what makes a great relationship?

What makes a great relationship? What do you feel makes connected friendships? What do you feel is the definition of a true friend?

I am tired of fake friends. I want real people in my life. I want people who want to be open, vulnerable, authentic. I want people who want to interact online and offline. I want people who want to live and talk what they really believe, even if it is different then me. I want people who know what love is and live it.

You say what are fake friends? People that say they love you but don't show it. People that say one thing to your face or on your posts, but act differently when with other people or behind your back. People that don't just scroll and snoop on your posts and gossip to others about what you are doing, saying, living, giving, being, having. People that don't connect for a value based relationship but have an ulterior reason. People that don't want to live authentic on all levels. People who the moment they don't like what you are doing create distance. People who can't handle when you are going through a rough chapter and leave you by the side of the road.

To me. These are fake friends.

I am working on a poem about them. But I am also working through things in my heart and mind because some days, I think it's time to clean house. I hear about people doing this and I have always had a different perspective. Because I believe in love and I thought you could love fake people.

Today, I wonder if that is working? I wonder what influence it is making on me as I aim to live out God's calling on my life and be all in the game? 

How do you deal with fake friends? How do you sift these people out of your life without creating drama? How do you approach situations like this?
#CircleOfFriends #Reflections #RelationshipsMatter #ADifferentPerspective #CreateTheLifeYouWant

poem ~ lost hour

You lost an hour 
Of precious sleep
But oh how long 
Will you keep that on repeat?

You lost an hour
We all did Friend
It was not your choice
So does it matter in the end?

You lost an hour
I'm sure you've wasted more
By decisions and actions
That you made at the core.

You lost an hour
I'm sure it's not the first
Just don't let this be
The definition of the worst.

You lost an hour
Of your life in time
But the presence of you
Is still divine!

You lost an hour
You can't get back
But don't let it throw 
You completely off track.

You lost an hour
There still is twenty three
The choice of them
Is totally up to thee.

© Misty W Gilbert
#Poems #AuthorLife #MistyWGilbert #TheSassyVoice #LostHour #TimeChange #ADifferentPerspective #MakeTheMostOfTheMoment

poem ~ have faith

The pathway is dark
and obscured from your view
You wonder which direction 
you should head in anew.

Beaten down by rain
your cold from the drops 
Looking for a moment
when this storm will stop.

You forge through the darkness
looking around for such clues
The options remain uncertain
tho you absolutely must choose.

Afraid of each turn
but what if you considered
The undiscovered blessing
you learn in this adventure.

The key to which direction 
is obtained only in faith
For life is made clear
when this is your base.

© Misty W Gilbert
#Poems #AuthorLife #MistyWGilbert #TheSassyVoice #FaithIs #HaveFaith

poem ~ believe in love

You say that you believe in love,
Then why do you feed your doubt?
You say that you believe in love,
So why don't you dish it out?

You say that you believe in love,
Does this change throughout the years?
You say that you believe in love,
Why do you hold onto all your fears?

You say that you believe in love,
Won't you please be patient with me?
You say that you believe in love,
Yet how jealous can you be?

You say that you believe in love,
But kindness you just can't give?
You say that you believe in love,
Yet none of this you live?

You say that you believe in love,
Won't you see the best in everyone?
You say that you believe in love,
Will you try to be a reflection?

You say that you believe in love,
But won't hope until the end?
You say that you believe in love,
Then why did you walk out on me friend?

© Misty W Gilbert
#Poems #AuthorLife #MistyWGilbert #TheSassyVoice #BelieveInLove #LoveOnPurpose #ChooseLove

poem ~ believe

I believe
When the road gets hard,
When I loose my step,
When I've lost direction,
I believe.

I believe 
When I doubt there's grace,
When I can't feel your love,
When I fear forgiveness,
I believe.

I believe 
When I have no more strength, 
When I've been wounded in the fight, 
When I'm in pain another night,
I believe.

I believe 
When the walls close in,
When I'm chained again,
When I hurt within,
I believe.

I believe 
When doubt fills my mind,
When clouds prevent sunshine, 
When rain has drenched my bones,
I believe.

