Here are brief summaries and links to posts on the blog, Lisa notes, from May 2026.

• What’s Holding Me Together Right Now—Share 4 Somethings May 2026 (5/29)
  Here are 4 small (and large) support systems helping me through this season: a timer, friendships, books, and wise connections.
• Is Your One Word Trying to Get Your Attention? Try This Photo Challenge {One Word 2026 May Linkup} One Word (5/26)
  Join this One Word photo challenge inviting you to notice how your word shows up in everyday life. Share what you find at our monthly blog linkup.
• Sometimes Courage Looks Very Small: A Small Shift at the Airport (5/23)
  A chance encounter at the Reno airport became a reminder that small shifts in relationships often begin with one brave question.
• I Wonder If His Mama Still Wonders About Him (5/19)
  Sometimes a stranger stays with you for reasons you can’t explain. This man walking the beach with a guitar left me wondering not only about him—but about the mama who loved him.
• A Scroll of Compassion (5/14)
  The Dalai Lama is a great teacher of compassion. This scroll with his words is a tangible reminder of what giving compassion means.
• 6 Standout Books I Recommend This Month (5/5)
  Six standout books I recommend this month—thoughtful nonfiction and powerful fiction exploring connection, culture, love, and meaning.

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Here are brief summaries and links to posts on the blog, Lisa notes, from April 2026.

• Sharing 4 Somethings from April 2026 (4/29)
  A reflective April 2026 recap featuring four meaningful moments—family, seasonal joys, friendship, and small mindset shifts.
• This Month’s Wordy Invitation: Write a Poem or Blessing (4/26)
  Here’s an invitation to reflect on your One Word by writing a simple poem or blessing—even if you don’t have a word of the year.
• Feeling Off? Try These 6 Small Physical Shifts for a Reset (4/21)
  These tiny shifts can gently improve your mood, energy, and focus—no big changes required.
• Let Go of Being Right – When Being Right Is Wrong (and Dangerous) (4/14)
  When is being right, wrong? Here are 3 dangers to being right and how to let go of them.
• Whatever Happens, We’ll Handle It (4/9)
  We’ll never be abandoned without resources of some sort. Depend on that. Whatever happens, we’ll handle it.
• The Stories We Listen To: 6 (and 1/2) Books That Invite You to Pay Attention (4/3)
  A roundup of 6 (and 1/2) powerful books about storytelling, awareness, and the importance of paying attention to life’s deeper messages.

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Here are brief summaries and links to posts on the blog, Lisa notes, from March 2026.

• Learning from What Grows and Fades: Share 4 Somethings (March) (3/30)
  A March “Share 4 Somethings” post on growth, letting go, and learning from nature’s shifts in everyday life.
• Define It, Find Its Twin, Meet Its Opposite: 3 Ways to Revisit Your One Word (3/26)
  Revisit your One Word with 3 simple steps: define it, explore synonyms, and discover opposites to gain fresh clarity and insight.
• When the Body Shows the Score (3/24)
  A reflection on how body language reveals emotions—what we can see in moments of victory, loss, and the obvious ways our bodies tell the truth.
• Do You Assume the Best or the Worst? And a Barking Lady (3/20)
  We rarely know the whole story. How can we learn to give others the benefit of the doubt? 5 ways to assume the best.
• The Day I Sat on My Hands Instead of Taking Notes (3/16)
  What happens when you stop writing everything down and simply listen? A reflection on nature, attention, and letting wisdom move through you.
• What a Smelly Elevator Taught Me About Questioning Beliefs (3/11)
  A strange moment in a smelly elevator became a surprising lesson about questioning beliefs, testing assumptions, and discovering what’s actually true.
• 8 Books I Recommend: Being Human, From Memoir to Plague to Fiction (3/4)
  Discover 8 powerful books about being human—from memoir to historical fiction—that explore identity, courage, faith, race, and resilience.

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Here are brief summaries and links to posts on the blog, Lisa notes, from February 2026.

