Renew Inspiration – Page 18 – Renew Inspiration Mind Body Spirit

Amazon Gift Ideas

LatishaJune 9, 20193 Replies

Amazon, Online Shopping, Gift Ideas — pexels

The best gifts are the ones you give. – Unknown Author

Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through any of the links (at no additional cost to you).

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Are you looking for a special and thoughtful gift to give to someone on Father’s Day? Well, look no further. You’ve come to the right place! Today’s blog post is two-fold. First, I wanted to do something different while trying to meet my Amazon 3-sale requirement so I can remain an active member in the Amazon Associates Affiliate Program. Second, I wanted to put together some Amazon Gift Ideas for you right before Father’s Day. As a bonus, I also included a link for Gift Cards and a link to Oprah’s Book Club to give you some summer reading suggestions. Believe it or not, you can use the links below to shop from the comfort of your own home. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s read and shop together!

AMAZON GIFT IDEAS / LIMITED-TIME OFFERS

Here’s some of the benefits for shopping online via Amazon.com:

• You can shop from the comfort of your own home.

• Products are in stock and ready to ship.

• Free shipping for orders over $25 and fast delivery.

• 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime (2-day shipping, free same day delivery in select metro areas, exclusive access to movies, TV shows, music, original audio series, and Kindle books).

Note – After your free trial, Amazon Prime is just $12.99 per month, but you cancel at any time.

Gift #1 – Save $3 on Etekcity Digital Body Weight Bathroom Scale, Tempered Tough, Stability Suspension, Lb/Kg Unit Conversion, Low Battery Indication, Overload Protection

Gift #2 – Save $10 on Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote, Streaming Media Player

Gift #3 – Save $20 on Echo Dot (3rd Gen) – Smart Speaker with Alexa, Voice control your smart home, Connect with others, Always ready to help

Gift #4 – Save $20 on the Fire HD 8 Tablet, Vibrant HD display, Up to 10 hours of mixed-use battery life, 16 or 32 GB of internal storage, Hands-free with Alexa

Gift #5 – Save 25% on the Hot Shot Grill by Charles Oakley, Heavy Duty Die-Cast Aluminum, Extra-large grill surface, Removable parts for easy cleaning, Non-stick interchangeable grill & griddle plates

Gift #6 – Save 39% on the Echo Show (2nd Gen) – Charcoal Bundle + Free Echo Dot Charcoal + Adjustable Stand

Gift #7 – Up to 40% off on Black+Decker products

Gift #8 – Gift Cards or Amazon.com eGift Card options

Gift # 9 – Oprah’s Book Club / Summer Reading Suggestions, Bringing passionate readers together to discuss inspiring stories, Kindle, Paperback, Hardcover, Audible Audiobook

Tayari Jones – An American Marriage – Stunning epic love story of racial injustice filled with breathtaking twists and turns.

Anthony Ray Hinton – The Sun Does Shine – A powerful story of hope, love, justice, and the power of reading by a man who spent thirty years on death row for a crime he didn’t commit.

Delia Owens – Where The Crawdads Sing – A story of resiliency, survival, hope, love, loss, loneliness, desperation, prejudice, determination, and strength.

Michelle Obama – Becoming – An intimate and inspiring Memoir written by the former First Lady of the United States of America. She writes about how her experiences from her childhood in Chicago helped guide her life path.

TIME TO SHARE

Let’s talk. Please support my blogging efforts by clicking on my affiliate links below to make a purchase or sign up.

Amazon Associates
Shop Now

Target
Shop Now

Blue Host
Sign up for Blue Host

WordPress
Sign up for WordPress

I hope you enjoyed today’s blog post and open your heart to make a purchase using the Amazon links. I want to thank you in advance!

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).

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

Success Driven

LatishaJune 8, 20192 Replies

Love life. Engage in it. Give it all you’ve got. Love it with a passion because life truly does give back, many times over, what you put into it. – Maya Angelou

Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through any of the links (at no additional cost to you).

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Well, I have to be honest. I don’t know anyone who would not want to experience some level of success in their life at some point or another. Now, take a moment to think about your life. Do you consider yourself success driven? Whether it is graduating from high school or college, finding the career of your dreams, buying your first home, getting married or starting a family; the feeling of success brings happiness to your life every time. If you’re honest, you will agree that everyone strives to be successful at one point or another throughout life. Unfortunately, life has a way of placing roadblocks in our path which makes it even harder to achieve success along our journey. Today, I want to talk about what is needed to be success driven.

When I think of someone being success driven, I think of an individual that is not afraid of following these necessary steps throughout life:

• Step 1 – Make a commitment to yourself to become success driven.

• Step 2 – Set some realistic goals for yourself and write them down.

• Step 3 – Make a plan to meet your goals and revisit your plan often.

