The Path To Success

The very moment that we decide to change something in our life, an obstacles arises. Have you ever noticed how that always seems to happen? Perhaps, we decide that tomorrow we are going to get up at 5 am to workout, but we end up having a sleepless night. Or we decide that we are going eat healthier, and we are invited to a party. The scenarios are all the same. Once we start moving toward our goals and desires, the enemy tries to stop us. He doesn’t want us to do anything to better ourselves. 

The only way to defeat him is to know why we want to change. Our desire to change has to be greater than the comfort of remaining the same. Obstacles will arise. Hardships will come. We will get off track and even get discouraged at times. The key to overcoming, however, is to be relentless in our efforts. 

Some things are completely out of control. Unexpected things come up. In those trying times, we just have to do the best that we can do—in that moment—and forget the rest. Then we need to get back on track as soon as possible. 

The journey to success is not straight. It has many wrong turns and obstacles to overcome. That is what makes it so rewarding. 

Every day we get to choose how we will spend our time and what is the most important to us. And we need to make sure that whatever we are spending our time with is moving us closer to our dreams. 

Love and blessings, 

Candida

Taking Back Control

I used to take drugs to make it through my day. While they were prescription drugs, prescribed by my doctor, still I was completely addicted to them. My body became dependent on them, and soon I needed more and more to help me feel calm. But the truth is that I never really felt calm. Even with three pills a day, I still struggled with stress, depression, and anxiety. 

My problem was that I took the pills prescribed to help me, but I didn’t do anything to help myself. Just taking the pills alone did not help me, so my doctor increased my dosage. The answer to my problems, however, was not in a pill. It was the Lord. 

No amount of medication in the world can help a Godly sorrow. What I needed more than anything else was a relationship with God. Once I started seeking Him, He helped me to overcome the reasons for why I needed the medication. When we change our mindset about a situation, how we feel about the situation changes immediately. 

Once I started making changes in my life, I no longer needed the medicine. Most of my problems were self made. I had a horrible habit of procrastinating. Putting things off to the last minute, however, kept me in that feeling of stress. Nurturing negative thoughts was another habit that I had to break. It was the devil’s way of keeping me in that feeling of hopelessness. So was rushing. I would sleep until the last possible second every morning and then rush to get ready for work. I also stayed up too late at night, so I wasn’t getting enough sleep. 

Realizing my obstacles, and then working to overcome them has made an enormous difference in my life. My life today, doesn’t even resemble my life a few years ago. If we are not growing, then we are dying. 

Some of my favorite ways to deal with stress:

1. Prayer
2. Deep breathing 
3. Meditation
4. Exercise
5. Massage
6. Walk in nature
7. Laughter
8. Get up early and schedule my day
9. Writing
10. Read something inspiring

Sometimes we just need to evaluate our life, and take back the control from our enemy. He will destroy us, if we give him the opportunity. 

Some Bible verses to help:

Philippians 4:6-7 (KJV)

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Psalm 61:2 (KJV)

2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

1 Peter 5:7 (KJV)

7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

John 16:33 (KJV)

33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

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.

Love and blessings, 

Candida 

Half Way There: 15/30

Sometimes we need to take a chance and do the unexpected, in order to prove to ourselves that it’s possible. When I first received my new workout package, I was a little disappointed that the calendar was 30 scheduled workouts—with no rest day. Even though I have regularly exercised for years, I have never done so for 30 days in a row. Immediately, my mind started making excuses. Because we always believe that it is impossible, until we do it. 

Today, I am half way there.

For the first week, my mind constantly searched for a reason to skip a day. But once I reached the 7 day mark, it has become easier to convince myself that I can do it. This workout program has been especially challenging for me because it is targeting my weakness and strengthening the areas that I have so much trouble with. My doctor thinks that it may really help me in the long run.

