deva dedios

Follow for blogs on lifestyle - health and fitness, tips and advice, college, style, music, food/recipes, relationships, etc. I will be taking requests of any kind of topic you'd like me to cover! Check out my main blog: devadedios.tumblr.com

[dailydeva]

You may be settling.

Why do we settle for shitty jobs, friends, relationships, experiences, etc? Here are some common reasons why people settle,

1.    Loneliness

2.    Fear

3.    Comfortability

Let’s talk about the first reason, loneliness. People tend to settle for half-assed friendships and relationships because they’re scared of being “alone.” It’s not that you’re lonely, you’re just not whole in yourself. Let me explain. Loneliness doesn’t mean not having a companion or a group of friends. Have you ever been in a room full of people or in a relationship but still felt alone or empty inside? If yes, that’s my point. Loneliness is internal. The people you surround yourself with doesn’t fix the underlying issue of WHY you feel alone. You can’t be dependent on others for your happiness or emotional stability. Allow yourself to be alone so that you can learn about yourself, grow, and start to love and appreciate who you are. Solitude is necessary. Once you’ve established that inner peace you will never feel alone, because no one can give you that fulfillment but you. It’s crazy to think that people will tolerate relationships that are toxic or add no fulfillment or value to their life. The thing is, we allow ourselves to put up with the bull shit. We would rather settle for these relationships than be whole with ourselves in solitude. We don’t want to go through the effort to build healthy, new relationships with those who can assist our self-growth, see the value in who we are, and support our dreams and goals. Think about the people you surround yourself with and ask yourself these questions,

1.    Does this person want to see me reach my full potential?

2.    Does this person reciprocate the effort I put forth in the relationship?

3.    Is this person open, honest, and transparent with me?

4.    Does this person accept me for who I am and what I value?

5.    Does this person add to my overall happiness?

6.    Can I go to this person in times of hardship and know they can provide that support, comfort, and love?

7.    Does this person push me to my limits to bring out the best in who I am and who I can be?

8.    Does this person respect me?

9.    Does this person inspire me?

10.  Does this person act on their words of love and support?

At the end of the day, as human beings, we all just want to be loved, cared for, and appreciated. That doesn’t mean settling for less than what you deserve. That means loving yourself and finding those relationships that add happiness and value to your life, not exhaustion or toxicity.

Now let’s talk about fear, specifically in careers. Often times we settle for the jobs that bring in the bucks but not the enjoyment. You’ll have bad days at work, but if you find yourself constantly complaining about how much you hate your job or how you wish you were doing something else then do something about it. You have 100% control of how your life is right now. Life is too short to stay in that job that has no fulfillment or purpose. A common mistake we make is thinking we have more time. We can always make more money, but we can never make more time than what we’re allotted on this earth. I get that we stay in jobs for financial stability, and yes, it is necessary to have a stream of income that supports our lifestyle, but at the end of the day, if this job is taxing on our mental well-being is it really worth it? Your job doesn’t have to be your passion, but it should be something you enjoy and serves a purpose for you. Don’t be afraid to look for another job or negotiate your worth at your current job. We spend years, decades working, so why not enjoy it?

Lastly, let’s talk about comfortability. Being comfortable is being safe. It’s being stagnant and content. This is a huge reason of why we settle. We’re afraid of being uncomfortable and straying from our comfort zone. Let me tell you that growth does not and will not happen in comfort zones. The short period of being uncomfortable is worth the rewards of freedom, self-respect, independence, new perspectives, new relationships, new adventures and experiences. I promise. Put yourself in situations that push your limits and tests your mental and physical abilities. Write more. Read more. Travel more. Learn a new language. Hang out with people you normally wouldn’t hang out with. Try a new workout. Shoot your shot and put yourself out there. Learn to embrace failure and accept rejection. Learn to forgive and move on. Get out of a routine and let loose for a second. You will get hurt. You will feel sad. You will want to give up. You will have every right to express anger, hurt, betrayal, and despair from the battles you're put through. We can’t choose the cards we’re dealt, but we can choose how to play them. Life is a journey of self-exploration. Be proactive in this journey. Choose happiness. Choose love. Choose kindness. Choose YOU, over and over again. 

