I haven’t posted in a while, not because I’ve forgotten about it, but because I was in a place that I know all so well but I hate being in; A place of discontentment, lack of faith and a feeling of defeat. See, when I write to you guys, I write from a place of sincerity, experience and in the spirit. Any of you that know me, know that my greatest fear when writing the message behind the voices, is that I relay a message from the wrong voice! So with the disconnect I allowed to form, writing inspirational things wasn’t something that I was going to do, because I refuse to speak in a way that isn’t true to my heart, what I’m experiencing, thinking or being led by the spirit to say.
Any of you that know me, are already aware that I’m big on lyrics…not sure if it’s the hidden singer inside of me or the blossoming writer LOL. A song that makes me analyze my life the way it is now, think about and make previsions for the future and sit back, smiling while thinking about the legacy I want to leave behind is Beyonce’s song ‘I Was Here’. This song describes the kind of life I’m motivated to live and the type of impact I want to leave on those that I encounter. The lyrics are:
‘I WAS HERE’
I wanna leave my footprints on the sands of time
Know there was something that, meant something that I left behind
When I leave this world, I'll leave no regrets
Leave something to remember, so they won't forget
I was here
I lived, I loved
I was here
I did, I've done everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I will leave my mark so everyone will know
I was here
I want to say I lived each day, until I died
And know that I meant something in, somebody's life
The hearts I have touched, will be the proof that I leave
That I made a difference, and this world will see
I was here
I lived, I loved
I was here
I did, I've done everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I will leave my mark so everyone will know
I was here
I lived, I loved
I was here
I did, I've done everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I will leave my mark so everyone will know
I was here
I just want them to know
That I gave my all, did my best
Brought someone some happiness
Left this world a little better just because
I was here
I was here
I lived, I loved
I was here
I did, I've done everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I wanna leave my mark so everyone will know
I was here
……..
So today my voices are asking you:
What type of impact are you having on people’s lives? What legacy will you leave behind? Are you living your life in a way that is pleasing to you and those around you? Will you be remembered in a good way? Has your light shined on people in a way that will brighten paths for years after your gone?
It’s not too late to change the answers to these questions…change the legacy that you’ll leave behind. Change what comes to mind when people think of you… leave an impact on people’s lives when they get to know you. An impact that can change a frown to a smile by something you’ve said or done. An impact that will intercept a state of loneliness when they know they can call on you. An impact that will bring you to mind when reminiscing on people they were blessed to know.
Until Next Time…
I received an email today that read "God created us and therefore we are special, unique, and we have a purpose in life and an important reason for being here." As I read the email I couldn’t help but think what is my purpose?? I use to always say that "Everyone needs a purpose, and if you have no purpose in my life than you are no good for me." I meant every word of it…but now that I’m older I have a different take on everything. In the past I was so busy making sure that I only surrounded myself with people that had a purpose for me I lost sight of myself and fulfilling my role while here.
I use to feel that I haven’t found my niche. You know the saying ‘Jack of all Trades, Master of None’…I think they were thinking of me when they coined this phrase. I have until yet to find that one thing that separates me from the rest, the one thing that I excel at and enjoy doing. So, I always asked myself, where do I go from here? Do I try to perfect all trades or do I pick one and master it?? If I choose the wrong one will it alter my divine destiny because I’m not following his will for my life?
I no longer feel this way. I think that my 23 personalities are what make me special. I feel that my niche is being a jack of many trades and maybe it just wasn’t in the cards for me to excel at one thing. So I’ve learned to just sit back, live my life trying new things, broadening my horizons, which in return takes my visions to higher heights. I believe that each day I’m alive God’s will is unfolding more and more in my life but I have to learn to be patient. Because I believe that peace can only be found within patience. And when I’m finally able to reach the level of peace through patience, then and only then, will I be able to hear God’s voice and be able to listen to the best path to reach my divine destiny.
So today I ask, what is your niche?
Some of the main quarrels in life are because of people's inabilities to understand others, stubbornness to only understand themselves and their refusal to compromise or show compassion for others. I feel that so many of life's hang ups can be freed by simply learning to agree to disagree, without holding a grudge.
The top characteristic that forms a persons view on different situations is the experiences in life that they have encountered. The events in everyone's life is different, therefore it is most likely that each perspective will also be different. We as people need to keep in mind that when looking out of life's window, the view we see will be based on our PERSONAL trials, triumphs and failures.
