I'm back!!!

It has been SO very long since I've written something here. But thanks to  Giuseppe for building and purchasing my own computer I hope to be able to write more often! Sometimes I feel like I have these wise words I want to write about but today not so much. I am so very thankful that I am able to play games again and write and do whatever I would like on my own PC again. I am not one to ask for things. I am usually the giver and not an asker. I try to be content with what I have and be thankful in all circumstances. As I sit here in my little corner of my dining room typing this I want to thank my sister Mary Lou who always encouraged my writing. Be patient since I am out of practice and I have alot to relearn. 

I miss writing

I wish I could stay more consistent with my writing but don't we all say that about a lot of things?

Consistency with dieting...
Consistency with exercise...
Consistency with working an online biz...
Consistency with working on forming a new habit...
Consistency with reading our bible...or praying for others...

Consistency is HARD!! Because it means we have to create a NEW habit and that means doing things our mind normally doesn't think about doing.

It also helps to have someone that is your partner and helps you when you need it.

Someone who is willing to remind you ...LOVINGLY ....of course...when you get off track.

Or ...

Maybe they daily NAG YOU TO DEATH to keep you on track for the goals you set. HAHAHA

I've had both....from the same personal actually. She has learned to be what I need when I need it.

Everyone needs someone like this in their life.

Does anyone actually sit down and write out goals anymore?

Do you make a plan to reach those goals ?

Most of us are just trudging along with this thing we call life and are all so busy working and taking care of our families that we don't even think about goals and reaching for something more.

I want to encourage you to do it!

It makes that job you go to easier knowing that you are reaching goals you set for yourself.

It really helps you get through your day better.

Ever since I began sharing Plexus with people...I can get up feeling good knowing that I'm working toward something bigger than myself.

I pray that God will send people to me that I can help them with their health goals.

When I do this I know that each and every person who reaches out to me is someone God wants me to talk to .

Its a good feeling. So my goals are helping me to be more consistent in the ways I want to be.

Sooo please...take a minute and set some goals for yourself.

Are they financial goals?
Weight loss?
Bible reading.?

I would love to hear what goal you set and if I am able to help!!

Gods Love Versus Motherly Love

I am a mom of 5 kids.

I wasn't sure I even understood what being a mother was when I had my first child.

The love that transpired between me and that child was super natural. Its something I never grasped fully. Even now as 4 of my 5 children are now adults. 

I love each one of them as if they were my ONLY child and that I had spend every moment with them ...and them ONLY.

To know each one of your kids on such a deep level...

That didn't come by chance. It took work. It took time. It took many sleepless nights getting to know which cry meant they were hungry or which cry meant they were hurting.

It took spending time getting to know which colors were their favorite...at least for that week !

It took having long talks about what was making them happy or what was bringing about disappointments.

TIME with that child/and adult child was critical to getting to know them.

That got me thinking today.

God created us. 

God knows us ...knows whats best for us but He still wants a RELATIONSHIP with us. He knows whats causing the hurt and happiness but He still wants us to share it with Him.

I urge you to Read Psalm 139.

Not just skim it...Read it slowly and take in everything David is telling us.

Jeremiah 1:5

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; 

We know our kids but not to this depth...

Isaiah 43:1-7 

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life. Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you. .

..

This depth of love and "knowing" , coming from the Creator of the Universe and all that is seen and Unseen...is special.

When is the last time you have spoken to Him.

Or read some of His word?

We all want to be understood and sometimes we feel we are missing "pieces" in our heart and sometimes it could just mean that a relationship with God is what we are missing.

He's always there! 

Always ready to hear from us.

Lines aren't busy.

Internet outages won't cause a delay in reaching Him.

Even if your electricity or cable goes out...you can still have a conversation with Him that has no lag!

Have a conversation with Him today!

Transitions in Life

Good morning !

As I read on the news about Aretha Franklin nearing the end of her life...I couldn't help but to think about the word 

Transition.

We go through many transitions during our time here on Earth.

The obvious is how we transition from the womb to breathing our first breath of air.

The change we go through as we grow from infant to adult.

The change we may go through from single to adult life.

Each change is different for each person.

Then at the end of our life, we transition from life on earth to whatever is next for us after our last breath is taken.

One of my favorite scriptures that brings me great comfort is

 Ecclesiastes 3:1. 

There is a time for everything. And a season for everything under the heavens.

As mere humans we go though many seasons in life. But someone, sometime, somewhere has gone though the same thing. 

Ecclesiastes 1:9 

What has been, will be again, what has been done will be done again. There is nothing new under the sun.

