_  1-2-3  Let’s Kick-Off Spontaneous Persistency
Columnist:Monica Wood

_  Have you ever found yourself in a cycle of stop and go?  Moving forward with determination and drive then moving or even stopping as if you have lead boots on and plowing through a land field of mud.  We all have been there at one time or another. Consistency and steadfastness seem not to be in our vocabulary.  Regularly working out rain, shine, sleet or snow,  or  cleaning the house or even moving forward in that personal vision that use to keep us up at  night with anticipation, but now,  complacency, procrastination, and emotional distress coupled with excuses , accusations, and blame have been the fuel of life.

It’s time to be real. Everyone is not perfectly consistent and even toned in every season of life.  The reality is some of us have bursts of persistence.  We need the pressures of life to jump start our diligence.  The truth for some is that an “even toned” life is too regular for the spontaneity in our character.  Call it adrenaline addiction, mood swings, or antagonistic labeled bipolar disorder.  No matter what others label it, the evidence proves being spontaneous persistent works for us. 

The bible tells of a friend who went to his neighbor’s house at midnight for food to feed a friend that unexpectedly came to stay with him. The neighbor yells from his bed, “No, I’m in bed, my kids are in bed and my food is put up for the night.’’  The bible goes on to say, because of the man’s persistence he ended up getting what he came for. The sudden need or spontaneous necessity ignited pushiness. He kept asking, the man kept knocking and looking, expecting the neighbor to give him his food. That kind of persistence brought about the desired result. Success!

So how do we get the jump on the laundry list of things that are keeping us from moving forward?  Whether our pace in life is to a steady even toned progression or spontaneous persistence that has proven to work for us it’s must keep moving.  Here something to try. Focus on one or spontaneously switch them, whatever works for you:

·         Launch a sneak attack. Before procrastination, self-criticism, or anyone else has a chance to wake up. You spontaneously jump up with an audible shout of determination.  Launch a sneak attack on what’s been trying to defeat you and your progression.  This gets your blood flowing and sets the order for the day.

·         Stir up Yourself. Forget about how you feel and let your need motivate your momentum. I don’t feel like…. Should become a restricted statement in our vernacular.  Replace “I don’t feel like…” with “Let’s do this!” Stir yourself up and make that need greater than your feelings

·         Shut it all down.  Turn off television, log-off of face book and twitter; remove your favorite place to veg-out.  Shut down everything that will make you too comfortable that you can’t be progressive. Shut down every conversation that robs you of productivity.

Try this and let us know how it worked for you.   I tried it and I found my mood was lighter; workout was more intense, devotional time was clearer.   Waking up with a blast of determination has caused me to be more productive and has put a dent in those household projects I once put-off.  

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What a season, a time of family, friends, food and festivities. This is a time of anticipation and re-dedication to relationship and spiritual commitments. Time where splurging is expected and graciously forgiven.  This may be “the most wonderful time of the year” after all.

Unfortunately, this is not true for everyone or has not always been for some. Some of us can remember a time when this time of the year brought feelings of sadness and displacement.  For many, the months between November – February brought about feelings of darkness, and with each holiday approaching more darkness compiled by more darkness. Thanksgiving, what do I have to be thankful for? Christmas, I don’t have any money and we don’t even know when that “baby” was born. Then comes New Years, I’m still trying to lose the weight I resolved to lose last year, New Year same mess, ugh…pessimistic and rejected, the theme of life.

It’s time to redefine and refocus on the simplest meaning of the season. This is a good time to over indulge in something that may take a little emotional and spiritual effort but will not break us financially or physically.  Thanksgiving may have passed, but giving thanks for the smallest things is never out of season. Every morning we wake up is an opportunity for change which is worthy of whispering, thank you.  Christmas, let’s focus on re-evaluating the truth of our own spiritual foundation. Has that spiritual relationship been faithful to me, even when my faith was weak?  Then by the time New Years rolls around a lifting in our emotions and total well-being will arise. It will be as if light has broken through the heaviness of darkness. The more we keep it simple the more grateful and thankful we will become. The more we will realize that the simplicity of life, faith and friendship brings about a new determination for a New Year. The New Year will bring about new hope, for a new opportunity, in a new direction. A direction we can simply move forward in.

