WINTER 2024
PURSUING MORE
CHIEF EDITOR SADIRA PREPARES YOU TO PIVOT AND SHIFT UPWARD!
COZY RECIPES to warm the soul!
WINTER RECOMMENDATIONS
To kickstart your year
EXPERT OPINIONS
Answer your questions about traveling + MORE!
Letter from the editor
We have entered a season where “staying the same” is just not a sensible option. What do you do when you run up on that boulder in the road of your life? When it’s not a “moveable mountain”. When it’s not a sea to be parted, but it is in fact a “sign”, and everything about it is screaming DEAD END. I believe very often there are points where God is trying to get us to change course and we mistake it for something we need to try to remove when it is emphatically a “sign” from heaven that’s saying change course, pivot. To pivot is to decide on impact over passivity, low-grade or lack, it’s when you switch up a specific area in your life in order to benefit and suit your current needs for well-being, wealth, and wholeness. Forgoing a road that at a time seemed right, even divine or God ordained, can be challenging. The truth is our lives can be somewhat like a GPS, in that the end destination is set, BUT there may be some rerouting in the middle. In this Winter Issue, I have come to challenge you, nudge you, stir you, put a fire under you, and maybe even irritate you into pursuit of more: to SHIFT: PIVOT. Sometimes the “blessing” “the greater measure” “the more” is just not on the road you are currently traveling. Betterment, thriving, advancement, upgrade should all be on your agenda in a time when the subliminal message of the enemy is trying to keep people fixed in failure, off course, and forgoing the future of God for their lives. My Dad used to always say, “any good business sits down every quarter [or least every year] and assesses their progress: their gains and losses, their strengths and weaknesses to determine the next moves.” We have to be bold and courageous enough to LOOK and critically ASSESS, taking stock in our own lives to see if it is measuring up to what God has intended. We have to ask ourselves some real and sometimes hard questions, “Is this all?” “Is this what I was made for, or to do?” “Am I happy?” “Do I feel fulfilled?” Joy (inner contentment
and satisfaction; a fruit of the spirit) and happiness: prosperity “having a good/ blessed journey” are byproducts of alignment with the plans of God for one’s life. You experience these things when your life is holding firm to the meaning and purposes it was intended for. I believe that there are times when a shift in our course is all that’s needed to tap into the greater portion for our lives.
“
NOW IS THE TIME TO PIVOT, TO PUSH IN, EYES FOCUSED FORWARD, AND RUN HARDER THAN YOU EVER HAVE TO FIND YOURSELF ALIGNED WITH THE TIMING OF YOUR MORE!
The truth is we are sensitive to upgrading our clothes, cars, furniture, cellphones, etc etc, but why do we have to be reminded to upgrade our souls (mind, emotions, etc.) and the course of our lives. In many professional careers CE “continuing education” is required. Choosing to upgrade your communication skills, emotional intelligence, spiritual acumen, education and health is paramount to living your “best life”. Now is the time to pivot, to push in, eyes focused forward, and run harder than you ever have to find yourself aligned with the timing of your MORE! What your “more” looks like may not look like anyone else’s, but I promise you’ll know it when you see it. Our amazing contributing authors have some tools to share with us. So let’s gear up and prepare ourselves for the journey, being ready and willing to do whatever it takes, and “pursue more” so that we can “Soar in 2024”
SADIRA DAVIS Editor-in-Chief @starlambpress
BEYOND THE TWEAK: 3 KEY PIVOTS TO A HIGHER LEVEL OF LIFE
Tools to cross out of health and weight plateaus.
EDITOR’S ADVICE
PIVOT IN LIFE: A MOMENT IN TIME NOT A POSITION ON THE FIELD OF PLAY BRAGGING RIGHTS
Explore paths to having a winning journey when being willing to shift well.
Things that can minister to your soul, body, or spirit.
NUTRITIONAL NOURISHMENT
Enjoy these easy Winter recipes with in season ingredients sure to make you cozy and warm.
Testifying, sharing what we have witnessed, of God’s amazing power and grace in our lives encourages others. It reminds us that no matter how bad a situation looks there IS HOPE with God.
WE ARE WHAT WE EAT...MAKING THE PLATE GREAT
Chief Editor Sadira helps us create a satisfying life by managing our minds and mouths.
BROUGHT TO VICTORY BY THE MELODIES OF THE STORM
Obstacles in life are real but music and mindfulness can shift your position for good.
ASK THE EXPERTS
Experts answer your most asked questions.
Pause. Take a moment. Have a little fun with our brain teasers.
& AFFIRMATIONS
SANIT SOURCE y
CONTRIBUTORS
Sanity Source is built around bringing a diverse array of opinions and experts to serve our woman readers of all walks. Currently, our amazing contributors vary each issue to bring you the most relevant content for the season. We are grateful for each of their perspectives.
BUFFIE O’NEILL
PUBLIC SPEAKER | CEO + OWNER FINDING GRACE UNDER FIRE COACHING
Buffie is a multidimensional woman, mother, and grandmother, who seamlessly mixes her grace and femininity with grit and strength to navigate life with humor and style. Her extensive background in education, leadership, and her commitment to giving her heart to serving others has prepared her well in breaking the barriers and status quo for women in business and coaching others who are starting over.
Email: findinggraceunderfire@gmail.com
PATRICIA CORDOVA
TRANSFORMATIONAL HEALTH & WELLNESS COACH
Patricia Cordova is a passionate, transformational Health and Wellness Coach who works with women who desire to make changes in their bodies, health, and vitality. She holds certifications from the Institute of Transformational Nutrition (ITN) as a Transformational Health Coach, as well as the Institute for the Psychology of Eating (IPE) as a Certified Mind Body Eating Coach. She is currently accepting clients for her individual coaching programs. email info@feelfabulousnutrition for a complimentary 30-minute coaching session.
TINARAE WHITWAM
PASTOR | ENTREPRENEUR + BUSINESS OWNER
Senior Pastor at Valor Christian Center , Wife of 38yrs, Mother of 3 Grown Adult Men, Grandmother of 3, Business Owner of Over 3 Businesses & 2 Ministries, Entrepreneur of New Start Up Online Education Platform Valor Life and 2 ½ Years From 60…. All the while recovering from a traumatic brain injury (7yrs ago) where I have had to relearn how to spell, add, communicate and so much more. My passion is encouraging people about the faithful Love of God and how He has prepared us for this day and this hour (whoever has breath) and writing what the Lord shows me in everyday conversations with Him and interactions with others. www.valorcc.com | (480) 545-4321
INTERESTED IN WRITING A SUBMISSION?
If you have a special skill or talent, or an incredible testimony, that can feed the souls and lives of our audience of women we want to know about it. You may request a Submission Criteria Form via email.
Send your request to: StarLambPress@gmail.com.
Indicate in the subject box which form you need: testimony criteria form or featured article criteria form and we will send that out.
OUR TEAM
This small team is committed to the effort of delivering the right message that speaks to each of our readers. We are excited to grow in the future!
The Sanity Source magazine is a wellspring of truth, testimony, and resource for women of all walks to thrive.
Contact us!
StarLambPress@gmail.com
SADIRA DAVIS | Editor-In-Chi E f
Sadira is the founder and editor in chief for Sanity Source magazine. She has been instrumental in changing hundreds of lives over the years as an outspoken leader and life coach: healing, guiding, and setting souls free through ministry, coaching, leadership training, conferences, and multiple published works.
