Tag:

Confidence

Growing In Confidence With God

by Lauren Koch November 28, 2023

written by Lauren Koch

Growing alongside God in confidence and power has much more to do with God than with you.

From the moment your relationship began, He has been calling you to come up higher, into a place where your dependency is fully on who He is. How incredible? The God of the universe, your Father, is not asking you to make yourself bigger, stronger, or more capable before coming alongside Him, no. He wants your surrender, which plants you alongside one another, so that His hands can prune, shape, and grow you.

Let Your Confidence Come from God, Not Your Own Strength

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him” (Jeremiah 17:7).

Your own strength is fickle, flying to and fro in the weather of life. Is there pressure on yourself to advance? Remember that where your trust is so too is your confidence.

Allow Yourself to Shine Before Others

Growing in a full embrace of who you are and who God made you to be will not just demonstrate God’s goodness and glorify Him; it will give others the permission to live their lives the same. What better way to lead other believers (and non-believers) into God’s greatness? As you allow yourself to trust in God’s truths over your life, you will begin to see how so many others are seeking the same.

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

You were not made to shrink back into the corner. God has a place for you in His vineyard of life, where flourishing and growth are the result of nearness to the source of Life.

As a lover of God, each day you are provided for all that you need to live your life growing in confidence that you are becoming all that you are meant to be.

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Bible Verse of the Day: Overflow With Hope

by Lily Benson October 30, 2023

written by Lily Benson

Overflow with hope as you read Romans 15:13 and discover the unwavering joy, Peace, and confidence in God’s promises.

Today’s Verse

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

What is God’s Message For Me Today? Click Here

Prayer

Lord, as I read the beautiful words found in Romans 15:13, which declare the abundance of hope that springs from a vibrant relationship with You. I ask You today, Lord, to allow my heart to overflow with hope by the power of Your Holy Spirit.

I confess my weaknesses and limitations, knowing that true and lasting hope cannot be found in worldly possessions or fleeting circumstances. It is only through You, the source of all hope, that my soul finds true rest and peace. May Your divine presence permeate every corner of my being, filling me with a confident expectation of Your goodness and faithfulness. Amen.

Reflect

Is there an area of your life where you lack hope?
Take some time today to ask God to fill you with hope and reveal if there are possible lies you are believing that is stopping hope from overflowing in your life.

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October 30, 2023 0 comments

Bible Verse of the Day Spotlight

Bible Verse of the Day: Approaching the Throne of Grace

by Lily Benson September 18, 2023

written by Lily Benson

Approaching the throne of grace with boldness and confidence. Knowing that you are met with a love that knows no bounds.

Today’s Bible Verse

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

What is God’s Message For Me Today? Click Here

Encouragement

This scripture invites us into the inner sanctum of God’s presence, where we can boldly seek His mercy and find the abundant grace required for every circumstance.

The concept of approaching God’s throne with confidence is a paradigm-shifting truth. It dispels the notion that we must approach God timidly or fearfully, and instead, it encourages us to draw near with the assurance that we are welcomed as cherished children. We are invited not just to receive mercy, but also to find grace – an empowering and unmerited favor that equips us for every situation life may present.

Ephesians 3:12 complements this revelation, affirming, “In him and through faith in him, we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” This verse reinforces the idea that our approach to God is not based on our merit, but on our faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. It underscores that through Him, you and I have unhindered access to the Creator of the universe.

So stand tall in the confidence that Hebrews 4:16 imparts. It is an open invitation from the heart of God, beckoning you into His presence with the assurance of His love and acceptance. As you step forward, know that you are met with mercy that covers every shortcoming and grace that empowers you to triumph in every circumstance.

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September 18, 2023 0 comments

Faith Today's Encouragement

Do Not Be Afraid…Humility Is the Way Forward

by GOD TV December 14, 2022

written by GOD TV

Do not be afraid, I have good news! And that news today is, humility is the way forward. For December, for each day, we’re taking a chapter that reflects the day, and reading out of Luke. So December 14th, today we’re gonna read Luke chapter 14, and it says, I’m gonna read this out loud, it’s just a section, it’s verses 8-11.

