Power of the Tongue

courtesy of http://deanneleblanc.com/

Hey Peeps!

So I'm sure that I've spoken on this subject before on this blog. But this also ties in to my daily gratitude challenge. WATCHING MY WORDS!!

Lately my favorite thing to say is...I Can't Take This Anymore. I can be referring to a lot of things that I'm dealing with that I'm just tired of dealing with. Like smelly people on the train that just HAVE to sit beside me or stand over me. OR Spending my day on someone else's time schedule. Whatever it is that annoys me the first thing out of my mouth is...I Can't Take This Anymore or I'm so freaking tired of this. 

You know the drill.

So I want to watch my words carefully going forward especially during my 30 Day Gratitude Challenge. So the next time I get frustrated or annoyed or pissed off or irritated, what will I say? How about...

This too shall pass or 

This is only temporary or 

BE EASY YOGI, BE EASY (I just stole that from Sirena at TinyBuddha.com :-) )

Let's Get It Together people and make the next 10 years of our lives the best 10 years of our lives!

You with me?

Good....now check out this article below that made me think about this!

Stay Blessed....Stay Tuned....

Power of the Tongue: Speaking Death and Negative Words

by NAQUAN on DECEMBER 6, 2009 http://2praisegod.com/blog/2009/12/the-power-of-the-tongue-speaking-death-and-negative-words/

“Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me”

Many of us have heard this phrase before but have you ever notice that it’s easier to remember the hurtful things said to you than the good ones?  Truth be told, words are very powerful and if used the wrong way, can hurt you.  God tells us in His word that “death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof” (Proverbs 18:21).   In other words, you will eat what you speak; the outcome of your future is a byproduct of what you speak whether good or bad.  Based upon scripture, your words can do two things for you: curse you or bless you; however, I will focus on how we as Christian curse ourselves (speaking negatively and foolishly).

Proverbs 18:7 (KJV) states, “a fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul”.  For better understanding let’s look at what the NIV says, “The mouths of fools are their ruin; they trap themselves with their lips”.

Let’s examine this scripture.  According to dictionary.com, a fool can be defined as a weak minded person.  One who lacks judgment or sense.  So according to Proverbs 18:7, the words of a fool (a weak minded person) can bring about their ruin (wreak, destruction, downfall, mess up, collapse and defeat).  In other words, your mouth can lead to your destruction and defeat; it can lead to poverty, lack, unhappiness, a failed marriage, low self esteem and more.  When speaking negative and foolishly, whether playfully or out of anger, what you’re actually doing is cursing the blessings God has for you.  Your negative speaking not only affects your life (including circumstances in your life), but it also impacts the life’s of others as well.

Speaking Negatively: A Solution

Avoid speaking, saying or surrounding yourself around people who are speaking negative around or about you – it’s cursing the blessings God has for your life.  God says he has plans to prosper you, not to harm you; so avoid saying things such as: I’m broke, I have no money and I’m just barely making it by.  This (along with any other negative thing) all goes against the blessings God has in store for you.  Instead say, I’m wealthy, I have more than enough, my God shall supply all my needs, The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.

Begin speaking the Word of God over your life.  Find a scripture in the Bible that tells you what God has to say about your particular situation.  Example: the next time you want to say, “No one loves me” go to John 15:9 and speak what Jesus says about you, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.”  How awesome is it to know that God loves you. 

If you’re in debt, instead of saying, “I’ll never get out of debt”, read Deuteronomy 28:12 and say aloud, “The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none.”

As Christian, we need to stop blocking God’s blessings by speaking negatively.  God wants to bless us but we become a hindrance to ourselves in receiving Gods blessings when we speak things that are in opposition of Gods Word.

On today, make a decision.  Proverb 15:4 tells us that a tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.  Decide today that you will watch what departs from your lips.  Make a choice to speak God’s blessings over your life.  Through the power of the Holy Ghost we have the power to speak God’s blessings over our lives and with the same tongue (if used negatively) can speak curses over our lives.

Here’s an example of things we say that sounds harmless but is actually stopping God’s blessing in your life and cursing you:

• I’m poor; I’m broke; I have no money
• I have (name of disease), I’ll never get healed from it.
• I’m ugly
• I’m a failure
• I’ll never find love
• God doesn’t love me
• My marriage is going to fail
• I’m going to lose my job
• I’m stupid
• I’m a worrier
• I’m sick and tired of _________.

