Renew Inspiration – Page 19 – Renew Inspiration Mind Body Spirit

Shaky Foundation

LatishaMarch 24, 20197 Replies

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.

Shaky Foundation, Renew Inspiration, Journaling, Flower, Negative Thoughts, Reflection, Journal Prompts — pixabay

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?

Shaky Foundation, Renew Inspiration, White Flower — pixabay

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

Inner Peace

LatishaMarch 20, 20195 Replies

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

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!

Hopeful, Not Hopeless

LatishaMarch 10, 20193 Replies

Where there is no vision, there is no hope. – George Washington Carver

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

Thought for the week – Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow.

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Hope is seeing light in spite of being surrounded by darkness. Sometimes in life, hope is all we have to hold on to. Believe it or not, hope is a necessary emotion that helps us engage with life. Hope is directly related to our sense of possibility. The greater our perception of possibilities, the greater our hope. Hope is what we feel when we think that life is worth living, when we are happy and thinking positive thoughts. Remember, happiness and optimism cannot exist without hope, but hope can exist without happiness or optimism. If we fail to reach our possibilities in life, then we experience a feeling of hopelessness and despair.

EMBRACE HOPE

It’s important to embrace hope in all aspects of your life. After all, hope is our energy, our fuel for living each day. Without hope in our lives, we lack the necessary energy to engage with life. Unfortunately, when a person has lost hope it can be hard to find motivation again.

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

• Shift your expectations.

• Recognize that you can change your life at any time.

• Look for meaning in the most challenging moments.

• Listen to another person’s story to help clear your head.

• Find creative ways to handle stress and disappointment.

HOPEFUL LIVING

Once you choose hope, anything’s possible. – Christopher Reeve

Living a hopeful life is to recognize that everything and everyone matters, even you. Taking care of yourself matters.

Here’s some things you need to focus on:

• Conduct a hope audit of your life. How are you doing in health, work, family, relationships, etc.?

• Take good care of your health.

• Have a stress reduction strategy, such as meditation, yoga, reading, or writing.

• Create hopeful relationships and learn to forgive.

• Help others see the best in themselves.

• Develop a daily journal writing habit to release negative experiences and emotions.

CREATE A VISION FOR YOUR LIFE

Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. – Melody Beattie

Creating a vision for your life is very important and will keep hope alive. A vision will allow you to capture your thoughts and dreams in one place. Then, you will be able to create a plan for achieving your dreams and having the best life. A vision will allow you to work toward life satisfaction and personal happiness. It may be helpful to write your thoughts down in a journal or create a vision board if you’re the creative type.

Here’s some tips to help guide your best efforts:

• Tip 1 – Remember to ask why you want certain things. For example, if one of your dreams is to write a book, why do you want to write the book?

• Tip 2 – Think about what you want, not on what you don’t want.

• Tip 3 – Give yourself permission to dream.

• Tip 4 – Be creative and consider ideas that you never thought possible.

• Tip 5 – Focus on your wishes, not what others expect of you.

Remember, consider every aspect of your life, personal and professional. Make sure to include family, friends, career, success, failures, health, spiritual connection and personal growth.

Here’s some questions to start your vision exploration:

• What really matters to you in life?

• What would you like to have more of in your life?

• Wat are your passions and dreams?

• What qualities would you like to develop?

• What are your values?

• What would you most like to accomplish?

This process is on-going. You may have to revisit your answers from time to time. Don’t be surprised if your vision has changed. Just analyze your answers and make the necessary adjustments, then move on.

TIME FOR REFLECTION – JOURNAL PROMPTS

We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope. – Martin Luther King, Jr.

• Define hope and make sure to provide examples.

• What are you hopeful for on today?

• Have you ever given up hope on something or someone?

• Did you ever regain that hope again?

• Think about a moment when your hope was fulfilled. What were you hoping for?

• How did your hope develop and sustain its self during the waiting time?

• Describe what hope looks like, feels like, and acts like.

• What words inspire you and make you hopeful?

• What advice would you give a person who has lost hope?

Hope exists and is all around us every day. Hope engages our creativity and our problem-solving skills. Hope helps us to appreciate life and everything life has to offer. After all, life always offers you a second chance. It’s called tomorrow. Don’t lose hope. You never know what tomorrow will bring!

