Living Life Abundantly

I believe that Thanksgiving should be every day. There is really no way to describe the way I feel but this video captures it exactly

I Thank God For My Blessings. God is Good! Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanks for sharing this Tamarah
TEARS ARE FOR BABIES… WORRIES ARE FOR FOOLS….

When a man lifts you up, it’s definitely to the height of his hands, but when GOD lifts you up it’s limitless, seek HIM now and forsake all else and be uplifted forever!!!

Tell me about the law of gravity that states anything that goes up must come down and I will introduce you to the law of aerodynamics that states that it is possible that something can go up and remain there..

Before this year runs out, u shall find yourself somewhere that u can’t even bring yourself down.

Your blessings shall never come down, u shall never fail, the law of gravity will never work in your
Finances, business, family, all area of your life, etc.

The devil is a liar. You may be going through a tough time right now but God is getting ready to bless you in a way that only He can. Keep the faith.

The love of God is like the ocean, you can see its beginning, but not its end.. This message works from the day you receive it..

Pass this on to your true friends. Something good will happen to you; something that you have been waiting to hear. God honors His Words.

Having an attitude of gratitude is about always giving thanks for our blessings.

With each passing day, remember to give thanks to your Maker for the many opportunities, successes, and life lessons. Every day brings you new things to be thankful for and new opportunities to make your life wonderful. If the sun rises, it’s a good day!

Count your blessings.

Each day, just after you wake up and before going to bed, count your blessings, feel gratitude, and give thanks.

Keep a gratitude journal.

Ask yourself, “What good things happened today?” List them in your journal and reflect on them.

Use your talents to help people.

You were given many unique qualities and talents. Sharing your gifts with those less fortunate is an excellent way to show your gratitude for your blessings. It helps others and brings satisfaction and fulfillment to you as well.

Give a portion of your money or time to those who are in need.

Volunteer at your local school, library, shelter, food bank, or community organization.

Get involved in a cause you feel passionate about and do whatever you can to help.

When you feel gratitude, your blessings multiply. Feeling grateful for the good things in your life sends out vibrations that attract even more good things. This is one of the ideas behind the Law of Attraction!

When you show gratitude, your friends multiply. People have a basic need to feel appreciated. When you fulfill that need, you bring great joy and happiness with you. As a result, showing your appreciation to others draws them closer to you and, in turn, they’re more inclined to go out of their way for you.

Showing your gratitude brings you more success in both your personal and professional life.

• Your family ties are strengthened.

• Friends, co-workers, and business associates become very loyal indeed.

• Your relationship with your partner becomes more enduring and passionate.

Be Thankful. Say Thank You.

(this was shared with me today and I find it inspirational…enjoy)   ~author unknown

I wanted you to be the first to know that I have moved and to give you my new home address: I have moved from Beggars Alley located on Poverty Lane at the corner of Bleak and Busted Circle. As of today, I have a brand new home.

My new address is: 123 Living Well Drive in the Abundance Subdivision, located at the corners
of Blessings Street and Thankful Peak. You get there by taking the Praising Him Interstate, which runs North, South, East and West.

I no longer have to travel on Begging Peter to pay off Paul Route, because it is located at a dead-end intersection called: I Don’t Have, that crosses Borrowers’ Junction & Complaining Lane. THAT road does not lead to my new home.

I no longer hang out at Failure’s Place near Excuses Avenue, near the Procrastination Mall. I have moved on to an upscale community called Higher Heights with unlimited potential and opportunities for me to Succeed—-can’t you tell? Just look at me!

I met the neighbors and I love living next to them. Let me tell you about my new neighbors: The IT Family: Mr. CONCEIVE IT, Mrs. BELIEVE IT and sister ACT ON IT. Then there’s FAITH & HOPE from next door, Ms. PERSISTENT & Mr. POSITIVE across the street, Steve & Eve ACHIEVE from down the street AND my favorite neighbors are the family who live in a beautiful High Rise on the Penthouse Floor. The head of the house is God, he’s the Father, Jesus, his only Son and H.S. (who’s hardly home because he’s always traveling, he’s a real people person).

