Thursday Thoughts

Good morning,
Grace and peace be unto you!

I'm sorry are two little words that are so hard to say, yet they are so powerful. Maybe that is why they are so hard to say. There is so much freedom for all who are involved when we say I'm sorry.

Not sorry because I got caught, but because I was being selfish and could not get passed my own feelings long enough to see and realize yours. Sorry because the stories I was telling myself gave room for the enemy to speak into my mind and heart. Sorry that uncomfortable air gave room for others to feel it. My hurt, my pain spilled over.

God heal us today from ourselves. Help us to realize the hurt in others. Help us to listen to what we are speaking about. Help us to understand that out of our mouths comes what is resting in our hearts. Cleanse us from the hurt of our past that is haunting our future. In Jesus name. Amen

Until tomorrow
#liveBlessed

Wednesday Word

Good morning,
Grace and peace be unto you!

The Value of a Friend according to Ecclesiastes 4

9 Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor.

10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.
11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Friends. How many of us have them? Friends.  Ones we can depend on.  Yes, I'm sure you remember that old Whodini song. Man, but this song is so true and this verse really bids us to take a look at friendship. 

These verses are often used in marriage ceremonies to talk about the friendship that is required in a good marriage. Before a marriage can be strong, the two must be friends. The verse tells us that it is better for the two to be together because they have a greater reward. When the two of you work together and build together your efforts are multiplied. The power of a friend. Multiplication is better than addition every day. 

It goes on to say that if you fall there is someone to pick you up. I would go further and say after they pick you up they dust you off and encourage you to try again. I would not have the degrees I have right now without my husband's encouragement. He would not be where he is in business without mine. 

Then it says if two lie down they are warmed by each other. I hate when my husband is gone on trips without me. After being married for 28 years you kind of get used to having someone's legs to prop your feet on. Lol It is not just physical warmth that is received by the comfort of companionship and that person that knows you better than anyone else. The person that knows your secrets yet doesn't use them to hurt you. The comfort and warmth of being together and sharing your day. The friendship with that person designed just for you. 

Finally, it talks about that threefold cord. You, your best friend and Jesus. See,  when your marriage is just you three there is NOTHING it cannot withstand. Anytime you and your spouse put God first in your relationship and kick others out, you will have staying power. Yes, you will want to seek outside advice but seek God and then professional counseling if more assistance is needed. Your single girlfriends are single for a reason. The more you keep people out of your business the better off you are. Don't get me wrong, I am not telling you not to have friends outside of your spouse but when you are with them your marriage should be off limits. Don't give room to the devil or Becky with the good hair. Marriage can be one of the best times of your life when you do with your friend. 

Until tomorrow

#liveBlessed

Transformation Tuesday

Good morning,
Grace and peace be unto you!

Wow, its already the last Tuesday of the month. Let's transform our thinking today as we talk about comparison.

Comparison  is one of the biggest energy sappers out there. Taking the time to sit and compare yourself with what others have or don't have will drag you all the way down. You don't know what people did to get what you see. Are you willing to pay the same price?  Other things that you see others with would make you absolutely miserable but because they have it you want it. Come on.

Everything that glitters is not gold and the grace that looks greener might be article turf. Get tunnel vision. Worry about you and yours. It is only when you are totally focused on the plan for your life that you can begin knocking out your goals. Watching everyone is a distraction, and distracted runners tend to fall. Run a focused race with the vision for your life. You don't have time to watch and put your mouth on anyone else. Focus on you.

Until tomorrow
#liveBlessed

Monday Motivation

Good morning,
Grace and peace be unto you!

Friday Focus

Good morning,
Grace and peace be unto you!

Wednesday Word

Good morning,
Grace and peace be unto you!

The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life and his words of wisdom are a source of blessing, But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence and evil. - Proverbs 10:11

On this week I want you to pay particular attention to your words. What is coming out of your mouth and/or swirling around in your head? If you are not speaking life then you really need to evaluate what is in you?

Back in the day there was a saying, garbage in, garbage out. While is sounds gross it is true from this stand point. If your diet is that of negativity then you have only negative things to say. No matter how much  try to hide. What is on the inside will come out. So, if positive is inside it can't help but bubble out.

I don't know about you but there are times that you are in the presence of people that are so happy it makes you sick. Lol maybe that's just me.  Sone people can find the positive in every situation they find themselves in. I'm not there but I do know that it feels much better when positive vibes are flowing.

Take the time to listen to what is flowing from your heart. If you don't like it then start putting new positive sentiments in. You are the one that controls the gates to you inner person. Guard them well. You might be the only positive some might hear all day.

