You are a purpose with a name

     

I am NOW walking in my purpose and it HAS NOT been an easy road.  Life has issues me some tough lessons, gave me some pretty rough obstacles…but here I am embracing the journey. 

There is NOTHING or NO ONE that can take you outside of your purpose.  You are a purpose with a name. Everything that you do or say has already been destined.  You may not believe that, and that’s ok.  But just pay attention. Pay attention to how your efforts to move is blocked, pay attention to doors closing that you had no hand in, pay attention to the desire or urge to do something completely out of your comfort zone…. That IS NOT chance.  It’s purpose.  

Stop letting these people and their lack of support discourage you. Let them continue to think they have the control in holding you back.  No ma’am, no sir…. What God has for you, is for you. You can believe that ! 

Today’s post is just me saying… encourage yourself…walk in your purpose… there is nothing you cannot accomplish! 

ACCESS DENIED

    

I am in a zone of my own. No one has access to me unless I grant them access. Gone are the days of me running on empty because I have given too many people access to my mind, my body or my services. 

There was a time that I prided myself in being all things to all people…. But I’ve learned in those moments that it benefited everyone EXCEPT me. My peace was interrupted, my thoughts were interrupted and most of all I was physically exhausted! 

I had to learn to be okay with saying no…with being labeled as difficult… in order for me to be of any benefit to others, I had to be good. 

My therapist called it people pleasing syndrome. With this… you don’t feel fully fulfilled unless you please others. You thrive on pleasing others while neglecting yourself. Not only does this drain you physically, but it mentally ties you to others prompting you to become an empath…. An empath!!!  Imagine constantly taking on the hurt or excitement of others while trying to maintain your own?! 

 I was a hot mental mess. Yep. I was.  

I told you before and I’ll say it again… this blog is me being transparent. This blog is acknowledging me being imperfectly perfect and totally okay with it. 

But back to today…

Be okay with limiting access with you because nobody can love YOU like YOU can. Happiness starts with you. 

ALL Villages ARE NOT Safe

   

Villages make the world go around.  They shape children.. they mend families… they are the support and guidance we all savor.  But are all villages safe? If I am to be totally honest,  I’d say no….

For most of my adult life, I felt like some of my village was NOT safe. I never felt comfortable sharing in fear of lack of confidentiality or judgement. That’s what I mean by not safe.  

I can attest that SAFE villages definitely make a difference.  I made the changes I needed to make and God did the rest…. But let me give you this disclaimer:

…be careful what you pray for.  

If you are not ready for God to remove people from your life, if you are not ready to be elevated and pushed to greatness, if you are not ready to be surrounded by genuine love and support, keep that prayer to yourself.  lol 

She Stings Praise Break…

  

….thank you God for closing the doors I didn’t have the strength to close myself! 

Listen! When I tell you that if it wasn’t for the Grace of God, I don’t know WHERE I would be. Some months ago, as I journaled and read back on some previous journals, I realized the major changes God has made in my life. 

When you open the door for God to move in your life… the possibilities are endless! But… let’s be clear, this doesn’t stop the obstacles or frustrations that may occur.  Many days I sat and cried thinking why is it when I try to do the right things, so many bad things occur? And you know what God answered me and said? You have to be able to hold more than your currently handling to receive the abundance of blessings I have for you! 

So here I am.  Motivating people daily…being transparent in my walk with God… sharing how the seasons in my life are being handled … whewww!!! Obedience!!! I continue to be obedient even when I don’t wanna be… even when I for once wanna go against the grain. (Post what’s poppin…appeal to what’s popular in the world) 

…I can’t though.  God extends the Grace I need to continue forward. I post daily not caring if one person or ten people that interact. As long as the message AFFECTS ONE PERSON…. As long as God is in the mix of it all, I’m ok. 

Thank God for it all today. Praise Him through it all and trust Him.  I can promise you, HE’S worth it. 

DO MORE

 

Don't just want more, DO more... 

This was the start to my journal entry today.  I had taken some steps back from journaling and meditating and I certainly saw the change.  I didn't realize how instrumental those moments alone impacted my day...how they reshaped the way I handled my journey.  When I journaled and meditated, I was able to clearly see my path even in the midst of obstacles.  It made my faith stronger, it made me push harder because I not only wanted more, I DID more.  

