Live In Color Blog

Celebrating Beauty In Every Moment

  • About Me
  • Inspiration
  • Faith & Social Justice
  • Motherhood & Family

Monday Motivation Moment: Nothing Moves Until You Do 

03.06.2017 by Emelda De Coteau // Leave a Comment

  • About
  • Latest Posts
Emelda De Coteau
Follow Me:

Emelda De Coteau

Mother, wife, sister, friend, writer / blogger / communications consultant, budding photographer... These are just a few of the many hats I juggle each day. I believe creativity is oxygen for the soul. I created Live In Color blog to celebrate the beauty in every moment, from faith to inspiration and motherhood.Follow the inspiration on Instagram: @liveincolorblog



Emelda De Coteau
Follow Me:

Latest posts by Emelda De Coteau (see all)

  • Why God’s Grace Changes Everything  - June 23, 2017
  • Living by Faith (Blog Series): Writer Christina of The Whole Cook - April 28, 2017
  • Living by Faith (Blog Series): Writer and Podcaster Tiffany T. Huff - April 21, 2017


The key to transforming all those what ifs floating around in your mind is both simple, and for many of us, difficult – taking action. Technology makes it easy to collect all this knowledge and sit on it. How many e-books, webinars, videos and online seminars have you attended? If you’re like me, a ton!

But at some point, y’all, if we want change, as desperately as we say, movement is essential. Without it, absolutely nothing gets done. Even faith is interconnected  with steps we take toward transforming our circumstances. 

Almost four years ago, I sat across from a woman I admire greatly, as I lamented  my current situation, sighs and all, she locked eyes with me and asked a question which transformed it all – “Do you have a plan? Because ‘being sick of it’ won’t change a thing.” I heard her, definitively, in that moment. As I walked back to the office in silence, I held on to an unshakable joy.

Over dinner my husband and I mapped out a clear plan. Within hours I transcended this block of seeming impossibility by taking action.

And you can, too. I believe in your potential. Refuse to leave this world adrift in a sea of what ifs, content to wonder, satisfied with being just close enough to your dreams, but not quite living them. You’re too brilliant to bury yourself at 25, 30 or 40 in mediocrity.

Four Steps to Help You Transform Frustration Into Movement:

Clarity: Develop a clear understanding exactly what you want to change. Is it a job, improved relationships, more skills in one area? Great! Understanding this fully is essential to your plan.

Focus: Now that you are clear, develo a laser focus on what you want to change. Eliminate distractions as much as possible. Give up that hour of TV to spend time in deep thought. This is where I pray and meditate, and ask God for direction.

Map It Out: Sit down with your journal, iPad or Kindle and break it down –
Goal (s) (changes you want to see)

Strategies (action steps needed to make the change possible) – Give yourself a time table to work with – 30 days, 60 days or 90 days.

Do Your Thang!: Every step is getting you closer to your goal so take consistent action towards your larger goal or goals daily.

P.S.

I just downloaded this amazing book by Mark Batterson, If: Trading Your If Only Regrets for God’s What If Possibilities, thanks to a recommendation from my Instagram friend, writer / clarity coach Tiffany Huff!

And it’s full of gems. One of my favorite quotes so far:

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness—you are more blessed than the millions who will not survive this week. If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation—you are better off than five hundred million people in the world.

If you can attend a church meeting, or not attend one, without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death—you are more blessed than three billion people in the world. If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep—you are richer thhan 75 percent of this world.

If you have money in the bank or in your wallet, or spare change in a dish someplace—you rank among the top 8 percent of the world’s wealthy. If you can read this book—you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world who cannot read at all. So count your blessings and remind everyone else how blessed we all are!

Categories // Inspiration Tags // awareness, be the change you wish to see, belief, believe God, clarity, community, creative, empowerment, faith, focus, gratitude, I believe in you, If: Trading Your If Only Regrets for God's What If Possibilities, inspiration, Mark Batterson, mindfulness, Monday Motivation, Monday Motivation Moment, possibilities, potential, prayer, purpose, reflection, self awareness, self care, self love, Tiffany Huff

Are We Too Busy For Friendship Now? 

