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Cassan Ferguson

#SquadGoals to aspire to

Cassan Ferguson
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#SquadGoals to aspire to

Insert a cute picture of my friends and I,
then post online and hashtag Squad Goals. 

Have you ever seen the hashtag “Squad Goals” being used by others on Instagram and thought to yourself, “what does that mean?” Or maybe you have never really noticed it before… maybe you have no  clue what a hashtag is?

Side note: A hashtag looks like this : # 

Hashtag definition: A word or phrase preceded by a hash sign (#), used on social media sites such as Twitter to identify messages on a specific topic.

Squad Goals Definition: An inspirational term for what you’d like your group of friends to be or accomplish.

I guess you can see where I am going with this post:

Show me your friends and I’ll tell you who you are.

DO YOU LIKE YOUR SQUAD?

If you think about your squad, your immediate circle of friends, can you honestly say that you like your squad? The reason I ask is because sometimes we find ourselves in a circle or grouping of friends that we don’t necessarily enjoy. This could be for a few reasons: maybe your “friends” are always gossiping about one another, or maybe they are always negative, or maybe they seem to shut you down, along with those around them.

IS IT TIME TO UPGRADE YOUR SQUAD?

If your friendship circle is not adding to your life in positive ways, then maybe it’s time to look for friends that will add to your life. Like the famous saying goes: “You become like those you surround yourself with”. Your squad will influence the way you think and the way you behave. Do you want positive, inspiring and uplifting friends or do you want negative friends that won’t add any value to your life?

SQUAD GOALS TO ASPIRE TO:

Often celebrities will post images of themselves with their friends looking like they are ready for a magazine shoot followed by the “squad goals” phrase. Looking beautiful together may be cute, but ultimately the character and hearts behind the faces is what really counts in the long term.

Maybe it’s time to reinvent your squad, or to add some of the following:

  • Friends that inspire.
  • Friends that encourage.
  • Friends that support one another.
  • Friends that get it.
  • Friends that will challenge you.
  • Friends that will be honest with you.
  • Friends that will remind you of your dreams.
  • Friends that value you and your time.
  • Friends that walk beside you in dark times.
  • Friends that celebrate every success with you.
  • Friends that love you for who you are.
  • Friends that laugh and cry with you.
  • Friends that speak highly of you, especially when you are not around.
  • Friends that keep your secrets secret.

DO YOU KNOW THE DIRECTION OF YOUR LIFE?

I ask this because when we know where we are headed in life, we tend to know what type of people we want to surround ourselves with. Authentic friendships will always bring the best out of you, and true friends will want to see you succeed in whatever it is you want to do. Therefore, choose wisely when it comes to your squad, and at the same time remember to be a good friend to members of your personal squad.

Is Instagram ruining your self-esteem?

Cassan Ferguson
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Is Instagram ruining your self-esteem?

After trolling celebrities online (I mean browsing through social media…) do you ever end up feeling a bit down, almost as if you are lacking something in your life?

Sometimes, after seeing your “go-to” celeb wearing the latest item, or traveling to some exotic location once again, or seeing how trim and fit they are looking, you can’t help but feel down – almost as if you have been cheated on by life itself.

IS IT SOCIAL MEDIA’S FAULT?
We live in a world where social media has become engaging, exciting, and easily accessible. Let’s be honest: it’s all slightly addictive. Celebrities use social media as a means of marketing themselves, and to market brands. Therefore we can’t help but notice how “so and so” looks, and what “so and so” is wearing. For the most part it becomes a sales and marketing exercise, and it works – because we are left thinking about it , if not longing for it.

But can we blame the power and influence of social media for making us feel a certain way about ourselves? Or do we have a wrong impression or understanding of our self-worth and value? Because if we truly understood our self-worth and value, we wouldn’t struggle with our self-esteem. We wouldn’t let what others are doing online make us feel like we are lacking in some way.

IS SOCIAL MEDIA REAL?
Social media can be a great source of inspiration, especially when people are creating amazing things that we can draw from. However, for the most part, social media does not  reflect the truth. Sometimes pictures are posed; some are purely used as a marketing tool, and others are photoshopped. Not everything that we see online is authentic. We need to be able to decipher that.

DOES SOCIAL MEDIA HAVE POWER OVER US?
Social media does not have the power to control us or influence our emotions, unless we allow it to! That means you have the control and power to unfollow certain brands or celebrities, especially if they influence the way you feel about yourself. Be intentional about following people and things online that are encouraging and inspiring you in your day-to-day life.

