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4 Important Reasons To Renew Your Wedding Vows

Marriage is a journey with many unexpected twists and turns, and each milestone along the path marks a significant chapter in the story of your love. For some, there comes a time when renewing your wedding vows feels like the perfect way to celebrate your journey and recommit to each other. A vow renewal is a sacred ceremony of reaffirming the promises you made, and it’s not just about saying “I do” again. It’s about why you’re choosing to do it. Consider these four important reasons to renew your wedding vows. Celebrate Milestones Amid the hustle and bustle of life, we often forget to pause and celebrate the journeys we’ve taken. A vow renewal, whether on your fifth, tenth, or twenty-fifth anniversary, is an opportunity to commemorate your growth and significant accomplishments as a couple. Perhaps you’ve navigated through challenging times, or you’ve achieved personal milestones together that deserve acknowledgment. By renewing your vows, you not only celebrate your love, but you also cherish the individual and collective achievements that have shaped your partnership. Reaffirm Commitment Saying “I do” for the second time isn’t just a statement; it’s a powerful practice of recommitment. Life often tests the bonds of marriage, but through a vow renewal, you affirm that your love has matured and your promises have withstood the tests of time. For many couples, renewing their vows is a way to recommit to their other half, openly acknowledging the depth of their love and the strength of their partnership. It’s a way to say, “I will always choose you,” and in doing so, it creates a profound sense of security within the relationship. Renew Focus on Each Other In the complexity of modern life, relationships can sometimes take a backseat to other commitments. Another important reason to renew your wedding vows is that it provides the opportunity to put each other first and rekindle the romance that brought you together. It’s a time to remember why you fell in love and to rediscover the shared values and dreams that make your partnership so powerful. This rededicated focus on your marriage can have a ripple effect on the rest of your life, bringing you closer and enhancing your daily interactions. Create New Memories Just as your wedding day was a significant moment in your life, renewing your vows allows you to craft new and beautiful memories that will sustain and support you through the coming years. A vow renewal can be a uniquely personal anniversary celebration, perhaps in a place that holds special meaning, surrounded by the love and warmth of friends and family. Each new vow made is a promise for the future, an essential act of creating a life worth celebrating together. Renewing your wedding vows can be a deeply moving, enriching experience that serves to not only celebrate what has been but also what can be. It’s a personal journey for every couple, one that carries special significance and beauty.

2024-03-05T04:55:29-08:00By |

5 Tips for Staying Connected With Your Family and Friends

In our busy world, it seems more difficult than ever to maintain strong connections with family and friends. Yet, these connections are the lifeline of our social existence. They are a source of laughter, support, and cherished memories. With that, here are five practical tips for staying connected with your family and friends that will help you protect the bonds you share and ensure they remain unbroken. Pick Up the Phone Nothing conveys warmth more than the sound of a familiar voice. In an age of texts and emails, making a conscious effort to pick up the phone can have a profound impact—it’s simple, direct, and deeply personal. A phone call provides the nuance and emotion often lost in written communication. It’s also a great way to share news, offer support, or have a good old catch-up chat. So, reach for the phone and dial up a loved one; it’s the next best thing to being there in person. Schedule a Virtual Family Get-Together Geography can’t stop family gatherings when you have the internet on your side. Set a date, send out invites, and meet up in the virtual world. You can share stories, play games, and have dinner together online. A virtual meeting is a great way to connect with familiar faces and keep your relationships strong. Plus, it’s a perfect opportunity to introduce older family members to the wonders of modern technology. Start a Family Book or Movie Club Bond over the love of a good story by starting a book or movie club. Whether it’s a classic film or the latest bestseller, shared cultural experiences can spark fascinating conversations and debates. Just remember to rotate who picks the book or movie to keep everyone’s interests represented. This shared hobby will keep you connected, broaden your horizons, and create common ground for family and friends of all ages. Plan a Quarterly Family Reunion While digital communication is great, in-person contact has irreplaceable value. If possible, aim to plan a family reunion at least four times a year. These don’t have to be grand events; a simple barbecue, picnic, or weekend brunch will suffice. Although, if you want to make an occasion extra special, you can rent a party tent and turn your gathering into a festive celebration. Since there are many things to know about renting a party tent, make sure you do plenty of research before completing the rental process. Play Interactive Online Games Games have always brought people together, and online gaming is no exception. From classic board games that have found new life online to multiplayer video games, there’s definitely something for everyone. Playing interactive games online is an excellent way for families to engage in friendly competition and for friends to share a few laughs. A shared experience with interactive games can foster camaraderie, even if your family members or friends are thousands of miles away. Keeping in touch with your loved ones requires effort, but it’s worth every [...]

