Stress Factors

For the past few weeks all the things I have been stressing over, have been coming right together. Ill stay up all night for a test. Worried losing sleep. When I walk into class the test is cancelled. My agenda is filled and I can't detect whether I'm coming or going ...and then out the blue the events get cancelled. At that point ..its a sigh of relief . I'm starting to really understand the saying that what GOD has for me is for me. I learned over the weekend from a mentor these simple things. Why are you stressed and worried over things that GOD has already designed. Why do you think that you can dictate and plan your life out just the way you want it to;When you didn't even have control your own birth ? That stuck out for me . How can I be so preoccupied with the unknown. Its UNKNOWN for a reason, and there is no need in losing valuable sleep over it . What good is a movie or book when you already know the ending?Gotta stay tuned or keep reading to get to the end.

Stripped

All good things must come to an end. The question is whether or not you are brave enough to let it go? But, just because they come to an end doesn't mean they wont come back around. Life is all about seasons. Drought , famine , overflow and abundance are all apart of life . I sat in church on Sunday and the pastor delivered an awesome message about hope. Hope goes a little bit further than faith . Faith is the substance of the things hoped for . But , hope is an attitude. Hope is even when your in the mist of going through, you still believe that things will get better. Hope is letting go and knowing that whatever you think you lost GOD will replace with something bigger and better.

In my two decades of living , I have learned that as soon as you let go ... GOD will bless you. There is no need holding on to something that is dead . It's like this ...would you rather hold on to something that you want ...or hold on to something that GOD has planned for your life? It takes GOD snatching you from your comfort zone and stripping you of affiliations and relationships to elevate you to where you need to be. Imagine being on an island all by yourself. A small piece of land, surrounded by water on all sides. Just you. Stripped of everything. No car. No clothes . No computers. No music. No people. Free of distractions. You would be forced to survive. Forced to make things work. Forced to make do. Forced to find new ways to live.Forced to let GOD guide you. At some point in our lives GOD will put us on our own personal islands, in a world of chaos and reality. He does this to transform us into our better selves. Distractions deter us from where we need to be, and the sooner you let those things go ..the possibilities are endless.

Love Hunt

Every little girl dreams of the knight in shining armour that will come rescue them. With a gold plated chest, dreamy eyes and hair blowing in the wind. Just like something out of a movie. He will come riding in with gifts and love . From there live in a mystical castle living happily ever after .That's until you wake up ..realize its a dream and come back to reality. For the last few weeks I have been trying to decipher why I have this infatuation with love?

According to the dictionary, love is defined as a strong regard or emotion for someone. Ultimately , I believe love is such a strong emotion it defies definition. Its relevant to whomever is in it. If I had to design love , I would craft it to be everlasting, unconditional and unbreakable. It would be constructed to bring out the best in individuals , helpful and forgiving. The special features would include an unspoken language and so strong bribery is not included.

Whenever love comes up in a room of soon-to-be successful young impressionable women...we all say the same things about ourselves. We have obtainable goals set, beauty and brains, speak eloquently , can hold an intelligent conversation..blah blah blah the list goes on . We have yet to FIND someone who can appreciate all the things we have to offer. As I start to get older I realize that's the problem . WE shouldn't be looking for anything. We should be found. Such a hard concept to understand...I'm 22 and I'm just starting to put the pieces of the puzzle together. I want to be right where I need to be , so when he finds me ...he wont have to look any further.

Love is something you don't go searching for. When you forget about it and just live life .It finds you when you least expect it to. There are negative images of love and commitment theses days. With Tiger Woods and his infidelity. can't forget the Chris Brown/Rhianna ..Drunk PUNCH kinda love. But then there are also positive ones like the popular Barack and Michelle Obama and Will Smith and Jada. They are like the saviors for Black love. Even with the ugliness that love sometimes brings , I still see the beauty in it .The ability to love is a gift. One that I'm not willing to give to just anyone. Sometimes spending time loving the wrong people, carrying baggage and not letting go of the past is a hindrance to give love a chance. Love can be a gift and a curse. Spreading it all over the place isn't wise. But I can say, I wont go looking for it in the trees, small crevices and corners , or dark alleys. I'm going to let it find me...instead of going on a love scavenger hunt.