IS SOCIAL MEDIA TIME CONSUMING?
How many hours per day do we waste on the trolling of celebrities online? We become a little bit obsessed with certain celebs, to the point where our identity starts to lie in what they are saying and doing. Sometimes we need to put our phones down, or give social media a break for a while, especially if it’s becoming all-consuming.

KNOW YOUR WORTH 
Sometimes, our secret social media obsessions become a major distraction in our lives. If we allow ourselves to get caught up in social media, it will eventually shape us and define us negatively, and it will most certainly cause us to forget our sense of self-worth.

I love this verse in the Bible:

I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful.
Psalm 139 : 14

You, my dear friend, have been made in the image of a creative God, who lovingly designed your innermost being! You are one of a kind – celebrate that; own that!

Now don’t get me wrong: I love social media, and I think it can be something we can enjoy. We should just keep a watchful eye out for when it steals our joy, or when it starts to make us feel down about ourselves.

If this post spoke to you and you want to know more about God, why not click on the link below. 

10 ways to survive (and thrive!) as a first-time mom

Cassan Ferguson
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10 ways to survive (and thrive!) as a first-time mom

Dear new mom,

IT’S OKAY! 

Sincerely,

Another mom.

It’s okay to feel overwhelmed. It’s okay to feel like you’re  drowning, It’s okay to feel like you may just be a bit out of your depth. And It’s okay to feel a bit down due to lack of sleep. It’s okay to feel like adjusting to this new season is a bit tricky. It’s okay to feel like you have no idea what you are doing! It’s okay, first-time mom, and it is so normal to feel those things!

I read this quote the other day and it made me giggle:

The best advice I received as a new mom was this:
No one else knows what they are doing either.

First-time moms often feel a subconscious pressure to get it right from the get-go. Even though we have never done it before (parenting, that is) we somehow feel like we should get it right and adjust to the new season of motherhood with the flip of a switch. Maybe for some first time moms that is the case, and well done to you I say. But not everyone is like that, and that is also okay!

The thing about entering motherhood as a first-time mom is that no matter how many books we read, and how many tips we receive from schooled moms, there is nothing quite like entering this new season for yourself. You can’t really anticipate how you will respond to your newborn, or how you will embrace the changes that come with a cute baby. You have to be open and aware of taking on every day, day by day.

Each day may look different. Maybe one day your newborn sleeps, eats, and burps easily; but the next day they are tense and and not wanting to sleep at all. Parenting can be very unpredictable and full of surprises, yet if we have the right mindset it can be something that we enjoy even when it feels tough.

NEW MOM SURVIVAL GUIDE

1. Remember it’s okay: As I said earlier in this post, when you come to a place of embracing the day-to-day, you become more emotionally aware of where you are at. This will take the pressure off of yourself, and you will feel more relaxed and confident whilst going through this unknown territory. Some days will be good days, others will be a little bit more challenging – and that is okay!

2. Do what feels right for you: In a new season like this, we often doubt whether what we are doing is right: “Am I burping my baby properly? Did I feed them enough? Can I start formula sooner rather than later? Should I be a stay-at-home mom or be a working mom?” We end up going back and forth sifting through our doubts, and we end up feeling like the decisions we need to make for our families are not good enough. However, we must not forget that each and every family is unique, and what works for one family may not work for the next family. Do what feels right for you, not what everyone else is doing or says you should or shouldn’t do. Go with your internal mom gut – after all, you will sense what feels right for your family! Trust yourself in this season!

3. Encourage your partner: Sleep deprivation, along with embracing the changes of parenting, makes us feel a bit emotionally vulnerable during this time. Be mindful to look for little moments to encourage one another and build each other’s confidence. Maybe you could note when your husband changes a poop diaper, or encourage your wife when she has to burp or bath your baby. Little compliments can add so much courage and confidence to a new parent!

4. Don’t keep it all in: The first few weeks can feel like an emotional roller-coaster. Some moms experience postnatal depression, while others struggle with anxiety. Be aware of what you are feeling: by that I mean if you feel teary most of the time, or if you feel disconnected emotionally, make sure that your husband knows, and people that you trust know. This enables them to encourage you, help you, and pray for you. We often don’t want to be a burden on anyone, and we suffer in silence alone. Just know that you are not a burden, and know that you are not failing as a mom – and know that it’s normal and okay to lean on loved ones during this time!

5. Get out of the house: I remember feeling so trapped in my house in those early newborn days with my son. It felt like the walls were closing in on me, especially when it was just my son and I. I would go on mini adventures with him to coffee shops, or for little pram walks. Sometimes we underestimate how the change of scenery can lift our spirits, and make us feel a bit more human again! Don’t be afraid to leave the house!

