Living With Fullness

Sometimes we don't know why...

2017-12-05T18:23:00.002-08:00

Lately, I have been doing a lot of thinking about life and mortality. I recently lost my dear cousin, TK, and have been thinking a lot about him and his legacy. I dedicate this blog post to him and the amazing impact he had on my life.

TK during our time together in Asmara (2010).

TK is one of the most selfless, kind, reliable, tenacious, and generous people I have ever met. He would give you his last dollar, the clothes off his back, and his last bite of food. He was more concerned about helping others than himself. He would go out of his way to help you and did not mind being inconvenienced. He had big dreams and goals of traveling, continuing his education, coming to America, and accomplishing many of his ambitions. Recently, God saw it fit for him to come home. Though it is difficult to say goodbye to my dear cousin, TK, he taught me so many amazing life lessons. I am so grateful for the time we had together.

When I was in Eritrea in 2010, TK and I lived together for six months. He watched out for me, helped me navigate around town, went grocery shopping with me, cooked with me, and we had many laughs and good times together. He even got together with my friends there and was part of a surprise birthday party for me in Asmara. I am so grateful for everything that TK has done for me and my family. Most importantly, I am grateful for who TK was. His character is like no other. He truly is one in a million. To be so wise and mature at his age is astonishing. He was always showing kindness to others and sharing words of encouragement.

I remember when I was having trouble with an administrator in Asmara in getting some important documents, It was TK who went back and forth with me to the office to help translate for me and to ensure that I was understanding everything completely.
It was TK who picked me up pretty much every day from the orphanage in Asmara where I was volunteering to walk me to his parents house for lunch.
It was TK who was making dinner one night despite the power outage. I was complaining of the long day, power outage, and being hungry and so I sat in the living room frustrated. TK was in the kitchen chopping up onions for dinner with only a candle lighting his view. In that moment, I said to myself, "I have no reason to complain," His actions of humility, perseverance, and resilience inspired me on a whole new level.

TK taught me so many things about life, struggles, joy, and many other things. TK was full of wisdom, hope, dreams, goodness, and light.

Below are the top #TKTaughtMe lessons:

No matter how many times you have to start again and no matter how many times you hear, "no," never give up.
No matter who is watching you, maintain your integrity.
Why complain when you can be patient and have faith in God.
When the door opens for you, don't walk...but run through it.
Take advantage of opportunities to the fullest.
Be patient and wait your turn. God has great things for you.
If the door is closed, look for a window. If the window is closed, look for a a chimney. If there isn't an entrance, create one.
Always be grateful.
Always keep hope alive.
Always keep God first.

One of TK's favorite books.

One of his favorite books was Of Beetles & Angels by Mawi Asgedom. A great book about perseverance and never giving up.

TK, I know you are in heaven looking down on us. You are indeed an angel in the true definition of the word. I am grateful to have had time with you while you were here with us. I will love you always and will keep your legacy alive. The many things you taught me I will not forget. Instead, I will apply them to my life. Rest easy my dear cousin.

With you in spirit,
Rahwa

How JUST 15 minutes can transform your life?

2017-07-13T10:15:00.000-07:00

Hi, everyone.

Did you know that what you do in JUST 15 minutes each day can completely change your life?

Sometimes we think that in order to make a transformation in our lives that we must spend tons of money, time, and energy. Well, actually, if you dedicate only 15 minutes every day to an activity and do it consistently, you will notice changes in your life.

For instance, I woke up earlier than usual these past few days and have incorporated a minimum of 15 minutes of yoga to my day. I also have been adding regular afternoon walks/strolls with my toddler. When I tell you that I have so much more energy and mobility, it will amaze you. I would consider myself to be healthy overall, but am aiming to be more flexible and have sustained energy throughout the day.

Yesterday, I came across a video of an 81-year-old woman who was super fit, gorgeous, and full of energy. I WAS VERY IMPRESSED. She was able to do 25 planks, push ups, and more. How amazing is it to be in shape and full of energy at that age. She was indeed a motivation for me to take it up a notch!

Imagine if we were to just dedicate a minimum of 15 minutes each day consistently to a task that will continue to reward us. Everyone wants to be healthy and have overall balance in life. However, it is up to us to commit ourselves to achieving those goals.

I challenge you to dedicate 15 minutes each day to improve the area of life that you'd like to transform for the better.

For instance, if are striving for weight loss, you may want to consider a 15 minute walk each morning around the block.

Another example is you may want to eat healthier, so try to prep your meals at home instead of going out to eat. Look for quick and easy 15 minute recipes. Or, dedicate 15 minutes each day to meal prep.

Someone may need more clarity and peace in their lives, if so, take out your journal or notebook and write down all that is in your head and craft a strategy to overcome the blocks for 15 minutes each day. Also, you can aim to pray and meditate for 15 minutes each morning.

