Tag: personal development

Be good to yourself

I’ve been on a staycation this week and just a few days in, I feel like a new woman.

I’ve cleaned my fridge, and filled bags of clothes and other stuff to take to Goodwill and to a local church’s clothes closet.

I’ve hooked up a new computer (on my own), although my son chatted with me during the process, in case I needed tech support. Lol

I’ve fielded calls from my daughter, the bride-to-be, who is on the countdown to April.

I’ve chatted with a few friends daily and lunched with two.

I’ve turned down a brief road trip and a complimentary flight. Why?? To simply rest.

Which leads me to what has been the most meaningful part of this week so far:  allowing myself to sleep until my heart’s content and move at a “whenever I get to it” pace. (Today is my busy day for the week. I’ve scheduled a few appointments and virtual meetings, and if I owe you an email, it’s coming!)

My fellow author Saundra Dalton Smith, who penned the bestselling book Sacred Rest, would be proud.

Because rest is indeed sacred, and it opens up our well and our energy for creativity, deeper engagement with others, better appreciation for our blessed surroundings, and greater willingness to see and serve ourselves. (When our wells are full; we can healthily pour into others.) 

I haven’t paused this week because I’m ill(I feel great!); I’ve intentionally paused to ensure that my pace for 2024 remains measured and meaningful. 

I’ve paused to ensure that I center myself in being fully present and focused on enjoying the days, weeks and months to come.

This “rule of rest” for the week felt uncomfortable at first (those waiting-but-not-urgent emails and chapters to write taunted me), but as I’ve leaned into the leisure, I’m certain it’s preparing me to dive more joyfully and energetically into my storytelling projects and other professional endeavors, my volunteer activities, family milestone moments, looming travel, and much more. 

I’ve shared this, in part, as an invitation to join me. If your January was busier than expected, consider making time in February for your own sacred pause.

You may not be able to devote a week, but gift yourself a day (or a few) to lean into sleep – as much as your body craves – and enjoy some good food, laughter, and pampering yourself in simple ways that matter to you.

You are worth it. And so are the dreams, goals, work, relationships and legacy you are nurturing. Trust the timing of your life, and in the process, your preparation and strategic rest, will align. 

Inspired by this Life Untapped blog post? Please subscribe to receive more of Stacy’s occasional musings – and share the link to this post with others in your circle.

Keep Seeking Joy

I recently came across a photo of myself that was taken during my senior year of college and I’ve kept it on my nightstand for an occasional chuckle. 

Yes, my pants are too big ( I was really petite back then and did my best! 😂) and yes, I remember where I was – in a friend’s dorm room, enjoying a surprise party thrown for me. 

I look like I’m singing because I was. But can I really sing? Sadly not. I had fun trying, though, with whatever song was playing at the time.

I look like I was acting silly because I was. And guess what? 

Beneath my sometimes reserved, often inspirational and occasionally feisty demeanor lies a woman who is still fun at heart and able to laugh at myself and with others.

I was 21 in this pic and considered grown.

What I’d tell that young girl from my now full-fledged adult state is actually what I exemplify in this photo: to always find joy in the small moments and sing (and dance) through the rest. 

That girl didn’t always get it right and neither do I; but both versions of me have been, and remain, grateful for love, laughter, grace, life lessons and the journey itself – gifts that never age or go out of style. 

This week, I challenge you to dig up a few of your own funny pics from the past and reflect on your treasured (or silly) moments from yesterday. May you be inspired to embrace new dreams, cut yourself and others some slack, and create more meaningful memories.

Stacy during her senior year of college.

What I Know for Sure As 2024 Arrives

Happy New Year, my friend! As we set goals or resolutions for this shiny, new year before us (Welcome, 2024!), let us not forget the good, the great and the wow moments that have led us to this point.

Be grateful for what is to come, for sure; but also be grateful for what IS.

When we celebrate the beautiful things that already are, we can better appreciate the simple blessings that will proceed or accompany the longed-for visions that become our reality this year.

I encourage you to pull out a favorite journal and spend some time today making a list of the intangible gifts you already possess. I’ll start us off here….

What I know for sure?

– I am grateful to be healthy.

– I am grateful to be loved.

– I am worthy of self-care, mutual respect and seeing dreams come true (and so are you).

– I have a purpose greater than myself and walking in it gives me great joy.

– I am far from perfect, yet even so, I can render light and hope that blesses others, and for that I’m grateful.

I am leaning into these truths – these tiny miracles –  like never before in 2024, for these are life’s best gifts and graces. 

Consider the truths of your journey and what you know for sure. Honor these blessings. Build upon them. Continue your becoming in 2024.

I am on the journey with you. Let’s go!!

Photo credit: Samia Minnicks

Inspired by this Life Untapped blog post? Please subscribe to receive more of Stacy’s occasional musings – and share the link to this post with others in your circle.

Final Friday in 2023…Why This Is Our Time

TGIF! On this final Friday in 2023, I give thanks for a year that has been full of so many moments of wonder, wow God, self-reflection, self-love, acceptance of others, joy, tears, surrender and soaring. 

In the words of the great Maya Angelou, I “wouldn’t take nothing for my journey!

I am grateful for what has been and I’m excited about what’s to come. 

Oooh the stories I am stirring to share (in writing and otherwise)! Stay tuned. 😊

What have been your moments of wonder, wow God, self-reflection, self-love, acceptance of others, joy, tears, surrender and soaring?

Join me in reflecting and giving thanks.

