When God speaks, will you hear Him? His voice is usually not a very clear, very audible, speaking voice. That's extremely rare! His 'voice' could be many things. A gentle prodding to do something. A 'you know you shouldn't do that' or 'that's wrong' feeling, like your conscience. That awesome happy warm feeling you get after you've done something good. Or, have you ever been a church service, sermon, etc. and felt like what the pastor/person was saying applied directly to you life in some way, like he was speaking right to you specifically? That too. Or maybe just a 'thought' in your head that, for whatever reason, you thought was God. In the case of the first one and the last one, what you hear could be one of three things: either its God, Satan, or simply just your own thoughts and feelings. How can you tell which is which? How do u know the others mentioned are God? its simple, really. Just ask yourself the following questions to see whether or not its God.
1. Does it line up with His character?
Does it match up with what you know of God, Jesus, and His character so far? Would Jesus do it, or tell you to do it? Would God (of the new testament!) tell you to do it? What do you think? Not sure? Ask a Christian friend or mentor.
2. Does it line up with scripture, His word?
The bible is God's word, His love letter to His children. Does it say anywhere in the bible that you should not do the thing you think 'God" is telling you? if so, its not God. On the opposite end of the spectrum, does it actually encourage that you do this anywhere in the bible? If so, it is most likely God talking to you.
3. Does it line up with your character?
Remember, God created you the way you are. If what you think God is telling you goes completely against a deeply held passion of yours, its not God. He gave you that passion for a reason, and wouldn't want you to just throw it away. Like if you're a talented musician, but you think God is telling you to put down the microphone and/or instrument forever and completely walk away from the talent He so graciously gave you, its not God.
And, finally, here are a few ways that could help you decide if it is Him in the future
1. Get to know God better - read the bible and pray, talk to him!
The more you have read the Bible, the more you know the Bible. The more you know and understand the bible, the more you know and understand God and His desires for you. And how should you know what anyone thinks, or wants to tell you, or wants for you, or how can you get a closer relationship with them if you never talk to them? God is the same way!
2. Ask a trusted Christian mentor and/or friend.
Preferably someone older than you who has more experience, but it doesn't have to be. This person who also has a relationship with Jesus/God and whom you trust can be a very helpful person to have around for many reasons. This can be one of them. Tell them the situation and they can help you decide, if you are unsure, whether or not it is God.
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Why I Love to Read
Reading a good book that is well written, with relatable, intricate, complex, rounded characters and packed full with descriptive language is awesome. Even books that aren't utterly amazing and super well written can be very entertaining and fun to read. Reading transports me to another world. Another world where I can experience that would be impossible for me to experience in the real world. Go on adventures that are unparalleled. See things that are utterly impossible IRL, things that I will never be able to truly see. Meet people that don't really exist, yet are relatable, interesting, and amazing teachers. Of course, all of this is obviously figuratively speaking (Except I have often been taught a thing or two by a book and/or it's characters). But when I read a really great, amazing book, I am often able to visualize all of this so clearly it's almost like it is really happening in front of me.
Reading can sometimes be an escape for me too. An escape from my life into an amazing world where, sure, there are difficulties, but I am able to revel in the story and suspense as it unfolds and yet know that I am not in any real danger. An escape from frustrating, anger-inducing, problems in my life or simply from boredom.
Sometimes, I engage in 'deep reading'. Yes, it is a real thing I did not make it up myself. It is when, after truly reading a book cover to cover, you feel grateful, thoughtful, pensive (meaning, 'engaged in, involving, or reflecting deep or serious thought'). You had an actual emotional connection to the characters in the book, and now feel like something was gained, and lost. If a character that you had an emotional connection to died, you feel legitimately and truly sad. Some old friends of mine that have done this and are readers have even cried, no, bawled, at the death of a character in a book. Or the opposite, you feel happy if something very positive happened to them. If you haven't experienced this, you might think i'm crazy. People who truly love reading are a dying breed nowadays, and people who deep read to the point of a serious emotional connection are even more rare it seems. But let me tell you, this kind of reading is phenomenal.
I could go on, but I digress. This post is probably long enough at this point. Have a great day!! :)
Reading can sometimes be an escape for me too. An escape from my life into an amazing world where, sure, there are difficulties, but I am able to revel in the story and suspense as it unfolds and yet know that I am not in any real danger. An escape from frustrating, anger-inducing, problems in my life or simply from boredom.
