Recharge Your Goals
Can you believe it is July already? One big reality about it being July is that means we are at the halfway point of 2015! This is the perfect time to reflect on where you are and where you are going so that you can recharge your goals.
So let’s talk about your goals for the year!
First – do you have your goals written out? (If not DO IT NOW. TODAY!!) You need to look at your goals every day so you know where you are going. So you can be choosing specific daily actions that will move you toward your goals.
Second – Do your goals have a specific date and description? Ask yourself: When will you accomplish these goals? How will you know when you are there?
Third – You must decide to succeed. Visualize yourself achieving your goals. What does your life look like? How does that affect you, your family, your job when you reach that goal? Once you have decided to succeed, be intentional about the thoughts you allow in your head. Renew your mind daily with prayer, devotions, and personal development to stay focused on your goals. You CAN do it and you WILL do it. Tell yourself that EVERY DAY!!! If you change your thoughts, feelings, and actions you will get different results!
So how does this all fit together? How will this help me reach my goals? Simple. “If you don’t know where you are going you will probably end up somewhere else.” -Zig Ziglar
****
If some of this seems familiar–GOOD! I talked about this same thing in my post, “Reveal Your Destination!” Nothing has changed. You are still going to have to put in the same effort, the same consistent daily actions, and take the same steps …
Read MoreRecharge your Summer in 15 Ways!
picture from picspaper.com
Summer always makes me so happy. I wish it was summer all year round. I love the sun. I love the warmth. I love being outside. I love how late it stays light. I love it all. It always makes me think of being a kid, getting to ride my bike, getting to stay out late, getting to swim endless hours, just pure joy. But I can experience that same innocent and exuberant joy as an adult too! I just may have to try a little harder. I may have to put away my distractions, turn off my busy brain, and just be.
- Think of things that make you happy
- Think of a memory that makes you laugh
- Take a nap outside
- Do something you did as a kid
- Get something from the ice cream truck
- Call a grandparent and ask them a story about their childhood
- Try something new
- Check something off your bucket list
- Try a new recipe
- Go on an adventure
- Ride a bike
- Read a book
- Go on a walk
- Find a farmers market
- Make a new friend
Enjoy each day you have. Make the most of life. The Lord takes delight in you. He wants you to be filled with joy, exude happiness, and overflow with life. So do what makes you happy.
Zephaniah 3:17 “The Lord your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.”
A quote from one of my favorite authors Shauna Niequist in her book Cold Tangerines
“I want a life that sizzles and pops and makes me laugh out loud. And I don’t want to get to
Get Out & Get Refreshed – Summer Version
Are you bored by your schedule and routine? Are you in a rut? Sometimes all you need is to get outside or get out of your routine to get a little refreshment! Here are five fun (maybe NEW) ideas to do just that:
1. Try a New Activity with Friends
A few friends and I have recently been planning to attend a “Paint Nite.” There are paint studios all over where you go and get a step-by-step process to all paint the same picture (and it usually includes wine which is a bonus for many!). We are really excited to go be crafty, spend some quality time together, and try something new – and we get a canvas painting out of it, too! Rachel recently tried the “Ladies Night Out” at her local rock climbing gym with friends! There are so many fun, inexpensive ways to find refreshment.
“Learning something new is a fabulous way to be refreshed. When work can grind you down, something about learning a new activity thrills the soul. It reminds you that the world is bigger than your desk and your to-do list.” John Ortberg
2. Go on a Date somewhere you have never been!
Try that new restaurant you have always been wanting to go to; Find a local, free activity; Go somewhere in the city you have never been; go to a movie in the park; find a yoga event in the park; go to a new exercise class with your spouse or find a video online (try YouTube!)
Join a Yoga Challenge! We are currently doing #BackToBackbendsChallenge on Instagram with @kinoyoga @beachyogagirl and @aloyoga for the month of July! Find the challenge on my profile @bekahb623 to join!
