Author: Tracey Buckley

I am a singer/songwriter and an advocate for people who have or had an eating disorder. I am also a soon to be author. I love being creative and dancing as well. I am passionate about sharing my journey of recovery.
Be Encouraged Brave Warrior

Be Encouraged Brave Warrior

by Tracey Buckley ♥ 2 Comments

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Today as I was home cooking I really felt that I wanted to encourage women (and men) who are walking through recovery.

I wanted to encourage you that deciding to overcome an eating disorder it not an easy decision.

I really wanted to encourage you and say that you are brave.

You are probably thinking no I’m not, I am nowhere near being brave.

You are probably thinking she is not talking about me?

But yes I am?

I am talking to you beautiful brave warrior.

You have made a decision to recover and that is being brave.

You are brave warrior because maybe you chose to-

  • Get out of bed this morning
  • Followed your meal plan
  • Asked for help
  • Kept your appointment with your counsellor, therapist
  • Let someone know that you are struggling
  • Decided to be real with someone about how you are feeling
  • Had breakfast
  • Laughed
  • May have cried
  • Went out for a coffee with a friend
  • Chose to ignore the negative thoughts
  • Wrote in your journal
  • Prayed
  • Read
  • Went food shopping
  • Listened to music that inspired you
  • Stopped and just breathed

Maybe you have been brave in your own way.

Maybe you even thought about doing something on the list above and that is okay.

Sometimes even thinking about doing something is a step towards recovery.

Every day is a step forward to recovery.

Be kind to yourself.

Beautiful Brave Warrior

traceybuckley

A Weekend Away

A Weekend Away

by Tracey Buckley ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

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I was asked if I wanted to go on a retreat last week, I wasn’t too sure at first. Then I had thought about just saying yes to new adventures so I went. At first I was only going to stay one night then I ended up staying the whole weekend.

I only knew one person going there was 7 of us all together.

I was so grateful that my friend drove.

So I met 5 new amazing women and I loved the weekend.

The weekend was full of walking to the beach, eating, drinking coffee, chatting and laughing.

I also had the most amazing coffee. As you may know I love coffee and the place we went to was Spill the Beans.

I kept on raving about my coffee.

The place where we stayed was right across the road from the beach, the view from the house was amazing.

I love the sound of the beach, there is something so soothing to me.

I was so determined on Saturday that I wanted to go for a work in the afternoon and to just sit on the beach and think.

Well the weather on Saturday was quite stormy, but I remained hopeful.

We did end up going for a walk on Saturday late afternoon. The weather was still windy and it looked like it would rain.

It was freezing but in a way exhilarating. We did go to the beach and the roaring of the waves was quite loud.

Then it poured, the rain was stinging my face.

We did it though the walk was achieved.

We spent Saturday night playing board games, I loved laughing and just being in the moment.

We do need time to take time to get away from our everyday life.

We need time to just be and enjoy being in the moment.

I loved the whole weekend.

traceybuckley

 

 

Be Still

Be Still

by Tracey Buckley ♥ 2 Comments
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Weekend Away -Picture by Kylie 

Daily Reading

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted

among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!

Psalm 46:10

Daily Devotional

I don’t know about you but I find it really difficult to be still. I find it really difficult to still my thoughts some days.

I think that I am a lot better when I am consumed with helping others.

I am discovering on this journey that when I am busy, my focus is on others. Which is okay.

Now I am on holidays and It is just me.

Aaahh!

I don’t know if you have ever felt like this?

Anxiety can sometimes overtake our thoughts; it can stop us from walking into the good things that God has for us.

It makes us want to stay in bed with the covers pulled over our head (some days).

Anxiety overwhelms us, it can overtake us it can paralyse us with fear.

Anxiety can feel likes electricity running through your body.

Anxiety brings fear and then you can spiral into those catastrophizing thoughts.

What if…………?

But stop!!

I am speaking to myself here as well.

Do you want to be still and have peace?

Do you want to be still and know that whatever you are going through that there is help?

Do you want to be still and be okay with that?

We are not meant to live a life full of worry.

Replace those worries, concerns with what God’s word says about you. Speak these over your life.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of sound mind. 2Timothy 1:7

I love 2Timothy 1:7 it is comforting and it is encouraging.

Be kind to yourself.

