We all go through seasons when we feel stuck. Maybe life isn’t going the way we want it to and we need some encouragement. Perhaps you feel like your creativity has been taken away and for the life of you, you can’t come up with a fresh idea to save your life. Or, maybe you have a list of things you’ve been needing to get around to and you just haven’t been able to make yourself do it. In the meantime the to-do list backs up more, and more, making it even more difficult to get started! I’ve experienced all of those things at one point or another and the following is my prescription, if you will, of books that can help inspire us when we need a little nudge!
The Next Right Thing by Emily P. Freeman
We face on average more than 35,000 decisions to make every single day—that’s a lot! No wonder many of us suffer from decision fatigue and by the end of the day we end up zoning out in front of the TV. It’s hard enough to make the mundane decisions in life but when it comes to making bigger decisions—whether to move to a different area or stay put, whether to look for a new job or continue working one we don’t love, we usually put these decisions off. Emily admits to being a chronic over-thinker and a person who has always struggled to make decisions. In The Next Right Thing, Ms. Freeman sets forth a simple, biblical framework that has helped her (and now me) make decisions. Sometimes we don’t have to have the whole journey figured out in front of us, sometimes we need to just take the step of doing the next right thing that we can see to do. Then the next right thing, and the next.
The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp
So often we look at constraints that are put on us as hindrances to our creativity instead of looking at these obstacles as tools that can help inspire our creativity. Ms. Tharp, in her career as a well-known choreographer, gives various examples throughout the book of instances when obstacles such as a tight budget or a really short deadline, forced her to buckle down and look for ways to make do. You may not think of yourself as a creative person but we all have to use creativity in our lives, from day-to-day problem solving, to coming up with innovative solutions at work. This book gives examples of how obstacles were overcome as well as exercises you can do to get your creativity flowing!
13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do by Amy Morin
Do you waste time feeling sorry for yourself? What about worrying about pleasing others all of the time? Do you resent the success of others? These topics as well as 10 others make of the substance of this book. Ms. Morin, a psychology professor and psychotherapist, lost her new husband at a very young age; she then had to figure out how to cope with a life she had never imagined. That experience combined with training as a therapist led her to study what the thought habits are of people who have overcome devastating obstacles in their lives. You may not have any huge obstacles, such as a spouse dying shortly after you had gotten married, but we all have obstacles that we face on a daily basis and this book gives tangible tools of how you can start working through some of these mindset blocks.
168 Hours by Laura Vanderkam
Would you like to take that class in the evenings? Finish organizing your basement? Read that great work of literature but just feel as though you don’t have the time? Not having time is one of our most often used excuses of why we don’t do things. But we do have time. Through lots of research Ms. Vanderkam sheds light on where we usually spend our time, ways we can save time, things we might not think of to batch or outsource. Nothing gets me all excited like a good time management book (I know, I’m a little pathetic) and I loved the analytical look that this book took to examining where our time goes, and how we can reclaim it to do the things that are most important to us.
Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubin
While time management books might be the most enthralling thing for me to read, books on habit are right up there with it! In Better than Before Ms. Rubin takes us along her journey to develop new, better habits. We might not be perfect after developing these habits, but we will be better than before! I have a whole post on some of the habit books I’ve read (check out that post here: How to Create Better Habits in 2022) but Better than Before remains one of my favorites for its tangible takeaways and the overview Ms. Rubin offers of many of the different ways to instill a new habit and what methods worked best for her.
I hope these books help to motivate you and inspire you to take the action you’ve been putting off taking in your life, as they motivated me! By being judicious with how we spend our time, taking control of our thoughts, and not overthinking some of our day-to-day decisions we can stop wasting time, and put our efforts into what really matters to us in life, and start becoming the people that God created us to be!
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.
James 1:10 NIV
I am not an adventurous soul—nor was I an adventurous teenager. You can read “not adventurous” and translate it to mean boring; that is completely accurate! Therefore, it was with more than a little trepidation that I entered Kings Island Amusement Park with my parents as a young teenager. I was excited about the roller coasters—as long as they did not go upside down, or hang me dangling with just a harness between me and my assured death should the electronics/software/mechanics all decide to malfunction at once. As you can see, this was promising to be one fun day with a teenager who didn’t want to try any of the exciting rides.
