Category Archives: Christian Life

Christian Life, One Word 365, Uncategorized

The Question I’m Asking Myself

January 15, 2013 Diane Rivers 10 Comments

Last week I revealed that I was joining the OneWord365 “resolution revolution”. Instead of making New Year’s resolutions (something I don’t do anyway), I said I was going to choose one word that represents a trait I’d like to nurture in my life in 2013.

The word I chose is HARMONY.

The idea is to focus on the idea of harmony every day throughout the year and in the process, possibly change the sound track of my life. For me, relational chaos is exhausting and unhealthy; I recognize this. (It probably is for you too.) But encouraging harmony just might add years to my life (or, as it’s been said, life to my years).

And since I committed to updating my progress on the 15^th of each month, here’s the first status report.

Continue reading The Question I’m Asking Myself →

Christian Life, Community, Faith, One Word 365, Uncategorized

How I think “one word” could improve the soundtrack of my year

January 4, 2013 Diane Rivers 18 Comments

Here’s a concept simple enough I think I might just be able to pull it off.

Have you heard of the One Word 365 “resolution revolution”? Instead of making a list of New Year’s resolutions that you won’t remember by this time next month and surely won’t have kept by this time next year, growing numbers of people are choosing to focus on just one word for the entire year.

The idea, from the One Word website, is that you choose:

“One word that sums up who you want to be or how you want to live. One word that you can focus on every day, all year long.”

And here’s what could happen: Continue reading How I think “one word” could improve the soundtrack of my year →

Christian Life, Christmas, Uncategorized

Because the Holidays Are Risky for a “Mood Sponge”

December 23, 2012 Diane Rivers 5 Comments

2011 Christmas Tree in a Box What do I mean by a mood sponge? I doubt you’ll find the term in any psychology textbook per se, though you may recognize it for reasons of your own. It’s a description I base on personal observations and life experience.

Mood sponges are people who tend to take their emotional cues from others, whether as a defensive tactic or a learned behavior. They measure their responses and reactions by those around them and sadly, absorb way more than their share of the negative.

I think there are reasons someone becomes a mood sponge and it’s not because they are lazy or uninspired. Maybe they’re trying to keep the peace. Or protect themselves. Or just make their lives work.

Here are some examples (names changed): Continue reading Because the Holidays Are Risky for a “Mood Sponge” →

Christian Life, Faith, Uncategorized

Why It’s Time to Rethink Christmas

December 18, 2012 Diane Rivers 7 Comments

If you were to visit my neighborhood tonight, you wouldn’t have to go far before being confronted by more than one of those front yard animatronic Santas that repeatedly drop their drawers to reveal “Happy Holidays” written in script on their rears. Down the block, there’s a rifle-toting Frosty the Snowman in camouflage gear, while SpongeBob grins weirdly at baby Jesus in the blow-up manger scene close by. I live in the Midwest, but I’m sure that wherever you are, the scene is similar.

It’s all very confusing.

Christmas has come to represent over-the-top materialism, endless parties, spiked eggnog, and that ubiquitous loop of holiday songs in the background everywhere – even at the gas station. It seems obvious: Christmas has been turned into a mostly secular holiday.

But before you go getting all nervous that I am about to launch into a rant about how NOT to observe Christmas, let me assure you I have exactly the opposite intent. Here’s my suggestion for a more meaningful season: Continue reading Why It’s Time to Rethink Christmas →

Christian Life, Faith, Motherhood, Uncategorized

And I Thought MY Life Was a Workaround

December 14, 2012 Diane Rivers 6 Comments

Despite our best efforts (or maybe because we often withhold our best efforts), we are forced to continually bob and weave, reposition, and adjust in this life. Even if all our own choices were wise (unlikely), we would still be operating in the company of other flawed humans. We all lead workaround lives.

