Funny thing about this blog … I almost gave up on posting it. I’ve had trouble with PicMonkey, the program I use to design my graphics. For the past two weeks, when I try to save my images, the program freezes. Then I have to shut down my computer and start all over again. Tonight that happened not once, not …
In Others’ Words: Make No Little Plans
I can either plan for more or plan for less. I want magic to stir my blood, so I’m aiming high in both my hopes and my work. I’m releasing the little plans that clutter my life and I’m opening my hands … my mind and my heart … to the big plans. Daniel H. Burnham got it right when he said …
In Others’ Words: Choosing Action Over Sentiment
Have you ever stopped to consider the weight of your act of kindness toward another person? That “No, you go first” wave that allows an unknown someone to step ahead of you in line at the grocery story? It just might be the force that turns a weary mom’s day around. Your decision to pay for the Starbucks drink for the driver in …
In Others’ Words: Finding the Good in Failure
Isn’t it funny how pursuing success can end up teaching us a lot about failure? I dreamed about being a writer for a long time. Postponed it for years while I focused on being a wife and a mom — and facing my failures there. And my successes. There were those, too. And then one day I stopped dreaming about …
In Others’ Words: If We Have Not Peace …
Perhaps you’ve struggled with inner turmoil … the unrest that chafes your soul, wearies your mind, and exhausts your heart. You seek to assuage the dissastifaction by tuning into your favorite TV show or watching that movie that never fails to entertain you. Or you exercise. Go for a walk or a run or hit the gym for a spin class. …
In Others’ Words: Stepping Out From the Shadow of Worry
If I let myself, I could spend a lot of hours worrying. About people I love. About decisions I’ve made … or have to make … or about decisions others’ might make that affect me. About finances. Isn’t there always a reason to worry about finances? About my writing career. About the future … in so many ways. Worry, in …
In Others’ Words: When Walking Away is the Wise Choice
I’m all for staying and finishing the tough conversation. Or the seemingly unsolvable argument. Or the why-did-I-ever-commit-to-this project. But there are times when the best thing to do is to walk away. Take a time out. Not forever … but for a time. A day or two. Several weeks, if need be. If you’re in conflict with someone else, this …
In Others’ Words: Letting the Beautiful Stuff Out
Oh, I love the truth and the invitation woven in today’s quote. You are filled with beautiful, wonderful things. Experiences. Talents. Personal treasures meant to be shared with others so that they are changed by knowing you. So often we talk about achieving balance … searching for stability … wanting firm ground under our feet. Today, let’s be brave enough …
In Others’ Words: For the Love of Reading
“I don’t want to write a blog post. I want to read a book.” That’s what I said to my husband last night … right before I set my book aside and started working on this blog post. And that little bit of complaining sparked the theme of today’s blog: books and the love of reading. I’ve always loved to …
In Others’ Words: Remain Calm
If I had to take a “life test” right now, I would flunk. That whole “90% of life is remaining calm” quote? Yeah … I struggled with that even as I made the graphic for this post and started typing the opening lines … I’ve spent the better part of the afternoon and evening battling tears soaked with waves of frustration …