We are not JUST human

I think we all start off believing that we can do almost anything. Then one day, someone based on their own negative experiences remind us that we’re just “human”. The cycle of pessimism begins and we start to enter situations with these terrible ideas and perceptions. Consequently bad things start to happen. We fall to our faces with dismay and discouragement asking God “Why me?” But He is silent to the cries. So we assume that we are cursed. We assume that we are alone. When in actuality, He does not answer because only we have the solution, because we are the problem. There are no answers. There are no quick fixes. The universe simply reverberates what we put out. It is the ultimate boomerang.

Of course the cycle of reversal is a challenge. After all we’ve created and recited the gospel of doom that we allowed to grow within us so many times that we can barely see the sun. But as soon as we realize that we are the problem and the solution we can start to make some progress-

1

We are NOT just human. We are part spirit beings, created in the image of God.

2People treat us the way that we allow them to.

3It takes positive consistency to see positive results. Don’t give up.

4Be thankful. See every experience as something good.

Everything you do from this moment on will dictate the types of experiences that you will have. Choose to believe!

Deposits only, please

In January I started this path to become a better, healthier me. I keep telling myself "uncomfortable now, or disappointed later." In fact, I say that to myself several times per day. I especially recite it during times where the weather is in-climate and I'd rather stay inside and be warm. Or when someone offers me a plate of fried chicken wings. YUM! It snowed almost all week here in Pennsylvania.  Even now, I peaked my head up to see the leaves covered with snow looking like someone spray painted parts of them and left the other parts green. The high hovered somewhere between 10 and 14 degrees. The average person would have stayed inside and talked themselves out of doing something positive for themselves. But, I knew a long time ago that I was far from average. I got up. I conquered. Every single day.

My Father used to speak to us as children about how to handle our money. One of the phrases that I used to hear all the time was "Pay yourself first." Most of us have heard something similar to this at some point in our lives. So many of us take our percentages off the top when we are paid and tuck it away just in case something happens. A few years ago, I realized that "pay yourself first" didn't just have to refer to just money. But as usual with me, it takes MILES from the point of inception to execution. I mean it takes a LONG time for me. Most of that is because I am hard-headed and think that I can outsmart simple systems only to find out later that it is not possible. Anyway (this is about me, but not about me), I have decided to start paying myself first in all things. You know, take care of my star player! So I have a new regimen-

Every single day when I awaken, I give thanks. Not just that mumbled, crust still in the eyes, rolled up in bed "thanksforwakingmeupohGod." But I get up. Body fully erect. Meditate on God's goodness and promises. I give thanks. I exercise (even if it is a few stretches, arm rotations or lunges). That helps me center and focus on the tasks ahead. At the end of my work day, I do the same things that I started out doing. I end the day with exercise, prayer and meditation.

This has become easier since giving up Social Media for Lent. My find feels clear and alert. I feel like I can accomplish almost anything. I am not distracted by mindless clutter or situations which are as surface as a piece of recycled paper. I am focused on me, first!

The connection between the mind, body and spirit are awesome. All interconnected. All making up the men and women that we are today. If one area is malnourished, most likely so are all. Just think about that for a moment. Some of you might be naturally balanced. I am not. Never have been. So to attain balance, I have to do a few things.

My sister says "Lizzie, you didn't get this way overnight; so the process of repair will not happen overnight either. But if you are consistent and focused you will be better." That is ultimately the goal: To be a better me.

What is your ultimate goal; and, what are you doing to accomplish it?

Remember, you can either be uncomfortable now, or disappointed later. Don't let later come and bring in a wave of guilt and self-loathing. Today is the day. TODAY!

We are not separate but equal!!!

I woke up to an interesting question-

Liz, why is gay marriage so important to you? You're going to a legal state for the paper, but in Texas it won't mean anything.

Not that I owe anyone an explanation, but I could tell that this was a sincere need to know question. Thus my answer (lengthy, but still good to me):

Overall as a human population we demonstrate an act of commitment/venture/mutual acceptance by a contract/license/document. If you were called and made a job offer via phone, you would be ecstatic. But in a few days based on the way WE all do things wouldn't you be expecting an offer letter? Do you actually need the offer letter? When I agree to provide Recruitment services to companies, the deal is sealed with a contract to protect our interests and remind each party of our arrangement on days when we're not seeing eye to eye. In my opinion, it is the same with a marriage license. That document is important to me! It's not a love contract, as there is no contract for that. However it is a document to protect our interests and remind us of our commitment on days where we're not seeing eye to eye. The marriage license is a byproduct of the love. It says BECAUSE I love you, I promise to take care of you and all things concerning you. Of course it's not legal in Texas yet! But the way our country is shifting, it's only a matter of time. Look! EVERY state to the west of us accepts gay marriage.  Even now, if you were legally married in another state which recognizes gay marriage you can add one another to your benefits (in most Texas companies as of late), you can also file taxes together etc… So I know that my partner loves me and she knows I love her. However, we want the same recognition that anyone else in love can get: Marriage (and that little document that goes along with it). 

We are not separate but equal…many people have shed their blood to eradicate that sort of thinking.

Rejoice for Summer is here!

This is one of those things that you will either get or not. Kinda like grapefruit. You either dig that hybrid ass fruit or you don’t!

1.       Do you feel like you are not maximizing your total potential? Like maybe, the universe has more for you; yet no matter how you physically try you can’t grasp it?

2.       Do you find yourself in the exact same “space” every year around the same time?

If you answered: No, to those questions; then close your browser and come back again later. Because this is not for you. *gives you a dap* *slams the door*

But, if you answered yes; I think I know why these things occur-

What happens if you eat expired food? The most common occurrence is the fact that you will become physically ill. Based on that premise alone, it is logical for me to see that holding on to people/places/things and ideas past their expiration date will have the same effect on our mental state. So here’s what I now know (and I’ve known this for a while, but I’ve reached a deeper understanding of this matter, like today)-

1.       Just because you love someone and had a great run with them doesn’t mean that they are meant to dwell in your space forever. It’s like trying to extend winter. That season has passed. It’s really alright. It’s a healthy part of life. Change that is.

2.       If a situation does not enhance you, challenge you to be your best whether you are the giver or the receiver; it may be time to release it.

3.    Everyone is not meant to take your journey with you. And this goes for family and friends (hell, and neighbors and jobs etc…)

We have to realize that some of these people/places/things and ideas are TOXIC. It’s like fertilizing a plant with the wrong stuff. Now we are sitting there crying to the heavens asking God to make our plant grow (AKA “increase our territory”); while we are not doing our part. Preposterous! Vile! Foolish! Counterproductive! Stupid!  Because we will do know that God will only take us as far as we let him. And, last time I checked it was impossible to please HIM without faith; sooooooo….take the plunge. Walk on faith and allow your seasons to flow. LET GO! You haven’t spoken to that woman in 5 years. Let go! Ya’ll only get drunk together. But she can’t help you with anything else. Let go! Ya’ll used to be sooo tight. Keyword is: Used. Let go! You have tried to get her to stop doing drugs. Let go! We are human beings. We are not meant to carry every load, or every burden. And it’s hard. Really hard if you have the “Little Ms. Fix it” complex that I have. But part of growth is realization. Leave spring to be sprung. Leave winter to dry. Let’s allow our seasons to flow.

…….And by the way, it’s summer time now ;)

(Mirriam Webster defines Summer as: a period of maturing powers)

Namaste’