Who knows you? I mean REALLY.

Hello World!

I have started today being thankful and grateful for the real friends in my life. There is nothing like relationships with a foundation of honesty, that kind of closeness that we want to cleave to. True, genuine bonds that weather storms and stand the test of time. I need people that I can be real with (expose the true me, past what I say but who I am... we sometimes put on masks, facades, and put up walls in order to shield who we really are from the world...and sometimes ourselves.)

One thing I have decided to do is stop hiding the real me. I want to just humble out and say "here goes!" to all of me to my close friends and family. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Why?

I want to grow. Evolve as a person and become the best IMANI I can be. The woman God created me to be. And I had to realize Ms. Independent, strong black woman: I can't do it alone! (Sidenote: being truly strong is being able to recognize and deal with your weaknesses so that they can become strengths.)

To have great friends, I had to learn how to become one...and a good friend is not someone who necessarily agrees with everything you do and say--it's one who LOVINGLY challenges you to be a better person. We mature when we can test our thoughts and ideas against another person, and when we're open to correction when we know we are wrong. Proverbs 27:17 says it best: "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another". Also Proverbs 11:25 - he who refreshes others will be refreshed.

It's refreshing to have people in your life that can help you move toward being more like Jesus and people that you know in your heart of hearts that they have your best interests at heart. How do you know this? You see the God in them.

When you see God in them you can move towards trusting them and their advice. Test their advice against James 3:17 (But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.)

How can we truly live out 1 Thess 5:11 without being the type of friend that spurs one another on to greatness? (Encourage one another and build each other up.)

Who are you helping become great? Who is helping you become great?? Make a decision to be a great friend and you will attract more people who are great friends and need more friends like you. Peace!

Finding your Inner Genius

Hey world!

I want to share a part of a conversation that I had with a long-time girlfriend yesterday.

We were discussing PURPOSE, which is embedded in the scripture (one of my favorites) Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope, and a future"...
God's plan for you? Your Purpose. How do you find your purpose? What are you REALLY here for?

My youngest brother's best friend was in the kitchen and happened to overhear my conversation. He interjected, "List the five things in life you are most passionate about, and within one of those most lies your purpose, your inner genius."

Genius is defined as "an exceptional natural capacity of intellect". I added that we should consider what we do better than anyone else naturally. I was trying to urge my daughter to not quit the marching band a few years ago, and she reminded me that I had told her: You have a natural talent for music (she played the clarinet with ease, after having to switch from the violin when she changed schools). Why abandon your GOD-GIVEN talent?

Ooh! This reminds me of the Parable of Talents (Matthew 25). Though Jesus was explaining what the Kingdom of Heaven would liken to, one cannot escape the fact that different level of talents were given to the three servants. The first servant was given five talents(a measure of money, VALUE) and he gained five more. The master's response to his efforts was, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' And the demise of the third servant, who BURIED (ok we bury things after death. What dream have we allowed someone or something to KILL??) his talent? "...Throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness..."

What will you do? Be blessed exponentially (and when I say blessed, I don't mean just financially. Close relationships are a blessing; being able to expose others to the truth is a blessing;), or live an existence in survival, reactive mode. A life of monotonous mediocrity? By all means, NO! Write down your five things. Pray that you will learn where these passions fit into your life purpose, or pray that the passion will be renewed in you. If you have discovered your purpose and are making strides toward living it daily, AMEN. We all can do it. YOU GO, GENIUS!!

Blogging Bandwagon

Hey World!

I have jumped on the blogging bandwagon! I have thoughts, opinions, and ideas to share so here goes! More about me? I am a mother of two (one grown and almost grown) hailing out of Nashville TN. I am a single woman who loves God, poetry, and jazz. I enjoy hanging out with my friends and family. I love dancing and I love performing spoken word. You will get a weekly dose of my poetry HERE!

I believe in truth. I love being me, and I believe that I am here for a purpose, and I'm learning to live my life ON PURPOSE. There are a lot of things I know I want to do differently in my life; God is showing me my character, and I'm working daily to morph into who He wants me to be. That's it for the intro. Will Holla!!!