Category Archives: Life

12.08.25
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Healing Is Not…

Sometimes we talk about healing like it’s a straight path, a perfect glow-up, or an isolated quiet spiritual moment. But healing–real healing–is none of those things. And in this season, God is teaching me what healing is not and why this journey too needs grace.

Seven Things Healing Is Not:

🫶🏾 Healing is not linear:

Progress rarely looks like simple forward motion. Sometimes, it’s a zigzag, a series of setbacks, necessary pauses, or even chaotic. And that is perfectly okay. Healing isn’t an easy journey or a straight line; it loops back because God heals in layers.

🫶🏾 Healing is not glamorous:

It’s just not pretty at times and it could leave you feeling like a hot mess.
There are days when your glow dims, your soul feels heavy, your reflection is unrecognizable, and you wonder if you’re unraveling instead of recovering.

But sometimes your most “unglamorous” days are the most honest, most holy days, because you’re finally not pretending.

🫶🏾 Healing is not comfortable:

Growth stretches you.
Confronting truth humbles you.
Letting go breaks you before it frees you.
Healing will make you face versions of yourself you thought you left behind — and God will use it all.

🫶🏾  Healing is not always quiet:

Healing can be loud—filled with the sound of tears, raw prayers, honest cries, and the truth you’ve swallowed for too long. Sometimes, it is the audible sound of a heart finally being unburdened after carrying too much for too many years.

You don’t have to be ashamed when your healing gets loud. But do allow God to comfort you and nurture you through the uncomfortable sounds of healing.

🫶🏾 Healing is not a one-time thing:

It is a continuous journey. This is not because God is slow, but because we are complex, layered, and deeply loved. Healing involves revisiting old wounds with new wisdom, new strength, and the fresh understanding that inviting God in can bring.

🫶🏾 Healing is not done in your own strength or wisdom:

You not only need a loving, strong support system, but you need Jesus also as the head and part of that support system for this tough journey.

Real healing requires His presence, His power, His truth, and His grace. You are simply not meant to navigate this process in your own strength.

Healing is a partnership with the Lord, not a solo mission.

🫶🏾 Healing is not void of accountability:

True healing often requires taking responsibility for our choices, setting and enforcing boundaries, and being radically honest with ourselves and others.

Without accountability, genuine growth can stall or even go in circles.

And lastly, we may not be responsible for every pain or trauma, but we are ultimately responsible for our healing process.

https://youtube.com/shorts/-Qa9eiRrFbA?si=lBMJjoSwE-r5_qLf
10.02.25
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🏃🏾‍♀️Persevere Series: From Weighed Down To Lifted!

Welcome to my Persevere Series. God has been teaching me that perseverance is less about how strong I am and more about how faithful He is. Through these posts, I want to encourage you to keep going, trust His timing, and remember that even small steps count. Perseverance isn’t about perfection — it’s about leaning on God’s strength in every season, whether you’re walking, crawling, or getting back up after a fall.

Reflection:

Have you ever tried to run for a bus with your hands full, hoping nothing spills or falls out of your bag? I have, and sometimes I would miss the bus altogether. Sometimes it was because I didn’t leave on time, and other times because the bus arrived earlier than expected. But one thing I’ve noticed: the run is always easier when I’m carrying less.

That’s how it is in life and in our faith. When we’re weighed down by stress, fear, distractions, worries—or even sin—those weights slow us down. They drain our motivation. They cloud our focus. They make it hard to obey God, to see clearly, and to walk unashamed.

But thank God for Jesus! When we pause and place our burdens in the hands of the loving Savior, the One who both initiates and perfects our faith, He gives us the strength to persevere. He doesn’t just help us carry the load, He offers us an exchange: His yoke for ours. And His is easy, His burden is light.

If you haven’t yet made Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior, I encourage you to do so today. I can testify that even in life’s storms, He has never left me nor forsaken me. He is always near, ready to help and comfort us.

