How many times have you been asked who are you? How many times have you been introduced and people describe you based on what you do and not who you are? I know this is probably pretty deep and many may not feel this is a topic worth discussing, but I do.
So many time we identify ourselves based on what we do. On my bio it says, Lisa is personal trainer, transformational coach, missionary, wife, mother, medical biller, and the list goes on. But none of these accomplishments speak to the person I am. This only speaks to the things I do and or have accomplished in my life.
Have you ever thought about Who you are outside of What you do? If you woke up one day and you no longer could write, would that mean you are no longer who you thought you were? What if you broke your legs and could no longer play sports, does that mean the person you are stopped to exist because you can no longer play ball? I certainly hope not.
The "I AM', came to be before any of the "What I Do came to be."
I Am...... a kind, loving, gentle, high energy, enthusiastic, peaceful, joyful, happy, gitty, trusting, whole Being. I was this person at the age of 1 and today at 50, I am still that same person.
Take time to find some adjectives to describe who you are and let the world know that you've been hiding behind something that does not speak to the core of your character.
This weeks lesson: I am not what I do. I am not a personal trainer, medical biller, or a manager. That is what I do...who I am, is who God created me to be when he created my Spirit, my Soul, and my Body.
He knew me before I was formed...He knew I would be the one found smiling all the time, excited and laughing...... he knew you too.... :)
Find Peace Within,
Ms. Lisa
Sunday, August 31, 2014
Sunday, August 24, 2014
What Are You Feeding Me?
Many of us have had those moments when we were soooo hungry that we picked up anything to eat, anything to satisfy the hunger. One Snickers Bar and a Pepsi, One bag of Funyuns and a Cheer Wine, One bag of peanuts and a Coca Cola. Or you just got something from McDonald's or Wendy's. Even though all of these items are considered food, but these items have no healthy nutritional value. In the fitness world, these food items are considered empty calorie fillers.
Well guess what... this blog is not about foods that have no nutritional value. Sorry for those of you who are looking for another article about how to lose weight and eat healthier... this is not the article you're looking for.
Here's the real story:
What are you allowing people to feed you?
How many times have you had someone come to you at work or even on your personal time talking about someone or something that happened that you have absolutely nothing to do with and has no value? Well I have, and sometimes I have found myself getting involved with the gossip or the mess of others. This type of behavior is not healthy for our spirit and it doesn't speak well of those of us that say we are children of God.
Recently I found a way to get people to stop feeding me with empty calories. I was listening to my Online Mentor, Iyanla Vanzant, and this is what she does to stop people from feeding her empty calories... She ask them this question, "What is it you want me to do with that piece of information?" she waits for a response... (most of the time they are shocked at her question) She then ask them, "Are you looking for a response from me or are you just venting?" (again silence...) after a brief moment of SHOCK..I'm sure. That response alone stopped people from bringing her empty calories.
I tried it at work (several times)... and Lord it works... someone emailed me some empty calories, and my question was, "What is it you want me to do with this piece of information?" I didn't get a response and and still haven't. Guess what... I get no more emails and people don't come to my desk with gossip....
What I know to be true: When you let people know where you are coming from, what you will and will not tolerate in your space, they will respect you more and pass right by you when they want to feed someone some empty calories. Gossip is just like eating a snickers bar.... it has no nutritional value and in the end, it hurts your spirit and takes you out of your peaceful place.
This weeks lesson: Be honest with people and do not allow people to feed you empty calories.... Keep your spirit free from idle talk, think of these things, what so ever things are true, what so ever things are honest, what so ever things are just, what so ever things are pure, what so ever things are lovely, what so ever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise think on these things. Phil. 4:8
Find Peace Within,
Ms. Lisa
Well guess what... this blog is not about foods that have no nutritional value. Sorry for those of you who are looking for another article about how to lose weight and eat healthier... this is not the article you're looking for.
Here's the real story:
What are you allowing people to feed you?
How many times have you had someone come to you at work or even on your personal time talking about someone or something that happened that you have absolutely nothing to do with and has no value? Well I have, and sometimes I have found myself getting involved with the gossip or the mess of others. This type of behavior is not healthy for our spirit and it doesn't speak well of those of us that say we are children of God.
Recently I found a way to get people to stop feeding me with empty calories. I was listening to my Online Mentor, Iyanla Vanzant, and this is what she does to stop people from feeding her empty calories... She ask them this question, "What is it you want me to do with that piece of information?" she waits for a response... (most of the time they are shocked at her question) She then ask them, "Are you looking for a response from me or are you just venting?" (again silence...) after a brief moment of SHOCK..I'm sure. That response alone stopped people from bringing her empty calories.
I tried it at work (several times)... and Lord it works... someone emailed me some empty calories, and my question was, "What is it you want me to do with this piece of information?" I didn't get a response and and still haven't. Guess what... I get no more emails and people don't come to my desk with gossip....
What I know to be true: When you let people know where you are coming from, what you will and will not tolerate in your space, they will respect you more and pass right by you when they want to feed someone some empty calories. Gossip is just like eating a snickers bar.... it has no nutritional value and in the end, it hurts your spirit and takes you out of your peaceful place.