It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood! The best thing is that if you’re tired of living where you’re living, there are TONS of homes for sale in my new neighborhood!

Oh, just one thing I want to warn you about. There’s this Big DOG named BLESSINGS and every single time I leave my house he chases me down and overtakes me!! It’s like he’s everywhere!! I see Blessings in the city and Blessings in the fields, I see blessings when I come and when I go!! Since I can’t get away from him, I’ve learned to just expect him and Embrace him. Good thing he doesn’t bite!!

I am so thankful to be a product of my new environment. All of my clothes are now custom designed by the MASTER TAILOR and MADE to fit just me. I am dressed in life’s finest!! I have a new walk and a new talk all because I CHOSE TO MOVE!!

Life is good because: God is good.  Have you moved too?

“He that can have Patience, can have what he will” — Benjamin Franklin

As time went by in that restaurant we laughed talked, watched, and waited. We are all familiar with that old saying “Good Things Come To Those That Wait.”  Experience teaches me that its true!

We got a really good laugh because comedian/actress Kym Whitley came through for her tickets and was cracking jokes the whole time.

She was very friendly, had a big smile, and seemed like a lot of fun to be around.

(Yes I know, this was yet another one of those missed opportunities.  I didn’t even think about taking her picture or asking for a possible interview lol, just didn’t cross my mind until of course after).  But she was hugging everyone and having a good time.  I hugged her too and enjoyed her company and the funny stuff she was saying about sneaking snacks into the inauguration.

I can’t even begin to recap the places she planned to hide her snacks… just know that Ms. Whitley is truly funny and I hope to one day ask her if she was able to bring in those snacks!

After watching the last person who had either just got in from Iraq or was picking up tickets for a relative that had just flew in from Iraq, they started shutting down shop preparing to leave.  They had been at that location for a long time disbursing tickets and prior to that they had a full day.  They had also distributed tickets from 11am to 1pm as previously mentioned.

The Right Place At The Right Time

You see, Willae and I hadn’t figured out our next destination.  We didn’t know where to go upon leaving the Tortilla Coast.  So we were not in a big hurry to leave because WHERE WERE WE GOING TO GO?  More importantly, we believed that our every step on this DC Adventure would be guided by a power much bigger than us.  Sounds crazy right? Ever read or hear that Proverb:

• In all my ways I acknowledge Him and He directs my path (Prov. 3:6)

Well when Willae was handed an envelope exactly like the one I received we knew it was just the beginning of our inauguration journey. It was a confirmation that our path was being directed. (Here’s a picture of Willae).

We practically ran out of the restaurant hardly able to contain ourselves still with no specific destination. We jumped for joy, we thanked God, we hugged, and repeated the process several times…(all of this outside in the cold DC air after 8pm).  As that cold began to set in, we started thinking about our next destination.

We both had some options but the main concern was how far we’d be from where we needed to be in a matter of hours.  We contemplated camping out at the gates but the fact that we had luggage and bags with us (which were not allowed in) killed that idea.

I knew that my friend Leslie’s parents were staying close by and that we might be able to leave our bags safely with them… unfortunately, they were already out and about so I couldn’t catch up with them.

I knew I had a cousin in the area but before I left California she told me that she would not be home that Monday until after midnight.  We had friends in Baltimore but that was just too far to go.  I also knew a wonderful family in Vienna (whom I’ll tell you about later).  We were getting cold out there trying to decide what to do.  People were asking us if we were ok.  I think they thought we were homeless.  It was dark.  We had a bunch of bags and we were on the side of a restaurant.  I guess we did look pitiful.

Hampton University Life Long Friends To The Rescue

We called our friend and sister Marci to find out if she had made it in town and to coordinate something with her.  When we got in touch with Marci she told us she decided not to make the drive.  In the conversation she mentioned our friend and sister Kamilah (my HU roomate) was at our friend and big sister Tara’s house.  I forgot that Tara lived in the area!  I did remember that at HU’s homecoming Tara gave me her phone number (which I wrote in my special journal book that I take every where).  We called Tara, told her where we were, without asking any questions, without hesitation, Tara told us to come to her house and gave us directions to travel via Metro.  (We had no idea that we were actually directly across the street from the Metro station. See how everything just flowed and came together).