By speaking these words, you’re claiming it to be so in your life – you’re decreeing and declaring brokenness.  Even if you are sick, don’t go around claiming it, instead say you’re healed.  Do this for every other negative thing in your life.  Remember words are seeds that can yield a good or bad harvest in your life –depending on what you speak.  The very essence of our being was spoken into existence by God.  Monitor what you speak.  Every time you want to speak negative, stop, ask God to change your heart and to renew your mind.  Then, fix your mouth to speak God’s blessings upon your life instead:

• I’m more than a conqueror
• I’m prosperous
• By the strips of Jesus I am healed
• My marriage is saved
• My spouse and children are saved in Jesus name
• I have God’s favor upon my life
• I’m the head and not the tail
• I have my career job in Jesus name

Conclusion

Words are powerful – they are seeds that yield a good or bad harvest (depending on what you speak).  There is power in finding scripture(s) on your particular situation and speaking what God has to say about it instead of your flesh.  God wants to bless you.  Don’t let your mouth get in the way of your blessing.  Pray with me:

Heavenly father thank you.  Thank you Lord for your Word and blessings.  Father, I ask in the name of Jesus that you help me to speak life and not death.  Place a guard over my mouth in Jesus name that I may not speak anything that is in opposition of your word and promises I have through your Son Jesus Christ.  Father I plead the blood of Jesus against every idle word I’ve said that was negative –cancelling out its power.  From this day on I make a decision to speak your blessings upon my life and the life’s of others.  I thank you Lord that by your strength and with the leadership of the Holy Spirit I’m able to do this.  Father, I thank you in advance for the blessings your spending my way and I praise your holy name.  I receive your blessings and will decree and declare them daily.  These things I pray and ask, believing that their already done; in Jesus name, Amen.

May you be encouraged and may God bless you in Jesus name.

Hey Peeps,

It's been a minute...I just wanted to pop in quickly today and share something with you. I've been on an emotional rollercoaster for the past....hmmm.....three years actually A LOT of changes in my life that have taken place and have left me in a state of WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON? ha!

I want to share this article with you that I read today....hope this blesses you.

Stay Tuned....Stay Blessed

Trusting God When You Don’t Understand

by NAQUAN on APRIL 2, 2010 http://2praisegod.com/blog/2010/04/trusting-god-when-you-dont-understand/

It’s easy to say, “give your cares to the Lord and trust Him” when everything in life seems to be going well.  It’s easy to say, “I trust you Lord with everything I own” when bills are paid on time and when you just got a promotion at work.

However, if God striped you of everything you own; If God told you to leave the very job that’s paying your bills, will you trust the Lord enough to do it?  Will you trust God even when you don’t understand; even when life hurts?  If God told you to leave the familiar and enter the unfamiliar, will you trust Him?

For many of you, God has done just that.  He has taken you from what’s “oh so familiar” and redirected your paths into the unfamiliar.  You don’t understand what’s happening in your life; what to do or where to go.  The only thing you know is that the Lord gave you a word (instruction, a promise, vision, etc) and the only thing you have to hold on to is that word.

I understand the feeling; you’re not alone.  There is encouragement for you today.  Here are 4 things to remember whenever you feel as though you don’t understand what God is doing and/or allowing in your life.

Consider the Source

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last (Revelation 22:13).

Who else can say that but God?  No one, only God can say such a thing.  God knows everything: the past, current and future and our knowledge and understanding doesn’t even compare to the knowledge and understanding of God –  even when it applies to our own life.

Furthermore, when you don’t understand what God is doing in your life, consider the source – Who is it that you’re trusting; God or yourself?

Here is something to remember.  Man is fallible; we fall short and at times we’re unable to keep our promises.  Man can give you instructions that are misleading and imperfect.  With God, none of these things are possible.  God keeps His promises, God gives you right instructions according to His perfect will and He won’t mislead you.

No matter how much you don’t understand life as it is right now; no matter how uncomfortable it may seem or how hard it gets, don’t give up.  If God is with you -  the same God who spoke life into you, the same God who IS and knows the beginning and the end, the same God who knew you before the foundation of this world -is with you, then ask yourself who or WHAT can stand against you.

