by Summer D Clemenson | Oct 28, 2024 | About Summer, Opinions
I have been fighting my body for years. The chronic illness and pain is exhausting. The one step forward and 10 steps backwards can be so defeating. It has taken 10 years for me to create and get to a place of success with my anaerobic workout; which means I can do it every day and still do what I need to do. From this workout I have gained muscle which supports my arthritic body and lets me do more things than I used to be able to do. Walking has been a challenge.
It is hard to fight with my hips and knees but I never gave up because I want a life that is more active than it is now. Losing 50 lbs has helped. I have got stuck in a plateau so last week I decided to try to push myself a little harder. My first longer walk left me almost unable to walk for 2 days but walked as much as I could.
I have to build up my lungs for my hysterectomy where I will be upside down for the procedure. Air will be forced into my lungs. If they are not strong enough, they could collapse and the procedure will have to end.
I have not been able to be on the floor for years. When my cat, Xavier, was dying, I had to get down to see if he was alive under the bed. I was glad to see his shiny eyes, but my knees were screaming. But I want to play with my nephews and be a foster mom. I need to keep losing weight and building more muscle to support my joints and ligaments.
I am so excited to say I walked every day last week, for even only 8 minutes, except Tuesday. I walked 22 minutes yesterday and 23 minutes today. My body seems to be accepting something I want and I am dumbfounded. She usually fights me so hard. Wow!
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Feel free to leave your comments below!
My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven. For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Christian, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information. If you are interested in becoming a Christian…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.
If you would like to know Jesus as your friend, but want to make this amazing commitment by yourself please pray something like this: Thank you Jesus that You are the Son of God, the God that created heaven and earth. Thank you Jesus that You came to earth in the form of a man so that You would be able to empathize with my humanity. Thank You that You did this in order to fulfill the promises You made at the foundation of the world. I realize that I am a sinner and do things that hurt myself and keep myself away from you. Thank You that You died for my sins so that You could defeat death and bring me into Your life. Please forgive me. I ask You to be Lord of my life. I ask you to heal my hurts and show me what my new life, empowered by You looks like. Thank You for Your mercy.
by Summer D Clemenson | Oct 28, 2024 | Book & Product Reviews, Opinions
Books can take you all sorts of adventures. Some of these books I am sharing this month were books I read as a child. Some of them I read to my preschool students or nieces and nephews. Some of them are brand new to me but they remind me of other people in my life. Books are so important. I love to watch children fall in love with books because I know that books not only increase our ability to imagine new places but they teach us self reliance and resilience. If you can imagine yourself doing something, you can make it happen. I hope you are fostering love for books with the young people in your life.
Now without further ado 5 Books for October 2024:
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The Raggedy Andy Stories by Johnny Gruelle
The Raggedy Andy Stories: The Very First Raggedy Andy Stories by Johnny Gruelle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I grew up with Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy and I had The Raggedy Andy Stories by Johnny Gruelle as a child. Reading this collection of children’s classics fiction stories was heartwarming and nostalgic. Out of the 8 stories: How Raggedy Andy Came, The Nursery Dance, The Spinning Wheel, The Taffy Pull, The Rabbit Chase, Raggedy Andy’s Smile, The Wooden Horse, and Making Angels in the Snow, I have to say the 6th story, Raggedy Andy’s Smile is my favorite. I loved my dolls. I loved to help them or other children’s dolls or blankets when their smile wore off or some other repair needed to be made. I love that Santa came to the rescue of all of Marcella’s dolls and repaired them all because she loved her dolls and played with them every day.
This beautiful fantasy picture book is filled with love and friendship and is perfect for any story time. I really enjoyed reading this book.
I got this book from my personal collection. You can get your own copy of The Raggedy Andy Stories by Johnny Gruelle on Amazon.
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Harold at The North Pole by Crockett Johnson
Harold at the North Pole by Crockett Johnson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Harold at the North Pole by Crockett Johnson is another children’s classic fantasy about Harold and his crayon and how he solves a problem though art. This time, Harold needs a Christmas tree before Santa comes to his house. While he is out looking and drawing, there is a snow storm and he gets a little lost, but ends up at the North Pole where Santa is snowed in. Although Santa can jump up the chimney, his sleigh and all his reindeer cannot, so Harold helps him out. Harold also finds the perfect tree, just in time. This beautiful children’s holiday fiction picture book is perfect for any story time.
