This moment ...

Give yourself up to this moment. Dare to see it. Now look down at your feet; slip out of those invisible tethers. Then ask: Where would you take yourself right this moment if you walked toward your most heartfelt dream? What would your life look like? What would your body look and feel like? What level of energy would you have? What might be your favorite activity? What would your daily life include? Imagine happiness -- the sweet glow of inner contentment, the way it tastes and smells and feels - Chris Downie

Happy Monday folks!!! 

Crossroad

“Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Those who look outside, dream. Those who looks inside, awaken.“

Carl Gustav Jung 

There will come moments when you are at some major crossroads of your life and will be faced with making strong decisions that can either better you or slow you down a few more years.

Crossroads are life-changing moments that require prayer, wisdom, lots of thought, cautious conversations, silent listening moments, mental stability and a sense of peace. Without these, one can make emotional decisions that can't be reversed. 

If ever found here, it's better to apply the steps above before voicing a decision; because the worst thing to do is make the wrong move out loud! 

Big impact

“I never look at the masses as my responsibility; I look at the individual. I can only love one person at a time - just one, one, one. So you begin. I began - I picked up one person. Maybe if I didn't pick up that one person, I wouldn't have picked up forty-two thousand....The same thing goes for you, the same thing in your family, the same thing in your church, your community. Just begin - one, one, one.“

- Mother Teresa

It's the little things we do for the "little" people around us that make them big people one day with big hearts that you once planted a small seed in.

Pay attention to those little life changing moments; don't despise them. For they make all the difference in the world. 

Service

Do all the good you can, and make as little fuss about it as possible - Charles Dickens

Doing something good for someone else is all about you bring selfless and giving service. It's not to criticize the situation while expressing how much of a better job you would have done; or to self-evaluate the process, looking for obvious mistakes. 

Giving someone your time takes patience, no complaining, and sacrifice; because the ultimate goal is for you to step out of your comfort zone and do something good for them. It certainly may or will not be the way you do things but as you serve them, you'll find their happiness surface. 

Perfection

You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it - Maya Angelou 

Just because you failed in one or a few things, doesn't qualify you as a failure. 

Perfection doesn't exist; it's just not of this world. However, the striving to be perfect is doable but also leaves room for little mistakes and hiccups here and there. 

Learn from those imperfect moments, as they make you stronger next time. Listen to your inner strength for it'll keep you fueled for your life's lessons. 

True

Start with what is right rather than what is acceptable - Peter F. Drucker

Don't conform to the way it looks or the appearance of what it should be or what's mostly popular right now....

All that can be very temporary and not a good representation of who you are or called to be. 

Be true to you, do what's right, keep your foundation solid and let God take you places.

Happy Friday! 

Strength

All Strength Comes From God

It is so refreshing to know that we can rest in the strength and comfort that God will provide when facing troubles of many kinds. Let Him have the glory and show himself strong. 

2Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.” 

God wants to show Himself strong on your behalf. Surrender to Him today and let the peace that He gives you take over. We cannot fully serve God without fully surrendering to his Strength.

Strength must start and end with God. It is the power and strength that comes from God that carries us on. As Christians we need to surrender to the strength that God provides and His strength is made perfect in our weakness. 

Be encouraged in that it is not your strength that is needed but the strength that God willingly supplies.

Your time

It takes a noble man to plant a seed for a tree that will some day give shade to people he may never meet - D. Elton Trueblood

You may not always see the harvest of seeds you've sown, but nevertheless, sow it anyhow. 

You will never know how your efforts today may bless someone else tomorrow, so put 100% into all you do.

You may have that friend that you have been trying to help get out of a situation for a while, but nothing is happening (at least not to you). Do not give up, keep pouring in. Change may not happen now, but when it comes, they'll thank you for it - whether you are there to witness it or not.

Your time, money, efforts, prayers, thoughts, phone calls, texts, emails, visits, attention, and presence are and will never be in vain....