The next time you see a “Santa” and began to feel overwhelmed, blow a kiss and simply say “Keep It Simple Santa” and know that you have already determined to move in a new direction filled with hope, love and a solid faith full of thanks giving no matter what time of the year it is.

Here is the question we are posing this week, can truth be a burden?  Facing and internalizing the reality of a matter, can it be a weight, which we must choose to carry if we truly want to move into the fullness of our purpose. Or can we overlook something’s and still move forward without a second thought? I know we are familiar with the burden of proof in the legal system, the burden of proving every aspect of fault. I’m coming to realize the more truth is covered up or glanced over, the further the path to our destiny becomes.

Truth, the fact of a matter or the reality of a situation no matter how uncomfortable or unpleasant a circumstance is, the burden of facing it lay on us for us. I am convinced truth, being open and honest is the quickest way to purpose and destiny. Again, the weight lay on us for us. I’m not promoting a false confidence of being brash and tacky toward every person you feel need a reality check concerning their job, relationship, or life.  You become the “Truth Patrol” for others. No. Let me make it clear that the burden rests on us for us, being willing to acknowledge and deal with the fact as it relates to your own person life, relationship, or career.

For example, being very clear on whom you are, where you are destined to go and become, but the fact of the matter is the relationships I’ve chosen to invest in have proven to be counterproductive. That’s a burden. Now I must have my own reality check and make some hard and fast decision. Do I release the offense and move forward in clarity and peace or keep covering it up trying to dredge on weighed down, taking one step forward and stumbling 3 steps back.  The burden of truth is when a choice must be made.  My heart’s desire is success, which is before me, brokenness is behind me, and complacency is my present.

Undeniably, taking on the burden of truth is a difficult duty that requires effort, inner strength and a steadfast mind. Only for those whose standard is “successful accomplishment”.  Only for those who recognize a life lived overlooking truth is a moment waited for a life time. The burden of truth is a daunting task, but if you really consider it, the time energy and resource we’ve already spent in fixing what we’ve been trying to cover up, took strength. Why not use that same inner will to move forward into complete freedom of success. For the last time, the burden of truth lay on you for you.  

Empowerment Scriptures: 1 John 3:18,Ephesians 4:25, Psalm 15:1-2, Matthew 22:16, Psalm 86:11, Psalm 43:3, Ephesians 1:13-14

  What reality are you avoiding?

Have you ever felt like you were at the right place at the right time, with the right attitude?  Maybe, as if the conference, workshop, or worship service you were attending was set up just for you.  Just for you, to get answers you’ve needed or get you back on the right path for the next big opportunity. The path you somehow slipped off of or perhaps could never find until now.  At the right place, the right time but even more importantly, with the right attitude. You were excitedly amazed, thinking “how did they know?”  It’s almost as if the speaker of the hour was that fly on your wall, that same fly you swatted and complained about.  The fly that was getting on your last nerve seemed to carry your most pressing issue to the presenter and there you are ready and willing to receive and be liberated.

Isn’t that just like life, we unwittingly are presented with opportunities to move forward, to be promoted, or to advance. We find ourselves in the right place, at the right time but unfortunately without the right attitude.  I’ve heard hind sight is 20/20. Fortunately, some of us are recognizing that time is guaranteed to continue, but not guaranteed to be on our side.  Meaning, we no longer depend on hind sight, but prepare our attitude to capitalize every opportunity that is presented.

Graciously speaking, our attitude when miss managed has caused many of us to miss prime opportunities.  Angry, hard, and bitter the chance of a lifetime is gone as quickly as it came. Cold, fearful, and braggadocios, a possibility slips through your hand like running water.  It’s all about managing our attitude that’s going to bring us latitude or opportunity.

Easier said than done? Maybe/maybe not, depending on how much you really want to be promoted, to be elevated or to stay on the path to destiny. I was recently reminded by a friend:

1.       To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose…

2.       Everything is made beautiful in time…

This is good news since every purpose has a season, its season will undoubtedly come around again.  We don’t have to kick our self for letting the first chance slip away. Since we know it’s coming again, we can prepare to succeed today! 

