Hello Family,
Blessings, love, and peace to you and your family.
Blessings, love, and peace to you and your family.
It's Fall, it's October and Halloween is just around the corner.
Halloween can be fun and it can be scary and spooky. It's a time when some people go to haunted houses and are met with fear, that they seek. Have you ever thought about some of the fears that you are living with? *Fear of bugs, dogs, heights or elevators. *Fear of not being liked or fear that you made the wrong choice. *Fear of being wrong, looking foolish, or not fitting in. *Fear of missing out, failing or fear to say yes or even to answer. *Fear of not being heard, not being able to speak or not knowing what to say. Some of the situations that I fear, that I'm working to eliminate: *Fear that someone is going to stop suddenly in front of me while I'm driving. *Fear that I'm going to be late, which makes me start rushing, then I get anxious. *Fear that the dinner that I cooked for my husband, wasn't very tasty. *Fear that I'm not smart enough, even after writing the two books of inspiration. *I bake, so sometimes, I fear that the dessert might not turn out right. *I line dance, so sometimes I fear that I might mess up while dancing. *One of my fears, which I'm really working to overcome, is being misunderstood. Here's the thing, I believe it's my assignment in life, my ministry to help people. And sometimes when I help people, for no reason, for no pay, and without a motive to get something in return, they (I believe) become suspicious of me and wonder what's my angle, what do I want. As I become more and more aware of the things that cause me to be fearful, I'm working to rid my mind, soul, body and life of those fears. Start paying attention to situations that make you anxious and causes you to fear, so you can do the work to start eliminate them. You may need some help. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. The message this month is to make you aware of some things that you may or may not have thought about. To help you live a better, richer more fulfilling life.
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It's September and I imagine everybody should be back in school now; from the pre-schoolers to the college students.
Summer is winding down and Fall is approaching on September 22, which is less than two weeks away. When the seasons change our lives change: what we eat, what we wear, where we go, how we feel, and what we think. One thing that I hope never changes, is your desire to learn and grow. Growing up mom always said, "Learn all that you can learn." Learning doesn't always take place in a classroom. You can learn from other people, experiences, or just by observing. Keeping yourself open to learn is a very wise move. You never know what knowledge someone is willing to share with you, if you are open to it. Go on vacation from school and classes, but not from learning and growing. This is too insightful not to share. My friend shared this on Facebook and I thought it was worth repeating here.
I asked a friend who has crossed 70 and is heading towards 80 what sort of changes he is feeling in himself? He sent me the following: 1. After loving my parents, my siblings, my spouse, my children and my friends, I have now started loving myself. 2. I have realized that I am not “Atlas”. The world does not rest on my shoulders. 3. I have stopped bargaining with vegetable & fruit vendors. A few pennies more is not going to break me, but it might help the poor fellow save for his daughter’s school fees. 4. I leave my waitress a big tip. The extra money might bring a smile to her face. She is toiling much harder for a living than I am. 5. I stopped telling the elderly that they've already told that story many times. The story makes them walk down memory lane and relive their past. 6. I have learned not to correct people even when I know they are wrong. The onus of making everyone perfect is not on me. Peace is more precious than perfection. 7. I give compliments freely and generously. Compliments are a mood enhancer not only for the recipient, but also for me. A small tip for the recipient of a compliment, never, NEVER turn it down, just say "Thank You.” 8. I have learned not to bother about a crease or a spot on my shirt. Personality speaks louder than appearances. 9. I walk away from people who don't value me. They might not know my worth, but I do. 10. I remain cool when someone plays dirty to outrun me in the rat race. I am not a rat and neither am I in any race. 11. I am learning not to be embarrassed by my emotions. It’s my emotions that make me human. 12. I have learned that it's better to drop the ego than to break a relationship. My ego will keep me aloof, whereas with relationships, I will never be alone. 13. I have learned to live each day as if it's the last. After all, it might be the last. 14. I am doing what makes me happy. I am responsible for my happiness, and I owe it to myself. Happiness is a choice. You can be happy at any time, just choose to be! I decided to share this for all my friends. Why do we have to wait to be 60 or 70 or 80, why can't we practice this at any stage and age? Has anyone said or did anything to you that you need to forgive them for? I'm pretty sure it has happened to all of us. Sometimes someone can offend you and they might not even know it.
You can bring it to the person's attention, if they are willing to listen. If the person wants to talk or not, listen or not, you still have to forgive them. Don't hold grudges, because it will bring you down, decrease your joy, energy, and the love that you need to share with others. If you love, love, love in all circumstances you can't go wrong. I'm not saying that you have to hangout with the person, but you do have to love them. Love it the answer. Love is the key. Have you ever thought about your best and your worst character traits.
