What Bores Me

What bores you?

What bores me is small talk. I get bored when people are talking about small things, “How’s it going? What are you doing for the holidays? Do you see what so and so did?

A discussion about random irrelevant rubbish serves no point and is boring. It is mentally draining, I prefer deeper conversations. I see small talk as a waste of time. I would rather talk about things like where they would like to be in 10 years, or What has God told them to do lately. Small talk makes me uncomfortable.

When Tough Isn’t Enough

Building Mental Strength

There are times when we feel like we can handle anything life throws at us. And then there are times when even the smallest setback throws us into a tailspin.

It’s not the circumstances we face. Many of us know what it’s like to be upset by something that wouldn’t ordinarily bother us. Or there are times when we can then turn around and brush off a major setback as just being a part of life.

The difference isn’t what’s happening to us -it’s our mental strength. Our mental strength helps us to resist being derailed by negative thoughts. It helps us get back into the ups and downs of life day after day.

Just like physical strength, it’s a kind of muscle that we can develop and improve our overall well being.

Mental strength doesn’t mean you never cry, complain, or have doubts. And it’s not mutually exclusive to mental illness. In fact, because people who suffer work very hard to develop coping mechanisms, many of these people have ADHD, depression, and other mental health conditions are incredibly mentally strong people.

Instead of having one static idea of what it means to be mentally fit, we should ask these questions,

  • How do you respond to negative emotions or setbacks?
  • Do you start thinking of solutions, or whine about bad luck or do you let them roll off your back?

When we understand that mental strength is a cognitive and emotional skill of reframing negative thoughts and adverse circumstances. Being mentally strong helps us resist both internal and external influences that weaken our self-confidence and well-being.

There is a metaphor of physical health to understanding mental strength. Just as physical strength is a component of physical fitness, mental strength is a part of mental fitness.

Mental fitness is a complete set of practices that enable us to maintain and improve our mental strength. Being mentally strong helps us to stay focused at crucial times in our lives.

For example, mental toughness helps us perform under pressure. But it is not sustainable for the athlete who needs to drown out the crowd to score a win. Even Olympic athletes under extreme pressure can damage their mental health.

Mental strength balances the extreme, it’s our ability to function effectively and sustainably in the face of challenges and stress without sacrificing our own health., sense of self and mental well-being.

Resilience, mental strength and mental toughness are all components of mental fitness. Mental toughness helps us to tune out distractions and negative self-talk. Resilience helps us revolver from setbacks. Mental strength helps us persevere, and mental fitness builds all of these practices.

For example, if you’re excited about a presentation that you’re going to give in the company you work for. You would rehearse your slides and a co-worker would point out a flaw in you’re strategy that you’ve not thought about after putting in weeks of hard work in preparing. Do you have time to rethink your entire presentation?

All isn’t lost in this case, heating the potential pitfalls can help you prepare for a well-rounded presentation. When we imagine the worst-case scenario, helps get you into a solution focused mindset instead of panicking it requires mental strength.

Instead of throwing the whole presentation away or calling in sick before the whole presentation maybe try and add another slide.

In many ways mental strength and mindfulness is the other side of anxiety in action.

When you think about what anxiety is and why it exists, those uncomfortable emotions do serve a purpose. Anxiety is designed to alert us to potential threats so we can find ways to overcome them. But it becomes unhelpful when those feelings paralyze us.

Mental strength helps us resist paralysis and push back against the forces we fear and anxious feelings. When we build mental strength we are better able to reframe the anxiety and hear what it’s trying to tell us. What outcomes do we need to think through, what’s the worst-case scenario and how to prepare for it to maximize out chances of success.

When become mentally strong we have less stress, as well as motivation, poor mental strength zaps our energy and motivation.

Becoming mentally strong gives us better discretion in life. Part of being successful in life requires us to know who to listen to and who not to listen to. It’s easy to get thrown off by both internal and external criticisms. When we are mentally strong its easier to stay focused even when people disagree with you or your anxious.

When we are mentally strong we are less afraid of failure. Even when we become worried it’s easier to shift into problem-solving mode. And we become more adaptable to look for solutions which make us more agile. We spend less time dwelling in what’s going well and more time focused on how we can achieve the desired outcome.

Developing mental strength means cultivating practices in the following ways:

1. Mindfulness

When you practice mindfulness, you improve your ability to respond rather than rear. It empowers you to slow down the stimuli-reaction loop so you can choose a response that works for you. Over time, this skill will become second nature when you least expect it, but most need it.

