Still Surviving

Category: Life Lessons

posts about lessons learned through journey

  • You Are Not Broken

    The annoying thought that we are “not enough” likes to pop in when others seem effortlessly put together, but we’re still trying to figure out why we feel out of place.

    Or when people point out our flaws, making it hard not to wonder if they’re right.

    The truth is, we don’t need to be fixed. Our uniqueness is not a mistake; it is a reflection of God’s craftsmanship.

    I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.

    Psalms 139:14

    “Not Enough” is a lie  

    The world keeps insisting something is wrong with us. We must conform, reshape, and silence parts of ourselves just to fit into someone else’s definition of “acceptable.” That’s a lie that has been sold for too long.

    Most common stereotypes:

    • Not manly if sensitive.
    • Not girly if tough.
    • Not beautiful if there’s a flaw or don’t look like a model.

    What other stereotypes do you commonly hear that annoys you?

    Point is that our individuality isn’t an issue to fix, but a gift to embrace as God said,

    Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you;
    I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”

    Jeremiah 1:5

    You were never meant to fit into a box designed by someone else’s insecurity. Your individuality isn’t an issue to fix. It’s a gift to embrace.  

    Remember

    • We are not broken.
    • We are not too weird.
    • We are enough.

    We are people of infinite value, created with intention by a loving God.

    We don’t have to explain ourselves or prove our worth to anyone. We’re allowed to exist fully, honestly, and without hesitation.

    There is power in simply being ourselves.

    Be you!

  • Appreciation for Mothers

    I grew up with my mom, my aunt, and my granny. Eventually, other women came into my life (as an adult) and left their imprints in my memories.

    I’ve come to believe that mothers (biological, adoptive, figure) are the architects of love, resilience, and everyday wisdom.

    Their impact is often unspoken, but undeniable. Sometimes, we only notice it when we slow down long enough to see.

    A mother’s love isn’t always noticeable such as folding laundry, late-night check-ins, the quiet reminders, the consistent presence, etc, but the love covers over us, shaping hearts, building futures, and holding everything steady

    I think mothers have a kind of strength that is somewhat mysterious, commonly known as the “mother’s instinct”.

    They notice the little things such as a shift in mood, an unspoken need, a broken routine. That’s what makes their strength extraordinary. It’s not just in the big gestures but in their ability to keep showing up, especially when they’re running on empty.

    My point is that I appreciate y’all. Your love creates the foundation so many stand on. Your presence matters more than you know.

    Happy Mother’s Day!

    P.S. I appreciate the pet moms too.

  • I Need Help: Finding Strength in Admitting It

    The first time I heard Connor Price’s “I Need Help,” it caught me off guard. The beat pulled me in, but it was the honesty that stayed with me. That quiet confession—feeling overwhelmed, needing help—felt familiar. Maybe you’ve been there too.

    It reminded me that asking for help isn’t a weakness. It’s courage.

    Where Does Real Help Come From?

    Towards the end of his last verse, Connor says,

    All along had it right next to my bed

    Open the book with my son and I read

    In the hopes that one day that he doesn’t feel shame when he says..

    That line hit me. Because sometimes, the help we need isn’t far away.

    Real help starts with the B.I.B.L.E.= Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.

    I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.

    Psalms 121:1-2 NKJV

    Whether through prayer, friendships, mentors, music, or a moment of honesty with God, help comes when we stop relying on ourselves and start leaning on the One who made us.

    Ways to Reach Out

    Admitting we need help can feel awkward. Vulnerable. Maybe even scary. But once we say it out loud–whether to God, a trusted friend, or just in the quiet of our own heart–the pressure starts to lift.

    God already knows what’s going on. He sees us clearly, even when we feel invisible. And He doesn’t flinch. He doesn’t fail.

    A Gentle Reminder

    Needing help isn’t a flaw. It’s part of being human.

    Real strength isn’t about pushing through alone. It’s about knowing when it’s time to share the load. We weren’t meant to carry everything by ourselves.

    So if you’re feeling the weight today, know this: you’re not alone. We’re in this together. And help is closer than you think.

  • Patience

    Patience is known as just waiting—in a long line, for an answer, for things to get better, etc. However, not only is it about simply enduring time, but it’s about how we endure it.

    While We Wait

    It’s easy to wonder if we’ve been forgotten when prayers seem unanswered, when doors remain closed, and/or when healing feels impossible. But patience reminds us that even in the waiting, something is happening.

    Seeds don’t sprout the moment they are planted, but beneath the soil, growth is taking place. In the same way, God is often working beneath the surface of our lives in ways we cannot yet see.

    But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. – Romans 8:25

    Patience is often linked to faith because it requires trust. Trust is knowing that things will unfold in their own time, that the struggle isn’t in vain, and that what’s meant for us will come when we’re ready.

    Sometimes, patience is about preparing. If we rush ahead, we might not be ready for what we’re asking for.

    For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.– Habakkuk 2:3

    Patience in Trials

    Life brings struggles, but patience reminds us that even trials have a purpose.

    Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. —James 1:2-3

    I understand that it is easier said than done. It is our natural instinct to be upset or frustrated when trials come our way.

    I know I was not in a joyful mood when having cancer treatments. However, I my perseverance grew stronger as I was determined to remove myself with my situation which gave me some joy (the booyahs) as I continued to prove my oncologist wrong thanks to Him.

