PUBLISHER’S Perspective
There are opportunities in adversity with a shift of thinking and a decision to move forward regardless of circumstances. We can’t control negative and destructive leaders nor people in general, but our prayers, thoughts, strategic plans and actions constitute unshakeable power. The twists, turns, and battles in life are sure, but how they are handled determines defeat or victory. Now, more than ever, is the time to muster laughing resolve amid battles. So, get excited with determination when the odds are against you because it is most likely a camouflaged opportunity.
Remember, history makes statements about individuals, families, tribes, people groups, and nations. Historical facts can be omitted from pages but not from the reality of true accounts experienced, observed, told, and documented. It’s important that we teach and record factual history for younger generations. Lies have always brought bondage, but the truth makes you free.
Innovation lives in the hearts of those determined to rise, no matter the barriers. Let’s be innovative like the great inventors who overcame discriminative governmental opposition. Consider Granville T. Woods, known as the “Black Edison,” who held over 50 patents, including critical improvements to the telegraph and railway systems. Born in 1856 and often forced to fight legal battles just to claim rightful credit for his inventions, Woods refused to be erased.
Greatness continues, today. Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, a trailblazing physicist whose groundbreaking work at Bell Labs helped pave the way for technologies like caller ID and call waiting. As one of the first Black women to earn a doctorate from MIT, she overcame both racial and gender bias in the sciences. Kyla Guru, a young African American and South Asian cybersecurity activist, co-founded Bits N’ Bytes Cybersecurity Education, an organization reaching thousands of students across the U.S. before she even graduated
high school. And in the world of gaming and coding, Jaylen Bledsoe launched a tech company at age 12, and by 15 had grown it into a $3.5 million IT business. Today, he mentors youth and builds platforms to bridge racial and economic gaps in tech. Marian Croak, inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2022, holds over 200 patents—many related to Voice over IP (VoIP), the technology that enables calls over the internet. Her innovations power the digital age we now rely on.
These are not just stories to admire—they’re blueprints to follow. Each of these inventors mentioned faced enormous obstacles—racism, sexism, age discrimination, rejection—but chose to create instead of conforming. Their legacies remind us that brilliance is not bound by circumstance or status; it breaks through.
Greatness continues now. Today’s youth don’t need permission to dream; they need exposure to truth, examples of triumph, encouragement to rise, and discipline. Join PURPOSE in letting them know greatness is not distant; it’s inherited. It’s in our DNA. Let us document, celebrate, and activate it—now and for generations to come. The Spirit of God speaks while the sacrifices, suffering, and shed blood of our ancestors cry out with a shout to us across time: adversity is not the end. It is often the birthplace of purpose, vision, and destiny.
“I, Wisdom, dwell with Prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.”
-Proverbs 8:12 KJV
With Purpose,
Ella Coleman
PIVOTING BEFORE PITFALLS: Embracing Divine Redirection with Wisdom and Grace by Alleceia M. Walker
CONTRIBUTOR’S PAGE
DISCOVERING AND USING YOUR GIFTS EFFECTIVELY by Dr. Daniel Haupt
UNDEFINING MYSELF by Purvi Patel
NEXT GENERATION NOW Brother2Brother: A Lifeline of Brotherhood, Mentorship, and Hope in Uncertain Times by Malachie Brunache
WE NEED YOUR STORY NOW MORE
by
Kiara Shanay Lee, PhD
NO NEGATIVITY = BETTER HEALTH: SPIRITUAL DIRECTIVES FOR LIVING POSITIVE IN A CHAOTIC WORLD by Camille West-Eversley
THE SABOTEUR WHO STOLE MY MOMENT by Azure Rooths
FORGIVENESS, A GOAL FOR LIFE by Bonnie Krill
HEALTHY CHOICES
Simple Disciplines for a Better Life by Ella Coleman
BUSINESS & FINANCIAL WISDOM by Ella Coleman
QUOTES OF WISDOM: Affirmations & Declarations
Pivoting Before Pitfalls: Embracing Divine Redirection with Wisdom and Grace
n life, we are often taught to “push through,” to “make it happen,” and to “never give up.” While perseverance is indeed a virtue, there are moments when pivoting—not pushing—is the wisest and most spiritually aligned decision we can make. Discernment is required to know when to keep pressing forward and when to change direction. Sometimes, what we call determination is actually resistance to divine redirection.
