Responsibility – Life Lessons

Do It For Yourself

Whatever it is you’re doing in life, make sure you’re doing it for yourself. It’s okay to secure a bag, but it’s best to secure your own happiness first. I believe most people would live simple lives if they weren’t comparing themselves to others or trying to meet some societal standard. Many say they don’t care what others think, but their lifestyle says otherwise.

In my 46 years of living, I’ve observed how people in rural areas live versus people in urban and suburban areas. It seems like people who live in the country (rural areas) prioritize peace over worldly possessions. They may look like they don’t have much by the way they dress, but they usually own acres of land. Now, you tell me which is worth more? I also find them to be some of the happiest, kindest, and content people in the United States.

They are also healthier because they eat more fresh foods from their own gardens and local markets. One of my kin folks in Mississippi recently celebrated her 99th birthday. Nevertheless, she’s not the only kin of mine in her 90s. I wouldn’t say all of them are very healthy, but they are still here. When I talk to these folks, they don’t seem to worry and stress as much as us city folks do, which is a huge contributor to health. They don’t value material things and aesthetics so much either. Most city folks invest more in vanity than their own sanity. Some of us will even risk our own lives for the perfect look.

So, take a look at your life and ask yourself, am I doing this for me? Anyone who desires everlasting joy and peace will not let anything or anyone compromise it. Therefore, if anything or anyone is jeopardizing your peace, let it go. If beauty is making you go broke, learn to love your natural self. If you’re constantly spending money you don’t have to attend every event or travel frequently, learn to live within your limits and explore less costly hobbies. Whether you’re in Mexico or Maine, they’re going to like your post anyway. If that big house and luxury car are breaking the bank, downsize. They’re going to talk about you either way. But I’d rather downsize my assets and upsize my peace any day.

“I don’t need to have everything, but I have everything I need. Pleasing others is just too hard, so I live within my means.”

-Bianca A. McCormicks-Johnson ✍🏽

Check out my books by clicking the links below:

I’m G.O.O.D. – Volume One

https://a.co/d/dDLzPDo

I’m Still G.O.O.D. – Volume Two

https://a.co/d/8t5nx9m

Go The Extra Mile

When I take my nature walks to maintain good heart health, I always go the extra mile. The recommended 30 minute walk gets me about 1.25 miles, but the additional 30 minutes or so make me feel accomplished.

A goal is a target. Once you reach it, you have the opportunity to stop or keep going. When you stop, it means, “that’s enough”. But when you keep going, it means, “you’re up for a challenge.” What if God said, “that’s enough”, when we asked for his grace and forgiveness?

Imagine what life would be like if everyone only did the bare minimum. When the major Hurricane Katrina and Rita (2005) destroyed much of New Orleans, people went the extra mile. I can remember when we had arrived to Dallas, Texas, a total stranger walked up and handed me $40 and another took my family in his own home, while helping us find a place to stay. We were also offered to live rent-free for one full year in Oklahoma, but we declined the offer to stay close to family.

Prior to moving to Dallas, we were initially displaced to Natchez, Mississippi where we were housed and fed by my husband’s family members we had never met. We stayed there for about a week. They treated us good and didn’t want us to leave because they enjoyed our company so much. But we needed to locate our other family members.

There were many people around the world who had come to our aid – too many stories to share. But amidst all the goodness that was happening around the world, of course, many people weren’t so lucky. In fact, it was the worst time of their lives. I’m thankful that God found favor in my family because our aftermath could have been much worse. We were truly blessed. However, you couldn’t pay me to relive that moment.

Then there was the Great Flood in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in August of 2018 up until the destructive wildfires in Los Angeles, California and the dangerous tornadoes in North Texas this year. So many events happened within this timeline, such as the horrific global pandemic (2020), the unprecedented flooding in New York (2021), the deadly wildfires in Maui, Hawaii and so on – all of which people weren’t prepared for. Nevertheless, people stepped up and went the extra mile, which is the result of thoughts and prayers put into action.

Wanna make a bigger impact? Don’t wait until another natural disaster hits or some other devastating event that makes the news to go the extra mile. It’s the little things that make the biggest impression. Wash your elderly neighbor’s car or simply pull her trash cans to the curb. Offer to buy your co-worker some lunch if he can’t seem to pull away from work. If your friend is out of work, send a love donation or care package just because. If a friend is asking for donations of at least $25, why not do $30? An extra $5 won’t break the bank for what it’s worth today.

In order to gain God’s favor, you must have faith. To maintain your faith, you must filter out all the negative things you hear and focus on his word. Obedience is a blessing, not a burden. 2 Corinthians 9:6 says, “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” Don’t let one bad experience stop you from going the extra mile because you never know when you may benefit from someone else’s obedience.

“When life catches you off guard, you can always call on the Lord!“

-Bianca A. McCormick-Johnson ✍🏽

Block Evil Before You Become The Next Victim

Why is it okay for people we love to hurt others, as long as we are not the victims? Did you know it could be just a matter of time before they hurt you?

Some stuff really isn’t our business and should not become our problem, but that does not make it okay either. For instance, if your friend is cheating on her husband, you shouldn’t get involved. But you can encourage your friend to seek other ways of dealing with her marital problems before the situation turns out bad.

Nevertheless, if your friend openly admits to being a scammer and you say nothing about it, then you’re a part of the problem. As long as she’s not scamming you (yet), that does not make her behavior okay. You should tell your friend she is wrong and needs to stop immediately. Go a step further and disassociate yourself with her if she doesn’t stop. Otherwise, when she does it to you, you cannot say she didn’t show you who she was.

A relationship is only healthy when positive energy flows in both directions. Associating with a person who has negative energy or evil intentions is no different from listening to bad music. Whether you realize it or not, you are being negatively influenced, and no relationship is worth the risk.

If you happen to hit a rough patch, you just might think about how your friend got away with her last scam and consider it. You may not act on it, if you’re strong-willed and have morals. However, the thought probably would not have crossed your mind had you not been entertaining your scamming friend.

Evil is not limited to friendships. Some people are sleeping with the enemy; hopefully, not you. That influence is more dangerous than the friendship. It’s easier to pick up on bad habits of one you sleep with every day. More so, you are likely to become the next victim. Leave that relationship before it’s too late. If you’re married to that person, you should seek spiritual intervention.

Good always wins. It may not seem like it in some instances, but you will gain peace of mind and sleep better at night. And that’s what counts.

“You’re only as good as the company you keep. Be the change you want to see in your circle.”

-Bianca A. McCormick-Johnson ✍🏽