Sunday Soul Sessions: How complete abandonment and trust can be hard, but why it's worth it

 By Missy E. 

Hope is not far away for those who seek it. Every season has a purpose. (Photo by Nathan Cowley)

If I'm a storyteller, if my gift is the written word, then I suppose here goes my reflection for Nov. 10's Sunday Soul Session on The M Report. 

The Scripture parable about the woman and two coins was the main focus today. For a quick refresher, the people in the house of worship contributed money to the treasury, some offering large sums, but it was the offering of a woman in poverty who gave her only two coins, her everything to the treasury that stood out to Jesus where he pointed out her actions to His disciples. This written reflection is what I want to emphasize:

"Our Lord desires that we should know how badly we need Him, that we should perceive our profound poverty before Him. By giving her whole livelihood, this widow puts herself in a position that necessitates unmitigated trust in God's providence. 

She is not afraid to be weak and small before God, and He delights in such childlike abandonment: our weakness attracts God because it offers Him an emptiness that He can fill ... no matter how deep the abyss of our misery, it cannot be an obstacle to God's action. Sanctity doesn't consist in this or that practice, but in a disposition of the heart which makes us little and humble in God's arms."

So the question begs to ask us, how is your heart, today? Does it need extra lovin', does it need a spark of joy, does it need healing? Does it need the freedom to speak something that's been hidden or abandoned?

Why do we give up on New Year's resolutions? 3 tips from experts

Setting realistic expectations with New Years resolutions is a good start to achieve your goals. (Photo: Polina Kovaleva)

Weeks into the new year can make one wonder, why did I even try a New Year's resolution? While the reasons to say farewell to these resolutions can vary from person to person, experts share how people can set realistic and effective resolutions to keep for the entire year. 

"We always advise making resolutions easy and achievable and starting off by making small steps. Don't jump to the big things."

 

How to get enough vitamin D in the winter

Vitamin D plays a large role in overall health according to medical experts. (Courtesy Pexels)

Winter isn't coming, winter is here. With that comes the concern for what some suffer from called the winter blues or seasonal depression. 

Medical experts at Baylor College of Medicine are sharing tips on how to maintain your vitamin D intake in the winter. 

The M Report x Sincerely Pam & Missy: Being Authentically You

Get to know the hosts of the Sincerely Pam and Missy podcast! The two girlfriends in your corner! 

Together, Pam and Missy share their insights on being career-driven women, fashion-forward ladies, keeping it real. The girls dive into some questions to get to know them and offer advice that only your girlfriends would want you to know. On this episode, they share words of wisdom about being authentically yourself.

 

Robyn Tuazon x The M Report: Behind-the-scenes as a concert photographer

Ever wonder what it's like to be a concert photographer? Through her lens, Robyn T. takes us through the process when she covered some of the biggest artists in the music game like Olivia Rodrigo, Emily King, Giveon and Tobe Nwigwe. 

Check out the full video after the jump!

M Report Music Mashups: Victoria Monét delivers smooth, 2000s nostalgia, honors femininity on Jaguar II

 

What the R&B game has been missing is a 360 entertainer who gives listeners not only great vocals, but also a great performance.

Wow, does Monét easily succeed there and then some. She has craft-fully mastered the lessons of heavy hitters who came before her with each performance giving a double take with the likes of Ciara and Aaliyah.

Multi-talented, Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter and producer, Victoria Monét winds up summer playlists even more with the official follow up music video to her latest smash single, "On My Mama."

How looking back at life can revitalize the vision for what lies ahead

 

Falling in love is a feeling that many humans desire. (Courtesy of Pexels/ Jaspereology)

I was organizing some of my old diaries and gratitude journals when I realized I have been journaling for almost 20 years now. That's crazy! As part of my end-of-the-month ritual, I like to take inventory of how the month went, areas of improvement and reflection, that sort of thing.