by Alisha | May 18, 2015 | Uncategorized
I write a lot about “flourishing.” I mean, Flourish is the name of this blog, after all. So, I write about flourishing in your spirit, flourishing in your soul (your mind, emotions, and creative center), and flourishing in your body…blah blah blah.
But who really even cares about flourishing?
Maybe you’d rather find out how not to flourish? If so, this post is for you!
Just follow these 7 simple steps, and instead of flourishing, you’ll wither away, shrivel, and eventually dry up!
How Not to Flourish
1. Continually look at your circumstances.
2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV) says, “For we live by faith, not by sight.” But if you want to do your own thing, then just keep living by what you see and feel. Don’t try to look beyond your circumstances. Don’t you dare believe that things will get better. Nah! Just keep focusing on everything that’s going wrong and you definitely won’t flourish.
2. Constantly feel sorry for yourself.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) says, “Give thanks in all circumstances…” While you’re looking at your circumstances, also add to that a big heaping measure of self-pity. I mean, how could you possibly give thanks during them? No one cares about what you’re going through. You’re sad, pitiful, and pathetic. Just keep wallowing and you’ll wither even more.
3. Refuse to get rid of sin.
Song of Songs 2:15 (NLT) says, “Catch all the little foxes before they ruin the vineyard…” But what do you care about your vineyard? You’re trying not to flourish, right? So, you might as well keep on doing that thing you’re doing (you know what it is). After all, choosing life (Deut. 30:19) will cause you to grow and thrive. You really don’t want to do that, do you?
4. Live in continual strife with others.
Psalm 133:1 (NIV) says, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” But who needs goodness and pleasantness? You’re trying to shrivel, aren’t you? So go ahead, quarrel, argue, and stir up strife with everyone you meet. That will really help you out.
5. Be super-sensitive and easy to get your feelings hurt.
1 Corinthians 13:5 (AMP) says that love “is not touchy or fretful or resentful.” But “they” were so rude to you. So don’t bother walking in love, because that will cause you to live in victory – a vibrant, beautiful life (and we’re going for withered).
6. Never forgive or forget.
Mark 11:25 (NLT) tells us, “When you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.” But think about what they did to you (and think about it over and over)! They probably did it on purpose, or they may not have even known they hurt you. But who cares? Continue to be angry and hold a grudge against them. (That’ll teach them!) And you can be content to lick your wounds.
7. Be selfish.
Philippians 2:3 (NLT) says, “Don’t be selfish…” But it really is all about you. So, make sure you take care of Number One. Refuse to have a generous, giving heart. Refuse to help, encourage, and cheer others on. Instead, think about yourself ALL the time. After all, you’re all you’ve got!
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There are plenty of other ways not to flourish, but if you will follow these seven simple steps, you’ll be surprised at how fast you begin to wither! You’ll also live a sad, miserable existence, but at least you won’t be flourishing!
(And yes, this post was meant to be tongue-in-cheek. My desire is that you will choose to flourish. Therefore, do the complete opposite of each of these steps and you’ll find yourself thriving in life!)
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by Alisha | Mar 23, 2015 | Uncategorized
Are you tapping into the creativity that is on the inside of you and expressing yourself with something made by your own hands on a regular basis? If not, I hope this post will convince you to do so. Because as you will see, there are tremendous benefits to your entire being!
From my own experience, I can attest to the fact that I am a happier woman, wife and mother when I take time for myself to make something with my own hands.
You don’t have to draw or paint to create. You could make beautiful music on an instrument, write poetry, crochet or knit, bake and decorate cakes, create one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry. The possibilities are limitless!
The point is: Do something with your hands that satisfies your heart and soul.
As I mentioned in my book, A Life That Flourishes,
“You are the crowning design of the Ultimate Artist. In fact, the Bible calls you God’s masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10 NLT). And this word “masterpiece” is the Greek word poiema, which carries the idea of something that is artfully created.
Not only were you artfully created, but when you were formed you were also given specific desires, talents, abilities, gifts, and passions to help you fulfill God’s purpose for your life.
Furthermore, as a Christian, you have the Creator living on the inside of you! So, if you want to cultivate your soul and fulfill your God-given purpose, then it is important that you take time to explore those creative passions.”
