Self-Development

Vol 1: Back To The Basics

sites@tailorbrands.com — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 13:40:28 GMT

The Backtracking...

*Music is intended to be played the entire time while reading for the full experience! Play song on repeat and enjoy!*

Dear Encouragers,

Can we normalize going back to the basics?

Like, can we backtrack to the beginning where it all started? Imagine with me for a second; envision the words typed on this page. Think of the earliest memory of yourself. Envision the youngest, purest version of you, and observe yourself closely. So youthful, free, full of life, without a stain or blemish. You were learning, yes, but you were brave enough to put yourself out there into the world by boldly being who you were created to be. Think of the things you used to enjoy. Think about the things that used to make you laugh. Think of your most exciting Christmas as a child, and backtrack to the very beginning of time. Weren’t things simple back then? I’m not asking you to regret or ponder on the things that got in the way of THAT you, but I am encouraging the gift of nostalgia to fill you up and make you feel warm again. Before we were exposed to the sinful tragedies of this world, our hearts were spotless. Before we could comprehend what dating was and what abuse sounded like, things were good. Before society could consider us as “different,”...we were all normal! All of us had some outrageous, outlandish imagination, we all weren’t afraid of taking risks or showing love, and we truly believed that we could run faster than anyone known to man. So let’s get back to the basics before bondage and societal norms were a thing. Let’s go back to the version of ourselves that were open to change, growth, and unknown heights. In order to be transformed , God wants you to return to who you enjoyed being, not who society or circumstances forced you to become.

...Do you re member?...

When I walked around as “Krissy” (aka the girl molded and shaped by the world), I received everything I thought I wanted.

I was:

Pretty
Nicely shaped
Funny
Admirable,
Multi-talented.

I had decent grades with the perfect job, I fit in with the most known people in my city; my family spoiled me rotten (though we were poor) which meant I never went without having money, and I always got attention...I always got my way. The truth is that I had everything…, but myself, and the girl I used to be got drowned out and erased by the world as I learned more and more how to play by the worlds messed up rules. In order to fit in, I had to become everything to everyone; I lied to make myself sound more interesting, I never told people no, and I flirted my way through life as if my looks meant more than character. I was living a hollow, meaningless facade all because that’s what the world told me to do. “You have to be the best, look the finest, be the smartest, but play dumb and innocent, be funny, be gifted, smile but don't smile too hard, have sex, do drugs, lie, go to parties or clubbing, drink your problems away”. “Strive for money, fame, fortune or success; Die, die, die . Kill the younger you that you once knew because they aren’t accepted in the real world. Change your name, straighten your hair…” sigh, the list goes on and ON. This world convinced the best version of me to TAKE A HIKE. Because I didn't know better, I used Society as my guide instead of God.

I ran and ran and ran as far as I could from who I knew to be, because I was terrified that Kris (the purest version of me) wouldn’t make it out ALIVE. My circumstances at home were horrible; toxic arguments all day long, no good food to eat, and my mom barely had money, but, MAN, did she work like a dog. No one to cling to except the people my age; I didn’t have healthy friendships or relationships, so I began to create to survive.

I began creating a double life ; Homeless and Hungry on one end and Sexy, Wild, and “FREE” on the other. My mom would take us to church, but when I slowly realized I wasn't comprehending the word because my life was very chaotic for a child at the time, I taught myself what most of us probably did.

To roll with the punches, to get right or get left; To mesh into the crowd because being different

means you’re a weirdo …you’re an outcast …you’re set apart from everyone and everything created in this world. Slowly but surely though, the Lord re minded me that I was called for that very purpose... I was called to be set apart …I was called to be set free from the pattern of this world. I was called to be conformed in to HIS image …I was called to be uniquely me .

The Lord created me an original by design, NOT a copy,…but people didn’t like ME ; they didn’t care to see the REAL ME ; they only cared about the person they thought I should be. So I was… you know …everything the world told me to be!

In the Bible, Mark 8:36 bubbles up a new way of seeing if all of this STUFF is worth it. Jesus says HIMSELF:

“What good is it for someone to gain the WHOLE WORLD [with all its pleasures ], yet” forfeit his soul?

