Where are you going?

Today I went to church for the first time this year...funny. Anywho, it was an experience that solidified my start to a better year.

The Gospel lesson spoke of the journey Joseph and Mary took to keep Jesus safe from Herod. The reverend tied this lesson of journey to that of the new year which should bring hope.

What are our future plans? How did we learn from the past year and the experiences we had?

She gave three lovely steps to moving forward...
1. Reflection
2. Regeneration
3. Resolution

We have to first reflect on the past in order to really make the best of the future. Reflect on the good and the bad in a way that allows for improvement in your existence and an appreciation of the chances we have.

We may not understand why bad things happen, but trust in the ways of God and the purpose these experiences hold.

A new year is a new chance for regeneration, for learning, perfecting and overall development. It is a time for hope not regret, because we have a chance at change.

So after you have reflected and felt regenerate, make the commitment and write down your resolutions. Make an effort to fulfill them so that this year may bring growth and not the same old, same old.

So I leave you with that message of new beginnings and pray you make full use of the chance to make it better and fulfill your purpose.

Advice & Beyond
@Looking_Within

My books

Going to start my heavy reading again...

Luke 17 : 11 - 19....Thankfulness

A Lesson of Gratitude...

"As He entered the village, ten lepers stood at a distance crying out, 'Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!' He looked at them and said, 'Go show yourselves to the priests.' And as they went, their leprosy disappeared.
One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus shouting, 'Praise God, I am healed!" He fell to his face down on the ground at Jesus' feet, thanking him for what he had done."


Gratitude is a wonderful and positive attitude. How can our lives have meaning if we do not count our blessings and give thanks to the one who blessed us? 

When we wake up in the mornings, we have more than enough to be grateful for, because that in itself is a wonderful blessing. Yes the day may not go the way you wanted, but something did go right. Jesus healed 10 lepers and only one came back to him to give thanks... One.


So let this be our lesson for today, gratitude. Say thank you when someone does something for you, helps you or is kind to you. Give God thanks for all your blessings and speak a positive attitude unto His people.

                                


Advice & Beyond
@Looking_Within

New Year

New Year...

Hey peeps, it has been a while since I placed my fingers on the letter keys and just left my feelings flow, so I figured now is a better time than any.

It is the New Year!!! So happy we could all live to see this year and all the wonders it has to offer. With that said, I like many others have written down the things I want to improve on for this year. I did this not because it is cliche or expected, but because I need to take control of my life and this is the way I know how.

What is the point in living if you don't feel fulfilled and satisfied at the end of the day? Why should the bad days take over and dominate your perspective? This was beginning to consume me, the bad days, the bad feelings, the "I can't be bothered anymore" until I started to lose interest in the things I love. So I decided that with the gift of a new year, I will change this and develop a better and healthier me, both inside and out.

I have included my friends in this as well, because it is always easier to make changes when the people around you allow you to. Growth is easy with support, so I want to be there for them as much as I want them there for me.

So I challenge you my few readers, take the time to put your pen to paper and solidify the commitment to achieve your goals whether big or small, sign it and work towards it. Take the initiative and control your life and well being. Involve your friends, family and spouse because a journey walked together will bring you closer.

Our goal for this year should be healthy well-being!! Inside and Out!!!

    Advice & Beyond...  

@Looking_Within

Thinking it through. ..

Sitting here on my day off, I just feel like relaxing. I think my mind needs a break from all the worries it keeps entertaining. I will find peace because it is in my destiny, it is in all our destinies.

I just know that this life will be filled with great things, mostly because I know I am favoured and because I have begun to experience some of these great things.

Life is a beautiful gift, and like anything else it has its ups and downs but essential it is pure greatness. Soon we will be able to listen to the birds as they sing and we will know that joy is around us. We will watch the sun set and we will be sure of the beauty in this world. We will watch the flowers grow and wither and grow again, this will confirm perseverance and purpose. In all aspects of life we can learn an important lesson, we can find the strength and reason to stay positive.

So let us REFUSE to focus on the negative things that lurk around us. Let us not shed our light on them because the minute we do, we give them energy and allow them to take over.

Have a great month and I hope you are able to open your eyes and see your blessings.

