You Are a Priceless Gift (Happy New Year!) by Pearl Allard - Look Up Sometimes

You Are a Priceless Gift (Happy New Year!)

The other day my kids asked me which workout was my favorite? I just laughed. Honest? I hate every workout, every day. (Profuse apologies to my fantastic BeachBody coach Jaime Hall.) I don’t like to move it, move it. (Cue the Madagascar song) But there’s a driving reason behind why I’ve started exercising nearly daily, and it’s not guilt. Guilt is not an excellent driver. (Rainman fans, anyone?) …

The Power of Story to Eliminate Conflict by Pearl Allard - Look Up Sometimes

The Power of Story to Eliminate Your Worst Conflict

When I turned thirteen, my world expanded. I was finally old enough to babysit. Oddly, jobs were scarce. There were so many kids my age in our neighborhood, these coveted income-producing opportunities were rare. Thankfully, my next-door neighbor chose me. I frequently babysat for this family.   Their three children weren’t much younger than me. I often played with them even when not babysitting. One of the differences…

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Hope That Doesn't Give Up (Even When We Have) by Pearl Allard - Look Up Sometimes

Hope That Doesn’t Give Up (Even When We Do)

My four-year-old daughter colored several papers and attempted to staple them. Her six-year-old brother observed. “I have to push with all my weight when I use the stapler,” he said, validating her struggle. Suddenly, she stood up, chair scraping, launched her project in the trash can, and stormed to her room. “I’m right here if you want –,” <cue slamming…

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When Things Don't Go as Planned - Pearl Allard - Look Up Sometimes

When Things Don’t Go as Planned

Ziploc of ice slung over my propped ankle, I reflected over the incident. Frankly, I found it maddening I didn’t even have a good story to tell. The moles went to town next to the backyard steps, and the past winter hardened the earth into ridges. I’d walked these steps dozens of times this summer without pain. Not this time.…

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Permission to Be, Not Pressure to Perform by Pearl Allard - Look Up Sometimes Blog

Permission to Be, Not Pressure to Perform

It wasn’t happening. But not because I wasn’t trying. And I felt pressure because I’d given my word that it would happen. I saw great need. I wanted to do my part. But I may as well have been in a hamster wheel. Ever been there? Besides remembering God’s past faithfulness, sometimes we just need a complete reset. We need…

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You Are Loved (Father's Day Weekend)

You Are Loved (Father’s Day Weekend)

I rummaged in the linen closet for a washcloth. Eye sleepies, dried drool, residual toothpaste…my five-year-old daughter was adorable, just needed a little unmasking. As I wiped her face, my daughter kept trying to peer into the mirror, delaying progress. She seemed to be admiring herself. After a few times, I said patiently, “Look at me, not the mirror. The…

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