Stay on Course

We've all been there before - we have a dream that we've waited so long to achieve.  We're getting all the things we need to attain it; we're gathering our resources, drawing up a plan, talking to the right people and looking into the future at the expected end.  But somewhere along the way, we get caught up with smaller dreams that are birthed from our big dreams and soon enough, our attention has strayed away from what we initially started with.

I'm not alone, right?  

I'm pretty sure I'm not.  We've all experienced this in one way or the other - losing sight of our dreams.  Getting sidetracked with other ideas that can be done later.  We want that degree - but along the way, we meet the woman/man of our dreams that change our course from where we started and where we were heading.  We want that job - but along the way, we get that opportunity for a once-in-a-lifetime experience that has been popping up for years.  We want to write that book or do that project - but along the way, something else comes up that seems more fruitful than our dreams!

Don't lose sight of your dreams.  There are many obstacles that come in your way to merely sidetrack you from the bigger picture. Good opportunities? Side-tracked? Huh? Yep! There are good obstacles too.  Perfect opportunities that show up that cause us to, for one second, take our eyes off of where our focus should be.  But guess what, don't stray - #StayOnCourse.  I can tell you, staying on course is worth it.  Many of the opportunities that show up are always available to do at a later time.  Some of them are just not to be done at all!  Fulfill your initial dreams no matter how long they may take.

I remember right before I was accepted at CNC, there was an opportunity for young poets and authors to attend a 3-month poetry workshop in the UK.  I was both a young poet and a new author and I was excited.  I applied to CNC a year before but I couldn't start at the time because the money was not there.  I stayed home for a year and in 2014, I applied again.  Right before I received my acceptance letter, a colleague encouraged me to apply for the workshop.

I loved poetry but anyone who knows me well would know that my career path is my passion.  I started making my own plans.  Okay Amy, so it's August.  The workshop starts in October and ends in January.  You've just received your acceptance letter.  Here's what you're going to do girl: you're going to defer your course of study to January.  You'll apply for this workshop which you are going to get accepted for and you'll go from the workshop that'll run from October to January and when that ends, you'll begin your studies in January 2015. Sounds like a good plan huh? Sounded like a good plan to me!

I wanted the experience.  I wanted them both.  I took my eyes off my career path for a second and I gazed towards my love for poetry.  But somewhere along that mesmerizing daydream, I had to remind myself that I was on a path that needed my full attention.  The journey was already being prepared for and it was about to begin.  I couldn't get caught up with everything around me.  I had to #StayOnCourse.

Similarly, with your plans, you have to be able to keep your eyes fixed on the finish line.  Don't get distracted by everything else around you that looks so interesting and inviting.  Keep focused on what is ahead; everything else will eventually fall into place.  I can assure you that it's worth it.  Remember that today as you work on your goals.

P.S. Right before I made my decision, had a talk with my mom about the plans that I had.  She didn't tell me what to do but instead encouraged me to make the most realistic decision.  I eventually decided to give up the poetry experience and start my studies.  By the time January 2015 came, I realized that the entire 3 months had gone by and I did not receive a call from anyone about the workshop!  Had I not made the decision I did, I would have been a semester behind in school, chasing a dream that was not meant for me at that point in time.  Thinking about it now makes me even more thankful that I did not lose sight of what I initially set out to do. 

I hope that this encourages and motivates someone today.  Be blessed. ❤️

When all Hope Seems Lost

I sat on my bed and cried my eyes out at least once every night since I came back to school.  Some things were bothering me; in fact, some things were plaguing my being.  I could no longer put on the facade and smile for the people around me -  so I retreated into my room and cried. 

On a day in the week past, I was mad at God.  How could He?  He sent me to this school, promised to take care of me, then He vanished into the wilderness? (or so I thought).  I cried out to God every day, like a scared, lonely child in need of her lost father.  All I needed was some clarity...

Day 1. "Dear Father, I need You.  I need clarity on a few things.  This burden is heavy.  I know You haven't given me more than I can bear and I'm trusting you to take me through, but it hurts.  It's heavy.  I know that You will help me.  What do you require of me to do to make this go away?"