05.12.2016 by Emelda De Coteau // 1 Comment

  • About
  • Latest Posts
Emelda De Coteau
Follow Me:

Emelda De Coteau

Mother, wife, sister, friend, writer / blogger / communications consultant, budding photographer... These are just a few of the many hats I juggle each day. I believe creativity is oxygen for the soul. I created Live In Color blog to celebrate the beauty in every moment, from faith to inspiration and motherhood.Follow the inspiration on Instagram: @liveincolorblog



Emelda De Coteau
Follow Me:

Latest posts by Emelda De Coteau (see all)

  • Why God’s Grace Changes Everything  - June 23, 2017
  • Living by Faith (Blog Series): Writer Christina of The Whole Cook - April 28, 2017
  • Living by Faith (Blog Series): Writer and Podcaster Tiffany T. Huff - April 21, 2017
Photo via Unsplash

Last week, one of my bestie’s, Shan and I, hit Red Emma’s. It’s the first time we have really hung out alone (she’s usually over to the house with me, Kes and Nai).

As I took in her delightful energy, my heart overflowing with joy, I noticed in this crowded coffee house, half the folks  were staring at laptops, many while with friends. And this blog post title popped into my head: Are we too busy for friendship now?

Let’s face it. Many of us are overcommitted and exhausted. Friendship takes work and it’s easier to scroll someone’s FB, Twitter or IG feed, send intermittant text messages, and pat ourselves on the back for staying in touch. But is this friendship, or social obligation?

When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.

– Henri J.M. Nouwen, Out of Solitude: Three Meditations on the Christian Life

As we grow older – the life partner comes, our babies, career, etc. – and it becomes tougher to maintain friendships or cultivate new ones; yet I find authentic connection with another person to be utterly divine. It nourishes my soul, opens me up to novel ways of seeing the world.

The other day, I called a  good friend. We usually text or email, but I yearned to hear her voice, contagious laughter and imagine her smile as she spoke. So I picked up the phone and dialed. Funny how what is old becomes new again, huh?

I could hear the surprise in her voice as she gently joked about the rarity of my calls (being a Mama of little one can create some distance in your friendships). Still, after sitting with the depth of those words for a few days, I began wonder if collectively, we have allowed the noise of this world to overtake genuine friendship, and the beauty of human interaction. If we text or email frequently, can we also commit to a call or lunch? Are settling for becoming  acquaintances instead of cultivating authentic relationships?

Earlier this week I talked with an old college friend. She reminded me about us getting together; one of her friends had passed away of a heart attack before they were able to reconnect. None of us knows how long we have I thought as she lamented his passing, partially still in shock.

Making the effort to momentarily climb up from the dizzying lists of growing tasks in our own world is difficult, and at times, spending an afternoon with a friend feels luxurious, but the reality is it is not.

You and I need one another, beyond status updates and stunning Instagram feeds. We are created for fellowship and community. Do something for #tbt today – have a conversation with a friend, make plans to meet up in person, and then turn  off your laptops, iPads and phones. Rediscover each other in those quiet spaces.

Categories // Inspiration & Style Tags // authentic, be present, busyness, clarity, community, connection, friendship, live in the now, mindfulness, reflection, social media fatigue, unplug

Let Go of What You Do, and Discover Who You Are 

05.05.2016 by Emelda De Coteau // 4 Comments

  • About
  • Latest Posts
Emelda De Coteau
Follow Me:

Emelda De Coteau

Mother, wife, sister, friend, writer / blogger / communications consultant, budding photographer... These are just a few of the many hats I juggle each day. I believe creativity is oxygen for the soul. I created Live In Color blog to celebrate the beauty in every moment, from faith to inspiration and motherhood.Follow the inspiration on Instagram: @liveincolorblog



