InCouragments Insight - Randomness

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Just My Own Random Thoughts For The Week:

• So thankful to God for thinking highly of me ,and placing good genuine people in my life

• Thankful for being accepted into the Graduate Program, so ready to walk into my purpose

• Concerned about how I now will pay for Graduate school, don't want to be in student loan debt
  

• So anxious about my future, just trying to put all things in place, somewhat overwhelming at times
  

• I just LOVE, LOVE my kid, such an amazing kid

• I love that Taylor and I can have these awesome conversations

• I love to hear Taylor say "Mom what do you think about this?", it means she still looks to me for advice
  

• I love how my daughter believes in me so much, I'm trying to figure out what she sees, that I can't see

• Learning to let go of things I cannot change, not worth the energy

• Looking for a place to worship on Sunday for Taylor and I

• Savoring time with my Mommy, I love that we can still have great conversations

• Love my Mom's very honest advice no matter how hard it is to take at times

• Love when good friends send me miss you messages, it's good to know that people still think of you
  

• Thankful that Taylor got in an amazing school, and is adjusting well as a pre-teen

• Trying to become a runner, really hard task, but I will become a runner
  

• Still battling with the nutrition part of my life, why is food SO DARN IMPORTANT?

• So thankful to God for my amazing crew of five important people who encourage, empower, and pray for me, and who believe in me

• Thankful for challenges and trials, just making me stronger and more powerful as a person

• Still trying to be the best human being I can possibly be
  

Okay enough random thoughts for now, try writing out your own random thoughts really good exercise.

Be InCouraged
Mechell

InCouragements Insight - Free Yourself

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Happy Fourth of July!

As the country celebrates freedom and independence today, all that comes to my mind is the word "Free".

Check out this definition of the word Free - not bound, confined, or detained by force; not obligated or committed to.

Ask yourself today: What do I need to free myself from? The from could be a person, a thing, a habit, or even yourself. You have to figure out what or who is keeping you bounded from the freedom you deserve. Being free is a privilege, and a right to be able to live life without limitations. So I say to you today "BE FREE", and by being free you become your true self.

Have a Happy Fourth!

Be InCouraged

Mechell & Taylor

InCouragements Insight - What Do You Do?

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WHAT DO YOU DO?

• What do you do when you feel lost?
• What do you do when you feel hopeless?
• What do you do when you feel stuck?
• What do you do when you feel lonely?
• What do you do when you feel like no one cares?
• What do you do when you feel like a failure?
• What do you do when you feel messed up?
• What do you do when you feel hurt?
• What do you do when you feel betrayed?
• What do you do when you feel overwhelmed?
• What do you do when you feel defeated?
• What do you do when you feel ostracized?
• What do you do when you feel miserable?
• What do you do when you feel misunderstood?
• What do you do when you feel there is no time left?
• What do you do when you feel like giving up?
• What do you do when you feel angry?
• What do you do when you feel sad?
• What do you do when you feel like you are in a battle for your life?

I do not know who I am speaking to, but I feel that many of you are feeling one or more of these emotions. I actually felt some of these emotions myself in the last few weeks, but there was a "InCouraging Angel" who was there for me on this week. I thought a lot about what this person said to me that incouraged my spirit and it allowed me to come up with tactics and strategies:

• Keep Going
• Face the Challenges
• Find the Positive
• Make Goals
• Make New Goals
• Make Plans
• Encourage Yourself
• Plan to Succeed
• Ask God for Forgiveness
• Forgive Yourself and Others
  
• Do the Impossible
• Believe in Yourself
• Persevere
• Conquer All
• Love Hard
• Pray, Pray, and Pray

Most important we have look to God for direction, clarity, plans and the outcome for our lives. We must realize that this journey can seem dismal, grim and drab at times, but we have to see beyond and realize that happiness, pleasure and enjoyment are in our hands to explore. We have to face our adversities, our fears and our challenges head on, with God by our side. Sometimes life can become so mundane that we feel no outlet, you do the same thing daily, work, finances, kids, appointments, etc, and then you get two days off and start over again. After awhile we come to a point that we desire more out of life, such as a business, better job, more money, a husband , kids, a happy family, travel, adventure, some of us just want peace, joy, and sense of contentment in life. Guess what God wants us to have that also, and he has designed that for our lives, we just have to tap in and hear what he is saying. So, if you are feeling out of sorts on today, breathe, start fresh, and ask God for his assistance.

InCouragement Scripture:

Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do super abundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]--
- Epehsians 3:20 (Amp)

Be InCouraged

Mechell

InCouragements Insight - Randomness

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Just My Own Random Thoughts For The Week:

• Amazed I mean really amazed at how God made me as a person

• So proud of how one of my bestie's is building a business by pure drive and determination

• Still amazed and grateful that God thought enough of me to choose me to be Taylor's mom

• Amazed at how God is allowing me to forgive someone who has broken my heart

• Starting to really love the person I am, because I am realizing that I am a pretty amazing human being

• Amazed at how a group of women can come together with all barriers down and celebrate one woman...WOW

• I love seeing the true , pure and real love between my friend and her husband
  

• Thankful to reconnect with my really good friend and his wife, had not seen them in seven years

• Thankful to reconnect with my best friend from grammar & high school and her family
  

• My daughter called me "Superman" on the other day, messed me up

• On yesterday my daughter called me to tell me " I love you mommy, and I want to be like you when I grow up" she messed me up again

• Troubled by the young girls of today dressing so revealing to get attention, because of the lack of love and attention they have not received from a good male presence in their life

• Love how my brother and I can have some real good laughs, even though we fight quite often

• Grateful that my mother and daughter are my best friends also

• Thankful for my niece...I love to hear her call me "TeTe", it brings such a smile to my face

• Thankful For my sister-in-law, she is such a sweet spirit and soul that wants to make everyone happy, she amazes me

• Amazed at how two of my mentees are doing so well in their lives at this time...proud of you Ty and Rockie
  

• Anxious by all the ideas in my head for businesses, but I have no investors or resources...hmm

• Anxious about being accepted into Grad school
  

• Kinda of proud of how I have taken steps to become healthy and fit

• Troubled by how people can be rude, and just mean, and call their selves Christians...WOW

• Troubled at how people do not sincerely apologize for hurting someone who was important in their life...really sad
  

• Thankful to know that I have many people who really love me and support me...so thankful for them

• So thankful for the new friendships that God has brought into my life
  

• So Thankful that God made me an awesome encourager, regardless of what I battle in my own life

• Very, Very Thankful for you my InCouragement Subscribers, you have been faithful and committed to this site for many many years...Thank You for the constant encouragement
  

Okay enough random thoughts for now, try writing out your own random thoughts really good exercise.

