All the compliments about the weight I had lost were great. When people would ask how I’d lost the weight I’d tell them that a lot of foods had been cut out of my diet.  They’d marvel at my discipline but the truth was I couldn’t eat much of anything because I was sick, very sick.  I was suffering from stage 3 colon cancer.  I didn’t know it at the time but I knew something was going severely wrong in my intestinal area because when I ate certain foods I’d be in so much pain, pain I wouldn’t wish on anyone.  Because of this unbearable pain I decided not to eat; I didn’t know what would trigger the attacks, so to be safe rather than sorry, I gave up eating regular meals.
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After the cancer was gone and I was back home, I was thrilled with my new size and once I was well enough I started exercising regularly and being mindful of what I was eating, but before long I started to indulge in what I desired to eat.  Chocolates, fried food and even fast food got reintroduced to my diet.  This resulted in me putting back on most of the weight I had lost, though I was not happy, I was still very grateful not to be sick anymore.  Consequently, the tightness of my size 16 clothes and the extra weight on my face and butt made me want to reverse what was happening by. 

In times past whenever I’d commit to changing my habits to yield weight loss results, midway through I’d falter, get bored, stop being disciplined and start feeling as though I was being cheated or missing out and slowly I’d revert back to my old habits.  During that time in my life I didn’t feel as strong as I do now.  I felt powerless back then.  I didn’t know my own strength.  My recent bout with cancer taught me so much about myself so I have recommitted to getting the extra weight off once and for all.
Though I have committed to reshaping my body there was still a part of me that questioned my viability.   “In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. (Psalm 18:6) I asked God if I could do it and He said yes of course daughter!  I wondered how God was so sure and that’s when He pointed out a few characteristics my cancer experience had gifted me:

Persistence – once released from the hospital I had to do daily injections of Lovenox to prevent blood clots, I HATE NEEDLES, however, I persevered and did what was overall best for my well-being.  )I hear blood clots can lead to death.)

Self-control –not willing to risk feeling the God awful pain associated with eating certain things I demonstrated discipline and made wise food choices.
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Fortitude – operating from a new level of awareness and self-understanding, my ability to withstand and let go became much stronger, my endurance muscle grew tougher.

So now, looking within I see and know without an ounce of doubt that I can accomplish whatever I set in my heart to do.  From this view, the best view, I see my new found wisdom and increased tenacity.  Who I am and the strength I possess is clearer from this view, allowing me to see and get rid of self-sabotaging thoughts and actions sooner rather than later.

As the New Year approaches, many of you like me have goals you want to accomplish and dreams you’d like to build.  I’d like to help you be successful that’s why I am offering two free workshop webinars, “End Self-Sabotage & Reclaim Your Power" or “RISE & WIN: Success Strategies for BIG Results”.  During these workshops you get to:

• Heal your inner self-saboteur,
• Understand how to stop reverting to self-destructive behavior,
• Build your faith muscle
• Gain confidence & clarity,
• Identify & activate inner strengths,
• Learn to maximize spiritual resources
• And so much more!

There’s still room, sign up today and invite a friend!
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Until next time, make it a GREAT day!
Cynthia

Many of us would not want to express gratitude for our difficulties, hardships or experiences that cause us anguish. On my journey of becoming spiritually healthy I became aware of my initial response to heartache and adverse – blame; I blamed myself, I blamed others and I blamed God.  The blame was birthed out of anger and more often than not, my need to blame validated the helplessness and victimhood mentality I had adopted.  By looking at the situation from this view, I was not taking responsibility for my actions and accepting the role I played in creating the experience. Overtime, I realized that this way of living was exhausting and very costly. 
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A couple of months ago, after making a declaration to no longer worry about having enough money I was tested. While checking my emails I noticed there was an email from my bank about an overdraft.  Now I am very thorough when it comes to managing my money so I was surprised.  After carefully researching I realized that the overdraft was a result of an oversight on my end.  The very next day I received another email from the bank, because I thought there was more money in my account than there actually was I had filled up my tank a few days ago, because there was insufficient funds in my account, the bank paid for the transaction however I was charged another overdraft fee.  My account was severely overdrawn by this time and continued to accrue fees each day it was not brought current.  For the next 7 days daily notifications were emailed to me updating me on the status of my account.   To top things off, on pay day, there was an issue with payroll, this caused a problem with paychecks being deposited resulting in additional bank fees and overdraft charges. 

