I have recently discovered a terrible habit of mine. I can be SO UNDENIABLY negative. About everything, seriously. I am the first to jump to the conclusion that things won't work out and that I am going to have a terrible day, when in reality, up to this point at least I have survived all the situations I have been in. As a matter of fact, so have YOU. We have all survived completely this far in our journey of life and I plan on working on taking the positive outlook on life from here on out.
There is no time to spend your days worried about the next awkward situation you will be in, or the next time you will get ditched on a date is. The fact of the matter is that life is going to happen and you cannot stop it. So be super grateful for the things that you are successful in and don't sweat the other stuff.
I am going to make a vow today to be a positive thinker from here on out. It's my life and my responsibility to be happy about it.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Forgiveness.
Forgiveness is something that we all need from time to time. We need to be generous with giving our forgiveness away and at some point we will need someone to be generous and forgive us for the things we do. Being a person who gives others grace (not giving someone a bloody nose, even when they deserve one) gives you the freedom:
To move on. We all have those people in our lives still from years ago who have hurt us, whether they knew it or not. Maybe it was someone in elementary school who called you fat and you've felt bad about yourself ever since. Maybe it was a girl in High School who stole your boyfriend. Maybe it's your ex boyfriend who lied to you about cheating. Whoever it is, you may see them even on a daily basis or only once a year. And every time you see them it can be hard to smile and be cordial. But, be honest here and tell me when holding a grudge and burning a bridge has ever helped you out. The only thing that comes from holding on to anger is exhaustion. You become so tired of holding on to the past that it becomes a part of you and it can make your heart hard. Give just one person the grace of forgiveness today, you don't even have to tell them. Forgiveness starts with you. It starts with accepting that everyone makes mistakes and that your value is not in the way that others treat you, but in the way that our heavenly father sees us. These people in your life may not even know what they have done to you, but in your heart you must release it. This way you are free and you are able to move on from their mean words. You are able to create truth inside your mind instead of living on the lies that were told to you. You are not ugly, you are beautiful. You are not fat, you have fat and you can overcome these insecurities. Move on from the stress of holding on to old comments.
To not make the others mistakes. When you are hurt by someone, you feel bad. Obviously, however it's important to learn from their mistake. Tap into the feelings you feel when someone hurts you and figure out what exactly happened to have them say those things to you or to do those things to you. What is the situation and how can you be sure to avoid that situation in the future, and if the situation is unavoidable then how can you react better? The person who lied to you, or hurt you most likely didn't mean to break down their relationship with you and they may wish they could take it back. Learn from their mistakes so that you don't hurt those that you love in the future.
To practice self control. You get into a heated argument. Words are exchanged. Feelings are hurt.
It's almost inevitable. That eventually, at some point in your life, you get into a heated debate with someone you care about. Now is not the time to win or lose. Now is the time to practice self- control. And as hard as it is to hold your tongue and not say the things you most want to say, it can really pay off in the end. Even if the friend you hurt forgives you, it can still damage the long term relationship. Remember in the moment these three simple things.
Everyone has value
Everyone makes mistakes
Words can't be un-said
If you remember that everyone has feelings and value then you have a better chance of watching what you say in the moment.
Everyone makes mistakes and things DO "just happen" sometimes. You never want to deny someone forgiveness for a mistake they made. They could have wronged you unknowingly, or hurt you because they were trying to keep something hurtful from you. The truth is that you may never know the entire truth about a situation and it becomes even more important in those instances to hold your tongue and re assess the situation.
Words can not be un-said. That fact is simple and true. Fill your friends minds with positive thoughts and generous kindness and avoid bringing others down because you are upset. Once mean thoughts have been aired, they can never be un heard.
We all make mistakes. I make them ALL THE TIME. It's just a fact of life. However, because we all make mistakes it becomes unnecessary to make the same mistakes as those around you. So learn from the mistakes of those around you and be more forgiving than you want to be.
