Your best life begins each morning.

I absolutely love all things inspirational: reading inspiring books, quotes, etc., but more importantly, I love inspiring others. We have all experienced that feeling: when you read an article, quote or song lyric and it pulls a string inside of your heart and rings a bell inside of your head. You get what the author is saying; you know exactly what he or she is feeling. I think the reason why those words mean so much to us is because we find comfort knowing that we are not alone. There are others out there in the world that feel the same messed up thing you feel in that moment, and suddenly it's not that messed up...you are not alone in your feeling. A distinct connection is made, even if you don't know the person, because they too have felt the pain, agony, confusion that you have as well. It's not always negative; you can celebrate in the beauty of the good feelings such as joy, gratitude, hope and love. For me, everything sounds so much better coming from someone else. I can believe and think certain things, but when it comes from the lips of another, it somehow means more because again I am not the only one with that thought or mentality. Another example, advice: I can give the best advice but do I always take my own? I try to...the older I become, the more I realize I do live my life the way I feel inside my heart, and that's all that really matters in life. Living what you feel and what you believe, because after all, it is YOUR life.

Before I went on my pilgrimage I made one final stop at Target to get last minute things. I ended up stumbling upon these two small books that have quickly become a staple in my work bag. I knew during those two weeks I would be able to do a lot of reflecting and soul-searching. I also knew I needed some inspiration. One of the books I got is written by Joel Osteen, Your Best Life Begins Each Morning. It is nice purse-sized book of daily devotions to start every day of the year. It starts with January 1 and goes all the way through December 31. It's been really nice to have, especially while on my Pilgrimage, doing the whole technology cleanse. I was able to focus 100% on my reflection. I would read the daily passage and reflect how it pertained to my life. It was a great way to view my life from a clear perspective and really concentrate on my thoughts, feelings and exactly what I want. Not having access to Facebook, email, and texting really allowed me to concentrate to the moment at hand. I wasn't worried about what other people were doing or trying to come up with my next status update. I was able to fully absorb the moment....focus on the people I was surrounded by and the thoughts and feelings beating out of my heart.

One of my dear friends has been going through a pretty shitty couple of years. I was talking to her and I knew she not only needed cheering up, but she needed some hope. I started to think about how reading some of these passages really help me look at situations differently and sometimes that's all we need in life. Many times we have to FORCE ourselves to look at the situation on hand differently to be able to move forward in life. It’s not easy, but as I said before, sometimes when you read it coming from someone else, it makes more sense and can be seen more clearly. Below are some of the daily devotions I have read during the month of July which I found inspiring and I know everyone can use a refresher. Also, it’s nice because they are short, sweet and to the point (unlike me). If you happen to actually read this, really take the time to think about these things. Let them resonate within your heart....we only are given one life; why not make it the best life possible.

Good things in Store

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Psalm 16:11

Friend, God is bigger than your past, your disappointments, and your problems. You may have made a lot of mistakes, but God can turn those things around. People may have hurt you and done you wrong, but if you’ll leave it up to God, He’ll pay you back. He’ll make your wrongs right. Start focusing on your possibilities. Let hope fill your heart.

No matter what you’ve been through, God is saying there are great days ahead for you. Say “I am not going to be a prisoner of my past. I've had enough. I am going to stop focusing on my disappointments. I’m moving on with my life, knowing that God has good things in store.” If you’ll develop that kind of attitude, God will give you a new beginning.

Start Each Day Fresh

“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.

Ephesians 4:26

Scripture instructs us to put on a fresh new attitude every morning. Don’t let little things build up. Don’t harbor unforgiveness and resentment. Don’t allow bad attitudes to develop, even those that may seem insignificant to you, because over time that bitter attitude will build and end up causing you major problems. You’ve got to do your best to keep your own heart free and clean, or eventually anger and bitterness will show up and affect your relationships.

Each morning, forgive the people who have hurt you. Each morning, let go of your disappointments and setbacks. Each morning, receive God’s mercy and forgiveness for the mistakes you have made, and forgive others for the hurt they have inflected on you. Today focus on your possibilities; focus on what you can change rather than what you cannot change. 

Number Your Days

So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 90:12

Our time here on this earth is so short. What a shame it would be to allow something that happened in the past to ruin one more day. If you get stuck in a traffic jam, which you can’t undo, know that God is still in control. If somebody offends you, your attitude should be: I’m not going to let it sour the rest of my day. No, I’m traveling light; I’m not going to carry any extra burdens.

I've made up my mind to do my best to enjoy every single day. I may make mistakes; things may not always go my way. I may be disappointed at times, but I’ve made the decision that I am not going to allow what does or doesn’t happen to me to steal my joy and keep me from God’s abundant life.

Evict that Victim Mentality

Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.

Isaiah 60:1

Too many people nowadays are living with a victim mentality. They are so focused on what they’ve been through, complaining about how unfair it was, they don’t realize they are dragging the pains of the past into the present. It’s almost as though they get up each day and fill a big wheelbarrow with junk from the past and bring it into the new day.

Let go of that stuff! Your past does not have to poison your future. If you hold onto the hurts and pains of the past, they will poison you wherever you go and keep you from experiencing good, healthy relationships. You may think that other people are the problem, but examine your own heart. Quit mourning over something that’s over and done. God says that your need to lay it aside and rid of whatever entangles you. Just because you've been through some hurt and pain, or perhaps one or more of your dreams have been shattered, that doesn't mean God doesn’t have another plan. God still has a bright future in store for you.

 Live in the Light

For you were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth).

Ephesians 5: 8-9

We all want to be free from our past and to do so you must understand this basic principle: the past is the past. You cannot undo anything that has happened to you. You can’t relive one moment in the past. But you can do something about right now. Your attitude should be, I refuse to down on negative things that have happened to me. I’m not going to think about all that I’ve lost. I’m not going to focus on what could have been or should have been. This is a new day and I’m going to start moving forward, know that God has a bright future in store for me.

If you do that, God will give you a new beginning.