Positive Living - Guideposts

Willing to Be Blessed in New York City

Brett Leveridge — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 20:10:32 +0000

On a weekday afternoon some years ago, I was sitting alone in my small one-bedroom apartment on Manhattan’s west side when someone buzzed me from downstairs. As I wasn’t expecting a visitor, I assumed it was the postman seeking admission to the building. I made my way over to the front door of my flat and pressed the button on the intercom.

“Yes?”

“Hello. I work for the television show Law & Order. We’re doing some location scouting for some interior scenes, and I wonder if you might be willing to let me see your apartment.”

Here was an unexpected request. I live on a lovely block in a historic district, so quite a bit of filming does take place in my neighborhood, but it certainly never occurred to me that someone might consider my humble abode as a location for a TV drama.

I buzzed the man in, and after we introduced ourselves at my front door, I stepped aside to allow him to enter. As he looked around, my mind began to race, thinking of what it might mean if my apartment was chosen for filming.

I had been laid off from my position at an e-commerce company some months before, and I hadn’t yet had any luck finding a new job. I’d once read that TV shows and movies paid generously to use private homes for filming. That money would certainly come in handy, as my unemployment insurance was winding down. It all felt serendipitous, even miraculous.

My reverie was abruptly interrupted when my visitor received a call on his cell. After chatting quietly for a few moments, he turned to me and said, “I’m sorry to have bothered you. My colleague found an apartment down the street that suits our purposes, and it looks as if we’ll be filming there.”

Was I disappointed? Yes, of course, but I also felt oddly heartened by the near miss. I was reminded that blessings are often bestowed just when they’re needed most. In this case, the blessing wasn’t that I would be compensated for the use of my apartment. It was being reminded that blessings large and small await us, though we can’t always guess when or where they will present themselves. But they are there for us, and we must endeavor to remain open to receiving them.

As E. B. White wrote in 1949, “No one should come to New York to live unless he is willing to be lucky.” White might just as well have phrased it “willing to be blessed,” and the sentiment is true no matter where one resides.

The post Willing to Be Blessed in New York City appeared first on Guideposts.

Therapy Brings Healing and an Answered Prayer

Tonya May Avent — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 15:14:52 +0000

I sat in my car at the school bus stop, waiting for my 14-year-old daughter, my heart racing with anxiety. “God, please let Kennedi be on that bus,” I whispered.

That morning, when I dropped her off at the bus stop, she stormed out of the car, shouting tearfully, “I hate my life, and you just don’t understand! I’m not coming home after school!”

It had been like that for weeks. All of a sudden, my considerate and high-achieving daughter was talking back to my husband, Kenny, and me. Being dishonest. Telling me she hated her life and thought I was a terrible mom.

The changes started after Christmas break, when volleyball season was over and she fell in with a new group of friends. Seemingly overnight, my 14 years of hard work as a parent went out the window. I prayed. Doubled down on rules. Begged Kennedi to tell me what was going on.

“You don’t understand anything about me!” she shouted during one of our many confrontations.

She was right about that.

I had worked so hard to be a perfect parent. Even before Kennedi was born, I was reading parenting books and thinking ahead. Rocking her to sleep one evening when she was a baby, I had felt her little back arch as she yawned and stretched out her arm toward me.

“I love you, my sweet girl,” I’d said, kissing her forehead. I wanted the best for my daughter, whatever it took.

I’d felt the same love three years later, when Kennedi’s little sister, Kassadi, was born. Kenny and I were intentional about everything. What our family ate. How much sleep and exercise the girls got.

We took them to church, read stories from their children’s Bible and taught them how to pray. We took the book of Proverbs seriously: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”

By the time Kennedi was in middle school, I thought we were a model family. Our girls earned good grades, won medals at track meets and were growing in their faith.

Granted, I did a lot of nagging and fussing behind closed doors. But there was nothing wrong with having high standards and presenting your best self to the world. I took the same approach in my corporate career.

The summer before high school, Kennedi had suffered a serious running injury and had to quit track. She was depressed, but I thought she’d bounced back after joining the school volleyball team in the fall.

Obviously, I was wrong. I didn’t know where to turn. When I was growing up, mental health and behavioral issues simply weren’t talked about. They were considered a sign of weakness and swept under the rug.

I had no intention of taking Kennedi to see a therapist. I didn’t need everyone knowing about my family’s problems. Besides, weren’t prayer and adherence to discipline enough?

“God, I need a solution,” I whispered at the bus stop.

Kennedi came home that day, looking as miserable as ever. She didn’t say a word to me on the drive home.

It was the same thing every day. My anxiety was going through the roof. And Kennedi wasn’t the only one stressing me out.

Nearly a year earlier, before Kennedi’s track injury and any hint of trouble, Kenny and I had offered to help some acquaintances who’d adopted a child named Naomi from Ethiopia. Naomi, who was now 13, had endured a difficult upbringing and was having trouble acclimating to life in the United States.

Kenny and I had said Naomi could live with our family until she felt ready to return to her adoptive parents. We thought being in a stable, church-going African American family might help her bridge the gap with her new environment.

It didn’t take long for me to realize how unprepared I was for the ramifications of our altruistic gesture. Naomi had serious mental health issues. She was being helped by a social worker, a therapist and a psychiatrist. Before she even arrived at our house, we’d received a thick file with her mental health records, including a list of medications and all sorts of other things to coordinate.

Naomi moved in just a few weeks after Kennedi started acting out. I had to find a therapist and psychiatrist for Naomi; we lived two hours from her previous providers. A therapist who attended our church gave me recommendations.

One, an art therapist, bonded with Naomi right away. I was amazed at how quickly this woman was able to draw Naomi out of her shell with art projects and gentle, compassionate conversation.

