February is known as the month of celebrating...LOVE!

Based on one's season of life and present circumstances it can be a bitter or a sweet time if one is influenced by the media.

Yet, the good news is with a healthy perspective you can learn three vital aspects of Love (Matt 22:36-40):

• Learn to RECEIVE God's Love for you
• Learn to Love YOURSELF right where you are---regardless of life circumstances [news flash---they WILL change!]
• Learn to POUR out that Love on others!

I assure you by applying these three steps---your cup will overflow BEYOND the month of February!

This can actually become a LIFESTYLE---The Way of Love!

A great leader once shared--- "You put on the Love of God with the renewed mind in manifestation and there's nothing you'll have to ask God for, it'll be there. It'll be there. You'll never have to ask. It'll always be there."

Right now, I encourage you to stand up, shake off the day...then gently yet tightly wrap your arms around yourself.

Let's start...

Okay, it's time to talk about the "elephant" in the corner!

When it comes to procrastination, planning can be the solution or the obstacle. Managing your time sometimes helps you to stop putting things off. On the other hand, if you have trouble moving beyond the planning stage, you may wind up bogged down in analysis paralysis.

Maybe you already have signs of over-planning in your life. You read the latest bestselling diet books but put off cutting calories and going to the gym. You want to start a business, but you do so much research that conditions change before you’re ready to launch.

Yes, I've BEEN there, I've DONE that, and I HAD the T-Shirt!

You can learn how to turn your dreams into reality. Here's some tips I've learned over the years to help move from thinking to doing.

Frankly, the "over thinking" was hurting my brain, drained my physical energy and left me exhausted to even accomplish the goal.

How To Tackle the Underlying Causes of Excess Planning:

1- Accept...

Happy NEW Year my friend!

Sipping my green tea in the kitchen, I’m pausing to reflect on how last year began—a whirlwind of emotions and uncertainty with a project passion on my heart.

Seven years ago, I sat in this same room when God stirred my heart with a clear call: “Share your story—the valleys and the victories I’ve carried you through.”

My first reaction? “God, seriously? You’ve got the wrong person—I’m already overwhelmed! Already BUSY. How am I supposed to add that to my plate?”

When God places a calling on your heart, it can feel both exhilarating and overwhelming—especially when your schedule already feels maxed out. You might wonder, "How am I supposed to do THAT, Lord?" The truth is, when God calls us, He also equips us. In the midst of our busyness, He provides the grace, wisdom, and strength to fulfill His purposes. As Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and...

Studies from the American Psychological Association show the holidays [November to January] are not the happiest time of year for everyone.

I personally after journeying through over 40 holiday seasons as an adult---every year was not a happy time!

Along the holiday trail I've encountered--- work-related pressures, health scares, loss of family members and the flu one year where I couldn't move out of the bed for three days!!! 

Those years made me extremely sensitive to the circumstances of others during the holiday season. It makes me ever so grateful for God's Love that sustains us year by year.

"For God so LOVED the world that He GAVE His Only-begotten Son..." John 3:16

If you're feeling worn, depressed,  isolated or alone during ANY holiday season follow God's strategy...G.I.V.E!

Why? It will take your focus OFF of you and your current situation [reminder---situations DO change!] and it will release the rivers of God's love within you! 

Here's...

The final days of Summer can yield irregular weather patterns within minutes from sunny calm beach walks to storm raging waves along the shore.

The ocean speaks volumes to me while on vacation. I find early morning walks to be a time of quiet reflection, the mental release of the prior day, and emotional rejuvenation for the upcoming day.

Unlike prior mornings, today's walk encountered high tides and blustery winds from an oncoming storm.  

Today, the waves dipped and dived with the residue of the last eastern Hurricane. The night before the sea was calm with soft glassy sheen and today, she displayed her POTENTIAL!

What is your potential?

Its definitions include:

1/ possible but not yet achieved:

Someone’s potential is an ability the person has not yet developed.

