• Living Well

    Why Laughter is the Best Medicine

    You’ve probably heard the saying, “Laughter is the best medicine,” but have you ever wondered why? In a world where stress and anxiety seem to tag along with you everywhere, laughter offers a natural and effective way to boost your mood and improve your health. It turns out a good laugh might be just what you need to feel a little lighter and live a little better. In this post, we’ll explore the origins of the saying ‘laughter is the best medicine,’ a biblical perspective on laughter, the science behind it, the benefits it offers, and how to incorporate more laughter into your life. Here’s why making time for laughter can be more beneficial than you might think. Where the Saying “Laughter Is the Best Medicine” Comes From The saying “laughter is the best medicine” has been around for ages, but its exact origin is a bit of a mystery. Many believe it’s closely tied to biblical wisdom, particularly Proverbs 17:22, which says, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” While the phrase itself isn’t directly in the Bible, this verse captures the heart of what it means—joy and laughter can be healing,…

  • Living Well,  Spiritual Growth

    How to Choose Your Word of the Year for 2025

    Every January, it seems like everyone is buzzing about New Year’s resolutions. We hear about ambitious goals and “new year, new me” aspirations, but for me, I’ve never quite connected with that. Life changes, sometimes unexpectedly, and it’s hard to plan for a season I’m not in. When those resolutions fall through—as they often do—there’s a sense of disappointment that’s hard to shake. I also noticed that sometimes, in trying to keep up with other people’s goals or trends, I was losing sight of what mattered most to me. Instead of feeling inspired, I found myself overwhelmed. That’s why, back in 2018, I decided to take a different approach. Instead of setting resolutions, I began the practice of choosing a Word of the Year. This simple yet powerful shift has profoundly impacted my life. Each year, I take time to reflect, pray, and ask God for guidance on what word will serve as my anchor for the year ahead. And let me tell you, it’s been transformative in ways I never expected. My Journey with a Word of the Year Let me take you back to 2018, the year I first embraced this practice. At the time, I was stepping…

  • Mental Health,  Spiritual Growth

    Overcoming Fear: 7 Ways to Find Courage with Faith

    Life is an incredible journey, but it can also be full of unexpected challenges and moments of uncertainty that can make us feel fearful. Whether you’re venturing into uncharted territory, making tough choices, or navigating relationship tensions, fear has a way of creeping in and robbing us of our peace. However, as women of faith, we are empowered to live with boldness, placing our trust in God even in the face of fear. Check out these seven practical ways for women in different stages of life to cultivate courage through their faith. Anchor Yourself in God’s Promises Scripture is filled with God’s promises that can anchor us in truth when fear tries to take over. These promises remind us that we are not alone, that God is always with us, and that He has a plan for our lives. By memorizing and meditating on these promises, you can remind yourself of God’s unwavering presence and strength in your life. Choose a few key verses that speak to your current situation and write them down on index cards or sticky notes. Place them where you will see them often, like on your bathroom mirror, car dashboard, or as the background on…

  • Living Well

    How to Create a Morning Routine for a Better Day

    Mornings can be tough. For many women, the dawn brings not just the light of a new day but also the weight of countless responsibilities and challenges. Whether it’s the relentless responsibilities of motherhood, the silent struggle with infertility, the battle against mental health challenges, or simply the daily stressors of work and relationships, starting the day on a positive note can often feel like it’s not even possible. Maybe you were up all night with a sick child, or you couldn’t sleep due to a racing mind filled with anxious thoughts. You might have woken up feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or even dreading the day ahead. Sound familiar? Now imagine a different kind of morning. A morning where you wake up feeling a sense of calm and purpose, where you have a few moments of peace before the chaos of the day begins. A morning that sets a positive tone for everything that follows, filling you with joy and energy instead of stress and fatigue. This isn’t just a fantasy—it’s entirely possible with a mindful and intentional morning routine. In this blog post, we’ll explore how you can create a morning routine for a better day tailored to your unique…

  • Living Well

    53 Easy and Budget Friendly Fall Activities for Adults

    As the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to change, there’s a buzz in the atmosphere that can only mean one thing – fall is here! It’s that time of year when I swap out my flip-flops for fuzzy socks and embrace all things cozy. Whether I’m a die-hard pumpkin spice fanatic or love the crunch of leaves beneath my boots, autumn has a little something for everyone. In this blog post, I’m excited to share some wallet-friendly fall activities for adults to make the most of this magical season. From crafting your own fall drinks to leisurely strolling through colorful foliage, this list is brimming with affordable activities. I understand the importance of cherishing every moment of fall without worrying about the cost, so I’ve handpicked a range of budget-friendly ideas that are guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. Whether you’re adventuring solo, enjoying the company of friends, or planning a family outing, there’s a wealth of ways to embrace the spirit of fall. So, don your favorite sweater and join us as we explore a world of apple pie baking, bonfire nights, and pumpkin patch adventures. With these accessible and affordable fall activities, you’ll be…