This weeks lesson: Be honest with people and do not allow people to feed you empty calories.... Keep your spirit free from idle talk, think of these things, what so ever things are true, what so ever things are honest, what so ever things are just, what so ever things are pure, what so ever things are lovely, what so ever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise think on these things. Phil. 4:8
Find Peace Within,
Ms. Lisa
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Lost in a Vision
Do you remember when you were in the third grade and you told your teacher that you wanted to be a teacher just like her? Do you remember when you were the lead singer for the Junior Choir, and you told Sis. Cleo that one day you were going to be a lead singer just like her? Do you remember watching Mrs. Jones fix your moms hair at the beauty parlor and you told her that one day you were going to fix hair just like that? I'm sure all of us have a moment where we saw someone who we wanted to be like. I wonder what ever happened to that vision ......well here is what happened....
You went to college, met a handsome man or beautiful woman, then you got married, had three children, and two dogs. In an effort to make sure everyone is okay and living their vision, you invest all your energy into making that happen for them. Now, 20 years later and your youngest child doesn't want you around much, your middle child has locked himself or herself in the room with the do not disturb sign on the door knob, and your 18 year old is off to college. Oh yell, the Husband and or Wife... well their vision is full blown and everything is moving forward for them.
But guess what..you still have your vision.. This week I was listening to Robert Wesley Branch, the producer of Iyanla Fix My Life,as he talked about how he has always wanted to write a book, he even went as far as going into the library and asked for his book, the Liberian said she had not heard of that author nor the book, but she kept looking... lol. He said that he supports Ms. Iyanla in her vision but he has not forgotten about his own vision of being an author.
I too like Mr. Robert have not forgotten my vision of being a teacher and author. Even though I am in with my husband 100% with our Music Ministry, however that is my husband's vision. I've often felt lost in his vision and wondered if I still had my own. There have been days when I just didn't want to sing or go to rehearsal. Even though I love singing and am pretty good at it, I know that is not my vision that's my husbands vision and because I believe in the vision, I support the vision.
Today, I know I do have my own vision and I am NOT LOST in his VISION. We've learned to support each other's vision and encourage each other along the way. Things are really moving for me in my vision and I'm no longer Lost in a Vision.
This weeks lesson, What you make happen for others, God will make happen for you. Don't forget your dreams and aspirations. Don't forget the "What I want to be when I grow up" conversation you had as a child. It is still possible. The Vision is just sitting waiting for you to Show Up...
Ms.Lisa,
Find Peace Within
You went to college, met a handsome man or beautiful woman, then you got married, had three children, and two dogs. In an effort to make sure everyone is okay and living their vision, you invest all your energy into making that happen for them. Now, 20 years later and your youngest child doesn't want you around much, your middle child has locked himself or herself in the room with the do not disturb sign on the door knob, and your 18 year old is off to college. Oh yell, the Husband and or Wife... well their vision is full blown and everything is moving forward for them.
But guess what..you still have your vision.. This week I was listening to Robert Wesley Branch, the producer of Iyanla Fix My Life,as he talked about how he has always wanted to write a book, he even went as far as going into the library and asked for his book, the Liberian said she had not heard of that author nor the book, but she kept looking... lol. He said that he supports Ms. Iyanla in her vision but he has not forgotten about his own vision of being an author.
I too like Mr. Robert have not forgotten my vision of being a teacher and author. Even though I am in with my husband 100% with our Music Ministry, however that is my husband's vision. I've often felt lost in his vision and wondered if I still had my own. There have been days when I just didn't want to sing or go to rehearsal. Even though I love singing and am pretty good at it, I know that is not my vision that's my husbands vision and because I believe in the vision, I support the vision.
Today, I know I do have my own vision and I am NOT LOST in his VISION. We've learned to support each other's vision and encourage each other along the way. Things are really moving for me in my vision and I'm no longer Lost in a Vision.
This weeks lesson, What you make happen for others, God will make happen for you. Don't forget your dreams and aspirations. Don't forget the "What I want to be when I grow up" conversation you had as a child. It is still possible. The Vision is just sitting waiting for you to Show Up...
Ms.Lisa,
Find Peace Within
Sunday, August 10, 2014
But What Will They Say???????
This week has sparked a question in my mind. But What Will People Say? You're probably wondering what I'm talking about. In the past three weeks I've gone to the home going celebrations of two amazing women of God Dawn Mayfield and Ms. Dot Cromwell. It kinda hit me Friday as I was witnessing the home going celebration of Ms. Dot. The church was filled with all those who loved her and cared about her and probably some that wished they had done more for her.They all came to celebrate pay homage to an amazing lady.
My friend Michelle and her mother were former clients of mine. Maybe 5 or 6 years ago. Ms. Dot would come to the gym and try her best to walk on the treadmill, she would try to do her leg curls and sit-ups. There were many days when she wasn't able to perform any of the exercises, so we would just talk about her joy of teaching math and how much excitement it brought her when the light bulb came on for her students. She often talked about the days she had left before retiring from the school system and the things she was going to do afterward. She loved the Lord and wanted everyone else to Love Him too.
