Tag: Motivation

“Rona” Life Hack #14

Since most people are quarantined in their homes, a lot of businesses have opted to use Zoom to conduct their staff meetings. For some, this is the first time they’ve done video conferencing and may have some difficulty in figuring out all the “bells & whistles”. There are some shortcuts to using this software. See below –

  • Change your backdrop: If your bedroom wall isn’t cutting it as a backdrop for work calls or you just want to make your friends laugh, Zoom gives you the option to change your background to any image you want. Go to Settings on either your desktop or mobile and then click on the Virtual Backgrounds From there, you’ll see all the pre-installed backgrounds Zoom has, like the New York Skyline, Golden Gate Bridge, and even outer space. But if you’re not too fond of the options that are available, you can upload pictures of your own, from pretty landscapes to your favorite memes.
  • Annotation: If you’re a big notetaker during meetings, there’s no need to bring out the pen and paper. Zoom lets you make annotations and take notes right on your phone or even your desktop with its whiteboard feature. Just go to Settings, hit Meetings, and double check that the Annotations option is checked. Then, using your finger, a stylus, or your mouse, you can make as many notes as you’d like, either for yourself or for everyone in the meeting. Jot things down on slideshow presentations for work or draw up funny doodles to your friends in the middle of video calls.
  • Share your screen: If you’re giving a presentation or want to share a funny Instagram post or Tweet with your friends during a virtual happy hour, Zoom’s screen sharing feature is key. All you have to do is tap the Share Screen option at the bottom of your screen. You’ll be able to choose whether you want to share your entire computer desktop screen or just your screen when you’re on specific applications like Microsoft Word. Plus, you can pause your screen sharing so your coworkers don’t have to see you awkwardly fumble between apps.
  • Record your meeting: Zoom users have the ability to record meetings to a Cloud or their computers, so that important points and discussions are always on file. Just tap the Record button at the bottom of your screen and click where you want to save the video. Afterwards, you can access the video and any others you recorded by logging into your account and going to the My Recordings page.
  • See everybody all at once: Whether you’re on a work call or just chatting with friends, sometimes you want to be able to see everyone you’re talking to on the same screen. Well, with Zoom’s Gallery View, you can do just that. The feature lets you display up to 49 participants in one screen. Go to your Settings and then Video to open up your Video Settings options. There, you should be able to enable Gallery View. Then, all you have to do is start or join a meeting, and you’ll be able to see everyone in the video call all at once. You can also just click the little grid icon at the top right of your screen once you’re in a meeting.

 

“Rona” Life Hack #13

If you haven’t gotten a mask by now, you are way behind the eight ball. Several states are now mandating their residents to wear a mask when out in public, particularly, when going inside a public building.  But if you check Amazon they are mostly sold out with no fulfillment date in sight. So, if you are without a mask (or want some extras), then now is the perfect time to create your own –

Teach Me Your Way, Oh Lord!

I love the Scripture which reads, “Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path…”  Psalm 27:11
Here the psalmist David is asking God to teach him His way and make his way plain.
The word, way, in the original Greek means road, way, path, journey, direction and course of life.
The word, plain, means level place and uprightness.
The word, path, means road, way, path and way of living.
Though David wasn’t the most perfect person in the world…he slept with one of his soldier’s wives then had him killed among other things (2 Samuel 11) God still honored the prayers of David because he was always quick to repent, had a heart for God and a teachable spirit (1 Samuel 13:14).
He sincerely cried out to God while asking Him to teach him His way.
He realized his own way wasn’t working and that he needed some help.
As believers and as virtuous women of God it’s important in our own lives that we remember to ask God to teach us His way every step of the way.
Sometimes we can get so caught up in doing things our own way, or wanting our own way or just feeling as if God is taking too long so we may as well do it ourselves that we miss God when we operate in fear instead of faith.
Instead we must remember to continue to stand in faith while trusting God and asking Him to teach us His way along the way instead of doing it our own way.
In life and with every thing, God’s way is always the best way.
Though we may not understand it with our natural minds at first, God’s way toward righteousness and uprightness always leads to victory, joy, peace and all of the many blessings He has in store.
So today, ask God to teach you His way.
He’ll show you the way, as long as you take time out to seek Him for it.
“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13

“Rona” Life Hack #12

A lot of stores are running out of paper goods rather quickly. Paper plates? Gone. Paper towels? Gone. Toilet tissue? Gone. Napkins? Gone.

Well, don’t fret – I may not be able to teach you how to create your own toilet tissue, but I can at least help out with the paper  plate issue. Head to the party aisle & there you are likely to find plenty of party plates, napkins, cups & the like. They may cost a little more than “regular” paper plates, but there will be plenty to choose from and you can even match them to your current home décor.  Not to mention they come in different sizes and you can mix & match. Happy shopping!

 

 

IT’S GOOD FRIDAY!

They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. 30 They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. 31 After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 36 And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. 37 Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is Jesus, the king of the jews.

38 Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” 41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42 “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,[c] lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).[d]

47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”

48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”

50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. {Matthew 27: 28-50}

 

“Rona” Life Hack #11

Most of the stores are out of many of the essentials like toilet paper, napkins, masks, hand sanitizer & even soap. Some of these things we can’t create ourselves (like napkins), but other things we can. In this post, I’d like to discuss how to make your very own hand sanitizer!

All you need is rubbing alcohol and some aloe vera. You can include some essential oil if you’d like to help cut the smell (but it’s not really necessary). Essential oils would be vanilla, lavender, jasmine or even lemon juice. Mix 3 parts alcohol and 1-part aloe vera & voila! – you have your very own hand sanitizer. You can use either aloe vera gel or actual aloe vera for those of you agricultural buffs out there. You can also add some water to loosen things up a bit. Whip these ingredients really well, put them in a bottle & be sure to label it so you don’t forget what it is!

The rubbing alcohol is obviously the cleaning agent & aloe vera is the moisturizing part of this concoction. You may not have access to store-bought products right now, but that shouldn’t keep you from staying safe & clean!

An Exercise in Casting Cares

Psalm 55:16-22

God’s shoulders are wide enough to carry your burdens. He is sovereign over the universe, so He is certainly capable of working out problems and meeting needs. Today I want to give you an exercise that will help make casting your cares a practical act.

First, write on a piece of paper the things that cause your anxiety. Once you start writing, you may discover a list of items that cheat you out of peace.

Next, pray each issue into God’s care. Recall Psalm 18:35, which promises that He upholds believers in His loving grasp.

Finally, as you pray, visualize placing the situation into God’s omnipotent hands. For example, a woman may imagine handing over to the Lord what she owes, while saying, “Father, I give You my financial anxiety. I know that You will show me how to get out of debt. You are more than sufficient to handle it, and I trust You to guide me.”

Some people may protest this suggestion because humanistic and pseudo-spiritual movements also use a method they refer to as “visualizing.” Don’t let anyone steal what is rightfully yours. God creates word pictures throughout the Bible. This exercise merely creates a mental snapshot of the Lord doing exactly what He says He will do (Ps. 55:22; Matt. 6:25-26).

When you have transferred all of your worries to God’s hands, wad up that paper in your fist, and then destroy it. In this way, you symbolize the transaction that just took place. Your cares are no longer yours. Every one of them belongs to the Lord. Walk away in perfect peace.