Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Sipping on Hot Tea

My tea is too hot to drink it down like water. Tea was designed to be sipped and savored, not guzzled or gulped. Unlike a cold glass of lemonade, hot teas are certainly not for the impatient. As I scurry through my daily routine, I seldom find the time to sip. On rare occasions, when I do find the time, I enjoy the flavor of hot peppermint herbal tea with honey so much, that I become frustrated that I can’t engulf more than a sip at one time.  One day while sipping on my favorite tea, I realized something very important as it pertains my life’s journey. Like hot tea, life should be sipped on, not gulped or guzzled. Whenever you guzzle something that was meant to be sipped on, not only do you get burned, but, you will miss out on the life important lessons that we need to learn. I realized that I have to make a conscious effort to slow it down and sip on my life. Life will be so much more rewarding when we finally embrace that truth. As I go through my life, Heavenly Father, help me to slow it down that I may hear your voice more clearly and be in tune for your will for my life. Amen

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Can’t Find My Keys

I’m running late for work and I can’t find my keys. What did I do with them? I can’t go anywhere until I find them. The last time I saw then yesterday when I came back from the store. I distinctly remember coming in the house, setting them down on the table and walking into the kitchen. From my recollection, that was what I did, however, I could be wrong. Lately I've had so many things on my mind, I often forget things. Nevertheless, I must find these keys! I cannot go on with my day until I find them. I need these keys to get my car started and accomplish my day’s goals. I know they’re in the house somewhere, but I can’t find them.

While looking for my keys, I thought about how many people are walking around with hidden hurts. It’s they’re inside your inner house, but sometimes you can’t find it. Locating the source of your pain is the key to moving on in your life. It is the first step to freeing your troubled mind.
You can’t fix what you can’t identify. You will go on and on carrying it around until eventually it destroys your spirit, your dreams, goals and relationships.

I sat down for a moment, ditched my adrenaline mode and thought long and hard about where I put them. After much reflection, I remembered that I also went to the bathroom to wash my hands and they fell behind the toilet.


Take the time to think long and hard about where in your house have you left your hurt, your pain and your insecurities. Don’t go around another day with that pain. It’s in your house somewhere, just look for it. I guarantee you, if you really take to look, you will find it.  Here's a freebie,  find it fast before you run everyone away that you love. Heavenly father, show me the source of my hidden pains. And after you show me, give me the strength to confront it head on and surrender my issues to you that I may be totally healed, whole and complete. In the name of Jesus Christ my Savior. Amen. 

Dusting Off My Boots



Wednesday November 13, 2013
Published by: Arabella Guirerra

I had a rough childhood growing up. This may sound like a cliché' because who hasn't right? Perhaps, but everyone has a story to tell. So sit back grab your favorite cappuccino and here we go.I grew up in South Central L.A in poverty, gang infested neighborhoods, homeless, switched around from house to home, pillow to post and by a single mother whose parenting skills might of needed a little fine-tuning. However, all of those obstacles growing up gave me imaginary hurdles that throughout my life taught me to be grateful, humble, giving and appreciative.I think I inherited each of those qualities as I jumped over each hurdle in my life.What's unique about me is that no matter how many times I get knocked down, I always dust my boots off and get right back up . Visit our website http://www.souljazzyentertainment.com


Wednesday, November 6, 2013

The Second Floor

Published by: Gina Carey (C) 2013

After trying to fight the feeling of spending another dime on none necessities, I gave in to the temptation and went to the mall. Whenever I visit the mall, I find myself frequenting the same store located on the lower level.
A friend of mines turned me on to my now favorite store years ago, and just the thought of going puts the biggest smile on my face. Their dresses are absolutely stunning and very affordable. One of the best things about my favorite store is that the customer service is exceptional, always full of bright shinny smiling faces.  While shopping in my favorite store, I sometimes run into familiar faces. We talk about the same old things like, are you still on that diet, or “Girl that dress is so cute, but I could never wear that with all my jelly rolls”. We discuss our children and husbands as if we knew each other for centuries, yet walk away without any follow up contact.
After purchasing a new purse, dress and a pair of 4 inch heels, I found myself to be exhausted!  Disregarding my tired body, and continuing on with my predictable journey, I head over to my favorite restaurant which is also located on the lower level. I walk in and wait to be seated. Grabbing the menu, I order the same meal, Mac and cheese and cranberry juice.

 While waiting for my food, the same friend who had turned me on to my favorite store located on the lower level, tells me about this amazing new department store that just opened on the second floor. She informed me that there was a grand opening and that the same dress I bought for $40.00 was on sale for $20.00.
Needless to say, I was in shock. I had not shopped anywhere other than my favorite store in years. I was so fixated on that store; I never even thoughts about visiting the second floor for anything. After all, I thought that everything thing I needed was in my normal clothing store. Nevertheless I decided to do the unimaginable and make that trip upwards.

After finishing my meal, I reluctantly headed towards the escalator. As I moved closer towards the center of the mall, I thought about what would happen if I really like this new store and even worse find a restaurant that has even better mac and cheese? The mere thought of changing anything about my regular routine frightened me for a moment because I am such a creature of habit. But, after several years of shopping on the same level, I felt like maybe I should take the plunge and explore new horizons.

So, I jumped on the escalator and proceeded heading upward. While ascending, I noticed the lower level and all the objects thereon becoming smaller. As I continued to escalate upward, the objects on the 2nd level become more vibrate and clearer. I couldn't believe my eyes! There were numerous clothing stores with 70 % off sales and clothes that appeared to be even more fabulous than the ones at my favorite store. When I finally reached the second floor, I looked down and for a split second I thought about how much I would miss my old shopping buddies and friends I had made who worked in favorite store, but against my own reluctance , I decided to move forward and proceed to the second level.


Just as my friend said, the same dress I had purchased for $40.00 was only $20.00. On top of that, the employees were also friendly.  Wow! Who would have known that moving forward, although scary and uncertain at times could turn out to be the biggest blessing of your life? Heavily Father, help me to embrace change and to be lead by your Holy Spirit in all that I do. Let me never be so comfortable in my own routines that I miss out on where you want to take me. 

Thursday, October 31, 2013

We're Just Like Sisters

Published by: Gina Carey (C) 2013

“I love you and I promise to always be there for you”. “No matter what, I have your back”. “I am your number one supporter, you can depend me”. If you ever need a friend, call me anytime”. OK, so let me rephrase that statement, “You can always depend on me only if you’re not plagued with problems deeper than the part of the pool I wish to swim".

 We are so close, we are like sisters you say, but we are only like sisters as long as I do everything according to your liking. We are only like sisters if I chose to never think different or make choices that deviate from your thoughts and ideas of what I should do.

 We are like sisters you say, but what if I move far away from the home town where you reside? How long will it take for you to forget that I even existed? “You are like a sister to me”, are the words I’m beginning to despise.
I am not like a sister to you when you’re so eager to turn your back when I’m going through hard times. I am not like a sister to you if I call you and it takes you four weeks to return my call. I am not like a sister to you when I’m involved in great things and you never take the time to support. And I am certainly not like a sister to you when you make promises with no intention
on following through.

Did you know I got married last week? Do you even know my new last name? Hey, I got promoted on my job to manager, did you know that? The answer is no. No to everything. And now you are not like a sister to me?  You are not even a friend. Thank you Lord that I can always depend on you being there, no matter what. I’m so grateful for your steadfast love that never ceases. You love me unconditionally. Everyday that goes by, I become more and more aware of your awesome greatness. Thank you for being all that I will ever need. You are more than enough. Your love is incomparable!!