Others may want to physically tone and sculpt their body, if so then do a 15 minute strength training workout. There are tons of routines you can find online.

Hope this helps to motivate you to take charge of your life. YOU can be the change you want to see in your life. YOU deserve to be healthier. Your children, family, spouse, friends, and all other loved ones deserve to have you be fit, in shape, healthy, energetic, and most of all PRESENT.

Check out this video of the 81-year-old woman I mentioned earlier who is in tip-top shape. Also, did I mention that she has done competitions for body-building?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpBo2dl3PBc

Please comment below if you have ideas you'd like to share of how to transform your life with just 15 minutes a day.

May you experience health and wellness in your life!

Do you FEEL ALIVE or are you just existing?

2017-04-10T18:03:00.001-07:00

We all know that life can have its ups and downs. Some days are amazing and we are thriving beyond all expectations. Other days, we need an extra cup of coffee to get us through. Below are 3 simple ways to add more flava to get you that extra boost you need to FEEL ALIVE. I call them the 3 E's!

1- SET EXPECTATIONS.

Start each day with intentions for the day. Focus on what you would like to accomplish and EXPECT THE BEST. Be specific about the tasks you would like to complete for the day. As you achieve your goals, be sure to reward yourself. For instance, go for a walk around the block on a beautiful day, grab a nice (healthy) snack, or enjoy a nice cup of latte. Another treat can be to have a bubble bath before you go to bed. It's the little things that make a big difference!

Homeade Latte---a cup full of a latte love :-)

2- BE ENTHUSIASTIC.

Get excited about life! Take inventory of the things you love to do and do them often. If you love to dance, take a dance class after you get off work. If you love to write, take up blogging. If you love the camera and enjoy speaking on a topic of interest, set up a YouTube channel and get people to be part of your audience. If you love to play sports, make time for some hoops or to run the field in your free time. That which we love to do, we should make time for...and do it often!

When we do what we love, it will feel as if we are flying! #freedom

3-MOVE IN EXCELLENCE.

Ask yourself the following questions:

Am I living life to the fullest?
Do I make the most of each day?
Do I serve others with excellence?
Do I bring my whole self to my projects, my tasks, and my contributions?

Based on how you answer these questions, you can get a clear indication whether you are living with excellence. This shows up in how you treat others, whether you show up on time to where you need to be, whether you respond promptly to urgent emails or other important tasks, and whether you are present and engaged in the tasks before you.

How we show up in the world determines how the world opens up to us. When you move in the world with excellence, not only will others notice, but you will feel more alive. You will be more present in each moment and will maximize your day as well as fulfill your potential. What a great habit to develop---excellence!

BONUS TIP: BE GRATEFUL!

Be sure to count your blessings each day. I keep a gratitude journal and highly encourage others to do the same. It is such a great practice to write out at least 5 things you are grateful for each day. You can decide whether you want to do that first thing in the morning, throughout the day, or before you go to bed at night. No matter when you do it, there is such a powerful feeling that comes from doing this every day consistently. The more that we are grateful, the more likely that we will be open to notice the wonderful things in our lives and in our environments. This helps us to keep a positive mindset, look for the good in all things, and to feel more alive.

I invite you to comment below and share your tips to FEEL ALIVE. We know that we only have one life to live...so let's live it to the fullest.

Is Sugar Controlling Your Life?

2017-03-07T17:21:00.005-08:00

So, have you ever got to the point where you were craving chocolate, cinnamon buns, or something sweet? Having a sweet tooth is no joke. Below are 3 simple tips to curb your sugar craving and give you a healthy alternative.

1- Start your day with Apple Cidar Vinegar (ACV).

I recommend a daily regimen of 1-2 teaspoons of ACV in a glass of water each morning.
This will give you a daily cleanse and also get you started on the right foot for the day.
For me, ACV, also helps control my appetite and need for something sweet.

2- Drink lots of water. Try out infused water.

It is so important to stay hydrated!
Our bodies are 75-80% water.
There is no better cleanse than drinking filtered water.
Aim to drink half of your body weight in ounces.
For instance, if you weigh 120 pounds, then aim to drink 60 ounces of water each day.
I am a huge fan of infused water. It taste delicious, adds flair to your water, and keeps you hydrated all day.
NOTE: I also love coconut water. You can't go wrong with this. It is not only super hydrating, but also you get tons of electrolytes and minerals.
In fact, coconut water actually contains more potassium than a banana. Did you know that?

3- Go for alternative, healthy sweeteners.

When all else fails and you still are determined to feed your sweet tooth, try healthy sweeteners.

My favorite natural sweeteners are as follows:

Raw Organic Honey
Agave Syrup
Dates

Other sweeteners that some recommend are:

Coconut sugar
Maple syrup (100% pure)

Hope you found these tips to be helpful. Feel free to share your tips by commenting below.

