Start Today
I’m a firm believer in starting your goals today! Too often, people wait for the new year to roll around before setting new goals, chasing aspirations, or making resolutions. But why wait? What are you waiting for? Instead of holding off, why not give yourself a head start on the new year?
There’s a book titled I’ll Start Again Monday that explores how we tend to procrastinate when it comes to tackling tasks or making changes. But if you can tell yourself, “I’ll start Monday,” then why not take it a step further and say, “I’ll start today”?
Imagine heading into 2025 already working toward your fitness goals, launching that new business idea, building up your savings, diving into books you’ve always wanted to read, prioritizing healthier rest, or practicing mindfulness. Don’t let the calendar dictate your progress—yorow, not next week—today is the perfect time to begin!
Patience
I am not a fan of long waits and stuff—long lines, long meetings, long books, long hikes… Get the idea?
I’m going to share a secret with y’all - don’t judge me. 😬😬😬 I listen to my audiobooks on a speed of 1.5 - 2. I also sometimes read the last chapter before finishing the entire book if it is too long before. I prefer a good summary, blog and or cliff notes you know. 😂
So if you can imagine, you probably won’t see me asking God to help me be patient although it’s one of the fruit of the spirit you know.
Since we mentioned patience, let’s recap all the fruit.
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23
Notice the scripture says fruit and not fruits. 😆
For me this means the 9 fruit are like a fruit basket altogether - I need to have all of them inside of me, not just the ones that are convenient. 🙃 🎵 You can’t have one without the other! 🎵
Looking at these have you thought of which fruit you need to work on?
“But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)” Romans 8:25 NLT
Lean In
I’ve always been a lover of a good story. Give me all the details, or at least enough to follow along! When a friend starts telling a juicy story, I can’t help but lean in, physically and mentally, hanging on to every word.
Lately, I’ve realized that same posture—leaning in—is exactly what I need to do to hear God clearly and focus on what truly matters in my life. This season is full of distractions. They’re not all bad things, but if they’re pulling me away from what I’m meant to focus on, they become distractions—whether it’s social media, TV, or an overly packed schedule.
With fall here and Q4 upon us (can you believe it?), the question is: Are you ready? Have you thought about where you're leaning in this season?
Remember, where you place your attention affects what you retain. So be intentional—lean into what’s right for you during this season.
Last Blog: The Repetition of Love: What Does It Take to Love Like Jesus?
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Consideration
As I age gracefully, I realize my list of desires and needs that I want in a spouse is much shorter than it was in my 20s. One recent thing I added to my list for my future spouse is consideration.
Consideration - careful thought, something that is to be kept in mind in making a decision, evaluating facts, esteem, thoughtfulness of others
As I’m thinking of traits I want in a spouse I try to ensure I’m practicing the traits today and so I thought of my most important and valuable relationship - my relationship with God if I was considerate there.
I know I can’t physically see God because he’s not a man - but there are ways I can consider him.
The Bible says:
“Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10 KJV
and
“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” Proverbs 16:9 NLT
As I was journaling this morning (yes you can write your prayers) - I wrote: “God I consider your will and plans for my life.”
For my relationship with God, consideration means that even when I have plans and ideas I ensure they align with his plans for my life. If our plans don't align, consideration for me means God's plans prevails.
My Practical Way of Considering God
I communicate with God in prayer. When I pray I share my plans and ask him his thoughts. Then I sit still for a moment and look for ways for him to confirm it within me through his word (the Bible), dreams, others that I trust, inner knowing, peace and etc…
But the main thing for me is before I take my plans and or ideas to anyone else I consider God’s thoughts and will on a decision.
Do you have anyone you consider in your plans?
Last Blog: Life Has a Rhythm
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Life Has a Rhythm
Life has a rhythm. Ebbs and flows. Peaks and valleys. For me, I can tell when my rhythm is off because I’ll start to rush things and become highly agitated. Certain things in life are routine - such as my prayer life, working out, blogging and so much more.
- To keep a rhythm, we must prepare. While our preparation seasons may look different because our tasks vary, we must be intentional in planning. Planning entails deciding what you want to do in each season. Some things are going to always happen in the fall - like football and back to school. Are you prepared? I know the Business Brunch Conference is in August along with my Birthday. Am I prepared for both of those? Life has a rhythm are you prepared?
