Monday, April 26, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Are You Ashame to Die?
Horace Mann once said, "Be Ashamed to Die until You Have Won Some Victory for Humanity." Many people think this quote is a call for you to do something huge or extraordinary for all the world to see. Absolutely not! I don’t believe this is what Mr. Mann was speaking about.
There are numerous things that we can do to make a difference in the lives of the people we encounter each and every single day. We can begin by loving the people we live with more. By telling them each and every day what they already should know…that you love them. While our children, spouses, siblings and parents already know this to be true, telling them just reinforces and enhances it more.
There are many things we can do in our daily journey through life for humanity and to make this planet better than it was before we arrived on it. Why don’t you try doing something special today for that boss who seems to give you hell on the job?
You never know what he goes though each morning before he arrives to work. Perhaps this could be the cause of his behavior towards you.
What about your neighbors? When was the last time you baked a delicious dessert for them simply because you wanted to brighten up their day. Just doing so could make a person feel valued when the rest of the world sees him/her as invisible. What you do for others will be multiplied back towards you. Because in giving, we really do receive.
It’s those small things that goes un-noticed and never make the news that keeps this world alive and turning. Those things like paying the tab for the car behind you in the fast food drive through window or offering to baby sit for the young couple at church who have three small children. What about volunteering at the women’s shelter to mop and clean the bathrooms? We don’t always need to be awarded and highlighted on television, write a book, sing a hit song or give an amazing presentation to have it said that we made a significant contribution to the planet.
It really is about using what’s in your hand and expressing it with your heart that will make this world a better place to live. It will also allow us to die without shame but with a sense of purpose, worth and value. Then Horace Mann will have declared the truth for us all.
There are numerous things that we can do to make a difference in the lives of the people we encounter each and every single day. We can begin by loving the people we live with more. By telling them each and every day what they already should know…that you love them. While our children, spouses, siblings and parents already know this to be true, telling them just reinforces and enhances it more.
There are many things we can do in our daily journey through life for humanity and to make this planet better than it was before we arrived on it. Why don’t you try doing something special today for that boss who seems to give you hell on the job?
You never know what he goes though each morning before he arrives to work. Perhaps this could be the cause of his behavior towards you.
What about your neighbors? When was the last time you baked a delicious dessert for them simply because you wanted to brighten up their day. Just doing so could make a person feel valued when the rest of the world sees him/her as invisible. What you do for others will be multiplied back towards you. Because in giving, we really do receive.
It’s those small things that goes un-noticed and never make the news that keeps this world alive and turning. Those things like paying the tab for the car behind you in the fast food drive through window or offering to baby sit for the young couple at church who have three small children. What about volunteering at the women’s shelter to mop and clean the bathrooms? We don’t always need to be awarded and highlighted on television, write a book, sing a hit song or give an amazing presentation to have it said that we made a significant contribution to the planet.
It really is about using what’s in your hand and expressing it with your heart that will make this world a better place to live. It will also allow us to die without shame but with a sense of purpose, worth and value. Then Horace Mann will have declared the truth for us all.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Where Do You Choose To Live?
One of the things I love about this journey called life is the many lessons that comes our way. Often time people or situations show up in our lives to teach us valuable lessons about who we are and where we are.
I was recently confronted with an issue that challenged me in a way I had not been tested in a very long time. In the midst of this challenge, I must admit that I was tempted to shift from my place of love and allowing to a place of resistance and protection.
Although I chose to remain on God’s ground of love, I did feel a little resistance at first. But I immediately shifted and began to remind myself that I have chosen to live from a space of love and not fear. I could choose to react or I could choose to respond….I chose the latter.
I reminded myself of who I was and who am constantly becoming, regardless of what someone else’s opinion of me may or may not be. I realized that we can never convince a person of something different when their minds are already made up. As Bergson says, “The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to comprehend.”
