Women enduring any illness including breast cancer with strength are as beautiful as a rose.
Living her life
With the strength of an ox
She’s not given in to her woes
You know why?
Because she’s as beautiful as a rose.
Each trip to the doctor
Could be a stressful burden
Dealing with this doctor telling you this
This doctor telling you that
It could be an overwhelming turn of events.
But she knows how to conquer these foes
You know why?
Because she’s truly as beautiful as a rose.
This poem is dedicated to the many women who are living with breast cancer, including an aunt in my family. Let’s take this time to acknowledge these women for their strength in coping with this illness during this month of Breast Cancer Awareness.
It may not feel like it, but spring is almost here. Some women view this time as a good one to reset their wellness routine. We all have our own routines that could feel stale after a while. So whether you’re trying to change your morning and evening routines or set new wellness goals, here are a few realistic ways to refresh your spring wellness routine.
Why Spring is a Great Time to Refresh Your Wellness Routine
As the start of the spring season comes, people are feeling more energized and renewed. They’re more active and willing to go out more because of the longer days and more sunlight. Many are also willing to not only become more physically and mentally active, but also get some much-needed cleaning done in their homes. Spring is a great time for women to give themselves a fresh new start, mentally and physically. It’s out with the winter habits and in with the spring ones.
Spring is in full bloom and it’s a good time to refresh your wellness routine.
Steps to Take to Refresh Your Wellness Routine
Refreshing your wellness routine takes various steps. You can do this with your physical, mental, or emotional health. The spring season could give us all a chance to start fresh and new. Here are several ways you can refresh your wellness routine this season.
Refresh Your Morning and Evening Routines
If you had certain morning and evening routines in the winter, why not change your routines this spring? For example, if your morning routine was always rushed, you can try taking your time in the morning by doing some stretching or reading. Consider doing better at getting up early in the morning before getting ready for work. Your evening routine could be your time for reflecting on the day. Start a daily gratitude journal, sharing what sorts of things, people, places, etc., you’re grateful for. If you’re usually prone to going on your phone at night, reduce your screen time by reading a book or listening to some mellow music to help you sleep better.
Reset Your Mental & Emotional Health
Speaking of journaling, this is one of the ways that you can reset your mental and emotional health this spring. Some people utilize journaling to help them de-stress or get all of their true feelings out. If you’re not much of a writer, there are other ways you can reset your mental and emotional health. Meditating or deep breathing exercises are great alternatives. Starting a new hobby is also beneficial. Reducing your use of social media could also be good for the mind.
Take Away What’s Not Working
It’s also okay to let go of habits that aren’t working for you. If you have an exercise routine that is no longer fun to do, try substituting it for another one instead. Consider starting a new hobby that could be beneficial for your emotional health, such as gardening. Eliminating what’s not working is very useful when starting your spring cleaning in your home. Don’t be afraid to get rid of clutter invading your home or your mind.
Set Realistic Wellness Goals
When refreshing your wellness routine this spring, it’s important to set some goals that you can accomplish. Don’t set any goals that may seem too impossible to reach. If you can’t exercise 5 times a week or start the diet you’re planning on doing, make some adjustments that seem more realistic for your lifestyle. When something is too overwhelming for you to accomplish, don’t be afraid to pivot and change. Making adjustments to your wellness goals is beneficial for your mental health.
Small Changes Create Lasting Results
Each day, we can all build new habits and goals to refresh our wellness routine. Some of the steps we can take are refreshing our morning and evening routines, resetting our mental and emotional health, taking away what’s not working, and setting realistic wellness goals. The more you make new beneficial changes in your wellness routine, the more improved your health will be. So start making simple, small changes to refresh your wellness routine today.
How do you want to refresh your spring wellness routine? Share your spring seasonal reset in the comments below. As always, be sure to like or share this post with the next woman you care about.
