What Is Important To You?

It’s so hard to create the perfect balance of everything that we need in our lives. Typically, our focus is only on one or two things, or that’s how it usually works for me. While those things prosper and grow, the rest is neglected. Neglecting certain areas of our lives might be okay for a short period of time, but eventually it will start to affect us in some way. 

For example, if I only focus on my job and neglect my health it might be fine for a while. But then one day, I will find myself sick. My body will rebel against the abuse and start screaming at me. Or I might have an excellent career, but my marriage might be falling apart—due to my neglect. 

So how do we know what to focus on? What gets our attention? What do we want to prosper and grow? What will make us happy?

Once we answer the important questions, then we should list them by importance. If our family is at the top of the list, then we should make time for them every day. We should nurture our relationships daily. 

When my books were first released, my life became so busy. I was traveling and always leaving my family. My health and relationships were put on the back burner while I promoted my books. I was so busy, rushing from event to event, that I didn’t really enjoy the process. I missed my family. For months, I felt drained. Even though I had a few warning signals that my health was declining, I ignored the warning signs and continued to push. Until one day, my body started screaming. 

For months, as I lay in the bed recuperating, I learned about the importance of my health. Our spiritual, physical, and mental health affect everything else. When I make myself too busy to pray and read my Bible, have dinner with my family, and exercise, then I am creating an imbalance in my life. The more imbalances that we create, the harder it is to be happy. 

However, when I nurture all of the things important to me, then happiness will be a byproduct. It will come as a result of the effort that I put into all areas of my life. Dr. Lissa Rankin believes that we have a health cairn. Below is all the things that she believes we should focus on for optimal health. By nurturing our whole self, we are able to reach a higher level of wellbeing. 

Love and blessings, 

Candida

Favor With God

This morning as I was reading in the book of Esther in the Bible, I was reminded of our favor with God. Regardless of what the enemy schemes against us, God is always there to protect us.  It delights our Lord to help us, to protect us, and to give us good gifts. We are His children. 

He wants us to bring our petitions to Him. When we humble our hearts and cry out to Him, He will help us with whatever is troubling our hearts. He doesn’t want us to feel alone or to try to do it all by ourselves. 

In all situations, God knows our circumstances. He knows our pain, our fears, and our hardships. Nothing is beyond Him. Sometimes we just need to humble ourselves and become honest with Him. When our hearts truly seek Him, then we will be able to reach Him. 

He has a plan. Nothing catches our Lord unaware. He knows how to help us. Most of the time, however, He is just waiting on us to seek Him. We can’t discover His plan for us, if we never ask Him. 

I love to start my day with the Lord. Reading my Bible, praying, and sitting in stillness equip me to have a better day. When my thoughts are centered on my Lord, then the noise of the world doesn’t affect me. Because I am reminded of the power of my God. 

Love and blessings, 

Candida

Enjoy Today

If I wanted to, I’m sure that I could find something to complain about every single day. I could keep myself stressed out and upset, and chose to fight some type of battle daily. Instead of looking for things to be upset about, I chose to view my life with the eyes and heart of gratitude.

Every single day of my life, my needs have been met. I am loved. I am well. My life is not perfect, but it is appreciated. My children are healthy, my home is warm on this cold, snowy day, and I have absolutely nothing to complain about. Why? Because I don’t focus on the bad. 

When negative feelings come into my life, I try to release them immediately. This morning as I sat in stillness, I reminded myself over and over that the Lord is my Shepherd. I am not alone. God will take care of me. He has a plan and a solution for anything that arises in my life. And with my breath, I will praise Him. 

Tomorrow is not promised. We shouldn’t waste today, worrying about what might happen tomorrow. Be present in today. Live. Love. Laugh. Pray. And be thankful for each moment. 

Love and blessings, 

Candida

A Servant's Heart

With the controversy and constant bickering, it’s hard to remain positive in such a negative world. But it’s still possible. My beliefs are rooted and grounded in God. Regardless of who is making noise and casting insults, we need to search within ourselves for the answers. 

