Hey Fam! I hope you are doing well. Just wanted to share something with you. So, during the pandemic and actually a year before that when I bought my house, I picked up a new hobby. I started cooking and learning new recipes. I cooked more of course like a lot of us did during the pandemic but now I still find myself cooking more than I have in the past. I recently picked up a new kitchen gadget. After being at the gym and watching the famous informercial, they won me over. I was on the treadmill running and watching the ninja people talk about this Ninja XL Pro 7 in 1. I decided to do a unboxing of it and will be giving a review on it as well. You can watch the video below. This product has been a treat for me because you get to be up close and personal with your food, especially if you are experimenting with a new recipe. Enjoy!
My Unboxing of the Ninja Foodi XL Pro 7 in 1 Grill & Griddle
So it’s that time again already. I can’t believe that my birthday is in 2 days and I’ll be 31. Seems like 6 months ago I was dreading of turning 30. At the time it seemed like some huge shoes to fill. I was thinking that I should had been further along. You know you start out with plans for your life and then life actually starts to take its place and before you know it, you’re turning 30.
Year 30 was amazing for me. I learned a lot about myself, character, and my calling/ destiny. You know sometimes you can spend a portion of your life working a job or in a certain area, and you think that’s what you’re suppose to be doing and you begin to just settle there for a while. In the back of your head you tell yourself, I’m going back to school next year, and the next year turns into 2, 3 and 5. I just want to share some things that I’ve learned over the last year that stretched me and got me to a better place.
1. I have the Power to change my situation
Year 30 truly gave me some super powers. In my 20s I would always find myself feeling stuck. Feeling stuck on a job or working on a project that I know I didn’t want to be doing because it wasn’t doing it for me. Man… When 30 hit, I gained a new perspective for being ok to admit that this isn’t what i want and now I need to make a change. The first step to this process is actually admitting where you went wrong or what wrong decision you chose lead you down this path. Be ok with saying this isn’t working, then change it. It’s a loaded one but it’s just that simple do a 180.
2. Let “Yes” and “No” become your Portion 🙌🏾
Let me tell you how over the last year this has blessed me and kept me from putting myself in places I really didn’t want to be in or in conversations I wasn’t interested in. Over the past year, I’ve said more No’s then yes. Like I said earlier I figured out what I wanted and where I’m headed and I had to understand that everything someone brings to you isn’t always good for you. Even if it involves your gift, talent, or niche. When I agreed and said yes, My entire being jumped on board to deliver and get the job done. There’s been so many times I’ve said Yes to something that I didn’t want to do but instead of hurting someone’s feelings with a simple clean cut “no” I would say yes, but and then who ends up in their feelings at the end of the day, Me.
3. Protect your Peace
Family, at all cost protect your peace. My mom would always remind me that you have one life so do your best to keep it while you’re alive. This past year, 30 has taught me to be able to put the phone down. Place it on DND. Get to figure out who Brandon is. Get rid of the extra added on stress that you put on yourself. So yes, there’s been unanswered calls, text messages, and emails left until I had time to get to them. I stayed away from drama that didn’t involve me and even the stuff that did involve me, I gave my regards and if that didn’t help it, I left it there. I learned how to not get overwhelmed with everybody’s cares and to make sure that Brandon was healthy. I can’t be sick trying to get you well or help you. Broken people cannot help broken people.
4. Make a decision and stand on it, even if it goes south. Ultimately make a decision.
This one was big for me. For some reason when 30 kicked in it gave me a new level of authority. As apart of my yes and no, I made the decision and stood on it. Even if I backfired. I used to be a person that always was in the middle of things. Maybe this, maybe that. Instead of a yes, or no. This past year has taught me to be ok with making mistakes. BUT make a decision. That’s the only way you’ll get to see if there will be a mistake or success.
5. Life is too short, apologizeand keep it moving
With Covid-19 shifting our nation and everyday life. The last thing we need is a grudge that could have been broken with a simple sorry. I’ve learned during this season to be more sympathetic to people and just simply love on them. God is love. Life is too short, it’s just a vapor. I’ve been able to gain back rightful places of friendships with an apology because I realized that I’m not perfect, and never will be. Although, some relationships are still a work in place, I dare not let it make me stagnant from moving forward.
