Switch the Focus from Blaming Others to Understanding Yourself. Step #4 to Forgiving Someone who hurt you

I believe this is probably the most difficult thing in life to do. Look at the man in the mirror and tell him or her the truth. I also believe the truth is one of the hardest things to handle. Who wants to be told the ugly truth about themselves, even when it will help make you a better person. Only someone who has a clear understanding of who they are and where they are going, and what is needed to get there, can handle the UGLY truth about themselves. Here is what Wayne Dyer says about step #4.

Whenever you're upset over the conduct of others, take the focus off those you're holding responsible for your inner distress. Shift your mental energy to allowing yourself to be with whatever you're feeling - let the experience be as it may, without blaming others for your feelings. Don't blame yourself either! Just allow the experience to unfold and tell yourself that no one has the power to make you uneasy without your consent. and that you're unwilling to grant that authority to this person right now.

Tell yourself that you are willing to freely experience your emotions without calling them "wrong" or needing to chase them away. In this way, you've made a shift to self-mastery. It's important to bypass blame, and even to bypass your desire to understand the other person; instead, focus on understanding yourself. By taking responsibility for how you choose to respond to anything or anyone, you're aligning yourself with the beautiful dance of life. By changing the way you choose to perceive the power that others have over you and you will see a bright new world of unlimited potential for yourself and you will know instantly how to forgive and let go of anything.

I hold this to be true. My husband told me something a long time ago, "the outcome of a conversation depends on the response." In other words; you can say something to me good or bad, how the conversation goes is clearly based on how I respond. Here is what I do before I bring up anything controversial in a conversation and or respond in a conversation... I ask myself this question, "How do I want this to end?" If for some reason I don't see it ending well, I will not have the conversation at that time or respond in a way that will cause it to go left real quick. I will then focus on myself and ask myself this question, "What is making me respond and or react this way?" Once I've identified where I am or was at that moment, I then do something about ME and the way I'm feeling.

Just recently I was feeling some type of way with my Love, and I began to cry, I asked myself what was wrong with me and why was I crying... well come to find out, I was having one of those menopausal moments that had nothing to do with my Love. I got myself together and it was a good night.

Take time to get to know you and what triggers your emotions.. ask yourself the question."What's wrong with you (say your name _____)  today?" Tell yourself the truth when you answer.....

Remember to Smile Everyday, Show Up Everyday, and Succeed Everyday
Find Peace Within
Be blessed,
Ms. Lisa

Do You Know Why You're Overweight?

Here are a few reasons why you may be over weight... I call these the Did You Know's?

1. Stress is one of the leading causes for over eating?

2. You should eat 1% of your body weight in protein?

3. Sodium holds water in the body?

4.  The healthiest foods are located on the walls of the grocery stores?

5. Having healthy snacks are as important as breakfast and dinner?

6. There are two types of carbohydrates? Simple (enriched flour products) and complex (whole grain products).

7. Corn is NOT a vegetable? I don't care why grandma says.

8. Dieting is when essential foods are eliminated from your daily food intake? And "Diet" is the foods that make up your daily food intake, not restricting any types of foods.

If you are familiar with any of my Did You Know Questions of Facts, then your lack of knowledge could be the reason why you're over weight.

Wisdom is the principal thing: therefore get wisdom; and with all thy getting get understanding. Prov 4:7 Wisdom is knowing when to apply knowledge. Now that you have the knowledge, apply wisdom.

Remember to Smile Everyday, Show Up Everyday, and Succeed Everyday
Find Peace Within
Be blessed,
Ms. Lisa

Step #3 to Forgiving someone who hurt you - Don't Go to Sleep Angry

This is, I believe one of the hardest things for us to do. Going to bed angry. Husbands and wives do it, best friends do it, siblings do it, co-workers do it, but the bible clearly tells us to not go to bed angry. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Ephesians 4:26. The Lord knew we would have problems with forgiveness, and going to bed MAD.

Here is what Wayne Dyer says: Each night as I drift off to sleep, I adamantly refuse to use this precious time to review anything that I do not want to be reinforced in the hours of being immersed in my subconscious mind. I choose to impress upon my subconscious mind my conception of myself as a Divine creator in alignment with the one mind. I reiterate my I ams, which I have placed in my imagination, and I remember that my slumber will be dominated by my last walking concept of myself. I am peaceful, I am content, I am love, and I attract only to myself those who are in alignment with my highest ideals of myself.

I can't tell you how many times I've gone to bed mad, it didn't matter who it was with, and you can rest assure I did not get good sleep well and got no rest. I woke up tired and still mad. I can remember one time my husband and I had a BIG fight about the yard, yes about the yard. If you know me, my yard is EXTREMELY important to me. This was early in our marriage (like month 2). Man, we went to bed mad because he didn't cut the grass the way I liked it nor the way I wanted it. Little to some but big to me. Immature in our marriage, we went to bed without saying good night, got up the next day without saying good morning. I believe this went on for 2 days.... LAWD what the heck. LOL. I finally came to myself, asked for forgiveness and apologized for my behavior. He laid down the law about how to deal with him going forward... as a wise woman, I hired a yard man, now today the lawn is no longer a reason for us to have heated fellowship. It's worth the $35 a month.

It's easy to say things like, they'll get over it, or it will be alright. But you nor the other person gets over it, and it NEVER goes away until you address it.  And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." Mark 11:25. Make it right before you say good night.

Remember to Smile Everyday, Show Up Everyday, Succeed Everyday
Find Peace Within
Be blessed
Ms. Lisa

Step # 2 to Forgiving someone who hurt you. - Reconnect to the Holy Spirit

Yesterday I shared with you step 1 to forgiving someone who hurt you and that was to Move on to the Next Act. This is so important to do as it could hinder you from taking the next step, which is Reconnecting with the Holy Spirit. Now, that is to say you already have or had a relationship with the Holy Spirit.

Wayne Dyer says,-"Make a new agreement with yourself to always stay connect to the Holy Spirit, even when it seems to be the most difficult thing to do. If you do this, you will allow whatever degree of perfect harmony that your body was designed for to proliferate. Turn your hurts over to God and allow the Holy Spirit to flow through you.

Your new agreement with reality in which you've blended your physical self and your personality with God will begin to radiate a higher cause of love and light. Wherever you go, others will experience the glow God consciousness, and disharmony and disorder and all manner of problems simply WILL NOT FLOURISH IN YOUR PRESENCE.

I stand true to this and have found it to be true. Staying connected to the Holy Spirit requires you making time for Him. He cannot be an after thought, He cannot be the last thing on your mind. He has to be first in your life, first in your day. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God... that includes the Holy Spirit. This is why I carry my smile with me everyday, everywhere I go.... I let my light shine...

I start every morning with prayer and meditation, this is something I've shared with you all in my previous blogs. This morning the Holy Spirit woke me up earlier than 4:30... I got up, laid before the Lord, prayed in my heavily language, and allowed the Holy Spirit to make intercession for me, as I didn't know why God woke me up before my usual time, but I submitted to the awakening and little did I know, I would be faced with an adversary that would try to cause me to come out of my peaceful place. I reverted back to my time with the Holy Spirit and remembered the words He spoke to me this morning, "Peace be with you today."

