Summer's bloom wilts on the branch-like weeks of our calendar. In the next breath, the season of respite will drift away and wither in the breeze of time. With heavy sighs, we face the next pages of our year. School and work routines loom before us. The angry, red eyes of…
Three manuscripts, a publishing venture, and online posts await me in the office loft upstairs. Yeah, I should really get to my work. Used towels reach toward me from the rack, so I'll just throw those into the wash first. I pause at the foot of the steps and scan…
Did you set professional goals for the coming year? If you begin to doubt them, perhaps the goals could use a slight tweak here or there. Try adding the following elements to optimize your objectives for success: Think bigger. If you don't have to stretch past your comfort zone, you won't…
As we conclude our series on compassion fatigue, today's post discusses how to respond when we notice potential burnout in others. As with any condition, listening with love must take the driver's role for effective, healthy support. Listen at least twice as much as you speak. Even more is better. As…
We pour out compassion for lives razed by wildfire. Our hearts crumble for earthquake survivors. Hurricanes whip at our upraised voices from all directions, yet we manage to cry out for those hit by them, too. When violent crimes and local tragedies claim further victims, our weary eyes pour themselves bankrupt…
We've torn through Christmas. Hugged our visitors goodbye. Sighed at the pile of work to tackle in the holiday's wake. The New Year began clearing its throat yesterday. Reminding us of its imminent spot on the calendar. The time to sift memories and set goals arrives in a few short days.…
For many of us, pursuing a goal looks something like this. Day one is awesome and full of excitement! You love goals and are more than confident that you can accomplish it! Day two is okay but no one told you there would be actual work involved. You want…
"Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us" (Romans 5:3-5). Magical characters reach from movie screens and beckon me into their world. Theme…
I wish I could say I've never walked into a room and forgotten why. Sadly, this has occurred more times than I'd like to count. Before you suggest aging is prompting these moments, let me suggest another culprit. Not just because I'm reluctant to categorize myself as old--at least not until…
"May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands" (Psalm 90:17). Over a century ago, a man from a carpentry guild encouraged Americans to honor labor with a holiday. Since the late 1800's, our nation has celebrated its…