Are You Living Your Life To The Fullest?

Recently, I was asked this question:  Are you living your life to the fullest?

My initial response was, “I don’t know.”

You see, I haven’t given it much thought until recently.  I immediately came up with a list of the things I have such as:

• shelter
• A car
• A part-time job (keeps the bill collectors off my back)
• My mom
• Siblings
• Running water (one of the many things we take advantage of)
• Food
• Clothes
• Spouse
• Kids
• Etc.

Then I started thinking of the things I don’t have:

• ?

You notice there is nothing listed.  I drew a complete blank.  That’s when it hit me.   I have more than some and less than most, but I am living…..it may not be completely to the fullest…..I’m breathing!  I have goals!  I am inspired!

Sometimes, we think we know what we want; GOD knows what we need.  What I have found out is; if HE wants you to move outside of your comfort zone, HE will stop at nothing to guide you according to HIS plan and purpose for your life.  When it is your time for prosperity…your season to shine…GOD will let you know in more ways than one.

You can never judge a person by his/her fancy car, nice home, career, or care free life style because you don’t know what he/she went through to get where they are today.  It reminds of the song by Mary – Mary, “The GOD in me.”  You don’t know how much they prayed, gave, or had to give up to live the lifestyle they are currently living.

When I see someone living their life to the fullest (or so it may seem), I say to myself, “If they can do it, so can I.”

It motivates and inspires me to keep travelling the straight and narrow path.  With a lot of obedience and hard work, we can all live life to the fullest!  But, you have to want it!

This Concludes Mimi Jenkins’ Moment Of Truth

Photo: Positive Quotes Gallery

Are You Focused

As I look back over year 2012, I wonder if I have accomplished or at least attempted to put myself out there and be all I could have been by asking myself the following questions:

1. Did I slack in any areas?

2.  Did I work to my full potential towards my goals and dreams?

3.  Do I have any regrets?

Did I slack in any areas?

I think so, at least in the beginning.  You see, a lot of times we think we want something when in reality, we don’t.  We all need money to survive, but will it make us happy or fulfill our every aspect in life?  I have mentioned in a previous blog to go for what you want in life and do what makes you happy as long as it aligns with God’s will.  Sometimes, we tend to miss what we already have right under our noses.  That being said, I love writing and I will continue to write, but I will do so in an inspiring fashion.  There are lots of books and gurus that can tell you how to live your life, but in the end, it is all up to you.  How do you really perceive life?  Could you have done more things to accomplish your dreams?  If so, what you doing about it now?

Did I work to full potential towards my goals and dreams?

Towards the end I did.  You see, it is easy to say, “I want to be a writer.”  What was I doing to pursue my goals?  Did I sit back and wish for it?  Or did I, little by little, start focusing on how I can become a better writer.  What do I need to do in order to get my name out there?  Did I get disappointed every time I viewed my book and didn’t see any reviews?  Of course I did.  But, it only motivated me to keep pressing forward.  It also motivated me to reach out and seek others that I can encourage and uplift who are in my same shoes.  By me giving, I will be able to receive the gifts that God has placed before me.  I have connected with the right people who not only care about their writing, but are willing to help.  It is very important to surround yourself with like-minded people.

Do I have any regrets?

The only regret I have is not pursuing  my goals a lot earlier.  If you have a gift, use it before you lose it.  It took me a while to find my writing voice.  I knew what I wanted to write about and who I wanted to reach out to, it’s just putting those thoughts from pen to paper or from fingers to computer.

Live your life the way God intended you to.  When my mind is in a fog, I refer to Proverbs, 3:5-6 and Psalm 23.

Happy New Year Everyone!

This concludes Mimi Jenkins’ Moment of Truth.

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Too Impatient to Wait…Think Positive

Waiting is something no one likes to do.  You wait in line to dine…you wait in line to see a movie…you wait at the stop light until it turns green…you wait patiently for people to cross the street.  You wait for that promotion that was promised to you and never got.  It seems as if we have  to wait for ever and a day!  When does it stop? 

