Worship Before Worry

January 29, 2017 Casey Sharperson

Since January is my month of getting #LifeGoals in place, I’ve made a few changes. One of which is committing to go another level in my faith. [[No stagnant Christianity here!]] As a part of that, I’ve been intentional about sitting under teaching that enhances my personal quiet time. That’s where I heard the quote “worship before worry.” I loved it so much that I wrote in my journal that night, that I vowed to worship FIRST before anything else.

Let’s fast forward 9 hours… ( and have #storytime)

I’m cruising down one of the busiest streets in town, on the way to the office. I notice ole dude in the SUV on my left is getting mighty close. I’m thinking, “this person is a terrible driver, they need to get over.” I slow down a bit.

Oh crap.

Now, they’re literally halfway in my lane. I slam on my brakes and honk the horn like my life depended on it...

Winning With Your New Year’s Resolutions

January 8, 2017 Casey Sharperson

Happy New Year!

Do you have any New Year’s Resolutions?

If you do, chances are that there’s at least one that relates to your health, leisure, wealth, or relationships. The resolutions are likely things that you’ve desired to do or accomplish, but just haven’t gotten around to. In fact, according to Nielson, the top resolutions of 2015 included traveling more, spending less, and of course, losing weight.

I LOVE that a new year gives me a reason to reflect on the previous year. I consider:

What worked and what didn’t work?
Am I where I thought I would be?
Where do I want to be?
Am I snatched enough? (kidding… kind of)

From there I get to list making, vision boarding, and dreaming about what’s next (which so fun - #nerdlife).

Failing to Keep up with the Kardashians

December 12, 2016 Casey Sharperson

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” Albert Einstein

Social media is THE best. It’s entertaining, informative, and convenient. In fact, I’ve been able to connect to so many amazing people through social media.

Because social media is so amazing, it becomes the default outlet when there’s free time. So here you are, scrolling, watching, and swiping for inspiration. Now, you need new makeup brushes, a new wardrobe, an upgraded bank account, and a new relationship. Now, you’re dissatisfied with your portion and...

inspiration has morphed into the golden handcuffs of comparison...

Lord, What's My Purpose?

December 4, 2016 Casey Sharperson

“Your dreams and your discomfort go hand in hand. You dream about how things could be, so you’re uncomfortable with how they are presently.” - Social Club Misfits; Song: Wavemasters

Dreams. Purpose. Vision. Confidence.

Those are my all time favorite topics to talk about. Mostly because I have such a burden for them. It makes me uncomfortable when I see people who have MORE to give but they hold back. It makes me uncomfortable to observe people with a vision but no confidence to move forward. It makes me uncomfortable for people to STOP dreaming because things didn’t go according to plan.

Now, let me ask you:

What is that thing that bothers you?

What used to be your struggle but you’ve now overcome?

What do people seek your help and advice about?

When Good Intentions Aren't Enough...

November 28, 2016 Casey Sharperson

Cyber Monday.

A day known for scouring online for the best deals.

A day conveniently occurring shortly after we boast of contentment and gratitude. (No shade!)

AND a day that’s nearly a month (33 days to be exact!) away from January 1st.

Think about it. In a month, we’ll be setting New Year’s Resolutions, going on fasts, and declaring that 2017 is going to be drastically different than this year and all years prior. We won’t address the fact that most of the stuff we decreed and declared over our lives this year didn’t happen. We didn’t make a mountain of extra cash. We didn’t hit the gym more. We didn’t stop eating the junk food. We just…didn’t.

Here’s a fact…and you can take it to the bank.

Success comes from follow through, not good intentions.

Why aren’t good intentions good enough?...

Refuel: Mind, Body, & Spirit

November 20, 2016 Casey Sharperson

Ready for story time? It’s been a while! :)

In July, I received my very first plant. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had flowers before, which I love, but I’m only responsible for watering them once. Then, they shrivel up and pass away. RIP. Now, I have a plant to call my own and brighten up my office space. It even has a smiley face balloon on it. LOVE.

Some time passed and I was out of the office for a long weekend. Only to come back and find dead, fallen leaves on my desk. I couldn’t understand how my vibrant plant became so lifeless. It may or may not have been because I neglected to water it sufficiently the week before. Even with my neglect, couldn’t the plant just hold on for a few more days?