- Along with life rhythm, we must have a rhythm to work. As a blogger, author, book coach, and employee I must have a rhythm for when I’m blogging, writing, and everything else vs. when I’m working my full-time job. If I don’t have a rhythm of when I’m preparing my blogs or writing - my life will feel chaotic and I won’t get things accomplished. Life has a rhythm for work, are you in rhythm?
- Lastly, life has a rhythm for rest. The scripture reminds us here: “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.” Genesis 2:2 NIV Even God rested. I recently took a few weeks off of social media to rest after planning a conference. My goal is to have such a rhythm that I’ll rest before I have to so life won’t force me. Schedule rest into your schedule. Take time away from social media - it will be there when you get back. Rid yourself of the fear of missing out (FOMO). You are exactly in the season you need to be - even if your current season is rest. Life has a rhythm of rest - have you rested?
My challenge for you this week is to write one thing you are going to do to prepare for this season, how you are going find your work rhythm and decide when you will rest! Feel free to drop it in the comments.
My Social Media Break
Hey yall! I’ve missed yall! So the week after hosting The Business Brunch Conference, I deleted my social media apps - Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. I realized I needed to rest my brain and decompress. I’m glad I did because I prioritized my mental health, reset my sleep schedule, and rested. I enjoyed the time off social media and want to share some of the things that happened in the last couple of weeks!
7 Ways I utilized my time off social media
- I spent time quality time with God. Right now, I’m going through the book of Romans.
- I listened to like 3 or 4 audiobooks. I love memoirs. My favorite was Tina Turner, My Love Story.
- I had my first speaking engagement for a Writer’s Guile. Go me!!!
- I celebrated my birthday early with friends and family. ❤️ My birthday is on August 31st, but I’ll be somewhere on a beach! 🏝️
- I returned to boxing class at the gym. 6am gym times are brutal.
- I went to the movies to see Inside Out 2 with a friend. It’s such a good movie.
- I slept. I decreased my phone screen time and took naps. I love a good nap!
Other stuff happened that didn’t make the list; however, I wanted to share my top 7 list. When you discontinue social media, how do you spend your time?
Opposite Day
Y'all sometimes I am reading scripture and I laugh thinking- God only you can help me implement the things outlined.
Okay so I was reading this scripture mentioned below on last week and I was shook! “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” Matthew 5:44 KJVWhen I read scripture I like to:
- Break it into pieces.
- Look up the key words in Greek or Hebrew.
- Read the same scripture in different translations.
- Ask God for ways to apply it to my life.
However, when it comes to this scripture, the commas already break it down for you and it is written practically.
Before 5:44, you must read 5:43 because the scripture starts with a conjunction so it is negating something that was previously written.
“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.” Matthew 5:43 KJV
Okay now we can discuss 5:44 and this is God speaking.
God Says:
- If you have enemies - love them.
- If people curse you - bless them.
- If people hate you - do good to them.
- If people use you - pray for them.
- If people persecute you - pray for them.
Say what???!!! Like this is stuff I can only do with God’s help because it wasn’t initially my normal response. It seems counter opposite to culture. But honestly, that's just like God - calling us to be different and to love others. Are you doing what God said?
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Mantle 2024
There are some moments in history which are indescribable and that Conference was one of them.
On July 10th I flew into Atlanta, Georgia to attend Mantle 2024 hosted by Apostle Joshua Giles. I had no expectations except to meet Jesus there and have an encounter with the one and only true living God.
Day 1 - I picked up my badge and after changing came back to the venue for night 1. The conference began with a loud blowing of a shofar horn which filled the room followed by the procession of the ark of the Covenant replica. We then went into worship accompanied by praise and flag dancers. Joshua Giles preached the first night and I immediately knew there was something different about the conference. Again I was happy to be in the room because I had an encounter with God that night that I can’t describe. I was Mantled!
Day 2 kicked off at 9am with several different speakers, an amazing prophetic panel discussion and ended with one of my favorite speakers Pastor Hannah! Again - we encountered God in an unusual way. People were healed, delivered and forever changed. I opted to stay in the building all day instead of leaving during the condensed breaks. It ended at 11pm that night. Some thought I was on vacation, but I wasn’t - there was nothing touristy about this trip.
Day 3 opened with a powerful word - which I can’t wait to rewatch and then it went into baptisms. I’ve never seen baptisms in that way - people were unable to get out of the water tubs from encountering the presence of God. This was later followed by a break, a prophetic think tank and closed with a powerful word by Bishop Tudor Bismark.