You are so much more creative than you think you are! So let’s look at some of the benefits that taking time to create will bring into your life:
10 Benefits of Creativity
1. Joy – Creating brings tremendous joy! Apparently, the Lord loves and takes tremendous pleasure in creating. The beauty and splendor of His creation is all around us, and He creates new life each and every day. So when you create something beautiful out of the humblest of materials, you are able to partake of a little bit of His joy in doing so.
2. Self Expression – Creativity allows you the freedom of self-expression. There’s a deep sense of satisfaction that comes from making something with your own hands. Just like the Proverbs 31 woman who did everything under the sun, we can feel a sense of accomplishment and perhaps identify a teensy bit with her when we make things for our home and family.
3. Fulfillment – By allowing the creativity on the inside of you to flow out, you will be a more content and fulfilled woman. And a more content, fulfilled woman is less prone to feel sorry for herself or “put upon” by others as one who is dissatisfied and disappointed with life. When you have a deep sense of fulfillment, you are better able to meet the many needs of your family and others around you.
4. Authenticity – When you create, you put something of yourself into the work. It reflects you – your artistry, your skill and your ability. Even if you were to copy someone else, your piece would still be a bit different – uniquely yours. The more you create, the more you discover your likes and dislikes. You realize your desires more fully, and begin to develop your own ideas, style and technique. Your work reflects who you really are.
5. Sense of Balance – You are a whole person – spirit, soul and body. We know that our spirits need time in the Word of God and fellowship with the Lord in prayer. And we know that our bodies need healthy food and proper exercise. But our souls – our minds, intellect, creative center – also need proper care. By giving yourself an outlet for creativity, you allow your soul freedom to grow and soar. Engaging in creativity “fills your cup” and brings a sense of balance to your whole being.
6. Resourcefulness – Sometimes obstacles arise while you are creating, so you have to become more resourceful. You have to problem solve. This helps you think and process things in new and different ways. And as you overcome these challenges, you begin to feel empowered and able to face other challenges head on.
7. Stress Release – When you set aside time to create for your own pleasure and enjoyment, it helps relieve stress and built-up tension. You can lose yourself for hours and experience a sense of timelessness as you let your mind wander and dream while you work with your hands.
8. Improved Health – Studies have shown that stress can lead to weight gain, lower immunity to infections, increased levels of glucose, and heart disease. Since creativity helps to lower stress levels, it stands to reason that engaging in it will help improve your overall health (both mental and physical).
9. Continued Growth – As you give way to creativity and the enjoyment you gain from it, you begin to realize that you want to learn how to create even more. You’ll want to improve your technique and grow in your craft. Creativity brings a continual learning process that helps you to continue to grow.
10. Connection with Other Women – In order to improve your creative skills, you will begin to connect with other creative women who can teach you and help you along. In turn, you can do the same for other women. You will exchange ideas, techniques, provide feedback, and encourage one another. This develops a strong sense of community and connection which can be deeply rewarding.
I encourage you to find a hobby or creative outlet that you enjoy and pursue it. Learn to organize your time, energy and resources so that you can do something creative everyday – or at least on a regular basis.
Not only does creativity benefit you, it also encourages your children to explore their own creative passions, which can produce such a sense of pleasure and accomplishment in them. Model joy and excitement in creating for yourself and for others. And nurture the creativity that is in them!
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Looking for a way to encourage and nurture your children’s (and your) creativity? Then I invite you to join me for any of my mixed media art workshops. Click on the image below for more information!
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by Alisha | Mar 8, 2015 | Uncategorized
Are you intentionally nourishing your soul?
If not, I want to encourage you to take some time today to think about the things minister life, peace and joy to you, then set aside some time to pursue them on a regular basis.
When I speak about the soul, I am not referring to your spirit – the hidden man of the heart that 1 Peter 3:4 talks about – I am actually referring to your mind, emotions, creative center, etc. (If you want more information on the difference between your spirit and soul, then I encourage you to listen to this podcast episode. It will help you distinguish between the two.)
As women we are often pulled in every direction, stretched well beyond our limits, and expected to keep our emotions – and everyone else’s – under control. And that’s not always so easy to do.