But one thing that does NOT change is our God!

He is the same God today as the God of creation.

He is the same God that led the Exodus out of slavery. and he is the same God that cares about each one of of today.

Hebrews 13:8 says

 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

James 1:17

 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows

Its such a relief to know that when we wake up each day...no matter what we wake up to...

That God is there the same as he was ...and always will be. I never have to worry about Him changing.

So as life transitions around us daily...let us keep in mind that no matter what the change today or tomorrow brings...lets keep our hearts focused on God and His everlasting love for us and know that whatever our day should bring, He has us in the palm of His hand.

Have a good day everyone!

Sad realization.....

As my husband was talking about how to decorate a room we are redoing into a Study/Office...He brought out all these awards and certificates from his years in his career in the Navy.

Each one he brought out...just brought more tears to my eyes.

Why?

Because I spend MY career mostly as a in home daycare provider (no paper awards for that) and also as a mom who chose to Homeschool her children .

I have nothing on the walls ...or on the bookshelves...for recognition.

Does recognition mean something...

To some it does. Right now, I wish I had something ....

To see all of those certificates and awards...signed by presidents...

Maps of all the places he's ever been....

What do I have...
What have I accomplished...

Yeah yeah yeah...I know.

What I've done in my almost 30 years of marriage and 29 years of being a mom...is more than just certificates and awards.

I can look at my kids and they are my walking, talking awards!

The way they treat each other and how they care for their friends and family...That shows the teaching and hours and hours of love I poured into them.

There is no award for being awake for days , caring for them when they were sick.

No award when your heart is broken because someone or something hurt them greatly.

No award for when they finally learned something that they had been struggling with in their schooling.

Yes, his awards and certificates are mine as well because I was the one home, being the supportive person, taking care of the kids and family and he trusted in me so he can do his work and get the awards he has to show. So really, those are mine as well but its HIS name on them. Sometimes, the supportive person in the background can be forgotten about.

As I write this...I have tears flowing from my eyes.

If I could do things differently, I would have written my own awards.

And kept them for reminders of what I've accomplished.

An Award, " You survived your first all nighter with "said child".

"the Love award goes to Nikki Vilano for when your child told you for the first time on their own I LOVE YOU MOMMY".

I wish I would have done that. But, I never thought of it.

Well, at least I feel better now. I needed to get this out.

I must remember, those awards may have his name on them but he couldn't have done it so well without the support of me and his kids at home. No matter what those papers say...God knows what I've done in my life and those pieces of paper someday with be nothing. How I've raised my children and the impact they have on this world...THAT is what truly matters.

Its not that hard once you get started

Whatever you want to do in life and you are taking the steps to do them....its not hard once you get started. 

For me, half the battle is STARTING! 

Now, I can't wait to do it.

What I'm talking about is exercise! Yesterday was 30 minutes on the treadmill. I managed a mile in 15 minutes which ..isn't the best time for an experienced runner but its something to start with for me. 

I have to commit to this daily. I'll be getting back to my beachbody workouts again soon too. I love the healthier lifestyle I'm committing too. Between the eating, the exercise and my essential oils...I will be having the best year of my life!

What things do I look forward to this year...hitting my wellness goals?

Well lets define those goals first.

By the time I hit 50, Dec 3rd, I want to hit my goal weight of 145.

I want to run the two 5k races in my town and best my own time!

I want to have the energy to be able to do TAEKWONDO with Sergio.

They are all very attainable goals.

So, one day at a time....

Why is exercising so difficult to start

This has been on my mind lately. Here I am ...doing good on my daily tasks etc EXCEPT for exercise.

I have everything I need at my fingertips but haven't stepped onto that treadmill once in months.

My daughter, who really has never been one to exercise has been at the gym for 3 days in a row. Even after working a long shift and she's tired. She JUMPS at the chance to go.

And here I am...doing nothing but THINKING about it.

Here I am beating myself up because I'm THINKING and not DOING.

I guess what I need to do is just DO it.

Get my butt on that treadmill...no thinking....just push the button and GO. I will thank myself later if that is the habit I create every day.

That will create a strong healthy heart.

My mood will increase because of the endorphines created.

I will be healthier because the exercise will move this stagnant blood through the veins and exercise also helps strengthen the immune system.

I will look and feel better!

If I KNOW all of this...why aren't I doing any of it.

I guess it goes back to the over thinking things part.

