The Running Shoes - Suicide, Depressio & Fighting To Win!

Trigger Warning - Low mood, depression, pain, suicide, past hurts, written about with the intent of encouragement 

Disclaimer - As always I still recommend seeking professional advice as to the first course of action if you are feeling low or depressed. All advice given is from experience only.

Lambi Says - Don't let depression or anxiety beat you up you got this, fight to win!

If you have read my last few posts you will know that as of late I have been suffering from depression. 

Yet again Jet and his friends had me in a cage that was locked from the inside. (Jet is the name I give to depression because when it shows up for me it is usually jet black)

Sometimes life throws things at us that we really don't expect. When this happens we have to decide if we are going to retreat within ourselves or get out there and serve others. 

It can be the hardest thing to push yourself to think of others when you're feeling really low, but it's the very thing we need to do in such times. I have learned some other lessons about Jet and his friends that I want to share with you.

1. Jet's best friend is a doubt. 

Depression and doubt go hand in hand and together with fear, they tie you up and paralyze you, so they can throw more rubbish at you and make you think you are unable to fight back.

2. Depression lies. 

When depression hits, the voices start. Those voices that say you're worthless or that life isn't worth living, it's pretty common knowledge that depression can lead to bouts of feeling suicidal, but what's lesser known is depression lies to us in other ways too.

Depression can twist things in your mind, nothing is ever what it seems with depression, because you have a black veil over your eyes and unable to see clearly. 

I know from experience, I have done some pretty stupid things when listening to the voice of Jet and his friends. We can't blame all our stupid decisions on depression, but you best believe that depression can contribute to making things worse if you don't take care over what you say and do.

3. Depression loves drama.

It's not uncommon to think that things are far worse than they actually are, just because you are depressed, but also it's not uncommon to fill in blanks with things that are not really there. There is a tendency to overthink things when you're depressed, purely because you suddenly have the time to do so because your mind is not actively thinking about other things.

4. Life doesn't care that you did something because you were depressed, you will have to deal with the consequences anyway because that's just a part of life.

 It can be painful, especially if you know that depression was the reason actions such as rejecting people, lashing out or just disappearing from the world for a while actually happened and you now have to deal with the consequences of something you did when you were not feeling yourself.

5. Depression is selfish.

It seems to be concerned with your pain but really it seeks only to give you more of the same. I know this one may get a little bit of lash back and that's fine. I understand that depression can be a chemical/hormonal issue, but it doesn't change the fact that if you let it, depression will tell you what to do.

These are 5 lessons I've learnt from my last visit from Jet.

 I'm sharing them because although many people experience different things even when battling the same issues, at least one of those lines I've just written may make you think of something in your own life.

I'm trying to make a point here, we can justify it and rationalize it all we like, don't get me wrong I am on the side of those fighting to end the stigma surrounding mental illness.

I know the pain of depression all too well, but the fact is, depression doesn't care about us, and its high time we fight back!

You see guys, there is hope. When you're depressed you don't think there is, but as I have stated before, sometimes hope is hidden. 

We can't see the beauty of a brand new day when we are too busy hiding under the sheets just wanting to give up on everything. 

Have you noticed that covering your head, be it by a blanket, your hands or something else, is the go-to position when you feel really low?

Depression loves the dark.

 Don't feed it.

Depression loves you to suffer. 

So take care of yourself.

Depression seeks to take you down.

 So take it down first. 

Fight to win!! 

You can, you think that you're too weak, but you are much stronger than you think and that pain you feel right now, is only a reminder that you are alive, you can make it.

Get up, it's time to start running again.

How?

The number one way to battle depression is to make sure you have the right tools for the job.

Get armed!
 Knowledge is power, but only if you apply it. 

Get the right tools for the job. 

Invest in yourself.

Know your enemy so you can work out how best to fight and get the right armour for the job because the battle is fierce!

• This includes The right support - family, friends, medical professionals etc..
• The right care tools - for your body, soul and spirit.
• The right lifestyle for you, it's really important to be true to yourself and to allow your creativity, gifts and talents to be released into this world.

To be true to yourself, you must first find yourself.

The journey of self-discovery may take you to some strange places but stick with it because after finding God, finding yourself is the most precious discovery you can ever make and it will help you fight to win when it comes to depression.

Chase fulfilment, but don't forget to let yourself be happy too. 

Make peace with your past, because if you leave anything buried alive it will stink and like a zombie, come chasing you in your present life ready to kill you and taking you kicking and screaming back to the painful places.


I don't know who I am writing this too right now, but don't give up we need you!

You were born to solve a problem only YOU can solve.