Sometimes, I engage in 'deep reading'. Yes, it is a real thing I did not make it up myself. It is when, after truly reading a book cover to cover, you feel grateful, thoughtful, pensive (meaning, 'engaged in, involving, or reflecting deep or serious thought'). You had an actual emotional connection to the characters in the book, and now feel like something was gained, and lost. If a character that you had an emotional connection to died, you feel legitimately and truly sad. Some old friends of mine that have done this and are readers have even cried, no, bawled, at the death of a character in a book. Or the opposite, you feel happy if something very positive happened to them. If you haven't experienced this, you might think i'm crazy. People who truly love reading are a dying breed nowadays, and people who deep read to the point of a serious emotional connection are even more rare it seems. But let me tell you, this kind of reading is phenomenal.
I could go on, but I digress. This post is probably long enough at this point. Have a great day!! :)
Monday, July 7, 2014
Christian Songs and Bands I Love & Recommend!!! (some more for worship, some more for listening)
1. Cornerstone - Hillsong
2. Fishers of Men - Newsboys
3. Forever Reign - Hillsong
4. God's Not Dead - Newsboys
5. How Great is Our God - Chris Tomlin
6. In a Moment - Amanda Falk
7. Here by the Water - Steve Bell
8. Arrested by Grace - Worship Mob
9. In Christ Alone - Keith Getty & Stewart Townend
10. Go Glow - Newsboys
11. Far From Home - Linnea Salte
12. Live with Abandon - Newsboys
13. anything at all by newsboys. Any of their songs.
14. anything at all by Chris Tomlin. He is ridiculously insanely talented.
15. anything by any Hillsong. (Hillsong United, Hillsong, Hillsong Live, Hillsong Young & Free, etc.)
16. Already There - Charmaine Champion
17. Longings - Kassie Tyers
18. Everything Falls - Fee
19. One Thing Remains - Jesus Culture
20. 10,000 Reasons - Matt Redman
21. Scandal of Grace - Hillsong United
22. Like an Avalanche - Hillsong United
23. Our God is Greater - Chris Tomlin (not to be confused with #5)
24. Me Without You - TobyMac
25. Maker of All Things - Tim Hughes
26. Oceans (Where feet may fail) - Hillsong United
27. Our God is Love - Hillsong Live
28. Restart - Newsboys
29. Closer
30. Never Alone - Barlow Girl
31. We Believe - Newsboys
I have a lot more where that came from, but I think i'll leave it at 31 for now!! :)
2. Fishers of Men - Newsboys
3. Forever Reign - Hillsong
4. God's Not Dead - Newsboys
5. How Great is Our God - Chris Tomlin
6. In a Moment - Amanda Falk
7. Here by the Water - Steve Bell
8. Arrested by Grace - Worship Mob
9. In Christ Alone - Keith Getty & Stewart Townend
10. Go Glow - Newsboys
11. Far From Home - Linnea Salte
12. Live with Abandon - Newsboys
13. anything at all by newsboys. Any of their songs.
14. anything at all by Chris Tomlin. He is ridiculously insanely talented.
15. anything by any Hillsong. (Hillsong United, Hillsong, Hillsong Live, Hillsong Young & Free, etc.)
16. Already There - Charmaine Champion
17. Longings - Kassie Tyers
18. Everything Falls - Fee
19. One Thing Remains - Jesus Culture
20. 10,000 Reasons - Matt Redman
21. Scandal of Grace - Hillsong United
22. Like an Avalanche - Hillsong United
23. Our God is Greater - Chris Tomlin (not to be confused with #5)
24. Me Without You - TobyMac
25. Maker of All Things - Tim Hughes
26. Oceans (Where feet may fail) - Hillsong United
27. Our God is Love - Hillsong Live
28. Restart - Newsboys
29. Closer
30. Never Alone - Barlow Girl
31. We Believe - Newsboys
I have a lot more where that came from, but I think i'll leave it at 31 for now!! :)
What the Lord's Prayer Means
In this blog post, I will be going through the Lord's Prayer and explaining what I think it all means, line for line. I will have the translation I have recited since Kindergarten and that I know and love on the first line, warning it's a bit of an old translation. Then underneath that, I will have that same line in a WAAAAAY better, more modern, and easily understandable in a version you may have never heard of before - it's called the 'God's Word' translation. not even kidding. Underneath that line, I will have my explanation of what I think it means.
