Appreciate the "Small" things.

Did you wake up this morning and give thanks? We seem to forget this is a privilege. We are so used to waking up and immediately being on go whether it is to go to work, school, appointments, tend to children, etc... that we don't even give thanks for waking up this morning. I have been guilty of this myself. It is so important that we thank the Man upstairs for blessing us with a new day every single day we wake up because it is a privilege that not every one gets. Every day we are given is a new day for new opportunities whether we realize it or not we are waken up for a reason. We are so blessed to be where we are even if it's really not where we want to be. As Ecclesiastes 3 says "there is a time for everything under the heavens." When I find myself wanting to complain... I always remember that verse. Also, that there is somebody wishing they had what I had, so it's never all that bad. It is a privilege to be typing this because there are people who don't have devices to do this let alone know how to read. Appreciating what seems so small is so important because we wish we had this or that which is great to dream and want better, but how can you want better if you are not appreciating what you have right now in this moment? Appreciate what you have now and the rest will come after! As Uncle Snoop says "if you breathing, you achieving!" because literally. It is a blessing because there's people old and young dying every minute and no matter how the world looks it is a blessing to be here! 

Small things can include: breathing, health being able to do things on your own without help (mobility), having a meal, clean water to drink and bathe in, a bed, a home, people who love you, having a car, cell phone, clothes, shoes, so much more! This world is so focused on what we don't have how about appreciating what you do have and making the best out of it and watch how much better life gets. Don't forget to give thanks!

1 Thessalonians 5:18 "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Find your passion

Have a business you been wanting to start? Wanting to lose weight? There are plenty of more examples, but these are just a couple. Fear causes us to hold back on finding our true passions because we are scared of the unknown. Valid feeling though because the unknown is scary... it is unknown! The unknown does not have to be scary. Let go and completely surrender to God knowing He has us under His wings at all times. Get up and go try different things. Don't let fear or inexperience hold you back. Reach for the stars and grab some! Don't keep saying one day... let today be day one! Faith without works is dead, so in order to get what we desire that requires change and discipline. There will be days you may want to give up, but don't because that just means the finish line is getting closer :) Take a deep breath and understand you were not brought this far to be left astray.

  

Philippians 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

SAY NO!

Stop people pleasing! Have you ever said yes to something you really wanted to say no to? Same... While it's good to help others, but it's important we use our discernment to understand whether someone is using us or not. People will really do what you allow and more if you allow them to. Being a people pleaser all my life, I understand that it seems so hard to disappoint others, but it is what it is because people will either hate you or love you. We can't please everyone. That's not our job. It is so easy to get caught up in taking care of others, we forget about ourselves and that's not okay. Learn to say no because it is 100% okay to choose yourself too because I always say you can't pour from an empty cup. Now this is not an overnight process because I have been working on this for a while and still have my times where I slip... no one is perfect. Don't worry about others because honestly people are going to talk about you no matter what. No is also a complete sentence. There is no need to overexplain anything! SO those people who are taking your kindness for weakness... shake up their worlds by telling them no for a change and pay attention to how they start acting towards you after. Some people just want to take, take, take, but never give and that's not fair. Don't continuously put yourself last for people who don't care nor reciprocate. 

Isaiah 40:31: "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint." This verse emphasizes the power of hope and reliance on God for renewed strength."

Procrastination

 Procrastination... boy oh boy is it something we have all been guilty of. That clean laundry sitting in your basket that was supposed to be folded days ago, that workout session that you were supposed to do last week, that assignment you knew about for months and waited until the night before? Yup, been guilty of all and so much more lol. We know something needs to be done and continuously put off then days turn into weeks, then months, years even pass by and we're like dang... I should have done that, but we can't get that time back. It is so easy to fall into this because sometimes we really just don't be in the mood to do that certain thing, however, as I have mentioned before breaks are necessary because we can't pour from empty cups, but we also must push ourselves to do things we may not want to do. For example, if you know you have to do the fold laundry instead of putting it off just do it immediately after it comes out of the dryer because it will have to get done anyways why not just knock it off the list? I'm talking to myself here as well. I am still learning to stop procrastinating so much. I have saw various videos of older people giving advice to the younger folks and a lot of them discuss how quickly life passed them by because they too procrastinated in life and it will pass you by so quickly and the longer you tell yourself "I'll do it later or tomorrow" you'll be 60 before you know it be wondering where did all the time go. Look how quickly we are already halfway through the year that seems like just started! Anyway, tomorrow is not promised. To be honest, later really isn't promised either, so do the thing now!!

Affirmations

Happy July! Blessings to all. Long time, no post lol... I think I took my "Take a break" post a bit too literally. 

Today, I wanted to talk about affirmations. They are basically positive reassuring phrases to say to yourself. They help rewire your brain into thinking more positively. I am an overthinker and when my mind starts spiraling in negativity, I learned to say affirmations aloud to calm my mind. Honestly, I never knew much about affirmations until I reached adulthood... Once I started, I realized how much of a difference they make in my day and my overall well-being. To be honest, this is not an overnight process... It takes time and consistency to really rewire your brain into thinking more positively especially because our minds do tend to wander off thinking of negative things such as those random intrusive thoughts, but the best way to fight that is clocking it immediately with some positivity. I am going to leave a few that have helped me along the way and can hopefully help you too. 

1. I love myself.
2. I am calm and patient with myself.
3. Everything is always working out for me no matter how it looks.
4. I love and forgive myself from past hurt.
5. I matter.
6. The negative thoughts are not real. It is just a thought... breathe, let it pass.
7. Release exterior things you cannot control, focus on what you can control which is YOU.

Feeling lonely

Hi everyone! I hope all is well although there is a bunch of chaos going on in the world. I hope everyone is doing well mentally and physically. I pray for all wellbeing ❤️

I know it’s been a while I’ve been unmotivated to be completely honest. There is so much going on in the world I just don’t know what to say... but today I have been feeling lonely & I know you know how it feels to feel this way. It’s not a fun feeling. I don’t have many friends which is a blessing and a curse. There isn’t any drama which is always a plus, but I would like to have friends to hang out with at times. I don’t mind doing things alone, but sometimes it’s really nice to have that company to laugh and talk about any and everything with. I’ve always been told “Do things on your own” um and what exactly do you think I have been doing? I enjoy my own company for sure, but people always make it seem like it’s a bad thing to want genuine connections with people. There is nothing wrong with that at all we’re made to connect with others. God made Eve for Adam. God says love others as he’s loved us. Connecting with others practices His word. If you’re feeling this way don’t let others, get in your head by invalidating your feelings of feeling lonely because it’s normal!! We get lonely sometimes, but we’re never alone! When I feel this way, I pray. Isaiah 41:10 “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Sometimes it is also easy to give up on God when we feel like things aren’t going the way we want them to go, but in all honestly God hides us from things that aren’t meant for us even when we’re not understanding. I’m preaching to myself here too because sometimes I do genuinely feel like why God? What is taking so long? because I’m not looking at the bigger picture. but Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Prayers to all families affected in all areas of the world 🙏🏾

Firstly wanted to say prayers to all of the families being separated 😣🙏🏾 this world is getting crazier by the day. I pray that God keeps everyone under his shield, He is our refuge and our fortress. “It was also called Mizpah, because he said, “May the Lord keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other.” Genesis 31:49