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

Spoken Truth

LatishaMarch 9, 20199 Replies

The truth is rarely pure and never simple. – Oscar Wilde

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).

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:

• Falling in love with yourself.

• Being kind and positive.

• Acknowledging your effort.

• Guarding your energy.

• Carving out me time.

• Forgiving yourself for your mistakes.

• Don’t believe everything you think.

FREEPositive AffirmationsCLICK HERE

BENEFITS OF HONESTY

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.

Spoken Truth, Love, Trust, Respect, Honesty, Reflection — pixabay

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!

Mystery Blogger Award

LatishaFebruary 25, 20194 Replies

The less you reveal, the more people can wonder. – 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).

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?

Here’s the link to my favorite blog post:

https://renewinspiration.com/blogging-with-a-purpose/

Here’s my 10 Nominees for the Mystery Blogger Award:

1. @FocusInChaos – https://focusinchaos.com/
2. @LifeReEnvision1 – https://lifereenvisioned.com/
3. @pacemakerblog – https://edelpace.com/pacemaker-blog/
4. @NewEnglandMomma – https://newenglandmomma.com/
5. @lovelifelavish1 – www.lovelavish.com
6. @CherishingFlo – www.cherishingflo.com
7. @PerspectivebyZ – https://perspectivebyzena.com/
8. @ChloeChatsBlog – www.chloechats.com/
9. @Thisleoloves – www.thisleoloves.com/
10. @dawndoneza – https://itsjustdawn.com/

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

Renew Inspiration is a participant in the 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 Bluehost.com and WordPress.com

The Black Experience

LatishaFebruary 17, 20197 Replies

The more you know of your history, the more liberated you are. – 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! 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

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!

The Versatile Blogger Award

LatishaFebruary 12, 201918 Replies

Face your rejections and use them as stepping stones for success. – 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).

The Versatile Blogger Award

Melissa Snyder nominated me for the Versatile Blogger Award. You can read her blog post about her nomination here.

Melissa, thank you for the nomination. I am honored to receive this nomination from a fellow blogger. I truly appreciate you for including me in your selection. I started my Renew Inspiration blog to inspire and encourage others. After my mother passed away in December 2015, I began writing to comfort my soul. I started off writing letters to my mother, then journaling how I was feeling and what I was thinking, then in January 2018 I decided to start blogging. I have not turned back since. I love to have the ability to write positive and uplifting posts, then share them with all of you. Also, I love the blogging community as a whole. I’ve met so many encouraging bloggers and authors that inspire me to continue writing.

Water your roots, so your soul can blossom. – Unknown Author

Award Rules:

• Thank the person who nominated you.
• Link to the blog of the person who nominated you.
• Say 7 facts about yourself.
• Nominate 15 more bloggers for the Versatile Blogger Award.

Well, here’s 7 facts about myself:

1. I have been married to my wonderful husband for 15 years. We met one another online, and it was love at first site. We dated for about 6 months and decided to get married. We did not want to have a traditional wedding (to save money), so we went to the courthouse to get married instead. We left the courthouse and drove to Niagara Falls for our honeymoon.

2. We have two adopted sons with hearing loss. I spend most of my time advocating for my boys so they can be successful in life.

3. I love animals. We have two dogs and one cat. My oldest dog is 16 years old. His name is Sampson and he is a Sharpei/Boxer mix. My other dog’s name is Max, he is a Pug, and is 15 years old. Our cat’s name is Morris and he is 17 years old. All of our pets are very spoiled and demand attention every day.

4. Currently, I work part-time as a sub secretary in an educational environment. I really enjoy this job and the flexibility it provides for me and my family. Education is very important to me and I’ve always loved administrative type work. For example, growing up I would volunteer as a secretary at church and at school.

5. I have a passion for writing, journaling, and blogging. I am working on my first inspirational book/journal as a way to follow my dreams and to inspire others to do the same.

