What are your blessings?

There are times in life when our minds become over saturated with negative thoughts and attitudes, and finding anything positive in our situation seems impossible! Foolish even. However, if you look closely, you can find it. The small, dim light radiating a flicker of heat on your otherwise chilled spirit. Examine the world around you to discover these hidden blessings that we often overlook. 

Last week this lesson applied directly to me. My attitude was sour and my anxiety was high. Never a good combination! I could not see any blessings in my life. However, there was a moment when I was laying on the floor after a workout, just feeling sorry for myself, when one of my dogs came up to me and pressed herself lovingly against me in a doggy hug. It touched my heart and reminded me that I have people (and even canines) that love me, and there is no greater blessing than that. 

I challenge you to find just 1 blessing in your day. When you find yourself filled with negative thoughts, meditate on that blessing. Fight the negativity and darkness. Open your arms wide and soak in the light of positivity. 

Here is one of my three little furry blessings! 







Hope Flourishes

Hope flourishes

With each new sunrise

Hard times can be used for good!

I have touched on this topic in the past, but it has been brought to my attention again, and I believe that it is something that should stay in the forefront of our minds. We all go through hardships in our lives, some more than others. There is nothing we can do to change what has happened in our past, but we can change what happens in the future. After we have finally made it to the other side of our struggles, we are able to reflect upon them and discover that we are stronger. We are also able to support others who are going through the same struggles. No one understands more than someone with first-hand experience.

Since my anxiety manifested itself in my adolescence, I have always prayed for it to be taken away. I always thought there was something wrong with me, and that I was doing something wrong in my life because I continued to struggle with it even though I felt as if I continually prayed for God to take my burden. Over the years I became disheartened and fell further into anxiety. There were times when I had no anxiety and I was so thankful! However, it kept returning and I kept wondering what was wrong with me.

After years of thinking I was doing something wrong, God has finally made it clear to me that it is NOTHING I have done. I am not a bad person. I do not lack faith. It is purely a biological imbalance. I do not want to say that it is a flaw, because I do not believe that God makes mistakes. Do I wish that I didn’t have anxiety? More than anything. However, I am at the point where I am able to see that my anxiety has a purpose. There is a reason why my struggle is anxiety. I think that it is so I can help others who suffer from the same affliction. I have always had the gift of gab, combined with the inability to be embarrassed. These qualities combined allow me to open up to others and share my story. Provide hope for those around me who feel as if they have nothing left.

I am here to tell you now that there is something left. You have so much to give, even if you are flawed. Even if you are afraid. We are all afraid at one time or another. What matters is what we decide to do with that fear. Will we allow it to tear us down and defeat us? Or will we use it to propel us forward and overcome the hardships? What will you choose?

Anxiety hasn’t visited me in awhile

I have realized that I have gone a long stretch of time without being bother by my pesky friend, anxiety! I had a mild bout with her about a week ago but nothing much before that and none since I have been on vacation at my parents house! It feels liberating to be able to go days, almost weeks without it! I am loving the freedom of living in the moment and absorbing the joy and emotions of the atmosphere. With my anxiety, I had no room for any other feeling. Now there is plenty of room to experience an array of emotions I haven’t felt in a long time!

Just in time for Christmas!

Christmas Movie Season

There are so many reasons to love this time of year! Cookies, lights, music, shopping, and Christmas Movies! I adore Christmas movies! They are full of beautiful messages of hope, love and family. December can be a hectic month, but I think it is important to take time out of the day to think about love and hope.

There have been times in my life where my anxiety had been so bad, that I felt as if I could never experience either emotion ever again. I felt lost and afraid. However, I found my family helped lift me out of the darkness, and supported me on the journey to healing.

As I begin my season of watching Christmas movies, I reflect on the purest joys in my life. My husband, my family and my relationship with Jesus Christ. I love Christmas season and celebrating all the beauty life has to offer us!

Anxiety

Anxiety takes hold,

But it won’t make my heart cold.

My spirit is full of hope,

And I will learn the best ways to cope.

I will not dwell on the present or past,

Because the future is coming fast.

These anxieties will not control me,

My heart was created to be free!

There is always Hope

We all go through times in life when the darkness is all encompassing. There is no light at the end of the tunnel. Everyone has turned their back and we feel utterly alone and isolated. The good news is that There is always hope! Hope for a new beginning. Hope in finding happiness. Hope to bask in the light once again and feel peaceful to your core.

I was trapped in this thinking. I was lost to darkness and despair. I felt there was no way out of it and I would be trapped in sadness my whole life. However, my God and Savior reached out to me and gave me a new hope. He reminded me that I was strong and I could push through. Even though I was still followed by anxiety and fear, I pushed onward and never gave up. Now I am healing and I have days where I feel no anxiety. However I know it will always be apart of my life but My strength is supernaturally provided and I will motor on.

You don’t have to live in darkness. There is always hope. Don’t give up.

Facing Opposition Head-on!

Facing an opposition head on can be a terrifying and intimidating idea for those who of us who struggle with anxiety. The mere thought of going against the fear that consumes our minds triggers tight chests and shortened breath! Speaking from experience, someone with anxiety would most likely prefer to go out of their way to avoid their fears instead of facing them.

In real life avoidance may not be possible. Opposition may be something we cannot hide from, so we have to decide to take back control. Our fears will no longer control us! We push onward in spite of the anxiety we feel.

Fear will not keep us from living our lives, it will only force us to be stronger!

No one can steal your joy!

Remember this: No one can steal your joy unless you allow them. There are always going to be people who upset you. There will always be circumstances we can’t control. Life is full of things we have no say over. However, the good news is that we have control over our responses. We have a say in how we react. When something doesn’t go your way, don’t give in to negativity. Tell yourself that this may not be how I wanted my day to go, but I am bigger than my circumstances. I am strong and I will make the choice to be joyful no matter what!

Remember, joy doesn’t have to mean happiness. If you are in a dark situation you can still have joy. You can hope for healing and have faith that your trial will come to pass. That is true joy. Never giving in when all seems hopeless.

Have a wonderful Monday!

You are meant for something great!

No matter where we are in our lives, We are meant to do great things. We are meant to live a life of hope and prosperity. This may not mean our lives are easy or there are no longer struggles we are going to encounter. Instead, It means that in the face of hardship we will rise above to new heights and become stronger than our troubles.

Remember, you are meant for something great! Don’t ever give up on yourself.