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Watch what other people do to be successful, take care of your health, treat people with kindness and compassion as well as supporting charities, furthermore, the recipe for life is balance.
Have a positive outlook on life
You might think you were given a bad life! If you go to other countries or communities and see how other people are living, you might see your life differently. Talk with them and find out how they live each day and show your compassion.
I am sure after spending a day with them you will see you need to show gratitude for what you have. Learn how to see life through other eyes. Instead of having a pity party, you need to find ways to help people who you see need help and assistance. We are on earth for a purpose and reason, to help others.
Manage your anger with people, as you don’t know what has happened in their life to create a situation that can get out of control. Things can escalate quickly if the people involved lose their temper.
I always take deep breaths to calm myself. If you have to apologize, do so, and walk away or ask what you can do to make the situation better. Always show compassion or empathy.
Follow your passions
Jobs categories
I went through several job categories during my lifetime. I went from the restaurant business, to finance, for years in office surroundings I really didn’t care for.
Too much criticism and not enough praise for a good job. I worked for a company that when someone would quit, they would not fill that position. Instead, they would put it on another employee’s plate without even a small raise. This is not good for morale!
Mary Kay and becoming my own boss
I went to a Mary Kay skincare class with a friend and afterward decided this was something I would love to do, so I signed up as a consultant.
When I realized this was for me I worked my way up to be a Mary Kay Director. I loved being my own boss and the ability to help women find success. I took the assets I had from Mary Kay to my real estate business for 15 years and found another way to help people and continued to be my own boss.
Real estate business
The real estate market had started changing and becoming more impersonal as the years went by, which resulted in the hiring of people to show the homes. I loved being able to talk to the clients in person and let them know there was a real person assisting them.
Technology took over where the in-person interaction slowly dwindled away. We use to say we were building a lifetime relationship with our clients. This is when I decided to retire from real estate.
Retired and became a full-time blogger
Then I saw a FREE course offered on Facebook on becoming a blogger. This is something I always wanted to try but didn’t believe in myself enough before trying it.
For some reason, I felt this was a calling, and within a few months, I finished the course and loved writing so much I created over 20 blog posts to launch my blog. I started being nominated for awards within the first two weeks.
I realized I had a lot of experiences to share that could help and inspire others to find solutions to situations that had become dysfunctional and damaging to a family unit and within themselves.
Look to challenge life when you can
I was always petite and small and was the shortest person in school wherever we moved to. I was teased throughout my life, and all the short jokes were not to be mean to me but did get old after a while. I took it as a way to say I am not big enough or tall enough to do certain things.
Finally, I told myself that you can do as much as anyone else, so venture out and prove to people you can do whatever you want when you put your mind to it. Well, there is a limit there, but I didn’t let it stop me.
Finding jobs and being good at what was given to me came easy. I got along with people and did the best job I could. My size is what drove me and it gave me great work ethics and a sense of responsibility throughout my life. Never accept “you can’t”, speak up, and be a voice.
Don’t blame everyone else for how your life turned out
I know people, including myself, who came from dysfunctional families. Many living with an alcoholic parent or parents, were sexually abused or lived with domestic violence, grew up poor, or in communities with fewer opportunities. Some that grew up this way became addicts themselves.
Others can become abusers or rapists, or weren’t good parents or partners in their own relationships.
Some blame their parents or guardians or that they were given a bad life. You can take that anger and rage and continue the chain of dysfunction for generations, and not take any blame for how your adult life turned out.
You do have a CHOICE, to not be like them and find ways to make sure you take a different direction in life. My dad was an alcoholic and even though I did not become an alcoholic I did lose my self-worth. I went for counseling and found ways to deal with what I was feeling and created a more positive path in life!
Do research on groups and reputable places to get the therapy you might need to feel self-worth and have functional relationships. It takes courage and perseverance to get out of these situations. You can also have faith in God and pray for his guidance in finding a new path to follow.
