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You Can Be Passionate About Politics without Being a Jerk (And You Should – Here’s How)
I’m not sure about you, but in the months leading up to the last presidential election, and in the time since, I have been continually floored at how rude, tactless and malicious the state of political discussion in America has become. It was so bad during the election season that I chose to remain silent…
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6 Tips to Make Cold Calling More Successful and Enjoyable
At the time of this writing, I am not sure which I naturally prefer: making cold calls or getting stabbed by my cat’s claws. The relative bliss of 20 simultaneous acute flesh wounds might top the list though. I’ll have to get back to you on that. Regardless of my preference, the cat-inflicted lacerations, unfortunately,…
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How I Kicked My Sugar Addiction: An Ongoing Victory Story
I’ve been a sweets enthusiast since I was a small child. This is a tale of how I kicked my sugar addiction. Growing up, my mom would often refer to me as her “little sugar addict.” That was usually when I was either stuffing my mouth full of cookies or complaining about the limit of…
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My Personal Commitments for 2017 & Beyond
This post is instead of publishing New Year’s Resolutions. I’m not talking about over-achieving early resolutions for 2018. I’m talking about for the year that is now three-quarters over. Try not to laugh at me. OK, fine, go ahead. As a human, I wallow in the same problem that many of us do: not sticking…
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A Mother’s Day Tribute to My Mom (Vive)
For Mother’s Day this year, I decided to honor my dear mother with more than just a few words scratched onto a card, or a Facebook post that fades into oblivion after a few hours. Though I may do those things too. 🙂 Before I get too far, I should clarify that “Vive” is her…
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The Glorious Message of Easter
It has been said that Easter is the most significant holiday. I agree. It is, after all, one of the two occasions during the year when more people than ever walk through the doors of a church, then leave and don’t return again until Christmas. But why? For the born again Christ-follower, Easter means a…
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Why I Go To Church Every Sunday
Published: 2/12/17. Updated: 2/27/21. When it comes to church, I’ll admit: I’m a lifer. A lifer in the sense that I’ve gone my whole life, and also in that I plan to attend for the rest of my life. As long as I am physically able. As to the first part of that, I wasn’t…
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Understanding Introverts: A lesser known fact or two
Ever get frustrated with the people in your life who are slower to react verbally or seem to be less excited about being social? It is likely they are introverts, and their behavior comes naturally and honestly. Here is a look at what makes introverts tick.
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3 Lifehacks to Greater Productivity
I recently had an idea that transformed my accomplishments. Or at least my perceptions of my accomplishments, which, if I’m being honest, is almost as important as my accomplishments themselves. Sort of. For a quick back story, my entire working adulthood has been plagued by a little thing called the “to-do list”. Maybe you’re familiar…
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What is the Christmas Spirit Anyway?
Hint: It’s not about Bing Crosby or Barry Manilow. Although they can help. Yes, even Manilow. 🙂 Christmas is almost here, ready or not. Can I get a show of hands? Who else besides me is in the “not” ready category 99.2% of the time? Who am I kidding? It’s 100%. Christmas happens at the…
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“Use your words”: Revisiting St. Francis of Assisi
Francis of Assisi is often credited with saying, “Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words when necessary.” I’ve heard it cited dozens of times. Maybe you have as well. As I did more research, I discovered that it may not, in fact be an actual quote of St. Francis. Whether it is or isn’t…
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Finding the Christmas Spirit
Is finding the Christmas spirit difficult for you like it can be for me? It is becoming a yearly struggle. Each year I slip further into adulthood, it seems harder and harder to get into or find, “the Christmas spirit” when the calendar hits December 1. I’m not even talking about the going-through-the-motions “Christmas spirit”;…
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Happy Independence Day! (A Bittersweet Fourth of July Greeting)
Happy Fourth of July! It is only appropriate to start an Independence Day post with those words, or something similar. The “wet blanket” portion of this post is what follows. While the wish is sincere (why wouldn’t I want you to have a great Fourth, after all?), it is a qualified greeting. That is because…
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A (tepid) Reunion with My Stolen Pathfinder
A drama that began 27 days ago, on November 15, 2013, came to a close on Wednesday. My stolen Nissan Pathfinder is now back in my possession after nearly a month. The reunion comes with mixed feelings. I’ll recap the story from the top for those who are interested. It was a beautiful Friday morning.…
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30 Days of Thanks – in one
The “30 Days of Thanks” or whatever it’s called has been quite popular on Facebook the last few years. Starting on November 1, the participant posts one thing for which he or she is thankful each day during the month of November. It’s a great concept, cataloging one’s blessings. I have enjoyed reading the outbursts…
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Things I Can’t Do Without
By special request, in light of a previous post, I am following up with the antithesis of my last post’s negativity (Things I Could Do Without). So here it is, things I can’t do without. When it comes right down to it, the list of things I can’t do without is pretty short, but I’ll…
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Things I could do without
What are some things you could do without? Not to complain, just some things that make you think, “You know what? If those things didn’t exist, I wouldn’t mind!” There are many things I could do without, so I figured it was high time I made a partial list. A complete list would be nearly…
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No, Google, you may not have my phone number
For years it seems, every time I log into gmail (or any of the other internet-based email providers: yahoo, hotmail, etc), they ask for my phone number so I can have the assurance of never losing access to my account. Pffft. Like I’m going to give you my phone number, Google. You know everything there…
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The Cure for Jealousy
I’ve discovered the cure for jealousy. Not that I should take credit for it, because it’s been around a long time. But I discovered it, and it’s made a world of difference in my life. The catch is, that it’s only applicable to those who hold the Bible as authoritative, i.e., hold it to be…
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Christmas Spirit Meaning (Warming a Cold Heart)
I’ll admit it. I didn’t feel … it. It just wasn’t there—the Christmas spirit. The Christmas spirit meaning was there, but the feeling was lacking. Isn’t it supposed to turn on the day after Thanksgiving automatically? You know, when it’s ok to start decorating, and overzealous radio stations hijack their regular programming for 100% Christmas…