Grateful – A Blog, A Magazine. It's JustsumInspiration!

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 #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!

Monthly Series: An Attitude of Gratitude – Challenge #3

Published on November 13, 2017November 9, 2017 by Roshonda BLeave a comment

Happy Monday! so, today is the second week/3rd day 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 painful experience has helped you grow. (My response)

I’ve had quite a few painful experiences that has helped me grow, some painful experiences (such as relationships) were painful for the moment but after the pain eased up, I found myself treading back down that same hurtful path only to get hurt again, except this time around – it was a little worse. But I have to say that this year I learned a lot from my past relationships whether they were friends or past exes. I learned that the past is the past and when things have past on – it’s best to leave it there. There’s a reason they call the past the past because it’s something that’ll always be entitled “once was.” The past has absolutely nothing to do with your future and if you keep toiling with the past and it’s issues then you’ll never experience the future, which always offer us something fresh & new! I might have messed over my 30’s with being in the wrong places, with the wrong people and put on more hurts, habits and hang-ups than I should, but as this year comes to a close I’m determined to hang out with people whom “truly” have my best interest at heart. #NoMorePainfulExperiences – at least none that I can control or help.

– What pain experience(s) has helped you grow; Comment Below –

Your End of the Day Question:

Did you put a smile on someone’s face today? If so, who?

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

Let’s Live Well, Laugh Loud, Inspire Often & Love Hard!

Becoming A Thankful Person

Published on November 9, 2017November 4, 2017 by Roshonda B7 Comments

photo credit above courtesy of bing

Have you ever met someone that no matter how good something was, they always found a reason to complain about it? Life has many ups and downs, curve balls, left hand swings, but just because life may have decided to put you in a bad situation, doesn’t mean that there aren’t little glimmers of light that shine through in which we should give thanks for.

There are countless situations in which we can find reasons to complain about such as our jobs, but there are many people whom can’t seem to catch a break in finding the good in it. We complain about the cars we drive, but there’s someone out there who has to walk or take public transit everywhere they go.

We complain about our kids, but there are people out there who would love to have one, but can’t. While there are many things we can complain about, there are also many things we should and can be thankful about as well.

Listed below are a couple of tips to help you become a little more thankful on any given day, no matter what situation or circumstance life has left on our doorstep.

Becoming A Thankful Person – Every..Single..Day

You should always be thankful for the life, health, and strength that you have and are given each day. This may be a minute thing, but when you look around at the people who aren’t so fortunate to have those things, it can make your day and your heart of gratitude that much more special. Every day above ground is truly a miracle; a miracle that everyone doesn’t have.

Being Thankful for Everything “YOU” Have

It’s easy to look at someone else’s situation and think that they have it so much better than us; we covet what they have thinking its better.

In reality, we’re all outsiders looking into someone else’s window. What we don’t see is how they too are struggling just like us, it might be a different struggle but we’re all in the same boat. While you’re looking into someone else’s window wishing for what they have, someone is looking through your window wishing they had what you got.

Being Thankful for Our Relationships

We should be thankful for our friendships as well as be grateful for our moms, dads, sisters and brothers no matter how close or distant you may be from them.

Family and friends are so important. Most times we don’t realize how blessed we are to have a family or loved ones in our corner until it’s too late and there are many people who wish that can have such relationships.

Being Thankful for Both small & BIG Things

We should give thanks in everything, even the small things. We should always be thankful, from the smallest things such as being able to eat what you want to the bigger things like receiving a promotion or getting the job of your dreams.

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Every day is a gift, and it’s a gift that should be cherished no matter the outcome, circumstance or situation that life may bring. Giving thanks is not meant for a particular day or season. Instead, it’s a lifestyle that we should aim to have every day of the year.

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT

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

Let’s Live Well, Laugh Loud, Inspire Often & Love Hard!

Monthly Series: An Attitude of Gratitude – Challenge #2

Published on November 8, 2017November 14, 2017 by Roshonda BLeave a comment

photo above courtesy of quotesgram

Happy Wednesday! today is the second day 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 risk are you most grateful for taking. (My response)

I would say the risk that I am so grateful for taking is starting this blog – I have to say, the idea of starting a blog came to me late 2014. I really can’t explain it but I was on my computer and this word-press ad came up and here my hand to God, it was like something said “start a blog” – At first, I thought “It was myself relating this message to my brain.” You know how you feel like something is just you? – but this stuck with me. Now, I have to be honest – I didn’t start when it was given to me at that point in which was about September, I didn’t get started until March of the following year!!

I remember it like it was yesterday, It was a Friday and I had just gotten paid and that unction within my spirit came back even stronger this time and said “NOW!!” I knew what it was referring too, so I answered the call and started the blog that day (March 13, 2015), it was a free blog at first but then I later transitioned to a paid one. I can’t say that it was easy and that everyday has been on the up and up but I will say when I look back, I am so grateful that I started – I wondered at first like, “What would I talk about?” “Would people really listen to me?” and if I could really do it. Well, here I am almost 3 years later – DOING IT! The only thing I knew at the time was that I loved encouraging people and while I didn’t know exactly how that was all going to pan out – Once I “finally” put things in God’s hands, I gave him the keys and allowed him to drive. Since that time, there have been many bumps in the road and I’ve felt like giving up MANY, MANY, MANY TIMES! But, I’m still here, trusting him and not the likes or the comments (because that can get’cha) but allowing him to guide my hands, thoughts and heart on what he wants me to say. When people do respond to a post and say how it’s changed their life or caused them to think differently or do things differently – that let’s me know that God has me on the right track and for that, I’M GRATEFUL!!

– Comment Below –