Hash-tag Goals ! How to have a GREAT Year!

Hey Lovely!

 So I don't know about YOU but I have been having a FREAKING Fantastic Year So Far!

 

That's LUKE SMALLBONE of FOR KING and COUNTRY and me cheesing so hard!! YES!

Me and my bestie Nik on top of a mountain in LA My life as a Trauma Nurse is Everything!!

        Yes it is only February but I have literally been hitting strides with my goals in every area.   Of course my year has not been without its challenges. *phew!* but Philipians 2:14 says to

                                 Do everything without complaining or arguing

                                             and that means "Doing Life"

                   Let's not even really get into the complaining or arguing part of that verse in this post cuz that's like me figuring out how to NOT scream while fire-ants dance around my feet .....let's just get right into How You can have a GREAT Year (so far) too!!!

                                            First, What do you want out of this year? 

If you're just content with waking up everyday and just "seeing how it goes".... I'm sorry, uhm.... I feel bad for you.... like just picturing that just made my vision become one zombie-like black and white picture. Womp freaking womp.  

insert weak trumpet sound

             Soooooo What Do You REALLY Want Out of 2016? 

                                       I have quite an extensive list.  

         Most of it is between God and I but here, I'm feeling like Santa so I'll share some:

                                               

                          Travel a lot 

                                  $Save a lot of money$ 

                                                   Be So Excellent at work : )

                                                           G i v e   B a c k 

       Get abs ! yes you will see my before and after picture! Awoo! **300 army voice**

                 And So far So Great !  I think the key is really knowing what it really is YOU not your mom, dad, best friend, sibling but what YOU want out of your year and then WRITE it down...

Habakuk 2:2 says "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it"

                  I write down all my goals and that process makes it either realistic or maybe not so realistic.... like for example....can I really lose 20 lbs in 3 months? yeah probably... Now knowing myself, will it stay off? yeah probably not. But if I make a step by step How-to... I find that I would rather make a lifestyle of eating healthy and having a routine fit lifestyle and that way I can lose and keep the weight off ...

                   Writing what you want down on paper, a board, a journal, makes goal-setting exciting... 

                                           It's no longer just a thought in your head.

                                                            It's R-E-A-L!

                                                           Seriously, try it !

Finally....Pray about it and then just DO it...

                                                    Like I'm serious. 

               STOP talking about it already. Just take step 1. whatever that 1 is. For me, it's blogging at 1:17am in the morning and setting a "publish by" time.  No more "Is this the right time?".... YES IT IS THE RIGHT TIME!  I promise you that was a loving yell. 

But yup, In summary :

1. ask yourself : What Do YOU want out of 2016??

2. Write It Down! - This will help you realize what is realistic and make steps 

3. Pray and Just Do it !  - No procrastination. YOU Can Do This!

                                          

                               Until my next post, I hope you get to dreaming big because 

                                  2016 is gonna be a GREAT YEAR!!!! 

                                                              Peace fingers,

                                                             Awele Charlene 

We Rocked it Out August

HIIII LOVES!!

*scream!!**

The year is almost over!!

**iphone emoji shocked face!**

Lol! Question 1.) why do I always like to scream? 2.) you guys can tell I have an iphone and I use my emoji's quite often right?

Lol!!

Okay! Right to it! How was your August?? Yes, We're still on the Best Possible Me Monthly Check-in and I really hope you all are enjoying your Year so far ! Seriously it is my hope and joy that Month by Month you experience amazing things, people, places, food... just Amazingness all around ! #BPM Yasssss!

So, July was crazy awesome right? Click here and read all about it if you haven't! But guys, seriously, going into the month, I was nervous... like What if...? Trust me I know you all think that too.  What if this month doesnt work out? What if work is harder than I thought? What if  I am not financially secure? Just what if!??  But thank God I remember that duhh, I serve a God that tells me time and time again not worry about anything but to pray over everything.

           "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God"    Philippians 4:6

Keeping this verse and others too in my mind, I declared over August that it would be a month of PEACE and JOY! and boyyyy was it!!   So here were my goals, and hey now ! I accomplished 100% of them ! Whooo!!!!!!

Personal Goals

• Go somewhere new - I went to an amazing movie theater with friends and the experience was wonderful!  It was like I was in bed. with my blanky. and a button to push for unlimited popcorn. Myyyy my my.  How come I never knew about this before?  two thumbs up !!!

  

  blurry but what an experience. Fun!

• Do something new - Paint Night - Check out my skills tho! This is on sale for $499.99. Let me know if you're interested. LOL!!  okay im half kidding.

  

  Lil' Picassos. Mi amours !

• Meet someone new- heyyy new friends at work !  A genuine smile and "how are you" goes a long way

For Others

• Help someone new – While I could not physically participate in the Homeless Initiative, my amazing roomie held down the fort and created over 100 goodie bags for the homeless!!  It was awesome!!! I also kept snacks in my car for anyone I saw with a sign who maybe needed some food.  This works if you do not feel comfortable giving money but check with your local authorities because sadly, some states are making it illegal to feed the homeless.  *sad face*.

