For Such A Time As This...

I vow it Bellas.

With every last breath.

I vow to bring beauty, and encouragement and inspiration 

to the doorstep of your hearts!!

It's becoming increasingly clear on how to begin doing that, 

but even more so, I acknowledge that the process has already begun!!

And really, it started quite some time ago...

Every endeavor, 

every step, 

every misstep,

every challenge,

every obstacle,

every lesson, 

has been preparation.

Preparation to play my role in a much larger story.

While I've always understood that in a general way,

the conviction has become more tangible than ever before.

I spent some time this past week evaluating the journey,

from my very first job to present day and everything in between.

I mean really bringing a magnifying glass down to it all...

Every bit of volunteering, classes, seminars, life experiences.

And I began thinking more intently on the skills 

that have been developed over time, 

the lessons learned...

I've been in training this whole time!!!

I wasn't prepared to leave a lasting footprint....until now.

In the late hours of the night,

I feel the nudge...I'm getting called out on my bad habits. ha!!!!

That's a good thing!!! Believe me I need it, how else am I going to fly

if I'm not willing to let go of the things that are weighing me down.

Routines and mindsets have to change, paradigms have to shift...

Each one of us have all of the internal discipline that we need 

to make the kind of daily choices that are essential to walk out the process.  

Bellas, you are eyewitnesses to my pilgrimage, my story...

So tell me, what will your story be?? What will your legacy be?? 

Each one of you has a God given destiny and purpose
 that only you can fulfill,

and I shall never tire of reminding you of that.

"Our lives were meant to be lived 
with purpose and intent, 
not mediocre default." 
~ Delatorro McNeal

Sometimes...

Yeah, I know.

You don't have to tell me.

The world is broken.

But for crying out loud I am determined to be some glue.

In my own small way, I want to be a part of the healing.

My friend Jan posted this statement 

on her facebook page several weeks ago, 

and I can't stop thinking of the implications!! 

She said: 

"Remember, 

there are many Sauls 

that are one encounter away 

from being the Pauls 

God called them to be." 

Profound.

Never underestimate what God can do in people's lives, 

no matter what the circumstances look like,

no matter what they claim to believe or not believe.

I am reminded once again to love people WHERE THEY'RE AT.

We have the tendency to want to try to help "fix" so often,

and truly with the very best of intentions.

But sometimes people just need a break

 from being under the microscope.

Not everyone wants to be analyzed ALL the time. 

Sometimes they just need the freedom to be where they're at, 

even if it's in a messed up place right now,

without worrying whether or not we're breaking down

 every little thing they say or do. 

Sometimes they just need the grace to "be" 

and the room to "become." 

I'm not talking about setting healthy boundaries with people, 

clearly that's necessary at times, nobody needs to be a doormat.

I'm simply saying that we have no time to love people

 if we're always in analytical mode.

Sometimes people just need a touch IN SPITE OF where they're at.

xoxo Keep Shining Sweet Bellas xoxo