But have you ever stopped to think about who led the ultimate workaround life? Continue reading And I Thought MY Life Was a Workaround →

Christian Life, Faith, Friendship, Uncategorized

You Can Mock Me About These Things and I Won’t Cry (Really)

November 13, 2012 Diane Rivers 19 Comments

republican-democrat-election-9866979-l — flickr.com by DonkeyHotey

I love donkeys. And come on, elephants are just plain cool!

Can we just leave it at that? Can we stop there before you write me off because of my political leanings or I get upset with you for yours? In spite of all the naysayers and Chicken Littles in the media, I don’t really think we’re looking at the end of life as we know it as a result of the 2012 election (or any other election). But it’s okay; if you insist on continuing to needle me, go ahead. I doubt I’ll be dissolving into tears over it. Continue reading You Can Mock Me About These Things and I Won’t Cry (Really) →

Christian Life, Community, Faith, Uncategorized

Ten Things That Aren’t My Job

November 2, 2012 Diane Rivers 27 Comments

Confession time. Lately I’ve realized there are a number of things in my life that really aren’t up to me. I may have a role to play in them or I may wish I had more influence over them, but the end result is actually out of my hands. Frankly, if I’m to be truthful, this is kind of a relief.

Here are ten, in no particular order.

angry child flickr Alejandra Mavroski — flickr.com/Alejandra Movroski

It’s not my job:

1. To bring others around to my way of thinking – I am entitled to my opinion and have a responsibility to form these opinions based on truth and prayerful consideration. But ultimately it’s not up to me to decide for someone else or attempt to convince them of a different point of view, however well-intentioned I may think I am. Continue reading Ten Things That Aren’t My Job →

Christian Life, Community, Faith, Friendship, Prayer

The High Cost of Drama, Assumptions, and False Agreements

October 12, 2012 Diane Rivers 5 Comments

I could feel myself sliding into a funk.

Traveling with a group of my closest friends over the last several years had always been restorative. Relaxing. Outrageously fun. But now it had taken on additional layers. Somehow drama and dysfunction had been introduced into the mix this time around, a complication that had never been a part of any previous experience.

girl-woman-window-20631-l — everystockphoto.com

Looked at through a particular lens, you could say it made us more like a family. After all, families are imperfect, right? And it doesn’t mean we don’t love each other. (I rather prefer that view.)

It started with a minor misunderstanding that morphed into hurt feelings and doubts about motives. Tears. Words. Then hugs. Forgiveness.

And for me, a lingering darkness. Here’s why. Continue reading The High Cost of Drama, Assumptions, and False Agreements →

Christian Life, Community, Friendship, Grief

Do I Detect A Little Slippage Here?

October 3, 2012 Diane Rivers 5 Comments

Maybe it’s just me, but it seems our “good intentions” department is a little low on inventory these days.

Looking around, civility appears a little thin. Chivalry – despite those who like to say it isn’t dead – is fighting for a good, deep breath. And sympathy? Sympathy is struggling to stay afloat.

I’m just not sure we’re as nice as we could be any more. Has it become acceptable to get by with the minimum, to be happy with a half-hearted effort, the “old college try”? Are we too closed off emotionally? Too busy? Just tired?

silhouette_boys_children_780631_h — flickr.com by macrophile

It’s standing-room only on the bus. A woman boards and limps slowly into the aisle. Continue reading Do I Detect A Little Slippage Here? →

Diane Rivers

Category Archives: Christian Life

The Question I’m Asking Myself

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How I think “one word” could improve the soundtrack of my year

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Because the Holidays Are Risky for a “Mood Sponge”

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Why It’s Time to Rethink Christmas

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And I Thought MY Life Was a Workaround

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You Can Mock Me About These Things and I Won’t Cry (Really)

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Ten Things That Aren’t My Job

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The High Cost of Drama, Assumptions, and False Agreements

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Do I Detect A Little Slippage Here?

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Finding Joy in a Workaround Life

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Finding Joy in a Workaround Life