Category: Happiness Advantage

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Finding Peace in God’s Promises

James 1:12- Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Nowadays there are numerous publications out there offering advice on how to live your best life. If you traveled to the bookstore lately or to your local library, you will find designated sections for “self-help” books. I have to admit that I am a book nerd. I love books, I love the feel of a hard-cover book and I get excited about flipping the pages and gaining access to new information. Although there’s a lot of good material out there, things can get a little confusing and overwhelming at times, especially for the Christian believer who is set on living a life that is pleasing to God.

Living your best Christian life is about believing and acting upon the promises that are taught in the Bible.

In the first chapter of the book of James, we’re giving a list of promises that should be used to guide us in our everyday living:

  1. The testing of your faith develops perseverance. Everyone experiences challenges at some point in time. I believe that difficulties come to equip us with the knowledge and necessity to help others. I’ve adopted the following motto for 2016: “Your 2015 testimony is someone else’s 2016 goal.”
  2. Perseverance must finish its work so that you will be mature, complete and lacking nothing. Have you ever heard the saying, “you don’t know what you don’t know?” If you’ve never had direct experience in a situation, you’re unfamiliar with the process and outcome. Test are giving to test your knowledge.
  3. God gives generously without finding fault. There’s no fault in God. Because of his love for you, God made sure to create a way of redemption for you. No matter what your past looks like, it doesn’t matter. Liberty has been giving to all those who believe in God and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
  4. A double-minded man will not receive anything from God. Its your choice, will you choose fear or faith? Decisiveness, clarity and focus on God’s truths are necessary for believing him. For every negative thought that you have, God has a promise and a truth to cancel it out.
  5. A man who preservers under trial is blessed. Trials help you gain humility.
  6. God cannot be tempted by evil. Everything in God is good.
  7. God does not tempt anyone.
My hope is that you find peace in God’s word and understand that His promises are the true and living word to help you along your journey. If you’re experiencing a challenge right now, give it to God. Allow him to work on your behalf. God is able to bless you beyond measure and provide clarity in your darkest times. The book of James is a life-changing, self-help book that provides strategies and real-life application for living a faith-filled life.
This is my prayer: No matter what test, trial, difficulty or crisis you may be experiencing, just know that God has promised to bless you in this time. As you go through situations, you are being blessed in the process. God is able to lift you, restore you and give you a bright future.
Find Peace and Be Well,
Suga

 

 

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Quality Time

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John 1:35 The next day John was there again with two disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”

Having the ability to identify your blessings comes from spending time in the Presence of God, seeking his face and praying his word. Some of our most sacred revelations are revealed when we spend time seeking truth.

In John 1:32, John testified that he saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on Jesus. He was told that whomever the spirit rested upon was the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.

Without revelation, a willing heart and undeniable faith, John would have missed his moment. That one space in time where everything aligned in his favored would have been lost. He would have missed his chance to lead others to Christ. John would have totally blown his moment to shine.

Have you ever missed out on something really important? Something that you had been waiting on and hoping for?

Spending time with God allowing Him to speak life into you and renewing your faith is essential to healthy, on-purpose living.  Are you allowing His word to saturate your mind and spirit by giving you renewed strength and purpose or are you trying to make it through this week off of last weeks word?

One of the first steps in finding peace is to find God and finding God is all about studying His word.

If you are reading this right now and have any doubt about God’s plan for your life, rest assured that you were created with love, purpose and intention. God has commanded his love toward you. Everyday he wants to reassure you of his love by sharing his word (the Bible) with you.

 

Find Peace and Be Well!

 

 

 

 

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Chosen?

“You can’t make someone choose you even when they might love you.Screenshot_2016-02-07-22-50-04-1 (2).png“

 

 

 

Some of the greatest pain that we’ll ever have to deal will come from the hurt that is associated with a dysfunctional relationship. Heartbreak doesn’t play favorites and it can come from many different sources. Friends, Family, Co-workers or even people that we admire all leave us vulnerable to pain.

