Dee Cotton: Designs of Hope

Amazing Grace

noreply@blogger.com ("Dee") — Mon, 08 Jun 2020 16:17:00 +0000

I remember being a little girl playing at the home of the employer of my babysitter. They had this amazing big black dog and if I remember correctly, his name was "Charlie". I think Charlie was a German Shepherd and he was quite big. However, Charlie was also very playful and caused no harm to anyone, yet he was a protector. Charlie knew his family and knew his place of protection. He was friendly, but keenly aware of his surroundings. Well, one day I was outside and I decided at my ripe tender young age to stomp at Charlie. I stomped at him, hissed at him, and basically provoked Charlie to action. Before I knew it, Charlie had lunged up from his comfort and attacked me. Charlie bit me on my jaw and my babysitter ended up having to rush me to the hospital. I was scared, I mean petrified. I ended up having to get stitches and the whole entire situation was embarrassing. However, there was more to the story. My babysitter's employer was also the local piano shop guy who my mother bought my first piano from. While I was young and naive then, my understanding now is that there were likely adult conversations that went on behind the scenes as to the danger of the dog, the likelihood that the dog would attack someone again, perhaps a child, whether or not the family owed financial restitution to my family due to the dog bite. These questions were no doubt had, I'm sure, and the answers were all contingent on the answer to one main questions, "Did you do something to Charlie to make him bite you". At the time, out of fear of getting in trouble, my answer was no. "No mama, I didn't do anything to the dog." "No, I did not stomp at him, hit him, or anything like that, he just jumped up and bit me." I lied. For the fear of my life, I lied. When the truth was, I deserved to be punished by my parents and my babysitter because I provoked the dog to do what was in his natural instinct, protect himself. Yet instead of being punished, I was treated with so much love, care, and concern and I would even venture to believe that Charlie was punished in some ways instead.

I want to talk about what happens when someone else takes the place of what we deserve to get. I want to talk about how we are so fortunate and blessed to enter into a greatness, a life of purpose, and prosperity despite our own shortcomings and indiscretions. I want to talk about how we have been given the ability to succeed in so many things and so many times when we often feel insignificant or insecure about who we are because of what we've done or in many cases, what we haven't done. There are so many people who have worked extremely hard to be where they are and I salute you. However, in today's times, even hard work doesn't guarantee your upward mobility in your career and even in life. It's almost as if there is a power at work, a force that is moving on your behalf. It's almost as if despite your shortcomings, and we all have many, you were granted with the ability to do amazing things, not because you deserved them, but because you were worthy of a chance. That force, that power, my friends is GRACE. His amazing grace opens doors for us that we can't imagine. That amazing grace keeps us in places that we personally don't deserve, not because you haven't worked hard, but because sometimes we forget that He is working on our behalf and we think it's all about us. Sometimes, we tend to complain more than we offer thanks and gratitude. Sometimes, we forget that those who are less fortunate could've been us at some point in our life had it not been for GRACE!

After a while, I grew up and didn't go to my babysitter's employer that much so I stopped seeing Charlie. However, if I could see Charlie again, I would tell him thank you for taking my place. Thank you taking the heat of the wrong that I did. Thank you for still seeing the good in me even when I showed you the bad.

Now that I think about it, I think we all have one other mutual person to thank. Thank you Jesus for taking my place. Thank you Jesus for taking the heat of the wrong that I did and would one day do. Thank you for still seeing the good in me even when I showed you the bad. Thank you for creating a place for me even though I fail to thank you for it and give you the glory. Thank you for believing that I could be great and not holding my indiscretions against me. Thank you for allowing the world to see me as you see me, THROUGH THE BLOOD THAT WAS SHED AT CALVARY!

Thank you , Sweet Jesus, for your GRACE!

Picking Up the Pieces

noreply@blogger.com ("Dee") — Sat, 13 Apr 2019 14:20:00 +0000

I guess one the greatest tasks in life is to learn how to recover after a traumatic event that may have left you broken and completely distraught. I mean, let's face it, we've all been there. The divorce that you prepared for or didn't see coming, the sickness that struck your family from out of nowhere, the car accident that left someone paralyzed, or even the betrayal from whom you thought was your best friend. We've all been struck with many blows in life and at some point, it leaves you broken, and maybe even completely shattered. It leaves you traumatized in ways that you probably can't even speak about. It leaves you hopeless, confused, and with an inability to know how to even begin to pick up the pieces of your life.

I've learned that many times, it's hard to even come to the realization that you're broken. Let that sink in. One thing you have to tell yourself is that "it is ok to not be ok". Dear Heart, it's ok to need time to get your life back on track. I think this is the hardest part for me when counseling others. We feel as if it's an inconvenience to need time to heal from traumatic events in life. When you're sick with a cold, you need time to heal. When you've had surgery, you need time to heal. When you heart has been broken and your complete world has been shattered, you need time to heal. Right now, I don't want to focus on anything but helping you to acknowledge the pieces on the floor and give you the support and tools you need to pick them up and start the process of putting your life back together! Let's begin!

1. You have to acknowledge where you are. If you're traveling and you get lost. One of the most important elements of getting back on track is finding out where you are so that you can map from there to where you're going. It's the same way with life. In order to get back on track with where you are attempting to go, you have to first be very clear about where you are. Are you afraid, are you hurt, are you in fear, are you complacent? Where are you? This, Dear Heart, is for you! This step is necessary for you to build your journey. The journey of picking up pieces means that we have to be honest and acknowledge where our pieces lie. Are you pieces in a dead end relationship that you've given most of your life to? Are you pieces in a career or on a job with superiors that don't know and are not willing to invest in your worth? Are your pieces stuck in childhood trauma events of abuse and neglect? Yes, Dear Heart, acknowledging where you are is not a geographic measure by far, it is an emotional, spiritual, and mental account of where you are within your life. Where are you?
Life is calling for you to be one place but are you there?
If not, you have to be able to say and own WHERE YOU ARE!

2. Where are you going? One of the most critical elements of restoration and rebuilding is that you are re-establishing something to its former or even greater glory. That means that in order to get it there, you have to have a plan in place. Every house started with a building plan, a layout. Every landscaped yard started with a plan, a layout. Dear Heart, in order for you to pick up these pieces, you've got to know where you are going. Knowing and owning where you are going helps you to understand that these broken pieces are mere reflections of who you once were and sometimes the ugly visions that you've endured in life have to be broken so that you can build again with a new vision. Many times people attempt to change their lives and end up re-creating the same type of life that they had before, they just change locations, partners, and faces. In other words, they left the trauma with Bill to only relocate and start trauma again with Mike. They left the abuse with Veronica to only go and start it again with Becky. True change and transformation isn't about your physical moves, no that's the manifestation. True change happens from the inside out. True change happens when you make up your mind that things will be different and you have enough courage to recognize the mind pattern that got you there and the mind pattern that's necessary to get you out of there and into a greater place. WHERE ARE YOU GOING? It's hard to drive a car forward while looking backwards. It's difficult to move forward in your while rehearsing and licking the wounds of your past. Get up and get going! Position your mind and posture your heart. It's time to get going in the right direction. No more sad songs, no more pity parties, no more "woe is me", and no more crying spells. It's time to make a declaration, life awaits!

3. OWN IT! Wherever you are, wherever you've been, and wherever you're attempting to go, OWN IT! The greatest of who you will become will always include the worst of where you've been. So, own it. It's yours. Even the muddiest roads serve a purpose and lead you somewhere and so does your life. No matter how much has happened, it's all good! In some way or form, it made you better and it worked out for good within your life. So, don't be ashamed of the set backs, it's ok! Don't be sad and stuck on the sidelines of life simply because things didn't work the way you wanted them to.. they worked the way they were supposed to. No, you have to know and believe that your life isn't over just because that season is. Your life is way more important than just one span of time that you LIVED THROUGH! Get up from your floor of despair and own your life! If you're reading this, you are still breathing! If you are still breathing, you still have a chance! If you still have a chance, then you don't have time to waste! Get up and own life! Get up and own your second chance! Get up and be amazingly great without apology. Take advantage of the fact that yesterday is gone, tomorrow is not promised, but today, this very day is your precious gift to do something amazing that will change your life and the life of your peers.

