Dive Into the River of Knowledge: Transform Your Life Through Learning

I have discovered that learning is like spring water that you gather in your hand so you can take a drink. There is a river of knowledge just waiting for you to launch out and dive into. When I think about all the things I am currently studying, I am excited thinking about how I can use that knowledge to reach my goals. Knowledge is power! B.B. King said, "The beautiful thing about learning is that nobody can take it away from you." But the truth is, the knowledge that can be taken from you is the learning that you rob yourself of. You can stay on the dock and not put anything into your growth. Choose to go against how you may feel or think. Do not let the words of others put limits on your potential. Research has shown that learning stops our brain from deteriorating and can even improve your happiness! There are other benefits as well to investing in your self-development. You can look up more benefits from previous research if you would like to find out more. Choose to expand your mind and grow. Learning new things can take you into a new career or help you to start a business that you have always wanted to. You can spend time alone reading, take an online course, or even listen to a podcast to learn. It can be as simple as an interesting article, a puzzle, or reading a book. Or it can be as challenging as taking a college course. Whatever you decide, be proud of yourself for making choices that are moving you forward. Your life will not look the same as you go to new heights. Everyday make it a goal to learn something. I encourage you to drink flavorful water and learn something today!

Every Detail Matters: A Lesson From Amy Lamott

“There is ecstasy in paying attention... Anyone who wants to can be surprised by the beauty or pain of the natural world, of the human mind and heart, and can try to capture just that - the details, the nuance, what is. If you start to look around, you will start to see.” ― Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird Since we are talking about growth and development books this week, I am currently reading "Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life" by Amy Lamott. In this book, Amy gives simple advice to help improve our writing skills, and it can also apply to our lives . She goes over topics in the book, but something that stood out to me is when she mentions for her readers to pay close attention to details. By doing this, we improve our lives as we slow down and smell the roses. Paying close attention to details can transform your writing from boring to interesting and unique! This allows us to enjoy things that we tend to miss in life. Art is a perfect example of someone noticing the details. Salvador Dali has amazing pieces of artwork that are incredibly detailed. I could easily spend a great amount of time studying one art piece because the details are so profound and meaningful. If the viewer is not careful, they will miss something special and important about the piece. In studying artwork, we begin noticing details that are valuable to the piece. Without the detail in the painting the piece would lack character and would look like every other artwork we see. Every day you could look around wherever you are as a challenge to develop a keen eye on the details around you. What do you hear? What do you see? What do things around you feel like? Begin describing those things in detail and you will begin to appreciate minute details more. If you are a writer, I encourage you to read this book and you will learn helpful tips to enhance your writing!

Elevate Your Reading Journey: Join Our Exciting Contest!

This week marks a special occasion on our blog – we are launching a contest to celebrate the joy of reading and personal growth. Whether you are reading a Christian book, an educational book, or a motivational book, we want to see what you are currently reading that is your improving your personal growth. Here is how you can join in on the fun: simply take a snapshot of the book you are currently reading and send it our way by our Facebook page under the post regarding this blog post. (So, get connected on our Faith Post Daily Blog page on Facebook if you have not yet so you can join in on the fun)! This is not just about sharing your current read but also about connecting with a community of like-minded individuals enthusiastic about learning and self-improvement. On Thursday, we are taking the engagement up a notch by featuring a poll on our Facebook page, where the power lies in your hands. It is up to our Facebook community to cast their vote by liking their favorite book picture. This is a fantastic opportunity to discover new books and get inspired by what others in our community are reading. Next Monday we will announce the lucky winner who will receive an incredibly special prize – a copy of my upcoming eBook, "Devoted", a 7-day devotional to strengthen the body of Christ! I cannot wait to share it with you! So, let us join and celebrate our collective love for reading and personal growth. Submit your entry, join the conversation, and you might just find your next favorite book through this contest. Happy reading and good luck to all!

Beyond the Desk: Key Ingredients for a Satisfying Life and Thriving Career

"You will never feel truly satisfied by work until you are satisfied by life." – Heather Schuck, entrepreneur, and author. Advancing in your career can be challenging. Work can go unappreciated, become boring, or even exasperating. I passionately believe that you cannot succeed and advance in your career without doing so in your personal life as well. I have learned practical tips that you can use to see changes in all areas of your life. My podcast library is filled with mentors. Having people that pour into your life on a consistent basis is important for growth. Make it a priority to never stop learning. Mentors have been where you are and can give you practical advice to help you in different areas of life. If you want to be a public speaker, you could listen to Terri Savelle Foy. You could listen to Faith Driven Entrepreneur. There are so many people giving wisdom for free. Take advantage of resources that are available to you. Proverbs 15:22 says, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Networking is also a valuable and necessary skill to succeed in life. Without networking, you would run into problems that could be easily avoided. If you need a babysitter, knowing who to call will help you save time. Having that connection can even be the difference for customers who walk into a 70-degree versus a 90-degree building. Connecting with people can even bring opportunities along later in life. Ephesians 4:9-10 says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.” Challenging yourself can also help you grow. Learning something you did not know about your career field or trying a new recipe can help stretch you by trying new things. You could even get a degree or a certificate that will advance your knowledge. Challenge yourself to improve in areas you struggle in. You could be like me and find it debilitating to fold and put away the laundry that has been sitting for two days. You can challenge yourself and set up a system to reward yourself if that motivates you. Morgan Freeman is quoted saying, “Challenge yourself; it is the only path which leads to growth. Fatigue, discomfort, discouragement are merely symptoms of effort.” Do not be afraid to do the work to see the changes you want to see in your career or personal life. Find mentors, connect with others, challenge yourself, and watch the change that will happen in your life. When I started applying these tips my life began seeing positive changes all around. Let me know your tips as well and let us connect!