Trying to force a square peg into a round hole doesn’t make us stronger—it makes us frustrated, exhausted, and often delayed in walking into what actually belongs to us. The truth is, we won’t miss what is truly meant for us. God’s plans are never threatened by a necessary pivot. In fact, redirection is often a form of protection.
One of the most powerful examples of divine pivoting comes from Proverbs 3:5–6 (NIV): “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Trusting God sometimes means walking away from good opportunities that are not God opportunities. It means letting go of the plan we built in our minds so that we can embrace the purpose He planted in our spirit. God sees the pitfalls ahead—He knows the motives behind the doors we’re trying to pry open. When we align our hearts with His wisdom, He gently steers us away from what seems right and into what is right.
behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Spiritual and character development are not optional; they are essential. We must steward our inner lives with the same intensity we pursue outer success. Integrity, patience, humility, and wisdom are not accessories to purpose; they are prerequisites.
"Trusting God sometimes means walking away from good opportunities that are not God opportunities. It means letting go of the plan we built in our minds so that we can embrace the purpose He planted in our spirit."
It’s easy to panic when things don’t go as planned. But God’s timing is not ours, and neither are His methods. What He has for us is preserved, not perishable. We are not in competition for our own destiny. By staying in His will, we will not miss what is meant for us. Ephesians 3:20 (NKJV) assures us of the magnitude of God’s plans: “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” Our responsibility is not to micromanage the outcomes to stay aligned. Our aim should be to remain humble, to grow in faith and character, and to listen when the Holy Spirit says “wait,” “move,” or “pivot.”
Even when it’s uncomfortable and especially when it doesn’t make sense.
Pivoting before a pitfall is not failure—it’s faith in motion. It’s recognizing that God’s redirection is often the pathway to protection, and His timing is designed not to punish, but to prepare. Don’t force what doesn’t fit. Stay faithful. Stay teachable. Trust the God who sees the whole picture.
Many times, the frustration of a closed door is not punishment, it’s preparation. Before God blesses us with what’s next, He invites us to grow into the person who can carry the weight of it. We don’t manipulate doors to open. We mature into them. Romans 12:2 (NLT) reminds us of the transformation that precedes clarity: “Don’t copy the
Our blessings are not lost. Our purpose is not delayed beyond redemption. And we, beloved, are right on time—as long as we keep moving with God.
Alleceia M. Walker, Managing Editor
Publisher & Executive Editor
Ella Coleman
Managing Editor
Alleceia M. Walker
Graphics Designer
Tracy Sodeinde
Social Media/Web Manager
Imani Haupt
Contributing Writers
Dr. Daniel Haupt
Purvi Patel
Kiara Shanay Lee, PhD
Camille West-Eversley
Azure Rooths
Bonnie Krill
Next Generation
Now Contributors
Aubriana Hills
Monique Lavoie
Luke P. Cooper
VaNia Ellison
Malachie Brunache
Maurielle Cooper
PURPOSE Magazine is published quarterly and is a Trademark. Copyright © 2025, Ellavation Publishing, 2868 Stelzer Road, # 156, Columbus, OH 43219. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means in whole or in part without prior written permission from the publisher.
CONTRIBUTORS
“Next Generation NOW” is a dedicated section of PURPOSE Magazine that highlights our next generation voices. This is a platform for brilliant college and high school scholars, so they can make a lasting impact and positive change in the global community.
Howard University
Biology
Malachie Brunache
Howard University
Audio
Production Major Class of ‘26
Howard University
Political Science
Major Class of ‘27
Columbus
Interior
Architecture
Design Major
Fine Arts Minor Class of
Columbus School of Art & Design
Fine Arts Major Class of ‘26
Monique Lavoie
Major Class of ‘27
Luke P. Cooper
College of Art and Design
‘27
Aubriana Hills
Howard University Biology Major Class of ‘27
VaNia Ellison
Maurielle Cooper
Discovering and Using Your Gifts Effectively
By Dr. Daniel Haupt
Each of us has a Why—a God-given purpose that breathes meaning into our lives. Along with that purpose, the Father has imparted a specific charisma—a divine grace or spiritual endowment—that equips us to fulfill it. Each of us carries something unique; divine deposits from God, designed not just to satisfy personal ambition but to advance Kingdom of God purpose and serve others.