Imagine what they will see when you decide to live again? Imagine how encouraged they will be after seeing you get your happy, your peace, and your life back? So many people are shattered and you've been blessed to spend this moment with me. Whether you're at home, at work, out and about, I want you to know that it took me a long time to get all of my pieces because I actually didn't know where some of them where. I'd submitted to so many acts of trauma to the point where trauma became normal and it was like prying candy from a baby's hand to get me to finally release my "expectation" of trauma from my life. Guess what? I did it and I'm free. That's why I'm telling you, it's time, Dear Heart! No more excuses and nothing holding you back. Let's get started. You may have to go far and wide to pick up these pieces. You may have to go back a lot of years and through a lot of different relationships but OWN THE JOURNEY and get those pieces. Life is calling and waiting. It's time to get restored and put back together again!

Much Love, Dee!

HELP! I need to forgive

noreply@blogger.com ("Dee") — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 15:12:00 +0000

This is probably one of the most requested conversations that I have to have with those that I counsel. Honestly speaking, whenever your life has been hit with trauma that has come by someone that you loved and particularly, someone that you trusted, it always leaves a damaging blow. Many people find it hard to pick up the pieces and move on. Even more so, how do you pick up the pieces, move on, and still find it in your heart to forgive that person? This is why I'm here today and hopefully this is why you have visited this site.

One of the first things I want to tell you is that your ability to forgive has nothing to do with forgetting what they did or how someone did what they did to you. I think a lot of people equate forgiveness with completely excusing the behavior and that's completely false. Your ability or inability to forgive really deals with the proper understanding that the person who hurt you doesn't have power over you.

Although what they did hurt you very deeply, although you may have trusted them to not do it, and although you may still be in shock that they would even bring such a traumatic heart break into your life, they still don't have power over you. People only have the power that you give them. When you take back your power, they no longer have the power. One of the tools that we utilize to take back the power is forgiveness. This doesn't mean that you forget the trauma. This doesn't mean that you forget the acts of dishonesty and disloyalty. This simply means that you release the person so that you can focus on the damage that was done. If a person is going to receive medical attention for a stab wound, the first step is making sure that the knife is completely pulled out of the flesh. After that, the wound can be treated so that it can get healing. It's the same way with life. In order to deal with the trauma and the effects of the trauma. We first have to completely remove the one by which the trauma came.

So, you can release them from your "heart jail". What does this mean? I am so glad you asked. One's ability to forgive those that have been dishonest or brought trauma means that although you may not excuse the behavior, you release them from being a constant concern and "poison of the heart". What ultimately happens when you forgive is that you release this person from your life and ultimately from your heart so that the poison of what they did does not continue to fester and build up in you. As I mentioned before, it is important that you take back your power. Often when we have been violated or traumatized by a particular person, just the mention of that person's name or seeing that person in view has the power to change your attitude, change your disposition, and change your demeanor. When this happens, this is a clear indication that this person still has emotional power over you and you are emotionally bound to what they do and in most cases, what they don't do.

Many people act out in grave anger once they have been traumatized and in many cases this anger is merely an outward expression of the inner feelings of fear. This fear could be for any reason: the fear of being vulnerable, the fear of being powerless, the fear of looking and seeming as if you aren't strong and lack the ability to be in full control. Just because a person is angry doesn't mean that they are rightfully wholesome. This is why it is utterly important that your first step in forgiveness is understanding that in order to rest in your own power and authority, you have to release the offender and not make this about that person. Dear heart, this is all about you. This is all about you putting your pieces back together. This is all about you becoming stronger and wiser again. This is about recognizing boundaries that you did not set or enforce. This is about recognizing those moments when you saw the truth, but you ignored it because of gratification. This is not about your offender, although I am so sorry that the pain had to come by them. This, dear heart, is about you.

Here is a great reality. When you choose to hold on to people in order to blame them, want them to pay, want them to have the same thing happen to them, and want to see their downfall, that shows a bigger picture of who you are and where you are. Your inability to release the person who hurt you says that you feel as if you are in total control of what happens to them. Can I be honest? You holding blame over the person that traumatized you will not change who they are. You holding blame over the person that hurt you won't change the fact that that's what they did and that's probably what they'll do again to someone else. You holding on to the blame, to the anger, to the hatred, and that poison will only infect your life and through the lens of that hurt and pain, you will view everything else.

So let's talk about a healthy healing process. By no means am I suggesting that you immediately and quickly erase the trauma. My Philosophy is that you have to work through the trauma, you have to work through the pain, and you have to work through the hurt in order to get to a healed place. However, my first thrust to you is that working through that pain means that you first have to find a way to release your violator. If you don't release your violator, you will make your healing process about that person when it's actually about you. If you don't release your violator, you'll constantly try to work a process of healing yourself while continuing to feed yourself the same poison that has caused you to be in the place that you're currently in. So, our first step is to release the one who hurt you. Let them go. Your healing process, your time of renewal and revival, and you taking the time to put broken pieces back together has nothing to do with that person. As a matter of fact, if it had not been for that person violating you and bringing you to this place where you are right now, you may have never gone through the necessary steps that you're about to go through in order to be wiser, stronger, and so much better.

I can't say that I understand your pain and I cannot say with certainty that I know exactly what you're going through. I can say that I have had my share of pain and emotional barriers that left me feeling bitter, resentful, and lacking the appropriate tools to get better. Today I want to offer you an important tool. Forgiveness. Let me ask you a question. Have you ever done anything that hurt or traumatized someone else? If you haven't, I'm so happy for you and I pray you never do. However there has been a time in all of our lives where we have needed forgiveness. Our violation may not have been as traumatic, but the truth Still Remains, we needed forgiveness. I have done things in my life where I needed forgiveness and I'm so grateful that I received it.

It's not about whether or not they deserve it. It's not about whether or not they're worthy of it. None of us have ever been worthy of forgiveness, neither have we been deserving of it. Yet, it's been a free gift that we've been given and for some strange reason, we've been given chance after chance. Make up your mind and posture your heart today to let people go. Release them from the jail and prison of your heart. Don't keep carrying that dead weight around. Let them go so that you can work on getting better, getting whole, and getting completely healed.

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"Something Has to Change"
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You Were Meant to Do and Be More

noreply@blogger.com ("Dee") — Thu, 06 Apr 2017 18:44:00 +0000

Blog Family!

I pray that all of you are wonderful and prospering in the things that bring you the most joy! I’ve been away quite some time focusing on life and doing other things and I’ve finally gotten back to my first love – writing! I have missed you all so and today we reunite on a journey that I believe is beneficial to both our lives. I must admit that I’ve been on a journey and it has taught me a lot about life. DON’T WASTE IT! In life, we have no guarantees and we witness daily how so quickly it can be taken away. Undeniably, we allow things and people to come and cause us to lose focus on the things that matter the most. We allow past hurts to hinder our trust, past heartaches to hinder our ability to love, and past disappointments to hinder our decision to try. It’s all rather meaningless if you think about it. At some point in life, maturity teaches you that if it hadn’t been for the downs, you wouldn’t have an appreciation for the ups. It’s the rainy days that make you glow and breathe in this incredible sunshine. If you’d never had any sickness, you wouldn’t be grateful for the days that you were well. It’s what we go through that brings us to a common place of compassion and growth understanding that everyone at some point has had to endure something. Everyone, at some point, has had to maneuver through what they felt was unbearable and incapable of ever being better.

So, what does all this mean? It means that somewhere there is a destiny that awaits you and your daily life is preparing you for that. Destiny, purpose, and all of that – is it necessary to talk about this? It is indeed. There is a purpose or reason that you exist and just because you choose not to look at it, doesn’t mean that it automatically goes away. There’s a course in life that you are meant to travel and sometimes our decisions get us off track. Sometimes weighing more heavily on the opinion of others and how they live can get us off track. However, the greatest thing is that sooner or later you come to a dead end or a huge wall in the road and you must turn around and find where you got off track. It has happened to us all! It happened in the career that you started but quickly found that it wasn’t rewarding so you changed careers. It happened in the city that you lived in but ended up moving to where you are now and countless opportunities have opened. It even happened in the person you thought you’d marry but that relationship ended and you married someone totally different. This is because there was/is a purpose for your life that guides you, calls, you, strengthens you, and shifts you when necessary so that you can reach destiny.

