Self-Acceptance

Today, I completed a 10-day exercise on "Self-Acceptance"! What a difference a day makes, let alone 10 days! When I began, I wasn't expecting to get much out of it though I was determined to be committed to the process. Now, on the other side of 10 days, I love myself so much more. I know who I am and I realize I am evolving into who God has created me to be. My natural strengths and talents have been underutilized.   The things I had been putting off are part of me living utilizing my natural strengths, talents and abilities to the fullest. There is more than what I can post here on trusting myself and making decisions and the experience of writing yourself a love letter that would turn this day's blog into a book so I refrain for today.  Nonetheless, I encourage you as a cheerleader for your team of 1...get on your way to SELF ACCEPTANCE,  if you haven't already and watch the difference it will make in your life and those around you.  Be the change you want to see! In the end, as closing remarks here's what my take was:

"Thank you for this lesson on self acceptance! It seems that God has prescribed these various tools to bring me to a level of wholeness I have not experienced before now. Thank you for your contribution to my journey. The take aways are far greater than the time spent and I am so much further along than I ever imagined a little 10-day exercise could have ever yielded. I am here! I do matter; my presence matters. My voice matters. My vote matters. Somebody wants to hear what I have to say! No one is more important than me." Namaste

I Shall Have What I Decree!

There has been this song in my heart that I only knew 2 words...."I declare".  When was the last time you tried to find a song on YouTube or anywhere else with just 2 words?  Well, let me tell you, "It is not easy!"  My goodness, but TONIGHT I decided to take my time and look for it!  When I tell you I am overjoyed!!!!! That is putting it MILDLY!  I feel like yelling it from the ROOFTOPS, "I HAVE FOUND THE SONG I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR!!!" In response, I can see people looking at me like I am crazy and I have the audacity to say within myself, "SO WHAT!!"  I have played it I don't know how many times!  Its like finding a valuable piece of jewelry that you thought was lost and then it is found!  So, today's blog is simply to share the song that I am so glad to have the words to and now even a dance to also! ENJOY! The song is by Myron Butler.  The name of the song is, "Speak".

Go Be Who You Are...You Cannot Fly Until You Break the Shell

India Arie is one of my favorite artist, so seeing her on Super Soul Sunday made me smile!  So refreshing!

Enjoy her new song... "Break the Shell"!  The lyrics are beautiful!  Below are just some of them...

You cannot fly until you break the shell....

Courage is not being hard...its time to peel back all of the layers you put between who you were meant to be and who you are....and go be who you are....

So much disappointment to finally understand...there is no such thing as perfect...we are simply doing the best that we can...and we have the choice to truly be alive!

(Chorus) Child its time to break the shell
life is going to hurt but its meant to be felt
you cannot touch the sky from inside yourself
you cannot fly until you break the shell

You'll be stuck on the ground until...you finally break the shell!

You know before an EAGLE is full grown and gets to soar, it too was a baby eagle that had to break out of the shell...see yourself as the EAGLE who has broken out of the shell and on your way to learning how to fly...then soar!

The 2-Letter Word

Ahhhhhhh!  These days I am more in tune with my spirit.  I recognize when I am getting off of my "center" and it is displayed first as an uneasiness from within that at a glimpse is just a feeling of being "off".  With closer introspection, I recognized that I was going against a core belief or even just an action that I know was not in alignment with my true essence.  At first I didn't have words for this "feeling" or "experience" as much as I do today.  As a result of a breaking point I reached almost 3 weeks ago now, I am attuned to this part of me.  It literally seems before I make one step that I think I am sure about, I have to stop and make sure that I am sure.  God has a way of letting me know that "I know" and even when I "don't know" and He is teaching me in the process.  I realize that I am always going to be presented opportunities that are "good", "better" and "best".  While on some days, "good" is what I should do, "best" would be better.  Nonetheless, determining which one to say, "Yes" to requires making a decision from stillness because it's not like all of them ("good" , "better" and "best) are presented to me at one time.  

Today, I wanted to say, "Yes" to my new assistant to come in to get as much of the scanning done as possible.  However, with closer introspection, I recognized an uneasiness, a hurrying within and had to put the brakes on.  Of course getting the scanning done means us being closer to being a completely paperless office.  "Best", won out and I had to say, "No."  It is better that she completes her training.

In another instance, a hair client requested that I do her hair tomorrow.  I love connecting with this young lady.  Again, "best" won out...I had to tell her no in the nicest way I could because stopping to connect (though "good") was not "best" as that would mean some more meaningful things would get dropped.

