Reflections to Help You Take Charge of the New Year

Time to say goodbye to 2025 and prepare for 2026. Can you believe it? This year flew by for me - again. And I'm sure for you too. Before we usher in the New Year, I am a firm believer in taking time to reflect on the year that is ending to bring closure and to revisit our priorities to see where we might need to make adjustments for the year ahead.

Every year does not go as planned and we have to be willing to deal with whatever comes our way. This is where a spiritual practice is vital. Life can throw us a curve ball and a strong spiritual practice can help us navigate life's unexpected challenges with more grace and faith. 

                

Here are some questions to ponder before we jump feet first into 2026.  I'll share my honest answers with you as well. 

1. What are some good things you accomplished this year? Here are a few of mine. 

My son moved back home in February after 12 years in Texas. Things haven't been as smooth as I would have liked but distance does affect connection and communication. 

Was able to visit sunny Florida again in the Spring. Love Siesta Key Beach. It was more crowded than usual due to the change in school vacation schedules this time. 

In September, went on a girls' retreat to Hilton Head, SC with a good friend. We had a great time, being relieved of all of our daily duties and responsibilities and had someone else cook for us. 

What fun positive events happened in your life in 2025?

2. Did you learn something new? Try something new? Buy something new? 

Replaced my entire HVAC system in June! A big deal but not as big as I had imagined. Mostly researching the various options, companies, and brands. It was 22 years old so it did well for many years. Lesson: when you start worrying about whether something is going to break down, it's time to buy new. That includes appliances, cars, etc. 

Learned a new calligraphy lettering style called Square Capitals and used it making Christmas cards this year. It is a fun and mindful activity as well as creative. 

Spent time practicing my Spanish for my upcoming trip to Spain in 2026. There is a lot to learn about the idiosyncrasies of a new language, that is for sure.  

Started a new exercise routine that I experienced at Hilton Head Health. TRX. Have you tried it? I am seeing results already and am excited about working out again. 

How about you? What new thing did you try, buy or do this year?

3. What lessons did you learn this year?

Relationships can be very draining, particularly family. If someone you love is draining you, it's time for firmer boundaries and a time out. Make self-care a top priority. 

My peace and my joy don't depend on other people's behavior. It depends on my behavior. It is a choice to make peace and joy a top priority. And remember, you can't have joy unless you first have peace. 

Some things only God can fix, try as I might. My own efforts are often futile. When you get frustrated, let go and let God. Works every time. 

What lessons did you learn this year?

4.  Who did you connect with this year? 

Online bloggers and social media personalities which has been fun. The world is connected via the Internet. 

My nephews and cousins who live out of state. Been having some good conversations so that is a blessing. 

5. How did you use your time this year?

We make our plans and our goals, but sometimes our time is not our own. When we are working we have a schedule and deadlines or quotas to meet. When we retire, other responsibilities like elderly relatives, health issues, and finances take our time. The key is to accept the will of God, do whatever is right in front of you, and trust God's timing. With a smile. 

Finally created an audiobook for my first book, "The Power of Faith: a journey to healing, wholeness, and harmony." Ebook available on Google Books and audiobook on Google Play So excited to have accomplished that. Am currently working on reformatting this ebook to get it onto other platforms. It is on Amazon Kindle already. 

Updated my Mediterranean cookbook, over 160 pages of deliciousness including several ethnicities. Order your digital copy today for only $24.99 using Zelle and my email address arielpaz08@gmail.com and I'll get it right out to you to start cooking fun!

For Reflection

As the New Year begins, what adjustments do you need to make? What can you let go of? Control? A relationship? What is it that you truly would like to accomplish or embrace in the New Year? 

I hope you were encouraged by this post. If so, do pass this on to a friend who could use a bit of encouragement. I am looking to increase readership and I need your help. All they have to do is enter their email address in the box provided. They'll also receive a copy of my free e-guide, "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path. We're all on a spiritual journey and sometimes we have to take a different route. 

Stay tuned for more practical and positive wisdom on igniting the power within and discovering YOUR destiny!

Wishing you a Happy and Healthy New Year and remember - 

Keep looking up!

Ariel Paz

 

3 Ways to Empower Your Life

Transformation. We've been talking about walking in faith for a few weeks now. What do you want to transform your life? Your relationships? Your future? Your body? This week I'm sharing a powerful technique you can implement today to help you walk in faith and see your life transformed. I'm talking about the power of your WORDS. 

