Life – By Leslie Salazar

Taking Care of Your Heart Pt. 1

HI FRIENDS! I wanted to share my heart, give an update on life these past 6 months, and a few tips on taking care of your heart.

My life has changed DRASTICALLY in the last 8 months and I am in such a beautiful season! I got a big girl job and work 8-5, which I said I would never do but strangely, I LOVE it lol I am also officially dating someone, the sweetest person ever (more blogs on that later) and I have plugged myself into a new home #ILOVEHTX

Anyways, life is pretty great right now! And I’m so thankful for this season and trying to soak it ALL in.

I have gotten way better at taking care of myself and I think this is something so many of us struggle with so I thought I would share what I have been working on. I’m sharing the ideas over 5 posts as a mini series for the blogs. I hope you enjoy & let me know if you would like more of these types of series.

Treat yourself
Prayer + Word
Rest
Guarding your heart + your peace
Soaking

The older I get and the more that I want to just make sure my heart is healthy. My inner peace has become one of the dearest things to me and something I intentionally look after. I used to let everything and everyone in and out of my life regardless of how good or bad, or anxious it made me. And although I am still learning how to filter through situations and people, I have gotten way better at guarding my peace.

Over the last few months, I decided I wanted to be someone who people like being around, someone who speaks life because I really do believe in people not just because it’s what we’re “supposed to do”. I wanted to be full of confidence, full of love. And I believe the only way to really live this out is to be at peace with yourself and your world. We cannot offer anyone else anything if we ourselves are empty. And even more so, we cannot offer anything healthy, if we aren’t taking care of ourselves – mind, body, and spirit.

One of the things I love doing is treating myself (sometimes a little too much LOL). Weeks and days can speed by without me even getting a chance to catch my breath until I’m exhausted because how the heck are we already in July?!? I learned in my previous season that I burned myself out at 23 years old because I was constantly giving to the wrong people, sowing into the wrong situations, and never made time for myself. I am still in the process of learning of ways to take care of myself but here are a few of the things I enjoy:

I love dancing! ( ya know, dancing in your love lol?) Dancing makes me happy, it’s a good workout and a good time! I try to go dancing at least once a month or try to take classes every few months. One of my major goals this month is to go to more classes. You can find easy $10 classes around the city or simply go for a night out in town and dance the night away.
I love facemasks and little spa days. There are many different options from target and ulta that I love to purchase. I would just recommend really knowing your skin and how it reacts to certain products before going all out. My face is really sensitive so I have to be careful what I use. I’ve also created natural face masks that I found on pinterest.
Treat yourself to a Mani/Pedi. This is one of my favorite things to do because my life is together when my nails are done and perfect. It doesn’t even have to be expensive or even at a salon! Look up at home Manis, play some tunes, and relax while you hook yourself up!
Treating yourself to a…. treat. In this generation of perfect bodies, health diets, workout regimes, and more, sometimes it’s nice to treat yourself to something sweet. Buy the cookie, have some ice cream, enjoy that snack that you think about all day!

I had the opportunity of visiting Essential Body Bar this past weekend and it was such a relaxing experience. In the center of downtown, this spa is in a cute little house that was turned into a relaxing spa. As soon as you walk in, Letrice, the owner is very welcoming and so is the decor and ambiance.

I had a Microdermabrasion and a Swedish massage.

I had never had a MD done and I was really nervous about it because my face is very sensitive but I was actually able to relax because Sarah explained everything before she did it and there is a mini facial before the actual treatment began.

The treatment itself is not painful. The tool exfoliates and has a suction tip that helps clean/unclog your pores. And it left my face smooth the rest of the day without any noticeable redness or bruising. Today my face is a little dry but I expected it. Nothing a little moisturizer can’t fix!

The Swedish massage was very light pressure and very relaxing. Sometimes, the massage therapists apply too much pressure and i’m always WAY too shy to say something but this was the perfect Swedish massage. I had never tried hot stones and they were so so so relaxing. The massage therapist was also very professional and explained everything he was doing.

Essential body bar formulates their own products and use a lot of essential oils that help you relax during your services. Lavender is probably one of my favorite oils.

I would definitely recommend treating yourself to one of the services, it is definitely worth a little self care and the prices are very affordable.

In order to offer the world the very best version of you, you have to be the best version for YOU. The world needs what you have to offer and there are only people YOU can reach so be intentionally about taking care of and treating yourself.

XX,

Dancing in His love

Leslie Tatiana

When Fathers Fail You

“Father to the fatherless, defender of widows— this is God, whose dwelling is holy.” Psalms 68:5

I believe that God always makes a way to take care of you and looking back, I can always see the people He brought into my life to guard me and to guide me.

