My Experience in Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Roswell UFO

 

What's up, wonderful, amazing, sweet, and lovely people! 💕 How are you all doing today?

I am so happy to be back with another exciting blog post on Maryamsjoyfullife Blog! Today, I want to share with you guys what we did this past weekend because, whew… we had an ADVENTURE!

So, we—meaning me and my family—decided to take a little road trip adventure to Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico, and you guys, it was AMAZING!

🦇 Exploring Carlsbad Caverns

You guys… THE CAVES!

When I tell you that Carlsbad Caverns was an experience, I mean it. The caves were absolutely incredible.

There are two ways you can really experience the caves. You can take the elevator down and go to what they call the Big Room, where you get to see all these incredible formations and crystal-like sculptures that nature created over millions and millions of years.

Or, you can do the full experience and hike down into the cave from the top. And guess which one we chose? Yep… we chose the full experience! 😂

Of course, we chose the adventure!

The hike was about 2.5 miles down, going roughly 750 feet underground, and let me tell you—it was WORK!

I was carrying the baby, the big kids were walking on their own, and my sweet man was right there with us. And you guys… there were some moments where I was like, Lord, what did I get myself into? 😂

There were some sections where I was like…

"Lord, please just get me through this!" 😂

There were steep areas, dips, and places where there was literally a valley or a cliff right beside me. Now, it was pretty safe because there were railings all around, but that didn't stop me from being scared. 😂 There were times when I just did NOT want to look down.

And guess what? I didn't look down! 😂

There were moments when I was literally looking at one foot in front of me and one step in front of me because I did not want to see those dips and holes on either side of me. I was just thinking, "Let me keep moving and get to the bottom!"

Meanwhile, my sweet man was over there looking around like:

"Whoa! Whoa!"

And I'm thinking:

"Sir, please stop looking! I am trying to make it out of here!" 😂

But honestly, even though parts of it scared me, I kept going.

🌑 Deep Into the Darkness

One of the coolest things about the caverns was how DARK it could get.

There are lights, bulbs, and panels along the way, but there are also certain areas intentionally left dark because the caves are home to nocturnal animals that like their peace and darkness.

So there were spots where we actually had to use our cell phone lights to explore.

You guys…

It was REALLY DARK! 😂

Being underground, surrounded by these massive formations and trying to see what was around us with our phone lights was just CRAZY.

And the formations themselves? WOW!

They were absolutely amazing. Some of them were even named after famous characters and objects, and you could almost see the characters in the sculptures. Nature really did its thing!

Nature created these incredible sculptures over millions of years, and some of them have names inspired by recognizable characters and objects because, when you look closely, you can almost see the shapes.

It really makes you stop and appreciate just how incredible our world is.

🥵 My Legs Got A WORKOUT!

Let me tell you something else. Those steep parts of the hike were NO JOKE!

My calves? WORKED! 😂

I already work out regularly, but that hike reminded me that there is a BIG difference between working out in a gym and walking down into a gigantic underground cavern while carrying a baby. 😂

By the time we finished, my legs definitely knew they had been somewhere!

But here's what I'm proud of:

I didn't quit.

There was a point where I could have decided that I was done. I could have turned around and said, "Nope, I'm going back."

But I kept going.

Step by step.

One foot in front of the other.

Even when I was scared.

And eventually, we made it to the bottom.

When it was time to leave, we took the elevator back up—and honestly, I was VERY happy about that elevator! 😂

Would I Do the Hike Again? 😂

Now, here's the big question:

Would I go down from the top and do that hike again?

Absolutely NOT! 😂😂😂

Nope! I did it once, and I am proud of myself.

If I go back to Carlsbad Caverns again, I am taking that elevator straight down to the Big Room!

I want to enjoy the incredible formations, look around, take pictures, and enjoy myself without worrying about how steep the path is or whether there is a giant drop somewhere beside me. 😂

I'll happily take the elevator!

🍜 Dinner at Dragon Buffet in Carlsbad

After our adventure at Carlsbad Caverns, we went to a Chinese buffet in Carlsbad called Dragon Buffet.

And you guys…

The food was wonderful! Our waiter was amazing, too.

He took great care of us, and we really appreciated his service, so of course, we gave him a good tip. We had a wonderful experience.

It was the perfect way to end our big day of exploring.

👽 Next Stop: Roswell, New Mexico!

But our adventure wasn't over yet!

The next day, which was the day we checked out of our hotel in Carlsbad, we decided to drive to Roswell, New Mexico.

