Category: book

book, Denise Hall Brown, destiny, dream bigger, Faith, God

Dream Bigger!

livingwholecoaching

What does faith have to do with dreaming bigger?  Everything, we can only dream as big as our imagination can take us.  Beyond that point we have nothing. We can strain and squeeze our brains all we want and we are never going to be able to imagine more that it can contain.  But with faith you see anything is possible.  God is able to do above and beyond our wildest, most creative dreams.

My good friend decided to step off the cliff into a “faith walk” that God had prepared for her.  I was so scared and happy for her all at the same time.  I envied her tenacity to make such a bold move with her life.  I wanted to do the same thing, but I didn’t have the nerve that it took to even get to the edge of the cliff.   But my friend Denise said the urge to step into her destiny was so strong she felt she had no other choice.  So she took a quantum leap with God and the results have been more than miraculous.

You see, my friend, Denise Hall Brown, has suffered a tremendous amount of lost and tragedy since the time that I met her.  Years before I even knew who she was or her story, she had lost her mother to a tragic accident with a drunk driver.  Her mother was her world and at her tender age, it was a devastating event that would rock her world.

Years later, when I did have the opportunity to know Denise very well,  is when she suffered the untimely loss of her 6 month old baby boy,  Isaiah.  I remember that day just like it was yesterday and I don’t think I will ever forget it.  My heart broke in a thousands pieces for her and her family and I feel like a part of me will never be the same.

Yet in still she rose to the top and she survived and she began a deep walk with the Lord.  She opened her heart to Him in such a humble way that it amazed me to see her grow so fast in her spiritual journey after all that she had endured.

Then again tragedy struck when one winter season not very long ago, she lost her husband.  I began to wonder too what was God doing in the midst of this sisters life.  How could she take anymore upon her soul?  But she continued to grow in her walk and she grieved and grieved.  She was down but she wasn’t out.  You have to read her full story in her book: 2Grieve 2Gether for the rest of her journey.   More about Denise’s story and how to purchase her book:  www.2grieve2gether.org or www.amazon.com

Today, she is not only surviving, she is thriving!  If you ask her I am sure she would tell you that she never would have dreamed that she would be in the place that she is today.  Her story/book has just been nominated for: Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author with the 43rd NAACP Image Awards! (www.naacpimageawards.net)  She wrote that book to help other survivors and supporters get successfully through the grieving process.  She understood her purpose and destiny and she humbled herself to give to others.  In the midst of that God has shown her favor.  And because her mind could only image so much, God took over and helped her to – Dream Bigger!

The Butterfly Journey – Lisa

 

book, God, love, relationships, the butterfly journey

Relationships: You Still Have Time

livingwholecoaching

I was super bummed when I finished writing a lovely post about relationships this morning and clicked on the publish button and to my surprise or perhaps my demise half of the post was missing.  I had to trash what was left and decided to walk away until this evening.

But in the efforts to post something of wisdom, something positive, something motivating everyday I am re-doing my earlier post in hopes that I capture the essence that I wanted to.

Relationships are a huge part of life that shapes who we are, who we become, and how we handle all the other aspects of our lives.  I was not at all great at relationships.  Not that I didn’t have any but I didn’t have healthy ones, at least not for me. I called myself a chameleon.  I would change myself into whatever type of person that relationship wanted.  I hid my heart, my dreams, my desires and wants deep inside.  It really didn’t matter, no one seemed to want to know the “real” Lisa anyway.  But just like any other woman I wanted a relationship where I could be me; the real me.

It didn’t come until after the healing process started during my depression that I began to understand the why’s of my unhealthy relationships.  God had to show me that I was worthy.  Me, Lisa, was worth something more than what I had experienced in these unhealthy relationships.  But I didn’t know that then and that was my problem.  I equated my worth with how pleased the other person was with me.  And since I wasn’t even sharing the real me I didn’t realize that what they were giving me in return was not equal to my worth.  Whatever they offered I thought that was all that I was worth!  But God said no!  That is not who you are, you are beautiful, lovely, and unique because He made me that way.  I was worthy of great things because God said so.