Possibilities

With love and patience, nothing is impossible - Dr. Daisaku Ikeda

We all have that one thing that we absolutely love to do but it doesn't always happen right away for some of us. The in-between stage is the most difficult season.

What you do in the meantime is crucial. Do you complain? Persevere? Get coaching? Give up? Resent? Hang on? Train yourself? Enhance your skills? Get depressed? Despise your season? Educate yourself? Be patient? ....

Best thing to do is wrap positive and victorious thoughts around your dream and goals; do what you need to do to get to where you need to be; and then wait! 

That great big door that only God can open and no man can shut is on its way! 

Believe it.... 

Our deepest fear

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.“

- Nelson Mandela 

Maturity

A man who views the world the same at fifty as he did at twenty has wasted thirty years of his life - Muhammad Ali

I had a conversation with one of my sisters yesterday about how interesting it is when some people who you've known for a while still operate in the same mentality as they did 10,15 years ago.

Its kind of sad...

If you run into a friend that you haven't seen in a long time, it'll be nice for the relationship to build into something today, but you really cannot do that if one or both of you are still childish at heart. Meaning, no one wants to hang out with a 40-something year old who you used to go to high school with, if their personality still thinks they are in high school today. At some point, life should have matured you up some. Right??

Part of it too is a choice. How much time do you want to invest in such friendships/relationships? Yes, you could have a few moments of reminiscing on how great it was back then, but when the conversation shifts to the world today, you'll have a huge disconnect. 

Choice is yours ... 

Dream

You've got to have a dream, if you want to have a dream come true - unknown So simple yet profound!!! Dreams are to be had and to be lived out.... But just having a dream and doing nothing about it , literally keeps it in its dream state. OR, hoping that things will change for you when you haven't even dreamed of another place. In other words, you need a reference point, a target, a plan so that execution isn't so far fetched! 

Perspective

Problems can become opportunities when the right people come together - Robert Redford

When you come to a place where you can no longer think about the issue, you don't know how to get out of it, you are basically stuck in the process; it's at that time that you need to back off for a minute, try something different to get your mind of it and then think of a strategy to attack what's before you.

Bottom line is that you need a resolve but  you probably cannot do it on your own; since you have obviously tried over and over again.

You'll find that if you strategically think of ways to dissolve the issue, ideas and people will start coming to mind. 

Sometimes, you need someone else to take a good look at it and give you their perspective. And that, could be the key to your resolution.

You

Be careful of your actions. You never know when you are creating a memory - Ricki Lee Jones

It's the impression that you leave behind that will keep the memory of you alive in people's mind.

You physically come and go but your emotional expression sticks around for a while. 

Once you make a connection, you can no longer use the excuse of "they can't judge me because they don't know me". 

You may not be responsible for what people think of you and how they see you but ONCE you have had an interaction, you have a part to play in their perception of you.

Choose to act wisely. 

Alone

Some walks, you have to take alone - Suzanne Collins

There comes a time when you are on the path by yourself; and then you realize that not only are you lonely, you are also alone. 

But know that not all "alone" time is bad for you! It is often there to guide our character and to direct our journey.

Friends and family are not our road map, God is. And the only way you can get a full picture of the navigation process is to trust the driver and step out of the way. 

Can you? Or should you?

We should cultivate the ability to say no to activities for which we have no time, no talent, and which we have no interest or real concern. If we learn to say no to many things, then we will be able to say yes to the things that matter most - Roy Blauss

It takes us knowing who we are, what we are capable of, what our weaknesses are, what our strengths are, where our passion lies ....etc, to be able to say no to things that matter or don't matter.

If we don't have the grace for something, then we shouldn't commit to being a part of it all in the name of pleasing someone, or looking good in front of a group or appearing busy. 

We will find that if we place our passions and abilities where it will truly count, we will be happier in our life's journey. 

Until

How long should you wait??? Until - unknown 

Talk about patience! "

"Until" is the most trying waiting period ever!! And this where your patience is tried over and over, and you learn to do nothing but listen.