I believe
When I can't breathe,
When I just don't see,
When there ain't words,
I believe.

I believe
When my heart doesn't feel it,
When my mind can't comprehend it,
When my body won't do it,
I believe.

Will you believe?

© Misty W Gilbert
#Poems #AuthorLife #MistyWGilbert #TheSassyVoice #Believe

what does it mean to be vulnerable?

Being vulnerable and sharing your heart doesn't mean you are weak...it means you are being honest. You are willing to quit living in a mask and be open, authentic and truly live in reality. It means you know you have dark deep work to do. It means you aren't willing to be like everyone else and just accept status quo. It means you are willing to face your FEARS and do the difficult process of digging deep.

Just because you have fears and false perceptions doesn't mean you have self pity for your situation or that you are a negative person because you have fears. Having fears allows you to develop your courage and press through them.

LiveBIG friends!
#CreateTheLifeYouWant #LiveIntentionally #Authenticity #LiveBIG #ADifferentPerspective

poem ~ hope

Oh to have hope
In the middle of the night,
Oh to have hope
That it will turn out alright.
Oh to have hope
When you've given your all,
Oh to have hope
That you'll answer the call.
Oh to have hope
When life seems on end,
Oh to have hope
That you won't just give in.
Oh to have hope
In the journey each day,
Oh to have hope
In the kindest of ways.
Oh to have hope
When darkness is there,
Oh to have hope
That somebody cares.
Oh to have hope
In the meaning of life,
Oh to have hope
To make everything right.
Oh to have hope
To believe you can change,
Oh to have hope
When things stay the same. 
Oh to have hope
In the greatest pure love,
Oh to have hope
Through the ugliest mud.
Oh to have hope
When your left all alone,
Oh to have hope
With friends in your home.
Oh to have hope
In the morning sunrise,
Oh to have hope
Even in the goodbyes.
Oh to have hope 
In the evening sunset,
Oh to have hope
The best is still yet.
Oh to have hope 
In each moment today,
Oh to have hope
Is a gift always.

© Misty W Gilbert
#Poems #AuthorLife #MistyWGilbert #TheSassyVoice #Hope #HopePrevails #LiveWithHope #HopeIsTheCure

poem ~ be

Be a pebble
that skips across the lake
making a point
to hit every mark it meets.

Be a ripple
in the ocean waters depths
that causes another
to feel the vastness of forgiveness.

Be a ray of light
against the bright blue skies
in the day 
and in the dark black of night.

Be a mustard seed
that is small enough to plant 
more in faith
for nothing will be impossible.

Be a flower
so fragrant and full of beauty
that everyone
will remember the impact of its touch.

Be a tree
planted by the river of life
with roots so deep
to be strength in the storms.

Be a voice
to encourage the lonely soul
and echo 
the love we all want to know.

© Misty W Gilbert
#Poems #AuthorLife #MistyWGilbert #TheSassyVoice #Be #CreateTheLifeYouWant #LiveIntentionally #CircleOfInfluence

poem ~ freedom from regret

You've been given all the freedom
from the things that keep you stuck,
To live a life of blessings
without payment of regret.

Yet you continue to be mistaken
on what you must do to stay in step,
With the rules and requirements
to live a life without regret.

You've chosen to keep the chains
tied tight around your ankle,
To keep you from moving forward
from sustaining any more regret.

You keep yourself tied in knots
looped close around your neck,
For fear if you were to remove them
you'd take another breath of regret.

You're driven to build the wall
for the hurt you hold most dear,
For to open up your heart
would mean exposing all your fear.

Yet the key to the padlock
is yours to unlock,
To live a life of your dreams
while there is still time on the clock.

Don't let this moment of freedom
go away from you today,
To keep you in security
in the strength of regret always.

© Misty W Gilbert
#Poems #MistyWGilbert #AuthorLife #FreedomFromRegret #TheSassyVoice

poem ~ true friends

You walk into my life
and say that you love me,
You promise to connect
and stay right beside me.

