hope – Renew Inspiration Mind Body Spirit

9 Ways To Find Hope When Grieving

LaPorterSeptember 20, 20212 Replies

Renew Inspiration, Hope, Grieving, Grief — Renew Inspiration

When the world says, “give up.” Hope whispers “try it one more time.” – Unknown Author

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Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Today, let’s talk about different ways to find hope when grieving. Having hope is having an expectation that something good will happen in the future or that something bad won’t happen. In reality, the death of a loved one or any loss for that matter, may cause you to live with lots of pain and feeling hopeless.

While losing hope when grieving often times happen, it’s important to pause here to remind you that grief can also help you:

Create new and healthy connections
See things differently and in a more positive light
Appreciate life and living more in the present
Take everything as a sign from a higher power or source

As you can see, hope is another one of those words that can be defined on a personal level and may change from situation to situation; or person to person. When I think of hope, I think of beauty and positive vibes. Hope is like a beautiful flower that thrives on sunlight and water. In a spiritual sense, hope relies on your daily commitment to God’s Word, meditation, and prayer.

BUILDING A FOUNDATION OF HOPE

Never lose hope. Just when you think it’s over, God sends you a miracle. – Unknown Author

To begin with, hope is a portion or part of faith. Often times hope is defined in the spiritual sense when God has promised that something is going to happen in our lives and you put your trust in that promise. You find confidence deep down within that something will come to pass because God promised it will come to pass. Remember, hope comes from the promises of God rooted in the work of Christ.

Here’s some steps to help you build a solid foundation of hope that will carry you through the storms of life:

Step 1 – Submit yourself to God. God is the source of our hope. Come to God in humility and He will restore you.
Step 2 – Strengthen your faith. Allow God’s previously fulfilled promises from the Holy Bible to renew your hope.
Step 3 – Trust God’s timing. Remember, sometimes God answers prayers quickly and at other times God allows us to wait.
Step 4 – Thank God today. Every day set time aside to thank God, read God’s Word, pray, and meditate.

Despite what you may be experiencing in your life right now, never stop believing in hope because miracles happen every day.

9 WAYS TO FIND HOPE WHEN GRIEVING

Each day, there is a new beginning, a new chance, a new hope, a new light! – Unknown Author

It’s important to note that everyone experiences grief when we lose something or someone precious to us. After losing our loved one, it can be hard to cope with the shock and sadness. Did you know that having hope when grieving will give you courage in the midst of your storm? Hope is seeing light in spite of being surrounded by darkness.

Here’s 9 ways to find hope when grieving:

Treat each day like a precious gift.
Practice acts of kindness to those around you.
Lean on your faith and prayer during difficult times.
Look for meaning in the most challenging moments.
Show gratitude and compassion toward others.
Reflect on past and happy memories.
Reframe negative thought patterns and shift your expectations.
Lean into honest, authentic connections with people and nature.
Think about the essential goodness of humanity and volunteer.

The importance of hope is immeasurable. Continue to seek out positivity and recognize you can change your life at any point. Many of us need to look forward to the future. Hope is what helps us deal with grief, find positives in our current situation, help us continue searching for something better, and to have faith that everything will work out. Never lose hope. You never know what tomorrow may bring. Until next time, peace, love, and hope to you and your family!

JOURNAL PROMPTS

Grief can be the garden of compassion. If you keep your heart open through everything, your pain can become your greatest ally in your life’s search for love and wisdom. – Rumi

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. Keep in mind that this is a journey and be patient with yourself. Ready, set, write!

MIND

How do you define hope while you’re grieving?
What is happening in your mind right now in this very moment?
What thought patterns do you have and how do they impact your mental state?

BODY

How can you feel hopeful on today?
What is one of life’s little pleasures that you appreciate?
How do you plan to practice self-care while feeling hopeless?

SPIRIT

What do you need more of in your spiritual life?
What do you hope for each day?
How do you stay hopeful throughout the day while grieving?

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS & COMMENTS

How do you plan to find hope when grieving? What keeps you feeling hopeful in difficult situations? Please share your thoughts in the comment section.

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).

Journaling to Stay Grounded

LaPorterMay 7, 20214 Replies

Don’t be ashamed of your story. It just might inspire someone. – 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! I hope you have your journal and something to write with. I don’t know about you, but I love to write in my journal because it is a safe place for me to put my feelings and emotions into words. Remember, journal writing is your very own personal journey throughout life, your ups and downs, your successes and failures.

Today let’s focus on the concept of journaling to stay grounded. Open your journal and write down the following questions:

Why do I write in my journal?
What do I want to learn about myself?
How do I shine from day to day?
Do I have any talents or special skills?
How do I stand out in a crowd?

Begin to write your answers out so you can reflect on them in the future. Now, let’s take this exercise a little bit further. What’s the first thing you think about when you see the words “stay grounded”? Take a moment to write this question and your answer. For me, I think about being grounded in the Word of God so that I can have a solid and secure foundation. I think about having the ability to be guided on the right path throughout life.