Until tomorrow
#liveBlessed

Transformation Tuesday

Good morning,
Grace and peace be unto you!

The power is in your hands.

Until tomorrow 

#liveBlessed

Monday Motivation

Good morning,
Grace and peace be unto you!

When I saw this poster all I could do was say yes, yes. Let's do this thing. Can you believe May is almost over and there are so many things for all of us to accomplish. Don't get distracted by haters. Sidetracked by others thoughts.

Stay focused on your mission for the week. What is it? What? Yes, your mission for the week. What is it? You need spend a bit of time today determining your mission for this week along with your priorities. After the priorities determine what task will need to be done to accomplish those priorities. Dragon slaying requires precision. 

If you have taken the time to draw out your road map for the week you won't get lost. You must direct your time otherwise others will.

Until tomorrow 

#liveBlessed

Friday Focus

Good morning,
Grace and peace be unto you!

Take some time this weekend to identify the things that distract you. This will allow you to go into next empowered to do better.

Until Monday 

#liveBlessed

Thursday Thoughts

Good morning,
Grace and peace be unto you!

What are you thinking about?  Too often we just allow our thought to run freely but it is imperative that we take control of every though. Joyce Meyes says it this way, think about what you're thinking about. If you dwelling on negative it's time to change it up. Our thoughts are the gateway to our spiritman. 

What you rehearse every day in your mind is what will be acted in your life. What you thinking about?

Until tomorrow 

#liveBlessed

Wednesday Word

Good morning,
Grace and peace be unto you!

Joel 2:28-29
28 “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. 29 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.

I don't know about you but I want the spirit of God to be poured out over me. Help me to think right, talk right, treat people right.

Funny, when I read this scripture some of those old cartoon shows of ooze being poured on people popped in my mind. Not so much because the spirit of God is gross but because it completely covers. I want it to be so thick I can't walk out of it. So thick it won't just drip off. So thick I find it in my pockets.

If you have watching the news (I heard that teeth sucking) there is so much going in the world around us. Sometimes we get comfortable in our life bubble because these things that we see are not directly effecting us but if not for the grace of God_____.  You fill in the blank.

For this reason, I want his spirit that helps me hear from and move in him, to be poured out so thick and sticky on me that it will takes some time to come out of.

The best part is that this outpour is for everyone. He doesn’t care how older or young, rich or poor, black or white, male or female. The Holy Spirit  is just pouring out on all who will receive. Open your heart this morning and just receive his spirit. No, today might not be a gully washer but let it flow until it overwhelms and satisfies your soul. Receive Christ today.

Until tomorrow
#liveBlessed

Transformation Tuesday

Good morning,
Grace and peace be unto you!

Want to know one of the best workout secrets I've learned? Attitude is everything. You are either mentally in the game or you may as well be sitting on the sidelines. Not only does your attitude help motivate you, it's the only tool that guarantees lasting results.

Ask any professional athlete: So much of their training is mental preparation. If pro athletes are not mentally pumped and focused on winning, they're almost guaranteed to lose. But for those of us who aren't pro athletes, no amount of encouragement will help you achieve long-lasting results without a good attitude. Motivation without attitude adjustment will equal mediocre results.

Attitude, along with a motto, helps maintain a focus that is everlasting. It's a simple theme that translates from pro sports to even the simplest children's book. For example, in The Little Engine That Could, a long train gets stuck up a mountain only to be rescued by a much smaller engine who continuously repeats, I think I can, I think I can. Yes, the train was small, but mental prowess saved the day.

I encourage you to examine what you are saying about your situation. Your words are the propellers of your attitude. Guide yourself to good books and positive podcast to feed your attitude and remind you of your theme. If you haven't adopted a theme for your life today is s good day to start.

Until tomorrow
#liveBlessed

Monday Motivation

Good morning,
Grace and peace be unto you!

I hope that every mother had an awesome day on yesterday. I just want a drop a short thought on you today, and that is you are in a race of one.

As our kids were growing up my husband would often tell them nor to worry about what others were doing they were in a race of one. You are only competing against you and you are one of the hardest competitors you will ever have. You see all of your flaws. You know when you didn’t try hard enough. You know the goal when others don't. You are your hardest critic. Given the right motivation, you can also be your best cheerleader.

Unfortunately, most of us don't take this a approach and we measure ourselves against the world. My hair is too short. I'm not smart enough. Too fat or skinny. Don't live in the right neighborhood or drive the right car. The list goes on and on. You  spend more time listening to the stories you tell yourself about what others think then you do actual fiding out what others think.