Words are powerful. We know that. They can lift us up or tear us down. They can motivate and push us forward in life. We must be selective - say "Selective" - in the words and thoughts we use to ourselves and to others. I trust that my words encourage and inspire you. So today we'll be taking a look at 3 ways our words can empower us and give us focus so that we can walk in instead of fear . 

                          

1. Combat negativity and doubt
There is so much negativity that comes at us in this world. Negative relatives. Negative news. Negative thoughts. It's a battle - for sure - to stay positive. It is especially important to think on positive thoughts when we are going thru a tough time. When we lose a job. When we get sick. When a loved one leaves. This is when our spiritual practice - our Faith - pays off because life isn't always a bed of roses. 

Thoughts will always come. Who knows where they come from but it is our WORDS that are make the difference. This is why it is so important to speak out words of faith and hope and encouragement. This is what faith is all about - speaking out what we do not see. "I will be healed", "I will be successful". "I will get through this." "I will rejoice and be glad." "Today is a gift." These thoughts will guide our thoughts and our steps forward. 

2. Have a Vision
We must have a vision for our lives. Someone once said "If you don't know where you're going, any path will take you there." We must be intentional in our choices. We don't have to have it all planned out but we do need a vision. 

I want a family. I want to be healed. I want to earn a good income. I want to serve others. The Words says that "He will give you the desires of your heart." What is the desire of your heart, dear one? Are you focused on your past or on your future? I believe each day is a gift from God to fulfill the plan he has for us for good and not for evil. Ask yourself "Who can I be a blessing to today?" God will bless us when we take the focus off of ourselves and bless others. 

3. Be Intentional

We must be intentional with our words. Yes, it takes effort, but if we want to move forward and see our family move forward we have to be intentional in building each other up. I used to tell my son "You can be anything you want to be. You can be the President of the United States if you want to." I was trying to give him a vision for his life, to inspire and encourage him since his dad was never around to do so. 

As we age, it is even more important to have goals and a vision. Some call it purpose. I call it destiny. I don't want to look back on my life and ask did my life really matter? Sure, I was successful. I raised two sons as a single parent. I got a masters degree while going thru a separation and divorce. I endured a stressful career for 33 yrs. I overcame numerous health issues by the grace of God, but writing these blogs posts to encourage others and share what I have learned about the power of Faith is what is really important to me today. My spiritual gift is the gift of Faith which is the foundation of my life. This blog is part of my legacy.

Someone once told me "If you encourage one person, you will have done your job." My goal is to inspire you to develop the power of Faith in YOUR OWN life because life is tough and we need supernatural power to overcome life's challenges.  

For Reflection

What words are you speaking to and about yourself? Others? Are they positive and faith-filled? This week try and catch what you are saying about yourself and maybe, put a positive spin on it. You are rewiring your brain at the same time which is good news. 

If you enjoyed this post, consider joining our community by entering your email in the box above. You'll receive my weekly posts plus a copy of my free e-guide entitled "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path". Check out my offerings on Pinterest and my newest book on spiritual growth, "Ignite the Power Within: 10 Steps to Supercharge Your Spiritual Growth",  available at your favorite online bookstore and thru my website. Simply email me at arielpaz08@gmail.com and I'll get it right out to you!

Stay tuned for part two on this topic next week to help you ignite the power within and discover YOUR destiny!

Until next time, keep smiling and keep looking up!

Ariel Paz

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Transform Your Life - Part 1

What is it you would like to see transformed in your life today? Do you want to lose weight? Be more assertive?  Get a handle on your finances? No matter what our circumstances we can transform our lives. We each have a secret power within us - I like to call it our spiritual muscle - that when exercised properly - can bring about miracles you never thought possible. 

What kind of change would you like to make? You have the power to do or be anything you desire even if you've tried and failed many times before. We've all been there and done that, I can assure you. But this time can be different. 

If you want to renew your zest for life, it's time to transform it! We were meant to move forward in life, not stay at the boring status quo. When we stop learning and growing and changing, we become stagnant, bored, lethargic, joyless. Since this blog is about personal and spiritual growth, today I want to inspire you to take the first step towards transforming YOUR life!

Get Really Clear
First, we have to get really clear on what we want our life to look like, not just for the here and now, but for the long haul. Really take some time to decide what your most important values are because our values drive our decisions and our decisions determine our actions. For example, when I was growing up, in a single family home, I decided I wanted to be able to support myself and not have to depend on a man to support me. That meant I had to study hard, get good grades and go to college so I could get a decent paying job. That one decision structured the path of my entire life. 

What would you like to change in your life? A job? A relationship? Start a new endeavor like learning a new language or perhaps taking a course to get a better job? What would really light your fire?

