Autumn – Renew Inspiration Mind Body Spirit

Ways to Celebrate Halloween

LaPorterOctober 30, 2019Leave a Reply

Celebrate Halloween, Autumn, Fall Holiday, Scary, Sweet Treats, Pumpkins, Witches — pixabay

Shadows of a thousand years rise again unseen, voices whisper in the trees tonight is Halloween. – Unknown Author

Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through any of the links (at no additional cost to you).

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Well, I have to admit, I did not do very well with the Blogtober Challenge that I started on October 1. Even with planning and having the right intentions, I just could not blog as much as I wanted to. My husband is still recovering from his foot surgery, I’ve been working during the week, and helping my boys with homework. Despite all of that, I could not end October without writing a Halloween blog post.

It’s that time of year again when the leaves are falling from the trees, the days become shorter, and the temperatures begin to drop. When fall arrives we know Halloween shortly follows. I have to admit, I have never been excited about Halloween, but it was always nice to go trick-or-treating as a family. However, as you get older, trick-or-treating becomes very old and boring.

AMAZON RESOURCE # 1 – Halloween Decorations

Nowadays, Halloween can get very expensive with buying costumes, buying candy/treats, and going to various Halloween parties. Depending on your family size and the ages of your children, you may have to get a little creative when planning to celebrate Halloween.

Here’s some family-friendly ways to celebrate Halloween without buying costumes or going out to trick-or-treat:

• Decorate your house with fall colors, festive leaves, pumpkins, and wreaths.

• Go to a pumpkin patch to select your favorite pumpkin(s).

• Visit a local farm or park to enjoy hay rides, bonfires, corn mazes, and haunted houses.

• Have a pumpkin painting or carving party with a twist. Encourage the participants to be as creative as possible when decorating the pumpkins.

• Make pumpkin bread, popcorn balls, or any Halloween themed snacks as a family. Then, watch your favorite scary classic movies as a family.

Celebrate Halloween, Pumpkins, Autumn, Fall Holiday — pixabay

• Host an orange and black party. Ask all guests to wear orange and black. Serve a variety of orange and black snacks/drinks.

• Enjoy a big bonfire outside in the backyard and tell scary stories.

• Visit a local cider mill to enjoy warm cider, donuts, live music, and apples.

• Enjoy time as a family doing spooky crafts, playing board games, and eating sweet treats.

• Visit a church that’s hosting Harvest Night which normally provides a safe, but fun environment for the children.

Remember, Halloween is just a bunch of hocus pocus for some and for others it’s a time to have lots of fun. Have a safe and Happy Halloween, in whatever ways you choose to celebrate!

AMAZON RESOURCES #2 – Halloween Games

SELF-REFLECTION & JOURNAL PROMPTS

A touch of magic; A pinch of fright; Cast a spell this festive night. – Rusty Fischer

Journaling is a powerful way to process events in your life, build self-awareness, get more clarity, and keep yourself on track. Journaling also allows for past reflection, future insight, and present surrender. Now, close your eyes and clear your mind. Grab your pen/pencil. Open your journal or notebook. Ready, set, write!

• My favorite activity to do around Halloween is ____________________.

• I enjoy celebrating Halloween because _______________________.

• One of my fears is ________________________.

• My favorite scary movie of all time is ___________________________.

• Do you prefer to trick-or-treat or go to a Halloween party?

AMAZON RESOURCE #3 – Halloween Books

TIME TO SHARE & COMMENT

Wicked never looked so cute. – Unknown Author

Let’s talk. Do you celebrate Halloween? If yes, what is your favorite way to celebrate Halloween? Please share your thoughts in the comments section. I look forward to reading your feedback!

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through any of the links (at no additional cost to you).

Fall Back in a Healthy Way

LaPorterOctober 20, 20193 Replies

Fall Back, Healthy Way, Renew Inspiration, Autumn, Set Goals, Stay Motivated, Be Productive, Mindset, Self-Reflection, Journal Prompts — pexels

Don’t just focus on weight loss, focus on living your life in a healthy way. – Unknown Author

Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through any of the links (at no additional cost to you).

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Today, I want to talk about a very important topic that we experience every year. On the first Sunday of November, our clocks will move back an hour at 2 a.m., and we will gain an hour of sleep as we “fall back” as Daylight- Saving Time officially ends. Unfortunately, that extra hour of rest will come at a cost to our daily routines.