Find your way back to the Holy Spirit and if you don't know Him, get to know Him... He's here to Help keep you, both mind, body and soul.

Remember to Smile, Everyday, Show Up Everyday, and Succeed Everyday
Find Peace Within
Be blessed,
Ms. Lisa

How to Forgive someone who has hurt you - 15 Steps to Peace

As we prepare to say good bye to 2015 we should do everything in our power to leave everything that has hurt us in 2015. You can't put new wine in old wine skin. Don't you want to be free to receive all God has for in in 2016? Did you know un-forgiveness can and will cause your blessings to be held up? Yes it sure can. Not only that un-forgiveness causes problems in your body, mind and soul. It shows on your face and the way you treat others as well as yourself.

Forgiving others is something I've learned to do. WHY? Because I like resting, I enjoying being at peace with myself and other men. The key to forgiveness is know that it's for ME and not for the OTHER PERSON. One thing that has also helped me to forgive is to not put un-realistic expectations on people. By doing this, I do not put myself in the position to be hurt or let down.

I was reading Wayne Dyer's blog last week and he shared 15 steps to forgiving someone who hurt you. I know some people may never read Wayne Dyer's blogs or even go to his website, so I thought I would share with you what he said, and put my thoughts to it.


Step 1: Move on to the Next Act
Your past history and all of your hurts are no longer here in your physical reality. Don't allow them to be here in your mind, muddying your present moments. Some of the characters who enter your story have short roles to play, others are there much longer. Some people are mean and evil and some are good and loving. But all of them are necessary to build your character in the play. Don't allow history to continue to be apart of your present nor your future.

I remember as a young girl, I was always getting hooked up with the wrong guy. I remember telling my dad about this one guy and how much I loved him... yes I'm sure I thought I did at the time... but 2 1/2 years later, he crushed my heart like a plane falling from the sky. I got over it but that thing plagued me some years until I finally came to grips to what I was doing wrong... I kept looking at every guy as if he was the one who hurt me. I had to tell myself, "he's not him"! He's long gone now and  I am no longer dealing from that hurt. I've opened my hurt to love and am truly in a good place and now understand the reason for him playing a part in my play. But I truly went on to the next act.

Don't continue to rehash your past/history. Know that everyone that was in your life at that time had a part to play, even if it was the villain. Everyone needs a villain in their life... gotta give the devil a run for his money and give the Lord a chance to leap over some walls...

Move on to the Next Act, It's promised to have a Happy Ending. :)

Remember to Smile, Everyday, Show Up Everyday, and Succeed Everyday
Find Peace Within
Be blessed,
Ms. Lisa

Scissor your way to a nice Rectus Abdominis

There are so many abdominal exercises you can do to help you get a nice mid-section but this is one of my favorites. The Rectus Abdominis Scissor. This abdominal muscle controls the tilt of the pelvis and curvature of the lower spine. It also tilts the pelvis forward improving the mechanical positioning of the erector spine (lower back ).

It will take some coordination to do this exercise but you can do it. I have faith in you. Here we go:

The movement: Lie on your back with both arms by your sides. Raise your right leg and your left arm up at the same time, as you lower your right leg you will lower your left arm and then lift your left leg while lifting your right arm. You will work your arms and legs as if they were a pair of scissors. Do three sets of 10 that's - 3 x 10. You should feel your lower abdominals tightening. That means you're working hard!

You must also include three healthy meals and two healthy snacks to obtain a nice Rectus Abdominis. Most people think that doing lots of crunches alone will give them a nice mid-section. WRONG! That will not happen! A really nice mid-section comes from eating healthy meals accompanied with cardiovascular exercises and strength training at least 3 days a week. So, get cutting and eat right. You'll be glad you did!

Exercising regularly will help you toward your quest of finding peace within.

Remember to Smile Everyday, Show Up Everyday, and Succeed Everyday
Find Peace Within
Be blessed,
Ms. Lisa

10 ways to transform your life - Dr. Wayne Dyer

Dr. Wayne Dyers was and still is one of the worlds most loved and talked about transformational teacher's. A man filled with wisdom and words that would make you think about your life in ways you've never thought about before. He believed in living life to the fullest and making the best of your life and seeing the best in other's. He's left behind a legacy of words that can transform -(go beyond your form) - your life as you know it today.

As I prepared to release my book, "Smile, Show Up, Succeed, EVERYDAY- I thought about Dr. Wayne and everything he shared with the world. As I began reading some of his inspirational writing, I was inspired by his audio - 101 ways to transform your life and I thought I would share 10 of the 101 with you.

1.  Know in your heart there is an invisible intelligence in everything and you have the power to connect with God to help you make it come to past.
2.  This is your sacred quest - look inward not outward. All you have is inside of you.
3.  There are no accidents in life - appreciate everything.
4.  Draw energy from those things around you. See the fullness of God.
5.  Be peaceful - Experience silence and here from God. God's voice is silent - Go within
6.  Forgive yourself for your transgressions - apply self forgiveness.
7.  When you seek happiness for yourself it will always allude you, when you seek happiness to other, you'll find your happiness. Happiness comes by serving.
8.  Attempt to release all enemies from your thoughts and try loving them.
9.  Release others who said it wasn't possible for you. Be open and release hate.
10. Grievance brings tumor, agreeing brings peace

I believe these 10 ways to transform our lives Dr. Dyer shared with us is so true. I personally believe it is important to know that God has given us everything we need to get what we need and want. I believe it is important to look inside ourselves to find the strength we need to move forward. No, there are no accidents. All things are lessons God would have us learn. If it's negative, there must be a positive to make it effective. If there is no positive in the negative, let the negative go. Silence is the first thing I do in the mornings. Spend time with The Lord every morning, your day is promised to be wonderful. Giving to others always makes you feel better. At the end of the day we are all servant leaders. Holding on to past hurts and those who have hurt us really only ends up hurting us. So release those people who you are holding on to and causing you to become someone you don't like. Find peace with all men... own no man nothing but Love.

Dr. Wayne was all about peace, love, and happiness. What's your message in life?

Remember to Smile Everyday, Show Up Everyday, and Succeed Everyday
Find Peace Within
Be blessed,
Lisa Dalton

The Life of a Flower April 1960 - Dec. 2006

Life brings us many surprises. There are some that are not so shockingly surprising, while others just knocks us off our feet. As the word of God says, "there is a time for everything. A time to live and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to reap."

Nine years ago today, two days before my wedding, the Lord called home a very special person in my life, my sister Flora. I was heart broken and confused because of the timing of her death but at the same time, I understood the Lord's doing. Despite the lost of my sister, the wedding took place. It rained that Saturday morning Dec. 23, 2006. I was thinking to myself, Lord, please stop the rain. Please don't let today be a sad, cloudy, dreary day. It's bad enough Flora isn't here, my family is hurting and today is my wedding day. On my first wedding my oldest brother had a terrible car wreck, on my second wedding my son had a terrible car wreck, so please don't let this be another day filled with tragedy and sadness. As the day progressed the rain continued. On the way to the church to prepare for the wedding, the rain stopped, the sky cleared, and the sun came out. It was a beautiful day, I believe the temperature was close to 80 degrees outside.. It was hot enough for me to take pictures outside in my sleeveless dress. That was a sign from God and my sister Flora, that everything was going to be okay, and it was. :).

