Author: Roshonda B

My name is Roshonda Blackmon and I have been known in life as “the encourager” God gave me that gift before I even realized what it was or what it truly meant, the only thing I knew is that a vast amount of people liked to come to me for advice and once that advice was received, I never heard from them anymore until they wanted more advice. That gifting soon became my ministry. I’ve been through quite a bit of challenges in life from dealing with suicide, low self-image which resulted in low self-esteem, to the difficulties of growing up in a one parent household and the list goes on and on. But God in all his Mercy and Grace blessed me to overcome those obstacles and situations and gave me a “second” chance by allowing me to live through all that darkness in order to help spread an encouraging light to others. In a world of uncertainty and negatism’s I want to encourage you to LIVE. Yes, Life does get hard sometimes, But if we keep looking up at the SON; we gain strength, we become empowered and we grow in the process with God’s help; for it doesn’t matter where you are in your life at this moment in time; God is able and will meet you within that dark place and change your life from Dark to Light, I’m not only a witness to this; but JustsumInspiration to show you, That you too can make it.

Monthly Series: An Attitude of Gratitude – Challenge #7

Published on November 27, 2017November 27, 2017 by Roshonda B7 Comments

photo above courtesy of etsy.com

Happy Monday Inspiration! and welcome to the fourth and last week of our Monthly series – Attitude of Gratitude. I do hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!. Just in case you missed the November Vibes post, Every Monday and Wednesday for the month of November, I will be posting questions in regards to being grateful. I will answer these questions myself but my hope is that you will answer them too and leave those answers in the comment section.

Some questions may have us digging a little deeper within ourselves to answer them, but in the end – my hope is that you will feel more empowered and begin to see yourself and even your life differently and not just for the month of November – but for every month of the year. You can choose to start a journal if you want but this challenge as you may say, is not just about us writing things out and leaving it in a little book to store it away and go back to it when we’re reflecting on our life but the challenge is to show it!! so as an extra bonus after every question regarding yourself will be a question in which will relate to the world around you, it’ll be called “Our End of the Day Question” – you don’t have to write about it here, but it’ll be something that you’ll just ask yourself everyday at the end of your day. While writing out what we’re “grateful” for is half the battle, showing gratitude for and towards others is the KEY!

So, let’s do both – reflecting and showing….(by the way, the passage above will be in every challenge post to start off, however; a new question will be at the bottom of each post).

What is your TOP goal and why are you grateful for it (My response)

I would say that my TOP goal is to continue to go hard in exercise and stay healthy. Over the course of the last couple of months (late August), I’ve been on the “Girl, Get your Self Together” movement…lol. It was hard at first because as most of you know, when you go a long time without exercising – it’s a killer once you start back but if you keep at it, you’ll eventually begin to not only see results but improve your strength and overall thinking about your body and the things you put in it. We only get one body and therefore we have to treat it as our temple, not our trashcan.

I’ve also been doing/going to a group class called burn boot camp, trust me when you hear the word “boot camp” I know it makes you cringe because you know your body is going to be pushed to its limits. But I took the challenge and have been doing it thus far, faithfully everyday at 5:30am. It’s motivating to be around other people of all shapes and sizes, whom have the same goal as you “To Get Healthy.” It’s truly been a life changer for me and I absolutely love it. I realize that working out is a lifestyle change as I’m not doing it to fit into a certain garment or to attend a special event to show people or exes what they’ve missed but I’m doing it because I want to be healthy and I want to be able to have energy to do things with my two kids, so I do it strictly for me. I’m just grateful to be able to have the mind to want to get healthy and the will to actually do it.

– What is your TOP goal and why are you grateful for it; Comment Below –

Your End of the Day Question:

How many of your friends would you trust with my life?

Roshonda N. Blackmon – Creator of A Blog, A Magazine. It’s JustsumInspiration, Author, Speaker & Encourager

Let’s Live Well, Laugh Loud, Inspire More & Love Harder!

