In The Midst of The Storm....The Breakthrough Happens

Saturday, September 8, 2018

As the local news begun to broadcast, the National Weather Service issued a severe weather alert.  The satellites were tracking winds moving at very high speeds, massive flooding being reported in various localities and it appeared that mandatory evacuations were eminent. The images of the storm's destruction were heart wrenching and it caused my mind to shift into panic mode. Questions and concerns began to consume my thought process and it created a space for "little brother doubt” to have a field day at my expense. Have you ever experienced these feelings?  Let’s be honest, when our lives are disrupted we go into panic mode first and react instead of seeking shelter to think and seek wisdom. Storms are inevitable in the weather atmosphere as well as in our personal lives and unfortunately there are times we fail to prepare to survive a storm much less weather it.

Storms are defined as violent disturbances in the atmosphere or a tumultuous reaction. Oftentimes when an atmospheric storm threatens us, we receive alerts and warnings from the local and national meteorologists.  They provide minute by minute account of the storm's track and potential risk and devastation. Depending on the severity of a storm, it’s named by the National Weather Service.  Just as atmospheric storms happen, we experience them in our personal, spiritual and mental atmosphere. The effects can be devastating, the aftermath may be costly if we have not taken heed to the warnings and prepared. The bible provides us with scriptures (warnings) about the expectation of storms in lives.  In 2 Corinthians 4:8-9(We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed KJV) and John 16:33 (These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world KJV.) In both of these verses we are not only warned; we are also given the insight that we can weather the storm.

Thinking back to one of my life's storms, when my mom had been diagnosed with breast cancer and was given 6 months to live.  While, I wasn't the one experiencing the physicality of the diagnosis the emotional pain of watching my mom go through the surgeries, treatment, excruciating pain, emotional roller coaster and physical change was heartbreaking. I felt hopeless and angry.  What was I going to do? How could I go on without my best friend? Why my mom?  My mom would lose her battle with cancer 4 years after her diagnosis and I would slip into a depression. I felt like I was caught up in a funnel cloud and destroying everything in my path. Too ashamed to tell anyone, my storm lasted for years  and the aftermath was costly but not all bad. Remember, sometimes a breakthrough will happen in the midst of a storm.

Wherever you find yourself at this very moment, REALIZE THAT YOU ARE STILL STANDING!  Put the energy and time into your personal relationship with God. Yes, I’m suggesting that you date Him on a regular basis (praying, worshipping and reading the bible. This is your shelter during your storm and your preparation before it makes landfall. God is FAITHFUL. I was on the verge of succumbing to my storm. I lost and had damaged tangible items but I discovered my passion to help others. During this storm, the sun broke through the clouds in the midst of torrential rain and the water was rising; it was at that moment I rededicated my life back to Christ.  I survived and now living my best life and so will you. Unfortunately, storms don't have a time limit but they will pass and you can and will survive.

The Bounce Back - Defeating My Defeat!

Tuesday, August 7, 2018

 

The anticipation was at all-time high; it had been over a week since I walked into the conference room and gave the performance of my life.  Along with my prayer circle, I had been praying, believing and trusting God for this opportunity. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt, the job was mine.  Then the phone call came and I was left emotionless. The caller said, "You had a phenomenal interview and it's obvious we would be extremely fortunate to have you on our team; however we have decided to go into a different direction."  Frozen as if I had a broken record playing over and over again, the words were very familiar and I was paralyzed.  Unable to speak, when the caller hung up, the dial tone was the melody playing in my ear, my thoughts were racing and the levee was breaking that held my tears captive.  How was I going to bounce back and defeat my defeat?

