By Abby Glaser “It’s the most wonderful time of the year…”
The holiday season is upon us after a monumental year! You may be looking forward to the holiday or you may be dreading it. You might even be feeling a little bit of both! Nothing has been typical about 2020 and that includes how we will all celebrate the holiday season. For many, holidays can bring stress, anxiety or loneliness. After a crazy year you might be unsure how to navigate this season. Here are five tips to help your days be merry and bright!
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The teaser picture in the March 2 Springfield News-Sun caught my attention. Rob Rue, a friend and Springfield city commissioner, was standing with a group of students holding a sign that said "I UNPLUG TO __________." Hmmmm, wonder what this is about? In a few seconds I was reading the inspirational story of local students promoting the National Day of Unplugging from sunset on Friday, March 6 through sundown on Saturday, March 7.
By Lavern Nissley
I noticed a recent Facebook post by good friend Jeff Pinkleton about his annual check in with daughter, Leah. He referenced an article from All Pro Dad that provides a helpful framework for doing annual check ins with his kids. Could be appropriate for more frequent than annual, if that's a better rhythm for you. Want to see the questions? By Lavern Nissley
Ever thought about what you'll leave for the next generation? What you'll be honored for as your life winds down? We celebrated the 90th birthday of Ronda's mom this past weekend. Her father isn't far behind in age, turning 90 next August. Being together with Ronda's siblings in inlaws was inspirational and gave me a profound appreciation for the legacy these two people are leaving. By Lavern Nissley
Dave King, a friend and colleague from 30 years ago in Cincinnati, died at age 55 last week. The text notification from another friend hit me hard. "No, no, no!" I had just been thinking of calling him and getting together. But he had collapsed while working out and couldn't be revived. Several of us who worked together with Dave in the 1980's at New Beginnings Fellowship, a small suburban church in Finneytown/Cincinnati, attended his funeral Saturday. What a surreal experience to see such a close friend laying in a casket! But there was unexpected inspiration in this funeral from Dave's two children, Matthew and Erin. By Lavern Nissley
I've never been a fan of the saying, "If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy". Ronda and I have talked about it, and we both have found it somewhat derogatory and sexist. A 14 year research study in the UK took a look at this hypothesis and came up with some pretty interesting results. And some compelling implications. By Lavern Nissley
(Photo: Cara Owsley/The Enquirer) Ronda and I have followed the heartbreaking story of Brooke Skylar Richardson, the young teen from Warren County who secretly gave birth to her baby in the middle of the night, then allegedly killed it (she claims it was stillborn) and buried the newborn in the back yard. Last week she was acquitted on 3 counts of aggravated murder, involuntary manslaughter and child endangering. She was convicted of abuse of a corpse and sentenced to three years of community control and seven days in jail. Did any good come out of this horrendous story? Or was it pretty much all terrible? By Lavern Nissley
If you have children, or are planning to have children, what would you say is your one word job description as a parent? It could fit into the blank in this sentence: "I believe my parenting job description is to __________." By Lavern Nissley
Have you ever seen the TV commercials with pets that are skinny, shaking and looking forsaken? My heart always goes out to these neglected creatures with the wish that such lack of care and concern could be totally eradicated. The blue pinwheels you are seeing all over the nation this week are a reminder to pay attention to incidents of abuse. But not of pets. Of children. By Lavern Nissley
Most people, myself included until last year, have never heard of ACE. No, it's not the standardized test for applying to colleges; that's ACT. A person's ACE score (Adverse Childhood Experiences) has been correlated with a host of physical and psychological maladies. Continue reading to understand why ACEs are so important and relevant. |
HostsLavern & Ronda Nissley are co-directors of Encompass. Married since 1978, both enjoy coffee, riding their tandem bicycle and working together to build strong relationships. TOPICS
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