I know you’ve probably heard this before, especially if you grew up in church or around churchy people, but it’s true, and I’ll prove it.
Do you still get surprised when an undesired thing happens in your life?
A lot of people have learned to embrace misfortune. They are the people who say “story of my life” or “it’s always something.” These people have unfortunately allowed themselves to be programmed to focus on what they see and feel. If you are one of these people, you should read this.
How Your Words Could Be Ruining Your Life
I’m not talking about that right now. What I mean is, do you ever think “why me?” when things happen? Or do you think “I deserve better than this”?
It’s common to feel like you’re not supposed to go through certain things. It’s also common to expect for things to go smoothly, and to feel a way when there’s a bump in the road. However, smooth sailing is not what God’s word prepares us for.
In fact, if you have these thoughts or have had these thoughts in the past, let God’s word remind you of this…
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.”
In other words, we are guaranteed to go through a lot in this life, but God promises that He will deliver us from it all in due time. If that’s hard to believe, just take a moment to take inventory of your life. Whenever you were faced with adversity, did you come out of it at some point? I’d venture to say that you did, since you’re still here, and reading this. Notice that I didn’t ask what the outcome was. God doesn’t promise us that things will always go our way. But He does promise that He will be with us, and that He will deliver us out of our troubles.
In John chapter 16, Jesus told us that we will have tribulation in this world, but that we could be confident in Him because He has overcome the world.
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33
I don’t know how you feel, but that makes me feel excited, because I know that God’s word is true. I’ve lived enough life to know without a doubt that God always comes through. The rough times don’t feel good by any means, but I know that they will subside and that life will look up after a while.
I know we don’t want to go through hard times. And sometimes it feels like the hard times will never end. But I found that knowing God is with me and that at some point, He will put a stop to my trouble and vindicate me is very comforting.
Let me leave you with this last verse of scripture from 1 Peter 5:10.
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
Suffering is part of the journey of walking with Christ. Suffering is part of life, but when we choose to live with Christ as our Savior, we can rest assured that there is something greater on the other side of suffering. When we aren’t covered by the Holy Spirit, there is no hope.
Aren’t you glad that God has promised to restore, strengthen, and establish us, after we’ve suffered a bit?
If you’re going through something right now, be encouraged. God is watching over you. He won’t let your situation overtake you. Keep holding on.
Keep praying.
Keep fasting.
Keep feeding on His word, and in time, your relief will come.
Here are a few ways you can hold onto your faith while facing adverse circumstances.
You may be afflicted, but you are still God’s anointed. Walk in confidence knowing this.
Ready to gain spiritual growth? Start here.
When we own a business, we have an opportunity to minister to our employees. When we work a 9-5, we have the opportunity to minister to our co-workers. When we post photos and videos on social media, those are opportunities to share our God with others. When we cook a meal or create anything it should be considered a moment of witness.
Any and everything we do can and should be used for God’s kingdom.
We are encouraged to look to Jesus as our example. He did His own inner work. Then, He began to speak to anyone who was willing to listen. You can read about this in The Gospel of Luke.
Jesus understood the purpose for His life, and He spent time studying, learning, and preparing for His time to start His ministry. After His baptism, He was led into the wilderness where He fasted forty days and forty nights. It was during this time that Jesus worked to bring His mind and body under control.
When Jesus had proved Himself in private, He was ready to start ministering to others about the kingdom of God. He traveled and shared His message with everyone who was willing to listen. Those who wanted to hear and learn more became His followers. Those who didn't obviously went on their way. But the things that matter are what we read about today and what people have been reading about for centuries.
RELATED ARTICLE: HOW TO MASTER YOUR MIND
If you’re anything like me, it feels uncomfortable to just strike up a conversation with someone about anything let alone God. The plight that we have is that a lot of people will quickly find a way to get far from us, whenever we start talking about Jesus. But the reality is that we don’t always have to talk. Yep. You read that right.
Sometimes, the way that we conduct ourselves is enough to minister to someone. Our patience can cause someone to notice that something is different about us. Our positive attitudes can also be a witness.
Then, as the Bible says in 1 Peter 3, when someone approaches us to ask about that something different, we can be ready and willing to answer them and point back to God, giving Him all the credit.
“and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you…”
Are you thinking about how you can minister in your everyday life now? Are you recognizing missed opportunities? You can start where you are now. Start seeking opportunities to do more for God.
Making a difference doesn’t mean always having a major platform or a position of power. There are people around you right now who need what you have. There are people around you who need a word of encouragement. There are people around you who need kindness and empathy.
Go. Let your light shine.
Can you spare $5 to help us create more free resources to teach biblical principles to people who desire to grow spiritually?
]]>Here are some ways you can participate in GivingTuesday with Write Mind Studio.
Donating your time is a generous gift to those who benefit from the work you do and the help you provide. Your time is valuable, and whenever you choose to give your time in service to someone or some cause, it goes a very long way. There are several ways in which you can donate your time for GivingTuesday. You can:
We are doing our very best to help free people from negative mindsets, and to usher them into new, more abundant lives. If you know someone who could benefit from a mindset makeover, you should send them this way. Sharing costs you no more than a few seconds of your time. Be kind and spread the word about this organization.
Giving isn't always about reaching into your pockets and handing over money, but there are plausible causes that require funds to complete or to continue missions. You can make a donation to your favorite charity, to an individual in need, or to an organization that is doing work you believe in and can stand behind. If you'd like to make a donation to Write Mind Studio, you can do so by scrolling to the bottom of this post, and completing the form with an amount of your choosing.
If you've never participated in Giving Tuesday before, you can learn more about it at https://www.givingtuesday.org/. The holidays are a great start to getting in the habit of being generous with your time, energy, and money. You can always find ways to give back to those in need in your life and in your community.
