Trust Your Gut and Go For What You Want - Dating Advice

 


Last night we were introduced to Real Housewives of Potomac cast member Ashley Darby.


The 26 year old blogged about how she started her relationship with her now husband.

"Bravotv.com: How did you meet your husband?
AD: I met Michael when I was 22 and bartending at L2 in Georgetown. At the time, I was working at night, going to school during the day, and enjoying my youth 24/7. I was talking to my manager in the main office when I watched Michael walk in on the security camera. Sweet baby Cleatus! Even with a blurry, black and white picture, I was hooked. Love at first sight is real, y’all!
There was never any confusion about his age – I knew Michael wasn’t a young stallion, but he has this je ne sais quoi quality about him. When I (nervously) approached him I couldn’t say, “You should wife me up,” so I asked about a marketing internship at his company. After a few months, I gathered up the courage to ask him out for a real drink and that’s all she wrote! Moral of the story: trust your gut and go for what you want!"

GOALS

As we approach 2016 and leave behind 2015, I think it’s important to reflect on our pass and future goals.  Did you accomplish what you said you would in 2015?  What are your goals for 2016?  Ms. Badu wrote on twitter “Write it down on real paper with a real pencil. And watch shit get real.”

 

I love this quote because the older I get, the more I value setting goals.  Not only should you write your goals down, but you should make them specific (i.e. I want to save <$5,000 in a credit union account).  You should also share your goals with a friend or a family member.  This will make you more accountable for your goals.  Going forward not only will I write my goals down, but I will read them everyday to ensure I'm on the right track.  I have already written my 2016 goals and I plan to accomplish all 7 of them. 

Why wait till 2016 to start working on your goals?  There are 4 weeks left in 2015, use this time to complete unfinished 2015 goals, and/or start working on your 2016 goals. XOXO –Angelle

How To Be More Productive At Work

I don't know about you guys, but I sometimes struggle with my productivity in the work place.  I have the attitude that as long as I make all my deadlines I'm good.  Even though this is true, I know I can be doing more.  Below are some tips that help me get on track when I fall off.

1.  WORK WHILE AT WORK- this sounds simple enough but I want you to really think about it.  Are you really working while at work?  If I was to answer that question truthfully the answer would be 'no'.  I spend a good amount of time at work socializing, surfing the web, lurking on social media, on the phone, and group messaging my friends.  That sounds horrible but it is the reality of most employed people.  In this economy we are blessed to have a job, so we should treat our jobs as a blessing.  So remember, from 9:00 - 5:00 (or whatever hours you work) you are not on YOUR time, you are on your employers time.  Colossians 3:23 says it best "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters". 

2.  SAY NO- Now I'm not telling you to be the mean co worker but you need to know when to say no.  Think about this, was there ever a time at work when you stopped working on what you were doing to help a coworker?  I know I have.  While this is the nice thing to do, it is not always the most productive.  You should help your coworkers AFTER you help yourself.  You don't have to be rude, but next time a coworkers ask for your help while you are busy, try saying "I'll help you as soon as I finish this report".  By doing this, you'll still be a great team player but you'll accomplish what you need to do first.

3.  GET ORGANIZED - This seems easy enough but you would be surprised how many people are not organized in the work place.  When someone asks you for something you should know where it is IMMEDIATELY, not search though different files on you computer to find it.  One way I stay organized is by scanning everything...I mean everything.  Once I scan the document I save it in a named folder so I can easily find it.  Another way to stay organized is by keeping your workplace clean.  I don't know about you but I feel way better when my room is clean, the same goes for my office at work. 

Hopefully these tips can help you be more productive at work.  Let us know some things you do to increase your productivity.  XOXO Angelle

Your Circle! Who are the five people you spend the most time with?

 Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Will Smith said it best: “You can tell how far in life you’ll go by the 5 people you spend the most amount of time with.” This quote has been said in many ways but the theme is still the same. I remember when someone special to me told me and a relative this, I received it more than my relative did but I still hadn't took it to heart and applied it to my life. My relative on the other hand laughed and said so you're telling me, "I'm going to be and they listed all the worst scenarios possible referring to situations their friends were in. As time went on those things came true. They found themselves in a series of unfortunate events and I quickly learned the importance of  "picking friends like you pick your fruit"- Erykah Badu.

