Blog #10: Is it a New Year really?

I have been asked why do I not verbally communicate ‘Happy New Year’ to others. I don’t have a definite answer for there are various reasons as to why I don’t. However, there is a common thread to say words that we often justify through continual bad behavior, outlook, and attitude. If you say ‘new’ in any context, at what point is it ‘new?’

When the clock strikes midnight every January 1st, the only thing that has changed is the time! And though we are typically in a new day, only one can define if that new day is ‘new’ from a renewed mentality. If something is ‘new’ to me, it is because I left the old behavior, attitude, character etc behind. However, when some of us radically bring in the ‘new’ with old things or behavior, per se, and then pretend to make these ‘new’ years resolutions, that, were made years ago w/ no satisfaction of completion, did we really bring in anything new?

My challenge to you: if, for whatever reason, u desire and see this as a ‘new’ year, I ask that u have a renewed mind about letting go of the old and seeking the truth for what really is ‘new’ to you in this season and in this time. What maybe ‘old’ to others is possibly ‘new’ to you, so don’t justify your ‘new’ year to anyone.

4ward March,

Tamar

Ephesians 4:22: …to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires…

Blog #9: Almost 2013, Save A $1 A Day

Sunday, August 19, 2012 ~ 3am

I got a chance to hang w/ a classmate and it was the ‘whoa is me sob-story.’ Yes, I listened and yes, I empathized. But there comes a point where even though I’m not all where I want to be, I have found joy in seeing my last $20 bill more so like a $100 bill and enjoy a night out w/ brothers and nephew over some yogurt at a park.

It’s not rocket science. And whether you step foot in another church or hear another sermon or get another inspiring word from a friend or so: God is still God but He desires our faith and obedience.

The issue was simple: she’s 39 and hasn’t remembered the last time she went on a date. I was like ‘gurl, in LA?’ So I told her, “come 2 Houston.” Her response was immediately a “no.” And when I asked her why, she had no rationale. Funny thing is when you ask most people why they decide or not decide to do something, they say ‘I dunno.’  When it boiled down to it, she said she couldn’t afford it. Instead of me jumping down her throat or criticize her, I challenged her to save a $1 a day, get a plane ticket and come to Houston. She wouldn’t have 2 worry about transportation or a place to stay. Let’s face it, most of us feel like we don’t have enough money and we could use more of it.  Right?

It wasn’t until I got home that I realized, once again, we look at what we don’t have and not see what we do have. Or better yet, some of us are not wise enough to really hear our friend’s issues and in wisdom, give sound solutions.

I challenge us to move by a spirit of wisdom like never before. Stop taking things for face value and really communicate with every single person in which you come in contact. God didn’t give us His spirit to just be a beacon of light to be admired upon. You shine because maybe you are an answer to an un-solved question!

Be bold yawl and when talking to friends or associates or co-workers, help find a solution for the sake of solving not for glory or gain, unless its for the person you are helping!

Its Old 4 A Reason…Blog #8

I was going through my journal and came across something that I had written in August 2011 and I had to share it with you…

I found myself at a point in time reading twitter timelines, facebook feeds etc and sub-consciously I started to get down. Notice I said: SUB-CONSIOUSLY. And often times, we find ourselves wishing we were apart of ‘old’ things when God has actually graduated us from those things. Whether those old things were jobs, people, places, accomplishments, relationships, etc., often times, they were places of bondage. As a slave sometime you don’t know you are bound until you are free. Sometimes we stay bound because we fear the unknown and that’s where trusting in God becomes more evident. If we never had hard times, we wouldn’t know how to trust God or move in faith etc. It’s in these times that we must be careful not to look back n2 ‘slavery.’ For if we do, we start to trust that those situations and not God got us through. Sometimes we replace faith on the Lord with reliance on past people, jobs, experiences, emotions. Have you ever heard someone say, “Ooh, I remember when….” Or “I wish it was still like that…?” Hmmm…maybe, just maybe, God has called you to experience more than that in your new freedom.

As I thought of all this, I tuned to Isaiah 31 discussing the perils of not trusting God. I’m no saint, but the 1st verse made me check myself. When have we followed an ideal, or movement, or ideology and not consult our Creator 1st? When have we felt out-numbered or outsourced because of maybe, our lack, lack of experience, or resources? When have we done so many things our way or someone else’s way to end up at square 1: praying and asking for God’s help? And how many times can you honestly say: IF IT HAD NOT BEEN 4 GOD?