My dad went to jail when I was really little. Probably younger than a year or right around that time, I’m not really sure when or why because we don’t speak of it, I just know that it happened and my memories of him are pictures of my mom taking me to see him in jail. We would drive a few hours to see him, arrive at 7:00AM to spend a few hours there. The officers would call him over the system and we’d have to wait for him to be called and come out. And this continued for the next few years, but because he was an immigrant, he was deported to Colombia and our communication over the years has been little to non existent.

I’m sure growing up without a father was a root of a lot of the problems I faced as a young girl and a teenager. I was boy crazy lol and so insecure – placed my identity in my looks, my hair, my popularity.

At 7 years old, I had a step dad and for the next 10 years, he would shape my identity. At first, he was my entire world! I had never had a dad and I was just so excited to be able to wear the daddy’s princess shirts (because I’ve never been able to) and to have someone to dance with at my Quinceanera or at my wedding. He would buy me toys, take us to the movies, plan my birthday parties, take us out of town, and so much more.

But then something shifted, something I didn’t understand when I was younger but now don’t blame him for. He was in his 20’s taking care of two kids who weren’t his and had life happening, just like we 20 year olds do. He became angry, aggressive, and controlling- with my entire family.

I was constantly grounded (because of my mouth – I never hold back lol) for things like mismatching my socks or a girl in my school writing on my arm. I would get my phone taken away for months for turning it in at 9:01 instead of 9:00PM. I felt like he was more affectionate towards my brother because my brother was always the calm, peaceful, good one and I was the one who brought trouble, talked back, fought in school.

I would get notes from the front office letting me know not to ride the bus because he was going to pick me up and I would be terrified the rest of the day, full of anxiety. I knew I had probably done something wrong and was going to get in trouble for it. Sometimes the car rides were a trip to get ice cream and other times, it was lectures and unreasonable anger. This created “waves” that would later follow me into my 20’s. Waves are the idea that I am simply tossed to and fro in life, with no control and no preparation, hence my need to control everything. There is always uncertainty with waves. And even though everything is going so well, something bad WILL come. Because with my step dad- something bad was always coming.

This continued through middle school and finally ended my 8th grade year when my parents finally split and he never came back.

Towards the end of his time with us, they would fight, he would leave and I would be so relieved for the next few weeks, secretly hoping he was gone for good.

And although my heart was hurting when he left because I was fatherless again and because my mom was hurting, I can’t tell you how relieved I was when it was finally set. I was finally able to be normal. To be a young girl. To be my wild loud self.

And to think that I once thought that normal was being a daddy’s girl but at this point felt normal was not having a dad. I was glad he was leaving so I could be a normal teenager and have a normal family.

After this season, I enjoyed life with the occasional teenager rebellion and drama. I felt like I had finally gotten my mom back and was able to confide in her because my step dad wasn’t controlling everything.

Then I turned 15 and started attending a youth group. Through this youth group, the youth pastor became a spiritual father, a father figure, a best friend and literally my entire world again.

And again, for the next 10 years, this man would shape me and make me mostly who I am today.

At first, everything seemed great. The “my dear’s” affirmed me and the texts and involvement in my life meant the world. At first I would ask bible questions and ask about theology because I was so hungry to know more. Then I would ask about relationships and life. And eventually I began to share every secret from my past to my present and of things to come. I shared my dreams, my failures, my heart and to me, I thought maybe this is what a father was like. He would take me home after services and would pay for my food, invite me to all the family events. I would celebrate him on Father’s day and honor him with a gift.

Eventually, the verbal & emotional, spiritual abuse began. I would get shamed and called out in public. Things like “shut up and sit down” or “stop acting like a freaking child” and even being told I was acting skanky or that I needed to get my crap together to be used by God was what I would constantly hear. These may not seem like much but I don’t believe anyone should be spoken to this way, blood or not.

And it wasn’t always this way. But one day, I woke up, 10 years in, and don’t really know how I allowed someone speak these words over my life when I am a strong girl, never afraid to defend myself.

I realized over a year ago that the feeling both my step dad and this new father figure made me feel was all too similar, too familiar.

And that’s when I began battling my connection to him. It feels almost easier for someone to walk out and never come back versus having to find courage to leave and then constant strength to not return when life feels like it’s falling apart.

You see, I learned to depend so much on him that whenever something would go wrong, I knew he could fix it, no matter how bad I had messed up.

And although the way I was spoken to and treated was not okay, I am thankful today.

He taught me to be strong, to show up no matter how I felt, to find beauty in my brokenness and developed me into the woman I am today.

And I was dreading today. Because father’s day is never easy for me. I am reminded that I am fatherless, that I only have one parent, that I have had one father walk out and 2 figures who failed me.

But it’s never about that, never about what someone does to you, but rather how you react and what you do with it.

I have chosen to forgive and to continue forgiving. It’s not easy. Some days I feel like I hate them and other days I want to cry because I miss him so much. And other times I want him to fix everything and just go back to “normal”.

