Experiences or who we are

Do you think we’re shaped more by our experiences or by who we are?

Well, this answer can be given in two ways, but the keyword in my response is “some.”

Some people are shaped more by their experiences or by who they are.

I believe I am shaped by both my experiences and the choices I make, but the experiences of my youth have had the greatest influence on who I am today. They challenged me, strengthened me, and taught me to become more welcoming, compassionate, and willing to grow. I have embraced a new life and continue to shape the person I desire to be.

Every day, I ask myself how I can become a better person and move beyond the thinking of my younger years. I often wonder how I can be the one who helps bring positive change for future generations of my family. My constant prayer is, “Lord, help me, because I cannot do this on my own.”

The experiences I have lived through are worth sharing, and the wisdom they have given me is something I treasure with gratitude. I long for even greater insight into God’s will for my life and the path He has prepared for me.

Today, my experiences bring me joy rather than pain because they remind me that, through God’s strength, I am capable of overcoming any obstacle. As long as I keep my faith, maintain a positive mindset, and continue trusting Him, I know I can always face whatever lies ahead of me.

I am a better person today because of my experiences, and I am who I am because I have chosen to grow. If tomorrow calls me to change again, I will embrace that growth as well. In the end, I believe both our experiences and our choices shape who we become. Thanks for reading this! -CM

A Door Closed

I accept your decision to leave. I accept our differences, and I accept all the good and difficult moments we shared. Thank you for being a part of my past and for being part of a season in my life that needed to change rather than remain the same.

I accept the changes that have come, trusting they are for growth and for the better, not for the worse. I will carry any regrets by doing what I know I am called to do: love what and who is in front of me—my neighbor and myself.

I honestly thought life would fall apart after this ending, but God showed me otherwise. I thank Him for seeing the path ahead of me long before I could see it, and for giving me the time to grow stronger in my sobriety before this chapter came to a close.

I am no longer enslaved by alcohol, nor am I placing my entire sense of self and dependence on a relationship that, in my eyes, was no longer healthy. Because of that, I can now look back with gratitude and see that God has made a way for things to work out for the good of both of us.

Thank you for the memories, the lessons, and the role you played in my life. I truly wish you the greatest gift of all—that love finds you again and that you experience the peace, joy, and happiness you deserve. ❤️ – CM

Which Book

Which book have you read more than any other?

Oh, this is probably the easiest question I’ll answer this morning while in flight somewhere over Texas!


The Bible is the only book I have truly devoted myself to reading since I was a child, aside from the dictionary when I was learning English. When I was 13 years old, my mom was upset with me and told me she was not going to take me to church with her anymore. My response at the time was that the greatest place to worship is in the quietness of your own prayer closet, seeking God sincerely—not simply being surrounded by people who may judge others.


So, I stayed home and read my Bible. At such a young age, I began gaining understanding, wisdom, and a deeper relationship with God. I continue reading it today, not because I have all the answers, but because I continue to seek clarity, guidance, and a greater understanding of our Heavenly Father.


The Bible is the way, the truth, and the life. It is the closest thing we have to knowing God’s heart, His teachings, and His love for us. It is the one book I have returned to more than any other, and it continues to guide me every day. -CM

July 8th

Good day, everyone. I hope you are all doing well. What have you been up to? What a blessing it is to wake up and see another day filled with opportunities for peace, growth, and understanding.

The past few weeks have been life-changing, with so many things happening all at once. Yet, through it all, God continues to remind us of His promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us. He prepares a table before us even in the presence of our struggles, our hardships, and the challenges we face.

I know it is not always easy to pray for those who have hurt us or to wish that we had no enemies at all. But I want to remind you that you are the light of this world. Even during your hardest moments, you have the strength to overcome. Do not let the struggles of today convince you that tomorrow will not come.

You are one of God’s greatest creations, and your strength comes from Him. You are a blessing and a gift to your family and to the people whose lives you touch.

If you ever feel like the “black sheep” of your family or find yourself feeling like giving up, remember that the enemy is a liar. Hell was not created for you; it was created for the devil and his followers. Being different from your family does not mean you are bad, broken, or incapable of doing what is right. It simply means you are uniquely created by God.

You are allowed to explore, try new things, make mistakes, and learn from them. That is part of how we grow. But one thing I have noticed when people say they feel like the black sheep is that sometimes they have lost sight of their faith. I want to remind you that no matter what you face, hold onto your faith, because God is the one who carries us through the storms of life.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, hurt, or discouraged, remember that Jesus does not want you to carry those burdens alone. He tells us to bring our worries and lay them down before Him. When you feel like you are talking to yourself and no one is listening, know that God hears every prayer, every tear, and every silent cry. He is working behind the scenes and opening doors at the right time.

You deserve the blessings and goodness God has prepared for you. Keep believing, keep growing, and keep trusting Him. Thank you for reading this! 😊 -CM

By whom I am most inspired

Who are you most inspired by?

What a great question. I could say I’m most inspired by people in my family, but that wouldn’t be entirely true. While I admire successful people, I am even more inspired by those who have struggled with drug or alcohol addiction and chosen to change their lives.

I count myself among those people. Deciding to leave behind destructive habits, become a productive member of society again, face our past, forgive those who deeply hurt us, and humbly admit our own wrongs to the people we’ve hurt—that takes incredible courage and strength. To me, that is truly inspiring.

And the beautiful part is that many of us go on to become successful, not just in our careers, but in our character, our relationships, and the way we live our lives. Keep it going, God bless you all. Thanks for reading! ☺️ -CM

20-year-old self

What is something you wish you could tell your 20-year-old self?

I would have told my 20-year-old self that you were actually where you were supposed to be. Don’t change anything, because if I were to, I wouldn’t be here doing what God wants me to do. Never wish to change things from your past unless you feel like you have failed yourself. Remember, failure comes at any age; it only depends on how you deal with it. Do you give up, or do you keep going? Because you are victorious, and goodness and mercy will follow you all the days of your life as long as you don’t give up too soon. -CM

God will

I have always held a strong belief in the power of God’s will in my life, and this conviction has grown even stronger. Moving forward, I intend to align my expectations with His plan and purpose for me. I will diligently fulfill my responsibilities, recognizing that faith without action is incomplete. The teachings of the Bible are profound and offer genuine insights; I encourage reading them for a deeper understanding of life. I plan to embark on a renewed study, beginning with Genesis. Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts. -CM