SHAKE IT OFF!

I made a post on Facebook today, as I was led in spirit to do, that talked about shaking it off. I mentioned how I would say that to my children when they would hurt themselves. If they fell off of their bike and got scraped, yes obviously I would kiss and hug them, as well as dress their wounds, but outside of that, there was simply no room for prolonged suffering. "Ok, now shake it off." I would say to them, and I would watch them literally shake their body and wipe the tears away.

This, my friends, is the same advice that I would like to give to you today. Listen, I completely understand suffering and pain. I understand heartache and heart break. I get depression, stress, anxiety and fear. However, I also fully understand healing and the freedom and power it brings. I float freely on the cloud provided by the power of forgiveness and the release of liability from the pain others have tried to inflict. I have realized a renewed mind and spirit since "shaking it off". I recognize how dispelling fear, releasing anger and anxiety, removing people and things that serve to block your blessings, and how letting go of strongholds and binding addictions will open up new windows and doors of opportunity. I know firsthand how these things will help you begin to view yourself in a different light, and how you will start to feel a new love of self - one that had eluded you for so long.

A different perspective

These are things that I have personally experienced, not just something I've heard. Once I realized my own worth, and decided that greatness is what I wanted to achieve, I had to figure out how to get there. For me that took shaking off everything holding me back - including me, the way I was at the time. I had to discover that, despite my past aggressions and decisions, I deserved happiness, I deserved success and most certainly I deserved to be great! So do you! If you don't recognize your own worth, I can promise you that no one else will either; and on the off chance that someone does, your self-doubt will quickly cause them to lose sight of it. You know the old saying, and I may be paraphrasing:

"You must love yourself first before you can give or receive love from others"

It's really just that simple. Figure out who you are and where you want to go, and take the necessary steps to get there. For some it may take therapy, church, writing a book, going on a retreat - or some combination thereof. Whatever it takes is exactly what you need to do. Merely existing should not be an option because we only get one spin on this Ferris wheel called life. It is time to start living and living with purpose. The only way to start doing that effectively is to SHAKE IT OFF!

Stop Suffering in Silence and Love Yourself...First

 

Ok ladies, I am here to give it to you straight. I’m singling you out from the men, because it seems that we are the ones who have the greatest problem with two major issues; one, suffering in silence and two, not loving ourselves first. Hopefully, we can change this pattern of thinking right here, right now.

 

Let’s look at these issues separately. Many of us, even with cultural differences, were raised to be strong. We were raised with the notion that what happens in the house - stays in the house, or to sweep it under the rug. I’m no different. When traumatic things happened within the family, that’s where it was supposed to stay. Think about how ridiculous that actually is. I’ve seen families go to the extremes of concealing predators, killers, and other criminals due to this twisted way of thinking. Suffering in silence is not only detrimental to our physical health, in terms of stress-related illnesses, but also to our long-term emotional well-being. Not facing, coping with, and healing from things in an appropriate and healthy manner always causes problems with our mental stability – whether or not you choose to admit it. How do I know this? Because I lived it. I am the person I’m describing, and you may be too. My past includes child sexual abuse for many years, family lies that concealed the identity of my biological father, rape, domestic violence and more. Through all of this, I figured that I was strong enough to handle it on my own. My upbringing taught me to deal with things this way. By the time I reached adulthood, I was really messed up emotionally, and had not even realized it. These experiences affected how I related to people, how I handled certain situations, and most importantly, how I viewed and treated myself. While I used extreme vanity and sex to mask my true feelings, I was dying inside from low self-esteem. I never seemed to feel worthy enough or happy enough.  I didn’t trust people and believed that everyone had a hidden agenda. Without facing these issues, I simply existed.  Really living just wasn’t an option for me. This caused me to make many harmful decisions as it related to my existence. Eventually, after writing my debut novel and other subsequent changes and realizations, I began to understand exactly how unhealthy and life-threatening trying to deal with things alone was for me. I just don’t want you to travel down the same road that I did, and if you are already in this place, know that it is not too late to make healthier decisions.

 

Making healthier decisions is the ultimate sign of showing yourself just how much you love you. Forgiveness, dependent upon your history, is usually the first step. Forgiveness of self before all others. Know that every one of us has made decisions that we are not proud of. We have all made choices that put us in harmful situations, or have found ourselves practicing destructive behaviors. Just know that we can use that strength that we hold so dear to elevate ourselves. My book states that, “Forgiveness is the ultimate feeling of release and freedom”. I firmly believe that, without this vital step, we will never experience true happiness, or completely fulfilling relationships with others. There is sufficient truth to the saying that we cannot love others until we first love ourselves.

 

On another note, there are some other keys to happiness that you must understand. One of which is the understanding that you cannot change anyone. Many of us delve into relationships, carrying our own brokenness, and believing that we can change or fix the other person. When will we learn that no matter how strong we believe ourselves to be, this is simply not possible? People are going to be who they are constructed to be. They may compromise some, or make attempts at changing some behaviors, but ultimately, the core of who they are will never change. A large part of loving ourselves above all others is by not accepting torture in the form of abuse, disrespect, and behavior that consistently shows ones true colors. We were made with intuition for a reason. When something seems off, so much so that you feel the need to seek counsel even, it probably is. Ladies, we are worthy of joy, and a love that many of us have never known. Believing that you are worthy is all that it takes. You can proclaim to your friends and others that you’re worthy, but until you believe it, wholeheartedly, within your soul, you will remain damaged.

