Eyes Wide Open

"Mixed feelings, like mixed drinks, are a confusion to the soul."

~George Carman

Lying here, eyes wide open,

hearing everything,

 nothing makes sense.

Resting in this haze,

trying to make sense of it all.

Heart erupting. Mind corrupted.

PANICKED.

Blinking, trying to regain focus.

Temporarily blinded - gazing at what was, staring at what is -

anchored in an emotional haze.

The vision blurred.

Eyes. Wide. Open.

Dreaming of the should be.

Haunted by what could've been.

Nightmares of heartache, flooded with fears and ifs.

Waking - from the state of struggle -

Walking, burying the pain, but free from the fog.

CALMED.

Shifting the focus to the present,
the now is what you have - the future is uncertain, but timing is everything.
Mind, body, and spirit...
each a different perception, providing 20/20 vision.  

Eyes. Wide. Open.


#30Layers30Days



Been gone for a minute...

"Absence sharpens love, presence strengthens it."

~Benjamin Franklin

My absence from writing was unplanned and unexpected.

...such is life.

This is my process. It cannot be any other way, in any other order.

Looking back, I've been going at a frantic pace, struggling to maintain my peace, my faith, my sanity.

I was out of order...LITERALLY.

I was praying and busy pursing. I skipped a step...the purge (SMH).

For me, the purging protects my mind, body, and spirit. 

It guards my heart as well.

It involves time alone to meditate and write, sometimes shedding tears.

Writing is how I purge; it's my therapy, my cleansing.

They say the best advice is your own. 

Stick to the process...

Pray. Purge. Pursue.

Being lost is a disservice to those who love and believe in me. 

For that, I apologize.

#BackInBusiness

Hush Up & Meditate

Dear Monday,

Be merciful to these blessed beauties!

Thanks for this IG post @curlynikki

Monday doesn't have to suck. 

It's the perfect day to step out on faith!

I've jumped, learning to fly on my way up because I am not going down!

#MondayMotivation

All of the Above

"To thine own self be true, 

and it must follow, as the night the day, 

thou canst not then be false to any man."

~William Shakespeare

A voice so faint,
locked deep down inside.
Shook me when I heard it,
I thought she had died.

Mind playing tricks...
looked in the mirror.
It was dat other chick -
Staring back, again I hear her!

Filled with undying hopes,
condemning herself for things undone.
Suddenly she stopped comparing
herself to EV-ER-Y-ONE!

You can do this;
silence the whispers, she said.
God has gifted you,
the doubts are in your head.

Inexperienced & inadequate -
with seemingly everything to prove
Lacking resources & the relationships
needed to make the next move

Taciturn & toughened by her pain,
the losses have been great.
Quietly pursuing her dreams;
failure won't be her fate.

Falling down isn't failure.
"Quit?," she asked, "only you get cheated!,
Girl getting back up makes you undefeated."

"Come," she said, "into the revelation of His love."
"Unqualified, unashamed, & undefeated, you are all of the above."
Shoved into her purpose...
all settled in - it fits like a glove.

OMG! That voice...
not so faint and oh so true;
It is unlike any other -
She is authentically you!

Pray. Purge. Pursue.

#Nothing2Prove

Corie's Corner presents...

Oh Happy Day Peeps!

I have a new project folks. I am super excited about it. 

Corie's Corner presents

Misfit Teez by KLA.

My friend, Cordelia, has pushed me into expanding my blog. 

After months of her pressing the issue, praying, debating, planning, and just wondering if I could or should...it's here!

The inspiration for the tees comes from my blog. 

After all, my blog is my corner to share my experiences.

"Pray. Purge. Pursue." has become my motto, my lifestyle...my grind! 

I've seen some dark days and used this method to go through the fire. 

Nah, I'm not perfect, far from it, thus the brand name 'Misfit'.

Looking back over my life, I haven't really "fit-in" anywhere. 

After 30+ years of desiring to do so, I've accepted me for me.

I've branded myself a misfit:

I am too hood for the church & too holy for the streets.

Sure misfit has a negative connotation to it. 

While I cannot change the meaning of words (yes, words have life), 

I own the fact that I don't fit-in. 

