depression – Page 2 – Renew Inspiration Mind Body Spirit

Speak from Within

LaPorterMay 8, 20188 Replies

My soul finds rest in God alone: my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress; I will never be shaken. Psalm 62:1-2

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Today, I want to share some inspirational words with you with a message titled “Speak from Within”. Now, this is a message that you will have to open your heart and be willing to feel the words throughout your soul. I want you to read these words and meditate on what the message really means to you.

Overcomer: 25 Keys to Walking Victoriously

Before we get started, please make sure you have the following:
• Mind – An open mind; Meditation ready
• Body – Willingness to express oneself; Eager to move from one place to another freely
• Spirit – Humble and caring spirit; Broken soul
• Journal or Notebook
• Pen or Pencil

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. Romans 8:11

What is the message that you need on today? What is it that you need to focus on within your life, right now, in this very moment? I’m stronger because I had to be, I’m smarter because of my mistakes, happier because of the sadness I’ve known, and now wiser because I learned. During our life long journey, it is important for us to speak positive words into our soul. It is important for us to speak success into our inner being. Despite the hurt we may feel or the sadness we experience in life, often times we forget that the power to overcome life’s challenges is already inside you and me. If you feel lost, it is because the heart and mind are not working in harmony, when they work together you will find peace.

Define success on your own terms, achieve it by your own rules, and build a life you’re proud to live. -Anne Sweeney

Depression and grief may rise up within me, but I meditate on positive thoughts to overcome this feeling. But sometimes that is not enough. I’m going to be honest, this is truly a difficult time for me because I have to feel the sadness and experience the grief from my mother’s death. No one can prepare you for the emptiness inside after losing your mother or any loved one for that matter. No words can comfort your heart after it is broken in many pieces. I look up at my mother’s picture and father’s picture every day and think about all of the positive memories that are carefully stored away in my mind and in my heart. Sometimes I shed tears and sometimes I just pick up a pen and just start writing. Now, this is my testimony or life experience however you want to define it. What is your story or experience? It is important to allow yourself to feel and to express honestly. I survived throughout my journey because the fire inside me burned brighter than the fire around me. I had to reflect on scriptures that are hidden in my heart in order to rise up above my problems, situations, depression, sadness, hurt, etc.

Don’t mistake God’s patience for His absence. His timing is perfect, and His presence is constant. He’s always with you! Deuteronomy 31:6

Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7

With God there is no limit to what you can do. There is no obstacle you can’t overcome. Through Him, all things are possible. Matthew 19:26

Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny. -C.S. Lewis

As I get older, I realize that decisions become easier when your will to please God outweighs your will to please the world. I know that is a lot to accept at times, but it is truly a choice that you and I have to make each day we wake up. Know that your words, thoughts, and actions speak into your very existence throughout your journey. Whether you agree with me or not, it is important for you to understand where you are. You don’t owe others nothing in life, but you owe everything to yourself. Examine your priorities and make the necessary adjustments in order to make time for personal growth.

Don’t underestimate me. I know more than I say, think more than I speak, and notice more than you realize.

Before you speak, let your words pass through three gates: Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind?

Greatness is hearing your truth and speaking it, no matter how your voice shakes. -Mel Robbins

journal, pen, plant, desk, thoughts, purpose — pexels

Positive Thinking Every Day: An Inspiration for Each Day of the Year

Please grab your journal or notebook and reflect on the journal prompts below. I told you at the beginning of this blog that you will need to be honest with yourself and be willing to feel the words within your soul. If you allow yourself to escape for a moment and answer the questions, you may free yourself from emotional bondage. Keep in mind that this is a journey and everyone takes their own path, makes their own choices, and suffer their own consequences.

Journal Prompts with a Purpose – Positive Thinking – Positive Outcome:
• What do you want people to remember about you?
• If I really loved myself I would ___________________.
• Where do you feel safe and loved?
• What’s your biggest regret?
• What have you done to make amends and/or forgive yourself?
• If you could change just one thing about yourself, what would it be?
• How do you think your life would be better?
• Have you ever tried to change it?
• I think I’m really good at _________________ and I know this because ________________.
• What are you proud of?
• What do you see as your biggest accomplishment?
• If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be?

Gratitude Journal Amazon Affiliate Link

Remember, this is a personal journey. It is important for you to find your safe place and surround yourself with God’s love, peace and joy.

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow, and forever!

Renew Inspiration is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

Spring Forward, Change Is Coming

LaPorterMarch 12, 20184 Replies

flowers, butterfly, spring, outdoors — Pixabay

Spring is a lovely reminder of how beautiful change can truly be -Unknown

Even though Michigan weather is in the 30’s today, the first day of spring is March 20th. Spring is one of the four conventional temperate seasons, following winter and preceding summer. Spring is the season of new beginnings for many people. Take time and look around you when the flowers, plants, and trees begin to bloom, days become longer, and the weather is warmer.

No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow -Unknown

spring, outdoors, yard, plants, flowers, trees, grass — Pixabay

So, here’s the life lesson I want to discuss with you on today. Just like the seasons change, so do our mind, body, and spirit.

He health the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. -Psalm 147:3

Life Lesson – Mind
As spring starts to surface and the trees begin to bloom, we can see God’s reminder to align our hearts to the new thing He’s doing all around us. Keep in mind that everything changes except God. People change, circumstances change, our bodies change, and our desires and passions change. There is certainty in life…change!

