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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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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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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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No Longer a Reflection: How My Adult Children Helped Me Ditch Legalism & Embrace Freedom
When our son was getting ready to graduate from high school, I asked him which senior photos he wanted on his announcement and party invite. In an effort to let this occasion be more about him instead of me, I intentionally set myself up for not caring what he chose. With exactly 199 photos to pick from, it shocked me how fast he chose his top three. And the one that went on the front of the announcement? Him in a bland, thrifted Nike sweatshirt with a ripped collar and stain on the front, a plain white T-shirt underneath, a backward hat, and none of his perfectly straight, expensive white…
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Mental Fitness: Decluttering Your Mind Today so You Can Organize Your Thoughts Tomorrow
Emotional well-being. Psychological resilience. Mental health. Call it what you want—the point is we all have a brain and therefore we all deal with mental fitness in one way or another. Unfortunately, some of us come from generations where counseling or therapy wasn’t just uncommon… it was looked down upon. As a result, we grew up with preconceived notions about the whole concept, some of which included shame, guilt, and fear. So what’s a human with pain points to do? Here are four things I’m working on that you can too. I’m far from mastering them, but I’m seeing progress. Hallelujah, amen, pass the guac. 1. Pray Seem too obvious…
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4 New Tips & Tricks I Learned from My First Out-of-State Decluttering & Organizing Job in Seattle This Week
If a client reached out and asked for decluttering and organizing help from two states away, you’d assume it would be virtual, right? Nope. Cue the airplane… she wanted my hands-on help, so I booked my first out-of-state job! With only a few weeks to spare, we discussed details and decided on a three-day window. I had a graduation up there anyway, so we split a flight and I bounced from a fun vacation to a fun job. Win squared! I had never decluttered and organized so intensely for three days in a row before, especially clocking 11 hours a day. It worked out great, but was eye-opening for sure. …
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Morning Has Broken Me: Why Early Peace & Quiet Usually Wins the Daily Struggle Over Sleeping In
As a kid in church, I always liked the tune of the old Christian song, “Morning has Broken,” but I never understood the lyrics. I broke a glass, my sister broke a bone, and a huge earthquake broke three jars of our jam. But how does the morning break? Now that I’m the size of an adult, I realize it’s more tied to breaking through something, like a surface or a barrier. The sun silently initiates “go-time” and morning has commenced. A light has risen. Something fresh. A new beauty. Psalm 5:3 says, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I plead my case to you and watch…
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3 Things I Learned About Myself While Saving Money in Vegas Last Week
When your husband signs you up for a free four-night, five-day trip in exchange for listening to a two-hour timeshare presentation, you pack your bags and go. If that sounds like a cringy-but-totally-worth-it trip, read on to see how we also saved tons of money on food and Ubers. But if you timidly opened this because you’re slightly horrified that two Christians even went to Las Vegas, this post is probably not for you. Feel free to close it, judge us quietly, and move on with your day. Haha. Just because it’s called the City of Sin doesn’t mean it’s a sin to go there. On the other hand, my…
