ReCharge

Regaining Faith in the mission once you have already given up.

We're just going to hit the ground running on this! Thus far, this topic is my favorite because I am no stranger to weak moments or vulnerable thoughts. I can bet it isn't far fetched to say that everyone has gone through times when dreams become foggy, the motivation for "turning over a new leaf" becomes saturated with peer pressure or your faith feels completely non existent. Great news, you are not alone!

Here is the thing, whenever you get to a place where you have given up, not only are you withholding yourself from reaching and discovering your GOD- GIVEN gifts/talents, but you are literally limiting the work of  an amazing destiny, lessons, and the overall life God has planned for you. One of my favorite scriptures (Hebrews 11:6) says that "..without faith it is impossible to please God...". Hebrews 10:35 tells us "[not to] throw away [our] confident trust in the Lord...patient endurance is all you need...Then you will receive ALL that He has promised" Now y'all, straight out of the gate I had to bring the Lord into this thing because whether you want to believe it or not, JESUS IS the source of all TRUE success and Longevity. The beginning to regaining your faith after you have already given up looks like a life with Jesus. Actually, there is no better time to turn to Him than when you have had enough and are feeling like you're down to nothing. 

 Psalm 125 says "Those who trust in the Lord are as secure as Mount Zion; (A whole mountain though? Yes, sis! Yes bro. A whole mountain. Sturdyyyy) they will not be defeated but will endure forever. Having trust in the Lord is the only way to ReCharge after you've thrown in the towel. To endure forever means that you, your dreams, that business plan, your new found salvation or even your relationships will remain in existence. So, the next time the going gets tough, you may bend but you surely won't break. Naaa, God doesn't get down like that.Will you be challenged, stretched, disciplined and more? Of course, you have to be! It's the only way to get you to the acceptable level so that you can occupy your path and destiny.

Right now, if there is something that you have given up on, I would like you to think on it. Really think about its significance, the affect it had on you before you decided to give up and why you gave up. Now, ask God if that thing is a part of the destiny he has for you.(Sometimes we can do things out of our own will, never consulting God and wonder why it isn't going well) I know this may seem like a long process, and it doesn't all happen overnight but is definitely worth it. When we give up it is because we have allowed doubt and fear to set in but trusting in the Lord will clear all of those foggy areas and most certainly give the boost needed to carry on.

So here is what we're going to do:
Get to know Jesus, Trust Him with our lives and watch our endurance grow, ask God what is His will for our lives and enjoy the recharging of a lifetime.

Tonight I am praying for your ability to fully trust and move into your destiny, never looking back to the old mind of defeat and never again giving up <3

They Helped You To Grow

If you're reading this I am sure you have probably been in all kinds of situations with all sorts of people. My favorite situations have been when I've encountered people who turn out to be the best to hang around, and are truly inspirational (Huge, huge shout out to my DanceTheYard, SideYard peeps! Y'all are a blessing!!). I'm sure you have had those experiences. On the other hand, I have been in those situations where I have had to interact with people who may not have been the most pleasing to my soul, lol! (C'mon y'all, we can be real here). Both groups of people lend themselves to teaching me, even if unbeknownst to them, valuable life lessons. However, the most undesirable situations, have not only taught me the best lessons but have set me on the path to becoming my best self.
Discomfort and undesirable can be painful but it's the only way you can grow.

Think about something for a second: when was the last time you did something well, or something went well for you? How did it make you feel? I'll share a personal thought. In 2014 I had a "sit down" with living legend and historic ballerina, Raven Wilkinson. I could not believe how effortless this came about and that it was actually happening. After that moment I took inventory of how I felt after leaving her. I was a bit more inspired, encouraged, and felt that I had reached the height of my dreams and life experiences. Now, think of a time when you didn't do something so well. Have you been in a situation with a person or people that made you want to pull your hair out? I've got a secret to tell. You only became frustrated, irritated, or felt like you couldn't catch a break in the situation because it was stretching you. You grew from that!

When interacting in tough situations or with "tough" people, it's actually the situation that, not the person that is challenging you. There's a scripture in the bible that tell us that "we [do not] wrestle against flesh and blood (people)... but against powers (spirits)..." That lets me know that I can, with God's help, learn to separate the person from the interaction. Of course there are some people we just cannot afford to be around, for many reasons, but ask God for help to differentiate. The next time you find yourself in an "oh Lord, this is way too much" situation, take inventory of how you feel and ask yourself "What could this be teaching me?". I had many of those thoughts this Summer. Man, it was really tough and some days were better than others but my discomfort grew me tremendously.

As you go throughout this week, whether you experience an inspiring situation with amazing people or a tough situation with people who seem to be less desirable, always remember that while the "feel good" situations keep you going, they aren't the cap for how far you're going in life or how much you will learn. It is in the discomfort that you will gain fresh perspectives, new skills, polished attitudes, endless inspiration and the tools to set you on that path to becoming your best self. Try looking at interactions with people (from either end) from a growth perspective. Favorable is great but the undesirable brings growth!

Looking Back And Moving Forward

This one is dedicated the dreamers and the pushers. For the ones who dream big and at the genesis of the thought of a dazzling future, decides to push, this one is for you. We all have to push at one point or another, right? When that business idea is fresh in our minds, the saving habits for that financial plan begins coming together, or when the reps in the gym or studio finally start to pay off, the vision is crystal clear (best feeling ever!!!) But what happens to the push when all of the work you have put in seems to be in vain? When the things you've been doing seem to no longer render that shiny, new grind mentality, that hunger; what do you do?

Sometimes we want the dream without considering the push that'll be required of us at various times during our journey. I know, when the ball finally begins to roll, we are fearless and resilient; there is nothing that can deter us from working to make our dream a reality. But what happens when it's been months or even years and the manifestation of the business, NFL draft, professional dance career, or book publishing has yet to happen? Look Back (I hope you aren't thinking of Trina lyrics right now. lol). The toughest factor to navigate while fighting for our dreams is time. Funny thing about time is that it can always be on our side if our minds and hearts stay in the right posture. I know days and days have passed but instead of keeping a mental tally board, dig deep and remember how far you've come. Most recently I  had to think about all of the amazing things God has allowed me to overcome, experience, cry through and struggle with. It gave me strength and determination. That is what you need on this journey, STRENGTH and DETERMINATION.

No two people have the same journey. You may not have done the things that I have or that your friends have, but that isn't the point. Take a second right now to reminisce on an opportunity you prayed for and received. Take a second to remember the overwhelming feeling of accomplishment you felt when you finally got into the groove of your 'dream thing". Keep that same energy fam!!!!  Your look back is vital to the forward motion of your dream pursuit because things will get a little tough. However, I have amazing news, as long as you can allow God to strengthen you, and as long as you are willing (gotta be willing) to remain determined, your journey will be much more enjoyable and the lessons you need along the way for growth and development will be able to do its thing .

A few years ago I came up with this simple yet powerful quote: Difficulties do not equate to impossibilities, and if this can use one more thought I will leave this with you: Look back to move forward!

You've got this King.
You've got this, Queen.
The world is waiting for you to be strong and stay determined.