Tag: #mentalhealth

Happy Resurrection Day ♡

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Thank God for a beautiful Resurrection Day! Me and Goodmommy, as well as some of our family, had a great time during praise and worship at today’s church service, this morning. All though we were tired from waking up so early, it is always a blessing to be in the House of the Lord with other followers of Christ.

Despite the fact that we are sinners, and we have all fell short of God’s Glory, He sent His one and only son to come on Earth and pay for our sins with the ultimate sacrificial love.

Although I didn’t write the poem the I will be sharing today (which is instead from an online article) it summed up what was in my heart perfectly. I hope you all enjoy it! 💛

He was bruised and brought healing!

He was pierced and eased pain!

He was persecuted and brought freedom!

He was dead and brought life!

He reigns and brings Peace!

The world can’t understand him,

The armies can’t defeat Him,

The schools can’t explain Him, and

The leaders can’t ignore Him.

Herod couldn’t kill Him,

The Pharisees couldn’t confuse Him, and

The grave couldn’t hold Him!

Nero couldn’t crush Him,

Hitler couldn’t silence Him,

Other religions can’t replace Him, and

The world can’t explain Him away!

He is light, love, longevity, and Lord.

He is Goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God.

He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful

He is Jesus, the Sweetest most powerful Name that I know, and I L💛VE Him!

Have a beautiful and blessed Easter Sunday, everybody!

Remember that God is love, and regardless of what we do, His love for us will never falter; this is what He showed us when the Son of God, Jesus Christ, died, rose, and lived again. Then, now, and forever. 💐

An open letter to my younger self…

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Dear younger self,

First of all, let me say that I love you, and I know what you’re facing: I was you. While I’m not that much older than you, and I still have much to learn, I hope that you will read these words with an open heart. God has given me lots of wisdom, and like you I am learning every day. I still have things that I need to do and I still have imperfections. But through it all, God has always been there for us, and He always will be. This is the advice that I have for you.

Just be you. I know that you may look in the mirror and see imperfections. But God says that you’re beautiful, inside and out. Even with your flaws, you are the apple of His eye. Don’t ever look in the mirror and wish you looked like someone you’re not. From now on, when you look at your reflection, say “If God says that I’m beautiful, then I think so, too.” The more you say it, the more you’ll believe it. Just shine. Be the the light in the darkness that God chose you to be.

It’s okay to have just a couple friends, because sometimes “friends” can be the same people who will try to take advantage of you in your highs and abandon you in your lows. However, through it all, God is your friend. You are your friend. Goodmommy is your friend. And you might even meet one or two more friends along the way~but don’t rush it. For the Bible says that a friend will stick closer than a brother. And considering that we have a great little brother already, I know that can be pretty hard to beat, LOL.

Keeping the peace is more important than being right. I know that you’re a perfectionist. I am, too. Naturally, we want everything to be perfect all the time. Sometimes, we might think that something isn’t fair or that someone owes us an apology. We might think it in our heads. But a rule to always remember is avoid speaking everything that pops up in your brain. Every thought isn’t meant to be spoken. And if you ever need guidance, pray about it. God will tell you what to do. He’s good like that.

Don’t compare yourself to people. There will be times where you may look at someone else and think that they’ve got everything together. They may always have the biggest smile on their face. They may be popular. They may be pretty. They may be rich in money and jewels. But never forget that sometimes only God knows what’s happening beneath the surface. Rich in money is far from the same thing as rich in peace, joy, and love.

Stop worrying about what other people think about you. What do YOU think about you? What do the people who love you for who you are think about you? And most importantly, what does GOD think about you? What does He call you in His Word? These are the voices that you should listen to. The rest is nothing but background noise.

Let God fight your battle. Life might not be easy in every moment. You may need to make important decisions, and sometimes you might not know what to do. If and when these moments come, be still and listen. Let God fight for you, because He’s already won this battle. Some of the trials that we face are simply a test, where God is asking us “Will you keep your faith in Me?” In everything, God is able. And in His timing, the perfect timing, every season will pass. And with each season, God will make you stronger in Him.

With lots of love,

– Your future, teenage self ♡

If you could say anything to your younger self, what would it be? Feel free to share your thoughts in the chat. I’m super excited to hear from you!

