Common Miracles...Shalom Arush

"Nature" is another name for the miracles that are so commonplace in our lives that we take for granted and have grown used to seeing them.

--Shalom Arush

Don't Give Up...Fannie Flagg

"Don't give up before the miracle happens."

--Fannie Flagg, I Still Dream About You

Do You Believe In Miracles?...Mike Ericksen

I truly believe we can either see the connections, celebrate them, and express gratitude for our blessings, or we can see life as a string of coincidences that have no meaning or connection.

For me, I’m going to believe in miracles, celebrate life, rejoice in the views of eternity and hope my choices will create a positive ripple effect in the lives of others. This is my choice.

--Mike Ericksen, Upon Destiny's Song

https://flic.kr/p/9EXzZr

The Miracle of A Genuine Opportunity...Rue Allyn

An opportunity is a miracle waiting to happen.

--Rue Allyn

“I know your deeds. See, I have placed
before you an open door that no one
can shut.” -Revelation 3:8

Image credit: 
http://www.loritwichell.com/the-year-of-open-doors/

#LeadershipTuesdays: Great Miracles Come In Great Moments of Opportunity

"Great Moments Are Born From Great Opportunity!"

--Coach Herb Brooks, 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team Coach

"Perhaps you have come to this place, to this moment, to these people, to this challenge, for just such a time as this.” (The Bible)*

Jefferson Building, Library of Congress
Washington, D.C.

In 1980, Coach Herb Brooks coached a hockey team of rival college players to victory in the Winter Olympics over the favored and what many believed unbeatable Russian hockey team. The movie, "Miracle", tells the story of how Coach Brooks trained and led his team to play and win for the "U.S.A." letters they wore on their chest and not their own college team that hated their teammate's college. As long as they identified with their college team above the letters on their jersey, they could never play as a cohesive team and win for their nation. 

This is a very divisive moment in U.S. history. It's not the worst, but I believe that history will record these moments as one of the worse times in the post-Civil Rights era. I am stunned by how much hate and even micro-aggression toward our fellow Americans go unchallenged everyday. How some people feel above the law. How some even feel comfortable using social media, a communication tool that has broken down the barriers of telecommunications, as a tool to spread vitriol, hate speech and white supremacy. How can we win against foreign hackers and terrorists when we consider each other the enemy? We can't unite as a team against hate and evil forces if we harbor hate and ambivalence that alienate our own country men and women who look and may have different beliefs than us. We have so many challenges in need of good leaders. What will inspire us to work together for great solutions? Do we have leaders who will faithfully accept the challenge and opportunity of this moment?

As we approach Christmas, may we each reflect on the miracle of love that caused a divine baby to be born outside of the royal family and priesthood to an unassuming young unmarried mother who accepted her challenge and opportunity to be the mother of the baby we Christians now call Savior. May her example lead us to consider who we are and our purpose in this moment in time. Maybe we have been born to bring change for such a time as this. Maybe we have been called to this moment, to this challenge. May you be refreshed and replenished during this Holiday Season for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Merry Christmas,

--Nona Ogunsula, Founder, womenatliberty.com

On Tuesdays, womenatliberty.com presents Leadership Tuesdays, a platform for a variety of voices and resources to develop, encourage, and strengthen women leaders. To view part one of a two part profile of April Reign, an attorney, activist, social media strategist and the creator of the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite, click here.

For more information on LeadershipTuesdays, go to: womenatliberty.com.

*The excerpted quotes and inspiration for this writing are from: Great Moments Are Born From Great Opportunity

A Sacred Miracle...John Green

"Love is always a miracle, everywhere, every time. But for us, it's a little different. I don't want to say it's more miraculous,...It is though. Love is the most common miracle."

--John Green

https://flic.kr/p/iaEZAw

I Am Marvelous!

I praise you

because of

the wonderful way

you created me.

Everything you do is marvelous!

Of this I have no doubt.

