Change Your Season, NOW!

 

This is a very empowering question, take this next bit as a wake up word of encouragement and praise.  Ask yourself, "Am I proud of who I have become?" Really think about it.  Think of all the positives about the struggles and trials you have been through, think of how it molded you into the person you are now.  Did you always take the right path in life, or did you veer off a few times, experiencing life lessons the hard way?

Guaranteed many of us have said ALL of the following comments at one point in life?  "Absolutely I am very proud of myself," "I guess I am proud of who I have become," "No I am not proud about who I have become."  I know I have.  Somethings I am very proud of, somethings absolutely not.  We all live, We all make mistakes ...

If you are the person who is saying "I am very satisfied and proud of the person I have become," good on you, keep pushing through, do not grow Prideful and Arrogant, stay Humble.  If you are the person who says, "I am not proud of the person I have become, or I do not like who I am," the only person who can change that is YOU ... YOU are the one standing in the way of changing for the good.  If you aren't proud of yourself right now, ask yourself, "How was I living when I was proud of who I was?"  Ask yourself, "What was I doing differently than I am right now that will change things?" Start correcting and start doing what was making your self-esteem rise, your self-confidence rise, and do what was making you proud of yourself. NOTICE I SAID "Do what was making you PROUD OF YOURSELF!!" Not if others were proud of you, that you are proud of you.

If you find yourself in a lull or a stand-still, use that time wisely to get a new vision of your next move. Go forward, focus on what is going to help you be the best you.  Sometimes you are your worst enemy, fight it!!! Remember, millions of people at times throughout life aren't proud of themselves, let alone like who they are ... but that lasts only a season, seasons change thank God. Change your season now ... don't wait.

Your Definition of Perfect only exists in Moments

I was messaging a good friend last night, someone I trust to give me a truthful answer ... My question was "If you could change one thing about who I am, what would that be?" His reply, "That is a serious question that I will not answer, as I am not in the changing game.  I want people to be who they are." That is the perfect answer to imperfect people.  "And now that you don't have to be perfect, you can be good."

My question has always been about people's acceptance of me, and I am sure I am NOT alone in this game.  I always ask, "If you could change me, what would you change," or "What is it about me that you like or dislike." Or when I am hurt, "What is wrong with me, why did they leave or pick someone else, what could I have done differently to change the outcome?" ... But why?  Do we all do this? 

"Was I not pretty enough, Was I not skinny enough, Was I not classy enough?" ... one question turns into a million and then you start doubting yourself, comparing yourself, and changing your whole outlook on yourself, just because ONE person decided you weren't who they wanted, or You weren't who they picked for a job position ... you get where I am going on this?  Rejection is tough, but sometimes necessary.  Rejection is a form of self-reflection.  When you get rejected, who doesn't question, the whys and what if's?  Even the strongest people question rejection.  But you have to be above it .. question it, process it, and rise above it, knowing that "And now that I don't have to be perfect, I can be good."

Are you perfect?  Do you have the perfect job, perfect home, perfect family, perfect body, perfect face, perfect personality?  Anyone who answers yes, they may well be living in their version of perfect ... but if anyone answers yes to believing they are perfect ... they are perfectly who they are, not perfect ... only one person holds that title, and if anyone other than God proclaims to be perfect, you can probably spot them from 5 miles away because their nose is so long.  Everyone has their own definition of what "perfect" means to them ... you can come pretty close to it, you can believe you live in it, but perfect only exists in moments. 

If you question what people think of you, If you ask "people" what they would change about who you are, STOP!! Maybe, just maybe, you should question YOU on what you don't like about yourself.  Then, change for you and not for anyone else!!!  We all have things we do not like about ourselves.  If someone rejects you for whatever reason, KNOW that that was not the right person for you or the right job, or whatever it is.  You will be right for the right person.  You will be the right choice for the right job position.  If you were rejected or weren't chosen, please know, that wasn't for you.  Do not doubt your abilities, qualities, or whatever it is you have to offer.  Believe in yourself, even when no one else does.  You are either your own best friend, or worst enemy ... Choose wisely.   

Thank God I wasn't sent here to be perfect, now I can be good, maybe even great ...

Build the Staircase Up and Out, Your Life Depends on it.

