Mushi: The Quiet Power of Being Seen In Japanese, there is a word that carries both sting and subtle wisdom: mushi (無視). It means “to ignore” or “to disregard,” and in its passive form, mushi-sareta, it captures the aching reality of being ignored completely. We’ve all felt it—the sudden absence of acknowledgment, the silence that…
Tag: reality
Grace: Freedom, Not a Free Pass
I told myself I was going to take a break from writing for a little while, but after this morning’s sermon, I couldn’t help but put these words down first. Our pastor mentioned hyper-grace (among many important things) in his sermon this morning. At first, the word sounds complicated, but at its heart, it points…
Fear of God
When the Fear of God Fades… It seems that in today’s world, fewer and fewer hearts pause to consider God. We scroll, we post, we share, we chase—and in the noise, the awe of Him becomes faint. Technology has made it easier to hide, to justify, and to follow the crowd. What was once whispered…
Gentle Way Out
The Life Lessons of the Nocebo Effect… In medicine, the nocebo effect happens when someone’s negative expectations about a treatment or situation lead to worse outcomes—sometimes even creating real symptoms that weren’t there before. It’s the darker twin of the placebo effect, which works in the opposite way: hope brings healing. But here’s the thing—this…
What’s in a Courtesy?
The Courtesy We Owe Each Other… In the legal world, there’s a word — Esquire. It’s not just a job title. It’s a courtesy. A way of placing respect right alongside someone’s name. The world doesn’t run on Esquire, but it does run on something like it. Because every day, whether we notice or not,…
Resilience
My daughter and I landed in the Philippines a few years ago to visit and spend time with my family. As always, with any trip we take, I made sure to bring my camera. Four weeks into our six-week vacation, I realized I’d only taken a handful of photos. It’s not that there isn’t beauty…
Expectations at a Cost
When Letting Go of Expectations Comes at a Cost There’s a common message in today’s world: “Lower your expectations, and you won’t be disappointed.” On the surface, it sounds wise. Peaceful, even. But beneath that advice lies a quiet truth we don’t talk about enough. In relationships—whether romantic, familial, or friendships—expectations often come from a…
When God Feels Silent
Learning to Trust in the Stillness… There are seasons in life when God feels quiet. Not absent. Not gone. Just… silent. You pray, and the words feel like they’re drifting into the void. You ask for signs, direction, comfort—but everything around you feels still. Empty. Quiet. It’s the kind of quiet that makes your doubts…
The Ugly Side of Boundaries
No one really talks about the awkward, uncomfortable, slightly soul-crushing part of setting boundaries — especially with the people you love. It’s supposed to be this healthy, empowering thing. And it is. But sometimes, it also feels like breaking your own heart a little. Because the moment you stop saying “yes” to everything, the people…
There But Not Here
Have you been around people that are here but are actually there? I’m pretty sure you do. “There but not here” generally describes a situation where something or someone is physically present, but not engaged in the current moment or place. It can refer to a person being physically near, but their mind is elsewhere,…
Charina.Writes 