Proverbs 18:16 (AMP) says, “A [person’s] gift makes room for him [or her] and brings him before great [people].” This reveals that your gift is a spiritual passport to access and influence. But before your gift can make room for you, it must be discovered, developed, and deployed. Job 32:8 (AMP) reminds us, “There is a vital force, a spirit of intelligence in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding.” Discovering your gift is not merely about natural ability; it’s a prophetic revelation awakened by the breath of God in you.
Clues to Detect or Discern Your Gifts
God often reveals gifts through patterns in our lives. Here are five Spirit-led clues to help uncover what He has placed within you:
1. Yearning
What are you instinctively drawn to? This inner longing is not random; it’s spiritual magnetism pulling you toward your assignment.
2. Rapid Learning
You may find yourself excelling in certain areas faster than others. When mastery comes with ease and grace, the Holy Spirit may be revealing a gift in that area.
3. Flow
Notice when you feel “in the zone”; when time fades, clarity sharpens, and grace carries you to superb ministry, performance, and service. That state of flow is often the Spirit aligning you with your divine rhythm.
4. Glimpses of Excellence
Those “WOW” moments where you or others are stunned by what just flowed through you. Perhaps a speech, song, book, poem, mathematical calculation, a delicious cake, or fashion design resulting in oohs, aahs, yummies, and applause. They’re divine previews of what consistent gifting looks like when yielded to God and then to people.
5. Satisfaction
What leaves you saying, “When can I do that again?” Activities that fill your soul and energize your spirit are strong indicators of your gifting zone.
Feedback from others and spiritual discernment through prayer and counsel can also help confirm what you sense. Romans 12:6 affirms, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.”
Managing Your Gifts
Gifts are not meant just to be admired—they are meant to be managed. As Jesus teaches in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14–30), God expects us to multiply what He has entrusted to us. That kind of growth requires more than passion; it demands discipline, development, and accountability. Gifts flourish in the soil of faithful stewardship.
One powerful motivator is the 10,000-Hour Rule, a principle suggesting it takes roughly 10,000 hours of focused practice to achieve mastery. Excellence isn’t accidental; it’s intentional. The Apostle Paul urged Timothy, his spiritual son and mentee, to “fan into flame the gift of God” (2 Timothy 1:6, NIV). Like fire, gifts must be stoked and used, or they will fade. Study, mentorship, feedback, and consistent use will sharpen and expand your impact.
Monetizing Your Gifts
God gives the gift—but you grow it. Don’t just identify your gift—intensify it.
“The laborer is worthy of his wages.” Purpose requires fuel, so monetization protects your capacity to serve and expand your reach.
Socializing Your Gifts
To socialize your gift means to share it for both value and transformation. Ecclesiastes 10:10 teaches that skill brings success, but Proverbs 11:1 (AMP) warns, “A false balance… is extremely offensive to the Lord.” Many pursue profit without purpose—or pursue purpose while neglecting provision. God delights in balance.
Use your gift in your community, church, workplace, and online. Socializing your gift makes it visible, valuable, and viable for the benefit of others. As 1 Peter 4:10 (AMP) urges, “Employ it in serving one another as appropriate for good stewards of God’s multifaceted grace.”
Conclusion: Activate What’s Within
Your gift is already in you—waiting to be recognized, refined, and released. Trust the Spirit to guide your discovery. Be faithful to develop it and courageous enough to monetize it. Humble enough to socialize it. And obedient enough to multiply it.
Isaiah 48:17 (AMP) says, “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit.” Monetizing your gift is not exploitation—it’s obedience. Deuteronomy 8:17–18 tells us that God gives us the power to produce wealth, not to glorify self, but to fulfill His covenant. Jesus praised the profitable servants in Matthew 25, but called the one who buried his gift “wicked and lazy.”
When aligned with integrity and purpose, your gift can produce value in the marketplace and provision for your mission. Whether you speak, write, coach, or build, your gift can finance and sustain your calling. Luke 10:7 affirms,
You were born with purpose, for purpose. Step into it— your gift will make room for you, and make impact through you.
Dr. Daniel Haupt, is a Life Destiny Strategist, founder/vision pastor of Voice Of Destiny Ministries and PrayFastDaily. org, a strategic praying, fasting, teaching ministry. Also, he is the author of "SHAPED for Destiny" and Director of the Denver Destiny Center.
