January 3, 2020

What Letting Go Looks Like In 2020

By Christina

I am reading a RESET the Mindset devotional and one thing that struck out as we embark on 2020… that the whole process of letting go begins with controlling the thoughts!

“Every day is a new day. We get a new set of hours to live the lives that will bring glory to God and joy to our souls. We just have to recognize that and wake up with a newfound determination to be the boss of our thoughts, not the other way around.”
Reset Your Mind: Overhauling Toxic Thoughts
You Version Holy Bible App

Accompanied Scripture:
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV

So holding onto things is an argument going on in the mind. It is repeating thoughts and constant rumination. On what? All the things we should be letting go of if we want to have a real reset and successful plunge into the new year. It means old thoughts are replaced with new ones, old plans are replaced with new ones, old relationships are replaced with new ones, old assignments are replaced with new ones, old ways are replaced with new ways and the old approach is replaced with a new approach. This is the reset.

So I could have done or continue to do the things I always do or just change it. I went into the new year LETTING GO! That was my mindset to reset. I went to a new town, new church, new environment… new everything! But the most profound thing I did as I stood in the violent shouts 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1….. was leave my hands open the whole time as I told God, “I am letting go and letting you!”

A great start to a new mindset for 2020. Christina has to LET GO FOR REAL! It’s now or never…. He knows what I mean. Especially when I cant always control the situations of life precisely how I want. Only He can.

This is what letting go looks like for me in 2020. As it is not supposed to make sense to all, it makes sense to me. Stop holding on to the things that take WAY TOO MUCH away from who I am and what I am really called to do. #letgoin2020 #resetthemindset

Leave a comment | posted in Encouragement, Inspiration, Reset

December 31, 2019

Happy New Year 2020

By Christina

What can I say for “Happy New Year 2020”.  Many will say vision — many will mention goals.

Today I encourage you to continue to grow. Grow yourself, grow others and grow your environment.  Strive to make an impact.  Be an encourager.  Stay focused and stay the course that God has for you. John C. Maxwell says in “Leader Shift”, “We have to become the best leader we can be (if that is what we are called to) and make the greatest impact.”  This is what I want to do for 2020.

We know there is work ahead of us and a price to be paid in order to achieve excellence.

“Strength & Growth come through continuous effort & struggle.”
Napoleon Hill

My 2020 Manifesto goes like this:

  • Where to next?
  • Prove them wrong!
  • You got this, girl.
  • Just make it happen.
  • I can & I will!

That’s what it looks like for me. As Jon Gordon says, “it is where you place your attention and intention!”

Time to make adequate and visible changes for the new year ahead of us.  It is promising and filled with so much possibility and success.  I am just quickly jumping on to drop a note to all my fellow readers, followers, ministry workers, professionals, family and friends — may you have the BEST year ahead. May it be filled with much laughter and love.  Go after your dreams! Don’t hesitate as we CLEARLY see that life is just moving oh so fast for us all!

Welcome 2020 and be blessed all. Happy New Year!

“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 3:18

With love,

Christina

1 Comment | posted in Inspiration

December 27, 2019

Nothings Normal

By Christina

There is nothing normal about my days anymore. Every day is absolutely different in every way. From the time I wake, to the time I commute, running to catch a scheduled yet random quick train, walking through the crowds and landing at the building –it is different. There is nothing normal about it! The people are different, the crowd is different, there are international people here, diversity everywhere and a crazy community of lively people moving about. I find it hard to fit in anywhere yet. I am just being me–the simple me. Then that’s too simple. The one in the Hardin Scott boots. Simple sweaters, jeans when I can. Light eyed makeup, never any lipstick. Short hair, don’t care.

The one that rejoices and is overly soothed when I purchase a new book. The one that loves to have a nice cup of cocoa with an overwhelming amount of marshmallows or perhaps a cup of chai tea –grande –only three pumps of chai! Yeah that part of me. Simple! Nothing extravagant, nothing elegant about me, just a book worm looking to be busy making a difference somehow and someway.

Life’s different. But I know what I heard on the depth of me –get used to this. Your new normal is that nothing will be normal about it! On the inside I felt so much fear and faith at the same time. I was anxious and excited all at once. I tried to drown out every thought of doubt and didn’t want to feed it. Even as the thoughts were raging and colliding with my faith to move forward. I had to step out and I had to step beyond the norm and beyond the ways of chaos so that I can truly find some something new for my purpose.