If you have your Bible read along with me. “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ (That might be a little embarrassing, right?) Then humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. For all those who (listen to this, I’m just gonna,) for all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Man, Jesus was such a prime example, the greatest example of this, that He is the, I mean, the greatest person that ever walked this earth. He was fully God and He was fully man. No one was like Him. And we see, this is His words, this is His advice to us. This is what He encourages us to do, is to come and to take the lowest place. And Jesus doesn’t just talk the talk, He walks the walk. Right? He shows us this by example, that He comes and He sits with the least of these, that He comes for the sinners. He didn’t come to exalt Himself and to be the greatest speaker, and to come to the highest religious leaders and get the highest paid conference, right? No, He came to come walk the streets, to literally be homeless. Like He went from place to place, to love and to serve, to be a servant for all, right?

And there’s a difference between pride and confidence. My friend Sarah, you’ll see her on these videos, she had a really like, mind blowing revelation that she shared with me where she said, “Confidence is knowing you can do it.” So if you’re speaking, or you’re prophesying, or you’re leading worship, or you’re pastoring, or whatever it is God’s called you to do, you’re painting. It’s knowing you can do it, but not having to be the one to do it, right? Not having to be seen and validated in it. Right? And so we see in 1 Peter 5:6 it says, “Clothe yourself with humility. God opposes the proud, but gives grace and favor for the humble.”

So I wanna encourage you. Take a self check today. Do I look like Jesus? Am I leading like Jesus? Am I living like Jesus, or am I living off the opinion and the level of man where I stand? No. Let’s lead with humility. Let’s choose humility. Let’s be clothed and marked with humility.

I just pray for my friends right now, Father, that pride would just leave in Jesus’ name and we would come with humble, surrendered hearts to you, that we would be filled with all the things that you have for us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

We are so blessed by our partners around the world who faithfully give to GOD TV. It humbles us when we receive donations from around the world, from people who’ve been blessed by the ministry of GOD TV. You know, we are called to preach the gospel to all the nations of the earth, and we cannot do this without you. So I want to invite you today to give generously to GOD TV so that we can continue airing the gospel of Jesus to the nations of the earth.

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The 5-Minute Thinking Strategy for Confidence And Courage

by Kyle Winkler September 5, 2021

written by Kyle Winkler

https://youtu.be/emUY-eX2HAk

The human brain is an amazing and complex organ. It’s the control center for our bodies, both physically and emotionally. That’s why the Bible cautions to “guard your thoughts because they are the source of true life” (Proverbs 4:23, CEV).

Science is constantly learning how the brain works. What we know for sure is that God designed it to be moldable. The technical term for this is plasticity. As I illustrate in the video above, what you see, hear, taste, smell and feel all work to shape your brain, causing you to expect certain outcomes and respond in automatic ways.

This design is brilliant for positive things like learning languages or instruments. But because we’re broken people living in a broken world, our brains do the same with the many negative experiences around us.

For example, a person who faced repeated rejection in the past often battles fear of rejection in the future, simply because their brain learned to expect rejection. Trauma works similarly, causing people to react at a reminder of past pain or even the possibility of experiencing it again.

There are plenty of other examples. But the gist is that the persistent thoughts, feelings and behaviors you hate are likely the results of how your brain was wired by what it experienced in your history.

You Don’t Have To Stay This Way

Though negative emotions can be strong, they aren’t hardwired into you. The same design that allowed the mind to be wired for negativity, may also be used to rewire the mind for positivity. The Bible calls this mind renewal, which is a process of “[becoming] a new person by changing the way you think” (Romans 12:2, NLT).

That’s a huge idea! But not just any thoughts positively change you. It takes consistent thoughts of truth—the kind only found in God’s Word.