They claim it wasn’t but I think all of this was thought through by my parents, especially my dad, that when we entered the park he looked at one of the big attraction rides to our left and said, “Hey that line is short let’s start there!” and proceeded to drag us over to the Drop Tower. The Drop Tower is a 280-foot tall tower that, as you sit foolishly strapped into a seat and your feet are slowly separated from the earth, hulls you and 49 other people up, up, up! They strap you in so you don’t realize how ridiculous you were to get on the ride and try to jump off once you realize that you’re already pretty far off the ground and that you still have a long, long way to go before the top!
I sat watching the ground disappear, listening to my father happily chatting away about how far we could see being up this high—maybe he could but my eyes were closed!! When you finally reach the top you hear the machine that dragged you up release, but you don’t drop immediately—oh no, you hang there for a bit. In case you should ever be silly enough to want to experience this, I won’t tell you for how long they keep you suspended well above the tree line, but suffice it to say it is just long enough that you start to relax, just a teensy bit. Then you drop. My mom said she screamed so long she had to take a second breath and scream again. Personally, I couldn’t breathe in a second time on the rush down and so one long scream, possibly the last one of my life was all I could muster before we came to a stop, completely unscathed at the bottom of the ride. I had survived! I couldn’t wait to do it again!
As we waited in line a second time, I asked Dad if he had screamed—he said no. Incredibly, I quizzed him on how such a phenomenon could take place. He patiently explained that if you relax and focus on staying calm then you can let your legs float up and you enjoy the wind rushing past your ears. I thought he was crazy (which was what I thought most of the time in those years) but determined I would try it the second time around. I did and he was right; it was also way less thrilling but rather was a more relaxing, enjoyable, kind of ride. I was thinking about this experience when I realized that this is yet another metaphor for what happens in our life of faith.
So often we are tightly gripping, our bodies rigidly holding on to people, money, circumstances, control—you name it! We hold onto the thing we are so scared of releasing because we don’t know what will happen, but if we keep clenching then we will stay in control, or so we think. By not surrendering to God, we exhaust ourselves trying to keep the thing out of His hand and in our own hands.
When we surrender though, we can experience the peace we were missing out on. Our ride may not be smooth, but instead of being terrified and exhausted, we can rest in Him knowing that He is holding us. The peace that comes with this kind of surrender is nothing that we can provide ourselves outside of Him.
Corrie Ten Boom said, “Hold everything in your hands lightly, otherwise it hurts when God pries your fingers open..” What are you holding tightly today? What circumstances are you trying to prevent through your human strength? He is waiting, ready to give you rest if you will only surrender to Him.
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Unless you have unlimited time and wealth you probably want to add at least a few elements of classic style to your home—why? I’m so glad you asked…
Why Add Classic Elements to Your Home?
Why would you want to add classic decor elements to your home? To make your home timeless. You may not identify as someone who has or desires classic style; maybe your style is more Boho or Eclectic —that’s fine! Many Eclectic or Bohemian-style homes have several overarching classic elements to them. By adding a few classic elements to your home, you will save yourself the headache of feeling the need to switch everything out every few years. Some classic elements are big things that will save you money in the long run and some are small things you can add today to help tweak your home’s decor.
Light Walls
Deep, saturated, wall colors are in right now but they will come and go. Painting your walls white (the most classic option) or a light gray, cream, or beige are always safe options—just keep it light, and not too yellow if you go the beige route. Light walls also give you a blank canvas to work off of as far as the rest of your decor goes.
White Kitchen
Yes, I know, you think I’m biased because I have a white kitchen, but listen—if you look through magazines from years ago or from today you are going to come across a white kitchen. White kitchens may not be hot, hot, hot at the moment but how do you think the pendulum is going to swing after all these dark, moody kitchens have had their time in the limelight? A white kitchen is a classic. Another option is a wooden kitchen, but use extreme caution when choosing your cabinets. I personally would go with a medium tone, plain front, or very simple door if you are choosing a wooden cabinet option. Trending wood tones change every few years, but a classic wooden finish has some staying power. But I still think white is the safest option. 😉
Your Sofa
Velvet, pattern, stripes—these are fun options! But if you choose a big ticket item like a sofa, choose one in a gray or cream color for maximum staying power. Add color or a fun pattern in throw pillows, blankets, or even an accent chair if you so desire. These are way cheaper to switch out in several years than a couch.