UNDEFINING MYSELF
By Purvi Patel
didn’t plan for my life to shift that night. It wasn’t a thought-out strategy or a milestone I had mapped.
But in the early hours of my 45th birthday, after years of deep introspections and multiple coaching sessions that dismantled the illusions I had held onto for so long, an interesting realization became clear. While lying in the dark stillness, wide awake, an epiphany emerged: I wasn’t just exhausted. I had lost myself in my job. And if I didn’t walk away now, I may never find my way back.
Something profound shifted in me. It wasn’t panic or fear, though I should have felt both. It was calmness, an undeniable knowing.
For years, I tried to manage my stress, patch the cracks of what felt off, tolerate what was draining me. But that night, I realized the real issue wasn’t me—it was the life I had
built around demands and expectations that were never truly mine. And the only way forward was to let go, without a plan, a roadmap, or a next step.
Just the raw truth: staying trapped in a role that drained my life energy was no longer an option. I was surrounded by obligations that suffocated me, in an environment that chipped away at me. I had spent so long defining myself by external markers of success, by what I was supposed to be, that I had lost sight of what actually mattered. And so, without guarantees, but with unwavering certainty, I chose to step into the unknown.
Undefining myself wasn’t a single moment; it was a slow, intentional unraveling. I began stripping away what didn’t align with me. The expectations and relationships that depleted me, the roles I had stayed in out of obligation rather than heart, had to go. I didn’t rush to replace them. I let the space exist, allowing myself to sit in the discomfort of not knowing.
"I learned that identity isn’t something you build to meet expectations; it’s something you reclaim when you stop living by the rules that were never meant for you."
And in that space, clarity began to surface; not, “What should I do?” but “Who am I?” What stayed were things that felt real—connections that energized me, values that had always been mine, but had been buried under the noise. I learned that identity isn’t something you build to meet expectations; it’s something you reclaim when you stop living by the rules that were never meant for you.
Walking away from certainty was unsettling, but the real fear had always been staying in a life that wasn’t mine. In undefining myself, I found something I never discovered following the script—freedom.
Also, I discovered something more powerful than the plan I once thought I needed: the unwavering belief that by letting go of what no longer fits, you create space for something greater.
I didn’t know where I would land after making the decision that night, but I chose to believe, in my core, that the net would appear. But I didn’t need a net after all. What I found was more steadfast, more freeing. I found myself.
Purvi Patel is a certified life coach and business consultant. She blends intuitive coaching with actionable strategies to help you stop second-guessing yourself, make confident decisions, and take action to build a life that gives you more time, energy, and freedom—without burnout, regret, or wasted effort. Learn more at www.candorlytics.com or connect with her at candorlytics@gmail.com.
Brother2Brother:
A Lifeline of Brotherhood, Mentorship, and Hope in Uncertain Times
By Malachie Brunache
“We are raising young men to be protectors and providers in a nation that does not protect and provide for them.”
— Alleceia M. Walker
In 2024, the political landscape shifted once again, with Vice President Kamala Harris stepping in as the Democratic nominee and ultimately losing to former President Donald Trump and the Republican party. For many, especially in Black communities, the election results didn’t just signal a political loss, they signaled a national regression. As policies began to take shape that excluded, marginalized, and dismissed the experiences of Black men, one truth became clear: we must build what the nation refuses to offer—community, support, and guidance.
It was in response to this sobering reality that visionary advocate, Alleceia M. Walker launched the Brother2Brother Monthly Virtual Meetings. More than just a conversation space, these meetings have become a vital sanctuary—a place where Black men, both young and seasoned, come together to process life, uplift one another, and rebuild what the world so often tries to tear down.
As a rising junior majoring in Political Science and minoring in Criminology, I know the pressure of being a young Black man trying to carve a path forward in a system that was not built for us. When Ms. Walker invited me to Brother2Brother, I didn’t hesitate, knowing I needed to connect. What I didn’t expect was the deep sense of belonging, reflection, and power I would experience.
In my first session, we were led by Mr. Juan Lee, a respected community figure whose wisdom and lived experience commanded attention. We discussed everything from navigating predominantly white institutions to career-building strategies. But the moment that stayed with me most was when I questioned whether my hobbies and interests were “distractions” from my academic goals. What followed was a powerful conversation on purpose, passion, and how joy itself can be a revolutionary act for Black men in America.