[dailydeva]

[dailydeva]

Stop seeking validation, b.

        Why do people seek validation from others in order to feel like they’re worthy? 

        Well, it all comes down to how we see ourselves and ultimately our self-esteem. I find that so many women and men seek attention to validate themselves as far as if they’re smart enough, good looking enough, or just enough period. What we have to remember is that our worth does not stem from strangers or our loved ones. As cliché as this sounds, our worth comes from within. It starts with you and how you view, respect, and love yourself as a person. When you know who you are and what you’re worth, outside sources won’t matter.

       I understand it’s not easy to acquire or gain high self-esteem due to society’s depiction of what is right and wrong, beautiful or not, but that’s when it becomes a mental battle. You have to train your mind to fight the ways of society. I say this all the time, but the greatest thing about you, is that no one is you, and you’re no one else, and that’s the most unique and powerful thing about you. Yes, it’s easy to get caught up in our appearance, social media follows, likes, and comments, but at the end of the day, does it really matter?

       Your purpose on this earth isn’t to prove to anyone anything. The only person you should prove is yourself. One of my favorite quotes is, “Make yourself a priority, at the end of the day, you’re your longest commitment.” There’s always room for self-growth and improvement. You’re going to exhaust yourself if you constantly seek validation from others, because the idea of “perfection” changes all the time. Focus on you and your goals. What can you do today that can benefit you right now or in the long run? Don’t waste your time trying to be something you’re not for the reason of impressing others.

       In case anyone needed to hear this, keep ya head up. You are beautiful and worth absolutely everything.

[dailydeva]

Find your passion. Get out of your comfort zone.

“Purpose fuels passion.”

Life is too short to put forth your time and energy into people and experiences that aren’t benefitting you in any kind of way. Life is a journey of self-exploration and growth. If you find yourself in a slump about life, where you’re not feeling fulfilled in what you’re doing, be proactive and ask yourself, “What am I passionate about? What do I enjoy doing? What exactly do I want?” Finding your passion can either be very easy or very difficult. Because, yes, we have things we enjoy doing, but that does not necessarily mean we are passionate about it. Ask yourself this, “What is something I would love to do for years without getting paid?” For me, if you can’t imagine not doing it, then you have a passion for it. Your passion doesn’t necessarily have to be your job or make you money. Your passion is what gives you purpose. A purpose to get out of bed every day. Remember what you enjoyed doing as a child. What activities and hobbies did you love or enjoy doing before life started getting in the way? Use those memories to help guide you to your passion as an adult. Sometimes it even takes meeting new people, traveling to new places, taking on internships and jobs or a new skill to figure that out as well. Live your life to the fullest. If you’re not happy with something, change it. I understand we have to go through hard times to get by, but like I said, your passion does not have to be your job. As long as you’re living life doing the things you’re passionate about, regardless if you’re making a living from it or not, continue to do so. Life’s too short to spend it unsatisfied.

My biggest advice or tip is to get out of your comfort zone. Getting out of your comfort zone can open so many doors for you as far as self-growth and opportunities. It can be scary, but it’s worth it. The things we choose to experience in life don’t have to be permanent, but it never hurts to try. I would much rather try and fail than never try and wonder what if. Once you’ve tried, you move onto the next thing on your list. Keep being proactive. Don’t sit around wishing, do something about it. There is no reason you can’t achieve anything you set your mind to if you are consistent, passionate, and have the drive.