After more research, I also made an appointment with a psychiatrist at a children’s hospital in Philadelphia. I was nervous the day of the appointment as Naomi and I stepped from the elevator and approached the behavioral health unit. I envisioned a chaotic place full of uncontrollable children.

We stepped into a quiet, pleasant waiting room with magazines on a table and parents and teens checking their phones or reading. I felt guilty about my expectations. Typical mental health stereotypes. What other misconceptions did I have?

As with the art therapist, I was floored by the psychiatrist’s ability to get Naomi talking. She probed deeper in a half hour than Naomi had gone the entire time I’d known her.

I didn’t always sit in on Naomi’s appointments, so I didn’t know everything her providers said. Still, Naomi invariably emerged from her sessions a little calmer and more grounded. I wished I could have the same effect on Kennedi.

A month after Naomi arrived, I got a phone call from Kennedi’s school. She had violated the school’s code of conduct. She was suspended, and I had to come pick her up.

Kennedi holed up in her room. I sat with my head in my hands, at a loss for what to do. Kenny was away at a game with the high school basketball team he coaches. I was on my own.

Should I storm in and read Kennedi the riot act? Ground her? Try to unlock the dark feelings behind her behavior?

I thought about Naomi’s therapists. What would they recommend? And why hadn’t I sought help like that for Kennedi already? I realized my prejudices against therapy were totally unfounded. Naomi’s providers were no different from the doctors who had treated Kennedi’s running injury.

I knew what I had to do.

After talking everything through with Kenny, I took out the list of therapists I’d assembled for Naomi, found one that accepted our insurance and made an appointment.

Kenny, Kennedi and I attended that first appointment together. Just as with Naomi, the therapist seemed to know exactly how to talk to Kennedi. Within a few minutes, deep emotions were pouring out of our daughter.

“I feel depressed, Mom and Dad.”

“You’re so strict.”“

You make it seem like I have to be perfect all the time.”

“I have no freedom compared to everyone else.”

More came out. Kennedi was still devastated about her running injury. Sports had been a huge part of her identity. The injury was still affecting her when she joined the volleyball team, so she got no playing time that first season. She’d fallen for a boy, but the relationship—her first time dating—had ended abruptly.

“Sometimes I don’t even want to live,” she said. She confessed she’d cut herself a few times.

Kenny and I sat there in the therapist’s office in shock. Our daughter had been struggling, and I’d been too blinded by my perfectionism to offer genuine help. I was transported back to those evenings when I’d rocked Kennedi to sleep as a baby. All I wanted to do was gather her in my arms and say, “I love you, my sweet girl.”

The therapist gave us some tips for having more productive conversations at home and said she would see us the following week.

It took time, but things improved. I made a serious effort to stop preaching to my daughter and worked on cultivating my own fruits of the spirit, especially patience and self-control.

I learned that when Kennedi seemed moody or standoffish, the right question was “How are you feeling?” Not “Why are you talking to me like that?”

I paid attention to my daughter’s steps forward and commended her for working hard. I didn’t focus on her shortcomings and stopped obsessing over what people would think about our family.

For a while, our schedule seemed to be one therapy appointment after another. Following the death of my brother from Covid, we even found a therapist for Kassadi. She had been close to him, and grief had hit her hard.

Naomi’s mental health gradually improved until, three years after arriving at our house, she felt ready to return to her adoptive parents.

It was hard to say goodbye. I reassured myself that she was only two hours away and we could visit often. Her mother texted regularly with updates. Naomi joined her new school’s cross-country team, earned good grades and found a circle of friends.

Each time a photo of Naomi’s smiling face arrived on my phone, I responded with my own smile and a whispered “Thank you.”

Naomi’s arrival sure hadn’t felt like an answer to my desperate prayers. God, of course, knew better.

Turns out, we all had a lot to learn, me especially. I know now that caring for a child’s mental health is an important part of “training her up in the way she should go.”

Kennedi graduated high school with honors and now studies public health in college. She’s a mental health advocate. She shares her experiences and encourages others to seek help when they need it. I do the same with parents I meet. I hope I can spare others the shame and helplessness I felt.

Kennedi, Kassadi and Naomi continue to meet with therapists regularly to stay on top of their mental health. It’s not quite how I envisioned things all those years ago when I planned out a perfect future for my girls.

Yet I want the best for them, and that means seeking help when needed, whether from pastors, doctors or therapists. And God, of course. Like all parents, I don’t always know what’s best for my daughters. But God does. The more I trust him, the more I become the mom I always wanted to be.

For more inspiring stories, subscribe to Guideposts magazine.

The post Therapy Brings Healing and an Answered Prayer appeared first on Guideposts.

Positive Thinker: Al Roker, Today Show Weatherman, Journalist, Author

Celeste McCauley — Wed, 10 May 2023 16:09:35 +0000

The best advice you’ve ever gotten
It was from Willard Scott. The first thing he said was, “Always be yourself. People can do whatever they want, but they can’t take that from you. Everybody wants to be somebody else; just be you.”

And the other one was, “Never give up your day job.” People always have these side hustles, and that’s great, but remember where you really make your money and where you find the most joy. Willard was the king of the side hustle long before anybody used that term. He had a birthday farm. He did freelance work. But the whole time, he was either the weatherman for WRC or the weatherman at the Today show. He still did all these other things, but he never forgot that the Today show was the main gig.

The hardest thing you’ve ever done
The hardest thing was watching my kids go off to college and/or their professional lives. When you’re used to being responsible for them and then they have to go out there and be responsible for themselves, you know they’re going to make mistakes and there are going to be issues. You want to fix everything, but you can’t do that. That’s really hard.