We can't assume that Giving Tuesday just happens to be after Thanksgiving by coincidence. Giving Tuesday could be scheduled so close to Thanksgiving because people are already in the mind of practicing gratitude, and Giving Tuesday allows them to give back to the people around them, their communities, and others who may be in need. I like to believe that Giving Tuesday is scheduled this way with intention. And because of this, I like to be intentional about giving my time, attention, energy, and resources to others. I encourage you to do the same on a regular basis.
Happy Giving!
]]>If you've been looking for some ideas to help you celebrate World Kindness Day in style, look no further. We've got you covered! Below are three ways you can celebrate this day of kindness and turn it into a regular practice. Because how can you go wrong with being kind to other people. In fact, God tells us to love one another. These are ways to love others in deed. Read on.
World Kindness Day is an international observance that promotes the importance of being kind to one another. Celebrated on November 13th each year, this day serves as a reminder to spread kindness and make the world a better place. If you're wondering how you can participate in this global movement, here are three meaningful ways to celebrate World Kindness Day.
One of the simplest and most impactful ways to celebrate World Kindness Day is by performing random acts of kindness. These acts can be as small as holding the door open for someone or as grand as paying for a stranger's meal. The key is to do something selfless and unexpected to brighten someone's day. Whether it's offering a compliment, helping someone in need, or volunteering your time, these acts of kindness can have a ripple effect, inspiring others to do the same.
In today's digital age, spreading kindness online is just as important as in-person acts of kindness. Take the opportunity on World Kindness Day to spread positivity and encouragement on social media. Share uplifting stories, inspirational quotes, or express gratitude for the people in your life. Engage in online conversations with kindness and empathy, and avoid engaging in negativity or spreading hate. Remember, even a small act of kindness online can have a big impact on someone's day.
Another meaningful way to celebrate World Kindness Day is by supporting a charitable cause. Research local organizations or global initiatives that align with your values and make a donation or volunteer your time. Whether it's helping the homeless, protecting the environment, or supporting education, there are countless ways to make a difference. By contributing to a cause you care about, you not only spread kindness but also create a positive impact on the lives of others. Of course, you can support Write Mind Studio by using the donation form at the bottom of this post or by clicking here.
World Kindness Day is a reminder that kindness has the power to transform lives and create a more compassionate world. By performing random acts of kindness, spreading positivity online, and supporting charitable causes, you can actively participate in this global movement. Remember, kindness is contagious, so let's make every day a World Kindness Day.
We encourage you to celebrate this day, but to make kind actions a daily habit. Remember that what you say and do comes back to you multiplied.
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"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." - Romans 12:2
People spout saying like be transformed and renew your mind but are the meanings of these sayings honestly understood? If you've been wondering what it means, or how you can apply this to your own life, keep reading. In this article, we'll discuss what it means to renew the mind and to truly live in abundance.
To renew the mind means to clear out all the old junk, and to replace that with health-filled thoughts and beliefs. Before we go deeper, let's take a look at another scripture that can help us to understand this.
Philippians 2:5 reads, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:"
When we put this verse of scripture together with the scripture we started with in Romans, we can start to see a clearer picture of how our minds can be renewed. If you've ever heard the expression when you change you mind, you transform your life, you have heard God's word essentially summed up.
The sad reality is that many of us have been conditioned or programmed to think and believe certain ways. Just take a moment to reflect on your life. How many beliefs have you taken on from family members, friends, teachers, ministers, spiritual guides, etc?
Think about your beliefs surrounding finances, the way the world is setup. The way the world runs. Think about your beliefs about what you look like. Think about your beliefs about what you can accomplish in this life. Then consider how many of those beliefs are from you making a decision to believe those things versus you believing them because of something that has happened in your life, or because of something someone told/taught you.
How many of the beliefs you hold are from you choosing to believe them? How many are from other people, situations, circumstances?
When we study Jesus' life and teachings, we learn that he worked to groom people to believe that anything was possible with God. He showed us how to have hope. Jesus demonstrated to us that healing, change, and miracles should be part of our everyday lives.
So, when we consider all the "junk" that we've allowed to pile up in our minds, we can see just how necessary it is to renew our minds.
Jesus told us to consider the children. In Matthew 18:3, Jesus said "Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." This is a major verse to think about. What does he mean by this? I interpret this to mean that unless we return to a childlike state of belief, dependency, and wonderment, we will be in a world of trouble, relying on ourselves and others to "make something happen".
If we're honest, we've been bombarded with messages of grinding, hustling, and making things happen for ourselves. But God says throughout His word that we are to depend on Him for guidance and advancement. Consider the following scripture:
"Except the LORD build the house, They labour in vain that build it: Except the LORD keep the city, The watchman waketh but in vain." - Psalm 127:1
I'm not sure what thoughts come to mind when you read this scripture, but it tells me that we're only spinning our wheels to no avail, unless we include God in our plans and execution.
Understand this, and everything will come clear for you...
The rules are different for those of us who are reserved for God. By "reserved" I mean that we've accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior, and have been sealed with the Holy Spirit. When we decide to rock with God, we're accepting His way of life. And guess what...that way is different from the way of the world.
This is why it seems that we can't win doing what other people do. We were designed to do something different. We were designed to stand out. We were designed to think differently.
Revisiting the thought of studying Jesus, we learn through his teachings that he came to shake up the world. Everything he taught was seemingly backwards. He said that the first would be last and that the last would be first. He said that those who humble themselves would be lifted up, but that those who made themselves big would be humbled. He changed the meaning of what we thought strength and power to be.
So when we seek to renew our minds, we have to look at Jesus and adopt his way of thinking and of living.
So, now that you have a better understanding of what it means to renew the mind, we can discuss what renewing the mind entails.
