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Broken But Beautiful
Encouragement, Comfort, Weary, Rise Up and Build, Anxiety, depression, Deadly Darts of the Devil Dana Rongione Encouragement, Comfort, Weary, Rise Up and Build, Anxiety, depression, Deadly Darts of the Devil Dana Rongione

Broken But Beautiful

I recently learned about a fascinating Japanese art form called kintsugi. Rather than tossing broken pottery into the bin, artisans carefully piece the fragments back together using a special adhesive made from tree sap. But here's the truly remarkable part: they don’t hide the cracks. Instead, they highlight them by filling the seams with gold, creating something even more beautiful than the original piece.

As I studied photos of these stunning works of art, tears filled my eyes. You see, I know what it's like to feel broken. The weight of anxiety and depression has left me with countless cracks and fissures. The battle against chronic illness has left me weary and battered. There are days when I feel utterly shattered by negative thoughts and overwhelming fears, wondering if I'll ever be whole again. Perhaps you can relate?

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Beyond First Glance
Rise Up and Build, Positive Life, Thoughts, Wayward Emotions Dana Rongione Rise Up and Build, Positive Life, Thoughts, Wayward Emotions Dana Rongione

Beyond First Glance

I remember the first time I read the Thoreau quote, "It's not what you look at that matters; it's what you see." At first, I thought it was just a clever play on words, but the more I pondered it, the more I realized its profound truth. We all have a tendency to focus on the negative, to dramatize, catastrophize, and even exaggerate things. We do this in our daily lives, and it can significantly impact our overall outlook and well-being.

For instance, have you ever noticed how quickly we can turn a minor inconvenience into a major catastrophe? We spill coffee on our shirt, and suddenly, our entire day is ruined. We get stuck in traffic, and we're convinced we'll never reach our destination on time.

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On Guard!
Rise Up and Build, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Warfare Dana Rongione Rise Up and Build, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Warfare Dana Rongione

On Guard!

Have you ever ordered something online only to receive a product that was completely different from what you expected? Well, that recently happened to me.

I had ordered a supplement from eBay, a product I've purchased many times before from various sellers. But when the order arrived, I was immediately concerned. None of the bottles were sealed, which I knew was odd because I’ve always received sealed bottles.

Looking at the product more closely, I began to notice many strange things. The logo was a bit off, and there were typos on the label. The pills themselves were a different size and much less full than usual. Feeling unsure about what was actually in these supplements, I contacted the seller for a refund.

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Out of Your Hands, Out of Your Head
Rise Up and Build, Thoughts, Spiritual Warfare Dana Rongione Rise Up and Build, Thoughts, Spiritual Warfare Dana Rongione

Out of Your Hands, Out of Your Head

I recently heard a quote that instantly resonated with me: "If it's out of your hands, get it out of your head." How often do we stress over things completely out of our control? Whether it's a situation at work, a disagreement with a loved one, or a global pandemic, there are just some things that we can't change.

But here's the thing: worrying about those things doesn't do us any good. In fact, it makes us feel worse. When we focus on the negative, it can be hard to see the positive. We can become consumed by our anxiety and anger, and it can be challenging to break free from those feelings.

So what's the solution? The best way to push those negative thoughts from our minds is to cram our minds so full of positive thoughts that there's no room left for negativity.

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Broken Yet Beloved
Rise Up and Build, Comfort, Encouragement Dana Rongione Rise Up and Build, Comfort, Encouragement Dana Rongione

Broken Yet Beloved

As many of you know, I struggle with joint hyper-mobility, fibromyalgia, and chronic back issues. Some days, the pain and fatigue are almost unbearable, leaving me feeling isolated, frustrated, and even depressed. Recently, I've been experiencing a particularly bad flareup, and I've found myself lying in bed for hours on end, watching the world around me hurry by while I wrestled with feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.

I'm sure many of you can relate, whether you're battling a chronic illness, dealing with a difficult situation, or simply feeling overwhelmed by life's challenges. During these times, we feel like nothing more than a "bruised reed" or a "smoldering wick," ready to break or be snuffed out at any moment.

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