shift

From the Waters…

by Danielle N. Hall

7/29/2017

Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? Are you sick and tired of drowning in the seas of others’ opinions of what you should be doing or how you should be? I know I am, but I’ve got news…I’m coming from the waters:

Like Roger Waters: “The Tide is Turning”

Like Muddy Waters: “I Love the Life I Live”
Like Crystal Waters: “From the back to the middle and around again…”

Like Maxine Waters: I’m “Reclaiming my time!”


I’ve learned that allowing people to try to plot out your life’s course, worrying about people trying to determine your salvation, giving people free rent in your head space, doubting who you know you are, and hesitating in doing what God told you to do is a waste of time. It’s official: I’m #reclaimingmytime. I’ve wasted years swimming around in the troubled waters of doubt, fear, and limited thinking. What I’m not gonna do is dwell on how much further I could be if I hadn’t squandered time and opportunity, but what I am gonna do is resolve to move forward…and I’ll do so with great faith and perseverance. 

The tide is turning, I love the life I live…from the back to the middle and around again…I’m reclaiming my time! I’m coming from the “Waters”!!!

2 Samuel 22:17 (NASB) He sent from on high, He took me; He drew me out of many waters. 

When Your Norm Is Disrupted

by Danielle N. Hall

2/23/2017

(Originally written as a Facebook post on 2/23/2016)


As I have mentioned before, I discover a message or lesson in just about everything. I’ll share what I gained from something that occurred last night. 

About 10pm last night there was a knock at my door. I missed it because I was in a deep sleep thanks to that good ol’ muscle relaxer. The next knock came and I faintly heard it and then was fully awakened by my sons. When I got to the door, no one was there. Apparently, Maurice had already looked out of the peep hole and saw who was at the door before I got there. From his description, it certainly was no one I knew. Anyway, after that, I was a bit unsettled and had trouble getting back to sleep. A bit of anxiety had kicked in, but I soon thought of two things: that God has NOT given us the spirit of fear and I remembered that Vanessa Williams had posted this scripture on multiple occasions…it was Psalm 4:8 which reads as follows: “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.”

I uttered God has not given me the spirit of fear, I have power, and my mind is sound. Then, I read aloud Psalm 4:8 and immediately felt a sense of peace and was soon able to return to sleep.

I have no idea why the person came to my home…perhaps it was the wrong door, or maybe not. All I did know is that it was out of the normal. When I reflected on that moment this morning, I thought: “Why is fear our initial response when our normal is disrupted?” I can’t answer that at this time, but what I can tell you is that God is faithful and in His word you can trust. Even though our norm may be disrupted, we can trust that He will guide and protect us. If we learn His word, speak it over our lives, and apply it, then we experience victory…

#somethingtothinkabout

The 5 Words That Blessed My Life

by Danielle N. Hall

6/14/2016

I’m sure many of you have had some interesting, memorable interactions in the workplace. I tend to have them in my everyday life…in various settings. I guess the real reason I’m not drawn to amusement parks is because each day of my life is an adventure. I’ve got a host of stories to share! I’ll admit that I wasn’t as welcoming of some experiences, but maturity has caused me to embrace a Romans 8:28 mindset: I truly accept and believe all things are working for my good and for His glory. 

One story I’d like to share is from a workplace experience I had in 2005. If I could describe it in a picture, I’d say it was a….this:

I was in a season of transition, yet a state of contemplation. My mind perceived that change was necessary, but my heart hadn’t quite accepted that it was time. This is because I’m usually not a quitter. A wise person once told me that a season is an appropriate period, but a moment is an appointed time. While I was preparing for the inevitable as best as I could during that season, a request came my way that initially shocked me, but it was just what I needed to make it clear to me that it was time. This was the request made to me in 5 words: “I want you to quit.”

Let me be VERY real: I was offended…ESPECIALLY since I went above and beyond my call of duty and there was no explanation behind the request. However, I was also relieved because I had already been searching for another option and I had an interview scheduled on the next morning. In hindsight, I view those 5 words as God’s way of telling me it was time because He knew that even though I was frustrated, I probably still would have had trouble leaving because I’d consider all of the great experiences I had at that establishment. 

Now that I’m older and wiser, I recognize that what we need may not be presented in the most appealing packaging. If I hadn’t heard those 5 words, I may still be painfully sitting on the fence. The moment had arrived and I would’ve missed it. It takes maturity and the right perspective to understand and embrace the following about life:

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NIV) There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. 

Some of the greatest blessings that I’ve received came wrapped in peculiar packaging, but I’m grateful. I’ll leave you with this final note:

#SHIFThappens