Happy Tuesday Loves! Today is my birthday and I’m grateful for another year of life. I’m taking the day to do some work, get a facial and then I have my favourite Cheesecake Factory white chocolate raspberry cake in the fridge with my name on it #Adulting. I just want to cuddle with my pup and my hubby, I just enjoy the simple stuff. So I turn 28 today and each year I try to grow, learn and be better to myself and others. I have so much more to learn, that part will never be done but I am thankful God has given be the discernment and is working on shaping me into the person I am meant to be…

1.Grace is what heals us and our relationships with others. I am saved by Grace and the least I can do is extend that to others in my life that carry their own hurt or past and need to be covered in it. I used to take things very personally (comes with being a highly sensitive person) but now I remember that word and the action that comes with it and can carry on.

2. It’s okay to say no and disappoint people. I’ve been in the people-pleasing business since 1990 and it leaves you straight up drained. I’ve learned that it is okay to say no and I’ve also learned who honours it when I say this word instead of making me feel bad (true peeps/friends do). You cannot be everything to everyone.

3. Travel is worth every penny. It gives you perspective and is a great teacher. Do it as often as you can.

4. You cannot change people and they cannot change you.

5. Forgiveness heals you. You don’t have to forget or pretend, but you have to forgive in this life.

6. Whenever you feel under appreciated or taken for granted, remember God will promote you in your season.

7.  I always want to do the right thing (staying honest in my business/life, having the best intentions with everyone and in everything etc.). You see a lot of people taking shortcuts along the way or just struggle to help others from going off a path you know is going to hurt them. Sometimes it can be exhausting but in Galatians 6:9 it says, “let us not become weary in doing good.” Never regret doing the right thing, even if it’s the “harder” way.

8. “If it costs you your peace it’s too expensive” – I wish everyone well along the way, but sometimes you have to walk away from people/things that don’t bring you peace. You don’t have to subject yourself to negativity.

9. Learn to rest and self-care. This is not being lazy or “in to yourself.” You cannot serve or love people when you are absolutely drained. You’re not honouring anyone by constantly “going.”

10. Love this: “Be soft, do not let the world make you hard. Do not let the pain make you hate. Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness.”

11.Happiness is a feeling and that’s dependable on circumstances. Joy is living from a place of knowing who you are whose you are. You can receive joy everyday knowing you are loved and forgiven. I get this everyday from Jesus and not from external things or people.

12. Successful people work hard everyday, make it apart of their daily habit and do it on purpose. You have to show up.

13.There’s a lesson to be learned in every situation (negative things help you grow in your character). Keep your eyes open for the lesson.

14.Gratitude has been the biggest lesson I’ve learned in 28 years. In turns what we have into enough and it completely changes your attitude toward everything and everyone. 1000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp opened my eyes to this fully.

15. Serving others will give you more joy than receiving and bless you tenfold. If you are ever unhappy, go and make someone else’s day or life better.

16. Eat food that makes you feel radiant. We only have one body to live this life in.

17. Books are these little keys to unlocking more knowledge and I look at them as gifts to the world. I learned to love reading and books as I got older.

18. Give people compliments often. Smile, tell someone you think their earrings are pretty if you’re thinking it, acknowledge someone who is being patient, if you’re chewing something someone made you and you love it, tell them. Kind words are like honey to the soul.

19. Ask people for help and prayers. You cannot operate from a place of carrying all the burdens yourself. We are not meant to go through life with this weight. Be vulnerable and let people in to see your cracks, your weaknesses and you’ll find strength in that.

20. People who make you laugh are good for your soul, stay close to them.

21. You cannot serve both God and money. Seek God and opportunity will seek you.

22. Life is not always in our control, but we can choose: how kind we are, who we spend time with, what we think/talk about and what we believe. Choose wisely.

23. Choose God’s opinion over everyone else’s, this is who He says we are: chosen, called of God, being changed into His image, a new creation, temple of the Holy Spirit, forgiven of all my sins, blessed, I am the head and not the tail, above and not beneath, victorious, set free, strong in the Lord, healed by His wounds, free from condemnation, reconciled to God, heirs with Christ, accepted in Him, complete in Him.

24. I do not feel the need to compete against anyone — the only person I want to be better than is who I was yesterday.

25. My worth does not come from people, money, status, material things, popularity, success etc. My identity is in Christ, He calls me worthy. That cannot be shaken.  I started to understand and find out who I was when I invested in learning who Jesus was.

26. Having boundaries for yourself and others in your life is what actually gives you freedom.

27. The Lord will fulfill His promise for me. I don’t want to just live to survive, I want to live to thrive and fulfill what I was put on this earth to do. In Jeremiah 29:11 the Lord says, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

28. You were created for such a time as this. Esther 4:14

I am grateful I’ve been given each new day to grow. Thank you for being here along with me on the journey, I so appreciate all of you! xoxo