It’s Friday and Day 3 of our challenge! My friend, today, let’s take a moment to dance to our favorite all time song. You know, that song that gets you going, happy and in the right mindset….you know…..THAT song. Tell me what’s your favorite song? And, if you’re bold enough post your favorite dance moves too!
There is something to be said about how eating our favorite dessert makes us feel. I am not talking about eating in excess but, eating a small treat to brighten your day. So tell me, what is your favorite dessert and when will you be eating it? Welcome to Day 2!
Get yourself a good book or grab that book that you have been meaning to read in like “forever”! It was said that a book allows you to live several lives. Make sure to pick one that you will enjoy and that aligns with your passion during this season of your life.
Enjoy!
Who is up for a challenge? Now don’t get stressed out, this challenge is all about little self-care and taking care of you!
F
or some, the summer months will soon start to get a little busier with back to school activities, Fall event planning and other things that will try to compete for your attention. So how does it sound to get a daily reminder for 30 days (August 1-30th) of a short activity you can do at the start your day, somewhere in the middle or at the end? You choose….no stress challenge…remember?!
I will also be giving out little surprises throughout the challenge to people that at actively participating and sharing their thoughts about how their month is going.
So, what do you say? Are you in?
Also, make sure to follow me on both Facebook (click here) and Instagram (click here) in order to make sure that you are seeing each day’s challenge. I promise it will be simple but fun!
SO, be on the lookout tomorrow for our first challenge. But today….remember to Just Breathe!
Cheering you on to relax,
Silvia
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
We love our golden retriever Molly so much, we can’t imagine life without her. And, she lets us know that loves us lots too. She makes sure that she is close to one of us every moment of the day and she shows us love every opportunity she can—she’s one big love bug!
However, what I don’t love is the hair she sheds every single night. Every morning I seem to get up to a rug of hair in our bedroom. I have found that the best time to clean this blonde rug is during the morning hours. You see, the sun light perfectly comes into our bedroom in the morning and I am able to see every strand of hair she has shed. The sun allows me to see what I can’t see later in the day.
This particular morning as I was vacuuming Molly’s hair, I was reminded of the other “Son” that shines into my life—Jesus. Just like Molly, I can go through life not seeing the areas of my life that need to be cleaned, however, when I sit with Jesus during the morning hours, He places his light on areas that are hidden but need to be taken care of.
Areas that I may have ignored or areas that I just can’t see on my own but need to be cleaned…
How do you see your deepest vulnerabilities? What lens are you using to get the best and most accurate view? While I love great self-help books, and we all need them, I need the Word of God and Jesus himself to be able to not only find these areas of my life—but to clean and also heal them as only He can.
My friend, don’t go too far into your day without spending time with Him first. You see, if I don’t clean up Molly’s hair first thing in the morning, then with my own feet (actions) will manage to spread all this dirt everywhere I go and with everyone I see.
Remember to take a moment to Just Breathe just as your day gets started…
Your friend,
Silvia
As the 2018 World Cup comes to an end I admit I am a little sad. It was thirty days of excitement, renewed hopes and dreams come true for lots of people and nations. During times of worries and frustrating news and events, this one event seemed to bring a reprieve for many that enjoy the sport of soccer.
It truly took Just Breathe to a whole new level for me. Slow down and just breathe, Goaaaaaal, jump and breathe, penalty shots remember to breathe! Yes, we take it very seriously at our home…..ummm, every four years that is (smile).
However, one of the biggest lessons of this year’s games is all the surprises it brought. What some viewed as the greatest and most experienced teams, were actually the ones beaten by seemingly small time teams. One by one they went home!
Isn’t that just how life plays us?
When we think or expect things to go one way they turn out completely differently but if we look close enough, if we just stop for a moment, we learn tremendous lessons that actually take us even further than we ever imagined.
I am reminded of our small town shepherd boy David. No one thought much of David (not even his own family) and certainly didn’t expect him to defeat an enemy and kill him AND certainly not become the second king of Israel. BUT, he did just that!
Aren’t these the greatest moments in our lives?
The moments in our lives when we actually surprise ourselves. The moments that we see God comes through and we win the battle at whatever challenge has been taunting us. Or, we lose the battle and God comes through in the way of love, nurture, opportunities, encouragement and moments that we will never forget and bring us to a whole new level.
So where am I going with this? It truly doesn’t matter whether you win or lose by society’s standards. What truly matters is what we learned in the process and how we witness God’s love and care for our lives. You see, in the championship between France and Croatia, Croatia played their hearts out until the very last second but still lost the game. This small country, who is young (since 1991), could go home feeling defeated or they could go home feeling that when no one expected them to get to the final championship, they got the world stage and showed us all that they are determined, dedicated and committed, and persevered when things looked bleak. Hey, they even got a personal hug and kiss from their woman President.
So my friend be encouraged that you are on your way to something wonderful. Don’t ignore your current situation but instead, be intentional on how you choose to look at it. You’re already a champion!!!
