Your dreams can be found on the other side of your fear.

I found my dreams!!

YYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSS!!!

I found them, beloveds, on the other side of my fears.

Fear had been dogging my steps since the tornado. Long before that if I would let myself be 100…lol.

I couldn’t understand why God was sooooooooooo silent during my scariest moments. I blamed Him. Angrily. I blamed me for being afraid.

The Universe encouraged me to fight fear. I grew pissed with The Universe. I was furious with Life. How DARE They literally allow life to toss my life about as a useless toy! Rendering me helpless. Dammit. Damn THEM!!β€οΈβ€πŸ©ΉπŸ˜‘πŸ˜³

For the life of me, I could NOT understand where in the fresh hell this fear was coming from. It was spilling from everywhere. Egads! Heckamiah!

I had two choices: Hide or fight. I got damned tired of hiding. I came out swinging. Every day. Ever hard day. Every scary day. Every mystifying day. Every boring day. Every damned one of them!😑

Until, fear got tired of being beaten down on the regular. Fear got tired and sent doubt. I beat the bejeez outta doubt. Doubt sent sleep. I beat the hell out of fear in my dreams. Fear sent circumstances. I laughed at circumstances. Situations told circumstances to stop wasting my time.

God sent faith to help me. The Universe sent laughter to keep me company. Life just kept giving daily πŸ‹ lemons.😳🀣

Through it all, beloveds, I discovered more of me. The more me I found, the less afraid I became.

Tonight, after having pushed past and through fear, I waded onto the shore. To my great delight, I found my dreams.

What did I discover, beloveds? Ah, you shall just have to continue on the journey’s end. How long will that take? God know but He ain’t tellin’…

In the meantime, I πŸ“ write.

What are YOU doing?

asking for A Friend,

Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: In case no one has told you today: I love you. So does He.

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

Rebuilding: Give Him the rest.

I was up. Late. Figuring. Reconfiguring. Trying to stretch what I had in order to meet the needs. I did not have nearly enough to cover what I needed to cover.

*sigh*

I called my wombie. We had prayed, earlier, about our financial and physical needs. Asked her to sit with me as I jiggered and configured what I had to stretch over what I could. I could not.

*sigh*

Then, I turned on some uplifting music, thanked God for meeting my needs and left the rest, left me, left my finances, up to and with Him.

Anybody can have faith when the bank account is full and the fridge is stocked. I trust now. Empty. Hungry. Lacking.

Now, I wait. Patiently. For new financial πŸšͺ doors to be open. In the meantime, I am going to enjoy and embrace my day. I have done all I know. Now, I am going to enjoy my rest.

In times past, beloveds, I would be ringing my hands, wailing and blaming God, fussing at The Universe and comforting myself with Doritoes and Snickers bars. Enough with that.

I promised myself to never, ever, ever allow myself to be awful to myself out of fear, doubt, disappointment, despair, or whatever lemon had visited me.

I deserve better. I am worthy of good things. I am much more than what I have or don’t have.

My funds are lacking because I used my rainy day funds to help folk who had it pouring when I did not. God shall honor that giving. If not, I don’t regret meeting needs when I had the wherewithal to do so.

I can’t get on myself because my heart was too broken and devastated to work right after the tornado. I am still shaken. Hurricane Milton has me triggered, and I have to tell myself I am safe.

I am learning to do what I can and give HIM the rest: My doubts. My fears. My hopes for tomorrow. My empty bank account. My lonely heart. My need to know. My need to know how. My need for shelter. My need for health. My need for peace of mine. I heap all this and more on HIM.

Now, I wait. Patiently. Sort of.πŸ€Έβ€β™€οΈπŸ˜„πŸ€·β€β™€οΈ

Be encouraged, beloveds. Do what you can. Give Him the rest. If you don’t know/believe Him, request an audience and then give Him the rest…

asking for A Friend,

Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: Everything will be alright. The world seems to have turned on its head at the moment. Yikes! Be encouraged. We got this.

In case no one has told you: I love you. So does He.

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

Rebuilding: Don’t lay down on your fear.

The Universe has taught me some new tricks as I rebuild.

I am learning how to NEVER lay down on my fear. I mean it. Literally. When I feel fear chasing me, in my dreams, I rise. I make coffee. I write. I listen to uplifting music. I tell myself the truth: Everything WILL be alright.

Then I get on with my day. Fearlessly. Seizing moments. Failing spectacularly. Laughing joyfully.

If fear tackles me, as I am doing chores or seeking next steps, I rise. I DO something. I step outside. I step outside my limited view/perception. I seek higher vision. I stride up Faith Mountain.

