Positivity: Muting the Case of the Mondays

So, as I build my life as a writer and speaker, I work full-time as an "Assistant Production Coordinator" for a production company here in Hampton. In other words, I'm a receptionist. :-)

Some wouldn't think this job very glamorous, and they'd think right but I must say, I love my job and the people I work with. Besides having the freedom to write and work on my creative life freely, I am constantly supporting a company and individuals who work directly with the likes of Harpo Productions, Discovery Communications and Sony Records to name a few.

In other words, I'm cool by association, even as a measly receptionist.

Truth is, I have over 10 years of experience in administrative support and my heart for serving people helps me to keep things in perspective when I think about the careers that my peers have as full-time artists, educators, etc...

Over the years, God has shown me that my position, wherever I am, goes well beyond answering phones, keeping the calendars of executives and distributing mail. I have embraced my position recognizing the opportunity that I have daily to enhance the lives of those I work with. By simply being ME I am able to meet simple needs of stressed out producers, editors and researchers both in house and around the country.

Prime example: When I answer the phone at work declare, "Happy Monday! Thank you for calling...this is Nina. How may I help you?" *BEAM*

"Happy Monday!" normally catches people off guard. After giving pause, many callers express their appreciation for my enthusiasm!

Every day I seek to make someone's day brighter in whatever way I can, even if that means helping them to get over their "case of the Mondays"! Those who question my energy on Mondays will see that if they call on Tuesday, Wednesday or any other day, I generally share this same energy every morning even though I'm not a "morning person".

My thinking: Why be miserable JUST because it's Monday?

Monday is just ONE of seven days that we get and is a day wasted if we allow it to be. So, we've been told that THIS is how we are to treat Mondays...or how we should let it treat us. Mondays are a part of time which is continuous & out of our control. What we DO with this time is up to us!

How we FEEL about time, in this case, Mondays, is up to US! So, with that being said, HAPPY MONDAY!

Make the most out of every day that you're blessed to live and every task given to your hands!

BE{AM} BE inspired as iAM inspired! #iShineYouShine

6 Day Detox Drop - Smoothie Recipes

Vanilla Blue – Breakfast

½ cup crushed ice (optional)

1 scoop or 4TBSP vanilla protein powder

1 cup frozen or fresh blueberries

1 small banana, sliced

6-8 oz distilled water

Pomegranate Blend – Lunch

½ cup crushed ice (optional)

1 cup frozen or fresh strawberries

1 cup frozen or fresh blueberries

½ cup unsweetened pomegranate juice

1 scoop or 4 TBSP vanilla protein powder

Misty Red – Dinner               

½ cup crushed ice (optional)

2 cup frozen or fresh strawberries

½ cup organic unsweetened orange juice

1 scoop or 4 TBSP vanilla protein powder

Other Smoothie Options

Hawaiian Breeze

½ cup frozen or fresh pineapple chunks

1 small banana

1 scoop or 4 TBSP vanilla protein powder

½ cup original Silk soy milk or non-fat milk (I prefer Rice milk)

¼ cup organic unsweetened orange juice

Soy Smoothie

¾ cup original Silk soy milk or non-fat milk

½ cup fresh or frozen pineapple chunks

½ bananas fresh or frozen

½ scoop or 2 TBSP of vanilla protein powder

Summer Chill Smoothie

1 scoop or 4 TBSP vanilla protein powder

1 cup peeled and seedless red watermelon, cut (fresh or frozen)

¾ cup fresh or frozen blueberries

2 tsp finely chopped fresh ginger

¾ cup distilled water

¾ cup organic unsweetened apple juice

1 TBSP lime juice

Do's of the 6 Day Detox Drop

1.    DO follow through with the Cleansing Ritual twice daily on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes prior to food.  Note: If you get nauseated after the Cleansing Ritual, you may be one of the rare individuals who needs to have something in their stomach prior to the ritual.  If this is the case, eat breakfast first – wait an hour and then do the Cleansing Ritual.

2.       DO drink at least two quarts of distilled water daily

  

DO GET MOVING!!!

6 Day Detox - 15lb Challenge

Looking to kick start a healthier lifestyle?

Every four months or so I send myself through a detox in order to bring some order back into my food life.

I have gained about fifteen pounds in the last two months...what to do, what to do!?

MmmmmmmDROP!

So, here's what I do... Robert Ferguson's 6 Day Detox Drop which is part of the Diet Free Life

I'm not looking to lose the whole 15lbs in the next six days, although, it is quite possible ;-)

6 Day Detox

Days 1-3

Cleansing Ritual (within 10 minutes of rising)

Part 1

4 or 6 oz unsweetened apple juice

1TBSP Psyllium Hulls

1TBSP Aloe Vera juice

Add all 3 to a jar or container with a tight fitting lid. Shake well to mix and drink immediately.

Part 2

8oz distilled water

1TBSP liquid chlorophyll

Add chlorophyll to water and drink. Swallow capsules.

