Category: Motivation

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WHERE ARE THE GOOD MEN?

The question that is being asked in our society today is , “where are the good men and why are more women assuming more traditional male roles”.

God created man in the image and ordained them as the priest in their home. When Adam blamed Eve he was actually shifting the responsibilities to her (Genesis 3). He was dodging his responsibility as the leader, protector, and provider. This same attitude has infiltrated our society today and some men are comfortable with women bearing the brunt of the burden. This is the complete opposite of what God intended. He gave men work to till the ground, beautify and protect the earth. Women were to bear children and attend to the care of their family, help her husband by guarding and protecting the family from outside influences. Their children were to be taught the fear of God at an early age; practice benevolence and kindness, and a support system for her husband, creating a safe space for him to unwind and unburden after a hard day. Also, to be a collaborator and partner with him through life’s journey and keeping strife out of the home. God gave men the authority to become leaders in their homes by leading an exemplary life that is above reproach which filter to the community, church and work. Hence, they embody the character of Christ.

We are noticing a shift in the roles in the 21st century since some men are comfortable to sit back and allow women to lead. They are to work, pay the bill, raise the kids and be the PRO for the family. This can be burdensome for a woman and often lead to burnt out , flaring of tempers, which creates strife and division in the home. Our boys need good role models to raise them to fear God be honest, kind, respectful and temperate. Their training in the home should equip them to become gentlemen who will love, nurture and respect their wives. Sadly, most of our children are exposed to violence, drama, tension, and abuse in the home where they should be safe. No wonder our children are out of control. They don’t know who they are because there is brokenness in the home and no one is listening and the absence of the father contributes to this problem. Instead of modeling the attributes and behaviors of good fathers; they become rebellious and look up to the undesirables in our society as role models. Can we blame them?

Fathers God gave you the responsibility of growing your children to love and fear God. Teach them to respect you and they will respect God, whom you represented to them. During their formative ‘years these are very crucial years of the child’s growth and development. God is calling men to rise and uplift the youth. Nurture and affirm them while teaching them to be responsible, accountable, good work ethic, social skills and good morals. There is so much brokenness in our society because we have failed our children, spouses and God by distorting His image. It doesn’t matter where you are right now. There is a little boy or girl somewhere who is longing for a father’s love. Get up, step up and reclaim your position of power, and start effecting the changes in your home now. Let’s raise a generation of men who will stand for the truth, justice , and equity. Let your presence influence those around you so that your children will arise and call you blessed. Do what is right and honors God! We long for you to make us proud.

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THE FAMILIAR THINGS OF THE PAST

A good past is like a big comfortable armchair that is always inviting and relaxing. Once you step into that familiar place and experience comfort and safety, it is hard to trade it for the unknown. Often when faced with difficulties or things not working out as planned, we are quick to revert to the past because it is familiar.

An example would be a young bride who realizes that marriage requires work and might opt to return to the comforts of home. We pray for promotions and deliverance, yet when challenges arise, we become discouraged and want to retreat to the safety of the past. Although there is some comfort in what is familiar, there is no growth there. Changes are necessary for life because we develop through them. The children of Israel are a prime example. They were in bondage in Egypt for 430 years and they spent most of their time crying out to God for deliverance from their captivity. God sent Moses, His servant, along with Aaron, his brother, to deliver them. Through a series of miraculous events, they miraculously left Egypt and journeyed through the Red Sea. Everything was going well; they had manna from heaven that rained daily and water to drink. God preserved their clothing and their sandals. The moment they faced a challenge, they murmured and complained about Moses, who risked his life for them. (Exodus 15:22-27).

God expects us to grow and bear fruit. The challenges we face in this life prepare us for eternity. Challenges teach us self-discipline, denial, implicit trust, and unswerving faith in God and His promises. Many are afraid to explore new things because of the fear of failure. However, failure can become one of our biggest opportunities. We gain knowledge about what doesn’t work, and it builds our resilience to persevere through difficulties.

