Living in the Moment

I love this picture. I think it captures the true essence of how living in the future or living beyond the moment can lead to us missing the mark. It's okay to dream, have goals and plan. It really is. But living too far ahead of where you are at this moment prevents you from savoring the amazingness of the moment you're in. I've come to realize that I am in my most peaceful state when I just let go of my thoughts. In that, I let go of what I need to do, what I'm planning on doing, what I hope happens, what I'm striving to become. I let it all go! When I do that I open myself up to enjoy and marvel over what is...instead of what is to come. My heart-rate decreases. My breathing slows up. I'm at peace when I exercise living in the moment.

 

I find that many people, myself included, are always trying to get somewhere, both mentally and physically. Things are always moving or plans are always being made. A constant state of preparing and anticipating. I'm sure this sounds familiar to you. This way of living is stressful. It robs you of taking in precious moments in your present. Moments that you will never get back. Since I finished Graduate school I've started practicing living in the moment. Now that I no longer have papers to write or classes to rush to or deadlines to meet...I've started embracing the slowness of my life. I don't always succeed at it but at least now I'm more mindful of it. I can say, "Chanel, slow down. You're getting too far ahead of yourself."

 

I know God has great things in store for me, and you. But I also know that life and time are so precious you cannot spend it always anticipating the "what's next" stuff of life. You truly have to cherish and value each day, hour, minute and second you are allowed to see. I often think about people who received the news that they only have a few months or years to live. I ask myself, "If I were in their shoes, how would I spend my last days?" Like, after getting over the devastating news how would I maximize life until I had no more life left? I pray that I wouldn't spend it moping around or feeling sorry for myself. I also pray that I would make the absolute most out of the time I had left!

 

I want to start living my life that way. I would encourage you to do the same. Live like your time here on earth is limited. Live and enjoy each moment you're blessed to see. Celebrate your daily accomplishments instead of waiting until the whole puzzle is completed. Bask in the sun and the beauty of the day...of the moment. I plan to start reading Eckhart Tolle's, "The Power of Now." I pray that this work helps me to start living in my now, without me having to work at it. I want living in my now to be my norm. I challenge you as well to take one day where you only focus on your now. It will lead to amazing memories and a more peaceful way of life.

I won't complain

A Dear friend shared this with me: "If you have a group of people put all of their problems in a circle, read them aloud, I guarantee you will pick back up your own problems."

 

God always shows me things that money cannot buy. Health, Love, Strength, Peace of mind and Joy. This is His unique way of dealing with me and keeping me in check. God knows us and He knows exactly how to deal and speak to us. It's amazing that when He does this...my mood, when I'm in a funk, instantly changes! Like, instantly. Thank you Lord for speaking to me and convicting me when I need it. I thank you for ALL you've done for me. Giving me another day to get it right for starters..........

 

Remember:

- Things could always be worse.

 

- Be Thankful for where you are and what you have.

 

- There is always someone dealing with a situation in life who would love to be in your shoes, problems and all.

 

- Stop living for what may or may not happen tomorrow. Live for today. Tomorrow may never come.

 

- Let tomorrow take care of itself. God's Got this. He's got YOU.

 

 

I won't complain
I've had some good days
I've had some hills to climb
I've had some weary days
I've had some sleepless nights
But when I look around
And I think things over
All of my good days
Outweigh my bad days

So I won't complain

Sometimes the clouds hang low
I can hardly see the road
And then I ask the question
Lord why so much pain
But He knows what's best for me
Although my weary eyes can't see

So I'll just say thank you Lord
I won't complain

God's been so good to me
The Lord has been so good to me
More than this old world
Or you could ever be
The Lord has been so good to me
And he dried my tears away
And he turn all my midnights into days

So I'll say thank you Lord
I just say thank you Lord
I'll just say thank you Lord
I won't complain

Do you Trust His Will?

I must confess...I've been convicted for neglecting this Blog. So many things have happened in my life since my last entry but I know this is something I've been called to do and God WILL see to it that I do. It's bigger than me and I must be held accountable. Lord forgive me.

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The reason I love the above picture is because it reassures me that life is a process. The plan God has for me, and for you, will sometimes involve pain and discomfort. BUT...when you are living in the will of God there is purpose in the process.

 

God builds character in you during the stormy seasons of your life.

 

Think back to the most difficult seasons of your life. Now, think about how that painful and difficult time altered the course of your life and who you are today.

 

The stormy seasons of life ultimately teach us something and are very much part of Gods plan to develop and grow us. Character is not build without some form of pain and or suffering. You have to go through in order to be who God needs you to be according to His will. The pieces of the plan don't always fit together or make sense. But when you reach the true passion and purpose for your life they will fit together just perfectly. In time it will be revealed.

 

Please know...if you continue to trust Him, pray and believe... those difficult times will prove to work out for your good. Even though you can't see it now there is always a blessing waiting on the other end of the storm. I can testify to that.

