life – Renew Inspiration Mind Body Spirit

Change Is Coming

LaPorterOctober 10, 20185 Replies

butterfly, orange flowers, change — pexels

All great changes are preceded by chaos. – Unknown

Something to Think About – When it comes to making a big change in your life you have to want it more than you fear it.

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! I want to dedicate this blog post to Mental Health Awareness. Today, I want to focus on “change” as it relates to our total life experience – MIND, BODY and SPIRIT. I don’t know about you, but I honestly feel a positive change is coming in my life. I can feel it in my mind (positive thoughts), body (feeling relaxed) and my spirit (spiritually grounded). I can see it all around me each day. How about you? Can you see and feel the change that is meant to be in your life right now in this very moment?

When you hear the word “change” what is the first thing that come to mind? For me, I think of the weather. This week Michigan’s weather has been in the low 80s, but by the weekend it will be in the low 50s. Talk about change, right? On a personal level when I think about change I cannot help but think about my life and how my thoughts are constantly changing from day to day. One day I can be positive and upbeat then the next day I may feel anxious or depressed. One day I may be enjoying my writing experiences then the next day I may just sit on the couch just looking out the window. Let’s face it, feeling anxious and depressed are all so real for many people. There are many people who continue to live their lives alone and broken without any help to work through these most difficult moments. To be honest, it may not be no one’s fought at all. Some people are born with mental health issues and other people experience life changing situations, such death of a loved one, divorce, foster care, adoption, bullying, rape, unemployment, financial hardship, etc. Our internal emotions are very strong forces that sometimes have a mind of their own.

Growth is painful. Change is painful. But nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don’t belong. – Unknown

When my mother passed away in December 2015, it changed my life completely. I have not been the same since. I am still going through the grieving process but realized throughout the early stages that I needed help. I could not handle all of my emotional feelings and I felt my mental state was all over the place. At that time, I did not realize I was experiencing depression. Sometimes it creeps up on you and if you are not careful, it will cripple your inner being. It is important to share your personal story so that others who may be experiencing similar situations will know that it is possible to endure, go through and overcome.

Today I plan to close the door to the past, hold my head up high so I can open the door to the future, then take a deep breath, step out on faith to go through the open door and start a new chapter in my life. Are you with me? I know it feels scary sometimes and you may feel like you are all alone. It takes courage to let go of the familiar and embrace the new. Sometimes our lives have to be completely shaken up, changed, and rearranged to relocate us to the place we’re meant to be. Always remember, YOU are allowed to change, but you must decide to take the first step.

The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are. – Unknown

Positive Affirmations

Every next level of your life will demand a different version of you. I will allow change to take place in my life on today. No exceptions. No excuses. I plan to water my roots, so my soul can blossom. Now, repeat after me:

• I plan to trust and believe in God.
• I will love myself and believe in myself.
• I plan to encourage myself and others each day.
• I plan to inspire others by using one of my gifts.
• I will speak positive vibes each day.
• I will embrace change in my life.
• I will step out on faith throughout my journey.
• I plan to endure and overcome heartache, pain, suffering, sadness and loneliness.
• I plan to show courage and boost my own confidence.
• I am powerful enough to be that change in someone else’s life.
• I will commit to improving my personal well-being (MIND, BODY & SPIRIT).

Repeat these positive affirmations each day. Feel free to add your own to the list or change some of the words to make it personal. The idea here is to speak positive words in your spirit each day and eventually you will believe, then become what you are speaking.

Ways to Help you Adjust to Change

Here’s some ways to help you adjust to change:

• Read and study God’s Word. Plant the scriptures in your heart.

• Seek God’s face each day through prayer and meditation. Make your requests known.

• Pray a specific prayer for positive change in and around your life.

• Set personal goals and a plan to achieve them. Put it in writing and look at it often.

• Journaling practice helps to get your thoughts on to paper and out of your head.

• Make time for self-reflection. Go for a walk, spend time journaling, reading, drawing, meditating or coloring. Do what makes your soul happy and keeps your mind relaxed.

• If you feel that your mental stability is getting worse, seek Professional help in the form of therapy from a licensed therapist or social worker, medication to treat depression or anxiety, or support groups to help share your feelings with like-minded individuals.

journaling, writing, coffee, expression, change — pixabay

Time for Reflection – Journal Prompts

MIND

You must learn to master a new way to think before you can master a new way to be. – Marianne Williamson

• Write about personal beliefs or things that held you back in the past? How do you plan to avoid them in the future?

• How can you create a space to help clear your mind?

• What are some of your mental obstacles in life that are holding you back?