We had heard so much about Roswell and the famous UFO story, so we figured, why not go see it for ourselves?

It was about an hour and 30 minutes from Carlsbad to Roswell, and when we got there, we went straight into exploring.

We did a spacewalk tour, and WOW! It was beautiful!

It was beautiful and fascinating.

Then we went to the museum, and you guys, we learned SO much. We saw so many props and displays, and it was just wonderful.

I absolutely loved the experience.

Honestly, the Roswell experience could easily have been my favorite part of the entire trip.

There was just something about being there, seeing everything, and learning about the history and mystery surrounding Roswell that made me think differently.

It got me thinking about the possibility that we are not the only intelligent beings out there. The idea that there could be other beings who are not exactly like us, but kind of like us, is just mind-blowing to me.

It was just a very interesting experience, and I am so glad we decided to go.

❤️ I Didn't Quit!

Looking back at this trip, one thing really stands out to me: I am glad I didn't quit.

Yes, the caverns scared me at times.

Yes, there were moments when I didn't want to look down.

Yes, I was thinking, "Why did I agree to do this?" 😂

But I kept going until the hike ended.

And honestly, sometimes life is exactly like that.

You start something exciting, and then somewhere along the way, it gets uncomfortable. You get scared. You question yourself. You wonder if you should turn around and quit.

But sometimes you just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep going.

You don't have to see the entire path.

You just have to take the next step.

And eventually, you make it through.

🎥 We Filmed the Adventure!

Of course, we didn't just experience all of this—we filmed it too!

So if you want to see our family adventure at Carlsbad Caverns and Roswell for yourself, make sure you check out the vlog that goes along with this blog post. We filmed the experience so you guys can come along with us!

You can come along with us and see the adventure, the caves, the spacewalk, the museum, and all the fun we had as a family.

✨ Go Add Some Adventure to Your Life!

Overall, our weekend was SO MUCH FUN!

I am so grateful that we got to experience something new together as a family.

We explored.

We learned.

We laughed.

We got a little scared.

We ate good food.

And most importantly, we created memories.

That's one thing I want to encourage you guys to do: ADD SOME ADVENTURE TO YOUR LIFE!

You don't always have to travel across the world.

Sometimes an adventure is just a road trip to somewhere you've never been.

Sometimes it's visiting a national park.

Sometimes it's trying a new restaurant.

Sometimes it's taking your kids somewhere they've never been.

Just get out there and EXPERIENCE LIFE! Make memories with your family. Try something new. Take that road trip. Visit that place you've been talking about visiting.

You never know what memories you'll create.

Thank you so much for checking out Maryamsjoyfullife Blog today. I appreciate every single one of you for spending a little bit of your time with me and my family.

Have an amazing day, keep exploring, keep living, keep smiling, and most importantly…

DON'T LET ANYBODY STEAL YOUR JOY! ❤️

Until next time,

— Maryamsjoyfullife 

Don’t Give Up Just Because It’s Taking Longer Than You Expected

 

What’s up, wonderful, amazing, sweet, and lovely people?!

How are you all doing today? I hope you're having an absolutely amazing day and, most importantly, I hope you're not allowing anybody to steal your joy!

Welcome back to Maryam’s Joyful Life Blog! 💕✨

It is such a beautiful day, and I’m excited to be sharing this post with you today. I wanted to take some time to catch you all up on what I’ve been doing, what I’ve been learning, and what has been on my heart lately.

Two Months in Texas! 🤠

We have officially been in Texas for about two months now, and it has been such a fun experience!

One of the biggest things that has happened since moving here is that I received my Texas real estate license! 🎉

It has been so exciting getting out there, showing houses, taking clients to different properties, meeting new people, and learning the real estate market here in Texas.

Starting over in a new place and starting a new business is exciting—but let me tell you something:

Starting a new business is NOT easy!

It takes work.

It takes commitment.

It takes consistency.

It takes excitement even when you aren't seeing the results you expected to see yet.

And sometimes, it can be frustrating.

You may have this vision in your mind of how quickly everything is supposed to happen. You may think, “I started this, so why isn't it taking off yet?”

I understand that feeling.

But one thing I am learning is this:

Just because something is moving slowly doesn't mean it isn't working.

Sometimes, you have to remind yourself:

"I'm just getting started."

"I'm learning."

"I'm building."

"I'm planting seeds."

"It's all working out in my favor."