I chose my response to the situation carefully,  being frantic and disturbed could have cost me peace, so instead of worrying, I chose to express gratitude; this gave me more peace.  I could have been annoyed but instead I thanked the bank for the daily notifications regarding my account status.  I thanked the bank for covering the items because they could have refused to pay them. I thanked God for continuing to provide all my needs despite the status of my account.  I expressed gratitude for the opportunity to be transformed, this experience etched in my heart that there was no need to worry about not having enough money because even in the midst of my experience I still had more than enough.  I blessed God for being all sufficient.  I was grateful for the chance to be abundance and not be defined by my bank account, what a liberating experience. 
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Some may think it’s strange to express gratitude for hardships, however, when you are able to shift your perspective and change the way you view the perceived hardship you will be able to see the value in the experience.  Give thanks for your suffering, setbacks, and mishaps.  Bless the experiences that seem to challenge the truth of your being for it is those very experiences that are sent to strengthen your faith.   When hardships arise, be thankful, affirm the promises of God and speak lovingly to yourself and about your situation.   

Our dreams offer powerful information, information that can be useful for living a joyous, harmonious and peaceful life, but if you don't understand the language of your dreams you are be missing out on valuable insight and even forfeiting a life of grace and ease.

A few years ago, after quitting a leadership job of nine years, I felt completely uncertain about the direction of my life.  The job was technically my first "real" job that offered financial flexibility, coaching creativity and the opportunity to positively impact the lives of others.   Even though I was able to work my way up the corporate ladder into this position, my confidence in my ability to build a successful business was extremely low.  I told God about my fears explaining that I didn't believe I had what it took.
 
Later that week I had a dream about a tiger.  The dream kind of frightened me. I remember being asleep in my bedroom and suddenly hearing a ruckus and waking up to huge tiger standing in my bedroom.  Slowly rising to a sitting position, the tiger and I locked eyes, it starts walking toward me. The tiger got up in my face, our noses touching one another; its hot breath brushed my face. For a minute or so our eyes stay locked then the tiger walks away.  Remembering the dream upon waking, I knew the tiger appeared in my dream to deliver a needed message from the animal kingdom.  The wisdom and knowledge the tiger brought me was exactly what I needed.  
 
The primary meaning for tiger spirit is personal strength. This spirit animal appeared to prompted me to show courage and determination.  Seeing this animal wisdom also delivered the message that I was overcoming fears and learning how to deal with emotions that once felt threatening, but now are becoming more  manageable.  In the animal spirit world, tigers could appear when you feel threatened by external circumstances or your own feelings. The tiger totem is both a sign of a potential threat and a call for courage to face the threat. When the tiger appears in dreams, it can be a symbol of strength, more specifically willpower. Tiger wisdom guides you in your ability to overcome obstacles in life or summon the courage you have within to defy challenges that are on your way. The expression “fight like a tiger” illustrates this point." (http://www.spiritanimal.info/tiger-spirit-animal/) 

My dream was basically showing me my true nature and inviting me to trust who I was and trust in my God given ability to overcome any obstacle presented on my path.  The dream was reassuring me that I was capable of building a successful business as long as I was tenaciously determined. There was validity in my fears about leaving my primary source of income to pursuing an area of life I had always desired to live but had never believed I could; the tiger was showing me my strength.  The dream was telling me that hard work was in store and that I needed to be willing to fight for what I wanted.