First of all, it is never as bad as the devil makes it seem. He loves to cause us pain and turmoil, and he will always magnify our problems. When we feel as if we are inside a raging storm, then we need to seek the calm and the peace. God doesn’t change. He is the same today as He was when He created this world. His love for us is still the same. Nothing can separate us from Him. 

So in the midst of turmoil and uncertainty, cling to Him. Now, more than ever, we need to be about our Father’s business. We need to be reaching out to those lost and suffering, and showing them love. 

Yesterday, I had a man ask me for a garbage bag as I was taking out the trash at work. When I gave him a trash bag, he was grateful. He thanked me, blessed me, and told me to have a great day. As he walked away, carrying two wore and dirty bags with a huge smile on his face, God reminded to help who I can help and to be grateful for what I have. 

Instead of criticizing others for what they have or have not done, I am going to focus my attention on those who I can help and the difference that God will allow me to make. So often we leave the change up to one or two people, but the real change is within us. 

When I find myself judging others, I try to stop and ask myself these questions:

Who will you help today? 

What can you do today to make the world a better place?

We all matter. God loves us all. Let’s unite and be of service to our Lord and to others. 

Love and blessings,

Candida

What I’ve Learned From Blogging For 100 Days Straight

Can you believe that I’ve written, and published I might add, 100 blogs in the last 100 days? When the idea first came to me, I dismissed it. In my mind, I didn’t believe that it was possible. My excuses were as follows:

• I don’t have the time to blog everyday.
• I won’t have anything to write about. 
• No one will read my daily blog. 

If there is one thing that I have learned about serving God, it is that we don’t have to have it all figured out to start. I stepped out in faith, believing that if He wanted me to blog every day, then He would provide the content, the audience, and show me how to find the time in the 24 hours that He gives me every single day. So it became a priority in my life. I wrote when I felt bad, when I didn’t have a thought, and when it was the hardest to get words on paper. And l learned how to make the time. 

Some of the blogs, I enjoyed writing. And some of them, I hated the vulnerability that I felt. Sharing my journey about my surgery was the hardest, and most rewarding. Through the tears and uncertainty, God showed me that if I really want to help people, then I have to be willing to share it all. I can’t wait until I have it all figured out. Sometimes the greatest gift is found in the imperfection.

Before starting this journey, I would analyze every word and spend hours and weeks on one blog post. I missed so many opportunities to share because I was trying to make it all perfect and because I didn't want to share the pain, until I had it all figured out. Perfection, however, doesn’t inspire or help anyone. If I have time, I definitely try to make sure that I eliminate the mistakes, but it doesn’t always work that way. Sometimes I get it finished in the nick of time, and have to just publish it. The first few times I found mistakes after I had published it, it almost paralyzed me again, and made me want to stop blogging. 

Now I just go with it. I would rather publish a raw post, filled with emotion and a few mistakes, than to publish a perfect post void of connection. Above all, this is me. I have good days and bad days. And I share them all with you. Thank you for reading my blogs and for sharing your stories with me. That is my favorite part.  

Love and blessings,

Candida

Laser Therapy: After Four Treatments Arm Pain Decreases

Finally, I feel like the laser therapy has helped my arm. It has been a tough few weeks, but after a massage yesterday, and another laser therapy treatment, the pain and swelling were better this morning. Praise God!

The bruising is from the cup massage. Also this is a picture from a few months ago. I just wanted you to be able to see the scar and how it goes under my arm. 

Usually, the day after my massage is very painful, however, the soreness and stiffness are minimal today. My arm also feels different. The gap, caused from the band, doesn’t feel as deep, and the skin appears to be smoother as well. The constriction of the band no longer feels as if it is cutting off my circulation, so the numbness is gone. And my hand and arm are not weak today. Hallelujah! 