This is a journey and we are a work in progress.

I am still working at being in the moment, just focusing on what is happening now.

He will give us the grace to help us.

Be still beautiful one and know that you are not alone.

Be still beautiful one I am praying for you.

Be still beautiful one for you are worth it.

Be Still.

traceybuckley

 

When Your Thoughts Are Ruining Your Life

When Your Thoughts Are Ruining Your Life

by Tracey Buckley ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

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Daily Reading

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Daily Devotional

So I have been thinking about when you have those negative thoughts that bombard you.

You know the ones that say-

  • You are not good enough
  • You cannot do anything right
  • You will never be any good
  • You are a fraud
  • You are useless
  • You don’t deserve to have a good life
  • You don’t deserve…………….

And then there are the what ifs……….

Worry, worry and more worry.

I know them well.

Those are the thoughts of condemnation and shame.

This is not what God thinks about you.

He wants you to be made whole and well.

Yes you might have made mistakes, yes you might have upset someone, yes you are still on the journey.

Yes you might be regretting things that you have said and done.

What do we do when the thoughts are consuming us?

Pray give them over to God and let him heal you.

Read His word and see what He says about you.

Let His peace be over your mind today.

Be anxious for nothing.

Read that again.

You will get through this.

I love that we are a work in progress.

Today make yourself a nice cup of tea or coffee and just breathe.

Just breathe.

traceybuckley

 

Psalm 23

Psalm 23

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Daily Reading

Psalm 23

Daily Devotional

Today I woke up feeling somehow different, I think that I have parked for a little too long in valley of sorrow, shame, loss and grief.

Instead of walking through the valley of the shadow of death I have been camping there.

I am not really a camping girl so that is why it was feeling uneasy, that is why it was feeling uncomfortable and wrong.

Maybe it had a bit to do with being tired and exhausted.

Maybe it had to do with it being the end of a very busy school term.

Maybe it had to do with being vulnerable.

Maybe it had to do with me losing a bit of myself.

Maybe it had to do with me thinking about and longing for the desires of my heart.

Maybe I had to spend a bit of time there trying to restore my heart and get it right.

Maybe it had to do with me thinking about shame.

I have been reading Psalm 23 and it says He restores my soul and leads me in the paths of righteousness.

This morning I woke up with that belief that what the enemy meant to destroy me, I have decided to fight back.

The word Warrior has been just coming up in my thinking. It has been coming up in my conversation with others.

A Warrior a strong confident Godly woman.

In Psalm 23 it says I will fear no evil.

I am declaring this over my life.

How are you going Warrior Woman, how are you travelling?

Is there something that you need prayer for?

Is there something that you would like a breakthrough in?

God has an amazing purpose for your life, step into it.

Let’s begin on the journey together today.

traceybuckley

 

 

The Joy of the Lord

The Joy of the Lord

by Tracey Buckley ♥ 2 Comments

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Daily Reading

The joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

Daily Devotional

I love the scripture the joy of the Lord is my strength.

I have been sorting through my journals of when I was going through having an eating disorder and I came across a sentence that I had written.

The sentence was- “You know I haven’t had a good laugh in ages.”

At that time in my life there wasn’t anything to laugh about there wasn’t anything that brought me joy.

I wrote this in 2006 which was a really difficult year.

I had returned from going to Melbourne where I had attended a program for 3 weeks. I had to get a medical certificate from my GP to actually fly there. That was how unwell I was. Although I couldn’t see it myself.

I was blessed to be able to stay in a beautiful unit at no cost at all. Three whole weeks and the unit had everything even heated floors. I don’t know who the person was but I was grateful as I didn’t have to worry about the cost of my accommodation.

The program was amazing but coming back to Perth I didn’t have the same support and of course I relapsed.

Even though my weight was low I really should have been in hospital, I felt so heavy.

I wanted to be happy, I wanted to be that confident girl who could just be at peace with herself.

I wanted to laugh and not worry what other people thought of me.

Joy took a while to come back into my life.

Now I laugh every day, sometimes at myself.

My laugh is loud and I make no apology about it.

I am discovering the joy in the little things.

There was a long time in my life where I didn’t laugh and now I am making up for it.

Let me encourage you, your joy will come back.

You will laugh again, you will find that life is amazing.

