I think its safe to say that people are blind, we can be blind in so many ways. Today it is almost like people prefer to be blind than to see things as they truly are. Our blindness is used in almost every aspect of our lives, its in our work, marriages, relationships, family, school, religion, economy, and world. The reason we prefer to be blind is because it seems life would be much easier if we ignore all of the problems happening right in front of us. I know I am like this but lately my eyes have been open to things I never thought I'd see.
I think its important for everyone to start seeing the truth, if we do this we really can grow in our relationships, work, etc... It may not be fun or easy, but its worth the work if at the end of the day we are seeing things truly as they are.
Being blind can not only hurt you but hurt others as well. So put on those glasses or pop in those contacts and start seeing things through clear eyes!
Every now and then my grandmother, mother, and I like to go out for a day and just have fun. I love these days because I get to spend time with two of my favorite ladies. We always go eat at fabulous restaurants and then go to our favorite stores. These are two ladies I want to be when I grow up. Loving , faithful, patient, encouraging, inspiring, funny, sassy, and always full of fun. What else is there to strive for in life?
A Second Chance: What do you think? Do you think everyone deserves a second chance? Of course this could be taken in many ways. My second chance came in College when I was given the chance to be who I am and not who others made me be. Do not misunderstand, I was never the girl who wanted to be like everyone else and fell into peer pressure. Ugh still to this day I can't stand trying to be like everybody else, why would I? In my opinion Im Great! I like me, I find myself super funny and very entertaining.... You see in high school I was homeschooled, (side note: Home schooling is awesome! and I turned out totally normal...) Growing up I was shy and quiet, however I out grew that sophomore year in high school, yet no one would know that because everyone still treated me as the shy, quiet (homeschooled) girl. Oh but college was my chance, my big break! My friends today laugh at me when I say I was shy and quiet, or better yet... homeschooled. Their response is always "But you're so normal!" haha. But its great being myself and everyone letting me be just that! Enjoy your second chance today!
The Day My Dreams Came True: When I was three years old I had a child come up to me in preschool and ask me a question I had never heard before. "Are you a Auburn or Alabama fan?" Naturally being three years old I had no idea what either of those things were, so I picked which one sounded prettier and I said Auburn. Little did I know I did actually pick the prettier one, (in my opinion). After that I began to learn over the years more about auburn and I knew that I had to go there. When I was nine years old, I had an interior decorator tell me that I would make an unbelievable decorator. It was in that small moment I knew what I wanted to do with my life. Come to find out, Auburn has one of the greatest Interior Design programs in the U.S. So guess where I just HAD to go? When I turned eighteen I knew I was going to go to a community college first, it seemed the smarter choice, and very much was. but after two years there, the time came to apply for the College of my dreams. Guess what!...
Why I Started Blogging: Today I have decided to share with you why I started blogging. On June 1st 2015 I started my blog. I had no idea what I was doing, what I would say, what was important in blogging, or anything. My sister has a very successful blog and she made it look so easy!! At first when I started I thought that I would focus my blog mostly around fashion and a little around lifestyle. I thought this because I have always loved fashion and trying new looks, and standing out. I didn't think I had enough of anything else to write about. I thought "who would care?". Little did I know... My blog immediately became a lifestyle blog right before my eyes. I realized I could write about ANYTHING I wanted, and people DID care. I very quickly realized the importance to get my posts available to social media, and how much social media impacted my blog. Once I had it moving (slowly but moving) I started getting to know other bloggers which encouraged me to keep going. My sister was the biggest help, she gave me all of her tips and got me moving along smoothly. Thanks to her I was able to hit a goal I set for myself way ahead of time. She continues to help me still to this day, along with many other bloggers who aren't aware. So I just wanted to say thank you, to everyone who has encouraged me to keep going, everyone who leaves me the comments that melt my heart, and everyone who cares about what I have to say.
Here is your ultimate guide to becoming a blogger. Being a blogger isn't just about being successful or making money... No its so much more than that. Today I am going to give you the ultimate guide to being a blogger.
To be a blogger you.... MUST OWN A SELFIE-STICK!
MUST OWN A MUG (even better if your blogs name is on it)
MUST OWN RANDOM STUFF THAT MAKES NO SENSE EXCEPT FOR BLOGGERS!
Lets be real, real quick... Life is full of reasons for us to feel powerless. Rather it be in the work field, school, family, friends, etc. Feeling powerless surrounds us each and every day, and is constantly trying to find more ways to make us feel defeated. One way I have seen the attack on people in life has been from words. Think about it... Most of the time when you find yourself feeling powerless its because of something that someone has said to you. There are different forms of this, there are the forms of it coming from a boss or professor saying you have one hour to do the impossible... in that case GOOD LUCK! in other cases it comes from people who just do it to be mean.
So here we go...