Next, we’re going to discuss five ways you can use journaling to stay grounded in your life.

SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION

Stand your ground, it’s sacred. – Unknown Author

#1 – You must have a spiritual foundation that includes the Word of God and having some level of faith. Without a strong spiritual foundation, you cannot withstand the storms of life. In my opinion, staying grounded in the Word of God increases your faith and renews your hope for the future. Staying grounded takes a strength from within like no other. For some, reading God’s Word is enough. For others, reading God’s Word, praying to God, practicing meditation, and living Christ-like satisfies their spiritual endeavors. Write these tips in your journal and refer to them as you read God’s Word:

Tip #1 – Always ask yourself – How does this word apply to me?
Tip #2 – Receive every word as true. Rest upon the promises that God has given you.
Tip #3 – Be prepared to put what you read into action in your life.

AMAZON RESOURCE #1 – Present, Not Perfect Journal

HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

I am grounded. I am safe. I am divinely protected at all times. – Unknown Author

#2 – You must have hope for the future. Hope is another one of those words that can be defined on a personal level and may change from situation to situation; or person to person. According to the Webster Dictionary, hope is defined as a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen; a feeling of trust.

But what does hope mean to you? Do you hope for anything great on today or in the near future? When I think of hope, I think of beauty and positive vibes. Hope is like a beautiful flower that thrives on sunlight and water. In a spiritual sense, hope relies on your daily commitment to God’s Word, meditation, and prayer.

Here’s a few questions to write in your journal that will help you better understand hope:

How do you define hope?
What do you hope for each day?
Why do you feel hopeful/hopeless?

ON TRACK TO REACH YOUR GOALS

Make it your goal to stay physically strong, mentally sound, emotionally stable, and spiritually grounded. – Unknown Author

#3 – You must stay on track to reach your goals. Goal setting is important in every aspect of your life. To pursue new ideas or strive to reach your dreams, you must have a plan to do so. There has to be a fire within you in order for you to strive to reach your goals that you set. You have to think positive and plan for success. Well, how do you start?

Here’s my recommendations:

Identify what you want and name your specific goal(s).
Write your goal(s) down and write the steps needed to facilitate the goal(s).
Take each of the steps you wrote down and incorporate them into your current lifestyle.
Begin to visualize yourself after your goals are achieved.
Evaluate your progress as you move through the steps you’ve identified.

AMAZON RESOURCE #2 – ACT Daily Journal

BUILDING SELF-CONFIDENCE

Confidence is not they will like me. Confidence is I’ll be fine if they don’t. – Unknown Author

#4 – You must continue building your self-confidence each day. Self-confidence is extremely important in almost every aspect of our lives, but if we are honest with ourselves, we sometimes struggle to find it throughout our everyday lives. Did you know that gaining the confidence of others is one of the key ways in which a self-confident person finds success in life? Unfortunately, people who lack self-confidence find it difficult to become successful.

Here’s some ways for you to build self-confidence:

Prepare for your journey. Look at what you’ve already achieved, think about your strengths, think about what’s important to you, and where you want to go in life.
Set out on your journey. Build the knowledge you need to succeed, focus on the basics, set small goals and achieve them.
Accelerate towards success. By this point, you should feel your self-confidence building from within. Keep yourself grounded and always aware of how you feel throughout this process.

FIND TIME FOR SELF-REFLECTION

Time spent in self-reflection is never wasted, it is an intimate date with yourself. – Unknown Author

#5 – You must find time for self-reflection. Self-reflection is a process of examining one’s own thoughts, feelings, and sensations to gain better insight of one’s life. Self-reflection allows you to:

Notice negative patterns in your life.
Keeps you focused on the bigger picture.
Prevents you from worrying about things out of your control.
Helps you face your fears.
Allows you to make decisions based on your conscience.

My prayer for you today is that you will begin to use journaling to help you stay grounded in your own life. Believe in yourself. Be brave and take risks. After all, nothing can substitute an experience, whether it is positive or negative. Allow your journal to be your safe haven. Every word that you write down, will offer you hope for tomorrow and give you strength for today.

BLUE HOST RESOURCE

JOURNAL PROMPTS

Where there is hope, there is faith. Where there is faith, miracles happen. – Unknown Author

What are my short-term goals and long-term goals?
What matters most to me right now in this very moment?
What am I ashamed of and/or what do I fear?
What brings me the most joy and how can I make time for it?
As of today, what is my vision for my life in one year, two years, three years?
What stresses me out? What can I do to reduce the stress?
What is overwhelming in my life right now?

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS & COMMENTS

Do you spend time writing in your journal? Would you commit some time to use these journal prompts? Why or why not? Please share your thoughts in the comment section.

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).

