by STRONG | Jul 2, 2015 | Faith + Expressions
Vision is so important in this lifetime and it ignites a passion within me when I hear or read something great in reference to vision. Embracing your vision for your life is a good topic to start with and I feel this should be a three part deal; embrace your vision, build your vision, and execute your vision…so without further delay, today’s message is about embracing the vision of your life. (You may really want to check your excuses at the door before continuing).
Your life has purpose. We are created for a reason and our vision can be the driving force between where we go or staying in the same place. I was listening to a sermon by a minister who was blind. He may have had a disability that prevented him from seeing the outside world, but his vision for his life was greater than any ability to see. I may never forget the most powerful words he spoke, primarily the saying, “lack of vision is worse than blindness”. Here is a man who cannot see telling others that if you have no vision for your life, then you are worse off than he will ever be. That was rather powerful to hear.
He went on to mention the feats he was able to accomplish to get him to his purpose. He received a doctorate degree, published a book, and is a motivational speaker that travels the world. People never thought he would finish high school, let alone accomplish what things he’s already done. I mean talk about obliterating the excuses I could ever use after hearing someone overcome the impossible. Certainly, if he wanted to, if any of us wanted to, then we would be able to conjure up an excuse to remain without vision, without drive, without purpose. However, having a ridiculous amount of faith and bright vision, then there is no room for excuses.
Although he has much to be grateful for with the victories he won through Christ, his vision is still brighter than ever and he still moves forward. Vision can do that for your life. Vision says that there is light at the end of every tunnel. Working towards your vision you need to remove excuses and doubts and focus on the brightness up ahead. Vision gives you insight even if your natural sight is obsolete.
If it is your dream, then stop putting it off to the side like it has no meaning. Embrace what you are created to do. It does not always have to be the most comfortable thing, but it is the thing that gives you purpose. You will build your confidence once you embrace what your vision is. The evening may seem dark, but light always proceeds the night. Your situation may look impossible compared to your dream, but weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5). Stick with your vision, it is the hope of a brighter tomorrow. If you have a dream for your life, then embrace your vision. Do not let what looks impossible prevent you from accomplishing all that God has put inside of you.
Embrace your vision!
Ruthann is a the founder of the social enterprise, Just Be Confident. Her mission is to help women learn how to build their confidence and execute their vision. Ruthann is dedicated to a lifetime of learning and helping others by teaching, writing, and motivational speaking. Connect w/ Ruthann: E-mail: rpmdesigns88@gmail.com
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by STRONG | Jul 2, 2015 | Learn + Grow
Music is said to be the universal language. It is said to transcend all boundaries and speak words often unspoken. However, it is the beat that speaks to the soul, the very heart of the person listening. You can feel the beat before any word is said or any hook comes on and it resonates with you. It can be a simple “ooooh that’s my song” , a hand in the air or a clap of your hands. So, the question is how do you take the feeling a favorite song gives you and make your life feel the same way? It’s simple you find your beat! Your beat is unique to you it is a sound that only comes from you. There are 3 simple steps to finding your beat:
1. Test your rhythm: When you are faced with a decision do you immediately seek outside help before ever pondering the idea yourself? Do you act first and consult later or do you come to an understanding then reference people or materials before finalizing your decision?
2. Lay your vocals: When you speak do you hear your voice first, is it drowned out by others or does it appear to be silent or non-existent?
3. Bring the beat in: When you hear the beat does it complement your sound, overpower your vocals or manipulate the vibe you were initially trying to achieve?
These steps translate into method of understanding who we are and who we are not. Lets look at “Test Your Rhythm”, when you are pondering over decision or evaluating an outcome you should look at the process that got your there. When you were first faced with a decision did you turn inward or outward? If you immediately checked with yourself first, you have a basic handle on understanding your beat. Meaning you value your own opinion or view first, not searching for someone to tell you what to think, feel or say. If you immediately went to a person or resource (book) you are in the seeking phase of finding your beat. You are unsure of your personal power, this is clear from the lack of self reflection first. You value your opinion secondary to that of someone or something you respect. In order to find your beat, you have to dig inside and pull up all the self doubt, fear, labels, uncertainty, love, inspiration and any other emotion you feel to the surface. In this process you begin to “Lay Your Vocals.
During the process of laying your vocals you hone in on your true authentic voice, what it sounds like, when, where and how you project it. All the emotions you have drudged up become noise and it is your job to put it into words. Take your pad and pen and write down everything that is bothering you, everything that brings you joy, what you value and what weighs you down. Once you have all four list go line by line, word by word and ask yourself two questions 1. Is this my voice I hear or it it that of someone who has poured into me (doesn’t matter if you feel it’s good or bad)? 2. How much of my life am I owning and how are my actions being translated to others?
The first question is designed to make you confront the things in your life that you bring to the table and those that have been self-imposed due to someone or something else. Through this question you should be able to identify if your voice is the main feature or the background vocals.
If it’s the main feature you have two major things to address power and balance. When you have a pretty good handle on your voice you might be closed off to hearing others opinions, this is not to be confused with searching for validation. Being able to filter what others pour into your life and balance that with your own personal power is necessary for the vocal portions of your track. The ability to give and receive creates crisp vocals without a lot of reverb or feedback, ensuring that you are always the main feature on your track.
If you are the background vocals on your track the two major things you need to address are confidence and fear. Background vocals are often said to be the secret star, but they fear the spotlight shining directly on them, so they “play the background”. In your life, “playing the background” is not an option. You have to take the reigns of the things that you did not invite and fall in love with the confidence that resides among the sound barriers that you have placed on yourself. You have look fear in the face and release yourself from this factious thing that causes you to squeak by in the track of your life. The first step to moving from the background vocalist to the main feature is confidence, once you are confident that your voice can carry across the message you intend the more empowered you are to step out of the safe zone.
The second question is simply self-reflection. How are you impacting your life and are you owning it without excuses. No one is responsible for your life, but you. If you are owning your life, make sure you own the good and the bad, the bitter and the sweet so that you can truly get to the depths of your soul. As you do that you are able to create an environment where you can translate your actions to other without imposing your voice on track. If you are not owning your life, two words come to mind “get busy”. It is your responsibility to do the work necessary to manifest your own greatness. If you do not understand what you voice sounds like your life will be consumed with the sounds of other and you will never get to “Bring The Beat In”.
After testing your rhythm and laying your vocals you have to complete the track by bring the beat in. The beat is all the other stuff that goes with your life. It’s the instability of things that you have no control over, the unexpected things happen in spite of pre-planned safety nets or self-reverting back to the familiar. When you put the track of your life to a beat, make sure it enhances what you already bring to the table and amplifies your voice while mixing in the elements that makes finding your beat worth the wait.
Be Inspired,
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