My First Kiss

That Very First Kiss. Do you remember yours? Mine was nearly perfect. I’ll always remember it. Not because the boy was my first love. I didn’t know him well. We grew up on the same block, however. And we played the cat and mouse game. I guess you can say he caught me.

Although in truth, I was much too young to be sharing a first kiss at age 11. I know if my children read this, they’re going to shout at me, “Mom, you were only 11?” I’ll accept their disapproval later.

For now I’ll tell you how it happened. My friends and I was on this baking kick. We’d do that – become consumed by one interest after another. One week it would be bikes, the next, roller skates, the next, nail polish. We were quite a diverse group.

So on our baking kick their parents were gracious, allowing us to bake cookies at their home until our hearts were content. My mother would not have allowed us to mess her up kitchen. OH NO! And you can imagine; flour fell everywhere. We baked from scratch!

Now the kiss…

It was one Saturday late in the afternoon. The girls and I had a batch in the oven. For privacy purposes, I’ll call the boy Chaise. Chaise had stopped in. Maybe he smelled the cookies. I’m not sure. While the cookies were baking, Chaise and I talked alone in the living room. I sat in a chair, and he at my feet.

Please don’t ask what we discussed; only past days could tell. I do recall when the moment happened. My senses were on high alert. I could feel my hair grow. He rose up on his knees, our eyes locked, he leaned in slowly, and I followed suit. My brain shut down. NO thoughts, just actions. Our lips met and I felt...perfection. Then he suddenly changed gears on me, introducing me to his tongue.

My brain started working again and it flipped out, shouting, “YUCK! What the heck was that?” My perfect moment ceased. Disapprovingly confused and against my better judgment, I ordered my mouth to follow the kiss to the end.

After that distasteful experience, I didn’t want to kiss any boy for a very long time. Not to mention; I felt completely guilty when I returned home that afternoon. My mother asked, “How’d the baking go?” All I could say was; “It went.”

I learned a lesson because of that kiss, however, not until years later. My children tell me that I’m always looking for the lesson in things. My reply, if you seek, you’ll find. That’s what the Bible says anyway.

As an adult and having shared many great kisses with my husband, I know all kissing ain’t bad. So why did I freak out when I was 11? That’s simple, I wasn’t ready.

Here’s the lesson. Do you have set goals, a business, or a project you’re working on? You know…you get this spark of an idea. Then we put it into motion and it is working! All seems perfect. It’s a euphoric moment. Then something slippery comes into the mix. And we’re like…YUCK! What the heck was that? It may impact us to put progress on hold, or walk away all together. I hope we don’t do that.

Analyze the situation, instead. Pray, ask for guidance and look for the lesson to be learned. Maybe we simply weren’t ready for that next step. We might have more growing to do, need additional life experiences or knowledge. Perhaps we have the wrong partners.

Doing things at the appropriate time with the appropriate partners removes regrets, guilt and confusion and leaves us with perfect peace.

Happy Smooches!
xxxx

 

Brook Lynn Dorcent

Author/Inspirational Speaker

Missing the Mark (Romance/Suspense Series – Novel One)

Pressing Toward the Mark (Romance/Suspense Series – Novel Two)

Forgetting Those Things…(Romance/Suspense Series – Novel Three)

Reaching Forth (Coming 2014 Romance/Suspense Series – Novel Four)

Spirit Over Will (Devotional)

Founder – Just Write Writer’s Club

www.brooklynndorcent.com

Why not…Read for Love

Loving the Way We Change

I love the fall season. It reminds me of growing up in Brooklyn. Our summers were busy. No, we didn’t have planned activities. The daily plan…when the Sun rose, we got up, had breakfast and hit the sidewalks. We rode our bikes, roller-skated, jumped rope. By the way, my best friend and I were the best double-dutchers on the block. We played from sun up until sun down. Or well… until you heard your mama’s call all the way down the block. There were no cell phones back them. Consequently, we all knew the voice of our mother. We ran home in a hurry when she called.

Then fall came, school started again, and so did the order of things at home. Mom didn’t work. Yes, we grew up on welfare until our teen years. It wasn’t that mom wasn’t smart, or unable to work. Quite the opposite, she was brilliant. I’m not sure if she knew how smart and strong she was.

