Finish Strong!

Finishing is apart of starting.  Many people start the year with great plans and goals for their lives, careers, education, finances and physical fitness.  We are often great starters but few are great finishers.  In order to finish something one must possess an inner resolve to see a goal or a project through till completion.  It takes fortitude, tenacity, persistence and a determination to avoid distractions along the way.

Spiritually speaking, finishing is apart of the Christian life.  The Bible has much to say about finishing what you start. Consider the following passages: 

• Matthew 24:13 “But he who endures to the end shall be saved.”
• John 4:34 “Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.”
•  2 Corinthians 8:11 but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have.
•  2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
• Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
•  Hebrews: 12: 1-2 “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith."

As we prepare to cross over into a New Year allow me to encourage you in these final hours of 2012 to “Finish Strong” this year!

Blessings….

Dr. Toni

www.drtonialvarado.com

Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart!

Thanksgiving is one of most celebrated holidays among American families. The Thanksgiving Day tradition is so embedded in American culture that many travel agencies and departments of transportation report having more travelers in the air and on the roads during the Thanksgiving weekend than any other holiday in the calendar year.

In African American families Thanksgiving is often celebrated at the home of the patriarch or matriarch of the family be it grandmother, grandfather, mother and father, aunt, uncle or an older sibling or cousin.  Actually, Sunday afternoon dinner became a mini-Thanksgiving dinner in my family. I have fond memories of my grandmother’s kitchen as we sat around the table discussing the Sunday morning worship service and the pastor’s sermon while eating fried chicken, collard or mustard and turnip greens, cornbread and macaroni and cheese.

 

The only difference between Sunday afternoon and Thanksgiving dinner was the fact that it involved more foods such as turkey, dressing, mash potatoes, candied yams, cranberry sauce, sweet corn, corn on the cob, pound cake and sweet potato pie as everybody in the family and the community were invited to eat.  While, my grandmother has passed on, this tradition is still observed in my family and is being passed down to my own children.

Thanksgiving was originally an observance for all Americans to give thanks to God for a common purpose. In similitude of the first Thanksgiving, Americans have celebrated this holiday with foods for the season signifying the faithfulness of God who yields harvest in our lives. The Thanksgiving tradition has become the theme of many fall festivals, parades, football games, schools, civic, religious and social organizations, and Christian worship services.

Today when you gather with friends and family to eat, laugh and reminisce, think about and share with one another the many reasons you have to give thanks.  We can be thankful for health, physical stamina and strength. For some it may financial resources, a job or just a place to live. 

Whatever difficulty you may be experiencing you can still offer a thankful response to God as the source and sustainer of life.  Like those who originally celebrated this holiday, we are grateful for the faithfulness of a God who has yielded fruit in our lives. 

Have a Grateful Heart of Thanksgiving this year!

Dr. Toni

www.drtonialvarado.com

Go The Distance!

Wow! I can’t believe we are nearing the end of another year.  We have entered into the 4^th quarter of the year and it seems like 2012 just began.  It’s usually about this time of the year that we begin shifting our minds toward a New Year making festive plans to fellowship with friends and family around holiday gatherings.  Yet, this can also be a season where we become weary of the year. Many people suffer with holiday blues, loneliness and fears about the future as they reflect over failed plans and dreams that appear to be on delay.

In talking to distance runners, I discovered that in order for one to complete the run, one must prepare, pace oneself and keep their eyes on the prize.  Additionally, distance runners must pace themselves and remain focused to avoid the distractions set by those who run alongside them.

In my race for life, I have learned to remember the reasons why I started out on this journey. I've made it by keeping my physical and spiritual stamina in tack.  I've employed the skills and expertise of mentors and coaches and kept healthy relationships with friends and family.  I've often made adjustments to the timelines of my personal and professional goals.  And while stoking the fire of my own dreams, passions and desires, serving as a mentor and coach to those God put in my path.

This is a time of year when we often need someone to encourage us to keep moving ahead amid life’s many challenges.  It’s also a time when we gain great joy as we look into the future and perceive that we only have a little ways to travel in accomplishing our goals and plans.

As you reflect back over 2012, with only 21/2 months remaining, allow me to inspire you to stay focused. Be encouraged and....

Go The Distance!

Dr. Toni

www.drtonialvarado.com

Seasons, Time & Purpose

September is one of those transitional months that bring about a change in the season.  This is the month that we transition from the Summer into the Fall Season and second to Spring it’s my favorite time of the year! As I think about the seasons changing I am excited about what this season will bring with it.