How many times I sat screaming at God–screaming at my circumstances. Can I be real about that? Just so frustrating and upsetting for me at times. I would even have to still battle that out as I move forward. It’s everywhere. But I think overall that He would want me to be successful and that He has called me to be significant!

“Now more than ever it is a time for action. It is a time for getting things done. It is a time to tune out the distractions and the noise from the doomsayers and the naysayers and focus on what truly matters and what truly will help you create success.”
~Stay Positive by Jon Gordon and Daniel Decker

See –now is the time. This time causes me to step out everyday even if I feel like I am not seeing all the results I can feel the progress as I go through the process. I. Am. Growing.

Especially now that I found the simplest things right here on my block to help me also during the journey! So awesome.

“God has something great for you but YOU MUST TAKE ACTION with faith and go through a battle to seize it. It’s never going to be easy. It’s not supposed to be. The struggle builds your character, fosters humility, and develops your strength and makes you appreciate the JOURNEY!

That is the journey that I am on –where I will find ALL THINGS AS NOTHING NORMAL!!!

And now I am out and about enjoying my Fri-Yay! Enjoying a new pace to start my weekend vibes. Family time. Loving life. Loving the laughter. Loving to let go so I can let God be God!!

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1 NIV

Comments Off on Nothings Normal | posted in Celebration, Faith, Holidays, Inspiration, Reset, Rise

December 18, 2019

December End of Year

By Christina

“Growths highest reward is not what we get from it but who we become by it. Growth is sustaining.” 
~John C. Maxwell

I love this book that I am reading called the “Leader Shift: The 11 Essential Changes that Every Leader Must Embrace” by John C. Maxwell.  It is life changing.  It is leader shifting and mindset shifting from a flawed and fixed mindset to one of a growth and a champion mindset!

It is time to really invest in growing.

These are things to reflect upon as we approach the ending of 2019.  I cannot believe that next week is already CHRISTMAS! Wow! This year flew by so fast for me.  It is bittersweet.  All good and bad at the same time.  You don’t want life to pass you by so fast but at the same time the moments that were not worth staying in have to be put behind us as we find a way to move forward.

This year started off really rough for me at the sudden passing of my cousin Rose Soto.  This year will be the first holiday season without her and it is going to be tough.  That said, I will do all the things I know that she would have loved to do.  Even if making the tree a ROSE gold theme this year would make a difference.  I will live, laugh and love as much as I can!

LLL2020

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 3:18 KJV

What I can most reflect of this year is that I have stretched myself to grow and will continue to do my best.  I stepped out in faith when I had so many reasons not to, I traveled to a new country and a new state that was on my life list of things to do.  I traveled a lot more this year which is something that I absolutely love to do. I ministered in places and also accompanied my husband during his ministry in ways we never thought possible. Even my children have excelled.

We have overcome a lot of things that would clearly set others back, but instead we have been catapulted further into our purpose.  This is what growth does.  It shows you that no matter what you face in life that you have the potential and ability to get better from it.

Just like the common phrase — “When life throws you lemons, make lemonade!” It is so true, but you have to find some other ingredients and use the opportunity to make the BEST lemonade ever. Not only for you to enjoy but so that you can share it with others as well.

I no longer can think the same way, process the same way, behave the same way and function the same way –I have got to grow myself and if it is not clear to some, it is certainly clear to me. It is clear to the ones that I know it should be clear with.

I have changed!

I am very intentional about working on the mindset. I may not be perfect at many things still –but I have improved in areas that I can see make up for a huge difference in my life and also the ones that I impact on the day to day.  There is change.  There is growth.  There is feedback. There is support and there is harmony! ❤ I am not just happy about this but overwhelming in a state of joy inexpressible. It’s great to be here.  It happened because I targeted for growth.

So we must all.  Take the time to reflect at the close of this year and see how you can really change to bring yourself to a better place and a much better mindset! All things are possible.

Let’s reset! 2020 here we come.

 

 

 

1 Comment   |  tags: , , , , | posted in Celebration, Emerging, Encouragement, Faith, Family, Fellowship, Inspiration, Joy, Peace