During winter break, I decided to make two of the soups and stews featured in a blog post I’ve wrote a few weeks ago. I enjoyed making both of these dishes, especially considering it was a good week to eat a bowl of it. Let me share with you my time making two different, delicious soups- Thai Pumpkin Soup and Vegetable Lentil Soup.
Joy of Making a Pot of Soup in Winter
Making a pot of soup is considered to be a calming thing for some people. For other people, it could be a lot of work, especially when you’re trying to make sure you have all the ingredients chopped and piled up. When people make their favorite pot of soup or stew, they often do so with love. They like to put their heart and soul into making it for them, their families, and their friends. When they do that, it comes out delicious, hearty, and feels like a warm blanket safe from the cold. That’s what making a pot of soup should feel like. It should feel like a warm experience for the whole family.
Simplicity of Making the Thai Pumpkin Soup
That’s how it started for me at the beginning of that day. I started out making the Thai Pumpkin Soup that had more of a kick to it. I’ve already had two of the ingredients at home-pumpkin puree and chicken broth. I just needed the other three to complete this simple soup. This was the first soup I featured on my 5-ingredient fall soupsblog post. It was creamy, spicy, and easy to prepare.
I started out adding the red curry paste and gave it a stir in the pot till it was fragrant. Then, after that, I added two cans of the pumpkin puree and 4 cups of the chicken broth. I cooked it for a few minutes until it started to bubble. Added in the coconut milk and cut up some red peppers to give it a few more stirs. There’s your pumpkin soup. You can choose to add some chicken to it if you want, but I held back from doing that. I toasted up some rye bread and ate it with my personal bowl.
Making the Vegetable Lentil Stew
The next pot of soup I’ve made was the vegetable lentil stew. This one was also from my 5-ingredient blog post, and it was also delicious. It’s great for those who are vegetarians because it’s composed of carrots, sweet potatoes, onions, lentils, and a vegetable base. This one took longer to make because I had to sort and rinse the lentils a bit. I also needed some time to chop the sweet potatoes, carrots, and onions.
One of my two 5-ingredient soups I’ve made-Vegetable Lentil Soup
After getting done with that, I’ve added the sweet potatoes to the pot of water and turned the stove on. Then I added the carrots and sauteed the chopped onions in a pan. After sauteing them, I’ve added them to the pot with the carrots and sweet potatoes. Next in comes the lentils and the Better than Bouillon vegetable base. Stir everything together and reduce to a simmer. I had to wait a bit till the sweet potatoes, carrots, and lentils were tender. I gave it a taste once it was done, and it was ready. This one turned out well, and my mother thought it was tasty.
What’s Your Favorite Soup or Stew to Cook in the Winter?
If you have ever made a pot of soup or stew like me, you may find it to be a lot of work, but a warm experience. Many people like to make traditional soups that have been a part of their family for years. But sometimes, it’s okay to make a soup or stew that’s easy and doesn’t take long. Making batches of soup is not only good as leftovers, but it also prevents you from always figuring out what to make each night. So go into your kitchen and make yourself a tasty pot of soup you have been longing to make.
What’s your favorite soup to cook in the winter season? Feel free to share your stories in the comments section below. As always, be sure to like or share this post with the next home chef you know.
We’re at the conclusion of another year. Just like I did last year, I’m going to take a little time to reflect on this year and share five of my favorite blog posts of 2025. Here are some of my favorite ones that were well liked on social media and were significant moments in my life this year.
This blog post kicked off 2025 and was well received from some readers on LinkedIn. All of the soups on this list are nutritious and easy to make to help you get through the brutal days of winter. Try a vegan-friendly carrot soup or a hearty winter vegetable soup. Whatever it is you’re in the mood for, make enough to enjoy for the whole family.
I wrote this post after emailing my subscribers and asking them about what struggles they have concerning their health. One subscriber shared about how she was curious about increasing her protein intake without increasing her carbs. I shared about the importance of smart meal planning and how we could make small changes to add more protein to our diet.
