4 Unexpected Pieces Of Advice That Will Make You Actually GET To The Gym

June 16, 2026 / Lori Lawe / Leave a comment

What you do there is overrated, friend!

Yes, this new mat WAS installed soon after I purchased a membership there, but that is OBVIOUSLY a coincidence, okay! I can’t believe you think there’s any relationship between these two dissociated events! Yes, this article is partially about having a big ego, AND about having a big ego at the gym.

Join people in over fifty countries who read this to gain valuable life wisdom! (Or maybe they’re just laughing at me? . . . Whatever!)

BUT I’m talking about a GOOD, HELPFUL type of huge ego!

YES! It IS the kind of ego that looks down on others, but NOT RIGHT AWAY. So, give me the benefit of the doubt, people!

For those of you who haven’t slammed your laptop closed yet, let’s dive into four helpful tips from today’s article.

But first, here is an astonishing fact:

People, it’s not that hard to go to the gym.

Really. I just went there. It was, like, 20 minutes of work in a half-hour class, and the rest was stretching and stuff.

20 minutes in a day with 1,440 minutes. That’s 0.01% of your day1. Come on, people!

The only reason why going to the gym is so hard is that you do too much!

And why do you do too much? Well, it’s probably because, like me, you’re a smidgen self-conscious2 when you lift tiny weights, and everyone else has medium (or even large) weights. But don’t get rid of that ego, friend! No! Just be like me and use your unhealthy pride to your own advantage!

What do I mean?

The thing with me is that I know that I’m prideful3. And so, then if I can talk about having an exceptional ego, then it doesn’t control me. And I can realize that my big ego is trying to stop me from going to the gym.

And then I can step on that ego and say, “No! You’re not stopping me from going to the gym! I’m going to go even if I look like a complete loser!” And then I can end up going to the gym.

And then I can be more prideful than others because I’m stronger than others after several months, so I’m actually more prideful in the end.

So this is what you should do:

(1) Actually get to the gym. Even if you are still in your pajamas. Good job!

(2) Remember that THE POINT of being at the gym is to look down on others, but LATER! Keep this in the back of your mind! Let your unhealthy ego fuel you into healthy habits!

Stop being prideful NOW so you can be more prideful later when it really matters!

(3) Don’t worry about lifting heavy weights or doing so much when you’re there! That part is overrated anyway, in my experience!

What you DO at the gym doesn’t actually matter!

(4) And don’t worry about looking like an idiot when you’re there! Yes, you’re not going to be very strong. Get over it! Of course, you’re not very strong! People there have done a lot more work than you. It’s like you’re sitting next to a concert pianist, and you’re sitting there next to them, learning the scales on the piano and wondering why you’re not that good.

Well, yes, you’re not that good, but you’ll get better every time you go, right?

And then you may even find a new vision for yourself!

This encouraging quote below is a partial 4 fit with the main point of this article today, but that’s all I got.

When pride comes, then comes disgrace

Ancient Text

Remember: Have fun at the gym!5

You’re welcome!

Good luck!

Thanks for liking me! I like you too! – Proven HERE, HERE, and HERE! Let’s journey together!

Photo Credit – You! You MADE IT there! by Eddie Jones on Unsplash

1 I’m even telling the truth here! 20/1,440

2 Also called “prideful”

3 (Yes, okay! In unhealthy ways, too! Fine! I admit it!)

4 You can’t expect EVERYONE to agree with my extraordinarily helpful advice, anyway -And so there may not be quite as many free quotes that AI can find that line up EXACTLY with my main point.

5 (And then keep going back.)

The Best, Free* Way To Be Less of A Jerk? Pretend You’re Someone Else!

June 13, 2026 / Lori Lawe / Leave a comment

With an uncharacteristic lack of self-knowledge, I suddenly realized I was still in pajamas, curlers in my straight hair, that day as I yelled at my homeschooled kids to get up, get dressed, and get to their work!

The only problem was that I hadn’t done any of those things yet, either.

Click HERE to continue reading.

Join people in over fifty countries who read this to gain valuable life wisdom! (Or maybe they’re just laughing at me? . . . Whatever!)

Hack: Discover Your Identity In One Simple Habit

February 27, 2026 / Lori Lawe / Leave a comment

Come and sit by me, friend. There is someone who knows who you really are. (But it’s not me.)

Young woman looks at reflection in mirror outdoors

That time when I was discouraged, when I sensed God calling me into something new, something that made my knees quake, she said that when she prayed for me, she was reminded of something.

