Happiness is in the soft brush of wind that dances upon autumn mornings
and ever so delicate in the spring. It is tantalized by cherries, mocked by daffodils, crouched on silver clouds and meadows with butterflies upon golden lids. Tulips and orchids are in procession of its presence making way like silk curtains lined with satin trimmings. Happiness is having nothing yet owning everything. Because confinement has not held you nor has sorrow tainted the core of what lies within you. It identifies with those who have lost and in that same moment finds strength and wisdom reflecting on the eternal cost. It is the simple, the confident, and the subtle. It is peculiar, smart, surprising, royal and observant. Even more so, happiness is as beautiful as the honest embrace of a child in the arms of a parent or the natural high and elated expressions from a loving couple who has loved each other for a period called forever and a day. Happiness is freedom, courage and creativity staring unflinchingly back in the face of fear, struggle and every hint of negativity. Happiness is an embodiment of God’s love uninhibited, pure, exciting, and with every measure of the amazing. Happiness is! Yes, it is, always fulfilling as it is saturating. Lines from a thousand and one novels, seven formidable fearless pioneers and infinite verses from eight heart arresting poems, all become minuscule and easily disposable in comparison to this thing many search all the world over to find. It is what God has written upon my heart and sprouted from the inner cervices of my soul. Happiness is moving in sync with the music of the greats before they even have the chance to write it, speak it, compose it, sing it, perform it or create it. Like dancers gliding in form, plies advanced pointe, twirls and shimmies in a masterful choreography imitable by none, happiness has its showing. Happiness is by far a fleeting escapade to some, but to me and those who have found it, it is God’s love. Yes, happiness is the exhilarating lift, the spark of fire, and the place of inspiration that transforms lives. When reciting its movement, applauding its stands, plainly identifying its colors and poise of elegance, it is like heaven. Happiness is! Happiness is outstretched in passion, fuel by purpose and never failing in love. AFFIRMATION #3: I CREATE DAILY A LIFE THAT I LOVE. I AM CREATIVE AND FOCUSED AND GOD HAS FAVORED ME EVEN BEFORE I WALK OUT THE DOOR. PRAYER: Dear God, Take off every limiting mindset, hang up and hindrance or apprehension from us that would shrink the greatness of you God working in our lives, families, call and purpose. Clothe us with your anointing and infuse us with extraordinary faith to do the extraordinary as well as the ordinary in an extraordinary way. We call it done and so in Jesus name. DL Like most, I love presents, gifts, cards, etc. The warm and happy feeling you get because you know someone took the time to think of you and package a part of that sentiment to brighten and bless your day and life. Well! As much as I love receiving gifts, what I love even more is saying thank you. Thank you! THANK YOU!!! I did not just want to say a bunch of thank you(s). No! I wanted to make a big deal, because it is a big deal. It is a big deal that men like Steve Harvey, Tyler Perry, and Rickey Smiley who work so HARD (and keep on working) despite obstacles and opinions . . . Still make every effort to give back. They extend so much of themselves to the world and yet and still have so much more left over to do it again and again. They do not just share when the cameras are on, but it is an ongoing thing with or without onlookers. "They say what they mean, and mean what they say." I recently, wrote and published a book in three languages (English, Spanish and Chinese) and I want to especially thank these men. These amazing men changed my perspective on such a large scale, I will be writing more in depth about it in later blog posts. They gave me the priceless gift of mentorship and incredible inspiration that keeps me literally soaring in my creativity. I thank God for them and I pray daily for them. They impact so many lives, but I want to say how powerfully they have impacted mines . . . They are AMAZING! Within our current society, there is an over abundance of critics and experts whose role has been deemed to tell you what you are not and what you cannot do. I believe on the contrary, that there is so much greatness in people, and that even if we took our whole lifetimes, we could not fully measure it. This greatness I speak of is often overlooked because of the many distractions that bombards our lives . . .