AARON GIBBS | Graphi C dE si G n E r
Aaron is a talented creative that produces work from illustration to architectural building design with a passion for details.
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THE FOCUS IS DIFFERENT.
PHOTO | KALEN EMSLEY
KEBA AD
providing empowerment to all moms
A MOMENT IN TIMENOT A POSITION ON THE FIELD OF PLAY PIVOT IN LIFE
ARTICLE | TINARAE WHITWAM
Senior Pastor. Business owner and entrepreneur. Mother of 3 and loving grandmother of 3. Having recovered from a traumatic brain injury seven years ago, she’s had to relearn how to spell, add, communicate and so much more. She’s a walking testament of pivoting. Her passion is encouraging people about the faithful Love of God and how He has prepared us (whoever has breath) for this day/this hour and writing what the Lord shows her in everyday conversations with Him and from interactions with others. This is a story of perspectives about her experiences in life.
LENDING PERSPECTIVES…
I found marrying an entrepreneur at eighteen years old would mean I needed to understand how to make monumental decisions in a moment and live with the outcome (good or bad). This also included making decisions that did not make sense to those around me, and considering more than the immediate and simple implications to any of these decisions.
Being a Bible believing, God-fearing and God-trusting woman, I found that I thought differently than most typical business owners who were just “in it for the money”. I happened to see it as a spiritual mission field and am focused on the “balance and just scales’’ the Lord calls for according to the Word of God. As a business owner I’ve had to learn, every action has an
incomprehensible reaction that affects more than just me, my family, and my desired outcome. So, every position I found myself in, and decision, became even more valuable. Learning how to pivot in the field of business and ministry became an asset to my skill sets.
In all of the businesses we have owned, the most interesting and challenging were the ones we needed to assist with others “Pivoting” from what they thought they were to do, or the closing of a business and all of the shifting of responsibilities that come along with that decision. These were slow processes that were not rushed. Challenging, and yet rewarding to our own faith. We have been blessed to grow a computer store business from a humble home-based business to a multimillion-dollar endeavor while in our mid-twenties. We also learned how to walk away from it, when we were called into full time ministry training. Pivoting would you say?
LESSONS FROM BIBLICAL LEADERS…
One of my favorite accounts in the Bible is Paul’s life, and his leadership ability to pivot in the moment of challenge without ever losing his calling (assignment) or sense of direction. His life transitioned from murdering Jews, which was fueled by the Chief Priests, to imprisoning followers of Jesus, to becoming a remarkable disciple of Jesus. His conversion was a monumental pivot from where he thought he was going
in life. When Paul discusses his education as a Jew, his experiences before and after accepting Jesus as the Messiah, I began seeing the fluidity he preached of learning to “abound” in every circumstance (Phil 4:12-13). When we see Paul in Acts 26, we see him excited to give account for himself before King Agrippa regarding being held prisoner and charged with crimes against his own people’s religion yet not a true crime against anyone. Paul knew by the Lord he was to go before Caesar and made the appeal in due course, however, we watch him go to Rome and actually save the lives of others along the way because of his obedience to the Word God and the instructions given to him for his direction. Paul embodies the perfect pivots!
In Acts 27, we then observe Paul further holding fast to his faith and purpose even though his appeal to Caesar sent him as a slave unlawfully charged with crimes and set among the other prisoners. Paul was facing the same issues as those around him: bound and in grave danger. The storm that day was so vast and so treacherous with all their lives being held in the balance. However, Paul had an assurance that his Faith in Jesus provided: God speaks when you seek Him. This is more than confidence; this was a daily experience in walking in a new provisional state once he personally accepted Jesus as the Messiah and the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets who gave His Life for all mankind. That road to Damascus set a new course for Paul’s life that he did
not need to fight against, nor rail against others to perform, but to embrace and go with it. While on the ship, Paul had warned of the oncoming issues that would be faced and could be avoided, but no one with authority took heed. Later, Paul became the voice of reason for survival and the only one on the ship that knew God would save them if they listened. The account tells us “ Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up (Acts 27 20).” Paul had not given up. It simply required pivoting from “saving us from all the pain and circumstances” to “saving everyone’s life in these circumstances.” Pivoting demands flexibility.
I HAD OBSERVED THAT IN MY YEARS ... IT SEEMED AS IF I WAS CONTINUALLY STUCK ON THE FIELD OF PLAY IN THE “PIVOT” POSITION
Paul did not lose his identity or relationships over the tasks at hand. In fact, he was born to walk in the overcoming way God had provided before he was ever born! Paul would continue in the details of this account and face the opinions of others and still keep going to the point that others would be saved spiritually and physically. Paul considered others’ lives just as valuable as his
own, and because of his ability to see them in the equation he has impacted generations with deliverance through the Word of God.
You, my dear friend, have likely read the scripture that tells us “God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34)” as Peter declared before Cornelius and his household. This practice of preaching salvation to another culture was not the way of the Jews! So they doubted Peter, and he had to explain and defend that God visited him and told him to do it. He explained that anyone willing to seek and hear from God should have the opportunity to know the Truth of the Gospel! Still, we find that those who do hear and seek God, can impact the lives of those around them as well, and they are able to be transformed because of the Gospel and the obedience of them to His Word! We learn from these biblical apostles (Peter and Paul) how to masterfully pivot in obedience to God, and how it benefits both us and others.
ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE…
During a ‘Personal Mastery’ course meeting by The Klemmer Group, I found myself sitting with a university athlete who played basketball on the women’s team. We were paired to share something of a personal nature during one of the exercises. I found myself telling her something that I had never shared out loud with anyone, something buried in my heart, that I never realized I needed to address. (Thank you Holy Spirit)
I had observed that in my years of both business and ministry that it seemed as if I was continually stuck on the field of play in the “pivot” position. It seemed that I was often given the ball to score, but I was always stopped somehow. So I was consistently having to pivot and pass the ball off to others to score and they would then take the shot to score. They would then claim the solo victory for the points. I expressed to her how I thought we were a team in business and ministry, and that it takes a team to win. I further told her how I never felt “considered” after the success and wins for the scoring players in life. I continued explaining how I was trying to take solace in this “position” of mastering pivoting in life and only assisting others to succeed and being left behind when it came to the victory.
This young woman listened and then responded with such profound words that set me free. “Pivoting is the weakest position on the field of play.” “Pivoting is a moment in time and not [just] a position of the field” “Each position is created to Score” and that is why we are all out there. Where I had lost heart in trying to see ‘pivoting’ as a ‘position’ and being stuck in simply assisting others, I had also lost the frame of mind that, ‘I was called just like everyone else’, to overcome obstacles and shoot and score for the team. If you are on the floor as a team member, you are expected to take a shot and not just pass the ball off because you are in a challenging position for a moment in time.
COMBINED LESSONS= TRANSFORMATIVE REVELATIONS…
See, Paul, did not lose his identity when he was raised to be a Pharisee and in duty fulfill the orders of the Chief Priests. He was bold and confident in his assignments. However, when Paul had that monumental transformation on the road to Damascus – He also did not lose his identity – it was clarified. He instead pivoted, from where his “old frame of mind” was trained, to the new perspective Jesus revealed: “Why persecute me”. Paul (who was formerly named Saul before that day of transformation) was exceedingly trained in the Jewish Law and Customs (writings of Moses; Torah & the Prophets). His defense of God was well established – until He came face to face with the Word of God – Jesus. Paul did not lose his foundation of the Word of God and training – it was literally a great foundation for understanding the new direction and positional authority he would walk in going forward.
