Category Archives: Transition

Renew My Thoughts

Posted on January 8, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. – Ephesians 4:23NLT

I stand in front of the mirror and face my biggest critic. I see all of her faults. I am reminded of her failures. I struggle as I hear her words grow louder in my head.

  • You are no good.
  • You are ugly
  • Another day, another screw-up.

Ephesians 4:23 tells us to ‘Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.” I have to drown out those negative voices with the truth. I must change my thoughts, my attitudes. I need to let the Spirit renew them.

To do so I must find other thoughts to dwell on. Philippians 4:8 guides us in this by telling us to dwell on whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute.

Both verses show this is not a magic pill or an immediate flip of the switch. It also shows this is something I have control over. Once I accept I do have control over this, I must choose to dwell on what is right and let the Spirit work within me.

I can and am able to take control of my negative self-talk.

One way I have chosen to do this is by using the acronym LIES. I must look at, evaluate, and replace the negativity, the lies that I use against myself and replace them with the truth.

James Allen, in his book “As A Man Thinketh” writes

All that you accomplish or fail to accomplish with your life is the direct result of your thoughts. You are today where your thoughts have brought you;’ you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you.

Getting to this point of negative self-talk took time to develop and it will take time to move away from it. It will take work and dedication. I will fail along the way, but that won’t be the end of it. I will capture the wrong thinking, discard it, remind myself of the truth, and move forward.

I am a member of a local Toastmasters Club and recently presented a 7-minute speech titled “Don’t Lie To Me”. In it, I explore the LIES that plague me daily and struggle to face them down. You can watch the presentation here.

I am who God says I am. Over the next few months, I am going to explore what this means. Will you join me on the journey?

If you want to follow this series, look for the category “LIES” to more easily find the corresponding posts.

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Posted in Encouragement, God's Word, LIES, Moving Forward, People Pleasing, Transition

My Word for 2020 is….

Posted on December 28, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Do you choose a “word of the year”?

I started doing this several years ago.  In 2018 my word was ‘unstoppable’.  It reminded me to keep moving toward my dreams, and that the only one to stop me from pursuing it would be me.  

For 2019 a short phrase was my focus “stay the course”.  I was reminded to keep moving forward on the course God has set me on (Psalm 119:1).  I do not yet know what is at the end of the path, but I know He is with me.

When I look at the year 2020, so many references to vision come to mind.  I argued with myself on the word ‘vision’ because I figure everyone will be using it.

Then I read Romans 12:3 “Be honest in your evaluation of yourself…”  Wow. I have been posting and teaching on stopping the lies of negative self-talk and replacing them with truth. God’s truth.

I am discouraged today, feeling down, telling myself so many lies. Writing this post reminds me I am doing exactly what I teach against.

The word “REFLECTION” came to mind.  I found a picture I use in some of my illustrations of a woman smiling at herself in the mirror.  I added the word REFLECTION at the top and wrote out Romans 12:3.

This is my word for 2020.  REFLECTION.  This year I am reminded to be honest in my evaluation of myself. I will reflect on who God says I am.

It is with this word I will conducting additional “Defeating the Lies of Negative Self-Talk” courses in-person and online.  It is with this word I will begin leading some “Boundaries” courses using material from Doctors Cloud and Townsend.  It is with this word I will be unstoppable, as I stay the course, and reflect honestly on God’s view of me.

I love how I can look back and see the progress God has made in me by reviewing past words.  Each one leads to the next step of my spiritual growth in Him.

What is your word for 2020? Where will it lead you? How can I help you?

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Posted in Development, Encouragement, Goal Setting, God's Word, Journal Prompt, Moving Forward, Transition, Women's Issues

Journal Week 47

Posted on November 20, 2019 by | Leave a comment

With Thanksgiving approaching, social media is filled with posts of being grateful.

When I stop to truly look at what I have to be grateful for, my heart rejoices. Sometimes, I truly must stop and look for these things. It is so easy some days to just wallow in pity for something that isn’t the way I want it to be. Then I intentionally seek out those things/people/etc for which I am so thankful.

I am most grateful for......... because.........

It’s like taking off blinders to see the true picture.

I wonder, what are you grateful for today? What about that makes you thankful?

Spend some time in your journal with a heart of praise and remind yourself what you have to be grateful for.

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Posted in Development, Encouragement, God's Word, Journal Prompt, Life Coaching, Moving Forward, Transition

Continuing the Journey – Journal Prompt week 43

Posted on October 20, 2019 by | Leave a comment

This week’s journal prompt asks you to think about your favorite book/movie/song.   Why do you like it? What do you feel when you read/watch/hear it?  What makes it special for you? 

I love the movie “It’s A Wonderful Life”. Every year I stop to wonder if I were never born, would there be any difference? Have I made a difference?

Though not a big Adam Sandler fan, I like the movie, “Click”. It reminded me that I often wish I could fast forward through events in my life, but in doing so there is much I would miss.

A recent song I enjoy that brings tears to my eyes every time is “You Say” sung by Lauren Daigle.

How about you? Will you, like me, have trouble narrowing you favorite down to just one?

It’s okay, you aren’t limited.

