Do it!

Happy Sunday AKA beginning of the week!

This has been a very interesting year for me. I have gone through a lot of changes, some good, some bad and some that I’m unable to title yet… Lol

This month I celebrated my 20+12 birthday, which I’m so grateful for. I have learned a lot about myself throughout the course of this year, and I’ve also learned a lot about the people in my circle. I’d like to share a few of those things with you, and I pray that you find them useful.

1. Don’t forsake life’s simple pleasures
We are blessed beyond measure! Think about it, to have things like, hot water, clean socks, food in the refrigerator, a phone to call loved ones, blankets for your warm bed at night, the freedom of speech, a hot meal, clean water to drink, money to buy gas for your car or money to catch the bus and life itself. Take time everyday to appreciate the blessings that God has given you, and make sure you share some of those blessings too!

2. Only God can change man’s heart
This is something that I continually battle with. When I love someone and I see that they are making bad choices or doing things that are destructive, I immediately want to jump in, offer my advice and a helping hand. Well, the truth of the matter is sometimes you have to allow people to walk their own path, and pray that God will do “something”; we know that whatever God does will be good and perfect, so we have to leave it in His hands. Don’t stress yourself out trying to change people, let me say that again, don’t stress yourself out trying to change people. There are a few things that we can do in these instances, pray, and try to be the best example we can, and if or when they ask for your help be there for them. Let Go & Let God!

3. Do it!
The New Year is approaching very fast. It seems like just yesterday it was January 1st, and we had about 364 days to get so much done… Well now we have about 47 days left this year. What are you going to do? How will you finish this year out? What will you accomplish? What will you start? What will you procrastinate about? It’s totally up to us. Each day that God wakes us up, I’d like to think of it as Him say “Today is a new day for you to execute all of those dreams, plans, and ideas that I have placed inside of you.” Are you taking advantage of the day, or are you being lackadaisical? You can’t change what you ignore or neglect. If you’re tired of your current condition in life DO something about it. Stop complaining and DO, stop pointing the finger and DO, stop blaming and DO! Ask for help if you need it, don’t be too prideful. Only you CAN DO!


Live strong, Love hard & Laugh loud!

XO,
Khalilah

The Power of One Thing: How to Intentionally Change Your Life

I just read this article! (The link is below)

You can change the course of your life, if you set out to do it intentionally!

Enjoy!

http://www.crosswalk.com/careers/11609609/

"Change Made Simple"

Welcome to my blog "Change Made Simple"! Change is inevitable, so we should all try to make lasting changes to the best of our ability, that are meaningful and worthwhile! This blog is dedicated to doing just that, embracing change with our hearts, minds, and arms wide open. I feel blessed and privileged to be able to share my thoughts, concerns, likes and dislikes, as well as my life experiences with you. I pray that you will read something meaningful here, something that you’ll be able to carry with on your journey into becoming the person that God intended for you to be!

Thank you for visiting.

Special thanks to Kelly @ Fabulous K Creative (http://www.fabulouskcreative.com/) for making my vision a reality!

Enjoy,
Khalilah

Re-evalute

1/27/10

There comes a time in life when we all (ME!) must re-evaluate the people, things, commitments and priorities in our lives. Although this process can be uncomfortable and a bit stressful, it is necessary!

I call this process PRUNING!


Check out my amended definition! =)

Pruning is the process of removing certain above-ground elements from a plant (Life); in landscaping this process usually involves removal of diseased, non-productive, dead or otherwise unwanted portions from a plant (Life). In nature, certain meteorological conditions such as wind, snow or seawater mist can conduct a natural pruning process. (In life, God allows certain conditions such as disappointments; unforeseen changes good or bad to alert us that we need to begin the pruning process).

I believe that there are times that we know we should prune but we don’t want to deal with the work associated with doing it. Be that mentally, physically, or emotionally…

My advice is re-evaluate and prune!

The pruning process allows you to grow mentally, physically, and emotionally; it’s something that you must do for you! The results will be astounding.

Happy Pruning!! =)

Face your fears

01/13/10

Have you ever heard of the saying "You can’t conquer what you don’t confront!”? If not, you have now! =)

I love this saying because it’s so true… Naturally, we love to avoid and look over things… We know that chores need to be done and we procrastinate, or we may need to balance our checkbook, and we decide to do it later… or how about re-organizing that close, or cleaning out the garage or basement. Some of us may be facing even more serious situations, such as employment issues, family or friendship troubles or deeper more serious internal issues.

