Category Archives: Goals

Jun8

DAY 158 (2014)

Posted on June 8, 2014 by lsgrlr

New roads on the journey are a gift from God. Don’t be afraid to travel them.
(Picture by Lisa R.)

Today I was not going to post. I felt tired and my brain was NOT in the mood to share, much less learn. Thank goodness God does NOT work according to my feelings. I posted recently that I bought a book titled, Take The Risk. It was a coincidental purchase. However, this book that I purchased by “chance” on a night that I was about to NOT hang out with a friend, who talked me into meeting anyway (and said everything I needed to hear). This book has been an instrument in the hand of God to not only break me, but to also remind me that I have a personal responsibility in God’s plans for me. I have been avoiding my dreams for a while. because to me the likelihood of achieving them seemed to be such a risk, not just for me, but my family. I have been worried that I if I tried and failed, that we would have to live under a bridge and dumpster dive for food. Today I realized that all I have seen is the risk of failure, I have never really thought about what would happen if I succeeded. Weird, right? My risk analysis only asked “what’s the worst that could happen”? It at no point has asked, “what’s the best thing that could happen”? Well the best thing is success, what if I try and succeed! Today as I read my “by chance” book, God told me it was time to put the effort in. It was really time to TAKE THE RISK. If I didn’t do it now, the chance would not present itself again. He promised that if I put the effort in, He’d bless it. God directs our path, this is true. But we have the responsibility of walking the path.

“The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps” (Proverbs 16:9).

So what’s the plan? Go.

May28

DAY 147 (2014)

Posted on May 28, 2014 by lsgrlr

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The good “baker” knows the battle is won or lost in the making of the batter.

One of my coworkers is leaving. She was offered an amazing job, and while I will miss her I can honestly say her new employer scored big time. I wanted to do something for her, something that took my time and effort, it is my way of saying I appreciated the opportunity to work with her. So tonight when I got home I went to the grocery store and bought all the ingredients necessary to make a cake (from scratch, no box mix for this girl). My plan is a white cake with buttermilk frosting and fresh strawberries (my kitchen smells really good, right now). Here’s the thing about cakes the battle is either won or lost in the making of the batter. Right about now you thinking, “duh…”. But I am not talking about the mixture itself I am talking about the ability of the “maker” to not rush the process while mixing it. Making sure that each ingredient is thoroughly blended and completely mixed in before another is added. The process while not hard, is tedious, and many times the lazy baker will want to rush the process by just piling the ingredients one on top of the other and hoping for the best. What’s my point? Anything worth having is worth the effort needed to make it the best it can be. I learned that lesson today as my new life direction has been slowly falling into place. At the beginning of my life I had many plans, but no direction and as such I rushed through life often missing the very things I needed to take time to build. As I have grown into adulthood I am learning that life is not meant to be rushed. Today I was gentle reminded through the baking of a cake, that life requires a good batter in order for it to rise properly, and a good batter requires the “Maker” to take His time. Lesson: Don’t rush God, He makes all things beautiful in His time.

“Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

So what’s the plan? Stop rushing the process.

May19

DAY 139 (2014)

Posted on May 19, 2014 by lsgrlr

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Even if you fail again and again. Every time you fail, fail better.

I have a new favorite quote (okay maybe second favorite, I can’t relegate Maya Angelou to second place). I happened upon it yesterday in a most unlikely way. However, it was apropos to how my weekend went. On Friday I wrote about my friend who had taken up the burden of paying the price for his dream. On Saturday and Sunday the dream/goal theme continued and it dawned on me that maybe, just maybe God was trying to tell me something (yeah, I know I am bit on the slow side at times). My quote is from Samuel Beckett and it goes like this: “Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail BETTER.” Why fail better, instead of try better? Because failure is what brings us one step closer to our dreams. How? Because every time we fail we learn what NOT to do. Failure is the lesson. Trying is NOT the lesson it is the tool that leads us to either success or failure. Trying is the means, the avenue by which the lesson is learned. Today I have been thinking a lot about goals and dreams. A lot about trying and failing. I hear this saying a lot, “life is a gamble”, I don’t think that’s true at all. Life is not a gamble, life is a classroom a place we either learn to succeed or to give up. In gambling the doer has no control over the game or it’s outcome, because, well, it’s a gamble. In a classroom we are given all the tools necessary to succeed, what we do with the tools is our choice to make. Today I pray our choice is this: Try again. Fail gain. Fail BETTER.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7).

So what’s the plan? Fail better.

May16

DAY 136 (2014)

Posted on May 16, 2014 by lsgrlr

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We make our plans, but God directs our path. Let Him be your journey’s guide.
(Picture by Lisa R.)