• Step 4 – Put your plan to work by focusing on tasks that will help you achieve your goals.

As you become more clear about who you really are, you’ll be better able to decide what is best for you the first time around. – Oprah Winfrey

HEALTHY HABITS

Here’s some healthy habits to add to your daily routine:

• Set goals and make a plan to achieve your goals.

• Never stop researching and learning.

• Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself.

• Surround yourself around successful people.

• Wake up early and plan for a productive day.

• Strive to be an inspiration to others.

Success isn’t about how your life looks to others. It’s about how it feels to you. – Michelle Obama

QUALITIES OF AN OVER ACHIEVER

Here’s the qualities of an over achiever:

• Motivation – You must have some level of motivation. What is motivation? Motivation is the force which drives you to take action.

• Commitment – You must be willing to make a commitment. What is commitment? Commitment is simply giving your heart and soul to completing your objective, and really caring about the outcome.

• Determination – You must have self-determination. What is determination? Determination is the quality of resoluteness to achieving your objectives. To be determined means that you have decided to achieve a goal and will not waver until you achieve the goal.

• Persistence – You must show persistence throughout life. What is persistence? Persistence is the quality of remaining resolute to your goals while you are in the process of bringing them to reality.

• Discipline – Your must have the will power to remain disciplined in all facets of life. What is discipline? Discipline is the quality of self-mastery that allows you to make progress on your goal even though something inside you want to quit.

QUALITIES TO HELP REACH GOALS

Here’s some valuable qualities to incorporate into your lives that will put you on track to reach your goals:

• Be positive, kind and optimistic

• Be patient with yourself and with others

• Be resilient

• Be adaptable and ready to learn

• Be authentic

• Be truthful

• Challenge yourself often

• Be thoughtful and have a grateful heart

• Live your dreams

• Remain calm and humble

Along the way, while living our best life, mistakes happen and problems arise from time to time. When temporary setbacks occur in life always remember to:

• Embrace Failure – During this journey called life, it’s important to understand that we may fail. Remember, it’s not about how you fall, but it’s about how you get up and how you learn from your mistakes.

• Have Purpose – If you don’t have purpose in life, you will not succeed. You have to find out the reason you’re preparing yourself and working hard to achieve your goals.

• Practice Reliability – It’s important to be a person of your word. Simply put, successful people are reliable. Believe it or not, people will take notice and opportunities will come your way so be ready.

The key to success is to focus on goals, not obstacles. Remember, it’s important to know that it will not always be easy throughout the process, but never give up. Change your mindset, be faithful, and stay the course until you receive the positive benefits of reaching the top. Since we all are different, our definitions of being success driven may vary from person to person. Allow yourself to be creative and open minded. After all, we were put on this Earth for a purpose that is much greater that we are, right?

Success Drive, Renew Inspiration, Flower — pixabay

TIME FOR REFLECTION – JOURNAL PROMPTS

Who you are tomorrow begins with what you do today. – Tim Fargo

• What’s your biggest dream?

• What’s your goal(s) for the next month?

• What is your vision for the next year?

• Where do you want to be in 5 years?

• What are you struggling with at the moment?

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

• What old habit do you want to eliminate from your life?

• What good habit do you want to develop?

• What’s holding you back from being success driven?

• What’s the hardest challenge you have overcome?

TIME TO SHARE & COMMENT

Let’s talk. Do you consider yourself success driven? Why or why not?

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).

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

Growth Through Grace

LatishaMay 27, 20195 Replies

When there is no growth, there is no life. – Unknown Author

Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through any of the links (at no additional cost to you).

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Grace is that attribute of God that enables us to break free of our sinful nature and follow God’s lead. Grace gives us strength, protection, and much needed direction. Grace changes everything. Grace has been defined as “the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings”. Simply put, grace is “undeserved favor from God.”

God’s grace is adequate for anything and everything that you experience in this life. Despite what prompted the hurt you’ve experienced throughout your journey, know that God’s grace can bring peace, hope, and healing. One beautiful thing about grace is that God does not withdraw His grace when you stumble or fall. Instead, acting with grace, God gently picks you up and enables you to take the next step. You can always find at God’s throne of grace whatever help you need whenever you need it. You can run to the Lord in times of trouble, when your heart is breaking, at life’s crossroads, and during the darkest and loneliest nights. Remember, God is waiting for you with open arms. Now, give God some praise for His sincere love for us.

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

God offers us an extravagant gift: His grace. The best thing about that, it cost Him everything, but it costs us nothing. The only payback God asks is that we reach out and take the gift and then rest in it with guilt-free comfort knowing that you are saved through faith. If you find yourself in a small place, God knows you’re there. He’s with you, and He can do something mighty big. Trust his amazing grace.

