It is often entertaining to watch domino-toppling, which consists of creating simple or elaborate patterns and sequences with standing dominoes arranged in a row or rows and then toppling the first one to set off a chain reaction that causes all the dominoes to fall sequentially. This creates the so-called "domino effect." The domino effect is also known as cause and effect. It is the relationship between two things, one thing making something else happen. You also see this c

Winter, spring, summer, and fall. Each of these seasons brings on new and exciting possibilities, new memories to be made, and new activities to explore. They also hold many traditions and memories that we remember with fondness. Each of these seasons also brings the opportunity to gather. Gathering with family and friends; gathering wood to stay warm for the winter; gathering fresh blooms from the spring garden; gathering the harvest from a summer garden; gathering a team fo

I am a hugger, but I haven’t always been. I grew up in a great family, but we simply didn’t hug very much. As the years went on and I had my own family, I became a hugger. I wanted my kids to find peace and safety within our home and let them know they always had a place in my arms to get away from what was bothering them. I started doing this with my siblings and parents as well. It was awkward at first, no one quite knew what to do with a hug. Over time they came to expect

Do you have a bucket list?  There are so many wonders in the world to read about and explore. I would say most, if not all of us desire experiences that enrich us and bring learning and joy. So, what is stopping you from doing some of these things? If you are like me, you may simply need to start writing these things down. I have thought of several things, but I have never actually made a list. It’s hard to accomplish a task or a goal if we never write it down. Writing it dow

There I am, standing at the top of a ladder, about 20 feet from the ground. I am so confident that I could put this large bounce house up on the garage shelf for my friend. She is afraid of heights, but I am not and am happy to help her. I get ready to set it in place, but it slips slightly. I don’t drop it, but I don’t have the best grip on it and the other items on the shelf have now shifted. I try again, unsuccessful. At this point, it is getting heavier. My friend stops t

Remember when you were a child learning to ride a bike? You were so excited to get on that bike, whether it was new or used it didn’t matter, and you were finally going to be able to ride with your siblings or friends. You were a little unsteady at first, but then you began to understand how to balance and seem to be getting the hang of it! Suddenly, you find yourself on the ground with a scraped knee or hands. Instantly you seek help - someone to gently remove the debris, wi

Your Story Can Shape Others Our stories matter. Our experiences can shape the future, if we take time to record the things that actually helped make us who we are. The things that we thought about, cared about, and worked to achieve. We can leave a legacy through the records we make, and this can help our posterity or family at future points. I have always struggled with journal writing, as I have often viewed it as a record of mundane tasks that I did that day. However, I am

Becky was given an opportunity to go with a youth group to hike and camp for several days. She was not excited about it and had early on decided she was not going to go. Many of her family members and friends encouraged her to go; expressing their love, support, and even their need for her to be there. She was grateful to hear that people liked her and wanted her to come, but she expressed that nothing was going to change her mind.   As the day of the trip drew closer, her de