Writing down your lifestyle changes in an effective way.

Hello Brave Hearted Steppers,

Last week, I shared 10 benefits when drawing closer to God. Today, I am sharing how you can effectively write down your lifestyle changes.

Have you thought about making some lifestyle changes? Are you pursuing them to the fullest? The Bible says in Habakkuk 2:3 to write down the vision. In today's case, our vision is our lifestyle changes. 

I have heard people say, "I had a lifestyle change(s) for a short time or a long time now, and the excuses have held me back from achieving that change(s)." Today, I am encouraging you to pursue your lifestyle change(s) while removing all the excuses (e.g., too young, too old, don't have the funds, don't have the strength, lack of passion, lack of motivation, people's opinion, etc.) and give it everything you've got towards finally achieving your lifestyle change(s).

Lifestyle includes any choice(s) or action(s) you make that influence your life in the slightest way. Lifestyle changes are the retraining or habit change(s) that encourage positive change(s) in your life. Making changes, no matter how small, can affect your well-being.

Lifestyle changes can include, but are not limited to:

• Physical well-being is maintaining a healthy quality of life that allows us to maximize our daily activities without fatigue or physical stress. Examples: eating well-balanced meals, making time for physical activity, drinking more water, getting the right amount of sleep, etc.).
• Emotional well-being is the ability to produce positive emotions, moods, thoughts, and feelings and adjust when faced with difficulties or stressful situations. Examples: manage and reduce stress, develop a renewed mindset, practice mindfulness, letting of past hurts, etc.).
• Mental well-being includes our emotional, psychological and social well-being, affecting our thoughts, feelings, and actions. Examples: learning new skills, being present (mindfulness), practicing gratefulness, etc.,
• Spiritual well-being is connecting with God and having a set of values, principles, morals, and beliefs that provide a sense of purpose and meaning to life, then using those principles to guide your actions. Examples: praying more, fasting more, reading and studying God's word more, congregating more, etc.)

I don't know about you, but for me to remember certain things, I have to write them down. Habakkuk 2:3 continues with, "write it clearly." When you are taking the time to write down the lifestyle changes clearly. Clear enough that you don't have to question or doubt what you have written. Writing it down clearly, with a declaration that it will be done in the name of Jesus, with conviction that comes from God that when doubt clouds your mind, cling onto His word and draw closer to Him to give you the encouragement that surpasses all encouragement to keep walking in your Brave Hearted steps and fulfill what you have written. In addition, please write your lifestyle changes and place them somewhere you can see them. It has to be visible, as a constant reminder that you have a purpose, a goal, and lifestyle change(s) you want to fulfill.

I previously used the vision board concept to help me with lifestyle changes I wanted to fulfill. Vision board(s) is a collage of images or words representing dreams or goals. In our case, the vision board is a visual aid, which means it's something you can see with the human eye, but it can also encourage the spiritual eye.

Today, I encourage you, from one Brave Hearted Stepper to another, to write down your lifestyle change(s) very clearly, whether it's on a vision board, sticky note, cell phone, paper, etc. Write it down, and please don't write it in pencil as the pencil doesn't have the same permanent seal when writing as a pen or marker can. Writing it down permanently and without a doubt.

What are you waiting for? I have my "you've got this" encouragement to motivate you to realize it's time to fulfill. Write it down, and next time, we will talk about setting realistic goals for your lifestyle change(s).

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I ask you to help every Brave Hearted Stepper spend time with you and reveal any lifestyle change(s) that need to be fulfilled. I pray that you may cast out all excuses or obstacles hindering progress. I declare that it's time to kick the excuses and obstacles to the curb and embrace the possibilities of fulfilling the lifestyle change(s) when you do. I ask you in the name of Jesus, Amen.

The next blog post will be scheduled for Friday, February 3, 2023, on setting realistic goals.

Many Blessings, 

Maria Guzman