Can We Go Somewhere?

My nine-year old grandaughter and I are what I refer to as "road dawgs". Shalajah loves to follow her Nanny (me) during any given time or day. When she hears the jingle of my keys, it's as if a silent alarm is triggered in her head. "Nanny, I want to come over and hang out with you, Can we just get in your car and go somewhere?." she will say.

As I listen to those few words coming from her lips, and gaze into her long eyelashes, big brown eyes, I know exactly what she really wants. The majority of the time all Shalajah wants is a solitude moment away from the boys and escape to her favorite snacks that I keep just for her, her three brothers and other kids who come by. She loves for me to spoil her with girly girl, good-smelling things that we commonly love as well as visiting the dollar stores, thrift stores and her favorite eating places.

Shalady ( a name I call her) is never short of having a plan at any given moment and time.

This reminds me of another story that I liked to read when I was her age about the adventures of another little girl called Alice in Wonderland. Alice would venture off and have encounters with several other characters. One encounter in particular was her encounter with the Cat and a conversation she had with him.
Alice: Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?"
That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the Cat
Alice:I don't much care where--" said Alice
"Then it doesn't matter which way you go," said the Cat
Alice: --"so long as I get SOMEWHERE," Alice added as an explanation.
Oh, you're sure to do that," said the Cat, "if you only walk long enough."

There's an old adage that goes like this " If you make one step, God will make two". Taking that first step is usally the most challenging part of any task. Many have never been able to surpass the fear of taking a step forward.

God has and places he wants you to take you and things that he wants you to accomplish. It is up to you to supply the faith to get you there. You may not fully understand just what it is you are doing or where it will lead you at first, but rest assured it will be for the good of yourself and everyone who is involved. One major clue to knowing where you are going lies in understanding where you came from. There will be visible signs along the way if you focus and pay attention to them. Move forward at all cost. You will gain much more insight from looking back and remembering than you will from walking back and reliving. Launch forward in faith fearing no one or nothing.

Occasionally, like Alice in Wonderland, you will have different experiences and encounters with people and need to stop and ask questions to get a sense of clarity. Sitting idle and trying to decide what to do will only open the door for frustration and depression often causing one to lose their focus. The simplest and practical solution, of course is to just occupy yourself by going somewhere and doing something. It is often true, that an idle mind is the Devil's workshop. Here are 5 tips that when applied will help in keeping your focus on your goals:


1. First things first


2. Other things second


3. Cut out the unimportant


4. Unify the vision


5. Stick with it



Decide to take action today by writing an action plan for your goals. Remember, if you fail to plan, plan to fail. Keep your eyes on completion of your goals until you are successful. Let nothing distract you, let nothing stop you.

Whatever you decide to do may not attract the multitude and perhaps maybe only a few may benefit from it. You may not even become famous by doing it, but at least you'll be accomplishing something with the precious life God has given you. You were designed uniquely from anyone else with a plan and a purpose for his service. Don't allow valuable time to waste by trying to please everyone. Focus on pleasing God, the designer of your life and doing what he purposed you for and one day you will not look back and greatly regret having wasted many years of your life doing nothing and going nowhere. His desires for us is to lead us along a path of his choosing. Our challenge is to watch,to listen... and be ready to follow.

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You Know You've Got The Goods

Back in the late 60's as many of you will recall, we had the greatest fighter of all times. Cassius Clay (Later know as Muhammad Ali,) did not hesitate to proclaim himself as the greatest. Often he would brag about his beauty and note that no one would be able to mess up his pretty face.

Commentators all over began to announce the skills of his upcoming opponent, Sonny Liston, who they collectively believed would take him out. Liston, with his mean, intimidating demeanor had a way of scaring the fear right into you, but Cassius Clay would not back down, nor did he fear. When the opportunity arose to prove his greatness, just as he previously said, he entered the ring and began to "float like a butterfly, and sting like a bee" He proved that Liston, along with others were no match for him. When given the opportunity to comment later, he proclaimed, "It's not bragging when you know you've got the goods."

As we discover our purpose, we unlock our goods for the benefit of ourselves and others. In fact, most of us never realize that we are carrying "the goods". We spend so much of our time focusing on the affairs of life to the point where we miss opportunities to share who we are and what we can get accomplished as these offers repeatedly present themselves to us.

Have we failed to realize that we are the solution to someone else's problem? The cheese for their macaroni, or the jelly for their peanut butter sandwich (putting it in a humorous way)? Every opportunity that is presented for us to connect with others in one small way or another is an opportunity for purpose to be manifested.

It's the core reason why you are here. When you find your talents and abliities and figure out a way to share them you've found a great clue to your "goods." Each one of us carry our own personal experiences, setbacks, pitfalls, accomplishments, etc. Most of the time it may seem insignificant to you but may be priceless to someone else. Everyone, knowingly or unknowingly has something to give. God did not fail to give you talent.

If you have not pinpointed a specific purpose in life, get busy doing something that you are capable of doing and chances are that you will find hidden talent you were never aware of.

During our encounter with this journey known as life we will perpetually remain in the process of becoming. Never fear the changes that has to take place revamping some or all of your plans, goals and intentions in one way or another. Circumstances beyond our control will happen. It is God's way of giving you the opportunity to have different purposes at different times and stages in life.

The best part of finding yourself temporarily without a purpose is that you get to create a new one.

Perhaps, you have had an encounter with sickness and it equips you to be a comfort for someone who is in pain. Or, you are very outgoing, articulate and outspoken and someone in your pathway needs an advocate. Seize that opportunity! Understand that it is a blessing in disguise and a chance to grow and develop new talents, abilities and relationships. You are richly blessed in life. You are you for a reason, time and a purpose.

Now that you know you've got the goods, unleash them and they will benefit others as well as yourself.

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