Permanent Change

Day 21

Good morning!!! Wow, I can't believe it's already the last day of the fast! Research indicates that it takes 21 days to BEGIN to form or break a habit. 

This fast was only a starter. What are we to do now? 

From some conversations had with many of you, there are people who have been greatly impacted, changed and evoked increased awareness. I recommend you continue to work on ways to make those changes permanent. Sometimes it takes more than 21 days to create or break a habit and that's OKAY. Take the time and re-read the messages and do another 21 days, do 40 days or whatever works for you. 

In the past people have even re-done the fast with a group of people during the year. Do whatever it takes for this to have even the smallest lasting change. The bible says, “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the old skins would burst from the pressure, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine is stored in new wineskins so that both are preserved.” (Matt 9:17). If you have changed and made progress you can't go back to the ways of the past. Now you know better, do better. It will simply be worse to go readopt those negative habits. So take whatever new positive habit you've formed and place it into your new life (new wine skin). 

If this was your first encounter with the Lord I encourage you to get to know more about Him. I'd love to pray for or with you. If you know the Lord I encourage you to continue doing things to assist you to grow in your walk. If you don't have it already, the bible app has (http://www.bible.com/app) great devotionals with daily reminders and verses to keep you growing. This has been such a blessing to fast with you all. I am always open to praying and sharing an encouraging word so don't hesitate if you need to reach out after the fast is over. Thank you for being a part of this fast!! Have a wonderful positive day!! -Monica B. 

#POSITIVITY

Wisdom

Day 20

Positive Surroundings 

Good morning!! It was so awesome to hear people sharing gratitude with others and even personally receiving messages and phone calls of expressing the gratitude challenge. I know many people have busy lives, but I encourage you to live out the challenges of positivity that were presented this week. Now that we are winding down the positivity fast an important factor of maintenance arises. In this process we have to begin to realize who we are to be surrounded by and what things we should allow in our presence in order to move in a more positive direction in life. 

If you haven't done so yet begin to pray that God changes your surroundings and makes you more aware of the things that pull you away from being positive. This could be certain friends, certain music, and certain things you watch on television or even certain places you go. In order to become more positive it is also important to know you are not meant to do it alone. The bible tells us in Proverbs 27:17 that "iron sharpens iron". Some of you have been taking this journey to positivity already with friends or family which is great. Let people you are around know your goals to live more positively so that when they see you slipping they can remind you of who you are striving to be. 

Throughout this fast I have found it to be wonderful in times when things go wrong to have those friends around to remind me that I need to look at or say something more positively. You see, society often encourages us to remain isolated and minimize relationships, or not make new friends, but God wants us in community so that we can hold accountability to each other. This principle goes for far more than positivity but in life (marriage, celibacy, completing school, breaking addiction, etc) we are not meant to do it alone. 

Today I encourage you to start evaluating who is holding you accountable and what surroundings you are in. If you do not have people doing so begin to open up to those around you. If you don't have any positive people around you, I can help connect you to some or help you pray for it. I've heard many great testimonies of people who've asked God for new genuine people in their lives and have received that and much more. Don’t walk this path alone. I hope you all have a wonderful blessed day!! - Monica 

I want it.

Good morning!! Today I want us to focus on wanting what others have. The last commandment tells us “You must not covet (yearn to possess) your neighbor's house…” Exodus 20:17. Let’s take a moment to reflect on it. How many things have you simply wanted because someone else had it, and it caused you to respond negatively if you were unable to obtain it? This can come easy in a society where advertising is the norm. I mean think about what most ads do, they set you up to see something and make it look appealing to the point that you feel you need it and have to have it or you will feel unsatisfied. How this applies to our day to day is it causes us to not notice how we tend to want what others have. 

              DAY 3

This could relate to wanting the life we “think” someone has, the job that someone has, marriage, baby, (the list goes on…). This leads to negativity because you are not content where God has you and discontentment can cause conflict, depression or even asking/praying to God “why not me”. The more you focus on those things that you do not have the less you can open your heart to appreciate the season you are in and what you do have. Even further do you really want the truth of what the person experienced to get there? Your story is not meant to be anyone else's. I challenge you when you begin to feel that urge to yearn for what someone else has ask yourself, “Why do I want it?”. So let's shift to a positive mindset and begin being GENUINELY happy for those in season of success or breakthrough and being content in our own season as we are being perfected. I mean no one could do a better job at being YOU. Have a positive, content day!!! -Monica

21 days of positivity

Hello loves! Just in case you're wondering, yes - I'm still over here celebrating #Summer16, and yes in September because summer isn't officially over until September 22nd!

This summer has been wonderful thus far ( I am eager to share my #Summer16 recap with you next month). Although summer has been amazing, it seems as though September has snuck up on me and bit me on the ankles! Aggghhh, autumn is literally around the corner, and with that revelation, I've been thinking about goals and the last quarter of the year. In mulling these things over mentally, it's easy to get a little discouraged because we haven't accomplished everything on our infamous "to do" lists, and if you're like me that reality can began to take a toll on you mentally, feelings of defeat, despair, and discouragement, if not checked will grow into ugly monsters. Well, don't fret! I've got just the thing to help us get back on track for this last quarter of the year.

Meet Monica, she is the host of the annual mobile 21 Day Positivity Fast. This year, we will participate in the fast on the blog for the next 21 days, I hope you will take part as well! 21 days of positivity to assist us with finishing 2016 strong. Please share with a friend! Be blessed!

21 Days of Positivity

Hello, I'm Monica! If you were to ever meet me in person, you'd likely find a smile on my face - I am a 29 year old Christian (bible believing, Jesus loving, transparent, people loving, down to earth, giving and caring type Christian). 

In 2010, I was forced to do some introspection; after going through a rough summer, and being around so much negativity. I knew that I could not live like this anymore, and needed a change. I am known by many for my infectious smile and my positive attitude, however my reality during that time was that my thoughts, actions and words weren't so positive, and my smile wasn't very infectious. As I prayed about everything that was happening, God placed it on my heart to fast from all of the negativity and focus on the positive things in my life (Philippians  4:8). 

I asked a few friends to join me on my fast and thus the beginning of the 21 Days of being intentional about positive thoughts, words and actions began. 

Some may ask "Why 21 days?", because it generally takes 21 days to start or break a habit. This 21 day fast allows myself and those who participate a chance to purposefully think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of a good report. Choosing to think positive is not an easy task, especially in today's day and age, however through Christ it is possible (Philippians 4:13 I [we] can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me [us].)

Now in our 6th year, we have had over 100 people participate in the 21 Day Positivity Fast. This fast is so meaningful to me because every year I experience significant change in my life and thoughts. I am committed to this journey, and want everyone who participates to experience the same growth and victory that I have experienced. During the fast I wake up each morning and seek the Lord, each message is written on the morning that it is sent, and is a culmination of what God places on my heart.

I am also blessed daily with fresh perspective, and I love hearing how the daily message was significant in speaking to different people in many ways. My desire is to spread positive outlooks to all, so that we can share a more positive, enriching life experience in this world. I pray that the fast is a blessing to you this year! 

Each one, reach one (or two or 3),

Monica