2024-01-05T11:24:49-08:00By |

Choose Your Own Adventure: How Do We Make Life-Changing Decisions?

This morning I took our newly adopted dog Boon for a jog. We do this each morning before work as a way to mentally and physically prepare for the day. In the soft dawn glow, we happened upon Boon's best doggy pal Olive romping on school grounds. So, we paused for some playtime.   As Boon and Olive raced full speed in circles around us, Olive's dad and I had a nice chat. We've become doggy-parent friends, it's part of bringing animals into your life, your friend circle grows to include those who your fur baby loves too.   Olive's dad is faced with a huge life choice. One of those forks in the road that will impact the whole family and the course of the rest of their collective lives. As I listened to his process, I recalled my family's decision to move to Portland. A major life choice that we made just months ago, so it's very fresh.   Making tectonic, life-changing choices is one of those opportunities to test all of our life skills. These moments cause us to evaluate our lives deeply, project into different potential futures thoughtfully, and consider impacts not just on us but on those we care about. The more people depend on us, the heavier the decision can feel.   This is one of those topics where horses have a great deal to teach us. They move collectively through uncertainty all day long, especially those who enjoy the freedom of the wild. The direction-setter needs to take in all the information from the herd members. She needs to scan her environment for potential threats. She needs to use her best judgement and the herd's collective memory to help choose a direction.   All of this is true, but there is one more zinger to consider. It's what drove Olive's dad to talk with me this morning. And, it's a sign of a very good leader. This one more zinger is something my TeachingHorse colleagues taught me to see in my herd. The truth bomb is this: when facing uncertainty, horses gather rather than scatter. In other words, they convene to consider the options and make the decision from a place of connection and strength. We humans do the opposite all too often. We scatter, we retreat to our corner, we get lost in a sea of mental chatter.   I'm going to take this one a layer deeper, to the place Olive's dad and I went this morning. When we face uncertainty, we not only need to reach out and connect with our community in order to make the choice from a position of connection, clarity, and strength. We also need to connect inside of ourselves to that quiet place where we feel a part of something bigger. Call it God. Call it Source. Call it what you want, but know that it is the quiet whisper that guides us toward the highest best solution in all [...]

2023-09-19T10:53:49-07:00By |

How To Build a Support System as a Single Parent

Being a single parent comes with many challenges. From making the right decisions alone to finding a balance between work and life, this new parenting situation might be a little daunting and overwhelming. However, the one tool that provides you the most help, above all else, is a support system. Ultimately, it takes a village to raise a child. Entrusting family, friends, and other adults in your life give you and your child the attention, love, and life you both deserve. Learn how to build a support system as a single parent with the following advice. Talk With Your Neighbors or Family One of the first things you need to do after getting granted sole custody of your child is to find individuals you trust to care for them. This is still important, even if you entered parenthood without a partner. Usually, the first people most single parents go to for help are family members. Albeit, it’s still important to find others, like neighbors, to help you when family isn’t available. Join an Online Support Group Sometimes all we need as single parents are words of encouragement and advice instead of physical help. You can find many support groups online for single parents that provide plenty of information and resources to ensure your child has a beautiful life. Consider joining one or two groups to lean on when things get tough. It’s a great way to meet new friends and find like-minded single parents that experience the same hardships as you! Be Clear on What You Need Help With Most people fear asking for help because they don’t want to burden anyone. However, this is precisely what your support system is there for. Does your kid need a babysitter after school? Do you need someone to transport your child to sporting events? Be clear on what you need help with so your peers know and understand how to accommodate you and your child’s needs. Provide Help in Return Building a support system as a single parent shouldn’t be a one-way street. While these adults add value to your and your child’s life, you can also support and add value to theirs! This could be as simple as lending a listening ear or taking this individual out for dinner. The more you invest in the relationship, the more you will gain in return. You might not find your village immediately but don’t stop searching for trusting adults or neighbors. The more adult influence you can provide your child, the more they can flourish and learn. Our support systems become an integral part of parenthood as a single parent. Remember our advice when you’re building your community.

