To Live Doesn't Mean You're Alive

"I fly with the stars in the skies, I am no longer trying to survive. I believe that life is a prize. But to live doesn't mean you're alive. Don't worry about me & who I fire. I get what I desire, It's my empire. And yes, I call the shots, I am the umpire, I sprinkle holy water upon the vampire.

In this very moment I'm king. In this very moment I slayed Goliath with a sling. This very moment I bring put it on everything, that I will retire with the ring and I will retire with the crown, Yes. No I'm not lucky I'm blessed, Yes. Clap for the heavyweight champ, Me, I fly with the stars in the skies. I am no longer trying to survive. I believe that life is a prize. But to live doesn't mean you're alive."

These are the words to Nicki Minaj's song, Moment 4 Life.  Yes, I like Nicki, LOL.  No matter how strange some may believe she is.  The words are powerful and a message that standing firm and believing in yourself does pay off, no matter what anyone says or who tries to stop you. We have to live our dreams for ourselves, not for anyone else.  Although we may encounter our own personal Goliaths, we must consistently perservere and strive for the ring, the crown, the prize.

Stop trying to live, and just do it.  Embrace life and each and every obstacle it may bring.  I pray I have this moment for life.  This moment of refreshing, of pure, unwavering faith in myself and the possiblities that life has to offer.  The world is there, for us to write our own verse to our own song.  Don't just live, but be alive. If that means reinventing who you are, or who you want to be, then do it.  Who says you can't?  Only those who are miserably unhappy with who they really are.  But that has nothing to do with you. They are fighting their own personal demons. Why do we allow someone elses insecurities to distort our very own personal visions and dreams?  That is their problem, not yours.  So get you gloves ready, fight your way out and be ALIVE.

Yep, it's my empire and I will get what I desire, because I call the shots since I am the umpire. I believe, why don't you? "The whole point of being alive is to evolve into the complete person you were intended to be." ~ Oprah Winfrey

 AJoy ~

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." ~ Ephesians 2:10

Number One

I read a tweet this morning by Ralph Marston that said: "You were born to be real, not to be perfect. You are here to be you, not to live someone else's life".  I realized that I had this very epiphany a few months back.

As I reflect back on the past year, well, the past FEW years, I can honestly say that being my true, real SELF was often avoided out of fear of not pleasing someone.  Don't get me wrong, I can be real enough at times and let myself "shine through", but being 100% true to myself and my wants, desires and needs took a back seat to people pleasing.  Not always those who are close to me.  But people who I needed to interact with on a daily basis.  But I thank God for being released from that bondage!

As soon as I realized that I could only be truly content and real at all times with complete transparency is when the blinders were removed and I recognized the error of my ways.  The first step towards transformation is renewing your mind. Changing your mindset and changing your thought patterns.  Transformation has to begin within.  And if we cannot find the inner strength to be real and live our own lives, then we will certainly live in complete utter darkness.

"Every thang ain't for everybody."  And that will be a motto I will have to hold near and dear as I embark in new ventures and new opportunities in 2011.  Everyone will not understand.  But, my life is not their life.  We were all given a destiny.  A unique, divinely appointed destiny that is as individually different as the hairs on our heads.

So whatever hopes, dreams or visions you have, are yours.  Run with them. Share them. Show them off. Who cares what anybody else thinks.  You are here to be you, not to live someone else's life. There is nothing more beautiful than knowing your worth. Sometimes you have to be your own #1!


AJoy ~ Blessings 

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2 (NKJV)

You Grow Girl!

So here we are, minutes into 2011 and I am reading tweets and watching my husband snore at the other end of the couch.  I have not written in a while, but felt that it was necessary to end the year with a word or two, or three...

A friend of mine posted something on her Facebook page a while ago and I was excited for her and replied, "you grow girl".  Meaning, that is alright, keep doing what you are doing and keep moving in the direction of "UP".  During this time, a few of us were in the preliminary stages of planning a women's conference.  I had no idea that this phrase would become the title!  But I really don't think there could have been a better fitting phrase.

You see.  We have been through a lot since I became friends with this group of women in 1999.  We have cried, laughed, married, divorced, partied, prayed, loved, graduated, given birth, over came sicknesses and buried loved ones.  But during all of this, one thing remained true.  We grew.  We grew in knowledge, empowerment, love.  We grew spiritually, intellectually, financially.  We grew closer to some people and we grew apart from others.  But, we grew.  And that is so definitive when you look back and reflect on the year behind us.  Growth is inevitable.  We grow in length, width and circumference, we grow figuratively and literally.  

But reflecting on the growth that I experienced the past 12 months, I can honestly say that I never anticipated I would be where I am right now.  No, it may not be where I want to be.  But my mindset is in a completely different place today, January 1, 2011 than it was January 1, 2010.  I am bolder, wiser, better.  I realize who I am and WHOSE I am.  I have grown into my thoughts so to speak.  My inner self, the person deep down who would come to life at night in my dreams has finally surfaced and is taking charge and center stage.  And she couldn't have come at a better time.  In 4 months, I will turn 40 years old and all I can say is WHAT TOOK SO LONG!  But everything happens in God's timing.  Everything has it's divine order.

I am so grateful for growth.  The growth I have experienced this past year and the growth that I anticipate will happen over the next 12 months.  I have warned my husband repeatedly that this will be a year of work.  Now that I know my purpose, my passion and my path, it's time to water those seeds that have been planted so a "growth spurt" can take place. 


"Whatever has been, has been and is finished. What is to be, is yours now to choose. " ~ Ralph Martson

So good bye 2010.  Good riddance.  I look forward to what Twenty-Eleven has in store for me.  "You Grow Girl".


~Ajoy~GN & Happy New Year! ~The only way to grow is UP!

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" ~ 2 Peter 3:18