Your Time is Now

Today is the time, and now is the moment. Everything else is a memory of what has been or a speculation of what might come tomorrow or the next day.

It is often said that you should never look back at your past.  It is behind you for a reason.  My philosophy however is to look back to learn and then to look forward to plan.  Keeping in mind that now is where you are, and now is when you can make a difference.  You are  learning from your past, not living in your past.  Reflect back, learn the lesson, and use it to be better in your future.

Regrets and wishes will not change what has been or what will be. Change only comes by taking action now, when you can, that you fulfill the best of your possibilities for your future.

So today, I challenge you that when the calendar changes, and you’re reminded of the passage of 2013, remember this: Whatever the month, whatever the year, whatever the time, this is the moment for you to act.  Your time is now!!

All that you are, you are right now. All that you can be, begins right now.  You are in a great place, right here, right now. This is the perfect position for you.  As 2014, comes into focus this is your now.  If you live it fully, with love, with gratitude, and with purpose, anything is possible.  YOUR TIME IS NOW!!!!

Quality Time

Quality time is considered such a rare gem in today's microwave society.  You find yourself rushing day in and day out doing every single thing you can cram into your schedule, yet not getting very far. Decide today to try something new.  Why not strive to not always be busy, occupied, or entertained, and instead seek to be effective and fulfilled.

Choose today to let go of the need to schedule one activity right after the next without any hesitation. The only thing you get when you put all your energy into spinning your wheels is exhaustion.  

Choose to find fulfillment by doing a few things well than to do lots and lots of things in a frenzied rush. The richness of life is in the doing, not in what you have done.

When you find yourself constantly jumping from one thing to the next, there is no value in how much you’re able to accomplish.  Nothing comes from being hurried.  Take the time to indulge in the sense of accomplishment.  

Decide today to slow down, be selective, thoughtful and fully focused. Prioritize your possibilities.  Choose only the very best ones and give quality time to those.

Savor each moment and each task rather than rushing quickly to what’s next. You will find that you now can fill your days with quality time, and those days will be rich indeed.

DREAM ON...

Everybody dreams.  You are never too old or young to dream.  There is a reason why you have the dreams that you have. Your dreams are yours so that you’ll be compelled to follow them.

But what happens when people kill your dreams?  The pain you feel when you’re prevented from following your dreams has the same purpose as any other pain. It is meant to get your attention and encourage you to correct the situation.  So don't look at it as your dreams being killed.  Your dreams are just being delayed.

But what happens when you follow your dream?  There is joy.   It is a feeling that is meant to keep you in pursuit of that dream.  It unleashes positivity in you.  You become happy, energetic, patient, kind, etc.  

Your dreams are not meant to frustrate you. Your dreams should encourage you to more fully become the best that you can be.  So if you find yourself always frustrated and agitated with what you are doing.  You need to stop and rethink the reasoning behind what you are doing.  

Your dreams may not seem reasonable or practical or realistic, based on your current circumstances. Your dreams may seem completely idiotic to the next person.  But that is why they are YOUR dreams.  Keep in mind that those dreams exist to encourage you to reach beyond the circumstances of the moment, to begin to live your dreams.

I encourage you to follow those dreams.  You’ll will discover and begin to develop new skills, passion, and knowledge that can carry you beyond your wildest dreams.  But it all starts with a dream.  So dream your dream and begin your journey today towards being the person you want to be.

You Choose How You Feel...

The way you feel is a choice.  You make your day the way it turns out.  Think of this. There is nothing that makes you frustrated. Any frustration you experience is the result of you choosing to react with frustration.  There is nothing that makes you annoyed. Any annoyance you experience comes about because you have decided to be annoyed.

It is your choice, your decision.  Just as easily as you choose to be annoyed, frustrated, angry, and spiteful. You can also choose not to be. When you decide to become frustrated or annoyed, you are choosing to bind yourself.  Imagine how effective you could be if there was nothing that annoyed you.  Remember, there is nothing.  You choose to allow things to annoy you.  I challenge you to begin to stop allowing things to destroy your level of effectiveness.

All sorts of things will happen to you today. You can let them get to you.  You can become annoyed and frustrated, or you can choose to be different today and not let them get to you.   Today is the day you can choose to follow your own path.

You have the power to be free of frustration, free of annoyance, free to accomplish and enjoy life. Choose that feeling today.

Life's Gift to You...

It is impossible to avoid effort, because avoiding effort is itself an effort. I encourage you to make your efforts count for something.  Choose to make them something as grand and magnificent as you can imagine.

