Happy Monday Folks! Ready to kick it into high gear this week? I've got some hard hitting thoughts for you this morning, but stick with me. I heard a really great podcast by Joyce Meyer yesterday which got me fired up thinking about a few things. (Living Like a Superhero-Part 1) In this audio she mentions the fact that there is a big difference between people who just don't know what to do and people who know what they should do and still choose not to do it. She also makes the point that being passive and lazy is giving our authority over our life to the devil. Ouch. I don't know about you, but when I heard that I could think of a few things that I have been neglecting doing that I needed to get a move on.
I believe that each of us are made with a great destiny or purpose in life. Now, if you don't know what your purpose is, you aren't off the hook. Your mission until you discover God's specific purpose for you should be to grow yourself through learning, reading, listening, and getting around mentors who can help you become more of the person you were meant to be. Your goal is to become the best version of you and help as many people as you can along the way. And, if you do know what your purpose is but you aren't taking action towards it, don't wait another day. Maybe your dream seems too big, too expensive, too far away. Well, I've got news for you. If God gave you a dream, He also gave you everything you need to accomplish it. Let that sink in for a minute. The only thing holding you back is fear and doubt. It's time to break through that wall and get on your way to victory. You can choose to change yourself, or you can wait until adversity forces you to change, and I can promise you, it's a lot better if you choose the first option.
So, how do you break through that wall of fear and get on your way? Well, start with a plan. If you know you are supposed to open a restaurant, go back to school, start a non-profit, whatever it is, begin with making a plan. It might be a five year plan to get the finances together, or a one year plan to acquire the right licenses or certifications. Whatever you know you need, make a plan to accomplish it. And here's the thing. Things won't go exactly according to your plan. And that's ok. (My Way or the Highway) Just by making a plan, you are putting faith in your purpose, and this is your first step through the Wall of Fear, as Bruce Wilkinson puts it (The Dream Giver).
Ok, now that you've got a long term plan, it's time to plan your week, and write down specific actions you can take each day towards your goal. You may need to fill out one college application a day, call five potential investors this week, or read about your subject for half an hour each day. Whatever the action is that you need to take, plan it into your week and follow through! If you need some help with planning your week, check out, How to Have a Good Week.
Lastly, don't get discouraged. There will be days when you will fail. There will be weeks when you feel you aren't making progress. Everyone has moments like that. The important thing is to stay on track, keep your eyes focused on where you are going and not where you are, and keep pressing forward.
God has created you with a magnificent purpose for your life, and there are people out there whos lives depend on your success. One of my mentors likes to ask the questions, "Who loses if you don't win?" Never think for a second that you aren't part of a great plan. A.Z. Tozer says, "We can be in our day what the heroes of faith were in their day--but remember at the time they didn't know they were heroes." (As taken from Girls With Swords by Lisa Bevere)
You were made for awesome things. Don't let this week pass you by! I can't wait to see you succeed!
~K.W.
Monday, June 11, 2018
Sunday, June 10, 2018
My Way or the Highway
I recently saw a production of Wicked in which Galinda remarks, "Something's wrong." And when she is asked what, she replies, "I didn't get my way." Now, this makes for a humorous quip in the play, but I'd be willing to bet that most of us feel that way inside when things don't go as we planned. After all, if you worked hard enough to create a plan or even just laid out an outline in your head of how the day should go, it feels a bit unfair when things don't go according to plan. And many of us (myself included) resort to whining and griping and getting downright angry when our plans don't work out. But there's something we all need to keep in perspective. God has the Master Plan. He knows exactly what's going on, and He may be using that delay in traffic to keep you out of an accident down the road, or maybe that hiccup at work will push you to seek out an employee you've never talked to before who might become a new friend. I really do believe that everything happens for a reason, and if we will keep that in perspective, we will find changes to our plans a lot easier to deal with. We need to become adept at adjusting to changes in plans, and we need to make sure we keep our attitude up when changes do happen. Don't let changes to your day ruin your day.
Let me give you an example. I've told you before that I plan out my week in advance, down to the half hour; in fact, everything is laid out. But here's what inevitably happens each week, a friend calls and asks to get together, my child has a meltdown, one of my son's therapists needs to change the time they are coming, the dog gets loose and we have to spend half an hour chasing her. There are endless ways for the schedule to come unhinged in a week. So I have learned to get good at adapting, at taking the unforeseen change in stride and moving on. Here's how I do it:
1. I know which things have to be done.
Changes are a priority tester. We all have those things we know we need to be doing to move forward towards our goal. For me, I have three things that I feel God really wants me to focus in on this year: Read, Write, Clean. Now, you may think that's a pretty silly list, but those are my three "Non-negotiables." Those three things must get done every day. Why? Because if I neglect those three things than I am not moving closer to my purpose but farther. Then, there are obviously other responsibilities which I cannot just throw out the window.. my child, work, my husband, these things can't get put on the back burner. They need attention each day, and that has to be a priority too, so if a change happens and something needs to go, I can tell you which things it won't be.
2. I'm ok with things not being perfect.
I know this is a hard one for a lot of you. If you want to get good at adapting to changes in your schedule, you have to be ok with not doing things perfectly all the time. Here's an example. Yesterday I was planning to pick my son up at 4:30 so I could get him home, fed, and showered for church, which I thought was at 6:30. Halfway through the day I discovered that Saturday church actually starts at 6. (I usually go Sunday's, but I was adjusting for another event which popped up on Sunday.) I decided I would let my son get McDonalds on our drive to church, rather than cook dinner because this would enable us to get there on time still. Crisis averted, until I got to his dad's house that is. I pulled up to his dad's house at 4:30, ready to hit the road and book it back home to get my son ready for church, and there was no one there. So, I drove to the barn, and the other barn, and then back to the house. Still no one. I called, and texted, and still nothing. Fifteen minutes passed with no word. Now, in the past I would have gotten frustrated. I would have yelled and whined and made a big deal about the fact that they weren't there on time and that my plans were ruined. But, I've grown and learned better ways of dealing with things. So, when they arrived I didn't complain about them being late. I chatted with his dad about the day and some of the plans for later on this week, and then we headed on our way. On the way home I decided that since we couldn't possibly make it to church in time, I would put the live stream on the tv, make dinner at home, and we would eat dinner in the living room and watch the church service. Do we normally eat dinner in the livingroom? Nope. Do we usually watch church on our tv? No. And do we ever eat dinner and have church at the same time? Um, no. But we did. And you know what? It turned out just fine. And actually, my son got to hear the sermon since he couldn't attend children's church from our living room, and the notes he took from the service made my heart melt. He was learning and processing information that I'm not sure he ever has before.
