The environment that you surround yourself in, effects your attitude.
Changing your environment can, and will change your attitude. Don’t let conditions, things, people, or circumstances bring you down. Making a change, will change your whole life.
Stay positive, make changes, and lead a healthier and happier life.
Flaws
What we think is a flaw, sometimes is what makes someone or something so very special.
Flaws show up in many ways. Some are visual; like a crack, blemish, a mark, a chip, a knothole in wood, or a distortion in a pattern. Some are invisible that we only think we can see; then some are not flaws at all; but are something very beautiful that appears uniquely different.
At first glance we look and see something that we think is hideous, unsightly, or unworthy.
We tend to focus on the imperfections and flaws so much; that we miss the actual beauty that the flaw gives to the masterpiece itself.
Humans do the same thing with their lives. They focus on the imperfections and flaws that they see. They begin to see things that they think are flaws; extra wrinkles, love handles, gray hair, droops and sags, and a variety of other things that bring on anxieties and self-doubt.
No matter how much they fight against it and try to ignore the flaws, self-doubt creeps in; causing anxiety and distress. The battle to once again seek perfection, creates hurt, anguish, conjures blame, denial and resentment; that robs them of the joy and the actual beauty inside and out.
Our idea of perfection is not the same as the ideas of others and God’s; that we tend to ignore and not listen to.
Instead; we should realize the beauty in all the flaws and imperfections that we think we see. Knowing that we were created by an incredible, awe-inspiring Creator just as we were meant to be. Each and everyone, made similar, but very uniquely in our own ways, that creates the value and self-worth that is very special and very priceless.
Flaws are never bad; they are a blessing and a thing of beauty in the creation of all things.
Embrace your flaws; show the world and yourself how special you really are.
Psalms 139:14 NIV
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
The race; the epic battle of the tortoise and the hare. The timeless fable of an overconfident hare that was sure it could beat the slow moving tortoise.
While the story seems to be about the race; it is a metaphor about life.
Life is like a race; realistically, a marathon. It has a beginning and an end, with a lot of distance in between. So many things can happen along the way; obstacles can pop up, staying focused, pushing yourself when you hit the wall, and pacing yourself to finish.
Rushing to the end and trying to have, and accomplish everything in life is not always the important part of the race. Slow and steady, enjoying the run and scenery along the way, will bring far more pleasures to life.
It is not important how you start the race; but how you run the race and finish it that matters. Enjoy the race of life and all that it offers.
Be the one that helps others look forward to tomorrow.
The one that gives hope; the one that brings smiles; the one that fills others with love.
Be the one that gives others encouragement to help other people.
Be the one that helps change lives.
Be the one that wants to make a difference.
Being a survivor is far more than meets the eye.
It is a major event in peoples lives. For some, it is surviving tragic events, cancer, other illnesses, or the loss of loved ones. For others, it is surviving struggles with physical, mental and emotional impairments. Then there are those that are surviving daily challenges in life such as unemployment, loss of income or barely making it, having a place to live, taking care of and feeding a family, staying healthy and surviving what the world throws at them.
Surviving is deep-seated in each person that takes a lot of effort, willpower, fear, desire, strength that you did not know that you even had, and a willingness to face and overcome something that is far bigger than you.
Being a survivor is much more than winning; it is the beginning of a new journey in your life. It changes your life forever and opens your mind, heart and spirit to the blessings in life that we take for granted everyday and a side of yourself that you may not even realize existed. It humbles you, teaches you lessons, and makes you stronger than you have ever been. Own it! You deserve it!
Being a survivor is one of the greatest blessings and gifts that is given to us.
Isaiah 26:3 NIV
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
Restoration is the act of returning something to its former or like new condition.
Many people restore antiques, furniture, vehicles, homes, and the list goes on. Some do it for a living, and some do it for the simple pleasure, the experience of it, and that rewarding feeling of seeing something that is old, neglected, or broken and returning it to its original or former condition.