Be InCouraged
Mechell

InCouragements Insight - Are You Living Your Light?

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I ask you all this question today "Are You Living Your Light? Your light is your passion or calling. I have been watching the final shows of Oprah, and she said something so profound that stuck with me. "A calling is a passion, that lights you up, and let's you know that you are exactly where you are supposed to be, doing exactly what you are supposed to be doing".

So, I ask you again "Are You Living Your Light"?

About a year ago I wrote and Insight on Passion=Purpose, and how when we find our passion we will walk into our purpose. Check out this awesome definition of Passion.

Passion – boundless enthusiasm; intense emotion compelling action; to be lively or eager interest in or admiration for a proposal, cause, or activity. So I ask you now do you wake up everyday or at least some days out of the week feeling like this? If, not ask yourself "Why Not" and then decide to change this.

Here are some other questions that you need to ask yourself:

1) What am I intense about in life?

2) What am I full of enthusiasm about?

3) What compels me to act on with great eagerness?

4) What would I do for free, without any payment?

When I turned 40 I realized that God had allowed me to see this age, and also wanted me to live this next part of my life in my purpose. So, from that day I decided to take what ever steps and actions that were needed to get to live this part of my life like I was meant to. Most of you know I care about people, and I love to encourage them in whatever way I can through words, advice, money, giving. I just love to see people feel empowered and work through the adversities of life, and I love to assist with this. So, through me and God’s conversation I realized I needed to become a Counselor, I knew I needed to return to school and receive my Masters. I took action applied for school and I am awaiting acceptance into a Graduate program, working towards that purpose. Once I graduate and pass the state testing, I will have my practice inside my coffee café where I can serve my community of people, who have never had some sort of counseling. I now know where I’m headed and I feel secure in this and not wandering from thing to thing.

I know that Taylor and I will create a non-profit organization, where we can give, give, and give some more. One of my best friends, has a saying about me, "Mechell loves to give, even when she really can't give". I just love to see people happy, I love to give of myself, I always say to God "I know you will one day bless me with great wealth, because you know I will not hoard it, I will give it away".

The great motivational speaker Zig Ziglar says some of us wander around our whole lives going from one thing to another, because we have no clear purpose of what we are destined to do. God is the only clear way to understand what our purpose is in life. So have a conversation with him and see what he might reveal.

So, I ask you again "Are You Living Your Light"? Are you actually participating in these passions? If not, ask yourself why? Is it fear, procrastination, lack of finances, lack of resources? WHAT IS IT? If you do not know what this is figure it out, and once you have figured it out, start a plan so that you can pursue your passion. I ask you all these questions because your passion usually leads to your purpose.

Start Living Your Light, And Living Your Life On Purpose!

As I close, I ask you to participate in these 2 steps in the next month:

1) Think about what you are passionate about, and see how it fits with your purpose in life.

2) Create a vision board, and place your favorite quotes, scriptures, pictures of places you want to travel to one day. Place words of things you might want to become one day ex: Doctor, Entrepreneur, Author ( I have the name of the book I am currently writing on my board) etc. or place words of how you want to feel ex: Happy, Loved, Fulfilled, Success, Patience. Put pictures of tangible things you desire (I have a picture of my Bentley that Taylor will buy me one day, and my flat in Paris) seriously God has no problem with us desiring things. Once you have completed the board sit back and see how the items, words and pictures on the board fit into your purpose. Also create the same vision board for your children. Our Visions should be Visual to us on a daily basis.

I believe we should be living the best life that God meant for us to live, and be the best human beings possible, and give of ourselves to others. We should be connected with God continuously, so that his light shines through us daily in our lives and actions, and that we make sure to serve and make such an impact on others that their lives are also changed, and full of light. We should live our Light! (This is Mechell's Philosophy)

Be InCouraged
Mechell

InCouragements Insight - You Are Strong Enough!

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You Are Strong Enough!

Okay all week I had nothing in my heart to write to encourage you all this week. So, I left it at that, and decided I would try for next week, but as usual God speaks to me through someone or something. This week he sent an angel named Lisa, who is always thinking about me and always praying for me, even when I don't tell her to.

Lisa is a co-worker of mine, and most important a Christian. So, this morning we were talking and catching up, because I had not really seen her much this week. As we are talking she says I have this song I have been trying to send to you, every time I hear it I think of you. The song is by Matthew West and it's titled "Strong Enough", OH MY from the first words of this song I was in tears. Here is a sample of the first verse:

You must You must think I'm strong To give me what I'm going through Well, forgive me Forgive me if I'm wrong But this looks like more than I can do On my own

When I heard these words all I heard in my spirit was you are Strong Enough! I then proceeded to go back through everything I had been through in my life.

• My failed marriage that almost had me at a nervous breakdown, but God knew I was Strong Enough!

• The failed attempt to kill me, when a gun was at my head, but the gun would not go off, instead it locked, and you allowed me to not lose my mind over that, God gave me grace and mercy, and he also knew I was Strong Enough!

• The time I loss my job, could not find a job for almost 2 years with a 3 year old toddler, had to go on welfare, I did not lose my mind, God knew I was Strong Enough!

• The time my mom was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, has to be strong for her, and nurse her back to health, I did not lose my mind, God knew I was Strong Enough!

• The time when my dad had a stroke, and 4 weeks later my mother had a heart attack and was in intensive care, I did not lose my mind, God knew I was Strong Enough!