You were born with a purpose that goes far beyond this life, you can and will leave a legacy, but if you give up today...then the world loses out and the pain will not end.

Beautiful girl, the sun always shines brightest after the storm. 

Always. 

The Son always shines brightest after the storm.

Dude, you got this.

Stand firm, get those running shoes on and prepare for battle.

I don't know if Jet is ever going to get the message, the harder he and his dark company fight me, the harder I will fight back. The more encouragement, hope and love I will release into this world because I will not let Jet beat me!!

I wonder if maybe that's why life keeps throwing me this battle over and over again, but no matter the reason, I have resolved to fight to win, it was not an easy decision and fighting is part of the deal in the battle. 

Some days I really don't feel like it, and it is in those moments I must throw myself again on my Savior and allow my friends to help me keep my head above water. I want my life to be a living example that there is always hope.

Even if you suffer from depression, you can still have a fairly normal life ( whatever normal is) depression doesn't have to dictate how you treat other people, your life choices or your ability to work and chase your dreams. 



Yes I know it's hard sometimes , but that's why they call it a battle and here's a little secret about life, it's hard sometimes, fighting is a part of our makeup, we are designed to stand, we are designed to run and we are designed to win, the question is, are you ready to put away the excuses and get on with the race?  

A few days ago I didn't want to be here, Jet had me in a headlock, but now I am so grateful for all the amazing people I learned my battle strategy for Jets attacks because he didn't win. I'm still breathing and life goes on.

I know this thoughts day post is a little late, but like I said at the beginning iv been going through a horrible depression recently and honestly, it nearly took me out....nearly.

I am back now though, stronger and more ready to fight than ever. 

Jet doesn't get to win in my life, not now not ever, but what about you?

Aren't you tired of being pushed around by depression?

Then stand up dear friend, an army is forming to take down Jet and all his evil devices, and if no one else wants the job, I'm happy to be the general. 

Are you in?

If you have any thoughts or comments feel free to get in touch, but for now, I think that's about it. 

I'm more than happy to pray for you if you send me your prayer request or to just listen if that is what you need.

Take care all, no seriously please take care!

Love Hayley

xXx

Navigating Love Across Miles: Valentine's Day in Long-Distance Relationships

Introduction:

In a world that is increasingly interconnected, many find themselves entwined in the delicate dance of long-distance relationships. As Valentine's Day approaches, the challenges of celebrating love across miles become more pronounced. However, distance doesn't diminish the depth of emotions; in fact, it often intensifies the connection between partners.

1. The Power of Digital Intimacy:

Technology has become the lifeline for long-distance couples. Video calls, instant messaging, and virtual dates bridge the physical gap, allowing partners to share moments and create lasting memories despite the miles. This Valentine's Day, consider planning a virtual dinner date or a movie night to recreate the sense of togetherness.

2. Thoughtful Gestures Transcend Distance:

While physical proximity is limited, the power of thoughtful gestures knows no bounds. Sending surprise gifts, handwritten letters, or a care package can convey love and commitment in a tangible way. Consider surprising your partner with a personalized gift that reflects shared memories or inside jokes, showcasing the effort you put into maintaining the connection.

3. Shared Experiences, Separated by Space:

Creating shared experiences is crucial for the growth of any relationship, and this holds true for long-distance couples. Use technology to your advantage by watching the same movie simultaneously, reading the same book, or even cooking the same recipe together. Engaging in shared activities fosters a sense of unity, making distance seem less daunting.

4. Planning Future Reunions:

Valentine's Day can be a perfect time to discuss and plan future reunions. Whether it's a weekend getaway or a more extended visit, having a plan for when you'll be together again can provide a sense of anticipation and give the relationship a goal to look forward to.

5. Emotional Communication:

Open and honest communication is the cornerstone of any successful relationship, and it becomes even more critical in long-distance ones. Expressing your feelings, discussing concerns, and maintaining transparency helps build trust and understanding. This Valentine's Day, take the time to communicate your love and appreciation for each other.

Conclusion:

Long-distance relationships are a testament to the resilience of love in the face of physical separation. Valentine's Day, although challenging, provides an opportunity for couples to strengthen their bond through creative means and thoughtful gestures. By embracing technology, creating shared experiences, and fostering open communication, distance can be overcome, and love can thrive across the miles.

The Art Of Personal Conviction : Embracing The Power Of Faith

In a world filled with diverse ideologies and beliefs, personal conviction serves as a guiding force that shapes our character, choices, and purpose. As a Christian, I have discovered the remarkable influence of personal conviction in deepening my faith and transforming my life. In this blog post, I invite you to explore the concept of personal conviction from a Christian perspective and discover the transformative power it holds.

