Smile

Day 18

Smiling in spite of

Good morning!! I hope that you have been remembering your random and intentional acts of kindness. Spread the positivity even if you are struggling yourself, it will make you feel better. One way we can spread positivity is to smile. Though it may seem small we do not know how it may impact someone's day or even encourage them to smile. Even when you are not having the best of days there is so much power in your ability to smile. It is the “in spite of” choice. In spite of my day I will choose to smile, I will choose to be positive. In spite of my circumstance I will choose to be intentional about how I treat others. 

Smile

There is an anonymous quote that says "your smile is a gift to the world". You may not be able to gift the world with materialistic things but you have the impact and ability to smile as a gift. Some people accept the fact that they "look mean" to others even if they are nice and just expect people to go out their way and approach them (which may happen sometimes) but it's not okay. 

Start being intentional about smiling just because with people you know and people you encounter, as well as saying good morning, etc. Don't get comfortable in not radiating your positivity to others. Fun research fact they've found smiling helps with certain health benefits including lowering blood pressure, improves mood, relieves stress, strengthens your immune system, lessens pain and simply smiling is contagious. 

I encourage you today to begin practicing improving the frequency of your smile! Have a fantastic day smile filled day!!! - Monica

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

Speak Life

Day 8

Good morning!! We are starting our second week of positivity, I hope you are getting in the swing of things, and I encourage those who haven’t done the forgiveness challenge to give it a try. We are focusing on positive thoughts, WORDS and actions so let’s look at the tongue. The tongue is such a tricky thing that can easily take us out of our positive mindset or can cause negative actions.(Read James 3:1-12)

Take a pause and tame your tongue

The same small tongue that we use to say how great God is, can be the same little thing we use to curse those around us. Reflect. What kind of words come out of your mouth? Are you uplifting or are you tearing down? Are you speaking things that you would be embarrassed if the person you are speaking about found out? Are you speaking things that you would be embarrassed if children repeated? Are you keeping a positive mind but a negative mouth? Is profanity a regular thing for you? “Don’t use foul or abusive language” Eph. 4:29. A lot to reflect and all of this can be difficult to control. However a great question to ask is, do you pause before you speak? I know personally this has been one of the difficult things to change over the years however over prayer and time, it is possible to improve. 

Today I encourage you to start being more aware of the words you are speak. Take a pause and tame your tongue. Have a blessed positive day! -Monica

Loved to Love.

Good morning!!! This has been heavy on my heart to share this morning. Our positivity truly expands with understanding that we are loved. Not temporarily, not superficially, but unconditionally loved. Many people know the Bible verse John 3:16, “For God so loved the world…” however do you live by that knowledge that you are loved?

LOVED
DAY 5

When we truly grasp this concept that we are loved by God we do not hold mere humans to such a high standard to love us. This knowledge should push you to love others even more than you are worried about how they love you. I know this sounds complex to some and I want you to read 1 John 4:16-21 in depth. In verse 19, it tells us that “we love each other because He (God) loved us first.” What it does not say is only love your friends, family or select few, it tells us love each other. This may be hard as we know people do things at times that honestly make them EXTREMELY hard to love. Let’s remember that we don’t choose not love them, we just choose to not like their behaviors. You can love someone or show love to someone without approving their behaviors, choices or attitudes. Think about it, God still shows us love despite our sinful nature and although he does not approve of our behaviors, He still loves us. A parent loves their child even if they do not approve of their disobedience, but they still manage to love them. This proves we have the ability to love those even if we do not like their behaviors. So let’s begin to think about how we are or are not showing love to those around us and how we can show love more on purpose. Today let’s choose love! I know this can be tough, BUT GOD. If anyone needs additional prayer or encouragement on this please feel free to reach out via the email icon at the bottom of this post. Sending much love your way!!! God bless. - 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

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.

affirmation

Peace is mine on today!

I refuse to allow anyone to alter my mood. I am in control of my emotions!