Learn from other people how to improve your life
Instead of envying their success and happiness. Start working on getting a positive mindset and start building your confidence and researching what successful people do differently than people who are not successful or motivated.
Change your ways, as the saying goes “If you keep doing what you are doing you will keep getting what you’re getting”! When I was in Mary Kay, her motto was “Believe it, and you can achieve it!” I am big on daily positive quotes.
Take care of your health
To have a happy, good life, we must feel our best and have the energy and health to do what we need to do. People that are in poor health and have continued illnesses probably would trade everything they have for good health.
Your body is like a car and if you don’t do regular maintenance on it, it could break down and might eventually stop working. You could end up in the hospital and have HUGE medical bills to pay for or you could pass and leave a grieving family behind.
They probably would ponder why you did not eat right, lose weight, not exercise regularly, go to the doctor for yearly checkups, and take your medications.
You might not see the positives surrounding you and give up on life. Find the positives and live by them daily to pursue happiness and find what you love in life! Surround yourself with positive people. Get a pet. Pets are good for health and as great companions in giving you a purpose.
Treat people with kindness and donate to charities you support
When you get up whether you go to work, go for a walk or jogging, or shopping, smile at everyone you see. If you are shopping tell the people who work there to have a great day with a big smile.
Make someone’s day! Go through your closets or garage and find items you are no longer using and find places where you can donate these items. Find places to volunteer, especially if you are retired, and help where you can.
Pick a couple of charities you like to support and send cash donations. Help anyone in need when you find the opportunity.
The recipe for life is balance
Find a way to create a balance between family, job, health, and happiness. I have written posts on how to stay focused and productive if you work at home or in an office.
The key is to FOCUS and create a calendar task list for family, your work, exercise, and eating healthily. Get physicals and bloodwork done every year, find activities you enjoy, and get out and have some fun.
Create a calendar on Google or your phone on how you can create a balance in your life to live the life you want.
Create a bucket list
I am at the age where you see and hear people say they are adding to their bucket list. Here is the definition – a number of experiences or achievements that a person hopes to have or accomplish during their lifetime. I am listing 10 things I want to do in my lifetime.
- Vist Vancouver and see all the beauty it has to offer
- Take Ballroom dancing lessons
- See Barbara Streisand in concert
- Help people in need
- Learn and study as much of God’s Word as I can
- Take small vacations with my family each year within California
- With COVID disrupting our lives, I want to be in touch and see close friends again
- Learn new hobbies
- Donate monthly to the American Lung Association
- Get together with my immediate family once a year
Where should we be with God?
Be in daily prayer
In your last days or moments, it is absolutely vital to be in good grace with God. It can really help to calm or reduce the fear that may be overwhelming you at the moment.
Here is what I pray – “Thank you Lord for what you have blessed me with and for giving me another day of life on earth. Forgive me for I have sinned and repent my sins. Give me the wisdom to know the best ways to serve you and have a better understanding of your Word. Please keep my family and friends healthy and from evil. Guide us in ways to make the world a better place and help those suffering and in need. In Jesus’ Name, Amen”
You can use your own prayer and here is a morning prayer I like by Traci Miles – Dear Lord, help me remember what a difference it makes when I make time with You a priority in my morning. Awaken me in body and spirit each day with a desire to meet with You and to hear You speak words of affirmation, assurance, and wisdom over my heart as I prepare to go into my day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
I love Joyce Meyer, so go to YouTube and listen to her videos, as she is very powerful! Here is a quote from her: “Don’t just learn from God’s Word, but believe it will change your life.”
― Joyce Meyer
Here is what the Bible says about how often we should pray –
Pray Continually
(Ephesians 6:18) And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
(Luke 18:1) Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.
Be actively reading the Word
If you have questions you will find the answers in the Word. Read the Bible daily and do Bible studies to understand the Bible even more.
The main way to communicate with Him happens through reading the Bible. Prayer is a two-way conversation between you and God, you can get a better understanding of Him through his Word.
The more you read and understand His Word the more you will be able to know when He is speaking to you and when He isn’t.