We grabbed our stuff and headed to Tara’s.

She told us that she was going out and that Kamilah would pick us up from the Metro station near her house.

We got on the train and when we got off Kamilah was there waiting.

By this time it was well after 10 pm.

(Here’s a picture of me all bundled up on the train.)

We were cold and tired and happy to be amongst our HU family.

As it turned out, not only was Kamilah at Tara’s, her sister and son were there, and our friends and big brothers KK and Marcus were there too.

Our friend and sister Java was on her way.

Our friend and big brother Ron was in the vicinity at our friend and big brother John’s.

This was like homecoming all over again!  Our big sister Tara came through for all of us opening her home at the very last minute.  Apparently none of us had a plan but all of us knew we had to get to DC to witness this historical moment.
(Here is a picture of Tara)

Tara rolled out the hospitality and hosted us all.  (You are the best Tara Thank You!). We stayed up for awhile talking and catching up.

We knew we needed to be out of the house by 4am which meant we’d only get a couple of hours of sleep literally.

(Here’s a picture of Kamilah and I).

After traveling all day from the West Coast to the East Coast I was exhausted and drained but of course happy to be with friends (family) for such an awesome occasion.

I had a glass of orange juice (with a splash of vodka).

Kamilah and her sister and son slept in the room downstairs.  KK and Marcus slept on the couches in the livingroom. (Java hadn’t made it in yet). Tara showed Willae and I to her extra room across the hall from her.  We were so tired we actually fell asleep in our clothes….

Before going to bed I did attempt to blog but couldn’t get a signal (you know I don’t leave home without my Mac).  I learned some lessons in this long day:

1. Looks like I need to get a Wireless Internet Card ASAP!

2. Patience is a virtue:  “The principle part of faith is patience” — George MacDonald

3. Friends are blessings: “It is not so much our friends’ help that helps us as the confident knowledge that they will help us.”  Epicurus (Greek philosopher)

To Be Continued…

Majority Of The Photos From The Inauguration DC Adventure Are Provided Courtesy Of The Wonderful & Talented Willae Ivory

On Friday, January 2, 2009 4:47 PM I received the following email:

As you know, when I contacted the Congress Woman’s office I was advised to send my travel itinerary immediately no later than Monday, which by the grace of God I was able to do.

On Wednesday, January 7, 2009 11:31 AM I received this email:

I left Los Angeles January 19th at 6am

wearing 3 shirts, thermals, a sweater, tights, sweats, corduroy pants, 2 pair of socks, tennis shoes, a peacoat, and a huge thick heavy bubble jacket.

People in LAX (airport) were looking at me like I was crazy (It had been 80+ degrees in Cali)… Curiosity had obviously gotten the best of some people, folks actually stopped me to ask where I was going.  The assumption was usually Chicago… but I would politely explain:

“I have a layover in Chicago but my destination is Washington DC.”

This would prompt a second question…

“Are you going to the inauguration?” (wide eyes and raised eyebrows).

Upon saying yes the response was always the same:

“YOU ARE SO LUCKY! I WISH I COULD GO.”

(There was a time when I would correct people on calling me lucky, I would insist on replacing lucky with blessed.  While I do believe and receive that I am blessed, I also have a new found respect and meaning for the word LUCK. L=living U=under C=conscious K=knowledge.  I am blessed and lucky and it is my life’s work and mission to be a blessing unto others while sharing luck).

My flight to Chicago was not so great but I was happy to be on it.  Of all of the flights I’ve taken in my life I have never sat next to an irritable toddler.  The dad was knocked out sleep while his daughter cried, kicked, screamed, and stretched herself out all the way over my lap.  It was a full flight so I couldn’t ask to be seated some where else.  I just kept reminding myself why I was on the plane and to be grateful!

