Maybe You're Like Me with Alicia Watson

Maybe you're like me and you know there's more to life than what you're experiencing right now.It's the season 3 finale! We made it, fam. The show will return in six weeks and I can't wait to share more of what I've been working on.In this finale episode I share an excerpt of one of my next books and encouragement for anyone going through a waiting season of preparation. Remember to rate, review and share the podcast with those that are like us!________________________________*Connect on Instagram*Grab a copy of my latest book: Secret Donuts: A Journey to Getting Over Your Weight, Aligned with God and into Your Purpose"In Secret Donuts, Alicia Watson takes us through her story of her obsession with losing weight, something she believed was a necessary step to carrying out her purpose, when in fact her compulsive need to do so was the hindrance."*Maybe you're like me and you need something tangible to navigate life's tough seasons. It's important to have the strategy and resources to come out on top. Take this short quiz to be matched with a tool you can use to flourish no matter what life has thrown your way: https://bit.ly/overcomersquiz

Maybe you're like me and you've got work to do. Hey Beautiful people! My season of rest is coming to an end apparently.As I return to work, I've been thinking about how not to find myself in the same overwhelmed and anxious place that led to me needing so much rest (which I was feeling even before all of the traumatic events of the last few years). Life is going to life. You can't stop bad things from happening. That's the condition of the world; relationships become challenging, work becomes frustrating, we get discouraged, we may get sick,  we lose loved ones- life is going to life. Here's what I've landed on to help me navigate it going forward. Submit to his will.Stay connected to the source.Surround myself with the right people.Stay true to myself.I recommend reading and studying the book of Matthew if you want to deep dive into these concepts, but in this episode I give a brief overview of how I'll apply them going into this new season. ______________*Connect on Instagram*Grab a copy of my latest book: Secret Donuts: A Journey to Getting Over Your Weight, Aligned with God and into Your Purpose"In Secret Donuts, Alicia Watson takes us through her story of her obsession with losing weight, something she believed was a necessary step to carrying out her purpose, when in fact her compulsive need to do so was the hindrance."*Maybe you're like me and you need something tangible to navigate life's tough seasons. It's important to have the strategy and resources to come out on top. Take this short quiz to be matched with a tool you can use to flourish no matter what life has thrown your way: https://bit.ly/overcomersquiz

Maybe you're like me and there are lots of people that love you.I'm following up last week's episode with the flipside of there being someone who doesn't like you and acknowledging that there are lots of people that LOVE you.  If you're like me, sometimes you can focus on the negative, on the relationships that need to be fixed, or changed – focusing on what's wrong and ignoring the things that are so right. We all have the ability to show and receive love, acceptance and kindness. But feeling and trying to avoid rejection will have you causing more harm because you're on the defensive. Rejection hinders you from seeing the power you have. You're not always the victim- not always the excluded. Sometimes you're the excluder. Knowing you are loved helps you to show up differently. Knowing that no one person's rejection or critique of you can turn the opinions of every other person in your life against you empowers you to interact with others from a space of abundant love. ______________*Connect on Instagram*Grab a copy of my latest book: Secret Donuts: A Journey to Getting Over Your Weight, Aligned with God and into Your Purpose"In Secret Donuts, Alicia Watson takes us through her story of her obsession with losing weight, something she believed was a necessary step to carrying out her purpose, when in fact her compulsive need to do so was the hindrance."*Maybe you're like me and you need something tangible to navigate life's tough seasons. It's important to have the strategy and resources to come out on top. Take this short quiz to be matched with a tool you can use to flourish no matter what life has thrown your way: https://bit.ly/overcomersquiz

Maybe you're like me and there's someone who doesn't like you.And that's okay! You will have haters. You will face opposition. You will get attacked. Especially as a servant of the Lord.  But, as a servant of the Lord, you can trust that God will protect you from the weapons of your earthly enemies and the enemy of your soul. And not only will he protect you, he will prosper you right in their faces. Isaiah 54:17 in the NLT reads:"But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed.You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord;  their vindication will come from me. I, the Lord, have spoken!"In this week's episode, I want to encourage you if you're feeling the sting of rejection. Don't be afraid of disappointing and upsetting other people. Let your intentions be to be kind to them from a space of empowerment from God and not as a form of self-protection. The former earns a reward from God while allowing him to protect you. Proverbs 25: 21-22 says, " If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink. You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads,  and the Lord will reward you."______________*Connect on Instagram*Grab a copy of my latest book: Secret Donuts: A Journey to Getting Over Your Weight, Aligned with God and into Your Purpose"In Secret Donuts, Alicia Watson takes us through her story of her obsession with losing weight, something she believed was a necessary step to carrying out her purpose, when in fact her compulsive need to do so was the hindrance."*Maybe you're like me and you need something tangible to navigate life's tough seasons. It's important to have the strategy and resources to come out on top. Take this short quiz to be matched with a tool you can use to flourish no matter what life has thrown your way: https://bit.ly/overcomersquiz

Maybe you're like me and you're learning to accept God's will above your own.A part of faith that often gets over looked is "... but even if He doesn't" faith. That level of faith acknowledges the power and sovereignty of God, reverently and respectfully declaring that even if He doesn't answer our prayers in the way we want or ask him to, His will is better.  And he is still worthy to be praised.In this episode I share some encouragement for those who are walking through a season of unanswered prayers or who need hope. I share some wisdom for those who are striving to honor God above all else and everyone else, including themselves. ______________*Connect on Instagram*Grab a copy of my latest book: Secret Donuts: A Journey to Getting Over Your Weight, Aligned with God and into Your Purpose"In Secret Donuts, Alicia Watson takes us through her story of her obsession with losing weight, something she believed was a necessary step to carrying out her purpose, when in fact her compulsive need to do so was the hindrance."*Maybe you're like me and you need something tangible to navigate life's tough seasons. It's important to have the strategy and resources to come out on top. Take this short quiz to be matched with a tool you can use to flourish no matter what life has thrown your way: https://bit.ly/overcomersquiz

Maybe you're like me and dieting isn't working for you. If you're tired of obsessing over your weight, then this episode is definitely for you. Growing up in the 90s and 2000s diet culture did a number on us, but after writing my book about getting over my weight, aligned with God and into my purpose, your girl was delivert! And the main reason is because I'm not dieting. Instead, I'm on a whole health journey. While weight loss is included in it, it's not the sole focus.  Now that thin wants to be in again, I am unbothered. I can't and won't turn back to that old way of thinking about my weight 24/7. I talk about why and how in this episode. And I also give  you encouragement on better ways to "shape up". Want to hear more on the subject and about my book before you buy it? Listen to the four part series of episodes 10-13 of the podcast.Mentioned in the this episode: Reset Lifestyle______________*Connect on Instagram*Grab a copy of my latest book: Secret Donuts: A Journey to Getting Over Your Weight, Aligned with God and into Your Purpose"In Secret Donuts, Alicia Watson takes us through her story of her obsession with losing weight, something she believed was a necessary step to carrying out her purpose, when in fact her compulsive need to do so was the hindrance."*Maybe you're like me and you need something tangible to navigate life's tough seasons. It's important to have the strategy and resources to come out on top. Take this short quiz to be matched with a tool you can use to flourish no matter what life has thrown your way: https://bit.ly/overcomersquiz

