Show and Tell

I thought that I would be led to write a long entry today....there is so much on my mind.  However, I came across this quote that captured my attention and in a way summed up a lot of what I wanted to say.  

”What you do speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson

I promise to SHOW and TELL!  Will you do the same?


~ As Always, Be Beautifully Blessed

Delay Does Not Mean Denial

I have had many instances where things have been delayed in my life...I thought that they were supposed to happen a certain way or at a certain time but God had other plans.  Even if the plans were delayed for a day or a moment, often times, I was left confused or second guessing myself.  I have come to learn to take these situations as yields or detours instead of stop signs.  You see, I would still get to my destination but, there was something that God had to instill in me or weed out of me before I got there. For the most part, I have found that it is because those things would in some way hinder me from making it to my intended destination or would keep me from being able to enjoy and maintain my blessing when it was reached.  It is inevitable that life will have setbacks and disappointments.  The key is to understand that it does not make you any less of what you were before.  Actually, these situations should be looked at as opportunities to make YOU better.  God is trying to put a bounce back in your Spirit.  He wants to teach you to persevere with GRACE in the face of life's, setbacks, delays and detours.  Delayed does not mean denial.  It just means that your destiny is so great that you need a little more preparation.  PERSEVERE beautiful people. Your personality, your gift and simply put...YOU are essential to the world around you.   Bounce back, be you and keep it moving. 

~ As Always Be Beautifully Blessed

Authentic

Just a thought that most people don't stop to think about.  Do you do the things that you do based on who you really are?.... or do you do things that you think will manifest relation with those around you? ....  Are you authentic or an autographed copy of what the world or your surroundings suggest that you should be? ... signed by everything and everyone but the creator.  It takes a lot of courage to be authentically you. There will be times when you will feel like you don't fit in anywhere but when you finally find your place...that place of peace and contentment with who you are and whose you are, the pay off is more than worth it.  Who are you and what do you stand for?  If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.

~ As Always, Be Beautifully Blessed!

Beauty

The word beauty or the concept and debate about the meaning of the word has for some reason been prevalent in conversations, songs, writings, etc that I have been privy to in the past week.  I know it is because of my struggles with this issue and the strides that I have made Spiritually to break that stronghold.  This entry is very personal.  I even shed some tears while writing it. (LOL)   I pray that it ministers to whoever is lead to read it.

What is the definition of beautiful? Who has the authority to categorize another person as beautiful or not? I came to the conclusion, that people who cannot see the beauty in others may just be insecure with themselves...and rather than deal with their demons, they  say things to devalue others.  Things that would possibly cause someone else to become a neighbor in their personal hell. A while back, I asked God to allow me to see myself as HE sees me and to remove negative feelings about myself that I had allowed to take root.  For the most part, I have never classified myself as an "outer beauty" (maybe because those around me did not).  I've often struggled with my weight and then there are the outward scars of having battled eczema and what I now know is scleroderma for a large part of my life.  I am not often asked out and have only had a few relationships. For a long time, I even avoided looking into mirrors for too long.  I began to play the background.... not wanting to draw attention for fear of rejection, hurt or being reminded that I do not fit our societies definition of desirable. But, as I continue to grow spiritually, I see myself through the eyes of God.  I have begun to realize that the Spirit of God within me shines outwardly...that I am created in his likeness.  I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  My friend gave me a t-shirt that reads "My mirror does not define me."  For the first time in a long time, I can truly say that and mean it. I have stepped out of the shadows and am once again taking "my spotlight" on the stage of life. If you are reading this and you can relate in anyway to my story, just know that you are amazing, you are created with great purpose....AND YES, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL! Love on yourself...it gives others permission to do the same!

~As Always,  Be Beautifully Blessed

Grateful

As I was typing the previous blog entry, the song "Grateful" by Hezekiah Walker popped into my head.  Some of the lyrics are:

I am grateful for the things that you have done.
Yes, I'm grateful for the victories we've won.
I could go on and on and on
About your works
Because I'm grateful, grateful, grateful just to praise you, Lord.
Flowing from my heart, are the issues of my heart, is gratefulness.

