Grit with Grace

Rhythms in life feel familiar and welcomed. Newness awaits. 2017 was the year of Wonder(Full). It was intended to be full of wonder, full of busyness, and wonderful. And it lived up to its name.   In 2017, I ran a marathon, got published, taught a course, completed a year of doctoral work, survived a…

Adding Playtime

Life is busy. That may be the biggest understatement of the year for you, just as it is for me. My friend recently told that I was effectively leading three lives, which she labeled as: full-time student, full-time therapist, and everything else (church, friends, sleep, downtime). I have tried very purposefully to balance and keep…

Accepting Help

I can help edit a book. Work on a project. Paint a house. Clean a road. Or do endless therapy for children in need. But I can’t accept a ride to the airport. I much prefer being the helper than the helpee. I have a pathological need to be independent and do it all myself.…

Poverty and Riches

Who are these Joneses and why are we trying to keep up with them? Are they happy? Are they fulfilled? Are they an illusion in our own minds? What benefit to we gain from comparison? I ask these questions to myself as well. Who am I seeking to emulateĀ and, more importantly, why? What do I…

Holy Imbalance

I’m still thinking about my one word. Rest. Balance. Sabbath. Change. New. Achievement. Learning. Those are potential options. I shared my one word challenge with my friend and editor, Abby, during our weekly Skype date last week. I told her some of my options with balance leading the top of the list. She shocked me…