new beginnings – Live Laugh Love Do http://livelaughlovedo.com A Super Fun Site Mon, 05 Jan 2026 23:31:43 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.1 The Agency Dallas http://livelaughlovedo.com/finance/the-company-dallas-celebrates-its-new-workplace-with-a-texas-sized-occasion/ http://livelaughlovedo.com/finance/the-company-dallas-celebrates-its-new-workplace-with-a-texas-sized-occasion/#respond Mon, 05 Jan 2026 20:10:09 +0000 http://livelaughlovedo.com/?p=23451 Celebrating New Workplaces: The Agency Dallas’ Texas-Sized Occasion for Their Grand Office Opening

As a 39-year-old couples counselor and dad from Texas, I’ve seen firsthand how new beginnings can transform lives. Picture this: my family and I recently revamped our home office space during a chaotic weekend filled with kids’ laughter and a few spilled paint cans. It wasn’t just about the fresh walls; it was about creating a hub where we could connect, work, and grow together. That same energy reminds me of The Agency Dallas’ epic new workplace celebration—a Texas-sized occasion that marked the opening of their stunning office in the heart of Park Cities. This event wasn’t merely a party; it was a vibrant showcase of community, ambition, and the joy of starting fresh in a professional setting. Whether you’re launching a new business venture or simply refreshing your workspace, let’s dive into how this celebration captured the spirit of success and togetherness.

Educational institution South College opens first campus in Dallas

dallas.culturemap.com

Educational institution South College opens first campus in Dallas

Caption: A lively ribbon-cutting ceremony at a new office opening in Dallas, symbolizing fresh starts and community excitement.

The Thrill of New Workplace Celebrations: Why They Matter

New workplace celebrations like The Agency Dallas’ grand event are more than just gatherings—they’re opportunities to foster unity and set a positive tone for the future. Held on September 19, 2023, this occasion brought together real estate pros from across the globe to toast the opening of their office at 8111 Preston Road. In my counseling sessions, I often emphasize how transitions, whether personal or professional, strengthen bonds when marked with intention. This event did just that, blending Texas flair with professional inspiration to create lasting memories.

Imagine stepping into a space designed with Dallas in mind: sleek, modern interiors that scream sophistication while nodding to the Lone Star State’s bold vibe. The celebration kicked off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, signaling the official launch and inviting everyone to explore the new digs. It’s a reminder that acknowledging milestones builds morale and encourages collaboration—key elements in any thriving team or family dynamic.

Inside The Agency Dallas’ Modern Office Space

The heart of any new workplace celebration is the space itself, and The Agency Dallas didn’t disappoint. Nestled in the Preston Commons building, this office embodies contemporary design with open layouts perfect for brainstorming and client meetings. Think high ceilings, natural light flooding in, and subtle Texas touches like artwork inspired by local landmarks.

From my experience advising families on creating harmonious home environments, a well-designed workspace can boost productivity and reduce stress. If you’re eyeing a refresh, consider incorporating elements like an essential oils diffuser to keep the air fresh and calming—it’s the one I keep on my desk during long counseling days. Pair it with a sunrise alarm clock for those early Texas mornings, ensuring you start the day energized.

The Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony: A Moment of Unity

No new workplace celebration is complete without a ribbon-cutting, and The Agency Dallas made theirs unforgettable. Led by Managing Partners Damon and Megan Williamson, the ceremony drew cheers as the doors swung open, revealing the gorgeous interior. It’s these symbolic acts that unite people, much like family rituals that reinforce connections.

Attendees included industry leaders who traveled far to join the fun, highlighting the event’s draw. If you’re planning something similar, focus on inclusivity—invite colleagues, clients, and even family to make it feel like a true community affair.

Amazing interior Design of Office by Yantram Architectural ...

yantramstudio.com

Amazing interior Design of Office by Yantram Architectural …

Caption: Sleek modern office interiors in Dallas, featuring open spaces and contemporary design ideal for collaborative work.

Star Power and Inspiration: Mauricio Umansky’s Book Signing

Adding a dash of glamour, The Agency’s Founder and CEO, Mauricio Umansky, hosted a book signing for his bestseller, “The Dealmaker: How to Succeed in Business & Life Through Dedication, Determination & Disruption.” Known from “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” Umansky shared insights on resilience—lessons that resonate deeply in relationships and careers alike.

As someone who counsels couples on navigating life’s disruptions, I appreciate how events like this blend motivation with mingling. Grab a copy of his book through this link—it’s packed with strategies that apply to building strong family ties too.

Engaging Panel Discussions: Insights from Real Estate Luminaries

The following day ramped up the educational vibe with a panel moderated by Ricardo Beer, featuring experts like Zar Zanganeh from Las Vegas and Jen Cameron from Seattle. Topics ranged from market trends to building successful teams, offering actionable advice for anyone in business.

These discussions mirror the communication tools I teach in sessions: active listening and shared goals lead to stronger partnerships. For your own events, incorporate Q&A sessions to spark meaningful conversations.

