Self-Reflection – Page 6 – Renew Inspiration Mind Body Spirit

Unbreakable Faith

LaPorterJuly 21, 20196 Replies

Renew Inspiration, Faith, Grief, Comforting, Scriptures, Reflection, Journal Prompts — Pexels

God uses our trials to build our faith, draw us closer to Him, and give us a testimony of His faithfulness for others to see. – 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 discuss two topics that are dear to my heart – faith and grief. Do you often wonder if faith is needed to help you overcome grief? I sometimes think about this very question, but before we can make an attempt to answer the question honestly, we need to know and understand the definitions for both faith and grief.

DEFINITIONS – FAITH & GRIEF

God is still writing your story. Don’t let go of your faith because of what you have to see. – Unknown Author

Faith can be defined as:

• Complete trust or confidence in someone or something.

• Strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof.

Grief can be defined as:

• Deep sorrow, especially that caused by someone’s death.

Now, that we have clear definitions of both faith and grief, you should be able to answer the question – Do you often wonder if faith is needed to help you overcome grief? As for me, I believe you must have some level of faith to help you not only overcome grief, but faith is also needed to help you get through the difficult moments you may experience throughout the grieving process.

In addition, I believe we all have some level of faith within us. For example, when someone we love passes away, it is inevitable that questions of faith, spirituality, grief, and healing arise. All of these feelings and emotions can make you feel so many things at any given time.

FOUR PHASES OF GRIEF

Grief never ends…But it changes. It’s a passage, not a place to stay. Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor a lack of faith…It is the price of love. – Unknown Author

Believe it or not, understanding the nature of grief can help us better cope with loss. Grief is a natural and healthy process that enables us to recover from terrible emotional wounds that may occur in life. I don’t know about you, but when I experienced the grief process after both of my parents suddenly passed away, my father (July 2003) and my mother (December 2015) passed away, I was forced to deal with my emotions whether I wanted to or not. In addition, I felt surrounded by darkness and heavy waves of anguish. Even though my husband was there right by my side, I still felt alone throughout this difficult time.

Here’s the four phases of grief that you may encounter throughout the grieving process:

• Shock – You may feel numbness inside like you’re trapped in a bad dream.

• Reality – Deep sorrow sets in accompanied by weeping, sadness, and depression.

• Reaction – Anger or guilt may occur toward family and friends.

• Recovery – There is an attempt to accept the loss within that have occurred.

Even though I’ve provided these four phases of grief, remember that these phases may vary in duration from person to person. Why? Because we are all different and experience life challenges in very unique ways. It’s also important to note that these phases may not be experienced at all, but I know I experienced all of them throughout the grieving process. Quite frankly, it was very hard for me and still is from time to time. I not only have to seek professional help, but I also do a lot of research and reading on my own to learn about different ways to help myself cope. When we neglect to go through the grieving process correctly, you often trigger depression, alcoholism, drug abuse, or other serious problems so don’t be afraid to seek professional help or support from loved ones.

MANAGING GRIEF

No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear. – C.S. Lewis

No matter how strong we are or how much support we are given throughout the grieving process, grief can affect your thinking, behavior, emotions, relationships, and overall health. I have found that one of the most difficult tasks for a bereaved person to encounter is adjusting to the new environment without the loved one who has passed away. For example, decisions have to be made regarding the appropriate time to put away a loved one’s things, make lifestyle changes, or form new relationships. Again, each person may handle these decisions differently so be careful not to judge.

Here’s three steps to recovery using God as a guide and comforter:

• Step 1 – Grieve – Though grief is bitter to our soul, we must allow sorrow to run its natural course throughout our lives. Denying or repressing pain can lead to emotional problems.

• Step 2 – Believe – It’s important to put our unbreakable faith in God’s promises and not our own.

• Step 3 – Receive – God desires to give us peace and comfort, but we must ask Him for it, then be willing to receive it with an open heart.

WAYS TO HELP OTHERS THROUGH THE GRIEVING PROCESS

Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day. – Unknown Author

Everyone grieves differently – depending on personality, religious beliefs, maturity, emotional stability, support factors, and cultural traditions.

Here’s some ways to help others through the grieving process:

• Ask God for guidance about when to speak and what to say.

• Encourage the bereaved person to share his or her feelings openly, then be willing to listen and don’t judge.

• Be flexible and gentle with yourself and others. Allow the grief and mourning process to unfold naturally.

• Don’t push or preach, but if the person indicates an openness, pray and share meaningful Scriptures, not personal opinions.

• Do simple things without being asked, such as providing a healthy meal, running errands, or making yourself available just to talk.

• Encourage the bereaved person to seek the help of a professional grief counselor or local support group.

COMFORTING SCRIPTURES

Healing is an art. It takes time. It takes practice. It takes place. – Maza Dohta

Seek comfort in your soul by reading the Holy Scriptures. This will allow you to start the healing process and allow you to be comfortable with expressing your feelings.

Here’s a few comforting scriptures to help you get started in the healing process:

• Psalm 23:4 (NKJV) – “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

• Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV) – “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

• Matthew 5:4 (NKJV) – “Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.”

• John 14:26 (NKJV) – “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”

• John 16:33 (NKJV) – “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

My prayer for you today is that you take the words from this blog post and hide them deep in your heart. Take time to reflect on them often throughout your journey. Finding healthy ways to cope with unbreakable faith and grief are a part of life and both contribute to our mental health as well as to our total well-being. I think it is very important for people to learn how to survive hardship at some point in life. For me, I am in the midst of this process and use my Renew Inspiration blog as a positive platform to not only encourage myself, but others as well. Embrace unbreakable faith and grief for yourself, and nurture it in others as they seek peace and comfort at such difficult times in life.

Reflection, Faith, Grief, Sadness, Water, Sunset — Pexels

SELF-REFLECTION & JOURNAL PROMPTS

Faith isn’t a feeling. It’s a choice to trust God even when the road ahead seems uncertain. – David Willis

Here’s some thought-provoking journal prompts that I want you to focus on:

• What do I give permission for myself to do today?

• What is the best way to increase my faith?

• How does faith help you get through the grieving process?

• Why am I grieving right now?

• What is my fondest memory of my loved one who passed away?

• What are some of my grief triggers that affect me the most?

• When you are alone, what do you do?

• What season holds the most memories for you?

• List five ways you’ve become stronger and more faithful this month.