As this song played in my head, I literally began to weep.  There are times when I take criticism for my "positive" attitude. There was once a time when I felt that I needed to tone it down.  But, I have realized that the positive disposition is who I am.  It stems from my story which holds alot of things to be grateful for..some "big", some "small" but all significant.  I owe it to my God to speak life in every situation.  Because he literally gave me my life back.  Those of you who know me well, know of the few times in the past when I have been literally sick and bed ridden for months.  The last time that happened was years ago.  When I was finally able to make it to a doctor, he looked at me and said, "Sweetheart, you should not even be alive right now".  But God!.... I remember that the entire time I was laying in my bed, I would sing and pray and promise God that if he allowed me to make it through, that my life would be available to him.  He kept his promise...so, I try to keep mine.  See, I have come to realize that the things of this world, the things that society often give the most value to are not really the things that mean the most or give the greatest return.  So, excuse me if I make it a habit of finding the bright side of things or the blessings in the breaking/in the storm ....on second thought, don't excuse me because I won't apologize.  God has done too much for me not to shine, even in my darkest hours.  Don't get me wrong...I'm not saying that we should not feel adverse emotions, I am saying that we should feel them but walk in the victory of the faith that we are given.  A friend posted a status today that said "You attract to you the thoughts that you secretly harbor".  Positive thoughts attract positive things to your life.  An attitude of gratitude attracts more things to be greatful for or at the very least makes us more aware of the things that we already have to  be grateful for.  Over the past few days, I have said to several people. "it is what you make it".  It really is!  So, let's make the journey glorious and  be grateful along the way. 

I leave you with lyrics from one of my two favorite Gospel Songs:

I've got so much to thank God for
So many wonderful blessings
and so many open doors
A brand new mercy
along with each new day
That's why I praise You
and for this I give You praise

For waking me up this morning
That's why I praise You
For starting me on my way
That's why I praise You
For letting me see the sunshine
that's why I praise You
of a brand new day
A brand new mercy
along with each new day
That's why I praise You and for this
I give You praise

You're Jehovah Jhireh
That's why I praise You
You've been my Provider
That's why I praise You
You see so many times You´ve met my needs
So many times You rescued me
That's why I praise You
I want to thank You for the blessing
You give to me each day
That's why I praise You
For this I give You praise

For every mountain You brought me over
For every trial you've seen me through
For every blessing
Hallelujah, for this I give You praise

Random Thoughts ...

The class that I am taking in an  effort to obtain my NC Health Insurance License has been slow for the past two days.  Yesterday, most of the class left early.  While I was staring at my coursework, I began to doodle random thoughts.  It's amazing where your mind wonders when you are trying not to think too hard. Some of the thoughts really amused me.  I thought that I would share them with you. Just a warning:  They really are random...no rhyme or reason.

• Where did the names from colors come from? Purple is my favorite color but I have to admit that the name is not as beautiful as the color.
• Why does slapping a name on a bottle and charging X amount of dollars make Moscato the new "it" drink.  Back in the day it was called Muscatel and my Papi used to make his own from time to time (oops too much information ...which led me to my next thought...)
• I really miss my Papi.  He was a BAAAD man! (lol - That's him in the pic to the right.)
• For some reason, the theme to the movie "Mahogany" popped into my head: "Do you know where you're going to? Do you like the things that life is showing you? Where are you going to? Do you know?" (Seems an appropriate question to ask at the moment.)
• Maybe I should change my phone number and start all over again.  I used to anticipate your calls..."Now, not so much".  And the person I want to call, well, that's a different story all together.
• HMMM...What should I do for my birthday.  I was thinking a big gathering but the closer I get, I'm thinking a booth at the House of Jazz.  (Any takers or alternated suggestions?)
• I am convinced that he is head over heels in love with me.  He shows me everyday!  Thanks, God you are awesome.  You will always be my first love, my first husband and forever my boo!
• Alicia Keys "Un-thinkable" has been intermittently playing in and out of my head for the past month.  That's not a bad thing...I like the song
• I realize that I don't really fit in...and I think I'm OK with that now.
• I'm kind of like a collage.  If you are not privy to all of the small pieces, you miss the big picture.
• I'm glad my best friend in college originally thought that she wanted to be an actuary.  That makes it a lot easier to remember their purpose in the world of insurance.
• Mrs. Vickie just told me that she wants me to go "get" my life....I think she's right.  The season is now.
• I wonder if he knows how handsome he is?
• Why do I have to stay here until 5:30 when everyone else left by 3:30?
• (...and finally) Why am I writing down these random thoughts?   :-)  LOL

Out of the Mouth of Babes

Anybody who knows me well, has heard many stories about my Goddaughter.  (That is her and her brother dancing in the video for today)  She just had her "Step Up" program marking her transition from 2nd to 3rd grade. I am so proud of her! Time is truly flying! I have learned so much from her over the years.  Sometimes, adults don't realize how much wisdom kids have and that, for the most part, that wisdom is unjaded by the ins and outs of life. In a lot of ways she reminds me of myself.  She is often reflective, at times so quiet that you can forget that she is in the room.  She is sensitive, loving and caring which often leads others to take her meekness for weakness.  But, they soon learn that she is strong, resilient and not afraid to say what is on her mind.  She is funny, smart, quirky, talented, bold and beautiful.  She is simply amazing.