Are we consuming real food-or-"food-like" substances?

2017-02-10T13:31:00.000-08:00

Hope the January vegan cleanse has opened your eyes to the reality of food.

For me, it was a great challenge and opportunity to be intentional about what I put in my body. Also, I really enjoyed learning healthy recipes that I intend on using more often.

I have decided to continue on this health cleanse, but have not cut out animal products all together. I have eased back into eggs (free-range) and lean meats (chicken and fish). I am still avoiding turkey, beef, pork, processed sugar, and artificial sweeteners. My family and I have been opting for agave syrup, honey, and dates as an alternative to processed sugar.

I must tell you...I FEEL AMAZING! It is empowering to be able to say NO to "food" that never served my body well in the first place. I mean...think about it...why would we consume "foods" that cause our body to enter into a diseased state.

Below are 3 tricks to avoid the craving for "junk food," but instead to turn our body on to real food.

1- Start your morning with a cup of filtered water with 1-2 teaspoons of apple cidar vinegar or a slice of lemon.

NOTE: This will jump start your morning with a detox and help curb your appetite for junk.

2- For each meal, ensure that half of your plate is full of greens (veggies of some sort)--at least for lunch and dinner.

3- Keep healthy options around your home, car, office, and in your hand bag. Below are some examples:

Instead of putting sugar in your tea, add a teaspoon of honey (or agave syrup).
Whenever you crave potato chips or other similar types of food, make sweet potato wedges, go for rice cakes, or even have toast with avocado .
If you are trying to avoid cheese, but want something with a "cheese-like" flavor, sprinkle some nutritional yeast on your food. Works great on popcorn!
Dates are so amazing! Especially--medjool dates for any sweet tooth. Plus, you can stay full longer with this amazing super food.
Instead of buying store-bought juice, make homeade smoothies and juices. My family and I love them and it is a great way for me sneak in more greens for my toddler.
After dinner, have a cup of hot herbal tea. We usually end dinner with a cup of green or mint tea. Such a great way to wind down for the night.
Drink water like your life depended on it. Drink plenty of water all day! I believe the recommendation is half of your body weight in ounces.

Hope you find these tips helpful. Stay tuned for more! Please share if these have worked for you. Also, share any other tips you would add.

Day 5 of Clean Eating in 2017: Featuring 3 cool recipes

2017-01-05T12:16:00.000-08:00

Hello, everyone.

I woke up this morning excited about this vegan cleanse. I have already felt amazing with a boost of energy, satiety, and overall great feeling that I am doing something good for my health and well-being. Hope you are sticking to it and feeling wonderful as well.

In this post, I want to give you an update on my meals, provide you with some recipes and resources, and let you know what I've learned so far.

See below for my meal breakdown since we last left off:

Jan. 2

Breakfast

Oatmeal with bananas and mixed berries
Bengal Spice tea (featured drink- see recipe below)

Lunch

Chickpea mixed green salad

Lentil patties

Tomato slices

Berry banana fruit bowl

Dinner

Repeated lunch menu (ate leftovers)

Jan. 3

Breakfast

Pinto bean soup with avocado slices

Sliced green apples with peanut butter-honey dip

Lunch

Zucchini pasta (featured meal-see recipe below)

Red cabbage/bell pepper sauté

Kale with Pinto beans

Dinner

Ramen with portabella mushrooms, bean sprouts, and seaweed

Tomato slices

Jan. 4

Brunch

Pinto bean soup

Tabbouleh

Hibiscus iced tea

Dinner

Okra lentil soup

Mixed green salad

100% fresh (and organic) cranberry juice

Jan. 5

Breakfast

Peanut butter, oat, granola mix

Half of a banana

Cranberry Chia drink (featured drink-see recipe below)

This post will be sent out before lunch time. So, I'll fill you in on lunch and more on the next post.

Featured recipes

Bengal Spice tea- This delicious tea is AMAZING. I consider it to be my new favorite hot drink of choice. It is great as a breakfast tea, can follow dinner, or be enjoyed before bedtime. No worries, this is an herbal tea so no caffeine included.

Per the tea box, this tea includes the following ingredients: cinnamon, roasted chicory, roasted carob, natural spice and vanilla flavors, ginger, cardamom, black pepper, cloves, and nutmeg.

BONUS TIP: My secret to taking this tea to the next level is to first add about half a teaspoon each of ground cinnamon and cardamom and a teaspoon of honey to a cup. Then, I add a small amount of boiling water and mix it all together. I then let that sit for 30-60 seconds and then I add the tea bag and fill the cup with boiling water. That’s it! There you have it…yummy goodness in a cup.

Zucchini pasta-This dish is so healthy, simple, and delicious, you will be amazed. All you have to do is grate 1-2 zucchinis. If it is organic, then it is fine to keep the outer layer. If not, I’d peel it and toss it out. Once you grate most the zucchini, all you will have left are the seeds. Feel free to save this pare and store in your fridge for another recipe for future use.

