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Tuesday, January 9th, 2018WE BEAT OURSELVES UP FOR BEING OURSELVES?
I use to ask myself every other day, “What’s wrong with me?” It either started with me over thinking a conversation and wondering if I offended them (which still happens) and/or when I struggle to be social at social events, gatherings etc. I’m always self searching and I like to be in tune with who I am. As I continue to learn, accept and understand something new about myself each day, I find MYSELF beating up MYSELF for being MYSELF because others don’t understand. It doesn’t even make sense, especially when you’ve gone through a WHOLE process to FINALLY accept that ONE flaw you have. You find peace, you’re happy and it only takes ONE human being to tear it all apart with their words. That’s like taking on a new habit and someone says “Are you sure that’s going to help?” Now you being to rethink why you’re even doing it in the first place and you’re back to square one. Listen....well read closely lol don’t give anyone room to shake your progress and don’t give anyone room to define who you KNOW you are. It takes work to be the woman ( or man if a man is reading this) you’re trying to become, it doesn’t happen over night. It takes discipline, decision making, confidence, and most importantly trusting in God. We don’t have time to be apologetic for who are. Love it or change it, don’t hate it. “The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects your from that” Proverbs 29:25 |
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wednesday, September 20th, 2017If you have co-workers that talk about other co-workers or anyone in your field of work when they're not around....best believe they talk about you too when you're not around.. So don't join the gossip or the convo, keep that little mouth closed!
. . “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 NIV . . #listenandkeepitpushin #stayoutit #ifitsnotedifyingidontwanttohearit #mindyourbusiness #raquelmeraki |
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tuesday, September 19th, 2017“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:17) |
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thursday, august 17th, 2017I've let people, even people close to me place many periods in different moments in my life. I always knew there was more, I always knew that God wasn't going to leave me hanging as long as I held on to Him. Now I see myself becoming the young woman I've always wanted to be. I'm still peeling layers and learning more about myself each day. Thank you Lord for the commas and for continuing to show your self in the good and bad times. Thank you for blessing me and seeing me fit for positions that I didn't believe could be for me. Thank you for putting a comma in the places where I almost gave up and gave in. I look forward to this journey continuing with more commas in my story 😊
. . Subscribe to my website for monthly newsletters! First one is this month, don't miss it! |
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thursday, july 27, 2017Man...after talking to a good friend of mine this week, she really help shift my mindset back into place. I realized that I've been so distracted by what other people are doing and succeeding in, that it withheld everything that I needed to birth out. After that long conversation with my friend and prayer, a bunch of ideas, goals and creative juices started flowing out of me. It was refreshing and rejuvenating. Stay focused y'all and inspired. We have work to do, goals to accomplish, generational curses to break and generations to impact. Much love❤️
. . #Raquelmeraki #distractions #ideas #goals #creativity #stayfocused #christianblogger #blogbar #blogger #blackswhoblog #browngirlbloggers #bostonblogger #blackblogger #blackwriter |
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tuesday, july 18th, 2017He's being patient for your sake! So let's not waste His time by not living a life pleasing to Him. He loves you that much ❤️
. . And that's why I love Him so much! I can't even count the amount of chances He has given me, not to mention His patience with me. When I think He's taking too long, He's being patient so I don't destroy His divine plan and purpose for my life. Thank you Lord ❤️ #iluhgod #patient |
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Saturday, June 17th, 2017These words alone really hit me and she said a lot more. I try to ignore things like this to be honest because it really makes my heart heavy but it can't be ignored. We are living in a world where the system is not for us at all and it's sickening. There's no justice for us at all. The same color blood runs through our veins, and when they see it coming out of a black person they see freedom now? No fear, no conviction, no remorse but certainty that they will hear the words "not guilty" soon. It's not fair....we matter too. Our blood shouldn't scream freedom but justice. 😔 #blacklivesmatter #philandocastile #stopfailingus .
. #raquelmeraki |
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Friday, June 16th, 2017When I was talking to God this morning after fighting with myself to get out of bed (lol). I just kept telling my self that I need to keep pressing. For me, I need to stay consistent in my word...I feel like someone that forgets to drink their coffee first thing in the morning. My mind and my entire day is off. So I want to encourage you today to keep pressing and don't stop pressing. Sometimes it looks like the pressing isn't worth it because you're not seeing results right away and that's where persistence steps in. The scripture that encouraged me to keep pressing today was Joshua 1:8-9. Keep at it guys, you're closer thank you think. Stay encouraged and encourage your self when no one else does.