Anytime we try to change something about ourselves, it is hard. Not only do we have to push our bodies to do more, but we also have to push our minds. Our enemy would love to keep us in a place of pain and unhappiness. He delights in our suffering. But when we break through his barriers and do the unexpected, we set up a stone of remembering for ourselves. Then, the next time that he arrives in our lives and tells us that we can’t do something, we can remember our previous victory with the Lord and how He helped us to overcome our negative thoughts and our enemy. 

The only way to grow, physically, emotionally, and spiritually is constantly push ourselves beyond our comfort zone and to embrace the challenges in our lives. When I do my own challenges, it helps me to develop the strength that I will need for future battles. Every day I am training for my life. Every time that I push myself to my preconceived limits, and then overcome them, I am teaching myself not to give up when life gets tough. And I love how I feel when it’s over. 

Love and blessings, 

Candida

Loving Our Enemies

Matthew 5:44 KJV

[44] But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

It is so hard for us to love those that hurt us. We often seek revenge and want to hurt the ones who have hurt us. But what if we loved them instead? Isn't that what a God has commanded us to do?

If there is one that I have learned about God's word, it is that there are no exceptions. It doesn't tell us to love them, except if they do this or that. 

We are all human. Sometimes I lash out at my loved ones when I'm hurting, scared, or not doing what I'm supposed to be doing. When I'm in that state, I need love, understanding, and compassion the most. Even though my actions might say otherwise. 

The more we practice the loving state, the more natural it will become in our lives. I want to react with love first, instead of anger.   Since this is my weakness, it is something that I have to work on constantly. It is not my place to judge others,  but my responsibility to love them. 

Love and blessings, 

Candida

The Power of Vision

Last night, I decided to go back through my journal and read some of the things that I had previously recorded. After a few pages, I found a place where I talked about writing words of encouragement—365 of them to be exact. As I read my words, I smiled and was a little awed by my Lord. He gave me the thought at least a year before I wrote the first one. And I had completely forgotten about even writing that in my journal. In fact, it was my publisher who suggested that I write the 365 snippets for an app.  

Now, however, as I look at my new app “Words of Encouragement” I realize the importance of writing things down. If we can dream it, we can achieve it. Before my books were ever published, I imagined kids surrounding me as I read them all about Zippy. Now I have three Zippy books in print, along with translations in Spanish and Russian, and I’ve read my stories to thousands of children. Before I had ever met anyone else with Amniotic Band Syndrome, I imagined it. The day that I attended a picnic with over 200 people, some of them with ABS, I remembered my dream. For two years, I wrote, ‘become an award winning author’ on my vision board. This year, in 2016, it happened. 

When we become clear about what we want and develop a plan to make it happen, anything is possible. I believe that God is the One who puts those dreams in our hearts. He wants us to do everything that is possible for us to do to make it happen, and then leave the impossible to Him. 

Would you be interested in learning more about my process of creating a vision board? This can work with all areas of our life. Send me an email to: candidasullivan@yahoo.com or leave me a comment. 

Also my app “Words of Encouragement” is free in the app store. I’d love for you to download it. 

Love and blessings, 

Candida

Honoring the Commitment

It would have been so easy for me to skip my workout today. I slept in this morning and made it harder on myself. Normally, I get out of bed and do it first thing, before anything else distracts me. Today, however, my schedule was different. Instead of going to work, I went shopping with my mom and sister. 

After hours of shopping and playing with my niece, I just wanted to take a nap when I got home. For a few minutes, there was a warfare inside of me. My enemy always has a list of excuses at my disposal, and he encourages me to use them. If the first list doesn’t work, he always has more. All I have to do is look for the excuses. The devil has an abundance. 

My commitment to myself, my team, and to my challenge group, however, was stronger than my excuses. I was reminded that when we commit to someone or something that we should follow through. Yes, it will be hard. Yes, we will want to quit. We can’t just show up when it’s easy or convenient. If we just show up when we feel like it, then we will soon discover that we rarely feel like it. Therefore, it’s our dedication and determination on the hard days that will determine our success. 

Love and blessings, 

Candida

Happy Thanksgiving!

