Ageing - a Gift

 

I just had my birthday, and quite honestly, there was a lot to take in this year! 

How many of us take life for granted... expecting to experience the long-term ageing process... to "grow old together"... 

This has been a sobering birthday... realising I have already outlived 2 of my friends... one died suddenly aged 44, the other had been battling a condition for decades, but her death at 45 was still a big shock. Miss 44 would have been 48 this year... Miss 45 only turned 45 in December, and was gone in January. We'd been friends since we were 8 years old.

While my family was celebrating another year of my life, another family in America was remembering their son - who shared my birthday. I can't begin to imagine how this date feels to their hearts and minds. Another life who will not grow old on earth... Can I also add, this man was young, but his life is making an impact! People all over the world have grown to know him, and admire the life he lived- because he LIVED. His parents keep his legacy alive, and through their grief, his legacy makes ripples. This young man's short life encourages others to find purpose in life. To make the most of life, as he did.

Lastly, while I was enjoying my family... Another friend was planning & executing the funeral of her soulmate. I can't imagine this deep loss... Life just feels so cruel sometimes... I know my friend will be ok, but my spirit grieves for her and her family. My heart says she is too young to be a widow... but also knows she's a warrior and big things are on the horizon for her!

So, as I feel extra grateful for another birthday, I have made the decision to keep living. I can't fix these things, and I can't change circumstances. So, I choose to keep living and enjoy the life I have. I have shed many tears for my friends, but I believe they would all expect me to keep living my life. Life truly is a gift. Don't waste your talents and love 🦋©️

Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV. There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens...

Growth and Boundaries

 

Have you ever reached the point where you understood the necessity of boundaries... where you realised you needed to embrace and enforce boundaries...because you had been walked on, or had your kindness abused...your rights and values were disrespected, even ignored.

This quote, among other memory triggers,  brought me back to my 20s... when I was quieter, more tolerant, and less confident in enforcing boundaries.

My 30s began the rise of my empowerment! When I began to understand boundaries, and the importance of not caring if my boundaries negatively impacted others. Because, in the end, my healthy boundaries protected me, and those who didn't understand, or were offended, no longer had an unhealthy access to me. It felt like I'd locked a door, and they were upset because they did not have the key. I felt happier and more at peace, because I held, and guarded the key. 

It has been in my 40s where I've felt the most confident in myself. I am able to say the one word sentence, "No". I have learned to discern when to keep doors to me closed, and when it is safe to let down my boundaries. I wish it had  been an easier lesson to learn, but I'm grateful to be where I am today. 

This year, I've had friends laugh at me, with pride, when I've stated, "I don't care!" When I genuinely did not care what others thought of me, or what I was doing in a public place. I am learning to let go. To be free. To just be me. 

This quote is me. I have changed. I am proud I have changed. I was able to heal and grow, after setting boundaries. I am a better version of myself. The 30 year old me would be proud of who she is today. 🦋 ©️

My Introduction to Flagging

 If you're interested in prophetic worship flags, I recently joined the 'club'. You can read about it here: https://risingwarriorwithin.wordpress.com/2025/05/18/my-introduction-to-flagging/

New Season of Blogging

 

Continuing on from the SDG, March was a life changing month for me! I could seriously write a book based simply on two significant weeks of my life. The lead up, and preparation for the SDGs are always significant. We have 12 months to plan, then BANG! We're there...and in a blink of an eye, the 3 days we'd been anticipating for 12 months, are complete. So much can, and does happen in just 3 days! 🔥🕊🦋

After the SDG, during the "Post conference high", I felt compelled to step out into some new things. I won't go into detail, apart from one. I have been busy in the background, creating a brand new blog! I felt the strong prompt that it's time to move into a new season. A fresh, clean slate, where God has promised to increase my confidence in what, and how I write. It feels good. I am not the same person who began this blog in 2006. That girl would be proud of, and probably amazed by who she became by 2025. 

Interestingly, around the time I was working behind the scenes, my blog began to be monitored. I believe in Freedom of Speech. I do not agree with having posts deleted/removed without the author's knowledge. Offended people report innocent people, who have no intention of offending. Undealt with, offense is dangerous to one's mental and physical health. 

So, if you would like to join my new season, feel free to email me for the link. I have no intention of publicly opening that door to those who don't belong on my journey. Edit: Now things seem to have settled -  http://risingwarriorwithin.wordpress.com

Thanks for following this journey. This won't be my last post, but I won't be as focused here as I have been. The Challenge to post monthly is complete. The end result, is "a new thing" (Isaiah 43:19). 

The image is a of a new paint palette, ready for a new type of art 🦋©️

Messing with an intercessor?

 Fact: Don't mess with an intercessor. You will be prayed for! Your soul will be prayed for. Don't want to be prayed for? Then don't mess with an intercessor! Simple! 😅 

SDG Highlights

As expected, the SDG was AMAZING!! Each year has felt different. None has felt the same, building on the previous year. 

Also, as expected, the anxiety attacks were shut down, and did not return. I do not experience anxiety, and I refuse to allow that in. I enjoyed a peaceful, restful stay on the Gold Coast.

I have sooooo much I could write... as well as what feels like a billion photos! I will need to sit down and gradually go through my photos, with pen in hand... and write what feels like a book of only 2 significant weeks of my life. Each photo triggers a memory, and I don't want to forget why I took each photo! 

I again met up with my amazing prophetic friends, and physically met new friends. I love this part the most! The divine connections this group creates. People who just get each other, in a safe environment. I love these people like family. 

I served on the team for this conference. I was given a responsibility I did not expect, and with a beautiful partner who was on the same wavelength. At first, the task was daunting, trying to work out what we needed, and how to make things work. We found our feet together, and hopefully, with God's guidance, fulfilled our duties well. It was an honour to be selected for this team.

Interestingly, I did not think I connected with the worship in the same way as previous years...however, each morning, I awoke with the songs playing in my head! I feel the worship slowly found its way into my innermost being. It touched me, in a more delicate way as to how I expected. Each year, I find one song playing on repeat in my mind, and it lingers for months. I add it to my Spotify list. I have never heard these songs until the SDG. This year it is Bethel's "No One Like the Lord". I think the words were more difficult to simply accept...they needed to seep into my spirit. God knows what He is doing! 

I received prophetic words which really spoke to my spirit. The speakers were amazing. The atmosphere was intensely beautiful! 

God brought fresh laughter to me... a "new thing". One night, I was lying on the floor, laughing, giggling...it came from the depths of me... and another lady behind me was doing the same! I don't know who she was, but it was more funny, and encouraging doing it together! 

I've since been finding myself randomly laughing in this fresh way! 

God broke things... health, spiritual, bloodline, emotional...

It didn't end at the SDG. I will write another post continuing from here. There is just so much to write! After I returned home, I didn't have time to stop and process. We've had some big, unexpected expenses. I've been going to work, coming home exhausted, & between appointments, spending the nights decluttering & creating easy access to parts of the house that needed major repairs. I like the less clutter, but it is exhausting when you don't have time to rest after a big day. All I can say, is this is a reminder that God is doing a "new thing" in our lives. There is always rain before the rainbow! We're about to see the rainbow on the horizon! 🙌🦋🌈🔥©️

SDG

 Just a little update... upon boarding the plane, that anxious spirit again tried to manifest...I just prayed, & it left. My plane left on time! I'm used to being delayed. It was an uneventful trip :) 

I have been sleeping well, since arriving. 

I don't experience anxiety, so I know when a spirit is on assignment. It won't succeed with me! These next few days are going to be amazing! 🦋