Dreams

So, as you’ve probably noticed, the Journal’s been a little politically heavy over the past couple of days. I apologize for that, as sometimes, I get a little passionate about politics, particularly in this moment in history that we are in right now. But, I want to go in a lighter direction with the Journal today.

Lately, I’ve been thinking about my life and my accomplishments. I tell those close to me all the time that growing up, I never really saw my life past the age of 18. I never really had a vision for my life past high school graduation. Part of that was probably due to an underlying fear of growing up, of maturing, of getting older, and of gaining responsibility. But, I think it was partly God’s will as well.

Between age 18 and 24, I’ve done and learned a lot. I’m grateful for all my experiences, good and bad, because they’ve gotten me to where I am today. And as I watch the assent of who I believe is going to be the first Black President of the United States, so many new doors, new visions, and new directions have opened up for me. There’s so much that I want to do in life right now – things that I never dreamed of doing before. Right now, I’m preparing to take the GMAT so that I can go back to school and get my MBA. I’m doing greater things with my business. I’m entering new fields career-wise. Lately, I’ve even thought about possibly getting a second Master’s degree in political science to become a political analyst and strategist.

When we’re young, we have all these dreams. We want so many things out of life and are not afraid to declare it to the world. But somehow, over time, some new reality sets in that makes us believe that there are limitations to who we can become, where we can go, and what we can do.

But what would happen if we went back to the days when we had big dreams? What would happen if, as adults, we’d throw caution to the wind and really go after the things that we desire in life? I know you’ve got bills, and I know you’ve got stomachs to fill, and mouths to feed, but you also have a soul, and a heart, that needs to be fed.

So, feed your soul today. Do one thing today that moves you closer to your goals and your dreams. If you would just take one step every single day, before long you’d find yourself in position to receive your blessing and achieve your dreams. So start today and discover where God can take you, if you’d just believe.

God bless,
J.W.

I Love Your Smile

It's funny what happens when you follow God's will for your life and do what He tells you to do. Upon starting Journal Your Journey and beginning to promote it, I learned that none other than my very own sister-in-law was doing something similar, entitled her "Thought for the Week." I strongly believe that Journal Your Journey is moving towards not only sharing my thoughts and views, but also sharing those of others.

So as I share her writings with you today, I encourage you all, that if you feel so led to do so, to please share your journey with me so that I might share it with others. If interested, just click "View My Complete Profile" under "About Me" on the left side of the site. There, you can e-mail me and I will share your message with the other JYJ readers. God bless and enjoy today's message.

My Thought for the Week

As many of you know, I speak to this often… especially when I’m affected by yours...

They vary in size, typically off-white in color. An enamel-front rimmed with pink. Encased by two soft and ever so sensual kissers which-- when in perfect alignment, seemingly form a half-moon rotated 90 degrees clockwise. This simple tool of empowerment can set off a chain of reactive events, creating joy and painting the world beautiful, one by one, two, three. This is where the journey begins…

Yours can…

Ravage tension and hatred

Encourage the tearful to dry their eyes

Heal a broken spirit

Cause onlookers to blush

Add flavor and a fresh perspective

Give hope to a discouraged child

Bring peace to a discorded mind

Speak the language of a loving heart

Cause the pain to cease

Prompt a stranger to stop and stare…

Become a natural remedy

Live on in the heart of another

Set you free from emotional enslavement

Spread kindness

Define happiness

“CHEESE” or a few fingers to the waistline, neck or back of the knee can spark an instantaneous response!

Oftentimes, resembling the little man on the tropical punch kool-aid packet-- during full ear to ear extension.

What I am writing about, not only penetrates but awakens the soul

Somewhere, someone is inspired by and addicted to

your smile…

Much love and encouragement,
Nevin

A LIFE LIVED IN FEAR IS A LIFE HALF LIVED

If I Should Die...

Meet Dr. Randy Pausch. He is a professor of Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction, and Design at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA.

In September 2006, Randy Pausch was diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic cancer, a terminal disease if left untreated. After a year of chemotherapy and radiation treatment, Randy was told in August 2007 that he would only have three to six months left of good health. With the prospect of imminent death looming in his thoughts, Pausch was inspired to create “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams,” a lecture which he deemed his “Last Lecture” as a college professor. Little did he know at the time that this “last lecture” would touch the lives of many around the nation and throughout the world.

The clip below is Randy giving his “Last Lecture” on the Oprah Show. As you watch, ask yourself: “What would I say if I knew I only had 6 months to live?”

http://youtube.com/watch?v=_tIyt8oSLVs

The Power of the Tongue

I thought I'd share this with you. These are not my words, but very poignant and important to each of us living a better life. Enjoy!

YOUR TONGUE CAN BE YOUR WORST ENEMY!

Your words, your dreams, and your thoughts have power to create conditions in your life.

What you speak about, you can bring about.

If you keep saying you can't stand your job, you might lose your job.

If you keep saying you can't stand your body, your body can become sick.

If you keep saying you can't stand your car, your car could be stolen or just stop operating.