When we arrived home from school, the house was clean and dinner was prepared. The routine consisted of dinner, homework, and a few chores. After chores, it was bath and then we could watch whatever our parents were watching. We didn’t have Cable, Netflix, a VCR or a DVD player. We didn’t have a color TV until we were teens.

Even though I grew up in an abusive home, and my mother later became an alcoholic, I remember the fall season of my youth. I remember there were moments of peace, order, structure. I remember then and now I remember the order, structure and goals I set for myself last year.

No, I haven’t reached all my goals. Like the days of my youth, I don’t have all I want. I do have all that I need. I have enough to accomplish my goals for my future and to enjoy the present moments.

I rejoice because I have completed some things, such as my third book, started a fourth, and I occasionally get to write a column for the local newspaper. So I won’t beat myself up over the other goals I have not completed yet. I know I haven’t entered that season yet, but it will come.

In the meantime, as I reflect on my youth and my today, I’ll work in this fall season on family and business matters. For me, it’s a time to settle down, find restructure and the order of life. This is a time when I draw my family closer to me; listen closely to their dreams, preparing comforting meals and anticipating the holidays to come. I remember that is what my mother taught me.  Mother has passed on and I do miss her. However, her brilliance stays with me always. I remember every lesson she taught me. So now looking outside my window, I marvel at the leaves changing. I know I change as they do. And oh, how beautiful we are.  

Brook Lynn Dorcent
Author/Inspirational Speaker
Missing the Mark (Novel One)
Pressing Toward the Mark (Novel Two)
Forgetting Those Things...(Novel Three)
Reaching Forth (Novel Four - Coming 2014)
Spirit Over Will - Devotional  
www.brooklynndorcent.com
Why Not...Read For Love

Privileged!!!

Privileged!!!  

That is the word that came to me as I sat in the presence of God under the soul stirring voice of Tamela Mann last night.

I was blessed to receive a ticket to this concert. And wow! I was encouraged. That is what Mrs. Mann did for me.

I sat in the Convention Center and was reminded that there is no sweeter divine atmosphere than one in God’s presence. I think I sometimes take His presence for granted during church services. No more.

To sit in His presence is not a right. It is a privilege. God is merciful and has taken a little girl from Brooklyn.

I am one that has come from a line of alcoholics, one whose Grandfather did not attend school, let alone learn how to read, and one whose Mother did not graduate from high school.

God has allowed me to attain a college education. He has designed me and fashioned me after His own heart. Like my heavenly Father, I am an author/writer/novelist. Privileged.

This is not my right. He has assigned me the task, given me the gifts, however. It is now my obligation to do so. To do what I must do.

Remember, you are privileged. Remember your journey. Remember your obligation.

You owe it to yourself and those surrounding you.

Remember.

Love, Grace and Peace,

Brook Lynn

Nothing is Simply Just

I’ve wanted to write this piece for some time now. It’s been chomping at my fingertips. So…here it is.

As a mom, I very often hear from my children…mom, it’s just music, it’s just food, it’s just…

After I explain it’s more than they think, my children follow-up with, it is not that serious.

Hum, I’ve been thinking about that just word. Is it justification? To me anything we must justify or defend must be significant.

Spouses, ever had to justify to your other half, someone is just my friend? Really? Just a friend? Not saying that you shouldn’t have the friend. I’m not getting into that today. But what is just a friend?

A friend is significant. At least mine are! I love my friends. They are important to me. We share and exchange our thoughts and feelings, likes and dislikes, common goals, dreams… You name it! We can find a way to talk about it. Would you not say that’s significant? I would.

Nothing is simply just. After parenting, I’ve learned anything that we actively do or think about is in some way significant to us. If not, then why listen to that music, eat that food, have that friend? Those just things have purpose in our life.

From now on, I think of the word just in a new light. Anytime I say, it’s just…I know it is justified and significant to me. Thus the name of my blog: JUST THINGS AND WHATNOTS! 

Brook Lynn Dorcent

Author/Inspirational Speaker

Missing the Mark (Romance/Suspense Novel One)

Pressing Toward the Mark (Romance/Suspense Novel Two)

Forgetting Those Things… (Romance/ Suspense Novel Three – coming 2013)

Spirit Over Will (Devotional)

Why not…read for love

www.brooklynndorcent.com

The Key is In Your Hand

There’s a story in the Bible about Moses. It’s in the Old Testament. God tells Moses that he is the deliverer. He tells Moses to go to Pharaoh and tell him that God said to let my people go. And God was like, I ain’t playin’ wit cha Pharaoh, let them go or else, there are going to be some plagues thrust upon you and your people!

