We choose everyday, for everything, and too many times we act if what we are doing was forced upon us. When actuality, we choose, whether the choice came from a place of fear, insecurity or confidence, we chose. Therefore, we are responsible and accountable. See we choose to live miserably, or not, we choose to be forgiven or not, we choose to live authentically or not, and we choose to keep the faith or not. So, it now time to own this true, we choose, and choose from and with our hearts...see the song below it provides a powerful affirmation of just how powerful our choice is!
I Choose by India Arie~ lyrics below
Because you never know where life is gonna take you
and you can't change where you've been.
But today, I have the opportunity to choose.
Here am I now looking at 30 and I got so much to say.
I gotta get this off of my chest, I gotta let it go today.
I was always too concerned about what everybody would think.
But I can't live for everybody, I gotta live my life for me.(Yeah)
I pitched a fork in the road of my life and ain't nothing gonna happen unless I decide.
(And I choose) to be the best that I can be.
(I choose) to be authentic in everything I do.
My past don't dictate who I am. I choose. (Yeah)
I done been through some painful things I thought that I would never make it through.
Filled up with shame from the top of my head to the soles of my shoes.
I put myself in so many chaotic circumstances, but by the grace of God I've been given so many second chances.
But today I decided to let it all go. I'm dropping these bags, I'm making room for my joy.
(And I choose) to be the best that I can be.
(I choose) to be authentic in everything I do.
My past don't dictate who I am. I choose.
Because you never know where life is gonna take you and you can't change where you've been.
But today, I have the opportunity to choose. (Hey ey)
I used to have guilt about why things happen they way they did cuz life is gone do what it do.
And everyday, I have the opportunity to choose.
From this day forward I'm going to be exactly who I am.
I don't need to change the way that I live just to get a man. (NO!)
I even had a talk with my mama and I told her the day I'm grown,
"from this day forward, every decision I make will be my own." And hey!
(And I choose) to be the best that I can be.
(I choose) to be courageous in everything I do.
My past don't dictate who I am. I choose.
(And I choose) to be the best that I can be.
(I choose) to be authentic in everything I do.
My past don't dictate who I am. I choose.
Because you never know where life is gonna take you and you can't change where you've been.
But today, I have the opportunity to choose. (Hey ey)
I used to have guilt about why things happen they way they did cuz life is gone do what it do.
And everyday, I have the opportunity to choose.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
We all have struggles, the question is – how are you handling them….
We all have struggles; no matter the strong discipline, successful, and spiritual person outwardly shown, and it matters who is in your inner circle….The difference in most is not that they do not have struggles, but how they manage them. For me, my struggle is about the call upon my life. It also frightens me knowing,, and not knowing whether or not I will stay sane and get caught up in depression, or get the big head and forget my focus, purpose . I cannot speak for anyone else, but the call, gift upon my life is ever-present, pressing upon my soul, resting upon my heart, plaguing my mind, and even when I tried to hide it, it rears its head unabashed and strong – saying I am here. Admitting to myself, it was not anything new, and it has always been with me, shook me at my very core and tears flow like a babbling brook without an off switch. Yet, I realized God favored me, even when I did not owned it, it owned me and HE kept me. So, I decided to fall into my destiny, embrace it, and let it live as is. I have learned what life could not teach, and what parents was afraid to tell, time will, if you are truly seeking… I do not have to tell anyone what it is, or answer questions about it, it arrives and people accept it because it is genuine; no fabrication or façade. Then, I found people select themselves in or out of my life as a result of it. I cannot say this is always easy because it reaches all aspects of my life (family, friends, loved one, mentors, co-workers, no one is exempt) who leave or disconnect themselves from me. I have cried a many tears wondering if I did something that was an affront and disrespectful to them; then I realize there is no compromise when to come to being in your truth but you must do so with humility, grace, unmerit favor, and forgiveness. However, I have found more peace once I refuse to hide what is within me. The truth of my destiny own, and it seemed my whole life exhale; and it was good. Living my truth grants me less struggle, and authentic peace. I am now able to love more openly, earnestly, and bend but not break. Those who love me, love me as me. They see me, as me and know my disposition, personality are innate traits that are true to me, not one of the many sides of me. I am shown, I see, and I know what Solomon meant with this verse Ecc. 1:18 ~ For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increases knowledge increases sorrow. (AKJV)~ I just have to remember a balance is needed to keep me focus, and His grace is sufficient for me, when I am weak, He is strong.
But more importantly, I no longer struggle to be the person, the role model and/or the leader others are expecting me to be. I stop living in the shadows of my true self, and realize my deepest fear was, not any more, I am powerful beyond reasonable and logical measure. For I have seen what happens when I am shining, or drowning in my darkness, and it is a stark difference, I see the former when I live in my truth. And yes, Virginia, we are all meant to shine in some way, and no one should be counted out just because they are different. Like a team is made up of different positions, and they all must work their position for the team to achieve, thus we should not count anyone out. We all matter!
