Soulful Sandstone

Give IN or Give UP?

2012-01-17T14:19:00.001-05:00

When you think of giving in, do you think of it as the same as giving up?

I never gave this much thought until yesterday. After I had the dream about not being able to see, I had to convince myself that giving in to certain things is not the same as giving up certain thing. To be more specific in my own situation, I AM giving in to God; surrendering ALL of my plans and desires unto Him. I AM moving into a state of ALLOWING myself to just BE with Him and to things according to His plans, not mine. I realized that trying to do things in my own way were causing me to be in a state of self-doubt, which is clearly not how God operates.

So, I give up the notion of having to make anything happen. Allowing God to have control means that I don't have to struggle with making anything happen. I give up total control. I'm not saying that I'm going to just sit around and be lazy or just walk away from what I desire, because I am entitled to those desires and He said that if I delight myself in Him, then I can have the desires of my heart (Psalm 37:4). But, I AM going to rest in the revelation of I AM and therefore the wisdom of God will instruct me on when, where, who and with whom to connect.

So, although I give in to God, I'll never give up on Him. I throw up my hands and wave my white flag. I surrender my ways, thoughts and will to Him.

I enter into the state of ALLOWING and BEING. I Let Go and I Let God.

What are your thoughts?

Destined for Purpose: Empowered with Passion

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Insight into my Soul

2012-01-17T13:08:00.000-05:00

The other day, I had a dream that I couldn't see. I shared some of the details of this dream on FB, and now I'm going to share it with you.

In the dream, I was having trouble seeing. for reasons that I cannot recall, I could never open my eyes completely. Any glimmer of light made them hurt very badly and I had to keep covering them with my hands to block any kind of light. My eyes felt as though something was in them, kind of a granulated or gritty feeling. No matter what I did, like I recall walking around and I recall driving my car; where I went, like going home or driving to the store or who I was with, I could not open my eyes completely to see. It was the weirdest thing.

When I woke up, I began to write about it in my journal (before I shared it on FB). Soon after, I was thumbing through the pages of the journal and came across this:

"Faith is believing in what you cannot see. Not seeing increases your other senses so that you still have faith." (Dr. Michael Freeman).

Now, I absorbed all of this in a spiritual sense. For example: HEAR the voice of God; FEEL His presence; TASTE His goodness; SMELL the sweet aroma of the Great I AM.

After reading that, I began to ask myself, am I trying to do anything by what I can see with my natural eye, instead of my spiritual eye? Am I trying to see with eyesight instead of insight? What truths am I not seeing? What is it that God wants me to see, but I'm not at this time because of blockages?

Was this dream and the quote that I later stumbled upon, telling me to not rely on the things that are seen, but instead to go deeper and rely on the things that are unseen; to tune into the my other spiritual senses?

Well, this morning, while I was reading Spiritual Liberation by Dr. Michael Beckwith, I came across this passage:

"Through meditation we transcend the personal mind and begin to see, not with eyesight but with insight......When you realize that the Spirit individualized itself and named itself you, you unhook yourself from nonsense, such as what others are thinking about you, even what you are thinking about yourself. Instead, you begin to ask, 'How is the Spirit functioning in, through and as me?' Place that question before the tribunal of your consciousness more and more frequently and you will begin to attune yourself to insights from the realm to the real. You will break the thought-chain of belief in a personal mind, a mind filled with self-doubts that hold you hostage and cause a lack of fulfillment. It is possible to end a false cycle of thinking right now if you are willing to deepen, to make your spiritual practice a priority."

And so I did. I meditated on that passage for a moment because I wanted to fully comprehend its message to me. And there it was, the answers to my questions, all rolled up into this one passage. Insight at its best. Lately, I have been filled with a lot of self-doubts which have caused me to be stuck in this rut, that I just could not explain. Only, I didnt recognize them as doubts, but as fears (fear of making the wrong move, making the wrong connections, not having enough finances to do certian things, etc), which in a way, doubts are fears. I had been trying to explain them away with all kinds of excuses, which still made me feel some kind of way. I was having these mood swings, not towards anyone but myself.

