Saturday, January 28, 2012

Take the Shot

Each new day gives you another opportunity at the free throw line of life.  It's not about whether you miss it or make it. No, it's about being willing to take the shot.  No one else can do it for you. Summon the courage that God bestowed upon you, take a deep breath and go for it.  Take your shot.


Breathe deeply
Inhale the scent
What is it?
It's your life
Rich, fragrant
Real
Every day creates a new, fresh opportunity
For you
To have more, be more, do more
To recreate your life
Stop looking back
Like forgotten things, it's time to forgive and forget your past
It can't be erased, but it also can't be changed
So no more tears for spilled milk or lost yesterdays
Because today - today is brand new day
Use it to your advantage
Take your shot

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Where is Your Heart?

The heart surrenders everything in the moment. The mind judges and holds back ~Ram Dass ~ Truth: It is our natural instinct to want to be loved. Infants recognize this and make every effort to have their needs met on demand. As we age, the bombarding of people telling us no, and the aftermath of rejection after rejection makes us leery. But it never diminishes what the heart desires. We simply learn to suppress it.


Past experiences are valid. They teach us lessons, just as a child sometimes learns the hard way, why they should not touch hot things we learn how to navigate our way through the minefield that is love. But that navigation is not designed to turn you away from the process of meeting someone. If you read a bad book, or see a bad movie it doesn’t stop you from ever reading or seeing another movie. Perhaps you won’t read anything else from that particular author. So why can’t we take this same view with finding love? If you meet and date someone and it doesn’t work out, take the information away from the relationship, but leave the bitter taste of it behind. Maybe you won’t date tall, sexy guys again. Maybe! Or maybe you’ll discover a little bit more of what you want, and quickly recognize and eliminate those people who don’t meet your criteria. Or better still, you’ll recognize that it was THAT particular man or woman, and it’s not an indictment on the entire species.

Love requires a bit of amnesia, because it’s difficult enough to navigate the terrain and kiss frogs without the added pressure of remembering all the wrong that has been done to you. Expect better from yourself and others. If you're going to remember some things, remember the great things - if there are any. If that's not possible, then perhaps it might be time for you to take a time out and sit in a corner for awhile until you are able to get up and out without an attitude. My thought is that you cannot receive anything with a closed hand. The same applies to your heart. How can you want something, if your mind is constantly telling you no? Be cautious, but be willing....

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Resolution

A resolution is an expression. You need resolve or commitment to actually follow through. Life and time are far too precious. Don't waste time declaring things you won't actually do. Your heart knows the truth...

I believe you
feel your heart in the love you express to me
But it's not enough
Because on the day to day
What you've said, and what you do
Don't seem to add up
Or ring true
I feel like a resolution
Something you've committed to do
Early on
While smitten with holiday cheer
Fresh snow on the ground
Eggnog and gift buying on your mind
With the New Year approaching
You decide you have major changes in mind
And you create this list of things you're going to do
But now the holidays are long gone
And the grind of day upon day is all that remains
And now, like going to the gym
This declaration of love is easy to say
But much harder to do
And so, I'm left to ponder
Am I something you are resolved to do
Or am I resolution - a declaration?
The answer is up to you
Your heart knows the truth....

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Word Power

Yes, words truly have power. They can empower, disappoint, discourage and a whole lot of other things. But the real power of words lies within us.....

"Other people can no longer hurt me. They are just giving me their observation of me, and I give it meaning" ~From Oprah's Lifeclass ~ You give words spoken to you and that play in your head truth and power. If you know in your core what you are purposed for, anything else someone says or does to you is meaningless. First, because when you truly know the power of who you are, you won't sit by and take it, and most importantly, because YOU know your truth. If you don't know your own power, find affirming words to speak into your life, and spend some time on your knees with you and Jesus to figure it out. We are going to treat ourselves better this year ~V

