Recreate the Narrative

It is never too late to recreate the narrative of your life. We truly do have the power to visualize and create the life that we desire.

(Photo taken during my first solo trip to Clearwater beach, FL)

Last year I made a commitment to myself that once a year I would go away on a solo trip and take time to rest, reset, think, and reflect. I reflect on the year, celebrate the wins, have gratitude for the lessons and areas of growth-I don’t believe that anything in life is a loss-, and I take time to think about what I would like to keep the same and what I would like to change going into the new year. It is a great time for me to disconnect from familiarity and the busyness of life and be still and connect with God and myself as well as do whatever my heart desires!

On solo trips the only things that I plan are the destination, accomodation, the transportation, and the dates; everything else is spontaneous and I free myself from being tied to a regimented schedule. I started off my first solo trip in 2021 by flying into Sarasota, FL and went to one of their largest zoos. I fed a tiger for the first time and enjoyed interacting and learning about the different animals there. After my zoo adventure I caught a Lyft to Clearwater, FL and was inspired by my Lyft driver, Sunny's, story about how he intentionally created the life that he wanted for himself by making room for the things that he loved most. The Lord used Sunny's story to plant the seed in me to not be afraid to live and make decisions for myself, instead of for others.

While in Tampa, I went jet skiing, went on a dolphin tour, ate fresh water seafood, slept in, journaled, prayed, cried, laughed, meditated on the Word, met new friends, worked out, went parasailing, got a custom made t-shirt at a local small business, treated myself to good food, was joined by my mother towards the end of my trip to celebrate her birthday, and the coolest part was that I didnt spend much at all--I love findings good deals! But most importantly I had time to disconnect from the world and made room to connect and hear from God. Each day was unplanned but every day turned out to be amazing and much needed. Spontaneous trips like these remind me that sometimes the best things in life happen when you least expect it and when you release your plan.

Doing this solo trip gave me the fuel, clarity, renewed vision, and focus that I needed to go into this year. As I have been recently reflecting on 2022, I see how much that time away last year has immensely impacted this year for the better.

The moral of the story is, creating this annual moment for myself didn’t just happen. I saw the need and desire for it, and I chose to visualize and create what I wanted to change in my life and I vowed to find a way to make it happen and make the annual time away a part of my life.

As we prepare to go into the new year, I encourage you to take time to yourself and prepare your mind for next year from now. Process what goals-whether big or small- you want to set or start working on from now. What do you want your life to look like in 2023? If you only had one year to live how would you live now and what would you do differently?

Here are some things to consider:

Are you keeping your inner child alive?

Want to give therapy a try?

What fear could you conquer?

Stories you want to write?

What new hobby could you start?

What dream could you make come true?

An event you would love to attend?

A food you have never tried before?

An experience that will take you out of your comfort zone?

Are you content? If not, what could you start doing to change that?

The sky isn't even the limit. Write down whatever comes to mind and set a goal to accomplish what is in your heart. Write the vision and make room for what you desire. Let go of the fear, control, doubt, and familiarity if it is no longer serving you. Change the narrative and live now.

With love,

Simone Parke Abide and Ride

Imagine if..

Imagine if every word that you speak actually happens. Imagine if every word that you speak sows a seed of life--joy, peace, patience, encouragement, etc. or a seed of death: fear, doubt, worry, anxiety, pain, etc. Imagine the impact that your words would have if your words came to life. How would you choose to speak differently if this imagination was a reality? Well, as a matter of fact, it is a reality.

Our words and declarations accompanied by what we believe and choose to come into agreement with, will sow and reap either life or death. Every word that we speak impacts and carry's an assignment; to create, to build, or to tare down. I recently came across an article written by a man named Dr. Chidi Okoroafor and this quote stood out to me; "Whether you know it or not, each time you open your mouth, you are prophesying your future. If you want to be stronger, healthier and happier, then start declaring it today." Whether a word is randomly spoken or spoken with intention, what we speak will either positively or negatively impact our life and the lives of those connected to us.

One of my favorite quotes from the book "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey is "Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny." I believe that somewhere in between sowing a thought and sowing an action is sowing and reaping a spoken word. It is easy to think that our words have no impact when we don't believe them, but on the contrary, what we speak out of our mouth is usually a reflection of what we already believe, or it will eventually become a part of what we believe the more we confess and hear it. After your belief is impacted by your thoughts and declarations, then your actions will impact your habits, your habits will impact your character, and all of these decisions will eventually shape the pathway to your destiny.

I have seen how my thought life and my words have impacted my life in many ways, but specifically in my wellness and fitness journey recently. Some days I'm excited about working out and eating well and other days I want to skip the gym and eat two Hershey pies; yes, I said two. However, having a firm "why" and being mindful of my declarations continuously helps me to stay the course and not get too far off track. In the beginning developing better eating habits and working out consistently wasn't always easy but the desire to change my habits started with my thoughts and declarations changing. For a period of time I kept declaring what I wanted out loud until I believed it strong enough to be willing to do what it took to consistently achieve and maintain my goal based on my why; to live a long and healthy life, feel and look good based on my standard, and to be able to chase around my future children and grandchildren one day.

I am a firm believer of progress over perfection and I am far from perfect. I am constantly growing, learning, and developing, and I am grateful for the growth that I have seen thus far from being more intentional about what I meditate on and what I choose to speak.