If you have or haven't take a few moments now to think about them. Your best trait may be: Honesty Dependability Kindheartedness Thoughtfulness Loyalty Generosity Humility Patience Compassion Plus a lot more....... find yours. Your worst trait may be: Disloyalty Deceitfulness Dishonesty Selfishness Greed Disrespectfulness Vengefulness Narcissism Plus a lot more...... find yours. Try this little exercise. Pick out your best and worst traits. You may want to hang on to your best trait and get rid of the worst. Try focusing on your good trait every day. Not in a braggadocious or prideful way, but in a way that shows gratitude for that trait. When you focus on your good trait/s more you should see a change in your behavior. What you focus on will increase. I think we all want to get better and be better people so let's accentuate the positive. Keep doing this exercise until you change your life. Twinkle, twinkle, little (You) star.
Do you wonder who you are? In God's world up above, You will find love, love and more love. What the world needs is love. Twinkle, twinkle little You. How I wonder what you are Doing to put more love into the world that's true. Twinkle, twinkle, little STAR. Have you ever been scammed or tricked into something? If you have, I'm sure it wasn't a good feeling.
I've been scammed several times in the last few weeks. Both were on Messenger. The first time, I realized it was a scam right away. The person on the other end told me she had received thousands of dollars, just by applying. It was quick, simple and easy. So I asked (my supposed friend) a few questions. She responded immediately to every question that I asked. It dawned on me with her disabilities, there is no way that she can be responding to me so quickly. So I ended the conversation. The second time I wasn't so fortunate. I received a message from my cousin, (supposedly). She asked me if I had applied for the grant that was so easy to get. The other person said, all you have to do is give a little information. We chatted back and forth for a while, because I thought it was my cousin. Then she said I need to send my information, right now. Which is usually a red flag when somebody tells you you have to do it right now or it's going away. (That should have been a sign). So I sent the information requested, general information. I was also asked for my drivers license or a picture ID. Which I didn't feel even a little bit comfortable doing. So I sent a photo ID with just my name. So then I was told that I had to pay a small fee $1,500. Now in comparison to the amount of money that I was supposed to be getting it was a small amount, but I didn't feel comfortable sending it. So I decided to call my cousin to ask her if she had been chatting with me on Messenger. She said no it wasn't me. I haven't contacted you in a few months. Boy did I feel stupid, hurt, violated and scammed big time. Even though that happened I'm glad it wasn't worse. I didn't send a picture of my drivers license and I didn't send any money. Thank God. There were things that I questioned, but ignored because it was my cousin. So be aware! If you are specious of something that you are receiving from a friend or relative. please use your better judgment. It will save you in the end. There are blessings all around.
If you look up or if you look down. Blessings in the sky and blessings on the ground. If you look inside or out, You are going to find some blessings lurking about. Blessings are everywhere. Take time to notice. Blessings. It is exhausting to be yourself and to try to be the person that you Think other people want you to be.
It's exhausting trying to be the perfect role model to all people all of the time. It's exhausting to think that the bad decisions that people, close to you, make is a reflection on your character. It's exhausting to think you are responsible for the way other people choose to live. Plus, is it fair for you to believe that you are responsible for some's happiness? It's exhausting to worry about what people think about you. That's not your business, but theirs. It's exhausting to live your life doing things that you don't want to do to make someone else happy. All the while making you miserable. Just be yourself. Are you a liar?
You know you are, Your family and friends know you are, And anybody that meets you, know you are after speaking to you and being in your presence any length of time. Do you tell white lies? The ones that seem to be okay in the eyes of society Or do you tell such huge fibs that there is no way it could be true in the ears of the listener? On the other hand, your truth is so far-fetched, miraculous, strange and unbelievable that your audience know for sure you are making it up. They don't believe you, but you really are telling the truth. Do you think it's okay to lie as long as it's one of those white lies? Do you think it's okay to lie as long as you don't get caught? What do you say to your children about lying? Were your mom and dad liars? Which is where, you picked it up from now you are passing it on to your children. Do you think everybody lies at some point? Do we have any honest Abes or saints walking around who will get extra wings and more jewels in their crowns for not lying. Do you think we all lie by default? You may think you are an honest Abe or a saint floating around here on earth, but I need for you to reconsider your stance and view on lying. My mom would get on our cases for what she called acting out a lie. Not saying a word, but acting like we were in truthville when we were nowhere near it. Here's a short list of things you may tell white lies about when questioned: Did you finish your homework? Does this dress make my butt look big? How did you enjoy dinner? How does my hair look? Did you like the gift that I got for you? Your set may be different, but you get the point. Do you tell white lies, outlandish ones or malicious lies that hurt and destroy lives? Would you say you're not a liar and that you always tell the truth? or are you somewhere in the middle? It's an interesting topic, but one that we all need to take a look at. A lie is a lie. Regardless, of where we are on the lying scale, if we do it intentionally or not, it is wrong to lie. Are we all liars by default? Liar, Liar |