We have all been there, things are not going our way, and no matter how hard you try, you just cannot seem to gain any traction. Instead, often you think you have taken two steps forward only to find that you have taken four steps backwards. Does any of these sound like you? You are doing more to please everyone except yourself. Wherever you are, just remember, “don’t quit on yourself.”

DO NOT GIVE UP ON YOURSELF

There are many reasons, however, the most important one is that you are a valuable member of the body of Christ. Furthermore, your role is important and uniquely yours. Therefore, stop where you are if it is safe to do so and close your eyes. Take a deep breath in for the count of four and hold it for the count of four, then slowly breathe out for the count of eight. With your eyes closed, feel what you would feel if you were living the life that you wanted. What does that look like, sound like, smell like, and even taste like? “What is preventing you from having that life?”

WHAT’S LIMITING YOUR POTENTIAL?

You have been told so many times that you must be good and don’t rock the boat. You have preconceived notions about how a woman should interact with the world. What a wife should be, or even how a mother should act. Have you ever stopped and asked yourself, who invented all these rules? Now I am not saying to be reckless and misbehave. What I am proposing is that you EXAMINE YOUR STORY. Examine your story for the beliefs that are no longer contributing to your TOTAL HEALTH. Then, show C.A.R.E. not only for others but also for yourself. If you are constantly doing for others at the expense of self, this is not healthy and will often leave you feeling frustrated and ready to give up. Remember and believe that you matter.

STARTING OVER MAY SEEM POINTLESS

Starting over again may be frustrating. You may think, “Haven’t I done this before?” Here is my honest response, NO! You would not have to start over if you had done the right or correct thing before. Therefore, somewhere in your strategy, you did not consider something, something that keeps sabotaging your best laid plans and intentions. The lens through which you see the world has remained the same. The same belief system that got you to this point in life is the same belief system you are praying and hoping will take you to a different place. Sadly, that is the reason why you keep taking the same steps and making the same mistakes. You must change the lens through which you see the world. That means, it is time to examine closely your beliefs, change your faulty patterns of thinking, and gain clarity about the identity you are holding on to.

WHO ARE YOU AND WHO DO YOU WANT TO BE?

This is an exercise for identifying the person that you believe you are. Take a pen and your journal or record it on your phone. Be honest, only you will know about this unless you choose to share it. Describe how you see yourself right now. List all the good things about you. List all the things you believe are your shortcomings. Write about how you see yourself in relationship to the world, other people, and God. Include what you believe or think you deserve. What do you think about money and success? Where have you placed limits in your mind about how high you can fly and why have you placed those limits?