Mindset Matters by Cassandra Williams-Herbert

Maturity and Mindset

As we go through life, it is clear that the goals of an individual’s perceptions are higher than ever with our ambition to make a difference by improving the way we look and think about life.

Today's culture has influenced us at a rapid speed of fast learning with social media and technology. However, those of us that view maturity as another part of reaching our goals and ambition to succeed in life is the reality that seems to be on the rise. In my opinion, it's hard to tell when an individual actually reaches their mature peek, as well as an awareness that is hard to determine. Maturity is evidence through actions of how one deals and reacts to circumstances.

The world is changing, our opportunities are changing; it is surprising when we meet individuals that appear to be mature but miss so many attributes of understanding the mindset of growth within us. Maturity has indicators that will display at different levels and stages in your life. When you are going to another level, you must ask yourself: “Am I mature?” One should be mature enough to handle their next goal(s), relationships, and business of unfamiliar ground to succeed.

Key things I look for when I seek maturity in a person.

1. A mature person is able to communicate and keep obligations.
2. A mature person is a good listener, open to constructive criticism.
3. A mature person's decisions are based on what's right.
4. A mature person shows humility.
5. A mature person expresses gratitude.
6. A mature person knows how to prioritize.
7. A mature person is observant of oneself and others.
8. A mature person conducts in a matter of understanding and honor.
9. A mature person seeks wisdom before acting.
10. A mature person is secure with their identity.

Most essential, a mature person will always remain Teachable. The Bible tells us in Psalm 1:1 “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers, but his delight is in the law of the Lord and his law he meditates day and night." A mature person understands they don’t know all the answers. The wiser they get the more wisdom is applied to understanding. Proverbs 15:22 “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers, they succeed." A wise mature person develops the mindset to seek wisdom. Proverbs 3:5-6 “ Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge to him and he will make your path straight."

A mature person with a changed mindset is able to obtain principles and wisdom gained through learning, lived experiences from environment lived or desire to live.

Cindy's Featured Artist of the Week - Journey Loveless

Journey Loveless (aka Miss Journey Girl) may only be three years old but she models as if she’s been born for the runway. She is a child model in the Charlotte metro area and has been modeling since the summer of 2017. Journey is often the youngest model in the show but as soon as the cameras start to roll and the lights are shining, her professionalism reaches a level three times her age. 

Journey’s modeling experience includes The Southern Women’s Show in Charlotte NC, Charlotte Seen-Charlotte Fashion Week/Disney, Charlotte Fashion Weekend, CovRing Day Spa Children’s promotion, Brown Girl Experience, Charlotte Seen-Candyland, and the Cabbage Patch Kids Babyland Fashion Show. She has been featured in Big City Kids Magazine, and countless photo shoots!

Journey is the youngest of three children. She adores her 18-year-old brother, Jalen, and absolutely loves her big sister, Joi. As the youngest of three, Journey has a maturity level of speech and abilities that often requires a double take. She loves ballet (arabesque is her favorite position) and gymnastics. Journey also loves to practice running the track with her big sister as she trains for track meets. 

Her name is her purpose. Journey’s birth was nothing short of a miracle as she was conceived after the doctor gave her mother less than a 50% chance of having another child. Journey has completed her family in such a way that only God could have ordained. She is on a Journey to bring beauty, joy, compassion, and love to all that come across her path. 

Journey often says she wants to be a princess when she grows up. Since princesses wear jewelry, it was only fitting that she would become the first child model for Creations by Cindy’s Hands. When Journey found out she would model children’s jewelry she began to jump up and down and said to her mother “You are the best mommy EVER!!” This assignment is perfect for  Journey who is on her “Journey” to be a princess in her family, community, and most importantly for God’s kingdom. 

Mother's Day Extravaganza!

Free Entry Must Have Tickets to Enter!!!

Why go to the boring mall or shop online and get nothing in return?? When you can come out and celebrate with us while enjoying delicious food, drinks, music, door prizes, gifts, games and more while shopping for the people you love.

Get your tickets now because they are selling out fast!

https://www.eventbrite.com/d/ga--lawrenceville/krazi-over-heelz

Mother’s Day Extravaganza
Courtyard by Marriott
1948 Satellite Blvd.
Duluth, Ga. 30097
2-8pm

Thanks!
Nikki FoxKrazi Over Heelz
www.krazioverheelz.com
770-695-2142

Q: How should I deal with men trying to date me on social media? I don’t know them and I’m very leery.

