Challenging Times Build Our Story.

Challenging times build our inner strength. They develop our faith, refine our character, and GIVE US A UNIQUE STORY. It is always enjoyable to have the mountaintop experiences in life, but we learn the most during the valley times. Challenging times are often the gifts we do not want. As Hellen Keller stated, “character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” Three things to remember and ask yourself: (1) What you go through, you grow through. (2) It’s not where you start, it’s where you finish. (3) We all have a story: How are you using your unique story to help others? (4) Are there some new avenues to explore?

“Sometimes, the road ahead is blocked, but clearing the way becomes part of our journey. Learn to tell when it’s time to let go, to surrender, to search for another road, a different path, another dream. But also learn to tell when it’s time to move forward, through obstacles if need be, because the dream is electric, charged by Divine energy and love. If a side trip is beckoning, perhaps there’s a lesson there: an old feeling to be felt, healed and cleared; a new attitude or belief to be acquired; a revelation, a surprise. Remember this: a side trip, with all it’s emotions, isn’t about another person. It’s about you and your journey to healing, freedom, and joy. Ignoring a situation that can take you off center won’t take you to the next place. Going more deeply into your own growth process, going more deeply into your soul is what will further your journey. Everything that happens to you can be used, felt, shaped and transformed to further your journey. This process of growth, of side trips and healing, is your destiny, the magical journey of your soul.” ~ Melody Beattie

“My scars tell a story. They are a reminder of times when life tried to break me, but failed. They are markings of where the structure of my character is welded.” ~ Steve Maraboli

What voice from your past, yours or someone else’s, do you need to silence today? Reflect upon the challenges in your life and be thankful for them. Three great rules to live by: no blaming, no shaming, no judgement. In gratitude, focus on those qualities in yourself and others that inspire you and spur you on!

WHO HAS INSPIRED YOU?

Let’s journey together through a motivating meditation… Take a few deep, centering breaths… Now, reflect upon your ELEMENTARY SCHOOL YEARS and think of your FAVORITE TEACHER. Notice who comes to mind first. Visualize this special person. Did they have a unique voice, smell, distinguishing feature or mannerism? What did they say or do that was memorable and inspiring? How did you feel in their presence? What qualities did/do you respect about this teacher?

And now, fast forward into your HIGH SCHOOL YEARS and choose one YOUTH LEADER, COACH, COUNSELOR or TEACHER who positively influenced your life path. Visualize this individual: their smile, their gaze, their listening ear. What did they say or do that was motivating and encouraging? How did you feel in their presence? What qualities did/do you respect about this leader?

Now dwell upon a CURRENT MENTOR, COACH, TEACHER who challenges and lovingly spurs you on to the next level. Visualize their whole being, their essence—body, mind and spirit. What do they say and do that is heart-felt and wise? How do you feel in their presence? What qualities do you treasure about this respected guide?

Encompass now these three influential people. Are there any common themes or threads in your teachers, coaches, and mentors? Can you choose ONE QUALITY, ONE WORD that describes them all? Notice what arises first.

Looking at your own life, does this ONE QUALITY, ONE WORD represent you and how you desire to inspire and influence others?

WHO DO YOU INSPIRE?

How do others feel in your presence? What do you say and do that is motivating and memorable? Allow yourself to smile in gratitude and joy for those who have inspired you and for those you inspire.

Never underestimate the POWER OF ONE. ONE PERSON. ONE SMILE. ONE WORD. ONE CHALLENGE. ONE INSPIRATION.

Remember, it’s not where you start, it’s where you finish. We all have a story, now use your story to help others. 