What Do You Do When Things Feel Slow?

When things aren't moving as quickly as I want them to, I try to catch myself before I allow frustration to take over.

I remind myself:

You cannot be ungrateful.

Even when things are slow, there is still something to be thankful for.

I have learned that gratitude changes your perspective.

Instead of constantly focusing on what hasn't happened yet, I can look around and recognize everything that has happened.

I'm in Texas.

I have my Texas real estate license.

I'm meeting new people.

I'm showing properties.

I'm learning.

I'm growing.

I'm building something new.

There is still so much to be grateful for!

And I believe something good is going to come out of this season.

God has a plan.

Are You Trying to Get Ahead of God?

This is something I've been thinking about lately, and maybe it is something you need to think about too.

What is happening in your life right now that seems slow?

Is there something you've been working on for a long time?

Something you thought would have happened by now?

Something you're tempted to give up on because you're thinking, “I've been doing this for too long. Maybe it's not going to work.”

Before you quit, ask yourself:

Have I prayed about it?

Have I meditated on it?

Have I really sat down and evaluated the situation?

Could it be that you're in a hurry?

Could it be that you're trying to get ahead of God?

God has a plan, but sometimes we want everything to happen according to our timeline.

We want it now.

We want the results now.

We want the breakthrough now.

But what if there is something God wants you to learn in this season?

What if you're being prepared for something bigger?

What if the blessing is closer than you think?

What if you're literally just one step away from seeing something change?

What if you just need to stay a little longer?

Pray About It

One of the best things we can do when we don't understand what is happening is pray.

You don't have to have all the answers.

You don't have to pretend that you're not frustrated.

You don't have to pretend that you know exactly what to do.

You can simply say:

"Lord, I don't understand why this is moving so slowly. I want this to work out, and I don't know what to do next. I need Your help. Please guide me. Show me what I need to learn. Show me what I need to change. Help me recognize the opportunities in front of me. Give me wisdom and strength to keep going."

Sometimes we put so much pressure on ourselves to figure everything out.

But when we bring God into every area of our lives, the pressure comes off of us.

We can remind ourselves that there is Someone greater than us who created us.

Someone who knows our beginning, our middle, and our end.

Someone who knows the blueprint of our lives.

And God's grace is available to help us navigate every season.

Keep Going—But Keep Thinking

I want to encourage you today:

Don't quit just because it's taking longer than you expected.

Trust God.

Pray.

Take action.

Pay attention.

Evaluate what's working and what's not working.

Be willing to make adjustments.

And be watchful of what's happening around you.

You don't have to follow every trend just because everyone else is doing it.

Think for yourself.

Pray about your decisions.

Use wisdom.

Take action.

And if something doesn't work?

Learn from it.

Don't automatically call it a failure.

You can declare:

“Something good is going to come out of this.”

Maybe the experience taught you something.

Maybe it introduced you to someone.

Maybe it redirected you.

Maybe it showed you what you don't want.

Maybe it prepared you for the next opportunity.

Sometimes what looks like failure is actually information, preparation, and redirection.

Shift Your Focus

One thing I truly believe is that great things can happen when you shift your focus from what is missing to where you are going.

Instead of constantly asking:

"Why don't I have it yet?"

Ask:

"What can I do today to move closer to where I want to be?"

Instead of saying:

"Nothing is happening."

Ask:

"What is happening that I may not be noticing?"

Instead of saying:

"It's taking too long."

Tell yourself:

"I'm still building."

Your current situation is not necessarily your final destination.

Keep moving.

Keep learning.

Keep praying.

Keep believing.

Keep taking action.

And most importantly, don't let anybody steal your joy along the way!I Created Something for You 💕

I know that not everyone can afford one-on-one time with me or a personal consultation.

And I understand that sometimes you don't necessarily need someone to do everything for you—you just need a blueprint, a pattern, and some step-by-step guidance to help you organize your thoughts and stay focused.

That's why I created a simple blueprint that I am making available to you for just $1!

It's designed to help you organize your mind, focus on your goals, identify what you're working through, and create a plan for moving forward.

You can download it directly, print as many copies as you need, and use it as you work through your own situation.

If you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or uncertain about your next step, this may be a simple resource that can help you get focused again.

👉 Get the blueprint for just $1:Get My Blueprint Today!

What's Next for Maryam's Joyful Life?

There is so much happening, and I'm excited to continue sharing the journey with you!