As I recap the morning I received the call: It was 7:30 and I was on my way to take my then fiance' (Steven's) tuxedo to the cleaners. My phone rang and it was my baby sister Dawn, I could hear the fear in her voice as she said, "Flora just died"... I said, "what, what, are you serious!" I had to pull over into the Amtrak Parking lot to gather my thoughts. I asked her to repeat herself and she did. I made my way to the dry cleaners to drop the clothes off. The lady at the counter knew something was wrong as I am a regular at the cleaners. I told her I just got a call that my sister died and my wedding is in 2 days. I asked her what should I do! My heart is hurting .. should I postpone the wedding on continue with my plans. She said continue with the wedding, your sister would want you to do that. The lady at the counter stopped to say a prayer with me. As I got back in my car, I called home to see what was going on and to get more details of what happened with my sister. She passed at home in her room in the arms of our daddy.... my dad and my sister didn't have the best relationship but in the end, I believe restoration took place as her last words were "daddy" and he was there to hold her as she took her last breath and went on to be with the Lord.

Flora means "Flower"- something beautiful, brings comfort, makes people smile, and brightens every space it occupies. That was the life of my dear sister Flora, a smile that would light up the room, a voice that was quiet and soft but yet heard and understood. She had a way of comforting you and making sure you knew everything was going to be alright. She sat beside me and held my hand when I told my parents I was pregnant. She was there to help me take care of my baby as a teenage mother. She was there to pick me up when I was in places I should not have been. She was the one who said I would write a book one day. She was the one who told me to live my life for me and not for anyone else. She was the one who gave me my first Halle Berry cut...(she messed it up but I didn't care LOL). She was our flower, our little sunshine, our little mouse who often walked in softly, but we knew she had been in the room.. much like a mouse who leaves a trail every where it goes.

Today, we celebrate the Life of a Flower - our dear sister Flora Marie Wilson-Sellers
Gone but not forgotten.

Please remember to Smile Everyday, Show Up Everyday, and Succeed Everyday
Find Peace Within
Be blessed,
Ms. Lisa

Yogurt - A girls best friend

I guess you're wondering how can yogurt be a girls best friend; well guess what it is. The reason is because of a Probiotic bacteria called Acidophilus. Acidophilus is a bacteria that helps to prevent vaginal yeast better known as "yeast infections." How is yeast infections formed? Technically fungus, yeast which is also known as "Candida" or "Monilia." It results from an upset of vaginal Ph or an imbalance of vaginal acid and bare elements. It is not a true "infection" since there is no outside bacteria that enters the body to cause a problem, but this type of infection is an over growth of Monilia naturally found in the vagina.

Now, this is where Yogurt comes into play. Yogurt has an ingredient called Acidophilus which helps to maintain intestinal health and serves as a natural antibiotic against potentially harmful organisms. Taking Acidophilus as a nutritional supplement will help maintain the normal balance of beneficial bacteria in the intestine and vaginal.

However, be careful with antibiotics because they will cause your Ph balance to become imbalanced and cause vaginal yeast. Other causes of vaginal yeast is increased stress, pregnancy, diabetes, and some birth control pills. Try to eliminate white flour, sugar, artificial sweeteners, alcohol and dairy products from your diet and of course decrease that stress.

Remember to Smile Everyday, Show Up Everyday, and Succeed Everyday
Find Peace Within
Be blessed,
Ms. Lisa

The Broken Hinge

This is a story about the broken hinge. I'm not sure if you've had something broken around the house that you just kinda ignored hoping some how it would either fix itself or be fixed by someone else. Well that's the case of the broken hinge. For about a year and a half the bottom hinge to my storage room door has been broken. We kept saying we were going to get it fixed or call Lopez over to fix it, but that never happened. What did happen was, we adapted to the broken door with the broken hinge. We learned how to lift the door in order to close it properly. We learned how to push it harder to close after a good rain, which often time made the door frame swell from moisture. We even learned how to adapt to it it hanging when loading the washer to do laundry.

So, this past weekend, I was fed up so I decided to do a DIY project and that broken hinge was the first thing to get done. After about an three hours I had the new door hinges on the door and properly working. Now comes the amazing part of this story. I had to do laundry that evening, and even though the door was fixed, I was still opening and closing the door as if it was still broken. I laughed at myself and said, "wow, this door has been broken so long I forgot how to close it properly" That got me to thinking.

Have you ever adapted to something broken that  it took you a while to adjust to it being fixed and back in its original state? This is the part of life that we need to try to move quick in. Don't let things stay broken so long that you no longer know how to operate it in its original state. That include you, your spirit, and your soul.

Do not stay broken so long that you no longer know how to operate in the original design God created you to be.

Remember to Smile Everyday, Show Up Everyday, and Succeed Everyday
Find Peace Within
Be blessed,
Ms. Lisa

Breaking the 21 Day Detox Fast

Most people want to lose weight but not not be healthy. When people talk to me about losing weight, they never say "I just want to be healthy." They will tell me they either want to tone up their arms, lose cellulite and get a flat tummy. Well sisters and brothers, it just doesn't quit work that way. But there is a way to start. Your first reason for weight loss should be to increase your life span through health and fitness. But just in case that is not what motivates you to lose weight let's just talk about toning up and losing the tummy.

The way to lose the tummy is to change your eating habits. Totally. Changing your eating habits requires you to change the way you look at food. Several days ago, I introduced you to the green smoothie 10 day detox. This is only a jump start for you, this is not the plan you should do forever. Once you've been successful with your 21 day green smoothie detox, you have to begin putting whole foods back into your diet. 

Breaking the cleanse

Note: Do not go right back into eating whole foods right after the cleanse. You should take at least three days to reintroduce whole foods back into your diet. Having a small salad with your meals is a great start. I suggest you continue drinking your smoothies and listen to your body to see what foods works well for you. I still drink a smoothie for breakfast and sometimes as my last meal of the day since I settle down for the night until around 7 pm. You can have a smoothie for breakfast and lunch and have a salad or sauteed vegetables for lunch and dinner. The goal is to eat very light. If you go back to eating whole foods fast, it may cause you to feel bloated and nauseous. This didn't happen to me, as I still do the smoothies. I eat fish, and chicken. No red meat what so ever. I do not eat salads everyday. Too much roughage is not good for the digestive system. I buy frozen vegetables. A big bag of vegetable medley will cost you $5.98 from Wal-Mart. They also have a really good price on Talipia. Eating healthy really isn't that expensive.

Now that you've lost the weight, let's work on keeping it off..... It's as easy as you make it. So make it easy.

