How Becoming Fiercely Honest Changed My Life

I recently read an amazing article in “Redbook,” featuring Gabrielle Union. Gabrielle Union’s life is an open book. Her best selling memoir, which is still on my book wish list: We’re Going to need more wine is possibly the most unfiltered autobiography that has ever existed. She’s made some mistakes and had some major setbacks, then used them to her advantage to grow by leaps in bounds in every area of her life. That complete authenticity and development has inspired this blog post, and for me to dig deeper and to follow in her footsteps.

Over the past few years with the loss of both my parents, and losing countless relatives and friends that were very close to me. I have discovered that life is too short not to live in purpose, and that I always have room for growth, and improvement on this life journey. These things have forced me to become fiercely honest with myself. I am quite aware of the self-doubt monster when it comes to making huge life-changing decisions that affect the path that I took to become more in-tune with myself, and to truly hear the word of God. Now, that is where it gets a little interesting when being honest with myself. The word of God can become somewhat, “muffled,” when I am in the middle of those life-happening moments, and that is when I have to remember who I am and whose I am. I believe that this is the only way to reach a true confidence breakthrough, and to move forward in a positive manner.

Listen, I decided that instead of growing weak, and being swallowed by grief, guilt, and desperation for my loved ones. Girl, I had to grow stronger, and really believe in the things that are seen and unseen, and that is faith! I had to grow stronger through these gut-wrenching life experiences, in order for my children to see a fearless mother in the agony of defeat and sometimes literal anguish from day-to-day emotional stressors. As a result, the complete authenticity surfaced, and has been the catalyst of my personal development successes. This year, I had to begin to pay more attention to my prayer life. I noticed that I didn’t pray as consistently as I did in years past, so I had to re-visit that overlooked chapter. I asked God to allow me to dig deeper, with the people that I want to serve, and the life-goals that I desire to achieve to leave a life-long legacy for my children.

My heart is with making a difference in the lives of others while growing endless courage and honesty in myself. I had to begin with returning to praying every morning before I start my day. I had to join like-minded women in bible study group near my home, and not online. I choose to do the creative hands-on projects, take more frequent walks, and pull out my yoga mat, instead of letting it collect dust in my bedroom. I release my feelings and emotions in writing and storytelling, and really taking inventory of my life, and stay away from needless distractions that are not good for the harvest. I have shared some of the things that I am actively putting into practice. Here are a few steps for you to follow:

Create a thankful list
I wake up every morning and thank God and HIS beloved son Jesus for a sound mind, healthy body, and a joyful and willing spirit.

You can create a list of at least 5 things that you are thankful for everyday, and write in your journal or notebook, or post it where you can see it as a constant reminder that you are abundantly thankful for everything that is God-given!

Shut down negativity
This is one of my favorites, because I simply cannot function in negative situations, negative people, or negative things in my life. I will head for the hills very quickly, without looking left or passing go.When someone begins gossiping, speaking negativity into your life, just be like “I can’t.” It really stops people in their tracks. You have to do it with a little wink and a smile. Take the time to be aware of you let into your personal space.

Make your dreams tangible
I make a vision board, or attend a vision board workshop almost every year. Some of things on my vision board have manifested into an awesome reality, while other things were so very God-directed that all I could so is just thank HIM for HIS grace and mercy.

As my goals begin to grow, so does my vision board. I am a huge visual learner, so creating a vision board, writing goals in my journal, and speaking affirmations are the tools that I use to make my dreams more tangible, visible, and doable!

Maintaining to never stop laughing
I decided that through all the hardships that I should never stop laughing, smiling, and having fun! I think that it is important to laugh through the pain, and to handle obstacles with a fierce sense of humor. I started watching more comedic movies, sharing jokes with my children, and living in the moment without any regrets.

Stay in constant prayer
Praying is the one thing that I do that keeps my faith in order, it is like having a superpower that I have to keep in arsenal to battle the negativity in the world. I have to keep the love of God in my heart, and keep all the angels in heaven in constant song.

I have seen so many people give up on their faith, and one of the reasons is that they stopped believing in the power of prayer. This is the year, that my hope is that my prayer life continues to grow stronger, and at the same time work towards the things that will create a strong spiritual foundation for my family.