JUST BECAUSE

Just because you made a mistake, does not mean your life is over. Just because you “used to be”, does not mean you have to remain. Just because you were a victim of a negative act, does not mean you have to live as a victim. Stop reading for a moment and speak this: “I AM VICTORIOUS”. “I AM AN CONQUEROR”. “I AM AN OVERCOMER”.

Know that you have the power and the authority to change your story, no matter what it is or was. No one has the power to hold you captive in your past or present, except you allow them. Think about this; The situation that you were or are in, being held captive, why were or are you still bound? I can almost guarantee it is or was because “you” did not see yourself free. Guilt, shame or condemnation, held you down. Constant thoughts that you deserve the negative outcome because of something you did, will only bind you from your best self. So many times, we are our own worst enemy. We are hard on ourselves, we self-sabotage ourselves all because we do not believe in ourselves.

Do you believe that you are amazing? Do you believe that everything you put our hands to, will prosper? Do you believe that no matter how horrible the mistake was, or whatever happened, that you can live past it? Negative outlooks are tricks of the enemy, to keep us bound. A negative mindset keeps us from standing up and moving forward. It literally causes us to believe that we will always remain in this state, will always be who or what we have been, things will be how they have been, and will go how they have gone. Tell yourself and the enemy, this is a LIE.

I am challenging that mindset of anyone who feels this way, today. You must first, see yourself better. When you begin to see yourself better, you begin to believe you can really be better. This will then cause you to want, desire and pursue better. I am without doubt that there is anyone in this world who has not done something that could cause them to be looked down upon if everyone knew of something that they’ve done. Every single one of us, have something. Yet, you have many that are living wonderful, successful lives, all because they chose to live past their past.

Just because you are not proud of what you have done, does not mean you cannot be proud of the choice you have made to ensure you never do that again. Just because it was shameful, ignorant, embarrassing, or outright disrespectful, does not mean you cannot move forward from it. You can walk in victory, from whatever your “it” is. I am going to share with you a few things you can do, practical things to assist you to your healthy place.

1. Admit it to yourself.

2. Forgive yourself.

3. Forgive them.

4. Repent.

5. Embrace yourself. (The real you). You are not your circumstance.

6. Love yourself.

7. Be Yourself.

Choose to be who you know is supposed to show up in the world each day.

Understand that who you are as a person, others need. You have people that look to you and because of your assignment in their lives, be it a mother, father, mentor, whatever the leadership role you play, you are needed. Therefore, you must show up confident in who you are, not bound by anything or anyone.

Just because you have a past, does not mean you cannot have an amazing future. YOU ARE A VICTOR, not a victim. Walk as such.

Who Are You?

As you begin this reading, ask yourself the title question, pause, think about the question and then answer. Did your answer include who you know you are, according to who you are purposed to be while living, or are you existing, going through the motions of life and unsure of who you are and what you are purposed to do?

Many would probably start out answering the question by stating their name, who their family is, what they do career-wise, maybe state that you are a mother, father, son, daughter, etc. But, who are you, the inner you? Are you at peace with yourself? Are you fulfilled in life? Are you satisfied with the path you have chosen? Do you seek attention and approval from others? Do you find yourself agreeing with the majority, following trends and seeking to fit in? Are you living or just existing? These are all meaningful questions to ask oneself.

It is important to answer these questions because life should be lived intentionally, carefully thought out, and pursued by you, for you. Most people spend a good deal of their lives existing, rather than living. This happens because most people do not get the revelation early on, that we were created on purpose, with purpose, to be purposeful. No matter how we arrived here, we were purposed in the earth, to complete an assignment. What is the yearning within you? Are you pursuing that yearning or are you suppressing it? Are you making excuses, to justify its dormancy? When we choose to only exist, accepting mediocrity, we cheat ourselves of becoming who we were created to be. Mediocrity mindsets cause us to look for jobs that pay well, versus seeking a fulfilled and purposeful job that will cause us to have no problem getting up each day. What good is money if you are miserable making it? Wouldn’t you much rather live a life fulfilled, with meaning as you experience joy?