Your intrigued by my message
and inspired to learn,
What's made me become
of the choices in life's turn.

You wish you could be
more like the qualities you see,
Yet nothing I have
is beyond able for thee.

I've been here before
with many a Friend,
Your willing to connect
but only to such an end.

My story inspires you
and you want to know more,
Until the day when
your heart shuts the door.

You want to be different
yet you seek to defend,
The walls that you build
to keep you closed in.

Connection won't happen
when you just pick and choose,
Which moments to share
even when there's lots to loose.

Your love only works
when it's convenient for you,
But the moment it pushes you
there's no reason to hold true.

Authenticity means 
you won't live out your life
Creating an illusion
of barriers masked in lies.

Don't wall off your heart 
when it's covered in doubt,
For through this discovery
you'll gain wisdom to shout.

The journey that you make
starts with removing your fake,
For every fear you must face
to truly win in this race.

The choice to uncover
these hurts deep inside,
To make room for the love
you sure wish did reside.

True love won't be one
to run in the gap,
When decisions and life
throws much mishap.

The choice to stay a victim
or live intentionally,
Is one only you can decide 
to completely be set free.

I ask you to consider
these things that you say,
For true freedom is found
simply in each and every way.

The message is simple
and yet so profound,
The courage to try again
is always around.

So when you say that you love me
I hope you can see,
That the true test of this
will be in how you treat me.

© Misty W Gilbert
#Poems #AuthorLife #MistyWGilbert #TrueFriends #CreateTheLifeThatYouWant #LiveIntentionally

poem ~ be blessed

When my eyes are filled with darkness 
My heart cannot see
The doorway to love
Between you and me.

When forgiveness is not given
The mind cannot grasp
The opportunity for greatness
That stands in the gap.

When hurt becomes chosen
As the reaction to life
The motive of connection
Creates isolation and strife.

When love flows freely
To everything around me
My heart is living
So rich and abundantly.

When grace is the key
In and through every message
The results you will see
Bring peace and leverage.

When hope is the answer
To fully live life's call
The entrance is widened 
Come one, come all.

When choices are given
To make things the best
The options are yours
How you live to be blessed.

© Misty W Gilbert
#TheSassyVoice #Poems #AuthorLife #MistyWGilbert #ThePowerOfChoice #CreateTheLifeYouWant #LiveIntentionally #BeBlessed

will you SFT?

The first time I was in a wreck that was my fault was March 1st, 2013, on my way home from a clients office in Kaufman Texas. Exactly one Year to the day I paid off my 2011 Silver Honda Civic that I was driving at that time. A week to the day following my Dad's Memorial in California.

I won't go into all the reasons why this was a very traumatic time in my life because that would take away the message I want to share in this post today, but believe me when I say it was extensive and deeper then the few things I have mentioned here.

The lesson in that experience was one that was very dynamic in its impact on my life. One of those times I now call "God Moments". When I got out of the car from rear ending that lady, the first words out of her mouth to me were, "You were forgiven before this ever happened."

I couldn't talk. I had no words.

What could I say to a lady that had this attitude towards me? I had never experienced being treated like this. I was used to being blamed, condemned, chastised, criticized, made fun of, rebuked, accused, shamed, and laden with guilt. What would make someone treat a complete stranger like this? Especially when I was at fault and had wrecked the back end of her car?

All I could do was shake all over and cry.

To give you a bit of perspective, this was 30 days before leaving the Church Group (in reality a cult in how it operated) I had been born and raised in. But it was during the 7 months I had started a new journey of expanding my connections outside of "TheGroup" intentionally by attending a Women's Bible Study Group the prior September through December 2012.

Seeing God in this way was new to me. Feeling God in this way was new to me. Trusting God in this way was new to me. But I was experiencing Him on a level I never had before. I was seeing Him show up in my life unexpectedly, repeatedly, and impactfully.

Once you change your focus and start living intentionally in the moment, with your eyes open to the opportunities and events of your day, truly seeking God in every moment of your day, staying connected to the messages and moments when he sends you words of encouragement, nuggets, and truth whether through someone else or directly to you, praying over every little thing that comes your way, you will be shaken to the core and walk away being in complete utter emphatic awe as you experience life changing situations that will be very vivid in your heart and mind and stay with you for life, becoming life lessons.