So, in other words, this will be a very long blog post! Let's get started! :) Oh and if you want to look it up in your own Bible it's Matthew 6:9-13. :)
1st Line:
Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Our Father in heaven, let your name be kept holy.
I think the better translation of this verse is pretty straight forward and obvious. No explaining necessary here.
2nd Line:
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on Earth as it is in heaven.
Let your kingdom come. Let your will be done on Earth as it is done in Heaven.
I think that in this line, Jesus is telling his disciples that when they pray they can ask for things, but they should always keep in mind that God's will for our lives is ALWAYS better for us in the long run, even if it doesnt seem like it. We should pray for strength and guidance to do His will and do what He would want us to do, so that His will can one day be carried out as consistently and as often as it is in Heaven - which is literally every second of your existence. A tough act to follow, trust me I know, but remember Jesus isn't ordering you to become utterly perfect - but He does want you to try to be as close to his likeness - so, perfection - as possible. He will always graciously forgive you when you fail, and if you really do try, you will find a fulfilling life with Him and great reward in Heaven.
3rd line:
Give us this day our daily bread
Give us our daily bread today
Please provide for all of our needs today.
4th line:
And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
Forgive us as we forgive others.
Please forgive us of all of the sins we will commit today, and help us to forgive everyone else who sins against us. OR, Forgive us of our sins just as much as we forgive others of their sins against us.
Final Line:
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Don't allow us to be tempted, instead rescue us from the evil one.
Pretty obvious, just asking God to help us overcome/avoid temptation or just to help us not be tempted in the first place. Instead, please save us from evil or could be from the devil or from sin. Or all three.
Ending:
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever, amen.
None. But, the next verse which I think is 'interesting' is Matthew 6\:14: If you forgive the failures of others, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don't forgive others, your Father will not forgive your failures.
That ^^^^ Turns back to my second possible meaning on the 4th line, doesn't it?
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I decided to write this post because I had been going to a Christian/Mennonite private school (really more so Christian though, we aren't/weren't conservative Mennonites or anything. It was a private school, but it didn't even have a uniform! and personally I dont even think the dress code was outrageous at all either. Anyway, we are getting off topic here) from kindergarten to grade 8, which I just finished. Honestly I would've stayed longer had more grades been available! Anyway, I had/have friends who had also gone through every grade in that school and had never been in any different, like me. Yet even with this, I honestly think that I might be the ONLY person in the class (or maybe just one of a few - a very small group though) who at the end of the year could tell you line for line what the Lord's Prayer, which we had been reciting everyday in the morning after Oh Canada since Kindergarten (although it was optional - you didn't HAVE to say it). The translation never even changed! Yet still, I am probably the only one in my class who could have done this. I personally think that that is utterly outrageous. So, I wrote this blog post to maybe/possibly/hopefully educate a few Chrisitans on what it means - or, at least, what I think it means!! :)
Thank you for reading!!!!! :) have a great day!!!
So, in other words, this will be a very long blog post! Let's get started! :) Oh and if you want to look it up in your own Bible it's Matthew 6:9-13. :)
1st Line:
Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Our Father in heaven, let your name be kept holy.
I think the better translation of this verse is pretty straight forward and obvious. No explaining necessary here.
2nd Line:
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on Earth as it is in heaven.
Let your kingdom come. Let your will be done on Earth as it is done in Heaven.
I think that in this line, Jesus is telling his disciples that when they pray they can ask for things, but they should always keep in mind that God's will for our lives is ALWAYS better for us in the long run, even if it doesnt seem like it. We should pray for strength and guidance to do His will and do what He would want us to do, so that His will can one day be carried out as consistently and as often as it is in Heaven - which is literally every second of your existence. A tough act to follow, trust me I know, but remember Jesus isn't ordering you to become utterly perfect - but He does want you to try to be as close to his likeness - so, perfection - as possible. He will always graciously forgive you when you fail, and if you really do try, you will find a fulfilling life with Him and great reward in Heaven.
3rd line:
Give us this day our daily bread
Give us our daily bread today
Please provide for all of our needs today.
4th line:
And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
Forgive us as we forgive others.
