~ Note to self ~

Over the past year or so I've made a few notes to myself on this blog and decided to combine them all into one post. Each holds different meaning- whether it be something simple such as a sweet reminder, advice that I gave or received, or something that I learned...each are significant to me. Maybe they will be to you as well.

Hopefully I will continue writing more notes to myself as the years go by. Maybe I'll make a book to pass down through the generations to come ;)

NOTE TO SELF #1: As much as you want the best for someone, you can never change anyone. They have to want it themselves because change comes from WITHIN.

NOTE TO SELF #2: Remember to "Blossom where you are planted.", no matter where that ends up being.

NOTE TO SELF #3: If someone lets you go easily, they aren't worth holding on to.

NOTE TO SELF #4: Sometimes bad things happen to good people. Stay strong and always remember that life goes on.

NOTE TO SELF #5: You're beautiful - embrace who you are. Write it on your mirror so that each morning when you wake up, you'll be reminded that you are made in His image and God thinks you are far more than beautiful. Isn't that all that matters, anyway?

NOTE TO SELF #6: You will never be satisfied if you try to live up to the world's standards! Find true JOY in the Lord and He will provide all that you need!

Note to self #7: People who pray together, stay together.

Note to self #8: Accept things for what they are, in every form. We are not to be blinded by our false perceptions but to deal with reality as it is.

Note to self #9: We search for happiness everywhere, forgetting that pure Joy is within us already.

Note to self #10: Always forgive, just as Christ forgives you.

Note to self #11: A kind gesture can go a long way.

Note to self #12: Search for the deeper meaning.

Note to self #13: Don't hold on to your past- let go when the time is right. God breaks chains and heals. In Him you are a new creation and are made new each day.

Note to self #14: Love endlessly. Give selflessly. Serve tirelessly. Care deeply.

Note to self #15: Remember where you came from.

Note to self #16: Grow from the past, delight in the present, embrace the possibilities of the future.

Note to self #17: Sometimes we're the lucky one who gets to plant the seed, but we can't make people grow.

Note to self #18: Sometimes saying nothing but doing something is the most powerful form of action. Let your actions speak louder than words.

Note to self #19: Tomorrow's freedom is today's surrender... -All Sons & Daughters

Note to self #20: Jesus doesn't want to be resident in your life, He wants to be president.

Note to self #21: Cast out all idols in your life. What is holding you back from seeking the Kingdom and Father first?!

Note to self #22: Everything builds upon itself. Do your best at everything you do. -Daddio

Note to self #23: Don't settle for less than you deserve.

I randomly had a vivid idea for drawing pop into my head about a week ago. I have no idea why because I haven't sketched since I began college. Luckily I received a new scrapbook for Christmas this morning and after decorating the first page, I flipped open to a blank page. Using ink as the only medium, I began drawing the heart, referencing from a picture I found on google images. Then the rest just flowed from my mind to my fingertips and waaaahhhhlahhh- final product. It took less than an hour and although not perfected, I was rather surprised and satisfied with the outcome. It felt great too!

I'm thankful for moments of "self-expression"...

Sweet Immanuel- God with us

I will never be able to express how thankful I am for Jesus. I'm forever grateful for His beautiful birth into this fallen world. I'm forever grateful that He lived a lifelong Godly example for His people to follow. I'm forever grateful for His sacrificial death on the cross, and that He bore our sin. Although we are unworthy, He loved us THAT much to die a gruesome death on the cross so that we may be forgiven. I'm forever thankful that He rose on the third day and that He is coming back again. I'm forever thankful for eternal matrimony and for His rich, unending Love, Grace and Mercy. My words are of little significance compared to His great worth. I'm thankful that He gives me value and a life of purpose to glorify Him, forever. So much beauty... Immeasurable gratitude. This is what I'm celebrating today and all the days of my life. I love you Christ Jesus, Son of God.