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IMPRISONED? GOD CAN BUST LOCKS AND CHAINS

God, our eternal Father, owns everything in the universe, including the locks and keys. No devil, individual, or system can unlawfully detain God’s children. If you find yourself in prison and are innocent, God is going to get you out. The Bible account in Acts 12:1-19 is a riveting testament to the power of prayer.

Herod was angry with the church and killed the apostle James and took Peter next and imprisoned him with the intention that he would experience the same fate. However, God had other plans for his life and the church prayed for him unceasingly. Peter, though heavily guarded and bound in chains, was fast asleep because of the confidence he had in the power of God to get him out of prison. In verse 7 the angel of the Lord stepped into the prison cell and shone a light on peter and struck him on the right side, which alerted him and he woke up. He did nothing but followed the instructions of the angel, which were to “rise” and his chains supernaturally fell off.

The angel instructed him to get dressed and put his sandals on, then follow him. Peter followed the instructions, thinking all the time that it was a vision. However, as they passed the different ward stations, his attitude shifted. The iron gates opened as though they were remote controlled and they went out into the street. The angel departed and Peter finally realized he was a free man. Peter was on his own to carry on with his daily life. The first thing he did was to find his brethren to tell them of his amazing jailbreak! He knocked on the door and the damsel. Rhoda believed it was Peter and was joyous and ran to tell the others he was free. However, when she gladly proclaimed he was at the door, they didn’t believe her. Peter kept on knocking, and when they open the door and saw him they were shocked. They had spent the night in prayer, yet they didn’t believe that God could deliver him. How often we pray for ourselves and others and when the answer comes, we are in disbelief. When you pray boldly, you can expect God to show up and demolish your prison walls, whether it’s physical, spiritual, or emotional. Remember to stay calm because the battle is always God’s.

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ARE YOU TIRED OF GETTING YOUR CHEEKS SLAPPED?

Many of us have hearts of gold. We are self-sacrificial and the first to turn up in times of crisis. We have helped many get through difficult times in their lives; hunger, broken relationships, divorce, job loss, homelessness, and betrayals. You became their safe place for all their negative and toxic emotions. However, as soon as they overcome their difficulties, they forget until there is another need to dispose of their bag of stress on you and walk free again. They are using you and don’t care about you or want to build a relationship with you. Have you ever thought about how we treat God the same way too? After He has blessed us with our spouses, house, jobs, and cars, promotions, healed us from cancer and heart disease, restored our marriages, and make us rich, we turn around and slap Him right in the face. We are selfish, disobedient, unloving, mistreat others, and think that it was by our efforts we accomplished these things.

The story of the ten lepers in Luke 17: 11-19, presents a good example of ungratefulness and unthankfulness. Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem and had to pass through Samaria and Galilee. While entering a certain village, He met ten lepers. They stayed at a distance and pleaded with him to have mercy on them. He told them to show themselves to the High Priest which was customary in those days. Praise God, as they went, healing took place. One of them, when he realized he was healed, returned to Jesus. With deep gratitude in his heart, he thanked Him. Jesus asked him, were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? They were nowhere in sight except for the one Samaritan. Because of his humility and faithfulness, Jesus told him to go his way because his faith had made him whole, which suggests that the others lacked faith.

Let us not forget the people who helped us to get to where we are. The view from the top is always great. However, one misstep can plummet us downward into the path of unforeseen danger. Let us be mindful of how we treat others in this life because they might just be the ones to break your fall. Above all, give thanks to God in everything!

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SHIFTING THINGS AROUND CAN UNCOVER NEW THINGS

I recently moved to another state and my internet box was waiting outside my apartment upon arrival.  I tackled the setup the next day because I was not in the mood to do it right away. The next day, I was excited about reconnecting with the outside world and continuing my outreach. However, there was one problem: I couldn’t locate the indoor connection. I had in my mind what it looked like from previous experiences and it never occurred to me that there might be a new way in another state.  I delayed setting up the internet because I didn’t want to be bothered.  Then came day two, and I needed to be online and must figure it out. Hence, I began the arduous task of shifting some boxes around.  To my amazement, the boxes hid the points, and in no time; I had internet service. I lost two days because I was not willing to look intentionally earlier.