Emelda De Coteau
Follow Me:

Latest posts by Emelda De Coteau (see all)

  • Why God’s Grace Changes Everything  - June 23, 2017
  • Living by Faith (Blog Series): Writer Christina of The Whole Cook - April 28, 2017
  • Living by Faith (Blog Series): Writer and Podcaster Tiffany T. Huff - April 21, 2017


I started yesterday in a panic, y’all. Why? Life-threatening emergency? Did someone close to me die? Nope. My good girlfriend Michelle over at Surviving a Creative Life texted. My blog was down. Did I know? What?!! Down? No! I texted back, barely able to type, my hands overcome by crippling panic.

Crap, I yelled! I forgot to pay my web hosting company. Ugh! All their reminders were buried in mountainous email heaps I could no longer tame. As I anxiously dug through my purse, searching for the credit card, I felt naked, like someone robbed me.  At this point, near tears, I texted a few other close friends, still wounded and praying all my work would remain in tact.

I read the words of that last email – “some data might not be restored.” The phrase, a thinly-veiled threat, sauntered in and out of my mind, until finally, I quieted those thoughts.  All the years of work, I muttered to myself, nursing sudden despondence.

Let Go, Evolve

Interestingly enough, my bestie Shan (The Free Gurl Club), and I were just talking about the lesson of non-attachment (she tragically lost a favorite pair of sunglasses this week), and the capriciousness of relying on the Internet as the sole platform for your work. We discussed the book ideas sitting in our minds, and how essential it is to go beyond online.

As I waited the few hours for website restoration, I began to consider something revolutionary in Western culture. I am NOT a profession –  writer, blogger and whatever other “career box” is assigned to me based on education and work history. In a society which worships work and productivity, many of us never discover who we are outside the confines of other’s perceptions.

…feelings like disappointment, embarrassment, irritation, resentment, anger, jealousy, and fear, instead of being bad news, are actually very clear moments that teach us where it is that we’re holding back. They teach us to perk up and lean in when we feel we’d rather collapse and back away. They’re like messengers that show us, with terrifying clarity, exactly where we’re stuck. This very moment is the perfect teacher, and, lucky for us, it’s with us wherever we are.

Pema Chödrön

Self worth is not measured by blog traffic, catchy graphics or social media followers. If the Internet disintegrated tomorrow, I would remain, an evolving and loving human being who wants to inspire others. It is my heart which matters, my soul, my walk with Christ which endures. I hear you, God. I think I have the lesson now.

Categories // Inspiration & Style Tags // be encouraged, career box, clarity, disappointment, discover yourself, feelings, lean in, life lessons, mindfullness, motivation, non-attachment, Pema Chödrön, reflection, release, rise above, self worth, speak your truth, teaching, you are not what you do, you are not your job title

  • 1
  • 2
  • Next Page »

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Archives

Spread The Word!


Top Posts & Pages

5 Signs You're Dating a Hater
Shout Out To Timberland Girls!
When It's Time to Say Goodbye - A Farewell Letter to Baltimore
How We Can Make Time to Hear God's Voice 

Blogging Besties

  • Ruffles Ribbons N’ Bows
  • The Free Gurl Club
  • Adalmar Life
  • Afrotastic Lady
  • Living a Beautiful Life
  • Positivity Warriors
  • The Road to Purpose
  • Unraveling the Mind
  • Not Just A Blonde
  • A Slower Path
  • I Feel Pretty Inc.
  • Liv In Color
  • About
  • Latest Posts
Emelda De Coteau
Follow Me:

Emelda De Coteau

Mother, wife, sister, friend, writer / blogger / communications consultant, budding photographer... These are just a few of the many hats I juggle each day. I believe creativity is oxygen for the soul. I created Live In Color blog to celebrate the beauty in every moment, from faith to inspiration and motherhood.Follow the inspiration on Instagram: @liveincolorblog