Our thoughts are the first things we need to deal with during change because thoughts directly affect our emotions and determine our behavior. When circumstances change, make the transition mentally and your emotions will be a lot easier to manage. The next time sudden change happens in your life, act on God’s Word and not merely reacting to the situation, you will be able to manage your emotions instead of allowing them to manage you. Now, repeat after me…I don’t resist and dread change, and I adapt when I need to.

Life Lesson – Body & Spirit

Moving right along to the next life lesson. Unfortunately, the change in seasons will affect some people in ways that most cannot explain. Many people struggle with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) which is a depression related to the change in seasons.

Some of the symptoms are as follows:

• Moodiness
• Low Energy
• Difficulty Sleeping
• A Lack of Interest in Activities
• A Lack of Interest in Relationships
• Feeling Hopeless

To help you prepare for the change in seasons, ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you find yourself sleeping more?
• Are you struggling to get out of bed?
• Is it harder or easier to exercise now?
• Do you feel less patient?
• Are you easily annoyed or irritated?
• Do you feel more energized and productive?
• Has there been a shift or change in any of your relationships?
• Are you actively involved in activities?

Answering these questions will give you some insight about how the change of seasons may or may not affect you personally. Regardless of whether you are affected by SAD, there are three important points that will help you navigate and manage this process.

First, you need to exercise regularly for at least 30 minutes per day. Moving your body on a regular basis has a positive effect on your physical and emotional health. Keep in mind, you don’t have to spend countless hours in the gym to satisfy this requirement. You can walk around your neighborhood, run and play with your children, or do an at home workout.

Second, you need to get more sunlight. People need to be exposed to sunlight on a daily basis. Our bodies absorb vitamin D, important to our health, from sunlight. And the energy and emotional boost that we get from a few minutes in the sun is well worth it.

Third, you need to talk it out. It’s always easier when you’re sharing your thoughts and feelings with someone, such as your spouse, friend, coworker, or therapist. This process not only strengthens your relationships, but also it provides you with positive support during this difficult time.

spring, showers, rain, outdoors, woman, umbrella — Pixabay

Journal Prompts – Mind in Bloom
April showers bring May flowers. What do May flowers bring? Why do you think so?

Write about the perfect spring day and include details, such as smells, sights, sounds, touch, tastes.

Spring is thought to be a time of new beginnings. Write about a time when you started something new.

spring, walking, outdoors, exercise, body, moving — Pixabay

Journal Prompts – Body Moving
Write about how you plan to move forward physically in 2018.

Set some realistic exercise goals for yourself and write them down.

Write about one way you would like to grow physically in the next year.

spring, fishing, boat, outdoors, water, relax — Pixabay

Journal Prompts – Spirit Renewed
Write a personal poem about spring. What does spring time inspire in you. Write about it.

Write about how God has blessed you. Be specific and give examples.

Write about something you feel strongly about.

What’s on your mind?
Don’t be shy. Please share your thoughts and/or feelings concerning this blog by leaving a comment so we can have an open dialogue. I would love to hear from you!

Inhale Exhale Depression Is Real

LaPorterFebruary 4, 201816 Replies

Happy Super Bowl Sunday! I really have been struggling on if I wanted to write a blog about depression. Yes, depression is a subject that most people try to avoid, but I don’t want to avoid any part of my personal story. Well, here we go. When my mother passed away in December 2015 my whole world changed. Even though I know my mother is in a better place and no longer have to suffer or be in pain, I felt so hurt and defeated. I truly felt like I could not do enough within my power to help my mother overcome her illness. Even as I write this blog, I just feel some kind of way. My eyes get full of tears and my emotions start racing all over the place. Nevertheless, I fell into a deep depression throughout my grieving process. I no longer wanted to be bothered with the outside world, but I still managed to be a wife, a mother, and work my part-time job. I felt empty inside and turned to reading God’s Word, praying, meditating, and writing in my journal for comfort. I’ve learned so much through this process, but the most important thing I learned was to express your feelings and not hold them in. Sometimes I cried, sometimes I read an inspirational book, sometimes I went for a long walk outdoors, sometimes I just screamed, sometimes I just wrote in my journal, and sometimes I just sat in silence. Through it all, God blessed me with my supportive husband, Elon Porter, who at times did not know what to do or what to say, but he never left my side. You know the old saying find something good in every situation? Well, I found the strength to start my own blog and my husband encouraged me to proceed. Believe it or not, if I would not have experienced such a low place in my life, you probably would not have the pleasure of visiting my blog and reading this one right now. Renew Inspiration Mind Body Spirit was created in memory of my mother, Rosalynn K. Russell and my father, James O. Russell. My parents were so supportive of everything that I did in life, all of my personal accomplishments. If I could help someone else overcome depression or any of life’s many challenges, I am up for the task. Writing this blog is a part of my personal story. No matter what life throws at you, stay committed to your task at hand, reach out to your family and friends for support, seek counseling with a licensed therapist, write your feelings in a journal, but never allow yourself to drown in the belly of depression. Remember, depression is not healthy for you or for those around you. Thank you for listening and sharing this precious time with me. Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

In Loving Memory of
Rosalynn K. Russell
November 29, 1942 – December 19, 2015

In Loving Memory of
James O. Russell
June 12, 1941 – July 9, 2003

Quote:
I have fallen, but I will get up. -Maya Angelou

Inspirational Thought:
You were never created to live depressed, defeated, guilty, condemned, ashamed or unworthy. You were created to be victorious.

Scriptures:
Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22
Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. Psalm 27:14
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8

6 Ways to Stay Positive:
• Have Faith in God’s Plan
• Put Everything in God’s Hands
• Practice Gratitude Daily
• Focus on Helping Others
• Surround Yourself with Laughter
• Write it Out & Talk it Out