Recently, her Mom told me about a conversation that Lay had with a boy in her class.  The boy came to Lay and apologized for being "mean" to her during the school year. When Lay asked the boy why he had been mean to her, he explained that he was jealous.  He told her it was because she always had a good attitude and behavior for which she was often recognized.  My baby said to him "If you are faithful over the little things, God will make you ruler over much!"  This story had me truly thinking.  First of all, I reflected on how amazing it was for this young boy to humble himself to apologize...and then to be transparent about why he acted the way that he did. If adults would do that, it would allow room for dialogue that would make all of our relationships and therefore our society better.  Next, I thought of how bold Alaysia was in choosing not to hide her faith when she revealed what drives her to behave as she does and why she is blessed for it. 

I have decided that in my day to day life, I will more diligently apply the two lessons that I learned from the dialogue that came "out of the mouth of babes."

I leave you with some wisdom from one of my favorite books, "ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED IN KINDERGARTEN" by Robert Fulghum.

All I really need to know about how to live and what to do and how to be I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sand pile at school.

• These are the things I learned:  
• Share everything.
• Play fair.
• Don't hit people.
• Put things back where you found them.
• Clean up your own mess.
• Don't take things that aren't yours.
• Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
• Wash your hands before you eat.
• Flush.
• Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
• Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.
• Take a nap every afternoon.
• When you go out in the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands and stick together.
• Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the Styrofoam cup: the roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.
• Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup - they all die. So do we.
• And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned - the biggest word of all - LOOK.

 

Everything you need to know is in there somewhere. The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation. Ecology and politics and equality and sane living.

 

Take any one of those items and extrapolate it into sophisticated adult terms and apply it to your family life or your work or government or your world and it holds true and clear and firm. Think what a better world it would be if we all - the whole world - had cookies and milk at about 3 o'clock in the afternoon and then lay down with our blankies for a nap. Or if all governments had as a basic policy to always put things back where they found them and to clean up their own mess.

And it is still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out in the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together.

 

 ~ As Always Be Beautifully Blessed

And So We Commence

My absolute favorite TV show is and probably will always be "The Cosby Show". The last episode of the series was entitled "And So We Commence". The show was in a lot of ways a full circle from the beginning. That is how I feel today. I feel like a lot of things in my life are coming full circle....endings and new beginnings all at the same time. My season on the Sprint account has come to an end, but opened the door for new opportunities to make an impact on the company I am employed with and the people who work there. Some may not understand my decision to stay but, that's the beauty of it. They don't have to. I just know that it is what God is leading me to do at this time. That is also a new thing in this season. I don't feel as though everyone has to understand me. I am OK being authentically me...an anomaly (as one of my very good friends calls me). Friends... how many of us have them. LOL... as things are coming full circle, I am finding that my circle of friend is also changing. While I haven't lost many friends, their positions and purposes in my life have shifted. People that I once talked to daily have become people with whom I share occasional phone calls...and people who I used to see in passing, have become people with whom I have some of my deepest conversations. It has been said that the only thing constant is change. I am learning to willingly and cheerfully flow with the changes in my life because I realize that they bring growth, movement, possibilities and pleasant surprises....And so we commence, into another season and I am open to life, happiness, purpose and love!

~As always BE BEAUTIFULLY BLESSED!

Where Is Your Passion

I logged into Facebook today and a friend's status grabbed me. "WHERE IS YOUR PASSION". Not WHAT but WHERE. What implies an object. Where implies a destination. I realized that while I knew the object of my passion, I felt stuck because I was not moving toward the destination that the passion was trying to move me to. I was in this place called safe, when all the while, God is trying to move me toward a promised land. A land of joy, contentment, purpose and prosperity. I believe that we are all born with God given, God created gifts which are meant to stir us to gravitate toward the ultimate purpose that our creator created us to fulfil. So, if you feel like a slave in your Egypt or if you are like me and started on the exodus but have "pitched a tent" and become complacent in a place of "good enough", step out of FEAR and out on FAITH. Use your talents. Don't bury them. Allow what God has planted inside of you to ignite a flame that will illuminate the path to your promise.

~As Always Be Beautifully Blessed!

Boy This Mirror Is Dusty.....

Hmmm... It has been so long (almost 2 yrs) since I blogged that I am surprised that I remembered my log in information. Alot has changed in my life and in me. I guess it's time to wipe the dust from the mirror and start analyzing the reflection again. For those who choose to follow or read occasionally...stay tuned and I hope you enjoy