 

Thanks for listening,

 

Souraya Christine

 

Author of “When is Strong, Strong Enough? How to Push Through the Pain”

Available on Amazon, Kindle, Nook, and most other book outlets.

The Theft of Innocence

I was going to write this yesterday and wasn't able to get to it. I believe that the universe wanted me to experience the events of today first. In recent years, I have been hearing more and more stories about parents murdering their children. This has to be the most sickening atrocity plaguing our world - in my opinion anyway.

Now my son, who is seven years old, drives me up a wall! I mean really, some days I feel as though I just can't take it. Today even, I considered shipping him off to live with his father in another state. He has extreme behavior problems. He acts out very often and I am consistently getting calls from the schools to pick him up early. I can't even hold a regular job because of this issue. He is only a first-grader and has already been kicked out of several programs and one school. The doctor says that he has ADHD and has him on medication to treat that disorder. It does seem to help him focus a bit better in school, but sometimes he still has issues. Most times, he lies like a professional and gives me major attitude, and other times, he's an angel with perfect manners. I often wonder how many more years I will have to deal with this. Will he ever change? Did I do something wrong?

I say all of this to say that I completely understand how frustrating children can be. I get how they can unleash awful feelings of anger, disappointment and pain. I also understand however, the beauty in them. I have, through this process with my son, learned how to practice patience. What I do not get is how a parent can snatch the life of their own child away - even in moments of extreme anger. This is a selfish and cowardly act. No matter what the circumstances were surrounding your pregnancy, you CHOSE to have that child. If you were questioning your ability to raise it, or failed to consider all of the possible outcomes after having it, then you should have chosen differently. We all have many different options when faced with pregnancy. Keeping your legs closed, or at the very least, utilizing birth control options, just to name a couple. If you have recognized that you have anger management issues, the mature thing to do would be to get help prior to something tragic happening. This story is just one of the countless number of these crimes against defenseless children:
Mother makes up story about kidnapping to cover up murder

Life is full of challenges, disappointments, and other problems. Some of them will come from the people we're supposed to love. We are even the cause of some of those things in other people's lives. Regardless of this fact, we can not go around eliminating everyone that causes us pain for a time...especially not our children. Rather than viciously taking a child's life, how about you choose to give them to someone who desperately wants and needs the love of a child? If you choose to have children that you are unequipped to care for, the least you could do is have a contingency plan that does not include murder. However, if death is the option you choose, then I'd prefer that you take your own instead, because it seems that you are the problem, not the child.

Today, I decided...

Earlier this afternoon, I was driving on the highway and literally caught myself thinking so intensely that I wasn't even focused on where I was going. I realized, during that time of absence from the road, that my mindset was still messed up a bit. By that I mean that my thinking, about success especially, was still very limited. I was continuing to stand in my own way, even as I grow in the world of speaking engagements, novels written, etc..., I am still the one blocking me. I figured out, during this drive, that I still got nervous about wanting fame and attention. I've heard so many people equate those things to being selfish and self-centered, and I certainly didn't want to be perceived in that way. HA! Then it dawned on me...small minds can't handle big dreams! And I don't say that to put anyone down, just to say that I, too, was small-minded. I secretly desired to be recognized and known for my works, but I was too afraid to allow my mind to fully grasp that concept; for if I did, I would be looked upon as full of myself. It doesn't come much smaller-minded than that! (is that a word?)

Several years ago, I recall watching the film, "The Secret". I credit the secret, very heavily, for changing my views on life, the world, the universe, and my own mind. I started to realize, and truly understand that I had full control over my mind, my mouth, and what those things could bring into existence in my life...both good and bad. What I hadn't realized yet was that I only allowed it to work to a certain degree. I was apparently afraid of greatness, because with that came judgement. I wanted my powers to be used for good, so if they were perceived to be being used for the evil of selfishness, well...I just couldn't have that.
The Secret

Today, I decided to take the parameters off of my thinking; off of knowing what my God and my universe can and will supply for me. Today, I decided that, regardless of what people may perceive me to be, I desire greatness! Today, I decided that it's ok for me to want to be recognized and well-known for the things I do and accomplish because I work very hard to accomplish them. Today, I decided that I will no longer worry about the opinions of others, and even when I ask for feedback, it's simply for you to feel included...hoping that, perhaps one day, you too will embrace your greatness and demand that the universe align perfectly for you to achieve it!

What will you decide today?

When You Hurt, I Hurt...(National Sexual Assault Awareness & Child Abuse Prevention month)

April is both National Sexual Assault Awareness month and National Child Abuse Prevention month. I, unfortunately, fell into both categories. Well, sort of. Some of the sexual abuse I experienced was as a child.

The Backdrop:
When I was five, I was molested by an older female cousin. When I was seven, I was molested for four years by my mother's live-in boyfriend. When I was fifteen, I was date raped, and when I was eighteen I was forced into a marriage, held hostage, and beaten and raped daily. I didn't have a father because I was lied to about who my father was, which took a drastic toll on my whole persona.