Wishing you a wonderful new week and always remember to Just Breathe!
Until next time,
Silvia
It has been one of those weeks where the stress level has officially hit an all-time high. You know, no one specific thing….just multiple things. Everything is due at the same time, people are asking things of you that you didn’t even plan for, and then, you’re told with hours to prepare, that you are presenting to a senior executive.
On top of all that you have an interesting conversation that leaves your mind turning for days. Those conversations where you are not sure how to react to, where the person’s head was when they spoke to you or even what are their true motives, because they could be looking out for you with a clean heart and mind—but you are doubtful.
Why is it that sometimes we question every motive and comment that is directed at us?
Needless to say, I felt overwhelmed and had to keep reminding my overactive brain to slow down and just breathe!
At one point during the week my husband (Miguel) notices my load and also how I am processing it all and the “lens” I am using to evaluate everything. He tells me, “Silvia, don’t worry so much. You know that in every part of your life, even in your career, God has always worked things out for your good.”
Wow. Simple words, yet a powerful reminder that I needed to hear.
Yes, God has always come through for me so why was I doubting Him now or worse, why was I trying to figure things out on my own. Why was I spending so much time and energy—that I didn’t currently have on this?
Because, I had forgotten!
How many times throughout the day do we try to help God along or worse, suggest to Him how things should go in our lives? I imagine that we give God a good laugh! For example, it’s like a toddler at a playground trying to figure something out that takes their Mom two seconds to do it for them. There’s nothing wrong with the toddler. They just don’t have the skills to do what they need—it’s the mother’s job!
My dear it’s God’s job to take care of us and he does it wholeheartedly.
God has been so clear in his Word. Don’t worry over anything, He will take care of it. “ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. ~Psalm 100:4
If you’ve ever had the opportunity to be on a cruise ship you know that you can eat just about anything you want. Endless supply of goodies! You eat 5 meals a day—at the very least because they insist on keep on feeding you.
My husband Miguel just can’t get enough of the desserts. If they have carrot cake or tiramisu he wants several of each! However, after about the third day we start to run away from the sight of food. Food is no longer appetizing or wanted. You know that you’ve managed to lose control of your appetite and your stomach is just not happy all the overeating you’ve done.
This reminds me of the Israelites wondering through the desert. God supplied them with everything they needed, however, because they over indulged in it they started to resent the food that God supplied.
How many of us resent some of the blessings that God has given us? We start to grow complacent of what God has provided—often time it’s as a result of us begging him for it—and even complain about it!
What are you taking for granted today?
Is it the husband that you asked God for? Is it the blessing of your children? Is it the career or job that you currently have? Is it the car that you one day desperately needed? Or, is it the home that you complain about each time you need to clean it?
It is time that we transform our mindset into one of gratefulness and thanksgiving. Did you know that people that are grateful, even for the seemingly small things are the happiest and most content? They seek to see the blessings and favor of God every day.
I don’t know about you but I don’t want God’s favor and blessings to stop flowing in my life due to my ungrateful attitude. Remember only two people out of the 3 million made to the Promised Land because of their attitude towards the blessings and deliverance that God had provided to them.
Take a moment today to express gratitude for all that God has done for you. Look through your prayer journals and acknowledge God’s faithfulness in your life. Make it a daily habit to seek and find God’s daily favor in all that you do.
My friend…take a deep breath and thank God for it!
Until next time,
Silvia
Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil. 12 For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. 13 Use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:11-17
As kids we are often taught about putting on God’s armor. We were taught what each part meant and even had songs and games to help us remember.
However, I am not sure that we fully grasped how important this daily practice is to our lives.
As women, wives, mothers, teachers, career women, counselors, mentors, etc. we are fighting a battle on a daily basis. Sometimes the battle is for our own well-being and sometimes the battle is to stand in the gap for someone we love.
YOU WERE MADE FOR BATTLE!!! YOU ARE A WARRIOR IN GOD’S ARMY!
How do you feel reading those words? Does it make you afraid? Does it make you want to crawl back into your hole or does it get you geared up for battle?
In my own personal life I feel like I have been in a battle for the past few months. Some days with rays of hope and other days have been downright downpours! However, God has reminded me during several occasions that I was “made” for the battle. Do you know what that means? That means that not only has He already equipped you for what you are facing but He and HIS army are right with you. There are no armies of one! You are not alone—unlike how the enemy of our souls would like for us to believe.
So, today I remind you to put on your FULL armor BUT remember that you will always need faith. In verse 16 above it doesn’t say “sometimes you will need faith” NO, He tells us that “In EVERY battle you will need faith. Although things may look bleak for you today, always bring faith along to every battle. Faith is the substance of things not seen- don’t focus on what you are seeing in the natural—focus on the victory—the end result.
I encourage you today to march on Women of God. Push through it and be encouraged to know that you are not alone. There’s a community, an army that is cheering you on to continue the good fight.
You are blessed, you are a winner, you are a princess warrior!!!
silviaarvelo.com 