Oh em Gee! I have a million and one things to do and I don’t know when I’m going to do it or how I am going to do it or what to do first,. I have work, school, church, Wear Your Confidence, meetings, readings, studying, I’m writing blogs, reading books that people never heard of, more studying, organizing and planning for the future! But wait! Let me take a selfie! AHHH! On top of that I still have to squeeze in time with family, friends and myself! Am I the only one doing something? How about you? Are you busy “doing” as well? Does school, practice, rehearsals, homework, writing papers and studying take up your time too? Well, it feels good to know that I am not alone! We are not alone! :Singing: You are not alone.. I am here with you!

Sometimes we get so stinkin’ busy doing things when we finally get a break we ask, “What am I doing this for?” Sometimes we feel as if we are the only ones working and everyone is playing and having fun and enjoying life! We sometimes feel all alone, like we are by ourselves and we are doing all of this for nothing. We are in school, we study, we get good grades, for what though? Is it to get into college and do the same thing over again? We work, we work, we work. We plan, we plan, we plan, we dream, we dream, we dream, we do and do and do. We dodo! I digress. But you see my point? We do ALL of this stuff, we make progress, we are on our way but still feel like we are doing all of this for nothing. Why? Why do we feel this way? If you have ever felt this way, I have some good new s for you! THIS IS NORMAL! The devil is trying to get you off course! So he will make you doubt yourself, question your abilities and even make you feel insecure! You have goals and dreams and the devil will try to do any and every thing to stop you from accomplishing them! It is not our job to know everything! God has plans for us and God’s ways are way better than ours. What we have to do is keep on going, planning, reaching, studying, and practicing! We cannot give up! Don’t give up because things are not going as fast as you would like. Before you know it you will be out of school and on to the next phase of life. It is all a process and you are not alone. God is with you every step of the way! There are millions of girls who feel this way! Shoot! Sometimes I feel this way! We just have to remember that we are on the right path and we can’t give up! We have to be confident in our God-given abilities and keep on going. It’s not always going to be easy, so make sure you keep some positive friends around to talk some sense into when you feel like giving up! Don’t have any positive friends? Email me at [email protected], comment below, let’s stay connected and walk this thing out together!

When you feel unsure about where you are going in life, remember Jeremiah 29:11
"I know the plans I have in mind for you, declares the Lord; they are plans for peace, not disaster, to give you a future filled with hope."
 
XOXO,
Don’t Forget Your Confidence

For all of the times I hurt you, talked about you, criticized you, compared you to others and downright hated you, I am truly sorry. I paraded you around like a piece of candy. I dressed you in ways that were inappropriate, in ways that allowed others access to your secret and sacred parts. I gave you to people that did not love you, that could not love you the way you needed to be loved. People touched you and hurt you and you had no control over it… and I am sorry. For all of the times that I looked at you and despised the height, width, curves, dimples, freckles that you possess, I am sorry. I hurt you, cut you, starved you, forced you into tight clothes, hid you behind baggy clothes. I bleached you, tanned you, pierced you and marked you with permanent ink. I enlarged you, stretched you, picked you, squeezed you and broke you down. I pushed you to the edge, overexerted you, and took away your sleep and rest. I made you feel worthless, unimportant, unloved and unappreciated. I failed to realize that you are not a part of me but in fact you are me… my body. I am my body. I failed to realize that I am a beautiful creation. I was created by Greatness! God breathed life into me! My body is perfect, if I choose to believe it or not that is up to me! I took myself for granted and never thanked myself for still loving me when at times, I hated me. I kept going! I survived. There was something in me that would not allow me to stop, slow down or quit. I am stronger than I thought and after all I put myself through God still loves me and wants more from me! God loves this body, this body is fearfully and wonderfully made! This body survived the hate, ridicule, hurt and torment that was inflicted by others.

Today I choose to celebrate my body! I will no longer hide you and make you feel less than perfect. I will no longer talk bad about you and cause you to melt down. I will honor you and keep you safe. I realize that you and I are one; together we will work in harmony and continue to love when we don’t want to. We will love when it seems like we can’t love anymore. I will love you and you will love me. We are survivors and we are a team! Today, I realize that you are a gift, a perfect, beautiful, gift from God! I realize that the things about you that I consider flaws are what make you unique. I accept you! I will no longer allow everyone access to you. I will protect you to the best of my ability. I will stand up for you, I will compliment you, I will respect you because you are not just a part of me, you are me.

