AggieStrong the Ultimate Life Coach

A New Year's Eve Devotion - The Hands of God My own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens. ~Isaiah 48:13 NIV What I woke up to this morning. I quickly sprang from my bed, okay, sofa where I have been sleeping for a while now, and grabbed my phone quickly to capture the vision in front of me. Half hour later, I am still snapping pix and vids. If only my camera could see what I could see. One of the best things about living in this space is the marvellous sunrise and moons I get to experience. REFLECT & PRAY The vision inspired me write a poem reflecting what the image of God's hand was saying to me: THE HANDS OF GOD: Crimson Curtain, Sunrise Framed Through crimson curtains God kissed my eyes, A glowing dawn begins to spread. The city rests still and serene, While crimson skies ignite the scene. A balcony, aged but full of grace, Embraces the glow in its weathered space. Below, a waking town appears, Its shops and streets, calm pion...

Pursuing your dreams and living a balanced life might seem like a cliche, or an impossible task. But it isn't. It requires work, planning, patience, resilience, and determination. But more than anything else, it requires you to understand what your dreams are and whether a balanced life appeals to you. If so, this article will guide you through the process of identifying your dreams, setting goals to achieve them and creating a balanced life that aligns with those dreams. Identify Your Dreams Before you can follow your dreams, you need to know what they are. While it sounds simple, it can be the hardest step to take. Our dreams are often buried under layers of societal expectations, fear, and self-doubt. It might take some time and self-reflection to uncover them, but once you do, you'll have a clear goal to strive for. Make a mental list of every thing you have ever wanted to do, be and then jot them down on a piece of paper (I recommend getting a journal for  this), no matter...

In today's fast-paced world, achieving a work-life balance is a challenge many face. Juggling work, family, and personal time can often lead to stress, leaving us feeling overwhelmed and burnout. To help navigate these challenges, I've compiled five practical tips that have personally helped me reduce stress and find balance in my daily life. 1. Stay Hydrated Staying hydrated might seem simple, but its impact on stress levels is significant. I remember a particularly hectic week at work where deadlines were looming, and I was running on caffeine and adrenaline. It wasn't until I started feeling dizzy and unfocused that I realized I had barely drank any water. Once I made a conscious effort to hydrate regularly, I noticed a remarkable improvement in my energy levels and overall mood. Tip: Keep a water bottle at your desk and set reminders to drink water throughout the day. 2. Be Kind to Yourself We are often our harshest critics, which can exacerbate stress. During a partic...

Life and changes go hand in hand; they are inevitable parts of this journey, and many challenges,  ups and downs, and twists and turns  come with them. But, while challenges may initially seem daunting, they hold within them the potential for our personal growth, resilience, positive transformation and ultimate success and happiness. By adopting a mindset that embraces change and sees challenges as opportunities, we can learn to ride the waves of change with grace and adaptability. Here are some ways I personally do just that: Embracing Challenges as Catalysts for Growth: Challenges are not obstacles to be avoided but opportunities for growth and learning. I recall feeling apprehensive when I ventured back to university as a non-traditional student, unsure of what lay ahead and even as I embarked on a new career path. But like a skilled sailor, I navigated uncharted territories, learned to embrace the changes and adapted to the ever-shifting tides as I discovered new horizons ...

  Mindful Breathing: 4-7-8 Technique   Did you know stress and anxiety can cause your brains to feel scattered and cluttered? The good news is that you can practice 4-7-8 breathing techniques anytime and anywhere. However, the experts recommend that you only do four sets in a row until you become more accustomed to it; then, you can do up to eight sets.  Here is How it Works Stop whatever you are doing and get into a relaxed position: sitting or leaning against something solid.  Keep your spine/back straight.  Allow your tongue, jaw and body to relax.  Place the palm of your hands over your chest. Please take a quick deep breath through your nostrils and immediately let it out with a whoosh sound.  Close your eyes and your lips. Slowly take a deep breath through your nostrils, filling your belly (while counting to 4 in your head). Hold your breath for a count of 7. (This is the most impactful part of the exercise as it helps to regulate your breathing ...