Impressions

 

 I know we have seen the numbers game on Facebook. I remember playing it either earlier this year or last year. The game where you inbox a person a number, then they display that number with their impression of you. I decided to send my number to one of my friends who was playing. His response was "the 1st thing I noticed about you when we met in college was your inner strength. You have no neutral gear. If you are for someone or something, you are all in for them or it. You are honest to a fault and I love you for it."

When I first read his response, I chuckled.  Various people have said similar things to me in the past. In fact, I have said some of the same things about myself.

I am going to steal a technique from The Original Oldgirl LadyLee, I am going to take each sentence (thought) and expand on it. 

The 1st thing I noticed about you when we met in college was your inner strength.

I think my inner strength has to do with my upbringing. The older members in my family instilled in me to depend on myself to get things done. If and only if, I could not do it on my own, then ask for help. Because of that train of thought, I rarely ask for help. My family also taught me to proud of who I am and to lead by example. There is nothing I can't do if I put my mind to it. Those are great values I try to instill in my own son. 

You have no neutral gear. If you are for someone or something, you are all in for them or it. 

GUILTY!!!! When I decide to do something or supporting someone, I am all in. I am going to do whatever it is to make it happen. I am going to research info, brainstorm with you, run errands, etc. Whatever you need and I can do it, I got you!

What impressions do others have about you that are true?

Gone Too Long

I can't believe I have not posted since July. I have to do better. I guess I don't think I have this long profound thing to say. Or that if I posted, it will be really short. I guess I need to change it. So much have gone on.

What happen to the writing challenge?

Well.............. I the 10 day challenge have turned into an all summer long challenge. I have been posting their question of the day faithfully every day. However, I have not posted here as I stated. Y'all know I have ADD. I don't stick to stuff long. I will do better.

The ladies in the group have been sharing some great stuff. We have a secret group, so what we post is safe among us. I have purged some people out of the group, because they were just lurking. I have to purge again later this month.

Well, I have to go. If I write too much on this post, then I will not get around to the other post.

See ya!

Day 2 - Things I Would Tell My 16 Year Old Self

Sixteen year olds know everything! They also think their parents and most other adults know absolutely nothing! Then they grow up and realize they nothing about nothing LOL! 

Today's prompt was to give 5 pieces of advice to your 16 year old self. The people in the group shared some great advice. There were several people giving the same advice. As I was reading each person's advice, I was just looking at the computer screen nodding in agreement. 

Here is my advice to my 16 year old self: 1. You are on the right track. All of your hard work will payoff. You are an example for so many and you don't even know it. 2. Don't let others talk you out of your dream since you were 6. 20 years later you still came back to it! 3. Your momma was not playing about not paying for school. Start looking for programs and scholarships now.4. Learn to take risks. Playing it safe and conservative makes you miss out on so much. 5. Keep doing what you are doing. You are going to turn into a wonderful woman with so much to offer your family, friends, and community.

Here's the advice of the other participants. I made sure not to include any incriminating names to protect their privacy. 

1. The world does not revolve around ... ... ...! LOL (yes they (meaning several) wrote the full government name!)2. You do not know everything!3. Everyone is not your friend! Keep your group of 3 tight knit friends and label every one else as an associate. Keep it moving!4. Wait to get a job until you have to! You'll work every day for the rest of your life. Don't be so quick to start early!5. You are beautiful!

1. You really think you are special don't you, well you are! 2. Follow your intuition, it will save your life. 3. Your connection to spirit is real. 4. Control your thoughts and your words, they dictate your life. Remember you are the first voice you hear.5. Everything you need to be happy and successful you already have it inside, get in tune with your spirit and listen.

1. Be confident in who you are no matter what2. People will always have something to say, but, follow the path just for you3.Pray...Pray....Pray...Pray.....Pray4. Don't just sign up for the talent show but ummm complete the performance5. Take Risk because you only live once.

1.You're still a child you can't be strong for everyone, it's ok to cry.2.Whatever it is you want to do, do it. Can't live other peoples dreams they have for you but was really meant for them.3. Realize that everyone is not your friend4. Keep writing.5. Your mom was right! (well..mostly…)6. You’re worth it!