IF YOU ARE BEING UNCTI0NED TO STEP OUT INTO THE FULLNESS OF WHO GOD HAS CALLED YOU INTO MINISTRY...DO NOT FIGHT IT BUT POSITION YOUSELF.
This is the pivot that is amazing! It is not working for someone else’s comprehension of the Word and duty to imprison others (i.e. Chief Priests) – but to begin to set people free with a way that was just beginning to herald (i.e. the Gospel of Jesus Christ) “the Good News” and God would in fact enlarge his reach sending Him to the Gentiles nonetheless! EXPANDED reach, a pivot of all pivots!
Maybe you’re like me. I, like Paul, needed a revelation and to be set free from chief priests’ mindsets that had me working for them, instead of the liberating Gospel of Jesus that brings “good fruit” (personal upgrade and increase) and not only helping others to succeed!
Pivoting in the real world should allow you to no longer have to justify your actions. If God is telling you to begin a business and you know His voice…you need to begin your planning stage. If you know you are being challenged by God to step out of business into coaching/mentoring others… you need to begin shifting by building the platform for that. If you are being unctioned to step out into the fullness of who God has called you in ministry… do not fight it but position yourself. As Paul was well trained, so should you be also if that is your call, but move into position whether it’s in business, life, or ministry. Of course, there may be some additional knowledge required and I do not discount that! However, move in obedience towards the “more”.
Remember, pivot is not a “position’ on the field of play. It is simply a moment of time where shifting-while-still-IN-play occurs. It is a moment of time. Are you to “take the shot” – are you even looking to? Or are you to pass to someone that has the “shot”? My mindset had taken me out of the positional authority in the game of life – my job is as a SCORER also! Everything else is just along the way to getting there! Positional authority got you on the field in business and in ministry! Don’t lose sight of it. Paul knew the Word of God so well from his training that he knew to “do no harm” and others around him would benefit from his call in Christ Jesus. Paul fought for the lives of those on the ship and never got caught up with his life alone. Jesus did the same thing, especially when He was “moved with compassion and healed them all” or when faced with the multitude following Him so far that there was not food to buy or sell to feed them – so he blessed what they had and fed the multitude even when the disciples could not see a miracle possible! Paul also blessed the bread and ate on the ship being tossed before they had to head for land after the ship broke up, saving the lives of the prisoners in the process! There were two-hundred-seventy-six people on that ship! Lives saved because Paul trusted the Word of God for his life! Life cannot take us out if we stay focused on God and His will for our lives.
FINAL FOCUS…
Paul did not lose his identity because life threw accusations, storms, fear and challenges at him. He did not break relationships because of differing opinions! In fact, he tried with all that was within him to reason with those who were without the understanding of Jesus’ rising from the dead and being the reconciling force God had sent to be the Messiah as spoken of in the Word of God.
We, too, must know that we can have confidence in our moments of challenge. You may define these as a pivot, but I encourage you not to lose focus that you are already accepted on the field of play, already a requested team member. Whether as businesswoman/ man, a professional minister of the Gospel of Christ, or a liaison in many other facets of life. YOU have the position of Scorer! Do not get distracted by the action of the pivot! Scoring is your victory so look for that, position yourself for that and walk that out! Paul had testimonies of overcoming success even though he had to hear from God on when and where to go next. YOU have the same success when you do not lose heart, stay focused and like Saul on the road to Damascus – be ready to hear from God should you need to change your footing and take the next satisfying step in changing lives for good! It is the “lifestylepivots” that will bring the best out of you and save the lives of others because you are on the field to Score!
We cannot become what we want by remaining what we are.
Max Dupree
3 KEY PIVOTS TO A HIGHER LEVEL OF HEALTH! BEYOND THE TWEAK
ARTICLE | PATRICIA CORDOVA
Have you ever felt that the little “tweaks” that you could rely on in the past, just don’t seem to get the same results as they used to? I know I have.
If there was ever a place where we will be reminded of this fact, upfront and personal, is within our own bodies. When our body is in discomfort or out of alignment, it has a way of reminding us of its unhappiness. Aches, pains, soreness, an upset stomach, headache, tension and anxiety are all examples of times that our body is communicating with us. It is in distress and is looking for us to help. Now, our special tea, or hot towel or soup, etc., doesn’t seem to have the magic that they used to. Tweaks work great...until they don’t.
Unfortunately, as we age, the toxic world we live in, along with less than ideal choices we make (along with occasional accidents and viruses) create issues that begin to accumulate and multiply. Our faithful “tweaks” no longer serve our needs. We begin to feel as though our body is no longer our friend but our adversary.
This is the time to PIVOT!
The good news is that our body is our friend, and wants to heal and thrive. So where do we begin?
PIVOT 1: Yo U r
h E a Lth M antra
I believe our first pivot begins in our mindset and mantra around our health and body. If our main focus is on what we don’t like about our health and body (yes, I can have a loooong list) .. then it’s time to pivot. Repeat as often as necessary but at least once a day 10x is best: I am healthy, flexible and full of energy! I love doing this first thing in the morning while smiling at myself in the mirror. If you find yourself resisting, say it 20x!! Simply, this pivot will work because our mind will believe what we repeat most often, and our brains will start to seek that which is in alignment with those words and the action and choices that will lead us towards health, flexibility and energy!
A useful first step is to make an unemotional checklist of where you are today. I like the body scan approach:
hair
head
neck
face
shoulders
arms
chest
abdomen
intestines
legs
feet
skin
weight energy
(you can get even more specific if you so desire)
Make of note of where you stand today beside each one of these areas/ and then rate them as High, Medium or Low Concerns
A few examples:
Feet: stiff and pain on top/ occasional cramping / High concern
Arms: needs more strength and muscle tone/ Medium concern
Stomach: very rare upset/ Low concern
This exercise will remove the emotion and start to look at the facts of the situation. Don’t overthink this, just trust your own evaluationthis is your body. This step will help you prioritize and measure your improvements (I suggest every 30 days) as you start implementing your pivots.
PIVOT 2: f UELI n G
Yo U r B odY
Many experts will say that our body resembles a chemical lab. All of the food we put into our mouths will go through a process that will either fuel us for optimal health or sludge up the process and cause inflammation and disease, which accelerates aging and decline, both physically and mentally.
Are you sludging or fueling your body? At every meal, I ask myself if this food choice is going to “fuel” me or not. Your body is your Ferrari, choose the best fuel.
So what is the best fuel for our bodies? To keep it simple and direct: unprocessed or minimally processed foods. I believe you already know what I am talking about.
Unprocessed: vegetables, fruits, organic meat, fish, legumes, nuts
Processed: most breads, cereals, sweets, most pastas, and package products
Why does this matter so much? Because, unprocessed foods contain the most minerals, vitamins, proteins, fats and simple carbs that keep our cells and organs functioning optimally! If available, generally speaking, organic will be best when possible.
Aim for 85-90% of the time to be fueling ie; 21 meals a week = only 2 or 3 meals not ideal. Aiming for the bullseye is best, because even if you miss, you’re still on track! Honesty is the best policy. Fuel or Sludge - will you pivot and be honest with yourself?
