Crystal Aegean
"IRON SHARPENS IRON"
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Whether being the CEO of a company or being the best in your career field, your circle determines your destiny. Surround yourself around those who are sharp minded, non-lackadaisical, positive thinkers and last but not least, leaders. Take a moment and ask yourself, “Do my friends REALLY have my best interest?”. Do you have those in your corner you can take to business meetings across the world that will determine the future of your company? Is there someone in your corner you can bring along to meet the most powerful people in the country? If not, it’s time to change those surroundings. It won’t come easy, but with patience, prayer and some self evaluation, your circle will be snatched in no time! IRON SHARPENS IRON
-Crystal Brooks
A BLESSING IN DISGUISE
Ever prayed for something so hard you were more than positive that you were going to get it? Whether you were praying for a job at your favorite store, praying for the new fast car, or praying to be apart of the most popular group on your campus? Let's be honest, we've all been there and sometimes we wonder, "Was I not good enough?" Instead of thinking negative, think about it this way, "I was TOO good for it!" I prayed for a job at my favorite sneaker store, the manager knew my name, he knew how bad I wanted the job and I was certain that I would get a call. To make a long story short, I didn't get the job. Instead, I got a job at a different sneaker store. It wasn't my first option, but I did not complain. As talk traveled from store to store, I got word that employees were stealing from one another at the store I was praying so hard to work in! There were no cameras in the store which made it much easier for a thief to get away. Clearly, it was not meant for me to work in that store. I was on the outside looking in, not knowing what's going on behind the scenes. God was protecting me all along. What a good feeling to know He's always there! From that day forward, I constantly think about how a man's rejection can easly be a form of God's blessing. Everything isn't meant for us. As human beings, we think we are invinsible and we can handle everything. So not true! God truly has our best interest. What is meant for you will always be for you and nobody else. The next time you get rejected by something or someone, ask God "Was this meant for me?" Trust me, He makes no mistakes and once He opens a door, no man can shut it!
-Crystal Brooks
IS YOUR CLOEST CLEAN?
This black friday, I realized that a person's closet must be cleaned out to make room for the new clothes that are coming in. This is the same way God works. In order for Him to have full control over your life, you must clean your house! Clean out your surroundings, clean up your attitude, and most importantly clean your thought process. Nothing is more important than your mind. Your mind is the most powerful part about you! Remove the negative and cruel thoughts out of your mind. That's the enemy that wants to take control of you. The enemy has no power, so don't grant him any! Think positive, speak positive and I promise your life will turn around into a postivie one! Have friends that you don't trust? Have a "spouse" that's not the right one for you? Don't settle. There are billions of people in this world. God will provide your friends, your spouse, your finances, everything! God will provide everything you need. Clean out your environment and get a relationship with the most high. "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said "Never will I leave you; never will I foresake you" " - HEBREWS 13:5. I must admit, transitioning is not easy nor was it a slice of apple pie. It's challenging, but it's worth it. There is no growth without pain. Things will get worse before they get better. But that's the beauty of it. You will see the change. You will feel the change. You will change into better and it's one of the most amazing feelings in the world. Clean out your environment and watch your life grow!
-Crytal Brooks
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GOD GIVES THE STRONGEST BATTLES TO HIS TOUGHEST SOLIDERS
Today, February 5, was the day that I felt every single emotion I had inside of me. From waking up exhausted, then becoming over filled with joy and to soon tears.
Today was the Main Event of the Ladies Who Brunch: Atlanta conference. I can't afford to pay for those conferences, so I volunteer my time and retain the same knowledge as those who pay. This morning, I woke up at 7AM and I'm currently up at 1AM with a slight nap under my belt. The conference/networking event was a great experience and I got to meet some extremely powerful women. Toya Wright, Claire Slummers and Ming Lee of SnobLife were on the panel just to name a few. Today, God worked in the most mysterious ways. I networked with some brilliant people which have opened my mind up to my goals and visions I have for the future. Once the hard work and play was over, I recieved the news that my grandfather was diagnosed with cancer. I was just on my way to his home before I called my cousin and asked about his where abouts. She told me he was in the hospital, again. I cried for at least 20 minutes as I drove to my aunts house for the super bowl party. Previously, before that news, a good guy friend of mine lied to me. Not sure if you all know how it feels to be lied to by someone you trust, but it's the most horrible feeling. As a woman, the process of figuring out if the guy is the right one for you is not an easy one. Once trust has been broken, it's gone forever. The mind games and white lies is not a business that I'm interested in. I was in a world wind of emotions before I cracked open my bible. I read Luke 8. It went a little something like this...
"A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it. Some fell on the rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among the thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still the other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown." This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is THE WORD OF GOD. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rocky path ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in time of the testing, they fall away. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart who hear the word, retain it, and by perserving produce a crop.
After reading this, I realize how blessed I truly am. Life will test you, but it is up to you how you will handle situations. Will you allow life to bring you down or will you praise Jesus and give Him joy for the good things in life? After all, He is the one who woke you up. He is the one who feeds you, protects you and has kept you sheltered throughout your life. Is it not Jesus who has control over the wind and seas? Is it not Jesus that rose Lazarus from the dead? So why become afraid, sad, and weary when "life" happens? Everything happens for a reason and nothing happens without the power of The Lord. When things get too rough, I encourage you to take a moment, open your bible and spend some time in the presence of The Lord. Nothing is too much for him to handle.
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind"
Be at peace my friends.
-Crystal Brooks
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NOT EASILY BROKEN
At this specific moment in my life, I am being tested. Starting my senior year at Albany State University, I have separated myself from a lot of people. I walk alone, I eat alone and typically, I'm alone. I speak to people every day around the yard, but I am technically alone, in my own bubble. With that being said, I am away from the latest drama and gossip. However, I find my name constantly being tarnished around campus. "Crystal, word on the street is you talk to *****" . "Crystal, people said you want to be a model".
Be mindful that I've never told anyone that I wanted to be a model! Also, I keep my "tea" to myself, so no one would know my business. In the bible, it says turn the other cheek, but how long should I stay quiet and allow these people to mock my name and speak negatively about me behind my back?? You may think my life is perfect, but this is what I go through on a day to day basis. I keep my ears and eyes away from the gossip, but somehow, I'm the center of it all. I can say that in reality, I'm winning because now, I have an audience. People are watching every move that I make and are listening to the words I say. Nevertheless, it hurts my feelings that individuals posses the power to be so hateful and negative when I mind my business.
What I've realized is when I began to remove myself from negative surroundings, people still find ways to speak negatively about me. Often I find those people have nothing better to do with their time.
With that being said, I see it all as a blessing. The enemy knows when God has something very special planned just for you, so he will try to use others to bring you down. You will not know of the blessings that are ahead, but God does. As Future once said, "You go through hell to get to paradise". A beautiful rainbow always comes after a storm. My dear, when you're going through a storm, understand and KNOW that your rainbow & pot of gold is being laid out for you at the end!
DO NOT BE EASILY BROKEN.
-Crystal Brooks