Positive Thinking takes conscious effort as you retrain your mind to minimize negativity. Trying to see good in everything and everyone can be a struggle some days so I want to highlight small moments of positivity that I see as I live day to day. These moments are featured as "Heart Smiles".

It's been some time since I posted a Heart Smiles​ so I decided to share a recent experience.

I had some car trouble while I was at the post office which resulted in my car blocking half of the entrance to the parking lot. While there was plenty of space for others cars to get around my car I was still parked in an inconvenient spot. I saw the worst in people that day as some folks yelled and honked their horns. I also saw the best in people as many others came over to offer assistance. Despite all the help that was offered there was nothing anyone could do to help. Even the first tow truck that arrived was unable to tow my car because the gear shift was stuck so the car could not be sifted into neutral. One lady in particular came over to help and after I told her I had been sitting there for hours she offered to bring me lunch. I declined her offer so as not to cause anyone else any inconvenience however, to my surprise, she came back about 15 minutes later with food and a drink. I asked her about the cost and she waved off my question and wished me a merry Christmas. I gave her a tearful hug as I had long been pushing myself to stay positive while I held back the frustration of being in the way and having to explain the situation a dozen times as new people offered to help. My heart still smiles when I think about her gesture even weeks after it occurred. She embodied the Spirit of Christmas that day and I am glad she was able to share it with me,

 Dear 2016,

You have truly pushed me further than I ever imagined I could handle. I thought I had seen the worse that life had to offer me but by only the grace of God I'm still standing. Every tear,  heartache, disappointment, and feeling of defeat challenged me to push a little bit further. The moments I wanted to be alone to sulk I was challenged to straighted up and act right.  I was smacked in the face with the scriptures I quote, the advise that I give, the affirmations I proclaim, and my very own words to find out where my faith truly lies. For all of that I am thankful. 

Thank you, 2016, for reminding me how imporant it is for me to walk what I talk. Thank you for slamming me down and forcing me to tap into the divine power placed inside of me to conquer all things that seek to conquer me. I now see better than ever that all things work together for my purpose...and I finally really believe it. On January 1st I expected you to be the best year of my life and when it all fell apart somehow you really were. You were the year that made me reevaluate everything about myself and led me to find that I am truly all that God says I am. The year that made me take hold of what was and declare over it what I am determined it will be. Never before had I been able to see the sun shine so brightly  and in you I realized the only way I could see it was to be in the midst of clouds. 

2016, I am grateful for everything you have brought me and look forward to the remaining days we have together. I will forever remember the things that you taught me and how you showed me that the battle is already won.

With great expectation,

​Romaine 

This image is the new wallpaper on my phone. To you it may not look like much more than a dead leaf but for me this image is a reminder of things to come, a sign of hope in dark places, a trigger to set my mind on what I hope for instead of focusing on where I don't want to be. It's a beacon for me, here's why:

The image is of a dead leaf with the backdrop of a sky with a setting sun. A perfectly shaped heart is created by the broken pieces of
the leaf revealing a peek of bright sun that is lighting up picture. The sun rays peeking through the leaf causes the leaf to shine in the picture even though it is clear that the leaf is falling apart. All these elements combined create a beautiful image of a quiet moment in time.

I see hope in this photo because even as the leaf is dying it is foreshadowing the promise of a new day. Even though the leaf is broken inside it bends towards the sun as if it's fighting to shine up until the every end. And even as the leaf is dying it seems to be using the place where it is broken to give light to the viewer. This, for me, is the image of HOPE.

Hey Legends! I just read this quote and it really spoke to me so I thought I'd share it with you. Read it a few times aloud and ask yourself honestly, "Am I really committed?"

If you follow this blog then you know I am an advocate for positive thinking and that I strongly believe all change begins in the mind. You also know that I am a woman of faith and that my faith plays a major role in my decision-making.

On the heels of releasing my thought transformation program I had to take things a step further for people who believe their minds are already in the right place. I have one question for you: If you believe you can have a better life and you have faith that change will actually happen, why hasn't it happened yet? If you haven't seen the fruits of your positive thinking and faith chances are you have no works. The scripture referenced above brings to light an issue that keeps many of us from having the lives we truly desire. The issue is simply that we have the faith but have no works.

If you don't quite understand I'll put it more simply, we believe we can actually achieve something, that it is possible even if it seems impossible; however, we have not taken any action to make it happen. How can you expect something to happen when you haven't taken any steps to make it happen? Sure, you can believe that you'll lose weight one day but if you never take steps to clean up your eating and to exercise the pounds will stay on. You can believe you'll be rich one day but if you never take the opportunities that can bring you those riches your bank account will remain the same. It's simple to understand but somehow so many of us get caught up in the space between believing we can do something and actually doing it. 

So, whatever positive thoughts you are thinking or dreams you are dreaming be sure to add some works to that faith so what you see in your mind can become reality.