  Practice patience and kindness

  Replace envy with encouragement

 Mature in your thoughts, understanding and conversation

 Then, when you find yourself at the right place, your attitude will beautifully complement the right time. That is when you will have without disappointment a ticket into unrestricted latitude.

Empowered Scriptures: Ecclesiastes 3:1, Ecclesiastes 3:11, Genesis 1:31, 1 Corinthians 13

  What type of attitude adjustment do you need?

  What is peace? I’m meaning real peace.  A sense of inner assurance or confidence no matter whom or what is around there remains an inner settlement.  For every different religion and with just as many new age gurus there is a defining method of peace and the path to reach it.  Peace comes from the universe. Peace is brought about by synergy of positive thinking and atmospheric vibe.  Peace is connected to money, fame and power. Whose right whose wrong who is just trying to make a dollar? 

Even my own idea of peace was an environment that nurtured calm undisrupted existence. I went as far as making P.E.A.C.E 

       My Physical Education class motto:
·
         Protect through respect, others, yourself and the equipment

·      Enter/Exit the classroom quietly

·      Attention- I get your attention by….

·      Cooperate- with the teacher and others

·      Effort- we put forth our most excellent effort

I enjoy controlled chaos in P.E. 

One thing I’m learning about peace while we are on our path of destiny, sometimes there must be a direct confrontation for peace.  What an oxymoron, confronting peace, meeting head on with tranquility. As my children were growing up I would say, “eye to eye, nose to nose, toe to toes”, as I began to tickle them.  In place of tickling and play with our destiny and the purpose behind it, we must stand up to that thing or that attitude that may by holding us back. I never consider the fact that receiving calmness in my inner most being would have to do with tackling anything.

For example, the inner frustration, headaches, increased blood pressure and heart palpitation could be caused by your withholding truth.  Having a deep convictions for what’s right and honorable and then refusing to confront wrong or injustices is not the recipe for peaceful living.  That’s the recipe for inner turmoil.  Often times biting our tongues as we are impassioned with purpose, brings no one pain but ourselves. If we continue to bite long enough and hard enough we begin to bleed a negative attitude, distrust for those we must work with, a resistance to move forward in our created purpose. Forgive the graphic description.

Our progression is tied up in our courage to confront wrong.  Dealing with what’s off kilter in self first then in our respective arena.  Fear of responsibility/success may be hijacking your peace, confront that thing and take on the extra.   We were created to do progressively greater things; basically apprehension is not our friend.  On the job confront what doesn’t seem right in a clear and respectful way. Ask the hard questions those questions that will challenge the status quo. Initially it may feel awkward and you may even stick out like a sore thumb, but that will soon pass it’s the regret of not speaking up that has a tendency of lingering on.

I wish I could say confronting peace will always be a peaceful confrontation.   But I can say, confronting peace will render a harmony between character, courage, and destiny.

Empowered Scriptures:  Psalms 34:14 Psalm 119:165, Proverbs 3:13-17, Isaiah 26:3, John 14:27, Romans 14:17-19, John 16:33

  What was the last confrontation you encountered that pushed you forward?

 

  How certain are you in your destiny or the purpose for your life? How certain are you in whom you were created to be? If the answers to these questions are, “not very”, you are not alone. Day in and day out, people function through life with uncertainty of their strengths, talents and abilities. They go through life just dealing with what comes there way opposed to being the conductor of their way.  Doubt, fear, or just plain uncertainties of which way nail them down to the monotony of life.  One year will pass and there is an excuse to not move forward.  Five years and there is another excuse, before we know it, 15+ years are gone with 15years of excuses under our belt. Knowing there is more to life than where I am. Feeling, I have more to give than what is being required of me.  Wishing, I could be as free as the next person, but sensing a deep dark heaviness that is tethered me to stay.  Ugh! How do I escape?

The answer to this question begins in you, the way you think, and what you say.  Your thoughts and words are your greatest supporter or your greatest oppressors.  You’ve heard it before; death and life are held in the power of the tongue; what a man thinks in his heart so is he.   It’s time to affirm who you are, what you’re purposed for and the good you deserve here on earth. Affirm your worth.

