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.

Unforgiveness

 I was at church two Sundays ago. The service was great, but the pastor said something that made me look within myself. When we hold unforgiveness in our hearts it holds us back from blessings that God wants to give us.


For a long time I held unforgivenesss in my heart. I was mad at the people who bad mouthed me, I was mad at the pastor who insulted me at a church. I was hanging on to those hurt feelings and  I allowed that to grow into something that was so big I could not let go of it.

Forgiving someone who has hurt you is never easy, especially for me with all the emotions I go through. But I knew what I had to do. I knew that I could not enter 2018 with that darkness in my heart.

As fate would have it, the following week that same pastor who I had an issue with, came to my church to be a guest speaker. Honestly, I was upset at first but as I sat there trying to block her out, I got a great revelation. I realized in that moment what I had to do and I was given the strength to do it.

After the service ended, I  got up and went straight to that pastor and I said  " I have held on to a lot of  hate and unforgiveness toward you. I want you to know I am sorry and I just asked God to forgive me and I love you".

When I said those words and hugged the pastor in genuine love and peace. I felt like a ten thousand pound load was lifted off me. I came home and I called the names of the people I was holding grudges against and I asked God to forgive me and to help me so I never did that again.

Today, January 4th 2018. I have let go of all unforgiveness that was sitting in my heart and I have decided to forgive. Not necessarily because they deserve it, but because I deserve peace and I deserve to be happy.

When I held onto things it made me bitter and it kept me from fulfilling my destiny. I am happy to LET IT GO.

My hope for this new year is to love, to not take things personally and to forgive. Remember we must forgive so we can be free. Here's hoping for better days for us all. I would like to wish you all a very happy 2018. May God bless and prosper you this year and beyond.

Until next time.
- Latoya.

Out of Time !!!

Last night I went to bed feeling a bit down. I guess we all have those days. But as I've said before, when you have major depression "those days" are almost everyday. As always, I keep faith in God and try to push on with life. This morning, I woke up with a burning desire to say something. So here goes...

We are now out of time. You might be wondering what the heck I'm talking about, let me explain. As a young Christian woman in this world today, I think it's safe to say the end is now. Earthquakes, floods, terrorism, racism, violence and the return of slavery. To an extent, yes the world has gone mad. Mad with money, fame and power. People seem to have lost sight of what is truly important.

I see a world that teaches our young girls how to be promiscuous. I see people with the means to use their voice positively to help others, yet they choose to fatten their own pockets and disregard the calls for help.

When did the world become so selfish? When did it get so bad that we're afraid to be out at night? Well I'm convinced that we live in the last and closing days. Jesus is definitely coming soon. So I just have one question..

Where will you be spending your eternity? I am no millionaire, I am not a supermodel. But I love Jesus Christ and I strive to treat others the way I would like to be treated. Money can't buy you a ticket to heaven. Be kind to people, love and cherish each other. And remember we are almost out of time. Make good choices and know that Jesus loves you. Get it right with God and everything else will fall into place.

I would not be doing my duty if I didn't say this. If you don't know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, just ask him to come into your life and change your heart. Get in a church and I promise you it'll be the best thing you ever do.
God bless you. Until next time.
Latoya.

How to stay positive when you are depressed.

By now it's no secret that I have an ongoing battle with depression and anxiety. As a Christian woman, I sometimes find it difficult to remain positive and keep faith. This is especially so when I'm experiencing some difficulty, physical or otherwise.

As humans, it is innate for us to be happy when things are going well and to be sad when things are not going right. As Christians, we learn to keep hope and faith in our God through the good and the bad times. However, as a depressed Christian, it is not always easy to be cheerful and remain positive when things around you are tumbling down. So what can we do?

Can we be like Job and say "though he slay me, yet will I trust him"?  Or do we curl up in a ball of frustration and anxiety and await death? Well speaking from my experience, some days, I find myself leaning more to one side or the other.

I know my God and I know all the things he has done for me. But sometimes in difficulty, this overwhelming sadness bursts out from inside, and it is so hard to hold on to my faith and to keep hope alive. But this is how I do it....

With depression comes a tiredness that no amount of sleep can fix. Sometimes when things are going well, I am still mentally and physically exhausted. Reading my bible presents a challenge, but I try my best. When I am having difficult days and I feel helpless, I like to listen to some inspirational, gospel praise and worship music and I sing along. This lifts my mood from 0 to 90 almost instantly.

Leaving the house is not something I like doing when I'm having bad days, but I make sure I go to church. Fellowship lifts my spirit and I usually forget about what was bothering me. So my advice is if you're thinking about staying away from church because you're having a rough patch, DON'T!


In the end, all we have is Jesus. I try to remind myself that everything happens for a time, a season and for a specific reason.  Even when I don't understand the things that are happening, I remember I serve a God who is bigger than my problems. And that is how I make it through anything.

Be encouraged today and remember, all things work together for your good. God has not given up on you, your breakthrough will come in perfect timing. Have faith and hold on and if all else fails, remember this:

Psalm 23:1-3
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD, I SHALL NOT WANT. HE MAKES ME TO LIE IN GREEN PASTURES HE LEADS ME BESIDE STILL WATERS. HE RESTORES MY SOUL.

Jesus loves you. Until next time. Take care and God bless.
Latoya

No more migraines! Headache relief in two minutes!

My dad died when I was seven years old. A few years after my dad died, I started having nagging headaches a few times a week. After many tests and doctor visits, I was diagnosed with migraines.
I've been suffering from migraines for many years. Until someone gave me this...

This is shiling oil. It is an external analgesic from Solstice medicine company. I had NO idea what this was, I've never heard of it before. But I am so happy I found it, however, I would not recommend it for young children because this stuff burns like hell.

All you have to do is apply a small amount to your forehead or wherever the pain is and gently massage. I like to put some on my temples and behind my neck. By the time it stops burning, the pain is gone. This has saved me from taking painkillers and helped minimize the time I had to lay down in pain.

The bottle is very tiny and it can be difficult to find in stores. Thankfully, where I live it is available at the pharmacy. I use Shiling oil almost every day and I have recommended it to my family and friends who suffer from headaches as well. This is a product I use and it works for me to relieve migraines and tension headaches. But be prepared for the BURN!

I hope you try it and if you do, let me know if it works for you.

Until next time, God bless.

DISCLAIMER: THIS IS NOT MEDICAL OR NURSING ADVICE. PLEASE SEEK HELP FROM A PHYSICIAN IF YOU SUFFER FROM MIGRAINES.
-Latoya