Preparing for the Holidays

Kathy Carlton Willis is a mentoring master, helping people achieve their goals through a practical, biblical focus, and challenging them to embrace good choices for their wellbeing. In this Christmas UPGRAGE, she offers helpful strategies for health and weight control.

“I love the holidays," Kathy says, "and unfortunately, I inherited the food-as-a-love-language gene from both sides of my family."

Hmmm. I (Dawn) think we must be related, because I have that gene too. But Kathy doesn't stop at acknowledging a problem; she's determined to offer creative solutions!

Kathy continues . . .

While others are gaining the holiday five to ten pounds, my goal is to hold my own.

In Kathy-math, that’s like losing during other times of the year. That way, when I dive into “getting back on track” on January 2, I don’t have that extra holiday weight to lose as others do.

See? It’s a win! I’ll be ahead of the game.

What is YOUR holiday strategy?

I’m finding a variety of methods to enjoy the holidays without setting back my health and weight-loss progress. Sometimes, implementing what I know goes better than at other times!

Accountability helps. And keeping close touch of my WHY.

Let’s savor the flavors for our holiday meal, but not for weeks on end. Be mindful to eat well when we’re celebrating, but eat for being well the other meals.

One of my holiday meal plans is to allow myself to eat what we don’t commonly have throughout the year.

• I can forego the mashed potatoes on my plate, knowing I can have them next time we have roast or meatloaf.
• We seldom have homemade yeast rolls, so it’s worth not eating other carbs to enjoy those fluffy orbs of goodness.
• When it comes to dessert I choose the pumpkin pie option and don’t eat the pie crust.

Here Are Some More Tips

1. If you’re going to a buffet or potluck, look over the whole food line before choosing which ones you’ll put on your plate.

Better to savor some of the food than be miserable after eating all of the food.

2. Eat slowly, enjoying conversation as much as the food.

Ask others questions and invest in truly listening. Reminisce favorite family memories. Tell younger generations stories of their ancestors.

3. After you finish your plate of food, offer to serve others.

Refill glasses. Delay seconds or dessert.

Let your food have time to catch up with you so your brain starts to register that you are getting full.

4. When you decide you are finished, pop a mint or piece of gum to freshen your breath.

Put on some lipstick. You’re less likely to want to mess that up with more food!

5. Choose extra activity to offset the extra food intake.

Make group activities a new family or friend tradition.

Go to an area known for Christmas lights. Park the car and walk as a group to see the decorations.

Be sure to have on light colors or reflective gear so you don’t get hit, and carry a flashlight. Or think ahead and give everyone in the group a glow necklace to wear. (Or even some twinkly Christmas light necklaces!)

6. Bring a healthy recipe option to carry-in dinners.

Make it so good, others can’t believe it’s healthy. They’ll start asking for it at future gatherings.

7. Make the non-food parts of the holiday shine more.

Focus on the love. Make new memories.

8. Have a plan for the day before and after a holiday to eat more produce and proteins.

Clean eating helps offset one day of savoring special foods.

9. Make an extra effort to get more sleep.

We need it more than ever during the holidays, and it truly is the one thing that affects wellbeing of body, soul, and spirit.

Let’s focus on being good caregivers of our bodies this season of worship and turn down what doesn’t help us live well for God.

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (Romans 12:1–2 NLT)

At a time of year when we have a lot on our plates, we need to make sure we don’t pile a lot on our dinner plates!

And for that matter, we need to reduce what we have on our life plates too—so we can truly SAVOR the SEASON.

What will you have on your holiday plate?

Kathy Carlton Willis is God’s Grin Gal. She writes and speaks with a balance of funny and faith—whimsy and wisdom. Over a thousand of Kathy’s articles have been published and she has several books in her Grin Gal brand. Her latest books are The Grin Gal’s Guide for Wellbeing: Being Well in Body, Soul & Spirit, and the ancillary product, The Grin Gal’s Planner for Wellbeing. Set yourself up for success by joining one of Kathy’s wellbeing groups, which will start in January. More information at www.kathycarltonwillis.com, or contact her for details at kathy@kathycarltonwillis.com.

