Brandy - Sittin' Up in My Room (Official Video)

How to Maintain Productive Thinking in Crisis

Mary Mary Thank You

Even When You Don’t Feel Like It

In Ohio we are going into week 3 of our state's "Stay At Home" initiative. It hits me today that my regular routine of beginning my days have been so off. Early this morning I saw a video by Eric Thomas that talked about getting up and going about your day in the manner that you normally would.

As I sat and watched the video, I realized that I have not even touched my makeup bag in almost three weeks. Like many moms I'm juggling several things all at one time. After watching the video I awoke with a renewed mindset to do those tasks that I'd become accustomed to every morning. I reached for my bag and applied a simple nude eye and some Fenty Gloss Bomb. Can I mention this on a site that discusses ministry? Yep! Nearly all of my saved girlfriends wear makeup, so it's ok.

Though this isn't simply about makeup. This is about continuing to be ourselves and doing those things that we routinely do, even when we don't feel like it. Over the course of the day we are teaching, cooking, praying, watching the news and checking in on love ones. 

Sis, don't forget about yourself. Think about your daily routine. Are you sticking with it? Have you let some things go, while you hold the fort together? Take those moments to take care of you too.

Hope You Had A Fab Friday!!!!!

In All Things Give Thanks

It's a Thankful Thursday!!! What are you thankful for today? Even in trying times and difficult circumstances it's so important to find something to be grateful for. It helps you to see the good and not focus on all of the negative things.

Just take a moment and jot down three things, or more, that you're grateful for. Make this a daily habit. I love looking back through my gratitude journal and seeing all of the things that I have been grateful for over the past days, weeks, and months. 

Remember, in all things give thanks. 

  

Werk It!!!

In my bedroom I have the cutest pink and purple weights. It is a set of 3lbs and 5lbs and they have gone unused for years. At least until last week. Last week, I signed up for a 6-week online fitness course with Denise Bryers. I have admired Denise's ability to assist people on their journey to becoming more fit via social media. I saw the videos of her Boot Camps and the many testimonials and was always so excited for her growing business. 

When she offered the online class, I knew this was an opportunity for me to experience her as a trainer and to get some work in. I haven't worked out with anyone in well over a year and I was kinda elated and I'm an introvert, so this really works for me. 

In the beginning, I got off to a slow start. After a class or two I was exhausted and though I wasn't going to give up, I wasn't excited about how tired I was either. Recently after a workout she told us that since we couldn't leave our homes this was a time for us to work out twice a day, focus on our meals and focus on ourselves. She also told us, "You signed up for this!" "You signed for two workouts a day Monday thru Thursday and one on Saturday." I felt that energy coming through my screen. I translated it as, "Sis, you paid your money to commit to this. It's time to see it through."

That message sat with me and on this morning, for the first time ever in my life I was up for a 7:15 a.m. workout and I was ready at 6:15 p.m. for the next one. Look at God!!! Am I sore? Yes. Am I exhausted? Yes. Will I be up at 7:00 in the morning? Yes, I have work to do. 

And those cute weights are no longer neatly placed under by bed. They are strategically placed in my workout area. 

For more information about Denise Bryers visit herFacebook Page.

Denise Bryers

Take Charge ~ Do What You Were Born To Do

This time that we have right now will really have you reflecting on some stuff. Am I operating in the purpose that I was brought to the earth for? Am I using my gifts? Am I doing all that I can for the people that I love and my community. 

Am I pouring into others or allowing my bucket to be full just for myself? As a matter of fact How Full Is Your Bucket? is an excellent book to read in the next week or two.  The flip side is that if you don't have others pouring into your bucket then your bucket is empty and you are depleted. You can't pour from an empty bucket. There's nothing there. 

There are several things that we can do while we are at home.

1. Clear the clutter. ~ We can't think clearly with a whole bunch of stuff that we are trying to hold on to. Trust me, I know. I spent the evening in my closet. Honestly, I don't need to shop for a long time for anything and I really don't need another black piece of clothing.
2. Make that vision board that you didn't make in January or February.  ~ We have time to do it. If you made one, is it hanging up so that you see everyday? Your vision is only as good as you can see it. If it's hidden you can't see it. Do you know where you're going to. Do you like the things that life is showing you?
3. Journal - Reflect on your childhood and answer these questions, "What did I want to be when I was little?" "Did that manifest?" "Why not?" "Now what?" "Am I doing what I was born to do?"

Use this time to do some self work. Someone is waiting for your gift. Do what you were born to do. Your dream is out there. Go get it. 

Mindful Monday

I pray that your day has been peaceful.
I pray that all of your needs are met.
I pray that your family is doing well.

Don't forget that

Even in the midst of uncertainty, God is in control.
Even in the midst of crisis, He's right here.

If you need to, take moments to pause, to breathe and to feel this moment.
If tears began to fall
Just let them

In this moment
Be your truest
Most authentic self

Inhale
Exhale

We are going to get through this
When it's over,
We'll be different
We'll be better

We will be

More loving
More giving
More compassionate

You're not in this alone.
We are in this together.

Heart Check // Secure the Bag (Part 2) (Michael Todd)

Self-Care Saturdays

How are you? How was your day? 

Today, self-care for me was reclining in a chair and reading a book. It was a peaceful moment in which I was kind to myself. Yes, you can be kind to yourself and you should be kind to yourself. This is a difficult time for us and it is also a gift to simply sit with yourself, to rest and to reset.

