Several years ago, I wrote an article about the importance of gratitude. I'm posting it again because this is the season when we think about expressing gratitude. However, I hope it helps you take some daily actions that move you to think about what you are grateful for every day.

Join me as I share the story of the Turbo Pickle and other ways that gratitude changed my life. My story may change yours.

In an article I wrote in September 2024, titled The Five-Year Lesson, I detailed how I transitioned from not nurturing relationships to consistently engaging in them. In the latter half of 2025, I've experienced the wisdom of that five-year lesson. I'm glad I listened to God and myself and took some challenging steps, even though it seemed like just another thing on my very full plate.

Join me as I share what has happened and how even though things can't be perfect, they can be wonderful!

This week, I had an experience that brought to mind the importance of letting our kids know, daily, that we see them and that they matter. It brought back many memories of families I have worked with, parents I have mentored, and the huge impact I've seen when moms and dads learn to 'see' their kids during the mundane moments of every day.

A universal human need is to matter, especially to those we love. We can all satisfy this need for others, especially in our families, in simple ways. When our children or others we cross paths with feel seen, it builds confidence and strengthens a sense of self-worth. It brings moments of joy. But what does it mean to see someone? I experienced this kind of 'seeing' this week.

Join me as I share what happened and how you can share it with your family.

Today, let's look at the fifth Principle of Power. I love all five principles; they all matter, but this seems to be the most challenging to implement. Many of us fly by the seat of our pants. Don and I did that in our marriage and family life for many years, and we paid a price; our family paid a price. Things go better, even if they don't go exactly as we envisioned, when we have a plan. This is true in our goals, family discipline, maintaining loving relationships, having workable family systems, engaging in family activities, managing school, meals, chores, and so forth.

Join me as I share how this principle can help you have greater success in your family. Then I will wrap all five principles in a family sandwich, which you can then digest and learn to use.

Recently, I wrote about principles that I consider powerful for a healthier and happier family life. Last week, we delved into principles one and two. Today, I will share information and examples on principles three and four.

Principle 3 - Make It Special

Principle 4 - Make It Simple

You will relate to the stories I share, and I know you will see the value in adding these principles to your life.

I love the Five Principles of Power (formerly the Five Rules of Engagement). I didn't have them fully formed in my mind when I began working with parents and helping them connect with their children. I just knew what children needed: to learn well, connect, and thrive.

In the beginning, I connected the principles with education, as I worked with families who homeschooled. As I have transitioned to working with all families, regardless of how they educate, I have witnessed the power these principles have in not only learning, but in family systems, relationships, communities, etc. They are powerful when planning and executing activities, cooking together, sharing new ideas, adjusting family systems, doing chores, yard work, gardening, etc. When you utilize these principles, children will engage better in whatever you are doing.

The Five Principles of Power

1. Structure time and be consistent
2. Be present
3. Make it special
4. Keep it simple
5. Plan ahead

Last week, I shared how principles 1 and 2 helped me commit to and become successful in learning to meditate. Today, we will dive deeper. Then, in the next few weeks, we will learn more about the other principles. As you internalize these principles, you will see greater success in all parts of your life. This is a promise I can make based on my own experience.

Join me as we learn more about Principles 1 and 2.

A mother who attended one of my classes in the early days of my teaching career mentioned that because what I taught was based on principles, she could go home and put it right to work. A principle is a fundamental truth that we can build on. There are five principles I have focused on in my life and career that determine success, or mediocrity, and failure in our efforts. In the beginning, I called them the Five Rules of Engagement. Today, I call them the Five Principles of Power. These five principles help us achieve greater success in our family interactions, relationships, communities, personal learning, and growth. Today I am focusing on the first two because I have a story I want to share: 1. Structure time & be consistent, or in other words, show up, and then 2. Remain Present.

Over the years, I've had many opportunities to practice these principles and prove their efficacy. A decade and a half ago, I decided to learn to meditate. Join me as I share the difficulty and the eventual triumph as I learned to use these two powerful principles.

I was watching Jack, almost 3, and Mary, who was 10 months old. It was getting crazy. I was trying to write an article and keep the Christmas Tree from tipping over for the third time that day. I began asking myself, "What can I get Jack interested in?" We have a large rain stick in the living room, so I got it out. Jack was fascinated.

Join me as I share how I helped these very young children create and then enjoy a rainstick. We had a ball, and Jack learned so much. A great time!