When my oldest son, Julian, moved back home, he knew that I, in my Methodist minister role, needed a couple of singers to help lead a 9 a.m. worship gathering. I debated whether to ask him if he could help me out, but before I could utter a word, he…

When I was younger, I drew up several vision boards outlining my dream life. I simply listed my goals and the age by which I wanted to achieve them. I remember being 10 years old and writing in my diary with such strong conviction that I needed to own…

In the middle of a work meeting, I stumbled upon an intriguing concept that resonated with me on a personal level: the good-better-best goal system. This is a goal-setting approach that allows you to set goals in three tiers that align with your individual capabilities. As I delved…

My husband, Jared, doesn’t need a gym anymore, or dumbbells, or fancy machines. These days, all he needs is the floor, a bit of space, and his body. He still loves the gym and would gladly pick up free weights when the opportunity arises, but there’s something quietly powerful about…

I’ve been diving deep into entrepreneurship lately. I’m striving to learn everything I can about business — and trying to understand its darkest secrets — in hopes of attaining a higher level of success. I consider this a crucial step toward achieving one of my biggest and most important life…

Recently, news about a deal on airfare started making the rounds in our group chats. Here in the Philippines, these sales tend to appear when people start thinking about summer travel. Cheap fares, beautiful destinations, and the thrill of booking something spontaneous can be hard to resist. Some of my…

“Let me see if I’m hearing you correctly: If I get the lip biopsy and it’s positive, it’ll confirm that I have Sjögren’s syndrome. If I get the lip biopsy and it’s negative, I likely still have Sjögren’s syndrome and the treatment plan I’m on won’t change either way?” The…

I discovered that I have a talent unlike any other. I’m a world champion at throwing pity parties. When times get tough and I feel lost, all I must do is put a cone-shaped hat on my head and recognize my misfortune. My glum permeates the air as I raise…

At age 28, I received a diagnosis that changed the way I saw myself. Learning that I had attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) felt like a missing puzzle piece finally clicking into place. Suddenly, everything that had once confused me about my life made sense: my struggles to stay engaged in tasks…

Doubled over in pain, I can barely walk, and just breathing hurts. A tight, squeezing sensation like a vice grip envelops my stomach. I repeatedly call to try to schedule an appointment with a specialist. I eventually set an alarm every Friday to try again, believing that perhaps a squeaky…