Sometimes seeing things in writing pushes us to do more. We relate more to the things we see versus the things we think. It becomes real.

I don’t know about you but I WANT more for me.  I have goals and aspirations that won’t make themselves. I’ve made a conscious effort to not only speak those things over my life but also put in the work to make it happen. Hard work in any capacity in your life will pay off…. And as for me, I want all life can give me.  

 

The Season of 1865

            

     

Happy Juneteenth!! On this day back in 1865, slaves were no longer regarded as slaves.  For the first time since birth, they belonged to no one other than themselves. Whewwww! Can you imagine the prayers, the faith, the endurance you needed to survive a season such as this? 

…I couldn’t.  God sent his BEST soldiers for that era. Lawd.  

Y’all probably tired of me harping on seasons and growth … tired of me pushing y’all to stand on what is and be unapologetic in doing so buttttt here we are today with the perfect example of how seasons - no matter how long, no matter how complicated, no matter how unbearable it may seem, is just a season! ALL seasons have purpose and ALL seasons end! 

I said this morning that reminders like these are wake up calls for us. We complain about the simplest things that WE have control over.  Imagine having ZERO control. Imagine being owned by someone else. Your life driven by a random person with no regards of who you are or what you represent….

It’s in these moments you should be thankful…grateful… that you missed this season.  It’s in these moments you should refuel your drive to exist. If they did it, why can’t we? 

Morning Mantra you Need.

           

     

I am  NOT responsible for the actions of others. I am ONLY responsible for myself. ~Nako

…talking about a profound morning mantra!!!! Come through Ms. Nako! Keep us accountable for ourselves…help us maintain our peace … We need to remember that we cannot control the actions of others but we can control ourselves. 

How often are you taking hits that don’t belong to you? How many times are you making excuses for the people in your circle despite your soft nudges to change? I’m sure it’s tooooo many to count.  We take loyalty beyond its intended limits. Loyalty is standing by someone when they need you most, it’s letting them know they aren’t alone. No where does it say being loyal is NOT holding them accountable because at the end of the day, their wrongs could be your downfall.  

It’s important that you start choosing yourself. It’s important that you stop only speaking your supposed peace and start protecting it as well! We cannot and will not grow until we embrace self…

This world will show you grace and stab your back, all in one breath. But as stewards of yourself you can be protected by paying attention to warnings and signs that discernment gives us daily. Who are we if we aren’t ourselves? Who will protect us if we hesitate on protecting ourselves? 

Pray. Meditate. Seek your purpose. Be unapologetic. Choose YOU … 

    

The Act of Praise

          

     

2am wakeups for ME require prayer.  This moment gives ne the perfect silence I need for my 1:1 time with God. There are times I can only say, God hear my heart (because I’m so tired and life can be so unkind) …times I wanna ask (but don’t) God why me…. But most times, when my eyes open… I say God I thank you…welcome into this place! 

God is AMAZING! 

I say that wholeheartedly even on the days I feel the world crashing around me. It’s in those moments  I praise God more because I know he’s working it out for me. Let me say this though…. It hasn’t always been this way. It was more like this:

When I’m happy ——> continuous praise; 

When I’m down ———> praise sometimes; 

When I’m going through ——-> just prayer… no praise 

When I’ve exited the storm ———> back to continuous praise

But I’ve learned by studying, that praise should be continuous. You know why? Every single day God is allowing us life. Every single day God blesses us even when we are undeserving. God does not bless us based on how we perform and where we are in life ….So why is it that we praise more when He has brought us through? 

Praise is continuous! Praise Him through all the seasons in your life! Praise Him and watch your Faith Increase. Praise Him and watch your confidence soar. Praise Him and watch your ENTIRE life change. One simple act can change your entire purpose. 

#Praise 

Clarity Requires Change

         

     

Change is inevitable.  It’s gonna happen rather we like it or not.  We try to prolong it, we try to curve it to what we want it to be, but at the end of the day, it happens.  What makes it easier though is our acceptance to it.  

Clarity will never be clear until you are open to change. The answers to your prayers will always be questionable or muddled if you are not ready to accept it.  You just can’t let go. And… I get it. 

