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Affluenza: The Pursuit of MoreWe all have a touch of affluenza now and then-we don't have to be bona fide shopoholics in order to still be overspending. In the end, it's an empty habit that leaves us just as unfulfilled as we felt before, except now we're that much poorer. | READ MORE
The Demise of Prince CharmingReluctantly listening with pity as newlywed girlfriends shared grievances about their husbands, I secretly assuring myself that I would never fall prey to such marital disappointment. | READ MORE
CouchsurfingBefore leaving on this journey, I jotted down my ambitions in the undertaking. Now, halfway through a thirteen-month trip around the world, I consider my goals with a new perspective. Writing from a month-long stint in the Sudan, I'm on track. | READ MORE
The “Do What You Can Plan”The "Do What You Can Plan" is exactly what it sounds like-you do what you can to achieve your goals. I was shocked that I'd actually reached my goal by doing so little. | READ MORE
My New NormalHer absence was a black hole, and I felt it keenly. Learning to walk with just one leg, even on crutches, is awkward and difficult. Learning to live without my mom was equally challenging. | READ MORE
Gifts for the Tech Nerd in Your LifeCross off your list those sweaters and shoes you were planning to buy him, and get your guy something that he really wants: tech stuff. x | READ MORE
On James Dean’s Blue JeansUnless you have a funky vintage style, an eye for fashion, or patience, patience, patience, you will find few clothing items from chain thrift stores like Salvation Army, Goodwill, etc., but your major goldmines lie in three departments: Purses, scarves, and jewelry. | READ MORE
Marathon of ForgivenessThe biggest and most important race in her life began over fifteen years ago on the day her mother died. Like many races, it began with a gunshot. But this time the gun was aimed at her mother and held by her father. | READ MORE
Your Friendship 401kWhile we're coached from the start of our career on how to bolster our 401k retirement accounts, we get a lot less training on how to do the same with our relationships. | READ MORE
ANZAC DayEvery Turk I met back in November (in Turkey), almost to a person, told me about Gallipoli. I'm ashamed to say, as a lover of both history and geography that I'd never heard of Gallipoli. Real lovers of history would sneer at me. | READ MORE
Built for CommunityI completely short-circuited. I returned home again before the snow fell, but it was months before I recovered my spirit. As it turns out, people aren't made to operate independently of each other after all. | READ MORE
A Dad’s Take on Wedding Lace
Discussing the differences between Chantilly and embroidered tulle with Dad was amusingly unexpected, but that he would be willing to engage salespersons on the matter left me speechless. | READ MORE
Discussing the differences between Chantilly and embroidered tulle with Dad was amusingly unexpected, but that he would be willing to engage salespersons on the matter left me speechless. | READ MORE
Disarming DiscontentmentDiscontentment probably creeps into every woman's life at one point or another. We have an image in our minds of what life should be like, and when we look around, we see that our reality falls short of what we imagine. | READ MORE
It’s all about RelationshipsThe concept of a teacher-student friendship is not new to me. In fact, I was friends with my 11th grade English teacher. The lessons I learned from her are now the lessons I teach to my own students. | READ MORE
Defending GraceBy looking at the list of celebrities with whom Americans are most intrigued today, it's clear that the standards to which we hold our most celebrated citizens are somewhat warped. | READ MORE
Exposed: Reflections On the Media IdealI fell into believing that I was a mere commodity gradually, during a rocky dating relationship. Even worse than his crusade to modify my image was the one to modify my behavior to match the sexually permissive Cosmo girls. | READ MORE
The Competitive Button: Restoring the BalanceAll women have a competitive button. When activated, it can bring about positive results under the right focus. In our particularly vying society, however, the competitive button can get pushed so often that it hurts the owner...and others.
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Odd Girl OutMaybe you were that girl: the girl no one wanted to sit by in the lunchroom of your elementary school. Maybe you were one of the girls at the popular table, or maybe you sat with the lonely girl so she wouldn't be so lonely. Lunchroom drama, note passing, gossip whirling-this is where female social aggression breeds. | READ MORE
The One Relationship RuleThe Rule is a life-long discipline that pays huge dividends first to dates, then to fiancées, then to spouses who then become lovers, and then to the children who delight in the legacy marriage of their parents. | READ MORE
Breakfast with FordI had taken a tour of the Gerald R. Ford Museum in elementary school, but had never returned. Through the tribute that had found its way into my Wednesday morning, I found myself being introduced to the man of whom I knew little more than name and title. | READ MORE
Passing a Moment of Clarity
Having a thankful heart is useless if it does not lend perspective to the moments when my character is pressed and the true nature of my heart is painfully visible. | READ MORE
Having a thankful heart is useless if it does not lend perspective to the moments when my character is pressed and the true nature of my heart is painfully visible. | READ MORE
Hospitality in a HurryA set table and fluffed pillows may be less important than you think. The secret to entertaining in a pinch is staying focused on what is important: people. | READ MORE
Pharmacy Phantasy PhudgeRalph considers his holiday fudge-giving as a unique opportunity to brighten someone's day. He knows most of his regulars by name, and pays extra attention to those who are having an especially rough time in their personal lives. | READ MORE
The Power of NiceThaler Group into one of the most successful advertising firms in the country. On their journey to the top, they've learned that treating others well is actually the fastest way to climb the corporate ladder. | READ MORE
The Right Words Do MatterThe words we say surface from the deepest part of our being. It's not a matter of just saying the right words but of reflecting what's really on our heart: brokenness, repentance, humility. We need to pay attention to our words so they can be the best representation of our repentance. | READ MORE
Laura’s WelcomeZIA is a place where we wrestle with the everyday life issues in a way that engages the desire to live beyond ourselves. ZIA challenges us to start with where we are, add a little spice, mix it up a bit and celebrate the end result. | READ MORE
Writing a La CarteI have a confession to make. Christmas cards terrify me. That might not seem like such a big deal, except that I'm a professional greeting card writer. Here are some tidbits as simple ways to fill in your Christmas cards a la carte. | READ MORE
Beyond “Thank You”For parents, the Christmas season might feel like a crash course in the art of gift giving and receiving. There's no other time of the year with as much emotion charging the air as the stretch from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day. But even amidst the hustle and bustle of the season, we need to take some time to teach our children how to be grateful givers and receivers of gifts. | READ MORE
Developing a Personal Style: A Prolegomena to the Real DealI wore this little number on my boyfriend’s and my first date, and I give it all the credit for bringing us together. It enchanted him. It’s magnetic. Strangers run at me and try to rip it off my body. | READ MORE
The Pregnancy Test: A Journey of Friendship and InfertilityWe could both feel the tension. But we knew we needed to talk about it. I think that's one of the best things we did. It would have been so easy to avoid it. But we decided that it was important for our friendship to face the situation head on. | READ MORE
Having Your Clothes and Eating TooAs a fashion enthusiast, I've figured out a few tricks for adding personality and class to my wardrobe while maintaining a good credit rating. | READ MORE
Christmas at Ft. DrumEvery day of deployment is long and challenging, but family holidays bring the loneliness into focus. The normally dull ache takes on a sharper edge. She just wants the days to pass quickly, to bring next August to the front of her calendar with greater speed. Next year, she will celebrate and decorate lavishly and rejoice in the season. Next year will be wonderful. | READ MORE
Celebrate in StyleDressing for the holidays can be meaningful and even fun. With a little preparation before you hit the holiday clothes racks, or just a few good ideas in revamping your favorite black dress, you'll be ready to enjoy the festivities in style. | READ MORE
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