• Our passion is typically something that brings us pleasure. What are some of your most passionate thoughts and how do you nurture them?

BODY

These mountains that you are carrying, you were only supposed to climb. – Najwa Zebian

• Imagine what a new beginning would look like or how it would feel. Write about it.

• Sit or stand very still. What are you feeling right now in this very moment?

• What are you having a hard time accepting in your life?

• What are your strengths and weaknesses?

SPIRIT

Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord. (Psalm 31:24)

• What steps do I need to take to become spiritually grounded in God’s Word?

• What is holding you back from trusting and believing in God?

• Does my life reflect what my heart desire? If not, what changes can I make?

• Stand in the rain and let it wash you clean. Feel grounded in the Earth. Write about all of your senses (sight, smell, sound, touch, taste).

pink flower, patience, hidden, within — pixabay

Time for Reflection – Quotes

Change is coming. Embrace every bud, every bloom, every moment. – Unknown

If nothing ever changed, there’d be no butterflies. – Unknown

Life will only change when you become committed to your dreams than you are to your comfort zone. – Billy Cox

The secret to change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new. – Socrates

Don’t let the concept of change scare you as much as the prospect of remaining unhappy. – Timber Hawkeye

Every positive change in your life begins with a clear, unequivocal decision that you are going to either do something or stop doing something. – Unknown

The 3 C’s in Life:
Choice, Chance, Change.
You must make the choice, to take the chance, if you want anything in life to change.

Share Your Thoughts in the Comment Section

Remember, change is a powerful and necessary process that happens in life. It is important to know how to react to your personal experiences and to realize when life’s changes may cause anxiety or depression. At that time, don’t be afraid or ashamed to seek help from a Professional therapist or social worker. What are your thoughts or feelings about this blog post? Do you know anyone who suffers from anxiety or depression? Are you willing to do the necessary work in order to change your life or bad habits?

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

Renew Inspiration is a participate in the Target Affiliate Program which is an advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Target.com

Attitude Awareness

LaPorterOctober 6, 20183 Replies

Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. – Unknown

Something to Think About – A great attitude becomes a great mood. Which becomes a great day. Which becomes a great year. Which becomes a great life.

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Let’s talk about attitude awareness!

Attitude is defined as a settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something, typically one that is reflected in a person’s behavior.

Awareness is defined as the quality or state of being aware; concern about and well-informed interest in a particular situation or development.

Watch your attitude. It’s the first thing people notice about you. – Unknown

Today, I choose to have a positive attitude and look at my life in a new way. With this attitude, I receive beautiful blessings from on high. How about you my friend?

In life, two things define you:

1. Your patience when you have nothing.

2. And your attitude when you have everything.

FREEJournal PromptsCLICK HERE

Your attitude is like a price tag, it shows how valuable you are. As we travel along this journey called life, it is important to embrace the moment you’re in, which is a process called awareness. Well, what’s the best way to practice awareness? You start this process by training yourself to be mindfully aware of what is happening in your life right now, in this moment. Awareness balances thinking and reduces anxiety. Keep in mind, anxiety is focused on the past or the future and awareness is grounded in the present.

sunrise, horizon, landscape, beautiful, peaceful — pixabay

Benefits of Cultivating Body Awareness

• Quiets your mind so you can listen to your body.

• Helps you learn about your body’s unique response to stress and anxiety.

• Shows you where to focus your breathing and relaxation efforts.

• Cultivates lovingkindness for yourself and your body, as you gently notice and acknowledge your body’s cues.

Attitude awareness is the first step to building a positive attitude. As you go through life, always expose yourself to positive information and hang around positive people so you will achieve positive results. Whatever life throws at you at any given time, even if it hurts, plant your feet on solid ground and be strong. Remember, strong walls shake, but never collapse.

Quote to Live By

First, it is an intention.
Then a behavior.
Then a habit.
Then a practice.
Then a second nature.
Then it is simply who you are.
– Brendon Burchard

journal, writing, books, pencils, awareness — pixabay

Time for Reflection – Journal Prompts – Improve Your Attitude

Journal prompts are given to help you write about tough topics or situations in your life. Here’s some journal prompts to help improve your attitude and your overall lifestyle, mind, body and spirit. Be honest and true to yourself when journaling. Journal writing is a self-reflection exercise to help you improve every aspect of your life.

Mind

• Meditate and think about only positive thoughts. Then, write about your thoughts.

• When you close your eyes, what do you always dream about? Write about it.

• If you could paint a picture of your favorite memory, what would it look like?

Body

• Live in the moment right now, describe the feeling and everything around you.

• What is the most complicated part of your life right now?

• Do you adapt easily to change or is it hard for you?

