Hey Beautiful Souls~
As I sit down to write this blog post, a profound urge washes over me to share my testimony, to unfold the layers of my soul and reveal the essence of my journey—a journey marked by trials and triumphs, darkness and light, despair and hope. It’s a story not of perfection but of persistence; not of unblemished faith but of a relentless pursuit of light amidst the shadows that often shroud our world.
In the world today, it feels as though a tangible evil lurks in the air, a darkness that attempts to obscure the sunshine that bathes our lives. This struggle isn’t just external; it mirrors the war within—a battle for the soul, a contest between our higher selves and the temptations that seek to derail us from our divine path. I’ve come to see this not just as a metaphorical devil on my shoulder but as a real, palpable force seeking to influence my choices and cloud my judgment.
My life has been a series of tempests—near-death experiences, health challenges, and mental health struggles. Each trial, whether it be fighting to stay nourished amidst diabetes and gastroparesis, battling the demons of depression, anxiety, and PTSD, or simply striving to find a place of peace and health, has taught me resilience. Yet, for too long, I focused on saving others, driven by nostalgia and an idolized notion of what life should be, neglecting the most crucial relationship of all: my connection with God and the Savior.
The journey of repentance is profound and deeply personal. It’s about recognizing where we’ve faltered, not to drown in self-judgment but to understand that the Atonement is always within reach. It’s about creating lists not of our failures but of our steps towards improvement, recognizing that while labels may define aspects of our lives, they do not determine our worth or our potential.
As I’ve aged, I’ve learned that life’s end isn’t about knowing the exact moment of the world’s conclusion or the precise path our souls will take hereafter. Instead, it’s about ensuring that our souls shine for eternity through the love, creativity, and help we extend to others.
I am inspired by the Divine Creator who formed me, and in return, I feel compelled to share that peace, testimony, faith, and knowledge through my talents and passions. It’s about living for today, for the sunshine that pierces through the storms, embracing each day with the knowledge that He lives, and our Savior is indeed coming.
My years were marked by darkness, a period where my soul felt as if it were erupting in agony. Now, I find solace in the peace and quiet, in the beauty that lies within and in the warmth of the sun that fuels my spirit. This transition from darkness to light hasn’t been swift or easy. It’s a daily commitment to progress, to surround myself with love and light, because I’ve learned that darkness only serves to dampen the spirit, especially for someone like me, whose essence is deeply intertwined with art, truth, and humor.
In a world obsessed with competition and comparison, I choose to stand apart. God is the ultimate destination, and as we anticipate the Savior's return, I wish to meet Him hand in hand, surrounded by joy and living each day to the fullest. This means transforming platforms of darkness into canvases of light, changing narratives of despair into stories of hope, and replacing competition with compassion.
As I navigate the complexities of this world, my resolve remains unshaken—to be a beacon of strength, to stir my surroundings with love and light, and to cherish the journey, regardless of the challenges it presents. It's about making each day count, not in anticipation of what the end might bring but in celebration of the present moment and the potential it holds for growth, learning, and love.
To you reading this, know that you're not alone in your struggles. We are all walking this path together, seeking light, yearning for peace, and striving to leave the world a little brighter than we found it. Let's embrace this journey with open hearts, ready to learn, forgive, love, and illuminate the path for others as we go.
In closing, my message is one of hope: Regardless of the darkness that may seem to prevail, light is always within reach. We must only choose to see it, embrace it, and become vessels of its power.
With Love ~
Keep Shining~Be Inspired~
~Jackie Inspires~
Because, in the end, God is everything. The Savior is coming, and I want to be ready, hand in hand with joy, just living each day.
jackieinspires
Hello Beautiful Souls ~
Life is sure busy! Between Tarl and his busy work, projects, and unpacking the last bit in our home, and Tarl and I both having nasty colds for over a week now, We needed to get out in the sunshine and see the beautiful state of Utah we're blessed to live in.
We've been in our beautiful townhome for a month now and love it. Above is a picture I took of Pine Mountain here in Washington/St. George Utah where we live. Isn't it beautiful?
I've been busy with school and health appointments. Also putting in a lot of job applications as I graduate in Spring 2024 with my Family Science degree. So, why wait? when I can enjoy the numerous interviews, applications, and denials hahaha. It's all part of the process. I may be 40 but I got quite a bit of years left and want a career.
I love that Tarl and I can make sure we make time for ourselves together. Whether it's a drive, a walk, exploring, creating, or reading next to each other. Life can get busy but being with those you love is so important. MAKE TIME~ Even if you don't have a special someone, I understand, we've all been there but make time with someone or those you love dear.
We've learned a lot through my horrible sickness *you can read previous blog posts to understand that part. It was very hard on both of us and very scary. I literally thought it was the end of me. With a lot of prayers, determination, support, love, the move, amazing specialists, and constant work, I am better and stable. My insulin pump is doing good. My gastroparesis is stable. My emotional and spiritual health is amazing.
Having my best friend and my love by my side and me by his side made life even more beautiful, just like looking outside and seeing the beautiful desert, mountains, dirt, plants and so much more. God makes beautiful things. Yes, we have challenges but despite how ''ugly'' it can be, at the end of the challenge or trial, it's actually quite an amazing and beautiful destination.
I'm not saying we're totally 100 percent better but we are 100 percent sure how blessed we are to have each other. No matter how many bumps in the road or trials we have faced, we really do stop and appreciate the beautiful trials and challenges we have overcome.
There's no going back. There's no different direction you can choose once you choose a path, but there is so much beautiful scenery along the way and that is with each other too. The growth, determination, learning, growing, faith-building, and just in awe of how incredibly blessed we are. So what does this tell you? Don't give up. Don't just stay in a funk and not live. Don't let your challenges and trials stop you from living.
No amount of sickness and disasters and the way you feel should stop you from living. It's a time for you personally to see how you can live and learn during those times and have faith in every step you take. No matter how big or small that step is, YOU ARE DOING IT. YOU CHOOSE. Each of us has our free agency. We choose whether to live or just ride out the storms missing beautiful moments.
I am choosing one day at a time. No matter how I feel. No matter how busy life can be. Enjoying my life with Tarl. Enjoying the outside. Enjoying the sun on my face. Enjoying the appointments, my ups and downs. I am enjoying really researching, pondering, praying, and consulting for the right career for me. Doesn't matter it's later in my life, because I am doing it. Doesn't matter if you are doing something later, it's you're doing it.
Just take one day at a time. I know you hear it a lot or compare yourself with others. That's fine. I'm not going to tell you how to live your life. I'm just putting this out there that each day is a new opportunity whether each of us is blessed to see it or not. No matter how hard it is or easy it may be.
See the sunshine and the beautiful scenery for the day. Worry about tomorrow later. One step. One choice. Know how much you are worth it and not forgotten. God created you. He knows before you know what will happen. You are given this chance and life now and we may not understand why but that's okay. We're given so much joy, blessings, knowledge, skills, opportunities, passions, talents, and each other to expand our days.
I am just blessed. I am blessed I can choose to stop and just soak in the beautiful moments with Tarl. No matter how hard things get or how busy, I choose. That's what life is about. You choose. Your free agency. I choose Life :) I choose the good, bad, and ugly and see the beautiful blessings.
Keep shining ~ Be Inspired ~
~Jackie Inspires~
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