Hope is a 4 letter word that is often underrated and underestimated, especially when compared to it’s counterpart’s faith and love. However; a lot of people don’t realize that hope is an essential link to get you from where you are to where you want to be. It is a necessary ingredient to the manifestation of your dreams AND it is the heartbeat of your faith.

Let’s take for example an expectant mother. She knows that at or about 9 months,  a baby is going to be born.  As each month goes by, her anticipation increases as she begins making plans for the birth of her baby.  She’s sharing the news with loved ones, changing her diet, buying clothes, picking out a name, preparing a room, and ensuring she has the basic necessities to care for her new arrival.  This hope and expectation fuels her assurance-belief-faith that this baby is on the way. But what would happen if she didn’t feel, see, or otherwise tangibly experience the existence of this baby. Would hope remain?

It is important to note that hope can be a very fragile thing that can be stolen quite easily if one is not careful.

Here are 5 common thieves to hope:

1. Fear-That what you’re expecting won’t actually manifest or come to pass.  This could be based on past failures, insecurities, or just pessimism.
2. Doubt-That what you’re hoping for is beyond your reach, impossible, or unlikely to happen; causing you to wonder if it’s really for you.  Thoughts of maybe you’re not good enough, smart enough, or deserving enough of what you desire OR maybe you’re asking for too much or reaching too high, and should just settle where you are.
3. Time-The more time that passes beyond the point of expectation, can cause one to grow weary. Take for example someone running a race.  When the finish line is in plain sight, it is easy to run, because you can see the immediate reward.  That fire of adrenaline ignites within and gives you the fortitude to run.  But, if you continue to run with no finish line in sight, you may begin to wonder if you’re running the wrong race, if you’ve veered off course, or if the finish line is out of your reach.  This produces weariness, which if left unchecked eventually steals hope.
4. Despair-The present situation may seem so bleak and insurmountable that despair has taken over and blocked or clouded your vision.  Or, it’s possible you started off hopeful, but the interference of some of these other thieves have allowed despair to set in and take over.
5. Other’s opinions-Often times the influence of those closest -predominately within your inner circle,  can cause one to lose hope about their situation.  They could knowingly or unknowingly plant a seed of fear, doubt, or despair, leading one to grow weary and surrender hope.

As you can see, all of the above thieves work hand in hand to snatch away hope, robbing one of their dreams. Since the things hoped for are often intangible, making it difficult to maintain; it is important to be on guard against these thieves of hope in order to see your dreams, goals, desires, and plans come to pass.

Just like an expectant mother, you must nourish the hope inside of you to keep it alive, as it is the breeding ground for your faith and the launching pad to your dreams. How can you do this?

1. Prepare-Start taking steps toward that which you hope for. Do something tangible that’s tied to the end result.
2. Declare-Talk about your goal or desire with a trusted source- good friend, family member, coach etc.,
3. Prayer– This is the most important of all. Give everything to God in prayer. Whatever is in God’s will for you, He can and will restore your hope and keep it alive until He brings about the manifestation.

Never give up on your dreams and remember that all things are possible!

Until Next Time..Be Healthy, Be Whole, Be You.

Kay Davis

Each season brings about change.Just as there are different seasons for the earth, we have a winter ❄️, spring 🌸, summer 🌞, fall 🍁, in our lives though we may not always realize it.

For most in the US; the winter ❄️️usually brings about shorter days, colder temperatures, perhaps even 🌨snow. Things die, trees are barren, animals hibernate, and people retreat indoors. In the winter season of our lives; things are quiet, still, not a lot of movement, not many changes. The landscape has been cleared and everything and everyone that is not meant to stay is cut off and removed.. It is now primed and the ready for what’s to come.

In the spring🌸, the fresh warm air defrosts the winter remains and everything is new again. 🌷 Flowers are blooming filling the trees and the ground with a beautiful array colors. 🐥Birds are chirping, 🐝bees are buzzing, and animals are coming out of hibernation. The days are longer, the grass is greener, and the 💧rain is helping to bring nature back to life. People are outside gardening, playing, and enjoying the newness of spring. In the spring of our lives, there is newness in the air. New adventures, new encounters, and new ideas. It is the time when the landscape of your life is replenished and flourishing with growth and opportunity. It is an exciting time of change.

