Growing up, I was an introverted child. I was quiet and reserved and took a while to open up to people I didn’t know. Although I didn’t talk much, my mind was processing and analyzing my environment, people, and situations that occurred. I often thought that I was shy and not outgoing, based on other people’s opinions of me. Looking back, I realize that I did not have a problem. I just had my way of dealing with things that were different from the norm and other people noticed. The mind is capable of doing great things once you see it free. What I mean is, once you decide what you want out of life, how you are going to behave, and how you are going to think, you set your mind free. Free from the opinions of others. Free to pursue your dreams. Free to create a life that makes you happy. I remember when I was thirteen. I was selling candy in front of Safeway. I noticed one of the employees walking out to retrieve carts that were out front in the parking lot. I recall thinking to myself that I could do that job. I then decided in my mind at that moment to get a job at Safeway once I turned sixteen. I eventually got the job and worked all through high school. When you decide what you want and then create a plan in your mind, you begin to change your life.

The first step to a free mind is minimizing distractions and guarding what you feed it. You have to become aware of what you are watching, listening to, and talking about daily. Begin to limit the amount of time that you watch tv because time is valuable. What you do with your time makes you successful. Only hang out with like-minded people that have and support your vision. Then begin to create a positive mindset. Nothing in my life changed until I made up my mind on what I wanted and started to think and make my own decisions. You have to decide how you want to live from this day forward. Then create a plan that will get you to where you want to be, and take action.

I believe that we all have a purpose in life. So many times, we get blindsided by setbacks and failures. Then we let life and difficulties derail us off our path to our dreams, don’t give up. Stay focused on your plans. Free your mind of all self-doubt. Develop the confidence and belief in yourself that can block out all negativity. Begin to practice meditation. Start to live in awareness. Get out and connect with nature. Expand your consciousness. Read more and start your self-improvement journey. You are deserving and worthy of everything you’ve imagined your life could be. Decide today that you are going to do whatever it takes to get it. I believe in you. Until next time, may you be uplifted and inspired. Be you. Be great.

As we go about our lives, we face many difficulties. There are so many distractions that we have to deal with regularly. When times are hard, we often find ways to escape to cope. The problem that arises is that we don’t usually choose healthy ways to deal with them, and this often leads to compulsive behavior and overindulgence. I can recall a time when I was in 3rd grade. I had a teacher named Mrs. Smith. During class, I would get distracted and not pay attention at times. I wasn’t giving my best effort on the spelling tests as well. She began to notice and pulled me aside one day to talk about my behavior. Mrs. Smith was stern in her demeanor and forceful in the way that she spoke. I guess you can say it was what I needed. I eventually started to apply myself and focus in the class and ended up doing well on my spelling tests. Sometimes we need to be motivated and pushed by someone else to do better. I appreciate that teacher because she taught me a valuable lesson. I learned the benefits of eliminating distractions, focus, bringing awareness to problems as they arise and being conscious of your behavior at all times.

There is unbelievable power in focus because what you focus on grows. The problem is that we tend to focus on things that we do not control. We then try to change those things as well. When you start to focus on what you can control, which is your mind and the decisions that you make, your life begins to change. One of the best decisions I made was to address the addictions that I created trying to escape my problems. I had various vices which included, opiates, unhealthy binge eating, and many others. One of the hardest things I’ve done in my life was eliminating opiate use. The withdrawal was one of the toughest things I have ever experienced. Even though it was difficult, I wouldn’t change anything about the experience because it gave me the mental fortitude and willpower I needed. I also developed the confidence and belief in myself that I could overcome any feat placed in front of me. That decision led to other ways to exercise willpower as well. I became a vegetarian to deal with my unhealthy relationship with food and overindulgence. All of those decisions benefited me because it gave me the mental clarity I needed to focus on what truly matters.