TIME TO SHARE & COMMENT

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

Let’s talk. Journaling through grief takes hard work, commitment and unbreakable faith. Faith that will move the mountains in your life. Do you enjoy journaling through the grieving process? How do you use faith to help you overcome the challenges of grief? Please share your honest response in the comment section. I cannot wait to hear from you.

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).

Motherly Love

LaPorterMay 12, 20196 Replies

A mother’s love cannot be measured. It’s a brilliant gem to be treasured.

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! Happy Mother’s Day to all of the well-deserved women reading this blog today. Mother’s Day is a holiday honoring motherhood that is observed in different forms throughout the world. Today, should be all about honoring you and showing how much your family appreciates and loves you. Mother’s Day is bitter sweet for me since I lost my mother in December 2015. In honor of my mother, Rosalynn K. Russell, I wrote two poems as I struggled through my first phase of grief.

STILL HERE – Written by Latisha Porter

Still here…your spirit lives within me, I can feel you, but I cannot see;
Your beautiful face that often lit up a room, makes us wonder if you left too soon;
Still here…your presence surrounds me day by day, sometimes I cannot find the words to say;
I love you, I miss you, I cry myself to sleep;
No one seems to understand me cause my emotions are so deep.
Still here…your love will forever be in my heart, even though you’re gone, we’ll never be apart…Still here!

Mothering is the gospel lived out as you hold your child’s heart in beauty, prayer, and patience. It’s not the big decision, but the little ones, trusting God through it all. – Elizabeth Hawn

Thank You – Written by Latisha Porter

Thank you for giving me life and raising me up in a positive way;
Thank you for the hugs, kisses and trust to care for you until the very last day.
Thank you for your strength and courage along the way;
Thank you for your beautiful spirit that often times stay;
Right here in my heart…no matter what, we’ll never grow apart!

POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS

Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher. – Oprah Winfrey

Did you know that positive affirmations are used to reprogram the subconscious mind and to encourage us to believe certain things about ourselves or about the world and our place in it? Positive affirmations are also used to help us create the reality we want in life. Now, with that said, please recite these positive affirmations every day and look in a mirror as you say them. Repeat them until you feel it in your soul and you begin to believe every word.

• I am a good mother.

• I must take care of myself so I can take care of those I love.

• I love my family and I love myself.

• There is a value in everything I do.

• I am exactly who and what my children need.

• My family loves and values me as a mother.

• I am worthy of the love, support, and appreciation I receive from my family.

• It’s okay to need, want, and take a break from my family to be alone.

MOTHER’S DAY QUOTES

When you look at your mother, you’re looking at the purest love you’ll ever know.

Here’s a few of my favorite Mother’s Day quotes:

• A mother’s heart is like a rose, always open, always loving.

• Mothers hold their children’s hands for a short while, but their hearts forever.

• A mother is your first friend, your best friend, your forever friend.

• Mom’s bring life into the world, love into our hearts, and joy into our homes.

DID YOU KNOW…

• Ann Reeves Jarvis of West Virginia helped start Mother’s Day Work Clubs to teach local women how to properly care for their children.

• In 1868, Ann Reeves Jarvis organized Mother’s Friendship Day at which mothers gathered with former Union and Confederate soldiers to promote reconciliation.

• In 1870, Julia Ward Howe wrote the Mother’s Day Proclamation which was a call to action that asked mothers to unite in promoting world peace.

• In 1873, Julia Ward Howe campaigned for a Mother’s Peace Day to be celebrated every June 2.

• The official Mother’s Day holiday arose in the 1900s as a result of the efforts of Anna Jarvis, daughter of Ann Reeves Jarvis.

• In May 1908, Anna Jarvis organized the first official Mother’s Day celebration at a Methodist church in Grafton, West Virginia.

• By 1912 many states, towns and churches had adopted Mother’s Day as an annual holiday.

• In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a measure officially establishing the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.

journal, writing, books, pencils, awareness — pixabay

TIME FOR REFLECTION – JOURNAL PROMPTS

A mother instructs with wisdom, guides through example, trains by love. – Roy Lessin

Journaling is a powerful way to process events in your life, build self-awareness, get more clarity, and keep yourself on track.

• Write a letter or poem to your mother expressing your gratitude and appreciation.

• I am incredibly grateful for _________________________.

• My favorite thing to do by myself is ______________________.

• My favorite thing to do with my family is __________________.

• What do you like about yourself as a mother, sister, aunt, friend, etc.?

• What makes you feel nourished in your mind, body, and spirit?

• How do you add value to the world and those around you?

• How can you show yourself more love?

• What is your favorite part of your daily routine?

• What do you want your legacy to be?

In the United States, Mother’s Day continues to be celebrated by presenting mothers with cards, candy, flowers, jewelry, and/or taking our mothers out to eat at her favorite restaurant. While this is great, make it a priority to celebrate mothers throughout the year by giving her compliments, appreciating her more, and supporting her endeavors! Peace and blessings!

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

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Blog Support 101

LaPorterMay 8, 20199 Replies

Laptop, Computer, Blogging, Coffee Cup, Flowers — pexels

When you try something, you risk failure. But when you don’t, you ensure it.

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! I am proud of where I am today, but I realize there is always something new to learn about the blogging industry. There is so much information swirling around on the web that it becomes overwhelming to the average person thinking about jumping into the blogging game. Blogging can be rewarding on so many levels. However, launching a new blog can be a scary experience so to succeed it’s important for new bloggers to keep learning, be flexible, ask for help, and be willing to adjust with the blogging industry.

REASONS WHY PEOPLE BLOG

Once you become fearless, life becomes limitless.

Let’s look at some reasons why people blog. Some people use blogging to:

• Inspire, encourage and motivate

• Teach and establish expertise

• Share ideas and their passion for writing

• Cope with life and its many challenges

• Expand networking opportunities

• Express yourself and share creative writing

• Maintain online journal

• Provide book reviews or product reviews

• Capture travel experiences and photos

• Make money by selling product or using affiliate programs

AFFILIATE PROGRAMS

As you can see, there are many reasons why people blog, but I want to discuss affiliate programs in more detail. Various affiliate programs are available online which means you have to take some time to research them to find the programs that are good for you and your blogging project. The idea behind affiliate programs is simple. After signing up to become an affiliate, you promote other people’s products through blog posts, Pinterest, and/or social media. When someone uses your link (given to you by the affiliate company of your choice) you make a commission. Commissions can range anywhere from a few cents to a few hundred dollars depending on the company. Please support my blogging efforts by clicking on any of the affiliate links above to make a purchase or sign up. Thanks in advance.