Things become old for a reason. They serve its time. People were seasonal for a reason. He/She may have taught you that you will no longer compromise. The job was more than a moneymaking opportunity. Maybe it was for you to build character and for you to make room towards exploration for what you are really passionate about. King David tended sheep before becoming a King, but he was being skilled in how to be a shepherd over many…

My charge to you: As you let go of your past and move towards your destination, whatever that may be, that you seek God’s direction first and that He give you the desire of your heart and that all your plans succeed!

#TamFam Speaks on Tamar Davis…(Blog #7)

TamFam..What????

We have always saw fans supporting their favorite celebrity, but never, as long as I have been a fan of someone, have I saw fans supporting each other. Come on now, to actually see a group of fans come together as a family, pray, inspire, uplift, encourage, create, learn, meet, greet, laugh, cry, ask question, give answers, and try to uphold great character is really not likely, but not unlikely to find. Grammy nominated singer and actress Ashley- TAMAR- Davis created a twitter group (family) that obtains these values. TamFam is a family where any and everybody is family. No matter the racial background, where you live, or your age everyone is welcome. TamFam was not only created from the mind of Ms. Davis but from all who supports her. TamFam is a unit of regular, every day, normal people who all have the mindset, to support Tamar Davis. When you think of family you think of blood related people who interact on a daily base. Well blood couldn’t make this TamFam any closer. They meet and greet from the time they wake up until it’s time for bed. They laugh together, cry together, and pray together. When one stumbles, they all stumble. When one succeeds, they give credit where credit is due and when one is hurt they all pray.

When Tamar Davis created this family, I can’t help but to think that this is how she views her fans. Tamar never calls fans “fans” but TamFam. Never makes anyone feel that they are less than the other person and no person is left behind. Before TamFam was actually announced a family, Tamar had a group of girl who looked up to her as an older sister. These girls ranged from different cities, states, and backgrounds.

Here is what they said: Sierra Miller, 13 (@MickeyXIXXV) says

“I love Tamar because she teaches me a lot and is like me in so many ways. I love TamFam because they get me through my worst days and they are always there to cheer me up. I love Tamar because she brought us together and I love my family, she’s like a mother/sister.”

Jasmine Sallins, 18 (@Jazzy_Jaye) says “I admire Tamar because she is an inspiration. She’s funny, cool, and down to earth. She’s always there, always keeps a smile on your face, and try’s her best to help even though she is miles away. I love TamFam very nice ladies/young ladies. We are truly a family.”

Danielle Davis 23 (@Tamar_lilsista) says “I admire Tamar because she is always there when you need her, always knows what to say and any situation, always makes you laugh, and she loves her TamFam. I want to tell TamFam I love you and Thanks for everything.”

Lakeshia Gilson, 22 (@Kah_Keesha) says “I admire TamFam do to the fact that we love one another and we don’t even know one another. I admire Tamar because she is humble.”

Otische’ Owens, 23 (@Tischesquared) says “I admire Tamar unselfish attitude. She’s passionate about people, and that’s what I want to be consistently. I admire my TamFam because they’ve never met me and yet they’ve shown me love. That’s enough to make someone change.”

Telea Vinson, 25 (@Cutsie9) says “I admire Tamar because she has the heart of angel and a voice that can penetrate heaven. She inspires me to because she always puts god first before anything she does and TamFam is our way of communicating to the world how much we love her. I love TamFam because we all love Tamar, so we are connected as a group who prays for and supports each other.”

Tamar Davis holds conversation with TamFam and TamFam always has a response for her. She holds Daily discussions, encourages, and inspires all who follows her. According to TamFam there is not a dishonest, mean, selfish bone in her body. Tamar has inspired the world from her tour with singer/songwriter Prince, her tour with director/producer Tyler Perry, her Blog Posts (www.TamarDavis.com), and Her recent album “My name is Tamar”. I have no dealt to believe that this movement of TamFam will continue to grow. People from different cities, states, and countries have all joined together to create this amazing Family we Call TamFam.