So when I tell you that I believe the wreck I had 5 days ago has a lesson and a message in it for me, I believe this deeply. Not just because of my first wreck and the outcome then, but because I believe these events in our lives are designed to mold us and shape us into who we are called to be.

Sometimes it takes awhile for all the puzzle pieces to come together and for you to see what the message is, sometimes you hear it, see it and feel it in the moment. No matter how long it takes, I would encourage you to journal about these things. I have a journal for these God Moments so that I can go back and reflect on all the BIG ways God has showed up to encourage me in the dark days. My God Moments have had such an impact on me and I don't want to forget them.

Today, I want to encourage you, no matter what you are experiencing in life, I ask you today to SFT. This acronym comes from one of my top 3 favorite movies, Seven Days In Utopia: See it, Feel it, Trust it.

I pray today as you are writing in your Chapter, whether you are ending one or starting a new one or just in the big middle of a long one, that you will be able to SFT and that your God Moments will be life changing to bring you encouragement, support and inspiration on your journey!
#TheSassyVoice #GodMoments #SFT #LifeLessons #ADifferentPerspective #ThePowerOfChoice

Prayer 02.28.2017

Dear Lord,

Today we ask you to be with us in every moment of our day. Help us to stay focused on the important things. Show us how to be productive in our tasks. Simply doing the next best thing.

Help us to loose sight of the things hurting our heart. To give more space for peace and love. To forgive them for they know not what they do to us, even if they do. To give our attention and energy to the things we wish to see abound in our lives.

Give us the ability to grasp this day, enjoying the gift that it is. Not so hurried that we can't smile, give a hug, or share a kind word. To say thank YOU, first to you, for this life you give us, and to all those in our life. The ones helping things to run smoothly for us. The ones who are hands and feet of you to us. The ones in our circle.

Give us the strength we need to ride the waves. Help us to keep our eyes on you. Let us connect to your power for you have made us whole, new, complete, perfect, and free.
In Your Most Loving and Amazing Name I pray, AMEN!!!
#Pray #PrayForOneAnother #PrayerWarriors #FerventPrayer #PrayerStrategy #ShareInEachOthersLives

poem ~ grace for today

My eyes cannot see you
yet I know you are there.
My hands cannot touch you
yet I feel you are here.

You're there in the shadows
when I'm alone in the dark
You see every tear
that I cry from my heart.

You're there in the daylight
when I'm walking the path
You see the confusion
as I attempt to sort out the map.

You're clearing the boulders
as they appear on the track
You see my strength failing
as I struggle to grasp.

I see my reflection
when I look in the mirror
I wonder what you're doing
as I question my fears.

Help me to quit trying 
to make sense of the reason
For all that you are doing
in this important season.

Give me the courage
to pursue just today
For you have promised to be 
in the details always.

Help me to grow
as the person you created to be
For this is all
you are asking of me.

I ask you to stay with me
as I journey this way
Give me increased faith 
to walk in your grace today.

© Misty W Gilbert
#Poems #AuthorLife #MistyWGilbert #GraceForToday #GodIsWithMe #HaveFaith

poem ~ the journey

Each day on this journey
you walk with me now
You show me your love
and I feel it somehow.

When the path is stormy
and troubled with doubt
You give me a rainbow
to discover about.

The road may be long
and uncertain at best
Filled with many detours
and your promise of rest.

You are always with me
in my defeats and success
Not just for a moment
but unexpected no less.

You come to the broken
the tired hurting soul
You confirm yet again
you're completely in control.

No matter the disappointments
or struggles combined
You make time for my heart
asking me to believe in thine.

I've asked lots of questions
down deep in my heart
My commitment to you
guaranteed never to depart.

© Misty W Gilbert
#Poems #AuthorLife #MistyWGilbert #TheJourney

poem ~ love through pain

I wince when I stand
and cringe when I sit
I am hurting all over
and I just wanna quit.

