Never to busy

Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived. Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life. Be very sure now, you who have been trained to a self-sufficient maturity, that you enter into a generous common life with those who have trained you, sharing all the good things that you have and experience. Don't be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others-ignoring God! - harvests a crop of weeds. All he'll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God's Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life. So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith. (Galatians 6:1-10 MSG)

Someone shared this with me and I thought I would share it with u! ;)

Be inspired and blessed,

Sweet Lady! ;)

Take it all back!

As I have began the journey to let my hair grow back out (only bob length). I have decided to take this journey as not only a transition for my hair but for my personal and spiritual self as well. I want to transition into all that is out there for me. Mentally, Spiritually and Physically. Towards the end of this year, I must admit I have fell off track. 2011 was a year of test for me. Being in a year of test after test after test after test after test is HARD!! But I made it and I am taking the growth from my test and pushing them forward into my testimony in 2012. I am taking ME back now, before year end and preparing for my transition and to receive all that God has in store! Take you back now! Dont wait until news years!!!

SN: This is truly OFF topic, however I want to encourage someone not to let where you COME FROM be a deciding factor of where you are GOING! Discipline yourself to push(pray until something happens) past where you have always been.

Be Inspired,

Sweet Lady!

On again...Off again...

Sometimes in life we have to realize that the on again off again things/people in our life can be the most precious. Sometimes people/things may not be there for every precious moment in your life, but isnt it ironic how they always pop up at the right time?!? That reminds me of God. Sometimes it seems that He is not there or far away but He always shows up at the right time. I believe that He uses those people/things to make known, His presence. Be thankful for those people/things that show up right on time, many times that is what will have the biggest impact on our life or situation.

Be inspired,

Sweet Lady :)

Thanks be to the one and only God!

For He deserves all of our praise and Thanksgiving! If no other day of the year, today you should wake up with a spirit of Thanksgiving on your heart! God has been soo good to us! Why you ask? Ummmm well for starters, you are reading this post so that means you are alive, have eyesight, a sound mind, you have electricity, your cell phone is not disconnected, you have activity of you limbs...PRAISE God for just those things!

For the past three weeks, I have been in a lil funk because things were not going my way in my life. But thank God for his grace and mercy and Amazing friends and family allowing me to realize that the battle is all His and that I need to release my control to him and Shut up! (Exodus 14:13-14)  Even when things don't seem right, I know IN HIM I still have the victory!

This year has been a year of growth for me! I thank him for the pain and struggles that I have went through to build the strength that I have now! When I think of the goodness of Jesus and allllllll He has done for me and around me, my soul cries out!!! THANKFUL!!! Praise and give thanks to Him on today!

Be Inspired,

Sweet Lady! :)

Standards

"Dont lower your standards for anyone" -Ms. Tyler at my old church sent this message randomly to me through my mom...but I feel like it is a direct message from God!

My mom said all she said was tell her I said hello and that I know she is doing well in life and "Dont lower her standards for anyone"! That spoke so much life into me. I have recently been contemplating if I can at times expect to much and set my standards too high for others! But that there was confirmation!


I have another post coming soon...stay tuned lol

Be inspired,

Sweet Lady!

Rejection or Protection??

The title of my post was the title of my devotional that I received this morning in my email from Diva Zone, an online magazine. In this mornings daily dose was this quote, " Try your best to stop taking everything so personal, because many times it is not even about you." -Felisha Jones. It spoke to me because I am guilty of doing that from time to time.

Be inspired

Sweet Lady :)


Here is the remainder of the email, in case anyone may want to read.

Rejection or Protection??

Is there anyone in your life that you know like a book? Let me help you out a bit. It is that person whose habits are pretty much engraved in your brain. It is that person who can guarantee that you will warn them before they do something they will regret based on what you have come to know about them. What trips me out is that we know ourselves like a book, yet we don't love ourselves enough to listen to our own internal warnings.


Well, guess what girlfriend? God knows each and every one of us like a book. We are NOT slick. And, you can best believe that He knows what we need before we ask and He definitely knows how to keep us out of situations that we will regret later.
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.