Now is the time 

Often we procrastinate and put off taking action on things that could change our life. We make excuses like "I'm too busy" or "Maybe next month" or "I don't know how to proceed." These, my friend, are all excuses. There is no better day than today to take action on your goals. 

Contrary to what some say about old dogs and new tricks, I believe most people can change anything if they really want to. To stay young at heart, vibrant, and alive we must keep growing and improving our lives. I believe this is you which is why you joined our community and I am your personal cheerleader!

The Very First Step 
Perhaps you've tried before and failed. Or you just don't know where or how to start. As with any journey, the first step is always the most important. Now you may be thinking the first step involves some sort of action. But I want to challenge that perception. What you may or may not realize is this: the first step in any journey, change, or forward movement in life begins with a decision.

That's right. A decision. What really determines whether you are going to succeed or fail in your endeavor, is the commitment to your decision. In other words, it is the strength of your resolve to your decision that energizes you to take action.

The key is commitment. So what do you have to have to do in order to commit to something? What is the one thing you absolutely have to have in order to follow through? I think you may know the answer to this question. The answer is this:

FAITH. 

You need to activate the power of faith. Faith propels us into action and keeps us going.  We must believe in ourselves, in others, and in the power of God to transform our lives. Nothing, and I do mean absolutely nothing happens without faith. Faith is the foundation to any successful undertaking.

If you've tried before and failed, don't sit on the sidelines. We've all failed at some point in life so join the club, but don't throw in the towel. Check out this video on famous people who have failed miserably in life and see how it makes you feel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Y6hz_s2XIAU

For reflection 
What is it that you would like to accomplish in your life? What change would you like to see? Are you willing to step out of your comfort zone?  Have you made a strong commitment to your goal? Do comment below. I love hearing from you. 

If you enjoyed this post and would like to join our community, enter your email in the box provided. You'll receive my weekly thought-provoking posts as well as a copy of my free eguide "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path". 

Stay tuned for part two on this mini-series to learn more about how you can transform your life, ignite the power within and discover YOUR destiny!

Keep looking up!

Ariel Paz 

5 Reasons to Reflect on the Past Year

2020 is in the history books. It was a tough year to be sure, but tough times are usually full of important life lessons but only if we take the time to reflect and recognize them.  My question for you today is "Have you jumped feet first into the New Year without making time to reflect on last year?"  Life, especially 2020, has many lessons to teach us, but if we are to grow we must make time to recognize what those lessons are. Reflection is an important skill to master if we want to glean the lessons of our day, our week, and our year. Today I'm sharing some important reasons why we should make time for reflection and some thought-provoking questions to help us all have more joy, more peace, and be more fruitful in the New Year.

1. Learn our lessons 
So much happens in the course of a day, a month, and a year, yet often, we don't take the necessary time to reflect and process the events we have experienced and the emotions we have felt. We bury them without processing them or learning from them and we miss the opportunity to grow personally, emotionally,  and spiritually. We set ourselves us to repeat the lesson and the pain when we do this. 

2. Heal our Hurting Soul
Reflection offers us an opportunity to heal our souls.  Our souls are here to learn, to grow, and to heal. If we don't learn the lessons, we are doomed to repeat the same scenarios over and over. We won't move forward in life and we won't have the joy of seeing our dreams come true. We must learn the lessons at hand before we can move forward. Every hurt, every challenge, every difficulty is an opportunity for us to grow and heal our souls.

3. Take Personal Responsibility 
I've come to realize that no one else is holding me back except me. It is my failure to learn the spiritual and emotional lessons before me that keeps me stuck. We can blame our parents, our bosses, the Democrats, or God but the truth is, we alone are responsible for where we are in life. When we keep ourselves too busy, we don't leave time to process our days or reflect on our behaviors and emotions. Our choices determine our destiny. When we make time to be still and reflect, the answers will come. The truth reveals itself. "You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free." (John 8:32). 

4. Gain Clarity. 
Decisions become more and more important the older we get. They also get harder. Each decision moves us either forward or keeps us stuck. It is important to reevaluate our beliefs and our values every so often and the new year is a perfect time to do so. We change. What we once may have considered important may not be so important today. The people we associated with yesterday might not be who we want to hang with today. Reflection is like a GPS that shows us the route ahead. I've heard it said "If you don't know where you're going, any path will get you there."

5. Choose Faith over Fear
I have found that fear keeps me stuck and faith moves me forward. It is easy to stay in our comfort zones, doing the same thing and being miserable. Fear keeps us from changing. Faith is the fuel that moves us forward in life. It motivates us to take action and to step out of our comfort zones. We must have faith not only in God, but in ourselves and others. We are each equipped with everything we need to be successful and happy in this life. It is up to us to take action to get there. "Faith without works is dead". (James 2:26).

