New Podcast Episode! Discover the Gift of Accountability
Have you ever considered how accountability could be more than a responsibility, something that could truly enhance our relationships? Accountability is often seen as a requirement or even a burden, but what if it could be a gift we give to ourselves and those we love? The Gift of Accountability At its core, accountability is […]
The Patience of Growth: Understanding Time and Seasons in Relationships
In a fast-paced world where instant gratification has become the norm, relationships often feel the weight of unrealistic expectations. We’re told that love is about fireworks, constant companionship, and fast solutions. Yet real, deep relationships develop over time, just like plants, which require nurturing, patience, and respect for natural rhythms. As with a garden, each […]
The One Word That Will Change Your Relationship (Hint: It’s Not Communication)
A few years ago, I taught a Marriage Skills course for Brigham Young University-Idaho. At the beginning of the course, I would ask my students the #1 thing they thought was important in a marriage. Most of them said communication. In my experience, most of my couples come in citing communication breakdown as the reason […]
Fighting Worse: Four Steps to Create the Fight of your Life
Last week on the blog, Tonya explored the Law of the Harvest and how it applies to our emotional lives. You know, the whole “You reap what you sow” principle. Today, I’m going to delve into how this applies when we are fighting with people we love. I’ve been reading this heartwarming book with my […]
Why “Elevate” is a Game Changer: A Chat in the Office
Okay, I just had the BEST dance party. Yes, I’m at work, writing this blog, so yes, this was a solo dance party. However, I needed to celebrate, and dancing tends to be my go-to form of celebration. What am I celebrating? I’m so glad you asked! Tonya and I just finished our final group […]
Learning from Little Ones: How Radical Accountability Leads to Freedom
As I walked through the door after work, my two-year-old proudly announced, “I played with sister’s lipstick!” “Uh-oh, was that a good choice or a bad choice?” I asked. “It was a bad choice! It makes my heart sad.” In that moment, I was reminded of the Savior’s counsel to be as little children (Mosiah […]
Stormy Alphabet Soup, Anyone?
One of the hardest things about difficult times is the potential feedback loop that our brains get into. It can be easy to get caught in what I call the “crap cycle”. We feel crappy and look for reasons why, log those “why’s” away as beliefs that our brain then looks to confirm for us, […]
What Does the Fibonacci Number Have to do With My Feeling Stuck?
Today, I want to talk about patterns. Patterns are everywhere; they are a natural part of our earthly experience. In our homeschool, I often relate math to the real world, which usually involves a yearly discussion of the Fibonacci sequence followed by a scavenger hunt to find it in nature. For those not familiar, the […]
Approval Power: Setting Our Summer Expectations Up for Success
Conflict. It’s an inevitable part of life, manifesting both internally and in our interactions with others. For many, inner conflict tends to intensify during the summer months when our high expectations for magical memories collide with the reality of life. Picture this: I recently packed lunch for a park outing with my children, envisioning a […]
Meet the in-laws: tips for a harmonious summer
Summer usually means more family time, which can also mean navigating the infamous in-law dynamic. In my 10+ years counseling couples and individuals, conflict with in-laws is a common theme. While the stereotype of in-law struggles may provoke some eye-rolling, it makes sense why these tensions arise. However, there are tips, tricks, and principles that […]