If You Knew Better, You'd Do Better

Have you ever heard the saying “If you knew better, you’d do better”? Do you believe this to be true? I feel this is one of the most overused untrue statements around.  Possessing the knowledge and applying what you know are two completely different things.  When making decisions people are usually aware of the pros and cons and even when the cons far outweigh the pros they still may choose to follow through with an act. 

Even G.I. Joe knows that ‘ knowing is half the battle’ and the last thing I want to do is waste knowledge.   So guess what that means… it’s time for self-evaluation. Those of yall that know me are aware that I am typically very blunt and sarcastic.  By the time I realize how mean what I’m saying can come across, it’s usually too late.  Something that I’ve decided to start telling myself every day, throughout the day, is “Just because it pops in my mind, doesn’t mean it should pop out of my mouth”.  I am aware of the possible consequences of my words, actions and my text…but it does not stop me from saying certain things.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying I’m going to stop completely because some of it is too funny to keep to myself, but I will try to filter my words better.

I aim to work on putting out more positive energy than negative. 

I will not harp on the bad things in my life and I will no longer tell my sob story. 

I will speak words of encouragement, success and fulfillment.

I will believe in unconditional love.

I will give people a chance to prove themselves worthy.

I will delete people from my life that bring out the negative side of me.

I will show appreciation to those that deserve it.

I will not let my feelings go unattended.

 

I challenge you guys to do a self-evaluation of your own.  Identify aspects of your character that you know could be better.  Pinpoint certain point of views that you have that could be hindering your progress in life or your happiness.  Make some positive affirmations over your life and your character.

 

Today my voices are putting into action the knowledge of power being in the tongue, faith without works is dead, and knowing without doing is wasteful.  I aim to speak great things into existence for me and those around me. 

Until Next Time…

Closure

Do you find it hard to forgive those who have done you wrong?  When you’re angry at someone do you find all the fancy wording about forgiveness being for you, not the other person, a bit overwhelming? Do you think “how can letting someone off the hook for their actions benefit me more than it does them?” If you answered yes to any of the above, you my friend have a problem…but don’t worry it’s a problem that we have all had at one time or another in our lives.

Personally, I feel the reason so many people have a problem forgiving is because as a society we were programed to want answers to all of our questions.  Why?  When?  Who? Where? Are just a few of the questions most people feel they need answers to before forgiving… the answers to these questions are usually summed up in the word CLOSURE.  Closure is what most people seek before moving on from a situation, but often do not find.  The reason most people find it hard to forgive is because instead of searching for closure they should be opening their eyes to ACCEPTANCE.  The reason acceptance can be more beneficial than closure is because for acceptance you rely on yourself and for closure you rely on others.  

Take a look at your situation, look at  all the facts, and accept the reality of the circumstances!  Do not look to someone else to answer questions you already have the facts to answer.  Expecting someone else to give you closure is equivalent to cheating on an open book test from someone without a book.  You are the only person who knows all the supporting facts of your case so don’t look to someone else to give your closing remarks.

Today My Voices are Accepting…. Accepting all that was, all that is and all that shall be.   

 

Until Next Time

Loving Beyond

Aside from the love of God, one of the most important types of love is self love.  So often people profess a love for themselves, but when put to the test they fail tremendously. In order to have a successful relationship with oneself,  you must learn to love yourself unconditionally and beyond all circumstances.

The term loving yourself beyond, means to love yourself outside of yourself, forming an unbreakable barrier of strength founded in self love.  This love must exist beyond the circumstances in your life. Meaning, you must create a love for yourself strong enough to withstand the pain of disappointment, the anger of regret, the feeling of being overlooked, unappreciated, inadequate, etc.  If you do not learn to love yourself beyond these situations, you are basically giving the enemy an easy attack route.  There are many people in life, that knowingly or unknowingly, seek out weaknesses in others. They will find or create character flaws within a person, to create an opening to gain access to their mind, their heart or both.  Once this is done, they play on your weakness until it begins to consume you, giving them full access and reign over your feelings of self worth.

If you have allowed this to happen to you, it is not too late to correct the situation. Gain control and start the journey to take back over your life today! 

Today my voices are loving…loving all that is me, was me and shall be me. And I ask that you do the same! It is imperative that you LOVE YOURSELF BEYOND! This is one of the most important foundations in building a better you. 

Until Next Time....

100 Happy Days

When you think of social media what comes to mind? Do you automatically think negatively about it? When I think of social media I think of a whole new world to explore. I think of current events, DIY tips, betterment of oneself, hair tips, similarities with people I’ve never met, etc.  Don’t get me wrong, there are negative things that come out of social networking but just everything else in life…It’s what you make it.

On Instagram I follow a very bright young lady whose tag is @phoenix316.  I’ve never met her, but emotionally and spiritually it seems that we are on the same path.  Recently I saw her post a picture with the hashtag  #100happydays and I asked her about it.  Basically, for 100 days you have to find something to be happy about. It seemed fairly easy so I decided to join her in this challenge via www.100happydays.com.