Cup of Green Tea (within 30 minutes of Cleansing Ritual) Decaffeinated, Hot or Cold

Breakfast (at least 30 minutes after Cleansing Ritual) Vanilla Blue Smoothie

Morning Snack (2 to 3 hours after breakfast) 12 oz organic unsweetened carrot juice or 8 oz of unsweetened apple juice

Lunch (2 to 3 hours after Morning Snack) Pomegranate Blend Smoothie

Afternoon Snack (2 to 3 hours after lunch)

Choice: Trader Joe's Carrot Ginger Soup

Low-Sodium Chicken or Vegetable Broth

Men: 2 cups

Women: 1 cup

Evening Cleansing Ritual (at least 2hrs from Afternoon Snack and 30 minutes before Dinner)

Dinner (at least 30 minutes after Cleansing Ritual) Misty Red Smoothie

Evening Snack - Choice: Trader Joe's Carrot Ginger Soup

Low-Sodium Chicken or Vegetable Broth

Men and Women: 1 cup

Evening Tea (1 to 2 hours before bedtime)

*********************************************************************************

Days 4-6 – Are much like the first three days but notice the change in the snacks*

 Cleansing Ritual (within 10 minutes of rising)

Part 1

4 or 6 oz unsweetened apple juice

1TBSP Psyllium Hulls

1TBSP Aloe Vera juice

Add all 3 to a jar or container with a tight fitting lid. Shake well to mix and drink immediately.

Part 2

8oz distiller water

1TBSP liquid chlorophyll

Add chlorophyll to water and drink. Swallow capsules.

Morning Tea (within 30 minutes of Cleansing Ritual)

Breakfast Smoothie (at least 30 minutes after Cleansing Ritual)

*Morning Snack – 1 piece or 1 cup of fresh fruit (2 to 3 hours after Breakfast)

Lunch Smoothie (2 to 3 hours after Morning Snack)

*Afternoon Snack - 1 piece or 1 cup of fresh fruit (2 to 3 hours after Lunch)

Evening Cleansing Ritual (at least 2 hours from Afternoon Snack and 30 minutes before bed)

Dinner (at least 30 minutes after Cleansing Ritual)

Evening Snack (2 to 3 hours after Dinner) – Men and Women 1 cup

Evening Tea (1 to 2 hours before Bedtime) – 1 Cup Decaffeinated Green, Milk Thistle, Ginger or Dandelion Root Tea

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP!!!

Part of my problematic weight gain has also been my lack of activity so...back on the horse uh...trail I go!

GET MOVIN!!!

Spirit vs. Stars - What Rules You?

Hi...my name is Nina, and I'm a Cancer. In this truth, I recognize that I am an emotional, sensitive, energetic, loving, nurturing being who has been known to hide in a hard shell (often a shell of sarcasm) when trouble arises instead of dealing with my emotions.  I’m that sister who seems to have it together and be strong when really, I’m the type to cry over anything and my feelings, get hurt easily. 

“Cancer motto could be, "A good defense is the best offense." Like a Crab in its cave, your attack can consist of baiting your opponent into your territory. What appears to be a retreat to others can be your best aggressive tactic. As you feel your way through life, building your security by developing your home and family relationships, remember that unexpressed anger can turn into resentment and depression, so find someone you can trust and share your feelings.”

Your Biggest Strength: Your ability to nurture others

Your Potential Weakness: Fear of the past repeating in the future

Read more about Cancer here

Hi...my name is Nina and I'm a follower of Christ and am filled with His Spirit.  Because of THIS truth, I am learning that I must make a CONSCIOUS effort to walk according to the Spirit, NOT the stars.

Even when dealing with the most painful feelings, I am learning to walk in love, patience, kindness...to suffer long...to practice self-control (to include emotional responsibility). This is not always easy considering I’ve always been encouraged to express myself. In my adult life, I still find myself seeking a balance between the best and the worst parts of me. This is when walking according to the Spirit is evermore important.

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. ²⁴ And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Math bears truth - Two plus two does indeed equal four.

Science bears truth - Gravity is REAL.

The moon circles the earth. Its pull raises the tide. Its cycle works within women of a certain age.

This is truth.

Astrology bears truth. The stars continuously align while time as we know it continues on and with those alignments, energies from outside of us play a part in being who God created us to be.

The difference between Nina who is a Cancer and Nina who is a child of God is the Truth that I CHOOSE to live according to. No horoscope is going to tell me how my day is going to go when I live according to plan greater than what our natural mind can comprehend. 

Just because my mind doesn't fully understand the equations that make up mathematics, doesn’t make their outcome any less TRUE.

Knowing that my life does indeed align with the stars within Cancer, I also know that my emotions cycle with the moon and that they ebb and flow as the water. In knowing this truth I also know that I must make a concerted effort to not allow the stars to rule me but to always be ruled by the Spirit.

Let us not make excuses for our emotional irresponsibility.  Just as people use the Word to justify their behaviors and ideals, women have been known to use PMS to act like the devil once a month and people use the zodiac to their advantage…or the disadvantage of others.

*puts on churchy voice* Choose ye this day...what will you allow to rule you?

