Fill up to Spill out

Most of our lives have been turned upside down in the last 2-3 weeks.  The Coronavirus (Covid 19) pandemic has led to big decisions world-wide to close schools, close a lot of businesses, cancel all community events, go virtual, provide drive-thru services, and basically shelter in place.  It's been a disruption to our normal lives, taken away our freedom to gather and go places, it's cost people their jobs, it's taken lives, it's caused the stock market to plunge, and it's forced us to do things very differently.   We are uncertain how long this historical situation will go on, and with uncertainty comes all sorts of emotions.  What's helped me the most is taking one day at time, consuming positive content, and choosing joy over fear and overwhelm.  We are all in this together.  We are all doing the best we can.  Some of us are working harder than ever before, and some of us are being given the gift of time right now.  Are we making good ...

2020 was off to a great start.  In just the first months of the new year, I published my 1 st  book, turned 40, ran my 3 rd  marathon, my husband successfully defended his dissertation after 6 long years of hard work, our calendars were full of exciting things, we were gathering with friends more often, we had trips planned, weddings and other fun events to attend, a graduation party to plan… and then Coronavirus (Covid 19) happened.  2020 was great until it wasn’t great anymore.  Suddenly school was cancelled, weddings were postponed, literally every activity and event and all the things were either cancelled or postponed indefinitely.  It strangely became impossible to find toilet paper or bread or eggs or bottles of water.  Store shelves became empty as the media created mass chaos and panic buying.  Lights were turned off.  Businesses closed or were forced to change their way of doing bu...

Home is where we find comfort and respite.  It's a place where we display and store things we cherish.  It's where we connect with those we love.  It's where we invite others in.  It's where we dream and plan and make beautiful memories.  Home is also where we create things. Do you have a favorite space in your home?  Have you created a room or area that brings you joy?  Do you get excited about entering this space each morning?  Is it where the magic happens?  It it where you drink your coffee, dream big dreams, write the book, relax, play games, pray, cook amazing meals, eat with your family, gather with your friends, get your work-out in for the day, read, work, craft, sleep, or rock your baby?  Have you put careful thought into this room, designing a space that inspires you, relaxes you, comforts you, or just makes you smile? For me, this is currently 2 spaces in my home.  First, it's my little coffee station I created la...

If you read my blog post from last week, I'll give you a quick follow-up.  My breast biopsy came back benign.  Praise God for good news!  I was prepared for good or bad, and at peace no matter what the results were, but it sure was a relief to hear that everything was okay.  But I can't help but think about those who don't receive good news.  We are all just one step away from getting bad news.  If you have been on the receiving end of test results you were not hoping for, I am praying for you and your journey.   Now, onto this week's topic of finding community.... As an introvert, I love me some alone time.  I love my early morning routine where I am alone in my thoughts, I love a long solo run to listen to music or a podcast, I love walking my dog, I love shopping the isles of Target alone with a Starbucks cup in my hand... I enjoy being alone.  It doesn't bother me.  I sometimes prefer it.   But we were not created ...