Sensing your senses

Day 9

Good morning!! As important as it is to watch what you say it is also good that you are aware of how you are using your other senses. Two of them in particular we want to focus on today are your eyes and your ears. 

What you see and hear can easily become something that either causes you to sin, create a negative mindset or simply becoming numb to it where you have no emotion. An example might be that you watch so many fighting videos that as you are watching someone get beat up you have no emotion to stop it. And with that same scenario another outcome could be that you yourself begin to feel that the answer is fighting, and that there is nothing wrong with fighting.

If you hear someone say something enough times there is a high chance that you will replay it in your mind and that could cause you to believe the negative things they say or to become negative yourself. Matt 5:28 says “anyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery” which is an example of how powerful your eyes can connect to your thoughts and actions.  

 Sense Your Senses

What are you watching or listening to that causes you to slip back negatively? Maybe it's the people you’re around, things you watch, music you listen to, whatever it may be that prompts negativity. Spend today reflecting on these things and become more intentional about what you take in. Remember it's your gift. Praying for you all! Have a blessed, positive day!! -Monica

Don't stress, Rest.

DAY 2

Good morning! How many times do we tend to use "stress" as an excuse to be negative? This can easily occur especially in the fast pace, high demand society we live in. Today I want to bring attention to the impact of stress on us. The dictionary defines stress as “a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances.” The main thing I want to point out is that it is the “mental”, that means we have control over how we respond in our mental space. How can we create a positive mental space if we are viewing stress as a barrier/excuse? I encourage you to rest your stress upon the Lord. You aren’t and never have been in control of certain stressors, so why not release the mental/emotional strain. How much more effective can you be today if you put that stress to rest. The Lord tells all of us whoever is weary and burdened to come to Him and he will give us rest (Matt 11:28-30). Also read John 14:27 & James 1:2-4. 

Today I encourage you not to stress but to REST. Have a blessed, Positive day!! - Monica

Ready, Set, Reset.

DAY 1

On your marks, get set and reset:

Good morning! Today we begin our journey of 21 days of positive thoughts, words and actions. I know some of you desire this reset but doubt that you can become more positive but let's eliminate even that thought out of our minds. You may consistently deal with doubt and that itself is negative. How do we face doubt? Faith. Even the smallest bit of faith can move mountains (Matt 17:20). I know that your willingness to try this is an action with faith and know that God can change these habits. Let’s remove focus on the things we have done last week, yesterday or even 5 minutes ago. Every conscious effort you make towards being more positive is more important than the past. This is a reset. Let us renew our minds and allow the transformation to begin.
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 - Monica

Sweet Lips.

What we continually speak will eventually manifest itself into our lives. This happens because the things we speak whether good or bad, right or wrong, negative or positive we will begin to believe and receive. These words are like seeds that will settle within our hearts and eventually grow into large trees (be it healthy or unhealthy). 

It's extremely important for us to be conscious of the things we give voice to.  Have you ever heard the old adage "If  you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all"? That concept was right on point. Don't allow your words to create a prison for you by saying things like, "I'll never lose weight", "I'll never get a better job", "Nothing good ever happens to me", I'll never get pregnant (married couples)", "I'll never get married", "No one ever supports me", "I always get the short end of the stick", "I'm not smart enough", "I'm not pretty", "Everyone says I'm not good enough", "They said I'd never do anything with my life...", "I'll always be broke", "I'll never get out of debt", "I can't keep friends", "I'm always struggling"... and on and on and on... You get the picture. NEGATIVE WORDS are seeds of weeds. When we speak them they choke the life out of us, and if we continue to speak negative things over our lives, we will begin to own them, even if we don't want to. 

Practice sweet lips, speaking sweet positive things only, things that will edify your spirit. It will be difficult to get yourself out of the habit of complaining and putting yourself down; but it's not impossible. If you want to change the quality of your life you must begin with changing your words. Take the challenge! For the next week speak positive affirmations about yourself, write them down and post them where you can see them daily. When you're tempted to say something negative, replace it with a positive affirmation. Colossians 4:6 says, "Let your speech be seasoned with grace...", do just that. Season your speech with grace.

Here is a quote I read a few days ago:

"Your words have creative power. With your words, you can either bless your future or curse your future. If you want to know what your life is going to be like five years from now, just listen to what you’re saying about yourself today." - Joel Osteen

Think about it. 

Speak life, sweet lips.

God's Goodness

He Uses Our Difficulties
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
(2 Corinthians 12:10, NIV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
We all face difficult situations. Somebody isn’t treating you right; your business is not growing as fast as you had hoped, or maybe you’re single and still haven’t met anyone. It’s easy to get frustrated and anxious on the inside. You don’t understand why it’s taking so long or why things haven’t changed. But here’s a key: just because it’s an uncomfortable place doesn’t mean it’s not where you’re supposed to be. God uses difficulties to do a work in us. We grow in the tough times. That’s when our character is being developed. God will not allow a difficulty unless He has a divine purpose for it. If we’re going to reach our highest potential, we have to make up our mind, “I’m not going to live frustrated because I am uncomfortable. I’m not going to be upset because things are not happening on my timetable. I’m not going to fight against everything that I don’t like.” Instead, believe that God is doing a work in you. Believe that He has the best for you. And see yourself moving forward in the victory He has prepared for you.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, today I give You my questions, frustrations, concerns and doubts. Have Your way in me. I trust that You are at work in every difficult situation in my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Joel & Victoria Osteen

Delay is not Denial.

If God has made you a promise, believe it, it WILL come to pass! Delay does not mean denial! A prayer not answered yet, is not a denied prayer. God's promises are always fulfilled on time. Continue to have faith and trust in His word.

