Tag: thoughts

Identify Your Potential

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Identifying your potential can be a journey of patience and discovery. What am I meant to do? Am I truly fulfilling my purpose? These questions can feel like having all the right ingredients but no specific recipe for you. The only way to find out is by experimenting—adding a little of this, a bit of that—through trial and error until you figure it out. And when you finally discover the “recipe,” there’s a sense of accomplishment, love, gratitude, and excitement that makes you want to share it with everyone.

Each of us has unique ingredients, our own strengths and passions, to help us become the best we can be. But the process takes patience; it requires a willingness to keep “mixing” even when it’s difficult to see the final outcome. Recipes can be complex, and some steps may seem intimidating, but that’s part of the journey. What we each carry—the potential within us—is uniquely ours. We can’t find our personal recipe by following someone else’s path; we have to look inward.

Today, take a moment to reflect. Write down what you genuinely enjoy, what takes most of your time, and what you feel may be holding you back. This small step can bring you closer to identifying your potential and give you a better understanding of your own ingredients. Remember, you’re creating something meaningful with each step, and it’s all part of the journey.

Don’t Just Water Your Soul When You Begin To Wilt

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Just like a plant needs regular watering, so does our soul. Each plant has its own rhythm—some need water every day, others less often. When we keep up with its needs, we see it thrive. But if we forget, the plant will wilt, quietly signaling, “I need care.” If ignored long enough, it might wither completely.

Now think of the plant as your soul.

What’s the “water” for your soul? Are you nurturing yourself consistently, or only tending to your spirit when you’re already drained? Caring for yourself shouldn’t only happen when you feel like you’re wilting. Make soul care a priority, a habit. And remember, plants thrive in community—one wilting plant can affect the whole garden around it. Similarly, when we neglect ourselves, it impacts others too. Positive ripples start with self-care, but negative ripples spread when we overlook it. In caring for yourself, you’re caring for everyone connected to you. So water your soul often, and let yourself flourish.

Each Day Is A Day Worth Celebrating

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From the moment we are born, the aging process begins. It’s a bit like a piece of fruit, picked from the tree. Once detached from its life source, the fruit starts to age. You can try to preserve it, slow it down, but the end result will be the same. Similarly, once we’re cut from the umbilical cord, we’re on our own journey.

I actually had this thought one day while washing dishes, just staring at our orange tree through the window. It hit me: we’re not all that different from a piece of fruit!

We age every day, knowing the final destination but often shying away from thinking about it. Instead, we distract ourselves, sometimes missing what it means to be truly alive.

But this knowledge is actually a gift. Knowing that life is finite is what gives each day its value. Rather than letting distractions or dark times pull us away from fully experiencing it, let’s see each day for what it is—an opportunity, a miracle in itself. Celebrate in some way, every day. Notice the small wonders around you. And by embracing this outlook, we can help others find the freedom to enjoy their lives too.

Love Is A Choice – Choose To Love

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Try this: whatever in your life brings up fear or anxiety, choose to love it. Anything that stirs anger? Choose love. Love isn’t just a feeling; it’s an action, and it’s a choice we have the power to make every day. The ability to love more deeply is a seed within us, and it’s one that needs nurturing.

When something frustrates or upsets you, pause, take a breath, and say, “I love you.” Don’t let stress or anger have power over you. Every person and every experience around us could use a little more love.

Instead of pushing away “it”, whatever it may be (we all have things, situations, or even people that we find challenging to love) because of the negative emotions it brings, challenge yourself to love it.

For example, imagine you just stubbed your toe on the door. (We all know how much that hurts!) Instead of cursing the door, acknowledge it with a twist: “That hurt, but I still love you, door, because you keep my family safe and give us privacy.” It may seem small, but this practice strengthens the habit of choosing love in frustrating moments. If you can learn to love something as simple as a door that caused you pain, think of how far that love can extend to the bigger challenges in life.

Some days, you’ll succeed; other days, you’ll struggle. But don’t give up, love really is the answer. I know, because I have my own struggles with this practice.

