In the beginning, there was only silence — and then God spoke. His words cut through the void and shaped creation itself through single spoken sentences.

From the start, God revealed something sacred: Words carry life within them.

They can build, heal, and restore — or they can wound, divide, and destroy.

And because we were created in His image, that same creative power rests on our own tongues.

Every word we speak is a seed. It will grow into peace or into pain — depending on what we plant. Sometimes, without meaning to, we forget the weight of this beautiful gift.

The hidden wound of sarcasm

There’s a kind of humour that has quietly woven itself into our culture — so normal that we rarely notice it anymore. It hides behind a smirk, slips into conversation dressed as playfulness, and earns a laugh that doesn’t quite reach the heart.

It’s called sarcasm.

Though it may seem harmless, sarcasm often leaves behind a quiet trail of disconnection, guilt, loneliness and shame. It’s the language of guarded hearts — a shield we use when honesty feels too raw.

We mask truth in irony, hoping humour will protect us from being misunderstood. But sarcasm doesn’t protect — it distances.

It tells the listener, “I’ll speak with you, but not from my heart.” In doing so, it robs us of the intimacy and connection our souls were made for.

When words leave a quiet ache

Sarcasm often replaces sincerity.

It becomes a way to speak without really saying anything — a release that never reaches the truth beneath. When we’re on the receiving end, we might laugh politely, but something in us quietly retreats.

When we’re the ones using it, we often feel guilty later, sensing we’ve missed an opportunity to love well. Deep down, we know when our words fall short of love. We know when we’ve chosen cleverness over connection.

Becoming aware of this guilt reminds us we were made for something holier.

God’s design for our words

When God gave us the gift of speech, He entrusted us with a fragment of His creative power.

• He spoke light into being — and gave us the ability to speak light into each other.

• He called order out of chaos — and gave us the ability to call peace into storms.

• He spoke blessing over creation — and gave us the ability to bless with our own voices.

Every word carries an echo. When we speak with love, heaven resounds.

When we speak from pain, heaven grieves — not in anger, but in longing for us to remember who we are.

We were not created to mirror the sarcasm of the world. We were created to reflect the speech of God — creative, redemptive, powerful, pure and loving.

Our words are not small things

They shape the emotional climate of our homes, our relationships, and even our inner world.

• What we repeat, we reinforce.

• What we bless, grows.

• What we curse, withers.

When we speak life, we align ourselves with the voice of Heaven.

When we speak bitterness, mockery, or despair, we unknowingly echo the voice of division.

The invitation: From sarcasm to sincerity, from reaction to revelation

Choosing love in language doesn’t take away our humour or authenticity — it deepens it. It softens wit into warmth and turns honesty into healing.

It begins in the pause before we speak — the quiet breath where we ask ourselves:

• Will my words bring peace or distance?

• Will they reflect fear or faith?

A small practice

The next time sarcasm rises to your tongue, take a slow breath.

Ask:

• “What truth am I hiding behind this?”

• Is it hurt? Fear? Disappointment? Longing?

Whatever it is — that’s where connection begins.

When you speak from that place — gently, honestly, with love — you transform not only your words, but your relationships.

A closing reflection

Sarcasm may sound smart, but sincerity heals. In a world that often confuses cruelty with humour, kindness is revolutionary. May we choose our words as God chose His — with love, grace, peace, power, and purpose.

May we speak life into weary hearts, blessing into broken places, and peace into our own souls.

Every time we speak, we are creating something. Let it be light — and may that light take root within you. May you cultivate a paradise in your soul through the words you sow, and taste the sweet fruit of the life you speak.

Reflection question

What kind of fruit are your words producing in your life and in the lives of those around you?

Closing prayer

Lord, thank You for the sacred gift of speech — for the power to create, to heal, and to bless. Teach me to use my words with wisdom and love. Let my speech carry the fragrance of grace and the sound of peace. May I speak life as You do — with truth, compassion, purpose and love.

Amen.

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Introduction

There is a pure love that moves deeply and are often misunderstood in this world. Some people may call it “too much,” “emotional,” even “improper,” or worse, “betrayal.”

But Jesus modeled a different kind of strength — one where pure love meets the human heart, transforms it, and releases lasting peace.

Transformation doesn’t start with knowledge or rules. It starts where the heart opens. Where tears meet tenderness and where presence precedes correction.

Change happens at the intersection of truth and intimacy. Jesus loved deeply — and the world misunderstood. Jesus didn’t just teach or perform miracles; He entered people’s stories.

• He wept with Mary and Martha at Lazarus’ tomb (John 11:35).

• He defended the woman who poured perfume on Him (Mark 14:6).

• He called John “the disciple whom He loved” and cared for His mother from the cross (John 19:26–27).

These are not casual encounters. They are moments of deep, sacred emotional intimacy.

Jesus felt, He lingered, He connected, and yet the world often judged Him for it, because intimacy makes people uncomfortable. Pure love challenges assumptions, upends control, and exposes hearts.

Emotional connection is not wrong — it’s Christlike

Some say connecting emotionally is “wrong”, but scripture shows the opposite: connection is the conduit of true transformation.

• Peter was restored not through argument, but through the question: “Do you love Me?” (John 21:15–17).

• The bleeding woman was healed through touch, not lecture (Mark 5:25–34).

• The apostles led through empathy and shared experience, not detached authority (Romans 12:15, 1 Thessalonians 2:7).

Love that engages the heart, listens without judgment, and honors another’s story is not manipulation. It is kingdom authority in action.

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When pure love is misunderstood

The world will always misread depth. It mistakes tenderness for weakness and compassion for compromise.

But God sees differently.

He sees the courage it takes to keep loving when the world misunderstands. He sees hearts willing to give without demanding recognition and validation.

“She has done a beautiful thing to Me.” (Mark 14:6). This was true for the woman at Jesus’ feet — and it is true for anyone who loves purely today.

Peace comes not from being understood — it comes from being anchored in God’s perspective.

Loving without losing yourself

Loving like Jesus does not mean losing your center.

• Even He rested (John 4:6).

• Even He withdrew from crowds (John 6:15).

• Even He delayed action to follow divine timing (John 11:6).

Compassion without boundaries drains and boundaries without compassion harden.

But love that is both tender and discerning becomes a force for transformation, anchored in peace.

The power of love vs. the love of power

The world pursues influence through control, validation, and dominance.

Heaven pursues influence through love, presence, and grace.

Love does not demand attention — it restores dignity.

Love does not dominate — it heals and anchors hearts.

Love does not shrink in the face of fear — it radiates courage and calm.

Every time you choose love over control, you participate in heaven’s revolution. Every time your compassion is rooted in discernment, you bring peace into chaos. Every time you connect deeply, you reveal the power of love that the world cannot manufacture.

May the following song, For the One, be both a prayer and blessing in your life.

Reflection

• Where have you withheld love because you feared misunderstanding?

• Where has control replaced compassion in your life?

• How can you anchor your heart in divine love while remaining discerning and grounded?

Prayer

Lord, teach me to love with the strength and purity You showed.

When my love is misunderstood, let me rest in Your approval.

When the world pressures me to control, let love lead.

Anchor me in peace, discernment, and courage, so that every connection I make reflects Your heart.

Amen.

