Everyday Awesomeness of GOD

Image Credit: Ramblings from Real Man's Land

This morning I posted a Facebook status update that said: "God is awesome...enough said."  There were a few likes but some one on one questions to me also asking what happened or what was new with me and my family.  The answer is nothing.  I was feeling at peace and just simply wanted to make the post because it was on my heart.  It got me to thinking about the times when people post status updates praising God.  There are some who post updates praising him in response to a specific good thing that has happened in their life or praising him letting people know that their storm will not last forever.  But, what about simply praising the everyday awesomeness of God.

God created the heavens and the Earth and everyday you wake up to see the beauty of this world is a blessing.  Everyday you have another chance to live this thing called life you should praise the awesomeness of God because he is the reason for everything.  God created you and he made you who you are.  He gave you a purpose and while you may not yet know what that purpose is you do have one.  Whether you choose to embrace that purpose or put it off is your choice, but God always has a reason for everything.

Even when you are in the midst of a storm you can assume there is a reason.  It could be to purge your life of things you didn't need in the first place.  It could be to force you to make a change in your life that you have either talked about or God has shown you.  It could be to get you to develop a closer relationship with God.  Whatever the reason it always turns out for the best if you believe in him and ultimately have faith.

So whether there is something good happening in your life right now, or whether you are in the midst of a storm, or whether it is just an ordinary day remember to praise the awesomeness of God!!

Vision Board & Vision Book

(Image Credit: Avram and Nikki [Team Have It ALL!]- Empower Network)

I have been attending Life Without Limits International Church in Tallahassee, Florida.  Our Pastor is Jimmie Baker.  There was a church-wide project to create a Vision Board.  What is a Vision Board you may ask?  Well a Vision Board is where you take a poster-board or other type of medium and create a vision for your life.  Members of the church created these boards and had a party to share their Vision Boards with everyone.  One of the purposes for doing this was accountability?  Accountability to who?  Well the vision is that we are all accountable to each other and accountable to God.  By creating our vision and sharing it we prompt others to encourage their fellow members to do what is needed to take their vision from the board to reality.

Sadly I came into it late and was not able to take part, but today in service the teen members of the church who create Vision Boards themselves shared their vision for their own life with the congregation.  It got me to thinking about my own life and if a teenager can create a vision for their life and commit to it then so should I.  When I started to think about what my own Vision Board would look like I realized that I had so many things I wanted to include in my Vision Board that they simply would not fit onto one piece of 22 x 28 piece of poster board.  Then a light bulb went off in my mind and I decided instead of creating a Vision Board I would create a Vision Book.

What will my Vision Book include?  Anything I want.  When will I be done with it?  Whenever I feel that I have included everything that I have had a vision for.  What is the purpose?  To take up the challenge set forth by my Pastor and the church and create a vision for my life that I write down and share with others.  Creating a Vision Board or a Vision Book is a monumental task because it requires dedication and self-reflection.  It requires a person to look at their own life to see if they are living up to the vision they have set for themselves and that has been set for them by God.  Quite simply it requires commitment.  I don't know what my Vision Book will look like or how much detail it will hold, but I feel inspired to do what I have been called to do (whatever that may be) and am committed to writing it down.  I will share my vision with my family, my friends, and my God.  I may even share it with the world.  Stay tuned.

Random Acts of Kindness

(Image Credit: The Carla Davis Show Website)

What is a random act of kindness?  A random act of kindness is a selfless act that one person performs for another or for a group of people in an effort to just show pure kindness, assist them, or cheer them up.  I first heard the term from Oprah Winfrey and then after doing a little bit of research I found out that the term was actually first coined by author Anne Herbert who wrote the quote "practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty" on a place mat at a restaurant back in the 1980's.  I was inspired to write this post by a sorority sister of mine, Miwako Story, who is on day 19 I believe in her quest to perform 40 acts of kindness in 40 days leading up to her birthday, a day that we share so I affectionately call her my birthday twin.

(Image Credit: Empower Network)

I have been so inspired by Miwako's efforts that I have decided when my birthday comes I will begin my own quest to perform 38 random acts of kindness in honor of my 38th birthday.  Some people may be wondering how can you perform 38 different acts of kindness or even 40.  There may even be some who think it is crazy or may want to do it themselves but think it will be too much money.  Well I am here to tell you that it does not take a lot of money; in fact it really doesn't take any money at all.  An act of kindness can be something as simple as holding a door open for someone or even putting coins in a parking meter that has expired.  The whole point is just to show kindness to another person or group of people.

(Image Credit: The Random Act Project)

When I had the idea to write this post and even started asking the question of myself about what kind of acts I would perform I did a little research on the web and found out that random acts of kindness is a big deal.  I even came across a couple of foundations whose mission is devoted to spreading the word about the value of random acts of kindness: The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation and Random Acts.  I also found several articles and blog posts devoted to random acts of kindness and ideas for performing your own RAK (random act of kindness).  There is even World Kindness Day on November 13th and Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) Week taking place February 10-16, 2014.