Texas-Sized Entertainment: Music, Mingling, and More

True to its “Texas-sized” promise, the celebration featured live music from The Culdesac Kids—a Dallas duo blending Grammy-nominated talent with “The Voice” flair—and DJ duo VAVO, who remixed country hits into high-energy beats. Guests networked over breakfast spreads and java bars, creating an atmosphere of joy and connection.

In my family, we love incorporating music into gatherings; it breaks the ice and builds bonds. For your next event, consider a portable essential oil diffuser to enhance the ambiance—mine travels with me to outdoor Texas barbecues.

Texas Contractor

acppubs.com

Texas Contractor

Caption: Energetic live music performance at a Dallas event, capturing the Texas-sized spirit of celebration.

Strengthening Team Relationships Through Celebrations

Events like this new workplace celebration reinforce that workplaces are like families: they thrive on support and shared experiences. The Agency Dallas’ gathering fostered a sense of belonging, much like how I encourage couples to celebrate anniversaries to nurture their bond.

Internal link: Explore more on nurturing your mental fitness to maintain balance in high-energy environments. Outbound to a high-DA site: Check out Forbes’ tips on workplace culture for more insights.

Tips for Hosting Your Own New Workplace Celebration

Ready to plan your own Texas-inspired bash? Start with a theme that reflects your locale—think cowboy hats and barbecue for that authentic flair. Budget wisely; our family budget planner can help track expenses.

Invite diverse guests, incorporate interactive elements like panels, and don’t forget entertainment. For productivity boosts post-event, I swear by the Oura Ring—the exact one I wear to monitor sleep after late-night family game rituals, currently 20% off—run!

Incorporating Personal Touches in Professional Spaces

Personalizing a new workplace, as The Agency did with Dallas-inspired decor, makes it feel like home. Add family photos or motivational quotes to your desk. In my office, a leather notebook holds my daily reflections—my affiliate link, but I’d buy it anyway for its quality.

Link internally to finding comfort in everyday life for more on blending personal and professional.

Hindus of Dallas host civic reception to honor newly elected city ...

ntxe-news.com

Hindus of Dallas host civic reception to honor newly elected city …

Caption: Community gathering at a Dallas civic reception, highlighting networking and celebration in a professional setting.

Building a Family-Like Culture at Work

The Agency’s event exemplified how celebrations build family-like cultures. As a dad and counselor, I see parallels: open communication and shared joys create resilience. Encourage team-building activities to mimic this.

For wellness, try a massage gun after long days—it’s a game-changer for my post-hike recoveries.

Lessons from The Agency Dallas: Embracing Change with Joy

This new workplace celebration teaches us to embrace change enthusiastically. Whether in real estate or relationships, marking milestones propels us forward. Internal link: Dive into the four horsemen: contempt in relationships to avoid pitfalls in team dynamics.

Outbound: Learn more about The Agency at their official site.

Creating Lasting Memories in Your Career Journey

Finally, events like this remind us that work is about people. Weave in personal stories, like my anniversary reflections, to make professional milestones meaningful.

Office Opening Ceremony Ideas | TikTok

tiktok.com

Office Opening Ceremony Ideas | TikTok

Caption: Creative office opening ceremony ideas, including festive decorations and group activities in Dallas.

Texas Contractor

acppubs.com

Texas Contractor

Caption: Construction industry event in Texas, showcasing collaborative spaces and modern facilities.

Essentials List: Must-Have Items for Your New Workplace Setup

Transform your space with these Amazon finds—perfect for that fresh-start vibe:

  1. Ergonomic Laptop Stand – Elevates your screen for better posture during long work sessions.
  2. Adjustable Dumbbells Set – Quick breaks for stress-relieving workouts right at your desk.
  3. Meditation Cushion – Creates a zen corner for mindful moments amid the hustle.
  4. Portable Solar Charger – Keeps devices powered during outdoor team meetings.
  5. Blue Light Glasses – Protects eyes from screen strain, essential for productivity.
  6. Wellness Journal – Tracks goals and reflections, just like I do with my clients.
  7. Herbal Tea Set – Soothing brews for collaborative brainstorming sessions.
  8. Noise-Cancelling Headphones – Blocks distractions for focused work.

Must-Read Books for Career and Relationship Success

  1. The Dealmaker: How to Succeed in Business & Life Through Dedication, Determination & Disruption by Mauricio Umansky – Insights from the event’s star.
  2. The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John Gottman – Applies to building strong team dynamics.
  3. Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus by John Gray – Understanding communication in professional settings.
  4. The Mindful Body by Ellen J. Langer – For maintaining balance in new environments.
  5. How Am I Doing? by Dr. Corey Yeager – Reflective questions for personal and career growth.

P.S. Ready to organize your own celebrations? Sign up for our free Family Budget Planner & Debt Payoff Tracker to keep events on track and build your email list for more tips!