Today I challenge you to evaluate or re-evaluate your life. No matter your age, take self -inventory, asking the questions stated in this writing, as well as those that have formed in your mind as you’ve read. Your life is important. How you navigate your life is important. Your purpose is most important. There are people in the earth that need you. Those people include but are not limited to your family. There are complete strangers, people you know nothing about, that are set in place to experience what you have to offer. When you step into that place of purpose, you will begin to experience amazing things. You will understand why it is so important for you to BE. I want you to take away from this writing, there is no more time to waste only existing. It is time for you to live life at the peak of your purpose. Everything that is in you, must be released. You must do whatever necessary to ensure it manifests. You are necessary, and everything you have to offer is as well. I declare today that you have tapped into YOURSELF, who you are created to be. I decree all that is in you, shall come alive and flourish. I decree you will be launched into places unknown, to meet and connect with people that are able to assist you to destiny. May your desire become so strong to be, that you cast down fear, anxiety, self-doubt and anything that will further hinder your process and journey. Today, if you are not already aware, I decree you will KNOW WHO YOU ARE. You are more than your last name. You are more than who your family is. You are more than your job. You are more than where you live. You are more than what you drive, or where you attend church. YOU ARE DESTINED FOR GREATNESS, and that greatness is dependent on you yielding to your purpose. I ask you again, WHO ARE YOU? May your answer be loud, clear and filled with power, passion and purpose. Now, GO and BE who you are!

Choose Peace

In a world full of chaos, it is yet possible for you to not only be at Peace, but to walk in that Peace. Peace is knowing that despite everything that is going on in your life, or around you, everything will be fine. Peace is accepting that even if things do not work out completely favorable, there is a manifestation that will still yield a result, that will either empower or teach us something that will be beneficial to our lives.

At the age of 45, I can positively say I have been through enough that could have caused me to be bitter, angry and even inflict self-condemnation. But, due to proper perspective it has made me wiser. Because of that wisdom, I have chosen Peace. No, I do not have it altogether. No, not everything in my life is going exactly as I would like. As a matter of fact, I am far from where I want to be, yet realize I am in a much better place mentally, now versus a year ago. Despite all, I have learned to accept now, trust God in the process of preparing and striving for what is ahead.

As I have traveled through life and its trials, I stumbled upon the realization that there will always be something to be frustrated, upset, uncomfortable, combative, and so many other negative adjectives I could name. But, upon realizing this, I made the choice to choose. I choose to take control of my emotions, act instead of react, then make conscious decisions before allowing situations to control me. This is huge because most people react and then regret. I speak this from experience, as having been that person.

No one or No-thing is worth our Peace. If you are reading this and lack Peace, allow this to encourage you. Allow me to share few things to help you gain or regain Peace in your life. Choose to apply them, and see the difference they will make.

1. Spend time in silence, meditating and allowing your mind to be free of all thoughts. (Especially Negative)

A. Think on things that cause you to smile. Envision things you desire. See yourself in a place you want to be, doing something you want to do.

B. Play relaxing music- Music soothes.

C. Journal- Writing allows you to release emotions. It prevents you from the need to share “everything” with others.

2. Take a walk- Walking will cause you to relax your mind and body.

3. Surround yourself with positive people- You need people who can encourage you. People who cause you to see the positive in every situation.

4. When situations arise, do not react right away- Take a moment to think about what transpired and choose the best way to handle it. Act instead of Reacting.

5. Daily Affirmations- What you tell yourself daily, will encourage and empower you.

Use these 5 things to assist you to your place of Peace. I believe if you incorporate these into your life, you will see a positive change. You will smile more. Your conversations and actions will be positive, and you will be altogether, happy. You have the power to choose. Choose Peaceful Relationships. Choose Peaceful Atmospheres. Choose Peaceful Jobs. Choose Peace Altogether. In situations where there is a lack of peace, choose you and insert your methods that cause peace, despite chaos. Be bold enough to walk away from things and people that subtract from your peace. Know, it is not situations and circumstances that determine our happiness, and Peace. We determine if and how we will endure the trials of life. Remember, there will always be trials, but we do not have to always be negatively affected by them. Today I challenge you to CHOOSE PEACE!