positive attitude – Wind Beneath Our Wings

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A Place to Belong!

Have you ever felt that you truly belonged somewhere? That it was meant to be! Have you ever met someone that you felt so connected to that you knew without a shadow of a doubt God set up that chance meeting?

Well, I have been feeling this way for a while now having met so many amazing friends through Young Living, but this picture speaks a thousand words to me! If you zoom in on it, you will recognize it is ‘so me’! A woman that just wants to be happy, have fun, and follow God’s path for the rest of her life!

God led me to the woman on the other side of this camera and she made me feel so proud when she said she chose me to be her subject for narrative project she was working on in her photojournalism class! Her instructor said she had to choose someone she didn’t really know, but wanted to get to know. Wow! I was blown away, but she, like alot of you wanted to hear my story! Sharing my story and helping others is all I dream of.

I can honestly say ‘my story’ and transformation started at Lifepoint Church. From the day me and my best friend walked in the doors of this church we both felt at home and truy still feel like we belong here! I know God has big plans for me and this Church will play a role in it and I can’t wait to live out the rest of the story!

Thank you Heidi Marie Bell for your interest in me, and for the friendship we have created. Big things are in store for us!! God did not bring us together just for this project. He has a reason and a plan and together we are going places!

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” ~ Jeremiah 29:11

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Turn Your HAVE to Into I GET To!

Instead of dreading the things you have to do, start thinking of all the things you get to do! This morning we got to get up an hour early to start our day and start sharing the love of God. We get to start following His lead on this new day He blessed us with. We get to decide on whether to reflect our attitudes positively or negatively. We get to share random acts of kindness. We get to inspire others by sharing our stories. We get to help bring people closer to God Grace. We get to change our reactions to situations that bring us down. We get to change our mindsets to always look for the positive in all circumstances. We get to live the life God created for us. We get to be the person God created us to be. Become that person and you will be amazed at how much more God blesses you with and you too can live a life of abundance which God has waiting for you!

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When I Come Home to Heaven

Cross

Whenever you are scared or fearing death, remember this!!! I was struggling with the thought of living alone and getting sick. It’s an anxiety I’ve had to deal with since my heart attack in 2016, but the day we settled on the sale of our home I went to the Christian Book Store and God led me to this beautiful reminder! No more fear because I know He is always with me and will get me through to the other side, no matter what!

Whether it is the other side of the mountain I must climb; an illness I must beat; a decision I have to make; or simply a circumstance; opportunity; or lesson I must learn, I know I will be smarter and loved unconditionally until I meet my maker face to face!

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Life Is Short

Life is so short. My Mom says all the time that the older you get, the faster the time seems to go. That is so true. I realize now just how precious our short time here on this Earth truly is. I’ve watched loved ones take their last breaths and think wow they lived a long life. Some did, but some were taken way too soon! Some you can rest easy in knowing they were saved from their pain and suffering, and others we have to constantly remind ourselves and know within our hearts and soul that God took them because He had to save them from their future suffering. A suffering we may have known nothing about, and that’s where our faith has to be strong in knowing that God always has a plan.

The thing we have to remember at all times though, and something that my son recenty reminded me of, is that as long as we have God, we have all that we need. I know this and I’ve preached this, but we are all human. We all have fears that we face; struggles that we have to overcome; mountains that we must climb, but we are not put in these trials for no reason. God gives us these challenges to make us stronger. We will always come out on the other side a little stronger, maybe even more confident, and realizing just how amazing our God truly is. At times, the picture is so clear and sometimes it takes us longer to see all the puzzle pieces come together before we realize God’s plan and sometimes we never will know. Those times, again, it is our faith we have to rely on knowing that God is in control.

There are often many times when we need to be reminded that God is always with us; God is for us, and nothing can keep God from loving us! So live today to the fullest. Live every day like there is no tomorrow. Live without regrets. When you are struggling though, take it one day at a time. Feel good about the decisions you make, after all, you made it with God. He didn’t bring you this far to let you down.

