Hi Everyone,
It's been awhile but I felt compelled to write this morning. Over the pass seven months, my life has changed for the better. The changes have been a divine blessing but I realized I was carrying other people's stress. Of course I have my own stressors but what do I mean by other people's stress? Other people's opinions.....other people's jealousy, other people's lies....just other people's beliefs about my life, my goals and dreams, my Blessings, my decisions, and my character. It's funny how when you try to do what's right how you come under intense scrutiny. Unfortunately, that's life.
I came across this quote this morning during morning meditation. I don't know the original source, but if you know where it came from, please let me know and I will credit it.
"A psychologist walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience. As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they’d be asked the “half empty or half full” question. Instead, with a smile on her face, she inquired: “How heavy is this glass of water?” Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz. She replied, “The absolute weight doesn’t matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it’s not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I’ll have an ache in my arm. If I hold it for a day, my arm will feel numb and paralyzed. In each case, the weight of the glass doesn't change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.” She continued, “The stresses and worries in life are like that glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens. Think about them a bit longer and they begin to hurt. And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed – incapable of doing anything.” Remember to put the glass down."
This is a really great story of how important it is NOT to hold on to things. Stress, anger, negativity, and worry all weigh and become a lot of extra "weight" to carry around. Most of the time it's not even your problem. My new motto is "if it's not my problem, then it's not my burden to bear." This motto has helped me to stay focused and to keep the main thing the main thing. The "weight" will cause you to get off track and lose sight of your divine purpose. STAY FOCUSED!
No one is perfect and we all fall short sometimes but self-reflection is key to ensuring we continue to grow in wisdom and get better each day. Even with our baggage, we can't let other people's mess/stuff dictate who we are called to be.
I encourage you to meditate and listen to the spirit for guidance and walk in your divine purpose.
Think about what you are holding onto now and tell yourself to "put the glass down."
One Love,
Robin
“You were born with wings, why prefer to crawl through life?”
~Rumi
Hello Everyone,
The past couple of weeks have been LONG, often trying on the soul and spirit but I made it. It’s 6:30am on Saturday morning and I feel a wave of motivation all over me. I hop out of bed, grab a pen and paper, and WRITE. Here’s what the Creator is telling me:
Be Thankful
Make a Plan
Trust Yourself
Do What’s Right not What’s Popular
Stop worrying about the opinions of others
Be confident, resilient, fearless, and creative
Connect with family and friends
Move Forward
Have Fun
I have declared 2014 as my year of transformation. So far, my year has started out promising but oh how the Negative Naysayers are on the prowl trying to bring anyone they can down. It’s sad when people just can’t be happy for one another and appreciate differences. Who wants to be with a group where everyone thinks the same, acts the same, eats the same things, wears the same things….you get my point. If you think differently, have different expectations, or just simply have a higher standard about everything you do, then get ready for the constant negativity and name-calling.
Stay away from negative people!!!! Please don't make the mistake I made of talking to the wrong people. People who are negative have had bad experiences and often lack knowledge, strategies, and clarity so they have no direction to send you but down. If you want to be on the rise, stay away from them. STAY FAR AWAY! I can’t stress this enough.
Surround yourself with people who are already successful in doing what you want to do. They will not feel threatened or intimidated by you and will encourage you to reach your full potential. Model after them and soak up their energy and enthusiasm. Find a mentor and collaborate with them. This will give you the confidence, support and encouragement to move forward.
On a personal note, I need the doubters and I get motivated from a little "friction" on the path to my goals. Skepticism drives me because I get motivated when people say I can’t do it or I’m this or that. This just fuels me to run the race, to see what the end will be (as the church folk say) and to put more energy into being who the Creator has called me to be.
I want to encourage you to be on the rise. You can do ALL things. Trust the Creator and Trust yourself.
One Love,
Robin
My friend Janet told me to enjoy the snow days and write. I've had writer's block for sometime now and finding inspiration has been challenging. I decided to look at my horoscope from a couple of weeks ago and this is what it said: "If you feel like you've been sacrificing too much in your life, then stop doing it. You may be selfish every now and then -- in fact, it's healthy! So let the pendulum swing back to 'selfish,' where your happiness is the highest priority. Reclaim some of your free time. Use it however you see fit -- take a nap, read a book, go for a walk, or even just watch TV. All that matters is that you are doing what you want to do, when you want to do it."
We spend so much of our time being everything to everybody. When we do pause to take a moment for ourselves, we often feel guilty. Trust me, I've felt that guilt too often, but I made a decision that 2014 was going to be my transformation year. I decided that all of the dead weight I carried from work, relationships that brought me no joy, financial burdens and all of the struggles of simply living life was going to take a back seat so I could find True Joy.
Like many other women, I carry the "Strong Black Woman" banner with pride. I know that I can handle a lot and keep it moving but there are days when I simply don't want to. I couldn't admit that before but I can now. When I need a break, I know how to take one. I like to call them "mental health days." Am I still strong, courageous, passionate, ambitious, fabulous, and fearless? Yes, but it simply means that I know how to take care of my mental, spiritual, and physical body. I give myself permission to be human which means I cry, I laugh (hard), I grieve, I work hard, and I rest/ relax.....without feeling guilty. I'm back to reading, writing, traveling, spending quality time with my friends and family, and I'm even considering yoga classes.
While it's snowing on the East Coast and cabin fever is about to set in, this is a great time to reflect, relax, and renew. Discover what lifts your spirit and makes you the happiest. It's key to find something to look forward to everyday; to do something kind for someone else; to find something to be grateful for; to laugh and play as often as you can; to get your body moving by walking, dancing, etc.; and to give yourself permission to relax, take a break or mental health day so that you remain in your happy place.
It's ok to be strong but happiness trumps everything. I encourage you to find your True Joy.
One Love,
Robin
(From my kitchen table watching the snow)
