On a shelf above my desk sits a jar of hearts. I have collected these hearts of different sizes, colors, and materials for many years. My collection has been accumulated from places around the world. Each heart represents a person, place, or memory. Some were shaped by the hands of artists. Nature is responsible for…
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…
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…
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…
Lifting the lid off a cookie jar only to discover nothing more than crumbs is disappointing. We expect the good stuff that was there the day before to still be there. No one reaches into a cookie jar in hopes of coming out empty-handed. So, whose job is it to fill the cookie jar? Does…
“The world is round” are the words my husband is most known for saying. More than just a phrase; it’s a way of life for him, one that he has instilled in our family. His statement has nothing to do with the shape of the Earth and everything to do with being generous. He’ll gladly…
No matter how ugly life gets, a bounty of beauty is nearby. You need not look further than out a window. Better yet, step outside and be inspired by how seamlessly nature exists. When we pause and observe the beauty of our surroundings, we can witness unexpected joy. Reminders of the farse of perfection can…