
Welcome to the last month of summer.
Reflecting over this summer has allowed me to appreciate all that I have been blessed with. In a time where it seems so many have lost a lot, I have been flourishing, and all praises go to God for that. It is important we take time to reflect so we may appreciate our growth.
In June, we discussed being fearless like a lion. You may want to go back and read or reread that topic (Read it here). It is a good starting point before diving into this month’s topic:
Reaching Purpose.
If we are to ever reach purpose, we must be fearless.
Just as a lion represents the king, or ruler of the jungle, there is an animal that represents the ruler of the skies. This majestic creature is one that symbolizes power, strength, liberty, integrity, and freedom.

Reaching purpose is so freeing. When you reach and walk in your purpose, you know who you were called to be and what you were placed on this earth to accomplish. Trials no longer effect you how they did before because you know you will overcome all adversity—you have an assignment to complete.
If you don’t believe me, reflect on this quote from Mark Twain:
The two most important days of your life are the day you were born and the day you find out why.
For this first week, discovering how to reach purpose, I challenge you to:
1. Shift you mindset to that of an eagle.
An eagle flies to amazing heights and flies where no other bird can fly. An eagle can be seen either flying solo or flying with its own kind. If you are to reach and walk in your purpose (you know, the thing you were put on this earth to do), then you must surround yourself with people at your level or higher.
You cannot soar to your purpose like an eagle when you are grounded or surrounded by turkeys (Negative Nancys). Protect your space, your mind, and your spirit. Anyone who speaks negative of your dreams and aspirations should not be allowed in your circle.
Be the eagle, not the turkey.

2. Stay focused on your vision.
An eagle has powerful vision and concentration. Its vision is estimated to be four times higher than that of humans. In my book, Rise, which will be available for pre-orders this month—August 15, 2020, I discuss the importance of building our focus muscle as well as provide tools to help you build it.
When an eagle spots its prey, its eyes laser in, and it is determined to catch its meal. Do the same when trying to achieve your purpose. Review your goals and find the best angle to attack them. Then tackle one task at a time and remain laser-focused until that goal is achieved.
3. When people leave your life, let them go.
Eagles feed on live animals. They are not like vultures, who feed on dead carcasses. There is no need for you to raise dead situations. The business plan , partnership, friendship, or relationship that is not working when you keep putting your all into it is more than likely dead. Let it go!
Be an eagle, not a vulture.

4. Learn how to be peace during a storm.
Iyanla Vanzant (tv host from “Fix My Life”) had a discussion with Aventer Gray (Pastor and wife to John Gray from Relentless Church Greenville, SC), and she discussed the importance of being the noun in life.
Example: Instead of being peaceFUL, be PEACE.
Did you know that eagles look forward to a storm coming? An eagle is aware that the winds from the storm will catapult them higher. As the storm comes, the wind takes the eagle above the storm clouds, and during this time, they become stronger, resting above the storm clouds.
Everything negative in your life should be utilized to get you to your purpose. Look at challenges as an opportunity to grow instead of complaining that they are happening.
5. Embrace the pain.
After eagles are born, there comes a time they need to leave the nest. At around 10 to 12 weeks old, the mother eagle slowly removes the comforts she initially placed in the nest for the baby eagle birds. As she does this, she kicks the baby eagle birds out of the nest, encouraging them to flap their wings so they might get stronger each time.
The baby birds do not fly right away. They get back into the nest each time. The mother eagle is relentless in the process of removing the comforts she initially placed, causing them to bleed, and continually puts them out of the nest. She may seem like a bad mom to some, but she knows, just like God knows, her babies are destined for greatness.

If an eagle did not fly, it would be a sorry eagle. If you do not live your life to the fullest, what type of person are you? Embrace the pain. Learn from your mistakes. Keep trying. After all the hard and painful tests, the baby eagle birds learn to soar.
In life, you will have difficult times but trust the pain. It is setting you up to reach your purpose—the thing you were put on this earth to do.
You were made to soar, not stay confined to the nest.
6. Lastly, die daily.
In 1 Corinthians 15:31 Paul says:
“I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.” We must die to our old self continually, improving ourselves regardless of how painful it may be.
Some say humans have a mid-life crisis around age 40 when they have to determine whether to they stay stagnant in life or dig deep and push through to get to the next level. Well, eagles go through a very similar mid-life crisis. At approximately the age of 40, an eagle has to determine if it will die or if it will go through a painful process science refers to as rebirth.
The rebirth process for an eagle involves it painfully removing its own beak and talons. This will allow new ones to regrow, and it takes an agonizing five months to happen.
Will you gauge out the flaws in your life and allow Christ to regenerate you so you might fulfill your destiny?
An eagle will sacrifice five months to gain 30 or more years.
What are you willing to sacrifice to get you to your destiny? Everyone says I want to be successful, but what are you going to do to see success?

In Isaiah 40:31 (NLT), it reminds us,
“But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”
I want to see you reach purpose. Not to sound “salesy”… but Get a copy of my book as a way to ignite you to push through, survive, love yourself, and rise!
Let go of toxic environments: jobs, people, conversations, addictions, thought patterns and mindsets.
Be an eagle.
Reach your purpose.
Walk in your destiny.
I love you.
It’s time to rise.
If this message has helped you, don’t be selfish. Share it. We all can rise.