Tag Archives: faith

Valuing Faith, in Whatever Form It Takes

Posted on December 8, 2014 by monicadnelson

By Monica Nelson I come from a Christian background. And I owe a lot to that Christian upbringing. One benefit that I am truly thankful of every day is how my spiritual beginnings instilled within me a strong and vibrant faith. I bristle when I hear people put down anyone’s faith as misplaced, of no real value, or even harmful in any sort of respect. This is my personal take on faith and its value to you as an individual, and society as a whole. What is faith?   This is where most of the problem lies – in the definition. Ask any two people you choose what faith is, … Continue reading →

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Why is Life so Hard? Making Adversity an Ally

Posted on April 7, 2014 by monicadnelson

By Monica Nelson There is a popular saying that has been around about a century: When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Easy enough to say, but neglectful of the recipe. In this article, I hope to give you my version of how to make lemonade of your life’s challenges. We all face hardship of some kind throughout our lives, experiencing it in different degrees and in different circumstances. How we respond to that misfortune is not only a measure of our character, it is the means through which we define ourselves. It is how we grow in strength and temperament. Going through challenges is something to be thankful for. … Continue reading →

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Make the Most of 2014 – Throw Your Old Way of Goal Setting in the Trash and Follow These Four Tips for Setting Goals

Posted on December 30, 2013 by monicadnelson

By Monica Nelson This is the time of year when I examine my essence. I become more aware of where I’ve been and where I’m going, who I am, and what I really want to be. As we approach the new year, I suspect that most people feel the same way. What I find interesting is that most people react to this conscious or subconscious soul examination by creating lofty goals: grow my business, find a new career, lose weight, find a soul mate, earn more money, etc. And for most people, those goals start out enthusiastically enough. We become fired up on January 1, making great inroads to our … Continue reading →

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To Navigate the Flow of Life, Let Go and Let God

Posted on October 21, 2013 by monicadnelson

By Monica Nelson Let go and let God. This is a saying that I cling to. In recent years, my life has become much more stressful and overwhelming than it ever has been. At times it is all I can do not to go running off into the sunset, arms raised in exasperation. I am, like many others, vulnerable to negative occurrences that cause us to give up hope and anticipate the worst. You and I are not completely to blame. The amygdala is an organ within each of us that triggers a reactive emotional response. Long, long ago, this was an important function of human life. Survival depended on … Continue reading →

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The Power of Hope and Faith

Posted on June 21, 2013 by monicadnelson

By Monica Nelson I have had a rotten week. My family and I are dealing with a lot of stress. My husband is facing the loss of his job, my freelance business is slow to take off, and finances are overwhelming us right now. The pressures of the week became unbearable after my son was kicked out of boy scout camp. Let’s just say, I went into the bluest of funks that anyone could imagine. I hit a new bottom. I’m sure you have all been there. The circumstances of your life are different than mine, but everyone deals with their own individual lows at various times in life. While … Continue reading →

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