Spirit

• You’re looking through the window to your soul, what do you see?

• What is the biggest thing you want to change about yourself?

• Do you wish you could press the reset button on anything in your life? If so, what?

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

Moving, but Standing Still

LaPorterSeptember 27, 20189 Replies

waterfall, woman, stillness, still, peace — pixabay

Be not afraid of slow going, be afraid of standing still. – Chinese Proverb

Special Thought – Not all storms come to disrupt your life, some come to clear your path.

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Since we last spoke, have you taken time to renew your inspiration? Are you inspired to become better than you were yesterday? What drives you to push forward when obstacles arise in life? Who inspires you to reach for your dreams throughout this journey?

As you’re thinking about the previous questions, I have another one for you to think about. Have you ever felt like you keep moving and moving through life, but you are standing still? Yes, you are busy with life, spending time with your spouse, family and friends, caring for your children, working, shopping, cleaning, enjoying your favorite hobby, etc. But when you really think about your internal happiness, health and spiritual well-being, you have to be honest with yourself. Your life is really not changing in a positive way. There is no personal growth. You’re scared to be spontaneous and have fun. You never want to leave your comfort zone. There is very little sparkle within your circle of friends.

Now, if this sounds familiar have no fear. Just keep reading and I promise you will receive an inspirational word that will not only help you overcome this moving, but standing still season in your life, but you will be able to make a mental connection with your body and spirit as well.

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

10 Steps to Stop Moving, but Standing Still

Step 1. Make sure to be realistic while putting your thoughts into perspective honoring your personal beliefs.

Step 2. Don’t be afraid to prioritize things that matter most to you in your life right now.

Step 3. Remove all negativity, both people and things.

Step 4. Don’t be afraid to say NO to others and think positive thoughts throughout your day.

Step 5. Start using a calendar or planner to organize your appointments and errands.

Step 6. Create a separate To-Do List daily to stay organized and stress free.

Step 7. Treat your body well and with respect.

Step 8. Exercise daily and eat a well-balanced diet to include plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Step 9. Set realistic goals, create a plan to reach your goals and track your progress.

Step 10. Spend time in prayer, meditation and reading God’s Word to receive the proper guidance in your life.

The fact that I’m still standing on my own two feet, in a world that has tried its best to knock me down over and over again, proves only one truth; I am unbreakable. – Stephanie Bennett-Henry

Still Standing – Written by Latisha Porter

Note – This poem was written based on Psalm 46:10 – Be still and know that I am God.

Despite what my life may look like from your perspective, I am still standing.

I have endured heartache and pain, but yet I am still standing.

I have been broken time and time again, but yet I am still standing.

I have known hardship and I have lost myself time and time again, but yet I am still standing.

I have experienced hurt like no other from a defiant child that I chose to adopt, but yet I am still standing.

I have suffered the loss of my parents which put a huge hole in my heart, but yet I am still standing.

I have struggled through the grieving process, anxiety and depression, but yet I am still standing.

I am standing on God’s Word which gives me inner strength to move forward in life and my faith which gives me these inspiring words to encourage you as well.

Remember my friend, God will make a way for you and me, we need only to be patient and be still.

Time for Reflection – Journal Prompts

• What do you think about you?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• What are you feeling right now in this very moment?
• What makes you happy inside?
• What makes you smile?
• What brings you joy?
• What are your values?
• What do you believe in?
• What are you grateful for? List at 5 things and tell why.
• What are you having a hard time accepting? Why is it hard to let go?
• Write yourself a love letter. Make sure you talk yourself through a struggle.
• How can you create space for self-love in your life right now and in the future?

My dear readers, I sure hope you have read something today that has given you a boost of positive energy and some ideas to help you stop moving, but standing still throughout your personal journey. Please be so kind to share this blog with others who may need an encouraging word. Peace and blessings to you!

Time for Action
Please leave a comment and share what you have chosen to do differently in order to better organize your mind, body and spirt. Remember we learn from one another, so don’t be shy. I look forward to reading your comments.

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

Trust and Believe

LaPorterSeptember 2, 20182 Replies

flower, purple, trust, believe, mind, body, spirit — pixabay

With all your heart you must trust the Lord and not your own judgment. Always let Him lead you, and He will clear the road for you to follow. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Thought for today – When we have nothing left but God, we discover that God is enough.

