Category: Spiritual Health and Wellness

Health and wellness for the soul

40 things to know from a soon to be 40 year old

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I am turning 40 this week. Yikes. 40. That sounds old. Time has flown by.

“The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot” – Michael Altshuler

I am sharing with you 40 tips, discoveries, ideas, quotes, and other random things I have learned in my 40 years. These have shaped who I am today (still a work in progress of course)

  1. Just because I am having a bad day does not give me the right to treat others poorly.
  2. Cut the fluff. Aside from a little bit of “zone out” time, if it’s not making me grow, it has to go! (This one is HARD)
  3. Being stuck in fast forward is no way to live. Slow down and enjoy the moment.
  4. I have yet to meet a person that could not benefit from yoga.
  5. Dogs are an absolute gift from God. They are smart, loyal, and loving until their last breath.
  6. Sentemental jewelry is the prettiest.
  7. A gratitude journal is the single most important habit I have formed in my lifetime.
  8. I love the way Sundays “feel”
  9. Call me a dork, but I still get excited when I buy new pens, notebooks, and books.
  10. Read!! Read!! Read!!
  11. Drink a lot of water. Your whole entire body will thank you.
  12. The golden rule is the only rule you really need.
  13. Growing old is a privilege. I am learning to like the fine lines. It is ok to help yourself age gracefully, but looking fake is way worse than looking old.
  14. Be you – everyone else is taken.
  15. Eat a well balanced diet and you won’t need to be on a diet.
  16. Some of your proudest moments happen outside your comfort zone.
  17. If it feels wrong, don’t do it.
  18. Even if your impact is small, it is still an impact. “As one person I cannot change the world, but I can change the world of one person.” Paul Shane Spear
  19. It is truly more fun to give than receive.
  20. Prayer is ALWAYS the answer.
  21. Read and study the Bible.
  22. Make quality time for the relationships in your life.
  23. Don’t waste your God given talents. We are all good at something. Find your thing(s).
  24. Birds are beautiful to look at and sound so pretty when you take time to watch and listen.
  25. Lazy mornings are rare but precious. Bonus if it is a rainy, lazy morning.
  26. The older I get, the less I care what others think about me.
  27. Take a girls trip at least once a year, even if it is just for a day.
  28. Money doesn’t buy happiness.
  29. Being outside in nature is healing.
  30. Never underestimate the power of good music.
  31. Routines make me happy but so does mixing in some spontaneity once in a while.
  32. Stretch every day. I wish I would have stretched more when I was younger.
  33. Mentors-find one for yourself and be one for someone else.
  34. Don’t just treat your medical issues with medicine. Get to the root of the problem. Ask questions.
  35. Unsolicited hugs are the best.
  36. Deep breathing is cleansing.
  37. Netflix, Amazon, and Podcasts. Enough said.
  38. Wear sunscreen.
  39. Being a wife and mom are 2 of my favorite titles.
  40. Take lots of pictures and videos.

How Can I Believe the Bible is true?

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Do you ever wonder if the Bible is real? Maybe you believe some parts but have doubts about others? You don’t know much about the Bible’s history and want to learn more?

If you have ever asked these questions, I have a great podcast suggestion! Pastor Rick Warren recently did a fantastic series about the validity of the Bible.

It is a 4 part series. If you skip the intermissions, I think you can listen to the whole thing in less than an hour.

I guarantee you will be wowed at least once, regardless of your Bible IQ.

The most amazing takeaway and reminder for me was that the Bible has the same theme throughout the entire book, even though the 66 books of the Bible were written over a span of 1600 years by over 30 different authors on 3 different continents. Seriously. I knew the Bible had many authors and was written over a span of time, but didn’t know the details.

The Bible is the most read, purchased, and translated book to exist.

I am over halfway through a chronological reading plan which you can read more about here.

If you want to learn more, listen to the Podcast series, and find a reading plan that works for you!

Part 1:

https://castbox.fm/vb/251470584

Part 2:

https://castbox.fm/vb/251855014

Part 3:

https://castbox.fm/vb/252227099

Part 4:

https://castbox.fm/vb/253271977

The most amazing takeaway and reminder for me was that the Bible has the same theme throughout the entire book, even though the 66 books of the Bible were written over a span of 1600 years by 40 different authors on 3 different continents.

2020 Book List Part 2

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Don’t Stop Believing

By Jonathan Cain

Music fans and Journey lovers, this one is for you.In this book Jonathan Cain tells the story of his life, and how the terrible experience of Our Lady of the Angels school fire, the wonderful support of his dad, and his faith in God led him to where he is today.If you like to hear the history behind the music, I think you would enjoy this book.

Jesus

By Max Lucado

I have read a few Max Lucado books. While this one was not my favorite, it was very good. Some noteworthy parts:

“Whether or not storms come, we can not choose. But where we stare during a storm, that we can choose.”

“If Jesus understands our weaknesses, then so does God. Jesus was God in human form. He was God with us. That is why Jesus is called Immauel. ‘Immanu’ means ‘with us.’ God with us. All of us. ‘I am with you always,’ Jesus said before he ascended into Heaven, ‘to the very end of the age.’ Search for restrictions on the promise; you’ll find none.”

“Stop and think about this. Not once did Christ use his supernatural powers for personal comfort.”

The Prayer that Turned the world upside down

By R. Albert Mohler Jr

This book breaks down and dissects the Lord’s Prayer.Each chapter focuses on a part of the prayer.

Matthew 6:13

Lead us not into temptation

This is a particularly relatable part for me.”The Bible clearly teaches that the devil and his demons are real and that these invisible enemies are bent on destroying our spiritual lives. Jesus’ reminder to pray regularly against temptation reminds us just how prevalant and dangerous the appeal of sin can be…sin doesn’t just want to play a minor role in our lives; it wants to ‘rule’ over us.

“Whether you are new to prayer, or a seasoned prayer veteran, you can learn something from this book.

On the Bright Side

By Melanie Shankle

Top 10 fav for sure. I think she is hilarious! This book was completely relatable to me on many levels. I highly recommend this book and plan to check out some of her others! Some of the references to the 80’s and 90’s had me rolling! Ah the good ole’ days!

Jesus Calling

By Sarah Young

This is a daily devotional book, so I am not through the whole thing yet, but it is too good to wait a whole year to be discussed. Sometimes I get a day or two behind, but the messages are always perfectly timed!!

If you have not read any of her Jesus Calling books, please check them out. My only suggestion-buy the actual book. I have been reading on Hoopla, which is free and perfect since libraries are closed due to the Coronavirus. There are so many things I want to screenshot or highlight, but due to security, the app won’t allow it.

Happy reading!