Dear Year #40

Hello 40,

I’m new here, but I can’t wait to learn all about you! You’re untapped territory, buried treasure that I’m eager to unearth and explore.

I’m not sure why you’re so special, but you feel like a reset, a release to go, see, do and be unapologetically me!

I’m grateful for years 1-39, they taught me a lot, but 40, you’re hitting differently! Something about you is already causing me to move differently.

Here are my commitments to you:

1. To be present, savor every moment, and cherish loved ones.
2. To be grateful and intentionally committed to kindness and service.
3. Continued mental, emotional, physical and spiritual development.
4. To be bold, curious and try new things often.

40, I think we’re gonna get along great, I’m already loving it here.

#40&Flourishing

#Bold&BeYOUtiful

Cash App: $GwenJonesP31

💕Gwendolyn Jones
Adv. Grief Recovery Specialist
Co-Founder A Safe Place: Emotional Wellness Institute
Gwendolynjjones.com

🏆: Husband of the Year Alfonzo Jones II
🎬Production: @hix_all_in1
📸: John Brown @brownboyfotos
💄MUA: @makeupbycd
💁🏽‍♀️Hair: Zahna Jhane ‘
👗Styled: Jessica Plummer

What’s in a name?

My boy walks past my cup of coffee, reads the scripture on the rim, then looks at me and says, “Hey that cup has my name on it!”

My Response: It sure does son and what a powerful name it is!

Funny story! My husband, was extremely particular about our children’s names. I was interested in cuteness, flow, and the most adorable nickname. He was fixed on meaning and what we were speaking over their lives everytime we called their names! He doesn’t often put up a fight, but he believed in the power of a name! He said he WOULD NOT call his children, “just anything.” He stood his ground on this one!

Our children were nameless in the womb for months. I threw out hundreds of naming options, even assembled a committee to help me find the perfect name. He shot down 99.8% of my suggestions.

We finally settled on the names:

Alyssa (Rational/Noble) Christine (Christian) Jones

Joshua (God is Deliverer) Christian (follower of Christ) Jones.

From a young age, he taught our children what their names meant and encourages them to remember who they are when faced with adversity!

Their names are the mantras they live by. The divine standard preset for their lives before they took their first breath! The mantles they must carry as they carry our last name, JONES.

WeRJones isn’t grammatically correct, but it IS who we are!

It sets the boundaries for what we do, what we say, how we carry ourselves and the arenas we find ourselves in.

It’s not a cliche insinuating that others keep up, it’s a standard that we as a family must uphold!

“The name equips for the position”
-Alfonzo D. Jones II

What’s in a name?
Purpose, Power … EVERYTHING!

Alfonzo (Prepared for battle), Gwendolyn (Blessed Ring), Alyssa (Noble/Rational) & Joshua (God Delivers/Chosen Leader)

WeRJones – Commissioned to bring Joy, Light & Life to all that we encounter.

From Survivor to Overcomer

A Birthday tribute to my beautiful, amazing sister. I

To my devoted readers: I wrote this for my sister, but I believe this message is for you as well! I pray it blesses YOU.

My dearest Sis!
My first friend, my ride or die!

First of all, I love you!
Secondly, I admire you!

I think my word for you up until this point has been survivor. Lord knows you have survived. I’m so proud of you, you are BASS STRONG and not a quitter. You know your limits, you’re wise and witty. You know when to speak and when to be silent. You lay low and prepare until it’s time to execute. You move in elegance and grace and you are not afraid to make the hard decisions. You’re multifaceted. You’re a Mommy, sister, friend, advocate, coach and leader. You have climbed the ladder of success despite every opposition! So yes Sissy, you are a survivor but our minds, hearts and bodies aren’t equipped biologically, physiologically, or chemically to remain in survival mode indefinitely. While surviving our options are limited to fight, flight, or freeze!

To everything there is a season, I believe your season of warring has come to an end. I believe this year will bring transition to a season of calm, peace, rest, and trust. So yes, a new word is in order, my word for you now, is overcomer. To overcome means to succeed in dealing with (a problem or difficulty). You’ve fought long enough, it’s time to live! To experience! To try and do! I believe better is waiting for you on the other side of the fight! Enjoy the fruits of your labor! Reflect, Reevaluate, Refocus & REST Sis, the world is yours for the taking! Become a collector of everything you require to flourish!

Watching you evolve is a beautiful thing. I know Mommy is in heaven saying, “That’s my girl!” She ALWAYS saw something special in you and went to great lengths to protect you as best she knew how. Girl, you’ve succeeded .. you’ve won more battles than you’ve lost. Spread your wings and Fly! You’re already GREAT .. keep things in proper perspective. Go, taste and see, sis, then tell me all about it!

I love you!
Happy Happy Birthday!
🤟🏾✊🏽❤️

The Original Serenity Prayer

WOW! I read the Serenity Prayer daily! Finally took a moment to learn it’s origin story and found this!

I’m totally adopting this original version and I pray it encourages you!

Happy Friday

💕Gwen
Adv. Grief Recovery Specialist
Emotional Wellness Coach
Gwendolynjjones.com
Podcast Host:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-gwen-jones-podcast/id1564631035
Author: misfit2majorfit.com

Be Present

Many often ask, what does it mean to be present?

I believe this is the perfect definition:

Happy Monday Beauties,
Today’s focus is to be fully present!