3. Go on a Walk, Run, Hike or Bike Ride; Go to a new …
Read MoreTabooleh
Mediterranean cuisine is our newest family favorite. This summer, our Footsteps of Paul journey was memorable and incredibly satisfying except for one tiny thing…….we were very surprised to have a hard time finding restaurants that served Tabooleh. The very last night that we spent in Capadoccia, Turkey we found a restaurant that served it and WOW what a treat. Here is our family’s rendition of Tabooleh.
Ingredients
2 cups bulgur wheat (medium grind #2)
3 cups boiling water
112 cups chopped parsley
1/4 cup chopped green onions (about 4-5)
1/4 cup chopped mint (fresh is best, but if only dry is available use 2 Tablespoons)
2-3 large tomatoes chopped into small 1/4 inch pieces
1 large cucumber chopped
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup olive oil
1-2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 head romaine lettuce
Pour the boiling water over the bulgur wheat and let it sit until the wheat kernels are soft and cooled completely. Add all chopped vegetables except romaine lettuce and stir. Mix the oil, lemon juice and spices and pour over wheat vegetable mixture and stir until thoroughly combined. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Place a bed of chopped romain on a serving platter and pile Tabooleh on top. Place on your table and enjoy. Tabooleh makes a great side dish for any BBQ especially Shish kebabs or grilled meat or fish.…
Read MoreRed, White and Blue Dessert
Here is my favorite fun and easy 4th of July dessert. It is so festive and the fresh fruit is the perfect end to a hot summer day of family and BBQing.
4th of July Strawberry and Blueberry Shortcake
Shortcake (made from the back of a Bisquick box!)
serves 6
2 1/3 cups biscuit mix (I used Bisquick brand)
1/2 cup milk
3 TBS sugar
3 TBS butter, melted
Star-shaped cookie cutter
Toppings (personally, the fruit is my favorite part, so the more the better!!!)
1 quart (4 cups) Fresh strawberries, rinsed and sliced
6 oz. Fresh blueberries, rinsed
Whipped Cream
If you like your strawberries sweet, mix them with 1/4 cup sugar and set aside.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a separate bowl mix biscuit mix, milk, sugar, and butter until soft dough forms. Drop 6 spoonfuls of dough on an ungreased cookie sheet. (I prefer to roll mine out a bit and cut out star shapes with a star-shaped cookie cutter). Bake 10-12 minutes.
Let shortcakes cool. Split open and top with strawberries, blueberries, and whipped cream. Enjoy your yummy patriotic dessert!
…
Fourth of July Fun!!
http://www.zingerbugimages.com/backgrounds/july_4_collage_flag_and_fireworks.jpg
How are you going to celebrate our independence with your family? First of all you should look at this Fourth of July Facts Post to share some facts of our history with your family. But what are some fun and patriotic things to do? Here are a few:
Fly your Flag (rules and regulations of flag: http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagcode.htm)
- Make sure you follow the rules of how to take care of your flag
- See the above post to learn about the meaning of the colors
4th of July Crafts
I love 4th of July! I love seeing the American flag waving, being reminded of the amazing freedom we have, and seeing the red, white and blue worn proudly! There are such fun crafts to decorate for your 4th of July celebration or to make apart of your day! I am sharing with you some of my favorite 4th of July crafts from fellow blog friends! Since food can be art, I have added some delicious 4th of July food ideas to make your treat SPARKLE! Check them out below…
1. Handprint Flag or Footprint Flag
2. Free Printables Compilation put together by The Dating Divas!
4. Red, White, and Blue Mason Jars
6. 4th of July Rice Krispie Treats from Lil’ Luna
7. Red, White, and Blueberries
10. Check out some of our Growing Weisser Crafts…
Use these Memorial Day crafts and Snacks for your 4th of July Celebration!
Red, White & Blue Felt Garland to make your 4th of July decor complete!
Take this fun Christmas decor post and use it with 4th of July Fabric to make a Fabric Garland!
Hope your 4th of July is full of fun, great food, and creative crafts! And, don’t forget what it’s all about…
GOD BLESS AMERICA!!
