Lone Ranger

From the time I landed in Qatar, I was alone. Alone in the obvious sense that i didnt have any traveling companions. Yet, i was also alone in the fact that Americans are thr minority in this foreign land. Everywhere I turn I search and search the crowds for faces that resemble my own. Every face I see matches the one before it. 
At first it was rather daunting to know that  I am truly a minority in this country.  Yet, now I realize that I am a minority because of my nationality. Before, in America I was a minority because of the color of my skin. I have great pride in my homeland of America, and I feel truly special to stand out here. Often times people stare at me when I am out shopping or sight seeing. As soon as I stare back they look away...some dont even give me that courtesy..they will just stare right back. Maybe it is my brown skin...maybe it is the way my hair is braided..maybe it is the way I talk that intrigues them. In return they receive a look of intrigue right back...I shouldn't but I do anyway...I stare at their skin...I stare at their religious scarves draped around their heads. The one thing that I look for the most is their facial expressions. In America, you can tell a lot about a persons disposition by the way they look..either it be a smile or a frown...or even a look of pure satisfaction and excitement...or a sullen look of despair or fear. However, here in the Middle east the faces aren't so easy to read. There faces are blank canvases longing for the right line curvatures to create a smile or a simple frown. The fact that I am here means that change has occurred. It means that bridges have been crossed and prayers have been answered. I Don't take my being here for granted nor do I take this lightly. I am here for one reason and one reason only....I was chosen...many are called but only few are chosen. Chosen to stand out...chosen to bring light two a dark place...chosen to build awareness and insight about American customs and traditions. No matter how superficial and trivial America can be...it is the place where I became me...it is the place where I became a woman of God...the place where I learned wrong from right...the place I call home

The Beginning of a New Era....

As I sit down to dump all of the thoughts that are flooding my head..I can't help but think about my allll time favorite scripture...All things work together for the good of those that love God and are called  according to his purpose. Is it naive to take this literally? I hope not because I truly believe this with every fiber of my being
My very existence thrives off of those very words. People often admire me for the courage I have to do the things that i have done. I Dont view it as courage...to me it's blind faith walking out the path that was laid for me...Gods word says that he will give you the desires of your heart and yet we actually think that we came up with our desires. There is so much untapped potential sitting between our ears. It doesn't take a spiritual awakening to realize this..all you need is a pen, paper and an open mind to dream as big as you can. Then surround yourself with positive people. There is no room for negativity in your dreams. A wise woman once said "is your life they way it is..because you are the way you are?" Life is what you make it.and just like a recipe if the first batch of cookies come out burnt and tasteless, go back to the drawing board change up your recipe and add a little more attention to detail for timing and wait patiently as your new life will unfold. i was in a constant state of making the worst cookies over and over...whether it was dating or schook or job situations...those cookies were old and tired. Trial and error is the key to life. Im the type of person that cant stand leaving any thing left for chance. I like to have everything figured out from A to Z. But as I grow and mature in this world..I have to cushion my life with room for chance. Life is not as cookie cutter as I would like for it to be..and that takes some getting used to but...when you finally come to a place of resting on that cushion of chance you find yourself doing things that you never thought you would ever in your wildest dreams do. All my life I've lived to make my family proud..I was the most happy when my family was proud of me...but it's just not enough for me anymore. Get good grades, go to college, get a good career, buy a house, etc. I so desperately wanted to know that my life meant something to my family..that my hard work has some how not all been in vain but that it has actually inspired people in some way...and to be honest I have the best people in my life. I Dont say it enough but I truly have the best people surrounding me. At times I find myself distancing myself from loved ones out of fear that I may fail them. But inspite of what I think or how I feel they continue to surprise me over and over. Looking back over the years, there have been countless times where my family and friends have been there for me and I truly appreciate them for that. I've always found myself running away from the idea of being rejected. Yet, not once have they done that to me. Now I may not always make the best decisions or follow the right path that they would like for me, but I truly believe that the power of love is the strongest bond of all. As I embark on this new journey I am finally ready to start living for me..I am so desperate for my own approval. So many times I needed validation and approval from others...and now I cannot live a life that I am not proud of. I just turned 30 and I honestly Dont know who I am. I know who I wanted to be. I had a picture of this person in my mind..I knew how she would talk what she would wear what she would think how she would handle situations...and now all I see is blankness and I'm terrified. Who am I?it is a scary feeling to look at yourself in the mirror everyday and not be able to recognize yourself..#amnesia. Age 29 was  the closing of a chapter of the first half of my life. 30... there is so much unknown. At least the first half I had some cliff notes. Go to school, finish school, get a car, get a job, go back to school, buy a house, date someone, marry them. Super easy stuff. But when some  of those things are left blank...then what? Then I thought is this enough for me? Am I satisfied with this existence? Does this checklist make me proud? Dont get me wrong...the last 7 1/2years of my life have been amazing... living in Georgia has been a great experience and I accomplished so much. I've bonded with some really great people. But I cannot deny the small voice inside that continued to get louder and louder everyday until it screamed "NOW WHAT!!!!" How can someone live an everyday life with a voice screaming that inside you? You can't. At some point whether you want to or not..you have to answer that voice. that voice doesn't care if your afraid... It just won't go away until you have responded. For so long I thought I had to have a plan in place before I could respond to my screaming inner voice...so I tried to ignore it in hopes that it would eventually disappear....and it never did. Actually the voice became impatient and annoyed with me. This voice and not having a single response put me in a realy dark place for a long time. The voice began affecting my relationships with family and friends.. I was always so defensive, my job.... everything. So eventually out of pure frustration I yelled back..." I DONT KNOW!!!" Once I responded it was like something in me exploded and not to get too spiritual but I totally understand the scripture "if a man lacks wisdom...all he has to do is ask and God will give it to him liberally" excuse the paraphrasing. Once I responded the voice immediately disappeared but I felt like a light bulb had gone off in my head...I felt like I had been released from pleasing others...from the mandatory to do list...can't explain it..I was open and ready for anything. Next thing you know I hear about teaching abroad and instinctively I knew...now I Dont know what the future will hold for me but I'm willing to let my faith guide me on this journey. It is kinda scary to write the story of my life as things unfold... It was so much easier when the pages were just fill in the blank... Insert highschool..insert college..insert job etc. I'm excited..buckle your seatbelt world...and get ready for take off!!!!

