Highschool of Dreams

What stops you from pursuing the crazy dreams flying across the back of your mind? Those dreams you would pursue if only you had "X,Y,Z"? Think back to your personal victories in the past, the "impossible" goals you achieved. These goals were once a dream, once a figment of imagination which illicited fear and euphoria. Remember the courage you mustered up, the pep-talks you gave yourself, the resolve which shut down all your critics. Now apply the same girth to your "crazy" dreams. These new dreams are just bigger in scale. You've passed first grade, second grade, now you are in the Highschool of Achievement. You have the tools! You were able to conquer your fears in the past, you had the courage. Thus you are well-equipped though you might be shaking in your boots. 

Whatever you chase after with unbridled passion + determination will become your reality. You can't just sit there wanting to do something while entertaining doubt that you can't do it. Shut your doubt down and DO it!

All things are possible. You just haven't done it yet.

The Beauty in Becoming

I have a feeling that God could care less about our destination and more on who we are becoming in pursuit of our dreams. So many times we're crying "God what is Your will" or "God can you get me to your purpose already?" while your purpose is being accomplished right where you are right now. I believe He gives us dreams (an end purpose) so we have something to pursue. The pursuit of the dream gives Him to develop us during the journey. Without a journey- how is there a process of becoming, of growth, of wisdom? All these attributes are learned instead of given. Our purpose is to become more like Christ. This can sound daunting or super-cliche however, Jesus Himself boiled it all down to two commandments. "Love God, and love your neighbor AS you love yourself". So we love God: we have a sense of reverence and deep gratitude to the Almighty. We love People: because if we love the Creator we'll love His Creations. And we will love ourself "The created". He put us down here with that purpose. But knowing how He has given us His nature which is creation, He has given us dreams and talents. So while we are creating, He is creating within us the attributes of love. God is love- so we are becoming more like Him. Herein lies the  immense beauty in Becoming. Becoming is the Purpose. Once we understand our Divine purpose it makes daily living so much easier because we don't just endure life to get to our "end destination" but we revel in each day. To help you figure out if what you are seeking as an end destination is Godly, ask yourself the following questions.

• Am I gaining more Love attributes while I'm pursuing my end goal?
• Have I grown to love myself and love people through this?
• Do I love God more everyday as I'm pursuing this goal?
• Is my end goal hindering my love for God or people? (killer)
• Is my end goal making me hate my present or myself?
• Am I enjoying everyday life or am I enduring until things "get better"'?
• Do I spend most of my day dreaming or do I actively take hold of the opportunities in the present?

A well-lived life is done one day at a time. If you look at people who've accomplished great things; most of them will tell you they took hold of each day, disciplined themselves, and while becoming, opportunities came for advancement. They were able to recognize these opportunities because they firmly took hold of the present. They weren't just day dreaming. They were making their dream their present. 

Be Your Purpose, one day at a time.

The Christian Woman

For a Christian Woman, sexual and emotional integrity means that her thoughts, words, emotions, and actions all reflect an inner beauty and a sincere love for God, others, and herself. This doesn't mean she is never tempted to think, say, feel, or do something inappropriate (more on that later), but she tries diligently to resist these temptations and stands firm in her convictions. She doesn't use men in an attempt to get her emotional cravings met because she knows ultimately it doesn't satisfy. Satisfaction needs to be found outside of a person because a person will always disappoint you at some point (even with "realistic" expectations). Part of it lies in reveling in who God created you to be and who He is. She doesn't dress to clamor for male attention yet she doesn't wear muumuu's either. She may be an uberfashionista, or a laid-back lady, and even appear sexy (like beauty, sexy is in the eye of the beholder), but her motivation isn't seduction or self-seeking. She presents herself well because she knows she represents Her Creator to others. God loves beauty (obviously)- look at the Universe. It's a gorgeous canvas of colors, shapes, and sizes. As with the Christian Woman- she shines the glory that has been given to her. Not only outer-beauty but inner-beauty because once you got your "beauty swag" right, it will automatically manifest outside. A woman of integrity doesn't just talk the talk but she walks with a confident sway in her step. She lives according to the standards of Love rather than law. She knows ultimately her whole life should boil down to Love God and Love People just like she has learned to Love herself. For her Father has given her immeasurable worth and she lives like it everyday.

"You are a Special Unrepeatable Miracle, Act like it"

Instead of walking around trying to fill your bucket of worth with the dust that people give you.

Questions to check your Integrity/Motives

• Are my actions loving to others?
• Is this something I'd be proud of?
• Is this my highest standard? (this is a killer right here)
• Is this in line with my convictions?
• Would this be better left unsaid?
• Will this benefit others?

If you need more than one word to answer one of these question then back to the drawing board. Be honest with yourself and examine your motives. Rationalizing is the mother of stagnancy. Be real with yourself bc if you're faking yourself- how are you going to help someone if you can't even be honest with yourself? *can the church say amen while I'm waving my handkerchief in the air*

This is what I've been learning and I of course wanted to share. This isn't to condemn or point fingers bc who am I? Lord knows I have my own challenges. But this word encouraged and checked me. I hope it encourages you too!

--some of this was adapted from "every woman's battle"