In essence it seems like new boundaries are being hedged and preparation for the opportunities that I have been praying for is vastly at hand.  This must be what Nehemiah felt as he rebuilt the wall in the book of Nehemiah (in the Bible).  Sanballat and the others were constantly trying to get him off what he knew he was supposed to be doing, however Nehemiah stayed the course and finished the wall of Jerusalem. (I had to stop and read this scripture!)  When you get a chance read Neh 6: 12-7:3!  I encourage you today, to stay the course your Heavenly Father has marked out for you...Seek Him first and all the other things will be added! The 2-letter word is not a bad word, its just one that I had to get re-acquainted with and that is "No."  It can be said in number of ways and with sweetness yet it still means the same thing it did when I was 2..."No."

Tow Trucks & Chauffeurs

What a great weekend! I graduated from college, got to go Myrtle Beach, spend time with my Ma (Marie), Sis (Desney), nieces & nephews and soon to be additional family! I couldn't have asked for a better Mother's Day celebrating my son's 13th birthday and simply enjoying the love of those nearest and dearest to me, my Babe & Shontice.  What we didn't expect was for the "Mothership" we respectfully call our van to break down on the way returning home. Stopping off the highway to a filling station led us to McDonny's, an off the beating path automobile mechanic spot that had the likings of being in a movie.  It literally reminded me of the mechanic station in "Peaceful Warrior"! The people were the sweetest that one could ever experience in the midst of a crisis of your main source of transportation to get home which was 181.4 miles away. While we waited, we learned how to play darts, was offered beverages and opportunity to sit back and relax while Trish sought quotes for a transmission for our 1999 Conversion Van with 220,000 miles! In short, we decided on the van being towed home with us in tow. Yes, this option required us to pay more than we would've liked, however thankful at the same time for the provision via a combination of great insurance and money to pay the difference.  What this resulted in was being chauffeured home in the cleanest tow truck I could've asked for! It also meant my husband could relax before having to go to work and my children experiencing something new, me sharing my beautiful flowers with a lady (Trish) whom I could tell do not get them often and an chance to choose a different emotion & attitude than I would otherwise. When I say, "profound peace", that is what I had and have in the midst (as I am still enjoying the ride while typing this), even amid talking with the rental car people and waiting on pricing before solidifying the final option.

In conclusion, what I accept is that regardless of being chauffeured in a limousine or a tow truck, your attitude can make the experience a joy or a catastrophe.  In this instance, a "joy" it was for all parties and purposes involved.  You never know who you are going to meet and why paths must cross as they sometimes do, however when things are beyond your control, I hope you will stop and see them as "God moments" or your time to shine for Jesus or let Him shine on or in you. "I love you to pieces" is what a dear friend left on my voicemail and that's what living is all about.

BIG PROPS TO: C.M. Towing of Lexington, SC (Jeremie) the best tow truck and service all around & McDonny's Auto Mechanics, Lexington, SC! Thank you for great service!

You Are Mine!

I just love how God reminds me that I am His, particularly as He states in Isaiah 43. It makes me feel all good inside. In a world where people can and will write you off quicker than you can blink your eyes over some of the most trivial things, it is reassuring to know that God never disowns you:-) or I. Ponder that...sweet dreams!

Are You Living a Lie?

I'm sitting here in the comforts of my home, watching Oprah's Next Chapter (one of my favorite TV shows) interview with Jason Collins.  I am so proud of this family!  Their display of the how a well-to-do, educated, African-American family handles a matter such as this in a functional way is a great example for many others from all cultures & walks of life to see.  Also, witnessing the genuine support that they have and rally behind Jason in his decision is refreshing too.  I am happy for Jason! For me, its not so much of his "coming out" as it is that he doesn't have to live a lie anymore.  The burden, the hiding, the secret, the lie and having to live that way is no way for anyone to live.  Can you imagine how it could have affected his game and so much more?  Listening to Mr. Collins divulge how he came to his decision to tell the truth one could easily find fault, however I was moved with the question of, "how many others are living a lie?", not so much about their sexuality, rather in anything they are experiencing.  Of course, you cannot ponder that question without turning those reflections and that examination inward. One of my "aha"s is accepting that I have held back in the growth of my business, even though I display that I am giving it my all. That too is a lie.  To make it right, tonight I have decided to proceed with the things that have been in my heart to do from the classes, to the signage, to systems and take courage.  Also, accepting that I have a toxic relationship with my mother and sister that is healthier for me to keep my distance and love them from afar than to continuously subjecting  or leaving myself open to or for their unwelcomed verbal vomit rather than creating a facade which eats at my spirit.  To think, I previously felt that if I accepted this truth and lived in this space that I would not be allowed to do the other things that are in my heart.  It was as though my being in some sort of happy relations with them would in some way validate who I am or give me license for me to go forth. Thank  you Mr. Collins for coming out...in so doing I have chosen to come out in my own personal way that unleashed the mental depravity that I once found solace though it was a prison in and of its own making.

I am in a great place and look forward to more beautiful experiences & living life out loud! Thanks for reading and responding :-)