So what do you do when a seemingly ideal partnership begins to feel forced, stale and dishonoring to who you are. Do you stick with it? Do you try to resolve the issues head on or do you simply stay in the relationship because it is predictable?

I recently read an online article in Nia Magazine entitled; Choose Her Everyday or Leave Her Alone. The first line of this beautifully written piece provided the following insight, “I spent 5 years hurting a good woman by staying with her but never fully choosing her.

Take a moment to evaluate the relationships in your life. Are you being chosen on a daily basis. Are your thoughts, dreams and aspirations being respected? Does your partner value your quirks, strengths and imagination? Are you free to be yourself in your relationship or do you find yourself conforming to keep the peace.

Are you being chosen? How does love currently show up in your life?

As individuals we have the right of deciding how we are loved. We have choices.

Do you know your rights? Do you know there is a Personal Bill of Rights that outlines the basic principles for how we can expect to be treated by others? One of my favorite declarations in this document states, “I have the right to change my mind.”

If you find that there are “habitual line-steppers” in your life that are causing you grief, disrupting your peace or those who do not compliment the divine purpose that God has instilled in you, it is okay to change your mind.

As Valentine’s Day approaches give yourself the gift of choice. Be sure to celebrate who your are and make sure that others are celebrating you too!

After you’ve finished reading today’s blog, I invite you check out the podcast. Today I interview my friend and colleague Chantel. Listen in as Chantel tells us all about:

The Trouble With Being a People Pleaser

Find Peace and Be Well!

 

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Who’s in your Circle?

Proverbs 24:6 After all, with the right strategy you can wage war,
            and with many advisers there is victory.

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Surrounding yourself with good people is one of many ways to create peace in your life. When you choose like-minded friends and companions you’re empowering yourself with the gift of “More”! More creativity, more spirituality, more support, more love and more possibilities are just a few of the benefits. There is power in unity but you have to be connected with the right people. As the word says, with the right strategy you can wage war and with many advisers there is victory.

I’ve created a short list of tips that will help you to build a tribe filled with friends who are necessary for your journey through life:

  1. Connect with people who share similar interests as you. Try volunteering at a local non-profit or community event to find people who care about some of the same things that are important to you.
  2. Join a group or organization such as a local book club or bible study group. Conversations about spirituality are a great way to connect with like-minded people.
  3. Get out of the house more! Make it your business to join a gym, take a class or attend local social events to connect with others.

Let’s face it, life is not meant to be lived alone! There is success, peace and power in numbers!

The picture above was taking at the Carolinas Breast House in Charlotte, NC back in December of 2015. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I knew that I had to connect with people who understood how I felt and those who were just as determined to live and beat the disease as I was. Pictured are just a few of the people that I have had the privilege of connecting with along my journey.

There is strength in numbers.

After you’ve finished reading the blog post, check out today’s podcast. I interview  a dear friend of mine, Rashida Gittens. Rashida is a domestic abuse survivor and she credits her faith and her support system for helping her to find and realize her self-worth.

I invite you to take a listen as two friends hold a candid conversation about the power of being connected to the right people.

Find Peace and Be Well!

Melissa

 

 

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Find Peace and Be Well

Hi friends! I’ve missed you all so much. Last week my computer was down and I couldn’t post. I’m back up and running now and wanted to give you a recap of my Goal Setting and Vision Illumination Workshop! Let me just say that it was a huge success. We had a mixed crowd of entreprenuers and individuals who wanted to come and set some intentional goals for the New Year. We had a great time and the feedback that I’ve received has been positive.  I assisted attendees in their quest to:

  • Set solid goals for the New Year
  • Ensure their goals were established in P.E.A.C.E
  • Create an action plan &
  • Create a Vision Board

I’ve made this training available to you via virtually. Simply email me at sugawellnessboutique@gmail.com to receive your copy of the presentation and supporting documents. I am introducing this programs for only $37.00 until March 1st. After March 1st the price increases to $97.00. Now is a great time to invest in yourself and get on track to Happiness!