If you have a mission or God-given dream you feel you need to accomplish, I urge you to follow your passion and make a difference! Life is so short and the time is now. So pray BIG, ask for big things to happen, ask for His guidance and He will lead you. Feel good knowing that you are on the road to all that God has in store for you. A life of abundance!

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The Hidden Value in Imperfection

It’s morning like this that I am amazed at how God works. He communicates with me mostly during my quiet time with Him. He puts thoughts into my head that typically I would not even consider or think about. That’s how I know it must be the spirit directing my path for the day. So, here I sit sharing with you because I know without a doubt one or more of you need to hear this message. That’s how God works! He has a plan and He works it down to every last minute detail.

This Christmas I received a coffee mug and travel mug gift set for Christmas from the Rae Dunn Artisan Collection. When I first removed them from the packaging, I thought they were imperfect, but I didn’t want to say anything. I felt bad that the gifter was ripped off, and that made me feel really bad. Though I couldn’t say anything because I didn’t want her to feel bad. I fell in love with them anyway. I started using them everyday and I realized that the imperfections were actually perfect! They made holding the cups more comfortable and allowed for a better grip! I thought that was something unique in its own way. It wasn’t long that I looked them up on Amazon and learned that this collection was all imperfect for a reason and all I could do was smile and think to myself, ‘I can be so clueless at times.’ I didn’t think much more about it until this morning.

During my quiet time with God, I was drinking from this Rae Dunn mug and I thought to myself again that the imperfection found in this mug was quite unique. That’s when God threw out another thought, and that was, ‘just as humans can be unique and imperfect, they too can provide value!’ I sat there thinking about that comparison and realized that message was something He wanted me to share for one reason or another.

Think about that for a moment and ask yourself, who do you know that seems imperfect on the outside to the point where you may have treated them differently at times? Then, think about all of the good they have done despite their imperfections. The unconditional love they may have shown or given you. The way you feel when you look at their precious face. That is a value that only they can provide and that is their gift from God! Remember all of those good attributes and the value they give you the next time you get frustrated with their imperfections. There is a laundry list of imperfections that we all deal with. We are all human. The important thing to remember is that we all God’s children and we are all loved unconditionally. We need to learn to love each other as God loves each of us!

I’m not sure who this message was meant for today, shoot maybe just me! If that is the case, I am good with it. I have learned though that when I receive a message or task from God, I need to act on it. He is a persistent God and He won’t give up on us and His plan for us! God is leading you for a reason. He has chosen you to be the light to shine on others!

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord in not in vain.” ~ 1 Corinthians 15:58

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Looking Back

Several people have been doing the picture challenge, and as I was looking back at some pictures, I realized something. Do you ever look back at a picture and remember exactly how you were feeling at the time? Sometimes smiles on the outside really don’t match the reality of what was going on inside.

I was a little overwhelmed with emotions while I was looking back at this first picture taken 11 days after my heart attack in April 2016. How tired, weak, scared, and anxious I was still feeling knowing that I was on the mend. I thought I was stressed before the heart attack, but afterwards was much worse! I suffered with separation anxiety at that point and every little twinge, extra heart beat, or rise in blood pressure only made it worse.

Now, I look at the love in my mother’s eyes and the care and attention I received from her, my husband, children, family and friends and realize just how blessed I am! It was their love that got me through the worse days of my life! But, it was God who I owe all the Glory, because of His love for me, I was given a second chance. I look at the second picture from this Christmas and realize just how much He has changed me, and how much more he has given me. Change is difficult, but we all go through storms in our lives and its during those storms that we grow into the people God created us to be.

One of the biggest contributors to my growth besides God is the fact that when I was ready to get back to working again, He brought Young Living into my life. He restored my spirit, and gave me a strong desire to help other people learn about stress, anxiety, and depression. That was always my dream after my mom’s miracle back in 1980, but now He gave me my own story!