Someone is asking, how do I find purpose? How do I find who I’m meant to be or what I’m meant to do? This is such a common question because everyone is looking for a place to belong or a meaning to this thing called life. Some people have realized that they have gone years just wondering aimlessly without a cause or a focus on anything that is greater than they are. These people haven’t found purpose. We know what it is, but how do we get it? Inside of you is a voice that cries and it longs to speak, work, do, give, and even exist in a particular area like none other. It’s the voice that sidetracks you when you’re focused on something else. It’s the cry that compels you like nothing else. It’s the one thing that you can wake up doing and go to bed doing and never get one dime for it. I remember me and some friends were in Atlanta and we’d just had lunch when we turned the corner and one of my friends screamed for me to stop the car. She quickly jumped out and gave her blanket to a homeless man, instantly. She got back in the car and cried hysterically because her heart was pricked and for the length of time that we remained in the car, she talked about how she could do more for the homeless. The one thing that she found was compassion. Her heart was moved from what she saw and it compelled her to act. That’s the beginning of purpose.

You see, many people are working on jobs everyday in fields and careers where they have no compassion, which means that it’s impossible to be passionate about it. Your purpose will begin in those areas where you exude great compassion and passion. What’s the difference? Compassion is what you show to others. Passion is what you give of yourself. It’s the strong feeling or emotion wherewith you accomplish something. Your purpose will emanate from your area of passion. Find what makes you emotional, what makes you concerned, or what makes you upset. I’m not saying that’s your purpose, I’m showing you how to start looking for it.

Beloved, we spend so much time being passionate about things that won’t ever add to our lives. Meanwhile, we’re wasting time not fulfilling the greatest of who we are called to be. Make up your mind today that you will push aside hurts and disappointments and move to greater for your life. Let’s go on a journey of discovering your purpose and just what you were created for. I’ll be here every step of the way because it’s important to me that you know that you were meant to be and do MORE!

Thank You!

noreply@blogger.com ("Dee") — Sun, 15 Nov 2015 21:47:00 +0000

Hello Everyone!

It has been a while since I've posted and I'm always eager to share with you what's happening in my life! Things are going well and I'm excited to confirm some news for you!

There are an amazing amount of people that I'm so grateful for. Their consistent love and support means the world to me and I'm preparing some things just for them! Who am I speaking of? YOU!!! You all have been so supportive and so sweet and I can't tell you how much that means to me. I'm just a country girl with a love of Jesus and a desire to influence the world - one soul at a time! Hope goes a long way and faith will take you even farther.

So, over the holidays, I will be featuring a series of giveaways! Yes, giveaways! The rules of entry will be very simple and the winners will be chosen at random! I'm so excited!

If you are reading this, you've gotten the notification by email because you have subscribed to this blog. Therefore, you are the first to know! Each campaign will be featured on the blog and facebook! So, be on the lookout!

Honestly, I don't know a greater feeling than being able to give! So, buckle up and get ready!

The first campaign will kick off this week for a $50 Visa Gift Card. All you have to do is the following:
1. Subscribe to the blog at the new website www.empowermentspeaks.com by entering your email on the right where it says: Follow by email
2. Find the facebook campaign post and follow the instructions.
3. Wait for the winner to be announced!

It's that simple!

Know that I love you all and look forward to continuing this journey with you!

Talk to you soon!

Broken & Unfulfilled Expectations...

noreply@blogger.com ("Dee") — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 18:09:00 +0000

Hi Blog Family,

It's been a minute since I've blogged and let me just say that time waits for no one!!!! It's been a busy road but I'm grateful! A lot of times I blog about my personal life or conversations that I have. Often times, I blog about life in general... I talk to a lot of people on a daily basis and attempt to offer encouragement or hope in dire straits or hopeless situations and that can be hard when people have been beat down or felt defeated for so long! There is a psychological phrase called classical conditioning and it basically exposes the basis of some behaviors. The concept of classical conditioning is that you learn behavior based off of association. Classic example is feeding a pet. If the owner rings a bell every time the pet is about to get fed and then presents food, then it is suggested that the pet will issue the same behavioral response at the sound of the bell that he would issue at the presenting of food even if food is not presented. Why? Because the pet has been conditioned to believe that the bell means that it’s time to eat! Therefore, to condition the pet, to train the pet, you utilize expectations in order to get a required response. The problem is not the conditioning because is it normal for us to become educated, taught, instructed or guided. However, the problem comes when the trainer no longer meets our expectations! The game changes when you are left with a condition, but unfulfilled expectations. It hurts a bit more when you’ve lost what meant the most to you but you find yourself still reaching out for it! It’s hard to pick up the pieces when you’re left loving someone that no longer loves you back! It’s a different story when you keep playing with my emotions but with no real intent of committing. What do you do when you have broken and unfulfilled expectations that leave you empty and alone?

Beloved, you will have moments in life when your expectations won’t be fulfilled and what you expected to happen may not be reality. However, I’m reminded of a scripture that says “Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind” – Romans 12:2… In other words, it’s not necessary for you to conform to what others are doing.. It is true that every now and then you have to take inventory of your mind and renew it to ensure that your language isn’t moving forward while your mind is parked and stuck! I truly believe this happens a lot to us. We have expectations of others based off of their behavior or promises. However, when they don’t meet them, it leaves us offended! Save yourself trouble and time, let people be who they are and when they show you who they are, believe them! Secondly, learn how to let go and move on! No person or situation deserves enough energy or attention to where it stops you and your life! Last but not least, learn the lesson! You can go through change after change, but honey you have to learn the lesson! Take away the nugget that you need to ensure that you don’t have to make this pit stop again… And with all diligence, remember this: Having broken and unfulfilled expectations does not mean that you are broken and unfulfilled! It just means that you are the perfect candidate for being renewed!

Love ya!

An Open Letter to "Broken-Hearted"

noreply@blogger.com ("Dee") — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 20:51:00 +0000

Dear Broken-Hearted,

There are so many things in life that I wish we could be shielded from. However, the reality is that as long as you live, you will experience hurt and disappointments... and yes, you may even have a broken heart. Yet, one thing remains and that's our ability to bounce back from every set back. You see, the truth is you really underestimate the power that you have and possess! Your heart is broken because someone didn't meet your expectations. Well guess what? You can only be assured that people will be who they are and there's nothing you can do to change that! Therefore, your disappointment shouldn't be in them because they don't hold that type of power. Instead your focus should be on yourself. What signs did you ignore? How much of yourself did you give away to someone who gave very little to you? What part of your past left an open door for you to be open and vulnerable?

Listen beloved, you can't stop what people do to you; however, you can control how it affects you! Everything in your life that happens, happens for purpose. Whether it's pain, disappointment, a broken heart, or whatever.... it all ultimately works for your good and God's glory! Think about the last storm you went through. Didn't you learn from it? As a matter of fact, David recognized in the word of God that God was faithful to deliver him. He said..

Moreover David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”

And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!” (I Samuel 17:37)

David's testimony was sure... My life and the sheep have been threatened before by a lion and a bear, BUT GOD DELIVERED! I'm saying the same to you right now.. This is not and won't be your first storm or the first thing that you will ever endure. Often God takes away what's not meant for us in order to make room for what is! Now you can either sit in a wallow of self-defeat and allow it to dictate failure for you and your entire life. Or you can look at it as a lesson learned and move forward working on yourself so that this doesn't happen again. If I were you, I would choose the latter! Life goes on and having self-worth, freedom, and a peace of mind is the greatest gift of all!

Oh and by the way, regarding the one that hurt you, pray for that person! Always remember that hurt people hurt people! Your expectations of a person doesn't dictate their actions; their heart does! People operate based off of what lies within their hearts and you have to remember that the heart is deceitfully wicked! Words can be trickery but the heart never lies! A person's countenance can be disguised, but the heart never lies! Pray that their heart is pricked by the love of God so that they can see the error in their ways! Pray that their heart is molded unto the will of God for their lives! Pray that their mind is transformed and likened unto the mind of Christ! Pray that every yoke and chain of bondage will be destroyed within their lives! Most importantly, please remember that this person will always be a candidate for the love of Christ! Even if you can't deal with them in a relational manner or personally, always consider them as a soul that needs the Hand of God and you just might be the only image of Christ that they will ever see!

