How I deal with the world each day largely determines the kind of day I have and the quality of connections I experience. So I make a conscious decision daily to be cheerful. I strive to spread joy.

Because I prefer that people positively affect me, I want to do the same for everyone I come into contact with too. This means managing my mood and ensuring that I stay positive.

However, to have something to share with others, my cup must be full. So I also tend to my joy by engaging in interests that satisfy me. This helps uplift my mood and empowers my approach to life to be filled with joy and passion.

I do my best to both uplift others and be uplifted by individuals I meet. Life is more pleasant when I am in the company of happy people. To boost the spirits of others, I am joyful and spread happiness and positivity among those around me as much as I can.

Today, I promise to put all my effort into releasing joy everywhere I go. I stay on top of my moods so I can consciou...

You cannot talk about independence in life without mentioning financial freedom. Becoming an adult comes with many responsibilities, not the least of which is making your own money and learning to provide for yourself appropriately.

Learning how to budget your money is also essential. As you enter adulthood, learning to budget and pay your bills every month on time will allow you to build strong credit.

And just about every major purchase you will make will look to your credit score and credit report as representative of how consistently you pay your bills and utilize your available credit.

Here are five ways to grow your financial independence:

1. Learn to live within your means. What this means is, do not spend all the money you make. When you bring home your paycheck, you will have bills that you must pay first to make sure you are on time. After that, you can decide what to do with the rest.
2. Learn to create a realistic budget and stick to it. By utilizing a budget, you
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Life can be overwhelming. Work is busy. My home life is hectic. And my social calendar is full. So I make conscious decisions to schedule free time to engage in activities that fulfill me.

I understand that I am the only one responsible for ensuring I do things that bring me joy. It may be spending time with my husband, going out with my friends, playing a game with my child, or just having some “me” time.

The more joy I experience, the better prepared I am to make it through the challenging moments in life.

I attempt to end my days by engaging in activities that bring me comfort and solace. I often read a book, paint a picture, or watch an old movie to relax. I might call my parents or a close friend.

I take part in actions that make me smile or laugh. I am excited and happy to spend time doing my favorite things. I know I am blessed.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. How much spare time do I have daily, on average?
2. When was the last time I spent my time doing somethi
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One of the most challenging aspects of independence is that many people today fear it. They fear to be in control of their own life because that means that you cannot place blame - for anything - on anyone but yourself: scary prospect, that.

But society today has a confused outlook on what independence truly is. Freedom is not about you hardening yourself, suppressing who you are, and never letting anyone help you. Surprised?

Dependence and independence are pretty misunderstood.

• Independent does not mean you are narcissistic and anti-social, overly-driven and aggressive.
• Dependence does not mean you are weak, spineless, or cannot do anything for yourself.

First of all, society hints that depending on anyone is a sign of weakness. Anytime you get involved with another, and you begin to feel as if you can rely on them (a significant definition of dependence), others may make you feel as if you are doing something wrong.

This is not the case. But if you listen to that l...

The most beautiful and enjoyable things can be the simplest. While many others pursue enjoyment and pleasure in luxuries, I can find enjoyment in everyday things.

Something as simple as a tree, flower, laughing child, or song can be immensely enjoyable on many levels. Fortunately, these beautiful things are all around me. I only need to open my eyes and pay attention.

Even in troubling times, there are simple experiences to be enjoyed.

I live a peaceful, easy life. This allows me to see and enjoy life’s simple pleasures. It is more than just a choice. It is a lifestyle.

 I am constantly simplifying my life.

Many people spend precious time and energy chasing after extravagances. I know better. I choose to take advantage of the simple enjoyments to be found in life.

I reject those things that are unnecessarily complex. My ability to perceive is the only limit to my joy and pleasure. Yet, it is a generous limit as I am a highly perceptive person.

Today, I seek ...

Relying on others to shape who we are is the basis of codependence. It is, in effect, creating our feelings and behaviors around something external, rather than figuring out for ourselves what our feelings and behaviors should be and how they should look.

“Independence is happiness.” Susan B. Anthony

Autonomy, or true independence, is the ability to make decisions based on what you have learned about the world, your experiences, perceptions, and feelings, and how you interact with the world. Independence is empowering. Codependence is stifling.

Here are five practical ways to become less codependent and grow your valuable independence:

1.  Get to know who you are inside.

There are so many approaches to do this. One is to begin journaling your thoughts and feelings about your daily activities. Then ask yourself, “Is that the truth?” and “Is that how I feel about it?” Many times, upon reflection, we find that we have simply been parroting someone else’s feelings or tho...

As I look forward to each day, I ask myself what is going to happen. I reflect on the possibility of meeting new people and living another exciting day full of positive experiences.

I love my life. I work hard to create a home that fits me. I surround myself with people I love who bring joy and interest to my life. My spare time is filled with fulfilling activities. I even take a healthy risk to try new things and test my mettle from time to time.

Whenever I experience stressful situations, I close my eyes briefly and remind myself that this is a part of life. I tell myself to stand strong and ride out of the problem. Later on, after I make it through the troubling times, I recognize that those experiences contribute to the excitement and adventure of my life.

I realize that I must experience the lows of life also to feel the highs. Like riding the roller coaster at the county fair, there are times that I hold on as tight as I can to make it through the loops and dives. My ...

As our usage of technology and the internet become more prevalent, women find ourselves as a society relying more and more on it and less and less on ourselves. But technology cannot solve all problems. It is not always available, nor do we usually want it to be. There are simply parts of the human mind, body, and soul irreplaceable - by technology or anything else!

The more technology runs our world, being independent becomes both more accessible and more complex. By learning to become more personally independent, you increase your chances of success in all areas of your life. Independent refers to all aspects of your life, including career, emotional, financial, personal faith, and beliefs. Self-reliance is a skill set that comes easier to some women than others, but it is a skill that everyone can benefit from all the time.

Here are six areas of your life that are sure to become stronger once you learn to stand on your own two feet:

1. Self-Esteem

Increased confidence ...

I enjoy happiness and serenity because I open my heart to peace.

I slow down. I take frequent breaks when I am working. I pause between tasks, so I can give myself time to transition. I eat mindfully, noticing my food and savoring each bite.

I clear away clutter. Organizing my surroundings reduces anxiety. I feel more grounded when I can see my desk.

I simplify my routines. I set priorities and scratch less urgent tasks off my to-do list. I look for more efficient ways to run errands and manage my finances. I spend less time watching TV and posting on social media.

I meditate on God's Word and pray. I pay attention to my breath and quiet my thoughts. I wish for peace for the world and myself. Peace reigns in my heart.

I connect with nature. I walk around the block at lunch or sit by a window where I can see the trees. I play softball in the park or grow vegetables in my backyard.

I practice acceptance. I accept reality instead of struggling with events that are ...

Focus: How Christian women can manage their family, work, and community roles while remaining aligned with their purpose.

This blog explores resilience as a critical aspect of personal development, emphasizing the role of the Truth Mindset in aligning thoughts with God’s promises for strength and endurance.

Balancing Life’s Demands with Grace and Purpose

"Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established." (Proverbs 16:3)

Ziglar Quote: "When you do the things you need to do when you need to do them, the day will come when you can do the things you want to do when you want to do them."

In a world that values quick success and instant gratification, resilience can often feel like an outdated concept. But as Christians, resilience is essential for our personal development and spiritual growth. Resilience means having the ability to stand firm in your faith, even when life throws you challenges. It is the strength to keep going, rooted in the belief...