• When I became pregnant, became a single mom, felt so alone soooo many days, did not know how I would be able to raise this blessing you allowed me to birth, God knew I was strong enough!

• All the times I have been rejected and persecuted against since my childhood, I did not lose my mind, God knew I was Strong Enough!
  

As I pondered on these few adversities and others that have occurred and that are currently occurring in my life, God is saying "Mechell You Are Strong Enough" !

I come to tell you also that YOU ARE STRONG ENOUGH ALSO! because God says so! No matter what the adversity, issue, or problem, God knows you are "Strong Enough!!! So, know that what you are currently going through, God is gracing you through the process. He is sustaining you and keeping you every minute and every day, even when you feel like you might lose your mind.

I say to you think back over your life, and remember what he had allowed you to come from and through, and know that he knows that you are "STRONG ENOUGH" to handle what ever he allows in your life.

Here is the link to the song by "Matthew West", please listen to the words of this song, and be blessed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBJwA0I8P-4&feature=player_embedded

I love when God gives you answers for your questions, HE IS AMAZING! I have been asking for weeks now why do I have to endure this pain, but I understand better now. I promise you if you ask God your questions regarding your life, he will answer you, through his word, or someone, or something, but believe me you will get your answer.


I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me...Phillipians 4:13

Be InCouraged
Mechell

InCouragements Insight - Happy Mothe'rs Day!

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Happy Mother's Day!

I want to wish each and every one of you a Happy Mother’s Day, and I hope it will be a great one for you all. I pray that your children, husbands, and loved ones constantly show their appreciation for you every day and not just today.

I pray for the mothers who have a lot on their plate and life seems like it is constantly moving with no end in sight. I pray that life slows down for you so that you can embrace and enjoy it more.

I pray for the single mothers who feel alone, forgotten, and overwhelmed. I pray for better appreciation for your duties, and I pray that life isn’t so lonely anymore. I pray that fathers and others participate so that you feel in control and not so burden down with life.

I pray for the mothers who have given their all to their children, love, time, money and activities, but the children have grown up to show otherwise. I pray that your efforts have not been in vain and that your children will remember all that you have done and taught them and show it in action.

I pray for those who have taken the role of Step-Mother, I pray that you are appreciated and shown much love.

I also pray comfort for those who have lost their Mother's, know that your Mother is always with you in spirit. I also pray for the men who are Mothers on a daily basis due to certain circumstances, I applaud you for taking on this role.

I want to personally thank my Mother (Ms. Lillie) for being a great Mother, who sacrificed much for my brother and I, and who also taught me how to be a great human being and a great mother to Taylor. I also thank God for choosing me to be the mother to an amazing child (Ms. Taylor Lillie Calloway). I thank Taylor for teaching me on a daily basis how to perfect this mothering process, I cherish this role with all that's in me.

Lastly, I pray that we as mothers continue to beseech God for direction and give our children all that God has given us which is love.

Happy Mother's Day!

Mechell

InCouragements Insight - Gratitude

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These days I have come to realize that being grateful and full of gratitude will change your attitude. When I say attitude I am not particularly referring to having a bad one, I am referring to being in pain, lonely, rejected, bitter, angry, broken heart, disappointment, grief and many others.

At this moment in my life I am dealing with several of the above emotions, but as I was driving to work this morning I heard in my spirit the word "gratitude". I immediately knew that God wanted me to be grateful for moments, people, and experiences that have occurred instead of feeling rejected, hurt, angry and alone. That was one of those "aha" moments. God wants us to be grateful on every part of this journey even the hard ones, because out of every bad experience there is possibly a moment to be grateful for.

Sometimes we lose people that mean the world to us either by death or they walk away, and your heart seems so broken and in so much pain. You feel alone, because all you knew was that person, the person was such a key part of your life. Then there are those moments and experiences that you look back on and become grateful for, allow these moments to bring joy and gratefulness to your heart. Then there are the adversities we deal with in life, be it financial, family, job, whatever it might be, it becomes difficult, but even in these moments we have to find the gratitude, and press forward.

So, as I continued to drive, I realized that on the recent journey I had occurred, I had so much to be grateful for, and thankful to God for the awesome journey and the ride. As I always say on this journey called life, there will be some stop signs, roadblocks, detours, potholes and some traffic jams, but we still have to be grateful for the green lights, and the roads and bridges that take us to new places.

As I close I say to you all live in gratitude, start daily taking note of this, I believe you will be surprised at how much you have to be grateful for.

Be Incouraged
Mechell

InCouragements Insight - Beautiful, Loved, & Valuable

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As I was listening to some music I heard some lyrics that stood out, and the words beautiful, loving, and valuable came to my mind.

It made me think about us as humans (men and women) how we feel about ourselves do we feel beautiful, loved, and valuable without someone else voicing it to us? So many of us are co-dependent on others in our lives to constantly approve and validate us. Our self-esteem is such in a tattered state that we need the people we care about to love us with their voices, by speaking “You are beautiful”, You are so intelligent” “I need you” “I appreciate you” or “I love You” and so forth.

We are such a society trying to be someone other than what God made us to be. We try to fit into the lifestyles of others which are not our true selves (people pleasers). We then end up pretending most of our lives, because we do not feel beautiful, loved or valuable. It’s so amazing the steps we will take for others whom we think are important to like us, and most of the time they really don’t care for us anyway or not to the extent that we think they do. It’s also amazing how obligated we feel to others and we then commit ourselves to a certain type of prison where we constantly have to prove ourselves, when we really need to step back and discover what makes us happy.

As I continue on this journey, I have come to realize that the real deal is inside of each one of us, and the real deal is quite beautiful, loving, valuable and appreciated. The real person got loss in things like abandonment; rejection, hurt, and loss of love due to others. The ironic thing is that other people are the ones that cause some of this damage and we go back and rely on these same people to make us feel good about ourselves.

I am on this path of discovering the “Mechell” that God allowed to be born into this world. The “Mechell” that is happy, real, and who loves herself just the way she is. The”Mechell” that is giving and loving because it’s who she really is, not to make others like her.