It was a picture of a dead plant.

The dead plant was me.

Well, there was a bit more as she explained it to me. The plant was in winter. All that could be seen were a few sticks for branches poking above the ground.

Join people in over fifty countries who read this to gain valuable life wisdom! (Or maybe they’re just laughing at me? . . . Whatever!)

Sounded like my life in that moment.

“But spring is coming,” she encouraged me.

I picked up my discouragement and continued walking on the ill-trodden path that God seemed to be leading me down, wondering if, sometime in the future, there would be life above the snow.

The word “establish” kept coming to my mind as I prayed. What needed to be established? Holy Spirit also seemed to be nudging me to write. Now, I had always written copiously in journals, but I would never think of sharing my written thoughts with others!

“Who would read such neurotic pretensions?” I asked myself. Certainly not me! I looked at my piles of completed journals, all of them unopened and unread, even by me.

Keep writing, God seemed to encourage me.

The first time I sat at my desk and tried to write something I intended to publish, it was like the seat of my office chair was on fire – It was so uncomfortable. I couldn’t sit there! Only a pompous, inflated prig would would presume she had something to say to another!

But it’s essential to fit in with others, so, of course, I pretended1 to be a pretentious know-it-all with an inflated ego so I would have something to write about!

And then I pressed publish.

The simple reality is that if you ever want to do anything significant for the Kingdom, you will have to overcome fear and internal resistance. If could be fear of the unknown, fear of what others will think2, fear of harm or injury3, fear of failure, fear that you’re not ready or equipped for the task. There is ALWAYS fear.

Craig Cooney In The Tension of Transition

And so, to return to the start of this article, “A winter season,” she had suggested that day.

“Establishing,” God had seemed to be whispering in my prayers. Establishing a habit of pressing “Publish” and letting my words be carried off on the wind. I was learning not to care what others thought about the things that deeply mattered to me.

I was learning to listen to His voice and to dance in joy with Him.

And when the amaryllis, the lilac, and the peony bloomed that spring after a decade or more of relative death, I looked back in awe at where He has been leading me.

And he reminds us that spring, the season of blooming and life, always follows winter, as we rest in Him.

Is this an establishing season for you, friend? May your roots grow deep as you trust that “if you’re not done working, God, I’m not done waiting,” as the song below sings. As the song below also sings, “Though the winter is long, even richer, the harvest it brings,” after a moment of silent reflection and thanksgiving, consider asking God, “What new thing are you trying to water in this season, God, and how can I best be obedient to Your gentle nudge in a new direction?

Oh, and the question is not so much, “Where will you go?” or “What will you do?” but “Who will you become?”

And so, what is a simple habit to find our identity? We obey His promptings from our prayer times. Then we wait and trust that life sprouts.

Because spring always comes with new life.

Just as rain and snow descend from the skies and don’t go back until they’ve watered the earth, doing their work of making things grow and blossom, producing seed for farmers and food for the hungry, so will the words that come out of my mouth not come back empty-handed. They’ll do the work I sent them to do, they’ll complete the assignment I gave them.

The Message

That’s it.

Thanks for liking me! I like you too! – Proven HERE, HERE, and HERE! Let’s journey together!

Photo Credit: Who Are You, Anyway? (God Knows) by Alexander Mass on Unsplash, Self-Portrait (In That Season) by Stacy on Unsplash

1 Yes! I have been PRETENDING! Of course! What did you think I was doing?!

2 I would never fear that!

3 I definitely fear that, but thankfully, I am pretty safe at home writing on my computer in my safe little town in Canada with all the doors and windows locked! (Just in case.)

How To Make God Like YOU Better Than OTHERS!

September 23, 2025 / Lori Lawe / Leave a comment

The question that keeps me up at night is:

How can God like me BEST, BETTER than other people?

My “Therapist” (What does SHE know?) says that these thoughts of comparison and drivenness are rooted in some sort of neurosis deep down, but I doubt that! Anyway, practically speaking, don’t we ALL want the teacher to like US best? Or the boss? Or even our friends?

Of course!

So, those are the types of questions that keep me up at night. And then God seemed to help me understand how to be his favorite! (I DO know that sentence is “Officially” a “Heresy” or whatever, but stay with me, because what God showed me is -Surprise! – theologically accurate, once you understand my point!)

Anyway, this is what happened.

It seemed God was highlighting the word “Beautiful” to a few of us.

How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!

Ancient Text

There was something God wanted to reveal to us about this word.

