Saturday, December 13, 2014

I get so angry I want to cry.  Maybe I just personalize things to much?  Maybe I'm to sensitive?  But being black in America is a struggle that I'm tired of fighting.  It's like being bullied and reaching the point were you aren't going to take it anymore. I don't want to fight anymore, but I can't change people just myself.  I wanted to see the movie "Top Five."  It isn't playing in the area I live.  I've noticed that none of the black films I have wanted to see have been played in the theatre I like to frequent.  However, across town on the "south side" the modern segregation of today the movie is playing all day long.  Is that marketing or a way of keeping people segregated? It saddens my heart to tears.  I just want to live without being judge by the color of my skin.  The misconception of what ignorant people conceive.  It's hard enough that we as people are judge daily, and that we have enough struggles in life on its own, that the extra is the last thing on that camels back.  In my world people would be accepted for who they are; nice, mean, kind, single, married, outgoing, loud, rich or poor whatever the case may be.  No one is perfect and people seem to forget that everyone of us is unique and made in the image of God.  If God can accept us in all his glory and brilliance, and as sinful as we are, why can't we accept each other?  Just venting.....

Do Not Pass Judgment on One Another

14 As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him.Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

Romans 14:1-4


Keisha


Thursday, October 30, 2014

Day 55.  One more day!!!! It's Thursday and Friday isn't coming fast enough. Halloween for some cultures is a time in which they remember their loved ones who have passed on.  They celebrate the life they once had and the love they once shared.  It's a beautiful time to remember those who are no longer with us in flesh, remembering how our cherished loved ones have impacted our lives.  They may have passed on, but will never be forgotten.

What's on my mind.  Injustice.  I dislike when someone in power abuses their power.  I don't like when people who are less fortunate aren't treated fairly.  I can't stand fake people.  The ones who smile in your face like they really care about your well being, and talk mean behind your back, plotting.  I am so glad that God is not man, because if he were he might have some of these faults.  I feel blessed to know on my worse day and in my worse moments he is still by my side encouraging me to stay strong.  I live with the satisfaction that he will make all things right.  That he will make all your dreams come true if you believe.  I know some moments in life can make you doubt or waivers your faith, but the truth is everything happens for a reason.  The challenge today is to give all your worries and cares to God.  Once you give them up let them go and don't think about them anymore.  Today I will leave you with a verse.

◄ Psalm 55:22 ►
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

Keisha

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Day 54. When it rains it pours.  When one thing seems to go wrong then a couple things will follow suite.  When times get hard you just have to dig your heels in the ground, pray, and fight the devil away.  He will strike when you are doing good.  When you are doing Gods work.  Be patient, because this to shall pass.

What's on my mind.  So much to say about so much.  When things transpire and you are doing your best that means a blessing is near. When things really start to turn sour I just pray and hang on, because God's Will is going to win out every time.  Holding strong seems hard sometime, but the end promise is worth the fight.  Life has hard roads, but we have to ride them.  God will never leave us stranded.....the challenge today is to encourage someone going through a tough time to hold on.  Encourage them to pray and pray for them.  Don't forget to pray for your enemies.  Today I will leave you with a verse.

Isaiah 40:31
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Keisha

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Day 53.  I had a horrible day.  When the day sucks it puts a cloud on everything.  I just really had to be thankful that the day was almost over.  Thinking that tomorrow has to be better.  Still looking forward to a peaceful weekend.

What's on my mind.  A lot of negativity.  Trying to focus on the positive.  Trying to center myself and get back to normal.  It's so important to not allow petty things to get you off track.  It's even more important to speak your mind when you feel strongly about something.  Before I act I think about the positives and negatives of my actions and if it can really hurt me I won't risk it.  Fear is incredible.  I envey the person with little fear and chases after life like a tiger to a gazelle.  Life has a way of taking you down paths you didn't really want to travel.  In those instances you just have to find the positives out of the situation.  I believe everything happens for a reason.  The challenge today is to find one thing you love about yourself and celebrate it.  Today I will leave you to think about this challenge.

Keisha

Monday, October 27, 2014

Day 52. Pockets of happiness.  When things get hard my mother would always say just find a pocket of happiness.  Meaning, have something that you look forward to.  It could be a vacation or a day off of work, or spending time with a friend.  Anything that fuels your inner happy can be a pocket of happiness.  After a long Monday, my pocket of happiness is looking towards a nice restful weekend.  Every day is something different.  The excitement of not knowing what blessing is around the corner should be a pocket of happiness.

What's on my mind.  Trying to see things from someone else's point of view.  I really think this would solve a lot of disagreements.  It actually seems like the conclusion of a disagreement is when each party can see the other persons point of view.  Sometimes we have to step outside of ourselves to understand where someone else is coming from.  This is extra hard for stubborn people or people who think they know everything.  It could be as simple as trying to understand how another person views the situation or feels.  In life we have to work together for the better good of everything and everyone.  The challenge today is to think of the one person you don't get along with, but is apart of your life in some way.  Now, try to visualize their side of the situation, putting your feelings aside.  Today I will leave you with a verse.

◄ Philippians 2:3 ►
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,

Keisha

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Day 51.  Not sure how much longer I am going to do this.  This quest to change this upside down world has been productive for me...things that seem natural and maybe common sense to me I've learned may not be the perception of others.  I don't believe I have all the answers, but I do believe that people can learn from others' mistakes and I've made a lot of them in my life.  Hopefully, I can help other people who may be facing some of the same things.

What's on my mind.  Some people get stuck.  People who get stuck have something traumatic happen in their life that causes them to be mentally and emotionally stuck.  It's when they are unable to move forward past the event.  It could mean the loss of a loved one, a lover leaving them, an accident, or being physically or emotionally abused.  Their are so many reasons that a person could get stuck.  The world they knew no longer exists.  They live in a world of pain, anger, self resentment, and fear.  It's hard for them to move on.  Sometime the perception they have of things is a false state of reality.  It's really painful for their loved ones to see them this way and going through what they are.  One day when they are really able to let go of all those feelings I've mentioned and truly ready to move forward they won't be stuck anymore.  Getting to that point takes a lot of work and the motivation to move forward.  I always say the best thing you can do for anyone in a situation like this or any situation period is to pray for them.  Saint Monica prayed daily for her son Saint Augustus who ended up turning his life over to God.  Prayer is powerful.  The challenge today is to sit silently for a significant amount of time and pray for someone who you realize is stuck.  Pray for them to have the courage to move forward, to get past the fear, anger and hurt.  Today I will leave you to pray.

Keisha

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Day 50.  Time flies.  I hope people are living in a way that fuels their inner happy, because no one is promised tomorrow.  I think the worst thing that could happen to someone is thinking that they have time to do this or to do that, and letting time catch up.  Live today and rest tomorrow.

What's on my mind.  I was explaining Heaven and hell to my children.  They are so funny, because they speak their minds.  I told them that the devil likes to lie and deceive them into thinking things that aren't true.  Like that it's okay to lie, or that stealing is fine.  I told them that this life is hard, because we are not home.  That Heaven is our home where there is no pain, hurt, anxiety, or the feeling of being left out.  One of my kids asked if there is food there.  I told them that the food is probably better then we could ever imagine.  "Like ice cream," one yelled out.  I told them maybe something that taste way better then ice cream and all of their eyes got big.  One of them asked how does someone get to hell?  I told them by not following God's laws.  He left us commandments.  He even told us to love our enemies.  He also said that if we believe that he gave his only Son to die for our sins so that we might be saved we would have eternal life.  That if we ask for forgiveness for whatever we've done he knows our hearts and is a merciful and forgiving God.  The challenge today is to talk to God.  If you always talk to him give him thanks and praise for his blessings.  If you don't talk to God often speak to him in a respectful manner like you would your wonderful father who gave you life and so much love.  Every day we breathe is a gift, another chance at being the best person we know we can be.  Today I will leave you with a verse.

