Stretching Ourselves

A growing number of healthcare professionals have been telling me for years the importance of stretching on a regular basis and especially critical as we age. In fact, I have gradually incorporated a few stretching exercises into my daily routine as I have now begun to accept that at some point in this life journey I’m going to start aging! As important as physical stretching is for our body, I strongly believe that stretching ourselves in many other ways is extremely important and beneficial for our mental, relational, and every

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Out of the Mouths of Babes

I’m trying hard to spend less time focused on my phone when so much of it is not helpful or healthful, but occasionally a friend will share a posting that proves more than worth the time investment. I received just such a gift a few days ago which began with: “Children often say just what we need to hear!”  A group of children aged four to eight was asked, “What does Love mean?” The answers were broader, deeper, and more profound than anyone could have imagined.   The winner was a

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Stifling Prejudices

When you read the title above, what does it make you think? I chose it very intentionally. I’d like to start with the definition of each word (my longtime readers will know how I love to look up words to get their full meaning!). Here is what my online dictionary said: Stifling  — Restrain (a reaction) or stop oneself from acting on an emotion Prejudice — Preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience. Dislike, hostility, or unjust behavior deriving from unfounded opinions Much has been written

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upclose photo of multiple starfish

Why? What Difference Does It Really Make?

This has been a potential post simmering inside this bald knot ever since I attended our grandsons’ wrestling tournament a few weeks ago. At ages nine and eleven, Theo and Walter are heavily invested in the sport. Consequently, you can accurately predict where Popo and Oma are most weekends! As I exited the men’s bathroom between matches, an elderly gentleman, I’m assuming another grandfather, approached me with a question, “why are you wearing that thing?”  The antagonistic tone he uttered “that thing” was a clue as to how he felt

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I’m Right, You’re Wrong

Last month’s post on loving intentionally, extravagantly, and unconditionally to heal the growing division in our country led to some direct and honest discussions with several regular blog followers. After these discussions, a related topic that has been on my mind for a long time moved to the top of my list for our January post even though I have been putting off writing about it for as long as possible. The reason for my resistance is easy to identify. I have been getting a lot of positive and affirming

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Healing

I recently came across a statement that stuck in this bald-headed, aging knot which seldom quiets, for better or worse! “Do not be dismayed by the brokenness of the world.  And all things can be mended.  Not with time, as they say, but with intention. So go. Love intentionally, extravagantly, unconditionally.  The broken world waits in darkness for the light that is you.”  ~ L. R. Knost This quote—especially in the context of the escalating discord in this amazing country in which we are blessed to call home—gave me a

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Boxing

When we hear the word stereotyping used today it’s usually and accurately referring to putting another person or persons in a category with negative and harmful consequences for them. In this post, I want to reflect on what happens to us when we initiate or participate in that type of behavior. Reflecting back on myself as a child growing up in a small town in Schuylkill County, I have come to realize how much stereotyping actually took place.  Just to name a few, persons of color, members of various ethnic

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In Search of Happiness

Before I get to this month’s post, I would like to express my gratitude that it even exists! After several weeks of struggling with various major life changes and challenges, I had decided I was too tired and overwhelmed to write a post this month.  Then I received messages—one from my childhood friend Dave and the other from a newer acquaintance named Tracey—thanking me for the blog and urging me to “keep up the good work.”   Those two notes unknowingly motivated me to rethink my decision! Could it be that

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The Gift of Forgiveness

I seldom hear anyone mention the word ‘forgive’ in conversation and that includes myself. I do repeat it several times during weekly worship, including the Lord’s Prayer, but honestly do not give thought to what I am saying.   Choosing to forgive someone is often difficult, challenging, and complicated. We may not want to forgive for a number of reasons. We might withhold forgiveness because it gives us control over the person or persons who caused the hurt. We may feel that forgiving implies that what was done was okay, that

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