There are many days that I do what I do,  not because I feel like it or want to, but because I said so. Some days I'm tired, physically, mentally or spiritually. Most days I'm in physical pain. Some days I just want to chill and do nothing. Other days I just don't want to be accountable. But it is in those times that I do whatever needs to be done anyway, simply because I have the final word, and I said so. I tell my body and mind what to do and think. It doesn't dictate to me. I am the boss. I am in control. I call the shots, not my moods, feelings, or circumstances.

Today, I encourage you to go forth in life doing what needs to be done, simply because you said so. Don't listen to the excuses, negativity, or opposing thoughts meant to derail you from what you are to accomplish today. Today, I will have a great, productive day because I said so. What about you?

Be blessed and stay encouraged. I love you. 

It's highly likely that if you're trying to achieve something, you will achieve something. And the more difficult the goal, the greater the reward will be for the work performed. As the saying goes, if you shoot for the moon, at the very minimum you will land among the stars. Place no limits on what you want and how hard you are willing to work for it. If you've tried something previously and failed, try it again, over and over if necessary, doing it better each time, until you succeed. The odds are in your favor if you don't give up. If you keep at it, it is highly likely that you will see your dreams become a reality. 

Be blessed and stay encouraged. I love you. 

I decided to go to urgent care early this morning to assess some pain that I had been experiencing over the last couple of days. While waiting for the single parking spot reserved for patients to be vacated, I realized that a patient was being dropped off instead of leaving. She was surrounded by a group of concerned women who discussed her issue with the facility's registrar. It turned out that she had somehow managed to bust her head open. I'm not sure of how severe her injuries were, but the blood on the compress that she held on her head signified that she was in a more critical condition than I was.

I immediately realized that while what I'm experiencing isn't comfortable or convenient, it could definitely be worse. Likewise, whatever you're going through, while it may not be comfortable or convenient, it could definitely be worse. Therefore, we must always be mindful to be grateful.

Be blessed and stay encouraged. I love you. 

This morning, the location that I left from to get to my daily destination was different than my usual. Because it was different and because I had placed a preconceived notion in my mind that it was farther, I assumed that my commute would take longer. To my surprise, the GPS navigation mapped out my directions and advised me that my drive would take the exact same time as leaving from my regular location. 

Sometimes in life, we get moved to a different location and we perceive that because we've been moved that it is going to take us farther away from reaching our goals, when in fact it doesn't. It just gives us a different route to get there. Be okay with changing up when put in the position to. You're still going to make it where you're going in good time. 

Be blessed and stay encouraged. I love you.

Lack is real in my life right now, just like it is in the lives of many. I'm normally not moved by what I have or don't have, but I was moved to tears last night. Sometimes it feels like I've been living in a Job moment forever, and just when it seems like I'm coming out and things are changing in my favor, something out of the blue happens and I remain in need.

After I started crying solemn tears, I proceeded to have a mini-pitty-party. Not too far into it, I took the last little strength I could muster up and cried out to God reminding Him that He said that I'm above and not beneath. He said that I'm the head and not the tail. He said that He would supply all of my needs according to His riches in glory. He said that I am an ambassador to His kingdom. He said that I am a joint heir. 

I finally went on to pray for a solid rest, as He said He would give me rest when I'm heavy laden. I slept soundly, but woke up to even more of the same as another negative event happened over night as I was sleeping. All I could think of is "yet will I trust Him."

I don't think that what I'm going through is a surprise to God. As a matter of fact, I know that anything that I face has to be allowed by God. Why, I don't know, nor do I need to have all of the answers. But what I do know is that He knew that I would speak from the heart on the matters concerning me this morning and that this post is probably bigger than me and for someone else to hear. I know that there's power in this post because for some unknown reason, this entire post erased when I wrote it, not once but twice, and I rewrote it again because someone needs to know that they are not alone in whatever they're going through. Your difficulty may not be the same as mine, but let's not get weary in well-doing. The victory is ours.

The verse that I was drawn to this morning was Habakkuk 3:17-18. It's titled, Habakkuk rejoices in the Lord. It reads as follows: 


Though the fig tree should not blossom nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.

Be blessed and stay encouraged. I love you.