I'm amazed at how often we can look to external people and things to build our confidence.  Whether it is our friend group, the number of followers on social media or our financial status. The reality is none of those things alone can give a person true genuine confidence.  They can bring you temporary satisfaction that will at some point fade.

The challenge with placing our confidence in external things is they are often things that are fluid, and that can be snatched away in an instance.  

Placing our confidence in the hands of our friend group can cause heartache when and if circumstances change.

When we place our confidence in the number of friends and followers on social media, we know how that goes. The trends change and who and what is hot today, finds it's self on the "not" list later.

Lastly, when we place our confidence in things like our financial status, our titles, and our assets, the reality is all of those things can be lost in an instance.  

Did you know October 17th is National Body Confidence Day?  I bet some of you didn't know there was such a thing, which led me to think about how many people really struggle with confidence when it comes to their body image.  

I'm sure if I were to ask you to share three things you would change about yourself if you could, most people wouldn't have a problem coming up with a list of more than three.  I've been guilty myself.

We spend more time with ourselves than with anyone else, and we get to see the parts of ourselves that no one else gets to see.  As a result it is very easy to see and become obsessed with every flaw and area of imperfection.  

Often times as we transition from household our mirror to a world filled with filtered photos and messages through the media and marketing, that paint the picture of perfection; it is easy to have our self-image and body-image take a big hit.

Well sweetheart, take the pressure off yourself starting today.  Perfection isn't real.  Even for those people you perceive to be "perfect", I guarantee you there are things even they wish they could change or improve about themselves. 

Instead of striving for "perfection" strive for progress in becoming the best you. I encourage you to begin to fully embrace the skin you are in.  That doesn't mean that you won't put efforts towards being the healthiest you can be in mind, body and spirit; but it simply means to re-examine your motives and methods and begin to embrace yourself along every step of the journey.  

Question:  What can you stop, start or continue when it comes to loving the skin you are in?

Have you ever wanted to do something or better yet, felt like God was calling to you to do something, yet those around your didn't get the memo?  Have you ever had a dream in your heart that you planned to pursue, only to have your hopes and dreams dashed by people who questioned your vision, or may have even questioned your sanity?

I know how it is to have something in your heart or mind that is vividly clear to you, yet it may not make sense to those around you. But I have come to learn that even in those moments in life, if you truly feel the vision or dream you have been given is divine and something God is calling you to do, then you have no other option than to muster the confidence and courage to move forward with it.  

Even those who have an amazing support system, as I do, may find yourself in seasons where you have to move forward despite the uncertainty or reassurance of others.  It's called FAITH.  

I have learned that it's in those seasons that I have seen God do HIs greatest work, because I have had to trust in Him and Him alone.  

I challenge you today to tune into the one frequency that matters most.  Ask yourself, and be sure to listen for the answer to "What would God have me do?".  If it truly is a God move, those around you will eventually catch up and instead of asking "Why you're doing it", they will ask "How you did it?".

We have come to a cross road in our nation and world.  Will we continue with business as usual or will we find the courage to enact real change in our world? 

As we look at our streets full of protesters of all ages and races, it's easy to formulate opinions and cast judgement.  Those who are rallying in peace literally risking their lives to give voice in the streets despite being in the middle of a global pandemic,  have taken one simple step to say enough is enough. 

Let's be crystal clear, I don't condone violence, looting and foolishness, and recognize those who are not seeking solutions but instead want to continue to divide and wreak havoc. However, I commend those whose hearts are pure and who are out protesting in peace and obeying the law to simply give voice to the cause. They have started where they are and have determined that silence is no longer an option.

From coast to coast and continent to continent, people have determined ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!  As we try to catch our breath, though our brother George Floyd wasn't given that opportunity, we must ask ourselves how we got to this point?

You are faced with a choice today.  Will you allow everything you have gone through to make you bitter and keep you bond, or will you count your blessing, find the bright side of things and learn from your experience (whether it was good or bad)?

Everything may not be exactly as you had dreamed?  You may have some short comings or have faced some pitfalls and disappointments, but what will you do about it?

Everyday when we arise we have a choice to mummer and complain about things, or we can lift our head up, hold our shoulders back and grow through what we go through.  

No one ever said the path to your purpose and destiny would be easy. It is sure to be filled with good days and tough days. However, giving up is NOT an option.  

At the times when you feel most like throwing in the towel, it is important to take a moment to think about why you started in the first place.  Chances are, if you reflect on your "why", you will find that it was always much bigger than you.

The very thing you are purposed to do on earth will always connect directly or indirectly to someone else, which magnifies my point of why giving up is NOT an option.  The reality is others are depending on you.  They are cheering for you to succeed.  Others are unaware, that what you are working so hard to fight through right now, will help them to activate and awaken their "why".

No matter what it feels like today, don't give up.  You can do it. I encourage you today, to take a moment if needed and scream, cry, breathe and pray, but after you do all that, get yourself together and keep pressing forward.

Quitting is NOT an option dear. 

I find it interesting how many people struggle to walk in confidence for fear of making others feel bad.  I know about that very well, because for years I was a certified "people pleaser".  For a great deal of my life I worked hard to make sure everyone else around me was comfortable, many times at my own expense.  

I would often feel the need to dim down my SHINE because I never wanted to out shine others or make others feel bad for being lack luster. Well, needless to say, I have gotten over that.  

In the words of Marianne Williamson, "your playing small doesn't serve the world". 

I have learned that in most cases, when you embrace all that makes you uniquely you; when you fully celebrate the gifts talents and abilities that God has entrusted to you; and when you acknowledge the blessings that God showers upon you daily, that is how you SHINE.  It's as if your royal crown (though it might be invisible in firmly placed upon your head for all the world to see).  

It's different from being cocky of coincided, but instead in being confident in the one who graced you with the crown in the first place. Not being confident in your own abilities, but instead acknowledging God as the source for every thing you have, everything you are and for every thing you do. 

And guess what, when you place your invisible crown on your head and shine with brilliance, you actually give others permission to do the same.  

So today, I challenge you to dust off that crown, place it atop your head and and as an old friend of mine, Reese Phillips use to say, SHINE on purpose.