If you're reading this, you don't need a feel-good chaser or fluff words; you've read enough of those and we are done placating. TRUTH: If you have a fear that you've not overcome you most certainly have been procrastinating on the milestones needed to overcome the fear. Don't start beating yours...
Being an Entrepreneur also brings me happiness, a sense of accomplishment, gratitude, and financial security. Do you want to know what else comes with that 17-years of experience? Overwhelm, grief, restlessness, the feeling of not...
Heal the humans, and don't worry about pleasing the people. At first read, it may not make a lot of sense to you. Closer reflection brings about the real meaning of this simple phrase. In life we have humans, and, we have people. People are about the world and are caught up in the material things that life brings. People are looking to impress others, and often don't serve others in the process. Humans are servant leaders. They are concerned with mankind, and are often very sensitive and private about the pain they endure in the process of healing others. That's the crowd I'm focused on in life.
When you have the ordained glow of God around you, people who are light can see it as well as people who are dark. It's the ones who are dark that seem to navigate right to your side and often become a thorn. As a healer, the line you will walk is fine. This line will teeter between people ogling over you, and others who want to depend on you for everyday healing. Your healing abilities will become an obsession for some, and it's up to you to decipher the people who care so much about protecting your glow, and those who are only around to gain some for themselves.
After losing two really intricate parts of Light The Mood last year, I opted to maintain friendships over holding my dearest friends to the obligation of getting Light The Mood off the ground. I love how my real friendships are not affected by business decisions. In business, there will come a point when you have to pick between working with people you know, or strangers. There are benefits to both, and, consequences as well. During this same time, I confided in a close friend who had a lot of suggestions for how my candles should look and be packaged, but, would never even purchase a candle. How then, could you be a part of my company, when you can't even invest in the candles I make? The friendship eventually sizzled out earlier this year, and it was really long overdue. Two different ends of a spectrum. In the first scenario, I maintained friendships. In the second, I lost someone who was going in a different direction in life. Lesson: Playing Russian roulette with friendships and business ventures isn't worth risking a friendship but, when you see someone unequally yoked, let them jump ship.
Okay, I'll admit it - I used to go OFF on people.
Come on, don't act like you've never had a moment where you wanted to be the better person, but, you reacted to a situation in a negative manner. I can remember being pushed to the limit and reacting in a less than favorable manner to the person who pushed my button. At the time, I didn't know that I had control over the buttons that people were pushing. I just figured that if someone said or did something that caused me to feel disrespected, I had to defend myself.
Someone is reading this and saying to themselves, "I've never done that!"
If you've never been in such a situation, just keep going to sleep and waking up. I guarantee that you will have moments in your life where you will say or do something you regret. The good news, is that you will do better as you learn. The bad news, is that there are so many hurting people in the World, you are bound to run into a few. One thing I have learned over the last several years of working with others and myself, is that I am in control of my buttons. Hurting people feed off of the negative reactions they get while spewing negativity, and your best line of defense is to not react, at all. Did you know that no reaction is indeed a reaction?
We always want to have the last word, don't we?
What makes us get to a point where we know someone is hurting, so we want to hurt them back? I have a friend who told me once, "If you knew someone was mentally ill, you would treat them like they were mentally ill." This is so true. We don't always know why people lash out, but we do know that there is a level of being toxic that exudes out of the pores of people. We pretend we don't feel this energy when push come to shove, and this person says something we do not like. We want to say what's on our mind, and get it off of our chest like the other person.
God wants us to be quiet sometimes.
There's always a reason to practice taming your tongue. There's always a reason to pray for someone who is bringing you toxic energy. I have lost friends and personal relationships from being toxic. It wasn't until I was on the other side of the table that I got a chance to see what a toxic Dawn looked like. Words are truly a powerful thing. They give us the power to heal and the power to hurt, and the power to build up and the power to tear down.
Controlling what we say from moment to moment is perhaps the most daunting challenge of Christian living.
This is the one challenge people who want to live a fruitful life. but who also want to resolve issues. I do not like confrontation, and at the same time, I don't like to leave situations that I want to work on, stagnant. It can sometimes put you in a tough predicament, but it's a great challenge to overcome. You avoid the angry outbursts, cutting remarks, and unguarded responses that lead only to damage, embarrassment, and regret.
And what kind of new habits of speech should replace the old?
Words of encouragement, words that bring life to others and to self, words that do not cause dis-ease in others. If the last words you feel the need to utter are not bringing life to someone, do all parties involved a favor - don't speak. As fast as you can praise God, is as fast as you can lead someone away from God, just by not taming your tongue. Think about it.
Well, you know my transparency will either make you laugh, or, make you cry laughing. Today's story is no different. One day, I met this guy at the Sherman Oaks 24 Hour Fitness, and, well... Watch for yourself!
Sometimes, I get tired.
