Do cherry trees bloom because people come to see them? courage enough faith freedom personal growth

Every spring, over 1.5 million people visit Washington DC to see the 3,000 cherry trees blossoming along the tidal basin and National Mall. We're about 30 minutes outside of the city, so my girls and I met up with my niece in the city this weekend to join the fun. 

As I sat under one of the cherry tr...

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Good enough for now courage enough freedom peace personal growth

There's a principle in design thinking that my career coach, David Warren, taught me last week, which I've been thinking about ever since. It's called the "Principle of Good Enough." The premise is simple. Instead of reaching the "ta-da!" final version before sharing or moving forward, you get to th...

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"I'm did it!" courage enough faith freedom god personal growth trust

When our youngest was a toddler, she had the cutest way of declaring that she had finished something. She'd excitedly announce, "I'm did it!!!"

To this day, any time I complete a task (especially a challenging one), I hear that adorable little enthusiastic voice in my mind and say it, too (even thoug...

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Trying to be someone you're not courage enough faith freedom personal growth potential

Some criticisms are pretty funny if you actually look at what's true. One of my favorites is, "it's like you're trying to be someone you're not."

Um... exactly. 

How else are we going to become stronger, wiser, kinder, more generous, more powerful, more true, more fearless...if we only try to be who ...

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Strong enough to show up tired courage enough freedom motherhood motivation personal growth

I stayed up later than I wanted to last night, watching TV with my husband. While I was glad to have that 1:1 time, I regretted the decision this morning. Then I remembered a song I heard, "I can do it with a broken heart," (T.Swift) and I decided I was strong enough to do today tired. It was shocki...

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Working in drafts courage enough freedom motivation peace personal growth trust

There's nothing wrong with working in drafts. In fact, it's actually recommended! Make a solid attempt, step away, and come back to it with fresh eyes and new input. It'll get better and better with each pass. Progress is enough.

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Slices of heaven enough god motherhood peace relationships

I was going to write about something else tonight, but I just had the most beautiful moment with my daughter. She came to get her hair braided (loves how it turns out wavy in the morning), and when I finished she leaned back and I put my arms around her. She curled her arms up around mine and let me...

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Hopeless? courage enough faith freedom personal growth potential trust

If you feel called to "something bigger" but can't see how you could ever possibly go for it, maybe it's not possible for you right now. 

But it's not hopeless, either. 

Do we look at an infant -- unable to crawl, scoot, or even lift her own head -- and think, "Well, shoot. This one's hopeless. She'll...

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Sometimes you just need a time out enough personal growth practical tips well-being work+life

Once in a while, we need to just sit by ourselves and take some good deep breaths. It doesn't mean we're broken, or that life is hopeless (beyond the present moment, anyway) -- it just means we're human. And being human is hard sometimes, no matter if we're 3, 45, or 62. So here's your permission sl...

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Clouds make sunrises even more beautiful choosing happiness enough faith

Don't get me wrong, I love a sunrise however I can get it. But I've noticed that when there are some clouds in the sky, the colors are even more vibrant and beautiful (obviously not when the sky is covered in clouds, but you know what I mean). There's plenty of science behind the "why," (like here, ...

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Perfection is not required courage enough faith jesus trust

Not even close. There are a lot of ways to make a loaf of bread, and "good enough" goes a long way -- especially when Jesus's miracles are at play. Trust in His ability to perfect, and willingly contribute your imperfect offering. Glorious experiences lie ahead.

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Add two dots... enough faith freedom jesus personal growth trust

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 ...

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