That’s the kind of space Brother2Brother cultivates—real,
raw, and restorative. Here, we’re not just mentored; we’re reminded of our worth, brilliance, and our right to thrive. These virtual meetings have become a spiritual and strategic anchor in a time of national instability and attempted cultural erasure. The Monthly Virtual Meetings are held every Third Monday at 8 pm EST - https://us02web.zoom. us/j/81914293923
Let’s be clear: Brother2Brother is not optional, it’s essential. In a world that consistently tries to silence us, this space hands us the mic. It is a living, breathing example of what it means to protect, support, and affirm young Black men.
To every young brother who’s feeling lost, isolated, or unsure of where to turn—know that you are not alone. There is a circle waiting to receive you, guide you, and grow with you. When the world turns its back, we turn to each other.
So, when you’re ready, reach out. From one Brother… to another.
Malachie Brunache is a Junior at Howard University majoring in Political Science and minoring in Criminology from Boston, Massachusetts.
WE NEED YOUR STORY NOW MORE THAN EVER
By Kiara Shanay Lee, PhD
You’ve lived life — a life full of ups, downs, comebacks, setbacks, bright days, dark nights and everything else in between. You’ve fought demons, vices and spiritual attacks with blood, sweat and tears. Some of these battles have rendered you the victor, while others have left you the victim. Your story, whether you embrace it with pride or view it with shame, was carefully curated with purpose and intention by God Himself, the greatest author of all time. He wrote it for you, but He also wrote it for the rest of the world; we need it just as much as you do. In my work as a ghost writer and speechwriter, I can tell you without a doubt that the world needs your story now more than ever.
Your story and all of its setbacks might serve as the blueprint for your neighbor’s comeback. Amplifying your story, whether through writing, public speaking, or other means gives the world your instruction manual on how to overcome. Living in a world rife with uncertainty is mentally challenging. The most common mental illness in the US is anxiety, according to Mental Health America; to add, the American Institute of Stress reports that almost 80% of people in the US experience stress so severe, it impacts their physical health. In this particularly challenging moment in time, sharing your war story may be a matter of life or death for those who are suffering the most.
As a writer, when I doubt the worth of my words, I turn to God’s word. Not only does His word build up my confidence in weaker moments, also it reminds me of who I
am and whose I am. In fact, the guiding scripture for my communication consulting business, The House of Psalm, is Psalm 46:5 — “God is within her; she will not fall.” When I share my story and amplify others’ stories through my poetry, children’s books, public speaking, research and more, confirmation reveals that I’m doing God’s work. I’m simply the vessel and the vehicle for work much larger than meets the eye. I’m answering a call much more involved than I could ever fathom. Sharing my story means living in my purpose; living in my purpose means accepting the call and embracing the God in me.
Start the book. Write the blog post. Speak to the youth in your area who can learn from your triumphs and tribulations. Stop dismissing your past with shame and guilt. Start using it as a life raft to rescue your brothers and sister from the storm – possibly the same storm God saved you from way back when.
We need you to share your story. God needs you to share your story.
Kiara Shanay Lee, PhD, is the founder of The House of Psalm, a communication consulting business, through which she helps clients turn truth to power with authentic strategy and expert writing services.
NO NEGATIVITY = BETTER HEALTH:
Spiritual Directives for Living Positive in a Chaotic World
By Camille West-Eversley
We are assaulted daily by negative news, images, language and thoughts via the multitude of media and social media outlets. Has this world’s system become the new “hostile work environment” causing trauma daily? Have negative thoughts become the primary focus of the day? Part of having good health is having a healthy mind. Are your thoughts or the bombardment of negativity affecting your health? Avoiding negativity, according to an article by the Mayo Clinic entitled, “Positive Thinking: Stop Negative Self-Talk to Reduce Stress” has many health benefits such as increased life span, greater resistance to illnesses, better cardiovascular health, and reduced risk of death from cancer. Once again medical findings agree with the Bible about its benefits. In Proverbs 4:22b, the word of God is hailed as “life to those that find them and health to all their flesh.”
While it may seem difficult to hide from negativity, there is a better way to live a “NO NEGATIVITY Lifestyle.”