…
Read MoreNYC Releases Synergy
Sights, sounds, smells, synergy…. the incredible energy of Manhattan…..to spend a week strolling the streets, exploring the districts, the subway, the waterways, the incredible diversity in the architecture, seeing skyscrapers, museums, memorials……absorbing all that the city offers would take a lifetime. Each day as the people of New York City awake and begin their crazy complicated city lives, there is a powerful release of synergism-the interaction of elements that when combined, produce a total effect that is greater than the sum of the individual elements.
I loved every second of my time in New York and can not wait to go back. I had forgotten how much of American history and rich culture has its roots in NYC and the surrounding area. Discovering how the new traditions have grown up around the historic buildings and districts was fascinating. I was captivated by the architecture of the buildings and the museums that held mass quantities of incredible art and artifacts from cultures around the world. I loved the sense that the people of Manhattan are working together to make their city a safer and more ecologically friendly place. I stayed with my sister and nephew near Central Park and began each day walking by the beautiful park where locals and tourists go to spend leisure time walking, running and biking. It is incredible to comprehend that 12 million people are hustling and bustling about in Manhattan each day. They work hard, exercise hard, play hard and although the sense is that people that live in NYC are driven and always on-the -go, we met genuinely nice and extremely helpful people wherever we went. I loved hearing the stories about young passionate people using their talents and entrepreneurial skills to pursue their dreams. We met bakery shop owners who had learned how …
Release Your Priorities
I constantly struggle to find time for myself or the things I think I need or want to do. I have been working for a while on getting organized and prioritizing my day to maximize what little time I have. I think, “once I find the perfect formula of daily activities I will be more productive.” Although this is true, I’ve lost sight of the one thing that needs to be first and foremost in every day and every thought–God’s plan for my day and God’s plan for my life.
How fitting that as I’ve been struggling with this a perfect song came on the radio today. This is why I love Air1 Positive Hits radio–the lyrics of God’s love and promises for our lives reminds me of his perfect plans for me.
The song that I heard today was, “First, ” by Lauren Daigle. Here are the lyrics:
Before I bring my need
I will bring my heart
Before I lift my cares
I will lift my arms
I wanna know You
I wanna find You
In every season
In every moment
Before I bring my need
I will bring my heart
And seek You
(chorus)
First
I want to seek You
I want to seek You
First
I want to keep You
I want to keep You
First
More than anything I want, I want You
First
Before I speak a word
Let me hear Your voice
And in the midst of pain
Let me feel Your joy
I wanna know You
I wanna find You
In every season
In every moment
Before I speak a word
I will bring my heart
And seek You
(chorus)
First
I want to seek You
I want to seek You
First
I want to keep You
I want to keep You…
Release your Fears
Picture from http://www.emotionallyresilientliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Releasing-your-Fears.jpg
Have you ever felt a physical affect from being afraid? In your mind you feel anxious, uncertain, and hesitant. But in your body you may actually be able to feel the tension, the strain, and the heightened senses. But what is that fear? Is there really a danger? Or is the situation blown out of proportion because of a bias, a preconceived idea, or an opinion? Some of our bodies affects are good things. Sometimes we need that extra adrenaline or the alert of danger. But what about when our fears are just holding us back from who we want to be?
Fear prepares us to react. But reactions are impulses, in the moment gut feelings, and can’t sometimes be far from reality. We go into fight or flight mode. Rather than being able to assess the information, listen to our hearts, minds, and feelings, we react. Being aware of fears, of your triggers, or your anxieties can have a huge influence on how it affects you. Fears will most likely always be there, they will come and go. But the more we recognize them, the more we are able to put on the necessary armor to battle against them. Have you recognized your fears? Or are you blind to them? Think through what keeps you up at night, what keeps you from doing things, what are those gut reactions that leave you unsettled? Be real with your fears. And Be real with what you can do about them. And release them.
What can you do?
- Talk to someone about them
- Think about what your reactions are, then go backwards to what your fears may be
- Breathe
- Yoga, or something that relaxes you
- Call a friend
- Pray specifically over the actual fear
- Ask for Prayer from other