May God bless your hearts with love, happiness, and peace— today and always. As I count my blessings, I realize that I have so much to be grateful for. God is so good! 

Love and blessings, 

Candida 

What Are You Grateful For?

As Thanksgiving approaches, my heart shifts toward the grateful mindset. While I could write pages about my blessings, I could never fully explain how grateful I am to be saved by God’s amazing grace. It is the greatest gift ever  known to man.

The peace that fills my soul is priceless and yet it can’t be bought. Regardless of what I do wrong, my God still loves me. Even when I mess up and disappoint Him, He still loves me. When I’m afraid, He is my comforter. When I’m too weak to walk on my own, He carries me. He is my protector, my rock, my strength and a wonderful Savior. He always has exactly what I need. I’m so humbled and grateful to be His child. 

It is because of my Lord that I have everything in my life. He’s so good to me. I have a home waiting on me in Heaven that’s not made with hands. One of these days, I’ll be with my Lord forever. What a day that will be!

Until then, I’m going to praise His sweet name and do my best to live for Him. 

Psalm 100:4-5 KJV 

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

What are you the most grateful for in your life right now? 

Love and blessings, 

Candida

The Enemy’s After Your Mind

How many times have you lost sleep because you were worried about something beyond your control? Do you ever feel hopeless or helpless? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then trust me, you are not alone. 

The devil works in our mind. Although we give him lots of credit, he is not as strong as we believe. The truth is that he is locked on a chain and he can’t even get to us. If we stay out of his reach. While he can’t come to us, so often we go to him. We listen as he beckons to us. 

We get stuck in certain states and start to worry, feel anxious, become lazy, fearful, angry, etc. Once a negative thought emerges, we have to decide what we want to do with it; dismiss it or embrace it. If we dismiss it quickly, then it has no control over us. It is when we decide to nurture those negative thoughts, however, that creates the problem in our lives. Especially when we start having conservations with the devil. When we allow the enemy to magnify our problems, then we feel overwhelmed. 

The devil doesn’t want us to go to church, read the Bible, pray, help others, work hard, dream big, and believe that all things are possible with God. Our enemy wants us to drift away from God, worry ourselves sick, give up on our dreams, and waste our life. The devil cannot make us do anything physically, but he can work in our minds and persuade us to do harm to ourselves as well as others. 

The only way to defeat him is to stay out of his reach. While we are not strong enough to defeat him on our own, we have a Savior. Our mighty God can show us how to overcome the devil. We just need to go to Him. God will help us to establish our thoughts if we chose to spend more time with Him. 

Love and blessings, 

Candida

Praise Report: No More Surgery

Today, I had a follow-up appointment with my surgeon. He told me on my last appointment that I may need another surgery to deepen my thumb so that I will be able to use it better. The thought of another surgery made me sick to my stomach. As I was sitting in the waiting room, I came willing in my heart to go through it again, if needed. I put it all in God's hands and trusted Him to do what is best for me. 

According to my doctor, however, my hand looks great. He is happy with my range of motion and strength. I have worked so hard to stretch and strengthen my thumb. He believes that I will be able to stretch it enough to release the joint in my thumb, on my own—without surgery. Of course, it will take hard work and dedication on my part, but it’s possible. Praise the Lord!!! And there is no need for therapy because it's already at the level that it needs to be. Another prayer answered. 

I’m so grateful. My Lord always understands my tears. He has guided me through this whole process. 

Romans 8:28 (KJV)

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

I recorded this video before I left for my appointment. This morning the devil tried to discourage me. He would love for me to get upset and quit, but I’m so thankful that my Lord is always there for me. 

Have a wonderful day!

Candida  

Flipping the Dedication Switch

When we are dedicated to our Lord, we will find a way to do the things that He encourages us to do. If not, we will find an excuse.

This goes for all areas of our life. If we are determined to achieve a certain outcome, no matter what, then we will be relentless in our quest. We will look at challenges and obstacles with new eyes. Instead of viewing them as a way to stop us, we will just figure out how to overcome them. 