[dailydeva]

Let’s Talk: What I learned in college #GetWokeSeries

So, I’m graduating college in four weeks, and all I can wish for is more time. I can’t believe how fast four years has flown. It seems like just yesterday I was applying to colleges and shopping for dorm decor. College is an uphill battle, trying to balance your social life while trying to keep a solid GPA and be physically and mentally healthy. I’ve gained so much valuable knowledge about life in general through my college experiences. Here are some things I’ve learned:

1. It’s okay to not be okay: We’re college students, we’re all stressed trying to find balance in our lives, we’re bound to have a few mental breakdowns here and there. Just remember that you’re not alone. It’s okay to express that you’re struggling. Sometimes letting it out with a good scream or cry is something that helps.

2. You can’t please everyone and not everyone will like you: Being the people pleaser I am and being overly nice, I sometimes get quite offended when people don’t like me, especially for no reason. I’ve learned that it’s impossible to please everyone you meet, and it’s not worth the exhaustion if it’s putting your own happiness at risk. People will also not like you for no reason, and that’s okay. If you think about, people aren’t made or have an obligation to like you if that makes sense. My tip is to stop worrying about what people think, because if they add no benefit to your life, they're not worth your time. Focus on yourself, because at the end of the day, you’re your longest commitment. 

3. Keep your circle small: I’ve dealt with many users and fakes throughout college and it’s very disappointing. Be careful who you open yourself up to, because people can switch and turn on you very quickly. Once you realize who your ride or dies are, don’t take them for granted. They’re hard to find nowadays. I always tell myself to treat others how you would want to be treated. Keep it straight forward and to the point when you meet people. Trying to put up a face will just tire you in the long run.

4. It’s okay to be “selfish”: Self love is so important. I’ve grown so much personally, and I couldn’t be grateful for the experiences I’ve encountered that have shaped me to be the self-confident individual I am today. Practice self care everyday. Don’t put yourself last on your list. Take a day off where you pamper yourself, read a book, journal, pick up a new hobby, learn a new skill, do something that will benefit YOU. Yes, we can get caught up with the strenuous schedule college has for us, but we can’t forget to take care of ourselves.

5. Don’t take your parents for granted: College made me realize how much of a child I still was and kind of still am. In high school, I never made much of an effort to bond with my parents, which is quite strange because I lived under their roof. Once I moved off to college, I definitely felt homesick for a while. You realize that you don’t have your mom cooking for you, doing your laundry (sometimes), keeping the house smelling good and clean. Instead you’re trying to eat one meal a day in a messy apartment with a broken AC. So, it’s very refreshing to visit home. Cherish the moments you have with your parents and siblings. 

Those are just a few things I've learned and realized in college. I’ll probably do a part two to this! I hope this was insightful. 

Side note: The life lessons you gain in college are just as valuable as that degree!

[dailydeva]

Let’s Talk: Health and Fitness #GetWokeSeries

Health and fitness has always been a very important aspect of my life. If you’re someone who is wanting to kick start a healthy lifestyle and get in shape, choose to do it for the right reasons and not just for physical appearance. Health and fitness is a lifestyle that should be enjoyable and maintainable. Health is ALL MENTALITY. 

You have to think about it as being long term. Ask yourself, why do I want to start working out? Why should I start making healthier food choices? What are my goals? As you’re asking yourself these questions, think about a lifestyle that will be maintainable. If you’re on a fad diet doing steady cardio for a few weeks, yes, you’ll lose weight, but that’s not maintainable for the next three, seven, ten, twenty years. No matter what your goals are, whether it’s to lose weight, gain weight, or just be overall healthy, take the proper measures to achieve that. A quote that I live by every single day is, “Moderation not deprivation.” Don’t try to deprive yourself of “bad foods” like cookies, pizza, burgers, donuts, etc. The more you deprive yourself, the more your body will crave those foods and you’ll either give in and overeat or have an unhealthy relationship with food all together. Food is supposed to be enjoyed! If you’re eating grilled chicken and broccoli everyday, are you really happy? 