Pilgrims vs Native Americans...a Letter to My Boyfriend

Think of our relationship like the pilgrims and the Native Americans. We come from different worlds, but we can come together on common ground. With some work we have the ability to complement one another with our vast differences. If we can learn how to make the exchange early, our relationship has a better chance of being productive. 

When the pilgrims first took over the land, they had no idea how to forage for food nor the basic ways to survive. Many of the men fell victim to various diseases, and starvation was very prevalent. The men were accustomed to living life in a bubble, with their fancy knives and forks, clean clothes, and guns. Never did they imagine living in a world where they would have to be selfless and resourceful. 

However, the Native Americans were not only native to the land, but they were also very familiar with how to survive. Their survival tactics included foraging for food, shelter, and water. They also had a keen eye for protecting their tribes at all cost. Over time they found ways to use nature to create spears for protection. 

All in all, both groups have done well on their own, however they are very limited in the vast possibilities that life has to offer. Alone they can only do so much, but when they unite the possibilities are endless. Initially, things are a bit rocky because as you can see they were both trying to force their way of living on the other. No one was willing to bend or compromise, yet the world that they once knew was beginning to both unravel and collide. The more stubborn they were, the more challenging life became. 

In relationships, you deal with very similiar issues. The question is are you willing to bend, are you willing to shift, are you willing to do things that you don't want to do in the name of harmony? Most single minded individuals would say no..."stay true to yourself!," they would holler with pride. But again, just like the pilgrims and Native Americans they are limiting the possibilities that life has to offer. 

Both the pilgrims and the Native Americans initially would agree that there was no point in coming together. They couldn't see the benefit in the beginning. However, as they both lived their lives separate but equally, they began to see what each other had to offer. Pride was the main culprit. Pride would not allow them to humble themselves to see how the two world's could join forces. 

History proves that this alliance only benefited the pilgrims, due to the many deaths from European influences, the fact that the land was compromised by opportunistic people, and the fact that the Native Americans taught them how to fish, hunt, and survive in the new land. But all in all, looking at a different perspective, they both learned a lot from one another. They bonded on a level that was once impossible. Communication was a huge barrier, they still found ways to connect with one another. 

