focus on what truly matters
Over the last few days, we have been dog-sitting the family dog. When she came into our lives about 10 years ago, her and I became really close. She would follow me around the house and would almost always let me hold her. I took care of her day-to-day needs, and even had a little…
Continue reading ➞ The Irony of Discipline and How to Use It to Your Advantage
I love watching videos on YouTube. I binge on them during my free time and am very guilty of spending a lot of time on the site even when I should be doing other things. My experience is probably the same as most viewers. Last Saturday night, this video caught my eye: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVA6pX7wbCQ If you…
We were out to dinner with some friends, and we started talking about work. We hadn't seen each other in a while, and were catching up. We touched on the subject of jobs, and one of our friends was very open with us. He said that even though it isn't what he wants, it pays…
In these last couple of months, I have experienced what I feel is rejection. Trying to connect with others only to sense them putting up a wall stops me in my tracks. It can make me believe that I am unwelcome and pierces my desire to continue feeding the relationship. I then turn into a…
In a binging fashion, I have been watching episodes of "Hoarders" on YouTube. I remember watching the show on TV years ago and being so amazed at how people could collect so much. I am still in awe, but I now understand that it is a disease that is usually triggered by a trauma. It…
There are a few phrases our parents mutter that, for whatever reason, stick with us. Maybe the phrases are funny, sweet, sad, or just truthful. I can remember many examples, but I choose to dwell on one my dad said that taught me a great lesson. He told me once, very simply, "Good things don't…
I have to confess that I don't like to clean, but I dislike dirt more than the action of cleaning, so, I clean. Our house is not immaculate but we do maintain it regularly. I, like I assume we all do, have a dream where I won't ever have to clean. My homemaker duties quickly…
Continue reading ➞ How to Keep Your House Clean (the Karla Edition)
In aiming for the American dream, I, like many others, had the belief that the more I had, the happier I would be. I had thoughts about success having a lot to do with numbers, specifically those that are preceded by dollar signs. I always knew that this was not true. The best things in…
For us, Christmas hits right after our wedding anniversary. On our first year we had not prepared for it at all and shopping right after such a huge event wasn't as easy as I would have expected. I want to be able to get the best gift I can for those I shop for, but…
Continue reading ➞ Karla’s Successful Christmas Shopping Guide
This past Saturday, some friends and I were doing a bible study on letting go of your past. We spoke about Joseph and how even after his brothers sold him into slavery, he was wrongfully accused of rape, and forgotten in jail, in time of hunger, he loved his brothers and helped them get grain.…
Thriving in Simplicity 