Free or fake?

I was talking with a good friend last night and during one of my many tangents, I got to thinking about the idea of free vs. fake.

Are we living FREE or are we living FAKE? I begin to ask myself these questions to decide...

• Do I find myself changing the way I speak or act depending on who I'm around?

• Do I tell the truth when asked for my opinion?

• How do I make decisions?

• What has the greatest influence in my life?

• Do I live the way I live just to "follow the rules" or because I really believe it is best for me? 

• Am I content? 

• Do the things I do bring me joy? 

• Or am I just pleasing others? 

• Do I lie to people? 

• Do I say yes before thinking about what I'm committing to? 

• Do I care more about keeping friends than I care about standing for what I believe in? 

• Am I easily persuaded to do things I know I don't want to do? 

• Do I speak from my heart or from memory? 

• Do I know what I'm talking about or do I just want people to think I do? 

• What is the motivation behind my goals and dreams?

These are just a few of the questions I ask myself, but I challenge you to check your heart also. Don't live a fake life. Be REAL with yourself and others because in the end, all of that faking won't matter.

Are you living FAKE or FREE?

ClassiCourtxo

Post your comments below!

Freely be.

Photo By Lindsey Autumn Photography

I just want to take a moment to talk about freedom.

Freedom: the quality or state of being free: as

a : the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action

b : liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another : independence

c : the quality or state of being exempt or released usually from something onerous <freedom from care>

d : ease, facility <spoke the language with freedom>

e : the quality of being frank, open, or outspoken <answered with freedom>

f : improper familiarity

g : boldness of conception or execution

h : unrestricted use <gave him the freedom of their home>

etc..

There is something so powerful and so attractive about freedom. When I see someone who is free in who they are, it gets my attention! Even if they are not free in the "right" things, it still gets noticed. Freedom commands attention. Have you ever felt free? Is there not something empowering and contagious about it? Doesn't everything within you just cry out for more. Do you not crave freedom? I do. 

I love the feeling of being unconstrained. Doing and saying what I want with out the plastic-producing thoughts of "What will they say?" "What will they think?"

Something amazing happens in me when I decide to say, "WHO CARES!" I wipe off my painted on smile, and remove my lamp shade. Then, I boldly speak what is true to me! I cry when I am sad, I express anger, and love hard. The fire in me melts away the plastic shell I built for myself. I become vulnerable.

In this place I am ironically strengthened. I find that when I am living freely, I am more confident. I also feel more significant. I feel like people actually listen to what I have to say. I feel like they look at me and not past me. I notice the flaws I was so worried about showing are understood and easily forgiven. When I am living freely, I find growth. The struggles I may have carried for a long time slowly fall away. My burdens aren't as heavy and I can endure more. 

I love freedom.

It is my favorite place to be! One of the reasons I created this blog, is freedom. I would even dare say, it is the reason. This is a place where I will always be free in myself. I will say what I want and post what I want without hesitation. This is me. For a long time, I would worry about how people viewed me. Not so much what they would think about the things I did/did not do, but who they thought I was. I would get so offended even to the point of cutting people off if they didn't "know" me. If they did not understand me, I would be so angry. I had an attitude like 

"How dare you not know exactly who I am, even though I never show you my true self!" 

I could not understand how you could misjudge the intentions of a person you are with all the time; someone you know. Which if the person was 100% with you all the time, that would be difficult to understand. But I was giving maybe 50%. I wasn't free and was too worried about someone thinking I'm this or that. I was too nervous that I'd step on toes or upset someone. The funny thing is I stepped on SO MANY toes and pissed so many people off with only 50%!

When you don't keep it real, you look two-faced!

People hate that! All we have to understand one another are our words and our actions. If your words and actions don't line up you will always be misunderstood. We love to cry about how we our so misunderstood, and how people just don't "get" us. Well if you say exactly what you mean, then they will. If we stop expecting others to live in our heads and actually use our mouths the speak what is true to us, we will be understood. 

