Learning our ABCs is the beginning of learning how to communicate. They are the foundational building blocks upon which languages are built. Once the alphabet is committed to memory, one can never unlearn it. When letters are combined, they hold meaning. Acceptance, Boundaries, and Communication were the ABCs of 2023 for me. Combining these life…
We all say it, “Next year’s gonna be…” The adjective placed at the end of the sentence depends on the person speaking. For some, saying goodbye to the close of a year approaches too fast. For others, the start of the New Year can’t come soon enough. The closer we are to December 31, the…
Saying what you mean to say requires intention and attention. Choose your words carefully, for they can be spoken wrong or received wrong. Thinking before speaking can be the difference between saying what you mean or having it all come out differently than you intended. I learned first-hand the truth of the importance of saying…
It’s easy to forget to show ample appreciation to those closest to us. The people we interact with daily and share the minutia of our lives are the ones who most need to be sprinkled with gratitude. Our daughter did just that when she arrived home from school the other day. She gave my husband…
Not long ago, my friend gave me a greeting card. The card reads, “Your crazy is showing… you may want to tuck that sh*t back in. The inside inscription continues, “Or not…depends on what look you’re going for. Holidays have nothing to do with the card, but I can’t help thinking of them when I…
Evergreen forests are home to a variety of pines. These needled trees retain their beautiful shades of green year-round. Their never-changing color makes them appear strong and healthy. Despite growing to soaring heights, pine trees are deceiving in their stature. Their strong branches can support a heavy snow load. But they can easily be uprooted…
Cornucopias are always depicted as overflowing with a colorful bounty of goods spilling out of their container. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, and berries spread across the table. A cornucopia is a symbol of Thanksgiving, an icon of appreciation that often gets overlooked. As you sit around your table this holiday, sharing what you’re thankful for, think…
Safety instructions offered by flight attendants before take-off are, for the most part, ignored. Their words are heard but not really listened to. The directions are to “Affix your oxygen mask first, before helping others. Even if the mask does not inflate, air is flowing.” Thankfully, most of us haven’t had to heed the warning,…
We have choices in how we cope with the curve balls life throws our way. The options are accepting or taking. Acceptance is the ability to be grateful for what you receive, whether you like it or not. You can take what you are given in life as though it’s a burden, or you can…
Have you ever noticed sand in your suitcase? No matter how much you brush it off, leftover bits of travel hitchhike their way into luggage only to be found later. Blessings are much like granules of sand in a suitcase. They are tucked into the folds of life and discovered in the most unexpected places…