So how do you awaken this greatness? Well, I am so glad you ask and it will be my pleasure to show you. Come with me . . . AFFIRMATION #1: GOD HAS ALREADY FAVORED ME AND IT DOES NOT REQUIRE A COSIGN. AFFIRMATION #2: I AM EVERYTHING GOD HAS CALLED & PURPOSED ME TO BE & I AM BECAUSE HE IS. IT IS ONLY BY HIS GRACE. Prayer: Great and Awesome God, bless and favor every measure of the life of the one who reads this. Cause them to encounter and embrace you God even more, so that they are healed and made whole. God restore, refresh, renew and refine them beyond their wildest dreams and allow them to chase after you God. What the “H”?
H - Humility H – Humor H – Hard work H – Hero Without a doubt , the lives, careers and lessons of Steve Harvey, Tyler Perry, and Rickey Smiley have left me saying, “What the H?!” They have taken all the possible questions about what it takes to succeed and changed them into affirmative statements of inspiration that has transformed the globe. If you ever doubted whether humility was a key element, they are the first to demonstrate in how vital and truly invaluable humility is. There is such humility integrated within every fiber of who they are and what they do . . . that it is virtually effortlessly expressed in how they treat people and how they communicate their vision and gifts. This humility that Steve Harvey, Tyler Perry, and Rickey Smiley individually carry allows them to exercise a real and the “It-factor” that engages people in an instant no matter the encounter or title. Humor and hard work are also two undeniable characteristics that have become synonymous with these great men. The way they are able to embrace laughter with their audiences, love ones and just even being able to laugh at themselves is uncanny. This laughter for me is one of the many brilliant things about them. They make it a point to laugh hard and work even harder. Additionally, they take the extra step to invite so many to join in their work and their laughter. Their excellence and high degree of humor and hard work makes life that much better. These men are unsung heroes, everyday heroes, that show us how hardship, obstacles and hard times have no chance against men who are willing to embrace their dreams without forgetting to pack humility, humor, hard work and the big heart to stand up as heroes. What makes them heroes is not that they are perfect, but that they boldly declare who they are no matter how imperfect that may or may not seem and in the process they change lives for the better on multiple levels. We salute them, because they keep pressing despite odds. They keep pressing and all the while they are empowering/equipping everyday people to press and keep on pressing too. In lieu of the various economic, social & environmental changes and instabilities that have risen in recent years, we have an increasing demand for effective leadership. Arguably, crises are becoming more numerous and even common place due to the lack of effective leadership. Substituting macro management, micromanagement, outsourcing strategies, great technologies or concepts (devoid of proper & purposeful leadership) has not remedied our various organizational & global ailments instead they have exasperated or shined brighter light on the leadership inadequacies within our systems. Although, my belief is that effective leadership was never optional, I believe today that fact is more evident to most (if not all). Effective leadership is a crucial component within our individual lives, organizations & world. It is not just required on certain levels, but it is required on all levels. As I considered the countless examples of situational & systematic dysfunctions that have left us crippled, stagnant & counterproductive globally, I consider the options of what can be done. I cannot help but to think how we will grow & succeed within our own individual purposes, businesses, ministries, organizations, industries & our overall global society. Where do we start? Life is all about making the most of every moment, every resource and every gift. However, too often we become bombarded with the distractions and obstacles that question our ability to do just that!
*How do you handle life, when life happens? *How do you get up? Much less, get the strength to look up or Move Forward? *How do you do what you need to do, when you are not certain what that is? Everyone has an opinion, but what is the truth! What do I do? First! I want you to know you are not alone. Then, I want you to know no issue with your business, family, finance, faith, and life plans is too big or too small that a word of prayer will not touch. I am a strong advocate of planning and effective stewardship from all angles, but all of the planning and stewardship , practicality, advice, sound principles/strategies and implementations will fall flat without the invaluable tool of prayer. I invite you to pray about each thing you do and about every area of your life. This will transform your life like nothing else will. My Prayer is that God would be your advocate, counselor and shield. May God pour his favor like rain upon you. May strength, focus and productivity invigorate every move you make. May godly wisdom, good understanding and unlimited knowledge be ever present with you. I pray opportunity would remain brilliantly bright and big in your midst no matter the season or circumstance. God protect and keep them as you alone can and we give you glory and honor God in Jesus name. |
Debbie-Ann
Dynamic Speaker, Entrepreneur & Author Archives
December 2014
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