There's nothing more depressing than being a prisoner inside of yourself. At least for me, it has been one of the hardest things i've struggled through. Please don't misunderstand the message. I am not saying don't care about others. I am saying, do not let your fear of people's opinions dictate how you live. Live free of opinions. Live free of judgement. I'm telling you, it is so much easier to just be yourself and get corrected on a minor issue versus putting on a front and being corrected on a misunderstanding. 

It is such an awesome feeling to be true to myself. It feels great to really live my life instead of going through life pretending. I love that I can say to you, this is me. I am free y'all and it is the best i've ever felt! I will not allow anyone (myself included) hold me back from living free with their opinions or judgements. This freedom tastes too good to let it go! I won't be selfish either, you can have some too. After all it's free. Go get it!

ClassiCourtxo

Post your insights, questions, and comments below!

Mo' Money, Mo' Problems

I gotta be honest. It is super irritating when people (mostly christians) turn their nose up at those who are well off (wealthy) or are trying to be. Like, what is the problem? I really don't see an issue with wealth, success, or prosperity. Those things in and of themselves are GOOD things. If someone got famous because of their voice, GREAT! If a person makes tons of money for walking down a runway, AWESOME! And if someone becomes well known and wealthy from PREACHING THE GOSPEL, that is AMAZING!! Seriously we have got to stop hatin' and stop being jealous of what other people have! If we were blessed with the same wealth or success of the people we look down on, we would not be complaining!

NEWS FLASH

God is in control. If he decides that wealth and success is someone's portion, it's none of your business! If Kim Kardashian makes trillions of dollars for taking pictures, that is not for you to complain about. The earth is the Lord's and everything in it. NOT, the earth is yours(or mine) and everything in it. SO, whether the cash is flowing to your bank or Chris Brown's it is still God's and guess what? He has even more, he won't run out! (I don't see y'all hatin' on Dave Ramsey) You don't have to be a hater to show that you disagree with someone's lifestyle. Be a good steward of what you're given and mind ya business!

Be clear. I am not saying that money or success is everything. I am also not saying you should chase these things. BUT --I am saying it is okay to use your gifts and abilities to impact the world and if that brings wealth so be it. I am also saying it is a GOOD thing to succeed in life and you should desire to be excellent in everything you do. When you work in excellence, you excel(succeed) and people notice you(famous). It is a GOOD thing to desire to provide more(wealth) for your family to bless them with peace of mind. It is a GOOD thing to work hard, not because it can make you a lot of money but so that you build character. 

But what about being content in every season... 

Contentment does not = Complacency; look it up honey! The gift in contentment is that it allows you to have joy in every situation. If you are content you won't pant after dollar signs or throw shade on those who have more than you. Whether you're prospering or not, your heart is steady and secure. Content. This is not the same as being complacent, in which you are self-satisfied. When you are complacent you don't desire more, but not because you have joy and fulfillment. Instead, you are just too comfortable to move.

It is healthy to set goals and work towards them. I have goals I want to meet in every area of my life including my (family & I) finances, and when I meet my highest goal I hope I don't find some of y'all there --throwing shade. lol God knows what he is doing. We need to have a seat and let him do it!

ClassiCourtxo

Post your insights, questions, & comments below.

Just be honest.

Hey Guys! 

There has really been something on my heart for awhile and I have never expressed it to anyone until recently. So I thought, why not share it with you guys also?

Here we go (sigh)...

I want some girlfriends!!

OKAY! there I said it! Seriously though I do so badly. Life can get lonely without em'. I am a happy person and all but I truly feel like that is one of the missing pieces to my life right now. Some days I get super sad about it too.

Do you ever feel like that?

Like I want those friends I can do everything with and tell anything to. Friends to raise my kids with and take trips with...

I want some girls IN my life (especially in my business) that I talk to and see often. Who know and are interested in what's going on in my life! And of cooourse... I want girls I can have fun with and be myself around. I want this for my life, and until recently I was too afraid to say it. But shoot, you don't make things happen by being silent! I'm tired of being stuck up in my house bored & lonely because I'm too ashamed to say, "Hey, let's be friends!"