Be Blessed

It's All In You

noreply@blogger.com ("Dee") — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 15:18:00 +0000

Hello Family,

It has been a long time since I blogged but I have to say that it is not because I haven't wanted to. Life has a way of demanding more and more of my time but I'm grateful to have so many things entrusted in my hands.

I am embarking on new territories in my life. I have several things in the pipeline and I'm grateful and excited all at the same time! Listen, one of the things that has plagued me and soo many other people that I've encountered is the thought of giving up... the audacity to quit! We spend so much time responding to life's circumstances.. We are the best parents, the best bosses, employees, spouses, and whatever else life has positioned us to be. While that's fulfilling, there's always the guilt that's associated with the void of not pursuing your passion!

Today I want to be clear, you can go your entire life working and ensuring that things are taken care of and you might just make a lot of money. However, it can never be compared to pursuing your passion! Listen beloved, you were called and appointed to do something! It's that thing that gives you life and honestly you can do it with little to no effort at all! Find that and you'll quickly convert from existing to living! Find that and you will be in the path of your destiny! Find that and you will see that you will quickly begin to make a difference in the lives of those that you were pre-destined to meet!

You beloved, have a call! You beloved, are meant to be more than mediocre! You are extraordinary and the world awaits for you to break the cycle of ordinary in your life! The time is now and the moment can't keep passing by! What are you waiting for? You'll lived for everyone else, now it's time that you live out your dreams.... your destiny! It's all up to you... no actually, it's all IN YOU!

Residue

noreply@blogger.com ("Dee") — Tue, 19 Nov 2013 00:22:00 +0000

Hey Family! It’s been a while but I wanted to share my heart with you. There are a lot of things in the making and I’m super excited.

Well, let me share… Recently, I discovered somewhat of an “infestation” of gnats in my apartment. Let me say… “I don’t like any type of insect that flies”!!! I noticed a few and it was shortly after a rain had occurred, so I didn’t think anything of it. However, as the days grew, I began to see more and more gnats… I asked one of the Pest Control professionals about it and he said, “There must be a source, find the source and you’ll solve the problem”… Of course, I walked away from this conversation completely disturbed because I was certain that there was no “source”… Sure enough, I went home and found a bag of trash that I’d tucked away in the front closet because I didn’t want to go out in the rain and figured I would “remember” to grab it the next morning… Needless to say, I immediately removed the trash and began to go to work on the annoying gnats!

I didn’t have any type of spray so I poured Clorox in a spray bottle because Clorox kills any and everything!!! I mean I went to town!!! I sprayed Clorox on every place that I witnessed the gnats land.. I even sprayed the Clorox in midair hoping they would die upon contact. Well, one of the places that I sprayed was the mirror in one of the bathrooms. The very next morning the residue from the clorox was still on the mirror and I witnessed this gnat fly around the mirror but never land all because of the residue that was still on the mirror. What am I saying?

When was the last time that someone’s course changed simply because of the residue that you left upon their life? What type of mark, impression, or influence have you made that caused someone else to take a look at him or herself and want to change for the better? We are all called for purpose and most of us fulfill purpose without even attempting to. Yet, there comes a time when your obedience to your purpose brings change to someone else’s life. As a matter of fact, whenever you are obedient to your purpose, you birth change in someone else’s life. I imagine, just like that gnat, there are people hanging around you and wanted to land in the midst of your presence just to leech or “hang” around….. Hopefully, the residue of you answering the call to purpose and moving forward in what you are called to do will cause that person to be redirected to do the same…. Perhaps your willingness to operate in maturity will redirect them to do the same. Perhaps your willingness to make something out of your life will redirect them to do the same. Perhaps your willingness to be a better mother, father, wife, husband, etc. will redirect them to do the same….. Be agents of change!

Be the change that you want to see in the world is a powerful quote… However, I will mock it just a little and tell you not only be the change but leave the type of residue (mark, impact) that forces change!

I Want More....

noreply@blogger.com ("Dee") — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 14:57:00 +0000

Good Morning,

It's another day's journey and like the more seasoned saints used to say, " I'm glad about it"! I am excited to be able to share with you once again. Life is good and my heart is full of expectancy for my life as well as yours! 2013 is in full mode already and I pray that each of you are working diligently towards destiny following the path of purpose all the way!

Well, I wanted to briefly share with you this morning as I was reflecting on one of my favorite scriptures. Philippians 3:13 (part a) says, "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended". First and foremost, Paul is an amazing example of a leader in the Body of Christ and a follower of Christ. The book of Philippians is excellent in its declaration of fellowship and like-mindedness amongst believers and chapter 3 happens to be an awesome chapter. But, you all have busy days and little time so I wanted to just share this little tidbit...

Recently an older 63 year old man was interviewed. This man works two full time jobs, has been married, has five kids and desires to be married again and would like two additional children. He is well off financially and just works to pass time. The question was asked "Why is it that you are still working so hard so close to the age of 65 when you have more than enough money and are you really considering marriage and children at your age?" The man looked at the interviewer and said, "I've been in the military and I have held a beautiful life but I'm not satisfied until the Lord calls me home... Until then, my motto for everyday is 'I WANT MORE' ". Wow! Can you honestly look at your life and say that everyday I am working hard, moving, and striving because I'm not satisfied? Or have you become complacent and lazy because life hasn't ended up the way you want it to? So many times we become lazy and complacent failing to continue reaching and striving and honestly there could be several reasons why: heartbreak, lack of results, opposition, disbelief, lack of wisdom, and many more... But what seems hardest for people to understand is the fact that all of these reasons are merely tools that are used to refine you! They refine your patience, refine your love walk, refine your tenacity! Trials are designed to shape you and in most cases, to redirect you!

Do me a favor! Re-evaluate your life! Please don't reduce your life to one single act that has happened to you along the way! So what if they left? Chances are, they had to leave because that's the only way you would see that they were connected to your destiny! So what you lost your job? Chances are, if they wouldn't have fired you, you wouldn't have ever started your own business! So what you lost everything you had? The truth is, you can always begin again!!! What am I saying??? Paul was an amazing Apostle of Christ and his declaration was this::::: I HAVEN'T MADE IT YET! Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:::: In other words, we are ALL striving for greater! We are all screaming, shouting, pressing, travailing for MORE!!! Through every circumstance, I am screaming for more! With every trial, I am screaming for MORE! I want more out of life than what I've seen. I want more for my children, more for my family, more for my friends.... MORE! You have gained a lot but take a note from this older man. Until the Lord calls you home, your daily motto should be..... I WANT MORE!

This Time....

noreply@blogger.com ("Dee") — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 18:02:00 +0000

Hello Family,

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

This morning I was reminded of the time when I was attempting to work on my first website. I was utilizing a program that I was not familiar with and to my dismay, I struggled through the entire process! My layout was all wrong. I placed frames where they shouldn't have been. Let me just tell you, it was a mess! What was more ridiculous was the fact that the only way that I could change it was to reset the entire process and start over! One thing is certainly for sure.... upon starting again there were several things that I was sure not to do again. Literally, in my mind I'd made a mental note to stay away from certain fonts, certain widgets, certain layouts, and graphics because of my inability to maneuver through them and because they were completely off course of my mental design of the project.

My message today is simple: Sometimes in life we find ourselves operating in a layout that's not designed for us! We struggle through the process just trying to create the most beautiful masterpiece knowing on the inside that this is all wrong! Don't be afraid to hit the reset button of life! Start over! Begin again! This time, be more determined! This time, be more authentic! This time, be a trailblazer, dare to do something different! Stay away from those things and people that don't support where you are going because they will get you off track! This time, step out of your comfort zone into a whole new world of possibilities! This time, choose to be more confident and bold!

It's a new season, a new year, and a new day! Make up your mind to not waste this moment..... NOT THIS TIME!

BE THE WOMAN.....

noreply@blogger.com ("Dee") — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 16:16:00 +0000

From day to day she moves with class, beauty, poise and confidence into the countless distinctions of life. Her role is ever-changing from mother, wife, business woman, girlfriend, aunt, grandmother, and niece with an expectation that she exceeds them all. Yet, in the toughest of times she finds the strength to endure even that in which she thought was impossible. She comes through life's challenges with a smile and enough strength to push an entire army. She is the backbone of her family and has the right amount of compassion and love in her womb to nurture her family and the world. She makes everything beautiful with her words. The coldest of places can be warmed by her presence. The driest of places can be moistened by her joy... She is the epitome of God's plan of a help meet and she is the embodiment of every Adam's right hand! She can work a job, nurture the kids, and take care of her husband at the same time.. She is born to birth! She holds wisdom and grace within her womb and has the ability to bring forth in every season... When the world declares it's barren, she births! When life says it's over, she births! In the face of adversity, intimidation and fear, she births! She holds the womb for every seed.... she is WOMAN!

