She glows golden like a honeycomb, a ray of afternoon sunshine.
Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! I am so honored for being nominated by an awesome and supportive blogger, Lucky 4 Writing, for the Sunshine Blogger Award. Please be so kind and show some love by visiting her website – https://lucky4writing.com/
Rules for the Sunshine Blogger Award
• Thank the person who nominated you and provide a link back to their blogging site.
• List the Sunshine Blogger Award rules and display the logo on your site.
• Answer the Sunshine Blogger Award questions.
• Nominate 11 other bloggers and ask them 11 new questions.
• Notify the nominees about their nominations by commenting on one of their blog posts.
Questions asked by Lucky 4 Writing
• If you could be any creature, real or mythical, what would you be? I would be a cat so I could sleep all day and night.
• What is your favorite genre of music and favorite song? My favorite genre of music is Gospel and my favorite song is called Change Me by Tamela Mann.
• What is your favorite animated movie? My favorite animated movie is Incredibles.
• Who is your favorite actor/actress? My favorite actor is Denzel Washington.
• If you could win an Olympic medal for any sport, real or fake, which sport would it be? I would win an Olympic medal for boxing.
• What is your favorite thing to do outside of work? My favorite thing to do outside of work is writing, journaling and blogging.
• As a kid, what was your dream job? My dream job was to be a teacher.
• If you could have one superpower, what would it be? Why? I would love to be invisible so I could listen in on conversations without anyone knowing.
• Where has your favorite vacation been? Why? My favorite vacation was going to Disney World because this was the first time our children traveled on an airplane.
• Do you prefer sweets or salty foods? I prefer sweets (cake, ice cream, cookies).
• Would you rather read one book for the rest of your life or watch one movie for the rest of your life? Which one? I would rather read one book for the rest of my life because I love reading. No matter how many times you read a book, you always learn something new each time you read it.
Questions for my Nominees
• What do you enjoy about writing and/or blogging?
• Do you enjoy journaling in your spare time? Why or why not?
• What’s your favorite book you’ve ever read?
• What’s your favorite inspirational quote?
• What’s your favorite social media platform?
• Have you ever written a book? If so, what is the title of it?
• Do you visit your local zoo? If so, what is your favorite animal?
• Where would you like to travel if money was not an issue?
• What’s your favorite sport to watch and/or play?
• Do you like volunteer at your local soup kitchen or donate money to local charities?
• Who supports your writing and/or blogging efforts?
Please take a moment to support these wonderful bloggers by visiting their websites and commenting on some of their blog posts. To me, this is what blogging is all about. Yes, it is important to showcase and promote your own blog, but it is our duty to help promote other bloggers as well. Thanks again to Lucky 4 Writing for nominating me for the Sunshine Blogger Award. Remember, choose to shine and leave a little sparkle wherever you go!
Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!
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Every breath we take, every step we make, can be filled with peace, joy and serenity. – Thich Nhat Hanh
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Thought for the week – Sometimes, its really ok if the only thing you did today was breathe.
Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Happy Easter to you and your family! Well, I really feel the need to discuss an issue that I struggle with often – finding the calmness within. I honestly feel that you will find the calmness within when you love yourself and truly believe in yourself. Would you agree? Finding the calmness within means that you’re at peace with yourself and you’re at peace with those around you.
FINDING WAYS TO CALM YOUR SPIRIT
Today I choose: calm over chaos, serenity over stress, peace over perfection, grace over grit, faith over fear. – Mary Davis
In order to find ways to calm your spirit, it’s important to make your life a priority. Make time now to care for yourself. Remember, stress and anxiety can form major health concerns, such as depression, high blood pressure, heart disease and all the other stress related illnesses that can form in your body. Don’t hesitate to calm your spirit and find peace within yourself.
There are many ways to calm your spirit, such as:
• Meditation
• Reading the Bible
• Practicing Yoga or Exercise
• Journaling
• Reading inspirational books
• Praying
• Finding a hobby
• Taking a walk outdoors
Now, for the truth to be told. How do you find the calmness within? Throughout life it’s important to allow yourself to grow and change. After all, your future self is waiting. Striving for personal and spiritual growth is a must. For example, I spend time writing and journaling to find my calmness within. Everyone needs to find a moment where there is no one else around judging you or adding his or her opinion to the situation that will only impact your life.
HOW TO IMPROVE SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Sure sign of spiritual growth: you want more freedom, and less stuff. – Lisa Villa Prosen
Growth in general is often uncomfortable, messy, and full of feelings you weren’t expecting. But it’s necessary for you to go through the growth process. However, spirituality is less about doing and more about being our truest most authentic self everywhere we go.
Here’s some suggestions to help you improve spiritual growth:
• Read your Bible daily. For some people it’s as simple as just picking up the Bible and start reading it from cover to cover. For others, it’s a difficult process and you must develop a reading plan that’s right for you. Keep in mind that the easiest way to truly experience spiritual growth is to make Bible reading a priority.
