Whenwe say seasons, we often think of Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall according to the climate outdoors.
But did you also know we have a spiritual Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall season(s) in our lives, unrelated to age?
It is important to recognize the spiritual significance of your season, how God gives us His grace to navigate through each season, and what happens when we fail to recognize our season.
Our spiritual Winter is when we may sense the need to escape the hustle and bustle and take more time to nestle down and take stock of our lives. Winter is a time to renew our faith, regain our focus, and establish our purpose.
Our spiritual Spring is when the seeds of new ideas, strategies, creativity, and a new purpose are planted into our hearts and minds, so we can experience new growth from that which died in our Winter. It may seem like there is no opportunity for new growth, but God is growing a seed inside of you.
Our spiritual Summer is when God brings forth that seed we have been carrying because He has been nurturing it to full term. The light of God brings forth – a new idea, pattern, relationship, or promotion seemingly from nowhere that was hidden or covered.
Our spiritual Autumn (Fall) is when God shows us the splendor of His majesty through the culmination of our Winter, Spring, and Summer, characterized by His beauty and maturity, manifested by our harvest. All harvests are predicated upon the maturity of the crop…and so it is in our
spiritual lives. Our spiritual harvest of peace, love, and joy is predicated upon our spiritual maturity (to listen and obey) to handle the blessings we receive in the Winter, Spring, and Summer.
As long as we have breath in our bodies, spiritual seasons will continue to come and go. No two people’s seasons are the same, and our previous Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall will not be like the others.
Trying to hold onto a season that has passed or enter into a season before its time…can be detrimental to our faith, well-being, relationships with others, and the Lord.
– No matter the calendar month, now is a good time to find and embrace the season of life you are in and celebrate your season!
To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
As the warmer days approach, we may find ourselves removing heavier clothing, eating light foods, and wanting less clutter, and we want to live with less. Today we call those types of individuals a minimalist.
We may not understand everything happening
around us, but we should recognize and understand that a shift is occurring. We can walk into grocery stores and throughout the marketplaces and see product lines changing and selection choices narrowing. The airplane seats are getting smaller, and so are the free snacks! And let's not talk about the size of the cereal boxes – what's up with that?
When we see these dramatic changes around us, we should note that a shift must also occur in our minds and lifestyle practices. Learning to live like a minimalist is one such shift.
In short, we can learn a few things from others who have learned to live under various conditions under which they have no control or ability to influence, like space. Every square inch of the roadways that can legally be used is occupied.
Tiny houses are a BIG thing! Self-care getaways to tiny one-room cabins are becoming the ultimate escape places because they are geared and designed for short stays yet provide the ultimate comfort with minimal rustic or fine accessories.
Yes, this sounds good, but this new minimalist lifestyle will require an adjustment in our thinking. Otherwise, you will be overwhelmed by anxiety and frustration, defeating the purpose of being a minimalist in some form or fashion.
So what might be a few keys to adopting, adapting, and maintaining a minimalist lifestyle?
Living with a dorm-sized refrigerator, a few miniature cabinets, and a two-burner stove is just the thing to help you become more selective at the grocery store! This change is just the thing
Yes, this sounds good, but this new minimalist lifestyle will require an adjustment in our thinking.”
to help you jump-start your dream to a healthier you! You asked for discipline – well, this grocery list takes discipline!
"Disciplining our body begins in the mind by training our temperament."
We may need to perform daily vigorous mental training | exercises to build our stamina against the temptation to return to being a food addict. You know…just getting it because it was on sale, or this week it is buying ten – get ten free – BOGO buying!
Not only that but intentionally scheduling time to get out and move about may be the key to thriving in such small spaces. That walk you kept putting off when you lived in the condo or the house is much more appealing since you can only live in one room. Now you get excited running errands in the rain.
So, by all means, developing a minimalist mindset may require a bit of purposeful scheduling at first – but with heartfelt planning, it may become as natural as breathing – to take a walk, grow a garden, join a yoga class, and more.
When you start feeling antsy, restless, and uncomfortable over a long period and can't seem to shake it – this is a good sign you are heading into your shift, and a conversion is taking place.
You may have lived a certain quality of life, having all you need and want. You lacked nothing. You had the wealth and power and lived a very good life. Now each day you arise, you feel or sense something is missing. Perhaps you find the entire perspective about living is shifting. You notice your interest has changed, and it does not take much to make you happy or bring you joy and peace within, and that is when you are ripe for making the transition to living a minimalist life
You increasingly find yourself in conditions and circumstances out of your control. You cannot control the economy, gas prices, or the stock market – not that you ever could. Yet, now you accept it without becoming anxious and fretful.
