Get Back To Basics

Maybe you’ve had a few sleepless nights, of job layoffs. Whatever is stressing you out in your work-family balance has evaporated into thin air, and you find ourself cranky, anxious or tired out. You may not feeling how you want to, but this is no time to dig yourself further into a hole of desperation. Get back to basics.

Sometimes all we need is to return to a set of tried and true rules that can support you in feeling clearer, emotionally calmer, and more energized.

It’s always good to track you’re behaviors for a while to pull yourself back into healthier habits.

It seems like anymore, we are all just trying to get by. And when that happens it’s easy to fall back to unhealthy habits.

I used to keep track of my habits, but it seems like I have less and less time for me these days.

I drug out my old daily routine tracker. Here is a few points to you get a jumping start.

No Work After 7 PM

From 7-9 connect with your family, hearing about how others days went, finding some ways to get closer to them. Is a huge boost. Dim the lights and create a calm environment. Take a rest from laundry, emails, or work projects. They can wait.

Don’t sacrifice yourself to the crazy life we all lead.

Get Ready For Bed At 9 PM

Take a look at agenda for tomorrow if you have to, but take some time for yourself, spending a little while focusing on you. make a nightly routine that you can follow. If your really feeling drained set yourself a strict routine about getting into bed early. As adults it’s so easy to stay up until midnight or later. But you are not doing yourself any favors.

Calm Your Brain

Spend sometime reading or listen to calm music. Something relaxing. It doesn’t help if you go to bed early, if your just going to lay there and be anxious or worry about everything. This is time to calm down and shut off your brain for the day.

The Morning

Take about 15-20 minutes to stretch and breathe. Don’t jump out of bed and immediately start your day. If you have to set your alarm early and take the time to stretch and breathe before rising for the day do so. You’ll find it will help you get your day on the way with a positive mindset. I like to spend time in positive affirmations or reading the Bible over my morning coffee. It gets my day off to a good start.

Time Exercising

Spend some time exercising each day. Whether it’s walking, or taking a fitness class. It doesn’t matter just get your body moving, and lower your anxiety and leads to a stronger life, and it helps with your mental and physical health.

I don’t know about you, but when I have to take trips out of town. I notice when I’ve been neglecting my body, when I slack on my exercise.

Drink Water

I love my coffee, it I could I would be drinking coffee all day. I can easily fall back to my coffee lovers routine. But it taxes my adrenals and messes with my blood sugar levels, as well as dehydrates me. It’s a good idea to drink at least 64oz of water a day. If you like lemon try squeezing a few drops in your water. It helps reduce hunger, as well as improves your digestive system and helps fight off infections and boosts your immune system. The main thing is to get enough water.

Do Something Nurturing For Yourself Every Day

Self-care is essential. You are worth it. A long hot bath, a glass of wine, or just connecting with friends. Celebrate the little wins. When we get off track, it’s easy to fall on the self-care wagon.

Book Days Off

Don’t let work creep into every single day, including family time. We become less productive and our health and primary relationships suffer if we don’t prioritize sufficient time for rest and play. It’s important to schedule block off days at least once a week. Boy, I struggle with this one. It’s hard for me to say “no” when someone asks me to do something for them. But I’m learning.

Eat By 10:30 AM

I’m not a early breakfast eater but by mid-morning I’m ready to for a healthy breakfast. There’s a lot of talk these days about intermittent fasting. So make sure if your doing this, don’t just head for the sugary doughnuts and coffee breakfast. Taking time to nourish yourself allows you to remain calmer, and focused. Eat to stay energized everyday. It’s also part of self-care.

Make Time For Life Visioning

Don’t get antsy or anxious during the day. Make sure your always moving forward with your goals. Being productive is important. But we can end up living crazy busy because we lack joy in our lives if we are clear on why we are making certain decisions or spending time in a certain way. The WHY is critical.

Maybe what we really need is to simply start getting to bed before midnight and drinking more water. Do a honest check-in of how you feel right now and if you know you are off track try creating your own”Back to Basics Health Rules. Try tracking your progress, this may just be enough to set you back on the right course.

