Develop Friendships With Those Who Believe Differently

We often become upset with those who don’t share our beliefs. But each of us is on a unique path, shaped by different experiences that give us our own views of the world.

Instead of pushing away those who see things differently, try befriending them. Talk to them, learn their story, and listen to why they believe what they do. When we open ourselves to different perspectives, we may even begin to see the world with more compassion and understanding.

I believe everything is connected in some way, and there’s something valuable to learn from every perspective. The beauty of having friends with different beliefs is that it challenges us. And sometimes, when our beliefs are tested, we become even stronger in what we stand for. It deepens our understanding and strengthens our spirit.

Seek out those who bring new light and layers to what you thought you knew. Let each new connection add depth to your world, knowing that every encounter holds a gift, if we’re open enough to receive it.

Lessons Are All Around Us

There is something we can learn from everything.

There was a moment when my children were younger, and we were watching The Cat in the Hat on PBS Kids. The Cat asked, “What makes a bird a bird?”

You might think the answer would be the ability to fly, but that’s not quite right. Penguins are birds, and they can’t fly.

The answer is actually feathers. That’s what sets them apart.

This got me thinking: What makes a human a human? It’s something to ponder.

I loved that I learned something or that my curiosity was sparked by something as simple as a quote from a kids’ show.

What I learned from that was that sometimes, what seems obvious at first has extra layers waiting to be discovered—or an answer to a question might seem obvious, only for you to realize it’s not the answer you thought.

Lessons are like that—they keep revealing themselves over time. For example, when you rewatch a movie or reread a book, you often pick up on something new you didn’t notice before.

But it’s not just books or movies—lessons are all around us. They can be found in nature, in conversations, in the innocent perspective of a child, or even in a kids’ show. Each lesson we learn shapes our actions and attitudes, creating a ripple effect.

Just as a small act of kindness can spread and inspire others, the lessons we internalize can encourage us to uplift those around us, making a meaningful difference in the world.

The key is to stay open, curious, and willing to learn, even from the simplest things.

Sometimes life teaches us in whispers, and it’s up to us to listen.

peace, love, & light

mg

Be Grateful For Each Day

Every day is a gift.

We’ve all heard that before, right?

But I want to emphasize that every day truly is a gift.

Things can happen—unexpected things. They do happen, and they will continue to happen. And yes, they can happen to you too.

This is life.

We need to let go of the mindset that we are better than anyone else. I mean, anyone.

Each of us has a story; every human has faced challenges.

To think that scary, unexpected events won’t touch you is an illusion.

We must recognize that each day is as fragile as the next and acknowledge how desperately we need one another.

Don’t let the petty things ruin your day.

Treat each day as the gift that it truly is.

Easy Pork Loin Crockpot Recipe

What You Need:

  • 3-4 Pounds boneless pork loin
  • 1 large onion
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • 2 cups broth – I prefer chicken broth
  • cooking spray or unsalted butter

Instructions

1. Spray the bottom and sides of your crock pot with cooking spray or you can substitute with butter.

2. Slice your onion into round circle slices.

3. Lay your pork loin on top of the onions, fat side up.

4. Drizzle olive oil over the top of the pork loin.

5. Sprinkle garlic, onion powder, black pepper, salt and paprika over pork loin. Give it a quick rub to ensure that the spices are distributed evenly.

6. Add two cups of broth to the bottom of the crock pot.

7. Close and cook the pork loin in your crock pot on LOW for 6 hours or on HIGH for four hours. Your meat should register at an internal temperature of 145 with a meat thermometer.

Enjoy!

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.