Your real-life hero
My wife, Deborah. She has raised three kids. She’s had a demanding career. She’s got a difficult husband. (Ha!) She does it with grace and humor and a firm hand on the tiller. If it wasn’t for her, medical stuff aside, after this last medical issue that I’ve had, I don’t think I’d be here. I think between her and our daughter Leila, they really quarterbacked all that, especially Deborah. She was really kind of the liaison between all these medical folks and my care.

What you do for your spiritual well-being
I journal every day. I write down what I was grateful for that day. Sometimes it might just be a great meal. Sometimes it might be a friend stopping by. But I always like to remember, to try to end on a positive note.

Go-to place to pray or meditate
We have a house in upstate New York, and it’s by a lake. I either like walking on the lake, depending on the weather, or if it’s warm out, I like kayaking out on the lake and getting out to the middle of it and just sitting. Especially when I’m lucky enough to be out there during the week—nobody’s out with their pontoon boats or anything. It’s quiet, and you just kind of sit there.

Favorite inspirational quote
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”–Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Occupation you would pursue if not your current one
I think it would be to become an animator. When I was a kid, my dream was to be an animator for Walt Disney, which was kind of the ultimate goal. I love the idea of being able to create your own world, create characters, breathe life into them and have people kind of fall in love with them. And you can express any emotion with a drawing that imitates life.

Early riser or night owl?
Not necessarily by choice, but I’ve always been an early riser, even before I did this job. I like early rising. It’s funny, especially on the weekends, I get up a couple of hours later, but I’m still up before everybody. And depending on the season, I either light a fire and sit in front of the fireplace and have a cup of coffee, or sit on the back porch and just look out at the trees.

Favorite comfort food
Meatloaf.

Song at the top of your playlist
Elton John, “Philadelphia Freedom.” My all-time favorite song.

A surprising detail about you
I’m extremely shy.

For more inspiring stories, subscribe to Guideposts magazine.

The post Positive Thinker: Al Roker, Today Show Weatherman, Journalist, Author appeared first on Guideposts.

10 Easter Traditions (Old and New)

Kaylin Kaupish — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 15:32:13 +0000

On Easter morning, families will come together to celebrate the holiday with their favorite traditions. But do you know the origin behind all your Easter customs? Are you interested in changing things up and maybe adding a new way to celebrate. Here are 10 Easter traditions—five of our favorites and five new ones to try—so you can make the most out of Easter 2023.

Favorite Easter Traditions

Getty Images

1. Decorating Easter eggs

Decorating Easter eggs is a custom that originated as far back as the 13th century, yet it is still a popular tradition amongst families today. Eggs are associated with the Easter story because they represent beginnings and new life. Countries all over the world have their own customs. Like pysanky, the Ukrainian art of decorating Easter eggs with hot beeswax and dye. Or the Belgium custom of dying eggs with red onion skins and leaves.

With so many different styles, there really is no “right way” to decorate your eggs. When you make your own, you can use crayons, food coloring, stencils, or even paint. Decorate your eggs with images of things that bring you hope—a blooming flower, a shining sun, or your favorite animal.

Getty Images/iStockphoto

2. Easter egg hunts

After your eggs are decorated, head outside to hide them for an epic Easter egg hunt. Some historians believe this tradition dates back to the 16th century, when the priest Martin Luther organized an Easter egg hunt for his congregation. Even after so many years, churches, communities, and families still take part in this fun custom.

If you are hiding them for kids or grandkids, make a map showing where all the eggs are hidden. Encourage the kids to work together so no one feels left out. Even though this Easter tradition is geared toward kids, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it as an adult. Surprise your partner or spouse on Easter morning with your own Easter egg hunt. You can do it around the house, in the yard, or even use a map to make it a town or city-wide egg hunt.

Getty Images/iStockphoto

3. Easter baskets

The Easter tradition of Easter baskets began during medieval times when people would exchange baskets to celebrate the end of Lent. Nowadays, kids and grandkids wake up on Easter morning to find a colorful basket (perhaps from the Easter bunny) filled with decorations, candy, and toys. Keep this tradition alive within your own family by making a new and unique Easter basket every year. Consider making them not just for the kids, but also for your friends, neighbors, coworkers, or people you know who may be spending their Easter alone. This tradition is a great way to give something small and let someone know that you are thinking about them.

Getty Images

4. Attending an Easter service

On Easter Sunday, people across the country will wake up early and dress up for Easter service. Many churches host special services and events on the day, like choral concerts and festivals. If you are considering attending an Easter service, bring the whole family and then some. See if there is anyone in your life who wants to join you. Perhaps someone who does not have anyone else to go with. Make a day of it by going out for lunch after and sharing your favorite parts of the service.

If you are not attending an Easter service this year, there are plenty of ways to celebrate Easter at home. Gather the family together and try one of these traditions:

Say Easter prayers together as a family
Read an Easter devotion or a spring devotion
Share Easter Bible verses
Read the Easter story in the Bible together

Getty Images/iStockphoto

5. Attend an Easter Parade

Easter parades are a tradition that started back in the 1800s, when people would promenade (or take a leisurely walk in a populated area) after Easter services. They eventually evolved into their own events that take place on the city streets. Many classic parades also include a bonnet contest where people can show off expertly crafted bonnets and win a prize. Google to see if there is an Easter parade in your town or city and make a day of it with the whole family. There are sometimes petting zoos, magic shows, face painting, and rides.

New Easter Traditions

Getty Images

1. Have an Easter egg scavenger hunt

This year, instead of doing the usual Easter egg hunt by searching all over the house or yard, try starting a new tradition by having a family scavenger hunt. Begin with a clue that will lead the participants to the first egg. In that egg, put a clue for the next egg. Then keep going until they find the ultimate prize at the end—perhaps a treasure trove of goodies or an Easter basket. You can have the scavenger hunt lead people around the house, around the neighborhood, or even around your whole town. Pick spots that are family favorites, like a playground, a restaurant, or a school.