And that is why that dream came to me. It revealed that I am blocking some truths. In a spiritual sense, there was a war going on with me and the revelation of I AM, and the nonsense of what others think of me and what I think of myself, were trying very hard to keep me from seeing this truth. The truths (insight) were in conflict with my the untruths (eyesight). That nonsense was the grit and granular that was in eyes. And the battle was causing pain within my soul. The battle was keeping the Spirit from operating in me, through me and as me. That dream was Insight into my Soul. It was a wake up call.

So, on this day, I release the blockages, the nonsense away from me so that I may live according to the Spirit with all of my spiritual senses including inSIGHT. And my Soul opens to receive the wisdom of the Spirit within me.

I AM Destined for Purpose: Empowered with Passion

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The Green Thing

2012-01-09T13:03:00.000-05:00

I saw this posted over on Facebook and deemed it worthy of a repost here.......smile. Anyone age approximately 35 or over should read this.

Checking out at the supermarket recently, the young cashier suggested I should bring my own bags because plastic bags weren't good for the environment. I apologized and explained, "We didn't have this green thing back in my earlier days". the clerk responded, "That's our problem today. Your generation did not care enough to save our environment for future generations".

She was right about one thing--our generation didn't have the green thing in “Our” day. So what did we have back then?After some reflection and soul-searching on "Our" day here's what I remembered we did have....

Back then, we returned milk bottles, pop bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles repeatedly. So they really were recycled. But we didn't have the green thing back in our day. We walked up stairs, because we didn't have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go two blocks. But she was right. We didn't have the green thing in our day.

Back then, we washed the baby's nappies because we didn't have the throw-away kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling machine burning up 240 volts -- wind and solar power really did dry our clothes back in our early days. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing. But that young lady is right. We didn't have the green thing back in our day.

Back then, we had one TV, or radio, in the house -- not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief (remember them?), not a screen the size of Wales. In the kitchen, we blended & stirred by hand because we didn't have electric machines to do everything for us. When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used wadded up old newspapers to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap.

Back then, we didn't fire up an engine and burn petrol just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human power. We exercised by working so we didn't need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity. But she's right. We didn't have the green thing back then. We drank from a fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water. We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull. But we didn't have the green thing back then.

Back then, people took the bus, and kids rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning their mums into a 24-hour taxi service. We had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And we didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizza joint. But isn't it sad the current generation laments how wasteful we older folks were just because we didn't have the green thing back then?

Please share this post on your page or profile so another selfish old person who needs a lesson in conservation from a smarty-pants young person can read this!!

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Let's Talk Relationships

2012-01-03T08:30:00.001-05:00

Let's talk relationship! You know, the single kind.

Recently, the Style Network aired a special on Sherri Shepherd's wedding. I am truly happy for Sherri as she has found the man of her dreams. And I'm also happy for Niecy Nash. Both she and Sherri are 40 Something, Single Mothers who are now, experiencing LOVE again.

I can relate to both of these women who were divorced, over 40, single working mothers, who had been through some not-so-satisfying relationships and prepared themselves for love agan.

Actually, I can relate to all women, those who are single, separated, divorced, single mothers, emptynester and single grandmothers. That's right, I have experience each one of these statuses.

Through trial and error, I have been in a couple of relationships since my divorce, almost 18 years ago. Yes, it has been that long. If anyone had told me that I would still be single 18 years later, I would have seriously given them the side eye (O-o) and any other kind of eye that said "You have lost your mind".

It was only my intention to remain single just for a few years since I had gotten married so young (21 y.o). Since that age, I have been either someone's wife or mother. So, I figured, hey, I'll live a little, enjoy the single life, then settle down again in about 5-7 years. That would have given me enough time to 'explore' the single life, a little bit. (Now, I can write a book about that bad boy).

When I got divorced, I had a young child (5 y.o.), so the divorce left me being a single mother, who had not yet completed her college education and had no clue about what she wanted to do with her life. It was scary to say the least, because I had this young person who would count on me to raise, teach and guide him in his life. But at that time, that was not my focus. My focus was to just live it up as a single lady. It was the first time in my life that I got to live alone; well just me and my child. That's because, I went from my mother's house, to a college dorm, to getting married and then moving to another country with my then-husband. So, I never had the chance to just be a single gal, experiencing the nightlife with no responsibilities. Even when I was in college, I was still under the rule of the Dorm Mothers, so there was limited freedom there. Besides that, as a college student, I couldn't afford to live it up....