Emelda De Coteau
Follow Me:

Latest posts by Emelda De Coteau (see all)

  • Why God’s Grace Changes Everything  - June 23, 2017
  • Living by Faith (Blog Series): Writer Christina of The Whole Cook - April 28, 2017
  • Living by Faith (Blog Series): Writer and Podcaster Tiffany T. Huff - April 21, 2017

Ever since elementary school, I have stood up against any perceived injustice. Not on a picket line, more subtly I suppose, as my early protesting involved befriending kids others made fun of or ignored. On the weekends, Dad told my brother and I stories about his life, the years he spent in Hounduras before coming… [Continue Reading]

  • About
  • Latest Posts
Emelda De Coteau
Follow Me:

Emelda De Coteau

Mother, wife, sister, friend, writer / blogger / communications consultant, budding photographer... These are just a few of the many hats I juggle each day. I believe creativity is oxygen for the soul. I created Live In Color blog to celebrate the beauty in every moment, from faith to inspiration and motherhood.Follow the inspiration on Instagram: @liveincolorblog



Emelda De Coteau
Follow Me:

Latest posts by Emelda De Coteau (see all)

  • Why God’s Grace Changes Everything  - June 23, 2017
  • Living by Faith (Blog Series): Writer Christina of The Whole Cook - April 28, 2017
  • Living by Faith (Blog Series): Writer and Podcaster Tiffany T. Huff - April 21, 2017

I do not know about you all, but during the busyness of life, I forget a lot; the chaotic nature of days with a little one moves some chores further down the list. Let’s take watering plants – easily thrown into the nonessential pile. It’s why I can count the number we have sprinkled haphazardly… [Continue Reading]

  • About
  • Latest Posts
Emelda De Coteau
Follow Me:

Emelda De Coteau

Mother, wife, sister, friend, writer / blogger / communications consultant, budding photographer... These are just a few of the many hats I juggle each day. I believe creativity is oxygen for the soul. I created Live In Color blog to celebrate the beauty in every moment, from faith to inspiration and motherhood.Follow the inspiration on Instagram: @liveincolorblog



Emelda De Coteau
Follow Me:

Latest posts by Emelda De Coteau (see all)

  • Why God’s Grace Changes Everything  - June 23, 2017
  • Living by Faith (Blog Series): Writer Christina of The Whole Cook - April 28, 2017
  • Living by Faith (Blog Series): Writer and Podcaster Tiffany T. Huff - April 21, 2017

Americans like our leaders sanitized, captured in Pinterest quotes and witty tweets. We teach kids to swallow comfortable myths about historical figures, instead of thinking outside the box. But now in the age of Google, you and I can seek different narratives, rediscovering these men and women in the fullness of their humanity, not reduced… [Continue Reading]

  • About
  • Latest Posts
Emelda De Coteau
Follow Me:

Emelda De Coteau

Mother, wife, sister, friend, writer / blogger / communications consultant, budding photographer... These are just a few of the many hats I juggle each day. I believe creativity is oxygen for the soul. I created Live In Color blog to celebrate the beauty in every moment, from faith to inspiration and motherhood.Follow the inspiration on Instagram: @liveincolorblog



Emelda De Coteau
Follow Me:

Latest posts by Emelda De Coteau (see all)

  • Why God’s Grace Changes Everything  - June 23, 2017
  • Living by Faith (Blog Series): Writer Christina of The Whole Cook - April 28, 2017
  • Living by Faith (Blog Series): Writer and Podcaster Tiffany T. Huff - April 21, 2017

I fight sadness with busyness. There, I admitted it to you and myself. Somehow hurt seems to evaporate for me, even if only momentarily, under a mountain of to-do lists and phone alerts, that is until the pain catches up to me. And it always does… No one talks about rest. Everyone I know is… [Continue Reading]

Copyright © 2018 · Custom Design by BD Web Studio · Built on the Genesis Framework