Get your FREE Journal Prompts HERE

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Do you trust and believe in God’s timing? As I thought about writing this blog, I could not help but think about how God can take our sadness and turn it into a joyful experience or vice versa. Only God can do that, right? For example, as I sat and watched the Aretha Franklin’s Celebration of Life, I started thinking to myself about the timing of her death. Even though Aretha touched so many lives with her music and left a legacy that no one could ever replace, why did she have to die when she did? Well, I guess I asked the same question when my dad passed away in 2003 and when my mom passed away in 2015. I am sure that you have probably asked the same question too when you have lost a loved one. Aretha, my dad and my mom had something in common. Their lives were interrupted with a terrible illness that kept them in pain constantly. No one wants to live in pain and suffering. I do realize that we all have to leave this earthly body at some point, but I don’t think we can ever prepare ourselves for death. What are your thoughts? Well, I honestly believe that God’s timing is accurate, so it is important for us to believe it, trust it and allow it to work in our lives. Remember, God will always answer our prayers when you least expect it.

It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are. – E. E. Cummings

So, what does courage have to do with trusting and believing? Well, courage is doing things even when you’re scared, right? It is possible for you to be scared to trust and believe in various situations as well. Remember to be brave isn’t something that happens when you’re not scared anymore. Believe it or not, brave people don’t stop hearing the whispers of fear. They hear the whispers in their head and choose to take action anyway. For example, being brave is hearing that voice of fear in your head, but saying, “Okay, but the truth is, God made me on purpose and for a purpose.” I can tell you that the moments of my greatest fears have also been the open doors to the greatest changes in my life. So, I step out, full of fear, but trusting that God is on the other side in new and wonderful ways. And so far, God always is, and will be for you too!

For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you. (Isaiah 41:13 NIV)

Keep honoring God with your life, stay in peace, trust his timing and God will open doors that no man can shut.

Journal Prompts – Time for Reflection
I release all fear; I trust my mind, body and spirit; I trust God’s process from beginning to end.

Mind
If our minds are ruled by the spirit, we will have life and peace. (Romans 8:6)

• What are your biggest personal milestones?
• What is your greatest passion and how do you nurture it?
• What are some of your peaceful thoughts?

Body
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is our true and proper worship. (Romans 12:1)

• What does self-image mean to you?
• What 10 words best describe how you see yourself and why?
• What do you think it means to be true to yourself?

Spirit
The spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. (I John 4:4)

• When was the last time you allowed the Holy Spirit to guide you?
• Are you willing to empty yourself and allow the Holy Spirit to enter in?
• How well are you currently balancing your spiritual life?

Steady my heart. Quiet my mind. I need to hear your voice.

trust, believe, purple, peace, field, trees, sunlight — pixabay

I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
Do you trust and believe in God? What are your fears? How do you plan to overcome your fears? Do you have courage to step out on faith today? If not, what’s holding you back? Do you trust yourself? Do you trust God to guide and protect you?

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

Writing Just Because

LaPorterAugust 19, 20183 Replies

There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you. – Maya Angelou

Thought for today – In order to write about life first you must live it.

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! I honestly love the thought for today. How about you? “Writing never gets easier you just get better.” Now, this is what I keep telling myself every day when I am researching topics for my blog, writing articles or just writing in my mood journal. According to Ralph Keyes, “serious writers write, inspired or not. Over time they discover that routine is a better friend than inspiration.” This quote means a lot to me because sometimes I just write with no topics in mind. Writing allows me to free my mind and to put my emotions in check. About a month ago, I started writing in my mood journal. I focus on how I feel, what I am thinking, and I include positive quotes/affirmations throughout to keep me motivated. Oh, I cannot forget about the other colorful decorations I use throughout the mood journal as part of my personal expression to describe what I am writing about. I don’t know about you, but I just love writing!

mood, journal, writing — Latisha’s Mood Journal

I want to pause right here to THANK YOU for not only subscribing to my blog, but also for reading the words that I post each week and for believing in me. THANK YOU for leaving comments as well as expressing how my blogs inspire and encourage you throughout your journey. Here’s a FREE TOKEN of LOVE to help you learn more about journaling using valuable TIPS and JOURNAL PROMPTS in order for you to start JOURNALING TO EXCEL:

Journaling to Excel – FREE Journal Prompts

Just because the process hurts doesn’t mean the results won’t be beautiful. – Unknown

Since I mentioned my mood journal, I wanted to discuss a topic that is dear to my heart…journaling! I truly believe that journaling is a powerful tool that can aid anyone in achieving a successful life. Journaling provides you the space to work out your problems and come up with positive solutions, but it’s also a meditative practice for some people. When journaling, it is important to set aside quality time in your day with minimum distractions to revisit your ideas, goals, strategies, emotions and plans. Those who journal swear by the benefits of this practice. How about you?