If you want to renew your mind and transform your life, you will need to do the following:
Allow this article to be your guide in getting started on the journey to renew your mind and to ultimately transform your life. I suggest capturing your thoughts, and writing them down. You can actively work toward ridding yourself of thoughts that don't serve you, and accepting thoughts that lead you in the direction you desire for yourself and your life.
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Mastering the mind requires a commitment to lifelong learning, growing, and adjusting. In other words, you have to become comfortable in the uncomfortable. Below are some ways to get started on your journey of mastering your mind.
1 Pay Attention to your thoughts. We experience tens of thousands of thoughts per day, and statistics tell us that more than half of those thoughts are typically negative. If you want to master your mind, you have to learn to control your thoughts. But you can't do that if you're unaware of what you're thinking, right?
2 Dismiss all thoughts that don't serve you. If you observe a thought that makes you feel terrible, or causes you to doubt or think more negative thoughts, it's your duty to release that thought and replace it with a more positive one.
3 Choose thoughts that feel good. It takes the same amount of effort to think positively as it does to think negatively, and only one of those will get you to a place of abundance, happiness, and health. So, why not choose to spend your time focusing on the things that will enhance your life rather than hinder it?
4 Practice positive self-talk. Every thing you speak, you hear, and every cell in your body responds to. Choose to speak life, wealth, health, abundance, elevation. This doesn't only mean to yourself. You have to practice speaking positively to others, because what you say to another person you're saying to yourself as well.
5 Consume things that are aligned with your goals. Watch things that are uplifting, educating, etc. Eat things that are nourishing to your body and to your mind. Engage in conversations and activities that elevate your mood and cause you to be inspired. Read things that teach you something that serves your best self.
All of these things are important in mastering your mindset. If you start to implement these steps into your everyday life, you will start to see improvements in how you feel and what you accomplish. If you need more help with removing blockages from your mind, shop our store for journal kits that cater to building and strengthening a more positive mindset.
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The truth is a journal and a diary are similar, but different in so many ways. What does that mean? Well, a diary can be considered a style of journaling, while a journal has many uses. As discussed in previous posts, journals can be used for a variety of things. A diary, however is a place where most people hide their innermost secrets. Diaries are also used to keep records of daily activities and events. These are used for historical purposes a lot of times. Take into consideration The Diary of Anne Frank, for example. Her diary was a first-person account of everything that was happening during the time she and her family were hiding from Nazi persecution.
When you think of journaling, though, you should consider all the possibilities of what a journal can be used for. It's not just a diary-style entry book. Instead, it can be whatever you desire it to be. Some people choose to create an art journal, tracking journal, goal journal, and so much more. If you're interested in starting a journal, you should check out this article on different ways to use your journal.
Need a journal? Click here to shop Write Mind Studio.
The way diaries have been depicted in TV shows and movies may have given a skewed impression to the public as to how beneficial the practice of writing things down on a regular basis can be. In fact, because in main media journaling has been handed over to school-aged kids, many adults have neglected to engage in the activity altogether.
Now that more people are taking a less digital approach to life, and are taking time to themselves to reflect, journaling is becoming more popular. You are free to write, draw, track, document, and create as you see fit. You can create a whole world within your journal writings. Read about the benefits of journaling here, and don't hesitate to get started on your journey today.
]]>The first thing you may want to consider is the purpose of your journal. Are you trying to get your creative energy flowing, reach a goal, organize your thoughts, or something else? When you can narrow down what you'd like to use your journal for, it will be easier to determine what you should write in your journal. For example, if you are looking to organize your ideas for a project you're working on, you may want to use your journal as an outline and guide for your project.
If you're starting a gratitude journal, you will want structure your journal in a different way. You can set up your gratitude journal to write in list-style, or you can write in full sentences. That's up to your preference.
The point here is depending on the purpose of your journal, you will know how to structure your journal to best serve that purpose.
Read about the different types of journals you can start today.
Please note that it is perfectly fine to keep more than one journal at a time. Many people practice keeping at least three journals at a time. For example, one might keep a gratitude journal, a dream journal, and a brain dump journal all at once. If your life calls for several journals, you can start (and keep) as many journals as you need and can handle. You could also combine your journals. One journal is capable of handling several things. So, if you prefer, you can write out your gratitude, dreams, prayers, thoughts, etc. all in the same journal. Some people make keys to help them identify the different types of content when they go back through their journals.
The possibilities are seemingly endless when it comes to what you can do with your journal. Keep in mind that there is no right or wrong way to journal. You are free to do with your journal what you will. It's supposed to be helpful, fun, and even therapeutic. So, don't put too much stock into how it's "supposed to be" set up, or what it's "supposed to be" used for. It's yours. Enjoy it. And if you find that you prefer to do it differently, try something new in your next journal.
Need a journal? Shop Write Mind Studio for your journaling needs now. Or keep reading about how often should I write in my journal?
]]>The truth is, there is no right or wrong way to journal. But if you're looking for a schedule to write on, you should first consider the purpose of your journal. If you are keeping a fitness journal or a food journal, you will want to record every time you eat in your journal or every time you do an exercise. If you are tracking goals, you'll want to write down your goals, and come up with a set time to check in on your thoughts, emotions, progress, challenges, etc. This could be daily, weekly, monthly.
In essence, the frequency of how often you write in your journal is up to you. Depending on what you're journaling about, you can determine how often you would like to be writing in your journal and go from there. Below are some examples of typical journaling schedules based on the type of journal you're keeping.
Your fitness journal should be in keeping with your exercise schedule. If you workout daily, you should journal daily. If you engage in fitness activities a few times per week, you should journal according to when you exercise. It also depends on what is inside your fitness journal. If you track your exercises and food intake, or mood, you may want to use your journal daily. It's all about your goals and your lifestyle. Journal accordingly.
