Creating The Challenge

The only way for us to grow in our lives is by overcoming challenges. We will never get to where we want to be by remaining comfortable. In order to change ourselves, we have to be willing to be uncomfortable. 

This morning as I went on my normal walk, I realized that I don’t even really sweat anymore. Nor do I get out of breath. I walk at an easy comfortable pace, without even challenging myself. No wonder my muscles seem to be shrinking. So I decided to put on 5-pound weights on my ankles to make it more challenging. Before I took the first step, I decided to walk two miles with the weights on. We have to establish our goals before we begin. Otherwise, we can change our minds when it gets tough. The first few steps were okay, but then it got harder. Half way through I wanted to quit. It was then that I reminded myself of how great I would feel when it was over—physically and mentally. 

When I had about a half a mile to go, I gave myself a new challenge. I decided to run a mile after the weights came off. It seemed crazy and yet exciting. My legs were already struggling but yet I decided to run afterward. Looking ahead to the next challenge helped me to get through the present one. Suddenly, the half a mile didn’t seem so hard anymore because I had my sights set on a bigger goal. 

Once my four miles were complete, I was sweating, my breathing was labored, and I felt incredible. I completed the harder challenge and it boosted my confidence. Regardless of what my mind tries to tell me, I know that I am strong. Every once in a while I just need to be reminded of my strengths instead of always focusing on my weaknesses. 

My thought for today: If you don’t feel like quitting, then you are not pushing yourself hard enough. 

Today was exactly what I needed. Somewhere during my run, I found my inner warrior. The one who doesn’t accept excuses, but keeps putting one foot in front of the other until the trial is finished. I love it when I can tap into that mindset. It makes me feel like anything is possible. 

I made it through the workout. The weight, however, did not. One of the bags ripped open and spilled out. Now I have a 5-pound weight and a four-pound one. 

Love and blessings, 

Candida

Day One

Today is day one. The day that I take back control of my health. 

Since my vacation, I have been more lenient with my diet. I’ve allowed more treats and more dairy than I normally consume. This morning, my stomach is not feeling well, my skin is broke out, and my whole body feels swollen. As I sit here and type this, I wonder why I did this to myself. 

Why do we eat foods that harm us? The immediate gratification is certainly not worth the days and weeks of pain, and yet I find myself right back here again. Even though I vowed to never be here again. 

Our flesh is weak. It will always choose the easier, most desirable choice. And sometimes it will even sneak the I-don’t-care lies into our heads. That kind of thoughts is dangerous because they provide us with an excuse for our behavior. In order to get back on the right track, I have to be clear about my intentions. 

Why do I need to eat better?

When you fuel your body with healthy, nutritious food then you will feel better. You will have more energy, your thoughts will be better, you will have less inflammation and less pain. Don’t help the enemy destroy you. You are stronger than your cravings. You deserve better than you are giving yourself. Remember…when you eat bad you feel bad. 

I am going to put this where I can see it. Every time that I start to make an unhealthy choice, I’m going to read this reminder. God gave me this beautiful life and I want to enjoy it. Getting sucked into the cycle of pain is not enjoying my life. It is surviving. I want to do more with my life, however, than merely surviving from one day to the next. 

So today I am going to start a new exercise routine, eat healthier foods, and let my actions mirror my intentions. When it gets hard and I want to quit and resort back to my old ways, I am going to remind myself that I am a child of the King. My God will help me with all things.

Philippians 4:13 (KJV)

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Love and blessings, 

Candida

We Are The Enemy

We usually think that the enemy is an outside force. Of course, we believe and even blame other people for hurting us, however, we are usually the ones to blame for the majority of our pain. 

How often do we embrace anger, negative thoughts, or misinterpret words? How often do we withhold forgiveness and love? How often do we judge others, instead of trying to understand them? How often do we choose easy over what really needs to be done? 

I am nodding with my hand raised. 

The realization hit me that I can be my own worst enemy. Outside forces only have a fraction of the power of us. We are the ones who make the daily decisions. It’s not just life’s big decisions that matter. Our days consist of small decisions that truly mold our lives. 

Hitting the snooze button is a small thing, but the simple choice affects me all day. If I sleep through the time that I set aside to write or read my Bible, then I start my day without spending time with my Lord. If I don’t exercise, then my body remains stiff all day and that causes me additional pain. When I fail to prepare my food and just grab something at a restaurant, then I usually get sick. The sickness stays with me for days to weeks. If I am not doing what I need to be doing, then I’m hateful with family. Procrastinating and then rushing to meet a deadline causes me stress.

My thoughts are another critical component of my life. When I get stuck in the negative, repetitive patterns then I cause myself additional pain. Especially when I’m overthinking or obsessing over a situation. While the enemy might sneak thoughts into our mind, he cannot make us believe them. That is our choice—to dismiss them or nurture them. 

Realizing that my daily actions make up my life causes me to pause and think about what my daily life looks like. How do I spend my time? Are my thoughts helpful or harmful to me? When I decide to focus more on what I do, then what other people do to me, then I’m able to advance in my life and become the person God created me to be. 

Every day we should watch our actions and pray for guidance. When we become conscious of our shortcomings then we can take the necessary steps to overcome them. God has grace for our every need, and He can help us overcome the enemy. We are not in this alone. He is with us—every step of the way. 

