Divine Intervention

The paths of our lives can sometimes take the most unexpected twists and turns just when we least expect it. In circumstances more often than not, when I focus on something other than something for myself, I discover an interesting inter-connectedness of multiple resources that open some amazing doors of opportunity for me.

Although sometimes it seems hard to make decisions solely for “self” you can do it unselfishly and reap the rewards of divine blessings, because you are blessing someone else. Recently, I found myself in several different scenarios that initially started out as a good gesture, but as things develop, these little gestures become more magnificent and empowering than anything I imagined. Because of this, I learn that God is leading me down the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Although these paths can often appear to be frightening and I may feel a little apprehensive about traveling down them, an inner peace lets me know there is a reason for journeying down these roads and inevitably, everything is going to be all right.

I learn important lessons of being still during my daily meditations and asking God to show me what my mission is going to be for that day. I don’t go searching for those missions, but allow God to order my steps and give me the solutions and instructions, based on the tools and gifts He has given me in order to handle my assignments for that moment and time.

When things begin to transform and fall into place in a more than favorable way, I don’t think of this as luck, but Divine blessings through Divine Intervention. I feel that God is aligning things in the order that He predestined them to be and I am grateful that through the years of Godly influence from those around me, I learned to trust and depend on my Heavenly Father in a way that is higher than my ways.

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths!”

- Proverbs 3: 5-6 (KJV)

Today is Leap Day!

Every 4 years when February 29 rolls around during Leap Year, Leap Day is an intercalary day. According to an old Irish fable, St. Bridget made a deal with St. Patrick to allow women to propose to men. It is considered unlucky for someone to be born on Leap Day in Scotland and in Greece, it is said that it is unlucky for couples to marry on Leap Day as well as during a Leap Year.

Regardless of your personal beliefs, Leapers, those who are born on Leap Day, celebrate their birthdays every 4 years or every year on February 28 or March 1. Happy Leap Day everyone!



Avoid Turning Your Dreams into a Nightmare

An exceedingly vast majoring of people have this insatiable desire to seek attention, stardom and fortune. How often do you hear echoes of “If I won the lottery, this is what I would do,” or “I want to be a star?” What about “I want to seek the type of notoriety that people want to be like” or even “If I were rich I would be sitting pretty and never have to work another day in my life?”

Sometimes our focus can be out of touch with reality. We always seem to want more of everything when we do not have it. Now, that is not necessarily a bad thing because we all have goals and dreams. We are here for a purpose and a mission. We have desires of exploration, wonder and excitement. We can grab for a dream that could easily turn into a nightmare if we are out of step with God.

All too often, we find lottery winners who get out of step with their winnings and wind up penniless and homeless due to poor choices. However, poor choices are often a result of poor habits. Sometimes many people want that taste of fame in front of thousands of people, but the fatigue and stress from keeping up that façade of celebrity expectation can take a toll on your mind, body and soul. Often the notoriety can become so overwhelming that it can possess a person’s spiritual, mental and emotional health.

Do not compare yourself with others and know that your gifts and talents are for you. Your gift can shine brightly, but sometimes your starlight will not shine as bright in front of an arena of people, as it can in front of one person or a small group of people. Your dreams can be achieved when you have help and are around positive, edifying and encouraging people. Folks who have a negative vibe or those who can be disparaging, jealous, discouraging or just simply try to hold you back cannot be in your circle of influence. Nevertheless, these individuals can still serve a good purpose and that is to be an example of what you do not want to become. Pessimism is very counter-intuitive of optimism. Pessimism is also toxic.

It is very hard to travel far and quickly or achieve your dreams in due season, when you have a heavy load of excess baggage strapped to your back!

A Memorable Day of Celebrations!

Today was a great day of celebrations! First, like many people around the country, I celebrated National Wear Red Day! Approximately 1.2 million people in the United States have heart attacks and around 42% of heart attacks result in death among men and women in the United States. By wearing red today, I wanted to join in solidarity with people who are either honoring, remembering or celebrating someone who survived the results of a heart attack or cardiovascular disease. This month is National Heart Month. Learn more about heart disease because you never know when it will come in handy for you or someone you love!

I was also informed today that I was chosen as one of the volunteers to help give out free copies of one of the books I selected on World Book Night, occurring on April 23, 2012! The purpose of World Book Night is to give away books to new readers, by sharing your passion for a great book and to help encourage reading. The committee from World Book Night extended the deadline for volunteer applications, no later than Monday February 6, 2012. http://www.us.worldbooknight.org/ I am absolutely delighted, honored and can’t wait to pass out my books to encourage reading and to help promote literacy!

I Hope You Dance

Image Credit: Amazon.com

According to Wikipedia, dance is defined as an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting.

When you listen to the words of the song “I Hope You Dance” recorded by Lee Ann Womack, you will hear that it is not just about dancing in the physical sense, but about the act of embracing life and living it with expectation, enthusiasm, hope and determination. Such an emotionally charged song makes you think about time and the fact that you should not waste it on frivolousness and then wonder where the years have gone.

Give faith the fighting chance…and dance!

Video Credit: YouTube

Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

1929-1968

“These are revolutionary times; all over the globe men are revolting against old systems of exploitation and oppression. The shirtless and barefoot people of the world are rising up as never before. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light…We must move past indecision to action…If we do not act, we shall surely be dragged down the long, dark, and shameful corridors of time reserved for those who possess power without compassion, might without morality, and strength without sight.”

Martin Luther King, Jr.

April 4, 1967

Out of the Darkness and Into the Light

It is amazing that some people believe what is done in the darkness will remain hidden. Many people are nocturnal by nature, dwelling in the corridors of darkness where they are hidden from the light of exposure. Darkness can leave you blind and lost, spiritually and metaphorically speaking. It can make you feel fearful and insecure. Even in the depths of the blanket of nightfall, without the light of the moon or twinkling stars, you can wander around aimlessly, bumping into or stumbling over the smallest of things that can trigger the most pain.

At times, people and situations want to suck you into their world of darkness, only to keep you hidden from the light of safety, peace, love, revelation and hope! As we follow our Biblical principles, we know that Jesus is the Light of the World. As we dwell in our physical world, pause and examine whether you want to light up someone else’s life or do you want to shadow their world with darkness. It’s clear to see that your attitude, behavior and influence can either brighten someone’s night or darken their day.