Simple Ways to Thrive in 2025

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I love the first day of January! To me, each new year is filled with the potential to improve on the past. Sure, we’ve had accomplishments in the past year for which we can be grateful, but with the turn of the year comes the opportunity to rethink, regroup, and reconstruct for the future. I like to keep things uncomplicated and doable when it comes to a fresh start in January. Allow me to share three practical routines that help me take steps forward – perhaps they can encourage you as well.

Plan each day the night before. As I close out the end of each day, I take a moment to consider what needs to be done for the next. Typically, I write down the top three priorities that must be accomplished and then think through a general schedule for the day. I also make a list of who I need to call, email, or text. This has become a game changer for me over the years, as I sleep more peacefully and wake up ready to jump into the day.

Get up and get out. Whether it is a brisk walk outdoors, a trip to the gym, or a stroll to the local coffee shop, we all need physical activity and the social encounters that go with it. At our house, we have a giant white fluffy alarm clock known as our faithful dog. She demands a walk every morning, rain or shine, Saturday or not, so we don our sneakers and take her around the neighborhood.  Not only do we start our day with a breath of fresh air and a little exercise, but we typically make new friends along the way.  

Take some time each morning to pray and meditate on God’s Word. Find a quiet place and begin a daily routine of praising God, thanking Him for His blessings, and giving Him your concerns and worries. Dedicating daily quiet moments can equip you mentally, spiritually, and emotionally for the joys and challenges you face. Seeking God’s wisdom and direction and acknowledging your need for Him sets you on a path of finding your strength in Him. When we give our day to God, the twists and turns we encounter become opportunities to say, “Father God, I know you are in charge. What would you have me to do or learn through this situation?”

These are three simple practices, I know, but influential nonetheless. I hope this year will be filled with mercy, love, and peace for you and those around you. Let us seek to love God more deeply and to love others more sincerely in 2025.

Photo by Humphrey Muleba on Unsplash

Indulging in Joy and Forgiveness This Christmas

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‘Tis the season to splurge, right? From our favorite Holiday foods and lattes to decorations and shopping, there are certainly temptations to live more lavishly than normal. And if you’re like me, it’s easy to justify our excesses as we vow to do better starting in January.

But there are a few extravagances in which we should indulge, especially during this season of thankfulness and giving. What if we indulge in:

Relishing God’s abundant love and mercy toward us.

Forgiving and offering grace toward everyone we encounter.

Seeking His peace, wisdom, and strength.

Loving others in word and deed.

Praising God for who He is and all He does.

Sharing a smile or a hug.

Listening well and building a bridge of understanding.

A great list of indulgences, wouldn’t you agree? There are a few items that would be best to restrict from our diets during this time of year. Here’s my recommendation of habits to curb:

Grumbling

Gossiping

Anger

Bitterness

Let’s choose to make it a joyful Holiday Season, not because of the outward fluff of food, gifts, and decorations, but rather the inward qualities of a Christlike spirit. Let’s indulge ourselves in Him.

In Him we have redemption through His blood,

the forgiveness of sins,

in accordance with the riches of God’s grace

that he lavished on us.

Ephesians 1:7

Photo by Diliara Garifullina on Unsplash

Choosing a Positive Direction for the Fall

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Oh the joy of gathering together and finding a common connection! As summer fades and the school year begins, let’s take deliberate and positive steps into a new season of connections. One of the ways we can deepen our friendships as women is to study the Bible together. Several years ago, I reached out to my neighbors to see who would be interested in starting a neighborhood study. A handful of women began to gather over cups of coffee and an open Bible. It was beautiful. Friendships were born.

This fall, we are starting our fourth year of growing together. We call ourselves “House to House” Bible Study because we meet in different houses each week and simply study the Scripture together. We are non-denominational, non-political, non-gossipy, and non-grumbly. Our group has grown to many women outside our neighborhood, and the connections continue to deepen as we walk through the truths of the Bible together. If you live in the north Dallas area and or want to join us via Zoom, please email me at Karol@Karolladd.com (subject line Bible Study) and I’ll send you more information.

Many of the women in our group have never been to a Bible study before, while others are well-versed in His Word. It’s a lovely mosaic of people from all different denominational backgrounds. I’ve found that in general, women are hungry for fellowship and hungry for truth. Neighborhood Bible studies offer both.

Wherever you are, I want to encourage you to connect with the people God puts in your path. Reach out over a cup of coffee with neighbors and invite them to join you as you grow in truth. You can simply study the Bible or study a book that points to Biblical truth. I’ve listed several of my books below that are perfect for reaching out and gathering women together. Ask God to give you the courage to make positive steps of connection this fall as you encourage women with His love.

Here are some of my books that make a great group study:

Press On

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Olympic athletes inspire me. No, not to run a marathon or take up synchronized swimming, but the competitors inspire me to persevere, press on, and push forward – even when the going gets tough. When I watch these world-class athletes, I am motivated to put in the extra effort to do my best with the gifts and talents God has granted me.

Somehow the Olympians make their sport look effortless during competition, but in reality their accomplishments don’t come easily. We rarely see the countless hours of early morning practices, aching muscles, failed attempts, and frustrating injuries. Yes, every spectacular performance is preceded by unspectacular preparation.

As we watch in wonder while our favorite athletes perform, let us consider how we can persevere through the personal hurdles in our own lives. It may be facing challenges financially, or difficulties in relationships. It could be a physical or emotional setback. Whatever we are facing, we can gear up with mental toughness, grit, and perseverance, recognizing that we are not alone in our struggles. There are others who have stumbled down similar roads, and we can gain strength from their encouragement, advice, and examples. Most importantly, we can look to God for our help, hope, and guidance.

Remember the Lord’s words to the apostle Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul went on to say, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”*

Through prayer and perseverance press on my friend. You are stronger than you think.

For more on perseverance, check out my latest book, Positive Connectivity.

*2 Corinthians 12:8-10

Photo by Austrian National Library on Unsplash

Hope for our Nation

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No matter where you are on the political spectrum, there is one thing most of us can agree on: we need God’s help to restore this nation. This week as we focus on Independence Day, let’s join our hearts together to pray for America. I plan to post a prayer on Instagram and Facebook each day seeking God’s help and guidance for our leaders as well as revival in hearts of the people in our country.

Starting with praise and adoration, I will lead us every morning this week in a prayer for restoration. I hope you will join me. May we be committed to seek God’s forgiveness, help, and favor as we recognize how far we have moved from Him. He is filled with mercy and grace, and is able to do more than we ask or imagine.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KarolLaddAuthor

Instagram: @karolladd

Flag Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

For more ideas on celebrating the Fourth of July with your kids, check out Chapter 16 in The Power of a Positive Mom.