Month: March 2019

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Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

Afternoon, NOTE takers! I purposely didn’t put a title for this post, but rather a punctuation mark, because it represents how I currently feel. I have been VERY busy with school, my full-time job, running my own business, maintaining/updating my website, and booking speaking engagements along the way, that I’ve forgotten I’m only one person and sometimes I get tired. BUT, no matter how tired I am, I still keep moving forward, because I am receiving things I have prayed years for, and I couldn’t be more happier!

In 3 days, I will be speaking to RA High School 9-12 students, about my personal life experiences and how I overcame them. On top of that, I’ve very fortunate and blessed that they also will be having a book signing for me, and I feel so honored! Sometimes, I sit and ask, “Why would they want me to come speak”?, but I realize I have a very awesome and brave story to share, especially to those who are in need of hope, and are going through what I’ve been through.

In the words of Drake, “What a time to be alive”! I couldn’t be anymore happier for the way my life is currently going, and hopefully, I won’t see a period (.) anytime soon. I want this train to continue going, and we all know that a period (.) represents the end, and I don’t want to be stopped! Praying that you too are experiencing complete joy, and all of God’s blessings! Keep going……it’s only the beginning!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

Beyond the flames (Life outside the furnace, Part I)

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, were thrown into the fiery furnace, they never allowed fear to settle in. One, because of their faith in God. Two, because they knew what was beyond the flames. Before we discuss life outside the furnace, let’s talk about why so many people are in it. We can either walk in, because of our own wrongdoing, or we can be thrown in, all because our beliefs, morals or values don’t align with that of another.

In Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego’s case, they were wrongfully thrown into the fiery furnace, because they refused to worship and acknowledge King Nebuchadnezzar as their “god”. In this case, they stayed in line with their beliefs and denounced anything that wasn’t of their God. Angry with their “disobedience”, King N decided to punish them, by putting them in the furnace, while hoping and knowing, they’d be dead.

However, he couldn’t harm or kill anything that was meant to live! You see, there was life outside the furnace for all three men, so there was no way God was going to allow them to die! Ultimately, a lot of us “die”, because we allow people to “kill” us off. We are confident and know who we are, but then we foolishly allow doubt and fear (King N) to creep in. Suddenly, we ferociously fan the flames, in attempts to put out the fire. But, how can you put out something you are partly responsible for?

We were not created to be confined or restrained to someone else’s ideologies of us. We owe it to ourselves to walk in our purpose, and live life outside the parameters of what someone has tried to hold us to. Anything besides this, is what I view as mental slavery. We’re too afraid (fear) to think and act for ourselves, so we relinquish the power to someone else. Rather than stand up for who and what we believe, we stay in the furnace, because the risk of speaking up is far greater than being burned.

No matter what the situation is, always choose to stand up for yourself and what you believe in. Had Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego not stood up for themselves, they too would’ve been enslaved to King N’s ideas and practices. However, you were created for a purpose and with a purpose! Continue to speak up for yourself! You may get burned a few times, but you’ll never become engulfed by the flames. Understand and realize, there is “life beyond the furnace”.

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

Happiness is a choice!

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

Are you happy? Sad? Negative or positive? Everybody is responsible for their own decisions, and I’m sick of people allowing others to influence theirs. The moment we give someone control over our emotions, essentially, we are saying, “Do as you please…….I give you all power”!

Why would you want someone to control or determine how you feel? How you live your life? How is it, that you can allow them to dictate how you feel, when half the time, they don’t even know why they’re sad? It irks me when people throw themselves pity parties, extend an invitation, and then get upset when you refuse to come.

I made the choice to make my own decisions. Nothing or no one controls me, so that way, when things don’t go as planned, I can only fault myself, because ultimately, it was “my choice”. When I got tired of struggling and playing the cards I was dealt, I “made the choice” to do better for myself.

Everyday, I choose to be happy and try not to allow what’s happening around me, to effect me! Everybody has choices, so if you are choosing to be anything other than happy, then you have to live with your decision! Stop misplacing blame and accept responsibility for your feelings and actions.

Happiness is a choice, so if you aren’t, it’s because you chose NOT too!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

Glitter but no gold

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

I titled this post after the name of my first book, “Glitter but no gold: How I turned my wounds into wisdom”, because perception is everything, but our false reality is not! Have you ever logged onto your social media account, only to see people hashtag, #goals?

Completely unaware of what’s behind the images they see, all they know is, it’s (or they are) their “goal”. For all we know, they can be modeling themselves or life, after someone who’s not even living theirs! Like a child, we see nice, shiny things, and automatically equate it to gold, but everything that glitters is not!