So the point that I am making is, first find all of the ways that drive us apart, and then learn to compromise with one another in order to produce something of greater quality. Instead of spinning our wheels and holding on to our singleness for dear life let's allow our differences to fuel a partnership so strong that turns impossibilities into possibilities.

The Ultimate Marketing Plan

Greetings Readers!

I know it has been a long time, but I am back and hopefully a lot more frequently. As always, I like to share with you things that touch my heart, and I hope that my words encourage, enlighten, and inspire you!

Because of the world we live in today...everything is all about selling yourself and your abilities. Often times we find ourselves trying so hard to prove ourselves to others in our own strength and we fail to realize that we are false in our attempts. The world tells us to pay our dues...to start from the bottom and work our way to the top...prove your worthiness for promotion...to step on others so that you can get to the top. But as Believers we can't fall into this trap because it is nothing but a trick of the enemy.

God has a special Marketing Plan that doesn't involve any of those things that I just listed. God advertises us in the way He sees us, and not how we see ourselves. For instance, if I were to go into an interview and "sell myself" to the employer I would list all of my strengths and possibly a few weaknesses, I would list all of my previous work experience along with a few professional references, then I would really knock their socks off with my entire education background, naming all of my degrees and the various colleges and universities that I had attended. But more importantly I would make reference to the person that I am right now and not the person that I will become.

God knows the end from the beginning and he sees us in that same light- which is how he puts together our Marketing Plan. For those that know anything about goods and services you know that there are benefits and features to everything. Well God not only is in the business of telling us whose we are and who we are, but he truly wants others to see our lights shine as well. As Believers, some of our features consist of being righteous, His beloved, made in His image and Sooo many more but I will let you find out more of those in the word for yourself. Sometimes it is hard for us to acknowledge and to even own these features when we think about ourselves. However, we must realize that God sees us through the blood of Jesus and not by our mistakes and shortcomings. Gods love is so powerful that it covers a multitude of our sins so we are able to stand firm and walk in who He says we are.

As I was reading the story of Ruth and Naomi, the scriptures spoke to me. I will give you a little background- at this time Ruth's husband had died and she was left with her sister in law as well as her elderly mother in law. The mother in law Naomi begged and pleaded that the girls leave and go back to there family to remarry and start there lives over. One of the daughters left, however Ruth was burdened with staying. How many of you know that God will put a burden or a deep desire in our hearts that can be just too hard to shake sometimes - could be the passion for a particular career, a cause, or even a hobby. So, because Ruth had this deep desire to stay and care for her mother in law she could not see herself just walking off and leaving her side, and God blessed her faith for holding onto to this desire. The bible tells us in Psalms 37:4 that when we delight ourselves in the Lord that He will give us the desires of our hearts. (Just a sidebar because I'm getting excited- when God puts the desire or burden in our hearts he has to bring it to past! The key is that we can't faint and we can't grow weary...we must stay in faith until we reach the end).

So, anyway were getting to the good part. We have to stop with all the proving ourselves and promoting ourselves, because as Joyce Meyers says we just aren't smart enough to run our own lives we have to let God do it! So when we let God market and advertise us he is showcasing our abilities through Him. How amazing is this! Things that we know we aren't good at, God thinks otherwise....because we can do all things through Him. Paul put it so eloquently when he said in Ephesians 3:8 "I was the least qualified of any of the available Christians. God saw to it that I was equipped, but you can be sure that it had nothing to do with my natural abilities." I so love this scripture!

Back to Ruth, so because she was trying to do the right thing by staying and caring for her elderly mother in law, God saw to it, to show her favor everywhere she went. Often times when we are pushed to step out on faith we allow fear to make us forget how faithful God is in the favor department. So, here Ruth is no husband no children and no legacy, left to take care of her mother in law. She goes out to find work to make a living and I like to say...favor bumped into her and not the other way around! She meets Boaz, and before she can start marketing or selling herself in order for this man to show her favor. God has already done it for her. Need I mention she has no idea who this man is.

Ruth 2:11
"Boaz answered her, "I've heard all about you-heard about the way you treated your mother-in-law after the death of her husband, and how you left your father and mother and the land of your birth and have come to live among a bunch of total strangers."

