Author: Know Better Be Better w/Your 2nd Chance to Advance

Obedience, Discipline & Walking the Talk
Some things can’t be bottled or boxed. They’re lived, breathed and walked every single day.

That’s exactly what this post is…a breath of life🦋🦋🦋

Let’s talk obedience; not the kind tied to being controlled, but the kind rooted in self-discipline. The kind that says: “If I can’t trust myself to do what I know I need to do, then what can I be trusted with?”

We all know what it feels like to set an intention and abandon it the moment life starts life-ing. To talk the talk but stumble on the walk. And that’s okay sometimes because we’re human. But consistency is born out of obedience, and obedience is born out of love: love for self, love for purpose and love for peace.

When you walk in that kind of love, the naysayers are bound to show up. 🫤🫤🫤 Whether, loudly, silently, passively or directly, it doesn’t matter. Their main goal is to distract you.

✅ Be aware of the distractions.
✅ Disregard the opinions that don’t feed your soul or growth.
✅ And remember who gave you the assignment.

You don’t owe everyone an explanation for how you move. You don’t have to be everybody’s flavor, because you weren’t made to be. You were made to be real. And real is more than enough.

So, if you’re feeling pulled in a million directions or second-guessing yourself because someone else doesn’t “get it,” pause.

Then breathe.

Then remind yourself that you’ve come too far not to keep going.

Obedience isn’t about perfection, it’s about progress. And today, progress looks like choosing discipline over doubt and peace over pressure. 🌱

Because if you can’t trust you…who will?
And when you do trust yourself, Chile watch for the shifting🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾.

Disclaimer: This post is a personal reflection and not professional advice. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, consider reaching out to a trusted mentor, counselor, or professional support network.

#KnowBetterBeBetter #2CTA #WalkTheTalk #ObedienceIsDiscipline #TrustYourself #BeYouBoldly #ButterflyMoments #LetThemWatchYouGrow

There’s a kind of weight we carry that isn’t visible.
It doesn’t show up on a scale.
It doesn’t bruise the skin.
But it lives in our chest, our minds, our spirits.

It’s the weight of responsibility,
of roles you didn’t ask for but carry with grace,
of preparing for what you can control while praying through what you can’t.

And let me be clear: You are not weak for feeling the weight.

You are not less faithful for acknowledging that it’s heavy.
You are not ungrateful just because you’re tired.
You are not lacking in strength simply because your body needs a minute to catch up with your spirit.

I’m not worried. I’m a believer.  But belief doesn’t erase reality, it holds it.

So, today if you feel the weight, you are not alone, and you are not weak.

Let this be your gentle reminder that:

Even strong people cry.
Even peaceful souls get exhausted.
Even believers need rest.
And when the load is heavy, it’s ok to just pause and be.

Let your exhale be holy.
Let your silence be a form of strength.
Let your tears be sacred.
And let your role in all of this be enough for today.

You are still standing and that is power.

Life doesn’t come with a scoreboard for good and bad. Yet, people are quick to label, categorize, and criticize others based on standards they’ve barely met themselves.

Let’s be real, just because someone doesn’t do what you do, or believe what you believe, doesn’t make them bad. It makes them different. And different isn’t dangerous.

So much time is wasted trying to measure everyone else’s journey, but here’s the truth:
✅ You’re not someone else’s final judge.
✅ Your way isn’t the only way.
✅ And your assumptions? Probably say more about you than the person you’re judging.

Instead of nitpicking others, check yourself:

• What are my real intentions when I criticize?
• Do I hold myself to the same standards I expect from others?
• Am I really trying to help, or just trying to feel superior?

Because this too is life…the messy middle where we all fall short, all need grace, and all deserve a chance to grow.

Being “good” isn’t about being perfect.
It’s about being honest, compassionate, and open enough to recognize your own blind spots before pointing out someone else’s flaws.

So today, pause before you speak on someone else’s life. Reflect before you redirect blame. And remember, every one of us is still becoming.

Let’s make this month about growth, not judgment. Let’s start by giving others the grace we so deeply crave for ourselves. 💛

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Disclaimer:

This post is written from personal reflection and shared life experience. It’s not meant to condemn, but to challenge and uplift. We’re all on a journey, and judgment isn’t the compass that guides us forward.

#KnowBetterBeBetter #2CTA #SelfCheckSeason #LiveAndLetLive #GrowthOverJudgment #ThisTooIsLife

Some days are full of clarity, purpose, and flow and some days are just full. But every day is about presence.

You don’t have to share your whole life’s story or have everything figured out to inspire or satisfy others. Just being you and breathing through the moment is enough.

As we prepare to welcome a new month, it’s always a great time to pause and reset. Keeping in mind:

• New beginnings are always possible.
• Growth doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful.
• Your peace is worth protecting.