There are many kinds of mindfulness practices, like mindful breathing, walking mediation or listening to mindfulness meditation online or by cd. Or meditation for anxiety and relaxation. I personally listen to the Jewish guided meditations on YouTube. They seem to work the best for me.

2. Work with a life coach or counselor.

I usually don’t recommend professional help because it’s experience. But if you can’t seem to work things out on your own. It’s the best thing for you. They can be helpful in developing mental strength. The battle were most often fight happens in our heads.

3. Keep a journal

If you want to check in on your mental strength on a regular basis. Keeping a journal is a great idea. It can help you keep tabs on your personal growth over time and build self-esteem. This method helped me the most out of everything I’ve done to build mental strength.

There are no rules for what you can put in your journal. Free writing for several minutes lets you dump everything that’s stuck in your brain. You can set goals, or make notes of any stressors that a overwhelming. Writing things down helps our brains begin to work through our challenges.

4. Practice self-compassion

Many people think that they’ll somehow be more productive if they beat themselves up, but that’s not the case. Building self-compassion actually helps build resilience. Focusing on what we do well, instead of our failures keeps us in a growth mindset while avoiding a downward spiral. It helps us to say, “That didn’t go well, but here’s what I learned, and how can I do better next time.”

5. Get out of your comfort zone

I’d you want to know if you’ve developed core skills of mental toughness. Throw yourself in the deep end. Like many skills, mental strength can’t be mastered without practice. There comes a time when you have to do something new, unfamiliar, or scary, and that’s a good thing.

It doesn’t matter how small it is, sign up for a class, or go for coffee with someone who intimidates you. Whatever it is pay attention to how you respond when the scary feelings come up. Then respond to them as you would respond to a good friend. Learning that you are capable of doing hard things and might enjoy them is a plus.

6. Develop a daily routine

If you were building physical strength requires you to go to the gym. Just as building mental strength helps us reinforce new skills that you practice. Take some time to build mental strength as you would building physical strength.

7. Keep your connections strong

One of the strongest predictors of life satisfaction is our relationships with others. Don’t try to build mental strength alone. We need support to get through anything life throws at us. It’s important to have some fun in life and spend time with the people who make you happy. Joy insulates us against stress and keeps us going when we want to give up the fight.

Mental strength isn’t just about pushing forward, just as physical strength isn’t about working out all the time. It’s about finding a balance of work and play.

Drinks

What is your favorite drink?

What is my favorite drink? It’s a toss-up between Coffee and Iced Tea

Strength For The Journey

Do you ever feel like you’re just going through the motions in life, without a clear sense of what you’re good at? Everyone has unique strengths that can bee uncovered with a little effort.. But, there are a few strategies to discover your strengths during your journey through life. And discover what you truly love to do.

Here are a few strategies that I think will help.

    Effect on your past successes.

    One way to uncover your strengths is to reflect on your past successes. Think about the times when you’ve felt proud of yourself or accomplished something that came easy for you. Whether it be being a natural leader, a skilled communicator, or a creative problem solver. By identifying these strengths you can learn to build on them.

    Ask for feedback.

    Sometimes it’s hard to see our own strengths because they can seem so natural to us. Ask family, friends, or co-workers. You might be surprised by what they say,

    Try new things.

    Sometimes we don’t know what we’re good at until we try something new. Exploring hobbies, taking on challenges, or volunteering for new projects can help discover the strengths you never new you had.

    Take personality and strength assessments.

    You can find assessments everywhere on the internet. Just do a search. Some of the assessments are designed to provide insights into your natural talents and preferences along with your personality traits. Well-known assessments such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and the Clifton Strengths assessments can provide valuable insights.

    Pay attention to your passions.

    Your passions can often be a gateway to discovering your strengths. Think about things that truly excite and energize you. What are you naturally drawn to? What can you spend hours doing without feeling drained? Your passions can indicate where your strengths are.

    Don’t Quench The Spirit

    Have you ever sensed the Holy Spirit leading you to do something, but because of fear you were afraid to do it? Even though you were sure it was God’s Spirit who was speaking to you, did you grit your teeth, dig in your heels, and decide you would not do what He was leading you to do or say?

    If you answered yes, it’s time for you to stop doing that. The Holy Spirit is trying to use you to help someone or to accomplish something according to His plans and purposes. Don’t let Satan or a spirit of fear talk you out of experiencing the joy of being used by the Holy.

    The word “quench” in 1 Thessalonians 5:19 is taken from the Greek word sbennumi. This word means to extinguish, smother, suppress, douse, put out, or to quell. It means to evaporate or dry up.