Each and every moment of each and every day life will ask something of you. The key is to be more willing and gracious in your giving of  what life asks of you.  The result will be of much more positive value to you.  Do you know that the very thing which life asks of you is also life’s gift to you. Think about this, the places where you spend the most effort, where you give the most of yourself, are the places where you’ll realize the most value.

More often than not, many people miss out on the best that life has to offer because they try their best to avoid challenge and discomfort. In doing this, they end up making their lives more challenging and even more uncomfortable.

Life is life.  It is persistent and generous in providing you with plenty of nourishment and opportunity. However, the challenges will continue to come your way until you’re ready to make something truly grand and meaningful out of them. So if you are tired of challenging life day in and day out, try something different.  Give what life asks of you, promptly and enthusiastically. Then you will begin to experience the very best that life has to give you.  So get ready to accept life's gift to you from this day forward.

It's All in the Approach...

Is what you have done in 2013 getting you where you want to be? If not, then now is the time for some changes.  Now is the time to create your action plan for 2014.

Most people don't like change because it can be frightening and difficult. But think about it.  Isn't it immensely more desirable than continuing to put your efforts into going where you don’t want to go.

There are some things you’re doing now that are working and some things just are not. I recommend you take the time out to categorize them accordingly. It will pay off for you.

Achievement and success are moving targets.   The conditions and requirements to obtain them are constantly changing.  So sometimes in order to have a successful life, you will find yourself adjusting your approach.

Even the most skillful captain must make adjustments in the ship’s course along the way. But in the end, the destination is reached.  This is key to remember in your personal journey.  You have to recognize when you’ve strayed off the path and then find a way to get back on it.  Here is a nugget for you....THERE IS ALWAYS A WAY!!

So take the time to take a good look at where you’re headed.  Be honest, objective, and with the intention of making whatever adjustments are necessary. Strive to keep yourself pointed toward your goals, and your actions will surely take you there.  After all, it's all in the approach...

Take out the Trash

Right here,right now, I am challenging you to make today garbage day for your life. Today I want you to choose to gather all your worries, angers, disappointments, jealousies, resentments and regrets. Gather them and throw them in your mental garbage can.  Imagine yourself rolling it out to the street, and be done with them once and for all.

Think of it this way, the garbage in your mind is doing you absolutely NO GOOD. It’s just occupying valuable space and taking up time that could otherwise be used for more positive pursuits. Do you realize how much of your energy is used working around the garbage -- that is, when it’s not getting in your way and tripping you up.

Why is it still there?  Today is TRASH DAY!!  Choose to discard it. Throw away that anger. You’ll never need it again. Toss out that worry. You won’t ever find any use for it. Bag up the resentment. It’s just making a mess of things. Discard your cynicism. It’s taking up valuable space.

Today choose to get rid of all that trash. Freshen up your attitude, out with the old and in with the new.  Haul away the useless negativity. Make room with for positivity.  Today I challenge you to use your mental space, your time, your attention and your energy to be positive and productive. You deserve to experience how refreshing that your day can be when you tap into the positivity and productivity that is within you.  

Smile as you choose to say no more to the trash in your life.  Smile as you choose to start your new day without the junk.  Smile as you return to a refreshed and renewed place within, because you just took out the trash.  

GETTING THINGS DONE

You always have a choice. You can either get things done or let things happen. You can take the easy way out and just let things happen, with absolutely no effort from you.  No effort means no input.  When you just let things happen they will almost never be to your liking. But there is nothing you can do because you chose to let it happen.

The other choice is to get things done. That requires your active involvement. It takes effort, as well as focus, commitment, discipline and persistence. Those things may sound difficult, and they are. But just because these things are difficult, doesn’t mean they’re to be avoided.  Anything worth having requires work and effort.

When you do what it takes to get things done, you’ll get the results you want. The only way you can get what you want out of life, is to put in what you have. That is done through your own efforts and actions.

Sure, you can take your chances and just let things happen. You might even get lucky, there are a few that do. Or, you can step forward, put all you have into every day and everything you do, and get things done. That is the only reliable way to build the life you desire.  You always have a choice.

WHAT'S IN YOUR BOX...

Each morning that God allows you to awake is a gift.  But the gift is what you make it.  The new day arrives like an empty box, waiting to be filled. The choice becomes yours as to what your day or box will hold.  You can pack the box with treasures, or you can load it down with troubles. Think about it, many things that you do are by habit, without thinking, just because it is easy and comfortable. Those things you repeatedly put into your box, day after day.  Often you leave little room for anything else. 