The Danger Of Complaining

Complaining can damage or even destroy your relationship with God, your relationships with other people and yourself. I remember when I has in darkness, depressed and feeling like was alone in the world. I complained about everything. I was looking for sympathy, I wanted someway to tell me everything would turn okay in the end. But, I was so busy complaining no one wanted to be around me. And I don’t blame them.

Philippians 2:14 says, “Do all things without complaining and disrupting,” That’s a clear command and not something anyone can do in their own strength.

I think of complaining as the enemy’s language. He’s probably the only likes to here it, because he likes us to suffer. It opens the door for him to cause trouble. On the other hand, praise and thanksgiving are God’s language.

Every day we all can find something we could complain about but they really aren’t worth the effort it takes to get upset and gripe about.

For example, I went to the post office to send a package overseas. The lady at the desk was so rude, she kept telling the zip code on the package was incorrect. I knew it wasn’t. But she refused to mail my package. I could have gone to her the postmaster and complained or told everyone the lady was rude. But what good would it have done? I just simply went to the next town, and I had no problem mailing the package. If you ask God to help you relax during your day.

Complaining comes from an ungrateful, prideful attitude of the heart. It causes us to feel that we shouldn’t be inconvenienced or have bad things happen to us. But in this world, we will have trials and tribulations. We have to deal with the pain ourselves. And complaining just makes things worse.

Now when someone else is inconvenienced or struggling it’s easy to think, “why are you making such a big deal out of this. I have to That’s when we need say, “Why is this happening to me?” And really think what your doing. I have found if I thank God for the small things, I am much calmer during the day. It can be something as simple as finding a parking place closer to the store. To not hitting any red lights in town.

Many people in the western world are spoiled by the conveniences of our culture. We’re used to instant gratification, getting what we want when we want it. We don’t like discomfort or sacrifice. We want everything to be easy. Sometimes this makes us have a selfish perspective in difficult situations and say things we wouldn’t shouldn’t say.

Th truth is I’ve grown the most during the hardest and most painful times of my life. The things that have I have experienced have caused me to become closer to God, I have done that, He has changed me. He has helped my develop a attitude of gratitude and humility. Which have brought real freedom to me.

I think back to my past and wonder how I am still alive. People I get to know tell me all the time that I’m a strong lady. The fact is I am strong because I didn’t have a choice.

Real freedom is being able to not have my way and still be happy and a peace. But, having real freedom is not an easy process. But, I tell you it’s worth it 100%. Gaining spiritual maturity I going to hurt.

Allowing God to take over every aspect of your life is not comfortable, and sometimes a real sacrifice is required. There are sometimes God will ask you to do something but you just don’t have the strength to do them.Believe me I have ignored God will many times. And I immediately regret it and sometimes there just going back and fixing doesn’t work. I have learned that whatever God tells you to do, do it because your blessings will be great. Even if you feel “there’s no way I can do that.” God always gives us grace to do it.

Psalm 19:14 says, “May the words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight Lord…”

We must be in a constant attitude of gratitude if we are going to survive in this messed up world. We must resist temptation to complain a instead praise and thank God for who He is and what He has done for us. Then we can by God’s grace and through His strength, we all can overcome complaining and live each day with a new perspective.

Different Kinds Of Demonic Spirits

For the most part, demons are known by their “function names.” Thr function name will tell you what the demon specializes in once he becomes attached to a person, whether it be on the outside of the person or on the inside of the person.

For example, a spirit of lust will specialize in transmitting lust into the person they are attached to. Once they transmit that feeling of lust onto that person, they will then try to get the person to act out on it. This is how many people end up engaging in fornication, adultery, or pornography. This is what you call a person coming under “direct demonic influence.

Most of these cases are not full possession type causes, so God will still hold the person completely responsible for their actions, even if a demon is sliming (for lack of a better word) them with this lustful feeling, along with providing them with actual compulsion to try and act out on it. God still held both Adam and Eve totally responsible for their actions in the Garden of Eden, even though it was the devil himself who temped Eve to eaten fruit off that forbidden tree, and then Eve persuaded Adam to do the same.