Today...I will get on that treadmill and work for 30 minutes. Doesn't matter if I'm walking or running. I will stay on there for 30 minutes and pat myself on the back when I am finished!

Feeling positive.

I LOVE changing fonts and colors when I write. That's one reason I like to type instead of writing things out on paper. Paper writing takes to long anyway !

I don't have one specific topic on my mind today so I'm just going to write about how the past few days have gone.

I am happy!

My healthy eating has been good. (so far)

Been writing daily on here just like I had planned.

Each day I take at least ONE little step to not only get rid of the clutter in  my home, but in my mind as well.

Haven't gotten to run yet. Planned to today but can't run when I have kids here. 

I keep a list of the things that I manage to accomplish each day because I tend to forget the good I did and end up thinking, " My my my....did I even do anything good today toward my goals"

That leads to negative thoughts and emotions and that is part of the clutter I need to get rid of.

Today, is my " tackle laundry day". I guess I'm a bit forced to do that cause we are out of clean socks hahaha.

Have a great day everyone!

Another day of small habits

It really takes a lot of effort to love ones self.

It has to be intentional. I've gone most of my whole life just flying by the seat of my pants because no one taught me that small intentional habits are an important part of your life and daily structure.

Here I am, going to be 50 years old and I'm JUST now learning this.

I've always just woken up and went by some sort of to do list. Sometimes I would finish it , sometimes I wouldn't. Then the next day, no matter how much I wanted to go by that to do list again, sometimes I would forget because it wasn't a habit to do so.

Creating this new way of life isn't easy. That's why reading this book about creating SMALL itty bitty habits is so important to follow.

This will not be an easy process for me and that is why its important for me to concentrate on this every single day. I won't become the kind of person I need to be, the kind of person, I believe, God wants me to be. 

I believe discipline is good. It should be a part of a Christians life. I believe Jesus was disciplined. That is why , as a Christian, I need to be like Jesus. 

So , these habits I am creating are very important to me. 

Have I failed before when I've tried to do this?

Yes.

Am I terrified of failing again?

YES.

But there is no progress without failing in life. Failures are not always a bad thing. Sometimes they bring about the greatest victories.

One day at a time....

Today I'm better than I was yesterday

Hello!! Did I solve the worlds problems today?

Nope!

Did I cure cancer?

Nah!

BUT,...

What I DID do was better my home and better myself more than I was yesterday.

I read a couple pages in a book I want to finish about creating mini habits.

I cleaned out a cupboard in my kitchen that was cluttered yesterday. I also cleaned out two drawers in my dresser that were a mess. It was sorta depressing because they were the drawers of my pajamas and MOST of the items I pulled out don't fit. But that's ok because I KNOW , that doing these LITTLE steps each and every day means eventually they WILL fit and my drawers will be nice and neat. *This happened even though I am suffering though this stomach virus. So, I accomplished the goal and then laid back down :)

My goal each day is to clean out just ONE thing. Make ONE thing in my home better than it was yesterday. That doesn't mean " Today I'm going to clean out my basement". HAHAH. that's funny! No, it means one thing each and every day and my basement will eventually be clean and organized.

I feel good about myself today.

I feel better about myself today, than I did about myself yesterday.

I say that's a WIN in my book.

2017 is all about me

WOW, just writing the title of my article today made me hesitate. Almost nothing I do is just for me. BUT, I think its about time this year be the year to change that. 

Don't get me wrong, that doesn't mean Nikki will become a self centered person only taking care of her own needs and forgetting about others. 

That's not what I mean at all.

I haven't loved myself in such a long time. 

And years of self abuse have taken its toll on me.

If you hold back love from people around you, its considered neglect and its very damaging. We were created to love. We need love. People need attention. We weren't meant to be alone. 

Well, I haven't given myself the attention that makes me healthy. 

THAT is what I mean.

THAT is what I plan to change this year.

You can say its because this coming December I will turn 50 years old. 

I can give any reason I want to ....but as long as I just take the time daily to love ME, it doesn't matter the reasons I give.

Just as long as I take the steps each and every single day to love myself the way I deserve to be loved.

And its started today.

I can't stand disorganization or clutter. It truly makes me uneasy.

So, today to show myself love, I started getting rid of it. I started by cleaning just a few of my kitchen drawers. I said to myself I would get rid of just ONE kroger bag of junk daily. Its not hard to fill up just ONE. So, there are no excuses. 

I plan to write daily here too so that I can keep track of my progress this year. We are sometimes so hard on ourselves with our progress because we focus on our failures and FORGET how far we have come and the positives we've accomplished on the journey. Writing daily here will change that also. This is for ME. I share this blog on facebook only that maybe someone else out there might be going through the same thing as me and need some encouragement. 