Well like most of us, Moses felt very inadequate. He was like, look Lord, I got a speech impediment. I ain’t got no weapons…what am I supposed to use? The Lord asked Moses what was in his hands. Moses held out this staff and was like…it’s just a stick. God said, no, it’s more and told Moses to lay it on the ground before him. The staff turned into a snake. Yikes!

Why am I telling you all of this? Well…God has created you with purpose and passion. You have a task before you my friend. You may be like Moses, feeling inadequate, like you don’t have the eloquence of speech, or, you do not have anything in your hands.

I beg to differ.

I am not ashamed to admit I’m a vivid dreamer and dream walker/talker. Years ago while asleep, I got up and out of bed, walked into the living room and talked to my sister. I told her, if you want to open the door, you have the key. She was watching TV and said what? Go back to bed. I repeated; if you want to open the door, you have the key.

Folks, I don’t know what doors you have before you. I don’t know what tasks God has assigned to you. I do know that like Moses, he put the key in your hand.

And like Moses, I suggest you use it. God kept his word and Moses did in fact deliver the people. You can trust God and feel adequate in Him. Let’s see you open some doors!

Love, Grace and Peace

Brook Lynn Dorcent

Inspirational Author/ Speaker
Missing the Mark - (Romance/Suspense Novel I - Mark Series)
Pressing Toward the Mark (Romance/Suspense Novel II - Mark Series)
Forgetting Those Things...(Romance/Suspense Novel III- Coming Soon)
Spirit Over Will - Devotional
Why Not...Read For Love

Come You're Invited

 

Come, you’re invited.

Sunday, March 31^st is Easter Sunday. My church, Koinonia Christian Center is having three services, 7:45 am, 9:45 am and 12:00 noon.

For those of you who came to my first commitment conference, do you remember I said the first principle of commitment is acknowledgment? Remember I asked, so who do we acknowledge, and I answered God?

Why? Because in order to accomplish our goals, we must see ourselves as we were created. We are divine individuals with a divine purpose.

To clearly see ourselves as divine individuals we must have an exchange with God. This exchange can occur when we take time and acknowledge God through prayer, worship, reading our Bible and meditation.

Once we do that, we have an option to accept or reject what God has for us.

If we accept His words and desire for our life, it changes our thought pattern. We understand and believe that God has our best interest at heart. He will help us accomplish our goals.

During this exchange with God, we see clearly what our purpose and passion is. And then we know that we are connected to all people. We can do nothing alone, and it is our greatest desire to share and serve others.

And where did I learn the importance of spending time with God? It was at my church!

I invite you this Sunday. Please let me know what service you are coming to. I can’t wait to see you!

 Love, Grace and Peace

Brook Lynn Dorcent

Inspirational Author/ Speaker
Missing the Mark - (Romance/Suspense Novel I - Mark Series)
Pressing Toward the Mark (Romance/Suspense Novel II - Mark Series)
Forgetting Those Things...(Romance/Suspense Novel III- Coming Soon)
Spirit Over Will - Devotional
Why Not...Read For Love

Hungry People Eat

I was recently blessed with a bit of inspiration from the hip hop preacher. The one thing that stood out to me as I listened to him was STAY HUNGRY.

Physically, eating is how we stay healthy and fulfilled.

But when it comes to our goals, because we don’t particularly like what’s on the menu, we don’t eat. As a kid, it’s like eating our vegetables. We hear mom saying they’ll keep us strong and healthy, yet they don’t taste good. So…we don’t like to eat them. And when mom is not looking, we toss them behind the stove. (Hey, this is what I did)

Now if a kid gets really hungry and their only option is vegetables, trust me, they are going to eat them. Additionally, they will taste relatively good.

As with our goals, if you find you are not eating your vegetables in order to see your goals manifest, I can guarantee you that you’re not hungry. See…hungry people eat.

You may have a ton of excuses and some legitimate reasons why you haven’t worked on your goals. During your quiet time please do an honest reflection. What’s really holding you back? Fear, mismanagement of time, little motivation… Only you know the truth.