• Meet together with other believers regularly. Attending church regularly or gathering with other believers is fundamental to spiritual growth. According to Acts 2:42-47, being in the presence of other believers is for teaching, fellowship, worship, communion, prayer, and to build one another up in the faith.
• Get involved in a ministry group. The best way to stay in church, is to participate often. Most churches offer small groups and many ministry opportunities. Pray and ask God for guidance in this area. In addition, some churches offer classes or counseling to help you find the appropriate place that’s right for you.
• Pray daily. Did you know that prayer is simply talking to God? There are no right or wrong words to say. Just be honest and be yourself. Give God thanks for your salvation. Pray for others in need. Pray for direction. Pray and ask God to fill you daily with His Holy Spirit. Simply put, there is no limit to prayer. Remember, pray often anytime and anywhere.
PRAYER FOR INNER PEACE AND CALM
Holy Spirit, please encircle me, come hold me safe and secure in your loving arms.
Wrap my mind up with your truth. Guide my thoughts and calm my fears.
Steady my emotions, Holy Spirit that you would guide my feelings.
May I not be overcome with anger. Please Holy Spirit sustain my soul, with vision for the future, and hope for tomorrow. I need you in my life today and forever more. Amen.
HOW TO CALM YOUR SPIRIT
Be kind. Be calm. Be joyful. Be humble. Be thankful. – Mary Davis
Our lives are always so busy with work, school, sports, hobbies, etc. Learning how to remove yourself from the madness of busyness can often times be very difficult, but necessary. You become more confident and you learn how to calm your spirit.
Here’s some helpful suggestions to assist you with calming your spirit:
• Address the root of your stress or discomfort.
• Take time to be alone to analyze your thoughts and feelings.
• Learn how to find stability in life by regulating your breath during stressful situations.
• Don’t be afraid to see a health professional or therapist to discuss issues in a safe place and no judgement zone.
• Establish a reward system to pamper yourself from stress to a more calming spirit. For example, read a book, do some journaling/writing, go for a walk or just sit and do nothing.
TIME FOR REFLECTION – JOURNAL PROMPTS
You can’t calm the storm, so stop trying. What you can do is calm yourself. The storm will pass. – Timber Hawkeye
As always, I want to give you some journal prompts that will help you find the calmness within. Believe in yourself and choose to shine while journaling your way to happiness. If you’re honest with yourself, you will achieve what ever you set your heart and mind to.
• What do I need to mute or remove from my life in order to hear God’s voice?
• How can I have peace and calmness in my life in the midst of chaos?
• When was the last time I felt truly calm and at peace?
• How does gratitude bring me peace?
• How can I simplify my life in little ways?
• What are some ways in which God’s presence is felt in my life?
• I cannot get enough of God’s presence because __________________.
• When I meditate on God’s goodness I __________________.
My prayer for you today is that you will find the right way to embrace the calmness within during any stressful moment in life. Now, are you ready to find your calmness within? If so, please share how you plan to find your calmness within along your journey. Remember, to stay patient and trust and your journey.
Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!
Renew Inspiration is a participant in the Amazon, Blue Host and WordPress Affiliate Programs which are advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Bluehost.com and WordPress.com
You don’t have to have it all figured out to move forward…just take the next step.
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 – Moving forward means it’s time to write a new story.
Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! This week I have been in a very difficult place. It’s been hard to focus on writing so I had to step away to get my mind, body and spirit reconnected again. Have you ever been there or felt this way? Sometimes it helps to know that you’re not alone and you find comfort in knowing that others may be experiencing this same kind of feeling from time to time. Now, I realize it’s so important to be honest with yourself and with those closest to you so that’s where today’s topic originated from – Moving Forward.
WAYS TO MOVE FORWARD
The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.
Today, I wanted to write a few words about moving forward. Whether you’re stuck in a rut from a recent break up or going through the grieving process from the loss of a loved one, many people struggle with moving forward. Now, speaking from experience, I do realize that moving forward is not always easy. However, it’s important for people to be honest with themselves and with those around them when choosing to shake it off and take the first step to move forward.
Here’s some common ways to help you move forward in various life situations:
• Change your attitude. Believe it or not, to manifest is to create exactly what you want in your life by choosing to consciously vibrate in alignment with that feeling now. So, don’t put off changing your negative attitude. Choose to shine and a leave a little sparkle wherever you go.
• Block out negativity. Let’s face it, negative vibes bring about negative vibes. I AM – two of the most powerful words. For what you put after them shapes your reality. So, why not make it a positive life, right?
• Take ownership. Be the first to own up to what you didn’t do or to any mistake you may have made in life. That’s how you learn and earn respect.
• Let go of the past. It’s not healthy to relive your painful past. If you continue to look at today through the eyes of the past, you can never see what the present moment has to offer you in life. Remember, you can’t change what happened, but you can change your mindset and actions in the present.
• Start small. Set small goals for yourself and write them down. Each morning, look at your goals and make a plan to do something productive that will help you reach your goals.
• Stick to a schedule. Make a plan and stick to it. I know life happens from time to time, but also remember your success is found in your daily routine. Create a daily To-Do List with 3 to 5 items on it and check your tasks off throughout the day.
