New Year! New Goals! New Vision!

Writing is one of my passions however I stopped writing on this platform due to work! I was writing for work and had no more creativity left to write what was really on my mind. I had no time to reflect on my own and write my own thoughts. But…for 2017…I will write to my hearts content! I will write from wherever I am and write whatever comes to mind. One thing is for sure…I want to write! I feel I have the platform for it and I feel that I have a lot to say coming from an introverted person who wants to find the inner extroverted person to come out. 

What are your passions? Are you following your dreams and accomplishing your goals? Are you starting the new year fresh and new? I always start with a vision board and this year I found an app called My Vision Board that is easily accessible from my phone. This doesn’t mean I will not create an actual vision board since it actually helps to have one you can view daily. What do you add to your vision board? How do you make yours? Ideas? Thoughts and suggestions? What do you do with your previous vision boards? Do you redo, throw away or give it away? I think it’s actually fun to make a vision board with a friend or group of friends. Do you enjoy making it on your own? I think it’s also fun to make with your children instilling them a habit they can grow into as they grow older. What have you done with your children to create and share your vision board? There are some great ideas online but would love to hear your suggestions. Also, are you consistent with your vision board and what has helped to remain consistent? I have found that having others accountable helps a great deal to remain focused on the end result. 

Let’s make 2017 the best year ever! Go out and make a difference! Write a book. Travel to a foreign country or visit a city you’ve never been. Meet new, positive and interesting people every day. Smile or hug someone. Spread love and not hate! Love God first and foremost and love people! 

Godspeed 

Cindy

LIFE…What does it mean to you?

Growing up in a major city was the best experience for me. It was fast paced, fun and exciting! As I got older, finding a slower pace of life was more appealing. So, moving from New York City to Florida was the best idea. At least that is what my parents thought. It was a huge struggle leaving the Big Apple to the Sunshine State. I was making tons of money at the time and I was leaving a great job. I was working as a Corporate Travel Agent in Park Avenue where I would put on my sneakers in order to commute comfortably and then slip on my high heels once I arrived at the office. That all changed after moving to the Sunshine State. I did not have a job when I arrived but instead my full time job was to look for a job. My parents bought me a car to get around because public transportation was almost unheard of and believe me I was super grateful for my 1988 white four door Volvo.

Almost 20 years later and the Volvo has been long gone. I now have an SUV that takes me everywhere. Mickeyland is now becoming mecca city. There is construction everywhere and there are so many cars. It has no longer become a city of retirement but of many tourist jobs, delicious restaurants and lavish hotels for all or our visitors. I have had the privilege of working in the non-profit sector for almost the same amount of time that I’ve been in O-town as many would like to call it. It has grown immensely reminding me of the big city of where I came from. It great but as I get older I yearn for that slower place of life.

So, what is the meaning of LIFE as my title of this blog suggests? Life is what you make of it. Life is beautiful. Life is amazing…for some it is great and for others not so much or at least they may not seem to think so. Nevertheless, LIFE is good. The things that happen to us daily builds character if we learn from what life brings us. It was never meant to be easy for it were to be easy then we would not GROW! We would not grow into the human being that we are becoming today.

The meaning of life is different for many people. It could mean sailing, fishing, living on the beach, traveling, writing, drawing and so on. Life is what you do and how you impact others with your gifts, talents and skills!  I’ve been thinking about what my life has been and how I have made an impact on the individuals that I have crossed paths with. I can only say that I hope it was a good impact. I can only hope for the best and leave the rest to God.

Now, I ask you…what is the meaning of life? You can reflect and think back of your past and also think of what your future would be like. What do you want to do that will impact other lives with your gifts, talents and skills? How will you make a difference in your family, friends and coworkers’ lives? Will you leave a ripple effect of positive attributes? What kind of impact will you leave on others?

I love this passage of scripture found in John 15 where Jesus is referred as the vine and us as his branches. Analogies are great to learn from since we learn by hearing examples and references. What does this passage mean to you? How can you relate? Are you the branch that withers or remains?

Read and reflect:

John 15English Standard Version (ESV)

I Am the True Vine
15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Think ahead about what your life means and what you want to do. February is a great month to look at the goals you have written in the beginning of the year and see if you are right on track. If you are then GREAT! And, if not, then you know what you need to do. Get back on them and keep on trucking along. You still have the rest of the year to accomplish all that you set yourself out to do. Stay accountable and stay focused on your goals and dreams. Make life exciting, fun and enjoy the ride!

Have a great weekend and enjoy life to its fullest! Make your life different and impact others around you!