Well, here’s the affiliate programs that I am currently enrolled in:

Amazon Associates – Amazon.com is the world’s largest online retailer (Shopping) – Unfortunately, in order to stay in this affiliate program, you must receive at least 3 purchases within 180 days. Please consider clicking the links below and making a purchase:

Blue Host – Bluehost is one of the largest website hosting providers (Website Host) – If you are thinking about moving your blog website to a host provider, look no more. Click the link below to obtain special pricing:

WordPress – WordPress.com is the most popular website management system and is associated with blogging (Website Management System) – If you are looking to change to a better website management system, then click the links below for special pricing:

Target Corporation – Target Corporation is an upscale discount retailer that provides high-quality on trend merchandise (Shopping) – Get your Mother’s Day shopping done by clicking on the links below:

TIPS FOR NEW BLOGGERS

Great things never came from comfort zones.

Here’s some tips for new bloggers to think about before launching their new blog:

• Tip 1: Determine your niche – What is your passion? What do you want to share with the world? What is your specialty or your expertise?

• Tip 2: Identify your target audience – Who is your ideal reader? Write directly to them. Keep your readers wanting more from you with a strong headline and intro.

• Tip 3: Create clear and precise goals for your blog – Why are you blogging? For fun, a hobby, a business, to sell product or to monetize using affiliates? Write down your goals and make sure to reflect on them when preparing blog posts.

• Tip 4: Come up with a catchy blog title and tag line to get your readers attention. Then, create the perfect logo for your blog.

• Tip 5: Determine if you want to launch your blog using a free website or if you want to invest money in a company like WordPress, then a hosting company like Blue Host.

• Tip 6: Establish one or two social media platforms to focus on when you first launch your new blog. Remember, to share your new blog posts on all your social media platforms. Once you are comfortable, add more as you have the time.

• Tip 7: Have 2 or 3 really in-depth blog posts complete before you decide to launch your new blog. In addition, have more blog posts in various stages, such as drafts to be edited, outlines and topic ideas ready to write.

Once you have launched your blog, it is important for you to stay engaged with your readers. I am going to be honest, engaged will mean different things for different people. For example, if you are selling product or a service, you need to respond to your customers on a regularly basis. However, some people are blogging just as a hobby, so your engagement may be less involved and limited to writing blog comments or subscribing to other people’s blogs.

TIPS TO HELP LAUNCH YOUR BLOG

Organize your life around your dreams and watch them come true.

Here’s some tips to keep in mind once you have launched your blog:

• Tip 1: Post consistently – Plan to post 2 to 3 times per week to stay engaged with your readers.

• Tip 2: Use quality photos – Whether you take your own photos or pull photos from a free site, such as Pixabay or Pexels, make sure to use quality photos that are relevant to your blog post.

• Tip 3: Discover your writing style – Start with a catchy lead, have a conversational tone throughout your blog and ask questions at the end to get your readers engaged.

• Tip 4: Write down your thoughts – When inspiration swirls in your head, write it down so you can reflect on it later. It is important to keep all your thoughts and ideas in one place for easy access during the writing process.

• Tip 5: Social Media connections – Give your readers three or more ways to follow you. For example, Facebook, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

• Tip 6: Comment on other blogs – Don’t be shy and be sure to write encouraging comments on other blogs. In most cases, the other bloggers will show your blog some love too.

• Tip 7: Facebook Groups – Join some Facebook Groups to network, share your blog content, learn from other bloggers and to offer support to others who may just be starting out.

BLOG POST IDEAS

Writing a blog post may not come easy to you at first. For most bloggers, you have to get into a writing and blogging routine.

Here’s some blog post ideas to help you better connect with your followers:

• Tutorial or how-to blog post to help others learn something new

• Favorite quotes or poems

• Self-care tips

• Book or product review

• Favorite season or holiday

• Dream vacation destination

• Blogging or weight loss goals

• Heartfelt letter to your future self or a loved one

• Bucket list ideas and timeline

• Biggest challenges as a blogger and what you’re doing to overcome them

TIME FOR REFLECTION – JOURNAL PROMPTS

Life is joyfully simple. Let’s keep it that way. – Paul Jun

Journaling is a powerful way to process events in your life, build self-awareness, get more clarity, and keep yourself on track.

• What are your short-term and long-term blogging goals?

• How have you been getting in the way of achieving of your blogging goals?

• How you stay organized as a blogger?

• What are some of your blogging lessons and what you learned from them?

• What inspires you to write, blog, and be creative?

Ready, set, blog! It’s your time to shine with written word. Inspire others, be creative and always look for new ways to connect to your readers, but at the same time take it slow. Remember, you do not need to understand everything about the blogging process before you launch. I hope these suggestions and tips give you something to think about from one new blogger to another. Good luck and happy blogging!

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

Keep Life Simple

LaPorterMay 5, 20195 Replies

flowers, beats, music, laptop, simple — pixabay

The simpler my life, the happier I become.

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).

Thought for the week – A simple life is a beautiful life.

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Have you ever heard of the phrase, “Keep Life Simple”? Well, I strive to keep life simple every day. Remember, to keep a simple life may not be easy. Some of the simplest things to do are often the most difficult. Sometimes we need to just STOP everything and take a break. Let loose, slow down, and unwind. Turn inward and rethink about your life. Ask yourself hard questions and connect to your inner voice. In order to live better, simple lives, we need to create a safe space to breathe, and to think.

WAYS TO KEEP LIFE SIMPLE

Be kind, be happy, be peaceful, live well.

• Be Present – Live in the moment. Be aware of everything that you’re doing, feeling, and telling yourself. Learn to fight through it. Learn to stop making excuses every time your body feels discomfort. Learn to do this with everything that you do.

• Don’t Expect Too Much – There may be times where something may not go your way. It seems like there’s something missing. Take time to expect the worst, the best, and at the same time, nothing at all.

• Be Kind – It takes less energy to be kind to those people who are around you.

• Redefine Everything In Your Life – It’s important to define what matters most in your life. What makes you happy? What does success really mean to you? The American Dream philosophy may not work for you (college, good paying job, nice car, 6-pack abs, etc.), but it may work for someone else.

• Do You – Stop focusing and worrying about how other people live their life. Life will become a whole lot better when you learn to shut out the outside noise, and focus on the most important noise inside your own mind.