Blessing

May your love move like Jesus’ — tender yet bold, emotionally present yet anchored, pure yet powerful.

May the world see glimpses of heaven through your heart and may the power of love always overcome the love of power, bringing peace that endures.

If you believe this article could benefit someone you know, please share it with them. Additionally, if you know someone who might benefit from stress coaching, feel free to refer them to my site at https://www.amaniwellbeing.com.

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Know your values

Albert Einstein once said to strive not to be a success, but to be of value.

Have you ever felt sad, not knowing why? Maybe you experienced anger, but you had no idea where it came from? Perhaps you've been disappointed, but didn't understand quite how it happened.

Nature as teacher

A few months ago, my son caught a fledgling after it fell out of its nest, and it hurt its wing. In an attempt to escape us, it jumped into the drain to what it thought was a place of safety. Only when the bird realised there was no way out, it hopped out of the drain and allowed us to catch it. We fed it and exercised its wings so it would be able to fly, while its family stayed close. 7 days later, it flew home with its family.

Values as driving force

We all have values, we're just not always aware of them. It's the spice of life, the life essence that drives us and motivates us to do miraculous things.

The priority of our values doesn't always stay the same though. They change over time. One of the core values in nature is survival. Animals do everything to ensure they survive. The bird did not realise that it could trust us. Only when it had no other way to survive, it had to temporarily surrender, leaning into hope and trust.

So often we experience some form of frustration caused by an inner conflict. Other times we stand so close that we can't see the difference between a brain and Walnut. A close friend of mine once said that sometimes we may think things are falling apart, while things may actually be falling into place.

The truth of values

Maybe you value peace, respect or hard work. Due to the uniqueness of each of us, our characteristics, personality traits and values, others may not always respond the way we expect them to. We tie certain behaviours to our values and when our expectations aren't met, we may perceive others as being disrespectful. If we are not attentive and mindful of that split second between trigger and response and instead react, things may turn sour very quickly.

In her song “Roar”, Katy Perry sings: “I used to bite my tongue and hold my breath, scared to rock the boat and make a mess, so I sat quietly, agreed politely, I guess that I forgot I had a choice, I let you push me past the breaking point, I stood for nothing, so I fell for everything…”

I have been here… I held my tongue and agreed with everything, but by living this way, we live in agreement. We forego the chance to live our true authentic selves. We miss the opportunities to add our bit of sparkle to those we come into contact with.

We don't really have warriors with armour, bows and swords as in the olden days, but we do have our actions and words.

Fences or forts

When we think of setting boundaries, we sometimes imagine them as high walls or fortresses meant to keep people out or at arms' length, but it should really be more like a garden fence. Boundaries create a safe space for us to live out our own values and to express who we are, while respecting others’ perspectives.

Authentic living

We all have purpose and various missions to complete in life, but to activate it, we need to live a life of authenticity.

Values, dreams, gifts, and art

How will you ignite your light? How will you align your values with your purpose and dreams? When we live to become successful, I wonder who benefits most from it?

How will our life and the lives of others change when you strive to add value instead? You have an abundance of features, perspectives, unique characteristics, and values which are the perfect ingredients to create a piece of art in this world. How magical would it be if we all could create pieces of art as we journey through life?

In conclusion

How will you use the words you speak and the things you do to be words of bravery, courage, kindness and love.

If you believe this article could benefit someone you know, please share it with them. Additionally, if you know someone who might benefit from stress coaching, feel free to refer them to my site at www.journeywithpassion.co.za.

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Journey with Passion

Painting a life filled with growth, healing, passion, travel and purpose.

By Linda Montgomery

Socrates once said, “Confusion is the beginning of wisdom.” This is so true, isn’t it?

We all experience confusion at various points in our lives - whether it's when our mind and heart are at odds, or when we face perspectives that challenge our own. Although confusion may feel unsettling, it can be remarkably beneficial:

1. Stimulates Learning

   When we think about children at play, we may notice their moments of awe and wonder often lead them to explore and ask questions, enhancing their understanding of the world around them. Similarly, confusion in adults can ignite curiosity, encouraging us to delve deeper and acquire new knowledge. This process supports the formation of new neural connections, known as neuroplasticity.

2. Promotes Critical Thinking

   Confusion encourages us to consider different viewpoints, weigh the pros and cons of various scenarios, and engage in effective problem-solving. It pushes us to rethink our assumptions and approach challenges with a fresh perspective.

3. Enhances Character

   Dealing with uncertainty requires patience and perseverance. As we learn to endure discomfort and ambiguity, we build emotional resilience, which helps us handle future obstacles with greater ease and strength.

4. Fosters Growth

   As we age, we might encounter less confusion and engage in fewer exploratory activities, leading to more fixed thinking patterns. Embracing confusion and cultivating wonder about our surroundings can stimulate the development of new neural pathways, improving cognitive flexibility, memory as well as mental health.

5. Deepens Understanding

   Navigating through confusion by exploring and evaluating alternative solutions leads to a more profound comprehension and ultimately to wisdom. By embracing the process, we turn uncertainty into valuable insights.

The following few questions may help you to work through a confusing situation you may be experiencing:

1. What specifically feels confusing to you right now?

2. If you could point out one thing that would help clear up your confusion, what would it be?

3. How might this confusion be an opportunity for growth or learning?

4. What small step can you take right now to start resolving your confusion?

5. What strengths can you draw on to navigate through this uncertainty?

Additionally, to spark your curiosity and explore your immediate environment with renewed interest, try these questions:

1. What is something in your surroundings that you've never noticed before?

2. How would you describe your environment if you were seeing it for the first time?

3. If you were to approach a familiar object with childlike curiosity, what questions might you ask about it?

4. What’s the most intriguing thing you can see in nature right now, and what do you wonder about it?

By embracing confusion and fostering curiosity you may be led towards profound personal and intellectual growth. May this article add value to your life as it leads toward greater insight and wisdom.

If you believe this article could benefit someone you know, please share it with them. Additionally, if you know someone who might benefit from stress coaching, feel free to refer them to my site at www.journeywithpassion.co.za.

Credit: Image by Image by HaiBaron on Pixabay.

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Have you ever heard of the Law of the Lid and the Law of the Mirror?

John Maxwell discusses these laws, and they are quite profound, yet also logical if you think about them.

The Law of the Mirror suggests that we need to recognize our own value before we can reflect that value onto others. The Law of the Lid implies that if we perceive ourselves as a 7 out of 10, for example, we will only be able to help others grow to a level 7. These laws apply not only to corporate positions but also to our personal lives. We don’t need to be CEO’s before we can be leaders. We already are leaders as parents and in our various relationships.

I’ve been reflecting on this quite a bit recently. Life has a way of tripping us up and perhaps slapping us in the face a few times. No one gets through life unscathed, but we have the choice in how to react. Often, we possess the courage of lions and the strength of an elephant, but when we are constantly conditioned to believe that we are weak and unworthy, we may start to believe these lies. Yes, we may fall, and the enemy likes to kick us while we’re down. Our souls become wounded, and we are exhausted, but just as a physical wound needs to be cleaned and treated, so too do our souls when they become wounded. If not, it’s like putting a band-aid on an infected wound.