Just imagine if you were to open today’s box a year from now.  Will there be things of true and lasting value inside? Would you be able to distinguish today’s box from all the rest? Would there be something worth passing on to your children inside?

Once the box for today is packed, that’s it. You can’t take anything out, nor put anything else back in. Once the day is done, the treasures you could have had are either yours or they are not. There is nothing you can do to change the contents of your today once it becomes your yesterday.  Yet tomorrow dawns early, bringing you another box that’s empty... yet full.  How can that be?  It is full of new possibilities, new opportunities, new dreams, and new hopes.  So it awaits you to pack it.

Remember, each day comes fresh and new.  It delivers a empty box to your door.  I dare you to choose to make them all special. I dare you to stuff them full of life and living. I dare you to fill each day with things that a year from now, you will be proud to share with everyone. So open up your mind and your heart as you receive the treasures that can be yours.

Angelic-1

YOU CAN BE CONFIDENT

Today I encourage you to be confident.  I want you to be confident in everything you say and do today. Confidence succeeds like nothing else. Confidence radiates from you like sunlight, and attracts success to you like a magnet.  So as you strive to be successful, strive to be confident.  

You do know that confidence is more than an attitude, right? It comes from knowing.   Knowing exactly where you’re going, and exactly how you’re going to get there. It comes from acting with integrity. It comes from a strong sense of purpose. It comes from a commitment to take responsibility, rather than just let life happen.

Confidence is you being compassionate and understanding. It is not you being arrogant.  Arrogance is not cute.  Who wants to be around an arrogant person all the time? Arrogance is born out of fear and insecurity.  Both of which are not Kingdom minded traits.  So tap into your strengths.  Tap into your integrity.  You will be amazed at just how confident you become.

Confidence is not just believing you can do it. Confidence is KNOWING you can do it. I know that you are capable of accomplishing anything you want, and living your life with confidence.  So now, it is your time to know it, live it, be it.  Today I encourage you to be confident.

SHED THOSE SUBSTITUTES

Arrogance is a poor substitute for confidence. 

Taking is a poor substitute for creating. 

Possessing is a poor substitute for appreciating.

Staying busy is a poor substitute for accomplishing something. 

Anger is a poor substitute for discipline. 

Rudeness is a poor substitute for eloquence. 

Aloofness is a poor substitute for joy. 

Envy is a poor substitute for effort.

Rationalization is a poor substitute for truth. 

Artful deceit is a poor substitute for integrity. 

Promises are a poor substitute for commitment. 

Gluttony is a poor substitute for nourishment. 

Stylishness is a poor substitute for courtesy.

I encourage you not to settle for a substitute when you can have the real thing.   Explore beyond the outward appearances so that you can truly enjoy the genuine substance of life.  I dare you to choose today to get real. Make the effort to be true to your best values. You are here to live, so why live the real thing. I guarantee you it’s worth it.  So shed those substitutes today and stand tall in you.  That's what you were created to be anyway....YOU!!!

WHO'S IN YOUR CIRCLE...

What kind of people do I keep in my circle?  Those that don’t ask for any attention, or praise, or special recognition. Those that simply get busy and do what needs to be done. When something goes wrong, they don’t complain or become mired in frustration. Instead, they do whatever is necessary to make it right.  That is true not just or themselves, but for me as well.

When they say they will do something, they follow through and take whatever actions are necessary to get it done. They don’t feel that the world owes them anything. They are truly thankful for the opportunity to make a positive difference and to create real value.

Thinking about it now, I realize that I sometimes forget how many good they really are. But by taking that brief mental inventory I am instantly reminded just how great they are to me.

Some of life’s greatest blessings come through the people with whom I am privileged to be surrounded by.  I love my circle of family and friends.  

PEACE

As you go through your day today make it a priority to step back from the noise and confusion that you may find surrounds you. If you are not a part of it, you definitely don't want to be consumed by it.  

There is strength in Peace. Staying calm, when confusion and chaos surround you, keeps you firmly in control.  In times of chaos, control is not an element.  

Many things can trigger an impulse to react, an urgent desire to do something immediately. Hurried reactions, though, are usually not the most effective and they definitely are the least controlled.  

By staying calm, you are able to respond with much more power and positive focus. By staying calm, you control the way that events attempt to scatter your attention in a thousand different directions.  There is Peace in being in control of yourself.  

Staying calm does not mean that you’re doing nothing. It means that you’re responding with purpose, rather than with panic.

So when chaos, noise and turmoil come knocking at your day, meet them with serenity, peace and calm.  You’ll find that you put yourself in a position of real power.  After all, there is strength in Peace.

Positive Frustrations...