We are all hurting at this very moment because of the current climate of America. People have had to deal with health issues, the loss of loved ones, financial problems you name it. What we must understand is that during our most difficult challenges, we grow and develop. For that to happen, we must focus our attention on things we can control, which is how we respond to the difficulties we face. We must respond with dignity, courage, composure, and love. Begin today to focus on yourself and cultivate those habits that will allow you to grow and develop. Right now, what we need to do is develop the mental fortitude, willpower, clarity, and confidence. To overcome the difficulties we currently face. At times we may not have anyone to motivate and push us to do better. It has to come from within through self-reliance. Once you begin to look within for the answers you seek, you will then find solutions that will change the world for the better. Until next time, may you be encouraged and filled with power and love. Be you. Be great.

I am a product of humble beginnings. As a child, I remember not having many things other kids at school had. Reflecting on this period in my life, although it was a struggle, I wouldn’t change anything. It was during this time that I learned a lot about life, mindset, and hard work. I had many examples growing up on how to find income and provide for myself and my family, that I am grateful for today. My grandfather Andrew J. Miller founded our church Maranatha of which my uncle Mark Miller is now the pastor. My father, James H. Miller Sr. worked two or three jobs to provide for my brother and me. My uncle Andrew J. Miller Jr. started a business to provide for his family as well. So I have a family of entrepreneurs and businessmen who worked hard. I began to learn from these examples early on as a child and started to find ways to generate my income. I learned the importance of making money to provide for yourself and others. I also realized the importance through trial and error of keeping the money you’ve earned during my college years. It was at this time in my life that I discovered the benefits of saving and investing.

The path to financial freedom starts with your mindset. What you think about daily you attract. We have to get out of the mindset of scarcity, where we think in terms of lack and uncertainty. We have to begin to saturate our minds with positive and optimistic thoughts of prosperity and abundance regularly. The mind can be a valuable resource once harnessed and controlled. First, create the intention for your choice of endeavors. Second, create a blueprint or plan of action for your intention. Lastly, begin to put in the necessary work on that plan of action. Once you do this, you will organize your mind, which will allow you to make the right decisions towards financial freedom. Those decisions will lead to creating and starting a budget, which includes minimizing spending to only those things you need. Saving the extra money you earned for future unexpected expenses. Then you can create investment accounts that take advantage of compound interest.

I believe that we all deep down want to be financially free. It will eliminate a lot of worries, stress, and many other problems. What we have to understand is that it will not happen overnight. It will take focus, determination, self-reliance, and frugality. Are you willing to put in the necessary work that it will take to see it through? Aren’t you tired of living paycheck to paycheck? I know I am! Wouldn’t life be a whole lot better if we didn’t have to depend on external sources for income? We could generate our wealth and happiness by ourselves. It starts with you and your mind. Begin today to develop an abundance mindset and eliminate all thoughts about worry and fear, scarcity, and lack. I believe that you deserve a life filled with joy and prosperity. Until next time, may you receive the income that you need and the happiness you deserve. Be you. Be great.

We live in a world where you can find anything you want with the click of a button. All you need is a smartphone or a computer and you’re good. It is the world of instant gratification. I remember when I was a child, not being able to sleep the night before Christmas in anticipation of opening my gifts the next morning. Or when I was hungry instead of waiting for dinner, I would go and warm up something to eat in the microwave. As a young adult, I often took various jobs to make money and disregarded my happiness. I realize now that I could have waited for better opportunities to come along.

There are many benefits to delayed gratification. Although, I must admit it is hard to implement. The reason being, we have been conditioned to crave instant gratification or the quick fix. We want to be able to take a pill and lose weight instead of putting in the work in the gym and noticing the results over time. So what we must do is forget those old norms or ways of doing things and start to work on patience. Start differentiating between a need and a want. Choose to say no to those unhealthy foods now because you want to be healthy in the future. Begin to sow self-discipline now and reap the rewards of your efforts in the future. Your future self will be thankful you did.

I believe that you are a person of incredible talents, abilities, and skills. Today is the day where you will choose to delay your gratification. You will begin to stand up and say no to the various vices you may have. Now is the time to start doing those things you’ve always wanted to, but stopped because it would take too much time or you didn’t see any results initially. I believe in you, and I know you have what it takes to succeed. Until next time, may you be encouraged and make the necessary changes to better your life. I love you. Be you. Be great.