I challenge you to discover the real you and start to let it shine so that others can embrace the beautiful, loving and valuable treasure you really are.

Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother's womb.
I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made!
I worship in adoration—what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body;
You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
The days of my life all prepared before I'd even lived one day. Psalms 139:14 Message

Be InCouraged

Mechell

InCouragments Insight - Dear God

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Dear God,

I am writing to you today first to let you know that I truly, truly, truly am thankful to you for giving your son as a sacrifice for my life. I thank you for your constant forgiveness for me in the midst of my sins. I thank you that you only see the best in me, when others see the worst. I thank you for your constant conviction on my life, because without it I would be in the enemy’s court.


I am amazed at your love for me and how you see so much purpose in my life when I feel like a complete failure. It is so wonderful how you adore and love me when I sometimes don’t love myself. You are an amazing father and have been all my life, you direct me when I’m lost, you correct me when I do incorrect things, you provide for me, when I don’t know how, and you are there for me when everyone else has walked away, and when I even walked away from you.


I thank you for sustaining me through the times, when I thought I would lose my mind. I thank you for bringing comfort and peace when life became so chaotic, and troubled. I thank you for teaching me to walk in your ways, even when I’m tested by your other children. I thank you for placing so much love, concern, and care in my heart, that I in turn show it to others.


I thank you for each adversity that you have allowed in my life, it is making me. I might not understand them all, but I do know that each one is taking me to my purpose.
In essence, thank you for being the awesome Father that you are.


Love your daughter,

Mechell

Challenge:

Write your own Dear God letter, it's an awesome feeling.

Be InCouraged
Mechel

InCouragements Insight - New Chapter

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Today I speak loud and clear I think it's about time some of us write a new chapter in our lives. It is time we start writing new words, on the pages of this chapter. It is time we start inserting new characters on the pages of this chapter. It is time we start placing new images on the pages of this chapter. When a new chapter is created an old chapter is finished and completed.

I was talking to someone the other day, having an in-depth conversation and he said to me I quote "Mechell it's time for a new chapter in your life". That statement stuck with me and made me realize that we do have to write new stories in our lives, and with that comes new people, new ideas, and new beginnings. Also with this comes completing the old chapter, which means we have to complete the story, of that chapter. Think of it this way, when a new chapter appears it allows the story to change. I'm ready for change in my story and a new chapter in my life.

Now, do not get me wrong here I do not regret the adventures, of the last chapter, they actually help make the new chapter one of authenticity, substance and one with more clarity. The old chapter allows me to make changes, additions and deletions before moving onto the new chapter, so that the new chapter can start with a more organic story.

So, ask yourself is it time for you to start a New Chapter in your life.

"For a new chapter to begin, you have to end the old chapter"
Mechell

Be InCouraged
Mechell

InCouragements Insight - Dreams

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Before I start I need to be transparent first.
I am sitting in a conference room, with the sun gleaming in, and my mind is many places. As I sit here I am concerned about Taylor and her future, I am concerned about my aging parents and their health, I am unhappy in my current job , and I wonder if I will ever run my own business, I am nursing a broken heart and I wonder if I will ever fall in love and meet my future husband, and so much more inside this head of mine. But as I think these things, an excitement overcomes me, and all I hear in my spirit "is your dreams will come true in my time".

I then realize that there is so much to my future, Taylor is an amazing child and she will be just fine, my parents, even though they have had some major health issues they are still here living and able to enjoy their children, and grandchildren. The job, even though it's not the planned job it's a blessed job. The broken heart will heal, and I will conquer all. Most important I have wonderful people who surround me with so much love, encouragement and who believe in me that I know I am a Blessed Woman!

So as I do every week, I beseech God on what to write and as I did "Dreams" came to my spirit. Even thought I have had these worries and concerns, all this week I have been full of excitement, I am full of so many ideas and things I want to do on this journey. For the last couple of weeks God has allowed me to spend time with people who are pursuing their dreams and are living the true entrepreneur life. He has also allowed me to have very great conversations with others who want to live their dreams, but are not quite sure what the dream might be or how to even start.

I have so many things I am planning to accomplish by the end of 2011, and they are what I was purposed to do on this journey. My mind is constantly racing that I cannot even get a good night sleep anymore. I am constantly writing new things or adding to existing things in my "Dream Journal". So you are wondering what is this "Dream Journal" it's a journal full of my thoughts, ideas, business ventures, and personal goals

I believe so many of us have stopped dreaming and gave up hope, and decided that life is what it is and I will just live this life. Well, you can never give up on your dreams, you have to believe that God allowed you to vision these dreams for a purpose. Dreams give us permission to write out our destiny, and then to pursue it.

I say to you today do not stop dreaming, believe that your dreams can come true, in God's timing and in his will. One of my dreams is to build a business encouraging others into their destiny, I believe God has given me a gift of encouraging, empowering and lifting others to believe that they can live this life on purpose and in purpose. So I say to you start a "Dream Journal" if you have not already, and write down these dreams, and sit back and watch God work your dreams.

I want to help some of you start your "Dream Journal" so the first 5 people that email me one of their dream stories, I will mail you a "Dream Journal". Email me at mechell@incouragements.com

Dreams are necessary to life.
Anais Nin

Be InCouraged
Mechell

InCouragements Insight

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Good Morning All,

Today I want to make a simple request, that you reach out to someone else and encourage them. Send an email a text or simply pick up the phone and call. So many times we are troubled by many things, and others never know the turmoil, pain, hurt and anxiety we deal with, because some of us just carry the weight of our problems all by ourselves.

As you all know I believe in just paying attention to what others need, it's how God made me and also some of you, so today reach out and lift someone up, believe me it will take them through their day.

I believe God's desire for all of us to be encouragers to one another, and to help each other through difficult times. Receiving encouragement from other helps us to go on, it gives us strength to keep going each day. So, be an encourager today, you never know who might need it.