My left thumb is a little sore today and very stiff. I am hoping that this is another degree of healing. The phantom pain has still not returned. So I’m hopeful that the nerve healed and will not be bothering me any longer. Also my sensitivity to heat in the left hand, especially the thumb, is better. After my surgery, I couldn’t stand to wash my hands in warm water or remove clothes from the dryer. The heat caused my hand to hurt. 

With every treatment, I notice progress. As long as we are making progress, then there is hope. 

 Love and blessings, 

Candida 

Exiting Struggle Street

It’s no secret that I’ve been struggling lately. While I can handle a few days of pain, when it turns into weeks of constant pain, then it starts to break me down. The trial also has me searching the scriptures and praying. Whatever the lesson, I want to learn it, so I can teach it to others.

This week, I was nervous about something. I voiced my unease many times. I was so adamant about this bad thing not happening, that I think I actually caused it to happen. If this is true, then I don’t want to focus on my pain and struggles any longer.

Starting today, I am only focusing my attention on my healing and positive affirmations. I want to embrace the fact that God is going to help me, rather than worry that I will get worse. So for the next few weeks, I am only going to focus on the positive—and welcome more of it into my life. 

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. 1 John 5:14-15 KJV

Love and blessings, 

Candida

Surrendering To God

This morning, I struggled to get up. I woke up at my usual time and got up, but instantly my body hurt. The pain overwhelmed me and I went back to bed. Was I sleepy? No. I was emotionally and physically drained. I didn’t want to face my day. I didn’t want to make my coffee because at that point it hurt to even lift my shoulder. 

Finally, a few hours later, I got up. My mood, however, was not pleasant. As I went over all the things that I wanted to accomplish today, a sadness washed over me. How? My mind demanded. Followed with a reminder that if I push too hard during the day, then I can’t sleep at night. 

To escape it all, I decided to workout. I figured my favorite workout would lift my mood and help me. A few minutes into it, I burst into tears and I cried throughout the remainder of the workout. Not really because of the physical pain, but because of the emotional pain. As I was throwing punches and crying, I was able to give it all to my Lord—the control, frustration, disappointment, and fear. 

Regardless of how strong we might be, when we live with a chronic condition it gets really hard sometimes. For me, right now, it’s knowing that I have to stop working my shoulders and arms and allow the muscles, that I’ve fought so hard to develop, to weaken. As the muscles waste away, then the restriction on the band with lessen and I will have less physical pain—hopefully. 

While it may seem like something so small to someone else, it’s a big deal to me. Because it lessens my hope that I will ever get better. I may not be fighting for my life, but every day I fight for the quality of my life. For years, exercise has been my plan. Now I feel so vulnerable because there’s nothing that I can do to control the pain in my arm. Exercise was my control. 

Maybe this is what God has wanted from me all along. Total surrender. I can’t do it. I can’t heal myself. While I can do things to help myself, the healing with come from Him. I am also reminded of what we have overcome together. I’ve been in worse shape than I am now, and He has helped me to overcome it. My percentage rate for getting through the hard times with Him is still 100%. 

Even after all of my tears this morning, I have hope in my heart. I believe that my God has a plan. I believe He sees my challenges and my efforts, and it is His pleasure to help me. Sometimes the darkest times in our lives is right before the blessing occurs. So I'm holding on. I don’t know how He will help me, perhaps it will be the laser therapy, but I do know that He will help me. If He doesn’t change my circumstances, then I believe that He will change my mindset about them. 

This is just another bump in the road. Soon I will add the overcoming of this trial to my list of praises for my Lord. I shared this today because I want you to see that I still have tough days, but even on the tough days, I know where my help comes from. When I am weak, He is strong. 

Love and blessings, 

Candida

The Power Of Love And Prayers

The ability to love is one of the greatest gifts known to man. We have the power to change the world with our love and prayers. If only we would try. So often we get caught up in hatred, and the bickering and fighting of the world. We listen to the news and hear only a fraction of what is happening in the world. The portrait, however, they paint for us is tainted because they always focus on the negativity. How often do you watch the news and think, what a wonderful, kind, loving, and compassionate world we live in? Probably never, because they don’t highlight the good.