Now, here's the other key to successfully navigating unexpected changes to your schedule. Keep a good attitude. I cannot stress how important this is. Having a negative, ungrateful attitude can ruin what God is trying to do in and through you with that change. Stay positive, be flexible, and find a way to be thankful for life's little twists, and I promise you, you will gain from each agenda change rather than being miserable and frustrated about them.
No matter what your plans are for the day or week, know that God has a greater plan and purpose than what we can see. Stay open to His plan, keep focused on what's important, and keep a good attitude. With those things in mind, you can handle any surprises the day may throw at you. Make it a great day! I can't wait to see you succeed!
~K.W.
Let me give you an example. I've told you before that I plan out my week in advance, down to the half hour; in fact, everything is laid out. But here's what inevitably happens each week, a friend calls and asks to get together, my child has a meltdown, one of my son's therapists needs to change the time they are coming, the dog gets loose and we have to spend half an hour chasing her. There are endless ways for the schedule to come unhinged in a week. So I have learned to get good at adapting, at taking the unforeseen change in stride and moving on. Here's how I do it:
1. I know which things have to be done.
Changes are a priority tester. We all have those things we know we need to be doing to move forward towards our goal. For me, I have three things that I feel God really wants me to focus in on this year: Read, Write, Clean. Now, you may think that's a pretty silly list, but those are my three "Non-negotiables." Those three things must get done every day. Why? Because if I neglect those three things than I am not moving closer to my purpose but farther. Then, there are obviously other responsibilities which I cannot just throw out the window.. my child, work, my husband, these things can't get put on the back burner. They need attention each day, and that has to be a priority too, so if a change happens and something needs to go, I can tell you which things it won't be.
2. I'm ok with things not being perfect.
I know this is a hard one for a lot of you. If you want to get good at adapting to changes in your schedule, you have to be ok with not doing things perfectly all the time. Here's an example. Yesterday I was planning to pick my son up at 4:30 so I could get him home, fed, and showered for church, which I thought was at 6:30. Halfway through the day I discovered that Saturday church actually starts at 6. (I usually go Sunday's, but I was adjusting for another event which popped up on Sunday.) I decided I would let my son get McDonalds on our drive to church, rather than cook dinner because this would enable us to get there on time still. Crisis averted, until I got to his dad's house that is. I pulled up to his dad's house at 4:30, ready to hit the road and book it back home to get my son ready for church, and there was no one there. So, I drove to the barn, and the other barn, and then back to the house. Still no one. I called, and texted, and still nothing. Fifteen minutes passed with no word. Now, in the past I would have gotten frustrated. I would have yelled and whined and made a big deal about the fact that they weren't there on time and that my plans were ruined. But, I've grown and learned better ways of dealing with things. So, when they arrived I didn't complain about them being late. I chatted with his dad about the day and some of the plans for later on this week, and then we headed on our way. On the way home I decided that since we couldn't possibly make it to church in time, I would put the live stream on the tv, make dinner at home, and we would eat dinner in the living room and watch the church service. Do we normally eat dinner in the livingroom? Nope. Do we usually watch church on our tv? No. And do we ever eat dinner and have church at the same time? Um, no. But we did. And you know what? It turned out just fine. And actually, my son got to hear the sermon since he couldn't attend children's church from our living room, and the notes he took from the service made my heart melt. He was learning and processing information that I'm not sure he ever has before.
Now, here's the other key to successfully navigating unexpected changes to your schedule. Keep a good attitude. I cannot stress how important this is. Having a negative, ungrateful attitude can ruin what God is trying to do in and through you with that change. Stay positive, be flexible, and find a way to be thankful for life's little twists, and I promise you, you will gain from each agenda change rather than being miserable and frustrated about them.
No matter what your plans are for the day or week, know that God has a greater plan and purpose than what we can see. Stay open to His plan, keep focused on what's important, and keep a good attitude. With those things in mind, you can handle any surprises the day may throw at you. Make it a great day! I can't wait to see you succeed!
~K.W.
Saturday, June 9, 2018
You Are Good Enough
Ever felt like God couldn't use you or talked yourself out of doing something you know you should because you aren't good enough yet? Many of us have an impression of ourselves that tells us we cannot help others or we cannot fulfill our destiny until we get ourselves completely perfect. We feel like we can't be used for good if we still have flaws. And I want to tell you that that thinking couldn't be farther from the truth. Those thoughts are lies that the enemy uses to keep you from becoming all you were meant to be. The devil would love it if we all stayed trapped inside our own heads, so focused on our own flaws that we never step out towards our dreams and never make an impact on the world around us. But I want to tell you that you can help others now, right here where you are at. You can make a difference no matter how flawed you are. I'm not saying don't work on yourself, because that is important too, but don't let your fear of what you don't have right keep you from reaching out to encourage others.
For me, there are many days when I want to write about a topic and then I think, "Maybe I shouldn't. After all, I'm still working on that area of my life too. How could I tell someone else to work on it?" But just because I am not perfect in an area does not mean I don't have valuable insight and encouragement that could help someone else in their journey as well. I can share what I've learned and what's helped me, and I hope that people know when I talk about a subject I do it from a judgement free perspective because I have battled that thing or am still battling it now.
What I'm NOT saying though are two things... One, I am not saying that you should be an expert in things you know nothing about. There are some things I haven't worked on or had to face yet. I cannot advise people in those areas because I have no knowledge of those subjects. Don't be puffed up. If you don't know, just admit it. Don't give someone else wrong or bad advice just to try to make yourself look like you have all the answers.
And two, do not go around broadcasting your struggles if you want to help others. For example, maybe you are wanting to lose weight, but you have been struggling with it. It's ok to tell your doctor or your close friend that you've been having trouble with it, but what is not ok is to go around shouting your struggles to the other people who are also trying to lose weight. Then you become what the Bible calls, a "stumbling block." You trip other people up and discourage them on their journey. I don't know about you, but I don't want to be an obstacle on someone else's path. So, if someone asks you for help with weight loss ideas, but you are not doing so great in that area, either just tell them you aren't quite sure and refer them to someone who can help them, or share with them what is working for you, which foods you find to be helpful or your favorite workouts, or some tips your doctor gave you. Do not tell someone else who's struggling all the ways you found that don't work, why they can't do it, and how hard it is for you. They don't need that right now. All people need is your genuine love, concern, and a few tips that are working for you.