It's a great place to be because you learn to wait, you learn to adjust, you appreciate what's before you, you are content and you are hopeful of the future.

Don't despise your until moments....they are there for a reason ;)

Have a beautiful day! 

Gentle

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle - Plato

There is something about understanding that you are not alone (so, come out of your bubble), there are others that exist in this world (and they need mercy), and everything doesn't have to work your way (this is where you extend grace).

We have to be sensitive that everyone we talk to, run into, or meet has something that they are dealing with. Therefore, your approach is very important. 

Yes, be intentional about what you need, but be gentle in your approach. 

Love thy neighbor .....

I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious - Albert Einstein

I call it borderline nosy! ;)

Yes! We all have people in our lives that just can't do without being "in the know" or a part of what's happening or just plain old nosy about everything! 

What do you do with people who fit into the criteria? You love them anyhow.... Yes you do because this is just how they are wired and change isn't coming soon! 

As a matter of fact, it's a battle you cannot win because not only are they created this way; they also love love love the way they are and use it to their good advantage. Nevertheless, you love them

anyhow. Yes, love them anyhow ;)

You and them

I am because you are - African Proverb

It takes maturity to know how and when to appreciate your friends, colleagues and family.

You are who you are because of the road you have traveled, the people that walked alongside you and the experiences you took from it.

And yet another....

Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather. 

- John Ruskin

As normal as natural seasons change, so do our spiritual seasons. Each season comes with a test, the opportunity to take the test, the chance to learn and the open door to win. It is our job (in our 

mature state) to take these tests carefully and excel with victory.

Note, you are NOT alone and everyone goes through these. What you do in the midst of it is what counts. How you handle it is what really matters. 

The key is knowing that each challenge is another path to growth. It won't kill you, you won't die this time around, it's not over, and everyone isn't out enjoying life while you suffer. 

If you stop, relax and see what's really happening; you will realize that you have been here before (in another time, test and season) and since you got through the last one, you certainly will come out of this one better too! 

It's all about perspective! 

Our loved ones

Always kiss your children goodnight - even if they're already asleep.  ~H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

We should always say "I love you" to our loved ones even if we think they already know. 

Go ahead and give one more, yes one more hug and kiss.

Surprise someone with a sweet text at a random time today.

Make that phone call to that family member and make their day better.

When someone confides in you, be attentive and present; they need you at that moment. 

Remember, we all need each other...so don't hesitate to give a little extra. It can't hurt.

Friends

To have a good friend is one of the highest delights of life; to be a good friend is one of the noblest and most difficult undertakings - Anon Anyone can have a friend; but not all can be a good friend.  Friendship takes time and growth. It's about spending time, understanding what they mean without saying anything, knowing when to speak or love or listen or give a hug, having intuition on checking on them at the perfect time, praying for them etc.... Yes, friendship takes all that and more! And since its a two-way street, you need it too sometimes. Happy Monday!

You taking care of you

Promise yourself to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. Look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true. Think only of the best, work only for the best, and expect only the best. Forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. Give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others. Live in the faith that the whole world is on your side so long as you are true to the best that is in you!

Christian D. Larson 

Well said!! 

Difference

In life you can never be too kind or too fair; everyone you meet is carrying a heavy load. When you go through your day expressing kindness and courtesy to all you meet, you leave behind a feeling of warmth and good cheer, and you help alleviate the burdens everyone is struggling with - Brian Tracy 

It is a good thing to exercise care, empathy, compassion, love, gentleness, grace and equality wherever we go. We just never know who is in desperate need of it to survive.

Don't be selfish with these.... It can make all the difference in the world to somebody. 

Yesterday

Your journey has molded you for the greater good, and it was exactly what it needed to be. Don't think that you've lost time. It took each and every situation you have encountered to bring you to the now. And now is right on time - Asha Tyson 

Absolutely!!!! It's time to start living fully...with no regrets or guilt, just living well.

What happened then, what happened yesterday really did happen, yes. However, it's over and done with and the greatest part is that what's left is you! 