• Be willing to forgive. In order to be kind to yourself, it’s important to commit to talking with yourself in a way that’s helpful, rather than harmful. Speak life into your situation, not death and destruction.
• Live in a moment of gratitude. Start every day with an attitude of gratitude. Afterall, gratitude makes sweet miracles of small moments. Breathe in beauty, exhale gratitude.
Don’t be afraid to find your own happiness throughout this process as well. Remember, achieving success and personal growth is not going to happen overnight. To be able to move forward in life, you may have to let some people and thoughts go in order to live a more fulfilled life with purpose.
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TIME FOR REFLECTION – JOURNAL PROMPTS
Do not give your past the power to define your future.
As always, I want to give you some journal prompts that will help you throughout the moving forward process. Believe in yourself and choose to shine while journaling your way to happiness. If you’re honest with yourself, you will achieve what ever you set your heart and mind to.
• What would make you happy right now?
• What is standing in the way of that happiness?
• What is draining your energy from day to day?
• What do I need to give up, say no to or let go of?
• How can I re-prioritize my to-do list?
• What would I be doing if money or other people’s opinions didn’t hold you back?
• What are you afraid of?
• How can you confront those fears head on?
• What is a short-term goal that you’re confident you can achieve?
• What is an important lesson you’ve learned recently?
Thank you for reading my latest blog post. I really look forward to inspiring all of you with written word. When I write my Renew Inspiration blog posts, I strive to grow within myself with every word that I type. Believe it or not, my Renew Inspiration blog is the key to my very being. It gives me strength and power to reach so many people, both near and far. I would love to hear your thoughts about moving forward so please leave a comment. Peace and blessings!
Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!
Renew Inspiration is a participant in the Amazon, Blue Host and WordPress Affiliate Programs which are advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Bluehost.com and WordPress.com
The past is your lesson. The future is your motivation. The present is your gift.
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 – Be where you are, not where you think you should be.
Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Let’s welcome April with a positive blog post detailing tips to help you work through and overcome your past challenges, strive to reach a successful future, and learn how to live in the present. Take a moment, look around you today and see all of the natural abundance in life. Feel the richness and see the beauty. Be grateful for here and now. I don’t know about you, but I am blessed. Today, I will focus on all that is right in my life.
The secret of health for mind and body is not to mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.
LIVING IN THE PAST
Never be defined by your past. It was just a life lesson, not a life sentence. – Unknown Author
As we go through life’s journey, we tend to hold on to past mistakes and failures long after they have occurred in our lives. In most cases, it is difficult to begin and conquer the forgiveness process that will help us reach a healthier and more successful future.
Here’s some tips to assist you along the way:
• Tip 1 – Realize that the past is the past. It’s important to realize that the past is done and already behind us. If we can do this, we will work to acceptance and emotional healing a lot faster.
• Tip 2 – Become clear on your morals and values. Be honest with yourself. Our guilt and shame come from our actions in life not aligning with our morals and values. Identify these and work through them one at a time.
• Tip 3 – Create a re-do to affirm that you have learned from your past mistake(s). Take a moment to write down how you would have done things differently if you could go back and do it again. This is how you make it a learning moment so you can move forward.
• Tip 4 – Realize you did the best you could at the time. Don’t dwell on the negative impact of your mistake(s). You probably did the best you could and now you’re in a position to learn from your mistake(s).
• Tip 5 – Identify your biggest regrets. Take time to list your regrets into categories and tackle each one separately.
• Tip 6 – Accept your past as part of your story. Own it and live it. It’s your own personal story. Make this a learning moment. What’s done is done and you cannot change the past.
Remember, you are more than your past mistakes, and I promise you, you are so worth it to move out of the past and into a promising future.
MOVING TO THE FUTURE
When thinking about life, remember this: no amount of guilt can change the past and no amount of anxiety can change the future. – Unknown Author
There’s no doubt in my mind that it’s important to improve your future and the quality of your life. I don’t care how you look at it. It’s never okay to live in the past and not be willing to strive for a better future.
Here’s some tips to help you improve your future and strive for a healthier lifestyle:
• Tip 1 – Put your life on hold and write a better story for your day. Take a moment throughout your day to pause and consider what you would like to accomplish. It’s all about a clear mindset and uplifting a positive attitude.
• Tip 2 – Learn and identify what’s keeping you stuck in the same place. It’s important to learn what is keeping you stuck in the same place. Is it fear? Is it hurt? Is it confusion? Use your inner thoughts and feelings to help you work through the process.
• Tip 3 – Believe in yourself and focus on right now. It takes a lot of work and commitment to ensure that you are fully present despite what is going on all around you.
• Tip 4 – Set a realistic and attainable goal. Setting goals is the first step in personal accomplishments, but keep in mind that your goals should be realistic and attainable. You can do this by breaking the goals down in smaller steps.
• Tip 5 – Relinquish what you can’t control. Empower yourself to change what you can in life and let go of the rest. Focus on yourself and less time on trying to change or control others.