Remember to Smile Everyday, Show Up Everyday, and Succeed Everyday

Find Peace Within

Be blessed,

Ms. Lisa

21 Day Detox Do's and Don'ts - Eat it Right

Well it seems that many of you are interested in the 21 day detox smoothie diet. It's what most people are interested in, losing weight and doing it fast. However, some of you have asked me questions about what to eat and what not to eat during the detoxification. With that, I thought I would post some does and don'ts for you. The detox is really  for 10 days but I went 2 months and I still drink 2 as a meal replacement. Breakfast and dinner.

I'll start with what to avoid:

• In your smoothies for the 10-day cleanse, do not include any starchy vegetables such as sweet potatoes, carrots, beets, or any other vegetables that are not leafy greens.
• 
  
• Refined and processed foods such as refined sugar, refined carbs such as white bread, pastas, donuts, etc. and processed foods.
• 
  
• Animal foods such as meat, dairy, milk, cheese, etc.
• 
  
• Beverages that dehydrate you such as liquor, beer, coffee, sodas/diet sodas.... I'll tell you, I had to have my am coffee... Couldn't start my day without it.
• 
  
• Fried foods of any kind

Here is what you can have:

• Smoothie ingredients - only use green leafy vegetables, fruits and water in the green smoothies during the 10 day cleanse.
• 
  
• Use dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach, beet greens, swiss chard, kale (I only used spinach)
• 
  
• Rotate the greens so you don't build up harmful amounts of alkaloids. 
• 
  
• You can add 1 scoop of protein powder per day to your green smoothies so you feel full longer and to help maintain your metabolism. Use a known dairy protein powder such as rice, soy or hemp protein. Do not use Whey Protein which is made from cow's milk. Try RAW Protein by Garden of Life. 
• 
  
• You can add bananas, apples, blueberries, grapes (seedless) mango, mixed berries, peaches, pineapple, strawberries. 
• 
  
• Ground flaxseeds can be added to your smoothie recipes (take a flaxseed tablet every morning )
• 
  
• Stevia as your sweetener
• 
  
• Tap water is not recommended ( I use bottled water)

If you need to snack during the day here are your options:

Apples, celery, carrots, cucumbers, and other crunchy vegetables throughout the day

High-protein snacks such as unsweetened peanut butter (this is what I ate) hard-boiled eggs and aw or unsalted nuts and seeds (only a handful)

I hope this is helpful... 

Remember, to Smile Everyday, Show Up Everyday, and Succeed Everyday

Find Peace Within

Be blessed,

Ms. Lisa 

your body deserves to be loved.

Don't Let It Happen to You

Can you believe Christmas is 3 weeks away? Some of us are rushing buying gifts, spending money we don't have and praying we'll be able to pay off the credit cards when the new year comes. We will also be gearing up to eat all the holiday cookies, fruit cake, pound cake, red velvet cake, ice cream, eggnog, and the likes. Let's not even talk about the company parties, church gatherings, family celebrations, and hours in front the TV watching the Hallmark Channel's holiday love stories. (that I am guilty of). After all this is what we do during the Holidays, Right?

However this is what you don't want to happen to you in the next 3 weeks. You get lazy, gain 5 to 10 pounds, stop exercising, stop spending time with the Lord, and stop making time for yourself. Here are a few things I believe will be helpful to you as you prepare to celebrate the Christmas Holiday Season. I believe everything we do in life should lead us to finding peace within and that includes taking care of ourselves during the most challenging time of the year... the HOLIDAYS...

Personal

1. Make prayer and meditation priority 1 in your day.

2. Make you priority 2 in your day

3. Make family priority 3 in your day

4. Everything else is secondary...

Eating

1. Only eat the serving size - if it says the serving size is 1 cup, that that's all you need to get. If it says 1/2 cup is the serving size, that that's all you need to get.

2. When preparing your plate, only get 1 spoon size. Do not double dip

3. Make sure you have a vegetable, carbohydrate (we call it a starch) and a protein. 

4. Make sure your plate is filled with color, green, red, yellow...

5. Drink 1 8 oz of water before eating

6. If you want something sweet, only get a slither of it. 1 cookie, cut that slice of pie in 1/2 and eat the other half tomorrow.

Exercise

1. Walk, walk, walk

2. Walk, walk, walk

3. Walk, walk, walk

4. You Tube is free - find a video you like and move. It only takes 15 - 30 minutes

5. Cancel your gym membership for 2016 - you didn't use it anyway

Now, go and enjoy the holidays, and Don't Let it Happen to You....

Remember to, Smile Everyday, Show Up Everyday, and Succeed Everyday

Find Peace Within

Be blessed,

Ms. Lisa 

Lose 5 lbs in 1 Week???

Is it possible to lose 5 pounds in one week? Yes it is possible, but I don't recommend it, only unless you need a jump start to help you start your lifestyle change. I did it and lost 14 pounds in 2 months. Many didn't think I had to lose that much weight but when you nibble a little here and there, weight just seems to creep up on you. Here is how I did it.

My hair dresser was losing weight and I asked her what was she doing. She said she was doing the 21 day green smoothie detox. Spinach and fruit, blend it in a blender, drink 3 glasses a day and the weight came off. I started right away and lost 5 pounds the first 3 days. I was hooked. Down from 149 to 135. I have maintained the weight lost. It's been 2 months now. I of course incorporated my workouts with the smoothies, but it worked. Now, I do 2 smoothies a day and a good balanced meal.

The smoothies are easy to make,
2 cups of spinach
16 oz of water
2 cups of frozen fruit ( big bag from Wal-Mart $5.98)
Blend it in your blender and there you have it.

Do it for 10 to 21 days or until you've reached your desired weight. Don't forget to exercise at least 20 to 30 minutes 3 to 4 days a week.

Let me know how it goes.

Remember, to Smile Everyday, Show Up Everyday, and Succeed Everyday
Find Peace Within
Be blessed,
Ms. Lisa

Gut Detoxification

How many of you have ever said this - "I just have a gut feeling?" My grandma would say that all the time when she knew I was up to no good. That of course was when I was a child, not as an adult. She'll say, "I have a gut feeling you're up to something." LOL. I've done that with my own sons, even now, I have a gut feeling something else is going on. I just can't put my finger on it. But I'm not talking about the gut feeling you get when something isn't right, I'm talking about the gut feeling that controls the way your body feels.

As you begin your journey on finding peace within, it's important to make sure you're putting the right things in your gut that will cause you to feel good about yourself and the new found peace you'll find. Here are some key important things you need to do to keep your gut feeling good.

1. Drink water everyday, at least eight, 8 oz per day. Try drinking Alkaline water, it's better for you.
2. Eat vegetables everyday. Green leafy vegetables, broccoli, cabbage, greens, kale, and spinach
3. Get a good probiotics (this helps to keep your colon clean)
4. Cut back on your sugar intake. If it's made out of white flour, it's sugar..
5. Detox your liver with 1 tsp of apple cider vinegar with 8 oz. of water.
6. Stay away from soda's... they are filled with sugar and other toxic ingredients

Now, after you've finished having your Christmas dinner, start detoxifying you gut. Your spirit will thank you.

