A Purpose Driven Life: My Book Release

Hey Everyone! 

It’s official!  My book has been released on the Authorhouse website!  I feel great!  This is a wonderful personal accomplishment.  Thank you so much for being such avid readers and followers who inspired me to actually compile the book.  As you know, “Journey to Self: Journey to Love” is a collection of my poems, experiences, and perceptions on love and relationships.  Currently, I am basking in the glow of this achievement; and wondering where my new path is going to lead me.  I am very humbled to be able to embrace my journey; my message; and my ministry.  It is my hope that others will be inspired to challenge their own journey through life and love and similarly evaluate it in a reflexive way. 

I always state that I’m a work in progress…and I believe that each day is a day for self-improvement, development, and learning when living a purpose-driven life.  So what’s next?  I’m just ready to bring the message to my community, peers, and beyond in the way that God sees fit!  It’s about me, but it’s not!  I am only a vessel!  This is the work that I’ve been assigned to do in this present time.  The journey continues…stronger, wiser, ready, and available to be used by my Creator.  And I say Thank You!!

Here are the links to the AuthorHouse website and Barnes and Noble.com

http://www.authorhouse.com/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?BookId=SKU-000416136

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/journey-to-self-raechel-dr-rae-rivers/1104199532?ean=9781463407094&itm=1&usri=raechel%2Brivers

Additionally, I will be participating in a Bloggers Competition on Beliefnet.com.  Please become a member and support my latest endeavor at http://community.beliefnet.com/  If I am selected as one of the Top 5 Finalists, you will be able to vote for me in August!  Thank you everyone!  My Profile name is Rae30.  My latest blog post on there is on living a lifestyle of Faith entitled Keep the Faith!

Love Coaching

What is a love coach?  Me!!  LOL!!  As you know, I am preparing for my first book release…January 2011 here we come!  I’m very excited, and I know that I’ve kept you all waiting long enough, but of course; there were so many changes that were taking place within me.  I am learning to practice what I preach and begin taking my own advice!  For real, that’s why I need a Handbook!  So my next conquest is going to be the Self-Love Handbook.  It may sound absurd to some, but my Spirit says there’s a real need. 

As I coach others on the journey to self-love, please know that I’m also coaching myself…so hey, get my free advice while you can.  LOL!  I may not always be free ya know!  I gotta eat and live and pay bills and stuff!    So I wanted to share something that just came to me today.  And y’all know I give it to ya straight, live and real!  Feel free to copy this down or e-mail me at freeyourmindp3@gmail.com for a complimentary copy of this so that you can print it off!  This is Self-Love Exercise 1, and it will become apart of the Self-Love Handbook.  It is also up for discussion if anyone wants to share their experience of going within and digging deeply to uproot those past hurts.  Free therapy!  Now who could ask for more!  

In order to prepare ourselves for our future mate, if that’s who we desire, we must really work on releasing the past and learning how to love ourselves and work on what we want to change or dislike about ourselves.  I love you all!

–Dr. Rae <3

 
Self-Love Exercise 1 

 It is time to go within…

 Reach deeply inside of yourself and dig…dig up old hurts…dig up the past…breathe in…dig…breathe out…release it!   

Doesn’t that feel good…do this at least 10 times (or less)…slowly…breathe in as you dig…and breathe out…to release…

Now let’s do some journaling… 

How can I really release the past? 

What can I do differently in the future to protect myself in relationships with others?

 How do I see myself? 

(Likes/Dislikes)  

What can I do to better love myself?

How can I put myself first and make sure my needs are met?

What do I want from a relationship that I can’t give myself? 

Do I want from a relationship or am I willing to give to a relationship?

Am I healthy, whole, and complete without a relationship?

What are my highest ideals and aspirations for myself?

How can I begin to work towards my greatest ideals of myself?

Your "Singledom" is Not a Curse! It’s a Blessing!

It’s starting to make sense to me now… one of the many reasons for the oversaturation of Single Sistas and Brothas (ages 26-34+). I believe that We are the last of a dying breed. Our singledom is not a curse. The World needs saving! And the youth! There’s so much work to be done! Being married could hinder your work. Paul was on to something in 1 Corinth 7:25-28. Basically remain as you are, married or unmarried. Live to do God’s Work! vs 25 “Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for you to remain as you are”. The “Cosby Ages” have ended. We can work to restore that; fighting against unseen forces, but it takes Man and Woman to truly be on board with one another.