As the years go by, I want to have more joy, more peace, more fulfillment and more fun  - don't you? But first we have to clean up the messes we all have in our lives. 

For Reflection
Get a journal. A spiral notebook will do the job just fine. Journaling our thoughts and emotions helps us to get in touch with our thoughts, feelings, fears, dreams and desires. It is a private process we don't have to share with anyone else. It is healthy to get our emotions - especially the negative ones -out on paper otherwise they get stuck in our minds and bodies. Emotions are energy and we only want positive energy in both. 

Here are a few questions to get you started in your quiet time:

What did I do that made me feel happy this year?

What brought me joy?

What happened that made me sad, stressed, or anxious?

Who did I enjoy spending time with?

Who would I rather spend less time with?

What activities brought forth fruit?

What activities are no longer bearing fruit?

What did I learn this year?

What new skills or habits did I develop?

What goals did I achieve that made me feel good about myself?

What projects would I like to be involved in next year?

What one goal would I like to see become reality in the New Year?

The answers to these questions will determine our destiny for the next year and possibly longer. Give careful time and thought to answering them. Don't overthink. Simply write down whatever pops into your head. If an answer doesn't come readily, move on to the next question. Some need time to percolate.

You'll notice that most of these questions are "I" related. Often we tend to do things to please other people - our parents, our boss, our spouse - but neglect what makes us truly happy. It is great to be of service to others, which is one of the reasons I write this blog, but it also makes me happy. It's a win-win.What about you?

Lastly, I want to thank you for being a member of this community and for reading my blog posts. I hope they have encouraged, inspired, and motivated you to be the best you can be. I wish you a spectacular 2021 and may this be the year you catapult into your DESTINY!

If you enjoyed this post and would like to join our community and receive my weekly posts, enter your email in the box provided. You'll also receive a copy of my free e-guide "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path". 

Stay tuned for more practical and positive wisdom to help you ignite the power within!

Keep looking up!

Ariel Paz 

How to Discover Your Destiny - Part 2

Last week we talked about finding our destiny and purpose in life. Some people just fall into theirs almost by accident early on but many of us have to be prepared to enter our destiny. In other words, we have to go through stuff, so today I'm sharing on how to use the power of Faith to find your purpose. First a personal story as an example. 

Personal Story

Although grateful for the job my step-dad and ex-husband helped me get in IT, it was not the job of my dreams nor was it suited to my personality and skills. I listened to other people - took courses in computers, etc - because I thought they knew more than I did since they were 1) older 2) more experienced 3) men. They guided me in what they thought was best, not in what was best for me. This is a key point - find a job that is BEST for YOU - your temperment, your lifestyle, your personality and only YOU know these things. 

Long story short, the stress of being a single parent coupled with trying to maintain my job and please a variety of difficult bosses in a male-oriented culture, (no offense intended) along with several major losses in one year, plus going through the change of life, led to exhaustion, illness, and burn-out. The mind and the body can only take so much stress and mine had been telling me enough is enough but I wasn't listening. I was too focused on getting to that retirement date. I had planned on retiring the following year and was excited about pursuing my book-writing as a side-hustle. Little did I know, I would be retiring that year instead. 

But God knew what was ahead for me. He prepared the way for me and whatever situation you find yourself in, He has prepared the way for you too. 

You Are Not Here By Accident
There is a grand plan and we each have a part in it. We will never be truly fulfilled until we find out what that part is. And we do that by listening to that still small voice inside. The same small voice that told me to become a writer and start blogging. 

                                

Discover Your Gifts 

What is it you enjoy doing? When do you get lost in the moment and lose track of time? What brings a sense of meaning and purpose to your life? How can I use my gifts to be of service to others? These are all questions to ask ourselves. In my case, people had been telling me for years to write a book because of all the stories I told about my life. 

Be fully committed. 

As in any successful endeavor, be it a marriage or a job, we must be fully committed to seeing it through. Sure there will be obstacles to overcome, but we must persevere if we want to see results. We cannot be double-minded or wishy-washy. We must be faithful to whatever we are called to do at the time. 

Learn the Lessons 

We each have lessons to learn at every season of life. I believe God does not move us to the next level until we have learned the lessons of a particular season. The lesson my last boss taught me was "Take care of yourself first". 

For some reason, it takes me a long time to learn my lessons. Perhaps it is because I had so much to heal from in my past. Only God knows. Often we are so caught up living life, we don't spend much time in reflection and so we fail to recognize the lessons before us. 