Look for joy in the little things.

Joy will find you.

traceybuckley

Holidays are For-

Holidays are For-

by Tracey Buckley ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

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Reflecting on what holidays are for.

Here are some of my ideas-

  • Not having to set your alarm
  • For sleep ins
  • Lazy weekday mornings
  • Drinking great coffee
  • Trying out new coffee places
  • Having one day where you don’t need to go anywhere
  • Watching movies
  • Hanging out with friends
  • Catching up with friends
  • To be creative
  • For writing
  • A change in your routine
  • Rest
  • Refection
  • To work on some goals
  • To say yes to opportunities
  • To take some time out
  • Exercising
  • Boxing
  • Hanging out with family
  • Sorting out your house, room by room
  • Shopping
  • Buying shoes
  • Having your hair done
  • Reading that book that you have started
  • To be spontaneous
  • Dancing
  • Singing, working on some new songs
  • Going out for lunch or dinner
  • To relax (at least try)
  • Listening to inspiring podcasts
  • Listening to music
  • Drinking nice wine
  • To take some time to breathe

I would love to hear your ideas, what do you do when you have a break?

Feeling that I really need this break and so looking forward to just being in the creative process.

Also remembering to breathe and just be.

traceybuckley

Tears

Tears

by Tracey Buckley ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

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Daily Reading

You’ve kept track of my wandering and my weeping.

You’ve stored my many tears in your bottle-not one will be lost.

You care about me every time I’ve cried.

For it is all recorded in your book of remembrance.

Psalm 56:8 (from the Passion Translation)

Daily Devotional

I love this scripture it reminds me that even in my darkest time that He sees me, He sees every tear that I cry. I love how He says He cares about me every time I’ve cried. That is every time I have cried.

It makes me think of a beautifully designed jar with our name written in an amazing personalised font. Also written on it are the dates of every day we have ever cried.

He has our tears stored up. He reassures us that not one will be lost.

It’s a comforting scripture when you are going through a difficult journey or season.

Read it again and remind yourself that you are important.

I remember when I was journeying through a difficult season, I said to a friend “Really he stores up our tears in a bottle I think that he is going to need something a bit bigger for how I have been crying.”

We actually laughed at that through our tears.

There is nothing wrong with crying we all need a good cry and that is okay.

We may be working our way through grief of a loved one.

We may be waiting for prayers to be answered.

We may just feel lost at the moment.

We may feel disappointed.

We may feel that we have lost something.

You can only be strong for so long, when you are going through those difficult times-

Look after yourself when you are feeling sad-

  • Do something nice for yourself.
  • Light a candle with a beautiful fragrance.
  • Watch a comedy movie.
  • Have your hair done.
  • Hang out with people that can encourage you.
  • Make yourself a nice hot drink of coffee or tea or hot chocolate.
  • Have your nails done.
  • Listen to music.
  • Pray, write out your prayers.

You will get through this.

I am always reminded of Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

This is my prayer for you.

Be encouraged.

traceybuckley

Wait

Wait

by Tracey Buckley ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

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Daily Reading-

But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings likes eagles,

They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31

Daily Devotional

In Perth Australia we have school holidays for two weeks.

I am grateful for this time to recharge, reflect and to work on new projects.

I work as a primary school Chaplain and I am at four schools.

I love my job. I really do.

Before I was a Chaplain I worked in child care and I really didn’t take holidays. I just thought that I didn’t need them.

Now I am in a job where we have holidays and I love them.

My term has been full but full of wonderful memories and experiences.

I am grateful that I am able to work with amazing people.

I am really looking forward to the break as it will allow me to work on new projects for The Heart Project.

I love the verse in Isaiah but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.

I am desperate for my strength to be renewed.

I am desperate to hear His direction for me.

I am desperate to live a full and abundant life.

I am also grateful for this time to just be, to just be still for a while.

Self-Care is really important and I am still learning how to do this well.

We need to allow ourselves to have permission to ……….

We need to allow ourselves to have permission to do whatever it is that refuels us, that energises us that encourages us.

You are important and He knows that.

What are you going to give yourself permission to do?

What is one thing that you could do today to invest in yourself?

You matter.

When you look after yourself then you are able to invest fully in others.

Invest well my friend.

traceybuckley