I have a friend who I really enjoy taking to. Not because of humor, or any other “fad” like reason. I like talking to this person because he challenges me. I always leave our conversations thinking, “I need to be more committed to my dream.” That is a rear thing to achieve in a world where people are more prone to tell us what we want to hear over what we need to hear. He (without knowing it) is a tool that God uses in my life. Today we were talking about dreams and pursuing them. Wait, let me backtrack for a moment. Recently he opened a gym (with a twist) the gym is called Movement (check out the website: www.movementstrong.com), when you workout Movement will give back to the community in a positive way. The gym has sponsored school programs, food banks for the homeless, it even planted a community garden to give fresh produce to people in need. The motto of Movement: “Strengthen Yourself, Strengthen The World” (see why he is a bit of an inspiration). Anyway today we talked about the cost of following your dreams, he hit me with some very “real” truth. We often picture achieving our goals in a fairy-tale like way, not realizing that following our dreams will ALWAYS cost us something. During our conversation he told me of the price he is paying right now, to keep his dream alive. In the midst of hearing I said, “But that could cost you everything!” To which he replied, “If you believe in something, you have to be willing to give it all.” Be willing to give it ALL. I am on the road toward my goals, and I am fearful. I had been looking for a detour and asking God to make the answer clear. Today when Eduardo said those words, I realized that God was using him to ask me this question: “Are you willing to give it all to Me?” I believe God has a plan, but I have been too scared to commit to it, because the cost is high and I am fearful that I may not be able to afford it. Today I was reminded that if God is leading me to my goal, He is willing (and able) to foot the bill.

“‘For I know the plans I have for you’, says the LORD. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope'” (Jeremiah 29:11).

So what’s the plan? Follow His plan.

May14

DAY 134 (2014)

Posted on May 14, 2014 by lsgrlr

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Trust the TRUE coach.

Okay I am a sports fan, I like playing it and I like watching it. I live in Florida and thus I am a Heat fan (I’d probably be a Heat fan even if I didn’t live in Florida). Sports creates superstars and mega-players. But here is a truth: no matter how great the player, not matter how awesome the athletic ability, you can’t win on your own. In team sports in order to win, you need the TEAM. Why this conversation today? (Uhmmm, it’s the playoffs…just sayin’). This mind set of DIY has permeated our culture giving us the impression that it’s every man for himself. That if it needs to be done we can do it ourself, we don’t need help or assistance. But life is not a do it yourself. There is no such thing as a self-made man (or woman), at some point someone had to give you a chance or a push. Here is another truth: In the game of life there is only ONE true coach (come on you had to know it was gonna end up here 😉 ). Every team needs a coach. The TRUE coach teaches you the game, and guides you through rough patches. He is firm when it is called for, and encouraging when needed. He knows the game, knows His players and knows when we need to play and when we need to sit on the bench. My advice play your game, and let the TRUE coach lead you too the championship. Also GO HEAT!!!!!

“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:8).

So what’s the plan? Trust the TRUE coach.

May6

DAY 126 (2014)

Posted on May 6, 2014 by lsgrlr

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In order for a new bud to bloom you must first cut off the old one.

I heard and interesting thing today about Hyacinths, a flowering pant that bears vibrantly colored petals and has a sweet aroma. The person who I was talking with went on and on about the resilience of the flower and how it can even bloom in snow. But it is this statement that gave me pause, “The Hyacinths will only bear a new bud after the old one is cut off.” Mmmm, how very interesting… It is an excellent picture of life, of moving forward, of growth. Like the Hyacinth we too can only bloom again when we are willing to cut off what keeps us from growing. You can’t move forward holding on to the past. I have been slowly learning that in the past few months. I am in the process of preparing to move, and it has been scary because I will have to let go of a lot. Friends, job, environment all are things that I have grown accustomed to, all have played an important role (be it good or bad) in my development up till now. So the thought of letting it all go is bittersweet. Just thinking about it now makes me want to tear up. But today when I heard the statement about the Hyacinth I felt that still small voice that speaks to my soul say, “Look at the Hyacinth. See the vibrant colors, smell the sweet aroma and know in order for this to happen it has to be willing to let go of the past in order to embrace its future. You must do the same.”

“Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God'” (Luke 9:62).

So what’s the plan? Let go, move forward.

May5

DAY 125 (2014)

Posted on May 5, 2014 by lsgrlr

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Don’t see the stretch you have to run. See the finish line.

For the record it seems I was 100% serious about my lifestyle change. I started on Saturday (I know it’s been three day, but it only takes 5 to make a habit). This morning I woke up, did warm up stretches. Got dressed went to work. Came home worked-out, stretched, had a shower (yes I showered this morning as well), made a protein shake and then studied for 2 hours. The problem is that now all I can think about are words that no one ever uses in sentences words like: castigate, augury, and contumacious (which I can be at times) and algebraic formulas. I am laughing right now because I realize this is not a bad problem to have. I am a little proud of all that God has allowed me to accomplish today. I am blessed because He walked me through my day and gave me the strength to say no to TV (which is not normally not a vice, however, 24 starts back today), when Jack’s back. He gave me the strength to turn off my cellphone and tune out my friends, so that I could accomplish the goals I had set forth for this day. I am blessed that He gave me the desire to workout even though I was tired. I am struck at how awesome God is, if we keep our commitment He’ll be faithful to see us to our goals.