Loving myself has to be done. Its holding me back from being healthy, looking the way that "I" want to look, attaining the goals in my business, being able to cook the way I want to cook, or take care of the relationships with people close to me etc. 

So, It has already began because today, I did the Kroger bag fill up and throw out. I chose to not eat the big unhealthy breakfast others ate. I've written this article which I also told myself is one of my daily goals. 

Its about daily steps. 

New Habits.

New Nikki.

New Beginnings...

What am I afraid of.

I am reading a book called Miracles Now by Gabrielle Bernstein.
Its 108 "supposedly" life changing tools for less stress and a happier life.

Today its about fear and facing fears. It asked me.." what is your biggest fear".

That made me have to seriously sit and think.

Cause what I THINK my biggest fear is...really might not be my biggest one.

I always thought my biggest fear was dying before my children were grown.

Now....I'm not so sure.

I think my biggest fear is being left.

When a door shuts to a relationship, it truly creates a desperate me. I mean, I can't let go of it.

I'm not talking about a relationship like marriage because I've been with the same person for 30 years now. But I've had friendship end and it was over something I had no control over. Heck, I even sought people out trying to apologize even when I didn't do anything wrong.

I still do that and its soooo annoying!

Part of me says that maybe God is shutting that door for me.

Part of me says that I need to seek and love them like God would love them.

I've lost so many people in my life and I need to give it to God and let go and TAKE my happiness back. When I let people's choices control my emotions and my life, I give way too much control over to them. They don't deserve to take my happiness away from me.

WOW...

I just imagined something.

I just imagined each person that walked out of my life...

I saw them taking a piece of my joy and happiness away with them.

It was wrapped up in pretty ribbons and the person(s) were so happy to have that gift.

Here I was left with pieces of my heart and soul missing.

What a terrible picture!

The truth about that is....I GAVE them this gift. They didn't take it. Happiness is MINE. When I allow people to take it away from me, thats my own fault.

No more...

I'm taking my happy back.

Starting now.

My words either lift or tear down

Today I choose words to lift myself and others up.

Yes, its a choice.

Do we sometimes just say things and wish we hadn't?

We all do it sometimes.

But that's not because we can't help what we say. We all have self control but some of us need to practice it more in able to get good at it.

Self control is a bit like a sport. It takes practice and practice and MORE practice to get good at it.

Today, try to be  mindful of the things you say.

Not just to others...but what your " self talk" is. Self talk is the little whispers sometimes that creeps into your brain. If its ANY way negative...change it to be something positive. Your brain is like a computer. It CAN be programmed to think great things. But it takes self control to recognize what you are saying and thinking first.

Today...make a choice to be positive.

If you are in a bad situation that you don't have control over...then do SOMETHING, to work towards making it better.

Later!!

Incoming Vent!

This may be for everyone....this might be for no one.

But today...this is for ME.

People make me mad!!!

And today, since this is MY blog...and a place for me to put MY thoughts...I am going to say what I want to say and it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.

Rant #1

What parents post on Facebook appalls me!

I mean SERIOUSLY!!!!

Yes, I said PARENTS. If you have kids....and are posting stuff that they may google your name someday when they are teenagers, and NOTHING ON THE INTERNET EVER GOES AWAY....do you really think what you posted...things you said....pictures you shared...will be OK FOR THEM TO SEE????

Rant #2

KIDS...what you post.....

Someday...your possible future employers will do a google search on you TOO. What you post may come back to bite you ...and bite you hard! I hear all the time:

" Its my personal facebook and I can say and do whatever I want"

Yep, it sure is....but guess what people.....there are consequences for the things you write. You might not have the foresight to see it now...but I guarantee you ...that someday...you might be sorry for the picture you posted...or what you vented when you were angry.


Rant #3

I am mad at MYSELF!!!

I get so pumped up about stuff...

Exercise...Yeah me. I run ...surpass my expectations....only to totally quit and eat so bad my weight comes back on.

My Doterra business...I come up with the most awesome ideas...I buy everything I need....I get all ready...then BOOM....I DO NOTHING! I STOP. I do not know why. But I hate this one thing about myself. I think its my thing I hate the most about myself.

My writing...I have to admit to myself...I am great with putting my thoughts into words that encourage others. Sometimes, the words flow so freely that I can't do anything but type. Then I look back and think " WOW"...where did that come from? But again....I start something...and don't keep up with it.