Godspeed

Cindy

GGWT

New Year, New Goals, New Rules

So it’s a new year and everyone has resolutions that may be broken by the first of the second month into the year. What new years resolutions have you written that you may have already broken? It’s ok if you have broken one or two. Get back on them and keep pressing forward! We still have 350 days to cover. So let’s get going! Motivate, Inspire, Change Lives and Jump into Action.

Get your calendar, notebook, journal, dream book, or whatever it is that you enjoy writing your dreams and read what you have written and write some more!  I have realized there are times when you have to look back and review what you have written and achieved (or not) in order to see how far you have gotten.

One of my goals this year is to read more books that will help me reach my goals. I have already read a book by Terri Savelle Foy “Dream Big” and it has impacted my life greatly! If you do not like to read there is also the option of listening to podcasts  or audiobooks. Learn, learn, learn and move, move, move unto a better place, unto a better position, unto a better state of mind. The point is to move and not be mediocre.

I challenge you to get your hands on books, articles, attend conferences and seminars that will challenge you to jump into your destiny. Surround yourself by positive people. Take away the negative and recognize when the negative energy reaches your space.

This year, I am going to jump into action and no longer be a wimp or give excuses. I love the acronym that Florida Hospital has on their welcome card (laying on the hospital bed) when you are admitted as an inpatient or outpatient – CREATION.

C- Choice

R- Rest

E- Environment

A- Activity

T- Trust

I- Interpersonal Relationships

O- Outlook

N- Nutrition

After reading their philosophy, I was reminded that in life there should be a balance. At times, we lose that balance when we focus too much on one thing and then all others areas of our lives suffer the neglect.

So, time to get back in the game to focus and keep the balance going. What do you do when you fall off your list of things to do? What is it that helps you stay on track? Is it a phone app? List of things to do on paper? A planner? All are great and the best part is that you use  what works for you.

Live, learn and move on!

2016 will be the best year ever~

Cindy

GGWT

 

 

Things That Make You Go Hmmm…

What’s that? It’s a bird, it’s a plane…it’s super…fill in the blank!

Many of us go through life with crazy shocking events occurring in our dysfunctional and quirky families!

We are either shocked or it’s of no surprise that they occur…but with God nothing is hidden, surprising or shocking.

He knows what has happened, what will happen and what will be!

Why don’t we trust Him? Why is it that we turn to others and not God? I know we’re humans and we all fall short of His glory but what happens is going to happen and it is how we deal with them that really matter.

What am I talking about? Nothing in particular except that all things happen for a reason. Do we know what they are? Yes, no and not sure because those are the only answers that we have in order to come to a conclusion. One thing is certain and that is that God is Sovereign, All-Knowing, All-Powerful and simply put He is merciful and loving and only wants the best from us! All we need to do is to acknowledge Him and His works. His plan is greater and already knows what they are even before we can think it.

So, think about it when a situation or major event occurs in your life and bask on the fact that God knew it would happen and also knows how you would respond. Take a moment to think about such things and the many ways you can react to them. Your response is what will make you a better person or not. You will be judged or not. You will be admired or not. At the end, you will reap the results. You choose!

Growing up, Arsenio Hall had a late night show and he was using the phrase “Things That Make You Go Hmmm…” and although his show was funny the things he would mention did make you think and you probably had a perplexed look on your face or it just wasn’t so surprising. Either way, it was how you respond that would make you think a little about the situation presented. But, that’s not what the real message I want to bring to you. I want to make you aware that many more things are to come in this world and we are not to be so surprised if you are a bible-reading, bible-loving, God-loving, church-going, devout Christian. Our generation will see many things and may seem strange but to God it will not be strange.

How will you respond? What actions will you take? Will you be moved? Will you take action? What are you praying for? Do you too have a heart after God? Let’s ask a lot of questions to be in the know. “People perish because of lack of knowledge” – paraphrased Hosea 4:6. Let’s pray and ask God for direction! Let’s keep our eyes on Him. He should be our source!

Be encouraged and trust Him for everything! He loves and wants the very best for you!

Proverbs 3:5-6

Peace~

Cindy

Feeling Inspired

What inspires you?

What motivates you?

What challenges you?

When you are happy or sad do you feel pushed to the edge?

Here is something I wrote this morning that expresses my thoughts and feelings about feeling inspired during the most darkest and difficult times or simply when life throws stuff at you when you are not looking.

I hope you enjoy it!

I refuse to get down because someone else is down!

I refuse to allow someone else’s depression overcome me and my future!

