Pausing Time

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Based on the title of this post, can we really pause time? Of course the answer is no. No matter what we may think or try to do, time will continue to run out, pass us by, and simply tick and tock. Seconds creating minutes, into hours, into days, weeks, months, and years. At a point in our life we will look back and let's hope that what we see is our goals being completed vs the same problem we've had years ago still in the forefront.

Sometimes I like to press pause. Not so much on time, but on my life. Pausing, yielding because sometimes we can be living too fast for our own good.

Imagine if there weren't any stop signs, or traffic lights to tell us when to go, slow down and stop? What if there weren't any speed bumps, or even pot holes in the road. I sometimes see these things as good pauses in life. Does anyone ever realize how fast they are going until they crash? I rather heed the signs to slow down and take a moment and reevaluate what's going on around me, in me, in front of me. There is nothing wrong with stepping away for a while, to fine tune the craft and gift that God has given us. Just like a car needs to be refueled with gas, or its oil change, and what about the tires? They get burnt out too.

So here I am, taking a pause. Considering that this is the first day of the last month of 2012; which 2012 has been a BLESSED year indeed for me, I do not want 2013 to be the same. I've learned a lot about myself and the friendships, family-ships, relationships that I am in. So, I'm pausing. Pausing from the planning, pausing from the over-thinking, pausing and simply loving. Loving God, Loving myself, Loving those around me, embracing them and being in them.

Step back and pause for a moment. Refresh yourself, so that you can only be the best you. However long you choose to pause for, just don't forget to press play.

-Daphne

Be Still

“Develop my ability to discern your will and energize me to do things that are pleasing to you.”

                                                                                                                              – Jon Walker

In the short span of my morning I have read a couple of articles that for me all had a reoccurring theme of stillness and hearing God’s Voice, doing things that are pleasing to Him.

I tend to have my thoughts all over the place, sometimes when speaking and often times when writing. I just want to get it all out before it’s forgotten. So forgive me now, if along these lines there is no cohesiveness.

I read an article this morning written by Russell Simmons about meditation and clearing the mind. When the mind is clear even if it is for a mere 20 minutes, you are able to set things in order for the day. I think the art of meditation is something that everyone should get into before and after each day. Setting up your day on the right foot leads to success in every facet of that day. Then after it is all said and done, at the end of the day winding down with worship music or literally sitting still for a moment going over the day and emptying out the mind helps you to ease into a more relaxed state of sleep. I am yet to be there, in a place where I can wake up and take 20-minutes to organize my thoughts and thank the creator.  I am one who cherishes sleep. Not that I don’t Thank God for waking me up each morning and giving breath, I just do it while I’m walking to the shower, taking it, getting dressed and running out the door. I do it while I’m walking to the train station and marveling at his wonders as I pass under trees and clear blue skies. I’m just a natural multi-tasker. Anywho, for the next couple of days I am going to TRY and wake up a couple of minutes earlier than usual and try to find peace in the midst of car horns and sirens.

Psalm 46:10 says, ‘Be Still and know that I AM GOD’

Simple?  Obviously for us humans, it’s easier said than done. Being still means that you are whole heartedly placing your trust in God’s hands and definitely HIS timing. As there begins to be a shift in seasons in my life, I am trusting God to show me and tell me (really remind me) of His Will for my life. What it is that He has destined for ME.

So join me and be still for 20 minutes and allow God to wash over His Peace, His Love, His Grace, His Mercy. Him.

It is in the stillness of my universe that God speaks. When my mind is clear from worry of tomorrow, clear from doubt of what people will say, clear from fear of the unknown, and clear from debris that life brings. It is then that He Speaks. 

-Divine Beauty

God, I and Life

As I sit here outside my apt enjoying the view and sound of my neighborhood from my porch, I ponder on my life. I woke up this morning and wanted to stay in bed, well I did stay in bed reading a romance novel til about 2pm. I figured I wouldn't be able to do this 4 days in a row, so I rolled over and decided to have ice cream for lunch, or whatever the first meal of the day should be. I figured I should be doing something rather than stay in bed, so I decided to come out here instead and relinquish my thoughts to you.

