You changed my life

Dear stranger,

I sit quietly and I observe you. I sit quietly and I take in the positive energy that exudes from you.

You inspire me without saying a word to me. Your existence makes me want to be better, a better Christian a better person. You motivate me to want better for myself and those around me.

I sit and I wonder how a perfect stranger can impact my life in such a way.

I go to bed happy and I wake up smiling. You inspire me just by being you.

Dear stranger, thank you.


Sometimes in life, we put down ourselves. We doubt our abilities and our talents. I will not be ashamed of my life experiences. Every tear shed, evey internal battle made me who I am today. Depression doesn't mean you are mad. Depression doesn't mean you can't live a fulfilled life. I refuse to feel guilty about the things that shaped the person I am today. I thank God for where he has brought me from. Be encouraged today. And remember whatever you are facing today. This too, shall pass.

God bless you. Until next time.

Latoya

L I F E

This morning I woke up with a joy that exuded from deep within my soul. Not that everything in my life is perfect. But I've had so much change in my life in a matter of months. Changes that make me want to be a better human being, a better Christian, just better.

Sometimes we question the path we are walking and the circumstances or choices that lead us here. I am a firm believer in the statement "Everything happens for a reason". If I wasn't diagnosed with MDD seven years ago, my life would have been so different. But I am grateful for the cards I have been dealt, it has allowed me to discover my self. I now realize that I was merely existing. I was going through a routine that was acceptable to today's society, yet I had no idea who I was or what I wanted.

Over the past seven years, I have met and interacted with people I never would have known if my life remained the way it was. Each one of those human interactions was necessary for me to be who I am today. I've discovered new talents. I know my likes and dislikes. For the first time, I can say I know who I am. 

I am beyond happy today. I am encouraged in my faith. I know my God and I will not be afraid. My relationship with God has flourished. I feel confident and comfortable with myself and with my walk with Christ. And I will always strive to improve that relationship daily. 

This morning was the funeral service of an elderly woman I knew from a church I used to go to. I think about her life and I wonder if she was content. Was she happy, did she do everything she wanted to do? I don't have the answer to those questions. But I do know that no one knows when they will die. Things happen suddenly sometimes that can turn our world upside down. 

When we conform to what is considered socially acceptable by our peers, our family or random inquisitive people, we slowly kill ourselves from the inside. I have no idea what tomorrow will bring, but I know who holds all my tomorrows. I will never give up. I will keep dreaming. I will continue advocating, I will help as best as I can. But most importantly, I will do the things that make me happy. Because life is short and precious. 

I will speak my truths. I will tell my family I love them. And at the risk of rejection, I will tell someone when I have unintentionally imprinted on them. I will learn, I will love, I will grow. 

Be encouraged today, enjoy the little moments. 

Pray more than you complain. Compliment more than you criticize. Encourage more than you discourage. And HAVE FAITH! 

I pray that God will turn situations in your favor and may you receive your heart's desires. Until next time remember that nothing you have been through will be wasted. God bless you.

- Latoya

What are you obsessed with ???

Some time last week I was reflecting on my life and a few  things came to mind. I was able to note that there were many "phases" I went through from childhood to now. Each phase at one time or the other was fixated on an object or a person.

I was very different from the other kids when I was a child, I never liked dolls or teddy bears. But I was very much fixated on the power rangers . Which seems innocent, but it was almost ritualistic to watch every episode and pretend to be the pink ranger.

As a teen, I was in puppy love with Justin Timberlake (Weren't we all). But it never stopped there, I kept shifting that "obsession" from celebrity to tv show to real life crushes. Which again seems normal for teenagers.

As an young adult I was still very much figuring out life and love. As a 21 yr old I made a lot of mistakes and I kept placing all of my energy and attention on someone I liked. Growing up in a Christian home, I knew what was expected of me, yet I never seemed to find time to read my bible or pray. But I was always available to chat on the phone or hang out at a friend's house.


Having had a few years of trials and tribulations, I have had sufficient time to mature and grow as a Christian woman. I had no choice but to grow up, I had no choice but to put God first because my life was falling apart around me.


So after reflecting on my life last week, one question remained in my spirit.... Latoya ,what are you obsessed with? Are we obsessed with money, our house or cars, our husbands/wives, boyfriends/girlfriends, our kids?

I heard my pastor say, the thing that keeps you away from God, is the same thing God will remove. Don't make excuses when it comes to God. Put God first in everything and he will protect and keep the things we love. We must not love these "things" more than we love our God.

Today I challenge you to look within yourself and ask...What am I obsessed with? If God isn't the first on your list, change it before it's too late. Many times we wonder why certain relationships or friendships did not work out. Maybe it was because we focused more on them, than on the things of God.

Let us learn from each other and live in humility, serving God and others. God bless you and thank you for reading. Please subscribe to my blog. Check out my Ebooks. Follow me on Instagram and Twitter. Until next time....

- Latoya.