I help several (over 20) people per month, and take in their energy, while giving out my own. I'm looking for a better way to serve more people, but for now, it's all me, all the time. Not complaining, just explaining. I'm also a full-time mother of twins, so I spend the bulk of my not-so-free time with them, teaching them colors and numbers and alphabets. At some point, I lost balance. In the midst of taking on the issues of others, something happened that rocked me - I found out one of my clients had been lying to me the whole time we worked together. I felt like a bad coach; all of the milestones I thought we had reached together were all lies. I think that was my breaking point.
At this same time, in my personal life, I found that I was giving too much of me out to some people who were giving me nothing but negativity. When you have a giving spirit, you want to help everyone, and even I tell people that's impossible yet, here I am trying to do just that. What are you looking for in your relationships? Are you looking for loyal friends, people who are going to check on your in a consistent manner, or are you looking for someone who is distant but still there when you need them? When you are giving and not receiving, either the other person doesn't know, or they don't care.
Don't lie to yourself - only you know which is truly is.
I love to write, but had not made time for that in my schedule. No matter how good my time management was, I didn't budget this in. While I'm helping others live their passion, I'm not living my own. I know things have to change, and now, I'm working with like-minded people to make these changes. I've gotten more personal work done in the last two days than I have in the last month, all because I have an awesome friend who sits on Skype with me and challenges me to move forward. We don't do, "stagnant".
I love being around people who are similar to me. These are people I don't have to tell how to be around me, because they know how to be around me. I love that I don't have to deal with inconsistencies, and when I allow people who are pulling me down into my life, I'm grateful I have the gift of discernment to know when to back up or walk away. I am back to doing my internal work, because I know that my life's purpose is to serve others and in order to serve others, I have to get back to serving myself.
More to come. Have a great weekend.
XOXO
SEQ
I have been enjoying this much needed vacation from social media. I've had a lot of time to read, write, and I am excited and at the same time in awe of God's presence in my life. In the midst of this change, God sent me a friend that most people would die to have; a compassionate, affectionate, and honest person who loves me unconditionally despite my flaws and continues to amaze me on a daily basis.
I have battled storms as many of you have over the last few months, and one of the things that I always do is teach you while I am being taught. This blog goes out to my friend who has / continues to teach me what it's like to be Christ-like.
The pain and frustration of learning that which God yearns to teach us can sometimes be overbearing, but to survive life you must be a warrior and adopt a stronger demeanor than the average person.
Below are 3 Things You Must Know About God and Your Breakthrough...
ADVERSITY IS GOD'S WAY OF GIVING YOU GUIDANCE AND INSTRUCTION.
I remember when I was losing weight and I really wanted to push myself to the limit. I had never been bungee jumping before but had always wanted to go. I consider myself to be daring, and the idea that I would be jumping off a bridge was too tempting to refuse. The hike was the most challenging part of the whole trip. Though I had been hiking in the Santa Monica Mountains for weeks, I was not prepared to depend on my balancing act on a fallen tree and a rope to get me across the swift current that had me afraid of being carried away. I can recall zoning out and all of my thoughts went to crossing safely while still having fun. All of a sudden, I became "G.I. Self-Esteem Queen"and crossed right on over with no problem! I WAS BEYOND EXCITED! God showed me that once I took the fear off crossing and put my thoughts on the fun I was having, it became a joyous experience for me.
DELAY IS NOT DENIAL.
I have learned that what God does for others He more than desires to do for you. When I'm longing for Him to be closer to me, He's longing for me to be closer to Him. That feels so good! I stood there on the podium afraid that since I was close to the last person jumping that the cords somehow had gotten tired and would definitely give out on me - THE WRONG THOUGHTS TO BE HAVING BEFORE JUMPING OFF A BRIDGE! I stood there and thought about all the choices I made and how they affected my life. I thought about how God always came through in the nick of time when I would have to smile in public and cry in private at things I went through in my personal life. Delay is not denial when the goal is to learn by example even if the example is you learning from yourself. I looked down, smiled at God for allowing me to see just how much fun everyone before me had, and I jumped the heck off that bridge!
FAITH REQUIRES YOU TO TRUST BEYOND THAT WHICH YOU CAN UNDERSTAND.
Sometimes when you're in the midst of your trials you want to give up and throw in the towel. It's difficult to deal with broken hearts, unpaid bills, uncertainty about job security, and surviving in a city where innocent people are gunned down at random. At my lowest point, I was reminded of the following from a dear friend; I have been here in this exact place before at some point in my life, so this place is not foreign to me (and should not be foreign to you either). This is the time to put on the armor my friends. The enemy we call bitterness, rage, guilt, frustration, setbacks, hold-ups, and things of that nature are outside waiting for you to come from your retreat. You, therefore, MUST remember what Ephesians 6:11-13 says,
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the
devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against
the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and
against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on
the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to
stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Today is the day to return to that hobby, activity, or goal setting that had you fired up for life long ago. I'm not afraid of failing, I'm afraid of not trying my hardest to achieve my goals. I am always inspired by those who I see around me reach their goals and beyond. I stand before you encouraged for your future, and humbly accept my lessons so that my future can be bright and full of wisdom.
