Category: relationships

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Grow My Faith

Psalm 94.19 NASB – When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, your comfort delights my soul.

Dear Lord,

Thank you for another opportunity to grow in faith. Thank you for your new mercies, your support and your grace as I rise and enter this day. Lord it is only because of you that I am here. This morning, I ask you to touch my mind and my heart so that I may be still and rest in your love. Help me to see that your timing is perfect for me and more than enough. Help me to be confident within myself, knowing that you have put me together with everything that is good and perfect. Thank you for the opportunity to be bold, to be sure, to be intentional and most of all, thank you for providing opportunities for me to be dependent on you. Not by my might or strength Lord, but only because of you. My faith is fully in tune with your will for my life. Help me to see it through. I love you and I thank you. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen

~When we water anxious thoughts and give them life by clinging to them, we allow them to take root in our minds and grow.

“Be still and know that God is God!”

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Thank You for Going Ahead of Me

Dear Lord,

Thank you for making my way straight. I appreciate your intentional love that guides me toward a good end. I am grateful that you know all things and see all things, and that you truly love me even when I fall short of your will for my life. Today I surrender my thoughts and activities to you. Your word says that you go ahead of me and that I can take courage because you have overcome the world. Knowing these things, I can rest in your safety and trust the plans that you have for me. This is my prayer today, in Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

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Moving Ahead

Dear Lord,

Thank you for this day. Thank you for giving me another opportunity to rise and be great. Today I ask for your guidance as I embark on new territory. Thank you for going ahead of me and making my path straight. Thank you that perceived obstacles will not stop me from moving forward and progressing. I thank you that any connections that need to be made, have a softened heart and are ready to engage. This is a new day and I thank you for allowing me to take part in it. In Jesus name, I pray this prayer. Amen.

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Reconnecting with You

Reading is an excellent way to gain new perspectives and insights. During the first quarter of 2024, I am reading several books to assist me with curbing procrastination, embracing authenticity and effectively managing negative emotions. Since the first core value of Origins of Peace is Mentality Clarity, it is only right that I take this time to gain insight and share the valuable knowledge that I hope to gain, with you.

To start with, “The 12 Week Year” is a great choice for anyone looking to improve their productivity and overcome procrastination. The book provides a practical framework for setting goals and achieving them within a shorter timeframe, which can help you stay focused and motivated.

“The Courage to Be Disliked” is a unique self-help book that draws on the principles of Adlerian psychology to encourage readers to embrace their own individuality and let go of the need for external validation. This can help you develop a more authentic sense of self and build stronger relationships with others.

Lastly, “Managing Negative Emotions” is a valuable resource for anyone looking to cultivate a more positive mindset. The book provides practical strategies for dealing with difficult emotions such as anxiety, anger, and depression, which can help you feel more balanced and resilient.

If you find any of the titles that I’ve shared interesting, please let me know, and I will set up a virtual book club for us. Happy reading!

 

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Run It Back

I’m not sure if I shared this already but my theme word for 2024 is Authentic. As I sit and reflect on all that this word represents for me in 2024, I am reminded of where it all began as a means to being my authentic self, going forward.

On April 20, 2011, I published my first Blog Post. I simply wanted a space to express what was on my mind and heart. At that time, I was experiencing some personal challenges that required me to release and relinquish my “I AM Superwoman” tendencies, and really trust God to do a miraculous thing in my life.

My first post was entitled, “How Great Is Our God.”    

It’s a quick read so be sure to check it out.

I penned this message long before cancer and divorce. Looking back, I think the entire blog was a message of preparation, preparing me for what was coming. The trials that I would experience and overcome and the success that I would achieve.

I say all of this to say, somewhere along the line, my authentic nature to talk about the goodness of God and start each morning with a prayer was replaced with posts about process, tools and the latest corporate trends about blah, blah, blah….

I’ve met some really great people throughout my years of blogging. I can honestly say that I get the most engagement when I post about God’s grace and mercy, and how it shows up for me.

If I am being truly honest with myself, embracing my authenticity means being unapologetically confident in putting God at the forefront, middle and rear of everything that I do. Spirituality is very much one of my origins of peace, and I am determined to embrace it on this blog and in my business going forward.

If you’re unaware, Origins of Peace, LLC was founded on Romans 12:18 which states, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. We first help you find peace within, and then we help you create more peaceful moments in your daily routine. We do this with intention and creativity.

Starting today, we are walking through the devotional, “Playing in the Dirt.” This is authentically how I want to start each of my days. Knowing that I’ve prayed for myself and then prayed for you, makes me feel good about being prepared for whatever may unfold throughout the day.

Ephesians 3:17-18 – I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love. 

I hope these verses serve as a reminder that there is nothing that God cannot do for you. His love overpowers any challenge or negative circumstance that may pop up in your life. From someone who experienced divorce, cancer and job loss all at the same time…God’s love was big enough to cover me entirely through that challenging time. Even when I thought there was nothing left for me, and nowhere for me to turn. God placed the right people in my life to help me make it through.