What is Personal Conviction?

Personal conviction can be described as a deeply held belief that guides our thoughts, actions, and decisions. It arises from the core of our being, shaped by our values, experiences, and the principles we hold dear. In the context of Christianity, personal conviction is an unwavering commitment to live out God's truth, aligning our lives with His teachings and commandments.

The Source of Conviction: God's Word

As Christians, our personal convictions are rooted in the unchanging and timeless Word of God, the Bible. It serves as our ultimate source of truth, wisdom, and guidance, revealing God's character and His plan for humanity. Through the Scriptures, we gain insights into moral standards, purpose, and the values that shape our convictions. It is through the study and application of God's Word that our personal convictions are refined and strengthened.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

In addition to the Bible, the Holy Spirit plays a vital role in shaping our personal convictions. When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and invite the Holy Spirit into our lives, we are granted a divine counselor and guide. The Holy Spirit illuminates God's Word, provides discernment, and empowers us to live out our convictions. Through prayer, meditation, and cultivating a relationship with the Holy Spirit, our convictions become further anchored and fortified.

Living Out Our Convictions

Personal conviction should never be mere words or abstract beliefs; it demands action. As Christians, our faith compels us to live out our convictions with integrity and authenticity. It calls us to be salt and light in the world, demonstrating God's love, mercy, and justice in our interactions and endeavors. Our personal convictions should shape our relationships, work ethics, and societal contributions, reflecting the transformative power of Christ within us.

Challenges and Resilience

As we seek to live out our personal convictions, we may encounter challenges and opposition. The world may question or ridicule our beliefs, and we may face difficulty remaining steadfast in the face of adversity. However, personal conviction nurtures resilience, allowing us to stand firm in our faith. It fuels us to persevere, even when the path gets tough, knowing that our convictions are grounded in God's unchanging truth and love.

The Transformative Power of Conviction

When personal convictions are formed and lived out in alignment with God's Word, they can be transformative, not only in our own lives but in the lives of those around us as well. Our unwavering commitment to truth and righteousness can inspire and challenge others to seek a deeper relationship with God. Our actions and choices rooted in conviction become a testimony of God's power at work within us, leading to change and transformation in the lives of others.

Conclusion

Personal conviction holds profound significance for Christians, shaping our character, choices, and purpose. Grounded in God's Word and empowered by the Holy Spirit, personal conviction compels us to live out our faith authentically and impactfully. 

It empowers us to navigate challenges with resilience and embrace the transformative power of God's truth. As we embody our convictions, we become vessels of God's love, mercy, and grace, touching the lives of those around us and reflecting the beauty of a life devoted to Christ.

Embrace your personal conviction, and let it be a guiding force that propels you to live a life pleasing to God and impactful to others.

Move From Moving On To Moving Forward

Moving on and moving forward,

 they are the same thing, right?

Well actually no.

Once you have chosen to see life as seasonal and started chasing fulfilment rather than happiness, the next step toward success is moving on from moving on.

Let me explain.

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Moving on gives the impression you’ve buried the past and now you're going to build something new on its grave and pretend it never happened. Moving forward is acknowledging the past, for what it is , learning what you can, and then deciding that it doesn’t define you and your still going to move forward with your dreams and in life because nothing can hold you back. You won’t give anything permission to do so. Good on you!

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You can move on from things and still not be over it, but hiding from your feelings is not going to help you. If you bury half-open wounds then poison will fester beneath your scars. You gotta make sure that you’re not running from your yourself. Trust me it’s exhausting and only leads to making laps around the same old mountains over and over again and those scars won’t fully heal. If you build on the grave of a wound such as this,then zombies from the past may grab your heels and pull you down. 

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I know it can be hard to face certain things that lurk back there, but you don’t have to do it alone and in the long run, dealing with and owning your stuff will be good for you. Even if you decide that what lurks back there is gone now or too painful and you're not going to give it much thought beyond forgiving all that need it, including yourself, giving it to a higher power and being more aware of the good things in your life and letting time do its work. It’s still important to make the decision and at least let yourself know what you have decided. If you feel the need to reach out to someone, then do it. There is no shame in asking for help, it’s actually really brave and a very loving thing to do for yourself.

Once you have done this, you will be ready to move forward in life and that is awesome on so many levels!

So then let’s get you on to another level with a plan!

Today you get a little bit of homework

Firstly, have a look in your heart and see that you have not buried your past alive, no one wants to get chased by zombies! 

Secondly, write down your dreams, even if they seem completely unrealistically possible. 

Write them down anyway or better yet, why not make a vision board? If you can visually see the goals you're shooting for, then it gives you motivation to actually do the work to get there.Pinterest is perfect for this.

