Don’t believe your black thoughts in the middle of the night

I just want to sleep! Some nights I have trouble turning off my spinning mind and sink into slumber after I’ve followed my usual regimen of devotions, often followed by a crossword puzzle to keep my mind from straying down a plethora of rabbit trails. NOTE: Playing games on my phone doesn’t work. Sure it numbs my mind, but it… Read More

Is less really more?

Regular, deliberate pruning brings improvement  Every year I prune my raspberry patch because overcrowded canes compete with each other for sunlight and nutrients. If I don’t, the patch produces fewer berries and smaller, poor-tasting fruit. Without pruning, shady moist conditions around dense thickets encourage fungal diseases. Pruning also results in better writing. Pare down your… Read More

Do you have a safe place to cry?

Do tears reveal weakness? Outside of physical reactions to irritants such as gnats trying to bathe on your eyeball, tears reveal strong emotion. They may be inconvenient at times–maybe when we are facing bullies or trying to convince someone that we really don’t give a flying leap what they think. But there are times when tears should… Read More