The answer is ‘never’ because negativity breeds more negativity and in order to get it out of our system, we have to surround ourselves with positive people, positive words, positive thinking, and positive things.  Positiveness has to become a part of how you choose to live your life. 

Not wanting to wait patiently could cause so much frustration not only in you life, but in other lives as well.  It affects the people around you.  So, how do you change from a negative attitude to a positive attitude?

1. Choose to do so.
2. Stay away from strife.
3. If someone comes to you with gossip, quickly change the subject or simply say, “I don’t gossip.”  I say this all the time and it lets people know right off the bat where I stand.
4. Change your friends.
5. Change your normal hang out spot.
6. If someone speaks negative about a person, say something positive about that person.  Never give a gossiper something to talk about…after all, that’s what they do best.
7. If you are at work, have lunch by yourself.
8. Written words to always live by, “Slow to get angry, slow to speak, and quick to listen.”

I have been in situations where two people are feuding and each one will come to me about what the other said.  I quickly tell them to pray about it.  I have been there and done that and it is not fun taking sides.  I have learned the hard way to stay out of it because whatever comes out of your mouth will be used against you in the worse way.

Once you get this positive thing down, you will learn how to wait more patiently.

This concluded Mimi Jenkins’ Moment of Truth.

Take the Bitter with the Sweet

Do not let past mistakes determine your future success.  Mistakes are a big part of finding out who you really are and what you can actually do that will make a huge difference not only in your life, but in someone else’s life as well.  It took me years to accept the fact when people criticize me, they are actually doing me a huge favor.  Criticism motivates me to put my best foot forward.  I get the last laugh by not giving up.

This Concludes Mimi Jenkins’ Moment of Truth.

Trust

Trust is an issue that can and have ruined marriages, friendships, and relationships with family.  I had a difficult time with trusting people.  I think it was because while growing up, within my environment, there was always an issue with trust.  He cheated on her, she cheated on him…to be honest, that was all I saw….mistrust…among family and friends.

Trust is something that if you don’t have, will take its toll on your relationship (s) in a huge way.  I honestly think my lack of trust was because I did not have confidence in myself.  I was insecure and didn’t think I had what it took to make it in this world.  I was so full of doubt and stayed bitter all the time, because I trusted not one person.  I would always compare myself to other women and wonder am I pretty enough, am I thin enough…you get the picture.

In Proverbs (KJV) 3:5-6 Reads the following:

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart, and lean not in unto thine own understanding. In all thy way acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Whenever we doubt ourselves and think no one loves us, GOD does.  You can turn your mistrust into trusting by simply saying these words:

1. I am a child of God’s
2. I trust Him
3. I am beautiful/handsome
4. I am special
5. I believe in myself
6. I have confidence
7. I am loved
8. I am needed
9. I can do all things in Christ which strengthens me
10. I love “me”

Constantly speak something positive about yourself on a daily basis.  And, to that person  you are comparing yourself to, give him/her a compliment.  Trust me, it will make you feel a whole lot better about yourself

This Concludes Mimi Jenkins’ Moment of Truth.

It’s All Good

There are times in life when I wished I had never taken the advice of others; but what can I say, what’s in the past is in the past.  The reason why most of us cannot move forward is because we are stuck in the past.  Dawning on “what ifs” and “if only(s)”.  It gives us great relief to blame somebody else and not wanting to take the responsibilities ourselves.  Just remember this: When you point one finger at someone, the other three are pointing right back at you. 

I understand that some of things are out of our control, but most of what happens to us, we bring on ourselves by not “listening”.  Not listening first of all to God.  But how can you listen to God if no one told you about Him.  How can you listen to God if you never went to Church, or you went to Church and did not understand what the Preacher was talking about?  The latter happened to me.

