Growth! That's my GOAL!

The start of a new year always causes people to make these "resolutions" where they resolve to do something differently than previous years or to quit a specific behavior or action. I believe people make resolutions because they feel that the start of a new year means that something has to change.
They believe that their life should look differently than the year before or else they really haven't taken full advantage of a new year.

A resolution is the formal expression of an opinion or intention or a determination.
The tone of a resolution is that there is some problem that needs to be solved.
Sometimes, it's difficult for me to view my behaviors or actions as "problems" that need to be solved.
I just like to identify my target goal and align my thoughts and actions to achieve that goal.

Therefore, for 2011, as I've done in previous years, I have set A goal...and it's a simple ONE...GROWTH!

My goal is to experience GROWTH in every area of my life:

- Spiritual
- Financial
- Family
- Relationship/Social
- Health/Physical
- Educational
- Career

How in the world will I achieve growth in each of these areas?

Well, just like the process of growing hair (which grows about 1/2 to 3/4 inch every month), I will have to place attention, care, and effort into the areas I desire to see growth.

When I want my hair to grow, I must keep my scalp clean, comb/brush my hair, obtain regular trims and place care into styling.

In the same manner, I must give attention to my financial life by using more wisdom with how to spend my money, creating a budget for spending and saving, seeking ways to earn additional income to reach my savings goals, pay down debts, and seek out better ways to manage my money.

For relational and social growth, I must cultivate current relationships and establish deeper connections with my family and friends. And, I will put myself in more diverse social environments that will enhance my network and ability to relate to other people.

I could go on with other examples, but I will allow you to think about how to reach growth in various areas of your life.

So, I'll check in often with lessons and reports on my GROWTH this year!

Til next time...

quick hair tip

During the winter, your hair and scalp are more susceptible to becoming dry and brittle.

It's important to moisturize and condition the scalp and hair.
Therefore, a deep conditioning treatment or hot oil treatment is something you can do at home. You can purchase deep conditioning packets from the hair supply and drug stores. They're usually between $1.00-$2.00 per packet depending on which brand you purchase.

All you have to do is shampoo your hair normally (using a shampoo that is sulfate free - because sulfates dry the scalp and hair), then once you've rinsed your hair, put in the conditioning packet and place a plastic cap on. You can sit under a hooded dryer for about 10-15 minutes or you can not sit under the dryer for about 30-45 minutes. Then rinse it out.

You will find that it leaves your hair soft and your scalp will be moisturized and less susceptible to dandruff flakes.

AND, men can do this too!
Because real men deep condition!

shout out to De'Von! ;-)

iAm who iAm...

In May 2010, I got a divorce!
It was one of the biggest, most difficult decisions I've ever made in my life.
I was MARRIED...not just a long-term relationship, but I'd stood in front of God, and my family and friends and made a vow to be with this man til death.
And, since I am a BELIEVER, marriage to me is more than just a sheet of paper.
It is a covenant made between man, woman and God.
It is a partnership where two people agree to live their lives as one in the presence of God with Him being at the center of the relationship.

So, getting a divorce was difficult.
However, there are some things I learned as a result of the entire experience.
During the next year, I plan to share some of those lessons with hopes that you will be inspired and encouraged.

I AM WHO I AM...
So, one of the most important lessons I learned was that I am who I am!
AND, that I actually like who I am AND that there's absolutely nothing wrong with who I am!
So many times, we get into relationships with people who want to change who we are.
They like parts of our personality or they like the way we make them feel, however, they don't really WANT to be with US, as we are.
They have an idea of who they want to be with and instead of finding and being with that person, they try to change the person they're with.
We all have our own unique, God-given personalities.
We all walk differently, we're shaped differently, our hair is different, smiles are different, etc...
So you know if just those small things are different that we have many more characteristics that are different than ones that are common.
It's extremely important to be who we are and not allow anyone or anything to dictate who we should be.
Of course we should constantly want to grow and change for the better, but our natural evolution of self shouldn't happen because we're trying to force ourselves to be something we aren't.
I lived for years trying to do and say everything to please someone else instead of doing and saying what would please God.
It's impossible to make people happy.
There's always going to be something that they don't approve of or wish to change about the way we do or say a thing.
So, it's more important to me, at this point in my life, to live a life which will be pleasing to God.
And even if I mess up, make mistakes or do something that I know He wouldn't be happy with, at least I know I'm living for Him.
I'm not worried about what others think of me...
Because I am who I am!

2011...so excited

I've been really quiet lately on the blog.
But, it's a new year and I'm so extra excited about the possibilities of this year.
I haven't spoken openly about many of the personal challenges I've endured recently, but I feel empowered to do so, now, because I've grown so much in the past 2 years.
I'm no longer worried about what people think of me and how things may "appear" to others.
I'm walking on a path where only what God thinks of me really matters.
Because when all of this is over, He's who we answer to.

So, stay tuned for me to share some of the lessons I've learned over the past few years of my young life!

It's 2011 and I'm soooo excited!!!