Forget About What They Say

“Forget About What ‘They’ Say…”

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2

Once upon a time I used to live my life according to what would “they” say or how would “they” feel about this or that. Then one day I came to the realization that I really didn’t care about this faceless, nameless group of people whom I referred to as “they”. I began to ask myself some thought- provoking questions like: “When was the last time “they” paid a NIPSCO (light and gas) bill?” and “Where was “they” on the first of the month when rent needed to be paid. To my recollection, “they” had been no where to be found. It was then that I was delivered from caring about “they” and what “they” were going to think. Now, over a decade later I laugh at having had the “They Syndrome”.

If anyone is suffering from the “They Syndrome” God can deliver you from it like He delivered me. God does not want us to live our lives trying to conform to the world or caring about what “they” are going to say. Instead, we must focus our efforts on pleasing God. Each time we consider making a decision or taking action we must ask ourselves what God will say about this or how will God feel about this. Our goal should not be to please others but to “prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.”

Stop The Pity Party!

I have got to keep it real with ya, this morning when I woke up- I really wasn't feeling this day. Man, I was tired beyond belief even though I went to sleep earlier last night than I have in a long time. I believe it was around nine o'clock when I got into bed. Yet, this morning I couldn't pry myself from the pillow and the fact that it was forty-some degrees outside didn't make it any better.
"It's Sunday! Sleep in," my body begged.
"It's Sunday! You need a word from the Lord," my soul said.
And the war was on. My body wanted to stay home. My inner woman said we can't continue to go on like this. I felt like a car does when it is on "E" and used up most of what is in the reserve tank. I need to be refreshed and revived and staying home wasn't going to get it. Finally, I got the kids ready and fed minus their hair being combed. Half of the battle was won.
However, the question every woman is faced with daily appeared- What am I going to wear?
And wouldn't you know it- no pantyhose in sight. I had passed by numerous places yesterday but never considered pantyhose for Sunday. I was determined I was going to church regardless. If sleep wasn't keeping me home, pantyhose sure wouldn't. I envisioned the outfit I would wear. I ironed my blouse and everything. The skirt- where is my skirt? After tumbling over three baskets of clean clothes and ransacking both of my closets (isn't God good- I have two closets full of clothes?) I couldn't find the skirt. I found it in the dirty clothes hamper. "Great," I said sarcastically to no one. Determined that I was going to make it to church, I went back to the closet and found a blue jean dress which was wrinkled beyond belief. I must have spent a good twenty minutes ironing it and figured that the dress was meant to be especially after I stumbled upon some hosiery. "Yeah," I said patting myself on the back. After I showered and combed my girls' hair then I put on the dress and wouldn't you know it- I must have gained some weight since the last time I wore the doggone thing because it was feeling a little snug in the arms. "That's just great, but I'm still going to church," I told myself. I buttoned it up and it fit everywhere else or did it? When I looked down, it was barely above my knees and I wanted to wear some high heeled boots with it. I let out a sigh and the battle intensified. I could just stay home. So, I looked in my closet and found another skirt to go with the already ironed blouse and I told myself this outfit was going to have to work no matter what. I already missed an hour of church dealing with this foolishness. I began to pity myself . Why me? Why this? Why that? It had escalated beyond the outfits, beyond the tiredness, into other aspects of my life.
I went to church and there was a word for me . It was about fighting the battle and not getting weary. God is awesome. After church, my girls and I went to get some ice cream-probably something I didn't need but everything happens for a reason. I looked over into Little Caesar's parking lot and I saw this man hitting at something. Later, I saw him waving his club at something. When I ready to pull off, I saw a woman on the ground trying to protect herself. My heart broke right then and there. I didn't see this man actually hit this woman, but my body posture told a story. I began to pray for that woman and her situation. I don't know her. I don't know what happened and truthfully it's not my business. It's not my place to judge her and say anything about her. As I drove down the road I saw the police driving in that direction. I began to consider myself and realize I had a lot to be thankful for. That could have been me in that dusty parking lot. So, so what that my two outfits didn't work out this morning. So what I have gained a little weight and a little tired, and my bank account doesn't have as many commas as I would like for it to have right NOW, things could be a worse.
Take time to consider your situation- thank God for what you have and pray for someone else.

Peace and Blessings,
Jahzara

Before You Bare Your Sole...

Before You Bare Your Soles…

If eyes are the windows of the soul, your poor feet are the workhorses. They stand,
they walk, they run. They take you to work, to the movies, and even out
dancing in 3" heels! Do something nice for them,
they deserve it. Our Pied-a-Terre pampering foot collection
cools, cleans, and refreshes your hardworking tootsies with
our healing eucalyptus scent and a special blend of minerals.

Pamper your feet in the comfort of your home with
the following Warm Spirit products:
MINI PEDICURE
Item #P266

2 oz. foot polish and soak, 1 oz. foot spray and 1/2 oz. special attention cream. $15.00

PAMPERED FEET
Item #P091

Our Pampered Feet gift set contains a 4 oz size of the Cooling Foot Spray, a Mineral Foot Soak, Foot Polish and 2 oz jar of Special Attention Cream. What better way to say happy holidays or to celebrate friendship and love, than by giving something that promotes better health and well being. Pamper your friends, relatives and associates with these perfect packages from Warm Spirit, the perfect gift for any occasion. The package comes seasonally gift-wrapped and includes a blank Warm Spirit note card. Please call for other options, such as a beautiful raffia box, which is sold separately. $50.00


Contact: Nicole Bradley, Certified Self Care Warm Spirit Consultant at n-bradley@sbcglobal.net
or 219-805-9482 before your bare your soles. Also order directly from the website at http://www.warmspirit.org/tranquility.

