When it no longer works: a rule of thumb for trying something new
In 2020, I wrote the first draft of my novel—from which my upcoming Sweetwater series derives—at the end of my work days. In 2021, I shifted #allthings writing related to the hours between 6:30 and 8 a.m., with exercise later in the day to allow more time for prayer and purpose (aka writing) before my…
Pinterest and charcuterie boards: finding humor in the messy middle
What do Pinterest and charcuterie boards have in common? An end vision. You’ve seen them: the memes that parody Pinterest boards by displaying each perfect [fill-in-the-blank], followed by another person’s hilarious attempt to duplicate said project. Can you relate—the results of your dream appearing completely different than your Pinterest board ideals? Welcome to the messy…
Everything is permissible but not beneficial: the 100% rule
It’s easier to hold your principles 100% of the time than it is to hold them 98% of the time. ~ Clayton Christensen If you could apply one tip to your life to make it easier in 2022, would you? Motivational speaker and author Benjamin Hardy calls this tip the “100% rule”—making a decision with…
One thing at a time: turning resolve into results
Resolutions: the infamous “R” word. Some years I pile on all the ways I resolve to improve myself. Other years I know that to set the bar too high will result in an #epicfail. Why do we oftentimes gravitate toward an overly optimistic view of a clean slate? Like flipping over the calendar page to…
New year, new word: a recipe for success
I talk a lot about setting ourselves up for success. About our one magical life. And I write about hope for new beginnings, humor in the messy middle and heart for happy endings. But what happens when new beginnings take a detour? This past summer, my husband and I embarked on a new beginning of…
Looking back: recounting the past to inform the future
As we approach the final days of 2021 and look toward the new year, it’s the perfect time to recount the milestone moments that paved our way to present, so that we can better inform our future. Looking back on my own journey, I celebrated the publication of my first two fiction stories — five-minute…
Happy birthday to me: one magical life to live
Today marks another trip around the sun—more than halfway into my Club 50 membership. As I reflect on the past half-dozen years, with all honesty I can say: What a ride! Cue in this past summer’s getaway of a lifetime. While it resulted in an inner prompting to create movement, it also reignited my struggle…
The reason for the season: from holiday favorites to managing the hubbub
Holiday favorites—we all have at least one. A new favorite of mine: my second annual Advent Activities Calendar. (I imagine a few of the activities will also end up featured in my Christmas romance in progress.) Other holiday favorites include baking, especially my mini chocolate chip pumpkin bread; classic movies and music like A Charlie…
Freebie giveaway: adding sparkle to your holidays
Need ideas to add more sparkle to your holidays? As a thank you, download your free Advent Activities Calendar by signing up to receive my once-monthly emails. With 2020 marking my family’s “inaugural” year to incorporate these activities into our holiday celebration, it proved a “learn as you go”-type venture that helped to inform this…
The most wonderful time of year: giving thanks
‘Tis the season to be grateful. Yet, why wait for Thanksgiving? It’s always the write time to give thanks! In fact, as I write this post, I count my blessings: greater than three hours of sleep in one night, a day job I love, an incredible husband and daughter, wonderful family and friends and good…
Testing the boundaries: back to basics
Several weeks ago, I began physical therapy to strengthen my wrist post-surgery. Each session builds on the one prior, in conjunction with several at-home exercises. While many days seem like the proverbial “one step forward and two steps back,” the numbers tell the truth. From my range of motion to strength, I see improvement. Although…
Biting off more than you can chew: when enough is enough
How do you know when enough is enough? I wrestled with that question recently as I realized I’d bitten off more than I could chew (again). Let me back up a second. This past summer, an urgency to create movement inspired me to begin making small life changes. I neglected one important consideration, however. No…