I got this book from my personal collection. You can get your own copy of Harold at the North Pole by Crockett Johnson on Amazon.
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Fairy the Farting Unicorn by Humor Heals Us
Fairy the Farting Unicorn : A Funny Kid’s Book About a Unicorn Who Farts by Humor Heals Us
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Fairy the Farting Unicorn by Humor Heals Us is so fun to read. It book every rule about bodily functions my nana ever taught me, but I think, even Nana would have laughed at Fairy’s floral scented flatulence, especially when she blasted the animal poachers to France! Even though the word fart was consider the “F” word when I was growing up, I have found that farting happens and children, especially my nephews, love books about farting, so I was excited to add this book to my collection fiction picture books and I have laughed through my first reading of this great fantasy. The rainbow colored illustrations are exceptional too!
I got this book from my personal collection. You can get your own copy of Fairy the Farting Unicorn by Humor Heals Us on Amazon.
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A Treasury of Curious George by Margret & H.A. Rey
A Treasury of Curious George by Margret Rey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A Treasury of Curious George by Margret & H.A. Rey is a collection of 8 stories that include: Curious George Takes a Train, Curious George Visits a Toys Store, Curious George and the Dump Truck, Curious George and the Birthday Surprise, Curious George Goes Camping, Curious George Goes to a Costume Party, Curious George Visits the Library, and Curious George in the Big City. All stories were fun and educational as we watch a little monkey, named George, be curious and get into all kinds of adventure, but if I had to pick one favorite, it would be Curious George and the Dump Truck.
In Curious George and the Dump Truck the story starts out with ducks and ducks are one of my favorite animals. George likes them too and since he had never seen ducks before, he followed them to the park where he found a dump truck. The workers were on their lunch break. George really reminds me of my nephew, Kaison, who doesn’t have a lot of words yet, but he has enough energy and curiosity for 10 children and that can lead to anything, much like the creative situations that George often finds himself in. He doesn’t mean to cause trouble, but messes often happen and there always some fun.
The illustrations in this classic fiction picture book are in the style of H.A. Rey, by Vipah International and Martha Weston and they are heartwarming and fun. George makes any story time fun.
I got this book from my own personal collection. You can get your own copy of A Treasury of Curious George by Margret & H.A. Rey on Amazon.
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Walter the Farting Dog Goes On a Cruise by William Katzwinkle, Glenn Murray & Elizabeth Gundy
Walter the Farting Dog Goes on a Cruise by William Kotzwinkle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I always wonder why Walter’s family take him on adventures since his atrocious gas always gets him alienated from society, but I love that they adore him enough to try to include him. Although one might see Walter’s horrendous gas as a handicap, it always turns out to save the day, just as it does in Walter the Farting Dog Goes On a Cruise by William Katzwinkle, Glenn Murray & Elizabeth Gundy. As always Walter is isolated because no one, not even the other animals, can stand the smell of his farting, but when the computer system goes out on the cruise ship, leaving Walter on a dingy attached to the back of the boat worked out for everyone as some especially powerful farts project Walter and the ship directly into port right on time, saving the day even with some humor.
The fun and colorful illustrations by Audrey Colman really add to the enjoyment of this children’s fiction picture book.
View all my reviews
I got this book from my personal collection. You can get your own copy of Walter the Farting Dog Goes On a Cruise by William Katzwinkle, Glenn Murray & Elizabeth Gundy on Amazon.
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Feel free to leave your comments below!
My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven. For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Christian, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information. If you are interested in becoming a Christian…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.