If your heart feels a little heavy or your mind a little scattered, give yourself grace. Step outside. Feel the sun, admire the moon and the stars. Thank God for the breath in your body and the hope in your spirit. You determine what is enough.

Every breath counts. Every small win matters. And every moment you choose peace over pressure is a victory.

Let’s walk gently into the week with faith, patience, and the knowing that joy is a choice 💛

Disclaimer: This post is written from a reflective place of peace and encouragement. Everyone’s path is different, and this space welcomes every reader with love, light, and truth.

#KnowBetterBeBetter #2CTA #BreathingRoom #FreshStart #PeaceInTheMoment #UpliftAndInspire #FaithOverPressure

Unshakable is a type of strength that doesn’t rumble or require attention. It doesn’t need the spotlight, applause, or recognition. It simply stands rooted and steady long after the storm has passed.

I was recently referred to as “unshakable,” which caused me to pause and reflect on a time in the past when someone else used that exact same word to describe me. I can’t say that I felt unshakable. I’ve worked in spaces that felt more like snake pits than places of purpose. I’ve been attacked by words, undermined by agendas, and watched people strike with precision, hoping to see me fall.  But even in the shaking, I stood.

There’s something about walking through difficult seasons, places and moments that feel like they’re meant to break you, but they actually end up building you. Whether it’s people pressures, or unpredictable life events, when you keep standing, others may assume you’re just tough. But the truth goes deeper than toughness.

• It’s faith.
• It’s wisdom.
• It’s knowing that God didn’t bring you this far just to leave you.

Being unshakable doesn’t mean you weren’t impacted. It means you were anchored.

• Anchored in purpose.
• Anchored in truth.
• Anchored in God.

Being unshakable is not about never being hurt, it’s about not letting the hurt stop you. It’s about processing the pain, learning the lesson, and still showing up with grace. When God is your foundation, you might bend, but you won’t break.

Sometimes, the most powerful warriors are the ones who walk out of the fire without ever raising their voice.

My Morning Reflections… The hardest parts of life build the deepest strength. We so often pray for strength, peace, patience, or growth, without realizing that the answer often shows up as a challenge.

How do you know you have strength if nothing ever tests it?
How can you claim faith if it’s never required?
How do you build resilience without resistance?

God grows us through experiences that push, stretch, and sometimes shake us. The old church folks used to say, “Be careful what you pray for.” But maybe the message should have been “Prepare for what you’re praying for.”

Prayers don’t just get answered with blessings, they often get answered with preparation. Sometimes, that preparation is the very thing that makes you…Unshakable.

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Disclaimer:

This post reflects my personal journey and spiritual insight. It is not intended to debate doctrine, impose beliefs, or dismiss anyone else’s lived experiences. If it resonates, receive it. If it doesn’t, feel free to scroll. 💛

Every year around springtime, we see Easter baskets, egg hunts, bunnies, and kiddos in their fresh new Easter fits. 🐣🐰👗🕺🏾

Some celebrate the day, and some don’t—each for their own reasons and beliefs. But one of the most common questions I hear is:

“What do the bunny, the egg, and Easter have to do with each other?”

“Why does the month switch between March and April?”

Well, here’s a little background on this special day, researched and shared by my friend Jay… 👇🏾

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The Christian Meaning of Easter: The Resurrection of Jesus

At the heart of Easter is a deeply sacred event: the resurrection of Jesus Christ, as told in the New Testament. Christians believe that Jesus was crucified, died, and rose again on the third day defeating death and offering the promise of eternal life.

This moment is considered the foundation of the Christian faith, symbolizing hope, victory, and spiritual rebirth.

📖 Easter is not about eggs or bunnies, it’s about new life in Christ.

The timing of Easter is based on the lunar calendar: it falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox. This formula was established by the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE (Encyclopedia Britannica).

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Pre-Christian Roots: The Spring Equinox and Fertility Festivals

Long before the resurrection was celebrated, ancient cultures held springtime festivals to mark the end of winter and the rebirth of nature. These were often associated with fertility, planting, and new life.

One such tradition comes from the Anglo-Saxon goddess Ēostre (or Ostara)—a goddess of dawn, fertility, and renewal. Her festival occurred during the spring equinox, and her symbols included rabbits (fertility) and eggs (new life) (The Venerable Bede, De Natura Rerum).

🎨 These symbols were later adopted by Western cultures and became common in Easter festivities.

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Why the Mix? Blending Pagan Traditions with Christian Meaning

As Christianity spread across Europe, early Christian leaders often adopted and repurposed existing cultural festivals to help converts transition into the faith.

Rather than eliminate local customs, they infused them with new meaning. So, the festival honoring a spring goddess gradually became the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection, while still incorporating symbols like eggs, rabbits, and flowers (History.com, “History of Easter”).