Fix your thoughts on what is true. … Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
—Philippians 4:8, NLT

Undoubtedly, many Christians have heard about meditating upon Scripture. But most never actually experience its transformation because they lack a strategy for how to do so.

I’ve been there. For too many years, I used Scripture aimlessly, and therefore never realized the full power of it to change my life. That’s until God taught me a simple “thinking strategy” founded upon the science and Scripture we just explored.

The 5-Minute Thinking Strategy

To begin, select a time of day that’s best for you. It doesn’t need to be much more than five minutes, but it should be when your mind is most fresh and distraction free.

Then, …

Step 1: Read

What consistent emotion or reaction do you battle? Search Scripture for a truth that relates to it. If you need help finding one, use my Shut Up, Devil! app, the index at the back of a Bible or a scripture journal. When you find a related truth, simply read it.

Step 2: Reflect

Here’s the crucial part of the strategy, and what you should spend the most time on: reflect upon what the scripture means.

To aid your reflections, I recommend answering three questions:

What does this truth mean about me?
What does this mean about God’s character?
What does this mean for my situation today?

Step 3: Rephrase

Using your reflections, rephrase the truth into a personal declaration that you speak aloud. (In the video above, I give an example of what this sounds like.)

Though it might feel strange to do at first, be sure to really say it. The act of speaking truth in a personalized way is what especially helps it stick with you.

Step 4: Repeat

Throughout the day, at the end of the day, or both, return to your reflections and your personal declaration. This repetition is what physically rewires the brain by creating new pathways. As the apostle Paul emphasized: “Fix your thoughts on what is true.”

Stick With It!

There you have it! The “thinking strategy” that rewires your brain comes down to four simple steps: read, reflect, rephrase and repeat.

Finally, though the process may take you less than five minutes, this isn’t a one-and-done kind of solution. The key is to stay dedicated to it for however long it takes to see change. Like repeated negative experiences wired your mind for negativity, it takes repeated experiences with God’s truths to rewire your mind to think and react more positively. But with your commitment and God’s empowerment, in time, as you change your thoughts, you’ll change your life.

(Want guidance in the process? I’ve created a 30-day reflection journal that includes scriptures alongside prompts that inspire you to see yourself and your situations in positive ways. Check it out at kylewinkler.org/journal.)

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September 5, 2021 0 comments

Faith

Confidence Is Found In Jesus Alone

by Alexxa Lowery April 28, 2021

written by Alexxa Lowery

Confidence is found in Jesus.

Comparison Kills

In a culture like today, it almost seems impossible not to compare yourself to the people around you. Society compares looks, careers, education, and the broad list goes on. Because of this, we’re left with a competitive norm and put on scale deemed “not good enough.” I’m here to remind you today that your worth is not defined by the world’s standards but by the word of God.

Confidence In Jesus

Furthermore, I want to share a few verses that stuck out to me when I was praying about confidence in today’s culture. When insecurity comes flooding in, reflecting on these verses is a good reminder that Jesus sees you exceedingly, abundantly greater than you see yourself. And, let’s be honest. His opinion triumphs everyone else’s.

So, here are a few verses to meditate on when outside voices become louder than your own.

Psalm 139: 13-14 “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

2. Matthew 10:29-31“Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

3. 2 Peter 1:3-4 “...as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

Confidence vs. Conformity

In conclusion, Ladies and Gentleman, Jesus is and always will be the standard. Don’t conform to society’s watered-down version of success and beauty. There is so much more found in Jesus.

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April 28, 2021 0 comments

Articles

Relentless Woman, Your Confidence Is In God Alone

by Christel Berns April 14, 2021

written by Christel Berns

It’s tempting to place our confidence based on what the world offers us—possessions, relationships, status, or even ministry. That is why we should constantly remind ourselves that our security and confidence should be in God alone.

Place Your Confidence in God

Confidence, when misplaced, eventually becomes an idol. And when that particular idol crumbles, truth exposes itself to what is truly in your heart.