I wasn't born to fit in. 

I was born to pray, purge, and pursue His plan for my life.

It is the best feeling in the world to see your vision manifest; to reach a goal. 

The next best feeling is having my husband's support, shoulder, and shenanigans.

There is so much more to this story. Stay tuned. 

*For info on shirts, follow my Facebook page, Corie's Corner.*

Pray. Purge. Pursue.

#FollowTheFlow

Word of the Day: PURPOSE

"You cannot be everything to everybody. It waters down your greatness."

~Tienne Martin

God created each of us to be great in our own right. Your gift is unique.

When you live to please people, you diminish your gift.

Everything you want is waiting for you to step into your purpose.

Pursue your purpose!

Pray. Purge. Pursue.

#FollowTheFlow

Thought-Life Thursday

Happy April!

I pray all is well with you & yours.

I hope your Spring is off to an amazing start.

My thinking has been in overdrive lately. I have been working really hard at minding my business!

My life is filled with blessings and I am seeing God keep His promises.

I choose to focus on that, along with the peace and positivity it brings.

"You must act as if it is impossible to fail."

~Ashanti Proverb

I saw the above quote on Facebook; thought it was affirming, inspiring, motivating.

I also believe it to be true.

Don't believe me? Read Proverbs 23:7...

God never fails...

Pray. Purge. Pursue.

#SpringForward

ANOTHER W8AM WEDNESDAY

Greetings Peeps!

It's another edition of 

Wednesday!

"Mind your business, you'll live longer. It's in the Bible."

~Cousin Huck-a-Buck

So a few weeks ago, my cousin-in-law said this to someone at a funeral. 

Of course, I had the "wait-a-minute-did-he-just-say-that" look.

Needless to say, I laughed out loud.

For some reason, I researched it today. 

Guess what???

Minding your business is in the Bible. 

"...and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you," 

1 Thessalonians 4:11

By show of hands, who knew???

Well know this... 

this is me - 

...minding my business!

Live. Learn. Laugh.

#StudyToShowThyselfApproved

Master It Monday

"Light, God's eldest daughter, is a principal beauty in a building."

~Thomas Fuller

Happy Monday Beauties!

Truth be told, women struggle with accepting their beauty.

Sitting here...
 sore and stiff, from Saturday's full body workout, I know that I am not what I look like.

(I am what I allow and what I eat though LOL!)

Any-who, I have no regrets; I want to be healthier, but I have to see myself differently. 

I manage to find the beauty in everything and everyone except myself.

My prayer circle discussed Psalms 27:14 KJV this morning. 

It reads, 'one thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple'.

We must learn to love ourselves because he first loved us. Great advice Lasha. 

Affirmation: Lord I thank You for making me ME! Thanks Shon.

Others see your light, your beauty - why can't you? 

It's Monday, a new beginning. 

Why not master how you see yourself?

#RealBeautyBeginsWithGod

When You Know It's God's Plan...

This meme was on my FB timeline today...

It gifted me a GOOD laugh!!!

As much as it is funny, it is equally true.

Today though, it was right on time.

This morning, I texted a friend to let her know I had referred some business her way. 

As usual, the conversation took on a life of its own. 

We ended up "kingdom building", as she calls it.

She left the conversation inspired to do a new thing. I left confirmed. 

We both left in awe of God.

We had no idea what the other was working on. He used us to confirm the others path.

That moment you see the vision He gave you manifesting is unlike any other. 

Beautiful fails to describe it.

Looking back, connecting the dots, watching the picture develop...

I am filled...

 with butterflies not fear, 

joy not just happiness, 

purpose not pain,

gratitude, gratefulness, gladness. 

Why fight the thing you prayed for?

Pray. Purge. Pursue.

#FunctionInYourPurpose

Monday Morning Meditation

Happy Monday Folks!

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds...

Ephesians 4:22-23

#SilenceTheWhispers

You're Stronger Than You Think

You. Will. Get. Through. This.

Take a seat!

Rest. Relax. Release.

#WatchGodWork

Another Matrimony Monday

Ever walk away from a conversation thinking about what you could've or should've said differently?

Sure, who hasn't?

