I’m writing this on the week the great Minnesota State Fair begins. Ahhh, this is one of my absolute Happy Places. Free music, barns full of animals, people-watching galore. What’s not to love? Some of my best family memories are tucked into those fairgrounds. And every year, I plan my schedule (and give myself a talking-to about deadlines) so I can savor my two-week job in Guest Relations without guilt. Honestly? I love it. And that brings me to this note to you. Because while I usually write with encouragement for the hard stuff in Continue Reading
Be the Reason
The doctor called it transient global amnesia. I called it the day I lost a day. It’s been almost six years since amnesia briefly swept through my brain. (It occurred just after exercising at the YMCA, and I truly believe it was God’s way of telling me never to do another burpee.) I wrote a short post about it a few years ago, and I wrote a longer, more thoughtful reflection on it in Getting My Ducks in a Row and Other Stories of Faith. The life-changing take-away for me? Life is good and life is short. Let’s not miss a moment of Continue Reading
Keep Looking for Joy
Steve and I were roaming at one of our very favorite places – Barnes and Noble bookstore. Friday evening. Surrounded by books. Meandering with Steve. Well, not with Steve because we have very different tastes in books, and they are housed in different parts of this store so we just cross paths occasionally. We always set a time we’re going to meet back up, and we never keep that appointment. It’s always at least 20 minutes past that, because you know, it takes time to separate the keepers from those books that have to wait on the shelves a Continue Reading
It’s a Great Day for a Fresh Start
Girlfriend. Let’s talk. Your life? It’s a big deal. Your age? Yes, the numbers are moving up. That tiny voice somewhere in the back of your head that’s telling you it might be too late? Stop listening to it. It’s never too late to live a rich and full and joy-filled life. We can choose how we want to live, right? Feeling tired and frumpy and settling in there because it’s comfortable usually takes us to the pity party. (Don’t go there. It’s not much fun. The food will give you a stomach ache, the company is boring, there aren’t Continue Reading
You are a Big Deal
Consider this little note your Personal Service Announcement for the week … You are a big deal. Right now, just as you are. You have talents and gifts that make the world a better place, even if those gifts are hard for you to see these days. You have a way of showing up in conversations and situations that make life more interesting and enjoyable for those around you, even if your current reactions aren’t always reflecting that. Your heart was created for hope and love and joy, even if discouragement has covered those Continue Reading
Set the Temperature
You don’t need anyone to tell you that it’s a bit chilly across our country these days, right? The ice, the snow, and the wind chill are so “You’ve got to be kidding me!” Up here in tundra land (AKA Minnesota), it’s … well, it’s ooftah. Thinking about warmth (or the lack of it) and the temperature in our homes reminds me about living with mom. (Truth be told, there are a whole bunch of moments that remind me of mom.) I wrote this little note a couple years ago and decided to share it again this week. It’s reminding me to stop and ask Continue Reading
The Unmet Expectation Creep
I really try and focus on JOY and HOPE. Because life is good, and God is faithful. But sometimes, I get swallowed up in the creep. The creep of unmet expectations. They showed up with great fanfare about a month ago. Ugh. Maybe you can relate to moments like this? … We have plans, but someone else changes them. (Our plan is to get home by a certain time, but someone else is late, delayed, or changes their plans.) Our hopes are high and then they hit the ground hard. (Thanksgiving family get-togethers? Gathering with friends Continue Reading