1. Never give up on your dreams! 2.Love your body because God made you! 3. Don't worry if boys will like you or not....they will! 4. It's ok to be different! 5. Understand that your parents do want the best for you!

1) DO NOT QUIT THE BASKETBALL TEAM... YOU CAN GET A FULL SCHOLARSHIP TO SOMEBODY'S COLLEGE!2) HE WILL NOT END UP AS YOUR HUSBAND!3) TAKE ALLLLLL THE AP CLASSES!4) YOU ARE THE PERFECT HEIGHT AND SIZE! 5) YOU WANT TO BE A PSYCHOLOGIST WHEN YOU GROW UP!

1. To Thine Ownself Be TRUE! 2. Chose wisely. 3. Take Calculated Risks 4. Pursue your dreams relentlessly 5. HAVE FUN!

1. Hold your head up & smile. The things boys tease you about today are the things men will love about you when you become a woman.2. Live your life for you. You're going to make mistakes, but it's ok. You've got to find out what makes you YOU!!! 3. You're going to kiss A LOT of frogs. But just because your Prince doesn't come tomorrow, it doesn't mean something's wrong with you.4. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES sign up for a credit card when you get to college, just to get a free shirt & cup holder 
5. I'm proud of you!!!!

1. Don't believe the lies the boys are tellling you (they have a different motive than yourself) 
2. Listen to your parents (yes they want whats best for you) 
3. Learn how to drive (I know you don't see a need since your parents take you everywhere) 
4. It's ok to be a virgin (you have many many years to have sex) 
5. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE start preparing now to pay the tuition at an HBCU school (maybe you would not be in debt with student loans now).

1. Never give up on your dreams, you can be everything you want to 
2. Use your gifts every chance you get 
3. You're beautiful. The way God made you 
4. It's ok to not be in the in crowd 
5. Love yourself first.

1. Enjoy the little things; enjoy the walks on the beach, dancing and singing to music in your room, going to 50 grocery stores with your family, everyday dinners with your family, and enjoy having fun with your friends. It won't always be this way! 
2. Take the dance class at school! Don't worry about how you look in spandex or what other people think of you. 
3. The boy that you "think you're in love with", you're NOT! He isn't the one...plenty of time for boys later. Once you get to college, plenty of those boys aren't the ones either. Don't waste your time and keep it moving! 
4. Ask for HELP! If you don't understand something (ex. Math), it's okay. It's better to ask for help, than to not do well in school! 5. Enjoy driving now because once you're older, it's not as much fun! Oh, don't let other people drive your vehicle! Not a good idea! 

1. Pay more attention in Math class! 
2. Enjoy being skinny, dark skinned, having big teeth(wish I had learned confidence earlier) 
3. All the church services, bible study, and praying will keep you level headed in abt 3 years! 
4. You CAN be a writer 
5. Family is all you have (no matter how aggravating they may seem) 
6. There's always another guy who's better

1.You are beautiful just the way you are! 
2. Your tenacity will make you stronger than you will ever realize. 
3. Boys can wait, they ain't talking about NUTHING!!!
4. It's okay to cry if you want, ask for help if you needed, dance and sing a song if you feel good, join a club, tryout for cheerleading, ANYTHING YOU WANT TO DO....because YOLO!!!! I love you

1. Now that you are in America, the classes are much easier....take all AP classes, stop being a punk, you like a challenge, and you will be able to skip freshman year of college...which you end up hating anyway. 
2. *** is dead serious when he asks you to prom...don't laugh in his face, you actually like him. 
3. Your boyfriend is 20 and lives with his mother and even though he looks D-Nice...there is something wrong with that arrangement even though he proposes. 
4. Go to UGA and STAY there as a Pre-Pharmacy major, take Spanish during the summer. Pharmacists make bank and you have a scientific mind. 
5. You are gorgeous. Just because you are thicker than the toothpicks around you, you are destined to be a coke bottle...start working out though on a regular basis.

1. Your life does not end with your parents divorce; 
2. You can do anything you want; 
3. Do NOT take Ms. Scarborough's preCal class; 
4. Yes you can dance to Mya's "it's all about ME" if you want; 
5. Trust in God regardless of who calls Him what

1. Stay in school, don't disrespect your parents. 
2. Don't have sex until marriage. 
3. Get a job learn to be responsible. 
4. Don't rush growing up. 
5. Get good grades and start preparing for college,

1. You are hella cute 
2. Sex before marriage is overrated 
3. You'll make a good mommie 
4. Thin works for you well much later! ..so quit trying to plump up!