Consider the source and seek to be obedient to the Lord, even when you don t understand what God is doing in your life; don’t worry about “this or that” because God has provisions for you.

Trust the Lord

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).

When you learn to trust the Lord, you will begin to have a sense of rest in the Lord knowing that He has everything under control even when life seems to be out of control.  Trusting God will get you to the point where you make a decision to trust in Him and NOT in your own logic and understanding.

As Christians, we must make a decision to trust Him regardless of how scary the situation may seem.  Trusting God doesn’t prevent you from being in uncomfortable situations but it does allow you to be placed in a position where you seek the Lord’s presence, provisions, guidance and promises.

I encourage you to stop stressing yourself out- losing sleep, being weary, anxious, worried, depressed and sad.  Don’t try to understand the ways of God because it is impossible for you to understand His decisions and ways! (Romans 11:33). The natural man cannot understand the things of God.  For God’s ways are higher than mans, they are past finding out and this is why we must make a decision to trust our all knowing God.

Be Obedient

The bible states that “obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22)” which should tell you a lot about our God.  God places significance on obedience.  He’ll much rather you be obedient to His instruction than for you to give Him sacrificial praise, money offerings, fasting and etc.

Why do I bring obedience up?  Because when God gives you instruction and you’re in a situation where you don’t understand what’s going on in your life, you need to be reminded to be obedient and to trust in the one who does understand – Christ.   There are blessings that follow a person who is obedient just as there are curses that follows a person who is disobedient.

God Will Lead You

The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you” (Genesis 12:1).

God told Abraham to leave everything he knew; everything he was familiar with and to enter into the unfamiliar.  God told him to go into a land which he will show him which meant Abraham didn’t know where he was going; He only had the instruction of the Lord to depend on.  Abraham could have easily said, “God, where will I go; what will I eat and drink”, but he didn’t.  He chose to trust God and be obedient and as Christians we must learn to do the same.

“It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8).

As much as we would like God to give us “what where when and how” upfront all the time (all in one shot), God does not operate like that.  Sometimes, God will place you in a satiation where you have to trust Him and He’ll give you piece by piece as you obey and trust Him.

As a person who’s been in this situation, I will tell you that this only increases your faith as you learn to walk by faith and not by sight.

Trusting God When You Don’t Understand: Finial Words

I don’t know what your story is (your more than welcome to share it below), but I encourage you to trust God even when you don t understand what’s happening in your life.

You may not understand life and all that’s happening; but God will give you a piece to the puzzle as you learn to step out on faith, trust and obey him.

Don’t let the devil fool you into believing that you’re taking a step backwards in life or that you’ll never make it out of this situation; because you will.  What you’re going through is temporary.

Encourage yourself in the Lord daily; read His word; pray without ceasing and seek His face.  The next time you find yourself in a position where you are stressed and worried about what God is doing in your life remember to:

1. Consider the Source
2. Trust the Lord
3. Be Obedient
4. Trust God to Lead You

Prayer for Trusting God’s When You Don’t Understand Life

Heavenly Father,

I ask that you place within me your obedient spirit so that I may be obedient to your instruction.  Help me Lord to walk by faith and not by sight.  I don’t understand what you’re doing in my life, but I make a decision to trust you God.

In this season, I ask that you place within me your spirit of joy, peace and rest.  Give me joy; peace and rest to endure all that comes my way.  Right now, I make a decision to trust you Lord because I know that you’re in control of my life even when my life seems to be out of control.

Lord, I thank you for clarity, guidance, provision and strength.  I pray and ask for these things in Jesus name; Amen.

Pray and stay in the word of God.  There is strength for you in the word of God.  Trust the Lord and be obedient even when you don’t understand life and what God is doing.  Be blessed and encouraged in Jesus name.

My 2014 Intentions (No Resolutions)

Image credit: justaa / 123RF Stock Photo

Hey Peeps,

It's the new year and we are all gun ho about starting fresh and new!

Everyone is making new year's resolutions, writing down their goals and plans for 2014, and promising to do better, be better and have better.

