 'likes & dislikes' are and have your own friends.  Know what makes you 'tick' and don't settle for anything less than God's BEST!


It's time we stop living from Season to Season and start living in a NEW ERA!

'Tis the Season...It's YOUR Season!

'Tis the season...the Holidays are upon us! Every year about this time I get nostalgic.  I love the holidays!  Growing up it was so much fun!  Family, Food, Giving, Receiving....as a child, I was more excited about what I was getting.  As an adult, I look forward to giving so much more.  


I know it's been a tough year for so many, and the year isn't over yet.  I hope that despite the economy and the financial and physical struggles that so many have had to face, that somewhere within we can all find a little seed of hope from which to build.  I have an expectancy for GREAT things!  I'm believing for unprecedented miracles this season.  I'm pledging to STRETCH my FAITH this season and BELIEVE for favor!


After coming through the greatest storm of my life, I remember the loneliness of the holidays past.  I grieved through so many of them I've lost count.  Once I found myself again, and started building something new, I've come to realize that I wasted so much time and energy grieving for something that was not meant to be.  I was praying for something God was trying to release me from.  A 'tug of war', so to speak.  Once I let go, a freshness awaited me that I can't explain.  I had to let go of old traditions and start new ones.  I had to let go of the familiar and focus on a new path.  It's been a ReBirth!  An exciting time for me and my family.  Scary at times, but rewarding!  


I encourage you this season, to 'let go' of the past.  Maybe some of you are going through a separation, divorce, or maybe it's a first Holiday season without a loved one.  Whatever your lot,  pledge to let go of the way some things used to be and start some fresh and new traditions that will pave the way for the BRIGHT future that awaits!


'Tis the Season...It's YOUR Season!  Make it FRESH, make it HAPPY, make it YOURS!!!