~Discovering Me~

I turned twenty this month. It was the first birthday I've had where I can actually say I felt old. I know, I know...everyone says it's still quite young, life has just begun. However, I felt an intense urgency to really go for what I want...I then faced the bottomless pit of a question, What do I want? And boy, do I want it all. I want to inhale as much beauty, and experience from this life as I can. I want to see the world. I want to be highly educated. I want to create. I want to learn all I can from those older then me, while reaching out to those who are comin up behind me. I want to paint, photograph, sculpt, draw, design. I want a go on an adventure. I want to write a book. But as we all know, dreams don't show up one day. You have to go after them. Fight for them. Believe in them. And for the first time in twenty years, I've felt deeply unsatisfied with where I'm at. And completely ready to set out on my journey to be...Me. Winston Churchill was full of witty expressions. One of my favorites, "I am easily satisfied, with the very best." To all of you out there, make this year the best of your life. The most productive. Work hard, dream big, and love with everything you've got. One Life. One Shot.

~The English~

I have a deep love for all things English, and by that I mean from England. The British have a way about them that captivates me. Such charm and manner, things that have practically disappeared now days. I love their style, their speech, their traditions, their humor and so on. I had a chance to visit England two years ago, and it was everything I thought it would be and more. Such a deep history, amazing tales and the best of stories have come out of that land. Not forgetting to mention my passion for tea time! : ) And boy-do they know how to put on a tea party. Their scones were out of this world! I am blessed to have a Mother who shares my Love. Our house is a beautiful warm place, eclectic in decor with gorgeous European pieces from all over. I am currently watching, "Daniel Deronda" written in the 1800's. Nothing like BBC. I'm about to make another pot of tea, while I sit by the fire and watch this lovely tale, on this rainy day. I hope you all have a lovely evening, join me if you can for a moment to relax and breathe...have a cup of tea. ; ) ....quote from Deronda, "Read Widely-Think Deeply."

~Dream BIG!~

I've been in a creative mood lately. : ) Writing a lot, singing a lot, dreamin a lot....I'm SO ready to chase those dreams that are buried deep inside of me! I already feel that 2010 is going to be an exceptionally good year....I want to grow deeper in so many areas...I want to love more & look at the beautiful sides of life-(we all know what the bad and the ugly look like!) lol....Prayer is a Big focus....It should be what life is centered around...& for Sharayah Starr it will be ; ) Set a goal this week-and work towards it! 'Every day is a new beginning. Treat it that way. Stay away from what might have been, and look at what can be.!' ~Marsha Petrie~ Have a Lovely Week Everyone!!!

~It's a Wonderful Life~

This story is one of my very favorites! I can't get through it without tearing up...Each part paints a beautiful picture of (real) Life. With all of it's highs and lows, accomplishments and defeats. You can relate to George Bailey, as you watch how some of his dreams are put aside as life flies by. He gives all he has, he keeps his strong character-as he fights off the giants in his life and protects the weak. In the end, he ends up feeling like the weak one...all alone with all the cares of the world on his shoulders. An angel comes to him to show him what life would be like if he had never been born, he tells George, "You see George, you've really had a wonderful life. Don't you see what a mistake it would be to just throw it away?" ....you begin to see how he really did change the life's of those around him. In the end all of those people he helped step in to help him-and that is the part where my tears begin to flow : ) We all wonder if we have any impact on others, if there is a point to all the little things we do for others, we wonder if anyone sees-if anyone cares. The answer is yes! Each life touches the one's around it. There's one you-You have one Life to Live & it goes fast. So on the Last December in 2009, think of all the beautiful things God's blessed you with & remember-It truly Is a Wonderful Life! One last quote from Clerance, "Remember, George: no man is a failure who has friends." ....You have angels watching you, carrying you through those tough times in life & friends on earth to help you along the way. : ) Happy New Year Everyone! Looking forward to Great things in 2010! Dream Big!!

