Posts: Perspective

brown home sweet home wall frame

Anchored to the Ground

Feeling at home right where we are

Jul 23, 2023

I was leaving the gym on a Wednesday afternoon, walking to my car in the parking lot when it hit me. That feeling that this is where we belong, where we’re supposed to lay down roots. “This” being the town my husband and I live in. It didn’t last very long, that pleasant, comforting feeling, but it lasted long enough for me to feel reassured in our decision to move here almost two years ago.

God Reflections Life Lessons Perspective Community

2 people from waist down wearing denim and holding paint brushes

A Divine-Filled Practice

Inviting God into the details

May 22, 2023

The fifth guy in one week showed up today to give us a quote. Seems all we’ve been doing lately is getting quotes for different services we need done around the house. Now it’s the front yard gate that needs repairing as well as our driveway, which needs a new seal coat. “Happy homeowning,” one salesman sarcastically said to me on the phone the other day.

God Gratitude Christianity Perspective

group of people walking on stairs in a building

Witnesses to Each Other’s Existing

Seeing secondhand stress in a new light

Apr 23, 2023

It happens often when I’m “out in the world.” Grocery shopping, waiting at intersections, working out at the gym, eating in restaurants. Sometimes it even seeps through my laptop screen while working with my colleagues and sitting in on video calls. It’s palpable, some days stronger than others. And I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels it. What am I referring to?

Stress Perspective Mental Health Reflections God

volcano erupting

One Pause at a Time

Learning how to recognize our default reactions

Apr 18, 2023

The argument was meaningless, as many marital arguments tend to be. One sentence became a trigger for the other, which led to defensiveness and trying to prove each other’s points. Things got taken out of context, the past was brought into the present, the words “always” and “never” got thrown around… the usual culprits.

Personal Growth Perspective Life Lessons Self-Awareness Psychology

white and red-petaled flower bud

The Imperceptible Motion Underneath

Trusting the process and pace of growth

Apr 02, 2023

Spring officially commenced a week ago, though you’d never be able to tell by looking outside. Just two days ago, it snowed again, after it had all finally melted. The streets were the epitome of a winter wonderland, every surface dusted in white. More is predicted for this week, with temperatures still in the low 40s. The dreariness of the winter sky has not lifted.

Growth Seasons Personal Growth Perspective God

data zeros and ones with a heart

A Light That Shines in the Darkness

Using technology in service of a better world

Mar 18, 2023

Lately I’m finding myself more addicted to my phone than usual. Taking it with me from room to room while walking about the house. Checking it frequently, for no reason other than boredom or a craving for distraction. It’s become more than a habit, nearing addiction, and frankly, I don’t like it.

Technology Reflections Humanity Perspective Mindset

lit white candle in a room

Way, Way Grander Than Myself

Thoughts on life’s impermanence and leaving an impact

Feb 18, 2023

It was my first shiva gathering. Thursday night, 9 pm my time, on Zoom. I had no idea what to expect. A traditional ritual of Judaism, it is a mourning period for close relatives and friends where they come by and bring food, comfort the mourner, discuss the loss, and share memories.

Spirituality Life Reflections Perspective Time

gloomy winter day with tree and building

Surprising Lessons From My First Winter in Chicago

Feb 19, 2019

Cold. That’s really the only thing I ever thought of when thinking about Chicago. The only thing that came to mind when I pictured the winters. Freezing may be more accurate. When it comes to certain states and their corresponding weather, we tend to have pretty well-established preconceived notions and judgments.

Life Lessons Perspective Chicago Seasons

black dog sitting in a baby swing at playground

Finding the Good in the Ugly of Life

Dec 05, 2016

"It would be an ugly life. But it would be punctuated with great bursts of exaltation. Which, as Gabe would say, is mostly like life, for anyone.” These were lines in a novel I just finished called The Breakdown Lane by Jacquelyn Mitchard. The book, to be honest, wasn’t my favorite but I felt compelled to finish it, devoted bookworm as I am.

Happiness Inspiration Life Perspective Beauty

woman holding white petaled flowers

A Mindset Shift that Transformed My Life

Oct 24, 2016

It was only the second week into the year-long women’s bible study. We were going to study Job. I had been looking forward to it for a while. It was a new church and I didn’t know any of the women. I saw it as a fresh start, a leap of faith. But only two weeks in and I was ready to call it quits. I wasn’t “feeling” it nor the group I was in; I have my HSP-ness to thank for that.

Change Life Lessons Perspective Mindset