Summer in our home has always meant losing track of time. We stay up later and let our body wake us instead of our alarm clocks. Our meal schedule is relaxed, and we eat when we're hungry. Leftovers seem to taste fresher and the never-ending supply of lemonade and ice tea carries us through the lazy afternoon hours. We do everything we can to NOT follow a normal schedule because our souls need to do more than breathe - they need to exhale. Slow and easy. It's been this way for more than 20 summers, and it's one way we refresh and reconnect with ourselves...by intentionally losing time. Summer is too short to not learn the value of losing time. And the benefits are too great to throw away. ~sharper thinking and out-of-the-box clarity ~increased creativity ~more Continue Reading
Refresh with the Small Things
This week, I'm committing to refreshing my life with the small things. I've tucked away my To-Do list and pulled out my "creative-small-things" list. When I take inventory of my typical day, I realize there is very little time for the small creative pleasures. And I've had a few things on my list for quite some time. They aren't time consumers and they aren't costly. But the happiness and fulfillment they provide is a big payoff! My goal this week is to spend some intentional time being creative in small ways because creativity helps us grow and feel alive. It inspires and enriches our sense of well-being, and it sprinkles hope and joy to the deepest parts of our soul. Perhaps you have some creative projects sitting in your someday pile, and summer is a great time to dust Continue Reading
Summer Refresh: 6 Weeks to a Better You!
Summer could not get here fast enough! It's been an exhausting school year, and I'm tired. My mind, my body and my soul are tired. I feel it more this summer than in the past, and I know I need to spend time losing time. I want to forget about doing and practice being. ~sink in chunky chair and read a good book ~welcome the sunrise over the morning waves ~sink my feet into the warm beach sand ~spend more time with family and friends ~ move and stretch and feel strong ~meander through the green market ~do something creative ~remember happy times ~take a nap ~remember what it's like to exhale Do you feel it also? Do you feel summer calling you to step away from your busy life and choose to be refreshed? Then join me for #SummerRefresh: 6 Weeks to a Better Continue Reading
When We Need Help Anticipating Advent
Anticipation is such a gift! Every year we join the world in celebrating Advent and counting down the arrival of Christmas…the arrival of the King of the World. We offer up our very best in preparing our homes and our families for the celebration of the One who holds our future. Through the busyness of the season, we do our best to anticipate and grab hold of the meaning of Christmas. In years past, I’ve often felt as if I’m missing some aspect of this anticipating. As though there’s an unidentifiable disconnect, separated by distance and time. It’s as if there’s been some small void in wrapping my head fully around the coming King – until this year. Are you experiencing a void this Advent? Join me over at my friend, Jill Hoven's blog, where I'll tell you the rest of the story and Continue Reading