I refuse to get my mind entangled with the craziness of other people.

I refuse to let go of God at this point in my life.

I refuse to allow confusion to interfere with God’s plan in my life.

I refuse to go back to Egypt when I know that the promise land is right before me.

I will look ahead with my head held high and with my eyes focused on the prize who is Jesus-the Author, Perfecter and Finisher of my FAITH!

I will trust in HIM and only HIM during these most difficult times-actually this is not so difficult when you think back of all the losses I’ve had. Struggles come and go but HIS word will never return void. It sharpens me and pierces my heart for it is a exactly like a double edged sword!

My God will ALWAYS be right beside me and will never leave me.

I will trust in HIM!!! 

But, I, too must act. Act like I’ve never acted before. With strength, wisdom and perseverance!

To move like a gazelle for time is short!

To move like there is no time to play!

To move like my life depends on it!

To move like a Silver Bullet train to get to the next station on time for there is no time.

To move because God’s timing is not my own.

And, to move to the next level for it is from glory, glory, glory that God takes me in order to move to the next level of my life!

Here is also a chapter from the book of Psalm (34) that inspires me and helps me move forward in life! Enjoy and be blessed~

Psalm 34

Of David. When he pretended to be insane before Abimelek, who drove him away, and he left.

¹ I will extol the Lord at all times;
    his praise will always be on my lips.
² I will glory in the Lord;
    let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
³ Glorify the Lord with me;
    let us exalt his name together.

⁴ I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
    he delivered me from all my fears.
⁵ Those who look to him are radiant;
    their faces are never covered with shame.
⁶ This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
    he saved him out of all his troubles.
⁷ The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
    and he delivers them.

⁸ Taste and see that the Lord is good;
    blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
⁹ Fear the Lord, you his holy people,
    for those who fear him lack nothing.
¹⁰ The lions may grow weak and hungry,
    but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
¹¹ Come, my children, listen to me;
    I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
¹² Whoever of you loves life
    and desires to see many good days,
¹³ keep your tongue from evil
    and your lips from telling lies.
¹⁴ Turn from evil and do good;
    seek peace and pursue it.

¹⁵ The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
    and his ears are attentive to their cry;
¹⁶ but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
    to blot out their name from the earth.

¹⁷ The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
    he delivers them from all their troubles.
¹⁸ The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
    and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

¹⁹ The righteous person may have many troubles,
    but the Lord delivers him from them all;
²⁰ he protects all his bones,
    not one of them will be broken.

²¹ Evil will slay the wicked;
    the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
²² The Lord will rescue his servants;
    no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

 

Reference: biblegateway.com

 

Be blessed and be a blessing to someone else! =)

 

Significant…you say!

What is Significant? A question that is asked all the time. About 5 years ago, I was asked this question at a women’s weekend retreat. What does significant really mean, I thought. Something of worth, value, importance, royalty? Webster Merriam’s online dictionary defines significant as “large enough to be noticed or have an effect”. I like the latter definition as we were born to have purpose and have an effect on others that we come in contact with. I learned 6 biblical principles at the women’s retreat that later changed my life greatly! Immediately after the retreat, I began a small group using “The Significant Woman” Facilitators Guide made by women, for women! This guide was exactly what I needed and God knew this all along. I recruited my close friends to take the discipleship course and later they became a part of the first Latina Women’s Conference in the South Orlando area. Little did I know that 3 years later the women that were in attendance at the conference are now using the same materials and have coached and mentored (disciple) over 200 women. I don’t say all of this to boast as I don’t want pride creeping in! I believe that this is a great place to share what God is doing in the Latina community! The women are growing spiritually and in numbers. What an amazing time to see God’s people seasoned and new to feel refreshed and hungry for what is needed in today’s society.
On of my favorite verses in which I share whenever I go and speak at the women’s graduation ceremonies is Psalm 139: 13-14 and Ephesians 2:10.
Psalm 139:13-14 says, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” and Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”.
What a great reminder that there is a Creator who planned our life way before we could every imagine and that He has a specific plan in our lives!
1. What is your significance?
2. Why do you believe God has created you for this lifetime, this century?
3. Are you aware of your gifts, talents, or calling in your life?

More on “The Significant Woman” project to come soon! I will talk about how God has developed by gifts and talents in the area of discipleship, training, developing, coaching and mentoring Godly women of today!

Visit http://www.thesignificantwoman.com page and check out other testimonials from all over the world.

You can click LIKE on The Significant Woman page on Facebook and see pictures and other stories to inspire you!