#keeppressing #consistency #persistence #raquelmeraki #stayencouraged |
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Saturday, May 6th, 2017...If you remember how the children of Israel and Moses were being chased down by Pharaoh and his soldiers, they were in a hurry to get away, they were LITERALLY running for their lives. But it's comforting to know that our freedom no longer needs to feel like we are running away from our bondage. Now that we are free we can freely, without being in a hurry, enter a new chapter of our lives with God ahead of us and behind us. Even when we look back, we'll see God! He has us surrounded in His presence and our eyes fixed on him completely.
#truefreedom #beautifulpassage #isaiah5212 #SOAPbiblestudies #raquelmeraki #surroundedinlove #surroundedinhispresence . . New #youngwoman page coming soon! |
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Sunday, april 23rd, 2017I've been focusing on the things that are not working for me lately instead of focusing on the things that God is doing and working on for me. It's so easy to lose sight of what God is doing when we are caught up about the pace He's doing it at...and then we take matters in to our own hands and ruin His plans. I...we need to focus on what God is making right which also means looking on the brighter side and shift our focus from the negative stuff to positive. Remember we serve a God that's for us and not against us. We serve a God that can do infinitely more than we may ask or think. We serve a God that's intentional. We serve a God that takes on our worries and allows us to experience His peace. Focus on great things today, focus on what God is making right.
#focus #shiftyourfocus #raquelmeraki #youngwoman . . . New young woman insta page coming soon! 🙌🏾 . . . I can't take credit for this quote, I have it on a post it note and I didn't write down where I heard or read it from |
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FRIDAY, APRIL 14TH, 2017
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Friday, march 31st, 2017Today was so refreshing. I feel like I awakened a part of me that I've been struggling to find as a dancer. That side of me has been asleep and I pray that from now on it will stay awake. Getting away for a few days is part of my growth process and gives me the opportunity to think, dissect, open up in writing and release through dancing. I know there's greatness within me although it's hard for me to see it sometimes, but knowing that it's there gives me hope that what I'm striving to become is not in vain. Give yourself Room to Open up, Withdraw from your comfort and Trust the potential that's Harnessed within you. Whatever actions you need to take to grow in your craft....take them. The actions that you take to edify your craft will be looked upon by the dreamers that want to be like you. Your growth is helping, inspiring, strengthening and giving hope to everyone around you.
#dowhatyougottodo #growth #dontgiveup #makeroom #dancer #choreographer #growingdancer #raquelmerkai #dancelife |
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thursday, March 9th, 2017When I would drive my car, I always had trouble seeing on the road. Even after I would use the windshield fluid to clean it, it wasn't cleaning it enough. It was really annoying, it would only stay clean for a few minutes and go back to being foggy. One day I went to the gas station and the guy cleaned my windshield and even after he cleaned it, I still saw a foggy look to it. So I'm like what the heck lol then I swiped my finger on the inside of my windshield and come to find out it was coming from the inside of the glass...not the outside.....
How often do you take time to check your self from the inside? What's the condition of your heart? Have you made your heart a home for Christ? Is it a place where He can dwell? Would He be pleased by what he sees happening on the inside? Can God see a reflection of Himself from your inside? I'm guilty I'm slaying on the outside but my inside is not up to par where I would like it to me. I can always make adjustments to my outside and always maintain it...but are we putting in the same effort for our insides? Our beauty is fleeting so let's slay on the inside as much as the out. Spring cleaning is coming, remove the junk from your hearts and invite God in. #slayfromtheinside #springcleaning #heartconditions #youngwoman #raquelmeraki #makeyourheartahome #womensmonth |
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Monday, march 1st, 2017I'm a dance teacher at an after school program and I have the privilege of teaching some amazing kids. For the first time in 8 years they had the opportunity to perform at the Cambridge hip hop convention. After their performance, a lot of kids were interested in dancing and performing. So another opportunity came up and the same kids wanted to dance again and a one other person that has never performed wanted to join too. Because the previous group performed and nailed it already, their confidence was off the walls! It was beautiful...however, the new girl that joined us was not there yet. So we practiced and practiced and I noticed she would take breaks when she didn't get the moves right and she would say "I don't know" or "I can't do it". Before I had the chance to finish encouraging her, all the girls jumped in and reminded her about their first experience dancing in front of the Cambridge community and how she can't give up. They even went further in helping her with the moves. We did one more run through and next thing you know, my girl is bopping and have a little attitude in her moves now. Confidence is contagious. She was shy but she was surrounded by friends that are confident in them selves in which boosted her confidence as well. Every time she dances now, she's not alone in giving her best since she has a tribe that's doing the same. Are you surrounding your self with friends that are confident in their discipline, craft, dreams, goals etc? Are they encouraging you to not give up and keep going? Are they putting you down because they lack confidence and don't want to be alone? Check the company you keep, it's a beautiful thing when you have a tribe that's pushing to do great things...it's contagious.
