Friday, April 14, 2023

Prayer, Plan, Prepare

 All this also comes from the Lord Almighty, whose plan is wonderful, whose wisdom is magnificent. Isaiah 28:29 NIV

"Prayer, plan, prepare" emphasizes the importance of seeking guidance from the Lord, creating a strategy, and taking action to achieve a desired outcome. It can be a helpful reminder for those looking to accomplish personal or professional goals.

Here are some ways to apply "Prayer, plan, prepare" in your daily work process.

Prayer: Start by seeking inspiration and guidance from reading Scripture, reflecting, and spending time with the Lord in conversation.

Plan: Once you have gathered inspiration and guidance, create a plan that outlines your goals, the scope of your article, event, or project, and the timeline. Consider real factors such as budget, resources, and any potential challenges that may arise.

Prepare: With a plan in place, it's time to act. Begin by preparing the necessary materials and resources and start executing your plan. Be open to adjusting as needed and remember to stay focused on your goal.


By applying "Prayer, plan, prepare" to your strategy, you can create a focused and intentional approach that helps you achieve your desired outcomes.

One way to incorporate "Prayer, plan, prepare" into your design process is to:

  • Begin with a prayer to seek guidance and inspiration from the Lord,
  • Create a plan that outlines your design goals, the scope of your project, and the timeline,
  • Prepare by gathering the necessary resources and materials,
  • Execute your plan with focus and intention, while remaining open to adjusting as needed,
  • Continuously seek guidance through prayer and reflection throughout the design process, to ensure that your outcome is aligned with your values and intentions.

Remember, competent, creative processes require both inspiration and strategy.

By incorporating "Prayer, plan, prepare" into your approach, you can ensure outcomes that are both meaningful and effective.

 

Friday, April 7, 2023

Designing A Workspace that Inspires both Work and Passion

 Do you see your business or job solely as a means of generating income, or do you view it as a pursuit of your passion? 

This is a critical question to consider when it comes to designing a workspace that is both functional and inspiring. A workspace that is purely functional may not provide the level of motivation and creativity necessary for pursuing a passion, while a workspace that is solely designed for aesthetics may not be practical for generating income.

If you have clients presenting to your premises, is the workspace functional, tidy, welcoming, or cluttered, disorganized, and uninviting?

If your business is online, what do people see behind you as you communicate with them? Tasteful, inspiring backgrounds or chaotic, muddled piles and paperwork?


Therefore, balancing functionality and creativity is essential to creating a workspace that is conducive to both work and passion. Whether you are generating an income, studying, assisting Not-For-Profit organizations, or paying the household accounts, having a workspace that is inspiring and welcoming will help to ensure productivity rather than procrastination.

Here are a few ideas to achieve this balance:

Incorporate natural light to brighten up your workspace and improve both your mood and those who attend to the office.

Add plants to create a calming atmosphere that promotes focus and creativity.

Utilize colours that promote productivity such as green, blue, and orange.

Personalize your workspace with items that inspire creativity and motivation.

In the end, the goal is to create a workspace that supports all aspects of your work, whether it's generating income or pursuing your passion.


Friday, March 31, 2023

Where Do You Find Your Safety?

 The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10

This verse reminds us that the Lord's name provides protection and safety for righteous people who seek refuge in it.

The Bible provides guidance and wisdom to Christians around the world. As part of the book of Proverbs, this verse is just one example of the many pieces of inspired wisdom.

This verse highlights the importance of seeking refuge in the Lord's name. It is a powerful reminder that we are not alone in this world and that it is God to whom we turn for support and guidance. Whether you are facing challenges in your personal life, or workplace, or simply seeking greater understanding and connection with the world around you, the Bible is our valuable resource to draw upon, along with prayer and being part of the Christian community.



The idea of seeking refuge in the Lord's name is a common theme throughout the Bible. Within Scripture, many verses speak to the importance of relying on God for protection and guidance. Some examples include:

"The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the strength of my salvation, and my stronghold." (Psalm 18:2)

"The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble." (Psalm 9:9)

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1)

These verses, and many others like them, remind us that no matter what challenges we face, we can always turn to God for help and support. 

Who is a righteous person? Someone who is right with God. We cannot be right with God by our own actions.  Through our faith in Jesus Christ, speaking aloud and believing that He died and rose again to save us.  So, we never become righteous through our own doing; it's all that God has accomplished through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Reference: Romans 3:9-12

We either run to the Lord for refuge and safety, or we run to something, or somewhere always looking, and searching for peace.

Stepping out to face the challenges that come before us is not easy.  However, stepping out with God aids us in focusing on Him instead of ourselves.

Where do you find your refuge/safety?

Friday, March 24, 2023

Walking on the Right Path: Creating a Radiant Workspace for Success

Bible Verse to reflect on Psalm16:11 (MSG)

Just as walking with God directs us onto the right path, having a well-designed workspace can help us excel in our chosen field of expertise. It's helpful to create a space where you can create, reflect, and work from. 

By following these tips, you can create a space that is both functional and inspiring, helping you stay motivated and focused on your goals.