Did you know that frustrations can be good for you?  Think about it.  Some of your greatest achievements come from your biggest frustrations. Frustration is full of energy. Energy that is directed and focused in negative ways, but it certainly does not have to be. It is up to you to choose to turn all that energy into something positive.

Often we use frustration as an excuse to be destructive. That is understandable, but it doesn’t do anything to improve your situation. In all actuality, the gratification of any “revenge” is quickly replaced by an even bigger and more desperate frustration.  It can become a never ending cycle.  

When you get frustrated, often you have every right to be, but so what? The challenge is can you take all the negative energy and make a positive difference. The energy of frustration is a powerful resource which can propel you to new heights if you channel it properly. Don’t waste it by trying to bring someone else down to your level.  Instead, use it to raise you to the next level.

That abundant energy in your frustration, it is yours to use for whatever purpose you desire. You have the power to choose which direct it will take you.  So decide today to choose to funnel your frustrations in a positive direction and make the very most of it.  After all, your greatest achievements come from your biggest frustrations.

IT ALL STARTS WITH A REGRET...

How many things have you done in the past that you now wish you had not done? How many things have you failed to do that you now wish you had done?  We are all guilty of regret at one time or another no matter how hard we try to avoid it.  

Regret is quite painful yet powerful at the same time.  Regret is like experience, a great teacher.  With each regret we are given the opportunity to learn, to adjust and to improve.  It is with these regrets that we can make changes in every aspect of our lives to make tomorrow even better.

When you are faced with regret, let yourself feel it for a moment, but only for a moment. In that moment you create negative energy, but don't think you are going to harbor it.  Instantly begin to think of how you can turn it into something positive.

Refuse to wallow in painful regret.  Challenge yourself to learn from your mistakes and do something about them. Your past is your past.  There is nothing you can do to change it, yet you can indeed change the value you get from what you’ve done in the past.  The value is in the lessons learned.  The value is in the changes made to ensure you never experience that again.  The value is in the goals and plans than stem from something you regret.  

Remember don't regret your past for long.  Instead focus on the regrets of your past as roadmaps to your future. Whatever your regrets may be, move beyond them.  You are now ready to step confidently ahead, more wiser and more experienced and with more solid, tireless determination than ever before.  One day you will look back and think......it all started with a regret.

YOUR ATTITUDE...

There are as many things in our life that we cannot change as there are that we can.  The most important is your attitude.   Aren't you glad that your attitude is not something you’re stuck with forever?  In fact,  you can change it whenever you wish.

Here is some good news...you can choose your attitude.  

Your attitude does not define you. It does, however, represent who you are to the world.

Your attitude does not determine who you are. It does, however, determine what you can accomplish.

Your attitude is not the result of events that happen to you or circumstances that surround you. It is, instead, based on the way you choose to respond to the events and circumstances in your life.

That's right, you can choose your attitude.  Your attitude should be one that will open your eyes to the valuable possibilities. Your attitude should attract success and accomplishment to you like a magnet.  It is all possible.  All you have to do is choose the attitude.

Don't choose to be bitter, evil, resentful, or even sad, full of pity or non-chalant.  

No matter what has happened in the past or where you are now, you are free to choose whatever attitude you wish. So choose, in this very moment, a positive, empowering attitude.  Choose to stay that way every day.  Choose an attitude that not only represents you right now, but also who you desire to be.

Remember, the most important thing you choose every morning is your attitude.

YOU CAN'T PLEASE EVERYBODY ALL THE TIME...

It is true that you cannot please everybody all the time.  No matter what you undertake, create, or accomplish there will be someone that will find a reason to criticize it. But don't let that stop you or delay you from your goals and dreams.  I encourage you to go ahead and do it anyway.

Don't spend your time worrying about pleasing everyone, instead focus on doing what you know is right, what you know is best and best of all what you know you've been called to do.  Everybody won't understand.  Everybody cannot be involved in what God has for you. You have to learn to listen to the criticism, but only if it helps you to improve what you’re doing.  It is important that you don’t let it bring you down.

There’s no reason to allow another person’s weaknesses and doubts to infect or affect you. Their negative perspective is just that...their problem, not yours. Don't completely ignore their view, just consider their viewpoint for what it can teach you. Many times there will be things that you can incorporate into what you are doing.  But only consider what pertains directly to you.  Often we get caught up in stuff that does not pertain to us and we lose focus or make extra work for ourselves. 

When anyone expresses an opinion about what you’re doing, be genuinely thankful for the helpful suggestion. Just remember that you know who you are, you know what you’re doing, you know what is right and nothing anyone says can change that. So make your choices based on the highest values within yourself, and there will be no reason to fear what others think.  Keep doing what you are doing because you can't please everybody all the time.