So, seriously my friend, know that you are valuable and you have purpose, no matter how "good" or "not good" you are right now. Everyone has something they can offer the world, and I believe we all can add value to others no matter what stage of our journey we are on. Be the light you were made to be, and lift up others, rather than holding them down. I'm in this with you, and I can't wait to see you succeed!
~K.W.
For me, there are many days when I want to write about a topic and then I think, "Maybe I shouldn't. After all, I'm still working on that area of my life too. How could I tell someone else to work on it?" But just because I am not perfect in an area does not mean I don't have valuable insight and encouragement that could help someone else in their journey as well. I can share what I've learned and what's helped me, and I hope that people know when I talk about a subject I do it from a judgement free perspective because I have battled that thing or am still battling it now.
What I'm NOT saying though are two things... One, I am not saying that you should be an expert in things you know nothing about. There are some things I haven't worked on or had to face yet. I cannot advise people in those areas because I have no knowledge of those subjects. Don't be puffed up. If you don't know, just admit it. Don't give someone else wrong or bad advice just to try to make yourself look like you have all the answers.
And two, do not go around broadcasting your struggles if you want to help others. For example, maybe you are wanting to lose weight, but you have been struggling with it. It's ok to tell your doctor or your close friend that you've been having trouble with it, but what is not ok is to go around shouting your struggles to the other people who are also trying to lose weight. Then you become what the Bible calls, a "stumbling block." You trip other people up and discourage them on their journey. I don't know about you, but I don't want to be an obstacle on someone else's path. So, if someone asks you for help with weight loss ideas, but you are not doing so great in that area, either just tell them you aren't quite sure and refer them to someone who can help them, or share with them what is working for you, which foods you find to be helpful or your favorite workouts, or some tips your doctor gave you. Do not tell someone else who's struggling all the ways you found that don't work, why they can't do it, and how hard it is for you. They don't need that right now. All people need is your genuine love, concern, and a few tips that are working for you.
So, seriously my friend, know that you are valuable and you have purpose, no matter how "good" or "not good" you are right now. Everyone has something they can offer the world, and I believe we all can add value to others no matter what stage of our journey we are on. Be the light you were made to be, and lift up others, rather than holding them down. I'm in this with you, and I can't wait to see you succeed!
~K.W.
Friday, June 8, 2018
March Out of the Desert
The book of Exodus in the Bible gives the account of the nation of Israel leaving Egypt and setting out on the journey to the Promise Land, a land God had set aside for them to claim as their own. The journey from Egypt to the Promise Land is believed to have been a walking journey of about 11 to 14 days, yet the Israelites took over forty years to complete it. In fact, with the exception of three men, not a single Israelite who left Egypt as an adult lived to see the Promise Land. They all died in the desert. This story seems tragic, and it is, but the most devastating part of it all is that the reason the Israelites did not complete their journey in the time it should have been completed, or even within their lifetime was that they were unwilling to follow what they knew God was calling them to do.
We may look at this and shake our heads and wonder why on earth the Israelites did not follow through. After all, they had very clearly laid out laws and directions which would preserve and protect them as a people if they followed them, and God even gave them a pillar of fire as a light and direction for them to follow. But instead, they did things their own way, often which resulted in death, destruction, lack, and disappointment.
The thing here that really gets me though is that so many of us (myself included) are like those Israelites. We know we've been called to do or not do something, and yet we choose to go our own way, and we spend our lives being constantly frustrated by our lack of success. We know when we are headed down the wrong path, but we choose to follow it anyway. We know when we should stop wallowing in the desert and start marching towards our destiny, but we hold ourselves back out of fear or distract ourselves with meaningless activities until the opportunity has passed. But if we are to truly become successful in life and build lifetimes filled with purpose, we must learn to break free from this cycle.
If we are to learn to move toward our own Promise Land, we must first and foremost make the decision to do what we know is right. Maybe for you it is going back to school or applying for that position, or maybe it's pushing yourself to work out and eat better. Maybe you need to sign up for marriage counseling. Whatever it is that you know you should do, do not delay any longer. Stop being stuck in the desert. Do not allow your life to pass you by while you sit an 11 day journey from what could be yours.
There is a life of promise waiting for you if you are only willing to pick up yourself and start marching towards it. Stop ignoring what you know needs done, and begin pushing yourself to take action to do what's right. You may just find out that your destiny is far closer than you think.
I can't wait to see you succeed!
~K.W.
We may look at this and shake our heads and wonder why on earth the Israelites did not follow through. After all, they had very clearly laid out laws and directions which would preserve and protect them as a people if they followed them, and God even gave them a pillar of fire as a light and direction for them to follow. But instead, they did things their own way, often which resulted in death, destruction, lack, and disappointment.
The thing here that really gets me though is that so many of us (myself included) are like those Israelites. We know we've been called to do or not do something, and yet we choose to go our own way, and we spend our lives being constantly frustrated by our lack of success. We know when we are headed down the wrong path, but we choose to follow it anyway. We know when we should stop wallowing in the desert and start marching towards our destiny, but we hold ourselves back out of fear or distract ourselves with meaningless activities until the opportunity has passed. But if we are to truly become successful in life and build lifetimes filled with purpose, we must learn to break free from this cycle.
If we are to learn to move toward our own Promise Land, we must first and foremost make the decision to do what we know is right. Maybe for you it is going back to school or applying for that position, or maybe it's pushing yourself to work out and eat better. Maybe you need to sign up for marriage counseling. Whatever it is that you know you should do, do not delay any longer. Stop being stuck in the desert. Do not allow your life to pass you by while you sit an 11 day journey from what could be yours.
There is a life of promise waiting for you if you are only willing to pick up yourself and start marching towards it. Stop ignoring what you know needs done, and begin pushing yourself to take action to do what's right. You may just find out that your destiny is far closer than you think.
I can't wait to see you succeed!
~K.W.
Thursday, June 7, 2018
Too Tired?
