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Kayla's Only Heart

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Kayla's Only Heart

Tag Archives: fulfillment

Monday Motivation: Isn’t It Romantic

18 Monday Feb 2019

Posted by KaylasOnlyHeart in Monday Motivation, Uncategorized

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Christian living, culture, fulfillment, goals, growth, hope, Isn't It Romantic, love, Monday, motivation, movies, romantic comedy, Valentine's Day

The new romantic comedy Isn’t It Romantic might parody the genre, but it also hints at a truth behind a detail to which Rebel Wilson’s character Natalie initially scoffs. Though arguably unrealistic, romantic comedies remind us of the magic surrounding us. Sure, we may see more of the dull, hard work the movies don’t show, but we do possess a hope to find what we seek. Those desires for romance and fulfillment come naturally, and we have the power to step forward and progress those goals (with some reflection and work of course). Ultimately, we see that life offers more than what we notice everyday.

Natalie wakes up in a romantic comedy where her surroundings seem too good to pass as real. She comments how New York no longer stinks and how it looks as thought it had a beauty filter over it. Flowers surround her as she walks the streets, and people look her in the eye because they notice her. These details can happen outside a romantic comedy. Maybe actual flower arrangements don’t adorn every doorway and table, but beauty exists around us; a stranger or even a loved one can reflect God’s face as they take the time to notice and listen to us. Sometimes a potential love or job we want might stand right in front of us, simply waiting for us to recognize it and step toward it. Looking through a positive lens of hope rather than one of disappointment allows that.

We all desire romance, and that doesn’t mean we live with our head in the clouds. Our hearts naturally long for intimacy, and we see proof of that beauty throughout the bible. Song of Songs expresses the more physical side, and numerous New Testament passages demonstrate the benefits of marriage union and community. Like Natalie eventually discovers in Isn’t It Romantic, we can accept these desires rather than scoff at them. Perhaps the acknowledgement leads to fulfilling them. We possess a hope that brings a romantic comedy like magic to our ordinary lives.

 

 

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, especially with its Valentine’s Day timing. It proved my philosophy that love does surround us in all its cheesy and intense ways, whether culturally accepted as realistic or not.

 

For further reading, I recommend this Christianity Today article that describes a hope often overlooked in romantic comedies.

Proverbs 12:25: Kind Words

29 Wednesday Apr 2015

Posted by KaylasOnlyHeart in Essay, Journal

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anxiety, anxious, bible, catharsis, cheer, companionship, depression, fulfillment, heart, kind words, letters, love language, notes, positive, Proverbs, scripture, story, tears, words of affirmation

An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.

Proverbs 12:25


Anxiety literally weighs on the heart and body. As my mind races and my chest feels tight and fiery, my body feels crippled sometimes. I may break down and cry, or I may distract myself with a book. Still, the added worry of taking time from my schedule to do such an activity weighs further on my anxiety.

The catharsis of the tears and the story fulfillment and companionship in the book ease some of the nerves. I can get back on track after a time. Yet what brings me up is a kind word. I fortunately am blessed to have friends who speak my love language of words of affirmation and send me texts, cards, emails and phone calls to remind me of my strengths and worth. Even a simple well wish reminds me I am loved and am not alone in my journey. That quiets the unrest in my heart.

It’s easy to forget to remind people in my life how much they matter. Yet knowing I can have the same positive effect on my friends and family’s lives reminds me to let them know I’m thinking about them and care. Just last week a friend sent me a text to let me know how much my letters encouraged her, which in turn cheered me up. We are here to live life together.

Is there someone in your life who might benefit from a kind reminder of their worth today? Can you possibly even offer to help an anxious and/or depressed friend accomplish a task to share some of the physical burden? 

Moving from Common Living to Dream Fulfilling

27 Monday Apr 2015

Posted by KaylasOnlyHeart in Journal, Photography

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book, Christian, Christian living, Christianity, church, common, community, dreams, encouragement, family, friends, fulfillment, gifts, goals, healing, heart, hurt, Max Lucado, nature, personal growth, Photo, photography, reading, role, spiritual gifts, support, tree, writer, writing

  

            I just have finished reading a chapter in Max Lucado’s book The Cure for the Common Life: Living in Your Sweet Spot about joining God’s family of friends through church community. He emphasizes the importance of each member having a specific role to play, using his gifts, and how we come together as one body to support each other.

            The church as a hospital for hurt people is a common image used for Christians. This chapter demonstrates how the community helps its members by providing physical and emotional needs during difficult times. As I’ve mentioned previously, I’m taking a course on healing from past wounds at a nearby church. We have spent the last couple weeks sharing our backgrounds and starting a healing process that begins with forgiving people who have hurt us and relinquishing lies, etc. I have immediately seen a significant difference in how I feel since I’ve had my turn in the “holy seat” on Monday evening. Maybe the true beginning really is as simple as acknowledging that certain people have hurt me and forgiving them as well as acknowledging and renouncing lies or curses I have believed as a result of those situations. Nothing has changed the past, but I have started to loosen its negative grip on me as I live in a healthier present.

            Feeling better has made me feel more equipped to start tackling some of my goals again, big and small. I have shared this readiness and some of the dreams on my heart with my group, and I have received enthusiasm and encouragement. Immediately, one friend wanted to introduce me to a writer at the church who currently seeks young authors. Then the group as a whole is happy to see me healing and reaching out to fulfill God’s calling for me.

            That’s exactly what the church family of friends does for each other. These wonderful women have stood beside me as I have started healing and as I shared my scars. I never once felt judged, rather felt lifted up and seen in a positive light for who I am rather than things I have done or that have been done to me. They are helping me get plugged into the church, eager to see me use my gifts. Each week, I am reminded that there is no such thing as coincidence and that God placed me in this group for a purpose.

            As Max Lucado points out, the church is a family of friends. It can come together to serve each other through sharing burdens as well as connecting people for community and getting people plugged into the right place to use their gifts. I am not a member of a church in my area yet, but I am encouraged to keep getting involved to receive further healing from the church as a hospital as well as use my gifts to lift people higher and bring them closer together in fellowship.

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You can't make advances if you don't take chances. These posts share my perspectives of my journey as I step forward, walking in the Light.

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