Reflections

Every day I receive inspirational messages from a co-worker of mine. Today it read :

"Be careful what you share with others. Your words will either build up or tear down everyone who hears you. Expressing your worry, discouragement, disappointment, and anger will result in defiling those around you, and you will be held accountable for every negative or idle word spoken. (Mt. 12:36) Set a new standard for yourself to only speak as led by the Spirit, and refuse to backbite, gossip, criticize, judge, or tear people down. I am calling you, My Church, to a new spiritual level that can only be attained through righteousness and integrity. Don't miss the opportunities to access these greater heights, says the Lord."

I instantly knew that this word was meant especially for me because as I was reading I was instantly condemned. You see there are a lot of things about me that have changed…but many things that have remained the same. Even though I cultivate the more positive things, I still allow negative things to linger in my mind. There are times I speak on things before I have an opportunity to stop and analyze what I’m about to say and the negative connation that it could bring. The crazy part is, I've been thinking alot lately about my image reflecting my current position in life and the above message only confirmed my need to focus on controlling this aspect of my life better. I not only want my current spiritual journey to be evident in writing..I want it to be projected in my everyday life when I speak, smile or when I’m simply being quiet.

So Today My Voices are Muzzled. They are muzzled until I separate the positive from the negative, the praise from the gossip, the acceptance from judgment and the encouragement from the criticism. I’m sure this won't be an easy task, but I’m ready! The last thing I want to do is deter someone from growth or maturity!

Until Next Time….

It Starts With You

Most people have to be able to see and know how things will get done before they try to change their situation for the better. Take goingback to school for instance; there are a lot of people that would love to go back to school, if for no other reason than to have that accomplishment under their belt. But, they look at their situation and find a million and one reasons that would make that goal impossible to obtain...no babysitter, what about work, how will I get there, when will I study, what about my family, will it consume too much of my time, can I finish, how will I pay for it (the list goes on and on)? Usually people focus so much on negativity that they rule out any future goals that they may want to accomplish because of the negative clutter already in their minds. The term we "speak things into existence" is quite true. When you think negatively and consider yourself defeated before beginning, you take yourself out of the equation by NOT believing that ALL things can be changed…people, circumstances as well as finances.

What people fail to realize is before you expect someone else to come through for you, you have to make the first move and come through for yourself. Make some moves to better your OWN life and change your OWN circumstances.  No one wants to help someone that isn’t helping themselves. My point is, people are more inclined to help those that want something out of life, besides a hand out.

So Today my Voices are Asking you for a Favor:  please change your way of thinking?  Instead of thinking about millions of reasons things can't be done, think about the opportunities that may arise if you put yourself in a prosperous position. Just start doing things and deal with the hick-ups in life as they arise. You will be amazed at the help and support you get when you step out on faith!

A situation will never change by doing the same things over and over again.  You MUST change your way of thinking,  if you want any type of change in your life.  It starts with you…

Until Next Time

Forgiveness

At work I like to use at least one of my breaks to walk briskly.  Today my friend and I were walking and talking as we normally do, but today I started sharing some things with her that I hadn’t talked about in a long time and it inspired me to write.

A few years ago my mom would always tell me “Tasha, you’re blocking your blessings by holding on to anger, resentment and pain.  You have to figure out a way to forgive or you’ll never be able to truly move on.” I remember this conversation as if it were yesterday.  I would just brush her off and say: “I know Ma, but I’m not ready yet.” I felt as if I needed the pain and anger to fuel me to keep going. It was as if the bitterness I had in my heart for those that I feel wronged me, kept me strong, determined and on the right path.  As time went on I did just that… I used all Ill will towardsme as fuel to overcome adversity, and depression.

One day I was headed to church having a talk with God (which is normal for me) my intentions were to pray a prayer for me to move on and open a new chapter of my life.  And out of no where, I began saying that I was ready to forgive everyone that hurt me and ready to move on with my life.  I can remember saying  “Lord, I’m tired of being angry, I want to let it all go and stop allowing my past to bring me to tears or rage at the mere thought of it.”  By this point I was in tears and literally crying my eyes out… but not from sadness, it was from relief.  It was like a weight was lifted immediately!  As soon as I spoke those words of forgiveness, the plan for my life changed.

So Today, My Voices are Remembering…Forgiveness is the Key that Unlocks the Door of Unimaginable Blessings!!

If you need the anger to fuel you, Fine…but once the fuel diminishes do not fill up again!  Release it and move on with love, understanding and wisdom!

…Until Next Time