Sometimes in life, your victories can be more exhausting than your trials. For example, today I spent the day with a good friend enjoying some great food and an amazing show. Would I rather do that than go to work or clean my house? Yup. Was I far more exhausted at the end of the day today than my usual days? You bet. But here’s the thing you need to remember. Just because you’re doing something you love in life, doesn’t mean you won’t get tired. The potential for burnout is there, and you still need breaks. Doing what you love will give you more energy and passion throughout the day, but it does not mean you are omnipotent. I would not be able to attend productions and drive to far away cities everyday of my life. I enjoy doing this, but it doesn’t mean I can do it endlessly. If you are starting to feel a little burnt out with your daily routine, maybe it’s time to try a few of the suggestions below.
1. Schedule yourself some time off. Give yourself permission to rest. Plan it into your calendar. For me, Sunday’s are nap days. Between church and work I give myself a pass to take a nap, and I don’t feel guilty about it because it’s good for me, and it’s on my calendar. I can’t take naps every day and still get everything done that needs taken care of in a week, but I absolutely need my Sunday nap time so I can be refreshed and ready to take on the week. Don’t be afraid to give yourself a little R&R. After all, even God rested, so you know there’s something too it.
2. Shake it up. Maybe your office or your home needs a makeover. Maybe it’s time to change things up, move the furniture or paint the walls. Sometimes all you need to gain a fresh burst of energy is a little change of atmosphere. Buy yourself a new coffee cup or notebook and remind yourself of the little things in life. And if your routine is zapping your energy, try shaking that up too. Take a new route to work. Go to the park on your lunch break. Try a new hobby after work. Get yourself out of your comfort zone a bit and start taking on some new adventures. You might find that Monday’s at the office look a lot more doable after Sunday’s at the park.
3. Know when it’s time to move on. Sometimes in life we become tired of where we are at because it’s time to move on. If you feel God is calling you to something new, don’t be afraid to let go of the old and step into the new. Hanging on to something past it’s time will only further drain you of energy and resources. You will find that being in the right place will give you a jolt of enthusiasm and make your days so much more enjoyable.
You aren’t meant to live in a state of exhaustion and discouragement. If you’ve been feeling worn down, take some time to give yourself a rest, change up your scenery, or jump into something new altogether. You were made for an abundant life. Go out there and live it!
~K.W.
1. Schedule yourself some time off. Give yourself permission to rest. Plan it into your calendar. For me, Sunday’s are nap days. Between church and work I give myself a pass to take a nap, and I don’t feel guilty about it because it’s good for me, and it’s on my calendar. I can’t take naps every day and still get everything done that needs taken care of in a week, but I absolutely need my Sunday nap time so I can be refreshed and ready to take on the week. Don’t be afraid to give yourself a little R&R. After all, even God rested, so you know there’s something too it.
2. Shake it up. Maybe your office or your home needs a makeover. Maybe it’s time to change things up, move the furniture or paint the walls. Sometimes all you need to gain a fresh burst of energy is a little change of atmosphere. Buy yourself a new coffee cup or notebook and remind yourself of the little things in life. And if your routine is zapping your energy, try shaking that up too. Take a new route to work. Go to the park on your lunch break. Try a new hobby after work. Get yourself out of your comfort zone a bit and start taking on some new adventures. You might find that Monday’s at the office look a lot more doable after Sunday’s at the park.
3. Know when it’s time to move on. Sometimes in life we become tired of where we are at because it’s time to move on. If you feel God is calling you to something new, don’t be afraid to let go of the old and step into the new. Hanging on to something past it’s time will only further drain you of energy and resources. You will find that being in the right place will give you a jolt of enthusiasm and make your days so much more enjoyable.
You aren’t meant to live in a state of exhaustion and discouragement. If you’ve been feeling worn down, take some time to give yourself a rest, change up your scenery, or jump into something new altogether. You were made for an abundant life. Go out there and live it!
~K.W.
Wednesday, June 6, 2018
Looking Back
I'm feeling a bit nostalgic today because someone reminded me that this week marks ten years since I graduated from high school. And this morning I took some time to sit down and really take that thought in (remember yesterday's talk...Take It All In?) I thought about all the things I believed I would have accomplished in ten years. When I was 18, I thought that as soon as I got out on my own that life would be easy. It wasn't. I thought that as soon as I graduated college my money problems would go away. They didn't. And I thought that becoming an adult would somehow make my life perfect overnight. And of course, that didn't happen.
But let me tell you what did happen. I grew up. Little by little, over the last ten years I've been becoming a better version of me. Day by day, through struggles and triumphs, I've learned who I am and where I fit in the world. I've found purpose, meaning, and a whole lot of love. Was it easy? Nope. Do I have it all together? No. And do I have everything I thought I would ten years from graduation high school? Definitely not.
But here's what I do have.
Forgiveness. There's nothing like a divorce, rejection, betrayal, and mistakes to teach you who you really are and test the limits of your ability to forgive both yourself and others. But, you know what? I'm ok. And my life is great. And I can live in harmony with my past because I've learned to live and let live and to forgive and move on. I'm not perfect, and neither is anyone else. I can give grace because I've needed grace many times. Making forgiveness a way of life is the quickest way to rid yourself of unnecessary burdens and grievances and free yourself to live guilt free.
Purpose. I've tried out a lot of jobs in the ten years since I've graduated from high school. I've done finance and food service, teaching and care giving. I've done multi-level marketing and cashiering and supervising. I've dipped my toes into a lot of fields of work, but what I've learned is that God has a much bigger plan for me outside of my job. My job is not my life. It simply facilitates my life for now. I've also learned that my job does not control me, and if it does not bring me peace, then I can let it go. And because I have a sense of purpose, I know what to prioritize my time for and to not sacrifice time towards projects that do not move me closer to my goal.
Faith. Sometimes life is hard, really really hard. Losing a child is hard. Losing close friends is hard. Having a child with a behavioral disorder is exhausting. But I've learned through every up and down that God is faithful. There are so many times I have asked God, "Why?" And even though I don't have all the answers, I know that He is working all things together for my good, and I don't have to know it all to believe God is good and He loves me, and He has a plan and purpose for my life.
