You are the one who deals with things that you let into your body, mind, and spirit. Some people are quick to tell you what you should and should not do. Some people think that it is okay to share inappropriate pictures and make unwelcome comments. We have a right to say “No. You can keep that. That’s your mess!” If something or someone does not resonate with you, stand up for yourself.
Your Health & Life depend on you, not your acquaintance, celebrity, friend, or neighbor.
You are the one who deals with the consequences of your choices.
If I do not address disrespectful behaviors while our children are young, then I enable them to disrespect myself and others. The moment we let down our guard is the moment our child will think it is okay. I have learned to not assume that behavior will end in one day. I must be consistent in my actions and words to show them actions that edifies and destroys.
Parenting is a calling, and daily, we need to be there for our children. Corrupt behaviors do not start in adulthood. Often, we deal with adult behaviors that started in childhood. No parent is exempt, and every parent has tests. These tests are to make us a better person, and therefore, a better parent. We must have and show:
compassion (children need direction and purpose grounded in principles that help instead of hurting others)
humility (every one has tests to meet and hopefully transcend)
love (discipline according to our heart and not out of unhealed emotions)
patience (parenting is a lifelong endeavor)
understanding (we are all on a journey and experience life lessons).
Of course, there are more virtues that empower and strengthen us to meet and transcend our experiences.
Make this Life great and your Legacy, too! The generations to come depend on you.
Looking for others to appreciate you, love you, and validate you often leads to disappointment. There are some who see greatness in you; however, you do not have to go looking for these people. Be the one who sees your true essence and step into those shoes. Our happiness, joy, satisfaction, and sustainability in all areas of health comes from the power of knowing who you are.
When a loved one addressed me as “nurse,” I knew that I was more than a nurse. Yes. I am grateful for my accomplishments, discipline, and perseverance. I do not want others to see my accomplishments, I want to them to see me and my potential, which is more than my education and degrees. What we have in ourselves was not planted by schools; we can allow education to grow and refine our skills.
Do not be distracted by your age, color, education, current financial status, residence (home & neighborhood), race, religion, sexuality, and others. Become consumed with your potential.
What are your answers to the questions below?
1. Why am I here? To embrace, nourish, and display the God within.
2. Who created me? God. Even if you do not believe in God, there is a greater power than us in this world. Some things happen—thoughts that come to fruition, lives saved, bodies healed–that we cannot explain. How do we explain the ocean staying in a defined space? How the mountains stay in place? How do the trees stand so tall without someone holding them in place? How can people say what you were thinking to yourself? How many times have asked for something or said something, and it happened?
3. What gifts lie in me that need embracing & nourishment? Early on in my nursing career, I knew that I was more than a nurse working in the hospital. “Just because I can do the work, does not mean that the work is for me.
4. Are my actions in alignment with who I am at the core or in someone else’s identity? Taking the time to breathe, relax, and do the things that matter most to me bring moments of inner peace. I am unwinding the unnecessary tension that I built up in proving that I am a good person and a mother.
5. How much time do I spend getting to know myself? In the past, I spent a lot of time running around trying to get everything done, that I often lost myself in the “doing.”
6. What do I want to accomplish while I am here? My purpose. We all have purpose. No life is a mistake. You are here because someone wanted you here.
Make this Life Great! We do not know how long we are here?
What are you thinking about this morning? Are your thoughts building you up or tearing you down? I hope your thoughts are strengthening your foundation of truth.
You are more than your circumstances. I believe it is true that we need not waste our time in captivity of blame, guilt, and shame. If someone has treated you less than idea or humane, do not give them the power to continually hurt you again by thinking of them. If our thoughts determine who we are, then why would we want to be less than who we are because of what someone else has done to us? The power of forgiveness is just that powerful. Lift yourself to new heights today by forgiving someone you perceive has done you wrong. There is still too much pain lingering in this world and too much life to enjoy. Let’s stop the circle of fear, pain, and hatred.
One person, one community, and one country at a time.
