Start Where You're At. Work With What You've Got.

I felt extremely led to make this video today. It is a right now message built to encourage you to take those steps towards your destiny.

I sincerely hope you enjoy and that this blesses you.

Start Where You're At. Work With What You've Got. 

Stay In Your Own Lane

There's so much going on and readily available for us to view almost instantaneously through social networking. We would be liars if we said we didn't occasionally look to see how others were doing. And while others can influence us and motivate us, I want to remind someone that NO ONE CAN BE YOU BETTER THAN YOU.

I'll be very transparent and use my own experiences as an example. My purpose, condensed, is writing and encouraging people. Often times quotes come without thought to me. These are the gifts I've been given from God. But my writing style isn't traditional. It's to the point and raw. What some people may take paragraphs to write or say, flows through me in one sentence.

Here's my point. I admire many authors and contemporary people truly making a difference. But I find that when I share their work, say or do something as they would, it doesn't nearly have the same affect as when they did/said it initially.

So I stay in my lane. I am not graced to speak on finances, so I don't go there. I am currently not married, so I won't touch that. These pipes of mine sing best in the shower and unashamedly during praise and worship, but I bet you'll never catch me trying to record the next 'hit' with auto-tune. You see, I stay in my lane.

Although staying in your own lane sounds like a restricting term, it can actually make one limitless. It means that one knows the gifts that they were birthed with, and they can take the time to perfect them.

Again, THERE'S NO ONE QUITE LIKE YOU.

But let's be clear. Just because you're not great in a certain area doesn't mean you should never touch it whatsoever. But it does mean before hoping from one project to the next, from one area to another, perfect your craft or simply just be you.

No one has walk, talk, talents, experiences, swag, vision, assignment, grace, purpose just like yours. Walk in THAT authority. That you can never be a carbon copy because you are too busy being an original. SO what if they hate on you?! People often mock what they can't jock. Be who God created YOU to be.

Are you having trouble finding out what you're purpose is? You find that out on bended knees.

Through experience and trying to silence my purpose for so many years, I can tell you this: Your purpose is that vision that keeps coming upon you no matter how many times you try to ignore it. Your purpose is you doing that thing and hours passing with it feeling like a second. Your purpose are those visions so great that they keep you up at night. I can't tell you your purpose but I can tell you it's waiting for you and I am waiting for you to bless us all with it! 

  

Don't Get Caught Up In The Hype

We live in a cut throat world. Just as soon as we think we have the hottest, latest phone or pair of shoes, a new one makes it 'cold' two weeks later. We just can't keep up. Why waste time trying to? 

Contemporary society says cars, bling and more material things are representative of our success. Although those things are awesome, they are not the only representation of success. Americans are buying more than they can afford to impress people who don't really care.

You want proof? According to Nerd Wallet, just check out the American Household Credit Card Debt Statistics latest information

U.S. household consumer debt profile:

• Average credit card debt: $15,257

• Average mortgage debt: $149,782

• Average student loan debt: $34,703

You don't want to see America's total debt numbers. And you can blame the government all you want, but each of us have a responsibility for our own well-being. Don't get caught up in the hype. People may have a lot to 'show for' but nothing saved up in the bank for their future. People may have some nice cars in their drive way, and feel utterly empty inside. 

That is why it's so important to be rooted on solid ground. It's not what other people see that defines you or makes you successful, it's what is going on within you. Are you living your dreams? Are you surrounding yourself with positive people? Are you spending more time on instagram than you spend with God? Are you happy, forreal?

You can settle for the show, or you can invest in the background work first. Have a solid root that lives beyond all seasons and grows larger than a naked eye can fathom. It's not just about what others see, it's what's going down behind the scenes.

#LetsKeepItAuthentic 

Social Media Fast: February 20th-27th

It's no secret that social media has taken the world by storm. Checking our social outlets has almost become second nature for many. Just as the smoker of twenty years will say, 'sometimes it comes without thought'. That is where we come into dangerous territory.  Over the last couple of years I've seen this common trend of people choosing to ‘ Facebook’ their problems before facing them. Every few months or so, the Lord will put in my heart to back away from the public for a while. This time it goes way beyond me. I am inviting you, friend, to join us.

Most studies show that to break a habit it takes approximately thirty days. All we’re encouraging is seven. Seven days to not put your feelings and happenings out there to others. Seven days to be ‘out of the loop’. Seven days to get back to focus.

“What should you do in these seven days?”

-Use this time to spend more time with the Lord by reading his Word

-Read those books that you've been meaning to get to

-Build and/or develop your business plan

-Each time that you need to get something out, write it down or call your accountability partner (below)

-Make those steps that you've been meaning to make before social media ADD got ya
-Get to movin'! Take that jog, go visit that old friend or family member...