Three years ago I moved to Texas, wanting to move away from Florida. I wasn't running from anything or anyone, I just detested the place. I felt complacent there, so the first chance I got to move I did. Trust that Texas was not the first place that came to mind, but when God is the captain of your ship, all you can do is trust Him. After moving to Texas I had a lot of preconceived thoughts in my mind that until July of this year were all wrong. I much appreciate Texas for what it is and what it has done for my life. Texas itself is not what matured me, but the people that God allowed to show me His way is what made all the difference. I went through many stages in my life just in the span of three years and as I was leaving Texas to embark on a new journey, I told my family that I have tasted the goodness of God and I refuse to turn back. At the mature yet tender age of 25 I learned to communicate with God in ways that are parallel to the ways Abraham, Moses, and David had. I would have daily conversations with God and would have a clear understanding of the goings in my life.

Now away from my safe haven/wilderness of San Antonio, Texas, I am where my heart has always wanted to be:Brooklyn,New York. Ever since driving through on a road trip back in 2007, I have fallen in love with the city. And after that trip, I was set on living here. And finally in 2011 I am where I am suppose to be. Even after doubt that I should move and fear of not being financially set, I am here. My time spent in Texas was not in vain, though the short period of four months being in NY may seem so, but it definitely was not. Somewhat like David, after treacherous moments of sin, he would fall down at the feet of God with a continual pursuit for His love, grace and mercy. Yes even after years of being clean from my old ways of sex, alcohol and lies I found it easy to fall back,but with much resistance. See I now have the tools of worship and intimacy with God to be consumed with this world. The key to falling isn't wallowing in it, but it's in the getting back up, recognizing the how and asking for forgiveness and forgiving yourself.

So here I am, out on my porch, reviewing these last couple of months and determining that tomorrow will not be the same as yesterday. Beginning today my convictions of who I am; the daughter of a King will no longer go unnoticed. I will no longer accept the mediocrity of being someone who accepts the unacceptable either to society or myself. I will pride myself in being comfortable in who I am wherever I go. I will be continually consumed by the spirit of my Father, and I will walk in His good graces that He has set out Just for me.

So between God, I and Life is my purpose.

-Divine Beauty

Hello December

So November is gone and December is here, which also indicates the end of a year and the beginning of a New Year (God willing). Of course around this time, many of us are reevaluating our past year and seeing how it wil be different in the year to come. I can definitely say that 2011 has been my year, and you know what?! 2012 will be too! I have so many things I want to accomplish that I'm hoping to begin now. So much has happened, that i have no regret whatsoever. Turning 25, graduating with my MBA (thanks Mom), and moving to New York was just the icing on the cake for this year. In the short span of the last couple of months, I got clarity on a friendship that at one point I would have hoped to be more, but accepted that it will not....I just might do a post about it. And on another note, I got back in contact with a long lost friend...only God knows where that will go. So December...how shall we spend our time together?

On another note, I've been thinking about the content on my blog and how I somewhat censor some things out because I'm afraid of what others would think about me. But if I continue with that mind set how far will I get in life? So for 2012 one of my goals is to be like a child and stay true to myself and to others and always remain honest and real. Plus folks can't judge me, without first casting judgement on themselves. With lots of love and juice.....

-Divine Beauty

Trails of dust.....

At the end of the day.....I'm still not yours.....

Spring Cleaning in Fall

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"I'm sorry mama, I never meant to hurt you, I never meant you cry, but tonight, I'm cleaning out closet" -Eminem

I can remember when my brother use to be hard on Eminem, he even had my mom singing this song. But for the first month of my Sabbatical that's exactly what I'm doing: cleaning out my closet. I want to dedicate my whole month of September to cleaning the "closets" in my life. Physical (Health), Mental (Mind), and Spiritual closets. By cleaning, purging, cleansing my life, I make room for God to manifest Himself all through it (my life). 

While doing devotion this week I ran across a verse from Psalm 103:12 "And as far as the sunrise is from sunset, He has separated us from our sins. Meaning He has not only forgiven us from what has hurt Him, but He has also forgotten. So stop dwelling in the past and move on. I know I use to get caught up in feeling guilty about my sins, and it was hard for me to forgive myself, but I was able to move on from that. Thank ya Jesus. 

So in cleaning out my closet, I've forgiven myself because God did it first. So September lets get to cleaning....

-Droid

While at this restaurant : Windsor Cafe, my girl ask me about bloggin, so I decide to check out blogger on my moment, we'll see how this works out,

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