Master Cleanse Diet (Lemonade Diet)

Today, I will do something that I have never done before. I will publicly go on a diet and check in with you all each day. First I should share with you what the Master Cleanse Diet or Lemonade Diet is and my reasons for taking this great feat on. Feel free to join me.
The Master Cleanser Diet, or as popularly known; The Lemonade Diet was created by the late Naturopath Stanley Burroughs. The Diet consists of fasting to rid the body of toxins, created by improper diet, lack of exercise and negative mental attitudes. The purpose of the Lemonade Diet is to dissolve and eliminate toxins and congestion; to cleanse the kidneys and digestive system; to purify glands; to eliminate waste and hardened materials in the joints and muscles; to build a healthy bloodstream; to maintain optimal blood pressure; and to what you all are waiting to hear... to lose weight. As a reducing diet it is superior in every way, reducing fat at a rate of about two (2) pounds a day for most persons, without harmful side effects. (Information provided by the lemonadediet.com) It is rumored that Beyonce' also used this diet to prepare for her role in Dream Girls.
My reason for taking this challenge is because I want to feel better, shed pounds because I want to feel better and look good for me and I want more energy as well as clearer skin. I will long in daily. I have decided to do this challenge for seventeen days.

The components of the Master Cleanse Diet. First and foremost I suggest to anyone that is thinking about starting it to purchase the book or do research on the internet for oneself. Do not simply rely on my information.
At night you before bedtime drink an eight ounce cup of Smooth Move tea.
In the morning upon rising drink 32 ounce cup of uniodized sea salt water. (Use 2 teaspoons of the uniodized sea salt. If you use iodized the diet won't work.)
Note: The water should be pure and it is suggested that you use a filter on your sink. Research shows that there are so many toxins in the water that come from the tap until it is ridiculous. When I found out what I had been drinking it made me want to puke, no lie. Bottled water will not do either. I want this to work for me so I am willing to follow this diet to the letter and yes, I did buy the filter. If it going to keep me and my family healthy it's worth it. It was really inexpensive.)
During the day you drink 6-10 ten-ounce glasses of the Lemonade which consists of
2 Tablespoons of pure, organic maple syrup (don't try to substitute this or the diet will not work)
2 Tablespoons of organic lemon juice ( again use organic lemon juice, canned, frozen or anything other than organic will not work)
A pinch of cayenne pepper
Mix with water and you're good to go.

As I approach the end of the fast, I will share with you the proper way to come off the fast.

Day I: I drank the smooth move tea last night and surprisingly it was not bad. I thought that I was going to want to add some sugar to it before I started but once I tasted it there was no need. This morning I drank a cup of the uniodized sea salt water and it really was not that bad. I made the lemonade mixture at work and have been drinking it all day. I have not been hungry at all. So yea, for a good day so far.
6PM: I gotta keep it real. I just broke down and ate a pinch of my baby's pizza. That sausage and pepperoni and cheese was calling my name. So, it was a pinch. Then, I said, "Girl, you blew it. You just ate something and it did not hit the spot. So a salad won' t hurt will it?' So, I ate a small lettuce and carrot salad with ranch dressing and it was GOOD!
8:30 I drank some more lemonade and then my tea. Tomorrow will be better.

DAYII: How about that salt water in the morning is supposed to be 32 ounces? Yesterday I only drank 8 ounces of it because I didn't know. So, this morning I drank 32 ounces of it. And know I know the purpose of this morning cup. I spent an extra twenty minutes in the lavatory this morning. This system is truly cleansing me. I was like "Lord, you gotta to help me because I got to get to work. I don't think I can call off work because my body is detoxing. " Ofcourse, I wouldn't report that to my job, but when I call off work I like for it to be worth my while or just to have a chill day. Yes, I do take mental stress relief days. I'm not going to unnecessary stress and unwanted gray hairs due to a job. NOPE. I will take a mental stress relief day before that happens. So anyways, thank God I made it out of the house on time this morning. Got my oldest to school on time with time to spare and made it to work earlier than I have in a long time. Look how God works.
So, it's approaching noon on day 2 and my stomach is growling right now, so I gotta go and get some lemonade. My body really wants a mushroom swiss cheesburgrer with fries- let me stop. I am on a mission for myself and when this over I am going to have to go a shopping spree because my clothes will be too big in the waist, thighs and I can't walk around with pants that got a droopy booty.

DAYIII: I did it. Thank God, I made it through day 2 without cheating. I did not eat anything which is really good for me, because a sistah is used to eating. Now, day three has been going well so far. It's 11:00 am- I can do this. I skipped the salt water this morning, but I had the tea. There were no delays this morning (read yesterday's excerpt to see what I mean). You know I'm thinking this is not too bad, however it would probably be best to do this cleanse when you're at home and don't have to work-because it does make you "go" and I prefer to "go" at home.

THEY SAY...

I am so sick and tired of hearing people say, "You know they say..." or "They say you can't do bluh-bluh..." Would somebody please tell me who they is?
Once upon a time, I used to live my life to please people. I wouldn't buy a certain item or wear a certain article of clothing because I was afraid of what "they" might say or what "they" might think. One day I asked myself who this powerful "they" was and I couldn't answer the question. It was one day that I matured, stuck my tongue out, smacked myself on the behind and said, "They, whomever they may be can take that. Today, I live to please God and Jahzara and if "they" don't like it too bad."

Jahzara
www.warmspirit.org/tranquility