Sometimes I feel the pull as soon as I open my eyes. If the previous day's problems don't get resolved, the weight can often feel heavy in the fog of early morning. Even after a cup of coffee, I find myself wrestling with my thoughts. Managing our brains around both big and little problems isn't always easy, but it is necessary. That's why one of the most important ways to live refreshed is to choose the best thoughts for ourselves, around EVERYTHING. It's natural for our thinking to default to the worst case scenario. It's our way of preparing for potential risks and danger because our brains are designed to expect the worst. It's a protection mechanism, and although we need this to keep ourselves safe from real danger, it can also become a barrier to simply enjoying each day apart Continue Reading
18 Splashes of Color to Awaken Your Soul
Summer is all about color. Everywhere we look, vibrant hues pop across the landscape of our lives - in every storefront window, throughout each summer travel commercial, and across the pages of our supermarket flyers. It's all very exciting and refreshing. Somehow the colors of summer make things lighter, fresher and more playful. I am a HUGE fan of color. Plain and simple, I feel at home with color; it energizes me and makes me happy. So when I thought of writing a summer splash series, my mind went first to color. How I crave color in every part of my life and how it makes me feel alive and refreshed. Colorful food...books...office supplies...walls...friendships...dinnerware...restaurants. The list goes on and on. Splashes of color make life interesting. For me, color represents so Continue Reading
7 Stress-Free Benefits of a Simple Life
When the benefits of a simple life outweigh the life we find ourselves living, it's time for a change. Did you know two-thirds of Americans say they are likely to seek help for stress? Did you know fifty-four percent of Americans are concerned about the level of stress in their everyday lives? While it's true stress affects everyone, and not all stress is bad, we do have the power to control the stress in our lives. Three years ago, my son moved to China. His life in the states had become too burdensome. He was experiencing physical side effects, and he needed a change. Not just a change of scenery, but a change of lifestyle. His life as an educator had left him overburdened, over-stressed and desperate for a simpler, more adventurous life. Although it took me quite a few Continue Reading
The Most Effective Way to Brave Anxiety
How many times in a day, week, or month do you ask, “What if…?” I know that when I start asking “What if…?” I’ve opened up the door to worry, fear, and anxiety. And that’s not a pleasant place to camp out. There is a reason God told us over 300 times in the Bible to “Do not be afraid,” “Fear not,” and “Be anxious for nothing.” He knew we would struggle. This year, as I worked on my next book for publication (releasing September, 2019) about exchanging our worry, fear, and anxiety for God’s promised peace, I had many opportunities to put it into practice. Many times “What if…?” got the better of me. “What if my husband and son have an accident on their cross-country trip to move him into his apartment?” “What if finances don’t improve?” “What if the diagnosis is cancer?” and Continue Reading