DAYLIGHT-SAVING TIME

For those of us who live in cooler climates like Michigan, the end of Daylight-Saving Time reminds us that we will:

• Sleep one extra hour each day, but still feel tired.
• Feel the chilly winds very soon.
• Pull out our sweaters and jackets.
• Have less daylight in the evening hours.
• Stay indoors a lot more due to the weather and darkness.

AMAZON RESOURCE # 1 – Purchase this item to improve your healthy journey.

TIPS TO FALL BACK IN A HEALTHY WAY

The secret to living well is – eat half, walk double, laugh triple and love without measure. – Tibetan Proverb

However, for many people, the end of Daylight-Saving time may increase cases of depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), cluster headaches, and other health concerns, such as drowsiness and irritability. Even though there’s nothing you can do to fully compensate for the sudden time change, it’s important to make this experience as healthy as you can.

Here’s some tips to fall back in a healthy way:

• Advance Preparation for the fall time change. Move your clock backwards on Saturday night and think about readjusting your bed time to better align with the time change.

• Don’t stay up later. Be sure to go to bed on time. Allow your body to readjust to the time change in a healthy way.

• Limit all alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine on the Saturday before. These items can impact your ability to fall asleep and they can also trigger headaches.

• Get a lot of sunshine. Go outside and get a lot of sunshine. If it’s too cold, open your blinds. Try to go for walks during the day to help boost your mood and energy.

• Exercise daily. Mild exercise, such as walking can help keep you from crashing on the couch after work.

• Ditch the naps. Although a power nap during the day is tempting, don’t do it. If you get tired, get up and take a walk or do a vigorous exercise routine.

• Resist sleeping in. Do not sleep in. Get up like you normally do. It’s important to jump right into your daily routine.

• Adjust lighting. Adjusting the amount of light and dark in your home/office can help make the transition less difficult.

AMAZON RESOURCE # 2 – Purchase this item to learn more about setting goals.

FEED YOUR FOCUS

A mind troubled by doubt cannot focus on the course to victory. – Arthur Golden

Now, it’s time to focus on what really matters, right? Not the time change, but life, family, careers, households, hobbies, etc. Whether you are trying to focus on some personal goals for yourself or trying to pursue a new career, it’s important to set goals, stay motivated, be productive, and change your mindset.

Set Goals

• Evaluate your current situation – What do you want to change?
• Determine your goals – What do you want to improve?
• Write down your goals and revisit your goals daily
• Write down a plan to reach your goals
• Establish a reward system when you reach milestones
• Check your progress and readjust your goals as necessary

Stay Motivated

• Recite positive affirmations and quotes
• Read inspirational and motivational books
• Pick a healthy habit to work on daily
• Join a supportive group to receive encouragement and feedback
• Determine weaknesses and strengths
• Think positive and remind yourself of your goals
• Track your progress throughout the week

Be Productive

• Strive for consistency while working on projects
• Observe how you plan your days – Use a daily To-Do List
• Define your priorities – What’s important to you?
• Have a positive mindset daily
• Define your focus

Change Your Mindset

• Positive thoughts equal positive outcomes
• Admit that your thinking needs to be adjusted
• Seek positive support from family, friends, support groups
• Immerse yourself in personal growth – Read inspirational books or listen to positive speakers
• Forward thinking will move your focus away from where you don’t want to be to where could be

I hope these tips will help you approach the upcoming Daylight-Saving Time in a more positive way.

AMAZON RESOURCE #3 – Purchase this item to improve your journaling skills.

SELF-REFLECTION & JOURNAL PROMPTS

Nothing looks as good as healthy feels. – Unknown Author

Journaling is a powerful way to process events in your life, build self-awareness, get more clarity, and keep yourself on track. Journaling also allows for past reflection, future insight, and present surrender. Upon entering the journaling process, you will find that you are able to reflect freely without judgement. Now, close your eyes and clear your mind. Grab your pen/pencil. Open your journal or notebook. Ready, set, write!

MIND
• Write down everything in life that gives you pleasure or joy.
• What in my life makes me feel alive and energized?
• What are your successes and struggles?
• How can I love myself on today?
• What can I do to take better care of myself?

BODY
• Today, I can honor my body by ___________________________.
• Dear body, I love you because ______________________.
• When I look in the mirror, I feel ____________________.
• How do I connect food with my body?
• What are my fitness goals?