The Outcome
These experiences left a hole in my soul. I was unable to trust, love, or experience many other emotions other than anger and hate. Over time I learned to mask these feelings, or so I thought. People wondered why I always "looked" so angry, why I couldn't keep a boyfriend and why I didn't have many friends. I justified it all as just having a strong personality. Even the people closest to me, some who had known me since elementary school, had no idea of the hell I had been through. Some of those people learned to accept me for who I was, others chose to walk away. It didn't matter much to me, at that time, because everyone was suspicious anyway. I believed that everyone who came into my world had an ulterior motive. The worst part is that I treated them as such. My attitude was such that I would not allow anyone to hurt me again. It worked to a certain degree, but I missed out on so much along the way. I started to use sex as a weapon and figured that if I gave it to them then they couldn't take it from me. I was afraid to say no. Women couldn't stand my attitude, which caused me to have to fight a lot, and I became very comfortable with being alone.

~Does any of this sound familiar?~

 

The Growth

In recent years, I started to realize that I could no longer play the victim role. I realized that I was chosen to experience what I had experienced so that I could help someone else who may not feel that they have enough strength to make it through. Perhaps I can help someone avoid suicide or causing harm to themselves or someone else. Perhaps I can help someone realize their own worth, as I finally have. This was and is my purpose.

 

The Mission

There are so many women and men who suffer in silence behind childhood abuses, domestic violence situations, and so many other atrocities. Someone has to share their story so that these people can see that there is someone out there who understands and can completely relate to how they're feeling. I am that person. I know what emotions you're struggling with. Facing these experiences head on is the key. We can not continue to hide behind masks, stuff our emotions down inside and believe that if we do that long enough, we'll be okay. Truth is, it just doesn't work that way. Our kids end up suffering because we have unhealthy emotional baggage, and so do other people around us. It doesn't have to be this way. Let's get through it together. This can be your start. Share your story here and we can move on from here.

 

I love love today...and I just want to love on YOU! Trust me, you deserve it.



 

 



BULLYING..The Simple Truth

Recently, I was asked by a group of constituents if I had ever been bullied or been a bully. My immediate answer was "No! Bullying never affected me". What a lie! I realized that I lied completely unintentionally. Apparently my mouth spoke faster than my brain was working.

I absolutely had been bullied! I was only five years old and was being chased home from school every day. I would get locked in the middle of a circle of girls who would take turns hitting and pushing me. This went on for quite a while until the day I finally stood up for myself. It is certainly not an experience that I am proud of, but it did serve to help shape the person I am today. The simple truth is that we all experience things in life that ultimately help to mold the person we are to become. Unfortunately, sometimes some of us succumb to the negative effects of bullying and never make it to see the person we could have become. This breaks my heart. When I hear stories of 10 year old children taking their own lives because they couldn't cope with bullying, it makes my physically ill...as it should every human with heart and compassion for their fellow human. Don't understand? Watch this:

Ten year old commits suicide because of bullying

Here's what I've learned about bullies: Most of the time, kids bully because they are being bullied at home. This causes them to seek out someone who appears weaker than they are, in some aspect, and exact there anger and frustration onto the person that they believe to be inferior. Sometimes people, especially girls, use bullying as a way to boost their own self-esteem. They believe that degrading someone else will effectively make them appear more beautiful or popular. It's a sad distortion that has to be fixed. These cycles have to be broken.

Parents, our children are valuable. In fact, they are the most valuable resource that we have and we're either destroying them or allowing them to destroy themselves. Don't think it applies to you? Well, it does! Regardless to whether or not your child is personally affected by bullying, it takes a village to raise a child...or haven't you heard that before? We seem to have lost that along the way somewhere. Our children, and our neighbor's children, need us to care for them and protect them, not cause them more grief. If you're the parent bullying your child at home, it's time to break that cycle. Just because you went through it doesn't mean that your child should also be a victim. Instead of creating generations of abuse and hurt, how about we start to build generations of love and support? It is entirely possible AND entirely up to us.

HOMEWORK:

1. Realize that there is a problem
2. Seek out professional help (if you have no insurance or means to pay for this then find someone else to talk to, or contact me)
3. Begin to practice new behaviors (such as, expressing love, supporting their ideas and endeavors, becoming involved in school experiences and functions)
4. Make these new behaviors a habit
5. Talk to your kids about bullying and show them the effects of bullying through documentary films, videos, news stories, etc...
6. Seek spiritual guidance (if this is your belief system)
7. Learn new behaviors for yourself (such as, stopping smoking, drinking, or abusing drugs; learn to pamper yourself)
8. Believe that you and your children deserve better and work toward it daily

Listen, I understand that the road won't be easy. Generally, nothing truly worth it is easy, but that's ok. It's ok to mess up along the way. The important part is that you continue to work hard at reaching your goal and that you never give up on each other. Your children...my children...need you, and you need them just as much. Recognize and realize that simple truth and I promise that life will begin to bring you brightness, comfort, and yes, even joy.

When Life Has Got You Down

I wanted to talk a little bit about the status of our mental health, as a community.

 I remember going through some traumatic events as a child, mainly molestation, and having my family say to “keep it in the house”. Translation – no one outside of the house should ever know. What I have realized over the years is that many of us continue to maintain this mindset. We believe that hurt should simply be tucked away and dealt with privately, instead of addressed and handled professionally, or at least positively. Families of color are the ones who seem to be most affected by this “traditional” manner of thinking. Why, you ask? Well, unfortunately, it usually has nothing to do with protecting the child, and everything to do with protecting and preserving the name and image of the family as well as the perpetrator. Families don’t want people “looking at them funny”.

 This is the cycle that needs to be broken. Not breaking it will instead leave behind broken individuals. You know the old adage, “hurt people hurt people”? It is very true and could easily be repaired by simply dealing with the pain. I firmly believe that my healing could have come much sooner had my childhood experiences been dealt with early in life.