Maybe you're like me and you have your word for 2023.I know. I know. We're half way through the year. So really this episode is an opportunity for you to check in. If you determined a word of the year in January, how are you doing with it? Does your life reflect the changes you wanted to see when you chose the word? If not, that's fine! Start again today.  My word of the year for 2023 is: Refresh. In this episode I share what refresh means for me, the areas of my life I have been refreshing and why. ______________*Connect on Instagram*Grab a copy of my latest book: Secret Donuts: A Journey to Getting Over Your Weight, Aligned with God and into Your Purpose"In Secret Donuts, Alicia Watson takes us through her story of her obsession with losing weight, something she believed was a necessary step to carrying out her purpose, when in fact her compulsive need to do so was the hindrance."*Maybe you're like me and you need something tangible to navigate life's tough seasons. It's important to have the strategy and resources to come out on top. Take this short quiz to be matched with a tool you can use to flourish no matter what life has thrown your way: https://bit.ly/overcomersquiz

Maybe you're like me and you had to pick yourself up and get back into position.This episode comes with a trigger warning for grief (so if that something you can't deal with right now I totally understand -- please save this one for later).In this episode I go more into detail about the emotional rollercoaster ride I have been on in the last five years and how I refuse to let it all take me out. I share biblical inspiration and what actions I have been motivated to take (and not take) to shift my perspective, pick myself up and get myself together after life knocked me down and tried to keep me there. If you're having a similar experiences I hope that you can do things that look like self care to you to refill your cup, recalibrate your perspective and motivate you to keep moving forward in love with peace and hope. I know that going through traumatic things back to back to back can have you subconsciously (and, shoot, even consciously) questioning God's love for you. There were so many times through all of this where I DID NOT feel like God's favorite. But nothing can separate us from his love. Nothing. And caring for yourself in such a way with faith helps you to be reminded of that through his grace.Thank you so much to everyone who has rallied around us and shown support, kindness, thoughtfulness, sympathy, and love throughout these trying times for me and my family.  You have truly been the hands and feet of God.______________*Connect on Instagram*Grab a copy of my latest book: Secret Donuts: A Journey to Getting Over Your Weight, Aligned with God and into Your Purpose"In Secret Donuts, Alicia Watson takes us through her story of her obsession with losing weight, something she believed was a necessary step to carrying out her purpose, when in fact her compulsive need to do so was the hindrance."*Maybe you're like me and you need something tangible to navigate life's tough seasons. It's important to have the strategy and resources to come out on top. Take this short quiz to be matched with a tool you can use to flourish no matter what life has thrown your way: https://bit.ly/overcomersquiz

I'm at it again- can't stop, won't stop!  If you're like me, sometimes life knocks you down but you don't stay there. We take life's lessons and level up, right?!In this bonus episode, I catch you up on where I've been and what to expect as we finish up season 3.  I'll be sharing with the same transparency some new revelations and a lot of love that will hopefully remind us all that we have a greater purpose in this crazy world.Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it and let them know that we're back!______________*Connect on Instagram*Grab a copy of my latest book: Secret Donuts: A Journey to Getting Over Your Weight, Aligned with God and into Your Purpose"In Secret Donuts, Alicia Watson takes us through her story of her obsession with losing weight, something she believed was a necessary step to carrying out her purpose, when in fact her compulsive need to do so was the hindrance."*Maybe you're like me and you need something tangible to navigate life's tough seasons. It's important to have the strategy and resources to come out on top. Take this short quiz to be matched with a tool you can use to flourish no matter what life has thrown your way: https://bit.ly/overcomersquiz

In this week's episode, join Alicia Watson as she discusses setting goals and wanting to achieve them.  Alicia provides listeners with the encouragement throughout this episode on setting goals. You will leave this episode with ways to set achievable goals in a realistic way. Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!Maybe you're like me and you need something tangible to navigate life's tough seasons. It's important to have the strategy and resources to come out on top. Take this short quiz to be matched with a tool you can use to flourish no matter what life has thrown your way: https://bit.ly/overcomersquiz

In this week's episode, join Alicia Watson as she discusses overthinking.  Alicia provides listeners with the encouragement throughout this episode. You will leave this episode with ways to eliminate your overthinking. Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!Maybe you're like me and you need something tangible to navigate life's tough seasons. It's important to have the strategy and resources to come out on top. Take this short quiz to be matched with a tool you can use to flourish no matter what life has thrown your way: https://bit.ly/overcomersquiz

In this week's episode, join Alicia Watson as she discusses what it feels like to experience the shame of making mistakes.  Alicia encourages listeners to not be so hard on themselves while experiencing human mistakes. This episode wiill leave you relaxed and more at ease when handling mistakes. Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!Maybe you're like me and you need something tangible to navigate life's tough seasons. It's important to have the strategy and resources to come out on top. Take this short quiz to be matched with a tool you can use to flourish no matter what life has thrown your way: https://bit.ly/overcomersquiz

In this week's episode, join Alicia Watson as she discusses what it feels like to know that the right thing in the wrong season is still the wrong thing.  Alicia encourages listeners to tap in with God about your next season. This episode is an eye opener and wheel turner for those who are not getting results that they wish to have in this season.  Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!Maybe you're like me and you need something tangible to navigate life's tough seasons. It's important to have the strategy and resources to come out on top. Take this short quiz to be matched with a tool you can use to flourish no matter what life has thrown your way: https://bit.ly/overcomersquiz

In this week's episode, join Alicia Watson as discusses what it feels like to feel the pressure of purpose.  Alicia opens up her bible and reads a story that provides listeners with evidence of what will happen if you are feeling pressure of purpose. She also provides encouragement to all listeners!  Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!Maybe you're like me and you need something tangible to navigate life's tough seasons. It's important to have the strategy and resources to come out on top. Take this short quiz to be matched with a tool you can use to flourish no matter what life has thrown your way: https://bit.ly/overcomersquiz

In this week's episode, join Alicia Watson as talks about having a creative block. Alicia provides listeners with many ways to get through a creative block.  She encourages listeners to take the time to find inspiration in other things in different ways. This episode will leave you with the power to continue your creative process after taking a brief break!  Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!Maybe you're like me and you need something tangible to navigate life's tough seasons. It's important to have the strategy and resources to come out on top. Take this short quiz to be matched with a tool you can use to flourish no matter what life has thrown your way: https://bit.ly/overcomersquiz

In this week's episode, join Alicia Watson as she gets candid about God being in your business. Alicia encourages listeners to trust the process and allow God to guide you in your Entrepeneur life and your personal life. She provides three insightful ways you can see God in your business.  Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!Maybe you're like me and you need something tangible to navigate life's tough seasons. It's important to have the strategy and resources to come out on top. Take this short quiz to be matched with a tool you can use to flourish no matter what life has thrown your way: https://bit.ly/overcomersquiz

In this week's episode, join Alicia Watson as she talks about learning to say no.  Alicia talks about why it is important to speak up. She describes why it is important to speak up and how it is our duty to do so, no matter how much we would rather just mind our own business. Alicia encourages listeners to listen to God with urgency, with faith and love and help those in need.  Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!Maybe you're like me and you need something tangible to navigate life's tough seasons. It's important to have the strategy and resources to come out on top. Take this short quiz to be matched with a tool you can use to flourish no matter what life has thrown your way: https://bit.ly/overcomersquiz

