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Destiny's Journey


Some journeys are well traveled roads. Common, familiar and easy. We cruise along the path oblivious to the process as we habitually turn each corner, climb each hill and break each slope. Only to arrive, blink and wonder how we managed without incident or memory of the trip.

This journey - my journey - is not like that. This journey is one of reluctance, hesitance, unsurity, insecurity and yes, a moderate amount of fear.

As I open the window for you to view my progress, you will undoubtedly come to your own conclusion based upon the progress of your own journey - and your observations will be varied.

Some might say that I am making slow but steady progress toward a clear destination. Others may say that I am floundering and wandering aimlessly down a muddy road with too many directions to choose from.

I say my journey has just begun, although it started more than 10 years ago. I say I still have such a long, long way to go, although I am teetering on the precipice of completion. I say the journey has made me weary, leery and weak, although I trudge on with a strength and endurance that is beyond me. I say the path is muddy, with many obstacles, directions and difficulties still yet to come. However, my destination is clear - crazy, unimaginable, overwhelming and clear.

When this path first appeared it was like a hazy, dirt road on a foggy day. I peered at it without knowing what it was or where it was going - then tried to ignore it as inconsequential. When the path persisted I joked as to where it might lead, then still tried to dismiss it as a path not meant for me.

It was years before the view of the path cleared and I was able to see the destination more clearly. It was absurd to think that the reality of where this path could end up would be in a place far more outlandish than even my most absurd imaginings! OK, maybe - just maybe this path ended up in a very good place - but a place still not meant for me. Definitely not me.

Why not me? Who else but me, since I was the only one to see? Please, Dear God, not me! Yes, me. This path was meant for me.

And so I watched it, argued with it, denied it and tried to imagine a life without pursuing it.

Four - no five, has it already been five? Five years ago I accepted it. I stuck out a big toe like testing the cold water of a pool - then yanked my foot back like I so often would. I wrote about it, dreamed about it, and tried it on for size in the privacy of my dressing room of life. And by the way, I still watched it, argued with it, denied it and tried to imagine a life without pursuing it.

Three - sorry, I forgot - Four years ago I made up my mind. I packed my bags, said good bye to the sanity and sanctuary of friends and family who always had thought they understood me, and I took my first hesitant and frightened step.

In these last four years I have walked, sometimes trotted, but never quite run toward a goal I think is crazy. I have stopped, I have even sat down and I have wistfully looked back to a time when I did not know and could not see what was meant for me.

But I will not stop. I packed my bags (all my baggage), and made up my mind. Armed with nothing but 2 scriptures and a great deal of hope, I continue to trudge on driven by the surity that if - just if - I happen to arrive at this awesome, fearsome destination, it will be extraordinary, phenomenal and inconceivably wonderful. This destination...

A destination, a journey to a place that is called destiny. My destiny. Destiny's purpose in life. My God given purpose.

Sometimes while we travel, we see another driver, glance in that direction and never take note or give them another thought. Perhaps that is how you will see me.

Sometimes we see another traveler and something catches our eye. We may watch a moment, muse a moment or even briefly wonder... Then they continue on their own separate way and thoughts of them fade as quickly as they do. Perhaps that will be how you see me.

Other times we get caught in traffic, bunched up with drivers because of fate. And whether we cruise along peacefully or struggle with road rage, we share a community of progress, each with our own destination. Perhaps that will be how you experience me.

And on rare occasion on our own individual roads of life, we travel a path where we encounter another driver - seemingly traveling to the same basic place. At times they follow us and then we follow them. We may take note of who they are and what they drive - possibly even read a licence plate. We'll share a moment or even a long while - silently and separately together, with maybe a glance, a smile or a brief a wave of acknowledgement. Perhaps that will be how you experience me.

I cannot say how long this path will be for me, so whether you glance and move on - never to take notice; or whether you wonder a moment at who I am and where I'm going; or whether you follow a while, smile and wave or better yet, if you decide to stay for the journey, I invite you to come along for the ride.

***
Please click on the "Stuff From Before" link to Destiny's Journey to make your comments.



Sunday, May 4, 2008

Just Shy; Not Shy!

Can you believe it!?

It is just shy of 6 months since my last post.

And boy, oh boy! So much has happened, so much has changed, so much is going on!

First let me say, what you are about to read is the manifestation of God at work! It is the realization of answered prayer and it is the premonition of FANTASTIC things to come!

So, I finished T.D. Jake's "Reposition Yourself" and it was the impetus for everything that has happened since then. It is also the reason you can disregard everything else written in my post 6 months ago!