SPIRIT
• What do I need more of in my life?
• What words do I wish someone would say to me right now?
• How can I give that to myself today…this week…this month…this year?
• What is my vision for the next 3 months?
• List 5 to 7 new habits you’d like to adapt in the new year.

AMAZON RESOURCE #4 – Purchase this item to enhance your mind, body & spirit.

TIME TO SHARE & COMMENT

Focus on your health. Not your weight. – Unknown Author

Let’s talk. Are you prepared for the end of Daylight-Saving Time? If not, how do you plan to prepare yourself? What is one thing you need to change in your life right now in this very moment? Please share your thoughts in the comments section. I look forward to reading your feedback!

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through any of the links (at no additional cost to you).

Reflections of Autumn and Faith

LaPorterOctober 6, 20192 Replies

Reflections, Autumn, Faith, Flowers, Life Lessons — pixabay

Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go. – Unknown Author

Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through any of the links (at no additional cost to you).

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Well, here’s to another wonderful and blessed autumn day! Would you agree? Today, I want to focus on reflections of autumn and faith. Despite what you have experienced throughout the week, be thankful that you are here today to speak about it, read my inspirational blog, and write in your journal. It’s important to speak positive words into our lives so we can receive the benefit which is a positive outcome to our negative situation.

DEFINITIONS

Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree. – Emily Bronte

Well, today’s positive words are autumn and faith. In order to move forward, I feel it is important to provide the definitions of autumn and faith as it relates to this blog post.

• Autumn – Autumn, also known as fall, is one of the four temperate seasons. Autumn marks the transition from summer to winter, when the duration of daylight becomes shorter and the temperature cools.

• Faith – Faith is a strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof.

AMAZON RESOURCE # 1

REFLECTIONS OF AUTUMN AND LIFE LESSONS

Autumn is my time. I am most radiant and full of energy when the leaves are falling and there is a ghost of change in the air. – Unknown Author

I have to admit, autumn is my favorite season. I love the coolness in the air and the mental cleansing that I strive for as I experience change all around me. Have you ever just looked at nature (the trees, flowers, animals, grass) during the autumn season? If you take just a moment each day and reflect on the change that you experience as well as life itself, you will learn a lot about your very existence which turns into life lessons.

Here’s a few examples of how reflections of autumn can provide you with life lessons:

• Radiate Beauty – There’s so much beauty outdoors. Take a moment and reflect on the fall colors and textures, then capture your own beauty, creativity and awareness during this time of natural change.

• Let Go – Allow yourself to release anything and anybody from your presence that do not help you to grow and flourish. Once you release, you will naturally enjoy fresh new beginnings in life that will allow you to grow and mature.

• Find Balance – As you go through life, it’s important to reflect on a healthy balance in life so that you can enjoy family, work, and personal time without feeling guilty.

• God’s Blessing – It’s always good to reflect on God’s Blessings, but autumn brings more awareness to change and healthy relationships. Always strive to find healthy ways to improve your life as it relates to family, friendships, guidance, etc.

AMAZON RESOURCE #2

FAITH CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS

God has a purpose for your pain, a reason for your struggle and a reward for your faithfulness. Trust Him and don’t give up. -Dave Willis

With that said, let’s have a spiritual discussion concerning “FAITH”. Your faith can move mountains and your doubt can create them. Now, what is your understanding of this statement? Well, it’s quite simple. You must believe in your heart and mind that you will receive whatever it is that you are praying for throughout your journey. No mountain is too big for our God. I always think of a mountain as any obstacle, problem, or situation that happens in our lives throughout the journey. Unfortunately, some mountains can destroy relationships and break up happy homes.

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS AND FAITH

Faith is all about believing. You don’t know how it will happen, but you know it will. – Unknown Author

Take a Step Back
Throughout our journey, it would be nice if we could backtrack and start over from time to time without harming anyone along the way. But how did we get to the point where we want to press the reset button? For some of us, we try to learn from our mistakes which causes us to wonder why we made them in the first place. Retracing our steps helps us remember who we are and where we come from throughout the faith process. This means spending time in meditation and prayer. Then, looking at your current situation to see where we may have taken the wrong turn.

