Showing posts with label goals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label goals. Show all posts

Monday, August 7, 2017

Queens Never Ask Permission to Dream Shirt





Women Sizes
 
$17.50 (US Shipping included)
Please remember to select your size in the drop-down menu before clicking the Buy Now button.


Queens, Dreamers, Believers, Builders, and Goal-Getters,
This shirt is for YOU!

Each 100% cotton shirt is made-to-order.  So, please allow three days for your shirt to be completed before shipment. If you need a size that isn't listed or have any questions/concerns, please contact me at allengrace5@gmail.com for ordering or size information. 

Currently, we're using Gildan heavyweight cotton t-shirts. However, a different brand may be used when stocking issues occur.  Thank you for understanding!

Monday, June 26, 2017

Your Bucket List

Just the other day, my family drove to Candler Park. It was quite the perfect spring day.  All four kids darted off to claim a swing, a rung on the monkey bars, or chase lightning bugs.  My husband and I headed toward our favorite bench, perfect for keeping our eyes on the kids.

Before I made it to the bench though, I noticed a flyer attached to the lightpost.  It was an advertisement for a local pop-up shop event.  Just the photo alone boasted exquisite linens, pillows, and other handmade wares for sale.  I thought, what a fantastic idea, but I said, with a huff, "Why can't I do that?  Why can't I have a sale, too?"

As soon as those words escaped my lips, I turned to my husband and asserted, "I could do that.  Yes, I can have a sale, too."  He nodded and verbalized his support.

So, what if time has gone by like 'sands through the hourglass?'  Time flies when we're having fun. It's far too easy to lose time and miss opportunities when life makes a million demands on us.  Old dreams that once pumped through our hearts have gone unfulfilled and lay tucked away in a forgotten chest in the attic.

Despite our intentions, life just had other plans for us.  The road we've traveled has been more about the needs and expectations of everyone else.  The hours have been about arriving at the destination of someone else's choosing.

Here is the truth.  You can make a new bucket list today. Cater this new list of aspirations to all your experiences, strengths, and yearnings.  Put little things, big things, even "silly" unusual things on the list.  No matter our age, the honest pursuit of a goal can be more fulfilling and more intoxicating than checking off gifts on a Christmas wish list.

If you desire and choose, it is possible to move in a completely new direction.  Be bold enough to paint in your mind a picture of your life- the one in your wildest dreams.  Dare to claim what others believe you can never achieve and should never attempt.  Have the courage to move things around, usher in new players if necessary, and take a chance on yourself.

Let your new bucket list or the revised one give you power.  Yes, there may be obstacles.  However, the no's we believe and tell ourselves daily remain our largest hurdles.  Like bullies, those negative thoughts stand guard against hope.  Now is the time to stand up for yourself.  Those bullies can't tell you 'no' or shut you down any longer.

You can pursue any goal you witness.  You can dream any dream.  Moving forward and upward toward your dream is possible for you.  If you see anyone else on the planet doing it, achieving it, or living it, it is possible for you.  You are exceptional enough to be dedicated enough to make it happen. There is time to do what you love.  You can live life in a way that's meaningful to you.  With faith, patience, and determination, you can make your bucket list come true, too.

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Visit Tondeleya Allen's Author Page on Amazon, follow the links to get copies, or read with your Kindle Unlimited Subscription,  The Blessed Woman Endeavor, You Inspire Me, or Honey in My Tea!

Monday, February 20, 2017

My New Book "You Inspire Me"




Inspirational, encouraging, and uplifting, "You Inspire Me" is a devotional straight from Tondeleya Allen's heart. An optimistic attitude and positive words are liquid gold that can benefit each of us every day. Readers will find tools to triumph struggles, overcome negative thinking, and marginalize the naysayers and dream killers in their lives. 

"You Inspire Me" explores the strength of women, our purpose in life, and steps that can be taken to transform our lives and make our dreams a reality. When we maintain hearts of gratitude and positive attitudes, there is no task we can't handle. 

Tondeleya Allen, author of "The Blessed Woman Endeavor," "You Really Do Deserve Me," and "A Good Sandwich Can Save a Marriage," believes that faith is the cure for what ails us and that women have enough grace and strength coursing through our veins to handle every ounce of pressure life sends our way.



Get your copy of You Inspire Me on Amazon.  The beautiful cover art was designed by Aristotle Allen. Stay tuned for my new novel "A Love That Breaks." Sign up for the Awesome Queen League newsletter to receive updates.  Don't worry; you'll only hear from me once a month.

Saturday, May 21, 2016

Don't Feel Bad


Don't allow anyone to make you feel bad about where you are in life.  Focus on everything you have right now and where God is taking you.