I went to Church on most Sunday’s as a little girl, but no one ever told me I had to accept Jesus as my Lord and personal Savior.  No one ever told me that I needed to listen to His still voice and remain obedient.  I never knew how to love or to accept someone loving me.  Truth be Told, I was bitter, stayed angry all the time, and did not want any close relationships.

Was I deemed a failure?  Maybe, but for the most part, I was lost.  It was nothing for me to blame someone else for my failure or lack of wisdom.  Hey, it wasn’t my fault no one told me how to live my life according to His purpose. 

One bright and sunny morning, I got up and looked at myself fully in the mirror.  Wondering, why am I the way I am?  Out of nowhere, I received my answers which were:

1.  You are selfish
2. You are sarcastic
3. You are of a jealous nature
4. You are quick to blame someone else
5. You never listen to Me
6. You never talk to Me

Wow, I thought, I am a horrible person.  No, I wasn’t horrible; I was just lead down the wrong path by listening to other people’s advice and not seeking God first.  The answers I received where all “convictions”.  We are loved by God first…He loves us no matter how disobedient and a wreck we are in our lives.  He will tell us what we need to do in order to be blessed. 

Failure is now something I look at as Spiritual growth.  God is trying to tell me something.  But, if we give up because of failure, we will never know what God had planned for us.  As of now, you may be going through changes in your life, count it all “good” because He is working.

This concluded Mimi Jenkins’ Moment of Truth.

Staying Afloat

Staying Afloat

By Mimi Jenkins

When you think all is lost and not a moment to spare, think about those poor lost souls that have given up…given up on life because they didn’t know how to stay afloat.  Not wearing a life jacket to arm yourself against the dangers of this life can surely take your life away. ..away from your loved ones.

No one knows what you go through, but you and GOD so why not hand it over to HIM?  Why not give HIM a chance?  HE has already given you the life jacket, all you have to do is put it on.  Go ahead save your life, I dare you.  I dare you to be different.  I dare you not to be concerned about what others say about you.  I dare you to care about you.

Don’t fret none precious one, you are not the only one going through with what you are going through.  I can almost guarantee someone is hurting more than you, wanting more than you, needing more than you, seeking more than you, and crying more than you.  You are not alone.  Please stay afloat if not for yourself, do it for your loved ones.  Do it for me.

No one has ever told you they loved you?  Well, GOD loves you and I love you; that’s a start.  No one has ever held you tight.  No one has ever comforted you.  No one has ever been a true friend to you.  All that is OK.  Do not put all your trust in man alone…place it all in one basket, GOD’s basket of goodness.  HE takes care of all problems no matter how big or small.

Love yourself, take care of yourself.  Be who you were meant to be.  If you don’t stay afloat, how can GOD use you?  How can people know how good you could have been?  How could you know how good you could have been?  All is not lost my precious.  It is there for you to take.  So go ahead and grab it.  It’s yours.

Trust that you can do it.  Get yourself off the couch, out of the bed and take a long bubble bath.  Think on things that are within your grasp.  Throw away that depression medication; cancel your doctor’s appointment. There is nothing wrong with you, you are just depressed.  Get up and shake it off.  Remember GOD loves you and I love you.  That’s all you need to hear.

Go ahead, give yourself a hug from GOD, and give yourself a hug from me.  You are appreciated, you are cared for, you are precious, and you are placed on this earth for a purpose.

The life jacket will help you stay afloat.  It is your lifeline to GOD   You are never alone.  Now, take a deep breath and tell me how you feel.  Now, doesn’t it feel good to feel loved and wanted?   You don’t always need to feel and physically touch someone or something to feel the energy of love that is warming your heart. You can feel it deep down inside can’t you?

Is that a smile a see?  I think you finally got it.  Precious, in all the things you do, place the LORD first and foremost.  HE will guide you and direct your paths.  No worries alright.  You have friends.  People actually love you, just let them in.  Let GOD in.  Precious, HE has been knocking at your door way too long.  Open it up and invite him in.  Believe you me; HE will surely always keep you afloat.

Mistakes = Growth