The pain in my body
is excruciating at best
the results of this wreck
creating lasting effects.

The tears stream my face
as I try to forget
These moments of pain
as I live through this shit.

You assume you know why
this happened to me
You perceive I am not focused
as I aught to be.

You state I'm too busy
that I should just sit and rest
Evidently you've never experienced
times that don't allow you that.

Your opinions rattled off
like it matters to me
When all I am asking 
is if you could just be kind to me.

Maybe there is more 
going on in my life
Then you can see from your view
from the other side.

Maybe you haven't had 
a life of extreme pressure
With things transpiring
that are beyond my control.

Maybe I haven't 
shared all that I can
Maybe I can't for reasons
I'd hope you'd understand.

Maybe there is deadlines
and work to be done
Ongoing legal battles
we are trying to get won.

Maybe if you realized
we each have our own shoes
That living this life
is something we each get to choose.

Maybe if roles were reversed
you'd make different choices
What if you bothered to see
I'm doing my absolute best to be me.

The truth of the matter
last time I checked 
was that this is God's will
for my life as of yet.

The viewpoint you have
comes from your own experience
No two are alike
as we each live God's purpose.

Maybe just love me
for who I am
Don't try to change me
for God's got a plan.

Maybe there is more 
you can do from within
To love and accept others 
in spite of their sin.

Maybe your judgment
keeps others away
Because you can't just love
day after day.

I'd ask you to look
beyond what you see
To the pain that I am experiencing
makes it hard to be free.

© Misty W Gilbert

#Poems #AuthorLife #MistyWGilbert #LoveThroughPain

poem ~ accidents

Stuck in traffic
bumper to bumper
I am doing my best
to drive in this mess.

I change lanes
appears you don't like it
You ride my bumper
as if that's gonna solve it.

Please don't hit me
as I watch my rear-view mirror
All the while the view 
in front of me is not clear.

Slam on the breaks
to prevent a mistake
Hitting your truck
was the result that I make.

I am so sorry
was all I can say
This was not the plan
to the start of my day.

My nerves are shot
and I am uncontrollably shaking.
The challenges of late
keep coming in waves.

Issued a ticket
for not controlling my speed
It seems a bit ridiculous
could you reconsider please?

I understand
the rules you must play
It seems life is a game
of legal battles these days.

I simply am grateful
that everyone is alive.
For I know that in this
more lessons reside.

Today I say Thank You
for praying for me.
More than that I say Thank YOU
for loving and caring about me.

© Misty W Gilbert
#Poems #AuthorLife #MistyWGilbert #TheLifeOfMisty #Accidents

blessings in my deposition

Blessings from my Day:

- I am very THANKFUL I do not have a 2 hour commute ONE WAY to Plano every day. 
- I am very THANKFUL for gobs of Friends who will be Prayer Warriors for you when you need them to be.
- I am very THANKFUL for YouTube and #GiantsFall and #WalkingLikeGiants that I played on my breaks.
- I am very THANKFUL that I hired an Attorney to represent me.
- I am very THANKFUL that being honest isn't something I have to think about.
- I am very THANKFUL my "getting in trouble" today was over providing too much information.
- I am very THANKFUL that I am 40 Years old and this is the first time I have ever had to do a Deposition.
- I am very THANKFUL that courage is one of my core characteristics.
- I am very THANKFUL that it is National Margarita Day.
- I am very THANKFUL that this day is over.
- I am so very THANKFUL that this day is over.
- I am extremely THANKFUL that this day is over.

#BeGrateful #Thankful #Gratitude #ThankfulHeart #HaveGratitude #BlessingsInTheStorm #YouGetWhatYouFocusOn

4 steps to remember in Friendships

People will walk in and out of your life. People will resonate with your spirit, your personality, your energy. People will connect with you, enjoy your company, and want to be with you.

And some people won't.