Angelic-1

LEARN FROM IT...

In life, our best teacher is often the consequences rom our life lessons. These lessons make an impact by touching us profoundly and staying with us for life.

Just think of all of the abstract concepts we encounter on a daily basis that are quickly forgotten.  However, the consequences we experience daily are unforgettable.  They become embedded in us.  

It is through these consequences that we learn what works for us and what doesn’t. It is through these consequences that we learn what’s important to us and why.  These consequences can bring either joy or pain, but they are memorable to us just the same. We not only remember the consequences, but the specific thoughts and actions that brought us to them as well.

You do know that you have the magnificent ability to make things happen, that it is up to you to create your own consequences. Take the time to study and learn from the experience of your consequences.  The more you learn the more you will be able to create the precise outcomes you desire.

Remember that everything you do has a consequence, and every consequence has a lesson. So what will you learn today?

What Are You Capable of...

Do you know that your capabilities are endless.  There are so many wonderful things that you do not even know about buried deep down inside of you. You have to make the conscious choice to start discovering some of them.

What is stopping you?  Better yet, who?  Take a look into the nearest mirror.  You are missing  out on so much.   Outside the walls of your imagined limitations, there is a whole world waiting to be experienced. Why not allow yourself to venture into it.  

It all comes down to what you are focused upon.  If you stop being so consumed with what you can’t do.  The time is now to refocus.  Try to consume yourself with all the things you can do. There are so many opportunities and possibilities to explore, but only when you stop worrying about your shortcomings and disappointments.

So I challenge you today to let go of the small, limiting thoughts that revolve only around your ego. Start today, right now to make room for the big, expansive thoughts that enable you to experience life’s magnificent abundance.

There is so very much more you can do, so very much more you can be, so very much more you can give. But only after you choose to open yourself to the wealth of possibilities that are available to you.

So today step outside the walls of your old assumptions. Today you take life to a whole new level.  Today you begin your journey into the endless capabilities that are deep within.  Today you choose to win!!!!

Are You a Winner...

Do you have what it takes to be a winner?  Before you answer that you have to know what it takes to be a winner.  Let me help you.  A real winner is someone who can accept defeat graciously. A real winner does not plan to lose or aim to lose, and yet if they lose, a real winner does not waste time on anger, complaints or blame.

So are you a real winner?  Can you find value and learning in everything, even in defeat?  Can you apply that to your life as you go on to win a victory which outshines all the setbacks you experience along the way. You know what sets a real winner apart?   It is the actions taken when things don’t go as planned, when everything seems against you.  It is when things seem to be spiraling out of control, yet you are able to maintain a positive, winning attitude, even in the midst of defeat.

Remember, even cowards can look strong when things are going in their favor.  When the sea of life is calm, everyone can be all smiles, happy and appear as a winner.  However, when the waves of life start to roar, and circumstances start to change for the worst, true winners maintain their demeanor.  They show their strength regardless of the circumstances.  It is in these moments that those who are willing to accept defeat when it comes in spite of their best efforts, are the ones who ultimately can claim true victory.  That is what makes you a winner.  So I ask you again, do you have what it takes to be a winner?  

You Got It...

What are you working with?  Does it really matter?  The truth is that what you have to work with is not nearly as important as what you choose to do with it. How many people do you know that have become successful, even spectacularly successful, but they started with nothing?  All they had was desire and commitment.  How many do you know that even though they started out with every advantage in their favor, they ended up accomplishing very little?

How often have you heard that the race is not won at the starting line?  It may seem helpful to be at an advantage going in, but in the end does that matter?  The most emphasis should be in what got you through the race.  You have to realize you were equipped to win.  God has placed in you everything you need to persist through any situation, to tackle any obstacle, to conquer and succeed.  What matters is the going through.

If you wait for the perfect situation, or the perfect job, or the perfect business opportunity to come along, you’ll be waiting an awfully long time.  The funny thing is that most of the time it turns out to not be worth waiting for. So rather than hold out for the perfect situation, why not work with what you have right here and right now. So let the others wait for what they’ll probably never have, meanwhile you can be moving ahead using what you already have available to you to win.

Your best resources are the ones that you can effectively utilize in pursuit of your goals and dreams. Guess what, those are the ones that you already have. Even though what you have may not be ideal, what you have is precisely what you need to move forward toward success.  So I encourage you today to make use of what you have, and you will move toward whatever you desire.

TOODLES

Angelic-1

Worry...