Signed: I Don’t Know You

A: Finding a companion to date has become a task these days. You have many matchmaking sites, services, dating apps, and more! It’s hard to choose what you want to do when finding that special someone because you worry about safety and credibility of these dating connections. One connection that has become sort of the norm, is social media. It starts with the infamous “ DM or Inbox” message from that guy who’s been looking at your pictures and LIKES everything about you!

So, how do you stop the DM/Inbox messages? When someone contacts you through social media, you can choose to reply with a mild message of “Thank you for reaching out, however, I am not interested in dating at this moment. Have an awesome day!” Usually, a simple message like this has helped me in the past. At the time that I was trying to date, I would have conversations with the guys IF we had credible mutual connections. Other than that, I wouldn’t go any further than that reply.

However, you can choose NOT to reply, it’s truly your choice. If you feel unsafe about this person being connected to your social media, you can Delete, Block and Report the name without them knowing. Social media can also be good for dating IF you have mutual friends connected. As with any dating procedure, safety comes first so here are a few tips for meeting anyone that you are unfamiliar with.

1. Never disclose any personal information online. If you choose to communicate through email, you can create an email account just for that and get a Google number.
2. If you choose to meet up, always meet in a popular (well lit, people, etc) area and give your family or friends your meet up information, description of the person as well.
3. Be sure to review the person’s profile. If anything sticks out that you are not sure about, question that person about it.

Until next time, laugh, live, and love life!

Love, 

AunT

Trinette Collier Green is a
Certified Relationship Stylist
Submit your questions to simplycindyblog@gmail.com

Cindy's Featured Book of the Week by Stephen Price

Stephen Price is the Pastor of New Jerusalem Fellowship Ministries, Inc. in the suburb of Atlanta, Georgia.  He is married and the father of one daughter and two sons.

Stephen is definitely a man on a mission. His passion is about assisting couples in understanding and keeping covenant relationships. He has over twenty-three years experience in the ministry field and has studied at Luther Rice Bible College Seminary in Lithonia, Georgia.

One of his most prominent areas of anointing is soul winning.  “There is nothing like seeing the eyes of a new convert being awakened to the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ”.

Stephen’s career in the military has given him a unique perspective on soul winning. He has traveled the world, evangelizing to the lost in many different countries and settings from Okinawa, Japan to Bahrain, to Indonesia, Australia, and Hong Kong.

In the past twenty-three years because of his gifting and travel, Stephen has served for various ministries in the capacity of Pastor, Intermittent Pastor, Associate Pastor, Associate Minister, Director of Education, Trustee Board Member, Adult Bible Study Teacher, Sunday School Teacher (adult and children), Financial Administrator, Choir Director and Member, Evangelism Ministry, Brotherhood Director and Vacation Bible School Director.

Book link - https://www.amazon.com/Husbands-Wives-Christ-Loves-Church-ebook/dp/B077SY2VLJ/ref=dp_kinw_strp_1

This book shares God's perspective on the Christian Marital Relationship and helps the family to see the role of the husband and father according to the Holy Bible. You can take these practical principals and apply them in your everyday life to gain some understanding and find success through God's word. You don't want to miss this life-changing information now available to you. This is definitely a must-read. Please feel free to contact Stephen Price at pmanword3@yahoo.com or you can contact our church
at (770) 726-7603.

Raise 'Em and Praise Him - Testimony Tuesday!

As a divorced woman left with the sole responsibility to raise an 8-year daughter and a 2-year-old son, I am now a single mom overwhelmed with this tremendous blessing. I didn't always see it as a blessing because, at that time I was more consumed with the thoughts of how am I going to afford clothing, feeding and keeping a roof over our heads. My ex-husband decided not to support his children anymore so I could not see the blessing, I could not understand why God would allow this to happen to us. I couldn't see what God was doing in my life. Even though I was in despair, I must say that God took great care of us and supplied all of our needs and most of our wants! He was faithful toward us.

I married at a young age. Young in my faith, I thought that my life was going to be good. What I failed to realize was that I was moving in a direction that I never consulted with God on; if this was the direction, the path that He had for me, so He allowed me to make that decision.