But if you can learn to disconnect from the busy-ness and stress of everyday life to invest a few moments in yourself, then you’ll find that you are better able to handle all the craziness that life throws at you.
When you nourish something, you supply it with what is necessary to sustain life and growth.
What fills your soul with life?
Which hobbies, activities, or daily rituals bring you joy or a deep sense of satisfaction? What whispers to you and beckons you to make more time for it in your life? Pay attention to those whispers or gentle nudges to come away and refresh yourself.
I have compiled a list of things that help me nourish my soul. I encourage you to use them as a springboard for nourishing yours.
10 Ways to Nourish Your Soul
1. Make time each day to be alone.
This time for solitude and quietude doesn’t just have to be in the early mornings (though that’s when I prefer mine), grab snatches of “alone time” whenever you can. When you are alone, you are able to think, feel, dream, commune with the Father, and receive His wisdom and guidance. You are able to shut out all other voices and hone in on the voice of your own spirit. If you will learn to do this, you will tap into the inner well of riches that God has placed within you.
2. Take a tea break.
Even on the busiest days it is possible to pull away for a few moments and sit down with a nice hot cup of tea (or coffee, if you must). During this time you can sit quietly and let that lovely beverage warm your body and soul while your mind can wander (if only we women had a “nothing box” like our husbands do)!
3. Read.
Sometimes you just need to let the dishes and laundry wait while you curl up with a good novel. It is important that you read books on spiritual growth and personal development, but I believe that it is also important that you spend time with the “classics” as well. Why? Because classic works of literature will enrich your mind, stir your emotions and passions, fill you with new ideas, and awaken your soul.
4. Write.
Do you have a strong desire to write, to express the deepest thoughts and ideas of your heart through the written word? Are you the type of person who finds it much easier to journal or communicate in writing rather than verbally? Perhaps you have a deep desire to write a book or poetry or worship songs or even start a blog. What is stopping you? Someone needs to hear what you have to say. In fact, you may be the only person who can reach that one person with your heartfelt words. You must find your “voice” and give expression to it.
5. Listen to your favorite music.
Music has a tremendous effect upon the spirit and the soul. Because of its incredible power, it can bring healing, peace, inspiration, joy, hope, and exhilaration on one end of the emotional spectrum. On the opposite end, music can produce sadness, turmoil, fear, aggression and other negative feelings. (I’d encourage you to choose the former rather than the latter.) There is a certain type – and most likely, many types – of music that will resonate with your soul. Think about the kinds of music that minister life to your spirit. Which types of music soothe your soul? Make you feel happy and carefree? Bring back sweet and pleasant memories? Energize or exhilarate you? Feed your soul with your favorite music.
6. Make your own music.
If you are a singer or musician or long to take up music lessons once again then make sure you’re pursuing your gift on a consistent basis. Even if you never learned to play an instrument but have a desire to, then do it! Music is an art like no other. It helps give expression to the deep emotions of the human soul.
7. Be creative.
Tapping into the creativity that is on the inside of you and expressing yourself with something made by your own hands will cultivate and nourish your soul like nothing else can! There are many different areas in which you can use your artistic abilities. I encourage you to find a hobby that you enjoy and pursue it. Carve out a small work space and a block of time each day (or once a week) to create in some form or fashion. Then be fierce about pursuing it on a regular basis – without guilt. This is one of the best things you could do for yourself as a mom.
8. Commune with nature.
Have you ever wondered why the Lord placed Adam and Eve in a garden instead of building them a nice little home in which to dwell? Perhaps it’s because He knew just how much our human souls would need the beauty of His creation. There is nothing like spending time in the great outdoors to put all of life’s problems in perspective. Nature can awaken your soul and stimulate your senses, making you feel more alive. Then on the other hand, it can quiet and still your soul, bringing you immense comfort, tranquility and peace. You need the beauty of the natural world and God has generously given it to you.
9. Create a personal growth plan.
One very important way to nourish your soul is to never stop learning. In fact, I encourage you to develop a “lifestyle of learning.” We mothers are always eager to invest in our children’s education, but it is vitally important that we continue to invest in our own as well. As Christians, we should be continually growing, changing and progressing “from glory to glory.” If we are not moving forward, then we will begin to stagnate. The Bible is all about growth. We are encouraged to grow in wisdom, knowledge, understanding, love, grace, and more. There is always room for improvement in every area of our lives. Cultivate your mind and intellect and your soul will thank you!
