Don’t Stop Believin’ was recorded by Journey in 1981. The same year I was born. However, it the charts again in 2009, after the popular show Glee cast recorded it. I can admit that I was a Glee fan for the first couple of seasons simply because of this song. Recently, Snoop Dogg performed on Lip Sync Battle. Random fact, I know. It’s funny how the message of the music can transcend genres. This song’s message is clear. No matter the road life may take you, don’t stop believing. Don’t give up. Hold on to to the feeling that made you start in the first place. You’ve come to far to turn back now. Don’t Stop Believing!!!
Don’t settle. It is just as simple as that. You did not come this far to settle. You did not wait this long to settle. You deserve the best. You are better than this. Don’t settle. Don’t get caught up in everyone else’s stuff. What is for you is for you. Wait for it! Trust me it’s worth it. Don’t give up. Don’t fret. It’s still yours. It’s coming. Just a lil’ while longer.
Yesterday, we announced that we are expecting a child this fall. The love and support has been nothing short of overwhelming. The word expectation is defined as a strong belief that something will happen. I’ve always wanted children. I’ve seen myself with children, but never knew the “when” or the “who.” The “who” came and we waited on the “when.” It was not when we were planning. It was when God said so. It was in due season. It was when God ordained it. Even now, I’m still waiting. I still have expectation. I know this child is coming. I have a due date, but its still out of my control. Truthfully, my “when” and the Dr.’s “when” may not be God’s “when.” Whatever you are trusting God for, know that it will come when God says so, and even then you’re gonna have to wait. Waiting is the prerequisite for expectation.
I have had two profound experiences with forgiveness. Both were orchestrated beyond my control and both were unexpected moments of release. Forgiveness emancipates you. It frees a piece of your soul. I've always believed that forgiveness is for you. I've been forced to forgive myself. I've been forced to forgive others when no apologies or concern was given. I've had to let go and let God, when I wanted to "get at and react." It hasn't been easy. It hasn't been what I wanted to do at the time, but God is mindful. God knew that I couldn't live with unforgiveness in my heart. I couldn't love with hurt and malice in the way. I couldn't be His best with regret. Free your mind. Let it go. Some burdens are too big to bear. Emancipate yourself
I had the pleasure of throwing my mother a surprise 70th birthday yesterday. One word that kept coming up was excellence. My mother has always set a standard of excellence in both my life as well as those around us. She expects the best from herself and everyone around her. In grade school, “C’s” were unacceptable. She stressed that I was not average, and average was not God’s standard. When I started dating, she insisted that I pray and seek God’s best for my life. Good was nice. Better is okay, but God’s best was undeniable. That’s excellence. Excellence is God’s standard. It’s God’s best. It’s more than you think or ask. It’s abundance. Be excellent. Live in excellence.
There are two Maya Angelou poems that stick out from my chidhood, "And Still I Rise" and "Phenomenal Woman." I know that when I read those words, I believed her. I knew the "Pulse of the Morning," and why the caged bird sings. Maya's words made me think that I could be more than my circumstances. She made me love my big lips. She made me celebrate my queendom, I had yet to discover. She taught me that I was a phenom. Sometimes, we need to be reminded that we are phenomenal. We are wives. We are mothers. We are teachers. We are friends. We are encouragers. We are nurturers. We are phenomenal women. Fix your crown, sis! Be phenomenal!
I don't watch the news because it can be depressing. I am mindful of how I start my days because entertainment has a way of affecting our mood. Sad songs make us cry. Bad news can give us anxiety. You must be deliberate in protecting your mind and your soul. Be encouraged. How? Listen to your favorite song in the morning. Read your favorite bible verse. Recite an affirmation. Be encouraged and encourage others.
