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THE DAILY DOSE

w​hether the day calls for a quick boost of encouragement or you need to "steep" A
while. find it here! content to help you thrive in work, life, and in the connection
with your creator.

THE CREATOR IN YOU

7/16/2020

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Creativity is not reserved only for artists, writers and musicians. In the beginning God created....regardless of age, color and circumstance that same power is alive in you!  

Daneen James is an inspirational author, speaker and develops uplifting
products and media through her company, SPARKSAFLAME.

​
Subscribe and enjoy previous DAILY DOSE episodes:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCihR688-4gEdyIThvEtIJ1g

Book Daneen as a speaker:
https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html

Connect and receive updates about Daneen's upcoming book:
https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html
​

Shop the SPARKSAFLAME Store:  
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Your Best Life bEgins Here

7/3/2020

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By Daneen James 
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My family and I love watching the Olympics. Track and field, gymnastics, and swimming are some of our favorite events. The athletes amaze me. Their dedication is unrivaled. They challenge themselves in unimaginable ways for the chance to compete and do what they love. 

Give it all.
Have you ever wanted anything that badly? It’s courageous when you think about it. To put it all on the line, challenge yourself without excuse or exception, and channel your energy in a such a singular, solitary way.  
​
If we're honest. 
That’s exactly what living well requires. In order to experience the best from life, we must be willing to become our best. It comes down to actions not words.  Admittedly, I haven’t always been willing to extend myself. Instead I just meandered through life, content not to be pushed or pinned down by anyone or anything. But overtime, such a superficial and shallow existence was no longer sufficient or satisfying. I wanted more, not more stuff, more substance.  
 
Extraordinary is available.
So often we settle for a “good enough” life. We don’t contemplate, or worse yet, even expect amazing in our work and relationships. We tell ourselves it’s unrealistic. Culture would have us believe that exceptional is few and far between and great isn’t always attainable. But what if the world is wrong? What if the passion, fulfillment, and significance we imagine is not only accessible, but it’s fundamentally the life intended for us?  When we align with our creator and endeavor to be everything, He created us to be, we can experience extraordinary, on every level, in every aspect of our life.

Are you ready? 
There is nothing that God doesn’t improve or elevate. There’s no area of our world that eludes His influence. So, if we desire to live our best life, shouldn’t it begin with him? Determine to put God at the forefront and center of everything you do. Decide that pleasing Him is paramount. Be convinced that He’s worthy to Lord your life, not because of what you’ll get, but because of all He gave. Make God your reason, rather than the means to your end. When you do, He will come alive in your life in ways that blow your mind.  Are you ready?

Consider this prayer:  
 Father, I want you. Show me what you want from me. Help me please you. Help me bring you glory. 
 
Reflect:
  • No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him." I Corinthians 2:9  
  • Seek the Kingdom of God above all else and live righteously and He will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33

​
For more inspiring messages:
Book Daneen as a speaker:
https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html 

Watch a video: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RFNfg-fuOM

Connect, subscribe and receive updates about Daneen's upcoming book:  https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html 

Shop the SPARKSAFLAME Store:  
​
https://www.daneenjames.com/shop.html


Daneen James is an inspirational author, speaker and develops uplifting
products and media through her company, SPARKSAFLAME.


You might also enjoy: 
https://www.daneenjames.com/blog/keep-it-fresh ​
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Life reimagined

5/22/2020

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By Daneen James 
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When Dreams Don't Come True 
You can be whatever you want. If you believe it you can achieve it. Dreams come true. If it’s to be, then it’s up to me. If at first you don’t succeed, then try, try again. The race is not given to the swift, but to the one who endures to the end. I’m sure you’ve heard some, if not all of these phrases. Motivational marvels meant to encourage and propel us forward. As time passes, however, they can become piercing reminders of what wasn’t done and the dreams that weren’t realized.  We may still repeat the words, even say them to others. But we secretly think, that ship has sailed.
 
Making Space
Now that I’ve sufficiently sucked all the air out of the room and created such a positive and upbeat mood…let me explain. Life has a way of beating you up. We start off hopeful, blooming with potential. Brimming with the beauty of possibility. Then little by little we lose our luster. Disappointment and disillusion can replace our optimistic outlook. We can become frustrated and resentful that the life we wanted, even deserved, may be out of reach. We’d could never stand to admit it and instead camouflage our feelings in pretense and indifference. Resigning ourselves to a routine existence that never allows us to want or expect more. 
 
My Life, But Not For Me
I can relate. Life seems cruel and limited unless we understand that our life is not for us, but for the one who made us. We’ll stumble around flustered and angry until we’re willing to forgo what we had in mind and accept His plan for our lives. I tried to do it my way.  Never really considered or recognized the importance of asking what God wanted from me. But after continually coming up short, I was just tired of fighting. There had to be another way. Open and willing to try life differently, I was ready to say yes to God.
 
