Share the Wealth (Part 1) - 5 Tips to Cultivate Contentment

Hello RAWC stars!!! Wow! Monday is almost over on my side of town but I still wanted to set the week off on a good note! Speaking of notes, I really need to add some nice music or video clips… I mean what’s a RAWC star without the music to go along with it? I’ll be looking for some clips and if anyone has anything they’d like to share that may be a good fit for RAWC Star Status… you just let a sistah know!!!

This week’s focus is all about giving and sharing. I am a motivator by design and I just love spreading joy to the world and what better way to do that than to provide useful information, tips, ideas, strategies, quotes and even scriptures that may just give you that extra “boost” you need to make it through the week!! Today and for the rest of the week I just want to “share the wealth” because what many don’t realize is that knowledge IS wealth. We’re not talking about monetary things or material possessions however you never know how God can use the wisdom you gain and turn it into something beneficial financially, spiritually and/or emotionally. If you are open and willing to receive from God and truly call upon Him, He will show you some great and mighty things according to one of my favorite scriptures in the bible (Jeremiah 33:3).

Today I offer you some “RAWC Star” tips toward building, nurturing and cultivating contentment. My book “Content… Right Where I Am” talks about a real walk and personal life journey of yours truly and reveals how I wasn’t always this positive person. I haven’t always been a "RAWC Star" folks… and this is the honest truth. In fact it took me some years before I could truly say that I was content about anything in my life. Today, I am a new creature in Christ and I owe that all to God. Now, it is my life’s purpose to give back, pour into others and of course to share the hope of the gospel. So here I present to you…

5 Tips to Cultivate Contentment like RIGHT NOW!

Walk it out – Nope, not talking about the popular urban dance craze originated from down south. I mean literally “take a walk”, pump some iron, do some stretching, Pilates or some type of exercise. I am always surprised how my mood (and energy level) is elevated after a good work out. Even if you don’t belong to a gym, you can jog in place, take a stroll in the park, do some push-ups and/or some stretching! You might be surprised at the benefits this has on your ability to function throughout a chaotic day.

Talk it out – Release what is bothering you but there is a caveat to this… I am not promoting “pity parties” and “negative night caps”. Get whatever it is off your chest and then move on. My friend, motivator/speaker/entrepreneur Erica Goodridge (Founder of Moral Treasures and Speaker at the upcoming “Change Your Mindset, Change Your Life” tour) says that we should befriend KIM… Keep It Moving! LOL Find someone positive to talk to and PLEASE avoid contact with those who would too willingly help you drown yourself in sorrow (chances are you know EXACTLY who these folks are, don’t you? AVOID them like the bubonic plague or the swine flu!)

Write it out – When I wrote my first book, it started off as just a way to creatively vent about some things I had bottled up on the inside of me for years and years. Now (post drama), I’m a published author/speaker/entrepreneur and have had an opportunity to share my trials, adversities, tragedies AND victories in my book and will continue to share them with the world through my blogs, books and other writings! Even if you are not an aspiring author, it might help if you can jot down on paper your thoughts. You never know what this could lead to… perhaps you’ll be the next best-selling author as a result of your trials and tribulations!!

Tough it out – I know this may seem a little harsh as I’m famous for telling somebody to ‘man up’ but the reality is this: storms come to pass. Life is full of ups and downs even for Christians and church folk. We’re not exempt. But what we have to realize and perhaps even embrace is that the things we are going through now will make us stronger, wiser, better (sounds like Marvin Sapp’s song doesn’t it?)


Pray it out – “Prayer changes things” is not just another saying or cliché in my book. I challenge you to pray in the name of Jesus and ask Him to come into your heart and your life right now and cleanse of all sin and unrighteousness. If you take this bold step today, I mean RIGHT NOW I can’t make you any false promises but I know that I know that I know that prayer changes things. If you are in a circumstance that is a little bit more than just about “having a bad day”, I mean some very serious and intense life situations that have you bound and caught up so that you are disabled from enjoying the blessing of life… then pray, without delay!


Today’s powerful scripture can be found in Proverbs 4:7 and it reads “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding”.

