Romeo and Juliet’s love story is a tragedy because of a misunderstanding. Romeo took the fact that Juliet’s eyes were closed—oh, and that she was in a tomb—to mean that she was dead rather than asleep. Upon discovering Juliet with closed eyes, Romeo drinks poison to join her in death. Then, when sleeping Juliet wakes […]
Try-hard
When self-improvement becomes self-bullying
I’m not perfect. I eat too much sugar, I get impatient, and my words are often unkind. My response to imperfections like these is to create an Ideal Jill who’s basically everything I’m not. I compare myself to her and try really hard in the name of self-improvement. I work with all the energy I […]
Three easy steps to live a limitless life
When people tell me I have limits, I’m like: We live in a world that says I have a right to be limitless. Unlimited data, streaming, and storage are our rights. Nike even has an ad that says, “When everyone pushes their limits, they reach their maximum potential and live happily ever after.” And who […]
The part of the Christmas story nobody is talking about
Amid the hustle and bustle I’m living, I yearn to hear songs like Silent Night and Away in a Manger. These songs evoke feelings of peace on earth and mercy mild, quiet and stillness, a baby swaddled and mother holding him tight. Quaint. Sweet. Loving. Safe. Familiar. But this year is different. I’m ready to […]
Two truths to keep social media from driving you crazy this Christmas
Inadequate. Inferior. Discouraged. Lonely. Overstimulated. Covetous. My Facebook friends used these adjectives to describe how social media makes them feel during the holidays. Or, let’s be real, anytime. How can we stay sane as we see perfectly decorated trees, jaw-dropping vacations, and photo-ready families doing all the cool stuff? What’s really happening to our hearts […]
What you need to know about the Good Shepherd
You should know that I’m a bit of a mess. I’m wife to Ryan, mom of two, and a writer + speaker. I love podcasts, books, and sprinkles on just about everything. I’m a try-hard girl who values efficiency, productivity, and performance. I struggle with perfectionism and ascribing my value to how much I achieve. […]
How to stop your obsession with calories, jean size, and pumpkin pie
Team McCormick took our annual Christmas card photos last week. The tradition gives me pictorial proof that our girls are growing up, but it also brings to the surface a belief that I hold about myself, one I’d prefer to let go of that’s stuck in my heart… It sheds light on the belief that […]