When I look back on our journey to Canada, one truth rises above everything else: God has been faithful. From the moment we arrived, He has walked with us. He has guided us and provided in ways we never could have planned ourselves.
We didn’t always know what the future would look like. There were uncertainties and new challenges, but in every step, God showed His steady hand. He surrounded us with good people—friends who have become family—and blessed us with good health and strength for each day. When we needed encouragement, He brought it. When we needed comfort, He provided it. When we needed direction, He gently led the way.
Sometimes we rush through life and forget to pause and truly see our blessings. But when we stop and count them, we begin to realize just how much God has done. Every answered prayer, every open door, every moment of protection, every act of kindness—it all speaks of His unfailing love.
My hope in sharing this is to encourage you. Whatever season you are in, whatever questions or worries you carry, know that the same God who has been faithful to us is faithful to you as well. His love does not change. His promises do not fail. Even when we can’t see the whole picture, He is working behind the scenes, arranging things for our good.
So hold on to hope. Keep trusting. Keep believing. God sees you, He cares for you, and He is more faithful than you can imagine.
May you find strength today knowing that the God who watches over us is the same God who is watching over you—and He will never let you walk alone.
What comes to your mind at the start of a new day or week? Work plans? Family activities? School? Meetings? Businesses? Sleepless nights? The list goes on, depending on who you are and whatyoudo. We all know that too much work without play can make anyone dull. This holds true for kids. What about adults with responsibilities? Can we say that constant work without downtime makes us less effective? I believe so, and that’s why I want to share some useful ways to relax, find happiness, and feel refreshed.
Enjoying a refreshing treat while taking a moment to relax and unwind.
Is your plate too full?
There was a time in my life that I had too much to do. I would wake up to a brand new week with many tasks to handle, each one demanding my attention and energy. The mornings and afternoons were hectic, leaving me with little to no time for rest or even a moment to breathe. Responsibilities included parenting, ensuring my children were prepared for school, managing household chores, and balancing a full-time job. This cycle made my days seem short and unmanageable. I often wished for longer days, dreaming of a time when I could pause, reflect, and truly enjoy the simple moments that life had to offer, instead of racing through each day, always on the move.
Simple ways to relax
Here are some simple ways to help. As you read through, I encourage you to think about yourself and how busy you get. Do you schedule some downtime for yourself?
1. Stop and take a break. In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with responsibilities and tasks that demand our attention. Stepping away for a moment to relax can provide you with a fresh perspective and renewed energy. Whether you choose to enjoy a short walk outside, indulge in a hobby, or simply sit in silence, these moments of rest are essential. They allow your mind to recharge and foster creativity, enabling you to return to your work with a clearer focus and increased motivation.
2. Listen to soothing, relaxing music that resonates with your soul Choose a genre that you truly enjoy. Right music melodies can transform your mood and create a calming atmosphere that helps in relaxation.
3.Taking a warm, relaxing shower to wash away the day’s stresses can help in relaxing. Allow the water to gently run over your body, providing both comfort and a moment of peace. Embracing this simple yet beneficial ritual can significantly enhance your overall well-being, helping you to unwind and reconnect with yourself . It also helps you to relax in the midst of the busyness of life.
4. Engage your senses and connect with nature. If you are unable to go outside, opening a window to let fresh air in might be what you need. Take a moment to breathe deeply as the gentle breeze fills your space, bringing with them the essence of the outdoors. Look outside the window and enjoy nature from the comfort of your home while you relax. Observe the vibrant colors of flowers blooming,or the falling leaves. and perhaps the joyful sounds of birds chirping as they sing their melodies. Allow yourself to be immersed in this moment while taking a break from your busy schedule to relax and rejuvenate. you can read more about nature’s healing power here: https://getsimplyinspired.com/five-simple-ways-of-how-nature-improves-mental-wellness/
Note:
It is good to stay healthy, have enough sleep, and stay active, as these elements are essential for maintaining overall well-being. Engaging in regular physical activities not only boosts your energy levels but also enhances your mood and mental clarity. Additionally, ensuring you get enough restful sleep is crucial, as it allows your body to recover and recharge, which in turn helps you face daily challenges with renewed vigor. Taking time to relax is equally important, as it reduces stress and promotes a sense of calm. By incorporating these practices into your daily routine, you can significantly improve your quality of life and foster a harmonious balance between body and mind. Relax and stay healthy, prioritizing self-care in your everyday life for lasting wellness.
I love the holiday seasons because of the celebrations that come with them. There are many holidays in the year, but the ones that bring fond memories are the Christmas holidays. I cherish the traditions that we have kept for the longest time: family gatherings filled with laughter, special meals that tantalize our taste buds, festive decorations that brighten up our homes, and happy people who come together to share joy and love. During these times, the air is filled with a sense of warmth and togetherness, as we come together to create lasting memories. The laughter of children, the scent of food, and the twinkling lights outside bring a magical touch that makes each moment all the more special. Holidays hold a treasured place in my heart, reminding me of the importance of family, love, and togetherness.
Setting a festive holiday table with oranges and decorative accents.