-Cleanse your spirit, follow your heart

“How is this possible? I can easily change my password and go back on.”

That’s why we are encouraging you to get an accountability partner. This is the person who will change your passwords (Facebook, twitter, etc) and not give it to you until the end the seven days are up. This is also someone who you can call for encouragement and/or prayer. Make sure that your accountability partner is someone that you trust, as I know some of these outlets can hold some personal information. (To be safe, I encourage you all to first remove any and all things that you don’t want anyone seeing.)

As for the apps such as Instagram, delete them off of your mobile device. It’s easy and prevents you from going on there without thought. When the week is over you can simply download the app again and use your old information.

What social media applies?

So happy you asked. Twitter, Facebook, Blogging, Instragram, Youtube, Tumblr, online instant messaging and any other game apps that open a window for mass communication.

We will begin on February 20^th and go through February 27^th. After the seven days are done, we want to know how this social media fast went. What did you learn and how much more you got done.

Even if you believe that this is something that you personally do not need or absolutely cannot participate in due to work, please share it with others. As you do not know who may be blessed with this opportunity.  

Building a Skyscraper

Did you know that the taller the building, the deeper the construction team had to dig into the dirt?

Yes. In order for a massive building to be built, the earth must first be torn and it's base rooted on solid ground. These tall buildings have to be able to withstand trembling winds, up-roaring floods, panicking shakes, and a stampede of people inside trying to make a difference. But before it can be this beautiful building it's core had to be constructed on sure ground.

What am I trying to say? I am trying to say that each expert started as a beginner. I am trying to say that when your world gets shaken, it is not without a reason. I am trying to say that the depth of your past is an indication of the height of your future. As I check my very own heart, I ask you friend, are you building your dreams on solid ground?

Matthew 7:24-25 (24) Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.(25) The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

Casual Co-Signers

It's always nice to have a group of supporters and friends. Let's Keep It Authentic though, there's going to be times where it seems that no one is holding you down. All the plans you all had together continue to fall flat. They stop working out with you in your supposed to be mutual health spree. They stop shouting you out for your next event. They cancel that movie date you had together. They aren't as dedicated to the goal as you are.

That's okay though! Don't be offended (we're all grown folk with free will)! Don't stop moving! You don't have to wait on them! Keep working out. Go to that movie alone. Enroll in that class you have been wanting to try out. Start your next new project.

Walk alone in confidence, knowing that God is with you where ever you go. Don't block your blessings by not being open to change and tackeling those fears. He is all the back up you need when your back is up against the wall.

Each of us should be striving to better ourselves from morning to sunset as if we were getting paid!

We all appreciate support and shouldn't be too proud to ask for it when need be, but the beauty in your dreams/goals is that fact that you believe in them even when it seems no one else does. Wait on the Lord, not people.

Staying Authentic

I truly wish I had one solid story to explain my long departure to the pen, or better yet with evolving time, the key board. Since I can remember, there has always been this burning passion inside of me to write, to help, to inspire.

I saw it going places too. God was opening doors left and right. Then...my insecurities got the best of me. I didn't believe in myself as I once did. Fear took over. Fear was the very thing I thought I said "good-bye" to some time ago. I thought to myself "how can I be such a motivation to others or a blessing in Christ when I am so imperfect?" Then an avalanche of tests (or blessings) poured down.

God reminded me that I am an imperfect person serving a perfect God and that He will supplement every where I lack. That my gifts would make room for me. If only I just believed and stepped out on faith to a whole new level. If only I got out of my own mind.

This post is not intended to be some melo-dramatic episode, but the truth. This is for anyone who ever doubted themselves in any way. This is for anyone who felt they weren't good enough. This is for anyone who ever put their dreams on pause. This is for you, the person too bashful to ever admit it aloud.

Never let your past deter you from your future as I once did. You are complete in Christ. You have the opportunity to start right now in this very second. You have the opportunity to make a difference.

It all starts in believing you can.

In my silence I re-discovered aspects of myself and learned to love them at new depths. Why the vision of Let's Keep It Authentic kept repeating in my dreams even as an adolescent.

I was never meant to be some type of cookie cutter Christian nor person. Never was supposed to be restrained to baking pretty cakes. In the hypothetical, I am raw. Some people like it. Some people don't. So now that I love all of it I can move forward and hopefully through my transparency I can inspire some others to as well.

Who Lied To You?

Who lied to you and told you that you had to be perfect to come to God?

A friend of mine once said "I am not ready because I'm not ready to live my life like that."

Like what?

There's this strong misconception that one has to COME cleansed but that is an upright LIE! The Lord says "come as you are!"

