School is out, summer has settled in full here in the south, and hurricane season is upon us once again. But, even so, it's time for slower mornings, lazier afternoons and later evenings enjoying every minute of summer's last light. And in the midst of all the slowing down and stepping back from our busy routines, there's nothing like a splash of cool water to wake, refresh and energize. What does your summer look like? Maybe it's not the picture of slow and lazy. Maybe you're already feeling overwhelmed by a calendar packed full of more coming and going than one summer can hold. And maybe you're thinking those summer projects you've been meaning to pull off the shelf will have to wait one more season because life just isn't slowing its pace. If this is you, it's me too. I find myself Continue Reading
8 Ways to Create an Out-of-the-Ordinary Summer
There is something to be said for "out of the ordinary." It brings a certain freshness and spontaneity that is so necessary in resetting our life, especially during the summer months. As much as I love intention and routine, my creature of habit tendencies carry me into ruts before I'm ever aware I'm there. My days become predictable, my disposition is snarky, and life, in general, feels stale. I know the signs when my energy drops and my creativity dries up. It's time to change things up. It's time to reset. Seven months ago, after living in the same home for 22 years, we sold. It was a whirlwind sale, and it sold to the first family who came knocking. I didn't have time to second guess or cry over painted covered measurements of each child's years of growth. We pitched, we Continue Reading
Gift Yourself With Silence
It seems I’ve spent the last 6 months in a constant state of reset and one of the things I’ve come to cherish as part of this process is silence. It happened by accident, at women’s retreat, where the first 12 hours were spent in complete silence. We didn’t stop living or doing, but we did stop talking. And I was surprised at how it brought me closer to my thoughts and emotions. How it forced me to slow down and look inside. But most importantly, how my spirit cracked open just enough to feel God’s presence in a new and refreshing way. Silence has been a scarcity in my life, and I’m sure it is in yours also. Between parenting, work, and juggling life in general, I’ve spent far more time in chaos and noise. It wasn’t until one aspect of noise was removed that I realized all the Continue Reading