One of the most necessary and yet most difficult skills to master in this day and age is the art of listening. Let’s face it...we live in the generation of instant answers, google everything, ask Siri and get it done now. We are often so engrossed in social media that we neglect to truly listen to one another in a way that communicates “I am fully present with you and following”. Being able to actively listen is really an art form and takes some training but the payoff in your …
Growth Opportunities
Jesus and Yoga: How yoga is good for my relationship with Christ
As a Christian of 20 years, a yogi for 7, and fitness instructor for 2, I’m hosting a Christ-Focused Yoga session because I want to share the powerful experience of using yoga for prayer, worship and praise of the Creator. But, I know there are a lot of questions about yoga and spirituality, so I thought I’d share why, theologically, and how I personally and practically integrate the two. First off, there are many different types and styles of yoga. Even within the same style of yoga, an …
From a Place of Emptiness
Being in a place of emptiness is teaching me a valuable lesson. What I am putting into my mind and heart is what will come out. For the last few weeks I have been trying to write blogs and be more loving and encouraging to my family. Instead, I have found that I am mentally and emotionally dry, used up and exhausted. But why? After going through the She Reads Truth Lent Bible study, I stopped reading my Bible. I got busy and tired, and my daily reading of inspiration and truth fell out …
Autism Awareness ~ One Mother’s Story
“Through the blur, I wondered if I was alone or if other parents felt the same way I did - that everything involving our children was painful in some way. The emotions, whether they were joy, sorrow, love or pride, were so deep and sharp that in the end they left you raw, exposed and yes, in pain. The human heart was not designed to beat outside the human body and yet, each child represented just that - a parent's heart bared, beating forever outside its chest.” ― Debra …
Favorite Things Giveaway!!!
FAVORITE THINGS GIVEAWAY CONTINUES!!! Enter {HERE} One lucky winner will be chosen and they will receive their choice of our Spring 2016 Lifestyle Apparel Line for Week #2 of our Favorite Things Giveaway! We kicked off April with Silk & Stone Designs Jewelry in our Insta-Loop Giveaway and we are thrilled to announce the winner is.... Ashley will receive this lovely wrap bracelet as the winner of our week one Insta-Loop Giveaway! Congratulations Ashely! …
The Pursuit of Happiness
Confession: I get inspiration from the sides of Lulu Lemon shopping bags. I admit it--I’m compelled to live in light of the words on the bag. There’s one part of Lulu Lemon’s “manifesto” that leaves me feeling more discouraged than inspired, though. The saying says, “The pursuit of happiness is the source of all unhappiness.” I think I understand where the Lulu team is coming from--I agree we could all learn to be a little more content and grateful right where we are. Another Better …
Five reasons to be a guest blogger on The Better Business Babe
I began blogging last year for The Better Business Babe and I wanted to share 5 Things I have learned from this experience! It may seem challenging to find the time or the content to be a guest blog contributor but I feel it has helped push me to achieve some of my professional and personal goals and may help you as well! ~Cristina Demonstrate your thought leadership. Translation: “look good and show how smart you are!” Positive public relations is always great. Individuals think more …
7 Easy Steps to Financial Accountability
Creating and staying on a budget can be very difficult especially during the Holiday Season. The demands on our wallets can leave us in danger of going not only over budget but also into debt... In this article I will talk about a system that our family has adopted that has helped to give us a better understanding of where our money is going and how we put it to use! I will be honest it's been very difficult for my husband and I who are both pretty 'go with the flow' kind of people to take …
5 Ways to Take the Hassle Out of the Holidays
If you are busy and often take on a lot at once (and don’t we all?), then the holidays can be a really stressful time of year. Here are some reminders and ideas on how to survive the season and the fast approaching New Year ahead. 1. Plan ahead: If you are able to prepare, usually life goes a lot smother. What kind of things during the holidays might you plan for? One obvious one is gifts. Make a list of whom you need to give to and plan accordingly. I also suggest that you have a few gifts …
How to Start a Non-Profit- PART 3: Legalities!
This is Part 3 of How to Start a Non-Profit and you can view Part 1 ~ where we talked about the importance of defining your mission, vision, and values & Part 2 ~ explaining in depth what vision, mission, values, and differentiators are! Now we move on to the nitty-gritty administrative legalities for starting a non-profit! The steps below are for the state of California. Many of these steps can be broken down into their own blog posts, but here’s enough info to get you headed in the …