Tag Archives: Growth

Relationships: Grow- Together or Apart.

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Relationships are like plants—you either water them, or you let them shrivel up like that sad grocery store plant you swore you’d keep alive. People either grow together or grow apart, and fighting it is like arguing with gravity. Instead of stressing over where things are headed, focus on giving room for growth and staying loyal where it counts.

Give Room to Grow

One of the biggest mistakes in relationships is trapping people in their past—as if they’re frozen in time like an embarrassing yearbook photo. But people change, evolve, and—shockingly—mature (well, most of us).

Strong relationships require space for growth. Let people:

  • Explore new interests—even if it means listening to them talk about competitive duck herding. (Google it)
  • Chase their dreams without guilt-tripping them for “changing.”
  • Respond in their own time instead of expecting instant replies.

People aren’t museum exhibits; they’re works in progress. Friendships thrive when they allow growth instead of resisting it.

The Myth of a Million Friends (Quality Over Quantity, Always)

Social media suggests that a massive friend list equals success, but let’s be honest—real friendship isn’t about numbers, it’s about depth. If you can count a few ride-or-die friends by the time you’re old and wrinkly, you’ve won the friendship lottery.

Deep friendships stand out because:

  • They don’t judge you for eating nachos at 10 a.m.
  • They embrace your quirks instead of pretending not to know you.
  • They stick around even when life gets complicated.

Having a crowd around you means nothing if none of them truly know you. The best relationships prioritize quality over quantity.

The Secret Sauce: Loyalty (Because Flaky Friends Are for Breakfast, Not Life)

If relationships are like plants, loyalty is the fertilizer. Loyalty doesn’t require constant agreement or attachment at the hip—it simply means showing up when it matters.

Loyal friends:

  • Speak well of you, even when you’re not in the room.
  • Stand by you during tough times, not just when life is fun.
  • Give grace when you make mistakes (because we all do).

Loyalty isn’t about tolerating toxic relationships. Instead, it means caring consistently, even when life gets busy.

Final Thought: Relationships Should Breathe, Not Suffocate

At the end of the day, relationships work best when they breathe instead of suffocate. Some stretch, some fade, and a few last a lifetime. The key is to give people space to grow, stay loyal where it counts, and never expect relationships to stay the same forever.

So, water the good ones, let go of the ones that wither, and be the kind of friend who sticks around—even when life gets messy.

Because if you have a handful of real friends who love you despite your quirks, bad jokes, and occasional life crises, you’re doing better than most.

And that, my friend, is relationship success. Go ahead and text your friend!

Ordinary Rosa

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Rightfully so, we honor Rosa Parks with words like hero, revolutionary, icon, legend, and trailblazer. And she was all of these—no doubt. But here’s the part we often overlook: Rosa Parks was also ordinary.

Before December 1, 1955, before the Montgomery bus, before history etched her name into the pages of change, Rosa lived a life that looked a lot like ours. She went to school but had to leave early to care for her family. She worked regular jobs—cleaning houses, caring for others, sewing as a seamstress, and later as an office assistant. She enjoyed simple things: going to church, spending time with family and friends, and living quietly with a calm, steady spirit.

Why does this matter?

Because as author Parker Palmer wisely said,
“We can put her up on a pedestal and praise her, world without end, never finding ourselves challenged by her life.”

When we elevate Rosa to superhuman status, we risk missing the most powerful part of her story: her humanity. We create distance, convincing ourselves that she was “special,” “different,” or “extraordinary”—as if courage belongs only to the chosen few. But the truth is, she was ordinary—just like you, just like me.

And that’s exactly what makes her story so powerful.

Rosa Parks was an ordinary woman who took a simple stand—one that seemed small in the moment but changed history forever.

I don’t think she didn’t set out to become a legend. She simply refused to give up her seat because she was tired—not just physically, but tired of a system that was broken, unjust, and dehumanizing. Her quiet “no” became a resounding “yes” to justice, equality, and hope.

So, what does that mean for us?

It means your ordinary life can impact a broken system.
It means you don’t have to be famous, fearless, or flawless to make a difference.
It means the small stand you take today—the simple “no” to injustice, the quiet “yes” to kindness—can ripple into something far greater than you ever imagined.

Let Rosa Parks’ ordinary inspire your ordinary.
Because sometimes, the most extraordinary change begins with the courage to do something simple.

Sharing Well: Why It’s More Than Just a Childhood Lesson

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Remember when we were kids, and every adult in our lives constantly reminded us to share?
“Share your toys.”
“Share your snack.”
“Share with your little brother—yes, even when he just licked it.”

Sharing was a basic expectation, a fundamental rule of playground diplomacy. But then something weird happens when we grow up: Nobody reminds us to share anymore. And, as a result, many of us stop doing it—or at least, we do it a whole lot less.

But here’s the thing: Maybe sharing isn’t just some childhood obligation. Maybe it’s something we need more as adults. Maybe, just maybe, we actually have more to share than ever before.

The Science of Sharing: Why It’s Actually Good for You

Let’s get a few things straight: Sharing isn’t just for kids, and it’s not just about being polite. It turns out that generosity is deeply wired into who we are as human beings. Here’s why sharing matters:

1. Sharing Creates the “Helper’s High”

Yes, this is a real thing! Studies show that when we give to others—whether it’s time, resources, or even just kindness—our brain releases feel-good chemicals like dopamine and oxytocin. It’s basically nature’s way of rewarding generosity. So if you’ve ever felt a little boost after helping someone out, that’s not a coincidence—that’s science.

2. Sharing Fosters Connection

Let’s face it: We are social creatures. We thrive on connection, and sharing is one of the easiest ways to build relationships. Whether it’s sharing a meal, a laugh, or even just a moment of understanding, these little acts of generosity create bonds that make life richer.

