Reminders from God’s Calendar

Monday night before bed, I reviewed my monthly goals. Goals are easier to chew when you take a bite each day. Say no to overindulgence, my friends.

I said to myself, “When I wake up, I’m going to do this, this and this.” Gratefully, the sun rose and I had another chance to strive towards my goals. I hopped out of bed, ready to take on the day, listening to my favorite YouTube video I listen to every morning: Who You Are Message to All Women https://youtu.be/uWi5iXnguTU.

I jumped in my car and headed to my first stop of the day. I planned in my head and iPhone calendar I would be out by 10:00am based off of historical information given to me by others who had the same experience.

As I sat in the waiting area, sipping my hot coffee black, I engaged in light conversations with a few other people who were also planning the rest of their day and stating how much they HAD to do before the day was over.

Time quickly passed and 9:00am was upon us. I began to think how “I” could hurry this process. How “I” could make sure I was on to the next thing as “I” had planned the day before.

I shifted in my seat this way and the other, cleared my throat, checked my watch again and again, yet nothing happened.

I was slowly coming into the realization that I was not going to be able to leave when I expected. Isn’t it funny how we think we have control over others, the environment and the circumstances?

I was quickly reminded I could only control my reactions and attitude to what was going on around me. As I was asked to stand, shortly after I was asked to sit again as I was chosen to serve a civic duty.

Was I mentally, emotionally or even spiritual prepared for what I was walking into? No. Was I present to what had to be done over what I was desired to do? Yes.

I was called to make a shift and here are 7 reminders God’s calendar notified me of as I sat in a freezing cold room surrounded by people I had never met or even seen before.

1. What God wants you to do will always prevail over what you are choosing.

2. You are not nor have you ever been in control of anything other than yourself and your actions.

3. When you are present you are not missing anything.

4. You can fight for what you want or allow God to give you what you need.

5. You are progressing even when it feels like you are standing still.

6. There are people who need your presence more than you often realize.

7. Four hands on a steering wheel causes accidents, take yours off. Trust God’s.

I deleted all of my calendar plans for that day and quietly, gently whispered to myself “I want your calendar God, not mine.”

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Dreams and Nightmares

As little kids, we are always encouraged to dream. In fact, to DREAM BIG. Before we are old enough to think for ourselves, we are asked the famous childhood question “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

Most children answer this question based off of occupations they’ve seen glorified — teacher, firefighter, policeman, doctor or lawyer.

It is the cutest thing until that once young child realizes the commitment, time, and dedication it takes to master each profession.

The child quickly learns their dreams aren’t just a word away put several steps ahead of where he currently is.

What about the little girl who grew up planning her wedding before her own personal purpose and success? She vividly imagines the white, flowing dress with her 10 best friends in her wedding party.

She imagines the most handsome, perfect and charming man she will get to call her forever.

Dreams are beautiful. Dreams are brave. They keep us living beyond our current realities. But what if we considered the nightmares that come with the dreams.

Would it make the dream less desirable? No. Would it make the realities clear and help set proper expectations? Yes.

Let’s go back to the little child who dreams of being a doctor but has no idea it takes a minimum of 8 years of school and rigorous competition to land his residency.

Let’s consider telling him he will have to sacrifice his time, his personal desires, and fund this process with personal assets or student loans. Let’s mention the challenges so he will know before the white coat he will have to get down and dirty (do the work) to earn it.

Let’s go back to the little girl dreaming of her Prince Charming coming to save her from her singleness gloom. Let’s mention self-love, self-respect and honor to attract the man she’s dreaming of. Let’s mention her man will not be perfect as no human is. Let’s mention he will eventually disappoint her because Superman is a man first.

As adults, let’s pair nightmares with dreams. Let’s look at both sides of the coins and not just the flip side.

A higher salary in Corporate America will more than likely require more production out of you and more time away from your family.

A FREE deal advertised, one will pay for in some way whether it be time or money. *Queue timeshare presentations*.

A leadership role will only do so much for your pride and ego as you learn you will serve others more than you will yourself.

As I plan my next moves, I’m writing a nightmare by every dream. What about you?

Flower Gardens in My Heart

As I reflect on the month of February, it’s been a great one. The month started with intense workouts in the training facility I consistently go to.

The second week I celebrated my 28th Birthday in beautiful Orlando, Florida. The week ended with a dim light dinner with 14 of my closest family and friends.

The third week I returned to work with high energy, smiles for days, and love in my heart for the job I *get to* do everyday.

This week, I exceeded my sales goals and won an award I’ve been gunning for since last year.