• Tip 6 – Be grateful and pass it on to others. Be grateful for what you have and you will attract positivity, opportunity and success.
Despite how difficult it may be, don’t obsess or worry about the future. Stay focused and just keep moving forward.
LIVING IN THE PRESENT MOMENT
Life is available only in the present moment. – Thich Nhat Hanh
I am open to receive what I’ve been asking for. Believe it or not, life is more manageable when you are grounded in the present. Achieve clarity through mindfulness practices such as deep breathing and meditation.
Here’s some tips to help you live in the present:
• Tip 1 – Sit still and focus on your breath. Take a moment each day to breathe deeply through your nose for about 3 seconds. Hold your breath for 2 seconds. Then, exhale for about 4 seconds. You can use this breathing technique to bring yourself back to the present if you ever experience stress or anxiety.
• Tip 2 – Practice savoring with all 5 senses. Use your 5 senses to fully take in the environment around you. Spend time being awareness to what you see, hear, smell, touch, and taste.
• Tip 3 – Eliminate distractions that prevent you from fully connecting with others. Don’t hesitate to make changes in your environment to help you stay present with those around you.
• Tip 4 – View mistakes as learning opportunities. Always strive to learn from your mistakes. Dwelling on past mistakes can prevent you from living in the present. It’s simple. Don’t allow yourself to be stuck in the same place for a long period of time.
• Tip 5 – Practice forgiveness. Now, here’s a good one. Holding onto grudges and life hurts can keep you from living a healthy life in the present. Identify people, including yourself, that need forgiving and work to make peace with them. Keep in mind that forgiveness is not about the other person, but it’s personal. It’s all about allowing yourself to move forward in peace.
• Tip 6 – Strengthen your spiritual well-being. Strive to feel connected with God or a greater power to help you stay grounded in the present. Read spiritual books and quotes. Meditate or do yoga to train your mind to become more still and present-focused.
My prayer for you today is that you can relate to some or all of my tips in some way or another. It’s so important to learn how to let go of the past, move forward to the future, and live in the present moment. For some, it may come as an easy task and for others it may be a struggle. Never hesitate to reach out for help from family and friends. There are a ton of professional therapists available to help you work through this process. Remember, you are not alone.
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TIME FOR REFLECTION – JOURNAL PROMPTS
With the past, I have nothing to do; nor with the future. I live now. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
LIVING IN THE PAST
• What don’t you like about your life right now?
• Why haven’t you dealt with your past before?
• Why do you want to deal with your past now?
• What are your favorite moments from the past?
• What’s your biggest learning lesson from the past?
MOVING TO THE FUTURE
• What does your dream life look like?
• Where do you see yourself in 6 months? A year? 5 years? 10 years?
• What distractions are hindering your productivity?
• What actions can you take today to simplify your life?
• What do you need more of in your life?
LIVING IN THE PRESENT MOMENT
• What do you love about your life?
• How do you have abundance today?
• What makes today better than yesterday?
• What’s something that keeps you grounded you can practice daily?
• How can you accept and embrace your emotions no matter what they are?
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS and/or COMMENTS
Thank you for taking the time to read my Renew Inspiration blog. It really means a lot to me and I hope you continue this journey with me. I would love to hear from you. Strive to be in the here and now. Honor the past, learn from it, accept it and let it go. Do you consider yourself living in the past, moving to a better future, or living in the present moment?
Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!
Renew Inspiration is a participant in the Amazon, Blue Host and WordPress Affiliate Programs which are advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Bluehost.com and WordPress.com
I am letting go of all negative thoughts and know everything will work out for me.
Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through any of the links (at no additional cost to you).
Thought for the week – A negative mind will never give you a positive life.
Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Have you ever been standing on your own two feet, but feel like you’re standing on a shaky foundation? You look all around you and everything seems to be still and not moving. Then, you realize it’s only your thoughts. Your thoughts in so many ways define who you are. I am stuck in my own negative thoughts at times as it relates to my life, my relationships, my finances, my career, etc. I have to admit, last week was a ROUGH week for me. Here’s just a snapshot of my week:
• Emotional eating took control when I was upset and/or stressing out (oldest son, work)
• My oldest son got in trouble at school 3 times this week (stress level through the roof)
• Very busy at work, but I only work part-time hours (more stress)
• Sadness and depression slipped in and I did not feel like exercising or writing
Your mind will always believe everything you tell it. Feed it faith. Feed it truth. Feed it with love.
Yes, even I have bad days and/or weeks from time to time. Remember, that’s why I turned to writing. I honestly feel like my Renew Inspiration blog is a safe place to gather my thoughts and feelings. Even though we know negative thoughts are not good for us, we struggle with letting go of them. But why? More importantly, we have to remember how important it is to not stay in that negative place, but we must push through those difficult times. Only then will we find our strength and blessings in life.
I am going to take my week of challenges and turn it into a learning moment. I love owning up to my life’s temporary setbacks and those important learning moments. It really shows my growth and potential when I can be honest and live up to my truth. It’s a personal journey so why not make it your best one. Instead of just holding all of my negative thoughts inside, I chose to create this blog post so that I can help someone else who may be going through the same situation.