6. Take it easy: Sometimes we think we need to get back into our old lives and move at a fast pace as soon as possible, when actually we need to slow down, let our bodies heal, let our hearts catch up with our minds, and rest when we can. We tend to put pressure on ourselves to maintain everything at a high standard, when in actual fact in those very early days our number one priority is making sure that our newborns feel loved, well fed and secure in their environment. This means taking care of ourselves too.

7 . Join a mom and babes group: Surrounding yourself with moms in a similar season are great for for a few reasons: You get to go out together, and have an adult conversation whilst your newborn is with you. You will also feel a sense of sisterhood in having a group that is surrounding you and uplifting you during this new season.

8. Celebrate the little moments: In the beginning you may feel like you are just feeding, burping, changing diapers, washing clothes, and putting baby to sleep every few hours in a non-stop cycle. That kind of routine does get quite tiresome, and tiredness can lead to moodiness. Let’s be honest! Try to look for little moments with your newborn baby where you celebrate them.

9. Don’t let people’s opinions shake your confidence: Some people (mainly moms) will feel the need to teach you everything they know, and will offer you their opinion disguised as advice without you even asking for it. Sometimes they may say things that shake your confidence, and it may cause you to doubt yourself. Do not let anyone shake your confidence in the decisions you choose to make that is best suited your family. Learn to filter through it with a smile on your face!

10. Lean on God, always: When my son had colic, it was one of the hardest seasons I had ever gone through. I felt overwhelmed and low-spirited, and most days I would cry whilst rocking Malakai in my arms. There were moments where it felt so hard that all I could do was play worship music and pray to God with tears in my eyes. Every time I would feel His peace comfort me. In those moments with Him in His presence, I would feel Him strengthen me and encourage me! One of the best places to be is in His presence, especially when we feel emotionally out of control and weak. In those moments with Him we end up feeling strong and courageous!

Dear new mom, just know that you’ve got this and that everything is going to be okay! I’m cheering you on as you enter and embrace this new season!

Should my situation define me?

Cassan Ferguson
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Should my situation define me?

The easy answer should be a flat resounding “no“. But how often do we let our situations define us and eventually steal from us? How often do we say, “I am so better than this, I deserve more,” yet we still stay and become a slave to the lingering doubt that has held our hearts captive?

LIES THAT DEFINE US

In my own life, there have been seasons where I realised I was believing the words that were coming out of my mouth. They weren’t just any words, they were poisoned lies that I believed:

“You deserve this, you can’t expect more, you’ve got to settle, you can only amount to this so stop trying, and stop dreaming!”

They were lies that made me feel helpless, fearful, and very overwhelmed! It’s a horrible place to be in, or should I say live in, and it can easily become a reoccurring living nightmare if we let it! What lies can you identify in your own life that influence the way you live?

Personally, I got to a place where I was just so tired of it all! I was frustrated and I was miserable and I was tired of feeling frustrated and miserable, and I loathed it! They were lies that were stealing from me in so many ways! I was tired of letting the lies rule my heart and I wanted it to stop defining the way I saw myself and the way I went about living from the day to day. Deep down inside I knew there was a little voice that was saying to me :

“Actually Cass, there is more to life than this; you are worth more than all of this!”

I wanted to believe this voice; I wanted to step out of that hole I was in and experience something far greater. I wanted to experience a shift in season, and I wanted to live a big and bold life that was filled with joy and expectation. I wanted to live a life that was far different from the lies that were defining the way I was living. Therefore I knew I had to take action – bold action, that is, especially if I wanted to go about redefining the way I was doing things.

REDEFINING THE LIES

1. Look out for the lies: Become aware of those sneaky lies that creep in from time to time. You will know they are lies when those lies make you feel downhearted, especially when they are thoughts about your self-worth and value.

2. Know who your God is: When we become intentional about knowing who God is, and knowing how God sees us, we soon start to realise that God has called us to live big lives filled with adventure and filled with His promises!

3. Replace those lies: When lies become familiar to us, they own a part of ourselves, in a sense. If we want to kick those unwelcome guests out of our hearts and minds, we need to replace them with some real truths. The Bible is filled with God’s promises and truth about how God sees us and how God values us. When those truths lay hold of hearts, it will redefine the way we go about doing things. Below are some biblical truths you can replace lies with:

We are strong
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13.

We are wonderfully created
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.
Psalm 139:13-16

We are loved
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16

Our future is filled with Hope
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

We are more than Conquerors
In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Romans 8:37

4 . Speak truth: We often believe the words we speak over our lives and over our situations. The Bible says that our words have the power of life and death. That means we have a choice when it comes to what we choose to speak over our lives. We need to start replacing the lies with words that speak life, truth, favour, and love over every situation in our lives.

