Do you struggle with self doubt?

Have you ever struggled with self doubt? Asking yourself, have I made the right decision, am I doing what I am designed for, did I make the right choice this time? Well that is exactly where I am at right now. Thoughts come flooding in and won't leave me alone. So I am forced to look at this topic and see what it is that has brought this on and find my lesson in it. Self doubt is nothing more than not having confidence in ourselves. Confidence in the choices you make or confidence in your ability.
My struggles recently came from a business decision I made. I kept questioning myself that maybe I made the wrong choice or it was the wrong timing. I asked myself if I was doing the right thing. Basically when you don't have anyone cheering you on and it's been quite around, you begin to second guess your moves. It's in the quite times though where you really have to find your faith and remember the big picture. Here's a quote from Matthew Barnett "Your dream might plateau for awhile in order for you to learn the inward lessons needed to rise again. I love this,this is exactly what we need when were in the mindset of self doubt. Everything that happens is according to Gods timing so we have to remember He is in control and it's Him making the next move and in the meantime we can look at what inward lessons He might be teaching us. For me, I needed a reminder that He is the one calling the shots, not the business women who thinks she is making it all happen. I need to take a step back and ask, what's next Father? And it was a good reminder that He is the CEO of my company and I must be very sensitive to where He wants me to go and why.
So next time self doubt starts to creep into your mind , ask yourself what inward lessons do I need to learn right now? Get your mind off yourself and focus on God and He will lead you into a confidence that will out shine everything. Not in yourself but in Him!

Tough situations

Have you ever found yourself in situation and asked yourself, How did I get here?
That's exactly what I had witnessed on our last street night outreach. A group of us girls go out to Strip Clubs once a month to encourage, lift up and inspire the dancers to be all that can be in life. We bring all the love we have, homemade cupcakes, goody bags with earrings, lip gloss and whatever else we can get into those bags and recently we brought roses for each girl. We show up and Love out Loud and it changes people.
Well this one night I met this young beautiful girl (for privacy reasons) we will call her Anna. Anna confided in me that she wasn't sure why she was dancing in this club. She really didn't want to be there and was already thinking her escape plan. She was desperate, lonely, broke and hurting. Sound familiar? I'm sure we all have our story of how we made choices based off our desperate circumstances. Maybe you didn't go into dancing in a strip club but you found yourself someplace you never thought you'd be. Anna poured her heart out to me telling me her plan. I listened intently to her wants and needs. She was a smart girl and she knew that stripping wasn't for her but yet she kept going back. Little does she know we have some good news for her because a few of us girls pulled together so we can help Anna meet some of her goals a little quicker than she expected. So we are looking forward to going back to see her and share the goods news with her. We are glad she opened up to us and was honest. So I just want to encourage you to find someone stuck in a tough spot and ask yourself if there is anything you can do to bring them closer to getting out of it.
I can instantly think of the people that did that for me in my life, especially in my twenties when I was young and making bad choices. Those friends didn't judge me, they just saw the need and went for it. This is what Loving out Loud is! You actions show the love and it has a trickle affect on others! So figure out how you can go Love out Loud today!!

Remembering your past so you can find your future!

Reliving the past.

Thinking back on my childhood isn't something I ever wanted to reflect on as a young adult but as I got into a place of desperation to find some peace in my mind that's exactly what I had to do. I started counseling with a Christian counselor that was especially trained to deal with post traumatic syndrome. One of the first things he wanted to work on was reliving the traumatic events that shaped who I was. I have to tell you just speaking the words made my heart race, my hand sweat and I felt physically ill.
I never wanted to tell anyone what I had been through, especially a man. But that's exactly what I ended up doing apt after apt. And that was what began the healing process for my mind & soul. The more I talked about it, the more I wasn't so traumatized by it.
I just want to encourage you in looking at your life today and asking yourself if your emotionally stuck. Do you have relationship problems, sleeping problems, anger issues?
Do you have no self worth, self hatred and low self esteem. If you answered yes to these questions then it might be time to face the giants in your life.
Is your past running your future? My past was and let me tell you now that I've found healing I have experienced a whole new life! One I never know I could have. I am not that same little girl that walked into that Dr.'s office in 1996 I am a woman of God that walks in peace, that experiences joy. I no longer deal with jealousy issues and am thrilled that no insecurities run my life! Night terrors, anxiety attacks, relationship problems, self hatred they are ALL behind me. And I haven't missed them. Not one bit. Living in freedom and in peace is what I want for each of you as well.
So my prayer and hope is your read this article and make a decision to make an apt for some good Christian counseling to begin the healing process your for mind and soul. There are many resources we can connect you with and help you move into the right direction. Please leave a comment or contact me on my twitter page. www.twitter.com/lilycompany as I would love to help you begin your journey of healing. Many blessings over you as you begin to heal! Oh and one last thing it won't be easy but pressing through is where you find healing so don't give up!! Adieu