Vintage
You’ve heard me say it before and I will say it again—adding vintage and antique pieces to your home will add classic elements to your home and make it timeless. There is a lot of vintage furniture out there to be had for a song! Go, have fun searching for it! And that console table your great aunt was trying to pawn off on you last week, call her back and tell her you’ll take it. And never underestimate what a coat of paint can do! After all, if someone walks into your home and can’t tell what year it is based on your decor—that is a very good thing!
Plants
Once again look through magazines from times gone by—what do you see in each room? I’ll bet that you see some green! Plants are a great way to add life, and a classic touch to any room. Check out my post, Plants that Even I Have Kept Alive, for some hardy options if you were not born with a green thumb.
Artwork
Are you a collector of art? Do you have lots of paintings and vintage art that you don’t know where to display? Adding art to your home is another great way to add classic style to your home. A gallery wall is a great way to do this, although it can be hard to nail (see what I did there?), to get it just right. If you aren’t quite brave enough to try a gallery wall, try leaning and layering art on your mantel, the top of a china cabinet, a piano, or on a floating shelf.
Candles and Candlesticks
Candles and candlesticks are another classic element, one that you can add quite easily and cheaply to your décor. Add some candle sticks to a vignette, tucked away in your china cabinet, or in the centerpiece of your table. Don’t forget to light a candle, the scent of which you enjoy while you are doing some cooking. Take advantage of mundane tasks to turn them into something special.
Curtains and Window Coverings
If you live in a place where you don’t have close neighbors, don’t feel the need to cover your windows with curtains! Curtains are not actually made to be drawn—maybe a few of the custom-made, heavily lined curtains were, but not the cute ones you bought off of Wayfair or from Home Goods. The purpose of these curtains is merely to add depth and warmth to your home. To actually block out the light, you want shades. There are a variety of options for shades today and you can find some really sleek options that look like part of the wood frame of your window so that when your shades aren’t drawn, you don’t even know that they are there.
As far as curtains go, if you want a genuinely timeless option go with white, or a very, very light neutral. Personally, expensive curtains are not something I would spend a lot on because they are such a fun, easy element to switch up!
I hope if you are struggling to add a touch of classic style to your home, or are debating about how to redo a part of your home, that this helps give you some food for thought and some fresh ideas to start playing and enjoying your home!
He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.
James 1:18 NLT
A while ago my husband and I were enjoying dinner at our house with one of my husband’s friends when he asked a question I didn’t know how to answer. Partway through dinner our friend looked over at our china cabinet and asked about the three different sets of family china I have displayed. I told him the short story. There are three sets of china: one from my paternal grandmother, one from my maternal grandmother, and one from my maternal great grandmother. Since I only ever knew my paternal grandmother, these dishes form a connection between me and the grandmothers I never knew.
Our friend commented on how china was one of the prized possessions of the previous generations and I agreed. I was thinking about how my grandmother had told me about picking out her china pattern on her 20th wedding anniversary. Our friend asked, “What do you think is the china of our generation?” What is the possession that we toil after, work for, and cherish? What a great question, and a perplexing one…
I have given this matter some thought and I don’t know that my generation has one concrete thing that is our “china.” I think my generation’s prized possession is simply more. We want more. We want more money, more fame, more experiences, bigger houses, new electronics—we have become gluttons for more. If pressed for one item that I would say my generation prizes, I would say electronics—our computers and phones.