 

Pain manifests in many different ways in each person affected. Oftentimes, unsettled pain leads to destructive behaviors and thinking patterns such as suicide, drugs, violence, alcoholism, predatory behaviors, the inability to maintain successful relationships, fear, trust issues, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and so many other unnecessary problems. It amazes me how a family could believe that allowing one of their own to suffer with these tormenting afflictions is somehow better than risking someone knowing a secret. These thought processes are what cause people to believe that suffering in silence is ok. Then what? You have continued domestic abuse, animal torture, moms and dads killing their families over money issues, young children killing their parents, people binged out on drugs and alcohol, and so on and so on.

 Yes, I know that there will be more pain when facing what ails you. I understand that people may find out the family’s dirty little secret, but the destruction behind not facing the demons head on is far worse.

 The Pain of Heartache

Why Does Life Have You Down?

 

See, there can be many different reasons why life may have you down. The most obvious outside influence is the economy. You also have internal influences however, which often stem from a string of compiling problems. For example, you lost your job, can’t get unemployment, begin drinking, marriage then falls apart, and now you’re contemplating suicide, suicide-murder, robbery, prostitution, etc… all simply trying to cope.  I know that this is an extreme scenario, but it is one that we have seen far too often on the news. Unfortunately ‘coping’ often begins the downward spiral. Simply coping is not the solution. Of course we must continue on with life, but in doing so we must also live life. Living life consists of completely embracing every moment…the good and the bad. None of us were designed to live a perfect life. If that were the case, I would have been first in line! Finding the strength within you to continue pressing forward, despite the obstacles, is what makes and shapes us as individuals. Any one of us can give up or give in. That is certainly the easiest thing to do. What is it, however, that you wish to define you? When your time here has come to its end, do you want people to remember you as the person who simply gave up, or for having a spirit of tenacity and facing life’s challenges head on? Do you care at all?

 

Remember this...

 

 

 

Here is some homework for you to complete that will have you well on your way to a happier you!

 

1.      Answer the question above. Do you care? Do you care about your physical and mental health? Do you care about the legacy you leave behind? Do you care what you pass down to the generations coming behind you?

2.      Write down EVERYTHING that you believe is a problem for you. (Money, Marriage, Career, School, etc…)

3.      Make a list of EVERYONE that you believe has harmed you in some way, either physically or mentally.

4.      Say a prayer, giving thanks for ALL things and people that have crossed your path. Believe it or not, they can all be credited for helping shape you. Pray for each of the individuals who have wronged you. Pray for forgiveness for those people, and forgiveness of self for harboring ill feelings, and allowing self-torment. Finally, pray for peace, wisdom, understanding, and the strength to be able to face any adversity without fear. Remembering that fear is simply an illusion.

5.      Learn how to forgive. The process is as follows…forgive yourself first, do not discuss  what hurt was caused to you to with people in anger, do not dwell on these hurts to yourself, do not confront the person(s) who wronged you in anger or with a heavy heart.

6.      Find ways to clear your mind such as prayer, meditation, physical exercise, fasting, etc… Incorporate these things into your regular daily routine.

7.      Seek professional help or at least talk with someone who may offer you a different point of view.

8.      As you clear negative feelings about each thing on your list, cross it off – completely so that you can’t even see it again!

9.      Once your list is completely checked off…BURN IT! Or give it a funeral and bury it ALL!

10.  Now, the hardest part, make a list of the positive things that you can do to help better your own situation, and actively start setting these things in motion..

 

CONGRATULATIONS! You are well on your way to a healthier, happier you! Remember, all obstacles, challenges, problems, strongholds, and otherwise adversities can and will be overcome when faced and dealt with positively. Know that you DO NOT have to suffer in silence.

 

Honesty and Integrity vs. Karma

If I've learned nothing else in life, I've learned that karma is unforgiving and relentless. The long term effects are simply not worth the instant gratification. Whether or not you're a spiritual person, right is right and wrong is wrong, and integrity should practiced by everyone. Integrity is just the practice of doing what is right, even when no one is watching.

Today, my integrity was heavily tested. This morning I awakened to a strange SUV parked in my driveway. This vehicle also happened to have a rather large amount of cash in it, in plain sight. My options were either to break into the car, take the money, then call the police and just say I found it that way; or call the police and let them handle it all. What do you think I did? What would you have done?

Here's a little backdrop, I lost my job last July and have had no real income since then, all of the bills are behind, and just yesterday I prayed hard for a lump sum of cash so that I could take care of some pressing things. I know, generally random lump sums of cash don't just spring from a tree, even after prayer, but hey...this time it just dropped into my driveway! Should I take this as an answer to my prayers, or a test of my character? Do I desire the cash so greatly that I am willing to steal for it? After all, it would be stealing - regardless of the fact that it was on my property. So now what?

Teaching children about stealing

Well, some of you will be proud of me, others will think I'm stupid. Either way, I'm satisfied with my decision. I did call the police, seeing as how there was a strange vehicle blocking my driveway, making my daughter late for her schoolbus. I did not however, steal the money inside. Even the officer said to me, "Just break the window, I'll go sit in the car." As tempting as that offer was, I opted to practice honesty and integrity. Who knows what that money was for. Perhaps it would have put the owner's life at risk. Perhaps taking it would have put mine at risk. I do have to ask though, what kind of idiot leaves that kind of money in the car for any passerby to see.