It's time to just be honest. So, now im going to be real and just put my feelings out there and not be a scaredy cat anymore! It is OKAY to make your intentions clear! When I find (because I am looking) a cool person that I can build with I'm going to say, "Hey! Let's be friends."

...hopefully they say yes lol

ClassiCourtxo

Post your insights, questions, and comments below.

Nude.

Where are the real ones? 

Stripped of their fancy robes, and precious stones,

unaltered expressions, and unedited speech?

Where are the Real ones...

Were they left behind in the Garden you walked,

where we learned to sew fine linens to cover our shame?

When we chose knowledge over life and masks over truth...

Where are the real ones!

My heart longs for the day where nudity is not a perversion,

yet an expression of beauty and truth.

This day, where all can bear all for the one who bore it all.

To be free; uncovered in paradise.

Where are the real ones?

Why do we insist on adorning ourselves with stick on smiles and witty welcomes,

numbing the sting of pain and blocking passionate love!

We spend our days with heads held high,

and our nights low,

stiffening our necks.

We pretend to bear weight we can not bear,

and share hearts we do not own.

Like children we fantasize and dream dreams,

telling them until they become our reality.

We build lies around lives that were never ours to have.

We seek an escape from our mistake in the garden.

Only to find that our covering...

is not so covering.

Instead, an arrangement of twigs and leaves that the Son shines easily through.

Where are the real ones?

The ones who have experienced the warmth of the Suns rays 

that bring warmth to cold hearts.

Those who've began to unravel the twigs,

and search for truth.

Where are they that have lived in the dark

and have come to understand the freedom

of dancing in the Son.

WHO EXISTS

that understands their heart's aches and longings.

WHO has become naked again?

Released from man-made robes 

to be undressed by the hands of creation.

No longer hidden.

Like a diamond,

they sparkle in the light and truth of the Son.

Are there any!

Is there one?

Still...

my heart searches.

Where are they real?

Where are they free?

Where they are real, there, they are free!

Celebrate.

Today I challenge you to celebrate!

Not to mourn a murdered savior, but to celebrate a risen KING. 

Celebrate the empty cross.

Celebrate the empty tomb.

Today is a day to rejoice! Death is not the end, but instead the beginning of life everlasting!

If you truly know the story of Easter, then you know that this day is the true "Holi-day."

So, dress up, cook a feast, & be joyful because the King, our King, is alive! Happy Easter!

ClassiCourtxo

Post your insights, questions, and comments below.

Easter Glam

Who says your Easter can't sparkle? 

Easter is the perfect time to exercise your creative muscles. I think I may try one of these tutorials to glamify my Easter!

Glitter Eggs

Calligraphed Eggs

Ombre Eggs

Polka Dot Eggs

Rhinestone Eggs

Which one will you try?

ClassiCourtxo

Post your insights, questions, and comments below.

Stay in your lane.

**Sniiiff**

...Ahh...you smell that?

Something is in the air y'all! I don't know what's going on but there is a potent whiff of inspiration in the air lately. I have been inspired by so many things, it's amazing! 

Maybe it's because I have been bottling up my creativity for so many years and now that I'm releasing it, it's overflowing? I'm not sure. All I know is, "I'm lovin' it." *cues McDonalds song*

It feels so good to be able to express myself through different gifts and interests. I wonder if sometimes we work too hard on the things we think will give us happiness in life versus the things we naturally do well at and enjoy. If there is one thing I've learned in life so far, it's stay in your lane. It is so easy to get caught up chasing money and comparing ourselves to others.

STOP!

You have your own gifts and talents that are beautiful and they are you. Just like a size 16 dress on a size 4 girl (annnd vice versa) does not look appealing, no one else's personality/lifestyle/ideas will fit you. It wasn't made to. We are all beautiful, talented, and creative. Use what you've got! Don't allow comparison to steal your confidence. Do some soul searching and find your natural abilities. Pretending to be someone you're not brings no joy.