​What are your dreams saying to you?  If you struggle with understanding the language of your dreams register for my upcoming workshop, "Dreams Speak" - a 4 part series on decoding dream messages so you can begin living a more peaceful and harmonious life.  

Our dreams help us identify unresolved issues, internal fears, lingering fears and subconscious beliefs that keep you feeling powerless and unable to enjoy a life.  You deserve to start waking up to a life you love!

​Register today so you can learn the language of your dreams and love the life you live! 

Love & light,
Cynthia 
 

​A few weeks ago, I had a stimulating conversation with one of the women at my church - a divorced mom of two teen aged girls who not too long ago had lost her job. She was sharing how managing her money was tight and that she couldn’t afford to send both of her girls to homecoming.  Understanding her heart and having a desire to help, I offered to contribute funds to help cover some of the costs, and that’s when it happened.  She began to cry and while crying she started declining my offer.  Before she could say no, I interjected that it was not optional for her to accept my gift.  Adhering to the quickening in my Spirit, I handed her some of the money immediately and told her to expect the rest in a couple of days.

What was it that made her not want to receive the gift?  Not wanting to speculate I inquired, her response was the same as my cousin's a few months earlier when my neighbor wanted to sow into his lawn care business.
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After finishing my yard, he came in for a glass of cold water.  In casual conversation he asked if I’d ever socialized with my next door neighbors.  I told him no more than hi and bye with the wife but no conversation with the husband.  He commenced to telling me how genuine the husband was.  The neighbor shared with my cousin he was in the lawn care business also and that he had a lawn mower and trimmer that he no longer needed it and offered it to my cousin.  Initially the neighbor’s kind gesture was declined but later my cousin decided to accept the mower but not the trimmer.  I asked if he had a trimmer and he said no or that is broken. I asked why didn’t he accept the trimmer from my neighbor.  He couldn’t give me an answer right away so I probed, I really wanted to know what made him not take the trimmer.  He finally said it was because he didn’t want to appear needy - that was the same response the sister at my church gave.

​Many of us struggle in life because the vision we have about abundance is obscured.  A lot of the dilemmas we face are a direct reflection of our inability to receive from others.  We are taught that we must work hard to have what we need when we need it, but that my friend is not the abundant way. 
I want to tell you something.  Are you listening?  Okay here it is, “God uses people to bless people.”  However, if you experience internal conflict when it comes to receiving from others, it is likely that you are unable to tune into abundance.

The abundant way is light, loving and liberating.  It is uncomplicated, smooth and simple.  Tuning in to abundance, or being in the flow means being plugged in to the Source, the Holy Spirit and lovingly allowing life’s circumstances to unfold in divine timing and in whatever manner God sees fit.  There have been several instances in my own life when I needed a particular thing and it would show up through someone else. 

My credit was shot. After quitting my job to build my business, money was scarce this caused a lot of my bills to be unpaid or paid late and resulted in a low credit score.  Thank goodness God does not measure us the way the world does.  I needed a car however I was not in a position to make a down payment, pay a car note and it was highly unlikely anyone would approve me for a car loan.  I asked God for a car, a reliable and decent car and guess what, someone gave me a car!  I could have allowed myself to be stressed and strained over how I would get a car however I chose to tune into the flow of abundance and follow the abundant way.

When we are tuned into abundance we stand with assurance that God is for us and we believe with all our heart that all our needs are supplied.  We do not try to dictate how our needs are met, yet we remain open and simply receive.  God is way more creative than we could ever be when it comes to providing, don’t allow pride, shame, and unworthiness keep you away from abundance.

If you struggle internally with receiving or emotionally in other areas of your life, join my monthly empowerment call R.I.S.E & W.I.N where you learn to release internal struggles effortlessly so you can walk in newness; we meet every 4th Thursday of the month. 