The moral of the story is simple, yes I could have taken the money and solved my financial problems, but that would have put me in a place of discomfort, worrying about recourse from the owner or worse, the universe. No amount of money or stuff is worth losing your peace of mind, soul, and it you believe like me...the favor of God.

When You Know Better, You Do Better...At Least That's What They Say

Over the past week, I have had this same conversation at least three times with three different people, so I felt the need to share it with you. As a race, black people, we have got to do better. People often say, if you know better you do better, but the truth is that we DO know better, yet we continue to choose a mentality that keeps our race behind the 8-ball.

This is what I mean...look at other races/cultures: white, asian, even some hispanic, and others...they tend to support their own. They build their own churches, restaurants, schools, insurance companies, banks, etc.... They help with the raising of children, circulate their funds within their own communities, and do whatever is necessary to ensure that their people thrive. We, on the other hand, in general, have more of a crab-in-a-bucket mentality. Although we need to purchase, receive services etc... we opt to take our money elsewhere and view our own people as threats instead of allies.

Everyone is out for self, it seems. It is evident in our communities, on social media platforms, even in our churches. What we don't seem to realize is how well supporting each other works for others, and how damaging we are to ourselves; yet we're quick to blame other races for our problems when we're the ones who CHOOSE to maintain a slave-like mentality. Not all of us are this way, true, but as a whole we are failing miserably in this area.

Now, I understand some of the reasons why. We lack customer service skills, our business owners seem lazy with their commitment and follow through, and we're often unprofessional in our actions and demeanor. These are things that I have personally witnessed when supporting my own, and it is these behaviors that are a huge part of the problem. We have got to develop our thinking beyond self and understand that, if we were to all do our part in supporting each other, there would be no stopping us. As a people, a race, a community, we would thrive. And what a positive effect this would have on so many other problems we face like low self-worth, violence, despair.

I know, I know...it's not YOU that I'm talking about. I understand. However, are you doing your part to bring us closer together instead of dividing and conquering? It's always been funny to me how we blame "the white man" for doing this, when we do it so much on our own that "they" don't even need to. Wake up black people! It's not like you don't recognize this concept. Let's own it. By practicing it daily and making a conscious effort to make changes we can and will be successful as a whole.

**Let me also say, for the people who will twist this into something crazy, I love ALL people. There is no shred of racism in me. There are things about all races that I both love and dislike. My goal is simply to educate the race to which I belong.**

MICHAEL'S DEMONS

One of the final "straws that broke the camel's back", that led to my leaving the hospital for good, was the undaunting task of performing an amateur exorcism on a young man named Michael.

Michael, a young man in his late teens, had presented, through the ER, with symptoms of extreme pain, nausea, and headaches. His family stated that he had recently been on a year long church mission in Mexico and they feared he had contracted some sort of parasite or something. After extensive testing for everything imaginable, Michael's medical state was unexplainable. All of his tests were negative. The hospital opted to keep him overnight anyway for further tests and observation.

I, at that time, was a Phlebotomy Technician. It was my job to go in and collect Michael's blood for testing. When I entered the room, I immediately felt a weird sensation throughout my body. I could tell that something just wasn't right. His family proceeded to tell me of his mission trip and his symptoms. His mom stated that he had not been himself since he returned from Mexico. They also shared with me that he had been uttering another name this entire time as well, David. Something they hadn't shared with the hospital staff for fear of judgement. As I walked over to Michael's bed, I got goosebumps all over. I will never forget his face. It was as if he knew that my spirit was a threat to his. I watched his face morph into some sort of demonic state as his forehead crunched, his eyes became dark and glassy, and his mouth appeared to be somewhat of a gaping hole to nowhere. "Michael?" I said, "I am here to draw your blood. Your family told me you weren't feeling well after your trip. You want to talk about it?" Michael simply growled at me like a wolf seeking prey.

Catholic Encyclopedia

I turned to Michael's family, because I knew they were very religious, and asked them if they would mind giving me some private time with him. I told them that I wanted to pray over him. They were happy to oblige, and couldn't believe that someone, in this setting, would actually do this.

I must say, I was a little uneasy. After all, I had been thinking heavily about adjusting my own lifestyle and getting back into the church, but had made no significant steps toward doing so. I really didn't feel qualified to pray over this young man, but my heart and soul were compelled to. I asked one of the nurses assistant's to keep people out of this room for a short while, but she insisted on joining me. She suggested that two people coming together for the same purpose were better than one, as the Bible states. I was happy to have her.

She grabbed one of his hands and I grabbed the other. I asked him who was inside of him, and with a gut-wrenching voice, his response was "David". "There are three others here as well." He said, which unnerved me even more. However, it was too late to turn back now. I had to try and help Michael.

I began to vehemently pray over this young man, asking for his soul to be released, rebuking the demons and casting them back to Hell. The whole time I could feel his body jerking and hear him growling as if the demons inside of him were fighting hard to remain in control of his soul. As I closed my prayer, in Jesus' name, I looked up at him and found the most peaceful expression on his face. "Michael?" I said, "How are you feeling?"

"Tired." He responded. "Something's been really wrong with me lately." I told him that we had just come together to pray over him with his family's permission, and that he should be feeling much better now. I told him however, that he was still in a weakened state and that he had to remain prayerful on his own and continue to indulge in the word of God. He smiled at me, and I must say, compared to the initial response I had gotten from him, this felt amazing.