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Letting Go Of Resistance 💕

When you notice yourself feeling unmotivated, stagnant, or stuck — ask yourself, “What am I resisting?” You’ll probably know the answer right away. It might be a change of some kind — your career, a relationship, a decision to be made, or even an unfinished project. Listen to your resistance. It almost always has something useful to tell you. Oftentimes resistance masks fear, or an unwillingness to move deeper. Once you’ve noticed the area of resistance, allow yourself to feel the sensation of resisting. What does the resistance feel like in the body? Now ask yourself, “What do you have to tell me? What is this resistance about? Why are you there?” Ask the questions and then just wait to see what arises. It may be a feeling, a thought, a belief, or a fear. Feel that you are listening to it. Then ask the resistance, “What would happen if I let this go?” Notice what arises. Then ask yourself, “Would I be willing to let this go — just for a moment?” Notice what arises in the wake of the question. There may be a small sense of ease and peace, or perhaps a greater release than you thought possible. Envision the change, the relationship, the decision, or project in a positive light, with even a sense of gratitude, relief, or purpose gained from the entire experience. Adapted from Sally Kempton, Feeling Stuck? Try Self Inquiry for Resistance.

★ “Show up for what’s up so it won’t keep showing up.” ~ Gabby Bernstein

★ Begin to LET GO OF THE STORIES that play in your head that support the resistance — NO Blaming, NO Shaming, NO Judgement.

★ Remember, whatever you resist, persists!

★ There is FREEDOM and MOVEMENT in LETTING GO. When your think you have surrendered, SURRENDER some more.

You used to think you were powerful when you resisted your emotions, when you held back and didn’t express yourself. You thought power came from being who you thought you should be, instead of who you are. Now you have learned that only when you are who you really are, can true power emerge.  

Melody Beattie

★ Sometimes resistance heightens when we feel overwhelmed. We need to disconnect from distractions to be able to listen to the still, small (BIG) voice inside, seek insight, and receive inspiration and direction.

★ What are your current distractions?

★ What would help balance your life? What would encourage clarity and focus?

★ We may need to step back and reevaluate. Oftentimes our dissatisfaction opens up opportunities for change and expansion.

★ Ask yourself, What is thriving in my life? What else is possible?

★ Be the humble witness of what will unfold.

“What’s the greater risk? Letting go of what people think — or letting go of how I feel, what I believe, or who I am?” ~ Brene’ Brown


DAILY GROUNDING VISUALIZATION

Take 3 deep, cleansing breaths, drawing the energy of the breath all the way down to the lowest part of your body. Imagine ribbons extending out from your feet and rooting you firmly in the earth. Take your minds attention into your heart space and follow that attention with another deep cleansing breath into your heart. Ask your heart what color or combination of colors needs to grow out of the flower of your heart to exemplify the energy of your highest purpose, your most open heart, and your most balanced state of being. Whatever colors come to you, quickly just trust that. Allow them to begin to unfold out of the flower of your heart and circulate within the chest area of your body. Breathing gently, but deeply, feel the warmth or coolness, and the unique subtleties of your unique person. Allow this radiance to spread gently throughout your body. Allow it to rise up through your neck and into your head, letting it branch off at your neck and cascade down your arms as it flows out the palms of your hands. Gently circulate the energy and allow it to spiral down your torso, down your legs and out the soles of your feet, all the while gently breathing into your body, knowing that this energy is the aliveness of your being and represents your receptivity to Divine guidance and opportunities. Continue to allow this energy to move and swirl in its own way through your body. You may linger here as long as you wish. When you are ready, take a few deep cleansing breaths, knowing that you are continuing to radiate your most authentic, and magnetic essence.

Allow, by Danna Faulds
There is no controlling life.
Try corralling a lightning bolt,
containing a tornado. Dam a
stream and it will create a new
channel. Resist, and the tide
will sweep you off your feet.
Allow, and grace will carry
you to higher ground. The only
safety lies in letting it all in–
the wild and the weak; fear,
fantasies, failures and success.
When loss rips off the doors of
the heart, or sadness veils your
vision with despair, practice
becomes simply bearing the truth.
In the choice to let go of your
known way of being, the whole
world is revealed to your new eyes.


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Miracles💫

Don’t give up on a MIRACLE!

Our world is filled with deeply hurting people and seemingly impossible situations. I know God can move in mighty and mysterious ways—my own life is a miracle itself! I have been praying for MIRACLES for family and friends—for physical healing, financial provision, relationship restoration, and spiritual direction. God loves to answer petitions in Divine will and timing, and rejoices when our hearts are devoted to intercession for others and our world. We’ve got to speak to the impossible!