Heat up a medium-sized flat pan and then add the zucchini to the pan. Add about a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, sprinkle in some dried rosemary and basil, lightly add some fresh ground black pepper and sea salt. After about 5-7 minutes, turn off the heat. And voila…you have zucchini pasta. Transfer your pasta to a dish and enjoy! It goes great with mixed veggies and/or a mixed green salad.

Cranberry Chia drink- This drink is so delicious and is packed with numerous health benefits. The health benefits of chia are too many to name. Learn more here. Cranberry juice also has great benefits, including being a natural remedy for UTI, detoxing our bodies, cancer fighting properties, and more.

To make this drink, add 3 tablespoons of organic, raw chia seeds to a cup. Pour in enough filtered water to fill the cup. Seal the cup and leave in the refrigerator overnight.

For the cranberry juice, fill a medium-sized bowl with organic cranberries. Then, add the cranberries to a medium-sized pot. Add about 4 cups of filtered water to the pot. Let it heat on the medium-high setting. Once the water has come to a boil and the cranberries have opened up, turn off the heat. Let it cool for about 5-7 minutes. Strain the liquid from the cranberry mix using a strainer. What you will have left is fresh, delicious, 100% organic cranberry juice. Feel free to add honey or agave syrup and give it a good stir. Add ice to your liking. You have yummy cranberry juice. For the remaining pulp, you can throw it out or use it as cranberry jam for another recipe.

The next day once you take out your chia seed mix from the fridge, you can make your cranberry-chia drink. All you have to do is add one part chia mix and one part cranberry juice to a cup (1:1 ratio). Delicious…enjoy!

Helpful resources

I have found the following resources to be helpful as I source menus, recipes, and general vegan inspiration:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1veognCP5M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IA9uGykTUyQ

http://www.eatcooksmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Vegan-Food-Pyramid1.jpg

Please let me know if you have any questions, would like specific recipes, ideas, or more. Feel free to comment below. Let’s keep it fresh, healthy, and natural!

Jump Starting 2017 with a Cleanse

2017-01-02T00:48:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year (2017)!

After a few years on hiatus from this blog, I AM BACK! Excited about getting back to what I love: writing, sharing thoughts, and empowering others.

So, I have decided to jump start 2017 by eating a vegan-influenced diet starting with the first 31 days of the year. I am thrilled to share this journey with others by swapping meal ideas, recipes, food photos, and helpful resources. This will be a fun journey filled with a commitment to self-love, health and wellness, and all around good eating.

For six years, I was a vegetarian and a portion of that I was actually a pescatarian (ate fish as my main source of protein). I had decided to re-introduce meat back into my diet in 2013. Many people ask me why I did not remain vegetarian. At that time, I was traveling to Malawi for an extended stay and knew that being vegetarian in a resource-limited environment would pose to be a huge challenge. So, I decided to eat meat again. Weeks before my trip, I announced to my GI system that carnivore-land is where I was returning. First stop, Chipotle. In two words. BIG. MISTAKE. My favorite item at Chipotle is the barbacoa burrito. However, my GI system did not agree. Unfortunately, I paid for it that night and the next morning. Needless to say, I learned to take gradual steps into getting back into eating meat. Since 2013, I have been eating meat, but more so in moderation. In the last few months, I have been incorporating more vegan dinners.

Today, I am embarking on a new journey. The next 30 days will be all about indulging in vegan delights. Yummy. I will enter the land of avocado, mushrooms, hummus, mixed green salads, berries, watermelon, mint, lemon, eggplant, arugula. Doesn't that sound amazing! Music to my ears. The world of fruits, veggies, grains, and seeds are plentiful. It is all about having the right mindset.

I have decided to take on the G-BOMBS approach. Familiar with this concept? If not, check out the breakdown below:

G-BOMBS is an acronym (provided below) coined by Dr. Fuhrman, which describes a "nutritarian" lifestyle focused on eating foods that are cancer-fighting and have the most health benefits.

Greens (and grains)
Beans
Onions
Mushrooms
Berries (and other fruits)
Seeds

I plan to avoid sugar and will stick to the natural sugars in fruity. I am okay with organic honey though. Feel free to cut out or incorporate honey. I know that most vegans do not. I will aim to stick to organic options namely for the dirty dozens.

Drink options I will stick to are as follows:

Filtered water
Fruit-infused water
Sparkling water
Herbal teas (found an amazing one called Bengal Spice mix...will share more in a future post)

Below is my meal breakdown:

NOTE: I got an early start with clean eating and began with a healthy NYE dinner. You are welcome to try some of these meals below are tweak according to your preference.

