Author Archives: KatrinaMarie

Have you ever met, known or seen someone in your life or even online that seems to have unlimited success and what appears to be no problems?

As you listen to them and observe them, the picture that is painted appears to be perfect. The money, success, good relationships, great kids

nice house the list could go on. They seem to move from one great experience, opportunity, vacation spot to the next and you feel like you are struggling to just get by

and get all the things done and never catching up let alone prosper.

Do you find that green eyed monster of jealousy and envy rearing its ugly head while you see others live the Good Life. You start thinking it isn’ t fair. Why can’t I get a break or have those opportunities?

When is it going to get easier. Well if you ever had these thoughts, and dare I remove the mask and be the first to admit…I have…I will let you in on a little secret to manage that pit in your stomach the next time you encounter one of life’s seeming stars.

Number one whether they reveal it or not everyone has problems as sure as they get a cold. You just may not see their problems. Their problems may be different then yours.

Everything is relative. Even if you have a billion dollars you get the responsibility and worry of maintaining the staff that helps you make that Billion and the worry that  they can loose it and the lifestyle. Everyone faces challenges. Temptations to get discouraged, worn out to give up and loose hope. Everyone has hurts or has been hurt.

Also the problem with comparing yourself and your life is that your not comparing apples to apples. If you have kids and a mortgage…and someone else is single with no kids..then they have the money to invest in vacations, education, networking, and improvement. They shouldn’t be criticized or judged or even envied. They could want what you have. Nor should they judge you for not being able to do, be or have what they do…(but that is another post) They could be married with no kids…Even if they have kids, a great husband and a lot of support…maybe you don’t.

Nevertheless even if they seem to have alot of the same apples…I am sure there is quite a few oranges thrown in the mix that don’t match up with your situation.

My heart is to encourage people where they are and with what they have got in the right here and right now. To excavate those diamonds and re frame their thinking so they can be satisfied and at peace with what they have and at the same time learn how to thrive.

Even when I started to become financially free and live an easier lifestyle. I was so surprised at the sly comments or attitudes from people. The assumption that now I did not have problems or challenges. That I couldn’t relate to their struggles. It really surprised me. O I can promise you that is not true.

But we all do this at some level and then the stinkin thinkin starts and we become paralyzed and shift into survival mode. The key for any of us is how we deal with the obstacles, and challenges we face that slide us back into just surviving. I will admit that there are definitely seasons to be expected for everyone where we just wallow and pull the covers over our head and hide until we get our perspective back. Just don’t stay there for too long. If it has been too long then it is time to snap out of it.

Every problem we face in life comes with choices. Will I choose to still believe that God is benevolent and loves me and has created me to experience abundance and peace. When I face challenges, especially significant ones, it is easy to shift into survival mode. To stop reaching higher, imagining a prosperous and joyful future. We can spend all of our energy just trying to get thru. All of us have seasons that we feel like just holding on is the best we can do. The secret is NOT to stay there.

I want to encourage you and am developing programs that will help you move out of just surviving. I know so many are dealing with this right now, I deal with it.

But know this that even in the most difficult situations there is still an opportunity to not just survive but to thrive. It happens by deciding to fill your mind with the promise and expectations of  a Loving Divine power. That may be hard for some of you to believe. But it is the same power of creation that is demonstrated all around us in the trees, birds and animals. The squirrels in my yard spend the day gathering nuts for the winter that are plentiful all over my lawn. The real reason you may be thrown or uncomfortable watching others prosper is that you are not rooted in the belief that you are loved by a God that loves you and will provide.

When you are connected to this Divine truth. I am not talking religion or doctrine. But the truth that you are cared and watched over. Even if you have never experienced that in your human relationships there is enough evidence in watching the cycle of nature. You need to nurture these thoughts, water them, keep reminding yourself that you are wonderfully made and cared for. If your breathing you are a miracle. Focus on the present blessings with thankfulness.

Recently my washer broke during a wash cycle. I had no clean clothes for my son to go to school in. At first I tried picking up the wet clothes and could not lift the basket. I had to separate the wet clothes and walk each basket up stairs to the bath tub and wash them by hand. All I could think of was number one that it was not easy…and number two how hard it must of been for all the generations of woman that had to or have to wash their clothes on a rock or in a wash tub. I would not want to live past 60 either if that was a chore in my life. The washer was unrepairable so for two days I thought about the blessings of a washing machine, and wanted to thank the person that invented it…personally. I had to go out and buy a new one.  I really did not need the added expense at this time. But I was so grateful and thankful to have the funds to buy my own washing machine. I have been happy to do the wash for the last week. The very thing I dreaded two weeks ago because I took for granted that I had a washing machine, by it breaking made me realize first hand how difficult it could be to try to wash clothes by hand.

This may seem dramatic to you…..but I have always choose to focus on the blessings of everything I have received and allowed to come into my life. That is why more comes. I never want to become so jaded that because I have everything I wanted I am no longer just as grateful as the first day I was blessed with whatever it was. And the reason it still is sooooo sweet is because there was a time when my circumstances weren’t so sweet. The contrast…the struggle…is the seasoning that makes the blessing taste so sweet even many years later.

So if watching the news sends fear into us, stop watching. Comparing yourself with others causes suffering…stop comparing. Each person, each life is different but no less filled with opportunities and options, challenges and hardships. Each person experiences challenges. Do not let your focus be on others or your thoughts will start spinning out of control. Keep your eye on the sparrow. I had one visit me every morning this summer in my yard. She would fly down to the grass right in front of me to dig for worms. My daughter called her Miss Tweetie.

Challenges are a part of every journey and are not meant to keep you from the Blessings or make you so disheartened to give up hope. Think of the challenges you face today are just the seasonings and salt added to your future blessings and what will make them taste so sweet and delicious. That is only if you choose today to be aware and grateful for what IS and make room in your mind and heart for what could and will be if you allow it.

Am I going to just Survive or will I plant my feet firmly in the soil of a Loving Creator with more than enough supply. If you are not satisfied with how things are going let me encourage you don’t settle and just survive.

We all have to make this choice every day. It does not matter what you have done or mistakes you have made. That is what Divine Grace is for. It just IS Favor that each and everyone can draw upon during difficult times.

It is available to those that make a choice to notice, look for grace and opportunities to use your talents and gifts. Have gratitude and thankfulness. Choose to expect goodness into Your life. When we bring a new born to the Doctor…they describe the baby as healthy and thriving when the growth milestones are met.

Don’t stop growing forward and thriving. Just think you could be 5 minutes, or just one mile, one inch away from the blessings that will move you onto the success and blessings  you really admire in others.

So root yourself in this thought…You are loved and meant to thrive. When you see the sun look up and feel the sunshine and warmth on your face and remember you can thrive just like every plant, tree, and flower, no less. Feel your heart expand with this acknowledgement, take a deep breath give thanks and go about your day looking for grace and opportunity to be your best self, expand and thrive.