Long story short, let God promote you. The key is, your heart must be right and you must completely lean on, rely in, and trust Him in everything you do- because -Phil 4:13 says "I can do all things through the one who makes me who I am"

~Na'TashaNicole

Somethings to Ponder....

Hello Readers!!!

I know it has been a while since my last posting. However, I have been a little preoccupied with life..But anyway, in todays posting I am including all of the encouraging and inspiring words that I have collected along the way. Take time to read them and I hope they make an impact on your life as well.

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Encouraging Words/Food for Thought


We need to get out of the hall of mirrors and have the courage to be ourselves -- fully and authentically

If we fail to define ourselves, we will live by other peoples definitions of us.

Wise commitments do not bind us; they free us. To the spiritually immature, "commitment" is a very scary word because it is internalized as bondage. But to the spiritually mature, commitment is the equivalent of freedom because it bestows authentic happiness that cannot be taken away.

In relationships- True power lies in our ability to create,  to make something out of nothing, to invent a way where there was no way, and to build what others had only envisioned. That ability is potential, and it's worth waiting for.

Always go for Potential vs status. Potential is an individual’s capacity to grow, to get, and to go the distance chasing his or her dreams.

Find a way to keep your life balanced and to still embrace the very best that life has to offer. Do more than just Exist: Live. Do more than hope for happiness: Go out and claim it. What man wouldn't want a woman like that?

The wonderful thing about choice is that it gives us the power to take it or leave it

Patience is a secret weapon that forces deception to reveal itself

What you fail to confront you...can't defeat

Dating is only about collecting information and getting to know one another...do not romanticize just be a friend

The woman who doubts herself is unstable in everything she does, feels, and decides. However, a confident woman is not afraid of being wrong! She realizes she can recover from making a mistake and doesn't allow the fear of making one to imprison her or tie her up in self doubt

When you change the way you look at things  the things you look at change...perception is the ultimate reality but not necessarily the ultimate truth

When we compliment others, we begin to see ourselves in a better light also

The minute you settle for less than you deserve, you get even less than you settle for

Singleness means to be separate unique and whole. Singleness is a state to be pursued, not avoided. To be single should be the goal of every married person

How much we trust others is directly proportionate to how much we trust ourselves and our ability to handle there imperfections

What is your tolerance level for imperfections?

We can't learn anything new until we can admit that we don’t already know everything

We must constantly maintain a beginners mindset in order to stay teachable

Whatever the case, everything we gain in life comes as a result of sacrificing something else. We must give up to go up

Treat people with respect and dignity whether they deserve it or not

It takes two to tango...but to have happier, more productive relationships, you've got to stop dancing

Next time someone comes into your life...
-try accepting them unconditionally, with absolutely no judgement
-expect nothing from them
-take 100% responsibility for the relationship
-act as if your life depends upon it
* you will give then the gift of acceptance and who knows what you'll receive in return!

No one can make you happy, happiness is a response that you choose

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit

In order to be successful we have to know what is and what was so you can strategize and be prepared for what is to come

Bad days make the good ones better

You must remain true to your own heart, or else you will never be happy.

When your in something you have to give it everything you have...or else what are you doing

Great leaders never forget the past they lead in the moment

Love is like playing the piano. First you must learn to play by the rules, and then you must forget the rules and play from your heart. Unknown

A setback is a setup for a comeback

Be kinder than necessary you don't know what struggles people are going through

The best revenge is success

Persistence - "If your walking down the right path and your willing to keep walking, eventually you'll make progress"
President Obama

Change your thoughts and you change the world ~ Norman Vincent Peale

The secret to discovering your destiny is to find something you enjoy doing so much that you would be willing to do it for free. Then, become so good at it that people are willing to pay you to do it


Love is a decision not a feeling. Forgiveness is a decision not a feeling

If you wanted to be counted as wise and to build a reputation for wisdom you must: live well, live wisely, and live humbly - it's the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts
-mean spirited ambition isn't wisdom
-boasting that you are wise isn't wisdom
*whenever you're trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things always fall apart


You need a dream to keep you focused and disciplined

Don't be lukewarm

It's what we trust in but don't see that keeps us going- don't let a few obstacles and bumps in the road stop you!