• Experimenting with a Shift in Pace (Share 4 Somethings) (2/28)
  Here are my four somethings about slowing down, time tracking, friendship, and meaningful awareness.
• How to Keep Your One Word of the Year From Fading (3 Simple Ways) (2/26)
  Is your One Word of the Year fading in February? Try these 3 simple ways to reconnect and keep your word alive all year long.
• This Is What He Remembers About Me? (Is It Still True?) (2/20)
  My cousin remembered that? We can’t control which facts people remember about us. But maybe we can influence the sentiment.
• When My Gift Is Trusting Your Decision: Keeping Two Cents in My Pocket (2/17)
  Sometimes love means keeping your advice to yourself. A reflection on friendship, trust, and learning to witness rather than manage someone else’s decision.
• What If This Moment Is Asking for a Different Pace? (2/11)
  When plans fall apart, learning to shift your pace can change everything. My experience about flights, timing, and staying present.
• This Month’s Must-Reads for Me: Stories, Connections, and Life Lessons—February 2026 Book Recommendations (2/5)
  Here are my must-read books this month. They’re filled with wisdom, intriguing stories, and lessons on love, connection, and personal growth.

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Here are brief summaries and links to posts on the blog, Lisa notes, from January 2026.

• Noticing the Shift: What Keeps Blooming When We Pay Attention—Share Four Somethings January 2026 (1/30)
  A Share Four Somethings post about noticing the shift, showing up to change, and discovering what keeps blooming in everyday life.
• 3 Simple Ways to Begin the Year Gently (With or Without a One Word) (1/26)
  Starting with a new One Word this year? Here are 3 simple ways to begin your One Word journey—without pressure—and connect with others along the way.
• A Small Shift: Learning to Notice Instead of Fix (1/21)
  A reflective story about a missing glove, small mental shifts, and what happens when we notice instead of fix, control, or force outcomes.
• That “Friend” Is Not Who You Think They Are (1/14)
  As AI becomes more helpful and polite, it’s easy to confuse it with friendship. This essay explores why human connection still matters.
• Will You Be Good at Your Thing Today? (1/9)
  A short reflection on how doing your work well—even something small—can make a big difference in someone else’s experience.
• 10 Book Recommendations About Stories, Responsibility, and Fairness—January 2026 Book Recommendations (1/6)
  Explore ten nonfiction and fiction books that inspire reflection on stories, responsibility, fairness, and the choices that shape our lives.
• Prepare to Shift: Choosing My Word for a Year That Will Change (1/1)
  Why I chose Shift as my One Word for 2026—and how noticing daily change helps us live with more presence, flexibility, and intention.

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Here are brief summaries and links to posts on the blog, Lisa notes, from December 2025.

• Everything Is a Story: How the Narratives We Live By Shape Our Lives (12/26)
  A reflective review of Everything Is a Story by Kaitlin B. Curtice, exploring how the stories we tell can heal, harm, and quietly shape our lives.
• Rate Your One Word 2025: Reflection, Closure, and What Comes Next {One Word 2025 December Linkup} (12/23)
  Reflect on your One Word 2025 with simple rating and reflection questions to bring closure before choosing your One Word for 2026.
• My Top 5 Fiction Books of 2025: Stories That Stayed With Me (12/19)
  Discover my top 5 fiction books of 2025, from heart-wrenching stories to immersive narratives that left a lasting impact.
• My Top 10 Favorite Books of 2025: Lessons on Life, Loss, and Curiosity (12/16)
  Discover my top 10 books of 2025, from grief and mortality to curiosity and creativity, with quick takeaways and thoughts to consider.
• Still Deciding What to Buy? You’re Not Alone (12/12)
  Still deciding what to buy for Christmas? Embrace imperfect gifts, reduce holiday stress, and find joy in giving without chasing perfection.
• The Power of Ripples: One Word That Carried Me All Year Long—My end of the year wrap-up (12/9)
  Discover the power of ripples—how one small Word of the Year shaped my life through presence, connection, and unexpected moments of change and healing.
• How to Cope with Climate Worry: A Book to Help You Breathe Again (12/6)
  Facing Climate Anxiety explores practical tools for managing climate worry with clarity, resilience, and hope—without doom, guilt, or overwhelm.
• 6 Easy Ways AI Can Help You Choose Your One Word of the Year for 2026—AI Prompts to Find Your Perfect One Word (12/3)
  Discover 6 simple ways AI can help you choose your One Word of the Year for 2026. Fun, reflective, and future-driven prompts to find your perfect word.
• 8 Books to See the World (and Yourself) More Clearly—December 2025 Book Recommendations (12/1)
  Discover 8 powerful books that deepen self-understanding and broaden your perspective. These insightful reads help you see the world—and yourself—more clearly.

