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Travel Like a Pro: 6 Rookie Mistakes to Skip on Your Next International Trip
When you’re calmly walking through your departure airport with 84 people in your group, and you find out one of them has already lost their passport, the choice to stay calm is… a choice. Heading overseas someday soon? Heck, you might just be traveling to a different culture on the other side of your own country. Winging it might sound fun for the spontaneous souls, but for those of us who want/need a plan, a little extra prep can make all the difference. Living in Mexico for almost twelve years helped open my eyes to a different culture, but I’ve definitely learned a few things while traveling to the past…
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Valentines, Loneliness, & the Yellow Cart: What I Learned Visiting the Elderly & Where to Buy Joy
My mom grabbed her key and headed for the door. “I’m going to visit a few friends over in Smith. Wanna come?” I didn’t know where Smith was, but we had already consumed a mellow dinner with all the senior citizens in the beautiful dining room, and Wheel of Fortune wasn’t on for another half hour, so I said yes. I followed her lead down the path and watched her push the automatic door button and waltz right in like she knew where she was going. My first impression was filled with a pleasant surprise; I’m not usually a fan of rehab hospitals, but I inhaled deeply and smelled nothing.…
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The Robot in the Room: Admitting AI’s Here to Stay & Using it Ethically
Whether you clicked this email with an open mind, or you’re ready to go toe-to-toe with me, most people are in one camp or the other when it comes to artificial intelligence. And those who are somewhere in the middle either haven’t done enough research or haven’t used it long enough to fully understand the benefits. It’s controversial, I know, but hear me out. I’m not trying to turn you into an AI super-fan or dismiss your concerns. AI isn’t some all-powerful force that will save or destroy us—it’s just a tool we’re all still figuring out. And before you click away or leave a snappy comment about why AI…
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The Organized Book Nerd: Gifts for all Your Readers & Writers
Did you hear that? The sleigh bells are less than two months away, friend. That kind of talk would normally sound overwhelming to me, but today it makes me feel like I want to get organized with my presents so I can be a tad more present the week of Christmas. I have a bunch of writer and reader friends in my life, and I’m guessing you do too. These gift ideas will make your shopping much faster and easier! FOR THE READERS: Candles The Shire Bookish Reading Candle – The perfectly cozy and clever gift for men and women alike. Winter in Narnia Bookish Reading Candle – Let this…
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3 Generations, 3 Worship Styles: Disagreeing with Love
My 1980s father on a stage with a mic: “Let’s stand and sing all eight verses of Abide With Me on page 783.” Me, his teenage daughter, in a pew with a whisper: “Let’s not and say we did.” I’m not proud of my attitude 35 years ago, but that was my reality at the time. My parents’ world revolved around hymns; I preferred modern worship music and a much faster metronome. Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith scratched that itch for a while, until DC Talk came along in 1987, and I knew my Walkman would never be the same. My parents probably wondered how long this hip-hop and…
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Faithful Goodness Lyrics Meaning: How a Deep Dive Into the Song’s Message Can Change You
Breaking down a song line by line has never been a thought or desire of mine, but the last time I sang “Goodness of God” I felt a flood of inspiration (and unexpected emotion), so here ya go. Maybe you know every word, but you’ve never thought about how each line applies to your life. Maybe you’ve never heard the song before. Either way, check out this first verse and how it sounds when the lines are separated and defined: I love You, Lord – Truth is, I’ve always loved him. I just want that love to grow so deep it permeates every cell of my being, causing me to…
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3 Surprising Life Edits I Learned at a Writers’ Conference (Even If You’re Not a Writer)
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Spring Break: 3 Things I Hated, Loved, & Learned Visiting Japan Last Week
Have you ever herded 82 cats through five airports, three subways, two ferries, one tram, a 200-mph bullet train, and daily buses in a foreign country? I never had either. Aside from three lost passports, two sore throats, one missed plane, and one lost expensive ring, all went well. Almost everything was recovered, though not the hours spent at the U.S. Consulate. My high school teacher husband leads these annual overseas trips, so I get to go as a chaperone every year. I never had a strong desire to visit Japan, but when you’re offered a free trip, it’s kinda hard to turn down. Hanging orchids at TeamLabs. Highly recommended…
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Big Picture, Small Steps: Decluttering the Elephant One Pile at a Time
“Decluttering is too overwhelming.” “I see the problem, but I literally don’t know where to start.” “I don’t want you to see my closet; you’re going to think I’m a hoarder.” In all the years I’ve been decluttering and organizing homes and businesses, I don’t think there’s anything more discouraging than to hear someone admit they have a clutter issue and then choose not to do anything about it. I see them over the side of the ship, flailing, yelling excuses as to why they need to keep that box of whatever. And I’m watching them start to sink, ignoring the life ring I hit them in the head with.…
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Valentine Items That Aren’t Cheesy: From Baby to Grandma, Gifts to Give & Keep
If all you can think of when you hear “Valentine’s Day” is chocolate and flowers, it’s time for a shake-up. Here are a few gift ideas for everyone on your list. Don’t be shy though—if you love something, you can get it for yourself ya know. Why? Because loving yourself is the first step to loving others. Plus, your bank called and said you still have checks, sooo… you’re good to go. Click on the titles below to follow the links: Babies: Little One, God Loves You Book Amazon’s description: “Contains sweet, rhymed text, perfect for reading aloud and savoring at home, and has a simple, heartwarming message ideal for…