We humans are just like all of those other things. Our bodies change, our health, and, most importantly, our mindset. Some will have surgery done for the cosmetic parts and some will have surgery to replace broken parts such as hips or knees, but the mental part is the hardest. Counselors, Phycologists, and others can help in the process, but our own mindset, faith and determination are the answer.
Restoring our minds is an essential need for a healthy life. Removing negative thoughts, actions, anger, bitterness and the negative mindset is essential. Replacing it with positive thoughts, filling it with love, compassion, forgiveness and happiness is what is needed to cleanse the mind.
Cleanse the mind daily, multiple times and as long as needed. Take time to release the pressures of work, events, and the stresses of the day to rejuvenate and restore it to the beautiful mind that it is.
Isaiah 26:3 NIV
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
The “Eye on the Prize” is a wonderful term. One that is used by athletes, motivationalists, coaches, teachers, and more. Though it is used as a term associated with winning or success, it is far deeper than that. It is beyond a trophy, an award, or achievement.
It is about focus, direction, determination, will power, feelings, strength, a positive attitude, achievement, a driving source deep inside, or a spiritual desire. The prize can be about raising your children, a graduating child, a wish, a dream, creating a happy home, a new job, helping someone, overcoming adversity, or a servere illness. It can be something simple or more complex, and anything that you want bad enough to strive for, desire and want for yourself or for others.
The prize is knowing you did everything you could or were led to do, to the best of your ability and feeling the overwhelming peace, satisfaction and excitement of obtaining the prize.
Let your “Eye on the Prize” be a beautiful experience and journey filled with excitement and joy.
Philippians 3:14 NIV
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Being a mentor is a gift for both the mentor and the student. They are a teacher, guidance counselor, coach, motivational person, and a guide. It takes understanding, patience, a caring and loving attitude, and a desire to understand the student’s strengths and weaknesses.
Learning their abilities or lack thereof, their personalities, capabilities, and the person as a whole, understanding that each person is different from anyone else and may need to learn by various means.
Then working with them, guiding, teaching, offering emotional support, advising, and providing wisdom that will mold and shape them to become the best person they can be on their journey in life.
Being a mentor to someone is an extraordinary blessing that takes desire, a willing attitude, a loving heart, dedication, and commitment.
Bless the mentors that helped change so many lives in the world and in so many ways.
Your “But” is a roadblock that usually gets in the way. It pops up when you feel lazy, intimidated, scared, anxious, overwhelmed, having a lack of confidence, or when you are stepping out of your comfort zone. It is a quick response or an excuse to avoid doing something that we don’t want to do.
It rises quickly and stays, seating roots that make it hard to get rid of and then at times consuming you so much that it can create self-doubt, negative feelings, resentful emotions, anger and even depression.
Recognizing it quickly and taking a positive stance against it before it reigns is the key. Seeking help from a professional or from a friend for strength and comfort can be the change you need. Knowing the signs before it is upon you and standing your ground against it in the beginning is a win.
There is power within each and every one if you only dig deep and be humble enough to seek help when we need it. Don’t let pride stand in the way, causing you to battle it alone.
Be strong, fight the fight, never give in and, “Get your But out of your way” and you will have victory over Darkness.
Being my brother’s or sister’s keeper
What does it mean to be your brother’s or sister’s keeper?
It is about having someone’s back, caring for them, supporting them in the struggles, not judging them, but loving them, keeping their secrets safe, and relying on each other to make it through the struggles in the day to day life.
…Taking the time to listen to them and understanding where they come from, walking beside then in the good times and the bad, and holding each other acountable.
…Lifting each other up and praising them in the good, crying with them in the bad, and standing tall beside them through it all.
…Being there for them through thick and thin and never letting them go, no matter what.
Being your brother’s or sisters’s keeper means to give yourself selflessly to them, in order to help lift their lives up without thought, recognition, or ulterior motives, but strictly out of the love and caring for one another.
Proverbs 27:17 NIV
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
Journey-of-Inspirations 