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Israel by Way of Bethlehem, Caesarea, and Mt. Carmel
Today was a spiritually moving and uplifting day. Despite the upsetting conflict erupting in the West Bank of Israel, the last couple of days have been memories that made a big dro
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My First Excursion in The Holy Land
My mother, a quiet and humble lady, visited the Holy Land decades ago. Now that she has gone on, I feel a deep connection with her spiritual journey as I explore the very path of J
What Does Community Mean to You?
When my pastor, Reverend Adam Shourds, asked me to briefly share with our church what community meant to me, I had to give it some serious thought. Although I attend church regular
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Rejuvenate This Summer
Whether you have a lighter workload in the summer, or the pace is frantic, opportunities exist to shake things up this season. Research (and common sense) tells us that time outdoo
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Restore Your Brain Today
If you’ve ever driven a long distance for a long-awaited vacation, you easily recognize the stages of your journey. You start out fresh, exhilarated. Once you break free of your
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Autism Awareness Month
April is the month devoted to several important causes that are near and dear to my heart. As a school psychologist and former case worker for special needs children, I have found
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It’s a Miracle We Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
The St. Patrick’s Day we all know and love, once looked nothing like what we experience today. Hundreds of years ago it was only a humble celebration to commemorate the life and
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What I’ve Learned from an Ongoing Bout with Stress
Three out of five employees experience work related stress in recent years and many careers, especially health care and education, suffer from staffing shortages and high turnover.
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How I Made Peace With Goal Setting
For years I’ve made elaborate goals at every turn of the calendar year. Holing myself up with a hot drink, envisioning all the ways I could improve gave me enough spark to send m
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Autumn is a Mood Booster
With a new season on the way, allow yourself to feel all those mood boosting endorphins that come with Autumn by soaking in the beauty and promise of what's to come.
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Is Optimism all it’s Cracked up to be?
A recent trend caught my attention in the headlines as it scrolled past last week. I rode along the transit options of New York City and learned that optimism is a state of mind
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Who Are You Deep Inside?
Several years have passed since I’ve been able to go home. Not the one I sleep in every night with my family. I’m talking about the one I came home from the hospital to,
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The Mood Boosting Benefits of Autumn
I have been in love with Fall for as long as I can remember, even though I’m not so excited about the fact that winter is chasing its heels. Fortunately, I’m not alone. Autumn
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Have You Ever Wanted to Leave the Past Behind?
There are moments or long stretches of time we’d all prefer to leave in the past. One of the toughest things to do is distance ourselves from painful memories. Our recollections
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What Can We Learn About Motivation From a Child?
The question we all face at junctures in life is – how do we keep the fires of motivation burning? Everything we ever do requires motivation. To break it down even further we
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Try Adding a Habit That Is Easy and Healthy
Finding the good in people you come across daily is something most of us think little about. The unpleasant fact is that we all tend to judge and even criticize others acros
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What Does Empathy Have to do With Success?
Simply put, empathy is being able to feel the experience of another person. If you’ve ever noticed a small child try to comfort a distressed playmate or even a baby closely watch
5 Steps You Can Take Today to Increase Your Peace And Fulfillment in Life
A few weeks ago, I was preparing for an important presentation required for work. It needed to be an hour long training video once I finished the research. On the afternoon of my d
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What Can We Do When the Season of Grief Lasts?
Now that the grip of the pandemic is loosening, we are getting on with life the way we once did. As with any great interruption in life, we can experience lingering effects
The Most Natural Antidote for Physical and Mental Health May be Missing in Your Life
I have had the benefit of “throat clearing” five decades to see change in society. I’ve learned about many modern medical advances and pharmaceutical cures for things
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Beat Burnout Today
When I was in my early twenties, I accepted a position at a group home for teenagers who were wards of the state. I enjoyed the work and saw promise and potential in the kid
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How Do We Keep Creating After Soul Crushing Rejection?
A few weeks after sending out another batch of query materials, I received a bit of feedback. The first of which was a three line form letter that quickly got the point acro
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The Parenting Trap
As we pass between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day it’s natural to reflect on your own experience as a child and at the same time ponder our own parenting approach. Many
Is Mindfulness Really Worth Your Time?
