who is defining success?

                 I like to keep things real and authentic when it comes to who I am. 

Failures, joys and sorrows alike. So to be real 'success' is something I have really been struggling with. I used to dream of becoming a Dr. growing up with God taking me on a different path that feels a little more humbling. From feeling like I am starting all over, like a kid still in high school by work at Chick Fil A (which isn't bad, somebody has to work there right?) with pressures to go to college and 'do something with my life' and whats funny is that pressure isn't from just certain family members,but society. I mentioned before how I felt I wasn't being lead to college in the past seasons of my life I was following the directions God was taking me at those times. Society puts pressure on the fact that to be somebody you have acquire 'Success'!

                        Who is defining success? 

             Who puts the stamp of approval of success on your life?

College and education is a huge privilege that we have here in the US and one that should be respected,but not one to define if you are failure in life or not. The amount and way we make our money is put on such a pedestal for success that we lose focus on life.

We have our awards and accomplishments in life,but what is all that in the end?!

        If some one is making money and has established themselves we call them successful.

Some who raise families that are intact great kids and marriage with long lives filled with memories we call that success,but not in the same way. Its more of a good job vs. I want to be like you and own the same stuff.

Success is defined by Noah Webster;

Terminating in accomplishing what is wished or intended; having the desired effect; happy; prosperous;

What are you intending/wishing? What effect do want to have where and how?

Prosperous in what?

5 Ways the world says you have success.

1. A "Career", that gives a pay check to enjoy the greater comforts of life.

2. Owning a house and a nice car.

3.  Being connected.  

Knowing all the right people = popularity & ups others opinion of you.

4. When you have to plan out your day to day prioritizing everything. 

Being busy sometimes seems so ideal,but it can be a major distraction.

5. Having the appearance of perfection.

 (lifestyle, looks,etc... the ideal life)

5 Ways I want to have success.

1.  Having no regrets.
I feel like in the end my biggest regret won't be my career path it would be not walking in obedience to where God places me. 

2. Laying up treasures in Heaven.
I don't want to invest what can be destroyed and holds no eternal value.

3. Being a servant.
When I meet someone who knows all the big time people, either in the business world, pop world, blogging world etc... Yeah, I would be impressed and lean towards wanting to hang out with them try to get and in,but when someone displays a servants heart and knows all the people at the homeless shelter. Less impressive on the world scale,but on the heavenly scale, I am impacted and inspired.
I want to be like that, I want to have that molded into my character. See #2.

4.  Investing.
I am not talking about money,but people, character, shaping yourself.
When we invest money we try to be wise, which will make a profit,bear fruit.
I want to be successful in bearing fruit in my life. 
In taking the time to listen to my siblings. Investing in myself through Christ. 
I admire people who don't go off of emotion and selfish needs/wants on what looks fulfilling to them. 
When you truly invest in others, without realizing it your investing in youself. 
In Gods Kingdom  (see #2)


5. Being real & True
 Ah,perfect people with the perfect life are idolized and people reach for what they have,but they don't know how. Why don't they know how? Because its not perfect and perfect people aren't easily approachable.
I never want to be so 'perfect' that people have a view of me of a struggleless, sinless, easy life.
I want to be true and real. That I am approachable for people to say hey, I am struggling with this can you pray for me give me advice..etc.. and vice versa I want my friends to be able to say hey, I see your struggling with this let me pray for you.
No one is better then another. I want to be real, true,approachable.

 

"Courage is knowing where your fear limits you and having what it takes to go beyond it."

to be

                                            February. Its been 5 days of being 21 years old.

This month welcomed a new age, a  new drivers license, beautiful flowers and a butterfly chair (gifts from my parents) to grace the presence of my room. 

 I celebrated my 21st in the best way possible, started with church worshiping my Savior, then to sweat pants and a hoodie,eating burgers for lunch with the family, reese ice cream cake almond crust and finished it off with a good old chick flick!

                  This new month and new age has had my mind reeling to a point of overwhelming me (actually that happens alot) But in the midst of my minds thoughts buzzing around up there I had a moment. I was reminded once again how I am truly blessed as I sat on my birthday at my family who truly loved me.

  You know those moments in a normal day when you pause and then are in that pause, filled with joy?! You take a breath, knowing you are deeply & passionately loved by the man who conquered death,lived selflessly, and forever changed the world He created and the people in it?! 

                                  A love so amazing.

                    As I turned 21 this week and have been mulling over my never ending to do list, scheduling my ACT, trying to figure out when would be a good time to yank out those wisdom teeth, taxes,work, blogging (I know,I know its dwindling.), photography, save for a car, getting involved in church, while figuring out what the world I am doing with my life and where I am going.

 I quickly lose focus. I become overwhelmed. I am a one track type of gal. I got burned out! 

        I try to think of everything I need to do and it all needs to be NOW! I mentally get fried.

This week, um, scheduling is happening. Weeding out what I can't/shouldn't do and what I 'Should' be doing and then have a free time list. ;)  I realized this week that February marks the longest I have lived in one place since the of Fall 2014. I have lost all sense of structure since,so many changes to my life and routines. So Bam! We know the problem, step 2; solve it!

            (My newlywed sister and I, bonfire night, thrift store dress find, all of the gang.)

 This past week I watched this movie called 'Belle' about a biracial girl lived with her white relatives in England during the Zong ship case. The young man in the movie (yes,theres the romance) inspired me. His zeal,passion,authenticity and sensitivity to the value of life just ignited inside of me. He wasn't of high rank,but he impacted. After that movie my mind raced and buzzed. I Could Not sleep! I wrote this done on paper cause getting my thoughts on paper usually help 80% of the problem.

          I am a World Changer with a Voice.
Every action,word and act from my being is a shout into the void. You never know if anyone sees or hears the shout and if they will answer or change upon hearing the call. Live with zeal and passion. Walk in truth. Jesus was a World Changer. A Voice in word and deed and it is He who dwells in me. He who I have joyfully and willingly surrendered to be His vessel. Take my hands,my heart,my zeal, oh, Lord. 
I am a World Changer. I am a Voice

                      My word for 2016 that I chose was "Audacity" To be Bold,to be Zealous.

                        I am so excited for this new year and new age. I am so excited to see what God does. How He will change and challenge me. Every year I grow in Him,every year I become more in awe of who He is with a thankful,humble and blessed spirit. Adventures,challenges,opportunities. 

         2016 I am here. 21 and ready to be.