Let Them Play Their Hand

A lesson I just confirmed is related to when you notice someone is plotting negative actions or doing something against someone. You may feel compelled to bust them and stop the actions but wisdom has shown me to allow them to play their hand. If their actions are completed they have to reap what is sown. The lesson in that for you is invaluable because you now know what they are capable of and you can alienate yourself from the negative. Now I'm not talking about terrorists but people around you every day and malicious actions.

Recently, they aired The Bible on TNT and it made me think about the series of events leading up to them crucifying Jesus. Jesus turned the tables over on the money changers. The subsequent series of events had to occur and Jesus knew that. He died to save us. So if we have to experience the results of negative actions by allowing them to play out, so be it.

Let them play their hand 

Back in Stride Again

I had to take a break but I'm back in stride again. I have learned a very valuable lesson over the last few weeks. People kept telling me "take care of yourself" and I would reply that I am taking care of myself. Well, that goes deep because I was wrong. 

Nutritional support involves eating to keep your body in balance. I have to concentrate on my intake each day to make sure I remain in balance. I live a very hectic, emotionally charged, ever changing life, as many do. With that said, I am here to tell you I was not eating right and my body told me so. I now eat to maintain a healthy balance in my life and if there's something I have on my To-Do List that needs postponing I do that. We have 24 hours each day and to truly take care of myself I have to make sure I take care of my nutritional and mental self. 

Are you really taking care of yourself? Your body will tell you. I am putting myself first more and this makes me able to be of better service to others in my life. 

Take care of yourself

Being A Woman

On this International Women's Day I reflect on what it means to me as a woman. I have always said I love being a woman. I thank God for making me a woman.

As a woman I have brought life into the world, I nurture my grandchildren, I multi-task each day to get things done, I embrace my femininity. Thank God for making me a woman.

Stand tall and stick your chests out women because, like James Brown said, "this is a man's world but it wouldn't be nothing without a woman or a girl.

May God continue to bless and strengthen all women because being a woman is the ultimate high. Work it girls!!

The Gift of Sight

Many of us take what we see each day for granted. What if you couldn't see the TV, read a book, know what food is on your plate or who is in the room with you? The gift of literal sight is something my best friend does not have now. He does, however, have the gift of internal sight which is invaluable to him and to me. 

We've all heard that beauty is only skin deep. The gift of sight goes beneath the skin. If I lost my ability to literally see I sure want to be able to see within. The gift of sight is the ability to detect sincerity. 

Take care of your eyes and pay attention to determine if people are sincere. 

Gratitude

The one thing I say each and every day is "thank you Lord for all you've done for me". I've learned that showing gratitude increases my blessings. Life is a gift and we all say thank you when we receive a gift so I have FAITH - For All I Thank Him. 

My son played a song for me the other day that I used to lead in the church choir and those words came to mind again today:

God has not promised me sunshine
That's not the way it's going to be
But a little rain mixed with God's sunshine
A little pain makes me appreciate the good times
Be grateful 

Gratitude can enrich your life with endless possibilities.

Family - Friend

Family is the foundation of our life. As kids we know and automatically trust our family. When we become adults we begin to see our family members true character.

All family members are not friends. Allow family involvement in your life according to the character of that person and not their family relationship. I have learned recently you can love your family member because they are family but not like them for their character. I want to be close to those who have shown themselves to be friends whether related or not.

It is what it is and that's the way it is for me.

Courage

I have recently learned a valuable lesson about courage. If someone commits a cruel act against a loved one and refuses to face that person to admit guilt that is a cowardly act. You may be afraid of what that person will say to you or how others will look at you but you must, in spite of those fears, have the courage to confront those fears. There can be no resolution or repentance with the absence of courage.

Courage is required to do what is right and if you lack that courage your character is greatly flawed. You risk your salvation and you will reap what you have sown.

Courage is an important virtue.

Hope

Hope is very powerful. Hope can lighten your heart. Hope can give you strength to fight a battle or complete a task. Hope will help you sleep at night. Hope will catapult you into action.

Having hope does not guarantee things will turn out like you want but you'll feel a whole lot better as you move forward. Hope can help you heal both spiritually and physically. True hope will transform your world.

Always have hope because, again I say, hope is very powerful.

The Flow of Life

As we live our life and changes occur we have to adjust to the flow of our life. You find your stride and make the adjustment. I recently learned that if you are not physically and mentally strong at the time of adjustment it takes longer to adjust. The adjustment may not be what you want it to be, but, it becomes your reality.

So keep yourself strong so you can adjust to the flow of your life as it changes. It will change because everything must change.

Expectations

We all expect to be treated fairly and with kindness as we want to be treated. Sometimes we have to raise our expectations in order for us to receive this level of treatment. If you have a loved one receiving treatment in a medical setting and you get an uneasy feeling due to the lack of action and compassion from those delivering the care don't just accept what they say.