I have been a part of this movement from almost the beginning and I have to say, you have to see it to believe it. I never thought I could be loved by someone besides my blood family and Tamar showed me that I could. TamFam has been amazing. You can’t help but to love them back. I mean complete strangers and it feels like I’ve known them all my life. It’s this glow you get on your face whenever you receive a message from anybody in the family. Sometimes I receive message from TamFam before I even wake up. It’s crazy amazing to know I will always have a family outside of my original family. Tamar has completely left me speechless. She continues to amaze me. I’ve never known anyone as busy as her who actually takes the time out to talk to their fans. I want to say thank you to TamFam for loving and supporting one another and just being you and Thank you to Tamar for creating a place where we can find closure, support, inspiration, love, and prayers when we need it. If we continue spreading this love TamFam will be worldwide. Whoop Whoop!

With Love
-Shadarra PutillaTamar Video Blog

Whatever Your “It” Is, “It’s” Always On Time (Blog #6)

I’m smiling because I want 2 ENCOURAGE and ENCOURAGE and ENCOURAGE (w/ the biggest smile on my face and joy in my soul): GOD WILL MAKE A WAY OUT OF NO WAY. And I’m not necessarily referring to the “ways” being seen or produced from your gifts or your 9 to 5 jobs. I’m talking: “Mission Impossible, coming out of nowhere, Spiderman flying from building to building trying to save you” kinda way.

Think about a time in your life where u thought: now how am I going to get through this? And now think about where you are now: 2011.

If you can honestly say: ‘He brought me through that, what makes me feel, think, or sense He can’t bring me through this…’ then you are ripe for a newer understanding of who God is TODAY.

Today I got a chance 2 experience God’s provision outside of my singing/acting/ performing gift. Meaning: it had nothing 2 do with my natural gifts, per se. It was linked to me seeing and doing what others dared not see or do. Or caring or loving for someone that others ignored while in the same room. Without going n2 2 many details, I got a chance 2 work w/ a novice actor whom my other cast-mates made fun of, laughed @, talked about etc. that, 4 some reason I saw a long-time friendship with this fellow actor. I dared 2 get 2 know this actor and dared 2 scratch the surface w/ this actor and, long story short, we have become the best of friends. Not friends that talk everyday, or hang everyday, or see each other everyday but friends that when needed the truth we were there. Or friends that when needed a support or shoulder, we were there. Or my favorite: FRIENDS that saw the God in each other when others wrote us off. In the midst of it, my friend needed my help indirectly. As uncomfortable as the extent of the help was: I began 2 be grateful that I was trustworthy enough 2 do so in assisting.

My point: we can’t think that God, because of how he blessed us years prior or how he operated in let’s say 2006 that He will come the same way, heal the same way, deliver the same way, make amends the same way, protect the same way, even show His love, mercy, and grace the same way. My petition 2 u: Sew your time. Sew your seed. Sew your gift. Sew your giving. Sew your help. Sew your smile. Sew your tears. For you never know which of them will harvest that which you have been waiting 4. Just keep loving. Keep caring. Keep listening. Keep understanding. Keep giving. Keep referring. Keep showing mercy. Keep helping. AND DON’T LOOK 4 THINGS TO COME BACK DIRECTLY THE WAY YOU PUT THEM OUT TO WHOM YOU GENERATED THAT WHICH YOU GAVE.

Whatever your “IT” is…IT’S always ON TIME!

It’s What You Do Behind Closed Doors (Blog #5)

Often times we want people 2 know a piece of our minds. And often times we want revenge in a timely manner determined by us. And often times our natural instinct is to speak back, or lash out, or my favorite: talk about others in a negative way. But vengeance thru God’s eyes has no price tag. I have found its what u do ‘in private’ that determines the outcome of a situation that ultimately leads to success that even your enemies have 2 acknowledge is success. Your “private” may be praying for those who’ve done you wrong, or working on you (i.e. eating healthier, working out, practicing on your craft, mediation hour). And I have found that we, through face book, twitter, and other viral sites focus on the new age terminology ‘haters’ so much, that it has become a major distraction in our purpose.

I say ‘our’ because as I write to you, I too have been victim to this very thing. But I have found that once we focus and work on “our” purpose, all negative internal/external energies can be destroyed such as fear, doubt, envy, jealousy, coveting etc. For example: U want 2 own your own valet company. What licenses are you required 2 have? Who would your competitors be? Where is valet parking more valued than in other locations?