PRETTY People Do The UGLIEST Things

It's so funny sometimes how relationships that you once had ...soon fade to black . How someone you love ..hurts you the most . I have come to the conclusion that jealousy and envy bring out the worst in people. No matter how talented , beautiful, humble or well off they are . Sometimes a person must step outside of themselves ..to see how UGLY they truly are. It's like life has a sense of humor. How can the one thing that is supposed to bring individuals together ...snatch them apart? Witnessing the love that you once had for people turn to hate ...is such a hurtful process to endure. NEVER allow anyone to get the best of you.

I found this awesome Chinese proverb it simply states, " He who seeks vengeance must dig two graves: One for his enemy and one for himself." It means that when you take the time to hurt others who have hurt you...you only end up hurting yourself. One of the most hypocritical things one can do is become a reflection of the people they despise so much. Never taking into account their recent transformation. Turning the other cheek is easier said than done but, its the healthiest route. The amount of time your using to lose sleep , you can be planting into something else like purpose. Enemies can only do to you...what you allow. My father always told me ...don't allow people to rent space in your head ...with YOUR permission. Be the bigger person. Move on. Let it go. Fighting fire with fire only causes a larger flame...so let it die out slowly. God will use your enemies as your foot stool to elevate you to higher heights. You should never have a hand in someone's downfall or seek revenge. No one can take care of your enemies better than GOD.

These simple sayings are so profound. Treat others the way you want to be treated and what goes around comes around. Don't do to others what people has been done to you. Be reassured that GOD will take care of those who cast evil against. The sooner these lessons are learned the better off you shall be.

Quote of the Day

" It's not the load that brings you down..its the way you carry it"

-Lena Horne

I got a feeling...that today's gonna be a good day. Peace and Blessing to all my readers. Love you lots . Stay PROgressive and PROactive .

On the Run

It's Friday night in Atlanta. End of May. Summertime---And I'm in the house. I guess I'm not like most 22 years old. I decided to have a movie night. I watched the movie "Preacher's Kid" starring LeToya Luckett and Tank ---- and it seems as though that movie was made just for me. I took away a lot of things....but there was one message in particular that stuck with me and opened my eyes. You leave GOD --------but he never leaves you.

That is such a powerful statement. So many times as a believer---we stray from GOD. There is nothing like the guilt of feeling like the favor of GOD has departed from your life. No matter the sin. Whether its sex-drugs-liquor -clubbing-lying- or hanging out. We get wrapped up in living for the moment that we forget about the future sometimes. I think that as young people...we feel like we have time. It like we live our lives when we're young..scratch things off our bucket list --then when we get older we wanna live for GOD. But what if that's too late.
It never occurred to me parents warn you about what not to do --because they are protecting you . Parents already lived and don't want you to make the same mistakes that they did. I know from experience --there is nothing like living life for yourself. Curiosity gets the best of you---you want to explore the world ..and answer your own questions. However sometimes we get so caught up in living for ourselves...that we forget to live for GOD.

" Preacher's Kid" highlighted the notion that GOD will do things to get your attention. He will put you through a test...to have a magnificent testimony. GOD knows your intended end and he is the one who created you. He constructed your mind and everything that resides in it .GOD makes no mistakes because he is perfect. As humans , we make mistakes . The best thing is to learn from them and not make the same mistake twice. The main character , Angie had to experience life for herself in order for it to bring her back to where she started . The one place she was running from---GOD. No matter how hard you try and run from GOD---he will always lead you right back to him.