Whatever you worry about, you give it life, energy and influence over you and your world. Just think..the more you worry and focus on the things that you do not want, the more likely they are are to happen and the more possible you make it.

Think how awesome your life would be if every thought of worry were replaced with a positive, creative thought or action. Instead of giving power to your worst fears, you gave life to your best possibilities.

Now there are plenty of things about which you can be justifiably worried. But there is nothing to be gained by spending time and energy on worry.

Do you have any idea just how powerful and influential your thoughts can be, whether they are negative or positive. The more positively they are focused, the more surely will your thoughts lead you forward.

Choose to redirect the intensely negative energy of your worries into positive, productive actions. Don't worry about what you don’t want, put your time and energy into creating what you do want. There is much that you can worry about, there is also much that you can achieve. The determining factor is where you put the energy of your thoughts and actions.........and it is up to you.

Who has their eye on you...

Often times we get so caught up in trying to impress others that we lose sight on who we really are, of our genuine self.  We spend way too much time and energy trying to impress those people whose opinion doesn't matter to us anyway.  My philosophy is that if you are not paying my bills, supplying my food or one of my parental units, my sibling or family member your opinion has no weight in my world.

How far do we go to impress someone?  What are we really doing?  It is true that actions speak louder than words..it is not what people hear you say it is what they see you do.  As parents, we should be cautious of our behavior because children will mock the behavior that they see.  That same mentality can be applied for anyone in any situation.  Many of us are role models, examples, heros, and mentors and don't even realize it.  There is always somebody watching, taking note of our actions.  Most of the time we don't even think about it.  What kind of impression is really being made?  Are our actions reflective of the words we speak?  When we think nobody is looking does our behavior change?

We should strive to always do our best and do the right thing. Our actions are influential to the circumstances and people that surround us.  Just think if we put as much time, energy and effort into ourselves as we do trying to impress others.  I like to say if you are going to invest, why not invest in yourself.  

Our lives are nothing but a stage play, and we are the main characters.  Each performance should be better than the last.  The world is our audience and in it there will be critics.  We just have to work hard at always do the right thing.  After all, we never know who is watching.

                                                                                                                ~Angelic-1

                                                                                                                       

SOW GOOD SEEDS

My family has not had a garden in years.  My Dad and uncle however have decided to plant one this year.  There is a list of crops they are hoping to grow.  They will till the ground, sow the appropriate seeds, then water and perform the necessary maintenance in hopes that they get crops that look just like the pictures on the seed packets.  Aren't we all like that?  Isn't that what we are supposed to do?   We have a garden of life. We sow seeds everyday.  You know Galatians 6:7 - Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 
It is true that what you put out in the universe will come back to you in multitude.  The same concept as planting seeds in the ground.  The crop that we receive looks nothing like the seeds we plant.  However, we have an ideal of what we will get.  I say that to mean, you can't keep sowing bitterness, gossip, hatred, jealousy, negativity and such into the world and expect good things to happen in your life.  That is not how it works.  
I encourage you to live and work from a place of love within you.  Strive to be a good person.  Strive to be positive, kind, and generous on purpose.  Watch what starts to happen to you as you grow in love.  Those seeds you are sowing will begin to come back to you as blessings, opportunities and acts of kindness from those around you.
So as you go about your day, sow seeds based in love.
Remember God loves you and so do I.

Angelic-1

I  luv me some U

Life altering...