5 . Let love lead: When I went on the journey of replacing lies that I believed about myself, I knew that I had to let the unconditional love of God breathe over me and over my situations. I knew that I could not do the day-to-day without His love leading me, from daily decisions that had to be made at work, to how I spoke and dealt with others, to the dreaming of something new. I knew that I had to let the presence of God take hold of all the details. And you know what, that was the most freeing place to be in: it was a place of surrender, a place of peace.

The truth is when we let the love of God enter our hearts, and we let His love shape us daily, we start to live and behave differently. We start to lift of our heads, we smile more, we move forward with courage! Friends, the truth is you are called to live a big and bold life, because you have a God in heaven who created you with such love and detail; who created you with purpose! Start replacing those lies with some very powerful truths! Why not start today!

If this post spoke to you, and would like to find out more, why not click on the link below.

The truth about love

Cassan Ferguson
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The truth about love

Falling in love is easy, but staying in love is very special. 

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and during this time we can’t help but feel a stir of emotions. When I walk past all of the cute gifting ideas at the shops, I can’t help but pause for a little bit longer and ponder on how many Valentine’s Days I spent with my husband. Whilst I must look really odd to other shoppers, I can’t help but giggle to myself when I think of all the memories we have shared together over the years. After my little memory flashback scene, I buy three Valentine’s chocolates – one for me of course – then one for my husband and one for my son.

Whilst nibbling on my chocolate I can’t help but think to myself: “Wow, this chocolate is so good, why didn’t I buy more?” Then, more importantly, I think about how blessed I am in my marriage, and how special the dynamic of my little family is. My heart feels full when I think of my husband and when I think of my son!

Now you may be thinking to yourself: “She sounds like she has the perfect life, the dream family, such a lucky girl!” When in essence, my husband and I have worked very hard at keeping our marriage strong. However, this came from the bumping of heads (often), to learning through failing (often), and after every fall we decided to always come back stronger as a team!

The truth is that behind closed doors, behind every “happy couple” social media picture, lies a story. The truth behind every strong marriage lies within the mutual understanding that love requires constant effort from both individuals within a marriage. If you do not make the time to invest in and nurture your marriage, you can’t expect it to flourish; you also can’t be shocked or feel blindsided when you know you haven’t been intentional about looking after it.

THE TRUTH ABOUT LOVE

Over the years a few thoughts and values have helped my husband and I in our marriage, and I am hoping that they may encourage you to keep on pursuing the gold within your marriage.

1. Your husband/wife is not perfect.

2. No marriage is perfect.

3. Do not become lazy of familiar within your marriage.

4. Believe in the best of your partner.

5. Always encourage one another.

6. Forgive quickly.

7. Love needs to be protected, and it needs to be nurtured.

8. Great love takes time.

9. Dating your partner never gets old!

10. Be honest with your feelings.

11.  Confront and speak the truth with love and with the greatest of respect for your partner.

12 . Never stop dreaming together.

We live in a world where we want things to happen fast, and we just want fast results. Imagine if we could all just upgrade our marriage by downloading it with a click of a finger? That would be amazing right, if not easy! But in reality, we need to get our hands dirty, we need to be intentional, and we need to work hard and keep our marriages strong and healthy! When we decided to marry our significant others, we vowed to love them, to cherish them no matter the season!

I love this verse that was read at our wedding, as it has been a constant source of encouragement and inspiration for our marriage:

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud, or rude.
It does not demand its own way.
It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.
It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
1 Corinthians 13 : 4-7

It’s easy to hold offense within a marriage, and it’s also very easy (if not comfortable) waiting around wishing that our partner would do all the work because it’s their turn do the work. However, marriage is a partnership, therefore our pride needs to move aside, and love needs to step bravely forward. Because: “Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance.”

The truth is , when you are committed to wanting to do whatever it takes to make your marriage strong, your marriage will thrive no matter the season! It will bear fruit that will last a lifetime that will bless those around you! Why not start today, by taking that first step of love towards your partner. Trust me you won’t regret it!

The truth about fear

Cassan Ferguson
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The truth about fear

Why do you give up, before ever giving it a proper go?

These words were said to me by someone very dear to me recently, and it really forced me to think about it, because I never realised that it had become a bad habit that was stopping me from growing and experiencing something new. I suppose I would hide behind the thought (the lie):

It’s just not me, I know I can’t do it, so I’m just being realistic by saying no!