3. Sharing is Good for Your Mental Health

Multiple studies have shown that when we engage in acts of kindness—like volunteering, donating, or simply being generous—it reduces stress, lowers depression, and increases life satisfaction. In short, giving doesn’t just help others; it makes your life better too.

So… Do We Really Need to Be Told to Share?

Maybe not. Maybe it’s just something we need to choose to do. And the best part? Sharing doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t have to donate thousands of dollars (you can if you got it like that) or give away all your belongings to make a difference. Sometimes, the simplest things mean the most.

Here are a few things we can all share easily:

✅ A kind word (cost: $0, impact: huge)
✅ A smile (scientifically proven to be contagious)
✅ A meal (because food always brings people together)
✅ A shoulder (for those days when life gets heavy)
✅ A helping hand (because everybody needs somebody)

Of course, money and resources can be shared too, but generosity isn’t just about what’s in your wallet—it’s about what’s in your heart.

Share Well Today

At Sharing Well Inc., we believe that sharing is more than just an action—it’s a lifestyle. Our mission is simple: ur mission is to empower the underserved by sharing transformative experiences and valuable resources. We strive to broaden horizons and inspire new possibilities, enabling someone to dream beyond their current circumstances.
We believe that when people share well, communities thrive.

So, what will you share today? Because the world doesn’t just need more things—it needs more people who share well.

Let’s make generosity a way of life. Let’s Share Well.

“Finding the Silver Lining: Overcoming Pessimism and Embracing Hope”

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“Pessimism: because why settle for just being unhappy when you can be consistently disappointed by everything? #Sarcasm #Pessimism”


Someone recently asked me if I thought I was more optimistic or pessimistic. Of course, I proudly said, “I’m optimistic!” This got me thinking about the truth of pessimism.


IT’S FREAKING EASY TO BE PESSIMISTIC! Yes, I was yelling… at the HALF-EMPTY cup! The entire culture sets us up to look for the negative. It may just be me, but a negative outlook is a default. Oh wait, that isn’t very optimistic!


So how do we see the silver lining to the DARK CLOUD THAT STAYS OVER MY HEAD? Why Am I yelling? Oh boy!

Heres a few thoughts to overcome pessimism and embrace hope!

  1. Practice gratitude: Make a habit of focusing on the people and things you are thankful for and expressing gratitude for them.
  2. Reframe negative thoughts: When you have a negative thought, challenge it by looking for evidence that supports a more positive perspective.
  3. Surround yourself with positivity: Seek out people, activities, and environments that uplift you and bring you joy.
  4. Focus on solutions, not problems: Instead of dwelling on what’s wrong, concentrate on finding solutions to problems.
  5. Engage in self-care: Take care of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being through activities like exercise, meditation, and hobbies.

“You cannot control what happens to you in life, but you can control your attitude towards it.” – Unknown

Are you more optimistic or pessimistic? Thoughts?

Goals and Habits

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Growth Plan Part 2

I recently read an article that was encouraging goal setting. Which is a good idea that I practice. However, as I read the goals, I quickly thought these are not goals but rather habits.

For example, one goal was to complain less. We are all guilty of complaining too much. Complaining less would make our lives better. As I see it complaining less is a habit that needs to be developed.

Goals help develop healthy habits which lead to healthier lives.

If I want to complain less, I need to set a few goals to help develop this habit.

Complaining less Goals:
• Track how often you complain and about what.
• Write down three things a day you are grateful for.
• Every time you complain commit to doing something positive.

Goals are a specific task that have a fixed endpoint.
Goals help develop and maintain healthy habits.

Healthy Habits are actions that are engrained in us, that have become natural because of continued repetition. Healthy habits are the things we do without thinking.

I had a bad habit of listening to the news multiple times a day. Too much bad news (most news is bad news) will affect your life. I needed to change my habit. So, I set a goal to listen to a new podcast every time I was in the car. I also set a goal to read more books and to exercise more which took more time. So, I didn’t have the time to watch and listen to the news. My goals changed my habit.

Here are a few more examples:
Habit: Read Scripture
Goal: Read the Bible in a year
Habit: Exercise
Goal: run a 5k
Habit: Be more loving
Goal: Acts of kindness

Part of a good growth plan will include good goals that will develop healthy habits.

What goals are you going after? What habits are you trying to develop?

Growth Plan Part 1

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Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning. Benjamin Franklin

Every year we have a new opportunity to revise our plans. At the end of one year, we can look back and examine what worked and what didn’t. Then make adjustments and grow into a new year.

We don’t want to drift into a new year just like we wouldn’t drift down a white-water river. Drifting leads to circles which leads to everything flipping over. Did you see Bird Box? We must be intentional about our growth.

Growth requires a mindset and a plan. In Carol Dweck’s book Mindsets, she describes two basic mindsets fixed and growth.
A fixed mindset assumes that our character, intelligence, and creative ability are static which we can’t change in any meaningful way.
A growth mindset, on the other hand, thrives on challenges and sees failure as a springboard for growth and for stretching our existing abilities.

Check out Mindset book here.

Our lives are designed to grow. (Think Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy.) God has created us in His image. We have His appearance and his character.
This must be developed.
God has also called us to work and care for His creation.
We are created to bring order to the chaos. We are called to create.
This will require us to grow/learn.

Growth is at the foundation of who we are.

Because we are multifaceted people, consider these five areas for growth.
Spiritual Life
Relational Life
Physical Life (Health)
Emotional Life (Mental Health)
Financial Life (Money-Career)

Let’s grow stronger and better in the new year!

This is part 1 of a series of post about developing a growth plan.

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