What I choose to stand on is that nothing surprises the Lord. He sends humans to take care of us and in their humanity, they don’t get it right but at least they made an effort.

The Lord is the perfect father and I can finally view him that way. I woke up this morning and instead of feeling abandoned, I felt a sweet love entangling me. And the first words I whispered were “Happy Father’s Day my sweet God”

He knows my pain, my anger, my deepest sorrow. And I don’t have to explain that in this moment. All I have to do is respond to His faithfulness and know that He is good, and He truly is.

Maybe you have a dad and a mom. And maybe you can’t relate. But maybe there’s someone who failed you, abandoned you. Or someone you need to forgive. I want you to know it’s a choice. One to make DAILY! I have to remind myself daily to let the hurt go, forgive the words spoken over me, and to let go of those who walked out. Some days are easier than others but day by day, I make the choice.

Whatever you are facing today, know that God is good. He is faithful, he has your back and He always makes a way to take care of you, even when you don’t understand. Humans fail us all the time, just as we fail other humans too.

But the best thing about Jesus, is that He makes everything good. He covers us and allows a blessing to come out of the most painful moments in life.

A special father’s day to those who have stood in my life as one. I still honor you from a distance and choose to do it because the word of God tells me to honor and because of His grace in my own life.

Happy father’s day to my mom. I love you. Thank you for everything always. You are the best mom and dad we could’ve ever had.

And lastly, Happy Father’s Day my sweet God. Thank you for never failing me. Never walking away and for always loving me. You are my very favorite ever and I don’t know what I would do without you. A father to the fatherless. A father to me.

Forever dancing in His love,

Leslie Tatiana

I Failed in 4 Days

And just like that the first week of 2018 is over and we begin a new one.

If you are anything like me, AKA human, the first week didn’t go as planned. I had all these great plans and goals and an atmosphere that I wanted to set for this year… but somewhere in the middle of the week, I failed. I failed so bad.

And it sucks.

I worked out one day. I read my bible 3 out of 6 days.

My room is a mess, like an earthquake named Leslie happened.

I hurt a really dear friend.

Like is it possible to mess everything up in a matter of 4 days?! Because I did.

But I learned something.

What happens when it’s a new beginning, but you are still the same person you were in the last chapter? With the same habits, the same past, the same fears, the same same same!?

YOU FREAKIN FIGHT ANYWAYS.

I will admit that I was discouraged for a bit. I felt like the rest of the year was going to suck. And I’m dramatic so then I wanted it to be December 31st, 2018 so I could be in 2019 LOL I thought my world was crushed and that I had really done it this time.

but then I was reminded of God and His mercies. And let me tell you, I am so so thankful that they are new every morning. I don’t ever want to be someone who abuses the grace that God so freely showers us with, but because I am so dramatic and such an over thinker, and grew up with an overly strict step dad, I have to remind myself that I AM HUMAN AND I WILL NOT ALWAYS GET IT RIGHT. So I showered, got dolled up, and kept going and working towards my dreams.

I caught up in my daily bible reading, starting cleaning (started because seriously don’t know how I made that much of a mess LOL)

We will never advance if we stop moving forward every time we make a mistake or trip up a little. It is bound to happen because we are human and can only do so much ya know? But what matters is how you continue in the process. The small steps that you take make all the difference.

I was so afraid to make a list of goals I wanted to accomplish. I didn’t wanna dream big for DYL and fail. I didn’t want to say that I would read daily and then miss a few days and feel horrible and lost.

But in order to enter a new season, YOU have to actually enter it.

You, being, the messy, confused, loud, shy, scared, annoying, sensitive you. And while you walk out your new season, you can turn back and see the progress you have made.

So if your week was anything like mine, I want to encourage you: KEEP ON KEEPIN ON!

Take a deep breath, relax, remind yourself that you are human and you are doing the best you can. Refocus, rewrite your goals, and start again. We don’t need a whole new year to start all over. Everyday is a fresh opportunity to make better choices and to take tiny little steps towards your destiny.

KEEP MOVING. KEEP FIGHTING. KEEP STRIVING. KEEP DREAMING.

The best is yet to come and even though we screwed up, we still have 51 weeks to go and it’s not over yet!

I believe in you, I believe in His plans for you.

Lets get it!

Dancing In His Love,

Leslie Tatiana

Traveling Tips Pt. 1 | New York

New York was such a beautiful city and more than what I thought it would be. I can be a little little little dramatic but not joking when I say I left my heart in NYC! The pace, attitude, and atmosphere of the city matched my entire personality. People were always on the go and that’s exactly how I am, always moving, never still.

This was my first mini vacay out of Texas cities and I really enjoyed it. There were also some things I learned along the way for future trips and I figured I would share those with you.