Revelation 21:1-5
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

Keisha

Friday, October 24, 2014

Day 49.  It's Friday...time to celebrate and let your hair down. Lol...I guess for some people who work the weekends it's just another day.  However, I am very blessed and thankful that I can take this time for myself.  It's okay to be selfish.  Again, if you are not spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically sound how can you put energy forth to help others?

What's on my mind.  Making time for things that are important to me.  I know, I know! On the weekend I like to talk about self care and how important it is to do things that fuel your inner happy.  It seems so difficult to find time to do the things I enjoy.  When I finally get time to do what I want I usually want to spend it relaxing.  I always tell myself, "okay this weekend I'm going to paint."  Then I get caught up in doing other things.  The challenge today is if you do a lot for other people, be selfish and do something nice for yourself.  Take yourself to the movies, finish that book you started, work on that project close to your heart, or go garden like you said you would.  Love yourself like no one else can.  Today I will leave you with that thought.

Keisha

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Day 48.  Can't wait for the weekend.  One more day!!  The best thing you can do for someone you don't get along with is to pray for them.  I remember once when I felt emotionally harassed at work, I would pray for this person to be so busy that they didn't have time to mess with me.  This is exactly what God encourages is to pray for your enemies.

What's on my mind.  How wonderful it is to spend time with people who are important in your life.  It's a blessing to have family and friends who are always there for you when you need them.  People in whom you can trust when you need advise or an ear to hear you.  Sometimes it's these little things that we take for granted, especially when we are so used to them.  Growing up my mother and father weren't together and I didn't know my siblings on my father's side.  I was the only girl my mother had.  I always wanted sisters and when I look at my family and friends God has blessed me with them.  A lot of times we ask for things and may not realize we have them, because they come in a way that is unexpected.  Like me having sisters who are my brother's wife and my other brother's soon-to-be wife.  I also have two very wonderful friends who are like sisters to me.  The challenge today is to look deeper into what you desire and see if you don't already possess this desire just in a way you've never noticed before.  Today I will leave you with a verse.

Philippians 4:19
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Keisha

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Day 47.  I have road rage. So, remember that no one is perfect.  When we notice character flaws we should take time to work on them.  I was so mad today when a car cut in front of me.  I could feel the anger building inside. I prayed, because we are supposed to be slow to anger.  The most important thing tho is realizing this about myself and actively working on it.  Anger can change your life for the worst in just seconds if you don't handle it.  I am so afraid of this.  So, I will keep you posted on how my anger management issue is going.

What's on my mind.  Following through on things.  I start lots of projects and do not seem to follow through on them.  It takes a lot to motivate myself to do things I have promised or dedicated myself to do.  I am really working on being better at this.  The Ebola scare has calmed down.  That just means the media isn't reporting on it as frequent as they were and this is kind of scary to me.  I keep wishing that I would win the lottery or someone close to me would win so I can travel the world and see the sights.  My closest friends say I am a dreamer.  I always tell them that you have to start from somewhere.  I can't imagine a life without dreams.  The challenge today is to sit quiet for five minutes and imagine yourself in another place.  What would you be doing?  Maybe that is something you should pursue.  Who would you be with?  Does that person know how important they are to you?  Today I will leave you with quiet introspect.

Keisha

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Day 46. I was in a funk today.  I couldn't shake it. That happens when I become my own worst enemy.  Getting down on myself for mistakes.  I am really hard on myself when I make a mistake that effects other people. However, we are not perfect.  I find that I am to trusting of other people.  Not sure when I will wise up and be better about this.

What's on my mind.  Trying to be positive today.  When I have life being life and living it's not always easy.  It's really difficult when I don't let a lot of people in.  It's funny, because I don't let the people who care for me in to allow them to be supportive.  I want to do things on my own and figure out problems by myself....but I trust all the wrong people who have no valued interest in me.  As I write this it makes me feel even more silly.  I guess everyone is the fool sometime.  The only thing I can do at this point is to learn from my mistake and to try not to allow it to bring me down.  The challenge today is to allow someone to help you especially when you really don't want them to.  Today I will leave you with a verse.

Galatians 6:2
Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Keisha

Monday, October 20, 2014

Day 45. What a Monday.  After such a restful Sunday it was hard pulling myself from the bed.  I was thinking that all those super blessed people who just enjoy everyday doing whatever it is they like are so lucky. I guess if no one really had to work, but was able to do exactly what they wanted, no one would.  That is why so many people say it's a blessing to find a job they love doing.  I enjoy my job very much, but with any job their has to be parts of it that you don't like.  However, their are so many people without jobs who would love to just have something.  I am thankful that I have a good job to pull myself out the bed and get to.

What's on my mind.  I cried today looking over pictures of people in Africa who have and are dying from this Ebola epidemic.  I didn't cry until I saw the children lying in the street dead with people stepping over them.  Life is crazy like that.  We are here one moment and could be gone the next.  At times like these I feel for people who don't have the water system we have, who don't have access for food like we do, who don't have the chances we have.  It is truly sad.  I would hope that everyone would see the value in human life.  Each life is important.  To me it doesn't matter if that life is in the United States, Mexico, or Africa.  The challenge today; the best thing I believe we can do if we can't do anything else is pray for all those people who are suffering, who have lost loved ones, those who are dying.  Pray for them to be saved and helped like the doctor who was cleared today and is returning to Africa to continue helping....pray for him.  Today I will leave you with a verse.

James 5:15
And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

Keisha

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Day 44.  On the Sabbath He rested.  And today so did I.  I can't explain the joy I have in doing nothing.  The only reason I like having days like this is because I am so busy during the week.  Their is always something to be done and many times things I don't want to do, but know I need to.  So, today was peaceful and relaxing.  It's the quiet before the storm.  When I get days like this I always believe it's going to be one heck of a week.  I need to rest up so I can approach this coming week with spiritual soundness, emotional strength, mental acuity, and the physical endurance to take it all on.

What's on my mind.  Doing things I normally do not get to do.  With such a busy and hectic week I don't always get to do things that are enjoyable. So, when I get a chance to do them it is amazing.  I used to dance when I was in college for a dance company.  I danced for probably 8 years of my life and I loved it.  So, when I went dancing last night I had so much fun.  It brought back memories which fueled my inner happy.  I think for us to be better people we need to do more of the things that make us happy.  We spend a lot of time doing things that we feel obligated to do.  I know often I don't feel like I have the opportunity to do fun things, but we need to make it an obligation like we do work and taking care of responsibilities.  When we do things that fuel our inner happy then we become happier people.  When we become happier people, so do the people around us, because our feelings are like the rain and sunshine.  When we are down everyone gets wet and poured on, when we are happiest everyone can feel that warmth.  The challenge today is to make sure you do something that makes you happy, and while you are at it....do something that makes someone else happy.  Today I will leave you with quiet introspection.

Keisha

Saturday, October 18, 2014

Day 43.  The Ebola epidemic is worse then what is being lead on.  I hate that our government feels that not being honest with us is the right decision.  Not being honest and being silent kills people.  If anyone really keeps up with what is going on, Ebola has to be highly contagious and airborne.  The way it's spreading like wild fire can not be just through bodily fluids.  Think of it this way, if the only transmission is like that of HIV/AIDS, then why haven't the family members of HIV/AIDS patients been quarantined???  It really sickens me that they haven't come right out to warn people.  We have become so brain washed believing in what the government tells us.  The best analogy I have is the government being like a boss.  Well, our bosses don't always have the right answers nor do they always have our best interest at heart.  Sometime, we have to investigate things for ourselves to find out the right answers.  Ebola has been killing Africans since 1976.  Since then newer and more deadly straines have developed.  Now that our doors have been open to this epidemic we are dangerously at risk.  The government also says drinking alcohol responsibly is okay.  More people die from alcohol use and alcohol related accidents yearly then that of all other drugs combined.  I'm just saying that we really need to educate ourselves.  That means taking information from different sources, putting things together, and using our God given common sense to make a rational conclusion.

