The meaning of meaning choosing happiness courage creativity freedom peace personal growth

I was kind of a nerdy kid, and sometimes for fun I would read my dad's dictionary (you're learning a lot of fun facts about me here 😅). I still love to dig into definitions and think about how they connect with what I'm learning. 

Exploring the word meaning is an interesting exercise. It appears as t...

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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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Fairy tale middles courage faith potential trust

We hear plenty about "fairy tale endings," but no one really mentions the "fairy tale middle." If you think about it, though, that's the part we love the most -- the part where the heroine really becomes who she is meant to be. It's where Snow White meets and builds friendships with the Seven Dwarfs...

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What if choosing happiness courage creativity faith fear freedom potential trust

Anxiety and possibility are closely related. Both use the imagination, and both can be identified by one question: 

What if...?

The difference between anxiety and possibility, then, is what the What if question is combined with.

What if + fear = anxiety (what if the stove catches on fire)
What if + hat...

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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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30 minutes from now courage faith fear freedom motivation personal growth practical tips productivity

When you're attempting something new or stretching outside of your comfort zone, it's really easy to put off doing it... because you just don't feel like it. Your brain is trying to keep you safe and comfy, and it has a lifetime of practice doing it.

I've learned a good response for those thoughts te...

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Taking council from someone else's fear courage fear freedom

It's one thing to take council from your own fear -- not to the point or paralysis, but at least to the point of consideration. After all, your own fear has the good intention of keeping you alive (and you can reason with it, assuring it that you're safe and good to go). 

But what about when we take ...

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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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"Or" is old school co-working with kids courage creativity freedom money well-being work+life

My client and now dear friend, Gail, has a fantastic new blog called "Real Talk." I'm thinking of adding a category with that name in her honor, and this will be its inaugural post. 

For this post, I want you to imagine we're sitting down on the couch, face-to-face, and I'm speaking to you with all t...

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There will be naysayers. It's not for them. courage creativity fear

When you do anything of value, there will be naysayers. This doesn't mean there's something inherently wrong with the thing you're doing. It more likely means it's just not for them

That doesn't mean we ignore everything the naysayers say, as there might be some validity in there that can make your...

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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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