A New Pair of Glasses

Originally, I titled this post “A New Pair of Glasses” 🤓 which you will see below.

But God

altered my vision during my morning meditation swim, replacing that title with the one above set to a tune some may recognize, simply by reading the title and subtitle aloud.

As we know there are several types of health for us to care about, listed here in alphabetical order:

• Emotional
• Financial
• Mental
• Physical
• Spiritual

Perhaps you may even think of a few more to add to this list.

The message received with my flow state this morning was the importance of prioritizing my Spiritual health above all the others.

Why?

Because it’s the only one that will last for all eternity.

For those who truly know me, you know financial security is extremely important to me.

And I highly value the rest of the different types of health listed above as well.

But God

said none of those other things will last.

He gives and takes away

My heart it will remain

Protected by The One who created it

Blessed be Thy Name

I work out (move my body).

I do my best (most of the time) to eat healthy.

I practice “financial peace” by Dave Ramsey to the best (mostly) of my ability.

I meditate, pray, serve others, and participate in multiple therapeutic activities, including blogging here with you.

I cry when I need to, feeling and expressing all of my emotions appropriately, as needed.

But God

comes first.

When He does,

the rest

falls

into

place.

❤️

A New Pair of Glasses

What’s In a Name Anyway?

Recently I was asked to provide my last name.

My usual response for the past few years is “It’s a bit complicated.”

After explaining the legalities of my maiden name (Dad’s last name or surname) changing to my married name for most of my life, and then changing a third time in this chapter of my life, the person interviewing me asked if my full name was Nora Gwen, based on her experiences following me on various social media platforms.

I laughed and shared with her that technically “Gwen” is my middle name, which brings me to “A New Pair of Glasses.”

In a way similar to Sarai being renamed Sarah in Genesis 17, my God renamed me “Grateful Gwen” after a Spiritual Awakening and rebirth, resulting in seeing life through new lenses (with a healthier, sober-minded perspective).

When I write “similar to Sarai” I don’t mean to say that God told me this:

“I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.” Genesis 17:16 NIV

Rather, what I mean to say is this:

God redeemed me.

He gave me a fresh restart on my life to live it out differently than I had previously, all for His glory…

… with an attitude of GRATITUDE!

Hence the new nickname “Grateful Gwen.”

So YES, athough the answer to the question “What is your full name?” is a bit complicated for me; I am embracing my newly framed middle name as a way to live with principles, purpose, and positivity.

This acceptance simplifies any over-complications I may assign to the logistics of my legal name.

The way I see it is there have been plenty of celebrity music artists who enjoyed their success with only one name, so why can’t I also enjoy the simplicity (and let’s be honest, anonymity) of “Grateful Gwen” as my social media handle?

I can and I do.

That’s more than enough about me.

How about you?

Which aspect of your health is your highest priority and why?

Will spiritual health be part of your legacy?

(It’s THE single most important part of mine.)

Appreciate your engagement in any form that is kind. 😊

buymeacoffee.com/GratefulGwen