It is easy to be a friend when life is joyful. We can all be true blue at parties, movies, and the beach. Friendship is one of God’s greatest blessings as He created us to need companionship. When heaviness falls and tragedy strikes, friendships are put to the test. Those who are only in the mix for fun and games flee during the tough times, but the solid ones stay close through the storm. Have you ever walked with a friend, sweetheart, or loved one through the turbulence of a death? If not, the time is likely coming when you will. In just over a year, I lost three special people – two to … [Read more...]

Whether you enjoy being in the sun or hiding from the sun, summer is a great time to enjoy a little reading – both fiction and non-fiction. We cannot help you much with the fiction department from our writings, but we can hook you up with some non-fiction! More on that in a minute! Wedding Season is Bringing Me Down! Perhaps you have been to a handful of weddings already this season or seen dozens of engagement pictures pile up on Facebook. If you are still “patiently” waiting for your fairytale romance, the normal human response to such stimuli is to feel frustration, anger, … [Read more...]

This post is for the ladies. Through various verbal and non-verbal lessons, we have been taught to hide our emotions: “Don’t let them see you sweat.” “Do not cry in front of him.” “Do not let her know she hurt you.” “Keep a steady head.” This advice is not all bad; emotions need to be released, but timing is important. Anger unleashed on your boss during the Monday morning meeting will not be fruitful. A private, calm meeting in her office is likely to yield better results. Bursting into hysterical tears and wailing in the middle of a quiet restaurant may result in being asked to leave … [Read more...]

Summer has only one meaning to me: the beach. When I lived a mere 45 minutes from the ocean, I took it for granted. Now that it takes significantly more effort to reach the majestic blue Atlantic, I go every chance I can! What does Summer mean to you? Vacation? Early morning hikes? Soaking in the air conditioning? Summer, with its bright possibilities, has a way of filling the human heart with hope. While your spirits are high and your serotonin is hard at work, take your good mood to someone else. Who can you bless this season while still enjoying the warm sun and fresh air? Here are a … [Read more...]

Within my chest beats the heart of a child. Stuffed animals, animated movies, and children’s books light up my world. I am not so wrapped up in a child’s paradise that I play all day or refuse to complete chores, but I am happy that a part of my carefree self never quite left me. When I was little, I thought adults had it all together. As if there was a magical threshold we all crossed that severed us from our childhoods. My theory is that there is still a bit of our younger selves alive in all of us. Sometimes our childhood counterpart shows up in tantrums, which is not ideal. … [Read more...]