In my first book, Run & Not Be Weary: The Pursuit of Purpose & Destiny, I speak of seasons and how we must prepare for season changes in our life.  Consider this notion, “Within each season, our responsibility is to manage and complete our God-given purpose, regardless of its difficulty or duration. Then, in God’s appointed time, we must prepare ourselves to change along with the seasons of life” (pp. 23).

The changing of the seasons affords us the opportunity to reflect, retool and refocus. While you’re noticing the color of the leaves, trees and temperature of the breeze change with this fall season, take note of the seasons time and purpose of your life.  Take the time to reflect on lessons learned from previous seasons. Retool by taking an inventory of what you have lost and gained and what skills you will need to be successful in the new season.  Finally, refocus on the big picture and why your life has meaning and purpose. 

Make Ready & Enjoy This Season!

Dr. Toni
www.drtonialvarado.com

Take The Challenge!

Last week my trainer challenged the fitness camp to join her in doing 500 crunches a day for seven days.  At the moment I heard the challenge something went off in me that said, “Take the challenge!”   

I joined with my fellow campers in doing 200 crunches that day and later completed 300 crunches, totaling 500 crunches before going to bed.  When I woke the next morning, I was still hearing, “Take the Challenge”.  All that day I was hearing, “Take the challenge.” What is it about this phrase that is so intriguing to me? 

The word “challenge” is defined as a call or summons to engage in any contest as of skill or strength.  A challenge is something that by it’s nature or character serves as a call to battle, contest or special effort.   When something is being challenged it serves to prove the genuineness, strength or authenticity of the thing that is being challenged.

Spiritually when I think of taking a challenge I am reminded of Jesus and how he challenged people.  Jesus would often challenge people to go beyond the status quo, to do something that would go against the prevailing thought or custom of the day, or go beyond the limitations that have been set for them. 

The challenges Jesus gave were designed to increase the individual’s character, physical ability or spiritual integrity.  Jesus challenged the rich young ruler to sell all that he had and give to the poor (Mark 10).  He challenged the man at the pool of Bethsaida to pick up his bed and walk (John 5).  When Jesus spoke to the woman at the well of Samaria he challenged her to life of authentic worship (John 4).  In each case, a challenge came to bring out the best life that these men and woman could live.

I’m on the 6^th day of doing 500 crunches a day and it’s not been easy.   But with a little special effort I believe I can make it one more day. Whether your challenge is work related, relational, spiritual, or physical it is designed to make you better. Remember a challenge is a battle, contest, summons an upward call that builds your skills, increases your strength and improves your ability.

Look whatever challenge you are facing this week head on and “Take the Challenge!”

Have a blessed week.....

Dr. Toni

www.drtonialvarado.com

Embracing Change

One of the leadership books that inspired me last year was Scott Wilson’s Steering Through Chaos: Mapping a Clear Direction for Your Church In The Midst of Transition and Change.  I was so inspired by this book that it actually got me excited about something that at one time would make me cringe whenever I saw it coming and that is, Change.

Here are some lessons taken from this book that can help you as you embrace the changes that are necessary for your life :

• Continually refreshing your vision reduces frustration and keeps the goals of change in front of you.
• Communicating your vision for change invites others to help you and creates a wave of enthusiasm about change.
•   Connecting with coaches, mentors, spiritual advisors and communities helps to navigate the waters of change and maintain healthy perspectives and responses to change.
• Celebrating transforms our perspective, strengthens our resolve and produces tenacity to conquer doubts and fears about change.

Wilson states “It is possible to thrive in the midst of change.  To do so, you’ll need to have a clear vision of God’s calling, excellent communication, relationships of affirmation and authenticity, and tenacity.”

While the context of this book is about church leadership, the principles found within are transferrable to any area of life, work, personal growth and development. Change can be challenging but with the right approach and strategies you can Embrace Change.

Blessings….

Dr. Toni

www.drtonialvarado.com

It’s Mind Over Matter

A few days ago I was sitting at my desk thinking about that morning’s workout at Tadda’s Fitness Camp.  It was truly a challenging workout: jog, jump, sprint!  I can still hear Tasha encouraging us to do our best as we endured a strenuous exercise routine in the heat.  At one point, I began thinking, “This is too much!” I didn’t think I could meet the challenge of a drill that spans the length and width of the entire parking lot 2 ½ times. “Really Tasha?” 

