Sink Or Swim

“Change Will Not Come If We Wait For Some Other Person Or Other Time. We Are The Ones We Have Been Waiting For. We Are The Change That We Seek.

-Barack Obama ”

How do you move on when everything in your life seems to be in chaos? Saturday morning as I was listening to a morning ceremony by Bishop T.D. Jakes as a part of my morning personal development, this was the questioned he asked. I sat and pondered on this question for a little while as I thought about the storm that is present in my life right now.  Instantly I was filled with gratitude and gave all praises and honor to God because the truth is, I do not know how I am facing the storm and still have the ability to keep moving.  By ourselves and leaning on our own understanding only results in confusion, and stress, But in leaning on God’s word, His love, and His promise we have clarity and the ability to overcome everything. Today I want to ask how are you going through your storms are you praying and worry, are you reacting and rebelling, or are you remaining calm, staying focused, and in good spirits?  Our attitude has a big impact on who we are being through our tests and how we are reacting, it is important to remember when we are praying and asking God to bless us that those prayers will be answered but the tests will come first. We have to work on strengthening our faith and fully trusting God’s love. He will never give us more than we can bear, and he will never put us in positions to harm us. Instead God puts us in places to strengthen us, to build us up, and most importantly to teach and remind us of who he is.

We have to get fired up about what God is trying to do in our lives more than we get fired up about what we think we are about to lose. In life we do not lose things or people we grow and advance to new levels that requires a new version of self. In order to grow to new levels in our live we must understand that it will require us let go of somethings so we can make room for God things.  When we make the choice to walk in faith and allow God to use us it is important that we prepare ourselves physically, mentally, and spiritually, for what is to come. The truth in order to witness miracles and know for ourselves how amazing God truly is we must experience some scary dark moments in our life. If we have never experienced nothing how can learn anything. We cannot see how amazing God is without being tested, through our experiences we learn many valuable life lessons. We all have or will come to a place in our life where we have to evaluate ourselves, take a mental and spiritual check to get back on track. When we dread the thought of starting over remember that elevating to a new level is the beginning of something new. The next time you are feeling fearful about starting over that this is not a down grade but an upgrade. 

In conclusion I want to remind you all that in order to move on and keep pressing on in the midst of your storm is to seek counsel from God by surrendering physically and be strengthened spiritually. Quit spending and wasting time waiting for the right moment to begin to utilize the power of choice, and let us begin to choose what is best for us today. The first step is identifying the problem, taking responsibility for our actions, And begin to appreciate the preparation season. It will not always be sunny, but we have to learn to have that joy in our hearts that shines on a cloudy day. Be hopeful, keep dreaming and never stop striving to be better than you were the day before with every new day you are blessed with. We can be our number one fan, or we can be our own worst enemy we have the choice. The question I want to leave you guys with just as Bishop T.D. Jakes asked “how do you keep moving when everything around you seems to be in chaos? I keep moving because when everything on the outside seems to be in chaos it is my duty to keep peace internally, I male a choice to not be moved or broken physically because I will continue to fill my mind, my heart, and my spirit with love.

Live Bold

“Be bold enough to use your voice, Brave enough to listen to your heart, and strong enough to live the life you have always imagined.”  Are you busy existing or are you investing time living boldly and with purpose? For a long time, I committed to living my life based on the standards and expectations set by my family and cultural background. The older I got the more I began to realize how much I was missing out on because I spent a lot of time playing it safe, living in fear, and staying within the limits created in my mind. I believe that there comes a point in every one’s life when enough is enough, I like to call it having a breakthrough moment which is usually unexpected but needed. The most common issue is that not everyone has the ability to recognize what is happening to make the necessary changes. One of the most normal reactions is to resist and remain comfortable settling for less and familiarity. It takes courage and boldness to change what we have always known and learn all that we did not know.  There is an old saying that Goes “what you do not know won’t hurt “The reality is that we always have to take responsibility for all of our actions. There will be situations in life that we are faced with when it is not what you know that hurts it is what you do not know that makes our journey more challenging. We are responsible for what we do and what we do not know, it is our duty to educate ourselves in all areas in our life.

When you know better you do better, and I also believe that when we have the proper knowledge, we are better equipped to take on each task Confidence begins on the inside and is strengthen through love, understanding, and having compassion with self. Holding on to past struggles and hurts is the number one confidence killer, by allowing our past to define who we are and our value. It is extremely important to discover our true selves and reclaim our time so we can take a stand for ourselves with confidence and have spiritual boldness. It is very common for us to allow people, things, and our current circumstances to be our judge what matters most is what God says about us. Have you ever taken a moment to reflect on all the times that God has showed up for you even when you did not seek him first? Everything that we have, and will ever experience has already been written, and we already have the answers and what it takes within to succeed. I remember when I was much younger being a very outspoken, fearless, and driven person in all areas when it came to track I was confident that the race would end in my favor , when it came to music I was vocal in knowing all the words to the song, and there was something about being in the house of the lord that I was always proud and excited to be there.  What I take from that is even at a young age we already have a level of confidence and boldness these are things that God has already blessed us with. The reality is we lose our sense of wonder we lose our connection to our inner self and the true essence of our youth that keeps us excited and filled with passion.

