The Gift ‘TO MOTHER’

What are you most proud of in your life?

As cliche as it sounds, my children will always be what I’m most proud of.

They motivate me, inspire me, teach me, encourage me, push me, reveal to me answers of questions I never even asked.

My children have guided me and led me to more purpose in life. I seek more because of them.

It’s one thing to be a mother, it’s another thing to be given the gift to mother.

I thank God for this calling, and I’m so proud to be their Mother. Something I will never take for granted.

This role, I am proud to be and honored to be.

15 Recovery Affirmations

Recovery affirmations to help support healing—whether it’s physical, emotional, or spiritual:

1. I honor the time my body and spirit need to heal.

2. Each day, I grow stronger and more resilient.

3. I release any guilt or shame attached to my past and embrace the present.

4. I am patient with myself, and I trust the process of healing.

5. Every breath I take fills me with calm and peace.

6. I allow myself to feel joy, even in moments of challenge.

7. My body knows how to heal, and I trust it to guide me.

8. I am worthy of rest, renewal, and restoration.

9. The love I give myself fuels my recovery.

10. I forgive myself and others, freeing my heart from pain.

11. I am not defined by my scars; they show my strength.

12. I welcome the support and love that helps me grow.

13. Each day is a fresh start, full of potential and healing energy.

14. I am learning, growing, and healing at my own pace.

15. I trust that everything I need for healing is already within me.

These affirmations are great for reinforcing a positive mindset during recovery, reminding you to be kind to yourself and stay focused on the process of growth and healing. ❤️‍🩹

What Are You Currently Working On?….

What have you been working on?

I’m really working on being intentional.

Intentional with the things I say.

Intentional with the things I do.

Just….intentional.

You have so much power in the little things—

With your touch, smile, eyes, words…..

Believe it or not, you have impacted more people than you have realized, and with those little things

So I’m working on being intentional.

Days Of Rest Are Important – In Other Words Enjoy Those “Lazy Days”

Do lazy days make you feel rested or unproductive?

“Lazy days” are necessary.

When we are constantly productive, we do not realize how much we actually miss out on.

A busy lifestyle isn’t always a good lifestyle.

And constantly doing things doesn’t mean you’re living.

There is so much to notice. “Lazy days” give us an opportunity to pause and notice the everyday things that we may be ignoring.

Enjoy those lazy day friends, you’re not being unproductive.

You’re pausing, and you are enjoying and you are being present with yourself and those around you.

Soften The Heart: Devotional #25

“Not my will, but yours be done.”

Luke 22:42

What a powerful statement. What Jesus said right here is, I trust you.

I love this scripture so much because it reveals that without a doubt we are going to go through some really hard things, just like Jesus did.

And instead of questioning God, we stop.

We eventually, ultimately, surrender.

We acknowledge that this isn’t what we want, but we say I trust you God.

We say, if this is how it’s suppose to be I trust you. I know you are with me, I trust you. And then we fully give it to GOD.

I said this prayer just a few days ago to God while in great pain and suffering…..not my will but yours be done.

I more so told God in my head that this isn’t what I wanted but if this is the plan for me and this is how my life is suppose to end I fully trust you God. I told God that I surrendered.

I told God that I trusted him and that if this was my time to go that I would accept it. I wasn’t going to question what was happening. Even though it’s not what I wanted I let God know once again that I trusted Him. I told God that I would be sad to not watch my children grow though.

After I spoke with God, I let it all go.

The rest was completely out of my hands and how this was going to end was something I trusted with God. I trusted his plan for me and my family.

How thankful I am for my faith and for Gods Word. Countless times I feel as if my hand has been held.

Now, what led me to that moment with God was I woke up with some minor abdominal cramping, very minor. As the morning continued the pain increasingly progressed to the point where I could barely even walk.

I called for my husband and he rushed home from work and raced me to the ER.

After an hour later of excruciating pain they discovered that I had a twisted intestine and that it was attached to a scar adhesion from a precious c-section.

