Jars of Words

2018 is upon us, so it’s time to plan. It’s easy to think of unfinished resolutions and unmet expectations when thinking of a new year. But 2018 will be a good year because you make it a good year; it’s all about your willingness to accept change. With a little preparation, changing can be fun. 1. Mindset. First, know your worth doesn’t depend on what you accomplish next year. Your worth was fixed by your Creator before you were born, and He calls you priceless. Second, as you make resolutions for 2018, think about how you will improve your life so you can make the most of it. It’s true, we need to fix ourselves before we can help others. Yet, remember helping others is a big part of fixing ourselves. Finally, don’t think, “I won’t be happy until __”. Happiness is a choice; a good one. You are in control of your life, so choose to learn from and find a blessing in every situation. 2. Brainstorm. Dump your goals and expectations for the new year on paper. Write what y...

There’s a yearning in every human heart for deep connection with God and other people. Ultimately, our legacies and our quality of life are determined by our presence in the lives of others rather than what we can physically give them. Thus, focusing on the simple act of being present can increase your joy and the joy of those around you. Humans are communal creatures, so when I eliminate distractions to spend time with my family, we’re all happier. I start by learning to say no. You don’t need to buy everybody you know a present, and you don’t have to spend so much. Presence is a greater expression of love than gift-giving, and we only have so much time on this earth to give it. This daily reminder eliminates items on my to-do list and simplifies my life. God’s love in our lives is what crafts us into who we are meant to be. Nurture your relationship with God by being present with Him. Take some quiet time every morning to reflect on who He is, analyze your heart, and pray wi...

Pentatonix wrote an original song a few years ago called “That’s Christmas to Me.” It’s dulcet, tranquil, and captures the nostalgia of Christmas memories. So it inspired me to write a list of ten things I love about Christmas. Writing this list allowed me to reflect on all I have to be grateful for and to get into the Christmas spirit. I encourage you to try writing a few small things you love about this time of year - and share the joy by commenting them below! Here’s my personal list of things I love about Christmas: Togetherness. In this season of giving, the most irreplaceable and special gift we can give is our presence to others. Christians and non-Christians alike treat Christmas as a celebration of family, love, and giving back, which is beautiful. Christmas break. The two weeks off school is well-needed and long-awaited at this point in the year. It’s an opportunity to forget work, spend time with family, and catch up on writing and reading. Snow. Even light fl...

Conflict is when opposing forces rub together. It invokes curiosity and empathy in readers because it reveals the story world and characters. Essentially, a story is a series of smaller conflicts that relate back to an overarching one. Creating friction in your story begins with the character’s goals - for the whole story and for individual scenes. Give your character something sympathetic to strive for (love, freedom, honor, etc.) and keep her from getting it. The obstacle can be the character herself, another character, or a task or object. The pursuit of their goal results in a dilemma that pushes the character into action, which causes a reaction, which sets up their goal for the next scene. As the story progresses, the character’s responses to difficulties should reflect the change in their heart or skills. Conflict can be internal (wanting joy, acceptance, forgiveness, etc.), interpersonal (connecting with distant parents or trying to flirt with a crush), or external (defusi...

I love homemade granola. It’s customizable, great-tasting, and I know exactly what’s in it. There are no artificial sweeteners, additives, or chemicals. Also, it’s made from cheap, on-hand ingredients, lasts a while in the fridge, and is a great snack when I’m on the go. I love this recipe specifically because it makes my house smell like brownies. Enjoy! Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and collect ingredients: 2 cups oats 4 tbsp coconut (give or take) ¾ cup chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, almonds, peanuts, cashews, any will do) Desired amount of cinnamon ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder ¼ cup coconut oil ¼ cup honey Water (for mixing) 2. Mix oats, coconut, nuts, cinnamon, and cocoa powder in a bowl. 3. Melt coconut oil and honey in a mug in the microwave (give or take forty seconds). 4. Pour oil/honey into dry ingredients and mix. If it won’t coat evenly, add more oil/honey or water. 5. Transfer granola onto a baking sheet and bake for ten minutes....