What I Learned from a Good Idea Turned Bad About Running

What I Learned from a Good Idea Turned Bad About Running

by | Health & Wellness, Life Application

I climbed on the treadmill yesterday, ready to conquer the world. I knew my workout schedule next week would be messed up, so I was going to “up the ante” this week.

Photo Credit: Thomas Hawk via Compfight cc

Photo Credit: Thomas Hawk via Compfight cc


When I’m running, I don’t like to see the numbers. It makes the time drag by and I don’t feel as productive or focused, so I put a towel over the screen. I know it should take nine songs to hit my running goal. At the end of the ninth song, I take the towel off, see where I’m at, jump up and shout (not really), then slow the pace so I can cool down.
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Why It's Not too Late to Begin Again

Why It's Not too Late to Begin Again

by | Life Application

I’m on this journey. Some of you have been on it with me for the last few months, and some of you may just be joining. It’s my journey of simply taking the next right step.

Photo Credit: Wiertz Sébastien via Compfight cc

Photo Credit: Wiertz Sébastien via Compfight cc


I picked up a new book last night and didn’t make it past the introduction before God reminded me of those three simple, yet powerful words.
Joyce Meyer, in her new book, You Can Begin Again, gives a great reminder that it’s never too late. And guess what?
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Why You Don't Have to be a Mom to Celebrate Mother's Day

Why You Don't Have to be a Mom to Celebrate Mother's Day

by | Life Application

Every year for the last six years, I’ve bought a Mother’s Day card for one of my best friends, Jennifer. She doesn’t have children of her own, yet she deserves to share that special day with a million other moms.

We can give birth to more than children (1)

When I met her six years ago, I had no idea we would have the friendship we have today. She has inspired me to go beyond what I knew I was capable of. I’ve cried on her shoulder more times than I can count. She provides me with countless nuggets of wisdom. And she doesn’t hesitate to slap me upside the head when I do something dumb, which is frequently.

Oh … and she’s 45, so that officially makes her old, right?

Jennifer could never have children due to some health issues in her late 20s. For many, that could seem like the end of life. No children so often means no purpose in the lives of some women. Not for her.

I’m writing over at Single Matters Magazine today. Continue reading to learn how you can give birth to more than just children, just as my friend Jennifer did. Tune in here…
How to Punch Rejection in the Face

How to Punch Rejection in the Face

by | Life Application

We’ve all been rejected at least once in our lives. If I could guess, I bet it’s been more than once.

photo credit: barbaracorcoran


Everyone handles rejection differently, and the way we handle it sets us up for success or failure. It’s up to us, really.
Barbara Corcoran, real estate mogul, business expert, and Shark Tank star, can teach us a thing or two about biting back at rejection and not allowing it to define us.
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Three Ways to Help People Pleasers

Three Ways to Help People Pleasers

by | Guest Posts, Life Application

This is a guest post by my new friend, Wyatt Fisher, Psy. D. Fisher is a Christian Psychologist and the founder of Christiancrush.com. Find him on Google Plus.
Understanding relational styles can be essential to having successful dates, friendships, and even family reunions.

Photo Credit: LyndaSanchez via Compfight cc

Photo Credit: LyndaSanchez via Compfight cc


One very common relational style is called “other-orientation”.  It’s a nice 50-cent word that means you’re a people pleaser to the core. Other-oriented people are known for being compassionate and agreeable, but these qualities also make them vulnerable.
In an article from Psychology Today, Henriques stated, “It is crucial to note that compassion, attraction and appreciation of the other are some of the most positive and hopeful aspects of being other-oriented.” Being other-oriented might make you more compassionate and agreeable, but it might also make you more likely to forget to take care of yourself.
In general, people who are highly other-oriented rely on the approval of others and avoid conflict. When they are put in a situation that might lead to conflict, they sometimes are told to just be more assertive. Unfortunately for other-oriented people, it’s not as simple as flipping the switch between people-pleasing and demanding what they want. Think of it as a “Don’t Rock the Boat” approach to life – it affects every relationship. Too much other-orientation may lead to extreme dependency. Submitting isn’t always a bad thing, but there are some who are so other-oriented that they’ll submit as the slightest provocation.
If you are other-oriented, don’t feel bad about sympathizing with your friends or wanting to make your date feel more comfortable.  Being kind and agreeable is completely natural for you.  Just be careful of caring too much about others and not enough about yourself. Friends and family are important people, but you could spend your entire life holding back your own feelings and desires simply to avoid conflicting views.  Those who are not 100% other-oriented should keep an eye out for their people-pleasing friends.
If you see someone who too often seeks the approval of others, help them out and remind them that they are just as important as the next person. Here are a few ways we can all help one another:

1) Be Compassionate

Compassion makes the world a better place, but compassion in the name of human approval is dangerous. Try striking a balance between loving others while also loving yourself. If you aren’t other-oriented, take care of those who are by being aware of their tendencies and refusing to manipulate them.

2) Don’t fear others

Receiving disapproval can be debilitating.  Read through John 12:37-43 and you’ll see an example of people who didn’t stand up for themselves because they were worried about the human consequences. That final verse packs an impressive punch: “For they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.” These men didn’t follow their consciences or convictions about Jesus because they feared man more than God. We need to stop making fear of disapproval such an idol in our lives and start leading a more liberated life.

3) Be a Jesus Pleaser

Ultimately, we must become more preoccupied with pleasing Jesus than pleasing others. A recent message at Flatirons Church in Colorado emphasized the importance of following Him and obeying His Word at all costs. If we can turn our approval seeking, people pleasing tendency into seeking His approval instead, we’ll be all set. Talk about a transformational redirect! The next time you feel the urge to look towards your peers for your value, beauty, and identity; remember to look up to God instead. By doing so, you’ll be taking your vulnerable tendency of defining yourself through others and rewiring it by illuminating your true self through the One who designed you.
What’s helped you stop being a people pleaser? Share with us in the comments below… 

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