There are certain events that take place in our lives that change us forever.  Mine happened three years ago in the span of eight days in May.  
The morning began as a happy one, celebrating my Father's birthday.  That joy quickly turned to sadness with a phone call that my Aunt had been found dead in her home.  She was not just your ordinary Aunt, she was so much more to so many.  To me, she was my mother away from home, my decorator, my stylist.  We playfully fussed every chance we had because we were so much alike.  As much as my heart hurt for my loss, it bled even more because I couldn't take the pain away from her sons.  I could not fix their shattered world, and that hurt me more.  
So I numbed myself to be able to do the things necessary for the family.  Just going through the motions, things can become a blur.  A week passes and it is the night of the Repass.  A hard night was escalated to difficult with a phone call from the hospital that Grandma had been rushed to the Emergency Room and they needed the whole family there.  I tearfully made it through the night only to have to face the funeral of my Aunt in a few hours.  Concerned about my Grandma, but prayed up for her comfort and recovery, I struggled through the Celebration of Life.
The call came again that the family was needed at Grandma's bedside, this time they gave us the news that she would not make it through the night.  It was an out of body experience for me.  As I sat there, my mind was flooded with memories of our talks, our laughs, our love.  My Grandma had been my everything, my number one fan.  In her eyes, I could do no wrong.  She found pride in everything I did.  Even in her last days, she would smile at the mention of my name.  But now God needed her.  He wanted to take her out of her misery here on Earth.  
If you have never sat and waited for a loved one to take their last breathe, I tell you that has to be the hardest thing I have ever done in my life.  I was frozen in time, mesmerized by the clock ticking away seconds.  Each tick seemed louder than the last, and in between I could hear Grandma breathing.  As I tried to focus, I began to hear her whispering to me.  But nobody in the room seemed to hear it but me.  I could hear her saying the numbers 2 2 4, over and over, as if she was sitting right next to me.  I tried to shake it off, but those numbers stuck in my head.  
The minutes turned into hours, but we remained at her bedside speaking words of comfort and love.  The doctor had instructed us to encourage her, it was okay to let go.  We kept telling her that we would see her again.  We told her that her job her on Earth was done.  We told her she was free.  As we talked to her, her breathes became shorter.  Then at exactly 2:24am she took her last breathe.  That is a sound that I will never forget.  At that moment, I saw her Spirit rise up and take the hand of the Death Angel that awaited her.  Together they walked off into the light.
Just like that, my world that was already shaken up was shattered.  My Grandma was gone.  Life as I knew it would never be the same again.  My heart would forever be missing a huge chunk.  Everyday my heart yearns for her.  
Today on her anniversary, I can reflect back and I can smile through my tears.  I know my Grandma is smiling down on me, still my number one fan, still proud of anything I do.  It is true that the pain subsides.  It does get easier with time.  I don't love or miss her any less, memories we shared have grown that love.  But these eight days in May three years ago have surely changed my life and my outlook on it.  Life is too short to do anything but love.  I love my life and everybody in it.  I am grateful for all my loved ones that God has called home because they helped make me the person I am today.
I end my thoughts today by telling you God loves you and so do I.

Toodles

Angelic-1

Through new eyes...

I have been taught that what God has for me is for me.  Nobody can beg, borrow or steal my blessings.  Nobody can block them, not even myself.  Now I am sure some of my decisions in life have delayed them, but eventually God will reveal them to me.  I have come to realize that often the blessing I've been praying and fasting for has been right in front of me the entire time.  If it had been a snake it would have bit me. 
The blessings never changed.  They never do.  God knows what I need, before I know myself.  He has a blueprint of my life and the way it is to play out.  He knows all the points of my life.  The highs and lows and the blessings needed to move to the next stage of my life.  
But if the blessings never change, how do I miss them or not utilize them.   The change has to come within myself.  It could be that my perspective shifted, my priorities got reorganized, my standards evolved, or maybe I have matured.  I do know that God will not give it to me until I am ready; and He will never give me more than I can handle.  All it takes is to get closer to Him.
The closer I get to God, the better my vision becomes.  I am seeing the world in a whole new light.  There is new color in the horizon. Things that were dim and dull are shiny and bright.  It is amazing that my blessings were right before my eyes the entire time.
The closer I get to God, the bigger my blessings become.  I serve a big God therefore I should expect nothing less than big things.  
I receive my blessings with a heart of gratitude.  My eyes are open wide to take in all that God is showing me.  He has placed some amazing things just within my grasp.  I don't want to blink because  I just might miss a moment in this wonderful new view.....all because my eyes are filled with Love for my God.  

Angelic-1

APPRECIATE EACH MOMENT

In the past week,  I have attended the home going celebrations of two people that I have known for quite some time.  It made me realize more than ever just how precious the moments are that we are given.  I know that God orchestrates our encounters.  I believe that the people we meet either add to our lives or take away from our lives in all capacities.  Nothing is ever by coincidence.  God is always in control and He never makes mistakes.
Our time of departure from this Earth is never known to us.  For this reason, I encourage you to cherish the life you have been given.  Live your life today for tomorrow is not promised.  That does not mean to fill your days with foolish activities, instead fill them spreading love among your family and friends.  Strive to remove the negativity.  Refuse to spend your moments being angry, revengeful, bitter or anything not like God.
Life is made of moments.  Some will be good and some will be bad.  The choice is yours as to how you  embrace your moments and react to them.  Your decision will directly affect your attitude, your outlook, your overall being.  I encourage you to make them all positive and as a happy as possible.
Our moments become memories.  Long after we have left this Earth, it is memories that heal the pain of our loved ones.  It is memories that make us smile for no reason.  It is memories that we have long after the moment has passed.
Personally, I strive to embrace my moments.  I take every opportunity to make memories.  Tomorrow is never promised.  I am often asked why I am so happy, so carefree, and so 'unique'.  The answer is that I choose to be that way.  Those in my circle, especially my nieces, hear me repeatedly say that you have to make great memories out of the moments we share.  I want to leave behind a smile when you think of me.  I want there to be a memory of the moment we shared.  I choose to appreciate the moments I am  given.

