Beat Post Holiday Blues

Winter break has come to an end which means all of the time I've been spending with my sons is over for a while...  All of my Christmas decorations that made my home brighter are down.  I'm literally looking at my muffin top hanging over my pants so reality has set in of how much fun I've been having during the holidays... The most wonderful time of the year is over!!! *sighs*  I've been wondering why I've been feeling down since the new year!  It's like I knew all of this was coming to an end and I wasn't looking forward to it so I diagnosed myself with post holidays blues!  What's crazy is I thought I came up with that term then I googled it to see this is real.  I was so surprised to find so many articles!  I had never experienced this before...

As the new year approached I noticed myself getting very anxious about winter break ending. At first I didn't think anything of it but the feeling started to get overwhelming!  I kept saying why am I feeling so down.. is it because the reality of me not eating healthy is showing in my belly or is it because I no longer have my mother or father here with me, is it because the house will be empty again during the day?!  I'm not positive as to why I'm experiencing this for the first time but I am positive that I will beat the post holiday blues!!  How will I do that you ask?  By the only way I know how to beat anything- through the Word of God!

This is the very day God acted- let's celebrate and be festive! 

(Psalms 118:24, MSG)

The fact of the matter is the most wonderful time of the year is the whole year.  Every single day is a wonderful day!  We don't need a special holiday or a special occasion to be merry.  It is up to us to put the extra in the ordinary!  It is up to us to put the special in any occasion.  It is our choice.  I'm choosing to enjoy today, to celebrate today, and to be merry TODAY.

Choose to enjoy TODAY!

I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. (Psalm 16:8, 9 NLT)

I love having family over and during the winter break my house was never empty!  I had so many sleepovers...  But the blessing is that God is ALWAYS with me!  I don't have to fell lonely when I'm alone.  Anyone who knows me knows how important family is to me..  I've often made the mistake of putting my family before God and even trying to find joy in my family.  The only certain person in our lives is our Heavenly Father.  He alone can make our hearts glad.  We can overcome any fear, hurt, challenge because He is right with us.

For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10, NLT)

Get up and get to doing what God called you to do!  Refocus on your vision, your goals, your dreams that God has given you.  This year I wasn't going to do a vision board because my theme is simple, "Serve Others More' and I had that printed out back in November.  But yesterday I started cutting out goals from magazines to add to my vision journal then decided to go ahead and do a vision board.  You have to take some kind of action to beat any type of blues!  In most cases, when you do something for someone else you forget about being down!!  God did not create us so that we can be happy and accomplish personal goals for ourselves.. He created us to serve!  Are you doing the good things He planned for you? It's not too late to set goals or to change up your goals!  When you're setting your goals remember Philippians 2:4: Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others too. 

Items I cut for my vision journal and 2015 vision board.

I used this template found here for my 2015 goals. I love this format

I don't want to downplay depression because based on the suicide rate I know it's very real.  If you need to, seek professional help {here is the National Suicide Prevention line phone number:  1-800-273-TALK (8255)}.  In the meantime replace the lies with the truth of God's Word.  You can overcome anything relying on the promises of God!

Seasoned with Grace,

QueenZadia

Happy New Year!

I don't know about all of you but I can use a new chapter, a new beginning, and/or a fresh start and this is all wrapped up in the start of a new year!  Hello 2015!!  There are many people who knock others who choose to make a change at the beginning of the year but I find it is a great time to make a change.  A new year just symbolizes change so why not?!

2014 was a year of g-r-o-w-t-h for me and my family!  We had so many challenges (many brought on by bad decisions) but I can't even complain.  As I reflect on all of the trials, the issues, and even my dad passing away all I can say is Thank YOU Father!  Thank YOU for shaping me, molding me, and growing me.  I'm so grateful.  2014 reminded me once again that living life on purpose is what I should aim to do every single day.

My vision for 2015 is a simple one and has everything to do with having a heart to serve.  In fact, my theme is Serve Others More!  One of the many things I learned in 2014 is that when you give out of need or when you help someone when you need help or encourage someone when you're down it blesses you!  The best way I can describe it is to use President Obama quote: "The best way to not feel hopeless is to get up and do something. Don't wait for good things to happen to you. If you go out and make good things happen, you will fill the world with hope, you will fill yourself with hope."  

What are your goals this year?  All of us want to live our best life; full of health and wealth!  I challenge you to not focus all of your attention on yourself and your family.  When we walk in the purpose of God, it's not about us anyway!  Let's be intentional about serving because that is what we are called to do.  I want to hear God say, "Well done, thy good and faithful servant" and I'm sure you want to hear Him say that as well.

Happy New Year from my family to yours.

“What you are doing I cannot do, what I’m doing you cannot do, but together we are doing something beautiful for God, and this is the greatness of God’s love for us...

-Mother Teresa, From Where There is Love, There is God

Seasoned with Grace,

QueenZadia