If you would like to know Jesus as your friend, but want to make this amazing commitment by yourself please pray something like this: Thank you Jesus that You are the Son of God, the God that created heaven and earth. Thank you Jesus that You came to earth in the form of a man so that You would be able to empathize with my humanity. Thank You that You did this in order to fulfill the promises You made at the foundation of the world. I realize that I am a sinner and do things that hurt myself and keep myself away from you. Thank You that You died for my sins so that You could defeat death and bring me into Your life. Please forgive me. I ask You to be Lord of my life. I ask you to heal my hurts and show me what my new life, empowered by You looks like. Thank You for Your mercy.
by Summer D Clemenson | Oct 24, 2024 | Opinions, Politics
My wife, Karen G Clemenson, called me to the carpet. I think what Israel chooses to do in the war between them and Palestine is none of our business, but I think we should be helping people from Latin countries who need asylum.
It isn’t that I don’t think we should stop sending food and resources and prayers for Israel and the people in the Middle East. I do. But their culture is so different. We can’t know what it is like to live with terrorists or next to a country that won’t lead itself. Besides, Israel is going to do what they are going to do and it doesn’t matter what we think and they are in their own country. They get to choose because they are in their own house.
But just like the neighbor that chooses to stay in the abusive relationship, we can’t make them change.
However, we have neighbors in abusive relationships that are banging on our door, begging for help. They don’t want their daughters to be trafficked and their sons to be forced into wars or gangs or drug cartels. We need to help them.
Some of us are afraid because life is hard and for most of us, we are juggling bills just to survive, but as I reminded my wife, even though our home is not what we desire, it is solid; we have clothes to wear and food to eat, and often we even get to share. Politicians want us to be afraid but God tells us to not be afraid. He will provide. He always does. The United States is one of the richest countries in the world, we just misuse our resources. We have enough. Stop worrying.
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Feel free to leave your comments below!
My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven. For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Christian, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information. If you are interested in becoming a Christian…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.
If you would like to know Jesus as your friend, but want to make this amazing commitment by yourself please pray something like this: Thank you Jesus that You are the Son of God, the God that created heaven and earth. Thank you Jesus that You came to earth in the form of a man so that You would be able to empathize with my humanity. Thank You that You did this in order to fulfill the promises You made at the foundation of the world. I realize that I am a sinner and do things that hurt myself and keep myself away from you. Thank You that You died for my sins so that You could defeat death and bring me into Your life. Please forgive me. I ask You to be Lord of my life. I ask you to heal my hurts and show me what my new life, empowered by You looks like. Thank You for Your mercy.
by Summer D Clemenson | Oct 23, 2024 | Book & Product Reviews, Politics
Kamala Harris is a strong woman. She is not a person that lets moss grow under her feet, but a woman of action. Raised by immigrants, her mother from India and her father from Jamaica, Harris’ family instilled a powerful work ethic and love for education, the arts, civil rights, feminism and food. In this autobiography, The Truths We Hold: An American Journey by Kamala Harris, we read her nonfiction memoir about her growing up as an immigrant daughter that becomes a lawyer and leader in politics.
“Above all, I rise today with a sense of gratitude for all those upon whose shoulders we stand. For me, it starts with my mother, Shyamala, Harris…And I know she’s looking down on us today. And, knowing my mother, she’s probably saying, ‘Kamala, what on earth is going on down there? We have got to stand up for our values!’”
Harris chose to be a prosecuting attorney because in her life, she wanted to help people. In her history, when people needed to know what to do or have greater understanding, they always called lawyers. Harris has always used her position to try to lift up everyone, not just the influential.
“There are many ongoing struggles in this country—against racism and sexism, against discrimination based on religion, nationalism, and sexual orientation. Each of these struggles is unique. Each deserves its own attention and effort. And it would be wrong to suggest that the differences don’t matter, or that one solution or one fight will alone solve them all. But at the same time, we should embrace the point that King made to Chavez—that what these struggles have in common is of freedom of basic human rights.”