I want you to imagine a baby lying in its bed and ponder how precious they are. Reflect on their purity, love, potential, and worth. In your mind’s eye, see their value and potential. Love is a universal language, and even at birth, babies understand love. Bless this baby by speaking words of encouragement, kindness, wisdom, and strength.

Now, replace this baby with yourself when you were a baby. Know that you are worthy, and healing is available for you.

Ask for and reach out for healing. Sometimes we hold onto pain and the past. Somehow, we think it defines us, because what are we without it? It has been part of us for so long. But letting go of pain doesn’t mean we invalidate it or that the pain was for nothing. Instead, when we let go of the pain, we release the power it has over us, transforming the dull coal into beautiful diamonds.

The enemy may try to keep you down by tying you to the past, but you have the authority to untie yourself so you can fly!

The truth is, you are so much more than your past, but you will need to make the decision to transform into the being you’ve been designed to be so you can step into the future you were meant to live. It’s never too late; you can always choose to heal. When you choose to heal, you choose to transform, and when you choose to transform, you choose to make a difference.

I’d like to encourage you to lift your lid and see your own potential so you can help others grow and heal in return.

If this email blessed you, kindly pay it forward and send it to someone you think may be blessed by it too.

View my Youtube Channel @JourneyWithPassionCoaching for more resources on stress management.

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Fear and anxiety do not originate from a place of love; however, they can be the ashes from which you will rise.

There is an analogy that when a lobster grows too big for its shell, it needs to lie down underneath rocks where it will shed its old shell and wait until its new and bigger shell is fully developed. Similarly, when we feel stuck, taking rest becomes essential so that we, too, can shed our old shell. This shell prevents us from growing into the person we are destined to become.

Yes, it's uncomfortable to be without that old shell, but the shell that once protected you now harms you by hindering growth. When we are not growing, we are dying.

Face your fears head-on. Empower yourself so that if the threat arises, you can overcome it with your newly developed powers. Sometimes, we might interpret the uneasy feeling as a sign that something is wrong, but this may not always be the case. Sometimes it's simply discomfort — the feeling of being stuck in a shell that's too small.

Change up place, pace and routine to create room for growth. Perhaps, adding more rest into your day can be part of switching up your routine. Everything experiences a dormant and restful state during transformation – butterflies, lobsters, dragonflies, and even fish are examples.

Embrace the period of rest and restoration, knowing that you are being transformed into an even more beautiful version of yourself.

If this email blessed you, kindly pay it forward and send it to someone you think may be blessed by it too.

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I've been wanting to write an article on the significance of physical intelligence for quite a while now, but somehow, it's been elusive between my mind and my hand. As Sara Bareilles sings in "Brave," I'll let the words fall out, so please bear with me as I do my best to put into words that which I believe.

Lately, I've been hearing a lot about people feeling tired, and this seems like the perfect opportunity to share what I've learned about the importance of exercise and how it affects our mental health.

In their book, Physical intelligence, Claire Dale and Patricia Peyton refers to the following four essential pillars for physical intelligence:

• Flexibility

• Strength

• Endurance

• Resilience

Pillars of physical intelligence

Flexibility

When we feel trapped in a state of survival, rigidity and critical behaviour may surface. When we hold onto the past, we carry rocks in our backpacks the rest of the journey allowing it to define us. Whether we're passing judgment on ourselves or others, this is the moment to ease up and to release. Yes, I know it’s hard to let go sometimes, but you will experience a level of freedom and independence you won’t want to let go of. Ever. You’ll feel lighter and ready for creativity, adventure and new challenges that will come your way.

Now is the time to rest. Let go of physical tension, possible anger, frustrations, and mental worries. While the urge to push past the breaking point may be strong, life should be a series of sprints, not marathons. Take breaks to enjoy life and the surrounding scenery. Reflect on the good, the pure, and things that bring peace and joy and let go of the rocks that weigh you down.

During your stretches, remember to breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Inhale goodness, mercy, love, and peace; exhale everything you don't want.

Release.

Strength

After experiencing stressful times, finding yourself in a place of harmony, peace and restoration is pure bliss, but as with all things, there's a time to fight, a time to rest, a time to heal; and a time to rise, to lift your chin, and move forward.

Yes, in the beginning, strength training is challenging. There are moments when you can only manage 15 repetitions (or 5) before your entire body starts to shake, but that's okay. You’ll work up the repetitions. It's part of the process, and before you realise it, you'll be able to complete 30 without shaking.

This is the point where you'll recognise your newfound strength.

Endurance

Every now and then, we encounter those hills or mountains we must climb. Nature would be rather dull without valleys, wouldn't it? And without valleys, there wouldn't be mountains.

Life forms a beautiful painting decorated with mountains, valleys, shadows, highlights, dull colours, bright colours, flowers, trees, sunshine, clouds, butterflies, fireflies, forests, deserts, and everything in between.

We have the privilege of deciding how we paint our life.

Yes, things happen, but we hold the power to turn them around and create something beautiful.

As we climb our mountains, let's remember to take smaller steps and to apply the strength we gained during our strength training.

Resilience

As we navigate through physical challenges, the endurance we build becomes a cornerstone for cultivating mental resilience. This invaluable trait empowers us to persist in the face of adversity, be it physical stress, emotional turbulence, or mental health hurdles. Resilience not only enables us to withstand pressure, but also fosters adaptability and the ability to bounce back, promoting overall well-being.

In a nutshell, this is how exercising is beneficial to us in terms of mental and emotional health. I hope it adds value to you today and that it makes sense to you.

Do you know of anyone who might need coaching in terms of stress management, growth, productivity and / or awareness? I’d love to help. Encourage them to reach out to me by emailing linda@journeywithpassion.co.za.

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Feel free to email me for any questions and if you found this helpful, think about sharing the article with those you believe it could help.

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Does your life seem like a sprint or marathon sometimes?

I was thinking about the fast pace at which we run through our weeks, months, years, life. Are we enjoying it? Do we have fun on the way? When we get to the end of life, what will we say we did with our life? Did we exist? Did we sit on the sideline of our own life or did we engage, take control, and make a difference?

What's missing in your life?

Life may sometimes feel like a waiting room, but what do we do while we wait? Do we choose to add adventure to our life, and if so, what kind of adventure? What would this look like for you and what do you need to experience this adventurous life? How will it add value, for you and others, and will this be in alignment with your values?

Do you need to walk, run, reset or rest?

As I hiked this week, I came to a section on the trail which is meant for hiking as well as trail running, and I found myself wondering how one would run this section? In my curiosity, I asked a friend, and she humorously said: “Very carefully!”

Life can be compared with a trail run sometimes. Not only do we get to run through life, but we are hit with obstacles now and again, not to harm us, but to help build and shape our character and to add skill. Yes, sometimes it feels like the obstacles keep on coming (as in my photo above), but these obstacles do eventually pass.

Go slow to go far.

At other times, we are also forced to go slower, and sometimes we even need to stop to reflect, recalculate, re-strategize, and recover. It doesn't mean we need to let go of our values, but maybe we only need to reprioritize what is already important to us.

Put things in perspective.

Sometimes all we need is a different perspective. Other people's perspectives unlock the magic of different viewpoints so we may become aware of blind spots we need so we may walk or run further and become stronger in the process.

Sometimes all we need is to consider a different perspective.