For all of the times I hurt you, I am sorry. From this day forward I will wear my confidence and accept the things I can’t change about you, I love you and I know that I am great because God does not make mistakes!


XoXo, 
Cherise

* Share this letter with any girl or woman you know who may need to be reminded that their body is beautiful.

Are you among the millions of people who are fans of the hit show The Walking Dead? You know Lori, Glenn Rhee, Daryl Dixon and OH EM GEE Rick Grimes!?  I can’t believe another season is back! Can you? To be honest, I haven’t seen an episode, I know I know, I am probably missing out on something but if you haven’t seen an episode you most likely have heard people talking about the show at one point. If not, you can assume that the show has to deal with zombies, people who are dead but are walking around as though they are not.

Did you know that millions of people are “walking dead?” These people seem to be ok. They walk, talk, look and dress “normal”, just like you. What if I told you that you come across the walking dead every single day? Yes, you see dead people! What if I told you that you might be one of those who are “walking dead.” Yes YOU! Walking dead! Did you know that more than “350 million people of all ages suffer from depression,” or as I like to call it “the walking dead syndrome” and more women are affected than men? (http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs369/en/)

Depression can be mild, moderate or severe. People who suffer from depression experience a loss of interest and enjoyment in the things they liked to do. They also have low energy which leads to a decrease in activity. (http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs369/en/) People with depression also experience disturbed sleep, loss of appetite and may also experience feelings of guilt or low-self worth and poor concentration. People who suffer from depression usually suffer for long periods of time, it is not a one day episode or sorrow. Depression is a serious issue and many times those who are depressed suffer in silence because they can’t express what it is they are feeling. Depression is a common illness worldwide which can result from a wide range of factors (for example, emotional, mental as well as life situations). Many times we pretend that everything is fine, we wake up, get dressed and go to school while on the inside we feel horrible. We feel like there is a dark cloud over our heads. There is something that is bothering us deep down, something that is eating away at us, and many of us don't say anything.


I just want to let you know that you are not alone and you should not be afraid to tell someone you can trust what you are dealing with. If you have a friend that you feel might be depressed you should talk to them and have them talk to a professional who can better help. I am not a medical professional or a therapist, however, I do know that prayer does work. There was a king in the bible by the name of David who was “troubled” greatly, he would “mourn” all day long and “groan because of the turmoil” in his heart (Psalm 38:6,8). To me, it sounds like David was depressed. So what did David do? I am glad you asked! David prayed! In Psalm 38 David poured out his heart to God, he told God that he felt alone, abandoned and that he could not take it anymore. David asks that God would help him with all that he was dealing with. David knew that only God could help him in his time of trouble. David didn’t want to be a “walking dead” man any longer. You don’t have to be either. If you are not depressed but you are sad or feel lonely you can always pray. Prayer is just talking to God. So pray!

Please don’t get me wrong…I am not saying that you should not seek medical help. Sometimes medication is needed depending on how severe a person’s situation is. Whether you have to take medication or not, you should still pray and remember that all things are possible with GOD! God can heal your depression!

I pray that God will help you with whatever feelings or situation you might be facing or dealing with today. I pray that God will speak to your heart and that you feel His love like never before. I want you to know that you are not alone and you are not crazy for feeling the way you feel. Don’t suffer alone. You do not have to. I pray that your situation will get better and that God will continue to surround you with love and peace of mind. Keeping praying, keep smiling and keep on wearing your confidence because it will get better! Amen!


*Don’t forget your confidence
XOXO,

Cherise

 
For immediate help or to speak with someone please call:

DepressionCrisis Call Center
800-273-8255 or text ANSWER to 839863
Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week
http://crisiscallcenter.org/crisisservices.html

Depression and Bipolar Support 
800-273-TALK (8255)
Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week 
http://www.dbsalliance.org

National Hopeline Network
800-SUICIDE (784-2433)
800-442-HOPE (4673)
Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week
http://www.hopeline.com
        
Crisis Center and Hotlines Locator by State
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/getinvolved/locator

Suicide Prevention Services Depression Hotline
630-482-9696
Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week
http://www.spsamerica.org