A soul reminder...

My first full week back to work is done, today as of 2:30p.m. My six-day work week is fully activated. By Thursday, I was questioning my sanity for taking on this extra day of work to run the tutoring program at my day job. Getting ready for our Saturday program has been the source of my stress this week. But today... I was reminded of why I made the commitment to the students and their families. Today, I had a soul reminder. The negative mind is so powerful, and it had been clouding my vision latelu.

During the parent orientation I facilitated an activity with the parents called hopes and fears. We opened the discussion up with sharing our hopes and fears for our children. A mother, almost in tears, shared her hopes and fears for her child... and her fear is that he will drop out after 8th grade and he is only in the 4th grade. After our group discussion about our collective hopes and fears, we were able to talk about tips and strategies to restore hope in our children and how to not let the fear keep us stuck. This mother came up to me after our orientation, and thanked me for doing the hopes and fears activity. She said, "I sometimes cry after watching my son struggle with homework and he says that he is just not smart or that he can't do it. I always try to encourage him, but he has always struggled in school. I was feeling like I couldn't do anything to help him. After our discussion, I feel more hopeful about what I can do for him at home and how I can help to make sure he gets the support he needs." Her perception shift of what she is capable of doing to support her son, is why I do the work I do with families, and why I continue to push for quality programming for our students. I hugged her, and my soul smiled, because in that moment I was reminded of my PURPOSE.

I started typing this blog and then had to save it, because I went out to see the Pats do what they do... GO PATS!!! Following my outing, I had a conversation with one of my dream partners, and it really built on the soul reminder with that mother. He asked, what is your dream job... and then he also called me on some of my negative BSing, and how I have been getting off track lately (I am so grateful to have people in my life that care enough about me to push me when I need pushing). As we were talking I was reminded that I am not sacrificing my dream because of my day job... in fact my day job is a part of my dream. It really is a part of my journey.

I have been feeling like I don't have enough time to do everything that I need to do, between family, working, and "moguling", I have been feeling stretched. Some of what I have been most stressed about has been because I feel like I can't do it all... I have been questioning if I can wear all of the hats that I have (self hat, mommy hat, family hatz, friend hat, work hatz, entrepreneur hat... and the list goes on). I have been feeling exhausted, feeling guilty about not spending as much quality time with my family as I use to, feeling disappointed that I am behind on a project so then I start to avoid it, and I haven't been handling my personal business as I should and that makes me feel even worse. All of these negative feelings have begun to take a toll on my spirit.

Yet today was a good soul reminder... and I will release this stress in prayer, and have faith that my spirit will continue to be renewed. I have to pay attention! I have to be patient! I have to stop avoiding! I have to ask for HELP!

Prayer: Precious Heavenly Father, Thank You for making each and every day one for us to rejoice and be glad. Thank You that our joy does not depend on our circumstances, but on our ability to trust and depend on You. Thank you for all that you do, and all that you will do. Amen.

Rejuvenated and So Blessed,
WonderWoman

Grant me the serenity...

Monday, Tuesday, and Today have been rough... but tomorrow will be better. This afternoon a friend helped me to remember the Serenity Prayer... I needed that perspective shift. So positive prayer, a good laugh, and Mary J Blige... "Just Fine"... helped me shift my thinking.

I came home after a long day, mentally exhausted... and had a Mommy Moment. My "soon to be 16 year old" son is finding his fashion style these days, so he and I were playing dress up and coordinating outfits. I was able to share that moment and check in... that is my most important Job, and tonight was the reminder to not let the day job stuff stress me so much that I miss these moments.

The other song that gets me through difficult times on this purpose-filled journey is "Never Give Up" by Yolanda Adams. I am listening to my Itunes "pick me up today" playlist. Here are the lyrics, I hope they uplift you as much as they uplift me.

Uplifted,
WonderWoman

"Never Give Up"

Visions that can change the world trapped inside an ordinary girl
She looks just like me too afraid to dream out loud
And though it's simple your idea, it won't make sense to everybody
You need courage now If you're gonna persevere

To fulfill divine purpose, you gotta answer when you're called
So don't be afraid to face the world against all odds

[Chorus]
Keep the dream alive don't let it die
If something deep inside keeps inspiring you to try, don't stop
And never give up, don't ever give up on you
Don't give up

Every victory comes in time, work today to change tomorrow
It gets easier, who's to say that you can't fly
Every step you take you get, closer to your destination
You can feel it now, don't you know you're almost there?

To fulfill divine purpose, you gotta answer when you're called
So don't be afraid to face the world against all odds

[Chorus]
Keep the dream alive don't let it die
If something deep inside keeps inspiring you to try, don't stop
And never give up, don't ever give up on you

[Bridge:]
Who holds the pieces to complete the puzzle?
The answer that can solve a mystery
The key that can unlock your understanding
It's all inside of you, you have everything you need yeahhhh

Sooooo, keep the dream alive don't let it die
If something deep inside, keeps inspiring you to try don't stop
And never give up, don't ever give up on you

Sometimes life can place a stumbling block in your way
But you're gotta keep the faith, bring what's deep inside your heart yeah your
Heart to the light
And never give up Don't ever give up on you

Joy to the New Year... 2008 has begun!

I made it through the holidays. As you can read in my last post, I was in a humbug mood during the holidays, but I made it through... and Today, I choose to be optimistic. My morning mantra on most days for the last two years has been... "everyday is filled with new possibilities". This truth has carried me through and to some amazing experiences that I couldn't not have predicted.

My holiday break was filled with plan changes and surprises along the way. I did actually boycott my family dinner, as the kick off to my week of de-stressing and doing a "whole lotta nothin". In that moment that I decided to not go to my Dad's for dinner I felt guilty but after a while I realized it was what I needed.... to give myself permission to do what is best for me. So that was the lesson and spirit of the rest of my holiday break. My life was so busy leading up to Christmas that I had to go out and do most of my shopping the weekend before. Shopping worked out really well and definitely was a catalyst to me getting into the holiday spirit.

Christmas day was different this year. As first the changes were frustrating me because I was beginning to regret my decision not to go to Alabama for the holidays. My sons stayed with their father Christmas eve night and came home Christmas afternoon. It was a different arrangement, but I went with the flow... and it worked out wonderfully. Christmas Eve I went to dinner with Casblog's Family and it was a great time. I actually cooked Christmas dinner instead of going to my friend's house. My son's and I had a great time hanging out Christmas night, just the three of us. They went back to their Dad's the next day. This holiday season, I had a week filled with a good blend of healthy alone time, quality time with family and friends, shopping, cleaning, and relaxing.

This year I brought in the New Year with my family and dream partners over the span of the night. What a great way to start the year. I am so thankful to have them in my life. Going into this new year, I will continue to move towards my purpose. The prayer from my last post will guide me forward:

Prayer: Precious Heavenly Father, Thank You for making each and every day one for us to rejoice and be glad. Thank You that our joy does not depend on our circumstances, but on our ability to trust and depend on You. Thank you for all that you do, and all that you will do. Amen.

Peace and Blessing,
WonderWoman