It’s here. The week of “chasing my lion” has arrived, and I am about to embark on a journey with so many unknowns. I am headed to Uganda to lead women’s conferences in Pader and Soroti, remote communities where the majority of the women can’t even read or write. Their towns and their people were …
I was doing some spring cleaning in my office today when I noticed a small, worn book that carries a big punch. Nestled among more contemporary works from John Maxwell, Steven Covey and Malcolm Gladwell was a bestseller from 30 years ago, with advice that surpasses all the gurus of success. I set aside my …
I recently read a quote from the book The Top Five Regrets of Dying recently, and it made me stop and think about how I am living my own life today. Author Bronnie Ware was a nurse who spent eight years working in palliative car. Her patients made a profound impact on her, sharing common regrets they …
Today is my 60th birthday. As I have been anticipating this day, I was not sure how I would feel—excited that I made it this far, proud of where I am at this stage in life, or depressed because of a “number.” Now, as I sit here and reflect on the past 60 years, I …
When was the last time you did something for the first time? I recently spent an over-the-top fun weekend with my daughters and daughter-in-law in Boston. On the flight back to Austin, I chose a middle seat so my pregnant daughter could have the aisle. The plane was filling up when a woman asked to …
I love the daily devotional, Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young. She has written several books with “messages from Jesus,” as if He is speaking directly to the reader. I recently received an email from Sarah that I wanted to share with you. It focuses on joy, and shows how true joy can only be found in a …
I recently spent a weekend with four girlfriends at our lake house. We had two full days of talking, no makeup, more talking, healthy snacks, more talking, gourmet dinners and wine, more talking, and sitting around a big firepit in the evening for more talking. It was a time of transparency, laughter, deeper connections and …
In recent weeks, I was immersed in watching the Olympics. Partly because I was excited to watch athletes from my country compete and shine, and partly because it was a nice diversion from the saturation of politics on the airwaves. To fill in programming gaps, we were introduced to athletes through human-interest stories—vignettes that shared …
This Sunday, we are celebrating Mother’s Day, but for some of us we approach that special day with a bit of sadness, resentment or even anger as “unmothered daughters.” We don’t post pictures of us with our mothers on Facebook, calling her the best mom in the world, and we don’t have a special celebration giving …
It’s that time of year when many women are facing the empty nest with dread and sadness. What has been a rich journey of parenthood, filled with the joys and trials of raising children, is coming to an end, and mothers feel like they will no longer have purpose in life. I know how it …
During a client session yesterday, I asked her “How do you define success?” She was stuck. The only thing she could think of was measuring it in financial terms, her productivity and the ability to provide for her family. Her challenge sparked a lengthy conversation about what success truly is, and how women are notoriously …
At a luncheon I attended recently, the keynote speaker talked about following the wide road vs. the narrow one. We are living in a wide-path world, and there is safety and comfort in walking with the majority. As long as we keep quiet, we can move along with the crowd which doesn’t really take guts. …
As we begin a new year, it is time to dream big, pray hard and expect God to do great things in your life. You are capable of anything you can imagine! The only thing standing in your way is you. My gift to you is this recording of an excerpt from Og Mandino’s “The Greatest …
A few days ago, I was looking for new and exciting ways to cook potatoes for Thanksgiving when I came across an article for a Traditional Thanksgiving on the Better Homes and Gardens website. This was the opening paragraph: This Thanksgiving meal will stun your guests when they gather around the table. Here’s how to …
Romans 12 is what “purpose” is all about! Place Your Life Before God 12 1-2 So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can …
I am blessed with a precious two-year-old granddaughter Sage, and have two grandchildren on the way in February. As I was praying for all of them during my quiet time this morning, it hit me that each one of them already has their unique life purpose woven into who they are. Even the baby boy …
Hoda Kotb, co-host of The Today Show, is coming up on her 50th birthday, and it is being celebrated in a big way! The Huffington Post has partnered with The Today Show to find 50 Over 50, inspirational stories of people who have reinvented their lives after 50. Not only have I reinvented my own …
I was speaking at a ladies’ brunch last week, and my topic was “Creating Your Legacy,” which resonates with so many midlife women. It seems that, once we reach the empty-nest, career-burnout, suddenly-single stage in life, we begin to question how we can continue to leave our mark on the world aside from our legacies …
This week I spoke at the Women of Splendor Conference, and the theme of the event was “Splash Your Splendor.” As I was preparing my presentation, I thought of how most of us spend too much time in the shallow water, dipping our toes in where it is safe, instead of diving in to the …
It has been a very long time since you have heard from me. It was not by design that I disappeared for a while, but it was necessary, You see, I have been on my own personal journey, to places that caused me to search, discover, expand and re-emerge stronger and more free than ever …
Today, I want to acknowledge the women who approach Mother’s Day with a bit of sadness, resentment or even anger as “unmothered daughters.” You won’t be posting pictures of you and your mother on Facebook, and you won’t be having a special celebration with the woman who you called “mom” growing up. If you have …
Ahhh, summer. Even as an empty-nester, I look forward to slowing down in June to re-focus and recharge. For many of us, summer includes a vacation getaway, going to a place that may bring adventure, excitement, rest, contentment and a sense of accomplishment when plans go as expected, or even better. Planning a vacation is …
This video shows the transformative power of kindness, and how words can totally change a life. What do you think?
Although this is a special day dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others, it really should be celebrated every day! And it doesn’t have to be someone who is particularly lonely–we all need a little boost, don’t we? Yesterday, I had the pleasure of being on the receiving end of some “cheering …
As I was playing with my 9-month-old granddaughter yesterday, I began thinking about July 4th and what it represents, especially for her. I thought about the Declaration of Independence and the principles our country were founded on, by a courageous group of godly men who were trying to build a nation on freedom and trust. …