1. Memorize and Obey Godls Word
The best way to combat negativity is by learning scriptures. Psalm 119:11 tells us to hide God’s word in our hearts so that we do not sin against Him. By acting and reacting to negativity in a Godly manner, we avoid having to ask for forgiveness later. Seeking the Lord first and patiently waiting before responding, we may discover that no verbal response is needed and if so, God can direct us in how to do so.
2. Break the Worry Cycle
Meditating on God’s word and training our minds to focus on good thoughts are keys to breaking the worry cycle. Next, continue to pray. As we talk to God, our relationship and intimacy with Him grow and with that comes trust followed by His peace, which settles every anxious thought. Then, “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
3. Follow God not the Culture
We are all living in the world, but we do not have to behave and respond like the rest of the world (non-believers) do. The more we focus on negative thought patterns and behaviors, the more power we give the enemy. Instead, let’s be living examples of the transformed life received by believing in Jesus. As stated in Romans 12:2, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind...”
4. Praise and Worship What better way to renew our minds than through praise and worship! As we sing, dance, praise, and shout declarations to the Lord, we create an atmosphere that honors God and invites His presence. Psalms 22:3 says, “He inhabits the praises of Israel.” In return, we can receive healing and breakthroughs in our lives. Be inspired to “Make a joyful shout to the Lord… Come before His presence with singing.” Psalms 100:1-2
WHERE THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS, THERE IS FREEDOM, NOT NEGATIVITY!
Camille West-Eversley is the new leader of CMAT, a mentoring ministry to incarcerated and homeless women. All scriptures are from the New King James Version.
THe Saboteur Who Stole My Moment
By Azure Rooths
About ten years ago, my favorite uncle, Richard, gifted four individual DNA genetic tests to me and my siblings. I knew it was important to him—he and my father had only one photograph from 1953. At the time, they were just three and four years old, placed in foster care after their biological mother suffered what was then termed a “nervous breakdown.”
We all graciously said thank you, submitted the mouth swabs, and were excited to discover our family’s origins. But after receiving the results, none of us seemed interested in doing the additional work to connect with the relatives identified as living in our immediate ZIP code.
Fast forward to the eve of my 49th birthday in March 2025. My younger sister was contacted by a cousin inquiring about our father, Charles, the eldest child of Geraldine, our biological grandmother. A group message was created on Messenger, and just like that, we began piecing together 72 years of family history. I learned that my grandmother had four more children. I shared the only photo I had of her, and to our surprise and joy, we were invited to meet our extended family for the very first time—at Aunt Gilda’s 65th birthday celebration.
From conversations with my father, I knew that our grandmother had been institutionalized at Byberry (The Philadelphia State Hospital), a facility notorious for its treatment of individuals diagnosed with mental illness. That night, my aunt shared that our grandmother had been committed twice—both instances rooted in trauma and spousal abuse. It was a heavy truth, but one that brought a deep level of empathy and understanding.
To commemorate the night, my brother and I proudly took a photo with our newly found aunt. But as I looked at the picture, the moment was nearly stolen. Instead of seeing the decades of prayers, dreams, and hope fulfilled, I saw one braid—out of place. I blurted, “Now why wouldn’t you tell
me to fix my hair?” Wait—what?
That’s when it hit me: my saboteurs had almost hijacked a sacred moment.
So, what exactly are saboteurs? According to Dr. Shirzad Chamine, we all possess a Judge— the inner voice that critiques ourselves, others, and our circumstances. Beyond the Judge, there are other saboteurs: the Hyper-Achiever, Pleaser, Avoider, Controller, Stickler, Victim, Hyper-Vigilant, Hyper-Rational, and Restless. These traits develop in childhood as survival mechanisms, but in adulthood, they often rob us of joy, peace, and connection. When left unattended, our saboteurs negatively impact our happiness, well-being, and relationships.
That night, my Stickler and Hyper-Achiever collided in the frame. But instead of letting them win, I chose to reclaim the moment—and my joy. I caught my judge and his accomplices, my saboteurs.
As you reflect on your saboteurs, can you recall any stolen moments? Moving forward, you get to choose. With the right strategy, you can be happy, live well, and foster better relationships.
Azure Rooths, is a faith-led executive coach and the founder of Enhanced Excellence, an Executive Coaching and Consulting Company dedicated to helping purpose-driven professionals clarify their mission, align their values, and lead with purpose. For more information, visit www.enhancedexcellence.com or email info@enhancedexcellence. com. Follow Azure on Instagram (@enhancedexcellence) or LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/azure-rooths/).