It says in Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” If your treasures are in something temporary like possessions, relationships, or status, you can lose them sooner or later. Because security could never be found in this world.

As a woman, we are often tempted to anchor our worth in likes, hearts, or reactions from people in this digital age. Unknowingly, we are already placing our confidence on it. And when we lose followers, we get discouraged and down. The truth then reveals that indeed, we have put our identity in likes and follows on social media. And this isn’t healthy at all. It is, in fact, dangerous.

Know that confidence misplaced in something merely temporary and passing will always lead to pain. But confidence wholly placed in God alone will always bring victory, security, and satisfaction.

Therefore, do not fret and trust in God alone. Let your quiet trust in God be your only source of love and hope. God may bless you abundantly in more than what you have asked for, but nothing can compare to the Blesser.

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” -Jeremiah 17:7-8

April 14, 2021 0 comments

Family

3 Ways To Raise Confident Kids

by Joanna Flavin September 18, 2020

written by Joanna Flavin

No kid is alike, just look at your family. If you have more than one child you know pretty early on that even though kids come from the same gene pool they don’t always act alike. Or think alike. Or even look alike. My three boys are all very different. One is a studious, intelligent, more anxiety-prone kid. The second is athletic, sensitive, and a ladies’ man. And my youngest is the social butterfly, independent, without a care in the world. Even though they are all different it is my goal to make sure I raise confident kids.

Being that my children are all different, they also have varying levels of confidence. We’ve raised them all the same way yet some respond better to certain disciplines and techniques than others and vice versa. Their different personality types, quirks, likes, and dislikes also play a role in their levels of self-esteem. Not to mention, we evolve as parents once we have more than one kid (I am a completely different mom with my third than I was with my first!!!)

3 Steps To Raise Confident Kids

An article from Focus On The Family called Building Self-Esteem In Your Kids quotes Dr. Leman, author of Have a New Kid by Friday, for saying that “healthy self-esteem is cultivated in children through Acceptance, Belonging and Competence.”

Acceptance

Our kids want our love, acceptance, and approval. If we are always pushing them away, even in subtle ways, by criticizing their personal choices, or their behavior then we send a message that both they and their choices are not accepted by us. This can cause our children to withdraw and seek approval in less desirable outlets such as online, their appearance, or from peers.

“According to Dr. Leman, ‘Your unconditional acceptance of your child means everything in her development.’”

Show interest in the things your kids are interested in. Show that you love them, you care, and you make an effort. And show them you will always be there for them no matter what.

In my house, we say, “I love you no matter what. I’ll never leave you. There is nothing you could say to make me stop loving you.”

Belonging

Everyone has a desire to belong and feel connected with others. No matter how old, what their background, or ethnicity is. We all just want to belong. It is important for us to foster a sense of community for our kids in our home. They will feel comfortable in the greater community if at first, they have a sense of what that means at home. We can let them participate in family meetings and decisions, we can support them in their sporting events and activities, and give them their own choices.

Competence

This is something I struggle with a lot. I do too much for my kids. Why? Because I know I do it faster and better. And with three kids sometimes I just don’t have time to let someone attempt tying their shoes for the 5th time that morning. But I am learning that if I want them to be well-adjusted, independent, and contributing members of society I need to give them the gift of competence.

Confident Kids: Eagles

I love this story of the mother eagle giving the gift of competence to her eaglet:

“The way a mother eagle teaches her eaglets to fly is an excellent example of how guiding (without over-controlling) helps kids mature and develop healthy self-esteem.

When a mother eagle wants her baby to fly, she waits until her eaglet is 80% of his adult size. Then she sets him on the edge of the nest and pushes him off into the wild blue. She watches her baby bird freefall, then swoops down just in time to catch him on her wings. This exercise is repeated over and over until the baby eaglet learns to fly.