“For with God nothing will be impossible.” — Luke 1:37 NKJV

I will do the impossible for you. The love I have for you is endless. I will intensify your experience of My love as you seek more of Me. Is there something in front of you that looks impossible? When it looks like everything has blocked our way and there is no one near you to help, I will make it easy for you. Grace will always empower you to sacrifice your personal wishes as you worship in My presence. Strength replaces weakness, grace floods into your impossibility, and I will make it easy for you. The burden you carry must be laid down as you take up My easy yoke and learn of Me. I will enrich your soul, enflame your heart, and give you a greater joy. Song of Songs describes God’s love for us as an unquenchable fire. Imagine standing before that fire and throwing in all of the impossibilities of your life. See them go up in flames! — Brian Simmons

“Place this fierce, unrelenting fire over your entire being.
Rivers of pain and persecution will never extinguish this flame.
Endless floods will be unable to quench this raging fire that burns within you. Everything will be consumed. It will stop at nothing as you yield everything to this furious fire until it won’t even seem to you like a sacrifice anymore.” — Song of Songs 8:6-7, The Passion Translation


Miracle Question Exercise:

Imagine you go to sleep tonight and you awake tomorrow morning. During the night a miracle happened and, when you wake up, your most positive dreams for your future have come true. Remember, a miracle has occurred, so you are waking up to your life as you would ideally like it to be. At this point, you may have only hazy visions of your ideal future, so to help you be specific about what the real life changes would be for you, think about your answers to the following questions:

1. How do you feel when you awake?
2. What is the first thing you will do?
3. Your best friend arrives. Immediately, they notice things have improved. What specific changes do they see?
4. What happens next in your day?

Give a detailed account of the whole day of your ideal life when everything is just as you would ideally want it to be. There are no limits!

This exercise is called the miracle question. It is a question that coaches often ask their clients in order to help them process what they want to change about themselves and their lives.

Adapted from De Shazer, S. (1988, p. 78), Clues: Investigating solutions in brief therapy, New York: Norton


Miracle (Lyrics) by Unspoken
Have you stopped reaching 
No longer seeking greater things 
Have you forgotten 
You have a Father listening
He tells the sun when to rise 
Gives the wind its breath 
Swings a door wide open and 
Moves in the moment you least expect
Don’t you give up on a miracle 
You’ve got to speak to the impossible 
You gotta
Pray till your breakthrough breaks through the ceiling 
Keep on believing 
Don’t you give up 
Don’t you give up 
On a miracle
How many chances 
How many answers 
Pass us by 
You know it takes faith 
To step on the waves 
When you’re terrified 
When you’re backed in a corner 
And you can’t wait any longer
Don’t you give up on a miracle 
You’ve got to speak to the impossible 
You gotta
Pray till your breakthrough breaks through the ceiling 
Keep on believing 
Don’t you give up 
Don’t you give up 
On a miracle
Feels like the prayers and the words you have spoken 
They go unnoticed 
Like drops in the ocean 
Just beyond the veil of your vision 
Your mountains are moving, moving on 
Remember the works His hands have done 
Where you once were and how far you’ve come
Don’t you give up on a miracle
You’ve got to speak to the impossible
You gotta
Pray till your breakthrough breaks through the ceiling
Keep on believing
Don’t you give up
Don’t you give up
On a miracle
Publishing: © 2016 Centricity Music Publishing (ASCAP)/Jon Lowry designee/Wordspring Music, LLC & Fleauxmotion Music (SESAC) Writers: Chad Mattson, Jon Lowry and Tedd T

Arise 2021 ❤︎

EXPANSION began 2018. ADVENTURE filled 2019. EMBRACE captured 2020. When asking God for my theme word for 2021, He clearly gave me ARISE.

I was reading the Bible in Acts Chapter 9. God spoke to Ananias and directed him to find and heal Saul.

The Lord said, ‘Go at once to the street called Abundance and look for Saul’… The Lord Yahweh answered him, ‘Arise and go!’

