Inspiration and Self Help – Page 8

Superhero…. Me???

January 28, 2019February 10, 2019
by admin

When I was young, my Mom and Dad told me that I would pretend to turn green like the Hulk. I would jump up, bow up, make my mean face, and say “Am I green yet?” Many years later, my oldest and I got to dress up as our favorite superhero, so I turned green! I giggled as I got dressed that day, but gosh some days I think it would be easier to turn into somebody else. What about you??

A couple of years ago, my husband and I took our little family to Lego Land. Our boys LOVE legos and were super pumped about going. In the picture above, I was amazed at how they recreated the Hulk with little legos. The time, patience, and planning somebody had to do in order for me to enjoy my childhood superhero!

As I ran across this picture, it got me thinking. WOW, God and Jesus are superheroes, too!! You know, if you sit back, just be and listen, both can speak to you. You can be a real-life hero for somebody else. Maybe your children, other peoples children, an elderly man or lady, a friend in need, someone diagnosed with cancer or terminal illness, a runner who can’t make it to the finish line due to fatigue, ect. You don’t even have to have a cape or turn green…. WOW, that’s super crazy! What if we let Jesus change us from the inside out to the be the superhero God has chosen for us to be… What would that look like??? I can’t wait to see….

“The LORD will fulfill his purpose in me.” -Psalm 138:8

Inspiration and Self Help

Are your feet dusty?

January 26, 2019January 26, 2019
by admin

Do you let others opinions of you direct your steps? Do you let others’ comments about you stop you from moving forward in your job, exercise, family decisions, success? Well, I can answer YES to ALL of that as I roll my eyes at myself! I can’t believe that I have allowed half my life others to impact my choices about who I should be, what I should do, who I should become, what I can accomplish. Why is it that the few comments of negativity seem to speak louder than all of the positive comments others give?

A few months ago, I was feeling the world crashing down, personally and professionally, because of others comments about all the ways I was trying to move forward in the ways I felt God was calling me. First, being a half marathon runner, people look at me like I am crazy…. which I probably am, but only 1/2 crazy! Ha! Second, writing my dissertation proposal and not quite hitting the mark when I submitted, so now I am editing…. again. Third, problem solving (which one of my friends said she calls it worry while I call it problem solving) at work. Last, choosing to add another job adventure to my plate, which thankfully my husband fully supports every adventure I crazily throw out there.

I guess since I have tried to be a “people pleaser” for most of my life, I have had a hard time understanding that I can’t make everybody happy. However, I have begun talking to God more about it. “Don’t let other people’s opinions determine your destiny. You don’t need anyone’s permission to be the person God has created you to be.” -Dave Willis So, here I am pushing hard to reach the goals He has set before while focusing on those positive comments from those who are dear to me…

“Shake off the dust from your feet.” -Matthew 10:14

Inspiration and Self Help

Who are you, really?

January 13, 2019January 14, 2019
by admin

I am 40! WOW, that is so hard to believe. (Especially since I act more like a kid. Ha!) I really don’t know where the time has gone. I remember being in elementary hoping to be in junior high, then looking forward to high school. When I was in high school, college couldn’t come fast enough! Ever have that feeling? My Mom used to tell me to not wish my life away.

This “wishing my life away” felt more like trying to find who I was and who I was supposed to be. Every spend all of your moments, days, years trying to figure out what you’re here in this world for. “It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” – E.E. Cummings Through these growing up years, which most days I feel like I am still growing up, I have learned how to plan, set goals, and crush them. HOWEVER, I have also learned how to be flexible and trust God’s plan for my world.

Having my plans changed has not been an adjustment that was always easy for me. I used to have to have a plan and if it varied, my world was rocked! In this ripe old age of 40, I am grateful, through my relationship with God, I am able to adjust when kinks are thrown into my world. C.S. Lewis once said ” Look for Christ and you will find him and within Him, everything else”. Once I truly trusted God to guide my plans… I have found everything else.

-Em

Inspiration and Self Help

When God asks you to step out of the…

January 8, 2019January 8, 2019
by admin

In 2015, I felt called to begin my Ph.D journey. I began searching schools that would fit my family’s schedule and that would meet the educational needs for me. I found a school that not only has a wonderful educational plan for me, but also allowed me to dig deep with my passion to become a social change agent.

Little did I know that was just the beginning! During the coursework, I began researching and diving into what was needed to help children with all kinds of different needs, whether academically, emotionally, behaviorally, socially, or preparing to live as independently as possible without parents constantly advocating for their children’s individual needs. “Speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.” -Proverbs 30:8 This was what I had prayed for for so many years, but wasn’t sure if this was even possible. If I was even smart enough to go through with it.

