DON’T GIVE UP

A Time to Dance with God

Jewel Diamond Taylor1 Comment

As you wake up and stretch your body and mind to prepare for the new day…remember to guard your heart from the joy and peace blockers.

Don’t take people’s criticism to heart.  Don’t be embarrassed about your past fumbles.  Remember to dance in your heart before the Lord because you are grateful for this new day.

Look carefully and you will see “dance” at the end of the word “guidance“.  When two people try to lead,  the movement is clumsy and doesn’t flow with the music.

When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead, both bodies begin to flow with the music.  The lead dancer gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back or by pressing lightly in one direction or another.

It’s as if two become one body, moving beautifully. The dance takes surrender, willingness, and attentiveness from one person and gentle guidance and skill from the other.

 

When someone is learning to dance for fun, they may start off feeling self-conscious, embarrassed and falling over their feet.  Some people prefer to dance without a partner and just have fun line dancing the wobble wobble or the electric slide.  Yes, it’s fun line dancing because you don’t have to wait for someone to ask you to dance. I see more and more solo dancers and fewer couples dancing in rhythm together. But to dance with a partner, it takes practice and a willingness to follow their lead.  To dance with God takes surrender and willingness.

You may feel like you are dancing alone in life, but God is dancing with you…just get in rhythm with your faith.  When I see the word “guidance” I see “G” (God), followed by “u” and “i”. “God,” “u” and “i” dance.” God, you and I dance.

When you are willing to follow the Lord’s lead and guidance, the dance with the Lord will get easier with practice.  The more you lean in, trust and dance with the Lord, the more you will stop worrying. Dance together with God, trusting God to lead and to guide you through each season of your life. 

The word of God tells us there is a time to dance and a time to cry.  As I healed through the process of grief and crying from losing my 38 yr. old son to cancer…I began to understand this scripture.  It was OK to be joyful again, in spite of my pain, without feeling guilty.  As I counted my blessings, it was time to dance again.  As I slayed the enemy of depression, worry and grief, my heart began to dance again. “You changed my mourning into dancing…” Psalm 30:12

Just like David returned from killing the Philistines and everyone was dancing (1 Samuel 18:6), you can dance as you conquer and kill the enemy within of doubt, procrastination, temptation, anger, fear, worry, addictions or hatred.  Your family and friends will dance with you and for you as you grow in your courage to slay the tricks, traps and tribulations of the enemy.

Prayer:  Today Lord I praise your Holy name.  I’m in a new season of my life. I stand on your word that  “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. (Romans 8:5)

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I choose You heavenly Father as my partner, provider and protector.  Thank you Lord for your faithfulness and enduring love and abundance in every season of my life.   I want to follow your lead and guidance.  Thank you for endowing me with power, dominion and authority to conquer my enemies. Thank you for new life and a new season.  Thank you for lighting my path as I daily walk out of sin and into salvation.

Call to Action:

  1. Do not hold grudges or hold onto things that are out of your control. Let go of the past and forgive those that have caused you pain. Not only will you be more stressed out but you will carry an unnecessary burden upon your shoulders. Seek God for guidance and let go of the past.
  2. Be honest with yourself.  Before David asks for joy in Psalm 51:8 and 51:12, he acknowledges the weight of his wrong doing: “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge” (Psalm 51:4).  The joy of repentance flows directly out of its grief.  Some people never dance because their feet are heavy with sin, guilt and shame.  If you are battling a habitual sin and you have not held yourself accountable in any way, be honest with yourself: You might feel badly about your sin, but you are not actually repenting of it. Repentance is more than remorse — it means change.
  3. Write down 3 things you’re grateful for.  Listen to some upbeat music that makes you want to tap your feet and move your body.  Dance before the Lord. Your physically body movements can change your emotional body from sadness to gladness.

Living through the seasons called “hard, scary and painful”

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Am I ready to retire? Should I move to another city? Should I stay at this unfulfilling job or stay in this abusive relationship? Should I travel? Should I stop allowing my friend to disrespect me? Should I write my book? Should I keep loaning money to people? Should I take that class? Should I trust and date again after such a painful divorce? Should I leave my church where I am no longer growing?” Should I start my own business? Should I forgive and let go? Should I move to a new city? There are many difficult issues and choices to cope with…it’s called “life”. When I am not emotionally present or healthy…I sometimes choose; don’t think about it, don’t want to feel it and I feel like a failure or fraud. But I know there are consequences if I ignore these issues, if I live in denial, pretend, and hide behind my “fake up” (e.g., smile, default responses, busyness, excuses or blame).
For some people, their childhood and youth were full of hardships and then life smoothes itself out and they find contentment and acceptance in their later years. For me, it is the reverse. My childhood and youth (summer and spring) were less problematic than my “winter” season of life. I have learned the art of truth telling vs. self-betrayal. I have learned that glazing over my heartaches or hardships with easy answers so that the people around me wouldn’t be uncomfortable…is no longer a healthy coping skill. I’m learning to live with the mystery of life. I’m learning that “hard, scary and pain” are not a life sentence. I’m learning to breathe through the regrets, sorrow, heaviness and call back my power and peace even while in my storms of “why now!!!…when will it stop?…make it stop Jesus!…help me Lord…how long must I wait?…the pain is unbearable…I can’t breathe.”
Admitting that life is hard or that you don’t have it all together yet… doesn’t make you a failure. It doesn’t mean you are negative. It doesn’t mean you are defeated. It doesn’t mean you don’t believe in God. Admitting where you are emotionally, financially, spiritually, mentally, in your habits, lifestyle, career or your in relationships…makes you courageous. Yes it is a vulnerable place, but a place of freedom, discovery, recovery and exhaling.
One of my greatest joys and purpose is to create a safe place and events for women to feel safe.  I like to build bridges of hope, faith, guidance and support for women to cross over her feelings of loneliness, stress, shame, loss, anger, procrastination, delays, low self-esteem, depression, disappointments, and dysfunction …to a place where she doesn’t feel alone.malibu-circle

The storm she is going through may continue to rage, but she can find some calm in the storm.  She can create positive coping skills of resiliency, faith, courage, connections, wisdom, a new perspective and even some humor.