When keeping a food journal, you will want to document your meals. If you meal prep, you can do this all at the same time at the beginning of the week (or month) depending on how organized and disciplined you are. If something changes, you can note the changes. Make it work for you.
Goal tracking is completely left up to preference. You may want to write out your goals for the year or the quarter, and do a weekly check-in. Some people like to track daily progress to make sure they are staying on-task with taking daily action toward their goals. Do what is best for you and what makes sense for your goals.
Writing the vision is similar to goal setting. The only real difference is that vision writing is more about the bigger picture rather than individual goals. So, you may write the vision for different areas of your life, or one big vision. Either way, journaling about your visions may be a less frequent activity than the other types of journaling listed above. Again, do what you feel is best in your journal.
Now daily journaling speaks for itself. People often like to transfer any and all thoughts from their minds onto the page. Some call this brain dumping. You can do this daily, or several times throughout the day. It has been said that keeping a brain dump journal can help people stay focused for longer throughout their day which increases productivity.
Now that you have an idea of how often different types of journals are typically used, you can tailor your journaling practices to your preferences and lifestyle. Happy journaling!
Need a journal? You can shop The Studio for journals and other stationery items to help you stay organized, elevate your thinking, and more!
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Lots of people looking to make positive changes in their lives may have been hearing about journaling and may even wondering if journaling is good for you. In this article, we'll discuss the benefits of journaling, and help you to determine if journaling is a practice that is right for you.
Boosts Memory
When you keep a journal, the practice of regularly writing things down ultimately helps to improve your memory. Many people can recall things they've written down more often than when they just opt to remember or say it aloud. It is also helpful to reread the things you've written, as doing so helps to commit the information you've written to your long term memory.
Improves Mental Health
It is said that journaling helps to improve mental health, because it allows you to get your thoughts and ideas out of your head and onto the page in front of you. This can eliminate overthinking, reduce stress, and improve your mood. Often times, people who attend therapy sessions are encouraged to journal, as it relieves stress, allows you to objectively look at issues that may be bothering you, and to sort things out in a more organized manner.
Inspires Creativity
Journaling inspires creativity by allowing you to capture thoughts and ideas that you can build upon to create something new, or to improve upon something that already exists. People who are into the arts and science especially take an interest in journaling, because it is a surefire way to keep track of new ideas, research, plans, etc.
Improves Critical Thinking
Similar to the ways in which journaling helps to improve mental health, it helps to improve critical thinking skills. If you can take the time to write down thoughts and components of a subject, you may be able to view those things from a perspective that allows you to arrive at new conclusions about them. Many philosophers kept journals throughout history that held their thoughts, ideas, and solutions to the world's conundrums.
Enhances Goal Achievement
Journaling is one of the top tools used in goal achievement. It isn't always enough to say that you want or are going to accomplish something. More often, it's a better idea to think through your goals, write them down in a journal, and then plan out how you wish to achieve your goals. The outcome of achieving a goal after journaling it through is typically much higher than when a journaling technique isn't used.
Now that you know the benefits of journaling and how popular it already is across the world, you can determine for yourself whether journaling is right for you. But it's safe to say that journaling is definitely good for you. It's a great practice and habit to adopt into your regular life routine.
Need a journal? Write Mind Studio has journals for you to choose from and get started on your new journey of betterment. Click here to shop The Studio now.
]]>Let's start with the basics.
A gratitude journal is exactly what it sounds like: a journal full of gratitude. A gratitude journal is a journal that is dedicated to holding all the things you are grateful for. That's simple enough, right?
People have discovered that exercising gratitude is a great way to elevate the mind into a positive state, which provides a number of mental, emotional, and even physical benefits.
Some benefits of practicing gratitude are:
As you can see, if you value any of the things on the list above, gratitude starts to move up your list of important tasks to complete during your day. Even the Bible emphasizes thankfulness and being in control of your mind. There are several scriptures about gratitude written in the Bible. Below are two that you can meditate on.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Psalms 136:1
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.
God's Promises Scripture Meditation Cards
Now that we've discussed what a gratitude journal is, why it's important to practice thanksgiving, and some of the benefits of giving thanks, it's time to look at how to start a gratitude journal.
If you're ready to start a gratitude journal, follow these steps.
The practice of keeping a gratitude journal is simple. The only thing you really should pay close attention to is that you stay consistent in doing it. New practices are easy to fall behind on and eventually stop doing altogether. Keeping a gratitude journal, however, can be easily implemented into your daily or weekly life routine if you desire for it to be a part of your regular life.
Need a new journal to start your new practice? Shop here.
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Changing your thinking (or shifting your mindset) is an achievable goal. People all across the world have been studying and learning techniques that will help them to change their thinking and ultimately live a better, more fulfilling life. If you are looking for 3 ways to change your thinking, keep reading to learn more from Write Mind Studio.
Now that you know 3 ways to change your thinking, you can start to work toward a better thought life and a better physical experience for yourself. You can also learn more about shifting your mindset by reading What Is A Mindset Shift? You can also shop The Studio for a new journal or scripture cards to help you on your journey to a better you.
]]>The Studio sells journal kits, the cutest pens, and other stationery items and personal development tools.
Whether you're looking to learn some things about personal growth, or just in the market for some cute and stylish stationery, Write Mind Studio has got you covered. Their featured item is the SkyWriter Bullet Journal. This journal is filled with dot graph pages, and the paper is smooth to write on. I recommend pairing it with a Scripter gel pen.
The Scripter is special. This pen is reserved for writing down things that you want to see made manifest in your life. It powers your mind's intention, and pushes you to be creative and purposeful in your writing. The Studio also has cute jewel pens for the boss chick diva that lives inside of you.