I mean hey, that might work for some people and more power to them. The key to a healthy lifestyle is balance. Yes, you can have that slice of pizza, but then the rest of your day make healthier choices. Eating that one “bad food” won’t keep you from reaching your goals. If you’re consistent in your workouts and being aware of the nutrients that goes into your body, you will reach your goals. I know it can be stressful if you’re trying to lose weight and you want the weight off in a week, but you shouldn’t put your body through that stress and deprivation. Trust me, I’ve been there and done that. It led to a very toxic relationship with fitness and food. My number one tip is to not fall for any fad diets, or just avoid diets all together. They’re not maintainable, and they’ll just mess with your mind. When I was on a very low caloric diet, I lost a lot of weight but gained even more than what I weighed before because my body was so deprived. I wasn’t happy. I’d wake up every single day being sad because it was the same foods over and over, and I couldn’t go out with friends and eat the foods they were eating. I’d spend 2+ hours at the gym feeling so lethargic because I was so malnourished. I know not seeing quick results can make you unmotivated, but it’s a process that takes time. It will catch up to you if you start balancing everything and living in moderation. Trust the process and be patient, your goals aren’t far away :) Below is a link for any beginners that want to start getting into weight training! I highly recommend lifting. There are so many benefits to it, and no ladies, you will not get bulky!

https://www.bodybuilding.com/content/best-beginner-weight-training-guide-with-easy-to-follow-workout.html

[dailydeva]

Let’s Talk: Self-Confidence and Self-Worth #GetWokeSeries

If there’s a topic that I’m so passionate about, it may be these two. Let’s just start off with the basic definition of what self-confidence and self-worth is. Self-confidence is having faith or belief in one’s powers and abilities. Self-worth, in other words, self-esteem, is the sense of one’s own value as a person (self-respect). Self-confidence and self-worth is something I believe is achieved through practice just like with sports or hobbies. You have to practice the task daily in order to become better at it. It’s the same concept, you have to continuously tell your brain or remind yourself that you’re a truly incredible individual who’s capable of so much.

Now, it’s easier said than done to achieve a level of content with yourself. Being consumed with social media and influencers who have “perfect” bodies or lives can make it hard to be accepting of ourselves at times. We see ourselves constantly comparing if our physique or intellectual abilities are at par with what society deems as “perfect.” But who came up with this idea of perfect? If you look back at each decade, the idea of beauty changed every time. So, if you think about it, there really is no such thing as perfection. It’s merely an idea that’s planted in our brains to make us doubt who we are and what we should become. Perfection could never be attained because change is inevitable. Below is a video of women’s ideal body type throughout history!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xrp0zJZu0a4 

How does one gain self-confidence and self-worth? Well, to start off, it’s 100% a CHOICE. You have to CHOOSE to put yourself first, you have to CHOOSE to believe and trust in yourself, and you have to CHOOSE to love yourself. You can’t expect to get to where you want to be if you don’t take the actions to get there. The brain is an incredibly complicated, unbelievable organ. What’s great about it though, is that it’s malleable. You have to train it daily to get to where you need to be mentally. It’s all a mental state, and it’s not always an easy journey.

An activity I would do when I fall back and struggle with self-confidence or self-worth is I would look at myself in the mirror and list 5 things I love about myself. I recommend everyone should do this, just to remind yourself of how unique and amazing you are. Self-confidence and worth is a work in progress but it’s not impossible. Remember, the more you practice self-care the closer you’ll be in accepting yourself. Below is a link of seven steps to self-love, very great article! 

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/get-hardy/201203/seven-step-prescription-self-love

[dailydeva]

How to deal with stress in college. My Top Five Tips!

If there’s one thing we all can’t stand it’s STRESS, especially in college. I can not emphasize how important it is to realize that college is nothing like high school. Yeah sure, you already knew that, but what I’m saying is that college will change you emotionally and mentally, maybe even physically. I’m going to give you a run down on what can help prevent or relieve stress that way you’ll know beforehand if you’re going to be an upcoming freshman or just someone who needs some advice. 