Make sure you're keeping up with all of my videos, because I'll continue sharing my life, my experiences, my lessons, my faith, business, real estate journey, travel, family, and everything in between.

And, of course, don't forget about the travel business! ✈️🌴

We have lots of travel deals and vacation opportunities available, so if you're ready to plan your next getaway, be sure to check out my website.

You can also visit Maryam's Joyful Life to explore products, courses, resources, and other things I've created to help you live a more joyful, purposeful, and fulfilling life.

Final Thoughts

Whatever you're going through right now, I want you to remember this:

Slow does not mean impossible.

Waiting does not mean forgotten.

A setback does not mean it's over.

And a closed door does not mean there isn't another door coming.

Pray about it.

Trust God.

Take action.

Learn.

Adjust.

Keep going.

And don't allow temporary circumstances to convince you that your story is over.

You never know what could be waiting for you just around the corner.

Your breakthrough could be closer than you think.

Thank you so much for spending some time with me today. I appreciate every single one of you who reads my blog, watches my videos, supports my businesses, and follows along with my journey.

Keep believing.

Keep building.

Keep moving forward.

And whatever you do...

DON'T LET ANYBODY STEAL YOUR JOY! 💕✨

With love,

Maryam

Maryam’s Joyful Life

Do It Afraid: My Journey from Georgia to Texas

 

What's up, wonderful, amazing, sweet, and lovely people?

How are you all doing today? I hope you're having an amazing day and that you're not letting anybody steal your joy!

Welcome to MaryamsJoyfulLife.

Today is a beautiful day, and I am so excited to be back! I've taken a little break from blogging for the past couple of weeks. It wasn't completely intentional, but it was probably partially intentional. I've been so busy preparing to move from Georgia to Texas that I just didn't have the energy or inspiration to keep blogging.

There was so much to think about—the packing, the planning, the emotions, and the transition into a completely new chapter of life. At times, blogging felt like one more thing on my already full plate, so I gave myself permission to take a break.

But I'm back now, and I'm so glad to be here with you all!

We finally made the move, and now we're officially in Texas!

Today, I want to share something that happened to me before and during this journey. It's something many of us face: fear.

For those of you who know, driving from Georgia to Texas is no small trip. Depending on where you're leaving from, it can take anywhere from 18 to 25 hours. I had never driven that kind of distance before, and honestly, the thought of it overwhelmed me.

I started asking myself all kinds of questions.

"Can I really do this?"

"Should I just fly?"

"Should we hire someone else to move everything?"

The more I thought about it, the more anxious I became.

After looking at the logistics, we realized it would cost a lot more money for someone else to handle everything. Still, the fear remained. I kept thinking about the distance, the responsibility, and everything that could potentially go wrong.

But instead of allowing myself to stay stuck in worry, I started praying.

I committed the entire move into God's hands.

I prayed, "Lord, help us. Be with us. Guide us. Protect us. Thank You for Your mercy and grace."

When moving day finally arrived, I was definitely nervous. But at the same time, I was excited. My sweet man had already been in Texas for about a month and had prepared a place for us. I was excited to see our new home and begin a new chapter.

Georgia had been my home for years.

I went to college there.

I got married there.

I got divorced there.

I had all of my children there.

So leaving Georgia felt both exciting and scary.

As we drove, there were moments when fear would suddenly hit me. I would find myself staring ahead and thinking, "Oh my goodness, what am I doing?"

The fear would come out of nowhere.

But every time it did, I prayed.

I spoke the name of Jesus.

I would say, "Blood of Jesus."

I would remind myself that I was covered and protected.

I kept praying throughout the trip, throughout the journey, and throughout the drive.

And guess what?

We made it.

God saw us through.

His mercy and grace were more than enough.

Looking back now, I'm still amazed.

Sometimes I think, "Wow... I really did that."

How did I do it?

I know it was by the grace of God and because I kept moving forward despite the fear.

I didn't wait for the fear to disappear.

I moved anyway.

And that's the encouragement I want to leave with you today.

Maybe you've been wanting to make a change for years.

Maybe you've been wanting to move.

Start a business.

Take a trip.

Go back to school.

Apply for that job.

Launch that dream.

But fear has kept you stuck in the same place.

I want to encourage you today:

Do it afraid.

Don't wait until you feel completely confident.

Don't wait until every question has been answered.

Don't wait until fear disappears.

Take the step anyway.

It's better to move forward with fear than to stay in the same place wondering "what if" for the rest of your life.

