LIVE & LEARN

We all make mistakes, I am no different from anyone else, I mess up, I fall down, I learn by trial and error just like you do.  Everyday should be a learning experience, if you have made a mistake, and haven't learned anything from it, then you can expect to keep reliving and repeating that same mistake until you get the lesson.  We have to stop beating ourselves up over bad decisions.  This is how "baggage" is created.  Forgiving ourselves can sometimes be difficult, especially if our bad decision making has hurt someone else.  But why is it that after the person hurt has offered forgiveness, we still feel guilty?  Maybe it's because we know that we are better than our mistakes.  Guilt is a very strong and sometimes dangerous emotion, it will eat you alive if you don't take control of it.  It can stop you from moving forward, it can cause you to be manipulated into doing things that you normally wouldn't, it can even change your perception of yourself.  So whether you're feeling guilty about the mistakes you've made as a parent, a child, husband/wife, girlfriend/boyfriend, or friend, LET IT GO!  Pray on it, make your peace with the person and/or people you've hurt, and whether they forgive you or not...Forgive yourself.   ~Nikki G~

VISIONS

As we get ready to start a new week, I wanted to offer a lil food for thought.  We all find ourselves day dreaming from time to time, thinking of having the things we lack, whether it be money, love, or countless other things we desire.  Let me suggest to you that these dreams or VISIONS  you're having are simply a taste of what you have to look forward to if you keep the faith and continue to strive for them.  God gives us visions, a look into what could be our future, in order that we might not get comfortable and stuck in the past or present.  No matter where you are in life or in pursuance of your goals, always keep your eyes fixed on the road ahead, and reaching the next level.  Even if you're going through a storm in your life, stay focused, because when the rain stops and the clouds clear, you have to be prepared for the next season.  Life happens in seasons, there are times of storm, crisis, and turmoil, which are always followed by times of sunshine, calm, and fruitfulness.  Through your seasons God gives you vision to hold on to, hope to keep you moving forward, so that you don't become stagnant.  Being stagnant, or stuck in the same place for too long, gives way for negativity and doubt to set in.  So when you find yourself day dreaming of better days to come, thank The Lord for the blessings he has prepared for you, even though you haven't received them yet, enjoy peace in knowing that the best is yet to come... ~Nikki G~

REALIZING PURPOSE

Woke up this morning with a new found sense of peace.  I have finally realized my purpose!  Some people spend their whole lives wondering why they're here, and what it is they should be doing.  Living your life not knowing, is not living at all,  you always have the feeling like your missing something, or that you're not where you should be.  I've discovered that your purpose lies in your gift.  Your gift is something given to you by God, something that you're naturally good at, it's a passion, it may even disguise itself as a hobby.   God uses people to bless others and carry out his will.  If you want to know what he put you  here to do, search for the gift he's placed inside of you.  What ever your gift (or natural talent) is, start using it!  How you use it depends on you, some people capitalize off their gifts, some use their gifts to help others,  if you're truly living in your purpose, you should be able to do both.  Once you have realized what he's given you,  The Lord will begin to open and close doors, and move you in different directions so he can get you into places where he can use you. That's when you start living and not just existing.  ~Nikki G~