Friend, look deep... deeper... Deeper....
Do you see more than just an acorn?
Do you see the potential that is inside?
I found this acorn over the weekend,
and I have been learning a bit more about
what it takes for the oak tree to spring forth.
It's fascinating.
I go into more detail HERE
if you have 10 minutes to spare
and want to take a listen.
If you don't, I'll get right to the point.
You have so much potential inside you.
In order for it to take root,
you may just need to go through a really dark season.
In order for it to spring forth,
you may just need to be broken.
In order for it to be nourished,
you may just need to rely on others.
When you are walking through the
dark and broken places,
don't miss what God has put
right in front of your face.
He has equipped you with
everything
that you need to survive.
Stay rooted in Him.
Stay connected to your support system.
Stay focused on your growth.
Don't miss what God has placed
right in front of your eyes,
but be open to thinking
beyond what you actually see.
Until next time... Blessings!
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PS: If you are needing some extra support and encouragement,
we just started a brand new series over in our group,
Guarding the Gate... 21 Days of Encouragement.
Sister, you don't have to walk your path alone.
Join us!
God can do amazing things with the 'little' that you think you have to offer... it's enough!
Read more...Hey Friend,
I am shifting gears a bit today in and effort to raise some awareness.
I read an article the other day, and it kinda made me mad . . . well not kinda, it did! The article is a couple years old, but the effects linger.
If you want to begin by reading the same article I did, click the picture below. Go ahead and check it out, then come back and continue . . .
If you want to begin by reading the same article I did, click the picture below. Go ahead and check it out, then come back and continue . . .
"Lab tests ..... indicated almost three-fourths of the 45 food products tested detected high levels of glyphosate, which has been identified as a “probable carcinogen” by the World Health Organization in 2015."
So what do you think about that?? Did you ever imagine you could literally be feeding your family poison when you pour them a bowl of cereal or make some oatmeal??
If you are like I was, you probably didn't. And you may be asking yourself, "Does it really matter?" or "We have been eating those things for years, and we are fine." Yep, been there . . . but let me share with you a little bit about something called Bioaccumulation.
If you picture yourself as a glass, and you keep adding liquid to it, even if it is one little drop at a time, eventually it’s going to overflow. That’s basically what body burden is. Your fine, until one day, you aren’t. Can anyone relate to that? Have you seen this happen?
Consider this…
•Some chemicals accumulate in our bodies over time
•Impacts may show up long after exposure
•Some chemicals can become harmful or more toxic in combination with other chemicals
•Chemicals can have more impact during certain periods of development (womb, infancy, puberty)
•Even tiny doses can be very potent
So let's look at the effects of bioaccumulation because most people think exactly as above, it is such a small amount and I've been eating it for years, so I'm fine . . . but that may not be completely true!
- The body breaks down many of the toxins we are exposed to, but not all
- Toxins cause extra stress on the liver as it tries to process these unnatural substances
- Oftentimes we see reactions with skin. This can be symptomatic of bigger problems, an overburdened liver or the inability of the gut to process properly.
These very things may be why you can think now that you are fine, but over a period of time these chemicals will build up in your system and begin to cause issues . . . even things that we think are 'normal' could very well be the result of bioaccumulation.
So what can we do to prevent this, or to help ease the burden on our bodies???
1. Avoid processed foods and eat organic whenever possible.
I get it . . . organic is expensive . . . so do what you can. Shop the perimeter of the store because buying a bag of non-organic apples is still a better choice than that package of Oreos (guilty)! Also, be sure you are washing ALL produce before consuming. I have a great soak that I use and it is the perfect way to make sure you are getting all that garbage off your food before putting it in your body.
2. Avoid household cleaning and personal care products that contain harmful chemicals.
Food isn't the only place that our bodies are introduced to harmful chemicals . . . our everyday use products are loaded with them! Did you know that 26 seconds after exposure chemicals are found in measurable amounts in the human body?? Everything we come in contact with enters our bloodstream! Become a label reader, do some research on the dangers of those things that make up your products. The very first place I started ridding my home of toxins was my household cleaners and I was able to replace every single one of them with just one that I know is safe and effective.
3. Restore you body's natural balance
Our bodies are capable of great things, if we give them what they need to thrive. As you begin to eliminate the bad and introduce the good, your body is capable of healing itself and restoring it's natural functions. Essential oils are a great place to start and are designed to bring balance to the body. They work with our bodies naturally to support them and keep them working like they are supposed to. In some cases, if you are really toxic, you may find it necessary to complete a cleanse in order to kick start your body into action.
You can explore all the natural products that I use by heading over to my website and clicking on the Educate tab. When you decide if this is a right fit for you and you are ready to get started, just shoot me a message and I would love to help!
When you know better, you can do better. My mission is to educate, inspire and equip you to DO BETTER!!! You matter and your family matters! Let's reverse the effects of bioacculumation and allow our bodies to thrive!
Until next time... Blessings!
Did you ever play this game as a kid (or maybe even as an adult)?
You are just going along your merry way, you have almost made it to the finish line, that 100 square with the big ribbon on it is in sight... and all of the sudden you hit a chute! Just like that, you find yourself all the way back to the bottom of the board. You are crushed, devastated, ready to give up because the board is filled with so many chutes you wonder if you will ever be victorious.
Such is life, right?
