November 2018 – Page 2 – Renew Inspiration Mind Body Spirit

Scattered About

LaPorterNovember 7, 201815 Replies

It’s not what you gather, it’s what you scatter that tells the kind of life that you live! – Unknown

Something to Think About – Scatter love wherever you go.

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Lately, I have felt so scattered about. Busy home life, school meetings for the boys, therapy sessions, trying to find time to write and research, and thinking about my mother a lot since this is her birthday month. My mind is constantly on the go and sometimes I just want to shut it off just like a light switch. Other times, I just struggle to organize my thoughts in a manner that is helpful for me in that moment. Can you relate to what I am talking about?

Organizing your thoughts can be very difficult for some people. Depending on the situation, there are many different ways to help gather and organize your thoughts, so you can continue going about your day. The most important thing is to realize that some ways to organize your thoughts may be practical for you, and others may not be. Being open for change is key to a healthy balance. It’s important to be flexible, kind to oneself and willing to adjust your thought process in any given situation. Remember, your mind will always believe everything you tell it. Feed faith. Feed it truth. Feed it with love. Peace and Blessings!

Gather up all your scattered dreams and build the life you love. – Unknown

ORGANIZING YOUR THOUGHTS

Here’s some helpful ways to help organize your thoughts:

• Use sticky notes and a wall – Write down a thought on a sticky note, then stick the note on the wall. Then, spend time sorting your thoughts.

• Take notes on index cards – Use the top red line for the main thought and list the other related thoughts underneath on each of the lines that follow.

• Develop a list – Capture your thoughts on a good old-fashioned list. Then, sort it later.

• Sit quietly or meditate – Meditation can calm the mind and body. Also, it can help you sort out your thoughts subconsciously and help to improve focus.

• Sleep on it – If you cannot seem to make sense of thoughts in your mind, go to sleep for the night and revisit your thoughts in the morning.

• Exercise – Move your body and exercise to give your mind a break which will allow your subconscious to work on your thoughts in the background.

• Spend time in nature – Spend some time outdoors to get out of your head and let your eyes take in the sights. Take a 5 minute walk to help boost your creativity, burn calories and reduce your blood pressure.

• Find a hobby you enjoy or have a passion for, such as drawing, painting, sewing, journaling, blogging, dancing, playing a musical instrument, etc. Get lost in your hobby and forget the sense of time.

A friend gathers your scattered pieces and gives them back to you in the right order. – Unknown

7 MORNING AFFIRMATIONS (www.mysomethingwonderful.com)

• I face today with an open mind

• Today I speak with kindness

• I lead with love

• I am gentle with me

• I will act with intention

• I choose to do no harm

• My actions reflect my words

reflection, outdoors, time, journal prompts, scattered — pexels

TIME FOR REFLECTION – JOURNAL PROMPTS

We come spinning out of nothingness scattering stars like dust. – Rumi

• Besides your looks, what could use a makeover in your life?

• If you could change one thing in your life what would it be?

• Describe a recurring dream you have had at any time in your life. What do you think it means?

• Sit for a minute and consciously breathe in good. What good are you envisioning? What good do you want to bring into your life?

• Sit for a minute and consciously breathe in bad. What bad do you want to leave your life? How can you take one step to do this?

• What gives you the strength to keep going when you feel confused about your thoughts?

• Do you make enough time for what’s important in your life?

flower, blossom, bud, possibility, life, scattered — pexels

YOUR LIFE CAN BLOSSOM – (SaratogaOcean.com)

Each new day is like a tiny bud of possibility for your life to change for the better. All you have to do is let go of whatever has happened so far, and step into a new threshold of opportunity. Use your imagination and envision a renewed blossoming of your life!

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS

I realize that everyone has a moment in life when they feel scattered about. Think about this for a moment. How do you organize your thoughts when you feel scattered about? Do you feel in control of the situation or out of control? Do you feel confused and anxious? What is required of you to get back in control of your life?

