Category Archives: Life

Jan 18 2012

Becoming Me

Blue Sky Growing a Tree Branch in the Garden o...

Image by epSos.de via Flickr

 We start off being mere leaves on a branch, but as we began to have our own families we become a branch on a tree.  Whenever you see leaves and new branches forming, it is a sign of growth.

“Tree height and branch lengthening begins with a bud. While nature provides a seed all it needs to survive, she provides great opposition to survival.”  A seed competes with its neighbors for nutrients, sunlight, water, food and space to grow.  Some seeds may even become a source of food.  Whatever purpose they end up fulfilling, they are needed.  But the seed that can withstand the
competition within its natural environment, grows into the tree that produces the fruit, leaves providing shade and wood for building.

Just like the seasons bring about changes in the appearance and growth of a tree, so do the seasons in our lives.  Trees shed leaves in order to sustain life, holding on could create issues if the proper nutrients is not available.  The same is true in our lives.  Pruning, clipping and shedding those things of old should not be seen as a negative.  Branches that have been clipped and pruned can grow on their own if planted.  “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” 1 Corinthians 3:6

With growth comes wisdom and knowledge, I can recognize what needs to be shed and I’m not as reluctant to let go.  I can’t “Become Me” if I refuse to sustain MY growth.

“Building relationships of accountability and trust with all roads leading to love.” RATL

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Jan 12 2012

I Plead The 5th

what are word for?

Image by Darwin Bell via Flickr

I learned that everything is not worth uttering and if it’s not worth speaking, it isn’t worth entertaining. I have put a value on my words and they continue to appreciate. I can no longer speak my own defeat because I am a conqueror. And I won’t allow another to murder me with their words. Life and death are in the power of the tongue. I speak life because there was a time that my words were speaking my own eulogy. The only problem was that there were no words to fill in the dash. I hadn’t discovered my purpose and was living a life with no drive or motivation.

What words are you using to describe your day? Your life? Change your mind, change your life. Stop accepting everything into your life, it’s okay to throw some things back. Wake up in control of your day. When we get out of the bed, our feet are the first thing to hit the floor. That means everything else is beneath us. We are not walking in worry or defeat, but we are stepping on the seeds before they can even be planted. We allow our words to imprison us, limit our options and forfeit our goals.

Live your best life. When someone attempts to change your environment with their words, just tell them “shhh” and plead the 5th.

“Building relationships of accountability and trust with all roads leading to love.” RATL

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Jan 11 2012

One Life to Live

 

English: Serenity

Image via Wikipedia

I’ve got one life to live and I am going to do my best to live it the way it should be lived.  I am one year wiser and closer than ever to living the life that is meant for me.

My 4 Keys of Life:

1. Surround yourself with positive people.  People that are headed where you desire to go, that will hold you accountable for the choices you make and are looking out for your best interest.

2. Don’t be afraid or ashamed to ask for help.  It takes a strong person to recognize when they need help and actually seek it out.  There is NO room for pride.

3. Write down your goals.  I enjoy writing, as you can see.  Over the past year, I realize that the very things that I wrote about manifested in my life.  Think of your list as a to do list and commit yourself to it.  Make your list as detailed as possible.  You will be able to see what you can do on your own and what you need help with.  The key is getting started.

4.  Don’t ever let anyone tell you, “you can’t” because you can.

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

The 5th stage of the grieving process is Acceptance.   I wanted to make sure I finished the stages of the grieving process in spite of my birthday.  However, it is definitely a process that no one can not put a time frame on.  We all have our own ways of grieving and finding healing in the midst of our pain.  Just know that you are not alone.

“Building relationships of accountability and trust with all roads leading to love.” RATL

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Jan 8 2012

Letting Go…

training wheels

Image by qwrrty via Flickr

Some of the most difficult experiences in life, can provide us with the greatest opportunities of gaining wisdom and knowledge. They can also reveal one’s strength. Letting go, I have found to be difficult but at times necessary and for the best.  Three years ago, when I lost my father, I was angry. I prayed and ask God why would you remove the parent that I needed and depended on the most. Why would you leave me with so many questions unanswered? It took a year for me to get my answer.

I had put so much confidence and faith in my father, that if he fell short I would end up crushed. I constantly looked to him for answers instead of praying and asking God. For so long, I was riding through life with the training wheels on. I was scared of falling so I kept every safety net in place to prevent one. But now I realize, since the training wheels have been removed, that the one that holds me up, can also keep me from falling.

I know my father is looking down on me with a heart full of joy, watching his baby girl move forward and grow. I am also thankful that my heavenly father stepped in when I refused to let go.

Anger is the second stage of the grieving process. It allows our intellectual side to question the facts, fight with our reality and blame, even if it’s not at the fault of someone else. It gives us a license to feel the pain of our heart being hurt.

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Dec 31 2011

Vision: Personal, Family and Business

We Saw A Vision

Image via Wikipedia

Write the vision and make it plain…In business, I have learned the importance of having a vision. The results that I have seen since writing one over a year ago, have pushed me to develop one in all aspects of my life. It is important to understand not only where you are going but also how you intend to get there. Your vision plan should be detailed, including the methods you intend to utilize in order to accomplish each objective. One must also be able to communicate this verbally in a clear and concise manner. In business, we often refer to this as an elevator speech. An elevator speech sums up the vision for your business in 3-5 minutes; it provides the listener with enough information to paint a picture and desire more. You should also be able to do this in your personal life.