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9 Essential Rules for Turning Endings into New Beginnings in Life http://livelaughlovedo.com/personal-growth/9-essential-rules-for-turning-endings-into-new-beginnings-in-life/ http://livelaughlovedo.com/personal-growth/9-essential-rules-for-turning-endings-into-new-beginnings-in-life/#respond Wed, 15 Oct 2025 02:22:44 +0000 http://livelaughlovedo.com/2025/10/15/9-essential-rules-for-turning-endings-into-new-beginnings-in-life/ [ad_1]

9 Essential Rules for Turning Endings into New Beginnings in Life

Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.

When you can no longer think of a reason to continue, you must think of a reason to start over. There’s a big difference between giving up and starting over in the right direction. And there are three little words that can release you from your past and guide you forward to a positive new beginning. These words are: “From now on…”

So, from now on…

1. Let the things you can’t control GO!

Most things are only a part of your life because you keep thinking about them. Realize this. Positive things will happen in your life when you emotionally distance yourself from the negative things. So stop holding on to what hurts, and make room for what feels right. Do not let what is out of your control interfere with all the things you can control.

2. Accept and embrace reality.

Life is simple on the average day. Everything happens for you, not to you. Everything happens at exactly the right moment, neither too soon nor too late. For everything you lose, you gain something else; and for everything you gain, you lose something else. You don’t have to like it, but it’s just easier if you do. So pay attention to your outlook on life. You can either regret or rejoice; it’s your choice.

3. Change your mind.

Change is like breath — it isn’t part of the process, it is the process. In reality the only thing we can count on is change. And the first step toward positive change is to change your outlook. Prepare for the positive. Prepare for progress and the “new.” Allow the unknown to take you to fresh and unforeseen areas in yourself. Growth is impossible without change. If you cannot change your mind, you cannot change anything in your life. Sometimes all you need to do is look at things from a different perspective.

4. Hold tight to the good things.

When life’s daily struggles knock you into a pit so deep you can’t see anything but darkness, don’t waste valuable energy trying to dig your way out. Because if you hastily dig in the dark, you’re likely to head in the wrong direction and only dig the pit deeper. Instead, use what energy you have to reach out and pull something good in with you. For goodness is bright; its radiance will show you which way is up, and illuminate the correct path that will take you there. (Note: Marc and I discuss strategies for living true to these words in the Adversity & Self-Love chapters of “1,000 Little Things Happy, Successful People Do Differently”.)

5. Rest and regroup.

Strength isn’t about bearing a cross of grief or shame. Strength is about choosing your path, living with the consequences, and learning the way on the way. Sometimes you do your best and end up with a mess. When this happens don’t be discouraged. You tried your best. That’s really all you can ever do. You have not failed — you just learned what not to do. So rest, regroup, and begin again with what you now know.

6. Take necessary chances.

Making a big life change or trying something new can be scary. But do you know what’s even scarier? Regret. So realize that most of your fears are much bigger in your mind than they are in reality. You’ll see this for yourself as soon as you face them, so don’t let them stop you. Live your life so that you rarely ever have to regret the chances you never took, the love you never let in, and the gifts you never gave out.

7. Keep climbing.

Every person who is at the top of the mountain did not fall there from the sky. Good things come to those who work for them. You gain confidence and grow stronger by every experience in which you truly push yourself to do something you didn’t think you could do. If you are standing in that place of in-between, unable or unwilling to go backwards, but too afraid to move forward, remember that you can’t enjoy the view in the long run without being willing to climb at least a few small steps every day.

8. Give yourself credit for the lessons learned.

Just because you have struggled does not mean you are incapable. Every success requires some kind of worthy struggle to get there. Give yourself credit for the lessons learned and how far you have come. You’re not the same person you were a year ago, a month ago, or even a week ago. You’re always learning and growing from your experiences. So use your disappointments and frustrations to motivate you rather than annoy you. Remember, you are in control of the way you respond to life today.

9. Appreciate how every step is necessary.

Almost nothing is 100% wrong in life. We learn from nearly every step we take. Whatever you did earlier today was a necessary step to get to tomorrow. So be proud of yourself and notice your progress. Maybe you are not as good as you want to be, or as great as you one day will be; but thanks to all the lessons you’ve learned along the way, you are so much better than you used to be. (Note: “The Good Morning Journal: Powerful Prompts and Reflections to Start Every Day” is a great tool for this kind of daily self-reflection.)

Afterthoughts… on Tragic Endings

Let’s take a moment to address an obvious elephant in the room — the fact that the aforementioned points are infinitely easier said than done when tragedy strikes. For example, when someone you love passes away too soon, that’s undoubtedly one of the most difficult and heartbreaking endings to cope with. Although it takes a lot more time and work, the general principles for coping with this kind of tragic ending are applicable. Let’s visualize this together…

Imagine a person who gave meaning to your life is suddenly no longer in your life (at least not in the flesh), and you’re not the same person without them. You have to change who you are — you’re now a best friend who sits alone, a widow instead of a wife, a dad without a daughter, or a next-door neighbor to someone new. You want life to be the way it was, before death, but it never will be.

