What CAN I do?
Like many others, I’m exhausted from the uncertainty, isolation and restrictions brought on by the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. In a word, I feel…depleted. We humans like to be in control – of our daily lives, our destiny and our choices. Any semblance of control has been thrown out the window by a global pandemic wreaking havoc on our lives. In order to be safe, we are told we can’t be with people, can’t visit other cities and countries, can’t go to entertainment venues, can’t go to workplaces or schools unless we are essential workers or strict protocols are in place to minimize exposure....
Read MoreWho Defines YOUR Life?
Widow. What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear that word? I asked over 80 people that question, and answers ranged from: sad, lonely, empty, and displaced; to awakening, beginning, resilient, strong and courageous, with everything in between, including “spider” (aka Black Widow). Many explained that the word they chose reflected their personal experience, perceptions or fears about widowhood. As a recent widow, I’ve been reflecting on what this change means and how to boldly venture into this new chapter of my life. At times, this transition has felt like walking through a...
Read MoreWinter Solstice
As a gardener, I feel most alive in nature, especially during the growing season. My least favorite time of year is late fall as plants die or settle in for the winter, as days get darker and temperatures colder, culminating with the winter solstice. I look forward to December 22, when the days start to lengthen and lighten, offering hope for Spring’s new growth. Advent is often described as a time of waiting, of expectations, of hope for the Savior’s birth—the beginning of a new life. As our family navigated my husband’s terminal illness and death, we experienced a different...
Read MoreIt’s all just stuff…
Two recent events have me to thinking about the stuff we accumulate in our modern lives: My daughter and son-in-law are moving almost half-way across the country. Their months-long journey to find a new house while preparing to sell their current house has involved letting go of stuff they won’t need, as well as defining what they will need in this next chapter of their lives. A few months ago, my husband was diagnosed with an illness that has upended our lives, requiring us to redefine what is important, and how to fill our days without knowing what the future will bring – spending time and...
Read MoreIntentional Acts of Kindness
The phrase “random acts of kindness” is often used to describe things that catch us off guard. After my husband was diagnosed with a serious illness, we received many acts of kindness, but they didn’t feel very random. That got me to thinking–what if acts of kindness are not random, but intentional? What if we’re just not fully paying attention to the kindness of others? Let’s start with the premise that kindness is being friendly, generous, or considerate. The word random suggests something done without conscious decision, while intention implies purpose or deliberation. Given those...
Read MoreMaking Connections in a Disconnected World
“Technology lets us connect and interact with ease, increasing our points of contact and giving us access to a wide world of information. This is a good thing. But one downside of our highly technical world is that we may miss out on fully experiencing the world around us. Engrossed in gadgets and information, we become reactive, responding only to what is in front of us… What is lost is full, three-dimensional conversation…the time to really hear a message and comprehend the emotion behind it; the patience to reflect on how to respond so the other person understands you; the thoughtfulness...
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Deb Hornell is a visionary whose personal brand of “Cultivating Environments for Growth” extends into her consulting practice, her family and friendships, and her book: "Good Things for a Full Life."
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