My message today is simple: BE THE WOMAN! Be the woman that is unstoppable, beautiful, and full of grace! Be the woman that doesn't allow her past to determine her future! Be the woman that has declared that she will survive and make it regardless of what her spectators have said or declared! Be the woman that births the vision for your husband declaring that he shall reach his full potential and purpose! Be the woman whose husband trusts her confidently and obtains favor because of her! Be the woman that instills wisdom within your children! Be the woman of intelligence carrying yourself in a way that inspires others to be all that they are meant to be! Adorn yourself but let your heart be your ultimate beauty! Be the woman that's not afraid to let another woman shine! Be the woman that encourages her other sisters to live life to the fullest encouraging them to love themselves so that they can fully love others! Be a woman that sets a standard with values and boundaries! Be a woman of effective communication that says what she means and means what she says! Be a woman that's given to prayer reverently worshipping and fearing the Lord! Be her.... the woman with wisdom, grace, strength, words of edification, and faith..... BE THIS WOMAN.....VIRTUOUSLY!

Shaken.....Not Stirred

noreply@blogger.com ("Dee") — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 22:30:00 +0000

Hello Family,

We have less than a week before the new year and I wanted to send a message out to encourage those of you that are preparing for 2013! As you know, I always encourage everyone to take the time in the early fall and evaluate your life: what worked, what didn't, what would you like to see different, what would you like to do differently? This is a process that I learned years ago and it has helped me to place boundaries within my life and gain new insight and perspectives as I move farther and farther into my purpose and destiny!

Real quick, the thought came to mind about one of my favorite things to do: drink coffee! Let me just pause and say that I love coffee!! I love it morning, noon, and night especially in the winter! I can drink it all day! Anyway, one of the things that I love is the fact that McDonalds places the sugar and cream in your coffee for you! I have watched this process soooo many times! I've seen them place the sugar and cream in the cup, then pour the coffee. I couldn't for the life of me figure out how in the world it ends up tasting "just right" when they handed me my coffee. What I learned from experience is that most times a hot beverage needs stirring while a cold one requires shaking! If a beverage is hot, nine times out of ten the added ingredients will mix within the beverage with the assistance of a little stirring while most cold beverages require a tad bit more aggression. (like orange juice)

Perhaps there are some areas in your life that have been stirred! There's been a stirring on your job, in your family, within your friendships, or in your relationships. Some ingredients have been added and have mixed well all because these areas are hot due to them having your focus. But what about that dream or vision that you had 10 years ago? What about the woman or man that you set out in life to be? What about your marriage that seems to suffer at the hands of you or your husband's addiction? What about your friendships that are strained because your friends don't know who you really are? What about your personal healing that has been hindered because you fail to admit that you have been living your life on broken pieces? These areas have become cold beloved and require a shaking! The main ingredients of these areas have been added but because you've been dormant for so long and have turned cold, all of the good stuff lies at the bottom and unless a shaking occurs, we will never see your full potential! I remember a quote by Paula White: "Everything can be shaken must be shaken so that only the things that are a part of your destiny can remain" - (might not be exact)...

This is what I love about a shaking! Only the ingredients that can actually be mixed or dissolved matter after the shaking is over! If it can't be mixed or dissolved, it falls back to the bottom of the beverage! My message is simple.... there are some areas in your life that have remained dormant and because of it you've allowed everything and everyone that is not connected to your destiny to be added to your life! But beloved, in order for you to become who you are meant to be, there has to be a shaking in every area of you life so that only those things and people that are connected to your destiny can remain! Do me a favor::: ALLOW IT! Allow the shaking because only then will you be able to see what and who mixes in your life and who or what falls back to the bottom.... The lesson of a cold beverage is the fact that there is no caution needed in drinking it! Any and everyone can drink it because it's cold or room temperature.... Oh but a hot one has to be handled with care! Allow a shaking to take place in your life so you can see what you are really made of! And when the shaking is over, get busy! The shaking lets you see the weak areas, the weak things, and the weak people! Once the shaking is over, get busy with that vision, with your marriage, with your finances, and with your relationships... You will then become hot and a commodity that people will handle with care all because you took the time to be shaken.....NOT STIRRED!

Help Me to See "Me"

noreply@blogger.com ("Dee") — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 06:20:00 +0000

I was talking to a friend recently and we were chatting about the blessings of disagreements. I know somebody just clocked out on me (smile). But seriously, we were discovering that for most of our lives, we've approached the idea of arguments and disagreements the wrong way. Several truths fall into play here.

First, there is the common assumption that everyone that comes into your life is there forever... NEGATIVE! As many of us have gathered from on the job training, there are many people that come for a season. The struggle comes when we try to force seasonal folks into permanent assignments.... IT JUST WON'T WORK! These people have the grace to be in your life for a season only! If you bypass the season, the person will have to be torn away and many times it's by disagreements or such. Secondly, there is another common assumption that we are somehow entitled and must hold people hostage for what they did or didn't do to and/or for us. Listen love, when someone's season is up... that's just it, it's up! You can't force them to stay and charging them for walking away only holds you hostage and stuck in the place where they dropped you. The reality is that if you keep walking just a tad bit farther, you'll realize that they weren't equipped to carry you the whole way but the next person is already waiting for you at the corner.

When we have struggles and growing pains (a more loving phrase) with others, many times we walk away and play the blame game for what the other person did wrong. I believe this is where the blessings of disagreements come into play. The reality is that what you do to me isn't greater than what is being done in me! Therefore, if I take a closer look..... I can probably gather that there was a vulnerability in my life that allowed pain to come through. So while I'm spending so much time attacking the other person, the real person to deal with is me! Was there a sign or indication early on that destruction was on the way? Was there a moment when you felt like your friendship or relationship had run its course but rather than hurt the other person's feelings, you just stuck it out to only find that a major argument would eventually separate you anyway?

My message is simple: Perhaps some of those hard moments that you've had with others have come to reveal the greatest picture..... what's inside of you! The next time these moments arise, approach it this way.... how does this cause me to react and why? I am quite sure that if you do the work and follow the heart trail, you'll find a door of vulnerability that was left open somewhere along the way! This is a true testament of becoming better when you can look at a situation and pray "Lord, help me to see me".

Do Something Different....

noreply@blogger.com ("Dee") — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 17:36:00 +0000

Good Morning Bloggers,

It's been a while but I'm back! Many of you know that during this time of year, I do major inventory of my life. I evaluate those things that have worked for me and those things that haven't. This includes my character, the people in my life, my methodologies, and mindsets. There's a saying: "Insanity is doing the same things while expecting different results". Unfortunately, this is true! If you want to see a change in your life, you have to invest in that change. I have a motto that has inspired me and I choose to share it with the world... "New experiences birth new mindsets, which birth new behaviors"...

Listen, the production of your life is the epitome of the investment that you make within in. If you choose to do the same old things day after day, year after year, then you will find yourself in the same old place. So many times we become complacent and settled in a box of mere existence and never really experience life to its fullest because of our refusal to break away from the captivity of our minds. I have been overweight for years!!! I tried and tried losing weight, eating healthy but the entire time I would lose the weight and find myself gaining it right back! I know I'm not the only one... But guess what I found out? I found out that my body was attempting to complete a task that my mind hadn't fully developed the capacity to maintain! While I was exercising, I was saying in my mind "I hate exercising"... While I was attempting to eat healthy, I was saying in my mind "This is not good"... So eventually my old mindsets won because they lacked the capacity to foster what I was attempting to do! Look at it like this::: If you have a pitcher that's holding 32 ounces of water and you are needing to empty the entire pitcher into another container. Would you need to get a 32 ounce container or an 8 ounce container? Ding, ding.. time's up! You would need a 32 ounce container in order to empty all of the contents of the pitcher.. The pouring of the water into the 8 ounce container can't be justified because the 8 ounce container doesn't have the capacity (the room) to hold all of the water, so it wouldn't make sense to even use the 8 ounce when you have a 32 ounce available. It's the same way with our mindsets.... A lot of times we embark on tasks and journeys but haven't fully conditioned our mindsets to have the capacity to foster what we are trying to do... Therefore, we get stuck in a rut, discouraged, and unwilling to try!