(Image Credit: Persona Designs)

There are so many opportunities to perform random acts of kindness and there are so many things that you can do.  You just have to be willing to step out there and make it happen.  I encourage everyone to take a moment and get into the spirit, even if it is only for one day because it will warm your heart and make someone else feel good at the same time.  For all of those who have already dedicated time and energy, like Miwako Story, to performing random acts of kindness I say thank you for the inspiration and keep doing what you are doing because even the smallest act can make the biggest difference.

What Do You Do When You Can't Sleep?

(Image Credit: The Sleep Council)

I woke up a little after 4:00 am this morning and could not get to sleep.  Instead of just lying in bed trying to force myself to do something that I couldn't do I figured that I would have some fun on the internet and then do something productive.  I logged on the Facebook and checked out my news feed.  I went onto oDesk in search of some writing jobs.  I checked out my page at YCN.  Then I decided to write this blog.  Inspired by Eugene Hennie who posted one time about not wasting your energy by just lying around.  I don't remember if it was a blog, a comment on Facebook, or when he said it but I know I got it from him.  It was a brilliant idea.  Without that thought in my mind I would have just been lying in the bed staring at a dark wall since the lights are all off and I should be asleep.  I have accomplished a little bit in this time that I have been up but it has also made me realize that I have so much more to do.  I have to start writing again.  I have to start making connections again.  Hell, I have to just start living again.  This is something my husband tells me all the time, and believe it or not Malcolm somewhere in my mind your thoughts and your words are always with me.

In less than 2 hours daylight will start to break and I will probably still be awake thinking about a million things.  It is hard to actually get real sleep when you have so many thoughts on your mind.  My thoughts range anywhere from what I am going to fix for breakfast, to what I want to do with my kids during spring break, to how we will celebrate the holiday's and everything in between.  Blogging about these thoughts gives me peace of mind because instead of holding it all in I get to actually write it down and maybe my thought process will help someone out in the future.  Well it is time to go now and hold my youngest mini-me but I leave you with this thought; sleep is a precious commodity so don't waste it.  And, if you can't sleep then don't waste your most valuable precious non-renewable resource and that is time!!

Happy Father's Day Malcolm

On February 23, 1995 I met the man who would eventually become my husband and the father of my children.  We dated on and off for seven years before we married in a beautiful outdoor ceremony before God, our family, and our friends.  It was a long time coming and the adventures we have shared together since then have been wonderful.

We drove to San Antonio and walked through the caverns.  We went to dinner on a boat floating through a river that ran between a shopping area.  We visited the historical site at The Alamo and we even went to a drive-thru safari (yes you heard me right) where we had a zebra come up to our car and were close enough to an animal with large horns that could have punctured a hole through our car.  We went to the Essence Festival and saw some great shows.  We have been ice skating and attended dinner shows together.  We went to the Alpha Centennial in D.C. in 2006 and we even drove all the way to Washington, D.C. with 2 kids for the first Obama Inauguration in 2009.

Out of all the things we have done the greatest adventure we have enjoyed together has been parenthood.  As parents we are both a work in process because as a parent you are constantly learning.  Even though we are both still learning one thing I know to be true is that you are a GREAT father.

When our first child, Malcolm II, was born you were the first to hold him, you strapped him into the car seat for his ride home, and you tended to him in a very loving and caring way.  Since his birth you have attended his soccer games, praised him for all his academic accomplishments, shown him what it means to be a big brother, and let him know that it is okay to make mistakes as long as you learn from them.

When our second child arrived just 15 months after the first you walked him around the hospital, dressed him in his coming home outfit, strapped him in for his first car ride, and slept with him on your chest.  Since then you have coached his soccer team, praised him for excellent success in school, shown him how to box (in a safe and kid friendly way), and let him know that it is okay to have a lot of energy as long as you channel it into something positive that makes you feel good.

Our third child was your birthday gift in 2009 as she was born on November 20th, the same day as you.  She slept on your chest in the hospital chair, you got her dressed in her coming home outfit, and you strapped her in for her first car ride home.  Since then you have attended a father/daughter dance, went to her first dance recital (even though she didn't make it on stage), and turned her into daddy's perfect princess with a perfect smile.

Since our first was born on August 5, 2005 you have shown everyone what it means to be a father.  Anyone can have a child but real men raise their children and that is what you do every single day.  You are there with them through the good times and the bad.  You shield them from the hurt whenever you can and you sacrifice for them every single day.  You take them to the park, you take them fishing, you go on walks together, you play wrestling in the living room, you fix meals for them, and you love them like they are the center of your world.  You show them that it doesn't take money to be happy or to have a good time.  As long as you have your family and you are together then life is always good; and that is a lesson that everyone should learn.  My heart is overjoyed every time I see you with them not because you make them happy but because I know that God has blessed them with the best man that can teach them about life.  You show our boys not just through your words but through your actions what it is to be a real father and a real man.  You show our daughter how she should be treated and loved by a man and you always give her a reason to shine.  You protect our children with every fiber of your being.  I am blessed to call you my husband and I am thankful that God has made you the man that you are so you can be an example for our children.  I love you.  HAPPY FATHERS DAY MALCOLM!!