Couples looking for a way to make Easter special can take up this tradition as well. Make a scavenger hunt for your spouse or partner as an Easter surprise. Pick sports that are important for you both, like where you met, the spot for your first date, the first place you kissed, or the place where you got married. End the scavenger hunt with a special Easter dinner or an Easter gift.

Getty Images/iStockphoto

2. Share hope during Easter dinner

Easter dinner is a wonderful time for everyone to come together and enjoy some good food and laughs. Make the meal even more special by focusing on what this season is about: hope. Sharing what hope means to us with our loved ones can bring us closer together and help us dig deeper into the spiritual importance of this season. Here are some prompts to get you all started:

What does hope mean to you?
What brings you a sense of hope?
What are you hopeful for in the future?
How can you bring hope to others?

Getty Images

3. Have an Easter bonfire

The Easter custom of lighting a bonfire is actually an old tradition originating from Germany. It is meant to symbolize a light within darkness (like the Resurrection) and the end of the winter season. Bring this custom into your own family’s Easter celebrations. You can do this by lighting a fire pit in your backyard (be sure to check your neighborhood’s fire safety laws) or seeing if your community does a bonfire every year. As you gather around the fire, take turns reading an Easter Bible verse or quote, sharing any lessons you learned during the chilly winter months, or saying what you look forward to in the spring season.

Getty Images

4. Forgive someone

Singer Reba McEntire once said, “Easter is very important to me. It’s a second chance.” Let this season be the opportunity to give someone a second chance. Like Jesus forgiving our sins, we can embody this grace in our own Easter celebrations. Whether it’s a friend you’ve fallen out with, a coworker who bothered you, or a neighbor you never got along with, now is the time to approach life with an attitude of acceptance and mercy. Here are some ways to reach forgiveness for a past wrong:

Write down what made you sad or angry on a piece of paper. Then tear up the paper, letting it go with each tear.
Tell the person that you forgive them, whether in person or by letter.
Read Bible verses or pray about forgiveness to understand it on a deeper level.
Don’t forget that the road to forgiveness often includes forgiving ourselves as well.

Getty Images/iStockphoto

5. Do a yearly act of kindness

This is a time to remember how blessed we are. This Easter, start the tradition of being a blessing for someone else. Whether you do it for a family member, friend, acquaintance, coworker, neighbor, or a stranger, doing one act of kindness every Easter can lift your spirits and remind you what this season is all about. Here are a few tips for good deeds to do. Do them on your own, with your partner, or together as a family.

Take a meal to someone alone on Easter
Volunteer your time on Easter weekend
Organize a neighborhood Easter egg hunt
Donate to an animal shelter

The post 10 Easter Traditions (Old and New) appeared first on Guideposts.

An Unlikely Baseball MVP (Most Valuable Parent)

Rick Hamlin — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 13:57:10 +0000

Every spring, the posters appear around our uptown Manhattan neighborhood, inviting parents to sign up their kids for the Hudson Cliffs Baseball League. A fun way to spend weekends in spring, introducing kids to the joys of the game on ballfields down by the Hudson River, in view of those fabled cliffs. The league has been around for 30 years now. And guess who started it?

Me. Rick Hamlin. The guy who knows next to nothing about baseball or sports in general. The one whose most fervent prayers as a boy came when he was stuck out in right field during P.E., entreating God, “Please, please, please don’t let the ball come to me.” It would have taken a minor miracle for me to catch the thing, and even then, I’d never be able throw it into the infield.

And yet I later happened to become the father of two boys, eight-year-old Will and five-year-old Tim, both of whom were interested in the sport. Saturday mornings, I’d take Will out to the playground and we’d play ball with a few other boys and their dads. I was so glad those fathers could coach and pitch and knew the rules of the game.

I’d play catch with Will, and thanks to my weak arm, the ball would drop at his feet before he could get in position to catch it. After a few too many misses one day, he sank to the ground and said, “How am I ever going to make the major leagues?”

I wanted to tell him, “You got the wrong dad, kid.” I mean, when I’d gone to the sporting goods store, I bought him a mitt for the wrong hand. Who knew that a right-handed kid should get a mitt for his left hand? That’s how clueless I was.

Still, I wanted to find some way of giving our kids confidence on the field, a confidence I’d never had. There was an official Little League in our area, but it was super-competitive and catered to older boys. What if we had something a little more low-key, something that welcomed both boys and girls, with T-ball and softball for the younger ones?

I happened to share the idea with a couple neighbors on the playground. “That would be great!” they said, their eyes lighting up. Me and my big mouth. Now who could organize such a thing? Not me. I tried to put the idea aside, but it wouldn’t leave me.

Like Moses, I felt I was being called to do something way out of my league (no pun intended). Remember how Moses struggled to speak, exclaiming, “for I am of slow speech and of a slow tongue” (Exodus 4:10), and yet God called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt?

Okay, Rick, I told myself. You had this big idea. Now you’ve got to do something about it. One thing I could do was make a few phone calls and get information. I had to do that often enough at work as a writer and editor at Guideposts.

So I started calling the city’s parks and recreation department, explaining that there were some families uptown who wanted to start a baseball league in our neighborhood. Were there any fields we could sign up for? We’d need two ballfields, ideally down by the river, for several hours every spring weekend.

The parks and rec department bounced me around. Finally I spoke to the official who could help us. I made our request for the fields, and he asked me to call him back in a few days. I half-wondered if I was supposed to slip him an envelope of cash. No, that would never do. Not for the Hudson Cliffs Baseball League.

Now that was the sort of thing I knew how to do: Come up with names for things, like putting a title to a story I wrote. Hudson Cliffs came from the name of the neighborhood’s elementary-middle school, P.S. 187.The scariest phone call I ever made was calling that official back. What if he said no? What would I tell my boys then? I think I prayed even harder than I used to when I was out there in right field as a kid.

