Rise Above Your Raisin'

by Kay Heitsch

It doesn't matter where you are coming from. All that matters is where you are going. Speak Good Over Your Life Quotes

Last week I heard a southern phrase I've never heard before. "Rise Above Your Raisin' Meaning, rise above how you were brought up.

It doesn't matter what kind of upbringing you may have had you can always rise above your raisin'.

Today's Bible verse says "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." Romans 12:2 NLT

We don't need to copy the way things have always been. We can let God transform our thinking and become a new person. When we do we can and will rise above our raisin.

It doesn't matter where you are coming from. All that matters is where you are going.

Life Is Not A Competition

by Kay Heitsch

Life is not a competition. Each one is on their own journey. Focus on your own path and let others focus on theirs. Life Quotes

We need to stop worrying about what other people think about us. Some people are always negative. Not everyone will understand your journey. That's fine. It's not their journey.

God has a special plan for everyone's life. Our Bible verse says, "For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

When we are working the plan God has for our lives some people won't understand. We don't need to worry about what they think. Our journey is our own, not theirs.

Life is not a competition. Each one is on their own journey. Focus on your own path and let others focus on theirs.

Fresh Start & New Beginning

by Kay Heitsch

Don't start each day with the broken pieces of yesterday. Each day is a fresh start and a new beginning. New Life Quotes

Spring is the time of the year when we start to notice new beginnings. Peeking through the brown grass are shoots of green. If we look closely we'll see spring bulbs begin to come to life.

Our lives can be the same. Each day can be a fresh start and a new beginning if we let go of the broken pieces of yesterday.

Today's Bible verse says, Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on. Philippians 3:13

In order for us to have a fresh start and a new beginning, there are some things we need to forget. When we let go of the broken pieces of yesterday we can look forward to what lies ahead and press on.

Don't start each day with the broken pieces of yesterday. Each day is a fresh start and a new beginning.

Kindness Is Never Wasted

by Kay Heitsch

Kindness is a silent smile, a friendly word, a nod of encouragement. No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. ~ Kindness Quotes ~

Being kind can be as simple as a silent smile, a friendly word or even a nod of encouragement. When we're kind we should know that kindness is never wasted.

Our Bible verse is something I need to put into practice more. "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:32 NIV

Being kind, compassionate and forgiving can sure help in our relationships with others.

Kindness is a silent smile, a friendly word, a not of encouragement. No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.

A Smile Of Encouragement

by Kay Heitsch

A smile of encouragement at the right moment may act like sunlight on a closed - up flower; it may be the turning point for a struggling life. ~ Encouragement Quotes ~

It is amazing what an encouraging smile at the right moment can do for a struggling person. An encouraging smile can give them the courage to not quit and give up. It can show them that you care.

Our Bible verse says, "A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health." Proverbs 15:30 NLT

We often wonder what the right words should be to help someone. At times words aren't necessary. A cheerful look and an encouraging smile at the right moment may be the turning point for a struggling life.

A smile of encouragement at the right moment may act like sunlight on a closed-up flower; it may be the turning point for a struggling life.

Dare To Be Different

by Kay Heitsch

What makes you different makes you beautiful. ~ Dare To Be Different Quotes

Why be a carbon copy when you are an original? Dare to be different. Dare to be bold. Stand out in the crowd. Why would anyone want to fit into a mold? Be original. Be amazing. Be you!

Our Bible verse says, "Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous--how well I know it." Psalm 139:14 NLT

When we know we are wonderfully complexed we won't want to fit into a mold being like everyone else. We should be happy to be original.

What makes you different makes you beautiful. Be you!

Past Future Present

by Kay Heitsch

Don't let the sadness from the past and the fear of the future ruin the happiness of the present. ~ Life Quotes ~

I believe we can ruin the present by thinking about the sadness of the past and the fear of the future.

This Bible verse is one of my favorites. "This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24 NASB

Choose to be happy today!

Don't let the sadness from the past and the fear of the future ruin the happiness of the present.

Add Color To Your Life

by Kay Heitsch

A happy heart is good medicine and a positive mind works healing. Don't forget to smile because it adds color to your life. ~ Quotes About Life ~

I have personally found that having a happy heart and a positive mindset along with a smile has added color to my life!