Similar to the law of attraction, you are the sum of your thoughts and the images you see daily. If you constantly fellowship with people in negative circumstances you're attracting that into your life. You ever been in a good mood then encountered a negative co-worker or friend that complained about life and had "woe is me " complex then you find yourself not feeling as happy and good as if their negative energy leeched on to you?!  Well that's a sign you need to limit your time with a person, pray for them, and  possibly love them from afar.


Love,
Christina

Joyce Meyer Daily Devotion James 5:12

Today's devotion speaks to me! 

Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned. (James 5:12 NIV)

Be Decisive! 

Indecision is a miserable state to be in and certainly is not a fruit of the simple life. The apostle James said the double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. 

Never making a decision because you're afraid you'll make the wrong one will get you nowhere. How much time do you think we waste when we can't make up our minds? 

We often labor over the choices before us when we just need to make a decision and let it stand. This may be a simple example, but think about it: When you stand in front of your closet in the morning looking at all your clothes, just choose something and put it on. Don't go back and forth until you make yourself late for work! 

Let me encourage you to start making decisions without second-guessing yourself or worrying about the choices you make. Don't be double-minded or wishy-washy because doubting your decisions after you make them will steal the enjoyment from everything you do. Make the best decisions you can and trust God with the results. 

Prayer Starter: Holy Spirit, thank You for showing me that indecision doesn't really get me anywhere. Help me to let my "yes" be "yes," and my "no" be "no." I know I can't go wrong when I make decisions the best I can and simply trust You with the results.

Photo credit: www.freedigitalphotos.net/cooldesign 

Joyce Meyer Daily Devotion; Ephesians 4:23 NIV

to be made new in the attitude of your minds; (Ephesians 4:23 NIV)

Experience a New Beginning 

The Bible is filled with stories about people who experienced new beginnings. Moses became a leader after being a shepherd for 40 years. Paul hated Christ until God renewed him and made him the greatest apostle of all time. 

When we receive Jesus as our Savior, it is the ultimate new beginning. We become new creatures with an opportunity to learn a new way of living. But the first step to experiencing that new life is believing that it's available to you. 

Ephesians 4:23 says we must be constantly renewed in our minds and attitudes. It's easy to read about great people in the Bible and think that you are nothing like them, but when you start to think that, you need to renew your mind right away. 

Choose to think according to God's Word, not how you feel. Receive His love and experience a new beginning. Life will become so much sweeter if you live with an attitude that says "God is completely changing me from the inside out. He's giving me a new beginning and there are greater things ahead." 

Prayer Starter: Lord, I renew my mind in You. I know that You have a new beginning and a calling for me just like you did for Moses and Paul. I receive it today, believing that You can bring it to pass.

Joyce Meyer Daily Devotion, 2 Corinthians 10:3

I loved today's devotion! Some days are just bad days for me, someone disappoints me, annoyed by my job, things may not always go my way and then I find myself in a bad mood. When I'm in a bad mood I try to list all the things I'm grateful for and it usually helps but I often remember to do this hours later lol. So when I read today's devotional I thought this is perfect! Next time I'm in a bad mood I will refer to this devotion! Please enjoy!

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. (2 Corinthians 10:3 NIV)

Your Three Best Weapons 

Through careful strategy and cunning deceit, Satan attempts to wage war against you and keep you in a mindset of defeat. But God has given you spiritual weapons to use against him. Here are the main three spiritual weapons you can use to fight off the enemy: 

1. God's Word: Receive it through preaching, teaching, reading and private Bible study. Continue in the Word until it becomes revelation given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. 

2. Praise: This defeats the devil faster and more efficiently than any other battle plan, but it must be genuine heart-praise, not just lip service or a religious ritual. 

3. Prayer: Prayer is relationship with the Godhead. It is communication with God, asking Him for help or talking with Him about whatever is on your heart. To have an effective prayer life, we must develop an intimate, personal relationship with the Father. Know that He loves you and that He wants to help you. 

There is a war going on, but God is fighting on your side and has given you the weapons you need. Use them to send Satan running! 

Prayer Starter: Lord, thank You so much for giving me the spiritual weapons I need to fight my enemy. With Your help, I know that I can win the battle today!

-Joyce Meyer