Celebrate what has been and welcome new horizons.

This is our time. 

May we all elevate our visions, throw our shoulders back, and greet the purpose and opportunities before us with open arms, a can-do attitude, and a smile. 

Inspired by this Life Untapped blog post? Please subscribe to receive more of Stacy’s occasional musings – and share the link to this post with others in your circle.

Because Everyone Matters

There are so many good and exciting things happening in this season for so many of us, while destruction continues to befall many around the world.

This is the yin and yang of life, and also the reason to keep watch over our hearts, our thoughts, our words and our choices.
We may feel helpless, but what we CAN control or contribute to, we must.

Our truths matter, and so do our hope and faith, and our ability to see others and seek to understand them.

Let’s not give up on goodness or each other.
Pray for peace in the Middle East, and for peace in many of the cities, towns and homes across our nation.

Instead of bending toward the culture and a “by any means necessary” existence, what if we tried living with a “because everyone matters” perspective?

Your one shift, and someone else’s one shift, and my one shift could perhaps, together, shake the world.

Here’s Why You’re a Super Hero, Too

I wasn’t planning to share this on social, because it was such a special moment between my son and me.

However, in the past few weeks I’ve had conversations with several other moms who are in the trenches of parenting, and chatting with them reminded me that sometimes when you’re in the middle of a thing, you can’t envision the difference your commitment is making.

These conversations also reminded me that when I was raising young children and then adolescents, there were moms ahead of me on the journey who encouraged me to keep pouring and loving and correcting and guiding, and to trust that the seeds being planted and the care being rendered were a worthy investment.

It is with this in mind (and with his permission) that I share this sweet note that my 22-year-old son surprised me with back in August, upon finding an old English paper amid his belongings before he returned to college for senior year.

It reads “You are my super hero!” and the note explains that he had described me as such in a paper written during his sophomore year.

In the paper, he explored how super heroes often steal away to transform into their “super selves” and change the world for the better. In my case, he indicated that my super power was writing.

He detailed how, as a young child, he often watched me focus on completing my manuscripts on some weekends and some evenings, and rather feeling resentful, witnessing me fulfill a dream that would give hope and enjoyment to others made him proud.

What a gift that note and the recently found essay were to my mama soul!

And what a powerful reminder that our babies are watching us, and in doing so, learning how to write their own super hero stories.

So, to my friends who are in the hands-on stages of parenting: Don’t let weariness cause you to give up or despair. Trust that just as your efforts to nurture your children and guide their dreams is a gift to them, so is your persistence in leaning into your own heart songs and life’s calling.

You are their super hero, and someday I’m confident that in their own ways, they’ll tell you.

Share with Your Friends!

Enjoyed this Life Untapped blog post? Please subscribe to receive more of Stacy’s occasional musings – and share the link to this post with others in your circle!

Center Yourself to Soar

Trees offer a reminder of the importance of finding balance in life – standing tall, resilient and beautiful on your own, yet being planted close enough to a neighbor, friend or loved one to send encouragement, share special moments and extend some love.

This week, may you succeed with both. Enjoy your time alone and make room to dance with others.

For it is in spending time with you that you discover how you’re meant to uniquely impact the world. And it is in doing life together, with likeminded souls on a positive trajectory, that we rise. Embrace life’s duality and enjoy this season of your journey.

Enjoyed this Life Untapped blog post? Please subscribe to receive more of Stacy’s occasional musings – and share the link to this post with others in your circle!

Press Through & Rest Through

Around this time a year ago, I was slowly beginning to reclaim my time, after experiencing daily headaches for most of 2022.

Can I tell you how grateful I am at this juncture to read, write, travel, have fun and chillax at my own pace, through God’s grace?

So as I prep for some exciting opportunities this fall – and yes – some of them include writing projects – I don’t take for granted that each day and each experience is a gift.

People say I stay busy, but trust me – I “stay resting” and meditating, too, and it has helped me continue to grow and glow.

Wherever you find yourself on your life’s journey in this season, listen to your heart, your spirit and your body.

Press your way when called for,

Rest your way when called for,

and understand that both are necessary and helpful.

And when those seasons of doing and dancing and planning return, never forget what you’ve been through, because it makes where you’re going all the more special.

Enjoyed this Life Untapped blog post? Please subscribe to receive more of Stacy’s occasional musings – and share the link to this post with others in your circle!

Focus Forward

Can you believe there’s just over 4 months left in 2023? Make the most of this day, this week and the seasons ahead.

You matter and so does what you choose to embrace.

Lean into what feeds your soul and forgive yesterday’s troubles.

Choose joy and focus forward.

Enjoyed this Life Untapped blog post? Please subscribe to receive more of Stacy’s occasional musings – and share the link to this post with others in your circle!

Who is this Season Calling You to Be?

My meditation and writing time one morning last week yielded this gem for the main character in the fiction I’m writing, and I have to share, because it’s a word for us, too:


Sometimes we have to give up who we once were, or how we’ve always done something, in order to embrace who we’re meant to be in THIS season. What worked for you a decade ago, or maybe even a year ago, was for that stage, age or chapter.

Stacy Hawkins Adams


So keep learning and leading and loving.
Get excited about your present, and for what’s to come, because now you get a chance to write your next chapters with the clarity, confidence and intention that will be relevant for what the world needs now, and for the purpose and peace that are your birthright.

Enjoyed this Life Untapped blog post? Please subscribe to receive more of Stacy’s occasional musings – and share the link to this post with others in your circle!