Pray to the Lord and seek His presence. God promises us, not to fear death and look forward to the life He has planned for us.
Believe in Him and trust Him with everything, as God has called those who trust in Him.
God is faithful to forgive a genuine heart, and uphold the promises He makes to those who are truly faithful.
We need to focus on Jesus, so we can remain faithful and full of hope, no matter what fears and challenges are going on around us. There are blessings in every struggle.
You just have to be open to looking for them. We need to remember God’s presence, power, and promises! He will always be there for us!
Get your answers by reading the Bible Remember getting an answer is not on your time, be patient and you will hear from him and get your answers.
It is not always an answer you want, but it is the direction God wants you to take. He knows what is best for us.
“I’ve learned through my own relationship with God that He’s not expecting me to be perfect; He wants me to do my best to be in His will and take steps of faith as He leads me, through His Word and the promptings He speaks to my heart.”
~ Joyce Meyer
Our relationship with God
Throughout our lifetime, God brings people into our lives as we develop a relationship with Him. There is a reason people are brought across our path. Just make sure the relationship that defines you best is the one you have with God.
Abundant life
True abundant life is internal and it’s found in Christ alone.
This is how “abundant life” is defined – refers to life in its abounding fullness of joy and strength for spirit, soul, and body. It signifies a contrast to feelings of lack, emptiness, and dissatisfaction, and such feelings may motivate a person to seek the meaning of life and a change in their life, not about what we have.
2 Corinthians 9:8 ESV And God is able to make all grace abound to you so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
Ultimately, abundant life is about what we receive as a gift from the Lord knowing we can handle everything God brings into our lives in a manner that honors God.
You can also see “abundant life” as when we have shared our life with others. When we have enough of the blessings of God (mercy, peace, love, grace, wisdom, etc.) to share with others, and actually do it; that’s when we truly have abundant life.
True intimacy
Relationship with God is personal, so true intimacy with God is when we feel that no one else would understand. It means we are “never alone” and we have peace, are courageous, and capable of overcoming any circumstance. Jesus replied, “Now you finally believe in me”.
He just asks that you come as you are, recognizes your need to confess your sins, and accept His gift of forgiveness that He has offered to you through His death on the cross. Be patient, intimacy takes time with God. Grow and trust Him and believe in His Word.
Remember the Golden Rule
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Matthew 7:12 The golden rule ultimately inspires us to treat others with respect, kindness, and fairness. The truth is, on a day-to-day basis, living by the Golden Rule will make you a better person, will make those around you happier, and will make the community you live in a better place.
Along with the Golden Rule, we should Love one another as we love ourselves according to the Lord – Leviticus 19:18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.
In the King James Version of the Bible the text reads for Love your enemies:
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;[1] Matthew 5:44 KJV
Show gratitude and praise to God
- When we show gratitude we are not focused on ourselves. I am so grateful for all He has blessed me with and for saving my older son from his addiction many times. He was always there to open another door to help him find his way to being clean and sober!
- When you focus on Him and believe and trust in Him, your fears go away. When you allow him in your life on a daily basis and are grateful for the blessings he bestows upon us, remember God’s presence, power, and promises!
- Spend quality time with Him daily – Spend time with God daily so you can have a relationship with him and learn from his Word and follow his guidance. If you have questions, you will find the answers in His Word.
- Praise God enthusiastically from the heart, not your head. He wants to see and feel your heart.- God needs to know that everything is truly felt in your heart.
- Forgive others and don’t hold grudges or seek revenge- Be forgiving and let what you think a person did to you go, as it is not up to us to judge. As in the Bible God wants us to “turn the other cheek”.
- Go to church and praise Him- “As he always did on the Sabbath, he went to the meeting place.” If Jesus made it a priority to meet together with other believers, shouldn’t we, as His followers, do so also? Praise opens the gates of Heaven and the doors of blessings. Praise ends worry and lessons concern and fear.
- Focus on Him as the center of your life- Focus on the Lord so we can remain faithful and full of hope.