Be InCouraged
Mechell

PS Don't forget me, I need encouraging too :)

InCouragement Insight - Midweek InCouragement

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Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
-Marianne Williamson

I am actually dealing with some painful stuff in my life right now, and I have a lot of concerns, but I continue to smother myself with anything encouraging to keep me going. So as I thought of you my family I thought I would do the same for you today. The writing above is one of my favorites, because it informs me on a daily basis that I am important, and I have much to offer to this life. I have posted this writing at home in my bedroom and Taylor's and I have it posted at work, to remind us both that we are important and that we must shine.

Some of you might be having a difficult time in your life at the moment. You might feel lonely, hopeless, disappointed, rejected, persecuted against, like a failure, stuck with no direction, your heart might be broken. You might not have a job at the moment or your job could be a challenge, as a business owner you could not know where to take the business next, or the business is not where it should be, your marriage might be under attack, you are concerned about your kids, you might be financially overwhelmed, I could go on, but in essence life is challenging at the moment. I say to you today continue to stand and believe that your life has much purpose, so you must continue onward in spite of. Surround your self with anything and everything encouraging during this time, and make sure to keep positive people around you.

I leave you with some quotes and scriptures that will encourage your heart and mind to fight and stand against the challenges of life. Be InCouraged and remember to be an InCourager to someone else in the midst of your own challenges.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
- Jeremiah 29:11

"Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you. They are supposed to help you discover who you are."
-Bernice Johnson Reagan

"Life is a succession of lessons, which must be lived to be understood."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

"There is Redemption in Rejection"
-Rev Otis Moss III TUCC

"Winners make things happen, Losers let things happen"
-unknown

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined."
- Henry David Thoreau

"Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently."
-Henry Ford

'You have your blueprint for your life; but what is God's blueprint for your life? You should probably ask him...
- Mechell Bridges

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."
- Matthew 7: 7-8

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well"
-Matthew 6:33

Be InCouraged
Mechell

InCouragements Insight - Completion

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Life is full of starters, But there are only a few finishers”
Dr.Robb Thompson

When I read the above quote it hit me hard in my belly, I was like WOW! See, I have started many things in my life, but I have not completed many. How many of you feel the same way? I'm sure a lot of you feel like I do.

So many of us start many things such as businesses, ministries, marriages, relationships, school, jobs etc., but how many of us have completed these things. To complete something is to carry it out, to follow it through and to fulfill the purpose.. My question is why don’t we complete tasks, mandates, assignments, projects that are given to us? Why do we let them falter away, disappear, or just ignore them?

I believe there are several reasons we are not in a completion status in our lives, but here are a two major ones that I believe keep us from fulfillment:

1. Fear – Fear makes us run, and reject things in our lives. Fear is False Evidence Appearing Real, so what we see in front of us scares and intimidates us. We are scared of failing, rejection and not being able to follow through. In 2 Timothy 1:7 is state that God has not given us a spirit of fear. So, when we allow fear in we become stagnate, or just stuck.

2. Direction – When we have no direction, we will never complete such things. Most important we need direction from God for every area in our lives. If we follow God’s directives, we will have successful businesses, ministries, marriages, relationships and so forth. In Psalms 37:23 it states “The steps of a [good] man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights in his way [and He busies Himself with his every step]. Without the direction of God in our lives we just go in circles, or we are in a maze and cannot find the way out.

When we allow mandates and assignments to be left in an incomplete status, we are affecting purpose in our lives and possibly others lives also.

Ponder on this, Jesus had an assignment, that was to die on the cross for us, to take care of our sins. Just think if he had not carried that assignment out, I would not be writing to you now. Don’t you think Jesus was fearful, scared and just wanted to walk away? But He knew this was not just about Him, He knew he had to fulfill purpose.

“And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.” Mark 14:36

So, let’s start completing things in our lives, let's stop leaving unfinished business.

LET’S BE FINISHERS!

Be InCouraged

Mechell

InCouragements Insight - Show Up For Life

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Today as I went to get my liquid addiction, one of my favorite coffee spots had this posted on the wall. You all know how I love vision boards, I believe if you see what you are aiming for in life on a daily basis you will work towards it on a daily basis.

What was so interesting on the board that really caught my eye was the question they asked "What Do You Stay Awake For?'. This week I had planned on writing about how we have to "Show Up For Life". I was watching the Dr. Oz show the other day and this is one of his mantra's in life, and I was like WOW! I like that, so I have decided to make it one of Taylor and I's mantras in life.

We have to show up in life, because if we do not life will pass us by. We have to show up and face whatever life brings us, because by showing up, we are facing every fear, challenge, obstacle, and adversity. We are also making a statement, that I might be unsure, or fearful, but I will definitely make an effort to conquer this day. By showing up in life we are also embracing, every open door, and opportunity that could become available on that day.

So, in essence it's mandatory that we show up in life, because by doing this we say to life I conquer every challenge as I move closer to my dreams and destiny. Also, remember this very important as you are showing up in life, make sure God is showing up with you.

I want each and everyone of you to answer this question for yourself "What are you showing up in life for?" If you would like to share your thoughts with me please, I love to see what my faithful InCouragers are visioning.

I end with two quotes one from me and one from Taylor, they seem appropriate for this Insight.

"The past has come and gone, but the future still needs to be lived"...Taylor

"Show Up For Your Life, So That Your Life Can Show Out For You!"...Mechell

Be InCouraged
Mechell

InCouragements Insight - Authentic Self

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Authentic - not false or copied; genuine; real

The other day I was talking to one of my daughter's teachers, and as we ended the conversation, she says to me and I quote "Ms. Bridges you are authentic, and it makes it a pleasure to talk to you". I was in shock and speechless when she said this, because coming from a very intelligent woman who I actually admire, it was good to hear that she thought of me that way.

When I got off the phone with her, I continued to think of the things she said and especially the word authentic. This world is full of so many fake, and false things and people who are the same way, that it is a rarity to meet real people. I have been told I'm real and trustworthy before, but authentic is something different.

The more and more I thought about this word, I wonder how many of us walk around really pretending, we pretend we are happy, we pretend we like people, we pretend we have good relationships, we pretend we have a relationship with God, in essence we are just pretenders. Being a pretender or false takes a lot of work, because you are constantly having to remember what you are trying to pretend to be.

