Okay, in the past couple of days I have come across several people who seem to enjoy their lives from the outside but have opened up to me about not really liking themselves. They have made statements such as "I do not look at myself in the mirror" or "I am disgusted with my looks and if I were you I'd be disgusted too". Being the person I am, I made light of the situation and stated "well I look at myself in the mirror, unclothed, dance and prance around saying to myself that you are beautiful". Of course they laughed at me as usual and said I was silly BUT I made them smile. I even challenged them to do and say the same thing, even if they do not feel it or feel like doing so. Little do they know, one of these days, their feelings will catch up with the words they'll be prophesying to themselves.
My whole purpose for this was to help them transform their mind about themselves and let them realize that their words are damaging to their spirit and self-image. I am so grateful for who I am and I am this way because I feed positivity into myself. Yes, even those days when I don't "feel" so pretty.
Joyce Myers frequently teaches about your words and how emotions are just that...emotions, and we should never let them reign over our lives. They come and go, which means emotions are VERY inconsistent and if we depend on them we will be just as unstable as they are. Think of emotions as a child and YOU are the adult, so control them by speaking life into yourself and those around you who need it. Let the LORD handle the rest.
So I challenge you, just like I challenged them, to truly look at yourself in the mirror and reward that individual you see with some positive words. Change your words, you'll change your mind, which will in turn change your life for the better.
You are beautifully and wonderfully made, so how can something GOD treasures so much be disgusting. Look in the mirror, smile, and fully appreciate who you are on the inside and out.
Peace & Blessings,
M. D. Martin
Friday, December 23, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
day 8 - How to cut 5% of your bills in 5 days.
One might think they cannot squeeze another nickel out of their budget, but I am here to help. We are all born with the same amount of money in our pockets and we will all leave with the same amount. However, during the time we are here on Earth, we are responsible for being good stewards of our money. If your consider money to be a blessing, how can you expect God to bless you with more when you do not manage well what you already have. Below are a ton of helpful hints that will free up money. All it takes is a little "sweat equity" and you will find that right under your nose is a lot of savings. Before I get started, I want to post a challenge. Whoever identifies and reports back the largest savings, will win a $10 Starbucks card. Here we go:
I cannot wait to hear your thoughts. If I get 10 comments, I will post another round of cost saving ideas.
- Credit Cards: Call them and say the following words (even if you do not mean it). "Please connect me with the payoff department as I would like to make a payment in full!" Don't say anything else and listen to what happens next. They will lower your interest rate just to get you not to pay it off.
- Cable: Call them and say the following words: "I like my cable service but the fees are too much for my budget. What package can I move to that will lower my bill by $25/month? When it is all done, you will likely have the same service for $25 less.
- Mortgage: The new HARP 2.0 is a easy way to lower your mortgage rate to todays rate without the refinance fees. You can save hundreds of dollars per month. Call your bank and ask them how to apply for the new HARP program. You can even have negative equity and get a rate down in the 4% range.
- Look at your bank statement for any junk fees and call the bank and ask them to reverse it
- Review your bank statement for any long forgotten "recurring monthly bills"
- Natural Gas Bill. If you are not in a fixed rate 12 month plan, do it tomorrow. Rates are .60/therm and you could still be paying twice that.
- Car note: Call your local credit union/bank and ask if they can offer a better rate. Chances are you can get a better rate particularly at a credit union.
- Program your thermostats, replace some bulbs with 40W bulbs, make sure there is no drafty spots in your house, use a small ceramic heater instead of the central heat if you can
I cannot wait to hear your thoughts. If I get 10 comments, I will post another round of cost saving ideas.
Day 7 - Family - Living Legends
In traditional West African culture, griots are keepers of tradition. They preserve stories and help us develop an appreciation for family history. Typically, they are elders in the family who are respected for their wisdom, experiences and art with words.
As I reflect on the griots in my family, I think about the stories passed down to me from my grandparents and I recall the stories my father shared with my sister and I after leaving the cemetary. For me those lessons helped shape and mold me into the woman I am today and helped me develop a greater respect for our elders and sacrifices they made to maintain our family history.