6. I am blessed beyond measure
Mannnn when I tell you how God has blessed me and kept me over this past year. He allowed me to continue working without missing a meal, or a mortgage payment. I truly thank God for blessing me and being my ultimate resource. I also thank him for the gift he’s put in me to give him glory. As a matter of fact if you’re reading this, I want you to take a moment and to thank God for blessing you with his breath of Life.
Good Morning Family! I pray that everyone is doing well and making it through. I Just wanted to share some Encouragement today for someone that might need some and also may need to read some fresh perspective.
I was given the task to preach a sermon a couple of months, and God downloaded a word in my spirit and the basis of the word was “perspective”. I’ve talked about this briefly. This word has really carried me through since March until now. There’s been so much going on in our world, from pandemic (Covid), killings, riots, and racial tension. Honestly, if I could be honest, I became overwhelmed and checked out a few times to get myself together. I am a man of Faith and know that there is power in prayer, and that God is a all knowing as well. He is not surprised by anything. I often picture God, sitting in his nice comfy chair watching his masterpiece movie play out, while he’s holding the stars in place inhaling and exhaling. Ya’ll let me have my Disney moment!!! But, he’s all knowing, and always present. So when you take it from this perspective you must question why am I still here? I’m alive and that means there is need for me here. If your work was finished I honestly believe that we wouldn’t be here. We all were created for a purpose and it is up to us to find that purpose on our journey called life. Now hold that thought.
I’ve titled this post “Keeping the Faith” because when storms and trials of life come, the first thing we do is lose faith on those things we are believing for or working towards, but I want to declare to you to shift your perspective. It is not over and there is still time to go back to the drawing board. I’ve seen so many people use this time wisely and shift. They shifted from doing things the so called normal way from in person meetings to making things virtual and not missing a beat. Our churches for example. I’ve seen a lot of churches get on board with their online presence and take advantage of technology the best way they could and I’ve seen some do the bare minimum because they just think it was that important and they just wanted to decide to wait until it’s Safe to go back inside the 4 walls of a building as if God didn’t know that a Pandemic would occur. I’m always reminded of the scripture that says “he who win souls is wise”. Proverbs 11:30 and with the help of technology, WiFi, and cameras The service and ministry never had to stop unless we want it too. This may have called for us to stop doing things the same old way and develop new ways of doing ministry. We must SHIFT. Shifting perspective gives you a different a view of the situation. Shifting perspective will help you keep the faith during a Pandemic. If you are only bound by what you see in front of you and are constantly magnifying what you hear from the news and your peers, You won’t get the chance to utilize faith to go against the grain. This is the most valuable time for the church. The world is seeking healing, deliverance, and salvation and if we can’t shift and bring Faith to them because were not willing to shift, then are we really spreading Faith and Hope to a dying world?
So I challenge you to shift and realign your Faith. No, I this isn’t the correct formula but I do know that God has a purpose and plan for us and if we would just have faith to follow and endure We will get through this. I want to encourage with 3 nuggets on how you can keep the Faith during these times.
1. Check your Circle and keep like minded people in your circle who want the same thing as you.
Get rid of the negative conversations and complainers. Yes, we all know what is going on but if we want to shift and rise above it. We must start having the conversations about solutions. If these conversations can’t be made within your circle then it might be time to shift your circle.
2. Stay prayerful and connected to people of Faith “Church”
We must stay built up by keeping the full armor of salvation on at all times. Do it when you don’t want to. Stay in the presence of God. It will keep you and it will keep your mind focused. Start your day with devotion (prayer and scripture) and watch how much better your day unfolds.
3. Make time for reflection and Gratitude
Take inventory of your many blessings and things you have to be grateful for. We often take the little things for granted. Your little thing is someone’s big thing. Be Grateful. Take time and jot down a list of things that you are grateful for. Putting these things before you will help you continue on your journey of keeping the Faith.
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