In this week's episode, join Alicia Watson as she talks about not being the first or only one with the same idea.  Alicia talks about how she saw another business that mimicked her business. She encourages listeners to continue to make their business theirs despite another company have similarities. Listen along as Alicia provides several reasons why you should keep going and not to give up.  Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!Maybe you're like me and you need something tangible to navigate life's tough seasons. It's important to have the strategy and resources to come out on top. Take this short quiz to be matched with a tool you can use to flourish no matter what life has thrown your way: https://bit.ly/overcomersquiz

In this week's episode, join Alicia Watson as she talks about letting your ego running your business. Alicia encourages listeners to take a look at how letting your ego run your business can be harmful.  This episode is full of encouragement with scripture to push listeners to lean into faith and allow God to lead the way. You will leave this episode with the power to remove your ego and the courage to allow God to run your business!  Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!Maybe you're like me and you need something tangible to navigate life's tough seasons. It's important to have the strategy and resources to come out on top. Take this short quiz to be matched with a tool you can use to flourish no matter what life has thrown your way: https://bit.ly/overcomersquiz

In this week's episode, join Alicia Watson as she talks about the importance of learning to say no.  Alicia will encourage listeners to implement saying no in their lives with scriptures and stories.  This episode is full of relatable situations in Alicia's life that have occurred over the past year. You will leave this episode with some tools on how to start saying NO to others and YES to yourself!  Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!

A new season has finally arrived! It's been over a year since I've cut on the microphone and I am so excited to be back. I'll be sharing with the same transparency some new revelations and a lot of love that will hopefully remind us all that we have a greater purpose in this crazy world.Check out this preview of what's to come this season.Rate, subscribe, and share with a friend! 

Maybe you're like me and God really wows you.I've mentioned before that I am an avid journaler. I am one of those people who is always writing, doodling, practicing her signature. I feel like I have a mild form of hypergraphia but that's beside the point. A part of my devotional time is journaling. One day last week it occurred to me that I was randomly apologizing to God while writing in my journal. I didn't even know for what reason. As a recovering perfectionist, I tend to look for what I'm doing wrong and try to compensate for that. Like most people I want to be perceived as being ambitious and excellent yet sometimes I conflate that with being perfect and making all of the right decisions.  And as a human in general we sometimes ascribe feelings, expectations and characteristics to God because that's what we've experienced from people. As I have become aware of some of my behaviors that go along with being a recovering perfectionist, I realize that sometimes I also assign a feeling I have to God.  But I try to remember what God says in Isaiah 55: 8- 9: “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD.“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,so my ways are higher than your waysand my thoughts higher than your thoughts."So while I was journaling in that moment, knowing that I serve and was talking to a real, living and active God, I simply said and wrote, “Lord how do you really feel about me? I want to hear “well done” from you. I need to hear well done from you.” If I want to know what he thinks of me, I can just ask.And God came through in a magnificent way on that request. I share that story in this week's episode. We might be more alike than you think... Grab a copy of my book to see what I mean *wink wink*: Secret Donuts: a Journey to Getting Over Your Weight, Aligned with God and into Your Purpose Connect with Alicia on Instagram and let her know your thoughts on this week's episode. Thanks for listening!

Maybe you're like me and sometimes you have to boss up.This is a REWIND episode from Season 1 and one of my favorites for sure. It's timely for me right now, especially in light of my intentional living and whole health journey. I hope it will bless you too!Through the story I shared I believe God revealed to me that he gives us the authority to control the sinful nature within and also our reactions to external influences. Discipline is so beneficial but often so hard to implement. Mainly because we prefer to seek comfort and convenience.  Sin provides that… or so it seems. It makes you feel good at first but will take you out later. It’s a bully that will hurt you physically, spiritually and emotionally and leave you confused questioning if you ever had the power to control it in the first place. You did... just under the authority of God, authority that is strongest when in his presence. In this episode I'm encouraging you and me, to boss up and be bold and courageous while standing in the power and the authority of the Holy Spirit that God has given us.I hope you enjoy this episode! MYLM will return in September with Season Two. Thank you for your support!We might be more alike than you think... Grab a copy of my book to see what I mean *wink wink*: Secret Donuts: a Journey to Getting Over Your Weight, Aligned with God and into Your Purpose Connect with Alicia on Instagram and let her know your thoughts on this week's episode. Thanks for listening!

Maybe you're like me and you're smiling through it.If you’re like me sometimes you get into a mood. And sometimes that mood compounds and has a domino effect where a bad moment can turn into a bad day. If you know me, you know I honor feelings. I don’t believe that everyone needs to be positive or happy all of the time, but I do believe that you need a balance because you don’t need to be negative all of the time either. For me personally, I know that I would much rather have a mostly positive life experience. I optimism is my superpower and I have based my whole platform on spreading hope. A part of that mission is to help people shift their mindset to one of hope and faith. And unsurprisingly, that’s the area in which I am attacked the most. The enemy is always somewhere trying to snatch my joy, to change my mood, to make me upset, or doubt myself, or cause dissension in my relationships with others and drama in my relationship with myself. Over time I have learned different methods of shifting my mood to get my head back in the game and that's what I am sharing with you in this episodeWe might be more alike than you think... Grab a copy of my book to see what I mean *wink wink*: Secret Donuts: a Journey to Getting Over Your Weight, Aligned with God and into Your Purpose Connect with Alicia on Instagram and let her know your thoughts on this week's episode. Thanks for listening!

Maybe you're like me and you are not behind. You are not behind. If you are a late bloomer, that’s ok. If you have to do a job that you don’t enjoy until you can get your children through college before you start your dream career, that’s fine. If you get married after 35? Fine. You buy your first house at 40?  Fine. If you just started your financial literacy journey at 30? Fine. Become a fitness fanatic at 55, great!  It’s cool. It’s all cool.  It’s never too late to start and it’s never to late to change the things you don’t like. You don't have to rush. You’ll be ready when you are ready. If you take nothing else from this episode remember: what we think we should be doing isn’t always aligned with God’s plans for us. We have to trust him and surrender our will to his.We have to trust his plans and directions for our lives. That includes his timing- when to go. His directions- where to go. His instructions- what to do. His reasons- why we are doing it. His methods- how we are supposed to do it. We are not behind. Our race is our own. God has a training program for us. Let’s surrender our plans, do our best, give it our all and trust the process. We might be more alike than you think... Grab a copy of my book to see what I mean *wink wink*: Secret Donuts: a Journey to Getting Over Your Weight, Aligned with God and into Your Purpose Connect with Alicia on Instagram and let her know your thoughts on this week's episode. Thanks for listening!

Maybe you're like me and you are changing.If you have been hanging around since the beginning of Season 2, then you know that my word for the year is "Intentional".  The main area I wanted to be more intentional in was working on my habits. So to assist in  forming my new habit of habit change, I began to read lots of books about habits. It's been so helpful!In this episode I talk about my favorite book on habits that I've read so far is Gretchen Rubin's Better Than Before. I share some of the concepts from this book in particular that have helped me to understand myself a little better and have allowed me to successfully  implement some new habits. And the new habits have been serving me. I'm amped!If you're looking to change the way you do things, or if you're wondering why some habits are harder to break or form than others, check out this episode (and grab the book).We might be more alike than you think... Grab a copy of my book to see what I mean *wink wink*: Secret Donuts: a Journey to Getting Over Your Weight, Aligned with God and into Your Purpose Connect with Alicia on Instagram and let her know your thoughts on this week's episode. Thanks for listening!