Listen, you can never operate in the palace if you don't get your mind out of the prison! You will always have what you've always had if you keep doing what you've always done. You will always deal with the same kind of relationships, friendships, disagreements, arguments, heartbreaks, disappointments, and disasters! You've got to surround yourself with people and things that represent where you are going, not where you've been! New mindsets can only be birthed by new experiences. Evaluate your life and make healthy decisions for your future. Once you do that, make an honest inventory on the areas within your life that need to change. Evaluate the people in your life. Do they represent where you are going? If not, you may have to rearrange some things. You can't desire a corporate america mind while hanging with street talking folks! You can't desire a successful marriage while hanging with singles. Find people that introduce you to something different, something better! Next, take an honest inventory of your worst qualities. You may want to work on these because they will prevent you from operating at your greatest level. In other words, you can reach the highest point of your life and fall from it because of your lack of character! This is what allows you maintain your greatest achievements. Most importantly, develop new positive mindsets for where are going because where you've been has a mind of its own! Once you learn to be honest with yourself as to where you are, what needs to change, and create positive mindsets for where you want to go, the sky is the limit! You can definitely then do and be something different!

Pay Full Price or Leave Me on the Shelf....

noreply@blogger.com ("Dee") — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 19:35:00 +0000

Hello Blog Family,

I know that it's been a minute since I've blogged but my life has been in transition and I have been trying to stay afloat.. However, I figured it was time to break away from the demands of life and pen you a little encouragement as you continue on your journey of life.

The other day I was doing a little friendly shopping (that means trying not to spend that much money) when I came across this lovely candle set. The candles were a light goldish color while the container was a strong greenish color. It was a small setting but was perfect for my bathroom. The price was about $6 or $7. I looked at it for a moment but decided to pass it up as I was doing friendly shopping.. lol. Well, today I went back into that same store and saw the setting again only this time it was on clearance. I picked up the box and the price had been marked down to $3.00. With the marked down price came the following note:::

"This item has been marked down due to a piece of it being broken"

I sat it down and tried to think of whether or not I still really wanted it but decided not to get it. However, my decision to not get it made me think of our lives and how we mark ourselves down.

So many times in life, we compromise who we are and what we stand for so that we can be loved or accepted... When in reality, just like this item, that speaks to brokenness within us. Listen beloved, you are the perfect embodiment of greatness and it cost a pretty penny for you to be perfected. Think about where you are now in your life and where you've been. There have been some hurts, pains, heartaches, heartbreaks, rejections, abandonments, sicknesses, backbitings, lyings, job losses, car losses, home losses, molestations, rapes, and God only knows what else that many of you have had to endure but look at you.... Guess what??? You made it and you're still standing... You may have to lean every now and then but you're still standing! Listen, don't sell yourself short or mark the essence of who you are down in order to make it easier for people to identify with you. Embrace who you are and I promise you, those that are meant to be in your life will rise up to the standard of your life...

It cost you a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to be the man or woman that you are today! I understand, you want to be loved, accepted, wanted... Well, can I tell you something Dear Heart? It starts with you loving and accepting yourself. To tell you the truth, when you love and accept yourself, you acknowledge the brokenness that's within your life while requiring that your worth be respected. Never allow someone to mark your price down just so it fits them.. You are worth far more than you will ever know.. The greatness that's within you requires investors that are willing to invest whatever it takes for your worth because any great investor knows that the higher the price, the greater the worth!

So here is my message to you... Go ahead! Be who you are... Shine and allow the world to see the beauty that lies on the inside and the greatness that's been in you from the beginning.. Every pain that you've ever felt as well as every tear that you've ever had to cry has propelled you to this moment.. You are in the greatest season of your life! Pick up the pieces from shattered hopes and dreams. Take them to the chambers so that the Father can put you back together again the way He designed you...... And, when it's all said and done, you will be a perfect picture of His perfection shining in the light of His glory! So in essence, the next time someone tries to mark you down, you can simply tell them: PAY FULL PRICE OR LEAVE ME ON THE SHELF!

Good, But Not God!

noreply@blogger.com ("Dee") — Mon, 07 May 2012 17:54:00 +0000

Hello Family...

I’m reminded of a trip that I took not too long ago with two of my friends to one of my favorite shoe stores. There was an upcoming event and I was purposed to be divariffic (why did the spell check come up for this word??? Did it not get my dictionary list memo??? )… Anywho, the event called for a cocktail dress so I had a black one that I wanted to wear; however, my only dilemma was what to wear on my feet… I tossed back and forth with a solid color such as turquoise or red with accessories of the same color to not be so boring. Once I convinced myself that was not the way to go, I decided that red trimmed zebra print stilettos would be the best solution and I could rock my red accessories. So, I proceeded with the purchase of these stilettos and was convinced that my choice was the best choice. Once I got home to try everything on, I began to realize just a few things. This event was more of a social event that would more than likely call for me to mingle. Well, these shoes had a thin 6 inch heel. Secondly, it had begun to rain and there was a possibility that I would have to run or strut just a little. Well, this couldn’t happen in 6 inches, honey! So, I had to make a drastic decision in a short amount of time. I choose to go with my low cut leather boots, designer stockings, and red accessories. Were the stilettos bad? No, they are beautiful shoes and I wear them often. However for this event, they wouldn’t have been the best choice. I would’ve caused myself a lot more headache because of a simple “good” choice.

This rings heavily for me because there are so many times in life when we mistake a good choice for a God choice; a good idea for a God idea; etc. There will always be good things that come into your life. There will always be good people that come into your life. However, the lessons come when we learn to not make temporary things permanent possessions! This clouds our vision. Your perception becomes tainted because you can’t let go of temporary things and your ability to perceive permanent things doesn’t exist. So, you go through life murmuring and complaining because you’ve married temporary assignments but won’t give your permanent obligations the time of day. You spend time fighting for friendships and relationships that died long ago while ignoring the new people that God has brought to your life for this season. While you cry over what’s left, you fail to realize that you sign a deal to conform yourself into whoever you need to be in order to satisfy what God is really trying to remove. This process leaves you broken, empty, and unsure of who you are because you’ve stepped away from the real you in order to pacify that temporary thing…

Listen beloved, whether it’s a relationship, friendship, idea, business, or etc. take the necessary time to evaluate where you are in your life and where you are going. Once you’re solid on that, evaluate the people or things that you have connected to you. Sometimes, you find out it doesn’t mean not ever, just not now! That business idea may be lucrative, but is this the season? That relationship may be a good one, but is it “the one”? I’ve come to lean over the years and quite honestly I’m still learning that there are times and seasons for everything that is purposed for our lives. The Lord has a divine plan for each and every one of us and it’s imperative that we find ourselves in the will of God. I’ve lost friends and I cried and cried to only have to come to the reality that their season was up! What they needed, I couldn’t give and what I needed, they couldn’t give. Even when we tried, we compromised the reality of the shift that had taken place in our own lives to just try and salvage what God was saying to “let go”. So, I pray this blesses you as you embark on new seasons and paths in your life. Just remember things may be good, but not God!

It's Not Too Late to Dream...

noreply@blogger.com ("Dee") — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 23:28:00 +0000

I can still remember being a little girl going to Wal-mart with my mom. Of course, most kids remember these experiences where you get the talk before you go in, threatened to stay close, and was almost dared to even think about touching anything… Well, my memories went a tad bit further than that. My mom is and has always been a seamstress. So, our trips to Wal-mart included browsing through the fabric section. My hometown was a very small town and everybody knew everybody. We would get to Wal-mart and there was this lady named “Angie” who would ask me time after time… “Are you going to give us a song today”? Well, of course I couldn’t let them down, so they would pick me up, put me on the fabric counter, call ALL of the other ladies over, and I would sing! I remember clearing my throat and striking out “Mr. Telephone Man, there’s something wrong with my line, when I dial my baby’s number, I get a click every time”…. Lol (that’s New Edition)… So, let’s just say that my dreams of becoming a singer started pretty early!

