First of all I would like to say everyone is entitled to their own opinion and in no way is this meant to bash other opinions but instead express my own in addition to others.
Cinderella was such a good movie with nothing but a positive message! The message "Have courage and be kind" is repeated throughout the entire movie. Cinderella's mother told her before she passed away to always have courage and be kind because those words would see her through all trials that come her way in life. Her mother adds "Where there is kindness there is goodness, and where there is goodness there is magic". While adults know that magic does not actually exist I think this could also be interpreted as when people are kind and good, good things will happen in return. This message can also be seen throughout the entire movie. Cinderella's stepmother and step-sisters are always rude, selfish, and impatient. Cinderella however is always kind, good, and is very patient. We all know how the story ends; Cinderella finally gets her happy ending and her step-family is kicked out of the kingdom. & despite the fact that they treated her terribly, Cinderella still found it in her heart to forgive them. I also loved this story because I think it is a very positive message for young girls and learning about love. The basis of the movie is Cinderella NOT chasing a man, but dealing with the fact that she is trying to be a good person and live a good life while being treated so badly. After she meets the prince for the first time she does not chase after him or instantly fall in love, but calls him her friend. Even when she is locked in the attic and knows he is searching to ask for her hand in marriage she stays calm without a worry. She doesn't cry in desperation, she doesn't even look for a way out. She is calm and knows that "where there is kindness, there is goodness, and where there is goodness there is magic". The mice eventually open the window, the prince hears her singing, and she has to show him that she is not the princess he thought her to be, but a country girl. She then learned to have courage to be herself, even if it met he might reject the true her. This is a great message that a girl does not have to pretend to be something she is not to find love. Another quote that is repeated throughout the movie that also has positive message is "Just because its whats done doesn't mean its what should be done." This was in reference to the scene where the prince is hunting. The viewers, as well as the prince, were taught that just because others do something does not mean you have to as well. I also can relate these messages in a spiritual sense because it reminded me of the phrase "Let go and let God". She has faith that because she's good and kind that everything will turn out the way it should be. She didn't worry when she was locked in the attic because if she was meant to be with the prince it would happen. Overall, I fell in love with the movie and even more with the positive messages it carries for everyone! Young and old, girls and boys, the main message "have courage and be kind" is a good reminder for everyone! & if this doesn't persuade you to go see it, the "Frozen Fever" short before the movie is also amazing!! Much love and God bless, -X
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When I realized I wanted to be baptized it was the summer of 2011. However, it wasn't until March 27th 2013 (2 years ago today!) when I finally asked. The way my personal journey was, I needed a confirmation that I wanted to be baptized for the right reasons. I wanted to make sure I did this part of my life right! I prayed for about a year and a half before I had an experience on New Year Eve. And I had a few more before I finally asked. I will admit I was nervous. I was overthinking the baptism "dip" and the water temperature, and standing up for testimony, and "do I have to pray out loud when I wash feet?", and "what if I spill the wine!"...I was overthinking everything. I knew I needed to be baptized but I needed a push in order for me to ask. That Wednesday night I felt a pounding in my chest and I knew I had to ask. As my anxiety filled mind continue to try to talk me out of it, I remembered to take it one moment at a time. All I had to do was ask and not worry about the "What if's" of the weeks to come. God was telling me it was time. When I told my dad I wanted to be baptized, the rest of us who were still in the building gathered around to pray and the gift of tongues was spoken and translated to "A calling that is true saith the lord, a calling that is true"! That is exactly what I needed to hear to know that God was truly calling me, that I was doing it for the right reasons, and that He would take care of the worries and "what if's" of my life for not only the weeks ahead, but for the rest of my life. I am so thankful for where God has brought me from to where I am today. I truly don't know if I would be alive today without Him. God is so good. <3 Here is a video that is very close to my heart. This video touches on a lot of things that I was dealing with and helped me to realize God was the answer to all my problems I was facing. "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." -Acts 2:21 (KJV)