When we have a zeal to live for the Lord, and learn to put Him first, all areas of our life will improve. He wants us to be persistent in serving Him. Going to church occasionally, reading our Bible sometimes, and praying only when we are in trouble will not give us the relationship that our heart desires. Whether we realize it or not, our hearts desire to be connected with the Lord. 

If we find a way to be unwavering in one area of our life, then we can use that same skill to be faithful in other areas. We owe it to ourselves to place our flesh under subjection and to do the things which our heart beckons us to do. Living for the Lord, will bring a whole new level of peace and joy into our lives. 

While trouble and heartaches will still arise in our life, instead of wavering, we will be able to thrive—despite our circumstances. 

P.S. I didn't want to get up this morning and write or exercise before going to church. I wanted to sleep for an extra hour. But I've learned that sleeping in doesn't make me feel good about myself. I told the Lord that I would blog every day and I'm determined to do it.  

Love and blessings, 

Candida

Promote What You Love

Far too many times, I’ve heard the expression, shameless self-promotion. When I first started writing, I joined a writer’s group and this was a term that was often used when referring to promoting one’s own writing or self. For whatever reason, it crawled inside of me and spread like poison. Now every time that I share my blog, share about my fitness business, or share my books, I feel this sense of guilt. 

This guilt is holding me back. It makes me feel as if by sharing my writing, or my fitness journey that I am bragging on myself. But that is the story the devil has weaved. He wants me to be silent about the things which are important to me. Of course, he wants me to promote my complaints and negative opinions. Anything that could help someone else, however, comes with feelings of fear and uncertainty. 

God gives us stories and life experiences to share. He wants us to help each other. When we have the solution to someone else’s problem, then it would be so selfish of us not to share it. If our story would give someone drowning in depression hope, then why would we not share it with them? If we have the tools to help someone lose weight and feel better, then why would we not offer it to them? This is the realization that I had recently. And it changed the story that I’ve been telling myself for years. 

Sharing my story and promoting my passion is my gift. The true shame would be for me to bury my talent, and not use it to help others. I love writing, talking about God, exercising, drinking Shakeology, and eating healthy foods. All the things that I talk about make a difference in my life, and that is why I want to share them with you. 

Love and blessings, 

Candida

The First and Last Time

Warning: This post contains tears. 

Today is one of those bitter, sweet days when the emotions come flooding in for me. As I went to have lunch with my son, I realized that this is the last time we will get to have a Thanksgiving Lunch at his elementary school. The realization stopped me in my tracks. Oh, how time flies. 

I still remember walking him into school each morning and all of the previous lunches that we’ve had. I love the smile that always flashes on his face when he sees me, and his excitement of getting to go home with me after lunch. So often we don’t think about these moments or even take the time to appreciate them. But today, the gratitude and memories flooded my heart. 

Even though we get to do certain things lots of times, it is usually the first and last time that are so important to us. The other days were important to me as well, but they didn’t make me cry. Why is that?

When we know something will be our last time, we slow down and truly enjoy the moment. We place a different value on it. And so often we live in the past, wishing we could recreate those precious moments. We can’t live in yesterday or tomorrow. Today, is the day that counts. 

So I want to make sure that I enjoy today, and that my priorities are where they need to be. Time is one thing that we can’t get more of. We all only have so many days, hours, and minutes. It is up to us how we use our precious time.

Have a wonderful day!

Love and blessings, 

Candida

Serving By Faith

When God gave me the idea to blog every day, I resisted. The thought of having to come up with something new to write about, every day, overwhelmed me. Then, after much prayer, I decided to take it one word and one blog at a time. 

Sometimes I sit down without a thought and stare at my blank screen. Instead of declaring writer’s block, I have learned to take a few deep breaths and just start writing. Day after day, God has blessed me to write something. I may not always get to where I’d like to be, but I put forth an effort. 

Things I’ve experienced from blogging daily:

1. Creates a stronger writing habit for me.
2. Forces me to dig deeper within myself. 
3. Inspires me to read more.
4. Pray and seek God more.
5. Keeps my mind busy looking for new ideas.
6. Helps me to release negativity sooner.
7. Gives me an opportunity to share more.

