Learning to Hold What Matters: My Four Somethings for November
{Share 4 Somethings - November 2025}
Each month I share 4 somethings that I have:
- Loved
- Learned
- Went well
- Let go of
And then I link up with Jenn.
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Something I loved
- SHOWING UP IN THE FRAME
I’ve never liked getting my picture made. As a child, I would often cry when someone took my photo. As an adult, I always find something I don’t like—my hair, my clothes, an odd expression I’m making.
Still, I like proof that I actually participated in life with people I love. So I want to be in some photos.
Presence matters more than perfection, right?
Thanks to our daughter Jenna’s planning, we spent a beautiful autumn afternoon this month getting family pictures taken. And while I still critique myself in the photos (I try not to, but old habits die hard!), I’m grateful to be in them.
Here are a couple from the day. I truly love everything about them. (photo credit April Stanley Photography)
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Something I learned
- GATHERING MORE STORIES TO SHAPE ME
It’s officially ended now, another Nonfiction November. I apologize for bombarding my fiction-loving readers during this month, but my heart is full and my to-read list is even fuller with new nonfiction titles I gathered.
I love discovering new books in November thanks to other bloggers who also love nonfiction. I’ve reorganized my reading list heading into 2026 to make room for the new titles while also leaving lots of open space for unexpected books that will inevitably pop up.
I’m grateful for the generosity of authors who put their best thoughts into words that then travel all the way to me to help make my life more interesting as a result.
Here are the best of the best books that I shared this year for Nonfiction November.
- Week 1: Read What Matters Most: 5 Nonfiction Books To Use Your Time Well
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. - Week 2: 5 Reasons to “Do” the Book Instead of Just Reading It (+ 5 Book Picks)
Discover why “doing” a book is more impactful than just reading. Plus 5 nonfiction book suggestions to turn knowledge into action. - Week 3: Double the Insight: Why It Works to Read Fiction and Nonfiction Together
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. - Week 4: Use Nonfiction to See Through Someone Else’s Eyes
See how nonfiction helps you see through someone else’s eyes, build empathy, and understand diverse experiences. These stories matter. - Week 5: The 4 Nonfiction Books I’m Reading Next (And Why They Made the List)
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.
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Something that is going well
- HONORING THE MOMENTS WE SHARED
I’ve been stuck in limbo since we had our walls repainted this fall. Which photos should go back on the walls and which ones should be retired? Which memories stay visible? How many are too many? Reflecting back on past seasons of our lives is important to me.
This month, I finally found the momentum to get moving on this. We’re not hammering nails yet, but at least I’m looking at frames, playing with arrangements, and sorting through which photos to display. Childhood, graduations, weddings, grandkids . . . the number of pictures can add up fast.
This process of choosing is emotionally charged for me. I want to hang on to memories of well-lived seasons of life with my daughters and grandchildren.
So even though I still have a ways to go, it feels good to be moving on the project. And thanks to our new family photos, I have even more options to choose from.
I’ve also been delighted to find old photos tucked behind newer ones as I’ve sorted through frames. I’d totally forgotten about this Auburn family photo from 2007. War Eagle!
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Something I let go of
- TRADING ONE KIND OF WARMTH FOR ANOTHER
After years of talking about it, we finally made the decision: we’re converting our wood-burning fireplace to a gas one.
I’m excited about the convenience—heat at the flip of a switch, no ash, no messy firewood.
But I’m sad, too. I’ve loved our years of having a real fire in the house. I’ve spent hours lying on the living room floor watching the dancing flames and listening to the crackling noises with a stack of books beside me and a sweet snack or two.
And every Christmas morning—even the unusually warm Alabama years—we lit a fire for the kids to wake up to and open presents around. It’s been part of our family tradition from the beginning.
We’re still waiting on the gas company to come make final connections before the new gas logs are operational. I hope it will happen by Christmas morning. But even if not, we’ll have the warmth in our hearts to keep a fire going . . . .