We have no control over how we are perceived, we do however, have control over how we choose to love. When we understand that all things happen in life to teach us something about ourselves, we will blame less and learn to grow more. I am grateful for this test because it forced me to take a deeper look within myself for places where I may be in need of more love or more healing.
So the next time you are hit with a situation that challenges you, take the time to ask yourself “what is really happening here?” “What am I to learn from this?” I passed this test with flying colors. And what happens when you pass a test? You get promoted!! Now that calls for a celebration!
Will we make mistakes in life? Of course we will. Will we get it wrong sometimes? Absolutely! Will others misinterpret who you are? You better believe they will. But when this happens, will you respond or will you react? Where you have chosen to live, love or fear, will determine your next promotion in life.
I was recently confronted with an issue that challenged me in a way I had not been tested in a very long time. In the midst of this challenge, I must admit that I was tempted to shift from my place of love and allowing to a place of resistance and protection.
Although I chose to remain on God’s ground of love, I did feel a little resistance at first. But I immediately shifted and began to remind myself that I have chosen to live from a space of love and not fear. I could choose to react or I could choose to respond….I chose the latter.
I reminded myself of who I was and who am constantly becoming, regardless of what someone else’s opinion of me may or may not be. I realized that we can never convince a person of something different when their minds are already made up. As Bergson says, “The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to comprehend.”
We have no control over how we are perceived, we do however, have control over how we choose to love. When we understand that all things happen in life to teach us something about ourselves, we will blame less and learn to grow more. I am grateful for this test because it forced me to take a deeper look within myself for places where I may be in need of more love or more healing.
So the next time you are hit with a situation that challenges you, take the time to ask yourself “what is really happening here?” “What am I to learn from this?” I passed this test with flying colors. And what happens when you pass a test? You get promoted!! Now that calls for a celebration!
Will we make mistakes in life? Of course we will. Will we get it wrong sometimes? Absolutely! Will others misinterpret who you are? You better believe they will. But when this happens, will you respond or will you react? Where you have chosen to live, love or fear, will determine your next promotion in life.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Let The Sunshine In!
Today was an absolutely beautiful day here in Columbia, SC. The sun was shining; it was not too hot or too cold...it was just perfect. But the weather man is calling for cooler temperatures and thunder storms on Thursday. Isn’t that exactly how our lives can be sometimes? One day everything is great and the next day it seems that all hell has broken loose.
It’s in those times when we must understand that life is going to happen to all of us. We can’t prevent things from happening. It’s just the way it is. We will have some sunny days and then we will have some rainy days, but it’s the meaning we give to the experience that determines our outcome. If we allow the circumstances in our lives to change our outlook on the life or our emotions to dictate our responses to life’s challenges, we will always find ourselves on the up and down roller coaster. Don’t allow external events in your life to control your internal state. Joy comes from within and from knowing that this too will pass.
So today I will enjoy the beautiful sunshine and with laughter in my heart and on Thursday I’m going to also enjoy the day with laughter, but I won’t forget my umbrella.
It’s in those times when we must understand that life is going to happen to all of us. We can’t prevent things from happening. It’s just the way it is. We will have some sunny days and then we will have some rainy days, but it’s the meaning we give to the experience that determines our outcome. If we allow the circumstances in our lives to change our outlook on the life or our emotions to dictate our responses to life’s challenges, we will always find ourselves on the up and down roller coaster. Don’t allow external events in your life to control your internal state. Joy comes from within and from knowing that this too will pass.
So today I will enjoy the beautiful sunshine and with laughter in my heart and on Thursday I’m going to also enjoy the day with laughter, but I won’t forget my umbrella.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Dare To Be Different!
When I began my path of personal growth, one of the things I had to do was to step away from the pack. In order for me to gain control of my life and my destiny, I had to move away from the loudness of everyone else’s voice, so I could hear the whispers of God’s Voice.
Moving away from the group or the tribe can be a difficult transition, but a necessary one. It can become difficult because when you move from being a willing and obedient member of the pack, you risk being labeled as a rebel. But the move is necessary when you are ready to answer the call and assignment placed on your life.