Scripture:

Hebrews 12:1–2 (NLT)

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now, He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”

Prayer:

Father God,
Forgive us for holding onto what You’ve asked us to release. Forgive us for the sin that so easily entangles us. Thank You for Your mercy, for Your forgiveness, and for Your unfailing love. Thank You for the grace that enables us to run with endurance the race You’ve set before us. Help us fix our eyes on Jesus, never ashamed to bring Him every concern of our hearts. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Accompanying Video:

07.27.25
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Healing Journey: Playing Back Your Mental Tape

Join me on a transformative journey as we explore the depths of healing, growth, and self-love in “Healing Journey: Playing Back Your Mental Tape.”  This video was inspired by a post I wrote for my blog in 2021.  In this heartfelt video, we discuss how we must address the things on our mental tape because they can shape how we see ourselves and the world around us. From childhood memories of feeling different to navigating adult heartaches, I too bravely share some things that are on my mental tape. But I didn’t just stop there with acknowledging these things. I embarked on a healing journey.

Learn how faith, self-reflection, and open conversations can pave the way for healing and understanding. Together, let’s break free from generational curses and embrace our worth. Like and share this video to inspire others on their journeys.

To read my post that inspired this video, please click on this link: https://stcfpoetrybook.com/2021/07/01/playing-back-your-mental-tape-bring-it-to-the-surface/

07.07.25
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I Run With Purpose

I run with purpose—
Each step I take is traced
With footprints of mercy and grace.
Even when doubt tries to tag along,
And fear whispers in my ear,
I place one timid foot before the other,
Wipe my eyes,
Adjust my gaze
So I can see things clear.

Sometimes, I fail,
Desperately awaiting hope to appear along the trail.
Sometimes, I grow weary.
The race leaves me fatigued and dreary.

At times, I forget to lay
Down the burdens I was never meant to carry.
I pick up heavy baggage along the way—
Get lost and make wrong turns,
Down roads where I was never meant to tarry.
I linger too long on trails
My Father told me to leave behind.
Yet He still encourages me forward,
Keeping me connected to the Vine.

And with time—and lessons learned,
And a saving grace so divine,
With a word of compass,
And mercy,
And God’s comforting hands:
Steady and kind,
I can finish my race,
Purposefully,
One faithful step at a time.

By Tannika

(c) 2025

09.25.23
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Best Piece of Advice

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Life gives us experiences that can provide us with knowledge about living and give us lessons for ourselves as well as others. So, I am always grateful for advice that is from life’s experience, wisdom, genuineness, and compassion.

Here are some of the best pieces of advice I have received:

  • You can’t please everyone. My mom once gave me this advice. And she was right. And, although I have made major progress in my people pleasing reform, I still have a ways to go in my journey. You can’t please everyone, and everyone may also include those you love. You will go nuts trying to accommodate and please everyone. And even if you set out to try to please everyone, someone still may not be satisfied.
  • Take one day at a time. I don’t remember where I exactly got this advice, but it is definitely something I have come to learn as well as it is my life’s motto. It is often said to break a large task or goal into smaller tasks or steps as well as to study something in chunks. Life to me should be dealt with in the same manner. Take one day at a time. Do what you can today. Don’t overwhelm yourself or your schedule. Focus. Prioritize. Know when to rest and know when to go. Don’t rush life. You miss important lessons and moments. Don’t skip any steps in your journey of life, healing, etc. Don’t let life’s worries keep you in yesterday or force you in tomorrow (although I know it is easier said than done). Take one day at a time and keep living while doing so.
  • Do what is best for you. My best friend gave me this piece of advice, and it was words I needed to hear. Let’s put a disclaimer here: it doesn’t mean to neglect your responsibilities or those you love. Or to do what is best for you that will harm someone else. And sometimes, we don’t know what may be best for us, so we need to seek God. Yet choosing you and doing what is best for you is necessary when you know or are learning what is best for you. When you know your deal breakers, goals, and purpose, and you are not going to compromise. When you have to protect yourself and maintain your well-being. When you remember that you are the one who has to live with the decisions you have made. When you remember that your comfort (sans comfort zone) and peace too matter.

