JOY and PEACE are words that are used a lot over the holidays, but I wonder how many people really ponder the significance of them.  I purchased a sign a few months ago that I hung in my kitchen with the word “JOY” on it in gold letters.  Of course, It’s meant to be a Christmas decoration, but I’ve decided to keep it there year-round as a reminder to myself and my family.  I left it because I believe that we can become so focused on our problems and what we are lacking that it can weigh us down and rob us of joy.

Continue reading “Joy & Peace: Not Just Holiday Words” →

In keeping with my theme of JOY for 2018, I am sharing this awesome speech by Matthew McConaughey…which wolf will you feed?

#joy #gratitude #Godisgood #speaklife #alwaysgrowing

The Transformation of My Yoga Practice….

 

A few months ago, I was in yoga class practicing a balancing pose.  Normally I find a focal point on the wall to help maintain my balance.  For some reason, I became fixated on a crazy design on someone’s shirt.  That person fell, and, of course, I lost my balance as well.  I felt the Lord say gently to me, “If your drishti is on man, you will fall.”

Continue reading “Where is Your Focus?” →

 

My family and I moved to a new community about a year-and-half ago.  My son was previously at a small private Christian school where there were only about 125 students in the entire academy.  Transitioning to a large public school and a new neighborhood has been interesting and has presented some challenges.   Over all, it has been a positive experience for my son, especially academically.  However, it has not been as easy as I had imagined for all of us to become socially integrated in our new location; I suppose that will come with time.

When a neighbor asked me to join carpool, my initial thoughts were, “wow, this would be a great way to get to know some of the neighbors better, and I could use an extra 45 minutes in the morning!” Continue reading “Why I Opted Out of Carpool” →

There are many verses in the Bible about being thankful and living with gratitude.  As a regular practice,  I try to remember and meditate on a list of things for which I’m thankful, such as family, friends, good health and my beautiful home.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances;for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds,  because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

We are taught to be thankful even in difficult seasons in the midst of trials, knowing that we are being refined in ways that we can not always see.  But does that mean that we just accept our “lot” in life and walk around defeated like Eeyore?  Honestly (and I say this with love) some of the Christians I know are also the saddest, most miserable people I know.

An acquaintance recently told me she had a great day helping someone with a project.  Because she was busy focusing on something else, she said she hadn’t given any thought to her current laundry list of worries.  But she followed by saying that she was “sure it would all come crashing down tomorrow.”  Seriously?

Eeyore is a character in the Winnie-the-Pooh books by A. A. Milne. He is generally characterized as a pessimistic, gloomy, depressed, anhedonic, old grey stuffed donkey who is a friend of the title character, Winnie-the-Pooh.

Continue reading “Living Expectantly” →

 

Dedicated to my sweet friend who is struggling…

 

“When he told you you’re not good enough

When he told you you’re not right

When he told you you’re not strong enough

To put up a good fight

When he told you you’re not worthy

When he told you you’re not loved

When he told you you’re not beautiful

That you’ll never be enough

Fear he is a liar

He will take your breath

Stop you in your steps

Fear he is a liar

He will rob your rest

Steal your happiness

Cast your fear in the fire

Cause fear he is a liar…”

By Zach Williams (click below to listen)

http://zachwilliamsmusic.com/fear-is-a-liar-lyrics/

Continue reading “Fear is a Liar” →

My heart is full of inspiration, adventure and stories.  Last week I took a trip alone to a yoga and wellness retreat in the Riviera Maya for a time of renewal and rejuvenation.  When I initially told my friends and family of my plans to travel alone, I received encouragement from some and fearful skepticism (and truthfully a bit of judgement) from others.  As it happened, six of the eight of us at the retreat came on our own, traveling from all over the US – initially strangers and later friends for life by the end of our stay.

Continue reading “My Solo Adventure” →