Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been tagged as “Encouragement”
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Staying fit in today’s world began when at age fifteen I recognized the importance of eating healthy and exercising at least five days a week. That determination has remained a part of my life longer than many of you are old. We often read articles, blog posts, and emails that focus on how to stay fit …
By DiAnn Mills @diannmills I believe in the power of fiction to change lives and encourage others—no matter the reader’s age, culture, education, social status, or life experiences. Fiction is a non-threatening environment to entertain others or help them journey through problems by stepping into a character’s shoes. The visceral experience takes the reader on a journey or adventure. For …
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Writers spend hours, weeks, months, and sometimes years working on behind-the-scenes research in writing a novel. I’m no different. The story must be so real to the readers that they block the outside world and become the character. Research involves thoroughly understanding the protagonist and antagonist. This includes how they live, earn a living, and react/respond …
By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Most people speed through the holidays with excitement and enthusiasm. They enjoy the many gatherings alongside family and friends, while some people sink into a well of depression. They feel alone and abandoned. Staying sensitive to the needs of others enables us to bless those who are emotionally and physically suffering. A friend said it best, …
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, …
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. …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