Alright, those are my best pieces of advice. I would love to know some of your best pieces of advice.

08.31.23
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Daily Habits That Improve My Quality of Life

What daily habit do you do that improves your quality of life?

I will get straight to it. My daily habits that improve my quality of life are:

  • Making my bed every morning. It is a small discipline that makes a big impact. “If you make your bed every morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another”–William McRaven
  • Pray or acknowledge God. Let me be honest. I am not always stopping to pray in the morning but better believe by the end of the day, I have sat down with God in my heart to say thank you, share my heart, pray for my self or someone else. And I am learning to listen more because prayer with God is a dialogue and not a bringing of a list of wants. Yes, come to Him with what you need and even discuss your wants. To clarify, bring to Him every content of your heart (everything including fears, disappointments, goals, etc.) but make sure you learn to listen to what is in His because He knows what is best for us. His purposes always come to pass and His plans always succeed. Moreover, prayer is about getting to know God and inviting Him into every area of your life.
  • Read the Word of God. I don’t care if it is the YouVersion scripture of the day or a random chapter or a chapter or three of a God-led lesson I am currently studying, I read His Word. Have I missed a day or two or three? Honestly, yes, but it makes so much of a difference when I sit down to read and hear His Word.
  • Another daily habit of mine is making a list of things I am grateful for. This puts things in perspective and lifts my spirit as I list all of the things I am grateful for, no matter how small they may seem.
  • This isn’t daily but I go over my goals list. I have always been goal oriented and like to reflect on and assess my goals and where I am in accomplishing them.
  • I also journal or work in my planner. This helps me to sort out my thoughts, plan and stay organized.
  • Lastly, I make a daily habit of choosing to get up and choose peace and to better myself. Thank God for His grace to be able to do so.
Let’s Take This One Day At A Time Planner Available at Amazon.
07.14.23
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You Get Better

What do you think gets better with age?

Currently, it seems that ageism is increasing, or maybe because of social media, getting more awareness.

Ageism, according to Google, is defined as prejudice or discrimination on the grounds of a person’s age.

It can show up in the discrimination of an elderly person applying for a job, the demonizing of young people when not understood, or the unrealistic expectations placed upon an older or younger woman.

It is scary that younger people are getting messages that they should have everything settled and figured out by 21 and that older people should stop living as soon they turn 60. Or that someone is even old at 35, 40, and there is nothing left in life for them. Assinine thinking. (This is not a license for young people to not apply themselves and start the work to figure things out or live recklessly. Nor is it a license for older people to live recklessly and never mature mentally, emotionally, etc.)

We all, good Lord’s will, get older. Or are supposed to get older. If you wake up each day, getting older is inevitable. And it is NOT a bad thing. It is blessing. Some people leave this earth too soon. Moreover, some people’s dreams, goals and potential go to the grave without being brought to fruition or even to full capacity or total fulfillment.

And that part is disheartening.

So, remember, we all get older and it is a good thing. However, watching yourself change and evolve, moreso physically, can bring about a variety of emotions, and can be scary for some.

But don’t fret. Life gets better, yet.

And what gets better with age, you ask.

You.

Yes, you.

As you get maturer. As you become an adult. And as you become a grown grown person as some say, you should become better.

Not perfect. But better.

Your self awareness should be building. Your true confidence unlocking. You should be growing in wisdom. You should be more accountable and responsible. You should be busy living and not just existing. You should be awakening into the you, God created you to be.

So, with age, you get better. And life should get better. You are learning to live more authentic. You are healing. You are becoming more self-aware. You are unlearning some things to learn the right things. You are learning how to truly take care of you.