Maybe you're like me and you're done with being a people pleaser. Real talk, I don’t think there is anything wrong with being a people pleaser, so to speak. I think it is a good quality to have to think of others and show up for them, to be considerate of their feelings, and be gracious, merciful and compassionate towards them. In a lot of ways we are God’s hands and feet on this Earth and our interactions are often the only Bible that people will experience. So I don’t think it’s our job as Christians to run around all disagreeable and judgmental and so focused on our church and religious activities that we forget to serve and mingle with others outside of the four walls of the church.  But I think pleasing people becomes problematic when it causes you to question your beliefs &  judgement and sends you running in circles because you’re trying to align with everyone else’s opinions. I think it’s problematic when it stops you from speaking up for or doing what you know and feel is right in your heart. I think it’s problematic when you use it as a safety net to manipulate people into liking you, into not harming you, into accepting you and/or not rejecting you. I think it’s problematic when you form your identity around pleasing people or being needed (which is something a lot of mothers struggle with when their kids leave the nest).  And most of all,  I think it’s problematic when people’s pleasure or displeasure with you determines whether or not  you love or reject yourself . If you're done with being a people pleaser and are aiming to only please God, then this episode resonate with you. We might be more alike than you think... Grab a copy of my book to see what I mean *wink wink*: Secret Donuts: a Journey to Getting Over Your Weight, Aligned with God and into Your Purpose Connect with Alicia on Instagram and let her know your thoughts on this week's episode. Thanks for listening!

Maybe you're like me and you're taking control of yourself.We’re in the second quarter of the year. This is the time that most people fall off the wagon in terms of their goals and resolutions that they set for themselves in January. That was typically my pattern but since my word of the year is INTENTIONAL, I am happy to report that I have been on track.  During the first quarter of the year I was intentional about my rest. Which isn’t typical. Usually we’re full steam ahead at the top of a new year with work and goals and striving, but I decided to evaluate this year on a case by case basis and I acknowledged  that I just didn’t have it. I realized though that resting, taking an honest assessment of where I was in order to give myself permission to rest, was fruitful labor. I have been intentional about looking at my habits and I have a habit of burning out after pushing myself to show up. So I didn’t. A part of being intentional is understanding the agency that we have and I want to keep the party going.Going into the second quarter I started being intentional about learning how we form habits so that I could effectively change my own. In this episode, I share some of the ways I have been able to stay on track in changing habits, what I have learned, share some advice and encourage you to pick the reins back up and get back on track if you got a little distracted or to stay the course if you've been focused.We might be more alike than you think... Grab a copy of my book to see what I mean *wink wink*: Secret Donuts: a Journey to Getting Over Your Weight, Aligned with God and into Your Purpose Connect with Alicia on Instagram and let her know your thoughts on this week's episode. Thanks for listening!

Maybe you're like me and you're giving what you have.Sometimes we have the heart and the desire to help people but don't feel as though we have the resources to give them what they want. In this episode, I share the passage of scripture I came across that reminded me that while I might not have exactly what people want I could have what they need. Which is all the more reason to show up for them and/or give it to them. In Acts 3 we find Peter and John and a crippled man asking them for money. Peter tells him that he doesn't have silver or gold but what he does have he gives him -- the ability to walk! Even if we can't perform miracles, what we can do for others might be just what they need to make a real difference in their lives. We might be more alike than you think... Grab a copy of my book to see what I mean *wink wink*: Secret Donuts: a Journey to Getting Over Your Weight, Aligned with God and into Your Purpose Connect with Alicia on Instagram and let her know your thoughts on this week's episode. Thanks for listening!

Maybe you're like me and you're braver than you believe.If you're like me, you are in a season of growth and transition. It can be exciting and terrifying all at the same time. You've outgrown your present, but you're not quite sure you're ready for what the future hold. But in this episode I encourage you (and me) to take a look at our track records of the things we have accomplished in the past that give us evidence that we are brave, we have been prepared and we have everything we need to go and get it done. I'm determined to level up in every single way that God is calling me in this season.  I know you are, too. Let your belief in God and his belief in you (because he knows you inside and out) motivate you into action. Don't allow self-doubt and uncertainty steal your future or hinder your obedience. If he is telling you to go, he is going with you and before you. You just have to make up your mind and get moving. You know who this reminds me of?Gideon. It's my favorite Bible story of overcoming self doubt and trusting in God. I think you should give it a read if you have been given an assignment or have a dream that feels too big for you to handle.We might be more alike than you think... Grab a copy of my book to see what I mean *wink wink*: Secret Donuts: a Journey to Getting Over Your Weight, Aligned with God and into Your Purpose Connect with Alicia on Instagram and let her know your thoughts on this week's episode. Thanks for listening!

Maybe you’re like me and you're using what you got to get what you want. Hi, I’m Alicia. I’m not Ronnie from the 1998 movie "The Player’s Club". Nevertheless, that line from that movie was a message for me then and it’s one for me now. Sometimes we are not determined enough. Sometimes we are not creative enough. Sometimes we don’t have enough moxie. Sometimes we need to be reminded that we are enough and we have enough to get it done. NOW. Today.We can stop waiting for the conditions to be right, for the team to be right, for the doors to open, because sometimes we’re supposed to go through the window. I say that to say, perhaps you experienced everything you experience to take on whatever “it” is with the tools YOU’VE been given. In this episode, I talk about how some of the skills I gained in certain areas have been used unexpectedly in other areas. When we trust the ways in which God has equipped us we are more open and courageous to do what he's assigned us to do even if in ways other people don't agree with or understand. You know who this reminds me of? David and Goliath.It's a super familiar and popular story but also a really great illustration of this point. David could have used the king's armor,  sword and shield to kill Goliath but that wasn't the ONLY way to slay a giant. He instead used the skills he already had and the favor/backing of God to get it done.  I believe we could get so much more done if we simply followed suit.We might be more alike than you think... Grab a copy of my book to see what I mean *wink wink*: Secret Donuts: a Journey to Getting Over Your Weight, Aligned with God and into Your Purpose Connect with Alicia on Instagram and let her know your thoughts on this week's episode. Thanks for listening! 

Maybe you're like me and you're not an imposter.A few weeks back I did an Instagram Live  with Sheena of Pretty Girl County and we talked about Imposter Syndrome. I have to admit I was caught off guard by the response to the post announcing the event. I knew about imposter syndrome but didn’t really consider just how many people are affected by it. You can head over to Pretty Girl County’s Instagram page to check our conversation, but I gave it more thought after our call and wanted to devote an episode of MYLM to Imposter Syndrome and my thoughts on it. We have to capture the thoughts that make us feel like imposters and submit them to Christ. It’s a mental and spiritual exercise that you have to consistently work at. 2 Corinthians 10: 3-5 says, “We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do.  We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.  We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.”I challenge you, if you claim to be a believer, then believe. Actively believe. You can’t believe once and for all. You have to keep testing those thoughts, holding them up to the sky like they do your $20 bill at the grocery store.  If you know who God is, how sovereign he is, how magnificent, and powerful, how wise, how competent he is - trust and believe what he says about you. And if you need a bit more convincing, I encourage you to check out this episode. We might be more alike than you think... Grab a copy of my book to see what I mean *wink wink*: Secret Donuts: a Journey to Getting Over Your Weight, Aligned with God and into Your Purpose Connect with Alicia on Instagram and let her know your thoughts on this week's episode. Thanks for listening! 