2023-04-24T19:15:54-07:00By |

How To Tell People You’re Getting a Divorce

A divorce can be relieving for many people, but it is still a time of significant change and stress. The legal system can be difficult to navigate, and you’ll likely need to alter many of the daily routines you’ve established over the years. Another difficulty is telling your friends and family about your decision. Thankfully, there are ways you can tell people you’re getting a divorce without fear that they’ll judge you or treat you any differently. Decide What You Want To Tell The first step in telling people you’re getting a divorce is deciding what you want to tell and what you want to keep to yourself. Relationships are personal, but that’s never stopped people from asking questions. Yes, many people are doing it to support you, but you must know where you want to draw the line. Some important topics you may need to tell people are: If there are any significant changes in job or location Parenting arrangements If you have a plan for your future Any topics outside this are up to you and what you want to disclose. While informing friends and family is an important part of planning for marital separation, there are some things you may just want to keep to yourself. Find the Right Setting Another part of telling people about your divorce is finding the right setting. Depending on where you live, you may not want to go to a restaurant or café to talk with someone. For example, if you’re in a small town, eavesdroppers could turn your private disclosure into a nasty game of telephone, making your private business the new hot gossip. Thankfully, public spaces like these don’t have to be your only option. You could invite people over to your home, or you could meet at a park or playground. You’ll have much more privacy in these locations and can talk for as long as you want without running into a restaurant’s closing time. Find the People You Can Rely On Before telling people you’re getting divorced, it’s wise to start with some people you can rely on for support. While you may have a lot of friends and family, some are likely better equipped to lend you their shoulder to cry on. Find these people and talk to them first because they’ll likely have advice for letting others know about your divorce. Talking to these people first can help affirm your choices and make you feel more mentally clear. It can be stressful, so finding that clarity early will greatly improve your well-being. It won’t be easy telling people that you’re getting a divorce, but it is a necessary step in moving forward with your life and helping your mental health. After finalizing a divorce, changing all your financials, and telling the people in your life, it’s time to move forward and live your life.

2023-02-13T12:01:18-08:00By |

Tips for Being a Great Co-Parent With Your Ex

Co-parenting can be a hard road to navigate after a fresh divorce or separation, but it’s better than constantly fighting with your ex about parenting decisions. Your children deserve consistency, support, and stability in their relationship with both parents, and you cannot achieve this if you ignore the other parent’s parenting style. Being a great co-parent with your ex takes some effort, but using the tips below can make it much more attainable! Leave the Children Out of the Middle Your children have nothing to do with the dysfunction you and your ex-partner might encounter. Remember that you should never use the children as pawns to get something or put them in the middle of your arguments. It’s also important to avoid relaying information through your child. Communicating between both parents isn’t the child’s responsibility; use clear, direct communication when you need to say something to your ex. Learn To Be Flexible The world isn’t always forgiving, and nothing can go according to plan 100 percent of the time. There could be a time when your ex asks you to switch weekend schedules, or maybe a situation arises where they cannot have the kids at home for a few days. Regardless of the reason, it’s best to be flexible because you never know when you might need the same favor in return. Respect, Respect, Respect How you treat your ex teaches your children how to treat others and even how they can expect you to treat them as adults. Using foul language, showing disrespect, or constantly slandering your ex around the home can sour your future relationship with your children. Meanwhile, showing respectfulness is an excellent way to showcase how to be an engaged and supportive father. When respect is at the forefront of your relationship with your ex, co-parenting becomes much more straightforward. Remain a Team When you and your ex were together, you likely tackled parenting as a team. Just because you are no longer together does not mean you can’t still be a team. As long as you keep clear communication between you two, co-parenting can be very simple. Focus on coordinating and aligning with your partner on set rules, disciplinary actions, and schedules. Develop a Support System You might have heard the saying, “It takes a village,” when it comes to parenting a child. This statement couldn’t be more true—it’s even more prevalent when you’re co-parenting. Being a great co-parent with your ex also includes having a support system for both of you, such as friends or family. We always need a safe place to vent because—let’s face it—parenting is extremely tiresome and challenging. Having someone with a level head can help lessen the chaos you might feel when you and your ex disagree or the parenting plan isn’t going well. Your children are likely the center of your world. Because of this, you’ll probably do everything in your power to ensure your co-parenting situation goes smoothly. It won’t be perfect [...]