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Posted in Development, Encouragement, Goal Setting, Journal Prompt, Moving Forward, Transition

When Those Around You Tell You ‘Do Not Go’

Posted on September 23, 2019 by | Leave a comment

You have spent time preparing to step into your dream. You have saved, studied, and made the necessary arrangements to move forward.

Then you tell those around you, those whose opinion you respect, expecting to hear words of affirmation and congratulations, only to be told how wrong you are to pursue this.

How do you step past the negativity and into the unknown, with positive self-confidence?

Today on “Tea Time with CoachTA” I talk with Connie Menser of Full Supply Inc. We discuss that moment when she chose to leave her full time career to join the Navigators, and the path where that decision has led.

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Posted in Development, Encouragement, Goal Setting, God's Word, Life Coaching, Moving Forward, People Pleasing, Tea Time, Transition, Women's Issues

Journal Prompt – week 38

Posted on September 15, 2019 by | Leave a comment
The most difficult thing about being this age is

As the pastor was discussing the vision for the upcoming year, he mentioned things that younger people respond to. While discussing this with my husband on the way home I realized when I was younger there were things I wished the church would do that I could more easily respond to. Older people were saying ‘we have always done it this way’ or ‘they need to learn to accept things as they are’ and on and on. Here I am, decades later saying ‘but what about the people who are here now’ and ‘what about me’ and on and on.

When I look back, I see many changes in my life reflecting my age at the time.

Many changes have taken place in my life. I was a young mother of small children at one time. Today I am the grandmother of teenagers. Once I wore skirts above my knees, today I seldom wear a skirt. Once I would only wear my best outfit to church, today I wore jeans and sandals. Time change.

The most difficult thing I find about being this age (60 at the time of this writing) is accepting that I am this age. When I was younger, anyone this age was OLD! People this age were talking of retiring. Today, I look in the mirror and see someone who is no where near retirement; someone who still has so much life to live.

How did I get to be this age? I guess the more important question I need to consider after looking at the most difficult thing about being this age, is what am I going to do with my life – even at this age.

How about you? No matter your age, there are difficulties to consider. What are some of yours?

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Posted in Development, Encouragement, Journal Prompt, Moving Forward, Transition, Women's Issues

Journal Prompt Week 33

Posted on August 12, 2019 by | Leave a comment

I was recently asked a question and struggled with the answer. That seemed like a perfect journal prompt.

This week I wonder I challenge you to “Describe yourself in 15 words or less”

Describe yourself in 15 words or less

I started by looking at an identity statement I made years ago. “I am a citizen of heaven (Heb 13:14), straining toward what is ahead (Phil 3:13), bearing witness of Christ (John 1:7), awaiting His return (1 Cor 1:7).

If I take out the Scripture references, I am at 18 words. And I wonder, does that describe me? It is my ultimate goal, but am I there?

I am a woman trying desperately to turn off the voices of the lies of the world and listen to God’s truth. Well, that is 22 words.

I am a woman living to encourage others to find their best within themselves. Hmmmm, I wonder.

I will keep working on this. What are you coming up with for yourself? If you are comfortable doing so, share in the comments below. Or send me an email – TerryAnn at TerryAnnPorter dot com. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

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Posted in Development, Encouragement, Goal Setting, God's Word, Journal Prompt, Life Coaching, Moving Forward, Transition, Women's Issues

Journal Prompt – week 31

Posted on July 28, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Are you participating in the weekly journal prompts? I hope you are finding hope and dreams within yourself through the questions.

This week I have spoken with several women this week who wanted to do something, but just couldn’t take that step. I have battled that myself lately.

I asked each of them, and I asked myself to fill in the blank: I really want to (blank) but an afraid to.

When looking at we want, consider taking one step, just one, toward that goal.

What would that step be? What does it look like? After you have taken the step and look back, what has changed?

There is so much to ponder this week. Where will your one step take you?

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Posted in Development, Encouragement, Goal Setting, Journal Prompt, Life Coaching, Moving Forward, Transition

Journal Prompt for this week

Posted on July 23, 2019 by | Leave a comment

I recently met an online friend for coffee. During our discussion, she asked about a time when I had excelled at something; a time when I had stepped out of my comfort zone. I told her about a knit and crochet bible study I created. I explained how it came about, then how I asked the women’s leadership of the church I was attending if we could try it the following semester. I was excited telling her the process and challenges and successes.

In recalling the story she then asked me what was stopping me from stepping outside my comfort zone and into the next creation I had on my heart.

Once I realized I had done it before, doing it again didn’t seem so difficult.

Celebrate something you excelled at in the past. What is stopping you from doing so again?

If you wish, share your thougths below!

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Posted in Development, Encouragement, Goal Setting, Journal Prompt, Life Coaching, Moving Forward, Transition

Journal Prompt – week 28

Posted on July 7, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Earlier this year I prompted the question ‘What would be the theme song of your life?’ For myself I had trouble coming up with one. I think I decided – at least for now – the song would be theme to the Mary Tyler Moore show. I love the words ‘you are going to make it after all’ . No matter what happens, I will make it.

Today then leads me to considering ‘What would the title of my life story be’ hmmm. I wonder.

While I am looking at my own thoughts, feel free to share yours in the comments below if you would like.

What would the title of your life story be, and why?

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Posted in Development, Encouragement, Goal Setting, Journal Prompt, Life Coaching, Moving Forward, Transition