Unapologetic
In a world filled with apologies, regrets, and woulda coulda shouldas, I can always appreciate someone who stands their ground. I love a straight shooter. Someone who speaks truth when it hurts. Someone who cares more about my future than my feelings. Someone who gives it to me straight, no chaser. I understand that sometimes a little "fluff" is necessary, and truth is not everyone's cup of tea. I understand that sometimes "alternative facts" are better than reality. I can't be anyone else, but me. You can't be anyone else, but you. Live your life with no regrets. No woulda coulda shouldas. Be deliberate in your actions. Outspoken in your words. No apology necessary. Be a truth teller, unapologetic. Be you.
Deliberate
I'm sure many people would debate whether or not love is a choice. I believe that it is not only a choice, but a deliberate, well-thought out choice. I think that love requires strategy, because there are many opponents of love. The statistics about divorce are enough for some to never consider marriage. The top 3 causes for divorce are sex, money, and communication. These are just a few of the opponents of love. About 50% of US marriages are remarried or re-coupled, which means a lot of them are blended families. Add children and jealous exes to the previous list. That's a lot of opposition. Love these days must be deliberate, otherwise you are setting yourself up for failure. Don't ignore red flags. Don't brush issues under the rug. Recognize when the relationship has gone past its expiration date. Be willing to compromise. Communication is key. And don't be afraid to seek out a third party mediator. We all need help sometimes. I am a big proponent for love. Let's be deliberate in who, why, and how we love.
Domino Effect
Have you ever placed dominos in a row and knocked them down? The result is a domino effect or a chain reaction which causes one event to set off a chain of similar events. I've always enjoyed watching dominos fall in intricate designs. I could only imagine the patience it took the designer to arrange each piece in a specific location and order to achieve the desired result. There is no room for happenstance. Every placement is deliberate. Every move is calculated. There is no room for error. Imagine your life. Every obstacle and circumstance is strategically placed in a specific order to achieve a predesigned result. Every moment is arranged to cause a chain reaction to propel the next domino into motion. The end result is an intricate design called destiny.
Intentional
Did you wake up this morning with a list of things to do? Do you have a specific plan for your day? Then, you woke up on purpose. You deliberately set things in motion to achieve certain goals. You were intentional in choosing everything from your attire to your route to work. It's amazing how we can be so intentional about the minor things in our life, but don't have the same specificity about the major things. When was the last time you set a five year goal? When was the last time you daydreamed about what your life would be like if....you fill in the blank. You should be intentional about every arena of your life. Be deliberate in your pursuit of MORE. Be intentional!