If you find that you can’t answer the in-depth questions such as who, what, when, how, where, you have not began to explore your “purpose.” I am a true testament that when u focus on your purpose, your joy will be so overwhelming that the smallest things that use 2 bother you will no longer be a joy stealer. Your focus on purpose will be a catalyst as you move 4ward. Its in that revelation of how u feel ‘moving’ in your purpose that continues to encourage the essence of who u were created 2 be. Yes, you will be tested. Yes, you will cry. Yes, you will have questions. You can’t focus on what use to be…or whom you use to hang with…or what you use to have. The past is the past for a reason. The present is the present for a reason. And the future is the future for a reason. If you are still alive and breathing, you have everything you need for that day. Determine your passion and work on it. Don’t worry about the income or the people or why people seem to ‘hate’ on you. Once you write down that vision and continually work towards that vision, you will be amazed at what God can do when you honor HIS purpose.

With honesty,

Tamar

The Power of Attaining the Basics (Blog #4)

Do you desire to win a Grammy for your hottest song and have never written a song?

Have you desired to be an author and have never picked up a pen and a notebook and wrote a story?

Do you desire to be a designer and never have drawn an article of clothing?

When is the last time you read the latest news on the desired occupation of your choice? For instance: You want to be a music engineer and you research what it takes to be a music engineer…

Or what about an actress? Have you learned a monologue or two? Have you taken headshots? Have you joined the theatre department at school, church, or your community?

I ask these questions because it amazes me how many messages I get from my loyal supporters asking numerous questions for advise about how to “break into the industry” and then when I pose these question-like-answers, some are amazed because no one ever told them about the power of attaining the basics.

My encouragement to you: Don’t look at where you live, or what you don’t have access too, or who helped who, or why you don’t have something or my favorite one: how will I get to it, him, or that location.

Your gift will make room for you…. simple as that. When you use your gift (whether in human eyes big or small) God honors the fact that you are using what HE gave you. He will open doors that to man makes no sense.  How can HE order your steps, if you don’t take one?

Love ya,

Tamar

 

Why Did U Stop?

I’m sorry but today was an emotional day 4 me. I was once again challenged after speaking with someone and it hit me: why not, at times when you don’t know what to pray for, why not just simply, wholeheartedly pray the Lord’s prayer? Have you notice that, or at least I have, seen so much more happen when you don’t specifically ask for something, that you get more than what u could’ve ever imagine?

Why do we stop praying? Why? When? Is it because we didn’t see the signs? Or did you see the signs and it felt like the promise was taking too long?

How many times have you asked for something, but took no steps or attempts towards that thing?

Or how many times have we prayed for something, got it, and began to detest or loathe it and realize, I don’t want it anymore?

Interesting thought: if I say, “I’ve always wanted to be on the Oprah show and that’s still a desire of mine, BUT her show no longer exists, did that mean my prayer or desire wasn’t answered?”

It dawned on me: if we prayed for something and now that so called “something” no longer exist, it’s not that the prayer was unanswered, it’s that the answer is yet to be revealed and the answered is better than the thing we actually desired or wanted…

My point is: Stop limiting yourself and God. Pray for wisdom and understanding about someone or a situation. And as you make those steps, God will order them. But someone asked me “what if the steps you take are wrong?” If you seek HIS will 1st, God will honor HIS word. Trust me. Seek HIM first and when you step He will order them. And don’t be anxious for the effects of that obedient step, just STEP. Stop looking for something and understand what you do have. Regardless of your location or situation or circumstance, God will take what you have because you took what you have and create from there! He is not God, just to be God. He is God and He created you to dispel HIM in the earth. What’s the point of our existence if we can’t attest to HIS delivering power?

Think about it….

With love…

Tamar

Who Took Your Passion?

I got a chance to speak with a friend of mind and often times, the things I think about internally, I am able to randomly discuss them with those who happen to re-ignite those thoughts back into the forefront of my mind…

As I sometimes get the chance to spend time with my only nephew (too adorable), I get to see so much happiness, freedom, fun, the ability to learn, his dependency on me, his memory bank full of remembering things that I taught him and so on, and so forth. I have seen him recite things back to me or quote lines from his favorite cartoon show as if he is 15 years old, not missing a step. I see him navigate through nickjr.com and play games and watch videos and see him soak in the opportunity to learn. When he wants to color and before he colors, I test his knowledge of the colors before he can enjoy the process of coloring. And he nails each color as if he were 10 years old, when he’s only 2 years old. Every time he sees me, he associates going to the mall and riding the choo-choo train, because that was a “field-trip” I would take him on to give my parents a semi-babysitting break so that they could partly enjoy their weekend as well. And I finally came up with the blog topic of today:

At what point did someone destroy our happiness and passion of life that anything is possible in our lives? At what point did someone or internally we begin to fear or doubt our dreams? At what point did someone tell us that our ideas could not be reality? Did we discuss them with the wrong people? Or did we hang around non-dreamers or non-believers?

