strength

Make Today Matter

walkEverything is temporary. Our homes, our cars, our health, our minds, our bodies, our children, our family, our friends, our pets, and all material items. Although some seasons last longer than others, what and who we have today can be gone in the blink of an eye. As we all know, life is short and nothing is promised to last forever.

Make today matter. Love yourself. Leave nothing unsaid. And let people know what they mean to you. Release the negativity and embrace the positives. Love your enemies. Be kind. Be polite. Be courageous. Be strong.You’ve got this.

A Message From The Universe


imageThe turtle.

Symbolic of …..

Strength. Longevity. Endurance. Persistence. Order. 

Creation. Patience. Stability. Innocence. Protection.

And the continuation of life (sometimes against incredible odds).

They are the wisest of souls in the animal kingdom.

Having this beautiful creature cross my path on a busy road sent my mind on a path of its own. Only I could be inspired by a turtle it seems. And only I would stop a car in the middle of a busy road….. to take pictures of a turtle.

But the more I thought about it and read about turtles, the more it appeared to be a message from the universe. It was a message for myself and for others it seemed.

imageSo what did this turtle come to tell us? 

Take it easy.

Take life one day at a time.

Accept what comes your way and keep moving forward.

Do not react, but do protect yourself.

Your pace does not matter.

Never compare your speed to the speed of someone else in life’s race. The slower and steadier ones, are the ones who usually win in the end. You will get there. 

Be patient.

Be wise.

And never give up. You’ve got this!

Strength

Strength is often revealed by one’s ability to let go. When we let go of things that weigh us down or that prohibit joy…..we find happiness. 

 

© Angela Bininger and The Empowerer, 2009-2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this websites author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Angela Bininger and The Empowerers with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

When People Treat You Wrong

Image

© Angela Bininger and The Empowerer, 2009-2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this websites author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Angela Bininger and The Empowerer with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Believe In Yourself, Or Nobody Will!


So many dreams would become realities if those that dreamed them did one simple thing, “Believe in themselves.”

So often we give up on the desires of our heart due to rejection, fear, anxiety, doubt, lack of motivation, depression etc. In doing that, we lose sight of what’s important, our dream.

If you can dream it, you can do it! Don’t let the negativity of other people stop you. Others are typically only negative about it because you are doing something that they fell short of doing themselves. What they don’t realize, is that because you continue to believe in yourself you will succeed, and you my friend will get the final laugh. Not them.

When you find yourself around people that don’t believe in what you are doing, draw an invisible line and maintain your distance. It doesn’t mean you have to be rude, or even tell them. For every negative thing they do/say list 10 reasons they are wrong.

Say to yourself:

I believe in this!

I believe in me!

I believe this is possible!

I believe God will allow me to obtain it!

I believe your negativity is only a test!

I believe I will win!

I believe this has crossed my path for a reason!

I believe in the impossible!

I believe I will not let you get me down!

You can list whatever you want, whatever fits for you. Just stay positive and keep believing. As soon as you let seeds of doubt get planted and you stop believing, it becomes the impossible dream.

Dream it!

Believe it!

Do it!

Positive thoughts bring positive results!

If you don’t believe in you, how can anyone else?

© Angela Bininger and The Empowerers, 2009-2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this websites author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Angela Bininger and The Empowerer with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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When We Know It & We Hear It But We Refuse To Look At It

We have all faced times where our instincts have led us to questioning. And sometimes, we may question but refuse to believe what we hear or we may flat-out ignore the other signs we observed along the way. Why do we do this?

Often times it is because we are comfortable. The known is easier to accept than the unknown. The unfortunate part of these situations is that being comfortable can stunt our growth. Being uncomfortable is what promotes change. Being uncomfortable builds passion and stirs ones ambition. Being uncomfortable, encourages one to dream and follow through.

Although there are countless scenarios to use with this saying, I will start by using a person’s drive in a relationship that is failing vs. that of a person who recently jumped off of the fence.

Example:

The couple is miserable, and can’t stand each other. They fight and disrespect one another regularly. Yet they remain somewhat attached, and dependent for various reasons. One has intentions of leaving the relationship, but fear is currently winning the race. Because this person remains comfortable, it is harder to leave. Those comforts seem hard to sacrifice. And the simple change of leaving, is overwhelming.

Now take the person that has taken the plunge. They conquered fear and they left. Suddenly, this person sees the entire world differently. Some realities flat-out stink, while others are worth taking a picture.