Confidence. When I was a teenager, I had so many insecurities. I cared about what people thought of me. I was told I was "too white," so I didn't wear shorts. I was made fun of for my sense of style. And people's hurtful words stuck to me. I was rejected for the music I liked and the color I dyed my hair. Often times I rebelled and did the opposite of the norm simply because I felt I could never live up to everyone's expectations. But over the last ten years, I realized that none of those people's opinions mattered. I learned to listen to the right people, and as my mentors would say, "Go where you are celebrated, not tolerated." I learned to cut the wrong people out of my life and to stand up for myself. I'm not afraid to speak out, even if my opinion isn't the popular one. I dress how I like, and if people don't like it, that's ok. I give myself permission to be me and to let other people's negativity roll off my back.
Hope. I truly believe that the best things lie ahead of me. I'm not afraid of what tomorrow holds because I have dreams and goals, and I believe God has a purpose for my life. He's not done with me yet, and I can't wait to see what I will learn, do, and be in the next ten years.
No matter where you find yourself in life's journey, take some time to reflect. Are you where you thought you'd be? If not, it's ok. It's never too late to start moving in the right direction. Life is a process, and we are all working it out in our own time. I hope you know you are amazing, and God can do great things with your next ten years as well. I can't wait to see you succeed!
~K.W.
But let me tell you what did happen. I grew up. Little by little, over the last ten years I've been becoming a better version of me. Day by day, through struggles and triumphs, I've learned who I am and where I fit in the world. I've found purpose, meaning, and a whole lot of love. Was it easy? Nope. Do I have it all together? No. And do I have everything I thought I would ten years from graduation high school? Definitely not.
But here's what I do have.
Forgiveness. There's nothing like a divorce, rejection, betrayal, and mistakes to teach you who you really are and test the limits of your ability to forgive both yourself and others. But, you know what? I'm ok. And my life is great. And I can live in harmony with my past because I've learned to live and let live and to forgive and move on. I'm not perfect, and neither is anyone else. I can give grace because I've needed grace many times. Making forgiveness a way of life is the quickest way to rid yourself of unnecessary burdens and grievances and free yourself to live guilt free.
Purpose. I've tried out a lot of jobs in the ten years since I've graduated from high school. I've done finance and food service, teaching and care giving. I've done multi-level marketing and cashiering and supervising. I've dipped my toes into a lot of fields of work, but what I've learned is that God has a much bigger plan for me outside of my job. My job is not my life. It simply facilitates my life for now. I've also learned that my job does not control me, and if it does not bring me peace, then I can let it go. And because I have a sense of purpose, I know what to prioritize my time for and to not sacrifice time towards projects that do not move me closer to my goal.
Faith. Sometimes life is hard, really really hard. Losing a child is hard. Losing close friends is hard. Having a child with a behavioral disorder is exhausting. But I've learned through every up and down that God is faithful. There are so many times I have asked God, "Why?" And even though I don't have all the answers, I know that He is working all things together for my good, and I don't have to know it all to believe God is good and He loves me, and He has a plan and purpose for my life.
Confidence. When I was a teenager, I had so many insecurities. I cared about what people thought of me. I was told I was "too white," so I didn't wear shorts. I was made fun of for my sense of style. And people's hurtful words stuck to me. I was rejected for the music I liked and the color I dyed my hair. Often times I rebelled and did the opposite of the norm simply because I felt I could never live up to everyone's expectations. But over the last ten years, I realized that none of those people's opinions mattered. I learned to listen to the right people, and as my mentors would say, "Go where you are celebrated, not tolerated." I learned to cut the wrong people out of my life and to stand up for myself. I'm not afraid to speak out, even if my opinion isn't the popular one. I dress how I like, and if people don't like it, that's ok. I give myself permission to be me and to let other people's negativity roll off my back.
Hope. I truly believe that the best things lie ahead of me. I'm not afraid of what tomorrow holds because I have dreams and goals, and I believe God has a purpose for my life. He's not done with me yet, and I can't wait to see what I will learn, do, and be in the next ten years.
No matter where you find yourself in life's journey, take some time to reflect. Are you where you thought you'd be? If not, it's ok. It's never too late to start moving in the right direction. Life is a process, and we are all working it out in our own time. I hope you know you are amazing, and God can do great things with your next ten years as well. I can't wait to see you succeed!
~K.W.
Tuesday, June 5, 2018
Take It All In
Want to know something I've noticed about successful people? They take inspiration from everything... people, circumstances, songs, books, nature, the back of a cereal box etc. Seriously! You would not believe the things people can come up with from such unorthodox places. But, success minded people realize there is something to be gained in each and every moment, and they don't waste opportunities. You too can learn to recognize and utilize wisdom and inspiration from every part of your day to day life. It just requires a little bit of thought and focus. Here are some tips to get you started.
1. Be in the moment
Ok, I know we talked about this yesterday, so I'm not going to harp on it. You can check out that information here...(Wishing Well), but, it is so important to be present. Do you know how many times a day I realize that I missed half or all of what someone said because I was thinking about something else? This is a habit that has to be broken if we want to make the most of the time we have. Learn to be present and take in your surroundings. A great way to do this is through a sensory exercise. Stop what you are doing and ask yourself these five questions:
"What do I see?"
"What do I hear?"
"What do I smell?"
"What do I taste?"
"What do I feel?"
This is an exercise which is often used to help those with anxiety, A.D.H.D. or other emotional disorders. Doing this helps your brain to slow down and process information in a new way. Learning to do this regularly can train your mind to become more observant of things around you.
2. Take time to process
Not only is it important to become more observant, it is vital to take time to think about and process the things your see, hear, feel, taste and smell. Take time on a regular basis to just sit and think. Having think time will prove to be a very valuable asset on your journey towards success. Your brain takes in a lot of information throughout the day, and it is essential to your growth that you make time to process what you are learning. (For more on this, check out Press Pause.)
3. Write it down
The last step in all this is to make sure you write your thoughts down. After all, if you observe something really cool, sit down and think about it in a whole new way, but never write it down, most likely you will not remember it down the road when you might need it. By writing things down you help solidify those memories even further in your brain, and you have the thought on paper to come back to it when you need it. I also keep a running list of ideas in my phone. Whenever an inspiring thought hits me, I jot it down for later. I hate that feeling of knowing I had a good thought and not being able to remember what it is. Spare yourself the frustration of forgetting, and write things down!
Now that you've got some action steps, go out there and start making the most of your time and opportunities. Become an observer. Think about what you see, hear, taste, smell, and feel, and lastly, write your thoughts down. These three steps will help you on your journey towards success. I'm learning with you, and I can't wait to see you reach your goals and dreams!
