"...it's forgiveness!" Carrie Bradshaw-Sex and the City, the Movie

I can't even count the number of times I've watched this movie (one of my favorite feel good flicks) and I always anticipate the scene with Carrie and Miranda in the cab. Miranda is asking for Carrie's forgiveness for something that happened only a few days before but won't forgive her husband of something that took place months ago. Carrie had to quickly put things into perspective for Miranda. 

TRUTH 101~There are NO levels of forgiveness. NO offense is greater than the other in the eyes of God. That's solely a human thing. Forgiveness is what He requires of us. There's simply no way around it. 

#WhatIKnowforSure If you do your part, He will definitely do His. When being convicted of unforgiveness over and over again and   trying to reason with God as to why I couldn't and shouldn't forgive certain people, He simply replied "YOU FORGIVE THEM, LEAVE THE CORRECTING UP TO ME!"

21 Days to a Better YOU!

So what are the chances of you...
 
(1) making a decision
 
(2) putting it into action, and

(3) seeing the fruits of your labor?

Hhhmmm...just try it and see what happens. Take a few days to figure out one thing that really needs to change in your life in order to propel you forward. Only choose one, for now. If you are anything like me, more than that may overwhelm you, especially in the beginning. Take this weekend to reflect. Pick a start date between Monday February 11 and Wednesday February 13. Make EVERY effort to put into practice the thing(s) that will allow you to see significant changes in your life at the of the 21 days.

It doesn't really matter what it is...quitting smoking, eating better, exercising, organizing your home/work space, ending procrastination, etc. And don't worry, the steps don't have to be anything drastic or major. Our motto here is "start small, finish STRONG!

Keep a daily journal of what you've done that day and what you plan to do tomorrow. Reflect on your feelings and how you are beginning to grow. Be sure to do this regularly so that you won't leave out any important details.

At the end of the 21 days, depending on your start date, send me an email improvingthehumanexperience@gmail.com sharing your progress. You can also check back here as well as the IHE Facebook page for daily encouragement and support. And if you need me before you 21 days are up, I am available.

I am praying and believing for your progress. I'M EXCITED!


WHAT I KNOW FOR SURE~In order to see changes, you've got to make changes. NOTHING JUST HAPPENS!

Yet a Work in Progress

A few weeks ago I was having a conversation with a wise woman of God about reconstructing and expanding my social media sites (especially my blog). I was thinking that I needed to adopt a more "professional" look. She quickly pointed out to me that God has enough professionals. What's needed is people who've gone through some stuff, have experienced the power of God in their lives, and are willing to share their journey in the truth of who they are. So that's were Improving the Human Experience comes in.

I am not as regular with the blog posts as I would like to be, but I realize that my truth can't be forced. I write as the Spirit leads and many times I struggle with what I am lead to share. But I've learned that this  isn't about me, so obedient I remain. Here I am to share, learn, and grow. Yesterday I received some wonderful words of encouragement from a former schoolmate. I am so appreciative mainly because I was in the middle of having a "woe is me" moment. I'd spent all day working on something that didn't quite turn out how I wanted it to. Today's a new day and the mission is never impossible.
 
Before I close let me send a great big shout out to Stephanie Brand Pierce and everyone else who follows and reads my blog, Facebook posts, and tweets. I am delighted that you stopped by but please leave a comment a two. Also become a follower, they are very special to me just as my Facebook friends are. I'd love to know how my words have inspired and encouraged you to make it through storms and live your best lives. Questions as well as suggestions as to how I can be of better service to you on your journey are welcomed. That is my primary reason for sharing.

As always, I wish you all the PEACE your hearts can hold. Have a good one my loves!

MOVING TOWARDS MY LIFE'S PURPOSE, DREAMS, & VISION~Many of you know the journey I've been on for the last five years or so. I'll be the first to tell you that it doesn't take anything major to get you moving in the direction of fulfilling your dreams. EVERY ACTION COUNTS, whether big or small. Although they can happen, you can’t just sit around waiting on some miraculous event to take place.  

