#themikalamcghee

[themikalamcghee-blog]

Allowing other people to be the source of your happiness is the easiest way to lose it. Find happiness within yourself and let others only add to it.

Mikala McGhee

[themikalamcghee-blog]

It’s Time

It took some time, but time was all I needed. Time, space, and prayer to reach a sense of clarity; to see things for what they really are and accept the truth. The alarm went off and the switch was flipped. The pain crept away. The tears stopped flowing. There was no sadness left to feel. Hello to the old me. A familiar mentality combined with a new and improved outlook. I was wondering when you would arrive. I’ve been waiting for you, and so has the world. Lesson learned. Time was all I needed, and now it’s time to break free.

- Mikala McGhee

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Because I Did

I shouldn’t have looked in your direction. I shouldn’t have stared into your eyes. I shouldn’t have lost my breath, and I shouldn’t have walked over and said hello.

But I did.  

I shouldn’t have let that hello turn into a friendship. I shouldn’t have let that friendship turn into a crush. I shouldn’t have stayed up with you until sunrise talking about our hopes and dreams. I shouldn’t have started smiling every time I thought about you, and I shouldn’t have gotten butterflies every time you were in my sight.

But I did.

I shouldn’t have felt so safe with you. I shouldn’t have let you in. I shouldn’t have gotten weak in the knees at the slightest glimpse of your smile, and I shouldn’t have let your laugh steal my heart.

But I did.

I shouldn’t have let you tell me how you really felt, and I shouldn’t have told you how I felt back. I shouldn’t have let you drive off, and I shouldn’t have told you to turn around and come back. I shouldn’t have ran into your arms. I shouldn’t have let your warm hand caress the side of my face, and I shouldn’t have let you kiss me.

But I did.

I shouldn’t have made those memories. I shouldn’t have let every song remind me of a moment with you. I shouldn’t have felt so free, and I shouldn’t have let everything about us feel so right.

But I did. There’s a lot I shouldn’t have done, then and even now. But one thing I will never say I shouldn’t have done was fall in love with you.

… because I did.

- Mikala McGhee

[themikalamcghee-blog]

"If you see the two aren't adding up, maybe it's time you start doing some subtracting." - Mikala McGhee

[themikalamcghee-blog]

Go Ahead

I'm not going to beg you. I'm not going to plead. If you don't want to stay then go ahead and just leave. Love should never be forced. It should never be bargained. So please don't waste anymore of my time if you feel you are not all in. I never asked for the world. I never needed any favors. All I wanted was a genuine love; I wasn't looking for a savior. I gave you the best of all that I could give. Now I'm stuck here without a clue. If my love is not what you want then there's nothing more that I can do. I pray you find happiness, Even if it is with someone else instead. But for now, until you are certain, feel free to go ahead. - Mikala McGhee

[themikalamcghee-blog]

Closed doors are not failures, nor should they be considered disappointments. Closed doors are God's way of redirecting you and getting you closer to where He needs you to be!

Mikala McGhee

[themikalamcghee-blog]

Everyone Wants to be a MLKJ

What does being influential look like to you? What does it mean to “be important?”

      One of the most influential leaders in history who I happen to deeply admire is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I admire Dr. King not only for his relentless fight for racial equality, but also for what he ultimately stood for: love, compassion, strength, dignity, justice, and intelligence. I can listen to his “I Have a Dream” speech over and over again and still manage to get goose bumps every single time. He spoke with such passion and conviction. Every word had purpose, and they were perfectly orchestrated to penetrate your soul. When you think of that day, August 28, 1963, and the march that took place, the speech that was given, and the thousands of civil rights protesters that gathered around Lincoln Memorial – who is the first person you think of? Of course it’s Dr. King! But… what about all of the other people it took to make that day a success?