“Yes, we’ve got something for you,” the man said. Two verdant ballfields for four hours every Sunday morning, from early April to mid-June. That will mean missing Sunday school, I thought. Then again, we could still make the Sunday evening service.

“Wonderful,” I said to the man. “Thank you so much.”

Hudson Cliffs was launched. What a joy it was to sit on the benches behind home plate, watching Will and Tim hit the ball, run the bases…and make clutch catches in the outfield. Wow. How grateful I was for the other parents who did the coaching and refereeing. They did the hard work. As for me, I was christened “Commish” by a friend. The most unlikely baseball commissioner ever.

After several years of play, Will and Tim aged out of Hudson Cliffs. Amazingly enough, the league still goes on, these days run by the Hebrew Y.

Our now-grown sons sometimes tease me, arguing with each other about who is going to retell the Hudson Cliffs origin story at my funeral. That’s not going to happen for a long time, I hope.

Meanwhile, both Will and Tim are new dads, each with a boy of his own, and I can’t wait to see what they’ll have to do. I know better than anyone: Parenthood—like the Lord—can call you to do the most unlikely things, things you never knew you could do until you try.

For more inspiring stories, subscribe to Guideposts magazine.

The post An Unlikely Baseball MVP (Most Valuable Parent) appeared first on Guideposts.

Advice for Newlyweds from Happily Married Couples

Holly Lebowitz Rossi — Mon, 20 Mar 2023 13:44:15 +0000

While not all married couples have wonderful relationships, those who have achieved the magic of a deeply happy marriage have much to share with us. Most will admit that marital joy isn’t magic at all, but a lifelong commitment to building and sustaining a meaningful life together in ways both big and (seemingly) small. Whether you’re about to celebrate your wedding anniversary or just about to walk down the aisle, this advice for newlyweds from the happily married may make a difference in your relationship.

Telling others about your spouse’s strengths reinforces the things you most love about each other. Keith, who lives in Santa Cruz, California, gives this advice to every couple, both newlyweds and the long-time married. “Once I was in a large meeting explaining to a testy customer that if we planned correctly, we could meet their entire demand. He responded by asking me, ‘Are you telling me you have infinite capacity?’ I answered, ‘Sir, the only thing in this universe I am sure has infinite capacity is my wife’s patience.’ Everyone laughed, but I was serious. I’m fully aware every single moment of the day how thankful I am for her patience and love.”

Getty Images

7. Learn and Grow Together

Wendy and her husband, who live in West Orange, New Jersey, celebrate their 48^th anniversary this month. Her advice for newlyweds to attain long-term happiness is to cultivate a spirit of growth and learning in their relationship. “Do something surprising and adventurous together—going to a yoga retreat, whitewater rafting, taking different courses, traveling, and having other learning experiences,” she says. “One of the best things my husband and I did was to go to Omega Institute, a holistic learning center, to take workshops. He initially didn’t want to go, but later he became a big proponent, and we went maybe 10 times. We brought the kids!”

7 Bible Verses for Newlyweds:

Getty Images

I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine. —Song of Solomon 6:3
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. —Colossians 3:14
I found the one my heart loves. —Song of Solomon 3:4
Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance. —Jude 1:2
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. —Romans 12:10
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. —John 15:12
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. —Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

READ MORE ADVICE FOR NEWLYWEDS:

The post Advice for Newlyweds from Happily Married Couples appeared first on Guideposts.

10 Easter Eggs from Around the World

Ashley Lateef — Fri, 17 Mar 2023 20:06:03 +0000

Decorating Easter eggs is a tradition for many families today, but it’s a custom that originated a far back as the 13th century. Many cultures developed their unique decorating styles and Easter customs over the years. Check out some traditional Easter egg artwork from Italy, Russia, Ukraine and more along with some fun facts about each country’s traditions involving eggs. We hope these beautiful designs inspire your Easter egg designs. Enjoy!

The post 10 Easter Eggs from Around the World appeared first on Guideposts.

14 Simple Pleasures of Spring

The post 14 Simple Pleasures of Spring appeared first on Guideposts.

20 Spring Activities for Couples, Families, Kids

Kaylin Kaupish — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 16:36:19 +0000

What is it about spring that makes us want to try something new? Spring activities are a chance to turn over a new leaf and embrace our lives with a fresh sense of discovery and purpose. Whether you are a couple, a family, or trying something new on your own, committing to one of these pursuits will make this a season you won’t ever forget. Here are 20 spring activities to bring more inspiration, positivity, and meaning to your 2023 spring season.

Outdoor Spring Activities

The weather is warmer, and the sun is shining (some of the time), so grab your light jacket and head outside for some much-needed time in nature.

Getty Images/iStockphoto

1. Go on a Daily Meditative Walk

Did you know spring can be an acutely stressful season? Between spring school semesters, busy work schedules, spring cleaning, and the return of outdoor activities, it’s hard to take the time to appreciate this beautiful season. A fun spring activity to help you enjoy this time of year is a daily or weekly walk. Instead of focusing your walk on a destination or as a form of exercise (which is great) try to make your walk more of a meditative experience. Let your mind naturally wander as you wander your neighborhood. Take the time to notice your favorite parts of the spring season—like the blooming flowers, freshly green trees, buzzing bees, and the returning birds.

Getty Images

2. Play in the Rain

Even with warmer weather on the way, we still need to get through all those April showers. But don’t let the cloudy weather keep you down. Use rainy days as an excuse to have a little fun. When the weather predicts some rain, step outside instead of staying indoors. Dance in the rain, splash in some puddles, construct a boat out of leaves and watch it sail through streams of water, or grab your umbrella and go for a walk. It’s a sure way to keep your spirit up until summer days arrive. Soon you’ll find yourself more excited for rainy days than sunny ones. Just be sure to have a towel ready when you get back home.

