self-reflection – Page 6 – Renew Inspiration Mind Body Spirit

Scattered About

LaPorterNovember 7, 201815 Replies

It’s not what you gather, it’s what you scatter that tells the kind of life that you live! – Unknown

Something to Think About – Scatter love wherever you go.

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Lately, I have felt so scattered about. Busy home life, school meetings for the boys, therapy sessions, trying to find time to write and research, and thinking about my mother a lot since this is her birthday month. My mind is constantly on the go and sometimes I just want to shut it off just like a light switch. Other times, I just struggle to organize my thoughts in a manner that is helpful for me in that moment. Can you relate to what I am talking about?

Organizing your thoughts can be very difficult for some people. Depending on the situation, there are many different ways to help gather and organize your thoughts, so you can continue going about your day. The most important thing is to realize that some ways to organize your thoughts may be practical for you, and others may not be. Being open for change is key to a healthy balance. It’s important to be flexible, kind to oneself and willing to adjust your thought process in any given situation. Remember, your mind will always believe everything you tell it. Feed faith. Feed it truth. Feed it with love. Peace and Blessings!

Gather up all your scattered dreams and build the life you love. – Unknown

ORGANIZING YOUR THOUGHTS

Here’s some helpful ways to help organize your thoughts:

• Use sticky notes and a wall – Write down a thought on a sticky note, then stick the note on the wall. Then, spend time sorting your thoughts.

• Take notes on index cards – Use the top red line for the main thought and list the other related thoughts underneath on each of the lines that follow.

• Develop a list – Capture your thoughts on a good old-fashioned list. Then, sort it later.

• Sit quietly or meditate – Meditation can calm the mind and body. Also, it can help you sort out your thoughts subconsciously and help to improve focus.

• Sleep on it – If you cannot seem to make sense of thoughts in your mind, go to sleep for the night and revisit your thoughts in the morning.

• Exercise – Move your body and exercise to give your mind a break which will allow your subconscious to work on your thoughts in the background.

• Spend time in nature – Spend some time outdoors to get out of your head and let your eyes take in the sights. Take a 5 minute walk to help boost your creativity, burn calories and reduce your blood pressure.

• Find a hobby you enjoy or have a passion for, such as drawing, painting, sewing, journaling, blogging, dancing, playing a musical instrument, etc. Get lost in your hobby and forget the sense of time.

A friend gathers your scattered pieces and gives them back to you in the right order. – Unknown

7 MORNING AFFIRMATIONS (www.mysomethingwonderful.com)

• I face today with an open mind

• Today I speak with kindness

• I lead with love

• I am gentle with me

• I will act with intention

• I choose to do no harm

• My actions reflect my words

reflection, outdoors, time, journal prompts, scattered — pexels

TIME FOR REFLECTION – JOURNAL PROMPTS

We come spinning out of nothingness scattering stars like dust. – Rumi

• Besides your looks, what could use a makeover in your life?

• If you could change one thing in your life what would it be?

• Describe a recurring dream you have had at any time in your life. What do you think it means?

• Sit for a minute and consciously breathe in good. What good are you envisioning? What good do you want to bring into your life?

• Sit for a minute and consciously breathe in bad. What bad do you want to leave your life? How can you take one step to do this?

• What gives you the strength to keep going when you feel confused about your thoughts?

• Do you make enough time for what’s important in your life?

flower, blossom, bud, possibility, life, scattered — pexels

YOUR LIFE CAN BLOSSOM – (SaratogaOcean.com)

Each new day is like a tiny bud of possibility for your life to change for the better. All you have to do is let go of whatever has happened so far, and step into a new threshold of opportunity. Use your imagination and envision a renewed blossoming of your life!

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS

I realize that everyone has a moment in life when they feel scattered about. Think about this for a moment. How do you organize your thoughts when you feel scattered about? Do you feel in control of the situation or out of control? Do you feel confused and anxious? What is required of you to get back in control of your life?

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

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Simply Joy

LaPorterNovember 4, 201810 Replies

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (Psalm 16:11 NIV)

Something to Think About – Joy is the echo of God’s life in us.

Love is spoken here. Joy is chosen here. Grace is given here. – Unknown

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Today I choose joy and I welcome it into my life. How about you? Now, my life is simply bursting with joy! There’s no doubt about it, joy does not just appear in our lives, we have to make the decision to choose joy and keep choosing it every day. So, repeat after me – I find joy in each day. It’s time to make my joy a priority. My life is full of joy and happiness.

Joy comes when we choose to live in harmony with God’s eternal plan. – Russell M. Nelson

Simply joy has a way of working its way from the inside out. When our lives are filled with joy, we spread the same positive energy to those people around us. Joy is infectious, transmittable, spreadable, and catching. Simply joy is contagious!

When God’s joy fills our mind, body and spirit it bestows on us a beauty that radiates from within. As we spend quality time with God (reading God’s Word, prayer, meditation, spiritual journaling), we will find that God is our sole source of joy. God brings joy into our lives by answering our prayers, offering wisdom, His Word, and blessings from on high. Simply joy is a gift of God and should be your strong foundation so when rough times and unexpected emotions arise in your life, simply joy will remain constant.