1. Feeing of control & balance in your life - managing your responsibilities and making time for relaxation and fun is very important in handling stress, but it definitely takes some time to master. Always always always have an agendaor calendar! This will be your holy grail/ lifesaver I promise! Once I started writing down everything I had to do in my agenda I was able to get things done as well as have that feeling of accomplishment. Checking off everything you did on your to-do list is a very relieving feeling. Another thing is journaling! I absolutely love to journal when I’m feeling stressed or anxious. I’d journal about anything and everything that’s relevant or irrelevant to my day. Writing just helps my mind wander off from the stress it’s been put under, and I feel much better once I’ve done that. On top of journaling, I pray pray pray when I’m stressed. I don’t know about you, but when I pray I instantly feel much better knowing God is there to take care of me, and that I should not worry. There are others going through worse things than I am, so I pray for others and realize how blessed I am. 

2.  Physical Health - this one is definitely what I do most as my stress reliever! Whenever I was stressing out about a class or just had negative thoughts about life I’d exercise. Exercise is meant to be one of the best stress relievers because it releases endorphins which can boost you mood. Once I workout I feel so much better to take on the day. Being physically active in college can be difficult sometimes because you just can’t seem to find anywhere to put “Gym” in your schedule, therefore you don’t end up going or working out at all. On top of that, you forget to eat or maybe eat too much because you’re so stressed out. You’ll see you’ve gained 10-15 pounds or lost 10-15 pounds. Either or, it’s not healthy for you to let stress take over your physical well being. Even if it’s just 10 minutes on the treadmill or 5 minutes of non-stop bodyweight cardio, you will feel better that you got in that small time to workout rather than not doing it at all. TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY. Eat a flexible balanced diet, where you treat yourself with “junk food” every now and then, but for the most part fuel your body with nutrients by eating fruits, veggies, lean meats, etc. You will feel 100x better if you physically feel better, trust me! Below is a link for some healthy dinner recipes you can try out! 

http://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/g3733/healthy-dinner-recipes/

3.  DO NOT PROCRASTINATE - I’m guilty of procrastination, but who isn’t? Once you set back your work to the point where you don’t even have time to do it because it’s due the next morning, you’re in for a horrible night. You’ll probably end up taking in too much caffeine for your own good. If you put things off for the last minute, you’re going to just put a load on your mind and body because you’re rushing to get that assignment done on time. If you finish assignments days before they’re due you will feel a weight lifted off your chest every time. PLUS you’ll have more time to schedule in some fun or relaxation! aka binge watch shows on netflix….? WELL NOW YOU CAN

4.  SLEEP SLEEP SLEEP - this is probably the most important, next to keeping an agenda. Your body and mood is all affected by your sleep. For me, if i don’t get enough sleep, I feel too lazy to do anything, and all I want to do is stay in bed and eat. I also have major headaches. When I actually get at least a good 6 hours I feel so much better to take on the day. I’m definitely more motivated to complete my tasks. Try and aim for at least six hours of sleep a night. I know it can be hard to even get in a good night’s sleep if you’re up studying all night, but your brain functions better if it’s well rested. Find out why sleep is so crucial in the link below!

http://www.apa.org/topics/sleep/why.aspx

5. Limit caffeine intake - I’m guilty of living off energy drinks when finals rolls around, but it does more harm than good. I was moody, couldn’t sleep, and had headaches all the time. This resulted in me not being focused in class or while studying. Caffeine can be beneficial every now and then, but you shouldn’t have to depend on it to help you function throughout the day. It has its crash side effects that will only stress you out more. Check out the link below to find out some surprising things that happen when you quit caffeine!

https://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/wellbeing/surprising-things-happen-when-you-quit-caffeine

These are just my top 5 tips on how I reduce/ prevent stress! I know you might hear these tips all the time but if you hear it often then it might be something you should consider doing to see if it’ll work for you. Stress happens to all of us, but we control whether we want it to affect us in a negative way. I hope this helps any of y’all!