Fast forward 18 years later, I am still single. And there was a time when I thought I would be an emptynester for a while, but it didnt quite turn out that way either. Single again for almost 18 years. Sure didn't see that coming.....

If I knew back then at the age of 25 what I know now at the age of 45, things would be a lot different. I mean that. Back then, the things that I wanted in a man, were all about the physical. And I do mean physical, the masculine body, the way he walked, the sex, the car he drove, how he dressed, all of that. That is exactly where was my mind was then.

Now, I am so far removed from those things, because those things come and go, as evidence in my life. We, those of us who are over the age of 40, have been through enough foolishness to know that it has nothing to do with what's on the outside of man, but instead, what is on the inside of him. At this age, the tender young age of 45, a very grown woman, I look beyond what I can see with my physical eye and focus on that which I can see with my spiritual eye.

Anyway, I said all of that to say this. I DON'T WANT TO BE SINGLE NO MO!!!!

Am I complaining? ...............No!

Am I satisfied with my life? ......................For the most part!

Am I satisfied with my single status? ............Absolutely not!

So, what am I going to do about it? ..............I'm glad you asked!

I've been involved with some good guys (to be discussed in future posts). Guys who would probably make some women some good husbands. They just weren't the guys for me. And I just couldn't pretend anymore, that they were.

But now, I am looking for something 'special' in my guy. That something that I will know, will be evidence to me when I experience it. He will be that guy who is 'AWAKENED', if you know what I mean; conscious of how he is living and how he wants to live. He will be the guy who is strong when I am weak and vice versa. He will catch me when I fall and He will have an ear to hear me (with his heart). And I mean all of that in a spiritual sense.

If you notice, I didn't mention his physical appearance, his career, his financial status or any of those things. Those things are ok, but I'm looking to connect with him on a spiritual level. And I'm not talking about someone who is sooooo DEEP in quoting the Bible, drowning me in it, yet, he is not living any of it. Huhhhh! I need for his actions to speak louder than his quotes of the scriptures......Hey, I'm just saying.

And when that happens, when that person shows up, I believe that everything else will be as it should be.

So, I've decided to give online dating another try. I did it a few years back, but nothing came of it. I know that online hookups have worked well for a lot of people, so I'm setting an intention for it to work for me. However, I'm going to forego all of the popular sites like Match, E-harmony, Chemistry, or any of those. Instead, I'm going to research and check out some of the spiritual sites and see what's happening on them.

Also, I'm going to network and see if I can get a hookup like Niecy did for Sherri. Niecy was introduced to her husband by a mutual friend and then they turned around and introduced Sherri to her guy. Niecy said that she wanted to pay it forward. So, I need to network with some folks who want to pay it forward; who can hook me up. If that's you, give me a call or send email....lol.

Thanks for reading. Leave a comment to let me know that you were here and help spread the word by clicking on one of the icons above (under the post title). You are 'Destined for Purpose: Empowered with Passion'.

Yoga for Weight Loss for Beginners

2012-01-02T09:53:00.001-05:00

This is the first Yoga routine that I am trying. It is for beginners and it will have you sweating. As time goes on, I will progress to more intensive routines. There are countless F.R.E.E yoga videos on the Tube, so check them out if you're interested in learning yoga too.

Thanks for reading. Leave a comment to let me know that you were here and help spread the word by clicking on one of the icons above (under the post title). You are 'Destined for Purpose: Empowered with Passion'.

Fabulously Fit

2012-01-02T07:34:00.001-05:00

Before picture

I've decided that I want to learn Yoga. So, I have been watching and participating in some of the Yoga, for beginners, videos that I found on You.tube.

Also, I will began my cardio exercise routines again. I'm going to begin the c25k running plan again. This will be easier for me since initially, I won't have to track the distance, but just the time.

I prefer going out to walk versus using a treadmill because I enjoy the scenes. Parks give me the scenic routes that I enjoy so much. There is one park in particular that I like because it is big and has several walking paths, so I'm not seeing the same thing all of the time. It's sort of the "Central Park" of my city where everyone there is either walking, running, attending social events, etc. So, this is a good place for me to get out there and do it.