Things got real, real fast when they said they were sending a helicopter for me to get surgery right away.

It was in that moment where I knew this was very serious. I was in too much pain to be scared but I knew my husband was terrified.

This is where I surrendered. I wanted the pain to end. I was letting go while fighting. It’s a hard thing to explain.

But I can fully say that I put my trust in God. Words can’t fully express how I felt when I woke up after the surgery and even how I still feel in this moment.

My testimony has grown in a way that excites me and that I’m eager to share. I have been redirected in the most beautiful way.

The word of God gives hope. The word of God gives peace. The word of God gives us strength.

What I have gone through God has been with me the entire time.

And I’m so grateful to have trust Him.

Thank you Lord, amen.

Dears Readers, I Had an EMERGENCY abdominal Surgery! – Bowel Obstruction Surgery

I’m still in shock.

I’m currently recovery at home and it’s been about 4 days now since my surgery.

I will write another blog soon letting you all know what went down but I may not post for a while because I really need to focus on my healing.

Or a few of my posts going forward for a bit may be recovery and healing related.

One thing for sure I am incredibly grateful to be here. This was very sudden and completely unexpected. I have been overwhelmed by love from family and friends.

God truly carried me through this from the beginning and my trust is completely in Him.

I got home yesterday from the hospital (today is Saturday and this all went down on Tuesday) and being able to hold my children and stroke their hair and give them kisses is something I am not taking for granted.

I have learned so much from this experience and how much more eager I am to help and heal people!

Remember my friends, it truly is the littlest things that leave such powerful impacts.

Examples would be:

  • A gentle touch 
  • Sincerity in the eyes
  • Tone of voice 
  •  A warm smile 
  • Story telling
  •  Sense of humor 

God bless all of you, and thank you from the bottom of my heart for being here.

Marie

20 DEEP Questions To Reflect On – Journaling Prompt

Here are 20 deep questions to reflect on to help you understand who you are:

1. What are my core values, and how do they influence my decisions?

2. What are my biggest fears, and where do they come from?

3. How do I define success for myself, independent of others’ opinions?

4. What do I believe is my purpose in life?

5. In what areas of my life do I feel most at peace, and why?

6. What experiences have shaped my identity the most?

7. How do I handle failure, and what do I learn from it?

8. What kind of relationships nourish my soul, and which ones drain me?

9. When do I feel most authentic, and when do I feel like I’m wearing a mask?

10. How do I speak to myself during hard times? What does that reveal about my self-love?

11. What parts of my past am I still holding onto, and how do they affect me today?

12. What role does forgiveness play in my life—for both myself and others?

13. What do I need to let go of to grow and move forward?

14. What are the recurring patterns in my life, and what might they be teaching me?

15. What are the most significant challenges I’ve overcome, and how have they shaped me?

16. What makes me feel truly fulfilled and alive?

17. What do I want my legacy to be?

18. What do I believe about the nature of love, and how do I show love to myself and others?

19. How do I manage my emotions, and what do they tell me about my inner world?

20. What am I most grateful for in my life right now, and how does gratitude shape my outlook?

Cozy Fall Bucket List – 20 Things To-do

Here’s a fun and cozy fall bucket list with at least 20 things you can do to fully embrace the season:

1. Visit a pumpkin patch and pick the perfect pumpkins.

2. Carve or paint pumpkins with creative designs.

3. Go apple picking at a local orchard.

4. Bake a homemade apple pie or pumpkin bread.

5. Take a scenic hike to enjoy the fall foliage.

6. Go on a hayride or take a trip to a corn maze.

7. Have a bonfire night with s’mores and hot cider.

8. Decorate your home with fall-themed decor like leaves, gourds, and cozy candles.

9. Host a cozy movie night with classic fall or Halloween movies.

10. Attend a fall festival or farmers market.

11. Make homemade chili or a hearty soup for a cozy dinner.

12. Create a gratitude list and reflect on what you’re thankful for.

13. Have a picnic outside, surrounded by colorful fall leaves.

14. Go thrift shopping for cozy fall sweaters and scarves.

15. Collect leaves and create a fall craft or wreath.

16. Try a new fall-flavored coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.

17. Visit a haunted house or go on a ghost tour.

18. Start a fall-inspired book or reading list.

19. Create a fall playlist with your favorite cozy songs.

20. Stargaze on a clear, cool fall night wrapped in blankets.

October Goals 2024

This month the focus is on Self-Love 🤍

  1. Practice Self-Compassion: Be mindful of your inner dialogue. Whenever self-criticism creeps in, counter it with kind, understanding words. Treat yourself like you would a close friend.
  2. Celebrate Your Wins: No matter how small, acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments regularly. Write them down at the end of each day to reinforce your self-worth.
  3. Set a “Me-Time” Ritual: Dedicate at least one day a week for uninterrupted “me time” to do whatever makes you feel recharged, whether it’s reading, relaxing, or engaging in a hobby.
  4. Forgive Yourself: Let go of past mistakes and imperfections. Acknowledge that you’re human and that your growth matters more than any misstep.
  5. Create a Self-Love Journal: Write daily or weekly about what you love about yourself, your strengths, and your qualities that make you unique. Revisit these pages whenever you need a boost.

Figure Out “YOUR TRUTH”

Figuring out your truth and what you genuinely want can be a deeply personal and ongoing journey. It’s not uncommon to feel clear about your desires, only to have them shaken when exposed to external influences, especially social media. Here are some steps that might help you ground yourself in your truth:

1. Create Space for Reflection

When life gets busy or overstimulating, it becomes hard to hear your inner voice. Setting aside regular, quiet moments for reflection—whether through journaling, meditation, or even walks in nature—can help you reconnect with your deeper self. In these moments, ask yourself:

• What feels authentic to me?

• What activities, people, or ideas make me feel alive?

• What do I naturally gravitate toward when I’m not comparing myself to others?

2. Listen to Your Body and Emotions

Your body often holds the key to your truth. Pay attention to how you physically and emotionally react to different ideas, situations, or possibilities. When something aligns with your truth, you may feel lighter, energized, or excited. When something is out of alignment, you might feel heavy, tense, or anxious. Trust those signals.

3. Limit External Noise

Social media can easily cloud your perception of yourself, as it constantly exposes you to the lives and opinions of others. You might see what others have or desire, and it can create doubt or envy. Consider setting boundaries with how much time you spend on social media. When you do engage, practice mindful consumption: ask yourself why a certain post affects you and whether it aligns with what you value.

4. Define Your Core Values

Knowing your core values is essential in figuring out your truth. Ask yourself:

• What are the non-negotiables in my life?

• What principles do I live by, regardless of what others are doing?

Once you’ve defined these values, check in with them regularly to see if your desires and goals align with them. This helps you stay true to yourself even when external influences are strong.

5. Embrace the Fluidity of Your Desires

It’s okay for your wants and desires to change over time. Sometimes we fear that changing our minds means we don’t know ourselves, but growth often brings new perspectives. Give yourself permission to evolve, and trust that each phase is part of discovering your deeper truth.

6. Differentiate Between Ego Desires and Soul Desires

Ego desires often come from a place of external validation, comparison, or fear of missing out (FOMO). Soul desires, on the other hand, tend to be quieter but more persistent. They resonate with your deeper purpose and bring a sense of peace or fulfillment. When considering what you want, ask yourself:

• Am I wanting this because it feels true to me, or because it’s what I think I should want?

• Does this desire nourish my spirit, or does it come from seeking approval or fitting in?

7. Trust Yourself

Even though social media and external influences can be overwhelming, your inner compass is still there. Trust that you have the wisdom to discern what feels right for you. When in doubt, return to practices that ground you—yoga, meditation, or connecting with nature—and let that stillness help you reconnect to your truth.

Your journey of finding your truth might be connected to your self-care and yoga practices, allowing you to tune into your inner wisdom beyond the noise. Social media can offer inspiration, but your deepest answers lie within.