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

Renew Inspiration is a participant in the Target Affiliate Program, Blue Host Affiliate Program and the WordPress.com Affiliate Program which are advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Target.com, Bluehost.com and WordPress.com

Simply Joy

LaPorterNovember 4, 201810 Replies

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (Psalm 16:11 NIV)

Something to Think About – Joy is the echo of God’s life in us.

Love is spoken here. Joy is chosen here. Grace is given here. – Unknown

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Today I choose joy and I welcome it into my life. How about you? Now, my life is simply bursting with joy! There’s no doubt about it, joy does not just appear in our lives, we have to make the decision to choose joy and keep choosing it every day. So, repeat after me – I find joy in each day. It’s time to make my joy a priority. My life is full of joy and happiness.

Joy comes when we choose to live in harmony with God’s eternal plan. – Russell M. Nelson

Simply joy has a way of working its way from the inside out. When our lives are filled with joy, we spread the same positive energy to those people around us. Joy is infectious, transmittable, spreadable, and catching. Simply joy is contagious!

When God’s joy fills our mind, body and spirit it bestows on us a beauty that radiates from within. As we spend quality time with God (reading God’s Word, prayer, meditation, spiritual journaling), we will find that God is our sole source of joy. God brings joy into our lives by answering our prayers, offering wisdom, His Word, and blessings from on high. Simply joy is a gift of God and should be your strong foundation so when rough times and unexpected emotions arise in your life, simply joy will remain constant.

Remember to ponder on God’s Word and His promises of future joy in your life often. Let the hope fill your heart until you receive God’s radiant and everlasting joy. Exceedingly great joy will be yours forever. Why? Because simply joy will make you shine forth like the sun itself when God is with you. Peace and blessings!

SCRIPTURES

Here’s some scriptures that speak about joy:

• Then he said unto them, go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength. (Nehemiah 8:10 KJV)

• But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. (Psalm 5:11 NIV)

• Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord. (Psalm 27:6 NIV)

• For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. (Psalm 30:5 NIV)

• Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. (Psalm 51:8 NIV)

• My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you-I whom you have delivered. (Psalm 71:23 NIV)

• When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. (Psalm 94:19 NIV)

• Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. (Psalm 100:1-2 NIV)

• This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24 KJV)

• Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. (Psalm 126:2-3 NIV)

• Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wind with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do. (Ecclesiastes 9:7 NIV)

• And provide for those who grieve in Zion-to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord of the display of his splendor. (Isaiah 61:3 NIV)

• Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. (James 1:2-3 NIV)

• Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. (I Peter 1:8 NIV)

EXAMPLES OF FEELING JOY

You are free to think thoughts of worry or joy, and whatever you choose will attract the same kind back to you. Worry attracts worry. Joy attracts joy. – Rhonda Byrne

Here’s some examples of feeling joy:

• A twinkle in the eye

• A ready smile

• A skip in the step

• A song in the heart

• Pure happiness

• Strength in the midst of weakness

• Peace in the midst of chaos

• Comfort in the midst of sorrow

WAYS TO FIND JOY

Joy is the holy fire that keeps our purpose warm and our intelligence aglow. – Helen Kellar

• Sing fun, upbeat and inspirational songs

• Focus on the good in life, not the negative

• Smile and leave a little sparkle wherever you go

• Surround yourself with joyful and positive minded people

• Talk about joyful things that you enjoy

• Find your passion and share it with others

• Spread joy and positive vibes around friends and strangers

• Share your joyful experiences throughout life

simply joy, blue sky, water, scriptures — pixabay

JOYFUL AFFIRMATIONS

I am perfectly happy to be me. I am good enough just as I am. I love and approve of myself. I am joy expressing and receiving. – Louise Hay

• I am joyful every day and create joy for others.

• I have energy and joy bursting inside of me.

• I move forward with joy and grace.

• I deserve joy and I express joy. Then, life returns the favor.

• I am worthy of joy, abundance and love in my life.

• My heart is so full of joy that it creates ripples of happiness in the hearts of everyone around me.

journaling, book, flowers, writing, simply joy — pixabay

TIME FOR REFLECTION – JOURNAL PROMPTS

There is no joy without gratitude. – Brene Brown

• What brings joy into your life?

• What’s one thing you can do right now to be more connected to joy?

