I used to think I was called to something big. Bigger than I could possibly imagine. Actually, I thought I was destined to follow in Oprah Winfrey’s footsteps. Not as a talk show host, but as a change agent, a thought leader...someone with incredible influence. Then, on September 17, 1998, Hannah Elizabeth Hines was born into this world. That six- pound-twelve-ounce-nineteen-inch bundle of baby girl changed me from the moment I saw her. It was indescribable love at first ... VIEW POST
The Heart Behind Cultivating Home
3 Sneaky Problems With Perfectionism
I’ve been thinking a lot about hope this week. Especially how I tend to live without it. What I mean by that is I’m so used to waiting, and waiting and waiting and waiting, but without the desired results. There are at least two issues with this: I stopped waiting expectantly. I fell into a pattern of judging my life by results. So, I'm always left wanting which is a breeding ground for discontentment and discouragement. Do you know how tiring it is to always be ... VIEW POST
Goodness in the Messy Middle
I didn't like January very much. It felt like a never ending, vast expanse of dreariness. Like thick fog over a graveyard. Maybe because we had to get used to winter without Christmas and home without Hannah. It could be because something is always left behind when you go through a transition. There's also a chance I lost my sense of self-worth in the endless days of nothingness. I actually enjoyed the first two weeks of January. I used the time to relax after Christmas, get the ... VIEW POST
Make Room for Hope
I don't do well with waiting. Especially when I feel like I've done all the things I'm supposed to do to see results; setting intentions for the day, writing goals, and doing the next right thing. Then, I get restless. The next thing I know, I'm rearranging furniture. So, it makes perfect sense (in retrospect) that I was rearranging Hannah's bedroom this week... The Power of Setting Intentions for the Day Intentions are Like Placeholders for Hope Matt and I intended to run an ... VIEW POST
Surprised by Ordinary
We'd just gotten home from celebrating Christmas with family when my daughter said, "Christmas night feels so final, like everything is over until next year." I told her I understood, that I used to feel the same way. Then, I shared how I move past the sadness by telling myself Christmas day is actually the beginning of the twelve days of Christmas. Then, my husband joked, “What do you tell yourself on January 6th...after the twelve days is over?” “I tell myself it’s time to get back ... VIEW POST
Setting Goals, A Different Approach
So many people talked about taking down Christmas decor, making fresh starts, and setting new goals in the week leading up to New Year's Eve that my soul felt rushed. But, I wanted to look forward to the New Year. So, at about 11: 15 p.m., I sat on my couch and turned the channel to Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve. The ball had already dropped in Time Square, so I joined the countdown in New Orleans. (Which worked out because I'm in the Central time zone.) As a big crowd of people ... VIEW POST
When Holidays Get Messy
We tend to go into the holidays with hopes of everyone getting along and having a nice time. We cross our fingers and hope no one brings up a touchy subject, steps on someone’s toes, or meddles where they shouldn’t. I get it. I’ve been at holiday gatherings gone wrong. But, the truth is messy doesn't necessarily mean bad. A couple of years ago I was hosting Christmas Eve. We were sitting around the dining table, when, after maybe a glass too many of red ... VIEW POST
A Holiday Gift Guide for {Almost} Everyone on Your List
I used to spend the week of Thanksgiving racing the clock to put up all of my Christmas decor by Thanksgiving day. The day after Thanksgiving, I'd run around town like a mad women on a mission to buy as many gifts as possible, without a gift guide to help. All in the name of finishing early so I could enjoy the holiday season, except I didn't enjoy it. My focus was all wrong. One Spring, a friend and his daughter, Faith-Marie, stayed with us for a few days. While they were here, she ... VIEW POST
How to Entertain in Style
I finally did it! Not only was my house, the food and I ready before guests arrived, but I actually greeted everyone at the door, offering them a glass of pretty, pink Moscato garnished with raspberries. Granted, the only reason that I was able to entertain in style is because my parents, who are normally early to the party, were delayed when my Dad accidentally knocked over the cookie display in the store while picking up dessert on the way over, giving me the extra time I ... VIEW POST
The Fireplace Makeover That Changed Everything
I stared at the vintage, electric fireplace for years, wishing it to be different. With a more realistic flame. And built-in, with a working heater. But it was none of those things. So, my soul kept longing for one day when I could get a real fireplace. Maybe not unlike the way Pinocchio dreamed of one day becoming a real boy. I have to say that my wish felt silly, selfish, and materialist. Why couldn't I be happy with what I have? I can't tell you how many home ... VIEW POST
Overcoming Negative Self-Talk
I used to think that clearing the clutter was where you walk through the messy middle. But, after digging up a dead tree that exposed a long history of negative self-talk (you'll have to keep reading to understand), I now know decluttering is only the beginning... Tuesday, October 8, 2019 The day started like any other, with me watching the wind move through the trees just outside my bedroom window. This peaceful moment was rudely interrupted when my gaze fell on several dead leaves ... VIEW POST
19 Simply Fun Ways to Enjoy Fall
I’ve noticed an inner shift with the start of Fall. It's like the anticipating of cooler, crisp air is inviting me to enter into frivolity and calling me to nest all at the same time. I'm actually surprised at how much I'm looking forward to the Fall season since I usually struggle to let Summer go. But, realizing the fun I'd reserved for Summer can follow me into Fall seems to have given me permission to expand my horizons. Which I fully intend to do. 19 Simply Fun Ways to Enjoy ... VIEW POST
How to Have a Productive Day
I grew more and more frustrated as I sat on the couch, not feeling well enough to do all the things I wanted to do. I fought feelings of embarrassment, maybe even shame, over not having a productive day. As I seek balance between productivity, rest and play, I'm realizing wanting to be productive isn't bad or wrong in and of itself. Productivity is very gratifying. It's how we share our gifts, skills and talents with the world. Productivity is a gift to be enjoyed. It's only ... VIEW POST
3 Ways to Practice Self-Compassion
I sat burdened for days after Matt and I got home from vacation. I was confused by my body. And mad it kept me from being present and fully enjoying my vacation. I was angry that outside distractions interrupted our vacation. Then, I questioned my anger. It was all so overwhelming. As my Practitioner and I processed all these emotions, I realized it wasn't the circumstances that were so overwhelming. It was me, taking on the blame and beating myself up with guilt and regret. As ... VIEW POST
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