Alternate Plan

After planning and executing a few high profile events, I briefly considered event planning as a post Air Force career option. Then I discovered the stress of a demanding career and single parenthood had contributed to a diagnosis of thyroid disease. I recognized I hadn’t handled my busy life as smoothly as I thought I had.

So I reconsidered my phase two career options, resolved to live a more balanced life and reduced activities and acquisitions to what was absolutely necessary to live on purpose.

And so far, so good…

Inhale Reflection, Exhale Rejection…
Inhale Resolution, Exhale Ego…
Inhale Redirection, Exhale Stubbornness…
Just Breathe

#Awareness
#JustBreathe

Asking for Help

The month after my divorce, I moved to my Air Force assignment in England with my not-quite-three-year-old daughter. Within the span of a month, I became a single parent and took a new job in another country on a different continent. Stressful doesn’t really begin to describe the experience.

But, it was there I realized I couldn’t do everything by myself. So I took some baby steps and accepted the assistance that was offered and then, on occasion, bravely asked for the help I needed.

And I learned it didn’t make me less of a mom or a lesser leader. Accepting and asking for help just made me a more humble, humane human.

Inhale Help, Exhale Pride…
Inhale Humility, Exhale Pretense…
Inhale Humanity, Exhale Ego…
Just Breathe

#JustBreathe

Heal Yourself

The best way to help a family, a community or a city, is to help you. Just like a non-swimmer can’t always prevent someone else from drowning, it’s really difficult to help someone else if you’re unstable.

Transform yourself, fortify yourself, educate yourself and heal yourself for the greatest impact on others.

“Doctor, go heal yourself.” Luke 4:23 MSG

Inhale Impact, Exhale Ego…
Inhale Self-Help, Exhale Instability…
Inhale Transformation, Exhale Traumatization…
Just Breathe

#JustBreathe
#Transformation

Relationship Fails

“Relationships fail when people take their own insecurities and project them as their partner’s flaws.” ~ Steve Maraboli

When the person you’re with is feeling insecure and making their fears about your flaws, maybe it’s time to reassure them that your love is accepting of their fears, their flaws…their failures. Or not…

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 NIV

Inhale Patience, Exhale Ego…
Inhale Protection, Exhale Exploitation…
Inhale Perseverance, Exhale Indifference…
Just Breathe

#JustBreathe
Reflections With Renita

Being Me

Having been judged for sometimes stumbling on this life journey, I am mindful of judging others. Because what I understand now is that each experience, especially the ones I’ve perceived as negative at the time, was there to teach me something … if I was open and sufficiently humble to learn the lesson.

And if I am willing to be vulnerable and courageous, my experience can inform and influence someone else.

“We learn by example and by direct experience because there are real limits to the adequacy of verbal instruction.” ~ Malcolm Gladwell, Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking

Inhale Experience, Exhale Ego…
Inhale Vulnerability, Exhale Ego…
Inhale Growth, Exhale Ego…
Just Breath…

#Development
#JustBreathe

Finally Faith

When I was a teenager, I used to wonder why all the really old people were so…religious. Always praying, always thanking God, always referencing the Bible. Then I got older and I realized they had probably tried going it on their own, doing it their way, relying on their power…only to fall again … to fail again …and again…

Finally, we take that first step in God’s guidance and find our lives flowing in Divine order.
Finally, we stop resisting and rest in God’s purpose
Finally…God.

“I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” Jeremiah 29:11 The Message

Inhale Faith, Exhale Insecurity
Inhale Acceptance, Exhale Arrogance…
Inhale Wisdom, Exhale Ego…
Just Breathe…

#JustBreathe
#Faith