There is no shortage of eye-catching finds and cleverly named products on this site. And to make it all the sweeter, everything is reasonably priced. I personally use the journals and pens, and I've already had the SkyWriter in every color! If you're looking for cute journals and stationery, this is the place to grab some great finds. Shop now for journals, pens, organizational tools, and personal development tools.
]]>Many people have a lot on their plates, and wear many hats these days. That's why having something that keeps them focused on specific tasks for the day is extremely helpful.
A focus sheet is a sheet of paper that is designed to help you stay organized and on-task for the day. In other words, it's a daily organizer that keeps you focused on the most important things for the day. Instead of having several pages of a planner to flip through, a focus sheet is your life for the day at a glance.
Write Mind Studio has beautifully designed focus sheets that include:
The focus sheet even includes some positive mindset tools like a gratitude log, an emotion scale to record how you're feeling, and a daily wins section. It's the perfect tool to stay focused on daily tasks and to be mindful of your thoughts and feelings throughout the day.
Using a daily focus sheet is quite simple. Focus sheets typically come in notepad form. If you purchase the printable download, you can print off one sheet to use each day, or you can use it with your iPad or tablet to digitally markup the page. If you're using Write Mind Studio's focus sheet, instructions on how to use it are below.
You can click here to get a printable focus sheet, and start living a more organized and productive life.
]]>Over the last few years, new terms have been popping up regularly. Among terms like self care and mental health, the term mindset shift has become quite popular lately. If you’ve been wondering what it means to shift your mindset, and if it is something you should pay closer attention to, keep reading.
In this article, we’ll discuss what a mindset shift is, how it works, and how you can know if you need to start working toward shifting your mindset. Put plainly, a mindset shift is a shift in how you dominantly think. It’s a semi-permanent change of mind. For example, if you mostly think the worst in challenging situations, when you experience a mindset shift, it means that you start to think more optimistically about things instead.
According to an article published by the National Science Foundation, 80% of people’s thoughts are predominantly negative. They say that we can experience up to 50,000 thoughts in one day. So, if 80% of our thoughts are negative, that means 40,000 of those 50,000 thoughts are negative in nature. And what’s even more mind-blowing is that these numbers are staggering, despite the fact that we all have the power to control our thoughts.
This raises a few questions:
Do people understand that they can control their thoughts?
Do people choose to think negatively?
Do people prefer negative thinking over positive thinking?
Is negative thinking the result of negative life experiences?
Does it take more effort to think positively than it does to think negatively?
Let’s explore the answers to these questions. But before we dive in, let's talk about what a mindset shift actually is.
A mindset shift is when your mind changes from one way of thinking to a different way of thinking. If a person thinks mostly negative thoughts, and then gradually starts to think mostly positive thoughts, that person is considered to have experienced a mindset shift. People can have mindset shifts that go from positive to negative, but for the sake of this article, we're going to focus on mindset shifts from negative to positive.
Do people understand that they can control their thoughts?
The truth is most people don’t know that they can control their thoughts. They are aware of the thoughts they experience on a daily basis, and they ultimately wish they thought or felt differently. However, taking control of the thoughts that pass through the mind is not something people really comprehend.
Think about it. Most people, especially those of us who were raised in the 90s and earlier were conditioned and programmed from a young age to simply do as we were told. We walked in lines, raised our hands to speak, studied what we were given, and we were made to regurgitate answers provided to us in books. We weren’t encouraged to think for ourselves. We even ate our meals on a schedule. So, growing into adulthood, most people have learned to go with the flow of accepting what comes, rather than creating what they would like to see.
Click Image for Personal Growth Journal Kit
Do people choose to think negatively?
Negative thinking is not a choice. That is, until a person understands that he/she has the power to control their thoughts, negative thinking is just a common experience. Because most people don’t have the understanding that they can control their thoughts, they are not choosing to think negatively. Sadly, negative thinking is a normal experience for many people across the world.
ALSO READ: HOW THE WORDS YOU SPEAK MAY BE RUINING YOUR LIFE
Do people prefer negative thinking over positive thinking?
People don’t typically prefer to think negatively. The thing is that negative thoughts flow through our minds throughout every day, and because people don’t understand that they can control their minds (or how to do so), they end up with negative thoughts that lead to negative experiences.
Is negative thinking the result of negative life experiences?
Some negative thinking is the result of less than desirable life experiences. Most negative thinking, however, results from the human instinct to survive. Negative thinking is said to be a defense mechanism. People tend to think negatively as a survival skill. What this means is that most people think of the worst thing that can happen, and they mentally prepare themselves with defenses based on what they plan to do to get out of a less than desirable situation.
Does it take more effort to think positively than it does to think negatively?
It generally takes the same amount of effort to think positively as it does to think negatively. However, because many people have built the habit of thinking negatively, it may take a bit more effort to think positively on a consistent basis. Once the habit is built in the other direction (from negative to positive) it becomes easier to choose to think positively.
Now, let’s discuss how mindset shifts work.
In order to shift your mindset, you will likely need to practice some mental exercises to train your mind to become more positive in nature. This can be done through journal writing exercises, positive speaking activities, the reading of inspirational books, and the use of meditative cards.
It’s important to note that shifting the mindset takes time. A person can’t expect to see major changes after trying an exercise a few times. Consistent practice results in lasting results. In fact, even after achieving a mindset shift, you can experience times when negative thoughts can get the best of you. The difference is that with a new, more positive mindset, you are able to lift yourself out of a low place, mentally, and return to positive thoughts.
A mindset shift comes as the result of very intentional thinking and speaking. We’ll discuss some techniques later. For now, let’s take a look at mindset from a spiritual perspective.
ALSO READ: HOW TO USE JOURNALING TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE
The bible speaks about self-control, and the only way for us to have self-control is to first have control of our minds. Let’s take a look at some of the things the scriptures have to say about our minds.