Finding Hope Within

LaPorterMarch 31, 20213 Replies

Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness. – Desmond Tutu

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Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! As I sit here thinking about life and what people are experiencing on this day, I cannot help but feel a sense of frustration, anger, loneliness, and sadness. But why? Maybe it is because most people that I observe seemed to have lost the basic fundamentals of life which are love, kindness, and hope. We’ve become selfish individuals who disrespect ourselves and our neighbors. Our society says that it is okay for us to watch people be viciously attacked and murdered because of the color of their skin. But why? We are still in the midst of a pandemic and everyone has not received the covid-19 vaccine, but some states have fully reopened and no longer requires people to wear masks. But why? It’s spring break in most states and people are traveling having a good time while covid-19 cases are increasing and people are still dying from this awful virus. But why? Some of our loved ones have died or have been extremely ill due to covid-19 in the last year, but it seems like society has chosen to overlook the pain and heartache that these people are still feeling today. I know and you know that this is not right, but yet it happens every day. Today, I choose to be hopeful, not hopeless and press my way to find hope within.

AMAZON RESOURCE #1 – A Prayer a Day for Hope & Encouragement

BENEFITS OF FINDING HOPE WITHIN

Hope is the ability to hear the melody of the future. – Unknown Author

Instead of allowing negative feelings to overwhelm you during these difficult times, let’s focus on the benefits of finding hope within. So, where does the thought of finding hope within come from? It’s simple. Deep inside we feel an expectation that something good will happen in the future. Despite all the negativity that goes on around us, most people strive to anticipate positive outcomes in their lives. Believe it or not, finding hope within:

Offers one a reason for living.
Helps build resilience in the face of adversity.
Helps control your emotions and sets the mood for the day.
Gives you room for self-expression.
Allows you to believe in your dream.
Reduces stress and anxiety.
Supports mental strength and happiness.
Improves overall health and encourages a healthy lifestyle.

WAYS TO EMBRACE HOPE WITHIN YOUR LIFE

May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears. – Nelson Mandela

Once you find hope within, it’s important to find ways to embrace it wholeheartedly. 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 itself. Living a hopeful life is to recognize that everything and everyone matters, even you.

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

Regain control of your life and destiny.
Recognize that you can change your life at any time.
Be mindful of your expectations and shift them when necessary.
Disconnect from news outlets and social media often.
Listen to another person’s story to help clear your head.
Find creative ways to handle stress and disappointment (yoga, meditation, reading).
Establish a daily self-care routine that helps to calm you (journaling, to-do list).
Create honest and authentic relationships with active listeners and learn to forgive.
Develop a daily journal writing habit to release negative experiences and emotions.
Get outside and enjoy the big world that surrounds you.

AMAZON RESOURCE #2 – Christian Art Gifts Floral Notebook Set

Being hopeful during difficult times will not be easy, but is necessary. It is important to no longer hold onto what has happened in the past. Today, I chose to use my Renew Inspiration blog platform to express how I feel because our feelings and our voices matter. It’s important to not only be honest with yourself, but be open and honest with others as well. You will be surprised how many people are feeling the same way as you. Have an open mind to something new and you will find healthier ways to overcome life’s struggles. Then, you will be at ease and have a peace of mind while moving forward in life. After all, life always offers you a second chance. It’s called tomorrow. Don’t lose hope. You never know what tomorrow will bring!

JOURNAL PROMPTS

Where there is hope, there is faith. Where there is faith, miracles happen. – Unknown Author

I love journaling because it is a safe place for me to put my feelings and emotions into words, then put my words into action. Remember, journaling is your very own personal journey throughout life, your ups and downs, your successes and failures. In addition, 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. Keep in mind that this is a journey and be patient with yourself. Ready, set, write!

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 over time?
How can you change your negative thought patterns and become hopeful?
What words inspire you, move you and make you feel hopeful?
What advice would you give a person who has lost hope?

BLUEHOST RESOURCE

LET’S TALK

Hope helps us to appreciate life and everything life has to offer. Do you struggle with being hopeful while living in a negative world? Do you find yourself hoping for a brighter future? 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).

Anxiety On The Rise

LaPorterMarch 22, 20203 Replies

Renew Inspiration, Anxiety, Stress, Panic, Fear, Coronavirus, Hope, Kindness, Happiness — Unsplash

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Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength. – Charles Spurgeon

Thought for today – Believe that you are stronger than your anxiety.

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! I pray that you and your families are staying healthy during this difficult time. Let’s face it, the rapid spread of the coronavirus has increased anxiety, wide-spread panic, fear and stress for most people around the United States and abroad. In fact, 70% of adults in the United States feel some level of stress and anxiety daily. People are nervous and scared which is a normal response to the issue at hand.

I don’t know about you, but I will be the first to tell you that my anxiety is on the rise, but it is also silent within. I try not to let my family, friends or co-workers know when my anxiety level increases. Today, I will not allow anxiety to dictate how I feel or how I interact with others. Today, I will not stress over things I cannot control. Instead, I choose to spread love, hope, peace, comfort, joy, happiness, kindness, encouragement and inspiration through my Renew Inspiration blog.

AMAZON RESOURCE # 1

COMMON CAUSES OF ANXIETY

Anxiety has the ability to keep you from enjoying life and doing things you enjoy. – Unknown Author

Before you can work through an issue, it is important to understand what the issue is and how it can impact you as a whole. So, what is anxiety? Well, anxiety is defined as a nervous disorder characterized by a state of excessive uneasiness and apprehension; Feeling of worry; Fear characterized by behavioral disturbances.