In those heated moments, what you not gonna do is:

1. Post it on social media. (Mark 10:9)

2. Sleep on it. (Ephesians 4:26)

3. Vent. (Proverbs 18:21; Proverbs 12:14)

Many moons ago, I learned that I was a better writer than speaker...

at least where my husband is concerned.

I began writing letters to him to better express myself.

Writing allowed me to calm down, see hubby's perspective, and articulate my thoughts.

Most of this, we learned while in the fire.

Thank God for bringing us through the fire...BETTER.

Again, I'm no expert. This is what worked for us.

Write. On.

#MarriageMatters

March is Here!

2016 is marching on.

Are you?

Hey Lady (or Sir),

March will be filled with healing, blossoming, growth, increase, forgiveness, and victories.

You've already faced the fears, learned the lessons, and weathered the storms.

Believe it.

Expect it.

Receive it.

God. Said. So.

#MarchOn

Pray. Purge. Pursue.

Question of the Day:

Don't get weary in well doing, forgive 7 x 70, be slow to anger, love your enemies, judge not...the list of Bible scriptures on forgiveness is lengthy. Why?

 Because we struggle mightily with forgiving others and ourselves.

Forgiveness is hard because of the offense.

Lord knows we get tired of being the bigger person. 

If you've asked this question, evidently you are the bigger person. 

It seems that God has pricked your heart and convicted you on the matter.

Give yourself time, you can do this. 

You only need to remember the following:

*You may never know why they did what they did. Be okay with that.

*God called YOU to do so, honor that.
*It takes time to get over an offense. Just make sure you do so before your heart is hardened.

Forgiveness requires us to semi-forget.When you forgive the offense, it's supposed  to be like it never happened. Easier said than done, obviously, because the brain doesn't work that way. 

No matter how much you've invested in a relationship, God has invested so much more in YOU!

Seek Him on the matter. Please do not make a decision, in your feelings, that you may live to regret.

NEVER - EVER, EVER - worry about what others will think about your decision. 

You answer to a higher power. 

Perhaps leaving the relationship is best. If so, that's okay too. 

Just make sure you leave on good terms. Please know that everyone that came with you, can't go with you (T.D.Jakes). Simply love them from afar. 

Forgiving them is loving them. Forgive yourself in the process.

Can you afford not to???

Suffer. Learn. Grow.

#NoFearImFree

Dream On...

God gave you a dream for a reason!

Pray. Purge. Pursue.

#YourDreamYourDestiny

Matrimony Monday: Assume Nothing

Happy Monday Folks.

I haven't written one of these in a while but here goes...

He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.

Proverbs 18:22 ESV

Experts have conducted research and compiled many lists with the secrets to a happy marriage.

While I am not an expert, I have a list of my own.

I have learned the following:

1. Put & keep God first. (Ecclesiastes 4:12)

2. Assume nothing. Preconceived notions kill communication.

3. Be friends! Continue getting to know each other, we change.

Ladies, you're up first...

Don't assume that submitting to him is a bad thing (Ephesians 5:22). 

What woman doesn't want her man to be a provider, protector, and priest of their home? 

Let's not assume that we are without blame.
Please stop assuming that "he should know".

HE. DOES. NOT. KNOW. UNTIL. YOU. TELL. HIM.

Fellas, it's your turn...

Don't assume you automatically obtain God's favor by marrying her. 

You must love her (Ephesians 5:25) - period! 

Don't assume that she will be "ready" every 72 hours. 

Don't assume that completing the 'honey-to-do-list' will getcha some.

SHE. NEEDS. INTIMACY. AND. RELAXATION. FIRST.

Discuss what your visions of marriage are. 

Discuss your strengths/weaknesses, needs/wants, likes/dislikes.

Develop a marriage that oozes love and laughter.

As I was writing this, I received an "I love and appreciate you" text from hubby.
It just confirms how much we have grown and that I am taking my own advice.
I love that we are in sync, even when we agree to disagree.

#AssumeNothing

Feature Friday

Hello Readers!

I am featuring the work of a friend and fellow writer, JussRuss

Welcome JussRuss!

*insert finger snaps*

HER

I always dream about her, yet 

I never met her

I always say her name, yet 

She's not around.

She makes me smile.

