Women

When I was single, I remembered having friends who I so much enjoyed being around, who I shared so much love and respect for. I couldn't wait to meet up for brunch or dinner just to share, love and laugh with each other. I was always looking to inspire, encourage and enrich each others lives while spreading joy and giving hope to. And when talking about true desires of the heart...oh goodness...I was always so open with mine : ) Though we shared some things alike, there were some things I know I did privately that brought my destiny that much faster.

When I met my husband, the first thing I wanted to do was introduce him to my girlfriends and even to my not so close to girlfriends, but all women who I loved, admired and respected. They may not have all felt that way about me, but it is how I felt about them, but felt cared and respected for. I was just so happy to share life with them, the good news with them and then introduce them to my boyfriend and know that by doing so they won't be only sharing my joy, but he will be a symbol of hope for them as well.

One by one I introduced them and one by one they all disappointed. When we were all in the same situation on the same level things were good, but when I became someone elses fiancee there was nothing but hate, all hidden of course. To witness something real and something honest, brought out the worse in them - probably saying well why her and not me? They all tested what we had by trying to capture the attention in different ways. All in subtle, fleshy ways. They all searched for a response, the friend, the not so close friend and even a Pastor. Yes a Pastor. Although there was nothing directly done, my spirit knew and sensed the fleshy unflattering behavior, the words and what was used all in an effort to see if they too can be held attractive. I was disgusted and hurt...took me days, months to understand why and how women can be so cruel to each other. Then I realized that true like, true love don't come like that...don't move like that, it was all in a dislike for me. It was how they felt about me all along and if they can try to steal something away, even if it was for a quick second look, it would have been self gratifying for them. Proving we had nothing real. Awful.

What women don't understand is that it takes work, work within themselves for good things, permanent things to happen to them. It requires self examination - self searching, some looking closely of at the heart, some working on yourself, some searching to finding who you really are - the things you do and why you do them. There's something about a woman who is always looking for the easy way out, they want want want and have nothing to give, they want but don't want to put the work in. They want to get it by dating the rich guy, so they don't have to work, they want to get it by stealing the attention of someone elses man, so they can get that false sense gratification of...all temporary. If you want something real, if you want something honest, you gotta earn it and first have it for yourself. It's a cop out to think you are deserving of anything more without the work. I did with Christ, I looked and worked within, willing to see the good and bad, but I did it with GOD. In essence I put the work in. What I got, I got from God. I was willing to see me for who I really was and not how I wanted everyone else to see me...oh she's smart, oh she's so inspiring, oh she says smart things, no I KNEW ME. Everything that comes from me, actually comes from me. It is how my husband found me. You cannot be afraid to see you for who you really are. You can do it, it is hard but if you want to live a sincere life then you've got to know what you have to do, it is so worth it. Women are always ready to look at and try to get the attention of someone elses man, all in an effort to feel good about themselves. You have to feel good about you as know one else will. I don't know if anyone ever shared, but nothing good will ever come out of something that started under false pretenses or from being someone that you're not.

Women, what we don't understand is that anything we do short of the truth won't last. You can't run from yourself forever, you can try and pretend to be something you're not...how you want to be perceived, but it won't last. One day it will be put to the test and you will fail if you haven't put the work in. You don't want to be empty and live in denial forever. Making excuses for fleshy behavior is a sin. We women have to help each other...we have to share the truth and build each other up. There's somebody for everybody, you don't have to lust after a man and do things the wrong way. This experience gave me a different way of looking at life...a hard one...and ladies you don't know how hard I agonized and searched for the light in it. That's just me no matter how small of an issue as it was all done subtly, I still search. I knew I had to go through it in order to help someone else some day. It showed me the hidden side of people, the deep insecurities of people...not the normal kind, but the real hidden kind you won't experience until you are taken to that next level in life. You won't truly know who is supposed to go to that next stage of life with you until you are brought there. But the lesson in all this, the beauty in all this is that what I went through has taken me to a new place of love in Christ, I didn't think I can love him any more that I already had - it has brought me to a new trust in his never ending power of love. I end by saying, I will always always continue to love and try to inspire women, no matter what. No one can ever change who I am. I only now want to sit with those who are where I am in life and help those who are not from a distance. My close friends, you know who you are, my real good friends I will continue to live life with you...in truth and in love with Christ. For all the good friends out there! Continue to love and inspire each other. Natalie

Feeling Down? By The Economy?...Finances

This morning, while riding down into the City on the Express Bus, I read one of the most amazing scriptures...profound if I might say so and thought to share with you guys. It was in the book of Galatians. It sums up by saying by Law, by our own nature it is easy to look at the obvious, what's going on in the world, the economy and our finances. Well, when Christ came he freed us from the law, saved us and said to live by faith, through him. Very hard to do, but in order to really be happy and free from what's going on in this world we must live through faith. The scripture says; "Stand Fast therefore in the Liberty that Christ has made us free". It means to live freely, but not free in the flesh. Free from worry, free from stress - standing firmly on his word - even when everything else around you is crumbling down. Be free, be happy and try to live through him. Live through your faith and not through your circumstances. Be good...

Natalie

Let's Increase The Need of Mankind

Today I woke up feeling appreciative about life, my life where I've been, where I'm going and where I will end up. However most importantly to me is increasing the need of mankind...helping others and fulfilling God's purpose. Be good to yourself today, take care and take care of your mind, your thoughts and your well being.

Love All
Natalie

How Strong Is Your Faith?