Thank you for reading and being part of my community. May you be filled with strength, courage, peace and joy in the next part of your journey.

Should you need a values or situational assessment to determine the next part of your journey, you're welcome to book an empowering coaching session with me at https://www.journeywithpassion.co.za.

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Have you ever looked at little children? Notice how peaceful and happy they are.

But then… Life happens. We become the labels that others (and sometimes we ourselves) generously bestow upon us. We begin to identify with those labels and act accordingly. We play these songs on repeat until our behavior and emotions snowball into an unstoppable avalanche. When everything gets quiet and we've hit ground zero, that's when change happens.

Life is a funny thing. First, we grow into adults, and then we unlearn all the unhelpful thoughts we learned while growing up, but then we mature, becoming more childlike again.

Children as an example

Take a chance to observe how little ones behave and how they look at things through a brand-new lens. They see everything as if for the first time.

Children giggle at the seemingly unnoticeable. They hug all day. They are loving, kind, and generous. They cry when they are sad and draw when they feel upset. They are curious and ask questions about everything. They dance silly dances and pray about every tiny thing. They reflect on their days before they go to sleep.

How would our moods change if we were to apply some of these tools that kids use to lift up their spirits?

We are born to be happy

I believe we have a natural inclination towards all these things. We are born with it, but we unlearn these things when life happens. The good news is we can unlearn unhelpful behaviors.

My challenge to you

I challenge you to take time to observe things from a beginner's mind.

Tools for a happy brain

According to studies, it takes the brain more or less 66 days to form and establish new neural pathways. Helpful activities include:

• Drawing/painting

• Dancing

• Reading fiction

In closing

I invite you to join me on this incredible journey called life. Let's reclaim the boundless joy and unwavering happiness that reside deep within us, just as they do in the hearts of little children.

Picture a life filled with inner joy, where we fearlessly express our emotions and approach each day with an unwavering sense of wonder. Imagine dancing without a care, creating art that stirs our souls, and losing ourselves in the enchantment of captivating stories.

If this article has touched your heart, I kindly encourage you to share it with someone you believe it could inspire. And if it has truly made a difference for you, a simple like or thumbs-up would mean the world. Together, we can spread the power of inspiration and touch the lives of others. Thank you for your support!

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Roy Disney once said that when your values are clear to you, making decisions become easier. It is true. So often we become confused and experience internal conflict when we want to do multiple things at the same time. We feel we want to do one thing, but we don’t always know why. On the other hand, we also want what’s best for those around us, so we want to make them happy too. When we know what our values are and prioritise our actions accordingly, decisions do become easier, and we become happier individuals.

The only real valuable thing is intuition, is what Albert Einstein once said. This is true as well. Somehow our soul knows best, but do we always listen to this sixth sense of ours?

Importance of values

Values are the core principles and beliefs which guide our actions, thoughts, and behaviours such as growth, responsibility, and courage. It is the driving force why we do certain things, our compass which shows us North. Many times when we experience negative emotions, we are not living authentically, by our values.

Relying on our values offer numerous benefits which include the following:

1. Consistency and authenticity - your consistent behaviour creates trust between you and others as you can be uniquely you, improving your relationships in return.

2. Resilience and inner strength - when you experience challenging times, you can still fall back on your values which will be your anchor during challenging times.

3. Cultivate a sense of purpose - when we rely on our values, act out of integrity, and become fulfilled in various aspects of our lives.

Of course, there are pitfalls when we rely too much on our values such as being too rigid and inflexible, we experience value conflicts and dilemmas and limited perspectives and bias.

Importance of intuition

Intuition on the other hand is a deep knowing without rational thought and goes beyond analytical thinking and often manifests in our gut. It is a valuable resource and can provide insight and perspectives beyond human knowledge and understanding and offers us the ability to tap into our inner wisdom.

Relying on our intuition provides more than the following benefits:

1. Enhances creativity and innovation - intuition sparks innovative solutions and different perspectives, encouraging us to think creatively.

2. Navigating uncertainty - our intuition guides us through moments where we explore new territories, need to make decisions in the absence of concrete evidence and the ability to adapt to changes.

3. Honour your authenticity - by relying on our intuition, we become deeply connected to who we truly are, honouring our desires, values, and aspirations.

Although intuition is a powerful asset to rely on, there are a few drawbacks when we rely only on intuition such as being inaccurate and subjective, scepticism from others and ignorant towards relevant information.

Strike a balance.

What often happens when we do something for the first time, we more often than not experience butterflies, but is that a feeling of anxiety or excitement? Sometimes the body gets confused between anxiety and excitement and with new experiences I think it can be both because it’s all about stepping forward and making a change and other times there may be a misalignment between our mind, body and soul. Sometimes your head tells you to proceed, your soul says go for it, but your gut says no, or maybe both your soul and gut says yes, but your head is filled with all kinds of negative thoughts. Don’t just dismiss the idea as a bad idea, nor should you just go for it anyway, because that is how we bulldoze over our creativity. Work through it. Try to figure out which part of you objects and why that is so you can align your body, mind, and soul.

I had a few late nights lately and when I don’t get enough rest, I tend to go into standby mode and don’t think clearly. Last night I was making a vegetable-beef soup in the slow cooker my mom gave me many years ago. After I poured out the soup in different containers, I had the feeling I needed to wait before I added soap and water to the bowl, but I value being productive and decided to go against my intuition and added water to the ceramic bowl. The only thing was, I forgot to heat up the water before I opened the tap. Needless to say, the bowl cracked right through.

The lesson I learned this morning was that sometimes our values and intuition seem to act against each other. The question is, do we listen to our intuition and how do we align our body, mind, and soul to live our best life possible? Should I have listened to my intuition not to add water to the bowl immediately, didn’t mean I wouldn’t have done it at all, but just by doing something else quickly, I would have given the bowl enough time to cool down before I added the water, not resulting in any damage.

How is authentic living important?

So, what are the benefits of living in authenticity? By living authentically, we can embrace who we truly are by expressing our uniqueness as we align our actions with our core values, passions, and purpose. This brings a beautiful sense of fulfilment and stronger relationships. Authentic living greatly reduces internal conflict and suffering, while unleashing our creativity and talents. In the process, we strengthen our resilience, become grounded in our values, and rooted in what we stand for. It gives us a sense of confidence and courage as we journey through self-discovery and growth.

In conclusion

Cultivate self-awareness by becoming aware of yourself and the decisions you take by taking time to reflect on yourself, situations, and experiences so you are empowered to determine when your values may blind you to your intuition.

I hope this made a difference in your day. If you enjoyed The pitfall of overreliance on values: Tuning out our intuition, please share it to those you think may need it.

https://www.journeywithpassion.co.za

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The digital and information era really changed the way we do life. In the past we needed to visit libraries to do research on certain subjects. Now we can use search engines and even use AI. We could visit family and friends to spend quality time with them. As every individual is unique, we gain different perspectives and learn how to think on our feet which broadens our understanding and frame of reference. Yes, we can still visit our friends and family, sometimes on virtual calls, but I’m wondering whether the social connections we experience are less or whether we experience less connection than we used to.

My curiosity got the better of me this morning and I decided to run a prompt on AI on the risks AI may bring to mental health. These included the following:

• Unrealistic expectations and increased impulsivity, in effect contributing to anxiety and depression when expectations aren’t met.