God bless, -X Happy Wonderful Wednesday everyone! As some of you know I started this little tradition last week. I decide to turn hump day into a day of positive reflection on what God has done for us lately. As I write my Wonderful Wednesday reflection below I hope each of you who read this will share your reflections as well in a comment below or a comment on the Facebook blog page! Last Sunday was such a blessed day! The meeting at church was right down my alley as the topic was on sharing our testimonies and reflection on baptism and how to put our desires into action so-to-speak. This message was perfect for me that day because my two year anniversary as a baptized member of the church is approaching and it's just such a wonderful experience to reflect on. The meeting was followed by a lovely time of fellowship at a Brother and Sister's house. The love I felt from the saints around me that day was so amazing. After visiting with everyone that day I knew I was surrounded by a strong and loving spiritual family and that whatever lies ahead for me in the church that I would be ok. God knew my family and I needed some comfort and He certainly provided. Not only that, but during church we sang "He's all the world to me" which I referenced in last weeks "Wonderful Wednesday" and based the idea off of "Oh He's wonderful, He's wonderful, He's marvelous, He's marvelous". The entire day just brought a huge smile to my face! Don't forget to share something God has done for you and make this a Wonderful Wednesday! God bless! -X If you haven't listened to "Something in the water" by Carrie Underwood yet I highly recommend you do! It is such a powerful song about how she felt hopeless and trapped in her life until one day someone opened her eyes to her faith. This leads her to the water to get baptized and now shes changed and feels stronger because "there must be something in the water". I am so in love with this song! I think I have sang it at least once everyday since it has been released! I urge you to listen to this song if you haven't already! I cry every time! I will provide the lyrics to the song below. You can listen to my cover of the song here: "Something In The Water" By Carrie Underwood He said, "I've been where you've been before. Down every hallway's a slamming door. No way out, no one to come and save me. Wasting a life that the Good Lord gave me. Then somebody said what I'm saying to you, Opened my eyes and told me the truth." They said, "Just a little faith, it'll all get better." So I followed that preacher man down to the river and now I'm changed And now I'm stronger There must've been something in the water Oh, there must've been something in the water Well, I heard what he said and I went on my way Didn't think about it for a couple of days Then it hit me like a lightning late one night I was all out of hope and all out of fight Couldn't fight back the tears so I fell on my knees Saying, "God, if you're there come and rescue me." Felt love pouring down from above Got washed in the water, washed in the blood and now I'm changed And now I'm stronger There must be something in the water Oh, there must be something in the water And now I'm singing along to amazing grace Can't nobody wipe this smile off my face Got joy in my heart, angels on my side Thank God almighty, I saw the light Gonna look ahead, no turning back Live every day, give it all that I have Trust in someone bigger than me Ever since the day that I believed I am changed And now I'm stronger There must be something in the water (amazing grace) Oh, there must be something in the water (how sweet the sound) Oh, there must be something in the water (that saved a wretch) Oh, there must be something in the water (like me) Oh, yeah I am changed (I once was lost) Stronger (but now I'm found) (was blind but now I see) This article is from tosavealife.com. I thought it was a very good read! Enjoy!