1. Don't be in a rush to grow up 
2. Finish college 
3. Spend as much time with family as possible because u never know how log anyone has on earth 4. Don't get any credit cards 
5. Keep your car until the wheels fall off! 
6. Everyone who says they are your friend is not your friend some people take joy in seeing you fail!

1. Looking back over these 30 years. Enjoy and stay 16 as long as you can. Living and be on this journey is no joke!
2. Daddy was right you cannot buck the system. Someone has to be in charge and until it is your calling, sit and learn. Thank Dad and Mom for making Jesus a priority in your life.
3. You will get over that one and the other one and another one, that had you so heartbroken you could not leave your room for days. Lawd Ham Mercy.Singing those sad love songs, listening to your cassettes (yes I said it) over and over, that was just the heart of the matter!
4. On a musical note, Ralph, Bobby, Ronnie, Ricky,and Mike (add Johnny) are still a New Edition. 
5. All those shoe boxes full of white lined pages with your writings have come to birth. "Never give up on a dream, wake up and make it your reality." Little girl you will grow up and become an amazing Woman!

Day 1 - 20 Random Facts about Me

I did a 20 Facts about Me in 2011. I did this one without looking at the it. I wanted to see if I selected different facts. Most of them are different. So you have almost 40 facts about me!

1. I am the oldest of 5 (4 girls and 1 boy)

2. I hold 3 licenses that can earn me an income (insurance, real estate, and teacher)3. I played basketball as a teenager4. I took dance classes for 10 years and taught for 7 years but can't dance regularly to save my life.
5. I am a procrastinator
6. I started a blog a few years ago but I do not write with any consistency.
7. I have 6 vision boards. One for teaching, becoming organized, becoming debt free, relationships, spirituality, physical (weight/hair/attire)
8. I many extra children. They are children from a blended family but from the extras children I have gained from teaching
9. I want to lose weight but I don't want to do the work. (I know I know)
10. I am a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. 
11. I have never been married
12. I know my trips for the next 3 summers. 
13. I love reading especially self-help books. 
14. I am a proud member of Triple F Posse. It is my finance group. We meet monthly to discuss our finances and encourage each other.
15. I am a mother of a new college student. Can you say I need to figure out how to get a life?
16. I am in love with my Tivo. It is the best invention ever.
17. I am allergic to strawberries but I eat them anyway.
18. I am figuring out what I want to be when I grow up!
19. I am the oldest granddaughter on my maternal side. 
20. I am more committed to anything if others are depending on me.

Writing Challenge

One of my beloved line sisters loves loves loves to come up with new ideas or activities for others as well as herself. So I received the following message, "Hey Tiffany Dillard! I just had this WONDERFUL idea!!! How bout you create a Writing Challenge for US???!!! 30 Days, 25 Days, 10 Days... whateva! Just establish the # of days, start/stop deadlines, topics, and how we'll share/ discuss/ comment. Sounds good, huh? Ready when you are!"

Now you have to know Darcova. She can motivate you to do ANYTHING! So instead of continuing to prepare for bed, I spent the next hour finding the right writing challenge/blog. So for the next 10 days, I will post in the group we are working with but I will also blog that particular entry. 

See you tomorrow!

Purpose Driven Life Day 12 - Developing Your Friendship with God

When I first started reading this chapter, I was struck with the thought that this is not only the way to develop a friendship with God, but with people as well. It was easy for me to compare how to build a relationship with God with how I have built great relationships with others.

Warren first sentence in the chapter is "You are as close to God as you choose to be." Whoa! What'cha talking about Willis? If you really think about it, I am the reason I am not close to God. I decided not to make time in my schedule to pray, meditate, and focus on Him. The more I spend time with Him, I have no choice but to form a closer, tighter relationship.

