Wiping Out Reality Roadblocks

Life is nothing but an obstacle course, its all about getting through that obstacle course 'successfully' to your desired goal that most people seem to have a problem with. And it's only normal to encounter these obstacles in the pursuit of your goal. It's kind of a test to see if your worthy.

However, when these obstacles start to become a nuisance to the point of almost putting a stop to your goal(s); or worse, making one completely abandon his/her goal, one must take action and think things through.

So, with that said, here are some helpful, tested pointers that will keep your attention focused in achieving any goal that you put your mind to.

Step 1. Don't quit.

Especially when midway in working for a goal, there should be no room for quitting. To quit is tantamount to going back to the starting line of goal accomplishment. That is time, energy, money, and a whole lot of things wasted and lost. It is more costly to quit than to find a solution to the problem, not to mention the frustration felt.

Step 2. Keep a clear, open and tense-free mind.

Always be ready to receive new ideas. Focus and concentrate. Think on a wide scale manner and always be open for options(even unconventional ones) to eliminate the particular obstacle you are currently dealing with.

Step 3. Persist and Persevere.

Be sure to exhaust every possibility, even to the point of trial and error, just to be sure that there is a solution to correct the problem your dealing with.

Step 4. Simulate.

Try to picture inside your head a possible solution to help overcome and/or solve the obstacle that's setting you back.

Step 5. Get assistance.

If all else fails get assistance from others you know who are more knowledgeable on the work being done. They may be able to help you or not. Their suggestions might not necessarily be the right or exact ones you were hoping to hear, but they may trigger some NEW ideas in finding the right solution to your problem.

Those are the basic 5 steps to overcoming any obstacle that's holding you back.

Consider this scenario as an example.

Let's say you thought of a COOL new product and you are confident and excited that this product will sell like wildfire to your target market once it hits the market.

You then go tell a friend about it, but your friend says that your product would be a waste of time and money.

Your friend also tells you why it will be such a flop and gives your their reason why as follows:

"If your product idea is to be a success, how come nobody else is doing it?"

Does this sound familiar?

With that being said you decide that your friend is right and forget about your new product idea because of your friend's comment.

This exact scenario happens all the time all over the world.

Don't fall victim to this.

You are your own person with your own opinions and beliefs.

Though it is good to hear other peoples opinions and their reasons, what really matters the most is yours in the end based on the information you have received and researched.

So the lesson here is, be firm in your beliefs and follow your heart and minds desire.

You just never know what the outcome might be.

Cheryl Lacey Donovan is an award winning author, speaker, coach, mentor, trainer, and radio/TV personality. Look for Cheryl's newest coaching/mentoring program soon. To learn more about Cheryl or to have her speak at your next event contact Carolyn Hall of the CL3 agency by clicking here or visit her website

SistahFaith: Kisha Woods

Step into Your Future

The Purpose of Life

Did you know that you can accomplish in your life the highest goal that any person could ever achieve? Many people in our society feel that their lives are empty, with no real sense of fulfillment or purpose. Do you feel this way?

There once was a king who had this problem. Like most modern people, he thought that the purpose of life was to become wealthy, "be a party animal," or "get a good education." So he achieved all these goals. He became the wisest man alive. He obtained wealth and pleasure beyond imagination.

But was he satisfied? He concluded that all this was "vanity and vexation of spirit." And then he discovered the real purpose of life. And you can discover it too!

Who was this king, and what did he learn? The answer is found in your Bible. The king was Solomon, and he learned that the "whole duty of man" -- man's whole reason for existing -- is to "fear God and keep His commandments" -- Ecclesiastes 12:13.

God made you. And He made you for a purpose: to serve Him all the days of your life, and then to receive eternal life when this life is over.

But can you accomplish this purpose is your life? Yes, you can! No matter what kind of life you have lived, in God's eyes you are a sinner, "for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" -- Romans 3:23. But the good news is that you can still receive eternal life. For God "is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" -- 2 Peter 3:9. Jesus said, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved" -- Mark 16:16.