Out of these two people: the one who stayed in the relationship and one who left; the one who left is closer to success and happiness. Why? Because they were uncomfortable. By being homeless and giving up the comforts of their lavish home, they were given the ability to work multiple jobs, try different venues, and make a change. By being uncomfortable and facing their own demons they were able to figure out what makes them tick. And by being uncomfortable, they were able to discover their purpose.

Sometimes being uncomfortable is a good thing. It is necessary. It creates change, and restores happiness over time.

We can see the truth, hear the truth and know the truth; but we never have to believe the lies. And we should never refuse to look. 

 

 

© Angela Bininger and The Empowerer, 2009-2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this websites author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.

Breaking Cycles: Focusing On Who You Want To Be, Not Who You Once Were

“Life is full of cycles. Some are very short-lived, while others can become a habit.” 

When attempting to break a cycle our point of focus will determine our success rate in breaking that particular cycle. Whether it is a lifestyle change or a breaking of bad habits, “We must focus on where we want to be and who we want to be, not where we are or who we are, or were.”

In the midst of breaking a cycle, people may snub you. But that’s ok. With every snub you get there will be people sent to make up for what those judging your positive changes lacked.

Just smile and hold your head high. Focus on who you want to be, and when you get there you can look back and say “aHa! I sure showed them!” You will be glad that you became who you wanted to be all along, and that you didn’t let those doubting you interfere with who you are meant to be.

We all make mistakes, and we all fall down. People who stay down like to pick apart those who get back up, try again, and succeed. Ignore their non-sense, and keep doing what you are doing. Only you can make it happen. And there is a satisfaction in accomplishing things that others think we can’t. It makes me smile anyway.  


How To Have And Maintain A Healthy Relationship With Your Children

Although I am not a certified professional in this area, my life experience takes me beyond what any fresh graduate in psychology would know. For I have 7 sisters, and 3 children of my own. I can say for certain that a parents relationship with each and every child is different, and unique.

I have spent years observing the parent child relationships and the differences of perspectives on parents by children who were all reaised within the same household.  It is amazing to see how much perception  varies from child to child. Although children have the same parent providing the same things in the exact same environments, the  children still  have different memories and perceptions of that parent.

While one may remember a parent to be hardworking, one may remember laziness. One child may remember a happy parent, while one remembers them disgruntled. One may remember a parent to be a liar, and another child within that same home and upbringing may remember that parent to be a liar. It varies from family to family, but nonetheless we all remember things differently.

Each child will carry their own issues to adulthood  if they are not tended to in the earlier years. It is important that we as parents are aware of how to not only create a healthy relationship with our children; but keep it healthy for years to come. There are steps we can take early on to promote a lifetime of happiness with our children, even as they mature and become adults themselves.
Steps To Maintaining That Healthy Relationship:

Communication

In any relationship communication is important. It is crucial that our children always remain comfortable telling us anything. With that being said, it is imperative that we do not cast judgment on what they say, and that we truly listen. They are their own person. They are not who we want them to be. They are who they were created to be. Often times children quit speaking if a parent exhibits controlling behavior. If they can’t tell us the little things, they will never tell us the big things. So stay calm, and just listen. They will always come back if you do.

Equality

It is important not to show favoritism, and treat all children fairly. If you are attending events that are important to one child you should be attending events important to the other children as well. By not having equality it is causing the children feeling that are feeling more left out to have less faith in themselves. Therefor lowering their self-esteem, which can have a huge impact on their teenage and adult years.

Support

It is important to show support in anything they do. Even if you think it is the craziest thing you have ever heard of. By being negative about their choices, you are pushing them away from you. Get down on their level, and try to see things as they see it. If they have an interest in something, help them peruse it. If they need someone to extinguish their flame, there are plenty of people in the world to do that. If they are on fire with enthusiasm, burn with them. Being enthusiastic and having drive, is a good thing!

Apologize

There is nothing better for a child or even adult child to see, than a parent apologize when they are wrong. We are not perfect, and we will make mistakes. It is important that we do not sweep things under the rug, and pretend as though we know nothing about what happened. It is OK to apologize to your children if you need to. They understand just as everyone understands, that we are doing the best we can. It’s not like a “How To” guide comes out with the child or even in the afterbirth.

Keep Your Word

Do not make promises you can’t keep. Instead teach them that your word is who you are.