Remember to Smile Everyday, Show Up Everyday, and Succeed Everyday
Find Peace Within
Be blessed,
Ms. Lisa

Keeping it in YOUR Road

As I think about some of the things we see going on in the world today, it's so important for us to stay focused on the important things that matter to us. Do not get caught up with the troubles of other people. Pray, Pray, Pray.

On Thanksgiving I visited my family in SC, and one of my cousin's wives asked my mother (78) and my Auntie her sister.... (80) what do they do to stay so young. They both look amazing for their age. They both laughed and said, "we mind own business and only talk junk to each other"... LOL. I thought that was so funny and very important.

I live by this rule, now that I'm in my 50's...which is - minding my own business and only concerning myself with those things that I can control. It doesn't mean that I am not empathetic about what's going on in the world, but I do not make it a habit to give my opinion about what people choose to do with their lives. The bible says we should pray without ceasing... that's the important thing you can do concerning the business of others...

How do you help others you have no control over? Pray without ceasing.

Remember to Smile Everyday, Show Up Everyday, Succeed Everyday
Find Peace Within
Be blessed,
Ms. Lisa

Grapes Anyone? My Favorite Fruit -

I am in the middle of reading a book "Secret of The Vine" by Bruce Wilkinson the best selling author of The Prayer of Jabez. He is an excellent writer and story teller. In his book, Secret of The Vine he talks about Pruning and Discipline and how to know the difference. This morning I read "A Country Awakening". In this chapter he speaks about he and his wife moving to the country and how excited they were to be able to have grapes fresh off the vine. One morning he looked out his window and saw his neighbor cutting down the vines on the fence that they both shared. He went out and asked his neighbor if he liked grapes, the neighbor said yes, I like grapes. Then he asked his neighbor did he like big juicy grapes, he said of course I like big juicy grapes. But we can either grow ourselves a lot of beautiful leaves filling up this whole fence line, or we can have the biggest, juiciest, sweetest grapes you and your family have ever seen." But We just can't have both.

What a profound  statement. We can have grapes or empty vines. It took the pruning away of the vines to harvest beautiful grapes. Have you ever been pruned and thought it was discipline or disciplined and you thought it was pruning? Here is how to know what season you're in.
God is the Vinedresser.....

PRUNING VS DISCIPLINE

Issue                                                        Disciplining                                      Pruning
1. How do you know it's happening        Pain                                                   Pain
2. Why is it happening?                          You're doing something wrong        You're doing something                                                                                                                              right
3. What is your level of fruitfulness?     No fruit                                              Fruit
4. What is the Vinedresser's desire?       Fruit                                                   More Fruit
5. What needs to go?                              Sin                                                     Self
6. How should you feel?                        Guilty, sad                                         Relief, trust
7. what is the right response?                 Repentance (stop sinning)                Release (give God your                                                                                                                              permission)
8. When does it stop?                             When we stop sinning?                    When God is finished

I think I'll put this on my wall, so I'll know when it's discipline and when it's pruning.

Remember to Smile Everyday, Show Up Everyday, and Succeed Everyday
Find Peace Within
Be blessed,
Ms. Lisa

Everybody Got a Drink

The  more I think about the transformation in my life, the more I realize it was my drinking that was keeping me bound. What was my drink of choice? Lust of the eye, lust of the flesh, pride of life. Don't judge me... I am not longer bound to my drinking anymore. It took some time for me to realize what the drinking was doing to me. The person I am today was not the person I was 10 years ago.

What did it take for me to get delivered from my drink?

1. First acknowledging and confessing that I had a drinking problem.
2. Then deciding to do something about it. Once I made up in my mind that I was not going to be bound anymore, I began making a conscious effort to release it all the the Lord.
3.  I separated myself from the thing or things that were causing me to feel the way I was feeling that caused me to want to take a drink.
4.  I realized how the drinking was destroying me and those around me.
5.  I knew I had to strengthen my relationship with God.
6.  I then stayed in my word and looked to the Holy Spirit for guidance in all.
7.  I made peace with my past.

What's your drink? We all have one.

Remember to Smile Everyday, Show Up Everyday, Succeed Everyday
Find Peace Within
Be Blessed,
Ms. Lisa

Finding Peace Within - by Lisa Dalton: Move like the Ant

Finding Peace Within - by Lisa Dalton: Move like the Ant: I am 31 days away from the release of my upcoming book, Smile Everyday, Show Up Everyday, Succeed Everyday - A little bit of honey to make y...

Move like the Ant

I am 31 days away from the release of my upcoming book, Smile Everyday, Show Up Everyday, Succeed Everyday - A little bit of honey to make your day count and a little sweeter. I thought I would share an insert from the chapter "Mission Accomplished"

Let's consider the life of the ant and see what lesson we can learn from her.

. I learned a lot about ants as I watched her walk back and forth on the bricks.

            This is what I imagined her saying, “I have to get home with this worm.  I have to begin storing up for the winter. Oh no, a cliff! I can’t go this way! I’ll just back up and go the way I started. Woooo! Let’s see if I can go to the right. Yes, this looks like a good way to go. I’ll go down the side of this brick; surely it connects to the ground somewhere. I’ll put my foot out just to see if this brick connects to the ground. Nope, no connection. Let me back up again and go back the way I started.” After several attempts of trying to find a way to the ground the ant stops and regroups. As the ant looks around, she sees another way. “Great, this looks like a clear path, I’ll go this way.” With the worm in one arm and determination in her heart, the ant travels to another set of bricks. “Okay, this looks like it will work, I’ll just go down the side of this brick, and I’m sure it connects with the ground.”

            The ant travels a few feet down the side of the brick and finally makes a connection to the ground. “Thank you, Lord, I’m on my way home.” Little did the ant know there would be many more hurdles to cross, rocks to climb and leaves to go over as she traveled home. “What is this? Another rock, another leaf, another twig, more dirt, and what’s this big orange thing? But wait, I believe this big orange thing can take me across all the bricks, dirt, leaves, and rocks that lay ahead.” The big orange thing was my orange extension cord. “Lord I knew You would make a way for me to make it home safe. Thank You for not letting me drop the worm during my journey. Thank You for making the crooked way straight for me.” Mission accomplished! 

What if we were like the ant... Keep moving... work hard... knowing there is a reward on the other side of the trail.

Remember to Smile Everyday, Show Up Everyday, and Succeed Everyday

Find Peace Within

Be blessed

Ms. Lisa

Feel Like Giving Up?

What do you do when you feel like giving up?

KEEP MOVING!!!!

Remember, Smile Everyday, Show Up Everyday, and Succeed Everyday
Find Peace Within
Be blessed
Ms. Lisa

Drain My Life but Not My Spirit - A Light of Hope

It's amazing how sickness can take the life out of you but not drain your spirit.

It is the spirit of a man that keeps him pushing. It keeps him going, moving towards taking one step at a time. The spirit of a man is what makes him want to keep fighting, keep looking, keep asking. It is the spirit of a man that really keeps hope alive, keeps dreams alive, keeps visions alive, keeps prayer alive. It's the spirit of a man that keeps saying "I am getting through this!