The most painful season of my life was indeed the work of God. It made me into a better person and for that I have to give praise. Had I not gone through that time of my life I would NOT be where I am today. It was painful, depressing and just too much for me at times but Gods plan was to prosper me and take me to the next level in my life. I am indeed a new creature in Christ. Not without flaw and fault... but my heart was changed and character was developed within me.

 

If you are in that season of your life right now please don't give up and throw in the towel. Hang in there. It's hard. It's painful. But God will show up in your life. Something is being developed within you that needed to be done. It had to be this way. Why? We may never know but God does. That's the hard part. Trusting that He knows what's best even when it seems like NO good can come of the situation. It's scary and trust me I know it's not an easy pill to swallow.

His purpose and plan for your life will prevail over any circumstance or situation you may be facing. Have peace in that fact. This will some how...some way...work out for your good!

 

 

 

Be blessed.

 

 

Make the decision to be Happy!

So many people wake up in the morning and decide to be unhappy. Yes, it's a decision. How you respond to life and circumstances is a decision. Deciding to be happy despite what's going on around you or in your life doesn't mean the situation changes. It simply means you make up in your mind that you will count it all joy and press forward. I know, it's easier said than done but I also know that making the decision to miserable, grumpy, sad, depressed and negative will not make things any better.

I love how God works when I get in a "funk" and decide to be unhappy or sad. He always allows me to cross paths with someone who shows me that things could be a lot worse. I always try to look at the bright side of a bad situation and when I find that difficult to do....God does it for me. 

When you get sad or feel down it's usually because you are thinking about whatever it is that makes you feel that way! Events in life have a way of keeping us stuck in a place of unhappiness but it's up to us to decide how we respond. Aren't you tired of letting the same situations get you down each and every time? Aren't you tired of letting certain people constantly alter your mood? I challenge you to redefine them. What do I mean by that?

It's simple.

Stop letting people and things define YOU. Don't allow anyone or anything to have that much power or control over you and your emotions. Tell yourself, "NOT TODAY!" It has to start somewhere. You have to stand up and be in control of your own emotions and mood. No one and no circumstance should dictate how you feel at any given moment. When you take control over your own mood then decide to be happy, be at peace and count it all joy. This too shall pass. No heartache, pain or suffering lasts forever. You may be going through something now but set your mind on the joy you will feel when you come out! When you can look back and see how the very thing that had you in the dumps was a blessing. When you can look back and see how much you learned and how you've grown because of it. 

I know life has a way to taking you there but trust me...if you are in the Will of God and you put your faith in Him. It will all work out for your good. Yes, even those things that seem so horrible, painful and down right impossible. Trust that He has a plan for everything in your life. Trust that somehow, someway this will all come together for your benefit. Trust that this is all part of His amazing plan for your life. He is known for taking bad situations and turning them into something wonderful. You just have to pray, trust and believe. Knowing all that...how can you not make the decision to be happy?

Be Blessed.

Positive Message. Spread it!

I was almost on the verge of quitting blog world. I started this blog because I feel God has allowed me to go through certain things in life to help other people. He allowed me to go through pain, suffering, joy, amazing accomplishments etc...to tell someone else that it DOES get better and everything that happens in your life has purpose. I felt that blogging was an opportunity for me to reach people all over the world in search of a positive word. 

I received an email from someone on my blog roll list asking me to "please remove me from this blog/list." Immediately I could not understand why someone would want to be removed from my blog list when all I've ever tried to do with it was uplift and encourage people. That message made me question if I should even continue with it. I mean, I only send out one blog email per month so it wasn't like I was spamming with several entries every single day! It was disappointing and could have possibly ended what I feel God laid on my heart to do.

But it didn't. 

I know now, it's not about me, it's about Him and He will lead who He wants to this blog.

What I've discovered along this journey is that not everyone will receive the message I bring. Not everyone wants to read just how GREAT God is. Not everyone wants to read week after week or month after month how God has delivered, answered prayers, made a way or healed a loved one. I also had to learn how to not internalize the request of that individual. It's not me that this person wanted to disconnected from...it is the message I bring. Gods message. I know that now. That's not my battle to fight. God will lead the right people to this blog at the precise moment they need it. For bloggers, the most important thing to us is that somehow, someway our words make a difference and it reaches the intended target and in this case that would be YOU!

When you find yourself on the verge of giving up on spreading positivity, encouragement, joy, and uplifting word...don't! There are people who need it. There are people searching the internet right now trying to find a tailor-made word to get them through whatever season they may be in. They need you to keep spreading the word and being obedient. When I was going through a stormy season of my life, it was a blog that helped me get through the day. His words spoke to me and encouraged me to keep on pressing. You never know who will stumble across your blog searching for a word for their moment. Continue to let your words help people.