However, before these negative thoughts could dominate my mind, I started reciting passages of scripture that encouraged me to think positively about the exercise routine.  I began thinking about the benefits of exercise and the results I was experiencing. I began to view the workout as a necessary component to my health and fitness goals.  Before long, I began to notice a direct correlation between my thought patterns and my ability to accomplish the task at hand. 

So many times we set out to accomplish something difficult and immediately negative thoughts will take over and cause us to quit.  Whether it is exercise, eating right, accomplishing a task related to work or school, how we think really affects our ability to reach our goals and dreams.  While today’s workout was difficult and challenging, at the end of the day, we met the challenge.  We gave it our all.  We covered the parking lot 2 ½ times.  Go Orange Team!

I leave you with this passage for your meditation this week, “Begin to think on the Word or begin to sing a praise song to God. Make a conscious effort to fill your mind with good, pure, wholesome, and lovely thoughts (Philippians 4:8 Amp. Version). What ever challenge you may face this week, remember it’s ‘Mind Over Matter’ and you can meet every challenge.

Blessings…..

Dr. Toni

Spiritual Vitamins

You all know how I love working out.  My trainer, Tasha Lewis of Tadda's Fitness has allowed me to write a column for her weekly newsletter to connect our spiritual life to our physical health and life... as if I need something else to do? LOL!!!!! 

But I think I have found a new outlet for my writing.  I wanted to share these with you.  This is only my 2nd week writing for her and I would love your feedback.

Let me know what you think!

Dr. Toni

Spiritual Vitamin:

July 19, 2012

Are you living to eat or eating to live?

Genesis 1:29 records God giving Adam and Eve instructions concerning healthy eating: And God said, “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food.”  While some use this scripture to teach that we should not eat meat, there are scriptures in the Bible that make allowances for eating meat such as Leviticus 11:2, “Speak to the children of Israel, saying ‘These are the animals which you may eat among all the animals that are on the earth.”  I’m not debating whether we should or should not eat meat or whether we should only eat fruits and vegetables.  The point that I want to make is that we should all strive to eat healthy. 

There are several Bible passages that warn against unhealthy eating habits and issues such as gluttony or over eating.  Many passages give us instructions concerning attitudes and behaviors related to eating (Proverbs 23:1-3).  Likewise, the Bible admonishes us to exercise self-control and temperance in our eating.  There are Biblical examples of people such as Daniel who after refusing to eat the kings delicacies improved in his mental, physical and spiritual acumen (Daniel 1: 8-20). 

We can surmise from several scriptures that eating healthy is important to living a healthy life.  God created food to nourish and sustain us.  Food was never designed to destroy our bodies and lives.  As you ponder these things this week ask yourself this sobering question, “Am I living to eat or eating to live?”  My prayer is that you would choose life and eat healthy.

Blessings…..

Dr. Toni

Spiritual Vitamin

July 12, 2012

We Are Fearfully and Wonderfully Made!  (Psalm 139:13-17)

Psalm 139 teaches us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made.  You are a unique individual.  There is no one that has your fingerprint, footprint or voice-print.  No one has your bone structure, eyes, pigmentation, skin or hair texture. You have been uniquely shaped, fashioned and created by God!

Many times we have not emphasized the importance of our bodies and God’s intention for our bodies.  God is so ingenious in the way our bodies are designed and function.  Human beings are arguably the most complex organisms on this planet.

The human body is a single structure but it is made up of billions of smaller structures of four major kinds: cells, tissues, organs and systems.  All of these are working without any knowledge or intention of our own. 

Think about it, it’s amazing how God has wired us and created us!  We are fearfully and wonderfully made!

Blessings…

Dr. Toni 

 

How I Live Out My Self-Care Value

I recently reconnected with my trainer Tasha Lewis at Tadda's Fitness Camp and it has been one of the best decisions I have made this year! In my first book Run & Not Be Weary: The Pursuit of Purpose and Destiny I share how I came into the understanding that self-care is vital if I am to increase and maximize my capacity to coach, lead, teach, preach, and pursue every opportunity that would come into my life.

On my 37th Birthday when my husband asked what I desired as a birthday gift, I candidly and exhaustively replied, "A treadmill."  Our daughter had been born about 6 months before my 37^th birthday.  By this time we had 3 children under that age of 3, Johnathan (2 years), Joshua  (14 months), and Ariel who was 8 months old.