For more information on this subject, please visit our Bible Instruction web site at www.gospelway.com/instruct/ and study our in-depth articles there about the meaning and purpose of life, how to change yourself, and maturing in Christ.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(c) Copyright David E. Pratte, 2/5/2005

7 Lessons for L.I.F.E. (Living in Faith and Expectancy

Today I begin a series entitled 7 Lessons for L.I.F.E. (Living in Faith and Expectancy)

There are seven steps you can follow to reach the abundant life that God has purposed for you.

The first step is to "Be Yourself"

Many of us spend most of our lives conforming to what society says we should be. Yet, even the Bible says we should not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Romans 12:2. Remember, Jesus wasn't put to death for going along with the program!

Being yourself, what God has called you to be, is essential to walking in your destiny.Being who and what God has called you to be is as natural as breathing. Yet, many of you are fearful, lacking confidence in the Word of God and what it promise for you. Therefore, you yield to social pressure and use it as an excuse for not being yourself. Denying who you are according to God's design, will cause you to live a life of frustration and discord. Supressing who you are in hopes that "man" will reward you will leave you coming up short everytime. Instead, you should be listening to what God has to say about you while living a life that is pleasing to HIm.

The steps of a good man are ordered by God. Where is He leading you? Will you follow?

Living according to God's plans for your life will not always be popular. In fact, some people, even your family, may disapprove. The bottom line is our thoughts are not His thoughts and our plans are not His plans, therefore, it is not ours to question His will but to follow it. Not being who God called you to be will lead to unrest.

Recognize that people's perceptions of you matter far less than what God has to say about you. Be "you" consistently. This will allow you to be honest and open with others as well as yourself. Be open to change if you are not aligned with God's Word understanding that not being in His perfect will can draw you further from Him. You want to be everything that He has called you to be.

Don't allow your faults to overwhelm you, but don't ignore them either. Keep in mind no one is perfect, so self improvement, in alignement with God's teachings, will help you walk in God's destiny.

Being yourself begins with understanding and accepting yourself for who and what you are. Concurrently, you must yield yourself to God's power and will for your life understanding that He can make perfect all things about you when you abide in HIm and He abides in you.

You were fearfully and wonderfully made in God's own image. Therefore, He who has begun a good work in you is able to complete it. Don't rely on your own understanding , rely on Him.

Believe in who God has called you to be.

Join me next week when I move to step two (Love your neighbor as" YOURSELF") of the 7 Lessons for L.I.F.E. (Living in Faith and Expectancy).

Cheryl Lacey Donovan is an author ,talk show host and inspirational speaker. Her captivating messages are presented with passion and conviction as she connects with her audience through her conversational style. Her new book the Ministry of Motherhood (Peace in the Storm Publishing) will be released May 2009. To learn more about Cheryl visit www.cheryllaceydonovan.com

Is Hip Hop Really Responsible for the Degradation of Women

It is my personal opinion that each person must take accountability for their own actions and while I am not particularly happy with some of the terms that are used to describe women in the lyrics heard on some rap albums, I must point everyones attention to the fact that daily soap operas also have resorted to using profane language and showing partial nudity on regular TV in the middle of the day. I believe society as a whole has degraded itself. Furthermore, the women in the videos are accountable for their own actions. No one holds a gun to their heads and makes them girate on camera. We as women are just as responsible for our degradation as anyone else. We allow these things by actively participating. My book "Women What the Hell are You Thinking" deals with the fact that women need to take responsibility and be accountable for themselves. You must first respect yourself before others will respect you. People only do what you allow them to. If you behave like a "b#***, or a w#**** then people will treat you like one. When you behave like a lady then people treat you like one. Women What the Hell are You Thinking stop participating in and allowing yourselves to be degraded in genres like this. If you're not available for the video, then the video can't be made.