You might be surprised by what you're capable of accomplishing once you start moving.

Pray.

Trust God.

Take action.

And watch what happens.

Fear may show up, but it doesn't have to be in charge.

Today, I encourage you to stop procrastinating.

Take action on that dream.

Take that vacation.

Start that project.

Make that move.

Have that conversation.

Whatever it is that God has placed on your heart, pray about it and go for it.

You are stronger than you think.

You are more capable than you realize.

And with God's help, you can do more than you ever imagined.

Thank you so much for stopping by today and spending a little time with me.

I'm so happy to be back, and I can't wait to share more of this journey with you.

Until next time, don't let anybody steal your joy!

With love,

MaryamsJoyfulLife

Give Without Expectations

 What’s up, wonderful, amazing, sweet, and lovely people? How are you all doing today? I hope you’re having an amazing day today and I hope you know that nothing is stealing your joy. Welcome to MaryamsJoyfulLife. It’s a beautiful day today, and I’ve just been sitting with a thought that’s been weighing on my heart lately: what does sacrifice really mean?

What does it mean to sacrifice for those you love?

One thing I know for sure is this—sacrifice is not easy. It is not convenient. It is not comfortable. It is not something we naturally jump into with excitement. And yet, even with all of that, I also believe the reward is great. The reward is beautiful. The reward is massive in ways we may not even fully understand in the moment.

Over the past months, weeks, and even years, I’ve found myself sacrificing a lot. And I won’t lie to you—it has not been easy. There have been moments when I wanted to quit. Moments when I said, “You know what? I don’t need to do this. I don’t have to do this for this person. I don’t want to do this anymore.”

But even after saying all of that… I still go back.

I still help.

I still think through the situation and ask myself: What if I don’t help them right now, knowing they have a need? What would they do? Where would they go? How would I feel if I were in their shoes?

And the truth is—I’ve been in those shoes before.

There were times in my life when I needed help and the people I expected to show up… didn’t. I had to figure it out. I had to find a way. I had to pray. I had to call on God. And God made a way for me when I couldn’t see one.

And then I remember—there were also times when people did sacrifice for me. People showed up when I needed it most. So I think about all of that when I’m faced with the decision to help someone else.

But let’s be honest—our minds don’t always make it easy.

There are thoughts that come in saying, “They won’t help you back. You’re wasting your time. Don’t do it.” And there’s this whole inner argument happening. Chaos in the mind. Back and forth. Give or don’t give. Help or don’t help.

And then I calm myself down.

Have you seen my latest vlog?

And I remind myself of this truth:

If I help right now because I see a need, even if they never help me back, God will still raise someone to help me when I need it. God will still make a way for me. God will still open doors for me. God will still provide for me in ways I cannot even predict.

Because at the end of the day, my life is not dependent on people—it is dependent on God.

So instead of focusing on whether or not people will reciprocate, I choose peace.

Because it is honestly stressful to live your life calculating who will pay you back and who won’t. You cannot control people. You cannot force people. You cannot give just so you can receive something in return. And when you try to do that, it often leads to disappointment, frustration, and chaos in relationships.

We’ve all seen it. We’ve all experienced it in one way or another. Helping someone and expecting something back… only to be disappointed.

So I had to learn this:

I do it as unto God, not unto man.

If they help me back someday, fine. If they don’t, I will be okay. Because I trust that God will make a way for me regardless. I trust that God will continue to elevate my life and bring beauty out of every season.

That is what sacrifice really means to me.\It means giving without holding expectations over people’s heads.

It means opening your heart, even when it’s hard.

It means trusting that God sees you, God knows you, and God will take care of you.

And yes, sacrifice takes courage. It takes strength. It takes real guts to give when you don’t know what will come back to you.

But here’s the encouragement I want to leave with you today:

When you sacrifice and give, it is never wasted. It comes back. It may not come from the person you helped, but it will come back. God has a way of bringing blessings—good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.

So don’t worry about who will return the favor. Don’t let that steal your joy. Don’t let that stop you from being kind, loving, and generous when you are able.

And at the same time, be wise. Ask God for guidance. Don’t put yourself in a harmful situation trying to prove something or trying to please people when you don’t have the capacity. If you can do it, do it. If you can’t, it is okay to say no. You are not God.

Sacrifice is not about losing yourself—it’s about trusting God while still walking in wisdom.

So today, I just want to remind you:

Sacrifice is not easy.

Don’t stress about who will or won’t reciprocate.