There have been moments when my children have sparked this kind of anger I didn’t even know I had, and I have to literally step back to figure out where it’s coming from.

I had to choose love.

Over time, we evolve and improve, and for that, we can be grateful for.

Love is more than a feeling, it’s a choice. Imagine a world of choose to love.

I Am You, And You Are Me

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Think of the ocean, and all the waves within its vast, beautiful blue. Now think of us, as people, each like a wave in that ocean. Each wave is unique and separate in its own way, yet it’s still water, still part of something larger. Just as waves belong to the ocean, we are all connected. It can feel, at times, like we’re on our own or completely different from others, but beneath the surface, we share many similarities and are part of something so vast and profound that it stretches beyond what our minds can fully comprehend.

When we’re reminded to “love thy neighbor,” to treat others how we wish to be treated, or to follow the Golden Rule—it’s because, in essence, you are them, and they are you.

You Can’t Point The Finger Forever

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At one point or another we’ve all done it. We have avoided responsibility and placed the blame on something. Our parents, our childhood, our lack of not knowing better, our friends, God, that door for being in the way that just stubbed our toe, etc.

It alleviates the guilt or negative feelings that we fill inside….but deep down we all know that choices, decisions, and reactions are our own.

Many of us prefer to play the victim rather than scatter the broken pieces and discover a new creation.

What good does blaming do? Truthfully, is there a positive outcome to making that choice?

Before you start pointing fingers, make sure your hands are clean

Bob Marley

He who has not sinned can cast the first stone

Jesus

I love these quotes, both of these shout LOOK AT YOURSELF. And reminds us that we are flawed just like the rest.

You’re not alone.

My kids are at that delightful age where there’s a fair amount of tattling and a great deal of blaming one another.

“Mom, she made me do it!”

“It’s not my fault, it’s theirs.”

“I only did it because she told me to do that.”

*something doesn’t go their way* – “This is YOUR fault!”

And so forth.

This kind of stuff is expected right now. They are kids!

Although,

I do believe there is importance in teaching children accountability, acknowledgement, and acceptance. As we know, you can’t point the finger forever.

There comes a time when each of us have to look at ourselves, reflect on our own choices and decisions and take accountability for our part. Whatever that may be.

I would say a majority of people don’t enjoy doing this. It isn’t a pleasant process. It’s like holding hands with guilt and shame while walking down an empty road. You don’t want to hold their hands but they know where they are going and you don’t.

This is necessary for our own personal growth. Especially if we have a goal to be our very best selves and want to move forward and make improvements in our life.

There are many grown ups out there who still behave like children and are saying exactly what my kids are saying.

“This is all YOUR Fault!”

And guess what the other grown up is saying,

“No, this is your fault!”

Neither grown up wants to take accountability for their part. How will the issue get resolved if someone doesn’t step up?

Again, because it’s hard. Who wants to admit when they are wrong? Be honest.

Let me share something,

when you begin to take accountability for the directions and outcomes in your life, your life changes. Someone may argue, “but I got dealt a bad hand of cards.”

Maybe that person did. There are many lives out there who have truly been dealt a shitty hand of cards. But there are also lives out there that even with their bad cards they played a heck of a game.

Even in poker you can win a game with a bad hand.

Learning to take accountability and learning to acknowledge what is changes your life, and it changes for the better. In doing so you learn to give yourself grace which leads to giving others grace. You learn to forgive yourself which leads to you forgiving others.

Everyone needs grace and forgiveness. If you can learn to give it to yourself, you can learn to give it to others.

We cling to too many pains and aches from the past. They are like anchors that hold us down from exploring.

And then we blame those pains and aches for the outcome of our lives. When all we have to do is release the anchor so we may set sail. We get frustrated at the knot that we tied.

Living a life of pointing the finger will do nothing but poison you. It poisons you to the core.

And if you keep letting your pointer finger poison you, eventually it paralyzes you.

That is not how you want to live your life. Beautiful things await when we acknowledge ourselves, our situations, our reactions, and recognize that we hold in ourselves more power than we know.