Is today a hard day for you? (Father's Day)

With today being Father's Day I can't help but think of some of my friends who are hurting today. Are you struggling with this day? I know some of you have lost your Father this year and you are grieving over your loss. I can't imagine your pain right now. I once almost lost my Dad (amazing story) he went into a coma & wasn't suppose to make it but somehow he did. My crazy family even had a funeral for him. I hung in there hoping for a miracle and God gave us one. He is still with us today, WOW! But sometimes miracles don't happen. :( This year my Uncle Bill had a stroke and he didn't make it. We were not ready for his departure at all! Very hard times. RIP Uncle Bill we love you and miss you!
Maybe your Dad wasn't there for you. Maybe your Dad abused you and you have a broken relationship with him. Some never had the chance to even meet their real Dad. My heart breaks for the Fatherless! This was never Gods plan. I know what it is like to grow up with out a Daddy. Its heartbreaking and shapes your whole life. But through counseling & a great God I am healed from the past pain and you could be too. It takes time. Time really does heal wounds. So as today moves on know that there is a sister out there with your heart in her mind and prayers covering you and hoping for a better day tomorrow. You are not alone or forgotten in your pain and This too shall pass!! Much love and healing to your heart and soul. Adieu.

Please repost this or retweet so we can bring hope to the hopeless!! And I would love to hear how your feeling today so feel free to post a comment and let us know how we can pray! www.twitter.com/lilycompany

Do you have a good relationship with yourself?

I saw this headline today and it brought back a flood of memories. I remember the days I didn't like myself or even want to be in the same room with myself. Pretty hard to get away from yourself,right? So I was forced to start working on my relationship with no other than, myself. I know it sounds funny but if you felt the way I did then, they'll you'll get it. You first have to learn to love yourself and think positive thoughts about yourself. Retrain your brain and your thought process. Most likely you don't like yourself due to the fact that someone put these ideas in your head from the beginning. Like your not pretty enough, smart enough or why do you always do dumb things,etc.. Ask yourself what are the tapes playing in your head that planted this self-hatred. Most likely it came from a family member or a boyfriend or spouse. Whoever it was or is. You are going to have to fight against each word brought against you. Think of it as a battle that you need to win. A battle to renew your mind, then your relationship with yourself with begin to heal. Soon you'll be on your way to being ok that your the only one in the room. Maybe go grab a coffee or a movie on your own. I have a friend of mine that thinks it's weird that I like going to movies by myself. I told her hey I don't mind being alone. She replied, I could never do that! Believe me I know why. I love doing things with my girlfriends but when there are times I am alone, I'm ok with it. So ask yourself do you have a good relationship with yourself? If the answer is no or I could improve, find out why. Talk with a counselor or a friend or just start by working on your thoughts. It's a process and it takes time. You didn't get this way over night so give it some time but be aware of what is being said to you and how you process it. And if any old tapes are playing without you even realizing it. Then take those thoughts captive and regain your love for yourself. You can do it! Here's to loving yourself! Adieu. Lisa

Are you rushing into things?

Are you rushing into things?
I was making my son some eggs for breakfast this morning and was in a bit of a hurry so I decide to flip to eggs over before they were ready. I knew they weren't ready but thought well I'll try to do it and see what happens. Well you know what came next, right? A mess, the eggs fell apart and were no longer the eggs I set out to make. Funny thing is the same goes for decisions we make in life? We rush things, make decision's without thinking them through making a mess of life. So ask yourself today am I rushing anything in my life? Do I need some time to think things through. Most the time in cooking when you simmer food or put them in the crock pot for hours they turn out tastier, more tender and all around a better meal. Why rush, simmer down and settle into the big decision's in life. They'll turn out sweeter, juicier and all around a better decision. I encourage you to take your time, think things through and pray about what you should do. Here's to taking your time today! Adieu. Lisa

Restoring Humanity though Beauty
www.lilynco.net

Butterflies

THERE WOULD BE NO BUTTERFLIES WITHOUT CHANGE!
Embrace CHANGE! Even though it may hurt and it my feel like your turning into something new. CHANGE is how we grow, how we learn. Wisdom comes from CHANGE. Look for the positive in the CHANGE your going through and it won't seem so tough. I just love when I see Butterflies I know they didn't get that beautiful without some serious CHANGE, dying to what they once were and thinking it was all over then they emerge a new creation. And I love that they only live for a few days so every time I see one I know they are special and they serve a specific purpose. So come embrace CHANGE with me and enjoy the journey. Love, Lisa

Restoring Humanity Through Beauty
www.lilynco.net