I once attended a meeting and wrote an article about it. After the article was published, I got complaints on it. When all the information was listed, I picked out the good and wrote about it. Someone who was trying to make trouble got very upset because I did not showcase the bad. In all honesty, my mind doesn’t work that way. I have been conditioned for so long to focus on the good that I couldn’t write an article about doom and gloom—when there was something good to report as well. However, if I had only showcased the ugly part of the meeting, I guarantee that nothing would have been said. 

My point is this, we welcome more of what we focus on into our lives. If we only focus on the bad, then we will believe that the world we live in is horrible—without hope. However, I beg to differ. We have love. Starting today, we can be the change that we wish to see in the world. If we want to see more love, we need to give more love. If we want to see more kindness, we need to be kind to everyone that we meet. If we want to see more compassion, we need to be more compassionate. It’s really that simple. We make it hard, by believing that it’s not possible. 

God gave us all the ability to pray. Our voice is the most powerful, when it’s humble and loving.When we put God first in our lives and start praying for our neighbors and our country, then the Lord will bless us.

Love and blessings, 

Candida

Seek Peace And Pursue It

While the world is filled with drama and noise, there is peace in my soul. In my heart, I know what is right and wrong. During the noise, I always seek that still small voice. It never changes. 

God is the same today as He has always been. And He loves us all. Even when we disagree with someone about their beliefs, we can still love them and be kind. 

We can't control how other people treat us, but we can control how we react to it. In every situation, we can decide if we want to promote love or hate. Going with the crowd, will often get us in trouble and lead us away from the Lord. In situations where we are uncertain, then we should stand still and wait upon the Lord. He will never lead us wrong. 

Love and blessings, 

Candida

Healthy Is Not A Number: It's A Lifestyle

I used to think Yoga was boring and all that deep breathing was useless. Until, I actually tried it with an open mind. Now, I love it. It calms me and helps my aching muscles. For years, I went to the gym and did cardio and weight training, but I skipped out on the most important part. I didn’t stretch. No wonder my muscles were stiff and painful all the time. As I get older, I am learning to do more of what makes me feel better. 

Our health is so much more than a number on a scale. At one point, I was at my ideal weight, and yet I was not healthy. Now, I work to find the balance of it all. In order to feel great, I know that I need to eat enough vegetables, proteins, fruits, healthy fats, and carbohydrates. It all works together. The same is true with my workouts. I need cardio, strength training, and to stretch to make me feel great. 

Dealing with stress and nurturing my thoughts have also made such a difference in my life. I’m learning to be my own best friend. Constantly shaming myself for bad choices was not helping me. Reacting with love, however, helped me to overcome my negative cycle. When we talk to ourselves in a negative voice, it hurts. In order to feel better, we often turn to food for comfort or indulge in things that actually make it worse.

We all need love. So often we go to others for love, compliments, and encouragement. But we have the power to give those things to ourselves. We need to trade in our shame voice for one of compassion. 

For example:

Shame voice: You are so fat. I can’t believe you ate that. You are so stupid. You can’t lose weight or become healthy. You hate healthy food anyway. 

Compassion voice: It happens. You ate something fattening, but you are not fat. You are beautiful and worthy of being healthy. Chose your food out of love for your body, instead of hate. 

I’ve stopped punishing my body with exercise. It is not a punishment for what I ate or for how I look. Now, I view it as reward. Exercise makes me feel stronger, calmer, and eases my pain. None of those things are punishments. I also don’t count calories. I count containers and chemicals. When I eat whole foods, in the right portion, then I don’t need to count calories. 

Make a decision today, to love your body. When we love our bodies, then we nurture them. 

Have a wonderful day!

Love and blessings, 

Candida

Are You Sick And Tired Of Being Sick And Tired?

