Walk out of your Comfort Zone into your Destiny

We all have our comfort zone

Actions that make us who we are

Some enhance our spiritual health

Others can erase our internal glow

But you don’t know what is right

Until you step away from it all

Ask yourself if you are happy

And overall content with your life

You must also look at decisions

As you ponder all your actions

Address fundamental beliefs

In order to decipher the reasons

It’s hard to label actions constructive

When your comfort zone protects

When routine stifles joy and growth

Your patterns become destructive

I am learning to keep the core

But conquering the fear of change

Loving my past and present self

As I prepare my life for more

Who Am I...Better Yet Whose Am I

Who Am I…hmm that question is not that important or key

The question is Whose Am I since that means more to me

Without the foundation of knowing I was created for more

I don’t think I would try b/c I wouldn’t believe I could soar

When I was created there was a passion placed in my heart

I have known that I am creative and an author from the start

When I tried to run from my calling the dream was still there

I felt a burden in my soul, an intense feeling I could barely bear

Passion and peace came only when I finally surrendered

And realized that a purpose filled life is full of joy and splendor

And now when I analyze life's key question of “Who Am I”
I can be honest with myself and no longer feel the need to lie

The rat race can never compare to living the life God created

Doing anything but creative writing feels stale and outdated

So now when things happen I feel comfortable with my response

Because i am centered and committed to my creative Renaissance  

My name and My life

My life is just as unique, different and special as my name

You may meet another JT, but we will not be the same

For I was raised to be a survivor, to preserve and succeed

A favor filled no excuse approach is usually how I try to lead

Sometimes I may fall short and loose my direction and sight

But even when I do, I work to remain optimistic with all my might

I have more than enough examples of how giants rose from sand

And because of that I keep an uplifting attitude of “Yes I can”

If I don’t believe in myself than whom will really believe in me

I must believe in all miracles especially those not visible to see

I have learned that your thoughts are the foundations for decisions

And from those choices you turn daydreams into manifested visions

So my message is not meant to preach another farfetched lesson

It meant to tell my story, so my life can be used as a blessing

The kind of friend

I am reminded daily that I have a good set of friends
The kind of friends that will sacrifice personal fun
The kind of friends that will stay up to wipe tears
The kinds of friends who encourage me despite fears

I am reminded at every birthday party, funeral or visit
That I didn't choose these people we chose each other
We share the same song, and move to the same beat
They remain #1 regardless of other people you meet

These friends share the right advice at the right time
Showering love and kindness with a bit of harshness
They push when needed and pull apart the fibers of lies
Always encourage me to succeed no matter what I try

They take up for me when I only see a list of my faults
They hold my hand when I face any health concern
The are the first to show up with hugs and last to leave
They know how to treat me b/c they know my pet peeves

Most importantly they are honest even if it may hurt
B/c they know that  truth expresses pure stability 
When you love someone you accept what they say
Real friends never leave, they are committed to stay

These are the kind of friends that can read your emotions
Even when you have not uttered one word or sound
They know your heart better than your closest lover
And know more secrets than your sister or mother

These kind of friends surpass the basic title of friend
For a bond like this can not be trivialized by a label
You have this kind of friend when you are never alone
Even if you have'nt  seen or talked recently on the phone

These kind of friends are carried closely in your heart
Housed in memories too grand to document in photos
Always praying that you see that inner light that glows
And that others see the great friend they know

Like I said I am blessed to have a sacrificial type of friend
Who nurtures my relationship like a well cared for plant
Waters the roots of our friendship with compassion and care
Never discolosing any of the secrets we often share

I don't know where I would be if they were not in my life
I'm not sure how I would have recovered from the setbacks
These friends have carried me when I could barely walk
They helped me think when I could barely think or talk

And as I sit here reflecting on the calm after the storm
I am reminded that they reassured me it would get better
I recall the dinners, calls, hugs, letters and borrowed books
The sweet notes, encouraging lunches yet hopeful looks

Hope because they have traveled down this road before
And now stand on the other side of accomplishment
And it makes you think that these friends are really angels
Sent by God to show his love and remind you that he is able

What I know for sure..Reflections of Love

I enjoy hearing about a true love story complete with chivalry, romance, and a endearing fairy tale
It restores my hearts dream to be swept away by a god fearing, masculine, and very witty male

What I know for sure is that I have been shown the true face of love in many different forms
I have witnessed how a man cherishs a woman, acts foreign to others, are my everyday norm

For example, I continue to listen to the many great stories my friends constantly share with me 
Whether it is nursing them back to health, cheering them up, i know this is the way love should be

I have no problem with being the chief nurturer, caregiver, lover and most importantly friend
But I want to be sure the love i give to him will be reciprocated in the love that he sends

What I know for sure is that it is my innate quality is to solve problems, to give, and always share
The only thing I want to be sure of is that when he thinks of me that he really does care

