Feature – Toni Camp Art

Posted on January 14, 2015February 25, 2015 by tonicamp — 2 Comments

New Year, Better Me

I am one of those crazy people who set for myself a few resolutions every year. Nothing big, I learned a long time ago to set small goals that are possible and measurable or I will give up on them. For instance, we all know I am not going to work out an hour everyday. But I can start by trying to work out 30 minutes 3 days a week. I haven’t started my resolve to be a better me yet through resolutions, I am going to share the start of that with you today. We are in the middle of 21 days of prayer and fasting and I know what I want to change in 2015. I don’t want to be a “new me”, I just want to be a better version of myself than I was last year. So here we go.. I resolve in 2015 to.. (in no particular order) 1) Improve My Posture!! I have terrible posture. Especially on days that I am sitting behind my desk all day. Long days of bad posture take a toll and cause me pain. Through being intentional about sitting up straight and starting a pilates routine, I hope to improve my posture dramatically! Plus, my husband will be able to quit telling me to sit up straight everyday! 2) Up My Skin Care Routine – As much as I hate to admit it, my skin has changed since being in my mid 30s and I have got to do a better job taking care of it! 3) Go for Timeless – I am one that believes as you get older there are just certain things you shouldn’t wear anymore. I have always been a somewhat trendy person, I intend to remain stylish and on point, but instead of buying a lot of trendy items.. I would rather spend that money on a few more expensive timeless pieces. I want to be a classy lady, not a 30 something trying way too hard to look younger. 4) Develop Me – I love to learn! This year I want to pick something specific about myself that I need more education about and develop myself! 5) Unplug – From 7pm until bedtime I want to “try” to unplug from social media, emails, etc. 6) Get closer to Jesus – I would put pray more, do more devotionals, read my Bible more.. but I think all of those things can be summed up with getting closer to Jesus and those are all ways to do that! What are some of your goals for becoming a better you??

Posted on December 1, 2014February 25, 2015 by tonicamp — Leave a comment

Sparkle

Ever met those people that just seem to shine?? They have a glow and it makes you want to be more like them? It is easy to focus on how shiny they are and how dull we feel. We all go through seasons and sometimes we don’t feel very sparkly. It is kind of like gold. Gold has to go through a process before it becomes sparkly beautiful gold. There is a season where there is nothing sparkly or pretty about it. It has to be refined. The season that you are in that may be making you feel dull is just a season of refinement. You are on your way to being gold baby!

I Peter 1.7
“These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and honor on the day Jesus Christ is revealed.”

Let God handle the process and you focus on your faith! He wants you to shine, He created you to do it! Don’t underestimate the season of refinement you are in right now! It is important, you are important and you are getting ready to sparkle like gold! Shine On!

Posted on November 18, 2014February 25, 2015 by tonicamp — Leave a comment

No Time To Whine!

I don’t know about you, but I want to be successful, I consider myself a go getter and want to accomplish as much as I can while having a great influence on others. But let’s be honest, there is certainly a price to pay to go from dreaming about that to achieving that!! There are some days that I don’t feel very successful and I have come to realize those were the days I seem to complain more! Instead of being a complainer, I want to be an achiever and I know the difference in that is all about my attitude!!

Here are some things I do to stay on the achievement road instead of the complaining road! (Not that I don’t take that detour from time to time! We are all works in progress, right!)

1. Keep my zone a no whining zone!! I must remember to guard my mouth and my heart! No good comes from complaining, in fact it is a complete waste of my time!

2. Follow Through!! – Even though I LOVE to start a project, I must remember it is all about how well I finish. To achieve, I need to finish what I start!

3. Change – People who are achievers know that to grow, we must be willing to change! I must not be so hard headed that I am not willing to learn new things and allow myself to grow!!

4. Don’t be Helpless – There are times I would prefer someone rescue me! I must remember that I am not helpless!! Instead, I should search for solutions and realize I can overcome obstacles!!

5. Fear Less – I must remember to tackle a problem head on! Don’t be afraid! Initiate, don’t wait!

6. Take A Minute – Sometimes in the midst of conflict we want to complain about the person we are in conflict with. Instead, we should take a minute and try to see it from their view point, from their perspective. We always wish others knew how it felt to walk in our shoes, we should have that same empathy towards others.

7. Start Doing – Ever talked about something till you are sick of it? Ever rehashed something so many times, it drives you crazy?? Yep, me too.. to the point I didn’t actually do anything about it. What about never doing something because of fear, doubt or worry?? The perfect moment for confrontation or to do something when it is completely safe will probably never come. Quit hashing it out, quit worrying and start doing!!

8. Go a step farther – Achievers usually go the extra mile. Not only do they meet expectations, they intentionally try to exceed them. Don’t settle for an acceptable solution, go for the best!

9. Great Expectations!! When you go at it with an attitude of an achiever expect to get great results!! Passion is contagious. Go all out, expect great things and you will influence others!