PbyCj

Okay, back at it again. Today was such an interesting day. I’m thankful because I see growth in myself, even though it might not be visible on the outside. I notice a difference in how I’m processing things, and I’m more mindful of guarding against what’s hindered me in the past. Today, I woke up late, planned to eat, but didn’t. I didn’t eat all day, which normally would have really affected me negatively. But here’s the thing—I’ve been realizing that while I do physical exercises, I rarely do mental ones.

You see, thinking about good things—things that are true, good, and aligned with God’s Word—is like lifting weights for the mind. It’s a mental workout, and I’ve been practicing it more lately. Negativity can easily become overwhelming, especially when you’re constantly hearing those voices that say you’re not good enough, you’re lazy, you suck at your job. I used to let those thoughts affect me deeply, but I’m learning to challenge them. I’ve realized that I don’t have to do things the way everyone else does. I can find my own way to process information and be my best self.

I’m not like the people around me. In fact, I often feel like I need more help than others. People might look at me and assume I have it all together, but that’s not the case. I’ve had to work harder to get where I am, and today, I’m thankful for the progress I’ve made. Despite being hungry and late to an appointment, I stayed focused and experienced joy. I didn’t fall into escapism or avoidance, which is something I’ve struggled with in the past.

It felt good to have my mind engaged, to stay on track by focusing on what’s good. That’s not something I’ve consistently done, and I’m grateful to not be down on myself today. I’m tired of the constant negative feedback. But there are tools—tools I can use to improve in the areas where I struggle, and I’m thankful for that.

I drove an hour to get my hair done, and I’m glad I didn’t cancel the appointment. Sometimes, you just have to take the time for yourself because no one else will. On the drive there, I was able to be objective about what I was experiencing instead of being emotional or hard on myself. I asked myself, “What can I do to change? How can I approach things differently to have a better outcome?”

It felt really good to relax and have someone else wash my hair. I was able to engage in a conference call afterward, even though I was still hungry. I found a place that had the cold brew I was craving, got some food, and found a quiet spot to take the call. It was a deeper level of engagement than I usually have, and I realized I need to do more of that.

As I wrap up, I’m reminded of the blog series I’m working on—“Facing My Fears.” The Word of God says that I’m more than a conqueror, and I know I need to go deeper in my learning process. I used to resist going deeper, but now I see it’s necessary for my growth. So here’s to digging deeper, reflecting, and growing. I’m looking forward to experiencing the better life that God has promised me and not letting anything block the peace, joy, and love that He has for me.

I’m excited to create more, to produce more, to share more, and to speak up more. I know I’m not alone in my challenges, and if you’re anything like me, you’re probably somewhere quiet, maybe under the radar. But remember, just because you’re not loud doesn’t mean you don’t add great value. My fruit will speak for me, and yours will too.

That’s it. That’s all I’ve got to say for now.

[Spoken by me / written by ChatGPT]