It is important to note, that while there can be many causes for anxiety all around us, here’s some common causes of anxiety that often times impacts our lives or someone close to us:

• Stress that can result from work, school or personal relationships.

• Emotional trauma in our lives.

• Financial concerns.

• A chronic or serious medical condition.

• A major event or performance.

• Side effect of certain medications.

Be open and honest to your loved ones if your anxiety begins to interrupt your life on any level. Do not ever think you’re alone because you’re not. Overcome your fear by taking a step to work through this difficult chapter in your life’s story.

AMAZON RESOURCE #2

SYMPTOMS OF ANXIETY

Nothing diminishes anxiety faster than action. – Walter Anderson

Next, I want to provide the symptoms of anxiety to help you become aware of how you are feeling or if you notice any of these symptoms in others. Unfortunately, high levels of anxiety can cause various health conditions and/or symptoms, such as:

• Panic attacks

• Depression

• Constant and excessive worrying

• Feeling exhausted and fatigue

• Increase stress

• Restlessness

• Insomnia and non-restorative sleep

• Irritability

• Lack of concentration

• Irrational fears and phobias

• Avoiding social situations

It’s important to analyze these symptoms very closely. If you feel the symptoms are severe enough to interfere with daily life activities and continues for at least 6 months, you may want to consider seeing a licensed health professional.

HOW ANXIETY CAN MANIPULATE YOU

Inner peace begins the moment you choose not to allow another person or event to control your emotions. – Pema Chodron

Moreover, many people deal with anxiety on so many levels, and in some cases, they deal with this condition alone. Unfortunately, anxiety often times manipulates you by showing you the following:

• Self-doubt – Anxiety makes us question ourselves and our beliefs.

• Fear – Anxiety takes what is dear to you and makes you afraid of losing it.

• Worries – Anxiety can take a thought and turn it into excessive worries.

• Control – We don’t need our fears to manifest. Then, we strive to control everything.

Similar to the symptoms as noted above, it’s important to analyze how you’re feeling and request help from a licensed health professional so you can cope with life better.

AMAZON RESOURCE #3

WAYS TO REDUCE ANXIETY

Smile, breathe and go slowly. – Thich Nhat Hanh

Now, that we know the common causes for anxiety and the symptoms, it is important to find ways to reduce anxiety so we can live more productive lives.

Here’s some ways to help reduce anxiety:

• Increase your faith, read scripture and pray.

• Eat well-balanced diets.

• Add a daily exercise or yoga routine.

• Take medications or supplements that are prescribed by a licensed doctor.

• Enjoy aromatherapy by lighting a candle using essential oils (lavender, sandalwood, rose, roman chamomile, geranium, orange blossom).

• Express yourself and how you are feeling using a gratitude journal.

• Spend quality time with family and friends.

• Laugh and find the humor in every day life.

• Learn to avoid procrastination and prioritize what needs to be done.

• Practice mindfulness and deep breathing techniques.

• Listen to soothing music.

• Maintain a positive attitude.

It’s important to take mental breaks as often as possible. Take a deep breath and remember to go easy on yourself. What ever you do today, let it be enough.

AMAZON RESOURCE #4

JOURNAL PROMPTS

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. Keep in mind that this is a journey. Everyone takes their own path. Ready, set, write!

• Do you suffer from anxiety? If so, how do you work through it.

• What are some of life challenges and/or triggers that increase your anxiety?

• How do you plan to overcome your anxiety?

• Interview your past & future self by asking questions that you need answers to.

• Use colorful markers or pens to write out all the things that make you happy.

Remember, to take care of yourself throughout this stressful time. Click on the image below to receive some Positive Affirmations. Read them daily until they resonate in your spirit. Then, share them with others. Write a comment below to let me know how my Renew Inspiration blog has helped you. Let’s overcome anxiety by sharing positive vibes, not panic or fear.

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).

Remain Hopeful

LaPorterJanuary 19, 202014 Replies

Each day, there is a new beginning, a new chance, a new hope, a new light! – Unknown Author

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Special Thought – And sometimes against all odds, against all logic, we still hope.

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Before I get into today’s topic, I want to discuss what’s going on in my life. Now, that I am back working full-time during the week, it’s important that I create a new writing and blogging schedule for 2020. After thinking about this in great detail, I decided to share inspirational posts with you twice per week based on a normal work/family week (no workshops, long therapy sessions, school activities, etc.) My goal is to encourage you based on topics related to improving your MIND, BODY and SPIRIT.

INTRODUCTION – HOPE

When the world says, “give up.” Hope whispers “try it one more time.” – Unknown Author

There’s so much darkness in the world today! For example, our televisions are filled with negative news stories about racism, murders, kidnappings, corrupt politics, violence in our schools, etc. With that in mind, let’s talk about hope to help improve our way of thinking. Hope is another one of those words that can be defined on a personal level and may change from situation to situation; or person to person.