Hey Guys! How many of you have felt like you were fighting this thing called life all alone? Aside from finding love and support in your family and friends, how many of you have still felt alone? Bewildered? Confused at times? I've learned that sometimes God tests your faith and makes himself seem unavailable, absent even, in order to bring you to that next level in life. To ultimately become closer to him. He wants to see how much faith you have. He sits back and watches the way you handle everything. Do you act out, do you hurt others or get angry when you feel this way? I'm telling you that while you are in the dark, while you are in this place of the unknown, never ever stop believing in him. Never ever stop reaching out for him, although I know is hard, but in the end you will see all your questions answered. So keep looking for him because he won't let you down. His eyes are never off you as he is only pruning you and getting you ready for something great, something wonderful! Something he knows you really need. He will never let you go, and when he shows up and shows you what he's had for you all along...you will sit back and smile and say OH so this is what you were doing, you were getting me ready, you were preparing me. I think we will all agree that in these times of the unknown, in these times that you feel left alone, never ever lose your faith. Hang on! Because you're prize is waiting.

Beautiful times ahead...

These past two days have been rather nice out in the NYC and I have been personally enjoying them by sitting and reflecting on what is to come. Are you excited about your life and what lies ahead? I'm sure there is a lot to be concerned about with the economy and the way it is and know we all have our debts and accounts to pay, but if we focus hard enough and look for the solution we can always find the way out. There's always something you can do to help your situation or to make it better. There's always an opportunity to prevail. So today, take a look, study and pay attention to what you can do to make things better and easier in your life. Be blessed!

My ANNUAL Ladies Get Together!

Five years ago I was sitting in my office at ABC Television...working and doing my normal when the spirit inside me just took over. Suddenly I had a burst of Joy! A burst of Happiness! It all just swept over me and I wanted to celebrate it and share it with everyone I knew. I sent out an invite to my girls asking them to come over and celebrate with me. I wanted to celebrate Life, Love and Friendship no matter what they were going through at that time, because remember it is all just for the temporary when you believe and know that things will work out just fine. To this day, every year, I celebrate and LIVE for this day because of that trust and belief that I have in my father. When you know and trust that when things happen to you, they happen for a reason and is always always ALWAYS to your benefit, what else can you worry about? When you know this and live this what can bring you down? What can hold you down? Nothing! But knowing this is key...trusting that you have someone up above working it all out for you, someone whose power is incomprehensible, someone whose love is never failing, who is always working it out for you and working on your behalf - what else can we worry about?...let's just let go, trust and believe that everything will always be OK. Tomorrow is my day to celebrate this belief with my girls! I look forward to seeing you all there. Lets live life to the fullest...let's celebrate his joy...let's celebrate his peace!

Superbowl Weekend - GO SAINTS!

Hey Everyone, Superbowl weekend is here time to get your snacks on, break out your favorite wine selection and relax and unwind with some of your fab friends - a great time to enjoy the snow in the NYC. As most of you may know, I am rooting for the New Orleans Saints...why? Because it is one of the greatest cities I have ever visited in the world. It is at the top of my favorite. The food, the jazz, the restaurants and just the people - not to mention what they have gone through in these last several years, just makes me want to jump up for joy for them. I'm so excited, but will be going against my husband, so we will have to DUKE it out after the game : )!! Enjoy the weekend everyone and remember keep that smile and that great attitude going.

Morning Sunshine

This morning like so many others, brought a new day, new opportunities and a new way of seeing things to my mind. We all get caught up in the day to day struggles of life, our jobs, careers, personal issues, family...relationships, can all bring a strain on our lives...and on our minds - the way we see things the way we interpret things. However, it's for us to find the balance so we can deal with clearly and optimistically. How do we find that balance? We find it in ourselves, we find it by taking a step back and reconnecting with ourselves. Make no mistake when you indulge in the negative and seek out some kind of temporary fix, when you awake it will still be there. Although its hard we have to seek that time alone, meditate, sit in silence and just basically wait on "him"....listen out for him as he's always trying to tell you something new - every day - every moment - every minute there's a new opportunity for you to see! So take a step back today and take care of U.

Coming Together!

Yesterday I had the most fabulous time hosting a dinner with my new extended family. Dana, Devyn and Donna. We enjoyed the joy of coming together, the joy of laughing and the joy of smiling while encouraging and speaking positively into the air. How we all got here...we don't know and could not have planned for, but without waiver and without fear we make no room for - pushing full steam ahead. When looking around at the smiles and the assurance we make only room for celebrating, trusting and having faith. Watching God and how he works has always excited me! He just always has the greater plan and his reasons are always good! I believe that by being open and always expecting the best, leaves us free to the path that he has for us and a way for him to work in our lives. So BE excited about new things today, be excited about change, while loving and embracing each other. It can impact someone's life and be a memory they will never forget. With prayer and using your gut you can never go wrong! So today I celebrate coming together!!! Today I celebrate life...

Going To That Next Level!

How many of us would know when it's time to go to that next level in life? I have been inspired by watching my own life, my life experiences, my life let downs, my choices and ultimately my life comebacks. I don't believe in letting myself off easily when I have fallen or seem to have failed, so I simply use as an opportunity to learn from, take a look at...allow myself to feel, allow myself to feel bad about. It is okay to be hard on yourself. Give yourself that moment to find the good in it...the lesson. You can't always assume that you're right or that its never you...how would you grow? how would you learn? Self examination is always needed with every change or disappointment in life. I believe we can all be successful if we stay focused become a little selfless and choose to learn by taking those blinders off...off of ourselves. Becoming open and hopeful after any disappointment gives you the opportunity to learn more about yourself, what to do differently the next time, instead of focusing on the other. You can't believe where this will lead you. We are all creatures of the natural world, creatures of God and our savior Christ Jesus - let's not take that for granted. So next thing here I come! Let's go. There's no doubt, there's no fear.