What season are you in?

Don’t be afraid of the waiting season- where you are unsure of what to do next-

Don’t be afraid of the pressing season- where you feel pushed, pulled, stretched beyond strength

Don’t be afraid of the season of lack- where food is simple, memories cost nothing and hugs are currency.

Don’t be afraid of the season of darkness- seeds are always planted underground to get their nutrients first before seeing the sun.

Don’t be afraid of the season where you feel unseen, under utilized or under appreciated.

Life has seasons- hold on through the season- push through knowing that everything in life has a timer- whether good or bad.

Here is the secret: come close- sit and hear: you can do it- you have unlimited knowledge, creativity and power- through community- through your family, and through your faith.

You can push through anything- you are a warrior- you are a fighter. You might get knocked down-but you get up. You might get tired- so take a timeout- but get back in the game!

“Be cheerful with joyous celebration in every season of life. Let your joy overflow! And let gentleness be seen in every relationship, for our Lord is ever near. Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life, then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will guard your heart and mind through Jesus Christ. Keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always. I know what it means to lack, and I know what it means to experience overwhelming abundance. For I’m trained in the secret of overcoming all things, whether in fullness or in hunger. And I find that the strength of Christ’s explosive power infuses me to conquer every difficulty.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:4-8, 12-13‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Don’t you dare compare

Don’t you dare compare.

You are a masterpiece.

“For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:10‬ ‭AMP‬‬

You are a symphony of ideas, creativity, growth, energy, laughter and love.

No one else can do what you do- how you do it- and with as much love as you do it with.

Your smile- your attitude- your words- are all trademarked to YOU.

They can try to replicate- they can try to do what you do- they might steal your color scheme- your logo-your website- but NO ONE can copy your business ethic- your morals and your dedication to your craft.

So keep pushing in your lane- don’t look to the right or to the left- that will only distract you.

“[looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work].”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:2‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Do you the best you can with what you have been given.

Put it all out in the field EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.

“so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord [displaying admirable character, moral courage, and personal integrity], to [fully] please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing in the knowledge of God [with deeper faith, clearer insight and fervent love for His precepts];”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1:10‬ ‭AMP‬‬

If you fail- get up and do it again. If you don’t know how to do it yet- learn and come back around to it. Pause but never stop.

So don’t you dare compare- the world is waiting for your gifts and beauty.

Ways to find your Tribe

God created us to need one another and to be in community.

The definition of a tribe is a group of people, or a community with similar

values or interests.

CAN ANY OF YOU GIVE ME AN EXAMPLE OF A TRIBE? I.E., Your Church, Friends, Sorority, or any Organization.

Joining a TRIBE can improve happiness and emotional resilience. However, be careful about selecting your tribe because it can steer you the wrong way.

BUT if you take your time and choose one that is the right fit. The right tribe

can feel like a hot bowl of soup on a cold winter day or a nice warm towel when you come out of the shower.

TIPS FOR ATTRACTING YOUR TRIBE: BE CLEAR ABOUT YOUR INTENTION. WHAT’S YOUR Why

• · YOU’RE SPECIAL BUT YOU’RE NOT SPECIAL

(Don’t let your ego’s separation story keep you from belonging. We all

hold within us sparks of divinity, and when we tap into the

Oneness, the illusion of separateness dissolves and we’re

left with what we most crave – intimate connection soul-

to-soul.

• · DITCH JUDGEMENT.

You never know what a TRIBAL MEMBER may look like

• · BE DISCERNING.

While judgment and criticism erect barriers between you and your tribe, you also won’t MESH with everyone you

meet. This is where discernment comes in.

• · DON’T BE SHY. TAKE ACTION.

When you meet people who light you up – the ones you hope will become part of your tribe – be

brave enough to invite them to be part of your inner circle.

---

In a 2021 issue of Psychology Today Jessica Schrader wrote an article about 5 Myths and 5 Realties about “FINDING YOUR TRIBE”

MYTH 1: There will be and automatic connection with someone

REALITY: It takes time to get to know someone and it helps to invest in

meeting regularly.

MYTH 2: Your interest should match. You should only include those who share your passion

REALITY: Values, character, and purpose-driven callings are more likely to

matter than common interests alone. Common interest can change but what

lasts are the core character traits and values

MYTH 3: You have similar backgrounds to share. The person fits in the same demographic (background) as you, or shares common age-related concerns.

REALITY: Allow for some pleasant surprises and discoveries as you meet

people who are different in age, socioeconomic group, culture, or race.

MYTH 4: You pick a person for your tribe because he or she mostly agrees with you or completely understands you.

REALITY: Openness and honesty may matter more than agreement.

MYTH 5: Your tribe will last a lifetime. Your tribe should be a circle of lifelong friends and extended family who stand the test of time.

REALITY: If only that was true—and it does happen for some of us, but not all

of us.

REMEMBER THIS: When you make your platform about other people,

They'll make it about you.

Respect begets respect.

Generosity is reciprocated.

Being helpful gets you noticed.

Honor these principles, and you'll never have to worry about marketing or self-promotion again.

You'll be the kind of voice that

people look forward to hearing from.