When I arrived at my gate in Chicago I was surprised to see an additional security check point.  I was thinking oh great I’m going to have to take off all of this stuff, shoes, belt, and open up my computer bag again!  As it was time to board the plane however,  we were told it would be a random security check.  Interestingly enough, it seems the only folks that were stopped were white males.

My flight to DC was great.  I sat next to a young woman on a similar mission.  I forgot her name but she was just as happy and excited as me.  When we touched down in DC I felt a surge of excitement.  Prior to leaving LA I had not made solid plans as far as accommodations were concerned.  I had faith that everything would work out and unfold the way it was suppose to….My main focus and number one priority was getting to Congress Woman Laura Richardson and her staff to pick up my ticket to the inauguration.

When I got off the plane at DCA (airport) I knew that I was meeting my friend and sister Willae at baggage claim (she was flying in from Atlanta on blind faith with no solid plan either and no ticket to the inauguration).  I hadn’t seen Willae in 7 years so this was a reunion of sorts.  I made my way to baggage claim, spotted Willae, we hugged, we screamed, we grabbed our bags, and hopped in a cab headed straight to Tortilla Coast.

We got there right in time to meet, hug, and shake hands with Congress Woman Laura Richardson and her awesome right hand Daysha Austin.

We skipped into that restaurant pulling suitcases, holding computer bags, purses, and cameras.  We had to catch our breath.  Thank goodness there were gentlemen to help us down the stairs.  Yes we had to go down a flight of stairs to get to the meeting spot in the restaurant.  We Made It!

Here’s a picture of me with the Congress Woman.

(I did not get a picture of Daysha but I think our paths will cross again.  At which time I’ll get one).

We were tired, cold, happy to have made it to DC, glad that I made it in time to get my ticket when we realized that there were lots of people who could not and did not make it to pick up their tickets.  We wondered what would happen to those unused tickets.  Willae and I are strong believers in asking, believing, and receiving.  (A wise man said ask and it shall be given to you…. another said you have not because you ask not… yet another said the prayers of the righteous avail much…HINT! HINT!).

I received my ticket and couldn’t stop smiling from ear to ear.

We stayed in that restaurant for I don’t know how long.

We watched people come in and pick up their tickets we watched others act real ugly for no reason after receiving their tickets.  I won’t go into detail but it was ridiculous.

I will say this, Daysha Austin did everything but bend over backwards to make sure that everyone received their tickets to attend the inauguration.

There were a number of folks from California (self included) that arrived in DC after the initial ticket distribution time 11am-1pm.

The Congress Woman’s office made special arrangements for us all to pick up our tickets at the Tortilla Coast Restaurant after 5pm.

Daysha was there standing on her feet the whole time with a smile distributing tickets, answering calls, giving directions, agreeing to wait longer, and going above and beyond the call of duty.  (You Rock Daysha!)

To Be Continued…..

Majority Of The Photos From The Inauguration DC Adventure Are Provided Courtesy Of The Wonderful & Talented Willae Ivory

I received this touching email forward the other day, enjoy

“The unemployment rate — now at a five-year high of 6.1 percent — is expected to hit 7 or 7.5 percent by late 2009…”–AP

An unemployed graduate woke up one morning and checked his pocket. All he had left was $10. He decided to use it to buy food and then wait for death as he was too proud to go begging. He was frustrated as he could find no job; nobody was ready to help him.

He bought food and as he sat down to eat, an old man and two little children came along and asked him to help them with food as they had not eaten for almost a week. He looked at them. They were so lean that he could see their bones coming out. Their eyes had gone into the socket.

With the last bit of compassion he had, he gave them the food. The old man and children prayed for him that will bless and prosper him and then gave him a very old coin.

The young graduate said to them “you need the prayer more than I do”.

With no money, no job, no food, the young graduate went under the bridge to rest and wait for death. As he was about to sleep, he saw an old newspaper on the floor. He picked it up, and suddenly he saw an advertisement for people with old coins to come to a certain address.