I win when it's easy!
I win when it's difficult!!
I win even when it seems impossible!!!!

God will always strengthen those who are willing to look their weaknesses in the face and say, "You cannot stop me."


Self management is a full time job I am the CEO of NaTasha all I can control is me...

Say Good-bye to Giving Up

"Success is like a ladder and no one has ever climbed a ladder with their hands in their pockets"- Lao Tzu

Why is it that as soon as a little opposition is presented we are so quick to just give up cave in and quit. Where is the fight? Where is the passion? So many people in history could have given up when things looked like they wouldn't go according to plan. I read a story about Truett Cathy, founder of chick-fila read below:

"Truett Cathy founded the Chick-fil-A restaurant chain, which started with one small diner and has grown to more than one thousand restaurants, making it the second-largest quick-service chicken restaurant chain. Three weeks after he opened his first store, it burned to the ground. When he finally got his second store built, his brothers, who were his partners, were killed in an airplane crash."

How amazing is that? After evaluating my life thus far I have learned the missing piece... The essential element...are you ready?!?!?

Consistency...very simply put...no frills...no thrills...and no bells or whistles

It's not what you do one time that matters it what you do consistently with passion that will cause you to succeed even when things look bleak.

"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible"-St. Francis of Assisi

Just like Mr. Cathy, his challenges and near failures were not too much of a handicap for him, and his business has employed thousands and fed millions!

How you continually think and what you believe to be true is a sum total of how successful you will be throughout your individual life.

We have to ignite our inner warrior that person that is relentless.

The definition of relentless is so powerful check it out:
- steady and persistent; unyielding in severity; unrelenting

If you think and believe that you are a failure... You are

If you think and believe that there just isn't the right mate out there for you...there isn't

Sidebar: single ladies stop saying that there aren't good guys out there and that all men are dogs... This is completely false!!!!

Please if you don't listen to anything that I say get this: things can change in a year...a month...a week...a day...an hour... and even minutes

Nothing is every set in stone. Rules can be bent and even reversed.

"Just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong"- Ella Fitzgerald.

Now that you have been Enlightened..go and Enlighten someone else!


Na'Tasha Nicole

Appreciation Starts Today...

Hello Readers!

What a week! This weeks message is all about appreciation. Ever since I was a child my mother always made every holiday special, especially my birthday. However, now that I am an adult, I still feel very passionate about holidays as well because of what was instilled in me at a young age. For instance, if I never ever received anything from any of my peers on Valentine's Day, I knew that my mom would always make me feel special. Thanks Mom!



Often times when our loved ones pass away.. we are left feeling all of the "shoulda" "coulda" "would-as"- Therefore today I am encouraging you to get excited while people are still living. Whether it is your immediate family, co-workers or a Stranger, making a difference in someones life is a precious gift. It can be as small as a smile or a kind word on there birthday. You will be amazed at how people feel appreciated by the smallest gestures. I guess I have always been a big picture kind of person because I am always concerned with impact. By impact I mean the type of impression or memory that I left on a person. Whether good or bad people will hold on to the memory that was created. So every chance I get I want to leave people with good memories.



For instance, my mother will be turning 50 this year and it felt so good to be able to surprise her with an all expense paid trip on a cruise to the Bahamas...exactly where she wanted to go. It made me proud at the fact that I was finally able to show my mom how much I loved and appreciated her. At the time when I was paying for everything I had the biggest headache because of all the money that was spent but hearing the gratitude and appreciation in her voice when I told her weighed in much heavier than the price tag. This is the feeling that makes you want to keep doing more and more for people.


On another note, it can get difficult trying to appreciate everyone in your inner circle as well as co workers and strangers, however you have to start somewhere. When you get in the habit of just doing the basic things like a card or a hug...just the fact that you actually remembered someones birthday says a lot...it's hard enough just keeping up with my own birthday let alone everyone else's


So I challenge you this week to go the extra mile and remember someones birthday or anniversary and acknowledge them or even tell someone that you appreciate them in some form or fashion, just so that you can make them feel special...



Now that you have been Enlightened...Go and Enlighten Someone else!!!




~Na'Tasha Nicole