I used to pretend that I was loved, and thought about from others, but the reality was that I was rejected constantly by men and people I wanted to be my friends. So, when I established a relationship with God, he showed me real love and how to be my real self. My real self was being an encourager, doing for others, and embracing others, by showing them love. As I have done this over the years, I am not always accepted, people still reject me at times, people are back and forth with me as if they are still trying to decide if they want to be friends with me, and I don't always receive the authentic person from these people. Instead of feeling rejected and left out I continue to do what I was created to do and that is to be my Authentic Self, and as human I still feel hurt by these actions, but I now know the problem is not always me.

So, I say to you today start today being the "Authentic" you, if you are already well good for you. But remember by being your Authentic Self you also representing you and God. The other thing she told me and I have heard lately from others is that I had such a spiritual side to me that made them want to seek after whatever I believed in. One person told me I had a light that was so attractive to others. I'm not saying these things to build me up, what I am trying to say is we reach people by being our Authentic Self.

The comments I heard from others were that I was approachable, always trying to help others, and always available to listen. One person said people nowadays have attitudes, where you look at them and are scared to approach them, they don't offer their selves. The other day I was in a meeting at my job with a lady that I have known for quite sometime now, after the meeting she just started talking to me about personal things that were going on in her life. After she finish talking she said I know this seems strange but I felt you would listen, because you always have this smile on your face and it seems genuine. Remember Jesus reached out to the people as he walked city to city and he allowed the people to touch him. Jesus was approachable because he was Authentic.

So I say this today, stop being absorbed with your self and your stuff, stop being mean, and unapproachable. If you are a child of God there is this light about you that others attract to, and want to be a part of. Learn to let others in besides your clique of people you prefer, you never know what they might need from you. I do know that they need your AUTHENTIC SELF!!!!


Be InCouraged
Mechell

InCouragements Insight - Vision

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What is Your Vision?

Vision is a conception that is inspired by God in the heart of a human.

Why are you here? Do you know why you exist? Do you know why you were born? Do you have a vision that you are working towards? How are you facing each day? Is it the same monotonous, repetitive, mundane, routine, tedious, dull, boring everyday scene? Do you wake up on any given day and say I love what I’m doing; this is what I was born to do? Or better yet on Sunday evening do you start dreading Monday morning? Do you wake up and ask yourself and God when will things change, I know this is not what was planned for my life?

Have you allowed your vision to come to light? Or do you just exist daily with no vision? Have you allowed your present circumstances or situations to take over your vision? Without vision life has no meaning, life becomes hopeless.

If you said yes to any of these questions, you do not have a vision for your life. Or you do have a vision but you are not working towards that vision. Ask yourself is there a correlation between your job and your vision? I bet most of your answers are no, and that’s why you daily wake up feeling lost, drained, frustrated, hopeless, and unfulfilled. I know this because most of my life I have felt this way.

A visionless life is a poverty-stricken existence.

My struggle has been having visions that I cannot make come to pass. Dr Myles Munroe says that “It’s depressing and frustrating to have an idea for years that you haven’t yet seen come to pass”. Some of you have had so many dreams and visions that are still unfulfilled, and now you are weary to even dream anymore, so you become complacent and settle into life as it is. I promise you will never be happy living this way, because God designed you uniquely with a vision or visions in your heart to carry out. Eventually you will become depressed, discouraged, frustrated, bitter, hopeless, and you will feel liek a failure.

You were born to carry out your vision!

Today I say to you stop burying the vision or visions God gave you. Stop living a life so unfulfilled that you just exist. Unlock the closed doors and accomplish what God has placed in your heart to conceive. Step out of your comfort zone and step out on faith.

Discover Your Vision!

And when you discover your vision it will give you a passion. In Ecclesiastes 9:10 is states “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.”

Vision is the source and hope of life !

“Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Proverbs29:18

Be InCouraged

Mechell

InCouragements Insight - LOVE

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Love

I just want to wish all of you a Happy Valentines Day!

I hope all of you feel loved and most important you feel the love of God. If you feel and know the love of God, you will love yourself, and allow love to come towards you.

Take time today to say to yourself first "I Love Me" and then call, text or email others and tell them you love them today, you just might make someone smile today.

I Love You All!

Love one another with brotherly affection [as members of one family], giving precedence and showing honor to one another.
Romans 12: 10


Be InCouraged
Mechell

InCouragments Insight - Our Children

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Our Children

Most of you that know me know that my daughter Taylor is the most important thing in my life. You all know that I love being a mother and I place parenting at the top of my list of importance.

An incident occurred on this past weekend with Taylor that made me realize how important it is for us to be good, observant and aware parents when it comes to our children. We as parents have to be our childrens protector, encourager, motivator, and an example of what's good and moral in this world.

I ask each of you as parents these questions and please ponder on them:

• Do you find the opportunity to tell your children you love them everyday?

If, not start now and do it on a daily basis, even if it's through text, or email, this also goes for the children away at college or away from home, they are never too old to hear I love you from parents.

• How often do you tell your children they are leaders, that you believe in them, or that they can conquer anything? How often do you encourage them?

Before Taylor leaves the house in the morning I tell her she is "A Leader, Not a Follower", I also recite Phillipians 4:13 to her "She can do anything through Christ that strengthens her" . I used to put post it notes in her lunch with quotes, or just a special note from mommy. (I have to start doing this daily again)

• Do you still have dinner with your child and just sit and talk?

I believe this is the best time to hear what is going on with your children, for some reason while sharing a meal with no other distractions, children like to talk a lot ( at least my child does). How often do you take your children out to breakfast, lunch,or dinner just to hang out, this is a good opportunity to build the relationship with your children. Find something in common that you have with your children, and then do that once a month with your children. One of the many things Taylor and I have in common are that we both have a love for books, so we are regulars at "Borders" . We just sit side by side and read what books interest us, and have these great conversations (my daughter is a fanatic about Greek Mythology, it amazes me). Our new commanality is exercising together, we do Pilates and Zumba(thanks Dre), it has now brought forth a conversation regarding health, she is concerned about what we eat(in particular what I eat, she is my food and exercise Nazi)

• How often do you ask your children what's bothering them, do they need to talk about something?
  