• Cultivate Morning Rituals – Practicing a morning ritual can help you create a positive mood and increase energy for the day. It’s a great opportunity to take care of your body and mind, and start the day with a healthy breakfast, some stretching or light exercise, a warm bubble bath, prayer and meditation, or planning your day by writing down the three most important things you need to do today.

HEALTHY HABITS TO INCREASE HAPPINESS

Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself. – George Bernard Shaw

• Meditate – Practicing daily meditation will help to increase focus, better memory, and emotional resilience. Also, meditation has a positive effect in treating anxiety, depression, obsessive thinking, and hostility.

• Exercise Regularly – Exercise helps is essential for a happy and productive life. Our bodies were made to move throughout the day. Get up and go for a walk. Stretch while at your desk.

• Eat Better and Healthier – The foods/drinks that you put into your body not only affects your health, but also your attitude and mood. Drink more water, increase whole grains, increase vegetables, decrease sugar and junk food.

• Sleep More – Sleep is needed for restoring energy and emotional well-being. Sleep is essential for learning and memory, metabolism and weight, and to improve your mood.

• Keep a Journal – Some people like using paper journals and others like using apps. How much and how often to write is up to you. Write about random creative ideas that come to you, things you are grateful for, your goals and aspirations, internal stuff that you need to process better, foods you eat, and other habits you are building or breaking.

• Practice Smiling – Smiling is healthy and also improves your well-being. Believe it or not, smiling makes you live longer, look more attractive, and be more productive at work.

• Write Down Goals – Take a moment and write down your three most important long-term goals in life. Are they translated into short-term goals and present actions for you? This process will highly increase the likelihood of you creating the simple life you want.

• Nurturing Close Relationships – Nurturing meaningful and close relationships will bring you much more happiness and satisfaction in life.

• Spend Time in Nature – Spending time in nature, even a 20-minute walk in the park, can improve your happiness and overall well-being. It also helps to increase your exercise and concentration.

Believe it or not, you can improve your productivity while keeping life simple.

TIPS TO IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY

Inhale the future, exhale the past.

Tip 1 – Don’t watch a lot of TV in your spare time.

Tip 2 – Identify all the distractions in your life and eliminate them.

Tip 3 – Schedule time to spend on your social media accounts and stick to it.

Tip 4 – If you attend or schedule meetings, keep it short and simple.

Tip 5 – Exercise your craft daily, whatever it may be.

TIME FOR REFLECTION – JOURNAL PROMPTS

Life is joyfully simple. Let’s keep it that way. – Paul Jun

Journaling is a powerful way to process events in your life, build self-awareness, get more clarity, and keep yourself on track.

• How can I simplify my life in little ways?

• What are my priorities in life?

• What is on my mind right now, in this very moment?

• What do I need to let go of to make my life better?

• What is a short-term goal I’m confident I can achieve?

• Replace entertainment for prayer time for one day and write about it.

• Write about an experience where you heard God’s voice.

• Describe what God’s presence feels like.

• What is my favorite part of my daily routine?

• What am I most looking forward to this week?

• I am incredibly grateful for ____________________.

• When I am alone I love to ____________________.

My prayer for you today is that you will make your life a priority and choose to keep life simple. Focus on the things and people that help you grow as a person. Be productive throughout your day. Include time to learn, read, write, gain experience from others, share your thoughts and feelings with others, etc. Remember, your success is found in your daily routine so make a plan and stick to your plan. If it doesn’t seem to be working for you, re-evaluate your plan and make the necessary changes.

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

Seeking Wholeness Through Journaling

LaPorterApril 5, 20198 Replies

Seek to be whole, not perfect. – Oprah Winfrey

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).

Thought for the week – I am God’s masterpiece. – Ephesians 2:10

MY PERSONAL JOURNEY

The right way to wholeness is made up of fateful detours and wrong turnings. – C.G. Jung

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! I’ve always kept a journal when growing up, but I never got serious about journaling until December 2015 when my world changed forever. I remember the details like it was yesterday. I received a dreadful call from the Physical Rehab facility stating that my mother was found unresponsive and I need to meet the ambulance at the hospital. I felt an immediate panic that I have never felt before. I got out of bed feeling numb all over and my thoughts were scattered between confused, scared, and sad. Since it was so late at night, I told my husband to stay home with our children. As I drove to the hospital alone, I had to make calls to some of my family members, but my brother was the only one who met me at the hospital. We sat in this small room waiting to be updated by the hospital staff, but 10 minutes seemed like hours. My mind was racing from one thought to another. The nurse finally walked in with no emotion on her face. She greeted us with a slight smile and hand shake. Then, we followed her down the long dark hall to the ER. As we entered the ER space and saw our mother hooked to so many machines, I felt sick. Her eyes were closed and restraints held her hands and feet. Even though she was not moving, I began to pray and talk to my mother not knowing if she could hear me. A part of me thought she was already gone, but I had to reach for any hope that was left. My mother fault a good fight, but she took her last breath on that cold December night.

It was then that I knew my life would no longer be the same. I was broken and my heart was shattered in many pieces. I became sad, depressed and secluded. Journaling became my everything. I wrote letters to my mother expressing how I was feeling. I wrote my thoughts and feelings in my journal as well. Some days I just wrote words and to be honest none of them made sense to me at the time, but I find myself reflecting on them often.

JOURNALING CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE

To change your life, you have to change yourself. To change yourself, you have to change your mindset. – Wilson Kanadi

Here’s some ways journaling can change your life so you can feel whole again:

• Helps you sort through life’s challenges and problems

• Release sadness and anger, in return, provides hope and peace

• Provides a safe place for expression that is considered a no judgment zone

• Offers an opportunity for personal reflection

• Allow yourself to experience personal growth and be present with oneself

GETTING STARTED WITH JOURNALING

You don’t have to be great to start, but you do have to start to be great. – Unknown Author

The process to get started with journaling is not difficult, but can seem overwhelming at first. Once you allow yourself to be free and honest, everything else will fall into place.

Here’s what you need to get started with journaling:

• Supplies – Choose a journal, notebook, computer, pen, pencil

• Space – Find a quiet and safe place where you can sit in comfort with very few distractions

• Time – Make a commitment to write in your journal at the same time every day even if it is only for 5 or 10 minutes

• Content Ideas – You can start with a list of what you’re grateful for; You can write down a Bible verse, inspirational quote or prayer; Write down your goals, hopes, and aspirations; Ask yourself questions, then answer them.