Nah, homie.

This sad, suffering, dying plant taught me this:

You can’t thrive in a place of lack and neglect. You can’t give what you don’t possess.

Stop Settling

November 13, 2016 Casey Sharperson

Stop it. Just stop it.

Stop settling for less than God’s best for your life.

Stop allowing other people’s insecurities impact your life.

Stop allowing your own insecurities keep you stuck.

You were created for more.

MORE.

Declare this over your life:

My Opportunity Requires Everything.

Take the Risk

November 6, 2016 Casey Sharperson

As a faithful member of #TeamiPhone, I recently upgraded to iOS 10. One of the major changes is the ability to play games via iMessage, which is super fun. So, I was playing checkers with a friend of mine, and came to a crossroads.

Sidenote: I’m highly competitive with these sorts of things. (I like to win.)

I got to this point where I could either move my checker and get jumped or move a random, different piece that wouldn’t affect the game. Furthermore, getting jumped would require my opponent to move a piece from a same place and open a spot for a King. Should I play the safe route and move a random piece, or I sacrifice my piece to the opponent?

I got jumped.

BUT in my next two moves, I was crowned King and ultimately won the game.

Often times we are scared to take a leap of faith. We are holding on to what we feel is a lot, but in reality, it's a small portion. We’re holding on to what we think is all we have. We're scared of losing something. We're scared of taking a risk. We’re scared of taking that leap of faith...

Is That Really God's Will?

October 30, 2016 Casey Sharperson

Happy Sunday!

I decided to change things up a bit this week and share a video, instead of my traditional written blog. In fact, it was special request from one of my readers to do more videos. You know, I'm a woman of the people! :) So if you have any topics you'd like to read or watch, let me know!

However , this topic was heavy on my heart this week. I had a few calls with people who were really struggling. Being attacked on all sides in places where they believed God placed them. Seeing that I'm coming through that season now, I wanted to share a bit of perspective. In the video, I discuss how our trials mold and shape us to be more Christlike and better versions of ourselves.

If you're conflicted about whether or not what you're facing is really God's will, watch and share the video.

I pray it blesses you!

Hugs!
Casey Sharperson
Speaker| Confidence Cultivator| Blogger
www.CaseySharperson.com

Coffee & Confidence

New Seasons - New Challenges

October 23, 2016 Casey Sharperson

Temperatures rise and fall.

Tides ebb and flow.

Summer turns to Fall. Fall turns to Winter. Winter turns to Spring.

Nature gives us such simple reminders of change and transition.

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9

However with a constant focus on the next season, we can miss the present season.

Example: Recently, I went on a long run. What happens when I go on a run in silence, is that I begin to reflect on all my life decisions. (yikes) It was on this run that I realized just how much one area in my life needed an upgrade.

This, was not the problem. I’m all for self and life improvement. But what I began to do was romanticize the past. Thinking back to all the good times the last season had to offer. Conveniently ignoring those reasons I was praying for God to deliver me from that season.

Gifts, Crockpots, & Patience: Trusting the Process

October 16, 2016 Casey Sharperson

Have you ever been doing something incredibly mundane, but you get a super deep revelation about it? Well that happens to me.. all. the. time. So, let’s have a short story time.

Last year, I was gifted with the most amazing facial cleansing brush ever, a Clarisonic. Now, I had been eyeing this brush for quite some time (over a year). I had done all the research and finally brought it home for Christmas. I assumed that as soon as I unboxed it, I would be able to use the brush. Or at the bare minimum have to charge it for about an hour.

So I get home, take the beauty, in all of it’s pink and grey glory out of the box ,and read the instructions. To my surprise, it is not charged and needs to be docked for a full 24 hours before the first use. *insert side eye emoji*

As excited as I was to use my gift, I had to wait.

I had to patiently wait for my gift to be prepared and prepped for my use.

Patience.

Unwrap the Gift: Revealing and Activating the Gifts Within

October 9, 2016 Casey Sharperson

Imagine this. You’ve just received the most beautiful gift. It’s wrapped to perfection, the bow is placed and the ribbon was coiled by angelic beings. You are floored that someone thought highly enough of you to even give you a gift, let alone one so beautiful. For this reason you decide to simply place it on the table and admire it. No need to open the package, because you’re just grateful to be in possession of such beauty. It gathers dust, but you dare not touch it for fear of ruining perfection...