[dailydeva]

Dealing with depression - Why can’t I enjoy life like I used to?

If you or someone you love is dealing with depression, know that there is always a way out. I have been struggling with depression and anxiety for almost a year now. Some days I would wake up with everything being perfectly fine but then it would all of a sudden hit me. I’d feel like I’m worthless, I’d feel upset, I’d feel angry at the world, I’d feel like no one would care if I just ended my life right there and then. If you aren’t exactly sure what depression is, it’s not a joke or something to brag about to receive sympathy. To keep it simple, here is the definition of depression as defined by Mayo Clinic and as well as others,

Depression: A mood disorder causing a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. People who suffer from depression often feel apathy, boredom, discontent, guilt, hopelessness, inability to feel pleasure, loneliness, loss of interest, mood swings, sadness, or emotional distress. If you can relate to all or most of these symptoms you might be of risk for depression and need to tell someone. I didn’t think I was depressed until I would lose interest in doing the things I absolutely loved doing. I didn't want to go out and make plans with friends, and instead I stayed in my dorm feeling sad all the time. I felt alone. Of course there were events in my life that have caused or greatly impacted my ability to truly enjoy life, but I’m still working on myself each and every day. I’m not fully “cured” or know exactly everything there is to know about depression, but I can tell you how you can get better and that there is a way out of this constant feeling of sadness. I was first put on anti-depressants but decided to stop taking it to see if I could truly find happiness again without them. I hated knowing that medicine was helping me live my life and focus on other things rather than negativity all the time. So I’ve been off my meds for almost a month and I’ve honestly been doing better than I ever thought I would. The first step you should always take is to tell someone you love or someone close to you that you are struggling with depression. This made me feel so much better when I told my parents and closest friends. Receiving their support meant everything to me. The next thing I did was I was prescribed anti-depressants which honestly helped, but I didn't want to be tied down to them in order to be happy. I hated that I was taking medicine to SMILE. SO, the riskiest thing I did was I stopped taking the medicine and tried to fight off these negative feelings. It was hard the first two weeks or so. I was miserable, but I was able to get around it. I spent more time with my boyfriend who always made me happy and I spent more time with my family. I started doing the things I used to love doing to see if I could love it just as much again. I’m still not to that point but I’m able to actually do these things now. Currently I haven't been this happy in such a long time. I have also prayed and prayed and prayed unconditionally. I know God is giving me strength to heal and to find happiness in this beautiful world He created. If it wasn't for having a support system and my faith, I don’t know where I’d be. Depression is something YOU can fix not medicine. The amazing thing about the brain is that it is malleable. You can definitely find happiness again. It takes time, I’m still in the process, but do not give up. You are worth more than you could ever imagine. If you think that no one cares, think again. If you were ever contemplating suicide please tell someone. Your absence will absolutely affect others. Don’t put others through a life long sadness because you thought they didn't love you. Don’t inflict the paint you felt on the ones who love you. YOU CAN OVERCOME THIS, I PROMISE. I love whoever you are reading this. You’re given only one life on this earth, why end it? Why waste it feeling sad? You are and always will be loved by your family, friends, neighbors, and GOD. I am praying for anyone who is going through this or who knows someone who is going through this. If it has gotten to the point where you know someone contemplating suicide you HAVE to tell somebody. I hope this has helped anyone who is reading this. Depression doesn't make you weak - if anything it makes you strong because you will have found a way out, and you will.