Day 4 - The last day opened in prophetic singing followed by a word by Bishop Tudor Bismark and then Dr. Anita Philips set the stage ablaze with her message. It ended in a message from Chuck the last speaker and a reminder to take what we learned back to our selective cities. We were Mantled.
Since then, I’ve watched the replays, my limited video clips and still get chills. I met so many amazing women, prayed and cried with them and mostly importantly experienced Jesus. My life will never be the same. I was Mantled by God.
If interested in watching video replays are available on YouTube. Start here and keep going.
Last Blog: The Mic is Always On
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Dating in My 30s
I've written countless blogs, but surprisingly, I’ve never dedicated one to the topic of dating—until now. So here it is. Buckle up for this one!
Sometimes life doesn’t go as planned, and you find yourself in unexpected seasons. My goal was to be married by 27 with two kids. Now, at 35, I’m single. 😬 Life happened, and despite having a few serious relationships, they ended due to irreconcilable differences.
Fast forward to today, and here I am, navigating the world of dating and talking... sigh. 😂 For the longest time, I didn't really understand what dating was.
One of my favorite mentors, Dr. Dharius Daniels, said that dating is simply collecting data! That’s it! You’re gathering information to see if your values align, if you’re compatible, if there’s attraction (because that's important), and if you can communicate well. This definition has simplified the dating process for me. To date effectively, you need to know what you want and what’s important to you based on your values.
Secondly, I’ve realized I need to date more safely. I now offer to schedule a virtual meet-up on Zoom before meeting in person. This makes me feel safer and helps me decide if an in-person date is necessary.
Lastly, you must have fun! There will be miscommunications, assumptions, and unspoken expectations. Remember, it’s just two humans coming together to chat and to get to know each other. Enjoy the process, and that’s it! Maybe I’ll share more in another blog. Lol.
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My Father is the Pilot
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How to handle the Backside of a Blessing
I could easily call this blog “The Keith Lee Effect”—but I won’t. If you aren’t sure who Keith Lee is, he’s a boxer, a lover of God, and a food connoisseur. He visits different restaurants in various cities, trying a variety of places—mom-and-pop shops, local recommendations, and stories submitted to help the community. He usually purchases his food to go, records himself trying the food on camera, and then gives it a rating. If the rating is great, within hours of him posting the review online, the restaurant experiences an increased demand that they often aren’t prepared for—this is the backside of a blessing!
Blessings can be messy!
Everyone prays for blessings, but are you prepared for the overflow?
Do you have systems in place to handle increased demand? If you are praying for more money, do you have a plan for how you will steward it?
My new request when I pray for a blessing is for the wisdom to steward it well!
Last Blog: Day 2 of 🔌
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Day 2 of 🔌
I expected to have power when I woke up on May 29th, but flipping the light switch confirmed it was still out. After heading to the gym, I came home to a thoughtful delivery from a friend—a smoothie and healthy chips for breakfast. #joymoments
The office day was pretty nice, filled with check-ins from family, friends, and coworkers. I finally got an update from Oncor, which stated:
“ONCOR is repairing storm damage and estimates power restoration between today and Friday, with harder-hit areas by Saturday. Seek alternative accommodations if without power. Check your meter base for damage and contact an electrician if needed. Thank you for your patience.”
Following their advice, I made arrangements to stay at my sister’s house for a few days. I’m grateful to have so many family members and friends offering their homes to me.
Last Blog: Finding Joy in the Storm
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Finding Joy in Storms
This morning started with a bang—literally. I woke up to a fierce storm, with winds so strong that I could barely hear the tornado sirens. After several power flickers, I finally dragged myself out of bed only to find that the electricity was out. Fun times. 😬
Undeterred, I attempted to drive to work despite the rain, but quickly turned back when I saw the extent of the damage: trees down and debris scattered everywhere.
To be honest, I can’t remember the last time I was without power for more than a few hours. I’m not saying this to brag, but just to share my reality. Back home, I texted my employer to let them know I’d come in later once the weather cleared. With some unexpected free time, I indulged in one of my favorite pastimes—resting! #findingjoy
When I eventually made it to work to catch up on emails, I remembered my hair appointment. I needed to wash and blow-dry my hair, so I texted my beautician. To my delight, when I washed my hair, I still had hot water. #findingjoy This little luxury felt like a wink from God.
The rest of the night was quiet and uneventful. I made it through and am grateful. Instead of complaining, I choose to find moments of gratitude and share my experiences through this blog. I hope it helps someone else.