Actually I was over thinking it all and trying to find a way out, because deep down inside, if I had too be honest with myself, I was just afraid. I was afraid of doing something that would make me feel uncomfortable; I was afraid of doing something that would maybe expose my weakness; or I was afraid of potentially failing; or afraid of potentially disappointing others. It actually seemed fair to give up right from the get go – in that way everyone would be spared from potential disasters.

Recently I had the opportunity to try something new, something that was completely out of my comfort zone, and it made me feel so anxious because I was so scared that I wouldn’t be able to live up to expectations and I was afraid I would fail. I had agreed to do it, because I wanted to do it, but the process to getting to it was a roller coaster filled with “what if’s”. However, I knew I had to go through with it, and face these obstacles so that I can overcome this area in my life. It wasn’t easy for me, as it was a real fear for me. But I knew that I couldn’t keep on letting the fear rule my life in such a way that it would continually steal from me.

WHEN WE GIVE UP BECAUSE OF FEAR, WHAT WE ARE REALLY SAYING IS :

1. I don’t believe in myself.

2.  I’m scared to learn something new, something that may make me feel uncomfortable, or vulnerable.

3.  I don’t trust in God.

FIGHT FEAR WITH STEPS OF FAITH

I suppose because we have experienced disappointment from the world, we become fearful, and struggle to trust completely in God. We then start to live a very sheltered life, and keep our guard up as means of protecting ourselves from potential harm. Sometimes the best place to be, is when we just lean into God with everything that we’ve got, and let Him carry us and let Him show us how to become more brave and courageous.

When I am afraid, I will trust in you.
Psalm 56:3 

The Lord is my strength and my shield, in Him my heart trusts.
Psalm 28:7

So do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10

This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 

The more time we make in getting to know God by reading the Bible, by talking to him daily, and by acknowledging when God has answered a prayer, the more we start to trust in Him, and our faith starts to mature. When we trust in God, it requires a faith action; it requires us to step towards the fear trusting that God will go before us and that He will walk us through it. No matter what happens God is still in control, and He will always have our best interests at heart.

THE TRUTH ABOUT FEAR

The truth about fear is that it steals from us, it lies to us , it controls us, it holds us back, it traps us, and it causes us to feel anxious and miserable. However, the good news is that God has called us to be more than conquerers, He calls us to be brave, He calls us to be the head and not the tail. He sees us as His royal heirs. He created us in His image, therefore we are destined to be pretty awesome in the things that He has gifted us to do.

But the Lord stood with me, and gave me strength.
2 Timothy 4:17 

I believe that with God at our side, we can overcome all fears, and I believe that God wants us to go boldly into the unknown, knowing and trusting that God will be with us every single step of the way. Don’t let fear hold you back from experiencing the fullness of what God has in store for you. Overcome your fear by taking small, daily steps of faith!

If this post encouraged you or spoke to you, then may I encourage you to click on the link below.

9 surefire steps to success at work

Cassan Ferguson
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9 surefire steps to success at work

Have you ever noticed that one person that seems to stand out in whatever they do at work? They have the confidence, the drive, self-motivation, and innovation to shake things up in the working world! I don’t know about you, but I often wonder to myself when observing these stand-out individuals:

“How do they do it?
How do they keep on growing?
Why are they successful at whatever they put their minds to?”

Successful is defined as:

Accomplishing a desired aim or result.

Therefore, if we want to grow in something or achieve success, we need to know what our aim is. This means we need to know what our goals are, and have the intention of wanting to achieve those goals! I love knowing that I am growing and that I am constantly being challenged in all areas of my life. Because the truth is our “best” today, won’t necessarily be our “best” tomorrow. Therefore we have to challenge ourselves constantly in the way we go about doing things.

TIPS ON BEING MORE SUCCESSFUL AT WORK

If like me you are wanting to grow this year in the way you go about doing things at work, in your freelance work, and in your personal life, then maybe some of these tips will help encourage you to stay motivated , focused and inspired this year :

1 . WORK HARD

Successful people are not gifted; they just work hard, then succeed on purpose.

People who experience success in their lives don’t just receive it from blinking their eyelids. They will put full effort in to what they do and how they do it. Working hard isn’t always easy; it’s a constant challenge, yet it’s very rewarding and brings about growth in our character! Start thinking of ways in which you can work a little harder, or improve the way you go about doing things.

2 . LOVE WHO YOU ARE, WHAT YOU DO, AND HOW YOU DO IT

Success is liking yourself, liking what you do,
and liking how you do it. – Maya Angelou

The only way to do great work is to love what you do. –
Steve Jobs

I love how both Steve Jobs and Maya Angelou said it is important to love what you do. When you are working in an environment that you are passionate about, you end up pushing yourself naturally because you throw yourself into it with heart and soul. I also love how Maya Angelou encouraged us to “like yourself, like what you do, like how you do it”. What we love will flow from our hearts and from our character. If we love ourselves in a healthy way, we will love others well, we will do our work with love, and we will execute our work with love too. When we do that, people receive it well and will be inspired by it.