Dec. 31^st Dinner

Eggplant tacos
Lemon-mint couscous
Mixed greens salad

Jan. 1^st

Breakfast

Sliced green apples
Organic brown rice cake with organic peanut butter and honey
Smoothie bowl with granola
Bengal spice (not pictured here)

AM Snack

Sliced carrots, celery and banana

Lunch

Lentil soup topped with avocado slices, cilantro, and green onions (for 2 ppl)
Green mixed salad

PM Snack

Granola (not pictured here)

Dinner

Lentil and guacamole tacos
Carrots
Banaba berry mix fruit cup (for 2ppl)
Green tea

I would love to hear what you ate, meal plans, recipes, and more. Please let me know if you have any questions or are interested in any recipes of the meal items mentioned in this post. Feel free to comment below. Let’s keep it going!

God delivers full packages!

2013-04-16T10:03:00.002-07:00

Have you ever prayed for something and once you received it questioned how God will help you maintain it? For instance, have you prayed for a job and once you received the offer doubted if you were competent for the position? Or...have you prayed to meet your future spouse and when he/she entered in your life, you could not recognize he/she was your God-send? Or, how about this...have you prayed to get accepted into a university and once you were granted admission worried about how you would finance your education? Know and understand that God delivers FULL packages. When he blesses us, he gives us EVERYTHING we need to maintain it. I am writing this article to share three (3) Kingdom of God principles that God has taught me over the years. These principles have blessed me yesterday, bless me today, and will continue to be great blessings in my life. They are as follows:

1) God delivers full packages.
2) Have an EXPECTANT and OBEDIENT heart.
3) God blesses you to BE a blessing.

God delivers FULL packages
When God blesses us, he does not do so halfway. Imagine a UPS employee coming to your home to deliver a package. Once you receive the package, you notice that it is partially opened and half of its contents are gone. I am sure this will have you question where the other half of your package went and how you can get the remainder of the package. Well, when God delivers our blessing, he does not leave anything out. Be encouraged in knowing that when God opens up the windows of heaven and pours out a blessing, he does not withhold part of the blessing. As a matter of fact, God will pour out a blessing that we will not even have room to receive (Malachi 3:10). This particular scripture is tied to the act of obedience related to tithing (more on that later).

If he blessed you by granting you that dream business, then he will ensure that you have the finances, resources, divine connections, and favor you need to be successful. I heard this once and find it to be so true: when God gives you a VISION, he also supplies the PROVISION. Whatever tools you need to make your blessing work for you, God will provide that. He will not grant you a blessing and not also give you what you need to be prosperous. If he blesses you with a house, he will provide you with the finances to maintain it. If he blesses you with a job, he will grant you the wisdom and understanding to be productive. If he blesses you with a spouse, he will give you the grace needed to have a healthy relationship. If he blesses you with healing, he will give you thestrength to maintain your heath. If he blesses you with a gift/talent, he will give you the confidence to share it with the world. God will deliver FULL packages. God’s packages come fully loaded. I am not referring to a whim desire or a minor want. I am referring to a God-inspired prompting that has been manifested into a blessing. Also, keep in mind that the part we need to play comes with the benefits of God in the form of blessings and WHO he is. Our part is the heart of expectancy, willingness, and obedience (more on this later).

Do NOT worry about the How! Trust and know that God shall supply All of your needs (Philippians 4:19). Just focus on what is in your control and that which is not in your control, give it over to God. God is not a man that he shall lie nor a son of man that he shall repent (Numbers 23:19). If he promised it to you, he will do it!! God is more than able to bless you. Keep in mind that everything you will ever need in life is IN God. Know that with you and God you are a majority. We need to have an attitude that proclaims “If God promised it to me, then I believe it and that settles it.” Have the faith to BELIEVE. If you can believe it, then you can have it. Whatever your “it” is.

Have an EXPECTANT and OBEDIENT heart.
Before a blessing comes your way, you have to be prepared to receive it with an EXPECTANT and OBEDIENT heart. Know that in following Christ, there are great benefits. As we take our walk more seriously and move into a place of obedience, we begin to take on the characteristics of Christ-which are the fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). These are love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

God blesses you to BE a blessing
God blesses us in abundance not for own benefit, but for us to be a blessing to others. The Bible says that “every good gift comes from God” and that “God shall withhold no good thing from his children.” Knowing that should help you to recognize that God’s desire is to bless us and ensure that his children (us) are well taken care of. He also desires that we bless others. We are the hands and feet of Christ on this earth.
Have you ever prayed for someone in need and asked God to help them in their situation or to bless them in their time of trouble? Well, it is possible that in some of those situations, God wanted you to be the one who blesses that friend/family member/stranger in need. We are the vessels of God and so we are the ones that God uses to show kindness to others, give a helping hand, love others, support those in need, and be of support to others. Sometimes, we are the answer to someone’s prayers. When we allow God to use us as his vessel, then that is when we extend ourselves to others in need through service and without expectation of anything in return. There is song by Christian contemporary artist, Kari Jobe, that has the following lyrics: “we are the light of the world, we are the city on the hill, we are the light of the world, so we gotta, we gotta, we gotta let the light shine.” The Bible teaches us to “be in the world, but not of the world.” There should be something striking about each child of God that others can see and automatically think, “hmm…there is something so warm and open about that person.” It is when we allow God to use us and let our light shine, that we can be a blessing to others.