Be creative and make it personal. Use colorful pens, pencils or markers. Add stickers, pictures, or quotes. Draw pictures or write poetry. For additional journal prompts, please refer to any of my Renew Inspiration blogs.

BENEFITS OF JOURNALING

Journal writing is a voyage to the interior. – Christina Baldwin

Here’s some benefits of journaling:

• You begin to feel comfortable in your own skin

• You strive to create the life you desire

• You see what is working in your life and what is not

• Your relationships will improve over time

• You start to feel at peace with yourself

• You learn better coping skills

• You break old habits and learn new habits

• You learn how to live each day to the fullest

• You learn how to discover and align one’s vision and mission

POSITIVE AFFIRMATION STATEMENTS

I have the power to make changes. – Louise Hay

• I am worthy.

• I am the best me there is.

• I am capable and deserving of respect.

• I know that I am a winner.

• I am grateful.

• I forgive myself and others.

• I trust and believe in myself.

• I have unlimited power.

• I take steps towards my goals.

• I choose to shine and stand with confidence.

• I am grounded in love, peace, and joy.

• God will always be with me and guide my every step.

TIME FOR REFLECTION – JOURNAL PROMPTS

The purpose of our journey is to restore ourselves to wholeness. – Debbie Ford

• What inspires you to seek wholeness through journaling?

• What makes you feel complete and most empowered in life?

• How do you describe wholeness as it relates to your own life?

• How have you changed in the last 5 years? 3 years? 1 year?

• In order to be whole again, I need to ________________________.

• Write a list of things that make you happy, smile, and feel complete.

• How can you cherish your thoughts of feeling whole again?

• What area of your life, right now, makes you feel the best?

• What do you know to be true today about yourself that you didn’t know a year ago?

• What is your ultimate goal in life?

• What are your unique gifts and talents?

• How can you live your life more passionately?

• Let’s jump forward a year. What would you like to have achieved in the past year?

By now, I hope we can agree that it’s okay to be imperfect and to allow yourself an opportunity to keep learning, to feel scared and alone, to keep stumbling and failing throughout life’s difficult moments. The flip side of life’s reality is the freedom to feel whole again! Take moments in your life to relax, breathe, and just feel. Never underestimate the power of journaling. If you allow yourself to be open to healing and transformation, journaling can change your thoughts, feelings, and give you complete wholeness!

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

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Hopeful, Not Hopeless

LaPorterMarch 10, 20193 Replies

Where there is no vision, there is no hope. – George Washington Carver

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).

Thought for the week – Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow.

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Hope is seeing light in spite of being surrounded by darkness. Sometimes in life, hope is all we have to hold on to. Believe it or not, hope is a necessary emotion that helps us engage with life. Hope is directly related to our sense of possibility. The greater our perception of possibilities, the greater our hope. Hope is what we feel when we think that life is worth living, when we are happy and thinking positive thoughts. Remember, happiness and optimism cannot exist without hope, but hope can exist without happiness or optimism. If we fail to reach our possibilities in life, then we experience a feeling of hopelessness and despair.

EMBRACE HOPE

It’s important to embrace hope in all aspects of your life. After all, hope is our energy, our fuel for living each day. Without hope in our lives, we lack the necessary energy to engage with life. Unfortunately, when a person has lost hope it can be hard to find motivation again.

Here’s some ways to embrace hope and find motivation within your life:

• Shift your expectations.

• Recognize that you can change your life at any time.

• Look for meaning in the most challenging moments.

• Listen to another person’s story to help clear your head.

• Find creative ways to handle stress and disappointment.

HOPEFUL LIVING

Once you choose hope, anything’s possible. – Christopher Reeve

Living a hopeful life is to recognize that everything and everyone matters, even you. Taking care of yourself matters.

Here’s some things you need to focus on:

• Conduct a hope audit of your life. How are you doing in health, work, family, relationships, etc.?

• Take good care of your health.

• Have a stress reduction strategy, such as meditation, yoga, reading, or writing.

• Create hopeful relationships and learn to forgive.

• Help others see the best in themselves.

• Develop a daily journal writing habit to release negative experiences and emotions.

CREATE A VISION FOR YOUR LIFE

Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. – Melody Beattie

Creating a vision for your life is very important and will keep hope alive. A vision will allow you to capture your thoughts and dreams in one place. Then, you will be able to create a plan for achieving your dreams and having the best life. A vision will allow you to work toward life satisfaction and personal happiness. It may be helpful to write your thoughts down in a journal or create a vision board if you’re the creative type.

Here’s some tips to help guide your best efforts:

• Tip 1 – Remember to ask why you want certain things. For example, if one of your dreams is to write a book, why do you want to write the book?

• Tip 2 – Think about what you want, not on what you don’t want.

• Tip 3 – Give yourself permission to dream.

• Tip 4 – Be creative and consider ideas that you never thought possible.

• Tip 5 – Focus on your wishes, not what others expect of you.

Remember, consider every aspect of your life, personal and professional. Make sure to include family, friends, career, success, failures, health, spiritual connection and personal growth.

Here’s some questions to start your vision exploration:

• What really matters to you in life?

• What would you like to have more of in your life?

• Wat are your passions and dreams?

• What qualities would you like to develop?

• What are your values?

• What would you most like to accomplish?

This process is on-going. You may have to revisit your answers from time to time. Don’t be surprised if your vision has changed. Just analyze your answers and make the necessary adjustments, then move on.

TIME FOR REFLECTION – JOURNAL PROMPTS

We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope. – Martin Luther King, Jr.

• Define hope and make sure to provide examples.

• What are you hopeful for on today?

• Have you ever given up hope on something or someone?

• Did you ever regain that hope again?

• Think about a moment when your hope was fulfilled. What were you hoping for?

• How did your hope develop and sustain its self during the waiting time?

• Describe what hope looks like, feels like, and acts like.

• What words inspire you and make you hopeful?

• What advice would you give a person who has lost hope?

Hope exists and is all around us every day. Hope engages our creativity and our problem-solving skills. Hope helps us to appreciate life and everything life has to offer. After all, life always offers you a second chance. It’s called tomorrow. Don’t lose hope. You never know what tomorrow will bring!

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

Spoken Truth

LaPorterMarch 9, 20199 Replies

The truth is rarely pure and never simple. – Oscar Wilde

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).