3 . DON’T COMPARE YOURSELF

Don’t measure your success based on the success of others.

Everyone has their own version of what success means to them. We do not need to achieve somebody else’s version of success, we just need to focus on what being successful means to us.

4 . BE MORE DISCIPLINED

The “D” word… not my favorite word. I cringe on the inside when I see it or hear it! But I have been challenged in the area of self discipline lately. I can’t stay up all night watching series, only to wake up early the next day and feel way too tired to function properly at work. For this reason I know I need to go to bed at a certain time every single night with the intention of waking up feeling refreshed and ready to give my best! Maybe for you, being disciplined could mean exercising more, eating healthier, finishing projects on time, or going to bed earlier.

5 . HAVE A HEALTHY BALANCE

Often we become so focused on achieving our professional goals, that we end up working around the clock from the early hours till late at night. We need to remember to have healthy boundaries, where we relax a bit, unwind, find rest; where we still create intentional space and time for our family and friends. We are not machines, therefore we cannot always move at an unrealistic pace that ends up being detrimental to our health.

6 . LEARN FROM MISTAKES

Don’t carry your mistakes around with you. Instead, place them under your feet and use them as stepping stones to rise above them.

We are human, therefore it will be natural for us to make mistakes! Mistakes do not define us, and should not hold us back from growing. Mistakes can teach us very valuable lessons, and sometimes mistakes steer us in the right direction.

7 . BE INTENTIONAL

“Excellence is never an accident; it is the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction, skillful execution and the vision to see obstacles as opportunities.” – Anonymous

Being successful or achieving success means we need to prepare and plan for it. We need to know in what areas we are wanting to see success, then we need to be intentional and wise on how we go about executing it.

8. ACKNOWLEDGE & REASSESS

There’s a way to do it better, find it!  – Thomas Edison

Often we forget to acknowledge when we have done something great or achieved something of significance. Maybe you designed a beautiful graphic image, or maybe you wrote a beautiful song, or maybe you pushed the boundaries at work and closed a great deal! But then you forget to acknowledge the hard work that you put into it, you forget to take it in and enjoy what you have achieved. It’s important to acknowledge those moments.

Another process we tend to overlook is, once you have achieved something great is to ask yourself the question, “How could I have done this different? How could I improve the way I went about this?”. Basically you reassess the process and look for ways to improve, so that you can add more value in what you are bringing or creating at work.

9 . BE INNOVATIVE

Innovative = The introducing of new ideas; original and creative in thinking.

It’s quite easy to do what is expected of us. No wait, scratch that – it’s quite boring to do the same old same old… well the same! If we want to grow, if we want to be challenged, and if we want to achieve success, then we need to be more innovative! Therefore we need to think of ways in which we can execute things well and differently. We need to be more innovative when creating ideas that could add something new and something fresh to whatever our hands find to do! Being innovative not only refreshes us; it also has the power to inspire not only us but those around us watching!

Innovative people are natural leaders too. They challenge the norm constantly by wrestling with the ideas of bringing something new to the table. Innovators seek the vision in things, they seek the unconventional, they look for things that have not been done before, therefore innovators are the movers and shakers, they are driven by the vision!

I hope that some of these tips will help add strength and inspire you to give it everything that you’ve got! God has called us for greatness, and we all have the potential to achieve great things in and through Him. Why not start today?

Being happy for others when they succeed

Cassan Ferguson
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Being happy for others when they succeed

It’s hard to find joy when we feel hopeless, when we feel a bit lost, when we feel so hurt, discouraged or a bit broken. It’s hard to stay upbeat, positive, and expectant for great things to take place in our lives when our joy is clouded by fear, insecurities, challenging seasons, uncertainties, and doubt.

When we lose our joy, our hope and faith goes along with it. When our hope is gone, we don’t know how to move forward, we give up and accept the weight of our current situation that we are faced in.

What makes it even worse, is when we see others succeeding – those who seem to have it all together, or who seem to get promotions with a click of a finger; those that always seem to be traveling abroad living the good life. We try to force that smile, clap our hands and try to celebrate with those winners, when in actual fact we want to cry and roll into the fetal position whilst the world’s smallest violin plays in the background.

Maybe you can relate to this, and maybe you to feel a bit crushed and down in spirit when you see others succeed in life without even trying. When I start to feel like this, God reminds me of the following:

  • He has not forgotten about me (or you) and He will never leave me (or you) or drop me (or you).
  • He is in control.
  • His timing is always perfect and He is always on time.
  • His joy is our strength.
  • He wants us to dream and to succeed.