Don’t get me wrong, medicine can be a wonderful thing. I’ve seen it cure diseases and truly help people. When my son had asthma attacks, I would have given every dime I had and every dime that I would ever make, for one little tube of his asthma medicine. At six months old, my son took six medications daily for asthma and allergies. 

The medicine helped him to breathe, but it wreaked havoc on his body. His teeth suffered, his immune system suffered, and he had a poor appetite. Not only was his asthma an issue, but he also had medicine sickness. He had to take the medicine to breathe, and then the medicine caused problems in his body, so he had to take more medicine. It was a frustrating cycle. 

Until, I met a doctor that changed our life. It was my chiropractor. As he was treating me for my conditions, I told him about Jordon. When he told me that he might be able to him get off of his medicine, I was skeptical. I did not understand how his spine could affect his breathing. It turns out, however, that he was right. Jordan had a spinal sublaxation that was causing his problems. He had an imbalance of 8,000 percent. After a few adjustments, Jordon was able to go off of all medicine. And he hasn’t had an asthma attack or flare up since. 

So, why I am telling you this? Because I want you to know that the medicine was not healing Jordon. It was only treating his symptoms. Once we found his problem, and treated it, he no longer needed the medicine. His body was able to heal itself. Praise God. 

Our bodies are complex and truly beautiful. We all have the ability to heal ourselves. Sometimes we just have to take the time to find out what we need. When we take control of our own life, then we can start the healing process. 

If you need some direction, start by going to this website http://whole30.com/step-one/. They have a wonderful diet to help reset the body. 

Things I do to stay healthy: 

1. Eat a healthy diet
2. See a chiropractor in addition to my family doctor
3. Get massages
4. Exercise daily 
5. Drink lots of water (this one I struggle with, but I’m trying)
6. Meditate
7. Pray and read my Bible
8. Spend time in nature
9. Get enough sleep
10. Laugh often, think positive, and try not to sweat the small stuff

Love and blessings,

Candida

Words of Encouragement

Whatever that you’re going through, don’t give up. So often we feel overwhelmed by our problems, and think they are too big for our God to handle. We put God in a box and believe the lies of enemy. Today, I want to remind you that God loves YOU. You are special to Him. Your problems are His problems and you are not alone. 

The answer to your problem could be right around the corner. God already has a plan. In His time, He will step in and help you—and make it look so easy. Because to Him it is. 

Here are some of my favorite verses. I cling to them during the hard times.

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. Romans 8:28 KJV

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Romans 8:35 KJV

And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. Isaiah 65:24 KJV

Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. Jeremiah 29:12 KJV

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 8:26 KJV

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised). Hebrews 10:23 KJV

Love and blessings,

Candida

P.S. Have you downloaded my app, Words of Encouragement, yet? It’s free in the App Store. 

Weathering The Storm

This morning was tough. My mindset wasn’t in the right place. So when the alarm clock sounded, I got up, but instead of staying up, I went to the couch. Usually, I start writing after my first cup of coffee, but this morning my thoughts were dark and sad, and I felt that I had nothing to share. 

I wallowed in my misery for a few hours and then I got up and decided to start my day. As I was looking for a quote on Pinterest, I came across this quote. It jolted me and I read it several times. It was then that I understood my sadness.

This is a test. Last week, I decided wholeheartedly that I was going to overcome all of my fears and truly pursue my health and fitness business. The last time I decided this, I fell and broke my elbow. And I ended up slowing down because I was healing, then I had surgery and had even more healing time. 

This time the challenge is my rib. It won’t stay in place and it just makes my life so hard. Honestly, I would love to get up each day and feel great. The constant struggle wears me down. But only when my mindset is wrong. When my mindset is in the right place, I can fight the battle and overcome each challenge. 

So today, I decided that I will fight back. I am so close to a breakthrough. I can feel it in my heart. Regardless of what the devil throws at me, I will bow my head and weather the storm. It’s not just about me. If I can get through the challenges, then I can teach others how to overcome them as well. 

