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Thursday, March 31, 2016

5 Tips for Living Inspired


We all love to feel motivated. The feeling, however, doesn’t always show up in our lives. In fact, most days, my feelings are the exact opposite of what I want to feel. Normally, I wake up unmotivated and uninspired. 

And everyday I have to make a decision. Stay in my current mind-set, or seek God.

One of the first things I do each morning is read my Bible. It has become a routine, because if I waited until I felt like reading God’s word, then I may not get around to it each day. And reading His word inspires me. Even if it’s only a few minutes each day, it sets the tone for the rest of my day. As I read about His goodness, it encourages me to live well. 

Suddenly the workout I’ve been contemplating transforms from a chore to a blessing. Instead of viewing my t0-do list with disdain, I’m learning to view it with gratitude. At any moment all of our complaints could be taken away. 

Sometimes we need to think about how we would feel if our complaints were taken away. When we focus on our on our problems, we have even more problems.  Nevertheless, when we focus on our gratitude, we find so many more things to be thankful for. 

Every day we need to consciously look for the joy in our lives. And if we can’t find any, then we need to create it. 

We need to plan our days, and create better routines. When we figure out what brings us joy, then we can invite more of it into our lives. If we want to have a great day, then we need to seek after God. And show up.

We don’t always feel like praying, but if we take a few minutes to be alone with God, He sees our efforts. Sometimes if we just start walking, then we will start to enjoy it. Inspiration doesn’t just strike us, we have to search for it. And we have to purposely seek it daily. 

Today, I didn’t feel like writing. But I sat down in my chair and put forth an effort anyway. After a few minutes, the idea started forming and the words starting filling the page. 

If we show up every day for the things that are important to us, then God will bless our efforts. It makes me think of Jacob in the Bible. He wrestled with the angel (man) all night and wouldn’t let go of it until God blessed him. That’s how we need to be—steadfast and unmovable for our Lord.

Sometimes I feel so inadequate and overwhelmed. My computer knowledge is limited—I only know enough to be dangerous. And trying to figure it all out just discourages me. But I know that if I don’t give up, God will provide a way. He will either teach me what I need to know or send someone to help me. God understands my struggles, but He does not accept my excuses. 

Instead of saying:“I can’t” we should say, “God, with your help I can do all things.”

5 Tips to Living Inspired Daily
1. Seek God and His guidance. 
2. Put forth an effort toward your goals and vision.
3. Practice gratitude.
4. Eat well and drink water. 
5. Exercise. 


Have a wonderful day!


Candida 

Thursday, March 17, 2016

Getting Back on Track

Since last Thursday, I’ve been in a constant state of struggle and overwhelm. It’s been difficult to breathe, difficult to work, and difficult to sleep. Even the smallest of tasks have been hard for me. When I reach this point, all I can do is cry and pray.

Crying and praying, however, are very therapeutic. It allows me to speak to God in the deepest and most authentic way. He understands my tears. He knows why each tear surfaces and exactly how to help me. 

Our struggles are not always bad. Most often times God uses them to help us get back on track. 

As long as everything is going great in my life, I don’t really pray like I should. Nor take the time to make sure I’m on the right track. But the minute something goes wrong, it gets my attention. And forces me to dig a little deeper, and start asking myself questions. 

Am I where God wants me to be? 

Is He pleased with me?

Am I doing the work that feeds my soul?

This journey has been a constant battle for me. The devil doesn’t always show up with a pitchfork and horns. We don’t always realize that he is the one distracting us and luring us away from God. He’s subtle, and it happens a little at a time.

Just because I’m sitting in my chair, at my desk, doesn’t mean that I’m working. Just because I’m on social media sharing my story, doesn’t mean that I’m doing what God wants me to do. Sometimes the devil gives us a little bit of the truth to cover the lie. But it’s still a lie.

I was speaking to a group one night about being an author, when someone asked me about my daily writing habits. And I totally fumbled my answer. Why? because I realized as the answer was tumbling out of my mouth that I’m not a dedicated writer. I only write when I’m inspired or heartbroken or working on a new book. 

But what if I made it a priority? What if writing became part of my every day life? What if it became a habit? 

Writing is my gift from God! And I’ve been neglecting it to do other things. Because it’s so difficult for me! It takes focus, determination and dedication. All of which I have been lacking lately. Today, however, is a new day!

And I am determined to take my gift of writing, along with my gift of life and merge them together. Because I don’t want to look back on my life, years from now, and have so many regrets. I want to die empty, and know that I did God’s work to the absolute best of my ability, and in the end there was nothing left inside of me to give. 

So my goal, every single day, is to write! 
  • No exceptions! Schedule the time to write on my calendar.
  • No excuses! Make it a priority in my life.
  • Stop saying yes to someone or something when that means saying no to my writing. 

Is there something in your life that you are neglecting? Share it in the comments. 

Have a wonderful day!


Candida 

Thursday, March 10, 2016

Turning Heartaches into Blessings: How to Make a Daily Difference

This morning, I received a text that scared me to death. My son, who had just arrived at school, texted me that there was a rumor of a threat to his school and police officers were there. 

And in that moment, God had my undivided attention. 

Praise God everything turned out okay today. BUT why did this happen? Things don’t just happen without reason. Who threatened that school today or started rumors, and why? Why did a  similar situation occur in January? What do we need to learn that we are ignoring? 

My mind has been racing since I received the text. These questions have continuously plagued my mind. And I have been praying for understanding. In my heart, I realize that so many people are hurting. So many people feel broken and hopeless. 


If there was ever a time that we need to search out the old paths and walk in them, it is now. 

And when we see that our neighbors are struggling, we need to take them to the Lord in prayer. We need to pray for our children as well as our neighbors’ children, and help them when we can. If we continue to look the other way, tragedy will eventually befall upon us. Today we received a warning, as well an opportunity to share God’s love.

What can we do? Ask yourself that question today. As a community, how can we help those that are troubled? 


A few suggestions for how we can make a daily difference:

  1. Every day pray for those who are struggling. We might not know their name, but God knows exactly who they are.
  2. Use social media to post positive affirmations, stories, and hope. Those who are hurting don’t always talk about it or ask for help. 
  3. Share our stories and new perspectives with others. 
  4. Share our beliefs and hope. 
  5. Be kind. Everyone is fighting some type of battle. 
  6. Extend God’s love and give others a glimpse of Him.
  7. Be compassionate. 

At some point this morning, my fearful heart was plotting to homeschool my children. In all honestly, I never want to let them out of my sight again. But then I thought about all of the things I would be taking away from them, because of my fear. And I will not teach my children to live in fear. I will not take away their friendships and their daily interactions with their peers. We will not live in fear.

John 14:27 (KJV)
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Have a blessed day!

Candida 

Author shares message through Zippy the zebra