I'm going to add in some strength training too, eventually. I don't need a lot of that though because I have a natural athletic build, so too much weight training makes me bulkier than what I already am. Just looking at me, you wouldn't believe that I weigh as much as I do because of my build. But muscles weigh more than fat, so that is why my weight is actually heavier.

Also, if you notice in the right sidebar, I've added a ticker to the blog to track my weightloss goals. I found this on the My Fitness Pal website where there tools track everything for you. And it's totally F.R.E.E. So, this is a good tool for me. Saves me from trying to figure out all of the calculations. I just have to enter what I ate and what exercises I completed for the day and it will automatically calculate calories burned, pounds lost and update my profile.

Also, I'm not going to add pics of the scale like I did before. Instead, periodically, I will add updated pictures of me, so that you can see the changes on me. I figured that doing it this way, will keep me more encouraged and hopefully, at the same time, some of you as well.

In addition to exercise, my eating habits will change as well. I've started off right. I haven't eaten anything sweet (cake, pies, etc) since Chrsitmas. Yesterday, we had dinner at one of my cousin's house where there were sweets and I did not eat any of it. I learned a while back that certain foods work well with the different blood types. And I was doing well with that until the beginning of the holidays. In fact, I had actually lost more weight than the 3 lbs that are displayed on the sidebar ticker. But yesterday, I weighed in again, and after all was said and done, I had gained some of it back, leaving only the -3 lbs since I began tracking it.

Thanks for reading. Leave a comment to let me know that you were here and help spread the word by clicking on one of the icons above (under the post title). You are 'Destined for Purpose: Empowered with Passion'.

Welcome to 2012!

2012-01-01T12:01:00.018-05:00

I'm sure that many of you have so many wonderful and exciting about what's in store for this upcoming year.

As part of my intention and goals for this blog in the coming year, is to be more personal, by telling more of my personal stories and struggles. I struggled with this at first, no pun intended, because I wasn't sure how much I should acutally share on this blog. But, after getting many emails about my personal life, I've decided to open the floodgates and let it roll.

Actually, I did need an outlet to share some things, so I created another blog, where I wrote everything under a Psuedo name. That's right, I had a personal blog, that no one in my personal life knew about. But others in blogosphere did. See, on this blog, I am always sharing information and tips on how to make everyone elses' life better. But I don't share a whole lot of details about my own experiences. So, I figured that another outlet was needed for me. I needed another way to express my personal goals and experiences that were not related in any way to this professional blog. So, I decided to create that other one. Now, I want to be more transparent about my own personal experiences.

In our lives, there are four quandrants that we all have that make up our lives and in many ways, the reasons we are who we are. Not necessarily in this order, they are:

1) Career & Finances
2) Health & Wellness
3) Spiritual
4) Relationships

Previously, on this blog, I've shared health & wellness and I've shared spiritual and I will continue to share those about my own life. What I haven't discussed a lot of is my personal relationships and also my career or finances.

So, I want to change that. Here, I want to share my journey of shedding these unwanted pounds which have been a struggle for me over the past few years. I've decided that I want to be physically fit because that is a big part of my being happy. I'm going to blog about this heck of a journey.

I want to discuss my career and also money matters. These two have been a real struggle for me over the past year and a half, but I'm still standing. You'll find out more about these as I begin to open up about them.

I will also share my journey of finding 'The One' to share my life with. Many people will have you to think that it is almost impossible to find love after 40 because so many good men are not available for love. But I say that is not true. I truly believe that finding love after 40 is very possible and I am on a quest to prove that.

And of course, I will continue to share my spiritual transformation through all of this. I've had to face some very harsh realities about myself as well as others and this journey has not been an easy one, but a very necessary one.

Overall, I just want to be able to share my journey of creating exciting life experiences in each of those four areas; my pursuit of living fearlessly and taking those risks, loving unconditionally and just being happy in this wonderful thing we call life.

I hope that you will share this journey with me on this blog. I look forward to your comments and feedback as well as the emails that I've been receiving.

Because of the transparency, some of the posts will not be shared on the social media sites, so please subscribe to the blog via email or some other RSS feed to receive the new posts and updates.

Are there any other things that you will like to see discussed more here on the blog? Let me know so that we can get on it.