As shown in this quote below, God isn’t quite as hung up about physical beauty as we are.

“Looks aren’t everything . . . God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart.”

The Message

So He couldn’t be talking about that.

And in my prayer time, God seemed to show me a picture of two golden cups, one tarnished1, one polished.

Does one of these cups have less value? He seemed to ask my soul.

No! Of course not. Bought by a gold buyer, they would pay equally for both cups as they have EQUAL value.

So it is with my children, He seemed to whisper.

I think God was saying that ALL of his children have EQUAL VALUE in His eyes.

But some are a little more polished or beautiful.

I wondered how to polish oneself. I suddenly realized that a cup can’t polish itself! “How do we get polished a bit more?” I wondered

Let Me polish you, He seemed to whisper. As you draw near to me and seek me, I am polishing you.

And so I thought I would share what I learned here today with you so that maybe God will EVEN like you as much as He likes me!

Or maybe The Point is that:

If we knew how much God valued and loved us, we wouldn’t care how much He loved anyone else.

And I felt calmed, somehow, loved, and like I could finally take my unbearable list of “To-Do” items, the ones that I unconsciously think will help God to “like me” a bit more, and put it over there, far away, in the pile of stuff that God longs to burn. And I felt a bit more free. Maybe I don’t need to be better than others.

My therapist must be wrong!

(At least, I think that’s what she was getting at. See Paragraph One, above, but I am a bit confused whenever she speaks if I’m honest).

God LIKES me, as I already proved definitely HERE. And He LIKES you, too, and finds you more and more beautiful as you allow Him to purify your golden cup in the fire of His Presence. And there is our freedom.

If you still don’t know what I’m talking about, read this ancient story and let the metaphor sit inside your heart for a bit as you ponder, reflect and thank God for this truth.

(And God will be polishing your gold cup a bit more, even as you do this, friend.)

Photo Credit – Good News! by Jade Destiny on Unsplash

Thank you for liking me! I like you too! Let’s journey together!

1 (*I DO know that only silver tarnishes in real life, not gold, but this is a metaphor, remember? And I believe God considers each of His children to be of the highest value, of gold, so that’s why gold is in the picture. Can we return to the point now?)

How To Find Solutions To Global Crises: Ask And Pray – One Inspiring Example

June 6, 2025 / Lori Lawe / Leave a comment

a large field of dead plants in the middle of the day

I suddenly realized I was not Little Red Riding Hood or whoever that hooded girl who carries her lunch to grandma is, stopping to smell flowers.

I’m the wolf.

I sometimes wear a Little Red Riding Hood cape because I want to go about my life, enjoy my kids, and laugh while we enjoy a day beside the lake. But more and more often now, I feel constrained like old caterpillar skin that needs to be shed. And I’m afraid of what may come out of me. It seems I am a caterpillar about to transition into a fire-breathing dragon.

And I don’t know what to do or where to put the fear and anger that has been stirring quietly under the surface for so many years that sooner or later, it’s bound to come out as an explosion.

I would sort of rather not do that.

I would rather be a butterfly fluttering about and minding my own business.

“I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo. “So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

The Lord Of the Rings

And is there hope for these situations in the news and our lives that threaten to overwhelm us with darkness?

This is God’s Word on the subject: . . . I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.

The Message

Yep.

I was so startled by a surprising story of hope at a prayer group meeting that I burst into tears unexpectedly.

There, we learned the remarkable true story of a group of people praying together over issues today that bothered them. One person recounted that in that prayer group, he felt God giving him an idea of how to help clean up plastic from the ocean. I know this way to get new ideas sounds far-fetched, but stay with me1 before you snap your laptop closed.

And then this guy from the prayer meeting went out with his company and built the thing that is another piece in the puzzle of our astonishing plastics problem.

And therein (listening to God and responding ) is our hope.

What global or personal problem threatens to suffocate you, friend?

For me, lately, it’s climate change. But the good news is that God holds a part of the solution for every difficulty we face. He offers different jewels, different parts of the solution to different ones who listen to him and obey his promptings.

Will we humble ourselves and ask him to help us clean up this mess we’re leaving on Earth?

If . . . my people, my God-defined people, respond by humbling themselves, praying, seeking my presence, and turning their backs on their wicked lives, I’ll be there ready for you . . . I’ll restore their land to health.

The Message

As the song below plays, can we sing together that we, too, together are “aching for the yield for you to harvest from this hurt?”

