JeanBrownlie.com

07/19/2023

Adversity in your life is not always a bad thing. God uses adversity to help us learn his ways. Don't rob someone of a valuable lesson. God will fix the problem once we've learned the lesson. This is how we grow spiritually and as human beings.

While empathy is a powerful tool in understanding and connecting with others, it's important to maintain a balance. Being there for others doesn't mean carrying their burdens or solving their problems for them. Support, love, and encourage, but remember to respect boundaries, empower others, and, most importantly, take care of yourself.

07/19/2023

04/07/2023

I’ve been learning, slowly because it’s not that easy, to let go of “managing”everyone else. Yes, managing.

I think that’s been my role as a mom for so many years - making sure lunches are packed and homework done and grades good and everything just so. It’s been my role in so many ways - I take on making sure everyone has everyone what they need and dots are dotted and so forth.

I run from here to there and fix stuff.

It’s exhausting, honestly.

I haven’t known how to remove myself without feeling guilt or taking on things that I need to let go.

It’s led to me being anxious and feeling tense. It’s led me to feeling resentful and unseen.

And at times it’s made me reach burnout.

But lately I’ve had the realization that it’s not my job to “own” everything else and fix things all the time. Sometime I need to show up, to do my best, and to let them learn.

Sometimes it means the laundry isn’t done or they have to deal with the consequences of lower grades or that I can’t drive to this event or that I decide to take a moment and sit on my front step and watch the sunset.

So I’ve been trying.

Letting go
Waiting to be asked.
Not responding to everything.

“Breathe peace.”

That’s what I tell myself.

Breathe peace, try your best, be proud.

That’s what I want you to hear too.

You don’t have to be responsible for everything - sometimes power comes in letting go and breathing peace and learning to choose. It happens when you know you are enough and that sometimes being enough means being willing to say, “enough.”

Thanks for all you do.

It makes a difference.

-Rachel

11/17/2022

When I hear the excitement in either my sons' voices as they tell me about their life, share their plans and perhaps ask for my thoughts, I feel like they're home again. Those conversations are the most precious gifts. They are tucked in my heart forever.

Oh my, I love this so much.
Raising Teens Today
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11/16/2022

Take a moment to be thankful this holiday season. God is good.

11/11/2022

Boundaries are designed to keep your individuality while helping you give of yourself in a relationship. A delicate balance.

10/09/2022

Bringing out the best in people is a choice. It's worth the effort to overlook small offenses to find what may be a hidden gem inside.

09/30/2022

Enjoying God's country side. Squeaky cheese and honey crisp apples! I look forward to this day trip every year!

09/09/2022

Life would be so much simpler if lived this way.

09/07/2022

Food for thought.

Here is something beautiful, by Danusha Laméris.

06/08/2022

Listening until you reach an understanding or appreciation for the other person's point of view.