I look at the degradation that the past two generations have seen—while it’s true that there is nothing inherently noble about the collection of china, there was still something about my grandmother smiling as she told me about how she waited while they worked and saved for the nice set of china. There is something heartwarming about how she looked forward to passing it down to a younger generation that she hoped would use and enjoy it. What is my generation’s prized possession? Do we plan on passing down anything? We rush for the newest and latest thing and indeed, our electronics only last for a few years before becoming totally obsolete. We have wrapped ourselves up in a frenzy of pursuing things that will hardly bring any lasting joy because they themselves don’t last. Yet many of us rush and work for what? Richard Foster observed, “In contemporary society our Adversary majors in three things: noise, hurry, and crowds. If he can keep us engaged in ‘muchness’, and ‘manyness’ he will rest satisfied.” We aren’t sure but we know we want “more” than this. More than our parents, and more than our grandparents.
What a trap we have fallen into—when more is our pursuit, there will always be more to aspire to. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t aspire to use our gifts well, it is our duty to use the well, but when our focus is always on achieving the bigger thing, we can never be content where we are. And when our focus is on things, we miss the people who really matter. We miss the relationships that really matter, including our relationship with God.
James 1:18 says that we are God’s prized possession—out of all creation He loves us best. How many of us live like that? How many of us love God best, and our fellow humans second best? How many families are torn apart due to the pursuit of more—more credentials, more money, more fun, more happiness when the life we have achieved hasn’t brought with it the “happiness” we thought it would? Patience, kindness, self-control—these are the virtues we would be better off chasing. Finding joy in using our God-given abilities—that would light us up! We would feel more fulfilled if we would pour more time and energy into the people in our lives, taking care of relationships. That is a good use of time. We must keep an eye on what our eventual earthly goals are as we keep Christ in the forefront of our lives, that is what the Bible says comprises a well-lived life, living for Christ and others rather than the pursuits of our flesh.
While I will always cherish my family china, I want it to serve as a reminder, not of the stuff my ancestors amassed while on this earth, but of the values and relationships that have enriched my life thus far. What about you? What possessions do you hold dearest and why?
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This is the story of Albert Einstein’s first wife, Mileva Maric. Mileva was a brilliant physicist in her own rights—she was the only woman studying physics at Zurich’s Polytechnic at a time when it was almost unheard of for women to go to college, let alone one as prestigious as the Polytechnic. While studying there Mileva met Albert and their courtship began. What is the real story of this woman who history has all but forgotten? Did she make her own meaningful contributions to science or did she give up her ambitions to be a wife and mother instead? These are the questions that make up the substance of this book. I found it to be a very captivating read!
Code Name Helen by Ariel Lawhorn
This is a truly fascinating read about Nancy Wake who was known by the Gestapo as the White Mouse. She continuously manages to evade the Gestapo. This “White Mouse” was an amazing lady. Not only did she become an influential leader in the French Resistance but she also completed a number of successful missions smuggling people over the border and to safety. She was known to wear bright red lipstick and curse worse than a sailor. Let me announce here there was tons of swearing in the book. I wasn’t a fan of it, however it is true to her character and I don’t believe in editing out the parts of people we don’t like so I decided to forgive the vulgar language in order to learn more about this brave woman who made such a contribution to the allies in World War II. Some parts of this book where the author, Ms Lawhorn, accurately describes the horrors of war are rough, but so is war—reader be warned! I highly recommend this book, it will keep you on the edge of your seat!
Accidental Empress by Allison Pataki
I didn’t know anything about Empress Elizabeth (SiSi) of Austria. Elizabeth ascended the Austrian throne during a very turbulent time in European history and was known for her outrageous beauty routines and for earning the respect of the people she presided over. There was a lot more to this Empress than just her renowned beauty. We know that the lives of the princesses we dreamt about as children were never as easy as we imagined—such was the case for Elizabeth (Sisi) of Austria. As a child Sisi enjoyed a great deal of freedom growing up as the doted upon daughter of a relatively inconsequential duke. All of that changed for Elizabeth when she accompanied her sister to the Austrian court. Elizabeth’s sister was intended to wed the emperor, Franz Joseph. However, upon arrival it was not her sister, but rather Elizabeth herself, who stole the affection of the Emperor quite without intending to. In less than a year Sisi had to prepare herself for life at court. The story of how she managed, not only to prepare for life at court but also how she managed court life, is told within the pages of this fictionalized account of Elizabeth’s life.
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