FORGIVENESS, A GOAL FOR LIFE
By Bonnie Krill
Making the choice to hold or release unforgiveness with its negative emotions can hinder or help your life. Studies show that holding on to feelings of bitterness, anger, and resentment can cause physical symptoms like ulcers, high blood pressure, mental and emotional trauma, anxiety, and depression. Harboring anger and resentment are toxic to us. Granting forgiveness, on the other hand, offers an emotional freedom that can pave the way for healing.
Adopting forgiveness as a goal can help us define ourselves as resilient, capable of growth and change. And we don’t have to try to do it alone or in our own strength. God will provide wisdom when we pray and ask for it. Even when we don't know what to pray for, God intercedes if we approach Him sincerely, seeking help. We have help to be able to do what God tells us we need to do.
So, how do we go about beginning to forgive? Another way to talk about forgiveness is to use some different words like “release” or “let go”. This means agreeing and committing to the process of letting go of what we feel the other person(s) owes us because of the hurt they caused. It is an UNTRUTH to be told that we can’t feel mad/angry, struggle to forgive, or even that it will happen quickly. True forgiveness is not about excusing the wrongs done or forgetting the pain. True forgiveness is releasing the person(s) and oneself to live without fear, shame, guilt, bitterness, or the need to retaliate.
True forgiveness doesn’t mean we always must stay in relationship with those who have hurt us. We must never put ourselves or others in a dangerous situation. (If necessary, find a safe place for you and loved ones if any kind of violence or abuse is present.)
Jesus knew the price of forgiveness for the sins of this world would be excruciating. He prayed, “Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not my will but yours
be done.” Jesus understood that forgiveness is difficult, and we must release the person(s) to God. Jesus taught us this by saying, as he was on the cross, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”
If you can safely confront the person, by yourself or with others to support you, and explain how you’ve been hurt, and if that person listens and truly apologizes, you may be able to mend the relationship. However, reconciliation takes both sides accepting the truth of what happened. Even if reconciliation isn’t possible, and we never have a relationship with that person(s), we are still called to forgive. Forgiveness replaces anger/bitterness/resentment and the need to retaliate and replaces them with internal PEACE.
Jesus died for all sins, ours and everyone else’s; even those people who have hurt us. In growing to realize how much we have been forgiven, and to be followers of Jesus, requires learning to forgive. Therefore, we should make forgiveness one of our life-long goals.
Bonnie Krill is a member of CMAT, a ministry to incarcerated and homeless women.
HEALTHY CHOICES Simple Disciplines for a Better Life
By Ella Coleman
Living a healthy life doesn’t have to be complicated or overwhelming. Often, it's the small, consistent choices that make the greatest impact on our physical and mental well-being. Whether you're a busy professional, a parent juggling multiple roles, or a retiree seeking to stay vibrant, these four practical disciplines can help you feel better, move more, and live with greater balance.
1. Eat Nutritious Meals
What we put into our bodies fuels everything we do. Choosing fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins over processed foods can improve energy, boost the immune system, and support longterm health. Preparing meals at home and avoiding excess salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats are simple ways to take control of your wellness. A nutritious diet isn’t about restriction—it’s about creating a sustainable way of eating that nourishes you from the inside out.
►Research shows that people who follow a healthy eating pattern have a 30% lower risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer.
2. Drink More Water
Many people reach for sugary sodas, juices, or energy drinks without realizing the toll they take on their health. Water, on the other hand, helps flush toxins, improves digestion, and keeps your brain and body functioning at their best. Aim to drink at least 6–8 glasses of water a day. Carrying a reusable water bottle and choosing water at meals can be easy ways to build the habit. When you're hydrated, you feel more energized, focused, and refreshed.
►A study published in the journal Nutrition Reviews found that adequate water intake can improve mood, memory, and energy levels—especially in older adults.
3. Family Exercise Together
Movement is more fun and effective when shared. Whether it’s walking after dinner, dancing in the living room, biking on weekends, or playing a sport, regular physical activity as a family builds stronger bonds and healthier habits. Kids learn by example, and when adults prioritize fitness, children are more likely to follow suit. Even 20–30 minutes a day can make a difference—and create memories along the way.
►According to the CDC, children with active family support are twice as likely to stay physically active into adulthood.
