You Can Be Successful with the Right Ingredients

You Can Be Successful with the Right Ingredients

Know this that success is God's idea and not man’s made. In the Book of Joshua 1:8 it's clearly says this book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; but thou shall meditate on it day and night so that you would observe to do according to all that is written in it and you would may your way prosperous and have good success. Success is up to you, but you must have the right principles and the correct plan. Success is not given but it is earned. Success never comes easy but it comes.

What is Success? There is no cookie cutter answer I can’t give you an exhaustive definition of success; Success means something different for everyone. In simple terms success is the attaining of one's personal goals and dreams. However, I want to caution you no matter which way you define success you will still have mountains to climb.


Let’s talk about Adversity:

Adversity is the opposition that you will face as you pursue your goals and dreams. Don’t be discouraged just keep moving the adversity will pass. My husband worked for Delta Airlines for eight years and without warning, he was given a two week notice and told the division he worked in would transfer to Atlanta. We could have moved to Atlanta if my husband agree to taking a lower paying, with little or no moving expenses covered. Or could have taken the three month severance package options to stay in Los Angeles my family lived in Los Angeles so moving to Atlanta was not an option.

As a result of my husbands lay off and sluggish economy the mounting bills kept coming, my one person salary could not sustain a three person household, so we jointly agreed to file bankruptcy which strained our marriage.

The "Chapter 13 Bankruptcy" gave us some relief but it was still a black mark on our credit in my eyes. As a Christian I felt an obligation to pay off the debt we incurred as a couple. The money challenges we faced continued to put distance between my husband and I we eventually separated and later divorced. I’d worked diligently for many years to pay off the bad debt after our joint bankruptcy filing, it was painful and I sacrificed for years to get back on track. I dealt with opposition and adversity it all came at once. I never gave up on my dreams to be a homeowner I learned many valuable lessons about money, relationships, patience’s and forgiveness.

Through my painful spilt and divorce I learned the true value of money, how to save it, when and where to spend it! As a result of the lessons I learned 20 years before I achieved many short term and long terms goals. I kept my eye on the prize and never stopped reaching for my goal.

Years later I walked out of that embarrassing bankruptcy situation having paid off every bill and I was able to slowly rebuilt my credit. I learned tough hard lessons, I never lost sight of becoming a homeowner the goal of homeownership was always in view. With maturity, discipline and self-control I saved $25,000 and use that money as a down payment to purchase my first home. I beamed with pride I as my realtor handed me the keys to my first place.

Let’s Talk about Affiliations and Associations:

The person you marriage the relationship you forge and the people you associate with, will have a tremendous impact on your reaching your goals. It is critical to evaluate your relationships. Are you friends or associates assets or liabilities? Any relationship that impedes your progress is hazard to your future goals.

Let’s talk about your Abilities:

We are all born with certain gifts and abilities. You may be great at math I may be a great orator once you find out what your gift is it’s up to you to develop it and cultivate it. Most people discover their God given ability later in life. When you discover your gift and ability that’s where you true success will come.

I was in my sophomore year in high school and each student was required to pick two electives for the semester. My first elective was Theatre and Dramatic Arts the class was filled and there was a wait list. I was placed on the wait list and asked to select another class. I was very disappointed I really wanted in. I reviewed the list of elective and decided to enroll in expository speech and writing class. Little did I know that at fifteen years old the seeds of greatness were being planted inside me. I was accepted in Mrs. Gloria Wohler class, she was tough and no-nonsense with her students she demanded excellence. Mrs. Wohler taught me how important effective communication works, how to write a well written speech and how or speaker and present myself in any business setting. She saw my writing gift and speaking ability before I saw it in myself. As a result of taking her speech class it changed my life.

As my talent was developed I entered local, state and national speech competition and I won hundreds of dollar to attend college. I had big plans and high hope but there were many road blocks and detours along the way
I didn’t anticipated or factor in being a single Mom, I didn’t factor in my father becoming ill and passing way suddenly. I didn’t factor in my own job lost and divorce. I didn’t factor in completing three years of college and I having to drop out due to lack of money. But, I kept my eye on my goals.

Let’s Talk Academics:

Reaching your goals will require a bit of patience on your part but you must also be we’ll informed. Knowledge is so readily available it’s only a mouse click away. Your local library has a wealth of information and it's wise to use it.

Most people lose out on great opportunities due to lack of knowledge. We live in age where knowledge is power and readily available. You must seek knowledge at all cost. Hosea 4:6 clearly says my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Solemn was one the wisest man that ever lived, but his knowledge didn’t come from the hallowed halls of universities he asked God for wisdom and it was given. You must decide you have what it takes to succeed and overcome in life. Don’t get left behind remember that Success is God’s idea. I'd like to hear your Success story.