Your Daily Cup of Inspiration!

Cutting Ties

The idea of finding your place in the world and walking boldly in your calling is an exciting one, right? Of course it is! I talk about it all the time on this blog to thousands of women everyday. But you know what's interesting, we think about the exhilaration and triumph of fulfilling God's purpose and plan, without considering the sacrifices and heartaches that come along with that responsibility.

We somehow forget that we'll have to cut some ties. Inevitably, we must lose some people along the way... we have to release relationships with particular individuals we thought would be with us always. Now, if you read this blog all the time, you know I talk about this quite often. You may wonder why I do that... and will continue to do it.

Well, it's because far too many people expect to progress in their lives, without ever having to give up those unwholesome connections, and sever those toxic ties. But this isn't how life works.

"Far too many people expect to progress in their lives, without ever having to give up those unwholesome connections, and sever those toxic ties. But this isn't how life works..."

Think about it. Do you wear the same size clothing that you did when you were three years old? What about your shoes? What about the programs that you watch on TV? How about your taste in music and movies? Have they remained the same?

Chances are, you've greatly evolved over time. You've changed. Your tastes and preferences have morphed right along with your personality. As you mature, you don't want the same things. Your mentality evolves; as a result, your reality reflects that evolution.

Why then, do we not apply this practical lesson to human relationships? And why are we surprised when God calls us to release certain associations?

You see, there are some individuals who have stopped growing. They don't want to change. They're pleased to remain in the same place, and if you attempt to remain in their company, you will find that you are no longer compatible with them. This doesn't mean you don't love them. It just means you've outgrown them.

And that's OK.

As you move upward and onward, God will  connect you with the right people--those who add to you, and are capable of assisting you in your quest to maximize your potential.

Thanks for reading, and until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!

Dianna Hobbs
www.eewmagazine.com

Don't Change Your Essence

God is about to introduce you to some new roles in your life, but that doesn't mean He wants you to  change what's unique about you. Focus on celebrating your uniqueness, and God will show you how to excel even in unfamiliar territory. You see, whenever you try to be someone else you lose the essence of what makes you special.

Don't ever be ashamed of the person God made you to be. Otherwise, you'll end up doing whatever you think is necessary to mold the perceptions of others. You'll be whoever you think you need to be in that moment. That's both dangerous and unhealthy. Remember, anything or anyone  requiring you to be someone other than the person God destined you to be, is not  for you. In cases like these, try changing your associations instead of changing yourself.

While you may understand what I'm saying, it's not quite as easy to implement--especially when you're unsure of yourself.  Whenever you're thrust into a new challenge, it can be difficult to know how to handle it. You want to excel and achieve great things. You want to establish and secure fruitful relationships. You want everything to work out.

So, what do we often end up doing? You guessed it... trying to change the essence of who we are.

You see, we try to reinvent ourselves, so that we will be perceived a certain way.  But that's not what God wants us to do. If you don't embrace who you are and boldly project that to the world, how do you ever expect to attract the divine connections God wants to send your way?

Listen, the people and opportunities God has set aside for you, don't require you to be anyone other than who you are. You don't have to pretend. You don't have to make apologies for where you are in your life. And you certainly don't have to hide behind a fake mask. All you need to do is just be. That's right. Just be you. Be comfortable in your skin. And whatever is meant to be, will be.

It's as simple as that. I don't want you to get caught up picking yourself apart, being critical of yourself, or feeling like you don't have what it takes. That's simply not true. You have everything you need to do what God has called you to do.

God didn't intend for you to be a chameleon; He made you an original. You're supposed to set the tone for others, and not the other way around.  Open your eyes and see how wonderfully unique, colorful, vibrant, and creative you are. Don't change that. Embrace it.

When we attempt to change who we are, we depreciate our value, instead of appreciating the person God made us to be. In essence, we say, "I don't like me. I want to be somebody else."

Before I go, let me say this. Tapping into who God made you to be requires prayer, focus, and determination. He simply wants you to maximize the unique capabilities you already possess, in order to fulfill the dream God has implanted in you. When you do that He'll be pleased with you, and I daresay, you'll be pleased with you too!

Until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!

Dianna Hobbs

You're Worth It

Depending upon how you were raised, and what you experienced in your life, it can be hard for you to feel worthy to receive God's abundance. Perhaps you didn't have very much money, or you weren't the most popular-- I didn't and I wasn't, that's for sure. 

