What’s Up, Beautiful People — Let’s Talk Healing 💛

 

What’s up, wonderful, amazing, sweet, and lovely people? How are you all doing today? I truly hope you’re having an amazing day and not letting anything or anyone steal your joy.

It’s a beautiful day today, and I’m so excited to be here with you.

Today, I’m beyond excited to share something very close to my heart — my brand new series on the Shape Your Face Podcast called “Healed.” This series is all about healing… real healing. Not just talking about it, but actually walking it out.

This isn’t just something I put together casually. This comes from a real place — a place of brokenness, pain, and deep loss. There was a time in my life when I felt completely shattered. But God…

God stepped in and restored me in ways I could have never imagined. He blessed me with healthy children, and today, I get to experience the joy of motherhood with a grateful heart. That alone is a testimony.

And that’s why I created this series.

I know there are so many of you out there going through things — silently, painfully, and sometimes feeling unseen. I want you to know: you are not alone. I see you. I understand you.

The “Healed” series is my way of walking alongside you. Think of it as me holding your hand through your healing journey — step by step — sharing the exact practical steps I took that helped me move from brokenness to restoration.

This is not just inspiration… this is guidance. This is real-life application.

If you’re ready to begin your healing journey, I’ve linked the currently available episodes below so you can dive in and start today.

And if this blesses you, please don’t keep it to yourself. Share it with someone who needs it. You never know whose life it could impact.

Thank you so much for being here with me. I love you all.

Have an amazing day — and remember…

don’t let anyone or anything steal your joy.

Be blessed 💛

Stop Expecting Yourself From Others: Protect Your Peace and Joy

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

How are you all doing today? I hope you’re having an amazing day and not letting anything steal your joy. Welcome back to I’m Joyful Life—it’s a beautiful day, and I’m so grateful to be here with you.

Today, I want to talk about something that quietly steals our peace more than we realize… expectations.

The Trap of Expecting Yourself From Others

One of the fastest ways to become discouraged, frustrated, and emotionally drained is expecting people to be exactly like you—to think like you, respond like you, and handle things the way you would.

The truth is… they won’t.

And when they don’t, frustration creeps in.

I’ve experienced this personally. Even with something as simple as asking my kids to wash dishes or clean the table a certain way. No matter how clearly I show them, they still do it their way. And yes—it can be frustrating.

But then I have to pause and remind myself:

I’m the one stealing my own joy—not them.

They’re learning. They’re growing. And they are not me.

Grace Changes Everything

This is where grace comes in.

When we try to mold people into our exact image, we set ourselves up for constant disappointment. But when we allow people to be themselves—to grow in their own way—we create space for peace.

Give people:

Room to learn

Room to grow

Room to be different

Because the same way it took you time to become who you are, it will take them time too.

When People Don’t Show Up for You

Now let’s be real—sometimes it goes deeper than small frustrations.

Sometimes you’ve been there for people. You’ve supported them. You’ve carried their burdens.

But when it’s your turn… they don’t show up.

And that hurts.

It’s disappointing. It’s heartbreaking. And it’s okay to feel that.

But here’s the truth that will protect your peace:

Just because you show up for others doesn’t mean they will show up for you.

Shift Your Expectation

Instead of expecting people to repay you, shift your expectation.

Give from your heart—but don’t depend on people for your reward.

Trust that God sees you. Trust that God will provide. Trust that the right people will show up at the right time.

Because they will.

Not always the same people you helped—but the right people.

Choose Joy Over Control

Trying to control how people act, think, or respond will only drain you.

So today, release that pressure.

Tell yourself:

I don’t need everyone to be like me

I don’t need everyone to understand me

I don’t need everyone to show up the way I expect

I choose peace. I choose joy.

Let people be who they are. Let yourself breathe. Let grace lead.

Final Encouragement

We’re all human. We all fall short sometimes.

So instead of holding people to impossible standards, give grace—just like you would want grace in return.

Today:

Show yourself grace

Show others grace

Let go of unrealistic expectations

And protect your joy at all costs.

Support & Share the Love 💛

Thank you so much for spending this time with me—I truly appreciate you.

If this message blessed you, please share it with your friends and family. You never know who needs this reminder today.

Also, if you’d like to support Maryam’s Joyful Life, we are currently raising support to purchase our first home and create a beautiful space and studio to continue creating and inspiring.

Every contribution means so much, and your support is deeply appreciated.

👉 Support here: http://gofund.me/e2e6ff48c

Thank you again for being here.

And remember…

Don’t let anybody steal your joy.

What to Do When They Don’t Follow Up or Show Up for You

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

Thank you so much for checking out my blog today. I’m truly grateful you’re here. I’m super excited to share another insight—maybe even an observation—that’s been resting on my heart.

Today, I want to talk about something real. Something many of us have experienced but don’t always talk about openly: what to do when people don’t follow up or don’t show up for you.

Have you ever been in a situation where people who are supposed to be your friends, your brothers and sisters, your church family, or even your actual family… just didn’t check up on you?

They’re present when they need something. You show up. You care. You give.

But when you need them, they’re silent.

If you’ve experienced this, you know how painful it can be.

It’s hard. It’s annoying. It’s discouraging.

And honestly—it can be heartbreaking.

Recently, I went through a situation where I expected certain people to follow up. I expected them to check in, to ask how things turned out, to see how I was doing. Because to me, that’s one of the clearest ways you show you care.

And here’s something important I want you to remember: helping people isn’t just about money.

Sometimes you’re not in a position to give financially—and that’s okay.

But you can give:

A phone call

A text message

A kind word

Advice

Prayer

Or even reaching out to someone else who can help

Care goes far beyond physical resources.