Take home message: The blessing may be in disguise or it can be within you. You never know how your prayer is going to be answered. Be open to possibilities all around you to be a blessing to others. Keep in mind that the very answer to your prayer…the blessing…is already within you. It is up to you to RECOGNIZE IT. Be a blessing to others and watch how God blesses you.
Faith Challenge: This month’s faith challenge will focus on the fruit of the spirit KINDNESS. I challenge you between now and the next chapter to perform at least one random act of kindness. For example, it could be giving an encouraging word to someone, visiting someone who is ill, smiling more to others, opening the door for others, taking a friend out for lunch, etc. There are endless possibilities of how you can show more kindness to others.

You can be the answer to someone’s prayers. I would love to hear from you on how you have included more kindness in your life. Spread the kindness!

Happy Easter! Love and Blessings,
RTN

No more defeat; No more distraction…I want it all!

2012-02-28T20:15:00.000-08:00

Have you ever gotten to a point in life in which you did not know whether to go left, right, or turn around? Ever faced with a dilemma? Ever felt misguided or in need of direction? Has there ever been a point in your life in which you felt God put a gift inside of you but you did not know what to do with it or how to make use of it? If you have answered “yes” to any of these questions, then you have come to the right place. God has put it in my heart to share the following words of wisdom. I believe that God wants every man, woman, boy, and girl to know that they have a great calling on their lives. God has equipped every one of us with a gifting and purpose that is greater than ourselves. Your gift is bigger than you are! The gift that God has placed on the inside of you is especially designed for you and as unique to you as your DNA. Our spiritual DNA consists of our calling.

Once you have come into a knowledge and awareness of your gift, then is pertinent that you seek God to know what to do with it. I have a feeling that many of us already are aware of our purpose/gifting in life. However, we fall into one of 3 categories. We are either too defeated to go after our purpose, too distracted to focus on a strategy, or we are making use of it and experiencing God’s blessings and abundance. If you fall in category #3, then you are well on your way to LIVING YOUR BEST LIFE. If you fall in either category 1 and/or 2, then it is my hope and prayer that this message blesses you and sheds light to help you move forward.

What does it mean to be defeated? With this, I am referring to mental defeat. You are either unsure of your abilities and have self-limiting thoughts OR you quit before you even get started. How many of you have dreams of being a writer, but have never tried writing for leisure? How many of you have dreams of owning your own business, but have never created a business plan or business cards? How many of you desire to earn a Bachelors, Masters, or Doctorate degree, but have never filled out a university/college application? Mental defeat is so crippling that you never allow yourself to get started. So, with that I say START BEFORE YOU START. This means that before you are awarded the writing contract, before the business becomes a reality, before you walk across stage to get your degree, receive it in the spiritual realm! Believe you have it before you have it. This is called faith talk. Speak it, believe it, and you shall become it. Once you are convinced and have conviction in your heart that it is already yours, then you GET TO WORK. Have a strategy and make small steps to get to what you want. Make a list of your short-term and long-term goals. Keep your goals S.M.A.R.T. This means keep it Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-sensitive. For instance, your long-term goal may be to buy a new car. Before you can buy a new car, you need to save money. Before you can save money, you need a savings plan. So, your short-term goal is to have a savings plan. By using the S.M.A.R.T model, your goal would look like this: I will save $500 each month via direct deposit from my paycheck every two weeks. As you see, this goal is S.M.A.R.T:

Specific (saving money)

Measurable (amount of $500)

Achievable (is logical to accomplish and convenient via direct deposit)

Realistic (very reasonable)

Time-sensitive (every two weeks)

Once you have created your S.M.A.R.T short-term and long-term goals, you have to be disciplined to make it happen. To keep yourself accountable, I suggest you ask a person you can trust to check on you periodically and ask about your progress. This person can also provide constructive criticism that can help you stay on target.