I summoned his family and continued on to draw his blood. I received hugs from everyone and went on to my next patient. I was quite a bit drained after this experience, but happy to have been there to help. I don't know why God chose me to provide this service on this day, especially when my own soul wasn't all the way right. However, I am honored to have been chosen nonetheless, and proud of being obedient.

I've never seen or heard from Michael or his family again. Wherever they are, I pray they are well and continuing to lean on each other and God for support.

Never Strong Enough...Overcoming Betrayal 02/28 by Never Strong Enough | Blog Talk Radio

Never Strong Enough...Overcoming Betrayal 02/28 by Never Strong Enough | Blog Talk Radio

Tune in Next Thursday 2/28/13 at 6pm pst for PART III in the Relationship Series with Special Guest: Bishop Pierre D. Chambers.

Dealing with identity, suicide, relationships, and personal belief, God still had his hand on Chambers, despite the abuse. His story is one of personal change and spiritual pilgrimage, with both its discouraging failures and its deeply satisfying successes.

Join us for the journey!

The Strength to Let Go

Simply put...you have to go and listen to this archived show about letting go of people/situations/experiences that are holding you back from your purpose in life.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/never-strong-enough/2013/02/22/never-strong-enough

Ultimately you must understand that God made you to be successful. He designed you perfectly to live your best life. Allowing others, including ourselves, to act as road blocks in our lives is not what He meant for us. I don't want to give you too much, but listen to the show by following the link above, then come back and let's discuss any questions or comments you may have.

Let's figure out what's holding you back and focus on breaking it down!

Would You Go Back?

Today, I am seeking opinions. It's not very often that I do this, simply because I generally don't like what other people say. I am learning, however, to let go of the reigns a little bit and let people into my comfort zone.

So, here it goes:

I am highly considering joining the ranks of such ladies as Liz Taylor and Marie Osmond. I have been on a popular dating site for a while now. I have had some very..uh..interesting experiences during this process. Recently, I logged on and saw the face of my ex-husband staring back at me. He had been viewing my profile. Now, although he and I have a seven year old son together, I haven't spoken to this man in years!

Because I have gone through many forms of healing and growth, I no longer harbored any ill-placed feelings toward him. My only wish was that, despite what I've said to him in the past, he had stayed in our son's life. I decided to leave him a message to let him know how I felt about our history. I told him that I apologize for severely mistreating him, for not loving him, for toying with his emotions, and for ultimately having a son knowing I didn't really want him around. I told him of my growth and let him know that I took most of the blame for the deterioration of our marriage. The problem was that I knew, going in, that I should not have married him. I didn't love him, I didn't have the patience for what I deemed to be stupidity on his part, and I wanted to be in control of everything yet became very vicious toward him because I felt like the man in our relationship. Honestly, he just didn't have a chance.

Shortly after him having viewed my profile, I saw him on Facebook. We exchanged a few messages and ultimately phone numbers and have been speaking very regularly ever since. He has since moved back to our home state which is 3,000 miles away, but talks about moving back here soon. He mentioned to me, the other day, that our converstions have stirred his emotions back up and that he is still in love with me. He swears that he wants to be back in our lives without fail this time.

My Thoughts...

He seems to have also grown and matured and does not sound like a complete idiot to me anymore. He is developing his own catering company and seems to be much more focused and business oriented than ever before. My son's behavior is atrocious, and I feel as though he really needs his father in his life for multiple reasons. Most of all though, I HATE the dating scene. I am so far over trying to get to know new people, learn their ways and behaviors, understand their level of crazy. I've had quite enough of all of that. This man already knows me and I know him. We have known each other for ten years, have lived together and have a son. Most importantly, I know that he will treat me like a queen and not only do I deserve that, but I am extremely tired of being alone.

My Fears...

I am afraid of me. Although I have grown and changed spiritually and emotionally, I have healed from my traumas, and I have replaced the old me with a much calmer, nicer, more caring version, I wonder if there will be something about him that will awaken the dead and bring that part of me back. If anyone, he would definitely be able to do it.

My Questions to You...

Would you be able to trust that this person could truly love you after having treated them so badly?
Do you believe that the past should stay in the past no matter what?
Do you believe that people come in and out of your life for reasons beyond your control?
Would you consider it settling to re-enter into a relationship with him?
and finally...
Would you go back?

ACCEPT YOURSELF & OTHERS WILL TOO!

I wrote this for a specific purpose, but I saw it fit to use as a blog topic. Most of you won't comment out of fear or denial. For me, transparency is best!

*Some Biblical References....

Do you REALLY know who you are?

 Surprisingly most of us do not. We know some things we like and some things we don’t like, but what generally happens throughout the course of life is that we experience events, make choices, and realize characteristics that we CHOOSE to ignore instead of face or deal with in a healthy manner. The result of this is that our self-perception becomes distorted and thus when we begin to meet people and our “real” selves begin to emerge, which sometimes causes a problem because we become defensive when we’re confronted with it.

I read an article that suggested that self-denial is very common in our society and causes a form of self-deception that forces us to then form incorrect impressions about others.

o   In your day to day interactions with people, have you noticed this trend as well?