Article content adapted from The Grin Gal’s Guide for Wellbeing: Being Well in Body, Soul & Spirit ©2021.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Cara Crobbelaar at Unsplash.

The Power of Giving Thanks

Debbie W. Wilson's blog posts continue to apply biblical truth to rubber-meets-the-road heart issues. In this Thanksgiving UPGRADE she applies the truth of giving thanks to the tough topic of disappointments.

"Is it possible to trust God with problems and disappointments before they’re resolved? Yes!" Debbie says. "Let me share my story of how I learned it’s not only possible, but powerful."

I (Dawn) have recently faced a the specter of disappointment, and Debbie's words encouraged me more than I can express. I pray she will encourage you too.   

Debbie continues . . . 

During my senior year of college, a restless anxiety began to build in me. Graduation loomed, and I wasn’t sure what to do next.

I overheard some sorority sisters talking about a ski retreat with a Christian group. The group was a bit more zealous in their faith than I was, but a ski retreat should be safe. And I needed a dose of inspiration.

The group chartered an old school bus to carry us to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. As soon as we hit the mountain foothills, the bus began to sputter, stutter, and stop. Obviously, the bus preferred the flat lands of coastal Georgia.

The first time we halted, several students prayed while the bus driver worked to repair the bus. They prayed something like this:

“Thank you, Lord for being in control.”

“Thank you, for allowing this to happen.”

“Thank you, that you are working this out for Your purpose and our good.”

Thanking God wasn’t new to me. But these prayers stunned me.

Who thanks God for disappointment?

As we climbed steeper hills, the stops became more frequent. The heater quit working. My toes felt colder than the frozen snow beside the road.

Each breakdown brought more prayers of thanksgiving.

Finally, late into the night, long after the conference’s evening sessions had ended, our bus sat on the side of a dark highway—broken-down—again.

Across the street sprawled a dingy motel that could have been named Cockroach Inn. When talk about staying there surfaced, I added my silent prayers to the others.

“Dear Lord, don’t listen to these people! I don’t want to spend the night here. We’re cold and tired. Please get us to the conference—tonight.”

The bus rumbled, and we were off. We tiptoed into our sleeping rooms trying not to wake the others.

Engaging speakers, joyful singing, and lots of fun made the weekend better than I’d anticipated. But the attitude of the students and staff both on the bus and at the conference stood out most.

One young man lost his senior ring and didn’t fret.

Who were these people who trusted God with their disappointments?

I began attending church nine months before I was born. I knew Jesus as my Savior and that I was going to heaven when I died. But I lacked the calm confidence these students displayed.

I’d never considered turning to the Lord with my day-to-day disappointments.

That weekend created a thirst to know Jesus better—not because of the wonderful teaching, great worship, or fun—though those didn’t hurt. I wanted to know Him better because of the peace these students showed during disappointment. They trusted God was at work in all things—even disappointment.

And they were right. Not only did God use that broken-down bus to make me thirsty to know Him better, He used it in the lives of other students too.

What felt like a senseless frustration ended up being the most important part of the conference for many.

Trusting God during disappointment is powerful. It brings us peace and provides a brilliant witness to an anxious world.

Do you have a problem or disappointment weighing on you? What might happen if, by faith, you chose to thank Him before you see how He’ll use it?

I encourage you to try it. It’s not hypocritical to express thanksgiving before we feel it. It’s called obedience — In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thess. 5:18 NASB).

What disappointment are you facing right now? How might giving thanks to God before you feel thankful change your perspective and prepare you for what He will do?

Debbie W. Wilson is an experienced Bible teacher and ministry leader. She enjoys equipping others in the areas of relationships, Bible study, Christian living, and discipleship. She uses Spirit-filled encouragement to inspire readers to trust God with their lives. Her latest book, Little Faith, Big God—drawing from Hebrews 11—shows readers how to live well and finish strong. Debbie enjoys dark chocolate, a good mystery, and the antics of her two standard poodles. Find resources and connect with Debbie at debbiewwilson.com.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Nil2Hoff at Pixabay.

'Forcing a Piece' Doesn't Work in Parenting

In this Parenting UPGRADE, Dawn Wilson reminds us that each child is unique in personality and gifts, and we're wise to discover that uniqueness and cultivate it.