Taylor and I have these sessions called "You can say what you want" this is an opportunity to let her get out anything that's bothering her without any consequences. I allow Taylor to even have a voice when it comes to something she thought I was incorrect about. Remember parenting is an ongoing learning process, and we can learn from our children. These sessions allow her to get emotions out and thoughts out, I always want her to talk openly and freely to me.

Please know this I am not a perfect parent, I am a imperfect person trying to raise a "Phenomanal Kid" that will some day become an "Amazing Adult". I by no means have the perfect parenting techniques, but I am trying hard on a daily basis to be the very best parent I can be to Taylor, she deserves nothing but a 100% from me.

See, we have to realize this, our children did not ask to be a part of this journey we made that decision for them, so we have to be the best at what we do for them. We are their advocates, we fight for their futures, we are responsible for the outcome of their future.

Spend time with your nieces and nephews, my niece is a joy, and it is amazing how much she pays attention to me. A short story regarding my niece Kinzie, she started pre-school this year, and so I wanted to do the same thing with her that I do with Taylor, I wanted her to know that she is a leader. So, I started telling her to say "I'm a leader, not a follower", so she would recite it my way, but then later on she started saying it in her own way, she would say "TeTe" "I'm not following, I'm a leader right", it was too cute, but at least she understood that she should not be following. My point we should be making impact on the kids in our lives, especially the ones close to us, it will follow them to adulthood.

So, in essence let's be more in tune with our children and the children around us, be observant and be involved. I also want you to know that this message is just not for the parents this is for Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, Godparents, and any children that are a part of your life. We all can be that village for these children, participate in their lives positively anyway you can. I have some children that I missed out on being a part of their lives, but as young adults I will be the best I can to help them in their future.

Be InCouraged
Mechell

InCouragements Insight

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InCouraging Angels

Here are a few stories that I think will bless each one of you. Also, take the time to think about what you can do for others, lets become more of a conscious people. Pay attention to the needs of others, regardless of what you are going through. My aim is for us to be better human beings.

1- Dionne has a gift of designing websites/blog sites, so she has designed a blog site for a friend as a birthday present free of charge.

2- Trenda sent this to me on last week:
On last week when you sent the Incouragement, I was speaking w/ a young woman who workers w/ me, asked her why she wasn't a church the previous day and she advised she had no money. So, the holy spirit told me to give her gas to get home. So even before you had sent the Incouragement, I had already been instructed to buy gas.

3 - Yvette has a young lady at her church who is planning a wedding on a very limited budget. So she purchases the bride's wedding bouquet.

4 - My brother consistently shovels the snow of the neighbors on both sides, after shoveling our snow and my parents snow, he has being doing this for the last 2 years.

I just want to say to these angels and others that I'm not aware of, you are selfless humans with a big heart. Continue to bless and incourage others with your awesome acts.

Make sure to send your stories or just send me an email sharing your thoughts. mechell@incouragements.com


Be InCouraged
Mechell

InCouragements - Insight

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Are you happy?

On this past weekend, my daughter said something to me that was so profound. "Mommy I just want you to be happy". I immediately told her I was fine, you know I was just reassuring her, so she would not worry about me. As the day went on I realized my daughter was on to something, in that moment I was not happy, in fact I was sad, and she saw that. This made me ponder and think about this happiness emotion. Is it important to be happy? Is it beneficial to be happy? What is happy?

Happy -enjoying, showing, or marked by pleasure, satisfaction, or joy.

This is the dictionary's definition of happy, but I define happy by several things:

Happy = seeing my healthy, awesome daughter on a daily basis
Happy = knowing God, and being able to communicate with him
Happy = having a supportive loving family, no matter how dysfunctional we may be
Happy = having people in my life who love me, appreciate me, and who truly care about Taylor and I (Thanks for checking up on us at times, it feels awesome)
Happy = being able to give, give, give, and give some more
Happy = being able to still have great conversations with my Mommy (yes I still call her mommy at times)
Happy = being able to say I am Taylor's mom (God blessed me with such an awesome child)
Happy = being able to pay everyone of my bills, even if I don't have extra left, at least I know Taylor and are in a warm home, food to eat and our home is filled with great love
Happy = having a job where my boss is flexible and understanding to a singe mother
Happy = is hearing the words "te te" my beautiful niece who loves me like crazy, thanks Yogi for establishing the relationship
Happy= being a mentor to people who trust me dearly, I am grateful
Happy = is having good good friends, my mother said you should at least have 2 very good friends, I have a hand full
Happy= having people believe in me, even when I don't believe


In essence, yes happy is an emotion that we should all experience constantly, it is beneficial to our moods and our health. So savor your happy moments, and take some time out this week to write out what your happy equals.

I encourage you all to find more happy in your life this year, yes we will have sad and down times, but let's aim to make more happy days in our life. If being happy means making changes do it. If being happy means removing toxic people do it. If happy means doing things outside the box do it.

JUST BE MORE HAPPY!!!

Whosoever trust in the Lord, happy is he. Proverbs 16:20

If you want to be happy, be. ~Leo Tolstoy

Happiness is a form of courage. ~Holbrook Jackson


Be InCouraged
Mechell

InCouraging Angel

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InCouraging Angel - A kind and lovable person who manifests goodness, purity, selflessness and one who encourages others by their actions and words.

Hi InCouragements Family the "InCouraging Angel" Challenge is back, and I am too excited!!!

You all know that I love this challenge, because I love to do for others it's just in my DNA, I thank my Momma for this. Last year you all just went crazy and overwhelmed me with your "InCouraging Angel" acts. It was so awesome receiving emails where I could just feel the excitement you all had by doing for others. So, here we go again, let's take this to another level this year, let's transform some lives by our actions. My motto this year is to "TRANSFORM in 2011" and a part of my transformation will be to continue to help and do for others at a higher level. As always here is a list of some of the things you can do, but remember just to follow your heart and pay attention to what is going on around you. Also, remember this does not have to always be financial, and get your kids involved with this it will help to become better human beings.

