Have you ever had a time in your life where you have felt out of sorts? Disconnected? Cynical, even? Here is a little snippet I found in my personal notebook from a couple years ago: “In the time around menopause, do people report a general feeling of “disconnectedness”? For the last, say, 5, even […]
How Not to Turn Into a Grumpy Old Man Read More »
I was visiting my daughter last month, and one morning, I came upstairs from her guest room, and (jokingly) whined to her, “I don’t want to!” “You don’t want to do what?” “Anything…I don’t want to! That’s my life motto, my life’s verse, now. I don’t want to do anything!” She’s like, “Well, that’s encouraging!”
This week marks the first fall in about 27 years that I did not start a new homeschool year, and I am now looking back at memories. I remember that indescribable moment when a little one first “gets it” when they sound out their first word. I think of every summer’s ritual of sitting
The Secret to Surviving Long Division (and Other Life Crises) Read More »
While we sipped home-roasted coffee together, my family sometimes talked about how cool it would be to open a coffee shop…maybe we would sell home-baked treats in a place where local art was displayed, and local musicians could maybe come and play guitar in the corner on a Saturday morning. And people would stay and
My “Failed” Bakery, and Why it Wasn’t a Failure: Motivation, The Final Chapter Read More »
I thought it was just me. I thought I was part of an elite few holding this distinction of being maybe a little motivationally challenged. I thought I was the only one who needed a nudge and some guidance on not only getting those daily, annoying tasks done, but also on those larger goals and
You’ve Set Sail! Now What? Motivation, Part 4 Read More »
Last week was our 34th wedding anniversary. For 38 years we have been harassing each other in some way or another. We were just teenagers when we fell in love: we started out as seedlings and have grown up together. I took some time each day last week to reflect on why I kinda like […]
Intertwined in the Rock That Will Never Let Go Read More »
The last couple of weeks, I talked about how motivation follows action, and that we must begin actually doing something, even if it is super small or imperfect, in order to get started. Most people (except for me) have mastered those mundane tasks that I used as examples, and maybe the articles seemed a bit
Get Out of Your Rut, or Do the Big Thing: Motivation, part 3 Read More »
Last week, I wrote about how motivation very seldom comes from out of the blue. Once in a while, something flips inside your head and gives you that burst to work towards your goals, but I don’t think that happens instantly very often like that. The key I talked about last week was: Motivation follows
Motivation, Part 2: How to Step Out the Front Door Read More »
If you know, you know. If you are like me, these next two posts are going to resonate with you in a sad and sickening, but true, way. But if you are not like me: first, thank the Lord. But then, realize that you are going to be yelling at your screen as you read
The Chair That Could Fold Laundry All By Itself: Motivation, Part 1 Read More »
Just Keep Swimming! A fun thing to try is to consider your favorite characters from movies or literature and think about what makes them resonate with you. This entertaining exercise might reveal to you a little more about yourself. What things make you laugh or cry? What values does that character reflect that attract you?
Just Keep Swimming! Read More »