  • Use natural light to create a bright and welcoming atmosphere.
  • Incorporate reflective surfaces such as mirrors or metallic accents to add to the radiance.
  • Choose colors that evoke joy and positivity, such as sunny yellows or calming blues.
  • Create a focal point in the room that represents your life's purpose, such as an inspiring quote or a piece of art that speaks to you.
  • Incorporate elements of nature such as plants or natural materials to create a sense of grounding and connection.
  • Choose furniture and decor that is functional and comfortable, so that you can fully enjoy and engage with your space.
  • Manage the space to ensure it remains organized and clutter-free, promoting clarity and focus.
  • Don't be afraid to incorporate your own personal style and meaningful objects into your design, as this will help your space feel truly authentic and purposeful.
  • Experiment with different textures and materials, such as plush rugs or natural wood accents, to add depth and interest to your space.
  • Use art and decor to express your personality and style, whether it's through bold prints or sentimental objects.
  • Consider incorporating technology into your design, such as a smart speaker or wireless charging station, to make your workspace more efficient and streamlined.
  • Make sure your space is properly ventilated and has good air quality, as this can have a significant impact on your productivity and overall well-being.
  • Take the time to regularly clean and maintain your space, as this can help you stay organized and focused on your goals. 

Remember, creating a space that is both radiant and purposeful can help you stay on the right path toward success.




Sunday, March 12, 2023

Are You Intentional?

Many of us run. Some physically run for exercise,  however,  many run in their minds and in their busyness to accomplish tasks.

If you were to ask a working mum what her day looks like, she's probably going to say something like,  'I just run from one task to the next '.  Her running isn't a physical race to win, but an emotional,  mental, physical amount of tasks she's striving to complete. 

When do you stop? How do you hit the 'pause' button long enough to breathe? 

As a a working mum and wife, it's hard to stop for yourself.  I am not just talking about those of us who go to a workplace owned by someone else.   All mums and wives are working,  whether it's a SAHM (stay-at-home-mum), WFHM )work-from-home-mum), employee,  or self-employed. 

Ps 46:10 says, ... “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Can I encourage you to take time to stop, breathe, stay still, just for a few minutes?  

Allow yourself to hear the calling of wildlife,  the rustling of wind in the trees, the stillness of silence. 

Allow yourself to take a deep breath and focus on the Lord, who tells us to be still and know He is God. 

The tasks, the striving to accomplish and complete will continue.  Who will truly care about all that we ran after to complete?  

Let's however,  look at the larger picture.   

What do we want to be remembered for? 


Tuesday, February 21, 2023

Are You Grateful for Your Team?

Recently, my husband and I went to view the overflow at Tinaroo Dam in Far North Queensland. Although we live in this beautiful part of Australia, we forget to take time to enjoy the natural and man-made resources around us.

Tinaroo Dam is a valuable resource to this area - it ensures that the drier areas around Mareeba have water (through a channel system), local towns have water, and it provides opportunities for recreational activities and recreational activities sustaining local wildlife and farming land.

As I was reflecting, I realized that often we often forget to express appreciation to our Team.  The "Team" may be where we work, or a local N-F-P group we are part of, it might be our family or close friends who get together to support us.

Life happens and becomes busy.  We are often so busy doing life, that we forget to stop and live life!

So, today, how can you affirm your Team? How can you express your gratitude? Let's go out for a coffee together, or even a quick thank you to each of them. Stop and express your appreciation and show it in action.  Often, we say words, but don't follow them up with actions.

How can you affirm your Team?

  • express your appreciation for them as a person, not just for the role they undertake
  • ask them how they are and about their family
  • when speaking with team members make eye contact and face them so that they see you are genuinely interested in them. 
  • Help them feel accepted and that they aren't questioning their value within the team
  • Affirm their abilities and talents.
You will find ways to affirm your team if you take the time to reflect and express to them, they are valuable and appreciated.

Tinaroo Dam, February 2023


Saturday, February 18, 2023

Decluttering - more than just cleaning out a space

When some people hear the word 'Declutter', they inwardly groan, roll their eyes, or make excuses.

For years, I held onto 'stuff'. There was no real reason except, that in the back of my mind, I reasoned it might be needed one day and we had worked hard to obtain it.

Then in 2020, the world turned upside down. We began going through the stored boxes in the shed. Opening some of the boxes revealed items that had been packed from moving back in 2007! 

During the Christmas holidays at the end of 2020, I began the process of 'decluttering' the house.

Beginning wasn't easy. I read articles, watched shows, and started small.

After winter and then after again Christmas, I always felt overwhelmed by so much stuff around the house. Everyday cleaning seemed to be moving items around but never decreasing the volume of things.

We had talked about installing furniture to display our treasured pieces. So beginning with the bookcase, then progressing to wardrobes, kitchen cupboards, excess and old clothing, toys, DVD's, and items, we slowly began decluttering. 

Now in 2023, the house is easy to clean and maintain. I have time to appreciate my home. 

With the children now grown and living their own adventures, the house is much quieter. Having our space decluttered and simple allows us to enjoy time with friends, and not be overwhelmed, or stressed by piles of items. 

One of our pastors shared a quote in our weekly newsletter some time ago and this challenged me to think about what items I was holding onto and why. The quote: "Hold loosely to the things of this life, so that if God requires them of you, it will be easy to let them go."

Decluttering, I found, wasn't just throwing everything out. Going through the process, helped me appreciate what I have, what we need, enjoy and use. Giving items away to others, charity, etc meant what we no longer needed was repurposed by others. 

Instead of hours and hours of cleaning each week, the house can be tidy in a short time.  
Yes, there's still the 'deeper' cleans to be undertaken, such as windows, walls, etc. But the general, day-to-day cleaning takes a short amount if time, allowing me to undertake other roles and projects.

If you are considering decluttering, be mindful about why you want 
to do this. Consider seriously what you need, what can be repurposed, donated or sold.
Be realistic and most of all, be kind to yourself in the process.