It may sound corny but it works!  Speaking aloud positive, prosperous, and productive affirmations daily will immediately change your outlook on life and your future.  Whether it’s health, spiritual renewal, a financial surge, or personal empowerment your destiny is wrapped up in your personal observation and declarations.  Simply the more one hears a statement, positive or negative, the more those statements become a part of their core belief.  Therefore, as it relates to self worth, skills and capabilities if we constantly meditate on negative defeated dark thoughts we will remain in that state.

Create your own affirmations to meditate on daily. Take a moment and think realistically about whom you desire to become and where you desire to go.  Begin to affirm those desires by writing short optimistic statements in the pretense. Affirmations are speaking favorably the positive in the present tense for your present life.  Some are hard to grasp initially only because it’s difficult to break the habit of being negative. Declaring helpful truths on a daily basis will override the negative unproductive thoughts which will affirm or develop that confidence and bright character that will shift you forward.  Think about your life, career, health, or even your family.  Affirm the positives in each of these areas:

·       I am the Creator’s workmanship, created to do good work, the work He planned for me before time.

·       I give and receive sincere love and hold onto what is good.

·       I live a blameless life and receive prosperity as a reward.

·       My body and spirit are healed and being renewed today.

Affirm your worth, live the positive invigorating life you were purposed to live. Most of all “be” the channel of that worth for someone else.

Empowerment Scriptures:  Ephesians 2:10, Roman 12:9, Proverbs 13:21, 2 Corinthians 4:16, Proverbs 18:21, Proverbs 23:7)

What affirms your destiny? (comment blog open)

 

 

 

Today our society has glossed over words that once were considered profane or offensive. The words that once jeered a response of shame followed by stern correction are almost common place in music, movies, and social media. As I was thinking about this article and thought on what could be holding us back from moving forward into our respective destiny, I realized the acceptance of help.   Doing my own research, I found a list of seven words known as “the seven dirty words”, interesting enough the word “help” is not one of the seven.

Asking for and receiving help when offered can be that component to launch your career forward or hold us back in our own realm of pride.  “Help” is a simple unadulterated word that will not generate a reaction of indignation or disgrace. As a matter-of-fact, asking or accepting help when needed will demonstrate one of the highest levels of respect for someone else’s ability and expertise.

We’re talking about connecting-the-dots for the greater good.  Being fully confident that what you have to offer should be shared beyond your arms reach, therefore linking up with additional arms to move the vision onward. Although you may be the one or the go-to guy that other solicits help from. Recognize, even the quarterback needs help to complete the play.  No matter what line of work you find yourself in, there is a greater good in you.  It’s that greater good that should not be contained in only you.

Without shame, “Would you mind helping with______”; in complete assurance, “I need your help in____ please and thank you.  Sometimes we may be at a standstill or even sinking and someone will extend their hand, resource and time to assist. In place of being arrogant or shunning, graciously receive the help. It is their respect for you and what you’re doing that led them to extend the offer. It’s similar to the old joke:

                An old man sits on the porch in the midst of rain. The rain water begins to rise to the porch; pretty soon, people in a rescue boat come by and encourages the old man to get in. The man replies, “God will save me”. Soon the water is up to his second floor, another boat of people come by and again tries to help the old man, again he replies, and “God will help me”. The water is now up to the 3rd floor, and yet again a rescue boat passes by and implores the old man to get in and yet again his reply is the same, “God will save me”. Finally the man drowns.  Now face to face with God, he asks God, “God why didn’t you save me, why didn’t you help me?” To that God replied, “I tried! I sent three boats.”

In the list of “words not to say”, “help”, is not found.  Life and our purpose in life are too great for us to do on our own. Asking and receiving help is one of the greatest expressions of respect we can give or be given.

Empowerment Scriptures: Hebrews 6:10, Proverbs 22:9, Luke 6:38, Galatians 6:2

   What is an acronym to help you remember to give and receive help? ie. HugeExampleLordPlease! (comment blog open)

Dreams can be some of the most encouraging      experiences.   Dreams are like stretching your hopes and expectations from your present state of being, into an area that gives you pleasure, comfort, and a sense of achievement. A dream is also a way of escape from the exact opposite of pleasure.

