Seize the Moment

      Have you ever been so engrossed with past experiences or over-anxious about the future that you could not enjoy the present? It happens to most of us. We sometimes reminisce about things that are long gone and yearn for them in the here and now, or we contemplate, plan for, and daydream about future happenings, oftentimes forgetting that all we have is the present.

      I admit there have been times in my life when focusing intensely on the past or planning for the future caused me quite a bit of anxiety. Even to this day, I sometimes get caught up in the future and drift off into a land of utopia. That’s when I have to snap out of it and tell myself “It is what it is.” I have to accept what is before I can make a change for the better.

      The problem with not living in the present is that we’re sometimes left with the feeling of dissatisfaction. We get so caught up in the destination that we forget to enjoy the journey. But joy comes from deciding to enjoy the journey, which will make the destination even sweeter. If we put happiness on hold until we get the degree, get married, purchase the dream home, get the perfect job, make millions or whatever else we think will bring true happiness, we might be waiting for a long time. And there is no guarantee that those things will really make us happy. Although I admit to sometimes wanting it all, what I’ve realized is that the small things like walking on the beach on an island, spending quality time with loved ones, and serving others is what really makes me happy.

      If you find yourself not living fully in the here and now perhaps you should meditate on Psalms 118:24, “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” When we concentrate on the here and now, we will realize that tomorrow will indeed take care of itself. “One Day at a Time” is also a slogan we all can learn from, especially when we become engulfed with past and future concerns. We should try to improve the quality of our lives and be content regardless of the present situation. We should affirm that all is well, and that we are right where we are supposed to be at the moment. I know this might be difficult when we really want to be somewhere else, but what good will it do to curse the present moment?

      Even when taking one day at a time we must reflect on where we have come and continue to set goals and have aspirations. By trusting God and living each day to the fullest, we can gain acceptance and move on to higher levels in our lives. As the New Year approaches make a commitment to Seize the Moment. Your time to shine is Now.

                              Sonya Jenkins

“This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Psalms 118:24

KEEP THE FAITH

For me, watching the Summer Olympic Games on television was like seeing faith in action. As Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps broke historical world records and other Olympians received Gold, Silver or Bronze Medals, I was convinced that with hard work (and sometimes sweat and tears) dreams do become realities. The things hoped for can materialize. I’m sure that there were many times when circumstances zapped many of the Olympic athletes’ energy and made them feel as if they could not go on, but when fear was replaced by Faith, they survived and thrived. They kept pushing forward.

Believing that you can achieve what you perceive is what faith is all about. It’s about not giving up. Yet many times in life, we lose our will. We lose faith. Hebrews 11:1 reads, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” While some say that “Seeing is Believing,” having faith means believing in something before actually seeing the results. When we stop having faith, we drown in our circumstances. We become depressed and lifeless. But how do we keep the faith when things are not going our way? How do we stay afloat?

In my experiences with difficult times, I almost always take on the attitude that things will get better. “This too shall pass,” is what I affirm or sometimes I even say, “My next will be better than my ex.” I also try to see the value of the situation and believe that the experience is for my own personal growth. That way, I avoid being the victim. I’ve learned to adapt, regardless of my present situation. Overcoming obstacles is a part of life and the more positive our attitude, the better we ca handle adversity. Prayer and meditation are also essential in conquering life’s challenges. Some lessons are not to be understood right away, but giving our concerns to God and trusting in Him gives us power immediately. We must learn to get through the valleys if life and not allow our fear to deplete us of our confidence.

There is no assurance that life will go as we plan or hope. Nothing is perfect. But we shortchange ourselves when we lack faith and perseverance. Perhaps you have had some trying experiences that have left you feeling defeated. If so, stop for a moment and ask yourself, “Where Is My Faith and in Whom Do I Trust?” You’ll suddenly realize that you have several alternatives and solutions to creating better circumstances. Why not imagine that you’re an Olympic star going for the Gold. Just concentrate; put your best foot forward; and never give up. And when all else fails, try a little faith.

Sonya Jenkins

DO IT ON PURPOSE

      Setting goals or having a mission in life is imperative for a productive life. Goal setters know that real rewards come from having a clear purpose in mind, precise plans, and a spirit of perseverance. When we don’t have a clear direction in life we become confused and seldom accomplishes much. Uncertainty can be in the form of going from job to job, moving from city to city, or from one relationship to another hoping to find the missing pieces, when all we need is a Purpose and a real sense of direction.