To move on. We all have those people in our lives still from years ago who have hurt us, whether they knew it or not. Maybe it was someone in elementary school who called you fat and you've felt bad about yourself ever since. Maybe it was a girl in High School who stole your boyfriend. Maybe it's your ex boyfriend who lied to you about cheating. Whoever it is, you may see them even on a daily basis or only once a year. And every time you see them it can be hard to smile and be cordial. But, be honest here and tell me when holding a grudge and burning a bridge has ever helped you out. The only thing that comes from holding on to anger is exhaustion. You become so tired of holding on to the past that it becomes a part of you and it can make your heart hard. Give just one person the grace of forgiveness today, you don't even have to tell them. Forgiveness starts with you. It starts with accepting that everyone makes mistakes and that your value is not in the way that others treat you, but in the way that our heavenly father sees us. These people in your life may not even know what they have done to you, but in your heart you must release it. This way you are free and you are able to move on from their mean words. You are able to create truth inside your mind instead of living on the lies that were told to you. You are not ugly, you are beautiful. You are not fat, you have fat and you can overcome these insecurities. Move on from the stress of holding on to old comments.
To not make the others mistakes. When you are hurt by someone, you feel bad. Obviously, however it's important to learn from their mistake. Tap into the feelings you feel when someone hurts you and figure out what exactly happened to have them say those things to you or to do those things to you. What is the situation and how can you be sure to avoid that situation in the future, and if the situation is unavoidable then how can you react better? The person who lied to you, or hurt you most likely didn't mean to break down their relationship with you and they may wish they could take it back. Learn from their mistakes so that you don't hurt those that you love in the future.
To practice self control. You get into a heated argument. Words are exchanged. Feelings are hurt.
It's almost inevitable. That eventually, at some point in your life, you get into a heated debate with someone you care about. Now is not the time to win or lose. Now is the time to practice self- control. And as hard as it is to hold your tongue and not say the things you most want to say, it can really pay off in the end. Even if the friend you hurt forgives you, it can still damage the long term relationship. Remember in the moment these three simple things.
Everyone has value
Everyone makes mistakes
Words can't be un-said
If you remember that everyone has feelings and value then you have a better chance of watching what you say in the moment.
Everyone makes mistakes and things DO "just happen" sometimes. You never want to deny someone forgiveness for a mistake they made. They could have wronged you unknowingly, or hurt you because they were trying to keep something hurtful from you. The truth is that you may never know the entire truth about a situation and it becomes even more important in those instances to hold your tongue and re assess the situation.
Words can not be un-said. That fact is simple and true. Fill your friends minds with positive thoughts and generous kindness and avoid bringing others down because you are upset. Once mean thoughts have been aired, they can never be un heard.
We all make mistakes. I make them ALL THE TIME. It's just a fact of life. However, because we all make mistakes it becomes unnecessary to make the same mistakes as those around you. So learn from the mistakes of those around you and be more forgiving than you want to be.
Friday, January 10, 2014
Scared of the Future? You're not alone!
So it's official. My winter break is over and I am going back to school in the morning. I go to school in a different state than I live in, so it is never exactly convenient to come home. Even though, I love nothing more than being with my family and sleeping with my dogs, seriously. But the time has come and I have FINALLY finished packing all my things.
This winter break was my first since I've been in college, which means I have completed one semester so far. Quite successfully if I might add, but that doesn't mean I'm not scared for the journey ahead. I learned a few things this semester that I am going to share with you all and that I am going to remind myself of. These three things I tell myself when I am scared of something that I am about to face, or when I feel alone. They have been pretty helpful so far.
Now, the first one may seem harsh but seriously guys... who has never at least thought that they hated everyone on the planet? When six people in a row cut you off, when someones dog pees on your foot, when you step in the grass and its soaking wet. (The last one isn't really someones fault, but I'd probably end up blaming it on the first person I saw after the incident). I know that I have this feeling on a daily basis. I get the feeling that I would be better off without anyone. That if it were just me and the Lord I would be set. However, that is not the case. At all. The truth is that people need people. God knows which type of people you need... to help you, shape you, mold you, teach you and even hurt you. God has it all planned out and is sending the right people your way before you even know where you're going.
The second thing I learned this semester, that I hope desperately to take with me into this coming semester is that your identity as a person is not in the work that you do. Yes, I know that its important to work very hard in college and to get good grades but the fact of the matter is, that your success is based on the Lords' will for your life and your faithfulness in your walk with him. When you trust in the Lord for his guidance and his faithfulness you can rest assured that all your hard work will pay off. So continue to work hard on things you love and the things you don't love so much, and continue to work for the Lords' will and he will make your paths straight.
Finally, God knows exactly where you are. In every sense of the word. He knows where you are spiritually, emotionally, physically and where you are on your journey in life. Because he knows this, you can have peace over your life. Knowing that he is right next to you there to take care of you. Knowing that he is using his unending love and power to shift your life around in ways that are pleasing to him.