Monthly Series: An Attitude of Gratitude – Challenge #6

Published on November 22, 2017November 15, 2017 by Roshonda B4 Comments

I’m grateful for Wednesday! and welcome you to the third week of our Monthly series – Attitude of Gratitude. Just in case you missed the November Vibes post, Every Monday and Wednesday for the month of November, I will be posting questions in regards to being grateful. I will answer these questions myself but my hope is that you will answer them too and leave those answers in the comment section.

So, let’s do both – reflecting and showing….(by the way, the passage above will be in every challenge post to start off, however; a new question will be at the bottom of each post).

What Activities Do You Most Enjoy Doing (My response)

You know when I started this question, I immediately thought; okay, this is a no brainer but to be honest I’m really thinking about it right now – what do I enjoy doing…lol. Well, for starters I absolutely love writing – it’s therapy for me; therapy in which I do not have to pay anyone for, I give it to myself when I pick up a pen or stroke the keyboard and my therapy session begins. Listed below are a couple of other things that I enjoy doing:

Exercising – (when I get into the habit of it, lol and right now I am so it’s all good)

Trying New Things – I love trying anything new (especially food) that comes out, my family knows this and when they see something “new” being advertised, I’m the first one they ask “Have you tried that?” and 9 out of 10 (mostly 10) I have!

Helping/Talking to People – especially people that I don’t know. I remember one time I was holding a conversation with someone and we were just laughing and talking – forget to this day about what, but a person beside me asked “Do you know them?” and I said No, just met them today.

There may be more things but for the most part this is it, I love having fun and I love (just thought of it) going to the movies and/or curling up and watching a good movie (when I’m not too tired, because I’m known to fall asleep on a movie in a minute…lol) my sister can tell you all about that. Gotta catch me in the daylight!!

– What activities do you most enjoy doing!; Comment Below –

Your End of the Day Question:

If you had to instill one piece of advice in a newborn baby’s mind, what advice would you give him/her or them?

Roshonda N. Blackmon – Creator of A Blog, A Magazine. It’s JustsumInspiration, Author, Speaker & Encourager

Let’s Live Well, Laugh Loud, Inspire More & Love Harder!

EnSpired: God’s Garage of Texas Is Fixing Cars For Free & A Good Cause

Published on November 21, 2017November 16, 2017 by Roshonda BLeave a comment

photo above courtesy of bing

Every person that drives on a daily basis knows that when your car is down, so is everything else in your life and in most cases the cost to get it fixed can also be another downer especially, If you’re a woman like me and know very little about a car as it is; except when it needs an oil change – then like me you pray everyday that nothing major happens to it because if so, then that could lead to major problems; problems that you don’t need, especially when the money is already tight!

Well, at God’s Garage located in Conroe, Texas they know all too well what that situation is like and therefore started a mission to help single mothers, widows and wives of deployed military veterans keep those cars up and running all “FREE OF CHARGE!”

Gods-Garage-2 — God’s Garage – Conroe, Texas

Chris Williams, Pastor & Founder of God’s Garage works on the cars along with volunteers within the community whom donate their time to this inspiring effort. Chris and his team not only fix cars that are down but they also give cars away as well. According to NBC4i, the non-profit organization’s cars as well as money is donated by individuals and/or businesses. Cars that are donated that need little cost repair ($500 – $1000) of work, are repaired and given away.

And what does God’s Garage’s special customers have to say about it?

“I’m thrilled to be a recipient of one of their cars. They are the nicest people ever. I love it.” Jeanne McCowan

After becoming ill and losing her car due to not working, Jeanne will receive one of God’s Garage cars very soon.

“The women when they come to get the cars, you see the old guys, the tears start flowing and just the reactions to those ladies getting the car, that’s what keep you coming back,” Harvey Yaw (God’s Garage volunteer)

Just in case you seen the news today and thought “Is there anything good happening in the world?” Let this story prove that there really is, right there in Conroe, Texas.