Photo Credit: Land Needing Restoration by Md. Hasanuzzaman Himel on Unsplash

Footnotes:

1 Chemist August Kekulé and Physicist Albert Einstein discovered the shape of the benzene ring, and theory of relativity, respectively, after insights gleaned from their dreams at night and many similar examples abound.

In a dream, for instance, a vision at night, when men and women are deep in sleep, fast asleep in their beds—God opens their ears

The Message

And to mess with your mind a bit more, the entire scientific process is only possible with a Christian understanding of the world that God values and is the TRUTH. Think about it. If EVOLUTION were to underlie the scientific process, TRUTH wouldn’t matter and couldn’t be trusted – Only things that helped propagate your genes could be relied upon accurately, not TRUTH. More on this another time.

Thank you for liking me! I like you too! Let’s journey together!

Blind to What Actually Matters Most? The Forgotten Step You Need To Soar

May 22, 2025May 19, 2025 / Lori Lawe / Leave a comment

a horse standing on a beach next to the ocean

Last time, I told you the story of me getting connected with an online group aiming to dig deep spiritually, past the muck and hard earth and to help each other shovel as deep as the soft parts of our hearts, where God feels most welcome.

So, to connect with this online group in person, I’ll be boarding an airplane this week, waving goodbye to you all and STARTING – Wait, I mean CONTINUING of course! – my new identity as a travel blogger!

But there’s a bit more to the story, a part reflecting how God is already there working in all of our lives, and to see this, we need only open our eyes.

This is what happened.

I mentioned last time that I sensed God asking me to join this online group, and I was surprised that God actually knows what He is doing and even knows more than I do! The surprise was that I fit right into a group of people with similar backgrounds, that God was wooing, it appeared, in a similar direction. I had no idea where to begin looking for a group like that, and wouldn’t have thought to try. And over the months, I felt more connected in this group and felt called to continue walking and digging deep with these people.

There’s a story and a surprise kiss from God at this part of the story, too.

Last summer, I thought I sensed God asking us to eliminate clutter in our home. As I sold stuff, I felt Him nudge me, saying He wanted me to buy something for myself with the money I earned. But what? I couldn’t think of anything, which may sound funny, but is true. Do we always need more stuff from Walmart or different clothes when duct tape makes stuff last sooo much longer? (Did I mention I’m Canadian?)

But then, when I realized a few months later that I wanted to take more courses with these people, I counted the cost, and the amount for me to study the courses for the year was within about $10 of what I earned from selling stuff last summer.

As the icing on the cake, I received an email from the group administrator last week saying that I miscalculated the PayPal fees and owe them another $10.

So what?

A coincidence?

Maybe.

Or maybe God is opening my eyes and vicariously opening your eyes, that He DOES offer us little jewels along our path if our eyes are open.

And so what is the forgotten step to removing spiritual blinders?

ask

you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it

Ancient Text

As the song below plays, ask God what He has been whispering, but your ears lie on the floor. Where is He standing next to you with a key to solve a problem that disturbs your soul, but you are too busy to stop and notice Him standing next to you?

Help us, God, to remove the blinders from our eyes and the cotton balls from our ears so that we can soar into who we are meant to become, we pray.

Photo Credits: Horse With Blinders by rhoda alex on Unsplash, Large Bird Soaring by Alfonso Betancourt on Unsplash

Thank you for liking me! I like you too! Let’s journey together!

The Surprising Truth – It’s Time To Fuel Your Anger To Unlock Cultural Restoration

April 26, 2025 / Lori Lawe / Leave a comment

The Bible story pictures often portray Jesus sitting on the grass, Buddha style, with some children frolicking nearby, spewing truths that people fell over trying to catch.

Which would be true.

But Jesus also got angry.

Anger fueled by the love that erupts within our souls like a volcano sometimes contains the seeds that can eventually heal culture.

Click HERE to continue reading.

Thank you for liking me! I like you too! Let’s journey together!

3 Tips You Need To Know To Become An Amazingly Successful Human And Writer! (Like Me!)

April 22, 2025April 21, 2025 / Lori Lawe / Leave a comment

In his effort to build up my fragile self-esteem, my husband reminded me lately that people from twenty-eight countries have read my online writing, which is still shocking to me!

Riding on the heels of this life success – And of course, now I can finally rest assured that my life has purpose and meaning – is that several people have been asking me lately if I’m thinking of writing a book!

Of course, I have been thinking of writing a book, but the trouble is that I can’t figure out what topic I should write about! Sure, I could write up those embarrassing stories about me that make people laugh when we have dinner together, but those stories make me look stupid! I would much rather write about something I’m an expert in so that people will respect and look up to me!

