(Warning: My science nerd is showing in this one...but not too much.) It’s that time of year—leaves are crunchy, pumpkin spice is in the air, and we’re all encouraged to give thanks. But here’s a confession: I’ve always loved gratitude… but sometimes I wondered if it was a little… fluffy. Then I remembered something amazing: gratitude isn’t just nice —it’s powerful . And science says so. So today, let’s get a little nerdy about Thanksgiving and uncover why saying “thank you”

🤔 Wait… Fun as a Value? Not long ago, I heard a grown-up—a full-fledged, responsible, business-owning adult—say that one of her core values  was fun. And I’ll be honest… my first thoughts were not gracious. “How very unadult of you.”“What kind of frivolous value is that?”“How could fun possibly belong in the same category as integrity, faith, or compassion?” Fun felt… light. Fluffy. Unnecessary. Something for weekends or vacations, not the foundation of a meaningful life. Bu

✨ A Sacred Reminder “They are the branch of My planting, the work of My hands, that I might be glorified.” — Isaiah 60:21 Every so often, a verse stops you in your tracks. For me, it was this one: “the branch of My planting.” Something about it felt deeply personal—like God whispering, “You’re not here by accident.” We live in a culture obsessed with reinvention—new jobs, new cities, new versions of ourselves. But what if your purpose isn’t waiting “out there”? What if it’s r

If you’ve never been to a Trunk or Treat , it’s a church or community event where people decorate their car trunks, line them up in a parking lot, and hand out candy to kids who go from car to car in costume. It’s a fun, safe, and lighthearted way to celebrate Halloween. At our church’s Trunk or Treat this year, my daughter-in-law decorated her car like a friendly monster — complete with eyes, teeth, and a big bowl of candy. She stood beside it, smiling and offering handfuls

A simple practice to help you stop reacting on autopilot and start responding with calm, clarity, and grace. If you’ve ever found yourself reacting in the moment—snapping at someone, stress-eating, overthinking a decision, or agreeing to something you didn’t really want to do—you already know how powerful emotions and impulses can be. That’s where something I call The Sacred Pause   comes in. It’s a simple idea I first introduced in my Stop Emotional Eating  guide, but it’s u

We’ve all been there—staring at a blank page, tweaking a project for the tenth time, or delaying a launch because it’s “not quite ready.” Perfectionism can look like high standards, but often it’s just fear wearing a clever disguise. The truth? Done is better than perfect. On a recent vacation, I came across the saddest little mini golf course  I’ve ever seen. At first, I couldn’t even tell what it was. I remember thinking, “Why are there all those oddly shaped concrete slabs

A few weeks ago, I was on a road trip with my husband, crossing state after state on a long stretch of highway. If you’ve ever done a...

If our bodies were machines, the idea of “calories in, calories out”  might work perfectly. Put in less fuel, burn more energy, and...

Have you ever felt God nudging you toward something that felt way  beyond your comfort zone? It can be scary, confusing—even a little bit...

Have you ever looked at someone and thought, “They’ve got it all together. They’re so confident” ? It’s easy to assume that other people...

On a recent cross-country RV trip, we were cruising along smoothly when we heard a steady beep. At first, it was just a nuisance—until we...

For years, my road trip tradition was non-negotiable: 👉 Fill up the tank. 👉 Grab a big yellow bag of peanut M&M’s. 👉 Hit the road....

There’s a story told about Mother Teresa  that has always stayed with me. When she first saw the overwhelming poverty and suffering on...

As a singer, I’ve performed solo—and loved it. You get to choose the song, set the tempo, control the interpretation. You rehearse when...

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love casts out fear.” —1 John 4:18 Recently, I had the joy of talking with two wise and beautiful...

We’ve all heard the phrase: “Time heals all wounds.” And there’s truth  to it. Time can soften the sting of loss . It can blur the...

You know that moment when someone says, “Just listen to your body,” and your brain freezes like it’s been asked to solve quantum physics...

Why curiosity is a better companion than criticism on your health journey There’s a subtle but powerful shift that can change the way we...

You never know when or where you’ll stumble upon something that shifts your perspective—or stirs your soul. A few weeks ago, I...

I have a friend who often said something that made me wince just a little:“Just my luck,” she’d sigh when her day went sideways or she...