If fear yells at me, whilst I am wresting my dreams from the unknown, I rise. I πŸ“ write. I dream. I pray. I pray for others. I root for others dreams.Β  I give what I can to other’s dreams.

asking for A Friend,

Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note:

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

Rebuilding: The world needs your story.

As I am rebuilding, I am doing my utmost to leave a blueprint for others to follow.

It is my hope, beloveds, my story can somehow encourage others as they make their way through THEIR story.

Why? Because the world NEEDS your story. The world needs YOUR blueprint.

Your story is needed. Your story can and shall have the impact only YOU are meant to have on this world.

Beloveds, WHY must you continue to compare your story to others? You look at your story and find it wanting. You don’t think your story is exciting enough. You think your story must be told from exotic locations.

You mistakenly believe you need a ghostwriter to jazz up your story.

Enough!

You are enough. Open your eyes. Open your heart. Then, beloveds, open your mouth!

asking for A Friend,

Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: Life is short. Tell me a story. Tell me YOUR story. I dare you. The Universe dares you. Why you keep letting The Universe call you πŸ” chicken?πŸ˜πŸ˜³πŸ€£πŸ€—πŸ“

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

Rebuilding.

I am:

Rebuilding.

I am:

Being rebuilt.

I am:

Being patient as I am rebuilding and being rebuilt.

Are you?

asking for A Friend,

Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: Rebuilding takes time. Rebuilding takes effort. Rebuilding takes patience. Rebuilding requires faith in The Builder.

Have FAITH, beloveds. I know seeing the destruction is hard. I know losing precious things hurts. I know watching a lifetime of effort being wiped out in moments is terribly upsetting.

Newness is being built. As are we. It’s okay to say ‘ow’. It’s okay to say ‘this hurts’. It’s okay to admit this blows!πŸ˜³πŸ˜πŸ˜˜β€οΈβ€πŸ©Ήβ™₯οΈπŸ™

Be encouraged. We got this. I πŸ€” think…lol.

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

When no one shows.

When no one:

Shows up for you.

Shows up for your party.

Shows out, on your behalf.

Doesn’t make you any less worthwhile.

Doesn’t make you worthless.

Doesn’t make you less.

Even as you felt alone, beloveds, you have never been alone. The Universe watches over you.

Keep showing up for YOU, beloveds. Keep on loving YOU. Keep on being good to YOU.

EVERY DAY. Even on the days when you feel the least inclined to do so.

My heart has been heavy all week. All I have seen are awful reports of how horrible the job market is. Gloom and doom everywhere. Turns out, apparently, I shall wither and dry up soon. Alone. Broke. Forever friendless and jobless.πŸ˜³β€οΈβ€πŸ©ΉπŸŒ

I felt alone. Abandoned. Forsaken.

Then, I told fear and doubt to shut up already. My future is not yet known. That said, I choose to enjoy my NOW. Right now, my bills are paid. Right now, I am loved and not alone. Right now, I have my humor. Right now, I have a few folk who love me.

Right now, I have a sound mind. Right now, my steps are ordered. Right now, nothing shall EVER separate me from the love of God. How could I be afraid after knowing these things? I stand on FAITH.

How ’bout you?

asking for A Friend,

Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: The world is forever espousing gloom and doom. It’s how it gets folks to do dumb and short-sighted things. Be encouraged. Keep speaking truth over your life. Keep seeking truth/Truth. Asking for A Friend.

Keep holding on to right now. The coming days can appear frightening. I’m telling myself this as we speak. I looked for jobs that weren’t there today. Egads, but that scared the bejeez out of me. I’m angry at a damned πŸŒͺ that cost me my job. I’m angry at The Universe for having put me in this position. The Universe, it appears, has NOT shown up for me yet. Where the world is everything/everyone? Asking for myself…

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

Repeat after me: There is no damned way!

Repeat after me:

There is no damned way I am giving up on my dream!

There is no chance I am walking away from my goals!

There is absolutely NO excuse for quitting now!

Now get out there and pop fear and doubt upside the head, beloveds. We got thangs to do!

asking for A Friend,

Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: I wanted sooooooooooooooooo bad to quit. Enough, I thought. Then, good habits slapped me good and made me get up and write(fight).

Fight, beloveds! Try! We have already done the giving up on us too easily bit! Let’s go! Drag your age with you. Drag your lack of finances with you. Drag your fair weather friends with you. Let’s go!!

Who knows what today has in store?! Let’s find out, okay? Waiting is hard. Wait. Reaching for thins that don’t seem to reach back is embarrassing/discouraging. Keep reaching out.