You are powerful. You are strong. You have strength inside of you to get you through what you are going through. It’s nobody’s fault.

Pain in our hearts can lead to bad choices. Think about that, and ponder it.

Let’s practice not pointing the finger together.

peace and love

Dear Readers: I Can’t Sleep

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Sometimes I have nights like this.

Where I just sit awake while the rest of my family sleeps soundly. It’s so quiet right now. Any movement seems to leave an echo. Typically when these kinds of nights happen it’s because I have so much on my mind. My brain just can’t digest all these thoughts and feelings. Anxiety is looking for attention.

I brought this upon myself though. When you’re reading a book about death and experiences of those in hospice and their last moments it’s bound to take a toll on you. I feel anchored at the moment. These stories that I have been reading…… I can’t even find the right words. They make my heart ache, literally, but they also inspire me so deeply. I’m in a trance. It’s like walking through dark woods but discovering undiscovered fruit.

It’s so beautiful. These stories. Life amazes me. Humans amaze me. This experience of life is just miraculous and incredibly surreal when I acknowledge it. How is all of this possible? How are there so many patterns? What does it all really mean? Questions we won’t get in this lifetime, I don’t think, but it’s fun to wonder about. I feel chosen in a way.

Sometimes I feel alone in these thoughts. I know I’m not but sometimes it feels that way. How does this world not recognize how insane all of this is. There’s an acceptance I guess, while I’m still asking so many questions and searching for answers. I am one who believes though that world peace is very possible.

But it takes each individual to deeply look inside themselves. To want to better themselves. Swallow our pride and admit our faults. And continue to love and persevere. And you know, some don’t know how to love. There is pain deep in their roots. That is true.

It is up to us however to show them love, that we may liberate and heal those souls who are hurting and hiding. But it’s more than loving, it’s also just listening. Some just want to be heard and understood.

Isn’t that what we all really want?

– m.g.

Dear Readers: I’m Having A Motherhood Moment

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I’m currently reading a new read and it’s already making me teary eyed. I rather not share the title. I feel like it’s a bit morbid and possibly triggering. But as I’m reading I put the book down and I just think about how much I love my children. I think about how all my choices have them in mind.

Motherhood changed me.

It wasn’t about me any more, it was about them. I understood how important my role was and whether I am a “good mother” or “bad mother” that I was going to play a huge role in their life.

That’s a lot of pressure. Becoming aware how much I would be influencing my children…. just really stressed me out. And it still does sometimes. I may say or do something and then think, “great, did I just scar my kid.” I knew I was going to make mistakes. And I know I’ll continue to make mistakes. You just hope the good outweighs the bad.

Everything I do now is for my children though. Bettering myself is for them. Even when I go spend time with my friends I do it for them in hopes they will recognize that it’s important to do things for yourself too.

This is a role that I know was meant for me. I’ve known since I was a child really. More than anything I couldn’t wait to become a mother.

Before I was even a mother my worst fear was that I wouldn’t be a mother. How badly I wanted this, but also how much of this yearning felt like a calling. I just knew I needed to be a mom.

I just pray a lot. I try to anyway. I remind myself to pray without ceasing because truthfully I don’t know. I don’t know how this will all play out. I feel like a child in this world with so many questions. How there’s so much beauty but also so much sadness. And the sadness seems amplified when you’re a mother.

I have to trust that everything will be as it needs to be. That it will all be okay. And I do believe that.

My children reveal their innocence to me daily, and how badly I just want to protect them and shield them from the nightmares of this world. However sooner or later the truth will begin to unravel and I know many fears will begin to set in. And that breaks my heart.

I work on my bravery for them. I want to be the best example for them. It’s so hard though. So many answers I do not have. But I just know and believe that if my children have a strong faith and spirituality then they will be okay. They will persevere and they will choose love always.

The only way that may be possible is if I have a strong faith to pass to them. I work on understanding and becoming closer to God so that I may be the one to introduce them to that door that will lead to many beautiful things. I believe so much that our relationship with the high power is crucial in this life.