~K.W.
1. Be in the moment
Ok, I know we talked about this yesterday, so I'm not going to harp on it. You can check out that information here...(Wishing Well), but, it is so important to be present. Do you know how many times a day I realize that I missed half or all of what someone said because I was thinking about something else? This is a habit that has to be broken if we want to make the most of the time we have. Learn to be present and take in your surroundings. A great way to do this is through a sensory exercise. Stop what you are doing and ask yourself these five questions:
"What do I see?"
"What do I hear?"
"What do I smell?"
"What do I taste?"
"What do I feel?"
This is an exercise which is often used to help those with anxiety, A.D.H.D. or other emotional disorders. Doing this helps your brain to slow down and process information in a new way. Learning to do this regularly can train your mind to become more observant of things around you.
2. Take time to process
Not only is it important to become more observant, it is vital to take time to think about and process the things your see, hear, feel, taste and smell. Take time on a regular basis to just sit and think. Having think time will prove to be a very valuable asset on your journey towards success. Your brain takes in a lot of information throughout the day, and it is essential to your growth that you make time to process what you are learning. (For more on this, check out Press Pause.)
3. Write it down
The last step in all this is to make sure you write your thoughts down. After all, if you observe something really cool, sit down and think about it in a whole new way, but never write it down, most likely you will not remember it down the road when you might need it. By writing things down you help solidify those memories even further in your brain, and you have the thought on paper to come back to it when you need it. I also keep a running list of ideas in my phone. Whenever an inspiring thought hits me, I jot it down for later. I hate that feeling of knowing I had a good thought and not being able to remember what it is. Spare yourself the frustration of forgetting, and write things down!
Now that you've got some action steps, go out there and start making the most of your time and opportunities. Become an observer. Think about what you see, hear, taste, smell, and feel, and lastly, write your thoughts down. These three steps will help you on your journey towards success. I'm learning with you, and I can't wait to see you reach your goals and dreams!
~K.W.
Monday, June 4, 2018
The Wishing Well
Ever find yourself wishing it were next month? Or next year? Or next paycheck? A large portion of life is spent waiting, in the in between time. And waiting is not easy. Believe me, I'm not great at it. Sometimes waiting is excited waiting... like when your birthday is coming or Christmas. Sometimes waiting is frustrated waiting...like when the loan hasn't gone through on your house or you haven't found that new job you want. It seems that at every point in life we are waiting on something, whether good or bad, and since that's the case, we should get good at being patient.
If we are willing to stop and really take in our surroundings and just be at peace with our waiting, we will see there is a lot to be learned and enjoyed during our stretches of wait time. Just as a long commute can be a time waste, or you can utilize it by listening to audios which will help you grow personally or advance your career, you can use the times when you are waiting to waste your life or to maximize the time you've been given. Maybe the delay on your house is giving you a few extra weeks to save up for the closing costs. There's always growth to be attained in every season of life, and as Joyce Meyer often says, "If you don't pass the test, God will let you take it again." I don't know about you, but I don't like retesting. Make a habit of asking, "What is it I should be learning right now?" and then embrace whatever challenge you need to overcome.
If you find yourself in the fun waiting phase of life right now, use this time to boost your happiness and that of others around you. Use your excitement to find things to celebrate each day and pass the time enjoying your wait.
Lastly, I want to leave you with an important thought my Pastor shared with our church this week. Remember that your life is not somewhere out there in the future. It's right here and now. There is a plan and a purpose for you right where you are at. Don't waste your whole life thinking, "Next month I'll do this, or when I retire I'll do that." Live in the moment and make the most of each day. You were meant to do great things! I can't wait to see you succeed!
~K.W.
If we are willing to stop and really take in our surroundings and just be at peace with our waiting, we will see there is a lot to be learned and enjoyed during our stretches of wait time. Just as a long commute can be a time waste, or you can utilize it by listening to audios which will help you grow personally or advance your career, you can use the times when you are waiting to waste your life or to maximize the time you've been given. Maybe the delay on your house is giving you a few extra weeks to save up for the closing costs. There's always growth to be attained in every season of life, and as Joyce Meyer often says, "If you don't pass the test, God will let you take it again." I don't know about you, but I don't like retesting. Make a habit of asking, "What is it I should be learning right now?" and then embrace whatever challenge you need to overcome.
If you find yourself in the fun waiting phase of life right now, use this time to boost your happiness and that of others around you. Use your excitement to find things to celebrate each day and pass the time enjoying your wait.
Lastly, I want to leave you with an important thought my Pastor shared with our church this week. Remember that your life is not somewhere out there in the future. It's right here and now. There is a plan and a purpose for you right where you are at. Don't waste your whole life thinking, "Next month I'll do this, or when I retire I'll do that." Live in the moment and make the most of each day. You were meant to do great things! I can't wait to see you succeed!
~K.W.
Sunday, June 3, 2018
You've Got What You Need
I want to share with your a brief snippet from one of my favorite books, The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson, and I hope that if you haven't read this book you will get yourself a copy and read it ASAP. There are so many amazing truths in this book, but they are conveyed in such a down to earth way, and every time I read it I gain more perspective. But here's the thought I want to share with you today. To set the scene for you, the main character, Ordinary has left his home in Familiar and set out in pursuit of his Dream. However, he finds himself wandering across a seemingly endless Wasteland for days on end, and his resources slowly dwindle to nothing. One morning, he wakes up to find a person sitting near him. Her name is Faith. Here's where the conversation takes place.
"'My name is Faith,' she said. 'The Dream Giver sent me to help you.'
'But it's too late!' cried Ordinary. 'My Dream is dead. When I needed the Dream Giver most, he was nowhere in sight'
'What do you need that you haven't received?' asked Faith.
'Well, if it weren't for the few springs of water I found,' answered Ordinary, 'I'd be dead of thirst by now!'
'Yes? And?' she asked.
'If it weren't for the fruit I found, I'd be a walking skeleton!' he replied."