During her career, Harris has held the offices of Prosecuting Attorney, District Attorney, Attorney General of California, California State Senator, Senate Intelligence Committee, Homeland Security Committee, Judiciary Committee, Vice President and she now is running for President of the United States of America, but she would probably say that the most important job she has held was Public Servant. Throughout her career she has helped in the following fields:
- Victims of Sexual Assault
- Children’s Issues
- Drug Crimes
- Bank Fraud and Housing Crisis
- Civil Rights
- Truancy and Family Law
- Transnational Crime (Drugs and Sex Trafficking)
- Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals
- Opioids
- Public Education
- Affordable Housing
- Climate Change
- Infrastructure
- Cyberwarfare
In 2014, she married the love of her life, Doug Emhoff. Together with his ex-wife, Kerstin, they co-parent their children Cole and Ella. The kids didn’t like the idea of calling Harris a step-mother, so they call her Momala. Family is very important to Harris. Many people have tried to say she isn’t a mother, however, she may not have given birth, she has the determination, drive and passion that mothers have. She wakes up every day and gives it her all to make sure that nothing is wasted; that all people are heard as well as they can be. She is not perfect, but nobody is. What she is is worthy.
I got this biography from my personal collection you can get your own copy of The Truths We Hold: An American Journey by Kamala Harris on Amazon.
Read My Review on GoodReads:
The Truths We Hold: An American Journey by Kamala Harris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I wasn’t totally sold on Kamala Harris in the beginning of her run for president. But I had to be honest, I hadn’t given her a real chance. I didn’t really know anything about her, so I started to pay attention. After reading her book, I am glad to make her my choice for president of the United States of America. She is a strong and steady person. She is capable. She is intense and willing to listen. She is worthy.
View all my reviews
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Feel free to leave your comments below!
My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven. For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Christian, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information. If you are interested in becoming a Christian…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.
If you would like to know Jesus as your friend, but want to make this amazing commitment by yourself please pray something like this: Thank you Jesus that You are the Son of God, the God that created heaven and earth. Thank you Jesus that You came to earth in the form of a man so that You would be able to empathize with my humanity. Thank You that You did this in order to fulfill the promises You made at the foundation of the world. I realize that I am a sinner and do things that hurt myself and keep myself away from you. Thank You that You died for my sins so that You could defeat death and bring me into Your life. Please forgive me. I ask You to be Lord of my life. I ask you to heal my hurts and show me what my new life, empowered by You looks like. Thank You for Your mercy.
by Summer D Clemenson | Oct 22, 2024 | About Summer, Opinions, Wellness
I bought into the WalkFit app. It’s on sale for $16 for the first month and $40 after that. You might wonder why I would do that when my wife, Karen G Clemenson, is one of the best personal trainers in Cowlitz County…well I am sensory person and there is just too much going on at a gym and I am truly very intrinsically motivated. I don’t usually need help. But I hate cardio. It’s time to move.
I have created several great wellness habits over the years, including an anaerobic workout that I do every day, but my nana was a very fit woman and still needed a triple bypass in her 50’s and even though scans show that my heart and arteries are all good, I still would like to avoid that situation. I would also like to be able to walk a 5K one day and return to Disneyland without help and right now I can’t honestly say my body is up for that.
I like that this app has several types of walking workouts, even indoor ones that are like light aerobic workouts. That is what sold it for me but I started with just a walk because I really haven’t walked much over the last month while I have suffered with a terrible migraine, my trigeminal neuralgia has been acting up and my TMJ has been giving me hell. I successfully walked for about 17 minutes without my cane or a shopping cart, which is how I usually get my walking in.
I have been considering this for some time but what really got me to actually move was my sister/friend, Jamie J Holloway. She has several severe mobility issues and is usually housebound and wheelchair bound. Sunday she had to go somewhere and couldn’t take her chair. I am so overwhelmingly proud of her. I know she is hurting Monday and super tired from all the walking with her walker. She had to stop a lot to catch her breath but she did it and she made it home. If she could do that, I could do this. I don’t think she realizes how much she inspires me. That’s why I post these things because we should all be proud of our accomplishments. We can inspire and influence each other to be better, like Jamie and Karen and so many others do for me.
Falling asleep was hard because my feet and knees were complaining but once the Deep Blue Stick took affect and I did my nightly feet exercises a few extra times I slept like a log. However today my hips are not happy. I spoke with Karen about it and she agreed that I should take it easy today. I still did my regular workout but my walking will be grocery shopping. I am still a person with two kinds of arthritis. I will walk tomorrow.