6. I also enjoy reading, coloring, and doing Word Search puzzles in my spare time.

7. I love to do Leslie Sansone’s walk workouts. It’s a great way to get fit, increase your daily step count, and have fun all at the same time. You can check her out on YouTube or just purchase her walk workout DVDs from Amazon.com – Happy Walking!
<br />

Here’s my 15 Nominees for the Versatile Blogger Award:

1. @TLMblogger – https://tlmblog.com/
2. @rollingonblog – https://rollingonblog.com/
3. @leaveittomema – https://leaveittomema.com/
4. @femenish – https://www.femenish.com/
5. @catchingkimnow – https://fureverhaus.com/
6. @JeffrisTerry – https://joysblessingspoetry.com/
7. @simplykatricia – https://simplykatricia.com/
8. @sugisayz – https://sugisays.com/
9. @TheSparkMomma – https://helpmommasparkle.com/
10. @BestieTalksBlog – https://www.bestietalks.com/
11. @hanmwill – https://hanmwill.com/
12. @LydiaBlogs_ – https://whenlydiasmiles.wordpress.com/
13. @faithnturtles – https://faithnturtles.com/
14. @MommyPurposeful – https://purposefulmommy.com/
15. @SimplyMtastic – www.simplymtastic.com/

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

My Present Place

LatishaFebruary 10, 20198 Replies

Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life. This is my happy place. – 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! Wow, I cannot believe it has been a whole week already! Time really flies when you’re having fun, right? Before I dive into my topic today, I want to express appreciation for ALL OF YOU who have subscribed/followed Renew Inspiration. It really means a lot to me. My prayer each and every day is to find the right words to say to help you along this journey called life. I look forward to reading your personal thoughts in the blog comment section for each post. It’s not only refreshing to hear your point of view, but it is also healthy to have on-going dialogue with others.

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about my present place. Am I happy or sad? Am I willing to make the necessary changes that are needed to excel in all aspects of my life? Am I content right now or willing to step out of my comfort zone to explore new endeavors? These are just a few questions that I have found myself thinking about this week. Have you ever just sat down in a quiet place and allowed yourself to think without interruption? This process is called self-reflection. It’s really important to spend quality time in self-reflection mode whether you have all your stuff together (you think) or you’re still trying to find your way (most of us).

DEFINE SELF-REFLECTION

Self-reflection is a humbling process. It’s essential to find out why you think, say, and do certain things…then better yourself. – Unknown Author

Before moving forward, I think it is important to understand what self-reflection is before you can commit to practicing it on a regular basis. Self-reflection can be defined as meditation or serious thought about one’s character, actions, and motives. To take it a step further, you must be willing to learn more about your fundamental nature, purpose, and essence of life. Take a moment and look in a mirror. What do you see? You see a reflection of who you are on the outside. For example, you notice your physical facial features, the color of your skin, your hair color and style, etc. However, self-reflection is not only your outward appearance, but it is a way of assessing yourself deep within – mind, body, and spirit.

HEALTHY WAYS TO PRACTICE SELF-REFLECTION

As you begin to practice self-reflection in your life, you will notice a shift in your mindset, an increase of positivity in your life, and discover a deeper connection within. Here’s some healthy ways to practice self-reflection throughout your journey:

• Prayer and meditation – Take a moment to quiet your mind, read a scripture, pray, and meditate. Allow your mind, body, and spirit to only connect with God so you can hear His voice.

• Yoga and exercise – Every day is important to do some form of yoga and exercise. Movement gives you more energy and helps keep you healthy.

• Reading inspirational books – Reading keeps your brain healthy, but reading inspirational books also keeps you in a positive mood.

• Reciting positive affirmations – Reciting positive affirmations will give you hope and encourage you to focus on your goals/dreams.

• Writing or journaling – Writing is a form of self-expression. Capture every moment of your life in a journal so you can pause to reflect on the good times and make changes to avoid bad situations.

• Drawing and painting – Showing your creative side will help to open your mind to different aspects of life. You become calm and relaxed as if you have no care in the world.

• Vision board – Create a vision board so you can have a road map to success. Be creative and use pictures from magazines or from online, quotes, goals, etc.