(The Dream Giver; Chapter Four, Ordinary Enters the Wasteland by Bruce Wilkinson)
Now, Ordinary feels he has been slighted because he did not have an abundant supply of food and water as he thought he should, but what Ordinary failed to realize is that he had exactly what he needed, exactly when he needed it so that he could continue his journey and not perish of hunger and thirst. We may find it funny reading this little caption, because it is apparent that Ordinary has missed the truth of the matter, that the Dream Giver was providing for him all along and helping him walk through his trials. However, I think often times we miss these same signs in our own life. We tend to be like Ordinary and feel God has abandoned us when things don't go the way we think they should. When the promotion is taking too long, or the illness seems it won't go away, or our family troubles seem as if they are only getting worse, we need to take a step back and realize that God is still there with us in the midst of our trials, and if we will let Him, He will use our obstacles to make us even stronger and prepare us for bigger blessings than we could have even imagined. If you are in the Wasteland right now, take comfort. God knows exactly where you are, and He has perfect timing and provision. Take a step of Faith today, and start to look at your obstacles as opportunities. We may not always understand our struggles, but God knows what we need and when we need it, and He will always come through for us. Don't miss your blessings because you're too busy complaining about your situation. I'm praying that no matter what phase of your journey you are on that you walk through it with boldness, determination, and a heaping of gratitude backed by faith. I'm out here with you. I can't wait to see you succeed!
~K.W.
"'My name is Faith,' she said. 'The Dream Giver sent me to help you.'
'But it's too late!' cried Ordinary. 'My Dream is dead. When I needed the Dream Giver most, he was nowhere in sight'
'What do you need that you haven't received?' asked Faith.
'Well, if it weren't for the few springs of water I found,' answered Ordinary, 'I'd be dead of thirst by now!'
'Yes? And?' she asked.
'If it weren't for the fruit I found, I'd be a walking skeleton!' he replied."
(The Dream Giver; Chapter Four, Ordinary Enters the Wasteland by Bruce Wilkinson)
Now, Ordinary feels he has been slighted because he did not have an abundant supply of food and water as he thought he should, but what Ordinary failed to realize is that he had exactly what he needed, exactly when he needed it so that he could continue his journey and not perish of hunger and thirst. We may find it funny reading this little caption, because it is apparent that Ordinary has missed the truth of the matter, that the Dream Giver was providing for him all along and helping him walk through his trials. However, I think often times we miss these same signs in our own life. We tend to be like Ordinary and feel God has abandoned us when things don't go the way we think they should. When the promotion is taking too long, or the illness seems it won't go away, or our family troubles seem as if they are only getting worse, we need to take a step back and realize that God is still there with us in the midst of our trials, and if we will let Him, He will use our obstacles to make us even stronger and prepare us for bigger blessings than we could have even imagined. If you are in the Wasteland right now, take comfort. God knows exactly where you are, and He has perfect timing and provision. Take a step of Faith today, and start to look at your obstacles as opportunities. We may not always understand our struggles, but God knows what we need and when we need it, and He will always come through for us. Don't miss your blessings because you're too busy complaining about your situation. I'm praying that no matter what phase of your journey you are on that you walk through it with boldness, determination, and a heaping of gratitude backed by faith. I'm out here with you. I can't wait to see you succeed!
~K.W.
Saturday, June 2, 2018
Progress Report 1.0
Ok all my free-spirited friends out there. Say this with me... "Routines are my friend." Yes, I know, just the thought of a routine makes me cringe a little bit. After all, routines are dull and boring right? But truth be told. The way to take your game to the next level is to get into a routine. Routines are essential for everything in life, from personal growth to good skin care. Why? Because routines create habits, and habits, over time, create lifestyle. I don't know about you, but I have a whole lot of lifestyle I want to create, and that means I've got a whole lot of routines I need to adjust to, and I'll be honest. This is one I'm still progressing on myself. I haven't mastered sticking to routines, but I do have a handle on the basics of creating and implementing them, and there are two things you need to know to generate effective routines in your life.
1. Routines must be simple.
When I get up in the morning I have a very simple routine. Let out the dog; start the coffee; let out the other dog; read and pray; let out another dog. Now, admittedly, the most complicated part of this routine is walking to the door multiple times to let out multiple dogs, but, the point is that, every morning I basically do three things to start my day: drink coffee, let out dogs, and read and pray. I rarely ever miss a morning of reading my Bible and spending time in prayer, because it's part of my routine. It's how I start my morning. I've built this into my life as an essential component, and starting my day without it just seems wrong. I have a habit which I've created by making my reading and praying time a part of my routine. Additionally, I don't make my reading and praying time overcomplicated. I read a few chapters of my Bible and a daily devotional. I usually spend a few minutes in prayer and journaling, and I move on with my day. I keep it simple. There have been times in the past when I attempted to add multiple extra steps to my Reading and Praying routine such as memorizing a verse, praying specific prayers, or reading multiple books, and although all these are good things, they overcomplicated my routine, and pretty soon I was skipping over it because it was too overwhelming.
2. Routines must be repeatable.
If you plan to create a routine that you can stick with on a regular basis, you must make sure it is something you can do over and over. For example, I might be able to go out and run ten miles one day a week, but I do not have the time or the muscle strength to do ten miles every day. I would be exhausting myself, fatiguing my muscles, and neglecting other things which need done. This would eventually cause me to skip or give up this routine all together. However, it's much more repeatable for me to do a ten minute workout daily. By picking something within my range of achievement, and choosing a time which is manageable, I give myself the ability to easily repeat this action day after day. Similarly, if you want to start a reading habit, do not set a goal for yourself to read one book every day. Try starting with ten minutes. This is a habit you can repeat daily without too much trouble. Once you have gotten the hang of this, and it is an established routine in your life, then you can begin to increase your reading time from there.
Not only will routines save you time, but Michael Gerber goes as far as to say that, "systems permit ordinary people to achieve extraordinary results predictably. However, without a system, even extraordinary people find it difficult to predictably achieve even ordinary results." (As taken from The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth by John Maxwell) Start today to create simple, repeatable routines in your life. These will form the basis of your habits and help you create a life full of achievement. I can't wait to see you succeed!
~K.W.
