What in the world was I thinking? I’ve asked myself this question at work more times than I’d like to admit. Sometimes my inner voice groans after making an embarrassing mistake in front of my supervisor. What in the world was I thinking? And some days the voice dejectedly… Read More

As you sit patiently inside the doctor’s office, with your loved one by your side, the doctor enters the room, head pointed toward the ground. He offers a half smile and begins to share the very news you feared. Instantly, your mind jumps forward. Surely this can’t be true. Read More

In the dark of the morning, with your eyes wide open, you anxiously contemplate the responsibilities that lie ahead. The day after a less-than-stellar performance review, you have three meetings on your agenda—all before noon—and countless projects to complete. You try everything in your power to find rest, but… Read More

I sat in church this Mother’s Day and listened to a panel of mom’s talk about their motherly traditions. They discussed how they eat family breakfasts and pray over each other. But as precious as these customs sounded, I left church feeling like a worse mother than when… Read More

My brother is an alcoholic. For years, this reality has shattered my world. The brother who walked to school with me, played Battleship with me and pretended to be famous singers with me has become someone I often fear. When he turns to alcohol, I worry about riding in… Read More

Have you ever felt tense in the presence of your in-laws? Maybe you bite your lip as your father-in-law shares a strong opinion with your spouse—a point of view you don’t share. Or maybe, as you prepare to visit your spouse’s family, you cringe over the differences between your… Read More

We all want to do something purposeful with our lives. But for many of us, this proves to be more challenging than we had anticipated. The job market prevents us from starting a meaningful career. We complete a degree only to realize we chose the wrong field. We lack… Read More

Sometimes, my friends help me experience joy and fulfillment; other times, they lead me to experience the opposite of joy and fulfillment. When connecting with friends who bring frustration and despair into our relationship, my patience often wears thin, my ability to listen diminishes and my sense of… Read More

As I walk through my daily routine—wake up, head to work, run errands, return home—I expose myself to opinions, judgments and perceptions from a wide range of people. But entirely too often, as I carry the weight of these judgments, I allow the opinions of others to dictate my… Read More

Every marriage has its moments. You accidently exceed the monthly budget, and your spouse feels frustrated and discouraged. Your spouse shares a thought about your in-laws and, no matter how hard to try to brush off the comment, you can’t help but engage in an argument. Often, lofty… Read More