Allow me to tell yall what that means.

That means broken, broke, abused, addicted, boisterous, cunning, deceiving, fraudulent, hopeless, insecure, jacked up, killer, sinner, lustful, knocked up, liar, hurt, used, bruised, backslider, opportunist, drug dealer, prostitute, and everything in between.

You come willing and He will do the rest. Know that it's going to take work, and a surpassing faith but He will bring comfort, peace, healing and restoration to every area of your life and the lives of your family if you trust Him enough to say "I can't do this without You" and then obey.

What are you waiting for? There's no mess too big or no heart too broken for God.

It's not a sprint. It's a marathon. Keep Going!

Date ALONE ???

Maybe this whole notion of being alone is natural to me since I was an only child. Do you know that there’s actually adults who fear being anywhere, but the bathroom, alone?  

They especially fear being seen in public alone, like say going to the movies, dinner or park. They think that gives them entitlement to 'creeper status' or gets them put in the same category as an elder alone that’s lost their spouse.

When we see an elderly person alone its actually quite sad if one has any type of heart. Some of us tend to associate ourselves in these positions and say “no, you’ve got to be a sad person to attempt to have fun (or fill in the blank) alone.”

I profoundly and boldly say: when you know and love yourself, YOU are your best company.

You see this world is so cluttered with mess, and texts, and facebook, and twitter, and boyfriends, and crazy girlfriends, fake people, work, bills, and a bunch of other things other than us.

How can one hear his or her own voice of reason clearly or talk to God when there’s so much noise? How can we truly appreciate the little things like our breath and absolutely invest our hearts in the moment? 

Because all we have is right now.

The people that don’t like to be alone many times get grumpy when there’s no company, feeling neglected by others when the truth is they’ve neglected themselves and their personal issues for so long that they just don’t know how to deal with them alone or without the validation and support of other worldly people.

I personally love those “Sunday mornings of life,” as India Arie calls them. Those moments to reflect and realize what I have to offer to this world and how important it is to put INVEST in me an equal balance for what I put OUT.

The truth of the matter is, the more time we don’t sit and let everything marinate; the harder it will be to deal with the future. Although it seems that the ones who are always in a hurry and anxious not to miss anything the crowd is doing are 'winning', they’ll eventually run into stagnation if they don’t take that time alone.

If it’s been a while since you took yourself on a date, I strongly advise you to do so. Turn off your phone and get lost. Stop at the cool little ice cream shop you look at every time you drive by. Go jogging in that park full of nature. Visit that museum that you cannot convince any of your lame friends to go to. Purchase a book and go into outer space.

It’s “sexy season” as my friend Stephanie Rosen likes to say. I’ll interpret that as, it’s time to take care of YOU!   

For The Love Of Money?

What is this fad going on for the love of money? It’s causing people to be selfish and act in immoral ways. It’s tearing up homes, relationships, and trust. Since when does money love you back?


Instead of preaching “money is what I’m all about,” why not speak about the passion you have to use in order to get that attainment of constant cash? I know it’s easy to be blinded by the media and celebrities in their flashy life styles but how do you suppose they got there? By doing that something that they love; for the ones who got there off of talentless stunts, it’s because they were the first ones to do it, and we gave them our undivided attention. Now, many people are living fast and immorally to have money to take a picture with on their facebook for the world to see.

This facade is so discouraging to the young people. I spoke to this young man the other day and I asked him “what do you want to do when you get older?” He answered “I want to be rich!” When I asked him how he planned to get there he told me that he didn’t know but he doesn’t care what he has to do. He proceeded to tell me that he would rob a bank or sell drugs if had to. I know those statement weren’t technically literal but they said a lot.

The upcoming generations see fast money out of indecent and denigrating acts. They see the ultimate prize but they don’t see the legitimate struggle. They don’t see the work that it takes get money on a consecutive basis. They just see money. So how will they get it? That is not really the question. The real question is, how will they keep it?

I know most people are thinking “Paloma, you’re a fool for saying money doesn’t matter.” That is not what I’m saying at all. I am not ignorant, I have my own bills. I understand we ALL need that paper to stay afloat. But what I’m talking about is the kids or people who have the misconception that money is the “be all end all” to the definition of success.

Success is weighed not by the color of your bank card or the size of the rims on your car. Today, young people make the money just to be able to stunt. They work so hard for the things that true hard workers get with their play money. They aim for that fast money. To get to top in a flash, shitting on whoever gets in their way.

I just pray that you teach your children to not chase money but to chase their dreams. If they do that to the best of their ability, money will flow effortlessly. It’s NOT easy. But that’s what differentiates successful people from mediocre people…and most definitely selfish people. Aim for something that lasts…