If you keep saying you're broke, guess what? You'll always be broke.

If you keep saying you can't trust a man or trust a woman, you will always find someone in your life to hurt and betray you.

If you keep saying you can't find a job, you will remain unemployed.

If you keep saying you can't find someone to love you or believe in you, your very thought will attract more experiences to confirm your beliefs.

If you keep talking about a divorce or break up in a relationship, then you might end up with it.

Turn your thoughts and conversations around to be more positive and power packed with faith, hope, love and action. Don't be afraid to believe that you can have what you want and deserve.

Watch your Thoughts, for they become Words.

Watch your Words, for they become Actions.

Watch your Actions, for they become Habits.

Watch your Habits, for they become Character.

Watch your Character, for it becomes your Destiny.

The minute you settle for less than you deserve, you get even less than you settle for.

Thought I would share this with you.

In the search for Me, I discovered Truth.
In the search for Truth, I discovered Love.

In the search for Love, I discovered GOD.

And in God, I have found Everything.

Watch how your circumstances and situations begin to change when you change the way you speak.

Be blessed!

The Valentine's Day Challenge

Today being Valentine’s Day, I wanted to take a different approach than the typical jargon you would normally hear on this day and address something that we often don’t like or want to address.

In Matthew 5:44, the Bible instructs us to love our enemies, to bless those who curse us, to do good to those who hate us, and to pray for those who persecute us.

In life, it’s so easy to only love those who love us, to only be nice to those who are nice to us, and only reach out to those with whom we feel a special connection. But, what about those who don’t love us back, those who aren’t nice to us, or those with whom we aren’t close? What about those we don’t get along with on our jobs, those with whom we have had disagreements, or those we just don’t like for whatever reason? Do we treat them the same way or do we treat them differently?

The Bible calls us to do our part – to play our position, if you will – not based on someone else’s actions, but based on what we know is right. Being a Christian, or even being a good person, is not based on what you do, but rather the spirit by which you do what you do. It’s based on your motives, your intentions, and what’s going on in your heart (“For man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” – 1 Samuel 16:7).

The fact is that people can fool you by their actions, but their intentions will always show. Satan tempted Jesus by offering Him the entire world (a seemingly good thing), if He would only bow down and worship him. See, his intentions weren’t pure. He expected something in return. His good deeds came at a price.

So what does that mean for us?

It means that love is not an emotion to be shown, but an action to be done, whether or not it is returned to us. We ought to not show love, but do love to others despite what they might do to us. We should be nice to people because we know it is the right thing to do, not simply because someone else is nice to us first.

So, will you do something nice for someone today without expecting something in return? Will you say hello to a stranger on the street? Will you show love to someone on your job who you don’t like? This is my challenge to you today, and every day.

“For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” ~ Matthew 5:46-48

Play Your Position

Many times in life, we make things harder than they really are.

When things go awry, we blame other people; sometimes, even God. When problems arise, we try to fix them. But could it be that our problems remain because we try to fix them? That maybe our lingering crises are a direct result of our refusal to let go and let God? That we’ve somehow placed more faith in ourselves (our education, our intellect, our street smarts, our money, our social status, and our overall brilliance) than an all-knowing, all-powerful, omnipresent God? Could it be that we really aren’t as smart, as talented, or as brilliant as we think we are?

As the saying goes, success comes when preparation meets opportunity. The problem arises when we use our own judgment to make decisions that get us out of position to receive God’s blessings or success.

I liken it to playing defense in the game of football. Every player has a job or position for which he is responsible. If one player over-pursues, or gets out of position, he leaves a gap in the defense that the other team can take advantage of. But, if each player stays in his position, one of them will be in the perfect position to make the play.

The same applies to the game of life. While God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and omnipresent, he gives us each a part, or position, to play. If we play our position correctly, the team will be successful. But, if we over-pursue, and get out of position, we leave holes that the enemy can use to defeat us.

So, when problems arise, play your position. Do what you’ve been called to do, and leave the rest to God.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths." ~ Proverbs 3:5-6

Peace,
J.W.

Message To The Readers

Dear Journal Your Journey reader,

I just wanted to take the time out to say thank you to everyone who reads Journal Your Journey on a regular basis. As you have probably noticed, I have been posting more frequently than usual over the last couple of weeks. As I mentioned in one of my most recent posts, God has recently closed a door in my life. But with the closing of one door comes the opening of another. And so I count it all joy, as it has allowed me more time to share with you the things that are on my heart. And as I continue to share and give of myself through the Journal Your Journey series, there are a few things that I need from you as well.

First, please, please, please keep giving me feedback on the journal. Whether it’s through an e-mail or by commenting on the site, your feedback is the only way I know that the journal is actually touching your life. My goal in doing this is to encourage other people and to let them know that they can have the best out of life. And likewise, as I encourage other people, I ask that you continue to encourage me with your thoughts and opinions on the various subjects that I address in the Journal. Please don’t be afraid to share as I continue to share the things that are on my heart and mind.