#1. The sooner you realize only you have control of yourself, and your life, the better. This makes it harder for people to steal your joy, and hurt your feelings.
#2. Most likely the person who is trying to make you feel powerless is in fact the one that IS powerless, their words, therefore, are empty and hold no power at all. A great example to compare this to is your average bully, most likely the reason they bully is because they themselves are bullied.
#3. Pray for those people, love those people, and don't give up on those people. They know not what they do.
Just by realizing these things can truly help you feel more Powerful, more in control, and overall more happy.
At times life can throw some pretty stressful times your way. These stressful times are by no means a joke, I have seen families ripped apart by stressful time and marriages fall apart. I've seen people literally go insane mentally and lose control over what seems right and what seems wrong. The things that cause stress can easily be anything from finances, divorce, abuse, children, disloyalty, dishonesty, bad grade, lost job, and the list goes on. Everyone deals with at least one of these things and what Ive learned from my experience is that people tend to be ashamed to admit to that.
When stress enters your life it can cause disastrous chaos if you're not quick enough to act on it and with the right tools.
Im not meaning for this post to be a feel good post, however I do hope that you can walk away feeling more prepared to face whatever life may throw your way.
First off you need to understand where stress really comes from. I believe the Lord tries us, that He allows us to be tempted so that we can grow. If we weren't tried and tested then how do you expect to get through life? For example I can't go be an engineer and be successful if I wasn't tried and tested through college to be an engineer. You can't expect to know what you have not be taught.
Step 1: Don't look at these times as dark ones, but as a journey to be traveled and a stronger you at the end.
Try to understand where the stress is coming from. This is where people make their biggest mistake when dealing with stress, they don't actually see where the true target is and take out their frustrations on other things or people.
Step 2: Locate the true target, and don't take out your frustrations on others.
Don't be ashamed to ask for help, if we didn't need others then you would be the only person on the earth.
Step 3: Seek wisdom from others, through stressful times you can't trust that your own mind is functioning correctly.
Once you understand what the target is and you have sought out advise from a trustworthy friend or parent, then it becomes the time to act.
Step 4: By this point you should well understand what to do and how to go about doing it.
Yet there is still one thing lacking, Faith. Faith which brings forth courage, and strength. Having Faith in the Lord doesn't mean you'll get that A on your exam without studying, but that the Lord will help guide you through the steps for preparing to get that A. Faith gives us the courage that everything will be okay. It gives us the strength to do those things that we fear to do by ourselves.
Quick Guide to Keeping Your New Years Resolutions:
Whats your New Years Resolutions?
Its that time again... That time when we make ourselves promises at the beginning of the New Year and break them one month in. Goals such as to lose weight, read the entire bible, do better in school, make more money, eat better, live better, be kinder, do more charity... etc. Our lists grow longer with each new year, and the most I've ever been able to check off that list is maybe one thing.
So here's a few strategies you should try that have seemed to help me in the past.
Make resolutions with people, that way you have other people holding you accountable. Set check in dates throughout the year to check in with yourself and see how your progressing and where you need to try harder. Don't set so many goals for yourself, just one or two. Lastly try to make each goal and each step fun for yourself, otherwise you're miserable and ready to quit.
We have all heard this saying a thousand times.. "Not everything is what it seems!" Way too often we let our judgements get in the way of life. We think we know what is, and what will be.... one problem, we're not God!
Way too often I find myself passing judgement on a situation before I fully understand all sides of it. There are times when I pass judgement on a person before I really get to know them. And there are times when I pass judgement on myself and give myself a hard time that I don't deserve.
Everyone struggles with at least one of those examples listed above! Why is it we are so quick to judge?
"Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?"
I believe it is because we try to make ourselves feel better by pointing out others flaws, such as the example in the Bible that says remove the plank out of your own eye before pointing out the speck in anothers. We are to love one another, care for one another, not hurt each other!
So I challenge you today, go to work or school or wherever, and give a compliment to someone you're normally quite hard on, and see how different of a day you have!
Well y'all this isn't a normal post for me but I certainly hope that you enjoy it. Lately I have noticed myself going through life seeking inspiration from anything... and I mean anything! With my major being Interior Design I am constantly having to have new ideas and think outside box. But I'm officially drained! I have no inspiration anymore...
Or do I?
That is one of the funny things about life, we can feel drained and hopeless, but if we would just open our eyes a little wider or even for one second managed to step out of our comfort zone, we would see that the entire world is full of answers for us! We're just too blind to see it! We look in the wrong places, and we get all caught up in life and what we're doing that we miss the big picture staring us in the face. My inspiration was at the tip of my nose, I just had to focus a little more to be able to see it. But once I did, my ideas were pouring out of me and into the world!