Getty Images

3. Visit a Botanical Garden

Depending on where you live, April and May are usually the peak season to go and see some flowers. So, plan now for a trip to the best place to see all kinds of flowers and plants: a botanical garden. Simply Google the closest one to you and make a day of it. Check out their calendar for events, like walking tours, kids’ days, volunteer events, art festivals, learning workshops, and other fun spring activities. You’ll be surprised how much they have to offer. Take the whole family or go on a solo trip for some one-on-one time with nature.

Getty Images/iStockphoto

4. Go Stargazing

Warmer weather also means a chance to step outside after sunset without those biting winter temperatures. When you do go outside at night, look up. The spring night sky is filled with amazing stars, planets, and maybe even some meteor showers. If you live in a city, drive out to a more rural area for a better view. Bring a blanket, a telescope if you have one, and maybe even a little hot chocolate to keep away that lingering winter chill. Try to find some of the spring constellations, like Orion, Leo, Virgo, and the Big Dipper. Let the brilliance of the night sky fill you with a sense of awe and wonder.

Getty Images

“With your feet on the ground, you’re a bird in flight with your fist holding tight to the string of your kite,” goes the iconic song “Let’s Go Fly a Kite” from Disney’s Mary Poppins. Flying a kite is one spring activity we will never get tired of doing. According to the American Kitefliers Association, the earliest accounts of kite flying go back to China in 200 BC. Take part in this ancient pastime by grabbing your own kite and heading to the closest open field. Wait for a day when it is particularly windy—spring is the best for this—and let your wings soar through the sky.

Spring Activities for Adults and Couples

Whether you are looking for more alone time or a chance to connect with your spouse or significant other, use the spring season as a chance to try something new.

Getty Images/iStockphoto

11. Start a New Positive Micro Habit

For many people, spring is a time of renewal—starting over, trying new things, and adding better habits into their daily life. Whether your goal is to take up a new hobby, be more positive, eat better, exercise more, or even quit a bad habit, starting a new positive habit isn’t always easy. This spring, bring a new micro habit into your schedule. Micro habits (small habits that can be done within a few minutes) include anything that improves your life in a meaningful way. Examples include waking up 15 minutes earlier, starting your day with a few minutes of prayer or meditation, stretching during your workday, or making a calming cup of tea before bed.

Getty Images/iStockphoto

12. Begin Couples Journaling

Journaling before or after a busy day lets us slow down, reflect, and focus on the most important things in your life. And couples journaling is a great way to do this with your spouse. For your spring activity, take up couples journaling together. Here are some tips for how to get started:

Pick out a journal together.
Keep the journal in a place where you both have access to it.
Pick out a pen color for each of you so you know who wrote what
Give yourself some journal prompts, like “what do I love most about my spouse?” or “what am I most grateful for in our lives?”
Designate when you will each write in the journal—will you do it separately throughout the day and read it together before bed? Or maybe sit together to talk and write down your thoughts in the journal as you go?

Getty Images/iStockphoto

13. Share Your Feelings Through Bouquets

Did you know there is a language of flowers? Also called floriography, this age-old practice was popular during Victorian times as a way for people to communicate with each other through bouquets of flowers. Roberta Messner from Huntington, West Virginia received one such bouquet when she was ill and had not seen her friends in a long time. “The red carnation meant, ‘Our hearts ache for you,” she said of the bouquet they sent to her. “The daisy announced loyal love; the jaunty sunflower, adoration; the iris, faith and hope. The yellow tulip wanted to see sunshine in my smile again. The blue hyacinth recalled my constancy. The pink carnation had a few words to say about never forgetting me.”

Pick someone you’d like to send a bouquet to—your spouse, your mom, your sibling, your closest friend—and look up the different meaning behind each flower to send them a unique, heartwarming message.

Getty Images/iStockphoto

14. Start a New Reading Habit

Spring can be an opportune chance to step outside and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. And bringing a book along with you will make that outside time even more enjoyable. This spring, commit to reading more and take up a new reading habit. Reading on a regular basis can reduce stress, help with sleep, improve brain connectivity, and increase vocabulary and comprehension—all things that would be helpful to focus on during spring, with busy schedules and shifting sleep schedules from the start of daylight-saving time. Here are a few things you can do to start that new reading habit:

Make a comfortable reading spot for yourself
If you can’t commit a lot of time, go chapter by chapter
Add your reading time to your calendar so you never forget
Use a reading habits tracker like Libib, BookSloth, Goodreads or Bookly

Getty Images

15. Take Up a New Hobby

Try something new this spring by taking on a new hobby, either on your own, with your spouse, with a group of friends, or with your family. Pick something that you’ve always wanted to try, like an art craft, a sport, or even a musical instrument. Add your new hobby into your calendar so you always set aside time to do it. Don’t focus so much on being good at your new hobby. Seeing yourself improve will always feel rewarding, but instead focus on how doing the hobby brings you joy. If you try one hobby and don’t enjoy it, don’t be afraid to put it down and pick up a new one. Doing a new hobby on your own can be a great way to set aside some much needed alone time, while doing a hobby as a couple or with friends will bring you an even deeper sense of connection with your loved ones this spring.

Spiritual Spring Activities

In the busyness of the spring season, don’t forget to slow down and focus on your spiritual life.

Getty Images

16. Pray or Meditate in a Garden

Praying or meditating in a new location can revitalize your practice and give you a new perspective on life. This spring, start a habit of praying or meditating amongst the flowers. Go into a public park, a community garden, or your own backyard. Pick a spot that is comfortable where you can have a little quiet. Slowly breathe in and out and savor the scents around you—from the nourishing soil to the fragrance of the flowers. As you pray, focus on the life around you and remember how you and every singing bird, blooming flower, and buzzing insect was created by God. As you meditate, focus on your breathing and each part of your body to bring yourself to a space of absolute peace.