Young Living helped me deal with my own stress and anxiety issues. The first day I received my Premium Starter Kit, I began diffusing Lavendar, rolling Stress Away all over my wrists, behind my neck and ears, and rolling Frankincense up my spine for overall wellness (so powerful you need to research). I even started using the Lemon in my water to help with detoxing, and Thieves Vitality to help boost my immune system. Eventually, I started reaching out to others oils outside of the kit and truly fell in love with all of their products. Having gone through my recovery, I still always lean towards the ‘Feelings Kit’ because they support our emotions and spiritual grounding.

I’ve come a long way and I couldn’t be happier. I now know my trigger points, and what to do to cope with my stressors and I owe it all to God, Young Living, and the love of family and friends! You may have missed the Kit Sale, but I will always be here when you are ready to help yourself! Becoming a member of Young Living changed my life for only $160! And now, I have my own business, I’m healthier, happier, and removed all the toxins from my life. Not to mention, I have so many new amazing friends and a growing community!

So reach out when you are ready to join me on this journey and amazing community with tons of education and support!

www.believeinessentials.com My Member ID# 10708872 and please make sure you select Wholesale Membership so you receive the 24% Discount!

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Live in the Present Moment

We all want things we can’t have. It’s normal to daydream and wish our lives away, but when we concentrate on the things we don’t have, we waste our time, energy, and spirit. Think about it, when it’s cold, we wish it were warmer. When it’s hot out, we wish it were Fall. It’s how our mind works. It’s like we are never satisfied. What we need to do is train our minds to be grateful for where we are in the present moment. Otherwise, we will always want more and not be happy with all the beautiful things we do have.

Instead, thank God for the gifts He has given us each day and trust that even more good things are on their way! God gave us the Holy Spirit who is with us always. Ask Him to control your thoughts with thanks and praise and you will learn to be happy always and find the positive in everything.

“Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.” ~ Romans 8: 5-6

When you find yourself complaining or wishing your life away, instead turn to God and ask him to help you find Grace with where you are; with what you are dealing with; and trust that He is. Be grateful for the blessings He has given you and believe that so much more is coming your way. This will give you something to look forward to, be positive about, and all of a sudden the Spirit comes alive in you and you have peace!

Live in the Present Time!

www.believeinessentials.com

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Learn to Look For the Signs

When you love someone enough to let them go in peace, it can be very hard to make such a decision. Whether that someone is a person you loved dearly, or man’s best friend who has been by your side through thick and thin for 14 years, making the decision to let them go because you know it is for their best is one of the hardest things you can do. This year I have had to make both of these decisions and both were extremely hard!

Just the other day, my son and I had to make the decision to put down our best dog ever! This poor dog was given away by someone walking through the Mall offering this adorable little puppy a free home. My son’s friend took the dog and kept her for a few days while he was in college until he realized he couldn’t possibly care for this dog in a dorm. That’s when my son decided to bring her home, and at 2am in the morning, dropped this adorable little puppy on my bed and said, “look what I brought home”.

Who knows where she would have wound up had God not had a plan to bring her into our life. She gave us all so much love and joy. She was always there by my side and it didn’t matter how many times I went up and down the steps, she was right there! When I moved into my own townhome recently, I went back to get her for a visit and decided I was going to keep her with me so that she could have some peace in her old age until it was her time. Just three weeks ago, the vet thought she would have another two years. And that’s when we both started to Rally and were so happy together. We started taking walks and enjoying each other’s company even so much more until her Rally was up. What a difference a day made to her tired old body!

Deciding to let her go was very painful, but you don’t want to see them suffer. Thanking God that we have the ability to put our animals out of their pain and suffering and wishing we could do the same for those we love who are suffering in their last days. It only seems fair, but I will stop at that because I could go on and on.

What I really want to share with you though is just how amazing it is when you have God in your life and have a relationship with Him that you are continually building on. It’s like the closer you become to God, the more He does for you. The more you recognize His presence. The more you recognize Signs from God. You learn more all the time how to be still and listen for His soft voice. You feel His presence and you just know that all is going to be ok because you have Faith in Him and through His Holy Spirit that He will guide us on the path that is right. Faith that should we stray the wrong way, He will still work it out for the betterment of all.

