Self-Care Day 4: Today I Embrace Stillness

In the hustle of life, stillness can feel elusive, but Psalm 46:10 invites us to “Be still, and know that I am God.” Today, I chose to embrace stillness, quieting my mind and focusing solely on God’s presence.

For my body, I ate some hot homemade chicken soup and flautas. Eating mindfully reminded me of the importance of slowing down and appreciating God’s provision.

Zig Ziglar said, “Sometimes adversity is what you need to face in order to become successful.” In the stillness, I found clarity and peace to face any challenge.

Prayer: Father, thank You for meeting me in the quiet moments. Help me to find peace in Your presence and carry that stillness into my day. Amen.

Self-Care Day 3: Today I Cultivate Joy Joy is a gift from God that transcends circumstances. Nehemiah 8:10 reminds us, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Today, I focused on cultivating joy by listening to uplifting gospel music and dancing freely, just as David danced before the Lord. For nourishment, I enjoyed a bowl of roasted butternut squash seasoned with cinnamon and nutmeg. Its warmth and sweetness reminded me of God’s goodness in my life. Maya Angelou said, “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive.” Today, I danced, rejoiced, and embraced the strength that joy brings. Prayer: Lord, thank You for the gift of joy. Help me to seek joy in You, even when life feels heavy. Let my joy be a witness of Your goodness. Amen.

Joy is a gift from God that transcends circumstances. Nehemiah 8:10 reminds us, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Today, I focused on cultivating joy by listening to uplifting gospel music and dancing freely, just as David danced before the Lord.

For nourishment, I enjoyed a bowl of roasted butternut squash seasoned with cinnamon and nutmeg. Its warmth and sweetness reminded me of God’s goodness in my life.

Maya Angelou said, “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive.” Today, I danced, rejoiced, and embraced the strength that joy brings.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the gift of joy. Help me to seek joy in You, even when life feels heavy. Let my joy be a witness of Your goodness. Amen.

Remembering Our Grandma: A Reflection on Grief and Mourning

Happy heavenly birthday to our beloved Grandma. Though I know that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8), there are still moments when I feel the ache of her absence deeply.

This past weekend, I learned something that shifted my understanding: there’s a difference between grieving and mourning. Grieving is the internal sorrow we carry — that quiet ache in our hearts. Mourning, however, is the outward expression of that grief, the way we allow ourselves to process and share the sorrow with others.

Ecclesiastes 3:4 reminds us that there is “a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.” God, in His infinite wisdom, knows that mourning is part of the healing process. Mourning allows us to honor the love we shared and acknowledge the loss while finding comfort in the presence of family, friends, and ultimately, the Lord.

I write this as tears stream down my face, a testament to the love and gratitude I hold for our grandma. I find myself doing both — grieving quietly in those tender moments when I miss her smile, her wisdom, and the way she loved us all so well, and mourning outwardly by sharing these thoughts with you, my family, who loved her just as much as I did.

Grandma’s life was a testament to love, faith, and resilience. Her prayers, her laughter, and her presence shaped who we are today. While grief may linger in our hearts, I choose to honor her by living in the joy and love she always encouraged.

Psalm 30:11 speaks so beautifully of God’s promise: “You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.” I know that God is turning our mourning into joy, even as we carry her memory forward.

Today, on her heavenly birthday, I celebrate her life, her legacy, and the love she left with us. I encourage us all to lean on one another and on God, knowing that while we grieve, we are never without hope.

To my family — let us share the stories, the laughter, and the lessons she taught us. Let us mourn, but let us also dance in the joy of knowing she is resting in the arms of the Lord.

With love and faith.

Self-Care Day 2: Today I Let Go of Worries

It’s easy to carry yesterday’s worries into today, but 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” Letting go is a spiritual act of trust, and today, I chose to release my burdens to God.

I took a moment to stretch and breathe deeply, visualizing God’s peace filling me. To nourish my body, I prepared a simple salad of arugula, avocado, and citrus slices with a drizzle of olive oil. The freshness reminded me of the lightness God offers when we release our worries.

Zig Ziglar wisely said, “Worrying doesn’t take away tomorrow’s troubles; it takes away today’s peace.” Today, I choose peace.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for caring about my burdens. Help me to trust You fully and release my worries into Your capable hands. Fill my heart with peace today. Amen.

Self-Care Day 1: Today I Begin with Gratitude and Hope

Starting a new month feels like opening a fresh chapter. I’m reminded of Lamentations 3:22-23: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” This verse fills me with gratitude for God’s endless mercy and the opportunity to grow spiritually this month.

To nurture my body, I prepared a smoothie bowl with mixed berries, almond butter, and chia seeds. As I savored the vibrant colors and flavors, I thought about how God desires for us to care for ourselves fully—spirit, mind, and body.

Maya Angelou once said, “Be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud.” I reflected on how showing kindness to myself allows me to be a light to others.

Prayer: Father, thank You for this new beginning. Help me to embrace Your compassion and walk through this month with gratitude. Strengthen my body, mind, and spirit so I can be a blessing to others. Amen.

February 2025 Self-Care Journey Calendar

So blessed to have made it through my self-care journey for January 2025.  On to February!

This self-care calendar for February 2025 reflects a focus to promote balance in my spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being. It draws on the wisdom of scriptures and encouragement from both Maya Angelou and Zig Ziglar, offering daily inspiration and practical nourishment for my self-care journey.

I am happy to be writing again and hope you will enjoy my blog posts as I reflect on the journey each day!

Day 1 (Sat): Focus on the Power of Words

• Reflect on the impact of words in your life today. Nourish your body with a bowl of mixed fruit, embracing the sweetness of your words and thoughts.