I’ve spoken with several people over the course of my life and one of the things that saddens me is when I meet someone that’s lost hope or an expectancy of life. Honestly, I know that life can be cruel, hard, and downright unbearable at times… Yet, I’ve found that in my toughest times, I can recall that dream, that vision, that hope that once danced in my heart and it can literally breathe life back into me. Funny thing, every time I walked into that store those ladies were asking me to sing… Little did they know, they were stirring up the gift that lied within me! There is a divine purpose that lies within you and it’s been calling you for a long time. It’s called you through every disappointment, through every hurt, through every situation and circumstance. As a matter of fact, it’s the only voice that’s probably remained consistent because it resounds deep within your spirit although a small seed planted by the Spirit of God. You may choose to ignore it but it will never leave you! Even when you decide to muffle it with mediocre friendships with people that don’t have the ability to speak life into you because they themselves are hanging by a thread, it speaks… Even when you go left into insignificant relationships with significant others that know very little of their own worth and even less of yours, it speaks…

Even in the midst of distress, your purpose can breathe life right back into you. After all, it’s the essence of why you were created. So, it’s safe to say that when you receive your purpose, you are receiving a fresh breath from God to walk into your destiny… It may be rocky at first because it’s new… it’s the beginning. But the blessed thing about beginnings is this “In the beginning, God created”. Reconnect yourself with that thing that gives you passion. I know there’s a lot going on in your life but you can’t afford to ignore it any longer and neither can the people whose lives will be changed because of your purpose.

Oh by the way, today I’m a singer… I’m not singing the way I want to be, but I’m well on my way and the journey thus far has been amazing… God gave me a dream that would not die (Shirley Murdock)… It’s not too late to dream because this type of dream is purposed to come true!

Purpose Calls....

noreply@blogger.com ("Dee") — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 15:50:00 +0000

Hello Family,

I hope everyone experienced a wonderful Thanksgiving! More importantly, I wish you the very best as we enter the Christmas Holidays! I apologize for not reaching out to you sooner but I guess you can say that I've been a tad bit focused on life and all that it entails.. Anywho, while pondering on this very important point, I thought about the incoming new year and asked myself a few important questions. What do you want to accomplish? What are you willing to do to make it happen? Last but not least, does your purpose compel you to journey along this path? Now, I know that when people begin to talk about purpose some people get really irritated because it can really delve into a philosophical conversation with no foundations and therefore no resolution. But, I do want to pick your thoughts for a moment as we consider that there has to be some truth in the aspect that we answer to the "call of purpose".

We can get off into many tangents attempting to make money, gain fame, and be recognized but the reality is that none of this will ever remain if we don't tap into our purpose. This is where we decipher gifts from talents. Talents can be learned, but a gift is earned and freely given! One of my friends wants to work in fashion design. He's not business-minded at all, he's not mechanical or handy, but creativity is his gift! Give him a bunch of flowers in the middle of a room and shortly thereafter, you will have several of the most beautiful bouquets that you've ever seen! Over the years, he will become great at business because it can be learned, he can become mechanical ( if he chooses) because it can be learned, but what can't be taught is the foundation of his success......creativity! For him, this was a gift!

One of the greatest blessing of my life is my spritual mother and she is a health fanatic! It stems from her uncanning ability to be an awesome caregiver! So, healthy living, eating, and exercise fumbles my little brain but it makes so much sense to her. When I'm stumbling over what to eat at what time to produce a certain result, it's simple to her! Tell her what your ailment is, what you're trying to accomplish with your body, or what your health goals are and she can create a plan in seconds for you to reach maximum results. For me it has to be learned, but to her it's a gift!

What's my point? Find the area in your life where things come easy. Your gift may be listening, caring for others, music, public speaking, cleaning (this really is a gift), cooking, etc. Whatever your gift is, park yourself in that lane! Some of the number one questions that people often ask me is "how do I find my purpose" or "how do I know that this is what I'm supposed to do"? Well, I have a bit of honesty for you, YOU DON'T and honestly YOU WON'T! I truly believe that you are loved so much that even when you stray away from your purpose, there is purpose in the thing that you strayed away to! (Did you get that?) In other words, even if you make the wrong turn, there will be a lesson so great in that decision that will only prepare you for the road that you're destined to be on!

So, find what you love to do, that area that comes easy! When you find that, work in that! Stay right there. That path will lead you to where you are destined to be. Don't be afraid to take chances and opportunities. Maturity is birthed from experience. Last but not least, pray and ask the Lord to show you what you were created to do. Not only that, ask for the wisdom to operate within what He shows. Listen, as we enter into the holiday season and the threshold of a new year, I want to encourage you to search out your purpose! The world is waiting for you to step into the person that you were created to be! So through the hustle and bustle of the upcoming holiday season and beneath the noise of the business of the season, listen closely. There is a soft, sweet, but yet distinctive sound of purpose calling!

It's a New Season....

noreply@blogger.com ("Dee") — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 14:05:00 +0000

Fall is coming! Fall is coming! Many of the people in my life are absolutely ecstatic about this time of year as I'm usually more excited about summer. I guess for me once fall comes, then somewhere around the corner is winter. I must admit that I am still learning how to dress for winter! Yet, there is a bit of excitement when I observe the changing of the leaves, the weather, and the time change.

I can remember being younger and having to pull out my sweaters, light jackets, and other accessories to ensure that I was dressed properly. However, it never failed! I always ended up getting sick because somehow I would still dress for summer in fall weather! Although I had the appropriate clothes before my eyes, dressing for summer was what was familiar and my preference. Therefore, when it came time for fall and winter, I struggled.

I want to write to some people that may have a difficulty transitioning into what lies ahead of you because your mind and spirit lie wasting away in what is behind you. Like me, you may be entering into a new season but can't perceive it because of your determination to hold on to the old one! Today my message is simple. Let go of your past. Transform your mind so that you are able to receive what's next within your life! Recently, I had to have this same talk with myself because I realized that I was wasting away in what used to be and it clouded my view for what could be and what actually was! My body made the transition but my mind didn't!

As we enter into this new season, let this also be a new season for your life! Take great inventory of your life and make decisions that support where you are and where you want to be. Remove anything that causes weight and choose to embrace what lies ahead! I salute you friends as you embark on new journeys and new adventures. Welcome to your new season!

One Step At a Time

noreply@blogger.com ("Dee") — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 16:12:00 +0000

I remember having to undergo what ended up being a REALLY painful toe surgery. I was fine immediately after the surgery because my toe was still somewhat numb. So, I decided to go by my office and check on some things and then go . Well, unfortunately I sat at the desk a little too long and realized that the actual pain of the surgery had started to kick in. When I finally got up to leave, I found myself in excruciating pain and couldn't see how in the world I was going to make it down this long hall, to the back of the building, and into my car. The principal that I was working for came around to my office and begin scolding me for being at the office and asked if I needed his help to my car. I told him that I sure might because I think the numbness was wearing off. He asked me to wait because someone was there to see him. Well, I couldn't turn around, it was then or never! I was in too much pain to just go back to my desk. So, I look at him and said..."Go ahead. I will make it".

My mesage today is dedicated to those who have had to endure painful situations. Perhaps these situations brought a great detriment to you emotionally or mentally but rather than face it, you became numb to it not realizing how affected you actually were. I want to encourage you because I know that life can present some really hard blows and every now and then we get hit. Undergoing divorces, painful goodbyes, loss of loved ones, and so much more can have a great impact on your life. Quite frankly, most of us have a tendency to "take a licking and keep on ticking" or in other words, we tend to keep moving while wounded!

I don't know what you've had to face and I don't want to seem as if I understand totally but I'd like to encourage you to take the time necessary to allow your wounds to heal! The reality of your destiny is connected to those life lessons that we learn as a result of pain. Honestly speaking, you can't get to those lessons if you never acknowledge that you need time to heal. Just like in my story, it will probably be a long hall that you will have to walk down in order to get back on track. But, I have faith in you! You will recover and be able to get up from this, but you must first allow yourself time to heal! The best is yet to come, but you will never recognize it if you stay stuck in the blow of worse!

As the principal hurried back to his office to take care of the parent, I stood up, pain and all! I grabbed a hold of the wall and I began to move. Before I knew it, I was at the back of the building and into my car! Guess how I did it? The same way you will, ONE STEP AT A TIME!