- I also helped my co-workers !

Giving is so much fun. You end up being SO blessed as well as blessing someone

• Support my friends - A friend and an awesome brother to me had a comedy performance in Jersey and I as well as my friends supported him. It was a hilarious night to say the least.  I also had a ball attending a beautiful friend's bridal shower. The countdown is on, Abby!!

  

  This guy is a star !

So happy for the Bride-to-be! Nigerian Weddings are always a blast !

For Family

• Go above and beyond – If I saw a need, I stepped up.  Whether it was getting groceries for an aunt, surprising my sisters with lunch, listening to a friend in need, staying past clock-out time at work, I kept praying for opportunities to do more ! and God did not disappoint.
• Family time - Family time is everything to me and I loved my breakfast/lunch dates with my sisters!  plus I took my cutie siblings, JJ and Armani to the movies and they loved it!

• 

  My hearts.

Whoo!!! I feel so accomplished and I truly enjoyed my August! It was fantastic !! Memories ontop of memories. I am so grateful for this life God has given me, truly. Now your goals might have been just one simple thing or it could have been a long laundry list. Whatever the case might be, I encourage you to get out there and really ENJOY life !  Setting goals does not have to be stressful and you can start out light.

There are so many places in your city to be explored, people to meet, quests to conquer, and FUN to be had.... and it's alllll waiting on you.

So.....

You Ready?

Hey now, that's the spirit.

I'll see you later for BPM September Edition.

In the mean time,

Peace fingers,

Charlene

watch the August reel here !

My Amazing July

HEYYY LOVES!

So let me first say that I was almost done with this post...so EXCITED to post....and then it all deleted.  -__-

Thanks Wordpress. I am Moving Back to Blogger Soon.

And Yes, I saved my draft.

But poof ! Into thin air.

No evidence whatsoever.  *sigh*

Regardless!!! Counting it all joy and moving on..... My July was Amazing !  Out of the 9 goals, I accomplished 6 of them.

Okay fine, if you want to be
mean technical, I guess you can say I accomplished 5.5/9 of my goals.

LoL, let me explain.

Haha! Kevin Hart Let Me Explain.... Get it? Okay lets just get started....

Here were my goals and my #BPMmonthlycheckout.

For my personal growth:

1. Lose 5 lbs  –  Almost !  I Lost 4.5 lbs !!

2. Pass my Boards!   - Done!! I did! I am an official registered nurse! Whoo!!

3. Make a completely new dish I haven’t cooked before ! *yum*   -  Done!! Ribs, parmasean garlic chicken, yummers!

For the honor of someone else:

1. I plan on serving in a give-away package event for the homeless !  *excited face!** - Done!! It was amazing!!

The wonderful ladies of Pinky Promise that I was privileged to serve with!

2. I plan on displaying excellent service at my job and making people smile! - Done!! It helps that I lOVE my Job!!!

3. I plan on encouraging people through blogging more in July! - Almost! I did read & follow more blogs but I will post more!

For my family:

1. Calling my family more-  Almost! I wish I called more family but i'll do better 

2. Traveling with the siblings and making memories - Done! Even though I wish it was with more of my siblings! My bro & I took a road trip to see our sister in North Carolina ! Fun fun fun!

3. Spending time with my pops - Not Done : ( This too will get better in August, stay tuned! 

So Yay!!  The whole point of goals is to push yourself to be better.  There's no putting yourself down on this blog.

O-kay! Lol!!

  All in all, July was AMAZING!!  I had so much fun, I honestly feel overwhelmingly blessed.  I enjoyed a cookout with close amazing friends, I blessed people and was blessed by people through a serve-the-homeless initiative, movies, birthdays, a wine-festival, passed my boards, started work, consistently worked out, traveled, enjoyed eating right, sometimes ate bad, laughed, cried, made mistakes, and learned !

Mannnnn, I love this LIFE God has given me.

And I hope YOU do to.

                                                

                                                                   Picnic Style

                                                                

                                                           Beauty All Around.               

                                                             I love these ladies

                    So, How was Your JULY ? And what are your goals for August?  Stay tuned for August's Best Possible Me Check-in....

Until next time!

Peace fingers!

Charlene !

Worship in Response

Yes...*sigh* 

 Yessss..  I understand....

I am so so guilty and accept all charges of abandonment to the state of my blog and my blog family. 

But since we're so full of grace! LOL! I know you all have forgiven me and I'm backkk!!!..

Like For Real this time...

Okay fine, you've heard that before.  Let's just fall back on that grace & pray for your girl! O-K! 

SO, right to the Post...  Mannnnnnnn, Can you Believe we are about to end the HALF mark of 2015 Already!?  Wow! Just WOW!  I literally can remember bringing in the Year and just having that usual sense of renewal and excitement and PURPOSE......

Well, where did it go?

For some of you, you might be filling just... bleh these days... Just going through the motions, Just existing...And you know, sometimes, in your mind, that's just better than drama, 'cuz no one wants that... You've got bills as it is, and Just watching the NEWS honey, Phew! can be so depressing.  

