i am chanel ellis.: i believe.

I am grateful that my friend is sharing her life story. In so many ways, it's like she pulled these thoughts from my mind. This is one of the reasons I admire her so much. Read her story below and you will understand why she is an important part of my life.

i am chanel ellis.: i believe.: "'Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.' -Mark 9:23 (King James Version) have you ever made an attempt to pursue something that has so much potential but when you look at it in its present state, all you see is nothing? perhaps you can see fruition clearly in the future but a pile of ruble in the present?

it's hard to look past your current circumstances to see a bright road ahead but for me, it's even harder to see the prize at the end and then come back to reality only to find my face in my hands.

i'm at an interesting place in my life right now. i'm glad i've come to a point where i can speak positively about my life. (the power of the tongue is so serious.) i've been speaking over my life with such conviction that i've taken myself to a whole 'nother place, the place i've longed for... the place i call peace. i dream more. i've become more creative. i'm excited about life!

but then i look at my current situation and think how am i going to get to the happy place that i keep dreaming about? it's good to be able to say you're going get to your destination. a positive outlook is essential. however, the plan to get there always holds us back.

if we look at our lives and compare where we are right now to where we want be, it can be quite overwhelming. you want to be financially free but you owe everyone on the planet. you want to be physically fit but it's always time to make... and eat the donuts. you want to be married but you're constantly spending your evenings passionately with tivo. it's drastically overwhelming and if we keep comparing point a to point b, we'll never get where we want to be.

thats where i am right now. i have never seen so much potential in my life. i get excited just thinking about it! i've developed so many ideas and goals. those ideas and goals whisk me up and away... but they're just dreams and i'm back to reality, overwhelmed by my current state.

i think speaking goals and ideas outloud is great. but a word is just a word without belief. i know there's been times i said i was going to do something but i didn't really believe it. without believing, getting to that place of destination is gonna be mighty difficult.

when i wanted to work as a radio personality, i wrote "i am a radio personality" on a piece of paper. i kept it in my wallet and said outloud everyday until it happened. after being out of the industry for a while, i decided i wanted to go back but nothing ever happened. the difference between the two instances was that i once believed what i said.

believing puts things in motion. when you believe you're going to do something, you prepare. you plan. you execute. saying something means nothing without belief.

so, in the midst of my circumstance or in the midst of my point a, i not only say that i'm gonna get to point b but i believe that i will. a blueprint has been drafted, direction has been given, and i am now on the road. there will be a day i won't have to dream about it... i'll already be there. "

It Doesn't Matter to Me

Recently, I've been applying for freelance writing positions.  Why? Writing has been something I've always wanted to do, something I've always remained very passionate about and something that I love to do.  I don't know why I changed my major from journalism to biology my freshman year in college.  And I don't know why I never pursued writing as a career.  But, I guess that leads me to where I am now.  I've been writing a lot lately and I've been seeking out freelance opportunities (paid and unpaid) to build my portfolio.  So know matter how far I get away from writing, something always brings me back.  Though, it's never really far from me. 

I applied for an opportunity and received a response back from an editor at an online magazine.  His response, "your writing is not good enough..........," I don't really remember much after the words "good enough."  Though stunned, I was a a little confused because as I remembered the online magazine, the writing wasn't that great to begin.  So compared to what I'd read on the website, I thought my writing was of better quality.  Not good enough.  Really?  What exactly do those words mean to me? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! 

At this point in my life, I am confident and faithful in my skills and my abilities to do whatever I put my mind to.  So when this editor tells me my writing isn't good enough, though at first taken aback, I brush it off and keep moving forward.  I could have easily associated them judging my writing as judging me as not good enough. I keep moving forward past the many jobs I apply and interview for and they chose someone else.  I could have easily associated the selection of someone else to mean that person is better than me.  Instead, I am thankful because that job wasn't for me and had it been given to me I would surely miss out on what God has waiting for me.  So as I move forward, I move past all the NOs I receive.  I move pass those troubles that in past have broken me down and torn me to pieces.  As I face those challenges, I stare them straight in the face and ready to take them on with a fight.  By know means will it be an easy fight.  Yes, I have those days when I can't seem to win, where I can't seem to get a break.  When I think things are bad, sometimes they get worse.  And just as I'm knocked down again, again and again and want to stay down, God picks me back up, dust me off and places me firmly where I need to be.

This hasn't been an easy journey and I know that when things get better, somewhere in my future,  another test awaits me.  Each time I get stronger.  But, each time I wish God had chosen someone else.  But each time, I thank God, because each time the test is shorter than the time before.  Shorter, because I've learned to be obedient.  I've learned to lean on (and stop questioning) God's will.  I've learned to humble myself to my struggle and I've learned to share my testimony with the next person.  I've learned that it's never about me.  It's about God's choice to use me to be a blessing to others.  I've learned to thank God and be grateful for those time when I'm told no. 

So when someone tells me "your writing is not enough" or "you don't have what we're looking for" or anything else that simply means NO, I throw it behind me and keep moving forward.  I know my worth so what someone else thinks doesn't matter to me.

Queen Latifah

I love Queen Latifah. Her stories of strength, inspiration and motivation are amazing! Check out her latest story as posted on Online USA News by clicking on the link below.

Queen Latifah Comes Out

Raw Honey and Brown Sugar Facial Scrub

Honey and brown sugar are for more than just eating.  They have some amazing characteristics that help the skin too.  Being that I have oily, acne prone and sensitive skin, I am always on the look out for something that leaves my skin clean, blemish free and glowing.  I came across this facial scrub on moptop maven's blog (check her out at http://moptopmaven.blogspot.com) and though I'd give it a try.

I've been using the mask 2xs a week for 3 weeks now and I absolutely love it.  It has amazing exfoliating benefits (helps to slough off dead skin cells) and my skin has never felt better.

Raw Honey and Brown Sugar facial Scrub
2 tablespoons of brown sugar
2 tablespoons of raw honey

• brown sugar - sugar has glycolic acid  which helps to eliminate fine lines and wrinkles, hydrate the skin, protect the skin from toxins, and gently exfoliate superficial skin cells 
• raw honey-soaks up and cleanse your skin and pores of excess oil.  Also purported to stimulate skin regeneration.

 

 Here's the regimen I followed, today, when using the honey & brown sugar mask. 

- cleansed skin using oil cleansing method
- applied raw honey and brown sugar facial scrub (massage on skin for 3-5 minutes, rinse with warm water to remove honey and brown sugar, follow with a cool rinse to close pores)
- applied homemade apple cider vinegar toner
- used grapeseed oil as my moisturizer

                                                    WITH THE SCRUB ON MY FACE

 

                                                      
                       FACE AFTER SCRUB (I've also already applied toner and moisturizer)