Thanks for reading. Leave a comment to let me know that you were here and help spread the word by clicking on one of the icons above (under the post title). You are 'Destined for Purpose: Empowered with Passion'.

Preparing for 2012

2011-12-30T12:42:00.000-05:00

photo credit: forcoloredgirls.com

As the clock ticks away and year 2011 comes to end, this is a time of reflection for a lot of people. I, on the other hand, hold off on my reflections until my birthday comes around in June. That is also the anniversary month of this blog, so there are a lot of reflections going on during that time.

So for now, we will look forward to what's ahead for you in the coming year. If you are one those people who make New Years Resolutions, what are some of yours?

For those of you who have yet to get started on making plans or resolutions for the coming year, here are a few tips to help you get started and well on your way.

1. Set some goals. You have to know what you're working towards.

2. Set your intentions. What do you intend to do and intend on happening in this next year?

3. Write your vision. If you need some pointers on doing that, click here and here.

4. Create a vision board so that you will have something physical to look at and remind you of what you desire and what you're working towards.

5. Understand the Law of Attraction and how it is a Biblical principle that works EVERY TIME if you apply it.

I wish you much success on your journey in this upcoming year. YOU CAN DO IT!

Stay focused on what you want.

Dream BIG.

Don't compare.

Don't complain.

Don't criticize.

Don't compete.

Just CREATE

Open your heart to give and receive love.

Forgive others.

Declutter your life (mind, body, spirit and environment).

Open your heart and mind to receive new opportunities, fresh ideas and infinte wisdom.

The canvas is clean now. It's ALL up to you to choose the picture you wish to see on it.

It's Your Life. Live It!

Need Mortgage Assistance or Looking to Purchase a Home: NACA is coming to Atlanta

2011-12-29T11:09:00.001-05:00

For those of you who are in or near the Metro Atlanta Area who needs assistance with your mortgage or are looking to purchase a home:

NACA is hosting its first ever American Dream Convention in Atlanta, GA (Tues. Jan 10 – Sun. Jan 15) for both Home Buyers wanting to access America’s Best Mortgage and Homeowners with an unaffordable mortgage. NACA will be closing all its 40+ offices nationwide for the week so our staff can attend the convention and provide face-to-face counseling and affordable solutions for both buyers and owners.

PURCHASE (not currently a homeowner):

For future homeowners, obtain comprehensive counseling and access NACA’s Best in America Mortgage with No down payment, No closing costs, No fees, No perfect credit is required and everyone receives the below market fixed interest rate (3.5% 30 fixed as of 12/21/11). Member’s who are currently in the process are welcome to join us in Atlanta to complete their files. There are limited face-to-face counseling appointments so sign-up now (click here to make an appointment).

HOMEOWNERS (with an unaffordable mortgage)

For homeowners with an unaffordable mortgage, meet with a Home Save Counselor to determine an affordable mortgage payment. Then meet face-to-face with your lender, with a NACA Negotiator, to obtain an affordable solution. Many homeowners will leave with a same day solution reducing their mortgage payment by over $500 a month and some by over $1,000 with interest rates permanently reduced to as low as 2% and more and more homeowners obtaining principal reductions (click here to register and review the items needed). Pre-registration allows your lender to review your file in advance to be better prepared in providing an onsite solution.

NACA’S AMERICAN DREAM EVENT:

When: Tuesday January 10 – Sunday January 15.
Where: Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. every day for six days
Who Should Come:

■Homebuyers looking to purchase a home with NACA’s incredible mortgage

■Homeowners who need to modify their mortgage to make it affordable. First come first serve with no appointment necessary

More Information: Send questions to Convention@naca.com

SIGN-UP NOW – YOU HAVE EVERYTHING TO GAIN AND NOTHING TO LOSE. ALL SERVICES ARE FREE!

If you have been working with NACA, access your Web-File to for the most recent updates and your next steps.

NACA’s homeownership programs are the best which explains why so many people wait months for an appointment. This is your opportunity to get it done. We strongly recommend that you come from near and far, If you are frustrated with the lenders in obtaining a mortgage or in modifying your mortgage, you do not want to miss this incredible opportunity.