• Pay for the persons lunch behind you this week, a stranger not someone you know ( I love doing this and I leave immediately, and it's so great to see the person looking for you)
• Take care of your good friends who are in need call them and see what they need, or just go with your spirit
• Send a encouraging card to several people you have not talk to in awhile.
• Call 5 people on this week and tell them how you believe in them and how proud you are of them.
• Call 5 people and tell them that you are grateful to know them and blessed to have them in your life.
• Buy someone a nice Bible have it engraved with their name.
• Go work at homeless shelter.
• Give to a homeless person on the street, but follow your spirit with this one. (There is a guy I give to every other week, I felt God leading me to give and not ignore him)
  
• Spend some good quality time with your good friends ( I'm going to be better at this)
  
• Pay for someone else gas this week.
• Baby-sit for a single parent this week.
• Take a single parent to dinner or a movie.
• Baby-sit for a married couple on this week, so that they can go out and enjoy their selves.
• Present a married couple with a gift card for dinner or tickets to the movie.
• Send your close friend to the spa for the day.
• Pay for someone's hair appointment on this week.
• Ask an elderly person on your block if you can pick up their prescriptions or some groceries.
• Go visit a nursing home and read to the seniors, or go pray for them.
• Cook dinner for your neighbor this week.
• Shovel the snow for your neighbors.
  
• Buy someone's grocery in the grocery store this week, or put $10 - $20 dollars towards the bill ( I do this one all the time, believe me $10 - 20 dollars is a big help on a grocery bill these days)
• Ask a co-worker if they need assistance with a project on this week.
• Buy fruit for your co-workers this week (can't you all see I am changing health wise, this used to be pastries) Thanks Dre my awesome trainer!
• Help out a college student.
  
• Send someone you have not talk to in a while some flowers.
• Just buy a small token of love for someone you care about, just because.
• Be a mentor.
• Let someone vent to you, just listen.
• Help someone build their business, pay attention to where you can assist.
• Use your gift to help others, tap into that gift and bless others with it. (Thanks Jesus and Dionne)
  
• Empower someone you know this week with your mouth, let them know how special they are build them up.

In essence just give of yourself, your money and your time, it's the most rewarding thing you can do in life at times. Send me your emails regarding your experiences with this challenge, I love to read how you have effected others and share them. Send emails to mechell@incouragements.com.


Be InCouraged
Mechell

Transform in 2011

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Good Morning,

After last week's Insight I hope you all had time to reflect back on the prior year and look at what you accomplished, revived and survived. I also hope that you came up with new goals and aspirations for 2011. As I stated on last week this is the year I will transform myself, and I believe we can all use some transformation in our lives.

We can transform our minds:

• Spiritual Mindset
• Positive Thinking
  
• Open Mindset
• Creative Thoughts

Our thoughts are so important they frame our emotions and actions, so lets make sure to keep them clear and conscious. Learn to meditate and keep a close and intimate connection with God, he will definitely center you and cause your thinking to change for the better.

We can transform our surroundings:

• Change your atmosphere
• Re-examine the friends and relationships in your life
• Remove toxic and tainted people from your life
• Re-establish friendships that you miss and know should be a part of your inner circle
• Surround yourself with people that encourage and inspire you
• Learn to let go
  
• Make your house a home
• Get out and enjoy the world a little more
• Travel to one great destination you have been desiring
• Take in God's creation once in a while

Our surroundings are so key to how we journey through this life, so we have to make sure that only positive people are around us. About a year ago, I started using the word "inner circle" and this referred to the people closest to me. I had to make sure that these were people, who were honest, encouraging, inspiring, loving, and non-judgmental towards me. In essence, these are people who truly care about me and want to see me grow and excel on this journey. Also, your relationships should be healthy and loving, not hurtful and toxic. Your significant other should love, encourage, and inspire you in your imperfect state, because we are all imperfect people trying to live in an imperfect world being the best human beings we can.

We also have to start changing our actual surroundings, this can start in our homes, make your house a home a place you cannot wait to escape to when you have to deal with the craziness of the world. Also, I believe our travels in others parts of this world will help us change the atmosphere in our lives, Taylor and I plan to do a lot of travel in the future. We have already picked out our destinations and we got our passports so we are prepared to go when the opportunity is available.

We can transform habits:

• Stop being angry
• Stop being sad and depressed
• Stop being negative all the time find the positive in every situation
• Stop overeating
• Get up and exercise
• Break your routines in life

Habits are the hardest things to change in our lives, but once we do we become free from a bondage that has encased us. It's easier to smile and be happy than always angry, learn to like life in this moment and you will eventually learn to love it. Life is a journey and sometimes it can bring the darkest days, but even in those times we have to look for the positive and continue on the journey.

It's easy to eat at our problems and issues instead of dealing with them. I have been overweight for a decade now, and I have no excuse but laziness ( I used to to say it was because of having a baby, but Taylor is 11 now, can't use that one anymore). This is the year I become free from the horrible eating habits and lack of exercise, and I learn to love and take care of my body instead of abusing it.

Also, pay attention to what we watch on TV and what we read. Last night I purposely decided to watch Vh1 and was so troubled to see women degrading one another instead of encouraging and building one another up, and also pretending to be rich, because of their outfits and cars (Basketball Wives) and I was also troubled to see a star have her self set up on multiple dates in order to find her true love, because she desperately wants to have a baby (Chili) What a waste, and how does these shows inspire us. They do not,

The sad part here is that these people have a common factor and that is they are searching for love, not a romantic love in particular, just love. We have to remember this, God made us out of love, his love, so all we truly desire is to be loved, because we were made out of love. We want our parents to love us, our kids, our friends, our husbands and wives, our boyfriends and girlfriends, we are on a continuous search for this, and sometimes we do things that do not make sense while searching for it. Sorry this is my soapbox, but I have become so conscious of what I allow to filter my mind, and my daughters'.

So as I end today remember that there are so many things that we can transform, but I thought I would share the ones that matter to me at the moment.

Transformation=Freedom

Be InCouraged
Mechell