Need A Better Attitude This Winter? Try This!

Written by Lisa @ This Pilgrim Life, Contributing Writer  The same thing happens every year. The temperature start to dip. The wind changes from a refreshing breeze to a biting chill. Enter more gray skies. Less color. Less sunshine. More grump. At first, it's fun to break out the sweaters, the scarves, and the boots. We are ready for a change and welcome the seasonal shift without much complaining. But after the holidays, when January and February come, you are likely dealing with … [Read more...]

5 Realistic, Tried & True Ways to Improve Happiness

Written by Christine @ So Domestically Challenged, Contributing Writer Happiness seems such a difficult thing sometimes.  I have a devoted husband, loving and successful children, a beautiful home and the kind of life I always thought would be out of my grasp.  Yet some days, the failures of my life play over and over like a movie reel, reminding me of unforgivable shortcomings and casting a shadow of fear across my future. The thing is, I'm human: a flawed, imperfect human … [Read more...]

Tips For Eating Healthy During The Holidays

Written by Kari @ Kari Newsom Contributing Writer  It’s that time of year again. As a Health and Nutrition Coach, I always have people ask me for some tips on how to successfully celebrate special occasions without completely going off the deep end when it comes time to eat. The first and most important thing I always tell people is this: ENJOY THE CELEBRATION!!! All to often we try so hard to do ‘the right thing’ about the whole ‘eating during the holiday’ issue, that we actually … [Read more...]

5 Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get Things Done (in the future)

Written by Christine @ So Domestically Challenged, contributing writer A few weeks ago, I was invited by Rachel to be a contributor here on Day2DayJoys.  I read her invitation.  I got excited.  I closed my email and made a mental note to get back to her...and I did get back to her a few days later. She invited me to do a post.  Immediately, at least 6 great ideas popped into my head.  I was thrilled.  I was energized.  I was ready to go.  But here I … [Read more...]

Five Books to Read During Seasons of Grief

Written by Lisa @ This Pilgrim Life, Contributing Writer Tomorrow is one month since I gave birth to my son. Except it was not the joy-through-pain experience that I have had three times before. This time my baby was born stillborn at twenty-two weeks. Wholly unexpected and wholly devastating. We have experienced a lot of emotions over the past month, of course. Our children are young, so they can switch from being sad their brother is gone to waging transformer battles in the … [Read more...]

How to Find Heart Strength When Pain Sears Deep

  Written by Karen @ To Work With My Hands, Contributing Writer "But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 'The LORD is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in him.' " (Lamentations 3:21-24, ESV) The familiar pink line confirmed what I had already suspected: we were expecting our tenth baby. I was excited to see it again because … [Read more...]

Are You A Health Warrior?

Written by Kari @ Living Strong, Health & Wellness , Contributing Writer We're in a battle right now. Many of you might not understand what I mean, but each day we wake up, we are faced with decisions that will ultimately affect our health - now and for years to come. A battle we face everyday is our food and nutrition. Eating healthy isn't as simple as it used to be; going to our garden, picking apples off a tree or collecting eggs from our backyard chickens. With all the changes … [Read more...]

A Plan for a Less Stress Holiday Season

Written by Lisa @ This Pilgrim Life, Contributing Writer In parenting three small children, keeping my home, and attempting the occasional personal pursuit, I often find myself vacillating between loving my life and being overcome by the blessing of it all, and loving my life but just being plain overcome. The days are full and busy and beautiful and FULL. And these are just the normal days. One such normal day recently went like this: I set my alarm the night before. Actually, I set … [Read more...]

Dear Mama, You Are Enough.

Written by Contributing Writer, Karli @ Feed Me Mama Last week, I broke down. I just couldn't do it anymore- the endless days of consoling, changing diapers, trying to stay on top of laundry and cooking and cleaning. Trying to remember the last time I read my Bible. Praying when I remembered to, but only asking for sanity. Balancing being a wife and mother and entrepreneur but really just struggling to keep my head above water. My own negativity, self-pity and jealousy was so thick I … [Read more...]

Simple, Intentional Encouragement

Written by Jenn @ A Simple Haven, Contributing Writer One of my goals for 2014 is to speak the words of encouragement I think but often neglect to say: what I love about a friend, what I appreciate about my husband and kids, a note of thanks for kindness rendered or a note of sympathy for a friend going through a hard season. I know words are powerful. The Bible even says they even have the power of life and death. I've experienced that power, for better and worse. And I've seen … [Read more...]