My prayer: Today Lord, I am grateful for reconnection. Thank you for bringing your word to my remembrance and helping me reconnect to you.  I’ve been too far removed from you and continuously struggling in my own strength to do things on my own terms. No longer Lord, thank you for reminding me that your word provides safety and shelter when I feel stuck or unsure. Your love provides safety for me to rest and gather my thoughts while basking in all the things that you have made beautiful for me. I love you and I thank you on this day…in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

 

 

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Today We Honor the Life of MLK Jr.

“A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus, but a molder of consensus”. ~MLK Jr.

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Faith Fuels the Vision

I am definitely one of those people who require more than a board to document my vision.

Years ago, I began creating various tools to document the vision that I could clearly see for myself.

Over the years my vision has progressed from a vision board to a vision tracker, a vision portfolio and most recently a vision station.

I’ve learned that visions are the springboard of all that awaits if we have enough discernment to nurture the vision and do the uncomfortable things to see it progress.

Have you documented your vision for 2024? If not, there’s still time to set your intentions for the new year.

Now is the prime time to declare what you want for each area of your life going forward and the good news is that you can be as basic, or as detailed as you would like, it is totally up to you.

I tend to lean toward the detailed side simply because every aspect of my life is important to me. The work that I do, all the way down to the social activities that I indulge in, it all has meaning.

With Christmas and New Years fast approaching, schedule some downtime to pause, reflect and create your vision.

If you’re in the Charlotte Metro area, the perfect opportunity to create your vision is happening today.

Join The International Center for Wellness and Inspire of the Carolina’s Inc. for a Prayer Board Workshop. You are invited to participate in this safe space of healing and creativity!

You can bring your board or use the supplied materials.

This event is in partnership with Central United Methodist Church Concord, and it takes place on Sunday, December 17th at 3pm sharp.

Please enter at 75 Church Street Concord NC. Do not go to the Union Street entrance please.

I’m making plans to be there, so I hope you will join the fun too. If you come, be sure to say hi!

Peace & Blessings,

Melissa

 

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What’s Your Theme Word for 2024?

Peace & Gratitude to You & for You.

It’s Vision Board Time! Are you ready?

Have you given any thought to what your theme word or empowering phrase for 2024 will be?

I’ve settled on the word Authentic as a point of reference for my vision.

In part, my vision for 2024 is to show up authentically as myself in all aspects of my life. I envision making connections, closing deals, getting paid, and showing up for myself and others, authentically.

This might sound simple to you, but for me this is a BIG DEAL.       

For so many years, I’ve had to put on my hypothetical corporate hat in all of my dealings.

I’ve never truly felt free to show up authentically as me, which is why I chose Renewal as my theme word for 2023. I’m so glad that I had the foresight to do that because, I’ve been able to arrive at this new place of authenticity by allowing the renewal process to unfold in my life.

I’ve done the work to replace or repair every area that was worn out, run-down, or broken. 

I am now heading into the new year and into my new season with full expectancy that it is safe for me to be me…. authentically.

 

Today, I invite you to take out your journal and simply write down all the things that you are grateful for. Who are you grateful for and what are the things that bring joy to your heart?

Expressing gratitude is the first step in creating your new vision board with purpose and intention.

With Gratitude,

Melissa

 

 

 

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Checkout Our Newest Personal Development Tool

Here’s something that you might find useful.

Lessons from Rahab is an interactive workbook packed with over 40 pages of resources and self-reflection activities that will help you get unstuck and move forward to your next chapter.

In the short video series below, I will introduce you to the four categories that are found within the workbook.

  • Understanding Your Origin Story
  • Setting Obtainable Goals
  • Moving Past Negative Influences
  • Recognizing Your Growth Opportunities

Lessons from Rahab is a great addition to add to your personal development library. Check out the videos below and let us know what you think. If you like what you hear, click the link to make your purchase!

To order Lessons from Rahab and receive a complimentary sample box of our herbal tea blends, click here.

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Grateful

May your day be filled with love. May you rest if that is what you need. I pray your environment is filled with positivity, creativity and endless opportunities for you to show up as your authentic self.

Today, I want to express my gratitude for your presence as a valued community member of Origins of Peace, LLC.
I believe in the process of Peace by Design to overcome personal and professional conflict and the power that we each have to change our life. Whether you’ve joined this community as a client, customer or someone who simply enjoys reading our newsletters and blog posts, your involvement enriches our community in many ways.
Your support and engagement add value to this community. I am truly grateful for every comment, every share, and every view.
I am committed to providing you with more enriching content and opportunities to connect. Together, we can continue the process of Peace by Design by inspiring you to Heal Recover and Grow!
As we head into the holiday season and prepare for 2024, we are doubling down on our mission to support you and provide products and services that will help you reclaim your peace and choose people, places and situations that support your mental, physical and emotional wellbeing.
Make plans to join us on December 9th at 5:30pm for our Vision Board Party. Your presence is necessary, and admission is absolutely free. Here is the link to join. 
I am accepting new clients into my Peace by Design Coaching Program. Two of our programs are currently being offered at a discount of $200 and there is a monthly option available if you prefer group coaching. Here is the link to learn more. 
Once again, thank you for being a significant part of our community. I look forward to connecting with you soon.
Make Peace A Priority,
Melissa Rivers – Founder & CEO