When God gave me the man of my dreams, I didn’t know if I could pass the test and use my new-found wisdom to cultivate the relationship in a healthy way.  And sure enough the old me came slipping back into play, but God stopped me every time I tried to revert back to my old ways.  Craig, (my fiance) is a wonderful man of God and he was very patient with me in my learning stage.  He has taught me a lot about love, patience and friendship and today he is my best friend!

I explain more about my experience with relationships in my upcoming book: The Butterfly’s Journey coming soon!

The Butterfly Journey – Lisa

 

affirmations, book, love, The Help

You’re Important!

livingwholecoaching

When I read the book The Help one of the things that stayed in my mind was not the horrible way they were treated, but the way in which they carried themselves in the midst of so many injustices.  The one “help” named Abigail was raising the daughter of her employer and I was so happy that the little girl had “Abbie” as she called her in her life.  The little girl’s mother didn’t even want to be bothered with the child because she was a little chubby and not the most pretty little girl of the bunch.  But what Abbie did everyday was told her  positive affirmations about herself.

Abbie having lived in a time when she was treated differently and sometimes unjustly because of the color of her skin she knew all too well the negative affects it can have on a person.  She wanted to make sure that if there was something that she could do to change someone elses self-worth that she would, just by saying those same little affirmations to a little girl in hopes that she would continue to believe them as she grew up with a mother that didn’t seem to love her.

Those little words of confirmation, uplifting phrases that we can deposit into someone elses spirit can mean a whole difference in that person’s life.  Hopefully, that little child grew up remembering those words that Abbie spoke into her and she believed them no matter what life threw her way.  I hope that deep inside those words would reverberate back to her remembrance in those times when she didn’t feel so beautiful or loved.

The same concept holds true for most of us today and that is why I believe it is so important for us to tell our children, grandchildren, and even someone elses child that they are wonderful, smart, and important.  You just never know how important those words can be for them in life.  We can still deposit positive affirmations to one another in our adult life.  It holds the same strength to an adult as to a child.  Just like the effects of negative verbage that comes to us through life experiences whether true or not we begin to believe what people say to us and about us.

That is why I love the Lord so much because His love is so perfect and He affirms us with it everyday.  He doesn’t change His mind about us even when He should.

The Butterfly Journey – Lisa

book, distractions, life, mother, procrastination, purpose, success, the butterfly journey

Stop That Procrastination!

livingwholecoaching

I am trying to get the word procrastination out of my life!  It creeps up at the most untimely times.  I don’t want it to be my friend but I can’t seem to get away from it.  I have so much to do and really am very excited about all the projects that I want to complete, but still the little friend and his cohort distraction come to visit almost every day.

I know my problem and I know how to fix it so why is it so hard to get past it?  I don’t know I guess if everything were easy life would be that bowl of cherries without the pits.  Unfortunately, you must have the pits in order to have the cherries.  I’ll get to the place of progress soon.  If I have to fight procrastination and distractions for the rest of my life, I will!

When you finally find your place of purpose; that’s all you want to focus on.  However, in life you have many more responsibilities to take care of  and sometimes you can’t just do want you want.  I am learning the hard way that I have to prioritize, organize, plan and oh yeah execute to be successful.

Do you remember how “Bewitched” used to just wiggle her nose and things would happen.  Well I definitely don’t want to be a witch, but the trick with the nose is pretty impressive and I could use some things happening in that type of quickness.  It doesn’t work that way, I know.

My mother is a super planner and executor.  She always tells me just do one thing at a time and you will eventually get the task done.  But I am a visionary and I always look at things in “big picture” form.  So it is hard for me to look at the little steps in between that make it a reality.  I just want to jump from concept to vision!