I discovered early on in parenting that siblings are different and should never be compared. Each has unique giftings and will make different contributions in the world.

As my two sons grew up, one of our family traditions was putting together a puzzle at their grandparents' home in Palm Springs, Californai, during the Thanksgiving holiday.

Every year a new puzzle was completed—even if Grandpa Wilson had to finish the project after everyone went home.

Lessons in Puzzle-working

I loved watching my boys work the puzzles.

Our youngest, the "Mr. Social" of the group, would stay at the task only as long as his cousin or his older brother would work with him.

He worked quickly, picking up random pieces and laying them down again. Once, he impatiently tried to "force a piece" into the puzzle—bending one of the "bumps" in the process.

His frustrated brother became a teacher, explaining that "pieces have to be a perfect fit or the puzzle won't come out right."

Unlike our youngest, our methodical oldest child enjoyed quiet time alone with the puzzle, carefully analyzing each piece, categorizing the shapes, and relishing each new discovery. When others joined him, he often directed their efforts with a "Try that one," or "Try it the other way."

While everyone participated in the project, he was clearly a manager.

How unique each boy was. Working the puzzles highlighted those differences.

Lessons from Baseball Cards and Sports

Puzzle working wasn't the only activity that revealed their personalities. The boys' traits became obvious in other areas of their lives.

Both collected baseball cards and, like many children, dreamed of playing in the big leagues.

Our youngest's cards were randomly stached in cluttered drawers and overstuffed school bags so he could pull them out at random to enjoy them.

Our older son categoried his and methodically placed them in boxes. An entire notebook was devoted to a favorite at the time, Orel Hershiser.

Eventually, he helped his brother sort his collection, and they shared hours "talking baseball."

The boys made relatives laugh as they mimicked sports announcers, pretending to call the games on television. The youngest focused on the action. The oldest developed the strategy behind each play.

Though they played and excelled in other sports, it was in baseball that the pieces of their life puzzles began to fit.

Our youngest—temporarily labeled "Wild Thing" in his youth for his mean fastball that sometimes lacked accuracy and sent batters scurrying out of the batter's box—became an outstanding pitcher with a Nolan Ryan bite. Meanwhile, his older brother's pitching—steady and strategic—resembled his hero Hershiser, the deliberate "Bulldog."

The oldest expected the youngest to react to life and sports as he would—with intensity!

But our easy-going youngest never could understand why it was so hard for his brother to simply relax.

As their sports careers intertwined in high school, however, and interesting change took place.

Our oldest child gained respect for his fun-loving, confident younger brother. And our youngest learned discipline and leadership skills from his brother.

Though big league dreams ended, our oldest ended his senior year of high schol satisfied with his accomplishments in sports, knowing he had done his best.

But our youngest son's senior year escalated from excitement to ectasy as his baseball team reached the San Diego finals. His brother watched him pitch the winning game, and then joined my husband in advising him when scouts came calling.

Big brother was truly delighted when the Philadelphia Phillies drafted our young son in 1998.

Some time later, it was no surprise to any of us that our oldest ended up coaching high school sports. It was a perfect fit for our analytical son. His pieces of the puzzle made sense too.

Don't Force a Piece

I sometimes shake my head as parents try to "force a piece" in the puzzle-life of their child. In the process, they break their child's spirit and end up with a completed picture that was never intended by God.

If we love our children, we will help them see how their puzzle pieces fit.

So how can we cooperate with God to help the puzzle pieces of our children fit properly?

1. Never Compare.

It's not wise to compare your child with anyone—whether in the family, or at school, church, or anywhere else.

It's the foolish parent who says, "Why can't you be more like your brother/sister?"

I actually said that once to one of my sons. His response? "Because I'm not him!"

(Well, duh. Lesson learned.)

The Bible explains that comparison is not wise because God is the giver of all our gifts, of all we receive in the way of personality, skills, etc. (James 1:17; 1 Corinthians 4:7; Isaiah 45:9).

2. Cultivate Their Uniqueness.

Help your child discover his or her unique personality, gifting, and other distinguishing traits and skills. And then take steps to cultivate them.