Our local church was in a season of rapid growth. We were facilitating multiple services on Sunday, television ministry and our itinerant ministry was beginning to grow.  To add to that pressure, I was in seminary pursuing the Master of Divinity Degree.  I was desperately trying to balance work, family and school. It was not long before I became physically tired, emotionally drained, spiritually arid and was rapidly moving toward burnout.   

When I surveyed the land I was taking care of everybody and everything in my world and I found that I was often last on my "to-do list" if I made the list at all.  I began asking serious questions of myself such as, "How am I going to do all of these things?” "What am I really gaining from all of this busyness?" "What things do I need to let go and what things do I need to pick up?" "What habits and skills do I need to develop? “Who do I need to hold me accountable for my development if I am to be successful and reach my full potential?" 

It was at that critical juncture that I began to aspire to the value of self-care.  I started where I was at that time.  I purchased a treadmill, joined my local YMCA and began an exercise program.  I later hired a personal trainer and have had 3 trainers work with me for several seasons and times.  I began loving the notion that I could take care of myself while taking care of others.   

Along with exercise I began educating myself on healthy eating by reading and taking counsel with health professionals, health and wellness coaches and nutritionists. I had to re-train my mind and body to eat healthy, drink water and discipline myself to abandon the bad eating habits that I had developed all of my life. 

As I grew in my understanding of healthy living I began to express my value for self-care through various means and methods. Over the years I have participated in different physical fitness programs such as yoga, pilates, running, walking, and mountain climbing. Last year my husband and I began bike riding and we love it! 

In a conversation with one of my life coaches, I was asked the question, "What patterns do you see in your life that reflect your value for self-care?" She challenged me to think through my self-care value and develop what I now call my "self-care" list.    My self-care list includes a variety of health and wellness practices such as: physical exercise, healthy eating, rest, family time, vacations, prayer, reading good books, spa retreats, facials, massages, attending conferences and seminars where I am not the featured speaker, and just plain having fun with my girlfriends and family! 

Before long self -care moved from being an aspirational value to an actual value that is demonstrated through a diverse set of healthy practices.  The methods I choose to express the value of self-care are unique to my personality, temperament, life structure, likes, passions and desires.   My self-care list changes, and morphs with me.  I may emphasize one practice at a particular season and emphasize another practice at during another season in my life.  All in all, I have learned to remain open and willing to try new and exciting things in my self-care journey. The key is to discover what works for me and to be consistent! 

When I think about my value for self-care I am often reminded of those famous words spoken by flight attendants just before an airplane takes flight: "In the event of an emergency, place the oxygen mask on yourself first, before attempting to help those around you." 

Self-care is vital in order to manage all that has been invested in me and to balance all of my responsibilities.  The truth is I cannot properly care for the people in my life, if I am not attending to my own emotional, physical and spiritual self.   On most Mondays, I get out of bed at 4:15 am (or 6:15 if I've hit the snooze button too many times Lol), drive across town for the Monday morning run with Tadda's Fitness Camp. 

You might ask, “What motivates you to consistently get up before the crack of dawn to workout?” The answer is quite simple, it's one of the ways that I Live Out My "Self-Care Value!

Blessings….

Dr. Toni

       

Building Legacy

Last Wednesday, May 16th, I celebrated my 49th Birthday!  I started to do a new blog post on that day, but I really couldn't articulate at the moment how and what I was feeling.  The truth is, I have been reflecting since last week about the word "legacy" and asking myself "What will my legacy be?"

As a coach, I have posed that question to many women.  As a pastor, I have challenged my parishioners to identify and seek God for clarity.  As a preacher, I have tried to stir and ignite passion in my listeners.  As a wife, I have co-labored and partnered with my husband in all of his endeavors.  As a mother, I share nuggets of insight and wisdom while nurturing my children's gifts and talents.

Yet, the question remains, "What will my legacy be?".  It hit me today, when I thought about all of the things listed above.   Legacy is the thing you do whether or not you are being paid to do it.  Legacy is the reason you get out of bed in the morning.  Legacy is the thing that makes you laugh, cry, angry and sad when it's missing.

Building legacy takes time.  Building legacy requires patience, energy and passion.  Building legacy is something you do on a daily basis.

Here's what I want my legacy to be: I lived, I loved, I forgave, I worked hard, I played hard,  I left something in this world that made it a better place than when I found it!


