Tag: encouragement

Several years ago, a man sent in a story for my Kindness is Contagious column. It resonated with me so deeply, I used it again in my book and I often refer to it in my speaking engagements.

Why did I love that particular story so much? Because it flipped over the ridiculously angry emotions I feel sometimes when someone does ... Read More

I woke up in the middle of the night this week with an incredibly clear thought: fishes and loaves.

Let me back up. My sweet 13 year old daughter was featured on NBC Nightly News last Wednesday. An hour after it aired, I was on the phone with the manager of Shop Athens ... Read More

Sometimes I wish I could spend more time, money and energy on myself and less on others.

Selfish? Yep.

True? Absolutely.

I bet I’m not alone. I bet there are times when you want to say, “Sorry, God, find someone else today. I’m busy.”

Only we’re not busy. The truth is, sometimes we just don’t feel like doing the right thing.

We talk a lot ... Read More

The people we interact with today will be a tiny bit changed because of us. Hopefully, they’ll be changed for the good, but if we’re not careful, maybe not.

When we smile at the clerk at the grocery store and ask how she’s doing today, we’re adding light and positivity into her life. When we forget to make eye contact or ... Read More

The last time I prepared to head out on a speaking road trip, a beautiful thing happened in my bedroom.

(Hmmm… maybe I should rephrase that. Nah. Stick with me, you’ll see where I’m going soon enough.)

Two things have to happen before I’m ready to give a presentation:

1. I have to get quiet enough to prepare the message.
2. I have to figure out ... Read More

Do you struggle with high blood pressure, eating disorders, depression or anxiety? Do you ever feel like true happiness is reserved for other people?

There is room for more joy in your life and it comes from the chemicals released when you do an act of kindness.

Kindness has the power to change a life. Brooke Jones has seen that personally and ... Read More

I don’t know if I’m allowed to do what I’m about to do. I don’t know if it’s okay to take just a few words from the Bible and highlight them, but that’s what’s about to happen.

I just finished a bible study about the prodigal son. That’s the story about the son who asks his dad for an early inheritance ... Read More

I was sitting in my mini-van when I had this huge idea over-take my heart. Go give her money.

“Her” was the young mom in the shiny gold bikini I had just met at our community pool. The “money” I was being told to give away was mine, and although I didn’t know exactly what I was going to spend it ... Read More