In Love with Love (2010)

I am in love with love…

I don’t want to be…

I do but I’m so afraid…

Maybe this time, it will work

Are you here…

Should I write about you like the others

Why are you here?

Am I forcing you to be

Us to be…

Are you that reflection of me?

I am in love with you…

The idea of you…

The idea of us…

Could it really be

I feel like giving up on love

Naturally…

I want you…

Make this go away

If it’s not true

I’m not this open

I want you in every way

Not just physically

But mentally, spiritually and emotionally

How do we get there?

I think we’re almost there

Work with me…

Flow with me

I feel you

Connecting with me

Are you scared of this love thing?

Let’s see how far we can go…

Love, love, love

I am in love with love…

How to Be Happy Exactly Where You Are!

Just a lil Sumthin Sumthin…

How to Be Happy Exactly Where You Are in Life!

Each day is a new day! Learn from the mistakes or mishaps of yesterday. This is the way to keep moving forward in life and to cultivate a happy life; an inner contentment no matter where you are (geographically); regardless of your income level; or even marital status. Learn to be happy exactly where you are in life; and whatever you don’t like about your life or circumstances learn the best ways to go about changing them. Take baby steps because some things do not change over night. The best and most lasting changes take time and so much effort. Cultivate effort, change, and happiness each day. Do not beat yourself up about yesterday; or even failed relationships or even failed job situations. Move forward into tomorrow with a positive outlook and work to get the best out of each day. And some days, just take it easy and relax. You can be happy exactly where you are in life today!

Happiness really has to come from within. What makes you happy in life? You have to decide this for yourself. Can you still be happy on your worst day or when things don’t go your way? Sometimes, you just have a good day and other times you have bad days, but you have to choose happiness. Today was a good day for me. Why? Well, some things went my way. At times, things come along that feel like struggle, but when those things begin to resolve you can do nothing but be happy and filled with joy! We would like everyday to be like this, but the truth is sometimes life will test your endurance and ability to cultivate your happiness. For some people having a love life makes them happy, for others it is their children, and for others maybe it is their occupation. Maybe for some it is a combination of it all. Can a person truly have it all? I believe so, but I also believe that this takes some work. We have to decide what makes us happy, and what are we living for or doing in life to cultivate that euphoric state of happiness!

"Rain"

“Rain”

Wash Me

Cleanse Me

Purify Me

I am Renewed, Refreshed, Rejuvenated

Your Power Impacts Me

Fills Me

Heals Me

I Welcome You

Rain On Me!

A Sprinkle, A Mist, A Storm

I welcome you,

I hear you on my window

And at my door

I welcome you

And all you represent:

Abundance

Life

Growth

Maturity

Strength

Change

I welcome you

I accept your Purpose

And Will for my life

Rain on me…

As The Seasons Change, So Must We

Rae Luvs 2 Write- Special Autumn and My Birthday Edition!
As the Seasons Change, So Must We!

Happy Fall Everyone! And Happy Birthday to Me (Friday)! Today is the official first day of Autumn. Where I live, it has been looking and seeming like Fall for about a week now. Lots of rain…and gray skies…I was starting to think that it was Winter with all of the gray, but by the time I would get dressed and go outside it was still hot…and some days cool. Just getting us ready for change. At first, I was resistant. I must confess, I slept in (late) a few days because of the rain…I just couldn’t snap out of it or into it…I’ve been thinking…isn’t this what life is like sometimes? Different seasons in our lives?…sometimes changes occur rapidly. Other times, change is slow. Regardless of how we may feel about change, it is the only constant in our lives even when or if it doesn’t look or feel like it. As for this current season we are in, for farmers this is harvest time for corn, pumpkins, squash, beans, and wild rice, the chief Native American staples, all the things we love to eat during this time of year! So tell me, what are you harvesting in your life? A new season, no matter which season, is the beginning of some things and the ending of others. So what is new in your life? Sometimes you can’t see it yet because it is not quite time. For example, just because today is the first day of Fall doesn’t mean that all of the leaves will be a different color tomorrow. So whatever the seeds are that you have been sowing in your life, do not give up on them. Since we are in the harvest season, there is plenty of time for these things to sprout and grow into fruition. Embrace this new season of change!

