Simple Living
January 2018 Favorites
Hello Lovelies,
I’ve always wanted to do one of these favorite post. Most are posted on YouTube, since I don’t have one, yet 👀, I’ve dedicated today’s post to some of my favorite moments and things from this month. Take a look and share some of yours.
Devotions
Before the Valley of Elah
“David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.””
1 Samuel 17:32 NIV
I’m the only girl of eight children. My mom kept on trying until she got me and tried twice more. I’ve always spent time on my own because of our varying interest. Now as an adult I think back on my childhood and what I most liked to do and I see so many parallels to how I enjoy spending my time in the present. I’ve been studying 1st Samuel this month and one of the major lessons I’m learning is about preparedness. David was about 10 when he is anointed king of Israel. TEN! He wouldn’t become king for some time, but he consciously began a journey of being prepared for his calling.
Weekly Review
I was born and raised in the church and this past Sunday I heard one of the most poignant messages of my LIFE! Incubation through Isolation. It was also the subject of the previous blog post. I wished I recorded the sermon from the service I attended, but fortunately the church has a podcast. Jesus! I cannot even began to to explain how deep this message pierce my heart. God really heard my calls and sent this message to me and I’ve NEVER had greater peace and confidence in my visions and dreams than I have today. It’s day 26 of 365 and I’m excited to see how this year unfolds. I faithfully believe it will be magical.
The Weekly Review
I was born and raised in the church and this past Sunday I heard one of the most poignant messages of my LIFE! Incubation through Isolation. It was also the subject of the previous blog post. I wished I recorded the sermon from the service I attended, but fortunately the church has a podcast. Jesus! I cannot even began to to explain how deep this message pierce my heart. God really heard my calls and sent this message to me and I’ve NEVER had greater peace and confidence in my visions and dreams than I have today. It’s day 26 of 365 and I’m excited to see how this year unfolds. I faithfully believe it will be magical.
Faith
And Then She Flew: Reflections on Being Prepared
I reflect a lot. I spend a lot of my days in meditation thinking about the present moment and lingering on what’s to come from what has happened. And in the past year I’ve noticed a stark change in my environment that was probably there before my awareness of it. I’ve been on a journey of one. Just me. This was a big realization for me, because I’ve always been an independent spirit. I’ve always done things on my own since I was a child. But this was very different. It felt, it feels TBH, like I was isolated from everyone else. And I went to God about this, praying over this, because for the first time in my life I felt like I was by myself. I had God, but it was just us. And as I looked around I wasn’t feeling lonely, but naturally I felt disconnected. The more I prayed, the more God answered. And this past Sunday at church He sent a message to explain it all to me.
Culture
Women’s March 2018: Five Things I Learned
For the second year in a row I inadvertently found myself at the Women’s March. Last year I was going to an outdoor yoga event and walked right into the march and I couldn’t believe that I got to be part of the historic event. This year I was leaving church and decided to stroll around the area and noticed the crowd and once again was happy to discover that I was once again part of the movement. I think the universe is telling me something. I couldn’t be happier, because the message of the march is something I totally identify with: equality, justice, freedom, and inclusion for all. These are principles I think we can all agree on without using the word feminism. But that’s exactly what feminism is: equality for both genders. I was able to listen to several speakers at this years march in Miami and here are 5 things I heard that stood out.
Weekly Review
The Weekly Review
It’s cold y’all. Everywhere. I’m a sunshine girl, but I usually don’t mind the occasional cozy day in to read, sip tea, and just be. But I was under the impression that this happened a couple weeks ago and the weather, at least in Miami, was onto spring. Especially after Saturday was warm enough for a beach day. But, we’ve not exited winter just yet. At least now I have more time to order swimsuits. But also to contemplate how things certain hurdles we’ve crossed can reappear later in life. It’s like you’ve won the battle, the lesson is learned, and you’ve moved on. No looking back. Then BAM, it’s like you’re right back. Like, what happened, Lord? If you’re feeling like that today I want to tell you that you can win again, and again. Sometimes it’s not that we didn’t get the message the first time, but that we need a review, a refresher for what’s ahead. So, take a deep breathe in, let it out, and go at it. Read on for more.