Here are some reasons why journaling can help you realize and reach your personal goals:

• Analyze Problems – Time to think, retrace steps, consider motivations, draw conclusions
• Self-Analyze – Help you figure out what is causing you to feel or act the way you do
• Help You Vent – Unload your feelings of anger, resentment and jealousy
• Deal with Trauma – Tap into your emotions and express feelings in a healthy way
• Self-Analysis – Reflect on old journals to learn more about yourself
• Write Down Goals, Affirmations & Quotes – Mental space for ideas and connections
• Plan and Strategize – Space to capture your plan to realize your personal goals

Wherever you go, you meet part of your story. – Eudora Welty

As you can see, there are many ways that a journal can help lead you to success. Whether you’re writing for therapeutic purposes or trying to envision your next steps in life, writing in a journal helps provide you with the privacy, time and space to organize your thoughts. Why not try journaling for yourself?

As you grow and evolve, it might feel like you’re losing your mind. But you’re just losing the old mindset that was holding you back. – Unknown

I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
Have you decided to write in a journal? If no, why not? If yes, why do you spend time writing in your journal? What kinds of things do you write about? How often do you write in your journal and revisit your journal writing? Please share your thoughts and comments.

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

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Peace in the Midst of a Storm

LaPorterAugust 5, 20181 Reply

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

Thought for today – At the end of the day, I am at peace because my intentions are good, and my heart is pure.

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! It seems like it has been so long since I have shared a blog post with you. Unfortunately, life happens to the best of us, right? Today, I want to talk about the “Peace in the Midst of a Storm”. Whether your storm is BIG or small, it takes internal strength to overcome many obstacles in life. After all, as long as we are living on Earth, we will always experience some type of storm. So, instead of living your life worrying about the “what ifs”, spend time preparing your mindset with peaceful thoughts, such as scriptures, prayers, positive affirmations, inspirational quotes, uplifting words, etc.

Peace

Today I choose: calm over chaos; serenity over stress; peace over perfection; grace over grit; faith over fear. – Mary Davis

Today, I am totally safe and surrounded by love, light, peace, and joy. Today, I invite peace and harmony to dwell in me and surround me at all times. Today, I have the freedom and power to create the life I desire. It is important to speak peace into your life every day. How about you? Can you honestly say these statements with confidence? It is important for you to know that you already have peace within you, right now, in this very moment. Just because you may be struggling right now, does not mean you are failing life forever. Keep believing in yourself and good things will happen in the near future.

Back-to-school deals are here. Valid 8/5-8/11.

In the Midst

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.

Storms of Life

Your storm is bigger than you are, but your Jesus is bigger than your storm. -Ron Hutchcraft

Even in the midst of life’s many storms, we have the capacity to stand in the center of our own peace. Now, let’s think about that for a moment before we proceed. When you are faced with the storms of life, think about how God is your strength and power; God is your protector and He will guide you through the storms of life if you let Him. Needless to say, it is always our choice. Will we allow God to lead us or will we try to handle our storms ourselves?

Here’s some storms of life examples:

• Stress
• Health Issues
• Financial Difficulties
• Unemployment
• Wayward Children
• Divorce
• Lack of Transportation
• Mental Illness (Depression, Anxiety)
• Imprisonment
• Grieving the Loss of a Loved One
• Various Addictions

To Overcome Life’s Obstacles

God promises to make something good out of the storms that bring devastation to your life. (Romans 8:28)

When was the last time you not only experienced a storm in your life, but you push through the storm with your inner strength? If you struggle in this area, please follow these tips to overcome life’s obstacles:

• Stay focused on positive thoughts instead of negative thoughts
• Don’t ever give up
• Challenge yourself and try new things every day
• Each day you should choose happiness
• Choose to shine and smile
• Don’t compare yourself to others and find time to celebrate your little accomplishments

pink, flower, journal, book, write, pen — pixabay

Journal Prompts – Time for Reflection
Are you ready to write yourself into a peaceful state? If so, grab your journal and let’s get started. Journaling should be a safe place for you to write how you feel and to reflect on your heart felt thoughts. This is your personal journey so make sure you are honest throughout the process.

MIND – Meditate on peaceful thoughts. Define those thoughts in detail and write about them.

BODY – What do you feel right now in this very moment? Listen to your body and write about it.

SPIRIT – How do you cope with struggles? What set a spark in your soul? Write about it.

Remember, my storm may be different from yours, but at the end of the day we both are in the midst of something that makes us uncomfortable. Instead of ignoring and judging others, let’s be more supportive to others who may be experiencing difficult life situations. Sometimes just lending a listening ear will do wonders. Life is not about weathering the storm, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
Please share what brings peace into your life. How do you find peace within? How do you overcome obstacles in life? Can you write yourself into a peaceful state? I look forward to reading your comments and feedback!