What's on my mind.  In this time of uncertainty I rely on hope and faith to get me through.  All along realizing that for me God's will, will be done.  In my life I have learned that his plans for my life have been so much better then my own.  My trust in Him is what I have to keep going.  The challenge for today is to ask pertinent questions and demand responses.  Also, please wash hands, cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing and take care of your loved ones and yourself.  I will leave you today with quiet introspection.

Keisha

Friday, October 17, 2014

Day 42.  Are we really free?  Someone showed me a picture of her students lunch and the portion size.  Is this really the land of the free? If it were we should be able to decide if we want to be fat or not.  And as a parent we should get to decide if we want our children fat or not.  I'm not saying that's a good thing, I'm just saying real freedom is the choice to choose.  I guess you could pack your own lunch and take it to school.  We need to make sure that we get out and vote for people who represent the things that are important to us.  We can't complain about the situation if we haven't actively tried to do something about the situation.

What's on my mind.  Dealing with tragedy.  People cope with tragedy in different ways.  Some people shut down, some people talk about it, some people indulge in things they believe will numb the pain like drugs.  Dealing with tragedy means dealing with pain.  Pain to me is the opposite of love.  Or the absents of love is pain.  You have to fight when tragedy strikes.  You have to fight to keep your sanity and fight to continue on.  Giving up is not an option.  Getting up out the bed to take a shower can make all the difference, especially when you don't want to.  Support is a blessing and that could come in the form of family or friends or a support group.  The key to surviving is to pick yourself up when you fall down.  The challenge today is to be supportive for someone facing a rough life challenge.  Today I will leave you with introspect.

Keisha      

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Day 41.  Do you go above and beyond?  I know that everyone has their own responsibilities, but how many people go beyond the regular responsibilities and do more?  Like volunteering for local organizations, helping the less fortunate, tutoring a child, or anything that benefits someone else?  I just feel like their is always room for doing more.  I have come to experience that giving time and helping someone else enriches or fuels my happiness.

What's on my mind.  The beauty of everyone being different.  I was out in my community today and just looked at all the different people.  Individuality is a beautiful thing.  It was beautiful to see all the different people from different backgrounds, personalities and cultures.  It was even more beautiful to see all the different kids together enjoying each other.  I don't understand how people have time to hate. I had a parent tell me that her mother-in-law told her daughter to not like black people.  I don't know what God she serves, but my God teaches us to love everyone.  He also says teaching a young person to turn from love (Him) is one of the worst things anyone could do.  Why anyone would want to even put hate in a child's heart is unexplainable and disgusting.  In this quest to changing this upside down world the most important key component is that we need each other.  We need people!  Everyone can help by doing their part.  The simple first step in the words of Michael Jackson is to start with the man in the mirror.  We need to start with ourselves and extend that wisdom and knowledge we learned about ourselves to others.  I used to be closed minded, and I am still a working progress, however, hate is in a dark and lonely world where the opposite of love, pain resides.  The challenge today is to embrace and learn about another culture.  Today I will leave you with a verse.

Matthew 18:1-7
Who Is the Greatest?
18 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Keisha

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Day 40.  What means the most to you?  Most people will say God, family, friends, being responsible, those sorts of things.  In this life we have to split ourselves in so many directions to make sure the things that mean the most to us are taken care of.  It's not an easy task.  No one is perfect, so at times we may fall short of satisfying those things.  The trick is to not let yourself get down about falling short.  In this life we will experience ups and downs.  We have to celebrate and hold on to those ups and hold strong and get through the downs.  We must remember like a seesaw that when things are down....at some point we will be up again.

What's on my mind.  Winning the lottery and getting out of the rat race...lol.  Geez, it is not easy being responsible and doing the right thing. However, I believe that not being responsible and doing the wrong things will make consequences so much worse.  It will make life so much harder.  At least when you are doing the right things, you don't have the guilt that you experience from doing bad things.  The very most important part is having someone who will go through these things with you....support is essential.  I can't express how important it is not to pass judgement on someone who makes a mistake.  People take risk and being human means failing.  Kind words can brighten the day of someone feeling so down.  I believe it is our responsibility to uplift and encourage each other.  We need kind words to keep us strong.  For me, I need the help of God to stay strong.  Knowing his mercy and kindness gives me hope and faith to continue on my journey.  Yes, the path is long and the journey will not be easy, but with his help I can conquer all things.  His love is eternal.  The challenge today is to have faith that things will improve.  Have hope that God will see you through and everything you've dreamed will become a reality.  Today I will leave you with one of my most favorite verses.

1 Peter 3:17
For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

Keisha

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Day 39.  I lost focus this past few months of my main goal.  When you want something so badly and really work at trying to obtain it, you can lose focus of the bigger picture.  I feel like an idiot today.  The good thing is the light bulb went on before I exhausted all of myself in this pursuit.  Maybe, the things we have are what we should be happy for and shouldn't strive for more? No, I don't believe that at all..... Because it's good to want more.  Unless, you are being greedy?  If you continue to work at something and work at something and fail....does that mean it isn't for you?  I don't believe that either, because eventually when you do obtain it you will have to decide if the fight was worth it.  I don't want to give up, because I think it would enrich my life....however, working so hard to accomplish this task is interfering with other areas of my life.  When you focus so much on acquiring one thing, other things get pushed aside.  So, I am at the point of asking myself is this really worth it?  It is essential to take the time to examine your motives for how you are living and make adjustments when necessary.

What's on my mind....you guessed it...heartbreak (or you didn't...lol).  It is so heartbreaking when you find out something about someone who you thought had potential...Now, I speak so much about not being judgmental and being understanding.  Cognitive dissonance....so, if you meet someone who stole from a friend of yours, are you going to leave your purse or wallet around them?  We shouldn't judge right, but we do!  How hard it must be for that person who continues to make mistakes and finally decides they are going to change......people who remember the "old them" will find it hard to forget.  I guess how do we in an attempt to change this upside down world rectify a situation like this.  That person will have to be accountable for their behaviors.  We have to be non-judgmental and compassionate.  I guess the challenge today would be to give everyone a fair chance, even when their past continues to plague them.  It's not an easy task, but anything worth having is never easy, and helping each other is something that we must do in this life to be successful.  Today, I will leave you with a verse.

Ephesians 4:28
Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.

Keisha

Monday, October 13, 2014

Day 38.  Some people can be manipulative.  I believe we all should follow our guts which helps to discern the wolves from the sheep.  When you have a bad feeling about something in the bottom of your stomach, avoid it.  When you go somewhere and something inside your soul says, "uh, this doesn't feel right," follow that gut instinct.  Fear sometime can seem like this, but they are different.  Fear is being afraid of the outcome.  The other feeling comes from trying to decide to do a behavior or not.  It's seems so crazy that some people will try to get over on you.  Especially, when they take kindness for weakness.  We just have to continue to be kind.  Vengeance is mine said The Lord, I try to give those to him to deal with.....

What's on my mind.  What it really means to be a good person.  Is it who you are?  Is it what you do?  Is it treating everyone how you would want to be treated?  Is it making the right choices?  I think it's all of those things.  It's certainly not an easy task.  Especially, when we have things thrown at us from day to day.  Juggling life, being kind, and being a good person all at the same time is truly a gift that very few people seem to have.  I know I say this often, but being kind to people elevates things on a different level.  Hearing other people's stories about someone showing kindness to them and that act changing their lives is truly inspirational.  You never know what you say to someone that may change their life.  The challenge today is to speak kindness to everyone you come into contact with.  Today I will leave you with a few verses.