Please forgive us of all of the sins we will commit today, and help us to forgive everyone else who sins against us. OR, Forgive us of our sins just as much as we forgive others of their sins against us.
Final Line:
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Don't allow us to be tempted, instead rescue us from the evil one.
Pretty obvious, just asking God to help us overcome/avoid temptation or just to help us not be tempted in the first place. Instead, please save us from evil or could be from the devil or from sin. Or all three.
Ending:
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever, amen.
None. But, the next verse which I think is 'interesting' is Matthew 6\:14: If you forgive the failures of others, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don't forgive others, your Father will not forgive your failures.
That ^^^^ Turns back to my second possible meaning on the 4th line, doesn't it?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I decided to write this post because I had been going to a Christian/Mennonite private school (really more so Christian though, we aren't/weren't conservative Mennonites or anything. It was a private school, but it didn't even have a uniform! and personally I dont even think the dress code was outrageous at all either. Anyway, we are getting off topic here) from kindergarten to grade 8, which I just finished. Honestly I would've stayed longer had more grades been available! Anyway, I had/have friends who had also gone through every grade in that school and had never been in any different, like me. Yet even with this, I honestly think that I might be the ONLY person in the class (or maybe just one of a few - a very small group though) who at the end of the year could tell you line for line what the Lord's Prayer, which we had been reciting everyday in the morning after Oh Canada since Kindergarten (although it was optional - you didn't HAVE to say it). The translation never even changed! Yet still, I am probably the only one in my class who could have done this. I personally think that that is utterly outrageous. So, I wrote this blog post to maybe/possibly/hopefully educate a few Chrisitans on what it means - or, at least, what I think it means!! :)
Thank you for reading!!!!! :) have a great day!!!
Saturday, May 17, 2014
How to Dress Modestly & Attractively (for girls)
If you just became a Christian or simply want to be modest/more modest for whatever reason, you can sometimes feel a bit lost on where to start and what to do. Well, here are some tips!
1. Learn/find out what your modesty values are.
Find out what YOU think is too immodest for YOU to wear, not what others think is modest or immodest. But, if you don't know where to start, try to not have the neckline of your shirt much lower than your collarbone. Maybe try to have your pants be at least ending at your mid-thigh or even lower (your knee, maybe?). I try not to have my bra or bra straps showing if at all possible - even if i'm wearing a sports bra. Maybe try to cover up your shoulders a bit. But, these are just my modestly values. You don't have to abide by these if you don't want too, they can just be a place to start if you don't know where to begin.
2. Layers are now your best friend.
Even if it is hot outside, light layers are great. If you have a shirt you really want to wear, but you think it shows too much skin/cleavage either just normally, or when you bend down/over, etc try adding an undershirt or camosel underneath and BOOM! That shirt is instantly modest. Or try adding a sweater, a shawl, a light over-shirt, etc. I have a dress many others would consider modest, but because of my values I cannot wear it with at least shorts (even short shorts) and a camosel/undershirt underneath. But if you looked at me, you wouldn't even know there was anything underneath.
3. If wearing it around certain people/certain groups of people/in certain places/while doing certain activities or positions makes you in any way at all uncomfortable, don't even wear it. Or, add layers.
4. Get a full-length body mirror. Before you leave the house, put on the outfit you want to wear that day and stand in front of the mirror. Jump, bend over, run in the spot, try to touch your toes etc. Does doing any certain position show anything in the mirror you wouldn't want someone to see? If so, change.
1. Learn/find out what your modesty values are.
Find out what YOU think is too immodest for YOU to wear, not what others think is modest or immodest. But, if you don't know where to start, try to not have the neckline of your shirt much lower than your collarbone. Maybe try to have your pants be at least ending at your mid-thigh or even lower (your knee, maybe?). I try not to have my bra or bra straps showing if at all possible - even if i'm wearing a sports bra. Maybe try to cover up your shoulders a bit. But, these are just my modestly values. You don't have to abide by these if you don't want too, they can just be a place to start if you don't know where to begin.
2. Layers are now your best friend.
Even if it is hot outside, light layers are great. If you have a shirt you really want to wear, but you think it shows too much skin/cleavage either just normally, or when you bend down/over, etc try adding an undershirt or camosel underneath and BOOM! That shirt is instantly modest. Or try adding a sweater, a shawl, a light over-shirt, etc. I have a dress many others would consider modest, but because of my values I cannot wear it with at least shorts (even short shorts) and a camosel/undershirt underneath. But if you looked at me, you wouldn't even know there was anything underneath.
