Its funny how I can appreciate the wisdom of my mother now at 27 vs. at 17.  All throughout high school and college she preached choices and consequences…so much that I quickly grew tired of it. I was not trying to hear that mess all the time! While I wasn’t a complete wild child, looking back I could have made better choices for myself. As of lately I’ve been dealing with some self- induced “difficulties” as well as others that are completely out of my control. Since this blog prides itself on promoting wholeness in every area of life, I’ll keep those ”issues” private without complaining, and share an encouraging list I stumbled across: 10 Reasons to Appreciate Difficulties.

Here are my top 3 picks:

1. Difficulties often force us to change in ways that we never would otherwise. When we are put in situations that make us uncomfortable we see the need for a change in our own actions, attitudes and thinking. (If we are looking to grow, otherwise all we see is how other people need to change to make us comfortable!)
2. Each time that you successfully overcome a difficulty you will have more confidence to successfully overcome the next challenge that life throws your way. You will become stronger each time and each event of personal growth through these challenges will build on each other to make you stronger and stronger, more and more confident!
3. You can inspire and encourage others towards personal growth and development! Others can be inspired by you in many ways, whether they are watching you from the sidelines or whether you share with them how you overcame a difficulty when they are going through a similar trial.

This list encouraged me and reminded me of these scriptures:

Better is the end of a thing than the beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud (Ecclesiastes 7: 8 )

Cast not away your confidence which has a great recompense of reward. For you have need of patience that after you have don’t the will of God you might receive the promise. (Hebrews 10:35-37)

Count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of our faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work. that you may be perfect and entire wanting nothing (James 1:2-4)

Do not get weary in well doing, for in due season will shall reap if we faint not (Galatians 6:9)

Related posts:

1. Love Lockdown: How to Date and Stay Saved + GIVEAWAY!
2. Testimony Tuesday
3. Words of Wisdom

If you haven’t heard of him by now, I invite you to follow Public Speaker, Best Selling Author, Lifestyle Columnist, Style & Etiquette Impresario, and Contemporary Gentleman Enitan Bereola, II. known on Twitter as Bereolaesque.

[BE-RE-O-LA-ESQUE] -adjective

Highly appealing to human senses or mind providing pleasure or delight esp. in appearance or manner; pleasing; charming; alluring; attractive

Clutch Magazine recently complied a list of the Top 10 Men to Follow on Twitter but they left him out. I am a firm believer in giving credit where credit is due, and this man deserves his credit! Some days I want to retweet his entire timeline. They are always on point! and most importantly he is a man of God that shares his wisdom with the world. This author believes that chivalry is NOT dead! In his book,  Bereolaesque: The Contemporary Gentleman & Etiquette Book For The Urban Sophisticate he covers topics ranging from how to properly carry yourself at social engagements, why you shouldn’t flaunt your riches, social etiquette, why you shouldn’t kiss and tell, and, of course relationship advice for men on how to deal with women.

 Here’s what the critics are saying:

“Class is subconscious. Style is inherited. Bespoke is a state of mind. The commonality is that they are all in choice. This book teaches you to be exceptional in every way.”

Aaron Arnold
CEO, Music Is My Business
Former member of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ executive team
“CNN deemed Aaron ‘Diddy 2.0′ because of his style”

Before doing my research on this guy I assumed he had to be unattractive (#dontjudgeme) but then I saw this video on his website and I was pleasantly surprised that he’s easy on the eyes! Check him out!

Check out his lastest article on Soul’cial Independence SoulTrain.com

Follow Him twitter.com/bereolaesque

Related posts:

1. People to Follow on Twitter: Tony Gaskins Jr.
2. Love Lockdown: How to Date and Stay Saved + GIVEAWAY!
3. Love Lockdown: 5 Signs the “Ship” is headed in the right direction

Your Life Follows Your Words by Darlene Bishop

I read this book for the first time during my senior year of undergrad. At the time I had no idea how “off” my life was and it was partially attributed to the negative things I was constantly speaking about myself, my life, and different life circumstances. Based on the foundational principle of speaking a thing and believing that your life will follow the words you speak (good or bad) this book completely changed my perspective on life. [Scripture reference Job 22: 28]

Unlike a traditional self help book, that only focuses on the good, Darlene uncandidly shares how God healed her from breast cancer. Her testimony is amazing! She also shares a powerful acroynm received from God:

“B.E.L.I.E.V.E.” - “Because Emmanuel Lives, I Expect Victory Every time.”

I decided to re-visit the book on my way back from Atlanta last weekend. My faith has been re-energized! Sometimes you have to encourage yourself and this book has been very encouraging for me. I highly recommend it!

You can purchase the book Your Life Follows Your Words on her website for $15

Related posts:

1. Words of Wisdom
2. Testimony Tuesday
3. Divine DNA Explained

It is my goal that every reader of Total Life Prosperity Blog experience wholeness in every area of life so here are some links worth visiting.