And trust that God will always send the right people into your life at the right time.

Let your heart stay open.

Let your peace stay protected.

And don’t let anybody steal your joy.

I Stopped Before I Did Something I Would Regret

 Humility, Wisdom, and Letting Go of Pride

What’s up, wonderful, amazing, sweet, and lovely people? How are you all doing today? I hope you all are having an amazing day today, and I hope nobody steals your joy. Welcome to MaryamsjoyfulLife. It’s a beautiful day today, and I’m super excited to be here with you all. God is good!

Today, I want to talk about humility. Humility and flushing away pride.

Recently, I had a difficult experience with someone very close to me — a family member. During a conversation, there were misunderstandings, hurtful words, and disrespectful things said that I honestly never expected to hear. It hurt deeply because this was someone close to my heart.

At first, I was ready to respond publicly. I filmed a whole video about the situation. I talked about how I felt, expressed my frustration, prayed during the video, edited it, and got everything ready to post.

Have you seen my latest vlog?

But before I hit that “post” button, I paused.

I started asking myself some hard questions:

Am I proud of this video?

What am I truly trying to gain from posting this?

Will this help anyone?

Or am I simply trying to satisfy my ego?

How will this affect the people I’m talking about?

Is this coming from wisdom… or from anger?

And when I sat with those questions, I realized something important:

I didn’t need to post the video.

The truth is, I was acting out of hurt, anger, pride, and emotion. I realized that just because I have a platform doesn’t mean I should use it to react emotionally. Sometimes pride makes us feel like we need to prove a point, defend ourselves publicly, or expose people just because we can.

But wisdom tells us to pause.

Wisdom tells us to think before we speak.

Wisdom reminds us that not every battle deserves an audience.

I realized that making that video would not bring me peace. It would not heal me. It would not make my life better. It would only temporarily feed my emotions, and later I probably would have regretted it.

So I chose differently.

I decided there are some things I can handle privately and quietly. Some decisions don’t need an announcement. Some healing happens in secret. Some boundaries can simply be set without broadcasting them to the world.

Now, if there’s ever something I truly feel led to share in a mature and wise way — something that could genuinely help others — then maybe one day I will. But I refuse to speak from a place of spite, bitterness, or emotional heat.

I want to lead with wisdom.

The Bible says wisdom is profitable to direct. And that’s exactly what I want guiding my life — not pride, not anger, not ego, not revenge.

Sometimes wisdom sounds like: “Just wait.” “Don’t react yet.” “Don’t let your emotions control you.” “Don’t let pride make decisions for you.”

And honestly, sometimes wisdom says: “Let them.”

If they misunderstand you, let them.

If they think they’re winning, let them.

If they want to talk, let them.

But you?

You stay focused.

Do not waste your precious energy trying to prove yourself, get revenge, or show people you’re stronger. Use that energy to actually become stronger. Use it to grow. Use it to heal. Use it to protect your peace and your joy.

How often do we allow people — people who don’t even live with us, people who may be miles or continents away — to control our happiness and steal our peace?

We cannot keep doing that.

We have too much to be grateful for to allow emotional connections, drama, and negativity to consume us.

I’m learning to keep my focus and be more reasonable because I don’t want anybody to steal my joy — and I also don’t want to be the one who steals my own joy through emotional reactions.

So today, I want to encourage you with something I heard from Mel Robbins in her book The Let Them Theory:

“Let them.”

Let them think what they want.

Let them misunderstand you.

Let them underestimate you.

And you? You continue becoming who God called you to be.

Lead with wisdom. Choose humility over pride. Choose peace over proving a point. Choose healing over emotional reactions.

Thank you so much for stopping by today. You all are amazing, sweet, and lovely people.

And remember: Don’t let anybody steal your joy.

Remember the Goodness of God

 What’s up, wonderful, amazing, sweet, and lovely people? How are y’all doing today? I hope y’all are having an amazing day today, and I hope nobody steals your joy. Welcome to MaryamsjoyfulLife blog. It’s a beautiful day today, and I’m so excited that you chose to stop by and spend some time with me.

God is so faithful, y’all.

The last three weeks have been filled with celebration, laughter, and gratitude in my home. First, my daughter Zoe turned eight years old. I’m so grateful to God for blessing me with her beautiful life. Then two weeks later, my son Le'Veon turned ten years old. God is so amazing. Every time I think about my children — Le'Veon, Zoe, and my baby Laila — my heart becomes overwhelmed with gratitude.