1. Routines must be simple.
When I get up in the morning I have a very simple routine. Let out the dog; start the coffee; let out the other dog; read and pray; let out another dog. Now, admittedly, the most complicated part of this routine is walking to the door multiple times to let out multiple dogs, but, the point is that, every morning I basically do three things to start my day: drink coffee, let out dogs, and read and pray. I rarely ever miss a morning of reading my Bible and spending time in prayer, because it's part of my routine. It's how I start my morning. I've built this into my life as an essential component, and starting my day without it just seems wrong. I have a habit which I've created by making my reading and praying time a part of my routine. Additionally, I don't make my reading and praying time overcomplicated. I read a few chapters of my Bible and a daily devotional. I usually spend a few minutes in prayer and journaling, and I move on with my day. I keep it simple. There have been times in the past when I attempted to add multiple extra steps to my Reading and Praying routine such as memorizing a verse, praying specific prayers, or reading multiple books, and although all these are good things, they overcomplicated my routine, and pretty soon I was skipping over it because it was too overwhelming.
2. Routines must be repeatable.
If you plan to create a routine that you can stick with on a regular basis, you must make sure it is something you can do over and over. For example, I might be able to go out and run ten miles one day a week, but I do not have the time or the muscle strength to do ten miles every day. I would be exhausting myself, fatiguing my muscles, and neglecting other things which need done. This would eventually cause me to skip or give up this routine all together. However, it's much more repeatable for me to do a ten minute workout daily. By picking something within my range of achievement, and choosing a time which is manageable, I give myself the ability to easily repeat this action day after day. Similarly, if you want to start a reading habit, do not set a goal for yourself to read one book every day. Try starting with ten minutes. This is a habit you can repeat daily without too much trouble. Once you have gotten the hang of this, and it is an established routine in your life, then you can begin to increase your reading time from there.
Not only will routines save you time, but Michael Gerber goes as far as to say that, "systems permit ordinary people to achieve extraordinary results predictably. However, without a system, even extraordinary people find it difficult to predictably achieve even ordinary results." (As taken from The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth by John Maxwell) Start today to create simple, repeatable routines in your life. These will form the basis of your habits and help you create a life full of achievement. I can't wait to see you succeed!
~K.W.
Friday, June 1, 2018
Take Inventory
Ok, so I want to talk to you about something that might seem kind of basic, but it's a crucial component to moving forward no matter what goal you have in mind. You need to take an inventory. You have to have an idea of where you're starting from to get a good picture of where you want to go. And when I say, "take inventory," I mean everything.
You Finances:
Start to get an idea of where you sit financially. Get a record of everything you have (or don't have) so you know what you're working with or working towards. After all, if you want to pay off your debt but have no idea how much you owe or to whom, you will be shooting at an obscure target. It's time to get definite figures down on paper or computer, whichever you prefer. Then, keep your numbers updated. Track and update your figures monthly, and compare your standing to last month. How much did your savings grow? Are you on track to hit your target at this end of this year? How about in five years? Ten? Retirement? You will never know if you don't take an inventory of where you are. It may be scary. Maybe you've been putting it off because you know things look bad. I encourage you to get honest with yourself. This will only spur you in the right direction.
Your Health:
Are there some health goals you know you've been slacking on? Maybe you know you need to lose a bit of weight for your health, but you have been afraid to step on the scale and find out just how much. Maybe you need to quit smoking, cut back on sugar, or start exercising. Get a fitness journal, app, or just a plain old notebook and take stock of where you're at. Maybe you need to track your eating for a while to see where you are falling short. Maybe you need to take a look at how many steps you're actually taking in a day so you can set yourself a goal to improve. If you don't know where you are at, it's hard to get a feel for where you want to go next and how to get there. You have to have a starting point.
Your Personal Growth:
In order to grow as a person, you have to truly analyze yourself and see what areas need improvement. If you aren't good at this maybe seek out an honest friend or coworker who could nudge you in the right direction. Often times others can see the things in ourselves that we fail to see. For example, maybe you know you need to brush up your public speaking skills, but you've been putting it off. Getting some honest feedback from a boss or class mate on what exactly you need to work on could give you some direction. Maybe you know you need to read more or meditate. Give yourself a time audit to see where you are spending your time and how you can adjust this to do more of what needs done.
There are so many more areas of life that we could delve into and talk about gaining a starting point to move forward from, but I suggest you start with these three and start actively making strides forward. We could all benefit from becoming more organized and getting a better handle on what we have. Start taking your inventory today, and set yourself a goal to move on to the next level. I can't wait to see you succeed!
~K.W.
You Finances:
Start to get an idea of where you sit financially. Get a record of everything you have (or don't have) so you know what you're working with or working towards. After all, if you want to pay off your debt but have no idea how much you owe or to whom, you will be shooting at an obscure target. It's time to get definite figures down on paper or computer, whichever you prefer. Then, keep your numbers updated. Track and update your figures monthly, and compare your standing to last month. How much did your savings grow? Are you on track to hit your target at this end of this year? How about in five years? Ten? Retirement? You will never know if you don't take an inventory of where you are. It may be scary. Maybe you've been putting it off because you know things look bad. I encourage you to get honest with yourself. This will only spur you in the right direction.
Your Health:
Are there some health goals you know you've been slacking on? Maybe you know you need to lose a bit of weight for your health, but you have been afraid to step on the scale and find out just how much. Maybe you need to quit smoking, cut back on sugar, or start exercising. Get a fitness journal, app, or just a plain old notebook and take stock of where you're at. Maybe you need to track your eating for a while to see where you are falling short. Maybe you need to take a look at how many steps you're actually taking in a day so you can set yourself a goal to improve. If you don't know where you are at, it's hard to get a feel for where you want to go next and how to get there. You have to have a starting point.
Your Personal Growth:
In order to grow as a person, you have to truly analyze yourself and see what areas need improvement. If you aren't good at this maybe seek out an honest friend or coworker who could nudge you in the right direction. Often times others can see the things in ourselves that we fail to see. For example, maybe you know you need to brush up your public speaking skills, but you've been putting it off. Getting some honest feedback from a boss or class mate on what exactly you need to work on could give you some direction. Maybe you know you need to read more or meditate. Give yourself a time audit to see where you are spending your time and how you can adjust this to do more of what needs done.
There are so many more areas of life that we could delve into and talk about gaining a starting point to move forward from, but I suggest you start with these three and start actively making strides forward. We could all benefit from becoming more organized and getting a better handle on what we have. Start taking your inventory today, and set yourself a goal to move on to the next level. I can't wait to see you succeed!
~K.W.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Thoughts for Today
Perfection
It's Sunday night. You've finally done it. You've created the perfect plan. You've meal prepped and time blocked; you'...