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Feel free to leave your comments below!
My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven. For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Christian, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information. If you are interested in becoming a Christian…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.
If you would like to know Jesus as your friend, but want to make this amazing commitment by yourself please pray something like this: Thank you Jesus that You are the Son of God, the God that created heaven and earth. Thank you Jesus that You came to earth in the form of a man so that You would be able to empathize with my humanity. Thank You that You did this in order to fulfill the promises You made at the foundation of the world. I realize that I am a sinner and do things that hurt myself and keep myself away from you. Thank You that You died for my sins so that You could defeat death and bring me into Your life. Please forgive me. I ask You to be Lord of my life. I ask you to heal my hurts and show me what my new life, empowered by You looks like. Thank You for Your mercy.
by Summer D Clemenson | Oct 18, 2024 | Opinions
October is hard on me. This is my mother’s birthday month. She hates her birthday. Even as a child she hated her birthday. She also hated holidays. She seemed to hate Sunday mornings and picture days. These were the hardest days to prepare for and get through. My mother has borderline personality disorder. If you know anything about this mental illness, you know what a struggle she has had. Her brain hates her and wants her to die but she is in love with her children and is highly creative. She is generous and kind but as with many people with BPD, she excelled at work and was worn out by the time she got home and I was the target of her negativity.
I want people to love my mother. She deserves it. I love my mother. But she can’t be in my life.
I was raised in a Southern Baptist Church. My mother was raised in a Southern Baptist Church. She also went to Catholic school. My father was raised Catholic. I have been taught about hell and told I will go there for the smallest to the largest of acts.
I know hell.
I won’t be cursed like this anymore. My wife reminded me that I need to get used to this because I am queer. I don’t even think about this very often. In my relationship with God, it just hasn’t been a problem. Only humans like to label me.
I was told I will pay for my belief that women’s medical decisions are to be left between them and their medical team, on Judgement Day, yesterday. It reminded me of all the times I was told I would go to hell if Jesus came right now. I don’t believe God works like this anymore but it still brought back a lot of scary memories for me.
I ask Jesus to save me and know me now, regularly. It was something I learned during my time with a Christian therapist that was helping me integrate several fractured parts of myself. It is implied that God will reveal anything I need to repent to Him for, which I do because anything that stands between God and I is sin and stops me from hearing Him. I have had a relationship with a loving God since I was 5 years old that has saved me countless times, especially as I became an adult and could begin to heal and grow into the person God actually created me to be, instead of who my family expected me to be.
I don’t have a lot of faith in people. I love people but my faith is in God. I don’t believe every conservative Christian is bad; there were many that truly helped me and loved me but I do believe that christians that let rules and dogma become more important than love and grace will not be in heaven on Judgement Day.
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Feel free to leave your comments below!
My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven. For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Christian, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information. If you are interested in becoming a Christian…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.
If you would like to know Jesus as your friend, but want to make this amazing commitment by yourself please pray something like this: Thank you Jesus that You are the Son of God, the God that created heaven and earth. Thank you Jesus that You came to earth in the form of a man so that You would be able to empathize with my humanity. Thank You that You did this in order to fulfill the promises You made at the foundation of the world. I realize that I am a sinner and do things that hurt myself and keep myself away from you. Thank You that You died for my sins so that You could defeat death and bring me into Your life. Please forgive me. I ask You to be Lord of my life. I ask you to heal my hurts and show me what my new life, empowered by You looks like. Thank You for Your mercy.
by Summer D Clemenson | Oct 17, 2024 | Opinions, Politics
Dear conservative christians: You can’t possibly understand my position on abortion. You are so stuck on an idea. My position is based on free will, which is based on what God created because God wants to be chosen. God also understands each of us better than rules and ideas. God knows that there are circumstances where humans find ourselves in desperate situations and grace is necessary. I believe that God is with all His creation and especially with babies that are aborted.