I was doing any and everything under the sun just to fill the hole of emptiness in my heart. I was depressed because my soul was spiritually starving, and everything around me seemed good at first glance, but in actuality I was spiritually dying!! I began seeking a way out of this broken cycle we call “living.” That’s when I re alized I had one of two choices, as we all do. I could either put my pride aside by allowing Jesus to help me break out of the mold Culture shoved me into + admit I messed up by ask God for a way out, or die by “ living my truth because I’m young and I think I know what's best for me, which is to live my best life and drown in worldly fun. ” Once I was left with nothing -things got messy, the walls made of mud started to cave in, and the house of built on sand started to come crumbling to the ground.

I, along with Kris and Krissy, almost got crushed by the pressures of my problems. The only other option in that moment was to do what Kris knew best ; I called on the God she re membered from childhood - not knowing if he would even care to hear me after all this time while being buried underneath the gravel and compacted oxygen. I decided that I was a sinner , a mere human incapable of living or thriving within my own limited strength. I KNEW in that moment I had lost; I was at the end of myself completely and couldn’t get MYSELF out of the sin I’d been feeding off my entire life. I NEEDED HELP which meant I had to drop everything weighing me down to grab onto Jesus instead.

For the first time since I was a kid , I understood that God sent his only Son for these exact moments...and trust me when I say I was at an all time low . I had to trust that Jesus wasn’t just some high and mighty "Lord" wishing for me to sink or swim in order to get to him on the doubtful hope of being saved MAYBE ; He was and still is an ACTUAL SAVIOR...and when I called on him that day...and I turned to him in reverent repentance

...I was saved...not only in this life, but for eternity in the next one.

Because of what He (Jesus) did: coming down from heaven living a perfectly sinless life for 33 years, willingly gave up his life for the sickly sins of all humanity, and rose from the dead on the third day....

We (being all people) have a guaranteed promise in Romans 10:13 that says:

"...for 'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord WILL be saved ."

And that I was, in December of 2020, Jesus became my HERO; he didn’t just save a single part of me like this world probably would’ve…he saved all of me. After encountering an experience this VAST & this GREAT…I couldn’t just reside back within the realm pointless living when someone saved my life, so since that day I vouched to follow him.

I started to notice a shift within me...I was being changed and it all started because he told me to get back to the basics . To throw out all that was “me” by the standards of the world and keep all that was him and who he created me to be.

So this meant:

No more “Krissy”
No more drugs
No more drinking
No more lying about my name or identity
No more surviving off of cheating, lying, and deceit
No more unhealthy relationships of ANY kind
No more burying versions of myself just to fit in
No more c onforming to the c rowd
No more HIDING/COVERING my light
No more walking in Darkness…

That’s what I was doing…walking in darkness because darkness was all I ever knew . But what if there’s freedom in backtracking? What if there’s a speck of light waiting to be brightened there in the dark? Dig deep within yourself and allow God to reveal that seed, that speck of light, that mini version of you, and nurture it. Water it. God showed me the young version of myself trapped in an abandoned house in the dark, alone and scared but still curious and hopeful. Is the original you in that same situation? Did you put the younger you in some broken-down leaky house, so you can bask in the facade of who this world is forcing you to become? God changed my life in the blink of an eye because he revealed that we needed to go back to what my soul loved…back to the things that are pure, holy, and wholesome. Things like:

Prayer
Reading
Writing
Cooking
Seeing Nature
Painting
Dancing
Laughing
Long Convos
Purpose
Meaning
Intimacy
Love, and more.

These are all the things I now walk in as I continuously stride to be better in my relationship with Christ. Because He knows me; He’s been able to combine Kris and all her child-like ways, as well as Krissy and the knowledge/wisdom she’s been able to experience to create this better version of me. God is still molding and shaping me every day, the job is indeed never done, but it works out because He keeps the good and throws out the rotten and bad!