See it is not really about what they say but what you believe was said. T the end of the day the best way to deal with it all is to get tunnel vision. That might entail limiting your social media intake. It can be a very deceptive tool for ones esteem. It will definitely mean getting to know your own likes and dislikes, not just what others told you that you like or dislike.

Learn to love you. All of you. Every freckle, pimple, dimple, and scare. When you learn to embrace you nothing and nobody else matters.

Until tomorrow
#liveBlessed

Friday Focus

Good morning,
Grace and peace be unto you!

Haven't bought a Mother's Day gift for Mom, yet? Try these last-minute ideas.

Want to give mom something special but you don't have the big budget for a Mother's Day gift?

These four creative and inexpensive ideas could help your mom feel appreciated on her day.

Make your present stand out by packing up a picnic. Pick up a loaf of bread and make sandwiches with some chips.
Depending on what you decide to pack, you're looking at spending $10 - $25.

You could also get her car washed. This will cost anywhere from $15 - $25, but if you do it yourself, you could save even more.

Moms are always cooking, so why not make the task a little easier? Organize a recipe box that is both thoughtful, beneficial and budget-friendly. This idea will cost about $3- $6.

Finally, if your mom likes to get crafty, create a hobby basket. The amount of items you have will determine the size and cost, but plan on spending anywhere between $10 - $30. ( This could also be done with whatever your mom likes, if crafts aren't her thing)

Until Monday
#liveBlessed

Thursday Thoughts

Good morning,
Grace and peace be unto you!

Don’t buy society’s definition of success. Because it’s not working for anyone. It’s not working for women, it’s not working for men, it’s not working for polar bears, it’s not working for the cicadas that are apparently about to emerge and swarm us. It’s only truly working for those who make pharmaceuticals for stress, diabetes, heart disease, sleeplessness, and high blood pressure.

Arianna Huffington to Smith College in 2013

While this is funny it is true. Don't allow others to define success for you. You have to take the time to define it for yourself. Mine doesn't look like yours, yet it feels good to me. If you allow others to determine success for you there will never be an end to the chasing of their expectations. Oh, just in case you didn't know. Their expectations change moment by moment. You will never meet other people's expectations.

Set your path. Put you some benchmarks along the way and get to steppin. You are the director in this marching band.

Until tomorrow
#liveBlessed

Wednesday Word

Good morning,
Grace and peace be unto you!

Proverbs 22:6
Point your kids in the right direction— when they’re old they won’t be lost.

I truly thank God for teachers planted seeds in my life. I want to particularly point out one today, Beverly Manuszak. She was there during some of the most crucial decision making times, in high school. Pivotal moments that could have led to disaster, but her comforting words kept me on track.

It's fun how when people are supposed to be in your life they pop back up. The last time we had a major encounter was at my wedding almost 28 years ago. Then all of a sudden maybe we bump into each other a few years ago. We have lunch and bam. Right back in the groove. She takes me to Garth Brooks ( not my norm) and we had a great time. We get lunch and she shares all of these huge dreams that are still in her heart. Well, if you kow Bev well if you are called to strategic planning meeting it generally because she has decided you must play a role in her next capper.

Finally, she has no only invested in me but in my kids. While not their teacher she yet teaches. After her hair dresser moved, my kiddo was able to step right in. So proud of the care she takes to listen and gentle advise.

I thank God that she pointed me in the right direction.

Until tomorrow
#liveBlessed

Transformation Tuesday

Good morning,
Grace and peace be unto you!

Just a simple thought for today that centers around the blame game.

It is so much easier to be mad that  the world is laughing at me than to realize I have my wig on backwards. In each and every situation there are three sides. Your side. My side and somewhere in the middle is the truth. One thing we realize is that truth is relative to the teller of said truth. In other words my truth may not be the whole truth.

When I create a truth/story about my situation it is easy for me to blame others when my outcomes are not favorable. The stories that I am telling myself about any situation never implicate myself as a participant of the situation, just a victim. See everyone has a part. On any given day that part may rotate given the circumstances.

The only productive way to change the stories that I am telling myself about the world and everyone in it is to get on the balcony (klc) and look over. See I can never see the role I play when I am in the midst of my situation. I can only see as I elevate my view point. It is time for us to stop blaming everyone for our life. It will never change until we take charge of it and move in the whole truth.

Transformation takes time, truth, no more blaming, and mirrored examination.

