Wellness
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Put on Your Boots and Step Out of the Garden of Regret
“I wish I’d have brought my boots,” my sister muttered as we unpacked. “We’re at a beach condo,” I said. “You won’t miss them much.” I was wrong. Most days the January chill kept our flip flops buried in our suitcases. I also wished I’d brought more shoes than sandals. Garden of Regret “I should have…” “Why didn’t I …” “If only I had said…” Recognize these phrases? They mark the way around a space I call the Garden of Regret. Now if you know me you know I love gardens. Nothing brings me more joy—except the beach—than to spend hours perusing trails lined with all sorts of flora. However,…
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Snow Day—Play Day!
Disclaimer: After writing this post, I hesitated to publish it due to the enormous amount of suffering around our nation and the world. I questioned the wisdom of focusing on play when folks struggle to find food or shelter, when illness abounds, and for some, instead of playsets, war is in their backyards. Yet, our bodies and minds crave a break from sorrow. Like a salve on a wound, even a small interruption of a smile or laughter soothes the soul and brings strength to the suffering. If your pain is too great to read it, try this blog instead. If you read on, I hope this post stirs up…
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Drop the Rock: Unloading Unforgiveness
As I dug through the stones, scraping and scratching each knuckle, I said to my husband, “Remind me never to use landscape rocks again.” I just might not take my advice though, because rocks amaze me. Whether smooth or rough, rocks can be used to beautify and build, or to damage and destroy. Have you ever considered the rocks in the Bible? Stones of the Bible Stones and rocks form the foundations for buildings. Christ is called our Cornerstone (1 Peter 2:4). They also serve as pillows (Genesis 28:1-11) and memorials (Joshua 4:1-8). Not always shown in a positive light, rocks cause people to stumble (1 Peter 2:8). Moses even…
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From Picky Eater to Let’s Eat Lettuce: My Journey with Food
NOTE: Although different from my usual style and topics, this blog is one of great importance. I hope you enjoy a peek into my personal journey with food. If we’ve recently met, you may know I love Jesus, people, and fruits and veggies. If we are better acquainted, you’ve probably witnessed my passion for pizza. But if ours is a life-long friendship, you may be aware of my former (self-imposed) title: Pickiest Eater Ever. No kidding! My childhood menu was limited to grilled cheese, pizza, peanut butter, chocolate shakes, and when I got a tiny bit older, chili dogs (Portillo’s only…extra cheese). No veggies and very little meat. And fruit?…
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Are You Climbing the Walls?
I do not rock climb. Oh, no. The thought of scaling walls towering above makes my hands sweat just thinking about it. I can’t say I’ve even faced the opportunity. Yet I have faced many a proverbial brick wall, those insurmountable situations that leave you feeling helpless. The “no way out and no way in” circumstances that seem impossible and impassable. Ever been there? Maybe you are at the base of such a wall right now. I recently read a similar scene in Joshua chapter 6. Picture this situation: Verse 1: “Now the gates of Jericho were securely barred. No one went out and no one came in. “…
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Shedding Light on Suicide
Imagine being in a dark, dark room – pitch black. There are no doors, no windows. There is seemingly no. way. out. This is not an escape room game. Now imagine a faint crack in the blackness. Not light exactly, but a change in the dark. With hopelessness as your only companion you are drawn to it. It’s the only answer. Escape by death. You recognize it. You’ve seen it before. But in fear you’ve ignored it. And it disappeared. But you’re still in darkness. And each time that THING appears it becomes like hope, and you consider it more and more. According to the World Health Organization, suicide is…