Love and blessings, 

Candida 

How To Be Happier In Just A Few Minutes Each Day

It’s so easy to get caught up in our problems and dwell on them. We all do it. Constantly thinking about our pain and struggles, however, is not good for us. Whatever we focus on expands in our lives. Therefore, we should teach ourselves how to focus on the things we actually want to attract in our lives. 

Since I want more love and happiness, I want to think about those things. I do this by thinking of one person to whom I want to send love and wish happiness. The moment I think of this person, a smile instantly appears. Then I just ask God to bless them. I believe it pleases God when we reach out to others with kindness, compassion, and love. Then, I move onto the next person. I cannot do this practice without feeling love and happiness myself. It’s a boomerang effect.

Make this a daily practice and share it with everyone you know. If we all decided to consciously send more love and happiness into the world, can you imagine how our world would begin to change? Everyone we meet or know is dealing with some type of struggle or hardship. We need the love and prayers of each other to fight our battles. The world has enough sorrow and hate, let’s cultivate more love. 

One of the greatest blessings that God has bestowed upon us is the gift of prayer. Let’s use it every single day. When we learn to pray without ceasing for our fellow man, then God will bless our lives abundantly, and our own problems won’t seem so big. 

Love and blessings, 

Candida

The Blessing Of Now

Why do we worry? For me, the reason is that I am living too far ahead into the future. God will always give us exactly what we need when we need it. The strength, knowledge, faith, and understanding that I have right now is for today—not tomorrow. Tomorrow, if the problem arises that I fear, then God will give me the exact combination to get through the hardship. I have yet to be destroyed by an event or circumstance. God is with me and He always supplies my needs. His help is right on time.

When we are worrying about tomorrow, then we are losing the joy of today. The devil defeats us by enticing us with worry. We can’t seem to help ourselves. The storms of life can seem so big. While we are trying to carry the burdens of yesterday and tomorrow, we lose the precious gift of the now. Right now, at this very moment, my life is good. So often, however, I look beyond today and create troubles for myself that never occur. 

This morning as I was reading my Bible, I read this scripture. 

Matthew 10:30 KJV

But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

We are so precious to the Lord. He knows how many hairs are on our heads. As the devil tries to distract us and cause us grief through worrying, we need to remember that God knows our situation. His love for us is greater than anything we could ever imagine. Today, I want to live in the present moment and enjoy each one. Every day we should watch and pray. The enemy comes at us in subtle ways. He often uses worry as a tool to distract us. When we feel ourselves being carried away by the worries of tomorrow, we need to come back to the present moment and cultivate gratitude for this moment. It will never come again. 

Love and blessings,

Candida

Giving Our Lives To God

For many years of my life, I was stuck in a fixed mindset. I viewed my scars as something horrible that happened to me. I couldn’t see a bigger picture or how God could use them in a positive way. During this time, I was very unhappy, and I resisted God’s plan for my life. 

Then one day, I put it all at His feet. I had tried to open doors of opportunity for myself and nothing had worked out like I wanted. Finally, weary and heartbroken, I humbled myself and laid on my bathroom floor—sobbing and praying. I asked Him to give me something to help other people. Something that would be mine. Something that would fulfill my life with passion and purpose. After that day, it wasn’t long until I picked up my pen and penned my first piece from my heart. It scared me when I looked at what I had written. Where did that come from? Even though my mind questioned it, my heart knew. 

While my writing career didn’t just bloom and blossom. God has walked with me every step of the way. Every time that I humble my heart and sit down to write my heart is filled. It is not what I would have chosen for myself, but it is exactly what I needed. When we go to God for guidance and put our lives in His hands, then He will use us in a way that we never dreamed possible. And it will feed our soul. 

Love and blessings, 

Candida 

Rule Your Mind

Do you know approximately how many thoughts that go through your mind each day? While I don’t know the exact number, I know that my mind is always busy jumping from one thought to another. The problem occurs when our thoughts don’t align with our beliefs or when we start believing the lies.

The devil lives in our minds. When we are stuck in our heads all day, thinking and dwelling on events of the past or worrying about our future, then we give him room to work. My daddy tells us to stay away from him. The devil is on a leash. He can’t come to us, we have to go to him. We do this when we start believing the lies. With each one, he draws us in a little further. Before we realize what is happening we are visiting with the enemy all day. Then we become melancholy and weaker. 

I have learned when I get in my cycle of continuously thinking to break the cycle. Anytime we think something bad, we need to recognize that the Lord doesn’t place bad thoughts in our minds. Lies, gossip, worry, anger, hopelessness, evil, etc. all come from the enemy. He slips them into our thoughts and hopes that we will run with them. The Bible, however, tells us to meditate on the good things.

Philippians 4:8-9 (KJV)

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Things to help me break the cycle:

1. Gratitude
2. Prayer
3. Meditation
4. Read
5. Paint or color
6. Write
7. Sing
8. Exercise

The devil will steal our peace if we allow him to. He has the ability to turn our blessings into heartaches. He will take every aspect of our lives and transform it into a problem—if we listen to him. If we truly want more peace, then we need to spend more time seeking peace. 

Love and blessings, 

Candida