I love you, and there's absolutely, positively, nothin' you can do about it!!!
SEQ
A lot of you were taught to believe that being INSIDE of a church brings you closer to God, but, what if you go to church and spend you time gossiping, judging how others are dressed, or lusting after someone in your congregation.
A lot of you were taught to pray without ceasing, to know those few choice scriptures that will keep you grounded, and to keep your Bible opened to Psalm 23 for protection but, what happens when you live in the flesh instead of the spirit, over and over again when you know that leads you down a destructive path?
Most don't know I studied theology for several years, and while I was born a Christian, I am a practicing Buddhist. I spend my mornings meditating and for the most part, I live a very peaceful life. There aren't a lot of people in my private space, and even being a busy entrepreneur and a full-time mother, I still make time to center my mind every single day.
There is no work-eat-sleep-repeat in my life. I find that when I become mundane to the things around me, I get stuck in the same rut I ran from.
Case-and-point: I am obsessed with having a clean house. Even with kids, I take a lot of time out to make sure that I'm cleaning as I go. While it takes more time, the adverse is me allowing it to build up, and then getting anxiety at having to clean it all up. That old habit of living around people who were functioning pack-rats is always in the forefront of my mind. I practice gratitude of my growth by keeping my space clean, and clear.
Case-and-point: I'm helping a long lost friend I used to be in love with get over a death. There are moments when the conversation has the potential to lead us down memory lane, but, I remember the past, and how bad it made me feel, and I then continue to help with love, from afar, so I don't get caught up in the past drama. I've trained my mind to always go back to the focus of the reason I'm helping; to make sure this person can grieve as healthy as possible.
If you've not already written down the habits that prohibit you from spending time with yourself, I encourage you to do that today. Then, write down what you SHOULD be doing in that space, and do this on a small 3x5 card which you can pull out at anytime as a reminder.
A lot of you are tired of repeating the things you thought you took out of your life. It starts with consistent good days, and you can start that today! :)
XOXO
SEQ
You've been looking at the attacks on your life, and the attacks on those you love, and you've been crying out to The Creator to relieve you from the experiences that seem to come, one after another. It hurts you to be vilified, hurt, lied on, lied to, humiliated, embarrassed, under-appreciated, and over-worked. You've wondered if your relationships will stand the tests, if your friendships are genuine, and if you're being a good parent, friend, daughter, or son.
I'm here to tell you that if you're being attacked, you are also being protected.
This whole weekend I was under attack. One thing after another. This traditionally happens when I'm about to have a breakthrough somewhere in my life. The closer I get to my breakthrough, the more attacks come to me, without invitation, and without my permission. I had a brief cry, and had to get over the pain associated with the attacks. I'm reminded of my favorite scripture 2 Corinthians 12:7-10-
Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (NIV)
The tests come at the height of your blessings, and God is there, letting you now that all is well. It's at these moments you lean to the understanding that you don't understand. I'm weak most of the time. In this weakness, my power is restored, and I rely on The Creator to guide me down a path I can't see all the way down.
All is well. If you're under attack, the breakthrough is coming, and you're on the right path. Be patient, and rely on The Creator. Spend less time online, and spend more time being grateful that there is light, and relief, on the other side of the rainbow.
Matthew 6:1 (NIV)
This scripture was heavy on my mind this morning during meditation.
I was having a conversation with someone yesterday about this very thing. I see so many people who get online and post pictures of every single thing they do to help others. In my line of business, that's just not possible to do. Healing work isn't for show, and it isn't for testimonials to gain more clients. You see, when you're helping someone through molestation, abandonment issues, or getting over being gang-raped, you just don't broadcast these healing moments online for people to praise you.
Well, I don't, but I'm always bothered by people who do.
When I gave my life to Christ, I made a decision to follow in His direction the best I could. There are some things I don't mind talking about, like an overall event or an organization or community I spoke for that touched me, but some conversations and emails are just not for public consumption.
Others are doing the work, then, jumping online and posting pictures of themselves "recovering" after "the work". As a healer, that also is something I don't do. I don't talk about the seizures I have (unless it's after the fact), the battles I fight on behalf of myself and others, the pain I take on in order to heal someone else by giving them my positive energy in exchange for the opposite...
Who are you really doing the work for?
Why are you helping others?
Is it to brag and boast in front of others, or, are you telling a story to the people who care to "follow" you? Are you subconsciously looking for validation from man? Are you looking for praise from man? I've noticed some things, and those things led me to shut down my social media accounts. I don't want to see it, because I know people have their own reasons for doing things like this & I don't want to judge the actions. It still disturbs me, so I choose not to look at it.
Specifically, I'm speaking of people who are "healers". If you have to exploit someone's private and personal life to get praise, a new client, or validation, or if you have to exploit yourself in order to get people to pray for you, I want you to stop and look at the acts, and consider holding in all the things you experience on a daily if it has to include those you heal.
After you think about it, you'll thank me later.