This is one of the biggest things I preach constantly to my students and strangers even, because for some apparent reason, they think I “have it all”, when a lot of days, I’m falling apart at the seams. I keep telling them, they don’t want these problems! However, all they see is a very nice truck, beautiful clothes and shoes, a great personality and someone who’s outgoing, but they don’t know what lies behind a “smile”.

I mask a lot of things, but one thing I won’t ever do, is sell someone a dream, that even I can’t afford to have! We’re so quick to envy, lust and want what others have, but deep down inside, they’re desperately trying to give it away, because they don’t want the negativity that’s attached to it. It could be abuse, low self-esteem, suicidal thoughts and so much more! Who knows, but all I know is, I don’t want anything that someone else has!

Keep in mind, it can sparkle, glisten, be radiant or shine, it still doesn’t make it GOLD!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

2 Timothy 1:7 (No fear)

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

What makes us afraid? Why do we fear people, places or things? Most important, what is the point in having fear? By having it, we gain nothing, but can lose everything, sometimes even ourselves. Fear can take on many forms, but irregardless of where it stems from, it can paralyze and inhibit you from doing a lot of things.

“I can’t do that, because……..”

“I’m scared of………..”

“I’m afraid, because………”

All three of these phrases, are the most common (and senseless) reasons people fail! They lack the “belief” (see previous post) and faith that they can do anything, all because they told themselves they couldn’t, without first giving it a try. What’s sad is, we’ve become critics. We mentally scrutinize ourselves, which results in fear and causes us to become paralyzed.

Now, we’re stuck and unable to move forward, because we’re afraid of what’s to come next. How do you even know what’s to come, if you are too scared to “pass go”? What if success lives down the street, but you can’t get off the porch, because you’re fearful of what might happen, if you leave your front yard? Well, have you ever considered what might happen if you just stayed there?

Is fear ruining or running your life? Are you scared of the unknown, so you remain “unknown”? How can you ever expect to live your life to the fullest potential, if you’re so afraid? 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us, “God did not give us a spirit of fear or timidity…..” So, why are you so afraid?

Now is the time to step out and leave fear behind!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

You deserve this (reaping the harvest)

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

Employee of the year…..check!

New truck…..check!

Promotion…..check!

Published Author…..check!

Business owner…..check!

I’m extremely blessed, but sometimes, I feel as though I don’t “deserve” any of it! I’ve had my moments of “Why me”?, but hell, “Why not me”? I’ve worked extremely hard to have everything I want, need and so much more, so I deserve to reap the harvest. After all, I planted it and was able to acquire it, with the help and by THE grace of God.

Stop allowing people to stop you from enjoying your life, living your life, and most importantly, enjoying the fruits of your labor, all because they were too lazy to “lay down roots”. You deserve everything you have, and if you think otherwise, then what’s the point in you even working? Exactly what are you working for, if you are uncomfortable or ashamed to reap the benefits of your hard work?

Everything you have……you’ve earned!

Anything you want…….put in the work, until you get it!

Live your life to the fullest…….you DESERVE it!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

Do you believe?

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

“Oh ye of little faith”? Does your disbelief in whether or not you can obtain success or be anything you want to, holds you back from executing your ideas? Do you personally feel as though you’re not capable or has someone planted the seed and told you so? A lot of times, people are reluctant to step out on faith and “go get their blessings”, all because they don’t believe in themselves.

I used to struggle with self-defeating behaviors as a teen and in my early twenties, because I constantly told myself I wasn’t capable of doing half (if not all) of the things I wanted to do. I didn’t believe in myself, largely due to my lack of assertiveness. I sat on a lot of my dreams, aspirations and goals, because “I” didn’t believe in me. To make matters even worse, I didn’t have anyone to dispel my crazy unbelief.

However, I couldn’t depend on anyone to tell me something, and expect me to believe them, when I was in disbelief. This path of destruction continued for years, until I got even closer to God. My thought patterns changed from negative to positive, my attitude improved and I went from self-doubt to knowing I could, even if I was told I couldn’t.

Just imagine, had I stayed down and never come up, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I’m certain my misery and lack of confidence would’ve kept me low, when it was meant for me to go high. I must admit, there are still times I second guess myself or hesitate at ideas, but even I have to “check myself”. I know my worth and value, and that is what keeps me moving forward.

When was the last time you believed in yourself? Or, are you one of those people who base and measure their self-worth off of someone else’s opinion? Is there anything you’d like to pursue, but you don’t believe you can do whatever it is you are seeking? Let me guess, you gave up long before you even started. I’ve been there, but like me, you’ve got to get rid of your self-defeating behaviors.