Since we are having an honest discussion - let’s address the elephant in the room: Fast food and Restaurants - sorry to say, they are SLUDGE! They don’t FUEL us! Believe me, I love a great meal at a great restaurant. Even at high end restaurants, you cannot come close to the food quality you can control at home. I always feel my best, when my restaurant visits are limited to no more than one or two meals a week. If you eat “out” more than “in”, I would pivot immediately. The amount of time we spend in lines waiting to get our “quick” meals could be wisely spent, (planning ahead of course) preparing some pre-cooked or quick cooked meals at home where YOU control the optimal fueling ingredients.
PIVOT 3: U p G rad E
This pivot may be the most unexpected, yet the most impactful.
Have you ever wondered how some of the most successful and happy people, who run multiple companies, have a loving family.. and they are in great health.. do it? (I’m talking about the neighbors down the street as much as the public successes)
I believe early on they pivoted to making the most impact out of every minute of their day. They spend their time on the priorities in their lives. Number one, is that they prioritize themselves by devoting time to being healthy in mind, body and spirit. They eat healthy, keep their bodies moving, get optimal rest and have quiet time for reflection. They rarely waiver from these habits because they wish to serve and lift others up. They give time to their families and friends, and they nurture those relationships. Their businesses create wealth by providing services and products that enhance the lives of others. They learn to say “no” to those who will waste their time or drain their energy. They limit their exposure to negative news and events. They fill up their free time by enjoying nature and the beauty of the world we live in.
Take time to examine your minutes, hours, days, weeks, and years of your life. Then PIVOT and prioritize what is most important for you, in your life. Always start with YOU and your health ...and that pivot will transform your life.
EDITOR’S ADVICE
Winter is a time to go into “planning and preparing mode” in order to be ready for the moment when it’s time to “rise and shine!” Hard changes are often made in the darkest or quietest seasons. Seeds must go into isolation and darkness to “breakforth” and shape shift and THEN break from the soil’s coverage into the light of day. So it’s here, NOW, where we gain resolve and resources to produce for our reaping season. So I’m focusing my advice on such.
My premier advice: Do a thorough assessment of every area of your life. Grab or buy a great journal to begin this assessment. Making a section in the journal for each area that you are going to investigate with intention for upgrade. Some areas I suggest are:
Physical health [skin/hair health, weight, BP, blood-sugar/cholesterol, sleep habits, eating habits, supplements needed etc]
Emotional health [how you process anger, confidence, kind of friend you are do you really ‘show up’ for others the way you think, are you relationship ready, do you have a healthy self-esteem and self-worth etc]
Financial health [is your saving where you want, credit score, retirement and investments, emergency fund, are spending habits healthy etc]
Career/Business health [do you have an exit plan or do you plan to retire from your current job/career, have you sought funding/grants for business ideas, do you need some additional classes/schooling, have you researched what’s necessary to launch your business/book/career shift or increase profitability, etc]
Spiritual health [is your relationship with God viable, do you relate to talk to and feel close to God when you aren’t in church, are you clear that you have the right spiritual support/church or academic entity, do you have righteous integral leaders/mentors, what area is weak …fasting/prayer/study habits etc]
Dreams/Goals [have you researched your dream trip, what it costs and any preparatory measures like a passport or savings, do you need to complete a certification/class or be at a certain physical weight/condition, do you need to train and build up the stamina to complete a 5K race, do you need to register for a painting class or spin class, do you need to research the maintenance cost for an upgraded vehicle purchase, etc.
In each of those sections write out or answer some specific questions: Is this area at its best? What needs to be improved? What’s not working? What’s working against the health of my… [body, spirit, money, dreams, etc]? What are some solutions, plans of action for remediation? Be as detailed as possible, and revisit it multiple times. Once you create it you’ll then think of things, and/or begin
noticing things that need to be on the list, for repair and as solutions. Creating this is like opening a door, and it will now cause the answers to come forward in your mind and spirit. Be encouraged to know that it is NOT bad to look at areas that need improvement or to righteously plan, it’s wise and courageous. Seek support if you need it. Sometimes polling the people in our lives can be helpful. Very often those in our circles can readily see our strengths and our weaknesses, so be courageous and seek out some constructive criticism. Last but certainly not least: pray over these things, and let God speak both helping you to see areas that you may have overlooked but also to give you answers and surprise goals that HE has determined for your life to achieve.
Hire one or both, a therapist and/or a life coach. You can benefit from good ole talk therapy [psychotherapy] and support with your emotional and mental health goals. Oftentimes the remedy to a better life is tied to the removal of historic traumas and wounds that have become boulders blocking the roads to our destiny. Proper processing and “closure” is a real
thing. Just do it, there’s no shame. We ALL need this, it has just been stigmatized and so many avoid it, but those who do it have tremendous life gains. Recommended Christian Life/ Therapeutic Coaches:
Erica Holmes-Harris | www.itsbiggertm.org
Sadira Davis | www.sadiradavis.com aaa
Belinda Allen | www.belindasallen.com
Find a mentor and sit in an apprenticeship. Having access to the wisdom, skills, and insights of one who has gone before you and is seasoned and/ or have mastered the area(s) that you are seeking to rise in is of underrated value. You need this. Diligently pray and search for such a mentor.
Eat living/real foods [in their original God form] MORE than processed foods [modified, with additives, coloring, and preservatives added]. Changing your diet is NOT easy, but making a conscious decision to eat more live and real foods is a good place to start. Unfortunately in our current world food is so processed and reproduced genetically that we have to personally be more critical of what we eat. Be your own FDA. Choose what you want for you and your family to ingest. Remember “you are what you eat!”
Get some type of life insurance, an IUL [a permanent life insurance that provides a death benefit to your beneficiaries], or some type of resource in place to financially fund your post-life arrangements [burial/ cremation/mausoleum placement etc.]. As well as sufficient excess to provide financial reprieve for your loved ones during their time of grieving your departure and for whatever time frame you determine thereafter. STOP waiting as you do not know the day nor hour of your inevitable death. Don’t leave your family to have to scrape up coins to try to bury you while they are already weighed down by the grief of the loss. I’m sure there is someone in your sphere that provides legal support, life insurance sales or both. One trusted resource I know that you may reach out to is Ivette Kutateah.
Social Media @KingdomSheroLawyerInHeels
Email Info@KuyatehLawGroup.Com
Website www.KuyatehLawGroup.Com
Phone (619)535-0066
Create a vision board(s), any size, or do multiple sizes for different areas [home/ office etc]. Raspberry swirl cheesecake brownie. Now tell me you’re not trying to picture it in your mind, maybe in your mouth. LOL. The power of our brain to attempt to create and/or latch onto things we see, whether physically or in our minds, is beyond your understanding. That’s why the advertising industry [Ads: TV & social media commercials etc] have been consistently categorized as a “global multi-billion dollar industry”. Utilize that power for good in your own life by creating a space where you “sell yourself” on your own goals and dreams. It’s powerful! Try it. Have fun with it. Do it alone, do it with family, or with a group of your favorite girl friends, but just do it this year and see what you produce. Be intentional to actively look at it regularly and sit in the reality of the things you put on it. I have not always done this but I did in 2023. May I report that I have fully achieved/accomplished several of the things, but I have initiated the processes for ALL of the things with very great strides and with full sight of completion. Habakkuk 2:2-3 (AMP) says, “Write the vision, AND engrave it plainly on [clay] tablets So that the one who reads it will run [be activated to do it] For the vision is yet for the appointed [determined/ future] time It hurries toward the goal [of fulfillment]; it will not fail. Even though it delays, wait [patiently] for it, Because it will certainly come; it will not delay.”