1) On Nov. 17 the DCS, Inc. auxiliary company Jubilation! Weddings & Events did a 30/50 birthday party for a miserable client and her niece who both got drunk, got mean, got violent and passed out. Consequently the client did not pay the balance of her bill - $1000 - for 3 months, until I excused her of her debt and prayed for the unhappiness in her and her family's lives. Subsequently I have laid to rest that business venture. Not because of the client but because working during the prime hours I want to spend with my son is not the direction I want to move in.

2) During December my interim business with "Baby Signs, Inc." held a class of 3 adorable infants. One (who paid by check) dropped out inexplicably and the Destination Christian Services, Inc. merchant account would not accept payments from the other two who did complete* the class. Consequently I lost money on this class because of the rent I was paying for the facility and all the money spent on marketing (education) efforts. (*) One of my 2 students missed a class and car trouble, missing equipment and scheduling would not allow us to get a make up class rescheduled. Subsequently I have laid this business venture to rest. Not because of the clients, but because teaching infants to sign is definitely not the career I want to be known for at the end of my life.

3) Finally, the inherited 4-plex I was suffering with for almost 2 years, was sold! Praise God, hallelujah! We were able to refinance and afford our new house and set aside money for our retirement, J-man's college fund and make some investments as well. Consequently this also meant no more rent money coming in each month. And with no lucrative businesses desperation set in.

4) Just prior to finishing "Reposition Yourself" (after all of these circumstances had transpired) a girlfriend gave me Loral Langemeier's The Millionaire Maker's Guide to Building a Cash Machine for Life. Now this was what I had been repositioning myself for!

5) Long story short I devoured that book; devoured her 6 CD series "Expression of Your Power; devoured her first book "The Millionaire Maker"; attended her 2-day seminar in Dallas Texas and devoured 2 more of her CD series!

6) Since then I have changed! No more fear! Oh, trust me, it is GONE! I have a new mind-set, a new belief system, new goals, and a new plan for reaching those goals. I also have one less best friend; one new business partner, a husband who doesn't recognize nor understand his wife any longer; a toddler who is challenging the new me and is now in a new preschool, and a new professional mentor from The Family International Church in Pasadena, CA.

7) I also have new business ventures and activities. I have a new monthly column in The Family International Church newsletter - even though I do not attend the church! I have a new local business directory for minority & women owned businesses. I have a new speaking career in the works and I have a host of new literature I am currently finishing up and will be publishing between now and December of 2008 so I can launch a book tour and women's summit in 2009!

8) I have new websites coming - stay tuned. Right now you can check out www.hip2give.ning.com and soon there will be www.hipgiver.com and www.books4yourdestiny.com as well as the site for my inspirational speaking and women's summits: www.getliferightnow.com. Get ready world... big things are coming.

9) I have no limit thinking and a new joy in my life and a message that will renew and transform the hearts and minds of women everywhere. Believers shall not be deceived so long as I can help it! I have a message; I have hope and I have a vision. "Man devises his plan, but God directs his steps" Proverbs 16:3

10) Get ready world... big things are coming and I am no longer shy to say it!

Posted by D.C. Jones at 5:28 PM 0 comments

Monday, November 12, 2007

It's Here: I'm Here.

I've been reading T.D. Jakes' "Repositioning Yourself" - I just started.

In reading it so far, I've been faced with two areas of thought.

On the one hand, I'm really proud of myself for what I've accomplished and how much I've done.

On the other hand, I am both saddened and energized at the thought of finally overcoming my barriers of fear! If I had been living so boldly at my first revelation of fear - truly bold and not hesitantly bold - how much more would I have accomplished? How much more can I accomplish and when can I once and for all eradicate the fear that is left??

My angst and anxiousness over this fear is like finding a cancerous lump just below the surface of my skin: I can feel it. I know it must come out. I want it out so badly I would cut it out myself if it weren't for the fear of pain or damage to myself.

Which is more palpable? The fear of the cancer of fear? The pain and damage of removing it myself? Or the fear that I will not find someone to do it for me in time - has it already spread; latching on to far too many areas of my life to actually remove it all?

I ask these questions because on the heels of excitement I feel the fear lingering; hovering; like a vulture; waiting for the failure so it can pounce, attack and feed on my moment of weakness.

Here I am.

I am living the life of my plans!!

(1) The settlement and the inheritance are finally about to come to a close. I will be able to pay my bills, pay the house, pay off the last of my debt and save for mine and my families futures.