2023-02-01T09:50:54-08:00By |

3 Benefits of Taking Your Toddlers for a Walk

When raising a toddler, finding time to get out of the house can feel like a massive task. Thankfully, there’s one way you can get the best of both worlds—routine walks with the family. Besides having the desire to get out of the house, there are several benefits of taking your toddlers for a walk on a routine basis. Continue reading to learn why you should add walks with your family to your daily routine right now. Forming an Admiration for the Outdoors Today’s technology presents many ways for kids to be entertained, from playing games on tablets to watching TV shows, and beyond. Therefore, it’s important to make time for the outdoors. It’s okay to allow kids to indulge in digital entertainment, but balance that out with a healthy dose of the nature around you when the weather permits it. By introducing regular walks to kids at a young age, you can start building their admiration for the world around them right away. A Fun Way To Build Strength Not only are walks fun, but they’re also beneficial to their health. Walking is important for adults because it helps us keep our bones and muscles strong, and kids require the same care. As soon as they can walk, kids should be able to build their strength as they safely explore the world. After all, one of the key reasons why wiggle room is important in kids’ shoes is that it allows them to build strength at a young age. Learning About Their Surroundings Another benefit of taking your toddler for a walk is that it can be a learning experience. Kids can certainly learn about plants and animals in videos or books. However, you can take it a step further and show your kids the beautiful nature up close. Explain to them the things that they are seeing; they may seem normal to you, but extraordinary to them. That way, the outdoors can become more than something they admire. Instead, it can also become something they truly understand, thanks to their time with you.

2023-01-04T14:56:01-08:00By |

Tips for Giving Christmas Gifts to Grandchildren

Many families cherish gift-giving as an important tradition during the Christmas holiday. Whether you exchange gifts together or need to send gifts from a distance, use a thoughtful present to express your love. Consider these tips for giving Christmas gifts to grandchildren. 1. Know Important Expectations While the word “expectations” can sound demanding, knowing expectations makes the gift-giving process much easier. You want to give your grandkids presents they will appreciate and enjoy. You also want to make sure the parents can appreciate the gift. Sometimes, well-meaning grandparents can give too many presents. This can lead to a lack of appreciation from the kids and too many objects in the house. Ask your grandkids’ parents about any limits or guidance for gifts to avoid this potential issue. 2. Consider Your Grandkids’ Ages and Personal Interests Another tip for choosing Christmas gifts for grandchildren is to consider the kids’ ages and personal interests. Many toys have age ranges labeled clearly on their packaging. You want to choose an age-appropriate toy that’s safe and interesting for your grandkids. Many toys can hold your grandchild’s heart for a long time. For example, one of the top Christmas gifts for a new grandbaby is a stuffed animal pacifier holder. Long after outgrowing the pacifier, your grandbaby will still love hugging, squeezing, and cuddling their toy. Your grandchildren’s personal interests can also guide you to the right gifts. Since kids can go through phases quickly, so check in with the parents to make sure that you’re up-to-date on your grandchildren’s interests. 3. Consider Gifting Experiences Finally, consider giving experiences. Activities, lessons, and events can open your grandchild’s mind to exciting things in the world. You can share these experiences with your grandchild or set it up as a family event for special bonding. Consider gifting an annual membership to a museum or waterpark. Or fund a new hobby, like playing a sport or an instrument. Tickets to special events like concerts, theater shows, and movies also create fun memories.

