Rewind: Divas With A Purpose

Below is the text from my very first post on my blog...sometimes we need a reminder of what motivated us. Enjoy and be blessed!

What is it that you stand for? When your name comes to mind, what do others think of? Is it something positive or negative? Is it what you'd want your legacy to be? Is it what you'd want your children to pass on to their children's children? If not, what are you doing to change that?

What is the point of going through life without a purpose? What are you doing to shape your destiny? What are you doing to create your legacy? Each generation to be a step ahead (or more) than the previous, what are you doing to make your strides? Are you preparing your children to take over your legacy or are you allowing them to make the same mistakes your grandparents, parents and yourself made?

In order to live a fulfilled life, you must have a purpose. You must have something that makes you get up each morning excited and ready to make a difference somehow someway. Your purpose should not be something that is selfish and just benefits you and yours. Your purpose should touch others and have a domino effect on those that they touch. It should metamorphisize into an even bigger purpose.

Believe and Receive

Today my daughter is one month old...wow! I say wow for two reasons - the fact that I have a daughter and that I'm celebrating the one month landmark of my 3rd child!

If you talked to me 3 years ago, both my husband and I would agree that we were done, kaput, finished with childbearing.  Between the two of us we had 3 bambinos - my bonus daughter and my two sons were definitely enough to keep us busy.  Add to the fact that I do not have "fun" pregnancies - preterm risks, modified bed rests, weekly doctor visits for progesterone shots, acid reflux, the list could go on and on and on.  Why, oh why, would I want to go through that again?

In September of last year, I found out I was pregnant. Which was a huge shock since I was on and had been on birth control for over 3 years.  I experienced a roller coaster of emotions - most not so positive.  Ten weeks into my pregnancy I had a miscarriage and was devastated.  After seeing an extension of me in an ultrasound and listening to their heartbeat, I truly felt a loss.  Many around me couldn't understand my feelings - heck, I couldn't understand my feelings. I just knew that I'd gotten attached to this being inside me.  My family no longer felt complete.  My biological clock went into overdrive and I had some serious discussions with God.  My faith taught me to believe that God does not make mistakes and there is a purpose and reason behind the experiences He has us go through.  My miscarriage taught me that we have to be very careful about our words and thoughts when God gives us a blessing that we may not be expecting or even want.  In the end, God has a plan and knows what is best for us.  Out of that experience, I learned how essential it is to speak and think positively because we never know what thoughts, feelings and actions we may be speaking into existence.  I find myself striving to be more positive and encouraging in my thoughts, words and actions.

When I found out I was pregnant again, I didn't even tell my husband until I was 8 weeks along and then we didn't tell anyone else until I was out of my 1st trimester.  Yes, the pregnancy was everything I expected and more, but I stayed positive (at least 97% of the time!) and could not imagine my world without this 8 pounds of love that demands (and receives) the attention of everyone in our household.

Be blessed, Divas, and remember the power of your words and thoughts in your daily walk! 

My Reason for Giving

This month is often the kickoff of a season for giving and gratitude - unfortunately it often wanes right after the last bit of hoppin' john and collard greens are digested in the New Year (that's a Southern thing!).  I try to focus on being thankful and giving to others throughout the whole year and share that with my children so they can grow up doing the same.

My main reason for doing so? Because someone made sacrifices for me at some of my lowest points and intervened so that I could keep standing.  I know it was nothing by the grace of God that touched the hearts of different people throughout my life to help me in ways that they may never know how much affected me.  I made a conscious decision to pass on those blessings and help others along the way whenever I could.

I encourage you all to find some way to be a blessing to someone throughout this holiday season but to continue that way of living throughout the year.

Be Blessed Divas and remember to be a blessing to someone else!

A Month of Gratitude

For those that have followed my blog for awhile, you'll know that gratitude is a recurring theme here on Divas With A Purpose.  During the month of November, I typically focus more on gratitude and what it means to me.  I'll be doing the same this year. It often amazes me how many people choose to focus on the negative aspects of their lives rather than the numerous blessings they have surrounding them.  I made a conscious decision years ago to try my hardest not to focus on situations that I had no ability or power to change but focus on what I could control.  The things that I don't have control over I turn over to a higher power and trust that He will fix the situations as He sees fit.

I look forward to sharing and being thankful with you all this month!

Be Blessed Divas!!!  Life is so short and not promised to any of us - make sure you let your loved ones know how much they mean to you and how thankful you are to have them in your life!