~Kissing the Past Farewell~

We are approaching the start of a brand new year. Now is a wonderful time to reevaluate our life's, refocus, and get our eyes focused on the future-as we let go of the past. When you close out this year, close it. Let go of all of the obstacles, frustrations, and people that brought you down. Go into a new year free of them. Remember, your destiny is never tied to anybody that left. You have been given 12 new months to dream, to begin to reignite the passions and dreams deep within your soul. Don't live to please people-live to please the Lord...and I promise you, your days will be brighter. "Trust in the Lord with ALL your Heart-Lean not on your own understanding (because most of the time you wont understand) in ALL your ways acknowledge Him & He shall direct your Paths." One of my favorite verses. This next passage by T.D. Jakes has really changed my life, and I hope it does something for you. Have a blessed new year & get the Gift of Goodbye!

There are people who can walk away from you. And hear me when I tell you this!

When people can walk away from you: let them walk.

I don't want you to try to talk another person into staying with you, loving you, calling you, caring about you, coming to see you, staying attached to you. I mean hang up the phone.

When people can walk away from you let them walk.

Your destiny is never tied to anybody that left. People leave you because they are not joined to you. And if they are not joined to you, you can't make them stay.

LET THEM GO!

And it doesn't mean that they are a bad person it just means that their part in the story is over. And you've got to know when people's part in your story is over so that you don't keep trying to raise the dead. You've got to know when it's dead. You've got to know when it's over. Let me tell you something. I've got the gift of goodbye. It's the tenth spiritual gift, I believe in goodbye. It's not that I'm hateful, it's that I'm faithful, and I know whatever God means for me to have He'll give it to me. And if it takes too much sweat I don't need it. Stop begging people to stay.

LET THEM GO!

If you are holding on to something that doesn't belong to you and was never intended for your life, then you need to...LET THEM GO!

If you are holding on to past hurts and pains...LET THEM GO!

If someone can't treat you right, love you back, and see your worth...LET THEM GO!

If someone has angered you...LET THEM GO!

If you are holding on to some thoughts of evil and revenge...LET THEM GO!

If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction...LET THEM GO!

If you are holding on to a job that no longer meets your needs or talents...LET THEM GO!

If you have a bad attitude...LET THEM GO!

If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better...LET THEM GO!

If you are struggling with the healing of a broken relationship....... LET THEM GO!

If you keep trying to help someone who won't even try to help themselves...LET THEM GO!

If you're feeling depressed and stressed...LET THEM GO!

Get Right or Get Left, think about it, and then...

LET THEM GO!!!

-T.D. Jakes

~Merry Christmas~

So this is my first blog. And this season happens to be one of the most beautiful to write about! : ) My mind fills with nostalgia....memories of past years, scents, tastes and smells of Christmas's long, long ago. Fond moments of my life that have stayed with me. I love this time of year, simply because-as corny as it may sound-it brings out the best in others. People seem to be a little more patient, a little more understanding, and a little more loving. I love how every Christmas song makes you feel cheery...and how the older ones are so perfectly penned to describe the true meaning of Christmas. "Oh Holy Night," "Oh Come Let Us Adore Him," "Silent Night," and many others tell the beautiful story of our Saviors birth. One of my favorite verses-"Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love and His Gospel is peace. Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother, And in His Name all oppression shall cease. Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, Let all within us praise His holy Name"....Those words are so moving, and paints a picture of the kind of God I serve. We sang them tonight at our Candlelight service, and all I could think about is how truly thankful for all that God has placed in my life in 2009. I've been blessed beyond measure. Everyone has something to be thankful for-so during this hard time in our country, with the recession, loss of jobs, etc....Remember you've been given a Beautiful life of purpose and meaning...enjoy it to the fullest....step back to see the big picture of your life-with its dark and light moments...I always say, 'A master piece painting would not be one if the whole thing was white. It's given life when it has contrasting colors, light sides and dark.' Whatever Season You're going through-Just be at Peace. The Master is at Work-Creating Something Beautiful out of You! Merry Christmas-Have a Wonderful Time with Those You Love!