I have never had an abortion and I don’t think I would ever have been in a situation where I would have had one, because I have a relationship with God and I know He would have carried me through the worst scenario I can imagine, I can’t test that because I have never been pregnant. I don’t believe I could have become pregnant which is a huge burden to me, since being a mother, is the one thing I have wanted most. But I don’t believe I have the right to judge anyone or stop them from having a safe procedure that might allow them to have a safe pregnancy when they are ready.
I believe many christians are not truly pro-life but pro-birth. I believe this because my mother worked hard but could never afford health insurance. Healthy parents raise healthy children and work harder and pay more taxes. Our foster care system is overwhelmed with children, and yet, pro-birth christians have empty rooms in their homes.
My words are hard to hear because many conservative christians don’t want to consider themselves to be Pharisees, but when ideas and rules are bigger than love and relationship, that is exactly what you become. Jesus came to teach us that love, forgiveness, grace and mercy is bigger than the rules we can’t follow because they cause death. The bible is an important tool but it must be read continuously along with prayer and relationship with God and not relying on the teaching of humans. Humans like to rely on rules because it is safe and comfortable. Rules can be helpful but relationship with God, who knows us best, is where real growth and compassion comes in. There is corruption that has been sewn into the bible too because humans have edited the bible over the years to benefit their agendas. This is why relationship with God and honest prayer is vital to bible study.
There is no room in heaven for Pharisees. Conservative christians need to know that is in the bible too. Your rules cannot be bigger than your love and mercy. The rules in the bible were meant to teach us how to have self control, so we would have less stress. The rules were not meant for us to impose on other people.
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Feel free to leave your comments below!
My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven. For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Christian, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information. If you are interested in becoming a Christian…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.
If you would like to know Jesus as your friend, but want to make this amazing commitment by yourself please pray something like this: Thank you Jesus that You are the Son of God, the God that created heaven and earth. Thank you Jesus that You came to earth in the form of a man so that You would be able to empathize with my humanity. Thank You that You did this in order to fulfill the promises You made at the foundation of the world. I realize that I am a sinner and do things that hurt myself and keep myself away from you. Thank You that You died for my sins so that You could defeat death and bring me into Your life. Please forgive me. I ask You to be Lord of my life. I ask you to heal my hurts and show me what my new life, empowered by You looks like. Thank You for Your mercy.
by Summer D Clemenson | Oct 7, 2024 | Book & Product Reviews, Fuel Your Wellness
This article was originally posted on WellnessWorksNW.com on 9/23/2024.
In June I was inspired to join a week long group called Weakless Week hosted by Jason Seib. During this week where Seib inspired the group to get comfortable with being uncomfortable in order to give up junk food for good and commit to exercise forever because that is how we love ourself, he mentioned this self help book, Mindset The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck, Ph. D. He felt that this book would help us understand the value of knowing the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset and teaching us to work towards living with a growth mindset.
A Fixed or Growth Mindset can be seen in Business Leadership, Home, in Parenting and in Personal Relationships.
A fixed mindset is a belief that your qualities (talents, aptitudes, interests, temperament, morals) are set in stone and can’t be changed. People with fixed mindsets are usually wrong about their abilities because they don’t know what they are capable of.
A growth mindset is a belief that our basic qualities (intelligence, personality, character) are things we can cultivate through our efforts, strategies and help from others. People that are growth oriented are open to learning, they believe they can develop themselves. Growth mindset seeks challenge and they tend to thrive even in failure.
In learning, failure, to a fixed mindset person can be a traumatic setback, but for a growth mindset person it can be a perfect opportunity to grow and become better at productivity. The belief is that are not a failure as long as you are learning from your mistakes and taking ownership. If you are blaming someone else the process of learning is over. Blaming is a trait of a fixed mindset learner.
Fixed mindset people with depression tend to shut down because when you measure yourself by failure you lose coping resources.
Growth mindset people with depression tend to try harder and be determined to keep going as well a they can because they believe their abilities can be expanded.
In their opinion, a fixed mindset person doesn’t need to ask for help because losing is not an option. They can’t handle losing. Asking for help is a sign of weakness. The idea of deficiencies is terrifying to them. A fixed mindset person relies on natural talent and they believe they don’t need to overcome challenges. Fixed mindset is ego driven and believes you are either somebody or nobody.