Whether your desires take you on an adventure during the middle of the day while you’re at work or in the middle of the night, a dream is able to give us glimpse’s of what’s in your heart and the potential you have in your abilities.  I’ve dreamt of a new career, with benefits and unexpected perks; moving and starting a whole new life, one that would bring me fulfillment and stability. I remember dreaming of my potential mate, tall dark and handsome, my knight in shining armor, that will whisk me away and we would live happily ever after. I’m sure I may have eaten some spicy foods right before bed, to have such a fairy tale dream.

The problem is that far too often we live for the dream becoming trapped then allowing the potential legacy to die.  We become content with just having a dream, something to hope for. We live to tell about our grand ideas, never heard of gadgets, blue prints of ingenuity.  If not a gadget, you may have many ideas for self-employment that gives you and those you share with a warm fuzzy feeling.   You may be a human think tank, having the ability to generate thoughts, ideas, and dreams at any given moment. Unfortunately, the warm fuzzy feeling is not the purpose for the dream; don’t get trapped in the dream. The vision is the initial motivation, we need to know, that the concept is doable. The purpose is to bring that dream into full maturity so that it will live as a legacy and not die as a vision.

Here are ways to escape your dream and live out your legacy.  1. Write the vision and make it clear. 2. Strategically plan to take steps towards reality. 3.  Surround yourself with those that will encourage and celebrate your efforts. 4. Continually speak in present form when referring to the thoughts, dreams and ideas. For example:  If your dream is to be a short story writer.  I write _____.  I am developing a short story about_____.  Stay away from the mind set of wishful thinking one day this idea may happen.  5.  Keep progressing allowing each challenge or obstacle to develop you spiritually, mentally, and perhaps even physically. 6.   Lastly, stay encouraged by acknowledging the Source of the dream and the One who is ultimately responsible for  your idea or dream into a legacy that will last beyond your years.

Empowerment Scriptures:  Psalms. 27:3, Mk. 9:23, Isa. 30:15, Heb. 10:35, I Pet. 2:9, Hab. 2:2, Psalms. 37:23,  1 Thess. 5:11, Rom. 4:17, Prov. 3:16, Phil. 3:14)

What keeps a dream from becoming a reality? (Comment blog is open)

With all the excitement concerning Father’s day,  and all the buzz of what makes a good father, I began to consider our role as women in the lives of our male loved ones.   The influence, if any, we as women have on the development of strong, loyal, responsible, and spirit filled men. Women have the opportunity to encounter nurture, and impact  would be fathers, husbands, and sons to influence them towards success or towards failure. I had to consider how heavy my influence as a woman might have on the striving man and ultimately our striving society.

Consider with me. The young boy who only hears from his single, over worked, under paid mother criticism and degrading sarcasm. What impact this will make on his life, relationships, future success? That same boy who is now a teen with low self-esteem, he’s learned to mask the lack of confidence by over compensating in each relationship, and with each “Ugh” or roll of the eyes from is girl-friend, he sinks deeper inside of himself. Consider it; are we as women holding our men back?  His teen years are over and now he’s a young man on the college campus or in work force routine desiring to share his successes with that special one. The one he would do anything for. All he wants is her approval, but all she gives is a glare and a deep sigh that equate to annoyance. Finally, he’s married and by the unction of every fiber in him, he has the need to lead, comfort, provide, and protect his family.  Instead of being met with love and respect from his wife, he stands, physically but broken emotionally, encountering mama’s degradation and criticism; girl-friend’s childish expression of disapproval; deep sigh of inadequacies and glares of irritation.  All wrapped up in the response of his wife, the one who is suppose to help meet his needs and to help set in motion his deepest desires.

This is not an article to bash my lovely, talented and spirit filled women. This is an article is to empower, inspire, and enlighten us as women. We have been given an awesome opportunity along with immeasurable power to nurture, motivate, and build up the leaders of many nations or one household. With words of love and looks of compassion our sons, boy-friends, or husbands will not  have to  barbarically prove he is “man” but  confidentially  “be” the strong, honorable, visionary he was created to “be”. 