With that in mind, you've got the rest of your life to make those experiences count. You learned from them, you are better today, and you are much stronger now. Walk in that truth! 

Thanks

God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say 'thank you? - William Arthur Ward

Very simply stated....

Be thankful more often than normal ;)

Happiness

He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has - Epictetus

It shouldn't take us losing something to appreciate what's already there. We tend to spend a lot of time in the "I wish I had" moment and totally forget the "I'm glad I have" reality.

Riches and wealth come from within - and that's pure happiness; not what youhave  or what we can see. 

Let's start practicing that so our children (now and in the future) will learn the difference.

Happy Tuesday! 

Today

The moment when you first wake up in the morning is the most wonderful of the twenty-four hours. No matter how weary or dreary you may feel, you possess the certainty that, during the day that lies before you, absolutely anything may happen. And the fact that it practically always doesn't, isn't the point. The possibility is always there - Monica Baldwin 

It's in our hands.....the power to control the path the day takes. No matter how much work we have going, or how many meetings to attend, or all the phone calls to make, or all the running around that the day brings....we are still in control of what happens with our emotions and actions. 

As we rise (in that beginning hours of the day), we have determine in our heart to stay full of joy, in perfect peace, on a positive path and at rest. 

As we practice this daily, we will find that what's on the outside doesn't shake us much; but the determination to win is the captain of our day. 

Happy Monday good people! 

Peace

When you have exhausted all possibilities, remember this: you haven’t - Thomas Edison

While this is a perfect statement for some situations, it doesn't work for all. This can be a dead end for a lot of us. For some reason, we feel that if things aren't working out the way we want them to...we need to keep trying to force it to work. 

It takes wisdom and understanding to know when one more try is just what is needed and also to know when to walk away. 

Whatever the situation is, guide your decision by the peace you feel inside. If overall, you are at peace but a couple of areas need special attention; then another try is worth it. On the other hand, if it doesn't feel right, and you don't feel comfort; then it's time to move on.

Gossip

What you don't see with your eyes, don't witness with your mouth - Proverb

It's as simple as its said. Don't be a victim of gossip, he-said, she-said.....if you didn't see it happen, don't talk about it like you did. 

Gossip is a terrible act to be involved in because it really diminishes your character and places you in a not-trustworthy category. 

The best way to avoid it is to inform the teller of the "story" - that what you don't know is good and you will like to keep it that way. The more you say this, the less tempting it is for those "story tellers" to bother you with "what's happening now". 

You are responsible for what's been fed to you. If it isn't edifying, then please by all means - keep it moving and if they don't, then you walk away!! 

Commitment

There are only two options regarding commitment. You're either in or out. There's no such thing as a life in-between. - Pat Riley

It's like the bible says "a double minded person is unstable in all his ways". You cannot have one foot in and one foot out. Choose this day whom you will serve and them serve it to the fullest. 

You can apply this to every area in your life. You cannot be fully committed to two or more relationships, or two or more churches, or more than one employment decision.

It's not a fair choice to both worlds. At some point, one of the worlds will demand more of your attention and you'll be forced to think hard about landing in one of them - and being fully there 100%. 

Question is: are you ready to be faithful to one? 

Think on it....

Approach

When a person is down in the world, an ounce of help is better than a pound of preaching - Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton 

We all have our days. Some days are great and full of victory; some days are low and full of impossible chances. It takes the right people around you to know how to approach you in these very different seasons.

On some days, you may need a little bit of encouragement, or a little bit of need, or a truckload of blessings. And on some other days, you may need a good old fashioned intervention, or a bit of "I told you so", or some tough love. 

The key is knowing the difference and not beating someone up with the wrong approach if they are already down.

Tests

Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know  - Pema Chodron

Each test we face is another opportunity to grow and another chance for our faith to be strengthened. 

The longer it takes us to get it, the more permanent the test will seem. 

What is that particular test in your life that just keeps lingering AND what have you or are you learning from the process? 

