Candid Reflections Journal

It’s hard to break habits. As difficult as it is sometimes to muster up the very thought of putting in the effort to break bad habits—dealing with inevitable failures, starting over, and finding the tenacity to stick with the process—it’s worth stepping up and beginning.  Because when that bad habit is replaced with a good one, that new routine may likewise become hard to break. What bad habits are you looking to change? What good ones are you hoping to start? Just start. That’s the key—starting. And be wise about it. Don’t try to take on a million things all at once. Don’t set yourself up for burnout. Don’t overthink every step. Instead, pick one small, manageable change and commit to it. Years ago, I had a wake-up call. I stepped on a scale and saw that if I didn’t make some changes, I’d soon hit 200 pounds. That realization lit a fire in me. The very next day, I started walking. It wasn’t easy to break out of the routine of laziness, but I’d made up my mind. There was no way...

I recently revisited the account in Luke 5, where a carpenter instructs seasoned fishermen on how to fish. But this was no ordinary carpenter—this was Yeshua, the Savior of the world. In this moment, He was preparing to call Peter to follow Him. What better way to teach Peter about the rewards of surrendering control and walking in faith than through such an unexpected encounter? As the New Year approaches, many are tempted to declare, “New year, new me.” It’s a phrase that feels full of hope and potential. But how often does true change happen simply because the calendar flips to January 1st? Too often, the grand resolutions fade away by February—drowned out by old habits, busyness, or the overwhelming nature of trying to change everything at once. I’ve been there, chasing the excitement of resolutions only to find myself back where I started. For me, the thrill of New Year’s resolutions wore off a long time ago. Instead, I’ve found greater peace and more consistent results by embraci...

How many public apologies that scream "fake" can you recall being aired on social media in recent times? And what are the telltale signs that they were just another case of damage control meant to stave off the wrath of “cancel culture?” These apologies often seem more like scripted performances meant to pacify an irate audience and less like genuine remorse. The most recent one I beheld had glorious gospel music playing in the background—an ironic attempt at adding sincerity to an apology that was clearly anything but honest. How do I know that the apologist wasn't sincere? Because his words and actions after the apology failed to line up with his rehearsed recitation. But this post isn’t just about the spectacle of public apologies or the way social media lures unsuspecting victims into having to make these apologies in the first place. It's about what these situations can teach us before we find ourselves caught in the same trap, for social media tends to draw pe...

No one I know goes looking for problems, setbacks, challenges, dilemmas, whatever you call those happenings that are the opposite of good times and smooth sailing. I most certainly do not. Without those times, though, how do I know what I say I know when times are good? How do I know that God is faithful? That faith and prayer do work? That the Holy Spirit is alive and present to perform His ministry as Comforter and Counselor? The truth is that I won’t know for sure outside of challenging times, so although I will never go looking for trying times, I welcome them when they come for two reasons: One, problems are inevitable; this, after all, is real life, and every now and then “my turn” comes around. And two, as a believer, I know I’m victorious even in the midst of the most trying of times. You see, every issue has an expiry date because this problem-ridden world itself has an expiry date.  December 5, 2024 was a day! it was my daughter’s 26th birthday, and if I may sit in my fe...

For as long as I can remember, I have had an inner propensity to focus on what I like to call the bigger picture ; that is, b eing grateful for what I do have as opposed to pining over what I do not have. This tendency has served me very well in my life. If you’re thinking, how so, let me explain: I can’t remember, for instance, ever losing sleep over not having a certain kind of car or house when I have a car and I have a house. I think it all boils down to perspective. Isn’t it amazing how powerful perspective can be? Consider this: a perspective that emphasizes what we lack can be overwhelming, but a perspective that focuses on what we have brings peace. Yes, I have dreams and ambitions, but I refuse to let ingratitude blindside me. Instead, as much as I possibly can, I choose to view my journey with thankfulness and joy as I work towards my goals and carry out my purpose. This brings me to the beauty of rediscovery—rediscovering how to see life, what truly matters, and where hop...

I first heard the term tragic flaw many moons ago when I was introduced to The Tragedy of Macbeth . In the play, the protagonist’s tragic flaw is his unchecked ambition, the vice that would lure, entrap, and eventually destroy him. As human beings, our nature is often to address issues euphemistically when we are the ones under the microscope, so as my thoughts shifted to the segue that would transition this reasoning from general and impersonal to specific and personal, the thought that “tragic” may not be the right term came to mind. Now, mind you, it could be that tragic is not the best word, pure and simple. But it could also be that the former insight is true. In any event, consider the following questions. How open are you to identifying or acknowledging flaws within your character? And if you’re open to doing the necessary introspection and being honest with yourself, are you also willing to take this process a step further and do the work to eradicate any flaw or flaws you rec...