Warren gives us four more ways to develop a relationship with God:
1. Choose to be honest with God
2. Choose to obey God in faith
3. Choose to value what God values
4. Desire His friendship over everything else

I love how Warren shows examples in the Bible with Job and Moses were candid with God and themselves about their feelings. God does not want us to give Him rehearsed or fake prayers and conversations. He wants us to be honest on how we truly feel. He wants us to express our anger, hurt, bewilderment just like we express our gratitude, happiness, and joy. Think about your best relationships. Don't you express all of your feelings and emotions to that person? Then why not God?

Key notes from Warren on honesty:

• Genuine friendship is built on disclosure
• It is likely that you need to confess some hidden anger and resentment at God for certain areas of your life where you have felt cheated or disappointed. 
• Expressing doubt is sometimes the next step to intimacy with God

Choosing to obey God is not something you would think about doing with your friends, but if you dig deeper, you can find examples of it. When we choose to obey God, we are choosing to trust He has our best interest at heart. Isn't that what we do with our friends. We obey (or follow) what they say because we think they know what is best for us? Then we can definitely do it for/to God. God is not expecting us to go out and do great things all the time. What he expects us to do is great in the little things that is around us everyday! Hearing and obeying what He is requesting from us. That little small voice whispering in your ear. That is God giving you instructions. 

Choosing to value what God values reminds me of the saying, "a man (woman) after God's own heart." Isn't that the goal?  Now how do one do that? It's simple, we must genuinely care about God's people. We must be a witness for God and share His goodness with others. 

Desiring God's friendship over everything else is a eternity friendship. It is a choice all of us are able to make. God does not want a passive lukewarm relationship with us. He does not want us to just go through the motions. He wants us to be passionate about Him. God will find a way to get our attention. Many people think God is punishing them BUT he is not. He is trying to get your attention. He wants/desires to have a relationship with you.....a deep friendship. 

Purpose Driven Life Day 8 - Planned for God's Pleasure

I highlighted so much in this chapter. I was planned for his pleasure! That is the greatest purpose ever. Now what do I do with that? The best answer I have right now is to live for Him and not for man(family, friends, husband/man, coworkers, bosses, etc). 

Pleasing God is worshiping Him in all that we do. Many people (I am guilty of it too) reserve worship to Sunday morning service and Bible study. Worship is more than just singing and/or moving to our favorite worship music. If we are truly living our purpose, we are acknowledging Him in everything we do. I love the analogy Warren gave about falling in love with his wife. That is how we are suppose to fall in love with Jesus...thinking about him constantly. 

Keys from Planned for God's Pleasure:

-Bringing pleasure to God is called "worship". Worship is far more than ceremonies, candles, healings, miracles, prayer, music. It is a lifestyle.

- Worship is far more than music. Every part of the service is worship. Anything that is offeredd to God in spirit and truth is an act of worship.

- Worship is not for your benefit but for God's. Our motive is to bring glory and pleasure to Him. God is not pleased or glorified when we do it out of tradition instead of passion and commitment.

-Worship is not PART of your life; it IS your life. Praise should be the 1st and last thing we do EVERY DAY. Every activity we perform should be an act of worship.*****This is where I was really convicted*****

Question to Consider: What common task could I start doing as if I were doing it directly to Jesus?

The first thing that came to my mind (and it was immediate) is my job. If I can change my focus to teaching for Jesus, I can be a more effective teacher. Now I know this change is easier said than done, but I am going to sincerely apply this mindset change.

Purpose Drive Life Day 7 - The Reason for Everything

The question of the day is "where in my daily routine can I become more aware of God's glory?" To me the REAL question for me was found on the page before, "Who are you going to live for - yourself or God?" I think we all have in some point in our lives lived for ourselves. Since I agreed to be completely honest, I feel I have lived 99.9% of my life for me, my goals, my desires, my wants, etc. If they happen to lined up with God's desires, then that made it better. I know it should be the other way around. Unfortunately, I don't know how to make that happen. How do I pray and know when God answers that prayer? How do I know when God is directing to go in a certain direction versus it being me wanting to go in that direction? 

This chapter starts off its all for Him. Spiritually, I know that is true. How do I order my steps to do it? How do I do it? I guess I have more questions than answers, which is definitely a hard place for me to be in. I always have an answer! LOL!

