Consciously focusing on all you have rather than thinking about what you don’t have is a far better use of brain power. Gratitude fosters positivity and well-being. Live loved. Post any pic that relates to today's post with the hashtag #1thingeveryday to join us in choosing to learn one thing from our day, every day.

Spring has officially started! The flowers are starting to show, the weather is better and there's a sudden urgency within all of us to start anew. Next week I'll be starting a new chapter, majoring in Event Management, and I am incredibly nervous! I've spent 7 years teaching, what if I'm horrible in this new occupation? What if I fail? A soft voice spoke to my thoughts and said, "What if you succeed?" I want to offer you some words of encouragement. If there's anything you want to do, go for it! Seriously. Go for it! Whether it's changing careers, taking a class, changing your hair color or letting some people go/in, do what helps you live in peace, not drowning in regret. Your purpos

Travel makes you are more interesting, insightful, and accepting person. It expands you, enlightens you, and teaches you about the variety of people, lifestyles, and cultures. It is a pursuit well worth saving for. Live loved. Post any pic that relates to today's post with the hashtag #1thingeveryday to join us in choosing to learn one thing from our day, every day.

While doing my daily scroll of pinterest, a quote spoke to me: "Grace is having a relationship with someone's heart, not their behaviors". Unfortunately, it is true that those we love and trust will at some point hurt us. Without hesitation, we will do away with those people, declaring that if they loved us like they proclaimed, they would have never even thought of making that mistake. Pause. Take a look at yourself. As a child of God, how many times have you hurt Him? We've thought wrong, let hateful words escape our lips towards others (and sometimes God). Yet we cry out to Him with repenting hearts, and He extends grace..because He loves us. Whether we share the same beliefs or not, the

My family is very close. My mother always tells me, "If you consider yourself a friend to someone, make sure that you are actually being a true friend". I strongly believe I am a great friend. I actually think that is one of my greatest strengths. The problem is, I don't know what do with those who aren't that great of a friend. What I've learned that has helped me to be at peace is that people change. And that's OK. Individuals often discover they’ve outgrown relationships (whether romantic or platonic) that are no longer a good fit. There shouldn’t be any guilt or shame associated with ending them. If you try to think of why everyone in your life may act differently at some point or anothe

I believe our body is a parcel for delivering our personality, thoughts, beliefs and intentions to this world. If there is nothing in this box that can change the world, then it doesn’t matter if it disappears. I believe that we all have potential, but it also takes a lot of courage to realize it and faith to identify and refine those God-given gifts. Leave a mark in this world. Have a meaningful life, whatever definition it has for you. Go towards it. The place we are leaving is a beautiful playground, where everything is possible. Yet, we are not here forever. For me, there is more for me after we leave this playground. And to me, the latter is determined by what we do in the former. For m

People look for ways to change the world later, but we have the tools to do it today. When we open our eyes and see the blessings of a new day, it is because it was meant for us to witness it. We have something that God trusts us to accomplish within that day and it shouldn't be taken lightly. With this outlook, we gain anticipation and pride in ourselves because God deems us cool enough to give us responsibilities only we can see through. If something unpleasant happens along the way, it's still okay because God thinks we're strong enough to handle it. From now on, ask God to show you your assignment for the day and how you can showcase Him to someone else. Tomorrow's holds its own villai

We think we have the answers, know what’s right and wrong, good and bad, best for ourselves and other people. But we aren’t always right. There’s always more than one version. There are many perspectives that are valid. Keep yourself open to that truth. Live loved. Post any pic that relates to today's post with the hashtag #1thingeveryday to join us in choosing to learn one thing from our day, every day.

On my vision board for 2017, a phrase is plastered in the very center: "Give Your Body A Break." Too often, we stretch ourselves to capacity trying to please others and neglect to please ourselves. By pushing our well being to the back burner, we risk becoming a part of an assembly line; creating a product out of routine, lacking any emotional attachment. Just as it's impossible to love others without loving yourself first, it's impossible to give yourself to others if there's nothing to give. Designate some time in your day or week to practice self-care. Watch your favorite tv show, schedule a mani/pedi, eat some chocolate or take a nap. It's okay to care for yourself as much as we do

Be grateful for this moment, it is all there is. Live loved. Post any pic that relates to today's post with the hashtag #1thingeveryday to join us in choosing to learn one thing from our day, every day.