1.Travel with the right people.

Traveling with the right people makes all the difference. You are naturally a little more stressed because you are in an unfamiliar city and have to find your way around. Going to NYC with Karen was great because she was very organized and careful, total opposite of me. We did disagree on a few things but overall, every day in New York was well planned. It is important to take into consideration the amount of time you are going to be on vacay with others and if you are really able to mesh well with whoever you are planning to take a trip with. This makes all the difference on whether you enjoy your trip and it’s better not to risk ending a friendship because of traveling stress!

2. PLAN AHEAD! I literally did not plan for NYC at all except financially LOL and because I didn’t plan, I took ended taking a few hits financially, like spending over $100 on transportation/uber when I should have asked a local for help or planned ahead!!! No matter where you go, plan plan plan plan. Figure out the most important things on your list and what you want to do and plan around that. This doesn’t mean you can’t break your schedule and just be adventurous, but it’s easier to have a guideline to follow.

3. Always be aware of your surroundings! Crazy story!! My friend noticed someone took a picture of me when I was bending down fixing my bag. I am very bold so I turned around and stared the guy down. He called someone on the phone and kept staring at us, following us. He left the area and came back a few times but since I kept my eyes directly on him, he finally gave up and walked away. Maybe he wasn’t trying to kidnap us but you never know! He could have followed us from 8th street all the way up to 42nd and we wouldn’t have noticed if we weren’t looking out.

4. Don’t tell everyone you are a visitor!

Analyze the situation and make your decision as best as you can. This was actually my friends idea because i kept telling everyone I was from Texas LOL (I’m so proud DUH) and you never know what people will do with that information. Someone could’ve robbed us or followed us home or given us inaccurate information. Be careful what information you share!!! We started telling people we were from Queens and just visiting the city LOL

5. Always have cash.

Ugh this was probably the most frustrating thing ever. I was hungry and all the little trucks only wanted cash. There are also little tables that set up and sell different things like sunglasses for cheap and they only take cash. Also, believe it or not, a lot of restaurants, like the bagel place, only accepted cash. There were ATM’s around but they charged twice for withdrawing cash.

6. Portable charger.

I actually lost this right before the trip but this would’ve helped us so much! After a full day out in the city, we would get on the train with only 10% battery left and still had to use our maps, uber apps, and cell phones to get home safely. Carrying this on every trip can save you a headache in case there is an emergency!

7. Don’t go to work the very next day.

If at all possible, do not schedule yourself to work a few hours/the day after you land. We got stuck at the airport for almost 2 hours because a plane engine caught on fire and the entire place was shut down. Instead of leaving at 9:55, we left at almost midnight. I landed in Houston at 3:00 AM and had to work at 9:30 AM!!!

8. Enjoy!!!

It’s stressful being in another city but it’s so much fun traveling and going on mini adventures. Life is too short to be upset about schedules, transportation, or tension that arises.

New York was a beautiful city. The food, people, streets, culture was amazing and not something that can be experienced everywhere. I highly recommend taking a trip to NY! Even if you are the shy, quiet, introvert type…. You will find something to enjoy.

Take me with you if you plan to visit!

XX,

Dancing in His love & Traveling,

Leslie Tatiana

10 One Word Messages

My phone vibrated ten times back to back and when I grabbed my phone, it was facebook messenger… my dad had sent 10 individual one-word messages just to ask me how I was doing which made me laugh. I don’t know much about him but I learned he doesn’t know how to type full sentences and instead sends one message at a time LOL

I wasn’t kidding when I wrote in previous blogs that I was in a constant journey of healing, & one of those processes is my relationship with my dad which is non-existent. I don’t lie when I say that I am working on it because I really am and transparency is so important to me for DYL. The fact that I have access to messages is because I opened up the line of communication and though it’s not healed, I’m trying, at my own pace and in my own time. This is huge right?! So I go to my texting app because I wanted to share with someone, “holyyyyy cow!!! look!!! *screenshot of messages*” but I had no one to text.

Not sure if you’ve ever been here, but my stomach was suddenly in my throat. I felt the familiar feeling of panic, of not being able to breathe…. only to realize I was holding my breath once again because that’s what I do to not feel the sting of whatever is hurting- this time loneliness. This monster invaded my mind, my heart, the atmosphere in my room and the rush caused my heart to beat faster, my hands to clam, and my mind to go 2,848,381 miles per hour.

I couldn’t reach out to anyone to share my progress and my big news. MY DAD WROTE TO ME AND SAID THIS AND SAID THAT AND ASKED ME THIS. But NO one.

Well, lie. I thought of the “hers” but I am not talking to her and she’s too busy with that, and she’s not going to understand because she doesn’t know this and she’s at work. And then I thought of the “hims” but he’s resting, and he shouldn’t be a choice, and I don’t want to bother him because I just spoke to him and I’m sure he’s busy. So yes, I thought of people to call but I didn’t feel peace calling anyone. I just needed to experience this for myself, give Leslie a moment to feel the pain, feel the excitement, feel the awkwardness, feel the anger.