Let go of the outcome. 

There is one more thing we must - absolutely MUST do if we want to enjoy this journey. And that is to let go of the outcome. You know. Making a million dollars. Becoming a best-seller. Discovering the cure for cancer. Finding a mate. Saving the world. All we have to do is our part - however big or small it may be. 

Let go of the outcome. It is not up to us to determine the outcome. It is only up to us to show up and do our part. Day in and day out. Year in and year out. It's called being faithful. And above all, do it with joy. We must learn to be content, as author Iyanla Vanzant says, "in the meantime".

Keep the Faith 

This is where Faith comes in. You knew I'd fit this in somewhere, didn't you? Faith is the key to miracles, success, healing, joy and ultimately our destiny. We must be willing to step out of the boat and take that leap of Faith regardless of whether we see the path clearly in front of us or not. You better believe it was hard to step out of the boat I had been in for 33 years but I am so glad I did!

We do not have to have it all mapped out. Nor do we need a crystal ball. All we have to do is take that next step. God rewards Faith. Remember the story of Abraham and Isaac? Well, then. I rest my case.

For Reflection
What dream burns in your bosom? What gifts would you like to share with the world? What problem would you like to help solve? We are never too old to pursue our purpose so don't give me that "I'm too old to discover my destiny" baloney. You are reading this because this is exactly your time. Do comment below and share YOUR thoughts. I love hearing from you!

I hope something has stirred up in you. Find your passion. Find your purpose and most of all, find yourself! And if you enjoyed this article, join our community. Enter your email address in the box provided. You'll receive my weekly posts plus a copy of my free eguide "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path".

Stay tuned for more positive and practical wisdom to help you discover YOUR destiny!

Until next time, keep looking UP!

Ariel Paz 

How to Discover Your Destiny - Part 1

Do you ever wonder why you were put on this earth? What your purpose in life is? Perhaps you are stuck in a nowhere job like I was for years, working to pay the bills and support the family, but inside empty and unfulfilled. We each have a destiny and a purpose, but sometimes it takes years for us to figure out what it is. Today's post is about helping you find your destiny and living the fulfilling life you deserve. So let's dig in...

What makes you happy? Going on a nice trip or vacation? Engaging in your favorite hobby, pastime, or sport? Being recognized at work? Sure these all might be enjoyable for the moment, but what I'm asking is what really makes you happy down deep inside? Something that has ETERNAL value. Ever think about that?

Sadly, many never stop to think about such things until disaster strikes and gets their attention. When we realize that everything we have worked so hard for could be wiped out in a matter of minutes, the light bulb goes on and we stop and think. Is what I am doing really worthwhile?

Life is tenuous. It can be snuffed out in an instant. If your life is not making you happy, change it. You have the power and the ability to change whatever you wish. Life is too short to be miserable. Don't settle for the victim woe-is-me mentality.

Here in Maryland we had two tornedo threats this past week. Now tornedos are not something we usually see in Maryland, so it was "an event". As I watched the ominous dark clouds move like the pestilence over my house, I contemplated my life. Life as I know it could be taken out just like that except for the grace and mercy of God.

We all have gifts and talents to offer the world.
I came to the conclusion that what really makes me happy  is what I'm doing now - writing to encourage others. It is my way of giving back and contributing to the world. I hope many people are reading these posts and that I am impacting their lives, but if only one person is encouraged, inspired, or touched then it is worth all my time and effort. It is my offering, so to speak. We all have something we can offer to the world.

Sometimes, our destiny does not unroll like a tapestry before us. We have to be prepared to walk in our purpose. In other words, we have to be healed so we can then focus on being of service.

I think there is a progression to our lives. As I've said before, life is a school and we each have our lessons to learn. This lesson learning often causes our lives veer in another direction before circling back. Not to fret. Everything is for our good and for our growth. Our gifts, like my writing, may lie dormant for years, and then, suddenly appear. We develop a passion for something and it drives us forward. It is our time.

I never had a clue that I would become a writer, create a blog, and publish my own books. I remember getting a 'C' on an English paper in college and was mortified. Who would have thought I would become a writer years later? 

It really is quite magical how this process evolves. Yet God is still in the healing business. As we learn our lessons, we gain insight into what we would really like to do, what goals we would like to achieve, and who we would like to become. Put your gifts to use in some way and they will lead you to your purpose and your destiny.

We are meant to be of service. 