I plan to begin transforming into the person that I know I was PURPOSED to BE. (click to tweet)

2014 is all about living life on PURPOSE! (click to tweet)

I won't call what I want to do or plan to do, be , have or change resolutions...I will call them my intentions. If I intend on doing something I think that it gives me more motivation to accomplish those things.

I don't want to just focus on goals...I set a lot of goals for 2013 that I didn't reach just like years before that. I need to also focus on the system that needs to go in place that will make achieving those specific goals more effective.

ACTION (i.e. Process/System) + GOALS = SUCCESS

2014 CAREER GOALS

• 12 new titles for my publishing company Rome Gibson Publishing (I'll have 2-3 new storylines & they will equal to 12 or more books but they are going to be in serial format not necessarily 12 new standalone titles)
• Excel spreadsheet tracking royalties, sales, and expenses for tax purposes
• 14 new short stories (won't be doing this)
• Work from home full-time
• 1,000 new subscribers to my mailing list
• Become a highly read and recommended author in my genre

*this list may change as the year progresses but for right now this is what I've come up with so far!


ACTION STEPS TO REACH CAREER GOALS

My main focus is to create the habits of a successful author, how do I plan to do that:

1. put my career first, treat writing as my business and SHOW UP DAILY to perform (just like I do for my 9-5 job on a daily basis)
2. write five days a week, minimum 1,000 words per day which is 1 hour for me (Weekends are optional writing days)
3. publish a new title once per 30 days minimum (short story, novella and/or novel)
4. read fiction and watch movies to refill the creativity well on weekends
5. cut back on TV and other distractions on writing days especially if I have not met my quota for the day
6. get as much writing done during the 8 hours on my 9-5 job during slow time (sometimes I'm too mentally drained to just focus in the evenings)

MY INTENTIONS

--I intend to write 6k words per day (Mon-Fri) in order to achieve my goal of 12 new titles (minimum for 2014, either novella or novel) and 14 new short stories (free and paid, 8-10K stories on all publishing platforms).
Writing 6k words per day equals to 6 hours of writing time for me. I find that I write better when my mind is clear which is typically during my work day, by the time I get home in the evenings I'm tired from doing the mundane office work, answering phones, commuting and running errands, that all I want to do is eat and go to bed. So if I can fit in as much writing as I can at work during those 8 hours I will have more flexibility in the evenings just in case I get home late one night and really just need to crash.

--I have to start keeping track of my expenses and royalties on a monthly basis starting this month for tax purposes. I'm also going to take a Taxes for Authors class with Diane Kelly on savvyauthors.com starting Jan 20, 2014. I'm new at the self-employed thing and need to learn all I can because I intend to do this full-time in the near present.

--Participating in giveaways and cross promotional efforts with other authors, as well as some guest blogging, will get my name out there which will in turn help me to become a highly read and recommended author in my genre.

--Putting a link to my mailing list in my emails, website, blog, and in my books, will help to increase my subscribers.

ALL OF THIS.....(plus the sales of my books) will help me to get to the point that I can do this full-time by the end of 2014.

*I can't control the sales aspect but I can control my production level and with more books to buy I increase my chances of more sales. It only takes 1 book to take off guys....out of the 12 that I intend to write....I increase my chances of producing that one! :-D

OPPORTUNITY + PREPAREDNESS = SUCCESS *there is no luck (click to tweet)


Happy 2014 Everyone!
I wish you nothing but the best!

Until Next Time...
Stay Blessed....Stay Tuned!


**updated: 4/19/14

My Year In Review 2013 (And 2012)

Image credit: maxkabakov / 123RF Stock Photo

Hey Peeps,

So I wanted to take the time to reflect on my last two years to see what went right and what went wrong. This will give me an idea of what I want and need to focus on in 2014 which I will do another post about my plans for 2014.

I'm sure I've stated this before, the last two years have been extremely challenging for me. Let's take a look at 2012.

What went right in 2012:

• I got out of a toxic relationship....best decision ever!
• I saved more money in that one year (by moving into a much cheaper apartment) than I had saved in all the years since moving to NY (in 2003)
• I flew for first time SOLO....I realized that I hate airports and I know that I will need to have a private jet ha! I can never get comfortable on planes.
• I was able to go home to ATL to visit my family
• I finally went to the Taste of Chicago! I'd been wanting to go there for two years.
  