When you carry over baggage from your past, subconsciously, you may struggle with the belief that you don't really deserve to have all God desires to bestow upon you.  And it manifests in your behavior. You have trouble being good to yourself, and demanding the respect you deserve.

You may even experience things like "buyer's remorse" when you spend money on yourself... and I'm not talking about splurging. I'm referring to simple purchases like a $25 sweater. Somehow, you'll convince yourself that you're being wasteful when you treat yourself well. Does that sound familiar?

This is just one of many examples of the subconscious behavior I'm talking about. And I say "subconscious" because, not many of us look at ourselves and literally say, "I'm not worthy to have good things. I do not deserve a $25 sweater. I deserve to be degraded and disrespected." Honestly, if anyone asked us, we would emphatically declare our worth.

But just because we don't say "I'm unworthy" with our words, doesn't mean we truly value ourselves. If you really want to know the truth, examine your behavior. After all, your actions speak louder than words. One of my favorite quotes from Ralph Waldo Emerson says, "What you are speaks so loudly, I cannot hear what you say." Isn't that powerful?

We need to examine our behavior, as a means of getting to the core of our issues. We spend lots of time censoring what we say. But do we spend enough time paying attention to what we do? Many of us know how to say all the right things, but when the rubber meets the road, how do we behave? 

In order to analyze external patterns of behavior, you must first evaluate the internal condition of your heart. Think about your inner-relationship with YOU. What do you really believe about yourself. When nobody is around and you strip away your facade, how do you feel about you?

Listen, I believe that God has great things in store for you, but He still wants you to change the way you view yourself. The magnitude of the blessings he has in store for you will be much too intimidating if you don't recognize your worth. You'll have a hard time accepting God's best, if you don't believe the best about yourself.

You'll end up settling for less and living beneath your privilege.

Remember, you're royalty. Start acting like it.

Until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!

Dianna Hobbs

Be Careful Who You Trust

There are some individuals God will use to sow into your life. But, there will also be individuals who will be sent by the enemy to distract you. They will attach themselves to you, but it won't be a divine connection. I want to share some sound wisdom.

Be careful who you trust.

Be careful who you listen to. Everyone's advice is not sound advice. If you're not discerning, you'll end up being controlled by the unhealthy ideas, perceptions, and opinions of others. You'll seek out the approval and validation of outside sources, before you settle upon certain decisions. You won't regard  prayer and the Word of God, as being essential to productivity in your life.

You'll have everyone's voice in your ears, except the voice of God. You'll be pulled in numerous directions, unsure of which way to go. This is so dangerous, but you don't have to fall into this trap. See, there are many well-meaning individuals in the world; they're simply not in the position to advise you.

Well-meaning and well-qualified are two different things. Everyone can't be your mentor. There are those who try to be mentors and turn out to be menaces. When you take their advice, you end up in a world of trouble. They're not good for you. God wants you to take a step back from some of your relationships.

Sometimes, we allow others to "take the wheel", while we sit in the passenger seat and allow them to run our lives for us. God never intended for us to relinquish control and give it over to someone else. That's not friendship, mentorship, or relationship; that's manipulation.

Why do so many people end up in this situation? Well, many individuals have a natural tendency to lean on others for direction and guidance. They don't trust the Lord or themselves. They suffer from severe co-dependency issues. Thus, they feel the need to rely on the pseudo-intellect of others to help them determine what to do.

While this is very unhealthy, it's all-too-common among many folks. You see, when we come into contact with dominant personalities, we tend to be swayed by their thoughts and ideas. They seem to have a knack for getting others to bend to their will. Individuals like this seem so self-assured and confident; that's why we are more likely to defer to them. After all, they seem to have it together.

But this isn't always the case. Unfortunately, we sometimes mistake being opinionated for being wise. Hmmm... think about that for a moment. Some individuals have a lot to say, but there is no real substance to their words. That's why we must be discerning and perceptive enough to know the difference between those who are are just saying something, and those who have something of substance to say.

Just because a piece of advice sounds practical, doesn't mean it's practicable. Be sure that your "mentors" are qualified to guide you. Measure their words according to The Word. Allow God to order your steps and illuminate your path. "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psalm 119:105 NKJV).

Also, be sure that no one and nothing ever takes the place of your communion with the Father. Only He understands where you are, and where you're going. He's knows the end from the beginning; others do not.

Be sure to diligently seek Him in prayer. "...He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6b NKJV). Study His Word. Spend time in His presence. He'll reveal so much to you when you take time to talk to Him.