Becoming aware of our unique gifts is the beginning. The next step is to find a way to use them to help or serve others in some way. We are each put here for a purpose and that is to help heal our hurting world. We find a deep sense of connection, gratitude, and purpose which I believe are the ultimate keys to personal happiness and fulfillment.

For Reflection
So again, I ask you - are you happy now? If not, what would make you truly and deeply happy? What change could you make to be more in love with life? Leave a comment below. I'd love to hear from you. 

If you would like to join our blog community, enter your email address in the box provided. You'll receive my weekly posts plus a copy of my free e-guide entitled "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path".   always welcome your comments and feedback.

Stay tuned for more positive and practical insights to help us all find healing, wholeness, health, and harmony. Until next time, I wish you joy and happiness and as always,

Keep looking up!

Ariel Paz

How to Find Purpose in the Pandemic

The Covid-19 Virus really changed our lives. Our schedules have been disrupted. People are confined to their homes. No more sports to watch. No dining out. No going to the gym. It has added more stess and worry to our already harried lives. What to do now that life has finally slowed down? 

Today I would like to suggest this is an opportune time to reprioritize our lives. Stop and smell the roses, as my youngest would say. Just be. And think about your life. Most of us are on autopilot much of the day and then when our head hits the pillow we think "Where did the day go?" But there is another way. 

After 33 years of working in a demanding job that yes, brought in the paycheck to help me support my family as a single mom, yet I was not fulfilled. I did not feel my work was rewarding enough. Perhaps you are in a similiar situation. Do what I did - find fulfillment in a side gig. I taught ballroom dancing, yoga, and step aerobics. I facilitated Bible study groups. And finally, I started blogging. You don't have to quit your day job, but good for you if you can. The key is to find joy in something which will lead to finding your destiny. 

But we have to slow down first. And that is the gift of the Covid-19 virus. I know, you may think I am crazy calling it a gift, but honestly, everything in our lives is a gift - the good, the bad, and the ugly. It is up to us to find the gift. 

So today, friends, rather than fret about stuff that is out of our control, why not stop and ponder what is truly important to you right now, today. Our priorities change like the seasons of our lives so it is good to examine them from time to time. Have you found your destiny?

For Reflection

In times of crisis, we have time to think, to ponder, to reflect. And that is a good thing. Some questions to ask ourselves are:

- How am I spending my time?

- How often am I truly connecting with others?

- Does what I do bring me joy?

- Am I doing something of eternal value?

- Am I helping others in some way?

I hope today's post has encouraged you and given you something to think about other than the daily newscast. If you would like to join our community, enter your email address in the box provided. You'll receive my weekly posts plus a copy of my free eguide "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path". I encourage feedback and comments. 

Stay tuned for more positive and practical insight to help us all find healing, wholeness, and harmony and discover our destinies!

Until next time, 

Keep looking up!

Ariel Paz 

How to Move Forward in Life

On a more positive note this week, I'd like to talk about the future. The future is bright regardless of how things may look at the moment. That is why it is called "The Promised Land". 

What is it in life that you would like to accomplish? Write a book? Start a blog? Build your own business? Is there someplace you've dreamed of visiting for years but haven't? Perhaps it's a personal goal like losing 10 pounds or learning to be more assertive or creative. There is always some area to grow in. 

I am a firm believer in goals. I always have a list of things I want to do, places I want to go, changes I want to work on in the various areas of my life. There is something powerful about having goals and things to work towards. Fulfilling goals brings us joy and happiness, a sense of accomplishment and enhances our confidence to push us into new levels. It gives us direction and purpose in life. Once we stop growing we might as well be dead, and that is for a long, long time. 

But sometimes, something holds us back from accomplishing the desires of our heart and fulfilling our destiny. It's called fear: fear of change, fear of the unknown, fear of the outcome, fear of losing the status quo. It's a mind game for sure. It is natural to fear stepping out of our comfort zone but step out we must if we want to go higher. As children of God, however, we have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).

If we want to have more joy, we must change the way we perceive things in life. I like to use the phrase "paradigm shift". We have to change the lens of the glasses we see the world through. 

Instead of focusing on the negative aspects which only sabotages our dreams and desires, try a different, more empowering approach. For example, if I want to lose weight, instead of "I don't have any will power", I can say "I have control over my food choices".  Instead of "I don't like to cook" I can say "I will enjoy learning how to eat healthy". If I want to get in shape, I need to look at exercise as pleasurable and a gift rather than a chore. Instead of "I don't have time to exercise" try "I'll have more energy to accomplish what I need to do." What about visiting that spot you've dreamed of? Instead of saying "I'm afraid of flying" how about "Imagine the new sights and places I will experience when I get there". 