After the first two years and maybe it started even before this time, the marriage was failing. We were Churchgoers and I even sang in the choir, but the marriage was failing, I had married someone who was not my soul mate or my blessing from the Lord, my ex-spouse decided to reach out to others for the things that only a wife should provide, there hence, after 10 years the marriage ended in divorce.

Here I am after 10 years of marriage, raising my children with the help of my Grandmother and Aunt, imparting in them, the Love of God, and the sweet communion of His Holy Spirit, still praying and knowing that God has us covered under His mighty wings. I believed God's words to me where He told me to leave the marriage, I heard Him loud and clear, the promise He made to me that day was “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” I kept praying, asking the Lord to Order My Steps in His Word, asking that His Will not my will be done in my life. I did not give up on love, for God is love; I kept on believing my heart that only God could and would make the difference in my life. 

Trusting God and stepping out on pure faith, after 10 years as a single mother, at the leading of the Holy Spirit, I moved to another city and within 6 months, God brought my husband to me, the One He had for me, we met in a Holy setting (He Who Finds a Wife Finds a Good Thing and Obtains Favor From the Lord (Prov. 18:22 NKJV). God sent him to find me on that 1st day of the 1st month of the New Year! We are married now; 12 years have flown by and our love just keeps getting stronger and stronger. Our marriage is TRULY THE BLESSING of the LORD! I am a firm believer, that if He did it for me He can do it for you! Keep praying, keep believing, build your faith and trust in our mighty God and His blessings will overflow in your life. Our children are grown and successful now, and our life is full of God's everlasting Love, Grace, and Mercy.

Forever in His Love,

God's Beloved 

Q: How do you stay motivated when going through issues?

Signed: B.I. ~ UnMotivated

A: To be honest, staying motivated can be difficult whenever you are facing life’s issues. You get weighed down and feel as though you will never be able to smile or see the light of your situations. However, that is not true at all. Staying motivated during those times can be hard BUT achievable. Here are few strategies that you create a routine with to help you stay motivated.

1. Surround yourself with positive people at work and personal life. Sometimes our environment can be a major factor in how we deal with the issues.
   
2. Create your visible wall of positive quotes, prayers, and affirmations. Pull them from various resources including the internet.
   
3. Talk to yourself daily! Yes, you can talk to yourself. Look in the mirror and tell yourself that everything will be OK.
   
4. Don’t compete with anyone else. Don’t compare your issues with anyone else. Know that whatever you are dealing with, it can be resolved.
   
5. Pray and meditate. Your answers will come in many forms.
   
6. Seek professional help such as Career, Financial, Life and Relationship Coaches. Many times, our issues just need professional assistance that can guide us.

Just know that your issues are not bigger than God. You must keep the faith and every day that you wake, be grateful for a brand new day.

Until next time, laugh, live, and love life!

Love,

AunT

Trinette Collier Green is a Certified Relationship Stylist
Submit your questions to simplycindyblog@gmail.com

Model P31 Moms by Bridget McCray

To Buy, or Not to Buy?

Last summer, my daughter wanted to buy a necklace that one of our neighbors was selling. I told her that she could do so, but with her own money. 

After counting the cash she had at home, she was a little bit short. (She did have money in her bank account, but just didn't have much cash on her person).

After learning she didn't have enough to make the purchase, I told her to ask her brother if she could borrow the amount of money she was short. WHAT WAS I THINKING??

The very next moment, I realized that was a HORRIBLE idea!! Why on earth would I suggest that she borrow to buy something that she wanted, but did not need?? Temporary insanity!

After I'd come to my senses, I told her I'd said those words in error and that she would not be borrowing to buy the necklace. I suggested looking inside of her purses and other places around the house to find the amount she needed.

She did locate enough after checking in various places. She was frustrated that she had to search, but I explained to her why she was doing it. We had a refresher conversation about wants versus needs, as well as using cash versus borrowing for buying "fun things". In addition, my son was able to paint practical pictures for her to understand.

Not only was that a teachable moment for my children, but it was also one for me. I wonder how many times I've bought something I didn't need, but just "had to have" at a particular time. I couldn't even begin to count them! I wonder how much more I'd be able to do now to bless my family and others if I'd made wiser choices in the past. Hmmm...A sobering thought!

My husband and I speak candidly about finances with our children (a teen and a pre-teen). Though we cannot change the past, we can certainly do our best to prevent history from repeating itself in the next generation. We encourage them to ask questions, not to get into "grown folks' business", but to help them learn to make wise decisions.