Thank you all so much for reading! Have a beautiful and blessed day, everyone! God bless you all! ♡

My FIRST time drawing a still life…

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Happy Saturday! If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, then you might be aware that I shared what I got for Christmas of 2021 (post link here). To be honest, there are still a couple of items that I hadn’t used, at this point, so I wanted to change that, today.

One of my favorite gifts from last year was this “Drawing Techniques” art kit. Inside it provides a book of instructions about different types of pencils, focal points, lighting, shading, value, and the list goes on.

It also gives step-by-step instructions for how you can draw realistic portraits that vary from fruit to flowers to animals to people. It also includes a variety of pencils, a kneaded eraser, a sketchbook, a fineliner, charcoals, and more! As soon as I opened this gift from the wrapping paper, I knew that I would definitely put it to good use.

Suddenly it dawned on me that it’s already February and I haven’t completed any of the sketch tutorials. So today, I reviewed the tools, materials, and basics at the beginning of the book, and moved on to the first drawing section: still lifes.

The beginning still life was one apple in 3 different positions. I had never drew a still life before (aside from 3D shapes for math class) so I thought this would be a great way to practice my ability to create realism in my work.

So, here is the basic sketch. It was very interesting to use 3 different pencils (you will see the different shades of pencil in the finished product) to create dimension and make the apples look like they are round.

Afterwards, I followed the guide in the instruction manual (basically the images) and started shading in the apples to add a little more depth. I must admit that it was a little tricky to draw 3D objects on a 2D surface, but it was a challenge that I quite enjoyed.

And voilà—here is my finished product. I must admit, I think I did a pretty good job for my first time ever drawing a still life. If this post gets enough likes (I’ll say at least 3-5) then I think I’ll makes my products from this art kit—and maybe even some personal projects—for you all to view. Please follow me if you’d like to see more of my art in the future.

Question of the Day: Have you ever photographed, painted, or drew a still life? If so, did you like the experience? Please comment down below.

Thank you so much for reading! Have a beautiful and blessed day, y’all! ✨

Be Natural. Be Beautiful. Be YOU.

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Beauty is skin deep. Sure. It may sound a little cheesy, and you’ve probably heard it a zillion times. You might even be tired of hearing it. But, despite how cliche it might be, this saying is absolutely true.

Valentine’s Day is about love, which is wonderful because God is love. And while February 14th is centered around the love we have for others, we also mustn’t neglect appreciating and loving who God made us to be.

Tomorrow is International Natural Day, also known as International Day of Self-love. Y’all already know that that’s a biggie on my blog. So, of course, I had to discuss it today. Whether you have a partner or not, the days before Valentine’s Day are to help remind us that we don’t need everyone’s validation.

It is a chance for us to realize and believe that we are all precious in God’s eyes. He said that we are the apple of His eye. And don’t be mistaken; God doesn’t look at what we look at. People will look at height and outward appearance. But God looks at our hearts. And as long as our Heavenly Father is pleased with us, both how we live our lives and who we are inside, then that is all the validation that we need.

Valentine’s Day is a day for us all to celebrate both inner and natural beauty. It is also to show those who we love, and who the Lord has placed in our lives to love us just the way we are, that we appreciate them, care for them, and are thankful for them.

And mind you, self-love doesn’t mean that we should be cocky or arrogant. It doesn’t mean that we should be putting ourselves on a pedestal. The first commandment is to love the Lord our God with ALL our soul, with ALL of our mind, and with ALL of our strength. The second is to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. (Mark 12:30-31 NIV) God ALWAYS comes first.

When I say “self-love” I mean coming to terms with the fact that we are fearfully and wonderfully made in God’s image. Living our lives as Jesus Christ sees fit, and respecting ourselves because we know that God loved us enough to give His one and only son to die for our sins.

“Self-love” is knowing that we are worth it because God sees worth in us. If God, the King of kings and Lord of lords loves us so much as to give up His only child, then we must be worth loving. We are worth loving because God loves us.

Have a beautiful day, everyone! Always remember that God IS love! ✨

Why positive affirmation is critical…

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Everybody needs some positive motivation here and there. When we are motivated, we are driven to create and reach our goals with both engagement and tremendous effort. If motivation wasn’t a thing, how would we get things done? Specifically the things that we don’t always want to do.

Motivation is inevitable. It can come from just about anyone, anything, and anywhere. It could be a well deserved pat on the back or a kiss on the cheek. We can even give ourselves a dose of motivation. Particularly with a tool that I like to call positive affirmation.