When feeling strongly about a situation never be so adamant about your point that you completely overlook where the other person may be coming from. Your feelings/opinions are NOT the only things that matter. It may be hard to consider others feelings when dealing with a situation, but at some point you should take time out to try and see where the other person may be coming from.
Today my voices are saying: People who do NOT share your perspective on life will not see the same view you see when looking out of life's window. Each window has a different view!
A Thief does NOT share the view of a Noble Man.
A Hustler can NOT comprehend the strict budget of a Hard Working Man, just as a Millionaire can not fathom the struggles of Ordinary People.
A Mistress could NEVER understand the perspective of a Wife.
A Fornicator can NOT grasp the abstinence of a Priest, no more than a Sinner can comprehend the walk of a person that fears God.
But, if each of these people would learn compassion for others they could co-exist without hate.
Until Next Time…
Most people have to be able to see and know how things will get done before they try to change their situation for the better. Take goingback to school for instance; there are a lot of people that would love to go back to school, if for no other reason than to have that accomplishment under their belt. But, they look at their situation and find a million and one reasons that would make that goal impossible to obtain...no babysitter, what about work, how will I get there, when will I study, what about my family, will it consume too much of my time, can I finish, how will I pay for it (the list goes on and on)? Usually people focus so much on negativity that they rule out any future goals that they may want to accomplish because of the negative clutter already in their minds. The term we "speak things into existence" is quite true. When you think negatively and consider yourself defeated before beginning, you take yourself out of the equation by NOT believing that ALL things can be changed…people, circumstances as well as finances.
What people fail to realize is before you expect someone else to come through for you, you have to make the first move and come through for yourself. Make some moves to better your OWN life and change your OWN circumstances. No one wants to help someone that isn’t helping themselves. My point is, people are more inclined to help those that want something out of life, besides a hand out.
So Today my Voices are Asking you for a Favor: please change your way of thinking? Instead of thinking about millions of reasons things can't be done, think about the opportunities that may arise if you put yourself in a prosperous position. Just start doing things and deal with the hick-ups in life as they arise. You will be amazed at the help and support you get when you step out on faith!
A situation will never change by doing the same things over and over again. You MUST change your way of thinking, if you want any type of change in your life. It starts with you…
Until Next Time
At work I like to use at least one of my breaks to walk briskly. Today my friend and I were walking and talking as we normally do, but today I started sharing some things with her that I hadn’t talked about in a long time and it inspired me to write.
A few years ago my mom would always tell me “Tasha, you’re blocking your blessings by holding on to anger, resentment and pain. You have to figure out a way to forgive or you’ll never be able to truly move on.” I remember this conversation as if it were yesterday. I would just brush her off and say: “I know Ma, but I’m not ready yet.” I felt as if I needed the pain and anger to fuel me to keep going. It was as if the bitterness I had in my heart for those that I feel wronged me, kept me strong, determined and on the right path. As time went on I did just that… I used all Ill will towardsme as fuel to overcome adversity, and depression.
One day I was headed to church having a talk with God (which is normal for me) my intentions were to pray a prayer for me to move on and open a new chapter of my life. And out of no where, I began saying that I was ready to forgive everyone that hurt me and ready to move on with my life. I can remember saying “Lord, I’m tired of being angry, I want to let it all go and stop allowing my past to bring me to tears or rage at the mere thought of it.” By this point I was in tears and literally crying my eyes out… but not from sadness, it was from relief. It was like a weight was lifted immediately! As soon as I spoke those words of forgiveness, the plan for my life changed.
So Today, My Voices are Remembering…Forgiveness is the Key that Unlocks the Door of Unimaginable Blessings!!
If you need the anger to fuel you, Fine…but once the fuel diminishes do not fill up again! Release it and move on with love, understanding and wisdom!
…Until Next Time
If I had to guess the question that boggles everyone's mind, I would have to say, everyone wants to know the answer to “What If”. What if I went to college and did right in the beginning? What if I chose him/her, how would my life be right now? What if I made better decisions when I was younger? What if I this, What if I that? There’s an old saying “An idle mind, is the devil’s workshop”. When I was younger this phrase didn’t mean much to me. But now that im older I fully grasp the meaning of this term.
Think for a second, when does depression or regret usually hit you? When your out enjoying your day, busy at work, running errands? No, depression and regret usually strike in your moments of silence. When you sit still long enough to evaluate and depict certain aspects of your life. Hence, “an idle mind is the devil’s workshop”. The enemy uses what can be moments of peace to attack your spirit and rob you of joy.