    Trusting in God’s Timing

    This world is full of instant gratification with the instant messages, fast results, quick fixes. But God doesn’t work on our schedule. His timing is perfect, even when it doesn’t match our expectations as it says in 2 Peter 3:8-9

    When trials come your way, take a deep breath. See it as an opportunity to grow, to strengthen your faith, and to practice gratitude in the now instead of longing only for the future.

    Patience isn’t about passivity, but about endurance, trust, and the quiet belief that good things take time.

    “Patience is not the ability to wait but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting.”-Joyce Meyer

  • It’s Okay to Say No!

    I used to believe that saying “yes” meant that I was a good person-helpful, dependable, and kind. 

    But deep down, I was afraid that if I said “no,” I would disappoint people or lose relationships.

    But over time, I realized that being that good person made me exhausted as I was trying to help everyone.

    Freedom from saying it

    Not only is it ok, but it is also necessary for a healthy life.

    Saying “no” isn’t selfish nor does it mean that you are a bad person. By saying “no”, you are honoring your limits, valuing your time, and choosing where you can truly be present and wholehearted. This will remove some of the unnecessary stress.

    When we say “no” to things, especially when they aren’t right for us, we create space for the right “yes”- opportunities, commitments, and relationships that align with our values, our energy, and our purpose.

    Remember

    Your “no” doesn’t make you a bad person. It makes you an honest one. And sometimes, the most loving thing you can do, for yourself and others, is to say no when you need to.

  • Love Your Enemies

    But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭44‬ ‭(NKJV)

    We’ve all felt the urge to distance ourselves, to fire back, or at least to hold onto our hurt when someone wrongs us. Yet, Jesus tells us to love, bless, do good, and pray for those who mistreat us.

    What Does It Mean to Love an Enemy?

    It was hard to write the question because this is something I still struggle with sometimes. Since I was a kid, I’ve been picked on by bullies and used by most of my friends. I usually held a grudge, and sometimes my actions toward them were my way of sending messages back. 

    As I grew up, I have learned to let go. No, it was not quick and easy, but I’ve felt better when grudges were released.

    “Kill them with kindness,” my mom says from time to time. From my experience, it usually shuts them up as they are surprised by my uncommon response.

    I am not saying that we need to pretend that the hurt never happened or continue to allow toxic people to continue harming us. What I am trying to say is that we should respond with grace instead of bitterness. In other words, releasing the need for revenge and instead seeking peace. Don’t fight fire with fire.

    We also need to pray for them as Jesus specifically tells us. Prayer shifts our focus to surrendering the situation to God for vengeance shall be His (Romans 12:19).

    Why Should We Love Our Enemies?

    I know this isn’t easy. It’s something that we struggle with. But holding on to anger only weighs us down, sometimes even showing up in our bodies as stress, headaches, or fatigue.

    It may sound surprising, but when we extend love, we open the door to transformation. We never know how God may use a small act of kindness to soften a hardened heart. And the way we respond could be the very thing that points someone to Christ.

  • Little Help Makes a Big Difference

    We’ve all experienced those seasons when our small efforts feel invisible: prayers whispered in silence, kindness offered quietly, actions that seem to go unnoticed. 

    It’s easy to wonder: Does this matter? What’s the point?

    But the song “That’s How You Change the World” by Newsboys reminds us that big change starts with small, meaningful acts. They may seem tiny, but when done with love, they ignite something greater.

    In Matthew 25:40 Jesus said:

    Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.

    We might feel like what we offer doesn’t move mountains—but together, those candles we light add up.

    It Does Matter

    Your prayers. A listening ear. A quiet act of kindness. A heartfelt encouragement. These are seeds and God multiplies them.

    He sees our hearts behind the smallest gestures and works in ways we can’t always trace.

    What if the small acts are the very acts God uses to spark hope?

    Community in the Quiet

    Let’s keep doing these small, faithful things—even when no one applauds. Let’s keep praying, even when the room seems empty. Let’s keep loving, especially when it’s hard.

    God sees our hearts (Matthew 6) behind the smallest gestures. It might just light up someone else’s world.

  • Be Yourself

    It’s easy to lose yourself in a world that constantly tells you who to be. From a young age, we’re told what to wear, how to act, what paths to take, etc. Somewhere along the way, the lines between who we are and who we think we should be begin to fade away.

    I remember when I was that well-rounded, people-pleasing, butt-kissing teenager. At first, I convinced myself that blending in was easier than standing out. But the more I tried, the more I lost sight of the things that made me me.

    The Weight of Expectations

    Society often pushes the idea that we must fit into certain boxes to be accepted. If you’re too quiet, speak up. If you’re outspoken, tone it down. If you’re thick, lose weight. If you’re different, blend in.

    But trying to be someone you’re not is exhausting.

    Think about it—how much time do we spend adjusting ourselves to fit a version of us that isn’t even real? How often do we hold back? Are we afraid of judgment?

    Embracing Your Uniqueness

    It took me a while to figure this out, but once I started being myself, I felt lighter as the stress fell off my shoulders.

    Being yourself doesn’t mean you’ll always be understood. Not everyone will get you and that’s okay. The right people—the ones meant to walk alongside you—will appreciate the real you.

    The world doesn’t need another copy. The world needs you.

    When you choose to be yourself, you give others the inspiration to do the same.

    At the end of the day, you’re the only one who has to live with yourself. Wouldn’t you rather live as the real you instead of a watered-down version of someone else?

    If you want a reminder, listen to “Scars to Your Beautiful” by Alessia Cara. It’s a powerful anthem that reminds us that we’re not broken. We are enough just as we are.

    You are His masterpiece!