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.

Is It a Fast if I Whine the Whole Way Through?

I blame Jen Hatmaker. And my husband Les. In equal measure. Oh, and maybe God. See, a few weeks ago I read Jen Hatmaker‘s new-old book Interrupted: When Jesus Wreaks Your Comfortable Christianity. This book was originally written and published before 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess, which I had never read. Since 7 was her breakout

How Do You Deal with Abundance?

Back in the late ’80s, I had the opportunity to travel to the Orient as a buyer for Macy’s. (Do they even call it “the Orient” anymore? Is that culturally insensitive?) About six months before my arrival in Manila, dictator Ferdinand Marcos had been overthrown. Tours were being given of his opulent palace, and I

Are You Setting Yourself Up For a Wild Ride?

I’m getting close to the finish line on the first draft of the book I am writing, Finding Balance in the Circus of Life. I had hoped to be done by the end of March, but a toothache that requires a root canal and a crown has derailed my progress. I just couldn’t pry myself

Lent and the Fast: Giving It Up?

Fasnachts are in all the Lancaster County ads these days. If you aren’t familiar with fasnachts, you’re not from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Fasnachts are the fried donuts sold on Shrove (or Fat) Tuesday so you can eat up before the deprivation of Lent starts on Ash Wednesday. The local grocery store even adds a fasnacht

With a Thankful Heart

It’s December, and that means the all-Christmas-music-all-the-time radio station is on in my car. I love this time of year, and I love all types of Christmas music, from the silly to the sacred. (Okay, I have to admit that I abhor “The Holly and the Ivy,” which makes no sense to me, doesn’t rhyme,

What’s the Coffee; What’s the Cup?

My friend Mandy shared the following video with me, and I thought it was a great reminder of how life is meant to be savored. Watch it! My favorite part is where it says: Live simply. Speak kindly. Care deeply. Love generously. Sometimes when we do that, like with hot coffee, we will get burnt.

Back to the Everyday Whining

Okay, Thanksgiving and the parades, football and overeating are finished for most of us. Now we’re in Christmas shlepping, I mean shopping, mode. And that leads to whining when the store is out of stock on the sale item you drove there especially for. Or sarcasm when the salesperson is less than interested in helping

Resurrecting Your Sabbath

If you haven’t read the post from Monday, May 10, you probably want to do that first because today is a continuation of the article started there by Keri Wyatt Kent on Creating a Sabbath Habit. Monday’s blog had the intro and the first two steps. Did you do them? Just remember that saying “No”

Resting with a Guest

Les took me away for Mother’s Day, not because I’m his mother, obviously, but because he knew I needed to rest away from the Mother’s Day hype. Five weeks have not brought enough healing from my grief over Mom’s death that I could deal with a day focused on how much we love our moms.

 

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.