Matthew 10:16

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

Proverbs 16:24
Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Keisha

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Day 37.  I'm late...I went out which is something that I rarely do.  And the funny thing is after dinner I wanted to dance and there was no where to go dancing.....Maybe, because it's a Sunday night?  It was strange being out.  I actually felt liberated and free.  I hadn't felt that way since probably college.  Their is a certain joy that comes from feeling free.  I felt like I could do anything.  When we arrived at the place to dance and only a few cars were in the parking lot I was like dang.  I thought at least they may have some good music on....nope!  Everything happens for a reason, probably just saved myself from humiliation and embarrassment!!!!

What's on my mind.  I was deceitful to someone today.  When I really think about it I don't know why I was.  I don't know why I wasn't honest and just told the truth.  I convinced myself that it wasn't dishonest it was just with-holding the truth.  I felt like for a time I wanted to be someone I'm not.  I wanted to be something that I am not.  I maybe thought that this person would like me less or be less interested if they knew the truth.  Anyway it goes, the truth is bound to come out sooner or later.  The challenge is to demonstrate integrity.  Be honest even when it means giving up or losing something you want.  For all the trouble it probably was not worth it anyway.....true friendship is being able to be yourself with that person and not feeling like you have to be different.  Again, most of the time it's our own negative perception creeping into our minds and making us feel insecure, not the other person's behaviors.  Today I will leave you with a verse.

Proverbs 19:1
Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.

Keisha

Saturday, October 11, 2014

Day 36. It is very true that we have the ability to change each other's mood.  If I am in a bad mood it just brings everyone around me down.  When I am in a good mood people feed off of that.  I've also noticed that when I am in a negative mood everything appears to be more negative and I am less tolerant of others.  So, I am just noticing these things about myself.  I tend to complain a lot.  I'm really trying to work on that, because I have been blessed with life and should appreciate all the beautiful things God has given me.

What's on my mind?  Just thinking about how I can clique and have good chemistry with one person and not have the same with another.  I guess different people's personalities just mesh.  However, I know people who seem to clique and get along with everyone?  I think that maybe they are less judgmental.  Maybe they just overlook things that I wouldn't.  I don't know?  Anyway, I really want to get along with everyone, sometime I notice that I feel awkward around certain people.  Again, that is my own perception.  The challenge for today is to get along with everyone.  I will leave you with a verse.

Matthew 5:44
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Keisha

Friday, October 10, 2014

Day 35.  So excited that it is Friday.  I live for Fridays.  I just love having that opportunity to rest.  I also love to sleep so when Saturday rolls around I am usually in the bed until close to afternoon.  I love it.  I can't stress enough how much self care is needed.  It is very important for personal stability.  For some people self care is working, because it brings them so much joy. What ever it takes to fuel your inner happy take time to do those things.

What's on your mind.  Temptation.  Geez, temptation is so tempting...it's always something you really want to do and know you shouldn't.  It's not easy to fight temptation and make the right choices.  It really takes discipline.  Lots of discipline!  I always tell people to think it through.  In the begging it may seem like a good idea, but what happens in the end? Everything has a consequence.  Focus is important.  Focus on your main goal and how you are going to achieve it.  Most of the time a temptation will interfere with what the main goal is....don't allow that to happen.  In the quest to changing this world we need to stay strong.  When you are on the path to success you will face many stumbling blocks.  Staying strong, avoiding temptation and focusing on the main goal is key.  Today I will leave you with an inspirational quote.

"Darkness comes. In the middle of it, the future looks blank. The temptation to quit is huge. Don't. You are in good company... You will argue with yourself that there is no way forward. But with God, nothing is impossible. He has more ropes and ladders and tunnels out of pits than you can conceive. Wait. Pray without ceasing. Hope." -John Piper


Keisha

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Day 34.  Ignorant people really hurt my feelings.  I don't believe anything evil comes from God.  I believe when children are born they learn from there environment.  So, hate is taught.  It is so sad to see a child learning how to hate.  It hurts my feelings that someone would want their child to have this kind of space in their heart.  We need to teach children to love, respect, and have compassion for others.

What's on my mind.  How important it is to surround yourself with positive people.  With people who up-lift and motivate you to be a better person.  Someone who truly loves you will tell the truth and sometimes the truth hurts. Constructive criticism is from the heart of a loved one.  Surrounding yourself with someone who will emotionally drain you is exhausting.  You can only give so much of yourself that if you give everything you may get lost and end up deserted and resentful.  Someone who truly cares for you wouldn't demand that from you.  It's so important to have someone in your life that has your back.  Someone that doesn't judge your mistakes, but supports your plight.  They will motivate and support you spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically.  The challenge today is to be that person for someone else.  We all need someone.  I will leave you with a verse.

Galatians 5:13
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.

Keisha

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Day 33.  Today, I was my own worst enemy.  I always say that no one can make me feel as worse as I can make myself feel.  I set up standards and when I fall short, taking a risk, and I know the outcome, but think things will go differently and they don't....geez, I feel I let myself down.  I should have known better.  Suffering the consequences of something that I knew was going to turn out bad is the ultimate, worse feeling.  I had to allow myself to go through the mental beat down.  Once I allowed that to occur, I remembered that everyone does something stupid and that I would make better choices next time.  The blessing is that I have the rest of the day to do things differently and to make better choices.  I am learning that I have to take it easy on myself....I'm only human!

What's on my mind.  Loving myself.  I know it's not Friday, but really, how often do we take time to LOVE ourselve?  We get busy working, paying bills, taking care of others.  We need to take time out for ourselves.  I beat myself up so much that I should be loving myself just as much or even more.  Loving myself means being happy with who I am.  I could be worse and I could be better.  I am working daily to be better, but for today I am going to be happy with who I am.  I really need to take more positive risk then the stupid ones.  Does anyone out there just take a leap of faith and do something crazy that is a positive risk?  I guess I do, but the trick is to continue until it falls through.  It's like fishing. You keep fishing until you catch one.  I am going to keep jumping until I catch one.  I was just telling someone how silly it is to continue making the same mistake over and over again, and then I do it.  That is why it is so imperative not to judge someone else for the things they do.  The challenge today is to love yourself, give yourself a hug (I know it sounds corney) just do it.  While you are at it take a positive risk.  You are bound to love yourself more for even trying.  Today I will leave you with an inspiration quote.

You’ll learn, as you get older, that rules are made to be broken. Be bold enough to live life on your terms, and never, ever apologize for it. Go against the grain, refuse to conform, take the road less traveled instead of the well-beaten path. Laugh in the face of adversity, and leap before you look. Dance as though EVERYBODY is watching. March to the beat of your own drummer. And stubbornly refuse to fit in. -Mandy Hale, The Single Woman: Life, Love, and a Dash of Sass

Keisha

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Day 32.  It's getting cold in my part of the world.  This is my favorite time of year.  Although, I am not impressed with the cold mixed with rain, I love the colorful canvas that fall paints for us.  It's amazing how things work in this world.  It's amazing how our bodies work.  I am really trying to appreciate all the things we usually take for granted.  It's very true when people say you don't miss it until it's gone.