• Comparison with others, extreme technology consumption and chronic need for validation, leading to low self-esteem.

• Reinforcement of limiting beliefs and perspectives.

• Low productivity and information overload.

• Restlessness and addictive digital behaviour.

• Increased feelings of loneliness and social anxiety.

• Decreased focus and mental health.

Below are a few mindfulness tools which can be used to combat the risks of AI, assisting you to be present, and authentically you.

• Journaling offers a powerful experience of self-reflection, basically downloading all your concerns, while affirming all your dreams and hopes.

• Reading is a great way to improve your mental health and communication skills, while feeding your soul.

• Creative writing and art therapy is an empowering way of expressing yourself, processing your emotions and to step out of the box for a moment.

• Physical exercise releases endorphins which reduce stress, improves sleep and emotional health.

• Social connection is an important way of sharing experiences, supporting each other, while growing in all areas of your life.

In closure, I’d like to encourage you to visit the library to do research or just to read some books, visit family and friends face-to-face and let others know that you appreciate them, because when we share love, we release the power of love.

Credit: Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

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Christmas message

This year didn't turn out the way I thought it would… It turned out better.

I never thought I would begin this blog this year. I was too afraid, but I did it anyway. I never thought I'd complete 2 coaching courses, but I did them anyway. Some of the things I dreamt of felt asif they were between the stars, but now they are on my doorstep.

Remember your uniqueness. Snowflakes are each unique just as you and I. Your uniqueness is your strength. Your dreams can come true although it doesn't seem close… Perhaps it's just around the corner.

Thank you for supporting my blog by reading it. It is my hope that my articles made a difference in your life or someone you care about.

May you and your loved ones be filled with unconditional love, unexplainable peace and grace this season.

You are loved. You are appreciated. You are worthy.

Have you ever heard an organisation is only as strong as its weakest link? Lately I've been researching on how to create a sustainable indigenous garden. I quickly realised that those little bugs I considered pests and wanted to spray with insecticide the moment I saw one, served a purpose other than to kill indoor plants. In the ecosystem, these pests are part of a food supply to other organisms which are required to keep plants healthy and strong. As humans we may think we know better, but by interfering into nature and by spraying our plants with insecticide, we cause further damage by killing not only pests, but also good bugs and other organisms. The moment we remove a link in the chain, we may unknowingly remove an essential element that’s required to create a life of joy, hope, strength and resilience.

We are all part of a piece of art

Each of us are interrelated to one another. I'd like to see each of our relationships as a part of a painting. As we invite other people into our lives, whether we're in vulnerable places, whether we feel weak or whether we experience joy, hope or love, we share experiences and emotions. When we include others, we get to experience the entire work of art, instead of only part of it. I am reminded of “The whole of the moon” sung by Celtic Women, how another may see the whole moon, where you and I may only see a part thereof. When we are too close or we focus too much on one thing, we don't see the whole picture and we may make irrational or unwise decisions. If you think about it, even a remote island has some kind of ecosystem going on.

We have a need to belong

One of our core needs is to belong. When we remove our belonging, our potential to truthfully become fulfilled becomes less, instead we may fall into anxiety and depression, and perhaps feel like we don't fit in anywhere and that we're not good enough or maybe even rejected.

Yes, we are all different and unique and we don't always understand each other. Each of us has our own set of values and characteristics, but we all share the common language of emotion. We all laugh when we are happy, why cry when we are sad. We all feel angry sometimes and we all want to be happy. What a wonderful world this could be if each of us were to use our own unique gifts to the greater good of humanity?

How would your life change if you were to step out into courage and allow authentic people into your life?

Emotions are valuable

I get it, sometimes we are afraid of our (or others’) emotions, because we don't know how to respond. From an early age we are told not to cry. That's like sticking a plaster on an infected wound.

How would it help you if you knew the purpose of emotions? I'd like to see emotions as waves that comes and goes. They are messengers, trying to tell you something. What are your emotions trying to tell you? What needs have been met? Which needs have not been met and which boundaries were perhaps overstepped?

Once we become aware of what our emotions are trying to tell us, it becomes easier to manage our emotions instead of allowing our emotions to control us.

As we remove ourselves from society, although we may think we protect ourselves, we actually weaken ourselves to anxiety, depression and stress by removing others from our chain. The reason I know this is because I've been there. I built a fort around me and didn't trust anyone. This is a recipe for your soul to whither sooner than you may think. It is possible to overcome your struggles as I overcame mine with counselling, CBT, coaching, mindfulness, and hypnotherapy. It is possible to live a life you dream of.

You have purpose - ignite your light

You have a purpose and missions to complete. You have value. Now, put your hand on your heart. As long as your heart is still beating and there is breath in your lungs, there is still hope. You have hope. You are hope. There is a spark in your soul that needs to be ignited. Ignite it!

I hope this made a difference in your day. If you enjoyed No man's an island, please share it to those you think may need it.

Exciting news coming in 2023! Watch this space…

Photo credit: FlamingoImages

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Emotions are sometimes defined as energy in motion. It comes in waves. An emotion may come suddenly and stay a while, other times it goes away as quickly as it came.

We often hear people say they seek happiness. “They’ll be happy when…” You’ll see articles on digital media which present you with “5 ways to find happiness” on a silver platter or short courses on how to be happy.

Today, I'm coming to you with a challenge. I challenge you to be aware what you feed your mind with, because the “food” you consume, will influence your mental health.

Temporary happiness

How is it that we chase happiness which is a fleeing emotion? Once you’ve found it, it evades the permanence you seek.

We see so many reward programs banks and stores offer you to give you that tiny moment’s happiness, or rather satisfaction. We became indoctrinated by digital media to be instantly gratified by the information we consume; it almost corrupted our values from kind and patient, to arrogant and spoilt.

We’re chasing rainbows by always chasing the next tier, the next standard or the next status. The problem with this mindset is that you never feel good enough and as a result, no happiness is found here.

Numbing pain means numbing joy

How is it though that we so often aren’t happy? By numbing the pain, we numb our joy, so we look for the next best thing… Happiness. We live in an amazing and beautiful world filled with so many cultures, scenery, seasons, and opportunities, yet there is a lot of pain. To numb the pain, we sometimes grab our smart phones and start scrolling on social media, which may even worsen our state of mind when we start comparing our lives to others. We forget to consider that people hardly ever post something sad happening in their lives. Other times we may switch on the TV or play XBOX as coping mechanisms for our pain.

Excessive digital media may cause changes in brain structure

Did you know that when used excessively, digital media may cause structural changes in the frontal part of the brain? This is the part of the brain which manages compassion and enables logical reasoning.

When we numb ourselves to pain, we numb ourselves to joy, happiness and logical reasoning as well, which means the intensity of happiness and joy you want to feel will need to be bigger and better than the previous time before you’ll feel it.

State of survival

When we switch off the frontal part of the brain, we switch on the survival part of our brain, which may put us in the state of being anxious, fearful, and depressed.

Mental fast food

What information do we choose to consume every day? Whatever we choose to read, watch, and listen to, determines our behaviour over the long term.

When we focus on external stimuli to make us happy, is like relying on fast foods to keep us healthy.

