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THE LIFE LETTER

L i f e L e t t e r

BIRTHDAY LOVEBIRD!

CHEERS TO 31 YEARS

The Life Letter July 1, 2022. Copyright Lovebird Publishing LLC

JULY EDITION 2022

THE LIFE LETTER

TABLE OF CONTENTS Inspiration 4 Lovebird Letter

Business 9 NEW BUSINESS LAUNCH: Lite Bites

Health & Wellness 13 LoveBird’s Verdict on Meditation Body Stretching Exercises

Arts N Action 18 DREEM by LoveBird Music Feature: Tank and The Bangas

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START ON PAGE 13

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THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY

LoveBird’s Letter

THE LIFE LETTER

Every July 1st I have my personal New Year’s celebration. The day I was born is perfectly placed in the middle of the year. It has been my time to reflect on the first half of the year and look forward to the second half. Above all else, it’s a good day to dream. For the last few years, I always find myself sitting in a quiet place usually accompanied by candlelight and my thoughts. I dream up big things I want for myself and those that are closest to me. I dream about career moves and business deals. I dream about doing fulltime ministry and helping others for a living. I dream about where I’ll be in 1, 5, and 10 years. It seems that my imagination is ignited in a new way every year! I like to think God designed me that way. So this year I want to invite you to dream with me. Today is a good day as any to dream. You don’t have to wait until a special day to do it. You can dream at any given moment. My best dreams came when I least expected it. Having a journal and a pen on standby has become second nature because of that very fact. God has equipped us all with an imagination. Someone may use their imagination to write a song, while another will paint a portrait, while another will invent the new must have item. Every notable person in history has used their imagination to accomplish great things. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, used his imagination to dream and that dream led us into a civil rights revolution. There is no limit on what your imagination can do, for the same God that chose Dr. King, created you. Even God has an imagination. He created the heavens and the Earth. He created a plan for all of us to give us a hope and a future. So, if God uses his imagination, why not use yours? I dare you to get a pen and paper and dream. Dream your wildest dream and then make it even grander. Write it down and dare to keep it close to you. As the days goes by, you’d be surprised how the reflection of that dream will show up for you. Who knows, you could walk right into the very thing you’ve been longing for. -LoveBird 4

RIVER CITY NATION

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LoveBird’s Unpopular Opinions dream edition Everyone has to sacrifice something in order for the dream to come true. Most hurdles people face when chasing their dreams are just really good excuses. You can only take yourself so far. At some point you will need help to get it done. Failing to obtain knowledge and/or research will cost you greatly in the end. You can’t pursue too many dreams at once. You must have focus to execute well. Starting and stopping is more detrimental than moving slowly. If you can dream it, you can make it happen. A lack of discipline will render you unfavorable outcomes, EVERY TIME. Every dream has a struggle attached to it. There are people in the world living their dream at your expense. Your dream must matter more than your comfort. A dream without a deadline is a fantasy. Only you know what dream is worth the fight. No one can want your dream for you more than you want it. 7

THE THE LIFE LIFE LETTER LETTER

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LIFE LITERATURE SECTION BUSINESS DIRECTORY: ChariseDenise

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THE LIFE LETTER

LIFE LITERATURE SECTION from pg. 10 BUSINESS DIRECTORY: continued Ascending Essentials: LAUNCHING SOON

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THE LIFE LETTER

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THE LIFE LETTER

The Real Deal on MEDITATION LOVEBIRDʼS VERDICT When one thinks of meditation, the image of a bald Chinese monk adorned in his ceremonial robe usually comes to mind. We all have mimicked the famous “hummm” sound of these religious figures as we sat Indian-style on the floor. People rarely equate meditation to the Christian faith. I have noticed that in recent times, more people are questioning whether meditation should be an essential part of the Christian faith. Many would agree that Christian meditation is indeed biblical, based on the scriptures like Psalm 1:1-3, which encourages us to meditate day and night. On the other hand, others would argue that the practice of meditation is pagan and ungodly. Most people who agree would suggest the ritualistic practices of burning incense, sage, and praying with crystals invite evil spirits to your environment causing a demonic presence to arise. Both of which are true. The question then remains is meditation biblical or not? To that I say, it all depends on how the practice is carried out. Before we unpack this question, we must know what meditation is. According to Merriam-Webster meditating is -to engage in contemplation or reflection -to engage in mental exercise (such as concentration on one’s breathing or repetition of a mantra) for the purpose of reaching a heightened level of spiritual awareness. - to focus one’s thoughts on; to reflect on or to ponder over - to plan or project in the mind. From what I gather from all the definitions, meditation is an action word. One must do something to meditate. That means for a Christ believer we must activate our faith by doing or acting upon our belief. We do this by worshipping, praising, singing, dancing, praying. evangelizing, preaching, teaching, and doing missions. One could argue that doing something about our belief is our specialty. Meditating can be perceived as simply living out our creed. To that point I would agree, but we must be careful not to practice any pagan rituals and oﬀer that up to our holy and sovereign God. People outside of our faith may try to shame us into not confessing that our God is supreme over all other gods. But the bible tells us so in Colossians 1-16-17. 14