What's on my mind.  I am a huge advocate for children, especially teens.  I think they have vibrant and wonderful minds that need support and encouragement.  The saddest thing I've ever encountered is having a teen disclose something to her parents and them not believing her.  Our children look up to us for guidance, love, and support.  They look to us for how to survive in this world.  When a parent falls short on these special survival skills it is truly tragic for that child and the world.  If they can't rely on their parents, or have anyone in whom they can trust, what kind of world does this become for them?  I have learned that the things I think are common sense some people really do not understand.  We all know that children who aren't nurtured and loved can end up working against the common flow of society.  Many studies will tell you this and prove this as being one of the main reasons our prisons are overflowing.  If we didn't need millions of dollars to take care of prisoners that money could be spent on better education, more opportunities for everyone.  It's a sad thing.  This conversation is still relevant even if you don't have children, but have nieces or nephews and even younger cousins.  I am a strong believer that it takes a village to raise a child.  It only takes moments to make impressions on children creating a lasting bond with someone in whom they can rely on.  If everyone did their positive part could you imagine what kind of world we would live in?  If everyone was kind to everyone, made good choices, never hurt each other in any way....geez that would be an awesome world!  If we teach our children how to live like this it doesn't have to be a fairy tale, but can be a reality.  The challenge today is to stand for what you believe in and don't just stand for it, make an active move towards acting on it.  We sometimes stand on the sidelines waiting for someone else to show up when we need to stand up and show up.  So, please show up!!!!  Today I will leave you with inspirational quotes.

"There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children."- Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa

"If we are to teach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children."- Mohandas Gandhi, political and spiritual leader in India

"Children are likely to live up to what you believe of them."- Lady Bird Johnson, former U.S. first lady

Nothing shines brighter then the smile of a happy child-
Keisha

Monday, October 6, 2014

Day 31. What? What? It's Monday!!! I really didn't have all that enthusiasm today.  Monday's are so hard for me.  Getting out of bed and doing the right thing by being responsible and going to work.  It seems like the same thing over and over again.  The wonderful thing about this mundane pattern is that you never know what's going to happen next.  I am grateful that nothing catastrophic has happened.  Nothing really wonderful happened either, but today I am okay with that.  The wonderful thing is that I get a chance to do things better today.  I get another chance at chasing my dreams......

What's on my mind.  How to cultivate inner peace.  I've had moments when I was feeling so wonderful and the world interrupted my mood.  It is so hard not to allow your mood to be disturbed.  It takes true discipline not to allow outside stimuli to effect you in a negative way.  This is something that I am still working on.  It can be the littlest thing that causes me self doubt and changes my mood.  Inner peace and tranquility are absolutely necessary.  I can't imagine a mind that never gets to experience this, and I know those people are out their.  I'm guessing they are either brilliant or mentally unstable.  Me, I'm somewhere in-between.  The challenge today is to try and maintain inner peace.  That means do not worry about bills, or what's going to happen tomorrow.  Total inner peace is acquired by following that old saying, "let all the worries go and give them to God."  Today I will leave you with a verse.

Philippians 4:8-9
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Keisha

Sunday, October 5, 2014

Day 30. They say anything you do for 30 days becomes a habit....it's Sunday.  Almost time for the hustle and bustle of the week.  I am taking this time to appreciate the quiet moment I have.  To appreciate all the blessings and good things I have in my life.  Remembering that their is always someone who is doing better, but there is also someone who is doing worse.  I am always striving for better.  I am thankful for peace and tranquility today.  I pray for all those who have total chaos right now.  Life is ups and downs and the true challenge is making it through the downs.....so you can be up again!

What's on my mind. How so many people with different views see God.  Someone was telling me that this young lady was suicidal, because she was not living her truth and was afraid of what her family would say.  She wanted to tell them that she was a lesbian.  Crazy how we feel obligated to stay strong and together when all we want to do is fall apart.  She found someone who heard her. They were by her side as she told her family and her pastor.  Her paster told her it was the devil and that she was no longer allowed in church.  This makes me so sick.  The God I know loves you for who you are.  He wants you in church.  If sinners aren't allowed in church then the churches would all be empty. Every paster, preacher, priest, all of us are sinners, because no one is perfect.  The God I know and serve loves us all, sin and all.  He wants us to be better and do better, but He knows we will fall short. He is the only one who truly knows our heart.  When you try to understand this it can cause confusion, because He also said that our small minds can't comprehend some of His wonders.  Today don't let someone who believes they are high and mighty get you down.  Mentally you have to build this strong wall for yourself.  Promise yourself that no one will destroy your wall.  Prove all those dream killers wrong by fighting for yourself and believing in yourself.  I believe God gave us life and he is the One who should have the power to distinguish your light in this world.  He promised that when you believe any faith even as small as a mustard seed your light will shine for eternity.  Today I will leave you with a verse.

◄ Matthew 17:20►
20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Keisha

Saturday, October 4, 2014

Day 29. Finding the right relationship can be difficult.  Some people really want a partner and some people just aren't ready for a committed relationship.  You can't force a round peg in a triangle shape.  The object is not to settle, but to find someone who wants the same things you do.  Don't spend your time on someone that may not progress the way you want.  Especially, when they tell you up front they aren't ready for a relationship.  See them for who they are not the potential you see in them.  Finding the right person takes time.  It's important to find out what people are about.  That means spending enough time getting to know them and understanding how they move.  When we first date someone, no one is themselves.  We want to impress.  We do things at the beginning of the relationship that you usually don't do in your day to day living.  We can't help it.  Once you past the honey moon stage you will start to see the real person, and can you deal with that person who starts to appear?  The more comfortable we become with someone the more our true self emerges.

What's on my mind.  Being judgemental.  It's easy to do, but not fair to anyone.  The funny thing about life is we can plan all we want, but life has a way of throwing us in another direction.  When that happens to a person the worst thing that someone else could do is judge them.  God warns us that how we judge people will be the same way he judges us.  In the quest to changing this upside down world we need to work on not judging.  The very thing we judge someone else about could be the space we end up in.  We need to be more understanding and to provide more support.  The challenge is to not judge, but to be more understanding.  Today I will leave you with a verse.

Matthew 7:1-5
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

Keisha

Friday, October 3, 2014

Day 28. It's Friday again.  You know what that means....it's all about self care and making sure you are healthy.  I think people are happiest when they are SEMP sound.  That's my formula; Spiritually, Emotionally, Mentally and Physically sound.  Make sure that on your days off you take time for the things you love. Doing this will help fuel your inner happy.

What's on my mind. Taking this quest to change this upside down world one day at a time.  I always tell people that when you are working on changing anything it takes time.  How ever long it took to develop the unwanted behavior, it's going to take twice that to work on changing it.  The ingredients to changing anything; is the motivation-wanting to change, willingness-doing what ever it takes to change, and time-allowing the process time to work and become a habit and way of life.  So, patience is key.  It's also normal to have a bad day and slip into old behaviors.  The key is realizing and recognizing what's going on and catch it before all of your hard work gets harder.  Anything, worth having is not easy, but we don't want to make things harder then they should be.  Make sure you don't put to much on your plate of life.  The more things you have on your plate the more stressful things will become.  Make sure you laugh a lot!  The challenge is to do something that makes someone else happy.  In turn this will fuel your inner happy.  Today, I will leave you with an inspirational quote.

"Whoever is happy will make others happy too. He who has courage and faith will never perish in misery."
-Anne Frank

Keisha

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Day 27. Being emotionally tired is so much worse then being physically tired.  I had a wonderful day meeting and talking to some brilliant, thought provoking people.  It was so great that I am on emotional overload.  Their is something special about hearing people encouraging you to continue doing exceptional work.

What's on my mind.  How many wonderful people we have in our lives who uplift us and support us in becoming the people we are.  How important it is to have someone that challenges you to be better and to want you to succeed.  Having someone see something positive in you that you couldn't see in yourself is a blessing.  Having that person believe in your power is encouraging.  Especially during times that you didn't believe in yourself.  Sometime, I don't think we realize the power we have.  I don't think we understand the gifts that we have inside ourselves that can change the world....interesting enough some of those brilliant people who came before us in history did, and they acted on it and changed the world making our lives better.  The challenge is to be that person for someone. Be the one that believes in another even when it seems Difficult.  Be the one that challenges them to live out their dreams.  Especially, when no one else is in their corner.  Today I will leave you with a verse.

