A couple weeks ago, a question appeared, threatening me like a storm cloud overhead. Truthfully, it didn’t just pop up, I saw it on the horizon and knew it was headed my way. The inquiry was “Why are you writing this blog?” Outwardly, it would seem the question was answered months ago and published…
Springtime is in full swing in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Spring brings many pleasant things, like warm temperatures, flowering trees and rainbows. The saying goes, “April showers bring May flowers,” yet this also brings an abundance of weeds and (ugh!) sugar ants. Years of experience have taught me to accept both the pleasant and the…
Last week I posed the question, “Is self-forgiveness possible?” In that post, I stated that I do not believe a person can forgive themselves and gave two reasons why I think that way. If you missed that post, I encourage you to go back and read it…Read Part 1 here. Today I am continuing…
Are you struggling with an issue in your life that you just cannot move beyond? Is there hurt you have caused you just cannot forgive yourself for? Do you say to yourself, “It’s no problem forgiving others, but I just cannot seem to forgive myself!” Friend, I hope that this two-part post sheds light…
Writing does not usually come easily for me. Gathering my thoughts and putting them down in a way that actually spells out what I am trying to communicate can be difficult and causes stress within me. Sometimes I ramble all over the place and editing is challenging. Other times there are seemingly no thoughts…
How much did you pay for the high you’re on? What?!! High? I’m not high! There’s been a growing heaviness on my heart to talk about a certain substance use…abuse…that is rampant in our culture. It is so prevalent that it’s normalcy keeps it under the radar. It isn’t illegal and isn’t ingested. It…
Do you ever feel like joy is an illusive place with a closed door? Boredom or monotony can make it seem so. Depression can too. Resentment also locks that door. In my life, one of the most prevalent joy stealers has been “work without recognition.” I’m not talking about the kind of recognition that…
When was the last time you received an extravagant gift? What was your response receiving such a gift? Excitement or apprehension? I don’t know about you, but sometimes receiving gifts makes me feel self-conscious and awkward. If I’m honest with myself, I feel this way because I don’t believe I deserve it. And, honestly,…
This photo of the city of Jaipur, India, is my view through the window of my hotel. It’s what I see right now as I write. I think it’s lovely and I want to share it with you! There was a time when I had difficulty seeing the lovely in life. It was at…