Maybe you're like me and you know there's power in compassion.Like many others, I watched the interview with Oprah, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. I was struck by how much compassion people lacked for them, especially people who were close to them and proclaimed to love them. It led me to share a story about how I was reminded about the importance of compassion through an experience I had when I was having a particularly bad day. I shared how empathy, gratitude and perspective could aid us in being more compassionate toward others. And I invited those who were struggling with feeling down to take heart with the understanding that even if the people you want to be in your corner refuse to be, that there is a support system out there for all of us. We might be more alike than you think... Grab a copy of my book to see what I mean *wink wink*: Secret Donuts: a Journey to Getting Over Your Weight, Aligned with God and into Your Purpose Connect with Alicia on Instagram and let her know your thoughts on this week's episode. Thanks for listening!

Maybe you're like me and you're tired of people.If you are like me, at times you've grown weary in your well-doing because people wear you out. A slight part 2 continuation to last week's episode, this week I dig in to some of the reasons why. At the top of the list is unforgiveness and a surprise contender is codependency. I won't give the whole episode away, but by the end of it we turn a negative into a positive. We may be tired of people, but let’s ask God to help us to see them as he sees them and to let us see ourselves as he sees us too. If we can see from his perspective and move forward with softened hearts, with gratitude about how often he’s forgiven our offenses against him, I think it will be possible to forgive others. We have to acknowledge and embrace how important we are to him and how much he loves and cares for us and desires wholeness for each and every one of us. You know who this reminded me of?Jesus and his friends in the Garden of Gethsemane. It's tough to be there for people who aren't as committed to being there for you, but Jesus endured even that, as an example for us. If the title of this episode really resonates with you, let God renew your mind and refill your cup. He's got you covered. The world needs what you have to offer (even when they don't seem to deserve or appreciate it). Through this episode, I hope to encourage US to shift our perspective toward grace, gratitude and forgiveness, love and compassion! We might be more alike than you think... Grab a copy of my book to see what I mean *wink wink*: Secret Donuts: a Journey to Getting Over Your Weight, Aligned with God and into Your Purpose Connect with Alicia on Instagram and let her know your thoughts on this week's episode. Thanks for listening!

Maybe you're like me and you're being more intentional.Hey Beautiful People! I’m so glad you are joining me for another episode of Maybe You’re Like Me. So the new year is here! We’re well into it actually. And things are going pretty good so far.I’m not one for setting resolutions. But I do love a good word to have as a theme for how I will conduct myself for the year.For 2020 as most of you know (if you listened to season one episode two of this podcast) my word was "EXCELLENCE". I hit the mark in a lot of areas but there were some that I really want to double back on in 2021. January aside, 2021 feels a lot more hopeful and it’s not for any other reason than feeling like I can take 2020’s lessons, take action, and start to see some of the changes that I’ve longed to see. I believe I will receive some of the very specific blessings that I know that God promised to me decades ago. I don’t know man, in my heart, I believe that this will be an amazing year, an astounding year where we will really see God move and I am excited for it. I want to be on board with it and aligned with his plan. Now I don’t expect things to change overnight but I am resolving to commit to new habits across the board. Something that crossed my mind the other day was this: habits win life. Habits WIN life. Jesus had a habit of going away alone to spend time with God. Successful people have habits that lead to and sustain success. I realized that my habits have not been serving me, they don’t push me toward or produce desired results so it’s necessary to change them. Forming a new habit requires consistent, constant discipline. It takes time and repetition. And most of all it takes INTENTION. So that's my word of 2021: INTENTIONAL.Tune in as I share a slight recap of my mindset and where I hope to go, with intention. We might be more alike than you think... Grab a copy of my book to see what I mean *wink wink*: Secret Donuts: a Journey to Getting Over Your Weight, Aligned with God and into Your Purpose Connect with Alicia on Instagram and let her know your thoughts on this week's episode. Thanks for listening!

Hey Beautiful People! Maybe you're like me and you're ready for season 2!I'm kicking off season two with this bonus episode sharing some details about what's been going on during my (extended) break and what to expect during this season! I'm excited about this season and hope you are, too! Episodes drop every Monday; subscribe so you don't miss them. We might be more alike than you think... Grab a copy of my book to see what I mean *wink wink*: Secret Donuts: a Journey to Getting Over Your Weight, Aligned with God and into Your Purpose Connect with Alicia on Instagram and let her know your thoughts on this week's episode. Thanks for listening!

Maybe you're like me and sometimes you have to boss up.In this fourth and final bonus episode it's story time! Through the story I shared I believe God revealed to me that he gives us the authority to control the sinful nature within and also our reactions to external influences. Discipline is so beneficial but often so hard to implement. Mainly because we prefer to seek comfort and convenience. Sin provides that… or so it seems. It makes you feel good at first but will take you out later. It’s a bully that will hurt you physically, spiritually and emotionally and leave you confused questioning if you ever had the power to control it in the first place. You did... just under the authority of God, authority that is strongest when in his presence. As long as we stay within the presence of the father we will have rules and structure and wisdom and protection. We will have authority and power over the things that bully us. Those things could be internal like negative self talk, fears, doubts, sinful desire and they can be external like the supervisor that has it out for you, the driver with road rage, people who throw dirt on your name, wayward children, a negative diagnosis, family drama, financial problems, etc. All of these things are designed to distract us, to lure us away from his safety, catch us off-guard and to take us out.In this episode I'm encouraging you and me, to boss up and be bold and courageous while standing in the power and the authority of the Holy Spirit that God has given us.I hope you enjoy this episode! MYLM will return in September with Season Two. Thank you for your support!We might be more alike than you think... Grab a copy of my book to see what I mean *wink wink*: Secret Donuts: a Journey to Getting Over Your Weight, Aligned with God and into Your Purpose Connect with Alicia on Instagram and let her know your thoughts on this week's episode. Thanks for listening!

Maybe you're like me and you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.On this bonus episode (3 of 4) I talk about the beauty of taking in the beauty of your position with peace and gratitude. Too often we ignore the fact that we may be freshly on the path, at the beginning of our race, just starting to run with the finish line in mind. But then we focus instead on the tiny silhouettes on the horizon of the people who started before us and seem to be so far out ahead of us. And we start to lose heart and lose steam and lose faith that it's possible for us to win.But what if I told you that winning in this sense isn’t dependent on someone else losing? And to add to that, just because someone else is winning doesn’t mean that we are losing. We are all running separate races. We’re starting at direct locations, with different distances and finish lines in different destinations. Your race is your own. Yet, we compare ourselves to others and feel like we are failing when it seems like they are so far ahead. We critique ourselves super hard. We get imposter syndrome and start to doubt our abilities and our calling. As we know, what’s for you is for you. If you believe that you have to believe that it may take longer to get there or you may have go in a different direction that the norm but make no mistake that if it’s God’s will and purpose for your life he has already create the path and the plan to get you there, to help you win, to make sure you succeed. You just have to keep the faith and keep chugging away at the work. At your pace. In your timing. You know who this reminded me of?Esther. It's one of my favorite books of the Bible and I encourage you to go back and read it. But I have always been especially drawn to Esther 4:14 (NLT)If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?”Perhaps you are exactly where you're supposed to be because you are in position to do something major and to bring God lots of glory. We’re smack dab in the middle of purpose and in position, with his POWER, grace, love and guidance. Stay faithful and keep running your race. I hope you enjoy this bonus episode! We might be more alike than you think... Grab a copy of my book to see what I mean *wink wink*: Secret Donuts: a Journey to Getting Over Your Weight, Aligned with God and into Your Purpose Connect with Alicia on Instagram and let her know your thoughts on this week's episode. Thanks for listening!