He decided to go there with the old coin the old man gave him. On getting to the place, he gave the proprietor the coin. Alas, the proprietor screamed, brought out a big book and showed the young
graduate a photograph. this same old coin was worth $3M. The young graduate was overjoyed as the proprietor gave him a bank draft for $3M within an hour. He collected the Bank Draft, went in search of the old man and little children.

By the time he got to where he left them eating, they had gone. He inquired from the owner of the canteen who told him that they even left a note for him. He quickly opened the note thinking it would lead him to find them.

But alas, the words in the note reads thus:

“You gave us your all and we have rewarded you back with the coin”
Signed God the Father,
The Son and The Holy Ghost.

Have you given all to Jesus Christ? If you haven’t, do so today and he will surprise you.

PRAYER:
Here is your financial blessing! It’s a simple prayer, you got 30 seconds?

Heavenly Father, most Gracious and Loving God, I pray to you that you abundantly Bless my family and me. I know that you ecognize, that a family is more than just a mother, father, sister, brother, husband and wife, but all Who believe and trust in you.

Father, I send up a prayer request for financial blessing for not only the person who sent this to me, but for
Me and all that I have forwarded this message on to. And that the power of joined prayer by those who believe and trust in you is more powerful than anything. I thank you in advance for your blessings.

Father God, deliver the person reading this right now and those who will read it in the near future from debt and debt burdens. Release your Godly wisdom that I may be a good steward over all that You have given me Father, for I know how wonderful and mighty you are and how if we just obey you and walk in your word and have the faith of a Mustard seed that you will pour out blessings.

I thank you now Lord for the recent blessings I have received and for the blessings yet to come Because I know you are not done with me yet.
In Jesus name,
I pray, Amen

Original Author Unknown

A newly arrived soul in Heaven was met by St. Peter. The saint toured the soul around Heaven. Both of them walked side by side inside a large workroom filled with angels. St. Peter stopped in front of the first section and said, “This is the Receiving Section. Here, all the petitions to God said in prayer are received”. The soul looked at the section, and it was terribly busy with so many angels sorting out petitions written on voluminous paper sheets from all the people of the world.

They walked again until they reached the 2nd section, and St. Peter told the soul, “This is the Packaging and Delivery Section. Here, the graces and blessings the people asked for are packed and delivered to the persons who asked for them down on earth.” The soul saw how busy it was. There were so many angels working in that room, since so many blessing were being packed and delivered to Earth.

Finally at the farthest corner of the room, the soul stopped at the last section. To the surprise of the soul, only one angel stayed there idly, doing nothing. “This is the Acknowledging Section,” St. Peter told the soul. “How is it that, there is no work here?” “That’s the sad thing,” St. Peter answered. “After the people received the blessings they asked for, very few send their acknowledgments”. “How does one acknowledge God’s blessing?” “Simple,” St. Peter answered. “Just say, “Thank you, Lord.”

Thank you Lord, for giving me the chance to share this message with others and also, for giving me so many wonderful people to share this with.

—Author Unknown

We need to learn to thank the Lord for closed doors just as much as we do for open doors. The reason God closes doors is because He has not prepared anything over there for us.

If he didn’t close the wrong door we would never find our way to the right door. Even when we don’t realize it, God directs our paths through the closing and opening of doors . When one door closes, it forces us to change our course. Another door closes; it forces us to change our course yet again.

Then finally, we find the open door and walk right into our blessing.  But instead of praising God for the closed door (which kept us out of trouble), we get upset because we ‘judge by the appearances.’ And in our own arrogance, or ignorance, we insist that we know what is right.

We have a very present help in the time of need that is always standing guard. Because He walks ahead of us, He can see trouble down the road and HE sets up road blocks and detours accordingly. But through our lack of wisdom we try to tear down the roadblocks or push aside the detour signs.

Then the minute we get into trouble, we start crying.

‘Lord how could this happen to me?’

We have got to realize that the closed door was a blessing.
Didn’t He say that ‘No good thing will He withhold from them that love Him?’