Childhood is the time to try out many activities, not only for fun, but to discover innate strengths and weaknesses.

Don't "force pieces" where they don't belong.

• A child may try out for sports and discover a new passion—or may genuinely hate exercise.
• A child may take up a musical instrument and thrive, or hate every single second of practice.
• A child may exhibit a "gift" for writing from an early age, or struggle with it in school.

(NOTE: I'm not saying we should allow for "quitters"—and there may need to be some parent/child negotiations. But we do need to become aware when there's not a good fit, and make allowances for that.)

Sometimes a different approach can make a difference.

For example, a boy may say he "hates" reading, but can find inspiration to read in the sports pages of a newspaper, or a biography about someone in history (a pirate or ruthless warrior, perhaps).

Help your child see the different personality types in the scriptures as well—impulsive Peter, wise Esther, etc. And help your child understand how Jesus grew in a number of areas in his young life (Luke 2:52).

3. Praise Efforts.

Even when children operate in their uniqueness, they may have days when they don't measure up. They are not failures, even when sometimes failing.

They are learning important information for future attempts.

So don't provoke (exasperate/embitter) your children, causing them to lose heart (become discouraged)—Colossians 3:21/ Ephesians 6:4. Intead, train them well and encourage them with appropriate praise.

(NOTE: This is not the same as the philosophy of praising everyone for everything all the time.)

4. Focus on an Eternal Perspective.

Help your child see more than today.

Encourage the use of spiritual gifts, as they become apparent, to love God and serve others.

Help them discover how they can become more like Jesus—no matter their personality or gifting.

In all their activities, be sure to include spiritual quests and community outreaches to the glory of God.

In all this counsel, remember that you will never be a perfect parent. You will make many mistakes—even in pursuing your child's uniqueness.

If you love with wisdom, and discipline with love, they will understand your inability to be perfect.

Children may be puzzling at times, but they are created in the image of God, and His creation is precious—every single child! Take time to consider the pieces of their puzzle, because it's so worth it!

I'm so glad we—for the most part—worked the puzzle right.

If you are a parent, have you discovered your child's/children's uniqueness? What part of the puzzle of their lives is yet to be discovered? Ask God to help you!

Dawn Wilson, founder and President of Heart Choices Today, is a speaker and author, and the creator the blog, Upgrade with Dawn. She is a contracted researcher/reviewer for women's teacher and revivalist, Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth at Revive Our Hearts, and is a regular columnist at Crosswalk.com. She and her husband Bob live in sunny Southern California, and Dawn has traveled with Him in Pacesetter Global Outreach. They have two grown, married sons, three granddaughters and a rascally maltipoo, Roscoe.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Piro4D at Pixabay.

Gratitude without Attitude

Kolleen Lucariello's creative thinking is amazing, and when it overlaps with biblical truth, her creativity is a positive, motivating force. Such is this Gratitude UPGRADE.

"Relationships are like tractor-trailers," Kolleen says.

I (Dawn) think that's such an intriguing thought! Whatever could Kolleen mean by that? I think you'll be surprised. (This is so good!)

Kolleen continues . . .

The words breezed through my mind and touched down in my heart as I stared mindlessly at the back-end of the tractor-trailer. 

This had been going on for what felt like a gazillion miles as my husband and I shared Interstate 40 with the truckers while in the midst of a cross-country adventure. 

“Odd thought,” I mused.

But the thought wouldn’t leave me. As I reflected on it, a comparison began to form.

You see, I’d lost appreciation for tractor-trailer drivers after losing a friend in an accident years ago. Now, fear caused an accumulation of attitude toward the big trucks.

It’s rather amazing how one experience taints—causing overgeneralization—don’t you think?

But now, after thousands of miles, I grew to have a new appreciation for those driving professionally. They spend so much time on the road driving from one destination to another, entrusted with cargo to be delivered to a distribution center.

• The cargo they carry has worth.
• It has a purpose.
• It has the potential to fulfill desires and meet needs.

Once the cargo arrives at the distribution center, it is placed in a new truck to be delivered to the destination it was intended.

So how are relationships like tractor-trailers?