Be Encouraged :)

Can you say epic?!

What an exciting day today is! Our 44th President of the United States is publicly being sworn in and it's the federal holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.!!!

I am grateful for this day! It is momentous, a day that I will indeed relish in and share with my children and grandchildren!

Because of his audacious tenacity we are here overcoming. Aspire to continue his legacy.

 Thank you Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

#Unity #Gratefulness #Hope #Peace #Love #TrustGod #America #Determination #GodsGrace

 

(Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial In Washington, D.C.)

Happy New Year!

 

Happy New Year! I'm super excited about the things that will transpire this year; those known and unknown! ;) As many do during this time, I've taken introspection and made the decision to change a few things in my life, to ensure that I am living every moment this year to the fullest!

If you haven't done this I encourage you to do so. Take time to focus on what you could have done better, or maybe what you could have accomplished if not for procrastination. Then set goals and take the steps, and get "it" done this year! SIMPLE.

I pray that you will have a successful year filled with your dreams and passions manifesting right before your eyes. Be encouraged and stay focused. The BEST IS YET TO COME!!

Helpful tips

1. Think about your life and what about it you would like to be different. Be specific about what you want to change.

2. Write down exactly what you want to achieve. List short term goals and long term goals. (Again be very specific)

3. Record  your goals in positive terms. Instead of  saying " I want to stop sleeping in" try "My goal is to get up at 6am each morning."

4. Set realistic and achievable goals. Setting unrealistic goals will only discourage you and make you feel disappointed in yourself.

Be real with yourself. Consider your life, the time you have available, your financial situation and any other obligations or commitments that you have. Balance is key.  Don't compare yourself to others! Ex. If you have children, your goals and what you can accomplish will be different than that of your friend without children. 

The more realistic your goals are the more control you will have in achieving them!

Work it out!

Good morning Journey Mates!!

Happy Thursday! I had a late start this morning and was unable to head to the gym... (insert sad face).
However, I found a some great workouts from Pop Sugar to do at home! NO excuses!!!

Ain't nothing to it, but to do it! Enjoy! XO


Core Workout Blast The Belly Fat with Jeanette Jenkins Tone your Arms Resistance Band Workout for anywhere

Morning Goodness: Trust God's Timing

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I choose to trust in Your timing. I trust that You have my best in mind. I believe that You are working behind the scenes on my behalf. Thank You for ordering my steps and leading me in the life of blessing You have in store for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen

In life it's very easy for us to become discouraged and loose heart because of the things going on around us or happening to us. I myself have also faced these types of challenges and have felt discouraged and overwhelmed. But I have found that putting my trust in the Lord gives me peace. When I don't understand and can't seem to make any of the pieces fit into the puzzle, I've learned to give the "puzzle" to Him. He knows what to do with it and he is the only one who has the answers I seek. We stress ourselves when we continually try to control and manage things, people and situations that were never intended for us to control. Release all of your cares to Him.

1 Peter 5:7 (NIV) Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

Trust His timing. Trust Him.

Have a wonderland morning. XO

It's our 3 year anniversary!

Hello Journey mates !

I'm so excited! Today is our 3 year anniversary!!! I love blogging! In fact after I watched the movie "Julie Julia", I gained the courage to start this blog on Wordpress. Later in the year, I found a designer and I shared what my heart’s desire was for the outlay and voila! Change Made Simple was born at Blogger.com! I enjoy encouraging people and it is my desire that every person that visits this blog will read something meaningful, something that they'll be able to carry with them on their journey into becoming the person that God intended for them to be!

 In honor of our 3 year anniversary, I'm giving away 3 of my favorite things (new for you of course!)!!  

What's the catch? Just answer a few questions... (Submit your answers in the comment section and please include your email address)

 My first blog entry was 8/17/2009... Tell me what I was struggling with doing that morning, who motivated me on television, and what song was playing in the car on the radio... That's it! 

Favorite Thing #1 - A business card holder (It's actually a coin purse, but works way better as a business card holder) I carry this every day, it's chic, stylish, functional and it's pink (my favorite color)!

Favorite Thing #2 - A Starbucks gift card! My mom gave me a loaded gift card at the beginning of the summer! Let's just say it was God sent! (My favorite drink to purchase is a green tea frappuccino!)

Favorite Thing #3 - Nail polish of course! Confession: I carry a spare bottle in my bag just in case a chip occurs during the day and I need to touch it up! I recently discovered a new brand "Nicka" it dries quickly, and it doesn't contain formaldehyde and tourmaline. (You're getting my favorite color Plumeria (I have been wearing this color all summer and will likely rock it in the fall!, along with a mystery color, and bottle of calcium gel which I use as a base coat!) That's 3 bottles!!! 

Good Luck & Thanks for taking this journey with me! 

 

Thanks for your entries!

be thoughtful.

Watch your thoughts for they become words. Watch your words for they become actions. Watch your actions for they become habits. Watch your habits for they become your character. And watch your character for it becomes your destiny. What we think, we become.

You hold the key, what will you unlock today?

Reset.

            

Happy Monday Journey Mates,

It's rainy in my neck of the woods, nevertheless it's a great day. April showers bring May flowers! Choose positive thoughts today, and don't allow anyone, anything or situation to steal your inner joy and peace. 

We are not products of our environment.

Elemental meaning: Just because chaos is around you, doesn't mean that you have to be chaotic or allow the chaos to set the course for the rest of your day.

Monday's Wisdom: Purposely change your thoughts & habits, and you will inevitably change your life.