Sometimes this world is just too much to handle. We all try to cope and we all try to gamble our chances of surviving in this self-driven race. Time is the enemy, fast is the pace. No time to stop and think or consider what's good...we turn our backs on the truth, though we know that we shouldn't. Deep in our hearts lies the answers in red, written in blood the words that He said. Those actions speak louder than all that I hear on the tv and radio and chatter of evil. It all fogs the right and defends the wrong, we live our lives to the beat of the devil's song. This world has gone mad but it's too busy to see, the Lord is coming back for you and for me. The time draws near, there's no turning back. Rid us of ourselves, Lord, before its too late...only You can clean this filthy slate. We cry out, Abba, from pure distress. We need you now more than ever, this world is a mess.

One Step At A Time

Throughout this school year thus far, I have learned the importance of setting goals.Whether it be spending time with God, time-managing in general, running/working out, making good grades, or eating healthy, wisely setting goals has helped me tremendously.

 I have given up on things easily before. I have quit before my time to do so rather than persevering. I came to a realization that I had unrealistic goals, or did not go about achieving them in the right way. Sometimes I had no goals at all. HELLO?! What was I thinking? And when I set goals, rather than being wise about reaching a goal, I tried to do everything at once. I strive to accomplish more than I was capable of doing at a certain time do to certain circumstances and I held myself back. I would get aggravated, lose hope in myself, or at times, both. Then I would sorrily give up. I began to examine what I was doing or more-so, what I was not doing, why, and what I could do to change for the better.

I have learned to set short and rather small, reachable goals first. Smaller steps create a large staircase, and so it is the same with goals- setting smaller goals lead to reaching the big goal. Being realistic is key. Having faith in yourself is another important key. Seeing yourself the way God sees you and believing in yourself is extremely important. Don't get me wrong, sometimes I fall short of this too though. If you provide opportunity for yourself to grow, you will. If you take the time to improve anything, it will happen. Diligence and hard work pays off. But you have to do push toward the result that you desire. Each week I try to write out goals for myself and pray over them. Setting small goals has helped me actually accomplish something good. After reaching each small goal, I can gradually set a larger, long term goal to work towards.

With God, all things are possible; He has created us to do more than we can imagine. I truly believe this and I try to always embrace this truth. He has given us His Spirit. He has provided us with opportunity. He will pull me through anything and I know that in Him I am more than capable, but I have to do my part as well and take advantage of all that He has equipped me with. I continually remind myself to live as Colossians 3:23 says: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."

Sometimes I still mess up or give up. Either way, there is always beauty in re-dedication, and I am thankful for that.

Goals for this week:
-Wake up and put the Kingdom first; fully submit myself during the quiet, still morning. I'm not setting a certain amount of time particularly, but just to spend time with God, in His Word, Presence and Love. (I'm currently re-reading Matthew chapters 13-28, Jesus Lives- a devotional, and Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis...little by little, of course.)
-Drink 64 oz of water each day
-Strive to eat healthy including my RDI of fruits & vegetables each day and eat six small meals
-Exercise every day (Monday-Friday) for at least 30 minutes 
-Study diligently after classes
-Make A+'s on both quizzes this week

Things to do:
-Get TB skin test so that I can observe
-Study for quizzes
-Vote on Tuesday
-Volunteer at Hospice of the Shoals
-Observe at Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital
-Organize my drawers & closet
-Continue praying for Keith, Kathy, and Mrs. Plane
-CA interviews November 9th and 10th


November goals:
-Make an A+ on Psych test #3
-Hopefully get the CA position that I applied for
-Continue visiting different churches
-Bring up my Nutrition grade and continue making good grades/have good study habits
-Run the March of Dimes 5k or if volunteer if needed
-Begin training for a half-marathon?!
-Compile my research paper
-Be in a constant state of prayer
-Watch my words and actions so that I will glorify God through them

Some Scripture that came to mind: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 and Hebrews 12:1-3