DEFINE NEGATIVE THOUGHTS
Negative thoughts can be defined as intrusive thoughts that are unwelcome, involuntary, images or unpleasant ideas that may become obsessions, are upsetting or distressing, and can be difficult to free of and manage.
HOW NEGATIVE THOUGHTS AFFECT YOUR LIFE
There is no way around it. Negative thoughts have an immediate and destructive impact on your life. Let’s face it, the moment you have a negative thought, it’s already:
• Hindering you from achieving something you are striving for (goals, dreams, projects)
• Making you feel worse than before (pity party, anxiety, depression)
• Adding negative value to your life in some way (self-esteem, bad relationships)
With that said, make a commitment to your own life on today. Believe in yourself. Choose to shine. Be your own inspiration and choose positive thoughts instead of negative ones. Then, watch your results change. Yes, it’s as simple as that.
EFFECTS OF NEGATIVE THOUGHTS
Simply put, we need to let go of negative thoughts because they prevent us from enjoying all the benefits of positive thinking.
Here’s a few effects of negative thoughts:
• Less confidence
• Lower self-esteem
• Less happiness
• Less feelings of strength
• Less peace of mind
• Less success
• Less health benefits
Your negative thoughts, if not careful, can destroy your sense of worth, make you feel lost, lonely, and depressed. Also, you may lose healthy relationships and careers throughout this process if you do not make positive changes. Negative thoughts can put you in a negative place in life that will cause you to lose everything that you’ve worked so hard for in life. I am writing this blog post to give you hope again and to let you know that you are not alone. We all experience negative thoughts from time to time, but they do not have to control us.
HOW TO OVERCOME NEGATIVE THOUGHTS
Well, believe it or not, negative thoughts are normal and are part of the human experience. Honestly, it’s how we deal with negative thoughts as they appear in our lives. Let’s learn a new and healthy way to overcome negative thoughts once and for all.
Here’s some simple ways to help overcome negative thoughts:
• Be conscious of your thoughts. As soon as you find yourself thinking a negative thought, stop yourself from thinking it.
• Stop comparing yourself to others. Remind yourself of your positive attributes. There is only one you so make the best of it.
• Communicate with family and friends often. It is important for everyone to have a positive human connection.
• Digital detox. It’s okay to unfollow, mute, ignore, and delete negative people from your social media accounts.
• Is this thought helpful to me or others? Be honest about your negative feelings.
• Don’t take things personally. Try to play devil’s advocate with your own feelings.
• Avoid triggers. Minimizing contact negative people and avoiding negative triggers can help keep you sane and positive.
My hope for you today is that you now know that negative thoughts really don’t benefit you at all and have no positive value for your life. It’s important for you to get your mind moving in a new direction because dwelling on negative thoughts will keep you from becoming all God has for you. Love yourself fully, deeply, honestly, faithfully, and gloriously. Until next time, be safe and surrounded by love, light, peace, and joy.
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TIME FOR REFLECTION – JOURNAL PROMPTS
If you realized how powerful your thoughts are, you would never think a negative thought.
Writing in a journal can be a positive way for self-reflection and to turn your negative thoughts to positive ones. Be honest and open to your own personal truths throughout your journey.
Here’s some journal prompts to help you get started:
• Have you spent more time today focused on the past, present, or future?
• Have you forgiven yourself?
• What learned beliefs are you holding onto which aren’t true to your authentic self?
• How are you denying your own role in fall-outs you’ve had with other people?
• How does it feel to be the age you currently are?
• In what ways do you lessen others to feel better about yourself?
• What is the greatest lesson you’ve learned and how did you learn it?
• What is your greatest quest in life?
• What do you think is God’s dream for your life?
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SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS and/or COMMENTS
Thank you for taking the time to read my Renew Inspiration blog. It really means a lot to me and I hope you continue this journey with me.
I would love to hear from you. What is the impact of negative thinking in your life? How do you stay focused and grounded in positive thinking?
Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!
Renew Inspiration is a participant in the Amazon, Target, Blue Host and WordPress Affiliate Programs which are advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Target.com, Bluehost.com and WordPress.com
She’s at peace and yet somehow on fire. – Samantha King
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 – Your life becomes a masterpiece when you learn to master peace.
Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Let’s welcome spring with a commitment to making inner peace a priority in our lives. I don’t know about you, but I could really use some inner peace within my life. Well, peace begins from within, if you are not peaceful inside, the world you see will be chaotic as well. To find peace, sometimes you have to be willing to lose your connection with the people, places, and things that create all the noise in your life. Now, let’s be realistic. Finding peace within is a wonderful thought, but also a difficult process to take on.
WAYS TO FIND INNER PEACE
If you seek peace, be still. If you seek wisdom, be silent. If you seek love, be yourself. – Becca Lee
Here’s some ways to find inner peace:
• Soothe and replenish your spirit. Quiet your mind and meditate. Sit quietly to free yourself of stress and worries.
• Simplify your life. Try not to do everything at once and set limits for tasks throughout the day. Also, limit your daily to-do list to only 2 or 3 of the most important things.