We can’t just sit back and hope that life will sort itself out mysteriously. We also can’t just say to ourselves, “Yeah, just waiting on you Lord to open those doors and bring those opportunities to me!” That would be great, but once we find our faith and our hope in God with regards to our current situation, we need to get moving, and become more proactive and start to dream and live again. Sometimes we need to do a few practical things to  help shake things up, to create motivation and passion to keep on moving!

PRACTICAL STEPS

Write it down or speak to somebody about it: Be open with your emotions and have an honest conversation with someone that you trust. Sometimes talking things through helps us to filter and understand what we feel. When friends or family members know what you are facing, it helps them to understand how they can walk you through this season by encouraging you, or reminding you where you are headed. You do not need to go through this feeling alone!

Find out practical ways in which you can change your situation: This may look different for everyone depending on your situation, but take a moment to think about how you can do practical things that can help improve or change your current situation. I love this quote :

“If you do not like your current situation, then change it.
You are not a tree!”

We often think that we are physically and emotionally bound to our situations and darker seasons, when in actual fact that is far from the truth. Valleys are there for us to walk through, therefore our challenging seasons should not define us, crush us, or immobilise us. When we feel like that, we need to take a moment to see how we can change little things around us that will help to keep on moving.

Write those dreams and goals down: When we write down our dreams and goals, it becomes a vision board for us. This means we see the vision written down clearly and boldly before us, and we begin to make daily decisions that will lead towards those goals.

Create space in your day-to-day that will lead to change: This advice was given to me a year ago, and it changed the way I approached the developing of my talents and passions. If I am not conscious of creating the space and time for the developing and nurturing of my passions, it will not grow, and the passion for it will fade out.

Create a spirit of gratitude: Often we become despondent and lose our faith when we forget how blessed we truly are. We sometimes undermine and overlook all the amazing things God has done for us, and will still do for us. Sometimes we keep our gaze so inwardly focused that we forget to look up, and look to God, and just thank Him for who He is.

In the Bible it says:

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

When you feel down about your current situation, or you feel like you are stuck in a season, remember this verse – say it over and over again until it becomes your anchor. I believe that your best days lay before you. Are you brave enough to look up and look to God and trust in Him? When you see somebody succeeding around you and you start to feel down, put the focus on God and thank Him for what He is going to do for you! Then cheer on those who are succeeding, celebrate with them, encourage them – because when it’s your turn to celebrate a new season you will note how that extra love and support from others will encourage you and make you feel celebrated and special!

If this post spoke to you and you would like to know about God, or you have any questions, please feel free to comment at the end of this post or click on the link below.

Being the right mom for your children

Cassan Ferguson
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Being the right mom for your children

Do you ever have those days as a parent where you stop for a second and question the way you are going about this whole parenting gig? I know I do! Just the other day after dropping my son off at daycare, he looked a little sad to see me go and as I walked out of his classroom , my heart sank and I felt the question “Am I giving him the best?” weigh on me like a ton of bricks.

The day moved on and still as I was trying to finish off freelance work, I couldn’t shake that question: “Am I giving him my best?” I then went to fetch him from school and gave him the biggest hug, and told him I loved him, because I wasn’t sure in that moment if I was giving him my best. We drove home, and we chatted in the car, but I still couldn’t shake that feeling. Later that evening, after we said goodnight to our son, I sat on the couch and thought about it again. I started picking at it so that I could get to the bottom of it and try  to figure out why it was bothering me so much.

Do you ever have those moments in parenting where you doubt yourself, you doubt the way you are doing things, and you feel like you are failing hopelessly at it? I know mom-guilt creeps in from time to time, and I know it’s better to shake it off and move forward from it. But there are some days where a thought lingers for a bit longer, and it starts to affect our emotions, which in turn can influence our behaviour.

Back to the couch… I sat there and I quietly said to God :

” God, am I doing the right things for my son?
Am I being a good mom, and making the right decisions for him? Because I am not so sure if I am. What do you think, Lord?”

Now, this may sound strange. Why would I ask God regarding my parenting skills? Because to me, He is my dad. He knows me better than anyone, therefore His opinion of me and my circumstances will mean the most to me.  God, however, did not answer me right away; instead, He started speaking to me in little moments throughout the next few days whilst I was with my son. This is what He said:

You are the right mom for your son.

The truth is, God knew well in advance who our children would be and He knew exactly what kind of parents were needed to raise them! So there is no need to doubt ourselves, or feel like we are falling short ; there is no need to feel like the love we provide for our children is not good enough.

