When the world feels out of control, we can still choose kindness. From tulips on a doorstep to affirming a stranger, these “gifts of confidence” remind us that small acts can spark resilience — in others and ourselves. What will you give today that might make someone feel seen?

Meet Rupie—a spirited spaniel with a flair for storytelling, rock collecting, and dodging baths. While his mom writes novels, he navigates two-state living and life with an airtag. His adventures remind us to pause, play, and maybe—just maybe—see life’s noise and mess as part of the joy.

I watch Rupie wait, knowing joy comes when I call him. Like Advent’s anticipation, waiting is guarding hope amid uncertainty. This season, I’ll guard my heart, resist despair, and cherish moments of rest and joy, trusting that waiting holds the promise of miracles yet to come.

Be gentle with yourself. Draw alongside the silence of stone. Avoid those vexed in spirit. Find someone who feels they have all the time in the world. In exhaustion, small tasks challenge us, but blessings and kindness fill the spaces between. May your weariness be brief.

A planned power outage led to unexpected neighborly connection—sharing garden bounty, stories, and laughter under fading light. Darkness sparked community, reminding us that friendship can bloom anytime, even in outages. Sometimes, all it takes is stepping outside to find the neighbors—and a little light in the dark.

Four hummingbird families nested at our desert coach, symbols of joy and hope as we journey back north. Amid trials—from caregiving to lost dog sheets—small acts of kindness and perseverance remind me: aging brings vexing challenges, but also blessings and grace worth cherishing. Traveling mercies indeed.