I remember what God did for me when He blessed me with Le'Veon, then Zoe, and now Laila. I remember the prayers, the hope, the waiting, and the love. God has truly been faithful through every season.

I just want to remember the goodness of God all the days of my life and stay humbled whenever I think about the blessings He has given me. I’m grateful for His mercy, His faithfulness, divine protection, guidance, and good health over my children and my family. God is so good.

You guys, it is so important for us to remember what God has done for us because it is easy to forget. This world is filled with negativity, distractions, fear, and wickedness. The enemy wants us to focus on what is not working instead of remembering everything God has already done.

Sometimes when things are not going the way we want them to, we begin to feel discouraged. We can start feeling like life is unfair simply because we don’t yet have the thing we are currently praying for. But that is exactly how the enemy distracts us — by pulling our focus away from the goodness of God.

Instead of remembering how God brought us through difficult seasons before, we become consumed with what has not happened yet.

But when we intentionally stop and remember the goodness of God, something shifts inside of us.

Gratitude grounds us.

Gratitude humbles us.

Gratitude pulls us back into the present moment.

Every time I sit and think about what God has already done in my life, I notice a change in my spirit and even in my body. I feel warm in my heart. I feel peaceful. I feel present. It keeps me from floating into stress, frustration, comparison, distraction, and negativity. It reminds me that God has always been there for me.

Today’s vlog is really about this:

Gratitude and Remembrance

Remember what God has done for you.

Take yourself back to that moment when God answered that prayer you once cried over. Remember the breakthrough. Remember the healing. Remember the open door. Remember the blessing that you now have and may have become so used to.

Sometimes we become stressed out over the next thing we want while forgetting that we are currently living in prayers God already answered.

That realization alone is enough to humble us.

So let’s not allow our current desires and needs to distract us from what God has already done. Instead, let those desires push us closer to God in gratitude. Sit with the same God who answered before and thank Him again.

Because if God did it in the past, He can do it again.

The God who blessed you before is still faithful today.

The God who carried you before will carry you again.

The God who opened doors before can still open doors now.

So today, remember the goodness of God. Be grateful for the goodness of God. Give thanks knowing that whatever it is you currently need, the same God who did it before will do it again.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

And always remember:

Don’t let anybody steal your joy.

How Journaling Healed Me: Finding Hope in the Darkness Through Faith|| Unshakable Faith Series – Part 3

 

What’s up wonderful, amazing, sweet, and lovely people?

I hope you’re having an amazing day today…
And I hope nothing is stealing your joy.

Welcome back to the Unshakable Faith series.

Today is Part 3, and we’re talking about something powerful that helped transform my life:

Journaling through pain, loss, and heartbreak.

You Can Rise Again

Before we go deeper, I want you to know this:

• You can rise again
• You can win again
• You can live again

Your story is not over because of a setback.

In fact…

Every setback can be a setup for a greater breakthrough.

Watch episode 3. Linked above!

My Darkest Season

When I lost my baby 11 years ago…

It was one of the darkest, most painful seasons of my life.

After leaving the hospital, I was heartbroken.
Planning a funeral felt unreal.

I didn’t know what to do.

So I prayed.

Even when it felt heavy…
Even when I felt like I couldn’t carry the pain…

God was still there.

When Your Strength Isn’t Enough

There were moments when I felt like I couldn’t go on.

Like the weight was too heavy to carry.

And the truth is…

In my own strength, I couldn’t.

But I wasn’t relying on my strength.

I was relying on God.

Because where your strength fails…
God’s strength carries you.

When Words Fail… Write

There were times I didn’t even have the words to pray.

So I let my heart speak.

And then something changed everything…

Someone sent me a journal.

Inside that journal, I began to write.

What I couldn’t say out loud…
I wrote down.

How Journaling Helped Me Heal

I wrote things like:

“God, my heart is broken.”
“This hurts so much.”
“I don’t understand why this happened.”
“But I trust You.”
“I believe You will restore me.”

And something powerful started happening.

The more I wrote… the lighter I felt.

• The pain began to lift
• The heaviness started to fade
• Hope slowly returned

Journaling became a release.

Journaling Is a Healing Tool

If you’re going through pain right now…

I want to ask you:

Have you tried journaling?

You don’t need anything fancy.

Just:

• A notebook
• A pen
• Your honest thoughts

Write exactly how you feel.

Don’t filter it.
Don’t hold back.

As you write…
you release.

