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After a year of fighting burnout and lacking in creative motivation, I changed my perspective at the beginning of 2024. Hanging out in the dark dungeons of melancholy or fear is no place for a Daughter of the King. As believers, we have tools at our disposal to help us step back into the light of life and walk out our purpose. First, I want to caveat this with the understanding that depression and anxiety are real emotions that might need more than a pep-talk to get over. Anyone suffering from true depression needs to reach out and seek help. You are not meant to walk that path alone, got me? For this post, I’m simply talking about suffering from burnout, worry, and a lack of confidence in oneself that halts our progress and keeps us from thriving in our calling as believers. I came to this understanding late last year and began to find ways to wake up my heart and love for being a creative and artist. Now, you may be thinking, “I’m not an artist, and I’m certainly not creative.” Well, that’s okay. I think this post can still be for you. We all have moments of drearies as I call my moody days when getting out of bed is a challenge. I believe these 5 tips to stay motivated are pretty much universal and I hope you’ll find a bit of encouragement to step up, straighten your shoulders and get on with the journey of your life. We all were given a purpose in this world to make our little sphere of the universe a better place. Are you ready? Let’s get moving--
Where Are You Going?This wasn’t the first time Alyra, (Ah-leer-ah) from the White Road Chronicle series, felt the White Road pulling her. What is the White Road, you might ask, (if you haven’t read this series, yet)? Well, the White Road represents the life path we are meant to follow. There are many paths to choose from. But that one road, isn’t very obvious. It winds through forests, thickets, mountains, and valleys, and is the one road where you find your true purpose.
I believe with all my heart that we each have a purpose and a destination to walk out in our lives. I live this belief, I write about this belief, and I tell anyone who will give me a minute of their time about this belief. The question is, do you believe it, friend? Do you believe you have a purpose for existing? That the God of the universe has a plan for you? The Bible says it’s true. That’s why I believe it. But let’s get back to our traveling friend, Alyra. This post was supposed to go out last Thursday. Sorry for the delay. Life happens, right?
Way back in November, I started thinking about what I hoped to accomplish in 2024. Every year, I ask the Lord to give me a word for the year ahead. I make time to contemplate what goals I wish to chase after, and more importantly, to develop a vision for my life going forward. However, I cannot make these decisions alone. Nor can I base them merely on what I want to see happen. February insists that we contemplate Love, Loving, and all the sickly-sweet feel-good thoughts that are supposed to go along with Valentine's Day. But what if you’re just not feeling it? What if people have let you down? What if you’re angry and unable to drum up a droplet of love inside your Grinch-sized tiny heart?
You know, I’ve been there a time or two…or three. Whatever. However, I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t matter. You can still love that prickly person. You can find forgiveness for those who’ve hurt you. Most of all, you can be free of the burden of resentment. Keep reading, and I’ll share with you what I’ve learned. Hustle… Get it Done!… Busy, Busy, Busy!
These are stickers left in the booklets I often buy to decorate my planners with. Why would I leave them? Because I’ve learned something this past year that might just forever change my life. The winter months can be a rough time for me. I’m a sunny-sunshiny kind of gal who needs bright days to keep her motivated and her heart happy. The winter months, with their cold temperatures, along with gloomy and shorter days, can be difficult for even the most happy-hearted of us. Do you find yourself dragging through the winter months? If you get snow, I’m sure it’s beautiful at first, but as winter drags on, the snow turns gray and muddy, does your attitude do the same? We don’t need to fall into this pit of doldrums. Let me share a few things I’ve explored over this past year of learning to slow down. Are you stuck in the Winter Blues? I’ve created a little something fun to share with my Story World Newsletter Subscribers. Not a subscriber? No worries. I'll provide a link where you can sign up and still get the January freebie. If you decide my Story World doesn’t interest you, unsubscribe anytime.
Whether you have the game board or not, there are still a lot of fun things you can do to liven up the winter months and keep away the gloomy blues. Want some inspiration? Keep reading. |
Author & Artist Jackie Castle
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