• Enjoy your personal journey. Take the time to experience and enjoy your own personal journey. Don’t be discouraged if the process takes a while. Remember, there is beauty in the process of becoming.
• Be patient with yourself. Inner peace develops over time so be patient with yourself throughout the process.
• Experience the present moment. Think about the present moment and less about the past or future. Believe it or not, being mindful of each moment can help you feel centered, calm and peaceful.
• Be happy and optimistic. Take time to do the things that make your soul happy. Focus on the positive in life to remain peaceful and in control.
HELPFUL TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR INNER PEACE
Inner peace begins the moment you choose not to allow another person or event to control your emotions. – Pema Chodron
Here’s some helpful tips to improve your inner peace:
• Tip 1 – Limit time spent with people that make you feel negative in any way.
• Tip 2 – Find a therapist so you can talk about your inner feelings.
• Tip 3 – Don’t wait for appreciation or approval from anyone but yourself.
• Tip 4 – Be your own kind of beautiful.
• Tip 5 – Relax, think carefully, and act.
Peace is the result of retraining your mind to process life as it is, rather than as you think it should be. – Wayne Dyer
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TIME FOR REFLECTION – JOURNAL PROMPTS
Today I choose: calm over chaos, serenity over stress, peace over perfection, grace over grit and faith over fear. – Mary Davis
The moment you start acting like life is a blessing, it starts feeling like one.
• What do I need to mute in my life in order to hear God’s voice?
• What does God’s voice sound like?
• How can I have peace in the midst of chaos?
• What brings peace into my life?
• How does gratitude bring me peace?
• When I meditate on God’s goodness and mercy, I feel ___________________.
• Replace entertainment for prayer time for one day this week and write about your experience.
• Fill your journal page with a list of things that make you feel at peace.
• What takes your mind away from God, thus robbing your peace?
Remember, finding inner peace is a process you must experience so take one day at a time. Be selective with your battles and allow yourself to let go of the stresses of daily life. So be smart, stay calm, and make finding inner peace a priority in your life.
Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!
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Where there is no vision, there is no hope. – George Washington Carver
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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.
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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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The truth is rarely pure and never simple. – Oscar Wilde
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There are 4 very important words in life: love, honesty, truth, respect. Without these in your life, you have nothing. – Unknown Author
Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Spoken truth can be defined as an individual who speaks facts only. For example, God is the spoken truth. When I think of spoken truth, I think of love, honesty, truth, and respect. How do you define spoken truth? As you think about your personal experiences, remember how important it is to love yourself, have honesty, know truth when you hear it, and respect yourself and others.
Thought for the week – Wake up, smile, and tell yourself today is my day.
HOW TO LOVE YOURSELF
Love yourself first and everything falls into line. – Unknown Author
Have you ever heard of the saying, “Remember to take care of yourself; You can’t pour from an empty cup?” Take a moment, right now, right where you are, and commit to loving yourself. Choosing to love yourself is not a selfish act. Believe it or not, when you begin to love yourself, your whole world will become better. You will have a whole new way of thinking about yourself and others. To love yourself will give you a deep appreciation for who you are.
Today is the day you can love yourself totally by doing the following:
Honesty has a power very few people can handle. – Unknown Author
Honesty is a good way to live your life. One of the main reasons why honesty is important in our lives is trust. Trust is important because happiness cannot exist without it. Honesty is one of the key components to character and one of the most admired traits of any successful, responsible person. In addition, honesty helps to build trust and improve relationships.
In addition, being honest offers the following benefits in our daily lives:
• Honesty is the easiest choice – Believe it or not, it’s your choice to live an honest life.
• Honesty reveals your character – Allow others to see a snapshot of who you really are.
• Honesty gives you freedom – You have the ability to live free from false representation.
• Honesty gives you credibility – People will believe you and trust you mean what you say.
• Honesty keeps you out of trouble – You will have a greater chance of staying out of trouble throughout life.
TELLING THE TRUTH
The truth is still the truth, even if no one believes it. – Unknown Author
We were taught as children that telling the truth is good and telling lies is bad. As you can see, honesty and truth work together. Also, telling the truth causes one to back it up with actions which shows respect as well. Remember, truth will always prevail. Truth also gives closure from the past and provides a clear path to the future. Truth brings hope to people and helps to identify who you are.
Keep these thoughts in mind as you communicate with others throughout life:
• Look for the truth.
• Accept it when you discover it.
• Forgive and correct your mistakes.
• Seek professional help if you need it.
• See yourself in the future.
• Give yourself time to adjust.
• The truth will set you free.
SHOW RESPECT
Respect is one of the greatest expressions of love. – Unknown Author
Respect is a positive feeling or action shown towards someone or something considered important or held in high esteem. Respect conveys a sense of admiration for good or valuable qualities. When you show respect, you strive to be polite and kind.
Below you will find some other ways to show respect in your life:
• Be honest about who you are.
• Be sincere and show gratitude.
• Compliment the achievements of others.
• Offer your assistance to others.