📌 The name “Easter” itself may come from the goddess Ēostre, though in many other languages the word for Easter (like Pascha in Greek and Latin) connects directly to Passover (Merriam-Webster Dictionary).

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So… Is Easter Pagan?

✅ The resurrection of Jesus is not pagan—it is the cornerstone of Christian faith.
✅ Some traditions and symbols associated with Easter do have pagan roots.

But recognizing that doesn’t take away from the spiritual power of Easter. Instead, it reminds us that God can take what already exists and give it new meaning.

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Final Reflection

For me, Easter is more than a tradition—it’s a testimony. A moment to reflect on God’s goodness, Christ’s sacrifice, and the beauty of spiritual renewal.

You can enjoy the baskets and egg hunts if you choose, but don’t lose sight of the real message: Jesus rose. He lives. And because of that, we can rise too.

No matter how others define Easter, you get to define what it means for you.

Stay rooted, stay curious, and as always… stand in your truth. 💛✝️🌿

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Sources & Citations:

• Encyclopedia Britannica: Easter
• History.com Editors. History of Easter
• The Venerable Bede, De Natura Rerum (c. 725 CE) via Fordham University Medieval Sourcebook
• Merriam-Webster Dictionary: Easter – Etymology
• New Testament (Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John)
• Council of Nicaea Reference via Christian History Institute

This week wasn’t what I thought it would be, as it wasn’t as productive as I would have liked it to have been.  I didn’t feel extra motivated and neither did I have any big breakthroughs. It was quiet. It was heavy. It was emotional. It was reflective. And honestly it was necessary.

Sometimes the reset doesn’t look like wellness influencers or goal-setting guides say it will. Sometimes, it looks like being a couch potato for a day. Eating only when your body insists. Resting because everything else feels like too much. And letting your spirit breathe without forcing it to be “okay.”

That’s where I’ve been lately, letting life be what it is while still choosing gratefulness.

Even though I wasn’t physically feeling the best, and my appetite disappeared, I still said, “thank you, Lord” daily. Not because everything felt good, but because I’m still here. I’m still standing and still pressing forward through this thing we call life.

You don’t have to pretend you’re full of energy when you’re not.
You don’t have to post when your spirit is quiet.
You don’t have to be “on” to still be anchored.

This is just a gentle reminder: Whatever your reset looks like, it counts.
Let grace meet you right where you are today.
And when you’re ready to move again—even if it’s just a little—know that you are not alone.

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#GraceToReset #HealingInProgress #FaithAndFeelings #2ndChancetoAdvance #KnowBetterBeBetter #RestIsStillProgress #PeaceInThePause

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📝 Disclaimer:
This post is a general reflection on emotional wellness and the importance of rest. While inspired by personal thoughts, it is not a direct reference to any specific event or situation. 

Some days I wake up and think, “Today, I’m getting everything done.” And somewhere between the first load of laundry and all other things life, I’m reminded that not everything is meant to be done in a day.  

I’ve spent years mastering multitasking. Holding it all together was a survival skill—especially as a woman, a caregiver, a homemaker, and a lover of life. A lot of it was from being OCD and a deep desire to keep things in order. As life continues to evolve, I’m learning to manage that need and not allow it to manage me.  This could also be attributed to the fact that I’m getting older and have more physical limitations as well as learning that peace doesn’t live in perfection. 

It’s okay if the to-do list rolls into tomorrow. It’s okay if everything isn’t fully organized at the end of the day, what matters most is:

• Did I breathe deeply and count my blessings?
• Did I pour love into someone today?
• Did I make space for joy, not just productivity?

We were never created to do it all, but to do what matters most, with intention.

So if you feel fulfilled in your soul, that’s enough.  That’s life. That’s grace. That’s growth.

Here’s to letting go a little more, embracing the mess in the beauty, and calling it a beautiful start to a beautiful weekend. 💛

Disclaimer: This post is written from personal reflection and lived experience. If you’re navigating OCD or any mental health challenge, know that seeking support is always a sign of strength.

#KnowBetterBeBetter #2CTA #GraceInTheFlow #LetGoOfPerfect #WeekendVibes #LivingWithIntention #YouGotThis

The cycles of life… they’re never-ending, and they never really slow down. There’s always something to do or somewhere to be. One moment I’m handling business or taking care of domestic duties, and the next, I’m giving myself permission to relax, reflect, and regroup.

I’m not in control of every twist and turn in my life and that’s okay. To stay stress-free, I’ve learned to move with the rhythm of life, recognizing when it’s time to push and when it’s time to pause.

