What We Learned is a seasonal practice of reflection, initiated by the lovely and soulful Emily P. Freeman. It’s a simple habit of paying attention to the things that energize, delight, drain, and stretch us—be they serious or silly—as we learn to cultivate a soul at rest. 1. It’s okay to start a new habit without waiting for a new…
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Sister, I see you there, nodding to your child’s monologue while a to-do list scrolls behind your eyes like ticker tape. You have one ear in this moment but your focus is on later today and the next five tomorrows. Errands, projects, meetings, emails, activities, events, programs. There is more to do than there is of you, and before your…
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I tried to create a realistic summer plan. I really did. There’s just one problem. IT’S NOT WORKING. The kids and I can’t seem to get through a day without rubbing each other raw. I’m sure you can’t relate at all. I’m sure your summer days have been full of contented self-entertainment, voluntarily completed chores, and sibling affection. But just…
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In March I made a hard decision, one that left my heart bruised: I resigned my position on the board of a ministry I dearly love. This decision wasn’t due to scandal, controversy, or incompetency (things we too easily associate with resignations). I have immense respect for the people and mission I was serving, and if anything, I wanted to…
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If your social media feed is anything like mine, it’s overflowing with holiday coziness. But twinkle lights and spice-dusted lattes aren’t always enough to foster gratitude when the calendar commands. Some of us feel our lack more deeply than our blessings, and turning that around isn’t a simple attitude adjustment. That doesn’t mean we need to give up on giving thanks….
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While mowing the lawn last summer, I moved the wrong way and felt an ominous pop in my lower back. The next moment I was hobbling to the kitchen for ice packs, ibuprofen, and a muscle relaxer. “I can’t afford this right now,” I told my husband through tears. It’s a lament I repeat each time I wake up with a…
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I’m not sure when it started, but somewhere along the way I began describing my life with some pretty troubling adjectives. Stuck. Trapped. Defeated. They were words I said to myself, mostly. I might have shared them with a close friend, or occasionally hinted at them here, but mainly I’ve kept them politely hidden, like a festering wound covered by…
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You’re at a friend’s house, and your kid is pushing every button you’ve got. After a morning of battling wills, you finally lose it and let slip a glimpse of your worst self. When the smoke clears, you slump down on the couch beside your friend—the one who’s known you all your life. She touches your shoulder, looks you in…
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