In order to really experience life there has to be “Chapter Changes” (New Seasons). Look at your life like its a Great Book. A book becomes a number #1 best seller when it draws you in & moves you. It takes you up & down, makes you feel happy & sad, some things you expect & some things surprise you. With every chapter comes great expectation, you begin to become a part of the book, it draws you in and when the book is completed….you take something from it. Treat life the same way…God is the author of our life & he is writing a #1 Best Seller. As “Your” pages turn….embrace every emotion, every experience, all the smiles & all the tears because as long as you are breathing…..there will be a NEXT CHAPTER (a New Season).

Just like nobody wants to read a boring book……God’s doesn’t want us to live a boring life and it’s so easy to get stuck in the routine of complacency out of convenience.

So no matter how difficult “the chapter change” may have been or may be…….Praise God, for the new chapter being written in your Book called LIFE!

“When going up, consider how far down you must go”.

The Florida Palm Tree! Florida Palm tress are beautiful and considered a tourist attraction. The unique thing about Florida Palm trees is they are able to withstand hurricane force winds. They have what is called a “deep tap root”. This root will grow deep into the earth looking for 2 things…..1: a rock (concrete) and 2: water (life source). The “deep tab root” will wrap itself around the rock & continue to grow until it reaches a water source. This gives the palm tree the ability to bend at more than a 45 degree angle but the stability not to be uprooted when the strong Florida winds begin to blow.

Being Deep/Strong is about how we treat ourselves & our fellow man. The way we treat “people” (horizontal relationships) confirms our depth vertically. Everyone wants to go to the “next level”, “higher dimension”…..etc. But how deep are you willing to go, through your “personal sacrifice”, “giving up self rights” & “relationships with others”. Are you willing to be rooted in God & Discipline Yourself so that when the winds of life begin to blow (people, places & things)….You will be able to Maintain Your Integrity. When your are tempted & tried (in most cases) Maintain Self Control. You can talk about how deep & strong you are while the sun is shining but when the hurricane winds (People, Places & Things) begin to blow through your life, can you Stand Strong?

Can you Bend & Not Break!?

It’s easy to get caught up & fall into the trap of societies standards of Acceptance!

I was one who always based the acceptance of myself on the approval & acceptance of others. I found myself always adjusting to the opinions of others. If someone said I was too fat, I would loose weight, if someone said my hair was to long, I would cut it, if someone said I wore to much or too little make up…I would make the adjustment. I dummied down & dimmed my light because I thought that would make others accept me. Praise God, now I know better! Life is a great teacher & over the last few years it has taught me that my acceptance of myself is not predicated upon the opinions of others.

There comes a time in life when we have made a conscience effort to undo & unlearn so many behaviors and beliefs from my past. We must take the time to learn about ourselves and stop taking ourselves for granted. Listen, No, we’re not perfect, We all have flaws and issues that we struggle with internal & external…some we can change, some we can’t change & some we Shouldn’t want to change because they make us uniquely us but in all of that, Know This…..YOU ARE ENOUGH! Right where your are, Flaws & All…You Are Enough and you don’t need family, friend, foe or companion to affirm that. You start affirming yourself. You tell yourself, I AM ENOUGH! Enough for what? I’m glad you asked, You are enough for whatever God fearfully and wonderfully made you to be. You are enough to fulfill your destiny. You are enough to be genuinely loved & in love. You are enough to be the YOU, the you that doesn’t have to be a poor imitation of someone else. You are Enough to be Authentically You, learning Everyday to Love & Accept Yourself because YOU ARE ENOUGH!!!!