Racism.  Bad Economy.  Lying Politicians.   Gender Switch-ups.   Terrorism.  

Natural Disasters.  Death.      

I mean it all can make you want to hold your head and just SCREAM!!!!

I've heard people say "Just come back, Lord"  "Lord we've had just about enough." "Just come, and end this madness".   I've felt like that as well.  I've felt like these tears need to just stop running, for real.   I too want to go to that place where there will be no more suffering but just peace and joy and happiness ! Yes, Heaven is the goal for every one (at least it is for me !).  However, how many of us are honest enough to realize that if Jesus came back now, so many people, people even you know....maybe even you yourself....won't be going with Him...

Hmm.

What's my response to it all?  Instead of cowering in fear at the stream of ongoing depressing news, at people disappointing you over and over and then over again... Instead of just giving up, because it is soooooooooo easy to give up.  I know.  Instead of all that, I choose to worship.  

You see when Paul and Silas worshipped in Acts 16, like TRULY worshipped, God MOVED.  They were not chilling on the rooftop of a hotel in Du'bai.....I mean if you are, that's fine too...no judgement..... But Seriously, they were in pain, in discomfort, in shackles, being scorned, but they CHOSE to worship.  So maybe you need to right where you just WORSHIP God and give it to Him, because that's WHERE He will Move on your behalf.  Maybe you need to just stop doing Life on Your own will and just say, God I Need You...because I just don't know How to on my Own.  

I attached my current favorite worship video by Shana Wilson. She is simply out of this world with her worship.  I also attached the lyrics if you don't know the words.  Enjoy!

Lyrics attached here 

Here are some Bible Verses I love on Worship:

"Worship the Lord your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you"  Exodus 23:25

"The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;night after night they reveal knowledge." (Psalm 19:2)

And would't you know that Psalm 19:2 was not lying!!! If you don't want to Worship, God's got the heavens and the skies praising Him !!  Look at these pictures I captured on my phone a few days ago...

He's sooo awesome....

Just worship in response, y'all.

I'll see y'all in the next blog.

Peace fingers,

Charlene

You Love Jesus SoTherefore....

Hiiiii Everyone!!!!

                                                     *insert iphone emoji of waving hands*

                    It has been a long time huh? and I have missed BLOGGING, ermagawd......

                                                              How have you been?!

                              Chilling? Working? Traveling? No matter what, know that as long as you are A-L-I-V-E, breathing, able to read this post lol! that You are Gooood !
                                           
                                         Alright Alright to the point of this post..... 
                         In this day and age, there seems to be so many people on social media reposting, retweeting, facebooking, basically sharing encouraging Godly scripture, memes, quotes, pictures, videos, and much more.  My opinion?  I love it! Picture me jumping like that girl in the Easter Payless commercial, "I love em, I love em"

hilarious!

                  The first reason of course why I LOVE it is because I DO it.  Guil-ty! I am a professional re-poster of everything spiritually encouraging and uplifting on my social media.  Hey, if it encourages me, I believe it will encourage some-body out there.  And if it is just me who's encouraged, okay, let me use it and quickly bless God.  Both ways, He wins!  However, some people actually get tired of it.  Some people ignore it.  Some people even say it's a little too much.  "You love Jesus, so therefore!?"  *gasp*

                    I know Jack, ask em again!  Listen, why is it okay for people to re-post all types of vines (some I do find funny), funny videos, and especially memes about "B**ches be like"...."N**gas be like".....but when I wanna rap about Jesus, I should be quiet...because its not Sunday?  *Insert crickets chirping here*

                     Listen Hunty, My God's more than Good to me 86,400 seconds every minute, 60 minutes every hour, 24 hours every day, 7 days of every week, anddd 365 days of all of the Twenty-something years I have lived on this earth....*pause for breath*.  He's working things I don't even know about in my Favor.  He is shielding demons, idiots, and crazy situations from me.  He protects me.  He guides me.  He listens to me.   He cares about me.  He gives me new grace every morning....grace: as in undeserved mercy.  He forgives me when I mess up for the 500,024,237,891st time and counting.   He loves me more than the most romantic man on the planet, more than the best father you know of, and the kindest person in your world.  He is Liiikeeeee that..... and more.

                   So the next time someone wants to make you feel guilty about reposting something you feel in your heart will encourage them in the Lord... go ahead and be proud of the God who is proud of you.... repost it.    The next time you want to start groaning that all this Bible stuff is too much on my timeline sheesh ermagawd...........
                            
                             You might want to sip you a hot cup of "Jesus is coming lemme get my life" tea.  

                 And the next time you scroll down your timeline and you don't see enough of spiritual life and encouragement, I hope you'll feel bold enough and whip out a good word and post it.   

                                                  You never know who might need it. 

                                                          You Love Jesus, right? 

                                                      So therefore start showing it. 

                                                                                                                  



In the words of one one of my favorite gospel rappers "Th'Isl", "I'm soo gonneee, I'm so outta here..."

                                              LOL!  I know, y'all aint on that gospel rap tip...

*peace fingers*

Charlene