Don't Be Reduced (Mug-spiration Monday)

Happy Monday, dear ones! I hope all is well. I hope that if you were doing anything for Easter that it went smoothly, your travels were safe, and that you aren't feeling too exhausted today. And whether you are rested or not, I highly encourage you to get a second cup of coffee (or third, or fourth) while you read. Because #coffeeisimportant!

Recently, I came across the following quote and thought it was worth addressing:

“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” ― Maya Angelou, Letter to My Daughter

I think this is especially applicable on Mondays. It's so hard to get going, but it is especially hard to live life enthusiastically when we've got difficult things looming in our lives. But according to Angelou (and I agree), we can choose not to be controlled by our circumstances. They don't have to reduce us into a lesser version of ourselves.

We don't have to go into work carrying the weight of the world on our shoulders either. We tend to feel we have to bear everything, at all times. But God says we can give our burdens to Him. We don't have to carry the weight anymore- we just have to learn to give it to Him.

God says He is our strength. We don't have to be strong in ourselves. We just have to keep on living!

So whether there are problems at work, at home, with friends, with money, or whatever the case may be, don't be reduced by the things that are happening to you. Don't be let your current situation make you less than your best. Choose to 1.) give these things to God, and 2.) be grateful for the good in your life and focus on those things instead. These two things will do wonders for you. For me. For all of us.