Christmas 2024 with the wood-burning fireplace
What’s one thing you held onto this month—and one thing you’ve had to let go of?
Share your thoughts in the comments.
I’m linking at these blog parties
I love those family photos, Lisa! I, too, need to get some more pictures, mostly photos, on our walls. Your grandson is just so cute, too. How old is he now? They grow up way too fast, don’t they? Blessings!
The family photos are wonderful. I’m so glad you’re in them. Few people are model-perfect in every photo, and models often have a team to style them, stand by with hair spray, etc. We love how our loved ones look because we love them. It would be sad for people not to have any photos to remember someone by because that person didn’t want to be photographed. (When I am with someone who adamantly refuses to be photographed, I sometimes think, “Do you think we don’t know what you look like?” 🙂 ).
I might try to set something like that up for next spring. We try to get a family photo with a selfie stick when we’re all together, but I’d love to get something like this done with the whole family.
Your grandson looks a lot like your husband!
I gravitate towards fiction, but I benefit from nonfiction greatly, probably more than fiction.
We had a fireplace in our last home and sometimes used it for ambiance, but, like you said, it was a mess with constant adding to the fire and ash removal. We ended up only using it during power outages.
We recently replaced our old wood stove with a new model that has a glass door, and I think it’s keeping us warmer because we can see the fire!????
Thank you for a heartwarming Post. Got me thinking too! Yes I’ve had to let go of some bullies, even in my mind. and let in the Creator Himself, even in areas of hurt. ESp those. God bless you.
Apologies for the needless question marks. Unsure how that happened????
Sorry, Rayla! The extra question marks is a crazy WordPress thing; nothing you did wrong on your end. I’ve tried changing my settings several times so it won’t happen, but of course I can’t figure it out. ha. I can go in after the fact and change it though, so I do that. Technology – ugh. lol.
I don’t like to show up in photos either. A couple of years ago though the family gave me one of those digital photo frame that you can just sent photos from your phone to the frame and I realized we needed more pics of all of us. And after our 50th wedding anniversary in 2022 I wanted to have more of the two of us – but events opened me up to more showing up. Hasn’t killed me yet. LOL
I love the top one! So important and we are often missing from our family record as the photographer…Lovely post! #ShareFourSomethings
I always enjoy the Four Something posts of yours Lisa!
I admire how much energy you have in a month!
Love the family photos & your video too.
To answer your question, I let my Detective Series novels go (10) by a well known author that I’d read & re read (still in good condition) to a Charity Shop for someone else to enjoy. It was time.
I kept a family tradition by getting all the grandchildren’s (13) & great grandchildren (2) Christmas treat bags ready (full of edible treats), I really enjoy doing this early-ish so I can get the interstate parcels sent off before the crazy rush.
Even my adult grandchildren request these treat bags for Christmas rather than the adult’s gift! They love the tradition of them I think or are still big kids! lol!
blessings, Jennifer
Oh I was the same way with photos for so long! I still prefer a selfie or just a head shot when I can’t control the angle of the lens because I really do pick apart the photos taken of me but I went far too long without being in any of them. Your family photos are just lovely!
Lisa, your new family photos are beautiful. I’m glad you found the momentum to get moving on choosing photos for your freshly painted walls. I also understand the emotional weight that comes with all of this. Sending you a big hug this morning.
Lisa, I really enjoyed this post. It’s great to see what you experienced in November. I’ll be featuring your post tomorrow at The Crazy Little Lovebirds link party.
I just love your family photos. I always look forward to seeing what you’re up to and your 4 Something’s.
Thanks so much for sharing with Sweet Tea & Friends this month sweet friend. I’m so happy you’re here.
Your pictures are lovely, and I love your sweater! I did not participate as much as I had planned for nonfiction November, but I am always in a nonfiction book, so I don’t feel too bad about it. I would like to read more nonfiction next year, although I am not sure how much I read this year, LOL! Very late to the Share Four Somethings link up. Have a great week!