Day 2. "Father, I came to You yesterday in desperate need, but today seems worse.  Added to that, I still haven't gotten clarity on what move I should make.  When are you going to take this pain away?"

Day 3. "Look, God, I've asked before and I'm still waiting. Why are you so silent?  Plus, this other thing is still a thing.  I'm broken.  My tear-well is drying up.  My emotions are haywire.  I feel like I am going to explode.  I want to know how to fix this.  And why am I still waiting? I thought you cared about me? Why am I still suffering?"


Day 4. "Good morning God. Thanks for waking me up."

Day 5. "Thank You for waking me up. Amen."

By now, you must have picked up how quickly my fervent prayers faded into nothingness.  I was angry at God.  I had two giant mountains before me.  One was a direction I needed for my final project, the other, an interpersonal conflict.  I cried out to God day after day after day to show me the way; yet the more I prayed, the more silent I felt He became.  What was He trying to teach me?  I couldn't understand how God operated.  He's promising to always be there, yet going ghost on me? Nah God. Not cool. 

 Weeks past.  I eventually decided on my own to seek the help of others and give God a rest as I thought God had left me alone.  I kept probing and probing until I gave up.  God wasn't helping.  They weren't helping. What lesson was I supposed to learn from this? It was affecting my relationship with others.  Every time a conversation would arise about my project, I would get angry on the inside.  I wasn't sure who this anger was directed towards, but it was brewing within me.

All hope seemed lost.  The days were closing in; the time was getting shorter and I couldn't get a head start.  I was afraid.  I kept trying to peep into my future to see how things would turn out, but I couldn't.  I sat on my bed confused and angry.  

I turned on Skype and hit the call button.  It was Kenny.  It was in the midst of an apology, turned into a new argument, turned into a sermon, where the clarity was given. That's it! I gasped.  My jaw dropped; my bottom lip hanging low and my eyes wide open! It was in that moment, at the time I least expected, God inspired me to choose a suitable topic.  I gave up trying to pressure God to answer me and I gave up trying to do it on my own and I let go completely.
But Seriously God? Are you trying to be funny?

Hope is something we hold unto.  It almost seems like we need it for survival.  When hope seems lost, we become lost.  We don't see the end of the tunnel; all we see ahead of us is a darkness that keeps going and going and going, without end.  However, it is in those moments, God takes the time to show us that He's still there and that He's been standing, running, crawling and walking with us every step of the way.

Our Heavenly Father never leaves us nor forsakes us.  He is always there with us.  Yet sometimes, it feels like He is no longer there. Why? 🤔 God knows that in the midst of these difficult situations, we will draw closer to Him.  Seems a bit weird and a little bit.....much, huh? But it isn't.  It is in our most difficult situations, we then realize how much we need God in our lives.  This propels us to seek Him more than we've ever done before.  We pray more. We ask more.  We wait more.  We listen more.  We're humbled even more. 

So whenever you feel like you're about to lose it all, look to God and be patient.  He hasn't gone anywhere.  Trust me!  He's right there with you.  He's waiting for you to stop turning your wheel into the direction of others and into the directions your spirit leads you, instead of His Spirit.  He wants you to steer your focus away from everything else that consumes you and look to Him.  He's the one with the answers, the clarity, and what we need - when all hope seems lost.

False Evidence Appearing Real = F.E.A.R

In my short time on this earth, I have never been afraid of thunder as much as I was afraid of it yesterday.  As I sat in my dorm room unwinding from a long day, the rain began to pour down heavily.  It had been about thirty minutes since it was raining and I was falling deeper and deeper into the calming sounds of the waters.............

That was until I saw the first lightning flash!  It was extremely bright; it lit up my already illuminated room.   For many years, I grew to understand that lightning and thunder were a dynamic duo; they went hand in hand.  Lightning flashed and approximately seven seconds after a flash, thunder would roll.  I then began to understand that the brighter the flash of lightning, the louder the sound of thunder.

