Tag: motivation

Quarantined, NO chill

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

If you’re keeping up with the latest trends or sayings, I should say, then you’ll notice the newly saturated expression is “Quarantined and chill”, which is a comical spin on “Netflix and chill”. As I scroll through my Instagram newsfeed, that phrase is all I see, supported with a photo or meme of people rejoicing, because they are staying in the house doing absolutely nothing, which is the basis for my rant. Rather than use this time to work on their goals, create other forms of revenue or do anything constructive that will benefit them once God eradicates this pandemic, they’ve chosen to just “chill”. What infuriates me even more, is that people are treating the isolation from COVID-19 as a vacation, when they can’t even afford to “take ONE day off” from working on their goals. I’ll admit, I was one of the first ones to want to work remotely, but it has been nothing but a headache since I started. (Note: I am thankful to be gainfully employed, because I realize there are millions of people without jobs, so I don’t take anything for granted.)

However, although I am at home, I still MAKE time to fulfill my obligations for my 9-5 employer, and my other employer, ME! I refuse to allow a minute of my day to pass by, without me seizing the opportunity to do something to advance me in my career or life. I work hard now, not just so I can have fun, shop or travel the world, but because I want a better life for my future husband and children, so their lives won’t be a repeat of mine. My future has already “secured the bag”, because I used the time I have now to work on my goals, so I can live the way I want later. I’ll never invest more into a company, than I would on myself! For all the people that complained about never having “the time” to do what you wanted to do, because you were always in the office, away traveling for business purposes or constantly doing for others, what do you have to say for yourself now?

Being quarantined is not an excuse to be lazy! Get up from that bed/couch and go to WORK!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

Discredited dreams

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

You’re excited! I mean, really, really excited and you want everyone to hear about it. You can barely contain yourself, because things are about to get “real”……..your dreams, that is. Until, you find out that what’s everything to you, is nothing more than a “fantasy” to someone else. In fact, they have a hard time believing “dreams do come true”, because they don’t have any. As a result of their unbelief, they will discredit your dreams, and consider them mere fairytales, because they know that rarely do they exist. Although you want them to share in your joy, they can’t find any. You see, those are your dreams and what you see for yourself, they don’t. So, don’t expect them to support your dreams when they can’t understand why you have them. In the words of my Therapist, “Giraffe’s can’t share their dreams with turtles, because they can’t see what you do”!

Remember, you have the ability to “see things far away”, and ever so often, you’ll find people trying to obstruct your view. Whatever you do, don’t let them “get in the way” of your dreams!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

Feast your eyes on this

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

Sit down. I’ve been expecting you. I hope you came with an appetite, because what I have prepared for you, will satisfy all of your cravings. Not only will it be fulfilling, but it’ll be like nothing you’ve had before. Neither Burger King or McDonald’s can give you what I can. Although you may “Have it your way” and proclaim “I’m lovin it”, once you get a taste of what I have to offer, you’ll never want anything else again. So please, take your seat and allow me to serve you. As you sit down, I want you to take special notice of those around you. I know you may be wondering why they are standing, but I didn’t have any room for them at the table. Granted you are seated alone, but it’s only because, this spread was prepared just for you. Partake of this food and eat until your heart’s content, for I have “prepared a feast for you in the presence of your enemies”. Take and indulge in the many blessings I have given you, and worry not as they look on. I extended an invitation to them as well as I did you. However, I gave you the provisions, and them a front row seat!

No matter what you are going through or up against, God will bless you abundantly, and do it in front of your enemies!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

Traveling through impossible circumstances

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

“I’m tired, and I just can’t do this anymore”! Would you believe me if I told you, you can? Probably not, considering the fact that your circumstances has somehow convinced you that it’s the “end of the world”. However, I’m here to tell you that it’s not! I talk a lot about adversity, hardships and struggles, and it’s because I’ve been met with them more times than I’d care to acknowledge, and you’d like to read.

However, although my journey has been tough, one thing that I vowed never to do, was to stop traveling, regardless of how bad the circumstances are. Besides, if you give up, how will you ever know whether or not things will get better? Like me, you’ve been through plenty of hard situations, and are probably still entangled in some. Granted, they absorbed all of your energy and took a toll on you mentally, emotionally and physically, but you eventually got through them, right?

One of the things I appreciate most about “traveling through impossible circumstances”, is no matter how many obstacles I encounter, I know that if I see them as an opportunity for challenge and growth, instead of a roadblock, it increases my chances of actually overcoming them. Remember the age old expression, “Nothing is impossible, because the word alone say’s, “I’m possible”! So, stop throwing in the towel, because it’s the easiest thing you can do.

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

Are you doing it for the cause, or because you want the applause?

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

If you’ve ever met a (good) servant, there are a few things you’d notice right off the back: they’re committed, hardworking and shy away from attention. They steer clear of the limelight, because their goal is not to be seen, but to help. Doing it for the cause is their “why”, so they don’t have a need to be “thanked” for it.

On the other hand, you have those who are fame vultures and will stop at nothing to be recognized, even if it means putting on a facade, just so they can receive the applause. There’s nothing that motivates them more than attention, and they’ll stop at nothing to get it. Besides, it’s their lifeline, and without it, they’d be non-existent.

