2015 – New Year’s Shift

This New Year’s Eve, I made a declaration!  I declared that 2015 would be the year of the “tion” (pronounced ‘shun’) As in:

Dedication, revelation, justification, collaboration, expectation, acceleration, motivation, perspiration, determination, relaxation, elevation, generation, optimization, realization, diversification, MANIFESTATION, world-domination, gratification!

As the New Year was about to unfold, I was sensing a shift.  Not just a hopeful thought that I would accidentally happen upon a few good opportunities, but I was sensing a significant shift in my future.  2015 would find me stepping out of my comfort zone and stepping into my purpose!  However, as I was about the make the declaration, the “tion” words started to pop into my head.  One after another, they just kept on coming.  This was a reminder that I would have a part to play.  Great things seldom just drop into our laps, and even though God plants people along our paths to get us to that expected end, we still have to walk it out.  The is no magic wand to tap you on the shoulder; no fairy dust to be sprinkled over your head, no laying on of hands that just places it all at your feet—you have to possess great faith, put in some action, and believe that it will happen.

I not only believe that this declaration is for me, but I also believe that it speaks to some of you as well!  Over the next few months, I will be taking time to expand on each of these words—to help you understand how important of a role they play in helping you get to that next level.  I will also be sharing with you how they are impacting my life as well.

So, now for the first part of the shift.  While I have enjoyed maintaining this blog for a little over a year, it’s time to change it up a little.  My messages, especially with what I am about to do, need to be a bit more targeted.  Instead of posting here, I am going to be emailing these messages directly to you via my Newsletter.

If you are interested in receiving them, just sign up by clicking this link.  I promise not to bombard you with unnecessary email, but I think this will give me a more personal format on which to interact with you.

Please, spread the word on where to find me over the next few months and I look forward to serving you very soon!

May 2015 pour out abundant blessings and success, so much so, that you don’t have room to contain it!

Don’t forget:  Sign Up Here!

Purpose, Are You Kidding Me?

Today, while making my Facebook rounds, I ran across this question: “What will you contribute to the world in the next 12 months? Share your purpose…”

Without hesitation I began to type these words: my purpose is to be the change agent that helps women and young girls break the bondages of negative self image; appreciate their God-given uniqueness; and embrace the beauty of the total person. Wow, effortless, without hesitation and no second guessing. I feel fortunate to be able to speak my purpose out loud.

I feel it a bit ironic as just a little over a year ago, if you had asked me the same question, it would not have flowed so easily. If that question had been posed, I would have become the all too familiar ” deer in headlights”– absolutely frozen. Purpose, what purpose? I know I am here to do something, but what?

I have come to learn one thing in life, if you earnestly ask God to help you with something, He will. Just a little over a year ago, I partnered with a group of women who helped me to discover and put into words, my purpose. They pushed me through the process and did not accept any excuses when I tried to fall back into that familiar level of comfort. Was it easy? No. Was it worth it? Absolutely!

With so many people on this planet, how many know why they are here? Can you imagine what it might be like if everyone knew and walked in their divine call? Surely we are here to do more than just exist and then die? What about you? What is your purpose? What will you contribute in the next 12 Months? Let me know. Let the world know! Share it!

If you are at a place where you don’t know your purpose, I can share my journey. I also have an amazing network that can help as well. It’s time, time to do what we were put here to do!

Someone is waiting!

Designed For A Purpose!

Dear Daughter,

If you’re reading this letter you’re probably in a place in your life where you are trying to discover who you are, why you are here, or your purpose in life.   Although this letter will not sum up life in one letter,  I would like to share some wisdom that you may find helpful along the way.

If you’re wondering “Who am I”? You are in a good place. Your true identity is only found in Christ. Colossians 3:3 (KJV) tells us that”Your life is hid with Christ in God”.  This very foundation will help guide you no matter what you face in this journey called “ Life”.  After you have identified who you are in Christ you will not allow anything  (bullying, peer pressure, and negative environments) or anyone (friends, boyfriends, or media) to detour who God created you to be.  That cute smile that you have and nose that you want to change is unique and beautiful, just the way God created it.

