Dear Readers,

At our Tuesday night ladies Bible study, my daughter said something that completely stopped me in my tracks.

“Courage is proof you are afraid.”

And wow, that one sentence really hit me. It reminded me of something my preacher once said: being brave doesn’t mean you aren’t afraid. It means you do the thing anyway. You step forward, you speak up, you act, even when fear is still there. And that, my friends, is what real courage looks like.

We were studying Rahab that night. Her life and the safety of her family were on the line, yet she made the choice to hide God’s spies. She chose faith over fear when everything around her was dangerous and uncertain. Can we just pause for a second and

Have you ever been that person who holds everything and everyone together? The one who gets things done, keeps life moving, and never really lets herself fall apart because, honestly, if you did, who would fix it? That’s me. I’m the planner, the helper, the steady one. But this week… yeah, I hit a wall.

I didn’t even explode. I just cracked a little. I got frustrated. I expressed my feelings. I didn’t sugarcoat it. And for a moment, that was enough to shock some people around me. You know that feeling when you’re like, “Wait… I’m allowed to feel this?” Yeah, that.

And that’s when it hit me. People love your strength until they have to see your weakness. They’ll clap for

Dear readers,

For so long, many of us have been taught to put others first. Family, friends, coworkers, even strangers—we try to carry everyone’s burdens, meet every expectation, and give our all. While generosity of heart is beautiful, sometimes we forget that our own hearts need care too.

Taking Care of Yourself Isn’t Selfish

Putting yourself first doesn’t mean you stop loving or caring for others. It means recognizing your worth, setting healthy boundaries, and honoring your own needs in ways that allow you to thrive—so you can show up fully and effectively for those who depend on

People are complicated. We grow up with certain habits, personalities, and ways of thinking, and sometimes it feels like those traits are set in stone. But the truth is, people can change. Real change. Not just surface-level “I’ll try to do better,” but deep, meaningful growth that surprises everyone—including themselves.

It makes me pause sometimes: is there an age, a stage, or a point in life when someone can no longer change? I don’t have the answer. Honestly, I’ve seen people get so

Just when you think you’ve found peace, safety, and comfort—it happens again. Another disappointment. Another letdown. Another moment that makes you question, “Will this cycle ever end?”

That kind of heartbreak is heavy, because peace isn’t just about calm surroundings. It’s about trust. It’s about believing you’re finally safe to rest, finally free to exhale. And when that trust is broken, it can feel like the ground has been pulled out from under you.

I won’t sugarcoat it

Hot one moment, cold the next: navigating unpredictable behavior is exhausting, but with reflection, boundaries, and faith, there is a way to restore peace.

Sometimes people don’t even see the impact their mood swings have on those around them. One moment calm and pleasant; the next sharp and unpredictable. This creates tension and stress for others, and it is neither healthy nor sustainable. The Lord calls us to peace, patience, and self-reflection. Proverbs 16:32 reminds us, “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.”

It’s natural to have difficult days, but allowing moodiness to dictate the atmosphere for others is problematic. Words and actions carry

Have you ever looked at someone and thought, “They seem fine, so they must be okay?” That’s how most of us approach depression, we assume it has a face, a look, a certain “energy” that signals pain.

But here’s the truth: it doesn’t. Mental health struggles are often invisible. You can’t always see anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts just by looking at someone. People can laugh, smile, and shine outwardly, while inside they’re carrying a weight no one else sees.

I’ve lived this reality myself, and I know many of you reading this can relate. Happiness doesn’t always mean the struggle is gone, and a smile doesn’t mean everything is okay.

The Illusion of Looking “Fine”

When we think of depression, most of us picture

If you’re like me, your mind doesn’t always stop. It replays conversations, worries about what could go wrong, and questions every decision you make. Overthinking can steal your sleep, make small decisions feel huge, and even strain relationships. I know — I’ve been there, and I’m still learning how to live with it.

For me, overthinking can show up in different ways: racing thoughts, a tight chest, sweating, insomnia, or even snapping at people I love. Sometimes it feels like my mind is holding me hostage, and no matter how much I try, it won’t quit.

Overthinking isn’t just an annoying habit — it can take a toll on

Sometimes life throws so much at us that our minds start spinning out of control. I'm sharing this blog because I know what it feels like to overthink, to feel anxiety spike, or to wake up at 2 a.m. replaying the same conversation over and over. I'm not perfect, and I'm still learning — but I want to share what's helping me, in the hopes it might help you too.

Hi, I'm Catrina, and I'll be honest - I'm an overthinker. My mind loves to replay conversations, imagine every possible "what if," and stress about things I can't control. Sometimes it even leaks out as frustration or lashing out at people I love. Other times it shows up as anxiety, insomnia, panic attacks, or physical symptoms like a racing heart, sweating, or tight shoulders. I'll

Abuse doesn’t always leave bruises. People think it has to be loud, dramatic, or obvious — but the truth? It can be quiet, subtle, and still just as damaging. Sometimes it’s in the words, the small controls, or the little things that make you doubt yourself. If something in your relationship makes you feel unsafe — even in little ways — this is for you.