If you get hungry enough, fear won’t matter, you’ll plan your time better and you’ll become more motivated. Treat your goals as a matter of life and death. And truthfully, it really is. This is YOUR life! What will people say about you after your death?

I hope today your stomach starts growling for some wholesome vegetables, then dive in and eat up. And don’t forget to eat with your hands. That’s when the food tastes best!

Please check out the hip hop preacher below.
A bit of inspiration:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xBtz7TUwkdA&feature=m-ch-fea

Love, Grace and Peace

Brook Lynn Dorcent

Inspirational Author and Speaker
Missing the Mark - (Romance/Suspense Novel I - Mark Series)
Pressing Toward the Mark (Romance/Suspense Novel II - Mark Series)
Forgetting Those Things...(Romance/Suspense Novel III- Coming Soon)
Spirit Over Will - Devotional
Why Not...Read For Love

Continuing On When You're Hurting

Folks, I hit a brick wall this week. It knocked our family flat on our backs. For the stake of protecting my family’s privacy, I will not disclose the issue. I will say it made me reevaluate a lot of things.

To rectify the situation it is going to take a financial strain on my family. And since I’m a self-published author, it will take funds away from producing my third novel.

Truthfully, that’s not so sad. What hurts more is I don’t feel like completing this project. The book is written and my editor and I were almost through the first reading/editing of the book when this hit. I told her I was putting the project on hold indefinitely.

She understood, but I know it disappointed her to hear that.

After a few days, I’ve decided to continue the edits. It may be at a much slower pace. However, when will it move into production, I can't say.

I taught in my Commitment Conference, Expect Challenges. This is quite the challenge and it’s very painful because it involves my family.

You may be wondering why I am sharing this with you.

One, is because I want you to know what stage book three is in.

Two, our family needs healing and your prayers.

We hope you’ll remember us when you pray.

Love, Grace and Peace

Brook Lynn Dorcent

Inspirational Author and Speaker
Missing the Mark - (Romance/Suspense Novel I - Mark Series)
Pressing Toward the Mark (Romance/Suspense Novel II - Mark Series)
Forgetting Those Things...(Romance/Suspense Novel III- Coming Soon)
Spirit Over Will - Devotional
Why Not...Read For Love

Happy Monday!

Happy Monday!

If you have a Monday – Friday job, you may dread facing Monday mornings after a relaxing weekend.

Ugh, let’s face it; you’ve got to get up early, get back in the race and pace of things all over again.

You know what part I like most about that? It’s the ALL OVER AGAIN!

Each day we get another chance to start all over again. Whatever we failed to do, or didn’t do, we get another opportunity to accomplish our goal.

If you’re a person that dreads Monday mornings, begin seeing Monday as a new beginning, new day, new week and another chance to start all over again.

You can never fail, if you continue to try.

Love, Grace and Peace           

Brook Lynn Dorcent
Inspirational Author and Speaker
Missing the Mark - (Romance/Suspense Novel I - Mark Series)
Pressing Toward the Mark (Romance/Suspense Novel II - Mark Series)
Forgetting Those Things...(Romance/Suspense Novel III- Coming Soon)
Spirit Over Will - Devotional
Why Not...Read For Love

Breathe Deeply and Take Small Steps

Breathe Deeply and Take Small Steps

Close your eyes and let out a big breath of anxiety.

Starting on any new project; especially one that you have a personal interest in, can be overwhelming. It makes you anxious, simply because you want it so badly. Understandably, but anxiety can be a stumbling block. Don’t hold those nerves in, let them out.

Step-by-step, address your task. Start small, making reasonable attainable steps.

It sounds cliché, yet it is so true, the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. Don’t let your anxiety stop you from moving.

Love, Grace and Peace

Brook Lynn Dorcent
Inspirational Author and Speaker
Missing the Mark - (Romance/Suspense Novel I - Mark Series)
Pressing Toward the Mark (Romance/Suspense Novel II - Mark Series)
Forgetting Those Things...(Romance/Suspense Novel III- Coming Soon)
Spirit Over Will - Devotional
Why Not...Read For Love

Precious Pieces

Thank you once again for sharing my first conference with me. I learned something new. As I poured into you, you poured back. Your presence, excitement and interaction encouraged me to continue on.

Thank you.

I went home and read the evaluations and was grateful for the feedback. And I reread everyone’s goals. I will not throw those precious pieces of paper away. They are Big Dreams. I believe they WILL BE manifested. I have put them in my journal and pray over them during my quiet time.

