My Definition of Success

Many thanks to @DarrenHardy for the engine of "Insane Productivity". This definition was born out of my doing the work of Module 5. After I answered the prescribed series of questions, I concluded that my definition of success is vastly different from what I previously perceived it to be.  It is as follows:

"My Definition of Success is having and exercising the luxury of saying, "YES" to what positively fuels, energizes, ignites and gives me joy and "NO" to all else (people, things & experiences) which in turn positively impacts my emotional, spiritual, mentally, social (i.e., relational), and financial accounts (both tangibly & intangibly)."

I encourage you to define success for yourself. You don't get a "do-over" with your life...Once it's gone you will give an account for what you did with it.

#successisforeverybody

Remembering Where I Came From

This is something I have not done in years! I am lying in my bed watching TV. I just saw an episode of "Good Times" and it brought back memories that seem like it wasn't so long ago. In this episode, J.J. went to the unemployment office trying to secure work so he could help his mom meet the rent and the bills. The social services worker was being so uppity that it caused J.J. to act out towards her taking her stamp out of her hand and letting her know that he hoped she not get out of her job and end up on the other side of the desk.

I recall being in one of the lowest places of my life and having to get the aide of "the system". This was one position that I vowed to never be in. I recall the feelings that J.J. experienced, though I didn't act out on them. I remember having to wait and being the kind of person I was & still am, I always have a book so I would read to distract myself from the horrid surroundings. However, this one day I will never forget having this "feeling" to look around. Then, this notion to write about what I saw. While I was busy trying to numb myself to the feelings I felt for having to be there and blind myself to the others that were there too, God was trying to show me something completely different that smashed my perception. See, before being there myself, many years prior I cast judgments on "those people" who spent time getting aid as though they were all just "milking the system". To my surprise, being on that side of reality, I awakened to the fact that most of them were not "milking the system". Moreover, the needs outweighed the aid the families were receiving. I also began to have conversations with so many ladies and gentlemen. To hear their stories and learn of their situation always made mine feel as though "what did I have to complain about". Being "green" in this area, it was other aided recipients that informed me about how to turn in docs and C.Y.A. (cover my anus) in this arena. I am thankful today for where God with His "super" added to my "natural" has brought me from those not so long ago moments. I also recognize that no one is immuned to requiring such aid and support, so be careful to not cast judgment on those that are. Sure, there are some that may use it to supplement their income and may even get away with "milking the system", but what I know for sure majority of them are not. #moretocome #rememberwhereyoucamefrom #soyoudontrepeatit
#tracesofadream
#rebound #resilience

We Can..We Will

There are now grumblings about the no spending initiative (smh).  However in contrast to other forms of protest that involves violence because of realistically not just frustration with the handling of this case rather pinned up angry because of it happening repeatedly, I agree with it. Moreover, I also agree with becoming a leader in the community and other suggestions too. However those are not usually immediately actions/outcomes. In this age of instant gratification, I see this as peaceful, nonviolent and non offensive to the masses that can't land anyone in jail nor cause bodily harm to anyone. I ALSO SEE THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY OR CAUSE TO ASK, "DID YOU VOTE?" I am just curious how many are registered and exercised their right to vote literally because even in not going to the polls one still impacts the decision.  I further see this as an opportunity to recreate "Black Wallstreet"! WE HAVE THE POWER TO ERECT A LASTING CHANGE!

Black Wall Street, Little Africa, Tulsa, Oklahoma…: http://youtu.be/X4IvFXPGYNA

STEP BACK...EVALUATE...ADJUST

Step back...evaluate the life you are making for yourself...does it line up with the vision you have had for you?

As I engage a little more on social media after being away from it over this last month, rather than jumping on and off to post an inspirational nugget or 2, I began reading posts. In my evaluation of things, I came to this conclusion..."people are creating chaotic situations or allowing themselves to be a part of stuff that they can at any moment step back from and make another decision instantly." If I am not mindful of my own actions, I too could be that very one I am talking about. I don't want that.

Mindful behavior = deliberate decisions × intentional thoughts, rightly dividing (÷) the Word of God & gaining a true understanding of who you were meant to be! Syntax errors happen in programming as a result of...

"a character or string incorrectly placed in a command or instruction that causes a failure in execution"

The only way to prevent this is from occurring in our being is to get a healthy spiritual diet, being dialed in and having the courage to say, "No!", when it is warranted and "Yes" for the right reason (s).  If you are off track, just stop where you are, identify where you are, and then just make the adjustment. Thanks for reading and sharing!

Continue to be AMAZED!

There have been times in my life that others have made comments about one shouldn't be amazed when they have seen the hand of God move on their behalf (or comments that support that kind of mindset). I could NEVER agree. In my not being able to agree, I would take it up in prayer and feel it necessary for me to stay in that childlike mode of excitement and anticipation with "what Daddy would do for His daughter today" attitude.  Anyone who KNOWS me know that I get excited and that I have a full range of my emotions for which I am thankful.

