They have confidence in themselves
They have a very strong sense of purpose
They never have excuses for not doing something
They always try their hardest for perfection
They never consider the idea of failing
They work extremely hard towards goals
They know who they are
They understand their weakness
as well as their strong points
They can accept and benefit from criticism
They know when to defend what they are doing
They are creative
They are not afraid to be a little different
in finding innovative solutions
that will enable them to achieve their dreams
Has technology taken over our lives, really? I love this spot that shows folks checking their mobile phones. It's gotten out of control. Do you love YOUR mobile phone that much? Could you go without checking all day? How about 2 days?
Greetings dream seekers and visionaries. There are three important keys to manifesting your dreams. First you have to allow yourself to dream and when I say “dream”, I mean setting a specific goal that is larger than your current circumstance. Dreaming or goal setting requires vision and faith.
Trusting that your life experience can be more than it is right now. This step alone is revolutionary. There are so many messages we receive from people around us, the media, and the inner voice of fear that seduce us into settling for the mediocre. Your life experience will not change, until you free yourself to dream again – to believe again that more is possible. Simply stating, “I want a good life” is a start but you have to get specific. What would a good life look like to you? Begin to draw in the details.
A building is only built after the architect develops a design. A film is not shot until the filmmaker has story boards or pictures or what the story would look like when told visually. You need to be able to articulate what you want? What do you desire to be and to do? Your life is a canvas. What is the picture you would like to draw with your days?
Once you have the dream or the goal the next step is to take a step and then another step. Dreams without action remain dreams. To see manifestation you must do more than wish and wait for it to appear. You need to research, strategize, study, implement, and re-assess as you go along. Most people who are considered over night successes have spent many seasons in preparation for the moment you see them “arrive”.
Begin to invest in your dream. Your investment of time and resources will inspire others to take your dream seriously. Many people say what they are going to do but as the Chinese Proverb says, “Talk does not cook the rice.” You have to move from talking about your goals to making them happen. Determine today at least one thing you can do to further your goal. Take a class, research on-line, talk to someone who has done something similar, or practice your craft.
The third key to manifesting your dreams is perseverance. Anyone who has a dream must be prepared for obstacles. There will be barriers, mountains, doubters, and challenges. This is a guarantee. Dream manifestation or goal attainment requires a can-do spirit regardless of the circumstance. When some people see storm clouds, they stay home. Staying where you are is safe but is that what you really want to do? When you are facing a brick wall remind yourself of the dream, the vision, and the possibility. If it is where your passion lies, continue to press for it.
Find people and things that feed your spirit, encourage your heart, and nurture your soul. When you face a set-back, take time to learn from the experience and then dust yourself and determine to move forward. A dream deferred is not a dream denied. Achievement is within reach but you will have to stretch.
Those that show up, go up! - Pam Perry
"Get here if you can, I don't care how you get here, just get here..." Put the social back in your social networking!
Be visible. Dress sharp and snappy. Look like someone others want to know because your image says “success.” Be willing to attend functions alone. Networking expands your circle of influence, builds your personal brand, and garners support.
Give before you get. Sow before you reap. Share information and resources with contacts before asking them for anything. Search for their interests and goals when meeting someone new. Figure out a way to help them.
Gather, collect, and distribute info. Position yourself as the “go to” person for information. Provide regular updates about helpful events or books. Use an email database system like Constant Contact to simplify the process and send information attractively. See http://ministrymarketingsolutions.constantcontact.com
Write your vision. Make it plain. Make the most of networking opportunities by having eye-catching marketing materials. Have more than a business card when going to a conference or event. Be intentional about your purpose. Have a bookmark or postcard describing your book. Offer a CD or brochure as a speaker.
Demonstrate your sincere faith by being a person of character and integrity. Follow the Golden Rule which says, “Treat others as you want to be treated,” with respect and courtesy. Follow up and follow through. Deliver on your promises.