God/Faith/Inspiration

In April I started following a blog by a a diva living with AIDS www.RaeLewisThornton.com. Even living with AIDS, she is indeed a fashion diva that keeps it 100% real, raw, and honest about her life with AIDS. Every time I read her blog posts I am in deep thought about my life, the choices I made/make, and how much grace that God has placed over my life. If you ever need a “pick-me” up I encourage you to read some of her writings, if not all of them. They are truly inspiring. I highly recommend: Ms. Chanel Part I; I guarntee if you read part I you will read part II, The Hardest Part About AIDS Part II, Yes I Have a Healthy Vagina! Part II Sex & HIV

How To Use Your Prostitute (Yes you have one regardless of your sex) Don’t judge an article by its title…It’s not what you think it is. The article is a personal reflection of the author’s life. She explains how odd it is that most of us spend much of our youth trying to fit “in”  instead of distinguishing ourselves by following our dreams, sharing our thoughts, and discovering our passions. In short she makes you think… Do you have a life you haven’t lived? The article reminds me of this quote:

“It’s not that life is so short, it’s that we wait so long to begin living.” Joel Olsteen

Weekly Meditation The Holy Spirit is Your Power Connector

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8)

Does your cell phone get more use than your Bible?

Powerful Sermons by Isaac Pitre

Beauty

Would you get your hair, nails, lashes, and tattoo done outside, at a downtown Jamaican Street Side Salon? Check out the scenes from the buzzing documentary and make sure to read Afrobella’s full interview with the filmaker Anna Alissa Hitzemann.

Beauty Giveaway Alert!!!!! 

This summer is all about vibrant colors! Mood Polish has you your nails covered with fun, playful mood changing colors!!!  These whimsical nail polishes change hues based on your body temperature, your mood, even the heat of your chai latte or coolness of an iced coffee. One of my favorite beauty bloggers, is giving 6 lucky readers a chance to win these polishes! Winners must be subscribed to Blended Beaute or be a follower on Twitter.

Hurry and enter the giveaway at Blended Beaute! 

Fashion & Style

Fashion Discussion: Knock off shoes- Giuseppe Zannoti open toe ankle boots

Knock Offs: Upgrade or Downgrades?  A Fashion blogger tells her experience of purchasing a fake Burberry Scarf and weighs the pro’s and con’s of buying counterfit items

Real Style Inspiration from Fashion Bloggers

Bleed For Fashion

Major Must Haves

Strawberry Stiletto

Where Did You Get That

and lastly, my randomness: iPhone vs. HTC EVO

I don’t participate in the daily #teamiPhone vs. #teamblackberry beef on Twitter but I did tweet this update  yesterday when news came out about iPhone4 

 Apparently my followers that are #teamblackberry feel the same way because 4 people RT’d that status. Sprint is my service provider and has been for some time now and I don’t plan on changing simply because everybody I know has Sprint and my mom still pays my bill with her company discount. There may be an alternative for those of us who don’t dig AT&T service. According to the article Good Job with iPhone4 but Sprint HTC Evo is staying, the EVO 4G has everything the iPhone 4 has and more. Learn more about the HTC Evo here

 If you have any other links, resources, blogs that might be of interest please leave it in the comments section below. Thanks!

ENJOY!

Related posts:

1. Prosperous Links
2. Love Lockdown: How to Date and Stay Saved + GIVEAWAY!
3. H&M’s Fashion Against AIDS Festival Collection

I came across some interesting pictures from a fashion blog.  Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words.

iDig these!

Have a great weekend!

Related posts:

1. Faith Friday: LIVE YOUR LIFE!
2. Faith Friday: UKNOWGZUS
3. Faith Friday: What’s Holding You Back?

Where would I be without Twitter! I have found tons of resources, blogs, and websites to follow via Twitter and the latest I want to share with my readers is a successful Author, Life/Relationship Coach, Motivational Speaker, Mind Coach to several athletes, Screenwriter, Film Producer, and Consultant Tony A. Gaskins Jr. I may be late to discover him (apparently he has been on Oprah and Tyra) but I’m glad I did!

This might seem stalkerish but I had to share the Tweets that made me Follow Him

Favorite Quotes from Tony

“I woke up this morning only to realize that God was working on my behalf even while I was asleep”

“The good thing about feeding our mind is that we can eat food for thought all day and never gain weight”

“We don’t live a yesterday or a tomorrow because only what we do TODAY counts”

“A person only hates you because they hate themselves. Knowing that, love them anyway”

“In the midst of evil choose to do good, in the midst of hate, choose to love. Your life is your choice”

“In order to get it all, we must be willing to GIVE it all”

“Knowledge only becomes POWERFUL when applied”

“If you can’t run the race, then walk it just as long as you finish it”

“You’re only as strong as your weakest thought”

“Your life is a movie script, any scenes that don’t move the story forward cut them out”

“Make sure those in your circle do push-ups, not pull-ups”

“Even when life deals you a weak hand you should never show it”

About Tony

Gaskins focuses on enlightening and inspiring every person he meets, that is his ultimate goal. While most want fame and fortune, the only thing Gaskins wants is a voice. A voice to speak up for the voiceless and to speak into the lives of others. To help propel the voice Gaskins founded a Non-Profit Organization entitled “The Future Speaks, Inc” where he will help the youth identify their purpose and set goals at an early age in order to avoid the many pitfalls that he couldn’t. His goal is to lead Millions to a more fulfilling place in their life and to leave a legacy behind him.