When most people hear the word abuse, the first thing that comes to mind is someone being hit, slapped, or beaten. Physical abuse is real and dangerous — no question. But abuse wears many faces, and some of them leave no visible marks. The scars can be

Dear readers,

As someone who’s been around children of all ages—whether parenting, mentoring, teaching, or just being the “go-to” person in the family—I’ve come to believe that one of the most powerful gifts we can give our kids isn’t found in a textbook or a toy aisle. It’s emotional intelligence.

And before you roll your eyes at the phrase (because yes, it’s everywhere), I want to pause and break it down in a way that makes it less clinical and more real life. Emotional intelligence is simply the ability to recognize, understand, and manage emotions—our own and others’. It’s being aware of how we feel, why we feel that way, and knowing how to navigate those emotions in a healthy way. And let me tell you:

Dear readers,

Let’s have a real moment here. Gratitude isn’t always easy.

I know what the quotes say—“Gratitude turns what we have into enough,” “Start each day with a grateful heart,” and all that—but when life is hitting hard, when you’re tired, overwhelmed, or dealing with stuff nobody even knows about? Gratitude can feel like just one more thing on your to-do list. And if I’m being honest, there have been days where I’ve asked myself, How can I feel grateful when I’m also feeling so low?

But here’s what I’ve learned: gratitude isn’t about pretending life is perfect. It’s not about faking smiles or silencing sadness. Gratitude and grief, gratitude and struggle—they can coexist. And when they do, something

Dear readers,

Faith is one of those things that’s deeply personal and sometimes hard to put into words. I’m still figuring it out myself—and honestly, some days it feels stronger than ever, and other days I feel like I’m just trying to hold on to it. But I wanted to write this, not as an expert or someone who has it all together, but just as a woman on her own journey—reminding herself what matters.

For me, faith means trusting in something bigger than myself… even when things don’t make sense. Especially when they don’t.

I remember a time not too long ago when life felt

Dear Readers,

Let’s be real for a second.

Relationships are meant to be about support — not suffocation.

Partnership — not pressure.

Shared lives — not one person orbiting the other like a satellite.

But somewhere along the way, people get it twisted.

They start believing that because they have the energy, the time, or the drive to give 100% in a certain way, you should be able to do the same.

And when you can’t — or don’t — it turns into guilt trips, accusations, or the weight of feeling “not enough.”

Here’s the truth:

Dear readers,

Working in the nonprofit sector often feels like a calling—a deep desire to help others, make a meaningful impact, and change the world for the better. But let’s be real: the reality of nonprofit work isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s demanding, draining, and sometimes downright exhausting.

I’ve been there—juggling multiple roles, working long hours, and giving everything I have to a cause I believe in. And while passion for your work can fuel you, it can also leave you running on empty if you’re not careful. Self-care? Well, that often falls to the bottom of the to-do list when there’s always one more deadline, one more event, one more person to help.

But here’s the thing:

We’ve all heard the saying: “Hurt people hurt people.” And it’s true—people who carry deep pain often project that pain onto others. They lash out, shift blame, dismiss your feelings, or twist your words. Maybe you’ve felt this firsthand. Maybe you’ve poured your heart into someone, only to be met with criticism, anger, or silence. It’s draining, isn’t it?

Being mistreated—especially by someone you love—can leave you feeling invisible and questioning yourself. You start wondering, “What’s wrong with me? Why do they treat me this way?” But here’s the truth:

This morning’s verse on my Bible app really spoke to me:

“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;” – Romans 5:3 (KJV)

Over the last year and a half, life has felt like one storm after another. I’ve faced so many challenges that, for a long time, I truly wondered if I was being punished. That’s where my mind stayed for months—thinking maybe I had done something wrong, and that’s why it felt like everything was falling apart.

But lately,

Dear Readers,

We’ve all done it—held ourselves back, waiting for the “perfect” moment, the “right” circumstances, or the “ideal” version of ourselves before taking action. But here’s the truth I’ve had to face: waiting is just another way of staying stuck.

Today, I’m making a choice. I’m choosing to show up—flaws, doubts, and all. Because I’ve realized that growth doesn’t come from waiting for the perfect conditions. It comes from stepping into the unknown, doing the work, and learning along the way.

And if you’ve been waiting too—

Dear readers,

As we navigate life's challenges, it's easy to forget one of the most important things: taking care of ourselves. Self-care isn't just a buzzword; it's a vital practice that helps us maintain our mental well-being. In today's fast-paced world, dedicating time to self-care can be transformative. For me, self-care has been a journey of trial and error, but one that has brought immense peace and clarity.

I remember a particularly overwhelming period in my life when I was juggling multiple responsibilities and feeling burnt out. A friend suggested I start small with just a few minutes of meditation each day. At first, it felt awkward, but gradually, I began to look forward to those quiet moments. It was like a

The other day, my daughter said something that stopped me in my tracks. She’s barely a teenager, but her words carried more wisdom than some adults I know. She looked at me and said:

“You can’t light the fire and ask it why it’s burning.”

It was her response after I finally stood my ground with someone who had been treating me poorly for a long time. The little digs, the cold tone, the disrespect — I let it slide over and over. I tried to give grace, hoping things would get better.

But one day,