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!

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

Courage to the Next Level

LaPorterJune 17, 20189 Replies

Having courage does not mean that we are unafraid. Having courage mean we face our fears. We are able to say, “I have fallen, but I will get up.” – Maya Angelou

Thought for today – Always remember that you deserve to be happy. You deserve to live a life you are excited about. Don’t let other people make you forget that.

Welcome to Renew Inspiration and Happy Father’s Day! Knowing when to walk away is wisdom. Being able to is courage. Walking away, with your head high is dignity. Now, think about that for a moment. What does courage mean to you right now in this very moment? Your honest response would be a great journal entry if you want to reflect on it later. According to the Webster Dictionary, courage is defined as the ability to do something that frightens one and the strength to withstand in the face of danger, fear, difficulty, pain or grief. So, how does one take courage to the next level? There is no right or wrong answer here. Everyone handles situations in their lives differently. However, many situations occur in life that call upon us to do something we find scary, upsetting, uncomfortable, anxiety provoking, or distressing. For example, when I decided to start blogging, I had no idea where to start. Then, I took time to research online and read through various books about blogging. After a while, I had the courage to invest money into my new venture and here I am five months later writing my thirty fourth blog! We have to learn how to move out of our comfort zone throughout this journey called life, so we can develop, grow, and expand both our mental and physical capacity. Are you up for the challenge? I sure hope you are.

Here’s some ways to help boost your courage:

• Don’t overthink it. Once you’ve decided to do anything in life that requires courage, don’t wait, proceed to act.

• Commit yourself ahead of time. Schedule an appointment or tell others when and where you plan to attend the activity. Committing yourself ahead of time or stating intentions to your support system will make you be accountable and you will follow through with the activity.

• Do the activity with a friend. Recruit a friend or family member to participate in the activity. Interacting with another person is a true way of managing fear and anxiety.

• Think of how good you’ll feel afterwards. Give some serious thought to how great you’ll feel about yourself after you take this leap of faith. You will feel more confident and increase your determination.

• Think of the doors that would open for you. If you struggle with courage and anxiety issues, you may need to seek help from a mental health professional or support group. Take some time to consider all the ways your life could be different if you were able to tackle your issue(s) successfully and use the motivation this process gives you to take the necessary step.

Journal Prompts – Time for Reflection
• What are five things that make you nervous or uncomfortable?

• What is it about each of these five things that bothers you most?

• Where does this discomfort come from?

• What is your personal definition of courage?

• Have there been times in your life when you’ve needed to be courageous? Take a moment to write about the situation and what you did to overcome your fears.

• Is there someone in your life whom you would characterize as courageous? If so, write about what you admire about this person and their courage.

• Complete the following sentences – Every day, I am afraid of_____________________. I show courage by _____________________.

• Describe an area of your life in which you wish you were more courageous? What is it, and how would you benefit?

Inspirational Quotes
Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts. – Winston Churchill

Courage does not always roar, sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, “I will try again tomorrow.” – Mary Anne Racmacher

You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you stop to look fear in the face. – Eleanor Roosevelt

My strength did not come from lifting weights. My strength came from lifting myself up when I was knocked down. – Bob Moore

With courage you will dare to take risks, have the strength to be compassionate, and the wisdom to be humble. Courage is the foundation of integrity. – Mark Twain

Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak. Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen. – Winston Churchill

So, the next time you hesitate to activate your courage, take a moment and review the components of this blog. Remember, having courage is about a brief moment in time in which we take action to do what we know is healthy for us. 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

God Our Healer

LaPorterJune 3, 20183 Replies

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! God is our healer today, tomorrow and forever! Do you believe this on today? Despite what we may be going through in our lives, God wants to heal us from our emotional bondage that continues to hinder our spiritual growth to maturity. God wants to give us peace, love, and comfort throughout our lives. God wants to free our minds, bodies, and spirits from those things that will harm us. God does not want us to live in pain and misery. It’s important for all of us to read, pray and meditate in God’s Word.

There is no doubt in my mind that God is my healer. No matter what my mind is telling me or how my body may feel, I trust God to heal me from the top of my head to the soles of my feet. I ask God to bless me with vibrant health and overflowing joy every day. How about you? When you enter God’s presence with praise, God enters your circumstances with power. Yes, we should be confident and know that God is forever powerful within this Earthly realm. Before you read any further, let’s get ourselves prepared for a spiritual breakthrough. Please grab a pen or pencil, a Bible, your journal or a notebook.