The truth is, we can try and be the best version of ourselves , and give the best of who we are and what we have to our children, but we do not need to be perfect. If anything, we need to understand that parenting is like a roller coaster: it has its highs and it has its lows. We need to understand when it’s a high moment, and when it’s a low moment, and see it for what it is.

The truth is, our love for our children is way more important than material things. I’ve come to realize that, as I am a gift person. I love giving gifts and I love blessing others, but if I feel that my budget is a bit tight, I feel like I am not providing the best for my family. However, I know that my son knows that I love him regardless of tight budgets. Because I see it in his eyes, I see it when his face beams after I encourage him, or after we’ve played games together, laughed together, or read books together. I know without a doubt that he feels loved, which makes him feel secure, which in turn makes him feel confident. Therefore I am giving him my best. Therefore I am the right mom for him!

Sometimes we need to stop focusing on the areas where we think we are falling short, and look at the moments where we are doing great. Sometimes we can get so caught up in our thoughts, that it actually keeps us from being more present with our children. Sometimes we need to look at the smaller things that actually mean the most to our children: reading to them, laughing with them, watching a movie with them, acknowledging their achievements, consoling them when they feel sad or scared. Those little moments with our children are actually sacred moments. They are moments that shape their personalities, that instill a sense of value, that encourage confidence and, most importantly, make them feel loved.

I do not believe that God wants us to doubt ourselves and what we bring to our family members! I believe God wants us to love our families with a sense of boldness and with passion. God does not doubt you for a second, He is there for you to help you, to guide you, and to refresh you as you go about parenting your little people!

Keep the love alive after having kids

Cassan Ferguson
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Keep the love alive after having kids

It’s no surprise that some marriages take strain when you add kids to the mix. Relaxing moments, down time, and peace and quiet seem few and far between. Add sleep deprivation to that crazy mix, and couples end up retreating emotionally as a means of survival – which in turn causes us to neglect our partners. We then stop pouring love into one another, because we feel like we have nothing left to give, and our marriages start to crumble.

However, the good news is that we do not need to accept that as the norm. We do not need to give up on our partners, or give up on the love that is shared between one another. The sad reality is that if we are not aware of keeping the love alive with our partners, our relationships will take a downward spiral. I say this because it can so easily happen if we are not aware of it.

At the end of the day we need to invest in keeping the love alive between husband and wife, as they are the ones that we do life with; we help carry each other through the storms of life, and we are each other’s biggest cheer leaders! Therefore we cannot afford to be lazy in the way we choose to love our partners. We cannot hold back our love, or be stingy with it. Even though we may feel drained and overwhelmed trying to juggle everything that life throws at us, we need to still place value on each other.

A great marriage takes work, and it takes effort, and it requires two individuals to go above and beyond and love unconditionally, no matter the season. There is always time to press the refresh button on your marriage, and find ways to shower your partner with love. Why not start today?

How do we keep the love alive?

DATE DAYS / DATE NIGHTS

Often as parents , we tend to live the day to day just for our children. It happens sometimes with the greatest of intentions, because after all we want our children to feel loved and secure around us. However, we need to feel loved too, especially by our partners. Try looking for ways where you can create the space and time for one another where you go out together, alone without the kids. Maybe you need to be a little more intentional about scheduling in little date days or date nights , and book the baby sitters in advance! Little getaways for you and your partner can breathe fresh life and romance into your marriage!

DO SOMETHING NEW TOGETHER

Find something different that you and your partner have never done together and go and try it out! Go to the theatre, watch a live band perform, go shark cave diving, try out a new restaurant – basically go out and find a new adventure for you and your partner to explore and experience together. As long as you are together, discovering new things, laughing and enjoying one another’s company.

ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER

So often we forget to encourage those closest to us, maybe because we see them all the time, and we think that surely “they must know…”, but in fact they don’t know how we feel about them because we hold back on the encouragement! I firmly believe that encouragement and words of affirmation should become the norm within a marriage. Words that speak power, that speak of love and of value, can make others feel empowered and cherished! People flourish when sincere words of encouragement and love are spoken over them and about them. Find ways where you actively take note of your partner and the things that they are interested in and find ways to speak love and encouragement over them and watch them beam with love!

Marriage between two people should be enjoyed, not endured. God wants your marriage to prosper no matter what the season looks like! Start believing today, that with God’s help, grace and wisdom you can see God breathe fresh life over your marriage. All we need to do is call on Him, and ask Him for His help, as we do not need to do it on our own!

If you would like to know more about being in a relationship with God, then why not start today by clicking on the banner below.

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