Several weeks ago, I heard a loud commotion in our side yard. I followed the sound and discovered two arched-backed, neighborhood cats facing each other. With intermittent yowls, and an occasional swat, they challenged each other over a patch of real estate that didn’t belong to either of them. Eventually, they gave up the fight […]
The Rewards of Respect
For weeks, my mother’s eyes were closed. On the rare occasions when she opened them, they were clouded with confusion, not recognizing me as her daughter. But one day, she turned her head toward me and opened her eyes. The brown irises, speckled with green, were clear and comprehending, “Thank you for being so […]
Uncovering Blessings in Hard Things
In recent months, I have spent lots of time sorting, cleaning out, and throwing away at my maternal grandparents’ home, where two of my aunts also lived. It’s been an arduous task going through the remnants of multiple lives. Sifting through photos and other memorabilia has also been emotionally overwhelming at times. But as I’ve […]
5 Ways to Find Peace Amid the Hectic Holiday Hustle
The hectic holiday hubbub is upon us. Can you feel your stress level mount amid traffic snarls, crazy drivers, impatience, and displays of anger? This is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but often, the real reason for the season is overshadowed by too much noise, hustle, and busyness. Following are […]
Finding Peace
Do you struggle to find peace? Are there days when you wish you could grab just a tiny piece of peace to cultivate calmness and relieve stress? We live in a society that promotes contentiousness rather than peace, so grasping and holding onto peace are challenging. Following are some suggestions to promote personal peace: Squelch […]
Vigil
The room is dark and silent except for your steady breathing, punctuated by an occasional stop and restart. Death waits, lurking in a shadowy corner. Your leg moves. A nurse attends. Grief engulfs, squeezing our hearts, wrapping tendrils around us like the curtains surrounding your bed. When will your chest fall and not rise? When […]
Life Changes
Recently, my husband retired. Over the years, we discussed his retiring at this time, but ultimately, the decision came with mixed emotions. He has so identified with his work as an architect that retiring feels like closing a major life chapter. Yet, he is ready for less stress and a slower pace. As with most […]
And … Suddenly We Have a Problem
In recent days, we’ve had one of those unexpected problems no one wants to deal with—an overflowing toilet. And, of course, this fiasco happened on a weekend, so no help from a plumber until Monday. I’ll spare the graphic details but suffice to say sopping up potty overflow is an unwanted and unpleasant job. Do […]
Practicing Contentment
Are you wishing your life away, grasping for something different, better, or more prestigious than your current circumstances? Often, we forgo happiness and contentment, right now, by comparing ourselves to others or focusing on what we don’t have. Contentment doesn’t always come easily to us. In the last two difficult years, we’ve had a choice: […]
Combating Anxiety
In a world filled with strife, unrest, and fear, anxiety nips at our heals and niggles at the back of our thoughts. If we allow it, anxiety can overtake our minds and hearts to the point of rendering us ineffective for other life pursuits. While anxiety may always be waiting in the wings, we can […]