4. Power Naps Work
Rest is not laziness—it’s a critical part of staying alert and productive. Power naps of 15–30 minutes can refresh the mind, enhance memory, and improve focus. They help the body reset, especially during long or stressful days. When done wisely, short naps can be a secret weapon to boost overall performance without interfering with nighttime sleep.
►NASA research found that a 26-minute nap can boost alertness by 54% and performance by 34%—benefits anyone can enjoy, not just astronauts!
In Closing
Healthy choices don’t require perfection, just intention. By practicing small disciplines like eating nutritious meals, drinking more water, staying active with loved ones, and allowing your body time to rest, you're setting a powerful foundation for lasting wellness. Each step brings you closer to a life filled with energy, clarity, and greater joy—one smart choice at a time.
Business & Financial Wisdom
Ways to Survive and Thrive in Unstable Economic Times
By Ella Coleman
As the economy in America and the world shifts and changes, becoming more challenging, shrewd financial planning is essential. Individuals and families should seriously examine their finances and be proactive in creating a plan to not only survive but thrive. Whether you have little or much, how you handle money and assets is critical. Many people waste a lot more than others live on, and now that previously funded “brooks” are drying up, new and alternative financing is critical. Determining other incoming possibilities should be on our minds—but in a creative instead of a stressful way. More than ever, it is extremely important to look at our finances with faith and confidence, not fear or dread.
Here are some basic but powerful steps to regain control and build financial resilience:
1. Count and List Your Assets
Take an honest inventory. This includes savings, property, equipment, skills you can monetize, and even time. Sometimes what you do have is simply underutilized.
2. Total Your Income
Write down all sources of income, even small ones. Side gigs, part-time work, or rental income all count. Look at it monthly and annually.
3. Total Your Expenses
List every recurring expense. Then, ruthlessly evaluate what can be cut or delayed. You may be surprised at what’s draining your wealth.
4. Assess Any Losses
Identify what financial losses (jobs, opportunities, investments) you’ve faced. This helps you release the past and focus forward with strategy.
5. Identify New Income Opportunities
Start brainstorming skills, hobbies, or services you can offer.
Millions have risen from humble beginnings using creativity and grit. In fact, according to Pew Research, about one in five U.S. adults raised in the bottom fifth of income distribution make it to the top two-fifths in adulthood— showing that mobility is real with the right focus..
6. Explore Creative Financing for Assets
Don’t assume home ownership or investing is out of reach. Many individuals partner with family, friends, or investors to buy property or other appreciating assets. This can be done legally through shared ownership agreements drafted with the help of a business attorney or financial professional. With the right terms and trust, creative financing can open doors that traditional lenders may keep closed.
7. Plan for Generational Wealth
Educate yourself and your family about money and ownership. Create wills, trusts, and shared agreements, then get them notarized and placed where your chosen executor and heirs can access. Then you can protect and pass on assets intentionally. Families who retain wealth purposefully also pass it on. Research shows that 70% of wealthy families lose their wealth by the second generation, and 90% by the third, due to lack of planning and education.
Be the exception. With faith, planning, and discipline, you can rise, rebuild, and pass on, not just assets, but wisdom.
“Moreover, it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.” -1Corinthians 4:2 NKJV
QUOTES OF WISDOM
“If you know whence you came, there is really no limit to where you can go.”
— James Baldwin (African American writer and activist)
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”
—Proverbs16:3(NIV)
“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome.”
— Booker T. Washington (African American educator and leader)
“When you learn, teach. When you get, give.”
— Maya Angelou
—Proverbs3:15(NIV)
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
“It always seems impossible until it is done.”
— Proverbs 3:5–6 (NIV)
— Nelson Mandela (South African anti-apartheid revolutionary)
“Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.”
— Langston Hughes (African American poet)
“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.”
— Marcus Garvey (Jamaican Pan-Africanist leader)
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
— Proverbs 1:7 (NIV) “Wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.”
Growing People, Going Places Growing People, Going Places
Growing People, Going Places Growing People,
Purpose For Life Foundation (PFLF) is a nonprofit organization providing food, shelter, tuition, classes, and training to improve the lives of disadvantaged youths, adults, and families.
Purpose For Life Foundation (PFLF) is a nonprofit organization providing food, shelter, tuition, classes, and training to improve the lives of disadvantaged youths, adults, and families.
and Elevate.”
Purpose
(PFLF)