Here’s some questions to think about:

• How do you relate to the concept of hope?

• What does hope mean to you?

• Do you hope for anything great on today or in the near future?

When I think of hope, I think of beauty and positive vibes. Hope is like a beautiful flower that thrives on sunlight and water. In a spiritual sense, hope relies on your daily commitment to God’s Word, meditation, and prayer.

AMAZON RESOURCE # 1

DEFINITIONS – HOPE & HOPEFUL

Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness. – Desmond Tutu

According to the Oxford Dictionary, here’s the definitions of hope and hopeful:

• Hope is a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen; a feeling of trust. (noun)

• Hopeful is a feeling or inspiring optimism about a future event. (adjective)

AMAZON RESOURCE #2

BUILDING A FOUNDATION OF HOPE

Never lose hope. Just when you think it’s over, God sends you a miracle. – Unknown Author

Here’s some steps to help you build a solid foundation of hope that will carry you through the storms of life:

• Step 1 – Submit yourself to God. God is the source of our hope. Come to God in humility and He will restore you.

• Step 2 – Strengthen your faith. Allow God’s previously fulfilled promises from the Holy Bible to renew your hope.

• Step 3 – Trust God’s timing. Remember, sometimes God answers prayers quickly and at other times God allows us to wait.

• Step 4 – Thank God today. Every day set time aside to thank God, read God’s Word, pray, and meditate.

WAYS TO RESTORE YOUR HOPE

I am not an optimist, but a great believer of hope. – Nelson Mandela

Did you know that having hope will give you courage in the midst of a storm? Hope is seeing light in spite of being surrounded by darkness. Hope is the only thing stronger than fear. Hope is the ability to hear the melody of the future. Despite what you may be experiencing in your life right now, never stop believing in hope because miracles happen every day.

Here’s some ways to restore your hope:

• Be kind to yourself and others.

• Listen to another person’s story.

• Treat each day like a precious gift.

• Look for meaning in the most challenging moments.

• Reconnect with nature.

• Focus on your spirit and shift your expectations.

• Listen to music and channel your energy into productive change.

• Show gratitude and compassion.

• Think about the essential goodness of humanity and volunteer.

AMAZON RESOURCE #3

JOURNAL PROMPTS

A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning. – Unknown Author

• How do you define hope?

• What do you hope for each day?

• What keeps you from being hopeful?

• Have you lost hope on today? If so, why do you feel this way?

• I feel hopeful/hopeless because…

• Name at least 5 things you are hopeful for and reflect upon each thing listed.

AMAZON RESOURCE #4

TIME TO SHARE & COMMENT

Let’s talk. 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).

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!

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Patience Hidden Within

LaPorterJune 24, 201818 Replies

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience, and experience, hope. (Romans 5:3-4)

Thought for Today

Trust the wait. Embrace the uncertainty. Enjoy the beauty of becoming. When nothing is certain, anything is possible.

Welcome to Renew Inspiration! I am so glad you decided to read my blog on today. I want to spend some time talking about patience. Unfortunately, patience in life is not spread evenly amongst people. Some of us have it, and some of us don’t. According to the Webster Dictionary, patience is the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset; to wait or to do something despite difficulties or to suffer without complaining.

Everything comes to you. In the right moment. Be patient. Be grateful. – Unknown

Well, what does patience mean to you? As we go through life, we often take a lot of things for granted. For example, do you have patience with yourself when you are dieting or exercising? Do you have patience with your family as it relates to doing household chores, doing school work, going to various appointments during the week, participating in school events or running errands on the weekend? How about your co-workers helping you meet important deadlines for projects at work? Now, let’s take a moment to think about your personal behavior. Do you find yourself screaming a lot, losing your temper, or always stressed out about something? The real question should be, do you have patience hidden within?

Let’s Get Personal

For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. (Hebrews 10:36)

Honestly, I consider myself to have lots of patience, but lately I find myself wondering how much patience I really do have. Well, my husband and I adopted 2 boys with the hopes of giving them lots of love, positive support, and helping them become more independent in life. Yes, we want the same dreams for our boys as you have for your children. We want them to be successful in school, play sports, learn karate, play video games, and enjoy their favorite hobby. Both of our adopted sons have a hearing impairment, but we do not allow it to define our children. Both boys attend speech therapy and behavioral therapy regularly.

When we adopted our children, I knew it would be a struggle because of the adoption itself, the unknown factors involved with their history of abuse, the boys being developmentally delayed, and the hearing impairment. After years of therapy and the cochlear implant in 2016, we came to realize that these factors help define our children. I truly understand that. However, I was not prepared for all the negative energy that the oldest child is bringing into our household. Unfortunately, he is defiant (disrespects, lies, don’t follow directions, sneaky, failing grades). I don’t think you can ever prepare yourself wholeheartedly. After all, you have opened your home and your hearts to strangers. You have sacrificed so much to provide things for these children that they probably would have never had in their young lives. You are willing to love them despite their past trauma and living situations. In most cases, you don’t even know what the children really went through in their young lives. It takes a lot of patience to parent children I am sure you already know, but it takes even more patience when you have negative factors playing a huge role in the dynamics of your family unit.