Remember to ponder on God’s Word and His promises of future joy in your life often. Let the hope fill your heart until you receive God’s radiant and everlasting joy. Exceedingly great joy will be yours forever. Why? Because simply joy will make you shine forth like the sun itself when God is with you. Peace and blessings!

SCRIPTURES

Here’s some scriptures that speak about joy:

• Then he said unto them, go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength. (Nehemiah 8:10 KJV)

• But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. (Psalm 5:11 NIV)

• Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord. (Psalm 27:6 NIV)

• For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. (Psalm 30:5 NIV)

• Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. (Psalm 51:8 NIV)

• My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you-I whom you have delivered. (Psalm 71:23 NIV)

• When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. (Psalm 94:19 NIV)

• Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. (Psalm 100:1-2 NIV)

• This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24 KJV)

• Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. (Psalm 126:2-3 NIV)

• Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wind with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do. (Ecclesiastes 9:7 NIV)

• And provide for those who grieve in Zion-to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord of the display of his splendor. (Isaiah 61:3 NIV)

• Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. (James 1:2-3 NIV)

• Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. (I Peter 1:8 NIV)

EXAMPLES OF FEELING JOY

You are free to think thoughts of worry or joy, and whatever you choose will attract the same kind back to you. Worry attracts worry. Joy attracts joy. – Rhonda Byrne

Here’s some examples of feeling joy:

• A twinkle in the eye

• A ready smile

• A skip in the step

• A song in the heart

• Pure happiness

• Strength in the midst of weakness

• Peace in the midst of chaos

• Comfort in the midst of sorrow

WAYS TO FIND JOY

Joy is the holy fire that keeps our purpose warm and our intelligence aglow. – Helen Kellar

• Sing fun, upbeat and inspirational songs

• Focus on the good in life, not the negative

• Smile and leave a little sparkle wherever you go

• Surround yourself with joyful and positive minded people

• Talk about joyful things that you enjoy

• Find your passion and share it with others

• Spread joy and positive vibes around friends and strangers

• Share your joyful experiences throughout life

simply joy, blue sky, water, scriptures — pixabay

JOYFUL AFFIRMATIONS

I am perfectly happy to be me. I am good enough just as I am. I love and approve of myself. I am joy expressing and receiving. – Louise Hay

• I am joyful every day and create joy for others.

• I have energy and joy bursting inside of me.

• I move forward with joy and grace.

• I deserve joy and I express joy. Then, life returns the favor.

• I am worthy of joy, abundance and love in my life.

• My heart is so full of joy that it creates ripples of happiness in the hearts of everyone around me.

journaling, book, flowers, writing, simply joy — pixabay

TIME FOR REFLECTION – JOURNAL PROMPTS

There is no joy without gratitude. – Brene Brown

• What brings joy into your life?

• What’s one thing you can do right now to be more connected to joy?

• Write about a joyful experience and include your senses: touch, sight, sound, taste and smell.

• Write two “I am” statements that make you feel joyful and powerful.

• What are three words/phrases that come to mind when you think of joy?

• How can you bring joy into your present situation?

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

Mindfulness Chatter

LaPorterOctober 25, 20183 Replies

flower, mindfulness, anxiety, depression, self-reflection — pixabay

Everything you need, your courage, strength, compassion and love; everything you need is already within you.

Something to Think About – Train your mind to see the good in everything.

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Today, let’s spread the word about how mindfulness can help people who suffer from anxiety and depression. So, what is mindfulness? Mindfulness is a type of meditation that involves using the senses to pay attention to what’s happening around you and inside you, in the here and now. Mindfulness is a way of being with yourself and perceiving the world around you that can help you live your life more peacefully and with greater balance. In other words, mindfulness is living in your present moment rather than in your anxious thoughts and feelings. Mindfulness allows us to explore, invite, and be compassionate with anxiety and difficult emotions, which in turn reduces their power over us.

Mindfulness is being present without judgment in every moment.

Well, as I researched the mindfulness concept, I kept coming across the words “LIVE IN THE MOMENT”. I do realize that if you suffer from anxiety or depression, it is quite difficult to just live in the moment from day to day. Take small steps throughout this process. Remember, slow and steady wins the race. Try to embrace the freshness of each day and to analyze the beauty of now. Do everything with pure joy and happiness. Accept your weak points or imperfections in life, then work on them one at a time. Strive to free yourself from all distracting thoughts by journaling your true feelings. Use the power of visualization to reach for your dreams and aspirations. End your day on a positive note by writing down what you are thankful for and taking time for self-reflection.

MINDFULNESS IS NOT

• A quick-fix trick – It’s important to keep practicing mindfulness over time.

• Religious – It’s not part of a religion and it does not involve beliefs or practices that conflict with any religion.

• Something separate from you – The capacity to be mindful comes from within.

• Time-Limited – The more you practice mindfulness, the better it works.

• Something you have to drop everything for – Mindfulness is a mindset and way of life that fits in with where you are and what you’re doing.