FIND YOUR ZONE FOR SELF-REFLECTION

Self-reflection is a personal way for you to learn more about yourself. It’s important to find your zone and comfort level so you can reap the positive benefits of self-reflection. Here’s some helpful tips to help you find your zone for self-reflection:

• Tip 1 – Be honest with yourself. Honesty is key to success. Be honest with the process and with yourself. It’s important to remind yourself how things are going and how you are behaving throughout the process.

• Tip 2 – Notice behavior patterns. Be aware of your behavior patterns so you can strengthen the positive/healthy ones and remove the negative/unhealthy ones from your life.

• Tip 3 – Be able to articulate your core values. Take time to identify what’s most important to you so you can evaluate if you’re living those values throughout life. Your lifestyle has to shift at some point, and you should notice the change from the inside out.

• Tip 4 – Be forgiving. Be gentle with yourself when you don’t seem to get it right along the journey. Remember, we’re all human and we all make mistakes.

• Tip 5 – Keep track of your self-reflection. Start a journal where you record your observations and monitor your personal growth throughout this process.

My Present Place, Renew Inspiration, Self-Reflection, Meditation, Journal Prompts — pexels

TIME FOR REFLECTION – JOURNAL PROMPTS

My body is healthy, my mind is focused, my soul is calm. – Unknown Author

Journal Prompts are given to inspire you to write freely about your life and to improve yourself. Take time to think about your thoughts, to acknowledge how you feel, and to strive to be spiritually grounded throughout your personal journey. You have to dig deep inside yourself and do the serious work to truly understand your present place. Keep in mind, this is an on-going process because life is always changing.

MIND

• What am I thinking right now in this very moment?

• What thought patterns do I have and how do they impact my life?

• How does meditation guide me through my day?

• Has your mind spent more time today focused on the past, present or future?

• How do I deal with difficult thoughts or failures?

BODY

• How do I feel right now in this very moment?

• What is one old habit you want to eliminate in your life?

• What do you consider to be your most challenging flaw?

• How often do you exercise during the week?

• How do relax your body?

SPIRIT

• Am I spiritually grounded right now in this very moment?

• What is something I need to be free from and surrender to God today?

• What is your favorite Bible verse and why?

• Are there areas of my life where I need to learn to trust in God?

• How has journaling helped me get closer to being spiritually grounded?

TIME FOR REFLECTION – MORE JOURNAL PROMPTS

• What is the number one problem you would like to solve (or see solved) in the world?

• What is the number one thing missing from your life right now?

• What is one of life’s little pleasures that I appreciate?

• When was the last time you felt fully alive?

• What can I do to nurture my mind, body, and spirit?

• In what ways are you different from the person you were 2 years ago? 1 year ago?

Instead of sadness, anxiety, and depression, choose to practice self-reflection to help you cope with life challenges. You will think differently, feel better, and strengthen your spiritual being. Your whole being will thank you and those people surrounding you each day will thank you as well. Peace and blessings!

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND COMMENTS

As I stated before, I look forward to hearing from you. Please take a moment to reflect on this blog and answer these questions in the comment section. You’ll be surprised how much we learn from one another. What are your thoughts related to self-reflection? How often do you practice self-reflection? How has self-reflection changed your life?

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

Improve Yourself by Practicing Self-Care

LatishaFebruary 3, 201910 Replies

Self Care, Improve Yourself, Reflection, Journal Prompts — pixabay

Self-care is giving the world the best of you instead of what’s left of you. – 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! Let’s discuss some ways that you can improve yourself through self-care. So, what is self-care? According to The Self-Care Solution written by Suzy Reading, self-care can be defined as any life-giving activity that restores, sustains or improves your health. Simply put, self-care is nourishment for your entire soul, mind, body and spirit. Self-care can also help people become the best version of themselves when they learn effective ways to navigate through life.

WHY SELF-CARE IS IMPORTANT

As we go through life, all of us have experienced stress on some level one way or another. It’s so important that you have the necessary tools to help you promote healing and cultivate clarity in your life as you experience stressful situations or any kind of life changing event.

Suzy Reading provides 3 reasons why self-care is important:

• Stress is not going to go away. Stress is a normal part of life. In fact, life would be boring without some stress to keep us on our toes, right?

• Stress has a cumulative effect. Stress can add up very quickly so make sure to plan for regular pressure releases throughout your day. For example, go for a walk, do a stretch routine or meditate.