That's what I saw in my sister yesterday. Wrapped in pain but yet her spirit was AMAZING! She was still smiling, still cooking, still helping and still making us laugh.

Sickness-- you may drain my body, but- - - You can't drain my SPIRIT!!

Remember to Smile Everyday, Show Up Everyday, and Succeed Everyday
Find Peace Within
Be Blessed,
Ms. Lisa

Let's Get the Weight Off

As many of my readers know I am a believer of personal fitness. I believe in fitness and maintaining a balance life through working out, eating healthy, and finding peace within. As the year comes closer to an end, I thought I would share some of my most popular fitness tips and or blogs to help you start the year off with some positive changes. I have a little saying, "It's not about the weight but about the heart. Take care of the heart and the weight will follow." That is so important when trying to get rid of anything that's weighing you down. Anything that is too heavy for you to carry will cause health problems such as; back pain, heart pain, lung pain, leg pain, feet pain, shoulder pain, head pain, joint point. Need I continue? I believe you have the picture.

As you prepare to start a new year think about how important your heart is to your body. If the heart stops, you stop. We can function with one lung but we can't function without a heart as we only have one. Here are a few things I suggest you to to prepare to let some of the weight go for 2016.

1. Make a conscious effort to eat right - portion size. That's what we call eating the serving size. If it's good, save some for later. Your taste buds don't need all of it, just a taste will do.
2. Move after you're done. Take time to exercise your heart. 15 minutes a day is better than none.
3. Don't buy it if you're not discipline - If you know ice cream is your strong man, then don't buy the man. If you are not discipline enough, then don't even put it in the house. That's like asking for trouble.
4. Relax - take time to sit and relax, enjoy a heart felt movie. Stop watching shows that makes your heart race and keep you up during the night.
5. Listen to worship music - music soothes the soul...try it.
6. Take time to breath - take deep breathes, clear your lungs and thoughts. If you can't fix it, let it go.
7. DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN.

Remember, you are the most valuable player in your life. Reward yourself everyday with the Most Valuable Player Award. You are worth it.

My reminder - Smile Everyday, Show Up Everyday, Succeed Everyday
Find Peace Within
Be Blessed,
Ms. Lisa D.

Calling All Body Builders

Do you have what it takes to commit to your success? Do you have what it takes to be consistent in your own life? Do you have what it takes to make your world a little more fulfilling? We all have what it takes to make changes in our lives. We always know what those changes are but we don't always know how to make those changes.

When you've found that you have lost the zeal you once had, it's time to re- build your body. When you've found that you no longer are excited about doing those things that once brought you joy, it's time to re-build your body. When you've found that what once made you smile has now become a burden for you, it's time for you to re- build your body. Now, how do you re-build your body?

1. Make yourself a priority by making time your yourself EVERYDAY.
2. Make time for breath clean air - it clears not only your lungs but your thoughts
3. Tell those whom you love, that you love them but you love you more- if they love you, they will understand.
4. Tell those that say they love you, they must understand, because it's important to YOU.

Baby steps my friend... When I got married the first time, my father told me that Rome wasn't built in a day. He told me this after about 6 months of being married and I wanted to come back home. He wouldn't let me.. not this time that is... :)

Begin one step at a time with making the first change in YOU, and how you value yourself .
Take time to write your story. Take time to write out what it is you need from yourself to become a body builder? If it take going to bed a little earlier so you can get up earlier, then do it. If it means telling your children, pre-teens and teenagers that you need them to do their part and you hold them accountable for what they are and are not doing, then do that. If that means, taking 15 minutes and detouring from your normal schedule just to find time to breath, then do it.

It's time for all body builders to stand up and begin re-building your life. refresh and restart. To re- is to do something over that was once done. So, get started Re-building your Body, your soul and your mind.

There's someone waiting on the other side of that building and that someone is YOU.

Remember to Smile Everyday, Show Up Everyday, and Succeed Everyday
Find Peace Within
Be Blessed,
Ms. Lisa

No Need To Scream at Me - I see you

As a believer in God, it is always my responsibility to make sure His name is made known where every I go. The thing is I don't have to scream His name out for the world to know I walk with Him everyday.

Yesterday we (LSOC) had the opportunity to minister in a place where not everyone was singing about Jesus. They rapped to their hearts content. Some talked about their struggles, some talked about violence in the streets, some talking about doing what grown folk do. Everyone participating in the event had a message to convey to the world.

We LSOC got up to minister - and I said minister - as that is what we do. We didn't compromise the name of Jesus. No, we didn't have to pump it down their throats and tell them that they were all going to hell because of what they were singing about. We just simply asked them a simple question, "are you glad you're free?" Smiling Big.... the response was over whelming. We ministered, they clapped their hands, stood up, sang the hook, and wanted more. The MC said "you guys brought church to us tonight."

That's what we as believer are suppose to do. Go out into the highway and bi-ways and compel men to Christ. We didn't have to scream, or shot, all we did was minister.

Today's Lesson:
Let your light so shine, so that men can see your good works and glorify our Father which is in heaven.
The world is watching, and they want to see something different than what they see in their own world.

Remember to Smile Everyday, Show Up Everyday, and Succeed Everyday
Find Peace Within
Be Blessed,
Ms. Lisa

I Need My Struggles

As the end of 2015 come to an end, I am spending some time reflecting over my life. Today I am reading my journal from 2008 -

Friday April 1, 2008 - Lord I thank you for the sunshine. I thank you for being my rock when I'm stressed. I thank you for taking all my cares away. I thank you for being my friend. You were here for me today holding me and caring for me, showing me that you care. Thank you for FREEDOM!

April 2, 2008 - Thank you Lord for your mercy and your grace. Thank you for giving me the ability to get wealth. Thank you for my family and for helping us find balance between church and home.

April 3, 2008 - Dream of a better tomorrow. I thank you for a better tomorrow.

April 4, 2008 - Find strength in His might - was the word for today, and I did just that. Thank you for your word and your messenger.You are an encourager and I thank you for that.

May 23, 2008 - Worked out today, lifted weights bench press, shoulders, back, legs, abs, cardio, 1 hour. Having a chance to be ready and focus on my target areas. The pain was great. My muscles ache from each movement. I know the sacrifice is worth it.

May 24, 2008 - Another day of work. Dr. Cook came to our meeting, we will start laying off starting July to November, a total of over 200 people. My heart is heavy.

November 17, 2008 - Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up Lord, come and quench this thirsting of my soul. Bread of heaven, feed me til I want no more. Here's my cup, fill it up and make me whole. I am whole, I am delivered, I am at peace. This is my deliverance well.

December, 10, 2008 - Dear Lord, how can I start to heal? Write down what's hurting you. What will it take for me to be healed?

Lessons learned from my struggles -

1. They are necessary for growth
2. They are necessary for my testimony
3. They are necessary for my ministry
4. They prepare me for the next one.