Please check back every Tuesday and Friday for something new.

My book The Blessed Woman Endeavor is available now on Amazon.  Get a copy and share this with other women of faith.

Friday, May 13, 2016

Room for What Inspires You

Most of us have to make a living in this world. There are few, if any, ways for us to avoid the responsibilities and requirements of breathing on planet Earth.
Most of us have at least five entities in our pockets reaching for their portion of our money.  The mortgage companies, leasing offices, power companies, credit card companies, grocery stores, and governments could care less about the quality of your life or the dominion God has already given to you.  Their bottom line stays strong and shines when we’re in full acceptance of the status quo.  They don’t want you to grow and change because it may threaten their grip and control over you.  Think of the sacrifice of time you dedicate to your financial obligations.  Then ask yourself if what you’re receiving is worth what you’re giving.
While we’re living for the weekend, six weeks of maternity leave, planning our little two-week vacation, calling in sick just to have me-time, and counting down the years until retirement, someone is free to be, to think, to plan, to rest, and to breathe.  They are free to be free.
How are their rights greater than yours?  Are they more-deserving than the rest of us?  Most of us can’t just walk away from our lives.  Most of us can’t instantly take our circumstances and make a complete U-turn into the lap of freedom.  Our responsibilities are just too deep and long-standing.  We can’t just change our minds.  Many of our commitments carry penalties for cancellations. We’ve had to make promises and sign in blood, but no one has to promise us anything.  No one carries any responsibilities to us.
In the face of all these facts and the current life choices on our plates, we can get back to what inspires us. We are responsible to what inspires us.
Let’s make room for our dreams.  Your spirit knows what it wants…needs actually.  As adults, we have been taught to make paying bills a priority.  I’ve heard, “It’s what adults do” in many conversations.  For some, it seems to be the only badge of adulthood.  Paying bills. We receive bills in the mail and are then prompted to receive electronic notices.  You know, to save the trees, the rain forest, and the planet… and mailing costs for the companies.  We write due dates and amounts down on calendars, to do lists, dry erase boards, and post them on our fridges.  We call to make payment arrangements.  We have financial meetings with our spouses.  Sometimes we argue about bills.  There’s no doubt about it. Bills have a dedicated place in our lives.  
Reaching for our dreams – if just a little every day, should be a priority as well.  Don’t let your priorities stop you from setting goals. Don’t let the fear of criticism stop you or dampen your enthusiasm.  If you have to travel alone, enjoy the journey.  Take your “I always wanted to” and create a life that will make you proud that you tried.  Fill the free moments of your life with what thrills you, what makes you smile.

God has blessed each of us with a special gift, calling or talent.  What has He instructed you to do?  You have light to share with the world.  Make room for it.  Offer respect according to its significance and value.  Have conversations about it.  Strategize for and prioritize it.  Make to-do lists in honor of it.  Yearn for it.  Seek it out now like today is your last day.  Dare to believe in it first.  That’s what adults do.  In time, God will send quality people who will believe in it too.  

Please check back every Tuesday and Friday for something new! Share this post with a friend.

The Blessed Woman Endeavor is available now on Amazon.