Changing the way we look at things motivates and energizes us to go for our dreams and pursue our destinies. It is never - ever - too late to embark upon an adventure. Dreams are the stuff life is made of. 

Friend, don't let the nasty demon of fear hold you back any longer from living the abundant life. Life is wonderful, rich, and fulfulling if we choose to embrace it and go forward in faith, rather than fear. Remember, we will get what we expect, right?

Love to hear what new thing you are going to step out in faith for in your life. Write and let me know. If you enjoyed this post and would like to join our community, do enter your email address in the box provided. You'll receive my weekly posts plus a copy of my free eguide entitled "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path" for yourself or to give a friend. 

Until next time, stay tuned for more positive and practical wisdcom and above all, keep looking up!

Ariel Paz 

What Does the New Year Have in Store for You?

Happy New Year, everybody. Welcome to 2020! Can you believe it? Another year has flown by. How was it for you? The beginning of the New Year is a perfect time to reflect on our activities, our priorities and how and with whom we spent our time, especially the beginning of a new decade. Are you looking forward to new things this year? I am. 

Today, I have some news to share with you all. Last October marked the 10th anniversary of the creation of this blog. I have been writing on topics such as faith and spirituality, health and wellness, psychology and relationships, and personal and spiritual growth. 

As with any new endeavor, there was a lot involved in creating this blog, but I took it one step at a time, enjoying each one along the way. I took classes, read books, went to conferences. I joined the social media phenomenon while developing my writing and blogging skills in order to share my personal experiences and knowledge with the world. It has taken courage, faith, perseverance and a whole lot of time and energy. I trust it was well invested and that my posts have benefited you in some lasting way. 

The first title of this blog was "Journey to Faith" which was more Christian faith-based. Then I created a second blog called "Single Sense" directed towards singles and relationship issues. I merged that into my Pinterest board on Singles. Later on, I combined both personal and spiritual growth which is when I changed the name of the blog to "Ignite the Power Within & Discover Your Destiny". 

The concrete results of all this work are as follows. I published one book, "The Power of Faith", one ebook, "Streamline Your Life", and one eguide, "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path". My intentions were to share with others what I have learned in my 50+ years here on this earth in regards to finding one's spiritual path, living a life of faith, and figuring out the five fundamentals of a balanced life. 

As a new year and new decade begin, I have realized family commitments are needing more of my time and attention. My mom is 90 and has a lot of issues I am handling which are stressful and time and energy consuming. I would like to deepen my relationship with the Lord and that also requires time. Thirdly, there are at least one or two more books in me I would like to get out in the next few years. All that being said, I will be taking a hiatus from blogging. I will not leave you empty-handed though. 

From time to time, as the Spirit leads, I may be sending out a post or two so keep tuned in. The information I've shared in this blog will always be here for you as a resource. All you have to do is search your topic in the search box provided or order a copy of one of my books through my blog. There is also a ton of information on my various Pinterest boards on a variety of topics so do check them out as well. Only the Lord knows how long this will last, so do stay connected through my Facebook page @ArielPaz08 as I will continue to post there.  

My hope is that you continue to discover your destiny - which by the way - is to be your whole, healthy, unique, joyful self - and follow your heart and your purpose whereever they lead you. I wish you a fabulous New Year, full of everything that brings you joy and fulfillment. Thank you for being a faithful reader and friend these past years. Stay in touch and 

Until we meet, keep looking up!

Ariel Paz 

You can always reach me at: arielpaz08@gmail.com 

6 Spiritual Tips to Welcome in the New Decade

Are you looking forward to the New Year with anticipation and excitement? Are you happy to close the chapter on 2019 and start reading the new decade ahead? The way our year goes has much to do with our expectations as well as our actions. What we anticipate or expect will eventually appear in our lives. What we put out into the world will come back to us manyfold. Since this is the last post of the decade, I want to leave you with some positive thoughts to contemplate and some actionable items to help us all see more blessing and abundance in our lives in 2020 and beyond.

1. What we dwell on is what will materialize in our lives.
Our thoughts have power. A LOT of power. We have the ability to create the most incredible destinies or not. This is why I emphasize the power of FAITH so much. If we dwell on negativity, doubt, and fear, that is what will manifest itself in our lives. If we want to see miracles, healings, and abundance we have to think on "things above". In other words, we have to envision what we want our life to look like even if we don't see it in the present and even if it seems impossible. This is the essence of faith - believing in things not yet seen. 