I HATE THIS THORN IN MY SIDE AND DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX THIS !!!


I am a fixer.

I am great with fixing everyone else.

I can give encouragement and solutions to everyone else...but when it comes to this personal issue...I truly have no clue.

Someone might say, " well, just make a plan and stick to it".

LOL

Yep, tried that.

I wrote myself notes...to remind me to write...then I forget where I put those reminders.

I have prayed that God would help me find a solution to this issue because its hindering my success in all the areas of my life that I want to be successful with.

If anyone has ideas....let me know!

Rant over...FOR NOW LOL

Sometimes, I truly Hate the flaws I have.

INCONSISTENCY.

I think that is my thorn in my side.

It seems no matter what I do...whether it be exercise, my DoTerra Business, eating healthy, cleaning house...cooking...etc....I am never consistent.

I HATE THIS!

It frustrates me more than I can even express.

It has me to a point that I just want to scream because I know my life would be so different if I could just tackle this issue.

So...to all of you out there who DO NOT have this issue of inconsistency....whats your secret?

What if you have so many things that you need to be consistent with?

I need advice right now...

Time to get real

I am not sure why I have decided to do this.
But I believe its time...

Years ago, 37 years ago, give or take , my mom died of cancer.
But the pain and trauma and the scars that would change my life began before that day.

I can remember my mom telling me she was sick and going to die. I remember THAT very clearly. I can see where we were sitting, everything about that moment was so very clear to me. Its like its burned into my memory.

Also, I find it so strange that so many things about that time, and even years after, seem to be lost in my mind somewhere.

TRAUMA does much damage to our mind and emotions.

You would think that I would visit my mom often.

That I would go and want her to meet my kids and talk to her about whats going on in my life since I really didn't have anyone to do that with. My dad was absent...not always physically absent...but emotionally 100%.

When I was an adult, I married and we were away for over 20 years. When we DID come home, I rarely went to see her grave . I really have no idea why. And now, we have been back to the area almost 10 years  and I can count on ONE hand , yes ONE, how many times I've visited her.

I also notice when it comes to death, I am very numb to things.

That's why I believe its time.

Time to heal this damage done to my heart and soul.

Time to apologize to my mom for not visiting and talking with her.

Time to apologize to my kids for not telling them more about their grandmother. ( I don't remember much so its hard to talk about her)

Time to apologize to my dear friends who never knew her and I failed to keep her memory alive.

Its time to visit her regularly and start the healing process.....

Marriage is a journey

Yes, today is the day that I have been married for 29 years.

SO many thoughts and emotions come to mind today.

I've been with Mike now for over 30 years. But married 29.

Not many people make it this far. I can't say that we haven't had struggles. I've seen MANY struggles over those 29 years. I see others struggling and giving up and I say ANYTHING can be fixed if you truly desire it.

But it takes 2 people...2 very very dedicated people to make it work. One persons dedication is not enough. I couldn't do it with him and he couldn't do it without me. And of course, we couldn't do anything without God. God has been the center of our marriage almost the whole time. That is why I believe we are going strong.

No, its not perfect with roses and romantic calls or texts.

Yes, we frustrate each other almost daily.

Yes, we know each other so well that sometimes we need space to just be our own person because sometimes identities get mixed and we can easily lose our individuality.

Yes, we disagree about how to raise our kids sometimes .

Yes, sometimes I think he's too rough and he thinks I'm too soft.

Yes, sometimes he gets mad at me because I move things he doesn't want moved . Yes, I get mad because he leaves things out that I have to put away time and time again.

Does he do dishes? nah...but its because I've always done them. Or the kids will.

Does he take out the trash....nope.

And its just dawned on me why.

He served our country for 20 years in the Navy. During many many deployments, I had to do it all. I went from being this young, scared and frail young lady to being this independent strong woman who can do anything I set my mind to. Yep, I CAN and WILL do whatever my mind tells me I can. I was always the type of woman that took care of it all because he was away so often, I didn't want him to have to lift a finger when he came home. Now that he is retired, nothing has changed on my end. I still do it all because its what I've always done.

Even though he is retired from the military, he's by no means retired. He not only has a full time job that takes him away from home for sometimes 12 hours a day but he acquired his business degree WHILE working that full time job. We support each others dreams and sometimes its hard. Sometimes its VERY hard...and sometimes its so very easy.

That's OUR marriage. That's the way WE work.

Today I read a status on Facebook of someone who lost their husband last night suddenly. Left behind a wife and 2 girls.