We are meant to be powerful. I really believe that. We are born with an innate power over our decisions, power over our bodies and personal space, power over our circumstances and power to organize our surroundings the way we want them to be. We are not all-powerful but we are incredibly powerful. Yet many of us are living powerless. Powerless might not be the word you would use for your circumstance. You’d probably say something like, “depressed, anxious, helpless, frustrated, angry” instead. I wrestled with powerlessness for nearly two decades before I ever called it that. Powerlessness usually starts because of injustice. This is how it was for me. My first experience with a loss of power was when someone I trusted took advantage of me when I was very young. At the time, I was a child. I didn't have power to change my circumstances. I didn't have the voice to speak up about what I wanted. I didn't even have enough of a consciousness about what was happening to make sense of it. But, here’s the crazy part. Even when the injustice stopped, I didn't suddenly begin to feel more powerful. It was as if I had gotten so used to living without my own power, I didn't want it or need it anymore. If I’d had it, I wouldn't have known what to do with it. Even the idea of having power over my life and circumstances was foreign to me. I thought we were all just victims to circumstance, to those around us and to injustice. What I didn't realize was that I was really a victim to my own choices. Powerlessness is learned. But it can be unlearned, too... "Oh He's wonderful, He's wonderful! He's marvelous, He's marvelous!" "Isn't the love of Jesus something wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!" "So when you need a friend try Jesus my WONDERFUL friend!" Jesus is WONDERFUL and He does such WONDERFUL things for all of us! With the new Facebook page for this blog to help people follow along with the posts, I thought I would start a new tradition for this blog called...you guessed it! Wonderful Wednesdays! Each Wednesday I will post about one thing that has made me smile and remember how wonderful our God is. In turn, I would like my readers to comment, on here or on facebook, and share something that happened recently that reminded you how wonderful God is as well! My post for today is... The other day my younger sister came home and said there was a fire at her school in the bathroom right next to her current classroom. There teacher mistook the fire alarm for the schools previously scheduled intruder drill and hid in the classroom as they were supposed to if it was an actual intruder drill. They were in the classroom for a good 10 mins or so before they started to smell smoke and learned that there was a real fire right next door. They all made it out safely despite the teachers mistake. This incident could have ended up much worse and I couldn't help but praise God for watching over them throughout each day! Alright readers! Your turn! What is your Wonderful Wednesday?
When a person has an addiction they live with it the rest of their lives. The addiction controls that persons day, their reactions, their decisions, and the majority of their life. Once the addict seeks help they start the recovery process and learn that although they have an addiction it does not necessarily have to control their life. You are not your addiction. Recovery is possible and YOU control how YOU will live YOUR life; not your addiction.
I know this because I am also an addict and I know I will always be one. I started cutting when I was 15 and I am proud to say my last cut was when I was 18. Although it has been 3 years since I last gave into self-harm the urge to do so constantly returns. Recovery is constant and relapse is also a part of that. Recovery is not a quick fix, it is a process, and requires you to take one step at a time. It is learning to rewire your brain to think differently and respond differently to triggers. Instead of turning to the addiction to get you by another day, another hour, you stop and refocus. You have to learn to understand why you feel the way you feel, where is the trigger coming from, why do you feel the need to turn to your addiction, and what is something that you can do to find relief in place of it. You pick up hobbies, you go to counseling, maybe take medication, you find your person/people to turn to, and maybe even discover your faith (my personal experience). This is recovery. This is your new life. and it's the hardest (and bravest) thing you will ever do. Moving forward, sticking with it, and seeing your life do a complete 180 is the most amazing thing you will ever experience. Knowing you were at an all time low and turned your life around, seeing where you came from to the person you fought to become--well thats the best high of them all. I still go through this process on a regular basis. I live a life of recovery and I honestly wouldn't live it any other way. I do not claim to know everything on addiction or try to assume how everyone's addiction may feel. I know everyone has their own walks and experiences different things in different ways. But I know my walk with my addiction & because of that I know recovery is possible. One day at a time is how change happens and with each day it truly does get better. This blog post was inspired by the non-profit organization To Write Love on Her Arms and their movie that came out recently. I encourage you to check them out, read their story, and if you are able to watch their movie. I also encourage you to share your story and let it be a light to someone in need; you never know who might need to hear it. TWLOHA Vision TWLOHA Story Find Help & if anyone has any questions about my own story or just need someone to listen or vent to, feel free to share your story with me by clicking the button below. Remember that your best days are ahead of you and there is hope for the future. I pray that everyone knows that their life and their story is important and recovery is possible for anyone willing to try. I hope you try. Much love & God bless, -X |
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July 2019
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