Strength + Hope = Light

People have questioned me before their curiosity with my inspirational statuses on Facebook or how I can keep a positive outlook on life. Is that real? The fact is yes, everything you see is real. What you see is what you get with me. I have no cover ups and no reason to be something I'm not. The things I do or say or write are 1. a way to help me through the problems I once have or am facing and 2. a way to help others through their struggles. I do it because I have had a lot of very difficult things that I have had to face in life and knowing where I've been, I want to help someone else who may be in a similar situation. I feel like my life experiences are meant to share with others because if I see a brother or sister struggling, especially with something similar to what I have faced, I have to be an example that there is a way to overcome and come out on the other side.

I have spent most of my life in the spotlight. Growing up, I heard folks say how "spoiled" I was or speak negatively of me because of singing and the blessed opportunities it has given me. You may have seen this child onstage performing for many crowds throughout the South and come to your own conclusions. With every good thing does come struggles. Even as a 7 year old, 11 year old, 17 year old, I faced much scrutiny and had to grow up very fast to stay afloat in the music world. I had the pressures of being better, needing to look better, sing better, dress better. The pressures were big for a child.

The pressures carried into my adult life and personal life. Some of the people I surrounded myself with and allowed into my heart brought on negative vibes and abuse. Verbal abuse, mental abuse, emotional abuse, physical...you name it. Some are personal and still carry painful weights that I don't share them. In that time, I was in a place of the deepest hole and nested in that dark place for some time.

I don't share this for sympathy, because quite frankly, I don't want it. (Attention actually makes me uncomfortable!) I realized a few years ago, these struggles don't and won't define me, and I will strive to be a positive light for me and others around me even when the darkness tries to take over. But I do share this to offer hope. Hope that, whatever you are facing, there is light at the end of the tunnel. There is happiness at the end of the sadness. There is a rainbow at the end of the storm. When you feel like you've reached the end of your rope, the end of your fight, there is always a bit more strength that you can find within you that will take you to the end.

Trust me. Trust me that it can be done. I'm proof. My life is proof that you can be at the darkest and lowest, and find a way out. You can be beaten down by people, by words, by situations and still come out on top. Trust me. I've been there many times. Inner-Strength. That's my secret.

So yes, those inspirational thoughts, the positive outlook: it's real. It's my strength, my armor. I hope that it can serve as strength for you. Strength will provide Hope. Hope will provide Light. Light overcomes Darkness.

Guarding Love

Love...one of the most powerful words in any language. Love can come in many shapes and sizes and mean different things based on the person and the context. But when you throw out the three words, it takes on a whole new meaning: I...Love...You.

What does "I Love You" really mean?

I have thought a lot about this recently. Those three words are thrown about so loosely when, in fact, we should be guarding that so tightly. It shouldn't be something we just say to someone but we should really be mindful of how we use those words and why. "I Love You" is a very strong and special phrase. It should be said, and SHOWN, to very select few people in our life.

I admit...those three words scare me. I don't use them often because it makes me feel so vulnerable. "I Love You" is like the window to my soul...and I don't let people in or passed that wall often. But when you get there, it is a very sincere heart and love.

Love...guard it. Hold on to it. Value it. Treasure it. And be very cautious and careful how freely you give it and to whom.

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it" - Proverbs 4:23