I have to stop this crazy thinking if I am ever to get to my full place of purpose!  I have to get started somewhere.  Well today looks like a good of a day as any to start moving forward.  Book editing; ready or not here I go!

The Butterfly’s Journey book is due out in April 2012!  Pray for me!

The Butterfly Journey ~ Lisa

book, change, coach, Faith, God, journey, New, one day at a time, purpose, success, the butterfly journey, women

Just One Day

livingwholecoaching

I have been missing in action and I apologize to my faithful subscribers.  My life is about to turn upside down or right side up depending on the perspective that I take.  I will be venturing into a total new dimension of my life and while it is all exciting it is terrifying at the same time.

I am leaving my current job of 17 years to pursue my passion of being an entrepreneur.  My friend took a quantum leap of faith earlier this year to pursue her dreams and she is doing well.  I envied her, but I know the decision and the action to actually do it had her going in circles.  I know I have the skills, talents, a great business plan, and a great service that I am offering, but still there is this little voice deep inside saying; “You can’t do it!”  I am trying to push the little voice away but it has become a part of my subconscious mind and it is slowly developing into stress.  As we all know exposure to long-term stress is not good or healthy for you and I am a living testament to that.  Been there, done that!

On top of that I am finishing up my first book and now I need to prepare for its distribution in the spring.  That whole process is a job in itself!  Again, I am excited, but stressing about all the details that I will need to complete in order for its success to prevail.  And just to add a little spice to the mix, I am studying for my Christian Life Coach certification as a part of the service that I will offer through the ministry – The Butterfly Journey!  Yes, I started a ministry that is in direct connection with my book.

It seems as if I should be gearing up and my body and mind feel like taking a vacation.  My spirit is ready to move forward into my destiny!  I am just not sure how all this will play out.  But I do know that God is able!  So I am going to lean on Him for everything.  I know it all is going to work out, I just need to stay faithful and focused.

The other day I came home exhausted as usual (as I found out recently that I have severe insomnia) which I already knew and I just began to cry to the Lord.  I literally cried with every word that I spoke out to Him in prayer.  Graciously, He gave me instant peace and I rested that night.  Each day is going to have to be dealt with individually.  One day at a time.

Have you ever faced challenges that seemed to much to handle?  Please share your stories of how you got through it.  I know that it will encourage me and someone else who is facing a huge endeavor.

Continue on your journey, it is well worth it!

The Butterfly Journey ~ Lisa

a place for you, book, depression, God, grace, Healing, healing and deliverance, journey, land of Oz, life, live, love, purpose, the butterfly journey, women, worthlessness

A Place for You

livingwholecoaching

There have been times in my life when I thought I wouldn’t make it to another day.  The feeling of endless sadness and pain.  So many disappointments, far too many to count.  And this feeling of pure worthlessness.  But I knew intellectually that people cared about me and loved me but this feeling grew larger than my common sense.  It drowned my rational thinking like it was nothing.  It had me teetering on the edge of life itself.

I know I have talked about my depression a lot because it was one of the most difficult times in my life.  I never had experienced something so strong that was not a tangible thing that it baffled my normal thought process.  The more I tried to figure it out the more elusive it became.  You can’t even articulate the feelings in real words.  The more you try the more frustrated you become and you just begin to give up.

I suffered in this place of depression for over 730 days and I know other people have dealt with this terrible sickness for years and never really have come full circle from it.  I pray for those people everyday, for the strength to battle this monster with no face.  This enemy of mind and emotion.  This life threatening fog of doubt, fear and loneliness.

Once I received my full healing and deliverance from God.  I was inspired to write about my journey to this place of darkness and back to a place far better than what I left.  A place of purpose and confidence.  A place of undying love and grace.  I am forever grateful to God for saving me from this place of torment.