We have to get through all the nos to get to our yes, eh? Be encouraged this day. Ah, God, why You so slow? Asking for many friends…

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

If this piece encouraged you, share it with someone please/thanks.

What promise are you keeping to yourself?

Promise yourself, beloveds.

Promise that you will NEVER walk away from your dreams.

Promise yourself you will be good to yourself EVERY day.

Promise yourself you will reach out in LOVE.

Promise yourself you will forgive your mistakes.

Promise yourself you will ALWAYS walk with integrity.

Promise yourself you will ALWAYS shine your light.

Promise yourself you will not discount your try.

Promise yourself you will love yourself no matter what.

Promise yourself you will keep your heart from those who do not mean you well.

Promise yourself you will be open to changing your mind.

Promise yourself you will work on tolerance for another’s viewpoint.

Promise yourself you will try.

Promise yourself you will get up after having fallen down.

Promise yourself that you will NOT judge yourself when you fall, when you fail.

Promise yourself you will give every inch of you to your dreams.

Promise yourself…

asking for A Friend,

Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: Keep your promises. What have you promised you, beloveds? It’s important. I would have given up on me yesterday. But for my promise to me. Ah, God. Help us to keep our promises.

Don’t focus on the impossible. Focus on your try. Then leave the rest to The Universe. Be proud of your try. So many have given up long time ago!

In case no one has told you today: I love. So does He.

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

If this piece encouraged you, share it with someone please/thanks.

Uprooted: No turning back now.

Snickers have been hollering for me.

Cherry pie has been calling me.

Chocolate cream pie has been cajoling me.

Cheetos have been beckoning me.

All have been chasing me, beseeching me, begging me to slide back into comfort eating and comfort.

I tell them no. I tell myself no way!

Life is uncomfortable. God is silent. I don’t know which way to turn. Egads!

That said, beloveds, there can be NO turning back for me. No way. No how.

Yes, I am questioning me. Yes, I am asking many an unanswered question to God, to Life, to The Universe.

All are silent.

All is still.

Waiting.

For me.

To move.

To stand.

To follow.

Where shall I move?

Forward.

What shall I stand on?

Faith.

Business.

With ten toes down!

Who shall I follow?

Him.

There is no turning back for me. I have to tell myself this EVERY day, beloveds. I’m not used to living among the uncomfortable and unknown.

All my life, I have been taught to fear the unknown. I have been taught to live my life afraid. I know folk were well-meaning. They just passed on the fear they were taught to live with.

This may seem ridiculous and backward, but I have been learning how to live without fear through some terrifyingly difficult and unknown days.

How? Because I am forced to use my faith muscles. Daily, I am forced to choose between fear or faith. Daily, I choose faith. Every now and again I hide because I am too tired and afraid to choose for the day.

On those days, like today, I promised to at least reach out and encourage folk to keep going. Doing this uplifts me. It gives me hope I will be able to tell fear to kick rocks, on the morrow.

Until then, I hide out. Until then, I hope someone is carrying my terrified heart around in their pocket.

asking for A Friend,

Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: Be encouraged. Fear is nothing more than coward masquerading as truth…

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

Just because.

Just because it feels as though it’s never gonna happen…

Does NOT mean it’s never gonna happen.

Stop scaring yourself half to death with what if and how come maybe. Live, beloveds.

Just because it looks as if all is crumbling around you…

Does NOT mean the walls of your dreams are tumbling down. Dream, beloveds.

Just because it seems as if you are all alone…

Does NOT mean you are surrounded by nothing but gremlins and goblins. Walk confidently, beloveds.

Things are not always what they seem, feel or look like. Fear and doubt tend to alter our perceptions, which can alter our steps and actions. Which DOES and WILL alter our future.

Stand on FAITH, beloveds. Well I know how very loud fear and doubt can sound. Tell them to shut up already and keep it moving. We got thangs to do.

Believe in YOU.

I do.

God does.

The Universe does.

Those who love you do.

Why can’t/won’t you?

asking for A Friend,

Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: These have been some frightening and wonderful steps. At 55, my heart says Yikes! I have never been more afraid of the unknown. I have never been more confident in Him. It’s a good thing. I have never been less confident in ME.

Ah, beloveds, I go. Afraid. Bold. Stupidly. Unapologetically. At least I go. Amirite?πŸ€£πŸ€—πŸΏ

Keep going, beloveds. Embrace the suck, as they say. Embrace the unknown. Even the scary parts. Keep being YOU no matter what. YOU SHALL MAKE THE DIFFERENCE!

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!