Last Week’s Blog: Path to Holiness
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Internal Investment
Culture conditions you to invest in what you put on you when you should invest in what you put inside of you.
Now I love a cute outfit, a nice purse, a new pair of shoes and some really nice perfume. Side note: If anyone can find this Delina Exclusif perfume in a small bottle let me know because the current price is... 😩🫥 Okay, I digress!
As much as I like new clothes and nice things I realize I can only spend money on external things within reason, which is why I don’t mind thrifting. As nice as the clothes are that I put on my body, I realize it is even more important to pay attention to what I invest inside of me as well.
I am in therapy and have been for over 4 to 5 years. I am also in a mentorship program and I listen to helpful books and or podcasts which are related to what I am currently experiencing. Additionally, I feed my mind mentally from the Bible and expand my thinking by engaging in conversations with others. I’ve realized, what I take in is even more important than what I have on my body. How are you feeding yourself internally?
Last week’s Blog: Approved
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Boldness
I believe in the past I’ve made a lot of assumptions about what I perceive people know about God or think that people know how I feel about God and I won’t anymore. The louder culture is about false idols, the more I’ll share my faith in practical ways about Jesus.
How did I get here?
In the past month, I’ve heard two messages about being bold with your faith. I realize I have a duty to share my faith and my personal journey about God even the parts I feel aren’t that pretty.
Back in the Day
I can’t remember a moment I haven’t known God. When I was younger, my mom was a Sunday school teacher, we had Bible study drills at home and my mom bought snacks and invited kids from the neighborhood in the projects to our home and taught them about God. To give context to the Bible drills - it was more like Bible trivia. My mom had Bible trivia cards and my sisters and I would compete on who could respond fastest with the correct answer. Also, as a family, during the week, my mom woke us up at 5am to pray before school every morning before leaving the house and before dinner we had to quote a scripture before we ate. Because we talked about God and went to church so often, it was normalized in our home. It became second nature for me that if anything ever happened, I knew I could immediately call on God and that he would respond. My mom even told us, if we ever got into trouble to repeat the name of Jesus over and over and he would save us. Now my personal life with God wouldn’t blossom until much later - but my mom set the foundation and introduced me to God.
Wrap - Up
My hope today was to share a piece of my story and some practical ways you can introduce your family to God to set a foundation for the family. I believe a fallen world calls for more representation of God.
Practical Tips to Share Faith with Family
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Bible Study. Utilize the Bible app or any other trusted sources to discuss a Bible story. Be sure to read the story and ask everyone what they gathered.
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Make it fun. Have a contest to see if someone can memorize a scripture a week and give them a small prize.
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Discuss what you are thankful for while eating dinner.
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Cover yourself and your family in prayer before you leave your home and ask for the mercies of God to protect you.
I’ll dive more into my story in other blogs, but for now ciao! May the peace of God rest upon you.
Last week’s Blog: Fighting Temptations
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What Does it Cost You?
As a Christian, I’ve heard the story of Jesus death, burial and the resurrection so many times, but every time I hear the story again I hear a new detail. That’s really my new prayer in this season, God reveal something new to me as I read the scriptures with fresh eyes.
I was recently thinking about my sins cost Jesus his life. That’s heavy. There’s no way, I can ever repay Jesus for what he did - ever!
But, what I can do is learn to give God a yes in every season in my life.
Giving God a yes, can be scary, but as a I grow in my walk in Christ, I realize my release of my hand causes him to release his hand and reveal his plan for my life which far exceeds mine. As many of us walk through seasons, ask God what can you release to receive more of him?
It may cost you sacrificing some sleep to waking up earlier, a relationship, your own plans and it will be worth it to receive all God has for you the remainder of the year in 2024!
Last week’s Blog: My Testimony of God’s ProtectionTo check out more of my blogs and or content check out my Linktree!Did you miss a blog post? Don’t worry, subscribe to my newsletter! ❤️
My Testimony of God’s Protection
***“Viewer discretion advised: This blog contains content discussing a shooting incident, which may be disturbing to some viewers. Viewer discretion is advised.”***
If you know me, then you know I’m only sharing because I feel this may help someone and because I feel led to share.
On Oct 14th I happened to be at the State Fair when the shooting happened in the food court area. While, I wasn’t in the immediate vicinity the fear and panic in that moment could be felt by all there as we ran for safety. While, I won’t recount exact details, for me it was a traumatic experience.