In the same way the driver has a responsibility to deliver the cargo entrusted to them to the distribution center—fully intact and unharmed—perhaps we’ve been given a similar responsibility for one another by God.

We are, after all, all precious cargo to Him. 

Unfortunately, I find my eyesight fails me from that perspective when, similar to my view of tractor-trailers, a wounded heart clouds my perception, creating little gratitude FOR one another, but oh-so-much attitude WITH one another.

Can you relate? 

Hurt is very persuasive. Left unchecked, hurt upon hurt builds greater attitudes and less gratitude for those around us.

When we allow our attitudes to sour towards others it becomes less appealing to travel beside one another.  

Would that change if we had a different perspective of God’s purpose for relationship?

Could relationship upgrades be possible if we:

• Acknowledged every person, as God’s creation, has worth (Genesis 1:27).
• Accepted God’s call to motivate one another to fulfill their intended purpose (Hebrews 10:24).
• Relished in the opportunity God has given us to meet a need for such a time as this (Esther 4:14).

I often fail to see people the way God does. Sometimes, rather than allow God to choose the cargo of His choice for my life, I’ve predetermined differences are too great, personalities will collide, or we lack commonality.

But, Phillip Barry wrote, “The time to make your mind up about people, is never.”

When we make up our mind about people, taking on attitudes rather than gratitude, we risk devaluing them. 

I can become a bit attitude-ish when I forget that God gives purpose to everyone.

He instructs me to use my words to build others up, according to their needs (Ephesians 4:29, emphasis mine). Their needs, not mine.

If I am always focused on me, how can I build others up to fulfill the purpose God has for them?  

Similar to a tractor trailer, I can’t carry people to the destination I’ve determined is best for them; nor can I give up halfway through the trip.

It sure can be tempting to disregard and dismiss someone due to the conflicts and differences of opinions when they arise. And, while relationships ebb and flow, we’ve become pretty quick at canceling deliveries.

But, have we taken the time to ask God what His plan was for our journey together? 

I’ve never been grateful for the injuries incurred through broken relationships. In fact, I gain more attitude than gratitude when a relationship sours and ends abruptly.

I know how tempting it can be to find an early exit off the ramp. “Just drop me here!” we beg when challenged by differences.

Yet, I wonder if—rather than me determining the distance I’m willing to go with someone who challenges my character—that is a decision God has already determined.

Did we make it to the distribution center He intended for us to go?

Or did we call it quits because we were mad? 

I think God’s design was for us to take turns picking up passengers at the distribution centers. Then, follow the example of Paul when he said:

I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow” (1 Corinthians 3:6).

See? When the seed is planted, the watering begins, and God can produce the proper growth.

However, rotten attitudes wreak havoc on growth. 

We aren’t always going to be pleasant passengers on this journey.

John Maxwell says,

"Attitude isn’t everything, but it is one thing that can make a big difference in your life.”

Who’s the precious cargo God has entrusted you with to help deliver to a new destination? Are you full of attitude or gratitude for the opportunity? 

Kolleen Lucariello, #TheABCGirl, is the author of #beYOU: Change Your Identity One Letter at a Time and is the Co-Director of Activ8Her, Inc. She is passionate to every woman realize her identity in Christ and live accordingly. Kolleen and her hubby, Pat, make their home in Central New York. She’s the mom of three grown children and Mimi to six incredible grands. For more information about Kolleen, visit www.speakkolleen.com.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Rene Rauschenberger at Pixabay.

"Hospice Will Bring the Oxygen Machine Today...."

Yvonne Ortega has experienced many life struggles, and God has taught her many transferable truths that she shares with others. As we head toward Thanksgiving, many are hurting with great losses or are in crisis situations—and it may be difficult to be grateful. But in this Gratitude UPGRADE, Yvonne reminds us there are always ways to express our gratitude to God and cope with trials with His help.“On a 6:00 a.m. Thursday phone call to Aunt Bertha, my head swirled at her update," Yvonne said.

"‘Hospice will bring the oxygen machine today to our senior community suite and show me how to use it for Arthur (my uncle).’”