On Christmas holidays, I loved the family gatherings that brought everyone closer together. We gathered in one household, where laughter and the warmth of love filled the air as we prepared special meals that included our favorite traditional dishes. As we set the table, the aroma of baked goods and savory treats wafted through the home, creating an inviting atmosphere. After preparing our meal, we paused to pray, expressing our gratitude for each other and the abundance surrounding us, before enjoying the delicious feast together. We also made it a point to share food with other people in the community, ensuring that no one was left out and keeping the cherished tradition of giving alive. These moments not only strengthened our family bonds, but also fostered a sense of unity and joy within our neighborhood, reminding us all of the true spirit of the season.
The night before the holiday, we kept vigil, went to church, and had time catching up with family members we hadn’t seen in a while. In my community, I remember a choir that visited households and sung Christmas carols, their harmonies ringing through the crisp night like a sweet lullaby. We often joined in the singing and dancing, our laughter blending with the music as we celebrated the joy of the season, and this festive spirit seemed like heaven to me. Each note and step felt like a thread weaving us closer together, creating memories that would warm our hearts long after the holiday had passed.
A festive choir singing Christmas carols in front of a beautifully decorated Christmas tree.
This is how I celebrated the holidays with family. I cherish these moments to date. How do you celebrate yours?
I wish you peace, blessings and joy in the coming holidays.
Share a lesson you wish you had learned earlier in life.
There are many good lessons I was taught when growing up. Most of the lessons are good, and they have shaped who I am today. One of the lessons that I can remind my younger self is giving.
Giving/generosity is a virtue that can be learned at any age. We teach young children to share. This is how they learn to help others when they are in need. When taught consistently, children grow up with this mindset. It is a trait that contributes to our well -being.
Religions and cultures emphasize the virtue of generosity. This is because it is beneficial not only to an individual but also to the community.
For me, reminding my younger self about giving would be beyond monetary acts. The selfless acts that we extend to others without expecting anything in return are the heart of giving. The care, presence, a shoulder to lean on, an ear to really listen, attending, and many more. Starting at a younger age and making this a habit or a lifestyle is a wonderful thing to do.
I will also remind myself to give a little more kindness to ME . To take good care of myself and my mental well-being.
I will remind myself to be happy. Again, I will remind myself to be happy. When I am happy, I will be able to make others happy. This beautiful world will be a better place 💖.
A decorative print encouraging positivism with the message ‘Love Your Life’.
Thank you! Merci!, Gracias! Danke! Grazie! Obrigado! Tack!, Shukrani!/ Asante!, Salamat!. In sign language, put the fingers of your dominant hand close to each other. Touch your chin with the fingertips, then move downwards toward the person you are thanking. This gesture means ‘thank you’. It is okay to be thankful when we are stuck between a rock and a hard place! we can be thankful in the midst of a life storm.
Inspirational quote: ‘Start each day with a grateful/thankful heart’ displayed alongside a decorative vase.
Thank you! is a word that we use often, and it comes naturally when we want to show appreciation. When we think about thanksgiving, we remember the thanksgiving day that is celebrated every year. However, a heart of gratitude is/ can be a lifestyle.
A person holds up a sign asking, ‘What are you thankful for?’ encouraging reflection on thankfulness.
Some things to be thankful for
What are you thankful for? When you are asked to write a list of what you are thankful for, what will you write? Is there something that you will give a priority? Well, I think this will depend on your circumstances. For me, thankfulness includes everything. We are told that ‘in everything, give thanks’. This includes both the good and tough times. But why should we be thankful for the tough times?
Can I be grateful when I am facing a tough time?
While it is hard to see the good in the hardships, we learn valuable lessons from them. Tough times are part of life, but having a thankful attitude helps us appreciate the positives. In these moments, we can learn resilience, patience, and strength. We also learn to appreciate life’s simple moments. Many more valuable lessons come depending on the circumstance.
Two people shares an umbrella while walking through heavy rain, illustrating resilience and thankfulness for support during tough times.
A heart of gratitude helps us to improve our perspective and see the world differently. When we face tough times, we can learn to be resilient. This means we can recover quickly or spring back when we are faced with adversity. For example, a business may incur losses. Still, when they master the ways to handle it, they can recover and move ahead faster.
Another lesson we can learn in a storm of life is to be patient. Nobody wishes to be in a tough time that lasts long! When this happens, we can choose to focus on the positive aspect that come with it. Sometimes we are stuck in a situation that needs quick solutions. But, instead, we wait for the longest time! It will seem tough, but still, in the midst of that, we learn patience as a virtue. When we develop patience, we become content with what we have, hence improving our well being. We also become grateful and hope to learn something that will help us view the situation differently.
Two children walking together in a serene woodland path, embodying the theme of gratitude and togetherness.
One important lesson I’ve learned from tough times is to appreciate life’s simple moments. We may not have everything we need now, and that’s okay. In time, things will get better. Sometimes we feel lost and struggle to see the light at the end of the tunnel. However, with patience, everything can become beautiful. This helps with our mental wellness because by being grateful, we increase our chances of being happy and optimistic. This will as well improve our physical health. Check out this post on mental wellness https://getsimplyinspired.com/how-to-prioritize-mental-wellness-as-we-navigate-busy-lifestyles/,
A sign reading ‘Embrace New Beginnings’ accompanied by vibrant sunflowers, symbolizing thankfulness and renewal.
