Thanksgiving Leftovers

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First off, my humblest apologies for my week-long hiatus; I guess I needed some time to reflect. Although, as God sifted me, I sifted my mind, thinking of what you must be going through as I went through. (Does that make any sense?) You see, I rode an emotional roller coaster this week. Highs and lows. As I pick myself back up to stay in the climb, I’m pressured not to write another “it’s gonna be alright” post. Instead, I want to write for those that are climbing, on a high point and those who, like me, are so very thankful.

Being thankful—that’s what I wanted to write about last week during Thanksgiving, but personally I needed that time to be with God. No shopping. No gluttony. Just me & Daddy.

As the semester comes to a close (Congrats to the Class of 2010), you can’t help but reflect on where God has brought you from. What others thought was impossible, you’ve made possible.

Thankful!

For some, you may not be in school or was forced to take time off. Take heed in knowing God hasn’t forgotten His promise to you nor is He ignoring your faith.

A very good friend of mine is six months from graduating with his BA. He should have graduated eight years ago, but a terminal disease deterred those plans. Not only did it affect his body, but it polluted his confidence. Whenever I think of his story, I’m so grateful to God, knowing how bad things could be. Eight years could not stand in his way; nothing can stand in yours.


Thankful!

We’re God’s people. We’re bursting with potential, talent and possibility. Sometimes I feel like I’m suffocating, as if someone jammed me in a box and locked up my destiny. Do you ever feel that way? You’ve been locked up for so long that you forget that seasons come and go. When the idea of giving up seeps into my spirit, I’m pushed by many factors, including mere curiosity. I want to know how my story ends.

Call my crazy or just call me a Jesus-lover, but I feel the knot that Oprah felt, that little inkling that President Obama felt, the twitch that nagged Donald Trump. It’s the tiniest, itty bittiest feeling that something humungous is going to happen in my life. That I reek of greatness, my name will appear in big letters somewhere and I’m just a leap, skip and a jump away from it.

Thankful!

So, as you can tell. God and I had an intense conversation last week. And, again this morning and the bad news is still reeling in, so we have a lot more to talk about. I’m taking off my mask and will be simply vulnerable. I’m probably gonna cry… a lot. In the end, I’ll find the rock within, be reminded of where he brought me from, where I am & what He has prepared for me. Thankful!

What are you thankful for? What are you trusting in God for?

Redeem Your Academic Pursuits with Three Rs

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Two months ago I wrote about the importance of writing out your six-month, one-year and five-year plan for enrolling or graduating from college. If you read the post FINAL CALL: Hop On The Train to Success then you know how important it is to write and spiritully digest your goals. In case you've fallen off, there's redemption, as I've created a more in-depth outline for you to get back on track:

You didn't think I would let you off the hook that easy, did you? Aha!

Re-Group & Do Over
First things first—write a new list of goals, beginning with your 6-month plan with a deadline for each item. It may include items as simple as "mail off my college application by Dec 31st" or "email my advisor about the status of my application this week."

Next, complete your one-year plan of what you'd hope to accomplish in a year's time, such as "earn a 4.0 in my first year" or "have saved $4,000 toward my tuition." Whatever your goals may be, make them practical and attainable.

Finally, in your five-year plan write down your post-graduation and career goals. In this list, you may include such items as, "graduate with honors," "land an internship or permanent job with a Fortune 500 company" or "begin applying for graduate school." Remember, all things are possible for those who follow & trust Christ.

Re-Mix & Do Better

Place your list of goals in a prominent place. I've written mine in my devotional notebook, so whenever I flip through my church notes I'm prone to stop and take a look. Immediately, I'm reminded of my goals, my progress in accomplishing them and how I can do better. My PhD-pursuing sorority sister has hers on the refridgerator door, so every time she wants a late night snack, she's reminded that she should be studying, instead of pigging out. Your special place may be the bathroom mirror, your wallet or the back of your bedroom door.

Whatever space you decide upon, outline it with scriptures and motivational quotes that'll uplift you and propel you to your destiny. In Part II of Pigeons or Eagles: Which Are You? I offered several quotes that'll do just that.