Field of Dreams: PRO-active vs RE-active

When things go wrong .....as they sometimes will. Do you see it through or throw in the towel? There will be different seasons in your life. Drought, Famine, and Harvest. In harvest ,it seems like everything is going right. Opportunities are fluid. More good days than bad days. Goals and dreams are being checked off a list. You feel as if life is moving in the right direction . Then there is drought. Life has its good days and bad days , but it seems like things are steady. The most uncomfortable and miserable place to be in... is a famine. Everything seems fruitless and every door you turn to is closed. The debts are HIGH and the funds are LOW . Dreams feel deferred ---and no where near arms reach.There seems to be nothing tangible to give hope--but faith is truly the only thing you can hold on to.

The true measure of a man surfaces in the time of famine. One must decide to continue the battle or give up. Proactive vs. Reactive? In times of trouble one should stay proactive. Walking in stride one foot in front of the other---never skipping a beat. Don't quit and give up before the miracle happens. When things happen out of your control..you should discover what you CAN control. Being defeated and overcome is a state of mind. When your mind is made up there is no turning back . Being reactive means allowing emotions to get in the way.Its so easy to cry and lose sight of what its in front of you. Losing all hope . Being reactive is like getting lost and not attempting to find another route---to your destination.

The best way to be proactive is in a place of solitude in silence. Even when the world is spinning ..find a way to jump off . Drown out distractions and mute ambient sound. Look in the mirror and really admire your reflection. Pick up the pieces and find something else to do with your time. So far this summer --it seems like all the doors I wanted to walk through have been closed in my face. I felt like ..man ...GOD why are YOU closing all these doors. My resume is tight. My reputation speaks for itself. I have the talent, drive, and expertise--so why aren't people seeing my GREATNESS? The sadness of a broken nose from those closed doors began to take a toll on my spirit---as I watched people get opportunities that I dream of. There is nothing like a broken spirit.

Then I heard GOD tell me....how can you question the creator of your destiny? How can you doubt the person who makes the impossible POSSIBLE?How can the same GOD that blessed you before---- not bless you again? .At that moment I picked up my tears ..and kept moving. When you remain proactive it shows GOD that he can trust you--even in the storm. So imagine how he can reward you--with clear skies? So I----- Wiped my tears. Drew up another plan. Stayed focused...and allowed GOD to be GOD. Being proactive is hard . What you do in a famine will determine whether or not you reach another harvest. Being reactive is easy. You cant be a PRO without RE-petition.

Dear 2010

Wow. 2010. She is definitely trying her best to get the best of me. My life has changed so much. Been on an emotional roller coaster. I have been fighting tooth and nail to keep my sanity. In my 22 years of living I have seen the best and worst of people. The heart of man can be so tarnished and evil when man feels insecure and threatened. I have had to learn how to turn the other cheek. Now that is truly a task for me. Imagine...if you treated people the way they treated you? What would the world be like?

Life is so unpredictable. It will take the things you love the most. People you never imagined will walk in and out .You will see those that you love turn against you. You will be left all alone. Life will make you feel so low ..that there is no where else to go. Life will show you the beauty and ugliness of man . Life will give you peace. Life will torment you . Life will inspire you and defeat you. When you are up against a trouble...you see it through. When bad things happen ..that's not an excuse to let go of life..pull the reigns a little harder.No matter what card life decides to deal , its up to you to play that hand the best way you can. There have been times that I have wanted to give up...but I had to encourage myself . Motivate myself. Spend time with myself . And..LOVE myself.

The beautiful thing about GOD is that he makes no mistakes. He uses every situation to teach you something. Its up to you to wake up and pay attention. So GOD...I'm paying attention. I'm taking notes. I'm listening loud and clear. Sometimes GOD will put you through somethings to make sure he gets your attention.

So as I stand here in 2010, I'm stronger than ever. More attentive . More willing to learn . More willing to GROW.

When you go through something, you GROW through somethings.