I hope that you take the nuggets of information you received at the conference and hold fast to it. I pray that you began establishing your boxes and have started working in them.

And for some that said they just don’t know where to start, I pray for clear vision and direction for you. And I humbly suggest you find someone that is doing what you want to do. Don’t be shy or intimated. Be diligent, seek them out and send them an email.

That’s what I did. One of my favorite authors is Victoria Christopher Murray. I sent her an email. And guess what? She emailed me back! Within a timely manner, I must add. It blew me away.

There are many people that want to help you. I know. I’m one of them.

Well, I’m going to keep my communication to you short. As many of you probably gathered, I’m a talker.

And I know some of you have already made strides. Please share with the group and let us encourage each other.

For me, I have gotten back to working on my book, part 3 in the Mark Series. It feels wonderful. How about you? What are you up to?

I hope you are enjoying your day.

Love, Grace and Peace

Brook Lynn Dorcent

Author

Missing the Mark (Romance Novel I - Mark Series)

Pressing Toward the Mark (Romance Novel II - Mark Series)

Forgetting Those Things...(Romance Novel III - Mark Series - Coming Soon)

Spirit Over Will (Devotional)

Read for Love

I Have Dreamed A Dream

For those close to me, you know that I have very vivid dreams. I won’t name any names, Jacques, Elyse and Nicole. LOL

Last night was such a night that I dreamed, vividly. After the dream woke me up and I couldn’t get go directly back to sleep (which is rare), I began to analyze (which is common). My analysis moved it upon heart to share the workings of my mind with you. Please don’t laugh…

OK. In the dream, I was a Nanny. Now many of you know the infamous show with Fran Drescher. Good. Similarly, that was my role in the dream. I wasn’t a wife or mother of my own children as I am today. I was the Nanny, living in an exquisite home, keeper of the father’s children. No mother was present.

In the dream, one of children, I would say of age 12 needed help with a project. I proceed to go with him, and we enter the underground garage of the home. When we get downstairs we notice some unusual activity -- mobster like men driving into the garage. They have unfamiliar faces to us. The mobster men are looking silently at us, and we at them. And me, being suspicious and from Brooklyn, I quickly decide, UH OH, time to go.

I tell the child, and we enter the streets. Lo and below, I find myself on the city streets of New York. Even in my dream, I felt a flutter of happiness, because I’m home. In New York, I know how to get around. I’ll take a bus or train in a heartbeat.

Our location is around 42^nd street, so I know exactly where we are. I don’t want to go underground with the child, I tell him, walk fast and we’re going to go to the first bus stop and grab a bus to somewhere, anywhere. All I know is; I want to get to a safe place, safe people and tell someone what’s going on.

I see the light ahead as we approach a bus stop. However, one of the mobster men drive upon us. He gets out of the car and calls for the boy. I’m gripping his hand, telling him, stay with me, come on! The man shows him a note with a name on it, tells the child his friend is in danger. The boy’s eyes bubble up with tears and he pulls away from me. I’m pleading, begging for him to stay with me, that it’s not safe. The child somehow knows, but he wants to go help the person who’s name is on the note.

I continue to plea with him, explaining it’s just a trick, a ploy to get you away from safety.

Well, don’t ask me if the child went with the man or stayed with me, because I awoke upset. It upset me that the child was so distraught and no matter how I tried to convince or plea with him, he seemed pulled towards unrest.

In my thinking, I consider the children of God. I think, have we been in unsafe situations and the Father sent someone to lead us to safety. However, along the way, are we deceived and distracted. Does this happen? Does God clearly have our hand in His, but we pull away thinking, I’m needed elsewhere?

Is God leading us into safe places, prosperous places, full of life and joy? Is he calling us, prompting us? If he has provided a safe place for you, will you go?

I have dreamed a dream, and now I wonder, has God called you to something, but you’ve let go of His hand, and are now standing in limbo. Are you standing between His call and that of deception? How long will you stand still? And which call will you answer?

Grace and Peace,

Brook Lynn Dorcent

Author

Missing the Mark (Book One)

Pressing Toward the Mark (Book Two)

Forgetting Those Things (Book Three – coming 2013)

Spirit Over Will (Devotional)

www.brooklynndorcent.com