Pam Perry is a ministry marketing pioneer and expert in the African American Christian market. Her public relations and advertising career spans over two decades. She spent the first ten years working in ad agencies and secular media. She has dedicated the past ten to ministry marketing. Her company has a roster of some of the most well known Christian publishers and African American Christian authors in the industry.
This post is a "God-send" then. It's a guest post from my twiter friend, Dr. Thema.
There are some people who thrive on high drama. They like to create it. They feel most comfortable when they’re surrounded by it. Constant drama is not only a lot of work for the individual who is creating it but it is also very draining for those who are around them. It usually doesn’t take long to recognize when you’re dealing with a high drama person.
Here are some of the signs:
• The person has the capacity to make the smallest issues into a major event.
• The person usually dominates every conversation.
• When the person does withdraw, they do it in a very attention grabbing way that manages to focus all energy toward them.
• They seem to always be on stage or putting on a performance.
• They find it easier to see the negative than the positive.
• They have a way of speaking to people that creates tension.
If you have a friend or family member who is a drama starter, it can be very difficult to manage. There are a number of possible reasons for their behavior. The person may:
• Create drama as a distraction from dealing with their real issues.
• Have grown up with constant put-downs and have never learned how to be positive or affirming.
• Feel insecure and need constant attention to convince them that they are valued.
• Confuse peaceful with boring and create drama to entertain themselves and others.
For those who are in relationship with high drama people, here are some pointers:
1. Be very clear about your relationship with the person. You can be the supportive friend, family member, or spouse but you cannot be their therapist.
2. You have to set up healthy boundaries to both take care of yourself and also to discourage unhealthy dynamics in the relationship.
3. Aim to be a stable, grounded person not someone who feeds off of the drama and escalates it. Do not give the person the message that their job is to entertain you. Be the kind of friend that doesn’t pressure them to perform.
4. Develop a healthy sense of yourself so you don’t let the drama cause you to doubt yourself or your worth.
5. Set limits. While it is good to be supportive, if the high drama person is being disrespectful or abusive, don’t feel you have to suffer in silence. Take the space and time you need to think honestly about the level of contact you want to maintain with the person. If you need to reduce the time you spend with the person, it doesn’t mean you are a bad person. It means you are taking steps to protect and preserve your emotional well-being.
Most importantly, don’t get caught up in the drama.Take a step back so you can see things clearly.
Dr. Thema Bryant-Davis, Associate Professor of Psychology at Pepperdine Univeresity, is President of the Society of the Psychology of Women. Dr. Thema is a licensed clinical psychologist. ESSENCE magazine named her among Women Who Are Shaping the World. She has been featured on Dr. Phil, BET Tonight, K-Ci and Jo Jo Come Clean, and PBS' Basic Black as well as in the Boston Globe and Black Entertainment Television’s Weekend Magazine. She is the author of the critically-acclaimed books and is the recording artist on the CD Sky: An upbeat black girl’s song. Her work is based in an interdisciplinary understanding of spirituality, culture, and psychology.
Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.
- Mark Twain
Some religious traditions make breathing a central practice of meditation. Deep breathing releases stress and concentrate our attention. A period of deep breathing at the start of every meditation can prepare us to be more focused and calm.
Here's how to release stress:
Sitting upright and quiet become aware of your breathing. Do not try to control or analyze the process of respiration; simply become conscious of it.
Follow your breathing carefully. Slowly inhale through your nostrils and let the air flow all the way to the bottom of your diaphragm, filling your lungs completely. Then slowly and gently exhale through your mouth. Again, inhale deeply and exhale slowly. Do this ten times.
As you continue to breathe deeply, imagine that each time you inhale you are filling yourself more and more with God’s peace. Imagine as well that each time you exhale you are breathing away your cares, tensions, and fears.
Keep doing this exercise for 5 minutes or until you feel that you have exhausted its value for you.
When you are done, thank the God who is for you and for all people, the breath of life.
This post in honor of Redella Cousins
Fight against Sarcoma Cancer
By providing grants, loans, or donations to:
Allen James Pete Jr.
6765 Corporate Blvd Apt #6201
Baton Rouge, LA 70809-1090