We have been trained to believe that conformity is right and individualism is wrong. But at what point are you willing to release your fear of being unique and different? It is when we step away from the group that we find our real authentic self, our power and we become open to new possibilities.
In order to create the kind of change that will bring about a better world for all of us, we must step away from the pack to discover new ways of doing things. We must ask the hard questions, we must become adventurous and daring. It is when we make these new discoveries and find the new answers that we can share with the rest of the world; we will learn that together we can all create lasting change.
Martin Luther King was not afraid, Nelson Mandela was not afraid, Ghandi was not afraid, Oprah was not afraid, Obama was not afraid and Jesus certainly was not afraid. What are you waiting on? Stop waiting on other’s approval; quit vying to be accepted or popular. It takes courage to step away from the pack and shift into becoming a leader of the pack.
A new era is approaching and we need leaders to rise up and dare to be different and unique. Risk the labels if you must, risk being an outsider if you will, but do what is necessary and everyone will benefit. Because in doing so, not only will you have shifted from being a member of the pack, you have now become their leader and their servant. A servant leader is not a rebel, but a rare breed! Now that’s what I called daring to be different.
Moving away from the group or the tribe can be a difficult transition, but a necessary one. It can become difficult because when you move from being a willing and obedient member of the pack, you risk being labeled as a rebel. But the move is necessary when you are ready to answer the call and assignment placed on your life.
We have been trained to believe that conformity is right and individualism is wrong. But at what point are you willing to release your fear of being unique and different? It is when we step away from the group that we find our real authentic self, our power and we become open to new possibilities.
In order to create the kind of change that will bring about a better world for all of us, we must step away from the pack to discover new ways of doing things. We must ask the hard questions, we must become adventurous and daring. It is when we make these new discoveries and find the new answers that we can share with the rest of the world; we will learn that together we can all create lasting change.
Martin Luther King was not afraid, Nelson Mandela was not afraid, Ghandi was not afraid, Oprah was not afraid, Obama was not afraid and Jesus certainly was not afraid. What are you waiting on? Stop waiting on other’s approval; quit vying to be accepted or popular. It takes courage to step away from the pack and shift into becoming a leader of the pack.
A new era is approaching and we need leaders to rise up and dare to be different and unique. Risk the labels if you must, risk being an outsider if you will, but do what is necessary and everyone will benefit. Because in doing so, not only will you have shifted from being a member of the pack, you have now become their leader and their servant. A servant leader is not a rebel, but a rare breed! Now that’s what I called daring to be different.
Monday, February 8, 2010
What's Your Motive?
Have you ever wondered why you do some of the things that you do?
Asking ourselves 'why?' helps us to dig deeper into our motives -- why we do what we do.
Often times we do things for the wrong reasons and when our motives are wrong or unclear, the results can sometimes be damaging for all involved. Just this weekend I had a situation to arise that I was not pleased with my response. While my response didn’t cause any real damage to anyone, except my own self disappointment, it did cause me to re-examine my real motives. It was not a pleasant experience for me, but a necessary one.
Interesting enough all human actions stem from motives. It is our job to make sure that we are absolutely clear about our motives for doing or saying anything. I want to encourage you to start right now and ask yourself, “Why am I….?” Listen very closely for the answer that surfaces and write it down. Listen with your heart, not with your reasoning mind. Your heart will yield you the truth. Once you have written your answer, look at it and ask why again. Continue with this process until you reach the true source of your motives. You will know the truth in your heart and in your body.
Once we identify our underlying motives for doing anything, we can also choose to change them if we wish. Keeping our motives pure challenges us to tell the truth even when no one knows the truth but you. The right motives will always contribute to the good of everyone and the results can create massive transformation not only in our own lives but also in the lives of others as well.
Asking ourselves 'why?' helps us to dig deeper into our motives -- why we do what we do.