My Lift Is A Gift...S.J. Scott

"My life is a gift. I will use this gift with confidence, joy and exuberance."

--S.J. Scott

Do Your Thing...Tina Fey

"Don't waste your energy trying to change opinions ... do your thing, and don't care if they like it." 

--Tina Fey

I Am Divinely Purposed...Rebekah Borucki

"I am love. I am purpose. I was made with divine intention."

--Rebekah Borucki

I Am Prosperous!...Nona O.

"My soul, mind, body and all that is around and within me prospers. I am prosperous."

--Nona O.

*Based on: 3 John 1:2 (The Bible)

Image credit: This image is for sale at http://www.cafepress.com/+chakra_energy_aura_wall_art_large_poster,1606745751.

#LeadershipTuesdays: I Lead By Example...@vnona

"I am an example of what I seek in the world. My actions are an example of my core values and beliefs. I lead by example."

-- Nona Ogunsula, Founder, womenatliberty.com and Women Making History

On Tuesdays, womenatliberty.com presents Leadership Tuesdays, a platform for a variety of voices and resources to develop, encourage, and strengthen women leaders. To view the recent profile of April Reign, an attorney, activist, social media strategist and the creator of the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite, click here.

For more information on Leadership Tuesdays, go to: womenatliberty.com.

You Are Courageous. You Are Great!...Sheri Dew

https://flic.kr/p/dF2jCA

"Noble and great. Courageous and determined. Faithful and fearless. That is who you are and who you have always been. And understanding it can change your life, because this knowledge carries a confidence that cannot be duplicated any other way."

--Sheri L. Dew

After all the disappontments, all the mistakes, and bricks that were thrown at you, the fact that you are still here and you continue to get up everyday and do what you got to do is courageous and amazing. You could have given up. So many want you to. But you decided you would not take the easy way out. 

No matter what the negative voices say, tell yourself: 

• I am a great person and I'm getting better. 
• I am worthy of happiness and love.
• I will not let fear take hold of me and direct my life.
• I am confident.
• I deserve respect.
• I am beautiful.

Focus On The Outcome...T.F. Hodge

"To conquer frustration, one must remain intensely focused on the outcome, not the obstacles."

--T.F. Hodge, From Within I Rise: Spiritual Triumph Over Death and Conscious Encounters with "The Divine Presence"

Image credits:
Rolex watch pieces, https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-blog/rolex-info/rolex-watch-pairings.html
Rolex watch, https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-blog/rolex-info/rolex-watch-pairings.html

Trust, Believe And Stay Focused...Musiq Soulchild

"Be true to yourself, stay focused and stay you, take advice from other folks, use what you can, but never mind what is not for you. For the most part, trust yourself and believe in what you are doing."

--Musiq Soulchild, Grammy nominated and multi-award winning Hip Hop Soul Artist and Songwriter

https://flic.kr/p/55rRzs

Focusing On Your Health...Ginny Rometty

"I make time to exercise. It's not being indulgent. I think it's got a lot to do with your ability to manage properly and stay focused. There's no doubt about that." 

--Ginni Rometty, Chair, President & CEO, IBM

Image: IBM.com

Stay Focused...Phillip Sweet

Stay true to yourself, yet always be open to learn. Work hard, and never give up on your dreams, even when nobody else believes they can come true but you. These are not cliches but real tools you need no matter what you do in life to stay focused on your path.

--Phillip Sweet

What I Focus On...Tracee Ellis Ross

"As I get older, the more I stay focused on the acceptance of myself and others, and choose compassion over judgment and curiosity over fear."

--Tracee Ellis Ross, Actress and Model

Tracee Ellis Ross

Image: @traceeellisross, http://www.instagram.com/p/BKHJB1KjICa/

Today Is A New Opportunity...Anurag Prakash Ray

"Each day is a new opportunity to live your life to the fullest. Don't let your today be stolen by the unchangeable past or the indefinite future."

--Anurag Prakash Ray