Until next time,
Cynthia    

When life crashes down and everything shatters, splattering on the walls of your heart and the pain you feel is visible to all that look upon you, it's hard to believe you'll ever recover, it's hard to fathom you will smile again.  Between the every day fatality of our hopes and dreams of living from a place of authenticity and the phony fallacy that perfection does indeed exist, it's a wonder you and I haven't lost our minds.  Well actually, I think I may have lost my mind a few times, however, there is a natural tendency for things to eventually fall into place, it's just the way life is.  Our giants - debt, divorce, low self-esteem, uncertainty about the future, disappointment - whatever the giant is in your life, can be defeated.  And just like, "trouble don't last always", you are stronger than you believe.  

I didn't think I could take one more thing going "wrong", hell, I was already dealing with enough.  The summer I found out my 16 year old daughter was expecting, I had to choose in an instant, to stay sane or go insane. Devastated and tired of feeling like I was making a mess of my life, blaming myself for her choices and feeling embarrassed for standing behind my decisions made me want to spaz out, it was hard to hope or picture life being any other way other than difficult.

One night while standing on the bus stop a man appeared and spoke as if he had an open book to my life.  He assuredly said, "You will smile again.  Your kind isn't built for defeat, you always find a way to win, it's just who you are."  We talked the whole bus ride, he mainly talked, I listened.  Once he departed the bus, I thought how good it would feel to dream again, to hope again to look forward to life.  

When I arrived home God instructed me to read a poem I had written a few years earlier titled, Life After. This poem reminded me that I was powerful and though what I was facing felt unbearable, there was life after the storm.   Yes, storms leave damage, clutter and debris to clean and clear which is sort of a blessing in a special kind of way.  The storms of life not only help us to see the writing on the wall a bit clearer but they offer us the opportunity to release what no longer serves us and create a new life experience.  We must get and stay connected to the Source so that we are able to withstand the storms of life and get in the flow. Being in the flow means not going against the current yet getting in its path and letting it take you to your destination with ease.

Whatever you're facing in this season of your life my friend, it's important to remember YOU ARE NOT POWERLESS and you are supported by a loving God, a God that is very near you, a God who provides guidance and answers to your prayers.  When your life becomes exceedingly overwhelming and you are unclear of what your next steps should be, offer this simple prayer, "God, I need you."  And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. (Is. 65:24 KJV)

Until next time make it a great day,
Cynthia 

Life had changed.  My heart was aching, the kind of heartache you feel when someone you love deeply has died.  You long for something that can never be again and the realization of it is devastating, almost unbearable.  When we go through unexpected transitions, change or challenges, we want to avoid feeling anguish, disappointment or hurt but these feelings are all a part of your healing journey, at least it was for me.

Have you ever faced something so hurtful you wish you could blink and it be over?  That was me. 
Spirit reminded me that everything is a process, especially healing.  One day I began to think about how powerful my thoughts are and how much fun it would be to co-create a life experience that felt good. Though I desired different, I hadn’t really dug deep into what I wanted. In order for change to come, I needed to get clear about what I wanted.   

If I was going to transform my life, it was important for me to get super clear, walking helps me to clear out so I made a commitment to walk every morning and evening. The time alone allowed me to reconnect with myself and hear God better. During my walks God encouraged me to forgive myself for compromising self-worth.  When in a place of healing, we must be willing to tell and embrace the truth about what happened and accept responsibility for the role we played in creating it; there is simply is no other way to heal.  I was now ready to transform my life. 

When you decide to create better circumstances for yourself, it can be frightening and intimidating especially if you’ve tried many times before.  A good attitude makes a huge difference.  When I stopped feeling as though I had been wronged and began to appreciate my experience, I felt a shift take place and began to feel hopeful.  There still were days I’d wake up feeling pain, however, I didn’t allow the feelings to blind or immobilize me, I chose to love myself through it.  It’s important to be kind to yourself when you are growing through transformation. 