Day 2 (Sun): Nourish Your Soul Through Quiet Time

• Set aside time for quiet reflection. Meditate on Psalm 46:10 and enjoy a simple bowl of warm oatmeal with cinnamon.

Day 3 (Mon): Release the Weight of Worry

• Focus on letting go of anxiety. Enjoy a light salad of mixed greens with a citrus vinaigrette to feel refreshed both physically and emotionally.

Day 4 (Tue): Strengthen Your Inner Peace

• Take time for prayer and meditation on Philippians 4:7. Prepare a nourishing vegetable stir-fry for dinner and reflect on how peace nourishes your soul.

Day 5 (Wed): Honor Your Body with Movement

• Stretch, walk, or do gentle exercises. For a healthy snack, enjoy sliced apple with almond butter.

Day 6 (Thu): Embrace Self-Compassion

• Practice self-compassion today, knowing that God’s grace covers you. Eat a vibrant vegetable salad with avocado for nourishment.

Day 7 (Fri): Focus on Gratitude

• Write down three things you are grateful for. Snack on mixed berries, feeling thankful for the small blessings in your life.

Day 8 (Sat): Take Time to Rest in God's Presence

• Rest and spend time in God’s presence, reading Psalm 23. Enjoy a refreshing cucumber and mint-infused water.

Day 9 (Sun): Embrace Your Identity in Christ

• Reflect on your identity as a beloved child of God. Treat yourself to a fresh fruit salad to remind yourself that you are wonderfully made.

Day 10 (Mon): Declutter Your Mind and Space

• Take a moment to declutter a small space in your home. While doing so, enjoy fresh mango slices as a reminder of God's simplicity and goodness.

Day 11 (Tue): Cultivate Inner Peace Through Prayer

• Take time to pray for peace in your heart. Enjoy a bowl of roasted sweet potatoes, filled with warmth and comfort.

Day 12 (Wed): Celebrate Your Strengths

• Reflect on the strengths God has given you. Snack on a few slices of bell peppers with guacamole as a reminder of how strength can come from the simplest sources.

Day 13 (Thu): Nurture Your Emotional Health

• Be kind to your emotions today. Take time to reflect and nourish your body with a fresh, leafy salad.

Day 14 (Fri): Practice Forgiveness

• Reflect on the power of forgiveness. For a snack, enjoy apple slices with almond butter, symbolizing sweetness in relationships.

Day 15 (Sat): Embrace the Beauty of Rest

• Rest in the Lord today. Let go of all burdens and find rest in God’s presence. Nourish yourself with warm roasted vegetables.

Day 16 (Sun): Commit to Moving Forward with Joy

• Make a commitment to move forward with joy, trusting that God is guiding you. Treat yourself to a fresh smoothie filled with fruits and nutrients.

Day 17 (Mon): Prioritize Spiritual Growth

• Focus on your spiritual growth today. Spend some time meditating on Isaiah 26:3 and nourish your body with a salad topped with avocado.

Day 18 (Tue): Release What No Longer Serves You

• Let go of what is holding you back today. For nourishment, enjoy a fresh fruit salad with a drizzle of orange juice for added sweetness.

Day 19 (Wed): Embrace the Process of Transformation

• Reflect on your journey of growth, remembering that transformation takes time. Nourish your body with roasted sweet potatoes as a reminder of the beautiful change in your life.

Day 20 (Thu): Focus on God's Promises

• Take time to reflect on God’s promises. Snack on fresh cucumber slices as a way to refresh both your body and mind.

Day 21 (Fri): Set Healthy Boundaries

• Focus on setting healthy boundaries that protect your emotional well-being. Enjoy a light mixed greens salad, making space for both healthy choices and emotional health.

Day 22 (Sat): Let Go of Stress

• Release stress and rest in God’s peace. Hydrate with water infused with cucumber and mint, letting go of tension.

Day 23 (Sun): Embrace Creativity

• Take time to express your creativity today. Enjoy a wholesome vegetable stir-fry, nourishing your body and soul.

Day 24 (Mon): Cultivate Joy

• Embrace joy in all things. Enjoy a vibrant bowl of mixed fruit to celebrate the beauty and sweetness of joy.

Day 25 (Tue): Move Your Body with Gratitude

• Engage in gentle exercise to honor your body. For nourishment, enjoy apple slices with almond butter as a reminder of God’s provision for your health.

Day 26 (Wed): Focus on Gratitude

• Reflect on the many blessings in your life and express gratitude. Enjoy a bowl of fresh strawberries and blueberries, reflecting on the goodness of God.

Day 27 (Thu): Check in with Your Emotions

• Take time to care for your emotional health today. Enjoy a refreshing cucumber salad as you reflect on how God is with you in every emotion.

Day 28 (Fri): Rest in God’s Presence

• Set aside time for rest in God’s presence. Hydrate with cucumber-infused water as you allow God’s peace to settle within you.

Self-Care Day 31: Today I Gave God the Glory

Reflecting on 1 Corinthians 10:31: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God,” reminded me that every part of my life can be an act of worship. As I enjoyed a fruit smoothie with frozen berries and almond milk, I thought about how even the simplest acts, like choosing nourishing foods, can honor God.

Writing down one lesson learned during this fast was a powerful way to close this chapter. God has taught me the importance of intentional care for my body, mind, and spirit. I am stronger, more grateful, and more in tune with His presence.

As this self-care journey comes to a close, I encourage you to continue seeking ways to honor God in your daily life. Every moment is an opportunity to glorify Him.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for walking with me through this journey. Help me to carry these lessons forward and to glorify You in all that I do. May my life be a reflection of Your love and grace. Amen.