WE ARE WHAT WE MAKING THE PLATE GREAT
ARTICLE | SADIRA DAVIS, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Have you ever thought, “Who am I?” “Why am I this way?” I want to declare to you first and foremost that you didn’t just arrive and become “who you are” today. There are five major contributors that have shaped you into who you see right now. There’s your unique God given make-up [the REAL you], then add in your culture/ environment, your upbringing/ socialization, how you think about it all, along with what has been said to you about you and by you.
Some of us as young girls were so impacted by the “oohs and ahhs” that were made over us, and that’s not bad, but it has made us think the world should just give us whatever we want without you having to do anything but show up cute. Have you been formed by fanfare? Others of us can be highly critical of ourselves and dismissive of our dreams and plans if we’ve come from critical parents, dysfunction, and lack of the swooning crowds.
Shaped and deeply impacted by that environment and those words. These are just some examples of the power of our experiences to shape our thinking and how we can respond to life. Here’s the tea, we get to choose how we show up as adults no matter what factors have influenced and shaped us to date. We get to choose how we think and how we behave. It’s all in what we eat, what we consume or “put in us” that determines what we will be. I think sometimes we forget, or are just ignorant to the power tools God has given us to choose, think, and speak powerfully and creatively. If you’ve been guilty of saying, “this is just how I am” I want you to refrain from saying that anymore because that’s not really true. There’s really so much more to you.
YOUR MOUTH AND YOUR MIND MATTER!
One of the greatest revelations of my life is when I realized I don’t have to be, do or respond to life based on the expectations of others, or even of the unhealed version of myself. Changing the narrative is within my power and control. Surely God has plans for us, but we often don’t even consult Him or tap into those beautifully made scripts until we hit rock bottom and are fumbling around in the depths of our mess, clouded, weak, and sometimes exploited.
We can excavate our mind and souls uprooting every lie, the seeds of doubt, insecurities, and limiting thinking that have blocked God’s best from springing forth. Now for those attesting “great cooks” and “creatives” you already know that there is a lot of work that goes into crafting something great. It’s not our “lips, hips, and fingertips’ that are the primary ingredients. Neither is there this button where we can just “will it into existence” with our charming personalities. We must thoughtfully, creatively, and strategically work to make our lives masterful.
SEARCH FOR THE GOD-VERSION OF YOU!
Today that changes! We have to understand that we are powerful, beautiful, and smart, and we can change the narrative to align with God’s great plans for us that are good. There’s so much more!
A fundamental part of this is in discovering who we really are. I’m talking about the real you, the one God had in mind when He formed you and called your name. So much of what we think about ourselves comes from how we’ve been treated, what others have said, or how others have perceived us. Sometimes it’s not at all what God has said about us. According to Him, “we are fearfully and wonderfully made” divine originals bestowed with greatness in every fiber of our beings (Ps 139:14). So we end up with this conundrum: what we’ve thought and believed was true for years and what really is but is unknown to us. Marianne Williamson so eloquently describes the truth about it in this famous excerpt from her 1992 book, “A Return to Love.” She says, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that
PHOTO | SOBHAN JOODI
we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.’ We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” WOW! What a revelation! Such truth God revealed through her, yet it is spoken to us expressly throughout the word of God. So let’s get more into how we make the “plate” great.
SAY WHAT HE SAYS, BELIEVE WHAT HE SAYS!
Going back to the concept of how we are what we eat, and how we then manifest based upon those things. Remember “as a man thinketh so is he (Proverbs 23:7).” So just like making a recipe YOU get to decide the ingredients. In order to be what God has determined we must say what He’s said coupled with other supporting truths. Rehearsing the word of God over your life and using positive affirmations is like superfood to your soul. This is one of the things that contribute to your make-up that is within your control. As a child you couldn’t control how
you were raised, BUT you can choose how you continue to grow now that you’re an adult. We also can’t control culture and external environments but we can control what parts we “eat/consume” which contributes to how we think and behave. In reiteration, we can control what we craft by how we think and what we say. God has given us a little but powerful tool by which we can create and build with. According to Proverbs 18:21 “life [prosperity/thriving] and death [deficit/destruction] are in the power [execution] of the tongue.” Therefore, we are to be master builders and renovation experts since we have the power to do so right from our mouths. What are you saying? Watch what you say (Psalm 141:3-4)!
REHEARSING THE WORD OF GOD OVER YOUR LIFE AND USING POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS IS LIKE SUPERFOOD TO YOUR SOUL.
We are major contractors in the building of our lives. Maybe you don’t really believe that these things play that great of a role in who you are and how you are, but I promise you they do. Again, “as a man thinketh, so he [will be] Proverbs 23:7.” This phrase emphasizes the absoluteness of us being products of our thoughts/mindsets AND actions. So how do you unearth the “real you” and show up in all the power and glory desired by all
of heaven? You MUST upgrade how you think and how you speak. Change the internal subconscious negative narratives. Take time to sit and think introspectively on how you often respond to things, and you’ll stumble on those negative narratives that “sneak out” and show forth in our behavior patterns.
DON’T UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF TRUTH TO CHANGE THINGS!
If you were told “you will never amount to anything” when you were younger or even in adulthood you need to counteract that with a positive righteous affirmation. You could say, “I was created for good, I WILL accomplish everything God has destined for me (Eph 2:10).” Maybe you have felt like everybody else deserves to be happy, to be loved. You can eradicate that thinking by rehearsing “I AM lovable. I was made for love, and I AM accepted in the beloved (Eph 1:6).” Here’s the last one, if you have thought, “I can’t do XYZ…” I want you to say, “I CAN do ALL things through Christ that gives me strength (Phil 4:13).” You get the point?! Any wrong or negative thinking, and any erroneous ideas that have been sowed and planted in your heart and mind MUST be extracted and overridden by truth. The bible tells us to aggressively deal with these types of thoughts. In 2 Corinthians 10:5 [paraphrased] it says, “[Cast] down [destroy] imaginations [untruths/lies] … that try to override what you know about God and what He’s said.” I call it “policing” your thoughts, but
WE CAN TRULY BE ALL WE WERE CREATED TO BE IF WE COMMIT TO EATING WELL AND LIVING WELL.
it could also be considered the WWF (World Wrestling Federation) style smackdown. Whatever you call it, take charge of what you allow to be in your mind and override it with truth from God. Truth liberates: it sets you free! In the place of freedom is where you find grace to think, speak, and live differently, better, and to be empowered to be you. This is where you will meet and learn the “new you” , the “real you” versus the culture and trauma crafted you that was bound and didn’t have the freedom to be great and manifest in your life previously.
We can truly be all we were created to be if we commit to eating well and living well. Actively choosing wisely where we go, who we allow to be in our circles and speak into our lives, and what we are willing to say about and over ourselves. We have the power to be great! Go on and pursue more for 2024. You got this!
PHOTO | DOLLAR GILL
Brought to Victory by the Melodies of the Storm
ARTICLE | BUFFIE O'NEILL
“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” (Plato)
What do you do when life is throwing all its “hard balls” at you? Do you cave, do you fold, do you quit? Do you become an emotional wreck and pitch a tent for a never-ending pity party? Or do you master personal reinvention, perfecting the pivot as you climb higher and higher to the greatest point of your destiny. In 2005 I returned to college, as a non-traditional student, married and with two children. When I embarked on this journey pursuing my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education, I had no idea how every step going forward would guide me to where I am today. This is where hindsight becomes extremely valuable in seeing the plot twists, curves, and sure enough lessons in the road.