Besides, you can’t expect anyone to believe what you are selling or take you seriously, if you don’t even believe in yourself!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

Miles Away

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

You want it…..you can smell….you can even taste it, yet it’s so far away. Success requires hard work, yet some people don’t want to do what it takes to get it, because the distance is a little farther than they’d like to go. You see, some people just aren’t willing to go the extra mile, because they’re complacent where they are.

Don’t be one of those people! If success is what you’re after, it doesn’t matter how long it’ll take you to get there, because no distance is too large or great to stop you from achieving your goals and dreams. That’s the difference between “those who want it” and “those you just want to talk about it”!

All my life, I’ve envisioned being my own boss and having a successful writing career and bookstore. I’ve talked about it for years, and five months ago, I finally started my writing company, CH1. Although I didn’t generate thousands of dollars in revenue within the first month or few, my business has started to pick up and take off.

I’m already successful, but I know the monetary success that I aspire to have, is going to take me some to attain. However, rather than being one of those who just want to talk about the things I want to have/achieve, I decided I “wanted it”, and put in the work to get it. I’m fully aware that success doesn’t happen overnight, and I’m realistic when it comes to my goals, so I refuse to settle for complacency, all because I’m miles away from my goals.

Whether it be 5, 10, 20 or 100 miles between me and my success, I’m going to continue trekking, because every step I take, is only making me that much closer to my goals!

Keep going NOTE takers!

Until next time!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

The opportunities are limitless…How many do you want?

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

I want a lot of things, and although I don’t always get most of them, one thing’s for sure, I’m going to certainly try! I already wear a thousands hats, and I’ve decided to add another one to my collection: Grant Writer! Writing is a gift that I’ve been blessed with, and I love what I do! I’ve always known I wanted to write for the rest of my life, whether paid or not, and get excited every time I get a pen in my hand.

Recently, I wanted to go beyond the parameters I tried to confine myself to, and seek to become a Grant Writer. After doing my research, I decided to invest my time, energy and efforts, and enrolled online to fulfill (one of many) my dreams. I’m a week into class, and let’s just say, I’ll need to know more than just writing, in order to become a Grant Writer. To be honest, writing is just a pre-requisite to getting started.

Although I was extremely overwhelmed by the wealth of information I’ve learned this far, it’s not enough to make me want to give up and quit. Often, this is too many peoples story, because they don’t want to put in the work and often look for shortcuts (see post on “No shortcuts to success”). However, anything worth having is worth fighting for, so I’m going to fight and stay with this, until I reach my goal, of becoming a Certified Grant Writing Consultant.

I know there have probably been times where you were told, you weren’t going to amount to anything, or that was just too impossible for you to do. But, “nothing’s impossible when the word itself says ‘possible'”. You can do anything you set your mind to do, and the age old expression still stands: the sky is the limit! Don’t settle or subscribed to someone else’s ideologies for your life, when you’re the one that’s got to do the living!

Remember, the opportunities are limitless….How many do you want?

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

Hold on, it gets better!

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

“Don’t give up when dark times come. The more storms you face in life, the stronger you’ll be. Hold on. Your greater is coming.”
― Germany Kent

I talk about God a lot (get over it), and I converse with Him daily! Almost to the point, I have to preface and say, “I know we just talked, but I forgot something”. Am I the only one that finds humor in that (probably)? Earlier this year, when I was completing my goal board, I asked God to bless me with everything on my board, and to not wait until the end of the year to do it. I know, the gall of me!

Of the few thousand (LOL) things I asked Him for, was to open the door of endorsements and paid speaking opportunities. Let’s just say, only 3 months into the new year, I was blessed with the opportunity to speak with RAH High School students. Not only are they paying me for the event, but they are also purchasing copies of my first book, “Glitter but no gold: How I turned my wounds into wisdom”, AND they are having a book signing for me!

I knew God worked in “Kairos time” (meaning His timing), but I didn’t think it would be so soon. I have been in complete awe and shock, because this just seems so surreal to me! I kept saying to myself, “Somebody wants to PAY to hear me speak”!!!! Not only that, I have been tapped to be Guest Speaker of my church and I’ve already booked other paid speaking engagements as well! God is truly good, and I am forever grateful, thankful and appreciative of Him for answering prayers.

There were so many times and days that I thought I’d never get anything I prayed for. It seems I kept sending up requests, and not getting a “yes” in return. However, the “yes” was always there; I simply had to wait for it! Just think, who would’ve known what would’ve happened, had I decided to not “hold on”. I can’t begin to tell you how many times I wanted to give up, because I felt it would’ve been better than staying the course.

I know this is only the beginning for me, and I am so grateful and anticipate the things God has in store for me! You too are probably wanting to throw in the towel and quit, but remember, “NO WHITE FLAGS” (see my previous post on this)! You maybe tired and want to just let go, but “hold on, it gets better”!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue