10 Tips for a Good Day, Part 2 {A Guest Post by Brooklyne}

Aaaaaaand we're back with part 2 of Brooklyne's 10 tips for a good day! (if you missed part one last week, you can find it here)

Number Six // Make a Manageable List

I like lists. I like making them. I like crossing them off. I’m the kind of person that when I’m in the grocery store and put sometime in the cart that was not on the list, will write it on the list just so I can have the satisfaction of crossing it off. XD

Call me weird, but lists rock! Although I will admit, to-do lists are kinda overwhelming at times. That’s why it’s best if we can keep our to-do lists manageable. Don't put something on the list if you know it’s unrealistic. Make your list, and if you feel it is too long for that day then only pick a few things on the list to do. If you try to do it all, you will be running around like a chicken with its head cut off. We’ve all been there, and it’s not a good feeling.

Number Seven // Conquer Procrastinating and be Intentional 

So you know that thing people call Social Media? Oh… Yeah… that. Sometimes we’d rather be procrastinating online or whatever than to be intentional about what we really need to have happen that day. We are all guilty in this area. We get sidetracked. Then, before you know it, we’re scrolling through Instagram or Facebook or pinning something to Pinterest, or catching up with blog posts or texting a friend. 

It’s hard. To be intentional and to stay focused. But it’s truly worth it. Finding moderation and balance is so important to having a good day.

Number Eight // Don’t Forget to Celebrate

Let’s not call it a bribe… let’s call it celebrating! When you’ve got a lot done on your list and you feel like you’ve been productive, give yourself some free time. Get outside for a walk (or a four wheeler ride!) Have a snack. Watch a short YouTube. Give yourself something to look forward too. Like a mini prize after you’ve worked hard.

Number Nine // Read That Book

Work hard, but never forget to take time to have fun and do something that brings you joy. Many times, when life gets busy, we can so easily edge these things farther and farther out of our days. So make sure to leave room in your day to read that book, watch that movie, create that diy project, take a bath, bake those cookies, etc. 

Give yourself a little bit more than just free time. Do something that gives you joy and fills you with contentment.

Number Ten // Journal and Pray

I love having a journal. I don’t write in it every day, but I love documenting parts of my day, events that are taking place, or just my thoughts. Journaling is something that is meaningful. 

Prayer is so important, and sadly it’s one of the things that I often forget to do. I’m talking about praying more than just before every meal. It’s important to talk to God throughout the day just like we would a friend. Just knowing God has a special plan for each of your days is reason enough to have a good day! So let’s take each day as it comes, and try our best to live in the moment so we can have days that are more than just “good.”

And there we go! Thank you so much for guest posting, Brooklyne!

(And y'all, if you don't already follow her blog, what are you doing?!)

10 Tips for a Good Day, Part 1 {A Guest Post by Brooklyne}

Today I have a special treat for y'all! I asked Brooklyne from Showers of Blessings (her blog is fantastic and why aren't you following her??) to do a guest post, and she graciously agreed—so, without further interruptions (interruptions = me talking), let's get right to Brooklyne's post: 10 Tips for a Good Day. (I'm splitting this into two posts, so double the fabulousness!)

(One fun tidbit: I met Brooklyne in person last November, and it was amazing!!)

Hey everyone! My name is Brooklyne and I am honored to be guest posting here on Twin Thoughts! First, to tell you a little bit about myself… I am a homeschool graduate with a passion for writing the words God has placed on my heart. I live on a farm with some of the most amazing people who I am blessed to call my family. Some would call me a Jane Of All Trades because I have many hobbies and interests, a few of those would be the following: woodworking, soap making, painting, gardening, spending time with our animals, etc. I am currently a aspiring indie author and graphic designer. I’m learning all sorts of things while I build my brand as a small business owner selling handmade items. I blog over at Showers of Blessings, and I love “meeting” new blogger friends. My favorite color is blue, nature is my happy place, and frozen hot chocolate drinks are da bomb! 

But enough about me, lets get into this post shall we?

Ten Tips for a Good Day. First off, we all have different definitions of a “good” day. To me, a good day looks like being productive, working hard, having fun, and finding time for not only the things on our mile long to-do lists but also things that bring us joy. Yeah, that’s all great, but lets face it, not all days are as picture perfect as the one I just described up above. So how do we turn our mundane, normal days into good days? I’m happy to be sharing some tips that seem to help me have better days and I hope you can gain something from them too! 

Number One // Choosing an Attitude of Gratitude 

It might sound cheesy, but it’s true. Every good day starts with a good attitude and a positive mindset. So when we make that choice to have an attitude of gratitude (choosing joy, if you will) then we are already setting ourselves up for success and half the battle for a good day is already won.

Some ways to start off with the right attitude are the following: making a list of what your thankful for, take a walk, pray, write a favorite Bible verse on a 3x5 card and stick it in your pocket as a reminder, etc.

Number Two // Prioritizing What’s Most Important 

Decide what’s most important to you and make that your top priority. Whether it be family, your writing, your job, what you’re passionate about, a project you are working on, etc. Find what matters most and don't hesitate to make time for it, even if that means saying “no” to something or someone. Trust me, as a people pleaser myself, I know how hard it is to say that you’ll pass on something in order to keep time open for something more important. But in order to feel productive at the end of your day, you have to prioritize, because you can’t do everything all at once.

Number Three // Stop Tearing Yourself Down

How can we have a good day when we are constantly tearing ourselves down? Both physicality (by overworking ourselves) or mentally. Sometimes we are so hard on ourselves that it just ruins the rest of our day. 

The truth is, you're not perfect. You make mistakes. You sleep in. You have a cheat meal. You are late to the meeting. You mess up that painting. You have an awkward introduction. You forgot to do your morning devotion. Whatever the case may be… 

So stop tearing yourself (and others) down and start building yourself up. You make mistakes, but you’re not giving up. You slept in, but you still got up and around so you could tackle your day. You had a cheat meal, but are determined not to make it a cheat week. You were late to that meeting, but you learned for next time to plan ahead. You messed up that painting, but was able to fix it with some creative problem solving. You had an awkward introduction, but it was much more awkward in your head that in reality. You forgot your morning devotion, but decided tomorrow you would try harder. You get the picture!

Stop tearing yourself down, because once you show yourself some grace, your day is going to look a whole lot brighter. 

Number Four // When You Hit the Snooze, A Good Morning You’ll Loose 

I can’t stress enough that mornings are when I feel the most productive. It may just be me, but when I get up with my alarm (and not the annoying snooze that is really just a tease) then I can have a satisfying morning. Morning routines are gold. When you get up, you should know the plan and start your morning. If you don’t know the plan, you’re liable to stay in your pajamas all day… 

In the mornings, I like to workout. When I get a workout in, I feel—well, tired and sore— but also ready and productive. After my workout, I do animal chores and have breakfast. Then I get started on the agenda for the day.

When our mornings are filled with things that will give us energy for the rest of the day, then we will feel so much more productive by the time 3:00 o’clock rolls around and we are starting to slow down and feel less motivated.

Number Five // Block out your time

This one is similar to Number Two. But the cool thing is, you get to decide what you do in a day (well, for the most part.) So take advantage of that and block out your time so you know what needs to be done and when. 

If you need to write but find yourself caught up in other things, block out time for writing. Set a goal that you will write for one hour at 5:00PM. Then when 5:00 o’clock comes around, go sit down and set your timer. 

Blocking time like this can be super helpful for some people, but for others, it doesn’t work as well. Some need more of a flexible schedule. But give it a try and see if it works for you!

Such great tips! Thank you so much, Brooklyne!! (also that bit about not hitting your snooze button—I'm COMPLETELY with you on that one! It makes such, such a difference!) (unless you're like me and sometimes to go back to sleep once you move from the bed to the chair...)

Come back next week for five more tips for a good day!

Bare Feet & Cheez-Its

Bare feet & Cheez-Its.

Infrequent cloudy days.

Sister using blankets as a dress.

Cheesy puns.

Hair blowing gently in the breeze.

Messy buns.

T-shirts.

Waterjugs & ice.

Flip-flops.

It's the little things that make summers whimsical & special. Don't take 'em for granted. Sometimes we don't realize how much they mean to us until we lose them.

P.S. blog tour & ARC signups are OPEN for the 13 Reasons Why Blog Tour! Go HERE to sign up!

Just Do It

No, this is not a Nike commercial. Just sayin'.

If you'd told me a year ago that by the time July rolled around again, I'd be going to camp as a counselor, well . . . I probably wouldn't have believed you. I'm an introvert—we don't like stepping out and doing new things, especially where there's people involved.

So when my sister asked me a couple months ago (okay, no, begged is more like it) to be a counselor at camp, well . . . my initial reaction was no way. No way was I going to go ride herd on a bunch of kids. No way was I going to sleep in a room with 10 other people (not to mention share one bathroom with that many). No way was I going to put that much responsibility on myself when the only remotely similar thing I'd done before was vacation Bible school at church with about 20 kids total.

But something kept me from outright telling her no. I put it off: "You know that's not my thing." "I don't want to." "What's it worth to ya?" "I'd need more information about it first." And I was convinced that stalling long enough would eventually put me past the deadline and it'd be too late to send in my form. Smart, right? I wickedly kept her hopes up (or we could say I was polite and didn't tell her no right away), and impatiently waited for that deadline to arrive.

And then I prayed about it.

You know when sometimes, God tells you to do things that you really don't wanna do? Yeah. The more I prayed about it, the more I felt Him telling me to go to camp. And I wasn't really thrilled with Him at the moment.

So I talked to someone about it, asked questions, and was given the form.

And I went to camp this past week.

I was slightly freaked out; I didn't know what I was doing; what if I did something completely wrong? I was the only counselor for 10 junior high girls; what if they would constantly try to bend the rules? I hated being around crowds; what if all the people freaked me out? I was a picky eater; what if we always had food that I didn't like? (Yes, that last one is totally a legit fear)

So, I'm not going to go into detail and describe every detail about the week. Because that would take forever. BUT. Let's just say that it was both worst and better than I expected. But I will give you some  highlights.

-My first night there, I met a lady who happened to be the sister-in-law of a pastor in our area.
-Said lady (Sara) happened to be a counselor in the cabin adjoining mine, along with another lady, and they both kinda took me under their wings.
-I became super homesick and overwhelmed (I've never even been to camp as a camper before, y'all!) and Sara sweetly offered to trade places with one of my campers.
-The food was amazing. Like, no complaints.
-All the girls in my cabin were epic. I never had to worry about any of them trying to sneak one past me, or about them being anywhere they weren't supposed to be.
-There were so many things to keep all the kids occupied, we were rarely all grouped together at the same time.

What are some things I learned this week? Well . . .
-Going for a week without social media is completely doable. Don't freak out about it, peeps.
-Energizers (Star Trekking, anyone?) are so. much. FUN.
-Counselors learn just as much during chapel as the kids.
-Checking your emails after a week can be overwhelming.
-Carpet ball is actually addictive.
-I like bananas . . . I know that mangos are sweet . . . (c'mon, ya'll, if you know what I'm talking about, let me know!!)
-I never want to go another week without reading more that three pages.
-There's nothing like praising the Creator through amazing music with a hundred other people.

MORAL OF THE STORY: When God tells you to do something, just do it. Even if you don't know why, and you're still not sure why it happened after it's over. Because everything is for a purpose, even if you don't know what that purpose is. He will work through your fear, and He'll work through your happiness. He will work through your tears, and He will work through your smiles. He will work through the rain, and He will work through the sunshine.

Trust Him. In the right conditions, mustard seeds grow to be trees that withstand anything. Water your faith, surround yourself with the right conditions, and watch it grow. (I can't take credit for those lines, though . . . Pastor Bob's messages were pretty epic.)

Do it even when you don't want to, even when it's painful. Because your trust and faith in Him grow best when you're not in your comfort zone.

Do I know why God called me to go to camp? Not really. Maybe it was so I could give hugs to homesick girls. Maybe it was simply to stretch myself. Maybe it was for a reason that I'll never know about. But whatever the reason—I'm glad I went. It was an experience I won't soon forget.

Will I go back next year? God only knows. I have to admit that camp wasn't really my thing. But sometimes God calls us to do things that we aren't comfortable doing.

And that's when we need to take that leap of faith and just do it.

Faith Like That

I could see his hands were shaking

As he took the microphone

He said my little boy's not gone

He’s just gone home

Then opened up his Bible

And read from John 14

He said, I'm here to celebrate his life

Not grieve

It hurts how bad I miss him

But what better place to be?

He’s with his other Father

Who loves him more than me

I want to have faith like that

Let it be who I am

I want to see the bigger picture

And trust it’s in God’s hands

I want have faith

I want to faith like that

Well I walked up to him after

Not real sure what to do

I hugged him,

But wondered who was hugging who?

Before I could say I’m sorry

He said, It’s gonna be alright

And as we stood there

I could almost hear Him smile

I thought I could give him comfort

Yeah, I thought I believed

I went there for him

But, he was there for me

I want to have faith like that

Let it be who I am

I want to see the bigger picture

And trust it’s in God’s hands

I want have faith

I want to faith like that

I want to walk the walk

Not just talk the talk

I want to make it who I am

I want have faith

Yea I want to faith like that

Beautiful {a Free Verse Poem}

She looked into a mirror

And wondered

When she'd become

So beautiful;

And then 

She realized

It wasn't the features

On the outside—

The way her hair

Shone in the sunlight,

Or the way her smile

Lit up her face,

Or the way that her eyes

Crinkled with laughter.

But it was the Savior,

The One who died,

The One who loved,

That shed His blood

To save so many

From a world so lost,

So full of despair.

And she realized

That it was He

Who made her so cherished,

So loved,

So priceless in His eyes.

And that made her beautiful.

Humility is not Degrading

I'm very aware of my tendency to judge people. I'm aware of my tendency to think that I know best, and therefore, everyone else should listen to me and do what I say. I'm aware that I tend to get jealous when I think other people are getting the attention that I want.

But y'know what? I'm aware, and with God's help, I'm working on it. Because the Lord knows that I need a fresh dose of humility every day.

I used to think that in order to humble myself, I had to continually remind myself that I was wrong, that I needed to get over myself, that I was a horrible human being that needed to keep quiet so that I would stop doing things wrong. I was constantly degrading myself in my attempts to keep myself humble. I became depressed, and I began to be convinced that I really was a person that wasn't worth all the effort of being loved, because I constantly failed.

Jesus humbled Himself, "taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men." (Philippians 2:7b) Jesus was perfect, right? So since He was pure, blameless, He certainly didn't need to be humbled because of imperfections. So apparently, in order to be humble, you don't need to be doing wrong things. According to Jesus' example, humility doesn't come from doing wrong things, but from doing the right things.

My problem was that I was looking only at what I was doing wrong. Yes, we need to be aware. But being aware of our imperfections is what makes us ready for God's perfections to work in our lives. Yes, we mess up. Yes, we need to realize that we mess up. But we need to keep our eyes on the things above, because God, through His Son Jesus, is the only one that can take our imperfections and turn us into something beautiful. It's not us. It's all Him.

Humility isn't about your wrongs. It's about what God has made right. Humility is recognizing that you're a sinner, and that you mess up, but not dwelling on the fact. Concentrating on your wrongs is nearly as selfish as concentrating on what you're doing right. I believe that what we need to do for humility is not focus on ourselves at all. Focus on Jesus, and what He's done for us. Focus on God the Father, and His love for us. And focus on others, and God's love for them. You're no better than them, and no worse than them. We're all sinners, and we all mess up. But treat them as better than yourself, as Jesus did, when He came to earth as a bondservant. Because our job here on earth isn't to focus on our sins, but to strive to be holy, as Christ is holy, and to be ambassadors for the One who created us.

"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up." —James 4:10

Once you've accepted Jesus, you're God's priceless treasure, and nothing can separate you from Him. His Son's blood has cleansed you. All your sins have been washed away. Humble yourselves, y'all, and live like you're loved.

Your Whole Heart {a Flash Fiction Story}

A few months ago, I wrote a flash fiction story entitled Your Whole Heart about something that God's been teaching me. I hope it blesses you. <3

“It hurts!” I scream at the sky. I pinch my lips together tightly, as if in an attempt to hold in the anguish threatening to explode. A lump grows in my throat until I can’t even swallow around it, and my next words come out as only a squeak. “It hurts.”

The raindrops splatter on my face to mingle with the tears that finally flow down my face. The tears that I’ve held back for so, so long.

The tears that I won’t let anyone see.

I collapse to my knees, the moisture that soaks through my jeans going unheeded. My entire body racks with the sobs that I can no longer control.

I scream, digging my fingers into the soil and uprooting blades of grass as if my life depends on it, and yet I can’t keep my heart from feeling as if it’s being ripped in two. I’ve been told that a ‘good cry’, letting everything out, makes a person feel better. But no, it deepens the pain and and hones the emptiness inside. A bottomless pit of hopelessness and despair.

Be still, and know that I am God.

Hopelessness and despair.

I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.

Hopelessness and despair?

I give power to the weak, and to those who have no might I increase strength.

My sobs intensify. “God, where have you been?”

You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with your whole heart.

“I looked for You, Father.” My voice wavers, then drops to a whisper. “I tried, I tried so hard.”

With your whole heart.

My whole heart? Of course I did.

Didn’t I?

“I needed You, God.” My voice is hardly more than a whimper. “I needed You, but I couldn’t find You. You weren’t there when I needed you. What’s changed?”

I am the same yesterday, today and forever.

It hits me like a lightning bolt. He’s not the one who has changed. I am.

Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. I give power to the weak, and to those who have no might I increase strength. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with your whole heart.

Your whole heart.

My whole heart. “It hurts, God.” I slowly shove to my feet. “It hurts too bad. It hurts too bad to trust.”

Your whole heart.

“It hurts!” My voice rises to a shout. “Do you hear me? It hurts!” My face collapses in a mess of tears. All my life I’ve listened to the lies whispered in my ear. To let go, to step out in faith, to give all my burdens to God . . . it sounds so easy. But oh, it hurts. It hurts to think that all that is familiar to me, even the loneliest mentality, will be taken away, and I’ll be left stripped bare of all that I know.

My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.

“I . . . I can’t. I’m not strong enough.”

They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up on wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

I’m not strong enough. Not strong enough. I’m weak, I’m worthless.

Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
More value?

The very hairs of your head are numbered.

But can I really believe it? Can I believe that I really am worthy?

I so loved the world that I gave My Son.

My quick intake of breath catches in my throat. The simple words that I’ve known since I was four years old take on new form. He gave His Son . . . to die . . . for me. For me?

For you.

I drop to my knees again, touching my forehead to the soggy earth, hands clasped above my head. My body rocks back and forth, my eyes squeezed shut, yet a few tears leak out anyway. “I’m so sorry, God.” My breath comes in gasps. “So, so sorry.”

I lift my face to the sky. “Forgive me, God. Forgive me for not seeking You with my whole heart. I’m sorry . . . I’m not worth it.” I finally give voice to the whispers inside my head that have plagued me for so long. “I’m not worth anything. Every time I try to do better, I seem to make things worse. I’m awkward, I don’t think before I speak, I’m judgmental.” Once I begin to label my faults, the list just grows longer and longer and I can’t stop myself before I say them out loud. “I’m jealous, I’m possessive of things—and people—that I really have no right to hold back. I’m sensitive, I have a quick temper, and I’m constantly having pity parties. Father, I want to change.”

Nothing is impossible with Me.

“God . . . okay.” I take a deep breath, letting it out slowly and wiping my eyes with shaking hands. “Okay. I want You to use me, God. I want people to be able to watch me and say, ‘she’s got Jesus.’ I want to be so on fire for You that all else fades in the background. I want faith like Noah, courage like David, and humility like John the Baptist. Mold me, God, into who You created me to be.”

I swallow and finally eke out the words that took so long to come to my lips.

“I am Yours, wholly and completely.”