Ephesians 4:22-24
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Many people struggle to be and do better as Christians, because they rely solely on their willpower to stop living one way and to start living another way. Even cold turkey diets don’t work, because transformation happens first in the mind. Once the mind is renewed, anything can be accomplished with your body and habits.
Psalms 141:3
Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.
This scripture takes an interesting approach to mindset. It speaks about the mouth, but guess what. The way you guard your mouth is to be mindful of your thoughts before you allow them to come through the “door of [your] lips”. See how that works?
Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
When we focus on the renewing of our minds, we will be set apart from the rest of the world. We will be more intentional about what we think about, what we say, and ultimately what we do. Then, we’ll be walking examples of what is good, acceptable, and perfect in the will of God.
There are several other scriptures in the Bible that speak to mindset, but let’s move on to discuss some practical ways you can work to shift your mindset from mostly negative to mostly positive.
Click Image for Self Starter Journal Kit
If you have discovered that you could benefit from a more positive mindset, check the list below to find some ways you can achieve a mindset shift.
READ MORE: HOW TO SHIFT YOUR MINDSET
Now that you have a better understanding of what a mindset shift is and how you can achieve it, you should be ready to dive in and start practicing some exercises that will help you reach your goal of thinking more positively. If you’d like more help with this, you should try our Personal Growth Starter Kit and the Personal Growth Guided Journal Session.
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We’ve all heard the phrases you see what you say and thoughts become things, but not many people completely understand what these sayings really mean. Sure, it’s easy to comprehend the meaning, but to internalize the meaning is something different.
It’s similar to the fact that most people understand that if you eat less, you typically weigh less. But how many people actually eat less because they want to weigh less? Not very many. In fact, even knowing this information, people in the US are reportedly mostly obese.
This is not due to a lack of information or understanding. We learn about the food groups in grade school. We’re told that exercise is good for our bodies. There are millions of diet programs and food tracking apps available to help people to do what they already know.
So, what is the disconnect? The problem is that our knowledge and habits aren’t in line with each other. We know what should be done, but we are in the habit of doing things that are completely opposite most of the time. If you are interested in changing your life and having more positive experiences on the regular, pay close attention to what I’m about to say.
You might be feeling like no matter how hard you try to get ahead, life seems to come crashing down on you at the worst times. And while we all go through stuff, trials are not constant, and you may be causing some of your hardships without even knowing.
Have you ever found yourself saying any of the following phrases?
If it ain’t one thing it’s another.
It seems like I just can’t win.
Every time I try to ____, something always happens or gets in the way.
Those are just the cards I was dealt.
I wish I could, but…
I would like to _____, but it’s too late for me.
I’ve always wanted to do that, but I just don’t think it would happen.
If it were gonna happen for me, it would have already happened by now.
I can’t win for losing.
Life sucks.
People like me don’t get opportunities like that.
If you say things like this, you, my friend, may be causing yourself some unnecessary struggle and strain.
When you speak like this, you are calling less than pleasant experiences into your life. You are welcoming the things you say. This is why the phrase you see what you say exists. The bible says, in Proverbs 18 that “death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” This means that your words are powerful enough to make things happen in reality.
You should be very careful about what you allow to come out of your mouth, whether you’re speaking about yourself, your life, or someone else. In verse 4 of the same chapter, the scripture says, “the words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.” The Message and Amplified bibles describe this as a man’s words being many, heavy, muddy, destructive, like a flood. But godly knowledge, wisdom is like clean, living, flowing spring waters.
Now, just imagine. Would you rather be caught up in a flood of dirty water, destroying everything in its sight? Or would you prefer to wade in flowing spring water, where you can drink and be nourished, even cleaned? Most people would prefer the latter. In order to start experiencing more pleasant situations in your life, you have to change the way you speak.
And yes, in order to change the way you speak, you have to change the way you think. Your mind is where thoughts are formed before they come out of your mouth.
Here are some ways you can work to change the habit of saying things you don’t want to experience.
It is God’s will that we live abundant lives. He wants us to be happy, healthy, and hopeful. If you’ve been feeling down, take a look at His promises to us. Stop looking around at your circumstances, and start looking up at Jesus. He came that we “might have life, and that [we] have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10) You see, before Jesus, people were living miserable lives. They were condemned every day by their thoughts, words, and actions. But Jesus came so that we could be free, and live fulfilled lives.
Do yourself a favor, and stop speaking negatively over your life. God wants better for you. Start speaking positively, and watch things turn around for you.
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Life is filled with responsibilities that take up almost all of our time. Parents especially understand just how precious time is, because tending to their children is like a full time job. As soon as you awake, tasks are pulling at you, needing to be completed.
The demands of the day wear on you, and by the time you reach the evening, you’re exhausted. You haven’t had a moment to yourself, let alone a moment to spend with God. Oftentimes, you may feel like your time with God is less important than everything else. You might also think that your time with God can be pushed to another day, but let me share something with you.
Your relationship with God is the most important thing you will ever need to tend to in your life.
Your time with God should be a priority. In fact, it should be your number one priority.
Your relationship with God can help you to take charge of your day without getting burnt out. Your relationship with God can help you to stay motivated to be and do your very best each day. Your relationship with God can help you to be more playful and patient with your children as you care for them nonstop.
When you hold your relationship in high regard, you will find a way to make it work. Here are some suggestions for prioritizing your relationship with God when distractions get in the way.
Get Up Early
Your days may seem chaotic, and fly by like a whirlwind, but there is quiet before the storm. Before you jump out of bed and put on your Superman or Superwoman cape, you can spend time with God. Tap open your favorite Bible App or grab your holy book from the nightstand and dig in, before you start your day.
