poem ~ questions

The questions I ask you,
I ask myself.
You can go down their walkway
or leave them on the shelf.
The choice is yours.

The questions I ask you,
I ask myself.
They can shift your energy
or leave you puzzled and stuck.
The choice is yours.

The questions I ask you,
I ask myself.
You can see it as an answer to life
or a dead end road.
The choice is yours.

The questions I ask you,
I ask myself.
You will let them change you
or you can believe they'll harm you.
The choice is yours.

The questions I ask you,
I ask myself.
You can ask your own
or you can leave them unasked.
The choice is yours.

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

What does aggressive mean to you?

I was at an event this past week in which I shared a few thoughts, 3 different times, to some things that were being discussed in a group topic.  One of those times I described and referred to myself as an aggressive chic, to which one of the "leaders" said, let's not use that word, to correct me.  

I froze.  My mind racing.  Trying to put the pieces together to understand why I shouldn't use that word and see it from their perspective.  It has left me asking these questions:

Why do we have such an issue with the word aggressive?  I understand there is power in our words, but why do we feel some words have negative meaning only?  Why do we act like aggression is a BAD thing?  Why don't we be strong and know that aggression is a strength, not a weakness, not a negative character trait?  

Why do we assume in the religious culture that meekness means something specific and that it means aggressive isn't in alignment with a "godly" life?  Why do we assume it means something it doesn't?  What will it take for us to see things differently?

Why do people fight vulnerability?  Why do we not accept connection?  Why don't we live from our heart?  Why can we not extend love even if aggression isn't something good?  Why do we try to change people?  

I am aggressive in my pursuit of all things excellent. 

I am aggressive in my love for connection, great conversation, and authentic vulnerable relationships.  

I am aggressive at living debt free, and maintaining this lifestyle.  

I am aggressive at facing my fears.  Every last one of them. 

I am aggressive at choosing love in all things.  

I am aggressive in my pursuit of God.

I am aggressive in being a Proverbs 31 Woman, full of strength, dignity and who laughs at the future.

I am aggressive in seeking truth.

I am aggressive at being me...and loving and accepting me for who I am, not trying to be someone I am not.  And when I don't like who I am, I will give myself more grace.  And forgiveness.

I am aggressive at creating the life I want.

I am aggressive at keeping a routine so that I meet my goals.

I am aggressive at creating a fervent prayer life.

I am aggressive at working through my horrific childhood and the layers and triggers that it brings as I continue to live intentionally in freedom. 

I am aggressive at being all in the game.

I am aggressive at being proactive.

I am aggressive at learning from others.

I am aggressive at practicing Yoga.

I am aggressive at removing anything that doesn't add value to my life.

I am aggressive at living a life in simplicity.

I am aggressive at being courageous, generous and loving...my core values.

What else should I add to this list?  How can we create a ripple effect and change the world?
#TheLifeOfMisty #ADifferentPerspective #CreateTheLifeYouWant #LiveIntentionally #BeYOU #BeTheChange #RippleEffect

how can you show more love and grace?

Tuesday, I had a luncheon meeting with a group of Women who have a mission to connect, lead, and support women in the workplace to reach their God-given potential, with their faith as the foundation. As I was leaving this event at a restaurant in Southlake, there were two sets of double glass doors at the exit. There happened to be a man at both of these, one at the inner exit and one at the final exit.
I was chatting with one of the ladies as we were walking down the stairs to exit these two sets of double doors, answering a few of her questions and we were in a deep conversation about life, events and things going on.

When I walked by the first guy I looked at him directly in the eyes and said Thank YOU. He didn't respond. As I went through the second set of doors, I thought I nodded to this guy and said Thank YOU turning to answer my friends question as she was behind me as we continued walking out. As we got outside we stopped at the curb to finish our conversation and give each other hugs.
And it was then we heard a voice say: "You are Welcome." It was sarcastic and in a tone that ripped at my heart. I looked at my friend and she looked at me and back at the door as it closed and said, "Did we not Thank him?". I shook my head in bewilderment and said "I thought we did, or I thought I had acknowledged him, but maybe I just meant to?"

As I stood there trying to piece together what just happened I wasn't sure what I should do. Do I walk back in and say, "Excuse me sir, I didn't mean to offend you, I apologize!" Or do I just let it go and realize I was evidently not clear enough in my Thank YOU since he didn't receive it. But if I did walk back inside, would he say "It's no big deal?" Or would he make some ugly statement about how us woman are not thankful for men in our lives, or that we are too independent, or some other statement to add more hurt to the already fragile situation?

As I stood there, trying to figure out what I should do, and how to let this comment that pricked my heart deeply be just a drop of water rolling off a ducks back, I prayed that the Lord would help him to see it was not intentional by me (or my friend) to not acknowledge his kind gesture, whatever I did or didn't do. That he would understand that we were knee deep in conversation, and it hadn't been our intention to not thank him as I knew I had thanked the first guy and thought I had nodded and said Thank YOU to him too. I asked the Lord to heal his hurt that was affecting a stranger he didn't even know. I asked God to help me be more attentive in these situations to express it and not just feel it and make sure that I am not so caught up in the moment that I cause hurt in someone's life.

As I finished my conversation with my friend, she reminded me that we had just discussed that you can't let someone else's response to what you do or say ruin your day. Let it go. Their response is on them, not on you.

Sometimes this is hard in a world that seeks to blame everyone else for whatever happens. In a society that can't say I just want you to know this hurt me. In a culture that doesn't know how to just give love and grace, even if it is not reciprocated.

My question to you today are two things:

How do you handle things like this when someone clearly was very offended?

How can you be more focused today to extend love and grace to those around you?
#TheSassyVoice #ADifferentPerspective #ChooseLove #LoveOnPurpose #RealLifeSituations #BeAnExample #BeDifferent #RelationshipsMatter

Prayer 03.15.2017

Dear Lord God of My Life,

Today I seek you for guidance and direction with those things on my heart. I ask you to show up in a way today that helps me see you, feel you and trust you (SFT) more deeply. Help me to learn the lessons you have for me today, all while knowing that today is a gift.

I ask you to help me realize that there is extreme power in my words, positive energy and affirmations set to confirm truth. I want to live more in alignment with the calling you have for me. Help me to know what to say no to and what to say yes to. Help me to keep my priorities in focus and my eyes on the vision and end goal. Help me to not loose heart and focus on the good things you are doing, in and through me.

Help me to love myself to the same level and depth you do, so that I can love others fully. Help me to have grace for myself, and extend this grace to others. Help me to forgive myself, so that forgiveness of others is prominent.

Help me to seek truth, always. Help me to infuse every aspect of my day with peace, to release all anxiety and worry, to face my fears by just doing it any way. Guide me and direct me through this process as I at times get caught up in the storm. Show me ways to live out the truth of all these things with more authenticity, with courage, in strength, with dignity, by love and always in hope with grit.
I pray this in your most loving, powerful and generous name, AMEN!
#PrayerWarriors #PrayerStrategy #PrayerChangesLives #Pray #FerventPrayer

Quotes

While I hate to ever lose a supporter, I've come to realize that one who would abandon me over a single statement or decision I made is a person who would abandon me sooner or later anyway.
   - Mike Huckabee

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