There was a time when I had many questions about life and my purpose. I remember growing up with many different insecurities. I also wasn’t the most motivated when it came to my studies. When I was in the 10th grade during my history class, my instructor told me that I was doing well in the class. She then asked if I would like to sign up for the advanced placement government class next year. I reluctantly said yes, even though I was unsure how well I would do in the class. Looking back, I realized that I had many doubts about my abilities. Going into my 11th-grade year with that mindset, I didn’t do very well in the class and didn’t pass. My instructor offered to work with me because I needed a passing grade in that class to graduate high school. I am thankful for my dad motivating me to get that class done. If he didn’t, I would not have graduated. It was at this time that I realized that I needed to work on the belief in myself, the different insecurities, and my lack of motivation.

Begin to plant those seeds of courage, determination, self-discipline, and the belief in yourself. Take your time and start small, you don’t have to do it all at once. Just do one thing daily that puts you one step closer to your goals. Create a plan of action and then be determined to see it through. Take care and cultivate those attributes that you value. Then watch your life grow and develop in abundance. When you start the work on yourself, you begin to realize your true worth. I remember when I was searching for happiness and fulfillment in the world or something external, which included unhealthy habits and relationships. It wasn’t until I took a look inside myself for the happiness and fulfillment I was searching for, that I started to see a change in my life. Take a look inside and ask yourself what you want out of life. Then imagine how that life would be. You will then begin to create the life that you imagined. You have one chance at life. Choose today to become the highest creative, loving, healthy version of yourself that you can.

Dare to dream with the understanding that you’re the creator of your reality. Create the intention and determination for what you want to accomplish, and anything is possible. All you have to do is believe in yourself and your abilities. We were all put here on earth to become more, to help more, and to create more. Your possibilities are infinite, and you’re unique and gifted. Until next time, may you be grateful for what you already have and be determined to create the life that you want. Be you. Be great.

Over the years, I have experienced many setbacks and a lack of funds to cover expenses. These were issues that I started to notice at an early age. When I was younger growing up in a single-parent household, we only had money to cover the bare necessities. Items like new shoes or clothes, I realized that I had to provide for myself. I was around thirteen when Sister Taylor, who ran a youth center at my church Maranatha came to me with the proposition to sell candy to raise money for the youth center. I don’t know if she recognized something in me or just saw the potential or need, but she gave me an opportunity, which I’m grateful for til this day. I could’ve, with the mindset of a kid, decided to ignore but chose to act. That was the first lesson of many in recognizing a need and deciding to find a solution to satisfy it, which is the basics of business. I then began to create a mindset that allowed me to take action when presented opportunities.

During times of resistance, uncertainty, and pain growth occurs. When you exercise, you have to go to the gym and lift weights and run. Then you experience pain and soreness from the exercise. It isn’t until you recover from exercise with nutritional foods, you see benefits. When we experience many setbacks in life, these are growing opportunities as well. It forces us to think about what went wrong. Then we often blame others as a result, which isn’t the right thing to do. What we have to do is take responsibility for our actions. Once we do that, we grow and develop confidence.

To take the big leap in life and pursue our dreams, it will take a lot of courage, self-discipline, confidence, and planning. At some point, you are going to have to decide what you want and take action. You are not going to know everything, but once again, during resistance, uncertainty, and pain growth occurs. Figure out what you want in life and decide that you will get it, no matter what. Let today be the day when you take action and plan a path to see your dreams come true. Until next time, be patient during this time of uncertainty and use it to grow and develop. Be you. Be great.

In my life up until this present day, I have struggled with anxiety. When I was younger, I didn’t understand it. I became quiet, reserved, and introverted as a result. When I grew up and went to college, I still carried that anxiety with me. I eventually started to use various vices to cope. One day after deep reflection, I came to realize that I had developed a lot of bad habits to cope with anxiety. I began to look for healthier coping methods and found meditation.

Meditation has many benefits. It can transform your life. In the beginning, when I first started. I would bring awareness to negative thoughts when I had them. Then let the thoughts go and add more positive ones. The next method was to bring awareness to the “in and out” breath. Or become aware of your breathing, especially during times of discomfort. When you meditate, you begin to connect to yourself, your true Self. You become more aware of your surroundings and start to notice and appreciate the small things in life. The most important work you will ever do in your life is the work you do on the Self. During this work on yourself, you start to develop true love. The kind of love that is unconditional. The love that doesn’t need anything in return and that cares for all people.