Pretty deep quote here.  I am positive hell is a place and I am certain hell is not empty, I do believe, it is running on a skeleton crew.  It isn't the devil that is amongst us, it is his tormented employees that do his dirty work, the demons.  They are spiritual killers and can gain control over the mind and body IF YOU LET THEM.  We ALL are in a battle to keep our mind and heart straight.  Some succeed and some fail and let the world destroy them.  So we fight to stay right with God. In the End, we all die but some of us do not have the courage to LIVE.  Not just survive, but Live Happily, Thankfully, like tomorrow isn't coming.

People claim to be fighting "their demons," whatever they may be. Some may claim they fight alcoholism, drug addiction, and guilt.  Some fight mental health disorders.  Maybe the alcoholic has a voice that whispers "Another one won't kill you, you have already lost everything, so why not have another." But in reality it did kill them (their mind, their health, their life).  The drug addicts silent voice "Just hit another line, it will kill the pain, it's an escape from reality." But this time was different, he escaped any reality on an accidental overdose.  What about the person suffering from Depression, all they want is to see the good but they cannot see past the bad to embrace the good, the voice says "Go ahead and pull the trigger, you will be fine in a second." But didn't think about how it would effect anyone who loved them.  What about the person struggling with being overweight and underweight, total opposites but the same outcome, when you cannot beat serious health issues, in the end, death. In the End, we all die but some of us do not have the courage to LIVE.  Do not be a statistic.

This quote is very accurate ... and very real ... people are so lost in the struggle, simple decisions are not clear.  The devil is the master of confusion, and he is a liar.  If you are feeling condemnation, know surely this is NOT from God.  You can feel convicted at times, but that is a safety net to do better, to change for the better.  Learn the difference.

Do Not let this world destroy you, Do Not let this world eat you from the inside out, Do Not let the world corrupt your spirit, or your life.  Fight it!  If you struggle from addiction of any kind, Do Not pick up what God told you to put down!!!  Leave it alone, walk away ... Whatever is bringing you down, leave it alone, walk away.  Fight to beat whatever you are going through.  If you are in deep depression or whatever it is, you already have a shovel to get that deep, so dig out some stairs and get out of there!! You have the Power to get past anything.  Find the Courage to Live Happily, Thankfully, like tomorrow isn't coming.  You Got this!  As hard as it seems at times, let the Good drown out the Bad ... FIGHT it!!! 

The Heart Struggles to Mind your Mind

Isn't it funny how the Heart feels and the Mind thinks?  They are like sibling rivalries, the Mind; is filled with wisdom and serves as the life warning system. The Heart; even though encaged, is wild and free roaming, chasing the high, the rush of feeling ... something.  The Mind is strong, realistic, and filled with reason.  The Heart also is strong, capable of forgiving, and allows a person to love.  The Heart pumps blood to the mind, as the Mind instructs the heart to do. 

The Heart is like a child, the Mind the parent.  The Mind teaches the heart lessons in life.  The Mind allows the Heart to make mistakes.  The Mind warns the Heart, hoping the Heart will prepare for heartache ... Even though the Heart knows and tries its hardest to prepare, the Heart still pushes forward hoping for the best, but in the end ... The Mind was right and the Heart is broken.

The Heart also teaches the Mind to store the bad experiences to serve as "red lights," so life doesn't get repeated.  The Heart needs the Mind like a driver needs GPS or MapQuest or the Heart will get off the right path, chasing temporary happiness, chasing the high ... The Mind screams "Slow Down, Fairytales to not exist."  The Heart hears what the Mind says, but is like a rebellious child, the Heart sneaks out of the cage and goes anyways ... The Heart doesn't care, it wants that high. The Heart wants to feel.

The Mind tries to keep the Heart in check ... However, the Mind loves the Heart ... The Heart of a Person is Beautiful if you let it roam free.  The Heart creates life, it beats ... It creates happiness, It creates Sorrow, It allows the rollercoaster.  If life wasn't lived/radiated from the Heart, If you didn't have Ups and Downs ... Your Heart & Mind would certainly die. Right?

Be Cautious of People on Pause

This has nothing to do with whether we are talking about a man or woman, this message is unisex, both can be clearly confused about life in general.  If you decide to go forward with a person who is lost in direction, be careful, be cautious, and guard your heart. 

The devil is the master of confusion, these people are on pause and "under construction."