Psalms 139: 14 (KJV) says “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well”.  Everyone may not agree with who you are, but God made you just the way you are.  Along with discovering your identity, you will begin to discover your purpose. That funny sense of humor that you have and that you try to hide…..Yes God made it…and  it might be exactly what someone needs that is having a bad day. You were put here on earth for a purpose. In Jeremiah 1: 5 (NLT) it says “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart…” In other words you were created for a purpose. That purpose may be to write and help encourage others through books and films, singing and writing music, or a Pastor who helps others become what  God created them to be. Whatever your ability may be,  know that you were designed for a purpose.

No, the journey in life won’t be easy. You live in a society that has its own standards of beauty and reality, and might not appreciate your small frame, curves, full-figured lips, skin color, slanted eyes or joyful personality.  But once you have discovered your own uniqueness inside yourself, it doesn’t matter what a bully has to say; the smooth lines a young gentleman may try to give, or jokes that people may make about your body parts.  When you begin to love the person God made you to be and understand why you’re created,  you will begin to walk in your purpose and become the Woman of God you were designed to be!

Love Always,

Jamelle N. McMurray

“You were designed for a purpose “

 

Submitted by Jamelle N. McMurray, Tuscaloosa, AL

Jamelle is a freelance writer who serves alongside her husband, Allen McMurray, who is the Senior lead pastor of the “The Lamp” (Coming Soon!!!!) They have 2 children and currently reside in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

You can follow Jamelle  on Twitter: @1rarebutterfly, or, your can follow her blog  here>>>.

Week 4 & 5 (40 Days to a New Authentic Me!)

Still journeying through the 40 Day Soul Fast by Cindy Trimm.

If you are not familiar with it, I would suggest you investigate.  Even after I complete the entire program, I intend to cycle through once more just to ensure I have absorbed every single point.  I have combined both weeks four and five as they tend to compliment each other in the area of: thought.  There is so much to glean in each chapter that it is actually difficult to express just one or two thoughts.  With us living such busy lives these days, I am sure you would not be interested in my rantings on each and every point, but somehow “focus” seems appropriate at this moment in time.

I have read and even understand that we can never rise above the thoughts that we think.  But somehow seeing it this time, I was able to see it in a different light and grasp a deeper meaning.  It’s all a matter of focus!  She writes:  ” wherever you place your focus–your mind, talents, abilities, and emotions will follow.”  How true is that?  I thought about one of the worst days I have had.  I was actually able to trace it all the way back to waking that morning.  My focus was on a negative situation and those thoughts followed me throughout the day–as a result, the entire day was negative, and needless to say, unproductive.  She goes on to say that:  “you must continually choose to focus on your prospective future as opposed to your current position.”  Did you catch it?  We have to continually CHOOSE where we apply our focus.  Just to keep it at a high level; when I enter my office during the day I am often bombarded with a myriad of tasks to perform.  I have learned to use a “to do” list and accomplishing at least one half of those tasks, before the day is over, becomes my focus.  From that point on, it becomes my job to do what is necessary in order to get it done.  Some days that may include eating at my desk, coming in a little earlier or leaving a little later.  My mind, talents, abilities, and emotions are now in sync and what a great feeling it is to have accomplished what I set out to do.

While that is an elementary example, the book delves into much deeper realms like purpose and destiny, but the same methods apply.  In order to reach our true potential, we have got to make our dream our focus!  No more spending unproductive time on my current position.  I’m ready to start working on a glorious future!

About to begin the next chapter and it deals with our words… I’m intrigued already…

Blog Challenge

To all my fellow bloggers, it’s time to up our game!  We have something to say and people need to hear it.  How many people don’t get what they need, when they need it, because we did not put it out there?

I must admit, I have been a little “off” here lately.  In my last post: You are Vital, I talk about the importance of being and doing what you are called to because someone is depending on it.  So in order to heed my own advice, I have taken on the Blog Like Crazy challenge.

For the month of November, we are challenged to post every single day. (knuckles tightening as I type)  If for some reason, you experience a block, seejanewritemag.com has graciously supplied a list of topics to stir up the creativity.  Plus, who wants to admit that they really love a challenge?

So, for the next 30 days, be on the lookout for daily blog posts from me.  You can also follow me on Twitter @realbeautyatoz and Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/realbeautyatoz.  After all, my mission is to help women see, be, and love who they were created to be.  Sounds like a wonderful reason to set aside some time each day to put it into action!

What about YOU?