Every detour has a purpose and many pitfalls are providential, even though we may not realize it at the time.
As I was finishing my classes and preparing to do my student teaching, I was faced with huge PLOT TWISTS: I lost my job, went through a divorce, and got a cancer diagnosis. I was horrified and had absolutely NO idea how I was going to provide for myself, raise my children, finish college, find a job and win my battle with my health. It felt like the ceiling came crashing down on me, with no floor beneath me. I felt like a failure as a woman, mother, and wife. I was devastated. I DID NOT feel emotionally prepared or equipped to handle all of this.
I EVEN QUESTIONED IF GOD ABANDONED ME! Yup, can anybody relate?
Yet, God carried me out of the fire of my marriage ending and protected me from being consumed by it all. He prepared a new journey and path for me. A path where I could explore and find and reinvent myself. It was at that moment that something inside shifted. Sheer determination, unrelenting strength and fortitude blanketed me like a cape. I HAD to be strong! I HAD to be brave. My children needed me, and I knew I had more to do in this life. I refused to let "THIS" be how things would end. I knew I HAD to fight and I knew what I was fighting for. I certainly didn’t realize that all this was happening FOR ME and not to me. It was preparing my path to help others equip themselves emotionally, for this beautiful crazy thing, called life.
structures. This resonated strongly with me and inspired me.
Our emotions and feelings are strong catalysts for human drive. They direct us in almost everything. This can be a recipe for disaster, especially when one takes action and reacts in a high emotional state, without the correct thoughts and intentions. Intelligence can go out the door. Fortunately, as humans, we can regulate our emotions and feelings. Sadly, this isn’t a subject taught in schools. Our thoughts create emotions and this combination of thought plus emotion is a primary contributor to our life experiences. Our environment, experiences, conditions, and energy are factors that create our beliefs, thoughts, feelings, and emotions. These leave a cellular imprint that humans can recall. This recall directs how choices are made, allowing us to take action (or refrain), and has the greatest impact on our decision-making abilities. This knowledge shifted me.
my MEDICINE: FINDING COMFORT IN MUSIC my MUSIC TECHNIQUE
Turning to Music is what got me through every challenge and obstacle. Josh Groban’s song “You Are Loved (Don’t Give Up)” became my place of peace, strength, and comfort. Any song from Enya was like a beautiful rhythmic wave of peace resuscitating a new life over my body, mind, spirit, and soul. My children and I now refer to the music of Enya as “Enya is Life!”
Music became a part of my coping mechanism and my physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual healing and awakening. It also helped me improve my thoughts. Slowly and surely my life began to change and improve in the most amazing ways. I had previously learned about Dr. Masaru Emoto’s discovery in the early 2000s of the impact of the molecular changes of water affected by thoughts, intentions, words, and feelings. His studies found that positive words, intentions, and feelings created incredibly intricate and beautiful symmetrical crystalline structures when the water was frozen; while negative thoughts, intentions, words, and feelings formed distorted, disorganized asymmetrical
One of the tools I use (and teach) is to raise your vibration with music. Intentional selection of songs assist, amplify, and appreciate the feeling you desire. Feeling wonderful, confident, fearless, blissful, or whatever emotion that helps YOU to vibrate higher, can boost and elevate your soul and spirit. Emotion is ENERGY in MOTION. Our emotions are just like an elevator that goes up and down. When we don’t like the emotional level we are on, we can get into our "personal" elevator and subliminally push the button to go to a new floor or level.
Visualize when the door opens at the new level. Have the song you’ve selected for the emotion, playing. Now you get to walk into that emotional state and feel it welcoming you. Different songs can elevate you from low to high levels. We can practice actively choosing our desired emotional destination and the music that can usher us there.
An echo is a sound that becomes an action and motion that goes out to an environment (or to others) bouncing off those surfaces and then coming back to the originator with a new reflection of the sound. A hum is the simplest sound to make music and it provides an echo internally that can redirect our emotions. This leads to positive feelings and provides intrinsic motivation for INSPIRED ACTION. Music literally activates nearly every area of the brain and engages the heart and spirit with the body to create movement and action. It empowers us to make change in the most vivid, beautiful, and amazing ways; enabling us to live a life we never could have imagined for ourselves.
Additionally, I learned that Negative Emotions FEEL heavy and that’s why they can stay trapped in our body and mind on a cellular level for prolonged periods. Positive Emotions FEEL light and don’t pose a physical threat to us. That is why those feelings are primarily stored in our brain and our heart, and get buried by the negative emotions. However, we can interrupt the negative feedback loop, and reprogram our thoughts and align our mind, heart, spirit, and body to create the "FEEL" we desire. There needs to be an alignment of our body’s three “brains”: the mind (our thoughts) the heart/soul (our emotions and beliefs) and the gut (our intuition/instinct). Scientific research is abundant on the positive physiological, emotional, psychological, and physical health benefits of music to retrain and reprogram the subconscious mind to trigger a domino effect of successful results.
my DESTINY: A NEW LIFE HELPING OTHERS
Ultimately, the “hard balls” thrown my way were to enroll me as a student into a “life academy” that I didn’t know I even needed. I trusted the process, overcame the obstacles, and was empowered to pursue more. I didn’t just win for me and my children, I won for others also. I realized that we literally get to choose our reality by learning and shifting our perspective to create new outlooks on life, reality, and to journey on purpose. This does require introspection and acceptance of the fact we are pointmen for our environment, attitudes, thoughts, emotions, and actions.
MUSIC IS A “MAGIC TOOL” TO RECONNECT, ALIGN, REGULATE, BOOST, AND ELEVATE THE MIND, HEART, SOUL, SPIRIT, AND BODY!
IT IS IMPORTANT TO PROCESS AND FEEL ALL OF OUR EMOTIONS, BUT IT IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT TO INTENTIONALLY RELEASE THOSE THAT NO LONGER SERVE US.
Once I personally practiced these techniques with success, I incorporated them into my coaching practice, Finding Grace Under Fire. Now others can learn to fuel their story with a musical soundtrack that keeps their tank full, fueling them forward, while preparing them for all the incredible experiences and opportunities that will be behind the doors of their elevator when arriving on the new floors in their journey upward.
Author DISCLAIMER ** I am NOT a physician or scientist. I am an educator who has transformed my own life and have provided guidance and solutions on aligning thoughts, behaviors, actions, and emotions to hundreds of people spanning childhood to adult. Today I am addressing content collected as result of nearly two decades of study and education and working closely with physicians and professionals who have shared their knowledge and expertise as well as my own personal experience and results from aligning this knowledge and applying it by connecting the dots so to speak with my mind, my thoughts, my heart, my soul my spirit and my body with the practices I am sharing in this article. **
BRAGGING RIGHTS
Testifying, sharing what we have witnessed, of God’s amazing power and grace in our lives encourages others. It reminds us that no matter how bad a situation looks there IS HOPE with God. We can “boast in the Lord” or as the song writer said, “brag on Him!”
FROM BONDAGE TO FREEDOM: A JOURNEY OF HEALING, FAITH, AND TRANSFORMATION
In life, the journey from bondage to freedom is often a tumultuous one, marked by challenges that test the very essence of our being. My personal odyssey is a testament to the goodness of Jesus Christ and His unfailing love. My story highlights the process of overcoming adversity, finding faith, and embracing the transformative power of healing and deliverance.
