Showing posts with label change. Show all posts
Showing posts with label change. Show all posts

Friday, January 5, 2024

Remember, reflect, renew

 Remember:        Up to this moment, your life has been a series of events – joyful events and trials. Anyone who says they have never been through difficulties is lying or a narcissist.

Trials are hard to endure through, yet we often grow the most in these times – in our character and showing our values, if we are willing to learn from the experience.

“The dry seasons in life do not last.The spring rains will come again.” —Sarah Ban Breathnach

Reflect:                As you reflect on life up to this moment, ask yourself honestly, “How am I doing?” Often, we don’t want to reflect on the challenges, yet when we take the mask off, then reflection can be useful in helping us grow and move forward. Reflect on the positives as well.  What can you be thankful for?

“Reflect on the past, embrace the present, and create a brilliant future.”

 Renew:                In this new year, what do you want to change? What areas of your life need work, and how can you express gratitude? What change will you make in your habits?

“Endings are the launchpad for new beginnings. Take the leap and soar high.”




Friday, May 19, 2023

Trusting God in the Process

My current phone wallpaper reminds me to "trust God in the process".  

The Bible reference is Ecclesiastes 3:11, which tells us, "Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end."
Life happens.  Change happens.  Unexpected moments happen.  To whom do we turn to? Who do we trust? People? Why? People hurt people, use people, and exploit situations to their benefit.

If you want to make a positive life change in you and your community (however you define community) then begin by understanding, we cannot know the beginning from the end.  We go one step at a time, having plans, which may change unexpectedly. Unlike God, we cannot see everything from beginning to end.   Life is an adventure; sometimes you scream, sing, and shout.  In all this, whether expected or not, we need to ask ourselves, what positive action can come out of this situation?

Trust God in the process, He won't fail you.


Saturday, December 31, 2022

A New Year - Are You Ready for Change?

 Reflecting on the year we have journeyed through has been one of challenges and change.

Change occurs, even when we do all we can to ensure that we continue our path in comfort and routine.  Sometimes, the pathway is rocky with pebbles we slip on or stones on which we stub our toe; there may be a large rock that requires help to push out of the way.

As we journey together on life's path, let's help one another by sweeping off, picking up, and removing the stones that people slip on or stub their toes on.  We must learn to ask for help when the large rocks cannot be removed by our strength alone.

What are a few practical ideas we can undertake to prepare for the new year?

  • Declutter your office.  Don't be afraid to work through the paperwork and items in your office and make some tough decisions about what is really needed or what should be relocated to another area of your house.
  • Plan and set up your daily/weekly/monthly planner. (I use a color-coded system to assist with key deadlines that must be met).
  • digitalize documents that you wish to keep but do not require a paper copy and add them to a specifically named folder.
  • Declutter your digital devices. Do you really need 10 photos of one moment, or would 1-2 copies be enough?

Change and challenge will occur in the new year coming.  Let's pray and seek the Lord's direction and help.  Let us be prepared to step out into a "new thing"!





Monday, November 28, 2022

Embracing Change?

Over the past few months, significant changes have occurred in our family life. Changes in employment, our youngest graduating from High School, and myself, taking up a new Not-For-Profit executive position.

Change can bring the feeling of being uncomfortable and challenging, and certainly cause you to either embrace it or hide away.

Undergoing change in your life is not comfortable. Often friendships formed in the workplace, and other organizations change, even end. Relationships change. Finances change. Family life changes.

Recently, I have been reflecting on how to embrace the changes positively. Is this easy? No. But to live life to be effective means being willing to change, even when your mind is screaming NO!

To begin this process, I have begun:

  • Getting up earlier in the morning and having breakfast (or a cuppa) with my husband.
  • General House tidy-up (making the bed, cleaning bench tops, washing, dishes, general household duties).
  • Set time aside for reflecting on God’s Word.
  • Deal with urgent emails, accounts, and the import “To Be Done” items on my list.
  • Set time aside later in the day to read, rest, pray, and visit.

It is so easy to fall into procrastination or become overwhelmed.

Iveth Luna (song “In You” sings, I can do all things...even when the darkness comes, even when the mountains tower...in You (the Lord).

That is how I get through each day - with the Lord. If the past few months have taught me anything, it is I cannot get through the changes without the Lord

As organized as one tries to be, unless the Lord directs our path, the journey will be rough. The path may have stones that irritate you because they get in your shoe, or there may be a block on the path, your health may be under attack, or your family life has changed. Whatever the situation, the constant presence, and love of the Lord is comforting and reassuring

What changes can you make today to start each day more positively?



Monday, October 31, 2022

Staying Organised In A Chaotic World

Have you noticed how easily you can be distracted by news, social media, messenging and general life?

We all have busy lives.  Often we are simply trying to get through the day - complete work deadlines, make the NFP meeting we've committed to, get a  meal on the table, ensure the children's homework is done.

One way I have found to stay organised in the chaos is to simply take 10 minutes every few days, sit down with my diary (online/paper/planner, whichever works for you) and check through the week.  

  • What is coming up - meetings and events?
  • What do I need to purchase - grocercies, gifts, etc?
  • What bills are due - vehicle registration, electricity, mobile phone account?
  • What deadlines do I need to meet for work or N-F-P committee?
  • What jobs need to be completed around the house?

You may have other questions that need to be addressed and noted into your diary. That's what a diary or planner can assist you with. Helping to keep you focused and organised so that by the end of the week, you're not feeling completly overwhelmed.

What steps can you take to plan your week more effectively?

Don't forget to schedule some time for you!



Thursday, October 6, 2022

Some Things Have To Change

 Life happens...change is inevitable. Change comes, whether we are ready or not. Sometimes it's in our control, usually, we have little or no say in change.

How do we cope? Do we accept change or reject it? What is the impact on our lives, our careers, and our beliefs?

There are a few points that we do know:

1. Change will come whether or not we accept it or reject it.

2. Change may impact our lives, but we can learn to be adaptable.

3.  Change may be difficult at the moment, but the doors open to new possibilities, and new career choices.

4. Change is not something anyone wants to go through; our faith and beliefs are strengthened when we draw near to the Lord instead of pulling away.

Some verses to help:

  • Psalm 51:10
  • Philippians 4:13
  • Proverbs 18:10
  • Psalm 91:2 

Change brings about growth - in our character, in ourselves, in our faith and beliefs. We may not have much say, but how we respond will show either a positive or negative stance as to who we are. 

Whilst change will occur, there are some things that we can hold onto that are not changing:

 - God never changes;

- God's Word never changes, we grow and change as we read and apply the Words of the Bible to our lives;

- We are constantly changing; even if we think we are not;

-  Like the annual cycles of the seasons, life is a constant change.  How we embrace change will either help us flourish or flounder.

What will you choose?