Satan has not changed his tactics and strategies today, and he still uses demons and other people to try to get us to fall into various types of sin directly against the Lord.

All demons can do is try and make you do bad and evil things. And unless you are dealing with a case of temporary possession, or someone who had become mentally Ill in some way, most of the time the person will have all their senses fully intact enough to know right from wrong, and will know what the full consequences of their actions will be if the decide to go all the way through with it.

A good example of this are people who murder their love ones in a fit of rage and jealousy. Many of the times, these crimes are premeditated, which means the person is actually thinking about it already and planning how to do it.

Once they go into this kind of planning stage, the demons will then keep the pressure on from the back end to try and get them to follow through with the act. But a person can still stop it and call it off anytime they want to. They know full well what consequences are going to lead to if they get caught – life imprisonment or the death penalty. But in many of these cases, they will still follow through with it and actually murder their partner or whoever else they have targeted.

Demons with function names of murder, rage, and hate are many times the driving forces behind these types of horrible crimes. But again, the person is still fully cooperating with these demons with their free will being accountable and responsible by both the law if they are ever caught, and by God Himself once they die and cross over to face Him head on for their own personal judgement.

Most of the time people have no idea that it really is demons who are operating behind the scenes providing more fuel to the fires with what they specialize in such as spirits of hate, murder, jealousy, rage, anger, bitterness, and Unforgiveness. Once a group of these types of demons attach to a person who may have really hurt in a love affair, or their spouse being divorced by the other spouse, or a spouse catching another spouse in an adulterous and then try and do everything they can to slime the person with what they specialize is to try and get them. To act out on these negative feelings and emotions.

This is why it will really help everyone if they knew what some of the basic function names of the demons were, so they can then immediately spot their negative influence when they do try and move in for the attack on someone who may be open to their negative and evil influence.

The first basic rule of any kind of warfare, whether it be spiritual or natural warfare, is ti know your enemy. And knowing the basic function names of the demons who are out to give you a good head start, as their function names will tell you how they are “playing” along with providing you with clues as to what their legal rights may be on that person.

Here are some differences areas that demons will likely target once they move in on a person.

  • Murder
  • The occult
  • Lust
  • Pride
  • Mental Health
  • Unforgiveness
  • Sickness
  • Different Kinds of Vices
  • False Religions

These are some major areas that demons will try and target once they move in for an attack on someone. These are the “games“ that demons try to play on us, and these are real life and death games, not fun type games. This is why the Bible tells us to always be sober, vigilant, and alert for any kind of demonic activity that could set in on us, or any of our love ones.

So, if you open a crack from any sin in your life, demons can easily slip in and try and take us over. If they see a hole in our protective hedge with the Lord. Note, that demons can play than one of these games on any one person.

Family Secrets

It is true that every family has its secrets; however, it is the content of the secret that really counts.

Secrets can be small and insignificant, (planning a surprise birthday party celebration or a vacation) Those type of secrets and their keepers cause no harm.

On the other hand, traumatic, painful, or life changing secrets potentially can damage on the entire family’s mental health and well-being for some time.

Should You Keep Family Secrets?

Here’s why it might be harmful to continue doing so.

The most frequently kept secrets within a family include, but not limited to finances, serious health issues, abuse and death, and impeding divorce.

While keeping a family secret from the outside world may be advisable in some instances for privacy or protection, keeping secrets with a family can prove problematic.

Here are a few reasons why:

  • Keeping secrets can destroy relationships.

Keeping secrets within a marriage, or any significant adult relationship, can cause a breakdown in communication. The bond between the adults my be irreparably harmed, causing harm to any children as well.

When I was a children my brother drowned in a lake, when he was a scout trip. He was 11. I remember asking my parents where by brother was. “O’ he hasn’t come back you.” I heard my parents talking out his death. So, I walked to the funeral home and seen him laying in a coffin. When my father came home from I asked again, I said, I knew where my bother was. I told them I walked to the funeral home. He said “O he’s just sleeping. I lost all trust in my parents.