Our Bible verse says, "A joyful heart is good medicine, but depression drains one's strength." Proverbs 17:22 GNT

A happy heart is good medicine and a positive mind works healing. Don't forget to smile because it adds color to your life.

How You Talk To Yourself

by Kay Heitsch

What you tell yourself every day will either lift you up or tear you down. ~ Think And Talk Positive About Yourself Quotes ~

Our words have a lot of power over our lives and the lives of others. We can actually change our day just by what we say to ourselves and also to others.

Words have power! Relationships, jobs, and opportunities have been lost by saying the wrong words. One of the worst things you can do is to say negative things about yourself.

Let's focus on thinking and speaking to ourselves in a positive way. A negative mind will never give you a positive life. Talk to yourself as you would someone you love.

Our Bible verse is something we can repeat over and over to help us. "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer." Psalm 19:14 NLT

What you tell yourself every day will either lift you up or tear you down.

Do Your Best

by Kay Heitsch

Never stop doing your best just because someone doesn't give you credit. Quotes About Life

It's nice when someone praises us and gives us credit for something we're doing. But in reality, these compliments are few and far between. We need to do our best whether anyone notices or not.

Today's Bible verse puts this clearly. "Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else." Galatians 6:4 NLT

When we do our best we do get the satisfaction of a job well done. We won't need to compare ourselves with others.

Never stop doing your best just because someone doesn't give you credit.

Mind Over Matter

by Kay Heitsch

Age is strictly mind over matter. If you don't mind it doesn't matter. ~ Jack Benny ~

I've known people who thought and acted old when they were young. I've also been around people who joked about "pushing 100" who didn't act old but enjoyed life. I truly believe age is strictly mind over matter.

Since today is my birthday I am here to say, "I don't think of myself as old in any way. I don't count the years. I do my best to make my years count and enjoy each day."

Today's Bible verse is one of my favorites. "This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

This is the day the LORD has made. I will rejoice and be glad. I hope you will too.

Age is strickly mind over matter. If you don't mind it doesn't matter.

Habits

by Kay Heitsch

It's easier to prevent bad habits than to break them. Benjamin Franklin

Wow, this really got my attention this morning. When we start to do something maybe we should ask ourselves if this becomes a habit will it benefit me?

I'm sure if you're like me you can think of something you started you wished you hadn't because now it's a bad habit.

Our Bible verse tells us how to avoid starting bad habits. "Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life." Proverbs 19:20 NLT

If we get advice and instruction we can prevent bad habits from starting.

It's easier to prevent bad habits than to break them.

Be The Attitude

by Kay Heitsch

Be the attitude you want to be around. Uplifting Quotes

I can't think of much worse than being around a critical complaining person. They find something wrong in even the best of times.

Last week I was thinking about my dad. I can't remember him ever complaining. I saw him very sick at times but he never whined or complained about it.

Dad had been through an extremely rough childhood. His Mother died when he was 5. He went to work on the railroad at 9. My dad was a tough guy! Swear, smoke, and drink heavily, yes, but I never heard him complain.

On the first anniversary of dad's death, a party was given by his friends at the hotel bar in his hometown. People came and told funny stories about things they remembered. I don't think these people would have taken their time if my dad's attitude was a complaining one.

If you want to have friends and people who like you remember, Be the attitude you want to be around.

Eagle's Wings Not Chicken Wings

by Kay Heitsch

Fly Like an eagle. Soar above the storms of life. Eagles Wings Quotes

I read a quote this morning that made me smile. "Eagles don't take flight lessons from chickens." How true that is!

If we want to soar above the storms in life we can't take flight lessons from chickens. Those birds seldom get off the ground.

Our Bible verse tells us how to soar. "But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:30 NLT

When we trust in the LORD we will find new strength. We can then soar high like an eagle above the storms of life. Remember eagles don't take flight lessons from chickens.

Fly like an eagle. Soar above the storms of life.

Do The Right Thing

by Kay Heitsch

The truth is we always know the right thing to do. The hard part is doing it. ~ Do The Right Thing Quotes 

If someone asked, "What's the right thing to do in this situation? I believe most people would know. However, when it comes to ourselves we hem and haw. Doing what's right isn't always easy.

