One of the nicest things we can do for our partner is also one of the nicest things we can do for ourselves – it’s one of those rare two for one gifts.  What’s crazy is this very nice thing is also something that will offend certain people (that’s fun).  What is this nice yet offensive … [Read more...]

In the last lesson, we started looking at forgiveness because it is the nicest thing we can do for ourselves.  Unfortunately, it can also feel like the hardest thing we can do for ourselves.  The biggest mistake we can make when it comes to forgiving is thinking it’s for the other person – … [Read more...]

As we looked at in the last lesson, we want to work at being at our best in order to be at our best for others, and the most important thing we can do to be at our best is learn how to forgive.  When people hurt us it’s like being physically cut.  Some cuts are bigger than others, but, … [Read more...]

Sometimes the best way to be nice to others is to be nice to ourselves – does that sound contradictory? The truth is when we’re at our best (i.e. rested and feeling confident), we’re going to be our best for others.  It’s also a lot easier for me to be nice to others in a healthy way when I’m … [Read more...]

Being nice in a healthy way means not being a pushover.  In fact, being nice in a healthy way can be awkward for those who are pushovers because it involves standing up for yourself – there’s a strange idea for overly nice people.  So what does this healthy nice look like? Here’s a simple … [Read more...]

Over the last year I’ve written over 40 lessons on what it means to be nice in a healthy way.  Considering I’m supposed to be a Jesus follower, you’d think I would’ve considered the idea of looking at what it means to be nice to God a little sooner.  On one hand, it’s better late than … [Read more...]

I was recently talking to a mom who said she didn’t feel appreciated – what? How shocking is that? On a scale of shocking, I’d give it a 1 out of 10.  Maybe that’s my own experience, but a mom feeling like she’s being taken advantage of is pretty normal.  In this lesson we’re going to look … [Read more...]

I recently came across a Bible verse that really struck a chord: “Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.”  (Mat 10:16).  This verse is powerful because Jesus isn’t telling people to go out into the world as pushovers who get … [Read more...]