How do you handle extended family (or friends) who disagree with your decision or who don’t see your perspective? You don’t.

Move forward with what you want to do. You’re an adult. You get to choose.

You don’t owe them anything. No explanations, no convincing, no proving. Sure, you can explain your decision or opinion, which you likely already did, and if they STILL don’t agree or see your perspective... then leave it at that.

Don’t be so busy that life passes you by. Don’t get caught up in all the things you could be dong and take for granted the blessing you have sitting under your roof. Your dreams will be there tomorrow, but your children are growing fast.

Not that you can’t pursue your dreams while your kids area t home, just do is smart. If you discipline yourself to live a balanced life then you can do both, and do them both well. This is an area I am always trying to improve in.

The other day I was hanging up my son's clothes. My kids do their laundry but my oldest was at work and unable to do so. I didn’t want his clothes staring at me all day, so I hung them up.

At that moment I was thinking…

I wonder how many moms are guilty of this? Doing their kids’ chores and take on their responsibilities because it’s faster or more convenient. They THINK they are doing their kids a favour but instead... they are robbing them.

I spent many years agonizing over myself, my perceived flaws and imperfections. I sincerely struggled to accept who I was and find peace with myself.

👉 So what did I do? 👉 How did I change?

You’re not going to like it…

It’s hard…

It’s a struggle…

But it’s worth it...

When everything is easy and going your way... it takes no effort to be happy and positive. No strength necessary. Strength is shown when you’re under pressure, and when things are hard. This is when you reveal what you’re really made of.

If someone crosses you, hurts your feelings, is offensive, or if you simply don’t get your way…

Do ‘cat claws’ come out? Claws reveal weakness. It shows those around you, YOU ARE NOT in control. It reveals that inside, there’s pain, sensitivity or immaturity.

Heartfelt-intimacy occurs when you can expose your passions, fears, concerns and excitement while feeling safe, loved ... and LISTENED-TO as you do so.

This doesn't happen just because you carve out ONE EVENING to do so. It takes multiple evenings of healthy CONNECTION and healthy COMMUNICATION before one is EVEN READY to open up their heart.

Communication breakdown isn't because couples don't "talk" but because they rarely get beyond the "HAVE-TO" conversations and make it to the "WANT-TO" conversations..

Thoughts are WITHIN YOUR CONTROL. You can do something about them. Like a radio station, if you don’t like what you hear, change the channel. This is taking thoughts captive. 2 Corinthians 10:5.

If you don’t know how to control the thoughts in your head you will never break free from torment causing you to be susceptible to whatever wave of emotion comes your way.

I remember being empty. Wondering if life will ever be beautiful and if I’ll ever live out my dreams. I cried. Struggled with unhealthy thoughts and lived in confusion.

But now life is different.

My heart overflows with joy as I daily count the blessings that surround me. The contrast is so stark that I’ve become incessantly passionate to help others experience life-to-the-full.

Just as your food becomes the building blocks for your physical body, what you feed your mind builds your thoughts, beliefs, perspective, emotions and feelings.

Be intentional about what you are feeding your mind, take time to seek out messages of hope and true... prioritize this in your life. As a result, you‘ll find yourself increasing in happiness, stability, inner-strength and motivation.

When people ask me what I do it’s can be a difficult concept to explain.

“I teach people proven laws and principles to help them build a successful life.” What does that even mean?

This is why you’ll often see me outline the SPECIFIC RESULTS I’ve had by living this way.

Such as: Overcoming depression and being suicidal. Breaking free from an eating disorder and low self-esteem. Building a healthy marriage out of two emotionally unhealthy individuals. Raising happy, emotionally stable kids who have a healthy identity, knowing who they are, loving who they are, and who are passionate about their life and future.  BUT ALSO... we’ve applied these laws to increase financially and materially. (As in the example with my little fur-friend)

I have a family member who triggers me with everything she says. Sometimes I really have to bite my tongue to not express how wrong I think she is and how rude she is. When I have confronted her in the past, it has not gone well and she ended up screaming at me. Is it really best to not say anything? How do I know when I should say something?

I’m in a similar situation with a family member… 

Allow me to explain and perhaps it’ll shed light on what you are dealing with.

I have an extended family member who is often cynical, critical, and brash in their tone. I find them rude and disrespectful during conversations.... most of the time.

The only way you can life in peace and be untroubled is if you know how to develop peace within. Peace within makes you able to work though difficulties without. Knowing how to calm yourself and work through conflict tactfully results in happier people, healthier relationships and a more favourable outcome.

If you want to ACT properly in the midst of difficulties, you need to SEE yourself making the right choice NOW.

If you don't pre-think your reactions, you will find your emotions getting the best of you.

Are you going to see yourself holding onto joy and peace, or will you let your emotions blind you and push you around?

You measure inner strength by looking at someones joy level. To the extent you are joyful reveals how strong you are emotionally. I’m not talking about a fleeting emotion of happiness, based on how good your day is going. I’m talking joy, a stable, consistent attitude of being content.

I understand that overlooking offence may seem impossible, but it's not. It may feel awkward, strange, or even wrong, but do it anyway, and rest assured because benefits are coming. 

Letting things go is not normal. What's normal is letting people have it, expressing your disdain, and making sure you have the last word. 

When you've decided to let something go, it will be uncomfortable. There is usually a little pain that follows, but that's a good thing.  Here's what is happening: that uncomfortable feeling is your flesh and selfishness dying.

Your reputation is a shadow of your character. Who do people think you are? How are you viewed? Do your actions match what is inside?

Many ruin their reputation without realizing it because they lack character, or shall I say the lack thereof. 

When you don’t understand the process of something, you’ll be impatient, give up or get frustrated, when really, what you are wanting may be on its way. Don’t allow ignorance to abort your dream. Understand the process of TIME and be patient. Your dream is on its way.

Whether you admit it or not, you are seeking success. Everyone is. 

No one says, "I don't want to be successful. I'd rather fail."  "What should I do today to ensure that I fail?"

Similarly, no one says, "what should I teach my kids to make sure they grow up and fail?"

That would be ridiculous. All parents want to see their children happy, healthy and successful. This is how God feels about us as well.