Blessed

God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. ~Matthew 5:5

Much has happened in the way of obstacles, change, and growth. Each experience, however, has made me a stronger and more remarkable woman.  I will take this opportunity to share with you why I am blessed.  I am a remarkable and unorthodox individual, and there is nothing that anyone can do about it. Why? Well because . . .

·         I am blessed because I have sown sacrificial not superficial seeds.

·         I am blessed because I embrace my flaws as an advantage as opposed to crutch.

·         I am blessed because I live as Santresa (San) on purpose and not as a carbon copy of my social media status.

·         I am blessed because I accept that my imperfections are gifts and purposely live my life as opposed to exist in it.

There is nothing more beautiful or that exudes more self-confidence than being authentically who you are.  Living with a peace of mind is invaluable and in recent months has proven not only beneficial, but necessary.  A while ago when I decided to do this, enemies became agitated, my disposition towards loving more of myself became evident, my smile became infectious, I stop worrying about my needs that God promised he would supply, my uncomfortable became comfortable, and I’ve exuded without qualms just how much I love being, me. The lesson that I learned was to stop building walls with my words and actions that became obstacles (which I have overcome) in my life. Instead, I faced and defeated my "ugly truths", embraced my imperfections, loved more of and made time for those that have always loved me, laughed, and most importantly, continued to LIVE ON and WITH PURPOSE. 

I no longer wonder why I've been blessed BEYOND my prayers of needs and wants.  I have come into the understanding that I'm reaping the harvest of the seeds I've sown for years. Clarification! Nothing . . . nothing that I have now has not been without sacrifice, pain, vulnerability, tough truths, hard work, His mercy and favor.  Guess what!? He is only getting started.  Dear readers, let Him work in your life and STOP getting in your own way.  To the faithful, he sees your heart and will continue to keep you.  All that my enemies meant for bad, He not only shifted towards good, but is continuing to bless me with better than I was originally supposed to receive.  Thank you, Jesus!  I am happy, full of joy and gratitude as well as blessed with a peace of mind independent of outwards circumstances.  Change IS good!

How has He been a blessing for you?

Deuces,

~San

Be Thankful

In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:18

When someone does something nice for you, it is the will of God for you to be thankful for what he or she has done.   Far too often, I have done numerous selfless acts for people to help them to progress.  Unfortunately, many of the people who I have helped throughout the years have not been truly thankful and have not expressed their true gratitude to me.  While I am not looking for those individuals to throw me a party or banquet to celebrate the things I’ve done for them, I would very much appreciate it if those people would act like I have done something for them and not like I’m some bad guy when I’m not able to do something for them and/or don’t do things exactly like and when they want them done.

As we strive to get better each day, we have to realize that some of the people we are carrying along the way with us need to be left behind.  Everyone is not going to appreciate the things you do.  Therefore, one has to become wiser and stop doing things for people who don’t appreciate the selfless things done for them.  Don’t waste your time on people who don’t value you.  When a person is not appreciative of the things you do for them, it’s time for you to let those people depart from you.

I have had to learn that many people are just friends with you and hang around you only to reap what they can get from you.  They’re just leeches!  We all know that leeches suck the life out of us.  Beware of leeches!

For those of you who have not demonstrated your appreciation for the people in your lives who have done so many great things for you, it’s time for you to let them know they are appreciated.  

If you claim to have good or great character, then you will be a grateful person: You will let people know you thank them for all they do.

For you to continue to enjoy the progress that others have helped you to experience, you’re going to need those folks who have been helpful to you along the way to keep advancing forward.   

Never allow temporary moments of anger and selfishness to cause folks to walk out of your lives, especially when those folks have been a tremendous asset to you.  Recognize that you’re nothing without the people in your lives who have aided you in getting to where you are today.  For many of you, people went way beyond simply aiding you in getting to where you are today—they actually did the things for you that got you to where you are.  Therefore, never forget how important those people will be to you continuing to enjoy where you are and where you’re going.

Yes, God wants us to be helpers one to another.   However, there comes a point when you have to learn to redirect your help from those who fail to see the value of your help—move on to those who will be thankful for your help and will see the value of your help.  Don’t overwork yourself to the point that you get frustrated with being a selfless person—simply change the people who are the benefactors of your acts of selflessness.  You will have such a better life when you dismiss selfish and ungrateful people from your life.

Deuces,

Tony