“But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness” (1 John 1:9).

So what’s the plan? As much as depends on me. Keep my promise.

Apr17

DAY 107 (2014)

Posted on April 17, 2014 by lsgrlr

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Every sunset says, “You get another chance tomorrow.”
(Photo by Lisa R.)

In keeping with my recurrent theme of realizing how fear has kept me from moving forward. I have recently started studying (seriously studying for my GRE). If I had a dollar for the amount of times I have had to answer the question, “When are you taking your GRE” in the last three months I’d be a millionaire. Each time I have answered the question I have added a month (so I’ll be taking my Graduate exam sometime in 2030). The overwhelming respond to my answer is, “Why are you waiting?” My answer to them, “I want to pass it the first time.” The real reason? FEAR. Because I really do want to pass it the first time and the thought that I may not be able to has me procrastinating. This realization came to me about the same time that I realized that God was not going to allow me to move forward until I had done the things He had told me to do, one of which was take the GRE. The irony is that I lost confidence in being able to pass when things started to feel like they were collapsing around me. Which is funny because, things started to collapse because I wasn’t doing what I suppose to do (yup my life is like a bad comedy routine). My point? If we just do what God says the moment He says it, life would be easier. I like easy. What about you?

“If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

So what’s my plan? I am gonna study, study, study…

Apr9

DAY 99 (2014)

Posted on April 9, 2014 by lsgrlr

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Fear can keep you from experiencing the adventure you are meant to have.
(Picture by Lisa R.)

Recently I posted a picture which had these words written on it, “If I were to let go of my fear who could I become?” The question is a daunting one, and one that has been circling my mind in one form or another for many years now. Ever have the feeling that you are meant to be more, meant to do more? I have been having that feeling more and more frequently in the last few months. However, every time I make a plan of action I back out. Why? Honestly…FEAR. Fear that I will fail. Fear that I will make life harder for those around me. Fear that I won’t be able to properly take care of my mom in her old age. Fear. Fear. Fear. Today I read a respond to the posted question the response was from http://mommalisaof2.wordpress.com. Her response, “BTW GREATNESS is on the other side of fear.” Mmmm, that means in order to get to great, I have to go through fear. As I was pondering the idea of walking pass my fear, to see if greatness was on the other side, it hit me, Jesus did the very same thing. When you ask? When He went to the cross. He had fears. He prayed and asked His Father to provide another path. God’s answer, “This is the only way.” Jesus reply, “Not My will, but Yours be done.” He walked past His fear, and went to the cross. You tell me, was greatness on the other side? Mmmm…He reigns FOREVER at the right hand of God; I’mma have to go with YES. I am still fearful? Yes, but I agree with mommalisaof2. Greatness is on the other side of fear.

“When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You” (Psalm 56:3).

So what’s my plan of attack? It will be hard and I am scared, but I will walk pass my fear to get to the GREATNESS God has for me.

Apr4

DAY 94 (2014)

Posted on April 4, 2014 by lsgrlr

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The journey is never easy. We make wrong turns, and bad choices. But everyday we get another chance.

Today I realized something profound and sad. I have lost my focus. It has been a subtle, slow decent. Little by little without seeing what was going on, I have been putting my focus and my energy into something other than what God has for me. Don’t get the wrong idea I am not a derelict fighting to negate God’s power in my life. Nor am I living in blatant sin, doing whatever is against God’s word. No, it’s worse than that. I am letting little (unnoticeable) things seep in and distract me. I am allowing my mind to wonder, allowing my thoughts, and my focus to wonder. I wouldn’t have noticed if it wasn’t for this nagging discontent that I have been feeling lately; which I have been doing my best to try and ignore it, but it just won’t go away. Then it hit me. I feel this way, because I have become distracted. It’s an odd thing to be in the wrong, while not doing anything really wrong. It is amazing to me how easily we can let go of God’s hand, even when we know Him holding us is the best thing in life. I feel so disappointed in myself. However, right now (as I type this post) I am also happy that I am disappointed. Why? Because it means that I desire to serve God, desire to do what He wants me to do. So much so, that when I am not where I am suppose to be it hurts me. So, today I am thankful for my disappointment, thankful that I feel ashamed that I let my light slip. Thankful that I see what I am missing. So many people don’t. So many feel this same emptiness and fill it with things that leave them even more empty. I haven’t said this in a while, but today it’s making a come back. If you’re empty God can fill it in a way that doesn’t leave you empty again. I am not asking you to believe because I do. I a simply asking that you seek truth, the REAL kind. It’s not hiding.

“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2).

So what’s my plan of attack? Putting my focus back on God.