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Here are brief summaries and links to posts on the blog, Lisa notes, from November 2025.

• Learning to Hold What Matters: My Four Somethings for November (11/28)
  A reflective look at November—showing up in photos, discovering new books, curating memories, and letting go of old traditions while learning to hold what matters.
• How to Thank Your One Word: A Simple November Gratitude Practice (11/25)
  Learn how to thank your One Word with a simple November gratitude practice. Try this easy reflection to deepen your connection with your word before the year ends.
• The 4 Nonfiction Books I’m Reading Next (And Why They Made the List) {Nonfiction November Week 5} (11/24)
  Discover the 4 nonfiction books I’m reading next and why they made my list. Trusted recommendations and thoughtful picks for your own TBR stack.
• Learning to Disagree Better with Mr. T-Shirt Man: One Ripple at a Time (11/20)
  The goal is not to win, but to connect. Learn how the Braver Angels LAPP method helps you navigate tough political conversations.
• Use Nonfiction to See Through Someone Else’s Eyes {Nonfiction November Week 4} (11/17)
  Discover how nonfiction helps you see through someone else’s eyes, build empathy, and understand diverse experiences. These stories matter.
• Because You’re Not Perfect Either (11/13)
  You’re not perfect—and neither is anyone else. A gentle reminder to laugh, forgive, and be kind to yourself and others.
• Double the Insight: Why It Works to Read Fiction and Nonfiction Together {Nonfiction November Week 3} (11/10)
  Mixing fiction and nonfiction can make your reading life deeper and more balanced. Here’s why the combo works—and three book pairings to try.
• November Book Roundup: 8 Worthwhile Reads from Memoir to Mystery (11/6)
  From a heartwarming memoir to page-turning fiction, this November book roundup features 8 worthwhile reads that inspire, comfort, and transport you.
• 5 Reasons to “Do” the Book Instead of Just Reading It (+ 5 Book Picks) {Nonfiction November Week 2} (11/3)
  Discover why “doing” a book is more impactful than just reading. Plus 5 nonfiction book suggestions to turn knowledge into action.

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Here are brief summaries and links to posts on the blog, Lisa notes, from October 2025.

• Seasons of Change: How Weddings, Trees, Books, and Rooms Remind Us to Grow {Share 4 Somethings – October 2025} (10/30)
  A month of milestones, memories, and makeovers—how a wedding, a cookout, a favorite author, and a repainted room remind me that everything changes, and that’s okay.
• Read What Matters Most: 5 Nonfiction Books To Use Your Time Well {Nonfiction November Week 1} (10/27)
  Explore 5 inspiring nonfiction books on productivity and aging to help you use your time wisely, live intentionally, and read what matters most to you.
• Don’t Put It Off: 5 Questions to Ask Now to Discover Your 2026 Word {One Word 2025 October Linkup} (10/25)
  Start listening now for your One Word for 2026. Reflect with five questions to guide your choice.
• Ripples Through Time: Reading My Late Mother’s Words—Then My Own (10/22)
  Reading my mother’s and my own 1991 journals revealed unexpected echoes between our struggles. What ripples are we leaving for those who come after us?
• When You Can’t Get in the Game: Finding Purpose from the Bleachers (10/17)
  Sometimes life benches us. But even from the bleachers, we can find purpose, perspective, and readiness for our next turn in the game.
• How to Grow a Long Joyspan: Why Older Can Truly Mean Better (10/14)
  Discover Joyspan by Dr. Kerry Burnight, a refreshing guide to aging well that shifts the focus from lifespan to joyspan—living with purpose, connection, and delight at every stage.
• Have You Made a To-Dread List? Stop Procrastinating with This Surprising Trick—How naming what you dread can actually make life easier (10/10)
  Feeling stuck on your to-do list? Try making a “to-dread list.” This surprising trick helps you face what you’ve been avoiding and finally stop procrastinating.
• When to Ignore GPS (and Listen to Yourself Instead) – A digital road sign, a scary hill, and the wisdom of trusting yourself (10/7)
  Sometimes GPS isn’t best. Here’s how one road trip reminded me that the best navigation system is sometimes your own intuition.
• From Politics to Belonging: 7 Books That Leave a Lasting Mark—October 2025 Book Recommendations (10/3)
  From politics to belonging to timeless classics, here are 7 books that leave a lasting mark with wisdom, warning, and inspiration.