So, be at peace. It's okay to be scared of the future, but fear fades away when you realize that your future is already secure. In the hands of the creator of the universe.
So appreciate the people in your life, even if they drive you nuts. Work hard, but remember where your identity lies. And last but not least know that you have someone who is unbeatable in YOUR corner, fighting for you even when you stop fighting for yourself.
This winter break was my first since I've been in college, which means I have completed one semester so far. Quite successfully if I might add, but that doesn't mean I'm not scared for the journey ahead. I learned a few things this semester that I am going to share with you all and that I am going to remind myself of. These three things I tell myself when I am scared of something that I am about to face, or when I feel alone. They have been pretty helpful so far.
- You need people. Even if you hate them. And there will never be shortage of them.
- Your identity is not in your works.
- God knows where you are. in every sense of the word.
Now, the first one may seem harsh but seriously guys... who has never at least thought that they hated everyone on the planet? When six people in a row cut you off, when someones dog pees on your foot, when you step in the grass and its soaking wet. (The last one isn't really someones fault, but I'd probably end up blaming it on the first person I saw after the incident). I know that I have this feeling on a daily basis. I get the feeling that I would be better off without anyone. That if it were just me and the Lord I would be set. However, that is not the case. At all. The truth is that people need people. God knows which type of people you need... to help you, shape you, mold you, teach you and even hurt you. God has it all planned out and is sending the right people your way before you even know where you're going.
The second thing I learned this semester, that I hope desperately to take with me into this coming semester is that your identity as a person is not in the work that you do. Yes, I know that its important to work very hard in college and to get good grades but the fact of the matter is, that your success is based on the Lords' will for your life and your faithfulness in your walk with him. When you trust in the Lord for his guidance and his faithfulness you can rest assured that all your hard work will pay off. So continue to work hard on things you love and the things you don't love so much, and continue to work for the Lords' will and he will make your paths straight.
Finally, God knows exactly where you are. In every sense of the word. He knows where you are spiritually, emotionally, physically and where you are on your journey in life. Because he knows this, you can have peace over your life. Knowing that he is right next to you there to take care of you. Knowing that he is using his unending love and power to shift your life around in ways that are pleasing to him.
So, be at peace. It's okay to be scared of the future, but fear fades away when you realize that your future is already secure. In the hands of the creator of the universe.
So appreciate the people in your life, even if they drive you nuts. Work hard, but remember where your identity lies. And last but not least know that you have someone who is unbeatable in YOUR corner, fighting for you even when you stop fighting for yourself.
Monday, January 6, 2014
Who's Stopping You?
" I was going to _______ but it just didn't work out"
Hello everyone, I would like you all to fill in the blank above with one thing you have always wanted to do but haven't yet.
Here are some examples:
skydive (cliche I know)
go to school and get a degree (SCARY)
dye your hair
eat healthy
Now answer this one question: Who is stopping you? We can agree on the fact that your family and loved ones may stop you from jumping out of a plane with nothing but a plastic bag to save the day, but most other accomplishments are just a matter of mustering up enough courage to get going. Don't be the person to say no to yourself.
Now, don't get me wrong, I have accomplished many things in my 19 years on this planet, but there have still been some things that I have flat out chickened out on. The truth of the matter is, that failure is scary and even scarier than that is stagnancy. At least to me, stagnancy is terrifying. Starting a brand new journey on a path towards something I want so badly and then just sitting down in the middle of the road.
The reason stagnancy is so scary to me is because I do it. ALL THE TIME. I know that I have a weakness of stopping in the middle and fizzling out on my passions. So I am going to share with you strangers things I have been stagnant on, in the hopes of inspiring myself to finish them and hopefully inspire you to do the same!
here we go...
Losing weight- I have been complaining about my rather round middle since I can remember and have started many programs to solve the problem, but if you ask me how many programs I have followed through on, the answer can be found on less than five fingers.
Performing- Yes, I am a music major. Yes, I sing in my shower daily. Yes, I am too scared to audition and too scared to become a performance/music ed major.
Starting a blog- You may be thinking "hello... Jaclyn... you're writing on your blog" and this one may seem silly, but it's only the truth. I have wanted to start a blog since I started watching YouTube and following the lives of those people.
Becoming artsy- I am terrible at math and that's just a fact, but I am not terrible at art. I am good at music and a pretty decent dancer so I want to expand my skills in all things art.
