Although I have become known as the platform writer of hope, life sometimes interferes with the process. When circumstances force me to the sideline, I have to work harder to find hope and encourage myself again. The last weeks of 2019 were harrowing. Beginning with December 5, the side effects of a medicine gradually sapped […]
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Recently, another writer asked, “Are you working on your memoir? It seems you’ve lived an interesting life.” In fact, I have been writing my memoir for several years. Only one piece remains, but I have to wait for life to hand me the answer for the final chapter. It’s common for people in my demographic,
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A brand new calendar forces reflection on the passing of time yet also moves us toward new opportunities. During my “senior” season, I am finished setting resolutions. No more of the usual “less sugar, lose some weight and save more money” focus. This year, I want to dig deeper. Maybe it is the aging factor
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Many of the people in my age demographic are downsizing. We refuse to buy more stuff. At the same time, we are looking through our current stuff and assess how to best dispose of it. Yet I am finding a strange pull to some objects: My Dad’s Bible, favorite verses carefully highlighted with his scrawl
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The colorful lights, packages wrapped with beautiful bows, Santa’s lap filled with happy children, the music of the season: all these joys spell Christmas. But what if we’re smack in the middle of grief this December? What if some of the joy is colored by sadness? How do we find hope when we so desperately
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Because life is easier when it’s simple, I have decided to merge that principle into my holiday celebrations. What used to be a November and December filled with activities and the traditional holiday set-ups, I have now prefaced with the following questions: How can I simplify the holidays? What gives me the most joy about
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Throughout our city, wherever we traveled, we heard it. In grocery stores, libraries, Target and Wal-Mart – even during church services where it occurred in stereo sound – one person in the aisle echoed by someone across the room. The Great Cough of 2016. In spite of our vitamins, clean eating and daily spraying through
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The calendar reminds us how deep we are into the holiday season. Our waistlines expand while the stresses of family dynamics emotionally stretch us. As much as we enjoy the family time, the abundance of good food and the reminders to be grateful — we also need to remember how stressful this time can be
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My puzzle reflects the colors and design of the Southwest United States — a region I love. Turquoise moccasins, Native American pottery and a sunset of desert textures. Yet beyond the stress-relieving act of fitting my puzzle pieces together, God teaches me precious lessons of faith. Think about the Big Picture. Once I found the
A recent exercise in our Saturday Sisters group resulted in an a-ha moment. We were given a sheet of paper and asked to list our treasures. This exercise was a different thought process than just listing what we’re grateful for. We all know how to answer several ways to say, “Thank you.” But this was
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