(2) I am working that flexible, fun, daily "job" and once I begin to meet my monthly minimum, I will be able to cover our basic needs and the current bills, groceries, gas and so forth.

(3) I have received leads and a gig for my company. It is slowly growing and will help provide more for our daily needs as well as assist in the growth of the parent organization.

(4) I am boldly building the organization. Stepping out on faith and pushing it towards the goals that exist for it. I am pushing myself towards the goals I have placed on myself in order to bring this organization truly to a viable, fruit-bearing, fruition.

(5) And by pushing myself to do this I have completed some writing and will complete more and have actually finished the calendar fundraiser - my first published literary work of art.

It is Here.

And it is available now for sale: The 2008 Destination Inspiration "What If" Wall Calendar

So, if it is here, and I am here - both of us exactly where I'd like us to be. And more prayerfully, exactly where the Lord intends for us to be. Which means He has been answering my prayers for Proverbs 16:9 "Man devises his plan, but the Lord directs his steps." Yea, me!

And that is why the fear is hovering like a vulture. "For God has not given the spirit of fear; but of POWER, and of LOVE and of a SOUND MIND."

It is the enemy that manufactures my fear and on the tail of my POWER through Christ, he launches a valiant and re-energized attempt to make me think the Lord doesn't love me enough to continue to answer, to bless, to guide me through to the end I foresee and therefore disrupting my peace of mind and effectively undermining and undercutting my power.

Shame, shame. Shame on me. Shame on fear. I must cut you out with a dull butter knife and praise the Lord almighty for the pain and the damage - knowing that it is through His strength that I will prevail!

I am prevailing!

Posted by D.C. Jones at 7:27 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

It's Coming!

Oh, Hallelujah!


Remember me saying I'm gettin' it done, y'all?

Here it is for real - it's coming...

The 2008 Destination Inspiration "What If" Wall Calendar.

It's filled with incredible photography - not stock photos - real pictures taken by friends, family and... me. Like this one taken from the front seat of my mother's car while she was driving my son and me to the Sacramento airport.

And, it's got inspirational, scripture related poetry written by... me.

It will be the debut release from Destination Publications - a Destination Christian Services, Inc. auxiliary company. And it will be the 2007 fundraising item. Last year I made inspirational T-shirts and everyone who donated got one. We raised enough money to distribute blankets and personal care kits to teens at a local faith-based homeless shelter.

This year proceeds from our $20 calendar sales will go towards two things: 1) the implementation of our online academy, and 2) sponsoring 9-15 youth at a Christian youth golf clinic in December. Check back here later to find out more!

If any of you are pray-ers, pray for the implementation of the clinic. Or (shameless plug) order a calendar. They will be available for sale November 2nd... Oh, heck - why am I blogging? I've got more work to do!

(I'm gettin' it done y'all!)

Posted by D.C. Jones at 12:09 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Fear No Evil

Have we talked about fear?

It permeates like a bad smell you can't find.

You rampage through the garbage of your life - tossing out all that offends.

And the fear, like a bad smell, lingers...

You rampage on a cleaning binge, straightening up all that might be out of sorts.

And the fear, like a bad smell, rises above your efforts.

It hinders you.

It is an obstacle to interpersonal relationships.

It greets you at the door of each new day.

It wakes you in the night, disrupting peace and sleep.

It consumes you.

And it forces you towards one of two choices...

1) Desensitize; ignore and accept or
2) Recognize; eradicate and learn

Everyday I struggle to recognize the fear when it crops up in a new form;
Everyday I struggle to remember to eradicate the fear before it seeps deeper;
Everyday I struggle to learn how the fear began and keep it from coming back;

Everyday I smell the fear: foul, offensive and evil-
And everyday I'll scrub with the bleaching power of the spirit.

With the spirit, I'll fear no evil.

Posted by D.C. Jones at 4:02 PM 0 comments

Friday, September 28, 2007

Doin' Thangs

Well, I'm doin' thangs y'all.
Planning, doing, talking, and asking.

I'm gettin' it done y'all.
Pass or fail, front and center, hiding no more.

I'm doin' it, and doin' it and doin' it - well...

I've set dates
I've written letters
I've had meetings
I've typed minutes
I've made plans
I've discussed plans
I've made programs
I've made contacts
I've written documents
I've updated webs

I still will make more contacts
I still will write more letters
I still will publish items
I still will pursue work
I still will pursue programs
I still will make plans
I still will have meetings
I still will follow through
I still will find a way

I'm handlin' biz'ness y'all
Gettin' it done.

Posted by D.C. Jones at 9:21 PM 0 comments

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