It’s that time of year. The time when parents scurry around with lists of school supplies, go shopping for school clothes, and try to get organized for the new school year. The back to school season can be exciting as kids head to new classes and college students make the trip to campus, but it can also be a time of anxiety as we transition to a new schedule and adjust to all … [Read more...]
What Legacy Are You Leaving?
The second habit described by Stephen Covey in his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People says to “begin with the end in mind.” Thinking about what is important to us, what we want to be remembered for allows us to clarify our personal mission and direct our efforts to the areas that matter most. Taking this end-of-life perspective can help us understand how to focus our … [Read more...]
One Powerful Book that Will Change Your Life
Our lives can get very dull when we feel trapped in the mundane tasks and routines of daily life. It is easy to get bogged down in our responsibilities and the work that simply must get done. Yet, too much of the mundane will dull our senses and suck the life out of us, leaving us dry and bored. The solution? We must find ways to engage our creativity on a regular basis so we … [Read more...]
Change Your Mantra, Change Your Life
I’m always amused when I catch my husband talking to himself. Sometimes it’s in the morning when he’s getting ready for work, reminding himself what he needs to do that day. At other times he’s in his office expressing frustration about an unsuccessful call to the cable company to resolve an issue. Hearing him alone in the room talking to himself amuses me; I have to smile. Of … [Read more...]
Cultivating your Calling
When my oldest daughter was 18-months-old, she had defined abdominal muscles. It was not because of anything we did; she simply loved to move and stayed very active. The day my son was born I took one look at his long fingers as he waved them in the air and knew he must play the cello. My second daughter often reminds me that she was “born to dance.” And my youngest son is our … [Read more...]
Creating a Family Mission Statement
Like many families, I often get caught up in the endless activities available for my children and our family. From extracurricular opportunities to education and community involvement to volunteering, there is always plenty for us to do. But saying yes to everything isn’t good for me or my kids. Running here and there gives us little time to enjoy our time together and teaches … [Read more...]
Guilt-Free Getaways
Taking time to recharge is vital to maintaining a high level of productivity. While we often push ourselves to work more, it is actually best to stop working on a regular basis so you can return to work refreshed and re-energized. Scheduling in low-cost getaways is a great way to get a change of scenery and time for renewal on a regular basis. Getaways don’t need to be … [Read more...]
Top 25 Ideas for Free Family Fun
In my efforts to manage work and life, spending quality time with my family is important. Of course, sitting around staring at each other isn’t the type of family time I’m looking for. Meaningful family time to me is interactive, memorable, and fun. While I spend time with my family all week long, we try to plan at least one special event weekly for quality family fun … [Read more...]
What to Do When You Have No Time to Date
Recently a single friend of mine remarked that she simply has “No time to date!” In spite of advice from her mentor to go out more, she couldn’t seem to find an opening in her schedule to fit dating into the fabric of her life. At first, I thought how fortunate I am not to be dating anymore since I’m married – then I stopped short and realized I need time for dates too. The … [Read more...]
Going Out of Balance on Purpose
We often hear about the importance of balance, yet sometimes we can't achieve our goals and stay balanced too. When we add a new activity to move us closer to our goals, the time and energy have to come from somewhere. Sacrifices must be made, and for me, that usually means upsetting the delicate balance of my life for a season. Recently my husband and I decided now is the … [Read more...]