I was raised to make friends with everyone. To not have cliches (pal around with one or two individuals exclusively). I was not allowed to spend more time with one person than others, even if I admired them greatly and wanted a close relationship with them. I was taught to give everyone the same attention and love, not make someone feel more important then someone else. At any point I felt rejection in a connection, I was taught to move on. To find a grandmother, a mother struggling with little kids, a little kid that needed help. And if I couldn't find that, I was told to go write someone a letter or walk alone and spend time with me.

As a child this was hard. Everyone had a Best Friend. Everyone had special people over for Slumber Parties, Birthday's and like Events. I didn't get to participate (even if I had been invited the answer would have been No). I had to learn to like the options I got in creating relationships, or I was going to be frustrated because the rules were the rules.

This has brought me a ton of friends. It has connected me to a boat load of people. It has made me able to lead Networking Groups, Facebook Groups, Bible Study Groups, do Speed Dating, Dance Lessons, Dinner Clubs, Singles Cruise, Conferences and more with the ability to bridge the gap, meet new people, connect everyone together, learn each persons story, when most people would be nervous with strangers, only talk to people they know at Events or hide. Honestly, I am not a naturally outgoing person, this has become a learned skill that I have cultivated to create connection.

Yet, this very thing that has been a huge blessing in my life has also brought deep friction in friendships when others have expectations to be my closest girlfriend or expect that when they meet me I will just make time for them all the time. It has caused those that feel I expect them to be as open and vulnerable as I am with them, back with me. It has caused some to feel jealous of the friendships I have with many people. It has made some feel I do not value their friendship because I do not call, text, write, or visit them often. It has caused some to judge both me and the people who I consider to be my friends because of how I have lived my life, trying to be a ripple effect in my circle of friends.

There are four things that help me work through this when it happens and I want to share it with you in case you have challenges in your relationships.

1. Those that want to spend time with you will. Those that really value your relationship will make it work, even when you live out of state. Those that want to learn what it takes to have a relationship with you will ask. We all get busy. We sometimes have to say I am sorry, things have been chaotic, complicated, and my schedule hasn't had time, but I would like to make time in a week or so, what do you have available? If someone keeps making excuses, it probably is not that important to them or there is something else in their life that is getting their focus and creating relationships isn't one of the top 10 things in their life. When we really consider the relationship to be important, we will put it on our calendar. Cultivate deeper connections with those that make time for you. Let those that don't run around living their life and let them join you when they are ready, if they ever are, and don't judge them.

2. Sometimes this means we will have to be the one to uncover what their expectations are in the relationship. This means asking them what their Love Languages are (yes, this applies to friends too not just romantic relationships, in fact I make my employees take this test during their hiring process because it helps the work relationship too). It takes asking what do they need from the relationship to feel connected and to let them know that they matter. If you are not aware the relationship is extremely important to them, whether that is in phone calls, face to face time, or letters, how can you change? Figure this out. Put effort into it, even if they don't, to do your part. Seek to understand before you are understood.

3. Relationships goes through phases. Just as each one of my Counselors / Mentors / Coaches have been a huge part of my life, they have had Chapters. I do not necessary keep in touch with, follow, or read everything they write now because I am working with a new Coach. Does that mean they don't matter to me? Or I don't like their content? It doesn't necessarily mean that. I may have grown beyond what some of them teach. I may not connect with them the same way I did when I was going through a previous Chapter, or I may just need a new perspective from someone new. Someone who doesn't have all the back history that can see something differently then I can. Sometimes we get stuck in a rut in a relationship and need to be challenged further. Sometimes some people have a limit on how far they can grow us.

Relationships can be the same way. Some will feed you for a time. Some will add value for a Chapter. Some aren't meant to be in your life for a long period of time. Some need to be taken away so that you will grow the way you need to because if they stayed in your life, it would stunt your growth. Honor, respect, appreciate, love and have fond memories of the part this person played in your life. If you wanted them in your life longer then they were, let them know. Don't harbor this. If they don't want you on the same level, release expectations and allow them to pursue their own journey. I promise, God will bring someone else in their place. You might not see now why they have been removed, but in time, it becomes clear. It doesn't mean it won't hurt, but if you focus on the good memories, it will help you to heal and let go.

