In case you haven't noticed, I haven't posted in a few months now. Not only was I plagued by a bad case of writer's block, but I also watch my social life implode and rebuild within a matter of a few months (more on that later). Needless to say, that wasn't the best environment for proper blog content, but that's okay, because I'm back for the New Year. Not only am I surer of my identity as a blogger, but I now plan to unveil my plan for this blog. Don't worry I'm not planning on making some mega big changes like last year, but I am planning on doing a bit of rebranding.

To be totally honest I was sorta hesitant to post this piece because it was so personal and I, like others, don't want to be guilty of forcing my beliefs on others. However, after I got over the need to be politically correct I realized that this was an opportunity to reach others since this is something that makes me, me. As some of you guys know from watching my YouTube channel, I am a Christian who believes that Jesus came to this Earth, died, and then was resurrected on the third day.
Anyway, at the start of every year, my church does 21 days of prayer and fasting. Now that we've hit the start of 2018 it is time for this to start back up, and I'm super excited because it is a super powerful time. I wanted to go ahead and address here on my blog because this is my little space on the internet - meaning I shouldn't be afraid to fill it how I want.

1| What is it? 

A question I tend to get asked is what is it exactly and why would I want to do this? Firstly, this is a period of three weeks in which I choose to give up something that I believe prevents me from all that God has for me. The first thing to know though is that fasting isn't limited to food. It can be applied to a multitude of things in our life. A few things that immediately come to mind are social media, music, games, the news, and TV/Netflix. Basically, anything that distracts you can be fasted. For more information on Soul fasts, check out this page which details it and other types of fasts wonderfully.

2| Why?

Another question I tend to get asked is why. Why would I choose to forgo something that I enjoy? My simplest answer is that like many things in life they are good in moderation, but sometimes as you continue to use (and overuse them) the line between good and bad blurs. The purpose of fasting specifically in this sense is to give me the opportunity to draw closer to God. For when you choose to remove certain things from your life you allow yourself to refocus your gaze on God. This will be the third year that I participate in this, and I can truly say that it is powerful! It's crazy how God moves when you choose to give more time to Him and sit humbly awaiting His word.

giving up M U S I C

With that being said I decided that this year I would give up secular music for 21 days. I've known for a while that it has been impacting my life, mostly because of the type of music that I tended to be interested in. This is not to say that all music should be God-focused, but shows that the type of music you fill your head with can impact your mood and emotions. I know that for me personally, music is a way that I express myself. I like to say that I have a song for every moment that life hits me with.

Normally when you hear something as drastic as that you scoff and think how is she going to do that? In all honesty, like with my other goals I have to do some preparation before it's "showtime". The first thing that had to go was my current playlists. I make my Spotify playlists in 3-month increments meaning January gave me a fresh playlist that had yet to be filled. My first step was to go ahead and give myself a few starter songs for the year that I had enjoyed from the past year.

I also knew that I would need music for my car because I knew I wouldn't be able to exist on jazz music alone, especially when my daily rides to school were about to start back up. That is why I went ahead and created a playlist on Amazon Prime Music for my rides to school. Now you're probably wondering why I chose Amazon prime instead of spotify. Even though I love both apps I simply can't bring myself to spend the money to have Spotify premium. Without premium you are only able to listen to music with the shuffle feature on, which I can't stand since I set my playlists up to follow the amount of time it normally takes for me to reach school. I live about 12 minutes away and if I don't speed that means I'll be able to listen to 3 songs. I like to have 2 sped up songs and then one slow song to get myself centered for the school day and shuffle just doesn't allow me to do that. Anyway, with that being said I created a playlist on Amazon prime and have linked it below. There are a few songs left out simply because again I refuse to pay for amazon music unlimited, but this will hopefully hold me over for the next 3 weeks.

filling up on P R A Y E R and H I S  W O R D

With that being said what am I going to be replacing the time that I would've spent listening to music? I'm taking these 3 weeks as an opportunity to really allow myself to delve deeper into the Bible by applying myself to finish a bible study from the Bible app in this time. I already have a prayer journal, but during this time I want to be more consistent and actually write in it daily (or as close to daily as I can).

Happy New Year! I can't believe we've hit 2018. To be totally honest I was feeling a bit crummy, but I wasn't about to allow myself to forgo posting on the first day of the year. 

For many of us, the first day of the new year is a symbol for a new page, a clean slate. That is why I want to issue a challenge to you, in the hope that this year will be your best one yet. :)

1 | This Year is What You Make of It

First and foremost this year is what you make it. I'm tired of hearing your excuses. I'm tired of hearing about what is preventing you from achieving your goals. Instead of throwing a pity party for one, redirect that energy into your work, or into your sport, and actively work towards achieving your goals. Write them down! The power of a new year isn't that we get to change our calendars, it's that for one day of the year we all believe that change is possible. For one day we all believe that we have the power to take control of our destinies and actually make change happen. I don't care if the world could burn tomorrow because of North Korea or Trump or ISIS, and maybe that is me being naive, but I'm tired of allowing things that are meant to divide prevent me from going about my life. In the end, your mentality is everything. It will color every single decision that you make an either enable or prevent you from pursuing your dreams. Choose hope. Choose to not let the magic to end, even after we settle back into our routines and the glitter has been cleaned off times square.

2 | Change Starts With YOU

Somehow we've gotten it all wrong. The magic of the New Year isn't in the fact that we get to change our calendars or take a cute picture on Instagram. Every day isn't promised, so we have to stop taking for granted the life that we have for like James 4:14 (NIV) states

"Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."

Even if you don't believe in the power of the Bible you can probably agree that life is short. This isn't meant to scare you or reaffirm your belief in your own mortality. If anything this is meant to show that you should use this year for something. We have the power to enact change on this Earth. We saw it last year when people stood in solidarity with others, and while change doesn't have to happen in a monumental way it can change the way you use your 24 hours each day. We can use our time for the better by working to change the lives of others less fortunate than ourselves. Every day that we wake up we are given an opportunity to find another life to touch. Whether that be by paying for the coffee in front of us or holding the door open for the couple behind you. Find a way to impact a life this year, because, in the end, it will find a way to impact you.

3| Be Appreciative of Those Around You

This year choose to appreciate the people you surround yourself with. If there's one thing that the events of last year taught me, it's that life is precious. Never ever take it for granted because life can be snatched up in a second.  Appreciate those around you and show that you care for them because nobody cares what you have to say until they know that you care about them. Even if that means allowing them to win that dumb argument or letting go of the baggage you've carried for years. Choose to smile even when it hurts. Choose to laugh at your granddad's corny jokes. Choose to hug your parents and friends tight. Choose to tell them that you love them because you don't want to let life past you by. Most of all though to choose to cherish them because they matter.

4| Small Things Matter

Wiffle Gifs

This year choose to not get caught up in the big picture. One thing my mother has told me repeatedly over the years is to not rush growing up. Sometimes we're so interested in reaching the destination we forget to enjoy the sites on the way. I hate how cheesy it sounds, but the journey truly is more important than the destination, because without the journey the destination doesn't matter. The journey builds character. The journey allows you to see life for what it is. Life is beautiful. Life can make you cry, laugh, and smile all within the span of a day. With that in mind enjoy your cheat day. Watch that movie and go out on that date. Don't forget why you're working. Enjoy yourself, because like I said before you only have one life to live.