This chapter is about glory to God. It explains what it is (the expression of His goodness and all His other intrinsic, eternal qualities) and where it is (everywhere). We are commanded to RECOGNIZE, HONOR, DECLARE, PRAISE, REFLECT, and LIVE His glory.

I(we) can bring glory to God by doing the following: worshiping Him, loving other believers, becoming like Christ, serving others with our gifts, and telling others about Him. I was familiar with all these areas. What really stuck out to me is what is true worship. I thought I was doing something by really participating in praise and worship on Sundays mornings and playing my Gospel music in the morning. However, I am convicted to know it is so much more. Its a LIFESTYLE. That includes enjoying Him, loving Him, and giving ourselves to be used for his purposes.

QOTD: Where in my daily routine can I become more aware of God's glory? The short answer is everywhere! I can acknowledge him in everything I do, every decision I make, and thank Him for the good and the bad. When I am able to put God first in EVERYTHING, then I will truly walk with a purpose and truly honor God.

Purpose Driven Life Day 6 - Life is a Temporary Assignment

I have a short post. Therefore, I am including what we use to create our posts. They are located at the end of each chapter. 

POINT TO PONDER:
This world is not my home.

VERSE TO REMEMBER:
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
2 CORINTHIANS 4:18 (NIV)

QUESTION TO CONSIDER:
How should the fact that life on earth is just a temporary assignment change the way I am living right now?

Day 6 Key Take Aways
- 2 truths:compared to eternity life is extremely brief and earth is only a temporary residence

- Abundant life has nothing to do with material abundance and faithfulness to God does not guarantee success in a career or ministry 

- In order to keep us from becoming too attached to earth, God allows us to feel a significant amount of discontent and dissatisfaction in life longings that will never be fulfilled on this side of eternity.

Reflections: I love the way analogies were used in this chapter.
- Spiritual green cards are compared to a foreigner receiving a green card to work in the US.
- Ambassadors to a enemy country
- Fish trying to live on land

QUESTION TO CONSIDER:
How should the fact that life on earth is just a temporary assignment change the way I am living right now?

One change I can/should make is truly living with the end in mind, returning back home. Listening and learning what God's will is versus my own will and DOING His will. Spending more time with Him to know what I should be doing.

Purpose Driven Life 4 - Made to Last Forever

Some days I did not post a lot. Here is one of my shorter posts. For the purposes of the blog, I have added more commentary to each of the statements that stood out.  


Day 4: Made to Last Forever

Statements that stood out:
- Life on earth is just the dress rehearsal before the real production. We all know we are not here forever. We need to remember that piece of information and start to live right. Our actions here dictate our eternity. 

- Tragically, many people will have to endure eternity without God because they chose to live without Him here on earth. Doesn't that seem fair? IF we are too busy on Earth for Him, why should He make time for us there.

- Suddenly, many activities, goals, and problems that seemed so important is trivial and unworthy of attention. What trivial things can we remove from our lives? What activities, goals, problems are hindering us from walking in our purpose? 

-THE MOST DAMAGING ASPECT OF CONTEMPORARY LIVING IS SHORT TERM THINKING.  I don't know how many times I complain about the microwave society. Everything is about right now. There is no wonder why so many of us think we suffer from ADD. 

- The deeds of this life are the destiny of the next. Again we need to make sure we are about handling our business the short time we are here on Earth. Tomorrow is not promised and we have to make sure we are ordering our steps for our eternal life. 

Question to consider: Since I was made to last forever, what is the one thing I should stop doing and the one thing I should start doing. I should probably stop cussing like a sailor. I should start praying more. Scratch that. I should learn how to pray so I will feel comfortable praying more.

Purpose Driven Life - Day 3 What Drives My Life

Today I started to underline my nuggets. Now, I can go back and get the big ah ha moments, questions to ponder or sentences to meditate on. 

To answer today's question, I think most people would say my son is my driving force. To a certain extent that is true. However, I believe my driving force is to do better than the generation before me and to propel the next generation to go even further. 

I know I want my life to be purpose drive - guided, controlled, and directed by God. However, I don't know how to get to that place.

