Let your life and love be brighter than the worries of the day.
May your heart be filled with happiness and your palette filled with bright colors, so you may paint the world that you would like to live in.
Be the palette for the world to paint from.
As you travel along your journey, keep your eyes focused on the new beginings. Glance back only enough to remember where you came from, but not enough to turn around and go back.
~ Charlie Walker
Cross-stitch is a beautiful piece of work when completed.
The hours spent pulling different colors of thread through a fabric, in X shaped stitches to create a scene, patterns, phrases, flowers, people, and so many other things are a skilled piece of artwork. The beauty of the finished product is stunning for all to behold.
The hidden backside of it, though, is a complete mess. Thread going from one spot to another, in a gridded pattern, using different stiching patterens at times, that ends up looking like a bowl of spaghetti. A complete disaster that is often hidden and unseen when completed, and so different than what the finished piece is seen by others.
People are much like a cross-stitch piece. We see the beauty and outward appearance of a seemingly happy and wonderful human being. What we mostly do not see is the mess and turmoil deep inside, that is hidden from the world.
The distress of everyday life that causes chaos deep within. The smile and the persona that hides all of the inward battles and is projected in a beautiful smile, a kind action or word.
However; there is the cleaner version of cross-stitch. The version that took more time and work to make the front a work of art and the back cleaned up and neat.
People are exactly like that, and go through that same transformation when they work on their inner self. A cleaned up and better projected inner version that is amazing for themselves and for the world to see.
All it takes is a little work, dedication, faith, belief, effort, and a willingness to make ourselves beautiful inside and out, leaving a masterpiece for all to see.
Be the cross-stitch master piece in life.
1 Peter 3:4 NIV
Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
Weakness is a trait that everyone has in some form or fashion. It covers different facets of our lives.
It may be in the form of a physical lack of strength, good health, firmness, vigor, or feebleness.
It may be a lack of effort, energy, enthusiasm, or a feeling of an inadequate or defective quality in a person’s character.
It might be a self-indulgent liking or special fondness of something or an object of special desire; something very difficult to resist, like chocolates, candy, soft drinks, tv, hobbies, etc.
Then there are those weaknesses of addictions, habits, drinking, gambling, smoking, self-loathing, and so forth.
No weakness is greater than another. They are all as hard as the next and everyone has their own struggles with them.
How we handle them, seek help for them, and work on getting through and past them that matters. Prayer, counseling, the ear of a friend, self-help, and even groups can help.
Never consider a weakness as a failure; it is a part of life that we face, and from our weaknesses come our strengths, and our best qualities arise for all to see.
Your weakness is your super power.
Isaiah 40:29 NIV
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Practice is used in everything in life.
It is said that practice makes perfect.
Though it may or may not make things perfect, it does make things and us far better in so many ways.
Practice is not just reserved for sports, athletics, musical instruments, singing, and so on. Practicing having a good mental attitude, being polite, helping others, praising all, respecting people, encouragement, self-improvement, and the list goes on.
Practice being the best that you can possibly be, doing the best in everything you do, and treating others the best that you can is the best practice that you could ever do.
Practice makes us as perfect as we possibly can be; if we are only willing to do it.
Romans 12:13 NIV
Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
A loving heart is a gentle heart that conquers all. Feed it, nurture it, and maintain it, so that it grows for all to experience your abundance of love.
Celebrate life
Celebrate life at the start of each and every day that you wake up. Sing praises and count your blessings for the health you have, the breath you take, the steps you walk, the food you have, a place to live, transportation, money, employment, family, friends, and everything else that we take for granted.
Enjoy the life you have and the journey that you are on, no matter if you are in the valley or the mountain tops, and be grateful for it all.
Spread love, hope, and a positive attitude to everyone. Help all you can, anytime you can and be the example for others to follow. Tell people that you love them often and how important they are to you and to others. Forgive those that hurt you with words and actions and show them kindness and love.
Make your life, your family and friends more important than work and other things that may rob you of your joy.
Praise the Lord for all that He provides for you.
Celebrate the life that you have been blessed with.
Matthew 6:9-13 KJV
Who’s in your corner when you need assistance?
Have you ever really thought about who is truly in your corner when you need someone? Who is there to help you fight your battles? Is it someone, is it God, or is it both?
Boxers always have people in their corner when they need them. The manager to give advice and throw in the towel when he knows it is time for their safety. A cut man to patch them up during the bouts, and a physician in case one is needed. They rely on them at all times.
We like boxers, need that help too. We all have friends that are willing to help with things when we need them, but having those or that one person that is in your corner is a different story.
It is a story of trust, confidence, reliability, dependability, faith, hope, being humble, and acceptance of help. Knowing that someone is there that has your back in every situation, no matter what (withstanding something that breaks the law). The comfort that someone is really there for you night and day, 365 days a year for anything you need, both physically, mentally and spiritually.
Knowing that no matter what it is, that they are in your corner without expectations, and that everything will be completely confidential and will never let you down there. That person that cares for you enough to help in every way they can and will never leave your corner.
Do you know who is in your corner? Are you in someones corner? Are you willing to be there for someone and be in their corner?
Is Christ in your corner?
Be that peace of mind for someone and be in their corner. Wouldn’t it be nice to know that you had someone in your corner?
Who is the cornerstone of your life?
Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
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.
Journey-of-Inspirations 