Now how about your love life? Now you know I’m not going to leave you without commenting on love in this new harvest season. Are you having a love harvest? If not, again, keep watering those seeds. Here is a quick guide to love in any season; We’ll call it Rae’s Quick Seasonal Love Guide:

Fall = Fun, Football, Friends

Winter = Cozy, Cabin Fever, Cuddling

Spring = Flirty, Flowers

Summer = Playful, Pool Parties

Let me know what you think!! Or if you have suggestions for loving and finding love in any season (Particularly this one).

Speaking of Summer, now we must say goodbye. So here’s an Ode to Summer to help us welcome in the new season.

An Ode to Summer

By India Arie

“Summer”

Goodbye summer hate to see you go

I wasn’t ready for autumn wind to blow

So lonely

We had a fine time holding hands in June

Warm in a sunshine watching love in bloom

Where are you now?

My heart is frozen in this place

waiting for another summer’s day

to bring you back my way

Hello winter, watch the swirling snow

I didn’t have a blanket for the cold

So lonely now

My heart is frozen in this place

waiting for another summer’s day

to bring you back my way

I’ll be waiting under the poplar tree

anticipating when you’ll come back to me

in the spring, in the spring yeah

Hello summer kiss from my old friend

been such a long time, tell me how you’ve been

so lonely now

My heart is frozen in this place

waiting for another summer’s day

to bring you back my way

Goodbye summer hate to see you go

Also, check out the link below if you are interested in fun Autumn topics!

http://www.farmersalmanac.com/topics/autumn

Is It Okay?

Is it okay that some days I’m not feeling myself?

Is it okay that some days I fear losing you?

Is it okay that some days I feel like I’m dreaming?

Is it okay that some days I don’t trust you?

Is it okay that some days I don’t feel I deserve your love?

Is it okay that I’m like this because of my past hurts?

Is it okay that you may have to work extra hard to get me to believe in us?

Tell me is it okay?

Is it okay that I think I’m in love with you?

Is it okay that I want to move away from my present to be in your presence?

Is it okay that I want to be with you?

Is it okay that I dream about you in the day and night?

Is it okay that I can see myself being your wife?

Tell me is it okay?

The Focus

Falling in love is not the focus…not right now…my life purpose is way more important right now. It is my hope that you will become apart of my purpose…but you are not the focus…the focus is me…my Creator…my destiny…my duty…what’s your focus?…my focus is to love…me and you…and what I do…one thing at a time…let’s fall in line…together…let’s love…let’s share…let’s make a difference in the world…together or apart…you are in my heart…but not my main focus…I do love you…but I do love me…and who I am to be in this world…friends’ love last longer than lovers’ anyway…you’re my lover and my friend…let’s focus on being friends right now…we’ll have plenty of time to make love…when the work is done…I’m working on me and you’re working on you…what a blessing to still have a heart connection without the stress…we have mutual understanding and respect…no better feeling between the two…just focus…see what I see…the big picture…the symphony sounds better once each individual note has been mastered…if I don’t do my part and you don’t do yours…our music will not blend…it will end in discord…we’ve both been there before…so right now I’ll just focus on mastering me instead of seeking to manipulate you to give me what I need…I give to myself…I receive what you give…I allow you the freedom to be you…and I freely give to you too…

Damn…

Damn…the chemistry is amazin’…
I know you feel it too…
You want me…just like I want you
But I’m not talkin’ bout sex…
I mean yeah that’s half of it…
But the other half is just into you…

Don’t do me like this…make me feel this love…
‘Cause what you got, is hard to come by…
Everybody wants some of that…
I got it too…you best believe it
Indescribable…
Words ain’t enough…
It’s a feelin’…

You know what I’m talkin’ bout?
What we got, makes the sex even better…
Let’s take it slow…relax our minds
Build up anticipation…cause you know I’m waitin’
I want you…for real…you know what I’m on…
Some real shit

Let me make love to you…every part of you
Your body…your soul…your mind…your heart
It’s gettin’ deep before we even start…
Tell me…are you scared?
‘Cause I am…
I never wanna be hurt again…