Common Life Stressors

(Source: American Psychological Association – Stress in America, Mayo Clinic – Stress Symptoms)

• Major life transitions (grief, divorce, relocation, new jobs)
• Financial pressures and budgeting challenges
• Health concerns (personal or loved ones’)
• Overcommitment or lack of rest
• Caregiving responsibilities
• Relationship or family tension
• Workplace stress or job dissatisfaction
• Unspoken expectations and the pressure to “do it all”

Stress doesn’t always come from chaos, it can come from carrying too much in silence.

Practical Ways to Counter Common Life Stressors

(Source: Mayo Clinic, American Psychological Association, Mental Health America)

• Major Life Transitions: Build a support system. Talk to a trusted friend, therapist, or support group. Journaling or creating small routines can help ground you during major change. (Mayo Clinic – Coping with Grief)
• Financial Pressures: Create a realistic budget. Use free budgeting tools and seek financial counseling if needed. (Mental Health America – Finances & Mental Health)
• Health Concerns: Stay informed, not overwhelmed. Partner with your healthcare provider, explore lifestyle changes, and celebrate small wins. (APA – Stress and Health)
• Overcommitment or Lack of Rest: Set boundaries and say “no” when needed. Time-block your day with non-negotiable rest periods. (APA – Time Management Tips)
• Caregiving Responsibilities: Take respite breaks and ask for help. Look into local respite care or community resources. (Mayo Clinic – Caregiver Stress)
• Relationship or Family Tension: Prioritize open, respectful communication. Consider counseling or journaling to release emotion. (Mental Health America – Healthy Relationships)
• Workplace Stress: Step outside, take short walks, or do a 2-minute breathing exercise. Talk to HR when needed. (APA – Work, Stress and Health)
• Unspoken Expectations: Challenge perfectionism. Replace “I have to” with “I choose to.” Focus on progress, not perfection. (APA – Perfectionism and Mental Health)

Common Effects of Stress on the Body

(Source: Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic)

• Headaches & fatigue – Tension headaches and exhaustion are common.
• Digestive issues – Nausea, acid reflux, and disrupted gut health.
• Increased blood pressure & heart rate – The fight-or-flight response elevates both.
• Muscle tension & chronic pain – Especially in the shoulders, neck, and back.
• Weakened immune system – Prolonged stress lowers your resistance.
• Sleep disruptions – Can cause insomnia or excessive sleep.
• Mood changes – Irritability, sadness, anxiety, or emotional exhaustion.

The Good News: Small Actions Make a Big Difference

• Step outside for fresh air.
• Dance to your favorite playlist.
• Enjoy a guilt-free moment of stillness.
• Laugh, cook, clean, cry, write—whatever brings release.

Life isn’t meant to be perfect—it’s meant to be lived. Whether you’re in full-on grind mode or chilling in your peace zone with a homemade cocktail in one hand and clarity in the other—remember: you’re allowed to reset. You’re allowed to rest. And you’re allowed to flow.

“Because that’s what life is—a cycle. And the more you lean in, the better you ride it.”💛

Disclaimer: This post is based on personal experience and reflection and is not a substitute for medical or mental health advice. If stress becomes overwhelming, please consider speaking with a healthcare provider.#LifeCycles #KnowBetterBeBetter #2CTA #ManagingStress #RideTheWaves #PeaceInTheProcess #YouGotThis

I come from a big family, I have a big family, and I married into a big family. Over the years, I’ve learned that there’s nothing more fulfilling than spending quality time with the people who know you, love you, and laugh with you.

Some of my best memories are filled with good food, games, music, dancing, movies, laughs, and lots of picture taking😁😁😁 It’s healing ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹 in places that medication can’t touch.  It doesn’t have to be a special occasion to create new and warmhearted memories.

By the way…if you’re not invited to someone else’s celebration, have your own❣️Life is too short to wait for an invitation.  

I love cooking for my family and friends, and they love my cooking, more often than not 😆😆😆.  Whether it’s a pot of something homemade, grilling in the backyard, or chilling near the fire pit, it’s always a good time.  

My house is a home, a space where every room radiates peace.  A home away from home for many and a place where love and laughter reside.

Be sure to take a minute to reflect on or doing something that brings you joy today (nothing illegal, 🤦🏽‍♀️ immoral 🤦🏽‍♀️ or unsafe 🤦🏽‍♀️).

Whether it’s a party of twenty or a cozy night with just you, fill the space with love, and memories worth keeping. At the end of the day, it’s about how full your heart feels when it’s all said and done. 💛

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Disclaimer: The reflections shared in this post are based on personal experiences and beliefs. They are not intended as advice but rather a heartfelt perspective on the value of love, laughter, and connection.

#FamilyTime #FriendsAreFamily #JoyInTogetherness #KnowBetterBeBetter #2CTA #FullHeartsAndFullPlates #ChooseJoy #LiveLifeFully