💕Gwen
Adv. Grief Recovery Specialist
Emotional Wellness Coach
Gwendolynjjones.com
Podcast Host:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-gwen-jones-podcast/id1564631035
Author: misfit2majorfit.com

Speak Well of Yourself

“To build a kind, respectful, and loving relationship, start by being all those things to yourself first.”
– ArielandShya Kane

Today’s focus ➡️ YOUR WORDS!
Your words matter!

Negativity is like a dense fog:

1. It tends to hover. It’s up to us to turn on our brights so we can see clearly in the fog.
2. It’s dull. Funny how dim light is in the fog. It’s not always rain, but it’s never bright sunshine ☀️. Sometimes it’s on us to seek and discover rays of light!
3. It requires adjustment. When the dense clouds blur your vision, when you can’t see what’s on the other side. You still have to drive through the fog, but for safety you must adjust your speed and point of view. Sometimes getting through the fog requires slowing down. Often times it requires leaning in, getting closer to the glass for a clearer view.

How do you find light in the fog? Speak well of yourself!

Be aware of what you are telling yourself daily? Take a moment to assess your self – talk. Write it down if you must, but call out the thought and make the appropriate adjustments!

If you’re accustomed to criticism and negative, add on a ray of sunshine to the end of your statement.

Looks like this:

UGH 😣, I’m so scatterbrained, I always forget BUT I’m going to set an alarm next time or make a list and check it. Brain, we can remember, we’ve got this!!

Before you can properly love anyone else, you must learn to love you!

Happy Friday!

💕Gwen
Adv. Grief Recovery Specialist
Emotional Wellness Coach
Gwendolynjjones.com
Podcast Host:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-gwen-jones-podcast/id1564631035
Author: misfit2majorfit.com

mentalhealthmatters #self-love #youmatter #livefree #nomorechains #counselor #quoteoftheday

The perspective conversation

Sometimes our moments can seem SO BIG, be overwhelming, and all consuming!

Let’s talk about life’s moments, here’s your morning (or evening) ☕️:

✅ They are REAL!
✅ They MATTER!
✅ They evoke powerful emotions!
✅ They are temporary!

‼️Where there are no moments, there is no life‼️

Life’s moments remind me of paint by number. If we were to assign each moment a color, at the end of our days, we’ve created a beautiful masterpiece! Millions of moments create your story. ONE moment is ONE part of your big picture!

❎ It isn’t your destiny
❎ It isn’t a stop sign, although It may require a detour
❎ If one moment isn’t so great, another one is coming and you get to choose whether you handle it or it handles you!

Every once in a while, the perspective conversation is required.
Today is your day!
Each moment belongs to you!

1️⃣ Honor it
2️⃣ Breathe through it
3️⃣ Learn the lesson
4️⃣ Repeat

Happy Friday!

💕Gwen

📣📣New TGJ podcast episode to be released TOMORROW!

Adv. Grief Recovery Specialist
Emotional Wellness Coach
Gwendolynjjones.com
Podcast Host:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-gwen-jones-podcast/id1564631035
Author: misfit2majorfit.com

Fight Fear

FEAR comes in many forms:

⛓ A chain that binds your extremeties and disables movement.

🏋️‍♀️ A heavy weight that forces you to stay low when you know you should be standing tall.

🕶 Shades that alter your vision, causing you to exist in a world of can’ts.

🚨 An alarm. A reminder that danger is lurking, leaving you in an indefinite state of paralysis.

Fear, a friend and foe, that we must work hard to keep in check!

How do we denounce fear and embrace confidence, boldness, and curiosity?

Intentionally, force yourself to try something new often!

‼️SNEAK PEAK INTO NEW PODCAST EPISODE COMING THIS WEEK‼️

If I can do it, so can you! I’m certainly a work in progress but I am proof that that there is beauty, fun, life and freedom on the other side of fear!

💕Gwen
Adv. Grief Recovery Specialist
Emotional Wellness Coach
Gwendolynjjones.com
Podcast Host:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-gwen-jones-podcast/id1564631035
Author: misfit2majorfit.com

I SEE YOU!

“YOU ARE NOT A SHADOW!”

I’ll never forget when a trusted voice, pushed past the crowd, walked up to me and gifted me with these words.

One of the more difficult feelings to identify is the pain of not feeling seen!

My hope for you is that you will “see” yourself! This is how you win the war in your mind and cast down the thought that no one sees, values, or appreciates you!

Before they see you, YOU HAVE TO SEE YOU!

But if you aren’t there yet, hold on to my words:

I SEE YOU!

YOU ARE SEEN!
YOU ARE APPRECIATED!

YOU ARE VALUABLE!
YOUR EFFORTS ARE NOT IN VAIN!

Fantastic Friday to you Ms. Seen, Valued & Loved!

💕Gwen
Adv. Grief Recovery Specialist
Emotional Wellness Coach
Gwendolynjjones.com

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-gwen-jones-podcast/id1564631035

I AM ENOUGH

1️⃣ READ THIS 👇🏾
2️⃣ REPLACE THE WORD YOU WITH I
3️⃣ LOOK IN THE MIRROR & RECITE THIS OUT LOUD 3X

If no one else has told you that you are enough, I’m telling you AND YOU ARE TELLING YOURSELF!!! Believe and recieve this today!

Matter of fact, reintroduce yourself as Ms. More Than Enough (insert last name here).

Happy Thursday, Ms. More Than Enough!

YOU MATTER & YOU ARE ENOUGH!

Sincerely,
Mrs. More Than Enough Jones
Adv. Grief Recovery Specialist
Gwendolynjjones.com

#enough #selflove