       The volunteers. The media personnel. The marchers. The activists groups that partnered with Dr. King and his friends. His wife who probably listened to him practice that speech a million and one times before he stood behind that podium and delivered it to a large crowd and a judgmental nation. Did you know that there were 26 comfort and 22 first-aid stations set up specifically for this event? Or that a group of volunteers packed 80 thousand bagged lunches that included a cheese sandwich, an apple, and a slice a pound cake just so people would not go hungry on this significant day in history? Can you name one of those people who helped do all that? My guess is no, because I know I can’t.

Now if you’re still reading this, I’ll let you in on a little secret: this piece is not about Martin Luther King, Jr. at all, nor is it about all the volunteers who helped make the March on Washington a success. This piece is about you, and me, and anyone else who aspires to change the world – or even just their own lives.

      You need to know that your life has a very strategic purpose. God makes no mistakes, especially when it comes to the very thing He created in His own image – us. The Bible literally speaks of us as “the body of Christ,” each of us designed to complete different tasks. Just as our ears have a different function for our bodies than our heart, my purpose in life may be different than your purpose – just as your purpose may be different than your friends, siblings, mom, dad, coworker, or even just the stranger sitting next to you at the bus stop. In order to have a healthy body, we need all of our body parts to function according to their purpose. The same goes for life: in order to live meaningful lives, we all must live out our individual purposes.

      This is where things start to get a tad bit tricky. We live in a world where we are oversaturated by media, and status has become the determining factor in self-worth. People believe that in order to make a difference in the world, or in other people’s lives, that they have to make a million dollars, be a professional athlete, become a famous artist, or somehow become a celebrity. Everyone wants to be in the spotlight. Everyone wants to be the center of attention. Everyone wants to be a Martin Luther King, Jr., but no one wants to be the unknown volunteers who also made that day a huge success.

Remember this: every person has a sphere of influence. Abandon the idea of having to be in the “spotlight” or “famous” to be in a position of influence, because you don’t!!! The Bible clearly shows God using very ordinary people to impact thousands of lives! Who was it that killed Goliath to help the Israelite army defeat the Philistines? David – a young shepherd boy. Who was it that brought five small loaves of bread and two small fish to Jesus and his disciples so that Jesus could bless it and feed a crowd of over 5 thousand people, and still have baskets full of leftovers? A child whose name was not even mentioned.

      No matter what purpose you may serve in this lifetime, it is important to remember that it was assigned by God, and that He uses very ordinary people to do very extraordinary things. Everything that you are and everything that you possess – your gifts, passions, goals, and talents – no matter how big or small, are tools given to you from God to make a difference. They may seem insignificant to you now, but when you ask God to direct your steps and you completely surrender those passions and talents to Him – He can help you do abundantly more than you could ever even imagine. Dr. King was blessed with phenomenal leadership and speaking abilities, so that is how God used him. I’m sure the volunteer’s greatest talents weren’t making sandwiches, but they happened to see there was a need, and I bet they made those 80 thousand cheese sandwiches to the best of their ability!

      You may be at a point in your life where you don’t really know what your purpose is. You may not fully understand where you are needed or what you can specifically do to make a difference. Assess your talents, assess your passions, and then assess people’s needs. That is where you will be at your happiest and the most influential – when you are doing what you love, are good at, and are able to make an impact. If you were blessed with leadership ability, be the best leader you can be. If you were blessed with athleticism, be the best athlete you can be. If you were blessed with intellect, be the most intellectual person you can be. If you are a good listener, listen well. If you are a good speaker, speak wisely. Pinpoint your talents, discover your passions, and use those to thrive! The best way to live out your purpose is to completely embrace who God created you to be and do whatever it is you do to the best of your ability.

Anything that is placed in the hands of Jesus Christ will be blessed, whether that is your talent, emotions, money, relationship, resources, or circumstances. You don’t have to be a millionaire or a celebrity to live a full and purposeful life. You were equipped from birth with the tools you need to accomplish your goals and make a difference in this world. Bring what you have to the table and let God prepare you a feast!

- Mikala McGhee

[themikalamcghee-blog]

I am certain of two things: 1) Things do not always go as planned. 2) God will handle the twists and turns if we let Him.

Mikala McGhee