Marc and I have dealt with the loss of siblings and best friends to illness, so we know from experience that when you lose someone you can’t imagine living without, your heart breaks wide open. And the bad news is you never completely get over the loss — you will never forget them. However, in a backwards way, this is also the good news.

You see, death is an ending, which is a necessary part of living. And endings are necessary for beauty too — otherwise it’s impossible to appreciate someone or something, because they are unlimited. Limits illuminate beauty, and death is the definitive limit — a reminder that you need to be aware of this beautiful person or situation, and appreciate this beautiful thing called life. Death is also a beginning, because while you’ve lost someone special, this ending, like every loss, is a moment of reinvention. Although deeply sad, their passing forces you to reinvent your life, and in this reinvention is an opportunity to experience beauty in new, unseen ways and places. And finally, of course, death is an opportunity to celebrate a person’s life, to be grateful for the priceless beauty they showed you, and to begin again in their honor.

Now it’s your turn…

Yes, it’s your turn to make the best of what’s in front of you. So I hope you will have an inspired day today, that you will dream boldly and dangerously, that you will make some progress that didn’t exist before you took action, that you will love and be loved in return, and that you will find the strength to accept and grow from the troubles you can’t change. And, most importantly (because I think there should be more kindness and wisdom in this world), that you will, when you must, be wise with your decisions, and that you will always be extra kind to yourself and others.

And please leave Marc and me a comment below and let us know what you think of this essay. Your feedback is important to us.  🙂

(Finally, if you haven’t done so already, be sure to sign-up for our free newsletter to receive new articles like this in your inbox each week.)

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Ashley Biden Shares ‘Peace of Mind’ Message Amid Howard Krein Divorce http://livelaughlovedo.com/entertainment/ashley-biden-shares-peace-of-mind-message-amid-howard-krein-divorce/ http://livelaughlovedo.com/entertainment/ashley-biden-shares-peace-of-mind-message-amid-howard-krein-divorce/#respond Mon, 01 Sep 2025 06:11:18 +0000 http://livelaughlovedo.com/2025/09/01/ashley-biden-shares-peace-of-mind-message-amid-howard-krein-divorce/ [ad_1]

Former United States President Joe Biden’s daughter, Ashley Biden, is sending a message amid her divorce from Howard Krein.

In a Saturday, August 30, Instagram Story, Ashley, 44, gave a soft smile as she posed for a selfie. Alongside the image, she added a sticker that read, “Peace of mind.”

Ashley also shared a since-expired image where she walked on an outdoor trail with Joe, 82, amid his battle with prostate cancer. Joe kept it casual by donning a pair of navy blue shorts and a long-sleeve shirt styled with a baseball cap and aviator sunglasses, while Ashley wore a sweatshirt, jean shorts and a baseball cap.

“Chicken soup for my soul,” she wrote, per the New York Post. “I feel so grateful for our walks and talks. #1 dad.”

Joe Biden's Daughter Ashley Shares Post About 'Peace of Mind' Amid Her Divorce From Howard Krein

Ashley Biden
Courtesy of Ashley Biden/Instagram

The uploads came weeks after a representative for Ashley confirmed to The Philadelphia Inquirer that she filed for divorce from Krein in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas on August 11.

That same day, the outlet reported that Ashley shared a since-deleted Instagram Story of her walking through a park and giving a thumbs up. The post was set to Beyoncé‘s “Freedom.”

Ashley also allegedly reposted the quote, “New life, new beginnings means new boundaries. New ways of being that won’t look or sound like they did before.” Ms. Lauryn Hill’s “Freedom Time” reportedly played alongside the upload.

One year after Krein proposed to Ashley, the couple exchanged vows in 2012 in Delaware — and were celebrated by Joe and his wife, Jill Biden. (Joe also shared son Hunter and late children Beau and Naomi with his first wife, Neila Hunter. After Neila’s death in 1972, Joe’s brother Frank Biden set him up on a blind date with Jill and the pair said “I do” in 1977.)

Joe Biden s Daughter Ashley Biden Files for Divorce Ffrom Husband Howard Krein After 13 Years of Marriage Tear instar43615159 1


Related: Ashley Biden Files for Divorce From Howard Krein After 13 Years of Marriage

Former United States President Joe Biden’s daughter Ashley Biden has filed for divorce from husband Howard Krein. A representative for Ashley, 44, confirmed to The Philadelphia Inquirer that the documents had been filed in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas on Monday, August 11. That same day, Ashley posted a since-deleted Instagram Story image of […]

“We are pleased to announce that our daughter, Ashley Blazer Biden, married Dr. Howard Krein this evening in Wilmington, Delaware,” the couple said in a statement from Joe’s office to Us Weekly.