My mind went back to an experience I had in my Junior year in college. I was a business major and taking a class in entrepreneurship among my other classes. They invited a wealthy business leader in the community to give a lecture about how to become a successful entrepreneur. He said one secret to becoming successful in business is the willingness to uncover new territories. He closed his lecture with this question; are you willing to explore new territories? Many of us were very skeptical because, for some of us, it was just making the grade because we had no interest in business ownership. We reluctantly answered in the affirmative. He gave us a task which was to overturn our chairs. Everyone gasped with excitement when they found a brand new $10 bill taped underneath their seats. The class gave him a resounding applause not just for the money but for the invaluable, simple practical lesson he taught us that day.

How many times do we get stuck in a rut and choose to remain there because we are too lazy to move things around, or don’t want to make the effort? Has it ever occurred to you that you might find something of value or learn something new that might change your life? God wants us to live joyfully each day despite the challenges we might experience in our lives. When we apply a positive approach, it can help to find solutions or help us push through a very difficult situation.

As Christians, we often become stuck with rituals and routines. God wants us to grow in our walk with Him and He expects us to ask big. 1 Chronicle 4:9-10 introduces Jabez’s character as being honorable. However, his name meant sorrow because his mother had a difficult time with his birth. One would think that he would go about life feeling sorry for himself. Jabez knew the God of his fathers and that with Him there were no limits. Therefore, he boldly stated his petition to the God of Israel, our God: Oh that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me and that thou would keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me. And God granted him what he requested. God wants to grant our requests. Let us do our part by studying His word, praying, and listening to the Holy Spirit. He is the same God. Let’s allow Him to surprise us by praying bold prayers today!

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THERE IS HEALING IN THE POWER OF A TOUCH

The story in Luke 8: 45- 55 chronicles the end journey of a lifetime of pain and suffering for this woman of God. She was very ill but never gave up because she willed herself to live. Her earthly resources were exhausted and she had nothing left. Despite this infirmity, she kept pressing on in faith knowing that she will be healed although not knowing when and how.

On this given day, Jesus was visiting her town and there is no doubt that the news quickly spread because everywhere He went He had a huge following. He was lauded and celebrated by all; those who loved Him and those who hated him. Though very frail she positioned herself in the crowd no doubt being trampled on as she crawled because she didn’t have the energy to stand. She heard about JESUS and she believed that He could heal her and make her whole. She trembled with excitement as she inched closer to Him planning her strategy of when to reach out and touch Him. As she got close enough, she reached her hand and touched the border of His garment from behind, and immediately felt the power of the touch that healed her. JESUS stopped what He was doing and asked “who touched me”? He felt the transforming power left His body to hers and He wanted her to testify. She knelt in humility at Jesus’s feet and confessed and He called her daughter and declared to her that it was her faith that made her whole (Luke 8:48).

Many of us are suffering from chronic illnesses today and we have not received our healing. Is it because we lack the faith or the will to be made whole? God wants to heal us but we must read His word, pray and listen to what the Holy Spirit is telling us to do, and follow in obedience. It was His Holy Spirit that directed that woman to that place of healing where she experienced the most electrifying touch in her life. Do you want a touch like that? Commit your plan and ways to the Lord and He will bring it to pass (Proverbs 16:2-4). Let our hearts, hands, and prayers touch heaven this year so that we can experience that powerful, personal, and healing touch from the Master, JESUS CHRIST!

My friend’s husband recently published a book titled: The Will to Heal. You can check it out at this link:

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WHEN LIFE THROWS BLOWS – FIGHT BACK

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Have you ever found yourself in a situation where someone picks on you and makes it their duty point to make your life a living hell?  This is what I experienced over the last couple of years.  The attacks were vicious, hateful, and targeted.  I became broken and defeated. I reached the point where I felt diminished as a human being.  This psychological abuse crippled me at the core and it took me almost a year before I reported it. Sadly, nothing was done about it and this added to my pain knowing that this monster was allowed to get away with tormenting me without any consequences.