I chuckle at times, when I think about how our Heavenly Father has to deal with us DIVAs as we continue to grow and learn. God will gently tap our fingers saying..."Leave that alone baby"...and we with our neatly manicured fingernails continue to reach and grab and that's when that gentle tap on the fingers turns into "Go to your room" -- you know that place of complete isolation and shut down, where we are forced to think about our actions and vow to make a better decision the next time?


So, the next time you even think about using your DIVA powers to knock down that closed, boarded up, cemented shut door with CAUTION written in red, please remember that the world's rejection is God's gracious protection.


Isaiah 64:4 For since the beginning of the world
Men have not heard nor perceived by the ear,
Nor has the eye seen any God besides You,
Who acts for the one who waits for Him. (NKJ)


Next Steps: Try your best to stop taking everything so personal, because many times it is not even about you.

Simple and to the point....

"Quit mourning over things you can not change" -Joel Osteen

When you go through things you dont understand and may not be sure why something did or did not happen? Get comfortable not knowing its a part of growing and maturing!

Thats all for now....

Be inspired,

Sweet Lady!

SN: Everything that I post on my blog is not to be taken as me being a know it all,  but me sharing some of the notes that I am receiving from different outlets in my life. I desire for others as well as myself to grow and mature into the person God has chosen them. "Aint no fun if the homies cant have none" right?!?!

Reflection.....

" When I look back over the last year until know! I am beyond grateful! God has broken me and made me so much stronger! I thank Him for the valley low! I am soo humbled as I embark on my mountain highs!" -Me after my promotion a lil over a month ago!

Not Making Moves Outside of what God has for You!

This post comes courtesy of my LS, Chelsi!  Sometimes in life we get in a hurry to see things succeed. I would like to encourage you not to do ANYTHING, outside of Gods will for you life. That means waiting for his timing! There is a time and season for everything. (Ecclesiastes 3:1) Doing something outside of Gods timing can mean HELL in your life. Be patient. I know it may be hard during your season of waiting. But during this season, you should be preparing for the blessing(s) that God has in store for you.Redirect your attention. Be patient and wait on Him, for in due season you will reap your harvest if you faint not! (Galatians 6:9)

Listen to this for encouragement: Wait on the Lord:Donnie McClurkin

Be inspired,

Sweet Lady! :)

Do you Boo...

As I was traveling on 95N on my way home from church on Sunday, a thought came to mind of how many women and men, forget to DO THEM! Many times when we enter into new relationships weather with the same(friendships) or opposite sex our priorities can be altered. Which is completely fine. However, do not forget to do you! Dont allow yourself to be so tuned into them that you forget to satisfy your needs and wants in life. I know females that have been so consumed with being with a man that they lose sight of who they are, were and are going in life (myself included). You do not have to spend ALL your time with a person, especially not too soon. Like a pastor Wesley said in church on Friday night u should not give a complete 100% to anyone immediately. You don't know if they deserve all of your goodness yet.

When u do that u will always end up disappointed and full of negative emotions. Always remember to take time out for you, schedule some ME time, hang out with friends or w/e u do that brings u peace. My peace can be found in mani's, pedi's, church on Sundays, walking in the mall browsing, reading a good book, laying in bed with the lights out gospel music playing and just my thoughts(I do this most often)!

Oh and never let fear hold u back! When in question, seek God in prayer, patiently wait and move in His time! ;)

Be inspired ,

Sweet Lady!

"Men are goal oriented and Woman are process oriented"

Sunday sitting in church I was reviewing my notes from past sermons. As I came across one quote from my pastor Lance Watson( Saint Paul's Baptist Church, Richmond Va). During that sermon he was preaching and teaching a message from a series called Knot Happy. The quote was the title of this post "Men are goal oriented and Woman are process oriented" Shortly after church on Sunday, I had plans to spend the day with a friend. I arrived at his home and we discussed what we were going to do that day. I then expressed my EXTREME need to get my eyebrows waxed. The convo went something like this: Me: "I need to stop by the mall and get my eyebrows waxed, look at me I have a forest growing above my eyes..I cant walk around looking like this!" His response: "I don't care how you look as long as your personality never changes". Super sweet right!?!!....

