Be bold in your encouragement!

Be encouraged! No matter where you are and what you are doing right now, be encouraged. Victory is on its way! Don’t allow the breath of your imagination blow out the flame of your reality. Human beings are not puppets or computers. We were not programmed at the factory and stored only with data inputted by some unknown master programmer. We are children of the Living God! Be encouraged!

Are you down and out? Depressed? Caught up in addiction? Feeling as though no one cares? Be encouraged! God did not create you to be down trodden. Get up! Don’t you dare throw in the towel in the third round of a fifteen round fight. Keep ducking and dodging and keep swinging. Take the standing eight count, get up off the canvas. No weapon formed against you can prosper. Get a fight in your spirit. Be encouraged!

Don’t get mad with the results, be truthful with your decision making process. Lean not onto your own understanding. And for the love of God, who loved you from the start of time, stop wavering in even the weakest wind. Stand on His word and promises contained within. Be encouraged!

David looked up at that giant and you best believe he had some doubt. Daniel was surrounded by lions and you best believe he had some fear. Moses wandered the land for forty years and you best believe he got wary. But all three had a spirit that did not quit. They prayed and believed. Their faith was strong, even in the weakness of their physical being. And in the end, all three experienced victory. Be encouraged!

Surrounded by negative nouns—people, places or things. Remove yourself. In a dead-end job that barely pays the bills. Stop settling. You are greater right now than you have ever been. While you’re dwelling on the outside, God is living on the inside. And inside of you is abundant life. A seed of greatness was planted in you at birth. Over the course of your life it has started to blossom and right now—today—it is ready to bloom. That seed of greatness that God planted in you is now a full-fledged fruit. Of what kind, is between you and Him. But it’s there. It could be an apple of doctoring, an orange of engineering, or a banana of bank management. I don’t know. Only you and God know the identity of your fruit. Don’t leave this earth with that fruit still inside of you to rot in the ground. It has been said that the graveyard holds the most talent because of all the people that died without releasing theirs. As of today, you won’t be one of them. Your victory is at hand and your faith, belief and trust in God was not in vain.

No matter what you’re going through, what you have been through, the time is NOW. You have passed through. Claim it, shout it from the rooftop. Even in the eye of the storm and you can’t see your way out, proclaim that you have passed through. We serve a supernatural God. Don't give up, don't give in and don't quit. BE ENCOURAGED!

Defeat the bully...even if it's within.

Recently in my Life Coaching Practice I worked with an individual that was dealing with some lingering effects of a childhood issue. This particular issue had led to a set of behaviors in adulthood that was hindering this person's ability to stand up for themselves in even the simplest matters of their life. Because of that there were missed opportunities professionally, socially and even in relationships. The issue...being the victim of a bully.

Since the beginning of mankind and maybe even further back than that, since it's reported that Lucifer was kicked out of heaven, there have been bullies. People that feel the need to physically, emotionally or verbally put others down in an attempt to lift themselves up. Prior to Cane actually killing Abel he demonstrated a tendency to be a bully. It's very possible that at some point in your life you may have encountered a bully. (I know I have) It could have come wrapped up in the form of a spouse, a parent, a sibling, a boss or a co-worker. Great for you if you haven't and shame on you if you have been or are currently that bully.

Bullying isn't a good thing. It doesn't show strength or even demonstrate toughness. It's a weakness that reveals the coward in that person's character. What exactly is a bully? It's someone that's habitually cruel or overbearing (to the negative), especially to those they may perceive to be smaller or weaker. I would even go further to say, even those the bully may feel is beneath them because of race, social or economic positioning or education. What does a bully do to others? They hurt, persecute or intimidate. How do they bully? By being discouraging and frightening with threats or a domineering manner.

There are things that can happen to a person that sticks with them way past the time that it occurred. A chance encounter on a crowded bus could lead to a change in someones life. There's really no telling or knowing. So when someone is bullied by another, even at a young age, it can leave a lasting affect on that person. As it had for my client.

Life Coaching isn't therapy. It doesn't deal with emotional or psychological issues, it confronts mindsets, paradigms and behavioral patterns that can hinder a person from living the life they truly want to lead. So in assisting my client, we didn't concentrate on the past, we dealt with the present and concentrated on the future.

Bullies come in different shapes and sizes, but when confronted and their power base (fear) is removed, they're nothing more than cowards, pure and simple. Become a victor, not a victim. God did not give us the spirit of fear and no weapon formed against us can prosper. Not even a bully.

Forgiveness...It's a beautiful thing!