Maybe you're like me and you have to love yourself more.In this bonus episode (2 of 4 for this week) I am encouraging us all to love ourselves more. And when I say more, I mean more often. Get in the habit of making time to love on yourself frequently and in more areas than the typical self-care categories that we see.I recommend loving yourself like you love children: with kindness, grace and patience. Part of self love is leaving space for mistakes and kicking out perfectionism.I share four areas of self love I am focusing on in particular this season and they are:physicallymentallyspirituallyrelationallyI hope you enjoy this bonus episode! We might be more alike than you think... Grab a copy of my book to see what I mean *wink wink*: Secret Donuts: a Journey to Getting Over Your Weight, Aligned with God and into Your Purpose Connect with Alicia on Instagram and let her know your thoughts on this week's episode. Thanks for listening!

Maybe you're like me and you have to revisit the vision.I don’t know about you, but lately I’ve been in a bit of a funk because I’m a planner and an achiever. And with all that’s going on, I haven’t been able to do much planning or achieving.In this BONUS episode, I talk about how revisiting the vision helps you to see what loose ends you need to tie up before you get the peace to move on to the next thing. Revisiting the vision reminds you of the track you need to be on, regardless of what’s going on around you. God saw what was happening in 2020 while he was forming you in your mother’s womb. It’s not a surprise to him. While it feels like the environment is no longer ripe or right for your actions, your voice or your impact, it’s the perfect time for God to get Glory through you. Because if the circumstances were perfect then you could say that you did it in your own strength and by your own volition. But now, in a time like this, when you pull off the unlikely, people will be able to see the power of God working in and through you. Revisiting the vision means trusting the process. In yesterday’s episode I talked about the importance of staying ready and how our readiness may be affected by distractions. There’s so much noise, so many voices, opinions, suggestions, interpretations that if we’re not careful they can drown out God’s voice in our heads and hearts. Like I said yesterday, staying current and connected with God will help us stay ready. We need to instead fill up on the word and seek His Wisdom to guide us along this journey of life. You know who this reminded me of?Elijah. I've been feeling like Elijah in the cave in 1 Kings 19: 9-10: "But the LORD said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the LORD God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.” "Tired. Just tired. But the Lord revealed to him (in verse 18):"Yet I will preserve 7,000 others in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed him!"God has reminded me that there is a remnant, even now. We are not alone in our fight or our faithfulness. Keep going.Revisit the vision, renew your mind, renew your faith and keep fighting the good fight. We might be more alike than you think... Grab a copy of my book to see what I mean *wink wink*: Secret Donuts: a Journey to Getting Over Your Weight, Aligned with God and into Your Purpose Connect with Alicia on Instagram and let her know your thoughts on this week's episode. Thanks for listening!

Maybe you're like me and you’re staying ready.In this season finale episode, I felt led to share a dream/vision that I had last month. This particular vision was one that I thought was given to me as a creative idea for a short film, but I was wrong. It was more of a warning and I received more clarity about it's meaning after I decided to watch BIack is King (spoiler: I didn't watch it).As believers we don’t battle against flesh and blood. The battle is spiritual. I believe that we all have a purpose as believers, that we who have found the Lord have been tasked to make disciples, to stand in the gap for others, to be God’s hands and feet on the earth according to his will. This vision reminded me that when we are lax about our calling and purpose, lax about staying ready, prayed up and prepared to fight, people who we love and whom we are responsible for may suffer the consequences along with us. I definitely don’t want that. Do you? Real talk I want to watch BIK really bad. I want to marvel at the imagery. I want to be able to contribute to a relevant conversation. I want to learn dances and sing lyrics. I want to be inspired for my own artististry. I feel like the kid who can’t go to the sleepover because my parents are overprotective. Everyone else gets to enjoy things and it doesn’t feel fair. But everyone else might not have your call and everyone else might not have the same level of spiritual responsibility for others. So no, I won’t compromise that for pretty visuals, dope beats and vocals and to be up things. It’s not worth it for me. It’s not even worth a conversation about WHY it’s not worth it for me. What I am focusing on is staying ready, keeping distractions down, my house swept clean and my doors locked. I think readiness looks different for all of us and looks different through different seasons of our lives, but I don’t know that it starts with and is sustained by staying current with God. Read your Bible, pray, meditate on scripture, praise and worship, show and speak gratitude and seek his wisdom and knowledge on a regular basis. We’ll all be better for it, as a body. You know what this reminded me of? Two passages Matthew 12: 43-45 and Matthew 25 1-13 both about staying watch and staying ready. We might be more alike than you think... Grab a copy of my book to see what I mean *wink wink*: Secret Donuts: a Journey to Getting Over Your Weight, Aligned with God and into Your Purpose Connect with Alicia on Instagram and let her know your thoughts on this week's episode. Thanks for listening!

Maybe you're like me and you're an introverted powerhouse.Self-awareness and self-acceptance are so clutch. Over the years I have learned that I am introverted and while that was an issue at the start, it's something that I have come to embrace and even consider one of my stronger personality traits. I love being introverted because we introverts know how to listen and to hear. That totally helps in business. Being comfortable with hushing up and letting others ramble on in peace without feeling guilty can reveal ways that you can serve them and solve problems that they have and ones they may not even realize they have. You become a truly valuable player on their team because at our core most people simply want to be seen, heard and understood. Introverts do that well because we typically build deeper relationships. People think I am shy and quiet. I am not shy or quiet. It’s just that my thoughts and antics are reserved for things that matter to me, and for people I feel comfortable around. The same can be said for most introverts. We are not the life of the party, until we are the life of the party. Small talk makes itch. With the understanding of how I function as an introvert, I have worked on structuring my business and personal life in a way that allows my strengths to help me and stops my weaknesses from haunting me. In this podcast I encourage listeners to use your own signature style to win the fight, to accomplish your goals, to grow into the person you were made to be. It’s in you. Tag yourself in. You have everything you need to win. We might be more alike than you think... Grab a copy of my book to see what I mean *wink wink*: Secret Donuts: a Journey to Getting Over Your Weight, Aligned with God and into Your Purpose Connect with Alicia on Instagram and let her know your thoughts on this week's episode. Thanks for listening!