Keeps me going, just knowing

she will be a part of my life -

One day.

I can't wait to hold her

Sing to her

Talk to her

Let her know how much I love her

I always dream about her, yet

She's no where to be found.

Is she real?

Will she ever be apart of my life?

She's one of a kind,

That sweet smile,

Beautiful soft skin,

And pretty brown eyes.

I swear I can see her...

I always dream about her, yet

I never met her

I always say her name, yet

She doesn't exist.

She would have called me Mommy...

Her name is Kaiyah.

Thanks for sharing JussRuss.

W8AM Wednesday

It is

Wednesday.

Ever ask God to speak to you? 

My request was simple this morning - 

"Lord I need to hear from You. Speak to me, so I can share with my prayer circle."

After reading three devotionals, He still hadn't spoken.

The fourth was titled, "The Missionary Call" from In-Touch Ministries.

Dr. Stanley wrote:

"The Lord makes His call with wisdom and discernment. He knows why He created you and what you are capable of accomplishing in His strength (Ephesians 2:10). Rejecting the invitation to serve Him is foolish. It would be like telling the almighty God that He made a mistake."

I was like -

God I am sorry for being foolish.

I unknowingly accused You of making a mistake by choosing, calling, saving, redeeming me.

That was no mistake at all!

I don't have the words to express how powerful this was this morning.

#LifeGiven

A Moment in Black History

Be not weary in well doing (Galatians 6:9)

Just anyone won't do it, can't do it.

No one may understand it.

Everyone will benefit from it.

Only some will appreciate it.

Thank You!

Happy Birthday Rosa Parks!

Suffer. Learn. Grow.

#ChangeTheWorld

#BlackHistory2016

Dissolve Your Expectation

"Whatever it is you're seeking won't come in the form you're expecting."

~Haruki Murakami

I know this look...

...all too well.

Many times, I felt as if I was sitting on the bench, watching my life play out. 

I was waiting on my number to be called. 

Hoping to be the MVP, but not moving until my "championship" was practically guaranteed. 

As we know, fear is paralyzing. I have an enormous fear of failure. 

I had benched my dreams, uncomfortably watching my team play without me.

Life was passing me by.

Why? It's simple. Expectations. 

I expected success; still do actually. 

I expected people to reciprocate.

I expected them to do right, do better, do more.

I tried to meet and exceed their expectations of me.

My expectancy escalated to anticipation. 

I anticipated excellence. I sought out to be the best at everything. I took on too much.

Expectations were suffocating me; some self-imposed, some not.

I am learning to manage expectations: 

*ask for help.

*get details before committing.

*communicate changes.

*use a calendar/planner.

*retreat, rest, refuel.

I am my greatest opponent.

#WeightLifted

Uh-maze-ing...

"Dissolve expectation, absorb love"
~Corie G

The Condition - Assumptions and insecurities
The Circumstance - Bleak.
Conflict has ruined rest.
Confusion has stolen sleep.

Misplaced expectation leads to a labyrinth.
Preconceived notions make a maze.
Now you're caught up!

Proceed with caution.
Combat the chaos.

Lose cockiness.
Adopt compassion.
Communicate.

Cipher the code.
Disrupt the cycle.
Cripple the enemy.

Love covers a multitude of sin...

#ExitStrategy

Sticky Note of the Day

Happy Friday Folks!

#ListenLearnLaugh

Strip Tease

Dim the lights.
Play some mood music.
Sit. Hands tied. Mind free.

It's just the two of you.

Evolving, she stands before you.

Nervous.

Ready to take it all off...

She is a simple, yet complex creature with many layers. 

Pleasing to your sight, huh?. 

As her shirt falls to the floor, insecurities cover her body.

Look closer. Go deeper. Beneath the surface.

Behind her smile lies hurt and humiliation.

Behind her eyes are longings, losses, lusts.

Behind those tears are pain and power.

Do you see her now?

You've caressed her body, but have you heard her heart beat or break?

As her lingerie falls to the floor, imperfections cover her body.

Look closer. Go deeper. Beneath this layer.

Behind those headaches are thoughts of forgiveness and feeling like a fool.

Behind her glam, she is an ugly duckling.