As I close, I want to share this great reminder with everyone reading of how important it Is to ask for what you want and believe like a child. What do I mean by that? A kid will allow their heart and their imagination to lead them to ask for what they want with expectation they fully believe that it is possible to have. In the mind of a kid no does not mean no and no does stop them from continuing to ask and believing that they will receive. Just because we grow older in age does not mean we cannot still be youthful in spirit. It is our responsibility to be bold in our pursuit of happiness, life, purpose, and spiritual growth. The past has no control of the future and It does not limit your ability to thrive. The mistakes you have made and what people may think about you are just that mistakes and opinions. Everyone makes mistakes and everyone has an opinion, what we also have is the power to choose. What are you choosing for your life, how are you asking for your breakthroughs?  We were all created with a purpose but the only way to connect with your purpose is to be bold enough to ask God to guide you and be confident in your walk to receive what is in store for you.  Always remember that courage leads you to win battles everyone may lose.

“Be brave. Take Risks.
Nothing can
substitute experience.”

Breaking Safety Addiction

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work “–Thomas Edison, how many times have you counted yourself out because you have had one too many unsuccessful attempts on your journey?  One of the things we must learn to do when we are feeling defeated and confused is to be present to know when it is time to take a moment to silence the mind and listen to your heart. It is very possible to hear one thing in your mind but if you look deep within to what you believe in your heart, they are sometimes very opposite. The mind is a target for the enemy, that is why it is important to remember that God knows our heart. Fear and doubt grow in the mind freedom and boldness grows in the heart. Many of us fail in the mind before the actually attempt to get started happens, that is why it is important for us to use our words to break free and always keeping God’s promises at the forefront of our minds.  A lot of us become impatient and weary when things are not happening immediately or as fast as we would like and that is when doubt and fear takes over. Instead of holding on and pushing through we begin looking for alternatives more like an escape route. There is freedom in having holy confidence understanding that we are nothing without God, but we can do all things through Christ.

I remember having a moment after becoming a mother and seeking new employment which seemed like a never-ending process. My mind began to tell me how unworthy I was telling myself that I was a failure, this all I can become, and it was even harder when everything around me and all that I was experiencing seemed to match those thoughts. After six months I took a seat and I took a moment to step outside of my mind to connect with my heart to analyze what I believed and to be reminded of who God says I am. The first step after reflecting on self and what I believed was to change my perspective, the second was to know that I was still worthy of God’s love no matter how many times I have fallen short. Asking for forgiveness and setting my intention each day on being a better me. I did not overload myself with big grand plans I kept my plan simple I started with self. Daily I worked on being mindful of my attitude, my thoughts, and who I was being, and lastly, I had to learn to forgive myself and not be hard on me. one of the most important lessons I learned is that we cannot ask and doubt we must ask and believe that we will receive. We must never allow our own guilt or anyone else’s perception of who we were and what they knew about us to distract us. Ask boldly believing that Your Prayer request will be met when we ask him with confidence.  It is our duty to free ourselves from the addiction of feeling safe and secured In what we can see and control ,take the risk to live an abundant life  expecting that our faith with be tested but remember that the source of our strength is stronger than the challenges.

In closing my goal and vision for everyone reading is that you reclaim your time by not being afraid of starting over, it is never too late and as long as you still have life what you have is another opportunity. Each new day is a gift that we must be open to celebrating by allowing God to work and not being so hung up on what we did not achieve yesterday. Being compassionate with self-knowing that you cannot change yourself there is a time when we must surrender and allow God to take over. Being honest to come to God and say I know I am not where I want to be, but I am ready to be set free and come into agreeance with God. Honesty is the best policy and when we are honest, open, and patient we are on our way to being set free. The same way how we got to the hospital or doctors office and trusting them to heal us we must know that the word of God is our medicine and provides us with healing.  This is the time to lose your addiction to comfort get out of the same predictable boring routine way of living, and thinking. There is so much more to experience make life your playground and be open to trying new and challenging things always. The idea of keeping the spark in your relationships It is important to keep the spark in your life, commit to living your best life filled with joy and hope being open to all experiences, lessons, and overcoming obstacles.

“Playing It Safe Limits Our Ability To Thrive ,
In Taking Risks There Are No Limits.”

Do Not Be Discouraged

Why do we get discouraged in the off seasons in our life?  did you know that the off seasons are the seasons of preparation for promotion in your life? Most people will run, give up, and lose themselves the moment there is shift or unexpected changes occurring in their life. Running has never solved anyone’s problems before instead they help to create more, we only lose because we run but you are never a loser for standing firm no matter what the end results are. You walk out a winner because you have gained experience, understanding, and knowledge that you can take with you and be a blessing to another. How much time do you waste complaining and wishing your life was different and problem free? I will be the first to admit that I used to believe that the people that experienced hardships and trials was due to them not having the best luck and those that appeared to not be having a hard time had the best luck. I grew to learn and understand that one; there is no such thing luck, and secondly, we need challenges to grow to the next level in our life. Where there is potential and life there will be tests, what we must invest more time focusing on and praying about having is the strength to get through.