Live free & be YOURSELF!

Find your lane, commit to it, and WERRK!

ClassiCourtxo


Post your insights, questions & comments below.

Ohhhh! That Kiss!

So today I was doing my daily read of she reads truth (check it out), and it really hit home for me.

Today's reading was from Matthew and it was the story where Judas betrays Jesus. If you aren't familiar with it let me set it up for ya:

One of your best friends sets you up to get jumped by your boyfriends ex-girlfriend. You and some friends were at your normal hangout spot when she shows up. She walks up does the normal "Omg, you look so great!" *Kiss* *Kiss* 

BAM!

Maaad people jump out of nowhere and beat you to a pulp...

Now, I'm not sure about y'all but... I'm not really sure how I would handle that situation. I know for a FACT, we would no longer be friends and I'd have to fight really hard not to lose it the next time we met. Honestly, I'd probably just lose it. Now to take our minds even further, imagine that you knew about the plan before your friend even showed up? I personally get upset even thinking about something like this..

But Jesus reacted differently.

With full knowledge of the way Judas would betray him, even at their first meeting, Jesus chose love. He loved Judas, prayed for him, and called him "friend."

How many times have we written people off, talked bad about them, and have even purposefully hurt them after betrayal? Could we still love someone even after they have hurt us? Have we even tried? This thought really challenged me today and made me think about how selfish I can be with my definition of friend. Although betrayal hurts, we can't act like we have not done the same things to others!

Betrayal is a hard thing to forgive. Good thing we know someone who forgave us.

ClassiCourt xo



Post your insights, questions & comments below.

Paradigm Shift

Something happened to me. Something changed. Do you ever have those life defining moments where you just feel... "different" down to the core? It feels new, it feels alive! You're excited because it is different and exciting, but you are also terrified because it is unknown.

New life has that effect.

The birth of ClassicBaby was not my first experience with new life, but the feeling was so similar.

In a single moment, my life was changed.

My goals, my dreams, and in the simplest form my daily activities. I knew that "babies change everything!" Although, I did not think that "I" would be changed.

Before ClassicBaby, I had been stuck in this life-sucking vortex of despair. I know I know, "But you're such a happy person!" ..And I am but, somedays were really low for me. It seemed like I was losing all of my friends one-by-one, I wasn't making connections at work, I wasn't excelling in my different roles,    I was a new wife, I mean the works! Honestly, I was placing my identity in the wrong things, and that had me in the fight of my life. I was an emotionally roller coaster. Sweet ClassicBoy stood by me through it all too, poor guy! I wasn't just sitting in my mess either. I was trying everything to get out of the pit I was in. I tried listening to sermons, praying, making new friends, you name it. But you know how sometimes you can want something from someone more than an actual relationship with the person? ie. Staying in a relationship with a guy because he buys you nice things. Yea, well lets just say it doesn't work! Needless to say, I was in a tough place and I was desperate to get out.

Then ClassicBaby was born!

Wow! Can I just say, children are the living expression of joy! I felt like I could finally come up for air! Well, that and I was completely distracted from everything not ClassicBaby related haha! But I truly did experience NEW life when my baby was born.

ClassicBaby helped to realign my life's focus. I mean when you have this beautiful child smiling at you all day, all you can do is cry out thanking God. I mean seriously, I was so overwhelmed with love! Then I remembered, that is how my father loves me! That's how he looks at, holds, speaks to, and cares for me. What a sweet reminder. 

I began to feel life growing inside of me once again, but not human life. No it wasn't the precious wiggles I had once felt. There was an overwhelming, empowering, all consuming life growing in me. With that, something changed in me. I can literally say, I am not the same and it is because of the LIFE in me!

As I look at my child each day, I see a gift sent as a reminder of how I am loved and cared for. That gives me life, and a great purpose to live the way I do! 

Have you experienced New life?

ClassiCourt xo



Post your insights, questions & comments below.