You really don’t realize that people all around you suffer from some sort of pain that they don’t openly share with others.  We work beside people who have suffered emotional and physical abuse from their parents.  Others that may have been damaged by things that happened to them in relationships.  They hide these things that have shaped who they are today because it is not accepted.  But we all are in the same boat, yet none of us want to open up and cry for help.  We would rather suffer silently and die a slow death inside ourselves than look like a failure or  be judged by the very ones who say they care.

My story, coming soon in a book form is for those kindred spirits that are lost in the land of Oz (depression) or some other sort of terrible place with no avenue of escape; nowhere to run to; to find release.  The Butterfly Journey is a place where you can share and feel safe that no one will judge where you have been or what has happened to you.  You can come to us and get the encouragement and rest that for so long you have needed.  A place of peace!

We can’t walk this path of life alone.  God is always there and we are his vessels in which to show you that you can be free of all that “stuff” and walk down a new path with your head held up, shoulders back and with an assurance that you do matter and you have purpose in this life.

Won’t you join us?  www.thebutterflyjourney.com or www.facebook.com/thebutterflysjourney

We have a place reserved just for you!  The Butterfly Journey ~ Lisa

believer, blessed, book, change, finding God, God, grace, hope, message, purpose, seeking God, success, the butterfly journey, vessel

Seeking God!

livingwholecoaching

I have been working on writing my first book for almost a year.  I was writing steady in the beginning and as I approached the final part, I have stopped writing at all.  Coming up with excuses, becoming busy with all this other “stuff” and my energy level has basically plummeted to zero!  What happened?

I am scared of the outcome; I have become afraid of the success of the message.  But God reminded me as I sought after Him this morning that it is His book.  He wrote the words, I have just been the vessel that He used to get the message out.  I have lived out the message in my own life to be qualified to share this message of hope.  I need not be afraid of its success because it is not about me personally; it is about someone finding God for their life.

I realized that during the time of not writing I was not seeking God for direction or clarity for my life.  I started relying in myself and others.  I was stepping away from the true purpose of the book and my life’s mission.  I was delaying the positive effects I know this book will have on the lives that are waiting to be changed.

But when  I sought after God, He showed me everything that I needed for my life and the completion of this project.  He gave me clarity on my purpose!

If you are a believer, then you know how important it is to stay connected to God and seek Him in all things!  You can’t rely on Him for only parts of your life, He needs to be in every aspect.  So as  I live and grow in His grace, I understand more and more I can’t do anything without Him and I don’t even want to try.

If you are going through anything today that you can’t figure out, seek God!  He has the answers that are so much greater than your own.

Be blessed so that you can be a blessing!

The Butterfly Journey ~ Lisa

 

book, Faith, God, Harvest, Healing, hope, hurting women, life, love, motivated, purpose, reap, September, sow, the butterfly journey, women, worthy

September

livingwholecoaching

I love September!  Not only is it my birth month, but it is the time of harvest.  For farmers and gardeners this is the time to reap what they have sown into the ground.  It is literally the fruit of their labor.

In the spirit we also sow and reap.  Whether it’s good or bad.  We will all reap what we have sown into our spirits.  As one of my good friends and I were talking the other day she reminded me that I have planted seeds of faith into the spirit  and one day I will reap a harvest!  I got excited about that!  What will my fruit look like?  Will it be desirable to the eye and satisfying or will it be rotten and of no use?

As I finish up my first book, I want the words to be seeds that are planted in the hearts of hurting women near and far.  I want it to reap a harvest of healing and purpose for each person that reads it.  I have to continue to remind myself that sharing my deepest pain is not about me, but it is all about God and His healing grace.  It is about the women who will read it and feel motivated to press on to see what the future holds.  It is for that person who feels unworthy and unloved to understand their true worth in Christ.  It is for the ones who desire to live out their purpose.

So I won’t make anymore excuses that I don’t have enough time to finish the book in 2011.  I will make every effort to finish this book of seeds so that they will be planted and grow and reap a harvest of righteousness for God’s sake, not mine.