Here is my challenge to each woman that has the great opportunity to help develop the potential in a male, no matter what stage he’s in. My challenge for you is to tell them daily for 7 days, one of 3 things:

1.       I believe in you.

2.       I’m proud of you.

3.       You can do it.

Then enjoy watching them “be” the man they were created to be.

Scriptures of Empowerment:  1John 3:1, Ephesians 6:4, Psalm 1:1, Psalm 37:23, Luke 3:22, Psalm 2:7

What qualifies a male to be a man or a father? (Comment blog is open)

Have you ever felt as if you were in a “holding pattern”? You know how a plane circles until they have clearance to land? Sometimes the timing may be off, there is a lack of space, or the ground crew is not ready to receive the plane.  This delay in clearance could be for any number of reasons!  As I read, I learned a couple of very interesting and inspiring facts about a holding pattern.

 The first thing in an aircraft holding pattern is, the problem may not be that plane is unequipped, or unprepared to land. It may be that the ground or port that is to receive the plane and its cargo is not ready. I also learned a holding pattern can be used when a plane is on a mission for combat. Sometimes before the combat mission is complete its necessary to refuel. In this case, aero refueling planes enter in the same holding pattern, hover over the jet, attaches to the plane and drops the boom. Fuel is then dispensed from the hovering plane through an apparatus called, the boom.

At times we can feel as if we are in our own personal holding pattern. Knowing we’re carrying precious or necessary goods. We have enough in us to impact an entire nation or encourage a single soul, either scenario we have it and ready to move forward. But for reason outside of your control clearance has not been given, and so you wait. You keep circling in anticipation…

Then just before you run out of fuel, just before you lose hope the holding pattern you have been maintaining has been divinely interrupted with “the boom”.  An aero refueling mission is taking place on your strength, your hope, your determination. You are now refreshed, rejuvenated; you feel empowered and geared up. Like a fighter jet ready to invade its designated territory. Stay on course, don’t veer off the path. When you least expected it the Master Scheduler will send out a Kc-135 to enter in your holding pattern, hover over you and “Drop the boom!”

Scriptures of Empowerment: Ecclesiastics 9:11, Psalms 27:14, I Samuel 30:6, 1 Corinthians 16:13, Psalms 31:2, Isaiah 40:3, Proverbs 13:25, Psalms 90: 14, Psalms 103:5

• What do you do during the time of waiting?
• How do you know when to break the holding pattern? (Comment blog is open)

I’m like many of you, tired of hearing of the many quick fixes that plague the television as well as the many internet sites.  “Here’s another microwave miracle that will frizzle out in half the time it takes to complete the first step.”  We are bombarded with quick fix methods for weight loss, relationships and self esteem. The self help aisle in book stores are not lacking in material.  The effortless 6 day success is far from a quick fix to life’s strain towards success.

This thought came about as a friend and I were beginning a bible study in the Book of Beginnings. In 6 days the earth and all its functions was created and established.   I’m in awe of this understanding. Involuntarily and without effort, light is separated from darkness. By design and without strain the sun trades places with the moon, shores of water esteem land boundaries.  Seasons change and procreation occur like clockwork.  All that fills this earth was created in 6 days and is a demonstration of success today.  The earth was filled, formed and still today functions in an awe inspiring example of success.

What is the life application?

Within all of us we were filled, formed and created to function as we see the earth. We are not hollow vessels of chaotic energy, no matter how we may feel at times.  On the 6th day, man was filled with creativity, intuition, productivity and authority, a recipe for success.

Now the process of forming or organizing all that potential is presently taking place.  We reach lasting success, when we consciously divide our time, talents, and tangible resources.  In our study, we saw where light was separated from darkness and the waters were divided from the sky, and what do we see today?  Today we see, unchanging success which was initiated in 6 days.

We have been packed completely with ideas and strategizes; visions and direction.  The process of forming, dividing, organizing and gathering is taking place now. The more we understand what is in us and the more willing we are to develop what’s in us through the formation process,  then our function in this daily life will become less strained, almost effortless; we will set in motion our own structured flow.  

Scriptures of Empowerment: Genesis 1, 2 Peter 1:3, 1 Peter 1:5, 1Peter 5:10,

How much effort did it take to maintain success? (Comment blog open)