This is my testimony; people tell me I'm too loud all the time. I just laugh at them because 1) they are often right and 2) they have no idea how many years of childhood I spent abused, timid and unaware that what I had to say mattered. Abuse will do that to you but one thing I know: BUT GOD! Only God will take the quiet, timid and meek and give you a story and voice of power, courage and influence to change the world.
Bottom line: be you, do you and walk in authority, dominion and power. If you're a little loud, that's okay; it's easier to teach a loud person how to tone it down than to teach a timid victim how to walk in authority and victory. TURN DOWN FOR WHAT? createspace.com/5074934 Book: Sometimes all you have is Happy: A guide to obtain happiness while awaiting your dreams
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I had the most amazing time today at the 2014 Ultimate Show for Women in Virginia Beach, VA. I was so proud to be on assignment and promoting the National Association of Professional Women. You can find pics of yours truly and other pics/information at: https://www.facebook.com/NapwNewportNewsLocalChapter. One young woman was the perfect example of what many of us do wrong with the best intentions. She shared with me how she is a young college student that would like to open a hair and nail salon. She said that many people told her she was too young to do that and it is ridiculous for her to pursue such a dream as a communication major. REALLY? Hello, as a communications major she will learn the art of public speaking, writing, interpersonal skills, critical thinking and technology. What business owner doesn't need that? So while someone else wants to be a nail technician or hair stylist, this young lady can be a salon OWNER. That is my idea of multiple streams of income and making your money work for you! Reality Check: regardless of your age, you owe it to the next generation to pay it forward. You have the responsibility regardless of your status, career, accomplishment or job title, to encourage the next generation to dream dreams while sharing your experience, knowledge and connections to help them achieve ANY and EVERYTHING they set their mind, heart and soul to. After all, don't you remember when you were child and dreamed of becoming an astronaut, doctor, lawyer, teacher, dancer, etc.? Do you remember the first time someone laughed at your dream or told you, you'll never be able to do that. Remember how defeated you felt; the feeling like someone took a pin and burst you balloon? EXACTLY. Yes, you may have the best intentions to shield the next generation from failure or disappointment but what you are actually doing is teaching them a visionless, passionless life where they live to fulfill someone else's dream and not their own. So go beyond having the best intentions; if you think the path the next generation has chosen is too hard, be determined to find tools, resources and connections that will lighten their road. You can't fall if you don't climb. But there's no joy in living your whole life on the ground." --Dr. Suess My heart is so full today: I received the proof for my soon to be published first book! What a lesson this beginning has been for me.
Dreaming is easy: it's free, pleasant and feeds our innermost desires. When we dream there are no limits, restrictions, disappointments or refusals; we enlarge our vision and believe all things are possible. The trouble starts when we open our eyes. This is probably the only time when darkness leads to light and light leads to darkness. When we close our eyes and dream, we receive the light of imagination. Yet, when we open our eyes and in comes the light of consciousness, darkness/doubt set in. We no longer are weightless, limitless or invincible. The light of reality dims all possibilities, dreams and visions and we become grounded as our dreams/visions diminish. There is a reason why we dream while we sleep and have visions while we are awake. Visions burn and tug at the soul until they are fulfilled. They nag and taunt their owner until action is taken and they are released. Visions require you to produce something; you can no longer sleep--a vision finds you in the dark and the light. So dream and dream big but use your dreams as the foundation upon which your visions are birthed. On that note, good night and sweet dreams from Alesha Brown, the Joy Guru. I just came from an amazing women's conference entitled, Inner Strength Inner Beauty. I am always encouraged when I am in the midst of a large group of women assembled together. There is power when women come together on one accord and share our experiences, testimonies and stories of survival. I imagine God looks at his precious jewels, his darling daughters, and is pleased with his handiwork. Like bountiful flowers blooming in a wide field, no fragrance is sweeter. Their uniqueness and diversity make them diamonds shining bright--various shapes, sizes, ethnicities, adornments, experiences and stories of survival.
Perhaps that is where we go wrong; many of us no longer seek the beauty of one another beyond the external. We quickly size one another up based on perceptions we have based solely on the outside appearance. Many women can attest to past experiences with acquaintances, lovers or even family members who preferred this one over that one or highlighted their inabilities. Flash forward to adulthood and there are still those who perpetuate this nonsense. Really? How can you look at God's creation and say this one is better than that one because of her complexion, hair texture, size or social status? Is this not the same limited, one dimensional and barbaric way of thinking that enabled slavery and the Holocaust? Hurt people hurt people and make it necessary to ask, "whose voice do you listen to"? What does that voice say to you? What words resonate the most in the spirit of your soul? Be careful whose voice you listen to; that voice will be the foundation on which your life, vision and purpose are built. If the voice speaks anything other than beauty, courage, strength, empowerment, kindness, purpose, spirituality, warmth, love--silence it IMMEDIATELY! We spend too much time preparing to launch things and waiting until they are "perfect" to release that we rob people of the anointing that is always present and... ready. I refuse to do that any more.
Who am I? There is something brewing on the horizon and I feel it in my bones: I can taste it, smell it and my spirit is salivating. This isn't just any kind of hope but a new dimensional blessing on the cusp of being released. God has captured my attention for a time of reflection. There is no testimony without a test; no victory without a challenge and no battle won in the absence of a war. Many entered and exited my life; others I closed the door on. There is purpose behind every connection and not all connections should remain permanent. When I think about the first 17 years of my life and all the ways the enemy tried to destroy me, exceeding joy is indeed my survival gift from God. I guard it, nurture it, cherish it and refuse to let anyone rob me of it. So who am I? Who am I to not lead a movement to encourage and uplift hurting women? Who am I not to go as far as the end of the earth to share my story? Who am I to not conform to the ways of this world and know that I have a purpose, destiny and a mission that is unlimited? The naysayers don't have a voice unless you give them authority to speak into your life. Who am I? I am a daughter of the Most High God; the apple of His eye: why should I not take my seat on the throne He has prepared? The real question is: who are you? |
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