3. If wearing it around certain people/certain groups of people/in certain places/while doing certain activities or positions makes you in any way at all uncomfortable, don't even wear it. Or, add layers.
4. Get a full-length body mirror. Before you leave the house, put on the outfit you want to wear that day and stand in front of the mirror. Jump, bend over, run in the spot, try to touch your toes etc. Does doing any certain position show anything in the mirror you wouldn't want someone to see? If so, change.
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Why You Should Spend More Time w/ God
Here is what I mean by spending more time with God: more prayer, first of all. More talking to Him. More Bible reading, more reading His teachings, His lessons, His stories, His word. Think of the Bible as God's love letter to us/a Father's love letter to His children. If you think the bible is boring (which I once did very recently) find a book in it that isnt, and start with that. For me, it was Phillipians and Ephesians. I've now read all the way from there straight into Hebrews (don't know how far that is? Check the table of contents in your bible), and I'm not done yet! Trust me, there will be at least one book you can manage to read and, eventually, even get into to start reading it regularly. And, also, worship. Which could mean a variety of different things. It is anything where you personally feel close to God while you are doing it or something where you are praising Him while doing it. That includes a lot more besides singing. Find out what it is for you. And, finally, simply sitting in silence, absolute silence, and listening for Him. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you and/or to tell you something. His voice is often a very soft, gentle whisper. You have to be still, silent, and calm to really hear it sometimes.
Now, that was how you can spend more time with Him. Here's why you should.
There was a period of time where I would wake up half and hour earlier and spend 30 minutes every morning with God. It was the only time where the house was quiet and free of distractions. Then, I would also pray throughout the day. Doing this consistently, every single day, made my relationship with God much stronger. It took quite a bit of time, and sometimes I even wondered if it was making a difference. But soon, I had no problem thinking of things to talk about or say while I was praying. I began to actually enjoy reading my bible. I felt happier, calmer, more relaxed and slower to anger during the day. At one time I had thought that I would never truly get legitimately close to God, but it was finally happening. It was changing how I thought of people, and how I reacted to them and treated them. Sure, I still struggled with things, but it was now actually possible to help minimize those problems with others in my life. And when it all failed and my day was horrible, I had God to fall back on, to talk to and cry with, to forgive me and to help me back up.
And that is why you should, and how you can, spend more time with God. :)
oh, and PS the reason everything is in past tense is because tbh, I haven't been great in keeping up with this lately. I've fallen away, fallen astray, and my God time in the morning has fallen to the wayside. But don't worry, I'm going to start it up again (or try to, anyway). And now I have more motivation; I know it works, and I know what it feels like when it does! :)
Now, that was how you can spend more time with Him. Here's why you should.
There was a period of time where I would wake up half and hour earlier and spend 30 minutes every morning with God. It was the only time where the house was quiet and free of distractions. Then, I would also pray throughout the day. Doing this consistently, every single day, made my relationship with God much stronger. It took quite a bit of time, and sometimes I even wondered if it was making a difference. But soon, I had no problem thinking of things to talk about or say while I was praying. I began to actually enjoy reading my bible. I felt happier, calmer, more relaxed and slower to anger during the day. At one time I had thought that I would never truly get legitimately close to God, but it was finally happening. It was changing how I thought of people, and how I reacted to them and treated them. Sure, I still struggled with things, but it was now actually possible to help minimize those problems with others in my life. And when it all failed and my day was horrible, I had God to fall back on, to talk to and cry with, to forgive me and to help me back up.