Then one day you sit back and you are able to see the puzzle pieces come together and just how God worked it out even when you thought it was supposed to happen another way at the time. Even though we may fight for what we want, if it is not God’s plan, it will not happen! God has perfect timing and the death of my beloved Dixie was a perfect timing as well. And as I sit and look at this picture my son just posted on Facebook, it is clear as day to me that God is with Dixie and she is happy once again and is still with us. The sun shining down through the trees with the Cross so bright, and then the orb in the bottom of the picture is where I can see Dixie’s eye is several different phases.

You may not be able to see what I see, but it is these signs that we all receive and see differently. We just have to be open to seeing them. God’s Signs are everywhere. I find them in the clouds, the sun, the wind, the rain, and I’m always looking for crosses and hearts everywhere. Today, it was this picture!

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Settled In & Happy!

WOW! I’ll be glad to say goodbye to 2018 in a few short weeks, but I’m excited to share that I am now in my own place and received today a good bill of health from my cardiologist! While it has been a rollercoaster ride, I am finally off the ride. I am now on a journey with God following His plan and living with less stress and better than ever health and much happiness!

It’s a good feeling when just two short weeks ago I felt like I was slapped in the face with some reality that truly set me back. The doctor confirmed what I was experiencing then was an ‘event’, but now that a little time has passed, I am no longer in jeopardy. He also said I look better than I ever looked. Though, he also said that my heart does not tolerate stress very well at all anymore. So it is important, more than ever knowing that I could experience another episode of broken heart syndrome from stress, that I remove all the stress from my life that I can.

So here’s some things I will be doing in the New Year and encourage you to do the same, because stress is not worth getting sick over, or dying over! Take control of your own health and wellness. Change what you can change! That includes your reactions to those stressful situations! I started reading my own book, “Break Down Your Walls!” and am taking my own advice about everything I learned over two years ago so that it is fresh in my mind again. You can get it on Amazon!

Read “Break Down Your Walls”
Start Your Day With God
- Pray
- Read Devotionals & His Word In the Bible
- Journal
Use Young Living Essential Oils (believeinessentials.com)
- For Overall Health, Emotional Support, and Spiritual Support
Meditate
Excerise – I love to take walks with God!
Spend Quality Time with Friends and Family
Join A Support Group and/or Church Group
Listen to Your Heart and Do What Makes You Happy!
Do Not Compare Yourself to Others
Do Not Judge Anyone – Everyone Has a Story
Be Kind to a Stranger – Pay It Forward – Give to Give; Not Receive!

Enjoy the journey you are on, and I wish you less stress in 2019!!!

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Break Down Your Walls!

This is an understatement for me and when I saw this post I knew immediately I needed to elaborate a little on why!

God never said life wasn’t going to be hard, but He did say He would always be there for us and He would get us through. My relationship with God these past two years has grown tremendously, especially after my heart attack in 2016. He has given me so many signs over the years, but these last two years His prescense has been more and more visible to me through His Signs. I now know that with Him, I can get through anything.

Change has to come from us though, because we can’t change anyone else. We can only change our reactions. We have to learn what our limits are; our priorities; and, what we are willing to endure. Change is not easy and I think everyone would agree on that! With change there are lots of emotional battles fighting the change, which can lead to depression and living through some of the toughest decisions you will ever have to make or are forced to live through. Again, God never said life would be easy.

I can say though, that God has brought me this far, and God will get me through. He has shown me so many signs, left me so many messages that I feeled totally blessed to have been able to recognize. Again, this morning He took me back to my very own book, “Break Down Your Walls: Be the Person God Created You to Be…Be a Better You!”, and it was my very own words that got me through my morning prayers and reconfirmed His Will for me and lightened my soul knowing that I am taking the right path….His path for what I need right now.

This journey so far, for sure, has been eye-opening and the signs I have received …. absolutely unforgettable!!!