Before You Quit....

noreply@blogger.com ("Dee") — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 02:38:00 +0000

If I can just be rather frank here I want to just say that life can be so hard! There are so many demands on each of us at the various crossroads of life and it can be really difficult to maintain. Think about it. There are some women who are mothers, wives, employees or managers, counselors, best friends, and hopefully by the end of the day....sane! On the otherhand, there are times when life can be easy, seemingly smooth with no curve balls or rough roads. But, I think you will find that in the chaos of it all whether it be an easy moment or hard one, there are people that have decided that giving up is the best solution.

Interesting enough, I don't pen this article to ridicule them nor do I take the chance of attacking them with the predetermined notion that quitting isn't the best option. However, I will take a moment and encourage one to consider one question: "Is it worth it to quit"? Don't get me wrong, I get it! I may not know how hard or tough your situation is. But the reality is that I will never be able to alter the degree of life's challenges but there is strength training for the challenger! I'm not an athlete but I can't imagine a runner attempting to conquer a race that he or she wasn't fully prepared for. Therfore, I would have to determine that if a runner showed up to a marathon race, they are probably qualified to run within the race. This is likened to you and me. Whenever we're faced with life's greatest challenges, whether you know it or not....we are prepared and qualified for them!

Listen, consider all of the other things you've come through. I know this mountain may seem huge but Dear Heart, a mountain is just smaller hills clumped together. This isn't the moment to give up. It is however the moment to realize that a hero lies inside of you and you are well able to pull through this just like you pulled through that! Stay in the race! Not only were you born for this moment, you have been prepared for it. Keep running, hold your head up, and I promise you before you quit, your opponents will!

noreply@blogger.com ("Dee") — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 21:05:00 +0000

From The Desk of Orlando Hill.....

Green Lights - GO!!!

I was sitting at a red light the other day and my mind went running as it normally does on how often I sit at lights. It seems like the world is controlled by trying to get somewhere and once we get there, we are in a rush to leave to get to another place. The thought ran through my mind about how much power and authority those three lights have. For example, when the light turns yellow I give the vehicle as much gas as it can take to make it through before the light turns red. Don't let me be running behind schedule, I am praying to God for green lights to make up some time! I know I am not the only one! (Rabbit Trail: Why do people stop at "yield" signs and yield at "stop" signs?) In the meantime whild daydreaming, HONK! Apparently, the light turned green during my thought process and I disturbed the lady behind me who was obviously in a hurry. Excuse me for slowing you down, but I was thinking!!

Interesting enough, as the lady passed me with a mean glare, I wondered do I let peole do the same thing to me? Do I let the glares of others affect my journey? Just because a brother has decided to stop; does that mean I have to slam on brakes as well? Do friends, family , or day to day people dictate what I do in life? Are the plans for my life ordered by God like His word says or am I letting individuals change the colors of the light within my life at their delight? There are plenty of areas within my life that I actually judge based on how I think other people view me. I've learned that I sometimes utilize these views to measure what I and how I do some things . This is even true for many of my past choices and experiences whether these experiences are successes or failures. If I have been hurt in an area, I proceed very slowly and with caution because I don't want to risk another collision at that intersection. If the outcome has been positive, I'm more likely to visit this intersection again because how I was received or treated was a major determining factor in the success of that moment.

As I approach a parking space, I realized that we all have this same journey called life but go at different speeds and directions. I've made a vow to stay on course and obey the signs and lights that God has put before me within MY path and not allow it to be altered by the influences of others. I am not taking the detours instead I am enjoying the sights on this trip. I have green lights and I will proceed forward! I will not be poking along looking for the lights to change because I am looking and paying attention to God who is ordering my steps. I will not run over people who are traveling with me. I choose to trust God alone for the directions along this journey and even for the perfect timing as to when I have green lights!

My Anniversary!

noreply@blogger.com ("Dee") — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 00:32:00 +0000

Good Evening Family!!!

I feel like Brown on "Meet the Browns" when he says, "I think it's time for a celebrate"!!!

Well, indeed it is. Three months ago today, me and members of my family embarked on a collaborated journey of no meat for three months. Let me just say that I've been big my whole life and nothing completes a meal but a big ol' slab of some animal: fish, chicken, cow, salmon, ....You get the picture! Anyway, to be totally honest, I was motivated because of why we were doing it. Therefore, purpose exceeded my desires. So, I want to share a little about this journey!

When I first started, my body realized that it was missing something. So, because I couldn't feed it "meat", I substituted and gave my body what would make it feel good..what always makes it feel good: carbs! Yes, those lovely carbs! Let me just tell you, I like all things white: potatoes, rice, bread, and Lord pasta....Again, you get the picture. However, about a month later, I realized that my weight was maximizing and I was having a lot of crash moments. Well, I realized that this was because I was feeding my body carbs but not exercising at what was considered a regular level in order to balance those carbs out.

Point 1: When you decide to remove things or people out of your life. You will go through a season of withdrawals. Be careful to not pacify yourself with what feels good because the main objective is to train yourself to not become dependent upon your desires (thus creating further insecurities) but on your necessities (which compel you to look forward to new possibilities).

So, month 2 was better! I started incorporating the right carbs into my daily regimen and begin to look for organic foods to substitute. I realized that my body responded more to the "freshness" of certain foods. Now listen! This required me to cook a tad bit more but I have to admit, I felt great!! I pulled out some of Evangeline's (my mama) dishes and went to town!!! Baby, I had fresh squash, greens, cabbage, and just about every salad you can think of (big ups to Jason's Deli and La Madeline). My snacks consisted of hummus (Yes Lawd), fresh salsa, and this lovely whole wheat pasta dish I concocted! I realized that I wasn't so sluggish. I had a little more energy with my daily routine! At this point I began to be excited about this journey and look forward to seeing how I could incorporate new things daily!

Point 2: After you've decided to separate things or people from you life. It's important to get real with yourself! Get down to the very core of who you are and where you are in your life and make a decision to draw from the fresh aisles of purpose! Find counsel that pushes you to be authentic, genuine, and present at all times to be your best self. When you find this, you find the lanes of true purpose and your excitement will shift and you will look forward to what each new day can bring!

Ok, so in month three, I started incorporating more fiber! Well, I realized that I needed real fiber to ensure that things were leaving my system regularly...lol! So, I kept doing my organic veggie patties but I incorporated oatmeal ( I love this from McD's), broccoli and more broccoli! Like clockwork (that's all I'll say about that).

Point 3: Be sure to cleanse your life of all the debris: negative thinking and negative habits that keep you bound in one place or area. There may be times when the things or people that you clear away aren't negative, it's just time to refocus because it you're like me, you can get lost in everybody else's things and neglect your own. Simply put, shift yourself!!! Clean out your life. Simplify it! Put first things first and everything else will have to take a back seat!

These last three months have been beautiful and I've learned so much! A big thank to those that walked with me and those that were inspired along the way. I've had to refocus. I realized that I was giving too much time to areas that weren't my responsibility and I had to shift some things and people around. It's hard because at my very core, I want to help and please everyone! But I had to make a choice, not a personal one.....but a necessary one!

Thanks for reading....

Manual of Life

noreply@blogger.com ("Dee") — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 17:30:00 +0000

Interesting fact::: Many of you may know that I am sort of a entrepreneurial nerd with astronomical interests in small business start up and operations. As a matter of fact, I've had the pleasure of working with a couple of small businesses in the areas of bookkeeping, start up, advertising, and daily operations. Let me just say, it was an awesome experience. There’s just something about working with a person that started with nothing more than a vision and being chosen to assist in bringing that vision into reality.

Well, one of the things that I always encourage the people that I've worked with is to do is create a map, standard, or otherwise known or referred to as a “manual” for your company. For the nonprofit group, it’s their bylaws and business plan. For every company, it’s the business plan and the operations manual. This serves as the central focus of how your business will run. It sets the standard that others will read, learn, and emulate for your company throughout years to come.

This got me to thinking…. If someone ever asked to read the manual of your life, what would it say? What standards or values have your instituted so that your life is respected? Are their boundaries? I just want to encourage you to think about your life and where you want to be? There’s an old saying: “You teach people how to treat you”. I’ve found it to be very true. Pull out your pen and paper and begin to set standards and values for your life thus requiring anyone that desires to be a part of your life to read, learn, and quite possibly emulate them. After all, you are the only one responsible for your life!