October 22 – National Color Day

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills National Color Day celebrates how every person interprets the way  light reflects or bounces off an object. The experience is more than what we see and enjoy or avoid. The various hues and shades impact us creatively, physically, and psychologically. Color is one of my favorite literary tools to show emotion and encourage readers to join …

Listening—The Key to Navigating Life

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills We’ve grown up hearing instructions to “listen,” and wisdom is woven into the word. As children, we were told to listen to our parents and others who were 1) wiser, 2) chose to protect us, and 3) had more life experience. As teens and adults, sage advice is always to listen. Learning and listening are companions, …

Don’t Use Skim Milk in God’s Recipe for Life

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills In today’s world, many of us are constantly seeking shortcuts in various aspects of our lives. Whether it’s in our diets, our work, or our spiritual journeys, the appeal of the easy way out can be tempting. But when it comes to living a fulfilling and purposeful life, there are no substitutes for the real thing. …

After the Storm: Ways to Make a Difference in Hurricane Helene Recovery

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills I’m taking a break from my normal blogging post topics to focus on how we can make a difference in Hurricane Helena Recovery.  Thousands of victims were impacted from the high winds and flooding that not only took lives and property, but also continues to threaten people who need rescued. Food, water, and shelter, the necessities …

Navigating Unchartered Waters

DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Guest Post: Kristen Hogrefe Parnell @khogrefeparnell Recently, I enrolled my two-year-old in a two-week swim class. Another mom friend had warned me that her daughter screamed the entire first lesson, so I prepared myself for a similar reaction—but hoped my son would do better. He didn’t. He screamed most of the class until I finally sat next …

30 Ways to Celebrate September

DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills I enjoy September. Nature takes a new paintbrush to the canvas of our lives in yellow, orange, green, and deep purple. With cooler temperatures and the autumn anticipation, why not celebrate every day with a sweet reminder? “That old September feeling, left over from school days, of summer passing, vacation nearly done, obligations gathering, books and football …

What’s the Best Part of Getting Older?

By DiAnn Mills @DiannMills Recently I posted on Facebook the question: What is the best part of getting older? Within two minutes of pressing post, I had comments. The responses were varied, and I giggled at many of them. Here’s the ranked list: Grandkids (This one was mentioned the most. In my opinion, there is a reason they are called …

Get Out of Dodge—Where Did That Phrase Originate?

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Less than a month ago, my city, Houston, met the challenge of Hurricane Beryl. I’ve experienced hurricanes before, but this one got my attention. I felt like I was living in a documentary about those who attempt to ride out a storm. And don’t get me started on the days without power in 90+ degree temps …

Smiling Takes the Bite out of Stress

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills This is not an article on ways remove stress from your life. Neither am I offering an instructional guide to eliminating stress by getting organized, exercising more, eating nutritionally sound, praying more, learning to say no, journaling your feelings, seeking counseling, taking prescription meds, or exploring the many ways to reduce stress. There are plenty of …

July 30—International Friendship Day

By DiAnnMills @DiAnnMills International Friendship Day is celebrated on July 30th. This is a special time to acknowledge and appreciate our friends around the globe. Those special people could live next door or across the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans. We are fortunate in today’s world to enjoy relationships from the screens of our electronic devices. No travel needed, only a …