Grace & Mercy

Do you sometimes feel as though you are carrying the entire world on your shoulders? Do you sometimes feel as though everything is going wrong in your life? Do you sometimes feel as though you are alone and that no one will ever be able to understand what you are dealing with? Do you sometimes feel as though God is punishing you? Do you sometimes feel that everything good that you try to do in life always goes bad? Do you sometimes feel that you never should have gave that guy the time of day because you knew that you were way too good for him? Do you sometimes feel that your closest friend, really isn't your friend at all? Do you sometimes feel like giving up and throwing in the towel? Do you sometimes feel like turning away from God because he is not answering your prayers when YOU want him to answer them? Well, if you have ever felt this way, please read on..... Everything that was mentioned above is all a part of life and the tests that you must overcome in order for you to gro...

There are times when you just have to humble yourself and your spirit, and just say "O.K." I hope that you understand what I mean. There are people in this world that have what you call a "listening problem." They feel as though they know everything and that they are right about everything. It is imperative for you to simply express your opinion and let it be when dealing with individuals as such, or else they will drive you bananas! Saying "O.K." does not exemplify weakness at all. It actually exemplifies strength. It takes a strong-minded person to just keep quiet and hold their opinion to themselves. My husband is one of those people. I admire him for being that way. I guess that is one reason why I truly respect and love him. It would be a wise idea to keep people that can say "O.K." on your team. They really help balance the world out.

Now, for those of you that have fragile eyes that can't appreciate a woman for keeping in 100, I suggest you close out of this blog right now. On the other hand, for you steadfast women, that can take all of life's punches and still press on, this blog is for you. "Girl Listen" is the phrase that my friends use when they are about to share some real deep stuff with me. My girls value my opinion because they know, Toni Lynn is going to give it to them RAW. I don't sugarcoat anything because I love my friends. I want them to know that. Whenever I give feedback to a given situation that I am presented with, I empathize before I rationalize the situation. I keep my girl's best interest at heart at all times and I refrain from giving them direct orders. Who the heck am I to tell my girl what she "Needs" to do. It is her life and she will ultimately make her own decisions. Okay, to the important stuff. It perturbs me to talk to women that only want to shar...

My life is exactly what it is. It's my life. I don't live my life to please or to appease anyone on this earth. I strive to live to serve as a vessel for God. It gets hard at times, and I tend to fall short. However, I just continue to press on because the easy thing to do would be to simply give up. And Toni Lynn Valencia does not give up on anything or anyone that she truly believes in. There are a number of people that have let me down in my life. Some more than others, but that's neither here nor there. It doesn't matter. It's the past. I can't go back and change it, so why waste the time pondering over it. People, the past is what it is...THE PAST! I am guilty of dwelling in the past at times, but lately God has been whispering to my spirit informing me that I need to live for today. Today is his gift to me. It is "The Present." A present is a gift right? Who would refuse a gift? Especially a gift from God. Take the time to be appreciative instead...

Every time I would hit the runway, I would receive compliments regarding "My Walk." The intent of my walk was to of course appeal to the designer of choice, but to also communicate to the audience that I was a strong, confident, never-failing woman. I could walk in anything, no matter how high the heel or the length of the dress. I had my own way of "Rockin It." There were several instances following a fashion show that members of the audience would come up and ask me where I learned to walk the runway. Each time, I would tell them that I practiced day in and day out in my mirror to perfect my walk to my satisfaction. I informed them that I watched one particular woman walk at a fashion show before that absolutely intrigued me. From that day forward, I conditioned my mind to want to walk better than she. Not because I felt she was my competition, but because she truly had the walk and stride of a "BEAST" on the runway. I'm only human. I'm just a ...

Yesterday, I sent a co-worker an email that expressed to him my sincere gratitude for helping me. He responded back by saying that he will always be there to help me because he considers me as family, and also because he knows that I genuinely appreciate the help. As I read his reply, my eyes began to water. This past week has indeed been one of those weeks. There was a ton of laughter shed this week along with a ton of tears. Everything that you encounter in life is a learning experience. Basically, a mere time to grow and improve your character. You cannot sit back and just allow the world to pass you by while your stuck behind attempting to play catch up. I have been blessed to experience many trials and tribulations in my life. Yes, I consider them "blessings" because if I had not experienced them, I would not be the woman that I am today, nor would I be writing this blog in the attempt to help you. Now, don't get me wrong, the trials were painful and they someti...