Whatever the issue is, I’d like to admonish you to FACE IT! Sometimes when we allow things to fester in our minds they become a bit more complicated in our heads than they would be if we would just let them out and deal with them. In this new year of 2010, I pray that you have the courage and strength that you need to face your fears! It wont be easy, but it is POSSIBLE!

■If you know that you have a dream inside of you that is burning like a fire… Take the first step… That may be just writing the vision or dream down on paper.


■If you know that you’d like to lose some weight… Take the first step… Do a work out tape at home, or even better if you’re a member at a gym that you’re paying a membership for but haven’t frequented lately… Get there and
work it out!!! =)


■If you want a better job… Start working on your resumé and then post it online and apply for a few positions… Know that you are valuable and you deserve more.


■If you have a toxic relationship in your life… Be honest with yourself and then be honest with that person. Maybe this person shouldn’t be involved in your “inner circle” (It’s Purging Time!) and don’t feel bad about making decisions that are best for “YOU” - “People do what you allow them to do to you!”. It can be your your boss, co-worker, mom, dad, sister, brother, child, or friend… REMEMBER… They do what you allow! Think about that!


■Say NO… If you’re the type of person that is fearful of what people may say of think and you often put yourself waaaayyy out there to satisfy others… SHOUT NO!!!! =)


■Are you feeling depressed or discouraged? Try journaling your thoughts, surrounding yourself with positive people, or talking to someone that you can trust and confide in (a counselor, pastor, close friend or relative)


■Or maybe you are facing financial troubles….Maybe you are unable to pay your bills and this is stressing you out. You may be fearful of losing your home, car, or job… My advice would be to call and speak to your creditors. Maybe they can defer a payment for you or maybe they can put you on a payment arrangement. Take a look at your local state government website to see if they have any programs that may be able to help you out.

Remember at the end of the day, you’re the only person that can control your fearfulness and unhappiness… Circumstances and money don’t create happiness… They make things a little easier in some cases, but they don’t create happiness (Just look at the many depressed ”celebrities”…).

Today is the day to take charge, face your fears and set the course so that you have a great year!

Happy NEW YEAR!

When life gives you lemons...

10/01/2009

In life you will experience many ups and downs… How will you handle them? Will you sit back and allow defeat to run it’s course in your life, or will you squeeze that lemon, add some sugar and water to it and make a glass of refreshing lemonade?

The choice is your’s! We are all faced with difficulites, road blocks, boulders and detours! These can range from the loss of a job, financial trouble, car trouble, family issues, health issues or any other issue that makes you want to throw in the towel. What I advise is that you cancel your subscriptions to those issues… IMMEDIATELY!

The key is to take a moment and be thankful! Yeeeaaaah… I know that may sounds like a cliche… and you may be wondering… “Be thankful for what…?” How about being thankful for “LIFE” itself! The fact of the matter is that you are here to experience another day! You are here to conquer this test or trail… You are here to triumph over this… You are here to encourage someone else (Even if it’s in the future… You can then say ” I’ve been through that and this is how I succeeded”)

Choosing to have the right attitude can help you to think clearly in stressful circumstances, it can also change your outlook on things.

Remember when life gives you lemons… Make sweet refreshing lemonade and enjoy! =)

Stay the course!

09/26/09

Stay the course!

Good Afternoon! Today I want to remind you to stay the course. Remember small changes do add up; over time not overnight!

With everything going on in our busy lives it is so easy to get distracted or even discouraged when things seem as though they are taking too long or if you stray off course a little tiny bit (Double chocolate brownie sundae with extra whipped cream!!!). =)

Don’t allow these small setbacks to keep you from reaching your desired goals! Allow yourself the flexibility to deviate off track a little bit… and I do mean a little bit… But do it with moderation… Have self control. Let’s say you want a Hershey with almonds… Well… Go ahead, eat it… But eat half instead of the whole thing (Just don’t eat half a bar a day!) You’ll be delightfully surprised of the internal gratification! On the other hand there will be times that you’ll need to deny yourself that instant sugar gratification… But again… You’ll be amazed by the way you feel after you began dictating to your body what will and will not happen!! You are the boss not your stomach, eyes, taste buds or feelings! Take charge!