Now that my father has passed away, I find myself thinking back on those moments, wishing I was more inquisitive or wondering what wisdom he would share with me now? Can you imagine how valubale great it would have been to capture his story in his own words.
On this day, I am choosing to honor my living legend by making a commitment to learn and document their story!
As I reflect on the griots in my family, I think about the stories passed down to me from my grandparents and I recall the stories my father shared with my sister and I after leaving the cemetary. For me those lessons helped shape and mold me into the woman I am today and helped me develop a greater respect for our elders and sacrifices they made to maintain our family history.
Now that my father has passed away, I find myself thinking back on those moments, wishing I was more inquisitive or wondering what wisdom he would share with me now? Can you imagine how valubale great it would have been to capture his story in his own words.
On this day, I am choosing to honor my living legend by making a commitment to learn and document their story!
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Day 6 - How Are You Improving Your Well-being?
It is good to have individuals in your life that feed positivity in to you, down to your core. This can span from spiritual uplift to promoting your health physically, mentally, and/or emotionally. One of the things that I have chosen to do for these "21 days of becoming your better self" is to truly be "that person" to someone else. Whether the person is family, friend, or stranger.
First, I started with my family and I want to share this information with you. I like to plan for "just in case" moments at times, regarding ones well-being. This past weekend I told my family that we are going to make an EOP (Emergency Operating Plan). An EOP is a document that one can make to prepare themselves for emergency situations (e.g. natural disasters, fires, power outages, etc.). These plans help you design exit routes in your home, what steps one will take to get to the nearest area of safety, who to contact, so on and so forth. I wanted to enhance my families awareness of their preparedness level. So, I gave them a challenge to write down all of the necessities the family will need to survive within a 96 hour window until emergency personnel are able to help them directly. They have until Christmas day to make their list and we, as a family, will develop an EOP .
Take this moment to think about how you will create your own EOP that is convenient for you and your family. Be aware and improve your well-being by being as prepared as you can be.
Peace & Blessings,
M. D. Martin
First, I started with my family and I want to share this information with you. I like to plan for "just in case" moments at times, regarding ones well-being. This past weekend I told my family that we are going to make an EOP (Emergency Operating Plan). An EOP is a document that one can make to prepare themselves for emergency situations (e.g. natural disasters, fires, power outages, etc.). These plans help you design exit routes in your home, what steps one will take to get to the nearest area of safety, who to contact, so on and so forth. I wanted to enhance my families awareness of their preparedness level. So, I gave them a challenge to write down all of the necessities the family will need to survive within a 96 hour window until emergency personnel are able to help them directly. They have until Christmas day to make their list and we, as a family, will develop an EOP .
Take this moment to think about how you will create your own EOP that is convenient for you and your family. Be aware and improve your well-being by being as prepared as you can be.
Peace & Blessings,
M. D. Martin
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Day 5 - The Relationship Quilt
As a young girl, I recall my mom taking extra special care of what I considered to be an old patched up blanket. The blanket wasn't fancy and didn't seem to be anything to put up a big fuss about. It was made up of hundreds of 4 x 4 squares neatly sewn together to form the one piece. None of the squares were necessarily identical but each of the small squares served a role in making the quilt whole. Just like that old quilt, each person that we have a relationship with, whether long-term or short-term, play a role in making us who we are today.
Oftentimes, when people think about relationships, it is usually geared on a more intimiate level particularly with a significant other. But, relationships are more than that. Relationships are also the connections that we share with God, family, friends, co-workers, etc. Each of the relationships are different but seem to serve a specific purpose in our lives.
Over the years, I have learned that relationships should not be measured by the length of time that you have invested in someone but should be measured by quality of what you receive from the person. In the book, "Reposition Yourself", Bishop T. D. Jakes mentions that, "The most powerful relationships we can have are those who help us to see what we didn't see before....who unveils possibilities and potential becomes a limitless resource to those of us who are upwardly mobile. We often meet someone, that unveils a new piece of the puzzle of who we are".
As we continue to move forward in our 21 day journey of becoming our best self, take the time to reflect on your relationship quilt. You'll be surprised of the relationships that are unveiled.