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (I Peter 2:24)

Here’s some life challenges that you or someone you know maybe facing:

Mind – Mental Illness, Depression, Mood Disorders, Bipolar Disorders, Schizophrenia, Anxiety Disorders, Personality Disorders, Worry

Body – Physical Aches and Pains, Stress, Eating Disorders, Arthritis, Stroke, Heart Attack, High or Low Blood Pressure, Diabetes, Cancer

Spirit – Lost in Sin, Nonbelievers

God has provided the following spiritual tools to assist us in this healing process:

• The Cross of Jesus Christ
• God’s Word
• Rejoicing and Praise
• The Holy Spirit
• God’s Body, the Church
• A New Self-Image in Jesus Christ

The Cross of Jesus Christ
And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. (Matthew 10:38)
The cross is God’s remedy for our emotional pain and distress. Without Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins, no one would have eternal life. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). This verse explains the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The cross of Jesus Christ provides the way to heaven for sinful mankind, like you and I, who could never get there on our own.
• Ways I want God to transform me…
• Define an area in my spiritual life where I need to see God’s guidance is…

God’s Word
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17)
The healing power of God’s Word is shown throughout the Bible. God truly has unfailing love for His people. God has always challenged us through His Word to experience Him in a tangible, but loving way so that He could bless us with health through our obedience. The Word of God says, “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life” (Proverbs 6:23).
• My favorite passage of Scripture is…
• One lesson I learned from Scripture this week is…

Rejoicing and Praise
I will praise the Lord according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the Lord most high. (Psalm 7:17)
God is the only unchanging constant in our lives. When all is gone – health, family, friends, money, position, etc. God remains. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Isn’t that something to rejoice about? Not only is God present with us, but God’s Word also tells us that nothing can separate from that great unconditional love.
• Today or this week I was most blessed by…
• The area where I need to put more trust in God is…

The Holy Spirit
Behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. (Proverbs 1:23)
It is a fact that God knew that we could not change our sinful ways or heal ourselves in our own strength. God gave us His Holy Spirit to live within us and to take up residence in our hearts. The Holy Spirit gives us new birth, makes us a new creation in God’s sight and places us into the body of Christ. The Holy Spirit helps us to better understand and apply Scripture to our daily lives. (I Corinthians 2:12-13)
• I feel God’s presence most when…
• I feel most distant from God when…

God’s Body, the Church
And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18)
God’s Word tells us that God loves and accepts us, yet we strive to get love and acceptance from people we can see, hear and touch. If one part of the Christian body suffers, every other part suffers with it. So, if you are in a difficult situation, do not be alone. Reach out to Christian family members, friends, support groups, or spiritual counselors.
• I am eager for God to…
• My calling in life is…

A New Self-Image in Jesus Christ
For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. (Galatians 6:3)
Not only must we believe in God’s evaluation of us, but we need to reject what our own faulty experiences and emotions tell us. Remember, self-image doesn’t change because we focus on pleasing ourselves, but it changes because we believe God and accept His love for us.
• An aspect of God’s character he recently revealed to me is…
• God is leading me to make the following changes…

Other Journal Prompts
• My spiritual gifts are…
• Define what brings me the most joy in life…
• Sometimes I get angry with God about…
• An act of obedience God is prompting me to take is…
• Journaling has helped build my spiritual foundation by…
• The most significant area of my life that is not finding its way into my journal is…

Always remember, nothing in this world is too big for our God. Don’t underestimate God in times of trouble or distress. Humble yourself and turn it all over to God to handle. Allow God to guide your every thought, your every step along this journey called life. As I stated earlier, God is our healer today, tomorrow and forever!

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
and Wisdom to know the difference. – Reinhold Niebuhr

Let’s pray – Heavenly Father, I bring to you my burdens and you know my current situation. You know I cannot make it in this world without you. Comfort my heart, heal my body, give me strength to carry on throughout my journey. Amen.

Practice the Miracle Morning Life S.A.V.E.R.S:

1. Silence – Time for reflection, meditation, deep breathing or praying
2. Affirmation – Room to develop and repeat your positive affirmations
3. Visualization – A moment to visualize your goals possibly with a vision board
4. Exercise – Benefit mentally from physical exercise with a brief workout
5. Reading – Develop your mind by reading a few pages from a self-help book
6. Scribing – Write down your thought keeping and reviewing a journal
www.wantforwellness.com

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

Be Strong and Courageous

LaPorterMay 27, 20187 Replies

dream, strong, courageous, goals, fears — Pixabay

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. Psalm 27:14

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Let’s face it, it is hard to start projects, whether it is writing a book, training for a 5K, going back to school, changing jobs or any other dream you may have. The moment you take that first step on your journey, the moment you start working toward your dream, little seeds of courage starts to sprout all around you. Take a deep breath and capture the moment. Despite the fear you may feel because you are entering an unknown territory, embrace your true feelings and know that courage is not just around you, but within you as well.