[dailydeva]

Fitness Fridays - Carbs aren't the enemy : Calories in vs. Calories out for weight loss

The biggest misconception about fat loss is that carbs make you fat. Literally “lol” every time I hear this. The reason you might think that carbs make you “fat” is because carbs retain water more than fats and protein. So if you end up weighing yourself after eating some pasta and pizza and see a rise on the scale DO NOT FREAK OUT, it is just water weight. Unless you consume 3,500 calories (how much you need to eat in a day to gain fat) then it is not actual fat. True weight loss is determined by calories in vs calories out. A calorie from a banana is the same as a calorie from pizza. The nutrients on the other hand is of course different. Your body would benefit nutritionally if you ate the banana rather than the piece pizza, but if you chose to eat the pizza that would not automatically make you fat. An overconsumption of carbs, fats, and protein will make you fat. Eating 30 bananas will lead to fat gain just like eating 3 entire boxes of pizza. If you choose to eat an entire box of pizza that day and nothing else and on top of that worked out, you most likely would not have gained fat. Our bodies are constantly burning calories. Food contains calories and calories give our bodies energy to perform everyday tasks. So enjoy your ice cream, candy, pasta, pizza, etc BUT in moderation. Don’t think that just because it’s really all about calories for weight loss that you shouldn’t eat well. Being healthy is being happy mentally and physically. Having a healthy relationship with food and working out is a healthy lifestyle. Depriving yourself of cravings like candy or other “bad” foods can be mentally exhausting and could possibly lead to eating disorders. When you tell your brain you constantly can’t have that cookie then it will only want it more and you could end up binging. So treat yourself and DO NOT deprive yourself of foods. Moderation not deprivation will get you to your weight loss goals. Find balance, eat what makes your body feel good to be active. Society has placed a new definition on beauty, and it honestly sickens me. Beauty shouldn't be defined as having abs, being busty, having a bubble butt, etc. Beauty is being confident in your own skin, loving yourself, and enjoying life. Seeing someone who is genuinely happy and confident about themselves is true beauty. Don’t obsess over what society depicts as perfect because there is no such thing. We are all made differently and uniquely by God. So remember, be happy, enjoy life, live an active lifestyle, and fuel your body with foods that make you feel good physically and mentally in moderation!

[devadedios]

What to do when forgiveness seems impossible.

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, when my fellow believer sins against me, how many times must I forgive him? Should I forgive him as many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, you must forgive him even if he does wrong to you seventy-seven times.” 

Matthew 18:21-22

Have you ever been so hurt that you thought it was absolutely impossible to forgive the one who hurt you? Or have you ever hurt or done something to someone that was just as bad and couldn’t forgive yourself? As followers of Christ, we must learn to forgive others and ourselves just as God has forgiven us of our sins. In order to truly please our Father in Heaven we must make peace with those who have wronged us, as well as make peace with ourselves if we can’t forgive our own wrong doings. I know it’s hard to think that you deserve forgiveness if you have greatly wronged someone you loved. You think you do not deserve to be happy anymore and that you should be punished. Well, if you feel this way, know that God has already forgiven you through his son Jesus Christ. Your punishment was or is the feeling of guilt you felt after it was done. I know I’ve made mistakes and thought I could never forgive myself. I would tell myself over and over that I don’t deserve happiness or forgiveness because my wrong doing terribly hurt the ones I love. But when we ask God to forgive our sins and to REALLY mean that we are sorry, He will forgive us. We are all sinners, and it’s hard to forgive others who have sinned against us. Learning to forgive is not easy and takes time, but forgiving doesn’t mean forgetting what happened. It means moving on and coming to peace with what happened. It means a new beginning to start fresh and become better and closer in Christ. When it seems impossible to forgive because of the emotional pain that you were put through, know that not only God wants you to forgive but it will do YOU good. It will feel like a weight was lifted off your chest. Mistakes are made to learn from, not to define us. Everybody deserves forgiveness and another chance to make themselves better than who they were yesterday. When you fall, you get right back up. The true act of forgiving starts with love. If you love someone it will make it easier to forgive them. Always love your enemies because that’s what God expects from us. As Christians we must have faith in God, love unconditionally, and forgive those who wrong us. If you are struggling with forgiveness pray, pray, and pray. Trust that God will give you the grace and love to forgive, for it is never easy. I pray for anyone who is struggling at the moment with forgiveness. Know that you are strong and you will find peace. 

