Three Thoughts that Changed my Life

Posted on by beautybeyondbones

Every single one of us, whether we consciously realize it, have mental tapes that we internalize each day.

Good or bad, these subtle — or not so subtle — messages shape our worldview, our thoughts of self, our faith life, etc.

For a long time, during my anorexia, I let my eating disorder dictate those mental tapes I listened to. I believed I was unworthy of love. And that I needed to be perfect to have value as a person.

By the grace of God – literally – upon embracing recovery, I have let go of those unhealthy lies, and now, have adopted new mental tapes that have honestly changed my life.

And so I thought I’d share them with you.

These simple phrases empower me to be the healthy, joyful, thriving young woman God made me to be.

And maybe, they can inspire you, too, to adopt some similar mental tapes of your own.

So without further ado:

1) Just do the next right thing.

This one is courtesy of my mother, and has truly been the cornerstone of my recovery (other than, of course, Jesus). Because during moments when things seem overwhelming, or impossible, or terrifying, I just remember this simple phrase: just do the next right thing.

Take it one baby step at a time. One moment. One small decision. Maybe that’s to just take a deep breath. Maybe that’s to fill out an application to grad school. Maybe that’s to nourish my body with a wholesome meal. Baby steps lead to big step, which lead to leaps, which leads to bounds. And pretty soon, that intimidating mountain in front of you is beneath your feet, and you’re at the summit.

2) I’m right where I’m supposed to be.

The truth of the matter is that God has a plan for each one of us. A good, and perfect, and perfectly timed plan for every single one of His children.

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'” Jer 29:11

I don’t know about you, but I can often feel discouraged, needing to know God’s will for my life. Fearful that somehow I’ve missed what I was put on this earth to do. It gives me so much comfort and encouragement to know that I’m right where I’m supposed to be. With every day — every trial, every joy, every set back, every seemingly stalled moment — God is shaping me into the woman He created me to be. It is all part of His planned.

And especially when I feel restless for my life to “begin,” I particularly remember that we are transformed in the waiting.

2) I am loved.

This one, so simple, and yet so utterly life changing.

God’s love for me is freeing. It is transformative. It gives me hope. It awards me a purpose. It instills in my heart, peace. It overflows in my soul to be shared with others. It ignites my passion to be His love to others.

His love for me empowers me to care for the body He so generously blessed me with. It inspires me to live in such a way that reflects Him. And strengthens me and gives me courage to pursue a life lived for Him.

God is love, and in embracing with gratitude, His love for me, I realize that there is nothing more important in this world than to love others. That’s the mission. And it can take so many different forms. In literally everything we do, we can incorporate God’s love in it.

Everything from doing a load of laundry, to teaching and raising children, to being the best employee we can be, to leading a corportation, to serving those in need — we can do it in love. We can have it be an expression of love for God, through loving others.

Talk about a beautiful mission in life.

So there you have it friends. My new, three mantras that I have adopted in my recovered life. For 13 years now, they have served me, and strengthened me to respect and care for my body.

We must replace the negative with the truth. The truth that we are loved. We are capable of doing scary things. And we are where we’re supposed to be.

Glory be to God.

What are some of your healthy mental tapes that inspire you every day? I would truly love to know!!

“This is what the Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.” Ez 37:5

TAKE ME TO THE B³ STORE!

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beautybeyondbones

BBB: Because we're all recovering from something. // For speaking/business inquiries: beautybeyondbones@yahoo.com

178 thoughts on “Three Thoughts that Changed my Life”

    1. thank you so much!! THese three thoughts have been instrumental in my walk with Christ and my recovery! hope you have a wonderful week! Hugs and love xox

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  2. Beautiful thoughts. Hope you are doing well. I like your curly hair by the way. My firstborn has super curly hair too. It’s great (except the taking care of it part!)

    I won’t be online too much anymore, but I still read your posts and keep you in prayer.

    Blessings!

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    1. Thank you so much Ana! 🙂 and oh my gosh what a kind thing to say! i’m finally learning to embrace my curls! haha 🙂 yes – it’s is definitely a challenge to take care of! aw thank you – know that you’ll be in mine as well! Hugs and love xox

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  3. God’s beauty is all over, you, it is wonderful to read your writings as He is glorified in your hardships as well as your good times. Keep going, you are sharing the Good News.x

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  4. finding the positive mindset is the most important step in any recovery. Losing that toxic mentality that has caused you such damage is massively important.

    For me, God played a huge part in that. my return to his loving embrace. Many don’t recognize his presence in that change. But for me it was clear.

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    1. thank you so much – I think you’re absolutely right – mindset is everything! I love that — His embrace is just what we need to keep going when things get difficult! Hugs and love xox

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  6. Thank you so much for sharing these! I have really had to remind myself of that second one. I have also been reminding myself that God is always in control. I may feel inadequate, confused, or lost, but God knows what to do and he knows best.