I’ve been trying to personalize my workspace, a bit more, so I decided to print some motivational quotes that I can read to myself everyday. Although I just put it up on my bulletin board (after customizing it to add some personal touches) it definitely helps me start my morning off to a great start.

If you have a good support system, then that is a wonderful thing. However, motivational words can’t always really sink in unless you believe them, yourself. You have to have faith, too. This is exactly where the positive affirmation, or positive self-talk, comes in.

Some ways to practice positive affirmation include:

  • Putting up positive messages around your workspace or room.
  • Repeating uplifting sentences when you are getting ready for the day. The more you say it, the more you can start to believe it, increasing your self confidence.
  • Using sentences that start with “I am” or “I can” followed by a positive trait about yourself or a personal goal.
  • Remain optimistic, even through possible bumps in the road.
  • Put in your best effort to reach your goals. Believe that you can reach them.

Using positive affirmation in your daily life may take some time. And when you’ve mastered it, there’s no going back! Just remember that whatever you set your mind to, even if it seems impossible at times, with your best effort and just a little faith, you can surely succeed. You just have to believe it.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

5 Reasons Why You Should Give and Get More Hugs

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When’s the last time someone gave you a warm hug? In fact, when’s the last time you’ve given someone else a loving embrace? I don’t know if you’ve heard about this before, but it is recommended that we all get at least 12 hugs a day. That’s right: at least. And since it’s National Hugging Day, I think it’s the perfect time to talk about warm hugs.

So bring it in as I share 5 Reasons Why You Should Give and Get More Hugs. ✨

1. Hugs can make us happier.

When you get a hug from someone that you know cares about you, you can feel the love in their embrace. Hugging releases a chemical in your brain called oxytocin, which is associated with, you guessed it, happiness. But, I don’t blame our brains for getting happier with a hug: they feel so good!

2. They can help create stronger bonds.

Hugging is not just wrapping your arms around someone; hugging is when you communicate through an embrace. The wonderful thing about a hug is that it can say “I love you,” or “I’m thankful for you,” or “Everything is going to be alright,” without the need for words. It’s a simple action that can have a huge influence on how close we are to our hug buddies. So, if you want to make your close bonds even stronger, try hugs. You might be surprised at how much more solid your relationships, and communication skills, become.

3. They show that we care.

When you wrap your arms around someone else, you can occasionally feel how that one embrace made their day even brighter. Knowing that you were able to put a little extra sunshine in someone else’s life can automatically cause a sense of happiness and the accomplishment of showing kindness.

4. Hugging can help us feel secure and at peace.

As we are embraced and we embrace others, we are giving and getting comfort. There’s nothing like a warm cuddle to make you feel safe. Hugs are known to reduce anxiety and stress because of this. In fact, the word hug comes from the Norwegian word “hugga” which literally means to comfort or console. No wonder why hugs are so pleasant!

5. Hugs are good for the body and soul.

Hugs make our hearts go pitter-patter. I’m not joking. Well..maybe a little bit, lol. But really, though; hugs actually boost the heart, lower blood pressure, strengthen our immune systems, relieve pain, and the list goes on! The sense of happiness and security that our bodies and minds obtain from a hug become present in our spirits just the same. Once our souls are happy, our minds and bodies are likely happy, too.

There are so many great things about hugs: they’re healthy for our bodies, help form stronger bonds, make us happier and feel at peace, and they show those who we love that we care. Spread the love by giving hugs to your family and friends. Oh, and on top of that, hug yourself, too!

It can be easy to want to be loved. And while there’s nothing wrong with that, we have to remember that if we want a little love, we need to give a little love, in return. Don’t forget; even if you hug yourself, try to get at least 12 every single day. You will reap the many positive consequences, if you do. So go ahead and hug it out.

Have a happy, healthy, and blessed day, everyone! Bye!✨

The Importance of Mental Wellness + Tips on How to Maintain It

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When is the last time you asked yourself, “How am I doing?”

Read that again.

Usually, people will wait for someone else to ask them that question: “How are you doing?” But every now and again, we need to repeat those exact words to ourselves. Think about it like this: even if someone did ask you that question, how would you know how to honestly answer if you’ve never thought about it, yourself?

Quick yet thoughtful self-checks like this can help you maintain a positive mindset, as well as acknowledge your emotions and need for some extra love and support, if this is the case.

Even though life has its ups and downs, it is more than possible (and fun) to take care of yourself and keep your mentality in a good place.