Getty Images

17. Pick a Bible Verse for the Day

Take up the spring activity of picking a verse from the Bible for each day. Pick a beloved verse to revisit and add it to your daily prayer. Or think about something you want to accomplish that day and find a piece of Scripture to guide you through it. Try opening the Bible once a day to a random page and seeing what words God has in store for you. Here are some spring Bible verses to get you started:

Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime; it is the Lord who sends the thunderstorms. He gives showers of rain to all people, and plants of the field to everyone. —Zechariah 10:1
Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge Him. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth. —Hosea 6:3
For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. —Song of Solomon 2:11-12

Getty Images

18. Start a Gratitude Journal

Thanksgiving shouldn’t just be reserved for November. Focus on the spiritual importance of gratitude in your life this spring by starting a gratitude journal. Pick out a journal and put it somewhere that you’ll remember to write in it, like near your bed or on your desk. Choose a time during the day when you will sit down and write or keep the journal on hand to write throughout your day. Fill the journal with things you feel grateful for—from your best friend to a tasty meal to a video that made to laugh to a powerful moment of prayer. Take your gratitude practice a step further by reaching out to your loved ones with notes letting them know why you are thankful to have them in your life.

Getty Images/iStockphoto

19. Literally Stop and Smell the Roses

While doing all these spring activities, we sometimes forget to stop and actually enjoy the blessings of this season. This spring, make an effort to observe and enjoy the world around you. When you are doing your daily spring walk, listen to the dulcet sounds of birdsong. If you visit a botanical garden, stop to smell the sweet fragrance of the different kinds of flowers. When you go to a baseball game with the whole family, look up to the sky and marvel at the clouds between innings. Don’t let the days of this beautiful season pass you by without taking the time to notice it.

Getty Images/iStockphoto

20. Start a Daily Devotional Habit

Are you looking for a spiritual practice and positive habit that will bring you closer to God? Try adding a daily devotional habit to your list of spring activities. While a devotional won’t give you everything you need in your spiritual life, it will keep you grounded and connected to your best self. As Jesus says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind…” (Luke 10:27). To start this spring habit, pick a time of day, a place to sit and read your devotional, and consider reaching out to others to join you.

Spring activities can get us outside into the sunshine, bring us together with our families, give us a chance to focus on ourselves, and renew our spiritual lives. Try one of these suggestions and see just how quickly spring becomes your favorite season.

The post 20 Spring Activities for Couples, Families, Kids appeared first on Guideposts.

Positive Thinker: Kristin Chenoweth, Actress, Singer, Author

Celeste McCauley — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 01:47:13 +0000

The best advice you’ve ever gotten

Don’t sweat the small stuff. It’s from my dad. When I was little, I thought, What is he talking about? But now I get it. It’s easy in this life, especially for perfectionists, to get caught up in minor details that really don’t change your life. You can get mired in all that stuff and forget the important stuff. So don’t sweat the small stuff.

The hardest thing you’ve ever done

Forgive someone who hurt me very, very badly. I think forgiveness is usually kind of easy because it’s really for me. But when someone really gets you and you don’t know what to do and you hold on to that pain for so long, it really brings you down. It boggles you, not the other person. They’ve moved on. I’m thinking of one instance in particular, but once I let that go, a lot of things started releasing for me. And I was happier.

Real-life hero

A lot of entertainers have definitely made an impact on me. Carol Burnett and Dolly Parton are two of them. But my real-life hero is my mom. She’s fought cancer three times. I’ve watched her fight for this life that she has. I see her help when people are sick or hurting—that’s really her strong suit. She is so amazing! I love how she has close family and close friends and how important her relationship to God is. That’s who has influenced me my whole life. So I’m very lucky.

What you do for your spiritual well-being

I like to read the Jesus Calling app on my phone. And it can be wherever I am. I can be in an airport, on a plane, in a car, backstage, before I go to bed, when I wake up. It depends on the day, but it’s always there. Of course, I like to read out of the book, but there are times when you just simply can’t travel with it.

And also just pray. Again, that can be at various times of the day for me. Growing up, I always heard it was good to do your quiet time in the morning. I can see the plus to that. But for some people, it has to be kind of whenever they can. I’m one of those people. And that’s the thing that my fiancé and I like to do together.

Go-to place to pray

I think I answered that [laughs].

Favorite Bible verse

I always go to John 3:16. There are so many verses that I love. First of all, I’m just a big fan overall of the book of Ephesians. But I always go back to “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son….” Especially that first sentence, that he gave his son to die for our sins. That is the basis of my belief. It’s the meaning of being a Christian. And it’s a verse that, when I’m struggling, or I’m out and about, or nobody knows I’m having a moment, I remember.

Occupation you would pursue if not your current one

There are two choices here. If I weren’t an actress, I would probably be in forensic science. I would love to investigate how people are hurt or even taken from this world against their will. I would love to know what makes some people do that to another person. I would probably be studying those kinds of people to understand their brain so we can help ourselves find other people who have that problem. It has always been fascinating to me.

Another thing I would like to do is be an aesthetician. I love to do brows.

Early riser or night owl?

Night owl, 100 percent. To all the night owls out there, I understand you.

Favorite comfort food

Triscuits with some Swiss cheese and a side of ranch for dipping.

Song at the top of your playlist

This always changes. Right now it’s “Why,” by Nichole Nordeman. I love her arrangement of this song. I love her voice on this song. It’s a spiritual song. Oh, I love it so much!

