Santini Serenity

St. Patrick's Day bursts onto the scene as a huge Irish celebration. It always lands on March 17th. The day honors St. Patrick, Ireland's main saint. People all over show their Irish pride. Green clothes fill the streets. Lively parades wind through towns. Crowds cheer and wave. You'll spot shamrocks all around. Hear lively Irish music. Maybe even chase a mythical pot of gold. The shamrock, a three-leaf clover, is Ireland's symbol. Legend says St. Patrick used it to explain the Holy Trinity. Irish tunes fill the air with fiddles and pipes. Some believe leprechauns hide gold at the rainbow's end. The day also means enjoying Irish food and drinks with pals. Think corned beef and cabbage. Perhaps a pint of Guinness. Friends gather to share stories and laughs. Irish culture shines brightly on this festive day. Given that I'm a recovering alcoholic, I know there will not be any green beer or Guinness as part of my St. Patrick's Day. I don't know if there wi...

Do you find yourself constantly reaching for your phone? Does the thought of being without it make you uneasy? You might be one of many struggling with a texting addiction. Texting addiction is when using text messaging becomes a problem, leading to bad things happening in your life.  The Modern Texting Landscape Texting is everywhere these days. It's important to understand how texting became such a big part of our lives. The Rise of Text Communication Remember when SMS was the only way to text? Now we have all sorts of instant messaging apps! Texting has really taken off since those old days. This easy way to communicate has changed how we talk to each other. Texting: A Social Norm? Texting has become a normal part of how we connect. You probably use it for work, friends, and keeping in touch with family. It’s how many of us stay connected. The Convenience Factor It's so easy to fire off a quick text. This ease is why so many people are texting all the time. The conve...

Imagine your heart like a garden. What you plant and nurture there will grow and blossom into everything you do. Now, what if weeds started to take over? That’s why Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." This verse packs a powerful punch! Understanding it can lead to a life filled with purpose, joy, and real meaning. We'll explore just how to do this, and why it matters so much. Understanding the Heart in Proverbs 4:23 What does "heart" really mean here? It's not just the organ pumping blood. In the Bible, the heart represents the center of who you are, everything about you. The Heart as the Seat of Emotions and Desires Your heart is where your feelings live. It holds your passions, your longings, your deepest desires. These feelings can be strong. They drive many choices. If your heart is filled with joy, you’ll likely act joyful. But what if it's full of anger? Understanding this link is huge! ...

International Women's Day shines on March 8th. It is a global tribute to women's amazing achievements. This day honors their strength, smarts, and grit. It also serves as a key moment to push for gender equality. People around the world rally for women's rights. They speak out against bias and for equal chances. Activists, leaders, and everyday folks join to spark change. The goal is to build a better world. It must be a future where all women thrive. They should have respect, dignity, and endless chances. This day reminds us that when women rise, we all rise. I'd like to use this opportunity to link back to blog posts that I've made about women. Powerlifting Women: Unleashing Strength and Breaking Barriers My post about the Proverbs 31 woman was very popular.  These women show virtue and strength. Women go through menopause and it can be a very challenging time so learn how to support a friend or family member going through menopause . You can read my story about ...

Hello! I thought I'd write a little life update. Today is my 30 year anniversary with The Ohio State University.  It's kind of funny that I only worked for two and a half hours this morning have the rest of the day as vacation on my work anniversary.   Since I had the time, I cleaned and redecorated the bookshelf in my home office. This is always in the background when I have virtual work meetings.  I mentioned in a previous post that I am training for a  powerlifting meet with other women from Steadfast. We received our training program this week. It is a three days a week max effort program for Back Squat, Bench Press, and Deadlift.  One of the women who did the fall Xpand Your Limits meet let us know that we should train with what I've typically referred to as the "men's barbell" which is 45 pounds as that is what we'll use at the meet.  Oh my goodness, ten pounds doesn't sound like much but I found getting the bar out of the holder a bit unwieldy....

Ever felt stuck saying "yes" when you really wanted to say "no"? Maybe you ended up doing a favor for a friend when you were already stretched thin. Or perhaps you took on extra work tasks that caused you major stress. Saying "yes" too much leads to burnout and resentment, impacting your well-being. "No is a complete sentence" suggests that declining can stand alone without further justification. Embracing "no" is key to safeguarding your time, energy, and relationships. It's essential for a fulfilling life. This topic came to me after a grief counseling session with OSU EAP for our department. We lost a coworker; a vibrant man who died so young.  Just as the grief counseling session started, I received a Teams message from someone in a different department who asked if I could meet about a report.  I am normally a "Yes" woman but I said I "No, I cannot meet" and asked if we could get together on Monday.  My coll...

Ever felt stuck on something? Maybe it is an old hurt or a bad memory? Holding on can be like carrying a heavy weight. It slows you down and makes life harder. There is a better way.  A more peaceful way. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27). "Bless and release" is a way to let go with love. It is about freeing yourself. This simple practice boosts how you feel, helps you grow, and brings more joy to your life.  A friend of mine posted about this recently on Facebook so I decided to explore the concept. Understanding the Concept of Bless and Release Bless and release comes from some big ideas. It is linked to the power of your mind. It combines ideas from psychology and spirituality. The aim? To help you make peace with your past. Also, to free you to move forward. The Power of Acceptance First, you have to accept what is. This is super important before ...