March Madness ~ It’s Rebuilding Time

If you love basketball then this is one of your favorite times of the year. March Madness. It all begins with teams waiting to see where they’re going. Once they know, then fans have to decide if they can make the trip or if they are going to grab some wings and head over to someone’s house because not watching is not an option. I can’t tell you who’s still playing or who’s favored to win but my heart belongs to some small college off Victory Parkway. Yeah, I know.

One of the most moving parts of the tournament for me is when a team loses. I even make sure I watch the highlight video at the end to see the reactions again. No, I don’t want teams to lose and no, I don’t find it entertaining. I find it relatable. That after all of the hard work the game was lost and the tournament is over.

These players work hard. They train hard. They invest so much time and energy for their team to be the best. They all want to win. Some of these players have been practicing since elementary school for this moment. Yet, even when the result doesn’t go the way the team expected, guess what? They are still a team.

As a basketball mom I’ve seen some ugly loses. There were some tears and some disagreements but the team was still a team.

Just like in ministry there will be trying times. But after the ugly loses, the tears and the disagreements you’re still a team. Even when you’re mad, you’re still a team. Even when you want to quit, you’re still a team. Just like any athletic team, ministry is hard work.

When a team loses a tournament they get back to getting better. They get back to lifting. They get back to running. They go watch film and they build more team chemistry. It’s a rebuilding time.

I remember when Alex played at Concord and he received this bulky piece of mail. Inside of it was a detailed manual on what he needed to do in order to get ready for the next season.

We have a manual too and guess what? You don’t even have to carry it around if you believe it to be bulky because there’s an app for that.

Let me put some Bible on it

Don’t get weary in well doing you’ll reap if you faint not. ~ Galatians 6:9

Forget what happened before. Keep pressing for the mark. ~ Philippians 3:13

And if it didn’t work out, it still works together. ~ Romans 8:28

Keep in mind that the enemy isn’t after you. He’s after what you’re called to do. He’s after your purpose, your assignment. Years ago Joyce Meyer had a sermon series called The Battlefield for the Mind. There is a battle for your mind but you have to protect your gates. Be mindful of what you listen to, of what you read and of what you watch. Make time for God so that you can hear from Him for yourself.

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

14 yr old Caleb Carroll & Kayla Lloyd singing Cover of "Spirit Break Out...

Philippians 3:13

Putting These Things Behind Me

In order to move forward you have to leave some things and some people behind. I've learned recently that you also have to leave some perceptions behind too. This week is Spring Break and I have had 3 conversations that have forced me to side-eye myself and ask some critical questions. Some being, "Why did you entertain that?" "Why would they think that about you?" and "Why did I think that about them?"" 

Why did you entertain that?

I'd be the first to admit that I have bad choices and stupid decisions when it comes to who I allow in my close circle. And yes, I can be hard on myself because all of the red flags fell from every spot in the sky and yet I ignored them. So after giving unconditionally and being the best friend I had to in the words of my students, "I had to let them know." I had to let it be known that it's not recess and I'm not playing. 

Why would they think that about you?

Today I laughed as an acquaintance told me that they guessed I was in a relationship and that's why I ignore them. Oh, the laugh I had. I'm not in a relationship. I just get so busy. I see that being busy, doing a lot of stuff, leaves people out and makes them feel that they are not important. I was so touched at the sincerity. I guess I need to make time to sit in the park again. 

Why did I think that about them?

Talk about life! Man! I've tried to see if my perception was so off because I never really attempted to make a connection. I think sometimes I get so caught up in not being enough, "not cute enough", not the right type" that I miss out on some of the best friendships because there's a part of me that just believes they wouldn't like me or want to be my friend. So the kicker is that after not seeing each other for several years we sat down and talked for nearly an hour partly discussing my perceptions. 

In actuality we both were going through a lot in life. At that point we just never made a connection. 

When I left the last conversation it came to me to leave these behind and press for the mark. Leave behind the bad relationship that seems to be impacting the other person 9 months later. Sorry bruh, I glowed up. You and me were a love lesson. I learned. I'm done. So done .

Leave behind being so busy to cover up that notion that if you stay busy you won't have to deal with others outside of your immediate circle. Hey, it's me. I ain't hiding nothing, it's me.

Leave behind the negative perceptions of others and move forward with prayer and believe for a healthy foundation for a friendship. Hello Father. It's Your daughter. Need Your wisdom, water and love. 

 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,

Philippians 3:13 NIV

Jonathan McReynolds- Cycles

Holy Week 2018

Valuing My Space

We live in a time filled with apps for everything, various social media accounts and so much to do that often it's hard to just sit down and simply breathe without checking for some notification. Over the past couple of years I have learned to value my space. I've done that in several ways. One is by creating an environment that I exist in daily to be one of peace and serenity, it's affectionately called my sanctuary. Here lately I burn essential oils at home and at work because I need where I am most to be peaceful for me and calming for those that enter my environment. One area that I have found to be an area that I need to tighten up on is my personal phone and email accounts. Those are my spaces too, spaces where I connect and share my thoughts and dreams.