• A magic wand or cure-all – It’s an effective tool that you can use to choose your focus, reduce anxiety, and still face problems but live a quality life.

• Just for people who are already relaxed – Mindfulness is a powerful way of taking charge of your anxiety and helping you become relaxed and full of inner peace.

• Always easy – Mindfulness is a skill that must be developed over time, so don’t give up.

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

WAYS TO PRACTICE MINDFULNESS

Every day we have many opportunities to practice mindfulness. Have you ever wondered what it means to live in the present? Well, here’s some ways to practice mindfulness in your daily routine.

• Observe your breathing throughout the day. Your breathing occurs naturally and rhythmically. You momentarily free yourself from your thoughts, worries and fears. The quality of our breath tells us a lot about our state of being. When the breath is slow and steady we are calm and peaceful. When the breath is constricted we are tense.

• Before you get out of bed, notice your thoughts. This practice helps us get in touch with what is on the mind and in our dreams.

• When possible, eat silently and slowly. Eat nourishing food and taste every bite. Enjoy the smell of your food and how it looks on your plate. Think about the texture of the food. Recognize your non-hunger triggers to break compulsive overeating.

• Notice your outside environment – sunlight, rain, the wind, trees, sights and sounds. What is your state of mind and your thoughts as you run your daily errands. Are you in the present moment or thinking about what you will be doing next?

• Walk mindfully by paying attention to the movement of your body and your surroundings. Notice as your feet connect with and leave the ground. Feel your muscles moving and supporting you.

• Connect with your senses. Your senses – touch, smell, taste, sound and sight – are your gateway into the present moment. Put love and attention into the simple tasks of your day and you will be amazed how much joy and peace they can bring you.

• Listen wholeheartedly. Next time you’re in a conversation, make it your goal to fully listen to what the other person is saying to you, without getting lost in your thoughts. Trust that you will know the right thing to say next when it’s your turn to speak.

• Get lost in the flow of doing things you love. We all have certain activities we love doing. They connect us with our inner spirit and bring us fully alive. Whether it is cooking, dancing, singing, gardening, journaling, writing, painting, swimming or sewing, schedule time to do it and enjoy it.

• Travel or mix up your routine. Plan your next vacation or just take a different route while running errands. Your senses take over for a short while and it frees you from your mind as you enjoy the different scenery.

• Meditate daily. There’s no getting around it, meditation has huge benefits and increases your levels of energy, happiness, inspiration and inner peace. Remember, even 10 minutes per day can have a positive impact on your life.
<h2
>SELF-REFLECTION

Take time, be honest and fill in the blank. Reflect on your answers throughout your journey.

• One thing I need to work on is _________________________.

• One thing I need to let go is _______________________.

• One lesson I learned today is _______________________.

• Today I can honor my mind, body and spirit by ______________________.

• I need to improve my spiritual life by _________________________.

vase, flowers, thankful, mindfulness, anxiety, depression — pixabay

JOURNAL PROMPTS

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

• What do you think your life would be like if you didn’t have anxiety or depression?

• What do I need more of in my life?

• What positive changes have you made or experienced in the past year? month? week?

• Write about one thing that you look forward to every day.

• Write about something that you forgive yourself for.

• Write about at least 3 things that help you feel better when things are difficult.

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS/COMMENTS

Your mind is a garden, your thoughts are the seeds, you can grow flowers or weeds.

Remember, each and every day we have many opportunities to practice mindfulness. Do you currently practice mindfulness? If so, how often? If not, do you plan to include mindfulness in your daily routine? Please share your thoughts in the comment section.

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

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Peace Be Still

LaPorterApril 28, 20185 Replies

Even five minutes spent in silence will nurture and revive your soul and your spirit. -Doreen Virtue

Today, I am totally safe and surrounded by love, light, peace, and joy. Today, I invite peace and harmony to dwell in me and surround me at all times. Today, I have the freedom and power to create the life I desire. It is important to speak peace into your life every day. It is important to know that you already have within you, right now, everything you need to deal with whatever the world decides to throw at you. Just because you may be struggling in this moment, does not mean you are failing. Keep believing in yourself and good things will happen.

In solitude there is healing. Speak to your soul. Listen to your heart. Sometimes in the absence of noise we find the answers -Dodinsky

Peace be still. Look forward with hope, not backwards with regret. The fact that you aren’t where you want to be, should be enough motivation for you to keep pushing forward. Peace be still. Strive to push harder than yesterday if you want a different tomorrow. Peace be still. When you awaken each day, take a moment to open your eyes to the beauty of life within. This would be a good time for some self-reflection, meditation or yoga. Then, open your heart to the natural serenity that lies within you.

If you seek peace, be still.
If you seek wisdom, be silent.
If you seek love, be yourself.
-Becca Lee

Self-Reflection Journal Prompts:

• What’s on my mind right now?
• What do I need to hear today?
• How can I uplift myself?
• What advice do I need to give myself right now?
• What answers am I seeking?
• What doubts do I currently have? How can I ease them?
• What are my greatest strengths and how will they support me in achieving my vision?

Be peaceful, be happy, be whole.

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow, and forever!