Consistency

Character is doing the right thing when nobody's looking. There are too many people who think that the only thing that's right is to get by, and the only thing that's wrong is to get caught - J. C. Watts 

I have heard a great leader say "whatever you do privately, you can do publicly", "if the lights were turned on on your private life, will you be happy with what the world saw?"

Bottom line is this - your character is a combination of what you do in front of others, your morals, your thoughts, beliefs, your private life, your work ethics, your life lessons learned and your faith.

These and other attributes make you the person you are today and because of this, it is necessary to put the time into building your actions to fully represent what your mind, will and emotions are silently expressing. 

It's time to bring both worlds together and make them match. There shouldn't be much of a difference when you are publicly or privately introduced.

True

If I only had three words of advice, they would be, Tell the Truth. If got three more words, I'd add, all the time - Randy Pausch

Knowing the truth gives you freedom but speaking the truth supports your good character.

It's important to always tell the truth because this is the only way your words hold weight and substance. If you cannot be trusted, you'll always be avoided. 

Lets work on this ... 

Mistakes?

A mistake is a crash-course in learning - BIlly Anderson

Mistake are made as we live. We can't beat ourselves up over it...the key is learning from it.

What have we done that we wouldn't do again? What have we done that we would definitely try again? Question is: are we better or worse from each experience? Do we give out hearts time to heal? Do we now live off that guilt? Have we forgiven ourselves from the mistake? 

Because God has :) even before you made them. 

Living comes with choices...good and bad ones but growing comes with decisions....better than good ones that result from learning from our experiences.

Know that if we give our mistakes to God, we will gain strength for tomorrow's journey. 

Friends

Friendship doubles our joy and divides our grief - Swedish Proverb

Really good friends are hard to find and when you do, it is weighed by deep trust.

Depending on how old you are, you could decide to not even bother with making new friends. Most likely at an older age, your friends are already carved out and anyone else after that that comes along are either acquaintances or professional friends. 

However, when you do find good lifelong friends, make sure they understand you, can laugh with you, can be happy for you when you are well to do, cry with you when you are sad, won't get weird when you find love, marry or start a family, can empathize with you when you need them to, appreciate your dreams when you share them, stand by you in challenging moments, and isn't jealous of you when you have a major victorious breakthrough.

This type of friendship is hard to find, and keep but very rewarding when you have it.

You or I

When your brook dries up and disappointment comes your way, you do not necessarily need to assume that you did something wrong -  Brian Robles

This is a tough pill to swallow .... Because I like to do things well, properly and in order. And when something doesn't go as such, I immediately think its something I didn't do right or messed up in.

I guess I need to learn that not all things are within my control, and some things are others' responsibility. I cannot shift the results of someone else's task into my emotions and actions. It's a learning moment to stay in my lane.. 

In the famous words of my little sister "it is what it is" and there's nothing in my capacity that can change others. I am only responsible for my work. 

Persistence

If I had to select one quality, one personal characteristic that I regard as being most highly correlated with success, whatever the field, I would pick the trait of persistence. Determination. The will to endure to the end, to get knocked down seventy times and get up off the floor saying, 'Here comes number seventy-one!  - Richard DeVos 

It takes knowing what the end is going to look like for one to be as determined as this, so much that everything that is done is with such intensity and focus.

If you want it, you'll go for it.... And if you don't, there is absolutely nothing that can  make you this driven.

Motivation, determination, persistence, drive, focus, intention, and prayer can take you far if you place them in the right action and decision.