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

One thought I often meditate on is that when you trust in the Lord, you will never be disappointed. Spiritual growth begins with salvation given to us as a gift from God. Our daily spiritual growth is also utterly dependent on this grace of God. There are many ways to increase one’s growth through grace, such as reading God’s Word, allowing God’s Word to dwell in you, and staying in prayer through good and bad times while on your spiritual journey.
It’s important to have a clear and thorough understanding throughout this process. Keeping an open mind and meditating on God’s Word will allow you to apply God’s grace in your life so you can break free of your sinful nature.

BIBLE VERSES

Even though there are many Bible verses that include the word “GRACE”, I won’t list them all, but here’s a few of my favorites:

“Indeed, we have all received grace after grace from His fullness” (John 1:16)

“Also through Him, we have obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand” (Romans 5:2)

“But by God’s grace I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not ineffective. However, I worked more than any of them, yet not I, but God’s grace that was with me” (I Corinthians 15:10)

“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness’” (II Corinthians 12:9)

“Now grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of the Messiah’s gift” (Ephesians 4:7)

“Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time” (Hebrews 4:16)

PRAYER

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

TIME FOR REFLECTION – JOURNAL PROMPTS

A spiritual journal is a great way to track how you are growing spiritually. This type of journal is different from the traditional journal or diary in that it focuses on your spiritual self. A spiritual journal can aid you in becoming who you wish to be and it is a wonderful life-giving spiritual practice. Here’s some journal prompts to help you get started on your journal writing journey:

Growth Journaling Prompts

• What has prevented you from increasing spiritual growth?

• How can I improve my spiritual walk?

• In what area do I need to improve self-discipline?

• What is one thing I can do to improve my prayer life?

• What do I need more of in my life?

• What does God’s grace feel like?

• What do I need to mute in my life in order to hear God’s voice?

Prayer Journaling Prompts

• Heavenly Father, you are…

• Heavenly Father, I thank you for…

• Prayer for peace when it comes to…

• Prayer for moments when I am….

• Heavenly Father, please give me patience to…

• Heavenly Father, I pray healing over…

• Heavenly Father, I love you because…

Without God’s grace, we will not have growth and we would be lost souls. The more grace we have and ask God for, the more mature as Christians we will be. As I sit here typing this blog post, I am thankful God, in His grace, has given us His Son to save us, His Spirit to dwell within us, His Word to instruct us, and His people to encourage us.

TIME TO SHARE & COMMENT

Let’s talk. If you write in a journal, how has this practice brought you closer to God? If you don’t keep a journal, what is your biggest obstacle to writing one?

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

My Inner Voice

LatishaMay 19, 201917 Replies

Don’t shush your inner voice, it’s who you really are. – Unknown

Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through any of the links (at no additional cost to you).

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Have you ever been sitting still and thoughts begin to run through your mind? Whether positive or negative, you begin to listen to your thoughts and maybe even recognize how you’re feeling in this moment. I call this process listening to my inner voice. I define inner voice as the wisdom of your entire being – mind, body and spirit. Your inner voice may come in the form of random thoughts, feelings within your body, or guidance coming to you from a higher power.

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Believe it or not, your inner voice can be destructive thoughts sent to cause you harm or often times your inner voice may discourage you from making bad decisions in life. Take a moment and think about this. All your life there has been an inner voice offering a sense of direction, gently and sometimes urgently. Sometimes you listened and other times you ignored it.

WAYS TO FIND YOUR INNER VOICE

Be still. The quieter you become, the more you can hear. – Ram Dass

Finding your inner voice is a way to connect with your intuition so you can live your purpose. At times we may hear something in our thoughts or just simply feel a certain kind of way. Nevertheless, it is important to allow yourself to capture these thoughts and/or feelings. Here’s some effective ways to find your inner voice:

• Take time to quiet the mind through meditation.
• Listen to your emotions and feelings.
• Be more confident and stop asking others for their opinions.
• Make it personal and pay attention to your hopes and dreams.
• Follow what your intuition is telling you.

ADVANTAGES OF LISTENING TO YOUR INNER VOICE

Your thoughts and feelings are a mirror of your soul. – Sydney Banks

You must be still to hear your inner voice so it is important to allow yourself quiet time on a regular basis. Once quiet with no distractions, look for some of these advantages of listening to your inner voice:

• Start a habit of looking inward every day. Empty your mind of all thoughts and let your heart be at peace.
• Let go of your ego and give your inner voice a chance to be heard.
• Trust your gut feeling, slow down, and allow your inner voice to direct your attention to what’s more important in your life.
• You will greatly reduce your stress levels and improve your health.
• Your trust levels will increase, which leads to improved relationships with yourself and others.