There are many texts in the Bible that talk about doing the right thing. Here is one. "You will be doing the right thing if you obey the law of the Kingdom, which is found in the scripture, "Love your neighbor as you love yourself." James 2:8 GNT

We will be doing the right thing If we would obey the law of the Kingdom.

The truth is we always know the right thing to do. The hard part is doing it.

The Secret

by Kay Heitsch

Happiness is not about collecting material things. It's about having a deep feeling of contentment and knowing that life is a blessing. ~ Quotes About Life

I've known people who have had a lot of material things who were not content or happy. I've also known people who had next to nothing who were very content and happy.

Our Bible verse says "I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little." Philippians 4:11 & 12

Do you know the secret Paul was talking about? Here's the next verse. "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."  Philippians 4:13

If you want to see life as a blessing whether you have a lot or a little then you have to learn the secret of being content.

Happiness is not about collecting material things. It's about having a deep feeling of contentment and knowing life is a blessing.

Give Life Meaning

by Kay Heitsch

A meaningful life is to give life meaning. Meaningful Life Quotes

We all want to be happy and feel like we've made a difference in this world. We don't have to do great things to do that. Mother Teresa said, "Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love."

A meaningful life is being real, humble, and being able to share ourselves and touch the lives of others. We all can do that!

Our Bible verse says, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:32 NIV

A meaningful life is to give life meaning.

Strengths Not Weaknesses

by Kay Heitsch

Focus on your strengths, not your weaknesses. Focus Quotes

I read that what we focus on grows. I find that to be true. When we look for the good points in ourselves and others we will see more strengths than weaknesses.

Our Bible verse shows us what we are to focus on. "Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." Philippians 4:8 NLT

When we fix (focus) our thoughts on things about ourselves and others that are excellent and worthy of praise in time we will be seeing more strengths than weaknesses.

Focus on your strengths, not your weakness.

Pick Your Pain

by Kay Heitsch

Your life doesn't get better by chance, it gets better by change. ~ Change Quotes ~

There's always a first step to making a change. You have to decide that you're not going to stay where you are. Will it be easy? Nope! Worth it? Absolutely!

I heard a message today on "Pick Your Pain." The pain of change or the pain of never changing. This can be applied to several areas of our lives.

When we make a decision that we want to change we need to stop being afraid of what could go wrong and start being excited about what could go right.

Our Bible verse says, "Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand." Isaiah 41:10

We don't need to be afraid of change when we know that God is with us. He will give us strength and help us make the changes we need to make.

Your life doesn't get better by chance, it gets better by change.

New Beginning

by Kay Heitsch

Every story has an end, but in life, every end is just a new beginning. ~ Quotes About Life ~

I've always loved this quote, "Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly."

We can't go back and start again but we can start today and make a new and better ending. Don't give up! Start over!

Our Bible verse says, ...Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press forward... Philippians 3:14

We may feel like a caterpillar today but that part of our life is about to end. Don't give up! Every end is just a new beginning.

Every story has an end, but in life, every end is a new beginning.

Look For The Positive

by Kay Heitsch

Look for something positive in each day, even if some days you have to look a little harder. ~ Inspirational Quotes ~

I believe we would be a lot happier if we looked for something positive in each day. Even though some days we may need to look a little harder.

Our Bible verse says, "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." Romans 8:28

Are all things positive? No, but when we know that God is working everything for our good we can look for something positive in each day, even if some days we have to look a little harder.

Experience

by Kay Heitsch

Never regret a day in your life. Good days give you happiness & bad days give you experience. ~ Quotes About Life ~

Like all of you I've had many good days but I've sure had my share of bad days too.

Hopefully, after you've gone through something you know how to handle it better the next time to avoid having an upsetting day.

Our Bible verse says, "Sensible people will see trouble coming and avoid it, but an unthinking person will walk right into it and regret it later." Proverbs 22:3 GNT

When you have experience you will see trouble coming and learn how to avoid it!

Never regret a day in your life. Good days give you happiness & bad days give you experience.

