The Value of Being Present

When I was around 9 or 10 old, my Dad took me and my older brother, Danny, to the Cabarrus Creamery.  Although connected to a large ice cream factory, it was a simple store front that served excellent frozen treats directly to the public. I vividly remember the details of my banana milkshake that day. …

Mental Minimalism

The past few months, I have been on a big “minimalism” kick. If you haven’t heard this term before, it refers to the concept of only owning what you need, use, and love – and letting go of the rest. The more stuff we hold on to, the more stuff we are responsible to clean,…

Reconnecting on “Date Night”

For many couples, love has taken a beating just like the rest of things over the past year.  Now is the time to take the opportunity to reengage with your loved one and both check in with one another as well as ask some questions of each other that often get missed in the rush…

Holiday Cheer Amongst a Pandemic

Earlier this year, COVID took us all by surprise, forcing us to face unimaginable challenges and rearrange our lives. As the holiday season is upon us, we are once again faced with readjusting our traditions and expectations.  For many, the holidays used to mean gathering with loved ones, traveling, and socially connecting to spread cheer…

Gratitude Can Change your Attitude

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Thanksgiving? Pilgrims and native Americans coming together? Mountains of food at the table? Family football or naps on the couch? Or perhaps it’s even black Friday shopping! While all of these things are relatable, we often forget the true purpose behind this…

Judgment Phenomena

A few months ago, I noticed that I began to suffer from Zoom-Syndrome (I made up the name, but you know what I mean). Like many of you, I was spending most of my days staring at a glowing screen while missing the warmth of human proximity.  I was feeling lethargic and uninspired while constantly…

The Magic Ratio to Help Strengthen Your Family

Is it just me or does it feel like your house is shrinking too? As Covid-19 restrictions continue, I am hearing more and more that husbands and wives, parents, kids, and siblings are feeling stressed and compressed into spaces never meant to accommodate work, school, play, and family life all at once. For many, all…

How Can We Practice Self-Care During a Pandemic?

This pandemic has been very stressful for many people for a myriad of reasons, parents included. As a mother myself, with four kids ranging from a newborn to 12-years-old, I have found myself struggling more than any other time in my life with self-care. I have been multi-tasking homeschooling three kids, caring for a baby,…

A Guide to Grief and Loss

If you have experienced loss, you may have asked yourself, “How am I supposed to move forward?” You have likely experienced the painful reaction of grief. Grief can be explained as a gradual undoing of the psychological ties that bound you to your loved one. While losses can be diverse in nature and severity, this…