This whole experience has taught me a little bit more about serving God in faith. If we wait until we have it all figured out to start, then we’re not walking by faith. We don’t always have to have everything figured out to start. My writing doesn’t have to be perfect to help and inspire someone else. So often our journey is what inspires others anyway. 

It reminds me of the woman in the Bible with only a handful of meal and a little oil. Every time she went to the barrel, there was enough inside. Regardless of the trial or challenge, God will always provide us with enough. We just need to trust Him. 

Have a wonderful day!

Love and blessings, 

Candida

Is The Enemy After Your Health?

How many times a day do we express gratitude for our health? Chances are that most of us take it for granted. I know that I do. 

When I’m feeling great, I don’t really think about it because I expect to feel that way. The moment that I get a sniffle, start feeling stress, or pain though and I start thinking about my health, and trying to feel better. 

What if we were concerned all the time? Sickness has a way of sneaking up on us all. We are never prepared and never ready to spend a few days in bed recuperating. While some illnesses are over in a few days, chronic illnesses can be permanent. 

Stress affects our immune system. Studies show that we consume many foods in our daily life that are actually making us sick, and we often adopt bad habits that negatively affect our health.

We need to do everything possible to stay healthy or better our health—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. When one part of our life is off, it affects everything else. If I’m stressed, then I’m more likely to react negatively to my family, and others that I come in contact with each day. If my relationship with God is suffering, then I might be afraid, anxious, or just plain miserable. The same is true with my physical health. When I don’t feel well, it is hard for me to function. 

The enemy doesn’t always come charging at us. He is sneaky and devises ways to trick us. The Bible tells us to watch and pray. 

The good news is that we don’t have to stay in the shape that we are in. If we turn to God, He will help us overcome any challenge. First, we have to decide that we want to change. When God recognizes our desire to better our life, then He will help us make the necessary changes. 

Life is too short to feel bad all the time. What can we do today that will help us have a better tomorrow?

Love and blessings, 

Candida 

10 Ways To Get More Rest

Do you listen to your body and rest when you're tired? Or do you grab more caffeine and use products that supposedly give you more energy?

Every time my doctor told me to rest more, it aggravated me. I did not feel like that I had time to rest. Especially when I had deadlines and a full schedule for months. Resting, when I had so much to do, seemed ridiculous to me. However, I didn’t understand the importance of resting. 

Therefore, my muscles would become so tense and overused that they would pull my body out of it’s natural alignment. When I would work beyond my body’s limits, then I would only create more pain for myself. Now I am learning to listen to my body. When I first feel the burning sensation in my muscles, I stop and take a few moments to breathe and stretch. It’s amazing at what just what five minutes of intentional breathing can do. 

Before, I thought resting was lying in the bed for hours without doing anything, or napping for several hours. As it turns out, studies show that there are so many ways to rest throughout the day. 

1. Slow down. Breathe deeply.  
2. Listen to soothing music. 
3. Read for a few minutes.
4. Take a slow walk in nature. 
5. Take a power nap of 20 to 30 minutes.
6. Meditate 
7. Drink relaxing tea 
8. Take a bath
9. Dream and visualize 
10. Write in a gratitude journal

Don’t get me wrong, I love coffee. More caffeine, however, is not always the answer. We just need to listen to our body and find out what we need. I make sure that I go to bed in enough time to get my required sleep. I also guard my schedule. If it would put a hardship on me to take on another task, then I don’t commit to it. 

Turning off notifications on my phone has also helped. The constant beeping and buzzing is distracting. When I’m working on a project, I commit to giving it my full attention and then have times when I check Facebook and messages. 

Now, I don’t view resting as being lazy or unproductive. I see it as a way to recharge, revive, and relax me. When I take care of me first, then I have so much more to give others. After all, we cannot drink from an empty cup.

Have a wonderful day!

Love and blessings, 

Candida