It was MY moment.

Loneliness is sometimes God’s call for intimacy.

I have heard this way too many times but this was evident to me in this moment. I truly believe God wanted to teach me a few things in this moment and that wouldn’t have been possible if I would’ve ran to “she” or “he” instead of sitting in stillness and reflecting. I am not alone because He is always with me. The enemy could have had me in this moment and I could have let my emotions control me all day, stayed in bed, cried really ugly, ice cream, movie, sleep, etc. But I didn’t. Instead I ran straight to God, I was like okay God what are you trying to teach me? And I think this makes all the difference. The Lord allowed this moment for a reason and as I reflect now, it caused me to run to Him instead of running to someone else and not getting the reaction I expected and demanded. It’s always so difficult for me to run to God first because I want to be physically and emotionally comforted in that moment, when I want it. There are so many beautiful moments that could be shared with Jesus first if I would simply slow down and think. My dad… that’s not an easy topic for me and though I am able to talk about it now (progress!!!) I cannot put myself in a vulnerable position to share that with just anyone. I have to guard my heart and therefore, Jesus is always the best first choice.

Placing my hope in people will always hurt me.

I also realized how much I depend on people, which is not a bad thing, except for when it keeps me from getting to God. I want to be in the middle of everything, to be loved by everyone, to write amazing blogs about everything I learn, to be in every ministry possible, and have my hands in all things…. but reality is that when I do all these things, it leaves no room for me and God. I stop dancing with God because I am attempting to catch every other song and routine I hear around me. And in the end I get hurt. People can’t satisfy me and people will fail me, just like I fail them. And to avoid this ridiculous bar I have for people to be everything I need them to be, my hope needs to be anchored in God.

I’m sure you have been here before. Maybe all you desire is to have close friends you can run to when situations turn upside down. This is not bad. We were created to have relationship, with both God & other humans. But Jesus must always be in the center of it all. The moment anything or anyONE else becomes something you seek more than Him, then there’s a problem.

I have a desire to be loved and accepted by everybody and they mommas. And this people pleasing characteristic in me causes me to run everywhere else except to His presence. To be honest, people will always fail us. They will be too busy, too caught up, too tired, too annoyed, and that’s okay because we’ve all been there.

But God…. Oh boy is He different. He doesn’t grow tired of your rants. He doesn’t get bored when you tell Him the same story again. He is never too busy to catch your tears, to surround you with His presence as you let it all out. And the best part, He will never walk away.

Praying that if you are feeling alone you can find rest in His presence. May He satisfy that emptiness you feel. He can do it and He does it with gladness. You can place your full confidence in Him because He, unlike me and unlike Man, will never fail you.

Dancing in Your love,

Leslie xx

| Kimono Style Cardigan: Kohls (Similar) | White Seamless Tank: JCPenney |

| Boyfriend Jeans: HM (Similar) | Oxfords: Dolce Vita (Poshmark Sale) |

The Power of a Single Mom

Growing up, I was always jealous of my friends who had dads. I would go to Limited TOO (LOL) or to any clothing store really and the shirt “Daddy’s Little Girl” would pierce my heart and I would think to myself, “why am I not good enough for a dad?”

~~Daddy. Dad. Father. Papi. Pa.~~ STRANGE WORDS. Because I didn’t grow up using these words, they are a cluster of empty words I cannot comprehend. The words have no meaning for me except they leave behind a feeling of emptiness and though I am ignorant to the word, it has had such a power over me. I’ve known no different. I used to believe that maybe I wasn’t loved, or that maybe I was the lucky name that got drawn out of the life hat that decided “hmm this girl won’t have a dad”. Though now, I am two months away from 23, I understand that it didn’t happen this way but rather it was a mix of actions, feelings, decisions, people and simply human nature that led to me not grow up with a father. Nonetheless, my heart still stings when I come face to face with a Daddy’s little girl, or when Father’s Day comes around and I am left at church standing alone as everyone goes to pray with their daddies, holding back the flood of tears that so desperately want out.

I wish I could tell you that not having a dad doesn’t affect me and that there aren’t tears wanting to race down my cheeks as I write this, that there isn’t a knot in my throat that is making me hold my breath as I type…. Sadly it isn’t true. I am constantly in a process of healing, of anger, of forgiveness, of reconciliation,

healing…anger…forgiveness….reconciliation…

healing.anger.forgiveness.reconciliation.

and one of trusting that my Heavenly and perfect Father is not man to fail me, that He is not man to forsake me, and that He is actually very much a lover of me.

