Today is Valentine's Day, and I've been thinking a lot about all kinds of love. One big one for me is loving our neighbor, and raising kids who do the same. I'm very blessed to have kids who -- all 4 -- are kind to each other and other people, and I've been thinking about how that happened. 

I've dec...

Sometimes when things feel final it's because they actually are. But more often than not, life continues. Not as we pictured or hoped, but it does continue. And we get to choose what we do from that point forward. 

When we're inclined to see a situation as ending with a period, what if we try adding ...

There's a concept in economics called the Pareto Principle, or more commonly known as the 80/20 rule. Put simply, it states that in economics (and others have shown its application in nature, business, relationships, and more) 80% of the results come from 20% of the effort. That means most of the ef...

I love the show Parks and Rec. There's an episode where Donna and Tom teach Ben about their annual day of relaxation where they treat themselves to basically anything they want, including...

"Clothes (treat yo self)

Fragrances (treat yo self)

Massages (treat yo self)

Fine leather goods (treat yo...

It was 10:25pm on Super Bowl Sunday. We had just witnessed the Kansas City Chiefs get absolutely stomped by the Philadelphia Eagles. My twin teenage daughters asked me if I would do their braids and heatless curls (something they love having in overnight so they have magically fabulous locks in the ...

No ballerina has started out doing pirouettes or leaping across the stage on pointe. Each one starts with a barre and big mirrors, with simple directives like, "First position. Now plié. Point those toes!"

The muscles required to do the big performances down the road have to grow one session at a tim...

Creating something new requires all of the spiritual and emotional fuel we can get. Scrolling social media or even flipping on the news first thing in the morning drains us of the vital nourishment required, taking our energy and leaving us in a deficit throughout the day.

If you feel stuck or block...

This morning, the sky was covered in clouds and the sun rose without any kind of fanfare. But it still rose. 

Some days are like that. Gray, unimpressive, "mid," as my 13-year old would say. 

But that's still enough. 

We can still move forward, progressing toward our goals and finding beauty in the thi...

Have you ever tried to explain why you love something to someone who doesn't have the same level of knowledge or appreciation for it? They just don't get it. Because they can't right now, at their level of experience and affection with it. 

What about people who do have at least your level of knowled...

There's a lot you can do if you don't like something in your life. 

My kitchen felt super dark for the first 3 + 3/4 years we've lived here, with oak cabinets, oak floors, and dark countertops (probably very chic when the house was built, but gooodness not anymore). This last December, I decided to d...

You answer to the highest judge, who loves you infinitely and delights in your growth. This judge has given you gifts and talents to share that will lift others. Hiding them out of fear of mortal opinions may win you temporary acceptance, but at the price of feeling like you're slowly disappearing (...

Sometimes commandments and covenants seem like orders that we have to obey, with long lists of things to remember and just try not to mess up (but mistakes inevitably happen), and we feel like we're constantly falling short.

But what if these commandments and covenants are actually invitations? 

Let'...