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.

​As you creatively craft your vision board, your resolution list, or your goals for 2020 don't forget to put some action to it. Having vision is just the first step of the process. A color coordinated list or eye-catching vision board is nothing without the confidence and courage to see it through. Let's do something different to make this year different. ​

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