While doing the 100 Happy Days Challenge I plan to embark upon a journey to a better me, by recognizing and acknowledging the simple things in life that I’m blessed with daily but often overlook.  My goal is to obtain an awareness of the great things in my life and to focus less on the negative. Please join me, I think this will be a very beneficial experience to all that take time out, to not only be happy, but give thanks for it.

Today my voices are determined to laugh, encourage and stay positive. 

Here's to Turning 100 Happy Days into a Lifetime of Joy!

PSA: EVERYDAY YOU WILL HAVE A TEST

When in school what was the one thing we all dread?  Yes, a pop quiz! Somehow we all believed that if we had prior knowledge of the test we would have been better prepared, resulting in better grades. 

My morning read was about letting people push your buttons.  The part that caught my attention was Like it or not, it is the job of certain people to bring out the worst in you.  What they trigger is already in you.  They have come to teach you what you are capable of doing when you get triggered. Every day you will be tested to challenge your growth and and to show you what needs to be healed.   It was around 5 o’clock this morning when I was reading…when I tell you I sat straight up and stretched my eyes! LOL.  Basically what that means is some people bring out the best in us while others bring out the beast in us. But regardless of what’s triggered each characteristic lies within us.

I often wondered why people would push my buttons (which I have more of in my elder years LOL), as I matured I viewed the pushing of buttons as a pop quiz that I kept failing.  Now that I am gaining spiritual clarity, I have decided to view these trials that come as a test that I’m already aware of.  And since I’m aware I’m going to try my best to be prepared by praying and practicing obedience and patience.  Each time I allow the beast to come out of me I fail myself  and God and frankly I’m tired of it! So I’m going to think before I speak and make sure a response is necessary before engaging in a conversation that may ‘unleash the beast’ within. 

So today my voices are calling out for all of those people that are ready to pass the test of life:  The next time someone pushes your buttons, tests you or catches you off guard… confuse them with kindness.  Don’t allow the actions of others to dictate your mood. Because at the end of the day, you’re going to be the one in a horrible mood while the person that has upset you is enjoying their day to fullest…probably enjoying it more since they know they have succeeded at destroying your spirit.

I am telling you ahead of time that problems will arise so there is no need to be caught off guard..START PREPARING NOW!

Until Next Time…

No Entitlement

One of my favorite text this year included one of the most powerful statements I’ve read  recently,  "We are not entitled to anyone's kindness or consideration".  Knowing this is true does not make it any easier to accept the reality of the statement.  So often we feel that just because we would help,  have helped or hold a certain position in someone’s life we are automatically entitled to certain privileges…and simply that’s not true! In a perfect God filled world, where everyone lives in love; YES, but we all know that’s just not where we are.  The sooner adults realize that NO ONE and I do mean NO ONE owes us anything the easier this thing called life will be.  YOU are responsible for the life you live… not your mother, brother, cousin, spouse, sister or friend…YOU!! You're an adult now, accept your current situation for what it is or change it...JUST STOP COMPLAINING about it...it will not do any good!

Today My Voices are learning to accept painful truths of being alone and rejoicing in knowing that doesn’t mean lonely or left out. It simply means accepting responsibility for the outcome of my life and not placing the blame or pointing fingers at others. 

Up to this point, you may have been waiting on someone else to make things happen for you or blaming others for your current situation…STOP THAT RIGHT NOW! CHANGE YOUR WAY OF THINKING, LIVING AND DEPENDING ON OTHERS! The weight that will be lifted off your shoulders will be indescribable once you do this. Too often people (myself included), are stressed and waiting to be blessed instead of realizing the blessings and potential that lie within us that can help create our own blessings. There is no reason to worry...Joel Osteen said God always ends in “ALL IS WELL” so if all isn’t well, it simply means its NOT the end!  

Until Next Time…

Parenting 101

This morning I experienced something for the 1^st time in my life… I woke up from my sleep because I heard my baby cry out to me…it was a cry for help.  I jumped up from my sleep with a urge to pray the blood covering over my child and that any strongholds or demons trying to overtake him be removed. I prayed that any negative thoughts are feelings be replaced with joy,  peace and positive thoughts. 

Parents don’t give up on your children, nothing in life worthwhile EVER comes easy. Build relationships with your children that no situation can destroy. The children really are our future.

No situation, circumstance or person should be able to stop a person from being a good parent.  Ladies stop keeping children away from their fathers. Men stop putting females and the streets before your kids.  Ladies stop accepting a man that would abandon their child (just that should speak volumes about their character). Ladies stop letting someone else raise your children unless its what’s best for THEM not what’s easy for you. Ladies and Gentlemen stop having favorites…it causes a rift between siblings and creates problems that carry into adulthood. EVERYTHING we do to, for and in front of children molds their thinking patterns and their character.  You never know how each child will interpret what they’ve been exposed to, so  do your best to set positive examples and PRAY, PRAY and PRAY some MORE!

Today my Voices are praying for each child out there knowingly or unknowing crying for help, guidance and love. My prayer is also for parents, step parents and grandparents… that you always have the children’s best interest at heart and don’t get caught up on your own feelings.  Never let the pain you feel as adults overshadow what the children need.   This is also a prayer I pray for myself.

Until Next Time...