But today I want to focus on the parent I do have. I have been so privileged to grow up as mommy’s princess. My mom, since I can remember, has been my entire world. I have seen her strong, yet so tender. I have seen her quiet and patient, yet firm and a discipliner. And through it all she has loved my brother and I so well. I have never lacked or not had a roof over my head because she always made it happen.

I do not know what it is like to be a mom because I am not in that season yet, but I do know what it is like to have a single mom who has been victorious. The Lord knew what he was doing when He gave me my mom. She has guided me and loved me through every season. I was the angry child who hated the world, the rebellious teenager who hated her mom and was sent to the assistant principal’s office every day, and now I am the young adult figuring out my finances and my career and my love life and through it all, she is supportive. I can’t imagine what my life would be without her and I never want to imagine my world without her.

I am strong and bold and fierce and adventurous and loved because of how my mom chose to stay, because she chose to be around, because she chose me.

You see, God knows how to turn bad situations around. This fatherless girl grew up with the best mom possible. And though society came against her, finances lacked at times, overtime at work was a must, and she grew weary, she fought the fight. This is the power of a single mom. To take the resources you DO have, despite what has happened and who has walked out, and use them to raise little people who will one day become adults.

Mom, I love you. Happy Birthday! I rise and call you blessed. I pray that you may have 100 more years here on this earth and an eternity in heaven. You are amazing and 43 has never looked so good. I am blessed to call you mom and I am so thankful for what you’ve done for us and how you continue to take care of us. I am a little mad that you are vegetarian now because now I am always hungry LOL Chicken Tenders for life.

You have helped me dance in His love ❤

5 ways to attract Quality

Ladies.

Quality attracts quality. No not just in relationships, although it applies, but in everything you do. If you want the best of the best, you have to carry yourself in such a way that allows you to receive that. I am obviously a girl so I can only give you a girl’s perspective, but I always pray that this blesses you even if you are a gentleman, & though this particular one is directed to my ladies- guys you can learn a lot too 😉

Dress how you want to be addressed.

NO JUDGMENT ZONE OKAY!? But being treated like a lady and carrying yourself with a higher standard has a lot to do with how you dress. I love shorts and clothes and all things fashion but there is a line between fashion and being cute…. And just revealing your entire package to the world. You do not have to reveal everything you have to offer. The world does not need to know what your body looks like and how big how small…… etc. Being classy and acting like a lady means dressing like it too. I can’t expect people (not just guys) to respect me if I walk around dressed like I don’t have a mission, a calling, a greater purpose than just eye candy. Mmmm.

“Your dresses should be tight enough to show you’re a woman,

and loose enough to show you’re a lady.”

2. The words you speak, become the house you live in.

This is probably one the hardest ones for me out. I am impulsive, I speak when I want, i say what I want and I half the time don’t care how it comes across. But this isn’t always (most of the time) right. I truly believe that the tongue has the power of life or death and we do not understand the significance of it. I can create the atmosphere around me. I can tear or build others up. I can cause people to react to me a certain way because of how I speak of myself. My words, and yours, have that much power. Think of your life as the house…. What kind of house do you want to live in? Do you want one filled with drama, pain, low self esteem, negativity? Or do you want a house full of life, boldness, courage, love, and strength? A lady thinks of these things and plans her words well 😉

3. And you, you scare people because you are whole all by yourself.

You don’t need anyone to complete you, to survive, to pay your bills, to honestly…. Do anything. People should ADD to your life but should never be the reason you are alive and breathing. Part of being a lady is strengthening your ability to be independent. Of course I want to be loved the way I love, of course I like gifts and acts of kindness and all of it, but I don’t necessarily need it to be okay. I am well able to dream, grow, develop, and cultivate what I want from life all by myself. Anyone walking with me should ADD to that, not BE that.

4. A clean home is a happy home.

Literally & figuratively. I am in the process of getting rid of things in my room and in my home that I don’t use, (bc this is probably my longest lasting mountain LOL I will be working on this one till I die) It takes up space, makes it easier for me to make a mess out of more, and it’s clutter. I can’t tell you how stress- free it is getting into my car and not having a million and one things to sort through just to find my purse, or trying to remember where those cute shoes are. Such a waste of time and embarrassing!! Also…. Remember how your life is the home? Get rid of anything that is mess in your home, whether that is relationships, friendships, environments, habits, routines…. Whatever is not working- get rid of it.

5. Keep your heels, head, and standards high.

I LOVE HEELS, so yes. But on a serious note, those standards… This has happened to me so many times. I really liked a boy so I would forget everything I was taught, or everything I wanted to be. This is just ridiculous lol you don’t have to compromise your purity, your personality or your dreams for the sake of a significant other. NO. If he is the one for you, then guess what?! You won’t need to change your standards so they can catch up. They should already be running the race next to you, and if anything AHEAD of you, leading the way.