• I finally went to Vegas! That was amazing...definitely need another trip there!
  
• I spent New Year's Eve with some of my great friends from Astoria!
  
• I had a fun summer for the most part going to day parties, meeting new friends, etc.
• I published my two books on Amazon (under a pen name which I have since unpublished)! The beginning of my career!

What went wrong in 2012:

• I left my apartment after living alone for 5 years and ended up in a much smaller cramped basement apartment that I ended up hating. I cried a lot missing my apartment in Astoria.
• I didn't save my target savings goal
• My book didn't sell millions so it created a lot of self doubt (I wanted an instant rise to stardom I suppose LOL)
• I got extra unwanted roommates in the apartment that I was renting and they made my stay miserable as hell
• I started my emotional roller-coaster feeling that I had completely lost myself.

Now let's look at 2013...

What went right in 2013:

• I moved from that basement apartment into an apartment that was more spacious and with a close friend of mine (it's in Brooklyn and I still miss Astoria....badly ha! I think I always will miss living there; its the best place to live in NY in my opinion.)
• I published two new books!
  
  
  
  
• I'm actually building a career and making money from it while I'm learning! ha!
• I went on my first cruise!! Amazing experience! Will definitely have to do it again....every year if possible!
  
• I cut my hair and love my new style....it totally fits my personality and I can always change it up! Loving it!
  
• I got a new laptop specifically for writing! (Don't sleep on QVC...I just learned about them this year and took advantage ha!)
• My ex finally stopped contacting me...geez!
• And...I met a guy that I really like hehehehe.....

Okay...what went wrong in 2013:

• I didn't stick to my publication plans for this year. I only published 2 books and my goal was 12. I wanted to publish something new once a month (minimum). But I was battling extreme self doubt after my first two books flopped and so it took me a few months to get my writing mojo back. I slowed down but I didn't quit!!!
• I encountered some major financial responsibilities that were both expected and unexpected which pretty much depleted the savings that I'd accumulated in 2012 and kept me from saving more this year.
• I haven't gotten back to doing some of the things that I did back in 2011 that kept me spiritually nourished and emotionally and mentally healthy.
• Still on an emotional roller-coaster......

What have I learned from these last two years?

I've learned that we all go through seasons and not every season is about us. My intention for moving out of my apartment and go back to having roommates was to save money so that I can travel more and eventually move from NY. Well it seems as if this season wasn't about me after all. But I believe everything happens for a reason. If I had not moved out of my apartment, I wouldn't have been in a financial position to help those that really needed me. Yes, it puts my goals and dream on hold a bit and yes, it has made me upset because the sole reason for me moving was not accomplished. But I have to remind myself that God trusts me to be in this position for a reason and the things that I'm going through, have gone through, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and financially are not in vain.

I've learned that the one thing that God is trying to work with me on is PATIENCE. This is my test which will eventually turn into my testimony. I'm grateful for these experiences. I'm learning what I don't like, what I don't want, what I'm willing to tolerate, how I prefer to be treated, how I prefer to live, what type of lifestyle I prefer to have, what career I want and what I need to improve on.

Everything is constantly and consistently working together for my good.

Stay Tuned to find out what I plan to do in 2014 to position myself for greater success and prosperity!

Stay Blessed!

Hold On To Your Joy!!

Hey my lovelies! Happy Friday!!

I just wanted to send out a quick note to you guys to remind you that you have to hold on to your joy no matter what life throws at you. I needed to be reminded of this the other day when my boss pissed me off. I won't go into details but I allowed someone to steal my joy and my whole day was ruined. Can't do that again. It keeps me from being productive and working toward my personal goals. 

I'm also reading the book, Attitude is Everything by Jeff Keller, for the second time in the past few months. I'm reading it again because I didn't follow the principles after I read it the first time. But now I plan to follow the principles that he suggests in the book. You should definitely check it out at Amazon!

Keep your attitude right and it will help you overcome any and every obstacle that comes your way. I'm a work in progress...when I learn...I like to share. So this is me sharing!

Have a blessed day...or not...the choice is yours!

Stay Blessed...Stay Tuned!


Here is a word from Joel Osteen: Don't Give Up!