Yes, Means Progress
Saying yes to God means He has the final say in everything I do. Whether I want to, feel like it or disagree, I follow Him. It means trusting that He loves me, without exception. No matter what it seems like, I know He always acts to make me better, stronger and bring me closer to Him. Because the closer, I am to him, the more fulfilling my life will be. When I let Him lead my life, I experience His promises, which far exceed anything I’ve read or heard.  They sustain and elevate me in ways I could never imagine or create on my own.
 
Many of us are frustrated because of what our life is not. But if we’re willing to shift our perspective and open ourselves to ask, God what do you want from me and my life?  We’ll find our way to the significance we crave and the fulfillment we seek. 

Reflect 
  • All things exist and were created by your will God. Worthy are you to receive glory and honor and power. Revelation 4:11
  • If you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want and it will be granted. This brings great glory to my Father. John 15:7-8
  • God owns the spiritual and physical part of you. What a high price He paid. So let people see God in and through your body. I Corinthians 6: 19-20

​
For more inspiring messages:
Book Daneen as a speaker:
https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html 

Watch a video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RFNfg-fuOM

Connect and sign up to receive updates about Daneen's upcoming book:
https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html 

Shop the SPARKSAFLAME Store:
https://www.daneenjames.com/shop.html


Daneen James is an inspirational author, speaker and develops uplifting
products and media through her company, 
SPARKSAFLAME. 

You might also enjoy:
​https://www.daneenjames.com/blog/live-your-light

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Success According to You

2/13/2020

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By Daneen James 
Picture
 We often look at our lives and think we should be further along and have more than we do.

But, why?  Based on what?  The old anecdote, "Success is a journey, not a destination" is nice to say. But do we really believe it, is it true for us?

The world would have you believe that it only matters, if it matters to other people. While that might be true in part, as impact is important. Whether or not other people value our contribution (and how much) can't be our only metric for significance. We'll live hollow, shallow lives unless we determine and live by our own definition of success. 

Below you'll find stories of people whose "journey" to success encourage me.  I hope they encourage you too! (https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/240492)

Arianna Huffington
Long before she founded, the now famous Huffington Post, Arianna Huffington was once rejected by 36 publishers before here second book was accepted for publication. Even once launched, Huffington Post wasn't immediately embraced. It was bombarded with criticisms and attacks about its quality and potential. However, Arianna persevered to create one of the most successful and
well- known outlets online outlets ever. 

Milton Hershey 
He had a dream of milk chocolate for the masses. But Milton Hershey wasn't an instant candy sensation. He started and failed 3 at distinct candy ventures. Until, his efforts finally paid off with Lancaster Caramel Company. The company experienced notable success and eventually led to the founding of the Hershey Company. Where he realized his dream of milk chocolate for the masses many times over and became one of the most recognizable names in the chocolate industry. 

Bill Gates 
Though generally regarded as one of the brightest people in the tech world. Bill Gates first started with a company called Traf-O-Data. The company's product was intended to process and analyze data from traffic tapes. Bill and his partner tried to sell the idea, but the product barely worked, it was an utter failure. But a few years later, he created Microsoft product. Well, we all know how that turned out. 

Steve Jobs
Admired by many for his innovation and resilience, Steve Jobs achieved incredible heights in his 20's on the heels of Apple's massive success. But at 30, he was fired by Apple's board of directors. So, he started Next, a new company, that interestingly enough was later acquired by Apple. Back at the company He originally founded, Jobs would again take Apple to unimaginable levels in the tech industry. 

Walt Disney
Can you imagine the man many of us believe to be synonymous with imagination was fired for lack of creativity? Well it's true. Broke, desperate and a having failed at his first attempt at an animation company. Walt Disney, head to Hollywood. Though extensively criticized, his films would eventually take off and lead to what is now known as the Walt Disney Dynasty. 

George Steinbrenner
Who knew that the now owner of the New York Yankees, bankrupted his first sports franchise, a basketball team called the Cleveland Pipers. Though there have been ups and downs, The New York Yankees has a record as one of the most profitable teams in major league baseball. 

Michelle Pfeiffer 
An actress with a resume of over 60 movies and a career that spans over four decades is crazy about "scents". Who knew? She wanted to make a the most 'natural' and safest fragrance possible. But it also had to smell great. Pfeiffer defied the conventional wisdom of the fragrance industry to create her own path. Though, it would take nearly 10 years to overcome what seemed like insurmountable odds to bring her fragrance to life. Henry Rose, a line of fragrances named after her children, represents two things in her life of which she is very proud. (https://www.allure.com/story/michelle-pfeiffer-henry-rose-perfume-interview)

Yes, success 
is a journey. Delays and disappointments happen along the way, but don't have to derail you. Failure is only final when we fall back, then refuse to move forward. For more inspiring success stories https://suninme.org/true-story.


Get more on this and other topics:

Book Daneen as a speaker:
https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html

Connect and receive updates about Daneen's upcoming book: https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html

Encourage someone, share a card:
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  • DANEEN JAMES
  • SPEAKER
  • BLOG AND MEDIA
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  • CONTACT