There has been a surge of promotion for mindfulness techniques, meditations, and lifestyle changes. That focus makes complete sense in light of the increasingly complex worl
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When Was the Last Time You Explored Your Identity?
If you are an adult living in the midst of career and family obligations, you probably dismiss the notion of reviewing your own identity. Wasn’t that step over back in tho
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Is Materialism Getting in Our Way of True Happiness?
After the past year, we are pacing ourselves through a period of re-boot. Most people are cautiously optimistic that society will march forward and growth will take root. Th
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Celebrate Your Bond With Mother Earth Today!
Since 1970, Americans have been recognizing Earth Day along with a growing number of countries. Today, more than 200 countries around the globe celebrate our planet and cons
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What Does Autism Awareness Month Mean For You?
Read this 3 minute description of what having an awareness of autism means for so many.
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Your Cozy of Encouragement has made #54 on Feedspot’s Top 100 Inspirational Blogs!
A big THANK YOU to FEEDSPOT for including this blog and website on their top 100 Inspirational Blogs! I am also now #4 on the Top 10 School Psychologist Blogs! I appreciate all of
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Is Perfection Your Goal?
Is the constant threat of competition surrounding you or is the success of others stressing you out?
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Is Spring Fever a Thing?
Does the seasonal shift of spring bring real changes that impact our health and well-being?
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Time to Check Our Emotional Fuel Gauge
What are some of the less obvious effects of this past year on our children's development and our own social well-being?
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It’s a Miracle We Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day!
Read how tough times blended a nation and people who can now share their unique qualities.
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Why Are Teenagers So Sleepy?
What can we do to improve our children's mood, energy, cognitive functioning, and attention spans?
What’s the Big Deal About Sleep?
Is sleeping a full 8 or so hours each night really that important for resilient kids or ourselves? You may be surprised to discover what researchers have found.
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How Do You Rate Your Self-Esteem?
Could your self-esteem use a boost lately? See if you can relate to these authentic ways of improving our sense of value.
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Is it Time to Clear Away Your Mental Fog?
Are you on top of your game every day? Read up on a few tips to help sharpen your focus and encourage creativity.
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How Do We Skip Over Dread and Do What We Want?
Do you ever find a hurtle of dread in front of you when planning to do something you know you need to do, and deep down want to do? Why is it so hard to get going sometimes?
Fawning and People Pleasing Interview with Pixie Jarvis
Are you a people pleaser merely to avoid conflict? Well that is called Fawning. Wednesdays interview is all about #fawning and ways to work through it.
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What Will You Do for Random Acts of Kindness Day?
What can you do to spread a little kindness today?
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What is Love Anyway?
Do you feel confused at times about the nature of love in this crazy world? Take 3 minutes to read your Valentine's message from me to you in our cozy corner of encouragement.
Interview with Pixie Jarvis from Outside In, and Healing Trauma with Equine Assisted Psychotherapy
“What is equine-assisted psychotherapy? Do horses need therapy? Or is it people?” Pixie Jarvis talks with Dr. Sharon Blevins about equine-assisted psychotherapy and the healing
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How Can Human Suffering Turn to Peace
Trauma. The word itself can tick up your heartrate and have us imagining war-torn countries, natural disasters, or horrendous assaults. It could also bring to mind personal memorie
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Celebrating the Gift of Love Begins Inside Your Own Heart
Are you ready to celebrate your closest relationships? Read on to prepare for the season of love.
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Excited About Groundhog Day?? Come Out of Your Hole & See What’s Ahead
Groundhog Day may not peek your interest, but read on for your encouraging message about the weeks ahead.
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Stress Relief May be as Close as a Good Belly Laugh
Few opportunities exist in our world to instantly improve our mood, lighten our stress, and deepen our attachment to our fellow humans. Could having a laugh be that powerful?
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Is There Such A Thing As Aging Gracefully?
What do you expect to achieve and accomplish as you grow older? Those perceptions can have a great impact on how healthy, happy, and productive you will be.
What Can a Child Teach us About Happiness?