I hope you are encouraged and inspired by today’s post! God has bigger and greater things for you!

Godspeed,

Cindy

Today is the DAY…what are you up to?

Heard this song on my Pandora this morning and thought: YES! Today is the DAY!!! Every day we wake up we have the opportunity to start all over again! What a privilege and gift it is to wake up and say to your family, spouse, friends, co-workers, and to God that “Today is the DAY!” So, get up and give HIM praise and thank HIM for your home, bed, family, job and everything else the HE has provided. We live by HIS grace and mercy! I pray you are inspired by this video as I have. Lincoln Brewster ROCKS! But, Jesus is my ROCK!

Psalm 42[a][b]

For the director of music. A maskil^[c] of the Sons of Korah.

¹ As the deer pants for streams of water,
    so my soul pants for you, my God

Thirsty? I am…almost all the time…actually ALL the time! But, do I drink water? Not really…I wait until I am super parched…why do I do that? I am not an expert in spending time with Jesus..but when I do all I want to do is sing, pray, talk, and write in my journal. I sometimes forget to listen. And that is so important just as it is in a relationship with your spouse, children or even your boss. Setting aside time to bask in His presence helps you with your decision making and it opens your spiritual eyes to the evil schemes.

I remember singing this song referencing the above scripture in my youth group and feeling great about spending time in the presence of God. So many things hinder me from getting there. No one is at fault but me and no excuses. Discipline is the key!

With that, I am going to go bask in His presence as my nephew crawls into my lap to finally crash for the evening lol…oh the joy of being an auntie!

Hope you find time too!

Godspeed~

Growing In Strength-Free to do

Colossians 1:3-14 NIV

“We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.   For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,  so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

There is so much to learn from this passage. What are you learning? Is God showing you some things that need some changing?

This past weekend I made some decisions that needed to be made a long time ago and was afraid to make them. After making the decisions to move forward and take some action I truly felt liberated.

Do you have some things that are hindering you from moving ahead? What is stopping you? Is it you? Others? I encourage you to take some time to reflect and ask God to remove things, people, idols, etc for He has amazingly GOOD things in store for you!

Here is a picture of me in Philly last weekend feeling liberated. 🙂

Godspeed

Cindy

PS: I apologize for not writing this and posting it sooner. I was on vacation and catching up with what was left behind to be done.

Shoes to Fill…A Very Tall Order

What shoes do you wear?

What are you called to do?

The other day my mom and I were talking about “vocation” and “calling”.
When I think of the word “vocation” I think of a plumber, nurse or a police.
And, when I think of the word “calling” I think of a missionary, a pastor or layperson.
What are you thoughts?
I’m trying to ask thought-provoking questions simply to see what others think.
This photo was taken a few months ago when I was doing my early spring cleaning and found these shoes under the bed. I know spring was just last week but I started early…call me a nerd (hehehe). Well, these shoes were left under the bed back in May of last year when my late sister was visiting us for 2 weeks and she realized she could not fit them in her luggage because she had just way too much stuff to take back home (this tells you I literally do not look under the bed often). So, she asked me to mail them after she left because they were her favorites shoes and were very comfortable and pretty. I never did but she never asked for them again either. Go figure.

I could never fill in my sisters shoes. She did so much! Her friend and co-worker text me about a week ago and I was reminded that many loved her and what she stood up for. I know she had a calling and it is evident by the responses of all those that loved her for they continue to send me quick text messages to let me know what a huge impact my sister has left in their lives. She loved God and loved people!

I’m sure you have a legacy you are working on to leave for your friends and family. But again I ask, “what is your calling?” What are you doing to fulfill your calling? We are conditioned to go to school and work on getting a degree to get a career and to work until retirement. At least that’s how I was taught growing up in public schools. But what is truly your “calling” in your life? Are you living out what God has called you to do? Jeremiah 29:11 say’s “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” And, I love the following scripture by Paul in Ephesians 4:1, “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” Paul is exhorting us to live a life worthy of the calling in which you have received. We have received a calling and now what do we do with it?

It’s March and I’m sure you are tired of going to the gym and eating healthy…maybe or maybe not??? I urge you to go to your list of things to do, your resolution list, your short-term or long-term goals and review, revise and rewrite if you have to. Stay on track and update what needs to be updated. God is a god of mercy and we have every waking day to start all over. Go and do what you are called to do!

Be encouraged! Be inspired! And, be you! God called you! Don’t delay! Get going!!!

What shoes are you wearing?

I hope this message has inspired you as it has me!

Godspeed,

Cindy