Don’t Just Write Pain—Write Vision

Here’s what changed everything for me:

I didn’t just write about my pain…

I also wrote about my future.

Even when I felt broken, I wrote:

• “I will be happy again”
• “I will have healthy children”
• “My life will be restored”

I began to speak life… even in the middle of death.

Speak Life Over Your Situation

There’s a powerful truth:

You may see dry bones…

But God sees life.

Just like in the story of dry bones being brought back to life…

What looks dead in your life right now…

Can live again.

So start speaking it.
Start writing it.

My Testimony of Restoration

Today, I can look back and see what God has done.

I now have:

• Three healthy, beautiful children
• A full life
• A restored heart

Motherhood has been one of my greatest blessings.

And it all started in a place of:

• Prayer
• Pain
• Journaling
• Faith

Even When You Don’t Feel Faith… Keep Going

There were moments I didn’t feel like I had faith.

I felt broken.

But I kept:

• Praying
• Writing
• Hoping

And slowly…

I began to feel:

• Stronger
• Lighter
• More hopeful

God was working in me the whole time.

All You Have to Do Is Show Up

You don’t have to have it all figured out.

Just:

• Show up
• Pray anyway
• Write anyway
• Trust anyway

Even if you feel like nothing is happening…

Something is happening.

Your Story Will End in Victory

Right now, it may feel like:

• Pain
• Loss
• Confusion

But that’s not how your story ends.

Your story ends in victory.

Everything you’re going through right now…

Is working for your good.

Final Encouragement

Let me leave you with this:

Your dry bones are coming back to life.

Healing is coming.
Restoration is coming.
Breakthrough is coming.

Don’t let anyone…

Steal your joy.

Thank You for Being Here

Thank you for being part of this journey.

If this touched your heart:

• Share it with someone
• Leave a comment
• Come back for the next episode

There are 6 parts in this series… and you don’t want to miss what’s coming next.

With love,
Maryam

When Things Don’t Go According to Plan: Trusting God in the Process

 

When Things Don’t Go According to Plan: Trusting God in the Process

What’s up, wonderful, amazing, sweet, and lovely people? How are you all doing today? I hope you’re having an amazing day and that nobody has stolen your joy. Welcome to Maryamsjoyfullife! It’s a beautiful day, and I’m truly excited to share this message with you.

Today, I want to talk about something we’ve all experienced at one point or another—those seasons in life when everything seems like it’s not working according to plan.

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you felt completely ready? You had everything lined up, every detail mapped out, and you reached out to the right people—or at least the people you thought were right. You put in the effort, did your part, and truly believed everything would fall into place… only for it not to work out?

It’s frustrating. It’s confusing. And honestly, it can feel discouraging.

When you’re in that kind of season, it can feel like things are unnecessarily hard and complicated. You may even start questioning yourself—“What did I do wrong?” or “Why isn’t this working?” And on top of that, when people you expected to support you aren’t on board, it can make the whole experience even more stressful.

But here’s something I’ve learned in those difficult moments: God has a plan.

Could it be that the thing you’re pushing so hard for isn’t what God has for you? Could it be that there’s something better waiting—something greater than what you imagined? Sometimes we get so laser-focused on our version of how things should go that we miss the bigger picture.

And that’s where we have to shift.

Instead of stressing, instead of forcing things to happen, this is the time to seek God. Pray. Be still. Trust Him.

Don’t allow setbacks, delays, or even naysayers to steal your peace. I know—it’s easier said than done. I’ve been there, and it’s not a good place to be. But there is power in surrender.

Give it to God.

Trust that His plan is better than yours—because it truly is.

In moments like these, I encourage you to go deeper spiritually. Spend time in prayer, and if you’re able, consider fasting. There is something powerful about denying the flesh and focusing on God. Whether you start with three days or work your way up to seven, even setting aside certain hours each day to fast and pray can bring clarity, peace, and breakthrough.

When you quiet everything else and focus on Him, amazing things begin to happen.

Remember, when things aren’t going your way, it’s not a sign to give up—it’s a sign to draw closer to God. Shift your perspective from frustration to gratitude. Thank Him even in the waiting, even in the uncertainty.

Because He is working—even when you don’t see it.

So today, I want to leave you with this encouragement:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart.

Lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways, acknowledge Him—and He will direct your path.

Hold onto that truth.

And no matter what you’re facing, don’t let anybody—or anything—steal your joy.

With love,

Maryamsjoyfullife