Cares how my day went, and if i am upset or disturbed works to try to put a smile on my face
Someone who prays, spiritual, is a believer in miracles, favor, forgiveness and Gods' Grace

Life is not about trials and errors, it is about trying new things in order to learn and evolve
Its about identifying hurdles in your path that you proactively analyze and work to solve

Its about using your time wisely which should never be used to lament or focus on the past
It’s about concentrating your time, talents and fortune on those special things that will last

In the face of uncertainty, mirage of unknowns and a sea of new opportunities and things
I want to discover my passions and identify those unique people that make my heart sing

I have seen glimpses of what I want forever to look like and I truly believe that I am ready to recieve it
I don't have an idea of the who, but I totally know what I want to feel when I finally recieve my gift

Every experience that I have lived through, survived, and conquered has stretched my ability to grow
And growth can not occur unless you let go of past decisions and people, these are the things that i know

Through all of my disappointments and heartaches I know that God is preparing an even bigger prize
He is pruning my character so I never again settle for the wooden nickels, unrealistic stories and lies

And through all of life's experience, the biggest blessing is that he never made my heart or hope waiver
When I receive the love of my life I will finally not doubt every moment, but sit back and savor

How to Change

Sometimes the biggest thing between what you have and want is change

Change in attitude, Change in your usage of time, and Change in behavior

They say it takes 21 days to adopt a new habit, routine, or a better way

To eat better, exercise, live with faith and watch the words you say

When you pray or speak to God, often times we lean down to kneel

Giving yourself to him, allowing God to control your mind and spirit

A physical example of relinquishing your power and giving it to the one 

The one who specializes in change regardless of what you have done

The decisions you wish you could correct and redo the experience

The people you have hurt through carelessness, selfishness or by accident

The time lost why you sabotaged happiness thinking you didn’t deserve it

The self criticism used to punish, the excessive drinks consumed to forget 

But there is a fairy tale that can be written at the end of your nightmare

There is a God who specializes in the change business and transformations

If you rely more on him and his blessings instead of what you have done

You can become the person God created; the changed resurrected one

The person that is an extension of authentic spirit, aura, essence and love

The person that is allowed to feel, express, live, apologize and move on

It may start with one phone call you never thought you could make

It may end with that trip or class you never thought that you could take

The miracle of life is that it is powerfully cyclical, not linear in nature  

So as much as we force ourselves to stick to an inflexible rigid mindset

Don’t; finally let all limitations and preconceived notions about life go 

You will see better opportunities once you let your internal energies flow

The inspirational and giving spirit that touches your heart creating fullness

The laughter that comes from a place of true joy, humor and humility

The energy that comes from nature that once nurtured creates self power

The dedication to fully blossom growing from a bud to a beautiful flower

Dreaming of change is no different than playing house or restless sleep

Role playing or meaningless actions never yield different results

Seeking change is not enough, Change plus action leads to fulfillment

Paralysis of Analysis is the biggest road to telling yourself you can’t

By the time you think through all of the possible ways you could fail

You ignore the potential of success, your self confidence shattered  

The moment could pass; the opportunity may not be available tomorrow

And then instead of peace you are filled with regrets, guilt and sorrow

So today I admit my faults however I am taking small steps to at least try

Confessing what I want and then turning my dreams into actionable tasks

Doing something even small is better than procrastinating or wishing I had

When I look at my life, I want to say I lived it, feel content and totally glad 

Process of Elimination

I didn't know what I was missing until I had the courage finally stop and walk away
Ignoring naysayers that keep talking even though they really have nothing to say

People will call me picky, too rigid, accusing me of having my head up in the sky
If people don't understand me thats fine, instead of convincing I will just say good by

I am an example of how the process of elimination restored my healthy and mind
Because it worked for my diet, why wouldn't I think a special man is possible to find

By listening to my gut, trusting my instinct and analyzing the lasting effects of food
I was able to heal my body, restore my energy, find my muse and improve my mood

Going gluten free gave me a zest for life and a passion to live a purposed driven life
I am selective about everything I put in my body; things may taste good but cause strife

I have learned that temporary satisfaction can lead to lasting pain, damage, and discomfort
And until you do a process of elimination you won't be able to identify those things that hurt

Slick Men that only warm you with compliments so they can receive instant gratification
Damaging processed foods that feel good going in, but lack to provide nutritional satisfaction

In order for me to understand the cause of my sickness, and unpredictable tummy
I had to log my food, document my feelings, and track when I felt really good or totally yucky

Just like I had to take the time to figure out the foods that I can not eat and those I can
I have decided to deploy that same process of elimination as I search to identify JT's man

I will think about past dates and how each man treated me and how they made me feel
I will log the lasting effects of all relationships to see if these men can really seal the deal

If they can't provide my heart, body and mind with complete fufillment and wholeness
They will be eliminated just like gluten; my tummy taught my heart to only accept the best