I read something earlier pertaining to asking God for things such as strength, wisdom, prosperity, courage, love, and favor. We only receive these things through situations, circumstances, and doing the work that leads to the desired results. Because I can’t and refuse to conform to mediocrity, I asked God to make me who He created me to be (which entails me possessing the aforementioned qualities) and I believe almost completely losing my eyesight was what it took to get me where I need to be. Yes, it seems a bit extreme to me also, but God has His reasons.

Even though I asked God for His will for my life, it took me a while to realize what this “eye situation” was all about. I spent months in depression, sulking, feeling sorry for myself, and being mad at God and everyone else. But as soon as I got out of my feelings (and yes, I do tend to slip back from time to time) I began to do what was within my power to move forward. When I could barely see my hand in front of my face, I began to get out and walk. After having to be taken or guided everywhere for a while, I had become afraid to go out alone. I had no depth perception, so I couldn’t tell the distance of a car when I was trying to cross the street. I had to stand there for a while and just stare at the street so that my eye could focus on color and the image of a car. I had to listen carefully for the sound to determine the distance of a car, then I’d just run across as fast as I could. It’s funny thinking back, but I had to do what needed to be done. My life depended on it!

Some years later, I’m still dealing with this “eye situation” which I believe is almost over, praise God. And guess what, no big miracle has taken place. What has happened is that I’ve begun to move forward. I get up daily with the idea in mind “what step(s) will I take to move towards my dreams today?” Getting my body back in shape is paramount, so I start with a healthy breakfast (very small step), I go to the gym at least five days a week. I read, write, and I’m constantly in communication with the Holy Spirit, who continues to guide me on this journey. “What am I missing Lord? What would You have me to do today so that You may continue to be glorified in my life?”

I've also decided that I want a career change. I've always loved words and writing but now it’s become my passion. Facebook, blogs, and other media outlets have allowed me to see how my words, as well as the words of others, can truly change lives. Stephanie R Howard will become a household name throughout the country and maybe the world. My story will inspire others to move past their fears and live a life filled with hope, destiny, and purpose. It is also my dream to reenter the field of copy editing and freelance writing as well as becoming a social media manager and published author. So I've begun to make connections and educate myself on things current. Knowledge applied is power!

ENCOURAGEMENT 101~whoever you are, whatever you are going through, don’t allow your life to pass you by. Hopelessness is a facade! As long as you are still alive, there’s always an opportunity to make a difference. Go to God! He’ll give you what you need to obtain the life of your dreams. Start small so that you may finish strong. WHAT I KNOW FOR SURE~I haven’t always had perfect eyesight, but I've always been a woman with vision. 

You can only live the life you spiritually, mentally, and physically prepare yourself for! No one can do it for you and you can't have anyone else's life. Do the work! Destiny is waiting!

Guide my eyes so that I may see the beauty in all that You've created.
 

Guide my tongue so that I may speak only life and blessings over my life 

as well as others.
 

Guide my feet so that I may continue to walk boldly into my prepared destiny.
 

Guide my mind so that I may remain fervent and focused on the tasks You've set before me.
 

Guide my hands so that everything I touch You have called blessed.
 

Guide my life so that I'm a continuous representation of the LOVE, GRACE, & MERCY You've shown to me. 

#justfortodayLord

It's not to make you miserable or to make your life seem as it's unbearable
It's not to put you to shame or to even make you feel you want to
die
It's to build character, resilience, and courage
It's to build your faith come what may
It's to help you stand flat foot in the face of fear and declare "I SHALL LIVE AND NOT DIE"

It's to allow you to be a living witness that others can make it through
It's to honor and glorify the God who got you through it all

It's to help you come to know and serve the God who's greater than anything
It's to make your praise and worship as natural as each breath you take
It's to get you to your place of destiny and purpose, realizing that it was ALL worth it.

S. R. Howard on the purpose of pain and healing

I AM a person with BIG DREAMS! And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. #notetoself #destin4grtness

DENIAL of a situation doesn't make it go away. Sooner or later you'll have to deal with it or it will deal with you. #stoplyingtoyourself

LISTEN CAREFULLY~You can change your mind, clothes, hair, address, even the milege on your car (although illegal) but YOU CANNOT CANNOT CHANGE PEOPLE! You just may have a better chance at winning the lottery.

