Most consumers purchasing athletic clothes aren’t exercising in them at all; they are taking part in a fashion trend often called “athleisure”, because the aforementioned athletic clothes are often worn by people who aren’t working out. For instance, the Wall Street Journal found that sales of yoga apparel grew approximately 45% in 2013, but yoga participation that same year only grew 4.5%. In many social circles, it has already become the norm to wear athleisure clothes in everyday situations, and one could an analogous connection between a half-hearted spiritual life and the symbolic nature of portraying one’s self as active. Projection versus reality, passive facade versus beneficial behavior.

If you have had a child, have you found yourself playing the role of security guard, vetting the credentials of those who may access your newborn? However, when looking over the Nativity, strangers and those with little to no personal connection are part of a very intimate moment. But what was the significance of the shepherds at the Nativity? Why were shepherds, of all the people, invited to see Christ following His birth? The answer might be more significant than you think.

Do you love Christmas and all things that go along with it? Does it ever seem like you go way over the top with gifts, decorations, and excitement when it comes to the holiday season? Guilty, as charged. Jesus claims to be the light of the world, and in a way, this is an accurate statement! Take a look around at all the decorations on homes and trees, and say you can’t find the correlation between the two.

If you say that someone is being unrealistic, you mean that they do not recognize the truth about a situation, especially about the difficulties involved in something they want to achieve. We believe it’s helpful to set high standards for ourselves, as some sort of motivator or source of inspiration. These feelings more often than not are physically and emotionally damaging, affecting all facets of one’s life. But how do you learn to let go and focus on the present?

If done in a healthy & moderated fashion, is there anything more relaxing than “catching some rays”? While we as a country like to fake (not bake) our tans, there are plenty of reasons why we love the sun. It boosts levels of serotonin (proven to alleviate anxiety), produces vitamin D which has a myriad of health benefits, and can actually ease up stiffness and cause warmth in the body’s muscles. That said, what about basking in the glow of an Adoration chapel?

Have you ever found yourself at an event when someone’s cell phone ringtone cuts through the silence of a room? Attendees (and even those involved in the production or performance) seek out the offender, wanting to know who it was that pulled an inexcusable social faux pas. But what happens if that person ends up being you? Fumbling to silence your device before anyone catches on that you’re the culprit. Learn how one goes from judging to fear as the situation flips on one’s self.

Paraphrasing here, Matthew 18:3 (depending on the publisher or edition of the Bible in your possession) roughly states “…unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” Open to interpretation as much within the Bible, perspective changes and becomes more succinct once one has had a child. Watch as Melinda relates her personal experience between the quote and motherhood.

Have you ever experienced “friendvy”, the portmanteau of “friend” and “envy” as a way to epitomize the jealousy one feels regarding the haves of a friend versus your have nots. This can emotional, material, or stretching to the absurd such as the amount of Facebook “likes” someone has amassed. But what about when someone pulls out the latest & greatest Apple phone, and you’re left clutching what is in comparison archaic technology?

It’s unbecoming to be unkind to anyone, but it’s especially terrible to see the elderly pushed aside. After all, these folks have life experiences that we should listen to and learn from. Remember that being gracious to everyone, regardless of their age, shows your true character. Ignoring those who have been around much longer than us shows a lack of manners on our part. Throughout many people’s childhood and teen years, they hear the phrase, “respect your elders,” over and over, until it becomes indelibly etched on their brains. You may assume that everyone hears the same thing from his or her parents and grandparents, but apparently not. Watch as Melinda relates an observation of such a moment.

Taylor Swift has always been and will always be a polarizing figure, namely based on how she is incapable of allowing even the slightest of slights to wash over her. Response to criticism can be an excellent catalyst for creative output. But how does the title of her catchy single “Look What You Made Me Do” correlate to Catholic storylines?