This pretty blog has been getting a total makeover recently. My goal is to make it faster and more accessible – and let me tell you, that has taken a lot of research! If it were as simple as the click of a button or purchase a bit of software, I would have eagerly gone for it. But it’s been a learning experience: clearing cache, optimizing images, improving server load times … have I lost you yet?
I share all this not to bore you, but rather to share how I find myself again given an opportunity to learn more and not give up easily. I confess the more I learned about what needed to be done, my patience quickly dwindled. But then, I reminded myself how all the best things take time and effort. And I’m American so I don’t want some slow blog, but rather one of excellence that will go further and encourage more people!
And all this has me thinking about how a total makeover can really enhance one’s life and help you take things next level. Be it your attitude, your appearance, your work, etc, a total makeover can be such a source of fresh interest and energy once accomplished!
Start Now
Do you know how long I’ve been mulling in my head and looking at improving this blog? Too long. But in between lacking clear direction and having higher priority work to accomplish, this landed on the back burner. And then finally the opportunity presented itself and I stepped forward in faith. Starting can be intimidating, so let me just encourage you to jump in.
Gather relevant information, know your goal, and then take it one step at a time. Did I have all the answers before I began? No. Is my goal completely accomplished? Not yet, little by little. But am I confident that I can give this blog a total makeover even though I’m no guru? Absolutely!
God has given me a brain and He guides me every step of the way. Even when I feel like I have maxed out every question and caveat, He’ll inspire me with a new idea to try. This isn’t limited to this project of upgrading the blog, but anything I get in my mind to do. Refreshing my wardrobe, learning SEO for my online store, drawing traffic to my shops, stepping into new seasons and navigating them well, making the most of opportunities to rest and take care of odds and ends, etc. The list is unending.
The common denominator they all have? I had to start somewhere. Did I always start in the correct way? Not necessarily. But yet, I find that perhaps it’s not so much the sequence but the ability to accomplish the final goal that matters. Consider what is on your heart to do and ponder if perhaps you’ve waited long enough, perhaps it’s time to start now, somewhere – anywhere.
Get Creative
This possibility that we don’t need to wait for the perfect starting place is quite freeing. I believe it opens the door for creativity. And isn’t that the story of life – no two stories are the same and we each live it in our own way?
True some sequences are important, such as combining ingredients in baking before cooking them, but there is a lot of room for creativity within those parameters. In much the same way, God’s Law still applies to His people. And though it is our duty to keep His Law – and even our privilege to be cared enough for that it is required of us! – He gives us so much freedom for creativity within these laws! And the real phenomena? They are literally for our good!
So let’s go back to whatever project that you are considering: formulate your end goal and then start somewhere. Don’t wait for every piece of the puzzle, don’t get stuck in the paralysis of analysis. Jump in, get started, and watch your creativity kick in! Some people seem to overflow with creativity, where others of us have to practice using it. We get ambitious, use what we have, and then have a little more.
I often refer to my creative ideas as epiphanies because I feel like it is such a breakthrough to come up with something creative! And I guess that’s what I want to convey here: allow yourself {and others} the freedom to be creative within a set of guidelines. The opportunity to exercise one’s creative muscles is so energizing and inspiring! Get excited about whatever total makeover you have in mind!
Watch What Happens
So you start with some sort of vague dream, vision, goal, or desire. You boldly step up and start somewhere on pursuing a total makeover of said thing. Along the way are opportunities you didn’t anticipate, struggles you hadn’t considered, and fulfillment you had only hoped for. Stepping out of the known to take a chance on the unknown is exciting – especially when you have God to guide your way!
A total makeover has the opportunity to not only enhance whatever you are working on, but also your attitude. Your stick-to-it-ive-ness in the trial and unknown, your endurance when it’s not as quick and straightforward as you had hoped, and your faith when you work with the expectancy that God will help you accomplish your goal remarkably well. A total makeover is not merely physical but also spiritual.
Lean into each opportunity God brings your way. Instead of seeing things as inconveniences, see them as exercises to strengthen your attitude and heart towards God. Choose imperturbability and a decided heart that God knows exactly where you are and what He has brought you to. Because He does!
What projects are on your mind? Share the process with us – what have you learned and how has God revealed Himself to you?!
Until Next Time!
Hope.
PS. Keep reading: https://www.theamericanlady.com/2025/05/21/be-a-winner/