At the time, Joe was serving as Vice President during Barack Obama’s two-term presidency. Joe went on to be elected as the 46th President of the United States, serving one term before leaving office in January.

The statement continued at the time, “The private ceremony was attended by the bride and groom’s close family and friends. We’re happy to welcome Howard into our family, and we wish them all the best in their new life together.”

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9 Essential Rules for Turning Endings into New Beginnings http://livelaughlovedo.com/personal-growth/9-essential-rules-for-turning-endings-into-new-beginnings/ http://livelaughlovedo.com/personal-growth/9-essential-rules-for-turning-endings-into-new-beginnings/#respond Sat, 16 Aug 2025 04:04:02 +0000 http://livelaughlovedo.com/2025/08/16/9-essential-rules-for-turning-endings-into-new-beginnings/ [ad_1]

9 Essential Rules for Turning Endings into New Beginnings

Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.

When you can no longer think of a reason to continue, you must think of a reason to start over. There’s a big difference between giving up and starting over in the right direction. And there are three little words that can release you from your past and guide you forward to a positive new beginning. These words are: “From now on…”

So, from now on…

1. Let the things you can’t control GO!

Most things are only a part of your life because you keep thinking about them. Realize this. Positive things will happen in your life when you emotionally distance yourself from the negative things. So stop holding on to what hurts, and make room for what feels right. Do not let what is out of your control interfere with all the things you can control. (Read “Learned Optimism”.)

2. Accept and embrace reality.

Life is simple on the average day. Everything happens for you, not to you. Everything happens at exactly the right moment, neither too soon nor too late. For everything you lose, you gain something else; and for everything you gain, you lose something else. You don’t have to like it, but it’s just easier if you do. So pay attention to your outlook on life. You can either regret or rejoice; it’s your choice.

3. Change your mind.

Change is like breath — it isn’t part of the process, it is the process. In reality the only thing we can count on is change. And the first step toward positive change is to change your outlook. Prepare for the positive. Prepare for progress and the “new.” Allow the unknown to take you to fresh and unforeseen areas in yourself. Growth is impossible without change. If you cannot change your mind, you cannot change anything in your life. Sometimes all you need to do is look at things from a different perspective.

4. Hold tight to the good things.

When life’s daily struggles knock you into a pit so deep you can’t see anything but darkness, don’t waste valuable energy trying to dig your way out. Because if you hastily dig in the dark, you’re likely to head in the wrong direction and only dig the pit deeper. Instead, use what energy you have to reach out and pull something good in with you. For goodness is bright; its radiance will show you which way is up, and illuminate the correct path that will take you there. (Note: Marc and I discuss strategies for living true to these words in the Adversity & Self-Love chapters of “1,000 Little Things Happy, Successful People Do Differently”.)

5. Rest and regroup.

Strength isn’t about bearing a cross of grief or shame. Strength is about choosing your path, living with the consequences, and learning the way on the way. Sometimes you do your best and end up with a mess. When this happens don’t be discouraged. You tried your best. That’s really all you can ever do. You have not failed — you just learned what not to do. So rest, regroup, and begin again with what you now know.

6. Take necessary chances.

Making a big life change or trying something new can be scary. But do you know what’s even scarier? Regret. So realize that most of your fears are much bigger in your mind than they are in reality. You’ll see this for yourself as soon as you face them, so don’t let them stop you. Live your life so that you rarely ever have to regret the chances you never took, the love you never let in, and the gifts you never gave out.

7. Keep climbing.

Every person who is at the top of the mountain did not fall there from the sky. Good things come to those who work for them. You gain confidence and grow stronger by every experience in which you truly push yourself to do something you didn’t think you could do. If you are standing in that place of in-between, unable or unwilling to go backwards, but too afraid to move forward, remember that you can’t enjoy the view in the long run without being willing to climb at least a few small steps every day.

8. Give yourself credit for the lessons learned.

Just because you have struggled does not mean you are incapable. Every success requires some kind of worthy struggle to get there. Give yourself credit for the lessons learned and how far you have come. You’re not the same person you were a year ago, a month ago, or even a week ago. You’re always learning and growing from your experiences. So use your disappointments and frustrations to motivate you rather than annoy you. Remember, you are in control of the way you respond to life today.

9. Appreciate how every step is necessary.

Almost nothing is 100% wrong in life. We learn from nearly every step we take. Whatever you did earlier today was a necessary step to get to tomorrow. So be proud of yourself and notice your progress. Maybe you are not as good as you want to be, or as great as you one day will be; but thanks to all the lessons you’ve learned along the way, you are so much better than you used to be. (Note: “The Good Morning Journal: Powerful Prompts and Reflections to Start Every Day” is a great tool for this kind of daily self-reflection.)