You will constantly be changing and growing. Your convictions will also change depending on your seasons and where you are in life. When I was in my teens, I was totally against shorts and bathing suits and all types of crazy strict dressing rules for MYself. And now that I am older, I love bathing suits and I will maybe wear a crop top. People are all different and not everyone will always agree, but my decisions are for me and for my circle of influence. Do the decisions I make today affect the girls who look up to me, my future daughters, and sisters across the nation? I truly believe they do and I would never want to cause people to question my beliefs, my dreams, or my calling as a lady. Obviously, you can’t please everyone!

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Carry yourself like you are worthy, like you have a purpose, and like you represent something bigger than yourself, because you do. The focus isn’t to attract a man, although that’s a plus(hallelujur), the purpose is to live a life of quality, one you can be proud of for genenrations to come.

Forever dancing in His love,

Leslie Tatiana ❤

| Outfit |

3 ways To Prepare for Your Blessing

It’s officially been a year since I decided not to date and obviously that was easier said than done. I haven’t been 100% faithful to that promise but I learned a lot from that decision.

If you have been on the journey of life with me, you’ll know there’s a blessing coming. Here’s why.

I went through a season of brokenness, loneliness, and confusion. Then I went through rebellion. And some more rebellion. And loneliness. And more rebellion. And then because of His grace and that nothing, not even myself can separate me from His love, here I am.

I’ve done a full 360 and now the question is: what happens next? Because I can’t possibly want to live through the heartache again. I’m sure I don’t want to walk myself into another desert or another chaotic and confusing season, so in my perspective, I have fought past this season and now there is nothing left but the blessing (+growth).

I feel in my spirit that God is getting ready to move in my life like never before, like I never imagined. He is doing something that my earthly eyes cannot see, but my spirit senses it in the clouds near by.

I am choosing to prepare my heart, my mind, and my spirit for my blessing. This process has already began though, because me fighting to get out of a season I put myself in, and doing an entire 360 means I have already started preparing myself for what’s to come. I believe there are 3 things I, myself, need to continue to develop in order to fully grasp and be a good steward of the blessing.

Character.

“Your anointing will go only as far as your character will take you.” I have heard my pastor teach this over and over in the last 7 years. And I finally understand it today. (it only took 7 years LOL) I believe that your character is who you are. It determines the decisions you make, the patterns you have, how you react to trials, how you celebrate victories. I believe that I can sharpen my character, that God can tweak it and mold it as I spend more time with Him, the ultimate goal being more and more like Christ. We are ALL called and anointed, but in order to cultivate that anointing and access it, our character has to be prepared.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galations 5:22-23

You see, my rebellious character can’t be in control. I have to make sure my mouth speaks life, and not gossip. I have to choose to have faith and not get anxious and fearful. I have to prepare my character in order to fully step into what God is doing.

2. Focus

This is a tough one for me. I am all over the place all the time for all the reasons. In some areas, this helps me. Like Sunday mornings when I have to run up and down Numbers nightclub making sure no detail is missed or taking pictures, welcoming the church, and then running to tell the kids teacher something, and then back down to put out more chairs because there’s an overflow- this is helpful then LOL but when I have to focus on daily tasks, deadlines, and not want to control things and rush God, this is when focus is hard. When I want a blessing NOW, and I don’t have “time” to wait for Him to do it THEN, this is when I have to strengthen my ability to focus.

“Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.”

Proverbs 4:25

I can’t be distracted when “other blessings” come. I can’t allow myself to be tossed to and fro without any form of direction. Preparing for a blessing requires great focus. My eyes set on Him, things above, and on the road ahead so that I know that He did it, not me.

3. Clean Your Altar

OH! I love love love this one and this is probably the hardest for me.

“The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out.”

Leviticus 6:13

Although there is a lot more that goes with this and it’s a traditional Old Testament regulation, I absolutely love what this means. I truly believe that your heart is like your altar. And in order for us to do what we are called to do, to love God, love people, and stay in the fight, the fire in our altar cannot die. As different seasons come and go, the remains of those seasons stay in your heart, creating a pile of ashes that can contaminate your heart. (this is another blog for later) A huge part of preparing for the next season is getting rid of the old season. Keep what you learned, what helped you grow, but let go of everything else that doesn’t serve a purpose.

This doesn’t mean that my life is suddenly perfect and that I get a crown because I finally did it, no…. It’s quite opposite. Now I am suddenly being stretched, molded once more, as He begins to chisel away at the things that do not belong.

But… whatever season it is, I’m not fighting it. I am choosing to dance as He works ❤

I pray that if you are recently seeing the light, if morning is finally here, that you would also prepare for your blessing. Believe and have faith that the God who got you through the night is the same God who can bring forth the blessing. Don’t be caught off guard by a blessing and risk losing it because your character isn’t prepared, you’re distracted, or your altar is full of ashes.