That night, I came home - prayed, journaled and did all the things I knew to do to help me move forward.
Looking back over the past six months I realize the main things which aided in my progress were:
- Praise and worship (the impact for healing this has on the brain is top tier)
- Therapy (having someone to listen non judgmentally and provide ways to work through things has been helpful)
- My community! My friends, family, church prayer team, DTA community have surrounded me like never before. I can’t thank you enough for listening to me and for praying for me.
- Sharing my story with others.
Through that experience, I’ve learned God designed us to be resilient. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can retrain our brains to think about things which are more edifying and positive. One of the books I read was Cleaning up our Mental Mess by Dr. Carolyn Leaf while also binging her YouTube content and listening to Pastor John Hannah’s 4am prayers.
I realize I’m loved by God and he protected me even in that moment. My encouragement for others is to seek help if needed, call on God - he’s always there and never underestimate the power of a good therapist!
”And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.“
Revelation 12:11 KJV
Last week’s Blog: Veggie Tales
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Fix Your Eyes on Jesus
There’s a famous picture from the 2016 Olympics with Michael Phelps in the water swimming to the finish line and another Olympian competing against him in the next lane. The other Olympian turns his head to look at Phelps instead of continuing to look at his finish line.
This blog title also makes me think of Lot’s wife in the Bible (read Genesis Chapter 19 ) also check out my blog Salt Please.
To summarize quickly, the angels gave Lot and his wife specific instructions - Run for your lives, don't stop and don’t look back. All Lot’s wife had to do was fix her eyes on Jesus. But she looked back and turned into a pillar of salt. Whew 😥.
Isn’t that a depiction of our own life?
We turn to the left, right and back to see what others have going.
I’m writing this, but I’m guilty myself. 🙃
We can be winning and successful in whatever field and entity we are working and then we fix our eyes on others instead of keeping them on Jesus.
The word of God reminds us in Hebrews 12:2: We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
In this season we must keep our eyes on Jesus and him alone. Turning and fixating our eyes on others can led to so many other things that God didn’t intend.
As we go through this week and we encounter so many circumstances, will you make the decision to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus?
Last week’s Blog: FocusedTo check out more of my blogs and or content check out my Linktree!Did you miss a blog post? Don’t worry, subscribe to my newsletter! ❤️
Focused
Last week I was working on scheduling my blog post, creating my newsletter, recording my YouTube video, and scheduling all posts. While this usually takes about 30-45 minutes of my week, I challenged myself to remain focused until I finished the task.
What does it mean to remain focused?
For me, this meant, not reading or responding to text messages, emails or browsing social media or the internet until I finished everything. While focusing on the list I mentioned above I realized my brain wondered on so many other things (hence this blog post that I didn’t write until after I focused).
When did we become so distracted and what can we do to change it?
On average, people make over 30,000 decisions in one day. 🤯
That’s insane!
It means we have to be intentional to stay focused more than ever before to complete a task. We may have to put our phones on do not disturb, add stickie notes to the computer to encourage you to focus and delete or halt access to apps. We must prioritize the thing which is important before we are mindlessly scrolling social media.
Spoiler alert: I focused and finished prepping and recording everything all in one seating! 🙌🏽
This week, what will it cost you to complete whatever you are working?
Remember, the ability to focus is the currency of the future.
Last week’s Blog: Jesus Wept
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Jesus Wept
I often share I was raised in church - not as a badge of honor but as a reminder that it helped shape my foundation with God. My mom was a Sunday School teacher and I learned early on that “Jesus Wept” was the shortest verse in the Bible.
While I’ve always known this scripture for as long as I can remember, recently I’ve thought about how Jesus was on earth and experienced the same feelings we felt. There’s a story in the Bible where he was angry and another scripture referencing his weeping when his friend Lazarus died. (That he raised from the dead). In all of his human deity on earth, he allowed himself to feel and have experiences just like us.
Therefore, feelings and emotions aren’t either good or bad; however, we can’t allow them to control us or our actions. Feel your feelings as much as you need to, talk to your therapist, trusted friends, family, and others, and don’t allow your feelings to control you. Knowing that Jesus had human experiences, makes me comfortable to share any of the experiences I’ve had with Him. There’s nothing I can share that he can’t handle.
John 11:35 Jesus Wept.John 11:38 Jesus was angry.John 11:1-40 Full encounter of Lazarus resurrection
Last week’s Blog: Identity
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