While reading the 5 common things that drive the average person's life, I realized most of them do not apply to me. A small part of me is driven by fear of failure and the need of approval. Unfortunately, I can see my fear of failure has manifested in my son. It has been a battle the last 2 years to break him from it. I tell him and have been telling myself, I have nothing to gain if I don't try. What's the worst that can happen? I think the need for approval is in all of us, whether its from our spouse or romantic interest, or friends, coworkers, family members, etc., we want their approval/acceptance.

The benefits of purpose driven living seems like a world of utopia. Does this activity help me fulfill one of God's purposes for my life? That one question eliminates all the extra, even the good extra. That one change in our mind set reduces/eliminates stress, fatigue and conflict. Who knew?

Some of my other nuggets:
- You become effective by being selective
- Without a clear purpose, you will keep changing directions, jobs, relationships, churches, and other externals
- IF you want your life to have an impact, focus it! Prune away even good activities
- Never confuse activity with productivity
- Living to create a earthly legacy is a short-sighted goal. Build an eternal legacy.

Purpose Drive Life - Day 11 Becoming Best Friends with God

POINT TO PONDER:

God wants to be my best friend.

VERSE TO REMEMBER:

“Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him.”
PSALM 25:14A (LB)

QUESTION TO CONSIDER:

What can I do to remind myself to think about God and talk to him more often throughout the day?

God wants to be my best friend! Wow! I never heard it phrased that way. I never thought about God wanting to be my best friend - keeper of my secrets, hopes, and dreams. Whoa! I don't know if I can handle it. I don't know if I CAN be what is required to be God's best friend. This chapter later states we can't wrap our minds around that concept.

This chapter focuses on two ways to build the relationship to becoming friends and eventually best friends with God. First, I have to have constant conversations with God. Similar to what many women do with there girlfriends, I need to talk to God about any and everything. He wants to be part of every experience, activity, conversation, etc. God is not asking me to change what I do, but change my attitude to include Him.

Warren suggests having short conversational prayer with God. Many people (or maybe its just me) feels like you have to have all these holier than thou words and have to pray a certain way. In reality, God just wants us to spend time talking to Him. Another suggestion is to use "breath prayers" throughout the day. "Breath prayers" are statements you can say in one breath, such as "Order my steps", "I need you". I did not realize it, but I have already started doing it. When my students are working my nerves or I am trying to refrain for saying or doing something, I say "Jesus, be a fence."

The second way to build a relationship with God is to meditate. Meditate is another word "activity" I shied away from. Just sitting and thinking about God. I felt like I did not "hear His voice". I would question how would I know. This is heavy duty big time Christian living stuff. However, Warren made it plain. He poses the question, how many times have you sat around worried about something? Then, you meditated on that fear. Now, just change it to meditate on God.

Now to the question of the day. What can I do to remind myself to think about God and talk to him more often throughout the day? Earlier this year, I started waking up to the Contemporary Gospel station on Pandora in the morning. I noticed it started my day off upbeat. In the last week, I started listening to the gospel station again in the car. Listening and mediating on the Word brings me closer to God. This group is a way for me to develop a real friendship with God and discover my true purpose. The book suggests setting an alarm to remind me to have a conversation with God until it becomes natural. I might incorporate that too.

Purpose Driven Day 2: You Are Not An Accident

Disclaimer: Most of the posts for Purpose Driven Life are my notes from the book and some reflections. 

POINT TO PONDER:

I am not an accident.

VERSE TO REMEMBER:

“I am your Creator. You were in my care even before you were born.”
ISAIAH 44:2 (CEV)

QUESTION TO CONSIDER:

I know that God uniquely created me. What areas of my personality, background, and physical appearance am I struggling to accept?

Day 2: You are not an accident. What areas of my personality, background, and physical appearance am I struggling to accept?

I think we all have struggled with each of these areas at one point of time in our lives. We live in a society that constantly compares one person or thing to another. So it is not surprising we compare who we are to others. However, Warren reminds us that each and every one of us has been created for a specific purpose. We were not a mistake or accident. 

If I am completely honest and forthcoming, I am struggling with my body image. Now don't get me wrong, I think I am cute :) However, I am not at all happy with my weight. When I really think about it, I am 30 pounds heavier than the day I gave birth to my son over 16 years ago. Why is that? I know it is a simple solution: eat less, workout more (honestly start working out). Like everything else, it is an accountability issue for me. 