Today medical professionals told my loved one they were releasing him from the hospital and to go home and get his affairs in order. I didn't just accept that but I requested a second opinion. This really shocked them because they expected us to just give up. No way. We now have options and hope. So I know raised expectations yield greater positive results.

Raise your expectations

Life

Live your live as if everything is a blessing. The positive aspects are obvious blessings. The negative aspects are also blessings with lessons.

Live your life by working heartily as you would if God is watching you.

Live your life today because things can change in the blink of an eye.

Today I prayed and maintained my faith in God through a storm. The wave has calmed for now but I know it can change again tomorrow.

Live your life today. Love your life today.

Character

I have learned that your character depicts how successful you are as a person. I want to make sure my character reflects a person of my word and consideration for others. When you have questionable character no one wants to be around you. Your actions will show your character whether you want them to or not. Remember, good character equals good seeds sown and you definitely reap what you sow.

Trust

I recently learned a hard lesson about trust. It's important to have a support system in life. A support system is family and friends who truly love you.

If you betray a member of your support system with a heartless act the whole system will fall apart. You don't want this to happen so my lesson is:

If someone trusts you be trust worthy.

Values

When you know the prioritization of your values your actions will line up accordingly. I think about that in my business and it guides my diligence and dedication to my clients. Personally, I place a very high value on my relationships and take no one for granted. No one has to be kind to me or do anything for me so I value those who do. My responsive action is to reciprocate the kindness. So I've learned to let me actions reflect the value I place on all of my relationships.

Battles

Think about this:

I have asked myself why I have recurring similar adversities in my life. It seems like the same problems or obstacles are in my path. I now know that these may be the same battles, sometimes with disguises, but each outcome can be different. Sometimes we have to fight the same battles over and over again to win the war. It seems repetitive, but, think about it, we learn something from each battle. When we fight the same battle we sharpen our tools, perfect our strategy and increase our strength.

Pre-Christmas Thoughts

We are two weeks away from Christmas and many people are stressed trying to get the right toy or gift for their loved one. I've learned not to get caught up in that unnecessary stress. The Christmas season is about miracles, love, caring, sharing and hope. I find good health for my loved ones and me as a top priority right now. Just to be able to enjoy the company of my family at Christmas time is good enough for me.

As a Caregiver, I ask God to give me strength and keep me standing because if I go down my house will fall. These thoughts have crossed my mind these past few days as I battle a bad cold.

So realize what's up and don't stress about things that aren't important. I'd rather have good health any day, even Christmas Day.

Hills and Valleys

Every hill has its valley. Sometimes it may seem like you are on a roller coaster in life but I have learned that fluctuations create more depth, interest and character. Think about it... lessons are learned while in the valley. Strength is gained while in the valley. Skills are sharpened while in the valley. Thank God for my valleys. 

So accept, analyze and improve while in the valleys and you will shine on your hills.

This I have learned in my life.

Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving Day I give thanks to God for bringing me thus far. The last couple of months have been heartbreaking and my appreciation for life is greater. I thank Him for my cousin and my big brother. My generation is older and we have been shown that time is winding down. I wake each morning and literally thank Him for waking me up. Once I’m up I strive throughout my day to make a positive difference in someone’s life.

As I greet people in passing I smile and will stop to talk. I was talking to a lady the other day in Kentucky Fried Chicken. I didn’t go through the drive-thru for some reason. She was talking about how hungry she was and was on her way to work. She placed her order and searched for her money or debit card. She discovered she didn’t have either and couldn’t get her food. I told the cashier to add her order to mine because we could all be in that situation. She thanked me and said she was online paying some bills before she left home and left her debit. She is trying to get her credit together to buy a home. I told her I am a Realtor and she took my card and is preparing to buy a home.

Had I stayed in the drive-thru or not talked with her or not shown compassion I would not have been able to bless her and would have missed my blessing.

Thank you Lord for all You’ve done for me

Relationships

My personal relationships are very important to me. I have found that relationships with others out of convenience are not desirable. I choose my relationships carefully because they can either enhance or inhibit my life. 

Every relationship has to be defined and categorized. Close relationships must be supportive of your goals and direction. If someone is not for you, they are against you. It’s just that simple.

I distance myself from those who show animosity and negative actions. Life is too short to associate with those who don’t support you. Even if you have fewer people in your life, those few will contribute more to your happiness and success than the many so-called friends you could have around you.

One true friend is worth more than ten haters. Evaluate your personal relationships and go forth accordingly.

Individuality

I have always been told I am different; that I just have to stand out; I just have to go against the flow. I don’t strive to be different or stand out or go against the flow. I strive to be me.

Individuality takes courage. Some people want acceptance so they conform to make others happy and comfortable. I am considerate of others but not at the cost of jeopardizing who I am. I don’t allow others to infuse me with negativity and doubt about who I am.

Individuality makes you unique. This allows you to lead rather than follow. 

So I will continue to be me and dress like me and wear my hair like me, an individual.