There are 4 very important words in life: love, honesty, truth, respect. Without these in your life, you have nothing. – Unknown Author

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Spoken truth can be defined as an individual who speaks facts only. For example, God is the spoken truth. When I think of spoken truth, I think of love, honesty, truth, and respect. How do you define spoken truth? As you think about your personal experiences, remember how important it is to love yourself, have honesty, know truth when you hear it, and respect yourself and others.

Thought for the week – Wake up, smile, and tell yourself today is my day.

HOW TO LOVE YOURSELF

Love yourself first and everything falls into line. – Unknown Author

Have you ever heard of the saying, “Remember to take care of yourself; You can’t pour from an empty cup?” Take a moment, right now, right where you are, and commit to loving yourself. Choosing to love yourself is not a selfish act. Believe it or not, when you begin to love yourself, your whole world will become better. You will have a whole new way of thinking about yourself and others. To love yourself will give you a deep appreciation for who you are.

Today is the day you can love yourself totally by doing the following:

• Falling in love with yourself.

• Being kind and positive.

• Acknowledging your effort.

• Guarding your energy.

• Carving out me time.

• Forgiving yourself for your mistakes.

• Don’t believe everything you think.

FREEPositive AffirmationsCLICK HERE

BENEFITS OF HONESTY

Honesty has a power very few people can handle. – Unknown Author

Honesty is a good way to live your life. One of the main reasons why honesty is important in our lives is trust. Trust is important because happiness cannot exist without it. Honesty is one of the key components to character and one of the most admired traits of any successful, responsible person. In addition, honesty helps to build trust and improve relationships.

In addition, being honest offers the following benefits in our daily lives:

• Honesty is the easiest choice – Believe it or not, it’s your choice to live an honest life.

• Honesty reveals your character – Allow others to see a snapshot of who you really are.

• Honesty gives you freedom – You have the ability to live free from false representation.

• Honesty gives you credibility – People will believe you and trust you mean what you say.

• Honesty keeps you out of trouble – You will have a greater chance of staying out of trouble throughout life.

TELLING THE TRUTH

The truth is still the truth, even if no one believes it. – Unknown Author

We were taught as children that telling the truth is good and telling lies is bad. As you can see, honesty and truth work together. Also, telling the truth causes one to back it up with actions which shows respect as well. Remember, truth will always prevail. Truth also gives closure from the past and provides a clear path to the future. Truth brings hope to people and helps to identify who you are.

Keep these thoughts in mind as you communicate with others throughout life:

• Look for the truth.

• Accept it when you discover it.

• Forgive and correct your mistakes.

• Seek professional help if you need it.

• See yourself in the future.

• Give yourself time to adjust.

• The truth will set you free.

SHOW RESPECT

Respect is one of the greatest expressions of love. – Unknown Author

Respect is a positive feeling or action shown towards someone or something considered important or held in high esteem. Respect conveys a sense of admiration for good or valuable qualities. When you show respect, you strive to be polite and kind.

Below you will find some other ways to show respect in your life:

• Be honest about who you are.

• Be sincere and show gratitude.

• Compliment the achievements of others.

• Offer your assistance to others.

• Respect the abilities of others.

• Maintain integrity and listen to others.

HOW TO BUILD TRUST

Trust can be rebuilt. It takes time, communication and pure honesty. – Unknown Author

Trust is something that two people in a relationship can build together when they decide to trust each other. When you decide to build trust it’s important to know yourself and your intentions. Be open to positive and negative feedback from others. Make sure to be reliable nd allow others to have confidence in you.

Here’s some ways to help you build trust in your life:

• Be honest and keep your word.

• Be transparent and share yourself.

• Give without any strings attached.

• Honor your promises.

• Be consistent.

• Speak from the heart.

• Express your feelings.

Spoken Truth, Love, Trust, Respect, Honesty, Reflection — pixabay

TIME FOR REFLECTION – JOURNAL PROMPTS

Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom. – Thomas Jefferson

• How do you define spoken truth?

• What am I feeling today and what thoughts are creating that feeling?

• What would be my ideal life?

• Who do you see when you look in the mirror?

• What are 5 things I could do to take better care of myself daily?

• Who do you want to be surrounded by?

• What learned beliefs are you holding on to which aren’t true to your authentic self?

• How do you feel about honesty?

• Is the glass half empty or half full?

Today, I face my life experiences with an open mind, plenty of love, honesty, truth, and respect. Today, I speak with kindness and I am gentle. Today, I will act with intention. I am grounded. I am loved. I am enough. Spoken truth allows you to stay patient and trust your journey!

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

Spring Time Renewal

LaPorterMarch 2, 201915 Replies

It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade. – Charles Dickens

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! If you could describe March in one word, what would your one word be? My word would be renewal. I always like to think of spring as a time for renewal and growth. Renewal requires opening yourself up to new ways of thinking and feeling. March is a good time to let go of the old and make room for the new. We’ve been stuck inside during the winter months and now it feels right to get organized, physically active, and create positive change all around us.

Renewal is what happens when you realize that some of this stuff you’ve been carrying around doesn’t matter. – Rob Bell

TIME FOR RENEWAL

Time for renewal offers:

• Personal growth and expansion from the inside out.

• A fresh start to something that will be much better, and in most cases, greater than what you were previously experiencing.

• The ability to make necessary plans and allows your mind to think of resolutions that need to take place.

• You rest from the day to day hustle and bustle of life, which can interpret to self-reflection.

• An opportunity to transform one’s mind and body to a more refreshed state.

MIND

To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders. – Lao Tzu

It’s important to make a mental connection with your body and spirit. First, make sure to be realistic and put your thoughts into perspective honoring your personal beliefs. Second, don’t be afraid to prioritize things that matter most to you in your life right now and remove all negativity, both people and things.

BODY

Your body loves you. Love it back. – Unknown Author

First, it’s important to treat your body well and with respect. Second, our bodies are built to move so make sure you plan some kind of exercise daily (cardio, strength training, stretching). Third, make sure to eat a well-balanced diet to include plenty of fruits and vegetables. Remember, move more, eat less. No more excuses. Fourth, set realistic goals and a create a plan to reach your goals. Fifth, track your food and exercise. Sixth, join an online Wellness or Health Program, such as Weight Watchers or Spark People for additional support.