My point to all of this is that no matter how tired you are, or drained and hopeless, don't give up! Giving up is the worst possible thing you could do. Because nothing ever comes from giving up, so keep trying, keep seeking the inspiration you need to keep going. I promise you if you're looking hard enough, one day you will find what you're looking for!
A lot of people say "hey I got courage" but do they really? Courage is a word used now a days too lightly. Courage is something that can make your life great or horrible, it is all based on how you use it. There is no such thing as "not good enough" so go ahead and clear that from your mind. Moving on, "YOU" are great, beautiful, smart, worthy. How does that make you feel? You feel slightly more confident hearing those words spoken to you? Of course you do, because words have power! "You are NOTHING" Focus on those words, you are WORTHLESS, UGLY, DUMB! Now how do you feel? You want to go crawl under a rock and cry? Well yeah! No one can hear that and not be effected by those words. You're probably wondering what this has to do with courage... well everyday (sadly) people are being told these words in many forms. Through others actions, words, and thoughts. The worst part is that people believe it and let it control them or control their day. AND THATS NOT OKAY! Words have power rather if we like it or not, so we need to learn how to control the words we use. Speak words of life to others even people who beat you down with their words. Lift them up and I guarantee they will begin lifting others. 7 Benefits: 1. You feel more confident. (It takes more to bring you down than usual) 2. You see things differently. (The glass is half full, the sun is brighter, hey thats a pretty rock!) 3. You lift others up. (People always need encouraging so give others what they need) 4. You gain experience. (Courage brings you to take chances you normally wouldn't and you grow from it new experience) 5. You are more successful. (People are always looking to hire or promote people who show true courage) 6. You're admired. (People notice when others have courage, and they in return try to model themselves after them) 7. You are truly HAPPY. (Having courage brings happiness and joy to your life, and makes it worth living)
Today I want to share with you all one of my greatest blessings. Her name is Logan, she is the proud owner of a blog called LoganCan. She has such a unique taste for life, fashion, food, books, etc.
One thing that I admire so much about her is her dedication. She never turns down a challenge and she works hard for what she wants. She doesn't take handouts, but she is the first to hand out. When things get tough, well you would never know because she doesn't let it show.
The second thing I admire about her is her creativeness. She sees things in such a different perspective from the world, and creates masterpieces through what she sees. She always has the cutest ideas for blog posts and doesn't mind helping a friend come up with some as well.
The third thing I admire about her is her relativeness. She makes her posts so relatable as if she were talking directly to you. She has a power with her words to build you up and make you feel good about yourself. And no matter what kind of day you're having she can put a smile on your face.
Logan has a heart of gold that the world is lucky enough to get to experience. She is the most hard working woman you will ever meet. She worked hard for her blog and is EXTREMELY successful with it. She doesn't mind giving tips to help out her friends or family with their blogs. She became successful because she is a success!
Every time I see this girl she is rocking a new style and making it look good. She is daring, and thrilling, and you can't help but want to be her. She makes every style look classy and that is because of her inner beauty just as well as her outer.
Do you like books? Probably not as much as Logan. She can tell you the best reads for every week of every month. She loves to read books and share with you her thoughts on them. Not to mention she looks adorable while doing so. (As seen above)
Logan is a traveler, she has been many places thanks to her amazing hubby. And she loves sharing her stories with you. She can tell you the greatest places to go, eat, and sleep. She has such an exciting life that she loves sharing with us.
Number 20-something of things I admire about her. Logan is a mother of two precious children you can see on her blog. She is one of the greatest mothers I know and have ever seen. She loves her children and they certainly love her. She makes mothering look easy, and she's amazing at it. She is the second best mother I know (compared to mine) and she is, because we share THE most amazing mom together.
Logan is my big sister who taught me and so many others the ropes of blogging and although none of us will ever be as great as she is, she is one amazing teacher. She was born to blog and if there is one thing I have learned as a blogger is that, some people are born to blog and others just blog to blog. Logan was definitely born for it, and does it quite well.
Thank you Logan for all that you do not only for me, but for everyone you encounter. You truly are one of my greatest blessings.
Todays post is a little different from what I usually do. I am writing this because it is something that was laid on my heart lately and I want to share it with you! I ask that you be open minded while reading it, and please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
People are okay with your religion as long as you don't believe that your God is THE God. We live in a society that was created by/through God yet today we argue rather or not prayer should be done in schools. It is more important to people that we all accept one another beliefs and leave it at that. No one wants to be told that their wrong or that what/who they worship is wrong.
We are so busy trying not to offend others that instead were offending our God and what we believe in. We try not to shove our religion down others throats, yet is that not our purpose? Is this not why we believe?
In this story you see three men of true faith, and a king full of hatred. The three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, never backed down from their faith in God. They were willing to face whatever the king did to them for their belief. They were even willing to die, for their God. Now let's jump back to today... we are arguing over the right for students to pray in school... I hope that you all are seeing how silly this is looking.