Angelic-1

AN EXCUSE OR A REASON...

My name is Audra Wheat, and I am a procrastinator.  They say admitting the problem is the first step toward the solution.  In 2013, my goal is to work on my procrastinating tendencies.  I can always find 100 excuses to not do something and never the reason why I should do it now.  I have used them all; I work better under pressure.  Something came up.  I need to complete or do this first.  I have plenty of time.  The list goes on an on.  These are common excuses that I know I am not alone in using on a daily basis.
Let's look at the word, excuse.  Over time in the English language the meaning has changed.  It meant originally, "to give a defense or reason for something."  However, it now means, "an unjustified or false reason for something, a false reason given to cover up the real reason.  That's it, a false reason...a lie.  You know they say a lie told often enough becomes reality.  I know the same can be said for an excuse.
So the second step is to stop thinking of the excuses.  I need to divert my attention away from the negative towards the positive.  The more time I spend thinking of excuses, the stronger my defense is towards not doing it.  For every excuse not to do it, I have to have a reason to do it.
Which leads to the third step, think of all the reasons and benefits of doing it now.  Focus on the advantages of getting it done in advance.  There is less stress and more time for corrections or modifications.
I like to think of it as excuses being negative and reasons being positive.   Being the optimist, I have to remember where to focus.  This is not something that I am going to conquer overnight, because it didn't start overnight.  However, I am well on my way to kicking my habit of procrastination.
I close with this...Stop looking for excuses not to do something and start looking for reasons to do something.

Angelic-1

ANGELIC WHISPERS...

THE FRUIT WE BEAR...

All the blessings we receive, be they material, financial, physical, emotional or mental, are rooted in our spiritual blessings.  This is where our focus should be, on our spiritual blessings.  They are however, the fruit of our material and natural blessings.  Why you may ask..because the root of all of our blessings lies in the spiritual realm.  Think about it this way, just like a fruit tree.  A fruit tree cannot bear fruit if it has no root.  If you separate the trunk of the tree from its root, you eliminate all potential for the tree bearing fruit.  The life of the tree flows unseen, it is hidden in the root system underground.  The life flows up and the branches produce fruit that is beneficial and abundant.  

We are just like fruit trees.  Our spiritual life is invisible and hidden within us.  It flows through our heart and produces fruits that can be seen in the in our natural and material blessings.  The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, humility and self-control.  If we are rich in the spirit, we will produce fruit that allows overflow of our blessings.  

Did you know that our thoughts bear fruit.   When we think good thoughts, our lives produce good fruit. When we think bad thoughts, our lives produce bad fruit. Our thoughts can be like fertilizer to our blessings.  We have to strive to continually think good thoughts.  It is not something that just happens, we have to work at it.  We have a choice in what we say, do, and think, so that means we have a choice in which fruit we bear.  So are you ruining your own fruit or are you striving to bear the best fruit by tuning into your spiritual blessings?

Angelic-1

  

13...

There are many things in society that are considered taboo or symbolize bad luck.  I am not a superstitious person.  However, the number 13 has always been considered unlucky and Friday the 13th, a day of of disastrous events.  For me, experiencing loss on that date was overwhelming, then having that date occur 4 times in 2012 was numbing.  I coasted through last year oblivious to pretty much all that was going on around me.  But I snapped out of it, and now it is 2013...there goes that number again.  I decide to resume living, to set some goals, and put some action plans into play.  Then the calendar reminds me that the date of the 13th will occur every month, forever.  There is no leap year that can make it go away. 
So I refocus, adjust my mentality, and decide to turn a negative into a positive.  So the 13th is for renewed life, new opportunities, celebration of goals achieved.  I am thankful for the knowledge, life lessons, history, and love poured into me for over eight years by dearly departed.  Now, I can and do choose to celebrate it the 13th of every month.  The 13th now serves as a reminder to me that God puts people in our lives to serve a purpose.  He loans us His best angels to bring out the best in us.  He can strategically maneuver our lives and situations in such a manner that our greatest loss can become our greatest motivation.
So now eyes that once dreaded and cried on the 13th, can now eagerly anticipate and await the 13th. It's the same number, the same date.  It just looks so promising through these awakened eyes of mine.