If you get terminated from your job – don’t be down, instead thank God for the new opportunities that will manifest themselves – it might be a better job, or an opportunity to go to school. If that man or woman won’t return your call – it might not be them, it might be the
Lord setting up a roadblock (just let it go).

One time a person had a bank he had been doing business with for many years tell him ‘NO’ for a $10,000 loan. The Lord led him to call another bank.

That bank approved a $40,000 loan for him at a lower interest rate than his own bank had advertised.

I’m so grateful, for the many times God has closed doors to me, just to open them in the most unexpected places.

‘The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.’ (Psalms 37:23)

The Mountain top is glorious, but it is in the Valley that I will grow!

Always Remember God gives you…
Enough Happiness to keep you Sweet
Enough Trials to keep you Strong
Enough Sorrows to keep you Human
Enough Hope to keep you Happy
Enough Failure to keep you Humble
Enough Success to keep you Eager
Enough Friends to give you Comfort
Enough Wealth to meet your Needs
Enough Enthusiasm to make you look forward
Enough Faith to banish depression, and
Enough Determination to make each day a better day than the last.

Life must be lived forward but can only be understood backwards.

Commit to the Lord in whatever you do and your plans will succeed. —Proverbs 16:3

AUTHOR UNKNOWN

In times when it seems that the world is going to hell in a gasoline handbasket I still believe in miracles. I’ve been blessed and am blessed daily and have no choice but to believe in miracles. In my 32 years I’ve seen and experienced some things that cannot be explained.

mir·a·cle
An event that appears inexplicable by the laws of nature and so is held to be supernatural in origin or an act of God.

As November becomes December and we get in a frenzy about the holidays its important that we not lose sight as to what the holidays are really about…the holiday season is rooted in MIRACLES.

No matter what you personally believe in, you cannot deny that all of the rituals, observances, and symbols surrounding this time of year are rooted in miracles…The miracle of the fat man in a red suit flying with reindeer sliding down chimneys with gifts, the miracle of enough olive oil for one night lasting 8 nights during the re-dedication of the temple, and the birth of Jesus to a virgin.

While we celebrate all of these things it often seems that many of us are reluctant to really believe in miracles. Yet when we examine our own lives everyone of us can attest to miracles.

Today I’m thinking about a conversation I had a few weeks ago with a friend. We were talking about worrying and how worrying doesn’t help things. I had a similar conversation this afternoon with my big sister. It has taken me many years to understand that worry causes stress and stress manifests mess. I now live free of stress because I KNOW without a doubt that I am blessed.

This same time 7 years ago I was sick riddled with Sarcoidosis barely able to get out bed some days and on an assortment of medications getting shots in my hip! (I HATE needles). Today I’m healthy, I feel great, and I’m not on any medication (Thank God).

I remember standing on the bus stop at 4am to get to the train station to catch another bus to get to work by six. I remember working late (after the bus stopped running) and having to call friends and family for rides home. I remember the days of rain and cars passing by drenching me on the bus stop. I recall days of missing buses and trains by a second. I recall days when buses just passed me by…I remember when my first car a 1983 Buick Regal threw a rod on a bridge in Virginia.

I remember when the transmission in my old Chrysler, Taurus, and Fairmont died. I have the painful memory of losing the Palm My Ride Contest in which I was competing for a new Ford Mustang. I remember the day before Christmas last year when our car was stolen (got it back hours later that same day).

This year, The day after Thanksgiving we were blessed with a new car.

Today I’m driving a 2008 Camry! (God is Good).

I believe with all my heart that my Maker is well aware of my needs and has it all under control (my every need is supplied) no matter how things may look to my natural eye. It’s not our place to worry about anything. A few weeks ago a friend expressed concern about praying and waiting for things to happen, her view is its about taking action. I get that… After all, faith without works is dead…

However, I know the power of prayer and have seen it at work in my life. My prayers are answered. Sometimes I have to wait for the answers to manifest because God works in His time not mine. Miracles and prayer go hand in hand. Miracles and blessings are very real! Prayer is powerful. No matter what the situation, no matter how dismal things may seem, we all have access to divine intervention.

Nothing is impossible to those that believe.