Intuition

Steve Jobs once said that intuition is more powerful than intellect. Yet, we value intellect more than our innate ability to discern. Webster's dictionary defines intuition as the power or faculty of attaining direct knowledge or cognition without evident rational thought and inference. In other words, intuition is that gut feeling you try to ignore or rationalize. Trust your gut! Go with your first mind. Don't ignore the signs. We've all heard these phrases. They are all different ways to encourage you to trust your inner voice. Listen closely. There is wisdom in that small still voice. Trust your intuition!

"Intuition is seeing with the soul." -Dean Koontz

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!

Candor

I am a big fan of the Divergent Series. The series takes place in a not so distant dystopian future where society is divided into five factions: Abnegation (the selfless), Amity (the peaceful), Candor (the honest), Dauntless (the brave), and Erudite (the intellectual). I would like to think that I would be Erudite, however I would most likely be Candor. Born in September under the Libra zodiac, I have always had a strong sense of justice. I value truth and appreciate honesty.

However, truth and justice also has a way of dividing us. We feel strongly about our values. We ignore injustices that do not affect us. We live and socialize with like-minded people and create our own factions. We have a work faction, a church faction, a family faction, and a social faction. Division is a common theme in most post-apocalyptic films like The Hunger Games, Elysium, and The Matrix. Division is never seen as a good thing. 

We live in a society that continues to divide us: Republican vs. Democrat, Citizen vs. Immigrant, Muslim vs. Christian, Poor vs. Wealthy, Black vs. White, and Homosexual vs. Heterosexual. Our current administration is drawing lines in the sand. They are dividing us into powerless factions. They are creating a great divide of wealth, resources, and education. Pay Attention! Unification is the key not division, but we must find common ground. 

Hope

Every time I think about hope, I am reminded of Tupac Shakur's poem, "The Rose that Grew From Concrete." I think about all of the struggles that people have endured and continue to endure. I think about all the unknown Slumdog Millionaires, unsung heroes, and untold success stories. I think about the strength that one must possess to have hope despite their circumstances. Hope is an underrated motivator. Hope is what causes the rose to grow from concrete. We are that rose. We have to take every bit of our strength to press past our concrete. We have to absorb all the unseen nutrients and motivation. We have to be the rose that inspires the next rose to grow. We have to keep hope alive. 

Restoration

Complete restoration includes not only repair of the visible parts, but also the parts that are not visible to the naked eye. Some repairs are cosmetic while others or not. A full evaluation of the damage or deterioration needs to done in order to determine the process in which something is restored. Many of us have sustained damage. We have normal wear and tear. We have endured things that have deteriorated our confidence and our spirit. We need restoration. We need to evaluate our damage and determine the best process to begin our restoration. For some of us, it will be a spiritual journey or visiting a mental health professional. For others, it may be renewing that gym membership. Whatever path you need to take to experience restoration, make the first step today. 

 

Joel 2:25(KJV) And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.

Resist

In honor of President's day, I would like to shed some light on the Trump Resistance Movement. Celebrities are using their platforms to speak out against the current administration. Katy Perry performed at the Grammy's with a "persist" armband. This was in reference to Elizabeth Warren's persistence in reading Coretta Scott King's letter regarding Jeff Sessions.  A Tribe Called Quest delivered one of the most politically charged Grammy performances of the night which ended with Q- Tip chanting, "resist!" Meryl Streep slammed Trump's administration without ever saying his name during her Golden Globe acceptance speech. Women and immigrants alike have taken to the streets to protest. I challenge you to resist. Resist the media. Resist the propaganda. Resist the negativity. Resist the divisiveness. Resist the hate. Resist the hate. 

Low Visibility

Forecasters often warn about driving in fog, rain or snow due to low visibility. Visibility is measured by the distance in which light or an object can be clearly discerned. Meteorologists recommend that you use extreme caution, use your low beams, slow down, minimize distractions and use the white fog line on the side of the road as a guide. In life, you will experience moments of low visibility. You will be unsure of what direction to take. You will be confused about your next step. You will most likely question your journey and your current route. You will have no sense of discernment. There is no need to fear. Continue to move forward with caution. Focus on your destination. Slow down. Ignore the distractions. Let your inner voice guide you until you have clear vision. 

Psalm 119:105  (KJV) Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.