I covered my ears in fear. I knew that the crack of thunder was going to be louder than I would expect.  Then it came! Cracckkkk Cr-AAAC KKK.  My window began to shake!  A shiver came over my body and a scream escaped my lips.  Me? Afraid of thunder? No way!  In no time, the lightning flashed again...one, two, three, four, five, six, seven (hmm, wait for it, wait for it), eig... and then came the thunder!  The power was cut and the rain beat down on the roof heavily.  This continued for around twenty minutes then mother nature finallyyyy decided to chill.

What was I afraid of?  Has there ever been an account of someone harmed by thunder?  Correct me if I'm wrong, but the simple response to that is ABSOLUTELY NOT.  That feeling in my chest, accompanied by the shiver in my spine and the involuntary scream is called FEAR, or as someone nicely coined the term "False Evidence Appearing Real."

Fear creeps up on us when we least expect it.  It comes into our space and has us to believe that we are in danger, we are incapable of accomplishing the goals we have set or we are just not good enough as the other person is.

Fear is a liar.  It does not speak the truth.  It has no place in our plans.  Fear is sort of like the unwanted wedding guest who shows up uninvited to the ceremony and has the nerve to come at the reception dinner.

"So what can be done about fear?" you may ask.  Face it, I say! Facing your fears is sort of like fear's kryptonite.  Have you ever seen Justice League vs. Teen titans? Superman was possessed by an evil entity and Robin knew that in order to rid the spirit, he had to weaken the host.  He comes flying out of the air armed with Superman's weakness, Kryptonite.  Eventually, the entity could not survive without the host's abilities, so it disappeared.

Stay with me. Consider the entity, fear.  He is upon you.  He forces you to do what you don't want to do and even DON'T do what you want to!  He tells you that he controls you and that whatever he says goes.  The kryptonite? That's you facing those fears! And that's also you weakening your own self-doubt and self-destructive thinking! It temporarily makes you feel like you are unable to go on.  It may even cause you to feel like you are going to die (because fear says so) but it's a lie.

Fear doesn't control you.  You have the power to overcome ANY and EVERY obstacle placed in your way.  Today, I don't know about you, but I feel like this lesson is for me.  Amy, fear doesn't control you; fear only cripples you.  Stand up for what you believe in.  Go forth and do what you were called to.  

I trust that wherever you are, whatever you are facing right now, you can look fear in the face and show him who's boss! Be blessed day!

You're More than Capable

Today's motivation is simple - you can do all things you put your mind to!

Don't ever let the world cause you to believe that you are unable to.  They may say you can't achieve goals you've put your mind to because of your socioeconomic background, family or the color of your skin. 

However, within you, is a goldmine waiting to be discovered.  Think back on the times when you were told it was impossible..  Think about the time when you pushed passed your fears and the discouragements and achieved the unachievable! 

There is greatness lodged within you; reach in and shine! And don't you dare let anyone tell you different.

Philippians 4:13 may sound cliché but it is packed with truth and power.  This personal scripture verse is one which you can use to remind yourself that you are more than capable of becoming successful!

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Repeat it again and again until you believe it, and until it becomes a part of your entire existence. You can do it!!

Have a blessed day everyone!

This meme is not posted with the intention of belittling, offending or criticizing anyone.  It is posted with hopes of putting a smile on the face of everyone who reads this.  Be blessed guys 😚❤❤

A Father's Love

He was the first man I ever saw, the first man I ever knew.  I was four year old, and that was my very first memory of my father.  He was always laughing, always smiling, always around when I wanted to play.  I remember playing horsey after school with him.  He was around when I needed to wash my hair and he used to give me those big plaits in my hair.  

I spent most of my time with him because my mom had to work, and when I needed that manly figure the most, guess who was always there? My father was!  I remember the first time someone broke my heart.  The pain was overwhelming and I did not want to talk to anyone else.  I found myself, for the first time in about seventeen years, confiding in my father about relationships and a broken heart.  Talk about relief and instant soothing.

He was perfect in my eyes.  Wherever he went, you could bet that I was there trailing right beside him.  If it involved picking nutmegs by the river, I was there with him.  If it involved trips to the mountain to visit my grandfather Ita, I was there with him.  If it involved someone to pull the green-bus door on taxi trips, you bet - I was there.   

