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“Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.”The first time I encountered this idea from Karl Barth was in a 20th Century Theology class I took while in college. I thought it sounded deep and profound, and I made sure to doodle it in the margins of the class notes of my trusty three-ring binder.Over the years I’ve seen that line pop up again and again. It’s an inspirational quotation on wall calendars and day planners. I’ve seen it calligraphed on coffee cups and etched on tchotchkes.But ever si …

As you reflect on the holiday season, what images, sentiments, or traditions come to mind first? Maybe it’s religious services. Or family meals and tasty sweets. Perhaps it’s traveling near and far to see loved ones. Hosting large celebrations or enjoying more intimate affairs. Exchanging store-bought or homemade gifts, or maybe you forgo gift-giving altogether? Whatever your holiday rituals and customs involve, is there room to explore a new tradition? This year, I encourage everyone to …

For over 150 years, the phrase “20/20 vision” has been used to reference visual clarity or acuity. That’s from where the commonly used phrase, “Hindsight is 20/20” comes. And here we are winding down the year 2020, when so much is up in the air, it’s hard to look at this past year and think of anything as particularly clear. But if we look hard enough, we can see that 2020 has provided us with the opportunity to look clearly upon our own lives and self-reflect on things for which we sho …

Lately I’ve heard the phrase, “We’re all in the same boat.” In some ways it seems to be true. We are all going through experiences due to the coronavirus. We are connected. The worries I have now match the worries of other people all over the world. It used to be that my worries were unique to me and my situation—isolated to my small part of the world.While we share the same worries and concerns, when you look closer, we are not actually in the same boat at all. We are in different boats, …

As the holidays approach, people often take a moment to reflect on the year and give thanks for the blessings they have received. Whether it’s going around the Thanksgiving table to say one thing you are thankful for or assisting your kids with a gratitude-themed assignment, gratitude seems to be on everyone’s brain. But gratitude can be more than just an exercise during the holiday season. Many people believe cultivating an attitude of gratitude is a valuable life skill that can hel …