Knock, knock... Who's there?

What in 2015 did you let pass you by?  Was there an opportunity that you forgo because you thought you were not ready or worthy?  Please do not believe the hype and think that you have to have it all put together in order to begin, because you DON'T.  It might not seem like it at the time but everything that you have been  through has been leading you to this very point in which you need to be.  Recognize your greatness and walk into what has your name on it!  I found this car commercial which is so true about life.

As seasons shift change is on its way. With change comes opportunity.  It is up to you to seize it! This New Year is an opportunity to grab everything that is yours.  Now GO get it!

See you again next week!

Lo--

Got a plan!?

What have you conquered since the beginning of the year?  What is left?  With only a couple of weeks left it is super important to write down your accomplishments from 2015 and more importantly to write down your goals for 2016.  

This year has been a season of really building a relationship with my Creator.  By doing so I have learned so much about myself in the process.  I have had to really lean and press on God for many if not all things.  Most of all my relationship with God has allowed me to RELAX (working on it everyday).  I have gained perspective of my journey  and I am willing to fail why trying along the way.  

My challenge to you before we welcome and ring in the New Year is to get silent, reflect, and write down both your accomplishments and goals.  It is just as important to write down what you have accomplished as much as it is to set goals for where you want to arrive.  We all work differently on what works best for us individually but here is what I like to do:

1. Unplug for a couple of days from the phone, internet, TV and social media

2. Write down 5 things I want to realistically accomplish if I could not fail trying

3. Then, I journal about my plan either from my 5 things or things I have been constantly working on

4. After, I write down important factors such as: Who I will need to accomplish my goal? How much money I might need to save? Should I seek an accountability partner during my journey? What are the resources I will need to get this done before the new year? What are my check in points (put dates around your goals)

5. Many of the things we psych ourselves to begin and never finish, fails because we don't have a solid plan.  Plan out your journey.  Njeru always says,"when you want to travel somewhere for the first time you never just get in the car and begin driving.  No!  You map out your journey.  You bring things along with you, you might even detour but you plan out your journey before hand so you can finally arrive at your destination."

6. Learn from your past!  Don't do the same thing that did not give you, your desired outcome.  

Come on PEOPLE!  We can do it!  Share with me how you are planning for the new year in the comment section of the blog.  I look forward to reading. 

Remember to live, love & share!

Lo

 

On Assignment

In the car on my way home I always pray and thank God for another day!  After praying I got caught reminiscing about my humble beginnings teaching.  It is so interesting how instrumental and significant God plays a role in each of our lives.  I was thinking how I first started teaching it was almost like an accident but not really when I think back about it.  I started teaching at a "rough" school in Newark for two years.  God was testing me to see how strong and tough I was (grit).  Too only, realize that I would stay in Newark for another five years teaching at another school.  I would not have been able to withstand five years at my last teaching position without the hurdles of my first two years.  Hindsight is 20/20.  At my last school I learned that I am more then a conquer.  I am strong.  I needed those seven years in Newark to only prepare me for where I am now. I question and wonder what God is up to now.  I feel like  I know am on assignment.  In fact we are all on assignment.  We are forever evolving and advancing.  I am so looking forward to see what God has in store for me in 2016!  Stay tuned (wink).  

Have an extraordinary weekend.  I look forward to seeing you again on Tuesday!

xo, 

Lo--

Mind Over Matter

In October, I entered a weight lose challenge at work.  I initially entered the challenge to lose this extra love weight that I gained.  When I first started the challenge I was coming in last each week during the weigh-ins.  It did not bother me, because I figured that I did not have as much to lose  and I would be fine (setting. Don't do it.  Be the best version of yourself always).  A co-worker pulled me aside before the 3rd weigh in and asked me what I was doing to stay in this challenge, to be a contender? Her pep talks, 5 am wake your ass up text messages, and daily water check-in's really helped and motivated me (everyone needs a cheerleader in their life.  Who is your cheerleader?).  I slowly began to shed pounds and feel healthier.  I even ran two 5k's and planning to run a half marathon next year (I put it out there so now I got to do it!).  

This post is not to brag or catch you up on what I have been up to.  I want to ignite you to challenge your mind.  YOU are stronger then you know!  You can do anything you put your mind and heart to.  Something that started out as a workout challenge has become a lifestyle for me.  It is no longer about loosing weight has it is more about being healthy.  Working out helps clear my mind (working out it about ME.  I love me). There are also times that I don't want to work out and I make sure not to beat myself up about it but regroup and set new goals (forgiving myself and moving on.  Not letting it mean more then what it really is).  

When I am running in a race, I am not running against the nine-thousand other runners but I am running against myself (I got this).  I am setting goals and speaking life/truth to myself (I am more then a conquer).  During my race I am encouraging myself and not settling for mediocrity.  Isn't that what life is all about!?  We are all running our own race and there are obstacles we will have to overcome, and we  have people that we will need to lean on.  We will also have to have faith and set goals.  Keep going!  Don't give up and remember beloved, that you can do anything you put your mind to!  Be strong! Be encouraged!

I look forward to seeing you again on Thursday!

Remember to live, love & share. 

Lo --

Two Constants

A lot of us seem to live in extremes with being controlled by our past or obsessed about our future, that we miss our present, we miss our now.  The perfect gift that each of us are given is how we choose to live our life each day, in that particular moment.

Yesterday's post I was reflecting on what I am most grateful for, which is my journey.  What I am present to is that I am learning that there are two things that are constant in my life:  God & Change.