Although the stress was chronic, I continued to write posts for my audience and carried on under the weight. One morning while I was wrestling with why this was happening to me, the inspired words came to my thoughts, and I wrote them down. I suddenly felt empowered, and it has been life-changing for me. Then it occurred to me to get them on Tees because this is not only my story. Yes, there are people in this world who will make you feel that way despite your race or ethnicity. Visit our store at  https://teesdees.etsy.com and get your tees that will inspire you to challenge the negativity you will face in this world! 

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Let’s stamp out #stigma, #hate by showing love to others now. Support this ministry by getting your T-shirt today. May it empower you as it did me to STAND UP AND SPEAK OUT! https://teesdees.etsy.com

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THE GOOD AND BAD OF IMMIGRATION

Ruth 1 & 2

Throughout history, people have emigrated to other countries, hoping to take advantage of better economic opportunities. However, for some people, this can become a nightmare of hardship and pain.  Here Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their two sons moved to better pastures because there was a famine in the land of Bethlehem-Judah. They settled in the land of Moab.  In a very short time, Naomi was bereaved of her husband. The son married local women, Ruth and Orpah, and the family continued there for ten years. However, tragedy struck and this time she lost both of her sons.  Now, this was too much for Naomi and she decided it was time for her to go back home to the familiar territory because she heard that the famine was over.  She discussed this with her daughters-in-law, encouraging them to go back to their family homes. However, Ruth stayed with her. Ruth 1:16.

Upon her arrival in Bethlehem, they greeted Naomi warmly, although they scarcely recognized her because the hardship had taken a toll, aged, and enfeebled her.  They asked, is this, Naomi? Her response was “call me not Naomi, call me Mara because God has dealt bitterly with me. I went out full and came back empty”. She had lost everyone and everything that meant anything to her, and this experience embittered her because she felt God had severely afflicted her.  However, her return to her country was a blessing; Ruth was like a daughter to her, and she became a grandmother and through that lineage, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was born.

Do you feel that the Lord’s hand is afflicting you? Are you feeling like Mara today? Good news whom the Lord loves He chastens. Do not despise the chastening of the Lord, it will get better. When we face the furnace of affliction, it is to test, strengthen, purify, and cleanse. Have hope in GOD!

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SELF-ABANDONMENT – ARE YOU GUILTY?

We abandon ourselves when we cannot do the little things daily that nurture and nourish our mental, physical, spiritual, and overall well-being. Our primary responsibility is to take care of ourselves and then try to help others do the same. When we fail at self-care, we leave ourselves vulnerable to physical, mental, and spiritual weakness. It isn’t God’s idea for us to work ourselves to the point of our dangling nerves. Instead, we were meant to live lives that are rich, rewarding, and engaging. He gave us a 24-hour respite each week, and this doesn’t mean that we must not carve out time every single day for rest (Exodus 20:8-11). When we cannot take the time to care for ourselves, we will find our overworked, undernourished, and fatigued bodies succumbing to many maladies. A powerful mind lives in a strong body.

We say we love ourselves, yet everything we do contradicts this. We spend countless hours trying to entertain and please people, cooking, cleaning, and running errands to the detriment of our health. What about us? Are we not important enough to step aside and spend some time with ourselves to nurture and nourish our body mind and spirit? Yesterday, the world awakened to the shocking news of the death of another celebrity, DJ Twitch, who from his outward appearance had it all going for him. Yet no one saw the longing of his soul because it cannot be seen with human eyes. People are crying out for more and it is not for more money, and followers on social media but for more quality time with “ME”. This is one of the most selfless things you can do for yourself. Some are afraid to withdraw from public life for a while because it is not the thing they do, fearing public backlash or losing followers. Let them leave. Many more will follow. A good friend loveth at all times (Proverbs 17:17) and when people care about you, they allow you the space you need to take care of yourself and be authentic. Our bodies are fearfully and wonderfully made, yet they are not machines, and they break from time to time. The problem is that they often warn us by sending creaking, pesty sounds we do not want to hear. When we ignore them, it is to our detriment because a simple oil change can become a complete overhaul of the engine, which is the heart of the vehicle, and takes much longer to fix.