These are three things that I struggle with daily and they all come down to one thing. Fear of failure. I am going to make a promise to myself and to anybody reading this blog. If you start facing your fears I will face mine (and follow through!). Start being the person you have always wanted to be. Nobody is stopping you except for yourself. Let's make 2014 a year to face our fears and buckle down on our goals. I have a friend who always tells me "If you're looking for a sign, here it is. Now go" because you are worth it.
So join me in my journey of all things life and help me out on my journey through life!
Let me know at least one thing YOU have been waiting for encouragement to do and lets start together.
Hello everyone, I would like you all to fill in the blank above with one thing you have always wanted to do but haven't yet.
Here are some examples:
skydive (cliche I know)
go to school and get a degree (SCARY)
dye your hair
eat healthy
Now answer this one question: Who is stopping you? We can agree on the fact that your family and loved ones may stop you from jumping out of a plane with nothing but a plastic bag to save the day, but most other accomplishments are just a matter of mustering up enough courage to get going. Don't be the person to say no to yourself.
Now, don't get me wrong, I have accomplished many things in my 19 years on this planet, but there have still been some things that I have flat out chickened out on. The truth of the matter is, that failure is scary and even scarier than that is stagnancy. At least to me, stagnancy is terrifying. Starting a brand new journey on a path towards something I want so badly and then just sitting down in the middle of the road.
The reason stagnancy is so scary to me is because I do it. ALL THE TIME. I know that I have a weakness of stopping in the middle and fizzling out on my passions. So I am going to share with you strangers things I have been stagnant on, in the hopes of inspiring myself to finish them and hopefully inspire you to do the same!
here we go...
Losing weight- I have been complaining about my rather round middle since I can remember and have started many programs to solve the problem, but if you ask me how many programs I have followed through on, the answer can be found on less than five fingers.
Performing- Yes, I am a music major. Yes, I sing in my shower daily. Yes, I am too scared to audition and too scared to become a performance/music ed major.
Starting a blog- You may be thinking "hello... Jaclyn... you're writing on your blog" and this one may seem silly, but it's only the truth. I have wanted to start a blog since I started watching YouTube and following the lives of those people.
Becoming artsy- I am terrible at math and that's just a fact, but I am not terrible at art. I am good at music and a pretty decent dancer so I want to expand my skills in all things art.
These are three things that I struggle with daily and they all come down to one thing. Fear of failure. I am going to make a promise to myself and to anybody reading this blog. If you start facing your fears I will face mine (and follow through!). Start being the person you have always wanted to be. Nobody is stopping you except for yourself. Let's make 2014 a year to face our fears and buckle down on our goals. I have a friend who always tells me "If you're looking for a sign, here it is. Now go" because you are worth it.
So join me in my journey of all things life and help me out on my journey through life!
Let me know at least one thing YOU have been waiting for encouragement to do and lets start together.
Friday, January 3, 2014
A Bucket List
I've made a million different starts to these on the notepad on my phone, but none of them have been official. They have been hidden in the annexes of my phone where nobody but me will see them. So here you go, anyone who actually reads this...congratulations! You are the only witnesses to my life long goals! Full Disclosure, here we go.
Here is a list of all of the things I plan on doing before I kick the bucket.
Here is a list of all of the things I plan on doing before I kick the bucket.
- Be in a flash mob
- Take a dance class
- Do mission work in another country
- Learn guitar
- Learn piano
- Take a theater class
- Audition for a broadway musical
- Teach someone something
- Rescue a dog
- Buy a house
- Make a new best friend
- Sign up for a club
- Take a tap class
- Do something that scares you
- Run a marathon
- Go to paris
- Teach someone how to swim
- Share your testimony with someone
- Teach a fitness class
- Get a piercing
- Perform in an opera
- Hang out with Elephants
- Use a cupcake ATM
- Take a Segway tour
- Read 100 Books
THERE IT IS. The incomplete list of my life goals. Now, don't get me wrong... I will add to this but I refuse to take away from it. I will also be updating you all on the goals which I have already accomplished since I created this list in 2012! Pics or it didn't happen will be my mantra for this one.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
A New Resolution
There are a few things that I have learned through this long and grueling process we all know as "life"
Here they are:
Here they are:
- The Lord is faithful, even when you are not.
- If you want to do some self improvement, start with one thing at a time.