Afterthoughts… on Tragic Endings

Let’s take a moment to address an obvious elephant in the room — the fact that the aforementioned points are infinitely easier said than done when tragedy strikes. For example, when someone you love passes away too soon, that’s undoubtedly one of the most difficult and heartbreaking endings to cope with. Although it takes a lot more time and work, the general principles for coping with this kind of tragic ending are applicable. Let’s visualize this together…

Imagine a person who gave meaning to your life is suddenly no longer in your life (at least not in the flesh), and you’re not the same person without them. You have to change who you are — you’re now a best friend who sits alone, a widow instead of a wife, a dad without a daughter, or a next-door neighbor to someone new. You want life to be the way it was, before death, but it never will be.

Marc and I have dealt with the loss of siblings and best friends to illness, so we know from experience that when you lose someone you can’t imagine living without, your heart breaks wide open. And the bad news is you never completely get over the loss — you will never forget them. However, in a backwards way, this is also the good news.

You see, death is an ending, which is a necessary part of living. And endings are necessary for beauty too — otherwise it’s impossible to appreciate someone or something, because they are unlimited. Limits illuminate beauty, and death is the definitive limit — a reminder that you need to be aware of this beautiful person or situation, and appreciate this beautiful thing called life. Death is also a beginning, because while you’ve lost someone special, this ending, like every loss, is a moment of reinvention. Although deeply sad, their passing forces you to reinvent your life, and in this reinvention is an opportunity to experience beauty in new, unseen ways and places. And finally, of course, death is an opportunity to celebrate a person’s life, to be grateful for the priceless beauty they showed you, and to begin again in their honor.

Now it’s your turn…

Yes, it’s your turn to make the best of what’s in front of you. So I hope you will have an inspired day today, that you will dream boldly and dangerously, that you will make some progress that didn’t exist before you took action, that you will love and be loved in return, and that you will find the strength to accept and grow from the troubles you can’t change. And, most importantly (because I think there should be more kindness and wisdom in this world), that you will, when you must, be wise with your decisions, and that you will always be extra kind to yourself and others.

And please leave Marc and me a comment below and let us know what you think of this essay. Your feedback is important to us.  🙂

(Finally, if you haven’t done so already, be sure to sign-up for our free newsletter to receive new articles like this in your inbox each week.)

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Life Update! {Transitions, Loss and New Found Joy} | Thrifty Decor Chick http://livelaughlovedo.com/home-decor/life-update-transitions-loss-and-new-found-joy-thrifty-decor-chick/ http://livelaughlovedo.com/home-decor/life-update-transitions-loss-and-new-found-joy-thrifty-decor-chick/#respond Thu, 07 Aug 2025 08:53:57 +0000 http://livelaughlovedo.com/2025/08/07/life-update-transitions-loss-and-new-found-joy-thrifty-decor-chick/ [ad_1]

I can’t even remember the last time I shared a life update here on the blog!
It’s been years! 

It’s been 17 years since I started Thrifty Decor Chick — since our now
18-year old was just a toddler. I know so many of you have been reading for
quite some time, so every once in a while I think a little update is due!

I’ve kept most of my personal life off of this site over the years, mostly
because I just like to focus on the DIY and decor content. Also, I share so
much about our home (and myself at times), I like to keep my family private.
(And have never regretted it!)

But it has been a YEAR! It’s about time I gave filled you in on what we’ve
been up to, and what’s to come. 💗

This year has been a whirlwind, as our son finished up his high school
journey. I asked his permission before sharing these pics, but wanted to
share how much he’s grown over the years: 
graduation pic

This is a heads up for any of you with kids in high school…brace yourself
for senior year! 

It was the busiest, most expensive, most wonderful and emotional and did I
mention busy and expensive?? year ever. 

 

His extracurricular activities didn’t help, but wow, I wish someone would
have warned me. After the meetings, college visits, concerts, performances,
school events, celebrations and parties (breath), it was quite the
year. 

It was a beautiful time and we could not be more proud of him. 

The week of his high school graduation, we also had his two day college
orientation out of town and graduation party at our house. It was a crazy
and I was seriously questioning our timing of things 😂, but we had a
blast. 

When it was all done I felt like we could all start to relax for the for the
first time in forever. 

Pet loss

Back in March we had to put our beloved dog Peanut to sleep. He suffered
from a collapsed trachea and it was excruciating to decide when we should
say goodbye to him. 

Peanut Chihuahua
dog in blankets

Our little dog fought so hard and was so strong. But it was time.

We had someone come to our home to do it, and it was an absolutely beautiful
experience. Saying goodbye to him in that way was the best we could have
hoped for, and we were so thankful. 

We had our Peanut for more than 14 years, and it was still not enough time.
Losing him was crushing grief we were not prepared for. 

I expected to be sad, but the devastation hit us hard. My husband told me
then that he didn’t want to even think about a new dog for at least a year,
and I was fine with that. 

New Found Joy

Remember when I mentioned that the craziness of the past year was all done?
The graduation parties had ended, there were no more college visits or
school appointments…just FREEDOM. 

We talked about how wonderful it was going to be to get to relax for a few
weeks. This was the first summer our son didn’t have band for the first time
in six years! I was going to dive head first into this site and catch up on
posts and DIY projects! Maybe we could travel a bit before the college prep
started? 