Your love language

Practically Speaking Grab some sidewalk chalk and have some fun with it! For example: If you want to show love or appreciate someone who has taken the car to work, write a big "VIP Parking" in a car shaped rectangle on the driveway where they park. Then draw a path of affirming words they are to follow once they get out of the car. By the time they reach the house, they will feel loved. Over the cold winter months you may have had the delight of acquiring some useless things. Team up with a loved one to find those physical (or even digital) items no longer vital for your lives together. If they need a new home, then pack them up and take to the nearest thrift shop or family in need. If not, trash them. You'll be amazed at the freedom you'll both feel.  Who says you can't make up your own holiday? Who says only birthdays and anniversaries are worthy of gifts? Pick a day with your partner, clear the calendar, and celebrate. Make your own theme, suggest appropriate gifts and go all out marking the day you choose. Spend some time reading to your child. Your child will enjoy each story, and you will get to experience the joy and excitement in their eyes that brings the book to life. Most of all, they will enjoy the quality time with you. When separated by distance, having physical items that belong to one another may serve as a tangible substitute. Perhaps a shirt sprayed with the cologne or perfume of your significant other may remind you of each other and of enjoyable times together.

Times

The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to comprehend.’

— Henri Bergson

In all situations, our perspective (right now) is basically our only lens. How we see it is how we will take it. However, some of us have a way to see the full picture, which helps to see a bit into the future and hence able to plan a detour if needed.

The other few of us are quite afraid of what's to come, so much that we are blind to the real reality. So what's happening now, where we are now, what's before us now is really our reality.

It's ok to be in the moment but all moments pass by and all situations change - not always for the bad but times do change.

Happy Monday! 

Lessons learned

Learning a lesson can be tough to admit, but on the other hand, can teach you things you’d never expect. 

Lessons learned help explain just how you’re feeling by giving words to something that may be tough to express. 

Before you act, listen. Before you react, think. Before you spend, earn. Before you criticize, wait. Before you pray, forgive. Before you quit, try - Ernest Hemingway

Anger

Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret. - Ambrose Bierce

Anger is just anger. It isn't good or bad. It just is. How and what you do with it is what really counts. It's just like the power of the tongue; you can use it to build or to destroy. The choice is truly yours. 

Someone once said that "anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to the vessel on which it is poured". This is very true! The longer you hang on to anger, the deeper the wound gets, the stronger the feeling grows, and the bigger the gap gets between the problem and forgiveness/restoration.

Determine in your heart how long the depth of your emotions will take you. And then get over it! 

Friday

Youth is like a long weekend on Friday night. Middle age is like a long weekend on Monday afternoon.  - Richard Nelson Bolles

It's Friday!!! If you have had a week like mine, then you've been waiting for today since 10am Monday morning :).

As you finish up your work week, plan to finish big....with most if not all your tasks completed. Then be strategic and plan   to do something special for yourself this weekend. 

You've worked hard, now play and have fun!

TGIF

Plan

Before I got married I had six theories about bringing up children; now I have six children and no theories —John Wilmot

It doesn't matter how much we plan on life, there are some things we just can't plan on and have to "play it by ear". 

Everything doesn't come with a manual; but you have to be able to discern when that happens. If you do, give yourself a break...take it easy, pray for God's daily guidance to help you through it and then trust Him in the process.

Oh the past....

It's ok to look behind you, at your past. Just be careful not to stare at it long. Just a glance will do - unlisted

The past is the past and there isn't anything you can do about it today that will ever change it. The more you revisit those memories, the more unrealistic things will be for you. 

Mind you, the past isn't entirely full of bad days, there are some good there as well. But you certainly can't re-live the good memories either....because that moment no longer exists. 

Yesterday is always gone and behind you; therefore avoid puting all your "today" energy into keeping it alive.

Put all your efforts into what's before you now and let that guide your decisions and confidence. 

Help

When helping others, do not look for a reward; if you are looking for rewards, don't help others - Chinese Proverb

People need help because they need help; therefore you help for that reason alone. One shouldn't go into a situation like this with a strategy to get something back. We should however go with a sincere heart, a plan to do whatever we can to make someone else's situation better AND the heart to keep them in prayer when you leave them.

Rewards come from God, not man. There is nothing that we can do to receive the kind of blessing that we deserve. These are gifts that only come from God. 

What we can do is position our hearts for something great, allow the burden of helping the needy to flow in us and then sit back and watch how God honors and blesses!