God just keeps on AMAZING me! Today's devotion just took my amazement over the top because when God causes a book to line up with what is happening for real in your life and you know you don't know the author. And put in perspective, they don't know you...All they were doing was being obedient to the Call God has on their lives by writing and publishing. Then, you obeyed the CALL to buy no not that book, but THIS BOOK! Then you obey the Call to read God's Word daily, even if it is just through this devotion and pray! Then you keep meeting the day with the Word, Wisdom & Prayer that is right in sync with what is literally happening in real life right now! Then you get to that day and this devotion is so INTIMATELY close to what is in my heart it is as though GOD TAKES WHAT'S IN YOUR HEART, puts it on the pages then allows the prayer to go beyond anything you have prayed over the matter ever before...HOW CAN YOU NOT BE AMAZED?!?!! That's what God did for me! He keeps on doing great things for me! It's like He is smiling on me (or as my Pastor, Bishop Murphy III would say...He's leaning in my direction)! CONTINUE TO BE AMAZED! He's not through with you yet!

You Are Triumphant!

One of the hardest things for people to see is themselves triumphant. I call it "interference".  That's all it is.  What is "interference"? According to the dictionary, it is "a. The act or an instance of hindering, obstructing, or impeding. b. Something that hinders, obstructs, or impedes."  From my own personal experience, it was rooted in the self - defeating thoughts that I had grown accustomed to having as a result of something different not intercepting them when I was young. While I believe my caregivers did the best they could, it is up to me to seek a new way now that I am older and expect to have different result.  The old saying, "garbage in, garbage out" is true. So, I am mindful of what I take in. I choose to be triumphant because that is what God calls me. I have adopted His ways as mine. It is a daily decision that I have found to be beneficial. As for me, I am choosing to see myself victorious, abounding in love and grace, full of hope and compassion, and taking no prisoners. It takes the same energy and time to be negative as it does positive.  What will you choose...life or death? Either way, IT IS YOUR CHOICE.  YOU WILL HAVE NO ONE TO BLAME IN THE END.  Decide for yourself which way is better then take it by force.

Biting Off MORE Than You Can Chew

Have you ever wanted something so bad that when the opportunity presented itself you "bit off more than you could chew"?  I recently experienced this in a business decision with one of the leading vendors in my industry.  In a nutshell, I based my actions, FIRST on another person's perspective, THEN on yet another person's promise all the while tossing out the sharp reality of what "I" could really afford.  For those of you who are my present and past clients, family, friends and colleagues, you know that I encourage you to not do that and yet I ended up doing it myself.

In the business of real estate, there are always people pitching you one thing on another usually to meet their agendas more than yours.  However, there are some really great people and opportunities too.  The results of my outcome were favorable after I went back to the vendor and asked about a reduction.  I humbled myself, turned from my wicked ways and God healed my land (i.e., mindset, business dealing and integrity).  I was able to scale back (i.e., downsize)!  What do you need to scale back or downsize because you bit off more than you could chew?  Whether it is a house, a business deal, a car, or too many shoes...on the other side of the experience is PEACE & greater creativity. NEED HELP DECIDING?  Email, Inbox or Direct Message me.  We can work it out together! No situation too small, large or hard!  Let's work it out together.

Getting Pass You

Self-imposed limitations - barriers one puts unconsciously (sometimes consciously) in their own way that prohibits them from making needful changes. Get out of your own way. Peace & Blessings!  Thanks for watching!

Bishop TD Jakes at LAKEWOOD CHURCH...DON'T LET THIS MOMENT PASS YOU BY

Sent in dedication to my many followers...this one speaks to so many of you!  Watch, Listen, & Obey!

Being Un-Comfortable (PART 2)

Oh my goodness! I had to come back today after reading Tyler Perry's post from 1/8/2014 (as a result of my friend sharing it with me)! The notion of "Being Uncomfortable" came to me yesterday while riding in the car.  As a follow-up to this message, I feel Mr. Perry's message echoed loudly this knowing I have within but not words to articulate.  His illustration resulting from his research about the eagle is both inspiring, enlightening, and encouraging.  Since I will do it no justice to tell you about it... Click Here...this Link to check it out!

After reading Mr. Perry's post, perhaps I too am becoming "so sensitive to when it's time to move that I will move without having to have the turmoil".  Hopefully, this is encouraging you or nudging you to allow yourself to be uncomfortable enough to go ahead and fly knowing that even if you begin to descend our Heavenly Father who has given His angels charge over you that they will swoop down to catch you before you could dash your foot against a stone!  Go ahead, eagle...FLY!!! 

Being Uncomfortable

When was the last time you purposely made yourself "uncomfortable"?  I am sure you are thinking that is a rhetorical question, but it is not.

Before a tree becomes a tree,  it had to go through a grueling process from being planted in the dirt! As a result of germinating process, the seed breaks forth and the life giving agents previously en grafted in it's DNA comes forth though not visible to the naked eye.  The budding process causes the tree to take shape til after many days and nights, even years it became what we see today...A tree!

So it is with you & me,  many times people do not see the planting, the watering, the entire germinating process yet you are called forth for a purpose to glorify your Maker.  Until, one day the world notices YOU.  They didn't see where you came from...they only see the resulting faction of your life.

So again I ask you...When was the last time you purposely made yourself " uncomfortable "?  That is part of the bringing forth process. I will speak for myself...There are times when I just don't "feel like" doing the thing that is purposeful for the appointed time and I don't do it. However, later,  when at some time far off than the origin I wish I had done "that" work which would have made me uncomfortable momentarily,  yet yield the greatest return on the investment of time.  I have chosen to make myself uncomfortable on purpose knowing at the appointed time I will reap the expected end. I encourage you to do the same...get uncomfortable & watch growth take place! Thank you in advance for reading and sharing!

I can be reached on 202-345-1594 for book me for your event!

Random Affirmations

This morning my box of affirmation cards fell out to these 2 so I thought i would share them with you!