You can play an inspirational song, read scriptures, study a chapter, journal about your findings, and feel more equipped to take on the day.
Stay Up Late
Sometimes, the quietest time is at night when all the world is sleeping. Your household is shut down for the night, and there is no hustle and bustle happening outside. So, you can truly rest your mind and focus on something important...like Jesus.
You can plan to end your night by spending time with God. This is a great time to study His word, to pray, and to hear His voice. The stillness of the night is beautiful, especially when you’re seeking God during that time.
Meet Him In The Bathroom
Life can get crazy, but when something is important to you, you’ll make a way. Place your Bible or a spiritual book in the bathroom for you to read when you stop into the bathroom at some point throughout the day. You can even post inspirational messages on the mirror or the wall, so you’ll see them and read them without even thinking about it.
Another idea is to grab a deck of God’s Promises meditative cards. They are portable cards with scriptures on them. You can carry the deck around with you throughout the day, or leave them in the bathroom and pull a card for a quick read and reminder a few times a day.
The point here is that no matter how busy or hectic your life may seem, there are still opportunities available for you to prioritize your time for God to be included in your daily routine.
]]>The number of people keeping journals is rising by the day. Yet, there are still many people who want to start a journal, but are reluctant, because they don't know what to write in it.
If you find yourself in this boat, you're in luck. This article discusses six ways you can use your journal. These ideas should get the ball rolling, and help you to be more confident about starting a journal.
The truth is that a journal can include literally anything you can think of! A journal can be an outline for a book, research notes, observations, stories, and the list goes on. Below are some popular journal ideas that people use to create journals every day.
If you would like to learn about some things you can write in a journal, keep reading. And keep in mind that one journal is just that. You can always start a new journal and do something completely different in it. Some people even keep several journals at a time, but that's a different topic for another time.
Here are the seven types of journals you can start and keep today. You can start one or more journals at a time, depending on your preference.
In today's culture, millions of people are striving to be better beings, break habits and build new ones, become healthier, make more money, etc. And anyone who is serious about setting and achieving a goal typically will start by writing it down.
In addition to writing down a goal, you will want to track your progress along the way. You can keep track of how you're feeling day to day, as you work toward your goal. You can track what you're doing to take steps toward your goal. You can record your thoughts about the things you learn along the way. Goal setting and tracking is a very popular type of journal that millions of people keep daily. If you have goals you'd like to achieve, this is a great journal to start today.
So much happens in the world around us, from day to day, and in 200 years, it would be pretty cool for someone to have written record (besides the news) of happenings. Also, it would be awesome to read about the world from an observers perspective. Remember Anne Frank's account of what was happening in the world around her? Very different from the history books and documentaries, right?
Not that you have to become the next Anne Frank or anything, but the people in your family might like to hear what you have to say. That leads to another great thing about keeping a documentary type of journal. It builds legacy. Your journal could be something that you keep in your family for centuries to come. Your children's children's children, or your nieces and nephews may want to hold on to a piece of their ancestry, and your journal could be just that. How do you feel about a piece of you living on forever? Some of our greatest men and women who have graced this earth, kept journals that we used to build philosophies and beliefs from to run our world.
ALSO READ: THE BENEFITS OF JOURNALING
People are likely to imagine a teenage girl, when the word diary is mentioned, but to be honest, millions of people, mostly adults, keep diaries. Some people write diary-style about their day to day experiences. Some keep food diaries. Others use their diary as a therapeutic release.
Diary-style journaling allows you to just write out how you're feeling about any and everything happening in your life, or in your head. Just putting pen to paper helps people to feel better about getting it out. This style of writing is a form of therapy, because it helps to process thoughts, keep you from spewing your unfiltered thoughts to other people, and gives you someplace to release your thoughts and feelings.
Many therapists suggest that a person keeps a journal for the sake of working through thoughts, feelings, and experiences. It causes people to be more aware of what's happening and how they're responding to things as they go throughout their daily lives. If you're a person who needs a place to release or process your thoughts and feelings, diary-style journaling may be right for you.
People who are interested in becoming more well-rounded beings are likely to start a journal that focuses on personal growth and development. Though this is a broad topic, the development item you choose may be more specific. You may want to start a healthy hair journey, a healthy nutrition journey, and positive thinking journey.
Whatever the area of improvement, you can start a journal for it. And usually, people have found that when you start in one area, you end up in another on a similar journey. Why? Because it's all connected. When you get better in one area, other areas of improvement or development present themselves and the journey is never-ending.
Can you think of an area in your life that could use some development? If you answered yes, you could benefit from starting a personal growth and development journal.
ALSO READ: HOW TO START A GRATITUDE JOURNAL
You remember when you were in school, and you kept a notebook for each class that covered different topics? An educational journal is similar. The only difference is that you get to choose what you learn about now. Whatever you're interested in, you can study it, research it, and build your knowledge around it.
Many authors keep an educational journal that includes their notes, outlines, character development, historical facts, and other pieces of information that make up the details of their books. You don't have to be an author to keep this kind of journal, though. Out of pure curiosity, you can write about things you observe, study, or research, simply to learn more about them.
Learning and exercising our brains keep our minds sharp into old age. So, if for no other reason, you could keep an educational journal just to keep your mind working efficiently over the years. Any topics you've been interested in, but haven't explored so far?
People who are creative at heart, might want to start an art journal. Art journals are books filled with drawings, doodles, or paintings that each tell their own story. If you have a knack for painting a picture rather than writing words, you might want to start an art journal.
People use different mediums to create art journals. Some use pastels, watercolor paints, pencil, pen, marker. It's up to you to choose what you like best. It's your journal, after all.
The point here is to grab a blank book and make it whatever you want it to become. In journaling, you have freedom. You can be creative. You can be organized. You can be sloppy. But most importantly, you can be you.