Prepare…. As you dance in His love.

xx,

Leslie Tatiana

“So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead,

even though you must endure many trials for a little while.”

1 Peter 1:6

Hi 2017

Hi 2017, I can’t lie and I say that I am not scared that you are here. I show the world that I am ready, excited, determined and though these things are half true…. I am more afraid, more paralyzed than anything. I don’t want you to be like previous years.

I don’t want to sass my way through the year, control freak it, continue in my same cycles of running away from God, coming back a prodigal daughter and then doing it all over again until….. Happy 2018! I don’t want to disobey, cause my heart more ache than God intended, walk away angry, and then come back humbled and on my knees in repentance when I realize it was all me and I can’t fix it alone.

It is true to me that a new year symbolizes a spiritual shift. New beginnings often do that.But what matters most is the weeks, months, seasons that follow that new beginning. Will I choose to hide His word in my heart for the dark seasons? Will I follow wisdom’s instruction, hold my tongue, look for guidance, and seek peace in every decision? Or will I be tossed to and fro by the waves? Will I choose to be a victim to life?

I want to believe that I will strengthen and develop a better character. That I will be consistent and show up when I am needed. That I will love without expecting a return and that I will focus on the kingdom and not on the things that satisfy my flesh.

There are many questions, many habits to break, much to do, but I will choose to set my eyes on Jesus. The beautiful thing is that I don’t have to do this alone. I decide to go to the one who knows my heart and then He responds by guiding me and keeping my world together.

I have many goals to accomplish and much I’d like to change, but my best bet is sticking with Jesus, learning from Him, and becoming more like Him.

A week late because I am human and I am working on my habits (lol)

but happy new year ❤

If you are like me, planning, freaking out, controlling life, but so desperate for His presence and to please Him, then keep your eyes on Him.

He molds, he changes, He knows.

And there is nothing that brings me more peace than having someone 100% on my team and 100% with His love for me.

I am so excited for this year and I pray that you are too. It’s a process and there is nothing better than dancing in His love as we figure it out.
Get to know me a little better this year by subscribing to my youtube channel! My first video is officially up as promised and it’s a whole lot of facts about me and random dancing because HELLO, dancing in His love is what I do 😉

First VLOG! About me | Dancing In His Love

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The Best Of 2016

We made it YA’LL!! It’s the last few days of the year and if you are anything like me, you are anxious, overwhelmed, but so excited and ready for this year to be OVER!!

There are many things to be proud of, but again, if you are anything like me, it’s easy to feel like you are not where you should be.

So let’s reflect together and get ready for 2017!

There is a lot that I have processed and learned this year. I have gained so much experience from friendships, new and old. I feel like I have really taken control of my life and actively pursued my happiness, cutting off anything that got in the way of that, sometimes to a fault because I was in control and not God.

I will say that it is a bittersweet ending to 2016. It’s weird, but I know that 2017 will not allow the same habits of this year. I have friendships I’m leaving behind, habits I need to change, goals I have to accomplish and none of this will be possible if I live how I lived out this year.

I am sharing the top 5 posts of this year and the lessons we learned from each. I really hope you go back and revisit some of these pieces as it has been the best year yet for Dancing In Your Love.

August 16, 2008 A murder that happened in my family 8 years ago, my experience, and years later. This was such a hard piece to write. I sat in my kitchen, tears rolling down my face the entire time.
God of Miracles. Our church and our worship leaders experienced a very difficult, yet stretching season with the birth of Baby Belford. It grew us as a family, it allowed us to lock arms and believe together and till this day- the Belford’s are the strongest people I know. Can’t wait to meet you in heaven Michaela Joy! ❤
Finally, Goodbye A goodbye letter to relationships, habits, fears. Letting anger and resentment go is such a freeing experience.
I think I am finally clean I was finally able to write about a break up I experienced almost 2 years ago. It taught me so much, especially a few tips on getting through tough seasons.
An Apology on Behalf of America There was so much anger, frustration and commotion that we experienced as a nation after the election. I was saddened to see and hear the opinions on immigration that belittled people as humans so I respond.

As you end this season, and begin the next one, I want you to believe in yourself. Believe that the Lord has a plan and a purpose for your life. I believe this is the year of application. I have learned and experienced so many lessons this year and it would be a waste of 2017 if I didn’t apply myself. I believe you have great potential stored up that you are not even capable of seeing or understanding. The only way to tap into that is to know the Lord, because then you’ll get a glimpse of who you were created to be.

I hope you continue to walk with me and to discover the beauty of dancing in His love. Here is to many more lessons, to chasing and accomplishing our dreams, and to forever Dancing in His love.

“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

Luke 1:45

Happy New Year! ❤

See you in 2017.

XOXO

Leslie Tatiana