Well the calm lasted for less than 48 hours. 😂

I saw this face on an adoption site I follow, and sent it to my family with
“Should we meet him?”:

Carolina Dog puppy

My husband had already been talking about looking into a dog (which I knew
would happen sooner than he thought, but I was waiting until he was ready).
And I was realizing that when our son was away at college and my husband was
traveling for work…I wasn’t going to have my Peanut with me. 

It was hitting me hard. 

I kept saying I didn’t want a puppy…we had been there and done that. 🙂 I
wanted to get a slightly older dog that would be a slightly easier
transition.

But then I saw this two-month old face and fell. in. love. 

Thankfully my family was all in. We met him at the foster parent’s house one
evening, and by the next day we had him in our home for a trial visit. By
that night we texted the foster parent to say we wanted him to stay.
🙂 

We name him Boomer and he is an absolute PRECIOUS BABY when he’s not being a
psycho landshark: 

Boomer dog

floppy ear dog

We are 99 percent sure he is a Carolina Dog breed, which we had never heard
of before now. I’d like to do a doggy DNA test to check, but we think he’s
full bred. 

It sounds like a breeder dropped him and his brother at a shelter, and the
organization we adopted through found them there. I can’t imagine how he
wasn’t scooped up immediately, but I’m so glad he wasn’t. 

He was a squishy ten pounds when we got him: 

Carolina breed puppy

And now (about eight weeks later), he’s 26 pounds!: 

Carolina dog breed puppy in bed

And still growing!

He has brought so much life and happiness into our home again. We are so in
love with him. The cats could take or leave him most of the time, but
overall they’re all adjusting well. 

It was bittersweet bringing a new pup into our lives, but we are so thankful
for him. He was born exactly one week after our Peanut passed away, and we
feel like Peanut lives on in him in a lot of ways. So many little things
have happened that make us think of him. 

Big transitions

We’re about to be empty nesters. It feels so weird to say that! It seems
like we just brought him home from the hospital a few years ago.

And now we are less than two weeks away from dropping our son off to
college. I am going to keep this part short and sweet so I don’t start
crying, but we are SO excited for him. He got into a prestigious school at a
local college that he worked SO hard for. 

Thankfully he will still be in state and won’t be far away. This puts my
heart at ease for sure!

It is such a bittersweet time, but that’s what all of parenthood is, right?
It’s letting go of them a little bit at a time, but rejoicing in it because
thank God they are growing and happy and you’re so proud. I’ve always said
every stage of his life has been my favorite, but this one
for sure is.

UGH. This is going to be tough. 

I am looking forward to diving back into blogging full speed again. I always
take it much slower in the summer (the heat drains all of my mojo), but this
summer especially I’ve let myself focus on family. (And cleaning up dog
pee.)

I appreciate you all so much and am so thankful to you — whether this is
the first time you’re reading or the hundredth. 

My favorite season is approaching and I’m looking forward to working with my
tools again and updating you here more frequently. 

Thanks for listening, your patience and letting me share some life
updates! 


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9 Fundamental Rules for Turning Life’s Endings into New Beginnings http://livelaughlovedo.com/personal-growth/9-fundamental-rules-for-turning-lifes-endings-into-new-beginnings/ http://livelaughlovedo.com/personal-growth/9-fundamental-rules-for-turning-lifes-endings-into-new-beginnings/#respond Sat, 21 Jun 2025 11:08:01 +0000 http://livelaughlovedo.com/2025/06/21/9-fundamental-rules-for-turning-lifes-endings-into-new-beginnings/ [ad_1]

9 Fundamental Rules for Turning Life's Endings into New Beginnings

Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.

When you can no longer think of a reason to continue, you must think of a reason to start over. There’s a big difference between giving up and starting over in the right direction. And there are three little words that can release you from your past and guide you forward to a positive new beginning. These words are: “From now on…”

So, from now on…

1. Let the things you can’t control GO!

Most things are only a part of your life because you keep thinking about them. Realize this. Positive things will happen in your life when you emotionally distance yourself from the negative things. So stop holding on to what hurts, and make room for what feels right. Do not let what is out of your control interfere with all the things you can control. (Read “Learned Optimism”.)

2. Accept and embrace reality.

Life is simple on the average day. Everything happens for you, not to you. Everything happens at exactly the right moment, neither too soon nor too late. For everything you lose, you gain something else; and for everything you gain, you lose something else. You don’t have to like it, but it’s just easier if you do. So pay attention to your outlook on life. You can either regret or rejoice; it’s your choice.

3. Change your mind.

Change is like breath — it isn’t part of the process, it is the process. In reality the only thing we can count on is change. And the first step toward positive change is to change your outlook. Prepare for the positive. Prepare for progress and the “new.” Allow the unknown to take you to fresh and unforeseen areas in yourself. Growth is impossible without change. If you cannot change your mind, you cannot change anything in your life. Sometimes all you need to do is look at things from a different perspective.