Friday, December 30, 2011

My Voice

My voice of choice for 2012 will continue to be what I have been all along, motivational, inspirational, honest; filled with real truth. I’m going to continue to sing my song; I don’t know how to be anything else, or less.  In 2012, I want to dig a little deeper & excavate the last of whatever binds me. I want to fully and completely find the authentic me; finally. I’ll do less thinking about, crying over and analyzing men, and what I can and cannot do or say. That’s got to change, because anything less would be well, insane. And I’m tired of the insanity, so instead of men in the singular I’m going to instead focus on mankind in the plural, inclusive way that it’s meant to be. And if he who needs to finds me well, that’s alright with me - but it will no longer haunt, paralyze scare or confine me. I love – love, but this silliness is over for me. Instead of worrying about why he won’t call, I’m going to work on my bottom line and booty! Real truth; This is my voice for 2012  ~V

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

What I Learned in 2011

With 2011 quickly coming to an end, here are some things about love I learned....

  1. It's about what you do, not what you say: People will say almost anything to get in the door, but seldom live up to the hype. You must be willing to really listen - take your heart out of things early on to see if that man or woman is really worth your time. Is he telling you what you want to hear, or is he genuine and sincere?
  2. Take a break: When dating and relationships start to take a toll on you, it's okay to step back and out for a moment. Recharging helps to energize you and put past mistakes and hurts in perspective. It's not a time to have a pity party or beat yourself up because of past mistakes. Take the time to heal, understand and learn. Best of all, use the time to find some new things to get involved in.
  3. Being alone is a positive thing: Sometimes, we get so caught up in what society, friends, well meaning family, etc think we should be doing, that we end up with people that are clearly not meant to be in our lives. Settling, involving yourself in toxic relationships, being unhappy are all things that are unnecessary. It's okay to be alone. There is no negative to being with and enjoying yourself. If you don't enjoy you who else will? Master it.
  4. Kissing frogs: If you really want to meet someone, you are going to have to step away from your computer, get cleaned up and get outside your home. The UPS and FedEx guys are cool, but you need to date! Be willing to simply get out and have some fun. And if a great relationship comes of it, well those are bonus points. But you must be willing to kiss a few frogs to find your prince or princess.
  5. Love is a risk: You have to be willing to get out there, and expose yourself a bit in order to truly find the one. There were times when I thought I had hit pay dirt, only to discover sadly, that he was just a rock, not a diamond. But I learned, and that's just as important to me.
Yes, 2012 is just around the corner. And I look forward to your adventures and mine in dating in the New Year. Let's both get ready to laugh, cry, live and whatever else...

V

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Happy Holidays!

Christmas is near. Hopefully you are almost done with shopping, and ready for the family and friends you’ll see and share the day with. I’m taking a moment now to wish everyone a safe and richly blessed day. My wishes for all…that you be of good cheer whether you are near or far.

For those like me who are single, still embrace the day. If you don’t have friends or family to celebrate with, still surround yourself with wonderful self-love – God will be sending someone to love your way – soon enough – for now simply continue to be ready. Consider taking stock of who you’ve been in 2011, and think about how better you can be for 2012.

Revolutionize yourself! Shake loose of all the negative things you’ve experienced this year – from bad dates, to bad relationships. It’s over thank goodness. Don’t take it with you into 2012. And if you’re holding out for or on someone, it’s time to let go. It’s a painful choice, but one that is necessary. The fear of being alone allows us to be in things we have no business being in – whether it’s being involved with someone who is already committed, to being in relationships that we are unhappy in. Whatever it is let go, and let God. Inject your life with passion. Your life should give you chills.

I know it’s hard being alone – looking at the empty chair as you eat, getting into a cold bed. But you have yourself, and sometimes that’s the best place for you. This time last year, I was completely alone, living away from all family and friends. I awoke Christmas morning crying and having a nice pity party. But I decided to get up and prepare my dinner and celebrate the day. And I felt so much better. It’s all in how you look at things. It all sounds cliché I know, but it beats the alternative. You are what you think really. And some of us are thinking some crazy stuff!


Today
One more day
I was given

To be blessed
To be a blessing
One more day
To make a difference
In who I am
And what I choose to say
One more day
To change
To live
Breathe
To tell the truth
In word or deed
One more day
I was given
Today
Amen

Be blessed!