Have you ever noticed how kids often mirror their parents? In addition to sharing genetic similarities to their biological parents, kids reflect the behaviors, language, gestures, and interests of their parents. I see this all the time with my kids! A recent example is the way in which my oldest child addressed my middle child when they … [Read more...] about A Gentle Response
Being Salt & Light
Kindness: A Boost Amid the Battles
Many, many years ago, when I was in elementary school, I had a teacher who had the following recommendation posted on her wall: Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. I didn’t think about this quote very much when I was in her class, but I’ve thought about it a lot in recent months. As is often the case, experience is … [Read more...] about Kindness: A Boost Amid the Battles
8 Benefits of Helping Others
When we help others, the idea is to benefit them. We’re trying to do our part to make the world a better place. Interestingly, a lot of recent research indicates that helping people around us actually boosts our own health and happiness. Here are 8 ways that being kind and generous benefits our own well-being. Benefits of helping … [Read more...] about 8 Benefits of Helping Others
Hospitality in an Imperfect Home
About two weeks ago, we got a phone call from my husband’s cousin and his wife. They were letting us know that they were on their way to our house (they live in Louisiana and were evacuating because of Hurricane Ida). Once my kids went to bed, I jumped into action: I quickly wiped down the bathroom, I made sure clean towels were available, I … [Read more...] about Hospitality in an Imperfect Home
16 Alternatives to “Good Luck”
I’m not concerned about breaking a mirror or having a black cat cross my path because I don’t truly believe in luck. However, I noticed recently how deeply the term “luck” is ingrained in my language. When someone is about to embark on a new venture, it’s not uncommon for me to wish them good luck. Likewise, I sometimes say the following: … [Read more...] about 16 Alternatives to “Good Luck”
Be Kind
When I look at everything going on in my community and in the world, I tend to feel discouraged. I want to believe that we care about each other and are willing to sacrifice to take care of the needs of those around us. However, this isn’t how things truly are. In reality, it is human nature to look out for ourselves first (Psalm 51:5, … [Read more...] about Be Kind
An Open Thank-You Letter to Grocery Store Employees
There are so many individuals to whom I owe a debt of gratitude because of their sacrifice and hard work during the COVID-19 pandemic. I could go on and on thanking essential workers including healthcare workers, truck drivers, first responders, farmers, sanitation workers, and public health professionals, but today I am going to focus on … [Read more...] about An Open Thank-You Letter to Grocery Store Employees
7 Tips for Having Constructive Conversations About Politics
In Ecclesiastes, a short book in the Old Testament, a wise teacher states that there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9). The longer I live, the more I see this statement validated. For example, four years ago I shared tips for having respectful conversations about politics because the political scene was volatile, with candidates … [Read more...] about 7 Tips for Having Constructive Conversations About Politics