Hear My Call - Standing On the Word

Lord, I thank You for Your word and I stand on that word knowing that You began a good work in me and that You will see it through to the end, to perfection. Philippians 1:6


I only want you glorified in all that I do. As I seek to glorify You, this releases from me any pressure to complete anything by my own strength. I know that I am nothing without You, my Creator, my Redeemer. John 14:13


May Your Light continue to shine through me, even when my natural eyes can't see the path illuminated before me because of doubt. Forgive me Lord for even allowing that doubt to begin to consume my mind. Matthew 5:14-16


Right now, I cast away worry, grief, doubt, every insecurity, every feeling of inadequacy and stand in Your presence giving thanks for being the loving, gracious God that You are. Mark 11:23


May others see Your goodness and love through this very situation at this very moment, may You be glorified. *exhales* ^_^

The Mary and Martha Within

I have been stressed.

Like, so stressed that the details of what the stress has been doing to my physical body is TMI. Lol

I have cried. Cried some more...laughed hysterically until tears overwhelmed me yet again...lost sleep, all because of my stress when it comes to what I know to be the will of God.  My life as a first time author has been exciting and exhilarating yet more stressful than even planning my own wedding just four short years ago.

God has not only provided me with awesome words to share my story, with the world but He's also surrounded this whole project with a collective of individuals who are dedicated to make this experience a great one.  I have still had to do quite a bit on my own but the parts that were out of my hands made the process more stressful than I expected.

But if I have such an amazing team of people working with me to bring 'Dramas of a Bald Head Queen' to fruition, why the stress?  If I trust the connections to truly be divine, why not trust in the Divine One who established said connections to complete the work He began in me so long ago?

Just this morning, I awoke to more doubtful and wearied thoughts.  I found myself getting angry and frustrated again with...myself.

God immediately reminded me that, in order to truly rest in Him, I must place myself in the posture of worshiper.  Even as a servant seeking to do the "greater good", bringing glory to God in the things I do and in walking according to His will, I have failed to walk in that part of servitude where I consciously worship.

Often times when we think of the story of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42), we are able to point the finger at other individuals who we see in church or in our respective ministries who are doing "too much" yet, not enough.  God showed me this morning that this conflict has risen within me, one individual torn between walking in God's will and sitting and taking time to worship.

THIS is where my stress has come from and today, I release it and seek to worship God wholly trusting that the things He's called me to do will be done according to His will and the purpose He's called me to.

So, there are two words for today 1) balance and 2) worship.

We worship God in many ways.  We worship by serving, the giving of our time, talents, ultimately and by walking in obedience.  In this world, we need to find a balance between doing {for God} and being {with God}.

Today Lord, I worship You with my heart, with my presence, with my communion with You. I love You and release the stresses that are present only in my mind and rest in You.  Amen. *BEAM*

$1150 Testimony - Priceless

The other day I had lunch with my friend and event planner to continue confirming plans to celebrate the release of my first book, 'Dramas of a Bald Head Queen'I told her how this whole process feels similar to the energy and process of planning my wedding. I also shared with her the story about how the Lord literally handed me $1150 cash just weeks before my wedding day.

I was living in a dormitory on campus at Hampton University where I was then working as a residence hall director. Since I didn't sign up to work that summer, I was off but my building was still being used to house special groups for weeks at a time during the summer.

We still had to buy last minute odds and ends, pay the caterer and pay the Magnolia House Inn where we had arranged to stay our wedding night. Raphael and I remained prayerful and relaxed trusting that we had done everything we knew to do.  We are both tithers/givers and in doing so, stand EXPECTING God to do what His Word says.  We stood trusting that He would do as He said He would and did a pretty good job at not doubting.

So, three weeks before the wedding a group of 50 or so youth and 6-8 Chaperones from the Eastern Shore of Virginia came to stay in my building. Things were quiet the four days they were there and after they turned in keys and departed, I simply had to go through and do a sweep of the building, opening the doors of the rooms they occupied so that housekeeping could come in to clean.

After getting to the third closed door, I use my master key to unlock it, briefly glancing in the room when I noticed something on one of the beds. I entered the room to find...sitting there, neatly and untouched in the middle of the bed, a stack of money. Ten $100 bills and three $50. 

*PAUSE*

I quickly put the money in my pocket and headed back to my apartment to call Raphael. I knew that no one had been in the building since the group left so we decided to hold on to the money so none of the housekeepers could try to claim it as theirs. Thinking that one of the adults maybe left the money by accident (in no envelop, in an EMPTY room...?) I put a sign on my office door "If you were with *group name* and left anything behind, please call me at..." 

No one ever came. No one ever called. 

I contacted the special events office on campus to inquire as to whether anyone from the group contacted them to report anything lost. Nothing.

We waited a full seven days deciding to pay our tithes and keep it moving! Lol

$1150 CASH. Seemingly out of the blue.

That was just four short years ago and although I don't expect God to move in the exact same way, I have no doubt that He will bring the vision for this event to pass, just as He did with my wedding!

*BEAM*