• Write about a joyful experience and include your senses: touch, sight, sound, taste and smell.

• Write two “I am” statements that make you feel joyful and powerful.

• What are three words/phrases that come to mind when you think of joy?

• How can you bring joy into your present situation?

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

Welcome November

LaPorterNovember 1, 20189 Replies

fall season, november, change, gratitude, thankful, grateful — pexels

Small seeds of gratitude will produce a harvest of hope. – Unknown

Something to Think About – Interrupt anxiety with gratitude.

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Let’s Welcome November by introducing an important concept called gratitude! Let’s define gratitude. Gratitude is the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. When was the last time you showed gratitude toward yourself and to others? Gratitude can help shield you from negativity, eliminate stress, heal your body, improve your sleep habits, boost your self-esteem, and improve your personal relationships. If you allow it, gratitude can also unlock the fullness of life. Gratitude turns what we have into enough and more in some cases. Gratitude turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. Gratitude can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. Inhale love. Exhale gratitude.

Gratitude is the single most important ingredient to living a successful and fulfilled life. – Jack Canfield

15 STEPS TO ACHIEVE GRATITUDE (http://preventdisease.com)

• Appreciate
• Stop Labeling
• Optimism
• Release Your Past
• Avoid Comparison
• Kindness
• Stop Using Excuses
• Nurture Relationships
• Forgiveness
• Avoid Impressing Others
• Commit To Your Goals
• Care For Your Body
• Believe
• Dream
• Give

Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs forth from the soul. – Henry Ward Beecher

November, Gratitude, Flowers, Thankful, Grateful — pexels

15 GRATITUDE BUILDING AFFIRMATIONS (www.lemonadebrain.com)

• I am blessed to have the body I have
• I feel grateful to be loved
• I am grateful for how the sun warms my face
• I feel blessed when I see the stars
• I am grateful for my sense of taste
• I am grateful for shelter
• I give thanks for every breath I take in
• I feel gratitude for my dreams
• I feel blessed when I feel grass and sand between my toes
• I am grateful for music that speaks to my heart
• I am thankful for family
• Every time I lift another’s spirit I feel grateful
• I am grateful for my talents
• I am grateful for my sense of smell
• I am grateful for laughter

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. I Chronicles 16:34 NIV

Gratitude is a lifestyle that you choose. Overtime, choosing gratitude means choosing joy. It’s a choice that requires constantly renewing of your mind with the truth of God’s Word, setting your heart to inspire others with creativity from within, and disciplining your tongue to speak words that reflect God’s goodness and His grace. Honestly, I believe a grateful spirit, rooted in the soil of God’s goodness and grace, will impact how you view and respond to everything in your life. When gratitude becomes your default setting, life changes.

GRATITUDE QUOTES

Gratitude is one of the sweet shortcuts to finding peace of mind and happiness inside. No matter what is going on outside of us, there’s always something we could be grateful for. – Barry Neil Kaufman

Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation. – Brian Tracy

Gratitude doesn’t change the scenery. It merely washes clean the glass you look through, so you can clearly see the colors. – Richelle E. Goodrich

The real gift of gratitude is that the more grateful you are, the more present you become. – Robert Holden

GRATITUDE JOURNAL

A gratitude journal is a diary of things for which one is grateful. Gratitude journals are used by individuals who wish to focus their attention on the positive things in their lives.

Start a gratitude journal to include a personal reflection (goals, thoughts, feelings), affirmation, scriptures, poems, quotes, kind gestures (writing notes, letters, or making phone calls). Be creative and honest. This process will change your life in a positive and uplifting way.

November, Gratitude, Thankful, Grateful, Sunset, Peace, Water — pexels

TIME FOR REFLECTION – JOURNAL PROMPTS

Living in a state of gratitude is the gateway to grace. – Arianna Huffington

Welcome November! New month, new dreams, fresh start!

• Today, I show my gratitude by…

• My favorite part of the day was when…

• Today, I accomplished…

• I felt joyful today when…

• Today, I am grateful for…

• What’s a simple pleasure that you’re grateful for?

• What mistake or failure are you grateful for?

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!