• Respect the abilities of others.
• Maintain integrity and listen to others.
HOW TO BUILD TRUST
Trust can be rebuilt. It takes time, communication and pure honesty. – Unknown Author
Trust is something that two people in a relationship can build together when they decide to trust each other. When you decide to build trust it’s important to know yourself and your intentions. Be open to positive and negative feedback from others. Make sure to be reliable nd allow others to have confidence in you.
Here’s some ways to help you build trust in your life:
• Be honest and keep your word.
• Be transparent and share yourself.
• Give without any strings attached.
• Honor your promises.
• Be consistent.
• Speak from the heart.
• Express your feelings.
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TIME FOR REFLECTION – JOURNAL PROMPTS
Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom. – Thomas Jefferson
• How do you define spoken truth?
• What am I feeling today and what thoughts are creating that feeling?
• What would be my ideal life?
• Who do you see when you look in the mirror?
• What are 5 things I could do to take better care of myself daily?
• Who do you want to be surrounded by?
• What learned beliefs are you holding on to which aren’t true to your authentic self?
• How do you feel about honesty?
• Is the glass half empty or half full?
Today, I face my life experiences with an open mind, plenty of love, honesty, truth, and respect. Today, I speak with kindness and I am gentle. Today, I will act with intention. I am grounded. I am loved. I am enough. Spoken truth allows you to stay patient and trust your journey!
Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!
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The less you reveal, the more people can wonder. – Unknown Author
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Mystery Blogger Award
Sunny Larue nominated me for the Mystery Blogger Award. You can check out her blog here. Sunny Larue is a blogger, writer, music, and martini admirer.
Sunny Larue, thank you for the nomination. I am honored to receive this nomination from a fellow blogger. I truly appreciate you for including me as one of your nominees.
What is Mystery Blogger Award?
Mystery Blogger Award is the brain child of Okoto Enigma. Created to help promote unknown bloggers to showcase their material that otherwise wouldn’t be seen. The award named after Okoto, is given to bloggers with ingenious post. For more information on the award and creator Okoto Enigma, please follow the link – https://www.okotoenigmasblog.com/my-greatest-creation-yet/
Award Rules:
• Put the award logo onto your blog.
• List the award rules.
• Thank the person who nominated you.
• Link to the blog of the person 10 who nominated you.
• Mention the creator of the award and link to the award post.
• State 3 random facts about yourself.
• Nominate 10 – 20 bloggers for the Mystery Blogger Award.
• Ask your nominees 5 questions of your choosing.
• Share a link to your best blog post.
Well, here’s my 3 random facts about myself:
1. My favorite color is black.
2. My birthday is 2 weeks before Christmas.
3. My favorite food is pizza.
Here’s my answers to Sunny Larue’s questions:
1. If you can eat one fruit for a year what is that fruit? Grapes
2. If you have a choice o see a deceased celebrity come back to life who would it be? Prince
3. If you have a talk show who would you ask to be your first guest? Iyanla Vanzant
4. What is your favorite cocktail? Don’t drink alcohol
5. What is your favorite time of the year? Spring
Here’s my 5 questions for you to answer:
1. What inspires you to write?
2. Who supports your writing endeavors?
3. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?
4. What time of the day are you most productive?
5. What book are you reading right now?
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The more you know of your history, the more liberated you are. – Maya Angelou
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Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! I wanted to take a moment to write about the black experience from my perspective in honor of Black History Month. Black History Month honors the contributions of African Americans to U.S. history. The celebration of Black History Month began as “Negro History Week” which was created in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, a noted African American historian, scholar, educator, and publisher. It became a month long celebration in 1976. The month of February was chosen to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass (February 14, 1818) and Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809).
As a child, I can remember participating in Black History programs at school that would include singing African centric songs in concert, writing and presenting reports about African Americans, such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, George Washington Carver, and Madam C.J. Walker to name a few. Also, I remember having a Black History class as an elective in middle school that taught us about our African American culture and described our many contributions to society. In addition, I remember learning about many famous African Americans who fought and died so that other African Americans like myself could have the right to vote, to attend segregated schools, to shop and eat in segregated places, and to be treated fair throughout society.
I find it so ironic that Black History classes are no longer offered in most of our inner city schools, but the core curriculum includes American History. I’ve always felt that Black History is a part of American History because it happened in the past. However, I think Black History should be taught separately so that we can learn about many of the accomplishments and successes of those who came before us and look like us. We cannot continue to stay enslaved as a people because of the lack of knowledge, but we must be creative in teaching our young people about their African American culture and history.
The best way to fight an alien and oppressive culture is to embrace your own. – African Proverb
WAYS TO CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH
We all know that Black History Month is celebrated during the month of February. But, let’s be honest. We should be celebrating our African American heritage every day we wake up and have the ability to do so. How many African American families still celebrate Black History Month? How do you celebrate Black History Month and what are some of your family traditions? For example, you can watch movies and documentaries, go on family outings, and travel to create long-lasting memories.