This was one of my well-received blog posts for this year on LinkedIn. It had two reactions with one comment. But breakfast is the most important meal of the day for a reason, and we need to add fiber to our diet for our digestive health and to give us energy. Fruits, nuts & seeds, and veggies are always vital in keeping us healthy each day.
One of the most difficult moments of this year is putting my 13-year-old cat down. Her death wasn’t a shock, but it was a painful experience. Most people liken losing a pet to losing a family member. That’s why I felt it was best to reflect on how we could cope with the emptiness of not having a furry friend around.
Taking care of various aspects of our health starts with our spiritual health. That’s why this post was my favorite this year.
In this blog post, I examined how the state of our spiritual health could have an impact on our mental and physical well-being. Most people tend to downplay spiritual health as if it’s not as important as the others. But people are happier when they’re more in touch with their spiritual need, and keeping it strong is all the more important as the years progress.
Those were my favorite blog posts of the year 2025. It’s hard to believe that this year is coming to a close. I feel I was just getting used to saying, “We’re in the year 2025.” To say, “Where has the time gone?” is an understatement. But I look forward to another year of work, enjoyment, travel, spiritual encouragement, and most importantly, life.
If you followed my Good News for the Soul blog, what was your favorite blog post of mine this year? Let me know in the comments below. As always, be sure to like or share this post with the next person you love and care about.
For many years, there has been an influx of wars and violent conflicts throughout the earth. These violent acts have impacted millions of people’s lives. Human governments have tried to bring an end to all of this, without any success. Many have wondered, “Will there ever be an end to all of these wars corrupting the world?” Let’s learn more about this issue and who can bring an end to wars and violent conflict permanently.
How War and Violence Affect Us All
When we hear all of these disturbing news of war and violent conflict, it definitely could have an impact on us. It could leave a traumatic effect on people psychologically and mentally. Stress and anxiety are common examples of mental health issues that have occurred in people after experiencing a violent war in their country. Many countries have undergone food shortages and economic issues as a result of violent war. Additionally, over 100 million people worldwide have been forced to leave their homes. It’s truly the signs of the times that we’re living in.
The Bible promises that soon we’ll live in a world free from war.
Why Humans Could Only Do So Much to Fix This Problem
For many years, mankind has relied on powerful and influential political leaders to eradicate the catastrophic wars and violence. These political figures have tried various strategies to eliminate this earth-wide issue. Some of the things they have tried to do are reduce or eliminate economic inequality, have parties settle disputes through peaceful negotiations, reduce or eliminate weapons, and implement collective security. However, despite their concerted efforts, we’re still coping with incessant wars throughout various nations around the world. Even a United Nations secretary-general has said that we spend so much money and resources trying to manage conflicts rather than actually preventing them. Clearly, world governments have proven that they could only do so much to fix this global problem. They have tried, but they can’t do away with wars permanently.
Who Can Bring A Permanent End to War and Violent Conflict
So, who can fix this problem and do so permanently? Many people have been asking that question for years. Some have simply given up on war ending for good. Because of all of these failed attempts by world governments, they have felt, “What’s the use of hoping for true peace?” But according to God’s Word, the Bible, they don’t have to lose hope any longer. This is because in the Bible book of Psalms 46:9, it shows that God will bring an end to wars throughout the earth. How do we know that? Because in the bible book of Daniel 2:44, he will set up a heavenly government called a kingdom that will never be destroyed. It will not be passed on to any other people, like we see in today’s world governments. This government will remove everything that is destroying our planet Earth, including wars and violent conflict.
We also know that Jehovah will eliminate wars forever because he hates to see innocent, righteous people suffering. He is a God of love who has blessed those who love him with so much, such as decent health, food, clothing, shelter, and much more. I think about the many ways he has proven to be a God of love for me- from helping me cope with the loss of my father to helping me arrive home safely. Having this conviction has motivated me to find peace of mind despite living in a world that’s completely the opposite.
