Browsing Tag

health

beautiful pink flowers in a vase
Encouragement, Health

World IBD Day: Sometimes I Hate My Guts

It’s today. May 19th. World IBD Day, a day we (as a world) try to bring even more awareness to IBD: what it is, what it’s like to live with it, and how you can help.

I have Crohn’s disease and I’ve battled this beast since I was 18 years old. I started getting sick my freshman year in college and it took off like wildfire, affecting my thin, teenage, stressed-out body. In those 27 years since, it’s been better and it’s been much, much worse. I’ve crawled my way back from near-death a few times. I refuse to let it get me. Continue Reading

May 19, 2016
woman in high heels
Encouragement, Healthy Relationships

Stand Up For Yourself and Don’t Feel Bad About It

When I was in college, I had a job through work study on campus. Being a business admin major, I lucked out and got a job in the purchasing office. It wasn’t a lot of hours, maybe less than ten per week, but it put textbook and gas money in my pocket and gave me a unique experience working in a university business office.

It also gave me insight into people. I worked with three wonderful superiors there: Barb, Sharon, and Dale. They were all kind, upbeat, upstanding folks and were happy to teach me. But Sharon, she stood out. I can’t recall her exact title: she had her own office, dressed impeccably, was stunningly beautiful and elegant, a sort-of Sophia Loren of the business world. When she entered the room, everyone noticed. And she was friendly and happy and she was also independent and bold. I took note. Continue Reading

May 3, 2016
How to Avoid an Unhealthy Relationships
Abuse and Self Care, Encouragement, Health

How to Avoid an Unhealthy Relationship

Last week was important for me and my family. It marked five years since something quite tragic happened to us. I shared about it here in three parts: it took that many to get the story of That Day and our lives since it, out.

How encouraging and healing that experience has been and the support was overwhelming.

I shared because when we raise our voices, others will feel empowered to raise theirs…to share their stories, to encourage others, to leave their harmful situation.

Sharing helps lessen the stigma about domestic abuse. It’s important to know that verbal, emotional, and mental abuse are every bit as much abuse and, as damaging as, physical abuse. It’s just that the scars are often invisible. Continue Reading

April 24, 2016
Book Reviews, Encouragement, Life Is Beautiful

During the Hard, “Just Show Up”

I have a confession to make.

I agreed to read this book and share my thoughts about it with you several weeks ago.

But I put it off. I knew it would be tough. This book rested safely on my desk between bookends, nestled in between some other excellent reading choices.

I’d look at it and feel a pang that I needed to really get going on it, but then I’d shy away.  Why? you’re wondering.  Let me tell you… Continue Reading

February 14, 2016