And that is why you should, and how you can, spend more time with God. :)
oh, and PS the reason everything is in past tense is because tbh, I haven't been great in keeping up with this lately. I've fallen away, fallen astray, and my God time in the morning has fallen to the wayside. But don't worry, I'm going to start it up again (or try to, anyway). And now I have more motivation; I know it works, and I know what it feels like when it does! :)
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Why I Became a Christian
I became a Christian when I was 6 or 7 years old, at Camp Arnes, in the Wigwam, and I could even show you almost exactly where I sat in the bleachers when I did If I wanted to. Why did I become a Christian so young? Why did I become a Christian period? Was I being 'brain-washed' or 'manipulated' as I grew up in a Christian home, going to a Christian elementary school, and going to a Christian camp (Arnes) every year in the summer since I was 5 or 6? no. I became a Christian because I truly believed God existed, that Jesus was his son, and that he died and rose again to save my sins, that He really wanted a true, real, relationship with me, and that I needed Him. I was and am a guilty sinner who needs a Saviour. And let's be honest; from what I had heard, Heaven and life on Earth with God by my side sounded pretty awesome and amazing. And yes, I probably didn't completely 110% totally understand what I was doing and why (at least as not as much as I do now). But I did know what I was doing and why to some degree, and I did make the decision of my own regard; it was my decision. I just know more so now 7 or 8 yrs later after i've really thought about what it means to follow Christ. But, that's not the only reason why I became a Christian. That day as I sat in those bleachers looking down on the speaker (I honestly can't remember for the life of me who he was...) and heard him talking, I was moved. He was talking about Jesus, and God and life with them/Him and his own testimony on how God drastically changed his life (or something like that). As I listened to him, and as I sang these beautiful songs about His love and forgiveness, I felt His presence there. He was next to me, around me, He was everywhere in that room as we belted out praise and listened to an inspiring life story. That was the first time I had ever felt His presence. It was subtle at the time I think, but I knew it was Him. It was peace, it was love, it comfort, it was joy, it was, above all, truly indescribable. And then, I just knew. I knew I wanted a life with Him, following Him, loved by Him. I never had an 'earthly father' as we Christians say. He had died in a car crash before I was born. After I accepted Christ into my heart and into my life, he became my Father. He became the perfect Father I never had, the only friend I felt/feel like I could/can tell truly anything to, and go to when I need(ed) someone to talk to, and cry with, and be comforted by in the middle of the night. He was and is the only one who has truly always been there for me through absolutely every little and big thing.
He is my saviour, my father, my comforter, and my best friend.
And that is why I am a Christian. :)
He is my saviour, my father, my comforter, and my best friend.
And that is why I am a Christian. :)
Why You Need To Stop Arguing & How to Stop
Trust me, I get it. If you have siblings, I totally understand why this is super difficult and seemingly impossible at times. They just are so annoying sometimes, and they get on your nerves and anger you so much you explode, and you are surprised you didn't spontaneously combust earlier (ok, slight exaggeration). But, after an argument, even if you got the last word in and seemingly 'won' (whatever that means), or just had a screaming match, you always feel horrible. Mad, angry, upset, frustrated, sad, insulted, etc. Why would you keep actively engaging in something that wastes your time and leaves you feeling like that?
I struggle with this too. I have an older brother, and we never really got along. I've said somethings I regret, he's said some horrible things too, and sometimes I wonder if we will ever truly get along and be friends. Or, as much friends as siblings with a bad past can be. Sometimes I wonder if I will ever really want to be his friend after some of the things he's said. I too am working on trying to argue with and yell at him less, but i'm not doing amazing. And don't even think about completely forgiving him yet, that won't be happening for quite some time. But, the fights are usually pointless and about something stupid. They waste both of our time and never actually accomplish anything besides wrecking our relationship even further. It's not currently as bad as it once was, its definitely been worse, but they still occasionally happen.
Trust me, if there is someone where you are constantly at each others throats, it does get better. But it only gets better if you put in the effort to make it better. Continuing down the current path and neither of you changing anything will never make it better. You can't make them change or change them, but you can start to change yourself for the better today. When an argument happens next, leave. You may be able to diffuse the situation. If so, do. If not, leave without another word. Go somewhere else away from the person and distract yourself. Do something you love to do. Do something to improve your mood (see my previous post on ways to improve your happiness).