Pride must be set aside in order for transparency to take place. To buy, or not to buy? That is the question.

#Proverbs22:7

Bridget McCray

Contributing Writer
Author, H.E.A.L.T.H.: It’s Not Rocket Science (My Journey to a Healthier Me)

Available now on Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats!

Cindy's Featured Book of the Week! Transition Game-Plan by Russ Williams

TRANSITION GAME-PLAN: Simple Steps To Achieving Personal Success is a book about my experiences and insights on how to develop a game-plan for many of life's difficult transitions.

The book can be purchased on my website: www.transitiongameplan.com and amazon, available on Paperback ($16.98) & Ebook ($7.99). I have also attached a 3D picture of TRANSITION GAME-PLAN. Looking forward to hearing from you soon!

Regards,


Russ Williams
Author. Speaker. Transition Coach & Specialist.
Email: russ@transitiongameplan.com
Website: www.transitiongameplan.com
Phone: 504-352-4047

Divine Wellness by Traci A. Fonville

Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including YOU!

-Anne Lamott

Picture yourself on a Caribbean island, laying poolside, tropical beverage in hand, sun shining, a light breeze blowing and then suddenly… the dream bubble pops over your head as you remember the things on your to-do list! Laundry, kids homework, work deadlines, bills, too much month and no money… yadda, yadda, yadda! Been there, done that! Oh, the guilt we feel for wanting to take a break… yeah, imagine that? We immediately talk ourselves out of taking a pause because, well, life is happening and we have to take care of it. But, whose taking care of us?

A 2014 study by the American Psychological Association and the American Institute of Stress listed the Top Causes of Stress in the U.S. as job pressure, money, health, relationships, poor nutrition, media overload and sleep deprivation. If there was any indication available that our society is seriously lacking a major TIMEOUT, then this is it. I totally believe that these top seven areas could be handled to some extent with a little TLC. Don’t you agree?

Debrena Jackson-Gandy, author of one of my favorite books, Sacred Pampering Principles; An African American Woman’s Guide to Self-Care and Inner Renewal talks about pampering as being transformational. “Pampering helps you relate to yourself in a new and different way – a way in which care of self is a top priority. And a priority doesn’t arise out of selfishness but arises out of a place of healthy self-love and self-support. Pampering is at once a path to greater self-love and self-discovery and an active demonstration of self-love.” Self-love..wow! I think we all could take that advice to heart. As we go throughout our daily do’s with seemingly no sign of rest and relief in sight, how many times per day do we put ourselves down or consistently deal with all that negative chatter going on inside our heads? There’s a reason for that… no self-love!

Self-love means that we care about ourselves enough to put the breaks on and have no problem bringing life to a grinding halt when things are going haywire. Self-love means we consciously speak life over ourselves even when we are overwhelmed, tired and stressed out beyond the point of no return. And self-love means we take the time to schedule ourselves for some “me-time” consistently. Whether it’s a visit to the hair salon or the barbershop, taking a nap, making sure your doctor visits are up to date, planning a day at the spa, taking your vitamins every day, joining a gym, learning to make healthier meals, scheduling a vacation or whatever it is that gives you time to exhale… do it! You can’t pour from an empty cup. And no one will pour into you as well as you can pour into yourself.

So I challenge each and every one of you reading this blog post… take out your calendars and schedule your me-time immediately! Whatever makes you happy, whatever makes you smile, whatever makes your heart full… write it down, make the appointment, set aside the time and do it. Self-care is NOT selfish! The guilt is real, yes! But don’t let that deter you from feeling good about you! The work will still be there, the laundry will get done and everything will fall into place when you are at your best!

Traci A. Fonville
Contributing Writer

Traci A. Fonville is a board certified holistic health coach, a graduate of the Institute of Integrative Nutrition and a registered yoga teacher. She is the owner of I Affirm Wellness, which specializes in health coaching and beginner yoga classes. She is a Wellness Advocate for dōTERRA Essential Oils and educates on proper usage and benefits. Traci is also a Brand Ambassador for ItWorks! Follow Traci on Instagram and Facebook @iaffirmwellness. Log onto her websites for health and wellness products at www.mydoterra.com/iaffirmwellness and www.iaffirmwellness.myitworks.com.