Author: Marlys Lawry Page 17 of 54

What if you counted all the ways you’re loved?

It was a sunny July—four months before my husband, Gary, died. We were in a cozy vacation cabin with family. And I was adding to my gratitude journal.

 

Photo by Nicole Wilcox on Unsplash

Can we edit our life stories? How?

This quote from Susan Statham made me wonder: How does the editing process work?

Your life is a story. Write well. Edit often.

 

Photo by MILKOVÍ on Unsplash

What do you know to be true?

An online article at The Grit + Grace Project caught my attention: “100 Truths for Every Strong Woman.”

(Before the men quit reading, you need to know that this piece is very honoring of your gender. Because you are valuable and important and worthy of our respect.)

 

Photo by Becca Tapert on Unsplash

How to be a difference-maker

It was Annie Dillard who said, “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.”

Mick Black of Sisters, Oregon, is spending his life making a difference for the people in the Ngenge area of northern Uganda—as co-owner, CEO, importer, exporter, roaster, administrative assistant, and janitor of Kabum Coffee.

So how does owning a coffee company make a difference in the world?

Answer: When the business model is “entirely and wholeheartedly humanitarian-based” and any earnings, after expenses, go right back to the country.

 

Photo courtesy of Kabum Coffee

Do you doubt you can fly?

“Honey … we can do this!” I’d just read an article as a newlywed—back in the 70s—about Alaskan acreage being given to people who could build a home and settle on the land.

Homesteading. It sounded so romantic, so adventurous.

“So cold,” said my husband.

 

Photo by Rod Long on Unsplash

You need to read this if your life hasn’t gone as planned

When my husband Gary died of cancer, my kids encouraged me to take an early retirement. The plan was to temporarily move to my son Jeremy and daughter-in-law Denise’s place in Marina del Rey.

 

Photo: Marlys

How to create margin

Last week I was in Albany, Oregon with my daughter, Summer, who was house-hunting. We stopped into Margin Coffee in the old downtown area for hot beverages.

 

Photo: Margin Coffee website

Does your perspective need tweaking?

Thirteen years ago, daughter Summer and son-in-law Josh packed up the grandkids and moved away from the Pacific Northwest.

 

Multnomah Falls above the Columbia River Gorge (photo: Marlys)

What are you waiting for?

The floor is still swaying gently beneath me. I’m back on solid ground after a week-long cruise from Quebec to Boston. But the floor is still swaying.

 

Home base for the week—the Zaandam (all photos: Marlys)

Welcome, Autumn! 50 inspiring thoughts

The question went out to girlfriends, daughters, sisters, nieces: What are your favorite things about autumn?

You might be surprised at some of the responses.

 

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