The trouble is, I can’t come up with anything that people would think I’m an expert in.

But I must be an expert in something, obviously, because I write stuff online!

Since I can’t find anything that I’m an expert in yet, or at least anything that I can convince others that I am an expert in (Which my editor says isn’t EXACTLY the same thing- Whatever!) I guess I could write up those stories about the stupid things I did that make me look like a complete idiot.

Well, these are the things that sometimes we need to do for fame and glory!

And that’s what life is all about, wouldn’t you agree?

And so, as a potentially inspiring author yourself, looking up at me with eyes of wonder, what should YOU write about, you ask me?

Great question!

Tip #1

Well, of course, write about the idiotic things you’ve done so that you’ll look stupider than I do, and then I’ll feel better about myself, and we can both share in the fame and glory! (I wouldn’t share any of my fame or glory, of course. I’m not “sanctified” enough for that, which is a Christian way of saying, “I don’t want to.” But I wouldn’t try to take yours if you have your own share of fame or glory. Unless I could.)

Anyway, please send me what you write!

I won’t read it because my therapist says I’m too self-important (That’s the same thing as being important, right?) to read other people’s stuff, but if I’m having a bad day, then I can think about the stupid things that you’ve done and feel better about myself!

Thank you! And it’s nice to have a friend and do these kinds of activities together – It is a wonderful bonding experience! Blessings on your writing!

And the best part about writing online is that we can tell people what they should do to live a successful life like us!

I hope this advice makes you feel “successful1,” too!

You’re welcome!

Good luck!

Tip #2

Write headlines that grab people’s attention and are (mostly, in a relative, limited way) true!

This is the second piece of advice!

For example, I thought of titling today’s newsletter “Blathering About Nothing,” but that headline doesn’t rank as well in the headline analyzer, for which I pay $1,000 annually.

And now, getting down to the nitty-gritty of the advice in this newsletter, I will take off my mask and set aside my neurotic whiny online persona, which, of course has no reflection at all of my actual personality.

So you wonder what to write about or whether you should be writing at all or doing something else?

Tip #3

We want to align our life to do whatever it is that God has set before us as our path in this season, whether it’s something that gives us no accolades or glory, or which may (even!) cost us financially, relationally or culturally.

And when we’re busy doing these things together with Jesus, who strengthens us, we find out that the things that used to be so vital to us surprisingly matter a whole lot less!

And then it’s also critical to connect with a group of people that already like you so you don’t have to pretend to be important! They like you because they have to like you, of course, but what difference does that part make? And then you’re soaring.

So you’ll go out in joy, you’ll be led into a whole and complete life.

The Message

As the song below plays, ask God, “How do you long for me to pivot my life?” Ask yourself if any of this stuff that I am pulling my hair out trying to attain matters once I’m dead?

And then, once you wake up to the fact that you’ll be dead soon enough in the big scheme of things we call “Life”, you’ll be ready to live.

And when Jesus is responsible for your success, life gets more fun.2

Photo credit: Amazed Monkey by Thomas Oxford on Unsplash, Bird Soaring by Alfonso Betancourt on Unsplash

Note: The photo of the monkey symbolizes you, of course – NOT me! Why would you think that? Refer to my opening line.

But take comfort!

The soaring bird symbolizes you, too.

1“Successful” relative to my life success, I mean, of course!

2 And funny, but that might be something unique to do with my life, so I have the advantage (over you) of being able to tell others about the stupid things I’ve done.

Thank you for liking me! I like you too! Let’s journey together!

Are You A Forgotten Plant In An Old Pot? Water For Your Beautiful Blossom Is Found Here

April 19, 2025 / Lori Lawe / Leave a comment

The amaryllis opened its two enormous blossoms this week, revealing pink and white splendor and raising the scent profile of the room to a higher level.

And I am that amaryllis.

And so are you.

Let me explain.

Click HERE to continue reading this previously published post.

Thanks for reading Restoring Life! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

How To Make Homeschooled Kids Cool

April 1, 2025 / Lori Lawe / Leave a comment

Photo credit: Blimey Cow

Yah! I know! My homeschooled kids had phases where they looked (a bit) nerdy.

And we all know that being cool MATTERS.

We know that our kids fitting in MATTERS!

Click HERE to continue reading this previously published post.*

*Let’s admit it! – You weren’t really listening the first time you read it!

Thank you for liking me! I like you too! (Proven HERE, HERE and HERE!) Let’s journey together!