Listen, God doesn't desire for us to be led astray. He wants us to be close to Him. He doesn't want us to be confused or deceived. But the only way to avoid deferring to the wrong individuals for advice and support, is to put your complete trust and confidence in God.

Until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!

Dianna Hobbs

Don't Let Others Devalue You

You are a gem. If you don't see it, no one else will. From today onward, I want you to carry yourself like the queen you are. Recognize all you have to offer the world. But don't stop there; I want you to command respect everywhere you go. Begin to own your authority. Acknowledge your value. Recognize the importance of your contribution to others, and the world at large.

You see, you'll never get the respect and appreciation you deserve from anyone else, until you deem yourself worthy of it.

Now, I have to be honest. What I'm challenging you to do will take some getting used to. You'll inevitably have to make some adjustments in your life. There will be some who will be offended by your stance. You'll be accused of being: Stuck-up, insensitive, brash, callous, and downright mean-- none of which will be true.

You must know that, people have a tendency to mistake firmness for unfairness; seriousness for insensitivity; and confidence for conceit. But just because they don't understand it, doesn't mean there's anything wrong with it. Never forget that.

As you go through life you'll find that, respect is not given, it is earned. I'll even take it a step further than that, and make up my own quote... "Respect is not handed to you, it is commanded by you." You have to make up your mind that you refuse to be devalued.  And that doesn't mean that everyone will readily see how wonderful you are. It certainly doesn't mean that everyone will like you, that's for sure!

But you can't worry about that. As long as you always treat everyone kindly, fairly, and respectfully, God will be pleased with you. Remember, God never asks you to diminish who you are in order to placate someone else--never.

As I've told you before, anyone worth having in your life will add value to you. So, here's what I want you to do. I want you to run down the list of people you consider to be your friends. I'm talking about those you spend a substantial amount of time with. Now, ask yourself, "Do they respect me? Do they see my worth? Do they treat me with honor and integrity?" If you cannot say "yes" to that question, then I want you to ask yourself another question:

Why am I still hanging on to this relationship? No one can answer that but you.

Until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!

Dianna Hobbs

Is It Worth It?

Before you invest time and energy into anything or anyone I want you to ask yourself, "Is it/he/she worth it?" Do you realize that, if you asked this question more frequently, and did some soul-searching more often, you could avoid a lot of bad situations?

Really, it's true. All too often, we fail to honestly assess the value of relationships BEFORE engaging in them. We don't ask the tough questions. We don't do our homework. We just jump in with both feet-- and usually, we end up hurt.

Now, this doesn't only pertain to romantic relationships. This is also true of platonic relationships, career choices, business relationships and more.

You see, we have to be more careful about who and what we get tied up with. The Bible lets us know that "everything that is lawful is not expedient". (See 1 Corinthians 10:23) What does that mean? Just because you can do it, doesn't mean you should do it. Contrary to popular belief, being "grown" isn't a free pass to frivolously do whatever we feel like doing--not unless we want our lives to end up in serious disarray.

I want to challenge you to be more discerning; more judicious; more cautious; and more perceptive. Don't be so quick to act. Take time to think some things over. Pray some things through. Talk less. Observe more. Reveal your mind less. Listen more. Slow down. Don't be in such a hurry. Weigh things more carefully. Be smart. Be wise.

I'm sure you've heard someone say, "Everything that glitters ain't gold". Things and people are not always what they appear. Some relationships simply are not worth it.

• It's not worth the hassle.
• It's not worth the tears.
• It's not worth the pain.
• It's not worth the drama.
• It's not worth your self-esteem.
• It's not worth your time.
• It's not worth your future...

It's just not worth it.

Whatever decisions you have to make, before you settle upon a course of action ask yourself, "Is it worth it?" If you're not sure, stand still. If you know it's not worth it, run away. If you know it IS worth it, then seize it with all your might and don't look back!

Whatever God has for you will add to you... not take away from you. "The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it" (Proverbs 10:22 NKJV).

Until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!

Dianna Hobbs

Respect Yourself First

Before you can teach others to respect you, you first have to respect yourself. This is the key to living the abundant life God desires for you. But when you’ve been through a lot of difficult circumstances, especially when others have devalued you, it’s tough to change your self-image.

But it’s not impossible. You can break free of limiting thoughts and beliefs, but you know what you have to do? You have to cleanse your environment. Rid yourself of negative influences. Think about it. It’s impossible to change your reality without shifting your mentality. What’s more, you can never begin altering your perception, until you get rid of the negative people and things that are crowding your space.