A surprising detail about you

I really like to be at home. I used to be a little bit more of social animal, but not so much anymore. I love a night at the theater. I love time with my fiancé. My life is so full, and I love that life, but when I’m just hanging out, I like to be at home. I’m kind of a homebody.

**What inspired you to write your new book, I’m No Philosopher, But I Got Thoughts?**

When Covid hit, I was in shock, because I’d go at 99 miles per hour. And I just started writing. I didn’t plan to write this book. Then crazily enough, my literary agent called and said, “What do you think about writing a book? And what kind would you like it to be?” I was like, “Inspirational. Silly fun anecdotes that I think about that I think others might relate to.” And that’s how the book came about. Then I really dug in. Many nights were spent writing.

Find out more about Kristin Chenoweth’s new book, I’m No Philosopher, But I Got Thoughts: Mini-Meditations for Saints, Sinners and the Rest of Us, and her other projects at officialkristinchenoweth.com.

The post Positive Thinker: Kristin Chenoweth, Actress, Singer, Author appeared first on Guideposts.

The Message of Easter

Norman Vincent Peale — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 13:36:00 +0000

Easter is here—with its promise of spring, its big family meals, its inevitable chocolate bunnies and jellybeans. But what does Easter really mean? What does the message of Easter bring to us humans knee-deep in messes of our own making?

The Easter Message

Getty Images/iStockphoto

First and foremost, it means that we serve a risen Savior. The grave could not hold Christ; he defeated death. He paid the price for our sin with his own blood. And the consequences for us are huge.

“For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” (Romans 5:10). Because Christ lives, we will live, too–both in this life and in the life to come. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die” (John 11:25-26).

The message of Easter was first spoken to two women at Jesus’ tomb, in these simple words: “Do not be afraid…for He is risen” (Matthew 28:5-6). Jesus is with us and gives us his ability to overcome any defeat. The true Christian realizes that he, with Christ, rises above every setback, every obstacle and enters into the true meaning of living.

The message of Easter tells us: You need not be afraid of anything—not life with all its insecurities, its conflicts, its uncertainties; not afraid of even death itself. You need have no fear—no fear!

When your spirit is filled with the unshakable strength of God in the name of Jesus Christ, you get faith so deeply planted within you that when crises hit you—as they sometimes do suddenly—you automatically can look life in the face and not be afraid. You can say with the Apostle Paul, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).

As you learn the message of Easter, remember: Easter is here. Be transformed. Be resurrected. Be not afraid!

Bible Verses About the Easter Message

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Reflect further on the message of Easter with these powerful verses from the Bible. Read them on your own during your Easter prayers or aloud with the whole family as you do your Easter celebrations.

Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? (Romans 8:34-35)
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (1 Peter 1:3)
He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. (2 Timothy 1:9)
I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:10-11)
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. (1 Corinthians 15:20-21)

The post The Message of Easter appeared first on Guideposts.

25 Joyful Spring Quotes to Inspire You

The Editors — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 19:13:55 +0000

Are you ready for warmer weather? Spring is a season of hope, new life, and fresh beginnings. It’s the perfect time to turn over a new leaf and begin a new season with a good attitude and positive habits. Whether spring is already in the air, or you’re still surrounded by snow, these beautiful spring quotes from writers, singers, the Bible and more will warm your heart and bring you inspiration for spring 2023 and beyond.

Inspirational Spring Quotes

1) That is one good thing about this world…there are always sure to be more springs. —L.M. Montgomery, author

2) The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain. —Dolly Parton, singer-songwriter

3) I stuck my head out the window this morning and spring kissed me bang in the face. —Langston Hughes, poet

4) If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome. —Anne Bradstreet, poet

5) I have heard it said that winter, too, will pass, that spring is a sign that summer is due at last. See, all we have to do is hang on. —Maya Angelou, memoirist

Spring Quotes About Hope

6) The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day he created Spring. —Bernard Williams, philosopher

7) With the coming of spring, I am calm again. —Gustav Mahler, composer

8) Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways. The dry seasons in life do not last. The spring rains will come again. —Sarah Ban Breathnach, author

9) Every spring is the only spring, a perpetual astonishment. —Ellis Peters, author

10) Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush. —Doug Larson, columnist

Spring Quotes About Flowers

11) I love spring flowers: daffodils and hyacinths are the ultimate flower for me. They are the essence of spring. —Kirsty Gallacher, television presenter

12) Sweet spring, full of sweet days and roses, a box where sweets compacted lie. —George Herbert, poet

13) I am going to try to pay attention to the spring. I am going to look around at all the flowers, and look up at the hectic trees. I am going to close my eyes and listen. —Anne Lamott, novelist

14) In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt. —Margaret Atwood, poet

15) A little flower that blooms in May. A lovely sunset at the end of a day. Someone helping a stranger along the way. That’s heaven to me. —Sam Cooke, singer-songwriter

Spring Quotes About New Beginnings

16) Spring is God’s way of saying, ‘One more time!’ —Robert Orben, comedy writer

17) No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn. —Hal Borland, writer

18) Life stands before me like an eternal spring with new and brilliant clothes. —Carl Friedrich Gauss, mathematician

19) The beautiful spring came; and when Nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also. —Harriet Ann Jacobs, writer

20) Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly received the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love! —Sitting Bull, leader

Spring Quotes in the Bible

21) Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime; it is the Lord who sends the thunderstorms. He gives showers of rain to all people, and plants of the field to everyone. —Zechariah 10:1

22) Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge Him. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth. —Hosea 6:3

23) For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. —Song of Solomon 2:11-12

24) They waited for me as for showers and drank in my words as the spring rain. —Job 29:23

25) The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. —Isaiah 35:1-12

READ MORE INSPIRING QUOTES:

The post 25 Joyful Spring Quotes to Inspire You appeared first on Guideposts.