As we saw last week, there are numerous benefits to carving out periods of silence in our daily lives. Given most of us are busy and are surrounded by technologies that make noise, this isn’t easy to do. Let’s consider some simple ways to cultivate silence. We’re never going to experience complete silence, of course. There will always … [Read more...] about 6 Ways to Cultivate Silence
Reflecting on Life
Why We Need Silence
After putting my girls to bed a couple of nights ago, my husband and I sat in companionable silence as I folded clothes and he reorganized some old computer equipment. I thought about turning on some music, but I realized I was enjoying the silence. There were no children’s voices asking for snack, no towers of wooden blocks crashing … [Read more...] about Why We Need Silence
Christmas in July: Keeping the Christmas Spirit Alive Year Round
I usually focus my Christmas in July posts on topics that will help us plan early so we won’t have a chaotic Christmas season. This year I’m focusing on a slightly different topic. One thing I love about Christmas is the “Christmas spirit” that often surrounds us during the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. We tend to be more … [Read more...] about Christmas in July: Keeping the Christmas Spirit Alive Year Round
Should I Start Buying Ebooks Instead of Print Books?
My husband and I have come to a crossroads. We’ve been debating how to proceed in regards to purchasing books: Should we continue purchasing print books or should we begin purchasing books in an electronic format? In my household, we’re all bibliophiles. Subsequently, we have hundreds of books. After a year and a half in our current … [Read more...] about Should I Start Buying Ebooks Instead of Print Books?
4 Strategies for Prioritizing Everything You Need To Do
A couple of weeks ago we considered the secret to getting everything done. In short, if we want to complete everything on our to-do lists, then we have to change our schedules so we’re only trying to complete 24 hours’ worth of tasks in each day. Some of us may be able to accomplish this by getting more organized and rearranging when we … [Read more...] about 4 Strategies for Prioritizing Everything You Need To Do
The Secret to Getting Everything Done
I don’t know that I’ve ever felt completely satisfied when I crossed the last item off of a to-do list. This is because I have another list—whether written down or in my mind—looming. This is the nature of life. If we’re going to eat, then we have to menu plan, grocery shop, and cook. If we’re going to wear clean clothes, then we have … [Read more...] about The Secret to Getting Everything Done
Helping Kids Understand that True Beauty is on the Inside
When I look at my daughters, I see the two most beautiful girls in the world. However, the older they get, the more I realize that I need to help them understand that the beauty that truly matters has nothing to do with how a person looks. Our culture teaches the exact opposite. If we listen to the messages conveyed by most TV shows, … [Read more...] about Helping Kids Understand that True Beauty is on the Inside
8 Reasons To Love Your Local Library
As I’ve used our library system more and more, I’ve realized that it offers a lot for community members. We can check out books, of course, but lending books is just one of the services it provides. I recently learned that many libraries celebrate a “love your library” week or month during February to coincide with Valentine’s Day. … [Read more...] about 8 Reasons To Love Your Local Library