During this time of researching and problem solving, I chose to begin my day by getting up earlier, reflecting and praying in God’s Word. During year two, our (then fourth grader) oldest son asked for more family time. This hit me hard and left me speechless, which if you knew me you’d know that doesn’t happen often! Ha! So, I did all I new to do and was to continue to pray of how we could meet our sons’ need with everything going on. My husband is a Football and Golf Coach, I a Special Education Teacher who had a caseload maxed out with Annual IEPs coming due. So I prayed, “LORD teach me what I cannot see” – Job 34:32 God put in my path the right plan and the right people to see my research and educational mission come to light. I founded and implemented our educational mission that embodies Micah’s words as our Vision “Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God”-Micah 6:8

I felt God asking me to hold his hand and step out of the boat. Not sure of where we would begin in the fall. Not sure if I would be able to cover the bills that were my responsibility. Scary and hard as it has been, I wouldn’t trade this calling for anything in this world! My relationship with God has grown and it has been a long time since I have felt like my true-self. My family has more quality time with me. We have mended where were needed to mend as a family. We laugh and are excited for the future as a family. I am able to be present at home, at school, as a staff member, with my friends, and most importantly during my quiet time with God as I have learned to be just be.

-Em

“Blessed is she who has believed that the LORD would fulfill his promises to her!” -Luk1:45

Inspiration and Self Help

Are you a Boss?

January 8, 2019January 8, 2019
by admin

Even though I am a boss, I have such a hard time wrapping my head around it due to fear. Fear of failure. Fear of not making the right choices. Fear of not leading. Fear of everything that I can’t think of them all right now. Have you ever had the overwhelming feeling of fear? Have you let this fear stop you? As I admit to this fear… I do have to say that I have not let this fear stop me. This fear has extended the time it should of taken me to meet my calling. I guess my passion trumped my fear for me to answer the calling God set before me. Have you? “God fuels you with passion to press past fear in order to fulfill your purpose.” Sadie Roberson

When Zach Williams song “Fear is a Liar” came out, I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. It hit every nerve in my body. It touched home. It stepped on my toes. It taught me a lesson. I knew what it felt like to have fear take my breath away. I felt that and can still have that feeling on particular days. Fear stole my rest for years. Many sleepless nights. Now, I know how to just be. Fear definitely stole my happiness for years upon years. I have embraced my fear and given it to God to resume my happiness. This fear of being a boss was what I had asked for for more than ten years. Here I am… “What if… everything you are going through is preparing you for what you asked for?” -Anonymous

I am glad that one day I woke up and realized the Grace in which I had been given. I understood how gracefully broken I was and embraced it. I also had to learn to “Wait.” -Isaiah 40:31 Being patient isn’t a strong suit of mine, but after much reflection and prayer I have been able to wait. Waiting on God’s timing definitely allowed me to be the boss he has chosen me to be… it’s quite humbling and an honor. Be the boss God has chosen you to be! Go out and be AMAZING!!

-Em

“One day you will wake up and be so glad you didn’t settle and chose to wait on the LORD instead.” -Morgan Harder Nichols

Inspiration and Self Help

Once upon a time…

January 8, 2019January 8, 2019
by admin

Once upon a time, girl meets boy… Did you ever think that your fairytale life would begin with these words? As a girl, I have always been a dreamer of romance. Well… I have learned through my life and relationships that a “fairytale like” doesn’t come without lots of work.

Seventeen years ago, my parents met my future husband. After transitions within the district, they all had the opportunity to work with each other in the same building. He even coached my younger brother. I had no idea who he was and the relationship I was in was toxic. “Faith isn’t a feeling. it’s a choice to trust God even when the road ahead seems uncertain.” -Dave Willis Fast forward a few years, I ended the toxic relationship, moved home to my parents and started a new life.

My Mom and Dad had a relationship with my husband out of school by inviting him to eat supper every once in a while. He even had a “dinner time” relationship with my great aunt and uncle! He had seen a picture of me and said how he would marry me. My Mom just laughed! Months later, the set up began.

My Mom “hand-picked” her son-in-law and the rest is history. He is everything she said he would be, but we are human. Just because we have found “our fairytale” doesn’t mean we didn’t have many, many hardships, but we have sure had wonderful years, too! “If you believe it will work out, you’ll see the opportunities. If you believe it won’t, you will see obstacles.” -Wayne Dyer The coffee cup above is one I got when we took our boys on our first trip to Disney World. I knew our story was special and the “fairytale” I have always dreamed of…. My fairytale with my guys!

-Em

“When the time is right, I, the LORD will make it happen.” -Isaiah 60:22

Inspiration and Self Help

Breathe with a little dash of Hope…

January 8, 2019January 8, 2019
by admin

When I was in my early 20s, I rushed relationships and wanted to be married for the “whole planning of a wedding thing”. With that in the back of my head, I made a rushed and poor choice for marrying the wrong one for me. This relationship was not so healthy and ended within a year. It was an awful year. I felt alone. I felt isolated. I felt like a failure. I felt not worthy of love. HOWEVER, God guided me towards survival during the darkest time of that year. I am proud to say I am a survivor! I had to tell myself over and over “I am loved, chosen and enough. In every season.” – Adora Wong

As I moved back to my parents, God began to continue to work in me. Little by little I could breathe. I was searching for the Hope I needed that I would be able to fully breathe without anxiety, concern, crying, feeling alone. I found Hope remembering “When I wake up, you are still with me”. -Psalm 139:18. I also had to remember to “Be Brave” -Psalm 31:24.