You have experienced your share of good days
and bad and are embarking on the greatest time of your life. You are about to walk into the secret of contentment - by living in the sufficiency of what it means to have enough. The world has experienced a shift after COVID-19, and we must recognize that things will not return to how they were. The shift has occurred, and we must do the same.
Being a minimalist does not mean throwing away all the wonderful conveniences and luxuries of life. It means learning to recognize what it means to live a day at a time in moderation, not in excess, and be content.
And finally, we can change our mindset by teaching ourselves to live with an attitude of gratitude. The minimalist mindset gives us a new perspective on our time, talents, and resources and how we use all three daily. Things may not be as good as we would like, but they can certainly be worse than they are. We may not have everything we want, but you likely have everything you need.
We can teach ourselves to be minimalist and live with less when disciplining our bodies, recognize our shift, and change our mindset.
“Take a walk, grow a garden, join a yoga class, and more.”
Inthe early nineties, I made one of the hardest decisions of my life. I took a leap of faith, left everyone and everything I knew behind, and moved from the Midwest to the Southeast on nothing short of a whim and a prayer. I had to let go and let God. I believed God had His hands on me, and all would fall into place. Once I began to put my faith into action, that is when God was able to bend and stretch me to His will. I can now be a witness and testify how far you must go with God so that there is nothing you can do but give Him all the glory, honor, and praise. As I took a chance on God, He revealed the opportunities He had curated for me. A quote by James Allen has developed and shaped my life’s values to this very day. Allen stated, “You are where you are based upon the choices you make, not the choices anyone else makes for you.” Therefore, I had to decide who and what would influence my life.
Upon moving from Illinois to Georgia with hardly a dollar to my name, the clothes on my back, and a resume. God had made a way. A communication supply company hired me as a sales representative, and with a bit of training, I immediately skyrocketed up as a top earner in my department. From there, God put me in the right relationship with a character I would never in a million years thought would become my business partner. I had gotten comfortable and complacent in this new state and position. Though it was not until I met Bernard that I knew God was nowhere near finished with the testimony of my life. Throughout my time with the communication supply company, Bernard would persistently approach me with the idea of going into business together. Of course, like any person in my position, I waved him off and continued to savor my menial accomplishments.
It was not until I factored in God’s will and His purpose in my life that I took heed to the messenger
and, more importantly, the message. However, doubt tried to creep in to deter me from this opportunity. I had polled a long-time friend of mine, Bobby, to see what he thought I should do. It was not until then that I realized how different our feathers were and that it was not meant for us to flock together.
A couple of years into the company’s startup, things took a turn for the worst, or so I thought. Manufacturers began to pull out, the demand had
I cast away all those projected fears with false shortcomings and took another step out on faith. The next month, Bernard and I opened our new office in North Georgia.
gotten out of hand, and choices were slim to none. Let me tell you, being a business owner is not for the weak. You tend to view your options differently as the owner versus an employee. Your responsibility as an owner limits the choices that you can make, whereas an employee has a plethora of options. The company was sinking, and we had our backs against the wall. This situation birthed my first opportunity for ownership, a 51/49 percent split. I was now an official business owner of a seemingly failing startup company.
the company owner without a college degree, any previous business experience, and not a single loan to help financially gird me. I began to speak life and not death into the business while focusing less on the money and more on the bigger picture.
“A person who sees a problem is a human being; a person who finds a solution is a visionary; and the person who goes out and does something about it is an entrepreneur,” said Naveen Jain.
Less than a year later, the company went from making $150,000 to three million dollars yearly. With all odds stacked against me, the Lord, My God, would not allow me to be denied. Once I understood this, I understood my Why, which was to be a testament and resource for others. Giving in to my How, which is God, was much easier. I paid off all the business debts, completely bought out Bernard’s share of the company, and remained in business for over 25 years.
I knew that God had prepared me for such a time as this. Through prayer and supplication, I was ready to brawl for it all. The business did not get better, and Bernard had done all he knew to do. While preparing for his flight, he presented to me the idea of jumping off a cliff with no parachute or safety net to catch me. He did not know that I had God and that being on the edge of a cliff was nothing new to me. I wholeheartedly put my trust in God and took that leap. I took the offer to take over the business 100 percent. God had equipped me with everything I needed to overcome the adversities and obstacles pre-destined in my life. I went from employee to owner, completely taking Bernard’s debts and essentially setting him free.