Often times we do things for the wrong reasons and when our motives are wrong or unclear, the results can sometimes be damaging for all involved. Just this weekend I had a situation to arise that I was not pleased with my response. While my response didn’t cause any real damage to anyone, except my own self disappointment, it did cause me to re-examine my real motives. It was not a pleasant experience for me, but a necessary one.
Interesting enough all human actions stem from motives. It is our job to make sure that we are absolutely clear about our motives for doing or saying anything. I want to encourage you to start right now and ask yourself, “Why am I….?” Listen very closely for the answer that surfaces and write it down. Listen with your heart, not with your reasoning mind. Your heart will yield you the truth. Once you have written your answer, look at it and ask why again. Continue with this process until you reach the true source of your motives. You will know the truth in your heart and in your body.
Once we identify our underlying motives for doing anything, we can also choose to change them if we wish. Keeping our motives pure challenges us to tell the truth even when no one knows the truth but you. The right motives will always contribute to the good of everyone and the results can create massive transformation not only in our own lives but also in the lives of others as well.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
I'm Not That Woman!
A few months ago I was riding in the car just thinking about how much I have changed since starting this love lifestyle journey, years ago. My life has really changed and so have I. I am clearer about who I am and what I want and I truly love myself authentically. For those of you who know my story, you also know this journey began in 1994 when my friend asked me the question that would change my life forever. She asked me, “What do you want?”
It was at that moment, I realized I couldn’t answer the question. I didn't know what I wanted because I had no clue of who I really was. Today, I know exactly who I am and what I want. And I was reminded of that during my recent car ride, that “I’m Not That Woman.”
I’m no longer the woman who my friend asked that question to in 1994. No, I am transformed into the creative, brilliant, magnificent divine woman that God created me to be. And more importantly, I love this woman.
When we become clear about who we really are and who we really have become, we also become clear about who we are not. I must warn you, however, that people will still try to treat you as if you were that former person. It’s because they refuse to accept the fact that she no longer exists. They refuse to accept the fact that she now lives life on her own terms not trying to please and get the approval of others any longer. There are times when my husband and children forget that I am no longer a slave to their every want and needs. They sometimes forget that I have given myself permission to put me first.
When this happens, I gently remind them with a loud shout “I’m Not That Woman!” I cannot tell you how good it feels to be “this woman.” So the next time someone tries to mistaken you for the “old you”, just gently remind them as I do with a loud shout, “I’m Not That Woman!” I can promise you it will feel fantastic!!
Book Angela now for “The I’m Not That Woman Tour” starting the Fall of 2010. Be on the lookout for soon to be released, CD single, “I’m Not That Woman” and The “I’m Not That Woman” product line.
It was at that moment, I realized I couldn’t answer the question. I didn't know what I wanted because I had no clue of who I really was. Today, I know exactly who I am and what I want. And I was reminded of that during my recent car ride, that “I’m Not That Woman.”
I’m no longer the woman who my friend asked that question to in 1994. No, I am transformed into the creative, brilliant, magnificent divine woman that God created me to be. And more importantly, I love this woman.
When we become clear about who we really are and who we really have become, we also become clear about who we are not. I must warn you, however, that people will still try to treat you as if you were that former person. It’s because they refuse to accept the fact that she no longer exists. They refuse to accept the fact that she now lives life on her own terms not trying to please and get the approval of others any longer. There are times when my husband and children forget that I am no longer a slave to their every want and needs. They sometimes forget that I have given myself permission to put me first.
When this happens, I gently remind them with a loud shout “I’m Not That Woman!” I cannot tell you how good it feels to be “this woman.” So the next time someone tries to mistaken you for the “old you”, just gently remind them as I do with a loud shout, “I’m Not That Woman!” I can promise you it will feel fantastic!!
Book Angela now for “The I’m Not That Woman Tour” starting the Fall of 2010. Be on the lookout for soon to be released, CD single, “I’m Not That Woman” and The “I’m Not That Woman” product line.
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