  • Living Well,  Mental Health

    How to Increase Serotonin: The Science Behind Mood-Altering Hormones

    Picture yourself standing on the edge of a cliff, feeling the cool breeze gently ruffling your hair as you look out at the vast expanse of the ocean below. The sun is hanging low in the sky, casting beautiful streaks of crimson and gold across the horizon, and for a moment, everything feels just perfect. Take a deep breath and enjoy the salty scent of the sea air, letting a sense of calm wash over you like a warm hug. In that brief moment, you’re overcome with a feeling of contentment and peace—a truly serene moment. But what if I told you that this feeling of bliss wasn’t just a product of your surroundings? What if I told you that it was actually the result of a tiny molecule being produced in your brain called serotonin. This “happiness hormone” plays a significant role in shaping your thoughts, emotions, and experiences, making our cherished memories and emotional well-being possible. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the fascinating world of serotonin and uncover its powerful influence on our mental and emotional well-being. From its impact on our mood to its role in shaping our everyday experiences, join us as we explore…

  • My Life,  Navigating Infertility

    Sneak Peek into My Journey: Preparing for Fertility Consultation

    Hi everyone, I’m finally taking a huge step in my fertility journey—I’m going to see a fertility specialist! After 4 ½ years of struggling with infertility, I’m feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. This decision has been a long time coming, and it’s taken a lot to get here. Let me share a bit of my story and how I’m preparing for this big step. Initially, I planned to see a specialist after 1 ½ years of trying, but I ended up canceling that appointment. There were a couple of reasons for this. First and foremost, seeing a fertility specialist can be very expensive, and we didn’t have the finances at that time. Instead of pursuing fertility treatments, we decided to pursue adoption, which had always been on my heart and felt like God was leading us in that direction. We wanted to focus entirely on the adoption process, preparing our hearts to bring a child into our family through adoption, so we put fertility testing on hold. Additionally, I hesitated because of a terrible experience with a doctor at a women’s health clinic. He was dismissive and rude, telling me to wait until it had been three years…

  • Mindful Motherhood,  My Life

    My Son Turns One: 10 Essential Tips for First-Time Moms

    It’s a breathtaking realization that my little boy is already celebrating his first birthday! Looking back on this past year, it’s been a whirlwind of growth, changes, and milestones. I can still vividly recall those early days when he was so tiny, fragile, and dependent on me for everything. It was a journey into the unknown, filled with nervousness and apprehension. I had never changed a diaper or held a newborn before, and the thought of making a mistake was daunting. But here we are, a year later, thriving and learning together, and I wouldn’t trade this journey for anything in the world. From the moment he was born to our everyday adventures at home, I’ve learned so much about what works best for us as a family. I want to emphasize that I’m not here to give advice, but rather to share what has worked for us. One thing that has really influenced my parenting style is attachment theory, especially the idea of secure attachment. Attachment theory, developed by psychologist John Bowlby, focuses on the bond between a child and their primary caregiver, usually the mother. This bond, nurtured during infancy, is crucial for a child’s emotional and psychological…

  • My Life,  Navigating Infertility

    9 Tested Tips for Navigating Infertility on Infertility Awareness Week

    Infertility Awareness Week is a time of reflection and support for those navigating the complexities of infertility. In this post, I share personal insights and practical tips based on my journey through infertility and adoption. From the initial realization of infertility to the profound moments of hope and joy in the adoption process, I offer guidance and encouragement for those facing similar challenges. Join me as we explore the emotional ups and downs, the unexpected twists and turns, and the unwavering hope that has carried me through my journey. 1) Describe the moment when you first realized that you might be experiencing infertility. What thoughts and emotions surfaced for you, and what made this realization particularly challenging? Around the beginning of our journey with infertility, roughly six months into our attempts to conceive, I felt a creeping sense of unease. It was quite a departure from the confidence I’d always had in my fertility. Despite having regular cycles and no known issues, the thought that infertility might be in our future blindsided me. During that time, I was hit with a whirlwind of emotions. First came disbelief, as if my body had somehow betrayed me. Then came a deep sense…

  • Living Well

    Coaching for Women: Uncover the Truth About What’s Stealing Your Joy

    Feeling Stuck and Missing Joy? Does it ever feel like everyone else has figured out the secret to happiness, and you’re just left on the sidelines, wondering why joy seems so elusive? Maybe you wake up with a sense of heaviness, feeling like something’s missing, and you’re not quite sure how to get back to that place of contentment and peace. If you’ve been struggling to find joy in your everyday life, I want you to know you’re not alone—and more importantly, there’s hope. Life can be hard, and there are seasons where joy feels distant, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. This blog is here to help you navigate the challenges that are weighing you down, offering support and practical tools to guide you back to a place of wholeness and joy. What’s Really Stealing Your Joy? There are so many factors that can quietly chip away at your joy—sometimes without you even realizing it. Whether it’s emotional pain, relationship struggles, or just the overwhelming demands of life, these obstacles can pile up, leaving you feeling disconnected and stuck. Let’s look at a few common culprits that might be stealing your joy: If any of this hits…