SPIRIT

Everything has a spirit – honor that. – Unknown Author

First, it’s important for you to connect with your inner being or your spirit throughout the day. For example, spend time in prayer, meditation, and reading God’s Word to receive the proper guidance in your life. Second, you can attend religious services often to get your spirit renewed or find scriptures to meditate on throughout the day. Third, take time to write down a spiritual quote or your favorite scripture to have it hidden in your heart. Fourth, you can get engaged with your spiritual self by reading inspirational books, writing personal reflections in your journal, or listening to spiritual music. Remember, your spirit drives your thought process, your emotions, and your mood so we have to keep it grounded with a strong and positive foundation.

Come to the water. Live in the moment and be. Refresh your mind. Rest your body. Renew your spirit. Regain a gentle heart and peaceful soul. Reclaim yourself. Restore in the power that is greater than you. – Bonnie L. Mohr

flowers, notebook, pen, coffee, goals — pexels

TIME FOR REFLECTION – JOURNAL PROMPTS

And suddenly you know, it’s time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings. – Meister Eckhart

• What are your priorities in life?

• What do you love about yourself?

• How do you feel when you look at the sky?

• What are ten things you love about spring?

• What are three specific goals for March?

• Where would you like to travel during the spring?

• What books are you reading?

• What good habit do you want to develop?

• What is the hardest challenge you have overcome?

• What is one thing you can do tonight to prepare you for tomorrow?

• Find a poem, verse or quote to inspire you for the month ahead.

• Identify one way you would like to grow in the next year.

Spring is a great time to envision endless possibilities, and to use our creative gifts to reach new levels of achievement, wellness, happiness, and success. If we just be still and listen, we will hear the sigh of relief inside our hollow bodies…we will hear the quiet and slow beats of our hearts and the pleasant thoughts surrounding our busy minds! I encourage you today to really think about your personal journey and how important it is to make time for renewal. You will experience life awakening experiences that will allow for personal growth as well as an expansion of your creativity that only you can explore and enjoy. Peace and blessings!

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

My Present Place

LaPorterFebruary 10, 20198 Replies

Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life. This is my happy place. – 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! Wow, I cannot believe it has been a whole week already! Time really flies when you’re having fun, right? Before I dive into my topic today, I want to express appreciation for ALL OF YOU who have subscribed/followed Renew Inspiration. It really means a lot to me. My prayer each and every day is to find the right words to say to help you along this journey called life. I look forward to reading your personal thoughts in the blog comment section for each post. It’s not only refreshing to hear your point of view, but it is also healthy to have on-going dialogue with others.

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about my present place. Am I happy or sad? Am I willing to make the necessary changes that are needed to excel in all aspects of my life? Am I content right now or willing to step out of my comfort zone to explore new endeavors? These are just a few questions that I have found myself thinking about this week. Have you ever just sat down in a quiet place and allowed yourself to think without interruption? This process is called self-reflection. It’s really important to spend quality time in self-reflection mode whether you have all your stuff together (you think) or you’re still trying to find your way (most of us).

DEFINE SELF-REFLECTION

Self-reflection is a humbling process. It’s essential to find out why you think, say, and do certain things…then better yourself. – Unknown Author

Before moving forward, I think it is important to understand what self-reflection is before you can commit to practicing it on a regular basis. Self-reflection can be defined as meditation or serious thought about one’s character, actions, and motives. To take it a step further, you must be willing to learn more about your fundamental nature, purpose, and essence of life. Take a moment and look in a mirror. What do you see? You see a reflection of who you are on the outside. For example, you notice your physical facial features, the color of your skin, your hair color and style, etc. However, self-reflection is not only your outward appearance, but it is a way of assessing yourself deep within – mind, body, and spirit.

HEALTHY WAYS TO PRACTICE SELF-REFLECTION

As you begin to practice self-reflection in your life, you will notice a shift in your mindset, an increase of positivity in your life, and discover a deeper connection within. Here’s some healthy ways to practice self-reflection throughout your journey:

• Prayer and meditation – Take a moment to quiet your mind, read a scripture, pray, and meditate. Allow your mind, body, and spirit to only connect with God so you can hear His voice.

• Yoga and exercise – Every day is important to do some form of yoga and exercise. Movement gives you more energy and helps keep you healthy.

• Reading inspirational books – Reading keeps your brain healthy, but reading inspirational books also keeps you in a positive mood.

• Reciting positive affirmations – Reciting positive affirmations will give you hope and encourage you to focus on your goals/dreams.

• Writing or journaling – Writing is a form of self-expression. Capture every moment of your life in a journal so you can pause to reflect on the good times and make changes to avoid bad situations.

• Drawing and painting – Showing your creative side will help to open your mind to different aspects of life. You become calm and relaxed as if you have no care in the world.

• Vision board – Create a vision board so you can have a road map to success. Be creative and use pictures from magazines or from online, quotes, goals, etc.

FIND YOUR ZONE FOR SELF-REFLECTION

Self-reflection is a personal way for you to learn more about yourself. It’s important to find your zone and comfort level so you can reap the positive benefits of self-reflection. Here’s some helpful tips to help you find your zone for self-reflection:

• Tip 1 – Be honest with yourself. Honesty is key to success. Be honest with the process and with yourself. It’s important to remind yourself how things are going and how you are behaving throughout the process.

• Tip 2 – Notice behavior patterns. Be aware of your behavior patterns so you can strengthen the positive/healthy ones and remove the negative/unhealthy ones from your life.

• Tip 3 – Be able to articulate your core values. Take time to identify what’s most important to you so you can evaluate if you’re living those values throughout life. Your lifestyle has to shift at some point, and you should notice the change from the inside out.

• Tip 4 – Be forgiving. Be gentle with yourself when you don’t seem to get it right along the journey. Remember, we’re all human and we all make mistakes.

• Tip 5 – Keep track of your self-reflection. Start a journal where you record your observations and monitor your personal growth throughout this process.

My Present Place, Renew Inspiration, Self-Reflection, Meditation, Journal Prompts — pexels

TIME FOR REFLECTION – JOURNAL PROMPTS

My body is healthy, my mind is focused, my soul is calm. – Unknown Author

Journal Prompts are given to inspire you to write freely about your life and to improve yourself. Take time to think about your thoughts, to acknowledge how you feel, and to strive to be spiritually grounded throughout your personal journey. You have to dig deep inside yourself and do the serious work to truly understand your present place. Keep in mind, this is an on-going process because life is always changing.

MIND

• What am I thinking right now in this very moment?

• What thought patterns do I have and how do they impact my life?

• How does meditation guide me through my day?

• Has your mind spent more time today focused on the past, present or future?

• How do I deal with difficult thoughts or failures?