Even in this place of desolation, God continued to Bless me. His unwavering love was always present through those He sent to me for encouragement and support. Operating within His will showed me how steadfast He is in His promises to Us. I was now
Take the leap, believe in God with all your heart, and do not become entangled in the wiles of complacency and unknowing. Be a solution and level up your life with mind shifts.
“I decree that I am a problem solver with a heart to please God by helping humanity. I choose to do what is right and honor my word. I believe God will help me flourish, prosper, and be an asset to my family and community.”
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Let me tell you, being a business owner is not for the weak. You tend to view your options differently as the owner versus an employee.”
In such a situation, there is not much to do but give in to your instincts, and flight or fight takes place, and you fall into learned and practiced behavior.
If you believe in nothing, you will fall for anything. My path had to be the road not easily taken so that all who bore witness and observed could attest to the hand of God in my life. To have operated outside of His will would have been detrimental to my testimony. Faith without works is dead.
By Bridget Daniels
Maintaining a clean environment can significantly influence your creativity by providing a sense of calm and order. Keeping your surroundings neat allows you to channel your creative energy better and produce higher-quality work and can lead to a more positive and productive mindset. So, make sure to prioritize cleanliness in your workspace and reap the benefits it has to offer. It’s essential if you engage in artistic pursuits, as clutter and chaos can distract and hinder your ability to focus.
Organic gardening is an excellent way to create a tranquil garden oasis that is both beautiful and sustainable. Not only does it provide a sense of accomplishment and pride in harvesting your organic produce, but it can also positively impact your mental health. Additionally, organic gardening is an environmentally friendly practice that promotes biodiversity and reduces the use of harmful chemicals. The art of companion planting is an essential aspect of organic gardening that can help to maximize yields and promote healthier plants. Overall, it offers numerous benefits for the gardener and the environment.
By being fully present and conscious of your actions, you are more likely to stick to your commitments and achieve your goals. By dedicating time to contemplate your choices and intentionally shaping your daily habits, you can keep yourself on the right path and hold yourself accountable. Whether through meditation, journaling, or simple mindfulness throughout the day, incorporating awarness into your life can lead to greater productivty and success.
“but it can also positively impact your mental health”.
Mother’s Day is an exceptional occasion that demands celebration and honor for all mothers. It’s the ideal chance to express gratitude for their tireless hard work, love, and support that they provide each day.
I’m thrilled to celebrate Mother’s Day with my amazing mom! She’s always been there for me and deserves all the spoiling she can get on her special day. I plan on serving her breakfast in bed and presenting her with a heartfelt card. Let’s stroll in the park or enjoy a nice dinner together.
We all know Mother’s Day can be a bittersweet occasion. We want to honor and commemorate mothers who are no longer with us. Many may be experiencing their first Mother’s Day without their mom.
and mother-like figures in recent years, and you are gaining strength and renewed joy each day as you learn to celebrate the life and legacy of your mom.
We salute and thank all the grandmothers, sisters, aunties, step-moms, friends, and motherin-loves who have become a mom figures for those with empty spaces!
Keep sharing your beautiful stories and experiences of mom with those you meet and greet! Let’s make this day unforgettable and show our appreciation for all the incredible mothers out there!
Many of you have been caretakers for your mother
To you, we say, be encouraged and love on mom through heartfelt memories of training, fun, laughter, cooking, those mom and daughter talks, and so much more that will forever live in your hearts.
WEDNESDAYS @6AM
Taking the time to reflect on my actions and decisions has been a game-changer for me. It’s so easy to make choices without fully considering the consequences in the heat of the moment, but when I step back and think about why I’m doing something and what impact it might have, I’m much more likely to make responsible choices. Self reflection has allowed me to take ownership of my actions and their outcomes, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to be more accountable in their own life.
I have successfully incorporated personal exercises and activities into my daily routine. They have greatly helped me stay centered and focused throughout the day. My favorite activity is walking in nature, as the fresh air and birds chirping truly rejuvenate me. It’s an excellent way to clear my mind and get some exercise simultaneously. Additionally, I practice yoga which aids in stretching and relaxing my muscles.
“TAKE A DEEP BREATH IN AND OUT WHEN YOU ARE FEELING STRESSED”
Doing
-Belinda Payne