But more importantly, I no longer struggle to be the person, the role model and/or the leader others are expecting me to be. I stop living in the shadows of my true self, and realize my deepest fear was, not any more, I am powerful beyond reasonable and logical measure. For I have seen what happens when I am shining, or drowning in my darkness, and it is a stark difference, I see the former when I live in my truth. And yes, Virginia, we are all meant to shine in some way, and no one should be counted out just because they are different. Like a team is made up of different positions, and they all must work their position for the team to achieve, thus we should not count anyone out. We all matter!
Monday, June 21, 2010
Me Being me
I have written below for all of us, who are and have been afraid to live their truth because results in discomfort for others, friends, family, and foe. So, I hope you all are encouraged by it...
Me being Me
Me being me is not an attempt to harm you, but to help me. It is me living my truth to find peace within for me. It is my attempt to reduce my stress, remove unnecessary anger bottled up inside and projected on others, so that I can stop my self-loathing. If living my truth offends you, or makes you feel insecure, it is not me that hurts you; it is you. See, me letting my light shine, my truth live out-loud should not create a disturbance for you; it should free you to be, you. If it does not, then it is your doing, not mind. See as we live our truth, I live my truth, you should see it is okay to live yours. All is needed from you, is for you to walk beyond your fears, release the chains of insecurities you have grown accustomed to, and begin loving person God made. Not trying to be what someone desires or think you should be, because you will never satisfy anyone trying to please them, and you will have a slow death of self-destruction. We cannot change to meet someone else’s expectation, if it means being less than authentic to who we really are. Being the quick change artist that accommodates all people for every circumstances or situations never finds peace, and cripples one’s self-worth.
The fact of the matter is, and at the end of the day, your living a lie imprisons not only you, but those who are connected to you, and look up to you. It puts others in a quandary when it comes to connecting with you, for they see the madness, the confusion in you, but your denial leaves them helpless and disconnected from you. Your refusal to live your truth also impedes others from their growth, because are a role model, desire to be or not, look up to whether you know it or not, and it creates a ripple effect in lives you were not aware. You must understand you affect others, unknowingly, by your presence, your words, and your actions. We all want to be affirmed for doing, but also for being who were are as a person, regardless of gender, race, socioeconomic status, physical appearance, relationships, etc. to be guided, nurtured, loved, guarded, and desired but none of this can happen, if you are living a lie because the lens you see life through is distorted by fear and insecurity. While living your truth frees you, and all that has been confined by your lies, hypocrisies, fears, insecurities, and yes, anger. It allows you to no longer be afraid to be honest about you, or how others see you; you are a beautiful person. You complete the complex, intricate rainbow God fashioned in this world with each unique personality created. He made you to be a part of, when He said, let you be, and out of his love, you were meant to always shines. Therefore, me being me should always help you, not hurt because it frees you with loving warmth not found in anywhere else….
Me being Me
Me being me is not an attempt to harm you, but to help me. It is me living my truth to find peace within for me. It is my attempt to reduce my stress, remove unnecessary anger bottled up inside and projected on others, so that I can stop my self-loathing. If living my truth offends you, or makes you feel insecure, it is not me that hurts you; it is you. See, me letting my light shine, my truth live out-loud should not create a disturbance for you; it should free you to be, you. If it does not, then it is your doing, not mind. See as we live our truth, I live my truth, you should see it is okay to live yours. All is needed from you, is for you to walk beyond your fears, release the chains of insecurities you have grown accustomed to, and begin loving person God made. Not trying to be what someone desires or think you should be, because you will never satisfy anyone trying to please them, and you will have a slow death of self-destruction. We cannot change to meet someone else’s expectation, if it means being less than authentic to who we really are. Being the quick change artist that accommodates all people for every circumstances or situations never finds peace, and cripples one’s self-worth.
The fact of the matter is, and at the end of the day, your living a lie imprisons not only you, but those who are connected to you, and look up to you. It puts others in a quandary when it comes to connecting with you, for they see the madness, the confusion in you, but your denial leaves them helpless and disconnected from you. Your refusal to live your truth also impedes others from their growth, because are a role model, desire to be or not, look up to whether you know it or not, and it creates a ripple effect in lives you were not aware. You must understand you affect others, unknowingly, by your presence, your words, and your actions. We all want to be affirmed for doing, but also for being who were are as a person, regardless of gender, race, socioeconomic status, physical appearance, relationships, etc. to be guided, nurtured, loved, guarded, and desired but none of this can happen, if you are living a lie because the lens you see life through is distorted by fear and insecurity. While living your truth frees you, and all that has been confined by your lies, hypocrisies, fears, insecurities, and yes, anger. It allows you to no longer be afraid to be honest about you, or how others see you; you are a beautiful person. You complete the complex, intricate rainbow God fashioned in this world with each unique personality created. He made you to be a part of, when He said, let you be, and out of his love, you were meant to always shines. Therefore, me being me should always help you, not hurt because it frees you with loving warmth not found in anywhere else….
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