Posts tagged Confidence
For the Days You Think You?re the Only One Not in the Club
Apr 13th
Sometimes, the more your dream is woven into your deep places, the more you see it out in the world.
When I ached to be a mama but couldn’t get pregnant, I saw pregnant women everywhere. No matter where my feet traveled – grocery stores, movies, church – there they were, members of an exclusive club where everyone knew the password but me.
Of course, this wasn’t true at all. But tender things longed for and not held distorted my vision.
As my thirtysomething self looks around the?dining room table at three shrinky dink versions of my husband and me, I see plain More >
When You?re Pretty Sure This Will Not End Well {One Surprising Way to Grow Your Confidence Today}
Apr 4th
During my music major college days, I performed countless concerts in symphonic bands and orchestras. And because the instrument I play is a common solo instrument, I had my fair share of spotlight moments. I can still see myself rubbing sweaty hands on my coal black skirt while counting measures, waiting for my time to play solo.
The nerves usually pushed my confidence right off the stage.?Sometimes I would play okay, sometimes very well.?Either way, when it was over, I would sit back in my chair and exhale in relief. As much as I enjoyed performing music, I couldn’t always make peace More >
The One Can?t-Miss-Never-Too-Late Easter Activity
Apr 2nd
Spring Break galloped through town last week, and while we did plenty of Easter celebratory things during her visit, we didn’t get to everything on my list.
I bought all the grocery fixings for a genuine Passover meal, but it didn’t happen.
I double checked we had all the supplies for dying Easter eggs, but that didn’t happen, either.
I’m slowly learning to?lower my holiday expectations, so I’m not too concerned with what I didn’t get done before Easter.?It doesn’t matter if the kids and I dyed eggs or participated in every egg hunt, if we wore sparkly new Easter duds or made More >
Because There?s Nothing Wimpy About Being an Encourager
Mar 13th
I’ve heard it whispered and seen it written in more than one place:
Some encouragers are soft clich??whipper-outers with faith deep as a kiddie pool. Sure, they’re nice and all, but they lack thoughtful opinions, creative ideas, and savvy smarts.?Their words aren’t all that courageous or brave.
I can’t deny this has been a fear of mine {says the girl whose blog is named?Chasing Blue Skies?}. But when push comes to shove, I always revisit the same word to describe this line of thinking:
Hogwash.
Yes ma’am.
As an encourager, there is nothing namby-pamby about you. Ready why over here? And if you like the More >
Because We All Need Someone Who Creates Light and Shows Us Ours, Too
Mar 1st
Rebecca and I stare transfixed by the Thomas Moran painting. I scout out the ceiling above in search of a light shining down, but there isn’t one. The light shines from the painting itself.?An early American artist best known for his paintings of the American West, Thomas Moran painted light and contrast in profoundly unique ways.
How does one use color and tools to create light such as this?
Not only did Mr. Moran posses an amazing talent for painting light, but he was also gifted at removing clutter from a scene so he could paint a landscape’s natural beauty. In the painting More >
What You Really Want More Than Trophies and Awards
Jan 21st
“Thank you for this lovely blunt object that I will forevermore use as a weapon against self doubt.” ?~ Anne Hathaway during her acceptance speech for winning the Golden Globe Best Supporting Actress award for Les Miserables.
The Confidence I hang out with wears pale blue and sunny yellow with a pleasant smile. Every whipstitch I talk her into donning rich jewel tones, like royal purple or emerald green. It’s taking time, but she’s becoming more open minded to vibrant colors.
I assumed Anne Hathaway’s Confidence would be swimming in flashy colors. After all, isn’t she already swimming in millions? But apparently, even successful More >