Set Apart: Embracing Your Uniqueness [Video]

September 22, 2016 Casey Sharperson

A masterpiece is by definition an artist's or craftsman's best piece of work. A masterpiece is valued by others because of its rarity, the craftsmanship, and the uniqueness that is evident to all who experience it.

A masterpiece is not some run of the mill, assembly line product. It is not available everywhere because it is appreciated by a select few. Furthermore, all who seek the masterpiece will not pay the price for it.

Guess what?

Confidence Under Pressure

September 11, 2016 Casey Sharperson

It’s that time of year again. Chips and salsa and chicken wing supplies get dangerously low as tailgating tents fill up. Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays are booked and the ultimate fall sport is back.

Football season.

As I watched parts and pieces of games over the weekend, I couldn’t help but wonder what it would feel like to walk into a stadium and have thousands of people watching. Half wanting you to choke and the other half naming their first born after you. Pressure. Will you perform? Will you fail?

Most of us don’t have such public opportunities to fail, but we still face high stress situations. Whether its taking a test, giving a presentation, hosting an event, or having a one on one meeting, there’s a level of anxiety that can be present. No matter how prepared, something can always go wrong.

How you do handle high expectations? How do you remain confident under pressure?

Lessons From Lemons: A New Perspective

August 28, 2016 Casey Sharperson

When life gives you lemons…

…make lemonade. That’s what the cliche says anyway. This is the idea that you take the situations that you encounter and deal with them. You suck it up and make something out of those lemons. This of course is impossible if you’re convinced that lemons are going to be your downfall. Of if you’re convinced that nobody else gets lemons like you do and truthfully, you’re probably really tired of lemonade. Can’t life give you something else?

It’s time for a different perspective. Let’s change the way you look at “lemons” forever.

#GetYourLife: The Game Plan

August 21, 2016 Casey Sharperson

Let’s be honest. Goals mean absolutely nothing without a clear plan of action to accomplish them. I’m guilty of making a list of things that I want with vague guidelines and the timeline of eventually.

Remember this: Eventually is not a date on the calendar and Sometime is not on a clock.

To get where you want to be, it will require intentionality, sacrifice, and effort.

If you’re wondering where in the world the last 8.5 months have gone, annoyed that you haven’t seen as much growth as you wanted, or questioning what to do next, I’ve been there, done that and got the t-shirt!

I’ve decided to share my “game plan” of intentionality. These three tips are things that I’ve done to stay on track and #GetMyLife.

For those who feel forgotten...

August 14, 2016 Casey Sharperson

Have you ever felt invisible? Felt like everyone else was prospering but you? If not, tell me your secret because I’ve been there… a few times… OK, way more than a few times.

If you’re like me, In those seasons you’ve wanted to scream from the rooftops “I’m here! Don’t you see me!” You’re thinking, I’m working hard, giving my all, but it doesn’t seem to move the needle. I’m STILL virtually in the same place. STILL single. STILL at that job. STILL living paycheck to paycheck. STILL not where I want to be. STILL [fill in your struggle here]...

Gifted: Using your unique talents for Christ

August 7, 2016 Casey Sharperson

Ultimately, it’s about the heart posture. If your goal is to be the best person you can be in Christ, he’ll meet you there.

The more you focus in on what the Lord is calling you to, the more confident you’ll become.

Soon, you’ll be exercising gifts that you never knew you had. People will begin to ask you what your secret sauce is. Your answer? The giver of all good gifts. (James 1:7)

Perfect Peace

July 31, 2016 Casey Sharperson

Chaos and fear run rampant in our society. The 24 hour news cycle plants fear, distrust, hurt, and anxiety in our hearts, because let's be honest, positive stories don't bring the ratings. How can we possibly experience peace despite what's happening around us?

How to Let Go & Let God →

July 17, 2016 Casey Sharperson

It's time to uproot fear and plant seeds of consistency. It's easy to get overwhelmed by the changes that we want to see. It's easy to sit on the sidelines and watch as things fall apart. But we have a call to commit to doing what's difficult, what's unpopular, what's radical, in order to be the change that we want to see.