Maybe you're like me and you’re not afraid to fail. As we grow older I think we have less capacity for discomfort. Less bandwidth for uncertainty. We live more life and then grow more cautious. We get more sensible but also just more jaded and cynical. We become realistic and don’t allow ourselves to dream or take risks because the stakes are higher if we fail. We have a spouse now. We have a house now. We have kids now. We’re not as young and energetic now. We trust ourselves less to take bold action because there’s more weight on the win. So we settle down and settle in and start accepting the life we live. We don’t want to lose “this” but “this” is also not what we want. Huh? How does that work? It doesn’t, it only leads to us feeling stuck and miserable. In this episode I talk about a time where I failed very publicly and was not only able to brush it off but laugh about it too. That moment didn’t define me. Your failures don't define you. They do give you definition though, like the pain and struggle of working out and eating well eventually give you a six pack if you do it consistently enough. In that same vein, we should fail often and fail consistently because failure helps us grow. It builds up our resilience to take more risks, bigger risks and to potentially reap bigger rewards. For many years I’ve countered my fears with 2 Timothy 1:7 "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." I’m putting it back in rotation because there’s too much work to be done to be scurred. I hope you enjoy this episode and that it gives you the motivation you need to fearlessly go after your goals and dreams. We might be more alike than you think... Grab a copy of my book to see what I mean *wink wink*: Secret Donuts: a Journey to Getting Over Your Weight, Aligned with God and into Your Purpose Connect with Alicia on Instagram and let her know your thoughts on this week's episode. Thanks for listening!

Maybe you're like me and you know that small steps with consistency lead to big wins.In this week's episode I share a story about how I was convicted about overlooking small blessings in my life and how I became so inspired to instead view small things like finding change, taking small steps towards our goals or starting right where we are, as some of the best and most viable ways to achieve big dreams and accomplish lofty goals.Sometimes we merely dream because we don’t trust our small actions or small resources can change our situations or the trajectory of our lives. It’s why so many people invest in the lottery or go to the casino trying to hit it big. A large jackpot could change their lives and situations for sure. But by using what small (by comparison) amounts we have, setting a specific goal and committing to work toward it consistently it we can experience life-change on so many other levels simaltaneously. There’s a level of self-discipline that comes with doing it this way, an increase in self-confidence, a sense of accomplishment in one area that can cause a snow-ball of goal setting and achievement in other areas. Before we know it, we come through that season fully changed, with changed circumstances, new habits, and more optimism about life overall. You know what this reminded me of?Zechariah 4:10.It reads, “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin.”Even if we can't how a small beginning can bring about the outcomes we want God sees it and rejoices. Every small step you take gets you closer. Small and consistent beats grand and occasional a lot of times because you’ll have more opportunities to be small and consistent than grand and occasional during the course of your life. It’s our small decisions that determine our life’s direction. It’s not too late to start. You just have to start. It will take discipline and belief that your small effort will make a difference. It will take consistency and patience. But we will get there if we stay focused, determined, and open. I hope this episode encourages you not to despise, overlook or neglect the small, but instead to use it to get you closer to where you need to go. We might be more alike than you think... Grab a copy of my book to see what I mean *wink wink*: Secret Donuts: a Journey to Getting Over Your Weight, Aligned with God and into Your Purpose Connect with Alicia on Instagram and let her know your thoughts on this week's episode. Thanks for listening!

Maybe you're like me and you refuse to be overwhelmed.With many places starting to reopen in phases, including my own business Ali Watson Media, it feels like we're starting to get back to business as usual. But as I shared in episode 15, there are some gains I want to retain from our time being quarantined. Not being overwhelmed is one of those things.Over the last few weeks as I started to open my calendar to new clients and perform services for my current clients, while having my kids at home full time, podcasting, being a wife, marketing, building two other brands as well as all of the other hats I wear, I started to feel those familiar feelings of a racing mind, rushing, anxiety, never-ending to do lists, snappiness, frustration, fatigue, guilt and the list goes on. All of these feelings I refuse to live with; the quarantine reminded me I didn't have to. It showed me we could focus on the the most important things and still flourish. These feelings are only reactions, symptoms of a greater problem or problems. So I slowed down and evaluated what was going on. At first I thought it might be that I needed to hire more people, which, in a sense, is the case. Except, I'd need to do it in the way that I had been instructed to do so. But digging deeper, I realized that my mindset was guiding habits that were leading to overwhelm. In this episode, I explore and share three ways I actively create new habits to fight it.They are:1. Giving realistic timelines and expectations to my clients, children and husband2. Tackling my to do list one item at a time (physically and mentally)3. Future casting and envisioning the positive results of the tasks that I am tackling You know who this reminds me of? Mary and Martha.I didn't have any supporting verses during the episode, but if I think about it, the biblical account of Jesus at the home of Mary and Martha, parallels well with what I have been feeling. My overwhelm stems from where my priorities lie; people pleasing, trying to get my value from doing vs. being and not keeping the main thing, the main thing. You can find the story in a few places, but Luke 10:38-42 (NIV) reads:At the Home of Martha and Mary38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary,who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”(source: Bible Gateway, emphasis my own)In staying aligned with God, his will and purpose for me, my children, marriage, relationships and business, I can make decisions based on His wisdom with expectation that He's got a plan for any fallout or push back I might experience as a result.We might be more alike than you think... Grab a copy of my book to see what I mean *wink wink*: Secret Donuts: a Journey to Getting Over Your Weight, Aligned with God and into Your Purpose Connect with Alicia on Instagram and let her know your thoughts on this week's episode. Thanks for listening!

Maybe you're like me and you're keeping your gains.With the world opening back up and great weather that makes you want to play outside all day, it seems that more people are coming around to the idea of things getting somewhat back to normal.While it's been a crazy ride, I have to admit that there are some things about pre-quarantine life that I'm not in a rush to welcome back. In fact there were actually quite a few positive things that have come from being quarantined for the past few months. There were things like forming new habits, getting more connected with friends and family and developing an appreciation for the little things we tend to overlook when we're always on the go. In this episode, I muse about some of the things that I actually gained during our time inside that I want to hold on to. We might be more alike than you think... Grab a copy of my book to see what I mean *wink wink*: Secret Donuts: a Journey to Getting Over Your Weight, Aligned with God and into Your Purpose Connect with Alicia on Instagram and let her know your thoughts on this week's episode. Thanks for listening!

Maybe you're like me and you haven't given up on 2020.Short and sweet, this week’s episode was unplanned. I had planned to release an episode on something totally different. But I prayed and felt led to share these thoughts. I love when that happens because I know it's meant to touch at least one person specifically. Is it you? 2020 has been rough but I believe 2020 is still ours for the taking. We can still comeback in the second half and pull out a win. Be encouraged! We still have 2020 vision, we still have our missions and purposes and we still have God's favor, love and calling on our lives. Here's your reminder to pull back, look at the big picture and all of the ways God still intends for us to win and for Him to be glorified. In this episode, I talk a bit about current events (though not in depth). This one is especially for those people like me who may have felt that they were not doing or saying enough. I offer a different perspective, in that maybe what you've been doing and saying have been exactly enough. Staying focused on what you've been called to do when there seems to be more pressing things to address is really tough. But by staying out of the way and in your lane you may very well make space for people who can actually bring about solutions and changes because it is what God has called and burdened them to do.We might be more alike than you think... Grab a copy of my book to see what I mean *wink wink*: Secret Donuts: a Journey to Getting Over Your Weight, Aligned with God and into Your Purpose Connect with Alicia on Instagram and let her know your thoughts on this week's episode. Thanks for listening!