Below are a few pictures from the event! I would love to help you reach your goals!

I couldn’t let this post be published without recognizing MLK Day. Be sure to walk in peace today! As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would say, “Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.” We would all do well to remember these words.

Our new motto for 2016 is “Find Peace and Be Well!” I’m looking forward to sharing the backstory with you later!

Find Peace and Be Well!

@sugawellnessboutique 2016

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Recognize

Inspired by Genesis 29:17

Hello Peacemakers! Happy Thursday to you. I hope all is well and things are going great for you this week.

If you recall, I published my first book in November of 2015 entitled, From God, With Love.

This book is a culmination of challenges that I’ve experienced and overcome. I share it with the world as a tool for healing and deliverance. The book is doing well, sells have exceeded anything that I could have hoped for so I want to say thank you to everyone who has made the purchase. To those of you who have not, I invite you to head on over to Amazon.com and download this awesome tool. It’s a quick and relevant read. Right now it is only available as an e-book but be on the look out for the upcoming audio book with the companion study guide.

Today I’m going to share one of my featured poems from my book. The poem is entitled Recognize:

Do you not know? Have you not heard?

God is the final word.

His lasting decree spoken over me

A young woman of radiance, love and beauty.

Established by the power released from His right hand

Unlocked potential to achieve more than most can

For my reach is far greater than many have seen

I’m secure in myself with high self-esteem

My worth is far greater than rubies and gems

I’m talented and confident, I’m liberated from within

Community is important, I encourage those in need

To live a better life and my advice I pray they heed

Live up to your potential and never settle for less than best

Show up for every challenge and deliver nothing less

Offer all you have to give and your dreams will be fulfilled

Build your life on God’s foundation and your future will be sealed

Accept the blessing of His promise and make an oath to live His way

Grasp the beauty in each moment and always seize the day!

Peace and Wellness,

SuGa

 

 

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What a Year!?!

Greetings to you all! I pray that things are peaceful in your life. This has been quite a year of new opportunities for me. I’ve learned a lot things and lost a few things along my journey but I have to say I am better for it. Hopefully as you reflect over events in the last 12 months of your life you can say that things are a bit better for you as well. I am so focused and determined to embrace all things that celebrate who I am as an individual and release those things that do not serve a worthy purpose for me.

This will be my last blog entry for 2015. For the remaining three weeks of the year, SUGA Wellness Boutique will be closed for the holidays! During this time, I will be celebrating life, loving on my family and thanking God for his favor. I have so much planned in an effort to come back refreshed, revitalized and rejuvenated for 2016!

I will return on January 4th, which is just in time to fill you in on all the latest and greatest offerings from SUGA. As you know I have a Goal Setting and Vision Illumination project coming up on January 9th. I’ve received an overwhelming response to make the event virtual, so we’re going for it! No matter where you are in this big, beautiful world of ours, you will have the option of attending my workshop. Mark your calendars and be on the lookout for more information!

Before I bid you goodbye, I would like to address one final topic for the year:

What Do the Lonely Do at Christmas?

For years I dreaded being a single woman during the holidays. On Thanksgiving night when I would hear the classic song “Silent Night” by the Temptations, I would bawl uncontrollably!! Reason being, I knew that I would be spending yet another Christmas without a companion. Fast forward several years, I married, moved into a picturesque house and still felt lonely. My point is that we cannot depend on people or things to fill a void in our life. Individually we all have to find out what feeds our soul and then we have to do those things! Happiness is something that comes from inside each of us and it is a gift that should be shared with others.

This will be my first Christmas as a divorced woman and I sang “Silent Night” when I heard it come on the radio this year! I was so excited to hear it. I’ve finally come to realize that the peace and love I searched for, was within me all along.

I love you all and I pray that your Christmas is Merry and Bright!