Psalm 37:4-5 KJV 

Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

Love and blessings,

Candida

My Third Laser Treatment: No More Phantom Pain

Ever since my hand surgery, I have had phantom pain in my hand where the separation occurred. If I touched my hand on the left side near my pinkie finger, I felt it in my thumb. It was such a weird feeling.  At times, I even felt pain in the part of my hand that was removed. While it did get better, it still bothered me at times. 

After my last laser treatment, I felt a stabbing pain in the area where part of my hand was removed. It only lasted for a few minutes, and then it went away. The next morning, the phantom pain was gone and it has not returned. Now, I have feeling exactly where it should be. It is no longer rerouted to another area. When I talked to my doctor about it, he said that the nerve was probably damaged during the separation and the laser has helped it to heal faster. How wonderful is that?!

I am so grateful for the healing that I’ve already received in my hands. God is so good!

Today, was my third treatment and I am so hopeful for the scar on my arm. The damaged caused by the bands is complex. I’m at the point now that if I gain any muscle at all in my arm or shoulder, it hurts and becomes more restrictive. So while my new workout plan is definitely sculpting my shoulders, it is also causing me pain and perhaps the reason my rib is coming out of place. On the flip side, if I don’t workout I have pain. The constant pain gets on my nerves and today it just overwhelmed me. I’m at the point that I don’t know what else to do, so I am just trusting God to see me through this process, and to give me the healing that is His will for me. 

I will keep trying the laser treatments and believing that at any moment, it could relieve the pain in my arm and shoulder. Just like it took my phantom pain away. Today, I have pain in my arm and shoulder, but I also have hope and faith that it will get better. 

Love and blessings, 

Candida

What Is Your Dream?

Some days, I wake up excited and ready to start my day. Today, however, is not one of those days. Perhaps my body knows it is a holiday. Anyway, I am yawning, despite the fact that I got enough sleep, and I just want to sleep for a couple more hours instead of writing and working out before time to go to work. While going back to sleep may be what I want to do, it is not what I am going to do. Going back to bed, and giving into my temptations will not serve me. It won’t make me feel better, nor will it help me move closer to my dreams. So I’m wiping my watery eyes, from yawning, and putting forth an effort. 

The temptation to break my early morning writing and exercise habit is always in the back of my mind. This morning, before I was able to even develop a clear thought, my mind was searching frantically for excuses. We never get to the point in our lives, when the devil just gives up and leaves us alone. He is there every single day. In my dreams and my thoughts. It is his job to irritate me and try to prevent me from doing what needs to be done. But when I ignore him, and do what needs to be done anyway, regardless of how I feel, then I’m able to overcome him.

It’s not always easy. This morning, I didn’t have a single thought (other than my desire to go back to sleep). Sometimes I feel like I write the same things in my blog. But I still show up. Every. Single. Day. 

God is teaching me how to serve Him. The only way, I can learn is if I am obedient. If I want more, then I have to be willing to do more. So let me share with you what gets me out of bed on these early mornings. 

My dream is to have a non-profit organization where I help people who are struggling in their lives: physically, mentally, or financially. For years, I have visited schools. Some of the children in our community need help. I want to be able to help them. I also want to live on the lake. It is my dream to have a lake house. I would love to watch the sunrise over the water every morning. And I want to be physically able to work, for as long as I desire to work. For so many years, this dark cloud has hung over my head. Every once in a while, when I feel really bad for days or weeks, the demon raises its head and threatens to take away my ability to work and the things that I love to do. So I want to live my life by design. On my terms. I want to have the freedom to pay for my treatments that keep me going, without putting a financial strain on my family. And the freedom to rest and allow my body to heal, when I need to rest. 

In order to have all of that, I have to work hard now and be obedient. But one day, I will be writing as I watch the sunrise over the water. What is your dream? 

Love and blessings, 

Candida