Remember, to Smile Everyday, Show Up Everyday, and Succeed Everyday
Find Peace Within
Be Blessed,
Ms. Lisa

Eat At The Bus Stop

There are many things I like to do during my lunch hour such as; read, exercise, take a walk around the block, listen to sermons, or read my bible. There are some days I'll do some pretty random stuff, like sit at the bus stop and watch what's going on in the area. Kinda like the seniors do once they retire, you know- they sit on the porch and wave at everyone. They know everything that's going on in the neighborhood. One particular day I decided to eat my lunch at the bus stop. My lunch was only a Green Smoothie, so it wasn't anything big.

As I sat at the bus stop, a young man by the name of Mr. Carter came and sat down beside me. Mr. Carter probably was around 70 years old. He looked like he could have been homeless or had some pretty hard challenges in his life. As Mr. Carter sat down beside me, I spoke and asked him how was he doing. He said he was doing fine and he asked me the same. I of course said I was doing GREAT. Mr. Carter and I carried on several pretty interesting conversation while he waited at the bus stop. We talked about the Billingsley neighborhood. That's where my job is located. He's a Charlottean and knew about the history of that side of town since it was where he grew up. I learned that Billingsley Road was named after a black man who was pretty well off financially during the early years. I also learned about the first black school built by black carpenters, The Billingsville School, which is located in the Grier Heights neighborhood. He talked about his days in the military and how he had dreams of becoming a politician, but life happened. (he never forgot his dream). As we continued to talk, I asked him did he know the Lord, he said yes he knew the Lord. So, I asked him what was his thoughts on same sex marriage. (This was right after the supreme court passed same sex marriage. )

Mr. Carter stated that as a politician he pretty much had to stay neutral on those subjects. So I asked him how would he feel if he didn't have a politician's mindset, how would he feel then. He was straddling the fence on the subject. So, I posed a question for him.... What if everyone married the same sex, then how would he or I be would have gotten here today? He thought, silently. I gave him the example of the power plug and the power outlet. In each there is a negative and a positive, male and female. The negative end of the power plug cannot fit into the negative side of the power outlet and the positive side of the power cord cannot fit in the positive side of the power outlet. Therefore, two of the same thing cannot produce power when put together. They want even fit. Therefore there is no possibility of any power being produced. There must be a positive (male) and a negative (female) to produce power. Mr. Carter smiled, and said "I never thought about it like that. So with that being said, I am for male and female because I like having power, and I'm glad I'm here." We laughed and said AMEN! He thanked me for spending my lunch time with him and wished me a blessed day. I thank him for spending that time with me and sharing his bus stop time with me. I left Mr. Carter feeling pretty good.... :)

Today's Lesson -
1. Don't be afraid to talk to strangers, you might just learn something
2. Don't be afraid to share your thoughts on current events, you just might change the mind of  the person you're talking to.
3. Don't be afraid to share your faith, you just might win someone to Christ
4. And finally, Don't be afraid to eat lunch at the bus stop.....

Remember to Smile Everyday, Show up Everyday, and Succeed Everyday
Find Peace Within
Be blessed,
Ms. Lisa

Failing is Good!

Keep living is what my grandmother would tell me. I would be like, grandma, what cha talking about. All she would say was, "keep living". I wasn't that attentive in school, so I wasn't on the A-B honor roll, I even failed typing my first year. LOl. Math wasn't one of my strong subjects and I don't remember a thing I learned in Science. I've failed a few classes and succeeded as many as well. As life went on, I failed at some other things, you know, like 2 previous marriages, learning how to work the cash register at Captain D's, then they fired me. I failed at learning how to skate, I even failed at learning how to cook like my mom. But, out of all those failures I have learned some pretty good lessons. In my book I decided to share a few of the positive things you learn when you failure.

Lessons learned: Excerpts from my upcoming book: Smile Everyday, Show Up Everyday, Succeed Everyday

1.     .     You must accept failure, but keep trying.
2.            Success in failure depends on whether you keep up with it or not.
3.     .      Failure means changing directions and finding another way to get it done.
4.   .    Failure helps you to believe in yourself.
5.     .     Failure teaches you that there is something else to learn.
6.  .   My favorite benefit is, God gets show us what He can make out of our failures.

Just know that even when you try and fail, there is always something good that can come out of it. Either you get up and try again, or you try something else. And you will also know, there are just somethings you're not good at and you know what's THAT'S OKAY...

     

      Remember to Smile Everyday, Show Up Everyday, and Succeed Everyday

      Find Peace Within

      Be blessed,

      Ms. Lisa 

"Second Time Around" nothing like the Third Time

I'm sure we've all been through somethings in life, some good, some bad. Some we learned lessons from and some we're still trying figure out what the lesson was. Here is another excerpt from my upcoming book where I talk about the experience in my "second time around".

"However, there have been times in my life when smiling did not come as easy. I believe one of the most difficult times in my life was when I was traveling down a very long dark road and felt all alone. Even though I knew I wasn’t, I still felt like I was. I was in a place where I thought I could not share my darkness with anyone or that anyone would even believe that I was in such a dark place. Have you ever been in a place that was so dark that you found yourself doing things that were just out of character for you? I certainly have. My second marriage brought out the worst in me. Talking about a transformation. Thank you, Lord, for deliverance. It is amazing how the very thing that once attracted a person to you somehow becomes the very thing that they come to hate about you. I must plug this little note in here, be sure to marry someone who is comfortable with you being you and can handle your testimony. If not, you will end up losing yourself for the comfort of that person."                                                                                                                                                                                   Thank God, the third time is amazing!... don't ever stop showing up, there just might be something waiting for you when you arrive.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Smile Everyday, Show Up Everyday, and Succeed Every day                                                               Find Peace Within                                                                                                                                     Be blessed,                                                                                                                                                 Ms. Lisa                                                                                                                                                      

  

Not Before Me

What is the very first thing you do in the mornings? Is it prayer, meditations, ironing clothes, face book, emails, Instagram? You know the Lord speaks to us about what should be first. I am a firm believe that it is important that we seek God first in all. We should command our mornings, and decree and declare what we need in the atmosphere and allow the Lord to move on our behalf.

I haven't always made God first in my mornings. I didn't always command my mornings. Here is an excerpt from my upcoming book where I share the moment The Holy Spirit whipped my behind for not putting him first in my day.

For years I’ve started my mornings with a 45 minute workout. This was my lifestyle as a former body builder and fitness trainer. It wasn’t until one morning as I was preparing to workout, The Holy Spirit spoke to me and said that I could not start my mornings before spending time with Him. He said it was important that I spent time praying, meditating and hearing the voice of God. This was a wake up call for me and the start of my 4 am prayers. Matthew 6:33 gives us clear direction on how our days should start; But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. My life has never been the same since I started seeking God first.                                                                                                                                                    

                                                                                                                                                        Remember to give God his tenth, even in with your time.                                                                       Smile Everyday, Show Up Everyday, and Succeed Everyday                                                                 Find Peace Within                                                                                                                                   Be Blessed,                                                                                                                                                 Ms. Lisa                                                                                                                                                      

The Student Speaks

I have been blessed to the opportunity to speak to many college students at both ITT Technical College, and Johnson C. Smith University. I have always had a heart to teach. I remember as a child when my friends and I would get together to play school, I was always the teacher. LOL. Always telling someone what to do. I enjoy teaching and I enjoy seeing the light bulb come on for my students.