Being defeated or disappointed occur in various forms for each of us. For some, it's a missed opportunity, failed friendship or relationship, broken promise or loss of a loved one. In those times we begin to feel as if we are carrying the weight of the world on our shoulders. It is during these times we begin to question the hard work that we may have put into a relationship or friendship, career or a project. Oftentimes, when we are feeling defeated our initial response is of a negative connotation.  Immediately, the pity party begins and we are our own guest. Then our negative expression become inviting to those around us.  We then breathe life into “misery loves company”. A pity party last as long as, you the guest of honor and the host continue to give it life. The same energy used for a pity party should serve notice to the defeated emotion and ignite a new outlook on the situation.

In some instances, we have every right to be disappointed because something was intentionally done to work against us. I am a firm believer in karma as well as what is for me is for me.  Hence, while I may have thought the job I was turned down for, the relationship/friendship that ended or the missed opportunity was deflating to say the least; I get pure joy when a better suited job, relationship/friendship or opportunity is presented.   We must understand that it is a test to see what we have learned in previous life lessons as well as preparation for future lessons. When this concept is mastered then our bounce back is inevitable.

Life After The Assassination

Saturday, July 21, 2018

Confused as to how I arrived at my current destination, I was fighting for each breath.  Simultaneously, wanting to live and die in order to escape this living death.  The assault of bullets in the form of lies and rumors were coming from all directions. My body temperature rose and I felt the sweat soaking my clothes, the tears in my eyes left an eternal sting and my heart was ripped to shreds.  In my moment of hurt, disbelief and confusion I had to make a decision to live or die.  Many of us have experienced being the topic of a rumor as well as being the carrier of the rumor.  When we are the victim of the rumor it cuts us to the core of our inner being.  Yet, we fail to think about it when we are the one who is sharing the rumor amongst people. Oftentimes, we justify it by saying “the word on the streets”; “don’t tell anyone” or “I’m just telling you what I was told”.  As if it makes it right.  Whether rumors are true or not when they have negative subject matter all parties involved suffer a loss.

I was 17 and pregnant.  A few weeks passed graduation.  I had survived anyone finding out at school, home and church.  However, I became deathly sick and almost lost my life.  This is where the story becomes devastating.  While the rumor was true that I was pregnant and almost died, the added commentary, the whispers, the stares and the ostracism was much more unbearable.  On countless occasions, I felt like given up and contemplating taking my life.  I had a harsh lesson in realizing, “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me” was only a tactic my mom used as way to help me cope with the schoolyard bully and in fact words can and will hurt. At one of my darkest moment, Proverbs 18:21 (Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof) breathed life into me.  It allowed me to take ownership of my truth and to rebuke what was not. I began to counter attack those untruths with my truths with “I am Blessed, I have a Purpose, I will live and not die and I am a child of the Most High”.  I was no longer forced to confront my attacker(s) and create a façade. I was locked and loaded with my very own line of defense.

 While words do not leave physical evidence its impact can pierce the hardest heart and the emotional scars can last a lifetime. Time after time throughout our society, we hear and see countless stories of  mothers becoming motherless because a child has chosen to take his/her life, marriages playing out in divorce courts, churches folding and dividing and careers being loss because individual are unable to cope or  resuscitate after the attack. After surviving a few attacks, I do not consider myself an expert but I do offer my experience.  I believe we need to become active participants in  preventive and counter intelligence by being spiritual grounded, being aware of our surroundings (people, places and things), establishing good standards personally and professionally and develop a mission/vision statement for our lives. Most of all we must want to live! My challenge to all reading is to be empathetic, think before you speak and willing to disengage in the practice of being a perpetrator of gossip, rumors or slanderous offenses and understand the totality of the implications it carries.  Finally, if you are the victim of the rumor Stand Strong a Refuse to Die and LIVE! Remember every storm will pass.