I often study my nephew’s mannerisms and I have realized that there comes a point in everyone’s life that we have experienced naysayers and negative influences’ that have halted or slowed down our progress in this race we call “life.” But when and who did what? Lol

Not too long ago I too experienced a lady who kept questioning my decisions in how I saw myself moving forward in the entertainment industry. She questioned me so much, that I remember hanging up the telephone and asking, “Why did I ask her opinion in the first place? Why did I need her validation?” And that’s when it hit me:

When God gives you insight to where He is taking you, He did not intend for us to discuss it with anyone or to have anyone’s approval. Have you noticed that some of the very people you started out with gave up on their dreams and look at you in envy? They envy your tenacity and perseverance. Don’t take it to heart my love. For the race was not given to the swift or the sworn but to those who endure to the end.

We operate in time, but God does not! If He gave it to you, TRUST ME, continue to TRUST in HIM and you will see it come to pass. Watch who you discuss things with. You may ask, “But how do I do that?” Pray over them. People who are suppose to help you will give you sound advice based on experiences. They won’t tell you, “If I were you,” or “If it were me.” They would simply advise based on experience and truth.

So, stay encouraged as always!

Tamar Davis

Why Me?

Hey yawl. I wanted to write my 1^st official blog and just pour out my inner-most feelings (not all of them lol) about events, issues, daily inspirations, the what’s, when’s and where’s and just overall thoughts and essence of what makes me, ME: Ashley Tamar Davis aka Tamar…

Someone asked me one-day do I ever get mad? Do I ever cry? Have I ever said a curse word? Do I regret? Have I ever thought of giving up? On and on and on I constantly get asked about normal life’s issues and I found that sometimes people think I am immune to life and the perils thereof…

And then there are questions like “How do I get into acting?” or “Can you teach me how to sing?” or “How do you know when you have talent?” Or “What’s the difference between having talent and having a gift?” or “What is success?” or “Is there a difference between FAME, SUCCESS, or having a CAREER?”

So starting in this first blog, I will begin to share as much as I know based on my life’s experiences thus far. I do not want to give opinions or assessments, just my honest-to-God truths and the evidence thereof…

The reality is I do get mad. I do cry. I have said a curse word a time or two. NO I have no regrets and NO I have never thought of giving up. I am neither Republican nor Democrat. I like the color Pink and I cannot stand snakes. I love to rides horses and YES I have failed, a many, many times. And not the obvious fail. But the internal-kinda-fail when you know you should do one thing and you choose to do something else because of the presence of FEAR (but that’s another blog).

But there are some common threads between most of us that I would like to initially discuss: 1. We are creations of God and desire perfection at all times, but will never be perfect and 2. There have been times where we ask ourselves “Why Me?”

The answer: Why not you? Why can you not get rid of the addiction? Why can’t you say ‘no?’ Why can’t you be blessed? Why can’t you give? Why can’t you receive? Why can you not be loved? Why can’t you love?

I found that my perception on where I am today is not based on external ideals but solely based on how God sees me. Whether you believe in God the Father, Allah (as some call HIM), Jehovah, or the sciences, we all know we have a beginning and will have an end. I do believe that God created us: you, me, us, humans as so intricate as we are, with a mind, body, and spirit.

And I do believe that God sees everything and that HE understands our makeup and existence.

I, you and me, have and constantly experiences God’s love through people, events…

I, you and me, have and constantly will experience HIS grace, more so when we didn’t or don’t deserve it.

I don’t intend to convince, convict, or force any1 to believe in my ideals nor should you. However, in my upcoming blogs, I will share the most personal understandings in my life that have transformed myself and others at the simple introduction to LOVE and I desire to answer as many questions as I possibly can.

Enjoy and share with me!

With Love,

Tamar