Face Your Fears

Sometimes what you’re most afraid of doing is the very thing that will set you free. -Unknown

Be strong and courageous throughout your journey! Remember, how far you’ve come, not just how far you have to go. It’s important to face your fears in life and realize that being afraid is okay. When you allow yourself to “feel” during a situation, then and only then, you will be able to overcome the obstacle at hand. For example, I have a fear of writing a book. It’s okay for me to feel a certain kind of way about writing a book because I have never done this before. Despite my hesitant feelings, I have started to face my fears and just started researching and writing down ideas for my first book. Remember, being honest with yourself is key to facing your fears and communicating with positive people who support your endeavors.

Here’s some ways to help you face your fears:

• Pray to God for strength and courage to face your fears
• Ask your family and friends for encouragement or share your feelings
• Seek out professional help – Examples: pastor, therapist or local support group
• Research the topic online or at the library to get a better understanding
• Read an inspirational book related to the topic
• Take a class or start a hobby related to your topic
• Write a journal entry related to the topic and how you feel

lion, woman, courage, fear, strength, overcome — Pixabay

Strengthen Your Heart

Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24

You are not where you want to be in life, but neither are you where you used to be. As we continue our journey through life, we often spend a lot of time trying to discern God’s will for our lives. Now, let’s think about that for a moment. We ask God to direct our paths every day or to help us make important decisions that will impact our lives in some way. We often find ourselves waiting to hear a voice from God. Then, once we hear God’s voice we begin to listen to cowardly advice from those negative people around us which cause us to be frightened and timid throughout the situation. There’s no magical wand that is used in these situations. Remember, God can call you to do great things as He did with Joshua in Numbers 13:30. In this scripture, Joshua believed that God could help them take the promised land while others were afraid.

Here’s some ways to help you strengthen your heart:

• Read and meditate on God’s Word
• Attend church and bible class regularly
• Participate in support groups within your church or local community
• Read an inspirational book, positive quotes or positive affirmations daily
• Make time for personal reflection throughout your day or week
• Seek out professional help – Examples: pastor, therapist or local support group
• Keep a journal so you can express your feelings and thoughts honestly

Life is too short to start your day with broken pieces of yesterday, it will destroy your wonderful today and ruin your great tomorrow. Do you believe this on today? I sure hope so. Let’s begin to live for today and make positive choices in our lives that provides us with an uplifting future. Almost every successful person begins with two beliefs: the future can be better than the present and I have the power to make it so. In addition, your mind, body and spirit must work together as one unit. Sometimes when you’re in a dark place, you think you’ve been buried, but actually you’ve been planted. Sprinkle your soil with the Fruits of the Spirit: Faithfulness, Self-Control, Patience, Goodness, Gentleness, Joy, Kindness, Peace, and Love. Remember, never lose hope because miracles happen every day.

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow, and forever!

Three Life Rules

1. If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it.
2. If you don’t ask, the answer will always be no.
3. If you don’t step forward, you will always be in the same place.

-Unknown

Special Quotes

Courage doesn’t mean you don’t get afraid. Courage means you don’t let fear stop you. -Unknown

Courage is the power of the mind to overcome fear. -Martin Luther King, Jr.

I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. -Nelson Mandela

Fear is a reaction. Courage is a decision. -Winston S. Churchill

Journal Expression – It’s Time to Pray, Meditate, and Write

Take some time today to listen to God. Pray, meditate, and sit in the quiet, think, and listen. Also, have your Bible and journal nearby, and see what God has for you today.

• What does it look like for you to take a step of courage today that will help you start?

• What is one question you’ve been afraid to bring to God? Ask God the question right now, out loud, and listen for His answer.

• List one dream you have for your life. What would this dream look like to be full of hope, even if you don’t know how your story is going to end?

• Write about a door you know God has closed in your life. How did you find the courage to work through this experience?

Prayer for Strength and Courage

Heavenly Father, I want to hear from you on today. Speak to me right now in this very moment. Teach me how to hear you in my heart. Please show me what you want me to do to live out my calling. Give me the strength and courage. In Jesus Mighty Name, AMEN.

ACTION: After you pray to God, wait and listen. Then, journal what you hear and have the courage to share with a family member, a friend, or a mentor you trust. Remember, the best way to grow in your ability to hear God is to practice and let others help you.