- The Lord wants you to be happy, trust in his plan and he will make you paths straight.
I am not "old and wise" but I have always been a deep thinker. In these past couple of transition years in my life (graduating high school and moving out of state for college) I have been learning how to love myself, love others and mostly love The Lord. The former two come much easier after you've learned what The Lords love will do for you. I have found that in loving the creator of the universe you can be put at peace for what the future holds. I have learned the true meaning behind loving others and myself because I have a perfect example of love to follow.
Back to my main points... The Lord is faithful. Always. In the Bible there are countless stories about people who have been called to do things for God. These things are usually not easy tasks and require full abandonment of everything they know of in their world. They require people to leave their families, to sacrifice their children, to abandon the towns they grew up in. All of these things, just to travel into an unknown world. Now don't get me wrong, these people portray examples of great bravery and devotion to our Lord, however, sometimes they don't follow through. Abraham was called to leave without his family and to go where the Lord told him to go. Abraham did leave and followed the Lord, however he took his family with him. His trip did not go exactly as planned because he brought his family and his belongings with him but The Lord was near and made his paths straight regardless. There are countless examples of this story in the Bible solely for the reason to show us God's great love for us. The Lord is SO faithful, and will make our paths straight even though we are not always purely faithful to him.
Number Two: Self Improvement is something that is highly encouraged in the society we live in. It's important to be "thin, beautiful, tolerant and talented" because we see so many people who fit these standards...yeah right. There is nothing wrong with self improvement, however there is something wrong with a negative self image, the image you create of yourself after you've given up on these goals time after time. The fact of the matter is that you, yes, YOU have been created perfectly by the same person who created this great universe out of NOTHING. You are strong enough to create, improve, encourage and accomplish anything. This only goes awry when you tell yourself that you will do things and accomplish things and then you don't. The way New Years Resolutions have a face of "I'm going to say that I will do/ stop doing this or that and if I don't maintain it, then that's fine because nobody else is succeeding at theirs either" New Years Resolutions come at a very cheap price... making failure okay. Ya'll want to know what I say? Stop. You are a fabulous human being and you have all of the skills necessary to be successful. So don't settle for anything less. There is nothing more satisfying than telling someone in DECEMBER that you are not going to drink that Coke because you gave them up for New Years so just do it. Whatever it is, whether you want to quit your crazy Coke addiction or do ten pushups every day just do it. No excuses. Keeping a promise to yourself is definitely not an easy task which is why it is important to set goals ONE at a time, so that you can be successful one day at a time. If you want to lose 50 pounds, make your goal a day by day goal. "today I am going to eat healthy and tomorrow I will be healthier than today" and so on and so on.
*to summarize-- There is power in Positive Self Talks. Find the value you have. You are worth being successful.
Number Three and probably the hardest lesson to learn. The Lord WANTS you to be happy and successful. I know that right now you may be living in a place in your life where you are single, lonely, feeling ugly, feeling worthless or whatever it is. We all have those things that we think, but the truth is and always has been that The Lord loves you and has plans for your life. In our society it has become a popular thing to think of yourself as "forever alone" "fat" and "ugly" however the truth is that you are none of those things. It is impossible to be defined by one word or even three words. The trick is to look at yourself through the same eyes that The Lord sees you through and to realize that the things you are labeled as are lies from Satan. I have been single for years now and I have never felt more alive. I have eaten a few too many cookies this holiday season, but I am full of grace and love. I am a couple days past when I should have showered and I'm out of makeup completely but I am a daughter of the highest King. Being single has given me the freedom to build my life with only myself and The Lord. Being a few pounds overweight has given me the power to express myself control and to see the results of it and having days that I feel like a gremlin has given me the eyes to see that I have a beautiful soul and to discover the things that make people truly beautiful. I know that eventually, when in his will it is perfect, I will find a man who treats me exactly how my Lord does. Being single does not mean in any way that you are alone. It means that you are being sculpted into an independent human being who has so much value and worth that you are able to stand on your own two feet. The Lord is constantly present looking over your life and making improvements in you daily.
Faithfulness to our God will be undoubtedly the best thing you do this year and will be the fast track to an awesome life. God loves answering your prayers and does it all the time. Ask him today for things like, a change of heart about yourself. To see the good in yourself and to show his love to others through your own love of others. My 2014 New Years Resolution? Put my year in the faith of my Lord. Also, to stop eating so much fried chicken...
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