All month, I’ve been realizing the blockages in my heart as it relates to romantic love. I’ve been amazed at how defensive I become when I’m treated how I deserve to be treated.

What’s foreign to us normally scares us.

However, persistence is winning. Seeds of love are being planted in the garden of my heart daily. Many I plant, many others do. Isn’t it a beautiful time for blooming with Spring right about the corner?

We all have so much to be thankful for.

I hope you’ve been gardening, pruning and trimming in your own life.

Beautiful things can’t bloom with weeds, underutilized space and under fertilized soil.

B

God Protected 28

365 days went by. 3..2..1.. the clock struck 12:00am and I wake up 28.

Where did the years go? Did I live in them or did they live me? How did my legs get so long and my confidence so strong?

As I lay in a bed not my own, that of a Airbnb owner, glaring out of a striped window, I begin to ponder on the life I’ve lived. Many of the memories I didn’t think of simply because so much has transpired.

I was feeling sexy as I threw off the layers of covers and let my feet hit the ground.

The day was ahead of me, 27 years behind me.

I believe in healing. I believe in miraculous acts. I believe in divine connections. I believe in course correction. I believe in love although I’ve been fighting it these days.

I’ve been thinking about how much I’ve been shielded from, many times without me even knowing at that time.

I’ve considered all of the wonderful blessings that have been given to me over the years. Few I’ve strained for.

Being a twin, birthdays are much like holidays. They’re celebrated more. Maybe it’s the awe of two humans coming from one woman in a matter of minutes.

What I know for sure, God protected 28. I’ve settled. I’ve went against my intuition to keep what I thought I needed. I’ve made silly and serious mistakes. There’s been times I haven’t been honest with myself. I’ve pushed people away when I didn’t get my way. Even in all that, God protected 28.

A Time to Love

*Nature’s alarm clock wakes me up* at 7:00AM and it’s my birthday. There’s a sense of anxiousness entangled with excitement as I welcome this new chapter. Page 1 or should I say Page 7? Either way, I’m ready.

Four days before, I gathered my faithful family in a dimmed lit, high end restaurant to commence this new year. Everyone was dressed in their best with high energy despite the raindrops streaming down the windows behind us.

We greeted each other with smiles and hugs as we scanned the menu for our choices for the evening. With entrees and drinks ordered, we begin to talk about what we value about family.

Blessed to have intellectualism in our DNA, we shared our ideas on current events, relationships and how to balance personal life with work.

My amazing cousin, Shrena, posed the question to my fraternal twin and I “What have you learned this year and what are you looking forward to learning in the new year?

We paused for a moment as we scooped our lessons from our belly leaving resistance on the floor. I shared a quote by Maya Angelou:

I am human so nothing human is alien to me.

as a chief aim for this year.

This quote sparked more Maya Angelou quotes from my father and brother. Poppa Bear quoted with confidence:

You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.

As we finished our dishes, our sparkly birthday treats made it to the table. The cheesecake was to die for. My niece had a slice before I did. She grinned with excitement and yelled “Yummy!”

Finally, it was time to say our goodbyes and continue our night. With gratitude in our hearts, we were even fuller. Maya Angelou couldn’t of said it any better:

I sustain myself with the love of my family.

Kings & Queens

Today during my daily listening time on YouTube, I ran across a video pertaining to relationships. Essentially, it was about women and men needing each and life isn’t as fun without our interactions. It also touched on how when we experience heartbreak and dysfunction in relationships, we two choices. Let the experience define you OR grow from it and continue to believe that love is real and is out there for you. The video inspired this post.

We often neglect just how valuable and necessary we (man and woman) are to each other. We frequently use derogatory labels. We judge each other before saying a word to one another. We let our past relationships define our current ones. 

“Strong” women utter the words “I don’t need a man.” But actually you do. Not to define or validate . But to be lead by logic, strength, and masculinity. It’s no mistake women are created how we are or men how they are. The two build together. The two create offspring together. The two create dynasties. Chess reminds us of this reality. 

  
Takeaway: Be nice. Lift the opposite sex with acts of kindness and appreciation. Don’t label people by what you see. Believe in love and cherish it when you find it. ❤️

S P R I N G F O R T H

Who’s ready for Spring? I think we are in agreement that we have had a harsh winter filled with wintry mixes and snow storms. 

As I look out on my balcony this morning, I’m amazed at the beauty of the day. The sun is shining ever so bright welcoming the new season. I love every season. 

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: (‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬ NIV)

Spring’s opening debut is March 20th. Appreciate the seasons past and expect blooming flowers, humid air, and rain showers. I’m confident this season is filled with so much beauty, growth, and prosperity. I hope you are too.