I often feel like I’m short on time—there just doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day to get everything done! However, when I stand back and look at the things I need to accomplish and the time I have available, I can see clearly that most days my problem is not having too much to do, but not using the time I have effectively. Over … [Read more...] about 5 Ways Timers Can Help You be Productive
Reflecting on Life
How We Should Respond to Phrases with Racist Connotations
Many of us use a variety of terms and phrases each day without giving thought to their origins. It can come as quite a shock to learn that some of these are rooted in racism! Consider the term “gyp” or “gypped,” for instance. I heard this term on occasion when I was growing up. It is widely used as a way to say “cheated.” I used it … [Read more...] about How We Should Respond to Phrases with Racist Connotations
18 Children’s Books that Feature Multiracial Families
Last fall, as Thanksgiving neared, I was reading to my children numerous books on the topic of giving thanks. I was pleasantly surprised when we opened one of these books and saw that it featured a mixed-race family. Up until that point, I had seen very few children’s books that feature families like mine (a black parent and a white … [Read more...] about 18 Children’s Books that Feature Multiracial Families
Waiting at Christmas
Have you ever noticed that Christmas is all about waiting? I know things like presents, family, festivities, and the birth of Jesus generally come to mind when we think of Christmas. However, waiting is a much more accurate theme. We wait for Christmas in many little ways. Children wait all year to open the presents under the tree. … [Read more...] about Waiting at Christmas
Celebrating Five Years of Blogging at Of The Hearth!
Last weekend marked five years since I began blogging here at Of The Hearth. Five years! It seems like just yesterday that I stumbled through the process of creating this website. It wasn’t just yesterday, though. Since starting the site, I have shared 606 blog posts! Today’s post is going to be a little walk down memory lane. The … [Read more...] about Celebrating Five Years of Blogging at Of The Hearth!
Reasons to Read Fiction
It seems so noble to read biographies about the trials and victories of famous figures or to better ourselves by reading self-help books. Indulging in a romance or suspense novel, on the other hand, doesn’t seem like a particularly dignified use of time. If, like me, you tend to believe this assumption that non-fiction is somehow … [Read more...] about Reasons to Read Fiction
5 Habits That Quell Gratitude
We talk a lot about gratitude during the month of November. Though I try to focus on gratitude all year long, I appreciate the heightened focus on gratitude around Thanksgiving. The more I think about gratitude, the more I realize that it’s not enough to engage in activities that foster gratitude. If I’m going to be grateful every day, … [Read more...] about 5 Habits That Quell Gratitude
4 Ways to Embrace Inconvenience
I don’t like being inconvenienced. When I’ve got my 3-year-old by the hand, the diaper bag on my back, my 14-month-old on my hip, and we’re headed out the door, I don’t like having to stop and reverse because my younger girl just pooped in her diaper. I don’t like when we’re poised to arrive at an appointment in the nick of time, but then … [Read more...] about 4 Ways to Embrace Inconvenience