If you're into the idea of self help, then here's a couple of really cool bits and pieces that may also help you move forward, not just move on from where you are right now. I can not recommend the first highly enough! Game changer!

The other two are just useful and nice to have, and it doesn't help that they are super cute! With the third one, those stickers are so adorable, I have so many and use mine all the time, but the idea is that happy planner stickers is what I recommending, they help me stay motivated and I am sure they can help you get stuff done too! Quick reminder the below are affiliate links, I may make a small commission with no extra cost to you if you decide to buy any of the things I recommend. 

The Five Minute Journal: A Happier You in 5 Minutes a Day
(Again,can not recommend highly enough)

Motivational Gallon Water Bottle  - especially good for helping you to keep on track with your fitness goals.

Paper House Planner, Journal, Dairy, Notebook Assorted Colours - highly recommend journal stickers in general, doesn't have to be these ones but these are adorable and so sweet!


That's about it today.

Got a complaint or a comment? Let me know below and let's all together grow! 

Move From Stuck To Seasonal

There is so much pain holding the walls up, in a rut.

There’s the pain of what could have been or should be. 

There's the pain of confusion, not knowing how to get up, or for that matter which way is up. 

There’s the pain of feeling like a burden to friends and family, the pain of guilt, the pain of apathy and so on.

 In short being in a rut = pain.

 Being in a rut is one thing, but feeling stuck in that rut is a whole other level of pain, confusion and generally unpleasant emotions.

If you’re reading this and I just described you, then you likely don’t feel awake enough do too much reading today, so I will keep this short and get straight to the point.

You may be in a rut but you don’t have to stay there.

You may feel stuck, but that doesn’t mean you are. 

The fact is rubbish times happen to everyone, we all go through stages where we wish things would move a little bit faster like life is not being fair and the world seems to be against us, this is a normal part of the human experience. 

Granted, some of us go through harder things than others, and there are other elements to consider when looking at this whole topic (like tragedy, mental illness and emotional makeup)but generally, what it all boils down to is life sucks sometimes and when It does, it’s really easy to get stuck in a rut and feel like there is no way out but our feelings lie.

---

I hope you are ready for this because I am about to hand you a key that may just change your life.

The number one secret to getting out of a rut is to stop seeing yourself as stuck and start seeing yourself as just in a tough season. 

Seasons change, life moves and we all grow older with time. If you are convinced you are stuck you won’t see the way out even if it is offered to you so change that thinking right now.

Yes, it really is as easy as deciding to change your mind on this.  Believe me, it will change your life, just like it did mine. 

I know when you're feeling low it's easy to feel like nothing will work, and even if you do change your mind the feeling may not catch up right away, but this is all about doing the right thing for your despite your feelings. 

Don't let yourself make justifiable excuses because you are not the only person that will hurt. The next articles (which are free for you to read, but a lot of work for me to prepare I might add) here are designed to help you get your life moving in a direction that will satisfy you, but I needn't bother if you won’t first just make this change.

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Use your logic. 

Even if you're in the depths of a really dark depression, you can still manage one tiny little thing to help get yourself moving out of your rut, you are not stuck, you’re just in a tough season and wiggling your little finger may be all you can manage right now but just wiggle anyway, because it will give you the confidence to wiggle your other fingers, then your hand then maybe in a few days this will lead to using those fingers to pick up the phone and call someone to help you move forward with your dream. 

The fact you are reading this right now tells me you still got some fight in you, so give yourself a pat on the back. You can get up, even if it is one tiny step at a time.

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You are not stuck, you’re shuffling, you’re shifting, you’re moving.

You are navigating through a season right now. If it is raining in your life, the sun will come out sooner or later and the sun always shines brighter after the storm.

See you next post,

Love Hayley

xXx

Move From Happiness To Fulfillment

People that chase happiness will never be happy for very long because it's more about the chase than the object in question.

Happiness is an emotion, it comes and goes because life is up and down. 

Chasing happiness usually leads to unhealthy people with dead dreams and more debt then they know what to do with!

I am not suggesting that the desire to be happy or even the pursuit of happiness is wrong .

What I am against is, the idea that life is all about happiness, that we should be aiming for it in every area of our lives and if we don't somehow that makes us a failure and if we can't hold on to happiness, well then that is even worse!

Happiness is an emotion, it is fleeting, I like to think of it like a butterfly, here one moment, gone the next.

 

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Chasing happiness will never bring fulfilment, it will lead to frustration. 

You would be much better of chasing fulfilment. It is possible to be  fulfilled but not happy. Chasing fulfilment requires work, sweat, and tears but it is an attainable goal that it is possible to hold on to, unlike happiness. 

