Self-Expression – Renew Inspiration Mind Body Spirit

Improve Personal Growth Through Self-Reflection

LaPorterJanuary 12, 2022Leave a Reply

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

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! Happy New Year! It has been a few weeks since I’ve written or posted an inspirational blog post for you. Unfortunately, I’ve had some family issues arise that needed my full attention and for that I truly apologize. Before I dive into my topic today, I want to express appreciation for ALL OF YOU who have taken the time to read, subscribe, and follow my Renew Inspiration blog. 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 and experiences 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 one another.

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how I can improve personal growth through self-reflection. 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 over the last couple of months.

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 so you can:

- Increase self-awareness
- Gain clarity inside and out
- Make positive changes in your life
- Develop genuine self-confidence
- Present new perspectives and insight
- Offer up a glimpse into your soul in its purest form
- Provide a safe outlet for your personal thoughts and feelings
- Give a creative space of self-expression without criticism

AMAZON RESOURCE #1 – A Year of Self-Reflection Journal

DEFINE SELF-REFLECTION

Time spent in self-reflection is never wasted. It is an intimate date with yourself. – Paul TP Wong

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 (noun):

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. In addition, re-evaluate your goals, attitude, and mindset often. Then, don’t be afraid to make appropriate and necessary changes that will help to improve your personal growth.

HEALTHY WAYS TO PRACTICE SELF-REFLECTION

Life is only a reflection of what we allow ourselves to see. – Paul TP Wong

As you begin to improve personal growth through self-reflection, 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.
Listening to music – Music can be soothing and a great way to calm your spirit.
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.
Listening to an inspirational podcast – Strive to be inspired by listening to your favorite and uplifting podcast. Listen to what your mind, body, and spirit needs, but also listen to your heart.
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

Honest self-reflection opens your mind to reprogramming, change, success, and freedom. – Vikas Runwal

As we stated before, 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:

- Tip 1 – Be honest with yourself and with the process. Honesty is key to success. 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. Offer yourself patience, forgiveness, and grace. 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.

AMAZON RESOURCE #2 – 52 Weeks of Self-Reflection

TIME FOR REFLECTION – JOURNAL PROMPTS

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

Journaling is a powerful way to process events in your life, build self-awareness, get more clarity, and keep yourself on track. Journaling also allows for past reflection, future insight, and present surrender. Keep in mind that this is a journey, and everyone takes their own path. Ready, set, write!

MIND

What are you thinking right now in this very moment?
What thought patterns do you have and how do they impact your life?
How does meditation guide you through your day?
Has your mind spent more time today focused on the past, present or future?
How do you deal with difficult thoughts or failures?

BODY

How do you 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 you relax your body?

SPIRIT

Are you spiritually grounded right now in this very moment?
What is something you need to be free from and surrender to God today?
What is your favorite Bible verse and why?
Are there areas of your life where you need to learn to trust in God?
How has journaling helped you get closer to being spiritually grounded?

Instead of doubt, sadness, anxiety, and depression, choose to improve personal growth through 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, love 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 these questions and share them 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!

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

Finding Hope Within

LaPorterMarch 31, 20213 Replies

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

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

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

BENEFITS OF FINDING HOPE WITHIN

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

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

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

WAYS TO EMBRACE HOPE WITHIN YOUR LIFE

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

Once you find hope within, it’s important to find ways to embrace it wholeheartedly. After all, hope is our energy, our fuel for living each day. Without hope in our lives, we lack the necessary energy to engage with life itself. Living a hopeful life is to recognize that everything and everyone matters, even you.

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

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

AMAZON RESOURCE #2 – Christian Art Gifts Floral Notebook Set

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

JOURNAL PROMPTS

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

I love journaling because it is a safe place for me to put my feelings and emotions into words, then put my words into action. Remember, journaling is your very own personal journey throughout life, your ups and downs, your successes and failures. In addition, journaling is a powerful way to process events in your life, build self-awareness, get more clarity, and keep yourself on track. Journaling also allows for past reflection, future insight, and present surrender. Keep in mind that this is a journey and be patient with yourself. Ready, set, write!

Define hope and make sure to provide examples.
What are you hopeful for on today?
Have you ever given up hope on something or someone?
Did you ever regain that hope again over time?
How can you change your negative thought patterns and become hopeful?
What words inspire you, move you and make you feel hopeful?
What advice would you give a person who has lost hope?

BLUEHOST RESOURCE

LET’S TALK

Hope helps us to appreciate life and everything life has to offer. Do you struggle with being hopeful while living in a negative world? Do you find yourself hoping for a brighter future? Please share your thoughts in the comments section. I look forward to reading your feedback!

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

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

Self-Reflection Through Journaling

LaPorterDecember 7, 20207 Replies

Time spent in self-reflection is never wasted, it is an intimate date with yourself. – Paul TP Wong

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! This is a wonderful time of the year to re-evaluate your goals, attitude, and mindset. What better way to do this than a concept called self-reflection through journaling? Believe it or not, self-reflection through journaling can allow you to:

Make positive changes in your life.
Gain clarity inside and out.
Offer up a glimpse into your soul in its purest form.
Provide a safe outlet for your personal thoughts and feelings.
Give a creative space of self-expression without criticism.

As you can see, journaling is a safe place to practice self-reflection, your time to just write how you feel, and no one will ever know.

AMAZON RESOURCE #1

WAYS TO PRACTICE SELF-REFLECTION THROUGH JOURNALING

Life is only a reflection of what we allow ourselves to see. – Unknown Author

During this journey we call life, it is important to realize that you have the power to cultivate positive energy within your body in any given moment. Yes, even when you are exhausted, burned out and feel like you have got nothing left to give, your body can guide you to a peaceful place of greater vitality, inner strength, and well-being.

Here’s some questions to help you with the self-reflection through journaling process:

Cultivate stillness within you and reflect on these questions:

What habits did I achieve today, this week or this month?
What could I better improve on in my life?
Where were you this time last year and what you have learned since then?

Practice prayer & meditation and reflect on these questions:

What is on your mind right now in this very moment?
What is your prayer for the day?
Are you paying attention to your breathing while you are practicing meditation?

Write in your journal and reflect on these questions:

What is the easiest way to get my thoughts and feelings out on paper?
What is an experience that changed my outlook on life?
Do I re-read my journal entries to find patterns in my habits or thoughts?

Analyze a past event and reflect on these questions:

Why do you feel the way you do about the event?
What is one thing outside my control that I need to stop worrying about?
Why do you feel guilty about the event or the outcome?

From my experience, it is important to have your guard down when making the decision to practice self-reflection through journaling. Remember, there is no wrong or right way to do this process, you just need to write! No overthinking or edits on paper, just write your honest thoughts and feelings down. Never be afraid to sit in your truth and re-arrange broken patterns. Stay patient and trust your journey.

AMAZON RESOURCE #2

JOURNAL PROMPTS

MIND

What thought patterns do I have and how do they impact my life?
What takes your mind away from positive and/or peaceful thoughts?
What is one thing I can do this week to improve my meditation time?

BODY

How can I honor my body on today?
What are some ways I can take better care of myself this week?
Does your self-care need improvement? How would you improve it?

SPIRIT

What is an area in my life where I need to trust God more?
What do I need to be free from and surrender to God?
How much are you trusting God with your life right now?

BLUEHOST RESOURCE

WORDPRESS RESOURCE

SHARING WITH ONE ANOTHER

Let’s talk. Journaling can help you overcome any problem or obstacle that you face in life. Have you already tried journaling to overcome challenges? How do you approach self-reflection through journaling? Please share your thoughts in the comments section. I look forward to reading your feedback!

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

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