Follow Him on Twitter www.Twitter.com/TonyGaskins

Related posts:

1. People to Follow on Twitter: Bereolaesque
2. Transparency
3. Blog Love: Diddy Blog Coming Soon!

Blog readers get ready to add another blog to your blog roll!  Diddy announced his new blog this morning via Twitter

Check out the trailer for DiddyBlog.com

Follow him on Twitter www.twitter.com/iamdiddy

Related posts:

1. Blog Love: Pretty in Prada
2. Blog Love: God, Men & Money + What Black Men Think Video
3. People to Follow on Twitter: Bereolaesque

God/Faith

Why Am I So Thankful For The Things That God Hasn’t Blessed Me With As of Yet

Moving Foward, No Matter What

God Told Me, Really?…

Powerful Sermons by Isaac Pitre

Love & Relationships

Why Japanese Singles Don’t Want to Marry

Why Did He Marry Her & Not Me

Beauty/Fashion/Style

Instant Mascara with Eyelash Extensions

How to Transition to a Spring/Summer Wardrobe

Natural Intervention 101: What to do when the perm box is calling

10 Things You Shouldn’t Buy New

Men’s Style

How to Start a Watch Collection

How to Wear Jeans to Work

Life in the District

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is just around the corner.  This year it’s going to be running from March 27th-April 11th, and there’s plenty of stuff to do, and even better, plenty of stuff to eat!  Tons of area restaurants are getting festive and offering cherry blossom-themed dishes, drinks, and desserts!

FREE in DC! Full listing of free events going on in DC

The Fab Empire Presents DC Fab! All FAB things in the DC, Baltimore, Boston, and NY

Related posts:

1. Prosperous Links II
2. Saved & Sexy: Saved Men Aren't Blind
3. Transparency

It is my goal that every reader of Total Life Prosperity blog experience wholeness in every area of life. I collect quotes, sayings, and words of wisdom from various sources and I wanted to share a few that iDig

“Every time you open your mouth, you are either building up or tearing down, ministering or manipulating, sowing for the kingdom or for hell. How fearfully consequential are our most glib utterances.”Andree Seu

“Teach me Lord to consider good ideas, no matter what their source”Daniel Schantz

“The things you write you don’t forget. Write your vision down” Isaac Pitre

“Lord, Thank you for the “God moments” here on Earth that are a preview of what eternity with you in heaven is all about” Patricia Lorenz

God, You made me flexible so that I can bend. Help me remember not my will but THY will be done

Perfect love casts out ALL fear!

Growing and being grown are too different things. Thank God for GROWTH!

 Stay encouraged!

Related posts:

1. Love Lockdown: Love & Remarriage
2. Divine DNA Explained
3. In Due Season

Since I started this blog I get alot of feedback offline including questions about relationship advice. I’ve been asked:

What qualities do you think make a good man? Where are the good men? How come I can’t get a good man? 

And even more direct questions concerning my relationship. By no means am I an expert but I always advise women to stop thinking about the man. Why is the focus on him? What about the woman? Did we forget about self? Or I know, we have us all figured out. If we did I wouldn’t be compelled to write this.

Before getting into a relationship a woman should mark herself RESERVED while she goes through a period called “the season of singleness” This season is one of the most foundational periods in life where the woman needs to learn herself and develop a relationship with God. I hear women call themselves a Proverbs 31 Woman without understanding to be a woman like that you must set yourself aside for a KING. You cannot become so desperate for a man that you settle for anything less than a king. It is important that you are able to tell the difference between a companion and a divine mate that you relate to on a spiritual level.

No matter what has happened in the past your trust and hope for a man has to be in God. Trust him enough to bring you your king. If women aren’t patient enough to wait for a man from God, the alternative is a “good” man. There is a distinct difference between a good man and a godly man. A godly man is what makes a good husband. A godly man is one who has the capacity to love as Christ loved the church. If your prospective man doesn’t know God he doesn’t even have the capacity to love you. He only LIKES you for GOD is love. 

If you are single or in a relationship please follow these 7 relationship don’ts:

1. Don’t forget how valuable you are.

2. Don’t become so normal and easy to figure out. Anything too common diminishes in value. You are a prize so act like it!

3. Don’t bring old drama and history to the new relationship

4. Don’t let past relationships or life experiences rob you of your optimism where you don’t trust anyone

5. Don’t let others failed relationships diminish your faith

6. Don’t forget how powerful your words are. You will have what you say. If you keep saying men aint sh*t, you will attract aint sh*t men.

7. Don’t talk to everybody about your relationship. Words are seeds so be cautious of who you allow to speak into and over your life. It is dangerous to receive counsel from the wrong people. Words are seeds that last a long time and bring for fruit for years to come.

LIVE. LEARN. LAUGH. LOVE

Related posts:

1. Love Lockdown: Should you marry outside your faith?
2. Love Lockdown: Pay It Forward
3. Love Lockdown: How to Date and Stay Saved + GIVEAWAY!