Apologize
Then, it is time to apologize for our mistakes if you have hurt someone along the way. How awful we must feel, right? For some people apologizing and asking for forgiveness is too hard to bare alone. In most cases, our pride stands in the way of apologizing to make someone else feel better. It is important to retrace our steps and learn how we should be honest to not just ourselves, but also to others. We should all strive to learn and grow from our mistakes. This learning and growing experience is not meant to be easy, but it is a necessary step in this learning and faith process.

Make Amends
Then, it is time to make amends with those who we have done wrong. In some cases, amends can be straight forward and in other cases it can be quite messy. But nevertheless, be true and honest to yourself. Put everything you have into this faith process to amend your relationships and receive the much needed forgiveness from the person(s) in question.

Move On
Then, the final step in this faith process is the time to prepare yourself to move on. Remember, it is good to ponder on your mistakes, but don’t let them shame you or make you think you are alone throughout the faith process. No matter how big our mistakes seem in life, God’s love can help us through those darkest days. Simply put, we shall be well and rise again. Just let go, release, and move on.

AMAZON RESOURCE #3

SELF-REFLECTION & JOURNAL PROMPTS

Don’t dig up in doubt what you planted in faith. -Elisabeth Elliot

Journaling is a powerful way to process events in your life, build self-awareness, get more clarity, and keep yourself on track. Journaling also allows for past reflection, future insight, and present surrender. Upon entering the journaling process, you will find that you are able to reflect freely without judgement. Now, close your eyes and clear your mind. Grab your pen/pencil. Open your journal or notebook. Ready, set, write!

• How can you strengthen your faith in God?

• What is going well in your life right now?

• What could be improved?

• What are 3 things that you are believing God for?

• What fears do you have in life?

• What would you do if you were not afraid?

• What advice should you give yourself right now?

• What are your priorities in life?

AMAZON RESOURCES #4

TIME TO SHARE & COMMENT

Your faith can move mountains and your doubt can create them. – Unknown Author

Let’s talk. Your mind will always believe everything you tell it. Feed it faith. Feed it truth. Feed it with love. What is on your mind right now? How strong is your faith? Do you believe in miracles? How often do you spend time reflecting on your life? Please share your thoughts in the comments section. I look forward to reading your feedback!

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through any of the links (at no additional cost to you).

Favorite Autumn Activities

LaPorterOctober 2, 20192 Replies

autumn, fall, pumpkins, activities — pixabay

Autumn your presence speaks to my soul and I cannot wait for our next conversation. – Heather Warren

Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through any of the links (at no additional cost to you).

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Living in Michigan during autumn is so beautiful. I don’t know about you, but I love watching the leaves change colors and fall from the trees. The weather is always perfect, not too hot and not too cold. Even though there are so many exciting and fun autumn activities that you can enjoy, I wanted to share some of my favorites:

• Going to the cider mill to drink warm cider and eat delicious donuts. Sometimes there might be live music, an art show, fall festivals or vendors selling handmade crafts.

• Visiting a local farm that offers apple picking, hay rides, corn mazes, or even haunted houses.

• Planning a camping trip to include hiking, enjoying bonfires and smores while telling spooky stories.

• Watching football games and rooting for your local teams.

• Walking outdoors and collecting colorful fall leaves

Well, it’s safe to say that autumn is my favorite season. I hope I have given some activities to enhance your autumn experience.

AMAZON RESOURCE # 1

SELF-REFLECTION & JOURNAL PROMPTS

Be such a beautiful soul that people crave your vibes. – Unknown Author

Journaling is a powerful way to process events in your life, build self-awareness, get more clarity, and keep yourself on track. Journaling also allows for past reflection, future insight, and present surrender. Upon entering the journaling process, you will find that you are able to reflect freely without judgement. Now, close your eyes and clear your mind. Grab your pen/pencil. Open your journal or notebook. Then, use these helpful journal prompts to help you enjoy your autumn activities:

• What is your favorite season and why?

• Do you prefer indoor or outdoor autumn activities?

• What is your favorite autumn activity?

• When I feel the cool breeze, I think about __________________________.

• Watching the leaves fall from the tress, make me feel ___________________.

AMAZON RESOURCE #2

TIME TO SHARE & COMMENT

And all at once, summer collapsed into fall. – Oscar Wilde

Let’s talk. How do you spend your time during the autumn season? Please share your thoughts in the comments section. I look forward to reading your feedback!

AMAZON RESOURCE #3

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through any of the links (at no additional cost to you).