    “Don’t quench the Spirit” – 1 Thessalonians 5:19

    There is no doubt about what Pauk is trying to tell us. If we ignore the Holy Spirit’s voice long enough we will become spiritually hardened and will no longer be able to hear Him when He tries to speak to us. It will be like His voice evaporates or dries up, and we will hear it no more.

    Our own actions, fears, insecurities, and disobedience to the voice of the Holy Spirit can thwart the plan of God for our lives. The Holy Spirit is willing and able to give you a divine assignment, but you hinder His plans by ignoring and denying His right to use you time and time again.

    If you’ve ever seen a campfire, you know that its flames can burn very bright and got. But what happens if someone keeps throwing water on the coals? Initially, it will only dampen the heat of the flames. But if the person continues to throw water on the flames, eventually that water will quench, smother, or put out the fire altogether.

    Has the Holy Spirit been speaking to your heart, directing you to do something? Have you obeyed Him and done what He has prompted you to do, or have you turned a deaf ear to His voice?

    Don’t throw water on the flames until you quench the Spirit.

    Instead of continually shutting your ears to the Holy Spirit’s voice and dousing the flames of the Spirit in your heart, it’s time to say, “Yes, Lord, I will do what You say. I will go where You send me, I will obey what You tell me to do.

    When you adopt this attitude, you start putting fuel back on the fire again. Every time you say, “Yes Lord” and follow through with obedience, you stone the coals and cause the Holy Spirit’s fire to burn more brightly in your life.

    The Holy Spirit will never lead us to do something that is wrong or harmful. He will never fail us or let us down.

    We Are Not Alone

    Have you ever asked God where He is? Or why He has forgotten you. And wonder how you will ever get through a situation.

    No matter what we experience in life, God knows there will be times when we will be enveloped in fear and uncertainty that we may lose sight of His presence, He knew there would be circumstances so difficult we would question whether He really loves us and is with us in our suffering.

    The Bible tells us we are not like in our circumstances -no matter how difficult they are.

    Isaiah 43:2 .tells us,

    “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overtake you. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned, and flame will not scorch you.”

    No matter how difficult and no matter how dark the season you find yourself walking through, God is with you. He promises to meet you in your pain and to help you,

    Isiah 42:10 tells us,

    “Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with my right hand of my righteousness.”

    There is no reason to fear, because we are not alone. God is and always will been there for every tear and every sorrow.

    When I think back to my younger years. I can see God was there all the time. But when I was going through it, I felt like I was alone, but I wasn’t. I’ve been in some situations that could have led to disaster yet I had God’s protection through it all.

    There are moments in suffering when we are certain is it the end, that latest painful experience that leaves us a knockout blow. But that is never the case. Because if it’s not good, God’s not done,

    Isaiah 43:18-19 tells us,

    “Don’t remember the former things, and don’t consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, it springs out now. Don’t you know it? I will even make a wat in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.”

    God sees the devastation left in our past and the perilous journey of the future. At every turn, God is working to make a way through the wasteland that was made of our lives and our hearts. Even when cannot see it. Often our greatest danger is giving up before His deliverance unfolds.

    No matter what we’ve lost, God is working behind the scenes to restore our lives and hearts more than we ever thought possible.

    Ephesians 3:20,

    “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.“

    It is not the end of the story, only an intermission, and the best is yet to come.

    My Favorite People

    Who are your favorite people to be around?

    I like spending time with people who lift me up when I’m feeling down. People who value me.

    People can like you or even love you, but if they don’t value you, their love will never be enough. You can love something and neglect it, you can love someone and still be treated poorly. Loving someone doesn’t guarantee that they will do whatever it takes to take care of you or protect you. The only people that will do that is the ones that value you.

    When you surround yourself with people who lift you up, instead of tearing you down, its a part of self-love is having a high standard of the people your inner circle.

    My Favorite Shoes

    Tell us about your favorite pair of shoes, and where they’ve taken you.

    My favorite pair of shoes are the comfortable ones. As long as they don’t hurt my feet. I like them.

    I do tend to be drawn to boots more often than regular shoes because they have more room for my toes. I am a big sandal-wearer.

    The Greatest Treasure

    There was once a box of treasure buried in a field, and when a man found ug, he sold everything he had so he could buy the field and own the treasure (Matth13:44). This is how Jesus described the kingdom of God. In his letters Pauk talks about salvation in terms of wealth, describing it as the “riches of God’s grace (Romans 10:12; Ephesians 1:7).