BODY

• How do I feel right now in this very moment?

• What is one old habit you want to eliminate in your life?

• What do you consider to be your most challenging flaw?

• How often do you exercise during the week?

• How do relax your body?

SPIRIT

• Am I spiritually grounded right now in this very moment?

• What is something I need to be free from and surrender to God today?

• What is your favorite Bible verse and why?

• Are there areas of my life where I need to learn to trust in God?

• How has journaling helped me get closer to being spiritually grounded?

TIME FOR REFLECTION – MORE JOURNAL PROMPTS

• What is the number one problem you would like to solve (or see solved) in the world?

• What is the number one thing missing from your life right now?

• What is one of life’s little pleasures that I appreciate?

• When was the last time you felt fully alive?

• What can I do to nurture my mind, body, and spirit?

• In what ways are you different from the person you were 2 years ago? 1 year ago?

Instead of sadness, anxiety, and depression, choose to practice self-reflection to help you cope with life challenges. You will think differently, feel better, and strengthen your spiritual being. Your whole being will thank you and those people surrounding you each day will thank you as well. Peace and blessings!

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND COMMENTS

As I stated before, I look forward to hearing from you. Please take a moment to reflect on this blog and answer these questions in the comment section. You’ll be surprised how much we learn from one another. What are your thoughts related to self-reflection? How often do you practice self-reflection? How has self-reflection changed your life?

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

Improve Yourself by Practicing Self-Care

LaPorterFebruary 3, 201910 Replies

Self Care, Improve Yourself, Reflection, Journal Prompts — pixabay

Self-care is giving the world the best of you instead of what’s left of you. – 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! Let’s discuss some ways that you can improve yourself through self-care. So, what is self-care? According to The Self-Care Solution written by Suzy Reading, self-care can be defined as any life-giving activity that restores, sustains or improves your health. Simply put, self-care is nourishment for your entire soul, mind, body and spirit. Self-care can also help people become the best version of themselves when they learn effective ways to navigate through life.

WHY SELF-CARE IS IMPORTANT

As we go through life, all of us have experienced stress on some level one way or another. It’s so important that you have the necessary tools to help you promote healing and cultivate clarity in your life as you experience stressful situations or any kind of life changing event.

Suzy Reading provides 3 reasons why self-care is important:

• Stress is not going to go away. Stress is a normal part of life. In fact, life would be boring without some stress to keep us on our toes, right?

• Stress has a cumulative effect. Stress can add up very quickly so make sure to plan for regular pressure releases throughout your day. For example, go for a walk, do a stretch routine or meditate.

• Too much stress is dangerous. It’s a fact that too much stress makes us ill and greatly diminishes our ability to enjoy life.

HOW DOES SELF-CARE HELP?

Self-care is important. When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel. – Eleanor Brown

Suzy Reading provides ways that self-care helps us throughout life:

• Self-care helps you cope with life changing events, such as an illness, the loss of a loved one, depression, parents adjusting to life with a newborn, etc.

• Self-care helps us recover after experiencing life changing events, such as the loss of a loved one, the loss of a job, divorce, etc.

• Self-care offers us a protective function, forming a buffer against future stress. If you are able to prepare yourself before a life changing event occurs, then do it. For example, before the birth of a child, the finalization of an adoption, getting married, starting college, or moving into a new home.

• Self-care helps us to flourish as individuals and to become the best version of themselves. For example, you may be striving to become a better parent, a better spouse, in search of a new career, or preparing for retirement.

SIGNS THAT BURNOUT MAY BE OCCURRING IN YOUR LIFE

It’s important to note that prolonged stress can result in a state of burnout. According to Suzy Reading, burnout is characterized by exhaustion, manifesting itself emotionally, mentally, and physically. It’s an overwhelming state, when you feel like you have nothing left to give and you just can’t ignore your body’s plea for a break.

Here’s some signs that burnout may be occurring in your life:

• Extreme tiredness, trouble sleeping despite feeling fatigued, difficulty switching off and a sense of overstimulation.

• A general suppression of the immune system evidenced by frequent bouts of minor ailments such as cold sores, headaches or common colds.

• Muscular aches, pains, and physical tension.

• Low mood, suppressed appetite, poor concentration or diminished enjoyment from life. A sense of feeling stuck and overwhelmed.

• Anxiety, anger, reactivity and irritability.

Improve Yourself, Self-Care, Reflection, Stress, Journal Prompts — pixabay

Believe it or not, self-care will help you heal and overcome burnout. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with life’s events, prioritize soothing activities and choices that restore balance to your life.

Here’s some examples of soothing activities and choices that restore balance to your life:

• Go for a walk around your neighborhood or in a local park.

• Exercise does the whole body good.

• Do some yoga poses.

• Practice meditation or spend time in prayer.

• Read an inspirational or motivational book.

• Take a warm bath to help you relax.

• Spend some time journaling or coloring.

• Just sit still with your eyes closed and practice breathing techniques.

Stress, Time Management, Improve Yourself, Self-Care, Reflection — Pixabay

SELF-CARE CHECKLIST

She made a promise to herself to hold her own well-being sacred. – Unknown Author

Today, I …

• Read God’s Word and Prayed

• Spent time in Meditation

• Exercised for at least 30 minutes

• Read an Inspirational Book

• Complimented Someone

• Found Enjoyment in Life by doing Fun activities

• Took time for myself

TIME FOR REFLECTION – JOURNAL PROMPTS

Journal Prompts are given to inspire you to write freely about your life and to improve yourself. Take time to write down your goals. Then, write about how you feel after you’ve nourished yourself with self-care activities so you can see what is working for you. Use your journal to connect the dots between choices and outcomes. Feel free to include anything that inspires you, such as quotes, pictures, positive words, etc.

• When was the last time you felt fully alive?

• What was the last self-care thing you did?

• What is one thing you need to let go?

• What book are you reading right now?

• What do I want more of in my life?

• What is one way you like to recharge your energy levels?

• What is holding you back from improving your lifestyle?

• What would you like to change in your daily routine?

• What brings you joy every day?

• What causes you anxiety?

• How can I honor my body on today?

• What is your vision for the next 3 months?

As you can see, self-care is not selfish, but it is necessary to help keep us calm throughout life. Give yourself permission to take time out for you. From time to time, make an appointment with yourself. Don’t wait for good moment, they rarely come. Plan your time and fill it with something that nurtures your head, heart, and body. Peace and blessings!

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!