You are more fun than bubble wrap! You're so thoughtful. Thank you for being my friend and listening. You are making a difference! Compliments – wow they can make our day, don’t they?  January 24 is National Compliment Day and a reminder to share compliments because they can change the world. The power of a compliment is pretty remarkable: either giving or receiving one can boost your happiness and confidence — making the act a win-win. You never know when someone could use some good vibes, so spread the positivity by giving someone a reason to smile! "A compliment is verbal sunshine." – Robert Orben Ever have one of those down days, but then you receive a compliment from someone that turns your mood around? While compliments may seem simple, they can have a large impact on you and the people around you, creating a ripple of positivity. I like that image – a ripple of positivity. Our brains are wired to receive the words of a compliment at the same level … [Read more...]

The spiritual practice of choosing a word of the year has been lifegiving for me.  One word, a theme for the year, guides me when I get lost in the fog of to do’s and calendar demands and overwhelmed by the news. One word to remind me who I am, whose I am, and what I am called to do. One word that acts as a trellis, supporting me, stretching me, and sustaining me. Each year this word finds me; I don’t really discover it. Funny, isn’t it? Sometimes a word arrives loudly like last year’s word – courage – did for me.  This year was quieter. About mid-November I began making a list of possible words I would read or hear that seemed to attract me. As the weeks went on, I would circle ones on that list that continued to shimmer in my soul. Sometimes in December I narrowed the list down to a few candidates including one that whisper to me in a dream one night – unusual for me as I rarely remember dreams. The one finally rose to the top, often consolidating some of the themes found … [Read more...]

December 31 welcomed me in silence. I opened my journal for my year-end ritual of what I call harvesting my journal. I slowly reread and reviewed the past year, making note of patterns, highlights, growths, lessons, wisdoms and the many points where I should have known better. Often I smile. Sometimes I cry. Usually, I feel God’s presence as we walk together reflecting on the past 12 months. This year my imagination felt as if I was given a beautiful basket and was invited into a large open meadow. We slowly gathered an array of flowers, different sizes and colors. Soon my basket overflowed with memories and my heart with gratitude for all 2025 provided. Some flowers though brought thorns that jabbed my fingers and reopened wounds again. But in the end, I held the most delightful exquisite bouquet you could imagine. What a sight to behold. I heard God whisper, “Slow down. Don’t rush through this liminal time from one year to the next.” And I will obey this call. I will savor … [Read more...]