Gratitude therapy
The winter had been an exceptionally long one in the Balkan Peninsula. How we had been waiting for spring to come! Finally, the beautiful flowers sprang up, the trees bud... »
Personal Accounts
The smile game
When I was a little girl, my sister and I used to play the Smile Game. Whenever we were out and about, running errands with our mom, going to the supermarket, or waiting... »
Life’s balancing act
“My business is doing well,” a friend recently told me, “but I’m having more trouble with allergies than ever. It seems like when I stress out, they get worse, and I’m wo... »
The clean platypus
Some days seem magical—things go well, I try some new ideas, I have something to show for the hours I’ve spent at various tasks. Then there are other times when I get to... »
Building a legacy
Have you, like me, ever wondered what kind of an impression you make on people? Or more importantly, if you have any lasting impact on people’s lives? Living in multi-rel... »
Tips for overcoming stress
I have always been a very active person. Ever since I was a teenager, people have told me that “Busy” seems to be my middle name. After my husband passed away, I started... »
Over the precipice
Over forty years later, this episode from a holiday in Scotland is still vivid in my mind. That morning, my friend Adrian and I set out from the youth hostel in Fort Will... »
Lights will guide you home
I was driving home one night with the windows rolled down, the wind making a mess of my hair. The radio was playing, but I was mostly absorbed in my own thoughts—that is,... »
Reaching “pleasant places”
I love Psalm 23. Perhaps it’s because I especially love the verses about being in calm, beautiful, and peaceful situations: “He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He... »
Effective quiet time in five steps
I’m semi-retired but still enjoy an active and full life. Looking back over the past year, I can see the benefits I’ve gained from spending quiet time with God in the mor... »
Tiny worlds
I remember learning about the word “microcosm” when I was in fifth grade. As homework, our teacher handed each of us a 36-inch string and told us to make a circle on the... »
Seeing Jesus
In a series of experiments conducted a few years back, dogs were given the command “shake,” and they were normally happy to do so whether they got a reward or not. Howeve... »