John 15:13
13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

Acts 20:35
35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Keisha

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Day 26. Communism is one of the craziest things I've ever heard.  I guess everyone's opinion on things are different.  It's just hard for me to comprehend that God brought us into this world and another person can tell you how to live.  I think people should have the freedom to go where they'd like without having to get permission....

What's on my mind.  So many things.  We would like to think that we are free to do and be who we are, but are we really?  The truth is that we will always be confined by the constraints of life and never be truly free.  We are blessed in most areas of the world that we have more liberation then others.  I guess we should be thankful and grateful for that.  My challenge for today is to get as many people as possible to work on the same common goal.  The process of changing this world, one thing at a time that confinds us.  Hatred confinds us.  Today I will leave you with a verse and better understanding of my challenge.

1 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭10‬
I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.

Keisha

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Day 25. How to handle disappointment.  People will disappoint you the most!  I guess everyone knows that.  The thing about being disappointed is the heart ache you feel. Is it our own fault for believing in someone to do something we know may be impossible for them?  Or do we set our high standards on someone else and when they fail we feel hurt?  No one is perfect and we shouldn't hold failure against someone.  We ourselves fail at many things.  We should be supportive and provide this person with encouragement.  Even when they disappoint us continuously.

What's on my mind.  True happiness.  True happiness doesn't come from things or people.  True happiness comes from within.  We have the power to bring ourselves down and to uplift.  It's amazing how many people think the more money or things they have the happier they will be.  Money and things could make life easier, however, happiness comes from within.  Think about it this way, we can throw out something and that same thing can be someone else's treasure.  This occurs because it's how we view the treasure.  So, in the same token that treasure that used to bring you happiness doesn't anymore.  True happiness is aspired by being heathy in all areas of your life.  That means living out your dreams and having the job or career you want, surrounding yourself with positive people to have a strong support group, working hard to maintain emotional, mental, and spiritual stability.  No one can make me smile as wonderful as God can.  The challenge today is to pick out an area of your life that needs work.  If it's your career, work on your resume, think about what you really want to do that can fuel inner happiness.  If it's your emotional/mental state go see a counselor.  I think counseling is good for everyone.  If you want to work on your relationship with God, visit a church or seek out a spiritual advisor that can help.  Life is to short to spend it unhappy.  God gives us the freedoms to decide how we want to live.  In the pursuit of changing this upside down world we have to work on changing the people in it....starting with ourselves.  Can the world be upside down if we are right side up? Right now are you living like you feel in your soul you should?  Today I will leave you with inspirational quotes.

“Before you can improve your life and find a measure of happiness, you must learn to do one thing every day out of pure love.”
 Harold Klemp

“Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence”
 Aristotle

True happiness comes from within, loving who you are, what you do, and aspiring to be even better.
Keisha

Monday, September 29, 2014

Day 24. Do we have compassion?  Compassion is the emotion that one feels in response to the suffering of others that motivates a desire to help.  I would like to think that we have compassion for one another, but sometime it doesn't seem so when working as a whole.  I notice that during a tragedy we seem to pull together as one.  It's a shame that sometimes it takes something horrible for us to come together as one.  I think that being judgmental inhibits our ability to be compassionate.  Jesus said he who is without sin let him cast the first stone, John 8:7.  Judging another person is wrong, especially when anyone can make a mistake.

What's on my mind.  Persistence!  I had someone tell me that if she didn't get a certain thing to happen she would just give up.  Self-defeating.  In life we are bound to fail.  Imagine all the brilliant people that if they had given up our world would have suffered.  Nelson Mandela said "a winner is a dreamer who never gives up."  Mahatma Gandhi quoted, “Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength.”  The key to continuing to pursue a dream is persistence.  Life will make you want to quit, but we must continue on this journey to change this upside down world.  Their are still many things undiscovered in this world that we can tap into.  Still so much to do to build compassion and end being judgmental.  The way we do this is through being persistent.  The challenge today is for everyone to continue pursuing something you once started and left behind.  That could be an art project, a book, a movie, working on improving a relationship.  Whatever it is in your life that at one time you dreamed of doing....do it.  Don't just do it, be persistent about pursuing your dream.  Today I will leave you with a cute video on persistence.

cute for many reasons

Keisha

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Day 23.  I'm sorry, I climbed into bed at 2AM thinking, "dang I feel like I am forgetting something."  Sure enough I forgot to blog yesterday.  Not that anyone missed it?  This weekend I spent time with family.  It is so important to have family.  Even though they can be dramatic and problematic at times, I wouldn't trade them for the world.  No one is guaranteed tomorrow and we were given the family we have by God, so they were made for us.  We should spend time with them putting petty things aside and enjoying them while we still can!

What's on my mind....the power of God.  I really do not have the words to accurately describe his love.  I guess if you imagine having a child and finding out that your child's blood can save the world, but only through death, and sacrificing your child so everyone else can be saved....that's how much his love is for us.  I went to visit a new church today.  It was so wonderful seeing how people can love one another from country to continent through God.  Maybe one day I will write about my own personal relationship with God.  I am trying hard and working everyday to be more Christ like.  It's so hard in this evil world we live in, because I am a sinner.  Today, on my way back home after church a car cut me off.  I could feel the devil trying to convince me to make a bad decision.  It took everything in me to pray that he isn't a jerk to anyone else today.  When you start making the right choices the devil will put up barricades trying to stop you, especially when you've been doing evil for a while.  He wants you to himself.  He will lie, cheat, and try to convince you that doing good is never worth it.....doing good is so worth it.  Giving in and up to God is one decision in my life that I am happy I made.  It's still so so hard everyday, but this battle is worth the fight.  I challenge everyone to fight evil and do good.  In changing this upside down world we have to focus on changing ourselves so we can then help others in their battle. Today I will leave you with a verse.

◄ 1 Peter 3:17 ►
For it is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

Keisha

Friday, September 26, 2014

Day 22. Time to celebrate...it's the weekend oh yea!!! I look forward to the weekend so much.  I think the hustle of the week wears me down.  Weekends are for taking care of your needs or self care.  Especially when we work so hard to change this upside down world we need to stop every now and then and make sure we have ourself together to continue on our journey.  If we are unable to complete our task, because we aren't healthy how can we be successful in our goals.

What's on my mind.  I know I write about this all the time, but the truth is that if we want the world to change we have to look inside ourselves first.  We have to fix the things within us that we know will not benefit us or anyone.  I believe the brain is very powerful and what you feed it will determine how you behave.  If you focus on positive things then you will be more positive.  If you are always negative then that will shower on everyone around you.

Be yourself! It's important tho to appreciate the person you are.  No one will appreciate you as much as you appreciate yourself.  Good and bad, work on what you know you need to, but celebrate who you are.  The challenge is simple, spend time with people who appreciate who you are and support you while praying for those who don't.  Enjoy your weekend with positivity and love.  I will leave you with a verse.

James 5:13
Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

Keisha

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Day 21.  Are you unhappy with your life?  I forgot, but was reminded today that someone always has it better than me and worse then me.  Today I am very peaceful knowing that things could be worse and in this moment they aren't.  If you are unhappy with your current situation pick one thing at a time and attack it with a vengeance.....make good choices, because every choice has a consequence!

What's on my mind.  How impressionable young minds are.  I am speaking about teens mostly.  They believe everything they read on the internet.  They are easily convinced by minimum evidence and lack of common sense.  They like to follow the crowd, because that's easier then standing out and being teased.  They can get brainwashed through the media.  Especially, music that has a negative message can hugely effect their emotional and behavioral state.  We really should work on controlling what's in the media.  Most important, we need to pay attention to what our teens are doing, what they are watching, reading, and who they are associating with.  I really think this is important.  The children will be the ones we pass the torch to who will make the decisions for our world in the future.  We need to teach them well, so they can model our values, of integrity, spirituality, humanism, courage, and perseverance. My challenge is to guide a young mind in a positive direction.  Uplift and support them even when they seem like aliens or try to look like aliens. Don't judge them so they have someone who they can openly turn to in a time of need.  Never take advantage of them, because it can change them forever.  Being a positive source can also change them forever for the best.  Today, do you know where your teen is or what emotional state they are in?  I will leave you with that very important thought.