With God fidence, I can say that I’m finally able to breathe after 20+ years of living; I feel lighter, more vulnerable and valuable…seen…redeemed, finally set free. When was the last time you inhaled a breath of fresh air? When was the last time you did something YOU LOVED doing? When was the last time you healthily prioritized your soul & your inner self? YES, Without the distractions, without hours scrolling on social media or playing video games, without the drugs, without the gossip, without burying yourself in work. When was the last time you did something fulfilling that required pure, sober fun and no worldly strings attached?

You owe yourself a state inspection with The Creator who knows the REAL YOU like the back of his hand. Love…I hate to break it to you, but you need an oil change and a new battery pack to boost your energy. He can only do it if you are willing, though. Are you ready to stop surviving, so you can start living again? Lay down the old you and shed new skin, babe. Those temporary highs, addictions, fake company, and lonely nights full of sorrow aren’t sustainable anymore, so go back !

Let’s say a prayer that can help you re pent (which literally means to turn away from your way and turn toward God). I believe a declaration of true re pent-ance will help you get back to the basics:

Dear God,

I don't know or re member you, but I do know I need saving from the ways of this world . It's time for me to say what's real :

I’m lost, I'm empty, and I’m stained. Help me to turn back in your direction; re wind to where the real me left off...before life came n hit me like a truck. I’m tired of playing this rat race with the Enemy, so here I am asking for clear direction. I welcome you into my heart, so we can start sorting through all the clutter in this place I’m trying to make a home. Reveal to me where I need to be, so I can walk in who I’m destined to be. Help me to go back to the basics . I need actual change…

And I’m starting to believe and remember that actual change starts with you, so have your way, and your will be done.

In Jesus Name I pray,

Amen.

Amen means “so be it”..., I pray that you would allow true re newing to shift your mind set so you can see again; let God re vamp your heart and habits so that he can re invent you entirely . From personal experience, I’m TELLING YOU it’s possible; you just have to have faith that the uncovering and backtracking WILL come to pass!

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Encouragers, you are the apple of my eye ; you push when the world says pull. You give and re main rooted by fighting for what’s right ; you’re strong when you tap into the Lord’s strength , so I know change can happen. Go back with God and you’ll see the unknown + how magical it can all be. Cut off anything wrong or in your way , delete and block some numbers. Do what you have to do to break free; to get back to the basics.

Peace & Love to you all.

Yours Sincerely,

Kristyn Malika Sampson

Our Mission Statement

sites@tailorbrands.com — Wed, 12 Oct 2022 11:38:31 GMT

Our Mission Statement

Sigh, I know what some of you are thinking…”I don’t get the point of the whole renew, revamp and reinvent mantra you're going on about.” Well, that’s what this specific post is for; to give you a little razzle-dazzle of what we do here, how we do it, and why. Our goal here is simple: To get on the right path (aka to begin striding in purpose). To elevate to new heights that seem unreachable, all while using our ultimate guide as we fight through each season. Believe it or not, the 3 words aren’t just some cute slogan or catchphrase…they’re actually different phases that we’re going to use to anchor us as we walk through this together.

Here we Renew the mind for personal growth, which is Phase #1.

(I'll be using the Holy Bible for reference btw because this blog is Led by the Lord...it's his word that know exactly what to say)

In the Bible

Romans 12:2 read:

“Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world , but be transformed by the RENEWING of your mind . Then you will be" able to test and approve what God’s will is - his good , pleasing , perfect will .

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To speak plainly, we are going to start with the transformation of your mind by using God's Word

(which will ignite life & spiritual discernment of what's considered "the truth") .

The re new al process can begin when our construed thought patterns come to an end . Using: God , the Bible (aka scripture), prayer, and applied knowledge we can experience a purification process that will filter out every dysfunctional thing you (in your mind) can and have been trying to surviving off of. When our mindset changes we’re able to properly bob and weave through the obstacles of life that are so boldly thrown our way. See Renewing as “mental sanctification”. It’s the start of actually moving forward with redemption in your heart, and once that portion is understood, and put into continual practice it’s safe to move to Phase #2: Revamp!