4. Hold tight to the good things.

When life’s daily struggles knock you into a pit so deep you can’t see anything but darkness, don’t waste valuable energy trying to dig your way out. Because if you hastily dig in the dark, you’re likely to head in the wrong direction and only dig the pit deeper. Instead, use what energy you have to reach out and pull something good in with you. For goodness is bright; its radiance will show you which way is up, and illuminate the correct path that will take you there. (Note: Marc and I discuss strategies for living true to these words in the Adversity & Self-Love chapters of “1,000 Little Things Happy, Successful People Do Differently”.)

5. Rest and regroup.

Strength isn’t about bearing a cross of grief or shame. Strength is about choosing your path, living with the consequences, and learning the way on the way. Sometimes you do your best and end up with a mess. When this happens don’t be discouraged. You tried your best. That’s really all you can ever do. You have not failed — you just learned what not to do. So rest, regroup, and begin again with what you now know.

6. Take necessary chances.

Making a big life change or trying something new can be scary. But do you know what’s even scarier? Regret. So realize that most of your fears are much bigger in your mind than they are in reality. You’ll see this for yourself as soon as you face them, so don’t let them stop you. Live your life so that you rarely ever have to regret the chances you never took, the love you never let in, and the gifts you never gave out.

7. Keep climbing.

Every person who is at the top of the mountain did not fall there from the sky. Good things come to those who work for them. You gain confidence and grow stronger by every experience in which you truly push yourself to do something you didn’t think you could do. If you are standing in that place of in-between, unable or unwilling to go backwards, but too afraid to move forward, remember that you can’t enjoy the view in the long run without being willing to climb at least a few small steps every day.

8. Give yourself credit for the lessons learned.

Just because you have struggled does not mean you are incapable. Every success requires some kind of worthy struggle to get there. Give yourself credit for the lessons learned and how far you have come. You’re not the same person you were a year ago, a month ago, or even a week ago. You’re always learning and growing from your experiences. So use your disappointments and frustrations to motivate you rather than annoy you. Remember, you are in control of the way you respond to life today.

9. Appreciate how every step is necessary.

Almost nothing is 100% wrong in life. We learn from nearly every step we take. Whatever you did earlier today was a necessary step to get to tomorrow. So be proud of yourself and notice your progress. Maybe you are not as good as you want to be, or as great as you one day will be; but thanks to all the lessons you’ve learned along the way, you are so much better than you used to be. (Note: “The Good Morning Journal: Powerful Prompts and Reflections to Start Every Day” is a great tool for this kind of daily self-reflection.)

Afterthoughts… on Tragic Endings

Let’s take a moment to address an obvious elephant in the room — the fact that the aforementioned points are infinitely easier said than done when tragedy strikes. For example, when someone you love passes away too soon, that’s undoubtedly one of the most difficult and heartbreaking endings to cope with. Although it takes a lot more time and work, the general principles for coping with this kind of tragic ending are applicable. Let’s visualize this together…

Imagine a person who gave meaning to your life is suddenly no longer in your life (at least not in the flesh), and you’re not the same person without them. You have to change who you are — you’re now a best friend who sits alone, a widow instead of a wife, a dad without a daughter, or a next-door neighbor to someone new. You want life to be the way it was, before death, but it never will be.

Marc and I have dealt with the loss of siblings and best friends to illness, so we know from experience that when you lose someone you can’t imagine living without, your heart breaks wide open. And the bad news is you never completely get over the loss — you will never forget them. However, in a backwards way, this is also the good news.

You see, death is an ending, which is a necessary part of living. And endings are necessary for beauty too — otherwise it’s impossible to appreciate someone or something, because they are unlimited. Limits illuminate beauty, and death is the definitive limit — a reminder that you need to be aware of this beautiful person or situation, and appreciate this beautiful thing called life. Death is also a beginning, because while you’ve lost someone special, this ending, like every loss, is a moment of reinvention. Although deeply sad, their passing forces you to reinvent your life, and in this reinvention is an opportunity to experience beauty in new, unseen ways and places. And finally, of course, death is an opportunity to celebrate a person’s life, to be grateful for the priceless beauty they showed you, and to begin again in their honor.

Now it’s your turn…

Yes, it’s your turn to make the best of what’s in front of you. So I hope you will have an inspired day today, that you will dream boldly and dangerously, that you will make some progress that didn’t exist before you took action, that you will love and be loved in return, and that you will find the strength to accept and grow from the troubles you can’t change. And, most importantly (because I think there should be more kindness and wisdom in this world), that you will, when you must, be wise with your decisions, and that you will always be extra kind to yourself and others.

And please leave Marc and me a comment below and let us know what you think of this essay. Your feedback is important to us.  🙂

(Finally, if you haven’t done so already, be sure to sign-up for our free newsletter to receive new articles like this in your inbox each week.)

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