TIME FOR REFLECTION – JOURNAL PROMPTS

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

Morning Journaling Prompts

• What’s on your daily To-Do List?
• What am I grateful for this morning?
• What do I give permission for myself to do today?
• What do I want to get out of today?
• How will I practice self-kindness today?

My Inner Voice Journaling Prompts

• What can I hear right now in this very moment?
• What feelings did I experience today?
• What kinds of thoughts or feelings drains my energy?
• What kinds of thoughts or feelings leaves me feeling fulfilled?
• What am I feeling today and what thoughts are creating that feeling?
• What thought patterns do I have and how do they impact my life?
• What makes your inner voice unique?

Evening Journaling Prompts

• What went well today?
• What am I proud of today?
• What strengths have I used today?
• What was challenging today?
• How can I better face these challenges next time?

Journaling Challenge
Journaling holds all of your emotions, thoughts, and feelings in one sacred place. Journaling has a way to uncover parts of yourself you never thought existed. Journaling can be fun, but also can be a serious process to help you cope with many life’s challenges, such as depression, grief, or loneliness. The most important fact about journaling is you have total control throughout the experience. You can keep it secret or share it with others.

Now, this Journaling Challenge is simple. Be open, honest, and willing to write in your journal.

• How does journaling help you?
• Where do you feel out of alignment with the things that bring you peace and joy?
• Write your own list of journaling prompts to explore and share a few of them in the comment section.

Always remember, your inner voice will bring about self-confidence. Speak life into your situation and spread positive vibes to those around you. You have total control of your inner voice, whether they are thoughts or feelings. Change how you receive, interpret, and react. Then, your outcome will be different and more effective. After all, your inner voice will help increase self-confidence, help you become more efficient, and you will notice much needed improvement within your life.

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

Blog Support 101

LatishaMay 8, 20199 Replies

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

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

Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through any of the links (at no additional cost to you).

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

REASONS WHY PEOPLE BLOG

Once you become fearless, life becomes limitless.

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

• Inspire, encourage and motivate

• Teach and establish expertise

• Share ideas and their passion for writing

• Cope with life and its many challenges

• Expand networking opportunities

• Express yourself and share creative writing

• Maintain online journal

• Provide book reviews or product reviews

• Capture travel experiences and photos

• Make money by selling product or using affiliate programs

AFFILIATE PROGRAMS

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

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

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

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

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

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

TIPS FOR NEW BLOGGERS

Great things never came from comfort zones.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TIPS TO HELP LAUNCH YOUR BLOG

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BLOG POST IDEAS

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

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

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

• Favorite quotes or poems

• Self-care tips

• Book or product review

• Favorite season or holiday

• Dream vacation destination

• Blogging or weight loss goals

• Heartfelt letter to your future self or a loved one

• Bucket list ideas and timeline

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

TIME FOR REFLECTION – JOURNAL PROMPTS

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

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

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

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

• How you stay organized as a blogger?

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

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

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

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

Keep Life Simple

LatishaMay 5, 20195 Replies

flowers, beats, music, laptop, simple — pixabay

The simpler my life, the happier I become.

Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through any of the links (at no additional cost to you).

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

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

WAYS TO KEEP LIFE SIMPLE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

HEALTHY HABITS TO INCREASE HAPPINESS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TIPS TO IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY

Inhale the future, exhale the past.

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

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

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

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

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

TIME FOR REFLECTION – JOURNAL PROMPTS

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

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

• How can I simplify my life in little ways?

• What are my priorities in life?

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

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

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

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

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

• Describe what God’s presence feels like.

• What is my favorite part of my daily routine?

• What am I most looking forward to this week?

• I am incredibly grateful for ____________________.

• When I am alone I love to ____________________.

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

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

Sunshine Blogger Award

LatishaApril 30, 20191 Reply

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?

My Sunshine Blogger Award Nominees

Lucy – https://elsielmc.wordpress.com/

Angell – www.lifeofanangell.com/

Zena – https://perspectivebyzena.com/

Gabby – www.gabbyabigaill.com/

Jelissa – https://sparkingbliss.com/

Teresa – https://joysblessingspoetry.com/

Holly – https://hollysbirdnest.com/

Nicole – https://NavigatingDarkness.com/

Kara – https://thecheerfulplace.com/

Alexa – www.alexajade.com/uk/

Rach – https://sanamente.com.au/

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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Calmness Within

LatishaApril 21, 20193 Replies

Every breath we take, every step we make, can be filled with peace, joy and serenity. – Thich Nhat Hanh

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 – 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!

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Moving Forward

LatishaApril 14, 201914 Replies

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.

Moving Forward, Renew Inspiration, Journaling, Reflection, Writing, Notebook, Journal — renewinspiration

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!

Here and Now

LatishaApril 1, 201924 Replies

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.

journaling, book, flowers, writing, Renew Inspiration, Here and Now — pixabay

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!