I wanted to provide you with a real life example because I am living with this lack of patience every single day. To take it a step further, I noticed that I began struggling with patience especially after my mother passed away in 2015. She was my ROCK, my strongest supporter, my EVERYTHING. She encouraged me and always complimented how well I worked with our boys through their personal struggles. So, as I write this blog today, I ask myself the very same question that I asked you earlier, do I have patience hidden within?

Patience is not the ability to wait but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting. – Unknown

When I decided to blog, I wanted my blogs to be different. I want to impact your lives in a unique way. I want you to think about your life and how you can make positive changes as you read my blog. I want to impact your life in a positive way. Remember, to grow from within, sometimes you press yourself to move out of your comfort zone and be willing to feel awkward. Yes, you may feel uncomfortable when evaluating your current living situation or when trying to change something for the better, but that’s when you know the best is yet to come. Don’t be afraid to be different. Don’t be afraid to be alone. You are not alone while going through this process. Well, it’s time for you to get your journal or notebook out so you can start the necessary work.

Symptoms When You’re Impatient

How do you know when you’re being impatient? You will probably experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Shallow breathing (short breaths)

• Muscle tension

• Hand clenching/Tightening

• Restless feet

• Irritability/Anger

• Rushing /Quick decisions

Patience is the calm acceptance that things can happen in a different order than the one you have in mind. – David G. Allen

Ways to Manage the Symptoms

Here’s some strategies to help you manage symptoms for patience:

• Take deep slow breaths, and count to 10.

• Focus on relaxing your body.

• Learn to manage your emotions.

• Force yourself to slow down.

• Practice active listening and empathetic listening.

Patience is a form of wisdom. It demonstrates that we understand and accept the fact that sometimes things must unfold in their own time. – Jon Kabat-Zinn

Journal Prompts – Ways to Work on Patience in your Life

• What does patience mean to you?

• What gives you patience and why?

• Do you believe in something most people don’t? If so, what keeps you believing?

• What future challenge are you most looking forward to and why?

• What is the best way to show patience to family? friends? strangers?

Prayer for When You Are Waiting and Feel Impatient

Heavenly Father, I know I am impatient, so prone to worry, to give up, to lose hope. Please help me to rest in your promises on today. In this season of waiting, renew my joy in this moment so that I do not miss your presence in this place. Thank you for never giving up on me. Thank you for love, your guidance, and your glory even when I cannot see. In Jesus Mighty Name, AMEN.

I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

So, what’s your story as it relates to patience? Think about your life right now where you are. Describe a situation or a person in which you wish you showed more patience? Don’t be afraid to comment or ask a question. WE all learn from other people’s struggles and life experiences. Help can be found if you take the first step today. I will be waiting patiently for your comments and/or any questions you have. Believe in yourself today, tomorrow, and forever!

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Staying Grounded

LaPorterMay 13, 20187 Replies

The Lord will fight for you. You need only to be still. Exodus 14:14

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration and Happy Mother’s Day to all of you beautiful mothers that read my blogs every week! Today let’s focus on the concept of “Staying Grounded”. What’s the first thing you think about when you see the words “Staying Grounded”? I think about being grounded in the Word of God, staying focused from day to day, being on track to reach goals, and hope for the future.

Don’t be ashamed of your story. It just might inspire someone. -Unknown

Word of God
Stand your ground, it’s sacred. -Unknown

In my opinion, staying grounded in the Word of God increases your faith and renews your hope for the future. Staying grounded takes a strength from within like no other. For some, reading God’s Word is enough. For others, reading God’s Word, praying to God, practicing meditation, and living Christ-like satisfies their spiritual endeavors. As you read God’s Word, keep these tips in mind:
• Always ask yourself – How does this word apply to me?
• Receive every word as true. Rest upon the promises that God has given you.
• Be prepared to put what you read into action in your life.

Staying Focused
Don’t fear change. When its winds come blowing stay grounded, don’t let it knock you down. -Unknown

Staying focused from day to day is not as easy as it sounds. It seems to be easier when you have a daily To-Do List. Your list may include your daily agenda or you may want to include items that will build your faith and bless others along the way. For example, you may want to include:
• Count my blessings
• Practice kindness
• Let go of what I can’t control
• Listen to my heart
• Be productive yet calm
• Just breathe

On Track to Reach Goals
Make it your goal to stay physically strong, mentally sound, emotionally stable, and spiritually grounded. -Unknown
There has to be a fire within you in order for you to strive to reach your goals. You have to think positive and plan for success. Well, how do you start? First, you should set some personal goals for yourself. However, not just any kind of goals, make sure you set SMART goals for yourself. Second, you need to write down your goals to clarify and strengthen your daily intentions. Third, break down your goals into small and manageable steps to overcome any anxiety you may have. Fourth, hold yourself accountable by maintaining focus and discipline throughout your weight loss process. Fifth, rewarding yourself will help reinforce the positive actions you’ve taken so you can continue doing it every day. Remember, effective systems and habits make it easier for you to accomplish your goals on a regular basis.

