Successful marriage consistently calls for both the humble admission of error when wrongdoing has occurred and the mutual commitment to grow in unfamiliar ways. Nothing destroys these two pillars of healthy relationships more quickly than persistent defensiveness and an unforgiving, critical spirit. These are the heart-hardening factors that eventually destroy the elasticity of creative conflict…
Why is it often more difficult to say ”no” than to commit without truly expecting to follow through? Shouldn’t it be the other way around? I thought through some of the reasons it is difficult for me to say “no” to a making a commitment: I don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings. I’m afraid of…
2012 has arrived, and people across the country are making resolutions—to lose weight, exercise more, stick to a budget, restore a relationship, or any other number of concerns. As I sit here in a café, sipping coffee, and writing this article, I too am reflecting on this past year’s highlights (a two-week mission trip to…
I’m a girl who has always been labeled a “natural born leader.” I credit that confidence and independence to my parents, who raised me to believe in myself, to go out on a limb every now and then and to be involved in activities that stretched and grew my leadership skills. I am a happy…
I challenged myself to run at a faster pace this morning. My legs ached and my body felt tired. Giving up seemed like a pretty good option half way through the run. But instead I played “The Happy Song” really loud and kept going (video embedded at the end of this post). I like to…