Estimated Time to Fruition - Undetermined But Not Impossible

Tuesday, July 3, 2018

We are introduced to the concept of time from the day we make our grand entrance into the world.  Time is and will forever be life's most valuable asset. Consider the following,  if you asked a woman who is pregnant or been pregnant about the birth or upcoming birth of their child more than likely her response would be "I'm six months pregnant " or I'm due on October 17 or " I was in labor 36  hours".  Yes, childbearing will give any mother or expectant mother a great perspective of time.  The loved one of a service member that is deployed will begin countdown to the time of his/her loved one anticipated homecoming.  In the eyes of a child, time is usually fueled by the anticipation of arrival to a destination ("Are We There Yet?"), freedom from "time -out" or the number of times he/she was scolded.  While the concept of time may be viewed differently for everyone, time is the invisible GPS to our dreams, goals and accomplishments.

I can remember being in high school dreaming about my future.  In my mind I had my life all figure out.  I would go to college major in Political Science, graduate in four years, get married, have two kids, be an entrepreneur with a successful company making 6 figures , living in a big city, own several real estate properties and my life would be perfect.  Well let's just say my life had other ideas and I did not take in account that I would run into detours, roadblocks, traffic jams, stalled vehicles, accidents and U-turns.  Immediately after graduation from high school, my GPS loss its signal and my dreams and goals seemed to have disappeared with the signal.  I felt as if none of the dreams that I had envisioned would ever come to pass.  The thought of never arriving to any of my planned destinations seemed inescapable.  I could see failure, unworthy, no good, not going to happen and I told you so standing arm in arm in the middle of the road refusing to let me pass and continue my journey to fruition. My initial reaction was to accept this as my fate. Fortunately, I learned to read a map and understand while technology is great our God is greater and I pulled out my faithful map, the bible. It pointed me to Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. It was then I realized my dreams and goals may not go exactly according to plan but fruition would be inevitable for the plans God has for me.

As I look at my vision board, I can admit I have dreams and goals that have resided on the board for years and after each birthday I say to myself I'm not getting any younger and destination appears nowhere in the immediate future.  Then I am reminded while the estimated time of fruition may be undetermined it is not impossible.  

The Grass May Look Greener But Is It?

Thursday, June 21, 2018

We have all heard  or used the old adage "the grass isn't always greener on the other side." Truly, if we are honest with ourselves, some will admit they have journeyed over to the other side and discovered this adage has some validity. However, some of us may have a had a vastly different experience.  If  you are blessed with your sight, being able to see your neighbor's lawn and making a comparison to your own yard as to which lawn is greener is a given.  While the landscape of a yard is not the meaning behind this adage it gives you a visual of the concept.  If you have not had this life's experience keep living because you will definitely find yourself in the position willing or unwilling the outcome is yours to decide.  

In a very transparent view of my life, I can remember during my first marriage thinking "I can't wait until I am out of here."  I had every right to feel this way given the circumstances however during my thoughts of "I can't wait until I am out of here", I remember of thinking how I would be able to do so many great things without having to deal with his madness.  Also, I was convinced that all my problems would vanish with the marriage.  Why, because the grass was greener on the other side or was it?  You see while I transitioned from one reality, my new reality came with weeds that if not properly maintained the landscape would eventually be the same as the one I left.  In life we have a tendency to water, maintain and plant flowers in the yards of others before we care for our own.  Yes, your neighbor's yard may be greener because he/she has put in the work to ensure the success of its appearance.  So before you decide to take a leap to the greener pasture make sure you have done everything to promote the success of your own yard.  Living life with no regrets is the best life.

Welcome!

Welcome to Dreamdreamer By Z, I want to personally thank you for visiting my blog today. Dreamdreamer By Z was birthed out of a question I posed during a tumultuous season in my life. What happens when the dreamer stops dreaming? Then reality hit me as if I had ran full force into a concrete wall. Instantly,  I had an Aha moment. The answer to my question was so clear. You see dreams are the foundation of visions and visions are the blueprints to our future. This blog is the gateway of my purpose to coach, inspire, and motivate others. My blog will be a weekly healthy and thought provoking dialogue that will motivate the dreamer to continue to dream and inspire the dreamless to dream