Friday, April 15, 2016

A New Beginning

Ever take the time to look at the drab and dreary trees that line the gray winter sky?  However dry and sparse in appearance, winter trees are still standing, firmly rooted.  At the core, bundled safely away inside, lies unseen potential and promise.  In a very important way, we are often like those trees.  Exposed to the harsh elements, we wait, rest and grow stronger, just anticipating the right time and circumstances to bloom.
Today may not look exactly as we want.  While we may not have all we desire or everything we think we should have, we are present for another day.  This day contains so much possibility and is a perfect backdrop for a new beginning.
No matter where you’ve been, what you’ve done or how much you’ve lost, you can always get your life moving in a new direction.  The time is seldom perfect and your first step may only have a sliver of light shining on it, but you can get moving. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV
Don’t be afraid of making a wrong turn.  Don’t procrastinate because you’re afraid to start or afraid of rejection.  Don’t allow mistakes, experiences or what others think of you shackle you to the past.  Despite any obstacles you face, you can excel.  Your past does not have to define you and can only keep you captive if you allow it.  Make sure your actions are deliberate.  If it’s only an inch at a time, keep moving toward your new horizon.  Allow your faith and determination to lead your life in a more positive direction.   You are free to move higher, forward and upward.
What’s making you uncomfortable?  What are you sick and tired of in your life?  Unfortunate circumstances or undesired realities can be just what you need to get energized.  Ever feel trapped by missed opportunities, or the responsibility and obligations of your life?  Tired of how or where you live or the conditions at work?  Let that discomfort or dread be your fuel.
Let the Lord give you something fresh and new.  Believe it or not, He can bless you in your current situation.  Your heart screams out and vibrates for the chance to begin again, to show life just what’s inside of you.
Ever get the feeling that God is about to do something special in your life?  He’s about to open the door to the situation you feel imprisons you.  Joseph had a word from the Lord and knew he wouldn’t die in prison.  Unaware of the day or hour of his release, his heart knew that the day would come when a new beginning would be his reality.  Let’s praise the Lord now for His promises and the blessings your faith knows will be manifested later.
Set your goals and hopes before you.  Be determined to build something. Your expectations and hopes keep you vibrant.  Focus on areas where you are strong.  Keep track of what has worked for you.  Remember past successes and never forget how the Lord dealt with your anxieties and uncertainties by turning them into beautiful stories of survival.
You may feel lost, weighted down, off track, off in a ditch or stuck, but you can begin to turn the tide.  Perhaps trying a new way will yield better results.  Maybe a brook of long-standing provision suddenly dries up.  Well, now is your opportunity for new challenges, reimagined solutions and growth – the proof of life.  Remember that the greatest rewards are rarely attached to the easiest challenges.  Tough trials and roads lead to triumphs and victories.
In Christ, you are a new creation.   A new beginning can be yours.  So, let go of the death grip you have on your disappointments in life, yourself and others.  Grab hold of all the glory and confidence your future holds.  Commit to your new journey.

Other new creatures learn to walk, talk, run, fly and care for themselves?  What new thing will you do?  What will you learn to do in a new way?  What hurdles will you jump?  What bridges will you build?  What fears will you face and smash?  What offenses will you forgive?  What love will you give?  What gift will you share?  What dreams will you cherish?  How high will you soar?  How bright and warm will your new beginning be?



Please check back every Tuesday and Friday for something new!

The Blessed Woman Endeavor is available on Amazon.

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

The Road You're Traveling

The road you’re traveling right now may be rough and have more detours than you believe one person can handle. The Lord will reward your faithfulness and strength.  Just keep the faith.  Stay dedicated to your assignment.  Trust the Lord to continue your progress.
Everyone won’t understand your decision to keep moving in the same direction.  People have ideas about how long is too long to stay engaged in one certain area.  When most people don’t see huge “measurable” amounts of success, they tend to give up.  Oftentimes, people base their level of commitment to a goal on external influences.  When they realize that others see no value in their idea, they sadly accept that as truth.  But not us.  We know how it feels to have a “yes” from the Lord take root and bloom in our hearts.
There may be times when people will fight against your process, by trying to discourage you.  They may even remind you of how little time there’s left to really make anything happen.  They may advise you to stay on the safe path and avoid anything new and uncertain. Whenever you’re feeling blah and you need someone to give you encouraging words, you may find yourself alone. You may even have to celebrate your own milestones and pat yourself on the back.
It’s all right though.  You have to know deep down inside that there’s just no other road for you to take.  The consuming fire that God has set in you is way too strong for you to turn back now.  The excitement you feel when you allow yourself to imagine the dream already being yours is too thrilling to ignore.  Walking away now and staying bound to status quo just makes no sense to you.
Reject any fear and doubt that tries to creep into the tight spaces in your mind.  Fear doesn’t pay any rent or contribute to your well-being in any way.  So, why let it stay?  Shield your heart from the noise desperately trying to pierce it.  Pray and ask the Lord to renew your mind every day and to let your dream pulsate like soothing music in your veins.
Now is the time to be braver than ever.  Now is the time for your purpose to escort you into tomorrow.  Now is the time to push comfort and complacency back. If necessary, use the biggest stick you’ve got.  Do whatever you have to do to hold on for dear life to your heart’s desire.  Now is the time to ignore dream killers.  Now is the time to meditate on everything you can gain– not your possible losses.  Now is the time to wake up every morning with victory on your mind.  Now is the time to believe you can make it, to know that this is what you were meant to do.  Now is the time to find your joy and stamp it across your heart.

Do it now.  Don’t waste your time trying to get everyone on board.  The permission or participation of others is not required.  Use every drop of energy to advance your dream.  Believing in yourself is a great idea.  Your spirit is unbreakable.  Every hurdle is conquerable.  The road may have bumps, but there are no walls.  There are no walls to box you in.  There are no walls to block your view.  You’re in God’s country now.  Your dream is achievable.  I’m hoping and praying for you.  Let’s go!


Please check back every Tuesday and Friday for something new!

The Blessed Woman Endeavor is available on Amazon.