 

I remember one day telling someone that my block game is strong on Facebook. Well, it needs to be just as strong in other areas too. You hear people talking about the "gates". The eye gates, the ear gates and various other gates where people can enter with negative thoughts and selfish narcissistic tendencies. Today I began the process of insuring every gate connected to me is secure because I need to protect my heart and my mind from those things that don't uplift and edify who God has called me to be.

 

My heart goes out to those who use to be in my space and are attempting to re-enter but here's a message from management.

 

We appreciate you attempting to access the gate once again. The gate is permanently closed  and your access has been denied. We wish the best for your future and may you also look into the same protection plan as I did for my space.  

Naomi Wadler: I'm Here To Say Never Again For Black Girls Too

In This Season

Snow Day 2K18

I love snow days for various reasons. I think when my sons hear the word "snow day" they begin to wonder what they may be cleaning. Not today, mind you there is a lot that could have been done but one, I had thee worst toothache today, and two, I just wanted to spend time on my blog and I did. For hours.

I think this year makes 10 years since I created Lindarinsights and I just wanted to switch some stuff up. The final result I absolutely love. It's sleek and clean. Once I revamped it I was glad that I did. Often we get caught up in the same cycle. You gotta switch it. Keep 'em guessing.

 My BFF spent the entire day with me. At one point he said, "You're not at work, relax."

Relaxing is hard but I did, I blogged, snapped and I prepared a meal kit from Krogers, Black Bean Street Cakes. I love that meal kit.

Today was peaceful and restful. 

Snow Day 2K18 is one for the books and since I live in Cincinnati tomorrow may be Spring or Summer. You just never really know. 

So.......... Anxious

So meet me at 11:30..... no, that's not the direction of this post. lol Though the word anxious did come to mind as I prepared to travel to Atlanta for my favorite Lauren's wedding.

 

The closer that it came time to travel the worse my nerves got. I got to thinking, "I have never driven this far by myself." I think it was on Thursday that God was like, "Remember when Alex had surgery and you had to take him back to West Virgina by seven in the morning and you turned around and came right back home?" Oh!!!!! That was ten total hours. Hmmmm.....

 

So on last Friday I got up and packed. Called the car rental place and ordered a Select Uber. Ooooohhhhhh! She fancy now. But this is how I knew everything was going to be alright, I get to the rental place and it's packed with people leaving and the agent says. "Arlinda, we upgraded you for free to a 2018 Ford Escape." I mean look at God. I hopped into the vehicle, headed home, packed the car and picked up Tyler from school.

 

I loved that the weather was amazing and my friend Enjoli was somewhere on I-75S too. Even with this, my little heart kept beating all crazy because I was doing something new. Something outside of my comfort zone. I couldn't wait until I got to the hotel. Everything was going well until I got downtown and Lisa, that's what I call the voice on MapQuest, informed me that she was going to cut 16 minutes off my trip by taking I-285. Mind you it's 6-8 lanes, inclusive of one I called the Jay-Z lane (HOV) and I-285 was all the way to the right. So I mosey on over with hundreds of other folk and out of nowhere Lisa says "Take I-75S via the left lane." Really? 

 

Soooooooo anxious. My little bity heart started pounding. My stomach hurt. My tooth is aching because I don't know how to control the air blowing on my broken molar. Inside I'm a mess but I can't show it to my child because I didn't want to worry him. Lisa said she was taking off 16 minutes but added like an hour.

 

Eventually we get to the room and my body began to calm down. I read my Bible app and it kind of helped. I knew I had to ride back the same way I came but I had to get my self together for the real reason I had traveled, to see two beautiful souls become one. And the wedding was everything beautiful.

 

On Sunday as I thought about leaving, I received a text from a friend. He sent me a link of a recording on Abraham and faith. Oh, yes I needed that. I needed to know that this hotel was not my home and that I was just passing through. My faith was small coming into town but when I arrived home I was like, "Oh, I can drive anywhere now."

 

I guess in essence God showed me that I can do those things that I think I cannot.

 

Caleb Carroll 15 yrs old sings Cover of "Made A Way" by Travis Greene - ...

Burning Desire ~ Dayne Coleman ~ 4Wizdom

The Best Version

All
We
Can
Ever be
Is
The  
Best 
Of
Ourselves 

Jonathan McReynolds - Better (AUDIO ONLY)

Craig Mack ~ Heart Failure In African American Men

 

 

Today many lovers of rap music learned of the passing of Craig Mack. Being the researcher that I am, I immediately began to search for the cause of his death. I didn't know his exact age but I knew we were close in age. Craig Mack was 46. His cause of death was heart failure. Heart failure? At 46?

Craig Mack was one of those artists that had "it". He was part of Bad Boy Records he had features with top artists in the early 90's. So what happened to him? I've read that he left music because of his faith and eventually became a minister.