In the summer, the ☀️heat is blazing. 🌳Trees are in full bloom. People are moving fast with so much to do, and so much to see. The 🍦 ice cream trucks are singing throughout the streets, trying to keep everyone cool. Kids are out of school, swimming and splashing, enjoying the long hot days of the season. In the summer of our lives everything is full blast. We are moving quickly from one thing to the next as time flies by. Things planted in the spring have reached full maturity and the fruit is visible.

In the fall🍁, things start slowing down. The air is crisp,  pies are baking, and the leaves 🍂are changing into a warm variety of gold, orange, and red. The wind 💨 rushes in swiftly to help the leaves to fall from the trees. Kids are going back to school, getting settled into their routine and people are getting ready, gathering things for the upcoming winter season. In the fall of our lives, we’re slowing down, taking inventory of what no longer serves us and making decisions to eliminate it. Meanwhile harvesting those things that are of value in our lives. We are settling and preparing for what’s to come.

The seasons of our lives may not be in order, but we are in the constant ebb and flow of life. Things don’t stay the same. For some change is difficult and is often resisted. For others the change is thrilling and keeps life exciting.

Whichever end of the spectrum you find yourself on, change is going to happen whether we like it or not. Good times, bad times; ups, downs; gains, losses; failures, victories; disappointments, accomplishments. It is inevitable.

So with each change of season, though some may  be uncomfortable, try your best to embrace it and find the positive, knowing that in just a little while, it will be changing again. Do you know what season you’re in?

Until next time..

Be healthy, Be whole, Be you!

Kay Davis

We are living in the day of social media. It is part of our culture. It has become an intricate part of our society. It is a necessity for some and a burden for others. It has evolved from its first beginning and it continues to evolve with the advancement of technology. The question is, is it helping us or hurting us? Let’s explore.

For some it is used as:

• A medium to re-connect with those from the past or connect with new people.
• A means of expression and sharing information or knowledge.
• Validation and acceptance.
• A form of entertainment or staying in “the know.”
• Promotion or networking for their business.

I’m not here to say what’s right or wrong about using social media, because different people use it for different things. I just find it interesting that we as a society are often more concerned about:

• Taking a selfie every hour only to post and see how many likes you get, meanwhile taking away from enjoying the moment.
• Harassing, bullying, or ostracizing someone because they have an opinion that is contrary to what the majority feels one should think, say, or do.
• Airing dirty laundry, causing strife and division among loved ones, instead of building each other up.

Again, I’m not here to bash social media, after all I’m on it! Some channels attract my interest more than others which is why it is good that there are many options available. I for one was very hesitant about getting on social media because of my private nature but have overcome my reservations and have found it to be very beneficial to me. I have made meaningful connections and use it -within balance.

I worry about the younger generation not being able to communicate verbally or express themselves unless they’re typing it. I also worry about the fickle nature of the way the word ‘Friends’ is used on some social media channels. I truly believe people think that if you’re ‘friends’ on social media you’re friends in real life. Just because someone likes your page, picture, or comments does not make them your friend. That is not the true nature of friendship. Just because someone says they want to be your friend and you communicate and share thoughts, ideas, even laughs with them, that still does not make them your friend.

A true friend is dependable, trustworthy, respectful, loyal and cares about your feelings and well-being. They demonstrate this beyond ‘friendly’ words-it comes through in their actions as well. They will be there to support you when you need them and not just when it serves them.  They will see you for you, value you for the person you are, and are in touch with reality enough to know that we are all flawed we don’t live inside this perfect glass bubble behind the computer screen or the smartphone. That’s fantasy. A true friend will respect and value the person that you are and your bond of friendship, will address and confront challenges head on, not simply avoid or cease communication.

I am fortunate enough to have true friends in my life that have been around for years, and find that as I get older and technology becomes more advanced, it is not as easy to build quality relationships with quality people. It’s something worth thinking about, before we’re all so caught up in the hype that we forget the things that are at the central core of our existence, or forget what it means to truly build and maintain meaningful relationships, the art of communication, the freedom of opinion, and living and cherishing the moment with those closest to you!

Makes you wander is social media helping or hurting us as a society? I think the answer is both. You decide. Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts!

PS. Check out my video here: https://youtu.be/xiiNYd1ApkM

Until next time…Be Healthy, Be Whole, Be You!

Kay Davis