- Serve others suffering or in need – Being a servant to God means we genuinely need to care about people. It’s keeping open to time serving others. Jesus did not work by the clock but was led by the Spirit of God and followed His promptings to serve, love, and help others. He would do any task or job and saw no one as unworthy.
Don’t judge or criticize others
Matthew 7:: NIV. “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
James 4:11-12 ESV Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?
Spend time with others who believe in Christ
Being in a close relationship with others who know God is a vital part of developing an intimate love relationship with Him. Jesus prayed that those who know Him would experience the same kind of unity that He experiences with His Father.
Serve the Lord, rejoice in hope, and be constant in prayer. Seek hospitality with other people of faith. I believe when being with other people who believe in Christ that we all grow in our faith. It gives you a way to read the Word and share it with others.
A survey was done in 2019 that showed today’s Christians struggle to build relationships and share Christ with others. 48% agree with the statement, “I intentionally spend time with other believers to help them grow in their faith.”
I do Bible study with someone who I use to work with and now we are both retired and since COVID is spreading, we do FaceTime. Reading the Bible with her and going into depth on the verses gives me a better understanding of His Word.
Closing thoughts
The world is so divided right now, and everything has become so political. We all need to pray to the Lord and ask Him for guidance in finding ways to unite people and find a way to “agree to disagree”.
Beware of false prophets. Make sure they are teaching the Word. Reading the Word couldn’t be more important than it is now. Be sure to develop a relationship with God. If we need answers they are in the Word.
Are we ready for the rapture, to meet Jesus in the air for his second coming? It could be sooner than you think! Have we accepted Christ in our hearts as born again and received Him as our Savior? Praise and trust in God?
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Here are some other posts you might enjoy:
Spiritual Self Connecting With God Or A Higher Power
Different Spirituality Around The World
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See you soon, Denise
The Bible below is the one I use and love it! There are also other books to get closer and learn more about God.
Posts may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases and collect a small commission at no cost to you. This helps my blog to keep going. Thank you! For more info, read my disclosure policy.
Great job once again mom. You’ve truly grown in the Lord, currently, much more than you ever have. Really proud of you spreading the good Lord’s word these days as we should be doing. Keep the faith alive and may the Lord do the rest. Praise Him! In Jesus name, amen.
Thank you, I always appreciate your feedback! My faith grows more each day and I feel closer to the Lord, as I read His Word. The world is so ugly with all that is going on, and so we all need to believe, have faith, and trust in Him and develop that abundant life and true intimacy with Him. Amen!
I love everything about this post. I’m happy you’ve found a career you enjoy and that you’ve had some success already! I love your prayers. I am almost done with my Read the Bible in a Year plan and imagine myself reading daily or near daily the rest of my life. I love getting into the Word. We also just completed our church’s study of Revelation. It was over a year long but so worth it!
Thank you for your feedback, Leah! I do Bible study with a friend I use to work with and due to the pandemic, we use FaceTime. She knows the Bible so well and I love learning in more detail. So glad to hear you are almost done with your Read the Bible in a Year plan. In doing this, what was your favorite part of the Bible?
This is a great post. I haven’t really thought about what my life will be like when I am gone. I do think about everything that has happened in my life. I hope I am remembered by the good things in my life. This is a very thought provoking post.
Thank you for your feedback! Yes, I hope we are all remembered for the good things we do in our lives and how we touch other people’s lives. We all have a purpose and so I just hope we fulfill our purpose before we leave this world.
I loved this post, as a young mom and just a person In General I’m always trying to find ways to better better myself and this list is such a great place to start
Great read! Love the part about following your passions, hard to do at times but so true! Thank you 😊
This is a great read. It definitely got me thinking. Looking at life in a positive way is so important.
Great tips, we definitely cant blame others for how our life turned out. Thank you for sharing!
Also, we should not envy others and say ‘I wish.. I were you.. ”
Many people do envy others for their achievements and luck in life, we should be grateful for what we have. ✨