He was provider: long hours shelling nutmegs - separating the mace from the nutmeg in the veranda with my brother, my sister and my mother; preparing moringa for sale and distribution, baking chicken ham, cheese straw, currant rolls - he did it with no complaints.  I even heard stories of him and my mother making seamoss and fruit juices to sell just to make ends meet to provide for the family.  My mother frequently talks about the pepper sauce incident: when their lack of understanding for the production process led to them not being able to touch each other for weeks!

When I think about him, I think about a man with a world of potential, someone who had his educational opportunities stripped away from him but chose to rise above all those circumstances and be the man he is today.  Oh no!  He's definitely not perfect.  At seventy two

(looking like twenty seven plus thirty), he is still a work in progress; but he is a willing one - a progression bound for success and not for failure.

My earthly father walks in the image of my Heavenly Father.  His warmth and his dedication to whatever cause touches his heart reminds me of God's warmth and dedication to me.  I have failed Him so many times but He is still there - right there with me every step of the way.  He continues to love me even when I don't deserve it.  When I hurt Him with my words and disappoint Him with my actions, His love continues to overshadow me - propelling me to do better and write a better story on the pages of my life in the tomorrow ahead.

Whenever my earthly father is at home, I know I am safe and sound.  Likewise, this is how it is with my Heavenly Father.  His protection and peace is one which continues to be present from day to day.  Knowing that His Spirit is within me and walks with me gives me a peace that goes past my human understanding.  I am able to walk in victory and courage understanding that although my human eyes cannot see Him, my spiritual man acknowledges that His presence is ever present and will not leave.  That's the beauty in knowing that our Father loves us more than we ever know and seeks our best interest from day to day!  

Many of you who may be reading this may not be able to relate to a physical father's love.  Maybe he was never around, maybe the relationship you should have had with him is destroyed, non-existent, broken.  Maybe when you needed him the most he was never there.  But know that in the absence of  his presence, your Heavenly Father has the ability to fill the void within you.  Psalm 68:5 describes God as a "Father to the fatherless..."
 He is waiting with arms open wide for you to say, "Father, I need you in my life; come in and fill this emptiness I feel."  He is a gentleman, and He will wait on you to let Him come in.

At times, my dad and I fall out and I feel sad.  Human emotions take over, added with the schemes of the enemy, and I believe that our relationship will never be the same.  But eventually, with time, my dad and I are laughing and talking again.  The thing about this human relationship when compared to the spiritual relationship I have with my Heavenly Father is that there are no breaks and questions with Him.  No matter how much the enemy wants me to believe that He doesn't love me anymore or that He is so angry with me for my behaviour that He will never speak to me again, I will never hear His voice anymore or that He somehow needs space from me, He is right there and He's not going anywhere! Bet your bottom dollar on it!

Today, your Heavenly Daddy is waiting for you with arms open wide to receive you once again.  He is douched in everlasting love that is unconditional and will never come to an end.  As you go through this day today, remember that He loves you, and if you have not yet formed a relationship with Him,  He desires that so much more than you would ever know.  Seek Him and let Him in; you will be surprises to the many things He has in store for you - take that leap and see!

Today's motivation was inspired by my father, Wilfred "Padmore" Jones.  As you celebrate your 72nd Birthday tomorrow daddy, know that I love and appreciate all that you have done for me and the contribution you have made in my life.  Life has been fun with you always.  I miss you and I love you.
Let the fun begin and have a fantabulous day when it arrives!👊😘😘😘

Believing in the Unbelievable

In the year 2010, I became interested in spoken word. I was doing poetry for many years before but my interest in performing seemed to grow a bit more.  I was writing and writing, writing and sharing, writing and performing, and before long, someone suggested to me that I should write a book.  The idea seemed interesting and I was up for the challenge; I began compiling my best pieces until I felt content with my content (see what I did there?) 😆

I had no idea about writing a book. I had no idea what it would cost, what I needed to do, who I needed to speak to, if I needed to have a specific qualification to be a writer. I just knew that sharing my work with the world was something that I needed to do.  I took a draft copy of my intended book and I brought it to an older woman who I very much looked up to.  To my great surprise she suggested to me that I shouldn't publish because writing a book is too expensive. There was the editorial fees, the cost for a publishing house, printing and everything else there was to worry about - she listed.