By doing this, her baby’s confidence (and self-esteem, if eagles had such a thing) grows. Imagine if she was overly protective. Her eaglet would never learn to fly; he’d never mature.” (Source)

Confident Kids: Final Words

Sometimes, well a lot of times, we have to give our kids a nudge knowing they are probably going to fail. But if we want them to learn what it is to succeed, then they have to learn to fail gracefully as well. And then to get back up and try again, and again.

As Christians, we know these sweet little babies are on loan from us. It is our job to guide them, teach them, and help them to spread their wings confidently while pointing them back to Jesus.

September 18, 2020 0 comments

Articles Faith

Finding My Identity While Letting Go Of My Insecurity

by Emily Wheelock October 21, 2019

written by Emily Wheelock

“But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.” (1 Corinthians 6:17) Media Personality and Mental health Advocate, Trevor Tyson, opened up recently on his Instagram about his insecurities and his identity shift. Since the post went up, Trevor has received an overwhelming response of support.

In the photo, Trevor is standing in a black and off-white flannel jacket with one hand in his pocket and the other holding his phone as he poses for a mirror selfie.

The caption reads. “I’ve debated on posting this or not but here it is. Here is the face of a once depressed, anxiety-filled boy from Social Circle, Ga. The difference about this picture is that the anxiety and depression aren’t in my identity anymore. God delivered me from it and He can for you too. Do I still have times of doubt and struggle? Yes. But it’s not found in my identity. This is me at @radiocitymusichall walking in the path He created me for. So why would I debate posting this or not? I’ve always been really insecure about the way I look and judgmental of myself… But thank God, He delivered me from that too. This is me. I am who I am. This is my life. Welcome to #trevortalks.”

Trevor said that he wanted to inspire and help people with the post.

Trevor speaks volumes when he says that anxiety and depression are not part of his identity anymore. One thing we all seem to forget is that our identity cannot be found in our illnesses or the things we like. Those things don’t define who we are. God does. Our identity can only be found in Him.

Four Ways Finding Identity in Christ Changes Us

One thing we have to remember is that scars come with living. We go through things in life but those things do not define us.

We don’t need to chase after the desires of the flesh.
One no longer has to fear the future.
We no longer compare ourselves to others.
One is not surprised when suffering comes.

Something I have always struggled with is that third one. Comparing myself to others. I get all “she has this and all I have is this.” I know I shouldn’t but a lot of the time I can’t help it. I know my identity is in Christ but sometimes comparison creeps in. Comparison can suck the life out of us and I find conviction in that. Biblical convictions are hard and fast truths that God has given us in the Bible to show us how to live. Personal convictions, however, are decisions we make for ourselves that may be right for one person but wrong for another. And sometimes it is easy to confuse the two.

Sarah Walton of Unlocking The Bible said, “This can also create insecurity in our own choices due to our desire to please man over God,” she also said, “We can ask Christ for wisdom in this area of personal convictions, be open to hear and discern other’s perspectives without judgment, and then walk in confidence that God is the only one we need to honor and please in these decisions.”

Insecurity and Me

I’ll admit it, I am an insecure person. I have grown but I still compare myself to others. Why do we find ourselves seeking an identity outside of Christ even though we know it will lead to insecurities? Our lack of confidence fuels our insecurities.

In his article Insecurity And Me, Trevor Tyson wrote, “It isn’t an overnight process. This is a mindset and a truth that you will literally have to teach yourself. Being you and loving yourself can be very hard for a lot of people.” Trevor went on to say, “You deserve happiness and a winning mindset, just as everyone else does. To obtain that mindset and start slaying your giant of insecurity… it starts with your own thoughts in your own head. Start your journey to finding your value in God – today.”

Just be happy, kind, and love others. We are created not only in His image but to be like Him. So, if He is kind, love-giving, merciful, and forgiving, shouldn’t we be as well? Yes. The more we put our trust in Christ where our identity lies, the less likely we are to compare ourselves and fall into an insecure life.

