Contingency mindset: backing up your best laid plans

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash.

When my husband and I moved to Northern Arizona’s Rim Country a year ago, we already had an unlimited data plan for our phones, so reliable Wi-Fi was our biggest concern for internet usage. We received provider suggestions from others…[read more]

The long haul: do not grow weary

So let us not grow weary in doing what is right,
for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. ~ Galatians 6:9

Recently, I read a devotion that talked about changing how we view our problems. Instead of looking at them in their entirety, the author suggested taking…[read more]

Always the ‘Write’ Time: expanding my presence

Photo by Kyle Glenn on Unsplash.

As a non-traditional undergrad returning to college at age 45, I created a blog called Always the Write Time—because I’m a believer that it’s always the write time to try something new. I carried this mindset into my author identity with a passion for writing about hope for new beginnings, humor in the messy middle & heart for happy endings. When I started…[read more]

Give up the fight: winning the battle

Photo by Jackson Simmer on Unsplash.

Not too long ago, I awakened from a dream in the middle of the night. I rarely dream anymore, so I considered it noteworthy; e.g., perhaps a…[read more]

Two are better than one: sharing our burdens

Photo by Honey Fangs on Unsplash.

Two are better than one… If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. ~ Ecclesiastes 4:9-10a

A couple weeks ago, my husband and I were acting out the bad-cop, good-cop scenario during a situation wrought with adulting. You know the kind: big decisions with life-altering consequences. On one day, I’d be…[read more]

From manic to magical: ‘Funday Monday’

Dread Mondays? Need to modify your mindset? I can relate. With that conundrum in mind, I arrived at an idea to transition from weekends into the work week by experimenting with something I call Funday Monday. Yes, you heard right. For me, weekends equate to “hustle” and “R&R.” On Saturdays, I cram as much to-dos as I can into the day. Although I realize that may not work for everyone, I like knowing that Sundays represent rest, recreation, reconnection and reset. And, although Mondays mean “day job,” I’ve started sprinkling—throughout—a bit of weekend fun. This might look like an early morning trek through the mountains or include a mid-day walk to McDonald’s for an iced mocha; or maybe a mani-pedi and/or movie marathon to round out the day. You might choose to meditate, meet a friend, schedule a massage or crank up your favorite music. With just a tiny amount of imagination, you can transform Mondays from manic to magical.

How do you feel about Mondays?

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The time is now: maybe that simply means trying something new

Have you been repeating the same thing, over and over, yet never experience different results? Like trying to lose weight or breaking a habit or attempting to follow your dreams? I’ve often wished I could order a “one-size-fits-all” book spelling everything out in black and white: “How to XYZ in 6 Easy Steps.” I can imagine a book like that would remain on indefinite backorder. Or maybe it’s a faulty mindset you engage in battle with, continually entertaining thoughts like: “I’m always late, so why try getting there on time?” Or, “I never finish anything I start, so why should I join that book discussion or take that class or [fill-in-the-blank]?” Oftentimes, we even blame others for why we’re “stuck” and life continues to look the same. If you relate, then I’ve got big news. Revolutionary, in fact. It’s your fault. Because it’s all about choice. If you’re ready to try something new, read The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks.

In what area are you stuck in life?

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Looking within: discovering plenty amidst the lack

As I mentioned in my post, “Another way to look at the pandemic ‘pause,’” I’m discovering new things about myself since 2020 took a major detour. While much becomes ingrained in our habits and thought processes simply because “that’s the way I’ve always done it,” the current COVID-19 climate has required a mandatory “pivoting” of our mindsets. One shining example: When my daughter’s gym temporarily closed due to the social-distancing order, it crushed her. Although she knew it afforded a minor inconvenience overall, she dreaded a derailment of her fitness goals. However, after a short-lived pity party, she soon realized that everything she needed to maintain her daily practice stared her in the face. In fact, she recently conquered—and exceeded—her goals. But not without inner resolve, a dash of creativity and a boatload of fierce grit. I couldn’t be prouder of her. It’s heartening how a global crisis can reveal the best within us. If we let it.

Where have you discovered plenty amidst the lack?

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How to determine if you’re an amateur or a professional

In a recent post, I talk about taking massive action to fight for your goals. The article I reference focuses on the importance of changing our mindsets. And that it isn’t just trying something once, or trying and failing and then quitting. It means trying until we get the results we want; i.e., mastering daily habits that ultimately lead to success. According to James Clear, author of Atomic Habits and the creator of the Habits Academy, it’s about the power of schedule and creating a daily routine. Clear says, “Stop waiting for motivation or creative inspiration to strike you and set a schedule for your habits. This is the difference between professionals and amateurs. Professionals set a schedule and stick to it. Amateurs wait until they feel inspired or motivated.” Further, give yourself permission to deliver a less-than-average outcome. “The only way to be consistent enough to make a masterpiece is to give yourself permission to create junk along the way.”

So what’s the verdict—amateur or pro?

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

The difference between happiness, joy

Recently I heard an apt description of both happiness and joy. In a nutshell: happiness comes to us; joy is inside of us. It stands to reason, then, that happiness is created by external and oftentimes fleeting or fickle people, places and/or things. If we base our happiness on our spouse, job, car or health, and our relationship dies, we’re laid off, we total the car or get sick, it can be hard to put on a happy face (until the next whatever it is). Also, if everything external is temporary, then there must be something more that creates internal joy. For me and for many others, this source of joy is spiritual. For others, it’s a mindset to choose happy, while at the same time setting the intention that nothing or no one will steal their peace away. And, it doesn’t hurt to take the focus off ourselves, whenever possible, to invest in the lives of others (see ‘A rebirth of sorts…“).

Are you happy… or joyful?

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.