Reimagining self-care: the benefits of regular timeouts
In reading up on the concept of self-care, I stumbled onto a great deal of differing opinions. Some are negative, touting that the practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s own well-being and happiness—particularly during periods of stress—involves putting your own needs ahead of other people’s needs. In other words, self-serving (or selfish)…
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The truth of the matter: feelings or fact
Not too long ago, I noticed a recurring theme in my speech. While I’m not suggesting the following phrases aren’t valid, they gave me pause: “I don’t feel like it,” and “I’m not in the mood.” But here’s the problem: both are based on emotion vs. truth. And the truth is: our hearts are wishy…
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‘As if’ habits: getting serious about what you want
Act as if you were already the person you most want to be. ~ Brian Tracy How serious are you about going after what you want to achieve in the new year? I’d like to think I’m at the all-in serious stage—the one where we begin to treat our goals and/or dreams “as if” we’ve…
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You get what you give: small beginnings
Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin. ~ Zechariah 4:10 When the path to achieving a goal becomes littered with challenges and setbacks, how do you respond? Do you run the opposite direction, or do you continue forward—believing a breakthrough awaits on the other side? It’s been…
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When too much happens at once: dealing with change
As a rule, I’m not good with change. Also me: I crave change. Otherwise, I become lazy or stagnant. Change is enlivening—bolstering me with energy. But when too much change happens at once, it paralyzes me. Not physically, but mentally it can cripple my response time and my ability to think clearly or rationally. Coinciding…
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Where the real work happens: making the most of your ‘not yet’
In my inaugural post of 2023, I feel obligated to say something meaningful as we usher in the new year, so here goes: If you’re like me, and living in the space of “not yet”—waiting for your health to improve, your bank account to multiply, your job situation to change, to take that dream vacation,…
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A recap of 2022: more than checking off the ‘dones’
In my next to final post of 2021, I recounted the milestone moments of my past to (hopefully) better inform a future grounded with intention. This served to help me recall goals accomplished, new dreams I dared dream, as well as lessons learned. While I can add up similar highlights achieved in 2022, what interests…
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A Christmas wish: encountering agape love
With Christmas right around the corner, my gift to subscribers is an opportunity to win an Amazon eGift Card. If you haven’t already signed up for my emails, you can still enter this month’s raffle by clicking here. It’s my way of saying “thank you” for supporting my journey on the path toward publication, my…
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Another trip around the sun: gifting grace
Wasn’t it just yesterday I blogged about my birthday—living with intention, dreaming new dreams, stepping outside of my comfort zone? Life looks vastly different today than it did last year (you can read all about it in “After the Leap”). However, today I’m not focusing on the change of scenery. Instead, I want to share…
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One size fits all: the gift of kindness
As you reflect on the past year, does a gift of kindness stand out to you—one that you either received or extended? For my husband and me, the story begins following a major household move from the Southwest Valley suburbs to Northern Arizona’s Rim Country. Three weeks after relocating to our fixer-upper cabin in the…
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