NO ONE is guaranteed tomorrow. ABSOLUTELY no one.

A Happy and fulfilled marriage is promised to no one but if you took vows before God and made promises,,,then you owe it to yourself and your spouse to keep it.

Happy Anniversary Mike. Look at us! 5 children. 3 grandsons. Look at what we've accomplished together. Our 4 sons and our daughter just amaze me. They are so gorgeous, smart, gifted, independent, ...just incredible kids. My grandsons have such a huge piece of my heart,,,I cannot imagine it any other way. We did a good job so far. Mistakes? Sure....but what marriage doesn't have mistakes. Those mistakes helped us to be who we are today. Courage and adventure are one of the prime elements of what makes us who we are. Do we go on worldly adventures traveling the world...nah....but our marriage and raising our family has been an adventure of a lifetime so far and each day brings a new one.

I'm so glad I get to face each adventure with you.

Here's to the next one...and the next one...

Weakness

Today I started putting some scripture on post it notes and taking pictures of them to put into my daily app that I do to get my mind in a positive place every morning.

The first scripture I happened upon was 2 Corinthians 12:9.

My Grace is sufficient for you for My power is made perfect in weakness.

And I read over that a few times. 
Each time I tried to focus on different words but my mind kept coming back to the word WEAKNESS.

When you hear that word, everything about it makes me feel like its a bad word. A Negative word. 

BEING weak.

A weak foundation in a house.

Weak muscles.

a weak faith.

a weakened immune system.

ALL of those things above are not good. 



BUT



Gods power is made perfect in our weakness. Lets look at this a different way.

Gods power is made NOT PERFECT in our strength.

Then it dawned on me. 

I'm allowed to be weak!!!

That just gave me the ok I need to fail sometimes. I am always so hard on myself when I am less than perfect at what I am trying to do. It doesn't matter if its being a wife, or a mom or my business or exercise or my diet or being a good friend to someone. I always...ALWAYS feel like I fail at it because I am no perfect at it. 

That scripture just means that its ok. God's grace is sufficient (adequate)for me. His power is made perfect in my weakness!!


Let me just say THANK YOU LORD! 
Thank you for my weaknesses because it draws me closer to the One who made me. 

Be blessed everyone

Whats on your worried mind today?

We all worry.

Some more than others but we ALL worry.

Yesterday was one of those days that worry consumed me.

But I had tasks at hand and I knew that there were no room for distractions if I wanted to accomplish my set goal.

Today I opened up my Daily Bible App and my Jesus Calling book.

The Daily Bible App message was something that really touched me this morning.

We are God's handiwork.

We are created to do Good Works.


Have you ever created something? I mean as adults sometimes we forget that we were made to create.
Children love to create. They will cut up paper, and odds and ends and just put it together to make something they are so very proud of. They can't wait to show it to you. Your response to their creation really can change how they feel about themselves and their ability to create more. When adulthood happens, we get so busy with responsibilities that we lose sight of what we are created to do.

DO GOOD WORKS

Bless someone today. It just takes a minute. BE CREATIVE in your ways to do that.
Maybe you know your neighbor is having a hard time. Drop a handwritten note or card off to them. You don't have to stick around and talk. Just take a minute to show you care.

Take note of who you come in contact with each day.

I'm sure you will discover ways to put a smile on someones face today. Once you start to LOOK for ways to DO GOOD WORKS, more ideas will come. Funny how that works sometimes.

In my Jesus Calling Book it was all about worry.

In other words...

DON'T!!

God's got this.

(Not sure what is going on in YOUR life, but worry was a part of mine yesterday)

But even though I was worried, I still persevered and got my goals done for the day. (except my diet goal to restart lol. Hey, don't judge me!!) hahaha

Hope this blessed someone today!
I would love to hear your thoughts!

Days can be so very very hard.
You wake up and have NO idea what event or events that are going to happen today that may test your emotions and your patience.

One thing I have started is before I even move my feet out of my bed, I pick up my phone, and I do my Jesus Calling and my Daily Bible Quote.

Then I have pictures of my affirmations on my phone. I read through them. A few times.

Before my feet hit the floor I've started to prepare my heart and mind for whatever lies ahead.

Do I do it perfectly?

Nah, this is me? Remember??

I forget things.
I forget things alot!

But I do my best.

I am glad I remembered what I did today because today was a bad day for me.

But its almost time to settle myself down for the night.

Its a new day tomorrow.

New starts.

New choices.

New chances to add value to someones life.

What will YOU start your day off with tomorrow?