Keisha

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Day 20.  A smart man makes a mistake and learns from it and a wise man sees the mistake the smart man made and doesn't make that mistake at all.  This came from a young man today who at one time lots of people probably counted out as a loss.  My favorite stories in life are of those when people were counted out.  Counted out as failures, counted out as a threat to society, counted out as a loser.  Those same people who Defy the odds, who were at one time a statistic proved to everyone the old saying, "never judge a book by its cover."  Yes, people can and do change!

What's on my mind.  Sweating the small stuff.  Spending to much time on things that seem insignificant and petty.  Their are so many things in this life that people can focus on.  I for one get distracted by things that really are not important.  I then get caught up in issues that will not get me where I need to be.  It's easy for someone to rain negativity.  It's also easy for someone to pour happiness.  I challenge people to be the source of happiness.  An easy way to be the source of happiness is to smile at someone and ask them how they are doing, and not just to be nice, but because you genuinely care.  The most challenging part would be to offer happiness to someone you dislike or usually don't get along with.  Be the source of happiness.  Don't get caught up in insignificant things.  Today I will leave you with an inspirational quote.

Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be.
Abraham Lincoln

Keisha    



Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Day 19.  I allowed someone today to change my mood.  It was really amazing when I noticed that this had happened.  I'm really trying to be more mindful of these things.  I was cheerful and upbeat.  Actually, I had been in the spirit and feeling wonderful.  That kind of wonderful that makes you sing out loud.  And in one moment someone said something negative to me over the phone and an unhappy switch flipped.  The crazy thing is that I probably took it more negative then what he was actually meaning it to be.  That's how life is....one minute you are smiling and things are going well, you are feeling good and in an instant things can change.  So, today I was wondering why we really care what other people think about us?  Our society has us so paranoid.  We are plagued by so much negativity that it filtrates throughout our daily living.  We really have to hold tight to our beliefs or life can eat you alive.  It's so important to not allow negative people to disturb your happy, because they will every chance they get.

What's on my mind.  How hard it is to let go of negativity.  How hard it is to let go of something you know is not good for you. How that one thing or few things tempt you.  It could be a person who you know is bad for you.  It could be drugs or a lifestyle.  Letting it go could be one of the most difficult things you ever tackle in your entire life.  The first step is realizing what is bad for you.  I challenge you today to examine your life and figure out what that is?  If you know what it is the challenge is to come up with three ways you can avoid whatever it is.  Today I will leave you with the Serenity Prayer.

Serenity Prayer
Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971)

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.


Keisha

Monday, September 22, 2014

Day 18.  I was talking to a very intelligent and wise woman about the choices we make in life.  We were discussing the fact that at any moment we could die.  I know it sounds morbid, however, with this known fact are we really living each day like it is our last?  Do we take advantage of all the things this world has to offer?  Are we really living or are we just existing?  The biggest unexplainable anomaly is we work hard in hopes of enjoying the booty when we feel our labor is complete.  For some that may never happen.  And in the event that it doesn't would you regret not doing what your heart's desire is?  It could be singing, writing, being a comedian, acting, being a teacher, whatever the case may be.  Right now in this moment are you doing what brings you happiness?  Do you have the courage to walk out on faith and fulfill your souls desire?

What's on my mind.  The education system.  I just heard today that if someone is on social security and has student loans they will take that social security check?  This is outrageous!  The majority of people who go to college will have to take loans.  The problem is the job usually doesn't pay enough to help pay off the student loans and provide the individual with a comfortable standard of living.  So, it's like a bookie (the government) you owe that money and they will make your life miserable until it's paid!  Why should someone be penalized for wanting to better themselves.  Same with government assistance.  It should be used as a stepping stone for those who want more.  So, why if you decided to work assistance is cut.  You don't even get a 90 day keep your assistance while you are on your new job probationary period.  It should be the more you work the more help you receive.  Middle class should get food stamps.  A single working mother or father who ask for assistance should get it!  Our upside down world makes it too easy for people to not be motivated.  Why would you be motivated to work if you can stay home and get food stamps, public housing, and free childcare.  All that has got to be worth more then $7.25 an hour.  A minimum wage that is nearly impossible for anyone, but a single teen living at home to work with....really?  Life happens....I knew a lady who was an at home mom right out of high school and her husband worked.  He started messing with drugs and she ended up alone with no job experience and a child.  She needed the system as a stepping stone.  She was treated like the worst person in the world, because she needed help.  We live in a society that looks down on those looking up for a hand to help pull them out of the whole.  It's really sad and disgusting.  Like I always say, the person you are looking down on may one day be looking down at you and hopefully they have heart (you didn't have) to reach for your hand.  That same woman I was referring to went to college and earned her masters degree.  The challenge today is to think with your heart and soul not with logic and datum.  Changing your perception about those less fortunate may give you a desire to reach out your hand.  Today I will leave you with a verse I woke up to this morning.

Proverbs‬ ‭19‬:‭20-21‬
Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life. You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail.

Keisha

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Day 17. Is human life priceless?  Sometime it seems that socioeconomic status like race determines how valuable a life is worth.  How can someone in good conscious not value life and want health care for people who can't afford it?  It doesn't make sense to me.  All life is precious!  People who commit crimes get better dentist care then a working single mother with children?  Why shouldn't it all be equal?

What's on my mind.  How different people would be to each other if everyone was the same race and everyone made the same amount of money.  I guess vain people would find something else to separate themselves from the "unworthy."  The funny thing is that we are all the same human race. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said it best when he suggested that people be judged by the content of their character and not by the color of their skin and may I add how much money they have.  I have learned in my life that when you judge someone, or belittle someone, based off of their life circumstances, the way life changes you could be in the same spot.  Think of all the brilliant people who have shaped our world for the better.  They all come from different backgrounds, different cultures, different socioeconomic status.  They were all someone's child, someone's brother, someone's sister, someone's father or mother.  Everyone is priceless.  Today I challenge you to stand up for the weak, lend a hand to the less fortunate.  Give a gift to someone in need and that gift could be a smiling face instead of a judgmental one or that of an understanding heart.  Today I will leave you with a verse and a video

1 Samuel 16:7
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

To be first you must be last.....

Keisha

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Day 16. It's a beautiful day in my part of the world. I enjoyed the nice breeze kissing my face.  The clean air that I am so grateful to take into my lungs. The bright sun shinning down on me with warmth.  I am appreciative of the little things today.  I really want to discuss spirituality.  I understand and appreciate people's individuality.  Every one believes and feels different about everything.  This is why our world is so special.  We are the ones however, who take special things and transform them into unappreciative things.  Funny, as I finish this writing today the breeze has turned harsh and cold.  The sun has disappeared and that gray, dark, cloud covers the ski pouring thunderstorm rain down.  Things change, life changes in a blink of an eye.

What's on my mind.  Today is God.  I have this friend who sends me frequent videos on scientific evidence of the assertion that God doesn't exist.  He spends so much time on researching this that I wonder if he's questioning his own belief.  I don't need to research for more understanding.  Like I always hear...when you know you just know!!!  Their have been many times in my life were God has spoken to me and like Jonas I didn't listen.  Not fortunate like Jonas I wasn't put back on the right path, but forged my own and that never brought me to my true happiness.  When I listen to His calling the outcome is usually better for me.  I say usually, because like a child we don't always want to do what we need to do.  When things are good I pray, when things are bad I pray, when I feel lonely I pray, when I feel sad I pray, when I feel grateful I pray. Their isn't a good or bad way to pray.  Speaking to God for me is like talking to my Father. I do it with love in my heart, happiness in my spirit and hope in my mind.  If praying to God gives me hope why not?  For those who don't believe do you teach your children about the tooth fairy or Santa Clause?  Do you give them that hope?  That's a bad analogy, because God and his ways are so magnified that our small brains still can't comprehend the numerous miracles that occur every day.  By no means am I perfect.  I have to work on my spiritual growth daily like any relationship.  I am a sinner.  Nothing worth having in this world is easy.  To make this upside down world better we have to start with ourselves first.  Today my challenge is for you to pray.  If you already pray make sure you pray for those who haven't found God yet.  Prayer is powerful. Today let's use this gift that is special.  Today I will leave you with inspiration from the Bible.