Well, I suppose, we are all under construction, but some have built a house, destroyed it, and are beginning from ground zero all over again.  These people are daylight and darkness... they will take you on the rollercoaster high, then then change their navigational beacon without warning, leaving you with whiplash. Know that this is NOT YOUR FAULT, none of it ... NONE OF IT! 

Confusion is an awful place to be in ... It is like a mind fog, and if you are not careful, you will be in it as thick as a concrete maze.  You will sit at start, idling ... they will want to go forward, but are scared to make any step because they are afraid.  Afraid of failing again, afraid of making more mistakes, afraid to be hurt again ... Until they get their focus in the right direction, it is not a good idea to get involved, UNLESS you are a friend or are a counselor. 

For those that are confused with life ... there is an escape.  Prayer and good friends.  Remember things happen for a reason, sometimes you will NEVER know why things happened.  Just trust God has a plan for you, no matter how confused you are.  Be patient. If you are unsure about decision, pause and wait, if it is right, you will not be afraid.  Make sure you let what is behind you go before you go forward ... before you hurt everyone you come in contact with.

The Struggle is Temporary & So is Life

When I ran across this ... my first thought, well my action, was that I smiled.  I am reminded of how many times I have heard this quote in some form or fashion, from one of the constants in my life, she has reminded me several times of how we are still alive, despite the storms we never thought we would make it out of.  Some of us make it, some of us ... succumb to the world and let the world win.

We were born learners, fighters, sons, and daughters ... that grew up to be stronger, wiser, conquerors, and fearless to an extent. I am sure we have died a thousand times inside from the time we were teens to today.  Heartbreak and Heartache. Life and Death. Hurtful words that cannot be taken back, only forgiven.  "The only thing I know is this: WE are full of wounds but WE are still standing on our feet."

What would life be if everything was perfect ... how would that shape us? Would we be helpless children in adult form? I believe we would be.  It starts from the time we begin on the earth ... and ends when we return to it.  If your parents didn't allow you to fail, makes mistakes, let you fall again and again, how would anyone survive?  By chance, that is how.

Childhood can make us or break us ... Life can make us or break us.  It is OUR choice to rise above our situations as they are only temporary, they pass by like the days.  When you look back at the storms you have already conquered ... you could say "The only thing I know is this: I AM full of wounds and I AM still standing on my feet."

We Live, We Learn, We Love, We Hurt, We Cry, We Struggle but in the END ... "The only thing I know is this: I am full of wounds and I am STILL STANDING on my feet."

Storms are temporary ... Struggle is temporary & so is Life ... Love it, every moment of it!

Your purpose is to LIVE in "The NOW."

I know it has been quite some time since I have written.  Some people have told me that I shouldn't anymore, until I live more like how I write.  Then some tell me they miss reading what I post.  I believe everyone can be hypocritical at times.  All we can do is keep walking forward, forget negativity, and never look back.

I am sure many of us struggle with the fact that our past is no longer ours, we keep reaching back hoping that you can have it again.  Some may be able to touch your past but your past has nothing new to say.  You can go back, believing it will turn out differently, yet ... you relive it.  Living and hoping the past will change is like having an addiction, you want to let go ... you go forward ... then all of a sudden you find yourself wanting what you once had, what was once yours.  I sometimes wish that I would have been guided by the present moment instead of wanting my past to change.  Wanting what was once yours, is the best way to keep breaking your heart and make yourself miserable. 

I am sure many of us struggle with not being able to control our future.  The only future you can control is what you are doing right now, to "maybe" create your future tomorrow.  Notice I said "create YOUR OWN future," not someone else's.  You are in control of Me, Myself, and I ... not someone else.  Some people try and rush life,  and relationships ... recipe for heartache and disaster. I used to try and rush life, and relationships and it never works.  We all have a plan designed for us, but rest assured whatever your future is, you will surely get there. 

"Realize deeply that the present moment is all you will ever have." This quote is spot on, wake up and realize yesterday is your PAST, what you once had is no longer yours, do not reach for it again. Wake up and realize that tomorrow is the FUTURE and is not promised.  The best thing WE can do is enjoy every minute of the present.  Do not look back, Do not look forward.  Live right now!

Do Not Quit Now, Keep Going!