Wait I just had an AH HA moment. Why can't I have accountability to myself but I can be accountable to others? I need to go reflect on that! 

As far as my background is concern, I don't think I have had issues with it since my late teens, early 20's. Back then I wished my parents were married but I realized they were doing the best they could based on what they knew. I did make a conscious effort to break some generational key curses. For instance, neither one of my parents graduated from high school, let alone college. My mother later earned her GED and graduated from nursing school. Another curse I broke was becoming a teenage parent. Both of these curses were at least 2 generations old. I just wished my siblings would have done the same. 

As for my personality, I am pretty happy with with who I am and display. Sure there are things I could work on but that is why we are always striving to do better. 

I AM NOT AN ACCIDENT OR MISTAKE. I am grateful I realized that statement at an early age. 

Purpose Driven Life - Day 1 It Is Not About Me

Disclaimer: Most of the posts for Purpose Driven Life are my notes from the book and some reflections. 

Earlier in February, on of my college friends , Dr. Educator, posted on Facebook she was planning to purchase "Purpose Driven Life". I felt like that was my nudge from God to pick the book up again and actually walk it out this time. I suggested to her to invite others and have a daily group discussion on Facebook. We had 15 people sign up with about 4-6 people posting. 

What I really like about the book is the set up and the supporting materials. There are a few pages to read with a point to ponder, a verse to remember, and a question to consider. In addition, we post our reflections. There is a website purposedriven.com which provides daily notes and a sermon to go with the reading. 

This has been a great start for in 2013 to get my spiritual walk in order. Since I share more freely on my blog than on FB, I plan to share MY postings from the closed group.

Discussion - Day 1

POINT TO PONDER:
It’s not about me.

VERSE TO REMEMBER:
“Everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him.”
COLOSSIANS 1:16B (MSG)

QUESTION TO CONSIDER:
In spite of all the advertising around me, how can I remind myself that life is really about living for God, not myself?

Let's discuss!

If you want to hear a message, please check out http://www.purposedriven.com/day1/

Here is what I posted for Day 1:

My take-a-ways:
- It is not about me. Now that is definitely an eye catching and thought provoking statement. It is about me fulfilling God's purpose IN and FOR my life.

- I do not decide my purpose. I have to seek my inventor, God, for that answer.

- I am not my creator, the Creator. Therefore, I can't determine my purpose.

- All the self-help books I have read over the years will not reveal my purpose. It may make me successful and content, but not serve my purpose.

- I need to quit speculating about my purpose and seek God through prayer and His Word to find out my purpose. He will reveal it to me.

- I am ready to learn how to do less in life by focusing on what matters the most.

Reflections: Reading today's chapter brought a few things to the forefront of my mind. For instance, God has to be the starting point and the source of everything. Another point is I (we) was (were) created by God for a specific purpose. It is our job to allow God to reveal it to us and walk in it. Like everyone in this group, I am many things to many people. However, we are here on an assignment/purpose from God.

Confessions: In the past, I had mixed emotions when I heard someone say I know my purpose or I am walking in my purpose. I was glad they did but at the same time bothered because I did not know and still don't know my purpose. I would wonder if they said it to sound holy or if they really knew their purpose.

I know in order to know my purpose, I have to really KNOW God not know OF Him. I have been ashamed to ask how do you get to know Him and build a true relationship with Him.

Question to Consider:
In spite of all the advertising around me, how can I remind myself that life is really about living for God, not myself?

I believe asking God to guide our hearts and minds to make decisions based on His desires and not our own. I have encountered people who seek God for the smallest of decisions. Because it is a lifestyle for them, you don't "see" them running to the prayer closet or saying let me seek God. It is just a part of them.

Hello Blog World

I can't believe I have not blogged alllllllll year! Really? What's really going on? I plan to get back to it. 

I created a few vision boards this year. I plan to work on my spiritual walk, my finances, teaching, losing weight/becoming more healthy, getting organized, and building stronger relationships (romantic, familial, and friendships). 

BB is graduating from high school this year. Senior year is so expensive. I am still trying to figure out how we are going to pay for it all. In addition, he has been having a lingering shoulder injury which will probably requires surgery. 

 

So what has been going on in your world?