Happiness became a fad, something to chase after so we’ll feel better about ourselves, but true happiness is a feeling of being content with what we have and enjoying the moments we are presently in.  

Marcus Aurelius once said “the happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts: therefore, guard accordingly, and take care that you entertain no notions unsuitable to virtue and reasonable nature.”

What do you choose to read and listen to? Is what you’re watching in alignment with who you are?

In closing

Do you chase after things that flee with the wind, or something deeper that’s anchored in the soil and can stand the test of time?

Image credits: Stainless Images

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It is easy to get lost in the sea of information. The era in which we live, is called the information age, or as I’d like to call it, information culture. Did you know that information grows every 6 months, double in size?

Knowledge is power… Or is it?

Kofi Annan once said: “Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family.”

From a certain perspective he was right. Knowledge is power. We need to have certain levels of skills and knowledge to get a job, have a career and to earn a living, but what happens when knowledge gives us superficial power? Or what if we become addicted to the feeling more knowledge and information gives us? How do our characters change if we have access to a sea of information at a click of a button, or at our fingertips? Many people become more impatient, unfocused and unkind during the process. Although technology can be beneficial in our lives, it can also become a danger to our health and relationships if we allow it to take over our lives.

We live in a world where we became consumers of information, if not addicted to instant knowledge. How does this concept of instant gratification serve you and me? People frequently expect immediate service and answers without wanting to take responsibility on their part. They would sign a contract, but because they didn’t want to invest the time to read it, when time comes to cancel the contract, they want to fight the very terms and conditions of the contract they just ticked off in a hurry. Sometimes people try to multi-task by using their phones while driving…

How liberating can it be when we consume so much information, that we become slaves of information.

Knowledge is power and information can be liberating, but it can become a liability, rather than an asset very easily.

Communication is the lifeblood of relationships

They say communication is the lifeblood of an organisation, but I'd extend it to communication is the lifeblood of any relationship, whether personal or professional. What happens to relationships when you remove communication? How much fulfilment do you enjoy when engaging with someone on social media vs. when engaging with someone in person?

What would happen if you were to use the energy you use to scroll down on Facebook timelines or watching TikToks, for engaging relationships or empowering yourself? How would this impact your life?

Where can you start to make a change?

• Prune your distractions: Promote growth by pruning the leaves and twigs that don't serve you. Sometimes we focus 80% of our time and energy and things that don't serve us. Rather use your time and energy on 80% of the most important things in your life. Things you can add true value to, that serve you and things that contribute to you fulfilling your purpose.

• Create boundaries: Empower yourself be teaching yourself self-discipline.

A delicate balance

Everything in life has an opportunity cost. To have knowledge at our fingertips creates a sense of power, but at what cost?

We need to decide and act with intention where we allow our attention and energy to go. Are we going to choose to spend our time and energy on being a bystander of our own life, allowing information to consume us or are we going to invest in our relationships, people around us and community to live purposefully without regrets?

In all things there is a delicate balance that needs to be kept. If that balance is not kept, chaos can become a lifestyle.

Have you ever had a dream that stayed with you for a long time, if not forever?

In 2017, just before Thanksgiving, I had a dream. It was a dream about faith, hope, and healing. Over time, I’ve come to believe that this dream was not only meant for me—but for you, too.

From the dark wilderness to light in the forest

It was dark. I was running. I was tired, scared, and anxious. I kept tripping over the roots of dead trees in the wilderness. I kept looking back—and the more I looked back, the more I tripped. Sometimes I lay there, unable to move. But when I gathered enough strength, I would get up and keep going.

After what felt like forever, I began to slow down and walk, my heart still pounding in my chest. In the distance, I saw a dim light. Intrigued, and true to my nature, I moved toward it. The more I moved forward, the more light shone onto my feet, illuminating a path. My heart became calmer. I felt a growing peace.

The light grew brighter. I followed the illuminated path until I reached a watery door, hidden in the vast wilderness. I stepped through this portal-like entrance—and what I saw overwhelmed my soul. It was as though the door had made room for another world, filled with wonder. I walked through a forest alive with frogs, rabbits, butterflies, flowers, birds, dragonflies, snails, and fireflies.

Drawn to an even brighter light up ahead, I continued walking. Then I saw a unicorn. Playfully, like a dog wanting to show me something, it urged me to follow. I did.

It led me to a breathtaking waterfall, with a thick stream of water and green pastures surrounded by tall trees and mountains. A rainbow arched above the waterfall. It was the largest waterfall I had ever seen. I bent down to drink from the sweet, life-giving waters. The stream was so clear I could see its bottom. At last, I felt refreshed and at peace.

It is difficult to say what is impossible, for the dream of yesterday is the hope of today and the reality of tomorrow.

Robert H. Goddard

Hope upon a dream, believe in tomorrow

When I woke up, I felt rejuvenated. I felt as though I could do anything I set my mind to.

We all face trials. We all go through times when we feel like we’re wandering in a wilderness. You might feel anxious, desperate to escape your past. Maybe something is chasing you—or perhaps you’re chasing something: goals, expectations, deadlines. Maybe you're beginning to doubt yourself. Perhaps you're trying to live up to someone else’s dream for your life.

But here's what I’ve learned: the more I immersed myself in scripture, the more I took action, the clearer my path became.

Truth’s shining light guides me in my choices and decisions; the revelation of your Word makes my pathway clear.

Psalms 119:105 TPT

I began to fall less. I grew in confidence—though I remained cautious of self-reliance. I didn’t move as quickly anymore, but I became more patient, taking one small step at a time. I became more aware, grounded, and strong.

As I followed the lighted path, I became someone I never imagined I could be. I found healing. I experienced empowerment, peace, love, and joy—rooted in truth.

“I leave the gift of peace with you—my peace. Not the kind of fragile peace given by the world, but my perfect peace. Don’t yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts—instead, be courageous!

John 14:27 TPT

In search of the truth

We all experience moments of doubt—about our worth, our purpose, or the value we bring. But that doubt is a lie. It's what the enemy wants you to believe.

So what is the truth?

Come back to your identity. You are a child of the Most High God. You were created in His image. He has called you to a purpose far greater than yourself.

Often, we don’t know what that purpose is. But what if we’re meant to discover it along the way—by completing the small (and big) missions life offers?

Bob Goff writes in Dream Big that we should say yes more often. Say yes to the missions that stir your soul. They might be small—like showing kindness to someone who’s lost faith in humanity—or big—like changing someone’s life and setting off a ripple of goodness that reaches others. Say yes.

You can always find a million reasons to say no, but if you find the courage to say yes, you could change your life.

Anonymous

Hope for tomorrow

When you say yes to the light inside you, when you follow love and truth, you become a beacon. You shine light on others' paths so they, too, can find hope.

How will you use your resources—your time, gifts, voice—to share light, love, joy, and kindness?

Maybe you can:

• Encourage others by speaking life.

• Remind people that they are seen, appreciated, and valued.

• Lend a helping hand when someone needs it most.

When you carry hope for tomorrow—anchored in love, faith, and intentional action—you become empowered. You may even help ignite the light in someone else.

You will reach a place of peace that surpasses understanding. You will find joy, even in the midst of difficulty. You will grow, even when it feels like you’ve hit a glass ceiling. You will inspire others—not just to feel better, but to become better.

