Greetings! Craig and I hope you had a joy-filled, restful and COVID-free holiday season. We tried to be pro-active in our efforts to rest body, mind, and soul, and the picture above shows the three of us—Frisco’s nose is barely visible, as he is never cooperative for picture-taking—enjoying a day of snowshoeing. On that day, Mt. Hood offered an especially sunny, crisp, blue-sky, gorgeous day, and though we set out with high hopes and eager efforts….the day wasn’t without its difficulties.
Hooray—it’s a new year!
Boo…we still have COVID.
Yay—we can choose to start over, begin again, hit the refresh button on life!
Boo…even “refresh” doesn’t always fix the issue.
All our issues—COVID and the tremendous pressure it brings combined with the “normal” stresses of life—fuse in a nearly lethal package to produce one huge mountain of chaos. Then we need to understand, accept with realistic perception, and courageously tackle that mound. What a mess we’re living in right now! We need help. We need support. We need new ideas. Now. Readers, please allow us to provide whatever we can, as our hearts so much desire to help you….and please send any thoughts/ideas/suggestions you have our way. We need each other during this challenging time!
We’re excited to announce new features for our Creating Pathways newsletter:
We know you’re swamped; we plan to make the newsletter a quicker read.
We’re adding a section of bullets which will concisely describe our main points. If you’re especially busy when the newsletter arrives, scan the bullets. Then you can decide if the topics are ones you want to read carefully or return to, later.
Goals we’re even more dedicated to: practical, relatable, transparent material.
We’re committed to making you think…and/or laugh. We need both!
Topics to look forward to in the coming year….
The greatest emotional infection from COVID? Fear
Our problem and how we solved it: His “Little” (INFURIATING) Irritations
When neither of you is wrong (better stated: neither admitting to being wrong)
Making peace with limitations vs. obsessions
Get to the Core Issue: Step-by-Step “Peal the Onion” Communication
Are there (potentially lethal) stacks in your home?
For 2021…for right now in this (what feels endless) pandemic, let’s encourage one another, do our best to grant each other grace and forgiveness, and repeat (as often as necessary) Psalm 62:11-12a: “One thing you have spoken, and two things I have heard – that you, oh God, are strong [God can do anything], and you, oh Lord, are loving [everything he does is loving].” (Italic insertions are my reminders!)
One year ago, could we have envisioned that we’d voluntarily eat outside in 50 degrees, judging it delightful?!
For a Laugh
After years of wanting to thoroughly clean my house but lacking the time, this week I discovered that wasn’t the reason.
If I keep stress-eating at this level, the buttons on my shirt will start socially distancing from each other.
Every few days, try on your jeans to make sure they fit; pajamas/sweats will have you believe all is well in the kingdom.