Can I be real though? You are holding yourself back. Stop putting yourself in a box you don’t have to be in. Stop praying for clarity but not completely ready for what’s clear.  If God didn’t think you could handle it, He wouldn’t have given it to you. 

God doesn’t give us any more than we bear. 

Take the next steps. Open yourself to change.  Give yourself access to the clarity you need to move forward in your season.  You deserve every bit of the blessings and favor coming your way.  

Always be you.

 

Ironically, I generated this late last week after prayer. Amongst other things, I asked God for clarity within my life. I asked Him to close the door to the people and things that were holding me back… to prepare me for the obstacles that was yet to come. It was in those moments in prayer that I felt the most heavy. And, for the life of me, I couldn’t understand why … because prior to getting on my knees, I felt fine. Little did I know … was that, THIS - was part of my answer to my prayer… 

If you have never experienced the power of prayer…. If you never prayed an humble prayer of clarity, you probably do not understand how that quote could be the part of an answer to my prayer. And it’s ok. Let me show you… 

Sometimes in life, the things we think are fine vs the things that truly aren’t is twisted.  And because we have it set in our minds that way, it’s never given a second thought. There is no question. It’s only when we begin to pray, that we begin to see the things we didn’t notice before.  Even then, we question it. But God makes things so clear that we simply cannot ignore it… no matter how hard we try.

One of the things I love about me is, I am always going to be me. Imperfect, transparent, and unapologetically me. What amazes me most , is my ability to transcend beyond the moments that hurts most. I take hard life lessons and use them as growth. I understand that hurt people want you to hurt just as much as they do. It’s unfortunate yet true. 

In today’s relatable moment, I was reminded that even in the midst of change and hurt… that even when people aren’t who they say they are… YOU (me, we) have to continue to be us. Take the jabs. Swallow the comebacks. Understand that change is sometimes uncomfortable.  But never… ever… stop being you. 

LIVE FOR TODAY. PLAN FOR TOMORROW.

        

     

What if your entire life  was based on “ifs” and possibilities? What if EVERY season in your life was based on future and not present? Could you live? What would be the basis of you? How would you drive through life? 

You couldn’t. If God designed us to live for the future, there would be no present. We would constantly thrive in future tense with no purpose in everyday life.  We have to be better in LIVING. We have to be intentional on embracing TODAY. Today is guaranteed. Tomorrow is not.  

LIVE on purpose. LOVE on purpose. Take the trips. Wear the clothes. Eat the food.  

Everything starts with you and today. 

Grateful. The Conversation.

       

     

grate·ful

/ˈɡrātf(ə)l/

adjective

1. feeling or showing an appreciation of kindness; thankful.

   
   

   Most mornings on my way to work, I find myself thinking about all the things I wanna change…. All the things I complain about… all the things that happened the day before .. really just a compilation of things I either can’t change or have no business trying to control.  That thought process leaves me so mentally drained….

   
   

   But you know what I thought about today? I thought about all my wins despite my losses. I thought about how my life… my seasons… could be/could’ve been so much worse! I thought about the things I prayed for vs the things I received.  God knew what I needed and that is what He gave me! 

   
   

   Today I’m saying… Be grateful. Be grateful for all your blessings as well as your obstacles. Be grateful that God didn’t say yes to your nos.  

   
   

   Make a habit of each time you think something negative that you follow up with TWO things positive.  (These people on this job get on my last nerve…. But I have a job and it pays my bills) …. Whew! Baby! Life is exactly what we make it. Whatever you think, that’s what it is.  I’m not pointing fingers… I’m speaking to me too! I have work on me just like everyone else.  Still… it’s gotta be said.  It all starts with a conversation.  

Stop rescheduling your PEACE

      

     

You are tired. Work is wearing you out… home is stressful… your list of tasks are growing and there doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day. You keep saying, If I don’t take a day to myself, I’m gonna lose it. Several weeks later you choose the date…not because you chose that date but because your body and mind is tired.  You just can’t go anymore.  

You power down your phone… you run you a nice bath…you grab a book and turn on the music. Then u remember, your best friend wanted to meet for drinks… the grandbaby needs her hair combed …. and your car needs to be washed. 

What do u do? 

You stay EXACTLY where you are! You cannot and will not be productive for you or anyone else if you DONT STOP RESCHEDULING YOUR PEACE! Stop it! I’m not saying neglect your responsibilities.  I’m saying if you need help… ask for it. If you’re tired, say no. It’s ok to choose you! Some people won’t like it, but honey you better make sure they respect it.  