Watch the inspiring video here:

Roshonda N. Blackmon – Creator of A Blog, A Magazine. It’s JustsumInspiration, Author, Speaker & Encourager

Let’s Live Well, Laugh Loud, Inspire More & Love Harder!

Monthly Series: An Attitude of Gratitude – Challenge #5

Published on November 20, 2017November 15, 2017 by Roshonda B14 Comments

Happy Monday! and welcome to the third week of our Monthly series – Attitude of Gratitude. Just in case you missed the November Vibes post, Every Monday and Wednesday for the month of November, I will be posting questions in regards to being grateful. I will answer these questions myself but my hope is that you will answer them too and leave those answers in the comment section.

So, let’s do both – reflecting and showing….(by the way, the passage above will be in every challenge post to start off, however; a new question will be at the bottom of each post).

Describe the last time your heart was overflowing with JOY! (My response)

Last year about this time, I had just gotten a new car – BUT! it was a frustrating experience prior to that point, while the beginning was frustrating and had me crying a many nights, the ending was so sweet and I knew that in the end GOD definitely DID IT! so here’s a short version of the story: I was living in a very nice place, probably one of the best places I’d ever lived in since being out on my own. The rooms were huge and there was enough room to move around without bumping into someone; however, those good times came to an end when I got a letter on the door stating that I had to move out, unfortunately the landlord didn’t take the money I paid him, to pay the mortgage on the place (this had been going on for quite some time without me knowing it) and the house was getting foreclosed on; I was devastated, hurt and wondering where in the world were me and my kids going to go?? In the process of moving, I got behind on my car payments although I did try to call and make arrangements but that went unnoticed; I woke up that Saturday morning to find my car gone, it had been repossessed and the kicker in all of that was – I was going to start a new job that following Monday!

How was I going to get to work?? Thank God for cool friends and a wonderful sister whom let me use her car for 2 weeks, putting her active family down to one car. I went everywhere trying to get a car and everyone denied me, I was so hurt and had reached my wits end until my mom mentioned a car dealership that I had not tried; thinking things were going to be the same verbatim conversation as the other dealers, I didn’t put much hope nor thought into the gentlemen that was asking me for the same exact information I had given everyone else. “I can get you a car,” he said….But that’s what everyone else had said too and to no avail, I had to get a ride back home. So as I waited impatiently on him to add up the numbers and submit the information, that feeling of defeat turned into a praise when I heard him come back and say, “Ma’am, YOU’RE APPROVED!!!!

– Describe the last time your heart was filled with Joy!; Comment Below –

Your End of the Day Question:

What resources do you have in your life right now, that you know someone else doesn’t have. You can’t save the whole world; but think of how you could help give at least one of those resources to someone in need. (food, warmth etc.)

Roshonda N. Blackmon – Creator of A Blog, A Magazine. It’s JustsumInspiration, Author, Speaker & Encourager

Let’s Live Well, Laugh Loud, Inspire More & Love Harder!

Sunday’s Thought: Okay, So Why Are You Still There?

Published on November 19, 2017November 13, 2017 by Roshonda BLeave a comment

photo above courtesy of bing/onlineincometeacher

Long ago, I had a job that I hated – for most of you I bet you’re saying “Join the club, Girl,” while this job was a dream come true in the beginning; the longer I stayed there the crazier, wackier and more dysfunctional it had become. I found myself hating to get up in the morning to take the long commute to get there, most days I cried before I got out of the car to enter the building – Yes, it was just that bad. I mean, I was (in my opinion) a good worker, I did my job and caught on quickly to any new tasks that were given to me, but no matter what I seemed to do, I still wasn’t liked or favored by upper management. They were the type of boss that showed favoritism to the people that didn’t do their jobs, they took glory in the gossipers whom sat in the corner and talked about everyone else; I mean, they joined them and talked about people too including the ones that were doing the gossiping; but here I was, trying to put out good work and still couldn’t get ahead with them, everything I did was wrong and even if it was right – they would always find a piece of the puzzle that just wasn’t put in securely.