4. Sometimes things are going on behind the scenes that even a very close person knows nothing about. Sometimes the individual will build walls, become reclusive, quiet, shut you out, not because of you but because life itself has gotten so hard that they are fearful. Or maybe they are just trying to live today and to make time for you would send them over the edge. Believe the person is being honest with you when you ask if you have done something to cause harm in the relationship. Ask how you can support them. Ask if there is anything you need to know so you can pray for them. Ask, don't assume. Don't build a story.  Get the facts. Don't rely on what someone else tells you is going on in their life. Connect and inquire to learn for your own good, not to share or gossip with others, but to assist the relationship. This will create trust. Connection. Vulnerability. Authenticity. And add lots of value to the relationship.

I've had to remind myself of these things with a situation that happened the weekend after my birthday. I promise relationships are worth it, even if they seem complicated at times. Step forward and be vulnerable and love, unconditionally. Treat someone else the way you want to be treated, even when they are rude, angry, say hurtful things, or don't respond to getting together with you like you want them to. 99% of the time, it isn't about you, it is stuff they have going on in their own life. Just love.
#TheSassyVoice #RelationshipsMatter #ShareInEachOthersLives #CircleOfFriends #SeekToUnderstand #LoveOnPurpose

navigating communication paths

Communication can sometimes appear to be a tricky thing.

People say you should be able to say whatever to whomever whenever and if they love you, care about you, they won't let it come between you. They will listen. They will hear you. They will love you.

But do they? Do I? Do we?

Learning when to say what when can sometimes seem like it is a game, a puzzle, or this overly complex situation. But is it?

When we experience negative things from sharing our feelings, we come away with saying that maybe we shared it at the wrong time. Maybe they weren't ready to hear our heart. Maybe we shouldn't have shared at all. Maybe there is something wrong with our feelings. Maybe others just don't get us.

There is the Winnie the Pooh Quote: 
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

But is that true?

In theory, it is a good concept, but do we live it? Do we let others tell us how they feel? Do we accept how they feel? Or are we trying to change them into what we want them to feel? What we want them to be?

I tell you how I feel and you get hurt. You tell me how you feel and I get hurt. Now what?

If we were listening, truly listening, would we have gotten hurt? If we saw each others perspectives, truly saw them, would we get hurt? If we were willing to give the friendship the time it needs, would we ask more questions? Give it more space? Would we try to be more empathetic? Sympathetic? Understanding? Loving? Caring? Giving? Encouraging? Even when we were hurt?

I've been doing some reflecting on unconditional love. From several conversations and working through some painful friendships in my own life. I want to learn more about what that means and how to live it out.

What about you? Share with me your thoughts.
#TheSassyVoice #RelationshipsMatter #YouMatter #ThePowerOfChoice

is life full of coincidences?

There are no "coincidences". God puts things in your path at the right time.

I honestly didn't believe this until the last few years of my transformation journey, as I learned through my own deeply personal experiences how God works, behind the scenes, out in front of you clearing the path, leading the way, guiding you forward, and always for a purpose.

I believe some of these situations are tests to see if you will apply your learning, keep your word, stay focused. I believe some of them are storms to shake you up to the core, to see if you will let it increase your faith or drown you in doubt. I believe some of them are meant to help you see the fruit of your labors and the results of being disciplined. I believe some of them help you to get a clearer picture about yourself, the vision for your life. I believe some of them help you see your purpose, your calling, your reason for being right here, right now. I believe some of these things happen to increase our faith, kinda like giving us chill bumps all over, for things we know intuitively we couldn't orchestrate if we tried. I believe that when we are in tune to this energy, very connectedly aware, we get so much more from this abundant life!

When we open our eyes and are willing to "see" beyond the circumstances, we will learn so much more from this journey.

Will you take off your sunglasses? Will you widen your eyes? 

Will you expectantly face the day looking for these divine moments? 

Will you quit looking in other directions? Will you be aware? 

Will you choose faith? 

Will you press on?
#TheSassyVoice #CreateTheLifeYouWant #ThePowerOfChoice #WhoseVoiceAreYouListeningTo