Do I have my doubts sometimes, of course I do. But my children have doubts in me sometimes too. So am I really any different?

I want to lead them to a life where they feel constant love and assurance. When they are feeling afraid they can close their eyes and pass it to God. I want them to find comfort easily and to develop compassion for all.

So many wishes for my children. I know I’m kind of rambling. But sometimes you just have to share your thoughts and be vulnerable. Admit that your afraid at times and share that you don’t know everything.

How I just want them to know how much I love them, but does a child ever really know how much a parent loves them?

With love,

m.g.

A Word Of Encouragement Goes A Long Way

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Encouragement is defined as, “the action of giving someone support, confidence, or hope.”

Encouraging another human being doesn’t cost a thing but it gives them more than anything. It can be life changing for some!

A small act of encouragement pushes people, gives them strength, reassures them, gives them something to hold onto and maybe even fight for…..especially during challenging and sorrowful times.

Even a smile is an act of encouragement.

Don’t fall into the common trap of belittling yourself and your capabilities. You are power.

You can save lives and you DO save lives. You may not know exactly how, but does that really matter? You influence others more than you know. That’s something to think about.

Who knows what doors you have opened for others.

Know in your heart you make a difference. Pass on the love, pass on the encouragement, pass on the hope. The world needs it.

The world needs you.

– m.g.

There Are Many Who Believe In You, You Just Don’t Believe In Yourself Yet

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Awhile back now I was researching how some baby birds learn how to fly. The reason I was reading into the process to begin with was because an author of one of my devotional books tied the development of baby birds learning how to fly to personal growth.

I just absolutely loved it and it resonated in such a way. What a great metaphor that many can relate to! Such a different perspective to perceive.

Think of a baby bird for a moment will you, all cozy and comfy in their little nest. The nest is harmless, and it’s very familiar. It’s all the baby bird knows really. Mama feeds and provides for them there, and they feel safe.

Then one day, mama bird just starts throwing her babies out of the nest! What a far drop too! I’m not kidding either, she tosses them out and I imagine her saying, “todays the day!” I found this fascinating! I had no idea!

There comes a time where mama knows it’s time. If she’s not throwing them out she’s gently nudging her precious babies out of the nest. There’s no bargaining with the mama.

The baby bird I’m sure is TERRIFIED, like what is going on!! Is my mom trying to kill me! She must hate me! But the mama bird doesn’t feel that way at all. In fact, she does this because she LOVES her babies. She KNOWS that her baby needs to learn how to fly for survival. Because there will come a time when she knows she will longer be there for her baby and she needs to know that they will be okay.

She knows her babies to need to fly and her bird friends know it. The baby bird is the only one saying, “mama No, later later! I’ll learn later. I’m not ready!”

But guess what….

Push comes to shove and the baby bird FLYS. The baby bird finally believes in itself as the mother always has and chooses to opens its wings. The baby bird trusts in his mom that there’s a reason behind this.

Life is very much like this. It never waits for us to be ready. Because truth be told, we never will be. We are too cozy in our nests.

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.

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If you have been thrown out of “the nest”’in someway….if you’ve been taken outside what you know and you’re scared and frightened this may actually be an unprepared flight lesson.

Who’s knows why this is happening, but there may something that you need to learn. The time is now. And this frightening experience will benefit you, as it does the baby birds. Questioning it will not do anything.

You will later realized that you HAD to be thrown out in order to learn how to fly.

Oh I hope this all makes sense. Ponder it a bit.

What I want you to know is that God believes in you, the universe believes in you, many others believe in you……. people believe in you and see your potential (they always have) , it’s time to believe in yourself and to not be afraid of the falls from the nest. You were born to fly, that’s what those wings are for.

Welcome the push and shoves with bravery and perseverance. It’s normal to be afraid but once you push through that fear who knows what you’ll see and capabilities you’ll discover.

Who knows where your wings will take you……

Beautiful places, that I’m sure. No need to be afraid. Trust, always.

-m.g.