How Are You Bidding Farewell to 2016?

Here we are at the end of another year. But I don't think I've known of a year so collectively abhorred as 2016.

Why just today, I was reading an article in which a man was citing certain negative comments he received regarding a controversial tweet he posted about the passing of singer, George Micheal. But there was one comment that I think truly captured the essence of what 2016 has felt like to so many. It was the one where one of his disgruntled readers told him that he was "the 2016 of people."

Wow! That was a true LOL moment for me.

I totally get it though. This year was the roughest and most stressful year I've ever had in my life. I won't go into all the messy details, but suffice it to say, 2016 tested me AND my family to the core.

Then there are all the sad and untimely losses of beloved celebrity icons like Prince, David Bowie, Muhammad Ali, and just a few days ago Carrie Fisher (Star Wars' Princess Leia).

Let's not forget about the made-for-reality-TV presidential campaign and the shocking (well, to some it was) outcome.

Yep! There's a lot we may want to forget about 2016. But even if this year is one you can't wait to kick to the curb, what is the one thing you learned? Instead of focusing on what was lost this year, what have you gained?

I can personally say that the hardship I endured this year fortified me mentally and spiritually in ways I didn't know I needed. I now have a much greater appreciation for the simple things in life, like food, shelter, and the use of two good legs. I'd say that's a good thing!

Even if you have to strain to think of ONE GOOD THING you can take with you from 2016, I encourage you to find it and hold on to it. 

Whatever it is, it might be the catalyst to the greater things that 2017 hold for you.

HAPPY NEW YEAR D-VINERS!

Are You Running Away From Home?

Have you heard about a recent study that reports most people feel more stressed at home than at work? I saw a link to this article posted by one of my Facebook friends. Not only did the article's title catch my eye, but there were so many comments from apparent sympathizers, I couldn't help but be intrigued. So of course I had to blog about it.

I don't know about you but, single or married, home has always been my refuge. However, according to the research reported in the article, women, in particular, feel more stressed at home than they do at work. The reasons they state are fairly obvious because they're so common: 1) "It's easier for women to keep home out of work than to keep work out of home," i.e., answering emails, etc. 2) Work is only the first shift of the day for the average working mom. The proverbial "second shift" kicks in when she gets back home to be met with household chores and parenting duties. 3) At work there are "clear actions" and "rewards." At home, not so much. One outcome that struck me as odd was that women without children reportedly had even more stress at home than women with children. Imagine that! Supposedly, even though working moms have to deal with the ever-changing demands of parenting, the warm emotions that are associated with nurturing children tend to off-set the stress of caring for them. I think that's a built-in perk.

So after reading this and considering how many women spoke up on Facebook to affirm their agreement with this article, I felt like doing a self-assessment.

I work from home, so there is no running away to work. When I did work a traditional office job, I still didn't consider it a getaway from the demands of home. More often than not it was the other way around, to be honest. So what makes the difference for me? I would say it's the fact that even when I was single, I purposefully set boundaries between work and home. While I did like getting paid for my labor, I never allowed myself get wrapped up in getting a check. Therefore, I've never felt like I had to compromise my peace for the sake of financial security (whatever that is!). Even now as a married, working mom that same mindset is still in place for both me and my husband. And we give God ALL the credit for that! He's helped us to transform our minds to the point that we focus on what's most important (putting God first in our home, frequently praying together as a couple and as a family, spending quality time with one another) before we focus on the important (paying bills, homework, doing laundry, etc.). We've set an atmosphere at home that we've committed to maintain, and I believe because of this, everything else has fallen into proper perspective. Work is a blessing. Home is a joy. Stress is out the door!

So how about you? Are you running away from home?