“You can look at it differently.” My mother would say when I was perturbed about some interaction with a friend that had upset me. “How about assuming that your friend didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.” Then she would suggest another way to interpret the situation. “Maybe she was just unhappy because someone else hurt

I clapped my hands in delight after I set up my tree and turned the switch to see if the lights still worked this year. I was delighted at the twinkle of the lights. The lights still worked for this year.  There are so many opportunities in December to see decorations that make us smile

I’m not sure if the next generation has embraced Christmas cards as much as mine has, but regardless they remain a blessing.  Even if it is only once a year, a card from longtime friends who no longer live nearby brings delight. If it also contains a sentence or two beyond those printed on the

Sometimes, we lose track of how beneficial the attitude of thankfulness is for us.  Sometimes, we are in a situation that makes it difficult to muster up an attitude of gratitude. But if we look hard enough and ask for His help, He’ll help us recognize the blessings we have taken for granted and help

Sometimes, we lose track of how beneficial the attitude of thankfulness is for us.  Sometimes, we are in a situation that makes it difficult to muster up an attitude of gratitude. But if we look hard enough and ask for His help, He’ll help us recognize the blessings we have taken for granted and help

The children had shot up many inches. Smiles revealed spaces where teeth were missing. Grown up smiles had added a line or two. Oh, how dearly we love seeing every face. How wonderful to hug these loved, but usually far away people. If relationships are loving, the very word, reunion, fills us with pleasure. What

The phone call brought amazing, unexpected peace and joy. Who would have anticipated such grand transformations for the two of us, since the call contained some unhappy situations. There are lots of reasons which cause us to anticipate either good or bad results from different activities depending on the circumstances. Happy expectations bring us pleasure,

If relationships are loving, the very word, reunion, fills us with pleasure. What a delight we experience when we see long absent friends or family. We are so glad to feast our eyes on people we love, to soak up the sound of their voices in genuine heart to heart conversations, to bask in the

Complaints spewed across the gathering, making me think of Goldilocks and the three bears. The bears complained about everything. None of the three bears, the papa, mama, or baby bear agreed on what their complaint was. The porridge was too hot or too cold. The bed was too soft or too hard. Contentment is not

Mindfulness is a word frequently used these days by TV commentators. It seems to suggest applying our mind in a higher level of purposeful concentration at any given moment, to focus on whatever we are experiencing with a greater degree of attention or enjoyment of a certain sight, thought, or concept rather than allowing distractions