Top Her Couture

We live in a world filled with uniqueness.  Each day.  Each situation.  Each person.  Each journey.  There are no two paths alike.  We make the best of it.  We overcome the cracks, bumps, mountains; and regardless of whether we can walk a mile in their shoes.  The fact is, we are not them and they are not us.  Their journey will never be like ours. I often see posts of one-sided, tunnel vision, egotistical, and rather troublesome statements of what competing should look like or how much time it should take.  I personally find it belittling and disrespectful to fellow competitors.  Who are we to judge what it should or shouldn't be.  Each of us has our strengths and weaknesses when getting ready to take stage.  Some of us it is mental.  Others it is genetics.  Sometimes it is food & dieting.  Some of us take longer that a month to get on stage for whatever reason; but that reason is theirs.  We do not have to understand it or know what it feels like.  Just respect their jou

I pray for faith that my future will be good if I live today well, and in peace.  I will remember that staying present is the best thing I can do for my future.  I will focus on what's happening now instead of what's going to happen tomorrow. Staying in the present moment can often be hard.  Many of us constantly worry about what is going to happen.  We create a web of worry that entangles us and keeps us from the amazing things going on right now.  There are lessons to learn now.  Our best needs us now.  Participation in the now is all we need to assure ourselves that what happens tomorrow is for the best. DON'T WORRY BE HAPPY The constant worry locked in our heads is a negative contribution to our future.  It holds us back from doing our very best now.  It also holds back our future from happening.  Have courage in letting things work themselves out and if we must think of our future; assure yourself that it will be good. Peace I leave with you; my peace I g

  When we change, our circumstances will change.  Excuses are easy to come up with whether it is family, career, financial, or emotional to name a few.  The key is to finding a balance that works well with your schedule and to have fun with it. Finding balance can be tough.  Many times we find little time for ourselves.  What we have to realize is time for "us" is just as important as the 1,239 other things we are responsible for each day.  If we do not take care of ourselves, we eventually will have nothing to give the other areas of our life.  Take time to maintain a healthy you and don't be afraid to try new things. Today, there are a ton of fun ways to get your exercise in and if you are not sure it is for you; most places have a free class or trial membership.  So, grab a friend [or go by yourself] and find your inner health nut. Try Zumba!  Try yoga!  Join a gym [preferably where you aren't just another number]!  Go hiking!  Try a pole dancing class!  Joi

We are our own worst critic.  Many times we keep ourselves in the same place by re-living or re-feeling our past.  This holding on is our greatest barrier to achieving our very best and moving forward.  Being honest and aware with ourselves will help us find acceptance and peace in what was; so we can have a clean slate to make room for what is to come.  Today, stop the self-defeating beliefs and allowing your past to be the only truth. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. PSALMS 30:5

A new energy is coming! "We cannot base our expectations about how we feel tomorrow, or even a few hours from now, on how we feel at this moment"; nor how someone else may feel. We train and we train HARD. We eat right and we are dedicate d. Some people won't understand. They will question why you spend twice a day in the gym, pack your lunches usually consisting of chicken, broccoli, and rice, & what is SO great about getting on stage. Don't let them tell you your truth. Each of these nay-sayers will help shape and influence who you become. Be open to all the exciting possibilities for change, both within and around you. I WILL NOT BE STOPPED "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

We all struggle in one way or another. Some it is losing weight-some it is gaining weight! Others it is addictions to foods or the lack of self confidence. I am here to tell you NOT to give up!  It is easy to be negative about past mist akes and failures. Use your past as a series of lessons to help you advance to be a better you. The hardest times usually will bring us stronger insights about who we are, who we want to be, and what we want. You'll get there just keep going!!! "I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:12-13 #legionofboom

Guilt Free Southwest Burgers by tophercouture featuring a square grill

Today, I will be grateful.  I will start the process of turning today's pain into tomorrow's joy.  I will also take responsibility for myself and show it to others by not allowing myself to be victimized.  I cannot control outcomes but I can control my attitude toward being victimized.  I am not a victim;  I do not deserve to be victimized. Boy does the world move fast and just as quickly as the day came so do problems, trials, and tribulations.  The key is gratitude!  Allowing gratitude to fill our lives helps us to stop trying to control outcomes and allow even the most horrific to be a blessing.  It also allows us to own our own power in the situation.  Delivering us from victimization and allowing to be victimized! That helpless, frustrated, full of rage feeling we get when things don't go our way or when someone over steps their boundaries or ours.  The fact is we have no control over the choices other people make [no matter how much we want to or think we do].

Today, I will practice prayer and meditation.  Whether I feel desperate, uneasy, or peaceful, I will make the effort to connect with my Higher Power, at least for a moment today. Prayer is a great form of not only loving a Higher Power, but also ourselves.  It gives us a chance to to connect with the deeper part(s) of 'us', our life, and our growth.  The relationship we develop with the Higher Power allows us to be heard, touched, and even changed for the best.  Prayer is not necessarily a religion thing.  It is merely a link to our soul. Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer.  PSALM 4:1

Today, I will rally my own cause.  I will remember that it is okay to stand up for myself when that action is appropriate.  Help me, God, to let go of my need to be victimized.  Help me appropriately, and with confidence, stand up for myself. It is easy to want to fight other peoples' battles especially when it is someone we care about.  We often give them advise like,"stand up for yourself"; yet we rarely use these words for ourselves.  Walking our kind & loving path we may come across situations [often] that put us deeper into the hand of those who could mistreat us or continue to mistreat us.  Set healthy boundaries.  Use each situation as a learning experience.  Do not give up on your morals and what is right!  Always remember the things that are most important to you and don't allow people to violate them-deal breakers!  If you have a strong belief in monogamy, don't settle for a cheater.  If you have a strong belief in loyalty & trust, don't

" Today, I will let myself be angry, if I need to.  I can feel and release my emotions, including anger, constructively.  I will be grateful for my anger and the things it is trying to show me.  I can feel and accept all my emotions without shame, and I can take responsibility for my actions ." ~ The Language Of Letting Go Anger is part of life.  It should not be ignored but also should not be hunted down nor consume us.  Just because we are positive, grateful, and healthy does not mean anger doesn't happen and if we cannot accept anger in our lives; it will surely rule us. "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,  and do not give the devil a foothold.  He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.  Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up

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Well, it's that time of year again.  The time where we set new goals for ourselves-most call these New Years resolutions.  This year an acquaintance made a good point about these "resolutions".  The fact is, most resolutions are short lived as they are focusing on a past behavior, time, or shortcoming.  With intentions, we are looking to a future goal [whether short or long term].  This is the year of intentions! For years, I have set resolutions.  Many of the time not completely following through or finding more disappointments than goal achieving.  Resolutions often set one up for failure and we then tend to find ourselves in a downward spiral.  What I have realized is that many of the resolutions we seek or set are things that may not be something to fix.  Yes, we make mistakes.  There are times in life where we are enough.  We don't need fixing or counseling or business. . .sometimes there are NO answers!  We find ourselves in situations and by trying to reso