"Happy" ≠ "healthy". They are not synonyms. But I think we act like they are. I've been trying to use my lunch break to enjoy some reading and recently just finished a book called “Why Emotions Matter”. The middle section of the book spends six chapters looking at each of the six most basic emotions we… Continue reading Happiness isn’t the goal.
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STRESS! LESS!
I work in Higher Ed. In that space, the concept of stress is pretty much daily conversation. Academic stress Athletic stress Family situations causing stress Roommate conflict stress Health issues adding to or resulting from stress And more. Students talk about (or at least experience) stress often. So do all human beings. A few weeks… Continue reading STRESS! LESS!
Courage is Not A Suggestion
Courage is an interesting word and an even more interesting concept. What does it mean to have courage or to be courageous? How does that word play into the concepts of both encouragement or discouragement? The dictionary defines it as: the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain,… Continue reading Courage is Not A Suggestion
Enough Trouble for Today
One of my favorite passages to come back to in busy seasons is Matthew 6:25-34. The whole section is about how we don’t need to worry and be anxious in life because God knows our needs and cares for us. It ends with this verse: “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will… Continue reading Enough Trouble for Today
Though I sit in darkness…
“But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light!" (Micah 7:7-8) Social media has pros and cons… Continue reading Though I sit in darkness…
A Soul Solstice
I found myself recently pondering the winter solstice. Actually, I found myself pondering the day AFTER winter solstice. Somewhere around December 21 each year (in the Northern Hemisphere anyway) we experience the shortest day of the year, with the least amount of sunlight. From that point forward the days start having a little bit more… Continue reading A Soul Solstice
The Best Intentions
In my new career working at a university I get this weird thing called a "Christmas Break". The concept is slightly foreign after nearly a decade of working in a church where the end of December and beginning of January were some of my busiest weeks of the year with all the Christmas activities often… Continue reading The Best Intentions
On Pain, Change, and Trust
I was talking with a friend back at the beginning of this year and he mentioned how he had been learning that only when our pain is greater than our fear will we be able to make positive changes in our lives. It was fascinating to hear him say that because I was wrestling at… Continue reading On Pain, Change, and Trust
Follow You Anywhere
It was a Monday night. I was at a young adult worship night at a local church when I first heard the words of this song, a prayer to God: “You make it easy to love You You are good and You are kind You bring joy into my life You make it easy to… Continue reading Follow You Anywhere
I’ve Walked These Halls
I’ve walked these halls. I’ve wandered these buildings. I’ve sat in these offices (and in some potentially unfortunate cases maybe in these same exact chairs). I went to school here. I left. Nine years later: I’m back. Once a student. Now staff. Always a Bulldog. So much seems the same and yet so different. I’ve… Continue reading I’ve Walked These Halls
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