To Revamp is to rebuild . All our beliefs, and behaviors are probably stacked up high on a crappy foundation like:

drugs, money, fame & fortune, alcohol, sex mixed in with worldly success; pride, pain, daddy issues, addiction, failed relationships, and many more unsustainable "gems" (#Drama&Trauma). Sooner or later the house that you've been living in will come crumbling down because it was made out of straw & sand.; you’ll realize the place you locked yourself in was never really a sturdy home to begin with. Once we tweak the new blueprint for the inside we can start working on the outside; we’re going to tear down your old destructive habits, and rebuild you holy ones from scratch. In Phase #2, We lay down a more stable, and indestructible foundation that can hold up the weight of the world no problem. This may take some time because like rebuilding anything it's a tedious process, but with a little reconstruction, a dash of patience, AND grace it’ll happen slowly but surely before you know it.

Once you and God work together to use a whole lotta brain power, and your best power tools Phase #3 will begin to evolve all by itself: To Reinvent!

To Reinvent means: “To change something so much that it appears to be ENTIRELY new".

The New Norms equation is Mental Sanctification + Re construction = Re invention.

Once you're completely re established, the way you start to carry yourself will be unrecognizable to the masses. People will want to know HOW you completely levelled up, and all you'll be able to tell em’ is that God rewired

2 Corinthians 5:17-18 into your DNA code:

“So then, if anyone is in Christ, that person is part of a NEW creation . The old things have passed away, and LOOK, new" things have arrived. All of these new things are FROM God , who reconciled us to himself THROUGH Christ and gave us the ministry of re conciliation.

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This Inner and Outer transformation process that purifies...will have you l ooking the same in the face , but the way you dress , act , walk , talk , and think will be totally different ... ONLY if your WILLING to partner with your provider . The way you go into this journey isn’t going to be the way you walk out of it . These 3 Phases are a part of the pruning process that the Creator himself constantly walks me through EVERY SINGLE DAY . Yes it hurts, but I don’t regret a thing because God erased who I used to be (the girl you once knew very well) , so I can stand firmly in who I was CALLED to be

( the women I am today because of the saving grace of God).

We’re going to be talking about some real stuff on here…some things that may make you feel uncomfortable

(I reassure you the discomfort & the growing pains are good just so you know). But, understandably, If this begins to be too much for you this is your free pass to swipe left on TheNewNorms “profile” like Tinder. For most people, uncovering, and digging for the truth (aka living in the light) MAY not be your speed and that’s fine . But for the people who are sick of living mediocre hollow lives , & want to develop into who you were predestined to be...then welcome.

Know that you're in the right spot.

Let’s get started…have a seat, don't forget to take some notes because we're going back to the basics...

Which means class is official in session!

About

Wed, 17 Aug 2022 23:24:38 GMT

Who Are We?

You're probably wondering what this website even is...!

TheNewNorms is a platform that normalizes the complete opposite of what "culture" deems as right or wrong. Here at TheNewNorms, we're set apart for other essential things like continual progression, transformation, walking in purpose...etc., and as Encourager's we embrace all of these things to the fullest! We're the type of people who stands up when society tells us to sit down. We're

perfectly imperfect and DON'T fit in. We speak truth and light into areas that have darkened over time. We shift the narrative and beat the status quo!

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Over a year, God COMPLETELY changed my life for the better. I was blessed with a second chance and received new eyes

to see things differently. I sort of had the epiphany that I don’t really fit in; to be honest, I was never meant to, so instead of conforming to the crowd, I decided:

Why not be myself and

make my own?

God reassured me that it’s okay to stand out, it’s okay to be a trailblazer, and it’s okay to be the literal definition of an unpopular opinion . This platform isn’t for the SurfaceLevelSally’s or the Hi&ByeBrandon’s it’s for the people who want to get DEEP, and go beyond the societal norms. In the DEEP there's only faith talk and no fear talk, there are only purpose chasers and no paper chasers. Be apart of something that uncovers the greatest version of you. Join the journey as an Encourager, and I promise you won't regret it. It’s time to renew, revamp, and reinvent.

Welcome to…
THENEWNORMS!