So yes, I expected more. Because if I were in their shoes, I would’ve followed up. I would’ve checked in. That’s just who I am.

But here’s the shift.

What do you do when they don’t show up?

First, give thanks to God in all circumstances.

Even the uncomfortable ones.

Even the disappointing ones.

Thank God for revealing people’s character—not to make you bitter, but to make you wiser. Their lack of follow-up doesn’t mean you stop being kind. It doesn’t mean you stop caring. It doesn’t mean you harden your heart.

Keep being you.

Your follow-up might be the very thing that changes someone’s life.

The Bible reminds us that God is closer than a brother. And that truth matters, especially in moments when people fall short. Always pray. Always trust God. Even after you’ve reached out to people who should help—whether they do or they don’t—go back to God and say, “Lord, guide me. Help me. You know the right people to bring into my life at the right time.”

When family doesn’t show up—church family, community, or blood relatives—don’t let it destroy you.

Now you know who they are.

Now you know where not to place your expectations.

And that knowledge is protection.

Don’t overthink it.

Don’t carry it.

Don’t let it steal your joy.

God made a way.

You’re still standing.

It didn’t take you out.

There will always be people who don’t see your situation as important—or who simply don’t care the way you hoped they would. But don’t let that stop you from being a caring, loving, giving person.

Because we do reap what we sow.

So keep sowing good seeds.

Keep sowing joyful seeds.

Keep showing up with love.

And above all—don’t let anyone steal your joy. ✨

Small Wins That Build Self-Trust

 

There are moments in life when things don’t work the way we planned. Plans fall apart. Progress feels slow. Results don’t show up when we expect them to. In those moments, it’s easy to feel discouraged, overwhelmed, and tempted to shut down. It can feel like stopping altogether would hurt less than continuing to try.

But that is the worst thing we can do.

When things aren’t working, that is not the time to quit on yourself. That is not the moment to stop believing, hoping, praying, or moving forward. That moment is an invitation to respond differently.

Giving up feels like relief in the short term, but it slowly erodes self-trust. Every time we quit on ourselves, we teach our nervous system that we cannot be relied on when things get hard. Over time, that creates fear, hesitation, and self-doubt.

Small wins do the opposite.

Small wins rebuild trust with yourself.

A small win doesn’t have to be dramatic. It can be as simple as choosing to get up when you want to stay down. It can be adjusting your approach instead of abandoning the goal. It can be going for a walk, praying through the frustration, affirming what you desire even when the evidence hasn’t caught up yet.

A few months ago, I experienced setbacks that were hard, discouraging, and deeply disappointing. There were days it felt heavy. There were moments when stopping would have been easier. But I didn’t quit.

I chose to keep going.

I changed my approach instead of giving up. I prayed even when I felt tired. I exercised when my emotions felt low. I went on long walks and affirmed my desires in the present tense, even when my circumstances hadn’t shifted yet. I kept believing while moving.

And because I didn’t quit, I came out of it.

That’s the power of small wins. Every time you choose to keep going—even imperfectly—you send yourself a message: I can trust myself. That trust compounds. It builds resilience. It builds emotional strength. It builds faith in your own ability to navigate life.

Acceptance does not mean surrendering your vision. You can accept where you are without giving up on where you’re going. Accept the situation, but don’t stop praying. Don’t stop planning. Don’t stop believing. Don’t stop moving.

You always have a choice.

You may not control every circumstance, but you do control how you respond. And how you respond shapes your future far more than the setback itself.

My advice is simple and honest:

Don’t let things not going as you desire cause you to quit trying.

Don’t let disappointment steal your hope.

Don’t let delays convince you that it’s over.

Keep choosing small actions that align with the life you want. Those actions build momentum. Momentum builds confidence. Confidence restores joy.

And most of all—don’t let anyone steal your joy. Protect it. Your joy is fuel. It is strength. It is evidence that you are still choosing yourself.

Keep going. Even slowly. Even imperfectly.

That choice alone is a powerful win.

EMOTIONAL HEALING STARTS WITH FILTERING YOUR THOUGHTS

 

Hello my friends, thank you for checking out my blog today. I am so happy you stopped by. In today's post, I will be sharing on the topic of  Emotional healing. It is important that we do purifications of our thoughts and emotions everyday for clarity and peace of mind. Here's a devotional from Pasto Joel Osteen that covers the topic and I will also share a meditation that will help you! Enjoy!

Filter Your Thoughts

I will set no evil before my eyes.

---- Psalm 101:3

Did you know that what you think determines the direction and quality of your life? The Bible encourages us to think on things that are pure, wholesome and a good report (Phil 4:8). In order to think on the right things, it is important that you filter what you watch, read and listen to. Don't let the enemy slowly deceive you into lowering your standards and desensitizing you to what is good and pure. Don't let him have a single opportunity to pull you down by watching or being involved in things that are questionable.

Remember, you are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Fill your thoughts with the promises of God found in His Word- promises of peace, joy and freedom; promises of safety, deliverance and provision; promises of a future and a hope that are only found through Jesus Christ! As you fill your thoughts with God's Word, victory will come alive in every area of your life!

Prayer for Today;

Heavenly Father, today I ask You to fill my thoughs with Your thoughts, and fill my heart with Your promises. I choose to focus on You and the good things You have in store for me. I will meditate on Your Word. Thank You for guiding my every action, my every thought and my every step.

The above devotional is from Joel Osteen's book "30 Thoughts For Victorious Living." 

Here's a meditation that shows a practical way of breaking and eliminating negative thoughts and emotions from your aura and chakras. Enjoy!

Don't let anybody Steal your Joy!

Maryam