Everything is Free! All the is required is an investment of your time and effort. NACA has legally binding agreements with the lenders to get it done. Tell your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers. NACA is the largest and most effective HUD certified non-profit homeownership organization. We will work and advocate for you to achieve the American Dream of permanent affordable homeownerhip for both those purchasing a home and those with an unaffordable mortgage payment trying to keep the home they have.

Sincerely,

Bruce Marks
NACA CEO

MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ON THEIR WEBSITE AT: www.naca.com

Thanks for reading. Leave a comment to let me know that you were here and help spread the word by clicking on one of the icons above (under the post title). You are 'Destined for Purpose: Empowered with Passion'.

Season Greetings 2011-2012

2011-12-24T00:52:00.001-05:00

From Our Family to Yours!

courtesy of sodahead.com

"Destined for Purpose: Empowered with Passion"

Love, life meanings- Paulo Coelho

2011-12-20T19:09:00.000-05:00

"Destined for Purpose: Empowered with Passion"

December Birthday Greetings

2011-12-01T04:16:00.001-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL OF

YOU CELEBRATING THIS MONTH!

"I am Master of My Fate: Captain of My Soul"

Happy Thanks + Giving

2011-11-23T09:46:00.001-05:00

THANKS + GIVING

The best way to express gratitude is to be

THANKFUL and to GIVE FROM YOUR HEART

I wish you safe travels and lots of food, fun, family and friends!

"I am Master of My Fate: Captain of My Soul"

A Whole New World- Peabo Bryson & Regina Belle

2011-11-18T14:52:00.001-05:00

I can show you the world
Shining, shimmering, splendid
Tell me, princess, now when did
You last let your heart decide?

I can open your eyes
Take you wonder by wonder
Over, sideways and under
On a magic carpet ride

A whole new world
A new fantastic point of view
No one to tell us no
Or where to go
Or say we're only dreaming

[CONTINUE READING]

Revelation of 'I AM"

2011-11-17T09:50:00.002-05:00

A few nights ago, I had this dream, that I now realize was something I needed to be reminded of. In the dream, I was in sort of a study group session with a couple of people. I was leading the discussion and as I began to quote who God is and what His names represent (example: 'I AM Jehovah Jireh, your Provider, etc.) I realized that those messages were all in present tense. And because we are in His image, He has given us the power to do and be as He is.

When I started saying those things, one of my aunts stood up and said "We should never say I AM or I WILL because we are not God." My response to her was "If you can show me that in the Bible, then I'll give you $20.00." She said OK and went about searching for it. While she was searching, I continued on with what I was saying to the group, each "I AM" becoming a source of revelation to them, everyone except my aunt, who was busy searching for something that was not there.

Here's where it gets more interesting. While I was citing the "I AM" to the group, I went from speaking English, to speaking Hebrew. The reason I know that it was Hebrew was because someone in the group, who knew the language told the others what language I was speaking, because at that point they all had a baffled look on their faces. I had no idea what I was saying to the group, but I just kept speaking what I was led to speak.

[CONTINUE READING]

It's OK to Be Special

2011-10-28T14:59:00.001-04:00

Let's talk about being special. Special means that something is set aside from the norm. It is better, greater and other than the usual.

Every one of us, was created 'special'. We're all uniquely designed with something that it is meant to be shared with the world. But therein lies a challenge for most people because they have no idea what that something 'special' is or if they do, they minimize their 'special' for the benefit of others.

In the book, A Return To Love, by Marianne Williamson, there is a passage that I'm sure everyone has heard many times, but I want to point out something in that passage.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
[CONTINUE READING]

I Believe I Can Fly- R Kelly

2011-10-23T17:42:00.001-04:00

"I am Master of My Fate: Captain of My Soul"

Last time: First Time

2011-10-20T19:50:00.000-04:00

"THINK ABOUT THIS" THURSDAY

"I am Master of My Fate: Captain of My Soul"

Mind Dumping

2011-10-11T15:57:00.002-04:00

image credit

A couple of days ago, I was having a conversation with someone, when the discussion turned to "I got so much on my mind". Hmmmm! I am slightly amazed whenever I hear people say this, especially when that 'so much' is really not a list of things to that needs attention.

Here's the thing, we all have a lot on our minds, with close to 60,000 thoughts going through our mind on any give day. The key is to keeping your sanity is knowing what needs to remain and what needs to be 'dumped'.