Acts 9: 11, 15 TPT

Two words popped out to me here: Abundance and Arise.

Arise = emerge, get or stand up, come into being.

Abundance = plentifulness of the good things in life; overflowing.

The Lord continued to speak to me through His Word. “Now it’s time to be made new by every revelation that’s given to you.” Ephesians 4:23 TPT

I received a surprising phone call a few days later from a very close family member. My loved one reached out to seek forgiveness for so many things, and I was able to receive, and seek forgiveness from him as well. It was the most powerful and healing exchange as we discussed and expressed our love and appreciation for one another. Wow! Thank you, Dad, for this amazing gift.

Soon after, I was drawn to a new learning opportunity. Should I invest in, and commit to a 100-hour Regenerate™: Christ-Centered Trauma Recovery Training in 2021? God’s Word given to me to confirm on my mom’s birthday, “But you should boil over with passion in seeking the higher gifts.” 1 Corinthians 12:31 TPT Yes, I committed.

A — Anticipate

R — Revelation

I — It’s Time

S — Seek (the higher gifts)

E — Emerge


Be willing to go out on a limb with Me. If that is where I am leading you, it is the safest place to be. Your desire to live a risk-free life is a form of unbelief. Your longing to live close to Me is at odds with your attempts to minimize risk. You are approaching a crossroads in your journey. In order to follow Me wholeheartedly, you must relinquish your tendency to play it safe. — Jesus Calling, December 9

What are you ready to leave behind so you can ARISE in who you know yourself to be?

2021, it’s time. ❤︎

Merry Christmas 2020 ❤️

em·brace | \ im-ˈbrās \

Definition of EMBRACE

1a: to clasp in the arms : HUG
b: CHERISH, LOVE
2: ENCIRCLE, ENCLOSE
3a: to take up especially readily or gladly embrace a cause
b: to avail oneself of : WELCOME, embraced the opportunity to study further
4a: to take in or include as a part, item, or element of a more inclusive whole, charity embraces all acts that contribute to human welfare

I hope to hug, love, and encircle more. To treasure every moment with my teen daughters while they are still at home. To expand my client circle, and help encourage health and healing for many. (written 12/19/19)

Embrace was my word for 2020, given to me last December (and, so timely). I can’t wait to share the word given to me for 2021! Until then, let’s fully embrace this HOLY-days season.

Have you recently read the lyrics to O Holy Night? Let them truly sink-in and embrace your heart and soul…

‘O Holy Night’ (John Sullivan Dwight's version)

 O holy night, the stars are brightly shining,
 It is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth;
 Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
 'Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.
 A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
 For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn;

 Chorus
 Fall on your knees, Oh hear the angel voices!
 O night divine! O night when Christ was born.
 O night, O holy night, O night divine.

 Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming;
 With glowing hearts by his cradle we stand:
 So, led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
 Here come the wise men from Orient land,
 The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger,
 In all our trials born to be our friend;

 Chorus

 He knows our need, To our weakness no stranger!
 Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!
 Behold your King! your King! before him bend!
 Truly He taught us to love one another;
 His law is Love and His gospel is Peace;
 Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother,
 And in his name all oppression shall cease,
 Sweet hymns of joy in grateful Chorus raise we;
 Let all within us praise his Holy name!

 Chorus

 Christ is the Lord, then ever! ever praise we!
 His pow'r and glory, evermore proclaim!
 His pow'r and glory, evermore proclaim!

“I don’t want a Christmas you can buy.

I don’t want a Christmas you can make.

What I want is a Christmas you can hold.

A Christmas that holds me,

remakes me, revives me.

I want a Christmas that whispers, Jesus.”

— Ann Voskamp

Merry Christmas and Happy HOLY-days from our family to yours. I am encircling each and every one of you in Love and Light, and praying for divine joy and peace to fill your hearts, always. ❤️ Let’s fall on our knees… ~ Heather

“This is the life-giving message we heard him share and it’s still ringing in our ears. We now repeat his words to you: God is pure light. You will never find even a trace of darkness in him.” ‭‭1 John‬ ‭1:5‬ ‭TPT‬‬