Your peace is one of the most precious parts of your life. Your peace DRIVES your life. Whatever it takes to get there, do it. Stop making the excuses and choose you, even if it’s just for a moment. You are soooo deserving.  

Discernment is Real…

     

Discernment is not a thing…. It’s REAL.  It gives you more clarity and less clutter. It gives you warnings before destruction. It is your internal thermostat that could change the direction of your life IF you pay attention to it. 

Sooooo many times we get upset about things that happen in our lives as a result simply not paying attention to the red flags.  We make excuses, we deflect….but rarely do we take accountability.  No. Not all warnings are blatant. Some simply say, STOP. You know better.  Yet we continue on.   

Fortunately for us, discernment is continuous.  It’s one of the endless gifts God gives us as we journey through this thing called life.  Use it. Embrace it. Grow.  

H.E.A.L

    

H.E.A.L- Humbly Existing Always Learning … this was today’s word of the day. We all have something we are healing from. Hurt, dishonesty, backstabbing, lack of love….. the list could go on for years.

But here we are. Still here. Still tryna HEAL. Still tryna figure out life. Still waking up plastering a fake smile on your face knowing you are dying inside.  You have the world on your shoulders and while you’re tryna pray your way through, the boulders of life keep coming. 

And you’re tired!!! The world keeps telling you, that’s life. Keep living. You’re blessed. Push through. You don’t wanna here that!! What you want is just a few days of normalcy. You wanna come to your job and love it. You wanna come home and be comfortable in your own home without something popping off  you want to be transparent with your significant other, spouse or mate without them overthinking your words. You wanna have one moment where your kids don’t try you because you have done toooooo much for them to even come at you sideways! 

This season is a lot. This season is tryna win. And it may win. We win some. We lose some. Just don’t stop HEALing. 

Shot out to those single parents with adult dependent kids…  We struggling. We’re not ok…. This season is ghetto. 

Appreciate your NEEDS in times of WANT

    

It’s payday Friday. You are dreading looking at your bank account because not only do u know it’s payday but your overdraft fees have taken a chunk of it…. The original budget you had has now changed because the amount you anticipated having is no longer accurate.  

You are tired.  You’re tired of robbing Peter to pay Paul. You’re tired of asking relatives for help. You’re tired of going to work everyday working your butt off and not being compensated for it. Tired of crying and praying at night that God hears your prayers and gives you some relief. 

Trust me when I say I’ve been there! I’ve been the struggling single parent …I’ve been the struggling married parent….frustrated, cried out and disgusted. My family and friends would try and encourage me, tell me my season was coming and I’d listen…. And in my mind I’d be saying, that’s easier said than done…. if you only knew how hard this is….

But let me tell you something TODAY.  Don’t focus on what you don’t have. Don’t focus on your wants. Be grateful for the needs that HAVE been met. Things could be so much worse.  Things have been worse! Didn’t you make it! Didn’t God provide? His Grace IS sufficient! 

All days won’t be good ones.  Some days you will feel like you don’t have your needs or your wants. lol Still we gotta push through.  Enjoy the moments of life that we have….praise God in every moment…. Times of need and times of overflow…you are NOT alone. 

You vs your Representative

   

We are the very people we complain about. Our primary complaint being that other people are not being real and present mere representatives of who they are. But, I have to ask…. are we those people? 

How often have u said any of these phrases: these people don’t know me…. Let me go in here and be on my nest behavior… Let me go “play” nice.  lol I’m certain it’s more often than not.  

What’s wrong with being who you are? What’s wrong with being transparent on who or what you don’t like? The older I get, the more I realize that self transparency is important. I don’t like mess so I remove myself from the messy topics, I believe in learning people for myself so I don’t judge someone based on someone else’s interactions.  

I’ve learned that being a representative of myself disturbs my peace. And maybe that’s a good thing. It’s good because it forces me to show up FOR ME without worry of judgement. It’s in. Those moments I’m proud to see my growth. I’m excited in knowing not only am I embracing ME, but also showing others this is certainly attainable! 

Normalize BEING YOU and not simply a representative.  Aren’t you worth it?