Talent is needed to get you to the top but character is needed to keep you there.
Growth Mindset Beliefs:
- overcoming shortfalls is exciting
- practice makes perfect
- using your personal strengths to overcome shortfalls is key
- ordinary people can do extraordinary things with the right amount of effort and training
- can talk themselves from losing to winning based on their past strengths
- focuses on self-development, self-motivation and responsibility
Fixed Mindset in love
- The ideal is instant, perfect and perpetual compatibility
- Couples will agree on everything
- Problems indicate character flaws that can’t be fixed
- After rejection feels judged, bitter and vengeful
Growth Mindset in Love
- All things can be developed
- Communication happens, nothing is assumed
- Problems can possibly be fixed
- After rejection feels hurt, hopeful, forgiving, learning and moves on
Parenting
In parenting with a fixed versus growth mindset is important to consider situations and expectations. With children complimenting intelligence or speed might stunt their willingness to try hard things. Not being honest with constructive criticism might lead to wrongful blame. Encouraging hard work in weak areas and acknowledging hard work already done will build confidence.
Remember learning is a process. Don’t judge. Teach.
Success can knock you into a fixed mindset that tells you that you won because you have talent – not that you have to fight every time to win. Parents that respond to mistakes as opportunities to learn, pass on a growth mindset.
The Journey from fixed to growth mindset
- Embrace that we all have some fixed mindset traits.
- Become aware of triggers (Mine is competition)
- Give your fixed mindset personality a name (Mine is Stormie)
- Educate your fixed mindset. Be supportive of its roll but let it know we are going to try this anyway and communicate as well as we can with those around us.
- Daily consider growth opportunities for myself and for others around me.
Fixed mindset people often have an internal monologue that is focused on judging. Where a growth mindset person is often thinking about what they can learning from an experience, how can they improve, how can I help my partner do this better?
Life is about the journey. Some days we do better than others and that is ok but keep moving forward. Mindset The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck, Ph. D was a very helpful book to read and I got a lot out of it that I can relate to many parts of my life. I think it is a good nonfiction book for anyone to read that wants to sharpen their personal development skills.
I got this book from my personal collection you can get your own copy of Mindset The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck, Ph. D on Amazon.
Read My Review on GoodReads:
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck My rating: 4 of 5 stars Mindset is often the reason we are successful and in Mindset The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck, Ph. D, Dweck talks about the difference between fixed and growth mindsets and how they make a difference in the outcomes of our lives. A Fixed Mindset is the belief that our talents, aptitudes, interests, temperament, morals are set and can’t be changed. A Growth Mindset is the belief that our intelligence, personality, character can be developed through education and practice. Most people have a mixture of both types of mindsets throughout their life but the book illustrates that the Growth Mindset is the goal as it has the greater room for possibility. View all my reviews
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I hope this article helps Fuel Your Wellness. Please leave your comments below.
Summer D Clemenson is a co-owner Clemenson Enterprises, LLC and Wellness Works NW. Summer her wife, Karen G Clemenson’s personal motto is Creativity, Honesty & Positivity are a must! This mantra helps them stay community and wellness minded in all they do. Summer is an Independent Wellness Advocate at dōTERRA. Summer also writes poetry and inspirational blogs @ GoodTimesAlways.com.
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Feel free to leave your comments below!
My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven. For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Christian, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information. If you are interested in becoming a Christian…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.
If you would like to know Jesus as your friend, but want to make this amazing commitment by yourself please pray something like this: Thank you Jesus that You are the Son of God, the God that created heaven and earth. Thank you Jesus that You came to earth in the form of a man so that You would be able to empathize with my humanity. Thank You that You did this in order to fulfill the promises You made at the foundation of the world. I realize that I am a sinner and do things that hurt myself and keep myself away from you. Thank You that You died for my sins so that You could defeat death and bring me into Your life. Please forgive me. I ask You to be Lord of my life. I ask you to heal my hurts and show me what my new life, empowered by You looks like. Thank You for Your mercy.
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