Blessings....

Dr. Toni

The Value of Encouragement: A Lesson From My Early Morning Run

Today I woke up late for my 5:00 am run with Taddah's Fitness Camp.  Actually, I set my clock to awake at 4:00 am and when the alarm went off I hit the snooze button and went back to sleep.... Don't act like you have never done that before... Lol!  Well, when I finally woke up, it was 4:45 and I knew I was in trouble.  I jumped out of bed and my first thought was I will never make it!

Being the determined woman that I am, I kept moving full steam ahead, got dressed and got in the car and started driving toward the camp.  All the way there, I was talking to myself and upset that I had overslept and was going to be late.  I told myself several times that I should turn around and give up on making it today.

When I arrived, my disappointment was exacerbated by the fact that no one was in the parking lot and I knew, the camp had gone ahead.  Just when I started to turn around, I saw another woman running trying to catch up with the camp.  When I saw her, I thought, I can make it!

I jumped out of the car and began my run.  I could see the campers running off in the distance and the woman that was right in front of me was suddenly becoming distant too.  I started to feel defeated and that I would never catch up with the camp and felt I should have turned around.   Just as I was beginning to slow down in defeat, one of the trainers pulled up in a car alongside me and said, "Pastor Toni.... Is that you?"

I looked at her with tears in my eyes and said "Yes, I woke up late and I'm trying to catch up with the camp."  She could hear the frustration in my voice and said "Don't worry you only have 2.5 miles and I will ride along side you until you catch up with the camp.  You can make it!"

She stayed with me for a few minutes.  I started to feel better.  I started to feel like I could do it.  She started speaking words of encouragement, like "Come on Pastor", "You can Do It!", "Relax those arms going down this hill."

Before long, the people who were afar off in the distance when I began running were coming closer into my view.  Some of the people who were ahead of me when I started, I began to pass along the way and they started encouraging me.  After awhile, I started seeing the finish line and I began encouraging myself, I can do it!

I finished my 2.5 mile run in less time than it would have taken me to turn around and get back home.  But, I could not have made it without the encouragement that I received from the trainers and the people who were running with me.

Here are the lessons about encouragement that I gleaned from my early morning run:

• Encouragement can help people overcome feelings of defeat and frustration.
• Encouraging words from others can elicit encouragement from within.
• Encouragement can give you the stamina and energy needed to complete or finish a task.
• Encouragement is valuable, especially when you feel that you are behind. 
• Encouragement can turn self-defeating talk into positive affirmations.

You never know who is running alongside you that may need your encouragement.  Just because a person is late, does not mean they will always be behind.... So find some one who looks like they need it and be an encourager today!
 
Blessings.....

Dr. Toni

Frame Every Failure With Success

I just returned from a women's conference where I was challenged by these words, "Frame every failure with success."  As I sat there and pondered over my life  I could certainly list many times in my life where I had failed.  What I suddenly realized was that for every failure I could remember, there was a corresponding link to success.  What makes success sweet is the bitterness of failure.

The question remained how do I frame failure with success?  I've been pondering this question for the past three days and this what I have surmised:

1) Keep Moving - Don't allow your failure to paralyze you.
2) Stay Focused - Don't allow your failure to derail you.
3) Glean the Lessons - Learn from your past mistakes and allow them to inform you.
4) Remain Optimistic - Don't allow your past mistakes to define you.
5) Pass on the Wisdom - Share lessons, wisdom and insight to those coming behind you.

I'm sure there is more that I will discover as I move through life and consider this thought.  The frame that we choose to place around a painting will often determine the beauty of the painting.  Even a cheap picture can be ungraded to a beautiful piece of art when it's placed in the right frame.

Blessings......
Dr. Toni
"Failure is not final..... It depends on how you frame it!"

Welcome to Coaching Moments with Dr. Toni

Life is a series of moments. There are moments when we experience joy and sorrow, challenge and opportunity, success and failure, victory and defeat.  How we navigate through the moments of our lives will often determine the level of our success and impact.

We often need significant relationships to aid us in moments of intense decision making, transition and change.  It is in those times when a coach can come alongside us to ask powerful questions that will lead us to greater understanding of life experiences and clarity concerning our moments.

I'm excited about sharing coaching moments from my life experiences in hopes of helping you make sense of your moments!

Blessings.....

Dr. Toni
"You are powerful beyond measure when you live your life on purpose."