We’ve all encountered strangers we’ll never forget. Throughout time, I’ve met countless men and women who’ve left deep impressions on me—sometimes due to a profound remark, an act of kindness or a simple smile. There’s one man I remember for all three. I used to live near the beach and went on frequent walks there. … Continue reading The Gift of a Smile
Whether we’re chatting with a stranger or hanging out with our bestie, one of the beautiful things about human relationships is that different people bring out different aspects of ourselves. Some people bring out the extroverted, talkative sides of personalities, while others draw out our more reserved, pensive qualities. It all depends on how we … Continue reading Creating An Environment of Authenticity
As women, one of our greatest collective fears seems to be the fear of growing older. I mean, be honest: When was the last time someone you know actually looked forward to their 30th birthday? I’m only 24 years old and yet I’ve already been told numerous times by others that I should be using anti-wrinkle creams, … Continue reading Why We Should Look Forward to Getting Older
O, the power of kindness So gentle, loving, meek, It is indeed a language Even the dumb can speak; The deaf can understand it, It sheds a shining ray; Then let us strive to make it Our guide from day to day. Eva Alice Kindness, as this poem suggests, needs no words in order to … Continue reading Practicing Small, Random Acts of Kindness
When it seems like all of our friends are getting married, having kids, purchasing houses or settling into careers before us, how are we supposed to feel? Is it possible to maintain true excitement for them without comparing their circumstances to ours? In such situations we’re often first told not to measure ourselves against others, but … Continue reading Being OK With Being Last
Think of one person who’s made a positive difference in your life. Perhaps it’s a motivating sports coach, an encouraging college professor, an inspiring boss or a dependable friend who comes to mind. Or, perhaps several names come to mind. We all have people in our lives who have left an indelible mark upon our … Continue reading Getting There {With Gratitude}
“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42) When you read the account of Jesus visiting Martha and Mary in Luke 10, which sister do you most relate to? Do you identify with … Continue reading Prayer Is a Lifeline, Not a Luxury
I have a friend who’s a project manager and who often has to train and manage new team members. Recently, one of her new hires was struggling with his tasks and making numerous mistakes, which she then had to go and correct herself. As his manager, she easily could have criticized him and told him … Continue reading How to Wield Empathy as a Powerful Tool in the Workplace
If a stranger were to scroll through my Instagram feed, there’s not much they would learn about me. There are no pictures of my relationships, no captions detailing my innermost feelings and no political opinions or commentaries. There are just select snapshots from various seasons of my life. That is intentional. While I appreciate and … Continue reading Why You Don’t Have to Share Your Personal Life on Social Media
When I was 8 or 9, I received a bamboo plant in a sweet little ceramic pot with a panda crawling up the side as a gift. It was the first plant I ever owned, and it inspired an enduring love for collecting and cultivating houseplants. From fiddle leaf figs to monsteras to succulents, there’s … Continue reading Greenery 101: Low Maintenance, Potted Plants for the Plant-Loving Newbie
To some degree or another, we’ve all been shaped by our pasts, by our disappointments, our transgressions, our pains, and our regrets. There are defining moments in each of our stories, which, for better or for worse, shape the narrative of our lives. From minor faults and failures to major mistakes and mishaps, all of … Continue reading Your Past Can Shape You, But It Doesn’t Have to Define You
When I was searching for colleges in high school, Greek life wasn’t even a consideration. Instead, I was laser-focused on qualities like campus location, class sizes, majors offered and national ranking. I never could have imagined that I would end up rushing or how impactful and lasting the Greek life experience would prove to be—both … Continue reading Thoughts From a Former Sorority Girl
In a world saturated with social media and its ubiquitous highlight reels, the pressure to “have it all together” is greater than ever. No matter where we turn, we’re inundated with images of perfect bodies, perfect relationships, perfect homes and perfect careers. For some, these projections can be inspiring and positive, but for others (and … Continue reading How to Overcome Perfectionism
More than 2.3 million people watched Jeremy and Audrey Roloff get married on TLC’s hit show “Little People, Big World,” and their love story has captivated countless audiences ever since. Though the two no longer star on the show, they continue to share their heart and their lives with the public through social media, their … Continue reading ‘A Love Letter Life’ Q&A With Audrey Roloff
A friend of mine is about to begin a long-term program in which, among other things, she’ll learn how to farm, bake bread, make cheese, dip candles and more. It’s hard to imagine that such a life is still possible in our modern world, isn’t it? To me, the notion of living off the land … Continue reading 4 Ways to Reclaim the Simple Life Right Where You Are