Advice & Beyond

@Looking_Within 

GLEE!!!! Season Five (5)

With the new season just days away, real fans have been watching the previous season so that everything seems to flow into season 5. I am also done re-watching Season 4 and I have some points and things I am looking for in season 5. 

•      Joe Hart [ Samuel Larsen ] without his dreads. Will he still have that mysterious, radical Caribbean vibe or will he just be another pretty boy fit for the wanted?

•      The big thing on everyone’s mind, how will Glee be without Cory Monteith [ Finn Hudson ] and how will Lea Michele [ Rachel Berry ] handle it all. I am just on the fence about what is to come for S05E03, which will be dedicated to Finn Hudson. I am expecting trending topic world wide and tears all over.

•      Must admit I am a bit skeptical about this new season as I was always Team Finchel but now it seems life has given me the boot and brought me back to reality, telling me harshly that even in fiction, life doesn't always go as planned.
•      Heather Morris is with child. How will Ryan fit her in or has she been subtly replaced by the amazing Demi Lovato? Will they just say she is off being smart at some prestigious university or will they say that this time the stork she saw really carried a baby for her? We shall have to wait and see!                                                                                     
•      Beatles Tribute; anyone alive and comprehensible should know the Beatles and at least one song. It is always great when the cast tackles legends and classics. I mean think back to Fleetwood Mac, Michael Jackson and the late yet fabulous Whitney Houston. Glee has gone through a lot of songs but I this this Beatles episode will be EPIC!!!!
•      CatFish Update: What the hell was that with Ryder and Unique? I am still so annoyed and upset. Not only is Ryder not gay and Unique knows this but it is just a twisted thing to toy with someone’s heart in that way. Will Ryder be coming back to the Glee club any ways? I think so because he is in the Glee Beatles promo pics with other Glee members.    

•      Marley and Jake [ Jarley ]: will they have those testing moments that just lets everyone fall deeply in love with their story. I mean the whole ‘I kissed Ryder’ thing lasted what 5 minutes?! We need those moments that have us screaming and begging for the characters to make up.      

•      New Faces to the Glee Club? I know we have Demi, but what about Glee Project runner up Ali Stroker who had an appearance at Will and Emma’s failed attempt down the altar. I know there are some people who would like to see an appearance from Glee Project S02 ‘s Allin Bayramoglu.                                                 

•      Seniors or Graduates? Artie, Sam, Blaine, Brittany and Tina? Where did we leave their story. It is weird to know the season ended at Regionals, will we be continuing on to Nationals or will we just find out if they won or not. I cant deal!!!!!! I know one thing is for sure, McKinley will be different because SUE IS PRINCIPAL!!!! 

OH MY! We are all in for a treat! I am so excited that the count down is seriously on. See you next time!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY....:( :D

For the last week and a half, I have actively been trying to forget that today is what it is. But when I woke up this morning and saw everyone posting similar statuses or tweets, it finally hit me that I cannot ignore this no more that I can just stop breathing. This day is both sour and sweet for me, and somehow I lost touch of the sweet and decided to forget it because of the sour. I lost my mother as most may know, so Mother's day is not a very good day for me. It is actually strange how much my heart still aches after all this time, but it does.

However, today I decided to speak to the women who have been a mother to me when I needed it most, and who most likely will continue to do so.

My Aunts: Donna and Helen Daley, these women have been there for me, doing things a mother and father are required to do. They have provided for me, given me advice and have given me so much to be grateful for. I love you both and to you I say, 'HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY'!

My Grandmother: one of the greatest gifts God has given me. When I was young and even now, we had ups and downs and I never realised at the time how blessed I was, but I know now, and I am so glad that she is still here in my life.

Kameil: She may be my cousin, but she has been there. She has also been my adviser, she has been my protector and she has taught me many things. Added to that she is a mother (lol).

All these women in my life and I love them so. Of course there are others who have aided my growth, and I thank them as well. I will never forget my mother, even when her voice seems to fade from my memory, but I am more than grateful to the Heavenly Father for the persons he has strategically placed in my life to cushion the blow of losing someone so special.

So today I will try to smile through the aches and pains, for I am blessed and highly favoured.