Until tomorrow
#liveBlessed

Monday Motivation

Good morning,
Grace and peace be unto you!

What are you going to to with this beautiful new day that you've been granted? Don't waste on could've or should've. Be productive. Go to bed tonight exhausted, because you have given to the day all that was required of an then a bit more. Be a creative thinker. 

You are a vital contributor to your family, your community, and your work place. Don't sell yourself short. They are blessed because of your presence. Beautiful queen take your place and reign over everything that you have been assigned.

Until tomorrow
#liveBlessed

Friday Focus

Good morning,
Grace and peace be unto you!

Today our focus is on goal setting.
We have just begun a new month and it is a great time to set May gosls. What would you like to accomplish this month physically, financially, spiritually, and in your business?

When goal setting, you must make a written list of your goals. If they are only in your head they don't exist. Write them down along with action steps and a time frame. It is also hood to let at least one other person see your goals and hold you accountable. Again, this helps to make them tangible. Without accountability who is to say the goals will take action.

Finally make sure that you you put some legs on those goals. Writing them down with actionable steps and dates is awesome. It is also awesome to have an accountability partner but if you don't take action that was all for nought. You have take action on your goals each and every day. You have to be the person that participates the most in obtaining your goals. Goals without action are dreams. While dreams are nice they don't always get accomplished. Tackle those goals.

Until Monday
#LIVEBLESSED

Thursday Thoughts

Good morning,
Grace and peace be unto you!

Wednesday Word

Good morning,
Grace and peace be unto you!

1John 5:14-15 says, This is the [remarkable degree of] confidence which we [as believers are entitled to] have before Him: that if we ask anything according to His will, [that is, consistent with His plan and purpose] He hears us. And if we know [for a fact, as indeed we do] that He hears and listens to us in whatever we ask, we [also] know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted to us] the requests which we have asked from Him.

This is a very hopeful scripture for this morning. Hope that if you ask anything,  according to his will, he hears you. While this is filled with hope, it can also be a bit daunting in the fact that you have to know what his will is for your life.

How does one know the will of God for their life? Pray, seek his face, and get to know him in a personal way. See, the more you know God , the more he will speak to you and tell you his will for you. It only happens through relationship. The closer to get the more he will reveal to you.

Then scripture concludes with, and if he hears us he will answer. Realize no is just as much of answer as yes. Yes just feels better. As a good father it is no the best thing for God to be the Jeenie in the bottle. No and wait are not things that we like to hear but can be time of exponential growth. Silence is incredibly uncomfortable but it is designed to help you get to know you, and know who and what you trust.

God has great things in store for you but you have to get in his presence to find the path to them. I am excited about your future.

Until tomorrow
#liveBlessed

Transformation Tuesday

Good morning,
Grace and peace be unto you!

Thomas Fuller, observed, "He that is everywhere is nowhere." Could this be the reason you are not making forward progress? Might you you be suffering from no direction?

Getting clarity can be very difficult during various season in life. Yest without clear direction you will find yourself running in circles chasing your own tail.

I want to share few tips I found in Huff Post.

Step 1

To begin, answer these questions

1.What makes you happy? What do you love doing?

2.What have been your most enjoyable achievements in life so far?

3.If you could do, be or have anything you wanted, what would you choose?

4.What would you do if you knew you could not fail?

5.You are given a billion dollars. What do you do?

6.Who inspires you? What qualities do they have that you most admire?

Step 2

Read through your answers and highlight the words and phrases that leap out and feel best to you. It doesn’t matter how few or how many you choose, just go through with a highlighter and complete this edit.

Step 3

Now, you can craft this shorter version into a set of specific actions that you can take to bring more of what you like doing or would like to do into your life. Doing more of what you want to do (or think you want to do) immediately brings contrast and greater clarity.

Here’s an example of how this list may look.

Reading
•Set aside half a day to read
•Download one of the 100 free books on Kindle each week
•Join a Library
•Join a book group
•Ask friends for reading recommendations

You get the idea. Keep going until you have completed the exercise for each of the answers on your edited list. Be creative.

Step 4

Take action. Immerse yourself in activities that you enjoy doing or think you might like doing. Sometimes we don’t even attempt things that we may want to do because of a lack of time or a lack of money. The reality is that there are merely excuses. Get busy.

For each item on your list, set a time and date when you will take action.

Step 5

Time to repeat. See we are always refining and editing our lives. This is a lifelong activity of finding and refining our clarity.

You have done first big step and that is seek clear vision. Once you get it, keep it, and move forward.

Until tomorrow
#liveBlessed