      Everyone in God’s creation has a purpose, yet far too many people drift through life not knowing what they are here to do. Maybe they believe that fate should decide their destiny, or perhaps they just haven’t taken the time to seek real answers. To gain a purposeful life, we must be willing to know ourselves. Sometimes it’s a good idea to sit still and delve into our own lives to gain clarity about our life’s journey.

      I have often found that in my solitude I truly learned about myself and gained a better appreciation of my blessings and where God was leading me. In any situation in life, difficulties will sooner or later dissipate. We need to ask ourselves, “What’s the real purpose in this?” While answers may not come immediately, eventually we get ideas, hunches, or even a clearer vision of what we need to do to enhance our lives.

      Oftentimes when God gives us a vision, He also provides the means and opens the doors for the vision to materialize. All we have to do is to listen and put forth the necessary effort to carry out our plans based on what answers we get.

      When setting goals and the course I should take to achieve them, I always look to God as the pilot, and myself, the copilot. I often affirm my aspirations and take the necessary steps to achieve my dreams, but it is God who decides the final outcome. Sometimes it seems that I am taken off course, but I’ve learned that what seems to be a closed door is often is a disguise for something bigger and better. And what we consider to be a wrong turn is usually the right one. Our greatest test is to keep the faith. Our vision may be closer to materializing than we think.

      Success in life is a process. It entails taking one step at a time. When we clutter our minds with too much, it is quite obvious that little or nothing will be accomplished. The Bible states that “a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways,” – so we should be precise about what we want from life.

      Refusing to gain insight about our purpose in life tends to retard growth and bring on a melancholy spirit. Ask yourself, “What am I doing and why? How will it help me and others? Am I improving myself as an individual? Is this endeavor right for me?” The more you delve into your inner power, the more knowledge you will gain and the more you’ll know your real Purpose in life.

                                                 Sonya Jenkins

CHOOSE YOUR OWN DESTINY

      Delving into the lives of celebrities has always intrigued me. At a very young age I was curious about just what qualities distinguished the successful person from the not-so-successful one. From the celebrity images presented on television and in print, I was inclined to believe that celebrities were extremely lucky and exceptionally talented people who had received special blessings from God. Later I realized that successful people are just ordinary people who have widened their horizons and believed that their dreams were attainable. I also realized that blessings are not just for special groups or individuals. We all have a gift or talent, but in order for those talents to emerge, we must recognize and celebrate them.

      Luck and success are two different entities. Luck is something that happens by chance, like hitting the lottery. Success, on the other hand, is the persistent and faithful pursuit of a goal, no matter what the obstacles are. True success comes to those who believe in a higher power and depend on that power to guide them in making the right choices. Success comes to those who have specific goals and are willing to persevere until there is a satisfying outcome. If one does not set goals, then there is little to accomplish. And if nothing is accomplished, one can only blame himself for a lack of vision and inspiration.

      Taking advantage of opportunities is yet another prerequisite for success. To have doors closed in your face and dreams deluded could be a blessing in disguise. Believe that God never closes one door without opening another, which is a true affirmation of faith. Giving up is defeat, but to continue looking for ways to accomplish goals will lead to victory. A different approach or change may prove beneficial.

      By conquering your fears and perceiving yourself as a confident, self-assured individual, others will take notice and be drawn to your strengths. People usually want to associate with those who have uplifting attitudes and who are adaptable to change, as opposed to those who are mundane and predictable.

      Another way to become goal-oriented is to emulate those who are already successful. Many times they can provide the inspiration you need to move forward. When interviewing movie mogul Eddie Murphy he told me that he emulated other successful comedians during his early years. “In the Bible it says, ‘as a man thinketh, so is he.’ Whatever you think – you are,” Eddie revealed. “You may need to see someone else there before you can visualize yourself there.”

       As you seek to transform yourself, “acting as if” you are what you are going to be is important. Before I ever got an article published, I attempted to get interviews by saying, “I AM a writer,” not “I WANT to be a writer.” In my own mind I was already what I had visualized. I was just looking for the opportunity to make it come true. Soon I was actually interviewing successful people and seeing my work in print. You need only convince the sub-conscious mind that you already are what you want to be. It pays to have positive thoughts about yourself.

      To acquire a successful life you can’t be static. It requires knowing what you want and working towards that goal on a consistent basis. In short, having a strong belief in God, a clear vision of a goal and “acting as if” are the main ingredients for success. And don’t forget hard work. There is no substitute for it.

      Remember, the power to be lies within you!

                                                                                       Sonya Jenkins