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?".

Has anyone ever questioned the size of your goals?  Chances are they haven't, but today I am. That's right, I want you to take a moment and think about your current goals. Are they comfy cushy goals that seem very attainable and don't stretch you past your current level of comfort?  Quite frankly, if your goals don't spark a little fear or uncertainty of whether or not you can even achieve them, I would venture to say they aren't BIG enough.

You may be reading this and thinking to yourself, come to think of it, I don't have any goals at all. Perhaps you have placed your goals and dreams on the shelf because, quite frankly, you are just trying to keep it together.  If that is your story, I challenge you (even in the midst of chaos and the crazy things you are dealing with right now) to dust off those goals and begin to dream again.  

God has given you vision and desires within.  Let me remind you once again, you were created for a divine purpose and destiny.  

I challenge you today to revisit your goals and to take the limits off yourself and off of God.  There are BIG things He wants to do in and through you.  Your journey may not look like anyone else you know and that is okay.  He is not requiring you to walk another person's journey, but only your own. You may not have a blueprint or a path to follow towards the places God is taking you but believe it anyway.

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.