2. Be appreciative.  
Practice an attitude of gratitude. I can't stress this enough. When we are thankful, we open the door for more blessings. When we acknowledge and appreciate what we are given, same thing. When was the last time you said "Thank you" to someone? We should be saying it many times a day. And don't forget to say "thank you" to God too! For getting you home safe. For that parking space. For the raise or promotion. All good things come from God. 

Every kind gesture counts. Every acknowledgment is seen. I wave when someone lets me get in front of them in the lane. I say "thank you" for the little things someone does - like sending me a card or calling me to say hello. This shows appreciation. Don't take people for granted. Be appreciative and say thank you more often this year. You will feel so much more joy, I promise.

3. Be generous but wise
Coming from a single parent home and then being a single parent myself, it's taken me time to overcome the lack mentality I grew up with. Now when I tip, I give a little extra. I support numerous charities. I had two sponsor children. One I supported for over 20 years. I give gifts and send cards at holidays, Christmas, and birthdays. I smile. I help people in need. It's a good feeling to help others. 

Being generous is an attitude of the heart. It shows we realize where our blessings come from and that by being generous we keep the flow going. Don't be a Scrooge or a penny-pincher. Frugal yes. Cheap no. Spend on what really matters to you but resist so you can have something left over to be a blessing to others. Do we really have to have the latest and greatest whatever? Do we really need another.....?  Every time I buy something, I get rid of something to help prevent clutter and waste. How we spend our money, like our time, shows what we value. At the end of the year, it is good to ask ourselves "How will I spend my money this year?"

4. Do less, be more.
You've heard me say this before - slow down and do less. It takes a while to sink in, I know. I'm still working on it myself. More time to simply be, to reflect, to contemplate, to be still, to pray. As a single mom, with a demanding career and two growing boys, I was always on the go. Friends would be incredulous at how much I got done. No wasting away the day for me. As the seasons of my life have changed, I have learned the importance - no, the necessity - of slowing down and doing less. We are human beings, not human doings. When we are in such a frantic pace we don't have the patience to be kind, to be thoughtful, to care, to listen, to hear from God. It's all about us. What can you cut out this year to be more in tune with Spirit? 

5. Make peace a priority.
This may be the most important tip of all. Stress is a killer, and if we don't make peace a priority, stress will get the best of us over time and result in a myriad of physical and emotional problems. 

Peace doesn't just happen. We have to make it a priority and make conscious decisions that lead us toward peace. I ask myself "Will this decision, choice, or action bring me peace?" The key is "in the long run". Some actions - like setting boundaries and limits - might not bring us peace in the moment but in the long run they will. This doesn't mean being a door mat either. Peace comes from standing up for yourself and speaking your mind no matter who agrees or disagrees with you. We have to be at peace with ourselves and God before we can be at peace with others. 

I've realized many people don't even realize they are anxious, talk too much or too loudly, or gossip, but they make my blood pressure rise. I've let them go. Eliminate drama queens, energy suckers, and anxiety provoking people and situations. Leave a stress-filled job or relationship. 

Calm is our birthright. Anxiety and stress are not. Choose your friends wisely. If all they want to do is talk about all their problems, suggest they see a counselor. Being a good listener is one thing, but being a dumping bag is another. Practice prayer and meditation. I am practicing mindfulness so I realize sooner when my thoughts start going down the rabbit hole. There are many techniques out there today to help us stay in peace. One of my current favorites is EFT - Emotional Freedom Technique - otherwise known as tapping. Check out the Tapping Solution. I find it very helpful and effective. 

6. Follow the joy.
This lesson was a bit less obvious for me to learn, but I got it finally. Joy is a guide in our lives. When we are making a decision, follow the joy. When we need wisdom on what to do, follow the joy. When we don't have joy, ask ourselves "Why not?" It is usually due to a lack of peace. Joy gives us the strength to pursue our destinies and leads us in the path that is best for us. 

Now, don't confuse joy with happiness. (Check out my posts on the difference). Joy is that bubbling up of inner delight and energy. It's when your gut, your intuition, and your Spirit all say "YES"! Scripture confirms this "The joy of the Lord is my Strength" (Neh 8:10). Joy is from being connected to God and His Holy Spirit thru Jesus Christ. It comes when we are at peace with ourselves, others, and God. 

Well, those are my 6 tips to implement this new year and to develop this decade. We all want more peace, more joy, less stress, and more blessings in our lives and these 6 keys will help us achieve all of these as we continue to ignite the power within and discover OUR DESTINY! 

If this post was helpful, join our community by entering your email address in the box provided. You'll also receive my free eguide "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path". 

Until next time, have a wonderful, happy, and healthy New Year and as always, 

Keep looking up!
Ariel Paz