Over dinner with friends, I had mentioned to them my “five minute rule”. In five minutes or less, as a single woman/man, you should know if a person is worth another five minutes of your time. How you might ask? Well in five minutes, if a person has a personal vision, they should be able to comunicate that to you. Rattling off ten hobbies is not going to cut it, everyone should have a career objective or goal in mind. The things which a person is involved in should lead them to that particular goal. Whether the current job they hold is for the purpose of saving to return to school to obtain the job they desire, it should all add up. But you only get 5 minutes, so make sure you have the appropriate equation before I begin adding and subtracting.

As a single mother, I have found that writing the vision for my family can be difficult. I have five little ones and I am responsible for ensuring that they grow to be responsible and positive contributions to society. My children are getting older, I am finding it necessary to make sure that as a family we are all on the same page. The most important decision was allowing God to have full reign in my home. “Train up a child in the way he should go…”. Establishing a routine is also important, children do better when they know what is expected. I am also making sure to define roles. Someone once said, “you have to live the life you want your children to live. Each day I wake, I have to be sure that I am demonstrating peace, joy, love, hardwork and faithfulness. These are the ingredients that are preserving our family.

2012 will be the revealing and pursuing of many life goals and hearts desires. I’m focused, my family is in good health and vision has been written for this appointed time. We survived the worst, the best is on its way…We are more than conquerers.

Happy New Year!!!

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May 25 2011

This Ole Journey

I would lend you my shoes, but they’re a little worn.
You see the path was laid before me, but I didn’t listen to those who had warned.

I would lend you my hand, but it is already over extended.
You see my heart was placed in the hands of the man for whom it was never intended.

What do you need from me? Whatever you need I don’t think I’m ready to give.
See I’ve been hurt many times, and I’ve forgotten how to forgive.

I would give you my friendship, but I’m not ready to lead.
You see there were so many warnings, but I didn’t take heed.

I would lend you my ear, but I failed to listen.
You see I have realized that a lot of the lessons taught I had been missing.

What do you need from me? Whatever you need, I don’t think I’m ready to give.
But I will paint you a picture of my journey, if its only through my testimony that you shall not die but live.

Original Poem ~ Rhachelle Nicol’

Mar 8 2011

Day 11 – What Choices Did You Make Today?

We have all heard it before, life is about choices. Even when we have failed to choose, we have in fact made a choice. With each choice comes a consequences, either good or bad. “To every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.”

I am making each choice intentionally, not by accident; making choices with no reservation. I am holding myself accountable for the outcome that results from the choices I make. I am living a life of transparency and experiencing the freedom that it brings. I am continuing in prayer, faith and love. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.”

I am a work in progess but I am sharing my journey along the way. A song that I am reminded of, “He walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am his own and the joy we share as we tarry we there, none other has ever known”

I have tarried in this place that I am in for a season. I am content but I know there is yet and still more for me to do. So as I continue to make choices that move me out of my comfort zone, I rest assured in one thing, that He will continue to walk with me. One of my followers tweeted yesterday, “We are always ONE breath from ETERNITY. #Grace” So I ask you today, what choices did you make?

Mar 7 2011

Day 10 – Preparation is Key

Today began with a very important phone call, one that I was prepared for, but the person on the other end of the phone was not aware of how serious I was. In other words, she hadn’t taken the time to really see what I had already done and how the next step being taken was only appropriate. In essence, she was not prepared, and it showed.

Preparation is always key. Sometimes an opportunity will only present itself once and we must be able to seize it. Don’t put off things that you can do because you have already looked too far down the road at those you can’t. Keep chipping away at it, believe me, someone is watching. “Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.” Alexander Graham Bell

Read more: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/preparation.html#ixzz1FxSZr326

Mar 6 2011

Day 9 – It’s All in the Approach

I am one that enjoys conversation and getting to know people. Introductions, open-ended questions and eye contact, I have found are key in building a repoire. “Hello, how are you doing today? My name is Rhachelle…” These words are uttered from my mouth on a daily basis and the eye contact shows my sincerity.

Relationship building is a form of art, in my opinion, everyone’s style is different and for some it doesn’t come natural. Whatever the case, it is extremely important and can be applied in all aspects of life. “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24

Today my co-worker asked, “What are you doing different?” My reply was, “It’s all in your approach.” So many people have needs that go unmet because no one took the time or didn’t ask the right questions. Get to know people, listen and then act.

Mar 4 2011

Day 8 – What’s Next

What’s next? Truthfully, I don’t know, but one thing is for certain my steps have been ordered. When I set out on this journey, I was letting go of a lot of things that had been holding me back. I vowed to be obedient to what God had for me to do, no matter how strange or difficult it seemed at the time. March 3, 2010 changed my life in more ways than one. I can’t believe it has been an entire year. Some counted me out, some probably even thought I would stay down, but still by the grace of God I am rising.

Throughout this entire journey, patience has been the key. Though a year seems like a long time, I have learned that being in the wrong state of mind can make it seem even longer. My mind has been renewed. Yesterday is gone, today at this very moment is what matters and I have learned to make the most of each moment that God allows for me. I have shared my struggles, my vision and my purpose. I can’t wait to share with you how it all comes together. The countdown has officially started!!!