• Too much stress is dangerous. It’s a fact that too much stress makes us ill and greatly diminishes our ability to enjoy life.

HOW DOES SELF-CARE HELP?

Self-care is important. When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel. – Eleanor Brown

Suzy Reading provides ways that self-care helps us throughout life:

• Self-care helps you cope with life changing events, such as an illness, the loss of a loved one, depression, parents adjusting to life with a newborn, etc.

• Self-care helps us recover after experiencing life changing events, such as the loss of a loved one, the loss of a job, divorce, etc.

• Self-care offers us a protective function, forming a buffer against future stress. If you are able to prepare yourself before a life changing event occurs, then do it. For example, before the birth of a child, the finalization of an adoption, getting married, starting college, or moving into a new home.

• Self-care helps us to flourish as individuals and to become the best version of themselves. For example, you may be striving to become a better parent, a better spouse, in search of a new career, or preparing for retirement.

SIGNS THAT BURNOUT MAY BE OCCURRING IN YOUR LIFE

It’s important to note that prolonged stress can result in a state of burnout. According to Suzy Reading, burnout is characterized by exhaustion, manifesting itself emotionally, mentally, and physically. It’s an overwhelming state, when you feel like you have nothing left to give and you just can’t ignore your body’s plea for a break.

Here’s some signs that burnout may be occurring in your life:

• Extreme tiredness, trouble sleeping despite feeling fatigued, difficulty switching off and a sense of overstimulation.

• A general suppression of the immune system evidenced by frequent bouts of minor ailments such as cold sores, headaches or common colds.

• Muscular aches, pains, and physical tension.

• Low mood, suppressed appetite, poor concentration or diminished enjoyment from life. A sense of feeling stuck and overwhelmed.

• Anxiety, anger, reactivity and irritability.

Improve Yourself, Self-Care, Reflection, Stress, Journal Prompts — pixabay

Believe it or not, self-care will help you heal and overcome burnout. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with life’s events, prioritize soothing activities and choices that restore balance to your life.

Here’s some examples of soothing activities and choices that restore balance to your life:

• Go for a walk around your neighborhood or in a local park.

• Exercise does the whole body good.

• Do some yoga poses.

• Practice meditation or spend time in prayer.

• Read an inspirational or motivational book.

• Take a warm bath to help you relax.

• Spend some time journaling or coloring.

• Just sit still with your eyes closed and practice breathing techniques.

Stress, Time Management, Improve Yourself, Self-Care, Reflection — Pixabay

SELF-CARE CHECKLIST

She made a promise to herself to hold her own well-being sacred. – Unknown Author

Today, I …

• Read God’s Word and Prayed

• Spent time in Meditation

• Exercised for at least 30 minutes

• Read an Inspirational Book

• Complimented Someone

• Found Enjoyment in Life by doing Fun activities

• Took time for myself

TIME FOR REFLECTION – JOURNAL PROMPTS

Journal Prompts are given to inspire you to write freely about your life and to improve yourself. Take time to write down your goals. Then, write about how you feel after you’ve nourished yourself with self-care activities so you can see what is working for you. Use your journal to connect the dots between choices and outcomes. Feel free to include anything that inspires you, such as quotes, pictures, positive words, etc.

• When was the last time you felt fully alive?

• What was the last self-care thing you did?

• What is one thing you need to let go?

• What book are you reading right now?

• What do I want more of in my life?

• What is one way you like to recharge your energy levels?

• What is holding you back from improving your lifestyle?

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

• What brings you joy every day?

• What causes you anxiety?

• How can I honor my body on today?

• What is your vision for the next 3 months?

As you can see, self-care is not selfish, but it is necessary to help keep us calm throughout life. Give yourself permission to take time out for you. From time to time, make an appointment with yourself. Don’t wait for good moment, they rarely come. Plan your time and fill it with something that nurtures your head, heart, and body. Peace and blessings!

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

The Gift of Friendship

LatishaJanuary 31, 20193 Replies

The most valuable gift you can receive is an honest friend. – 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).