Looking for a job, wanting to pay off debts, or seeking help with tuition can be challenging. Poverty, bitterness, and guilt can be difficult to navigate. Dealing with illness is also challenging, just to mention a few. Whatever your situation, when the right time arrives, everything feels lighter. So hang in there, keep hope alive, keep moving ahead, and keep praying. Be hopeful and trust that everything will work out for your good. Deal with situations that are under your control and leave the rest to God.
A family of Canada geese walking together, embodying patience and togetherness as they navigate their surroundings.
I took this picture of the Canada geese in the summer of 2025. I was just doing my errands when I came across them. It was a beautiful sight to see. The geese were walking, the male and female geese were at the front and back respectively. All the goslings were trailing one ahead of the other.
As I observed the birds walking majestically, I thought about patience. The male and female geese were patient in taking care of the eggs. Their dedication ensured that one day the eggs hatch. That period requires consistency. Probably the birds did not fly far from the eggs. And when they hatched, the family of geese walked gracefully knowing well that they are past the situation. They were set for new beginnings! They moved ahead in confidence. Isn’t that beautiful!
Note:
Never lose hope
Focus on yourself
Appreciate the simplicity of life
Be grateful and practice forgiveness
keep hope alive when situations are tough
Well, all said and done, I urge you to think on what to be thankful for. Count, name them, and you will be surprised how many things you can be thankful for. Encourage family members and friends to do so, and when you gather, be grateful!
Preparing for back to school is an exciting time for both parents and children. Children get to learn, play with their friends and make new friends. With positive school experiences, children are guaranteed of a positive well-being. They develop a positive attitude toward learning and achieve academic excellence. They also gain a sense of belonging.
After the long summer break, children get ready for a new school year. They move to new classrooms, new teachers, and they meet new friends. These new beginnings bring more fun to learning. On the other side, parents have a responsibility to make sure that this transition happens smoothly. With the busy lifestyle, parents need to think, plan, and prepare ahead of time. This ensures that when the school rush begins, there will be little or no overwhelming experiences.
In this post, I will focus on tips for parents with children up to 10 years old. I have chosen this age group because these children are more dependent on the parents. If you are a parent of one of these little ones, hop on board. Let’s make the mornings a little less rushed.
Healthy lunch ideas for back-to-school season: a variety of foods in colorful lunchboxes.
Plan ahead
Outfits
We have a busy lifestyle, and we often try to put things together, sometimes in a rush. To avoid the morning rush, try to prepare most, if not everything needed, the night before. Planning ahead of time saves time in the morning. This is especially true when you have to prepare more than one child for school.
Some of the make ahead stuff include planning the outfit to wear to school. I find this to be a time saver because sometimes it is hard to make a choice of the outfits. Involve the children in selecting their outfits the night before. On special days, when children have to dress up in a certain way, pick the outfits in advance. This way, you don’t have to dig through a pile of clothes to find them. Planning and looking for the outfit a day before would be a great idea. What’s your take on this?
A mother and daughter selecting outfits from a closet, exemplifying the importance of planning ahead for school preparations.
School lunches
I find packing the lunches the night before saves time. It makes mornings more relaxed. This works especially well for lunches that do not need warm-ups. Quick lunches like sandwiches and fresh fruits can be packed and stored in the fridge. They can be pulled out in the morning. This tip will make the mornings a breeze. For picky eaters, try involving them in choosing the foods to pack. This helps to reduce the amount of food wasted or not eaten. The children will also be encouraged to eat because they were involved in the packing process. This was a win for me when my child was picky and barely ate anything I packed for lunch. Have you experienced this as a parent? How did you feel when you unpack your child’s lunch bag?
Preparing healthy school lunches for a stress-free morning.
School lunch menu
Having a menu gives parents an idea of what to pack for the children when they are going to school. It serves as a guide for managing a busy lifestyle. It also provides insight when budgeting or doing grocery shopping. A busy parent can prep some of the food needed. This saves time for other activities, like spending time with the child/ren after school. catching up after a long day at work and school helps to manage our mental wellness. here is a link to my article about mental wellness https://getsimplyinspired.com/how-to-prioritize-mental-wellness-as-we-navigate-busy-lifestyles/. This article will give tips for prioritizing mental wellness. It is especially helpful on days when we feel rushed and have many tasks to complete!
Note:
When the children are prepared well, they get the confidence to get through the day successfully. It is our responsibility as parents and guardians to give a good start for the children. When we rush them, we get stressed and this will affect our day. Let us plan our days ahead. This will guarantee we have an easy morning. It helps when preparing for school and work.
All the best as you help to prepare the future leaders!
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Welcome to my lifestyle, health, and fitness blog! I will be sharing my life experiences with the hope of inspiring people. I believe that in most, if not all, areas of life, we learn from one another. We are each other's keeper!