-R. Curry
Oftentimes, when people think about relationships, it is usually geared on a more intimiate level particularly with a significant other. But, relationships are more than that. Relationships are also the connections that we share with God, family, friends, co-workers, etc. Each of the relationships are different but seem to serve a specific purpose in our lives.
Over the years, I have learned that relationships should not be measured by the length of time that you have invested in someone but should be measured by quality of what you receive from the person. In the book, "Reposition Yourself", Bishop T. D. Jakes mentions that, "The most powerful relationships we can have are those who help us to see what we didn't see before....who unveils possibilities and potential becomes a limitless resource to those of us who are upwardly mobile. We often meet someone, that unveils a new piece of the puzzle of who we are".
As we continue to move forward in our 21 day journey of becoming our best self, take the time to reflect on your relationship quilt. You'll be surprised of the relationships that are unveiled.
-R. Curry
Day 6 - How Are You Improving Your Well-being?
It is good to have individuals in your life that feed positivity in to you, down to your core. This can span from spiritual uplift to promoting your health physically, mentally, and/or emotionally. One of the things that I have chosen to do for these "21 days of becoming your better self" is to truly be "that person" to someone else. Whether the person is family, friend, or stranger.
First, I started with my family and I want to share this information with you. I like to plan for "just in case" moments at times, regarding ones well-being. This past weekend I told my family that we are going to make an EOP (Emergency Operating Plan). An EOP is a document that one can make to prepare themselves for emergency situations (e.g. natural disasters, fires, power outages, etc.). These plans help you design exit routes in your home, what steps one will take to get to the nearest area of safety, who to contact, so on and so forth. I wanted to enhance my families awareness of their preparedness level. So, I gave them a challenge to write down all of the necessities the family will need to survive within a 96 hour window until emergency personnel are able to help them directly. They have until Christmas day to make their list and we, as a family, will develop an EOP .
Take this moment to think about how you will create your own EOP that is convenient for you and your family. Be aware and improve your well-being by being as prepared as you can be.
Peace & Blessings,
M. D. Martin
First, I started with my family and I want to share this information with you. I like to plan for "just in case" moments at times, regarding ones well-being. This past weekend I told my family that we are going to make an EOP (Emergency Operating Plan). An EOP is a document that one can make to prepare themselves for emergency situations (e.g. natural disasters, fires, power outages, etc.). These plans help you design exit routes in your home, what steps one will take to get to the nearest area of safety, who to contact, so on and so forth. I wanted to enhance my families awareness of their preparedness level. So, I gave them a challenge to write down all of the necessities the family will need to survive within a 96 hour window until emergency personnel are able to help them directly. They have until Christmas day to make their list and we, as a family, will develop an EOP .
Take this moment to think about how you will create your own EOP that is convenient for you and your family. Be aware and improve your well-being by being as prepared as you can be.
Peace & Blessings,
M. D. Martin
Monday, December 12, 2011
Day 4 -Are You Enjoying Your Life?
Enjoying Your Life?
Have you found that you’ve stopped “dreaming” and are instead now just surviving? The following suggestions may be your catalyst for change:
Press Pause. Take some time, to do absolutely nothing. Be still, pray, meditate. Give yourself that time to recharge, and collect your thoughts.
Try a little Gratitude. The fact that you are breathing is a gift. Look around, has someone done something nice for you? Take the time to say a sincere "Thank you". Pay gratitude forward. Try a random “Act of Kindness”, pay for someone’s coffee or lunch.
Press Play. Decide what interests you, or perhaps try something new. Online resources like Meetup.com are great places to find groups of people, with like interests. The idea is to get out there and start networking and building new relationships.
Laugh. E. E. Cummings said “the most wasted of all days is one without laughter.” We should never be too busy to laugh, or too serious to smile. Try to surround yourself with fun people.
Today’s Affirmation
The moment I decide where I want to go, the world will make room for me.
Today’s Scripture
This is the day that the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24)
Today’s Resources
http://www.intenseexperiences.com/being-happy.html
-T. Renee of T.Renee Events
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