I have decided to stop fighting change.  Change is enviable.  If we are intentional on working on what is now, what is present then we can ultimately effect what happens to us tomorrow.  We should always invest our time in the moment, it will have a direct effect on our relationships, education , pressing situations, anything.

The other constant is God.  God is always present and will never leave or forsake you.  I have have experienced good and difficult times.  What I know for sure is that I have made it through.

I want you to be present to living in the moment.  Remember to breath and take stock of God at work in your life.  Even when you think you don't have much to be grateful for, stop to figure out what you need to do in this present moment (don't forget to exhale and breath).  I bet God will see you through to tomorrow.

I pray this post leads you to live, love & share.

See you next week!

Gobble Gobble

Thanksgiving has always been my dad's favorite holiday.  We usually are the one's to host Thanksgiving at my parent's house.

My dad has always appreciated family and friends coming together, having a meal and celebrating the present and future.  .  

We are 43 days out until the New Year and I am in what I  like to call "reflective mode".  I want to make sure that I am ways playing at my best (which is not ways easy).   

In these 43 days left I am most grateful for my journey.  This year has been a very telling year for me.  With ups and downs and some plateaus.  I have been stretched in unimaginable ways.  I have formed a stronger relationship with God that I have never experienced before and I LOVE IT.  I am thankful for my family who I count on 100 times a day.

Next week around the dinner table, with your love one's , breaking bread with new and old faces, let's us be reflective upon our journeys and remember that your current situation does not dictate your finial destination.

Remember to live, love & share.

I look forward to sharing again on Thursday!

Ps. Visit this link for a Thanksgiving DYI project just in time for next week.  

The Next Right Move

I just read this and wanted to also share this video of our "fairy godmother, Oprah"  I pray it helps you to calm your story in your head and figure out your next move.  Let's start planning and making decisions not based off of our fears and disappointments but based off of our goals and purpose.    

"The way you think about things when your are going through them will define how you'll end up once your're on the other side. Think positively.  Hustle always".  Let the hustle begin!

Watch this video all the way through and press repeat!

Till next time beloved!  Make sure you remember to live, love & share

lo--

Grateful living

I hope everyone is having an extraordinary week.  I am not going to lie I am looking forward to the weekend but so damn GRATEFUL for what God has done in my life this week.  

I am happy about what God has brought be out of, where He has me currently and where He is taking me! Raise your hand if that is you!  Now, things have not been perfect this week at ALL.  I have had to pray through a couple of things and let go of a few things.  

This post is going to be short and to the point.  I want to drop this little gem on everyone.  We have to be better about being grateful.  We might not be where we want to be (I know I am not) but I am working everyday to be a better version of myself then yesterday.  I thank God for the little things knowing that the big things are on their way.  I am humble during this process of my journey.  I am humble because I know 2 things for sure:

1. God will provide 

2. I am stronger then I know

I am also being more conscious these days about what I claim as my truth.  I claim victory, courage, peace, prosperity, and love.  

I pray everyone continues to have an extraordinary week.  If there are bumps along the way remember to pray, let go and stay humble.  

Life is about living, loving & sharing. 

Til next week,


Lo--

Letting Go!!!

Yesterday was confirmation that I need to be comfortable with letting go and letting God.  I realized that some things are out of my control.  The old Lolade would have freaked out and over reacted.  The new Lolade understood that some things are out of my control and I have to be okay with that.  I am quickly realizing that when I have good intentions, and focus on God's plans then I can't go wrong.

Many times I am what I would call a "blessing blocker".  A blessing blocker is someone who gets in their own way, when God is trying to move and shift somethings in your life.

 Letting go and Letting God allows you to have freedom around certain situation.  It does not mean you care less.  I just don't get hung up on the bullshit that's all.  I focus on the plan and develop my focus on what really matters.

I am intentional to what I give my power and time too. I have a choice: I can sit around and complain and lament OR I can be the mover and shaker that God intended me to be (I choose option 2).

If you are not feeling at peace around a situation or a certain someone.  LET IT GO!  Ask God to bring peace and freedom around your struggle.  Ask Him to make you stronger and give you wisdom. Now you have to surrender.  You can't ask God to take over if you are not willing to surrender unto Him.

Yes, you are going to have to wait and stay faithful that He will provide (I am constantly working on myself during the in between time).

Let me know what you are letting go to allow God in.  I will be your prayer partner!


Till next time remember to live, love share and Let GO and Let God!\

Lo--

Ready, Set, GO!

So many times we are in the dreaming and planning stages that we are never in the implementing stage!  What I mean is that we have desires and dreams but we never move from that dreaming stage to actually beginning.

Many times we are either overthinking it, to scared to start, or just keeping it in our heads.  I want to encourage someone out their to move your plan from paper to actually doing it!  I read this quote by Francis of Assisi, "start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible".  Things happens in stages not over night.  Nothing has every been accomplished without a process.  Your dreams that you are aspiring for will be a process.  Understand it is going to take time and you will need to be patient.  You will need a long term view to face the everyday challenges.

You will never know how far you can really go if you don't begin.  Majority of the time you don't have to have it all figured out to begin.  Once you have your plan, resources, and faith you have a recipe for starting the process.  Most of us allow the conversation in our head to delay our "ready, set, go!"  Remember the life you live now is simply made of the stories you have told yourself previously. What is your story you are telling yourself today about your ready, set go!?  Today is the best time to start.  You are either producing excuses or you are  producing results!

Lastly, God has blessed you with the dreams, skills and talent that only you can use to transform the world.

On your mark, get set, GO!

See you again real soon. Remember to live, love & share.


Lo