I want to be a transformative resource to her so she can take off any masks and step out of her shell of fear, intimidation, isolation, guilt and shame.

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Do Not Give Up ReMINDers

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In your time of difficult situations, you must persist in order to break through into victory.  There are lessons to learn that will benefit you in the days ahead. You must jump this hurdle before you can be fully ready to embrace all that I have prepared for you. Stand strong in the face of adversity, and trust Me to lead you into your destiny, says the Lord. 1 Corinthians 16:13

Watch, anchor yourself in your faith, be brave, be focused. Take care of your health.  Keep moving forward.  Jump over your hurdles and hardships. You can do it! –

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Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. – Galatians 6:9

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. – 1 Corinthians 16:13

click below arrow to listen to a brief audio message from Jewel

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excerpt from Jewel’s book “Shift Happens.”

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book-cover-shift-happens-2   excerpt from Jewel’s book “Shift Happens.”
     “You have some priorities and tasks that need your attention and action.  Distractions and doubt are so destructive to your peace and progress.
     Focus, focus, focus!  Even when SHIFT happens…adapt and be flexible…don’t give up.  Let nothing or no one catch you off guard, throw you off balance, change your mind, discourage your drive, diminish your faith or cause you to second guess yourself.
     You are a success magnet.  You are a champion.  You are a winner.  You are a believer and achiever.  You finish what you start.  You keep your promises and commitments.
     You are divinely guided and provided for in all things.  The main thing for you to do is to …keep the main thing…the MAIN thing.  You will reap rewards and payoff from your focus today.  You will experience so much relief and progress because you are focused.” ~ Jewel Diamond Taylor

Great Tips from a Recovering Procrastinator

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jewel-colorful-topI am Jewel Diamond Taylor.  I am a recovering procrastinator.

Sadly, I admit I have lost money, time, opportunities, sleep and peace of mind from the terrible habit of avoiding important tasks.  I am not totally recovered.  However, gladly, I have seen so much progress and gained some self-respect, effectiveness, progress and peace of mind because of these following practices I put into place to break old habits.

To increase my daily success of achieving my tasks.  I have to psyche myself out because I know the words, habits and thoughts in my head that block and sabotage my progress which causes me to avoid tasks and eventually pay the consequences.   So instead of having a “to do” list…I have a “things to finish” list.  When I hear “to do” it sounds to wide open and vague.   “Things to finish” is my kick in the behind to not only do something…but finish my task.   I have learned that my self-talk changes how I do things.  Since I read my emails daily…all day…I send myself an email with the subject line “To finish“.

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I don’t have several pieces of paper with lists that eventually end up being lost.
I only have one place which insures that I will SEE it and get it done.
I don’t put tasks on my list that I normally would do anyway.
I add those things that I want to avoid or seem difficult.
I am learning to stop the habit of putting my self into a last minute crisis and panic attack which was self-induced.
I keep the consequences of avoiding important tasks in my mind instead of being in denial or hoping someone else will do it for me.  I take responsibility for the quality of life and peace of mind that I gain when I finish my tasks.
I keep a short list so my day won’t feel so overwhelming.
I have learned to delegate, dump the low priority items and finish the high priority items to keep my stress down.
I have given up being a perfectionist…shift happens.
I don’t over commit.  I have boundaries and review my list often for short term and long term goals so I can keep the main thing…THE MAIN THING!
I say “no” without feeling guilty to unrealistic demands of my time.
Distractions and excuses keeps me ineffective and stressed so I have learned to notice when my mind tries to justify not doing the task or I hear the whispers “Do it tomorrow.”
I am eating better and walking daily which gives me
strength and stamina for the day.
I pray for discernment, guidance, courage and wisdom.
I am determined to keep growing, get better and develop the discipline of an
achiever, leader and finisher.  How about you? ~
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5 Reasons Why People Stay Stuck

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unhappy-couple5 reasons why you may be stuck in a toxic, abusive, unhappy or unequally yoked relationship or career position;
1) You don’t feel worthy. You feel you deserve bad treatment as your punishment for your past poor judgement, mistakes, or secrets sins…so you tolerate pain, unhappiness and bad behavior.
2) You never saw a “good relationship model” before to show you that you don’t have to live in pain, limitation or fear. You take on the role of a “fixer”, “victim”, “rescuer” or “doormat” or the “silent sufferer.”
3) You gain some type of emotional benefit by living as a victim.
4) You were programmed and told as a child that you were no good, ugly, unwanted, too much to handle, too bad, etc. So you don’t feel worthy of love or happiness.
5) You were never exposed to the knowledge, experiences, tools, support or relationships that can empower you to break the chains of fear, abuse, procrastination and low self-esteem.
The Self-esteem Dr. Jewel Diamond Taylor, Life Coach, Author, Conference Keynote Speaker
323.964.1736

Are you following your vision?

Jewel Diamond TaylorLeave a comment
It takes faith, guts and grit to follow your dream and achieve your goals.
Realize fear, opposition and obstacles will never go away.
Fear and doubt will cause you to stop and flee.
Faith will cause you to pause, plan and persevere.
Understand the importance of persistence.
Continually develop yourself so you can
maintain your vision and blessings that are on the way.
The world is changing fast.  Keep up with these changing
times so you can be on the winning side.
Build up your confidence.
some days are easy Jewel Diamond Taylor