I can still remember how I felt a few years ago when I was told how my personality got on a certain individual’s nerves. Let’s just say I didn’t feel all warm and fuzzy inside. On the contrary, that statement really hurt me.
Fish living in a goldfish bowl are not living their best life. Because most fish bowls lack a filtration system to keep their environment clean and free of toxins, very few goldfish survive for more than a few weeks. A bowl simply can’t provide a suitable living environment for any fish to live a healthy and long life. Likewise, an unfiltered or poorly filtered mind does not lead to living life more abundantly. When our thoughts go unchecked and unfiltered, we develop toxic mindsets that cause us to lead unhealthy, unproductive, and unhappy lives. But a new way of thinking will always precede a new way of living.
Have you ever wondered why we (especially women) are so apologetic? Were we born this way or were we socialized this way? Maybe it’s not either/or but both/and. Do you feel like you always need to apologize for who you are or the decisions you make?
All of us have (or will) will experience seasons in life when we feel tired and broken down from the storms and trials of just living. But the key is making the decision to persevere and rise up. For some storms and struggles in life, we may find ourselves weak and unable to rise up. There are some things we simply can’t handle on our own. And it’s in those moments and situations of weakness when we are to call upon God to step in.
What if I told you that you had the power to change your story and therefore your life. Would you agree? Outside of God, I believe I hold the most influence concerning whether I stay stuck–or get unstuck in life. The level to which I am willing and able to activate my faith in God will be the level to which I will stay stuck or move forward in life.
The truth is a majority of people don’t like change because it is something beyond their control. Who doesn’t want to control their lives eh? Change is extremely uncomfortable and unpredictable. Yet change is the only constant in life. I love this quote that says:
One of my favorite movies to date is the Greatest Showman. There is just something about this movie that gives me joy and hope. It inspires me, moves me and inspires the dream in my heart. When I first saw the movie with a friend, I was moved to laughter and tears. Why you ask? Well, that actually took me weeks to discover because I had to face off with myself.
If you didn’t already know, you were divinely designed in the image of God. You have been divinely equipped with unique gifts, talents, strengths, and abilities to demonstrate God’s love and goodness in the world through good works of service. This makes you FULL of divine GREATNESS!!
Have you ever wondered about the meaning and purpose of your life? So how can you go and discover your purpose? Let me use a song to illustrate this common pursuit for most people. Are you familiar with that popular 1990 song by singer Michael W. Smith “Place In This World?” I was in high school when this song was released and it struck a chord in my heart that continues to ring loud and clear. If you’re not familiar with some of the lyrics, here a few lines: