We could all use an Adjustment Bureau...

Last night, I went to see the movie, The Adjustment Bureau.

I thought it was an excellent movie and more than that, it was thought-provoking and incited me to really examine myself. As I watched the movie, I realized a lot about myself and my view of life and purpose.

I don't want to get into the plot of the movie, but I wanted to share something that stood out to me and how I plan to apply it to my life.

LOVE IS OUR PURPOSE.
I am a strong believer in God. And I truly understand the power of Love and how when God is in our lives, we will know how to love.
However, sometimes, I tend to be so "purpose-driven," that I neglect the importance of LOVE in my life. Receiving love from others and also showing love to others.
I believe that I know how to love, but at the point where it "interferes" with my purpose, I don't always focus on it.
However, LOVE is the foundation of our purpose in life.

Then, I thought about 1 Corinthians 13, which is the scripture where Paul talks about Love. Sometimes, I focus on the part that says what Love is, but I was forced to think about the first part of that passage which is,

"1 If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing."

So, as I think about it, Paul was saying that nothing we do in life matters if we don't have love. I may have gifts and be able to do great THINGS for God, but if I don't have love, then it doesn't matter.

The movie reinforces this thought. Love is the central theme even though when you watch it you might think that the central theme is purpose. But, that's just it...LOVE IS OUR PURPOSE! And we should make every effort to walk and live in love...in love with God and with each other.

If you've seen it, let me know what you think and what you took away from it!

Recognize I'm Back!

Ok, so I was thinking the other day about how my life has completely changed over the past couple of years.
But, most of the changes, even those that were tumultuous, were for my good and have worked out to be for the best!
I recognize, now, that who I became for about 7 years was not who I was at all.
I was walking around with straight, flat hair, an affect just as flat, wearing no make up, not communicating and relating to my friends on a regular basis, and without LIFE!
Sure, I was alive, but I wasn't LIVING!
I was simply existing and surviving in my chosen environment.

Now, as I enter in another Spring season of LIFE, I'm so grateful to be BACK to myself.
Through my hair journey, I've rediscovered who I am and what is important to me.
I believe that this energy that's so inspired by my hair gives me the confidence to be myself and know that who I am is actually ok.
I don't have to dumb down, water down and play down who I am.
As women, or even people, we should have the freedom to walk out our purposed life journey with only a concern for who God wants us to be.

To be able to live life to the fullest, without regard to what others say about me is a great feeling.
It's nice to be free from the judgment of others and be able to live for God the way HE wants me to live.

I'm on a journey.
I'm walking towards the vision that God has given me for my life...
And, I feel glad about it!
Can I get an Amen!?
LOL

Don't wanna get stuck...

As I pay attention to what's going on in my life and compare it to what's happening with my hair, I've noticed, yet again, that the two coincide.

I have been in a state of "transition" in my professional career and personal life. I'm at a point in between where I was and where I'm going to be; if that makes sense.
I am in a phase of action and rest.
I must take the steps to move closer to my destiny, but I almost must rest so I can hear and feel what I'm supposed to do.
In my personal life, I am developing and cultivating a new friendship that has the potential to be a great, long-lasting one. But, still I must move as well as wait; being careful not to confuse myself in the process.

So, what's up with my hair?
Well, I've been wearing my hair in the same styles since becoming fully natural. I've tried various products and stylists. So, I feel that now I've gone as far as my current skill level will take me and I'm in a state of transition with my hair. So, I believe that it's time for me to start to learn how to do more to my OWN hair. I must take the initiative to learn some new styling techniques and develop the patience to allow myself to try and fail.

Thankfully, youtube and blogs like curlynikki and naturalchica are out there to help me. I'll rely on my other natural sisters to teach me.

The last thing I want to happen is to get stuck into a specific way of wearing the natural and losing my creativity and individualism on this journey.