When I was a child, I designed and created this plastic-canvas nativity set for my mother. Like many nativity scenes, the figures in this set look so pristine and comfortable. But the reality was probably anything but comfortable. When we describe the Christmas story, we use special, holy-sounding words like “stable,” “swaddling clothes,” and “manger,”…
All Posts: Links and Descriptions
1. Meaning of “Journey In The Joy” This post explains the difference between joy and happiness as well as the difference between having joy in the journey and having journey in the joy: Post 1 2. Analysis Paralysis Analysis Paralysis is when you’re so stressed about saying ”the perfect thing” that you can’t say anything at all. …
Meaning of “Journey in the Joy” (2)
Why did I chose to call this blog “Journey in the Joy?” I’ve often heard the phrase “there is joy in the journey,” and I believe that with my whole heart. But additionally, I believe that when we choose joy as our reality then we reach a higher degree of joy in the journey, and…
Select Your Search
Since writing these weekly posts often makes me feel like I’m getting on my soapbox, I’ve made a point to notice how I feel when other people around me get on their soapbox. (In other words, when people share an opinion that they think would change the world if only everyone else learned about it…
Words You Live By
What words do you live by? In other words, what quotes are not only your favorite quotes but are also the words that instantly spring to your mind and become your default-mindset in moments of pressure? If you don’t already know what those words would be, now is the time to decide. Recently, podcasts by…
Deeper Honesty
Few memories stand out to me in my early childhood as much as the emotional trauma I went through on the few occasions that I lied to my parents. As a five-year-old, I remember thinking and marveling about how I felt “icky” inside after lying. At some point, I put two and two together, and…
On Strike Against Stress
“Stress is not normal. Stress is common, but it’s not normal. Joy is normal.” —Elaine Grohman, energy healer This current semester has been significantly less stressful for me than past semesters. Why? Because I had a very simple realization: Stress is the manifestation of fear. I can imagine you thinking sarcastically, “So . . ….
“Frisbee Factor” Part Two
Last week, I shared the story of the first time I played ultimate Frisbee. My Frisbee skills were so pathetic that gradually my teammates stopped trying to throw it to me. But then I secretly practiced Frisbee every day for two weeks until we met up to play again. I thought that as soon as…
“Frisbee Factor” Part One
Even when we wish someone would change, too often our perception of that person can actually be part of what prevents them from changing. A couple days ago, I had a fantastic time playing ultimate Frisbee with some awesome new friends. As we played, I had a series of flashbacks to the first ultimate Frisbee…
Healing Sleep
A high school English teacher once gave my class a prompt to write about what super-power we would want to have and why. My answer? The power to be able to go without sleep . . . and still function just fine. Don’t get me wrong, I love sleep, like any normal person, but since…