I find that the best way to avoid moments like these is to surround yourself with positive people, and keep yourself busy with things that you enjoy. Everyone should have at least one thing that brings them happiness on demand…and if you haven’t found that thing yet its not to late to venture off and try new things. I’ll be the 1st to admit that if something peeks my interest enough, I’m gusty enough to try and conquer it. My many ventures have helped me to embrace who I am and what I represent. Basically, it’s been a win, win for me! I shut down the devil’s workshop by staying busy, discovered hidden talents and learn to love me in my natural essence in the midst of it all.
Today My Voices are Cheering: Forget about the What Ifs, Embrace the Right Nows and Look Forward to your Future with Expectancy of great NEW things. Keep yourself busy by learning to love yourself. Figuring out who you are, will reap greater benefits than dwelling on who you were or who you could have been!
Until Next Time…
I have been a Computer Technician for about 9 years now. I can remember years ago, I was working for Lockheed Martin and I was content with my life. I had a decent job, an ok salary, my own home, and healthy children. In my mind, being the country girl that I am, I was already living at my full potential.
As time went on and I grew as a person and in the word, I soon learned that the state of mind that I was in, was a state of contentment. Simply put, I was settling! I settled for the hand that life dealt me. While working for Lockheed, Katrina happened…despite the tragedies that were faced because of this hurricane, I received a blessing. I was hired for a job that opened my mind to something greater than I ever imagined possible at my age living in Louisiana. I worked with FEMA for 4 years before being laid off. Looking back, I realize that God allowed me to experience that type of money to change my way of thinking and to help me realize that I was limiting myself in so many ways. I feel that he wanted me to realize that I have not, not only because I ask not, but because I didn’t deem it possible.
Having that experience has changed my outlook on life for the better. I no longer settle for what is given or offered to me, I work hard for what I want, speak on what will be, and only accept that which I feel is deserving.
So today my voices are encouraging you to STOP SETTLING! If you deserve a better job, a better boyfriend/girlfriend, bigger house, more dependable car, whatever it is that you may be more deserving of…GO FOR IT!
Today I challenge you to change your lifestyle of contentment. There is always a next stage or something else that can be done to better the condition of your life. I want you to literally write down some realistic short term goals each month. As they begin to materialize, I want you to highlight them. At the end of each month, what ever is left, carry it over to the next month and add it to your new monthly goals…and so on.
The fulfillment you get from reaching your goals will give you the boost needed to start making long term goals. Once you develop the belief in your ability to achieve things the sky will be the limit! I look forward to you accomplishing great things. Keep me posted
…Until Next Time
Welcome to ‘The Message Behind the Voices’. On this forum you will accompany me through my journey of life. ‘The Message Behind the Voices’ is not about me professing to be perfect or a preacher…it’s simply about me traveling along my Journey to Self. My journey to self consists of things that inspire me, my take on situations and things that I experience.
Initially I began writing my blog to release the many things that plaque me and to bring some order to my what I thought was a chaotic mind. As time went on, I started getting a reaction to my blogs that I never thought was possible. I quickly realized that my mind wasn’t as chaotic as I thought and people find comfort in knowing that they are not alone in whatever situation they may be facing. I do not consider myself to be a writer; I’m simply your average everyday woman, putting my thoughts on paper.
I am truly honored for the opportunity to blog for my hometown paper and I pray that this journey is one that you enjoy. Feel free to bring others along for the ride.
It is said that for every door that closes, another opens… Alexander Bell said “Sometimes we stare so long at a door that is closing that we see too late the one that is open.”
So Today My Voices are Screaming: If for every door that closes, another one opens, keep turning knobs until one budges and DO NOT be afraid to turn around if you chose the wrong one!!!
Until Next Time!
My name is Natasha Jarvis and I am a Donaldsonville Native currently living in Laplace, Louisiana. I am a full time mother, wife, student, worker and now blogger. Improvement is one of my favorite words, because there is always room for improvement, regardless of the subject at hand. The last few years of my life I have been on a self-growth journey and I’m always looking for ways to improve myself as a whole. The Message Behind the Voices is not about me professing to be perfect or a preacher…it’s simply about me traveling along my Journey to Self. My journey to self consists of things that inspire me, my take on situations and things that I experience. Writing about these things is my way of sowing…I open myself up, by peeling away the layers one word at a time. I share my personal experiences in hopes that it can affect others in a positive way.