What can you boost about your daily life right now that can help you live happier and healthier? We look no further than the nearest child for an answer.
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The New Way to a New You
How are you navigating your health and wellbeing in these first days of the new year? Take some time to refocus on what matters in the scheme of things - you!
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What Does Family Mean to You?
Could you find more fulfillment in your life through deeper connections with family?
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Happy Fresh Start!
Just as 2020 has been one to remember or possibly better off left in the rearview mirror, renew your spirit and hit restart for a fresh season of what you hold close.
Allison Millet: Setting Goals and Keeping Them
Need some motivation and a challenge? Could you use a push, some encouragement and cutting edge exercises to help you reach your fitness goals?
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How Can Nostalgia Brighten our Christmas?
Take a journey through your past with mementos and traditions - your Christmas spirit will be sure to take flight.
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Why Should You Take a Moment for Nostalgia?
Cuddling up for a cozy moment with the old photo album and a purposeful walk down memory lane can make for a brighter perspective and a welcome rekindling of holidays past.
Artist Stephanie Cobb’s Interview Clip
Listen in as Artist Stephanie Cobb tells us how to tap into our creative spirit!
This weeks topic is about the importance of Christmas
This week’s topic is about Christmas, and how important it is to make it extra special this year. #Christmas #family #motivation #sharonblevins
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Inspiration from Artist Stephanie Cobb
Hit the highlights of my fabulous interview with artist, Stephanie Cobb. Her insight has rejuvenated my soul and will undoubtedly encourage you too.
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Going Beyond Daily To-do Lists
Could you be doing more to heighten your productivity at work and strengthen your sense of balance in life?
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Does Multitasking Work for You?
Should we put our energy into multitasking or is there a better way to accomplish our best?
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How Good Are You at Forgiving Yourself?
Forgiving ourselves is one of the hardest feats to accomplish in this crazy world. Are you ready for a new year and a new you?
What is Forgiveness?
The mysterious notion of extending forgiveness to those who have deeply wounded you can seem impossible. Just when you think you've forgiven someone, the memory of it stings all ov
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A Moment of Gratitude
Zero in on what matters this season. Capturing each moment and soaking in the atmosphere of your smaller world can be every bit as special as your imagination can muster.
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Why Should We Celebrate Thanksgiving?
Slowing down to seek out the deeper meaning of thankfulness might be more important now than ever.
How Thankful Are You This Year?
Are you ready for this year to be over? How about approaching Thanksgiving a little different this year?
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Recovering From Political Upheaval
How can we move past this historical election during a worldwide pandemic? It sounds like a dark thriller book or movie. Our environment has brought out the best and worst for so m
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Are You an Impostor?
Feeling as if we don't quite measure up is more common than you may realize, especially in a competitive society. Read on for a reminder of the trap you can slip into without reali
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Advantages of Homesteading
If you have been a fan of homesteading or curious about the simple existence we can create in nature, read on for four advantages of homesteading.
Critical Connections
Times are hard and disappointment can overwhelm us. It's important to reach out to your family and friends and check in from time to time. You never know what a simple hello can do
Education Beyond the Pandemic…
What can we expect for the future of education with a variety of instructional models and the altered formats across our world? A trickle down effect over the coming years may be a
What Value Can We Find In Our Mistakes and Failures?
A by-product of living on this earth includes the accumulation of a mental list of decisions you may wish came with access to a delete button or at the least, a reset feature.
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Are You Sick of the Pandemic?
What is a productive, creative person to do in this season of stagnation?
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Is Procrastination Holding You Back?
Have you ever had a future goal that stirred in your heart every single day? You thought about it from every angle and imagined your success, yet somehow, it never quite took fligh
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Encouraging Your Troubled Teen
This space is intended to give you a new perspective and helpful suggestions that can be used in many situations involving troubled teens.
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Where’s Your Motivation?
We all have some motivation or we would never get up in the morning or make it to work or even fix a cup of coffee. When we talk about a lack of motivation, it has more to do with
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A Piece of Paradise
I followed my host, Anka, up concrete steps clasping the steadiest of handrails that reassured my pace upward all the while, propelling a threadbare carry on and bulging backpack.