Whether it's a good book or a fashion magazine, grab a blanket, turn on the fireplace, if you have one, grab a cup of tea or hot chocolate and curl up and just be good to you. 

Self-care takes work & you are worth working for.  

FAB Fridays ~ Faith & Belief

Check Out My Latest Blog "FAB Fridays"

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrew 11:6 KJV

Thankful Thursdays

It’s a #thankfulthursday❤️ What are you thankful for today? 

Normally I write out 3 things I’m thankful for every day but here lately I can think of way more. God, I thank you for my family. I thank you for my older son who is the bomb dot com and has taken on leadership roles in our family with grace. I thank you for my younger son who is each day flourishing in his “new normal” of online learning and understanding that order brings about peace as we all try to “figure it out”. 

God, I thank you for the comforting sounds of trains and beautiful spaces to just be. I promise you I have so much more to thank God for. He’ll bring about calm in chaos. #thatsawordrightthere

I encourage you to look for the good in these times. 

Time is filled with swift transition,
Naught of earth unmoved can stand,
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Originally posted at Arlinda Christine Ministries

Wellness Wednesdays

What a day. What a week. What a month. What a year.
How are you?
How are you handling everything?
Inhale. Exhale.
God's got us and I truly believe our ancestors are super proud of us.
On this Wellness Wednesday,
I just wanted you to know that you are love and that you are loved.

Take Charge Tuesdays

As a mom I've been both on the move and worn out. While school in our district was set to close on Tuesday, my son's school has been out since last Thursday. The preparation for him to be home with everything he needed for school, groceries for our home and the increasing breaking news is a lot to manage. As a single mom you are both the protector and the provider. You're competing with updates that constantly hit wireless phones. 

"Mom! The numbers are increasing." "Mom? We may be out til next school year." "Mom!!! Kevin Durant tested positive." 

Then there's the trips to Kroger, mainly in search of chicken and ground beef to freeze for large meals, and the concern for my parents having what they need. I'm so grateful for my oldest son for stepping up and going out in search of the things I couldn't find.

Mind you, I really have to care for myself and make sure that my blood pressure doesn't drop extremely low or escalate rapidly. What I've learned is that either I'm going to have a really bad headache or want a really long nap and what truly didn't help was my loop recorder monitor going off with sounds and lights at 2:35 a.m. I woke up and immediately talked to Jesus. My life is a constant conversation with Jesus. 

Today, I did something different. I took some moments for myself. I worked out with Denise Bryers on FB Live and afterwards, I, Arlinda Christine, desired to go for a walk as the sunset.  I grabbed a cute Chic Life jersey and pressed play and listened to Snoh Aalegra as I walked my cul de sac a couple and a half times. That walk was a cute little concert. lol 

As I walked and pretended I was at karoke, I notice the trees and how the homes in the neighborhood are reminsent of an older era. I felt the wind blowing on my face and watched as the sun faded for the evening. I needed that moment for me and I'm going to make it a point to create those moments daily for several reasons, wellness and my sanity.

We're living in moments of not knowing what's going to happen next. Make sure that you're taking some moments for you so that you can continually feel good about yourself as you manage in a constantly changing world. 

Originally posted at Arlinda Christine Ministries.

Mindful Mondays

I can definitely see why practicing mindfulness was introduced in my life years ago because I honestly really need it right now. Just sitting being present and still has helped me to focus on those things that are truly important. 

It's so important to stay in touch with those people who support and root for you. People are  going through life with so many hurts and decisions to make and add the pandemic to it and it could all be too much to carry and to sift through. 

What has helped me the most is to pray and meditate. There is so much value to sitting in silence, with just you and God.  Take a moment for yourself to just breathe and to have a little talk with Jesus. Also be mindful of the things that matter to you. Don't overwhelm yourself with things and people that don't overwhelm themselves with you.  Protect your peace. 

Today I was mindful of the things and people that matter the most in my life. 

1. Myself

2. My family and friends.

3. And yes, I minded my own business. 

I Choose Joy

One year ago today I made one of the biggest decisions of my life, to choose joy. I remember discussing it afterwards in therapy. We discussed the number 8 and how that number means new beginnings and that the day was International Women’s Day.

Today is International Women’s Day and I’m feeling so honored to be a woman empowered to say no to those things that no longer serve me and to choose joy over being comfortable. God didn’t call us to blend in but to stand out. You have to have faith to step out of the boxes that have confined you, without faith it is impossible to please God.

It’s been an amazing journey of hurt, depression, not knowing what’s next and if I could do it all over on March 8, 2019 I’d still choose joy. This above all to thine ownself be true.

(Excerpt From Diligently, “I Choose Joy”)

On March 8th, I woke up and prepared for my day. As with every payday, I checked my checking account. However, on this day, I didn’t get paid by my employer. I decided that in that moment I wasn’t going to get upset. God had been good to me thus far and there was no reason to think that He didn’t have that under control either. Weeks prior, my parents purchased new furniture and I asked if I could have my grandmother’s recliner. My grandmother had passed several years ago, and I couldn’t let them get rid of her chair.

When the chair arrived at our home, we had no idea where we would put it. Alex’s idea was to place it next to our ottoman that sat in the middle of the room. I told him that it didn’t make sense, although to this day that is where I sit to watch Sports Center in the morning with my Greek yogurt or steel-cut oatmeal. I was sitting in that chair upon realizing that I had no pay and a therapy appointment in an hour.

God spoke to me as I sat there.“If you had to go back to where you were reassigned in order to get paid today, would you go?”

My immediate response was, “No; I choose joy!”