#yougonelearn #improvingthehumanexperience

Love is relative to one's experience. You should open your mind more, and that doesn't mean go against the word or what you believe. I study people as a hobby LOL...and one thing I've learned it that each has his/her own experience. It's not safe to assume anything and it's definitely not safe to put people in a box especially when you don't know them. Who knows if you took the time to get to know a lady, without letting your past experiences be at the forefront, you may find that at the core you both are more alike than different.

LOVE is patient and so is PURPOSE. So those of us who are PURPOSE minded don't mind patiently waiting for "LOVE with a PURPOSE." #butnottoolong

It's amazing but I'm realizing keeping my mouth shut on a lot of things my just be about of my destiny also. Revelation is a good thing!

It's amazing when on its own the human spirit is hard headed. One of the biggest lessons I've learned while developing a relationship with God is He's not an enabler. It's true God can do any and all things but there are many things we can physically do for ourselves. We can commission His Spirit to aid us in a task but it's against the word of God to idly sit by and do nothing. Having pity parties and wanting people to feel sorry for us all the time. There's a thin line between being an enabler and a helper.

Partcipating in strife, confusion, and disorder will only render you the same. There is no way possible for you to live this way and have a prosperous and peaceful life. As long as you do what you've always done, you'll continue to get what you've always gotten. It's all up to you.

S. R. Howard on change begins with you

If I had something special in store for you but you never talked to or communicated with me in anyway, how would you know? Well that's exactly how it is with God. Many of us spend the majority of our lives hopelessly wondering the who, what, when , how, and why of it all, when all we have to do is begin to develop a relationship with the all mighty all knowing God. Sure you could hear it from others but something this intimate and special should come straight from the source. Don't spend another minute wondering why you are hear and what you should be doing. It's been said, if you want to know the purpose of a thing, you should ask the creator of that thing. And it may not be given to you all at once but step by step the Holy Spirit will guide you into your truth. The sooner you started the sooner you'll get to the other side.

S. R: Howard you are here for a reason

I will love, support, encourage, and even protect and defend to the best of my ability but I will not enable.

Being the type of person who loves to travel, explore, and be married, it's been hard to sit by and watch people I know do things I long to do. I thank God that I've gotten to the place were I no longer wish for someone else's life. I'm confident so in God's plan and purpose for me that I know that He is working it all out. He knows my dreams and the desires of my heart. I delight myself in Him, so I know I will receive them. Getting to this place wasn't easy but I now realize it was well worth it. There are better days ahead.

S R Howard on what God has for me is still for me

The word of God tells us to not be unequally yoked, so why do some many of us singles struggle with this. I think it's because of the confusion and discontentment that usually sets in when you're my age and it hasn't happened yet. "Lord will I ever be married?" is a question I often ask myself. Yes I desire to be married and I feel that it's a part of my purpose.  During a discussion with fellow single Christians concerning this one stated that a young lady had asked if was wrong to marry a Muslim, he's a good person and treats her really well. I can understand why a Christian would have this question. When we so many divorces in the Christian community and not to mention the adultery and abuse at the hand of pastors against their wives. Many have married just because a they were both Christians while overlooking the nasty attitude, being poor with finances, unable to get along with anyone, but he/she attends church every Sunday and many days in between Although I believe  God ordained marriage, He does allow us to chose who we want to love and enter into covenant with. And no two people of different faiths will be able to live peaceably in the same house . So before making your choice, pray, fast, ask God to help you to see who this person really is, do they fit the journey that is before you.

We must always be open to learn. Even when we think we've "arrived" we still haven't. I've been told that I'm too hard on men and people in general but that's not so. I think I didn't really know the level of my compassion for others. I'm learning to display the truth of who I am, give advice when asked or led by the Spirit, and always pray. But when it comes to my mate, we have to be on the same page, not perfect, but living on purpose and willing and continuing to learn and grow.