Using my ownself as an example, I often find myself having complete conversations in my head with someone, often about something that will never take place or has already taken place....Have you ever done that?

I will also write complete blog posts, in my head, days before I actually take the time to write them down. Then, I get frustrated with myself, if I can't remember the entire blog posts.
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It's All in the Name

2011-10-11T14:24:00.002-04:00

By now, everyone has heard of the passing of Steve Jobs, the Founder, President & CEO of Apple, Inc. He was a great man who accomplished great feats that changed technology as we know it, with the collection of iproducts (iPod, iPad, iPhone, iTune, etc.) and the Mac products. We've come to know him as the great 'innovator' as that is one of the best ways to describe what he has done for the world at large.

So, I wanted to take a look at this great man from another perspective. There was something that Steve said at the Stanford University Commencement Address in 2005, that got to me thinking about this.

"Of course it was impossible to connect the dots looking forward when I was in college. But it was very, very clear looking backwards ten years later. Again, you can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life."

And that it what I want to discuss, connecting the dots beginning with our name. The name of a person sheds significant light on who they are and in my opinion, in some way, what they are purposed to do.

Let's look at his name, STEVE JOBS, for example.

Steve: crown, honour, reward", literally "that which surrounds or encompasses

Job: a group of homogeneous (alike) tasks related by similarity of functions.

When we look at this definition and then look at the man, himself, wouldn't you agree that his purpose did indeed coincide with his name because he deserves a crown, honour and reward for all of the tasks that he accomplished in this information age through his innovative technological ideas, concepts and insights?

So again, let's look at the JOBS that Steve Jobs accomplished:

1) Innovator
2) Founder
3) Chairman
4) Chief Executive Officer
5) Advisor
6) Father
7) Husband
8) Son
9) And many more

These are just some of the JOBS that he had to perform, the man himself. But in keeping in line with the definition of his name, Steve was also an Entreprenuer and Business Man whose ideas, concepts and insights created JOBS for thousands of people through his company, directly and countless others, indirectly.

This reminds of the stories in the Bible and how God put great emphasis on names, including His OWN. In the Bible, He has a name for each of His characteristics and those names are who we've come to know Him as. For example:

Jehovah Jireh, our Provider
Jehovah Shalom, our Peace
Jehovah Nissi, our Banner of Love
Jehovah T-sid-kenu, our Righteousness
Jehovah Shammah, Everpresent Everywhere
Jehovah Sabaoth, Our Protector
Jehovah Rapha, Our Healer
Jehovah Raah, Our Shepherd

Also in the Old Testament of the Bible, God would sometimes change people's names to represent their new purpose and characteristics. For example:

Abram to Abraham, Father of many nations (Genesis 17)
Sara to Sarah, Mother of many nations (Genesis 17)
Jacob to Israel, a prince who prevailed with God (Gen 32)
Simon to Peter, the solid rock (John 1)
Saul to Paul, humility and whose strength is made perfect in weakness (Acts)

And of course, when the angels came to Joseph and told him what to name Jesus before His birth (Matthew 1) because He would be the One to save us from sin.

So, as you can see, your name says a lot about who you are and what you are here to do. When I look at my own name, here's how it is defined:

Cassandra: a beautiful princess who was granted the gift of prophecy; a prophetess

Crane: ability to stretch, lift and move

In taking a deeper look at my own name, I see that my purpose and mission in life do indeed coincide with my name. My purpose is to help others to stretch themselves in order to see things from a different perspective and to remove the obstacles that keep them from living their best lives. I can see that there is so much more to each person and the great things that are in store for their lives.

Another is this Soulful Sandstone blog. If you go to my website, you will see that the purpose of this blog is "To inspire and empower people to discover who they are, what they were predestined to do, so that they will live the lives that they dream of, purposefully and passionately, thereby creating experiences that satisfy their souls."

The name Soulful Sandstone means, that we are a creation of a combination of delicate elements, each uniquely designed for a specific purpose, so that we may experience life that expands our souls.

I explained all of that to say this, your name (by birth, marriage and nickname) says alot about you. Just as Steve Jobs' name set the course for his life, so does yours. Steve Jobs connected the dots and lived up to his name.

