When Brittney Griner was heading back to the United States after being a prisoner in Russia for 10 months, she boarded a U.S. government plane with Roger Carstens, the special presidential envoy for hostage affairs. “I want to talk,” Griner told Carstens, according to an article in the December 12, 2022, issue of the Dallas […]
Make a connection
by resolutewoman on December 17, 2022 in friends, holidays, kindness, Uncategorized
Be kind and considerate
by resolutewoman on September 29, 2022 in families, friends, kindness, Uncategorized
Why do people act the way they do? Sometimes the way people act seems complex and confusing. “You have no idea what has happened to that person you just passed on the sidewalk….Extraordinary things happen to people,” says Elizabeth Strout, one of my favorite authors. I heard Elizabeth Strout speak at Arts & Letters Live […]
So-called Christians
by resolutewoman on September 8, 2022 in friends, kindness, love, Uncategorized
This is the letter to the editor that I submitted to The Dallas Morning News. It was printed on Wednesday, September 9, 2022, with only a few minor changes: The headline on an article on the front page of the September 2, 2022, issue of your newspaper declared: “Christians sue over HIV drugs.” I am […]
Weeds are flowers too?!
by resolutewoman on June 21, 2022 in friends, kindness, Uncategorized
I have some friends who have political opinions I don’t agree with, friends who can be a bit disagreeable, sometimes a bit cranky or unkind. They aren’t perfect. And, they may not be wonderful. However, once I got to know them and understand their circumstances, I realized that they are interesting, complicated people. They are […]
Pain and hate
by resolutewoman on June 18, 2022 in character, kindness, stress
Why do people cling to their hateful ideas? James Baldwin once explained, “I imagine one of the reasons people cling to their hates so stubbornly is because they sense, once hate is gone, they will be forced to deal with pain.”
Just show up
by resolutewoman on May 28, 2022 in advice, courage, kindness
Author Kate Bowler recently did a podcast with the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, who offered this advice when it comes to showing up for people in difficult times: Just. Show. Up.
Just be “nice”
by resolutewoman on March 5, 2022 in advice, families, friends, kindness
I never have liked the word “nice.” Somehow, it always seems a bit trite, but the word is packed with a lot of information. That’s why I like this quote by anonymous. “Treat everyone with kindness, even those who are rude to you, not because they are nice but because you are.” –Joy
Remember kindness
by resolutewoman on March 3, 2022 in families, friends, kindness
I sometimes have to remind myself that I can be kind to everyone. “Kindness is in our power even when fondness is not,” Henry James once said. –Joy
Don’t be yourself
by resolutewoman on February 26, 2022 in advice, kindness
I like this quote—a lot. It comes from “anonymous,” and I don’t remember where I found it. “Don’t be yourself. Be someone nicer.” –Joy
Tolerate fools gladly?!
by resolutewoman on January 13, 2022 in change, holidays, kindness, Uncategorized
Be kind. Be kinder. That’s always a good resolution. And, here’s a timely resolution that I received on a Happy New Year 2022 postcard. “New Year’s resolution: To tolerate fools more gladly, provided they get the jab.” The postcard, of course, is a kindly reminder that we all need to get vaccinated and boosted. –Joy
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We wrote our book and we’re writing our blog because we were frustrated. We were frustrated with experts who try to tell people how to lose weight, raise their children and improve their marriages—and be a success—in 10 easy steps. In three weeks. In one book.
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