• S – Specific – Well defined so that anyone can understand the goal
• M – Measurable – Needs to have parameters in order to know if the goal was achieved
• A – Attainable – Must be a realistic goal that challenges you
• R – Relevant – Make sure the goal is consistent with your other goals and will aid you in achieving your long-term goal
• T – Time Oriented – Create a time frame for when you want to accomplish your goal

Hope for the Future
I am grounded. I am safe. I am divinely protected at all times. -Unknown
is another one of those words that can be defined on a personal level and may change from situation to situation; or person to person. According to the Webster Dictionary, hope is defined as a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen; a feeling of trust.
But what does hope mean to you? Do you hope for anything great on today or in the near future? When I think of hope, I think of beauty and positive vibes. Hope is like a beautiful flower that thrives on sunlight and water. In a spiritual sense, hope relies on your daily commitment to God’s Word, meditation, and prayer.

• How do you define hope?
• What do you hope for each day?
• I feel hopeful/hopeless because…
• Name at least 5 things you are hopeful for. Then, take a moment and reflect upon each thing listed.

Wings to show you what you can become. Roots to remind you where you’re from.

I am present within myself. I can center myself with the ease of my breath. I feel grounded, confident, worthy & whole. -Unknown

As always, I look forward to hearing your feedback and reading your comments. Remember, sharing our thoughts and experiences teaches others a life lesson. In addition, please invite others to subscribe to my blog as well and share my blog on your social media platforms. Finally, I have added some items from www.amazon.com that may interest you so I would appreciate your support if you make a purchase. Until next time…

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

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Grace Changes Everything

LaPorterApril 16, 20183 Replies

He who loves purity of heart and has grace on his lips, the king will be his friend. Proverbs 22:11

Grace changes everything. Grace has been defined as “the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings”. Simply put, grace is “undeserved favor from God.” God’s grace is adequate for anything and everything that you experience in this life. Despite what prompted the hurt you’ve experienced in life, know that God’s grace can bring peace, hope, and healing. One beautiful thing about grace is that God does not withdraw His grace when you stumble or fall. Now, let’s pause here and give God some praise for His sincere love for us. Instead, acting with grace, God gently picks you up and enables you to take the next step. You can always find at God’s throne of grace whatever help you need whenever you need it. You can run to the Lord in times of trouble, when your heart is breaking, at life’s crossroads, and during the darkest and loneliest nights. Remember, God is waiting for you with open arms.

By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

God offers us an extravagant gift: His grace. The best thing about that, it cost Him everything, but it costs us nothing. The only payback God asks is that we reach out and take the gift and then rest in it with guilt-free comfort knowing that you are saved through faith. If you find yourself in a small place, God knows you’re there. He’s with you, and He can do something mighty big. Trust his amazing grace. One thought I often meditate on is that when you trust in the Lord, you will never be disappointed.

I don’t know exactly what’s next but I’m stepping forward with grit, anchored in grace. -Julie Graham

Let’s pray:
Heavenly Father, Master Grace Giver, thank you for giving me grace each and every day. Help me to become an extender of grace to others even when they don’t deserve it. I will never forget the price you paid to set me free, and for this I want to say thank you. Amen

Here are some Prayer Prompts to encourage, strengthen, and inspire you as you journal your prayers.

• Heavenly Father, you are…
• Heavenly Father, I thank you for…
• Prayer for peace when it comes to…
• Prayer for moments when I am….
• Heavenly Father, please give me patience to…
• Heavenly Father, I pray healing over…
• Heavenly Father, I love you because…

In the Midst of it All

LaPorterMarch 30, 20188 Replies

In the midst of life’s greatest storms, do not forget your divine heritage as a son or daughter of God. -Ronald A. Rasband

In the midst of it all, what do you feel? What are your thoughts? How do you cope with every day struggles of life? Now, I realize my struggles may be different from your struggles, but can we agree that it takes a strategy to not only cope with the struggles of life, but to overcome such struggles?

Let’s face it, painful life experiences often leave heart-deep scars within us. Even though danger is long past, fear still lingers around us. It affects our present relationships and experiences, and even our perception of God. We may never know why it has happened to us, but we do know that we can and will survive it. We also know that God has given us a new day and a new season to reach out for His blessings in joy and gratitude. Painful experiences leave scars within us, but they also leave strength and wisdom in the midst of the storm, giving us the opportunity to help those enduring similar trials now.

JOURNAL PROMPTS:
• Find a quote to live by and write it down. Then, write a journal entry.
• What book has influenced your life?
• What are you grateful for?
• Define your struggles and create a plan to overcome them.

Inner peace begins the moment you choose not to allow another person or event to control your emotions. -Unknown

EMOTIONAL FREEDOM

Sometimes I feel tangled up in my emotions. Trying my hardest to break free. Emotional freedom is almost at my fingertips, but it is difficult to trust myself to move in the right direction. Can I control my emotions or do my emotions control me? I ask myself this question every day. How about you?

