Renewed

I haven’t posted in a while, not because I’ve forgotten about it,  but because I was in a place that I know all so well but I hate being in; A place of discontentment, lack of faith and a feeling of defeat.  See, when I write to you guys, I write from a place of sincerity, experience and in the spirit. Any of you that know me, know that my greatest fear when writing the message behind the voices, is that I relay a message from the wrong voice!  So with the disconnect I allowed to form, writing inspirational things wasn’t something that I was going to do, because I refuse to speak in a way that isn’t true to my heart, what I’m experiencing, thinking or being led by the spirit to say.

With that being said, the last couple of weeks I have been thinking “this can’t be all that life has in store for me work wise”. “My” plans were to get back into the working field, stay at my current job a year, then move on to something that would not only enhance my current abilities, but something that would allow me to grow beyond them. Instead of things going according to “my” plans…I’m still at the same job and I feel as though the knowledge I once had in my field is deteriorating because I’m not using it to its full ability. I feel as though I have depreciated down the ladder of my career instead of gaining more value.  

As I was going through this rut, I had a task at work to relocate a user. But this one was unlike any other i've ever done, it was a young black woman that had been promoted into a supervisory position at work. It got me excited and brought me great joy to do this move because I viewed it as a sign that it can be done…as I was configuring her computer I noticed something on her desk that read something similar to Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. After I glanced at it, all I could do was smile, because once again God was sending a sign to let me know it’s not “my” plans that matter…it’s His!

Sunday when I got to church Pastor was talking about gifts being stagnate and being confused about what is keeping you from the next level (speaking to me or what?).  He went on to explain that what God has in store for you is yours…Point Blank! “NO ONE can stop your advancement to the next level if it is of God’s will but you!”  He clarified that so many times we stand in our way by losing faith, giving up or submitting to the flesh. I left church feeling brand new, with my faith and perspective back on track (God’s track)…and I couldn’t be more excited!

So today my voices are Praying…Praying for continued strength down my path of righteousness, faith and prosperity. Praying that God’s will make way in my life and I don’t halt the miracles that are in store for me.  Praying that I learn to live in the spirit and allow my flesh to become completely defeated, for I know the flesh is weak…but with the fear of God I know all things can be overcome!

Until Next Time!

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

An Idle Mind...

If I had to guess the question that boggles everyone's mind, I would have to say, everyone wants to know the answer to “What If”. What if I went to college and did right in the beginning? What if I chose him/her, how would my life be right now? What if I made better decisions when I was younger? What if I this, What if I that?  There’s an old saying “An idle mind, is the devil’s workshop”. When I was younger this phrase didn’t mean much to me.  But now that im older I fully grasp the meaning of this term.

Think for a second, when does depression or regret usually hit you? When your out enjoying your day, busy at work, running errands? No, depression and regret usually strike in your moments of silence. When you sit still long enough to evaluate and depict certain aspects of your life.  Hence, “an idle mind is the devil’s workshop”. The enemy uses what can be moments of peace to attack your spirit and rob you of joy.

I find that the best way to avoid moments like these is to surround yourself with positive people, and keep yourself busy with things that you enjoy.  Everyone should have at least one thing that brings them happiness on demand…and if you haven’t found that thing yet its not to late to venture off and try new things.  I’ll be the 1^st to admit that if something peeks my interest enough, I’m gusty enough to try and conquer it. My many ventures have helped me to embrace who I am and what I represent. Basically, it’s been a win, win for me!   I shut down the devil’s workshop by staying busy, discovered hidden talents and learn to love me in my natural essence in the midst of it all.

Today My Voices are Cheering: Forget about the What Ifs, Embrace the Right Nows and Look Forward to your Future with Expectancy of great NEW things.  Keep yourself busy by learning to love yourself. Figuring out who you are, will reap greater benefits than dwelling on who you were or who you could have been!

Until Next Time…

Life of Contentment

I have been a Computer Technician for about 9 years now.  I can remember years ago, I was working for Lockheed Martin and I was content with my life.  I had a decent job, an ok salary, my own home, and healthy children.  In my mind, being the country girl that I am, I was already living at my full potential.

As time went on and I grew as a person and in the word, I soon learned that the state of mind that I was in, was a state of contentment.  Simply put, I was settling! I settled for the hand that life dealt me.  While working for Lockheed, Katrina happened…despite the tragedies that were faced because of this hurricane, I received a blessing.  I was hired for a job that opened my mind to something greater than I ever imagined possible at my age living in Louisiana.  I worked with FEMA for 4 years before being laid off.  Looking back, I realize that God allowed me to experience that type of money to change my way of thinking and to help me realize that I was limiting myself in so many ways.  I feel that he wanted me to realize that I have not, not only because I ask not, but because I didn’t deem it possible. 

Having that experience has changed my outlook on life for the better. I no longer settle for what is given or offered to me, I work hard for what I want, speak on what will be, and only accept that which I feel is deserving.

So today my voices are encouraging you to STOP SETTLING!  If you deserve a better job, a better boyfriend/girlfriend, bigger house, more dependable car, whatever it is that you may be more deserving of…GO FOR IT!   

Today I challenge you to change your lifestyle of contentment. There is always a next stage or something else that can be done to better the condition of your life. I want you to literally write down some realistic short term goals each month. As they begin to materialize, I want you to highlight them.  At the end of each month, what ever is left, carry it over to the next month and add it to your new monthly goals…and so on. 

The fulfillment you get from reaching your goals will give you the boost needed to start making long term goals. Once you develop the belief in your ability to achieve things the sky will be the limit!  I look forward to you accomplishing great things.  Keep me posted

…Until Next Time 

Languages of Love

My friend Rakia bought me a book called the Different Languages of Love. It was a very good book, it was about the different ways that people love. It went in to detail about how everyone loves in their own way.

Typically when we think of someone loving and supporting us we think about having someone that we discuss our thoughts and dreams with. Someone that encourages us to keep on trying to achieve the things we want out of life. Or someone that helps us obtain these things by giving their input and sharing their thoughts and dreams. But, just because this is what our mind automatically goes to, doesn’t mean that these are the only ways to show love and support.

I am a full time mother, wife, student, worker, natural hair enthusiast and now blogger! My life is far from dull. I have a husband that loves me in spite of my many layers (working on the because of part) but he shows his support for my many ventures by making it possible for me to have enough time to explore my project of the day...whatever that may be. He does this by occupying the children when I’m doing school work, cooking for the kids and I so I don’t have to, helping out with housework etc. There was a time in our relationship that I didn’t understand that this was his way of loving me.. this is his personal language of love.

My point is, just because someone doesn’t love you the way you or society think they should, that does not mean that the love isn’t there. The way a person love is a part of their personal identity. The way they profess their love is a result of the imprint that life has left on them that enables them to show and receive love in a way that is fit for their life.

Today My Voices are Screaming: IT STARTS WITH YOU!! Evaluate the situation, recognize your blessings, accept the good, pray on the bad, enjoy life and allow people to love in their own way…you never know, your acceptance may open a new language of love for everyone involved.

I'm still a work in progress, but at least now im on the right path!

LOVE YALL!! Thanks for reading and supporting me