Calm

“The nearer a man comes to a calm mind, the closer he is to strength.” Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 11.18.5b When I read this, it struck a chord. I am not always calm. I have my frenzied moments. Moments where I don’t trust timing, hormonal moments (there should be greeting cards apologizing for PMS– I couldContinue reading “Calm”

Honoring Self

By: Gabriela Yareliz That image above is the image the world associates with the Nikki Bella-John Cena breakup. She is crying in that photo. Nikki Bella (and Brie Bella) announced her (their) pregnancy (Brie’s second child; Nikki’s first), this week. It brought me back to this moment that changed everything. Nikki’s breakup with John CenaContinue reading “Honoring Self”

Preparation

“You cannot plan for the life God has for you, you can only prepare for it.” Erwin McManus Here is to preparation. For the hours we spend in His presence, the times we spend listening and the chapters we read through in His word. Preparation is about character. Yesterday, I was reading in Luke thatContinue reading “Preparation”

My God is Alive

By: Gabriela Yareliz When we feel discouraged, let us remember that God is not dead. God is alive. God is working in every earnest heart that is humble and ready to receive Him. When confusion rages– we must remember that there is a movement of people that is on its knees. A movement of peopleContinue reading “My God is Alive”

Courage

In The Courage to Be Disliked, a statement/rhetorical question continues to emerge: Do we have the courage to be happy? The philosopher in the book emphasizes that life is less about the hand we have been dealt but more about our courage, regardless of the hand. I pray we can all find the courage toContinue reading “Courage”

Two Reminders

By: Gabriela Yareliz In recent days, I have been reminded of two important principles we should always keep before us: 1. Discomfort Before Change I was doing my morning Pilates practice, and the instructor was talking me through how to get into a position that requires a lot of balance. It was hard. It feltContinue reading “Two Reminders”

Choice

“It is the ability to choose which makes us human.” Madeleine L’Engle By: Gabriela Yareliz I was reading Essentialism this morning, and in the book, there was a powerful reminder to remember our power to choose. “The ability to choose cannot be taken away or ever given away– it can only be forgotten.” pg. 36Continue reading “Choice”

Our Greatest Contribution

By: Gabriela Yareliz One of the lessons I have been learning and processing is this idea of guarding our hearts and minds. In spirituality, we often just think about this as it relates to purity, but I think that in this day and age that we live in, as we see more and more peopleContinue reading “Our Greatest Contribution”

Leaving Behind

By: Gabriela Yareliz I was reminded by Bailey, a sweet blogger at This Illustrious Life, in this decade and year– what are we leaving behind? She said maybe it’s anxiety, insecurities, maybe even negativity. I want to take that one step further. I recognize that while it may be easy to get nostalgic over theContinue reading “Leaving Behind”

Merry Christmas

“The Christian story is precisely the story of one grand miracle, the Christian assertion being that what is beyond all space and time, what is uncreated, eternal, came into nature, into human nature, descended into His own universe, and rose again, bringing nature up with Him. It is precisely one great miracle. If you takeContinue reading “Merry Christmas”