If you're ready to jump in and start journaling, start here. Welcome to the world of journaling. You're gonna love it here!
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Many people are attracted to the idea of journaling, but they don't keep a journal themselves. Why? Well, after many conversations with people, the same answer pops up on the regular...I don't know what to put in one.
This is understandable, because not very many people are in tune with their thoughts and emotions, and even fewer are inclined to write them down. If you aren't a person who keeps a journal, the concept of writing your thoughts down may seem weird.
This article will shed some light on the benefits of journaling and what you could actually put in a journal, so it won't seem like such a foreign concept anymore. We'll cover a few different types of journals you can start, first.
Journaling is a widely practiced activity, and is used to accomplish several different things. Some people keep a journal to track their fitness journey. Some people keep a journal to stay organized every day. Some people keep a journal to track their thoughts, food, relationship, emotions, pregnancy progress, and so much more.
Journaling used to be popular among teenage girls, who would plop down on their beds at the end of each night and write about the person they had the biggest crush on, or a fight they had with a friend at school.
But if we take a look into history, we learn that journaling has been popular throughout. It was the way people kept record of happenings during major times. Anne Frank is a major figure in our history, because of the diary she kept. Every inventor and philosopher that we know of today kept a journal way back when.
Intelligence and creativity has been linked to journaling. Let's explore some well-known journal keepers.
Improves Thought Organization
Keeping a journal helps to organize your thoughts and helps to improve your thought processes. Journaling allows you to declutter your mind and promotes better focus.
Promotes Goal Setting & Achievement
Journaling helps in setting and attaining goals. The first step in goal setting and achievement is writing it down. Knowing where you started and where you're going are crucial to reaching your goals.
Helps With Stress Relief
Writing out your thoughts and emotions can help with relieving stress. Journaling aids in allowing you to release what may be bothering you from your mind and onto a physical page. Sometimes, writing things down helps people to feel immediate relief.
Sparks Creativity
There are no rules when it comes to creating. That's why journaling can inspire creativity. New ideas flow all the time, and if you keep a journal, you just may be able to catch some of them and make them concrete. You could be onto your next business idea, invention, or creative arts project. Who knows?
These are all pretty great reasons you should start a journal today. Shop The Studio, and get started now.
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Journaling is a global practice today. People journal for many reasons, including therapy, goal setting, planning, studying, and legacy. This list can get miles long. Some people keep several journals at a time for different purposes.
You may have been hearing people talk about how transformative their journaling journey has been, and you should know it's not a joke. Journaling can be a great tool to help you grow into the person you ultimately desire to be. In this article, we'll discuss just how you can start your own journey of personal development and change your life using journaling.
HOW TO USE JOURNALING TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE
If you are looking to make changes in your life, large or small, it would benefit you to document your journey in a personal journal. Journaling is important, because making changes to your life is not an easy task.
As you move along your path to a better version of yourself, you may get tired, frustrated, or even sidetracked. During rough times, it's not uncommon to feel like you haven't made any progress, or to feel that you just want to give up. BUT if you have a written record of your journey so far, you can look back and see where you were before and see how much you've grown over time.
Below are some practical ways you can use journaling to change your life for the better.
These tips should help get you started on making positive changes to your life. Fair warning though, embarking on a personal development journey will likely set you on a path to a never-ending elevation.
Ask anyone who has engaged in personal development, and she will tell you that it's addictive. You may start with one area and end up in another, and another, and another.
Personal development is a lifelong commitment. The moment you develop in one area of your life, it will most definitely lead to another. Many blessings on your journey. Happy journaling, friend!
]]>The problem is that too many people are waiting around for someone to tell them it’s okay to be free, to be themselves, to go for it. It’s time out for waiting and wanting. Now, it’s time to stop asking for permission and to take life by the reins and steer it in the direction of your choosing.
Check out this inspirational message encouraging you to go for it!
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One of the best habits you can fore is practicing gratitude. Being grateful for the small things in addition to the major things in our lives sets us up for success. In this post, we'll share how to start a gratitude journal, and provide a few things to begin your list.
A gratitude journal is a journal that is dedicated to only writing about things you are grateful for. Many people who are avid journal keepers tend to have several journals at a time that are dedicated to different things related to their lives and interests.
Starting a gratitude journal is a great way to get in the habit of thinking more positively and looking on the bright side of things. You could practice gratitude by speaking or thinking in silence, but there are many benefits to writing it down.
As you can see, there are many positives to starting and keeping a gratitude journal. Now, let’s discuss how to start a gratitude journal.
In another post, we'll discuss how you can create experiences by being grateful for something you hope for in the future. But this should get you started for now. Happy journaling!
Also Read: How To Write The Vision
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The exercise shared in this post is meant to be a fun and relaxing practice. For best results, this method should be applied regularly...2-3 times per week, if possible.
The idea is to develop a habit of allowing your imagination to run wild, and to regularly think on positive things that make you feel good.
So what is this method? It’s called Scripting. People across the world practice it every day and see great results! Scripting is the practice of writing situations into existence. No, this is not a woo woo thing. Instead, it’s a fun, creative writing activity that gets the mind thinking about what could be.
Too many people focus on their current situations, or worse, their past situations. Doing this is counterproductive, because it promotes thinking about negative, less desirable things. Thoughts of what happened before (and what probably will happen again) lead to fear and inaction.
It is much better to focus on a positive future and the possibilities that come with it. Now, onto the method...
Refer to your scripts as much as needed to cement the ideas of a better life, situation, or circumstance in your mind. Create new scripts regularly, until you see clearly what you want for yourself. What happens next is pure gold.
When you play with an idea long enough, it takes hold in your mind, and causes you to take action toward it. Before you know it, you’ll be experiencing the very things you wrote down previously.
Happy scripting!
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