 Oftentimes painful experiences send us into a state of self-denial. Some people have identity issues when they’ve been married since an early age and then end up widowed or divorced. They find it difficult to simply live because they have no sense of self. Traumatic events such as molestation, abuse, & rape will often distort our views of reality if not dealt with appropriately.This was my personal story. I realized that because I had experienced these traumas, and had not dealt with them effectively, I was subconsciously holding myself hostage to my past. I wasn’t allowing me to really get to know me. My behaviors, attitudes, and perceptions of myself were completely messed up. Something in me didn’t feel worthy or able to love or be loved. Of course…at the time, I never would have admitted that.

While researching this topic, I ran across several questions that can help anyone who may be struggling with personal acceptance…Maybe they will help you.

 

             Let’s focus on a few………..

 

Ø 2 Corinthians 10:12-13 talks about comparing and contrasting yourself to others…

1.     Do you find yourselves comparing yourselves to others? If so, why do you think you do this.

Many of us, especially females, tend to look at another person with some level of envy wondering why our body part or material possession isn't like theirs.

Ø   In 2 Corinthians 12: 6-10, Paul talks about speaking and knowing the truth about yourself so that a person is not fooled by how you portray yourself……**You know…sending your representative forward first**

He acknowledges that God made him with flaws, and although he believed that God should take away his flaws – and even asked him to several times as we probably have – Once he realized that his flaws were his flaws and he was given them for a purpose, he accepted them and understood that what we may perceive as a weakness or shortcoming, is all strength in Christ when we are using it to fulfill his purpose for our lives - which is to glorify God. Our abilities and limitations were given by Him and help us to fulfill this purpose. Our limitations help us to be humble, depend on God, and better understand others.

2.     So why do you believe that it is important to have a healthy self-image – knowing and accepting our attributes and shortcomings?

 

3.     Do you focus more on pleasure-producing activities vs. relationship building or self-development?

For me it was sex. That was my escape and I knew how to use it and not       allow anyone to get too close to me emotionally. For you it may be TV or the internet or drinking or whatever….

 

4.     Do you blame others for where you are in life?

a.     If only I hadn’t gone through this…..

b.     If this person hadn’t done this to me….

c.      I can’t do this or have that because my ex took everything…

Answers…………………………………………………………………………………….

Ø God gave us a magnificent power in forgiveness. Once you master this skill and learn how to harness its power and CHOOSE to use it…it will effectively free you and you can begin to heal and embrace yourself.

Ø Remember though that the forgiveness of self is the first step. You must love and accept you for who you truly are before you can expect anybody else to.

I will close with Paul’s teaching to us about the purpose of evaluating ourselves. In 2 Corinthians 13:5, he says:

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Crist is in you, except ye be reprobates”

 

Smooth talking, cold-blooded...man of God?

Yesterday I read an article that shed light on an Atlanta area pastor, Craig Lamar Davis, of Full Gospel Baptist Church who decided that it was ok to not only cheat on his wife with multiple partners in and out of his church, but also to spread his HIV infection in the process....all while continuing to preach the work of God. Now forgive me if I'm wrong, and granted I have only been saved and back in the church for one year, but I don't recall ANYWHERE in the Bible where adultery, hipocrisy, and infecting people with life threatening diseases is ok. Ok that last one is not in the Bible, but I am sure that some law of our Father covers that! How exactly do you use the church, its constituents, and the word of God as ploys in your sick and twisted plot to destroy people's lives? I don't believe that I would feel any better had he not claimed to be a man of God, but the fact that that was his facade literally makes me feel ill! I have absolutely no sympathy for a person with such low integral quality.

As for the ladies involved in this mess (most of them anyway), I maintain an extremely low level of sympathy for them as well. First of all, most of you are members of his church, which means that you were well aware of the fact that he was married. You come into the house of God, proclaiming to love Him, shouting Hallelujah and dancing around, all the while focusing on your true intention of nailing the pastor. Regardless of how smooth he came across, or how humble he seemed to be, adultery is adultery and sinful lust is just that...and God sees all...spoken and unspoken. Now I am not claiming to be perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but this is most certainly a situation I would have run from! One woman responded saying that she met him online and that he was just so engaging and portrayed all of the qualities that any God-fearing woman wanted. He made you want to give it up to him on the 3rd or 4th date, is what she said. Really? Red Flag!! A true man of God would not be trying to get into your panties, and if you let him then there are demons you have to deal with! Now maybe this particular young lady wasn't a member of his church, and since she met him online, maybe she didn't know he was married, etc..., so yes, I have a little more sympathy and compassion for her, but come on ladies...we have got to make better decisions and start caring more for ourselves. I mean if we don't, who will?

Now on the flip side, where does this leave his wife in all of this? Is she just an innocent bystander? Should she forgive his behavior? Is she to blame for his behavior? What if this happened to you?
What say you?


Sidebar...this was almost the plot for one of my next books! Wow...then I hear about it in the news!

Living in YOUR Purpose

Although I have somewhere to go, I had to stop and be obedient to God and write this...not just for my own healing, but for someone else out there who needs it.

My Heavenly Father has allowed me to have glimpses of what can truly come if I completely to submit to Him and His will for my life. Instead however, I found myself looking at the lives of others that He has placed me around and feeling a sense of jealousy and self-pity. I would make comments to myself and to Him like, "Why can't I have the perfect husband, or the perfect home, or blessings overflowing like this person?" And thus He has given me the answer! It is because I have allowed myself to look through the window of someone else's life and compare my own to theirs, and that is not of God...at all. I was not completely living in MY purpose! Instead I CHOSE to wallow in self-pity, watching the purpose of others' lives unfolding, and wondering why not me. How unfair to God! How unfair to the person(s) on the receiving end. How dare you make someone else feel uncomfortable in your presence because you are unable to accept who you are...especially someone who loves you?