How many times have you asked someone to forgive you for something you may have done against them? Or how about asking for forgiveness even though you believed that you hadn't done anything wrong? Then again can you recall a time when someone asked you to forgive them?

Lets be honest at some point in our lives we are going to offend, hurt, or anger somebody. Just like no one gets out of life alive, no one will get through life without committing one or more of the three above mentioned offenses. And we won't live without having those same offenses rendered against us. Ofttimes it's not a purposeful endeavor. Things happen. While I'm not down playing hurting anyone or offending someone, it happens. And when it does we seek forgiveness. Call it whatever you like, but in the end it still comes back to the same thing.

Forgiveness is defined as: compassionate feelings that support a willingness to forgive as well as being typically defined as the process of concluding resentment, indignation or anger as a result of a perceived offense, difference or mistake, and ceasing to demand punishment or restitution. (That comes from Google.)

Now according to the Bible--another great source-- (I'm just saying) forgiveness is a free gift of God, that once someone seeks sincere repentance, that person's sins are forgiven and forgotten. Also there's no condemnation before God.

If we are to give any credence to Google or the Bible-- in particular-- doesn't it stand to reason that the ability to forgive is really something special. But sometimes it seems as though forgiveness is one of those things that applies only to the other guy. It's okay for us to ask someone to forgive us and expect them to do so, but what about when someone asks you to forgive them? Do you? Are you holding on to past hurts or offenses? Are you heavy laden with images in your mind and weight on your heart from yesterdays?

If so...how about giving to others the same gift that we ask God for and fully expect Him to deliver. Forgiveness. It's a beautiful thing!

Keepin it Real!

I would like to share a poem that I wrote and published three years ago. I do not consider myself a poet, however these words jumped into my heart one night as I drove home after witnessing a young boy--couldn't have been older then ten or eleven years old--selling drugs on a corner.

Keepin it real as they say
Ask a young brotha in a casket as he lay
Peddlin dope for dough making a sista a hoe
Crack vial streets where children play
Drive by shootin every other day
Sexual desire desire lead young folk astray
Nine months later another youngin on the way
Being led to believe self-destruction is okay
Education put off one more day
Acting out life as if its a play
Rome wasn't built in just one day
Parents unite and keep the devil at bay
Do away with the myths that the TV say
Teach the youth to stay strong in spirit so they don't stray
That's keepin it real as they say

It's been said that it takes a village to raise a child. I would like to add, "It takes someone to care." Let's give our children a future. Don't write off our youth. Join the village.

Fear no more.

Today marked one of the most humbling and most exhilarating days of my life. I had my first Canadian book signing at Coles Bookstore located in Square One Mall which is in Mississauga, Ontario. And I tell you I've never felt so vulnerable or invisible in my entire life. For the first hour and a half my very loving and supportive wife and I sat at the entrance of the store watching people go about their business without seemingly a care in the world. Fathers were pushing strollers, mothers were busy balancing plastic bags with one hand while trying to keep the little one or twos from running off. Some folks came into the bookstore and either looked over our heads or appeared to look right through us.

After a while my nerves, or should I say my ego kicked in and I was ready to pack it in. Then I remembered something my Grandmother use to say, "If you're going to worry don't pray and if you're going to pray don't worry." Suddenly a sense of peace came over me. Because the truth of the matter was that those folks didn't know me, nor were they coming to the mall to check out some unknown first time writer. But more importantly, prior to leaving our home, my wife and I had said a prayer. And in that prayer I asked God to allow my book to be a blessing to someone. Not to sign and sell a lot of books, but to be a blessing in someone's life.

Within what seemed mere minutes a woman walked up to the table and struck up a conversation. She asked many questions about the book. She kept picking it up and reading the back, putting it down and repeating the process over again. In asking the price of the book, I sensed that there was an interest however something was holding her back. I said, "Miss my I bless you with a copy on the condition that you read it and let me know what you think?" Quickly tears came into her eyes and she readily agreed. After signing the book and receiving a huge tight hug she walked off. Leaving me feeling real good I must say.

Again mere moments after the nice lady left, a friend of ours came by and that started the minor floodgate of people that came by to congratulate me, get a book, take a picture and help make this one of the best days of my life. God is indeed good!

At the risk of repeating myself, I must say again, "If God has placed a purpose in your life and you're allowing fear to stop you from fulfilling it, please turn on the light of faith and you'll see that fear does not exist. It's only a play of the shadows. God's light is much greater and brighter in your life. And where God gives a vision there is provision."

God bless all of my readers and may HE continue to bless your lives and your positive endeavors.

