The definition of the word “new” is: not existing before; made, introduced, or discovered recently or now for the first time, not previously used or owned , of recent origin or arrival, freshly or recently produced, may have already existed and had been seen, experienced, or acquired for the first time, different from the previous one, reviving another or others of the same kind. The list goes on!

This year, may you escape that which is old and non-productive in your lives and be brave to step into those thoughts, activities, mindsets and next steps that are different than the previous ones, those activities that will serve to revive you and bring “new” life to you. Oftentimes- guilt, shame and blame are not relative to you if you are secure in the way that you think and if you are able to set good boundaries against people , places and things that want to bring you down and destroy you. There is an old saying “hurt people like to hurt people”- so always consider the source of any disclaiming or degrading words. There is a great story that my pastor once told about “the crab in the bucket”. He went on to say that if you place many crabs in the bottom of a bucket, and sit to watch what comes next, the little crab that strives desperately to climb up the side of the bucket to make “it’s escape” from the prison it is in, will get only so far , then the crabs that are still in the bucket, will grab hold of the one escaping and pull the little crab right back into the bucket. Never to escape-this vicious cycle repeats itself, over and over again. That is what many people do year after year, and they never get out of that old bucket! No one can make you be or do anything unless you allow it to happen to you. Don’t be a crab, get out of the bucket ! Be accountable for your next steps and do not let anyone out there talk you out of moving forward and being revived!  A very happy new year to all!

I hope that you are all preparing to love on and enjoy your friends and family during this holiday season. Thanks to my wonderful son and his wife, my third book has been released it is called: The Girl Without Shoes . It can be purchased on Amazon Kindle for ebooks, also paperback is available on Amazon. It is also available on Barnes and Noble Nook, paperback is also there, and Apple ibooks, paperback will be available there as well. Keep watch of this website as my new book will also be featured on this website for purchase, after the book is added. For now anyone who may have been interested may purchase it from any of the sites named in this post. This would be a stocking stuffer for someone you may know . I pray that you all have a wonderful holiday and remember the reason for the season is the Son who God sent, who is love on this earth and embrace those around you with the love that Jesus gives to us everyday. Much love to all!!!!!Merry Christmas!

I have been on vacation in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, it has been an adventure here, with the flood waters, all the winds and tumultuous waves. Things are calmer now and we are beginning to enjoy the hot tub, pool and beach again. Believe me I am grateful that we did not get hit like towns only a few miles away did, we are blessed, safe and as I said very thankful!

I do miss New York, sometimes we have to make ourselves unwind and enjoy quiet , if only we can find quiet! Sometimes we find a quiet setting, and our minds clamor and will not allow us that peace and quiet that brings refreshing! When we hear those voices that try to take you back to your past or stress you out about your future, we have to say no to those voices and ground ourselves about where we are and embrace the peace when we have the opportunity to. This is Domestic Violence Awareness month and I speak peace to all of those victims who have heard it all, who have had monstrosities programmed into their identity , who have to search long and hard to find peace and quiet. You can also find peace and be free of that oppression someday! If you are already free from living in abuse-recognize those old thoughts that sometimes try to speak louder than our realities. Find peace in your mind, we have no real control over how other people act and live, but we do have control over what we will allow to cross into our own safety and rob us of our peace. Be thankful for all that you have been set free from today! If you are out there and still struggling to be free,  let God be your strength, your help, and focus on only what He says you are, not on what the world tells you that you are.

Today is always the start of something new. Some people get stuck in yesterday and it is hard to embrace and receive a new day. It would be great if we were able to greet each day as if yesterday had never come, and what do we really know about tomorrow? What if each day was a “today ” we would have so much freedom. Today, I’m alive , I have hope for things to be better, there is always room for better. Embrace the transition of each day. Transition presents to each of us what is unknown  , unknown things are sometimes scary . Even when we think that we know what is going to happen, we never really are sure what will happen each day. Let the transition for today begin. Hope always that this will be a better day! Let it be.

We often betray our selves and our own convictions by allowing things into our hearts that will rob us of what is best for us. The things that are healthier and will make us stronger are sometimes not always the things that “we” think we need. It’s important to keep our hearts clean of negative assumptions. Keep your mind on those things that are first gentle, kind, humble, meek and patient. Put up with each other, and choose to love people despite whether you agree with what they believe or who they are. Love unconditionally, but do always set a healthy boundary against those things that may rob you of what is best for you. No one person is in control of any other person, we however, need to make the right choices for our own ability to be in charge of our own lives.