The people who try to get rid of our God, do not know our God. Nebuchadnezzar (the king) did not know God. In fact he hated him, he tried to mock him, but look at the end of the story...
28 Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent His Angel[b] and delivered His servants who trusted in Him, and they have frustrated the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they should not serve nor worship any god except their own God! 29 Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, or language which speaks anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made an ash heap; because there is no other God who can deliver like this.”
After witnessing these three men and their faith, the king could not help but worship the Lord.
What God do you believe in, that you would walk into a fiery furnace for? Jesus was willing (a sinless man) to be separated from God and go to hell (a fiery furnace) for us. Do you have a God like this one? Do you know what this God is like?
Peoples favorite question to ask is "How can you love a God who allows suffering?" Well here is your answer- When loved ones are lost, we ask "why?".. We do not have an answer to "why?".. However we do have an answer to "where?". And that is that God is there with you, in the fiery furnace He is standing beside you.
One way to help you understand this is this.. You're only as happy a parent as your saddesy child. You would rather take their place, just as God did/does/do for us. He is in the furnace for us today. You will suffer, but you won't suffer alone, and that is the point.
If you look back in the verses you will see that one thing did burn in the furnace. Did you see what it was? The only thing that burned in the furnace was the rope that bound them. Jesus took that rope to hell with him when He died for us. There is nothing holding us back from worshiping our Lord.
13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.[d] On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.[e]
What motivates us to stand up when everyone else stands down?
No other god saves like this!!
He is The way, The truth, and The life.
If you believe in this God then you believe he is there with you in the furnace. What do we have to fear when we have a God like this?
Faith, true faith, is when you can say "God I know You can do this, I know that if it is according to Your will, You will do it. But even if You don't, I believe in You!"
You can ask "why is Christianity so different? Well its because it is so different! Even the king Nebuchadnezzar, said so.
So again look at today, do you worship a God as great as this? If so here is my point for today...
I dare you - To stand up with such faith.
If you don't worship a God as great as this, it's never too late to get to know Him, and a great place to start is with His Word.
I hate change! I hate when things have to be different. It can be hard to consider yourself a strong person, but sometimes you don't have a choice. You know what I mean? Being in College change comes every semester, you have new classmates, new schedule, new friends, sometimes a new apartment, etc. Change comes throughout all of life, in the workforce, in high school, and even just in the home. So why do we not like it?
Why change is scary:
Change is scary because we are human. Like in Christina Perri's song "Human" we can only take so much. We want to be able to handle more in life, but we're not God... thank goodness. We fear change because of the unknown, we are a people who want to know that everything is going to be okay. Change, however, has no absolute.
How to handle it:
So how should we look at it when we are people who don't like change? Think back to past situations, remember how you felt scared then? Now look to where you are now, do you see how you have grown since then? We fear the unknown, but the unknown is how we live, it is everywhere, it is part of who we are. Everyday is unknown, and if we look at change from that perspective, we can face it with more courage.
Grow:
Change brings growth. Allow the change to happen, so that you allow yourself to grow.
Seeing things from a different perspective: Guess what... we're only human. I know that was shocking to hear. We can so easily get caught up in what is going on around us that we begin to break down and not function properly. That is why it is so important to step back and get a new perspective of the situation. Me: I am insanely blessed with a wonderful family, and wonderful friends. I find myself quite often getting caught up in situations that aren't necessary because I'm not looking at them from different perspectives. My friends and family have always been so helpful as to show me the situation differently or from there perspective of it. Why do this?: By getting a different perspective you see things more clearly or at least they don't seem as bad. It gives you a chance to step back from the situation and maybe see that there is a better way of handling it. How to do this: 1. Talk to somebody about it. Make sure that its someone you trust and someone who you know gives good advice. Its best that its somebody that you're close to, that way they know your personality and can put that in account to the advice they give. It is important to get a fresh pair of eyes on the situation. 2. Get away. What ever it is that is going on, unplug yourself from the situation and get away. Spend a day at the park or with different people. Go see a movie or play a sport of some type to get your mind free. My go to place is usually bowling:) 3. Pray. People underestimate the power of prayer all the time, yet prayer is even where nonbelievers go when they feel helpless and desperate. Because we are only human we can't help but hope that there is a greater power above us. Who better to turn to in trying times than the Lord and Creator of life. 4. Exercise. It is proven that exercise is not only good for losing weight but for therapy as well. Whenever I feel overwhelmed or under a lot of stress due to situations I always go on a walk. It helps me clear my mind and place my thoughts on other, more important things. 5. Write it down. By writing it down you can sometimes see your viewpoint of the situation, then try to consider other sides by writing them down as well. This can help you understand how to handle the situation maybe in a better way than what you already were.