What are you sowing into your life today?  Are they seeds of goodness and love or are they seeds of discord and unrighteousness?  What will your harvest look like come harvest time?

book, God, Healing, journey, Joy, let it go, life, love, move on, past hurt

Past Hurt? Let it Go!

livingwholecoaching

I have had a lot of stuff going on in my life over the last several months.  Writing my first book, starting a ministry, developing a business and transforming to higher levels in my spiritual walk.  It all has been a marvelous journey and I am blessed beyond measure.  I have the love of my life there beside me to share it with.  My children and grandchildren are thriving and all is well.

Accept for today I woke up with a heaviness on my heart.  Not sure where it came from but it decided to visit me today.  There has been some past hurt in my heart because of a couple of people that were important to me, but I thought I had moved on from it.  But is seems that I have not completely healed from it.

Today I resolve to forgive the situation and the person(s) which the hurt has come from.  Even though I have never talked to them about the hurt that they caused and I feel that I may never get the opportunity, it is okay.  Today God gave me permission to let it go!

I am more than blessed to be surrounded by a group of people near and far that support me and love me for who I am.  Most importantly God loves me and that is all I need.

In life we will face these situations, but one thing I don’t want you to do is dwell on them and allow them time and space in your heart or spirit.  God will replace any hurt with joy and peace.  You can trust Him in that.

I have the spiritual covering from people that know me well and those whom I have just met.  And God has shown me unwavering favor in this journey!

So today if you have any unresolved hurt or unforgiveness, I want you to let it go now!  Open up your heart and spirit to the Lord and allow Him to fill you with His grace and mercy, love and joy.  Move on, it’s time!

The Butterfly Journey ~ Lisa

 

 

book, brokenness, connection, God, grief, hurting women, journey, the butterfly journey, women

Are You Connected?

livingwholecoaching

Con-nec-tion: a relationship in which a person, thing, or idea is linked or associated with something else.

What or who are you connected with?  Are your connections a positive influence in your life?  Are they challenging you to be the best you that you can be?  We all are connected with something or someone at some point in our lives.  So it is all the more important to make sure those connections have your best interest in mind.  It is also great to be a part of something or something that is more than what you can be or do by yourself.

Connections whether big or small allow us to have more ability together than we would have if we were alone.  A three strand cord is stronger than one strand.

As we journey through life’s trials and triumphs we should share with the connection of people who are like-minded in our cause or passion.  Together you can move mountains!  God created us to be dependant upon each other, not in the sense that we replace Him, but sometimes we need that physical connection with others to encourage us through.

When you hear good news or you have accomplished something great, what is the first thing you do?  Call one of your friends.  We are dependant people and it feels good to have someone to enjoy our accomplishments with.   Likewise, when we are going through our toughest hours or some tragedy has occurred, we long for someone to come to hold us and let us know that they are there.  Whether they can help the situation or not, we yearn for that physical connection.

My friend, Denise Hall Brown, just finished writing her first book called; 2Grieve 2Gether.  It is all about her journey through grief from several tragedies that happened in her life.  One of the main points is that we shouldn’t go through this process alone.  We need others to come along side of us to just be there.  It doesn’t matter where the grief comes from because there are all sorts and levels that occur in our lives daily, but the important thing is to share, connect, be there.

Just knowing that you have someone or a group of people in the world that are there to support you when you need to be uplifted or to be there to cheer you on when you are living your best life, is one of the most important parts about life.

That is why God created The Butterfly Journey ministry. God showed me many women in the world suffering with brokeness, grief, unworthiness; alone.  They feel they have no one to turn to not even Him.  And that is my mission to reach those women who need someone to come along side of them in their situations, to listen, help, pray with, and encourage them back to wholeness in Christ.

Are you connected?  Reach out to your connection, your circle of friends or family that have been there for you during the good and bad times and “thank” them for being your connection to God.

The Butterfly Journey ~ Lisa