Petering choosing happiness creativity fear freedom god potential trust

I'm in the middle of creating something new, and it's a decision I have felt divinely supported in. Even with this powerful assurance, my mind still cycles back to what I've seen and known in the past, then doubt creeps in, and then I start to sink and choke on the waters of "but what about..." It's...

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Working in layers creativity enough faith trust

If you're going to create a painting, you won't start with every bit of color on your palette. You'll start with the background, then work your way forward, one layer at a time. Don't assess the beauty or value of the painting by what the first layers look like. Work your way forward, adding more de...

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Who are you wearing? choosing happiness courage creativity enough personal growth

When stars are interviewed on the red carpet, they're often asked, "Who are you wearing?" 

I've been thinking a lot about labels lately, and the connection came to my mind about designer labels.

As we grow up, we're given labels to wear -- starting with our parents/caregivers, then expanding to friend...

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Judging the baby before it's born courage creativity trust

You can make all kinds of guesses about what a baby will be like before it's born, but it's a waste of your time.

The baby will come with its own personality and gifts.

The baby will grow, and you will celebrate what he/she is becoming.

The baby will make mistakes, and you will love it anyway.

Your time...

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End it completely, or end it as you know it choosing happiness courage creativity freedom god relationships

When something in your life isn't working, you have some options:

  1. Suffer in silence
  2. Try to fix it
  3. End it completely
  4. End it as you know it

Suffering in silence is never a good idea. No one deserves that, and nothing good comes of it in the long run. It might feel like the easiest path for no...

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The broccoli mustache choosing happiness creativity faith freedom god

Have you ever found leftover broccoli in your fridge that has been there a bit too long? 

You don't even have to open the container to know that it's beyond the point of no return.

Can you imagine wearing a mustache made of that stinky stuff all the time? 

That's like what cynicism does to us. 

Cynicism...

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Oh. Right. This is actually FUN! choosing happiness courage creativity divinity faith god

I'm immersed in a creative project right now that has been on my heart for over 5 years now. 

I've chipped away at it little bits at a time, with some progress made but not much. 

It sat dormant while other priorities flowed in (new baby, amazing but rigorous school program, global pandemic, helping t...

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Doubt and Possibility choosing happiness courage creativity freedom personal growth potential

Doubt and Possibility are sisters, both from the same mother: Imagination.

Doubt uses the imagination to look at how something might be wrong. Possibility considers the negatives, but also imagines the potential positives. Doubt avoids most disaster, but also avoids living. Possibility enjoys much g...

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Fun habit hack choosing happiness courage creativity motivation personal growth practical tips

Guess what!? I've been posting to my blog for 100 days straight!

It's something I've intended to do for a LONG time, ever since hearing Seth Godin recommend it for people who are ready to launch into "shipping" mode. Call it fear, call it self-doubt, call it laziness, or just hiding behind busy-ness....

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Backstory vs front-story courage creativity faith freedom god personal growth potential trust

It's really easy to make decisions based on our backstory (who we were in the past). We have clear, often recent, evidence of what worked--or didn't work--for us and what we were capable of. 

The problem with that, though, is there isn't room for much growth. Maybe we try to do a little better than w...

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Just start doodling courage creativity enough family freedom motivation personal growth

Our 6-year old daughter spent hours this weekend making "coloring books" (outline drawings on copy paper, bound by a row of staples) to sell door-to-door to neighbors and friends. She was so full of enthusiasm about it, I couldn't help but smile watching her. 

She was working on some more books this ...

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Momentum is a wonderful (but high-maintenance) friend choosing happiness creativity freedom miracles personal growth practical tips well-being work+life

Momentum is one of the very best friends you can ever have. She'll take you to higher heights than you could ever dream of reaching on your own, and show you what you're really capable of -- over and over again. 

But this friendship must be intentionally nurtured and maintained; otherwise she can tur...

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