  • Keeping secrets can affect children’s lives.

Keeping secrets from children should be carefully thought through. Children are extremely perceptive, when they sense something wrong they become alarmed, and anxious.

  • Keeping secrets can cause suspicion and resentment.

Keeping secrets within the family can ignite feeling of suspicion and resentment among family members. We would all like to believe that those closest to us and claim to love us mean what they say can be trusted.

  • Keeping secrets can create a false sense of reality.

Keeping secrets within the family can create a false sense of reality. Especially among children. Children learn about the world from the adults in their lives. When they are eventually told the truth, either by the parent or even worse by someone outside the family, their world may feel shattered. Secrets’ impact on children can be profound, regardless of their age.

When I was in 3rd grade I finally go up the nerve to tell my teacher, what my mother was doing to be. To say the least that didn’t help at all. The teacher went straight to my mom. And of course, she told the teacher that I just had a big imagination. And when I came home from school I was punished for telling a “family secret.” So, from then on out, I knew I could trust no one one.

  • Keeping secrets can cause illness

Keeping traumatic secrets can result in excessive stress and guilt for the person carrying the burden of knowledge, even when that silence is thought to be the best possible option from all concerned. Physical symptoms such as anxiety, headaches, backaches, and digestive problems often can occur when disturbing secrets are internalized, rather than shared, especially over a long period of time. Person harboring such discomfort, often turned to alcohol or addictive substances to mask their pain. I began drinking at the age of 12.

That was my tipping point. I thought “well,if they don’t care about me, why should I care about myself.”

Secrets, especially ones about abuse, can lead to a horrific adult life. I held on to my secret of abuse for about 40 years. I had seen many therapists but I kept my mouth shut. I didn’t have a childhood. So, I lived my childhood through the things I did with my children.

To this day, I cannot believe my husband stayed with me. I still wonder why today.

With my faith and having hope that my children didn’t ever know what I went through as a child. Thank God, they are both very successful adults today. And my husband and I forgave each other for everything in the past. And started from scratch, a new husband and wife relationship.

Despite everything I endured God kept me alive. I know He had a purpose for me.

No matter what people have to experience in their lives. Everyone has a gift from God and a purpose.

Is Your Soul Tired?

What to do when your soul is tired.

In the modern world 90% of adults claim to feel tired. Perhaps, it is not more sleep we needs, but more things to inspire us. Spiritual fatigue can be overwhelming. You may sleep, but still not feel like you are invigorated about life. When your soul is tired, it can be tough to find your way toward the light.

Here a few ways to wake up your weary soul.

  • Move

One of th best things you can do to reinvigorate your soul is to get moving. You don’t have to spend hours at the gym to get results. Physical movement is the best ways to get a release of healthy endorphins which give you a natural high. With just 30 minutes of moderate exercise, you can start to feel your soul start to lighten up. As your body continues to move your circulation will increase, your heart will open for new blood flow and your mood will be boosted.

  • Spent Some Time Meditating

With personal schedules getting out of control and so many demands on our time, life can be overwhelming. To help renew your soul, you need to step away from the noise and constant movement each day by sitting quietly in a calm place so you can reawaken your soul.

  • Deep Breathing

Breathing is a life essential that doesn’t get enough attention for the power that it possesses. If you are feeling overwhelmed or anxious, it will make you feel spiritually exhausted. Deep breathing techniques can help you bring your soul back to life and he, your body. When you practice deep breathing it can lower your blood pressure, regulate you heart rate, calm your nervous system and help balance your mood. You can find deep breathing guidance online or use the classic process that had you breathe in for the count of four, hold for four, and breathe for the count of eight.

  • Get Back To Nature

We are all natural creatures that rely on the world around us for survival and comfort. As modern-day hum and, we seem to spend more our time avoiding the natural world. If you have been feeling down or spiritually tired, you can try getting back out into nature. A short walk can help you to bring your soul back to life. Fresh air can make a world of difference to your general attitude and feeling of well – being.

If you are feeling tired, and it doesn’t seem to matter how much rest you are getting, you could have a soul exhausted by the demands you are putting on it.