Let everyone be devoted to fulfilling the work God has given them to do with excellence, and their joy will be in doing what’s right and being themselves, and not in being affirmed by others.

Galatians 6:4 TPT

I hope this message brings as much meaning to your life as it brought to mine. Go out. Share your light, love, and passion. Say yes to your calling.

It might just be the most fulfilling thing you’ll ever do.

If this article spoke to you, let me know in the comment section below or send me an email at info@amaniwellbeing.com.

Photo credit: Johannes Plenio

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Have you ever felt as if you were thrown back and forth like waves in the sea? One moment you are in a good mood, and you feel on top of the world and the next moment something happens and you blame someone (or everyone else) for ruining your day? How is it that we can have a good day just to have a dreadful day the next moment? According to Very Well Mind someone experiences an identity crisis when a person questions their own sense of self or place in the world.

Where do you find your self-worth?

So often we determine our self-worth from something we do and how well we do it. In a split of a second something may shake our boats and disrupt our balance. You may go through a break-up, or maybe you're concerned about economical situations, global politics, job security or a pandemic.

During changes like these, you may drown in feelings such as:

• insecurity in your own value;

• depressed due to loss of normal;

• anxiety for the future and unknown; and

• defensiveness in our vulnerabilities.

We tend to create mind-movies when we make assumptions and draw conclusions about what we think others may think or say, even if it never actually happened. I used to create these so many times. Coming from a communication background, I value dialogue and feedback to a great extent and when I would send someone a message and they didn’t reply, I would personalise things and create all kinds of excuses like I did something wrong, the person didn’t care what I had to say, that my voice didn’t matter or that I wasn’t good enough. Maybe you feel the same? From what other perspective could one look at this same situation? What could the other person’s truth be? How would they see the situation? Maybe they had a rough week and forgot… How would things change for you if you were to consider the other person’s context?

Validated by external factors

Many times, we may create our identities by the roles we fulfil and what we have, but we feel validated and accepted when we belong to a group, wear labels or own luxury properties in affluent areas.

How would your perspective about yourself change if these variables changed? Who would you be? When we need external factors to feel worthy, we allow ourselves to be validated by others and material objects.

I used to draw validation that I'm good enough from external factors before like the Provincial colours I received for synchronised skating. In my mind I was an athlete, a skater and part of a team, but when my provincial jacket was stolen, it felt like I lost part of my identity and I felt less worthy. It was like a part of my history was stolen with my jacket. I failed to recognise at that time, that the jacket was a mere representation of my skills. Skills no one could ever take away from me. As soon as I looked at this situation from a different perspective, things changed, and I could heal.

You may feel like you don't fit in, but you were never meant to fit in. You were created to stand out and be unique.

The trap we fall into if we think this way about ourselves, is that we think we aren’t good enough. This is giving away authority over ourselves to others and things. We disempower ourselves and thereby limit our own potential and the change we can bring.

A standing ovation

I recently watched the new season of American Idols and I saw once again how, if people were who they thought others wanted them to be, didn't perform well at all, but when they were exactly who they were, they got standing ovations because of their unique authenticity and abilities.

What are your core values?

How would your life change if you were to draw your values out and start to live who you are and not who you think other people want you to be?

Let's build a caring community who build each other up, to encourage each other to be our unique selves and so become part of a cause greater than ourselves.

A while ago, when I felt like a blank canvas, I was at the point of recreating myself. Maybe you know what I mean… I had no idea who I was. I knew I was a child of God, but didn’t fully understand what it meant, so I started to look at His characteristics, His personality and His values. These traits are intertwined between the passages.

Honestly assess your worth by using your God-given faith as the standard of measurement, and then you will see your true value with an appropriate self-esteem.

Romans 12:3 (TPT)

The scriptures are filled with examples of bravery, courage, faithfulness, forgiveness, hope, joy even in tough times, justice, kindness, love, loyalty, peace, and truth.

When you read to gain knowledge, wisdom and understanding, you'll receive these and more.

Who are you?

If you were to focus on your own core values, how would things change for you?

Allow me to take the liberty of answering this question. When you know who you are based on your values:

• You empower yourself to choose how to express yourself in your own unique way.

• This will determine what you do and how well you do it, rather than being determined by what you do.

• You will be more authentic in what you do, you’ll be happier, more steadfast in your behaviour and your moods will be more stable as well.

Scripture says we have “not received the ‘spirit of religious duty,’ leading you back into the fear of never being good enough. But you have received the ‘Spirit of full acceptance,’ enfolding you into the family of God. And you will never feel orphaned, for as he rises up within us, our spirits join Him in saying the words of tender affection, ‘Beloved Father!’ For the Holy Spirit makes God’s fatherhood real to us as He whispers into your innermost being, ‘You are God’s beloved child?’.

Romans 8:15 (TPT)

You are enough

You don’t need to prove yourself to Him. He created you and accepted you unconditionally. You are His beloved child in whom He is well pleased. So go in peace, be free and be uniquely you. Draw your value from who He says you are. You inherited His characteristics. You are: brave, courageous, creative, generous, intelligent, kind, loving, peaceful, strong and filled with potential.

If you enjoyed this message, please like this article, share it and subscribe. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at linda@journeywithpassion.co.za.

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Have you ever changed your behaviour according to another person's comment? Maybe you felt it made sense and you were wrong all along? Maybe you didn't, but I certainly have.

The value of your smile

When I was a little kid, I used to smile everywhere I went. I believed that we could spread happiness and love by giving smiles. Even when people were facing challenging times, I believed they could still feel loved and seen if they only got a smile, even if it was from a stranger.

An unknown author once wrote:

A smile costs nothing, but gives much.  It enriches those who receive it, without making poorer those who give.  It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever. None is so rich or mighty that he can get along without it, and none is too poor but that he can be made rich by it.  A smile creates happiness in the home, fosters good will in business, and is the countersign of friendship.  It brings rest to the weary, cheer to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad, and it is nature’s best antidote for trouble.  Yet, it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is something that is of no value to anyone until it is given away.  Some people are too tired to give you a smile. Give them one of yours, as none needs a smile as much as he who has no more to give.

A smile wiped off by a grocery store girl

One day, my mom and I went to the grocery store and a girl told her mom if I would smile once more, my face would crack. This was painful, but not as much as the lie I began to tell myself. I wanted to make sense of what happened and the more I thought about it, the more I assumed that I wasn’t allowed to be happy while other people were suffering. I started to focus on all the sadness in the world and became really depressed. I felt guilty whenever good things happened to me, because I knew others were going through tough times. A feeling anxiety snuck up to me as I felt powerless in the pain others were experiencing.

I understand now that the girl and her mom at the grocery store may have gone through a tough time. Maybe they needed love and unconditional acceptance and the girl responded the only way she knew how.

Lesson learnt: I allowed someone who was in pain to dictate my behaviour and identity.

Everyone goes through good times and not so good times. Sometimes we fall, but then we get up again, sometimes with the help of another.

The truth is, if we place our perspective on what others say about us, we may never be happy.

An act of kindness

An act of kindness brings forth a fulfilling and inspiring love, a joy that sparks hope and faith for tomorrow.

My challenge to you this week, is to give your smiles away and be authentic, even if others don't always understand you.