10. Create a peaceful atmosphere in your home.
Your home should be a sanctuary for your soul – a haven full of love, laughter, and the peace of God. It should be a refuge from the rest of the world for you and your family, and a place of encouragement and gracious hospitality to others. It should rejuvenate all who live and visit there, and refresh their souls when necessary. Decorate and organize your home in a way that pleases you and your family. Make sure it is filled with beauty, pleasant sounds, delicious aromas, and most of all, love.
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When the Lord created us, He gave us these amazing souls to allow us to articulate our own uniqueness, to express our innermost passions, to think, to feel, to reason, to imagine, to dream and to grow. By taking time to you nourish your soul, you will be a more satisfied woman, wife and mother. Not only that, it will also affect all other areas of your life!
To expound on any of these areas of nourishing your soul, check out my book, A Life That Flourishes, from which much of this post was excerpted.
I would love to hear what you do to nourish your soul. What things bring rest, refreshment, and a deep sense of satisfaction to you?
Photo credit
This post is part of a link-up with my friends at iHomeschool Network called, “Renewing Myself During Mom Time.” Click on the image below to read more of these inspiring posts.
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by Alisha | Sep 22, 2014 | Uncategorized
Are you feeling frustrated over a situation that you’ve prayed about, but haven’t yet received the answer to?
If so, I want to encourage you to resist that frustration.
You see, frustration is not faith. It is actually unbelief because deep down, a part of you is asking, “Why isn’t this working?” It allows doubt to begin to creep into your heart.
But faith believes that God is working even when it doesn’t look or feel like He is. Faith is not moved by what it sees, nor by what it feels.
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” — 2 Corinthians 5:7
Faith does not waver. It keeps its eyes fixed on the eternal promises (the Word) of God.
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” — 2 Corinthians 4:18
So what do you do when you begin to feel a sense of frustration?
- Resist it — stand against the temptation to become frustrated.
- Continue to give God praise for the answer to your prayer.
- Enter into REST.
“For we who have believed do enter into rest…” — Hebrews 4:3
Rest in the truth that God’s Word works. Rest in the truth that He holds you in the palm of His hand. Rest in the truth that He loves you with an everlasting love. And rest in the truth that He only wants to do you good.
He is working behind the scenes even when you can’t tell. He is taking good care of you. If you’ll keep standing in faith, you will have the very thing you are believing God for!
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by Alisha | Aug 11, 2014 | Uncategorized
“When everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw he couldn’t do but on what God said He would do.” – Romans 4:18 (MSG)
Do you have a situation in your life right now that seems hopeless? Maybe you have more than one circumstance or situation that appears hopeless or even impossible. If so, please know that you are not alone.
We all go through tests and trials that sometimes leave us feeling desperate and despondent. Everything around us looks as if we will never make it through. And it feels as if our world might come crashing down on top of us.
But I want to encourage you today to follow the example set before us by our father in the faith, Abraham. Romans 4:17 says that even though “everything was hopeless, Abraham believed God anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw…”
Abraham made the decision to not live according to his senses. He chose to believe God’s Word over everything else that he saw, heard and felt. The circumstances were screaming at him that what he’d been promised was impossible, yet…
He believed anyway.
Whatever you are going through, whatever you are facing, God is still on the throne. His Word is still true. What He has promised, He will surely do!
For God Himself has said, “I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. I will not, I will not, I will not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let you down (relax My hold on you)! Assuredly not!” – Hebrews 13:5 (AMP)
Though your situation may appear to be worsening, all hope is not lost. Don’t despair. Don’t be afraid. Choose to place your trust in the One who sees you, loves you and knows exactly how to work your situation out. He will never fail you. He will never forsake you. He will never let you down.
No matter what it looks like, choose to believe God anyway!
Prayer:
“Father, even though my situation looks hopeless, I know that You are still on the throne. I believe Your Word over what I see, hear, and feel. You know exactly how to take care of the problem(s) I am facing, so I ask for Your help. Please come right into the middle of my circumstances and fix them for me. Show me what I need to do regarding this situation. I trust in You to bring me through to victory! In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Photo Credit
