Let The Winds Blow

Its raining today, which is not the normal, sunny and fair weathered South Florida area, some of us are familiar with . I'm not attempting to be a jinx or my no means, project or predict what this years Hurricane season may or may not bring, so you can trust that I'll just continue to leave all the predictions up to the experts.

Personally, I sincerely pray that every storm season comes and goes away with haste and without incident.

There are things that we can do and should do, before a serious threat reaches our shores. The main thing is to not get complacent and or procrastinate. There is no better time than right now to prepare. The stores are probably well stocked with the supplies and provisions you will require in the event of a serious storm. Even though our national economic situation is somewhat bleak, store prices are still low enough right now and suppliers will be more than anxious to sell you what you need. The downside is if you wait to close to the impending storms arrival, demands will be high, and prices will soar accordingly to that demand. So as they say in some circles, "the early bird gets the worm".

Start surveying your surrounds for things that require repair like the roof or electrical items; examine your shutters for wear and tear or missing hardware; stock foods that are non- perishables, and maybe this time, buy some foods that you really enjoy eating and be sure to make a contact list of immediate family members, including those out of town.  Develop and orchestrate a plan to reunited at a designated place, in the event you're displaced.  Research and have available emergency contact numbers like...Rrumor control lines; Evacuation aid and especially the American Red Cross.

Click on these important websites, to learn more: Miami Dade County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, Broward County Emergency Management Agency, Fema and NOAA

The lists of helpful information are endless, but the time to act on this is right now. The local news stations, newspapers as well as your employers, family and friends, will be discussing these very same issues soon.

Lastly, I'd like to also remind you that there are all types of Hurricanes that blow through our lives. Our society has a name for each of the seasonal stormy weather types, like David, Cleo, Andrew and Katrina, etc. Unfortunately, there are some Hurricanes that have entered our lives with names such as; divorce, bankruptcy, abuse, addiction, hopelessness, cancer, depression, death and a multitude of others.  Just as we prepare for and respond to the natural disasters that come our way, its equally our responsibility to not ignore the many signs of those disasters that ultimately break the human spirit, mentally, spiritually, physically, financially and emotionally. 

Let us start today, by taking good care of ourselves as well as each other. There is always a solution and an opportunity to make things right. It maybe as simple as saying, 'I'm sorry or I need help".  It may take letting go of our ego and taking on the role of a servant who faithfully offers service to others.  The type of servant who is willing to be humble enough to start giving much more than he or she expects to receive in return.

Independence

July 4th is an established American Holiday, that is hopefully celebrated by every United States citizen. This special day is totally about our Nations Independence. I, like others am proud to live in a time and place where FREEDOM is highly sought after and most importantly......, protected.

Of course, there will always be other entities or sources who do not share our viewpoint on FREEDOM. They are the true demons of this life, who would if they could, take away, erase, eradicate, terminate and banish each and every one of the glorious benefits of FREEDOM we share.

Everyday, plots and schemes are not only thought about and discussed by them, but plans are put in play to implement their dreadful missions. Any and all forms of dividing us are created, whether from outside this nation or from within it.  It still puzzles me why even today, there are some of us who despite the various and obvious threats that bombarded us daily, attempt to rationalize, ignore, justify or classify these hideous dilemmas as fantasies or untruths.  Do we really need another 9-11 event to convince us that the threats are real?

I, for one think NOT!!

Imagine what it would be like to not partake of any of the incredible lifestyles we enjoy and value so much? After all, what would the 4th of July feel like without fireworks, parades or barbecues ?

That would be and sound like fighting words to me... "Annie git yore gun."

We should all be inspired to send up countless number of praises that we were not born in some of the other parts of the world, where the only freedom available everyday, is to do only what you're told to do, without question, and if that was not enough, you're told that NOTHING you have is ever rightfully yours to own. The mere thought of such atrocities forced on anyone are frightening and incomprehensible.

Webster describes INDEPENDENCE as...., Freedom from control or influence of another or others

The choices of freedom we have today for enjoying all of our tomorrows are truly a blessing.