Teddy Bears, Hugs, Friendship, Gift, Renew Inspiration — pixabay

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Well, I don’t know about where you live, but Michigan has been extremely cold over the last week or so. The schools have been closed all week and we are not due for relief until the weekend. Nevertheless, today I want to talk about the gift of friendship. Take a moment and think about what friendship means to you. Friendship can be defined as a relationship of mutual affection between people. So, what makes a perfect friendship? How do we maintain friendships with the demands of our family, jobs, and other responsibilities? Think of that person who you can call at any time of the day when you need some advice, are feeling down, or when you just need a good laugh. Now, let’s make this clear. I’m not talking about your online friends and followers. For example, here’s a list of my social media accounts and the number of Friends/Followers that I currently have:

Facebook – 911 Friends
www.facebook.com/renewinspirationmindbodyspirit

Instagram – 758 Followers
www.instagram.com/renewinspiration/

Twitter – 2,211 Followers
www.twitter.com/renew_lporter08

Pinterest – 4,196 Followers
www.pinterest.com/lporter08

We have to remember to sign out of our social media accounts from time to time and make a greater effort in our busy lives to find ways to connect face to face with friends.

FRIENDSHIP TRAITS

The more we are invested in our friendships, the less we become single-minded and forget about the things that actually matter. It’s important to find friends who uplift your soul, who are full of life, and who are excited about your new ideas and want to see you fulfill your hopes and dreams.

Here’s some of the friendship traits to look for:

• Friends who are empathetic usually are active listeners.

• Friends who are selfless usually helps solve the problems of others.

• Friends who are trustworthy reminds you that you are not alone.

• Friends with shared interests, such as education, values, hobbies, goals or religion.

• Friends with different perspectives and backgrounds have the ability to transform into a growth mindset.

• Friends who are humorous often times bring joy, hope and comfort even in the midst of life’s most difficult situations.

• Friends who are a team player will put the needs of others before their own.

Sunflower, Gift, Friendship, Renew Inspiration — pixabay

KEEP FRIENDSHIPS STRONG

Everyone has a friend during each stage of life. But only lucky ones have the same friend in all stages of life. – Unknown Author

It’s important to keep friendships strong even when the going gets tough, right?

Here’s some valuable tips to help you keep friendships strong:

• Tip 1 – Show respect to get respect.

• Tip 2 – Communicate honestly with your friends.

• Tip 3 – Spend quality time with your friends doing what you both enjoy.

• Tip 4 – Admit when you are wrong and apologize.

• Tip 5 – Let go of the past and move forward.

• Tip 6 – Keep your promises throughout the friendship.

• Tip 7 – Give your friends their personal space.

SIGNS OF A TRUE FRIENDSHIP

A best friend is someone who loves you when you have forgotten how to love yourself. – Unknown Author

• A true friend will accept everything about you, including your flaws.

• A true friend will stick with you through the good and bad times.

• A true friend will always be happy for your successes and encourage you through your failures.

• A true friend will always meet you halfway in any situation.

• A true friend makes you feel happier, not drained and stressed.

• A true friend won’t talk about you behind your back.

• A true friend will always find it in their heart to forgive you.

Journal, Writing, Gift, Friendship, Reflection, Renew Inspiration — pixabay

TIME FOR REFLECTION – JOURNAL PROMPTS – FRIENDSHIPS & RELATIONSHIPS

Friendship is not about who you’ve known the longest. It’s about who walked into your life, said “I’m here for you” and proved it. – Unknown Author

Journal Prompts are given to inspire you to write freely about your life and to strengthen your friendships/relationships.

• What are some of your childhood memories?

• Who were some of your childhood friends?

• Who inspires you and why?

• Who do you want to be surrounded by?

• Who makes me feel the most loved?

• Who brings the most joy to my life?

• What old stories or memories are holding you back?

• Who do you miss the most in your life?

As you can see, friendship takes work and courage from both parties involved. Friends give us hope in life’s most difficult situations, help us to de-stress our lives, and provide affirmation of your life’s paths. Now, take another moment and reflect on what friendship means to you after reading this blog post. Then, write and send a letter to a friend who has been there for you before. Thank him or her. Tell your friend how much he or she means to you. Peace and blessings!

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!