Finding Peace in an Unsecured World
Despite the unfortunate world conditions, we can still have peace of mind. You may say, How is that possible? By reading, studying, and remembering Bible scriptures like the two mentioned above. Meditate on many other upbuilding scriptures, such as Psalms 72:7 and Psalms 37:10, 11, to help you endure life’s troubles and find real inner peace. Sometimes, many of the problems that we see today may cause us to say, “O, Jehovah, how long is this going to continue?” But by reading, studying, and meditating deeply on the wisdom from his Word, the Bible, you will build your confidence in him and his promises and come to learn what real peace means to you.
What is your definition of real peace? Feel free to share your thoughts and comments in the box below this post. As always, be sure to like or share this post with the next person you know searching for real peace.
Without question, we’re living in a world that isn’t very encouraging. We’re dealing with crime, suffering, sickness, pain, etc. Because of this, we all need to build up or encourage one another in these last days. How we can build each other up despite living in a discouraging world? Let’s examine four ways we can do this as well as what building each other up really means.
What Building Each Other Up Means
Building one another up involves being there for the person through good and bad times. It involves being a healthy source of support when that person is in their darkest hour. When groups of people build one another up, they let each other know that they’re always in their corner cheering them on. It doesn’t involve always being negative or discouraging. The world we live in is already all of those things. It wouldn’t make sense to add to their negativity from what they’re already getting from their jobs, schools, families, etc.
How We Can Build Each Other in a Discouraging World
There are many ways we can do better to build one another up in a discouraging world. We can first start by watching what we say or do to people. Positive, upbuilding conversations are always encouraging to someone’s soul. We live in very critical times that aren’t getting any better and it’s important we show every day that we care about each other. Let’s start doing so with these four ways.
Stop Being Critical of One Another
When someone pours their heart to you and they may say something you don’t agree with, don’t be so quick to criticize that person. Stop and think first before saying something you could regret. Ask yourself, Is what I’m going to say going to help them in any kind of way? Is it helpful, encouraging, or positive? While there may be times you have to share things with your friends that they need to hear, it’s also okay to not be so cruel in how we say it. So don’t be so quick to bring a person down verbally.
Listen and Talk Less
As imperfect humans, it’s our unfortunate inclination to talk more in a conversation and listen less. I sometimes have been guilty of doing that. However, it’s not good that we keep making this type of mistake. People feel like you genuinely care about them when you deeply listen to what they’re saying. You show them that you care about their needs, opinions, or problems when you stop, look, and listen to them. That’s a good way to upbuild a person.
Share Something that Could Cheer Them Up
It’s also worth it to share something that could help build that person up. Whether it’s through a simple text message, a message through WhatsApp, or an email, we all could encourage someone with our kind words. A friend of mine who participated in a special Haitian Creole preaching campaign in Boston this month shared with me a special song the friends there made in Haitian Creole. That was very upbuilding and encouraging.
We can build each other up by sharing something positive over the phone.
Encourage Them to Pray Each Day
It’s also important we encourage each other to pray to our great god, Jehovah. He’s always there for us when we need him. In a world that’s plagued by high cost of living, endless crime and violence, and so much stress, we need the God of all comfort to build us up. We need to let our friends and family know that they can turn to him if they feel discouraged or lost. He could move them to help you if you’re feeling this same way.
You Can Cope in a Discouraging World
Although it may sound impossible in the back of our minds, it’s quite possible to cope in a discouraging world. If we continue to rely on Jehovah, learn to stop being so critical of one another, listen and talk less, and share things electronically that could build them up, we will be able to thrive. So we must do all we can to build each other up despite living in a discouraging world.
How do you strive to stay upbeat in a discouraging world? What are your different ways of building up others? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below. As always, be sure to like or share this post with the next person you want to build up.
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