Re-Connect & Due Time

In my own academic, financial and spiritual pursuits, I've realized that they are all linked. My academic dreams depend on my spiritual desires just as much as my financial goals do. I need a closeness with God in order to be patient and discipline to get out of debt. Likewise, I need God's favor and guidance while in college. You see? It's all connected.

I encourage you to also find the connection. Ask God for guidance, wisdom, knowledge and faith to accomplish everything on your lists in His time. I promise, the rewards will be great.

For more assistance, email me about joining my (free) Xclusive Mailing List for in-depth, one-on-one encouragement on pursuing your educational goals.

What are you struggling with in writing or pursuing your academic goals? How are your academic, career, physical (health), emotional and financial goals connected to your relationship with God?

Silence The Monster In You

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In my pursuit of becoming debt-free by mid-2011, I read anything & everything that'll give me guidance. Today, I came across a powerful article on Mocha Money that I believe could rip off the chains that covers the doorway to your academic dreams. The author, Dr. Charles Alonzo Peters candidly and expertly writes:

A monster resides in all of us. It silences our opinions, cages our dreams, and buries our ambitions. It’s time we destroy this beast once and for all....

The inner playa hater. The dream slayer. The fear creator.

That little voice that hashes up every past failure as evidence you’ll never succeed.

....You’re not alone. The inner antagonist plagues us all – even the most successful amongst us. Knowing this is liberating. Once you realize it’s not personal, the inner bully’s venom no longer has power.

Those that are more successful at creating truly liberating and amazing lives are not devoid of the inner devil, they’re just better at dealing with it, at kicking the voice inside into submission.

...Just think, someone’s life could be made better by the ideas, actions or thoughts that your inner foe is trying to suppress.

The concept your inner voice slams as silly or stupid may be the one that feeds a hundred people, clothes a thousand kids or saves a million lives. The business you plan to start could provide a valuable service to those who need it or employ people desperate for work.

Yes I’m sure the inner bully tried to prevent Steve Jobs from inventing Apple, Oprah from creating the Oprah Show, Michael Jordan from becoming a superstar, and a little Black boy with a strange sounding name from becoming President....

Anyway, you get the point. I could copy & paste the entire article, but I encourage you to read it yourself as the affects, I believe, could be life-changing--and that's no cliché.

I'll go on a limb first and admit, I, too, struggle with my inner monster and it's meaner than mean could get. It tells me: "Quit dreaming so big!" "Quiet down, you're too opinionated!" "You're not as good as you think you are." We all struggle with that inner voice that muffles the confidence of the 'king in you' (one of my favorite influential songs - see audio/video below. I'm listening to it as I type this; join me). But, just as the Bible says our minds can not fathom nor contain the true magnificence of God, our minds can not fathom nor contain our true destiny and potential—we have absolutely no idea what we're capable of doing... unless we step out and simply allow God to carry us to that place. In other words, what ever academic or post-graduation dreams you see, multiply it 20 times—that's what God sees.

God created you—his perfect creation—not to live in fear, but in joy, love, peace & sound mind. We know these traits, but the latter, sound mind, means to have common sense. Why would the same God that created Heaven & Earth, delivered Daniel, David, Joseph & the children of Egypt, put food on your table and clothes on your back suddenly desert you now? Get some common sense and tell that stinking monster: my Daddy did not redeem me to leave me. He will give me every college degree I desire... and then some.

The King in me is talking directly to the King in you. Slay that monster & take everything that the Lord has for you!
 

So, Are You Down?

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For nearly a month, God’s been bugging me about starting a blog that'll encourage young believers and others to continue a path that He’s set forth for them. His main desire is that you may have a fearless life and have it more abundantly.

While some people don’t believe higher education can give them that (and that may work for them), I believe God wants it for you too, or you wouldn’t be reading this right now.

For that reason, and because I recently accepted that I have a knack for coaching people toward their educational goals, I am committed in helping you prepare and enroll in college within a year.

With God ordering your steps and me providing the necessary mental and spiritual encouragement through regular blogs and redirecting you to related links, this support system relies mostly on your consistency, willingness to replace doubt & fear with faith and focus on this attainable goal today.

So, are you down?