August 2019

Month

Wednesday Wind Down: Over & Over

Hello, Sweethearts!

Here’s a shortstop for your week instead of the birthday month recap (because the celebration is still going). I hope it helps!

I had an epiphany while driving to work last week. As I saw mountain peaks in the distance, I thought about the song For Every Mountain by Kurt Carr. A fitting song for my surroundings, I went along with it for about 5 seconds. Then, I felt the tug of the Holy Spirit to notice the mountains. I scanned along the horizon and sighed in amazement.

Alabama is home to the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Their beauty can arrest your awe on any given sunrise or sundown. It should also be noted that the mountains create a chain — a series of peaks and valleys that can cripple the strongest warrior. As I looked at each forest-covered mountain, I noticed their repetition and various sizes. Then, my understanding opened.

man wearing brown jacket and blue pants sitting on green grass holding rectangular case — Photo by nappy on Pexels.com

Mountains rarely stand alone. When we conquer a challenge in life, we consider it a victory… and we should. The truth is, we have another mountain coming. And another one. And another one. We can’t rest for long after the climb; we should prepare for the next trek.

The second truth is that the peak may even be the same height… the same vice… the same person… the same enemy. After the victory, you usually run up against the same issue you dealt with and conquered. I can’t tell you how many times I have beat something that I beat a long time ago. Some things are easy, like smoking. I have no interest in creating that habit. Other things, such as insecurity in crowds, rear their ugly heads more than once. What I am learning is that the next peak comes to test the muscle strength you acquired on the previous one. This means that you should train for the mountain chain and prepare a chain reaction to win.

I encourage you as I encourage myself. Don’t be caught off guard, Sweetheart. Don’t assume that once you’ve reach the top that you don’t have to climb down and back up again. Gear up for the chain and complete the victory.

We don’t get to rest after one victory. We get ready for the next one.
And the next one.
And the next one.

Peace & Keep conquering. I see you and I’m rooting for us.

August 28, 2019 2

Wednesday Wind Down: Celebrate U

Hi, Sweethearts!

Twas the day after my birthday and I was reminiscing on the month so far. I have beautiful moments that I will remember forever!

If you’ve been with me since last year (or know me personally), you know that I celebrate my birthday each week in August and once a month until December. For over 10 years, it has worked wonders for my health and wellness. Now, this doesn’t mean I refrain from having spontaneous joyful experiences throughout the year. I just set aside this specific ritual to commemorate me.

Sound selfish? Quite the contrary! Maintaining this personal law has increased my appreciation for life and increased my mindfulness. There have been numerous times where I wouldn’t have had it to celebrate, so I am simply grateful to be here. Just call me the president of my campus of Celebrate U! If you’re outgoing, this may come easy. Throw a party and you’re done, right? Well, that wasn’t my default, so I had to find something that worked for me and I couldn’t be happier that I did.

woman holding a smiley balloon — Photo by i love simple beyond on Pexels.com

When we appreciate the life God gave us, we also celebrate His Work in us. We are Masterpieces and should remember that on more than one day out of the year. Have you ever thought about how much you have lived through so far? Just take a breath and marinate on that thought. You’re a champion. A warrior. More than a conqueror. That is worth the honor.

Whether I’m embarking on a solo journey or having dinner with friends, I intentionally celebrate my purpose on Earth. I don’t have to be extreme and extroverted to feel full (no shade to my extroverted peeps). God made me just as I am and I am allowed to live a full life according to His customized definition of the term. So do you.

I pray that you find your groove and create a personal law of your own. It’s a decision that will change your life. Everyone is not able to take a trip to Hawaii or buy a new car to celebrate their lives. Yours may be a hike or buying a new candle for your “Whew! I finally cleaned that” room. Get inspired and be committed. Small steps make big leaps, so don’t be intimidated by an Instagram filtered picture from a stranger. Figure out what refuels you, schedule a date on your calendar, and do it.

Peace & Thanks for listening! I can’t wait to hear about one of the things you plan to do or did!

If you’re just joining my blog community, check out my 2018 adventure to catch up. I’ll share this year’s list next week, so see you soon!

August 22, 2019 0

Wednesday Wind Down: Walk By

Good Evening, Sweethearts! How are you doing? I’m glad you’re still here. 🙂

Here’s a shortstop for your week.

I walked by a colleague one day and she said: “You have a nice walk-by scent.” I chuckled at the randomness.

Her: “You know what I mean? Like, you smell good when you walk by, but it’s not overpowering. It’s pleasant.”

Me: “I knew what you meant and thank you so much. I appreciate you telling me that.”

Her: “I know that may sound weird, but you can get a horrible whiff from some people.”

We both laughed. She didn’t know that one of my insecurities is my scent. Because I spend most days with nasal congestion, I am protective of how I smell. I don’t want to have an offensive body odor and be unaware of it. So, when someone shares that I have a pleasant fragrance, I give myself a high five.

My questions for you:

What is your walk-by fragrance?
Do people detect positivity when you walk by?
Does your negativity have a stench?
Does unresolved anger steam from your skin?
Does drama drip from you as you walk around others?

woman holding pink rose flower closeup photography — Photo by Nicholas Githiri on Pexels.com

My prayer is that I spiritually emit a pleasant fragrance to those around me. I’ve been told that I have a peaceful positive aura and that makes me feel good. Don’t get me wrong — I am not naive in thinking I am perfect. I have and continue to do a lot of self-work and it is not sexy. It definitely doesn’t smell like high-end perfume. Fertilizer stinks but it makes beauty grow. I’m not oblivious to that truth. When my colleague served that compliment, it was the end of a workday, so I’m sure that I had a mixture of scents on me like any other day. Apparently, the dominant scent has been pleasant to her every time I pass her by which, on that day, was a pleasant mix of Arm & Hammer laundry detergent, Degree deodorant, and a hint of peach. lol.

Peace & Thanks for listening, Sweetheart! Smell good out there!

August 15, 2019 0

Wednesday Wind Down: Regroup You

In The Valve, I described what it felt like to reach a pressure point. Tonight, Sweetheart, I’m going to give you some practical tips to regroup after you’ve emptied out. Sometimes it’s a struggle, but the more you do it, the easier you can reach for it when you need it.

Remember who you are, not what you feel. I read Bible verses that remind me of whom I belong. I may feel like crap or be treated like it in a situation, but how I feel doesn’t reprogram the Truth of who I am. What I feel is valid; however, I have to live like I’m still wearing a crown. If you need suggestions, here are a few.
Write it out. If you’re like me, sometimes (who am I kidding… most times) I don’t feel like talking when I need to do so. On most occasions, instead of venting to a friend, I’ll release it on the page. I have cheap notebooks and fancy journals — it doesn’t matter. A page is a page. The beauty of writing is that it’s between you and you. Sometimes I talk to God through the pen and by the end of the sequence, His spirit has answered my questions.
Be still. When was the last time you paid attention to your breath and heartbeat? One of the most valuable lessons I learned in college was how to stop for a few minutes to check-in with myself. Each heartbeat is a blessing. Each breath is a beauty. If you have a high-energy personality, set a timer for 15 seconds. Put your hand over your heart and focus on it. Tune everything else out. After a few days, try 30 seconds. Work your way up to 5 minutes. You can say truthful sayings or Bible verses between exhales or stay silent. This practice saved me on many lunch breaks so I could return to work in a calmer state of mind.
Solo jam. – If you know me personally, you know that music runs through my veins. Another way I fill up is to jam to some favorite songs. I could be driving, standing in a check-out line, walking, or in my kitchen. The location is irrelevant. If you have a friend that can jam it out with you — even better.