Notes

October 7th 

Hello, Friend!

This topic has come up a lot in my conversations in the past month. How to be a good manager of yourself. What does this really mean?

Being a good manager of yourself means taking personal responsibility for how you spend your time, energy, and attention. It’s about developing self-awareness, self-discipline, and habits that help you perform effectively and live in alignment with your values. Here are some key principles.

*Know yourself - Clarify your values, what matters to you most.

*Set clear goals - Break goals into actionable steps, set priorities on importance, not urgency.
*Plan your time well - Plan daily & weekly; prioritize, avoid multi-tasking.
*Practice Self-Discipline - Stick to your schedule. Avoid distractions. Long-term gains often require short-term discomfort.
*Reflect & adjust.
*Take care of your health.
*Communicate effectively - Even with yourself. Be honest with yourself about what you are doing and why.
*Keep learning - View mistakes as learning opportunities, not failures.

I plan on putting all of these principles into action. I do a few. It's time to be a good manager of myself.

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October 1st

Hello, Friend!

I brought out my fall decorations this past week! With the leaves just beginning to drift down, it felt like the perfect time to embrace the season. I spruced up the front porch, the back porch, and added a few cozy touches around the house. I even lit a few new Chai Pumpkin Latte-scented candles—instant autumn vibes. How about you? Have you started decorating for the season yet?

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September 13th

Hello, Friend!

It’s been a heavy week for our country. I’ve felt sadness and fear — emotions that play right into the hands of the enemy. In the midst of it, I cried out to the Lord, “Why? I don’t understand this.”

Then I heard the powerful words of a young woman who had just lost her husband. Despite her deep sorrow, she spoke with strength, courage, unwavering faith, and determination. As I listened, tears streamed down my face — but something shifted. I felt stronger, uplifted, and filled with hope.

I don’t know her personally, but I can stand with her. I can pray for her, for her family, and for the ministry she’s been entrusted with.

Then it struck me — she had prayed before delivering that message. She prayed for those who would hear it. She prayed for people like me.

It reminded me that we often have no idea who is listening or how our actions might impact others. My takeaway is this: I need to be more mindful — in my words, in my actions, and in how I show up every single day.

~~~

August 30th

Hello, Friend!

I hope you're enjoying your holiday weekend. We’ve traveled to spend some time at our new home, and I came with a list of things I hoped to accomplish. One of them? Finally going through my cookbooks.

I’ve collected some truly beautiful ones over the years, always telling myself, “One day I’ll sit down, go through these, and pick out the recipes I want to try.” But somehow, that “one day” never seems to arrive.

So I’ve made a promise to myself: I’m going to start exploring those cookbooks and actually use the recipes I’ve been admiring for so long.

How about you? Do you have a similar dilemma—books, hobbies, or projects waiting for “someday”?