How to you spend time with yourself

Being kind to yourself is the first step in self-care. Instead of jumping out of bed in the morning, do it slowly. Look at yourself in the mirror and affirm yourself. Do the simple little things such as brushing your teeth, taking a shower, combing your hair, having a good meal, and being present while you are doing it. Put “you” at the top and bottom of your daily schedule every day because you are more important than anything you could ever do. Take mini-vacations, and long vacations, hug longer,  and spend time alone or with people who are “self-carers” not “self-drainers.”

Live your life on your terms

Stop allowing people to manipulate you into doing what they think you should be doing. Find yourself and do those things that are meaningful to you and nurture your mind and body. Don’t be afraid to start all over. Sometimes this is what many of us need to do instead of remaining stuck in the corner we have placed ourselves in. Give yourself permission to move out and explore the world around you and your innate gifts.  We all have many gifts, but we harp on just one which is just as draining.  Try something new daily. You might find that you have more talents than you think. Listen to your heart and do what it is telling you to do without fear. Life is risky and one cannot live without taking risks: take a hike, go bungee jumping, zip-lining.  Do something fun and amazing!

Spend quality time with God

Put God first in your life. Set aside time to be with Him daily because He is the power source of all wisdom. Talk with Him about your life, concerns, family, the future because He yearns to hear them. Read the Bible daily and praise Him as well. He wants to comfort you when you are broken by giving you that safe space to heal. He wants to guide and give you the life He has planned for you.

Spend quality time with family

God created us to be a community. We are never meant to be alone. Spending quality time with family creates bonds and trust, provides support, and improves our overall health. Those who don’t have a family can spend time with friends or church members because this is good for you and increases longevity.

Although it is good to do good, let your first good be taking care of you today!

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RELYING ON ALLIES WHEN IN TROUBLE

GENESIS 14:10-18

There was a war in Sodom and Gomorrah. The king fell into the slime pit and they captured Lot along with his goods. Abraham learned of his fate through his confederates. Right away, he knew he needed trusted allies to rely on that would help him gain an advantage over the enemy. He knew he was in a strange land and would have enemies. Today, our confederates should be our prayer partners who will intercede with God for us until they make the pitfalls known.

Arming for Battle

This requires trusted men who are prepared for war. Abraham was always prepared for war, hence he had a mini army of 318 highly trained and skilled men in his house. As the body of Christ, we must fight together, not against each other. When God’s people are anointed with the Holy Spirit’s fire, there is nothing we cannot conquer. Abraham, though old, did not remain at home because he was the commandeering chief, and he knew the importance of his presence. Hence, he gathered his army, discussed their strategies, and off they went in pursuit of the enemy, who was stronger in the army than them. They had just defeated five kings and taken away great spoils. However, this did not deter the man of God who knew that the battle is the Lord’s. Therefore, he was assured that the victory was his.

Testing keeps us humble and faithful

You might ask why God allowed Lot to be captured and put this golden ager at high risk. God wanted Abraham to remember that he is still useful in His service and that He must keep exercising his faith and trust in Him. Today, God might give us tests to keep us alert because the enemy, Satan, is always on the prowl. Hence, we must never become complacent but always prepare because the attacks usually come without warning and we will destroy us if we are not ready to fight back. Failure to prepare gives the enemy an advantage over us and although we might overcome, our lives might not be the same because we got wounded or suffered a great loss. Let us always prepare like a soldier.

The big win

Abraham and his team smote them and brought back Lot, his goods, and all his helpers, women, and men. They recovered everything that was stolen. What a powerful example of preparation and readiness for life’s unforeseen challenges! Abraham returned home to a hero’s welcome because through God, he accomplished the impossible. God is the same and today He wants to accomplish something impossible in your life. However, you must show your readiness by studying His words, praying, and listening to the Holy Spirit, then stepping out in faith. We also need godly people in our lives as confederates who will pray for us and warn us when we are in imminent danger and continue with warfare on our behalf.