We find ourselves just going along our merry way... then BAM! Tragedy strikes, sickness is diagnosed, a job is lost, the stock market crashes, the economy is turned upside down, bills aren't getting paid... you have hit a chute and it sends you spiraling to the bottom of the board.
So what are you going to do?
Become frustrated because it feels like you are faced with so many obstacles?
Wallow there because you know more problems are waiting?
Determine that there is no point in trying again?
OR... grab a ladder and climb out!
Oh the joy that comes when you land on a ladder... you are at the lowest of lows, there are so many squares on the board and so many chutes that you need to get by, right? But then, one spin of the spinner lands you on the biggest ladder on the entire board and you climb all the way to the top. Oh, glorious day!!
You have the ability, with God's help, to shift your perspective and climb the ladder!
See, when you encounter a problem, it does not have to send you into a downward spiral. That is what happens when we are not being good stewards of our mind and we allow the problem to consume us instead of focusing on the solution.
Immediately, look up. Ask God to allow you to see this problem from His perspective. What is the end result that can only be reached by walking this particular road? Oh my, when we can take that high road and look at things from above, we quickly realize that "our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." 2 Corinthians 4:16
(Ok, wait... let's be real... we may not quickly realize that truth, but it is possible to eventually be able to recognize the good, see the light, and find the purpose.)
Yes, you will be faced with difficulties and challenges.
Yes, you will hit chutes in this life that will send you spiraling.
Yes, you will find yourself being blindsided with trouble.
On these days, look to Jesus and affirm your trust in Him.
Yes, you will have days when life is good.
Yes, you will have moments when problems are absent.
Yes, you will experience times of victory.
On these days, rejoice and thank Him continually.
No matter if you find yourself at the bottom of a chute or the top of a ladder, always keep your eyes on the prize, the end goal, the hope of Heaven.
Until next time...
Until next time...
Blessings!!
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If you are looking for support and encouragement, and a group of like-minded women looking for the same, you are welcome in Guarding the Gate. We are getting ready to embark, together, on a 30-Day Transformation Challenge to take back control of our days and shift our focus. Find us HERE, the gate is open for you, friend!
Have you ever thought about something so much you believed you actually did it without actually doing it?!? No, just me... ok. Well, case in point, I thought so much yesterday morning about getting this week's post up, that I thought I actually did it, only to find out today it was still set to draft. LOL
But timing is everything, so I believe there is someone who needs this message specifically for TODAY.
But timing is everything, so I believe there is someone who needs this message specifically for TODAY.
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"There was a king and he once said to the court sages - I have a ring with one of the finest diamonds in the world and I want to hide a message under the stone that can be useful in a situation of extreme despair. I will give this ring to my heirs and I want it to serve faithfully. Think of what kind of message will be there. It must be very short to fit in the ring.
The sages knew how to write treatises, but did not express themselves in one short sentence. They thought and thought, but did not come up with anything.
The king complained about the failure of his venture to a faithful old servant who raised him from infancy and was part of the family. The old man said to him:
“I’m not a sage, I’m not educated, but I know such a message. For many years spent in the palace, I met a lot of people. And once I served a visiting mystic whom your father invited. And he gave me this message. I ask that you don’t read it now. Save it under the stone and open it only when there’s no way out at all.
The king listened to the old servant.
After some time, the enemies attacked the country and the king lost the war. He fled on his horse and his enemies pursued him. He was alone, his enemies were many. He rode to the end of the road. There was a huge deep cliff before him, if he fell there, it is the end. He could not go back, as the enemies were approaching. He already heard the clatter of their horses' hooves. He had no way out. He was in complete despair.
And then he remembered the ring. He opened it and found an inscription: “This too shall pass”
After reading the message, he felt that everything was quiet. Apparently the pursuers got lost and proceeded in the wrong direction. Horses were no longer heard.
The king was filled with gratitude to the servant and the unknown mystic. The words were powerful. He closed the ring set out on the road. He gathered his army and returned to his state.
On the day when he returned to the palace, they arranged a magnificent meeting, a feast for the whole world - the people loved their king. The king was happy and proud.
The old servant came up to him and said softly: “Even in this moment, look at the message again.”
The King said, “Now I am a winner, people are celebrating my return, I'm not in despair, not in a hopeless situation."
“Listen to this old servant,” the servant answered. “The message works not only in moments when everything is bad, but also in moments of victory.”
The king opened the ring and read: "This too shall pass."
And again he felt a silence fall over him, although he was in the midst of a noisy dancing crowd. His pride dissolved. He understood the message. He was a wise man.
And then the old man said to the king; “Do you remember everything that happened to you? Nothing and no feeling is permanent. As night changes day, so moments of joy and despair replace each other. Accept them as the nature of things, as part of life”"
Take some time to ponder this parable today, friend. Look back on the events of your life, both good and not so good, in light of 'this too shall pass.' Grab a journal or notebook and consider jotting down your thoughts and feelings about this. I bet ya weren't expecting homework! ;)
Until next time...
Until next time...
Blessings!
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If you are a lady looking to find encouragement and wanting to fill your FB feed with positive vibes, I invite you to check out our new group...
You are the gatekeeper... you get to decide what you will allow into your home, your body & your mind. Easier said than done sometimes, I get it!
This group is a place for women to come together and find their reinforcements. Here you will be educated, inspired, and equipped to guard your gate and guard it well!