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Here are brief summaries and links to posts on the blog, Lisa notes, from September 2025.

• Gifts of Online Gatherings: Finding Community Through Zoom (9/29)
  Discover the gift of online gatherings through Zoom. Share 4 Somethings September reflects on gratitude, learning, connection, and letting go.
• Your One Word Challenge: Discover 2–3 New Insights This Month {One Word 2025 September Linkup} (9/25)
  Take your One Word deeper this month with a simple 3-step challenge. Discover 2–3 new insights and reflect on what your word is teaching you.
• Progress Over Perfection: Lessons from a Squeaky Floor (9/22)
  Renovations (and a squeaky floor) reminded me that life isn’t flawless—and it doesn’t have to be. Discover why progress matters more than perfection.
• The Ripple Effect of Kindness: How a Wave Can Change a Day (9/19)
  My grandson’s wave on the beach shows me the ripple effect of kindness—how one small gesture can brighten someone’s day and keep spreading.
• Are You Ready for This Countdown? (9/9)
  Facing life’s limits can feel unsettling. Can practicing acceptance make a difference in living more fully?
• When Grace Catches Us as We Fall (9/5)
  Here is a story of grace in the midst of struggle, reminding us to see mercy and compassion in everyday moments of need.
• 9 Books That Inspire Reflection and Personal Growth—September 2025 Book Recommendations (9/2)
  Explore 9 books—8 nonfiction and 1 novel—that inspire reflection, personal growth, and deeper insight into life, relationships, and the world.

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Here are brief summaries and links to posts on the blog, Lisa notes, from August 2025.

• 4 Things I Loved, Learned, Celebrated, and Let Go of This Month (8/28)
  This month brought a faster Kindle, Roosevelt’s words, a birthday celebration, and a farewell. Here’s what I loved, learned, celebrated, and let go of.
• Three Conversations to Deepen Your One Word Practice (8/25)
  Deepen your One Word practice through meaningful conversations. Ask these questions, spark insights, and discover new ways to live your word.
• Does “For Now” Have to Mean Forever? How to Avoid Settling for Less (8/21)
  Discover how “for now” decisions don’t have to settle into forever habits—and learn questions to ask yourself to promote growth and change instead.
• Could You Play Life by Ear Instead of Someone Else’s Sheet Music? (8/18)
  Learning to play piano by ear has become a mythical metaphor for living life without following someone else’s rules. Can you play life by ear too?
• Why Now Is the Best Time to Be Generous (8/13)
  A $100 gift for a waitress’s daughter’s backpack reminded me that generosity today can make a bigger impact than waiting for the “right” time.
• Before You Box Up the Past, Ask This One Question First {Today is my 17th Blogging Anniversary!} (8/8)
  After 17 years of blogging, I opened my late mother’s journals for the first time. What I found reshaped how I see her—and myself. Here’s what I learned, and the question that changed everything.
• 8 Books Worth My Time—and 1 That Wasn’t (8/4)
  Looking for thoughtful, conversation-worthy books? Here’s a roundup of 8 recent reads I recommend—from psychological suspense to self-development—and one popular classic I don’t recommend.

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