If this message meant something to you, please pay it forward and share it with someone else.

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Have you ever felt like you've hit a wall, and no matter where you turn, there's no way forward? Maybe you feel there is something more in store for you, but it feels like you're going nowhere, no matter how hard you try.

Not too long ago, I often felt like I was stuck in a waiting room forever. I felt frustrated because I wanted to do certain things, but nothing worked out as planned.

Paint your life with colour.

I like to compare our lives to a canvas. Every day, we get a new chance at life, to fix mistakes, learn new things, and to paint a new day.

Many times, when we are stuck in survival mode, our lives can become monochromatic quite quickly. If you were to paint each day, what would your life's painting look like 10 or 20 years from now? What would you see and experience when you were to look at your life's canvas?

On a journey to find your treasure.

A little more than a year ago, I had a dream. I was on a journey in search of a treasure. I walked through dark valleys, traveled through vast wildernesses, swam through stormy seas, and crossed deep rivers. At times, it felt lonely and scared; other times, I felt like I kept climbing this steep mountain, never to reach the summit. It was hard, exhausting, and frustrating. I searched everywhere.

Many people look for it, but so little people find it.

One day, when I was at my lowest and least expected it, I found the treasure chest as I was strolling on a beach. I couldn't open it as it was locked, but I didn't need a normal key either. I headed back on a new quest to find a key to open the chest. I traveled back to my mountain, exploring it from different angles. I came to appreciate the lessons my journeys taught me, to appreciate what I have, to see things from different perspectives, to find joy in small moments even in tough times, and to find inner peace even with a raging storm around me. I learned to find happiness in the present moment and not in a realized dream or place in the future.

I went back to the treasure chest to see if I could somehow open it. Surprisingly, I could! My new perspectives, growing mindset, and wisdom were what I needed to open it. I slowly opened the chest, not knowing what I would find. At first, I couldn't see anything inside. It seemed empty.

I needed to look deeper and realized that the growth I experienced in character became my treasure. My treasure included:

• Compassion and forgiveness for those who wronged me.

• Endurance to know I can go beyond my own strength.

• Gratitude to be thankful for everything I have even in tough moments.

• Hope in times I can't see beyond today.

• Joy even in the middle of a raging storm.

• Wisdom to discern what's right and wrong; and

• Strength when I feel I can't take another step.

All of these are more worth than any silver, gold, rubies and diamonds.

A few weeks ago, I read about a parable about how a person found a treasure chest and sold everything he had, to buy the entire field so he could have the treasure. (Matthew 13:44).

What would you like to see in your treasure chest when you open it and what are you willing to give for it?

Strive for eternal worth.

So often, we strive for monetary things that have temporary value, but how would your life change if you lived for things of eternal value first, like spreading faith, generosity, hope, kindness, love, perseverance, and wisdom?

How can you spend your time waiting?

I realized I needed inner change before things would change for me. I began to understand that while we may feel frustrated in our current external situations, we can still experience inner peace. It is a journey of growth and at times tough, but definitely worth it.

Here are a few options on how you can paint with colour and spend your time on a cause greater than yourself while you wait:

• Connect with others (say “hi”).

• Give others a smile (smile with your eyes and soul).

• Show compassion; or

• Volunteer at a cause that aligns with your values.

Everyone is fighting a battle no-one knows about. Walk this time you have with them, with them. How can you paint their day with colour?

Share the treasure inside of you.

Each of us has a treasure inside that needs to be shared with the world. I know it's difficult at times. Sometimes we feel vulnerable, and it can be a daunting place to be, but that's when you need to remember how courageous you are.

I get distracted now and again by limiting thoughts too, but the key is to be present, to focus on what you have, to concentrate on your values, and share your unique gifts so you can live a life of authenticity.

Draw your values inside your heart, hold it tight and share your unique light with the world around you.

When we live lives of authenticity, we'll experience less stress (anger and fear) and move into a place of more love and peace.

We aren't meant to compete against each other, but to complement one another.

If this email blessed you, kindly pay it forward and send it to someone you think may be blessed by it too.

Photo credit: Dean Moriarty

Have you ever felt that overwhelming sense of anxiety, so much so you'll lash out at the next available person closest to you and you have no idea why? For me, this pattern repeated itself until I realised it was an event that came from a choking incident when I was just 1 year old. Now that I know this, I am more aware what my triggers are so I can reflect and ground myself to regulate my emotions better.

In figure skating you learn quickly that if you lean too much to the front or to the back you'll fall. In life just as in figure skating when we lean too much into the future or the past, things can become a little wobbly to say the least.

When we dwell on past events, whether good or bad, we may quickly begin to ponder on things such as:

• a traumatic event;

• what we had and no longer have (e.g. the old normal);

• what we could have had (e.g. a promotion);

• what we should have had (e.g. privilege).

When we dwell on the future and more specifically focus on things we don't have (yet), we can become quite anxious and fearful very quickly.

There is a quote going around on social media:

First, I was dying to finish high school and start college. And then I was dying to finish college and start working. And then I was dying to marry and have children. And then I was dying for my children to grow old enough for school so I could return to work. And then I was dying to retire. And now, I am dying... and suddenly I realize I forgot to live.

-Anonymous

What if things didn't work out to make room for a better future? What of things are just falling into place? What if you, by holding onto your past or future desires, you lose your present and future?

When you lose your balance on the ice you sometimes have very awkward sudden and spastic manoeuvres which can range from forward, backwards, and sideways with a few twists in between. (The best is just to relax. It sounds crazy, right? Who can relax on the ice while they're busy falling? But it works. You may still fall, but you won't hurt as much as you would have.)

When we lose our balance in life, things may also feel unmanageable at times. During these moments of instability, we may make unwise decisions or take actions which doesn't serve us, nor those around us. A wounded soul may carry various symptoms such as being critical, self-destructive, judgemental, negative and concern about the future. This is a hard place to be. If this sounds familiar to you or someone you know, please share Stretch your wings and Find your balance in stressful times articles with them.

Let's take a look at a few reflective questions to find out how present your past is. Try to think of an event where your and others' behaviour seems to repeat itself. Then answer these questions:

1. What is your earliest childhood memory?

2. What was your impression of yourself in this memory?

3. What was your impression of others in this memory?

4. How has this memory impacted your personal development and actions.

5. How has this experience impacted how you relate to yourself today?

6. How has this experience impacted the way you relate to others today?

This reflective exercise opened my eyes to a few patterns of my own behaviour and it continuous to do so for me. I hope it will help you too to determine patterns of behaviour in your life.

In the series FBI, OA mentioned how the rear mirror in a car is smaller than the windscreen with a reason. What happened in the past is so much less important than the future that's ahead of you. Learn the lesson and move on. Determine your boundaries and respect your values. Let the future not consume all our energy and thoughts, but dream dreams and make plans, but be present. Find your centre and enjoy the moments you have right now.

What do you have right now that brings joy to your soul and makes you smile?

Past moments ran through our fingers like sand. The future is still a cloud yet to be formed. What we have, is the present.

How can you add colour and value to your life’s painting today?

If you have any questions or would like to share your experience in this regard with me, feel free to email me at linda@journeywithpassion.co.za.

Photo credit: Pavel Danilyuk