About year 10 I was able to breathe by being free from my past: emotionally, physically and financially. I believe because I would “Pray Contiually” -1Thessalonians 5:17, I was able to remain with Hope all those years. Reason being, “The LORD stood with me and gave me strength” -2 Timothy 4:17. I am so thankful to be a survivor. I am grateful God gave me Hope so I could Breathe again. Know that you are loved, chosen and enough in the Hope you have been given….. just breathe.

-Em

“Always put your Hope in God” -Hosea 12:6

Inspiration and Self Help

A fresh start everyday…

January 8, 2019January 8, 2019
by admin

Isn’t is refreshing to know that every morning your eyes open, you have a redo? Every morning as I take time with God and my coffee, before my day begins, I reflect on the day before. “She who kneels before God can stand before anyone” -Romans 8:37 I reflect on what I could of done differently. How I could be a better person. How I could be a more impactful leader. How I can connect with my students better. How I can show my boys I love them more than they will ever know. I ask myself “Where did I see God yesterday throughout my day?” and “Where did God wink in my day?”. These are two questions I have learned to ask over the past year from a very dear colleague and mentor, my pastor.

Reflection to me is very important. This allows for you to grow as person and be better than you were yesterday. This also allows me to come one with my emotions. Due to my past, I closed all my emotions off. After much prayer to find who I was again, my emotions began to flood back and I didn’t know (sometimes still don’t) know how to manage them. When I have this overwhelming feeling of emotions, I refer to Psalm 61:2 “Lead me when my heart is overwhelmed, Lead me to the Rock higher than I”. So, today let’s, together, be grateful for fresh start we are given every morning….

-Em

“Let God direct your steps.” -Proverbs 3:6

Inspiration and Self Help

A dream is a wish your heart makes…..

January 8, 2019January 8, 2019
by admin

While I was growing up, my family didn’t do a lot of traveling. When I met my husband, he always had one foot in the road. This took a lot for me to get used to over the years of our marriage. Right after our first year of marriage, we traveled to Disney World. I was expecting our first son that coming March. I wasn’t able to ride most of the rides, but I sat in awe the entire trip. I loved every minute soaking in all of the laughter and imagination while dreaming of taking our son and hopefully all the other children my husband I might have. Walt Disney said, “Laughter is timeless, imagination has no age, and dreams are forever.” I felt this way…

Over the past eleven years, my husband and I have been able to take our boys a few times to see Walt Disney’s magical world. Our boys, every time we have gone, have soaked in every bit of magic possible. They dream and imagine their lives as they grow. You know, I hope they never lose that flame that burns within their soul to be the best person they were meant to be. “All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.” -Walt Disney

-Em

“If you dream it, you can do it.” – Walt Disney

Inspiration and Self Help

For the love of running….

January 8, 2019January 8, 2019
by admin

Staying fit can be a love and hate relationship for me. Turning 40 left many agonizing thoughts running through my mind. Should I go run? Should I just have a cup of coffee instead? Do I need to focus more on arms and abs? Nah, I hate arms and abs! Hmmmm… I might could get my arms and abs with yoga today? Oh, yeah…should I focus on yoga more often? These are a few questions I struggle with. Well then I tend to only have just a limited amount of time each day, if I even get that time. So, I retreat back to my love of running. It’s easy! I see progress! I can breathe! When I have extra time, I do add in the yoga which does support shaping my arms, abs and flexibility for continued running.

Someone once said, “Life will only change when you become more committed to your dreams than your comfort zone”. I’ve learned that I only get the results I want when I step out my comfort zone by pushing through. I lace up even when I don’t feel like I can. I choose to water over diet soda. I choose to not eat the cookies no matter how amazing they smell. I choose to bake or grill instead of frying foods (which is sooooo difficult living in the south). These are just a few things that aren’t very easy to do; HOWEVER, I try remember to tell myself “The past is your lesson. The present is your gift. The future is your motivation.” -Anonymous.

The idea if turning 40 never bothered me, but it did make me change my thought process and reflect on what my dreams for fitness really is as I grow older. I also remind myself that 1 year = 365 days of opportunities. Do I always step out of my comfort zone? No, I do stay close to home by hitting the pavement. Do I always have motivation to lace up and run? No, I do make goals that I am intentional about keeping. Whether I meet them or not, I work to be more consistent than I used to be. Letting go of my old sense of fitness to embrace a new sense of fitness. “Letting go isn’t about having the courage to release the past; it’s about having the wisdom to embrace the present.” -Dr. Steve Mavaboli

-Em

“Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire” -Anonymous

Category: Inspiration and Self Help