Peace and Wellness,

SuGa

 

 

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Managing Holiday Stress

The Holidays can be a stressful time for many people. The gift obligations, family traditions and financial burden of misguided expectations can wreak havoc on a person’s psyche and budget. If you’re like most of the general population, you haven’t set aside funds for Christmas shopping. The daily responsibilities of life and monthly obligations of mortgage, utilities, groceries and car payments have eaten up most if not all of your available funds.

At some point in time we all have to come to terms with “our” reality. What works for our friends and family may not work the same for us. If we consider the true meaning of Christmas, we can avoid a great deal of stress and overdraft fees! What better time than now to get intentional about managing the financial stress and family traditions of the holidays.

My greatest advice to help you along your journey is to make new traditions and create new memories. One way to avoid excessive spending is to practice the 4 Gift Giving Challenge. 1. Something they want. 2. Something they need. 3. Something to wear and 4. Something to read. You can find out more at: http://moneysavingsisters.com/4-gift-christmas-challenge-want-need-wear-read/

Some other holiday stress triggers include: unhappy memories and past heartbreaks. To this I say create new memories and focus on the love of those that are present with you. Some local inexpensive activities include local holiday parades and Christmas Tree lighting events. You can also check out holiday social gatherings being offered through your county.

Hopefully these tips will give you alternatives to consider in your quest for stress management!

Peace and Wellness

SuGa

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Small Business Saturday

Good Morning Peace Seekers!!

Don’t forget to pick up my eBook entitled From God, With Love available for pre-order on Amazon.com today for only $7.99. From God With Love Image

This book is a unique collection of short stories, prayers and affirmations that I created while dealing with challenging situations throughout my life. I tackle issues of grief, depression, low self-esteem and I show you how to overcome those issues in your life and more! The official release date is December 1, 2015 and I would love to have your support!

And By The Way, my signature webinar, “Creating Your Personal Peace Treaty” is available today only for $49.99! If you’re ready to: live your life with authentic purpose, create your personal brand, discover your hidden talents and live, work and communicate with peaceful intentions, this is the webinar for you!

To Find out More about SUGA Wellness Boutique by joining me for my upcoming Goal Setting and Vision Illumination Workshop happening on January 9, 2016; Charlotte, NC Metro area only

Connect With Me on January 16, 2016 for Sister Empowerment Circle; Charlotte, NC Metro area only. Email me for details!

Peace and Wellness!

www.sugawellnessboutique.com

sugawellnessboutique@gmail.com

 

 

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Thankful to the Fullest Measure

yes lord

I WISH FOR YOU the happiest Thanksgiving Day that your heart can hold. I pray your day be filled with love, joy and gratitude for those you love and have responsibility over. I hope that you will laugh a little louder, smile a little bigger and love a lot deeper. May your troubles be few and your victories countless. I pray that you are filled to the measure with unspeakable joy.

This year I found the joy that I searched for, for so long. It’s awful that it took divorce and cancer to get me straight but it worked! No longer do I devalue myself or discredit my worth. I’ve completed some pretty deep soul searching and I found out that I am a pretty awesome lady and above that, I’m a survivor!

So this year, I am grateful that I still get to be mommy to my beautiful daughter and auntie to my six nephews. I’m thankful that my two brothers can still call and bug me about nothing. I’m thankful that I can call my mama anytime that I want to and listen to her talk about whatever is on her mind. I’m glad that I can still receive the occasional text message from my grandma and answer when my aunt calls me by the nickname “Luc” (short for Lucy). It’s an awesome feeling to understand that all of this could have worked out differently for me, but I’m still here! I’m still living and I still have the ability to answer when my name is called! But most of all, I’m thankful that Jesus Christ saw fit to intercede on my behalf and heal my body of a disease that has claimed far too many lives.

With all this thankfulness and gratitude, I reach back to the next woman who may be feeling discontent about life and confused by current situations. Whatever you may be experiencing right now is only a bump in the road. There is peace and fulfillment on the other side of hurt and fear.

Don’t lose hope and let me know if I can help.

Peace and Wellness,

SuGa