I started with a broken beginning. It began in the absence of a father figure as I grew up without my biological father in my life. I had to navigate the complexities of life without this foundational source of guidance and support. The void left by being fatherless cast a dark shadow over my formative years. This contributed to my sense of rejection, abandonment, and confusion which shaped much of my early experiences.
As I navigated the treacherous waters of adolescence, I encountered the harrowing ordeal of childhood molestation by individuals I had once trusted. From the age of eleven until age thirteen, I was repetitively inappropriately touched by someone who was supposed to protect me. I was taken advantage of by a person who was held in high esteem. Time after time, these sexual acts were done to me, and I was forced to remain silent. These experiences left scars that ran deep, fostering unhealthy emotions and mindsets that manifested as feelings of unworthiness and inadequacy. The seeds of pain sown during these tumultuous years would bear bitter fruit in the years to come.
At the tender age of fourteen, I found myself facing the frightening reality of teenage pregnancy. In the blink of an eye, I became a mother while still a child myself, grappling with the responsibility and challenges that accompanied parenthood. By the time I was nineteen years old, I was a mother of three little ones. My maturity was undeniable, but there were still significant gaps in my understanding of life and its complexities.
Tragically, the cycle of hardship persisted as I became a victim of domestic violence. Bruises, beatings, and the relentless onslaught of detriment marked my existence until I reached the age of thirty. I survived seventeen years of physical, emotional, verbal, sexual and financial abuse. Emotional and mentally, I was a complete wreck. I had grown to hold an anger and hatred for men. In my mind, they were the main culprit of my abuse and pain. As crazy as it sounds, sometimes I retrospectively look at my life and wonder why God saved me.
In a desperate attempt to break free from the shackles that bound me, I embraced a lifestyle that I thought would offer solace and escape. For eighteen years, I indulged in a lifestyle of lesbianism. Seven of those years I was legally married to my ex-wife according to the state of Illinois; however, the marriage was illegal in the Kingdom of God. Through 2 ½ years of spiritual counseling and soul excavation with Prophetess Sadira Davis, God rescued me. I literally had a Children of Israel experience akin to Exodus Chapter 14. The Lord revealed to me, “Do not be
afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.”
God, in His infinite grace, delivered me from the chains that held me captive. This deliverance was not only a physical release but a profound spiritual awakening. In a divine call, I was prompted to leave everything behind and embark on a “faith and obedience to God” journey from Chicago, Illinois to Atlanta, Georgia. This was a significant leap of faith for me. I left behind familiar faces, my spouse, children, home, and even my church community. As a grown adult, I had never lived alone. During the first nine months of my transition, I was afraid, lonely, and completely depressed. I slept with every light on in my apartment and would jump up at any sound. The enemy’s plan was to destroy me. Yes, his plan was to make me lose my mind. And if I can be honest, I was knocking on the door to insanity. I had one foot in and one foot out. I lived in a constant state of confusion and condemnation for so long. My past was making me uncomfortable and any attachment to sin was nauseating. I had to finally agree with God.
Agreeing with God goes beyond mere intellectual acknowledgment or compliance with His commands; it encompasses a heartfelt alignment with His will, purpose, and character. Agreeing with God meant I had to recognize His authority and completely submit my life to His guidance and direction. I did not understand what He was doing, but I
discovered that my understanding was not a requirement for His sovereignty. Agreeing with God meant I had to trust in His wisdom, goodness, and supremacy, even when His plans and ways were not synonymous with mine.
Stripped of worldly comforts and attachments, I found myself standing at the crossroads of despair and hope. One day I was reading the bible and came across Psalms 34:17-20. This passage of scripture ignited a fire in me to continue my pursuit of liberty. “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.” (NIV).
With nothing but faith as my guide, I completely released the familiar and embraced the unknown. In the emptiness of relinquishing everything, I discovered a hunger for obedience and a taste for the “good of the land.” This transformative journey has been far from easy, but with each step, I have found healing, renewal, and an intimate connection with the Holy Spirit.
My journey from bondage to freedom is an ongoing narrative, a true testament to the transformative power of faith. Through obedience, prayer, and studying the word of God, I have discovered a new life—a life marked by freedom, purpose, and a new identity in Jesus Christ. Today my declaration is “I am free. Praise the Lord, I’m free. No longer bound, no more chains holding me. My soul is resting, it’s just a blessing. Praise the Lord Hallelujah, I’m free!”
Eboni Presswood Atlanta, GA
Ask the Experts
Let’s Talk About Planning Your Next Trip
Traveling is very often on people’s minds when we talk about “living the life” or “pursuing more” so I want to give you some tips and encourage you to reach out to plan your best trip ever. Here are a few of the most commonly asked questions that we get asked, along with some other pertinent safety tips when planning your next vacation.
Shericka Aranda, started GEA Tours & Services, Inc. along with her husband while being pregnant and wanting to have the flexibility to be a stay-at-home mom. Her greatest joy is putting a smile on clients’ faces. With little to no advertisement, their agency has continued to grow in the industry via word of mouth from referrals from existing clients, family members and friends.
shericka@geatours.net | 770-987-2082 | www.facebook.com/GEATours
Q
A
Why should I use a travel agent?
Choosing to work with a reputable travel agent eliminates unnecessary stress as it relates to travel planning. Travel planning can be overwhelming, especially if you are planning group travel or extensive destination travel. Working with an agent(s), gives you access to talking to a live person who will be familiar with you and your travel needs thus allowing them to assist you accordingly. Most agents will make sure that you are pleased with your experience. Some agents may even offer incentives by giving free upgrades or other incentives offered through the agency and/or vendor.
Q
A
Should I purchase travel insurance?
Purchasing travel insurance is at the traveler’s discretion. However, we do highly recommend that travelers consider purchasing it. Vacations can be costly especially when some of the costs are nonrefundable. When considering whether or not to purchase travel insurance, think about how you will protect yourself from the unexpected, whether it be trip delays, health emergencies, trip cancellations, or lost luggage, etc. If a trip is canceled due to a covered cause, having travel insurance will reimburse you for non-refundable or prepaid expenses. Key factors to take into account are the cost of the trip, pre-existing medical conditions, and your overall health to name a few. Overall takeaway, travel insurance is definitely worth purchasing if you are concerned about losing money.
AQAre cruises better than destination travel?
Cruising versus destination travel is a personal preference, both can be great. However, cruises can be considered as an all-inclusive vacation. Cruises give you the opportunity to experience multiple destinations all in one trip and it gives you access to onboard activities and entertainment. Cruises offer spa treatments, specialty dining, drink and wifi packages at an additional cost. Onboard credits (OBC) are perks that are offered by the cruise line which is another great value. For those clients who want to keep their daily exercise regime, cruises have a gym where work-out classes are offered. Cruises give you the opportunity to connect with other individuals who may be traveling from various parts of the world. Depending on the season, cruise pricing overall is often a better value. A travel agent or cruise specialist can be a great asset in helping plan a great cruise vacation.
What to know before you go?
AQBefore you depart for your vacation, develop an emergency plan in the event something unexpected happens. Prepare to leave a folder that can be accessed in case an emergency arises. The documents that should be included are copies of your travel itinerary, health insurance card, emergency contact information, leave a copy of your passport, and a copy of your credit cards with a trusted family member or friend. Make an appointment with your healthcare provider several weeks in advance before your departure date. This appointment will allow you to know your health status before traveling. During your doctor’s visit, please inform your provider of travel plans (i.e. destination(s) you are traveling to, planned activities, and length of your trip).