October 21, 2019 0 comments

Articles

Mirror, Mirror On My Wall

by Corine Channell August 9, 2019

written by Corine Channell

Sometimes I find myself way too focused on what I see in my mirror. In my mind I feel pretty much the same age as I have for the past 30 years – for real! THEN I look in the mirror and go, Whoa! WHO are YOU?

Aging really is a gift; it means you are still here and not done. As women though, we seem to view aging as something to run from and something to cover up. There is make up, hair color, wrinkle gel, age spot cream, tooth whitener, the gym, healthy eating, and LOTS of vitamin infused water. These are all wonderful and useful, but should NEVER be the things we define our worth by. I am just as much a good bread baker with or without makeup. I am just as much of a creative Pinterest queen with or without hair color. I am currently writing – in my pajamas, messy hair and don’t care. Point being – our true value is NOT found in a mirror. It is found in our heart.

Have you ever met someone who just to look at from outward appearances, would not be considered attractive? However, there is some shine or glow that comes forth from every pore of their being and after you get to KNOW them, they become the most beautiful person you’ve ever met. I have had this experience. The most beautiful people I know are beautiful from the inside out!

If I lose myself in my negative opinion of my age and my physical flaws, I lose the true essence of who I am.

I, like most of us, want to somehow stay youthful. None of us like wrinkles or gray hair or any signs of aging. Really though, all these things are signs of LIFE! We got the scars and the wrinkles and the gray hairs from experiencing life! We stayed in the race. We ran to WIN. If I make it to the finish line and look like I fought my way there, (blood, sweat, tears, wrinkle and ALL), then THIS should be a GOOD thing. I so want to embrace my aging body. I am SO trying.

Who are we really?

What determines our worth? Are our looks really in this equation at all, or should they be? Sure, being healthy and active and fit are necessary for the ability to do and be more. Agree. But to dismiss our signs of aging as a bad thing HAS to go. We tend to dismiss older people as, “Oh, they are just old.” Really? JUST old? Buddy, we have lived through some stuff! What do you want to know? What can we teach you? What can we warn you about? Want to learn how to make bread? Older people are NOT a burden or a “has-been” or some random dusty antique – they are RELICS and survivors and warriors and walking encyclopedias of days gone by.

Sure, I am not elderly yet, but I WILL be. And so will ALL of us. How about we stop trying to avoid the aging process and embrace our job of teaching and serving and molding the NEXT generation? I think what is being lost is what the Bible speaks of when it refers to “…generation to generation shall speak His praises…” Young people NEED the older people. Older people NEED the young people. We are all connected. It is NO shame to be young nor is it shameful to be old.

I will probably still color my hair awhile longer, and use make up (you’re welcome). However I am going to stop being my own worst critic at the reflection in my mirror. I am going to cheer myself on and remind myself how far I have come and how much I still have to offer from that very long journey I took to get here.

“Let this be recorded for a generation yet to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord.” (Psalm 102:18)

What an older person can leave behind will matter to those who come behind us. Think of all the amazing life lessons you have accumulated – Psalm 78:4 says NOT to hide them from their children but TELL to the coming generation. Tell what? TELL ABOUT GOD and His deeds and His wonders.

THIS right here – “Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations; ask your father and he will show you, and your elders – they will tell you.” (Deuteronomy 32:7)

Dear person over 50, who is emotionally crippled by the mirror and only sees physical flaws. It is TIME to rise up and be the shining light of generations gone, here, and yet to come. What an honor to still have time and opportunity to be a lighthouse for the lost, the battered and the broken. Teach them love, wisdom, forgiveness, when to speak or when to be silent; show them patience, teach humility, reinforce life skills, laugh often and loudly, take pictures, bake bread, journal your history and experiences, and be their refuge from a cruel world.

Come on my friends – step up and own your age! There is still time to leave a lasting legacy. The person in MY mirror wants to be a history maker. How about you? For the sake of generations HERE and yet to come, there is much work left to do. Lift up your glass of vitamin water with me! (wink wink) Cheers to us!

August 9, 2019 0 comments

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