Join me in thanking God, for the many brave men and women who fight faithfully everyday for our FREEDOM and INDEPENDENCE, even while we peacefully sleep and sometimes regrettably take everything they do for us for granted.  Again I say....., thank you.

Have a SAFE and Happy 4th of July!!

No Rain In Sight

Opportunities and positive events are always present, provided we look for them and place ourselves in position to receive them. Although it somehow seems easier to fixate on the negatives or the short term "I want it now", craze in our lives, just remember this type of mentality oftentimes will result in more crash events like... sadness, dismay, disbelief, unfulfilled, defeat, and panic.

A friend shared this statement with me once, she said that "In the absence of faith, doubt and fear are present".  After considering this profound statement, I also surmised that, Fear and Faith would be find difficulty to coexist at the same time, but if somehow it does, which of these two factors would ultimately prevail in my life?

I believe that we all want to take advantage of positive opportunities that come our way, but sometimes we allow that other inner voice between your ears to scream out... "This one is not for you; you can't do it and you don't deserve it... Or what you seek, is simply meant for someone else".

The problem as I see it is somehow, some way we have chosen to allow others to speak negatively into your lives, and depending on that individuals personal status level or influence on us, we've literally excepted whole heartily their opinionated filled speech to us as the truth and sadly without any further investigation on our part.

 No one has the right to speak negatively into our existence and we just except it.... NO ONE. Period!

Here's my personal solution or affirmation:

STARTING RIGHT NOW, each and everyday, as I look at my reflection in the mirror, I will no longer view that image as a stranger. I will no longer see a small or insignificant me. For, everyday that I breathe oxygen on this earth, I will always strive to grow and move forward in life, because the huge impact and influence that I may personally have on others is needed, required and valid. I will become stronger and stronger in self confidence to Live and Love unconditionally. If I sincerely help and invest quality time in those that I know and love, as well as all the others I will encounter... then I can expect and look forward to all my impossibles becoming all of my desired possibles.

Life is a JOURNEY, and every curve, valley, hill, mountain, river, dead end, etc., should be enjoyed and appreciated immensely without reservations. I will work diligently not to focus solely on the DESTINATION!

Believers know this to be true..

If through the rain (hard times), we continue to have faith and unwavering belief in that faith then...

All our days will become Diamonds and none of those days... Stones.

PRICELESS

Every once in awhile, someone speaks or does something that immobilizes you or just simply stops you dead in your tracks. These extraordinary and amazing events can be extremely overwhelming to most of us, even to the point of being just down right... PRICELESS.

Visualize with me for a moment....

can you remember what it was like to gaze up into the heavens and observing your very first sunrise or sunset?  How about the first time you witnessed a newborn coming into this world and watching them take their very first breath.  That moment was especially significant when the newborn's birth I witnessed was that of my very own children.

Events of this nature occur in our lives daily, which is why this particular post is titled.... PRICELESS!!

The following is a just one more example of incredible events communicated in the form of thoughts, that just took my breath away.  These PRICELESS thoughts were written by unknown person(s) to me and because the words are powerful, positive and helpful, I'm motivated to sharing them with all of you.

Please Remember...

Everyone Can't Be in Your Front Row

Life is a theater - invite your audience carefully. Not everyone is spiritually healthy and mature enough to have a front row seat in our lives. There are some people in your life that need to be loved from a distance. It's amazing what you can accomplish when you LET GO, or at least minimize your time with draining, negative, incompatible, not-going-anywhere relationships, friendships, or those we fellowship with!

Observe the relationships around you and be sure to pay attention to which ones lift and which ones lean; Which ones encourage and which ones discourage; Which ones are on a path of growth uphill and which ones are going downhill. 

When you leave or avoid certain people, do you feel better or feel worse? Amazingly some of our chosen  relationships flood our lives with endless drama.  Unfortunately they don't really understand, know and appreciate you for incredible gifts that lie within you.

When we start to value and seek personal growth, peace of mind, love and truth, the easier it will become for us to decide who gets to sit in the FRONT ROW and who should be moved to the rear balcony of and in our lives.

We cannot always change the people around us...,  but we can change the people we are around!

Ask God for godly wisdom and discernment and choose wisely the people who sit in the front row of your life.