There may be some of you who say, “I am not defeated, but actually I am quite confident in my abilities and strategy.” However, you may be too distracted to stir up the gift within you. Have you ever been so motivated and inspired to activate your gift, but then got boggled down with a long day at work, too many obligations with your name on it, or were too “busy” channel surfing to stay focused on your goals long enough? I would take a wild guess that the #1 mode of distraction in our lives today is technology. We are a “multi-tasking” generation. I am not sure how we manage to channel surf, chat online, talk on the phone, text message, listen to music, and surf the web all at the same time. The danger in doing all that simultaneously is that we never perfect one thing. We are dividing our attention on this, that, and the other so often that we do not realize we are losing out on the quality of life. In addition, we tremendously impact our ability to concentrate when we divide our thoughts by over-processing information from multiple sources at one time. I am sure we are also somehow negatively impacting our short-term memory. Imagine doing all of those tasks that I previously mentioned at one time. Let’s add a component to that. Let’s say while you are channel surfing, chatting online, talking on the phone, text messaging, listening to music, and surfing the web that someone walks into the room and asks you what you want to eat for dinner and what your plans are for the weekend. This additonal stimulus will make you either drop all of the things you are doing to answer that person, ignore that person, give a delayed response, or get frustrated easily because of that person’s questions. It is not that you are frustrated with that person, but it is because of the extra stimulus which was added to the equation that overwhelms your cognitive process. In other words, too much of a good thing can be bad. I say all of this to say…STAY FOCUSED. Tell yourself NO MORE DISTRACTION. I suggest minimizing your screen time. How about checking your Facebook only once a week, watching tv for no more than 1 hour a day, or limiting your personal talk or text time to after-work hours only. These are just a few suggestions to limit your distractions so that you can have the energy to focus on your gift/purpose in life.

Focus more on your dreams/goals and not on the dreams/goals of others. Think about this….for every hour you spend watching television and not working towards your personal goals is an hour away from your dream, but instead invested in the dream of others (the television producers/creative writers). For every minute you spend on Facebook chatting aimlessly and not harnessing that energy in creating your strategy and game plan of success is a minute invested in the creators of Facebok and away from your dream. For every second you spend at your job and not taking the necessary steps to stir up your own gift is a second away from you dream, but instead making someone else’s dream come true. Answer this question, are you currently living making someone else’s dream come true or are you living your dream? If you are not living your dream, then what can you do differently to make that happen? Think about it, ponder it, create a strategy, and start your walk. With time, diligence, and focus, not only will you make your dream a reality, but you will also surpass every goal you have ever had for yourself. For that, generations after you are long gone shall be blessed. Your legacy shall be imparted to your children, your children’s children, and so forth. Be empowered, be encouraged, and MAKE EACH DAY COUNT!

Take home message: Whatever you believe God has gifted you with, whatever your passion may be…BE THAT..DO THAT. If you believe God has called you to be a writer, then write. If you are a dancer, then dance. If you have an entreneurial spirit, then do business. Do NOT wait on men to recognize your gifts. Once God reveals to you what your calling is, then walk in that calling. DO IT. Take the necessary steps to MAKE IT HAPPEN. As you activate your faith and “walk on water,” God will bless your diligence and blessings will overflow and make a way. As the Word says, “your gift shall make room for you.”

Faith challenge: I challenge you to focus on the fruit of the spirit FAITHFULNESS. Be more faithful. Be a person that stands on his/her faith NO MATTER WHAT. TAKE THE LIMITS OFF GOD! You can do ALL THINGS through Christ who strengthens you. It is through God’s unlimited power (not your own ability or strength) that you shall succeed. You are MORE than a conqueror. Think to yourself, “With Me and God working together, there is nothing that I can’t do.” Walk by faith and not by sight. No matter how things may look now, but in due season your faith shall see you through. Speak things into existence. Understand the principle of expectation. Do not just hope that God will do it, but also expect that God will bless. As you knock on the door, it shall open. As you seek, you shall find. Think about how God has been so reliable and faithful to you throughout your life. Think of all the times when God showed up just in time to save you, protect you, guide you, and send you an answer to your prayer. I would love to hear from you on how taking part in this faith challenge has blessed you. Spread the faithfulness!

Love and blessings,

RTN J

The Power of Vision

2011-11-20T20:23:00.000-08:00

Vision is the ability to see without seeing. It consists of having unshakeable faith and foresight in things before they have come to pass. Vision is about walking by faith and NOT by sight. Do you have a vision for your life? Can you imagine future success? Are you able to see yourself where you want to be BEFORE you get there? This is the power of vision.

Too many times in our society we place limitations on ourselves and choose to be kept locked in a box. We allow others to inject us with fear as a means to remain complacent. We have to understand that complacency is the very reason why we do not walk into greatness. I have heard this expression and find it quite compelling, “good is the enemy of great.” Once we find ourselves comfortable and in a place of familiarity, we tend to stay there. We convince ourselves that we are too (fill in the blank) to accomplish (fill in the blank). From that, we prevent ourselves from experiencing our full potential and walking into greatness. Being great means to never settle for less. Being great consists of 1) knowing your purpose in life and 2) living each day in that purpose. We become excellent and reach the level of expertise when we embrace our purpose, calling, gifts, and talents and utilize them.