I had a moment of gratitude a few days ago about my growth and how far I have come, and I can honestly say that this was possible through God’s love, my experiences, challenges, and being able to overcome them. I believe that very often we are so stuck in pain wasting more time pondering on the “why me “questions that we miss our breakthrough. How many times have you gotten through a rough period in your life without having an idea of how you made it? That was God but while he was working things out for us, we were so busy in the midst of complaining that we missed his signs and wonders.  The challenges we face are a test of the quality of our life, it is not what is happening that matters it is how we react to what is happening that matters. We spend a lot time praying and asking God for a blessing with out understanding that God answers prayers and He is also testing us to see how responsible we are with little before He can put more on our plate. God already knows our needs and the desires of our hearts he also already knows our thoughts, but He is always giving us chances and opportunities to prove ourselves to be ready to receive what God has in store for us. Open your minds and pray to decrease in flesh and increase in spirit.

In closing I want to remind you all that we did not get here by accident and we cannot get through life depending on luck and disregarding all of God’s teachings. The next time you pray for a blessing remember to ask God for strength and preparation for the tests that will come. It is important that we learn to stand firm in the midst of the storms in your life knowing God is in control and He will never give us more than we can handle. Each day it is our responsibility to be mindful of the thoughts we are having and the words we speak in our private time. I will and I am   are two phrases we must get very familiar with saying no matter how hard life gets because the source of our strength is able, and everything is possible when we trust him. It does not pay to be discouraged remaining calm, productive. and optimistic is much more rewarding and beneficial to restoring confidence is self and having faith. You have been through too much and you have come too far to settle and give up, you are bigger than fear and you are stronger than you the challenges you face. Life can be challenging but life can always be fulfilling and joyful If you choose it through your actions and your thoughts. Listen before you react and pray before you think about giving up.

“Do Not Pray For God To Take Away Your Challenges
Pray For Strength To Overcome Them.”

Break Free

“You Cannot Be Moved By What You See
Be Moved By What You Know,
Dare To Speak Victory In The Middle Of Defeat.”

In life we learn to work with the what we have and play with the hand we have been dealt until we can do better. The question I often pondered on was when we will decide to do more with what we have been given and stop settling for less. Growing up in a drug infested, crime filled neighborhood does not mean that the best you can be Is a part of the problem. Our circumstances, our experiences, and our background does not devalue who we are, they are a part of the story we will tell. In order to tell the stories, we have to rise above mediocrity, poverty, and pain and rise to the occasion to take a stand for ourselves. It is up to us to be brave and confident in God’s promise to put ourselves in the right places, with the right people. You are as small as you think you are and you are as big as you believe you are, to have faith is to have complete trust and confidence in what you cannot see. One of the many reasons there are less people walking by faith is due their complete trust in what they can see. Many people are busy looking for God to show up ordinary and in ways that makes sense to the world. It is up to us to make up our mind to not settle for less than what God has promised us. Being good enough is simply not good enough because as long as you think that just getting by is ok you are limiting yourself; you must remain fired up about your dreams even when things seem impossible in the natural remember that God is supernatural.

We have the power and the ability to cancel out ourselves by choosing to remain a victim to our past, and the mistakes we have made. The truth is all great things were created through much trial and error but most importantly through passion and the ability to trust, believe, and obey. We have to make room in our thinking for abundance it is very common for us to get a vision or an idea and instead of giving that thing back to God and asking  Him to guide us , we begin to place limits and boundaries around it .Losing sight of the fact  that nothing about Gods plans for our life is basic our mediocre. I remember as I was planning for my women rise event, I was putting a number on the amount of people I expected to show up based on self. I said to myself it is the first workshop there may not be more than fifty people if that. I placed a  limit around a vision that God promised me an overflow in , I picked a space based on my small thinking and was blown away by the outcome .The event was beautiful and everyone was comfortable but I was reminded In that moment that I must always make room for an overflow because God’s love is limitless and his blessings is immeasurable and  abundant.  Our life and the dreams we have for ourselves cannot be watered down because of our perspectives or our lack of belief in self. It is our responsibility to forgive ourselves and believe that we are destined for greatness despite our struggles, circumstances, and mistakes.

Breaking free from generational patterns and behaviors, breaking free from limited thinking, breaking free from hopelessness, breaking free from doubt and fear will be more rewarding for us than reaming prisoner to lies created in the mind. When we are young it is our parents’ responsibility to teach and guide us to the best of their ability and when we grow old it is our responsibility to learn what is best for us. The reality is our parents did the best they could do with what they had, and we have to take what we have been taught and add to our toolbox. Blaming is an excuse to settle, without ever taking responsibility for how you have lived your life. Do not miss the fullness of what God has in store for you because you have a closed mind and low self -esteem and lack the ability to believe. This is time to develop a sense of urgency to break free and receive more than what you have been accepting. Taking the initiative to speak life into you every day, “I am getting in line to receive what God has promised me, I will no longer be complacent in my mess or settle for just being ok or accepting good enough.” We must believe that we come from greatness and that greatness is within us. Everything that we endured and experienced was all a part of the process of development, break free and fly in purpose.