Matthew 7:7-12
Ask, Seek, Knock
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.  9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Luke 18:1-8
Parables on Prayer
18 Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, 2 saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man. 3 There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me legal protection from my opponent.’ 4 For a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge *said; 7 now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? 8 I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”

Keisha

Friday, September 19, 2014


Day 15. One of the worst feelings in the world is when a loved one is hurting and you can't do anything about it.  I really don't want to say you can't do anything about it, because what I really mean is that you can't take their pain away.  You can always give support, understanding, and find comfort in knowing that you are there for them.  Being a friend is vital to any relationship.  When I say "being a friend" I mean behaving for someone like a good friend would in a time of need.  Everyone needs a good friend when life happens and knocks someone off balance.  Sometimes it's difficult to be a good friend when you have your own difficulties.  It's really hard when you are deep into a situation and can't see the sheep from the wolves.  The people who care about you tell you about the wolves, but that fog in your brain keeps your vision blurry.  We all learn from these situations and everyone will go through it at least once in a lifetime. The main point is to do the best you can in the situation you are dealt and always be a good friend to someone else.

What's on my mind.  High speed chases.  It seems like life is full of high speed chases.  Like time is racing by and everyone is trying to catch up and chase the next thing.  That next thing could be a new job, a better car, a boyfriend or girlfriend, a new house, different friends, new opportunities.  I guess it just feels like their is always something to go after.  Hopefully, after all that speed and chasing we make time for ourselves.  Like finding time to slow down and enjoy the little things.  Going out and doing something you love.  Finding time to enjoy your hobbies.  If you keep bending a branch it will break, same goes for us.  As the weekend approaches I am going to try not to think of what I have to do next week, or what bills I have to pay, but I'm going to focus on spending time unwinding and allowing my body the relaxation it needs.  A happy spirit lives a long life.  A friend and coworker passed away not too long ago.  I was thinking how he is gone and life keeps moving without him.  One day life will keep moving without me or you.  So, the challenge today is to take the negative moments in life and used them as experiences thus changing them into positives.  Keep moving forwards, because life doesn't stop or slow down for our issues. Today I will leave you with a few verses.

3 John 1:2
Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.

1 Peter 5:7-9
Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.


Keisha

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Day 14. Yesterday I was angry.  Today the person whom I was angry with apologized for how they
handled the situation with me. I also apologized for my part in the electricity spark.  I was more hurt then anything.  That's the thing with anger.....is the initial feeling most of the time isn't anger it's embarrassment, hurt, disappointment and other feelings that turn into anger.  Anyway, I had a pretty good day.  Very excited about tomorrow being the last work day of my week.  Smiles all around brings everyone joy!

What's on my mind....setting goals.  I used to set goals and knock them down one by one.  For maybe the past few years I've lost focus and haven't really set many goals for myself.  I was kind of just going with the flow of life.  That could be dangerous.  Just going with the flow of life had me in places with people and situations that I really didn't want to be in.  The first step was realizing where and what I wanted to do with myself.  Once I narrowed down where I wanted to be in life, and what I wanted, things started falling into place.  I really believe that anything you dream of and you work hard for can come to fruition.  So, today I am focused on setting goals and dreaming big.  I challenge you today to set at least three goals you would like to accomplish within the next year.  I challenge you to knock them down one by one.  This is certainly a step forward in the process of changing this upside down world one step at a time.  Today I will leave you with inspirational quotes.

A goal is a dream with a deadline. -Napoleon Hill

You’ll fail at a 100% of the goals you don’t set. -Mark Victor Hansen

An individual without a goal is like a person white water rafting without paddles allowing the current to just carry them is dangerous. -Keisha

Keisha

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Day 13. And what a 13th day it was.  I got so angry at someone today that I could feel the rage inside me building.  It's such an unpleasant feeling.  It took everything I had not to lash out.  The tension we had between us was so electric meaning if someone had stood between us I feel like they would have been electrocuted.  Even now when I write this I have such an angry feeling towards this person.  It's really difficult in life when you don't want to be around someone and you have to be.  It takes a lot of self control to get the job you came to do done without having this person effect the work you have to perform.  It's like trying to change your life and having the devil come mess up what you have going.  You have to pick up your feelings, maintain your composure, and continue on with purpose.  It's not an easy thing to do.  I always feel like when things are going well the devil doesn't like it and will battle you until you give up.  Servants of God you can't give up!  He will be at every door, every corner, under every thing you lift trying to destroy you and what you have created.  The poor weak souls give in, the weak and slightly stable souls get lost, but the strong souls, fight with every fiber, every muscle, every bone, and the spirit always wins in the end...and the battle starts over......

What's on my mind?  The people who we care about the most have the potential to hurt us the most, because they know our weaknesses.  They know what buttons are the wrong ones or (to get you fired up) the right ones to push. Some people have a rough patch and unload their trash on you. It's really difficult to not allow these things to get to your heart.  Understanding is key.  Keeping in mind that maybe they are going through something.  Don't do to them what they do to you.  Don't do to anyone what they do to you. Try not to allow them to bring you down.  I truly believe in everything happening for a reason.  Sometimes in life we go through rough times, because they make us stronger.  Some of us should be the strongest people in the world!  However, when you go through these things and come out a campion then you have the wisdom to help someone else who is currently going through something similar.  The challenge today in changing this upside down world is to help someone going through what you went through.  Give them sound advise and support.  Be a shoulder for them to lean on.  I believe this also brings strength to your soul.  Today I will leave you with an educational video.

Anger Management

Keisha

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Day 12.  Today I have been on an emotional roller coaster.  I was tired this morning and didn't want to get out of bed...well, that's every morning.  But in the afternoon I was up and down.  The mind is a powerful and serious tool.  I was in a decent mood until I started thinking about negative things and feeling sorry for myself.  It's amazing how self talk can bring you down and lift you up. Being able to speak positive to yourself has to be a learned trait.  I say this because we are our own worst enemies.  No one can talk to me as negative as I can talk to myself.  In this quest of changing this upside down world I continue today to work on staying positive.  I am also being mindful that allowing the negative in can effect my mood and in turn effect someone else's mood who I come into contact with.

What's on my mind today.......LOVE.  Such a profound emotion that when practiced can be liberating and devastating.  It's amazing to me how people are attracted to each other.  Why some people are more attracted to others and vise versa.  I'm sure their are lots of studies that can explain this ideology.  I just think it's amazing how we as people connect with each other.  I really think the first part is finding a common interest.  However, once you are in love it can be amazing.  Being in love makes people do amazing things.  When someone is in love they can climb the highest mountain and brave the coldest storms. Why should this surprise anyone when God basically said of all the greatest feelings love is on top.  I can't image anyone not having experienced this wonderful feeling.  Love comes in different forms, so I would think it impossible not to have embarked on it sometime in ones life.  I think if people love more, then their is less time for loves' arch nemesis "hate."  I challenge you today to be more open minded and love more.  Sometime in life we hold our love back like only a few people deserve it.  It should be the opposite, we should hold back hate and love more, because everyone should be exposed to our light.  Today I will leave you with a verse.

Matthew 5:43-45

Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Keisha