#lessonsfromkids #confidence #dontgiveup #youngwoman #raquelmeraki |
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thursday, February 2nd, 2017I have to say that many women are starting off 2017 with a BANG! There are those who are in the spotlight like @tarajiphenson @janellemonae and @therealoctaviaspencer from the movie Hidden Figures, a MUST see; and there are those like us who's still on the grind. No matter the race, no matter the pace, we are still winning. For all my young women out there that feel that their race is not like others and their pace is too slow, remember that many of us are on the same track and are running towards the same finish line. It doesn't matter who gets there first, all you need to know is that God is running beside each of us cheering us on at the pace we're running. Don't worry about the woman next to you, in front or behind you; fix your eyes on the finish line and let's win together!
#philippians314 #youngwoman #raquelmeraki #writer #love #serve #passion #meraki #blogger #blackswhoblog #browngirlbloggers #bostonblogger #sametrack #samefinishline #differentrace #differentpace #selfdiscovery |
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Thursday, December 29th, 2016 Don't measure love based on everything that they're not but on all that they are. If God can love us unconditionally after all that we've done wrong to him, why do measure our love for others based on personality or character trait or how we feel? If God is love and that's what he requires of us, why are we holding back on unconditional love from our friends, family and co-workers? Yes, we all have that one family member that just make things difficult or that friend that never learns no matter how much advice you pour out or that co-worker that doesn't like you for no reason. Don't deny them what they need the most. Yes people make it difficult to love them and they have no idea. But God chose to love mess, non sense, broken and imperfect people like ourselves. As I'm still practicing to love without measure, I pray that you do some self examination and see who you've cut short from all the love they need despite the circumstance. Have no limits and love like Christ!
"...so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.. " Ephesians 3:17-18 #youngwoman #lovelikechrist #Godislove #unconditionallove #raquelmeraki Side note: I have something to share with you all that means a lot to me. It also my thank you for reading my posts and for your encouraging words that I was able to just go for it. It was one of my dreams growing up and I'm happy that I'm able to carry it out. Look out for it 👀😊😊 |
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Sunday, December 25th, 2016
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Thursday, December 22nd, 2016In the beginning of the year I was working out almost 4 days a week..sometimes everyday, eating right, watching my portions, practicing and edifying my dance skills. I was doing all this to prepare myself for any opportunity that may come my way related to dance. Then I slowly started to fall off and went back to my old habits while trying to go for opprtunities at the same time. It's easy to ruin your chances and close your own doors when you're not prepared and that takes consistency and dedication. Although I did fall off in my preparation, I got myself together To keep going. I'm happy to say that I am part of a dance studio company and I'm excited to grow and learn there. However, I honestly wish I didn't take a break from perfecting my craft because I know I could've done so much better...but God is still faithful and I'm happy he kept this door open although it should've closed. Stick to your roots and you will see the plant breakthrough the surface. #preparation #consistency #dedication #youngwoman
Side note: I have something to share with you all that means a lot to me. It also my thank you for reading my posts and for your encouraging words that I was able to just go for it. It was one of my dreams growing up and I'm happy that I'm able to carry it out. Look out for it 👀😊😊 |
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Thursday, December 8th, 2016When I tell you that these sermons woke me up....they seriously WOKE me up. Each speaker and Pastor that I listened to for the past few months really changed my life, motivated me to trust God and to have audacious faith. Click on the READ button below to check out the sermons I listed. Enjoy and get ready to be WOKE.
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Tuesday, November 29th, 2016All I ever wanted to do growing up was share my dance and spoken word poetry with the world...you couldn't tell me nothing. I entered poetry competitions and contests online and got rejected time and time again. But one of my pieces were published although I didn't win. As for my dance side, I went to high school for it and continued it as a minor in college and I've been teaching it since I was 13 years old in a church setting. But I found myself only using one way to share my gifts...just one. I did not try any new routes to use my gifts to its full capacity. I learned when you don't step out on faith and utilize your gifts to its full capacity, you're selling your gift short and you will never know how far you can go with it if you don't try. Staying stagnant and hoping someone discovers you using the same route is boring and comfortable. Explore and see what else you're capable of doing. If you're a ballet dancer, take a hip hop class, if you're a writer or blogger, write poems or short stories, if you're a manager of something, shadow someone in a higher position than you. With any gift, you don't keep it in the same place you received it, everyone needs to see it. Share it and explore it. #exploreyourgifts #shareit #raquelmeraki
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Thursday, November 24th, 2016
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Friday, November 11th, 2016
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Wednesday, October 5th, 2016In this time of self discovery and trying to pursue my passion...I need to check my self so it doesn't pursue me. Don't become the gift, it's called a gift for a reason. With that, I took time to write out who I am as a young woman, who I am not, who I am trying to be and who I am now. I will be blogging this self discovery journey soon and it will be called #youngwoman. Can't wait to share.
