Create Your Life

What are your words?

New Year God's Promises Board

We have come to the end of 2012! Woot Woot!

I am sure all of you are familiar with a vision board. Its board of pictures and goals you want to accomplish in a given year; it is a fun reminder to stay focused. I have made them in the past, but as I grow in faith my boards don’t quite seem like enough. Instead of asking God to bless my agenda, I needed to ask him to reveal his purpose for my life.

So this year I made a God’s Promises Board. I made a list of all the things I wanted improve upon and all the ways I saw myself fulfilling God’s purpose. Once I wrote down my affirming statement I wrote a scripture underneath that confirms that statement. I hung it on my bathroom door so that every morning I can read is OUT LOUD the affirmation and the promise. I stress the out loud reading of God’s word because that is when change happens! Excerpt from my board:

 My statement: I am pure love; people's lives are changed just by the evidence of God in my life

Confirmation: “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (John 13:35)

My Statement: God hears my prayers and he knows me

Confirmation: “And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” (Mathew 10:31)

To me this is a daily reminder that aligns my purpose with God’s will. I think it’s a perfect way to start off the New Year and to stay on track for what I am really striving for.

So this year create a God’s Promises Board, Happy New Year!

Rox(i)nspiration: Ameera "Happy Birthday"

One of the biggest reasons I am who I am today is because of my younger sister Ameera. One of the biggest blessings I received from God was her. She is my best friend and confidant. She knows me better than anyone on earth and loves me pass all my crazy flaws.

One of the things that I admire most about Ameera is her heart. She would give her life away to put a smile on someone's face. That type of generosity is one of a kind. She currently works at Time Out Magazine in New York and is beyond talented. Not only is she a gifted writer (check out one of her articles for Paparoxi.com), she is a talented painter and stylist. Her work ethic is unmatched and I am so excited to see all that God has in store for her life.

I just wanted to take a moment and publicly acknowledge one of the biggest influences in my life. She has shaped me in more ways than she knows.

Thank you Amee I love you so much!

<3 Klee 

What your parents never taught you about food…

(Me at age 3)

If I knew then what I know now, my life would have been totally different. It has taken me years of trial and error; of bad diets and weight gain to finally get in the groove of being healthy and maintaining my weight. Now, don’t get me wrong I am glad that I went through my trials they made me better but looking back I wonder what lessons about food I wish I knew. I often think about what values I will instill in my future children about diet and exercise, so they can avoid the pitfalls that I encountered.

Growing up I did not eat horribly, we actually ate pretty healthy. We were never allowed to have sugar, we did not eat red meats or pork, and we ate tons of brown rice and fiber; so where did I go wrong? Despite my parent’s good intentions I feel as though I didn’t understand why I was eating so healthy. I ate what we had at the house and really didn’t learn why these foods were optimal for my health. I was in college when I had my first hamburger and from there it was all downhill. Here are a few lessons I hope to pass on one day:

Don’t eat late. Eating late was a staple growing up; sometimes we would eat dinner at 9:30 PM. I didn’t see anything wrong with it then, however as I aged I noticed I would wake up feeling horrible. I felt weighed down and my digestion was thrown off track. The more I learned, I realized that eating late and going right to bed is a sure fire way to pack on the pounds.

Eat color. While I developed a love of green vegetables as a child I still ate an abundance of meat. It wasn’t until I became an adult that I realized the importance of eating a variety of vegetables and fruits to have an optimal diet. Eating color is now the source of my vitality.

Don’t’ have seconds. I always had seconds as a child. Thank God the food was very healthy. However, when I was in college (and my diet disintegrated) I continued that bad habit of over eating. I really didn’t know what a healthy portion looked like. Instilling portion control in children at an early age helps to build a healthy relationship with food.

Eat Breakfast. Breakfast was never a huge deal growing up. Especially when I got to high school I always remember skipping breakfast. Breakfast is so essential. It kick starts my day and it sets the tone for the healthy eating.

What types of eating habits do you wish you had learned? What lessons have helped you stay fit? What will you teach your children? Share your thoughts and comments. 

Life is a Test. Will you pass?

Photo Courtesy V.Richardson-Guy www.nubiandrifter.com

I can stand here and say firmly as a late 20-something I get it. Yes my short years on this earth as compared to others don't indicate the dept of my wisdom. However, common sense shows me that I only need to get my hand burned by the fire once to realize it is fire (well in my case I've been burned a few times lol). The same is true for life.

We get into patterns and situations that feel very similar to something that has happened to us before. We go through the same scenarios hundreds of times, the characters just change but it all feels the same. Sometimes we ask “Why me?” We blame our surroundings, how we grew up, a series of unfortunate circumstances instead of looking inward. Often we lack self responsibility when we are mad, emotional or having a pity party.

I used to get down all the time. I would cry out to God and ask why was I going through this again? Why am I heart broken? Why am I broke? Why WHY WHY! I demanded answers. Then through God and wisdom I realized that I was being tested. One thing that remained consistent in all of my situations was me. I didn't react differently. When times came up and others were gossiping about someone I joined in, when the opportunity came up to judge people with the infamous line “Well if that was me I would've..” I didn't refrain and when I had to be inconvenienced in the slightest way I always complained. It is in these seemingly insignificant moments in life that we are being tested. Are we ready to move on to the next level of success? Are we ready for real love? Can we handle financial freedom? We are tested on our ability turn the other cheek, our maturity level is tested and we are tested on how we spend money. All of these things reveal the nature of our true character.

I personally battle with all of these test daily. Sometimes I pass and sometimes I fail. Regardless, I am thankful I have the wisdom to know what life's test look like. I will be in the middle of a conversation or about to make a decision and a little voice will say “This is a test.”

I believe that the failure or success of how you navigate life's test do determine to an extent what good and bad comes into your life. However, sometimes we are just tested to build and shape our characters. When its all said and done, I believe the sum of our test in life determine the light or darkness of our spirits when we leave this earth. I remember seeing John Diaz's interview on Oprah's life class; he survived Singapore Airlines Flight 006 plane crash. He was a very pragmatic and straight laced guy. He talked about being pushed back into the burning plane and seeing rows of people burning alive still strapped into their seats. He said some of the bodies had very bright lights leaving them and other had very dim lights. The way he told the story I sincerely believed him, and the story has stuck with me. I know what he saw is the sum of the test in our lives.

What do you think? Are you being tested in life? Love? Career? Success? What was one of the biggest test you have passed or failed? Share your thoughts.