Behind her toughness is...well...her toughness.

Do you see her now?

You've torn her down, by not affirming her.

In this moment, you still don't see her exposing her soul?

Look closer. Deeper. Beneath another layer.

Her time is spent giving, being, pleasing, helping, caring...

-for everyone except herself.

She loves you before she loves herself. 

She suppresses her issues, hoping you understand her.

She has few regrets, but many scars.

Standing there. In the flesh.

 Nothing else to hide.

Bare to the bone.

Naked.

What does she say without speaking?

Hold me.

Talk to me.

Celebrate me.

Grow with me.

Know my story.

Help me. help you.

Trust me with your heart.

Love me from the inside out.

Touched. Tamed. Teased.

#DoubleExposure

Sunday Sedative

Pray. Purge. Pursue.

A pure heart is God's perfect canvas...

When He colors your heart, your perspective is refined.

He paints your path. He planned it!

You become a follower and a leader simultaneously - 

if you so choose.

But when you choose -

your mind changes, actions altered.

Fitting into your frame requires vision, vulnerability, vigilance.

Your spectrum fades to black but is brighter than ever.

You glow in the dark.

Masterpiece. 

Fearfully and wonderfully made.

Settle into the you He created you to be.

...a pure heart is God's perfect canvas.

#SufferLearnGrow

#30Layers30Days

Or so I thought...

The mind with the problem is the mind with the solution...

Someone told me today that I am "the chosen one". The thought scared the crap out of me.

I thought 'what if I am', 'chosen for what', 'I am chosen'.

He chose me to live on purpose.

Your thought life is where your actions begin.

Think BETTER. Think BIGGER.

Change your thinking.

#PrayPurgePursue

I've Closed That Door.

peering at the ceiling, eyes blinking.

you know? the position for thinking.

pressed for the right words

to end her vision blurs.

inadequacy & timidity,

pursue thee no more.

purging insecurities,

I've closed that door.

through the peephole, the coast is clear

trust this process, have no fear.

procrastination & self-sabotage,

pursue thee no more.

purging old habits,

I've closed that door.

pressure & pain drop by

trying to romance her

prayer & praise are her doormen

allow them to answer.

peace resides in this home,

pursue thee no more.

never cross this threshold

I'VE CLOSED THAT DOOR!

#POWER

#30Days30Layers

Tug of War

The mind acts as a guard. protecting the storehouse...

Your heart is vehemently sought after,

a buried treasure, no doubt.

Those two have a unique link,

but few times are they in sync.

Their signals are mixed.

Oh how to get this fixed?

Two separate roles,

fighting for one common goal. 

In your head, do the math 

Still divided on which path.

You push, I pull

We've gone no where!

So over this duel.

I want to love you 

but this course has rules.

To sum it up, I feel like a fool.

This isn't adding up.

Gonna need a tutor

to help sort this out. 

Student's now the suitor.

It's so close, I could taste it.

Remaining so far, still can't erase it.

It haunts me, I see it in my dreams,

taunting me or so it seems.

Ugh, it's so much work,

Many variables to consider.

The possible outcomes, oh how they differ.

Head perfected, but the heart directed -

No solution within reach,

after this long-winded speech 

All options weighed, I need a passing grade.

Can't choose? You lose!

#MixedSignals
#30Layers30Days

...and so it begins

2016 is underway! 

Three days removed from 2015, it's already been eventful. 

Does 2016 seem like a continuation of 2015?
A new year is without meaning when you're comfortable.

Take a timeout. Sit quietly. Reset.

Remember your 'one word'...commit.

Consider what you say and what you whisper (see 11/2 blog post).
Don't say the right things, while thinking the wrong ones. Our thoughts should echo our words.

Does what you say depend on your audience?
Look at your last few social media posts...
Does your thoughts mimic those things? What about your actions?
I challenge you to be honest with yourself! Only you have the answers.

Remember what you want to achieve, where you want to go, and who you are.

Stay that course. Manage your time. Protect your energy.

Free your mind. Guard your heart. Speak life. Work harder.

Believe that God will elevate you from Battle Boulevard to Striving Street.

Pray. Purge. Pursue.

#SilenceTheWhispers