Don’t Give it Up! TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22, ESV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Throughout life, there will always be something that will try to take our joy. If it’s not a grumpy sales person, it’s a family member aggravating you, traffic is backed up, your flight got delayed, or your spouse is taking too long! Don’t go the next 20 years allowing the same people and same circumstances to frustrate you. Change your approach. What’s upsetting you now doesn’t have to upset you anymore. You can choose to keep your cool and stay calm and steady. Remember, a relaxed attitude is going to lengthen your life. The next time you’re tempted to be upset, ask yourself, “Is this really worth me giving up my joy?” If you’ll make this decision to not give away your joy, to live each day happy, God promises you’ll be strong, you’ll have better relationships and you’ll accomplish more. He says a joyful heart is good medicine! Hold on to your joy and move forward into the abundant life God has in store! A PRAYER FOR TODAY Father, today I will hold on to joy! I choose to live each day with peace and happiness. I choose to rely on Your strength and Your Word which guides my every step. I love You and thank You for loving and directing me in Jesus’ name. Amen. — Joel & Victoria Osteen © 2013 Joel Osteen Ministries

Joel Osteen-Choose Blessings For Your Future

Hello Everyone!

It's been a minute since I posted last. I just want to fill you in on what's been going on. Well a lot of personal drama has been going on in my family that I won't go into details about but let's say they were major distractions however we are continuing to overcome all obstacles placed before us by the Grace of God.

As far as my career, I'm still writing. The last book I published was in September. I was going over some notes that I had written down a year ago when I first started writing back before I had published my first book. I had the idea of writing my stories as webisodes in book format, what most would consider a serial however I was not planning to publish each episode weekly but publish as a season each having about seven or so episodes. I abandoned that idea and started publishing novellas.

Well about a month or two ago I was listening to the Self Publishing Podcast on YouTube and Sean Platt, one of the writers of the Yesterday's Gone Serial, mentioned that they were changing their delivery method for their serials to publish seasonally vs publishing per episode weekly. So hearing him say that and finding my notes from a year ago I decided to go back to the idea I originally had.

My idea was a good one I just didn't execute it but now I have confirmation that I should do it. So that's what I'm working on now. I found an app for my phone last week called Kingsoft Office. I absolutely love it. I can now work on my writing on my phone on the train as I commute to work and even at home when I want a break from being in front of a computer. In the 30-40 minutes that I'm on the train I can get a good 600 words done and it's so easy to drown people out because I'm so focused on my story. It's better than reading on the train because sometimes when I read with that long of a commute I'm sleepy again before I even get to work.

So my next story is called Mr. Yummy Chocolate. It's a romance serial. I think it will be about 42 episodes so approximately three seasons. I will probably do paperback versions of these books since they will be the length of short novels (40K words each).

SO that's what you can expect from me as far as my writing goes, more serial style writing. I love writing this way. I see the story in my head clearer and I think I pace myself better. My goal is to do two episodes a day, so approximately 6K words daily minimum 3K, with weekends off unless I just want to write on the weekends. If I can keep this writing schedule up weekly, I can have a good number of titles up each year. Minimum 6 new titles.

Ok...enough about me...on to why I started this blog post. I'm a little stuffy today and I rarely get a cold. So everyone is like you have a cold? I'm hesitant when I answer because I don't want to say I have a cold. I just tell them I'm a little stuffy. But even that isn't good enough. What my answer should be is, I'm getting better. I don't like to say that I'm something when I actually don't want to be that. Meaning I don't want to keep saying to everyone that asks, Yeah I have a cold. Because guess what, I will keep experiencing the effects of a cold to agree with the words that I'm speaking over my situation. This coincides with the message that I received in my inbox this morning from Joel Osteen. I will share the message below.

Stay Blessed...Stay Tuned

Choose Blessings for Your Future

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.”

