Last night we learned my nephew has a brain tumor. This morning I stand on my porch, birdsong welcoming the day as though nothing has changed, the whisper-soft breeze carrying muted sounds of distant lives. Such a dramatic change from last night, when booming thunder struck a match, setting off a brilliant lightning […]
How being wrecked by unemployment was a great thing
July 19, 2013 By 12 Comments
Jeff Goins wrote about getting wrecked, and doing something different, something uncomfortable, partly because we long to be part of a bigger story. While I never would have chosen unemployment as my ultimate Wrecked Moment—how about something easier and more of a conversation starter, like a stateside mission trip?—it was where the sum of […]
The 5 Why’s: A simple problem-solving technique
July 9, 2013 By 37 Comments
Do you ever feel like you are going to crack under the frustration and feelings of being overwhelmed by a problem you haven’t been able to solve? Your solution might have been to head to the fridge for a pint of ice cream—that is a single serving, right?—into the living room to watch some escapist […]
The importance of stretching your comfort zone
June 3, 2013 By 27 Comments
Do you remember the anxiety of learning to drive? There was that sheer terror of keeping your eyes on a million things at once, knowing if you lost focus for a nanosecond, you’d cause the biggest accident on the planet ever. When you hop in your car now, do any of your early concerns even […]
Richly colored silver linings
May 13, 2013 By 9 Comments
Did you know sunny days are not your best friend for taking pictures? It is the cloudy and sometimes even rainy days that bring out the most amazingly saturated hues in the landscape. As a photographer I especially love this weather, as it makes my photos just POP with lush greens, brilliant blues, and deep reds. […]
Your OneWord is calling-Time to answer!
January 21, 2013 By 18 Comments
Did you play Marco Polo when you were little? I remember being blindfolded in the pool—who thought that was a good idea?—calling out “Marco!” and my brothers and sisters would swim all over the pool, laughing in answer “Polo!” My joy would give way quickly to frustration as my siblings continually eluded me. I […]
God-Sized Dreams
January 7, 2013 By 52 Comments
Another New Year has arrived! To paraphrase the Grinch: Let’s blow our flu-flubers and bang our tar-tinkers! Let’s shriek, squeak and squeal, racing round on our wheels and dance with jin-tinglers tied onto our heels! Uh huh. Is that what you are thinking, or are you hiding under the bed with your pet dust […]
Go ahead and make my day: Ask for help!
December 10, 2012 By 22 Comments
Quick! Have you pinned the latest, coolest decorating ideas on Pinterest, bought the ingredients for the most fabulous cookie swap, and bookmarked multiple sites on how to be the most awesome hostess ever? Whoa! Bring that wild ride to a slow stop, and take a few breaths. There’s a good possibility you are trying to […]
Gratitude, shmatitude.Just let me enjoy my pumpkin pie in peace.
November 19, 2012 By 39 Comments
What’s that, you say? You’re tired of hearing about gratitude? Truth be told, so am I. I know that’s a surprise, coming from Miss Too Darn Happy, perennial practitioner and encourager of gratitude. I actually get a smidge annoyed in November at the volley of articles peppering me to be thankful. Don’t get me wrong. […]
12 secrets to deflecting life’s slings and arrows
October 29, 2012 By 36 Comments
What do ornery coworkers, angry children and irritable spouses have in common? You as the target. Well, at least it seems that way, especially when you feel like you could be part porcupine because of all the virtual arrows bristling from your back. However, in most cases, you really are not the target. What you just […]
