 “Do what you have to do now, so you can do what you want to do later.” (Quoted by Oprah Winfrey and Denzel Washington) This was recently my response when I was asked about my many achievements and why I continue to push for more. It is with the simple thought that, I’m not doing everything I want to do just yet. I remember sitting in conferences listening to women talk about their achievements and thinking “I want to be like her!” or “I want what she has!”. It wasn’t until my later twenties that I really realized that achievement takes work! It takes dedication and the experience of some losses. I wasn’t prepared for that! The many tears cried when I didn’t get a job, when I didn’t pass a class, when relationships I thought would last forever came to an end. I wasn’t prepared for the “Have to do” part of life. I spent most of my childhood “not feeling seen”. I didn’t feel like I was the smartest or the prettiest. I was an average student in High school. There was no special talent or accolade I had. I went to community college because rather than apply myself to get into the best schools, I chose to work. I didn’t obtain one scholarship or award. I got by, by flying under the radar, as some would say. I went through my community college campus with my head down, didn’t make any friends and worked a full-time job at times two jobs. Even in obtaining all of my degrees, Associates, Bachelors and Masters, I remained an average student. Often times, I find myself sitting with people just like me, encouraging and coaching them while they try to find their way through life. It is easy for me to sit and talk to people who are in this place because I have been there before. Everyone has. And whether we believe it or not, we may come to this place on our journey more than once. I remember starting out on a program I created. I would volunteer my services just to get my foot in the door. I did this for years, until one day someone bought what I was selling. They saw I believed in myself enough to put myself out there and they believed in me too. Someone who had never met me before. Not only did this happen for my personal ventures, this happened in my career as well. It’s like one day everything just clicked. All things felt like they were really working for me (Romans 8:28). The job, the home, my passion…everything just came together (We’re still waiting on the husband God. LOL). So If you are at the place in life where you are just trying to make things happen for yourself, I want you to remember these 3 things. Remember God’s Will is greater than our own. My most common phrase within the past 2 years has been, “If God doesn’t do it, it won’t be done”. I believe this to my core. What it says is that, everything that happens in my life is God ordained and he will get the glory out of it. Does this mean I make all of the right decisions? Absolutely Not. What it DOES mean is, from my mistakes, I give them to God and learn from them. From my successes, I honor God and continue to move forward. Know that he will not lead you to a place he can’t keep you. That being said. One of my favorite scriptures is For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 See yourself Successful Everyone has their own version of success. I dream big. Not only for myself but for those who are connected to me because I want to see everyone win! When you can seek the Lord and his will, you provide yourself the space to dream big. Whatever that dream may be. Often times, we put ourselves in a box by limiting God and his capabilities. Matthew 17:20 says all we need is faith the size of a mustard seed! He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20 That’s the kind of faith that can move a mountain. So start there. Dream of your success! Move like you are already there. Dress like you are the business owner. Talk like you are ready to make a business deal! Save like you are about to buy a home. Yes you may be starting little in the natural but dream big in the spirit! God won’t let you down and honestly, he will leave you astounded! Commit to the Process Everything does not happen in our own time. Commitment says that even when things aren’t great, I’m here. Show up for yourself because we already know that God is showing up for you. Don’t turn your back on the most important person, YOU! You are paving the way for someone like you. So dig your heels in and let’s get to it. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:13-14 This journey of life is so beautiful! We often travel with caution when we should be taking in all of the amazing scenery. Looking at the outline of what the future holds. Not really seeing it in person but oh the beauty of what it could be! Don’t give up my Sister Friend! It could happen for you today, tomorrow or years from now. All this does is create a more colorful testimony of this journey we have traveled! Enjoy the ride! Until next time, Guest Blogger, Brittany N. Ware
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