One of the things that you can do to achieve this is be honest with yourself about what you are feeling. As long as you continue to be proactive, your mind, body, and spirit will thank you.

Just in case you want some extra assistance on how to maintain a productive healthy mentality, here are some tips:

  • Learn to value yourself and the things that make you unique.
  • Surround yourself with people who truly love and respect you for who you are.
  • Study the Bible, and gain wisdom from other’s experiences.
  • Make sure your diet includes protein, vitamins, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
  • Avoid trying to fill a void with things that aren’t good for your health.
  • Get plenty of sleep (at least 8 hours per day.)

Practicing good mental health is a wonderful form of self care, and not as complicated as some may think. For the most part, all you have to do is practice good habits (self love, healthy diet, good influences, etc.) and your mental health is set up for success!

Have a happy day, everyone! ✨

Let’s end 2021 the right way!

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Let’s end 2021 the right way!

– ajoyfulChristianteen ♛

Can y’all believe it? 2021 has almost come to an end. Like every year, this one has had its ups and downs, however, I won’t complain, for many blessings have come for me and my family. Each year I become wiser, stronger, and my relationship with Jesus continues to grow. Every year is a chance for growth, wisdom, and new experiences that help us learn.

The new year, 2022, will be here before we know it. We need to make sure that we are ending this year efficiently, so that way we can go into another year with happy and healthy hearts, minds, and spirits.

To elaborate on this, here are a few tips for ending this year merrily:

  • Reflect on all of the progress that you made. By recognizing how we have changed or improved this year can help us find a sense of closer and achievement. As well, it can help you identify the things that you are still working on, and can do to complete your goals before and throughout 2022.
  • Start making resolutions for the New Year. When January first comes around, it can be difficult to make efficient New Year’s Resolutions. Start brainstorming in advance about what your resolutions will be to prepare your mind and body for possible future changes.
  • Make sure you are at peace with your family. One of the worse things you can start a new year with is a grudge. If you have any hard feelings with any family members, make sure to forgive them and possibly reconcile. Remember, tomorrow on this Earth is never a promise.
  • Forgive yourself for the mistakes you made. As humans, we are not perfect, and we never will be. No year is without mistakes, so if you still feel guilt for any of those you’ve committed, forgive yourself. Use your mistakes as learning opportunities on how you can improve the next year.
  • Clean your mind and your environment. A healthy mind is crucial for a productive life. However, something that goes hand in hand with that is a great environment. Clean your home and do some relaxing activities (yoga, spa day, skygazing, etc.) with your family to help keep your home a happy place to be!

Bonus: We Baked Peanut Butter Cookies!

Today, me and Goodmommy did some more baking. We made peanut butter cookies! The cookies are so soft on the inside, and they have hit just the right spot, considering that I’ve had a taste for peanut butter cookies for a while. Additionally, making the little design on top with a fork was really fun, as baking with Goodmommy always is! Spending time with family is another great way to end the year.

I had fun sharing how we can end this year strong. A positive start to next year is a sturdy stepping stone for the future. Therefore, by making sure that we are spiritually, physically, mentally, and environmentally in-check is crucial to making the most of this new chapter: a brand new year!

Have a beautiful day, everyone! ♛

A Go-To Guide on How to Make Successful New Year’s Resolutions | Blogmas Day 16

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A Go-To Guide on How to Make Successful New Year’s Resolutions

-ajoyfulchristianteen 🎉

While every year is a blessing, no year is perfect. Therefore, many people find themselves wanting to change something and do better the next year. These targets that we set for ourselves as January comes around are called New Year’s Resolutions.

Making these resolutions are a method to practice reaching your goals and bettering yourself as a person, and they are very healthy ways to start off a new year. But there’s one catch: they aren’t always easy to write and do successfully.

Here’s a helpful guide on how to effectively write New Year’s Resolutions that are reachable, productive, and purposeful!