Joy & Blessings!!!

Unofficial "I HAVE DECIDED" Day!!!

New Year's resolutions. So why am I talking about this towards the end of April?? And didn't I say I was only going to blog on Mondays??? Just couldn't stay away! Anyhow, I'm going somewhere with this so please follow me! Resolutions tend to come and then they go. We start out with good intentions but then we fall off track, getting distracted with the issues of life. The good news is that those discarded resolutions can be "repackaged" if you will and turned into a little something called "goals". What a concept!!! Goals can be long-term or short-term. But the best way to think about goals is to cut them down into "bite-sized" manageable pieces. I've always known about setting short term goals but recently I've disected them even further into decisions and declarations that start in the mind. Then I write out the vision and make it plain. (Habakkuk 2:2) Proverbs 29:18 reads "Where there is no vision, the people perish:" so it's good to dream big but in order to reach our dreams in life, we must set some goals and take action. Incorporating methods like to-do lists or daily task lists help to plan out your steps in order to accomplish your goals and see your dreams fulfilled! Today I am officially claiming this to be "I HAVE DECIDED" Day!!! The decisions that I make in my mind, right here and right now will set the tone for my future. Drum roll please....

I have decided...

1. I am going to live each day as though it were my last.

2. I am not going to procrastinate.

3. I am going to be the best "ME" that I can be and not try to be like, talk like, walk like anybody else but the "ME" God made me to be!

4. I am going to trust God and not lean on my own understanding.

5. I am going to forgive and love unconditionally as Christ did.

6. I am going to become a "best-seller".

7. To become better organized (with much continued prayer! LOL)

8. To maintain a sense of humility and humor.

9. To follow Jesus (hey, that's song!!)

10. To be "Content...Right Where I Am" and a world class "RAWC Star" (Realizing Ambition Within Contentment)

So if you're reading this right now, whatever day you happen to come across this blog, claim TODAY as your "I HAVE DECIDED" Day and take the time to dream, set some goals and make some decisions that will impact your "tomorrow". Happy "I HAVE DECIDED" Day!! I leave you with a quote from fellow author, speaker and CEO/Founder of Incredible One Enterprises (http://www.incredibleoneenterprises.com), the "Incredible" Darnyelle Jervey.

"Today is the tomorrow we were waiting on the edge of our seat for yesterday. What will you do to maximize it?" - Darnyelle A. Jervey

What's a RAWC Star?

Welcome to my blog, RAWC Star Status!!! My name is Joy and I am a Christian author whose very first book "Content... Right Where I Am" was published and released to the world this past November 2008. RAWC actually is an acronym for Realizing Ambition Within Contentment taken directly from the theme behind the book and based upon the biblical scripture "Godliness with contentment is great gain" (I Timothy 6:6.) To realize ambition in your present circumstance is like finding a 'diamond in the rough' for many, particularly facing adversity and troubled times. However, we have an opportunity to take our negatives and turn them into positives based on our actions and our attitude henceforth becoming "RAWC Stars"! Today you may find yourself in a negative situation or circumstance. Perhaps you've been laid-off (as I was just this past February), maybe you are in constant conflict with family/boss/spouse or perhaps you're just going through a major "funk" today and find yourself asking "Where's my motivation?". If that is you, then you're going to enjoy returning to my blog for some encouragement even through the midst of your storm! Finding contentment in every day living is a challenge for many but I am committed to inspiring, encouraging and cultivating contentment through my blog posts, articles, tips and other motivational writings that I look forward to creating and sharing with the blog world!!!

I want this to be an interactive "community" and would love to hear your feedback on the various topics of interest to be uncovered and discovered through my blog. Today is Monday so I will do my best to post at least each Monday and may surprise throughout the week if I have some really good stuff to share that will inspire you to greatness!!!

As a closing to my blogs I want to leave you with a positive quote or inspiring scripture reference. Today's blog will end with a scripture of encouragment to anyone going through some challenging times.

Psalm 120 (NKJV) - In my distress I cried to the Lord, And He heard me.

Joy & Blessings!!!