I’m No Superstar

I’m No Superstar is a blog for people like me who want to make a difference in the world but know they aren’t activists. Each post contains a social action idea that most of us could do, a book that’s worth reading, or a link to a website that offers other ideas. Oh, and it’s all introduced by a sometimes quirky story from my life.

5 ways to cope when the world is a mess

OUCH. Mass evacuations in Afghanistan—and those left behind. Earthquake in Haiti. Hurricane in Louisiana. Fires and drought out west. Oil slicks in the Mediterranean. Delta overwhelming hospitals and exhausting healthcare workers. Flooding in Europe and Tennessee (and possibly my county, which is under a flood watch as the Ida remnant rains pour down today). It

It’s time to plug the leaks

I love to give to charity. It doesn’t matter if I support the food bank by rounding up my purchase at the grocery store or buy a cart full of groceries to donate, it all feels good. I am happy to support the homeless shelter with by mailing a check or serving a meal. It

End 2020 by digging a little deeper

This year has been exceptionally hard for everyone—individuals, families, businesses, organizations and nonprofits. It’s almost over. We’re collectively holding our breaths, hoping (but also scared to hope) that 2021 will ease up. Experts who study charitable giving have been surprised at how generous people were in the first nine months of 2020, even with all

We don’t even need restaurant gift cards this year

We love to eat. (I’m referring to my husband, Les, and me, but maybe it’s true for you too.) We love to go out to restaurants, to try new dishes, new flavors, new ethnic dishes. And we have some old favorites, too, restaurants and dishes we return to again and again. Anyone who has gotten

Be the light (and help keep the lights on)

I love Christmas lights. I’m thrilled when people want to decorate their homes like the Griswolds’ in Christmas Vacation. One of my favorite “dates” with Les at this time of year is scoping out well-lit neighborhoods. You know what it takes to run Christmas lights? Electricity. And Americans are facing a crisis over electricity. 17%—that’s

Want to change the world? Start here.

In April of 2014, the Boko Haram kidnapped 276 Chibok schoolgirls. An internet challenge was issued asking us to pick one girl off the list of those taken and to pray daily for her by name. I accepted the challenge. I began to pray for Rebecca Luka. Some girls managed to escape right away. Over

Four ways to make connections

A few weeks ago, my husband Les preached a sermon called “Seeking Man Up a Tree,” about the Bible character Zacchaeus (found in Luke 19 in the Bible). It was, of course, a good sermon (😄). It reminded me of the first magazine article I ever sold, called “The Zacchaeus Principle.” Published in the long-defunct Virtue magazine,

Of Protein, Pads and Potato Chips

COVID-19 is causing more pain than canceled events, mask acne, and virtual school. (Please know I am not minimizing life for all of you with school-aged children; I imagine it’s incredibly difficult and frustrating. I truly feel sorry for you and your kids.) But it’s also causing hunger pains. For many of us, shopping for

 

Have Carol Speak For Your Group

An accomplished and flexible speaker, Carol tailors her topics to fit the theme and timeframes of your meeting, conference, seminar or retreat.