    Money can make things easier, but money can or buy everything. Money can buy a nice car or a large house, but it’s not the secret to finding lifelong happiness.

    The most important part of having an inheritance of God’s treasure is every spiritual blessing comes from Him, it’s not about money. It’s about love.

    There are only two portions in this life. The portion of the Lord or the portion of the world. The Book of Revelation vividly depicts this for us, those who choose the works have wealth and fame and success for a little while, and their selfishness and greed destine them for destruction (Revelation 18:21-20). To choose the Lord as your portion is to reject the seductive, worthless vanities of this life and have greater riches than material wealth.

    This week in church we are praying with Psalm 16. Every week the pastor selects a Psalm and the whole church prays with it throughout the week then on Sunday we tell the church what we received from the Psalm.

    This is the passage is the one I have been drawn to this week,

    “The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup. You have made my lot secure. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places. Yes, I have a good inheritance.” -Psalm 16:5-6

    To have the Lord as our portion is to have the fullness of joy, eternal security, and life itself. It means having a treasure beyond the price that will never fade away and can never be stolen. The lines of allotment have created a place where no suffering or corruption can enter and where joy abounds. Dwelling with God is to dwell in the presence of goodness and joy itself, and God delights to draw near to His people (James 4:8).

    Colossians 3:3-4 tells us,

    We are to seek the things above, where Jesus is seated at the right hand of God. set our minds on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth.

    The “things that are above“ are nothing less than Jesus Himself and all the rich spiritual blessings of salvation, godliness, thankfulness, and praise. These things bring us heavenly treasures (Matthew 6:19-21).

    Set your hope, set your very life upon these things, for this is where your treasure and consequently, your heart lies. Faith involves understanding and holding onto the fact that though we may be poor in the terms of this world, we are rich in God. If you have been saved by the blood of Jesus, then the Lord is your portion, and the lines have fallen for you in pleasant places.

    The Greatest Gift

    Share one of the best gifts you’ve ever received.

    The best gifts I have ever received are my children. Their souls are a heavy responsibility. They Were placed in my hands in my hands. My children taught me how to love unconditionally. They taught me to show grace, mercy, and forgiveness.

    My responsibility was to treasure them, and not to expect perfection from them. I’ve always looked as a blessing, not an inconvenience. My job was to teach them how to be responsible adults. So they could function in society and to teach them they way that they should go so that when they are old they will not depart from it.

    The joy of my children will never leave my heart. Both of then were gifted to me by God. He has entrusted them to me to nurture and care for.

    Trial By Fire

    These trials show that our faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold – though our faith is far more precious than gold. When our faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you praise and glory and honor on the day when Christ Jesus is revealed to the entire world.

    Knowing our trials will make us stronger does not promise they will be painless. But, our attitude in facing trials can make a difference between the situation as a source of joy or a reason to be despondent. Though our trials are tough to work through our mental attitude makes a huge difference.

    Trials hurt, but because of God’s promise, we can end up being strengthened and not someone who simply survived.

    Romans 8:28 declares that we can know God will always cause our circumstances to work for the good to those who love Him and are called to His purpose.

    If we have a clear understanding of out trials then we know we can ask God for wisdom without the fear of being rebuffed by Him.

    We live in a world of uncertainty. It often feels like no one is in control and things are getting progressively worse. Being content knowing we have to face trials, and knowing that God is in sovereign control and is using our trials to strengthen us, allows us the privilege and opportunity to live in sharp contrast to those around us who get up every morning and go to bed each night without hope.

    We have the privilege to ask and understand if we are willing to believe that God without a doubt, is bigger than all our circumstances.

    Budgeting

    Write about your approach to budgeting.

    Money is a tool God has given us so we can help others, meet or needs, and serve Him.

    A lot of times people get caught up in tho idea of “more money“ as a goal and a solution to their problems.

    I used to be a horrible at budgeting. I was hooked on shopping, buying clothes made me get a sort of high. In the last few years I have gotten better.

    I think Americans are spoiled. We have been so set on buying material things. Money makes life easier, it can help make us happier. But it will never be able to the hole we are trying to fill.

    There are 1 in 5 children that go hungry in America. And I’m sure it’s even more in other countries. While we are squandering our money on material things.

    This is definitely something I need to think more about. When I’m buying a shirt when I have no need for it.

    There are 331.9 million people in America, imagine we all gave 1 dollar to charity that feeds children. What a difference it would make.