Enroll with the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment ProgramExternal Link (STEP). Check for and monitor any travel advisories for your destination. Enrolling also ensures that the US Department of StateExternal Link knows where you are if you have serious legal, medical, or financial difficulties while traveling. In the event of an emergency at home, STEP can also help friends and family contact you.
We hope that this information prepares you to feel safe and prepared to relax and have the time of your life on your next vacation.
NUTRITIONAL NOURISHMENT yummy
When Winter blows in and is unrelenting we can turn on a cozy fireplace or pull out our favorite throw and whip up some warm delights. Cuddle up with these tasty comfort foods. We have two simple “winter smoothies,” a cheesy side or main dish, and our succulent chicken and wild rice soup recipe. All of these are guaranteed to warm your soul while nutritionally powering you up!
CREAMY CHICKEN & WILD RICE SOUP
INGREDIENTS
–
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
– 3 celery ribs, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
– 2 carrots, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
– 1 medium onion, chopped
– 2 garlic cloves, minced
– 1 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped thyme
– Kosher salt
– Freshly ground black pepper
– 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
– 1 cup (5 ounces) wild rice
– 2 quarts chicken stock or low-sodium broth
– 2 cups water
– 4 cups roasted chicken or turkey, bite-size pieces
– 1 cup heavy cream
DIRECTIONS
1. Gather the ingredients.
2. In a large saucepan, melt the butter. Add the celery, carrots, onion, garlic, thyme, and a generous pinch each of salt and pepper. Cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables just start to soften, about 10 minutes.
3. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and cook, stirring, until evenly coated and lightly browned, about 3 minutes.
4. Add the wild rice to the saucepan and gradually stir in the stock and water. Bring to a boil, then simmer over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes.
5. Add the chicken and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the wild rice is tender, 10 to 15 minutes longer.
6. Stir in the cream and season with salt and pepper. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve.
KALE AND CAULIFLOWER CHEESE
COOKING
INGREDIENTS
– 1 cauliflower, cut into florets
– 1 cup kale
– 4 tbsp butter
– 1/3 cup plain flour
– 2 tsp mustard powder
– 2 cups milk
– 1 cup mature Cheddar cheese, grated
DIRECTIONS
1. Bring a pan of lightly salted water to the boil and cook the cauliflower for 10 mins. Add the kale to the top of the pan and cook for a further 2 mins, then drain well and set aside.
2. Preheat the oven to gas 7, 220ºC, fan 200ºC.
3. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a pan, then add the flour and cook over a low heat for 1 min, stirring continually. Add the mustard powder, stir and remove from the heat. Gradually add the milk a little at a time, stirring well to beat out any lumps.
4. Return to the heat and bring to a simmer, stirring all the time. Once bubbling, cook for 2-3 mins until thickened.
5. Stir in 2/3 of the Cheddar, half of the Manchego and half of the vegetarian hard cheese and beat well. Add the mustard and pepper and beat again. Add the drained cauliflower and kale to the sauce and
– 3/4 cup Manchego cheese, grated
– 1/2 cup vegetarian Italian-style hard cheese, grated
– 1 tsp wholegrain mustard
– ½ tsp ground black pepper
toss well to coat. Transfer to a 2 pint gratin dish.
6. Mix the remaining cheeses together and scatter over the top. Bake for 20 mins until golden and cooked through. Serve with roast chicken or gammon as a delicious side dish.
SWEET POTATO GINGERBREAD WARM WINTER SMOOTHIE
INGREDIENTS
– ½ cup mashed sweet potato
– 1 tablespoon almond butter
– 1 tablespoon molasses
– ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
– ½ teaspoon cinnamon
– ½ teaspoon ground ginger
– 1 cup milk, of choice
– 1 pinch salt
PEAR CHAI
DIRECTIONS
1. In a blender, combine the sweet potato, almond butter, molasses, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, milk, and salt. Blend on high speed for 3 minutes, or until completely smooth.
2. Transfer the sweet potato mixture to a small saucepan and heat over medium-low heat until just warmed through. Do not boil.
3. Pour into a mug and serve immediately.
4. Enjoy!
WARM WINTER SMOOTHIE
INGREDIENTS
– 1 cup warm milk, of choice
– 2 bags chai tea
– 1 pear, cored and diced
– 1 tablespoon honey
– ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
– ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
DIRECTIONS
1. Steep the chai tea bags in the warm milk for 3-5 minutes.
2. In a blender, combine the chai tea milk, pear, honey, vanilla, and cinnamon. Blend on high speed for 3 minutes, or until completely smooth.
3. Transfer the chai pear mixture to a small saucepan and heat over medium-low heat until just warmed through. Do not boil.
4. Pour into a mug and serve immediately.
5. Enjoy!
THE CALMER YOU ARE, THE CLEARER YOU THINK...
Selah Moment
{Intentional
Pause for Reflection}
Pause. Take a moment. Have a little fun.
Guess the right word.
Crossword Puzzle
Down
1. To keep or hold on to
2. A place to plant flowers or vegetables
4. Object of a person’s ambition or effort
5. Guidance by an experienced person
6. Maker, the biggest supporter
8. Switch up, turn in a new direction
9. A greater or additional amount or degree
11. Vitamin support, enhancements
12. The kinds of food a person eats
13. A guarantee of compensation by a company
14. Forward or onward movement
16. Treatment intended to relieve or heal
Across
3. Different, alter, or modify
7. Regard for one’s own well-being and happiness
10. Collage of dreams and goals
15. Having a calming effect
17. Not existing before
18. Strive to gain, attain, or accomplish
19. Designate something as more important than other things
20. Ideas to reach a goal
21. Hot liquid or chunky meal in a bowl
22. Best Women’s Empowerment Magazine
Prayers & Affirmations
Prayers to Rise & Reign as Dominionaires in 2024 & Beyond
Lord our Lord, God of all creation, we honor you and we call upon you in faith and declare your word over our lives, over every circumstance, and over every “giant” we face. We pray that like Jabez that you would bless us indeed, and enlarge our territory [our sphere of influence, impact, and range of profitability], we pray that your hand might be upon us, and that you would keep us from evil, that we may not grieve you! We thank you Lord for granting us that which we have requested according to 1 Chronicles 4:10.
May we only be bold and very courageous, and may we be careful and intentional to do your word, and to never turn or depart from it; but we will meditate on it day and night, so that we will make our way prosperous, and we will continually have good success according to Joshua 1:7-8.
We are willing and obedient, therefore we will eat the best of the land according to Isaiah 1:19
Father, you know the plans you have for us, good plans not disastrous plans, plans for a hopeful and bright future according to Jeremiah 29:11.
So we will “go up”, we will go out, and we will go into the greatest places in society, in the world, and we will take our seat at many tables, we will possess and conquer in your name according to Numbers 13:30.
For you have brought us to this time, into this place, and have given us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey according to Deuteronomy 26:9.
We declare, “Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him [and us] and let us [in our righteousness] be glad, and rejoice before God in abundance. Psalm 68:1,3. Our calling is to be fruitful, to multiply, to reign [dominate], and to be in continual fellowship with you, and we shall surely do it (Genesis 1:28).
