Are you loving the changing Fall colors? Pumpkin spice? Cooler temperatures?
As a Florida resident I enjoy the pumpkin spice but have to travel north to enjoy the rest of what we traditionally expect from this Autumn season. <sigh>
Choices, Courage, and Change have been on my mind this month. Well, admittedly these are frequent topics – after all I’m a Creative Breakthrough Coach.
Add to that finding JOY in the journey and I’ve opened myself up to a difference of opinion from my followers on social media. Why?
Some are challenged to find joy – too many losses in such a short time – personally, locally, nationally and globally – uncertain political times here in the U.S.A. We may find ourselves at different stages of the grieving process.
Are you familiar with the 5 stages of grief? If not, you might want to do a quick internet search to obtain a basic understanding of the following:
- denial and isolation
- anger
- bargaining
- depression
- acceptance
➡️ Enter the opportunity to choose – some thought & prayer provokers:
- Do we choose to expect more hurt and pain or do we choose to take hold of the hope that is in us? (glass half-empty or half-full)
- Do we choose kindness when we realize that others have a different outlook or do we take offense at their comments?
Perfectly Imperfect – that’s how I show up each day. Some days I take the high road when encountering what I think is rude opposition. I respond with kindness. Other days, when perhaps I’m back in the depression stage of grief, I may have a more difficult time accepting an alternate point of view. I may take things personally.
It’s. a. choice.
Believe it or not, this is not the focus of what I thought I would be sharing with you this morning. But God…
What’s on my heart today is in this next section… Self-Care ❤ Build a life you don’t need to regularly escape from.
Grab your ☕ – continue reading – more about true Self-Care…
True Self-Care
You matter. God said so! Do something about it.
My personal mission statement has encouraged, challenged and convicted me throughout the years. It fuels everything I’m about. You’ll often find me posting messages similar to this:
“True self-care is not soft baths and chocolate cake. It is making the choice to build a life you don’t need to regularly escape from.” – unknown
You’ll agree that it is right in line with my mission statement. I remember reading it, liking it and then sharing it on my FB timeline. Clearly others agreed it was worth the read: 41 likes, 9 comments and 4 shares. I often post and move on. But God…
- To prepare for a major task (Luke 4:1-2, 14-15)
- To recharge after hard work (Mark 6:30-32)
- To work through grief (Matthew 14:1-13)
- Before making an important decision (Luke 6:12-13)
- In a time of distress (Luke 22:39-44)
- To focus on prayer (Luke 5:16)
We can agree that there are a number of reasons to take a break. But there is a difference between taking a break and escaping. If you’re not sure just notice your thoughts, emotions, body, actions on your way back home.
Do the words “no place like home” come to mind or _______?
The Great Escape – What have we been tolerating that just adds fuel to the need to bolt – to escape – to say “I’ve got to get out of here!” Have you been there ? Are you there now?
I have more questions for you than answers. Because it’s personal – because only you can choose to change. Know there is a root cause that stirs up your need to bolt. It may be simple or complex. It’s a recurring theme perhaps. You notice the issue, you disguise it, you redirect your thoughts and get busy elsewhere and then… like a boomerang it’s back.
Baby Steps
May I offer a suggestion for how to begin the process of creating your own better place to be? Consider some of the areas that contribute to your sense of home. For each ask what one change will help you move toward the life God intended you to live.
- You – Learn to love the woman in the mirror. “Wherever you go, there you are” -Thomas a Kempis
- God – Check in on your relationship. He is with you always.
- Your residence – Is it your happy place? Any physical issues that need to be addressed? Clutter? Paint? Time to move?
- Relationships, Environment, Church, Community, Career/Job, Hobbies, Clubs and so much more.
Dear friend, there is much happening to us that is out of our control. Much that may contribute to a sense that we are powerless. But we are not.
“Yet even in the midst of all these things, we triumph over them all, for God has made us to be more than conquerors, and his demonstrated love is our glorious victory over everything!” – Romans 8:37 [TPT]
By the way… If you are not already on my mailing list, I have a gift for you.
SIGN UP to receive my newsletter and DOWNLOAD free eBook… Breakthrough Habits for Women facing transition.
Maggie Sabatier-Smith
Latest posts by Maggie Sabatier-Smith (see all)
- Is it time to Find JOY in Your Story - October 30, 2024
- Surrender the Canvas & Dare to Dream Again - September 20, 2023
- Dancing on the Edge of Truth – Don’t Settle - July 3, 2022