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

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

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:

The Power of Showing Up Soft… Even When Life Gets Loud

Dear Readers,

There’s something I’ve been sitting with lately — something that’s reshaped how I lead, rest, and move through the world: the idea of soft resilience.

Being soft doesn’t mean being weak. And being strong doesn’t mean being hard. You can carry grace and grit in the same body. You can lead with tenderness and still hold your ground. That’s the balance I’m learning to walk, and if I’m honest — it’s taken years to get here.

I’ve had to show up in rooms that expected me to shrink, and I’ve had to stay grounded in spaces that tried to steal

Dear readers,

Friendships are some of the most cherished relationships we build. They often shape who we are, offering support, laughter, and memories that last a lifetime. But not all friendships are forever, and that’s okay. Sometimes, life takes us down separate paths, and those we once called friends become distant chapters in our story.

Tupac Shakur once said,

Standing Up for Yourself: Boundaries Are an Act of Self-Care

Dear readers,

I came across a TikTok recently that really made me reflect. In it, a woman calmly tried to stand her ground against a passenger who was kicking the back of her seat on a plane. Instead of the aggressor being called out, it was her who ended up being threatened with removal from the flight. She remained composed, but somehow, she still became the person who seemed to be punished for simply asserting herself.

It hit me hard because I’ve been in situations where I’ve stood up for myself, set boundaries, and yet ended up feeling like the bad guy. We’re often taught to be kind and patient, to let things slide. But when does that kindness turn into letting ourselves be walked over? When does our patience get taken for granted?

Setting boundaries shouldn’t feel like an offense. And yet, so many of us find ourselves punished for it, made to feel guilty for finally putting