I was at work on yesterday walking down the hall when that occurrence popped in my head (I am such an over thinker..gift and a curse) and the quote that I had re-read on Sunday did as well. He doesn't care about the process, (getting my waxed) but he just loves the end result (when the goal has been accomplished). I think it brightens my face...maybe its just me though...I'm sure you ladies understand.

Ladies guys don't really care much about the process of getting our nails done, hair did, eyebrows waxed or our shopping extravaganza's. They just love the goal once its accomplished. The nicely manicured nails, your hair smelling good, flowing in the wind, eyebrows groomed and your banging outfit that may hug your body just right, yet still sophisticated.

That's all for now....

Be inspired...

Sweet Lady!

"Life is a Marathon not a Sprint"

I heard this quote in two different places this week. Once on the BET Hip hop Awards, during LL Cool J's acceptance speech and again today while listening to a trainer's fitness plan named Jamie Eason on bodybuilding.com. This is a true statement and I just wanted to share because it really caused me to ponder on it for a while. So I did some research on the quote and this is what I found...

-A marathon by its nature is an endurance race that tests and tries the body, eventually taking it beyond its breaking point.

-A sprint as the verb, means to run or move very fast for a short distance

-“Life is a marathon, not a sprint” refers to the fact that related to making lifestyle choices and changes, you need to stick with it for the long haul. Many of us are impatient and want to have quick results.

Whatever your goals, aspirations or dreams are, stick with it for the long haul! Your marathon will be complete in due time, beyond what you thought was your breaking point. :)

TGIF and as always,

Be inspired :)

-My sources for the above are:

http://realtyvegas.hubpages.com/hub/Life-is-a-Marathon--not-a-Sprint

http://www.kpcnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16650:Life-is-a-marathon,-not-a-sprint&catid=109:life&Itemid=27

Boyfriend Trend......

Boyfriend tweed Blazer Forever 21 $28.90 I love this, just wish it was long sleeve.......

I really wanna go thrifting for a boyfriend blazer, cute lil T's and baggy sweaters...

This fall/winter " Boyfriend" anything is must! Jeans, blazers, shirts!!! Its so easy, yet you can dress it up or down and look fab! I am love with this trend! I just wanted to share!

Have a great week everyone!

Be inspired by this trend! :)

Sweet Lady

"If we make each other happy, then we just can't lose"

As I sat in the hair salon waiting to be put under the dryer, I'm listening to Pandora and Chocolate High, by India Arie comes on. This one lyric stuck out to me this time!

If in any relationship u are NOT making one another happy it's def time to do some re-evaluating. That doesn't mean end it, but seek out the reason u first feel in love or as my ls says strong like for that person. This all starts with u! What makes u happy and build off of that. Making someone happy should not b this big extravagant list of things u must do yet it should b the simplest things in life. Their presence, kisses on their cheek or forehead, texts messages and calls just to say I miss u, I'm thinking of u or I hope your having a great day! In a nut shell it's the little thoughts in our mind that we often brush off into a corner pocket in our mind. Clean that corner pocket out and begin to show everyone around u the happiness that u have on the inside. Make someone's day! Have a great weekend!

P.S. Remember your significant other should b the quiet part of your life...at least that is what I seek. Like God he or she comes in a small or still way but has the biggest impact!

Be Inspired,

Sweet Lady ;)

Struggles= Strengths

"My last years battles and break ups made room for this years breakthroughs and victories"- Me

Over the past two years I have gone through some major struggles with in myself. As a young woman, I struggled to find who I was as a person. The question that often came across my mind was Who am I ? I wanted to know, what makes me unique and what all my likes and dislike are, what makes me happy, ya know the pieces of me.

 It was not until this summer after listening to Ledisi's, hit song "Pieces of me"  that I began to reflect on where God had brought me that I realized that through my struggles, have I have developed my strengths and the pieces of me had come together.