If you are a Christian, follow my previous advice, but also pray. Vent your frustrations and anger to God, instead of to another person. He will listen to you and comfort you. Talk to Him about it. Talk to Him about why you are mad, what started the argument, and ask for peace of mind to calm you. Ask for forgiveness for what you said or did to that person, and ask for strength and courage and help to not have an argument or get mad next time. Then, if you can, forgive whoever you were arguing with and ask God to help you do this. Trust me, it is a process - not a one time decision. Then, try to forget about it, let it go, stop dwelling on it, and move on. Enjoy your life, your week, and your day. Don't let what happened negatively affect you or your day. Bye! :)
I struggle with this too. I have an older brother, and we never really got along. I've said somethings I regret, he's said some horrible things too, and sometimes I wonder if we will ever truly get along and be friends. Or, as much friends as siblings with a bad past can be. Sometimes I wonder if I will ever really want to be his friend after some of the things he's said. I too am working on trying to argue with and yell at him less, but i'm not doing amazing. And don't even think about completely forgiving him yet, that won't be happening for quite some time. But, the fights are usually pointless and about something stupid. They waste both of our time and never actually accomplish anything besides wrecking our relationship even further. It's not currently as bad as it once was, its definitely been worse, but they still occasionally happen.
Trust me, if there is someone where you are constantly at each others throats, it does get better. But it only gets better if you put in the effort to make it better. Continuing down the current path and neither of you changing anything will never make it better. You can't make them change or change them, but you can start to change yourself for the better today. When an argument happens next, leave. You may be able to diffuse the situation. If so, do. If not, leave without another word. Go somewhere else away from the person and distract yourself. Do something you love to do. Do something to improve your mood (see my previous post on ways to improve your happiness).
If you are a Christian, follow my previous advice, but also pray. Vent your frustrations and anger to God, instead of to another person. He will listen to you and comfort you. Talk to Him about it. Talk to Him about why you are mad, what started the argument, and ask for peace of mind to calm you. Ask for forgiveness for what you said or did to that person, and ask for strength and courage and help to not have an argument or get mad next time. Then, if you can, forgive whoever you were arguing with and ask God to help you do this. Trust me, it is a process - not a one time decision. Then, try to forget about it, let it go, stop dwelling on it, and move on. Enjoy your life, your week, and your day. Don't let what happened negatively affect you or your day. Bye! :)
Ways to Be Happier :)
(in no particular order)
1. Do things you love doing
This is an obvious one. Doing things you enjoy doing and having fun will obviously make you happier, but sometimes people forget to do that when they get caught up in the busyness of life.
2. Exercise (see link at bottom of page)
3. Get more sleep!
Getting more sleep helps your body recover and repair itself from things you did during the day, it also helps you focus and be more productive, AND you are happier, more energized, and less sensitive to negative emotions! (see link at bottom of page)
4. Go outside!
A study suggested that being outside when it is 13.9 degrees Celcius or higher maximized your happiness and gives you a major mood boost! It also broadened thinking and improved working memory apparently. (see link at bottom of page)
5. Don't argue
i'm doing another post on this topic right after this one.
6. Spend time with friends
Talk to your bff or just any friend of yours. Hang out and spend time together. Do something you both love doing - it will be even more fun with a friend. Even just call the and talk to the on the phone. Or text them, Skype them, facebook message them, whatever! Just talk or hang with them!
7. Listen to high-energy music that you love in a playlist on shuffle.
I dont know about you, but last time I checked ever single person ever gets some sort of mood boost when they listen to their favorite songs, especially when they are high energy. Maybe combine this one with # 4?
8. Forgive and forget, let go of regret! (ha, I just rhymed!)
No one feels great when they refuse to let go of something someone did to them and just forgive them. When you carry around all of that baggage, it weighs you down. Why not just let it go and put the bags down? Now trust me, it wont be easy or instant. The fraise 'let it go' (Who else just though of the song from Frozen? I love that song, its currently my ringtone:) makes it sound like it will be easy and a decision you only have to make once and then everything will be amazing and great. It won't. To forgive someone for something horrible they did is a decision you will have to make countless times. Every time you see them, think of them, talk to them, or interact with them in any way at all. And if you see them or think of them and the first thought or feeling that pops up is a negative one, you haven't quite forgiven them yet. Everyone feels lighter, happier, and is mentally healthier once they've finally let go of other's wrongdoings. Oh, and if there is something you did or didnt do in the past and you still are mad at yourself about it, dont forget to forgive yourself too. You will never be able to go back and change what happened, and not forgiving yourself is just weighing you down and is self-destructive.Also, if you are a Christian like me, ask God to forgive you for that sin too. Ask Him to help you forgive yourself and just forget about, leave the past in the past. He wants to forgive you, He is just waiting for you to ask for it and accept it. If you have to forgive someone else, ask God to help you forgive them too. Ask Him to help you forgive, forget, move on, and never turn back.