(Deuteronomy 30:19, NKJV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Your words have creative power. With your words, you can either bless your future or curse your future. If you want to know what your life is going to be like five years from now, just listen to what you’re saying about yourself today. Too many people go around saying, “I’ll never get well. I’ll never get out of debt.” “It’s flu season. I’ll probably get it.” “This marriage is never going to last.” Then they wonder why they don’t see things turn around. It’s because they’re calling defeat into their future. They’re calling in mediocrity. Don’t let that be you! When you wake up in the morning, no matter how you feel or what things look like, instead of using your words to describe your situation, use your words to change your situation. Make a declaration of faith by saying, “This is going to be a great day. I have God’s favor. He’s directing my steps.” When you do that, you are choosing to bless your future. You are calling in favor, increase and opportunities. You are opening the door for God to move on your behalf so you can live the abundant life He has for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, thank You for the blessings You have prepared for my future. I submit my ways and my words to You. Help me to speak what You speak and keep me close to You. I give You the glory in all things in Jesus’ name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen © 2013 Joel Osteen Ministries

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year!!

Well to me it's a new year!

Back in June I was talking to a friend of mine and I mentioned that I wish it was the new year already....this year hasn't gone as well as I expected it to go so I was ready for a new year already. So she told me, "Why wait for the calendar to say that is 2014...you can start your new year whenever you want."

So as of July 1, 2013, it is now a new year for me. Whenever we start a new year it's like a chance to start fresh...to start anew. In my case, that's with a new mindset and starting anew in my writing career.

My goal for 2013 was to produce a new novella per month. If I had stuck to that goal I would have 7 novellas produced instead of only 2! So I decided to just start fresh. Start a new year! I can't go back and change what I haven't done and I can only go forward.

I'm not setting a publication goal but a production goal. If I produce 12 novellas in a 12 month period or 6 novels in a 12 month period then I have reach my goal for that year.

The reason I say production instead of publishing is because I use beta readers to read my work before I publish. I like to have two other people read over my work so when I publish will depend on when I can have two betas read them for me.

I'm not setting a sales goal....lord knows if I could control that I would be selling millions of copies right now! ha!

I'm choosing to focus on what I can control and that's production.

So I mentioned mindset as well. Well that is a work in progress and my mindset right now is mainly centered around my career or lack thereof. If it was up to me I would be a writer full-time right now but I have to pay the bills so I work a regular 9-5. Because I work a 9-5 and have a steady income coming in every two weeks I have not been treating writing like a career but more so like a hobby. Since it's not producing the same salary as (or better than) my current "bread & butter" job, it's been easy to put it off if I'm not "feeling" it, or not meet deadlines that I set for myself or to go months without writing at all.

I have to change my mindset to look at writing as my career, my job, my way of life, my bread & butter. If I keep treating it like a hobby I won't take it serious enough to reach my ultimate goal of becoming an author who makes a living telling stories easily and effortlessly on a full-time basis.

I have to get disciplined....create a strong work ethic. I have to write to quota as suggested on the Kill Authors Zone blog.

My goals for the new year (I've faulted on these goals this month but I did really well in July when I created the goal so I did start my new year off right :-D)

1. Write to a quota
I learned that I can produce 4K words a day if I give myself at least 4 hours of writing time and if I know what I'm going to write. Minimum goal per writing day is 1K words. I plan to keep a spreadsheet to track my word count per week.

2. Write six days a week
I plan to take Sundays off to catch up on networking, blog reading, reading books, hanging out with friends, watching movies, promotion etc. (I slacked off this past week so I will be working this Sunday)

3. Produce a new novella once a month or a new novel once every two months
I met that goal for July. I can meet that goal for August even though I slacked off for an ENTIRE week...smh there are no excuses I just didn't make it a priority. But that has to change.

4. Read a new fiction book once every month (or every two months)
I love reading. Reading also helps with writing. So I have to make sure that I'm getting that in as well. I've been reading some non-fiction too. Currently I'm reading Think & Grow Rich. (look for future posts on that too)

5. Don't compare myself to others and trust the process
I've read countless stories about authors hitting best-sellers list with their very first book....I'm not that author although when I first started writing I hoped to be that author. But God has mapped out my road to success a little different. Although I'm not that breakout novelist with instant stardom it doesn't mean that I should stop writing. My path is my path and I have to trust the process. Everything happens at an appointed time. Which leads me to point number six....