 Last December, I went through the worst break up of my life. However, it  turned out to be the best thing that could have ever happened to me. Before, during, and after my break up I was EMOTIONALLY DRAINED. My life revolved around him and what made him happy. So when the relationship ended, it was as if my life did also. I did not know what to do next. I had let someone else be in control of my happiness.Ya know, if he was good, all happy go lucky and such, so was I. If he was mad so was I.

Ultimately, YOU are in control of your happiness and no one else. Do not let your emotions control you. Stay on top of them. Until we, woman especially get a grasp on that concept, we will never live a life of purpose. We will be consumed with the happiness of others. I am not saying that we should not be concerned with making others happy but we will fail at doing so if we are not first happy with ourselves. I am not sure where this quote came from originally but, I saw it over the weekend and it fits in this moment " To thine own self be true"

 December 18, 2010, something came to me and said Ciera, get it together. I knew it was God speaking to me. I began a season of fasting. I fasted on and off from Facebook and Twitter. Instead of checking those two social media accounts I dove in to God, NOT into someone new. I would listen to Gospel on the way to and from work, during my work day I would listen to sermons( Mostly Jamal Bryant) on you tube and read scriptures instead of viewing those two media outlets. This was the beginning of me hearing Gods voice and of me receiving my own voice and developing my true happiness with in myself.

Now almost a year later I am stronger, wiser and overall, I AM HAPPY. Through my struggles, I truly found my strength. It was far from easy. But in order to find yourself in Gods will you will have to endure some pains and set backs that you might not understand during that season but in due time there will be a peaceful harvest for your obedience and faithfulness. (See Hebrews 12:11) I had to do some things that ultimately made me uncomfortable and not happy in the moment. As we grow as adults we have to learn that, we can not always do what makes us happy in the moment but, what will make us happy and be beneficial to us in the long run is what will reap the greatest harvest.

I say all of this to say, do not complain about your struggles. They are only set ups for your blessings! Your season of struggle is your time to prepare for what God has for you. God will not bless you if you have not prepared for what He has in store for you. He will keep testing you until you pass the test. (Remember God tests you, the devil tempts you) You ever wonder why God keeps letting the same thing happen over and over again??? (Your Voice: Why me God, not this again...God's voice Yes, you and yes, this again) *Light Bulb* Change up your strategy! Learn from your past experiences and move on to greater. God wants you to have a life of PEACE, JOY & HAPPINESS. Seek Him, diligently and he will reward you with a harvest. I know for myself.

Be Inspired,

Sweet Lady :)

Pieces of Me...How I get down

Since this is my first blog, I figured I would start off my allowing you to get to know a lil bit of who I am.

• I am God Fearing
• I seek Him above all else
• My desire is to please Him and see His will be done in my life.
• I am Happy
• I am growing and maturing
• I love my smile
• I appreciate the smallest things in life
• I want to adopt a lil boy
• God has been amazing to me and my eyes fill at His goodness and favor over my life.
• I love my mommy and daddy
• I am a daddy's girl...he just gets me
• I want to open a WaWa
• I am somewhat of a shopaholic
• I am fat kid
• I love to laugh
• I love to laugh at my own jokes
• I rejoice in Gods grace
• I love spoken word
• I like RnB, Jazz, Neo Soul, Gospel and Hip Hop
• I listen to gospel music a lot (it gets me through)
• I love a man who rejoices in Gods grace
• Through my pain I find and develop my strength.
• I am not just pretty for a dark skin girl I am gorgeous because I am who God made me
• I am shy, so yeah I can be a bit anti
• I am NOT stuck up (contrary to popular belief)
• I love my girls
• I can be insecure at times
• I desire Gods Favor
• I love amazing and positive people
• I am goal oriented
• I like to be in control
• I am a planner
• I am not independent, I am self sufficient
• I am positive and I speak it and think it
• I am indecisive
• I am not perfect
• I am a WIP (Work in Progress)

These are some of the pieces of me....

Be inspired,

Sweet Lady :)