                This is to all the people who WANT to run back or LOOK back to the comfort zone.  You have taken that step in faith but when something goes wrong, or you have had a bad day, you want to RUN away back to what you worked so hard to leave, or tried so hard to start.  I write words of encouragement because I need words of hope myself.  Everyone who knows me, knows that I took a HUGE leap of faith last year and moved across country to start a new life.  For YEARS I talked about a change, dreamed about a change, and then one day I JUMPED.  I thought for some reason the move, transition, and adjustment was going to be Unicorns and Rainbows but I was SO VERY WRONG. 

                Each time something small went wrong, it amplified, so much that I wanted to RUN back to what I dreamt of leaving.  Not because I wanted to leave my friends and family, because I needed change desperately, and I got change alright (too much change, all at once). 

                The encouragement piece is … I realized that I didn’t come THIS FAR to go back.  Times will get tough; you will want to RUN back … You will want to quit, do not let the Devil Win.  God gives you the desires of your heart, if you take the time, fight through the bad and notice them.  Notice the Gifts from God, don’t run from them.  YOU DID NOT COME THIS FAR, TO ONLY COME THIS FAR!!!!  Keep going!!!

Step Outside Your "Safe Zone"

What would life be like if no one took chances, if everyone was scared about making mistakes? Would life be boring? Sure you may like the “safe zone” but would it be worth it looking back at your life in 10-20 years? What would your life story be? 

                If you could take a chance and do ONE thing right now what would it be?  What would the consequences of not stepping out and making the attempt to change your life for the better be?  You would stay the same.  What holds you back from pursuing life, chasing whatever it is you want, or taking a chance on a relationship?  Hello … the past is in the past … You may have taken a chance on someone, you may have taken a chance on a business that went south in the past and that is okay, that means you are living (life is not perfect)!!  BUT WHAT IF your chance, WHAT IF your Door of Opportunity is wide open in front of you RIGHT NOW … Pray about it, don’t let FEAR stand in your way. 

                We keep hearing “We are not promised tomorrow,” so very true … We aren’t even promised the next minute or second.  If there is something YOU want to pursue, DO IT!!!  If there is some place you want to go, GO!!!  If there is someone you have your heart set on, TELL THEM!!!  I have taken some pretty rotten chances, but in the midst of that, I was blessed with two beautiful sons.  Through chances, I learned who I do NOT want in my life.  One of my greatest blessings was from making an ABSOLUTE crazy decision to move across country on a chance of love, I now have wonderful husband and two amazing daughters. 

                Think on this …  We are every choice, chance, and decision we have ever made … That is who we are and who we will be.  We will keep making decisions, we will keep making choices, and we will keep taking chances!!!!  Live your life…Dare to take a chance, at least once.  You may surprise yourself!

Pursue Your Dreams

I am not sure how this will turn out since it has been MONTHS since I have written any form of motivation or inspiration.  People have so many life circumstances that block out good things.  I found myself overwhelmed during a continual life adjustment that I actually took advantage of stress counseling because I honestly did NOT do good adjusting or dealing with stress at all.  The life coach asked me “Alissa how good on a scale from 1 – 10 do you do handling stress?”  Before she could even finish, my reply “I don’t, period.”  She then laughed a little, and said “Alissa you do realize life would be meaningless and boring if life wasn’t like a rollercoaster.”  Not sure if that is great advice coming from a professional counselor, but today … it opened my eyes. 

My point is we all have dreams, or we once did, and we let life’s circumstances kill our drive and ambition.  Notice that I said, “We killed our dreams’” not anyone else.  So many people start pursuing dreams and as soon as they do not work, they bail.  They expect too much too fast, they want the dream but do not want to put the time and effort in to achieve it.  We were not meant to be mediocre, we were meant to LIVE.  If you did not wake up today with a goal in mind, you should’ve stayed in bed.  Dreams do not work unless YOU do!!! 

People take chances to follow dreams, people fail, some people quit … but some people PUSH ON … some people PERSIST to be successful.  Those are the people you should surround yourself with, people who pursue everything they have ever wanted.  Sure you will get discouraged at times, but that circle of people will keep you motivated. 

Do not expect to chase a dream without the mind set to succeed and do whatever it takes to get there.  Do not step out and take that chance with an attitude of doubt of failure.  Dreams do not happen with a negative attitude.  Pray to follow the path in which God leads you and pray for favor with people to help you reach your dream.  You may be scared to take that step, but do not let FEAR stand in your way.  Work for it!!!  Many of my friends are very successful, but they did not stop … they made their dreams become a reality.  Quit being complacent.