6. Never give up!
I've tried giving up....lol I'm not lying when I say I tried to give up on this journey. I didn't write for four months. I wanted to give up. I didn't want to want to be a writer. I didn't want to like telling stories. I wanted to give up because the journey hasn't been as smooth sailing as I wanted it to be. I wanted EASY...I wanted Instant Stardom....I wanted to quit my day job like yesterday....LOL well that didn't happen and when it didn't, I was like oh..so that means that I must not be meant to be a writer so let's just put this to the side.

I've published to two novellas since then. Something inside of me won't let me give up. What does that mean? I don't know exactly what it means. I just know I choose to not give up. No matter how many books I don't sell or how many negative reviews I get....I'm going to continue on until the Lord says that it's time to quit.

I have a certain lifestyle that I want to live and working for myself has always been one of my goals. Having a creative job has always been one of my goals. I started writing poetry when I was 14 and love to do it...but life got in the way and I stopped. One thing I have to work on and overcome is ALLOWING life to get in the way. 

I'm determined to live the life of my dreams. There are plenty of people in this world living the life of their dreams and some of them looks a little like what I've described my ideal life to be so that tells me it's not impossible. I have proof that it's possible. If it can happen for them/to them, then it can do the same for me!

It's okay to start over whenever you feel you've gone too far in the wrong direction....it's never too late as long as you are alive and in perfect health....so Happy New Year to me and to anyone else that just need a fresh start!!!

Stay Blessed and Stay Tuned!

How To Live A Legendary Life!

Image credit: rtimages / 123RF Stock Photo

Hep Peeps!

So I don't know about you but I honestly believe that I was born to do something great with my life. Although I was born into mediocrity, I don't believe that I was created to stay in it. I believe that my attitude, my way of thinking, and the thoughts/behaviors/habits that have been embedded in me over the course of my life has created my current existence. I WANT TO CHANGE!

I want to change the way I live, I want to change the way I perceive things, I want to change the way I think and speak and react to my circumstances. I am litterally standing in my own way. Blocking my own blessings from manifesting.

All last week the message that I was hearing over and over again was: change your mindset! change your mindset!

Why haven't things I prayed for manifested in my life yet? Well I don't know the exact answer to that question only God knows, but one thing that was brought to my attention was that, most times when those things that are for us does not manifest is because of unbelief. We have the faith but we can also have unbelief. This message is talked about in more detail by Creflo Dollar. You can listen to the message in this four part series on YouTube:

I bought Joyce Meyer's book, Battlefield of the Mind: Winning the Battle in Your Mind a few years ago, I didn't read all of it, but I just started it again last week. She has a updated version. I'm going to buy it for my mom and brother to read.

I am determined to change my mindset and my attitude so that I can get out of my own way. So that I can focus on God's promises over my life and not my problems. 

Another book that you may like is Lord, Change My Attitude: Before It's Too Late by James MacDonald. 

*please note the links to these two books are affiliate links

Now if you are looking for a free book that is full of wonderful advice and something that I thought was really good and straight to the point, then check out Johnny B Truant's book, How to Be Legendary. You can find it on his website. I listen to Johnny's videos on YouTube, the Self Publishing Podcast and the Bigger Better Stronger Faster Podcast. You should check those out too. Here is his YouTube Channel.

Here is a list of some of the main points of the How to Be Legendary book...some truths we've lost track of:

• You will get old and then you will die, so there’s no point in waiting and no point in hedging your biggest bets. It’s truly now or never.
• Almost anything is possible if you’re willing to be flexible about the problem and its solution, and if you’re willing to break some conventions.
• Nobody controls you but you. Nothing anyone does to you can ruin things for you unless you allow it to.
• Everything is simple, but very little is easy. If you fail, it will be due to lack of effort and persistence, not lack of knowledge.
• Nobody is “normal,” so you should stop trying to be normal, too.
• Wanting more does not make you ungrateful for what you have. Receiving more does not take something away from someone else.
• Satisfaction often comes at the cost of some discomfort, but it is always worth it.
• You cannot fail. You can only quit.
• You already know everything you need to know to get everything you want. All that’s left is to do it.

I'm ready to live a legendary life! No more mediocrity for me homie! lol

Live your best life! Be the best version of YOURSELF you can possibly be! Get out of your own way! and GO GET YOUR BLESSINGS!!!

As always...

Stay Blessed....Stay Tuned

The Wedding Date: New Adult Contemporary Romance Novella
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