Being clearer enabled me to see exactly the kind of life I desired to co-create.  Every day during my morning and evening “I AM” walks, not only did I see in my mind’s eye the kind of life I desired, I also began verbally declaring “I AM” statements to support my vision.  This helped to reprogram my subconscious mind and allowed me to become fully engrossed in the feeling nature of what I desired to create.   This felt great!  It took my focus off my reality and straight to my destiny.  The Bible says, “As a man thinketh, so he is.” (Pro 23:7)  We create in our mind; this is the Law of Mind, “Everything arises out of thought.”

Ask yourself, what area(s) of my life could use a makeover?  Allow the answer to come forth. 
Once you are clear about this make a decision to be all in as you grow through the transformation. Decide right now that you are ready, willing and open to transforming your life.   Go ahead, do it. 

Little by little, you’ll begin to make changes that will strategically prepare & position you to becoming, doing and having that which you’d like to be, do and have, this is faith in action.  Now, two things will likely happen, don’t be alarmed. First, you may experience resistance - thoughts that tell you that what you’re doing is stupid and a waste of time.  Push through this, hear them but don’t let them deter you.  As you overcome resistance, the second thing you'll notice is a mental shift in the way you think and act; a no matter what attitude will take over and all the excuses that once kept you from experiencing and maintaining real change will fade away.  Try it, I mean really try it; what do you have to lose?   

Can I support you on your journey of transformation?  Join my free empowerment call, R.I.S.E Thursday August 25, 2016 at 8 pm CDT, where you'll learn how to build endurance to transform your life.  
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Until next time, make it a great day!
​Cynthia 

 Lastly, meet Aundra, a licensed Esthetician based in Miami.  She was recently featured in Faith Heart Magazine where she offered valuable skin care tips.

What's a dream you were able to accomplish simply by believing in yourself?

Starting my own business. I was working with $0 and had no way or means of acquiring money to invest in myself. I also didn't know what type of business I wanted to start. So just walking through life, listening to God, and never staying stagnant , I was led to skincare. I received criticism from friends and family even from myself.  Are you going to make money doing that? Are you going to make money doing that? Black people don't get facials. Who will be your client? And this came from people who I thought would support me. But I did it anyway. And almost four years later, I'm still here. God is good because I invest money and nothing goes lacking.

What are some obstacles you had to overcome to accomplish your dream(s)?
 
Location, location, location. Underhanded people with hidden agendas. Again the naysayers. Financial woes. But I would not trade my situation for the world. It feels good to get off from work knowing that I have a vision waiting on me.  I'm getting ready to change a lot about my business including the name but for now it is still the same. Faces by Mahoganie Skincare. Learn more about Aundra's services on her website http://fbm.skincaretherapy.net

In less than 2 hours I will say goodbye to one of the most enlightening & defining decades of my life, my 30s.  Three words that best describe this decade are rebirth, re-establishment and reconciliation. In this ten year span I have loved, experienced death of close loved ones, ended two marriages, been pregnant four times, overcome cancer, started a business, been homeless, wrote and published three books, been jobless, penniless, and hospitalized more than I’ve ever been in my entire life. I embraced my calling as a light worker, leader and minster of the gospel outside of tradition church.  This decade has gifted me the opportunity to face and overcome many of my deepest fears – fear of being abandoned, fear of rejection, fear of others opinions of me, fear of standing up for my life, fear of success, fear of failure, fear of being misunderstood, fear of not measuring up and fear of dying.   

Not only did I release over 100 pounds physically, I also released mental & emotional weight by letting go of the need to carry other people’s burdens, to control outcomes;  being a people pleaser and the need to explain myself.  I allowed Spirit to give me a new perspective about change and let go of the need to control other people’s life and respect their decision to live life on their own terms.  I was healed from being judgmental and delivered from little mindedness. Some friendships ended while others evolved.  I learned what the voice of God sounds like to me, how to be provided for and one of my greatest lessons learned was to trust God’s love for me.  Trust my intuition. Trust my creative inspiration.  Trust people are not out to hurt me.  Trust the vision God showed me for my life.  Trust that everything that has happened in my life happened for a divine reason.  Trust I am called, qualified and approved by God.  

