DOGGED PERSEVERANCE

A couple of months ago the impetus for the subject for my blog was my young friend who was dismayed because she seemed to only be attracting losers (A PROMISE KEPT, March 26, 2013).  My advice to her was that it wouldn't always be this way and things would get better.  She was so sad, that I was forced to go in my closet and bring out stories of some of the losers I had dated back in the day just to prove my point.

Wellll....I am happy to report that things have gotten better for her.  She shortly thereafter met a young man who seems to be a REALLY NICE guy.  My friend is a very nice young lady and I think the world her.  She has shown me pictures of him and her together and they are simply the cutest couple. 

He's gainfully employed.  Very important.  He is a cutie.  Important.  And, he seems totally smitten with her.  She showed me one picture of him standing with his arm around her and he is looking all doe-eyed as if he can't really believe he has met someone so wonderful.  You know that pinch me to see if it's real look.  And, to date he has truly doted on her.  (I always say, find someone who adores you and then...let him.)

I am mindful of the scenario of a house being newly constructed.  Before the building even takes on any shape or semblance of a recognizable structure, the workers constructing the house spend a lot of time in the mud.  Sometimes, that happens to us.  We have to spend a lot of time in the mud working out and working on stuff before it all comes together.  And, the operative word is "working".  Even when it is not going well for us, we have to keep on working to bring it all together.  Things only fall out of the sky for a few people; the rest of us have to work hard to pull it together.

When my friend was attracting losers, it was because that was the aura she was sending.  Once she decided to pause, look inward and work on herself and her goals, things started to come together for her.  We can't really expect to attract all that's good without working for it.  A great and fulfilling career doesn't just happen; we have to set goals, go to school, work on degrees and accreditations, send out hundreds of resumes, network, and make cold calls.  Before we can buy a house, we have to build up our credit by saving and paying our bills on time.  We can't retire with enough income unless we set up a savings plan and do the hard work of lifelong budgeting.  We improve our health by eating right, exercising and getting proper rest.  All of these things require sacrifice, hard work and sticktoitiveness.  In other words, dogged perseverance.

Iyanla Vanzant said that when her whole life fell apart, she had to do the hard work necessary to put her life back together.

Let's not be fooled by looking at the greener grass on the other side of the fence.  It takes a lot of work to get that grass that green.


Peace

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Momma, thought you'ld like to know
All those nights you paced the floor
Praying that I would make it home all right
Believing in God, that he would someday save my soul
Well, He did.  Just thought you'ld like to know.

Then I thought you'ld like to know
All those prayers you prayed for me,
Never a one once fell to the ground
I know sometimes it looked like I was a million miles from grace
But, he answered your prayers.  Just thought you'ld like to know.

I want you to know I love you
Please forgive me for all the times I broke your heart.
Every tear you cried for me, drew me closer to being free,
And I want to thank you.
Just thought you'ld like to know.

Then I thought you'ld like to know
That I wish I could live my life again
If I could, I would surely make amends.
And, if I can help someone along the way, I will.

Just thought you'ld like to know.



Happy Mother's Day!!


Peace and Love

COMPARISON IS THE THIEF OF JOY

I could be happy with my short, stubby, little body...except there is a Beyoncé out there.

I could be content and live comfortably within my salary (considering what my parents made)...except I hear what Oprah makes.

I could be satisfied being married to my husband...except I know there is someone out there married to Denzel.  (Williams does kind of sound like Washington, doesn't it??)

I could be proud of my daughter...except she is not Serena or Venus.  (At least their names are Williams.)

My best friend and I have been friends for years...except she is not Oprah and I am not Gail and she can't set me up with my own TV show or make me editor of a magazine.

I have loved all of my cats I have had over the years, but none of them were Garfield.

Neither of my sisters is married to a prince.

Comparison is the thief of JOY.

We are all fearfully and wonderfully made.  "For we are His workmanship,..." (Ephesians 2:10)

We have all been put on this planet for a purpose.  It is our task to discover what that purpose is.

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and the common sense to know the difference!


Peace AND Joy