"JOBS" well done, good and faithful sevant! "JOBS" well done!

So, as you go back to try to connect the dots, go back to the beginning, the day you were born and given your name. What is the meaning/purpose of your name? Are you living up to it?

"I am Master of My Fate: Captain of My Soul"

Happy Birthday October!

2011-10-01T16:23:00.000-04:00

Sending birthday greetings to all of my Soulful Sandstone Friends.

I wish you love, peace and abundance on your special day.

"I am Master of My Fate: Captain of My Soul"

Breakaway- Kelly Clarkson

2011-10-01T12:21:00.000-04:00

"Breakaway"

Grew up in a small town

And when the rain would fall down

I'd just stare out my window

Dreaming of what could be

And if I'd end up happy

I would pray (I would pray)

Trying hard to reach out

But when I tried to speak out

Felt like no one could hear me

Wanted to belong here

But something felt so wrong here

So I prayed I could break away

[Chorus:]

I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly

I'll do what it takes til' I touch the sky

And I'll make a wish

Take a chance

Make a change

And breakaway

Out of the darkness and into the sun

But I won't forget all the ones that I love

I'll take a risk

Take a chance

Make a change

And breakaway

Wanna feel the warm breeze

Sleep under a palm tree

Feel the rush of the ocean

Get onboard a fast train

Travel on a jet plane, far away (I will)

And breakaway

[Chorus]

Buildings with a hundred floors

Swinging around revolving doors

Maybe I don't know where they'll take me but

Gotta keep moving on, moving on

Fly away, breakaway

I'll spread my wings

And I'll learn how to fly

Though it's not easy to tell you goodbye

I gotta take a risk

Take a chance

Make a change

And breakaway

Out of the darkness and into the sun

But I won't forget the place I come from

I gotta take a risk

Take a chance

Make a change

And breakaway, breakaway, breakaway

"I am Master of My Fate: Captain of My Soul"

Oprah's Lifeclass

2011-09-30T15:10:00.000-04:00

Have you heard about Oprah's Lifeclass that will soon begin to air on her new network, OWN? That's right, Oprah will host a nationwide classroom every week Monday thru Friday, beginning on Monday, October 10, 2011 at 8:00 p.m.

This should be quite interesting, as Oprah will share information and details that she has never shared before about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. If you are interested in 'attending', you can go to her website to sign up at http://www.oprah.com/.

I am so excited about this. And guess what else? If you register for the 'class', you wll also get access to attend her online sessions and on Facebook as well. So go ahead and register to be a part of this.

Oh yeah, it is NOT just for women. Men can register to participate also.

"I am Master of My Fate: Captain of My Soul"

The 10 Mind Stimuli

2011-09-29T15:40:00.000-04:00

"Think About This" Thursday

The following list is from an excerpt in the book Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill.

"The human mind responds to stimulation. It responds to stimuli through which may be 'keyed up" to high rates of vibration, know as enthusiasm, creative imagination, intense desire, etc.

The stimuli to which the mind responds to most freely are:

1. The desire for sexual expression
2. Love
3. A burning desire for fame, power, financial gain
4. Music
5. Friendship between either those of the same sex or opposite sex.
6. A Master Mind alliance based upon the harmony of two or more people who ally themselves for spiritual or temporal advancement.
7. Autosuggestion.
8. Mutual suffering, such as that experienced by the people who are persecuted
9. Fear
10. Narcotics and alcohol.

This list in not all inclusive. Eight of these stimuli are natural and constructive. The other two are destructive.
Which two would you say are destructive and why?

"I am Master of My Fate: Captain of My Soul"

Fly with Eagles

2011-09-23T21:17:00.000-04:00

Friends are a prophecy of who you are and what you are becoming. They tell where you are heading because birds of a feather flock together. Hang around millionaires and you're one your way to becoming one. Hang around with people who are living their dreams, you are on your way to living yours. If you want to change your life for the better, get around like minded people.

Attach yourself to people who have the kinds of things that you want to have; to people who have become what you want to become. Ask them to become your mentor, to teach you about how they achieved their success, built their business, and developed their talents. Let their success rub off on you. Feed off of the insights that they can provide for you. Learn from them. People of destiny will attract more people of destiny.
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