[dailydeva]

Style Thursdays - Outfit idea for a concert - FOB, Wiz, and Hoodie Allen

This outfit is very comfortable and laid back. I’m (LEFT) wearing a simple black romper that I purchased online from Wet Seal that has a nice open back, so it’s perfect for outdoor concerts and shows. I paired this romper with some black flatform heels and carried a small, black cross body bag. As far as accessories, I decided to go very simple and just wore my pearl earrings. My makeup for this day was my SPF matte foundation, winged eyeliner, and a deep red/brown lipstick. (I’ll do a blog on my everyday makeup routine as well as the products I use!)

TIP: For summer or even fall concerts, make sure you wear something that’s lightweight! During the summer, your best bet would be to wear light, casual rompers or high waisted shorts with a crop top! Another cute idea would be a light and causal dress or maxi! For shoes, depending on what type of concert it is, always wear comfortable shoes - whether it’s heels, wedges, sandals, boots, or tennis shoes, as long as you are comfortable in them then great! As far as accessories, my advice is to not overdo it, because you’ll be moving and dancing a lot and that would just be annoying. So staple jewelry would be bracelets, rings, and earrings!

[dailydeva]

What to do when you are walking far from God

Do not change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect. 

Romans 12:2 

Society is constantly changing in front of our eyes. Some might say it’s changing for the good, or some might say it’s changing for the worst. As children of God, we know what is right and unpleasing to the Lord. It is our choice to decide to act upon society’s belief. Today’s society has molded a new definition of what a Christian is. “You’re not a Christian because you don’t support this or that.” Well, the biggest command God has given us is to LOVE LOVE LOVE. Love unconditionally no matter what that individual is doing or has done in the past. We must show love to others because God shows love towards us, even when we let Him down. So we must not change our views to meet the views of society because it’s “popular”, but we must change our hearts and minds to please God. For example, would it please God if someone hated someone for being gay? NO, of course not. Why? Because God loves gays and expects us to love them as well. If you are someone who is walking far from God know that He loves you, and He always has and will. Why should we change our beliefs and values to fit society’s when we know in the back of our heads that’s not pleasing to God? God has a plan for every individual, He has planned our entire lives from start to finish. It is up to us to make the decision to please Him everyday and to keep our faith within Him. Just because things might not be going right at this moment, know that it’s supposed to happen. Be patient and know the Lord is coming. Those who live to please God will be rewarded. 

[the-fashion-fantasy]

[dailydeva]

DIY TUESDAYS - EASY DIY GEOMETRIC HEART WALL DECOR

This DIY geometric heart decor is so simple and takes only 20 minutes if not less! I have mine on my bathroom wall and wrote some of my favorite bible verses on it! It definitely changed the entire appearance of my bathroom and I love it!

Supplies: 

Square shaped colored (or plain white if you prefer) construction paper or any kind of square shaped paper (I used construction paper b/c it was more sturdy)

Scissors 

Sharpie or any colored markers (optional)

Sticky putty, tape, etc 

Step 1:

Gather 10 square shaped construction paper of any color (I chose blue, black, and white)

Step 2: 

Fold each square to make a triangle to create a crease, making it easier to make a clean cut 

Step 3:

Now you should end up having 20 triangles. You can either leave them plain or write something inspirational or random on it! You could also make some cool designs on each of them!

Step 4: 

Rearrange them in any color pattern and tape (I used sticky putty) them on your wall! It’s that simple! Then you should end up with this geometric heart!

Hope you guys try this out! Let me know if you do and send me a picture of how it turns out! It literally took me 20 minutes to complete it entirely! Now I have a cute design on my wall :) Check back in for tomorrow’s blog - Music Wednesdays! Ill be sharing my favorite song at the moment and concert tips!

[amillionbillionmiles]

[the-fashion-fantasy]