You see Ms. Dot didn't care that she was paying me for a service in which in my mind I wasn't giving her. She hired me to help her lose weight and I didn't think that was happening. But what was happening was a friendship that I will always remember. What she was doing was imparting something in me that I didn't pay for. She let me know that in this life you must find that thing that you're passionate about and enjoy doing it. Look for the little accomplishments in life even when the big ones are what you really would like to accomplish. You see, Ms. Dot didn't stop coming to the gym twice a week even with a bad back and two knee replacements. She and Michelle would still come and give it all they had. Some days, Michelle would be in the weight room and Ms. Dot would be in the cardio room. She would come with her make-up on and her church t-shirt... lol. She would say, "What are we doing today Ms. Lisa"... and I'll respond by saying, "What ever you feel like doing Ms. Dot.".... lol. Many days it was a day of DO NOTHING! My grandmother taught me to respect my elders, so we did just that NOTHING.
So, my question for you today is, What will they say about YOU? I told my Love (husband) that when they have my home going celebration I want it to be said, "She Smiled Everyday, She Showed up Everyday, and She Succeeded Everyday". He said, well Love you better go ahead and put it on paper... LOL. Those that know me well know that a SMILE is something I will always carry... so make sure I have on my face....
What I know for sure.... Don't leave what people say about you at your life celebration up to chance. Go ahead and get it out there and let people know what to say about you by the way you live your life and demonstrate the Love that you have within.We all will have a time when THEY will have something to say... the question is WHAT WILL THEY SAY?
Find Peace Within,
Ms. Lisa
My friend Michelle and her mother were former clients of mine. Maybe 5 or 6 years ago. Ms. Dot would come to the gym and try her best to walk on the treadmill, she would try to do her leg curls and sit-ups. There were many days when she wasn't able to perform any of the exercises, so we would just talk about her joy of teaching math and how much excitement it brought her when the light bulb came on for her students. She often talked about the days she had left before retiring from the school system and the things she was going to do afterward. She loved the Lord and wanted everyone else to Love Him too.
You see Ms. Dot didn't care that she was paying me for a service in which in my mind I wasn't giving her. She hired me to help her lose weight and I didn't think that was happening. But what was happening was a friendship that I will always remember. What she was doing was imparting something in me that I didn't pay for. She let me know that in this life you must find that thing that you're passionate about and enjoy doing it. Look for the little accomplishments in life even when the big ones are what you really would like to accomplish. You see, Ms. Dot didn't stop coming to the gym twice a week even with a bad back and two knee replacements. She and Michelle would still come and give it all they had. Some days, Michelle would be in the weight room and Ms. Dot would be in the cardio room. She would come with her make-up on and her church t-shirt... lol. She would say, "What are we doing today Ms. Lisa"... and I'll respond by saying, "What ever you feel like doing Ms. Dot.".... lol. Many days it was a day of DO NOTHING! My grandmother taught me to respect my elders, so we did just that NOTHING.
So, my question for you today is, What will they say about YOU? I told my Love (husband) that when they have my home going celebration I want it to be said, "She Smiled Everyday, She Showed up Everyday, and She Succeeded Everyday". He said, well Love you better go ahead and put it on paper... LOL. Those that know me well know that a SMILE is something I will always carry... so make sure I have on my face....
What I know for sure.... Don't leave what people say about you at your life celebration up to chance. Go ahead and get it out there and let people know what to say about you by the way you live your life and demonstrate the Love that you have within.We all will have a time when THEY will have something to say... the question is WHAT WILL THEY SAY?
Find Peace Within,
Ms. Lisa
Sunday, August 3, 2014
He's a Big Boy You Know????? A Message to the Help Meet
This message is short and sweet.
For all the married women and for those who wish or desire to be married. You did not marry boy (at least I pray you didn't) nor are you raising your son. With that being said... All I have to say is this." HE'S A BIG BOY AND IS CAPABLE OF FIGURING IT OUT ALL ON HIS OWN... LOL.
This weeks lesson: There are many times we as wives want to offer our opinion of help our husbands when he did not ask or does not need our help. What I learned this week, When I don't make his problem my problem it becomes less of a problem for me. My stress level remains in tact when I don't offer my help to someone who is capable of helping himself.
So wives, only help when he ask..and trust me... he will ask... and when he does... just be ready to help meet the need.... and do it with a SMILE... :)
Find peace within,
Ms. Lisa
For all the married women and for those who wish or desire to be married. You did not marry boy (at least I pray you didn't) nor are you raising your son. With that being said... All I have to say is this." HE'S A BIG BOY AND IS CAPABLE OF FIGURING IT OUT ALL ON HIS OWN... LOL.
This weeks lesson: There are many times we as wives want to offer our opinion of help our husbands when he did not ask or does not need our help. What I learned this week, When I don't make his problem my problem it becomes less of a problem for me. My stress level remains in tact when I don't offer my help to someone who is capable of helping himself.
So wives, only help when he ask..and trust me... he will ask... and when he does... just be ready to help meet the need.... and do it with a SMILE... :)
Find peace within,
Ms. Lisa
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