We often sabotage ourselves by engaging in counterproductive relationships and activities. We do. We really work against ourselves by allowing folks to be attached to us that don’t mean us any good. These self-destructive behaviors and habitual tendencies hurt our progress.

Listen to me. Never get so desperate for what I call “The Triple A”: Attention, Affirmation, and Acknowledgment, that you’re willing to settle for anything and anybody. Don’t get so desperate for love that you end up settling for lust.

Come on and let me help you now. There are some people that you wouldn’t even give the time of day, if you truly knew how special and wonderful you are. But after you’ve experienced so much rejection, loneliness, pain, and in some cases, abuse; you stop believing that you can have anything better. So what happens? You latch onto the first thing that comes along, and time after time, you end up hurt.

Please understand, you can’t keep hanging around individuals who don’t see your potential or your value, and expect for your self-esteem to be bolstered. Ah-ah-ah . . . it doesn’t work that way. Instead, you need to spend time away. Get alone in God’s presence. You’ve got to stop being afraid of being alone. After all, there’s a big difference between being alone and being lonely.

Until you stop mistaking one for the other, you’ll allow anybody to be in your life just to keep you company. And everyone is not worthy of your time. I don’t know who I’m talking to, but hear me today. God wants you to get the most out of life. He has invested too much in you for you to squander it in bad relationships.

He wants you to begin seeing yourself through His eyes. But before that can happen, you’ve got to spend more time with Him. Let Him love you like you need to be loved. Let Him redefine your perception of yourself. Most of all let Him show you what REAL LOVE feels like, so you’ll never ever be fooled by a counterfeit again.

I know it can be tough to navigate your way through relationships and other life experiences. But always remember, you’re not by yourself. But you’ve got to get other folks out of your ear so you can hear God clearly.

He’s speaking to you right now. Please, heed His voice. He loves you so much . . . much, much more than you could ever imagine.

Until next time . . . may you be empowered to prosper!

Dianna Hobbs

Give it Up!

Today, if you will join me in releasing everything attached to you that isn’t adding anything to you, God will bless you beyond measure. It’s time to cast off people and habits that only bring you down and walk into your new day of destiny.

 

Don’t you want the best God has to offer? Don’t you know that there’s more to life than what you’ve experienced up to this point? Don’t you realize that you will never possess the “great” if you always settle for the “good enough?”

 

So often, we sabotage our own futures, because we won’t make the sacrifices necessary to see the manifestation of the promises of God. We can’t take our minds off of our immediate needs. We get so caught up in instant gratification that, we never get to experience the long-term benefits of God’s promises which can only be attained through prayer and patience.

 

Oh, if I could just get you see how much God wants to bless you . . . if I could just give you a glimpse into the future that awaits you if you simply learn how to wait on the Lord—I would. But I can’t do that for you. You have to be willing to trust God enough to see that He always begins with the end in mind. What do I mean by that?

 

Well, God doesn’t work like us. We tend to get frenzied and worried by our circumstances. We panic if we can’t see our way clearly. But God, Who is infinite in wisdom, and awesome in power, would never lead us down a path toward destruction. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son . . .” (Romans 8:28-29a NKJV).

 

He is already working things out in your favor. But you’ve got give up your will, submit to His, and wait on Him. Let Him lead you. Don’t jump ship. Don’t get caught up in the implementation of your own plans and strategies. He has it all under control. Trust in the Lord and wait patiently on Him. He’ll strengthen your heart as you wait.

 

Are you familiar with the expression that says, “While you’re trying to figure it out, He’s already worked it out?” That’s what He wants you to know today. Don’t try to figure Him out. You don’t know what He’s doing. But one thing is true, the plan He has in mind far exceeds your wildest expectations.

 

But before you can witness His glory and His goodness, you’ve got to give up your vices. Give up your stubborn ways. Give up those unhealthy habits. Give up those toxic relationships. Give up your defensive stance. Let down your guard and let God take over from here. When you do it, although it may be tough, you’re setting yourself up for a major blessing.

 

Until next time . . . may you be empowered to prosper!

 

Dianna Hobbs

Stand Your Ground!

If you suffer from the “disease to please,” or if you tend to be overly-accommodating, I want you to drop everything you’re doing to read this post. Today is going to be a changing day in your life my friend. Oh yes! You are moving from your lowly position of mediocrity and sadness, to a brand new place of joy and fulfillment.

 

No longer will you be the perpetual pursuer, chasing after happiness that’s seemingly always beyond your grasp. I’m going to teach you how to expect more, demand more, and get more out of life. Are you ready? Let’s jump right into it.