Have you ever had a morning so bad you wanted an immediate do-over before you even got to work? Everything that could go wrong, did and you're angry at God for messing up your schedule? Accept this challenge.... Instead of being angry, let's be grateful. Though we may be hopeless because we were late or got a negative diagnosis from the doctor or are dealing with an unfortunate circumstance, it doesn't mean there isn't a lesson in the test. Maybe being late prevented a car accident. Maybe your struggle is preparing you to be someone else's strength. So the next time everything's going wrong, take a deep breath and roll with the punches. We're being covered with divine favor. Live loved. Pos

Creating a persona to impress others or shield yourself from pain diminishes intimacy and authenticity. People generally see through this, and it pushes them away. Be the best version of yourself. The right people will love you. Live loved. Post any pic that relates to today's post with the hashtag #1thingeveryday to join us in choosing to learn one thing from our day, every day.

“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.”- Hebrews‬ ‭13:2 ‬ ‭ A sentiment that has always stuck with me is "Smile, you never know who's day you're making." Though it sounds cliche', we really don't know what people are going through and you'd be surprised what happens when you allow God's love to shine through. A seed is planted, an outlook on life is changed, and you create an experience they'll never forget. Pay someone a random compliment, leave an encouraging note for a co-worker, give a hug or simply offer a smile, you never know who's life you're blessing. Or saving. Live loved. Post any pic that relates to today's post with the h

A meaningful life is what you define it to be. If you neglect to define meaning, you won’t experience it. Decide what makes life worth living for you, and then design your life around that. Live loved, KAE Post any pic that relates to today's post with the hashtag #1thingeveryday to join us in choosing to learn one thing from our day, every day.

Be proactive in your life, designing exactly what you want rather than reacting to what life throws at you. Creation empowers you and expands your opportunities. Live loved, KAE Post any pic that relates to today's post with the hashtag #1thingeveryday to join us in choosing to learn one thing from our day, every day.

We try so hard to avoid failure, but failure is the real evidence that we’ve tried. If you avoid failure, you avoid taking action. Expect and accept that failure is part of the experience. Learn from it, don't dwell on it and move on. Live loved, KAE Post any pic that relates to today's post with the hashtag #1thingeveryday to join us in choosing to learn one thing from our day, every day.

I don't know about you but I get very frustrated when I see people doing the wrong thing. Meaning, when I see someone making a statement that is based on selfish gain, when I see someone not holding the door for another person, when I see someone speaking poorly about another person instead of helping them, and/or when I see someone behaving aggressively for no reason. Day after day, I live in this perpetual state of "why would you do that?" and "who raised you?” It happens so frequently that sometimes I have to ask myself if I am the crazy one for not thinking or doing the same as those who I am observing. Other times, I find myself justifying reasons why I should consider joining in with o

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” -Ephesians 4:29 The words you speak have power. Consider your words carefully. Use them for good rather than harm. Once they are out, you can’t take them back. Live loved, KAE Post any pic that relates to today's post with the hashtag #1thingeveryday to join us in choosing to learn one thing from our day, every day.

When you find that thing you love to do with all your heart, every day feels like a gift. If you haven’t found your passion, make it your mission to find it. The joy it brings spills over into all aspects of your life. Live loved, KAE Post any pic that relates to today's post with the hashtag #1thingeveryday to join us in choosing to learn one thing from our day, every day.

Being real, open, and vulnerable invites people in and allows them to relate to you on a much deeper and more intimate level. Vulnerability, practiced with safe and loving people, can heal emotional pain and strengthen relationships. Live loved, KAE If you've enjoyed this read, post any pic that relates to today's post with the hashtag #1thingeveryday to join us in choosing to learn one thing from our day, every day.