A Celebration of Freedom

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c. Sheila L. Agnew McCoy 2015

The LeBron James "Success Factor"

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I believe we can all learn a lesson by following the LeBron James “Success Factor.” He is a man with a plan and delivers on the WOW every time. His greatness is demonstrated in his ability to focus on essential goals to achieve results that many of us only dream about.

Not only has LeBron worked extremely hard and long to develop his skills, he has the mental capacity to block out negativity and surpass his harshest critics’ expectations. It takes an incredible mind to remain focused on the one goal, the one thing that you want achieve in your life plan and make it happen in spite of trials and tribulations.

We see athletes get distracted all the time with drugs, relationships, injuries and poor life choices. These are young men and women who have worked hard to become the best of the best, yet miss the mark by taking their eyes off their goals.

In our everyday lives we become distracted from our goals and dreams by taking our eyes off the focus. You don’t have to be an athlete to create a WOW factor in your life, but we would be well-advised to study how great achievers become successful in their endeavors. Focus is imperative in finding and mastering the art of living your purpose. Whatever your goals, stay consistent and diligent to cultivate a life centered on achieving success.

Lastly, I want to qualify, I am not a savvy sports fan and truthfully, I am not even a big LeBron James fan. However, I am a student of studying and learning. When I watch sports, I look beyond the game and focus on the strength, will and determination.  Don’t be mad because your team didn’t win. Don’t give up because things did not work out on your personal endeavors. Get up and start over again. Be committed to be the best of the best.  Divine order contributes to right outcome. 

Turn Your Vision into Reality!

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A Lesson on Focus from President Barack Obama

     “One of the most difficult challenges in pursuing or living your calling is to remain focused.  At times, life itself may be filled with diversions that distract your focus from your goals. You may encounter many obstacles in starting and finishing even a simple household or work project.  Imagine the difficulty in remaining focused with a project as large as your calling!  It is difficult, but certainly not impossible.  In fact, remaining focused to achieve your life purpose is imperative.”

     While watching President Barack Obama delivery the State of the Union address on Tuesday evening, I was reminded that chapter four of my book, Dear ____, Are You Missing Your Calling? was inspired by his unique ability to remain focused in the midst of challenge and adversity. During his two campaigns, I was most intrigued by President Obama’s self-control and capacity to stay centered on the issues, which eventually won him the presidency twice. “We can only imagine the complexity of how God placed the vision in his mind that he could run for President of the United States of America and even succeed against unimaginable odds.”

     While most of us will not likely run for President of the United States, we are all in a race to pursue our callings and purposes. Each of our gifts, skills and talents are unique. In order to reach our God-given potential, we must remain focused.  Focus is not a gift or calling, it is a discipline designed to guide us on a clear path by setting priorities to vigorously pursue and reach your goals.

     We have come to know a few things about President Obama in the eight years he has been President, but we know less of the intimate twenty-two-year journey that he walked while pursing the directive of his vision. It took patience, endurance and confidence to believe he could achieve a position larger than himself and create a legacy.

     It is possible for all of us to reach success with our individual callings. There is a roadmap for each one of our journeys. In order remain focused, we must place priority over the things that are most important and have the most value to our purpose. Essentially, focus requires consistency and diligence in cultivating your vision. Focus is not an easy task. I often remind myself to keep a focused attitude by following some of the suggestions I shared in the book.

• Stay spiritually inspired.
• Reduce or eliminate things and people that distract you.
• Boost your energy with healthy foods and exercise to remain mentally alert.
• Make a commitment to limit distractions (phone, social media..) to 1-2 hours a day.
• Pray and meditate day and night.

     "If you continue to find yourself having difficulty remaining focused, ask God to reveal your path, look for the signs and pursue them passionately. If your are committed to doing your part to remain focused and willing to obey the voice of God, he will fulfill your requests. Divine order contributes to right outcome."

Dear ____, Are You Missing Your Calling? is on Amazon Kindle and Paperback. Check out a sample chapter free at CLICK HERE

      

    

Maya Angelou One of Those Women

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I admire successful women, not necessarily financial success, but women who have pulled themselves from nothing, meager beginnings or adverse situations, and emerged from those adversities to achieve what some only dream about. 

Maya Angelou was one of those women. Every time she spoke I listened with great anticipation of being inspired. Her words were so elegant and full of substance, provoking me to stand firm and stay on course with my goals.

Even though I was not honored to have personally met her, she was part of my path and growth through her writings, good deeds and actions. She proved that you don't always have to come from something to be something. Great people can come from unknown places. She was not without fault, but rather than hide the misfortunes of her youth, she wrote about it in the award winning autobiography, I Know Why Caged Birds Sing. Opposed to living her life as a victim, she rose to become a prolific writer, author, teacher and activist who educated and inspired millions.

Through her widely popular poem, Phenomenal Woman, Maya taught women that true beauty is not on the cover of magazines, but beauty eludes from your body language with attitude and confidence. She encouraged men to look beyond our external features and discover our inner mysteries.

I give honor to Maya Angelou. It's beautiful when you touch someone's life and your legacy is a gift to future generations. That gift should not be taken for granted. If Maya touched many, surely we can touch a few. It only takes one to touch another. Imagine the boundaries we could cross with an arm's reach. 

She died quietly in her sleep. Her voice is gone, but her light will shine forever.

Maya Angelou was one of those women.

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