We now have a lot of time on our hands for introspection. It’s easy to run away from our problems. At some point, we have to stop running and face those problems. Take a look inside yourself past all the pain, mistreatment, and insecurities. Then connect with the love that is there. That is your true Self. You have to search and find it. You have to do the work to build yourself up. Once you establish that love connection with yourself, you will realize that you are so much more than your current circumstances. I believe in you. Decide to believe in yourself. Until next time, be enriched with blessings and inspiration. Be you. Be great.

Every one of us is born with a gift or a unique talent. Parents often recognize these talents in their children and decide to help them cultivate those gifts. Some have to search and find these talents. As we grow up and try things, we start to realize what we are good at and what we are not. Then life gets in the way. We start jobs often at places that don’t let use those gifts to earn a paycheck. As a result, we become unhappy and stressed. Mainly because we know we have more to offer. It is up to us to take a look inside and find those hidden talents and bring them out.

Currently, we have a lot of time to ourselves. Use this time wisely and start to invest in yourself. Think of all those dreams and aspirations that you wanted to accomplish. Start to cultivate that God-given ability that’s hidden within. It’s going to take a lot of hard work. I had a football coach that would always say during practice. I want you to give a hundred and ten percent effort. I was in fifth grade at the time and still remember that to this day. That was one of my first lessons on the value of maximum effort or giving it your all.

You are worthy and have value to offer. Why not take the time that you have and start working on your abilities. We come into the world to fulfill a purpose. We are all here for a reason. That’s why we have gifts and talents. Decide today to perfect your craft, and cultivate your skills and abilities. Let your light shine so that others may be inspired to let theirs as well. Until next time, may your experiences be of prosperity and abundance. Be you. Be great.

Along this journey of life, I’ve learned a lot through the school of hard knocks. We go through life making choices and decisions unconsciously, mainly because we see that other people are doing it. We develop this behavior at an early age during grade school. In which we are peer pressured to do things that are probably not beneficial to us. As an adult, I have realized that I still practice this behavior at times. Through a lot of trial and error, I realized that there was a need for me to start developing self-discipline.

The first choice I made was to address the various addictions that I’d developed, which included drug abuse and my eating habits. The best decisions I made was to free myself of my opiate addiction and to become a vegetarian. Although at the time, I was unaware that it would increase my willpower and self-discipline. I simply felt better when I ate vegetarian meals. Later on, I noticed the other benefits. As you create the habit of saying no and resisting the temptation, your self-discipline increases with every refusal. Those choices started a chain reaction of healthy habits that carried over into other areas of my life.

There is unbelievable power in self-discipline. You develop grit, perseverance, patience, and willpower. This power will give you the energy and drive to achieve any successful endeavor. As you move along on this journey of life, remember that you do have a choice. Choose to make habits that are beneficial to your overall wellbeing. Until next time, may you experience love and understanding. Be you. Be great.

Ever since we were born and began to grow and develop in this life, we had to deal with fear. It came in many forms like being afraid of the dark when young or when older fear of public speaking. When we were young, we did not have the will power to be able to face those fears. Often at times, the best plan of action was to run and hide or seek comfort from our parents. What we have to understand is that we are still doing this in adulthood. We often run away from our problems and fears and seek comfort in food, drugs, alcohol, and people. 

Over time we have developed the habit of reacting to our problems or fears in a negative way. What we have to do is change our perception of fear. From what we believe is a threat to an opportunity for growth, development, and power.  Also, we have to understand that we have no control over things external to us. We can only control the internal, which includes how we respond. We must choose to respond to fear and uncertain times with courage, love, and understanding.

During life, we are going to experience fear, uncertainty, and struggle. What we have to understand is that if we continue to persevere, be patient and increase that belief in Self. On the other side of fear, there is joy, bliss, love, and appreciation. Until next time, may your days be invigorating and experience uplifted. Be you. Be great.