Here

Sometimes, all people need from you is to be present and accounted for the moments that matter. Sometimes, all that matters is that you are here. It's important that you make time for the people that matter in your life. Life happens. You're gonna be late. You might miss some things due to schedule conflicts. Take off. Plan accordingly. Make your family and loved ones a priority. Make the things of God a priority. Make sure that when it counts, you are here. Turn off your phone and pay attention. Be fully present and enjoy life's simple pleasures.

Get Up!

"You need to git up, git out and git something
Don't spend all your time trying to get high
You need git up, git out and git something
How will you make it if you never even try
You need to git up, git out and git something
'Cause you and I got to do for you and I."-Outkast
 

I think Monday mornings are the hardest. Sometimes, it's a struggle to find the motivation to leave my warm bed. I'm not a morning person and having kids has killed all chances of sleeping late. Music helps to motivate me. My "to-do" list helps to motivate me. The never ending laundry helps to motivate me. Expectation motivates me. I wake up expecting God to do something great because his mercies are new every morning. I expect good news. I expect a good report. I expect unmerited favor. I expect manifestation of what I have spoken, but I gotta get up! I have to be found working, seeking, doing, speaking. I have to do something. I have to get up!

Free

I've always heard that nothing in life is free. Living in a capitalistic society will definitely make you agree with that sentiment. However, there are a few things in life that are free. Joy is free. Love is free. Hope is free. Affection is free. When you are overwhelmed with life and adult responsibilities remember these lyrics by India Arie: 

It doesn't cost a thing to smile
You don't have to pay to laugh
You better thank God for that- India Arie

For your listening pleasure: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NHjUEdiebE

Forgive

Forgiveness is for you. It doesn't mean that you will forget. It doesn't mean it will stop hurting, but it does release you. Forgive so that you can be forgiven. Forgive because it takes more to hold onto it. Forgive because you have been forgiven. Forgive because unforgiveness may be blocking your blessing. Forgive so that you can be free. 

Emerge

Caterpillars in New Orleans sting. I remember oak trees lined with foil. It was thought that caterpillars originate from the ground and crawl up into the trees. The foil was meant to stop infestation of the trees. Not true, actually. My favorite part of Spring is metamorphosis. Dead trees spring back to life. Flowers bloom and butterflies emerge. I've always admired the beauty of butterflies. They are able to completely transform themselves from caterpillars to butterflies. Many of us have that same transformative power. We have the ability to emerge from chrysalis' of doubt and insecurity. We have the ability to emerge from failure and heartache. We have the ability to emerge into the beautiful beings we were meant to be. Emerge and Fly, Butterfly!

Discern

It can be hard to read people. Especially, when people present their representative instead of their true selves. Trust your gut. Trust that feeling. Trust your first impression. Discernment doesn't rely on tangible evidence. It's a feeling. It's an unction. It's a personal truth. Some might call it a vibe. Feel their energy. Character is a consistent truth. Pay attention to subtle signals. See the whole picture, not just what is trying to be shown.

 

"The first point of wisdom is to discern that which is false; the second, to know that which is true."-Lactantius

Diversity

"When we're talking about diversity, it's not a box to check. It is a reality that should be deeply felt and held and valued by all of us."-Ava DuVernay
 

Let me say this, I knew that this would happen. I knew the numbers wouldn't compare. I knew that Brown faces would be hard to receive. I knew that "it's a man's world." I just wanted this time to be different. I wanted that on the eve of International Women's Day that we would support Ava. I wanted us to support diversity. I wanted more than just Barbie dolls and merchandise. I wanted my daughter to go see a movie with a lead that looks just like her. I wanted the inclusion riders. I wanted to believe that we wanted diversity too. 

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/a-wrinkle-in-time-ava-duvernay_us_5aa27655e4b07047bec58d99