Relax

by Kay Heitsch

Your calm mind is the ultimate weapon against your challenges. So relax. ~ Thoughts And Wise Words Quotes ~

It's not stress that's the problem, it's our reaction to it. We all have stressful situations in our lives. It's how we handle them that's important to our health.

Today's Bible verse says, "A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones." Proverbs 14:30

How true this is. Keeping our peace in a stressful situation is a healthy way to live. Jealousy eats away at a person.

Your calm mind is the ultimate weapon against your challenges. So relax.

Things Happen

by Kay Heitsch

Life is tough. Things happen. It's how you respond to those things that determine your personal happiness. ~ How Do You Respond Quotes ~

If you ask people what they want in life most people will say they want to be happy. But life is tough and things happen. How are we suppose to respond?

Today's Bible verse will help us respond in the right way. "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid." John 14:27

I know when I get upset just thinking and saying, "Peace I leave with you, do not let your heart be troubled." helps me relax.

Life is tough. Things happen. It's how you respond to those things that determine your personal happiness.

Life Changing

by Kay Heitsch

No matter how much it hurts now, one day you'll look back and realize it changed your life for the better. ~ Life Quotes To Live By ~

Like most of you, I've been through some hurtful things in my life. I've thought about some of them and what I've noticed is that they have made me stronger. Being strong in difficult times has surely changed my life for the better.

This is today's Bible verse. "This is my command--be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 NLT

When we look back and see how we have grown through life's hardships we will realize they have changed our life for the better. We also know that the LORD our God has been with us through them all.

No matter how much it hurts now, one day you'll look back and realize it changed your life for the better.

The Past...Let It Go

by Kay Heitsch

When the past calls let it go to Voicemail. It has nothing new to say. ~ Let It Go Quotes ~

How many things from the past do we need to let go of? Maybe it's past relationships. How about letting go of anger, fear, hate, regret. Anything that cost you your peace is too expensive. Let it go!

Our Bible verse says, ...But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead...Philippians 3:13

When we forget something we are letting it go. Our minds can only handle so much. When we let go we create space for something better.

When the past calls let it go to Voicemail. It has nothing new to say.

A Simple Life

by Kay Heitsch

Rule for a simple life...Care for no reason, love with no exception. ~ Quotes About Life ~

Life is really simple if we live it the way it should be lived.

Our Bible verse says, "This is all that I have learned: God made us plain and simple, but we have made ourselves very complicated." Ecclesiastes 7:29 GNT

If we would learn not to complicate things we would care for no reason and love people whether they deserve it or not. This verse tells us how to do it. "But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you," Matthew 5:44

Rule for a simple life...Care for no reason, love with no exception.

Pain And Change

by Kay Heitsch

Sometimes it takes the worst pain to bring out the best change. ~ Inspirational Quotes ~

We've all gone through pain in our lives. We have a choice to allow our pain to make us bitter or better.

Today's Bible verse says, "I am sure what we are suffering now cannot compare with the glory that will be shown to us." Romans 8:28 CEV

We all suffer that's just life! But when we look for good things to come out of our worst pain we will be better, not bitter.

Sometimes it takes the worst pain to bring out the best change.

I Don't Understand

by Kay Heitsch

Don't try to understand everything. Sometimes it's not meant to be understood, just accepted. ~ Inspirational Quotes ~

There are many things I don't understand. I can roll things around in my mind and try to understand, but most times it just frustrates me. I've had to learn that sometimes I just need to accept things I don't understand.

I have this Bible verse on a plaque on the wall. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding." Proverbs 3:5 NLT

Everything happens for a reason. I may not understand it now, but God does and that's all that matters.

Don't try to understand everything. Sometimes it's not meant to be understood, just accepted.

Your Direction

by Kay Heitsch

Your attitude determines your direction. ~ Uplifting Quotes ~

When we keep the right attitude we can accomplish many things. Positive thoughts, positive action, positive results.

Our Bible verse says, "The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance..." Proverbs 21:5 ESV

A diligent person is steady, earnest, and puts forth an energetic effort. This definition sounds like a person who has a positive attitude and is moving in the right direction to me.

Your attitude determines your direction.