Second, in keeping with the theme of giving feedback, as you may have noticed, I have been going back and forth between sending my messages directly to your e-mail inboxes and sending the link to the site by e-mail to you when new entries are posted. While I’ve gotten different responses as far as preferences, I would like to hear from you on which way you would prefer to receive Journal Your Journey. Some have said that the presentation is better on the site, allowing them to read the entries more easily, while others like the convenience of receiving the actual entries right there in their inbox. My goal is to cater to you, to make it as convenient for you as possible. As such, I will do what the majority of you prefer me to do. So please send me your opinions. Either send me an e-mail or post a comment on the site:

Would you rather me: a) send the entries directly to your inbox, or b). Send an e-mail with the link to the site whenever new entries are posted?

Third, as many of you have been so kind in your feedback as to suggest that I compile my entries into a book of some sort, I want to encourage you to pass the messages on to those you know. When I first started writing the Journal, it was not to try to get a book deal (although that would be nice), or to gain notoriety, but to give back to people, to help them through the difficult and challenging situations that they may be facing. So, if Journal Your Journey has truly been a blessing to you, make sure to pass it on to someone else, as many of you have already done. Just like me and you, others need encouragement as well. So, pass the blessing on so that, together, we can make this thing an even bigger phenomenon that it already is.

Lastly, as we continue to move forward, I just want you to know that I am committed to keeping the messages positive, uplifting, and inspiring. When there is so much bad going on in the world, we all need a place where we can be inspired and empowered to become better, more knowledgeable and informed people, and I pray that in some small way, Journal Your Journey has helped to do just that.

God bless,

J.W.

P.S. Don’t forget to send me your responses. Would you rather me: a) send the entries directly to your inbox, or b) send an e-mail with the link to the site whenever new entries are posted?

P.S.S. Please, please, please get out and vote either tomorrow (in New York and New Jersey) or next Tuesday (in Maryland). This country needs a change and it’s time for us to step up and make it happen. Barack Obama for President!

Yes We Can!

The coolest video I've ever seen!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHA_ZTvOgUM

God's YouTube

So, I found this new website today. Well, it’s new to me. It may not be so new to you... But it’s called GodTube.com. It's not a very creative name, but it’s seems cool, none the less.

Anyway, it’s pretty much like YouTube, but with a religious twist. People post all types of videos, spoken word pieces, songs, sermons, scripture readings, bible studies. Just thought you might be interested.

http://www.godtube.com/

Peace,
J.W.

P.S. Below is a sample of the type of content they have. The first spoken word piece is called “The Woman at the Well,” performed by Erin Moon. The second is called “Allow Me To Reintroduce the Christ” by performed by actress Blair Wingo. Both of these are really good, so check them out.

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=46e6e8ca98b9123f2249


http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=ac7b677e7241a531b617

Closed Doors

Today, I received an e-mail from my aunt entitled "Thank God for Closed Doors." Ironically, this has been something that has been on my mind and heart for a few weeks now, so I thought this was the most appropriate time to share.

Many times in life, we, as flawed human beings, like to blame our so-called "failures" on many different things. Sometimes, as Christians, we blame Satan. Other times, we blame other people for our problems. In the black community, we often blame the government, the media, or white people in general for our issues. And while sometimes, our gripes are valid, most times they stem from either a lack of personal responsibility or a lack of proper perspective.

The truth of the matter is that if we were to accurately identify the causes of our so-called failures, we would recognize that they really aren't failures at all. The loss of a job, failure of a business, a wayward son or daughter, and any other negative in our lives can sometimes be a blessing in disguise.

As long as you're still alive and breathing, there is always a chance, an opportunity, to turn your negatives into positives, and your failures into successes. Most times, when we face adversity, we are quick to blame our circumstances on something other than ourselves.
We all have problems, and we all have issues that we deal with, but the thing that separates winners from losers in life is how they react to the trials and tribulations they face.

Mistakes, failures, trials, and tribulations are nothing more than veiled opportunities, opportunities to learn, to grow, and to become better. Sometimes, when it seems like doors are closing in your life, it is God's way of telling you to take a different route, to change your direction, that the way you are heading is not the way that He wants you to go. But so often, we look at negative situations in our lives as signs of failure rather than signs of opportunity, and that is the wrong perspective to have.

Recently, I had a door close in my life. It was totally unexpected. I didn't know why it closed. I didn't know what I was supposed to do next. But through it all, I knew that God had something better planned for me. And indeed, He did. My closed door was simply God's way of telling me that my time was over there and that it was time to move on and move forward.

So when the deck seems stacked against you, your back is to the wall, and it seems like a door is closing in your life, don't take it as a negative. Don't have a pity party and have a "woe-is-me" type of attitude. Rather, take that closed door as a sign that God has something better in store for you, that it is time to change directions and change perspective, and truly see what He is trying to do in your life.

Learn from your mistakes, use them to grow, and keep moving forward. "[For] we know that all things work together for the good of those who love [God], who have been called according to His purpose." ~ Romans 8:28

God bless,
J.W.