Expectations are funny things. They can excite you as you anticipate something wonderful or fun. Or they can weigh you down – weights of fear, inadequacy, impending failure, not living up, and letting others down. That’s where I am as I write this blog. Last week, I shared a life-altering experience (https://simplyjoy.online/blog/jesus-as-friend/up-close-and-personal/); a personal touch …
A few weeks ago, I wrote about an incident at the church we attend in our daughter’s college town: (https://simplyjoy.online/blog/doubt/too-much-like-peter/). “During worship, I felt this overwhelming desire to step into the aisle and kneel during worship. Had I been at our home church, I would have done it and not given it a second thought. …
If you read this blog regularly, you know I love autumn. I love the cooler temperatures. I love the fall colors. I love fall flowers. Especially sunflowers. We have a sunflower farm and gift shop where you can pick sunflowers for free – BYOC. Bring your own clippers. I don’t know how many acres of …
Last weekend was tree trimming time! We have nine trees in our yard, five of them fairly large; all with a mind of their own. I love the trees. I love when they are covered with new spring growth, when they return to their natural colors for a few weeks in the fall, and when …
I spent the greater part of my professional career as a consultant and trainer. First with other firms, and then for nearly 20 years on my own. I had the pleasure of speaking with thousands of individuals in training programs and consulting engagements. And working with dozens one-on-one as a professional coach. The most common …
Last weekend kicked off one of my favorite times of the year. Football season. To be specific, college football at my daughter’s college. My husband and I are season ticket holders and every home game we sit in the stands cheering and throwing purple and yellow streamers every time we score. The environment is charged, …
Today marks the end of August. For most it signals the end of summer even though summer continues until late September. But the rhythm of our lives change this time of year. Vacations come to an end. Children head back to school. College football kicks off. So even though there is much of summer left …
Everyone knows what it is like to miss someone. I miss my daughter who we took back to college over the weekend. The house is too quiet. There are no shoes in the foyer or empty toilet paper rolls in the powder room – tell tale signs of her presence. My heart hurts and longs …
Sounds like an oxymoron, right? It can’t be both dreary and sunny at the same time. When you think dreary, you think rainy or overcast. Sunny – even with cold temperatures – usually makes you think of bright days and blue skies. If it’s sunny, it can’t be dreary. And if it’s dreary, it can’t …
I was at the gym the other day talking to the owner, Brian and a staff member, Kate, after my workout. We were discussing some new exercises and nutrition. Brian mentioned that I didn’t need to worry so much about the order of the exercises. Kate abruptly cut in and said, “Brian, this is Rhonda. …