  • Pick a few, realistic resolutions – Many people will fill a sheet of paper or more with resolutions that they might not finish as the year comes to an end. If you are a goal-getter, then go for it! However, it might be a better idea to pick a few goals (realistic ones). This will allow you to focus more on each specific resolution, rather than juggling a dozen. The least we want to do with our resolutions is put ourselves in a crunch.
  • Start preparing ahead of time. Physically and mentally – Truthfully, change can be a hard thing. Resolutions are essentially changes, some of which can be stopping an addiction or an unhealthy habit. Whatever your resolution(s) are, take the time before January to prepare yourself for your goals. It might help to slowly start your goal beforehand, that way your mind and body has some time to adjust to the unfamiliar changes.
  • Write them down – Believe it or not, we can easily forget things if we don’t write them down. Having documentation of your goals, especially with a signature, is an agreement with yourself that you will push through and complete your resolutions. Not only that, but it is a visual way to help you remember what you want to do for the year.
  • Be specific – Often, when making our resolutions, we tend to speak about our goals in general. However, in order to set a stable path for success, you need to be specific with your details, making sure that you know exactly what you will be doing, and by when you want to complete each resolution.

Here are some examples of general vs. specific New Year’s Resolutions:

  • “I want to lose weight.” vs. “I want to lose 50 pounds by Christmas Day of (insert year.)”
  • “I want to have a healthier diet.” vs. “I want to eat 2 cups of vegetables every day from this day, (insert date), forward.”
  • “I want to save more money.” vs. “I will only go on a shopping spree (for unnecessary items) a maximum of once a month in the year of (insert year.)
  • Explain your resolutions to a confidant. – Some resolutions might be private, and if so, that’s okay. But a good idea to help you remain determined is by telling your New Year’s Resolutions to a confidant (family member, friend, etc.) Doing so will help hold you accountable to your words, and the confidant of choice can help keep you on track!
  • Make large goals smaller by splitting them into sections. – While healthy goals are great, we as humans may try to put too much on our own shoulders. Instead of making long, complicated goals, split them into smaller sections.

Here is an example of how you can make a large goal smaller:

Main Goal: I want to loose 50 pounds in the year of (insert year.)

  • I will eat 2,000 calories per day.
  • I will exercise for at least 30 minutes every day.
  • I will loose 4 pounds, 2 ounces every month.
  • Be prepared to reward yourself. – If when the end of the year comes around, you have completed your goal, I can say one thing to you: Congratulations! It’s about time that you congratulate yourself with a healthy reward. You worked hard to reach your goal! Now that you have done what’s best for your health, it’s time to give yourself a pat on the back!

If you don’t remember anything else from this guide, keep in mind that change is an adjustment that takes getting used to. Change can be a good thing, however, with work, determination, and dedication, I’m sure that all of your resolutions will be met!

Have a beautiful day, everyone! 🎉

How to Maintain Mental Wellness During the Christmas Season | Blogmas Day 11

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When Christmas comes around, there is lots of cheer in the air. It’s usually the season where most people are in their best mood. There’s just something about this time of year that can easily make you smile!

However, there are many people who may be in need of some cheering up at the end of each year. It’s important that even through this pandemic, we take the time to pay attention to how we are feeling, and make sure that our mental wellness is in check.

If you are in need of a mental wellness check, this list should help to put that Christmas cheer in your spirit!

  • Do what you can. Nothing more, nothing less. – It’s easy to want to do more with and for your friends and family, but even more so during the Christmas season. At the same time, we need to make sure that we are mentally and physically healthy. It’s okay if you can’t do everything that you planned (gifts, get togethers, etc,) Don’t be too hard on yourself, as your effort and heart is what matters most.

  • Get your exercise – One reason why we can feel a little in need of some sunshine is because we are in need of exercise. When was the last time that you took a walk outside? If the answer is anything other than recently, it’s a good idea to take a walk and get some exercise! When our bodies get the attention that they need, we can instantly have a boost in our mood!

  • Talk to someone you trust – If there’s anything that I know about the holidays (and there’s a lot of things) it’s that one of the many joys of Christmas is family. Talk to anyone that you know and trust, share your feelings with them, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

  • Make sure your goals are realistic – While being a perfectionist and a goal-setter is a good thing, make sure that your goals are reachable. Making realistic goals isn’t a weakness, and it doesn’t mean that you are giving up. It’s actually a strength, as it means that you know yourself and what you are able to do, at the moment.

  • Speak positively – In all things, we need to make sure that what we speak is positive. Our words float in the atmosphere, and can have a huge effect on our emotions. Therefore, say uplifting, positive, and happy things. You will soon find that this same cheery frame of mind will begin to rub off on you and your energy.

Remember that when it comes to mental health, positivity, sharing your feelings, and being realistic can be a few of the stepping stones of improvement. These skills can take practice, but after awhile, the pep in your step is sure to return!

Have a beautiful day! 🌻