Tough Love

This is a hard thing for any parent, but often necessary. To prevent a co-dependent relationship it must be enforced. Make them work for what they want, and do not bail them out of every situation. By doing this, you are enabling them to repeat the behavior. They will repeat the same mistakes until they learn, and bailing them out only teaches them one thing: not to count on themselves.

Pray

We may have a plan for our children and the direction they go in life, but God likely has one that is completely different. Pray for your children to make wise choices, and to become good people. Pray for them to yield to His plan for their life.

There aren’t exactly any true tests in parenting until the child reaches the age of18. To know how well you have done is only answered when the child does one of two things; sinks or swims. It is vital for their health and the health of our relationship with them that we prepare them in all areas of life to promote healthy adult relationships in their life. It all begins with communication. However it can also end from the lack of such.

© Angela Bininger and The Empowerers, 2009-2011. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this websites author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Angela Bininger and The Empowerers with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Fear of Loneliness Forces Dating


Most people find it hard to be alone. They are insecure, and have a fear of facing themselves. Some are so insecure, that they begin a relationship before the last one is finished. Or perhaps they have finished it, moved out etc., but within days, weeks, or even a few short months they are already in a new relationship. This is very unhealthy, obviously.

Often they are fooled thinking they have found the love of their life. They see nothing but goodness in this person. This is their soul mate! My oh my, how their fear blinds them. This person has so much to offer them, they think, and they take no time to see what they have to offer themselves, without becoming codependent in a brand new relationship.

Some rush to commit because they found someone who doesn’t have the shortcomings of their last partner. They think they are in love with someone they haven’t seen in 15 years because everything seems to be so perfect. They remember being 10 or 12 together so this now makes them soul mates. It can be quite deceiving! What they fail to realize, is that the new relationship is now doomed. It may take years, but it will likely fail.

The problem is that people whom fall into this category, have done little to no time evaluating themselves or their life. They have subconsciously pinned everything their last mate wasn’t, on this new person. They have avoided confronting themselves. They most likely avoided recognizing where they were responsible in the failing of the last relationship they were in. Yes, these people who rush into things, they are insecure.

It is important that you are secure with who you are before entering any new relationship. If you aren’t, you will end up right back where you were, single. There are lessons in everything, and they are repeated until learned. Especially in relationships.

Looking deep inside ourselves before taking steps with another person, is the only chance at succeeding the next time.

© Angela Bininger and The Empowerer, 2009-2010. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this websites author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Angela Bininger and The Empowerer with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

What Empowers You?

I was asked a question a few weeks ago that gave me deep conviction. After pondering my response for a few weeks and feeling as though I finally have an answer I must now challenge my readers with the same exact question. What empowers you?

When I was asked this very question, the conviction didn’t come from the fact that I had no answers. I knew the answers, well, sort of. The conviction came from the fact that I felt as though I weren’t doing enough. As though I were just idling through life, and not really doing much of anything.

This question caused me to backtrack over the last few years of my life, and in doing that I realized that even though most of the things I do are of great purpose, there was nothing that really stood out as a simple answer. It prompted me to begin diving deep to figure out what actually empowers me the most, although I am still unable to narrow it down to one particular thing.

Here is what I came up with:

1.) Being a leader, teaching, helping others succeed. Wether it be parenting, helping friends with personal issues, passing along useful knowledge, coaching a team etc., I am passionate about leading.

2.) Setting goals and aggressively working to obtain them. (I had them set but was still just sitting on my butt watching other ships roll in and out, making excuses and extending deadlines)

3.) Being Independent both in thought and in actions. Knowing that my children see this and are taught to be this way, empowers me.

4.) Challenging others and being challenged by others. It makes you dig deep and do a self check with no other option than to learn more about yourself. That empowers me!

5.) Prayer!!!! God gives strength like no other. For those that do not believe and have never experienced the joy and peace he gives, I am sorry. I hope that someday you crave it and get a taste for it. He is real! I promise!

6.) Positive people!!! I love positive people! And typically I am a positive person. However, I know that if I am around negative energy it drags me to the ground. I can’t be around it. It is like cancer!

7.) Knowledge!!! When I gain knowledge about anything it empowers me! I feel a need to spread the news so to speak. Knowledge is power!

I still didn’t come up with an answer to blow anyone’s mind away, however, the point was to challenge you to think. What empowers you? What are you doing to make this world a better place? What do you dream of doing that you haven’t had the motivation to set out and achieve?