This principle can be applied to every area of your life… Remember small changes = BIG results! Sucess is determined by how YOU handle setbacks!

YOU CAN DO IT!! Stay encouraged! =)

Make it count

09/21/09

Happy Friday! =)

The week has ended and I am excited about the weekend. This weekend I plan on cultivating my “green side”, I will be recycling plastics and magazines! I will also take the time to smell a flower or two! (Remember every little bit helps)

I hope that you too will evaluate your environment and see what you can do this weekend to promote change!

Here are a few things tips to help you!

■Take 30 minute walk
■Embrace change… it’s not always bad! =)
■Drink more water and less soda
■Eat a piece of fruit instead of chips or sweets i.e cookies, muffins etc.
■Read a book instead of watching television
■Sit quietly and allow your mind and body to calm down
■Recycle something =)
■Go to the gym
■Volunteer
■Help someone
■Smile more
■Smell a flower
■Call a friend that you haven’t spoken to in a while

Live your life to the fullest this weekend, Make it count!

Change is simple

09/20/09

Well… Today has been a pleasantly interesting day… of all of the things that have presented themselves today… I’d like to share one, I’ll call it "An evening thought provoker".

This is a quote from Bob Moorehead’s Words Aptly Spoken, Kirkland, Walsh.; Overlake Christian Bookstore, 1995

The Paradox of Our Age

“The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgment; more experts, yet more problems; more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life. We’ve added years to life not life to years. We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space.
We’ve done larger things, but not better things.

We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We’ve conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.”

Change is simple. If we purposefully change our thoughts, and allow our new thoughts to affect our actions… We can effectively impact the world!



Have a wonderful night! =)

Be Realistic!

09/18/09

Good Morning!!! =) Today I awake a little later than usual… I got in a late last night and couldn’t bring myself to get up this morning to go to the gym (BTW: Dinner with my friend was excellent!!). But, it’s okay… I will not beat myself up for not going. I simply packed my bag this morning to attend an evening kickboxing class in my neighborhood that is FREE!!! So after work I’ll be kickin’ like Billy Blanks! =)

(TIP: Take advantage of the many free classes that are available at your local schools, gyms and community centers… They’re a great way to meet new people and stay motivated while working out… and the best part is… Yes, you guessed it THEY ARE FREE!!!)

Food for thought: Don’t set unrealistic goals for yourself… Setting unrealistic goals are a form of self torture that manifest depression and bring forth failure. Do what you can do… and do it to the best of your ability! (You know what your capable of doing and what works best for YOU) I’m not saying not to strive to do better or to condition yourself to overcome bad habits… I’m saying don’t tell yourself that you will run 5 miles at 5am in the morning and you have to be to work and get your family ready for the day by 8:30am… Because although you may have every intention of completing this task, if you don’t complete it… You’ll feel like a loser (Note: That I said feel like, not that you are) Don’t allow these unrealistic goals to creep up and steal your joy! DO WHAT YOU CAN! YOU ARE VICTORIOUS!

Square Business

8/17/09

I woke up today around 6am and I lie in bed wondering whether or not I should go to the gym… Many negative thoughts danced through my mind… It’s too late…I’ll start fresh tomorrow… I won’t get anything done within this short amount of time and blah blah blah…

Still lying in the bed I turned on the television and began watching Joyce Meyer… She was talking about changing yourself from the inside out… And suddenly it hit me like a brick! I am always mumbling and complaining about the things that I’d like to change… and that’s it... I mumble and complain… and mumble and complain… So I hopped out of bed and headed to the gym!

As I got into the car and turned the radio on Square Biz By Teena Marie was playing… So I cranked it up LOUD! Being outside felt great, I felt empowered and renewed!!

When I got to the gym I worked out for 30 minutes, and did 2 miles on the elliptical! I figured; hey, it’s better than nothing at all! Workout done! Now I have my whole evening to do whatever I want… Yay!!!!

So this evening, I will be taking one of my good friends out to dinner for her birthday! Without the regret or remorse of not working out!

Remember change begins with making a choice and following through with it. Slowly but surely step by step you’ll see results! As my father would say “If you always do what you’ve always done… you’ll always have what you have now!”

Have a great day! =)