Personal Finance
5 Simple Ways to Save More
I love to talk about money! I'm the girl who tracks how much she has in her account by keeping a weekly, sometimes daily, eye on her finances. That wasn't always the case and it definitely doesn't mean I'm perfect at it. I'm significantly better than I was a year ago and I'm always striving to be in a place of financial independence. With a more steady source of income and a lot of learning experiences I can say I'm trending in the right direction. One key reason for that is saving. For the first time in my life I've was able to save a 3-month emergency savings and pay off my credit card debts. Two major feats that I'm incredibly proud of. I'm looking forward to tackling my student loans and saving for travels and eventually investing. On today's post I've shared the 5 guidelines that I used to make this possible. Let me know what you think or any other advice you have in the comments below.
Simple Living
How to Live Your Truth
"What I know
for sure is speaking your truth is the most powerful tool we all have." Oprah
There is going to be
a moment in your life when life pauses, time seemingly standing still,
and your spirit looks straight into your soul and asks, who am I and what have
I done? I pray in that moment you can be proud of the person you are. That a
knowing smile creeps on your face and that joy, overflowing joy, overtakes you,
because you know that you have lived your truth. You decidedly chose, day in
and day out, to be the best and truest version of who God created you to be.
And as you read this, there's a feeling in your gut that tells you if you're on
the path of courage and authenticity or if you're living life on a path that's not
reflective of who you are.
Devotions
There I was sitting at my desk reading Paul's words and wondering how does he do it. How is it that he's going through possibly the most challenging time of his life and all he does is write letters of encouragement to others and rejoice. Honestly, when I find myself in a dark place it's hard to think of God's blessings in my life, yet alone find the strength to encourage others. But that's exactly what Paul does. Here's a man who went from prosecuting Christians to being prosecuted because he's a Christian. And in the middle of his battle Paul tells us that he will continue to rejoice.
Your Pain has Purpose
Simple Living
One of the things, really the only thing, I've been consistently great at is being inconsistent and undisciplined towards achieving my goals. I'm sure I'm not the only one and a cursory search would produce enough evidence of this. Yet with renewed energy I again reboot and try over. Like most, I start off the year with a set of goals and expectations. I've learned over the years to write SMART goals. You know the ones that are set with small action steps along the way, accountability partners, and are temporally sensitive. Yes, we've all probably had those goals. It's truly a great way to set and pursue personal goals.
The problem isn't in the writing or the goals themselves, but my personal commitment to consistently follow the plan I've laid out for my success.
Cultivating Discipline and Consistency
One of the things, really the only thing, I've been consistently great at is being inconsistent and undisciplined towards achieving my goals. I'm sure I'm not the only one and a cursory search would produce enough evidence of this. Yet with renewed energy I again reboot and try over. Like most, I start off the year with a set of goals and expectations. I've learned over the years to write SMART goals. You know the ones that are set with small action steps along the way, accountability partners, and are temporally sensitive. Yes, we've all probably had those goals. It's truly a great way to set and pursue personal goals.
The problem isn't in the writing or the goals themselves, but my personal commitment to consistently follow the plan I've laid out for my success.
Faith
2018 Hopes & Dreams
Everything seems possible today, January 1st. The world is ours to conquer for the next 365 days. We need only take one step a day to achieve our wildest dreams or at the least make significant leaps towards them. I love the newness and refresh possibilities that the new year ushers in. Of course we can begin anew any day of the year, but going with the natural cycle of the year seems to give most a boost. And I'm part of the most. Today I'm sharing my top 5 hopes for 2018.
In the past I've been hesitant to share these goals out of fear of failing, but life has shown me that if I pray and trust then God will deliver all things that are meant for me. So it's with that mindset I walk into this new year and pursue these goals:
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