#youngwoman #dontbecomethegift #whoareyou #blogger #blackbloggers #RaquelMeraki |
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Friday, September 30th, 2016If people only knew the amount of years I've struggled with this. Thank you Lord for instinct and opportunity. This book is a must read...or listen if you have audible.
#followyourinstincts #tdjakes #gifts #opportunity #unleashyourinborndrive #RaquelMeraki |
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Tuesday, September 13th, 2016#trusting
#neverfailing #raquelmeraki |
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Tuesday, August 9th, 2016God wants you to do the impossible because he wants to stretch your faith. This devotional has been so on point and encouraging. The past 3 months have been more bitter than sweet and I've learned so much about my self. My faith and trust in God has grown like crazy. As you can see, I post scriptures and quotes from my devotionals and/or bible which can show you my progress and how God has been trying to push me to new heights. I am ready to do the impossible and challenge myself because it's not by my own strength but God. Nothing and no one can separate me from his unconditional love. Be encouraged.
#faith #doingtheimpossible #growth #raquelmeraki |
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Monday, August 8th, 2016Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
In the words of David ...let it slide off your back like a water country slide #forgetaboutit #itsinthepast #Godisdoinganewthing #raquelmeraki #whydomyeyeslookcrazy lol |
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Tuesday, August 2nd, 2016
My God can do it all.....don't give up on him because he is able!
#dreambig #NOWfaith #doubtyourdoubts #raquelmeraki |
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Tuesday, August 2nd, 2016My God can do it all.....don't give up on him because he is able!
#dreambig #NOWfaith #doubtyourdoubts #raquelmeraki |
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Thursday, July 21st, 2016
#troublesdontlastalways #heisdoingsomethinggreat
#GLORY #raquelmeraki |
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Monday, July 18th, 2016#movingforward
#Godisincontrol #raquelmeraki |
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Monday, July 11th, 2016#troublesdontlastalways #morethanconquerers
#standfirm |
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Wednesday, July 6th, 2016#focus
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Monday, July 4th, 2016A bad attitude is like a flat tire. If you don't change it, if you can't go anywhere.
-Joyce Meyer Devo #fixitjesus #evenwheniknowimright #evenwhenpeoplegetmetight #changethetirelord #raquelmeraki |
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Friday, July 1st, 2016....I'm learning that I will not understand everything that happens in my life. I cry (a lot ) and complain to God how I don't get what he's doing or I don't understand what's happening...it's suppose to be this way....I'm doing my part God....what's happening here. Then when I trust him completely, I'm able to see what he was doing the whole time. Keep directing my steps Lord even if it doesn't make sense to me at the moment, I trust that will make it all come together for your daughter.
#faith #Godisincontrol #raquelmeraki |
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Wednesday, June 29th, 2016...the closed doors are just as important as the open doors... -Joel Osteen #thankyouforbothdoors
#trustinhimalone #faith |
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Thursday, June 23rd, 2016#myheartssong
#trustinhimalone #Raquelmeraki |
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Wednesday, June 15th, 2016#nofear
#myprayer #Raquelmeraki |
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Monday, May 30th, 2016#Luke1222
#myprayer #raquelmeraki |
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Monday, May 23rd, 2016“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” Matthew 6:34 MSG
#noworries #allingodshands #allthingsareworkingformygood #raquelmeraki |
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Friday, May 20th, 2016Our yesterdays hold broken and irreversible things for us. It is true that we have lost opportunities that will never return, but God can transform this destructive anxiety into a constructive thoughtfulness for the future. Let the past rest, but let it rest in the sweet embrace of Christ. Leave the broken, irreversible past in His hands, and step out into the invincible future with Him.
-Focus Devotional (YouVersion) this was so on time when I read this....yesterday lol I hope you are blessed by this too! #raquelmeraki #irreversiblepast #allingodshands |
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Friday, May 13th, 2016Accepting it...now let's walk in it
#purpose #wakingup #raquelmeraki #dancer #choreographer |