2022-11-02T05:47:16-07:00By |

Tips for Fixing a Struggling Relationship

Many people have a few goals when they’re growing up: go to college, start a terrific career, and find a loving relationship where they can potentially even start a family. Unfortunately, these goals don’t just stumble into your lap but require a lot of time and work. Read on to learn some tips for fixing a struggling relationship. Recognize Your Role When you’re struggling in a relationship, it’s incredibly easy to pin everything on your partner and not recognize your role. Two people make a relationship, and ignoring your role in that equation means you aren’t contributing anything in the first place. Take a step back and look at the relationship from your partner’s perspective. Questions To Ask Yourself Are you fulfilling your partner’s needs? Are you both aware of the issues in the relationship? Do you want your partner to forgive you for everything, and are you doing the same for them? When you ask yourself these questions, you can gain great insight into the relationship and see things from a different perspective that you may be neglecting. Don’t Give Up One of the biggest mistakes that someone makes in a struggling relationship is that when the other partner wants to take a break, they go out of control. When your partner wants a little break, that doesn’t mean the relationship is over, and you are free to do anything else. It’s a big mistake in burgeoning relationships but also a mistake you must avoid during a marital separation. Marriages struggle too, and you shouldn’t turn your partner into the enemy or do something that can harm the future of whatever relationship still exists. If it looks like your relationship may be ending, you should: Respect the boundaries of your partner. Be communicative about wants and needs. Try to reconcile your role and their role in the relationship. It can be incredibly difficult because you want the relationship to work how you envision it, but it doesn’t always work out this way. It can feel like you’re giving up on the relationship when you do this, but it’s a healthy way of leaving things open for potential reconciliation. Learn To Listen One of the best things you can do to take care of your relationship is to learn to listen. Listen to your partner’s words, and try to understand the intention behind what they say. Are they trying to make you feel bad and like a villain in the relationship, or do they want you to grow? Listening and understanding are the first steps to creating a relationship that will get through any trials and tribulations. With these tips, you can better work on and fix your struggling relationship and emerge from the other side with a better appreciation for your relationship. A lot of media has made having a healthy relationship look easy, but it’s something where you need to work and put in effort daily. Give your relationship the attention and care [...]

2022-10-20T08:26:41-07:00By |

Why You Should Forgive Even When They Don’t Apologize

Forgiveness is complicated. As imperfect people, we want forgiveness for our mistakes. But when other people wrong us, we often struggle to forgive them, especially when they don’t apologize. Keep reading to learn why you should forgive even when they don’t apologize and how forgiveness can benefit you. What Is Forgiveness? Before we get into why and how you should forgive someone and how that forgiveness can benefit you, we need to determine what forgiveness is. Forgiveness is not telling someone that what they did wasn’t wrong. It’s also not a strategy to repair a broken relationship or trust. Forgiveness sits somewhere between denial and reconciliation. It’s an acknowledgment that something wrong happened but also that you’re no longer angry or resentful about that wrong. You don’t necessarily have a path forward to work past the other person’s wrongdoing, but you no longer have a negative emotion about that wrongdoing either. Even if the other person never apologizes for their wrongdoing, you can still decide to let go of your anger over it—that is forgiveness. Why Should You Forgive? Many people find it difficult to forgive another person when they never acknowledge and apologize for their wrongdoing. However, that shouldn’t prevent us from forgiving them anyways. We can still decide to let go of our anger toward that person and their transgression. That doesn’t mean we forget what happened or that we enter an unhealthy relationship with the person. Instead, it just means that we no longer hold onto that anger. We should let go of this anger because it helps us feel at peace. Forgiveness is one of the main teachings of Jesus that can improve our lives, and many other religions promote forgiveness too. Most religions and spiritual practices help us feel at peace within ourselves and the world. Forgiveness helps us achieve that peace. How Can You Forgive? It’s easy to say that we should just “let go” of anger over a wrong. In many cases, that anger is our desire for justice and our way of communicating that we want fair treatment. However, as you reflect on that hurt, try to empathize with the person who hurt you and understand where they’re coming from. Your hurt and anger toward them could also hold you back from your personal goals. Looking at the bigger picture will give your hurt room to shrink, allowing you to let go and feel free and at peace. There are many reasons why you should forgive someone even when they don’t apologize. The biggest reasons are so that you can move forward, find inner peace, and feel free. What someone else did to you should never hold you back from living a happy, fulfilled life; forgiveness can help you experience that.