Some things stay the same.

Today's society is an ever changing and evolving one to say the less. Technology has improved to the level where a lazy person can have an affair without leaving the comfort of their recliner. Simply click, chat, and tell lies..about how good you look and how tall you are, and how single (although your wife doesn't know that) you are--just looking for love with the help of the kind folks that allow you to pay for your cable, house phone, and Internet on the same bill. Oh... the uses for technology.

Here we live in a time where putting a man on the moon has been replaced by now we can can buy a seat on the shuttle. And to think that just forty years ago a Black woman was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a bus. Can I get a...whoa technology! Human beings have come so far that if your co-worker whom occupy the cubicle next to you is talking too loud and disturbing your "office time net surfing," all you have to do is...send them an e-mail. Think about it...your grandparents couldn't do that. Not unless you're related to the Jetsons. Man oh man. Who needs to worry about staying home by the phone waiting for your beloved to call? You have a phone in your purse, on your hip and even in your ear. If that's not enough and you don't want to hear his voice--send him a text message. And who said folks don't read anymore?

How about this one? People are now afforded the great opportunity to call a company and have a lifeless voice prompt them to push multiple numbers until another soul less voice says, "I'm sorry your call can not be completed at this time..." Oh... the wonders of technology. It's so good that cloning isn't a thing of science fiction, it's real, very real. Anyone looking to find themselves? Give it a few years, you might just run into yourself as you race for the space shuttle that will drop you off on Mars so you can watch the NBA's newest franchise. You haven't lived until you've seen a three foot green dude dunk a ball.

But, with all the changes in the world and the many new gadgets coming out almost daily, there's one thing that won't ever change. People still want, need and strongly desire to be loved and appreciated. So put down the remote, the interactive video game, the cell phone that does everything but your hair and go to your wife, husband, mother, father or whomever you may care for and remind them that no matter the changes in this world and the distance that they create...tell them how much you love and appreciate them.

Think again!

Two elderly men sat side by side on a park bench. After some time had passed the shorter of the two turned to face the taller one. "Excuse me, sir," he said by way of gaining the other man's attention. "You and I have sat on this same bench, in this same park at the same time for over a month and yet we haven't formally introduced ourselves."

"I was just thinking the same thing," he responded with a smile. "My name is Sam and you are?"

Beaming he said, "My name is Max. Pleasure to meet you."

"Well, Max what brings you here each day?"

"I lost my wife about a month ago."

"Wow...small world," Sam replied. "And I lost my lady friend about the same time."

Immediately they felt like kindred spirits as they exchanged stories about their lives spent with the women they had loved and lost. "And now after forty years of marriage, I'm all alone," moaned Max.

"I know the feeling." Sam agreed. "I was with my lady love for thirty years."

"If I'm not being too personal. How come you guys never married?"

"Well...I wanted to but she refused each and every proposal I gave her."

"Really?"

"Yep," said Sam. "And on top of that I didn't mention this but we never shared a house."

"That is a little uncommon," Max concurred.

"Believe it or not, I only saw her on Thursday and Saturday nights."

"How come?" Max inquired.

"I'm a little ashamed to say," Sam said sheepishly.

"Ah...go head, I won't judge." Max was fully intrigued and couldn't wait to hear more.

"She was married to some loser that left her alone every Thursday and Saturaday night to play cards with his friends."

"What some guys will do," said Max. "I mean I played poker with the guys twice a week, but at least I spent time with my wife."

"You were a lucky man," said Sam. " At least you had a chance to marry the woman you loved."

Max felt sorry for Sam. "Hey pal...we might be old but as long as you're breathing healthy air there's still time to love again."

"Maybe you're right. Any way Max I won't be here tomorrow. I'm going to place flowers on my lady love's grave."

"I'm doing the same thing," Max said. "See you day after tomorrow."

The next day as Max approached his wife's gravesite, he noticed a familar figure standing over his wife's plot. Slowly the figure turned around. It was Sam. Max looked down and noticed the fresh flowers in the vase where he normally placed his own flowers. "Sam...what are you doing here?" he asked.

"I told you I was coming to place flowers at my lady love's grave," he answered wiping tears from his eyes.

"You're standing over my wife's grave."

"No I'm standing over my lady love's grave," he corrected. "See the nameplate says, Sarah Mitchell, my lady love's name."

"My wife's name was Sarah Mitchell and I'm Max Mitchell."

"What nights did you play poker?"

"Thursday and Saturaday."

The moral....next time you're sitting on a park bench and think you don't have anything in common with the person sitting next to you....think again!