THE LIFE LETTER

For by him all things were created, in heaven and earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authoritiesall things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things and in him all things hold together. So if we are to worship and use meditation as a means to connect with a God such as this, we are to do it his way. The book titled Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster lists mediation as a foundational discipline for our faith. He goes in depth of the importance of it and how we should implement this in our lives,(I encourage you to read for more understanding). Foster defines mediation as the ability to hear God’s voice and obey his word. In order to hear one must be silenced and focused. So it is safe to state, that mediation has to become a practice. We must do meditation. Just as the definition explains, we ought to reflect, concentrate and focus so we can become spiritually aware of what God is saying and doing. How do we do that? We can be sure that we shouldn’t copy the pagans. Burning sage, lighting incense, rubbing and praying with spiritually charged crystals, chanting, is condemned in the bible. Jesus instructs us not to use vain repetitions like heathens. The old testament is full of warnings from the prophets of God rebuking the children of God from adopting pagan customs and worshipping as lesser nations did in those days. As present-day believers we should heed these instructions. We should meditate on the word of

God, silencing our thoughts and focusing on hearing from God either by his voice, through his word, or in his presence. God still speaks through the prophet if you have the faith to believe. The bible tells us to “think on these things...” Thoughts that are pure, good report, just and praiseworthy are things we can turn our attention to in meditation. Here is a list of things to do when you meditate to hear from God. You can do one or all of these things to help you meditate. I encourage you to try them all and find out what brings you closer to God. • Sit or lay in stillness, (any prayer posture will work). • Close your eyes and imagine you being closer to God. • Breath in your nose and out through your mouth slowly and rhythmically to help clear your mind. • Once your mind is clear. Focus your attention on a scripture. • Think about what you need from God. • Listen to soaking worship music to create an atmosphere for worship. • Echo the words of Samuel,”Speak Lord, your servant is listening.” • Wait until you hear from God or feel his presence where you are. 15

THE LIFE LETTER

LETS STRETCH!

3 Stretches to Jumpstart Your Morning!

The cobra stretch is a God send if spinal issues are at play. This exercise strengthens the spine, which is helpful as one may age. It also stretches the abdominal muscles and opens the chest cavity. The more you do this stretch the more limber the body becomes, improving flexibility.

There is nothing like starting to exercise and getting a cramp in the leg that halts the workout. To avoid muscle spasms and sprains doing a calf stretch is key to warming up the muscles. Executing this stretch on the wall is a quick and easy way to increase flexibility, relieve any soreness, and improve range of motion. The key to getting a good stretch is to keep both heels on the floor. Holding the stretch for 30 seconds per leg ensures good muscle prep.

A cross arm stretch is a great way to start a morning stretch routine. This stretch really focuses on the shoulders and upper arms. If stiﬀness is apparent, the cross arm stretch will alleviate that, while increasing mobility.

THE LIFE LETTER

LIFE LITERATURE:

LOVEBIRD’S CHOICE Reviews on Broken Ruby by K. Louise "The book was an EXCELLENT read! I was able to relate to all aspects. I just loved the overall humor. It was detailed, open, honest, sad but inspirational, motivating, etc. The book was powerful in that it did not make excuses for adultery but encouraged one to lean on GOD and his word to guide us through life’s challenges. I would love to read the sequel!" Dana C. Williams "It was beneficial that you were able to connect what was happening generationally in your family. Most people are not able to connect these actions. It puts you on a path to healing and more importantly canceling a curse. Wisdom beyond years of life!!! The genuineness of what you have been through was apparent. I felt you through the book." Rev. David W. Greene, Sr.

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Dreem BY LOVEBIRD What happens when the dream is deferred? Sometimes it sits on a shelf in the mind of the person, collecting dust, wasting away as the memory of its existence fades. I’d like to think it turns to pixie dust, cremated and flies away to be reborn where it would be appreciated. That’s why people like to reclaim an idea or invention someone else had the courage to patent or create. Sometimes it hides in plain sight. Like a toddler playing hide and seek with its older sibling. Everyone can see it’s still there, everyone but the dreamer. For he is totally convinced that it no longer exists. Denial sets in and destroys the possibility of it ever becoming reality. It is then reduced to an old wives tale that papa tells at thanksgiving. His woulda coulda shoulda’s are now the family’s tale of legend. Sometimes it lingers. It tarries. It waits for an opportunity for it to come alive again. Much like toy story, it plays dead

until another chance arises so that it can make a run for manifestation. Relentless, dreams can be, if birthed in the imagination of the right person. These dreams are hard to kill, easy to revive, diﬃcult to pursue, yet give so much. These dreams are oftentimes magnified by the thousands for they started oﬀ as a small beginning. These dreams explode and soar into the air from the pressure of being surpressed for years. These dreams come back with a vengeance and make every nay sayer swallow their words. Critics are silenced. The testimony of it surviving for so long converts the unconvinced into believers. But, the thing is the fate of every dream lies in the heart of every soul. For the heart’s desire is the life giving source a dream so desperately needs. So how much do you want it?

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DEAR GOD, I ask that you bless every page. Make every page a muse for someone to dream. Help this edition to bring forth the creative flow in someone’s imagination. God I ask that through my work you will give someone the inspiration they need to awaken their ability to day dream, to create and invent things in their mind. God help their dreams to grow, expand and produce something for the good of all men. God I ask that you would continue to allow us to tap into the creativity that on only you our Creator can provide. We call you Elohim for you are the supreme creator of all things, and we humbly ask that a portion of your imagination would manifest in us. Help us to dream bigger, see farther, and go after everything our brain can perceive. We acknowledge there is no us without you, and so we dedicate our most precious part of ourselves to you. We freely give our psyche, our thoughts, our ideas, and dreams over to you so that you can be glorified in what we do. We thank you for it all being done in your perfect will. In Jesus Name, AMEN

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L i f e L e t t e r The Life Letter. July 1, 2022 Copyright Lovebird Publishing LLC