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  • Embracing Vulnerability and Boldness in My Faith Journey

    Today, as I opened my devotional, I came across these powerful words: “I know the plans I have for you, and they are good.”

    That’s a pretty bold statement, but I wholeheartedly believe it.

    No matter if I’m having a rough day or one of those amazing days, whether I’m feeling down or soaring high, I hold onto this truth: God has plans for me. Plans that are good, even when life feels chaotic.

    There are times when I let my guard down and share parts of my heart—not for sympathy or validation, but in hopes that someone else might relate to my journey. If my words can inspire even one person to see their life in a new light, then that’s truly incredible.

    What I won’t do is hide away. I refuse to tone down my vulnerability. I won’t stay silent when I feel compelled to shed light on my experiences, no matter how messy or human they may be.

    If what I share makes you uncomfortable, if my voice feels too loud, or if my experiences don’t resonate with you, there’s an easy fix: just unfollow.

    So often, we hold back to avoid offending or upsetting others. But I believe God has called me to be bold. I’m far from perfect. I’ve been a sinner saved by grace for 54 years, and I’m just human. I’m a woman who believes she’s meant to make a difference.

    This is me—raw, real, and authentic. And I choose to live boldly in my faith, sharing my story just as it is.

  • Resilience: Releasing Recurring Negative Thoughts

    Recurring negative thoughts can really sap your energy, more than you might realize. They can weigh you down, cloud your judgment, and make it tough to move forward.

    In my book, Finding Your Truest You, I dedicate a whole chapter to “Unlearning Negative Mindsets,” which I affectionately refer to as stinkin’ thinkin’.

    The secret to letting go of these thoughts is pretty straightforward in theory, but it does take some practice:

     ✨Reframe your thoughts—try to see things from a different angle.

     ✨Tune out the noise that doesn’t help you.

     ✨Make it a point to focus on something positive every single day.

    By sticking to this routine, you carve out space for peace and clarity. You stop battling the same thoughts in your head and start directing your energy toward what really matters.

    Letting go of those pesky negative thoughts isn’t just a mental cleanup—it’s a bold act of self-care that revitalizes both your energy and your focus.

  • A Little Encouragement for Today

    Someone needed your smile today.
    Someone needed your kindness today.
    Someone needed your presence today.

    You may never fully know the impact a small moment had on someone else’s life…
    but that doesn’t mean it didn’t matter.

    Sometimes, the most meaningful things we do go unnoticed by us—
    but unforgettable to someone else.

    The world doesn’t only change through big, loud actions.
    It changes through quiet, consistent acts of care.

    A kind word.
    A genuine smile.
    Simply showing up.

    These are the things that stay with people.

    So don’t underestimate the power you carry in your everyday moments.
    You are making a difference—more than you realize.

    Now, here’s something to reflect on:
    What’s the best encouragement someone has ever given you?

  • Authenticity: The Power of Self-Trust

    Life has a funny way of putting us to the test. And when it did, the inner strength that kept me moving forward wasn’t just confidence or certainty—it was self-trust.

    There were times when I had no clue how things would turn out, when the road ahead felt strange and the ground beneath me seemed to shift. What kept me going wasn’t the absence of fear, but a quiet belief that I would find my way—and that God would always be by my side.

    Even if I stumbled, I made a promise to myself: I wouldn’t abandon myself. I learned to tune in to my own feelings instead of looking outward for permission or reassurance.

    That strength showed up as resilience, sure—but also as compassion. I allowed myself to take things slow. I let grief and hope exist side by side. I kept choosing the next right step instead of demanding to see the whole journey.

    Self-trust meant believing I could adapt, learn, and grow—even when everything seemed to fall apart. It meant listening to my intuition when logic ran dry. It meant staying open, not hardening myself against what I’d been through.

    Life tested me, and what I found was this:
    I don’t need to be fearless to move forward.
    I just need to trust that God will guide me through whatever comes next.

  • Be Fearless in the Pursuit of What Sets Your Soul on Fire

    I say it often—through my chapters, my book, and in my talks—because it matters that much to me. It’s not just a phrase I share with others; it’s a reminder I return to myself again and again.

    And still, even I wander off my path from time to time.

    There are moments when I find myself moving aimlessly, disconnected from the very passion I once spoke about with certainty and fire. When that happens, I try to return to those moments when I gave this advice so freely to someone else. I ask myself: What was I thinking then? What did I know in my heart at that time? And how can I take my own advice now?

    Accepting and practicing our own advice is often one of the hardest things we’re asked to do.

    When we speak from experience—whether from a journey we’ve already walked or one we’re still navigating—we know our words carry truth. That advice didn’t come from theory; it came from lived moments, lessons learned, and courage summoned in difficult seasons. So why is it so hard to apply it to ourselves?

    Fear. Comfort. Doubt. Timing. Sometimes it’s simply exhaustion.

    Somewhere along the way, we start negotiating with our dreams. We tell ourselves we’ll return to them later, when life is quieter, when we’re more certain, when the risks feel smaller. But the truth is, the things that set our souls on fire rarely arrive without discomfort.

    So the real question becomes:
    What is keeping us from taking our own advice?

    And even more personally—what is keeping you from doing the things that set your soul on fire?

    Sometimes the reminder we need isn’t new wisdom, but the courage to listen to what we already know.

  • Whose Voice Really Matters?

    Are you the type to value the opinions of others,
    or the type who doesn’t really care what people think?

    Valuing the opinions of others can be a healthy thing.
    Feedback, wisdom, and perspective from people we trust can help us grow, stay grounded, and recognize blind spots we might miss on our own.

    We’re not meant to go through life completely closed off from others.

    But there’s also a different kind of freedom—
    the kind that comes from not letting every opinion define you.

    Because when we start living just to meet expectations,
    gain approval, or avoid criticism,
    we slowly lose connection with who we really are.

    Maybe the real balance looks like this:

    Listen to voices rooted in love, wisdom, and truth…
    and learn to quiet the ones that try to shrink your authenticity.

    Not every opinion deserves the same weight.

    Some voices will challenge you in ways that help you grow.
    Others will only add noise.

    And part of maturity is learning the difference.

    Because sometimes growth comes from hearing hard truths—
    but other times, peace comes from realizing
    you don’t have to carry everyone else’s expectations.

    A question worth reflecting on:
    Whose voice truly matters in my life—and why?