2022-10-12T11:39:19-07:00By |

Interesting Little Ways That You Can Spice Up Your Day

On average, you’re awake for about 16 hours in the day, and there’s a lot of time for different things. Sadly, many of those 16 hours turn into a routine where you’re going from point A to point B like a robot. Read on to learn about some interesting little ways that you can spice up your day. Experience Nature A fantastic way to spice up your day is to get out into nature at least once a day. The natural world is beautiful, and sitting out in the sun among the breeze and chirping birds is one way to experience it. Sitting inside all day or driving in your car is tiresome, and you’re missing out on the wonderful vitamin D that the sun’s UV rays provide. Instead of another 10 minutes of artificial light, go outside and feel rejuvenated by sitting in the sun. Fun Little Drinks One of the best things you can do to interrupt your day with some flavor is to treat yourself in the form of some fun little drinks. Depending on your job, you may spend eight hours a day sitting at a desk, and you need those interruptions here and there to recenter yourself. A drink is a great addition to your day because it stays around for a while, has an interesting flavor, and you can show off your creativity with it. For example, there are a lot of coffee drinks you can make, like the Dalgona or whipped coffee. Of course, you’ll need to put in an extra minute in the break room, but it’s worth it for this delicious drink. Try To Learn Something New Learning something new is a great way to bring some intrigue into your life, as it’s something you can use throughout the day. For example, try learning a new language. It’s a daunting undertaking, but all you need to do is a little bit here and there, and you’re on the way to speaking a new language. In the morning, try to learn some new vocabulary or grammar, and then try to incorporate what you’ve learned throughout the day. Include it in conversation, practice coming up with sentences you can say, and more. Spice up your day with these interesting little tricks, and you’ll have a day where you don’t feel like a cog in a machine but a person. These small interruptions of pleasure help you appreciate the work you’re putting in every day!

2022-10-12T11:43:20-07:00By |

How to Handle Family Conflicts

“Hold up your cup here is some positive tea that I want to pour out for you.”    There isn’t a family on earth that hasn’t had to battle with conflict at some point or another. Having a positive family doesn’t mean you don’t have to manage conflict. There are many reasons family conflict occurs. We are all different and have distinctive experiences in how we communicate, what we value and how we live our lives. So, yes, it is normal for a family to have conflict, but the secret is in how you deal with them.   Here are the three family conflict resolution secrets:   Take your heart out of the conflict when communicating Taking your heart out of the conflict simply means keeping your emotions at bay. Sometimes your emotions may lead you to say something that you'll regret. Keep a calm voice; shouting, yelling and stomping will raise that person's stress level and automatically puts them on the defense. I know it's difficult to shut out your emotions. However, do your best to manage them and be more logical about the conflict.   "Watch your thoughts, they become words; watch your words, they become actions; watch your actions, they become habits; watch your habits, they become character; watch your character, for it becomes your destiny." --Frank Outlaw   Listen without being on the defense When listening to another individual, are you really listening with your ears? Or are you twiddling your thumbs waiting for your chance to respond? You must use active listening, which means you listen to understand and not to defend yourself. As a consequence, you can help rebuild relationships, solve problems, and instead of making assumptions, you can improve the accuracy of knowing the root of the problem, resolve conflicts, and ensure understanding. Let that family member or friend complete their thoughts and listen to them without disruption.   “Listen with the will to learn.” ― Unarine Ramaru   Brainstorm solutions together After, you've done both steps above, you should be in a good space to collectively solve the conflict together. Make sure that you are not only giving the suggestion; if so, you will think the conflict is solved but actually it isn’t until the other person suggests and you both agree to the best solution going forward.   Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success. -Edward Everett Hale   #AlrightNow #2022 LiveYourBestLife

2022-08-26T18:09:29-07:00By |

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