Maybe you're like me and you're kind of a hater.Are you cringing? I’m cringing. I just admitted to being one of the worst things to be. A hater. No one’s supposed to admit to that. No, we are all supposed to be fierce, confident, crown-adjusting, chin-lifting hand-extending queens secure in who we are, rocking t-shirts that read "community over competition" in bold pink letters. All. Of. The.Time. I’m not that all of the time. I am that most of the time. I am genuine, I am kind, I am empathetic and I want people to win. Sincerely... most of the time. But the rest of the time I am hating and trying to put it in check when I realize I’m doing it. I haven’t always been able to coach myself through bouts of envy and jealousy. It’s a rather new development that came after writing my book Secret Donuts: A Journey to Getting Over Your Weight, Aligned with God and into Your Purpose. This episode is the fourth and final episode in a four part series dealing with themes related to the book. In it I share a section of my book that is an open and honest admission to how I zeroed in on a particular sister in Christ and hated on her because I viewed her through social media goggles and the lens of my insecurities. Over time I was able to heal, apologize directly to her and to stop viewing her (and many others) as competition. I began to live by the wisdom of Proverbs 14:30 (NLT): "A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones."You know who this reminded me of? Saul and David. In 1 Samuel 18 a jealous Saul is tormented with jealousy and throws a spear at David trying to pin him to the wall. Twice. But David escaped both times. Just like Saul I was throwing spears. And Homegirl was ducking and dodging just like David. I was obsessed like Kady Heron was with Regina George and I could not stop the word vomit that would come up. I was a mean girl. We might be more alike than you think... Grab a copy of my book to see what I mean *wink wink*: Secret Donuts: a Journey to Getting Over Your Weight, Aligned with God and into Your Purpose Connect with Alicia on Instagram and let her know your thoughts on this week's episode. Thanks for listening!

Maybe you're like me and your insecurities are ruining your marriage. Since it’s our anniversary month, I included in my Secret Donuts series here on the podcast the section I wrote about our marriage. My husband, Ray and I are celebrating 11 years of marriage this year and it’s been a beautiful journey. We are meant for each other. Seriously, during pre-marital counseling we agreed on basically everything, held all of the same beliefs, had similar ambitions ...the works. We worked at the same job for years on location, in the same room teleworking, shared the same after work hobbies, share household and parenting responsibilities and all of that. We could be around eachother nearly all the time and never grew tired of one another. We hardly ever argue, never raise our voices, and just get along really well. I believe God made our marriage and our children so easy because He has so much work for us to do as a unit and he didn’t want us to be distracted.Yet where there’s a will there’s a way.You see, in my mind, my husband is like Jill Scott’s character’s husband in Tyler Perry’s “Why Did I Get Married.” He’s utterly disgusted with her weight, disrespectful about it, disappointed in her and has stopped loving her because she let herself go. But in my mind my husband is also like Jill Scott’s character’s other husband in Tyler Perry’s, Why Did I Get Married. He’s supposed to love me into self-care, invite me to work out, encourage me, root for me and hold my hand until I get my ish together. My husband is neither. My husband is simply my husband. He doesn't exist to focus on my weight in one way nor the other. But depending on the day and let’s face it, my hormones, I’m treating him like he’s one or the other of these husband characters instead. My insecurities and obsession with my weight have been projected onto my poor husband time and time again and has unfortunately caused unnecessary tension in our marriage through the years. Over the course of writing the book I realized I needed to zoom out and get in alignment with God on the subject of myself so that I could apply what I learned to my marriage. Doing so brought so much more peace to our relationship.Proverbs 14:1 says "A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands."I apply this scripture to my life in many ways. I build myself up and get secure in Christ so that I am not giving Ray a load he’s not supposed to bear. I’ll be honest and say that I am not there yet. I still slip up from time to time. Everytime I get insecure, I end up feeling crazy about and angry with myself. And I am reminded that it’s me not Ray. I go back to the principal that God loves me unconditionally. From there I can accept that my husband does, too. Believing that stops me from tearing my house down with my own hands.This episode is part three of a 4-part series that tackles some of the themes from my book: Secret Donuts: A Journey to Getting Over Your Weight, Aligned with God and into Your Purpose. Through it, I want to affirmpeople in the fact that God loves them no matter what size they are. He loves us all UNCONDITIONALLY. And from that space, from that understanding, we can confidently and unconditionally love ourselves and accept love from others.We might be more alike than you think... Grab a copy of my book to see what I mean *wink wink*: Secret Donuts: a Journey to Getting Over Your Weight, Aligned with God and into Your Purpose Connect with Alicia on Instagram and let her know your thoughts on this week's episode. Thanks for listening!

Maybe you're like me and and you know God loves fat girls.*Gasp*That should not be a bold statement. When I’ve said it to some people, it’s met with ehhh, or pondering faces that look like they’re trying to find a way to explain to me why that statement is wrong. And that’s the problem. Being overweight has been turned into such a villain in our society that people can’t even fathom such a cut and dry declaration of God’s love for fat people. I was one of these people. And God revealed to me that this was something that I needed to understand. God DOES love fat girls.Because I couldn’t believe that I chased weight loss instead of chasing after him. Made me postpone the plans he had for me, until I lost weight because in my mind I was an unacceptable vessel. But if God is telling you to do something now. That’s what he means, NOW. I want to be clear in saying that I am not against weight loss. I’ve just learned the danger of focusing on it, of worshipping it, of deriving our value from it or assigning our identity to it. People will clap for you when you lose weight and mean-spirited aunties will bring it up anytime you gain 1.5 pounds. Seriously, pick a day and keep a log of how many times you hear or see weight or weight loss being brought up in a negative light. From the weight loss commercial, to the reality show star, to your grandma, your kids, your hair stylist-- we have been conditioned to constantly focus on weighing less. This episode is part two of a 4-part series that tackles some of the themes from my book: Secret Donuts: A Journey to Getting Over Your Weight, Aligned with God and into Your Purpose. Through it, I want to affirm people in the fact that God loves them no matter what size they are. He loves us all UNCONDITIONALLY. And from that space, from that understanding, we can confidently and unconditionally love ourselves.We might be more alike than you think... Grab a copy of my book to see what I mean *wink wink*: Secret Donuts: a Journey to Getting Over Your Weight, Aligned with God and into Your Purpose Connect with Alicia on Instagram and let her know your thoughts on this week's episode. Thanks for listening!

Maybe you're like me and and you've been obsessed with your weight. This episode is part one of a 4-part series that tackles some of the themes from my book: Secret Donuts: A Journey to Getting Over Your Weight, Aligned with God and into Your Purpose. This episode goes into detail about the backstory of what inspired me the write the book, what the book is about and I even read the introduction. I call this book a prerequisite to weight loss. It’s setting a foundation of mind-rightness before body snatched-ness. And I felt like this was necessary because I’ve had seasons when I was fit but still could not shake the need and the obsession to lose more weight. It was never enough. The problem wasn’t the weight but the importance I assigned to my weight.The final destination of Secret Donuts isn’t to have lost weight by the end of it, it is to get to a mental space where I could take it or leave it. Where the thought of weight loss didn’t consume me, didn’t define me, didn’t define how I felt about myself and didn’t change how I showed up in the world. The point was to get to a space where I had permanently placed God back on the throne in my life and placed myself back on my agenda because I learned to love me as he truly does: unconditionally.You know who this reminded me of? Paul and his thorn. Read more about that in 2 Corinthians 12:7-9..We might be more alike than you think... Grab a copy of my book to see what I mean *wink wink*: Secret Donuts: a Journey to Getting Over Your Weight, Aligned with God and into Your Purpose Connect with Alicia on Instagram and let her know your thoughts on this week's episode. Thanks for listening!