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LET MY PEOPLE GO

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God’s people were under bondage by the Egyptian regime. Their cries of desperation and frustration went up to Him, and He heard them and elected Moses, a faithful warrior, to go to Egypt with a central message to Pharoah, “let my people go”. Pharoah’s prideful response was “Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, nor will I let Israel go.” Exodus 5:2.  God, the supreme authority, sent a command to Pharoah His subject that was ignored. Of course, he didn’t know God because he was an idol worshipper. As we know, through a series of divine events, he had to let them go.

Today, many of God’s children are being severely oppressed by principalities, powers, spiritual wickedness in high places, and wicked and evil people.  The burdens are so heavy it is infuriating. However, they continued to pray, believe, praise, worship, and trust God for their deliverance. God heard your prayers and has issued a mandate to Satan to let you go. Like Pharoah, the devil will not let you go easily because your soul is of great value to him too.  We must continue to press on in prayer, believe, and trust God to fulfill His promises in our lives. He is getting ready to show signs and wonders in your life, and the devil must flee.  He will cover you with the blood of Jesus Christ of Nazareth and march you out of the land of the enemy.  You will not go out empty-handed because He will take back what the enemy has stolen from you; health, wealth, relationships, and countless missed opportunities. Then He will guide you every step of the way with a pillar of cloud by day and a fiery pillar at night. He will bring you to the Red Sea to test your faith and then He will part it so that you can walk to victory on dry land. Those who troubled you will not anymore.

God can do anything. He is limitless and boundless because He is the Almighty God. Let us speak of His goodness and praise Him always because we have all been benefactors of His richness. Today, if you are being oppressed by the devil or evil people, they have been warned. God is getting ready to take all the stumbling blocks out of your way. Let’s praise the Lord for His bountiful goodness to us all!

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EXPLORING THE UNKNOWN HAS EXCITING POSSIBILITIES

I live in an area that is conducive to outdoor activities.  There is not much traffic, the skies are blue, and the outside is very scenic. Beautiful plants, neatly cut grass, trimmed trees, birds singing and many areas for walking are the things that appeal to me most in any neighborhood. I love to walk and sometimes joy hence I can take care of their health.  I love the scenic routes, and there are several that I traverse when I go for my morning walks.  One of my favorite routes is the burial ground, the resting place of the once wealthy in this world’s goods and those who revered God and maintained a spiritual connection with Him, which is the pearl of great price. I like to read the tombstones because they tell stories about the life that they lived. I found one that encapsulates the mission that I am passionate about and I was awe-struck by the deep faith and commitment of this very humble servant, though rich.

One morning, my adventurous spirit took over, and I felt the desire to take a new route. However, I couldn’t decide where to go.  I had passed a path that led off the main road many times during my walk and to me; it was just a track to someone’s house for months; I ignored it. That morning I stood right there facing the same track. However, I hesitated for a while and then I saw a young woman approaching me.  She was coming from the direction of the track.  I greeted her warmly and politely asked her about the track. She described it as being breathtakingly beautiful, with a stream running through it. Oh, I love to look at the beautiful trees and flowering plants during my walk, and the sound of water was an added blessing.  Being near water is so calming and energizing for me.  This excited me, and I thanked her and ventured onto this path, which was a paved pathway with seatings and a beautiful stream running by. As I stared in awe at God’s marvellous creation, I cast my eyes to the right, beholding this beautiful creek that flowed right through the entire path. This spot was almost directly behind my house and although it had been there for years, I didn’t notice it because of my fear of the unknown. What a missed opportunity! I was enjoying nature’s beauty when I heard footsteps behind me, showing I had company.  I turned to see who they were. They were walkers and joggers chatting, laughing and enjoying the cool, calm and peaceful atmosphere of the track.  Later, I realized that this path also led to the main thoroughfare. It was a very pleasant walk and so different from the routes I had taken on my frequent walks.  It was a fun walk, and I learned several important lessons that day that apply to any area of your life.

  • As we go through life, we must remain curious while having an open mind. 
  • Don’t be afraid to try something new alone.
  • Seize the opportunity right there
  • Go slowly along a new path; listen, look, and learn
  • Create fun moments every day
  • Give the brain a workout by getting lost sometimes

What new things have you done lately?  I would love to hear about them and look forward to your response.