Here’s some other ways to celebrate black history month and beyond:
• Visit local art and history museums to learn new information
• Enjoy the performing arts, such as watching a play or going to a concert
• Volunteer at homeless shelters and/or make monetary donations
• Become an activist and get involved with politics
• Sponsor a local school, non-profit organization or youth shelter
• Find a cause or non-profit to join then, volunteer and/or donate to make a difference
• Sponsor a child or family in need throughout the year and around the holidays
• Visit your local library to research facts and/or people past and present
• Support black authors by reading their books and writing reviews online
• Support black bloggers by subscribing to their blogs and writing comments
• Write a poem, story or journal entry to express how you feel
• Create a vision board as a family and then one of your own
• Create a bucket list and travel to historical sites around the United States (New York, Tennessee, Maryland, Georgia, Washington D.C.)
BOOKS TO READ
Reading gives us some place to go when we have to stay where we are. – Mason Cooley
Overcomer: 25 Keys to Walking Victoriously, Aretha Grant
Aretha Grant combines personal experience with biblical principles in Overcomer: 25 Keys to Walking Victoriously to teach you how to walk as the overcomer God designed you to be. Aretha takes her time to show how you are already an Overcomer. Now, it’s time for you to walk as one, in faith, courage, and victory.
Digging Deep Within, B.W. McKay
B.W. McKay wrote this novel from an African American male perspective. It’s a story of courage and liberation. You will be able to relate to the characters as they step out in faith while learning how to overcome some of life’s most challenging obstacles related to relationships, careers, communication, unresolved pain from the past, grief, brokenness, and mental anguish.
Becoming, Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama has given us an intimate, powerful, and inspiring Memoir. Michelle offers us a glimpse of her life growing up in Chicago, college life at Princeton, the early years of her marriage as she struggles to balance her work and family. Then, of course the debate whether Barack Obama should run for presidency. Michelle’s story shows us her inner strength and her passion for life itself. Michelle issues a challenge to the rest of us: Who are we and who do we want to become?
LIFE CHANGING QUOTES
Your ancestors took the lash, the branding iron, humiliations and oppression because one day they believed you would come along to flesh out the dream. – Maya Angelou
There is no gain without struggle. – Martin Luther King, Jr.
Create the highest, grandest vision possible for your life, because you become what you believe. – Oprah Winfrey
You have to meet people where they are, and sometimes you have to leave them there. – Iyanla Vanzant
Don’t wait for the world to recognize your greatness. Live it and let the world catch up to you. – Muhammed Ali
You may not always have a comfortable life and you will not always be able to solve all of the world’s problems at once but don’t ever underestimate the importance you can have because history has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own. – Michelle Obama
It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. – Frederick Douglass
I have fallen, but I will get up. – Maya Angelou
I was raised to believe that excellence is the best deterrent to racism or sexism. And that’s how I operate my life. – Oprah Winfrey
I am very proud to be black, but black is not all I am. That’s my cultural historical background, my genetic makeup, but it’s not all of who I am nor is it the basis from which I answer every question. – Denzell Washington
I freed a thousand slaves. I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves. – Harriet Tubman
History has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take a life of its own. – Michelle Obama
We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools. – Martin Luther King, Jr.
Your willingness to look at your darkness is what empowers you to change. – Iyanla Vanzant
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TIME FOR REFLECTION – JOURNAL PROMPTS
Proud to be what I was meant to be. – Keen James
Now, here’s a time for reflection using journal prompts. Use this time to be honest and dig deep within yourself. Then, write freely about your life and your personal experiences; your dreams, challenges, and failures. Take time to think about your thoughts, to acknowledge how you feel, and to strive to be spiritually grounded throughout your journey. Keep in mind, this is an on-going process because life is always changing.
• How has racism impacted your life?
• How do you wish the world could be different?
• What is your biggest dream?
• What is your biggest fear?
• What are you struggling with at the moment?
• Where would you like to be right now?
• What are your core strengths and weaknesses?
• Who are you one year from now?
• What is holding you back from improving your lifestyle?
• What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?
I’ll be the first to say that it is quite difficult to celebrate Black History Month year to year when we are still fighting against racism and hatred every day. Many of our African American brothers and sisters are still being murdered because of the color of their skin. Despite this reality, we must still stand strong as a people in our own skin and celebrate everything that our ancestors fought for…EMPOWERMENT, INSPIRATION, HONOR, RESPECT, KINDNESS, FAIRNESS, PRIDE & CULTURE!
Peace to my Ancestor’s and my Elder’s. I walk in your strength, legacy, and power, today and every day! – Unknown
SPEAK LIKE FREDERICK DOUGLASS LEAD LIKE HARRIET TUBMAN THINK LIKE MARCUS GARVEY EDUCATE LIKE W.E.B. DUBOISE BELIEVE LIKE THURGOOD MARSHALL WRITE LIKE MAYA ANGELOU FIGHT LIKE MALCOLM X DREAM LIKE MARTIN LUTHER LING JR. CHALLENGE LIKE ROSA PARKS BUILD LIKE OPRAH WINFREY CHANGE LIKE BARAK OBAMA
Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!
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