I was disappointed; I began to believe that she might have been right, but just for one last time, I took the opportunity to seek help from someone else - this time, someone who had already published.  It was almost as if my heart sank within my stomach when I was told, "I don't think I can help you. Try someone else." I did just that, and guess what? You guessed right - I was turned down again!

I was seventeen years old.  I had never published before, but that desire was deep within me. I wanted to share; I wanted to let my poetry reach to some young budding writer who felt like he was not good enough to get his work out there. I wanted my poetry to reach to young Caribbean girls who were going through situations no one would understand.  I could still hear the sound of my mother's voice urging me to "go for it" and reach for the stars.  I took one last leap of faith and I went to someone who introduced me to the organization that published my book four years later.

Today, success is something everyone wants to achieve. Whether it is attaining that 4.0 grade point average or starting a new business, everyone's heading in the direction to success.  But arriving at the point of success isn't something that's easy (well it can be, if you're taking all the wrong ways of getting there).

No one talks about the people you least expect that don't believe in your capability and your determination.  No one talks about the sleepless nights when giving up seems like the only option.  No one talks about the ones who try to sabotage your dreams.  The road to success is a bumpy one; it is not as straight and smooth as demonstrated in this picture.  It has many high points and low points.  Success does not come easy but it comes by believing in the unbelievable, reaching to places no man has dared to enter.  It involves constant prayer and believing in yourself that you can achieve whatever you put your mind to.

When I saw my first hard copy of Beyond Fables: Poetry, I couldn't believe that I did it.  I sat back and I remembered the four years of battle that I fought to get that tiny book to where it was now.  I remember the tears that streamed down my face when I was rejected and no one believed in me.  I remember the laughter of others who did not think that my poetry was good enough to make it into a book.  But when I reminisced, I also remembered the support of my family and the happiness I felt knowing how proud my parents were of me.

Today, you may have dreams that are stored at the back of your mind, probably catching dust and cobwebs as you have put them all the way behind your thoughts.  You probably think they cannot be attained. My friend, anything is possible; with God, all things that seem unreachable are definitely in your reach.  Forget what your parents said, what your friends thought, what society said.  Maybe they've all said it was impossible, it was too good to be true, unbelievable. It is possible!  It is attainable! All you have to do is believe in yourself.  No matter how long it takes, you go out there and you achieve it.  It took me four long years to get my baby book out there 😅 but hey, I did it didn't I? And guess what, you can too. Pray. Hope. Believe.  You can achieve it. 

My first copy

Promoting #BeyondFablesPoetry at the Rotary Club of Grenada, East

Engaging in discussion about my book with the former Prime Minster of Grenada, Hon. Tillman Thomas

My friend shows her kindle edition

Spotting #BeyondFablesPoetry in a book store next to other well known Grenadian authors

Surrounded by my friends on the launch of #BeyondFablesPoetry

Have you ever met someone who has the same name as you? This is my friend Amy Gooch Jones

My mom could not wait for my books to arrive so she ordered the first copy off Amazon

Details for Beyond Fables: Poetry

by Amy J.W. Jones

Illustration by Solanche K. Robert

Available on: 

* Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/beyond-fables-ms-amy-jw-jones/1118880280

Createspace: https://www.createspace.com/4731651

* Amazon: Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Fables-Ms-Amy-Jones/dp/1497451825/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1483402252&sr=8-1&keywords=beyond+fables+poetry

* Amazon: Kindle Edition: https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Fables-Poetry-Amy-Jones-ebook/dp/B00JDSJRYA

• ISBN-10: 1497451825
• ISBN-13: 978-1497451827
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So what about you? What dreams do you hope to achieve? Are you willing to share? Leave a comment down below!!