All in all, being mindful of our thought life and the words that we speak is an act of obedience, worship, and honor to the Lord. Always remember that change is on the other side of comfort, familiarity, and fear. Change is only a temporary discomfort that will eventually lead to a better version of you; the person who God created you to be. God partners with us in our relationship with Him through Jesus, to create and impact the world through what we say and through what we do. May we guard our tongue and be mindful of what we speak to ourselves as well as what we speak to others. Before you speak think, "because every word that I speak comes to life, how will I choose to speak in this moment." May our words sow and reap truth, love, blessings, honor, respect, joy, peace, encouragement, and everything that will bring forth life.

Be encouraged, stay the course, enjoy the journey, and abide and ride!

Shalom.

-Simone Parke

Abiding Prayer:

Abba Father, please bring to remembrance any negative word that I have spoken or have come into agreement with. Help me to be mindful of my words and only speak and receive life giving words. I repent for any negative words that I have spoken about myself or to others and I come out of agreement with any word that does not align my future and with who you have created me to be. Like David in Psalm 51:10, I ask that your create in me a clean heart and renew a right sprit within me. By faith, I receive your forgiveness and your love and I thank you for always meeting me where I am and for always choosing to love me despite my areas of growth. Thank you for the fact that I can do all things through your Son Jesus. Thank you that through Him, I have the Holy Spirit who dwells inside of me to help me guard my tongue by renewing my mind with your Word and by growing in self discipline in order to change my thought life and my declarations.

"Help me to be disciplined enough to obey You the way You want me to so I can become the person You created me to be." -Stormie Omartian (The Power of a Praying Woman)

In Jesus'. name, amen.

Abiding Scriptures:

Proverbs 31:25-26 (NLT) - Context: The Virtues of a Noble Woman

"She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks her words are wise and she gives instruction with kindness."

Ephesians 4:29 (ESV)

"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."

Psalm 18:21 (KJV)

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."

Isaiah 55:11 (ESV)

"So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."

Colossians 4:6 (ESV)

"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."

Psalm 15:1 (ESV)

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Additional Scriptures on Speaking Life:

https://www.openbible.info/topics/speak_life

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Welcome to...

This blog was created to awaken the beauty and strength within women from all walks of life through encouragement, authenticity, truth, and love. This is your official invitation to abide and ride through this journey called life by sitting in the seat of contentment, faith, and trust as we allow Jesus to take the wheel.

A few years ago I was on my way to Atlanta, GA for a road trip. It was just me, my music, and the beautiful scenery. As I was driving the Lord spoke to me in a still, small voice. He gently asked, "If I were driving your car and you were in the passenger side trying to grab the wheel, what would happen?" My immediate response was that we would get into an accident, the journey would be delayed, and someone could potentially get hurt. He then asked, "If I were driving your car, you were sitting in the passenger side, and you allowed me to drive without you grabbing the wheel, what would happen?" I chuckled to myself because I had an idea of where the conversation was going. My response was that the ride would be smooth, we would enjoy the presence of each other, and that the journey would be a peaceful experience. His response to my answer has remained with me until this day. The Lord gently whispered, "This is how I want you to live your life; abiding in Me, trusting Me, and enjoying the ride with Me, as I take the wheel and lead your life."

This moment and phrase, "Abide and Ride", has carried me through many seasons in life; the highs, the lows, and the in between moments. In John 15:5-7, Jesus says "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you."

At first I thought abiding was simply a cute word for resting and enjoying God's presence, but John 15:5-7 reveals that the only way to truly abide in the Lord is to remain in and obey His word. God's Word is a lamp unto our feet and it illuminates our path; giving us clarity, instruction, and wisdom. God's Word is His love letter to us and by learning and knowing God, we simultaneously discover who we are in Him.

Throughout every moment in my life, Jesus has been there to hold my hand and remind me to abide and ride with Him as the driver of my life. The moment that I take my eyes off of Him and try to take control, I end up getting anxious, fearful, disappointed, upset, etc. But when I shift my eyes to Him, remain in the Word, let go, and trust God to be the driver of my life, God's peace carries me and gives me the strength to grow through even the toughest moments with joy.

Life isn't always easy but through Jesus we have access to contentment, peace, joy, and hope that will carry us through any moment in life. I have learned that in order to grow, one must learn to become comfortable with being uncomfortable. Releasing control can be one of the most uncomfortable things to do when you are use taking the wheel, but as children of God, when we receive Jesus as Lord and Savior of our lives, we are filled and empowered by His Holy Spirit to do everything that Jesus did on earth. Through the Holy Spirit we are empowered to be who God has called us to be and to do what God has called us to do. His Spirit gives us the strength and the heart to let go, obey, and trust God.

The only person who can hinder you from walking in the fullness of who God has called you to be, is you. Growth and maturity are on the other side of fear, pride, and discomfort. Let go of fear, trust God, and get comfortable with being uncomfortable.

"Tomorrow's crown is worth today's cross."

Be encouraged, stay the course, enjoy the journey, and abide and ride.

- Simone Parke

Abiding Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of Jesus; our King, our Savior, and our Friend. Thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit; our comforter, our guide, and the revealer of truth. Thank you for the gift of your Word. Thank you for the opportunity to learn more about you and learn how to live to please and honor you through reading your love letter to me. Holy Spirt give me the strength to obey God's truth and follow your lead, change my heart, and order my steps. I invite you to take the wheel of my life as I choose to abide and rest in you throughout every season.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Abiding Scriptures:

John 15:5-7 NIV

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you."

Zechariah 4:6

".... ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty."

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