9. Spend time with animals!! :) Watch this vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QWu1OJCmMA
It's awesome!
10. Similar to #7, blast your favourite (or one of your favourite) songs and sing along as loud as you can or want! Belt out those lyrics (maybe when you're home alone or just alone though)! I was in a really bad mood recently, and I tried this. By the end of the song I was very happy. It was awesome! :)
11. Check out this link! It has a lot more options too! Also, ask Google! :)
http://blog.bufferapp.com/10-scientifically-proven-ways-to-make-yourself-happier
1. Do things you love doing
This is an obvious one. Doing things you enjoy doing and having fun will obviously make you happier, but sometimes people forget to do that when they get caught up in the busyness of life.
2. Exercise (see link at bottom of page)
3. Get more sleep!
Getting more sleep helps your body recover and repair itself from things you did during the day, it also helps you focus and be more productive, AND you are happier, more energized, and less sensitive to negative emotions! (see link at bottom of page)
4. Go outside!
A study suggested that being outside when it is 13.9 degrees Celcius or higher maximized your happiness and gives you a major mood boost! It also broadened thinking and improved working memory apparently. (see link at bottom of page)
5. Don't argue
i'm doing another post on this topic right after this one.
6. Spend time with friends
Talk to your bff or just any friend of yours. Hang out and spend time together. Do something you both love doing - it will be even more fun with a friend. Even just call the and talk to the on the phone. Or text them, Skype them, facebook message them, whatever! Just talk or hang with them!
7. Listen to high-energy music that you love in a playlist on shuffle.
I dont know about you, but last time I checked ever single person ever gets some sort of mood boost when they listen to their favorite songs, especially when they are high energy. Maybe combine this one with # 4?
8. Forgive and forget, let go of regret! (ha, I just rhymed!)
No one feels great when they refuse to let go of something someone did to them and just forgive them. When you carry around all of that baggage, it weighs you down. Why not just let it go and put the bags down? Now trust me, it wont be easy or instant. The fraise 'let it go' (Who else just though of the song from Frozen? I love that song, its currently my ringtone:) makes it sound like it will be easy and a decision you only have to make once and then everything will be amazing and great. It won't. To forgive someone for something horrible they did is a decision you will have to make countless times. Every time you see them, think of them, talk to them, or interact with them in any way at all. And if you see them or think of them and the first thought or feeling that pops up is a negative one, you haven't quite forgiven them yet. Everyone feels lighter, happier, and is mentally healthier once they've finally let go of other's wrongdoings. Oh, and if there is something you did or didnt do in the past and you still are mad at yourself about it, dont forget to forgive yourself too. You will never be able to go back and change what happened, and not forgiving yourself is just weighing you down and is self-destructive.Also, if you are a Christian like me, ask God to forgive you for that sin too. Ask Him to help you forgive yourself and just forget about, leave the past in the past. He wants to forgive you, He is just waiting for you to ask for it and accept it. If you have to forgive someone else, ask God to help you forgive them too. Ask Him to help you forgive, forget, move on, and never turn back.
9. Spend time with animals!! :) Watch this vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QWu1OJCmMA
It's awesome!
10. Similar to #7, blast your favourite (or one of your favourite) songs and sing along as loud as you can or want! Belt out those lyrics (maybe when you're home alone or just alone though)! I was in a really bad mood recently, and I tried this. By the end of the song I was very happy. It was awesome! :)
11. Check out this link! It has a lot more options too! Also, ask Google! :)
http://blog.bufferapp.com/10-scientifically-proven-ways-to-make-yourself-happier
Saturday, May 10, 2014
What this blog will be like (for now)
Hello, this is my first ever blog post on my first ever blog! My name is Victoria Wolf, I am currently 14 years old and live in Manitoba, Canada. On this blog I will (for now) be posting about my interests, my thoughts and feelings (the ones I want to share anyway!) and my life as I walk through it with God by my side. My interests include animals, my pets, nature, writing (though I don't do it super often), reading, drawing, and hanging with my friends. This blog will probably change in the future. I may at some point decide to make my blog on a more specific and focused topic or decide to stop blogging altogether for a short time. Just a warning for the future. Don't expect me to blog on a schedule or at specific times of the week or month. The posts will be random and at random times on random topics that will probably have nothing to do with the previous post. Enjoy! :)
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