I am grateful for letting go my negative mental and emotional beliefs about money and my right to it. I know what abundance is – I AM ABUNDANCE.  My thirties were a bitter sweet combination of disappointment & triumph, heartache & healing, sleepless nights & powerful prayer and tears & joy; instilling devout wisdom, sustained peace and tried & true faith in God. I am stronger, wiser, and know God to be a very present help.  I know God to be a healer, a comforter and a lamp unto my path.

It’s interesting, most of my dreams during this decade primarily dealt with water (floods, oceans, muddy ponds, waterfalls, rainfall, etc) which references our emotional healing.  A lot of inner healing took place during span; it was scary at times, yet, I made it.  I now know my worth.  I now know the value I add.  I now know that I matter to God.  I now know there is nothing too hard for God!  So, with a sincere heart I say good bye inner turmoil and the need to be confused, unsure and a victim.  Goodbye to the need to hide and dummy down to make others feel good about their self.  Goodbye to worrying about money and wondering if I will have what I need. 

I declare and decree that my latter days will be better than my former days.   I declare and decree that good shall come unto me.  I declare and decree the blessing of the LORD, maketh me rich, and God addeth no sorrow with it.  I decree and declare the windows of heaven will open up, and pour me out a blessing, that I will be expanded to receive.  I decree and declare that with God all things are possible, my dreams are possible, my hopes are possible, my goals are possible, and my prayers are possible!  I decree and declare my gifts make room for me, and bring me before great men.  I decree and declare no weapon that is formed against me shall prosper and every tongue that rise up against me in judgment God shall condemn.  I decree and declare God will go before me and make the crooked places straight.  Thank you God for a new day, a new year, and my new life!  Amen.  Ashe. And so it is. © 2016
 

Until next time, make it a great day,
Cynthia

Who are you?  Do you know?  Have you taken the time to find out?  About a year ago, I was going through some major transitions and though I had already overcome a lot in my life, I felt insecure about who I was and my ability to be who I was.  I was yearning, looking for someone, anyone to tell me who I was.  I looked to friends; I hung onto their every word after asking them to tell me the value I added to their life.  I sought answers from my children by making comments that would prompt their feedback and boy did they accommodate me.  Their reassuring remarks reminded me of the good mother I had been to them through the years.  Yet, even after reaching out to friends, prayer partners, family members, the preacher, prophets and anyone else who’d listen, I still felt unclear, uncertain and unhappy.

It wasn’t until I prayed to the Lord and asked to be reminded, reacquainted with the truth.  “Lord, tell me who I am.  I feel out of sorts and unsure of my potential, my abilities and my faith.  God how do you see me?”  Did you know God cares about the things concerning us; nothing is too petty to God. God took time to answer me and remind me who I was.  He brought back a dream I had a few years ago where he used a tiger to show me my character, my nature.  He reminded me of the time he told me I was resilient; I had quit a high paying job to pursue my life’s vision and was scared as hell! Then He instructed me to sit down and make a list of “I AM” statements; it was a heavenly download!  Here is the list, I wrote this over a year ago.

I have noticed in my life, and maybe it’s true for you too, whenever I am facing major change/adjustments I tend to get a bit nervous.  What I have also realized, a truth that helps me, is this, “It’s all the same”.  Problems, situations, changes, and challenges they all require the same process which is to get information and take action.  Maybe you’ll understand it this way, simply find out what needs to be done then do it. But that’s not the focus of this blog. 

There’s this quote by Aristotle that says,” Knowing yourself is the beginning of knowledge.” I love the truth in this quote.  When you know who you are, you are not easily convinced of who you are not.  Learn who you are.  Embrace who you are so you can have the courage to BE who you are! 

​Like us on Facebook and join the chat.  Find the “I AM” picture and share 5 “I AM” statements about yourself. © 2016
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Until next time, make it a great day!
Coach Cynthia