Emotional freedom is what we all strive for while on this journey called life. Trying to live a healthier lifestyle. But let’s be honest my friends, the struggle to emotional freedom is real and sometimes scary. The temptations and challenges are real, such as unhealthy foods, drinks, not enough time to exercise, health issues…the list can go on and on. But once again, I ask myself daily…Can I control my emotions or do my emotions control me?

I am a survivor, a fighter, a wife, a mother, a sister, an aunt, a friend. Yes, I am all of these things, but most of all, I am strong enough to overcome this emotional struggle. I am strong enough to make a commitment to not only myself, but also to my loved ones. I am strong enough to control my roller coaster of feelings, desires, and personal choices in life. So, I ask myself and you should ask yourself…Can I control my emotions or do my emotions control me?

Emotional freedom is within our reach, but we must stay focused and keep pushing toward our ultimate goal…to be at peace, happy and free of all negative feelings that sometimes hide within.

JOURNAL PROMPTS:
• How do you see the world? Describe it in detail.
• Share a vivid dream.
• How have you changed in the past year?
• What are your priorities in life?

Peace comes through hope. -James E. Faust

BEING AT PEACE & FINDING GOD’S PURPOSE

There is one sure way to know that you are doing exactly what God wants you to do, you will be at peace. Not every day, not all the time, but even in the midst of hard times and confusion you will feel good about what you are doing. Even when it seems like you are getting nowhere, you will know there is absolutely nothing else on earth you can do other than what you are doing. It’s called being on purpose. There will be times when you want to walk away, but you won’t. You can’t. Perhaps the money will not show up fast enough, but some way, somehow, you will have just enough to handle the task at hand.

Every day, every hour, and every minute has a purpose. God has a plan for you. Continue to trust that. He is taking you great places. -Unknown

When you are doing what God wants you to do, nothing else matters. You will be willing to stick it out in bad times. You will ignore people who tell you that you can’t or that you are crazy. You will be so intent on finding the happiness and success you know you deserve, you will be at peace. In peace, you find God’s purpose for you.

Simply put, your peace is God’s pleasure – Now let’s go find it – Are you ready? Ready, set, go!!!

JOURNAL PROMPTS:
• What do you feel strongly about?
• Something you are proud of.
• How would you like people to describe you?
• Discuss one way you would like to grow in the next year.

Travel light, live light, spread the light, be the light. -Yogi Bhajan

TRAVEL LIGHT

woman, stillness, meditation, light — pixabay

If you know that your life is a journey and if you want to make it to your divine destination, you must learn to travel light. Shake off all of the unnecessary baggage and negative thoughts. Unpack the abrasive attitudes, addictive appetites, belittling burdens, conflicting confusion, and frivolous fears that you have packed away in the crevices of your heart and mind. Pack a tidbit of truth, a capsule of courage, a fistful of faith, and a pocketful of prayer, and be your way to a healthier and stronger you!

JOURNAL PROMPTS:
• What do you love about yourself?
• If you could change just one thing about yourself, what would it be?
• What do you want people to remember about you?
• What do you need to be content?

Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life. -J.K. Rowling

SOLID FOUNDATION

A solid foundation is the most important part of a building. Without a solid foundation, the building won’t last very long. Unfortunately, the building could crumble or fall apart at any time, especially if stress is placed on it by a storm.

The Bible encourages people to build their lives on the solid rock of Christ, rooted securely in Him (see Matthew 7:24-27 and Ephesians 3:17). If you try to build your life on what people say and think of you, how they treat you, how you feel, or your past mistakes, you are building on sinking sand. But if you trade that old, cracked foundation for a solid foundation, one based on Christ and His love, nothing can shake you.

JOURNAL PROMPTS:
• What is your favorite scripture that you have hidden in your heart?
• What or who gives you comfort during difficult times?
• What can you do to nurture your mind, body, and spirit more?
• What has been going well in your life lately?

Journaling is like whispering to one’s self and listening at the same time. -Mina Murray

JOURNALING – TIME FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION

journaling, book, flowers, writing — pixabay

Journaling helps you make sense of your emotions and pinpoint patterns. Journaling helps to reduce stress, solve problems more effectively and even improve your overall health.
One way to practice journaling is to write about a good life experience. Not only does this remind you that there’s life beyond bad feelings, but it also serves as an emotional anchor. When you describe a happy memory in your journal, you will be mentally reinforcing that memory so that it might occur to you later in life while you’re going through difficult times.

Now, let’s practice this exercise to access your anchor:

I remember a good feeling _______ [when]. I simply felt ______________ [describe the feeling in a few words]. I was __________________ [where], and I remember noticing _________________ [something sensory]. It was a time in my life when I was doing ________________ [an activity or a general description]. I’ll never forget ________________ [people, weather, environment, etc.] around me. I’ll never be right there again but I know I CAN feel that way again.