2/ possible when the necessary conditions exist:

A number of potential buyers have expressed interest in...

Happy Independence week to you and yours!

This is the time the United States of America celebrates the Second Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia in the Pennsylvania State House (now Independence Hall), approval of the Declaration of Independence, severing the colonies' ties to the British Crown.

We were granted…FREEDOM!

As a forever observant student of life, I am looking forward to the inspired Leadership Lessons from this week's festive experiences

The first inspired lesson arrived EARLY morning…July 4^th at 12:30 A.M. from my bedroom balcony as I enjoyed the moon shining on the ocean, my heart heard...

"Michele, will you become INDEPENDENT of worry, doubt and unsubstantiated fear in a NEW degree AND become FULLY dependent upon Me?!"

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36 NIV

Jesus came to set us FREE…from the “tyranny” of stress, worry, anxiety and fear! He took each of them...

How does the dictionary define the word, MOTHER?

• a female who has given birth to offspring
• a female substituting in the function of a mother
• motherly qualities, such as maternal affection
• a female or thing that creates, nurtures, protects, etc
• a title given to members of female religious orders

In serving thousands of families in the past twenty years, the thought and emotions evoked of Mother's Day can vary based on one's particular life experiences and encounters.

It can bring joyful childhood memories and warm thoughts of raising your own children. It can be filled with gut-wrenching sorrow over the loss of natural children, infertility or broken relationships with adult children. It can also be a time to reflect on the countless lives you have impacted as a "spiritual/ mentor" mom to others.

Regardless of the "mother" scenario, we can be encouraged to know God thought highly enough of YOU to bring you to planet earth through the womb of a woman!  

...

It always seems "darkest" before your breakthrough.

DON'T YOU DARE QUIT.

As a fellow busy woman with 25+ years in the executive corporate world, as a nonprofit Founder, and as a Women’s Leadership Consultant, one primary key I embrace is keeping it simple!

On this worldwide sacred weekend, I want to candidly share with you five ways to GO BEYOND THE NO’S of life to make your dream a reality.

Obstacles along life's path can attempt to deter your dream of sharing your unique voice and message with the world. The most successful people today had to face many obstacles along the way. It took effort, determination, and perseverance to reach their goals.

You may experience your fair share of the journey's pain. Discouragement from family, friends, co-workers, and people you know and trust can be challenging to handle. But obstacles don't mean you can't keep moving forward.

When you face rejection from employers, friends, and family members...

 Are you familiar with the children’s song…” One of these things is NOT like the other”?

 I was sitting at the breakfast nook table, sipping my favorite blend of Hazelnut coffee and minding “my own business,” when my heart heard the words…” Share your story so MORE people can be helped.”

My response…God, I do not understand; I do not know what you mean.

“Tell your story in a book; write it so I [meaning GOD] can reach more hearts than your local availability.”

After the shock, disbelief, and mixed feelings of inadequacy AND downright feebleness subsided, I began my quest.

What quest?

The journey of knowledge! I began to research how to author a book. I started reading other stories on how to draft a book.

I journaled about my discoveries.

I cried with friends about what I heard.

I prayed about what God spoke to my heart.

I told my closest friends about it.

Months later, I will tell others what I...

My choices today support my goals for tomorrow.

Each day is a reminder that I am one step closer to my goals. Keeping that in mind helps me to stay on track with the choices I make. I am responsible and mature enough to make strategic life decisions.

The focus that goal achievement requires rarely daunts me. When I think of my future success, I get excited about the prospect of getting there. I commit to what is important.

It is easy to avoid over indulgence when I know I have financial goals. I remind myself that taking care of the important things now is paramount. I am saving indulgence until I am able to celebrate achieving my objectives.

The relationships I form today determine the kind of future support structure I have at my disposal. I am careful with my choice of friends. I want them around for a long time.

When I am at a crossroads, I avoid making a choice based on my emotion of the moment. I realize how easy it is to be reactive when choosing by feelings. Instead, my...