One of the initiatives that I love is Have Faith in Heart, it's now referred to as Empowered To Serve. That initiative is a part of American Heart Association's Go Red For Women Campaign. In one session a speaker said, "You have to make sure you heart is healthy. It's hard to serve others if you are not well." To goal is to be heart healthy so that we can serve others.

Through my working with Go Red For Women I know that heart disease is the number one killer among women. Here is information from the Go Red For Women website:

Here are a few unsettling stats:

• Cardiovascular diseases kill nearly 50,000 African-American women annually.
• Of African-American women ages 20 and older, 49 percent have heart diseases.
• Only 1 in 5 African-American women believes she is personally at risk.
• Only 52 percent of African-American women are aware of the signs and symptoms of a heart attack.
• Only 36 percent of African-American women know that heart disease is their greatest health risk.

Well what about African American Men?

Fast Facts: Black Americans & Heart Disease

• Black Americans are at greater risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke than White Americans.¹
• Black women (49%) and Black men (44%) have higher rates of heart disease than White men (37%) and White women (32%).¹
• Between the ages of 45 and 64, Black men have a 70% higher risk and Black women have a 50% greater risk of developing heart failure than White men and women.²
• The earlier onset of heart failure means higher rates of hospitalization, earlier disability, and higher rates of premature death (death before the age of 65) for Black Americans.²
• The annual rate of first heart attacks and first strokes is higher for Black Americans than White Americans

(The above statistics came from Close the Gap website)

At 46 Craig Mack still had more to give the world through his music and through his ministry. May his legacy not only be his music but I pray that his heart failure prompts more men to go to the doctor and prevent another premature death.

Sending condolences to his wife and children and to all who knew and loved Craig Mack.

He'll forever be remembered as the man who brought that new flavor to our ear and he'll forever be in our hearts.

Practicing Daily Gratitude

For the past month I’ve been keeping a Gratitude Journal. The image contains the 3 things that I write about. Every so often I read through the journal to remind myself of all of the things I’m thankful for.

I started this process as I was completing a meditation challenge. It all just seem to flow together, from a heart of gratitude.


Be mindful
Be present
Just Be

Make Room

It must of been on Friday when I saw Maranda Curtis post about the new Jonathan McReynolds music. I love Maranda's music. It's totally amazing. My alarm is set to Track 3.

 

I venture over to Tidal to see if Jonathan's new music is out. I see it and hit play. The first day I just listened. I really couldn't get pass the second song, "Great is The Lord" because well.... When I heard "He's just too good, to just be "good" I about lost it thinking of how good He's been to me when I could have thrown in the towel on several occasions. This past year almost wiped a sista out.  

 

On Friday night I wrestled with something. Nope, it's not super deep. I wrestled with cleaning out my closet. I have this beautiful space that has turned into storage over the years. My mind was thinking, "How did I accumulate all of this stuff?", "How do I start the process?" "Where do I start?" I got so discouraged that I just feel asleep. I can laugh now about how overwhelming it was but then two things happened. Ok, three things happened.

 

1. I woke up.

2. I read in one of my Bible plans that we all have something to bless another person. In the plan it asked "Do you have a coat you're not wearing that someone else could be wearing?' Hmmm... I have 3 maybe 4.

 

Now I was more alert and I needed music to get started. I'll be honest, generally when I clean I need music that I can dance and sing to. Not this time, I needed something different because I was about to do something different.

 

3. I pressed play to listen to the entire Jonathan McReynolds new release.

 

I'm just cleaning. I had 2 bags of stuff to give away and 1 and 1/2 bag of garbage. Then I hear song number 10, "Make Room" and 11, "Move That Over", and the entire moment changed. I now realize the challenge of my closet, it's a mindset issue. You see as I'm cleaning out my closet I'm addressing the marriage that didn't work, the relationship that didn't work, the weight that was lost and gained back. It represents some of those things that didn't work in my life.

 

The whole closet isn't like that though. It also represents the growth of my youngest son and how after being diagnosed at an early age with a communication delay, he's an elite basketball player in his class and he will be entering one of the best high schools in the country next year. So pulling out his little shoes and socks and seeing him become who he is without a father in his life brings tears even now.

 

Pulling out each thing out I have to remember, feel what I feel and decide what to do with it. I gotta face what I've packed away. I have to be present in that moment.

 

What's beautiful about the closet is that contains so much that could bless another women, another family. I honestly believe that God is telling me to get these things out of the way to make room for the newness. Make room for clear spaces that reflect my mindset.  I'm already thinking that part of it could be used for a prayer room, which I've desired for years. I already know the paint color and the lighting I want in there, I have a thing for chandeliers.

 

By four on Saturday I was whipped from being in there. I have a way to go but I'm off to get a good start. God's been having stuff in store for me and now I have a mantra to say when I'm cleaning out my closet.

 

The stuff in my closet... You can move that over.
The things that no longer serve me.... You can move that over.

The negative self-talk..... You can move that over.

Whatever it is...... You can move than over.

I will make room.

 

Not only do I have to make room for all those things that God has for me, I need to be a vessel and bless someone with my overflow. I've been given much. I need to bless even more.