Even if you are fulfilled in a job or relationship, you are still going to get your down days, but that deep knowing that what you are chasing is right for you, regardless of how you feel right now, will help you to stick it through the rough patches and make it to the mountaintop. 

Yes life still throws stuff at us, but from personal experience I have learned that I am happy a lot more of the time by living this way because I am doing the things I love and I have no doubt if you started to chase fulfilment too, you would be happy a lot more by default too.

Chasing Happiness is a rabbit hole, it can be a seemingly bottomless pit. Working on things that will fulfill you is like building a house on strong foundations. It may take a while and require more of you but in the long run, it's far more worth it.

Concepts We Build On - How To Jive with life!

Hey hey beautiful, welcome back!

Today we are going to put together all of the concepts we have talked about so far and then we get to start off sharing our first bit of encouraging advice to help you get started with this simple temple living the joy way thing we were talking about.

Let's get started!

Okay, so quick reminder the 4 pillars we built our site on are joy, integrity, vibrancy, and encouragement. We love acronyms and these 4 together create the acronym J.I.V.E

We mentioned in our introductory post that this is a nod to old fashioned family values, and all things vintage because we are all about that.

Again if you're not that's cool, you can stick around if you want to, as long as we can all be respectful here, or else maybe this blog just isn't for you, in which case thanks for trying us out, and we wish you the very best for the future.

Anyway, those of you still here,  let's get back to where we were.

So yes, old fashioned family values.

Here's the thing guys some people need to be focused on family values because without a basic standard, there is nothing to jump off from into whatever other lifestyle you so choose.

We have no problem with people with different views or lifestyles to our own, in fact, we encourage them to share their views with us because it takes all sorts to make a world, and you never know when you will learn something valuable if you stay teachable.

That said, we aim to be a safe place for people who have chosen to lead a life that lines up with what the basics of what Christian faith teaches is God's original plan for mankind.

That is that the man was created first and woman are created to be his help-mate. We are created differently, but still equally valuable. The home works best when families work together leaning into God's original plan, loving and learning together.

Women are answers not problems. 

Men are leaders not lounge-abouts. 

Children can reveal more of the heart of God, then us adults sometimes, due to their simple faith.

All life is precious, but beyond that, we don't comment on peoples' choices for themselves and their own families.

We don't do debates, it takes away from the joy-centered vibrant vibe we are aiming for but we are also not afraid to stand up for what we believe in, right here are the start of this new project. 

Anyway like I said J.I.V.E is multilayered in meaning. 

That's the old fashioned family values bit done, another meaning for the phase J.I.V.E is the art of learning to dance with life. 

Last post I hinted at  our mascot Lambi-lambs. 

This is her time to shine! 

Lambi-lambs, or Lambi for short, is lovely drawn by our house artist Alex Bax. (You can check out his Dievent Art profile here) She and her friends are not Alex's normal art style but that just goes to show he is not a one-trick pony. ( or should that be gentle-colt, where are my bronies at??)

Lambi waving at you because she thinks it's awesome you are here. 

Lambi is our blog mascot and she and her friends help us to give a little clarity and fun to our articles. Lambi loves cheering you on as you learn how to jive with life, and she is the perfect embodiment of what  Hayls, the writer, is all about. 

Life can hit hard sometimes, and so it's really important to learn how to manage changes, especially the ones we didn't see coming. We will be sharing our signature art of change management method in an up and coming post, but for now, it's enough to say that we are really good at handling a variety of changes life throws at us, and we will be sharing what we have learnt with you shortly. 

To give you a little taster of the kind of content you can expect moving forward here's a little piece of an article that will come out shortly. 

Look out for How To move from stuck to seasonal, coming out soon. 

You may be in a rut but you don’t have to stay there.

You may feel stuck, but that doesn’t mean you are. The fact is rubbish times happen to everyone, we all go through stages where we wish things would move a little bit faster like life is not being fair and the world seems to be against us, this is a normal part of the human experience. 

Granted, some of us go through harder things than others, and there are other elements to consider when looking at this whole topic (like tragedy, mental illness and emotional makeup)but generally, what it all boils down to is life sucks sometimes and when It does, it’s really easy to get stuck in a rut and feel like there is no way out but our feelings lie.

I hope you are ready for this because I am about to hand you a key that may just change your life.
The number one secret to getting out of a rut is to stop seeing yourself as stuck and start seeing yourself as just in a tough season. Seasons change, life moves and we all grow older...

There are more meanings to jive but I will leave it to your imagination for now. 

That's about it today guys.

See you next post