I couldn’t win for always loosing – but I persevered on and kept doing what I was supposed to do. Suddenly one day the job that I had always wanted came up for grabs – thinking that I would be first choice for this job (since I was working closely with the person that was already doing it) I put in my application – to my surprise, quite a few people put in their applications as well for the same job – which was ridiculous to me because why would they do that and they hadn’t lifted a finger in the job that I was currently doing; but I kept my hopes up – when it came time for me to have my interview, I was excited – I was asked questions about the job that I had already known but……things turned when I was asked, “So, how much time are you willing to put into this position because it’s a lot more work than what you are doing now.” I stated – “I’m going to give it 100%.” 100%?, they asked. “I mean – you can’t commit 100% to anything, you’ll burn out.” Suddenly, I began to think about my current job and how I submitted this big report, a report that had all these mathematical numbers to it which involved budgets and accounting – no one had submitted that report and passed it error free, not even the predecessor that was once in that job – but, I had done it with flying colors – THE FIRST TIME! then I was asked the question, “Are you married?” by another interviewer, a friend of the boss in whom they felt like was knowledgeable about the job. I said No, and they both looked at each other like it was a crime to be a single mother and have a demanding job. All in all when the interview was over, they said decisions would be made tomorrow and that was it.

Tomorrow came and I was asked to come into the office, I was told later that a deputy was called in (just in case I got upset, in which is so out of my character but that was the way the authority figure was in that job – they would make hasty decisions and then call security, because they loved drama) once I sat down – I was told that I didn’t get the job and that they were sorry, they found someone else more qualified. I took a deep breath and said “Ok, is that all?” They said yes and I got up from my seat and walked out. I was told later that they were nervous because they didn’t know what I was going to do – but I had no intentions of doing anything. That was one incident out of many, many, many more incidents that happened while I was there but I continued to stay, in hopes that maybe they would see me differently and see that I really was a good worker, I worked with people whom came in the door one day and watched them take the job that I so desired, seems like the next – but I kept a good attitude through it all. So, you might say – well why did you stay? And my answer for that is “I wanted to see that authority figure fail” I wanted to see them get what they deserved because they had not only mistreated me but many other people in the process – everyone was tired of it, but no one had the power or the guts to stand up to them. I wanted God to allow me to stay so I can see them get payback for every wrong thing that they had done……what I failed to realize was this famous scripture “Vengeance is mine saith the Lord, I will repay” Romans 12:19 KJV you see, while I was sitting and waiting on them to “get theirs” I was holding my own self back from moving forwards. Suddenly, years had passed by and I was still holding on to seeing them get their “revenge”

Staying there to see the “action” unfold had literally kept me in bondage – I had applied for other jobs and had good leads but didn’t take them, I just couldn’t let go. We can’t make someone pay for the things or the wrong doing that they’ve inflicted on us, we truly have to leave that to God. I felt the urge from God to move many times, but I had grown so accustomed to what my mind wanted to do – I ignored his voice. When God says move, we have to move or we’ll waste unnecessary energy and time in the dry place and not our new place which is flowing with milk, honey and less headaches.

I don’t know what place you’re in right now or what situation you’re facing that may be causing you to stay in the same place but let me tell you – God left a long time ago and if you want the “new” blessings he has for you – then you have to leave the place that’s got you stuck. God can’t and won’t bless us if we continue to stay in the same situation, especially when he has provided a way of escape for us to get out.

After years of being waste deep in swamp land, I finally put my faith into action; I brought some boxes to work, went into my office and began to take my things off the walls and box them up; I then told the lord that I was finally ready to move on. While it hurt me deeply to leave, I knew that it was the best move and I have to say, while moving forward has had it’s ups and downs – God has given me more than what I had before and has put me in places and in front of people that I wouldn’t have met or experienced had I had stayed in that dry place. And when I finally left?, God did exactly what he wanted to do, Vengeance really was his, I just had to get out of his way and let him pick up the tab.