This year I received several testimonies from students who shared with their professor how much my message touched them. Here is another excerpt from book, this time from the words of a student:

I have had the opportunity to speak to adult college students and have shared my mantra with many of them. As a result, I have gotten numerous messages from students sharing their testimony on how much my message really blessed them. Here is one testimony from a student from ITT Technical College; “Ms. Dalton gave an EXCELLENT speech. She did better than some preachers I have seen. LOL. It was very inspiring, and I needed to hear some of the things that she said, I just did not know it. I really enjoyed it. Thanks, Greg.” This message was sent to his professor who forward the message on to me.There are many life lessons that I have learned over the years, but this I know for sure, you never know who is waiting for you, which is why you must always be ready.                                                                                                                                                                               Remember to  Smile Everyday, Show Up Everyday, and Succeed Everyday                                         Find Peace Within                                                                                                                                     Be Blessed,                                                                                                                                               Ms. Lisa                                                                                                                                                       

Granny Was Right

My grandmother raised me from the age of one. She and I spent most of our days on the road traveling to church. She raised me in the church from the age of five. She instilled some really good life long lessons and values in me that I will never forget. Among the many lessons was this one.

You'll find this in my book:

"There is one thing I will always remember that my granny told me, “God will supply a need when He sees a need.” We have to open ourselves and be vulnerable to our Lord. He has to see that we want Him in our lives and that we want Him to order our steps everyday. As I went through one of the most difficult times in my life, the Holy Spirit said to me, “Lisa, in order for you to make it through THIS journey you have to Smile Everyday, Show Up Everyday, and Succeed Everyday.” I began speaking these words into my spirit daily. Even when I felt like I was not going to make it. I told myself, I was going to smile everyday, I was going to show up everyday and I was going to succeed everyday."

I watched my grandmother trust God in every way of her life. A Godly woman whom I've never seen live a life outside of what she believed. And that was her faith in God. When ever we were in need of anything, she always knew God was going to supply the need.

Today I live by what my granny taught me. I know God is going to supply my needs when I make my request known to Him.

Today's lesson: As grandma would say, "Keep on living". I thank God for allowing me to keep on living to see the reality of Granny Being Right....

Remember what your granny told you, she probably was right.

Remember to Smile Everyday, Show Up Everyday, and Succeed Everyday
Find Peace Within
Be blessed,
Ms. Lisa

Be Silent and Smile!

I met with a very dear friend this weekend to do some trouble shooting with my book. The closer I get to the release date, I thought it would be important to get the view point of not only the business professional strategist but also the professor of education. As she read my manuscript, she said something very profound to me about my smile. She said, she has not only learned that my smile speaks of joy and happiness, but it also speaks of silence in the storms. You see, she's seen me as a preacher's wife and first lady as well as an educator. She has seen me in situations where all I could do was smile, because if I wasn't smiling, something might have popped off. Yelp, that's right popped off. LOL. Thank God for deliverance. Now I'm all about peace.. Praise The Lord. :) Of course, being the person that I am, I thought about what she said.

She is right, that is how I handle situations that I know I can't change.

You have to know when to be silent. When you're dealing with a situation that you know you cannot win and or your voice want be heard, Be silent and Smile! The other person will not know what you're thinking. Your smile will display that you are not moved or bothered by what they are doing or saying.

You only respond negatively to situations when it's not going your way. Does it really matter who wins in the end? After all, we're not here to fight each other, we're her to love and build each other up. Support and cheer each other on. Make positive contributions to the world, and die empty.  If there is a problem to be solved, or an issue to be resolved, there should be a common ground where it's okay to agree to disagree.

The message today is: If talking is not the answer -  Be Silent and Smile!

Remember to Smile Everyday, Show Up Everyday, and Succeed Everyday
Find Peace Within
Be blessed
Ms. Lisa D.

"The Honey Bee" The Call

I spent most of my day yesterday working on my book, "Smile Everyday, Show Up Everyday, Succeed Everyday - A little book of honey to help you make everyday count and a little bit sweeter"- I believe the book will touch the hearts of not only the Christian community but the secular and professional community as well. As I get closer to finishing the book, I'll be sharing with you some small snippets of what to expect from the book. Here is an excerpt from "The Honey Bee - The Call"

"The more I studied the behavior of the honey bees the more revelation the Holy Spirit gave me of my dream. John 7:38 says “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. Living water, means life and flowing. Let me break down the behavior of honey bees to help you understand what The Holy Spirit revealed to me.

In the Hebrew, the number ten means – perfection of divine order. In the Hebrew wax means – to grow or increase.  In the Hebrew honey means – pleasantness. Now, let’s put it all together – The honey bees divine order is developed in the abdomen (rivers of living water). When honey bees turns 10 days old she develops the glands needed to produce wax in her abdomen. In her abdomen enzymes are produced (the anointing) which releases sugar (nectar) into pleasantness (sweet honey) which then produces (wax) growth or increase. Divine order produces the anointing, which produces pleasantness, which produces growth or increase, which pushes you into your purpose."

There is divine order in everything we do in life, even in the life of the honey bee. There is a process. You cannot go ahead of timing. What if the honey bee went out before its 10th day of life? How many of us have done something before we were ready and made a mess of it? I know I have. Today, I have enough wisdom to know, there is a time and place for everything. 

Let's bee like the honey bee and follow the perfected divine order. Let's allow The Holy Spirit to develop what needs to be developed in our belly so we can step out into the world with His anointing and touch the hearts of the people with a sweet pleasantness that will produce growth and increase.

Remember to Smile Everyday, Show Up Everyday, and Succeed Everyday
Find Peace Within
Be blessed,
Ms. Lisa D. 

Shampoo in the Shower

I woke up anxious this morning. I wasn't sure why as I didn't have a dream or went to bed with anything heavy on my heart. I put on my morning coffee and decided to shampoo my hair. Instead of shampooing my hair in the sink I decided to do it in the shower. As I began to shampoo my hair, I felt the warmth of the water rolling down my scalp, down my face  and onto my neck, off my shoulders and down my back. I noticed how my body began to respond to the warmth of the water. After about 2 minutes, my body was totally relaxed and the anxious feeling I had was gone. I then completed my shower and finished shampooing my hair.

I went in the shower to shampoo my hair, but the shower ended up shampooing me instead. :). I learned to yield to the quieting process.

Today I learned to let the warmth of the water from a relaxing shower  wash away any anxiety that's in my body. I learned to yield to the moment and how to go with the flow when the waters turn.

The Lord says, we should be anxious for nothing... today, I learned to let the water shampoo me in the shower.

Remember to Smile Everyday, Show Up Everyday, and Succeed Everyday
Find Peace Within
Be blessed,
Ms. Lisa