Before we can ever reach a level of greatness, we need to spend time with ourselves. Knowing yourself and remaining self-confident is the necessary ingredient for greatness. Once you are there, it is important to then take practical steps to strategize and execute a plan. For instance, if you have a vision to be an entreprenuer, you then have to ask yourself, “what am I doing now to prepare for that business later?” Do you have a clear business idea and target audience in mind? Detailed business plan? Website of the business? Business cards? Potential partners and investors? Attend networking events? You can’t ever reach your level of greatness without the power of vision and action steps to make it all happen. See yourself there before you get there!

I encourage you all to not let the vision die out. Dare to dream and believe that you can live that dream. If you are a visual learner as I am, try this mini-exercise: 1) Get a stack of 5-6 different magazines that you don’t mind reading. 2) Cut out images and texts that best describe your future. 3) Collect all of the text and images and glue them on some construction paper and/or printing paper. 4) When you are done, write down the date on your finished product and then either laminate it or place it in a plastic report cover. I encourage you to take this project very seriously and take time with it. This finished product is a photo journal of how you see yourself 5 years, 10 years, or 20 years down the road. From time to time, it will be great for you to take a look at your collage and work towards making it come to life. Once we envision, then we are empowered to create.

Take home message: The power of vision will lead you into your area of greatness. Greatness is about leaving a legacy. A legacy is not built over night. Do not let what you do not see now determine what you will see tomorrow. Believe in your vision and walk it out. Once you walk it out, wait it out. Invest now and you shall reap later.

Faith Challenge: I challenge you to focus on the fruit of the spirit JOY. Aim to experience joy intentionally. I would love to hear from you on how you have included more joy in your life. Spread the joy!

Love and Blessings,

RTN J

Creativity Exposed

2011-11-20T19:41:00.000-08:00

We all have gifts, talents, and characteristics that make us who we are. We all are endowed with blessings to do great things in life and impact others in a mighty way. I believe in the power of words and thoughts. Perhaps, that is why I highly value wisdom and writing. More specifically, I place high value on valuable writing. I desire to read and send messages with meaning. These monthly email series that I am embarking on is birthed out of creativity and expression. With that being said, I would like to share a great quote.

“Every problem is an opportunity for you to discover creativity” (Bishop T.D. Jakes).

Sometimes life does not offer us what we want or when we want it. I believe that is great timing to turn on our creative abilities. I can hear some of you now saying, “I am not creative” or “There is nothing about me that is creative.” I beg to differ. I believe that each of us have some creative capabilities. Some may have more enhanced creative ability than others. However, we all have creative abilities. We choose whether we express them or not.

Creativity is exposed when we allow ourselves to express that which lies deep within us. As children, we used our crayons to color, our imaginations to wander, and our creativity to be released. However, for some reason, as adults we have decided that creativity is comparmentalized to only arts or only “what children do.” Creativity is thinking “outside of the box.” I define creativity as a method of imagination that is realized along a walk of faith and may include some risk. Creativity is that part of self that says no matter how broad or limited my resources and no matter what obstacles may or may not come against me, I dare to do, say, or be x, y, or z. These unknowns denoted by x, y, or z can be any blanks that you want to fill. I challenge you to not allow fear, society, or sometimes even self stand in the way of who you were destined to be. Yes, sometimes we are our own biggest critics. Trust in the power that lies within you.

We are in a special time. As the economy and global issues become more and more unpredictable, we have opportunities to express that creativity that lies deep within us. If you are having trouble obtaining gainful employment, find creative ways to still use your gifts and talents. Allow creativity to be the means to get you out of any rut that you may find yourself in. Allow creativity to be the way you solve that problem that seems to be insurmountable. You may be facing an issue at this very moment, be it, personal or professional. Know that the step you take to come up with a solution involves you using your creativity. If you feel that your problem is getting increasingly worse and not better, I challenge you to use your creativity and “think outside of the box” to come up with a solution.

For me “thinking outside of the box” is a means to be innovative and generate refreshing ideas. It is about creative expression. Personally, I love writing. My passion for writing comes from the interest that I have in creative expression and the value that I place on the power of words, as well as, the great meaning behind messages. I am taking a step in being creative and stretching myself by embarking on this journey to write these monthly messages. It is my way of contributing to others while simultaneously feeding my passion. I choose to live life with purpose and on purpose. I do not expect the workplace to be my only medium whereby I express my passion and purpose in life. I believe that the workplace is just that, a medium, and not the final destination. This being said, each of us have the control to define our passion and purpose in life. Don’t allow others to determine your destiny. I hope this message has encouraged you, as well, as challenged you to think in a refreshing way.

Take home message: Creativity is and always has been inside of you. Choose to release it now.

Faith Challenge: I challenge you to focus on the fruit of the spirit LOVE. You can do so by showing more love to your friends, family, and strangers each day. I would love to hear from you on how you have demonstrated more love for this challenge. Spread the love!

Love and Blessings,

RTN J