 

Change your M.O.

If you find that people often disrespect you, and devalue what you have to offer, there’s something you need to do. You must change up your M.O., better known as your “Mode of Operandi.” You’re operating the wrong way. You’re sending out the wrong signals. You’re the cause of your own problem. Don’t believe me? I’ll prove it to you.

 

Stop Depleting Yourself

While you’re constantly giving, the other party doesn’t reciprocate. Instead, they take what you’ve offered up and keep moving, leaving you empty. You end up right at square one and the other individual is happy and fulfilled, while you’re feeling weak and depleted. Stop doing that to yourself. I’ve got a new strategy for you. It’s one that will help turn things around in your life.

 

Turn the Tables

Flip it. What do I mean by “flip it?” That means turn the tables. Rather than begging and being needy, become bold and self-sufficient. First, tell yourself that, “If they don’t want to be who and what I need, that’s fine. I don’t gain my sense of worth and value from them anyway.” I told you before, only God is your source. Trust in Him. Put your confidence in the Lord.

 

Alter your Behavior

Then, after you get your mind right change your behavior. You see, your actions are a natural outgrowth of your mentality. Once you realize who you are, you’ll begin strutting like it, talking like it, and acting like it. You will no longer be that “human doormat” always allowing others to walk on you.

 

Preserve your Pride

Protect your pride and integrity. When you get serious about doing this, you won’t let people treat you any kind of way. You will have a renewed self-respect as never before. Are you ready for that? It’s not hard to switch it up on folks. It’s all a matter of making the decision to do so.

 

And it’s not a decision made out of bitterness, anger, or hurt. Instead, it is a wise decision borne out of wisdom, common sense, and good judgment. You have to protect your heart. No one else will. You have to preserve your soul, your feelings, and your emotions. Nobody else can do that for you. It begins with you.

 

Take it Back

Whether you’re in business or in relationships, learn to stand your ground. Don’t let folks have their way with you. Have some dignity. Rebuke that spirit of low self-esteem and compromise. Take your power back. Take the control back. Take your joy back. Take authority back. It’s yours.

 

I want to leave you with this thought: When you give away what’s valuable for free, it ends up costing you dearly in the end. If the relationship isn’t reciprocal, if you’re not receiving what you need, or the respect you deserve, disengage. When you do, you’ll see people, situations, and life from a clearer perspective.

 

What’s more, you’ll give your confidence a major boost.

 

Until next time . . . may you be empowered to prosper!

 

Dianna Hobbs

It's Not You . . .

“It’s not you. It’s me.” Oh no . . . what a dreadful statement. Have you ever heard that before? It probably doesn’t feel very good to hear it, right? After all, sometimes it just seems like a pitiful excuse to bail on you, or just a sorry cop out.

But let’s try putting our biases aside for a moment and examining the phrase objectively.

Sometimes, it really isn’t you. It truly is the other party involved that has unresolved issues they need to work through. Here’s something I want you to remember. Never internalize other people’s stuff. What do I mean? I’ll tell you. Don’t ever carry around feelings of guilt, inadequacy, or dismay over another individual’s decision not to be a part of your life.

Whether it’s a business client, a friend, or relative, you can’t walk around carrying those bottled up hurts. Let’s be real. In life, differences between two parties sometimes act as walls or barriers. Truth is, these emotional fortresses are impenetrable and there’s absolutely nothing you can do about it. It doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong. It doesn’t mean you’re unworthy of the attention, the business, the promotion, or the praise. As unpleasant as it may seem, rejection is just a natural part of life.

There’s no use spinning your wheels and asking questions like: “What’s wrong with me? How come things never work out for me? Why am I always holding the emotional baggage left over from continuous rejection and resentment?”

No, no, no. Those are the wrong questions to ask. Instead of beating yourself up over matters beyond your control, here’s a far better idea. Recognize that it’s not your loss. On the contrary, by refusing to accept the valuable treasures you have to offer, the abandoning party misses out on a golden opportunity to experience the brightest, best, and finest that life has to offer.

You are a wonderful jewel. You are a gift to others. You have so much to offer. And just because some don’t see it doesn’t make it any less true. I want you to hold your head up high today and recognize that you’re on your way to a place where you’ll be celebrated and not tolerated.

Regardless of what happens, your sense of value and worth is not derived from others. Rather, all your help, your validity, and your confidence come from the Lord. “I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1, 2 NIV).

Until next time . . . may you be empowered to prosper!

Dianna Hobbs