Like almost everyone, I (Dawn) never want to get a phone call like that. We hate to hear that those we love are not doing well. But even in times like that, there are positive things we can do. Yvonne reminds us that gratitude is a choice!

Yvonne continues . . .

Uncle Arthur has been a second father to me. I needed to travel north to see him.

Aunt Bertha said, “He’s lost 70 pounds and can’t eat or sleep.”

With the Thanksgiving season upon me, how could I be grateful?

1. I Prayed for Favor.

When Nehemiah faced a crisis, he wept, fasted, and prayed.

He said,

Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night (Nehemiah 1:5-6).

I needed divine favor with TSA-precheck. I looked at the online form to complete and froze. I didn’t know how to answer half the questions.

My heartbeat heightened, and my stomach fluttered.

How could I fly without TSA-precheck with those dreaded airport security lines? How could I arrive in time to help the family?

As I dialed the TSA-precheck phone number, my fingers trembled; but God used a gracious lady to help me until I printed my payment confirmation.

“Thank you, God.”

2. I Sang to the Lord.

This may sound strange, but the Bible mentions many who sang in crisis.

The psalmist said,

I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me (Psalm 13:6).

Tears glistened on my blouse collar, but I sang.

My hair looked like a shaggy dog in need of a master hair stylist like Susan. Once up north, time wouldn’t permit a haircut.

On Friday morning I called Susan to confirm an appointment, a new person answered the phone.

“This is Yvonne Ortega,” I said. “I’m calling about my appointment at 1:00 pm with Susan."

She paused and said, “Susan dropped dead in the salon two weeks ago. Everyone thought she fainted. When Susan didn’t regain consciousness, they called the Emergency Rescue Squad. They tried everything, but she died instantly of an aneurysm.”

“Lord, God, how much more?”

I fell to my knees and sobbed.

God comforted me and seemed to whisper, “Continue to sing, Yvonne.”

In a state of shock, I walked through the house on Friday, pulled out boots, gloves, and clothes for a trip to a colder climate. With a background of praise and worship music in Spanish, I sang through tears.

No one at the salon was available for three weeks. So, I found another hair stylist and obtained her only appointment all week.

A look in the mirror after a beautiful haircut reminded me of Psalm 89:1.

I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations (Psalm 89:1). 

3. I Reached Out with Hope.

I needed to confirm that my uncle knew the Lord and would go to heaven.

Part of my aunt’s conversation came to mind.

"Arthur didn’t talk anymore, wore a stronger pain patch, took morphine, and slept most of the time.”

A friend reminded me that the last sense to go is hearing. I called, told my aunt to hold the phone close to his ear, and I spoke to him.

“Uncle Arthur, this is your niece, Yvonne. If you can hear me and agree with what I say, blink your eyes. If you agree with my prayer at the end, blink your eyes.”

When I finished my prayer, Aunt Bertha said, “I couldn’t hear what you said to Arthur, but he sure blinked his eyes a lot.”

I hadn’t heard sweeter words of confirmation in a long time.

A burning desire to be with my family lingered. However, a storm in Virginia flooded the area around both airports. Early morning fog didn’t help.

I couldn’t get there.

Stranded at home, I had a generator, electricity, running water, and food—but not my loved ones. I called my aunt to check on the family.

“Our son Art noticed that Arthur sat slumped in the lift chair, which constricted his lungs," my aunt said. "Art bought a large pillow at Walmart to see if that would help Arthur breathe better.

"Now he can breathe on his own, talk, and eat. He can walk in the senior community without his walker. It’s a miracle.”

Because of his serious health complications, my uncle can’t leave the facility. However, God has brought him through one more crisis.   

David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets (2 Samuel 6:14–15).

My shouts and dancing before the Lord may have exceeded David’s.

What will you be grateful for this Thanksgiving?  

Yvonne Ortega walks with a small footprint but leaves a giant imprint in people’s lives. She is the author of the Moving from Broken to Beautiful® Series through cancer, forgiveness, and grief. Yvonne speaks with honesty and humor as she helps women who face challenges even when they feel overpowered. She celebrates life at the beach where she walks, builds sand castles, blows bubbles, and dances. Learn more about Yvone on her webpage.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Fernando Zhiminaicela at Pixabay