You have built up resilience and you have learned to persevere. And for some of us, you have learned when to rest and how to. You have set goals for yourself and maybe not all of them, but some of them. And you are realizing with age, it is not over yet.

Life is just beginning. Or you have come to the middle of your life where there is a plot twist, and you are in for a good treat. Especially with God leading the way.

01.10.23
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12 Ways To Live Simply

Originally Posted on December 3, 2016

To simplify means to make something easier or simpler. We live in a work-consumed, comparing and competitive, busy and fast-paced, social-site and cellphone addicted world. Our homes and work places have become even more stressful and we are reminded daily by that tomorrow is not promised. 

With that, people are desperately seeking to lead lives in which they can be more present and less stressed. They are determined to live simply in a chaotic world.

Tweet: Determined to live simply in a chaotic world. –Fruitful & Fabulous 

People are downsizing their homes, switching careers, resigning from their jobs, decluttering their homes and donating used goods to help organizations. People are looking to declutter and live simply physically, financially, mentally, etc.

So, how do you begin to simplify?

  1. Declutter your homes, office/workspace, even emails, etc. Decluttering puts us in a great mental space as well as helps us create tidy, more organized and inviting spaces.
  2. Stop multitasking or at least much of the time. Many of us are great multitaskers; however, multitasking can leave us stressed and failing to give adequate attention to the tasks at hand.
  3. Subtract first before adding. Yes, in order to make room for something new and that something that should be occupying your time at that moment/season, you sometimes have to part ways with the old. This is even true about destructive relationships. If you are friends with or dating someone that is detrimemtal to your physical, emotional and spiritual well-being, pray for grace to let go and move on. Freeing up that space allows the right person to come in.
  4. Pray & meditate on God’s Word. This should have been first honestly. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all things shall be added unto thee. Nurture your relationship with God first and foremost. Noone has ever regretted putting God first. He loves us beyond measure and knows what is best for us.
  5.  Prioritize and organize. We honestly don’t know if you can find a 100% balance between everything in your life. But what we do know is that you can prioritize and organize, and make life that much better. Prioritizing also means learning to say no or when to say no.
  6. Delegate and ask for help. Despite the “S” we may feel like we wear on our chest, I guarantee you that even Superwoman needs help. 
  7. Don’t be so hard on yourself and don’t overthink everything. Make sure you give yourself enough care. And forgive yourself for not being able to save the world today. We also tend to make something worse than what it is or bring something to doom in worry alone. Trust God.
  8. Laugh alot. Laughter is surely a great dose of medicine and a great distraction when anxious and feeling overwhelmed. Laugh a lot.
  9. Check your thoughts. Train yourself to fight and extract those thoughts that have no place occupying your mental space. Take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ Jesus.
  10. Live in the moment. You can’t live in the past and you can’t go to the future but you are in the present. So Tweet: So be present in the present–Fruitful & Fabulous. 
  11. Develop an emergency fund. That small cushion of funds saved for emergencies only can eliminate some stress and make it much easier to handle financial difficulties.
  12. Prepare. Prepare for the next day, assignment, trip, project, life changes as best as you can. It frees up your time and allows you to add something, if you must, or take something off your schedule.  
12.14.22
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Let’s Take This One Day At A Time Planner

I am so proud to introduce my new book, Let’s Take This One Day At A Time Planner! Just in time for Christmas and the new year. And being released in a season where I have been going through a lot as well as feeling up and down. So, we pushing through and looking forward to a new year!

To continue with the theme of my book, Bring It To The Surface: Poetry & Journal, I want to further encourage others with a special planner. I discovered that healing is continuous and living must be intentional.

Take a look!

Let’s Take This One Day At A Time Planner helps you to be intentional in taking one day at a time. This planner helps you to not only plan your week and stay organized, but also continue your healing journey and growth by being intentional in five areas: prayer, goal setting, self-care, gratitude, and reflection.

Available on Amazon now!