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Is it normal to talk to yourself? Dig into the psychological benefits of positive self-talk, and find out when it can become problematic.--Being caught talking to yourself can feel embarrassi...

simple, actually 47K likes, 704 comments. "How To Force Your Brain To Do Hard Things (Lotus Method)"

God gave me a soft heart and life gave me anxiety. Which honestly feels a little bit like being handed a candle in the middle of a wind storm sometimes. 😅

Because it’s hard living with both.

To feel everything deeply. To notice the shift in someone’s voice. To carry the weight of the world a little too personally. To care so much it physically aches sometimes.

And then add anxiety on top of that?

Oh, what a combo…

One minute you’re praying for everyone you love. The next you’re convincing yourself you replied too awkwardly to a text three days ago while reheating the same coffee for the fourth time.

But you know what?

There is something incredibly strong about people who stay soft in a world that keeps trying to harden them.

To love this deeply, feel this much, battle worries quietly in your own mind… and still keep showing up with kindness?

That is strength too.

- Little Sparrow Loved.

littlesparrowloved.substack.com

You do not grow when life is easy; you only grow when you consciously choose to do the hard work instead of taking the easy way out...

You never really know the true impact you have on those around you. You never know how much someone needed that smile you gave them. Or how much your kindness can help lift someone’s spirits. You never really know how much someone needed your heart hug or gentle words of support. Don’t wait for someone else to be kind first. Share the good stuff within you, and watch the good stuff grow ♥️

Embracing the power of “no” isn’t about becoming negative or closed off.

“No” is not a rejection of a person. It’s a decision about a specific request or situation. It’s about creating a life that reflects your true priorities and values. It’s about preserving your energy for what truly matters.

And ultimately, it’s about being able to give your fullest “yes” to the things that light you up and bring you joy.

Tension is who you think you should be, relaxation is who you are.
-Chinese Proverb

I’ll be the first to confess to you that parenting has stretched me like no other role in life.

Never before have I tried at anything so hard and the stakes seemed so incredibly high… and yet worried so often that somehow I’m still getting it all wrong.

Maybe you’ve been here before, too.

But as we prepare to head into this Mother’s Day weekend, this is what keeps rolling through my head: perfect isn’t possible… but grace is.

Grace ALWAYS is.

Even when we mess up and even when we’re fed up and even when we’re pretty sure we can’t even look up from all the mess we’ve made of things—grace STILL remains.

Because as much as I try, it isn’t possible for me to get everything right in parenting (or any other role of life, for that matter).

But maybe our imperfections? They’re actually our DIRECTIONS back to a Savior who has been there—and stays there with us—the entire way.

Maybe our messiness and brokenness and humanness aren’t our ticket out, but our pathway in, reminding us of our complete and total dependence on a Savior who has been with us every step of the way.

Friend, I don’t know what season of life God has called you to—whether parenting or otherwise—but know this: perfect isn’t possible.

But grace? Grace ALWAYS is.

And perhaps it’s exactly this grace that is going to keep you coming to back to God.