I have been very convicted recently, from many different places and people, on the fact that, as a child of God, you have to accept and receive your own blessings, receive your own favor, and deliberately fulfill your own purpose in life. I believe that when you allow yourself to pit your life and situation against that of someone else, you hinder your own overflow. Even when it appears that those you are watching have what you desire to have or are doing what you wish to do, you have to realize that just because they have it or are doing it does not mean that your heart's desires will not come to fruition...if it is the will of God for your life.

I won't talk long, but I challenge you...and yes I am taking my own challenge...to take time getting to know more about God, developing a more intimate relationship with Him, and allowing Him to reveal to you exactly what your purpose is. I challenge you to be mindful of your thoughts, and as they venture into the realm of anything unlike Him, you consciously change your thought pattern. Deliberately do things that help you to become the person that you desire to be. Allow the people you love to be mentors and role models instead of tools in your attempt to tear yourself down. As it was put to me by someone I love fiercely, "You are already good enough". Accept that my loves, own it, and allow it to be your driving force deeper into a relationship with Christ and deeper into YOUR purpose!

Be Blessed and just accept it! Life is full of love...don't push it away!

The Next 106 & Park Host

I will get back at you guys tomorrow...but TODAY, I need your help in voting for my daughter to be the next 106 & Park Host for BET! Here's the video link and all voting is done via Twitter!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDKJrhaTvWY&feature=share

I Can't Stand a Thirsty Guy!

Fellas, let's talk...seriously. Women love to be thought of as attractive by you all. Yes, it's the reason we get our nails done, wear weaves and wigs, get the eyebrows arched, stay waxed, and so on and so on. If one tries to tell you it has nothing to do with the male species...trust me, she is lying. There is a limit however, to the extent of which we feel that you should go to get or keep our attention.

EXAMPLE:
We're at a family function today and the guest of honor's son invites a lifelong friend over. His stepdaughter is also there, who happens to be a very attractive female. The friend spends the entire time hounding her, looking for her every time she is not within his eyesight, knocking on doors to find her, asking her question after question, making sure to mention her name with every sentence he speaks, etc... even to the point of it being obvious that she was becoming quite annoyed with his antics.

Guys, if the lady is not returning the attention, she is probably not very interested in you. It's really just that simple. Especially when she knows of your ridiculous past. In this case, I'm told he used to be an abusive pimp. What's worse is that she in no way found him attractive. Which should be obvious by the fact that you're being completely ignored! Now yes, I know that people often change, and sometimes with age comes wisdom and maturity, but I highly recommend exercising that wisdom in discerning the difference between someone who is interested and someone who is not.

I decided to write this blog just to help the guys understand that, while yes we want your attention, sometimes it's just too much. Use tact, be more reserved, exude confidence, demonstrate your role as a king and you will be sure to find your queen because she will be drawn to your magnetic energy and not running from your over-bearing and smothering approach.

...Just a little advice from a Queen.

My Issue With Single Parenting

I woke up this morning having chest pains, as I often do, and couldn’t really sleep to well all night. I decided to jump in the shower, to try to relax a bit, instead I found myself crying uncontrollably. I know that there is something wrong with my heart. Unfortunately, I may never know what it is because I simply cannot afford to pay anyone to find out. I stood in that shower praying over and over again to please be able to live long enough to watch my children all grow up and become beautiful adults. I am afraid – afraid of the unknown. This is my issue with single parenting.

I have been a single parent since the age of 16. I’ve tried marriage-that failed. I’ve loved my children more than I can describe in words, and the fear of not being with them anymore sickens me. Now, it is not to say that whatever the problem is, it’s a fatal one, but only God knows at this point. What I can say is that it does push me harder and faster toward my goals. I began college, again, in 2008, because I had a daughter nearing the college age, and I wanted to show her some determination. Of course, I also want to provide a much better life for them than they have seen thus far. I have since really persevered in school, and will be finishing, finally, with a degree that has eluded me for many years.

When your children are young, you know they are going to fall down and scrape their knees; they may even break a bone at some point. As a parent, you know how to deal with these mishaps. When they are teenagers, they are going to get their hearts broken, and scare you by staying out late – even past curfew some times. As a parent, I can handle these things too. When they go off to college, or move away, your heart is then broken, and you worry endlessly about them. This, as a single parent, I believe I can overcome as well. It is the things that you don’t know how to prepare for, physically and emotionally, that terrify me. It seems that all you can do is teach your children how to be strong, how to make decisions, how to love, how to be independent, and all the while they are teaching you these things as well.

Single parenting has taught me many things. It has brought me many tears, many laughs, and more pride than I could have ever imagined. It has shown me how to push through the pains of adversity, love harder than I thought possible, and dream bigger than my understanding could take me. It has made me realize that, no matter what, your children are yours, and regardless of what is going on in the world around you, they look to you for their every need. Your life is responsible for theirs. Every decision you make, or don’t make, every opportunity you take, or pass up, every play you attend, every game, every science project, every hug, every moment – it all means the world to your child, the one you brought here to share life with. This brings me to the one thing that being a single parent did not prepare me for – the thought of no longer being here, to be a parent at all.

As always...visit our talk show at www.blogtalkradio.com/never-strong-enough