Automatically, you can see the clear distinction between the two. One is fueled and driven by what they can do for others, while the latter is accelerated by what others can do for them. Are you going to go the rest of your life looking for attention, or would you rather bring “attention” to a matter that needs it?

What are you doing “it” for? Is it because you love what you do, or you love the praise you get for doing it?

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

If you move, they’ll fall

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

I can remember as child, “testing my faith” (I didn’t realize that’s what it was back then), while playing a game with my acquaintances. I’d close my eyes and fall back, “trusting” (and praying like hell) that the person behind me would catch me. Just as I was falling back, it felt like I was inches away from the ground, but there would always be two arms to break my fall.

I often wondered what would happen if the person behind me, suddenly decided to move. Obviously, I’d fall and possibly get hurt. However, I was very fortunate to always have someone who “had my back”. Have you given any thought as to what would happen, if you “moved” and took a step back away from your family and friends?

Like me, I’m assuming they’d fall and become hurt. Although their pain would not be in the physical sense, nonetheless, they’d still get hurt. People are needy, and sometimes (more than we’d like to be) we’re the very ones they need. We lift them up, keep them encouraged, motivate them and support them….some of us, financially.

We began to question their motives and suddenly our natural instincts kicks in and tells us that we may be being taken advantage of, because we put out more than they pour in. But, how can they inpour anything into you, when they don’t feel as though they have anything to offer….and money is not what I’m speaking of.

If you’re anything like me, innately, you’re a very caring person and want to see the best in everyone, and the best for everyone. My students are my biggest and greatest examples, because everyday, they tug and pull on me until I beg them to save just a little bit of me, for me. Many of them have their reasons for requiring what seems like all of my attention, but none more than “Lisa” (obviously not her real name).

I see her just about everyday, and every time she comes into my office, she always has a “911”. I never understood how someone could need help all the time. However, I thanked God I wasn’t in her position, but in a position to be of help. Four months ago, “Lisa” came to support me at my first book signing, and after the fact, she came to me fragile and crying. I didn’t know the reason for her tears, nor did I question them. I just fell into routine, hugged her and told her “it was going to be alright”.

“Lisa” proceeded to tell me how “proud she was of me”, and as silly as I am, I laughed and told her, “that’s no reason to cry”. However, before the conversation ended, I was the one who needed the tissue. “Lisa” (who’s in her 50’s, by the way) told me “I was her role model and the reason she decided to stay in college. She continued by saying, out of all her family, I was her biggest supporter and the ONLY one who had her back”.

I was completely honored and happy, but most of all, disappointed in myself. All the times I questioned why she always came into my office, and the heavy breaths I let out when I saw her coming, suddenly were irrelevant. If anything, I felt bad and wondered what would’ve happened had I decided to “step back”. Would she still be in school? Who knows, but what I do know is, had I “moved, she would’ve fallen”.

You maybe in a position where you’re more helpful to someone than they are to you. Tired, used and overextended is how you maybe feeling, but do know, it’s all for a reason, and the reason is simple; THEY NEED YOU! It may take them some time (a little more than you anticipate) to get to the point where you can “step back and they not fall”, but whatever you do, don’t desert them when they need you the most!

Until next time my Note takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

NO WHITE FLAGS!

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

“It’s okay to fall down sometimes, just don’t stay there”! ~Deetra La’Rue

People are so quick to throw in the “white towel”, because it’s so much easier to just quit.  However, what they fail to realize is, the moment they give up, they forfeit their hopes and dreams.  Hope nowadays, seem to be the very thing a lot of people don’t have.  As I mentioned in my book, “Let’s TALK”, so many people are okay with falling down and remaining there, because it’s too much of a hassle for them to get back up again. 

Rather than use their strength to get up, they lie there, because they feel as though their situation isn’t going to get any better….which is something they don’t want to face anyway.  Every body has had their fair share of failures, and will probably expect more throughout the course of their lifetime. We all know it doesn’t matter how many times you fall down, as long as you get back up.  For some, getting back up is almost instant and adds fuel to their fire, which gives them the drive they need to succeed. 

For others, falling down just confirms the idea that they aren’t meant to succeed, so what’s the use in trying, right? #Wrong! Our mind wants us to believe that when we aren’t experiencing the success that we envisioned so quickly, we need to “wave our white flags”, because we’ll never achieve our goals.  That’s the problem, too many of us are still waiting on the microwave to go off at any moment now, because it’s much quicker than allowing our hard work to bake, while we sit through and enjoy the process. 

That’s it! Nobody wants to endure the process, they only want the results.  But, how can you honestly appreciate and enjoy your success, if you didn’t do anything to get it? If anything, it should make your success that much sweeter to have, because you know of all the hard work, sweat (stress, yes that too) and tears you put behind it.  Nobody ever said it would be easy, but rest assured, it’ll be worth it in the end! 

So, resist the urge to “throw in the towel” and “wave the white flag”! Success is hard work, and again, it doesn’t equate to how much money you have, so stop beating yourself up about it! Remember, “It’s okay to fall down sometimes, just don’t stay there”! 

Writefully yours, 

Deetra La’Rue