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    1. thank you so much Christopher! I’m so glad this resonated with you. yes, absolutely! He is in control, and what a blessing that is! Hugs and love xox

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  7. Hi Caralyn:

    As always, I loved your post. Your three thoughts are pretty much my three thoughts as well, with a couple of changes.

    For me, first and foremost, I need to know all the time that God loves me. My father told me two things everytime he abused me. He told me that he had to do it because God hated me, and he told me that I was as ugly as if someone had thrown acid in my face. It took a very long time for me to recognize those two statements as lies, but finally God got through to me that they were.

    So I tell myself all the time that 1.God loves me, and 2.that God thinks I’m beautiful. The third thought/statement helps me remain at peace and full of joy. It’s basically that I can be content wherever I am and in whatever state I find myself, because I know that God is always with me, as close as my next breath, and He will never leave me nor forsake me (Deuteronomy 31:6,8).

    “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” ~ Philippians 4:11-13, NKJV.

    So thanks for your ever-encouraging posts, and especially this one! I really look forward to getting your updates in my email every week. Keep up the good work!

    Love, Sarah

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    1. Hi Sarah, thank you so much for your kind words! Yes! I love that – God loves us, and thinks we’re beautiful — because He made us!! 🙂 and what powerful verses! thanks so much for sharing that! hope you have an absolutely wonderful week! big hugs to you x

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  8. Awesome post! I especially love “do the next right thing” – at times I am so paralyzed by over thinking it, that’s a nice way out of the wilderness. Thanks for sharing:)

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  9. Such a great post! I needed to read this today. My anxiety has been at its peak lately, making me think I am worthless and not worthy of happiness and love. Thank you for sharing this. I guess God really has a plan to take care of each of us in his own special way!

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    1. Thank you so much for sharing your heart. Hang in there my friend. You are precious in God’s eyes and are so deeply loved and cherished!! You DO deserve that happiness and love!! Sending big hugs xox

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  13. I appreciate these affirmations so much!! Healing and growth are two things that require work daily, even if it’s as simple as being mindful and present through out the day. Loving this post and that you use your platform to spread healthy advice & positivity! You go girl!!

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    1. aw thank you so much! I so appreciate your encouraging words – it really means a lot 🙂 you’re right — daily work! Hugs and love xox

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    1. thank you so much Arjay! I’m so glad you can relate! oh I love that little add on — so true! as they say…What Would Jesus Do! Hugs and love xox

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  15. Here’s a thought for you.

    Do you know why women are better looking than men?

    Think about it… God made man first and then he made the woman. In other words, “Practice makes Perfect”… 😀

    Here is another good story for you.

    In the garden of Eden, Adam was talking with God. God asked, “How is Eve?”

    Adam said, “I love Eve. She is wonderful. I just have a few questions.”

    Adam: “God, why did you give Eve those beautiful eyes?”

    God: “So that you will love her.”

    Adam: “God, why did you give Eve that long flowing hair?”

    God: “So you will love her.”

    Adam: “God, why did you give Eve those soft lips?”

    God: “So you will love her.”

    Adam: “God, why did you give Eve that beautiful body?”

    God: “So you will love her.”

    Adam: “God, you gave her so many wonderful things. But why then is she so dumb?”

    God: “That’s easy. So that she will love you.”

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  20. I am so emotional reading this caralyn. I am back on WordPress after ages and centuries and I trawled through your latest posts and loved this one. I agree with every word except point 1. If you reply here I’ll cry, coronavirus has been bad, and anxious, and I was saving India and the world, on facebook and insta but ill write on wordpress again if you’d like to see, ji 🙂

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    1. Aw thank you so much – I’m so glad this resonated with you. Yes! Please continue to write on WordPress! This virus has been so devastating. Makes me so sad. Hugs and love xox

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      1. Your encouragement is everything caralyn…you know i have some small but meaningful ties to manhattan. i would love to live their but am bound by duty, choice, and love, to the capital, first, and the mumbai and India….i love manhattan so much, but have to live in india and just travel…im in love with some hindu girl in new england…we’re figuring it out…maybe 2 or 3 years. ill invite you on insta if i can.. +3/4…hindu wedding, 2023/2024. if i’m on insta. these are things i don’t choose etc…but wordpress, when i use it is a safe haven…in asia you know…banker’s son…life isn’t so free…but not so restricted…can’t explain…thank you…don’t hate on me for writing ‘bullshit’ to minority communities in new york…i might hear and laugh in india. keep reading please 😉

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      3. Love never finds a way for me Caralyn. Maybe it does for you. I always end up alone, drinking wine with friends, and people consoling me and loving me but not the same. I’m 31!!! How long will this go one..I’m basically getting married. I don’t get it. Pitching my new post. Love you, check it out please please pretty please 🙂

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      5. Thanks so much, you’re such a sweetheart. I’m doing a poem in Japanese/English, lived in Japan ages ago 2003-07, learned Japanese the easy way, about the moon, life, love and women. Pitching again 😉

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